• 08:58 PM ET  01.05
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The Minnesota Vikings suffered a bitter defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in the too-cozy confines of the Metrodome on Sunday.  Still trying to forge an identity after the Randy Moss era, the Vikes had home field advantage, had gone 7-2 in their last nine games and were paired against an inconsistent, banged-up Philly team.

But not all is bad news for Minnesota.  The loss may be just the medicine this frustrated franchise needs to take the next step to becoming a serious contender.  Now Brad Childress and the top brass can begin searching in earnest for a new starting quarterback and file away for good the Tavaris Jackson project which would have lingered on into the '09 season had he led the Vikings to victory over the Eagles.  

Both Gus Ferotte and Jackson played capably and unselfishly as they were alternated as the starter throughout the season.  But neither man is the field general this talented team needs to move forward.  Jackson is best as a back-up quarterback and other teams know this.  Ferotte's advanced age makes him slower to react and injury prone.

If he doesn't retire (and a lot of other ‘ifs'), maybe Brett the Jet will end-up in Minnesota next season.  Not likely, but then who would've thought he'd be playing in the Big Apple this time last year.

January 5, 2009  10:36 PM ET

it sounds like we are making excuses again for the QB switch, which made absolutely NO-sense after the cardinal game. frerotte was ready to go. he did everything but beg that (NOT TO SHARP) coach to let him play. i mean 7-3 is pretty damn good by NFL standards,and he could have won most of the other regular season games same as no-pass jackson. it's over now and it is just hard to understand the mentality of a coach starting a boy when a man is ready to complete his run at superbowl. i have never been so disapointed in a vikings coach and (QB wanna be jackson) in 40 years as a fan.(equal to Les Steckell) i'm debating on switching my loyalty if they are back with this team next year.

January 5, 2009  10:47 PM ET

I agree with everything for the most part because I don't think Jackson is the guys to lead us to the promise land but I feel like you also have to take into consideration play calling. Jackson is not a drop back passer and Jim Johnson and the eagles knew that so they dialed up the blitz. Why didn't we roll Jackson out more often, run more screen plays, and get Jackson in space as opposed to having him drop back and make reads because that is not his strength. It is time for a new QB in Viking country.

January 5, 2009  10:47 PM ET

I agree with everything for the most part because I don't think Jackson is the guys to lead us to the promise land but I feel like you also have to take into consideration play calling. Jackson is not a drop back passer and Jim Johnson and the eagles knew that so they dialed up the blitz. Why didn't we roll Jackson out more often, run more screen plays, and get Jackson in space as opposed to having him drop back and make reads because that is not his strength. It is time for a new QB in Viking country.

January 5, 2009  10:49 PM ET

I agree with everything for the most part because I don't think Jackson is the guys to lead us to the promise land but I feel like you also have to take into consideration play calling. Jackson is not a drop back passer and Jim Johnson and the eagles knew that so they dialed up the blitz. Why didn't we roll Jackson out more often, run more screen plays, and get Jackson in space as opposed to having him drop back and make reads because that is not his strength. It is time for a new QB in Viking country.

January 6, 2009  08:14 AM ET

If you have watched Jackson over the season, while his passing has improved, his decision making is lacking. For example in the game against the Giants, I recall that twice he was in the midst of being sacked and tried to throw the ball. The same mistakes he made last year against the Redskins. He simply is not progressing. Childress is not cutting it. The team is lacking discipline and the play calling....well the results speak volumes to Childress' play calling. Recently I was speaking to my sons about the number of assistant coaches that have left the Vikes to lead their teams deep into the playoffs and win the Superbowl. How is it these assistant coaches never make it to the head coach position at MN?

January 6, 2009  08:23 AM ET

I think Jackson has the physical attributes to be a good quarterback, but his decision making is not improving. For example, at least twice during the Giant game while in the midst of being sacked, he was not protecting the ball, but trying to make an errant pass. This is the same thing he did during the game with the Redskins last year. He simply is not making progress in his decision making. At best, he is a good backup. Peterson needs to learn to protect that ball and provide pass blocking. Frankly, although Peterson is good, I think Taylor fits into the system better than Peterson. Taylor protects the ball, blocks well and is a good runner. Childress is not getting the job done. Yes, the team???s record has improved each year, but this year they should have been much better. Childress does not have the play calling abilities normally associated with a good coach and the team lacks discipline. Look at the number of penalties and turnovers this team has had this year. These mistakes cost them several games this year. I have been a Viking fan since the 1960s and I have observed one interesting trend, our assistant coaches become head coaches and lead their teams deep into the playoffs or win the Superbowl, while the head coach we keep is usually dismal. Until we get a Bud Grant or Burns type coach, a quality quarterback and a team with some discipline, there will be no superbowl for the Vikes.

 
January 7, 2009  09:05 AM ET

The best part of the Vikings season is coming. The offseason has been the most successful part of the Vikings current front office, namely Free Agency. Not sure what they can work up, but they have few holes left to fill (and 1 very obvious one).

Childress will start '09 on the hot seat. It will be his 4th yr, and he'll have to win a playoff game or 2, show some return for spending all of Zygi's money. There should be some good coaches available in '09. Cowher seems to want to go to a situation w/ a good QB, so we'll have to make a move there. Shanahan could make TJack better, or whoever else we have at QB (JD Booty) even, but he'll bring imaginative play design, and intelligent play-calling. Hopefully Chili will get canned and we can move forward, a real coach might even improve the stadium outlook.

I am tired of the people threatening to change their fandom over disappointments. First, get over yourself, no one cares or will notice if you change. If you do, then you do that for yourself, and we don't need to hear about it. Also, it means you were a sad fan to begin with. I don't ask for blind (and deluded) loyalty like Packer and Da Bear fans, but as long as the Vikings are in MN, they are my team, and occasional failure is expected. Even the 18-0 Pats lost the SB. I may not expect blind loyalty, but I would expect loyalty.

And all due respect to this blogger about Farve: I admit, most anything would seem to be an upgrade over what we have at QB, but Farve is a mirage. He was never that good to begin with, got too much credit when they won, and no blame when they lost. Brett will help you win a few more games in the reg season (witness the Jets improvement w/ him, and the Pack's demise w/out him) but he's not a playoff QB. He never was, takes too many chances. His list of playoff INTs is long and distinguished (6 @ STL, 4 vs MIN, 4 vs ATL, plus last yr's clincher vs NYG, 3 of the 4 of these were home playoff losses). I'd be happy to discuss the Legend of Brett at more length.

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