Somehow, some way, the Vikings remain on top despite an annual personnel
drain due to an impossible salary cap situation. Most people figured the
Vikings would take a huge fall last year, but coach Dennis Green waved his
magic wand and the team finished with an 11-5 record and the NFC Central
title.
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CAMP AT A GLANCE
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| Daunte Culpepper threw 33 TDs last season. |
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Location: Minnesota State University, Mankato; Mankato, Minn.
Rookies report: July 29
Veterans report: July 29
Preseason schedule:
Aug. 11: New Orleans (San Antonio)
Aug. 16: Pittsburgh
Aug. 24: Indianapolis
Aug. 31: at Miami
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Green might need to find a lot more magic in his wand this time around.
Gone are halfback Robert Smith, who retired unexpectedly, and four cap
casualties -- offensive tackle Todd Steussie, linebacker Dwayne Rudd and
defensive tackles John Randle and Tony Williams. The glaring needs in the
secondary have yet to be addressed, which means Green is sticking with his
formula of trying to outscore opponents in shootouts. That philosophy plays
well in the regular season, not so well in the playoffs. Last year's 41-0
playoff loss to the Giants and the off-season departures have some people
predicting a fifth-place finish for the Vikings again, but Green is too good
to let that happen.
Man in the spotlight
The dirty little secret about the Vikings offense is
that it was not Daunte Culpepper, not Randy Moss and not Cris Carter who made
it go. It was Smith. His ability to score from anywhere kept defenses honest
and gave the passing game lots of room to prosper. That's why Green
overlooked serious defensive concerns with his first-round draft pick and
took halfback Michael Bennett. Like Smith, Bennett has sprinter's speed.
However, Bennett only started one year in college and is not polished as
Smith as either a runner or receiver. If Bennett isn't ready, Moe Williams or
Doug Chapman will get the call. Neither will give the offense the threat it
needs at halfback.
Key position battle
Randle wasn't the Randle of old last year, but
replacing one of the game's dominant linemen still won't be easy. The Vikings
have a cast of thousands competing for the tackle spot opposite promising,
young Chris Hovan. First there's last year's disappointing second-round
picks, Fred Robbins and Michael Boireau. Then there's this year's
second-rounder, Willie Howard. Finally, there's journeyman Fernando Smith,
who played well enough at end last year to get asked back. It would not be a
shock if Howard, who played through injury last year at Stanford, emerged as
the starter.
Biggest adjustment
The Vikings had a league-low 18 turnovers last year, a
far cry from the defense's glory years in the early 1990s under Tony Dungy.
In order to prop up a dreadfully weak secondary (except for safety Robert
Griffith, of course), Green hired Willie Shaw as assistant head
coach/defensive backs. When Shaw was the Vikings secondary coach in 1992 and
'93, they intercepted 52 passes in two seasons. However, until the Vikings
upgrade a cornerback position that includes Robert Tate, Kenny Wright and
Wasswa Serwanga, all the coaching in the world won't help. The Vikings are
enamored of rookie Eric Kelly, who is big and fast, but the best hope for the
position this year is if they sign a veteran such as James Hasty or Dale
Carter.
Rookie report
Bennett, Howard and Kelly could all crack the starting
lineup. Fourth-rounder Shawn Worthen, a squat run-stuffer, could work his way
into the lineup too, but only if all else fails at defensive tackle. Sedrick
Jones, the other fourth rounder, will have to wait his turn in a deep wide
receiving corps.
Vikings' complete offseason moves
