Tag: Tarvaris Jackson (Page 11 of 13)

      Who knew? Maybe Tarvaris Jackson can play in the NFL…

      December 14, 2008 /

      Minnesota VikingsIf someone would have said before Sunday that the quarterback who threw four touchdown passes and no interceptions in the Vikings-Cardinals game would not be Kurt Warner, I would have said let me take a sip of whatever you’re drinking because it has to be some good stuff.

      While subbing for the injured Gus Frerotte on Sunday in Arizona, Tarvaris Jackson threw for 163 yards and four touchdowns in Minnesota’s impressive 35-14 win over the Cardinals. Granted, Adrian Peterson was the real star for the Vikings while rushing for 165 yards on 28 carries, but Jackson didn’t make one mistake and finally made some plays in the passing game (with a little help from Bobby Wade and Bernard Berrian, of course).

      I realize that the Cardinals already clinched their division last week, but they’ve still got a lot to prove. Outside of the Cowboys, they haven’t beaten any team of substance this year and their defense remains a massive question mark. It’s one thing to get gashed by Adrian Peterson but it’s quite another to allow Tarvaris Jackson to throw for four touchdowns on just 17 attempts. That’s horrible.

      Yes, the 2008 Arizona Cardinals have been a nice story and it’s okay to feel all warm and fuzzy inside about Kurt Warner turning in an MVP-like season when most figured he would be in a reclining chair watching games on Sunday from his home. But after Sunday, how could anyone think that this is a Super Bowl contender? There’s no way they’re winning on the road in New York or Carolina come playoff time and after their pathetic defensive effort on Sunday, I’m not even sure if they’re better than the Buccaneers or Falcons (two Wild Card contenders) at this point either.

      Good for Tarvaris Jackson and a surging Vikings team – seriously, impressive performance. But this loss was rather shocking for Arizona.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Saints could start living up to expectations Thursday in Chicago

      December 11, 2008 /

      Sean PaytonIt’s essentially now or never for the New Orleans Saints. After a season in which some thought they would make a deep postseason run, the Saints need a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC.

      Tonight the holy men are in Chicago to do battle with a Bears team that is in desperate need of a win themselves. The Bears remain one game behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North and considering the Vikes are likely to start backup Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback on Sunday against Arizona, a win over New Orleans could leave Chicago tied for first in the division by Sunday evening.

      But nobody outside of Chicago expected too much from the Bears this year. The same cannot be said for the Saints.

      In the offseason, New Orleans made a great effort to rebuild their beleaguered defense by adding LB Jonathan Vilma (trade/Jets), DT Sedrick Ellis (draft/first round) and CB Randall Gay (free agent/Patriots). The moves were supposed to be enough to keep opponents in check while the explosive Saints’ offense put up 30 points a game. But while the offense has done its part (No. 1 in the NFL in total yards), the defense has yielded just over 25 points a game and ranks in the bottom half of the league in stopping the run (20th) and pass (26th).

      Part of the issue this year has been injuries as both Mike McKenzie and Charles Grant, two starters, have missed more than half the season. But the main issue for the Saints has been a lack of consistency – on both sides of the ball. The defense has done a decent job of loading the box and taking away the run at times, but then leaves itself vulnerable to opponents’ passing attacks. And up until last week when they beat the Falcons, head coach Sean Payton has been publicly criticized for abandoning the run and not having enough offensive balance.

      A win tonight in Chicago would go a long way in saving the Saints’ season. It won’t be easy – Solider Field is a tough environment to play in December – but the Bears have only beaten one quality opponent in their last seven games (Week 7 vs. the Vikings) and have struggled mightily with consistency themselves. The key will be weather or not Payton will show the patience to stick with the run against a Bears’ defense that has been solid in taking away opponents’ rushing games. If they can, Chicago has proven that its not afraid to give up the sideline route and has had issues all season putting opponents away when they have a lead. And can the New Orleans defense force Kyle Orton to make mistakes? If they load up to stop Mike Forte, they better get pressure on Orton because he’s had success throwing vertically this season.

      Should be a good one.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Vikings stay one game ahead of Bears in NFC North, but lose Frerotte

      December 7, 2008 /

      Tavaris JacksonIt wasn’t pretty, but the Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 on Sunday to remain one game ahead of the Chicago Bears – who beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-10 – in the NFC North Division.

      The story for the Vikings is that quarterback Gus Frerotte was carted off the field with a back injury and that Tarvaris Jackson (yes, that Tarvaris Jackson) lead Minnesota to a come from behind victory. Jackson completed 8 of 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, although Brad Childress kept things ultra-conservative and relied on Adrian Peterson (102 yards on 23 carries) to move the ball.

      Not that he was playing very well before the injury, but the Vikings will need Frerotte the rest of the way or else their slim lead in the division could evaporate. Jackson hasn’t played all season and it was evident on Sunday that Childress still doesn’t have a ton of confidence in the young QB to win the game by throwing the ball. And if Childress doesn’t have confidence in Jackson to throw the ball vertically against the Lions, than he won’t when the Vikings play the Cardinals, Falcons and Giants the rest of the way.

      Even though they’re still one game back in the division and were just waxed in Minnesota a week ago, the Bears actually look like they’re in better shape right now than the Vikings. They have a tough home matchup on Thursday against the Saints, but then play a skidding Packers team at Solider Field before wrapping up their season against Houston. Minnesota actually has a tougher remaining schedule, although Chicago needs to beat the Saints on Thursday or else their postseason dreams might be dashed.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      Are the Vikings who we thought they were?

      December 1, 2008 /

      Adrian PetersonBefore the season started, the addition of Jared Allen to the defensive line and then the continued development of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had many NFL purists believing the Minnesota Vikings were the team to beat in the NFC North.

      But Jackson was replaced by the ageless wonder Gus Frerotte, the team lost three of its first four games and suddenly the Vikings were like many other annual chic picks in the NFL – overrated.

      Minnesota appears back on track, however, winning four of their last five games and seizing control in the NFC North by soundly beating the Bears 34-14 on Sunday Night Football. So the question is – were the purists right all along and the Vikes just needed time for things to fall into place?

      The Vikings have a couple of key elements that make them a sound football team. They can run the ball (Adrian Peterson was a beast in their win over the Bears) behind a solid offensive line, they can stop the run and Allen gives them a dominant pass-rush. They still have some issues stopping the pass and both of their defensive tackles could be suspended soon, but they’re clearly the best team in the weak North division at this point.

      Assuming Minnesota wins their division, the question now becomes – how far can they go? Peterson is such a weapon, but we saw Sunday night how much of a physical pounding his body takes because of how hard he runs. Frerotte has been a major upgrade over Jackson, but does his play have a ceiling? It’ll be interesting to see if not only the Vikes can wrap up the division, but also whether or not they can compete with the Panthers, Falcons, Cowboys or any other Wild Card team they would face in the first round.

      NFL

      Vikings bench Tarvaris Jackson for Gus Frerotte

      September 17, 2008 /

      According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Vikings will start Gus Frerotte at quarterback this Sunday against the Panthers, not Tarvaris Jackson.

      Gus FrerotteVikings coach Brad Childress wasn’t kidding when he said he’d consider starting whatever quarterback gave his team the best chance to win.

      Gus Frerotte will replace Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback in the starting lineup Sunday against Carolina.
      That was quick.

      Jackson battled a knee injury for much of the preseason and that could have affected his play the past two weeks. Then again, his knee could have nothing to do with it and his poor play has just been a result of Jackson not developing as a quarterback. The bottom line is a change had to be made because the Vikings are wasting brilliant rushing performances by Adrian Peterson. A couple of big plays in the passing game and maybe Minnesota is sitting at 2-0 or at least, 1-1 right now instead of 0-2. This team has too much talent not to at least contend for a Wild Card in a weak NFC. Frerotte isn’t anything special at this point in his career, but he should give the offense a boost.

      Hey JP, should Bernard Berrian fantasy owners rejoice?

      JP’s Fantasy Spin: Well, “rejoice” might be a strong word. Berrian is suffering from an injured toe that is affecting his ability to make cuts. Meanwhile, Sidney Rice has a sprained PCL and hasn’t practiced yet this week. That said, Frerotte is an upgrade for the Vikings’ passing game. Jackson has a strong arm and is athletic, but he isn’t accurate and doesn’t make very good decisions. Frerotte should be a boost to the entire Minnesota offense, though expect more of a Trent Dilfer than a Peyton Manning.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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