I just logged into ESPN, and the top headline to the right of their main story was that Tarvaris Jackson of the Minnesota Vikings has been benched in favor of Gus Frerotte for the remainder of the season. There are many things i have to say about this, but let's start here:
You might as well leave him in.
I am by no means on the T-Jack bandwagon. In fact, i am one of the people who did not buy into the 'T-Jack looks better than ever' hype he was getting in the preseason. I've never been a big believer in him, and have never thought he had what it takes to lead this team to where they want to go.
That said, i know for sure Gus Frerotte doesn't have what it takes to lead this team where they want to go. Frerotte is a nice back-up, don't get me wrong, but you know exactly what you're gonna get with him: 15-22, 150 yards, 1 TD 1 INT. He doesn't have a great vertical passing game despite what people say (he's 37 people!), and he's not real mobile.
If you're giving up the hope of this offense having any explosiveness in the passing game, why not stick with T-Jack? He hasn't shown any ability to throw vertically either, but he has a little more upside potential that Gus Frerotte. At least T-Jack can run when things break down...
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It's becoming painfully obvious this team needs a change. A change in qb, a change in coaching staff, and a change in philosophy.
The Vikings are loaded at pretty much every position except QB, and they're young at most positions. The O-Line is stacked and in their primes. The running back position is poised to be the best in the League for years to come. They have two solid young WR's in Sydney Rice and Bernard Berrian who can stretch the field, and a decent if not spectacular possession-type receiver in Bobby Wade.
Their defense is absolutely loaded. The front four may be the best in football, with only Pat Williams on the backside of his career. Though they already have his replacement in Fred Evans. The LB crew is young and good. Darren Sharper as a Safety is getting up there, but they have his replacement in Madieu Williams who they signed in the offseason. Antoine Winfield is also getting older, but this team has corners galore in waiting, including Cedric Griffin and Charles Gordon.
This team has the talent at every single position to compete for NFL Championships except the most important position: The QB. Not only that, but they haven't had a good QB since the days of Daunte Culpepper, and even he was good for only three or four years. The Vikings haven't had a franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton in the '70s. It's the one thing that's been lacking for decades for this franchise. Contrast that to the Packers, who had a franchise quarterback for 17 years, let him go, and appear to have another one. Makes me sick...
So here's the options. Preferably i'd like to get someone in right now, this season, so this year isn't a total waste. Not sure how feasible that is though, so we'll also look at some options to bring in during the offseason. Also keep in mind the Vikings don't need a Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb type quarterback. They only need someone who can manage the game and not throw picks.
Daunte Culpepper
Yeah, i just threw up in my mouth a little also, but he could bring a certain stability to the position and would be familiar/comfortable in Minnesota. He isn't mobile anymore, but can still make the throws. Our O-Line is good enough to give him the time needed in the pocket. At best though he's a short-term option.
Jeff Garcia
He's clearly fallen out of favor with Jon Gruden in Tampa, but showed last year he's still a capable QB. He played well in Philly in 2006 after replacing an injured McNabb as well. Chris Simms has been named the starter for Week 3, and Garcia has been open about his frustration there. He could be had for the right price.
Derek Anderson
Though he's technically still starting for the Browns, i'm not sure how much longer that will last. The Browns have started 0-2 and have looked bad doing it. The pressure is mounting to start Brady Quinn over Anderson, and if that were to happen i have to believe it would be for the rest of the season. The Vikings might be able to get Anderson away from the Browns.
Kurt Warner/Matt Leinart
Only because i don't believe the Cardinals can keep both of them again next season. One of them will be available. Though to be fair i'm still not sure Leinart is a capable QB, but maybe being out of the nightlife of Scottsdale will do him some good.
That's just a quick list for QB needs. I'll post a rundown later of what i think they should do with the coaching situation. Hint: It doesn't involve Brad Childress...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
T-Jack Benched: An In-Depth Look At The 2008 Vikings
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
South Africa 2010
In the on-going saga that is the World Cup 2010, South Africa finally had some good news about it's stadium and security progress: Sepp Blatter was so happy during his recent trip to view their progress that he claims to have danced.
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Sports Guy: Revisited
So i wrote a post while i was drunk the other night ripping the Sports Guy and his NFL picks this week. I honestly haven't looked at how i did against him, so let's take a look...
Titans +1 over Bengals (W). (Bengals -1 Tenn) (L)
Vikings +2 over Colts (L) (Colts -2 Vikings) (W)
Bears +3 over Panthers (Push) (Panthers -3 Bears) (Push)
Falcons +7 over Bucs (L) (Bucs -7 Panthers) (W)
Saints pick 'em Redskins (L) (I pick Saints as well) (L)
Bills +5 over Jags (W) (Jags -5 Bills) (L)
Packers -3 over Lions (W) (I agree) (W)
Giants -8.5 over Rams (W) (I agree) (W)
49ers +7 over Seahawks (W) (Seahawks -7 49ers) (L)
Dolphins +6.5 over Cards (L) (Cards -6.5 Seahawks) (W)
Jets -1 over Patriots (L) (Pats +1 NYJ) (W)
Ravens +4.5 over Texans (I agree) (No Game)
Chiefs -3.5 over (L) Raiders (I agree) (L)
Broncos +1.5 over Chargers (W) (Chargers -1.5 Broncos) (L)
Steelers -6 over Browns (L) (I agree) (L)
Eagles +7 over Cowboys (I agree)
Let's break it down! We agreed on 7 games. One was postponed (Baltimore-Houston), and one is still tonight. For the 5 games played, we went 2-3.
That leaves 9 games we disagreed on. Amazingly we both managed to go 4-4-1. So even though we differed on 9 different picks, we both finished the week 6-7-1. With one game to go tonight, we both picked the same (Philly +7), so we're gonna finish the week with the same record. Take into account that the best we could finish is 7-7-1, and it goes to show that neither of us knows shit...
NFL Picks Review
Jesus i suck at picking the NFL. 1-3-1 on the week, which puts me record through Week 2 at 3-6-1. I got some work to do...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
NFL Picks
2-3 last week, on to another week. Here's the picks:
College Football Picks Review
2-3 on the week, thanks to Georgia and Oregon not managing to cover. Record after three weeks is 9-7-1. Still at 56%, which is turning a profit. Here's to a better week next week...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Sports Guy
Look, i'll admit it: I used to love ESPN's Sports Guy, Bill Simmons. When i was in college i ate his shit up. Then the Patriots got good, then the Red Sox got good, then the Celtics got good, and he became practically insufferable. To the point where i can barely read him.
