NFL Preview: Minnesota Vikings

2010: 6-10



Offense:

I still have faith in Donovan McNabb and I think that Donovan can survive in Sota especially that they have a strong run game in Adrian Peterson. But McNabb is a stopgap for first round pick Christian Ponder, so if there is any injury, that could spell another uncomfortable McNabb moment.



The Vikings feature some nice firepower at the skill positions, but they suffered a blow in free agency when Sidney Rice bolted for Seattle and a big paycheck. Rice has been prone to injury, but when healthy he provided a much-needed deep threat.



They still have AP, Visanthe Shianco, and Percy Harvin. That should be enough for McNabb to run an offense.



Defense:

The defense will remain tip top because of talent such as defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who remains the anchor of the Vikings’ interior attack. Williams won’t have much help save Letroy Guion, who is good for one or two down stints but probably isn’t a full-time starter, and newly acquired Remi Ayodele. Depth will be an issue inside. The right edge will provide a dozen or more sacks every year thanks to Jared Allen, who sometimes resorts to flailing against elite left tackles but always finds his stride through a 16-game season.



That dictates the whole defense and will pave the way on the success of Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin and Chris Cook, Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson.



Overall:

Upgrade from last year, 9-7

If LA Builds it, Will the NFL Come?

Los Angeles' City Council approved a plan for a privately funded $1.2 billion football stadium to be built adjacent to the Staples Center. The stadium would seat 70,000 and would likely be completed by 2016. The planners still need to endure the environmental permit procedure. And of course, they need a team.

It's ridiculous that there's no NFL football in LA, and hasn't been for 17 years. It's the second largest media market in the country.

Then again, it's not like the people of LA don't watch NFL football on the television. And the NFL does get most of its revenues from TV. One of the problems with LA is that fans don't show up unless the team is winning. Not just competitive. The team has to be good enough so that it becomes the cool thing for people to do.

There are candidates to go West. The Vikings, who have stadium issues and would ironically be following in the Lakers' foot-steps. The Bills. The Jaguars. I think it should be the Jags. It's kind of silly to have a pro sports team in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are a decently competitive team that can't fill its own stadium.

You have to move a team that can make the playoffs out to LA. The Bills would become the Clippers if they go to California. The Vikings or Jaguars would at least generate some excitement.

Photo Credit:
HO - Reuters

-The Commodore

Some Football Stuff (2 UPDATES)

Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Tennessee Titans yesterday. I really like this move for both parties Hasselbeck needed to get away from Seattle as nothing has been going on there for a while and Tennessee needs to move on from the Vince Young/ Kerry Collins era. Hasselbeck won't hurt the team and will keep them competitive. Also, it will be a great transition until Jake Locker is ready to go.

Defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to six-year, $76 million deal, including $32 million guaranteed with the Carolina Panthers. Good thing the Panthers didn't lose him as he is really the only thing going on in Carolina other than Cam Newton. Do I believe he was a little overpaid? Yea, but what can you do.

The Redskins and Vikings have made a deal involving Quarterback Donovan McNabb. The deal is getting held up right now because McNabb's feelings are hurt about some contract stuff, but the deal is going to get done. I love the move for Minnesota who needs a QB to bridge between now and the Christian Ponder era (burst out laughing). I STILL believe in McNabb and I know he still has a few more good years in the tank. The Viking will be in the playoffs because of him.

A league source tells us that the Pittsburgh Steelers have found a way to keep their biggest free agent in town. Cornerback Ike Taylor has agreed to terms on a four-year deal, per a league source. This is a great move for the Steelers who locked up their best cornerback in a weak secondary. Ike is a lifetime Steeler and this should probably be his last contract in the NFL.

The Cowboys made some cuts yesterday. The Cowboys have released running back Marion Barber and receiver Roy Williams, Pro Bowl guard Leonard Davis and kicker Kris Brown will be cut. All of these players are underachieving except for Davis. Roy Williams should have been cut 2 years ago and Marion Barber needs to be a 3rd down back in the worst way.

***UPDATE***

It's easier to just keep adding to this post, so here is what else is going on...

- "The New York Jets addressed the No. 1 item on their free-agent list, coming to terms Wednesday morning with wide receiver Santonio Holmes, according to a league source. The deal is for five years and $50 million with $24 million guaranteed (ESPN)"

You knew they would resign him, but that is a lot of guarnteed money, I would think this is going to make it tough for the Jets to sign Asomugha, but I guess you could always restructure deals to make it work.

- Jacksonville Jaguars signed Paul Posluszny, which I think is a nice signing. He is a guy I wish the Patriots drafted a couple years back and he is coming off his best year in which he had 151 tackles.

- Not shockingly the Titans will be cutting Vince Young tomorrow.

- The Redskins have signed Donte' Stallworth.

- Packers resigned kicker Mason Crosby.

- Takeo Spikes will leave the San Francisco 49ers for the San Diego Chargers.

***UPDATE 2***

- DeAngelo Williams will be staying with the Carolina Panthers. Terms: Five years, $43 million, $21 guaranteed.

- Eric Weddle has resigned with the San Diego Chargers.

McNabb To Titans?

We have been hearing for awhile now that Kolb is going to be traded to the Cardinals. The Cardinals I had as one of the top teams likely to get McNabb. I still think the best spot for McNabb is the Vikings, but the Titans make a lot of sense. They are a boarder playoff caliber team, they have a great running back, and could use a vet to give some time to develop Jake Locker. With Kerry Collins retiring the door seems to be open for McNabb to pick put that roll of being a bridge, and I think in the right offense he could be very good again (another option could be Hasselbeck).

There is a couple reasons why I think the Vikings should go harder after McNabb. For one Ponder sucks. That was a terrible pick and I can't wait to see how stupid they look in a year or two. Even if he is something I can't see him being ready to go this year, and that could be a serious problem as this team is ready to win now. McNabb could be a nice fit, and they have a lot of very good WRs that McNabb could spread the field with. That coupled with a great running game and you would think the Vikings could at least challenge in the NFC North again.