<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>2007 season recap Strong finish: Led by rookie running sensation Adrian Peterson, the Vikings nearly made the playoffs last year. The team won five of its last seven games and finished 8-8, but the team suffered from a poor pass defense and questionable QB decision-making. Training camp Location: Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn. Dates: July 25-Aug. 14 Official Site: www.vikings.com For more: Training camp dates 2008 preseason schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 8 Seattle 8 p.m. ET Aug. 16 at Baltimore 7:30 p.m. ET Aug. 23 Pittsburgh 8 p.m. ET Aug. 28 at Dallas 8 p.m. ET Key comings and goings Veteran additions Jared Allen, DE Bernard Berrian, WR Madieu Williams, S Thomas Tapeh, FB Veteran departures Dwight Smith, S Mewelde Moore, RB Tony Richardson, FB » Free agency tracker | Transactions 2008 NFL Draft class Rd No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School 2 43 Tyrell Johnson FS 6-0 207 Arkansas State 5 137 John David Booty QB 6-3 213 USC 5 152 Letroy Guion DT 6-4 303 Florida State 6 187 John Sullivan C 6-4 301 Notre Dame 6 193 Jaymar Johnson WR 6-0 176 Jackson State Key camp questions Can Tarvaris Jackson lead the Vikings into the playoffs? The Vikings can't do it all from the ground. Minnesota needs third-year man Jackson to stay healthy and make fewer mistakes in 2008. If he plays within himself and cuts down on turnovers (he threw 12 INTs last year and lost four fumbles), the Vikings' bandwagon may fill up fast. Will the offseason spending spree bring early dividends? The Vikings invested in areas where they needed the most immediate help: the team traded draft picks to get DE Jared Allen (a dominant pass rusher) , signed WR Bernard Berrian (a deep target for Jackson) and S Madieu Williams (who will shore up the worst pass-defense in the league last year). Can Adrian Peterson possibly live up to expectations? He broke the single-game rushing record (296 yards) in his eighth NFL game and took defenses by surprise. Peterson sat out two games with a knee injury but still picked up 1,341 yards and 12 TDs. This year teams will be ready for him, or at least try to frustrate him with eight man fronts and special blitz packages. Key position battle CB Marcus McCauley vs. CB Benny Sapp vs. CB Charles Gordon: Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin are set to start, but the battle for nickleback is ongoing. McCauley saw a lot of playing time in his rookie year, but will be pushed by the more experienced Sapp, whom the Vikings picked up in free agency. Gordon didn't get much of a chance to show what he could do last year and could prove himself in camp. Rookie spotlight S Tyrell Johnson:The Vikings had to move up to acquire Johnson in the hopes of further bolstering their pass rush. The Arkansas State product looks to be the safety of the future, as Darren Sharper is entering his 12th season. Player on the spot DE Jared Allen: The Vikes signed Allen, 26, for more than $30 million and gave up three draft picks. The Pro Bowler and last year's sack leader is under a lot if pressure to perform not only because of his paycheck , but also because he's had off-the-field issues in the past, something he's been candid about. Allen insists he's matured and that any character questions are ancient history. Fantasy focus WR Bernard Berrian: Berrian has the speed and skills to stretch defenses, but he’ll be hard pressed to breakout in the Vikings’ run-based offense. In fact, a season with even 900 yards and four to six touchdowns could be hard to accomplish. He’s no more than a low-end No. 3 fantasy wideout.</div> http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true
I think the Vikes can easily win 10 games so long as Tavaris Jackson just does enough not to lose games. He doesn't have to be the Hero, but he has to avoid being the heel. The defense should be much improved and I think Peterson is the real deal. Teams will load up on him this year and he'll still deliver and jackson should have time to make some big plays so long as they mix up the play calling from the sidelines and take advantage of the attention Peterson will get. I could even seem them losing the NFC title game to my Cowboys
Jackson improved down the stretch of the season. If they can get something of a passing game going with Rice/Berrian, it will ease defenders out of the box somewhat and really help their offense.
