2009 NFL Preview: #14 Minnesota Vikings
Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.
Offseason Additions: Brett Favre (QB); Glenn Holt (WR/released in preseason); Karl Paymah (CB).
Offseason Losses: Matt Birk (C); Napoleon Harris (LB); Darren Sharper (S); Kenechi Udeze (DE); Robert Ferguson (WR); Marcus Johnson (OT).
Player to Watch: Brett Favre, QB.
Who else? Head coach Brad Childress didn’t mind shoving quarterbacks Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson to the backburner in order to acquire the 39-year-old Favre, who the Vikings hope is the missing ingredient for a Super Bowl run. Before an arm injury derailed his production, Favre was playing at a MVP-like level last year for the Jets. When he finally made up his mind to sign with Minnesota in mid August, he managed to avoid all of training camp. Not that he needed the extra reps. Favre is already well-versed in Childress’s West Coast Offense and shouldn’t have any trouble leading the Vikings in Week 1 despite missing all of camp. But the key to his and Minnesota’s success is for Brett to stay healthy for an entire season. If he can’t, all the trouble Childress went through this summer in trying to sign Favre would have gone to waste.
Team Strength: Led by Adrian Peterson and a dominating left side of the offensive line, the Vikings will have success running the football this year. Favre brings another element to the passing game, so defenses won’t be able to stack the box in hopes of containing Peterson and even if they do, AP proved last year that he could still gain positive yards. Tackle Bryant “Mount” McKinie and guard Steve Hutchinson form the best left side in football and will once again be leaned on to pave the way for AP and backup Chester Taylor. Minnesota does have some question marks along the offensive line, most notably at center where John Sullivan takes over for All-Pro Matt Birk (who signed with Baltimore in the offseason), and at right tackle where rookie Phil Loadholt will get a chance to start in his first year. But Loadholt is a mauler and should provide an upgrade over last year’s shaky rotation of Ryan Cook and Artis Hicks, and Sullivan has potential.
Potential Weakness: The Vikings’ biggest concern is one that hasn’t happened yet. There’s no question that Favre makes this team better, but what happens if/when he gets hurt? At 39 years old, can he get through an entire 16-game season without suffering injuries that will cost Minnesota games? The Jets looked like Super Bowl contenders in November last year after beating the Titans in Tennessee, then went on to lose four of their last five games because Favre suffered a tear in the biceps of his throwing arm. Brett is already complaining about possibly having a cracked rib – what’s next?
Outlook: Unless you’re a Packers or Bears fan, you hate this ranking. You think that because the Vikings have AP, a great run defense, added Favre and gave him an explosive weapon in rookie Percy Harvin (a potential OROY winner) that this team is Super Bowl bound. But as previously mentioned, Favre probably won’t stay healthy all season and people were suspect about Minnesota’s chances earlier this year when it was only Rosenfels and Jackson at quarterback. Yes, there’s a lot to love about this team, including AP, the Williams Wall, the run defense, Jared Allen’s fantastic mullet and Favre’s ability to make things happen in the passing game. But the Vikings could potentially wind up being the Jets of the NFL this year in that they look fantastic in the first half, only to crash and burn as Brett starts to fade. Plus, what happens if Favre struggles early on? Will the currently happy locker room start to divide? Furthermore, can Childress keep everything together?
The Vikes might be Super Bowl contenders this year, even while playing in a tough NFC North. But they just as easily could be prime candidates for a massive second half meltdown.
2009 Prediction: Third, NFC North.
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Posted in: NFL
Tags: 2009 NFL Predictions, 2009 NFL Preview, NFL, NFL Predictions 2009, NFL Preview 2009
You’re whacked. The Viqueens are definitely a top 10 team with Favre under center.
I expected this kind of backlash from a Minnesota fan, but not you, Mr. Packer…not you.
Injuries are impossible to predict in the NFL…except for Favre’s this season. The Vikes may start off like a bat out of hell, but we’ll see how they finish.
I’ll admit I’m projecting with this ranking, but I think Minnesota will wind up in the middle of the pack when it’s all said and done.
What record do you project if Favre is healthy for a full season? It’s not like the guy is fragile. He had one season where injuries really affected his play. And that was last season. Karma? Maybe. Maybe not. Sigh.
Ooh, big “if” but I see what you’re getting at.
I would say 10 wins if he can stay healthy all year. A couple things I didn’t even mention in the preview was AP’s fumble issues and the Williams Wall potentially being suspended four games (that’s hard to predict at this point so I left that out) at some point. And I know Harvin is supposed to be the greatest rookie to ever lace up his football cleats, but as you know, first-year receivers usually don’t make that much of an impact.
I think the Vikings are the chic pick this year and chic picks never pan out. I’m not suggesting Minnesota is a bad team (not by any means), but I’m wondering what happens if Favre struggles with injuries all year. You know more than anyone how he can personally take a team down.
I really enjoy all of your 2009 Previews, but I could not agree more with this one. Favre has basically gone 20 years without missing a game and you state that “Favre probably won’t stay healthy all season long.” 20 years of history refutes your biggest weakness of this team. Good write ups otherwise….I just don’t like how you dismiss Minnesota based upon an unlikely event.
William Admin
http://www.afsportsbets.com
He didn’t miss anythng, this is Farve 5-10-15-20 years later. He is not the same and was clearly hurt the past few years.
Here’s another thought, he’s an annoying person with a huge ego that would not admit he’s getting older, still living on film clips.
Minnesota does not have Farve 1995….they have Farve 2009 and that is a major major downgrade,
3rd in the Div
Look this a perfect place for the Vikes,
I know everyone loves “All Day”/AP but truth is he was hurt every year in college and in the pros.
He hasnt been damaged like the collarbone again but its a matter of time. The what? Percy, I’ll fail a drug test this year, Harvin? Or Berrian who catches every 2-3 passes? Or is Farve going to run it too?
Minnesota D is good against the Run. GB and Chicago and even Detroit have the ability to beat them in the pass. Jarred Allen and his cheap shot loving style wont have more than 7 sacks this year.
Vikes last year where to win it all, and this year again, and probably next year.
Farve is done, he was a good quarter back. He was a great icon in GB and a great leader, but he was not in the same class as Elway, Marino, Montana ect… He took too many risks, forced the ball too many times, cost his teams too many times.
Once a a great QB in GB, albeit a cry baby, is now a pathetic old man who cant admit he is done.
William,
I apperciate your taking time to read my previews and I thank you for your comment.
I was very careful about saying that Favre wasn’t going to say healthy all year long. That doesn’t mean that he’ll miss games (I was careful not to say that) – just that he won’t stay healthy. He wasn’t healthy last year for the last month and a half and it cost the Jets their season. I see that happening for the Vikings.
I figured I’d get some push back on this ranking because it’s more of a projection of how Minnesota will wind up instead of where they are at the start of the year. I’ll a little surprised that there’s been a 60/40 split in comments in people that agree with the ranking and people who don’t.
We’ll see! I think the Vikes will start off like a bat out of hell and then fade.
Anthony,
Thanks for the response. The clarification makes more sense. Favre like everyone gets hurt every year…every week. You make a good point as the Jets faded last year with Favres “unknown” injury. Like I said I read every write up and I really enjoyed that time and effort you put into them.
By the way, I am not a Vikings fan (actually a Titans (0-4) fan)…However, I am a Favre fan…the guy is amazing.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Wm
William,
My pleasure. I enjoy interacting with knowledgeable readers like yourself who are more interested in discussing sports than proving their point or who just want to attack the article because they feel the need to defend their teams at all cost.
I really apperciate your taking the time to read my content and I welcome your opinion every time.
Anthony
P.S. The Titans are flabbergasting!