Dan Pompei

Usually, a team can't "go for it" unless they are on fourth down. But the Vikings have been going for it all offseason.

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.

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