Vikings counting on Jackson's growth

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http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7108 ... 3162&ATT=5

Vikings counting on Jackson's growth
Alex Marvez
FOXSports.com, Updated 1 hour ago STORY TOOLS:

MANKATO, Minn. - Vikings personnel chief Rick Spielman sits in a dark meeting room on the seventh floor of an aged Minnesota State University dormitory with a remote clicker in hand.

Asked by FOXSports.com to provide an in-depth video analysis of Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, Spielman has chosen to review cut-ups of his performance in the Vikings' 2006 season-finale against St. Louis. The selection of that game seems curious, seeing that the Vikings were trounced, 41-21, in a loss that provided a fitting end to a 6-10 campaign.

But to his credit, Spielman's choice actually makes perfect sense.

Minnesota opens its preseason Friday with another home contest against the Rams. And while Jackson isn't expected to play more than a few series against what will assuredly be a non-descript St. Louis defensive scheme, the game gives Vikings brass their first opportunity to gauge Jackson's progress in the almost nine months since he last played against another team as a rookie.

"You can look at a defense on the field, write it up, X and O it, and show it on tape," Spielman said. "But until things are flying around a million miles an hour, does his mind scramble or does the game slow down for him?"

The answer is critical in whether the Vikings will rebound in Brad Childress' second year as head coach.

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Jackson looked horrible last year. I would guess that you guys are in trouble. Six wins would be a very good season for the Vikes.