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By Sean JensenPro Football Weekly
Editor's note: These grades were assigned by the individual correspondent and not by Pro Football Weekly.
Not only did the Vikings change ownership in the offseason, from San Antonio car salesman Red McCombs to New Jersey real-estate developer Zygi Wilf, they also overhauled their long-suffering defense and shipped away one of their superstars, WR Randy Moss.
The departure of Moss and McCombs is significant, altering the dynamics of the team drastically. McCombs demanded greatness while financially handcuffing the team. In just months, Wilf has expressed a similar goal, but he's shown a willingness to pay for a championship-caliber team.
On the field, the Vikings no longer have Moss to instill fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators. But Moss' moodiness, durability (he tore his hamstring last year and has had recurring back and ankle injuries) and attitude were all questioned. Moss was traded to Oakland, but the Vikings believe QB Daunte Culpepper can utilize a handful of receiving options, and that a significantly upgraded defense will help Minnesota achieve its overall goals.
An influx of veterans, for whom the Vikings paid an astounding $23 million in guaranteed money, has been brought on board. Sam Cowart provides veteran stability at middle linebacker, QB Brad Johnson provides yet another veteran safety blanket to back up Culpepper, DT Pat Williams gives the Vikings their first legitimate nose tackle in over five years, FS Darren Sharper is an all-around performer with Pro Bowl credibility, WR Travis Taylor provides another reliable option for Culpepper and CB Fred Smoot completes the team's best CB duo, along with Antoine Winfield, in over a decade.
The key issue is whether all of those changes impact the product on the field immediately, or if it will take more time than expected for all of the new parts to jell.
Quarterbacks -- Culpepper is coming off consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, and he looks to prove that Moss was not the crutch on which his success was built. Culpepper looked brilliant in the preseason, working through a slow start by his offensive line and scrambling away from sacks while managing to make remarkable plays.
Johnson, a former Super Bowl quarterback, is the top backup. Thus far, Johnson has looked solid enough, showing that he can still excel in this league. Third QB Shaun Hill has made a lot of highlight plays this preseason, both through the air and on the ground. He's got deceptive athleticism, and he usually makes sound decisions, all of which help him overcome an unspectacular arm. Grade: A-plus.
Running backs -- With Onterrio Smith suspended for the entire season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Michael Bennett has been handed the starting job. Hampered by injuries the last two years, including a preseason neck sprain that may keep him out of the opener, Bennett is running as fast as ever, and he hopes to return to his Pro Bowl form of 2002, when he ran for 1,296 yards.
Tice has predicted Bennett can rush for 1,600 yards, although Bennett averaged less than three yards per carry in the first two preseason games. Bennett should be motivated, though, as he is eligible for free agency next March. If he struggles, though, the Vikings have the utmost confidence in Mewelde Moore, who had the best three-game stretch by a running back in team history last year as a rookie.
Moore is a good all-around back with a knack for making the first defender miss. The concern about Moore is his durability and toughness, as he missed a critical stretch of games last season with an ankle injury. Veteran Moe Williams and rookie Ciatrick Fason round out this deep unit. Williams made some of the team's biggest plays last year, and he remains an asset because of his intelligence and reliability.
Tice trusts Williams around the goal line and on key third downs. Fason was having an excellent preseason until he was injured in mid-August. Fason could be back by Week One. Grade: B-plus.
Receivers -- Subtract Moss, add a more confident Nate Burleson, a healthy Marcus Robinson, a speedy rookie (Troy Williamson) and a capable veteran (Taylor), and what do you have? You have the Vikings' new WR corps. Moss was the go-to guy. But Culpepper is quietly relieved because he does not feel pressure to force the ball to one player.
Burleson is a consummate professional, working hard on every play and being the ultimate team player. He topped 1,000 yards last season, and he displayed toughness and an ability to make clutch plays. The question was whether he could handle facing the opposing team's top cornerback. That hasn't been a problem for him so far in practice, going against Winfield, or in preseason action vs. the Chiefs, Jets and Chargers.
Meanwhile, Robinson has dropped a lot of passes this preseason, losing his No. 2 spot to the more dependable Taylor. But Robinson remains a force because he keeps making some explosive plays, and he has the ability, because of his size, to be an asset in the red zone. Taylor hasn't done anything phenomenal. But he is an excellent slot receiver and was consistent in the preseason.
Williamson missed the early part of camp due to a holdout, and he missed another chunk because of a foot injury. He also dropped some passes upon his arrival. But he has played well at times. Williamson showcased his speed against the Jets, showing why the Vikings chose him instead of the more proven Mike Williams.
At tight end, Jim Kleinsasser isn't a fantasy superstar. But the Vikings lamented his season-ending knee surgery in the opener last year. Culpepper argues that Kleinsasser is the NFL's best blocking tight end, and he could have been vital last year when ORT Mike Rosenthal was lost for the season in the second game.
Kleinsasser is a strong blocker, but he does not excel after the catch. That's why Jermaine Wiggins complements him so well. Wiggins has a knack for getting open, and he has a knack for making clutch plays. Wiggins led the team in catches last season with 71. Grade: B-plus.
Offensive linemen -- On paper, this was one of the NFL's better units before a hip injury forced Pro Bowl C Matt Birk to strongly consider surgery. Without Birk, who could miss three months or the entire season if he opts for the operation, the Vikings' O-line has looked pedestrian at best, unable to spring Bennett for any meaningful runs before camp ended.
The pass blocking has also been shaky, as Culpepper has been consistently flushed out of the pocket. Rosenthal appears to have fully recovered from his foot injury, and OLT Bryant McKinnie has been solid. The question marks are inside. Rookie Marcus Johnson, a second-round pick, is poised to start at right guard, meaning veteran Chris Liwienski could return to left guard. C Cory Withrow now starts, but he's a big step down from Birk. OG Adam Goldberg, who failed to secure a starting spot, provides depth. Grade: C-plus.
Defensive linemen -- All-Pro DT Kevin Williams is poised for another monstrous season, especially with the signing of NT Pat Williams. The veteran nose tackle could give Kevin Williams and the team's young defensive ends more freedom to make plays. Last year's second-round pick, Darrion Scott, has looked solid at right end, and Kenechi Udeze, the Vikings' top pick in 2004, looks healthier.
More impressive is the fact the Vikings have tremendous depth in this unit, with veterans Lance Johnstone (11 sacks in '04) and Steve Martin and promising young players such as Spencer Johnson and '05 first-round pick Erasmus James. Johnson could be the jack-of-all-trades. He can play outside and inside, and his production per play is unmatched, according to DL coach Brian Baker. Sixth-round pick C.J. Moseley has also looked solid so far with good inside quickness. Grade: A-minus.
Linebackers -- The Vikings aggressively tried to address this position in the offseason, but it remains a question mark heading into the season. Newcomers Napoleon Harris, obtained from Oakland in the Moss trade, and Cowart have looked solid, but neither has looked spectacular. E.J. Henderson, a former second-round pick, is now starting at weak-side linebacker. He's not nearly as athletic and fast as backup Dontarrious Thomas, but the team is confident in Henderson's tackling and instincts.
Keith Newman is no longer starting on the strong side, but he will be featured in some packages that will utilize his pass-rushing skills. Cowart is the key to this unit's success. A former Pro Bowl player, Cowart is playing on a one-year deal in hopes of showing he's still got something left in his tank. Grade: B-minus.
Defensive backs -- Arguably the most talented and certainly the team's deepest position, the Vikings have slowly and steadily rebuilt a long-ignored unit. The Vikings tried for years to draft cornerbacks, but all they were able to hang their collective hats on was Brian Williams, the current nickel cornerback. With no luck via the draft, the Vikings decided to buy talent, first signing Winfield, then project Ralph Brown, who has picked off at least five passes in training camp.
Smoot hasn't played much during the preseason due to neck and knee injuries, but he certainly is the team's top cover corner, and he offers tremendous flexibility because of his range and talent. As for Williams, he has had an uneven preseason and is playing for a contract.
At safety, Sharper and Corey Chavous are both Pro Bowl-approved safeties with a track record for being highly productive, all-around players. Both, however, struggled last year, Sharper with injuries, and Chavous with his play. Through the preseason, though, no defensive player has played as consistently and as well as Sharper, and Chavous also has contributed his share of big plays. Depth is also solid, with Willie Offord and former CB Ken Irvin in backup roles. Grade: B-plus.
Special teams -- Aaron Elling and Paul Edinger are still engaged in a battle for the starting spot. Elling appears to have the inside track because of his familiarity with head coach Mike Tice and his ability to handle kickoffs better. Both have been accurate on FG attempts. P Darren Bennett still shows tremendous touch, and he once in a while booms a 60-yard punt, which shows that his leg is very much alive.
Bouts of inconsistency by Bennett this preseason leave the door slightly open for Travis Dorsch. Cullen Loeffler is a solid, dependable long-snapper. Williamson is the favorite for the KR job, if his foot is OK. Moore has done a good job filling in, and he would be just fine for the Vikings at this position. Grade: C.
By Sean JensenPro Football Weekly
Editor's note: These grades were assigned by the individual correspondent and not by Pro Football Weekly.
Not only did the Vikings change ownership in the offseason, from San Antonio car salesman Red McCombs to New Jersey real-estate developer Zygi Wilf, they also overhauled their long-suffering defense and shipped away one of their superstars, WR Randy Moss.
The departure of Moss and McCombs is significant, altering the dynamics of the team drastically. McCombs demanded greatness while financially handcuffing the team. In just months, Wilf has expressed a similar goal, but he's shown a willingness to pay for a championship-caliber team.
On the field, the Vikings no longer have Moss to instill fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators. But Moss' moodiness, durability (he tore his hamstring last year and has had recurring back and ankle injuries) and attitude were all questioned. Moss was traded to Oakland, but the Vikings believe QB Daunte Culpepper can utilize a handful of receiving options, and that a significantly upgraded defense will help Minnesota achieve its overall goals.
An influx of veterans, for whom the Vikings paid an astounding $23 million in guaranteed money, has been brought on board. Sam Cowart provides veteran stability at middle linebacker, QB Brad Johnson provides yet another veteran safety blanket to back up Culpepper, DT Pat Williams gives the Vikings their first legitimate nose tackle in over five years, FS Darren Sharper is an all-around performer with Pro Bowl credibility, WR Travis Taylor provides another reliable option for Culpepper and CB Fred Smoot completes the team's best CB duo, along with Antoine Winfield, in over a decade.
The key issue is whether all of those changes impact the product on the field immediately, or if it will take more time than expected for all of the new parts to jell.
Quarterbacks -- Culpepper is coming off consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, and he looks to prove that Moss was not the crutch on which his success was built. Culpepper looked brilliant in the preseason, working through a slow start by his offensive line and scrambling away from sacks while managing to make remarkable plays.
Johnson, a former Super Bowl quarterback, is the top backup. Thus far, Johnson has looked solid enough, showing that he can still excel in this league. Third QB Shaun Hill has made a lot of highlight plays this preseason, both through the air and on the ground. He's got deceptive athleticism, and he usually makes sound decisions, all of which help him overcome an unspectacular arm. Grade: A-plus.
Running backs -- With Onterrio Smith suspended for the entire season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Michael Bennett has been handed the starting job. Hampered by injuries the last two years, including a preseason neck sprain that may keep him out of the opener, Bennett is running as fast as ever, and he hopes to return to his Pro Bowl form of 2002, when he ran for 1,296 yards.
Tice has predicted Bennett can rush for 1,600 yards, although Bennett averaged less than three yards per carry in the first two preseason games. Bennett should be motivated, though, as he is eligible for free agency next March. If he struggles, though, the Vikings have the utmost confidence in Mewelde Moore, who had the best three-game stretch by a running back in team history last year as a rookie.
Moore is a good all-around back with a knack for making the first defender miss. The concern about Moore is his durability and toughness, as he missed a critical stretch of games last season with an ankle injury. Veteran Moe Williams and rookie Ciatrick Fason round out this deep unit. Williams made some of the team's biggest plays last year, and he remains an asset because of his intelligence and reliability.
Tice trusts Williams around the goal line and on key third downs. Fason was having an excellent preseason until he was injured in mid-August. Fason could be back by Week One. Grade: B-plus.
Receivers -- Subtract Moss, add a more confident Nate Burleson, a healthy Marcus Robinson, a speedy rookie (Troy Williamson) and a capable veteran (Taylor), and what do you have? You have the Vikings' new WR corps. Moss was the go-to guy. But Culpepper is quietly relieved because he does not feel pressure to force the ball to one player.
Burleson is a consummate professional, working hard on every play and being the ultimate team player. He topped 1,000 yards last season, and he displayed toughness and an ability to make clutch plays. The question was whether he could handle facing the opposing team's top cornerback. That hasn't been a problem for him so far in practice, going against Winfield, or in preseason action vs. the Chiefs, Jets and Chargers.
Meanwhile, Robinson has dropped a lot of passes this preseason, losing his No. 2 spot to the more dependable Taylor. But Robinson remains a force because he keeps making some explosive plays, and he has the ability, because of his size, to be an asset in the red zone. Taylor hasn't done anything phenomenal. But he is an excellent slot receiver and was consistent in the preseason.
Williamson missed the early part of camp due to a holdout, and he missed another chunk because of a foot injury. He also dropped some passes upon his arrival. But he has played well at times. Williamson showcased his speed against the Jets, showing why the Vikings chose him instead of the more proven Mike Williams.
At tight end, Jim Kleinsasser isn't a fantasy superstar. But the Vikings lamented his season-ending knee surgery in the opener last year. Culpepper argues that Kleinsasser is the NFL's best blocking tight end, and he could have been vital last year when ORT Mike Rosenthal was lost for the season in the second game.
Kleinsasser is a strong blocker, but he does not excel after the catch. That's why Jermaine Wiggins complements him so well. Wiggins has a knack for getting open, and he has a knack for making clutch plays. Wiggins led the team in catches last season with 71. Grade: B-plus.
Offensive linemen -- On paper, this was one of the NFL's better units before a hip injury forced Pro Bowl C Matt Birk to strongly consider surgery. Without Birk, who could miss three months or the entire season if he opts for the operation, the Vikings' O-line has looked pedestrian at best, unable to spring Bennett for any meaningful runs before camp ended.
The pass blocking has also been shaky, as Culpepper has been consistently flushed out of the pocket. Rosenthal appears to have fully recovered from his foot injury, and OLT Bryant McKinnie has been solid. The question marks are inside. Rookie Marcus Johnson, a second-round pick, is poised to start at right guard, meaning veteran Chris Liwienski could return to left guard. C Cory Withrow now starts, but he's a big step down from Birk. OG Adam Goldberg, who failed to secure a starting spot, provides depth. Grade: C-plus.
Defensive linemen -- All-Pro DT Kevin Williams is poised for another monstrous season, especially with the signing of NT Pat Williams. The veteran nose tackle could give Kevin Williams and the team's young defensive ends more freedom to make plays. Last year's second-round pick, Darrion Scott, has looked solid at right end, and Kenechi Udeze, the Vikings' top pick in 2004, looks healthier.
More impressive is the fact the Vikings have tremendous depth in this unit, with veterans Lance Johnstone (11 sacks in '04) and Steve Martin and promising young players such as Spencer Johnson and '05 first-round pick Erasmus James. Johnson could be the jack-of-all-trades. He can play outside and inside, and his production per play is unmatched, according to DL coach Brian Baker. Sixth-round pick C.J. Moseley has also looked solid so far with good inside quickness. Grade: A-minus.
Linebackers -- The Vikings aggressively tried to address this position in the offseason, but it remains a question mark heading into the season. Newcomers Napoleon Harris, obtained from Oakland in the Moss trade, and Cowart have looked solid, but neither has looked spectacular. E.J. Henderson, a former second-round pick, is now starting at weak-side linebacker. He's not nearly as athletic and fast as backup Dontarrious Thomas, but the team is confident in Henderson's tackling and instincts.
Keith Newman is no longer starting on the strong side, but he will be featured in some packages that will utilize his pass-rushing skills. Cowart is the key to this unit's success. A former Pro Bowl player, Cowart is playing on a one-year deal in hopes of showing he's still got something left in his tank. Grade: B-minus.
Defensive backs -- Arguably the most talented and certainly the team's deepest position, the Vikings have slowly and steadily rebuilt a long-ignored unit. The Vikings tried for years to draft cornerbacks, but all they were able to hang their collective hats on was Brian Williams, the current nickel cornerback. With no luck via the draft, the Vikings decided to buy talent, first signing Winfield, then project Ralph Brown, who has picked off at least five passes in training camp.
Smoot hasn't played much during the preseason due to neck and knee injuries, but he certainly is the team's top cover corner, and he offers tremendous flexibility because of his range and talent. As for Williams, he has had an uneven preseason and is playing for a contract.
At safety, Sharper and Corey Chavous are both Pro Bowl-approved safeties with a track record for being highly productive, all-around players. Both, however, struggled last year, Sharper with injuries, and Chavous with his play. Through the preseason, though, no defensive player has played as consistently and as well as Sharper, and Chavous also has contributed his share of big plays. Depth is also solid, with Willie Offord and former CB Ken Irvin in backup roles. Grade: B-plus.
Special teams -- Aaron Elling and Paul Edinger are still engaged in a battle for the starting spot. Elling appears to have the inside track because of his familiarity with head coach Mike Tice and his ability to handle kickoffs better. Both have been accurate on FG attempts. P Darren Bennett still shows tremendous touch, and he once in a while booms a 60-yard punt, which shows that his leg is very much alive.
Bouts of inconsistency by Bennett this preseason leave the door slightly open for Travis Dorsch. Cullen Loeffler is a solid, dependable long-snapper. Williamson is the favorite for the KR job, if his foot is OK. Moore has done a good job filling in, and he would be just fine for the Vikings at this position. Grade: C.
posted by Stew at 2:40 PM
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