Team MVP: Adrian Peterson. He had a chance at league MVP last year before Al Harris took his knee out. Count on a 1,600 yard, 15+ TD season from AD. And those numbers would be higher if not for Chester Taylor getting his fair share of the carries (gotta keep the main man fresh for that stretch run).
Break-Out Player: Madieu Williams. He was a bright spot on a dismal Bengals defense. Now he'll line up alongside Darren Sharper, on a defense that should get major pressure on the QB. Williams makes the leap from promising unknown to legitimate playmaker.
Biggest Disappointment: Bernard Berrian. The Vikes were desperate to land a #1 receiver. Unfortunately there weren't any to be had...so they cast Berrian in the role. He's got speed, but it won't matter if Tarvaris Jackson doesn't get him the ball. #1 money won't add up to #1 stats for Bernard.
Fantasy Stud: Adrian Peterson. Most prognosticators have him second only to LaDainian Tomlinson. His numbers will have fantasy football wonks dribbling like middle-aged pervs at a Hannah Montana show.
Offensive Outlook: It's all about Tarvaris Jackson. If he develops into a competent quarterback, the Vikings will be solid on offense. We know they have a great running game and adequate pass protection...so there should be no complaining that T-Jack doesn't have the support. Well, maybe a little complaining...it would be nice if the Vikes had a better tight end to act as a safety valve/red-zone target. And there are still questions at receiver (Is Bernard Berrian a legit #1? Can Sidney Rice make the second-year leap?).
Defensive Diagnosis: Jared Allen was the last piece of the puzzle. The Vikings now have a top-notch defense from the dominating line to the fast, play-making linebacker corps to the experienced defensive backfield. They should force a lot of turnovers, giving the offense short-field chances. And the good running game should ensure these guys don't get worn out.
"Red Letter" Game: First game of the season, Mon. Sept. 8, Vikings vs. Packers at Lambeau Field. This was already going to be crazy with Favre having his jersey retired and Aaron Rodgers playing his first game as the starter...the Favre off-season drama only adds layers and sub-plots and emotional undercurrents galore. Whatever happens with Favre, this will be a great early-season test for the Vikes. And nothing could be sweeter than sticking it to the Pack on Favre day (assuming they still want to give Favre a day by that point).
Projected Record/Outlook: 9-7. I'm still not sold on Tarvaris Jackson. I see offensive struggles at times this year, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor having to carry too much of the load, frustration from Bernard Berrian and the receiver corps, maybe even revolt from veterans like Antoine Winfield who've expressed reservations about the lack of a veteran presence behind center. Still, the defensive talent and dynamic running game will be enough to carry the team through the occasional passing drought. 9-7 could win the division this year. Unfortunately, I don't see them going far in a conference that sports teams like Dallas, the Giants, and resurgent Saints and Seahawks clubs.
Parting Smack:
Green Bay Packers: Nice off-season Packers. No turmoil. Just Aaron Rodgers getting comfy with his new role and Brett Favre fading gracefully into the sunset. What a disaster. I'm sure there won't be any carry-over into the regular season though. Oh and by the way...your corners are getting old. And your receivers will stink without Favre throwing them the ball. And Mike McCarthy will be exposed as a mediocre coach (the same way Packers management has been exposed the last few months as a bunch of clueless stooges). '08 has misery written all over it for the Pack. But look on the bright side - they can start all over in '09 with Brian Brohm. I'm sure they'll have that whole QB thing squared away by 2012. Vikes sweep the hapless, Favreless Pack.
Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton. What a great choice that is. Like stepping up to a buffet and getting to choose between cow crap and pig crap. But hey...at least the Bears have a great running game to make up for it. Who's their #1 back again? Not Cedric Benson...he had problems with authority, not to mention sobriety, and now he's history. Oh well...I guess they'll just have to throw the ball. They've got such a solid receiver corps over there... Devin Hester and Marty Booker and...um...Willie Gault? No. Eh, but who cares about offense...with the Bears it's all about defense. Brian Urlacher. Is he actually able to turn his head at this point? The Bears will need a huge dose of Bear-like luck, and about 15 Devin Hester special teams TDs, to crack .500. I'll be generous and predict a split in their 2 games with the Vikes.
Detroit Lions: I almost feel bad about the state the Lions are in. No defense. No running back. Jon Kitna at quarterback. Matt Millen running the show. Forget about the roar being restored this year...the Lions would be satisfied with a wheeze. But at least they got rid of that egomaniac Mike Martz and his throw-every-down approach. Maybe now they'll find some offensive balance. Who am I kidding? They'll still have to throw every down. Jon Kitna's arm will resemble a garden hose by the end of the year. The Lions will be lucky to get 3 wins...and still Matt Millen won't get fired. In fact he'll get a contract extension. If the Lions went 0-16, he'd probably get a lifetime contract. And still Lions players insist on making dumb predictions. Well, I predict the Lions will get thumped twice by the purple this year. How's that?
- Dan Zinski
Break-Out Player: Madieu Williams. He was a bright spot on a dismal Bengals defense. Now he'll line up alongside Darren Sharper, on a defense that should get major pressure on the QB. Williams makes the leap from promising unknown to legitimate playmaker.
Biggest Disappointment: Bernard Berrian. The Vikes were desperate to land a #1 receiver. Unfortunately there weren't any to be had...so they cast Berrian in the role. He's got speed, but it won't matter if Tarvaris Jackson doesn't get him the ball. #1 money won't add up to #1 stats for Bernard.
Fantasy Stud: Adrian Peterson. Most prognosticators have him second only to LaDainian Tomlinson. His numbers will have fantasy football wonks dribbling like middle-aged pervs at a Hannah Montana show.
Offensive Outlook: It's all about Tarvaris Jackson. If he develops into a competent quarterback, the Vikings will be solid on offense. We know they have a great running game and adequate pass protection...so there should be no complaining that T-Jack doesn't have the support. Well, maybe a little complaining...it would be nice if the Vikes had a better tight end to act as a safety valve/red-zone target. And there are still questions at receiver (Is Bernard Berrian a legit #1? Can Sidney Rice make the second-year leap?).
Defensive Diagnosis: Jared Allen was the last piece of the puzzle. The Vikings now have a top-notch defense from the dominating line to the fast, play-making linebacker corps to the experienced defensive backfield. They should force a lot of turnovers, giving the offense short-field chances. And the good running game should ensure these guys don't get worn out.
"Red Letter" Game: First game of the season, Mon. Sept. 8, Vikings vs. Packers at Lambeau Field. This was already going to be crazy with Favre having his jersey retired and Aaron Rodgers playing his first game as the starter...the Favre off-season drama only adds layers and sub-plots and emotional undercurrents galore. Whatever happens with Favre, this will be a great early-season test for the Vikes. And nothing could be sweeter than sticking it to the Pack on Favre day (assuming they still want to give Favre a day by that point).
Projected Record/Outlook: 9-7. I'm still not sold on Tarvaris Jackson. I see offensive struggles at times this year, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor having to carry too much of the load, frustration from Bernard Berrian and the receiver corps, maybe even revolt from veterans like Antoine Winfield who've expressed reservations about the lack of a veteran presence behind center. Still, the defensive talent and dynamic running game will be enough to carry the team through the occasional passing drought. 9-7 could win the division this year. Unfortunately, I don't see them going far in a conference that sports teams like Dallas, the Giants, and resurgent Saints and Seahawks clubs.
Parting Smack:
Green Bay Packers: Nice off-season Packers. No turmoil. Just Aaron Rodgers getting comfy with his new role and Brett Favre fading gracefully into the sunset. What a disaster. I'm sure there won't be any carry-over into the regular season though. Oh and by the way...your corners are getting old. And your receivers will stink without Favre throwing them the ball. And Mike McCarthy will be exposed as a mediocre coach (the same way Packers management has been exposed the last few months as a bunch of clueless stooges). '08 has misery written all over it for the Pack. But look on the bright side - they can start all over in '09 with Brian Brohm. I'm sure they'll have that whole QB thing squared away by 2012. Vikes sweep the hapless, Favreless Pack.
Chicago Bears: Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton. What a great choice that is. Like stepping up to a buffet and getting to choose between cow crap and pig crap. But hey...at least the Bears have a great running game to make up for it. Who's their #1 back again? Not Cedric Benson...he had problems with authority, not to mention sobriety, and now he's history. Oh well...I guess they'll just have to throw the ball. They've got such a solid receiver corps over there... Devin Hester and Marty Booker and...um...Willie Gault? No. Eh, but who cares about offense...with the Bears it's all about defense. Brian Urlacher. Is he actually able to turn his head at this point? The Bears will need a huge dose of Bear-like luck, and about 15 Devin Hester special teams TDs, to crack .500. I'll be generous and predict a split in their 2 games with the Vikes.
Detroit Lions: I almost feel bad about the state the Lions are in. No defense. No running back. Jon Kitna at quarterback. Matt Millen running the show. Forget about the roar being restored this year...the Lions would be satisfied with a wheeze. But at least they got rid of that egomaniac Mike Martz and his throw-every-down approach. Maybe now they'll find some offensive balance. Who am I kidding? They'll still have to throw every down. Jon Kitna's arm will resemble a garden hose by the end of the year. The Lions will be lucky to get 3 wins...and still Matt Millen won't get fired. In fact he'll get a contract extension. If the Lions went 0-16, he'd probably get a lifetime contract. And still Lions players insist on making dumb predictions. Well, I predict the Lions will get thumped twice by the purple this year. How's that?
- Dan Zinski
Original Story:
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