Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton ─ who still follows the NFL closely including for his Sirius Satellite Radio show ─ expects Tarvaris Jackson to start for Seattle tomorrow night against the Vikings, and the preseason game will be another confidence test for the 28-year-old quarterback.
Jackson left the Vikings after last season and so, too, did his former offensive coordinator in Minnesota, Darrell Bevell. The two have a new beginning in Seattle where Jackson is expected to become the team’s starter.
Jackson was unimpressive in Seattle’s first preseason game of the year, completing three of five passes during limited playing time in the first half. Tomorrow night in Seattle the Seahawks’ new quarterback receives another opportunity.
This opportunity is special because Jackson has the advantage of playing against former players and coaches he knew in Minneapolis. Dalton expects Bevell will be playing up the advantage to Jackson. “Darrell will be pumping his brain full of confidence,” Dalton said.
Jackson spent five seasons here playing in Bevell’s West Coast offense, the system he was trying to execute last weekend during Seattle’s 24-17 win over San Diego. “He (Jackson) didn’t look particularly crisp,” Dalton said. “Hopefully, he will have a new life in Seattle.”
Although Jackson started 20 games for the Vikings during his career, there was ongoing doubt among media and fans about whether he was worthy of being the No. 1 quarterback. Dalton said Jackson lacked confidence and consistency.