Re: NFL Preseason Thread
Vikings:
Last season: C+
Their decision to go with Brad Johnson as the starting QB was a bad one. Sticking with him as long as they did was worse. The passing game was atrocious and the running game was average at best. Still, somehow Tomlin, running a variant of the cover-2, put together one of the best run defenses in league has ever seen. There has been a lot of talk in the off season about how horrible their pass defense was, but in reality, it was pretty average. It was only "ranked" so low because teams passed on them constantly because they couldn't run.
Offseason(free agency): C
Biggest need by far: QB, not addressed at all. F
2nd biggest need: WR, signed Bobby Wade, Cortez Hankton, track star and basketball player Todd Lowber. C-
3rd biggest need: TE, signed Visanthe Shiancoe. ?C+?
4th biggest need: RG/RT, not addressed at all. F
Draft: A-
1st: Adrian Peterson. RB wasn't a big need, but offensive playmaker was. Seems like a pretty good choice.
2nd: Sidney Rice. A lot of people were surprised they didn't go with Dwayne Jarrett here, but I really like this pick. They addressed a need and might have picked up a 1st round talent here.
3rd: Marcus McCauley. This pick is a bit of a gamble as McCauley didn't look particularly impressive last year. His size and tackling ability should make him a good fit for the cover 2 system and really fills out the roster at this position. If he can get back to playing the way he did 2 years ago, this is a def. steal.
4th: Brian Robison, another very good pick. Fills another defensive need, pass rusher, and is an absolute animal. I think he was a little overlooked because he played opposite Tim Crowder.
Rest: Picked up two more WRs, a QB and a LB who should be a special teams contributer right away.
Season Outlook: The Vikings are a tough team to make predictions about because they unexperienced at the offensive "skill" positions but talented everywhere else. Having to play the NFC east isn't good, but the AFC west isn't the toughest division in football, even though it has two very good teams.
Even in the weak NFC North, I don't see this team having much of a legitimate shot at the playoffs. If Tarvaris Jackson can show some development and the defense can perform as well, or better then last year, this season will have been a success.
Week 1, W > ATL
Week 2, W > DET
Week 3, W > KC
Week 4, W > GB
Week 6, L < CHI
Week 7, L < DAL
Week 8, L < PHI
Week 9, L < SD
Week 10, W > GB
Week 11, W > OAK
Week 12, L < NYG
Week 13, W > DET
Week 14, L < SF
Week 15, L < CHI
Week 16, W > WAS
Week 17, L < DEN
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