Brad Johnson's Health Is Key

[size=18px]Johnson's Health Is Key [/size]

By: Viking Update Staff
Date: Jun 29, 2006

The Vikings enter the 2006 season with high hopes to return to the NFL playoffs. But, with the depth the team has added at several positions in the offseason, the one that remains frighteningly thin is quarterback.

Two days after the Vikings open their 2006 regular season, quarterback Brad Johnson will celebrate his 38th birthday. In most instances, a 38-year-old quarterback has been in retirement and hitting the golf course for a few years.

Johnson is the elder statesmen of all NFL quarterbacks. He's a year older than Brett Favre, two years older than Mark Brunell and Trent Green, three-and-a-half years older than Drew Bledsoe, four years older than Kurt Warner and four-and-a-half years older than Steve McNair.

But the difference between those other players and Johnson is that their respective teams have set themselves up to move on and prepare for the future -- even if that future comes in Week 2 if one of the other aging QBs goes down to injury.

The Vikings haven't made that same sort of commitment. Tarvaris Jackson, by the admission of almost everyone on the coaching and scouting staff, is a couple of years away from being ready to be a full-time starter and that doesn't come with any guarantee. Mike McMahon knows the system, but hasn't shown much in the way of being a success on the field with either the Lions or Eagles during his career. And J.T. O'Sullivan is fighting for a roster spot.

The Vikings brought in Johnson a little more than a year ago to serve as a veteran backup to Daunte Culpepper. A year later, Johnson looks to be the only show in town. The Vikes have had a history of bringing in veteran backups with a lot of starting experience in the event of an injury at quarterback. Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Bubby Brister, Gus Frerotte and Johnson are all recent examples of this. But, for now, the Vikings don't have one of those players to back up Johnson.

It's clear that the Vikings have confidence in Johnson, who led the team to a 7-2 record as a starter upon replacing the injured Culpepper. But the question many people are asking is how long can a 38-year-old quarterback hold up under the rigors of another NFL season?

For the Vikings' sake, it had better be at least one more because Plan B is going to have to include a quarterback with minimal game success or no game experience. If Johnson goes down, so may the Vikings' hopes to return to the playoffs, so keeping him protected and healthy will likely be Job One for several players on the Vikings offense.

Johnson's Health Is Key

It appears that the author(s) have a keen sense for the obvious.

"Prophet" wrote:

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It appears that the author(s) have a keen sense for the obvious.

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lol. well said.

If Johnson goes down there will be some serious shopping on the market. Don't be surprised if Intercepteverde or some other clown is brought in to play diring the interim QB development phase of the franchise (see, I also have a keen sense for the obvious).

If Brad Johnson gets injured, the Vikings will likely start a different quarterback.

"BloodyHorns82" wrote:

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If Brad Johnson gets injured, the Vikings will likely start a different quarterback.

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Damn you. If you keep making predictions like that I'll have to forfeit my name to you.

"singersp" wrote:

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[size=18px]Johnson's Health Is Key [/size]

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And the next article:

"WORLD WAR II IS OVER!"

=Z=

Any team with a subpar backup QB could wirte an article on this.

Bills
Bengals
Panthers
Cowboys
Texans
Packers
Chiefs
Patriots
49ers
Titans
Redskins
Seahawks

It's a shame they have nothing better to write about.

im actually glad. id rather them right about this than have another loveboat incedint

WOW, Now i can sleep knowing he is the key...