The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a 12-4 season, a NFC Championship game appearance, and are returning basically every key player—especially one key player. They should be primed for another run.
And yet this season is seemingly destined to be nfl jerseys
filled with hardship and struggle for Minnesota.
With a tougher schedule this season, injuries to key players already, and another year on everyone's odometer, it will be difficult for the Vikings to duplicate last season's success. To improve on last season, to get to the Super Bowl or win the Super Bowl, will be exquisitely difficult for Minnesota.
But make no mistake, the Vikings still have the offensive firepower and the defensive fortitude to be a championship contender.
With the season opener tomorrow, let's preview what the Vikes have and need to do in order to win that elusive ring.
There were many upset fans after Sage Rosenfels was traded to the New York Giants. Thought to be the only competent, ready backup on the roster, Rosenfels was a good safety net for Minnesota to have.
But the Vikings are all-in for the Super Bowl, and nobody but No. 4 is going to get them there. Any injury to Brett Favre, any reason for the backup quarterback to come in besides mop-up duty, and Minnesota's chances would go down the drain. No reason to cry over spilled milk or traded Sage.
Favre is the all-time record holder for consecutive games played at 285, the Iron Man. But he is 40 years old going on 41, coming off ankle surgery, and already in need of shots to alleviate pain for that ankle. It stands to reason, logically speaking, that he will miss some time at some point in his career, and that sometime is now.
Favre has made a living playing in every game and proving people wrong, though.
If he can survive this year, if he can get protection, Favre still has the capability and the weapons around him—even while Sidney Rice is recovering from his surgery—to make oppositions pay.
The passing game looked a millisecond off in the preseason, but it took them a few weeks to gel last season as well. With old security blanket, Visanthe Shiancoe, and new security blanket, Greg Camarillo, not to mention Berrian, Harvin, and some Peterson guy, Favre and the Vikings offense should be peaking as the season goes on.
Maybe last season's Herculean statline won't Indianapolis Colts jersey
be matched, but something close to it should be expected for Favre, if he can just stay healthy.
The Vikings will miss backup running back and third-down specialist Chester Taylor. One of the very few players from last year not on this year's roster, Taylor was invaluable as a runner, receiver, and blocker. He was able to replace Adrian Peterson on certain downs and the Vikings offense never missed a beat.
Whether or not rookie Toby Gerhart and promoted practice squader Albert Young can replace Taylor's production remains to be seen, and is highly doubtful.
Fullback Naufahu Tahi is an adequate blocker. That is all.
Stating the obvious, the stallion in the stable is Peterson, he of the mortal 1,383 rushing yards, career-high 43 receptions and 436 receiving yards, and league-leading 18 touchdowns last season. He is the one-man wrecking crew, a deterrent forcing the opposition into eight-man boxes and focused on the run. Even while Favre and the Vikings receivers are picking them apart down the field, the defenses still fear Peterson more.
According to all reports, he has worked harder than ever at securing the ball, his Achilles' heel, this offseason. If it works, time will tell.
Peterson should enjoy more lanes to run in with a healthy Steve Hutchinson in tow this season. With Taylor gone, Peterson looks to be a bigger part of the passing game as well. And with four tight ends on the roster, including three that could double as fullbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Vikings seem to be preparing for some smash-mouth football.
Peterson could be looking at a big, big year ahead.
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