Their offense led the league in yards gained in 2003, and believe it or not, on paper they appear to be even better this year after adding a true No. 2 receiver. And the defense appears to be better as well after additions at defensive end, linebacker and cornerback appear to have brought some much needed speed to this unit. Now it’s up to head coach Mike Tice and new defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell to harness that youth and speed and turn it into an above average unit.
Quarterbacks
Besides Atlanta’s Michael Vick, Daunte Culpepper may just be the toughest QB in the league to defend. He has a strong arm, he’s very mobile, and he’s bigger than a lot of linebackers in the league. He’s great at buying time with his feet and he runs very well for his size. And once he gets out of the pocket, he can be very tough to bring down. Improvements in his ability to read defenses and to protect the football have taken his game to the next level, and if he can remain consistent, the Vikings offense will be in good hands for years to come.
Gus Ferrotte will remain the backup after playing very well when Culpepper was injured. He’s a smart veteran who can fill in for short periods without a huge drop-off in production. He throws a nice deep ball and should benefit from having two big targets at wideout should he be pressed into action this year. Shaun Hill is penciled in at No. 3, but he doesn’t possess much upside, so I’m not sure the Vikings wouldn’t be better off filling this spot with a prospect with a little more potential for development.
Running Backs
Minnesota has possibly the deepest backfield in the NFL with Michael Bennett, Onterrio Smith, and Moe Williams. And with a healthy Bennett on the field for a full season, the running game should match the quick-strike ability already seen in their passing game. Smith and Williams did a great job filling in for the injured starter during the first half of the 2003 season, and both backs fit well and compliment each other in this offense, but Bennett is an explosive runner who can take it all the way at anytime. He has tremendous speed, he hits the hole as hard as anyone in the league, and despite injury, he has average 5.0 yards per carry - or better - over the past two seasons.
Smith, whose skills are similar to Bennett’s, was an excellent value in the fourth round of last year’s draft and could probably start for a lot of teams in the league. Williams is an excellent short-yardage back who seems to have a nose for the end zone, so he will most likely get the call in goal-line situations again this year.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Randy Moss is the most dangerous receiver in the game today, and he appears to be in the best shape of his life. He has also dedicated himself as never before during the off-season, so he could be in for possibly the best year of his career, which is really saying something. Veteran wideout Marcus Robinson was brought in through free agency, and he should draw a little attention away from Moss and give Culpepper another big target. He doesn’t possess the speed he once had (pre-injury), but he proved last season that he can still make big plays.
Promising second-year receiver Nate Burleson will fill the No. 3 role and speedster Kelly Campbell, who could be a deep threat, will come in at No. 4 when the Vikings try to spread the field.
Jim Kleinsasser is a good all-around tight end. He can block. He can catch the ball. And he’s just an all-around tough guy. His backup will likely be Jermaine Wiggins, who is a good receiver in the short to intermediate range.
Offensive Line
This Vikings offense is loaded with talent, and they have as many weapons as any team in the league, but it’s this offensive line that makes it all work. Among the best in the league, they open huge holes in the running game and they give Culpepper time in the passing game for his receivers to get down the field.
