2003 Vikings
	Randy Moss caught 106 passes last season.
	Head coach: Mike Tice (2nd year). 2002 record: 6-10 NFC North finish: 2nd Season opener: Sept. 7 at Packers Schedule | Depth chart

Unlike many teams, the Vikings got considerably better on paper.

They didn't lose any starters to free agency, and they added some quality players, most notably cornerback Denard Walker. He's a considerable upgrade from what they've had on the island since Dale Carter pit-stopped here. Another big addition was linebacker Chris Claiborne, whose work ethic and conditioning were questioned in Detroit. But he arrived with a new attitude, saying all he needed was a fresh start.

Cornerback Ken Irvin, whom they would like in the nickel spot, and backup quarterback Gus Frerotte also joined the team. But perhaps the biggest offensive addition was right tackle Mike Rosenthal, who allows head coach Mike Tice to put his five best linemen on the field.

Another key addition was special-teams coach Rusty Tillman, who has a young group to work with and a lot of pressure on him. Former defensive line coach George O'Leary takes over as defensive coordinator. People overlook his qualifications, and he's flown under the radar since coming back to the NFL, but he really did well last year with the defensive line, notably defensive tackles Chris Hovan and Fred Robbins.

Offense
Quarterbacks: With his contract no longer an issue, Daunte Culpepper can focus on regaining his Pro Bowl form of 2000. The team upgraded the offensive line and added a couple of good young receivers. The absence of Michael Bennett is the only excuse Culpepper has now. He's looked good in training camp, but he did last year too. The question is, how will he respond during the regular season? The biggest difference is that Culpepper understands it's OK to throw away passes and OK for the team to punt. Frerotte will do well in this system. He has looked good so far, and he seems to have embraced his role as veteran backup. No. 3 quarterback Shaun Hill is serviceable, and he bought himself another season because of his play in NFL Europe. Grade: B.

Running backs: There is a lot of doubt as to whether Bennett (foot injury) will be back this season. Even if he is, don't expect him to be the impact player he was last year. The Vikings are leaning toward using a committee approach, a tactic that resulted in 164 rushing yards in a preseason game vs. Oakland. Doug Chapman isn't a burner, but he's a physical runner with decent lateral quickness. Chapman doesn't lose too many yards and is good at making the first tackler miss. He was questionable at presstime with injuries to his right ankle and knee. Rookie Onterrio Smith has a lot to overcome learning the blocking schemes and plays. He can run, has good instincts, shown solid hands and dropped few passes. So far, he hasn't displayed the type of speed Bennett has, but better instincts. Moe Williams is a valuable role player. He excels in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Williams could start, but the Vikings want an explosive back, which is why they're still hoping Smith can get it all together. The X-factor is John Avery, who has shown explosiveness in practices, scoring three times on screen passes. Grade: C-plus.

Receivers: Nothing new can be said about Randy Moss. He looks as good as ever. But the other receivers are better than people think. D'Wayne Bates is very athletic and smart, which goes a long way in the Vikings' offense. However, Culpepper still isn't comfortable throwing to him, focusing too much on Moss. Rookie Nate Burleson takes over at No. 3 and is not as fast as Kelly Campbell, but he is bigger and more polished and has shown great hands. Campbell can flat-out run and will be a downfield threat, but his size is really a concern. Injuries have hampered Kenny Clark the last two years, but he is the most physical receiver and makes very difficult catches. But can he sustain his level of play? Tight end Jim Kleinsasser is a dominant blocker and a good, solid receiver. One could argue that he's the best all-around tight end in the league. But he has a foot injury that could linger. Byron Chamberlain is suspended for the first four games of the season and is not in great shape, but he still has the speed and hands to beat linebackers. He gives them a nice hybrid receiver and complement to Hunter Goodwin and Kleinsasser. Minnesota liked Steve Farmer, but the rookie is out for the season. Grade: B.

Offensive linemen: Culpepper has the ability to make this unit the best on the offense. But the offensive line goes in with a high mark automatically, as it is solid across the board. Matt Birk is a smart and fairly athletic center. He is versatile with good feet and a big body. Chris Liwienski could have a breakout year after switching from right tackle to left guard. Liwienski actually has had the best training camp of all linemen, including Bryant McKinnie and Birk. McKinnie, though, is coming along. He has struggled at times in the preseason, but he also can be dominant at times. Right guard David Dixon can be dominant so long as he has to move in just one direction. At the right tackle spot, Rosenthal is big and fairly smart but athletically limited. Some think reserve C Cory Withrow could start for many teams. Offensive lineman Lewis Kelly has all the talent in the world as well as a good body, but he is still struggling with personal issues and always lacked confidence in his abilities. Everett Lindsay is still an asset because he can be an emergency player at all the offensive line positions. Grade: A-minus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Hovan gets a lot of hype for a guy who has accomplished very little, and he needs to step up this year. Defensive end Kenny Mixon is a very solid run defender and an OK pass rusher. Robbins is athletic for a big tackle and seems to have improved. Rookie defensive end Kevin Williams is very athletic and imposing, and Lance Johnstone, who will play less than he did last year, is explosive and good at creating problems for quarterbacks. He should thrive in this limited role. Lorenzo Bromell has been a huge disappointment since the Vikings signed him last year. Billy Lyon has a nonstop motor and can play several positions. Grade: B-minus.

Linebackers: The worst unit last year is now the team's best. Greg Biekert remains a steady force at middle linebacker. He's slow, but he's so smart that he always gets to the right spots. His backup, second-round pick E.J. Henderson, has looked very good. He is fairly athletic and seems very smart, and he's a sure tackler. Claiborne's signing could prove to be a coup for the Vikings; he is a sure tackler and a very good athlete. Henri Crockett could be OK at strong-side linebacker. Nick Rogers will be solid as a backup and even better when the team runs a 3-4. Rogers was a defensive end at Wake Forest and is learning the strong-side linebacker position. Last year's second-round pick, Raonall Smith, is one of the fastest linebackers in the league, but he's been hobbled by injuries during the past two training camps. Sixth-round pick Mike Nattiel will play primarily on special teams. Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Not everyone is convinced Walker is as big a stud as the Vikings believe. He has been beaten in preseason games and in practice by a receiver who might not even make the team. Irvin certainly isn't anything better than a dime corner in most defenses, but he could start in Minnesota. There is a lot to like about Brian Williams because he's athletic, smart and an outstanding tackler, but he needs help from a lot of other people to cover up his growing pains. Williams probably will start, but he's still not ready to be a starter. Eric Kelly has had a good training camp when he has played. He has been hobbled with a bad hamstring and is not real bright, but he's a good athlete. Corey Chavous is smart and a good tackler, but he is limited athletically. Most believe Brian Russell is better than former third-round pick Willie Offord, who seems to have "bust" written all over him. Russell is a very physical tackler, just like his mentor, Robert Griffith. But Russell, unlike Griffith, isn't a very good open-field tackler. Offord does not seem to be smart enough and misses too many tackles. Grade: C-minus.

Special teams
Kicker Hayden Epstein was slow to recover from offseason knee surgery, and Aaron Elling became the front-runner. Epstein has the stronger leg, but Elling was more consistent. P Eddie Johnson, a sixth-round pick, has shown flashes of his powerful leg. But he's struggled with Tillman's demand that he get kicks off in two seconds or less. The coverage units have looked terrible. Grade: C-plus.

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