The 3-5 Vikings are halfway through their 16-game regular schedule and it’s time for “report cards.” Considered among the most talented teams in the NFC, the Vikings would be the most disappointing so far if not for the collapse of Jerry Jones’ empire in Dallas where the Cowboys have fired coach Wade Phillips following a 1-7 start.
The Vikings deserved an “A-” last year after a 12-4 record, NFC North title and near miss on their march to the Super Bowl. This season has been characterized by close losses, lack of clutch plays, injuries, under achievement, controversy and off-field drama.
Last Sunday’s near miracle rally, coming up with two touchdowns in the closing minutes to send the game into overtime and then winning 27-24 against Arizona, takes some sting out of the report card, but not enough to approach even “B” status. Sports Headliners gives the Vikings a “D+” grade after eight games.
For more detailed grading a former NFL coach agreed to pass out report cards if his name wasn’t used. Here are the grades starting with the Vikings coaches.
Head coach Brad Childress. Ouch! Our source gives Childress an “F.” “There’s too much talent on the roster to be struggling,” he said. The ex-coach said there have been too many distractions including the (Randy) “Moss debacle” and clashes with top players.
Assistant coaches: “B+.” His evaluation improved after the Vikings rallied to beat Arizona last Sunday using a hurry-up offense and blitzes on defense. “The assistant coaches have helped keep the ship together,” the source said.
Quarterbacks: “B-.” Prior to Sunday he would have handed out a “near failing grade.” The ex-coach said Brett Favre helped rejuvenate teammates and fans with two late fourth quarter touchdown passes. (He looked more like the Favre of old than the quarterback who has often struggled this season with his accuracy.) “T-Jack (Tarvaris Jackson) and (rookie) Joe Webb have proven they’re not ready,” the source said.
Tight ends and fullbacks: “B-.” He lumps these players together because of their role as blockers. He questions having the fullback position because of the limited opportunities the offense provides Naufahu Tahi for running and receiving. Tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe, Jeff Dugan and Jim Kleinsasser win praise. He particularly likes Shiancoe’s “productivity and explosiveness.”
Receivers: “C.” Percy Harvin has the former coach’s admiration. This is a player who continues to improve in his second season and who shows explosiveness, making him one of the NFL’s most dangerous wide receivers. The absence of Sidney Rice has been “impactful” and Moss wasn’t here long enough to make much of a contribution but the source said extra coverage on Moss created opportunities for others. Bernard Berrian had a breakout game last Sunday catching nine passes but before that was a “really negative contributor.”
Running backs: “B-.” The ex-coach said Adrian Peterson has had an “excellent” season. What concerns him, though, is rookie running back Toby Gerhart hasn’t given the team depth and replaced the highly regarded Chester Taylor who left for Chicago during the off-season. If Taylor were still here he would give this unit an “A” grade. “What makes me scratch my head is when they substitute for Peterson after a big play,” the source said. “Let him get a rhythm.”
Offensive line: “D.” “The line has had a bad year (and) not lived up to its capabilities,” the source said. “The tackle play has been awful. The guard play has been solid with (Steve) Hutchinson and (Anthony) Herrera. The center position is a mess, not playing well.”
Kicking game: “A.” Punter Chris Kluwe has “added control” to his distance, according to the former coach. Place kicker Ryan Longwell is “rock solid.” Fans seldom hear about Cullen Loeffler and that’s the best testimony to a long snapper’s reliability.
Special teams coverage and returns: “C”. Coverage has ranged from “brilliance” to “awful,” according to our evaluator. He likes the “big plays” of Harvin on kickoff returns.
Defensive line: “B” to “B+.” This is still an “upper echelon” group, although the sack production has often been missing and sometimes the unit hasn’t stopped the run when it most needed to. But remember, the ex-coach said, the line has had its moments including earlier in the season when it was the defense that kept the Vikings in games.
Linebackers: “B+” or “A-.” The unit is one of the best and most underrated in the NFL, the source said. E.J. Henderson has had a “miraculous turnaround,” after missing time last season because of a broken leg. He said Chad Greenway is a “tremendous athlete.”
The safeties grade out at a “D” while the cornerbacks earn a “B-.” “The safety play has been average at best (in the past) and been slipping even further,” according to our evaluator. Players have been in and out with injuries. He is critical of the preseason trade where the Vikings gave up defensive back Benny Sapp, a good contributor in the past, for wide receiver Greg Camarillo.