Vikings Add A ReceiverThe Minnesota Vikings signed veteran WR Robert Ferguson today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ferguson, a 2nd-round draft pick (41st overall) in 2001, is entering his 7th season in the NFL, having spent the previous 6 years with the Green Bay Packers. He has started 26 of his 60 career games and has tallied 116 receptions for 1,577 yards and 12 touchdowns. His best season came in 2003, when he caught 38 passes for 520 yards and 4 TDs. Ferguson has also appeared in 3 playoff games, starting 2, and has pulled in 8 catches for 90 yards and 2 TDs.
To make room on the roste for Ferguson, the Vikings waived/injured OL Adam O’Connor.
After the Dust Settles
Following Thursday’s 23-14 win against the Cowboys, the Vikings finished their preseason at 2-2. Some question marks coming into the preseason were resolved while others still need some time. All-in-all it was about what I expected out of our squad. Below are some other expectations and predictions that I have for the 2007 regular season.
Tarvaris Jackson will finish in the top five in rushing yards among quarterbacks
One of the things I really liked about Jackson this preseason was his cool, calm and seemingly collected level of comfort when dropping back to pass. A lot of fast quarterbacks—particularly the young ones—have a tendency to take off and run too quick. Nerves begin to mount with increased pressure and as opposed to taking another second to scan the field one more time, they will jettison outside of the pocket and look for a running lane. From everything we have seen thus far from Jackson, it leads me to believe this will not be the case. I think he will strike a nice balance between using his athleticism to make plays and buy more time than most quarterbacks are able to, but will also be able to pick up yardage on his own accord. I feel far more confident in Jackson’s ability to lead this team than I did heading into the game against the Jets four games ago.
A Vikings wide receiver will catch 70 balls
Not since Randy Moss in 2003 had 111 catches has a Minnesota wide out had more than 68 receptions. While the “number one receiver” label has not exactly affixed itself to any one player yet, I am feeling confident that this year one will emerge. Another thing young quarterbacks can have a tendency to do is build a lot of rapport and comfort with one or two guys. While this is not necessarily an entirely good thing, it can be part of the maturation process. Among the candidates: Bobby Wade, Sidney Rice, and Robert Ferguson. Wade’s best season was 42 for the Bears in 2004, Rice is a rookie, and Ferguson tallied 38 for the Packers in 2003, so none of them come with long histories of successes, but I believe one of them will step up and top 70.
The defensive line will top last season’s sack total of 18
After Darrion Scott’s six sacks and Kevin Williams’ five, no other player had more than three. This will have to change for our squad to have a successful season in most fans’ minds. With Erasmus James returning from injury, Ray Edwards adding another year of experience and having looked very good at times during the preseason, and the drafting of Brian Robison out of Texas, there is a lot to like about the defensive line’s ability to improve upon last year’s production. They return all four starters from the 2006 season that saw them challenge the NFL record for rushing defense so there is reason to be optimistic there, but obviously they need more pressure on opposing QBs.
If I were setting the over/under on wins I’d put it at nine
Nine wins would be a three-game improvement for second year coach Brad Childress. It would also give the squad a decent shot at a Wild Card berth despite what should be a relatively competitive NFC North Division. With the Bears returning the majority of their important weapons from last year’s 13-3, Super Bowl-appearing team, they will be the team to beat. The Detroit Lions should improve significantly upon their 3-13 record from a year ago—particularly if their defense improves in any way, shape, or form. I do not see the Packers moving much either way from their 8-8 mark of a year go. There are a lot of things to like right now about our Vikings. The running game should be even better than it was last year when Chester Taylor led the team to a per game average of 126 yards—good enough for fourth in the NFL—with the addition of Adrian Peterson and the return from injury of Tony Richardson. The defense showed the ability to score again this preseason, but the offense has to carry its own weight in the scoring column. The special teams units must be better than last year, while the run defense would do extremely well if they were to come close to matching their ’06 level of play. The top three receivers in my mind—the aforementioned Wade, Rice, and Ferguson—will need to do better than the guys they are replacing. Jackson’s ability to stay focused and calm in the passing game is imperative. Chad Greenway playing up to the level of a mid-first round linebacker in what is essentially his rookie season is necessary.
Random Ramblings
College football season is now upon us as well. I knew Notre Dame would have a tough time against Georgia Tech, but not to the extent of the 33-3 drubbing they took last weekend. And how about Michigan getting bounced by Appalachian State?…I have now drafted two of my three fantasy football teams and feel good about both of them. There is nothing better than picking a guy and having your buddy that is next up utter a few words I cannot print in this column out of frustration…I was very surprised when I saw that Tyler Thigpen did not make the squad…the only other player I was taken aback a bit by the departure of was Dovonte Edwards.
Tarvaris Jackson will finish in the top five in rushing yards among quarterbacks
One of the things I really liked about Jackson this preseason was his cool, calm and seemingly collected level of comfort when dropping back to pass. A lot of fast quarterbacks—particularly the young ones—have a tendency to take off and run too quick. Nerves begin to mount with increased pressure and as opposed to taking another second to scan the field one more time, they will jettison outside of the pocket and look for a running lane. From everything we have seen thus far from Jackson, it leads me to believe this will not be the case. I think he will strike a nice balance between using his athleticism to make plays and buy more time than most quarterbacks are able to, but will also be able to pick up yardage on his own accord. I feel far more confident in Jackson’s ability to lead this team than I did heading into the game against the Jets four games ago.
A Vikings wide receiver will catch 70 balls
Not since Randy Moss in 2003 had 111 catches has a Minnesota wide out had more than 68 receptions. While the “number one receiver” label has not exactly affixed itself to any one player yet, I am feeling confident that this year one will emerge. Another thing young quarterbacks can have a tendency to do is build a lot of rapport and comfort with one or two guys. While this is not necessarily an entirely good thing, it can be part of the maturation process. Among the candidates: Bobby Wade, Sidney Rice, and Robert Ferguson. Wade’s best season was 42 for the Bears in 2004, Rice is a rookie, and Ferguson tallied 38 for the Packers in 2003, so none of them come with long histories of successes, but I believe one of them will step up and top 70.
The defensive line will top last season’s sack total of 18
After Darrion Scott’s six sacks and Kevin Williams’ five, no other player had more than three. This will have to change for our squad to have a successful season in most fans’ minds. With Erasmus James returning from injury, Ray Edwards adding another year of experience and having looked very good at times during the preseason, and the drafting of Brian Robison out of Texas, there is a lot to like about the defensive line’s ability to improve upon last year’s production. They return all four starters from the 2006 season that saw them challenge the NFL record for rushing defense so there is reason to be optimistic there, but obviously they need more pressure on opposing QBs.
If I were setting the over/under on wins I’d put it at nine
Nine wins would be a three-game improvement for second year coach Brad Childress. It would also give the squad a decent shot at a Wild Card berth despite what should be a relatively competitive NFC North Division. With the Bears returning the majority of their important weapons from last year’s 13-3, Super Bowl-appearing team, they will be the team to beat. The Detroit Lions should improve significantly upon their 3-13 record from a year ago—particularly if their defense improves in any way, shape, or form. I do not see the Packers moving much either way from their 8-8 mark of a year go. There are a lot of things to like right now about our Vikings. The running game should be even better than it was last year when Chester Taylor led the team to a per game average of 126 yards—good enough for fourth in the NFL—with the addition of Adrian Peterson and the return from injury of Tony Richardson. The defense showed the ability to score again this preseason, but the offense has to carry its own weight in the scoring column. The special teams units must be better than last year, while the run defense would do extremely well if they were to come close to matching their ’06 level of play. The top three receivers in my mind—the aforementioned Wade, Rice, and Ferguson—will need to do better than the guys they are replacing. Jackson’s ability to stay focused and calm in the passing game is imperative. Chad Greenway playing up to the level of a mid-first round linebacker in what is essentially his rookie season is necessary.
Random Ramblings
College football season is now upon us as well. I knew Notre Dame would have a tough time against Georgia Tech, but not to the extent of the 33-3 drubbing they took last weekend. And how about Michigan getting bounced by Appalachian State?…I have now drafted two of my three fantasy football teams and feel good about both of them. There is nothing better than picking a guy and having your buddy that is next up utter a few words I cannot print in this column out of frustration…I was very surprised when I saw that Tyler Thigpen did not make the squad…the only other player I was taken aback a bit by the departure of was Dovonte Edwards.
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