Carr, Garcia shouldn’t be in Vikings’ plans

By Krupka  |   Thursday, February 15, 2007  |  Comments( 30 )

Minnesota Vikings
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After finishing the 2006 season with a 6-10 record, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves heading into the offseason with more question marks than they had hoped. And unlike recent years, don't expect the Vikings to throw exorbitant amounts of money at high-profile players. Instead, look for the team to find more traditional role players who can contribute both now and in the future.

Rick Spielman, the Vikings' vice president of player personnel, said during an interview on KFAN Radio last week, "We're looking at younger-type free agents that may not be well-known yet but do still have some upside and can definitely come in and help us in all phases. We're looking at special teams guys, we're looking at offensive, we're even looking at some defensive guys."

But how does all that fit into the murky quarterback situation?

There have been rumors of a purported interest in acquiring Texans quarterback David Carr, who might be available for a second-day draft pick. The Texans are reportedly seeking a draft selection between the second and sixth round if they choose to deal the former No. 1 overall pick.

One obstacle that could possibly block the deal is money. Carr is owed $5.5 million in 2007 and $6 million the following season. Also, Houston would take a $2 million cap hit to deal him. If Minnesota does trade for the 27-year-old, he would likely have to restructure his contract.

The other quarterback many have been talking about is free agent Jeff Garcia. The eight-year veteran caught lightning in a bottle last season in taking over for the injured Donovan McNabb. Garcia was as crisp as ever in eight games for the Eagles, tossing 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions en route to a playoff berth.

However, Garcia will be 37 years old when the season starts and will likely command a contract that frankly is nowhere near what he's worth. Just take a look back at his previous two stints prior to Philadelphia -- Cleveland and Detroit. In those two cities, he didn't finish either season as the starter and posted 76.7 and 65.1 quarterback ratings, respectively.

Garcia's situation is reminiscent of Brad Johnson's from last offseason. It's an old veteran quarterback coming off a season in which he relieved the injured starting QB and infused life back into what seemed like a dead career. Everyone in Minnesota knows how that turned out this past season.

Johnson entered 2006 as the Vikings' starting quarterback, and the veteran's lackluster play landed him on the sidelines by the end of the season. According to Kevin Seifert and Judd Zulgad, of the Minnesota Star-Tribune, the Vikings are expected to release the signal caller this offseason.

The QB of Minnesota's future could be 23-year-old Tarvaris Jackson, who finished his rookie season with two consecutive starts. In the former second-round pick's first start, nothing went right in a 9-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, in the final game of the season, Jackson played much better, notching touchdowns both on the ground and through the air as the offense totaled its fifth-highest point total of the season with 21.

Nobody doubts his athleticism and arm strength, but many experts peg Jackson as a project. Can the former Alabama State star develop rapidly and guide the Vikings' offense back to respectability? Nobody can say for sure.

After Jackson on the Vikings' depth chart is Brooks Bollinger. Seriously, if he sees any action next year, it means Minnesota is in a dogfight with the Oakland Raiders for the 2008 No. 1 overall pick.

Of the potential options, Minnesota would be wise to continue developing Jackson, allowing him to take his lumps in 2007. Carr is an intriguing possibility, but how much of an improvement over the younger Jackson would he be?

The team's wide receiving conundrum will need to be solved first, or it won't matter who's behind center next season. Therefore, expect the bulk of the Vikings' free-agent dollars to go toward solidifying that aspect of the franchise.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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CommentsComments: 30  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Eclipse		03:33 AM
02/15/2007
Hell, yes, Garcia should be in the Vikings' plans. Sign him to a one-year deal, and with the O-line and secondary currently a...
No.2
NOwayjose		10:17 AM
02/15/2007
Garcia does not want a one year deal, he is ready to cash in his chips for one last Huzzah! Try for Carr if nothing can be worked...
No.3
Denny		10:29 AM
02/15/2007
Look, this is the truth. If the Vikes don't look elsewhere for a vet QB, they might as well not take the field in...
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