Why the Vikings are better on paper but will be worse on the field in 2009.

Minnesota Vikings

Predicted: 3^rd

2008: 10-6 (1^st NFC North)

Head Coach: Brad Childress (4^th year)

Roster Quick View (*new veteran, **rookie)

Offense (coordinator: Darrell Bevell)

QB: Sage Rosenfels*

Mechanically-sound pocket passer who throws a pretty ball. His issue is consistency, which can be compromised by his decision-making under pressure.

QB: Tarvaris Jackson

Too bad he plays the one position where you truly can’t be a “better athlete than football player”.

RB: Adrian Peterson

Without question the best runner in the game. Amazing burst, incredible acceleration, formidable power and stunning lateral agility are the reasons why.

RB: Chester Taylor

As good a No. 2 running back as you’ll find. Is better than Peterson in the passing game.

FB: Naufahu Tahi

Vikes tried to make a change here but ultimately decided that with a runner like Peterson, all they really needed was a FB who could simply get to his spots.

WR: Bernard Berrian

Speedy big-play threat who led the league with a 20.1 yards per catch average last season. That said, he’s more of a really good No. 2 than a No. 1.

WR: Bobby Wade

Can exploit zone coverage as a short-area wideout, but doesn’t possess any hint of top-level explosiveness.

WR: Percy Harvin**

A wild card. Has game-breaking abilities and will line up just about everywhere. Question is, can he stay healthy and focused?

TE: Visanthe Shiancoe

Coming off somewhat of a breakout season. Newfound comfort in the offense has allowed him to become an athletic receiving target.

TE: Jim Kleinsasser

Versatility and wisdom make him one of the most valuable blocking tight ends in the game.

LT: Bryant McKinnie

Elephant-like size masks most of his deficiencies. Overall, an above-average LT.

LG: Steve Hutchinson

At 31, might be slowing down just a hair, though you’d have to look hard to notice.

C: John Sullivan

Last year’s sixth-round pick has big shoes to fill. Veteran leader Matt Birk was the key to their movement in run-blocking.

RG: Anthony Herrera

Average pass-blocker who creates decent angles in the run game. Might struggle early on with Birk no longer beside him.

RT: Phil Loadholt**

Great find in the second round. Doesn’t have the quickest feet, but at 6’8”, 343 and with 36 ½ inch arms, he doesn’t need to.

6 OL: Artis Hicks

Can play anywhere except center and keep the O-line above water. Should work ahead of Ryan Cook as the top utility guy.

Defense (coordinator: Leslie Frazier)

LDE: Ray Edwards

Goes unnoticed in this star-studded line, but the athletic fourth-year pro is well-built, can turn the corner and even be semi-dominant against the run.

NT: Pat Williams

A true roadblock. But he turns 37 in October and has battled some injuries in recent years.

UT: Kevin Williams

A supremely-potent one-gap penetrator who also happens to have as much power as most top-tier nose tackles.

RDE: Jared Allen

Given that he’s a sack master who also destroys the run, you could make a case that he’s the best in football at his position.

3 DE: Brian Robison

Somewhat unpolished speed-rusher, though he showed very encouraging improvement down the stretch last season.

3 DT: Fred Evans

Extremely valuable – especially if the Williams duo ends up getting suspended the first four games. Has solid strength and even better quickness.

SLB: Chad Greenway

Simply put, an excellent all-around football player.

MLB: E.J. Henderson

100 percent healthy after missing 12 games last season with a dislocated toe. Has developed his instincts and is fierce at the point of attack.

WLB: Ben Leber

Solid in every sense, though Vikes probably wouldn’t mind seeing him make a few more plays in 2009.

4 LB: Heath Farwell

Special teams maven coming off an ACL injury.

CB: Antoine Winfield

Offers better run support than any corner in the game, and can be tough as hell to complete a pass against. Vikings were wise to extend his contract.

CB: Cedric Griffin

Improved awareness and coverage technique earned the 26-year-old a new five-year, $28 million deal.

NB: Benny Sapp

Emotional player who will fight Karl Paymah and Marcus McCauley for nickel duties.

SS: Tyrell Johnson

The front office is intrigued with the second-year man, though he’ll have to iron out some wrinkles in coverage before he can prosper.

FS: Madieu Williams

Fully healthy, he must rely on his experience in this Cover 2 scheme to play at a faster, more assertive level.

6 DB: Karl Paymah

Former Bronco who has never really carved out a niche in the NFL.

Special Teams

K: Ryan Longwell

Was successful on all six of his attempts from over 50 yards last season. More impressive is that, in his three years here, he’s 51/52 from inside 45 yards.

P: Chris Kluwe

Super-intelligent individual. Can he figure out a way to help improve the league’s worst punt coverage unit?

RS: Percy Harvin

Didn’t play special teams at Florida, but with his speed and explosiveness, using him in this capacity is a no-brainer.

Offseason Quick Glance

Draft

RD PK (OVR) NAME POS SCHOOL

1 22 (22) Percy Harvin WR Florida

2 22 (54) Phil Loadholt OT Oklahoma

3 22 (86) Asher Allen CB Georgia

5 14 (150) Jasper Brinkley ILB S Carolina

7 22 (231) Jamarca Sanford S Ole Miss

KEY PLAYERS ACQUIRED

WR Glenn Holt: Not tendered as RFA by Bengals; 1 yr, terms unknown.

CB Karl Paymah: UFA Broncos; $1.55M/1 yr.

QB Sage Rosenfels (trade Texans).

KEY PLAYERS LOST

C Matt Birk: UFA Ravens; $12M/3 yrs, $6M guaranteed.

LB Vinny Ciurciu (released).

QB Gus Frerotte (released).

RB Maurice Hicks (released).

OT Marcus Johnson: UFA Raiders; terms unknown.

S Darren Sharper: UFA Saints; $1.7M/1 yr, $200,000 SB

Analysis

Even with Brett Favre staying in Mississippi, the Vikings still have enough talent to be a serious postseason player. Sage Rosenfels has the tools to be a decent starting quarterback. He throws a pretty ball and, as a Texan, he proved to be almost deadly when in a quick-striking rhythm. His caveat is decision-making. When trying to do too much, Rosenfels can be downright careless. Worst of all, this flaw seems to appear in high-pressure situations.

The Vikings will miss safety Darren Sharper’s leadership, and Brad Childress could come to regret his somewhat acrimonious relationship with center Matt Birk (who, at 33 in July, still had at least three good years left in him). But other than that, Minnesota’s roster was undamaged in the offseason.

This could one day be viewed as a landmark draft for the Vikes. If lightning-quick Percy Harvin becomes a star X-factor, just imagine the headaches opposing coaches will have preparing to face both he and Adrian Peterson.

Along the offensive line, second-rounder Phil Loadholt is a 6’8”, 343-pound behemoth with 36 1/2-inch arms. He could be a monstrous upgrade over inconsistent former second-sounder Ryan Cook. Third-round CB Asher Allen’s physicality and run-stopping abilities should be of service in Minnesota’s zone scheme.