NFL 2010 Camp Preview: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings came up just short in their quest to make it to the Super Bowl last season losing to the Saints by a field goal in overtime.
On that note there were very few changes made to the Vikings roster this off season. The most notable of which was the loss of backup running back Chester Taylor to their division rivals in Chicago.
It is widely assumed that Brett Favre will be back in a Vikings uniform next season. Why else did he have the ankle surgery if he was not planning on playing next season? He has also started his off season ritual of working out with the local high school kids.
Aside from Favre the offense is keyed by running back Adrian Peterson and receiver Sidney Rice.
Defensively the Vikings arguably have the best front four in the league, a solid linebacking corps and a suspect secondary. The Vikings pass rush tends to cover up for the secondary not being up to snuff. The Vikings had some real issues in pass coverage last season and with Antoine Winfield entering his 12th season and Cedric Griffin coming off an ACL injury suffered in the NFC Championship game it could continue to be an issue next season.
Key Veteran Additions – Lito Sheppard (CB)
The Vikings went out and grabbed Lito Sheppard after the Jets released him this spring. At his peak Sheppard was one of the best cover men in the league but he has slowed a bit the past couple of years. He is still better than most but is no longer an elite cover corner. With Winfield getting benched due to inconsistent play and Griffin rehabbing a knee injury this summer Sheppard could get a chance to begin the season as a starter.
Key Rookie Additions – Chris Cook (CB), Toby Gerhart (RB), Everson Griffen (DE)
Cook has the physical tools to excel in the NFL and some saw him as a first round talent this spring, he simply slipped a bit due to inconsistent play in college. If Winfield and/or Griffin are not up to snuff this summer he could be in the mix for a starting corner spot.
Gerhart is expected to step in and take over for Taylor as Peterson’s backup. He is not quite as versatile as Taylor is in terms of being able to catch the ball out of the back field, but he will be a nice compliment to Peterson in terms of being able to run between the tackles and move the chains. He very well could end up as the Vikings short yardage back next season.
Griffen has the talent to dominate in the NFL but his stock slipped to a perceived lack of effort and immaturity at USC. As long as he keeps his nose to the grindstone he should see time in the Vikings defensive line rotation.
Key Position Battles
The biggest question for the Vikings this summer aside from whether Favre comes back or not is who are the starting corner backs going to be. Griffin is expected to be ready by the start of the season but ACL injuries typically take an additional year to truly get back up to speed once players get back on the field.
Winfield battled foot injuries and inconsistent play last season and may be reaching the point of his career where he is better suited as a nickle or dime back. He still plays the run well, but he does not have the size to make the transition to safety.
The team would probably rather let Cook his feet under him first and then ease him in to a starting role rather than throwing him to the wolves right away.
Asher Allen was solid when pressed into duty during his rookie year but may be better suited to the nickle back spot.
Benny Sapp is a fighter but is not the most talented guy in their secondary.
If Winfield and Griffin are 100% they will be the guys, but something tells me Sheppard is going to end up with one of the starting jobs to begin the season.
Players to Watch
Does Brett Favre have another year in him similar to 2009?
Can the Vikes coach one more good year out of some of their other key veterans like Antoine Winfield and Pat Williams? They can probably get by without Winfield next season but the run defense will suffer greatly if Williams goes down. There is not a ton of quality depth after the Williams boys at the DT spot for the Vikings.
Will Adrian Peterson finally get past his fumbling issues? This proved costly to the Vikings in the NFC title tilt.
Will Ray Edwards build on his late season momentum and finally break through the 10 sack barrier? Edwards posted six sacks over the last two regular season and two playoff games last season for the Vikings.
Percy Harvin is always the type of player one gravitates to when watching the Vikings. He has the track speed to outrun opposing defenses and find the end zone any time he has the ball in his hands.
