2011 NFL Season Preview: Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings

Front Office:

Owner: Ziggy Weif

GM: Rick Spielman

B: I like a team that aggressively tries to win a Super Bowl in the short term. It is worth the risk every so often. The reward is a Super Bowl and forgiveness afterwards, if you do not win the Super Bowl then it makes the rebuilding that much harder. Trading draft picks for players will come back and get you in the long term (remember this Jet fans). I like the boldness, but now we will see how able they are to rebuild.

Coaching Staff

HC: Leslie Frazier

OC: Bill Musgrave

DC: Ken Pagnac

B: I really think Leslie Frazier will do well as a HC in the NFL. He has put in his time, he is well respected, he is very calm, and he has the Viking players believing in him. Bill Musgrave has been the Falcons Quarterback coach. He is attributed to much of Matt Ryan’s development. The Vikings are hoping he can do that with Christian Ponder. Ken Pagnac will be heading the defense with Frazier.

QB: C+

I like Christian Ponder, I just don’t think the Vikings should have taken him at 12. He reminds me a lot of Chad Pennington. While he might be pro ready his ceiling is not that high. The Vikings obtained Donovan McNabb to give Ponder some time. Donovan is one of my favorite players of all time and it pains me to say it but he just does not have much left in the tank. Ponder is the guy and the coaching staff will give him every opportunity for him to start ASAP.

RB: A

Adrian Peterson is a destructive force of nature. He can do it all, however, with his style of running his career will be short. I think he still has 2-3 elite years left, but he takes a beating. Vikings are hoping Toby Gerhart can prolong his career. Problem with both RB’s is that they don’t always hold onto the ball. Peterson made progress last year so the coaching staff believes he might have cured his problem but Gerhart needs some of those same lessons.

WR/TE C

Losing Sidney Rice hurts. He left for more money in Seattle. That leaves Percy Harvin, who misses 3-4 games a year with migraines, and some kids that have talent but have not translated that onto the field. I wonder if Berrian will be on the final cut list or not. He has been disappointing since coming to Minnesota. At TE they are sound with Vishante Shiancoe and Kyle Rudolph.

OL: C-

The dropping of the zone blocking scheme will help the talent they have. Phil Loadholt will be much better in this scheme. Charlie Johnson replaces McKinnie and his 400 pound hole he left. Johnson is average at best and is a one year fill in. At RG now Herrera is below average. At center John Sullivan is undersized and injury prone. At LG Steve Hutchinson is powering down. Team did draft Brandon Fuasco and DeMarcus Love to develop. Both can play multiple positions.

DL: C+

Pat Williams retiring and Ray Edwards leaving in FA might not hurt their starters, but it will hurt the depth a lot. Remi Ayondele is an okay replacement for Pat Williams and Brian Robinson is an okay replacement for Edwards but neither is quite as talented and now the depth is not nearly as good. What makes matters worse is Kevin Williams is winding down. Jared Allen is still a monster but is all alone. This needs to be a major focus in the next few drafts.

LB: C

Vikings lost Ben Leber. It is not a huge blow but the LB core is slightly worse now. Erin Henderson is an okay replacement but is nothing special. Vikings did bring back Chad Greenway. It was supremely important they did this. Greenway is one of the better 4-3 OLB in the NFL. In the middle EJ Henderson is solid. This unit could also use some new blood.

DB: D+

Antoine Winfield is still a very solid CB. He is the only constant. Vikings hope Chris Cook can be the other starter and that Asher Allen can be a solid slot CB. At safety it is even grimmer. Once again this is a unit that needs more talent….man, this team is in shambles.

2011 NFL Draft:

Christian Ponder was a decent selection…but this team wanted Jake Locker. I think they will be happy with Ponder but he needs some major help. Taking Rudolph in round two was a start. I like the later on selections of Fusco and Love who will bring some needed depth and competition on the OL. This was an okay draft but nothing special. C+

Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers

This team lacks a real offensive sleeper in my opinion. Closest thing is Toby Gerhart. I know the Vikings want to give Peterson more rest so he can maintain his effectiveness longer into the season. I expect Gerhart to receive around 100 carries, gain around 400 yards, and get 3-4 touchdowns.

Chris Cook was looking decent until he injured both knees. He is expected to be fully recovered. I do still think he will have some trouble but will show that he can be counted to be a starter in this league moving forward. I think 3 interceptions and solid play vs. the run can be expected.

2012 Season Prediction: 5-11

This year will not be pretty. Most Vikings coaches and fans can hope for is the maturation of Christian Ponder. With so many holes on the roster: OL, DL, DB, WR and LB. It will be amazing if more than 5 wins happen. Their conference they play in and schedule does not do them any favors.

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