Contrary to Winfield’s opinion, Vikes heading in right direction

By Krupka  |   Thursday, May 31, 2007  |  Comments( 13 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield has been a no-show at many of the team's offseason functions this spring, reportedly because of displeasure he has with the direction of the team and his contract.

It seems kind of ironic that the Vikings' second-leading tackler from a year ago would be upset with the approach the front office has taken since last season's disappointing 6-10 finish. In 2006 the offense was brutal, to say the least, averaging just 17.6 points per game-- good for 26th in the NFL. And if the offense wasn't aided by five defensive touchdowns and two special teams scores, it would have been much worse.

So it isn't news to anyone that Minnesota needed to get better on offense if it wants to compete for a division title in 2007. The defense was obviously the strength of the team, and it was one of the better units in the league in 2006, finishing eighth overall. Guided by dominant tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, the Vikings found themselves in the final weeks of the season with an opportunity to set the record as the stingiest run defense in the modern era.

Although the Vikings missed out on setting history, they did finish No. 1 in the NFL against the run for the first time since 1994.

Obviously, then, the problem for the 2006 Vikings was their offense. And there was no bigger disappointment than Troy Williamson and the rest of receiving corps. First-year head coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense was nowhere close to what he or anyone else had envisioned.

Because of that, the Minnesota brain trust has made a commitment to offense, especially the receiver position, this offseason. Will it pay off? Well, there is plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

With the No. 7 overall pick in April's draft, the Vikings found themselves with Adrian Peterson, who happens to be a franchise-type player to build around on offense. As an Oklahoma Sooner, Peterson was a threat to score every time he touched the ball, something that you couldn't say about a single player on Minnesota's offense last season.

In addition to Peterson, the team was able to draft potentially explosive offensive performers in wide receivers Sidney Rice (second round) and Aundrae Allison (fifth round). Both should be able to bolster a passing attack that was nonexistent last season.

Minnesota has also signed an abundance of other potential targets for second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, with receiver Bobby Wade headlining the list. Wade is expected to start, and his style fits perfectly in the West Coast scheme. Wade is a run after the catch specialist, and at 5-foot-10 could bring back memories of the speedy Kelly Campbell, whose 20.9 yards per catch and four touchdowns provided a spark to the Vikings' offense in 2003.

And it isn't as if the organization completely neglected the defensive side of the ball in the offseason. Safety Mike Doss was brought in from the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, and the Vikings drafted cornerback Marcus McCauley (No. 72 overall), defensive end Brian Robison (No. 102) - both of whom are favorites of the coaching staff - and linebacker Rufus Alexander (No. 176).

With the addition of so much young talent on both sides of the ball, it's hard to understand why Winfield is disappointed with the direction of the team.

In any event, expect the hard-hitting sure-tackler to be back on board as training camp arrives. If not, Dovonte Edwards could get his big opportunity, and that may not be such a bad thing for the Vikings.

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

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