2008 Minnesota Vikings Season Preview

2008 Minnesota Vikings preview from MadduxSports.com. The NFC North is a division filled with question marks. Expect the NFL odds makers to have trouble setting lines on these teams, using a proven winners NFL picks will provide dividends early and often for the 2008 campaign.

2008 Minnesota Vikings Predictions
By Adam Barone

Rundown
Adrian Peterson. Adrian Peterson. Adrian Peterson. Yes! Tarvaris Jackson? Tight purple pants? No…

Peterson went completely out of his mind last season as a rookie, rushing for 1341 yards and 12 scores.

The Vikings ability to both run the ball and stop the run has people, monkeys, chipmunks and Oscar the Grouch loving their potential. Unfortunately Oscar is the only one willing to admit that Tarvaris Jackson, likely Minnesota’s starting quarterback, is terrible.

A nine touchdown to 12 interception ratio and a 70.8 quarterback rating will keep this team from going anywhere. Gus Frerotte, Brooks Bollinger, and rookie John David Booty are the other quarterbacks on the roster.

Free agent receiver Bernard Berrian was signed from the Bears to replace the departed Troy Williamson as the go-to guy on the outside.

The Vikings made possibly the biggest off-season acquisition in football in getting defensive end Jared Allen from the Chiefs. Enormous defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams needed some pass rush help on the outside. Allen had 15.5 sacks last season, his third.

The Vikings ranked 32nd last season against the pass, but they don’t entirely blame the secondary. The addition of Allen should give opposing quarterbacks a lot less time to throw and make coverage duties easier. The addition of cover-savvy safety Madieu Williams will allow Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper to play up in the box more often, where he’s more comfortable.

Draft Analysis
Going into the draft the Vikings had a pair of obvious needs. A young quarterback needs some quality targets. Darren Sharper is getting up in age and the secondary as a whole needs more depth.

Minnesota ended up only having five draft picks. They chose safety Tyrell Johnson out of Arkansas State with their first pick, the 43rd. Johnson is athletic, with skills similar to Sharper and plenty of potential.

Wide receiver Jaymar Johnson out of Jackson State, the Vikings’ sixth round selection, might not even make the team. Bernard Berrian will have to do.

After viewing the Minnesota Vikings preview read up on the rest of the black and blue division teams including the Lions, Bears, and Packers.

Related Pages:
Vikings Official Site
Odds Explained