The Offseason

[hermes]

Post news, speculation here

who should stay, who should go

[hermes]

first and foremost quarterback needs to be addressed, Gus nor Tavarias are going to cut it, bringing in a competent veteran would be ideal

right tackle also needs to be a point of emphasis, because Cook isn't that good

and i think Childress should go, but he probably won't since his has improved every year, and made the playoffs this year, i'd like to go after one of the big name coaches (Cowher, Shannahan) but it probably won't happen

[deeney0]

The whole offensive line other than Hutch can be examined imo. I think Birk has had it. Both tackles are question marks.

I feel the same about QB as I did this time last year. TJax is a mystery. If we'd have played him 16 games, maybe we wouldn't have made the playoffs, but at least we would know.

I'd get rid of Bevell and Ferraro for sure. I'd can Childress, too, but I don't see that as likely.

[Worm Guts]

The Vikings can't afford to let Tavaris go into the year as next years starting QB. The've already lost 2 seasons because they thought he could be a starting QB, it's time to move on.

[greenbeans]

Come on, cough up a 1st for Cassel, you know ya wanna.

[$$D-Block$$]

This off-season shouldn't be too complicated for this team. We had a great year. Finished with double digit wins. None of our key players are up for free agency. As long as the FO is focused and make only a few, key changes, we could be in perfect position to make another run next year.

The biggest change is obviously going to be QB. Deeney said that maybe we should have played TJ the whole way, so that at least we would know what we had. I disagree. Look at where the Cardinals are. If they had played Leinart just to see where he could take them, there's no way they make the playoffs, let alone the Superbowl. I think you always go with the QB that gives you the best chance to win. TJ, as much as I love him, just doesn't give this team the best chance to win. I would love to keep him in the same role as Gus was this year. A solid back-up in case the number one gets hurt who can win a few games. Gus, however, ABSOLUTELY cannot be back next year. I'm never so nervous as when he takes a snap and just sits in the pocket.

As for which QB should be our starter going into next year, there are a lot of options I would be open to. Admittedly, I have no idea about the batch of QB's in this years draft, but I don't feel we can expect a rookie to carry this team. Although if we did get one, he'd be in one of the best situations in the league. A vet in the mold of Donovan McNabb or Jeff Garcia, a pocket QB by nature who has the elusiveness to move around in the pocket and scramble from time to time, would be ideal. Either of those two guys would be instant upgrades over what we have now and would give us a great chance to repeat as NFC North champs.

Besides QB, we have a few other holes that could use some filling. Ryan Cook must have cost this team 30 of its 90 penalties this season. If he wasn't jumping offsides, he was holding someone. If he wasn't holding someone, he was just being a numbskull in general. In our playoff game vs the Eagles, somewhere in the third quarter I remember thinking 'Wow, Ryan Cook hasn't gotten a penalty today. Impressive.' And then, on our final drive, he gets two. He needs to be replaced.

Cedric Griffin is a bit more difficult to gage. He's not a bad corner. I mean he made some great plays this year. It's just that every time I see him in one-on-one coverage, I always notice he's not very fluid with his hips. He always over commits to the first move by the WR. I forget the game, it may have been vs the Texans, but I remember him playing the entire game lined up right in front of the receiver. He got a good jam in every time, and always threw the WR of their route. It was one of his best games. Then, he gets back to giving 10 yard cushions every time. Most of that is coaching I know, but I just want to see him make plays. If we could get another CB, preferably in the draft, to compete for the #2 spot, and potentially replace Antoine, that would be the best case scenario.

Outside of those three positions, everything else would just be depth. I had reasonable expectations before last years off-season and it blew me away. We don't need another off-season like that, but one or two big additions would go a long way towards getting us into the playoffs and beyond next season.

Oh, and last season I "predicted" that we could get Jared Allen. (not really a prediction, I'll try and find the post) This year, the one key player who could put us over the top, in my opinion, would be Donovan McNabb. I really hope the fans run him out of town and right into Brad's waiting arms. He would be a PERFECT fit both on the field, and off as a mentor to TJ.

[hermes]

are there any FA tackles out there that could be had for Cook, or anyone in the draft that could go right away?

[hermes]

link
Special teams coordinator leaves Vikings to coach Rams LBs

Paul Ferraro, the Vikings special teams coordinator since Brad Childress took over in 2006, has agreed to become the linebackers coach for the Rams, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

A Vikings spokesman declined to comment Thursday when asked whether Ferraro was leaving; new Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that his policy is to not announce hirings until he has a signed contract.

The move reunites Ferraro with Spagnuolo, his good friend and former college teammate. The two played football together at Springfield (Mass.) College and were roommates.

well there were injuries, but the special teams were abysmal

[daddyfivestar]

^ addition by subtraction. K/O and Punt coverage were horrible, K/O and Punt return were average to below average - Mewelde Moore where are you... oh in the Super Bowl.

No loss there.

[BiggMann]

Offseason is pretty much up in the air. If we're sticking with TJack, we need to see it all the way through, i really think starting Gus last year hurt his progression and demeaner. You saw after Gus went down that he was there to keep his job, and looked very determined to do so.

MMA training would do him wonders, help his body control, as well as Strength and Conditioning.

[hermes]

if MMA can get him straightened out i'm all for it, if he's going to be the guy he needs to improve or its going to be the same story with us year in and year out

[daddyfivestar]

Unfortunately, MMA will not help with the pick 6 right into the DBs hands nor will it help with the look-off that should have occured prior to the pass.

[BiggMann]

It's obvious MMA training wont help his decision making, but it cant hurt his conditioning and attitude. He's got a great arm, but he's a little too confident in his decision making ability, he thinks he can pull of Favre like throws, but he just doesn't have that in him. When he stays within himself, and only makes throws he's capable of making we are a successful team.

[Worm Guts]

I don't think I'd say Jackson has too much confidence. I think that's the opposite of his problem.

[hermes]

wiretap

Pioneer Press - If the Vikings aren't able to acquire Matt Cassel, Matt Hasselbeck or Brett Favre, they are expected to look at Derek Anderson, Jeff Garcia and Rex Grossman.

The Browns intend to start Brady Quinn at quarterback, and might have to waive Anderson if they can't trade him.

well at least they're looking around, any names jump out at you guys?

i'd really like to not have farve come here, same with rex
either of the matt's and jeff would be fine, don't know about anderson

[hermes]

wiretap

Star Tribune - Adrian Peterson said he will work to improve pass protection and running routes over the offseason, while trying to bulk up from 218 pounds to about 225 or 230 without losing speed.

"That would be pretty nice. I don't think too many guys would be excited to see me at 230 two times a year," he said.

Peterson said the extra weight will help him endure the long season and make him "more explosive."

if he can pull it off, that would be super

[hiphop1]

MATT CASSELL!

[hermes]

don't you think that would cost a lot to get him though, all i keep hearing is two firsts for him
and we traded picks last year to get Allen

but i suppose we are in win-now mode sans a qb

[hiphop1]

I am a New England fan first but love the Vikes. I have been a fan since they had Roger Craig HAHAHAHA! But I think he would really put u guys over the top in the NFC. I think you could get him for a first and a third round pick.

[deeney0]

No way Matt Cassell is worth a first and a third. I'd rather have Anderson for a 2nd than Cassell for a 1st, let alone adding another pick to it.