NFC North: Joe Webb
ESPN.com IllustrationAbove is a glimpse at what quarterback Tim Tebow might look like in a jersey other than Denver's.It's not unusual to get instant questions about newly-available players, but the relative certainty of the NFC North's quarterback depth makes us an unlikely Tebow destination, to say the least. Our only locale with even the hint of a question mark, at least for 2012, is the Packers. Here is how each team's depth chart shakes out for now:
- Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, Nathan Enderle
- Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill
- Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell
- Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder, Joe Webb, Sage Rosenfels
I would understand if Packers fans aren't totally sold on Harrell as Matt Flynn's replacement. I'm not sure the Packers are themselves, at least not until they get him through a full offseason in their modified quarterback school. I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted a quarterback and/or picked through what's left of the free-agent market later this spring.
But would it make sense to even consider Tebow in that vein? From what I could tell from our Machiavellian readership base, the only people who want the Packers to pursue Tebow are Bears, Lions and Vikings fans. Tweeted @ScottD408: "can we make the Packers take Tebow?"
Longtime readers will remember that we discussed a Packers-Tebow union before the 2010 draft, sparked mostly by some awfully nice comments from coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson. (That’s where the otherwise incendiary photo illustration in this post came from.)
For what it's worth, McCarthy said in February 2010 that "I would definitely love to coach him." McCarthy added: "I think the guy's a winner, just the way he plays the game. I know a lot's being said about his mechanics. Just the way he approaches the game of football, I think he'll do everything he needs to do to improve. But you look for football players. And his record in college, I think, speaks for itself. But I'd love the opportunity to work with a Tim Tebow."
McCarthy and Tom Clements, once the Packers' quarterbacks coach and now their offensive coordinator, are considered two of the best quarterback tutors in the NFL. As we discussed in 2010, if you're a Tebow fan, you would hope he lands in a place like Green Bay, where he would have a well-honed structure to straighten out his game.
But the Packers aren't a public-service organization. They would only acquire Tebow if they thought he was their best option to back up Rodgers. I'm not sure if many of us could say that at the moment.
Amid the usual uncertainty of the NFL offseason, here's one move you could have bet the house on: The Vikings re-signing veteran quarterback Sage Rosenfels.
Rosenfels Rosenfels is a long-time favorite of general manager Rick Spielman, who has now re-acquired Rosenfels three times since initially bringing him to the Miami Dolphins in 2002. Alex Marvez of Fox Sports first reported Monday's contract agreement between the sides.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said last month that third-year player Joe Webb would be his No. 2 quarterback, and if that's still the case, the Vikings will be the rare team that carries a veteran as its No. 3 quarterback. But most teams have a veteran presence mixed in either at starter or backup, so with Christian Ponder, Webb and Rosenfels comprising their depth chart, the Vikings' youth-age ratio would match conventional wisdom.
In the end, the most important question is who would replace an ineffective or injured starter. By all accounts, the Vikings' first choice for that role is Webb. Rosenfels offers a better option at No. 3 than most teams can afford.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said last month that third-year player Joe Webb would be his No. 2 quarterback, and if that's still the case, the Vikings will be the rare team that carries a veteran as its No. 3 quarterback. But most teams have a veteran presence mixed in either at starter or backup, so with Christian Ponder, Webb and Rosenfels comprising their depth chart, the Vikings' youth-age ratio would match conventional wisdom.
In the end, the most important question is who would replace an ineffective or injured starter. By all accounts, the Vikings' first choice for that role is Webb. Rosenfels offers a better option at No. 3 than most teams can afford.
I tried to address the timeliest of your mailbag submissions during the week, and most of the others will be moot once the NFL opens its free agent market in a few days. But there are a few other topics of interest so let's hit them while we have a moment. We'll stay clear of free agency given the fluid nature of player movement, but if you're looking for a fix, I suggest Matt Williamson's ranking of the top 50 available free agents 
.
Remember, we interact at various degrees of intensity through the mailbag, Twitter and Facebook.
On with it…
Greg of Nashville objects to coverage of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, which has now ensnared both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers: Are we really to believe that this is news? You people who are supposed to be top notch journalist and you're reporting on something that has being going on ever since football began. Really, grow up.
Kevin Seifert: I, for one, have never claimed to be a top-notch journalist, but that's beside the point.
To me, it's been clear since the 2009 NFC Championship Game that the Saints were determined to get after quarterback Brett Favre, whether inside or outside the rules. That happens in many NFL games, but I truly question whether or not NFL teams and coaches have organized financial rewards for injuring opponents "ever since football began." It shifts the conversation from heat-of-the-moment violence to something that was premeditated.
That seems an obvious big deal, but don't take it from me. Journalist Joe Posnanski, one of the most eloquent sports writers of our generation, put it much better in a blog post this week. Posnanski noted that the Saints' bounty program was a form of gambling, that it was a rule-breaking attempt to alter games and approaches a crime.
If a baseball pitcher threw at the head of an opponent, and was later ruled to have been offered money for knocking the batter out of the game, would we hear the same "part-of-the-game" pushback? Posnanski doubts it, and I agree. Fans would be outraged. If anything, Posnanski argued, football has made us numb to anything that rises above its typical level of violence.
Posnanski:" "Is our love of pro football -- the spectacle, the violence, the thrills and sheer ferocity of it all -- so insatiable that nothing will ever shock or disgust us again?"
Sadly, it appears that way.
Jimmy of Philadelphia provides a clarification to our introduction of the "Madden 13" cover contest: Your article about Peyton Hillis beating out Aaron Rodgers for the Madden cover and experiencing the subsequent Madden curse is not completely factual. Aaron Rodgers didn't make the final voting stage, and was beaten out by Michael Vick, who was the other finalist alongside Hillis.
Kevin Seifert: Ah yes. I think that final fell in the category of a championship game forever shadowed by a historic earlier-round game. Think "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship Game. It gave the San Francisco 49ers a victory and sent them off to Super Bowl XVI. Do you remember who the 49ers beat for the title? I had to look it up. (It was the Cincinnati Bengals.)
Matt of Michigan notes the New York Giants' successful renegotiation of quarterback Eli Manning's contract and writes: Why aren't we hearing more from teams like the Lions and Rams who have cap troubles now because of their high draft history restructuring deals with their top players. Eli just did it for NY so he can make more money later on when the next big TV contract comes in and the team has a higher cap figure to play with. Do you think the Lions will try to work something out with Ndamukong Suh and Matthew Stafford?
Kevin Seifert: It's a possibility, but keep in mind a few factors.
The Lions renegotiated the contracts of Stafford, receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch last August to relieve their 2011 crunch. The changes weren't dramatic, but they did push some cap commitments into this year and beyond.
There are plenty of cap tricks to lower a given year's number, but eventually they come due. You're not eliminating a problem by renegotiating. You're pushing it forward.
To that end, the Lions are trying to stabilize their long-term prospects first by extending Johnson's contract, a method of spreading out his cap commitment naturally. If necessary, Stafford and Suh could re-arrange their deals to provide short-term relief. But the most successful long-term cap strategy is to absorb the biggest hits you're able to manage each year to maintain maximum flexibility.
WiBear434 of Kentucky wants to know if the Chicago Bears will give Chris Williams a chance to compete at left tackle, the position he was originally drafted to play in 2008.
Kevin Seifert: I guess stranger things have happened, but I doubt it. The big goal last season was to find a position for Williams and leave him there. He was a decent left guard in 2011, and while the natural tendency is to get greedy and hope he can hold down a more difficult position, it's now been almost two years since he played left tackle. That ship might have sailed.
Earl of Hawaii wants to know why there is no mention yet of any plans to try Everson Griffen at LB (middle or outside). One of the most talented & athletically gifted guys on the team needs to be starting on an older team that just went 3 and 13.
Kevin Seifert: As we've found in the case of backup quarterback Joe Webb, it's more difficult to change positions in the NFL than most fans think or hope. It's possible the Vikings could find some snaps for Griffen at outside linebacker on passing downs, but if they want to get him on the field, they might want to consider developing a more flexible rotation at defensive end.
Starters Jared Allen and Brian Robison played more snaps in 2011 than any defensive end duo in the NFL. Allen led all defensive ends by playing on 95 percent of the Vikings' snaps, while Robison ranked 11th at 84 percent. Griffen played 25 percent of their plays.
There would be nothing wrong with mixing in Griffen to a greater extent, keeping both Allen and Robison fresh over a 16-game season.
.
Remember, we interact at various degrees of intensity through the mailbag, Twitter and Facebook.
On with it…
Greg of Nashville objects to coverage of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, which has now ensnared both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers: Are we really to believe that this is news? You people who are supposed to be top notch journalist and you're reporting on something that has being going on ever since football began. Really, grow up.
Kevin Seifert: I, for one, have never claimed to be a top-notch journalist, but that's beside the point.
To me, it's been clear since the 2009 NFC Championship Game that the Saints were determined to get after quarterback Brett Favre, whether inside or outside the rules. That happens in many NFL games, but I truly question whether or not NFL teams and coaches have organized financial rewards for injuring opponents "ever since football began." It shifts the conversation from heat-of-the-moment violence to something that was premeditated.
That seems an obvious big deal, but don't take it from me. Journalist Joe Posnanski, one of the most eloquent sports writers of our generation, put it much better in a blog post this week. Posnanski noted that the Saints' bounty program was a form of gambling, that it was a rule-breaking attempt to alter games and approaches a crime.
If a baseball pitcher threw at the head of an opponent, and was later ruled to have been offered money for knocking the batter out of the game, would we hear the same "part-of-the-game" pushback? Posnanski doubts it, and I agree. Fans would be outraged. If anything, Posnanski argued, football has made us numb to anything that rises above its typical level of violence.
Posnanski:" "Is our love of pro football -- the spectacle, the violence, the thrills and sheer ferocity of it all -- so insatiable that nothing will ever shock or disgust us again?"
Sadly, it appears that way.
Jimmy of Philadelphia provides a clarification to our introduction of the "Madden 13" cover contest: Your article about Peyton Hillis beating out Aaron Rodgers for the Madden cover and experiencing the subsequent Madden curse is not completely factual. Aaron Rodgers didn't make the final voting stage, and was beaten out by Michael Vick, who was the other finalist alongside Hillis.
Kevin Seifert: Ah yes. I think that final fell in the category of a championship game forever shadowed by a historic earlier-round game. Think "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship Game. It gave the San Francisco 49ers a victory and sent them off to Super Bowl XVI. Do you remember who the 49ers beat for the title? I had to look it up. (It was the Cincinnati Bengals.)
Matt of Michigan notes the New York Giants' successful renegotiation of quarterback Eli Manning's contract and writes: Why aren't we hearing more from teams like the Lions and Rams who have cap troubles now because of their high draft history restructuring deals with their top players. Eli just did it for NY so he can make more money later on when the next big TV contract comes in and the team has a higher cap figure to play with. Do you think the Lions will try to work something out with Ndamukong Suh and Matthew Stafford?
Kevin Seifert: It's a possibility, but keep in mind a few factors.
The Lions renegotiated the contracts of Stafford, receiver Calvin Johnson and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch last August to relieve their 2011 crunch. The changes weren't dramatic, but they did push some cap commitments into this year and beyond.
There are plenty of cap tricks to lower a given year's number, but eventually they come due. You're not eliminating a problem by renegotiating. You're pushing it forward.
To that end, the Lions are trying to stabilize their long-term prospects first by extending Johnson's contract, a method of spreading out his cap commitment naturally. If necessary, Stafford and Suh could re-arrange their deals to provide short-term relief. But the most successful long-term cap strategy is to absorb the biggest hits you're able to manage each year to maintain maximum flexibility.
WiBear434 of Kentucky wants to know if the Chicago Bears will give Chris Williams a chance to compete at left tackle, the position he was originally drafted to play in 2008.
Kevin Seifert: I guess stranger things have happened, but I doubt it. The big goal last season was to find a position for Williams and leave him there. He was a decent left guard in 2011, and while the natural tendency is to get greedy and hope he can hold down a more difficult position, it's now been almost two years since he played left tackle. That ship might have sailed.
Earl of Hawaii wants to know why there is no mention yet of any plans to try Everson Griffen at LB (middle or outside). One of the most talented & athletically gifted guys on the team needs to be starting on an older team that just went 3 and 13.
Kevin Seifert: As we've found in the case of backup quarterback Joe Webb, it's more difficult to change positions in the NFL than most fans think or hope. It's possible the Vikings could find some snaps for Griffen at outside linebacker on passing downs, but if they want to get him on the field, they might want to consider developing a more flexible rotation at defensive end.
Starters Jared Allen and Brian Robison played more snaps in 2011 than any defensive end duo in the NFL. Allen led all defensive ends by playing on 95 percent of the Vikings' snaps, while Robison ranked 11th at 84 percent. Griffen played 25 percent of their plays.
There would be nothing wrong with mixing in Griffen to a greater extent, keeping both Allen and Robison fresh over a 16-game season.
Joe Webb still jumping over tall buildings
March, 7, 2012
Mar 7
1:45
PM ET
By
Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
We might not always agree on what position Joe Webb should play, but here is one indisputable fact: The man is a jumping fool.
You might remember the pre-draft video that circulated in 2010, showing Webb clearing a pile of blocking bags that stood about 5 feet tall after a running start. Wednesday, Webb posted a video in which he performs a 54-inch standing box jump. It's incredible, and it's available for you to see at the bottom of this post.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said last month at the NFL scouting combine that Webb would be the team's No. 2 quarterback in 2012, and not the kind of multi-positional player some have envisioned him as. But when you have a 6-foot-4 player who can jump like Webb -- remember, he pulled off a 42-inch vertical leap at the 2010 combine -- you wonder if he could at least be a designated Hail Mary receiver. Or something.
You might remember the pre-draft video that circulated in 2010, showing Webb clearing a pile of blocking bags that stood about 5 feet tall after a running start. Wednesday, Webb posted a video in which he performs a 54-inch standing box jump. It's incredible, and it's available for you to see at the bottom of this post.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said last month at the NFL scouting combine that Webb would be the team's No. 2 quarterback in 2012, and not the kind of multi-positional player some have envisioned him as. But when you have a 6-foot-4 player who can jump like Webb -- remember, he pulled off a 42-inch vertical leap at the 2010 combine -- you wonder if he could at least be a designated Hail Mary receiver. Or something.
Vikings will limit Joe Webb to QB duties
February, 24, 2012
Feb 24
5:45
PM ET
By
Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The only football player more popular than the backup quarterback on an NFL team is a backup quarterback so dynamic that fans want to see him play receiver, running back and return kicks, as well. That probably explains why Joe Webb is always trending among Minnesota Vikings fans. If that's the case, I'm afraid it's time for everyone to come back to earth.
Speaking to reporters Friday at the NFL combine, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier indicated the time for experimenting with Webb is over. The team plans to abandon its vision of him as a multi-positional player and focus on him at quarterback. "We want to give him the best chance to really fulfill his potential as a quarterback," Frazier said.
Frazier made clear that he isn't gearing up a competition between Webb and starter Christian Ponder. Rather, the Vikings think Webb can be a "viable No. 2" quarterback and want him to be as prepared as possible if an injury forces Ponder out of a game.
"In our league, you need to have a solid backup quarterback," Frazier said. "You saw some of the injuries Christian suffered in the games he had [in 2011]. Joe coming in really was a plus for us. We're going to need that. Hopefully Christian can avoid injuries, but having Joe as a backup is good for the football team."
That is certainly the case if Ponder has another season like 2011, when injuries forced him from two games and limited him in several others. But to play devil's advocate, what if Ponder stays on the field all season? Wouldn't the Vikings have missed an opportunity to get a playmaker on the field elsewhere?
Frazier laughed when I asked that question Friday, and suggested he would be happy to revisit the decision if it comes to that.
"That would be a great scenario," Frazier said. "Christian takes off and becomes a Pro Bowl player and you deal with whatever you have to deal from there. But Joe is such a talented guy. In our league, you need a talented backup quarterback. You're just one injury away from having to play with your backup. Joe is to me an outstanding guy in that role."
I don't see Frazier's decision as a sign of middling support for Ponder, but rather a realization of what we've discussed for more than a year about Webb. It takes practice time and a certain level of commitment to develop the kind of player the Vikings wanted Webb to be. Working on those skills while also serving as the backup quarterback proved a bloated workload. The Vikings needed to make a choice, one way or the other, and now they have.
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Andrew Weber/US PresswireWith his running ability, it's easy to see why the Vikings would consider using QB Joe Webb at other positions.
Andrew Weber/US PresswireWith his running ability, it's easy to see why the Vikings would consider using QB Joe Webb at other positions.Frazier made clear that he isn't gearing up a competition between Webb and starter Christian Ponder. Rather, the Vikings think Webb can be a "viable No. 2" quarterback and want him to be as prepared as possible if an injury forces Ponder out of a game.
"In our league, you need to have a solid backup quarterback," Frazier said. "You saw some of the injuries Christian suffered in the games he had [in 2011]. Joe coming in really was a plus for us. We're going to need that. Hopefully Christian can avoid injuries, but having Joe as a backup is good for the football team."
That is certainly the case if Ponder has another season like 2011, when injuries forced him from two games and limited him in several others. But to play devil's advocate, what if Ponder stays on the field all season? Wouldn't the Vikings have missed an opportunity to get a playmaker on the field elsewhere?
Frazier laughed when I asked that question Friday, and suggested he would be happy to revisit the decision if it comes to that.
"That would be a great scenario," Frazier said. "Christian takes off and becomes a Pro Bowl player and you deal with whatever you have to deal from there. But Joe is such a talented guy. In our league, you need a talented backup quarterback. You're just one injury away from having to play with your backup. Joe is to me an outstanding guy in that role."
I don't see Frazier's decision as a sign of middling support for Ponder, but rather a realization of what we've discussed for more than a year about Webb. It takes practice time and a certain level of commitment to develop the kind of player the Vikings wanted Webb to be. Working on those skills while also serving as the backup quarterback proved a bloated workload. The Vikings needed to make a choice, one way or the other, and now they have.
Previewing some of the big decisions facing NFC North teams early in the 2012 offseason:
Our Air and Space division boasts arguably the top grouping of starting quarterbacks in the NFL. We have a presumptive MVP in the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, a 5,000-yard passer in Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions and, in the Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler, an upper-level starter who was having perhaps his best season before fracturing his right thumb in December. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are hoping for a big jump from first-round draft pick Christian Ponder in 2012.
The relatively settled nature of those starters overshadows what could be division-wide change in their backups. The Packers' Matt Flynn, the Lions' Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, the Bears' Caleb Hanie and the Vikings' Sage Rosenfels are all pending free agents. Let's look at the decisions awaiting each team:
Packers: Flynn could draw interest as a potential starter from several teams, most notably the Miami Dolphins -- who hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their head coach last week. The Packers' only chance to keep him would be to use their franchise tag, requiring a commitment of about $14 million in cash and cap space. That's not going to happen. The logical successor is third-string quarterback Graham Harrell, and the Packers might have revealed their intentions by promoting him to the active roster late this season when he began receiving interest from other teams.
Lions: Quarterback depth is valuable, but you wonder if a team with tight salary cap problems can afford to keep two vested veterans behind their franchise quarterback. Hill ($3.02 million) and Stanton ($900,000) accounted for about $4 million in cap spacein 2011, and if the Lions desperately wanted to shave that figure, they could promote Stanton and sign him to a cheaper contract than what Hill was paid last season. But Hill has a longtime association with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and is generally considered one of the most reliable backups in the NFL. There are no easy answers here.
Bears: Hanie's disastrous stint as Cutler's replacement might have sealed his exit from Chicago. But the Bears will have new offensive leadership with coordinator Mike Tice and a quarterbacks coach/passing coordinator who has yet to be hired, so it's possible the new regime will have other thoughts. The Bears didn't think enough of rookie Nathan Enderle to start him in a meaningless Week 17 season finale, making it hard to imagine his ascendance to No. 2. That could leave veteran Josh McCown, another pending free agent, as an option. Or the Bears could seek help on the free agent market themselves.
Vikings: The situation in Minnesota is less clear-cut. Ponder remains the starter, and 2011 backup Joe Webb is under contract for 2012. Webb was impressive in one start and appearances in 10 other games, accounting for five touchdowns, but the Vikings' continued commitment to Ponder suggests they might look for other ways to use Webb. If he develops into a hybrid receiver/quarterback/returner, it's possible the Vikings would want an established veteran behind Ponder. That could be Rosenfels, a longtime favorite of general manager Rick Spielman, or he could come from elsewhere.
Our Air and Space division boasts arguably the top grouping of starting quarterbacks in the NFL. We have a presumptive MVP in the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, a 5,000-yard passer in Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions and, in the Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler, an upper-level starter who was having perhaps his best season before fracturing his right thumb in December. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are hoping for a big jump from first-round draft pick Christian Ponder in 2012.
The relatively settled nature of those starters overshadows what could be division-wide change in their backups. The Packers' Matt Flynn, the Lions' Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, the Bears' Caleb Hanie and the Vikings' Sage Rosenfels are all pending free agents. Let's look at the decisions awaiting each team:
Packers: Flynn could draw interest as a potential starter from several teams, most notably the Miami Dolphins -- who hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their head coach last week. The Packers' only chance to keep him would be to use their franchise tag, requiring a commitment of about $14 million in cash and cap space. That's not going to happen. The logical successor is third-string quarterback Graham Harrell, and the Packers might have revealed their intentions by promoting him to the active roster late this season when he began receiving interest from other teams.
Lions: Quarterback depth is valuable, but you wonder if a team with tight salary cap problems can afford to keep two vested veterans behind their franchise quarterback. Hill ($3.02 million) and Stanton ($900,000) accounted for about $4 million in cap spacein 2011, and if the Lions desperately wanted to shave that figure, they could promote Stanton and sign him to a cheaper contract than what Hill was paid last season. But Hill has a longtime association with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and is generally considered one of the most reliable backups in the NFL. There are no easy answers here.
Bears: Hanie's disastrous stint as Cutler's replacement might have sealed his exit from Chicago. But the Bears will have new offensive leadership with coordinator Mike Tice and a quarterbacks coach/passing coordinator who has yet to be hired, so it's possible the new regime will have other thoughts. The Bears didn't think enough of rookie Nathan Enderle to start him in a meaningless Week 17 season finale, making it hard to imagine his ascendance to No. 2. That could leave veteran Josh McCown, another pending free agent, as an option. Or the Bears could seek help on the free agent market themselves.
Vikings: The situation in Minnesota is less clear-cut. Ponder remains the starter, and 2011 backup Joe Webb is under contract for 2012. Webb was impressive in one start and appearances in 10 other games, accounting for five touchdowns, but the Vikings' continued commitment to Ponder suggests they might look for other ways to use Webb. If he develops into a hybrid receiver/quarterback/returner, it's possible the Vikings would want an established veteran behind Ponder. That could be Rosenfels, a longtime favorite of general manager Rick Spielman, or he could come from elsewhere.
» NFC Wrap-ups: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South
Arrow indicates direction team is trending.
Final Power Ranking: 30
Preseason Power Ranking: 20
Biggest surprise: It has never been clear why anyone thought acquiring Donovan McNabb as a stopgap starting quarterback was a good idea. All indications were that McNabb had taken a significant step back since his heyday as an annual Pro Bowler, and in truth, he had no more familiarity with the Vikings' new offense than did rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. He threw for an embarrassing 39 yards in a Week 1 loss at the San Diego Chargers, was benched after six starts and waived with five games remaining. I'm not sure the Vikings would have won more games with Ponder or Joe Webb as their Week 1 starter, but the entire episode was a failure waiting to happen. Why wasn't that obvious to everyone?
Biggest disappointment: Tailback Adrian Peterson's shredded left knee will cast a shadow over the organization for months. The Vikings have said they hope to have Peterson back on the field when the season begins, but the truth is no one can know for sure how a running back will come back from two torn knee ligaments and other assorted damage. Newly-promoted general manager Rick Spielman will have a difficult decision to make: Can the team continue to build its offense around Peterson? Does it necessitate the acquisition of a replacement or a philosophical shift? Of all their positions, running back represented the least of the Vikings' concerns at midseason. Now it's among their first priorities.
Biggest need: On a roster full of holes, no positions are more needy than defensive back and offensive line. The Vikings finished the season with Week 1 backups playing both cornerback and one safety positions, and the only incumbent who should have a decent chance to start in 2012 is veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield. Although they led the NFL with 50 sacks, the Vikings' coverage was so poor that opposing quarterbacks still compiled a 107.1 passer rating, the second-highest mark in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Vikings must find a long-term replacement for deposed left tackle Bryant McKinnie and might have to find a new left guard if Steve Hutchinson retires. The future of right guard Anthony Herrera is also up for debate.
Team MVP: Defensive end Jared Allen finished a half-sack shy of tying Michael Strahan's record for sacks in a season (22.5), along the way setting an example of how to continue playing hard despite the weight of a lost season. Runner up goes to Percy Harvin, who shed his migraine issues to become the kind of all-purpose receiver/running back the Vikings envisioned when they drafted him in 2009. He caught a team-high 87 passes and also took 52 carries, combining for 1,312 total yards and eight touchdowns.
Questionable call: Cornerback Chris Cook was arrested in October and eventually charged with strangulation and domestic abuse. In the end, the Vikings took the highly unusual path of dismissing him for the season while keeping him on the active roster and paying him game checks for the final eight games of the season. Coach Leslie Frazier said the organization wanted to give Cook a chance to get is life in order, but Frazier admitted this week that it's unclear what progress he has made. Unless he is incarcerated as a result of his upcoming trial, Cook seems likely to return to the team in training camp.
Arrow indicates direction team is trending.
Final Power Ranking: 30
Preseason Power Ranking: 20
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Geoff Burke/US PresswireAdrian Peterson's uncertain future hangs over the entire franchise.
Geoff Burke/US PresswireAdrian Peterson's uncertain future hangs over the entire franchise.Biggest disappointment: Tailback Adrian Peterson's shredded left knee will cast a shadow over the organization for months. The Vikings have said they hope to have Peterson back on the field when the season begins, but the truth is no one can know for sure how a running back will come back from two torn knee ligaments and other assorted damage. Newly-promoted general manager Rick Spielman will have a difficult decision to make: Can the team continue to build its offense around Peterson? Does it necessitate the acquisition of a replacement or a philosophical shift? Of all their positions, running back represented the least of the Vikings' concerns at midseason. Now it's among their first priorities.
Biggest need: On a roster full of holes, no positions are more needy than defensive back and offensive line. The Vikings finished the season with Week 1 backups playing both cornerback and one safety positions, and the only incumbent who should have a decent chance to start in 2012 is veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield. Although they led the NFL with 50 sacks, the Vikings' coverage was so poor that opposing quarterbacks still compiled a 107.1 passer rating, the second-highest mark in NFL history. Meanwhile, the Vikings must find a long-term replacement for deposed left tackle Bryant McKinnie and might have to find a new left guard if Steve Hutchinson retires. The future of right guard Anthony Herrera is also up for debate.
Related Coverage
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• Schatz: NFL's most overrated
• 2011 NFL Power Rankings
• MVP Watch | Rookie Watch
Questionable call: Cornerback Chris Cook was arrested in October and eventually charged with strangulation and domestic abuse. In the end, the Vikings took the highly unusual path of dismissing him for the season while keeping him on the active roster and paying him game checks for the final eight games of the season. Coach Leslie Frazier said the organization wanted to give Cook a chance to get is life in order, but Frazier admitted this week that it's unclear what progress he has made. Unless he is incarcerated as a result of his upcoming trial, Cook seems likely to return to the team in training camp.
After the Minnesota Vikings' 17-13 loss to the Chicago Bears, here are three issues that merit further examination:
- As of today, the Vikings are franchise free agents and do not have a home stadium. Their lease at the Metrodome has no more games remaining. If he chose to, owner Zygi Wilf could entertain offers from Los Angeles or other locales about moving the franchise. But Lester Bagley, vice president of stadium development/public affairs, indicated Sunday that Wilf isn't prepared to do that. "It's no secret that we have been contacted by other communities," Bagley said. "But we've told them that we're encouraged, we're hopeful, we're in position to get it done in Minnesota. That has been our response." Justified or not, there appears to be significant optimism that a deal to build a stadium — either in suburban Arden Hills or downtown Minneapolis — will get done this year. But it could be awhile before the Vikings know whether they'll be playing in the Metrodome in 2012 or at the University of Minnesota's outdoors TCF Bank Stadium. Playing outdoors in Minnesota, even for a few years, would require some level of shift in roster-building philosophy.
- I used to bang the drum regularly for the Vikings to shift their committee leadership structure to a more vertical arrangement, with one person — either the general manager or coach — ultimately responsible for the football operations. I piped down when it became clear that Wilf favored the committee and wasn't interested in a change. To be fair, I'm not sure I blame the Vikings' style of leadership for their 9-23 record the past two seasons. One person can make bad decisions just as easily as three people can. The Star Tribune's Sid Hartman reported that Wilf might promote vice president of personnel Rick Spielman into a traditional general manager's role. Hopefully Wilf will think that one through first. That's nothing against Spielman. I'm just not sure that promoting one angle of the Triangle of Authority will mean anything in practice. If Spielman were truly to have a general manager's powers, Wilf will have started him off with a coach he didn't hire. The only way to do the traditional vertical structure the right way is to identify the top authority first and then give him the opportunity to hire the people who will work for him.
- Coach Leslie Frazier said Sunday that the Vikings will go into the offseason with Christian Ponder as their No. 1 quarterback, but that "all players" must compete for their jobs in training camp. I wouldn't expect anything different, considering Ponder was the No. 12 overall pick of the 2011 draft and began his rookie season behind on the development scale because of the lockout. Backup Joe Webb was more effective in moving the ball over the past month, but Sunday's game demonstrated why there are split opinions about his aptitude as a long-term starter. As athletic as he is, Webb must limit the plays in which he floats in the backfield, runs away from pass rushers and then throws madly downfield. It's nice to have that option, but in general those are low-percentage throws that can also lead to big yardage losses either through sacks or holding penalties by offensive linemen who can't stay on their blocks that long. If Webb truly wants to challenge for the job, he needs to master the drop-step-throw portion of being an NFL quarterback.
Kevin SeifertFollowing their loss against the Bears, the Vikings take a seat in the examination room.It's not yet clear what the Vikings will do with defensive coordinator Fred Pagac, whose demise has been rumored, but Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen unexpectedly has come to Pagac's defense the past two days. Allen credited Pagac for some blitz packages that helped free him up for a 3 1/2-sack day against the Bears, and on Monday he told reporters that he wants Pagac to return and will "fight" for that to happen. Allen could have some personal reasons for that support, especially if Pagac's continued employment would preserve the 4-3 scheme that Allen thrives in, but it also suggests there could be more to blame with the Vikings' defensive problems than simply the coordinator.
Stand up, give yourselves a pat on the back and a round of applause. Two NFC North teams combined for the most prolific passing game in NFL history Sunday. In the wind and snow of Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions combined for an NFL-record 971 net yards passing.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (520 yards) and the Packers' Matt Flynn (480 yards) produced two of the top three individual passing games of the 2011 season. (The New England Patriots' Tom Brady threw for 517 yards in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.) Let's take a closer look:
Matt Flynn
Week 17 passer rating: 136.4
Week 17 QBR: 91.7
Tell-tale number: Since 1960, only two other quarterbacks have thrown for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a game. Both are in the Hall of Fame. One was Y.A. Tittle for the New York Giants in 1962. The other was Joe Namath for the 1972 New York Jets.
Matthew Stafford
Week 17 passer rating: 103.8
Week 17 QBR: 86.2
Tell-tale number: Stafford's 520 yards were the most in a game since Boomer Esiason threw for 522 yards in 1996, and the fifth-most in league history. The huge yardage total also pushed Stafford to 5,038 yards this year. Remember, entering the season, the NFL record for passing yards in a season was 5,084, set by Dan Marino in 1984. Both Drew Brees (5,476) and Tom Brady (5,235) eclipsed Marino's mark this season. But at 23, Stafford finished just 46 yards behind Marino.
Josh McCown
Week 17 passer rating: 75.4
Week 17 QBR: 15.4
Tell-tale number: Sunday was McCown's first win as a starter since Dec. 2, 2007, when he played for the Oakland Raiders. His performance came against a Minnesota Vikings defense that finished the season allowing a 107.6 passer rating to opponents, the second-highest mark in NFL history.
Joe Webb
Week 17 passer rating: 46.4
Week 17 QBR: 19.7
Tell-tale number: The Vikings scored only three points with Webb behind center, but he did throw for 200 yards in about 2 1/2 quarters of play.
Christian Ponder
Week 17 passer rating: 8.3
Week 17 QBR: 1.1
Tell-tale number: Ponder's second-quarter interception was his 13th in 10 starts and a total of 274 attempts. But don't forget that Stafford threw 20 interceptions on 377 attempts in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009. The more important number will be the presumed improvement Ponder makes in 2012. Since his rookie season, Stafford has thrown 17 interceptions in 759 attempts over 19 starts.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (520 yards) and the Packers' Matt Flynn (480 yards) produced two of the top three individual passing games of the 2011 season. (The New England Patriots' Tom Brady threw for 517 yards in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.) Let's take a closer look:
Matt Flynn
Week 17 passer rating: 136.4
Week 17 QBR: 91.7
Tell-tale number: Since 1960, only two other quarterbacks have thrown for 480 yards and six touchdowns in a game. Both are in the Hall of Fame. One was Y.A. Tittle for the New York Giants in 1962. The other was Joe Namath for the 1972 New York Jets.
Matthew Stafford
Week 17 passer rating: 103.8
Week 17 QBR: 86.2
Tell-tale number: Stafford's 520 yards were the most in a game since Boomer Esiason threw for 522 yards in 1996, and the fifth-most in league history. The huge yardage total also pushed Stafford to 5,038 yards this year. Remember, entering the season, the NFL record for passing yards in a season was 5,084, set by Dan Marino in 1984. Both Drew Brees (5,476) and Tom Brady (5,235) eclipsed Marino's mark this season. But at 23, Stafford finished just 46 yards behind Marino.
Josh McCown
Week 17 passer rating: 75.4
Week 17 QBR: 15.4
Tell-tale number: Sunday was McCown's first win as a starter since Dec. 2, 2007, when he played for the Oakland Raiders. His performance came against a Minnesota Vikings defense that finished the season allowing a 107.6 passer rating to opponents, the second-highest mark in NFL history.
Joe Webb
Week 17 passer rating: 46.4
Week 17 QBR: 19.7
Tell-tale number: The Vikings scored only three points with Webb behind center, but he did throw for 200 yards in about 2 1/2 quarters of play.
Christian Ponder
Week 17 passer rating: 8.3
Week 17 QBR: 1.1
Tell-tale number: Ponder's second-quarter interception was his 13th in 10 starts and a total of 274 attempts. But don't forget that Stafford threw 20 interceptions on 377 attempts in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009. The more important number will be the presumed improvement Ponder makes in 2012. Since his rookie season, Stafford has thrown 17 interceptions in 759 attempts over 19 starts.
Joe Webb again replaces Christian Ponder
January, 1, 2012
Jan 1
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Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- Hello there. It's been an interesting afternoon already. I'm keeping an eye on the events at Lambeau Field, where selected Green Bay Packers starters and reserves are leading the Detroit Lions 10-9 early in the second quarter. I'm also, of course, watching parts of the game playing out in front of me.
Most notably, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has left the game after taking a rough hit from Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. Ponder immediately grabbed his right hip, which he hurt earlier this season, and limped off the field.
Joe Webb has replaced Ponder, who officially is listed as questionable to return. Ponder completed 4 of 10 passes for 28 yards before departing. Included in that group was a poor swing pass to tailback Toby Gerhart. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman intercepted it off Gerhart's tip and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.
We'll keep you updated, but for now this is Webb's game. Week 17 games aren't always meaningless. I wonder if Webb could impact his 2012 standing with another strong performance.
Most notably, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has left the game after taking a rough hit from Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije. Ponder immediately grabbed his right hip, which he hurt earlier this season, and limped off the field.
Joe Webb has replaced Ponder, who officially is listed as questionable to return. Ponder completed 4 of 10 passes for 28 yards before departing. Included in that group was a poor swing pass to tailback Toby Gerhart. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman intercepted it off Gerhart's tip and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.
We'll keep you updated, but for now this is Webb's game. Week 17 games aren't always meaningless. I wonder if Webb could impact his 2012 standing with another strong performance.
We're Black and Blue All Over:
As it turns out, the Green Bay Packers' reserve offensive lineman who got stomped on Thanksgiving Day by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh likely will be in the starting lineup Sunday for the rematch between the two teams. But Suh and guard Evan Dietrich-Smith long ago made amends via phone, and the incident hasn't exactly been at the tip of either teams' lips this week.
"There's no hard feelings and that's pretty much it," Dietrich-Smith told reporters in Green Bay. He'll likely start at left guard Sunday, which would put him on the opposite side that Suh usually lines up on.
Said Suh, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: "My main focus is on the guy who is in front of me. If he's in front of me, then maybe I will chat with him, go against him, beat him and try to get some sacks."
Continuing around the NFC North:
As it turns out, the Green Bay Packers' reserve offensive lineman who got stomped on Thanksgiving Day by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh likely will be in the starting lineup Sunday for the rematch between the two teams. But Suh and guard Evan Dietrich-Smith long ago made amends via phone, and the incident hasn't exactly been at the tip of either teams' lips this week.
"There's no hard feelings and that's pretty much it," Dietrich-Smith told reporters in Green Bay. He'll likely start at left guard Sunday, which would put him on the opposite side that Suh usually lines up on.
Said Suh, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: "My main focus is on the guy who is in front of me. If he's in front of me, then maybe I will chat with him, go against him, beat him and try to get some sacks."
Continuing around the NFC North:
- Packers coach Mike McCarthy seemed a bit miffed after learning just before practice Wednesday that tight end Jermichael Finley had a sore knee. More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- If Packers players have been told how much they'll be on the field Sunday, they aren't saying. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
- Former Packers cornerback Al Harris is retiring, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
- The Lions had their eyes on running back Joique Bell for a while before signing him this week, according to Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
- Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on not making the Pro Bowl, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "There's a lot of opinions that go into it, obviously, with all the fans, players and coaches. But I'm not too worried about that. I'm more worried about this game coming up and then our team future. Hopefully I'm busy that weekend, anyway."
- Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub's contract will expire after the season, notes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Bears signed guard Edwin Williams to a two-year contract extension, notes ESPNChicago.com.
- Bears quarterback Josh McCown isn't looking too far ahead, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press talks to Minnesota Vikings tailback Toby Gerhart.
- Vikings quarterback Joe Webb, who will go back to the bench for Sunday's season finale against the Bears, isn't one to make waves. Mark Craig of the Star Tribune explains.
- ESPN1500.com wonders whether Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson has played his last game in the NFL.
Free Head Exam: Minnesota Vikings
December, 26, 2011
12/26/11
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Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
After the Minnesota Vikings' 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins, here are three issues that merit further examination:
- I felt a pang of sympathy for this franchise, which is owned, operated and coached by competent people I respect. None of them could have enjoyed the end of a six-game losing streak, not after watching tailback Adrian Peterson suffer a knee injury that could change the course of his career and the direction of the franchise. Peterson is a special athlete, but there isn't a long list of running backs who have returned from multiple torn knee ligaments without losing some of their strength and explosion. The good news is that Peterson has always been a high-effort player, meaning he will be productive -- if not elite -- upon his return. But in the meantime, the Vikings will be forced to take a fundamental look at the makeup of their offense this winter and spring. Fair or otherwise, they can't count on Peterson to be the best player on their team anymore. Peterson finished the season with 970 yards, snapping a four-season streak of compiling at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. Only two players in NFL history have had a longer streak: LaDainian Tomlinson (eight) and Shaun Alexander (five).Kevin SeifertFollowing their win against the Redskins, the Vikings take a seat in the examination room.
- Peterson's injury leaves receiver Percy Harvin as the Vikings' primary offensive playmaker entering the offseason. Harvin added two more big plays to what has been a career season Saturday, a 31-yard run on a reverse and a 36-yard catch on a jump ball from Webb. You might not realize it, but Harvin's 77 receptions this season is more than all but six wide receivers in the NFL. He's also rushed for 332 yards on 47 carries out of various formations. It's too bad the Vikings' poor record has overshadowed it, but Harvin has emerged as the multi-position threat the team envisioned for him three years ago and should be a cornerstone of the team's plans for 2012.
- It's getting more difficult to find reasons why the Vikings shouldn't consider Joe Webb as a legitimate candidate for their starting job in 2012 and beyond. Obviously they have invested a high draft pick on Christian Ponder, and it's hardly time to render final judgment on a rookie after nine starts. But it would be underestimating Webb to say that he has just been a raw athlete making playground plays. His 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Rudolph was thrown from the pocket with perfect touch to the back of the end zone. And consider this: Webb has accounted for five touchdowns on seven possessions in relief of Ponder this season, including three touchdown passes and two on the ground. It's hard to overlook that kind of production. Next season, coach Leslie Frazier will enter the second of a three-year contract. My expectation is that he will start the quarterback that gives him the best chance to see Year Three. At the very least, Webb should be in the conversation.
Can Toby Gerhart be an every down replacement for Peterson? The Vikings traded up in the second round of the 2010 draft to select him, but for the most part they haven't found a way to use him except when Peterson has been injured. Gerhart has 786 rushing yards over two seasons, and on Saturday he ripped off a career-long 67-yarder to set up a touchdown. He definitely doesn't have Peterson's breakaway ability, and like the rest of the NFL, Gerhart doesn't run with as much power. But unless the Vikings find a free agent gem or invest another high draft pick on a runner, Gerhart probably is going to get his chance at the start of next season. We'll find out then if he's up to it.
BBAO: Optimism on Vikings stadium
December, 26, 2011
12/26/11
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Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
We're Black and Blue All Over:
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Just before Sunday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported on "Football Night in America" that he is convinced the Minnesota Vikings will build a new stadium in the Twin Cities and aren't a candidate to move to Los Angeles. King reiterated the report in his Monday Morning Quarterback column on si.com.
Obviously the Minnesota state legislature hasn't convened yet for 2012, so there can not be a firm on-the-record agreement yet. But I think King's report accurately depicts a growing sense of optimism that Gov. Mark Dayton's leadership on the issue will bring it to a successful conclusion in the coming months.
The Vikings will technically be franchise free agents on Feb. 1, 2012. But as long as Dayton continues to support negotiations on site, financing and design details, it appears highly unlikely the Vikings would utilize the relocation threat. What a late Christmas present that would be for all involved.
Continuing around the NFC North:
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Just before Sunday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, Sports Illustrated's Peter King reported on "Football Night in America" that he is convinced the Minnesota Vikings will build a new stadium in the Twin Cities and aren't a candidate to move to Los Angeles. King reiterated the report in his Monday Morning Quarterback column on si.com.
Obviously the Minnesota state legislature hasn't convened yet for 2012, so there can not be a firm on-the-record agreement yet. But I think King's report accurately depicts a growing sense of optimism that Gov. Mark Dayton's leadership on the issue will bring it to a successful conclusion in the coming months.
The Vikings will technically be franchise free agents on Feb. 1, 2012. But as long as Dayton continues to support negotiations on site, financing and design details, it appears highly unlikely the Vikings would utilize the relocation threat. What a late Christmas present that would be for all involved.
Continuing around the NFC North:
- Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson is facing a long recovery from a left knee injury, writes Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
- This season has spoken to why the Vikings need a general manager to supervise all football decisions, writes Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.
- Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "Of all the drama and despair surrounding the Vikings during this wretched season, no one should have imagined [Joe] Webb, the former sixth-round draft pick out of unheralded Alabama-Birmingham, at the center of a potential quarterback controversy that has materialized out of thin air."
- Quarterback Josh McCown played better than expected Sunday night for the Chicago Bears, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.
- Running back Kahlil Bell left a mark on the game, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
- Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times: "The Packers were kind enough to beat the Bears 35-21 and relieve them of any silly playoff thoughts they might have been harboring. No matter how small the possibility was, the mere idea of the Bears in the postseason was somewhere between laughable and criminal."
- The Green Bay Packers' run defense clearly missed defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, who has been out with a concussion. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
- Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "As has been the case many times this season, an otherwise dominating victory had one glaring flaw. This time, it was the Packers’ run defense ..."
- Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes on Packers receiver James Jones' big game.
- The Detroit Lions' faith in quarterback Matthew Stafford has been rewarded, writes John Niyo of the Detroit News.
- The playoffs have been a long time coming for the Lions, writes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press traces the Lions' actions after their 0-16 season in 2008.
Adrian Peterson injury leaves big questions
December, 24, 2011
12/24/11
11:11
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Kevin Seifert | ESPN.com
OK, I was too optimistic when I signed off earlier Saturday. We have a few issues to address, and first up is the substantial knee injury suffered by Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson.
Peterson fell short of the dreaded "trifecta" injury to his left knee Saturday, but the team will still have some unexpected questions to address this offseason as a result. Namely: Can the Vikings build their offense around Peterson in 2012?
The Vikings confirmed late Saturday night that Peterson tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee during Saturday's 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins. Josina Anderson of ESPN and Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com report that the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is also torn, but that the third primary ligament of the knee -- the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) -- remains intact.
Still, the late timing of this injury calls into question whether Peterson will be ready for the 2012 season, which starts in less than 10 months. It's too early to talk about timetables, but that would be a quick one for a running back who relies on lower-body explosion.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier began his tenure with plans to build a power offense around Peterson. At the very least, it's going to be difficult for the Vikings to count on Peterson's availability in September during the time in March and April when they are acquiring players to enhance their offense.
Of all the issues the Vikings had on their plate this offseason, the running back position wasn't one of them. Now it might be their most pressing.
All in all, Saturday wasn't the greatest day for the long-term prospects of the franchise. Their $100 million tailback suffered a potentially career-altering injury, an otherwise meanginless victory made them more likely to get the No. 3 overall pick in the draft than No. 1 or No. 2 and franchise quarterback Christian Ponder was again outplayed by backup Joe Webb.
Frazier will further address these issues during his Monday news conference.
Peterson fell short of the dreaded "trifecta" injury to his left knee Saturday, but the team will still have some unexpected questions to address this offseason as a result. Namely: Can the Vikings build their offense around Peterson in 2012?
The Vikings confirmed late Saturday night that Peterson tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee during Saturday's 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins. Josina Anderson of ESPN and Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com report that the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is also torn, but that the third primary ligament of the knee -- the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) -- remains intact.
Still, the late timing of this injury calls into question whether Peterson will be ready for the 2012 season, which starts in less than 10 months. It's too early to talk about timetables, but that would be a quick one for a running back who relies on lower-body explosion.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier began his tenure with plans to build a power offense around Peterson. At the very least, it's going to be difficult for the Vikings to count on Peterson's availability in September during the time in March and April when they are acquiring players to enhance their offense.
Of all the issues the Vikings had on their plate this offseason, the running back position wasn't one of them. Now it might be their most pressing.
All in all, Saturday wasn't the greatest day for the long-term prospects of the franchise. Their $100 million tailback suffered a potentially career-altering injury, an otherwise meanginless victory made them more likely to get the No. 3 overall pick in the draft than No. 1 or No. 2 and franchise quarterback Christian Ponder was again outplayed by backup Joe Webb.
Frazier will further address these issues during his Monday news conference.
A few thoughts on an eventful and costly 33-26 victory at FedEx Field:
What it means: The Minnesota Vikings snapped a six-game losing steak and avoided tying the franchise record for consecutive losses. But it came at a price. Tailback Adrian Peterson (left knee) and quarterback Christian Ponder (concussion) suffered injuries on consecutive plays in the third quarter, and Peterson's injury appeared particularly gruesome. Also, by winning their third game this season, the Vikings eliminated themselves from contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft.
PetersonWatch: The Vikings will keep their fingers crossed on Peterson, but he was unable to put any weight on the knee as he was helped off the field and later needed a cart to get to the locker room. The late-season timing of this injury, if it includes a torn ligament, could threaten Peterson's availability for the start of the 2012 season.
WebbWatch: Backup quarterback Joe Webb once again played like gangbusters after Ponder departed, accounting for three touchdowns -- two through the air and one on the ground. The Vikings' energy level with Webb in the game is unmistakable.
End of run I: Safety Mistral Raymond's fourth-quarter interception of Rex Grossman was the Vikings' first in 10 games, ending a run that set a new NFL record. It came at a critical moment and set up the possession that made it a two-score game with about four minutes remaining. The Vikings entered the game with an NFL-low six interceptions this season.
End of run II: Longtime athletic trainer and current team historian Fred Zamberletti had attended every game in Vikings history before Saturday, a streak of 1,049 games including pre- and post-season. Zamberletti, 79, is ill and was unable to make the trip.
What's next: The Vikings will close out the regular season next Sunday by hosting the Chicago Bears.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
