AN INCOVENIENT TRUTH
by David Hale


The Vikes have an exciting two-headed rushing attack,
but don't forget that QB Tarvaris Jackson has thrown all of
81 career passes.

The fate of the 2007 Minnesota Vikings rests squarely on the arm of Tarvaris Jackson. You’ll forgive fans in the twin cities if they feel a bit like a Mormon church group on a cruise with Fred Smoot upon hearing that.

But really, it’s not as bad as it sounds for the Vikings. Minnesota has floundered through six straight seasons of mediocrity after winning 36 games in three years from 1998-2000, but things are finally looking a bit brighter in the Great White North. The defense was strong last season – ranking eighth in the league – the offensive line, led by center Matt Birk and guard Steve Hutchinson, could be one of the NFC’s best, and the schedule is far from brutal. The competition – both in the weak NFC North and the conference as a whole – allows for quick turnarounds. But the biggest reason for excitement in Minnesota after a 6-10 campaign a year ago is the Vikings’ first-round pick, Adrian Peterson.

Peterson will team with Chester Taylor to give Minnesota the most explosive one-two backfield punch north of New Orleans. And after finishing 23rd in overall offense a year ago, averaging less than 18 points a game, there was really nowhere to go but up.

Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush proved that a dual threat in the backfield can turn a previously moribund offense into a juggernaut last year, and the Vikings will look to do the same in 2007. The problem, however, is that the Saints had Drew Brees, a Pro Bowler, at quarterback. Minnesota will have Jackson, who has thrown just 81 passes in his pro career, with two touchdowns and four picks. A Pro Bowler, he’s not. Of course, with Brooks Bollinger and Drew Henson as his back-ups, he may look like one in practice.

But anything can happen, particularly when the quarterbacks you’re competing against are Rex Grossman, Jon Kitna and an aging and often ineffective Brett Favre. The Peterson-Taylor combo should take a great deal of pressure off Jackson by forcing defenses to play the run, and since both backs are strong pass-catchers, it should leave the novice QB with some added options in the passing game as well. So there are high hopes in Minnesota this year, and rightfully so. Because while no team wants to have a question mark at quarterback, the division rival Bears proved how far you can go when that’s your only question mark.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
Jackson develops quickly into a serviceable quarterback behind a strong offensive line. Peterson wins rookie of the year, while teaming with Taylor to make the Vikings’ running game among the most feared in the NFL. The Vikings feast on a favorable early schedule and ride the success to a division title. And in the NFC, anything can happen from there.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
The Vikings have a brutal four-game stretch after the bye week, going to Chicago and Dallas before hosting Philly and San Diego. An 0-4 run in midseason could trump any early gains and ravage Jackson’s confidence. Plus, there’s a history of injuries for Peterson that could crop up again. A repeat of last year’s 6-10 campaign isn’t out of the question. But hey, at least the “Love Boat” jokes are starting to die down.