Do the Vikings trade Rosenfels now?
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So what exactly is going to become of Minnesota Vikings QB Sage Rosenfels? Although this season does hinge on the success of a one, Brett Favre, the Vikings have a log jam of backup quarterbacks. Sage Rosenfels has played perhaps the best football this preseason, rookie QB Joe Webb has showed perhaps the best promise, and Tarvaris Jackson is the odd man out, heading into the final season of his contract.
If the Minnesota Vikings are planning on releasing QB Sage Rosenfels, which I think is a bad move, they might want to pick up the phone and call the New York Giants. The Giants are now left with no experienced backup for Eli Manning, as they have now placed career Manning family backup Jim Sorgi on the IR list. This move now leaves Rhett Bomar as the Giants backup.
The Vikings would most likely lose rookie Joe Webb if they released him on waivers, he shows some promise as becoming a playmaker. Minnesota will likely release either Jackson or Rosenfels, so why not try to peddle one or the other to the Giants as they are looking for an experienced backup. Rosenfels would most likely be the quarterback that the Giants would be interested in, so if they were going to release him any way, leak out the story that Jackson is on the bubble and try to get something in return for Rosenfels.
Regardless, someone is going to be moved, the Vikings will not carry 4 quarterbacks heading into 2010.
Vikings Favre looks rusty, Harvin plays
The Minnesota Vikings improved their preseason record to 2-1 with a win over the Seattle Seahawks 24-13, but QB Brett Favre looked rusty despite Percy Harvin playing. Brett Favre threw for nearly 200 yards in the game, but he had two interceptions and lost a fumble, no doubt a result of missing much of training camp. WR Percy Harvin recorded a pair of catches, in his first playing time since his migraine headache episode at training camp. RB Adrian Peterson was bottled up for much of the game, but did manage to break lose in the first quarter for a 24 yard scoring run.
Vikings backup QB Sage Rosenfels looked good again in limited action and left the game with a 155.6 passer rating. It is going to be interesting to see who wins the backup quarterback position for Minnesota this season. Rookie QB Joe Webb shows promise, but he is a project and I really can’t see him clearing waivers in order for the Vikings to place him on the practice squad.
WR Percy Harvin addressed the media regarding his headaches. “They found some things that we think are the main cause of it. We’re all feeling really confident. I know we’ve said that a couple times, but I think this time we found what the main cause was”, Harvin told reporters. It was recently reported that Harvin’s collapse at a recent practice was caused by an adverse reaction to medication he was on at the time.
The Vikings defense recorded 1 turnover, 3 sacks and held the Seahawks to only 44 yards rushing.
All-Day Peterson plans on being an everydown back
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Minnesota Vikings RB All-Day Adrian Peterson appears ready to help shoulder more of the load this season with the loss of RB Chester Taylor, WR Sidney Rice and the questions surrounding WR Percy Harvin. Adrian Peterson bristled at the question of whether he could handle being an everydown back this year.
Peterson told reporters, “This has been a process that’s been going on for four years. It’s not just starting now to get on the field on third down. That’s something I’ve been doing for a long time. We had a great third-down back. Now that Chester Taylor’s not here, I’m picking up that slack”.
The Vikings offense will most likely have to fall more squarely on the shoulders of Peterson now. The Vikings did acquire WR’s Javon Walker and Greg Camarillo, but I really don’t see them creating any deep threat to the Vikings passing attack. The loss of Rice is going to be really seen in the passing game this year with the absence of his speed.
While Peterson recorded a career high in touchdowns, this average per carry dropped 1.2 yards per carry. In fact, his average yards per carry have been falling every season since his rookie season in 2007. Because Rice will miss at least half the season, opposing defenses might be able to put 8 men in the box more often to try to slow Peterson down. An increase in carries for the talented back, hopefully isn’t going to result in an increase of fumbles, which was a problem last season.
Vikings acquire another receiver
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The Minnesota Vikings have traded for a veteran wide receiver. The Vikings have executed a trade with the Miami Dolphins for WR Greg Camarillo. The Stanford product has recorded over 50 receptions each of the past two seasons. The terms of the deal have not been reported as of yet, but it’s believed that the Vikings traded CB Benny Sapp for the wide out.
Camarillo’s best game last season came in week 14 when the Dolphins played the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had 7 catches for 110 yards. He became expendable for the Dolphins with the emergence of Brian Hartline and the Dolphins signing of Brandon Marshall in the off season.
Camarillio is a solid, but not spectacular receiver, and actually not a serious offensive threat. I understand the need for the Vikings to obtain another veteran pair of hands, but this is nothing to get really too excited about. He’s simply another possession style receiver.
Does Rice now put Vikings playoff hopes in jeopardy?
Sidney Rice has confirmed that he has had surgery on his hip and will his absence jeopardize the Minnesota Vikings chances at the playoffs in 2010? Rice declined to have surgery this off season even though 2 of 3 specialists advised him to undergo surgery. The Star Tribune is reporting that Rice’s timing might have been retribution to the Vikings for not extending his contract this year. Talk about a selfish move if that is the reason for the timing of his surgery.
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With Rice now scheduled to be out for at least half the season, and questions surrounding Percy Harvin, the Vikings are seriously considering a signing of 31 year old WR Javon Walker. A line up of Walker and Bernard Berrian aren’t exactly going to strike fear into the hearts of opposing defenses. Walker might be a wise decision if he has anything left, in order to give the Vikings a veteran presence in the receiver corps. Perhaps Marko Mitchell can be brought along as well. I think he has some great talent but is raw.
Of course the Vikings still possess a great defense and they haven’t suffered any loss, but the offense certainly has suffered a blow. I think the Vikings still have enough talent remaining to qualify for the playoffs, but perhaps now as a wildcard team and not the division champion.
If Rice’s timing of his surgery really is a way to spite the Vikings, that is a very selfish move and you can bet his teammates won’t forget his actions.
