Viking needs

I don’t know how to begin this post other than to write that this has already been a long offseason.

I feel like the Vikings haven’t played in a decade. Yet it’s only the end of February, which, as you know, is a long ways away from September.

So I’m itching for the Vikings to redeem themselves, although I know there’s a good chance they won’t and next year will be a disappointment. I’ve got a 1999 feeling about the upcoming 2010 season.

But regardless of how 2010 turns out, now is the time to think about what the Vikings must do to improve themselves and what positions on the team are most in need of improving.

With that in mind, here is a quick look at what I think are the team’s biggest needs as free agency and draft chatter gets louder and louder.

Quarterback: Whether Brett Favre returns or not, the Vikings still have no long-term solution here. Tarvaris Jackson isn’t it. Apparently Sage Rosenfels isn’t it. And this year’s college quarterback class is said to be weak. Is it time for the Vikings to get creative to address a pressing need just like they did in 2008 when they traded for Jared Allen?

Cornerback: I would have ranked this position a notch lower had Cedric Griffin not suffered a serious knee injury in the NFC Championship game. But he did suffer it. So the Vikes are faced going into 2010 without Griffin and with Antoine Winfield – who turns 33 in June. And the guys behind them are Benny Sapp, Asher Allen and Karl Paymah – although Sapp and Paymah are free agents and both may not return. In Paymah’s case, I hope he doesn’t, as I’m sure Ralph Brown or Kenny Wright are available.

Linebacker: The Vikings linebacking corps looks fine, especially if E.J. Henderson makes it back from a horrendous broken leg and plays at a high level in 2010. But that’s no sure thing. In other news, Ben Leber is a free agent after next season. And while Chad Greenway is a very good player, the rest of the guys currently on the depth chart are special team players first, linebackers second – unless you count Jasper Brinkley as a viable starting NFL linebacker. The jury is still out on that one.

Late addition
Upon further reflection, the offensive line is a need area that ranks right up there with the cornerback and linebacker positions. The line consistently gives up a lot of sacks and it struggles to open up holes for Adrian Peterson. Something is wrong here. I would not be disappointed to see the team address the left tackle, right guard or center positions.

Meanwhile ....

Football Outsiders deals with NFC North in this Four Downs feature.

Author Ned Macey mentions the Vikings need to think (soon) about not only how they are going to replace Favre, but how they are going to replace Pat Williams – as the 2010 season will likely be his last.

Macey also picks on right guard Anthony Herrera.