NFC Championship Game Aftermath: The Vikings

by Brandon on Jan 26, 2010 7:00 AM CST in Analysis Comment 21 comments

Now that the 2009 season is over for the Vikings and the Packers, it's a good time to take a look at the two-time defending NFC North champs going into next season. Ignore whether the Packers can become better for the moment, and focus on whether the Vikings have enough self-inflicted wounds for the Packers to overtake them in 2010?

It's "highly unlikely" QB Brett Favre will ever play again. Uh-huh. I'll believe it when the first regular season game of 2010 is played. Maybe not even then. I've expected the biggest offseason plot for the Vikings is not whether Favre will waffle on retirement (that was always a given), but whether the Vikings would get sick and tired of waiting for him to make up his mind. He signed a two-year contract, and Zigi Wilf expects him back in 2010. Will the Vikings come up with a Plan B or will they be left scrambling at the start of training camp? And, of course, Favre is skipping his umpteenth Pro Bowl in a row. At least the NFC can call on QB Tony Romo, unlike the AFC who is scrapping the bottom of the barrel and has invited QB David Garrard.

The Vikings might be losing NT Pat Williams to retirement? He would figuratively, and literally, be a huge loss for their defense. It's not impossible to find a quality defensive tackle, but everyone is looking for them and it's not guaranteed you can find one in the draft. The Packers drafted the best one available last year (DT B.J. Raji) and he's certainly no Pat Williams. Though the Bills were dumb enough to let Williams escape in free agency a few years ago, tackles like him generally don't hit the open market.

And they lost CB Cedric Griffin to an ACL tear during the championship game. He'll return next season, but it will be late next season, and the Vikings are going to have to plan for his replacement. If he comes back earlier, or is back to 100% by next December, then that's just gravy.

Overall: I'm sure the Vikings would rather be focused on improving their existing team than finding replacements for some of their best players. Assuming all three are out in 2010, they could focus on the defense and hope one of their in-house solutions can do the job at QB. Another round of mobile QB Tarvaris Jackson might not be a horrible plan given the porous state of the Vikings' O-Line, though I'd never worry about facing a Jackson-led opponent. The personnel losses would far from kill them, but it doesn't make them any better and gives them a lot to work on during the offseason.

0 recs | Comment 21 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Wow

guess it’s true that th was the Vikings one and only chance to reach the Super Bowl. If Favre retires, they don’t have a QB anymore. AP is slowing down and teams are figuring him out. Pat Williams will most likely retire, so they’ll probably hope that NT Terrance Cody falls in their lap, but I don’t think he’ll drop any further than Miami. Now Cedric Griffen will miss most if not all of next season. All I can say is, “Wow.” This is kind of reminding me of the Packers 07’ and Packers 08’. Considering how lucky the Vikings were this year, it may be safe to assume they won’t be so lucky next year. I have a hunch they will be hit hard by the injury bug.

If all that plays out, there are 2 teams to watch out for: Packers and Bears. Yes, it’s a shocker to say the Bears. However, Jay Cutler was gelling with his WR’s in Chicago towards the end of the season. Their OL still has holes, but that’s what the offseason is for. I’d like to say the Packers will do it, but we have a lot of work to do this offseason. We must resign S Nick Collins. We must get quality LOLB. I’m leaning on resigning Aaron Kampman, especially since O’ Brien Schofield tore his ACL at the East-West Shrine Game. We must get a CB, and we must get a franchise LT.

I’m hoping that our trade rumor of trading AJ Hawk and a 2nd Round pick to San Diego for CB Antonio Cromartie and a 3rd Round pick happens. We can then spend our 1st Round pick on a Franchise LT. We can put Allyn Barbre at LG. He is terrible as an OT, but he is our strongest and most ahtletic lineman, so it makes sense to put him at G. Put TJ Lang at RT. I think that will solidify our OL. We can also resign Mark Tauscher for insurance. Rumor is, we may resign him, then hire him the following year as an assistant coach. We love you Tauscher!

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 26, 2010 11:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't like your plan for the o-line

But where’d you hear about that Cromartie rumor?

by Donald Driver on Jan 26, 2010 5:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Favre 2007 vs 2009

Starts out the season impressively strong? Check.
A late season, prime-time road loss? Check.
An embarrassing late season road loss to the Bears? Check.
Those losses cost a chance at the #1 seed? Check.
A dominating win in the divisional round? Check.
A close championship game that ends (for Favre) with a hideous interception? Check.
Not going to the Super Bowl? Check.

by DaveInTucson on Jan 26, 2010 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I get where you're going with this

But the sad truth is that the only seasons in hte last 40 years we’ve had an outcome even half that good was with him behind center

I guess I’ll gladly take that kind of failure over the kinds we got before he was here and since he left.

by TruBluBruCru on Jan 26, 2010 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW,

Aaron Rodgers has been quarterback of this team for two years as a starter.

IMO, it’s too early to describe his time as starter as a “failure.”

Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jan 26, 2010 9:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And in those first two years as a starter

Rodgers has put up better numbers than Brett did, at least yardage wise, not sure about tds/picks. Then again, Aaron probably got sacked quite a few more times as well, making his numbers that much more impressive.

Also, Aaron threw 4 td’s in his first playoff game, something it took Brett 23 tries to accomplish.

I’m not saying….I’m just sayin.

by TarHeelHawk on Jan 26, 2010 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Favre threw more INTs than TDs in '93

19 TD 24 INT passer rating of 72.2
They also lost 2 or 3 games that year directly because of awful games by Favre.

by Zorakathura on Jan 26, 2010 10:16 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Indeed foolish of Buffalo I suppose

but Stroud and Kyle are better than Pat anywars.

by Donald Driver on Jan 26, 2010 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sagevaris Jackenfels

You said,

“I’d never worry about facing a Jackson-led opponent”

Well, I wouldn’t either. But what I WOULD be worried about is an Adrian Peterson-led opponent. If Favre comes back, it’s going to be Favre’s team. If he doesn’t, it’ll go back to being AP’s. They caught lightning in a bottle this year with the combination of A) it took a while for Favre to become the undisputed alpha-dog, (for the early part of the season, people still THOUGHT it was still AP’s team, and then they thought it was still sorta’ AP’s team, etc.) and B) Favre played far-and-away the best year of his career. 7 TDs in the entire regular season? Are you kidding me?

My point is: when Favre is the alpha dog, then AP isn’t. When the game’s on the line late in the 4th, who do you want the Vikings offense running through? At this point in their respective careers, I would take our chances against a Brett-led team over our chances against an AP-led team. I mean, hey, I say let the Vikes waste as much of AP’s prime as possible on this Brett Favre experiment. AP’s a special player. Favre USED to be. …and he’s proven many times that he’s a choke-artist, so…

As strange as it is to say, I think I’d prefer that Brett be the quarterback of that particular team rather than either T-Jack or Sage Throwsandfalls.

by Curly Lambeau on Jan 26, 2010 5:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Vikes fan opinion

Good overview, by the way. As to 2010, it starts and ends with Favre. If he comes back, the Vikings are still serious contenders. If he doesn’t, I don’t see the Vikings going with Tarvaris Jackson. I see them making a run for McNabb or maybe even Matt Hasselbeck…either way, a veteran QB with WCO experience.

The reason is this team still has a window of opportunity open, but it’s starting to close. Their best chance at a SB was this year, probably next year, maybe the year after that. You have to figure Cutler the interception machine was an aberration and the BEars will be better, and your squad is very tough. I think your defense was a bit over rated and exposed against very good passing teams, but Aaron Rodgers and your offense can keep up with anyone. So you guys will be right there as well.

I think if Favre comes back, Pat Williams comes back. One of the pleasant surprises was the play of Jimmy Kennedy; re-signing him whether Pat comes back or not is important.

Cedric Griffin’s injury is huge for the defense. He was really coming on as a CB in the cover 2, and with Winfield getting older, he was set to make a run for the #1 job next season. Now another UFA, Benny Sapp, probalby needs to be re-signed as well.

I think the defense will still be good, but not as good as it has been. The offense will be better, depending on who the QB is, with Harvin no longer a rookie and Sidney Rice coming into his own. AP’s fumble problem will (better be) fixed, and I see him still being the pre-eminent back in the NFL.

Bottom line: If the Vikes get a vet QB and key defensive guys like Griffin and EJ Henderson can bounce back, this team is on the short list for the SUper Bowl next year, right there with your team.

Hope we meet in the playoffs.

"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."

--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre

by MilCardFan on Jan 26, 2010 5:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Pretty good analysis

of both the Pack and the Vikes. It’s just so early to think about what’s gonna happen next year but that never stops us from starting.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Jan 26, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well thought out analysis. I pretty much agree with it though honestly I can’t see how Andy Reid (who’s coaching a super bowl contender) sends his all pro QB to a NFC conference contender for the super bowl. I know its a fun thought for you guys, but even with the Reid/Childress connection, I just think its a bad business move!!

by TrevorR on Jan 26, 2010 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair point, but they have a logjam at QB

And it’s unrealistic that Kolb, McNabb, and Vick stay. I think everyone agrees that Vick goes elsewhere, so that leaves Kolb and McNabb. Although it’s not the drama queen situation with Favre in Green Bay, there’s still a lot of underlying similarities between McNabb/Kolb and Favre/Rodgers. Aging, veteran QB juxtaposed against a young, highly drafted kid that has played well in limited appearances. The vet QB has a segment of the fan base disgruntled because of a perceived inability to ‘take the team to the next level’, although the QB is playing at a high level on a flawed team. And if that’s what the front office thinks, then it’s no longer a bad business decision to let McNabb walk. Two years ago, the thought of Favre playing anywhere other than GB was unthinkable. Favre playing in Minnesota was laughable, almost to the point of apocalyptic…for both sides. Yet, it happened.

If Favre retires…or if Favre retires, then un-retires, then retires—you know the drill (and so will we, I’m sure) Minnesota would be a good fit for McNabb, much like it is/was for Favre. It’s a talented team that runs an offense he’s very good in, with a coaching staff that he knows and likes (Chilly obviously, and Kevin Rogers, who was McNabb’s QB coach at Syracuse), with an opportunity to make a serious Super Bowl run.

If Philly decides it wants to move on, Minnesota makes a lot of sense.

"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."

--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre

by MilCardFan on Jan 26, 2010 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I get that. I am sure something needs to happen but these GMs aren’t dumb. I don’t see why a GM from a contending team would send over the one piece of the puzzle a team would need. Look at the effort Thompson went through to make sure that Favre ended up in the AFC. He could have even sent him to the Bucs but didn’t. Its not about what McNabb wants with these guys…they look out for the best for their team. Its fun rumor talk but really when you think more deeply about it, it just doesn’t make sense! It may happen…I could be wrong…I’d just be SHOCKED.

by TrevorR on Jan 27, 2010 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Its the same thing to me as the rumors about McNabb to the Cardinals after Warner retires. I just can’t imagine why you would send your competition a piece of the puzzle that could potentially beat you. But I think there is no point in discussing anyone going to the Vikings because unless they’re able to wait until the second preseason game to make the trade they still have to wait for Favre to make up his mind. And even when his mind is made up, you still have to allow him to change his mind if he chooses. I mean, this is Brett Favre we’re talking about. The guy has earned the right to take as long as he wants, right?

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Jan 28, 2010 7:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice points, and good comparisons between our Favre/Rodgers situation. There are definitely some simliarities there. McNabb does know the WC system well, and he certainly could be scary throwing deep balls to Rice, Berrian, and Harvin.

Would you be for the Vikings picking up McNabb if Favre does retire?

by packallday555 on Jan 27, 2010 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Very well thought out analysis.

I think that our two teams (GB and Min) will be vying for the NFC North title next year, with the Bears possibly being a couple games behind.

Cutler, that’s an interesting take. I don’t know if his season was an aberration or a sign of possible things to come. Remember, he doesn’t have the core of receivers in Chicago that he did in Denver. There is no equivalent to Brandon Marshall in Chicago right now, and the offense in Chicago is more run-first instead of pass-first like Denver’s was.

Let’s look forward to two more great games between our teams. We can do that, can’t we? :)

Go Pack!

by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Jan 26, 2010 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we all know Favre is coming back

And we all know that we won’t really know it until mid to late July, if not later. I really think Williams is coming back too – if he’s relevant enough that we’re happy at the thought of him leaving, he is good enough to stick around another year.

I do think the secondary is going to be tough for the Vikings to fill, and I think their O-Line needs some patching over too. So I guess I see them as facing very similar issues to what we’re looking at. Sort of, anyway. I really think our secondary issue is much easier to address than theirs, and we have a lot longer way to go on Oline than maybe they do. We’ve got some special teams concerns too, obviously.

On the secondary…I used to live in Auburn, and I thought highly of Pat Lee in college. Think he might be able to help if he could get his butt on the field, but that’s obviously still an open question. Could probably say something similar about Blackmon, but at this point counting on him is probably not a good strategy. Even if they are questions, and they are, we can still add by subtracting Bush. Long way of saying that yes the secondary needs some additions but this is hole that can be filled any number of ways and Thompson should be able to make this a real strength top to bottom. TT will have much tougher sledding in how he wants to attack the OLine.

by STLPackFan on Jan 26, 2010 6:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Messed up on the italics there

Sorry….

Meant to emphasize he won’t be admitting what we all know to be true for quite a while yet.

It’s painfully obvious that what we want to happen will have no bearing on what Favre actually does, but I have to admit there is a big part of me that just wants him to come back anyway. The deed is already done, and so is the damage. Getting another shot at this isn’t the worst thing in the world, and taking the Vikings down at their best would mean so much more….if that’s how it all went down.

Both teams should be good. Potentially real good. The part of me that doesn’t want this to happen is the part of me that realizes us Packers fans just dodged a real bullet this week. Is it really worth it to risk it again just to have a shot at some retribution? What’s retribution worth anyway? I’m not sure, but I do kinda go back and forth on what it is I really want.

Like I said, not that what I want matters. What happens will happen and there are pluses and minuses either way. It’s all about how you look at it.

by STLPackFan on Jan 26, 2010 6:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sure

Like after 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 and 09, we’re REALLY going to believe Favre’s done now?

Puh-leeze.

I honestly see the Vikes run D going to around the lower teens should Pat Williams leave. While they have done some sort of work toward replacing him, such as drafting LeTroy Guion and signing Jimmy Kennedy, the Vikings are not prepared to lose such a vital cog up front.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jan 27, 2010 7:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I sort of agree but I still think they’ll be an above average run defense without him. The games he didn’t play, the middle of that defense struggled a little bit. Even in some of the games he did play, the middle looked a bit weaker then what many were used to seeing the past few years.

by packallday555 on Jan 27, 2010 9:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs