2006 NFL Grade

Quarterback- With the trade of Dante Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins from the 2006 NFL offseason, the Vikings are left while not a superstar quarterback to lead an exceedingly talented offense. Brad Johnson filled in nicely within the 2nd half in the 2005 NFL season, practically foremost the Vikings in to the playoffs. Johnson is actually a superb fill-in quarterback and may lead a workforce which has a strong running game, but Johnson just isn't the quarterback from the close to potential for the Vikings. Backup quarterback Mike McMahon can get yet another opportunity to show himself being a beginning quarterback while in the NFL in 2006, although don't assume miracles from McMahon, who hasn't been ready to accomplish considerably seeing that several spectacular bursts with all the Detroit Lions. Johnson may want to continue to keep McMahon at bay except if there is certainly an injury or desperation by coach Brad Childress. Third quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a first day select for the Vikings, features a gun for an arm and it is athletic but perhaps won't make a great deal noise in his first season in the NFL.
2006 NFL Grade: C+

Running Back/Full Back- The winner on the Minnesota Vikings' operating back by committee seems to get Mewelde Moore, who needs to step up being a 1,000 yard rusher to consider stress off on the weakened quarterback place. Moore will get support from veteran Chester Taylor, but neither of these backs possess the capability to consider above a game such as the Vikings would hope in 2006. Fullback Tony Richardson and H-Back Jim Kleinsasser will look at and clear a lot more space to run, but with out a bona fide NFL starter, those holes might possibly head to waste.
2006 NFL Grade: C

Broad Receiver/Tight End- The receiver place is amazingly wealthy with talent in 2006, with Koren Robinson, Troy Williamson, and Travis Taylor headlining a group that should have huge many years each NFL season. All the same, with no a reliable starting quarterback, their talent may perhaps head to waste. All 3 receivers are athletic but are unable to produce a perform all on their very own and also the offense can rely too much on tight ends and working backs from the pass game. If this happens, in the quite least, Jermaine Wiggins and Jim Kleinsasser have established to become steady targets and Mewelde Moore might be a decent obtaining running back. However, in case the receivers will not consider off, neither do the Vikings.
2006 NFL Grade: B

Offensive Line- The offensive line from the Vikings is incredibly talented but will go to waste devoid of the position players of a playoff contending offense. Center Matt Birk and rookie center Ryan Cook supply the Vikings depth with the middle of the line in 2006, guards Steven Hutchinson and Chris Liewinski are strong starters and will consider down plenty of from the interior lineman in the league, and tackles Adam Goldberg and Mike Rosenthal have to deliver wonderful exterior line protection for whoever ends up at quarterback. But this talent is only as good as what happens on each and every play and so they may develop into just about the most underappreciated line during the league.
2006 NFL Grade: B+

Defensive Line- The defensive line will give the Vikings a sound run defense and a few stress on the quarterback in 2006, though not practically towards the level the talent would indicate. Defensive ends Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze should be working circles all around tackles but inquiries about their dedication and game intelligence are being answered on the detriment of the staff. James has to demonstrate in his second yr that he is further than one other pace rusher, that he can step up his game to a leadership degree. The Vikings possess a solid interior defensive line in 2006, with Kevin and Pat Williams stuffing the center and allowing the linebackers to generate plays up at the very first level.
2006 NFL Grade: B

Linebacker- The Vikings are stacked with talent at linebacker in 2006, using the addition of rookie Chad Greenway building the linebacking corps much more crowded. Coach Childress will even more than likely employ all of their talented linebackers, like Napoleon Harris, E.J. Henderson, Ben Leber, and Dontarrious Thomas, in a rotating trend ninja body kits. All the same, the beginning linebackers will almost certainly be Napoleon Harris, E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway. It is actually unfortunate that they could not transfer a number of this talent to other parts of your workforce, however they are fairly effectively set when they shed a number of linebackers to injury.
2006 NFL Grade: B+

Defensive Back- The defensive backfield is amongst the more powerful places for that Vikings in 2006, with veteran safety Darren Sharper and cornerback Fred Smoot major a unit that may make some game saving plays for that Vikings. Sharper had a reliable season final yr and can be coupled with either Willie Offord or Tank Williams to maintain teams out of the finish zone on prolonged throws. The safety position appears to be secure as well as cornerbacks could possibly phase up as defensive leaders in 2006. Antoine Winfield, Fred Smoot, and Devonte Edwards all possess the ability to make plays and shut down reliable receivers and one of the many 3 may have an exceptional season. Seem for Edwards to produce into a reliable younger cornerback.
2006 NFL Grade: B+

Kicker/Punter- The Vikings manufactured a large upgrade at kicker, changing Paul Edinger with former Packers kicker Ryan Longwell. Longwell, regardless of a down yr in 2005, is an exceptional kicker and continually ranks near the major on the league in discipline intention percentage. Longwell will present solid kicking for your Vikings from the 2006 NFL season. Chris Kluwe will give ample punting in the 2006 NFL season, however the Vikings need to have wonderful expert play to stand a chance this season.
2006 NFL Grade: B

2006 NFL Projection- The Vikings will struggle inside the 2006 NFL season, heading in direction of the bottom with the and holding a 4-12 or 5-11 record.