Season's almost here, but first, consider these topics

**singersp** · 07-24-2007, 06:14 AM

[size=13pt]Season's almost here, but first, consider these topics[/size]

July 22, 2007
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

NFL camps are opening across the country this week, which means the time is right to look at what's about to unfold. I don't know what your expectations are, but these are mine:

Five coaches I wouldn't trade places with

1. Brad Childress, head coach, Minnesota: He's not in trouble, but his team is. It looks like a doormat in waiting. The problem is the offense. The Vikings don't have one. Childress had Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia; now he has Tarvaris Jackson. That would make me nervous.

**sleepagent** · 07-24-2007, 06:25 AM

9 guys on the two lists . . . 3 are / were Vikings.

**Marrdro** · 07-24-2007, 06:40 AM

Man I can't wait for the season to start.

He is right about one thing though........ ;D

5. Route 36 from Route 94 to Stillwater, Minn.: It's not so much the drive that's memorable as it is the destination. I always make sure to spend one night in Stillwater when I'm covering the Chiefs, with dinner on the St. Croix.

I use that when I drive home to MN from VA.

**josdin00** · 07-24-2007, 09:48 AM

And the other Vikings on his lists....

Five guys I'm not so sure about
2. Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Minnesota: He looked shaky when he had a chance last year. I'd hate to count on him for my offense, but Childress doesn't have much choice.

Five rookies I want to measure
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota: He was supposed to be a top-three draft choice, yet fell to seventh because of fears about a shoulder injury. My opinion? Minnesota got a steal. If that's accurate, it can take some of the heat off Jackson.

**WinonaVike** · 07-24-2007, 09:58 AM

Cant say i disagree with the three choices. Tavaris is unproven, Adrian Peterson if healthy could in fact end up being a steal at number 7, and Childress is relying heavily on a second year qb.

**COJOMAY** · 07-24-2007, 10:06 AM

I hope all the sportwriters this year have to eat their words. I am so sick and tired of this Viking's bashing I could puke.

**WinonaVike** · 07-24-2007, 10:12 AM

"COJOMAY" wrote:

I hope all the sportwriters this year have to eat their words. I am so sick and tired of this Viking's bashing I could puke.

I agree it has been sickening, although Adam Schein of foxsports has offered some reprieve, has a lot of good things to say about T Jack almost everytime he discusses or writes about us.

**vikingivan** · 07-24-2007, 10:29 AM

I guess because of our inexperience at QB and receiver we are an easy target.
Let them bad mouth us all they want.
Hopefully, we can have the last laugh.

**NodakPaul** · 07-24-2007, 10:33 AM

I do not disagree with Coach Childress making that list.
But I am surprised that Bobby Petrino didn't make it.
Dealing with a controversy like he has with Vick is not an easy thing to do as a rookie head coach.

**mountainviking** · 07-24-2007, 10:58 AM

"NodakPaul" wrote:

I do not disagree with Coach Childress making that list.
But I am surprised that Bobby Petrino didn't make it.
Dealing with a controversy like he has with Vick is not an easy thing to do as a rookie head coach.

That might end up being worse than dealing with TO!

I'm not sure how they can all assume we'll take a step backwards with a year in our new systems...I definitely don't see the drop in defense the media seems to assume (seen us ranked as low as 18th) and I know that we will run the ball enough to take pressure off of TJack.
IF Peterson stays healthy, he and Chester are going to be a dangerous duo!!

Last year, we ranked 16th in yds rushing per game, and 14th per carry...that was with no pass protection and against stacked boxes all the time!
IF our OLINE plays better on passing downs, we'll have WRs wide open due to the stack.
We just need 2 or 3 of the 11 WRs in camp to step up and catch the darn ball and we'll do fine!!!