Rich Gannon : Vikes favorite to win NFC North

[motife]

Former NFL MVP QB Rich Gannon, optimistic that Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson can lead his team to the top of it’s division and have a breakout year in 2008, as quoted in the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune: "I'm excited. I got a chance to go out there a little bit, and I watched — really, I wanted to look at Tarvaris and see where he has come in just the one short year — and I got a chance to watch some film and sit down with [coach Brad] Childress and really look at him, and talk about him, and evaluate him. I think he's made great strides. I think he's a very athletic guy, very gifted, and the big thing for him this year is just consistency." Gannon added: "He's got to play 16 games, he only finished 12 games a year ago, he needs to play 16 games. He needs to be more efficient and more consistent. And if he can do those two things — with the running game they have, the offensive line, they've upgraded their receivers, they're going to be better defensively — there's no reason why that team cannot win the NFC North."

[DonHutson]

Good. Let's hope Gannon takes his boring ass monotone master of the obvious routine over to the Vike's preseason broadcast booth this year.

[Packnut]

Jackson

Well, I've seen all I need to see. I thank God with that D and A.P. that they have this bum playing the most important position on the field.

Gannon is selling a load of pure 100% BS.

[GBRulz]

The paper champions of the NFL....go Queens.

[b bulldog]

They should be the favorite in the North imo.

[MJZiggy]

Great, the Pack always seems to do well as the underdog.

[RashanGary]

The Vikings added some nice pieces this year. They are aging at some important positions as well and their QB is a big question mark.


The leagues youngest and one of last years strongest teams in Green Bay got a chance to learn on the job last year and grow in another off season. They lost a HOF QB but they do have high draft pick being groomed by a proven QB guru. The Packers look to have a solid defense, a really good offense and I think they'll have elite ST's.



Really, it's up in the air IMO. The Packers were clearly the cream of the crop last year. The Vikings added some quality pieces. The Packers lost Favre. It's too tough to call for me. It might come down to QB play and injuries.

[Bretsky]

They should be the favorite in the North imo.

I don't buy it

Unless you think TJack can be decent you should not call them the favorite

They are not that dominant to be able to pick up for weakness at the most important position on the field

[motife]

TT is probably still kicking himself that the Vikes "stole" Brad Childress from under his nose, forcing him to hire a lesser coach.

Tavaris Jackson has a chance to be another J.P. Losman if he keeps developping.

[Charles Woodson]

Of course Rich Gannon would pick the vikings...
I still hate that SOB for taking one of Bretts MVP's
but i dont buy it ethier... Yes they got a new reciever and got rid of some older ones, but they just arent complete yet

[BallHawk]

We were the 2nd best team in the NFC. The Vikings didn't even make the playoffs.

We lost Favre which is huge, but we still have a great defense, great WR, and a solid RB. The Vikings are without a doubt second, but I can't see how you can call them second, not until they get a QB.

[Bretsky]

We were the 2nd best team in the NFC. The Vikings didn't even make the playoffs.

We lost Favre which is huge, but we still have a great defense, great WR, and a solid RB. The Vikings are without a doubt second, but I can't see how you can call them second, not until they get a QB.

There lies the question

Do we have a great defense ????

[Lurker64]

I think it would be interesting to do a study of, in the ESPN era, which teams are consistently overrated and which are consistently underrated by media outlets in their preseason prognostications. I don't have time to do it though, but it wouldn't surprise me if Minnesota is in the consistently overrated column most years.

[BallHawk]

We were the 2nd best team in the NFC. The Vikings didn't even make the playoffs.

We lost Favre which is huge, but we still have a great defense, great WR, and a solid RB. The Vikings are without a doubt second, but I can't see how you can call them second, not until they get a QB.

There lies the question

Do we have a great defense ????

Ranked 11th in the league last year, but, IMO, underachieved. I can't see our defense getting any worse, barring injury. I think Cullen will be healthy and ready to go, Harrell has the potential to have an impact, Bigby and or Collins and or Rouse will be solid, Al and CW will man the corners and maybe Patrick Lee can have an impact. Kampman will be Kampman, Pickett should keep it up, Hawk can only get better, Chillar will help.

I think we can be top 10. That is great, IMO.

[Packnut]

We were the 2nd best team in the NFC. The Vikings didn't even make the playoffs.

We lost Favre which is huge, but we still have a great defense, great WR, and a solid RB. The Vikings are without a doubt second, but I can't see how you can call them second, not until they get a QB.

There lies the question

Do we have a great defense ????

The talent is there for the most part. The coaching is another story.

Jolly is the key ingredient for me. If healthy, he disrupts the passing lane with his long arms. IF Rouse can improve and take Nick's spot, I like us even better.