Thoughts on the 2006 Vikings

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, January 03, 2007  |  Comments( 20 )

Minnesota Vikings
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At the onset of the season, nobody knew what to expect from the Minnesota Vikings. Aside from a brand new coaching staff, the team added plenty of new faces through free agency, and new schemes on offense and defense were being implemented.

After opening the season with consecutive wins and building a 4-2 record heading into the bye week, it looked as though first-year head coach Brad Childress was primed for a successful campaign. However, the Vikings stumbled losing, eight of 10 games to finish the season.

Even without great expectations heading in, the 6-10 record they notched in the weak NFC after winning nine games the previous season is a disappointment to say the least.

Here are the random thoughts I have left on the season:

-So much for the discipline Childress was brought in to instill. Sure, the off-field troubles were better than in years past, but it didn't translate to the football field as Minnesota finished with the most infractions in the NFL.

-The Vikings are in dire need of a good right tackle to solidify the offensive line. Marcus Johnson was flagged or just plain beat way too many times this past season. And backups Mike Rosenthal and Ryan Cook aren't the solutions.

-The offense was atrocious. Everyone reading that is probably thinking, "Duh!" But it had to be said. The unit averaged fewer than 17 points per game, and was just plain frustrating to watch.

-How bad can the play calling get? Childress did a terrible job in his first season. He was unimaginative, boring and far too predictable. Please open up the offense a little.

-In regards to the previous point, how long until Childress hands over the play-calling duties?

-Chester Taylor is worth every penny of the three-year, $14.1 million contract he signed last offseason. He carried the ball 303 times for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and added 42 receptions out of the backfield.

-As good as Taylor was, why didn't running back Mewelde Moore play more? The Tulane alumnus is a playmaker, and good things seemed to happen every time he touched the ball. And that can't be said about anyone else on the offense. Yet, his playing time was sparse at best.

-Brad Johnson is the wrong Brad to blame for the offensive struggles. Blame Childress.

-Speaking of Johnson, his days in Minnesota seem to be all but over.

-Defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are an outstanding tandem in the middle of the Vikings' defensive line. The "Williams' Wall" is easily the best defensive tackle duo in the NFL today.

-The defense finished No. 1 against the run, allowing just 61.6 yards per game on the ground.

-As good as the defense was against the run, it was equally bad against the pass, finishing 32nd in aerial defense.

-Kenechi Udeze is a bust. How any defensive end can start all 16 games in a season and not register even a half of a sack is beyond me. He was a highly touted speed rusher out of Southern Cal, but in three seasons (35 total games) the ex-first-round pick has a total of six sacks.

-The defense sorely missed Erasmus James. The speed-rushing end has a knack for getting to the quarterback. A lack of a pass rush was the biggest deficiency in an otherwise solid defense. A better pass rush would have helped the secondary a lot.

-Don't be surprised if the Vikings sign a pass-rushing DE to start opposite James and use Udeze and Ray Edwards in a rotation.

-Wide receiver is the biggest offseason need. Former first-round pick Troy Williamson's future is in doubt already. Marcus Robinson has been cut. Travis Taylor will likely not be re-signed.

-Speaking of wide receivers, losing Koren Robinson hurt a lot more than many anticipated.

-Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson or USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett would look great in purple next year.

-The linebacker position is all set with Ben Leber, E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway. Current middle linebacker Napoleon Harris will be a free agent and more than likely won't be re-signed.

-Other veterans on the team are unsure if they will be brought back. This includes both safeties, Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith, and corner Fred Smoot.

-As of right now, the quarterback competition for next season is Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger. Childress has already said a veteran quarterback will not be signed and that Jackson and Bollinger are his quarterbacks.

-Jackson better be the team's starting quarterback next year, because the offense would reach epically bad proportions with Bollinger behind center.

-Childress probably isn't the man to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl. His hard-nosed style seemed to wear on some of the team's veterans, similar to what's happened with Tom Coughlin's players in both Jacksonville and New York. Also, his unyielding scorn for the media and limited access to practices, and other coaches during the season, hasn't helped his support.

Phew. Let the offseason begin.

Eric Krupka is a senior writer for RealFootball365.com. He can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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