Introduction to a New Season

Hello, my name is Alex Nagel. I am a senior and a journalism major at the University of Iowa. I am a die-hard Vikings fan, which coexists with my passion for Iowa sports, particularly football. Football is perhaps my favorite sport. I can talk for hours about anything football-related. But for the purpose of this blog, I am going to entertain you with facts AND opinions about the 2008 version of the Minnesota Vikings. Also don't be surprised if I find the time to talk about past and present Vikings players who were former Iowa Hawkeyes, and throw in a little bit of Vikings trivia knowledge as well. Somebody has to educate people on the Vikings' history and it would definitely be a better waste of time than learning about the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears.

The 2008 NFL season is just days away as teams wrap up their preseason and make their final roster cuts. The Vikings went just 1-3 in the preseason with a win over Baltimore and losses to Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. Fans might find that a bit worrisome considering the hype surrounding the Vikings entering this season as they will return several All-Pro athletes at key positions on both sides of the ball, including Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson at running back. Peterson actually saw very limited action throughout the preseason. He did not play at all in the first game against Seattle.

A more focused point of worry for the Vikings is, and has been for some time now, the quarterback position. Fans and media alike have been at odds as to whether Tarvaris Jackson is the main guy for the Vikings. Jackson posted mediocre numbers at best completing 171 of 294 passes for 1,911 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing 12 interceptions in 2007. Jackson struggled at times with the offense last year and heading into the offseason his improvement became a focal point for 3rd-year head coach Brad Childress.
Things were looking good out of the gates. Jackson looked much better in the pocket during the Vikings preseason opener against Seattle, and though he only played in two quarters Jackson was 8 of 11 for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns, and more importantly no interceptions. Jackson continued where he left off completing 7 of 11 passes for 82 yards and a score against Baltimore in preseason week 2 when he suffered a knee contusion, according to Coach Childress, in the first quarter. Childress stated that the injury was not too serious, but they decided to hold out their starter for the remainder of the preseason.
This left open the door for the other quarterbacks on the depth chart to make a move, including former USC quarterback and 5th round pick John David Booty. But the Vikings had little to show offensively in their next two preseason games scoring just 10 points in both losses and the quarterback play did nothing to ease any troubled mind on that position.

The Vikings lack depth at quarterback. Aside from Jackson and Booty, who is still a few years away from being a capable starter, the Vikings have two veteran QBs in Brooks Bollinger and Gus Ferotte. Ferotte is past his prime, though his knowledge of the game helps the younger guys, however he is no longer capable of guiding a team to the playoffs. Bollinger isn't that old, but just never had the tools to be a decent NFL starter. Jackson is the only guy with youth, and now experience, on his side. If his injury were to linger it could definitely be a severe detriment on any potential hopes the Vikings have of making a playoff push in 2008.

Minnesota will open the 2008 NFL season in primetime fashion. The Vikings will take on their arch-rival the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field for the first Monday Night Football game of the regular season. The main note is that this game will feature two playoff contenders predicted to finish one-two in the NFC North Division race. The question is who will get an early leg up. The other note is that this game will mark the first time since 1992 that the Packers start somebody other than Brett Favre at the QB position (behind closed doors I am laughing almost triumphantly). Aaron Rodgers will make his much-anticipated NFL starting debut next Monday. Kick off time is slated for 6 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. EST on ESPN.

News and notes: After a tough competition, basically for third place, Albert Young, a former University of Iowa running back was cut from the final roster by the Vikings at the end of the preseason. The Vikings opted to take on Maurice Hicks, who will be used more for special teams duties than anything, as the third-string running back behind Peterson and Chester Taylor. Young was picked up by the Vikings, just a day after being cut, as a member of the team's practice squad.