Can Frerotte lead the Vikings to the playoffs?

Gus Frerotte is 37 years old. He's been around the NFL for 15 years and with 7 different franchises. He was with the Vikings before in 2003 and 2004 before being picked up by Miami in 2005. At the beginning of the 2008 season, Minnesota signed the veteran QB in the hopes to provide some experience at a position that was a question mark coming in.

However, in four starts for the Vikings, since Head Coach Brad Childress's decision to bench former starter Tarvaris Jackson, Frerotte has helped Minnesota return to a .500 record at 3-3 and has thrown for over 200 yards in all four starts. Frerotte's passing ability and experience in situations have proven valuable for Minnesota in climbing back from a 1-3 start. Frerotte was poised in leading the Vikings to comeback wins over New Orleans and Detroit and has a chance to put Minnesota into first place in the NFC North division next Sunday against the rival Chicago Bears.

Frerotte's numbers haven't been that impressive. His best completion percentage (58.1) came in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. He passed for a season high 296 yards, but has 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions thus far. The Vikings are still not lighting up the scoreboards on offense, nor is the addition of a passing threat one that's going to make opposing defenses shutter, but the ability to make plays and execute in crucial situations has been more prevalent when Frerotte is in.
He may not put up impressive fantasy football stats, but it's his leadership skills that he has acquired over the years that make him a viable threat for the Vikings. His ability to come up with key plays is a reason Minnesota can still hope for a shot at the playoffs.
For example, in the last two games, he has hooked up with Bernard Berrian for two deep balls that resulted in critical touchdowns and drew two major pass interference penalties from deep passes late in the game as well, which aided in the Vikings' past two comeback attempts. That's what veteran knowledge will get you.

The Vikings may win ugly, but a win is a win, and if veteran leadership at quarterback is what it's gonna take to get the Vikings into the 2008 playoffs then they may have found the right guy in Gus Frerotte. He will have a chance to lead the Vikings against a Bears' secondary that will be battered up in the hopes of stealing a win at Soldier Field, moving above .500, shifting into first place in the division, and giving Vikings fans a bit more hope for the near future.

All of this...and he's 37 years old.