Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Competition
Vikings Trade For Sage Rosenfels; To Battle Jackson At Training Camp
The Minnesota Vikings acquired Sage Rosenfels from the Houston Texans earlier this month for a fourth round draft pick in this year's upcoming NFL draft.
Rosenfels, 30, has been a back-up quarterback his entire career, never getting the opportunity to lead a team from start to finish. This may very well be his chance.
The Vikings, are what many NFL observers believe are a 'quarterback away' from becoming a contender in the tightly contested NFC.
The team is blessed with a fantastic running attack led by Adrian Peterson, who is without question, one of the very best at his position. They have numerous pro-bowlers on both sides of the football including defensive end Jared Allen, who was acquired last year via trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen along with Kevin and Pat Williams, anchor a defensive line that gives opposing quarterbacks headaches.
But the quarterback position for the Vikings, a position of utmost importance, has been in question ever since Brad Childress was named head coach in 2006.
Vikings Trade Culpepper in 2006
When Childress arrived, issues arose with Daunte Culpepper, the team's starting quarterback who was returning from a knee injury he had suffered the year prior.
According to Wikipedia.com, rumors surfaced that Culpepper wanted out of town due to veteran quarterback Brad Johnson's re-emergence during his injury.
Also, the Vikings wanted Culpepper to rehabilitate in Minnesota during the off-season because they were not satisfied with his level of treatment he was getting in Florida.
Culpepper refused and was subsequently shipped out of town a short time later.
Since Childress took control three season ago, the Vikings have had numerous suitors at the position. Johnson along with Brooks Bollinger, Kelly Holcomb and Gus Frerrotte. These are quarterbacks, who at one time or another, taken snaps under centre for the Vikings, and at times, looked adequate.
Not since Culppepper did it in 2004, have the Vikings had a 'pro-bowl' quarterback.
Vikings Draft Tarvaris Jackson
The Vikings drafted Tarvaris Jackson in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft in hopes that he could one day take over the starting job. After just a year into his career, Childress felt confident enough in the youngster and named him starter for the 2007 season.
Jackson was mainly inconsistent in his first season and played only 12 games due to injury, but Childress remained loyal in the youngster.
Despite losing his job early in 2008 to Frerrotte, Jackson found himself back under centre and showed glimpses of improvement, including a a career high four touchdown passes against Arizona late in the year which resulted in a Vikings win. He wound up helping the club make the post season for the first time since 2004.
But Jackson struggled mightily in the playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing a costly interception late in the second quarter which resulted in a touchdown, which helped seal the Vikings' fate.
Vikings Trade for Sage
Enter Rosenfels. A man who has only seen stints as a starter during his career. He was 6-4 in three seasons with Houston and has a 81.2 career quarterback rating. He will compete with Jackson for the starter position this upcoming season.
"I think both of us pushing each other will make each of us better and at the end of the day will make this football team better," said a smiling Rosenfels at his introductory press conference at Winter Park (Vikings headquarters).
Vikings brass believe in Rosenfels, another veteran quarterback just like Frerrotte, Bollinger and Holcomb. They believe Rosenfels, although never given the chance, could surprise and over take Jackson for the starting position this season. If nothing else, at least give Jackson adequate competition.
Adequate. Viking fans have heard that term before and once again, hope that's not the case for their starting quarterback. Whoever it will be this season.
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