Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
LIVE VIDEO: NBCSports.com shows Washington-New York, with alternate camera angles, HD views and more.
PBT: Jeremy Lin wasn't his hot self on Saturday, but he still led the Knicks to victory.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -England defender Joleon Lescott preserved Manchester City's two-point lead in the Premier League by scoring a second-half winner in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
Getty Images
|
They signed free agent Madieu Williams, probably the best safety to change teams.
They signed Bernard Berrian, the best free agent wide receiver.
The signed Gus Frerotte, arguably the best available backup quarterback.
They traded for defensive end Jared Allen, the best player at any position to change teams during the offseason.
And they traded up in the second round to pick Tyrell Johnson, whom some rated the top safety in the draft.
No team had a more impressive offseason. Whether or not the Vikings have an impressive season will depend not only on their additions, but also their holdovers.
But there is no question the Vikings have the look of a team that is poised to take off. This is the third season of Brad Childress' regime, and he has established his coaching style as well as his offense and defensive systems. On paper, their defense is as talented as any in the NFL. There might not be a more talented player in the league than second year running back Adrian Peterson.
If the Vikings ever are going to seize a moment, the moment is now.
Hot seat
The Vikings are solid at every position on the field — with one exception. Questions still remain about quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
For a three game stretch late last season, Jackson looked like the quarterback Childress has been telling us Jackson would be. He completed 72 percent of his throws and had a 111.1 passer rating. But if you subtract his numbers for those three games, the rest of the year Jackson completed only 54 percent of his passes and had a 60.3 passer rating.
Jackson has no more excuses. This is his third year in the league and his second as a starter. The Vikings have provided him with pass protection, solid receivers and a fine running game. He has good coaching and a proven system from which to operate.
The fate of the Vikings is in his hands.
Just in case he's not up to the task, the Vikings brought in two new backups — veteran Gus Frerotte and rookie John David Booty.
Overheard at camp
At some point this season, the Vikings know they may be forced to play without left tackle Bryant McKinnie for two to four games. McKinnie was arrested in February after a nightclub fight and could be suspended by the NFL, given he previously was fined by the league for his contribution to the Love Boat scandal.
If the Vikings have to play without McKinnie, Artis Hicks would be the most likely candidate to replace him.
Comings and goings: If there was one thing the Vikings defense lacked, it was a pure pass rusher off the edge. Enter Allen, who led the NFL with 15.5 sacks a year ago.
Allen's presence should impact many others on the Vikings defense. Interior rushers Kevin Williams and Pat Williams should see fewer double teams. Ballhawking safety Darren Sharper should get more opportunities for interceptions. Linebackers will be able to drop more and blitz less. And cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin might be asked to play more man to man because it's much easier to play man-to-man with a strong pass rush.
Prediction
If everything goes according to the Vikings' plan, they won't need great quarterback play to win the NFC North and more. All they will need is for Jackson to not lose the game, and for him to make an occasional play. He's good enough to do that.
Look for the Vikings to be a powerhouse in the NFC. It helps that the NFC North could be in a down cycle. The Vikings even weakened one of the North rivals by stealing Berrian from the Bears.
This team is very capable of winning a dozen games.
|
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
 | Slideshow |
 | Super Bowl XLVI shots See the best moments before, during and after the Giants' win over the Patriots more photos |
Latest from ProFootballTalk |
 | Video: Football from NBC Sports |
 Getty Images |
| Slideshow |
 | NBCSports.com |
 | Slideshow |
 |
The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
