NFL 2006: Minnesota Vikings

(This is the Corners look at the upcoming NFL season. For the next 32 days we'll be previewing each team and their prospects for the 2006 season. Today we look at the Minnesota Vikings.)

The Minnesota Vikings started last year 2-5 and when Daunte Culpepper went down with a knee injury, it looked like Minnesota's season was over. In came Brad Johnson and the Vikings went 7-2 the rest of the way. Despite the late-season surge, Mike Tice was fired as head coach and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress was hired to replace him.

Childress brings a solid reputation and work ethic into Minnesota and his presence has been felt already. Minnesota has brought in many new faces via free agency and the draft in hopes of getting back to the playoffs in 2006.

Offense: The Daunte Culpepper era in Minnesota is over and its up to aging veteran Johnson (1,885 yards, 12 TDs) to stay healthy and keep the Viking ship afloat. Johnson is a quarterback who thrives in the West Coast offense, which is what Childress ran in Philadelphia. He can't afford to get hurt, because behind him is free agent Mike McMahon and either rookie Tarvaris Jackson or J.T. O'Sullivan. Ouch!

Free agent Chester Taylor (487 yards, 41 receptions) replaces the departed Michael Bennett and finally gets a chance to be a starter after playing in the shadow of Jamal Lewis in Baltimore. Mewelde Moore (662 yards, 37 catches) is a solid number two and Ciatrick Fason shows promise in his second year.

Childress has done away with Tice's two-tight end set and brought in free agents Tony Richardson and Joey Goodspeed at fullback.

Nate Burleson left for Seattle and for the second straight year the Vikings must find a replacement for a departed starter. Travis Taylor (50-604-4) assumes one starting spot, while Marcus Robinson (31-515-5) will take Burleson's place in the lineup. Koren Robinson (22 catches), Troy Williamson (24-372-2) and free agent Billy McMullen make up the rest of the receiver corps. This is a unit that must improve if the Vikings are to make a stab at the postseason.

With the two tight end starting lineup gone for the most part, Jermaine Wiggins (69-568) will retain his starting assignment, while Jim Kleinsasser (22-171) comes off the bench.

When All-Pro center Matt Birk went down with a groin injury at the beginning of training camp last season, his injury left the line in a state of flux all season long. Now Birk is back and ready to reclaim his elite status. The big news in free agency for Minnesota was the signing of All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson from Seattle. Hutchinson, the best guard in the NFL, received a record $49 million from the Vikings and along with Birk, will anchor this unit. Free agent Artis Hicks will battle incumbent Adam Goldberg and Chris Liwienski for the other guard spot. Bryant McKinnie returns at left tackle and right tackle will be in competition between Mike Rosenthal, Marcus Johnson and maybe Goldberg.

Defense: The Viking defense started out slow in 2005, but steadily improved as the season went along. Now with a year behind them and some fresh faces added, Childress hopes this defense will be ready out of the gate come September.

Kenechi Udeze missed all of last season due to injury, but hopes to regain the form he had his rookie season. Udeze will battle Erasmus James (four sacks) for the starting role. Darrion Scott (58 tackles, four sacks) is a rock over on the left side. Kevin Williams looks to rebound from a disappointing season that saw the former All-Pro collect only four sacks and 42 tackles. Pat Williams (66 tackles) anchors the interior line. Rookie Ray Edwards, C.J. Mosely and Spencer Johnson provide depth on the defensive line.

Linebacker was the weak spot for the Viking defense last year and it appears to be again this season. E.J. Henderson (75 tackles) returns at the strongside. Free agent Ben Leber and top draft choice Chad Greenway will battle for the weakside linebacker job. Dontarrius Thomas, last years starter at Will linebacker, moves inside to give Napoleon Harris competition.

The secondary is without a doubt the strongest unit of the Minnesota defense. It all starts with the formidable combination of Fred Smoot (41 tackles, two interceptions) and Antoine Winfield (98 tackles, four picks) on the corners. Most teams are lucky to have one shutdown corner, the Vikings have two. Brian Williams is gone so Will Hunter, Dustin Fox and rookie Cedric Griffin will battle for the nickel spot. Darren Sharper (51 tackles, nine interceptions) had another monster year at free safety. Free agent Dwight Smith (72 tackles, two picks) replaces the departed Corey Chavous at strong safety. Willie Offord and rookie Greg Blue will see action as well.

Special Teams: Paul Edinger was inconsistent so the Vikings went out and snagged Ryan Longwell from their enemy, Green Bay. Longwell (90 points, 20-27 field goals, 30-31 extra points) is a veteran, clutch kicker who will benefit from leaving Lambeau and going indoors. Chris Kluwe (44.1) is back at punter. Moore will return punts (11.7) and Robinson, an All-Pro special teams performer, returns kicks (26.0).

Outlook: Minnesota is a good team that got better in the offseason. Some big free agent signings and key draft choices has this team poised to challenge Chicago for the NFC North title. The offensive line, running game and secondary are first rate. The defensive line is solid and special teams are extrordinary, but all is not perfect. The Vikings are seriously thin at quarterback and the linebackers, even if Greenway has a solid rookie year, would be backups on most teams. The receivers are sub-standard. Travis Taylor is not a number one, but will have to be on this unit. Troy Williamson must step up after a lackluster rookie campaign or Johnson may have trouble throwing the deep ball this season.

Prediction: Despite some glaring weaknesses the Vikings are still a pretty good team that will compete with the Bears for the North Division championship. Minnesota will finish 10-6.

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