With The Right Plan, The Vikings Can Return to the Playoffs in 2012

Update 2: As you already know, the Vikings have signed QB Donovan McNabb to a contract (the length of which is still undisclosed) and have come to terms with free agent WR Michael Jenkins.  Coach Leslie Frazier stated in an interview that barring unforeseen circumstances, he expects to roll with the current roster at the WR position. 

Additionally, all of the Vikings draft picks, including Christian Ponder ($11M fully guaranteed), have been signed. 

Update: It appears the Vikings have made a few more steps forward in the first day of free agency.  Reports are the team has traded for quarterback Donovan McNabb to be the veteran presence in the huddle, and has agreed to terms with wideout Devin Aromashodu.  Both players are expected to sign one year deals.

It finally happened.  Thats right, after a grueling 136 day lockout, the NFL and NFLPA finally have agreed to a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement.  More importantly, starting today, teams will begin the vastly expedited process of retooling their rosters to prepare for the 2011 NFL season.  The Vikings, who, after a disappointing 6-10 2010 campaign, seemed lightyears away from contention, may be just a few key moves from regaining their position as a legitimate NFC power.

It won't, however, be easy.  The NFC North has drastically improved in the past few years, and expecting to win it may be a bit too optimistic.  In addition to featuring both of last years NFC Championship game teams - the Chicago Bears and Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers - the Detroit Lions are quietly stockpiling not only a talented roster, but one that is built to compete in the NFC North for years.  Additionally, the Vikings are the only team without a sure answer at quarterback in a division that features some of the leagues young stars in Rodgers, Stafford and (sort of) Cutler.  They do, however, have a potential long-term answer at the position in Christian Ponder.  The issue is, in a quarterback driven league, Ponder may not be ready to lead a team to the playoffs at the NFL level.  Worse yet, the Vikings stand to lose a lot to free agency, with top starters on both sides of the ball entering the market.  Finally, gone are the magical days of uncapped football.  Thus the Vikings, along with the rest of the league, will need to adhere to the new salary cap of $120 million, which may require some tricky salary maneuvering.  Despite all of this, the if the Vikings make a few smart personell moves (some of which they've already done), they may still have a shot at not only returning to the playoffs, but at becoming a force in the NFC for years to come.

Heres what they need to do:

1. Franchise Tag LB Chad Greenway

This is one of the moves VP of Player Personel Rick Spielman has already made.  And despite a bit of criticism, it was the right decision.  Greenway is an essential part of the defense, and keeping him ensures they have a front 7 that consists of Greenway, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and EJ Henderson.  More importantly, Greenway is willing to play under the franchise label (and at $10M, he should be) which is more important than you might think.  Just last year Chargers wideout Vincent Jackson sat out much of the year due to his unwillingness to play without a long term contract.  While Greenway has already said he would happily welcome a long-term offer, this gives the Vikings the leisure of dealing with other free agent issues and forget about losing their star linebacker.  In the end, the Vikings will (and should) talk to Greenway and figure out a deal that will keep him in purple for multiple years... which should also lessen his cap hit in 2011.

Thoughts on the Brief Favre Era in Minnesota

It's official.  Brett Favre has filed his retirement papers with the NFL.  So while the purple and gold begin their search for a new quarterback, I'm starting to wonder, "was the Favre experiment a success?"  I think so.  Here's why:

Allen, Pat and Kevin Williams

For the Vikings, it rejuvenated a franchise that hadn't been remotely relevant since the 2001 season.  The Vikings weren't going to win with Tarvaris Jackson under center, and everyone (except maybe Brad Childress) knew it.  They had to do something big, and with Brett Favre available, they'd have been stupid not to take a chance.  Yes, signing a 39 year old quarterback who had lead your arch-rival for 18 years was a risk.  Paying a quarterback coming off bicep surgery $13 million is a risk, too.  But something needed to be done, and Zygi Wilf was willing to make his first big splash as an owner.  The simple fact was the Vikings had a championship caliber team just about everywhere but quarterback.  They had Adrian Peterson in the prime of his career, one of the best run defenses in the league with a dominante (yet aging) line featuring Pat Williams, Kevin Williams, and Jared Allen.  Simply put, the Vikings had a small window to win a championship, and they needed to find that last piece of the puzzle.

Will the Vikings be relying on Webb in 2011?

Joe Webb

Yes, Joe Webb played well and lead his team to a win Tuesday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but that is by no means enough evidence to name him the opening day starter in 2011.  To clutter things more, they can't really make a decision on the kid until they have a coach in place.  If they decide to take the high risk high reward route with Webb, they HAVE to have a coach who wants to have a young, athletic, scrambling style.  Unfortunately, the lack of a definite quarterback will undoubtedly take the Vikings off of most high profile coaches' lists.  If Leslie Frazier is back (which he likely is) it seems he is ok with Webb behind center, and he will likely adapt the playbook accordingly.  

His Tuesday night performance was surprisingly good, yet one game is hardily enough to crown the man king. Obviously, Vikings personell will be working with him all summer long to evaluate his improvement, but if the Vikings are really serious about attempting to win a Super Bowl with their current core of stars, they need to look elsewhere for the answer.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, both McNabb and Palmer should be available at decent prices.  Although both are aging, and are fresh off subpar seasons, they are more than capable of leading a talent rich team to the playoffs (and hopefully beyond).  This way, if they determine Webb may be the future, he can spend a few seasons being groomed by the veteran quarterback, before he is thrust out into the real world.  Similarly, if the Vikings draft a quarterback this April, the rookie will have a couple of years to learn behind a strong veteran.  Suddenly, the Vikings quarterback situation doesn't look so horrible.

Webb is obviously a superb athlete, and can definitely be a factor on the field.  Whether its behind center, playing receiver or coming in for special formations (wildcat anyone?) Webb should be an interesting player to watch this offseason.

Offseason Choices Ahead for the Minnesota Vikings

Despite Tuesdays surprising 24 - 14 over the Philadelphia Eagles, there is little doubt some big changes are coming to the Minnesota Vikings.  With multiple aging stars, no coach and no answer at quarterback, Vice President of Player Personell Rick Spielman has some important decisions to make before the start of the 2011 season.  If the Purple plan to win with their current core of stars (AP, Sidney Rice, Pat Williams, Chad Greenway...), time is running out.  Here's a few things they need to do:

T-Jack To The Rescue?

Tavaris Jackson

After Sundays loss to division rival Chicago, might the Minnesota Vikings be looking at handing over the reigns to backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson?  With Brett Favre ailing (ESPN.com reports that Favre told Ed Werder that he has a shoulder injury that requires an MRI, in addition to his ankle and throwing elbow) and having the 31st ranked quarterback rating, it might sound like a viable option.  

Of course, if Favre is ok to go next week, that means Brad Childress would have to end Favre's streak by choice, something that could create a huge controversy in Minny.

Right now, most people (myself included) think Favre gives the Vikes the best chance to win each Sunday.  But if the purple and gold keep losing, each week speculation of starting Jackson will grow- and maybe, just maybe, it should.

Fantasy Impact:
Although most people aren't relying on Favre as their starter in Fantasy anymore, if you are, I wouldn't worry about Favre being benched.  The Vikings put all their eggs in the Favre basket, and it just doesn't make sense to jump out now.  He'll start next week against the Packers. If Favre continues to struggle or is hurt, it could have impact on a couple other Vikings:

Percy Harvin, WR - Even with Sidney Rice coming back next week if Favre is hampered, expect the Vikes to hand the ball off to Adrian Peterson more the rest of the season.  If this happens, expect to see Percy's value drop.

Adrian Peterson, RB - On the other hand, if the Vikings rely heavily on the run game, it can only mean good news for Adrian Peterson owners.  With a weaker second half schedule, expect AP to put up some monster numbers in the coming weeks.

Unrest In The Desert

Larry Fitzgerald

It's no breaking news that the Arizona Cardinals have been falling back into irrelevance since losing quarterback Kurt Warner to retirement and wideout Anquan Boldin for a mere 5th round pick last offseason, but might another Pro-Bowler be on his way out? Although Larry hasn't made any public comments, his younger brother, Marcus Fitzgerald, may have stirred some discussion late Sunday night via Twitter.  Marcus tweeted "I want to see Larry play for the Vikings soon.  That's all I want for Christmas" jokingly adding he was staying in Arizona "Until Larry's QB situation gets handled."  Finally, Marcus, admitting what Cardinal fans have known all season, said "This year [is] most definitely very frustrating."  While it could all just be the words of a frustrated family member, it wouldn't be shocking if Larry and he shared the same opinion.  Although its too late to move him this offseason maybe the Cardinals will be best suited to move the talented wideout, entering the final year of his contract, in 2011.