Vikings Kick Off 2006 Previews
Thursday July 6, 2006
The weeks leading to the opening of training camps around the league is a notoriously slow period for NFL news, and this year is no exception. So I guess this is as good a time as any to kick off this year's series of team previews.
Leading off this year's lineup is the Minnesota Vikings, who are facing a big transition this year. Owner Zygi Wilf brought in a new coaching staff, led by former Eagles' offensive coordinator Brad Childress, and new systems are being installed on both sides of the ball. So there are questions as to how quickly all these guys can come together. And there's also a big concern with the lack of depth at quarterback behind the 38-year-old Brad Johnson. Make no mistake. The Vikings have the talent to make a run in the weak NFC North, but if we see much of Mike McMahon this year, the Vikings aren't likely to land above .500 this season. Read more...
Comments
Thanks for the overview. The line analysis left out the return of Birk and the addition of Artis Hicks at Guard and Richardson at fullback. Some improvement can be hoped for if Marcus Johnson plays one position consistently. Don’t forget Ryan Cook.
Since everything starts with the line, the real question seems to be does Taylor come to play and do he and Johnson remain healthy.
On defense, the Vikes seem improved, but the absence of a killer MLB is disconcerting. The issue of health pops up again.
The keys seem to me to be intangibles–like the coaching, the schemes, and the attitude.
Thanks for the offseason rescue.