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For Vikings and Eagles The Time is Now
Copyright (c) 2009-2023 Ryan Hogan
The Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles start their respective preseason schedules with one thing in common, high expectations. Yet in order to achieve success both teams must overcome a completely different impediment.
For the Vikings, their 2009 campaign is about getting production from the quarterback position.
For the Eagles, their season rests on the performance of a defense sans Jim Johnson and Brain Dawkins.
For the Chargers, they're dependent on the return of one superstar from injury, linebacker Shawn Merriman, and another from his 30th birthday party, running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
Other than their glaring uncertainties these are three fairly complete teams, especially for the parity laden NFL. The Vikes, Eagles and Chargers all made the playoffs last season and there's no reason to think they won't return. However, the window for these franchises to win it all is quickly closing. If they don't get it done this year there may not be a "wait until next year."
This past summer you couldn't visit a sports website or turn on a sports channel without hearing a story about the Vikings trying to coax Brett Favre out of retirement.
That in itself reveals just about everything you need to know about the Vikings, they need a quarterback. In fact, some think the Vikings are just a quarterback away from the Super Bowl.
With Favre electing to stay retired, the Vikings look back to their fourth-year pro Tarvaris Jackson. The second round pick out Alabama State has a cannon for arm and tons of athletic ability-more than enough to play the position. It's the accuracy, decision making and intangibles that he struggles with.
Jackson finished the season strong before imploding in a 26-14 loss to the Eagles in the NFC wildcard game. Quarterbacks are judged by what they do in postseason so that's not a good sign.
The irony of the situation is head coach Brad Childress is known as a quarterback guru. If he wants this season to end better than last he'll need to do a lot of "guru-ing" to Jackson.
The Vikes have a world class running attack with back Adrian Peterson (1760 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008) and one of the league's best offensive lines anchored by Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle Bryant McKinnie.
The Vikings defense is stellar with end Jared Allen, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson (who was sidelined most of 2008 with a toe injury) and Pro Bowl corner back Antoine Winfield. Minnesota was the stingiest defense against the run in 2008.
While you're keeping an eye on Tarvaris, keep a couple more on defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams. They could miss some time at the start of the year for violating the league's anti-doping policy. The duo is waiting for a federal court to hand down a decision. If they do have to sit out the Vikings run defense will definitely take a step backwards.
With Peterson's ability to dominate a game, and a defense as good as the Vikings, the team doesn't need a lot from Jackson, but they need something.
The good news for the quarterback, Minnesota has some pretty easy road games-Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis. Potentially their two toughest opponents, the Ravens and the Giants, come to Minneapolis. A huge test for Jackson comes October 25th when the Vikings travel to Pittsburgh, a team generally not kind to quarterbacks.
If Jackson is the exactly the same as he was last year Vikings fans can expect the team to win the division but not much more. If fans want to see the Vikings go the Super Bowl Jackson needs to take a giant step forward.
With Peterson's youth, the Vikings probably have more time to get it done than either the Eagles or the Chargers. Regardless, if Minnesota fails to make it deep in the postseason Childress could be looking for a job at season's end.
The Eagles lost longtime defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to cancer in early August. His death is a blow to both the franchise and the NFL. Johnson can't be replaced but the team has given his job to Sean McDermott who's been with the team for 11 seasons. The 35-year old is a worthy successor and he knows the Eagles defense.
McDermott's squad will look a lot different than the one Johnson coached last year. Stalwart safety Brian Dawkins left Philadelphia for the Denver Broncos. The veteran may have lost a step but his leadership and experience will be missed. The Eagles "D" also lost middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to a season-ending injury.
How this defense reacts to McDermott's tutelage and loss of key personnel is crucial to the Eagles 2009 season.
Despite being three minutes away from returning to the Super Bowl, the Eagles finished last season 9-6-1, quarterback Donovan McNabb's play was inconsistent (remember he was benched at one point) and the team backed into the playoffs only after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears faltered.
A steady "D" will take some pressure off McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook, one of NFL's most versatile and injury prone players, to try and do too much. The Eagles' offensive line is one of the league's best and their receiver corps is finally starting to scare people.
In addition to all that, the Eagles signed quarterback Michael Vick. While he won't be eligible to play until October 18th, his athleticism could be another weapon for coach Andy Reid.
As members of the NFC East, the Eagles have a brutal schedule including one stretch that goes at Redskins, Giants, Cowboys, at Chargers, at Bears, Redskins, at Atlanta and at Giants. If that wasn't bad enough they finish the season at Dallas.
If you look at the turmoil surrounding this team last season you could make the case that the franchise won't be in the postseason. However, if you focus on the end result-that this team almost went to the Super Bowl-then you have to believe the Eagles can win another NFC championship.
The Eagles are a veteran team that has gotten close but never sealed the deal. Not only is youth running out for the team but their fan's patience is fleeting. Philadelphia needs to win it all this year.
If these two nearly-complete teams can navigate over, through or around their respective obstacles they may find themselves holding some exclusive hardware at the end of the season. For the Vikings and the Eagles the time to win is now. These franchises may not be this good again for a very long time.
Copyright 2009 ClickitTicket.com
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