Vikings offense = Fantasy gold?
For the Beckett/Rotoworld spring magazine, we were all asked to name a potential breakout offense similar to last year's Panthers or Texans. Unflinchingly, I went with the Vikings on the heels of the Percy Harvin draft selection, Sage Rosenfels trade and Brett Favre speculation. Favre is out of the picture (for now), and SI's Peter King believes Rosenfels already had the starting job all but locked up before Tarvaris Jackson suffered a sprained MCL over the weekend.
So what makes the Vikings offense, so mediocre last season, a potential fantasy bonanza this season? Let's take a look at the offensive ingredients:
So where's the weak spot? Quarterback? Tarvaris Jackson was a fantasy nightmare for the Vikings' skill position players, and the aging mediocrity known as Gus Frerotte wasn't much better.
I'll grant that Rosenfels isn't an ideal NFL starter, and he doesn't have what it takes to lead the Vikings deep into the playoffs. His bad decisions and penchant for backbreaking turnovers make him a top-notch NFL backup instead of a long-term solution. However, one thing Sage can do is produce fantasy numbers. He's not afraid to take chances down the field, and his shocking career 7.4 YPA proves that he's often successful. Unlike Jackson or Frerotte, he can open up this offense.
As Cris Collinsworth once explained to Bryant Gumble, this game revolves around double-teams. It's all about taking up two defenders and leaving someone else to take advantage of single coverage. In Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin, the Vikings now have two play-makers drawing extra defensive attention on most plays. Throw in a quarterback who is willing and able to make plays down the field instead of settling for the check-down.
Now we're talking fantasy gold.
Comments
We have a QB now that is willing to take those chances down the field...Too bad will still don't have a coach that feels the same way.
Posted by: Reaper | August 3, 2009 03:40 PM
agreed. the fact that chilly's pulling the strings tempers every one's value on that team. they'll definately be in the shanny sweepstakes next season. allthough I see shanny as the next bears coach so he & cutler can finish what they started.
Posted by: mark in mi | August 3, 2009 03:47 PM
Is the offensive line really above average? I think that's the number one question.
I think they have one good offensive lineman (Hutchinson), one average one (McKinnie), one below average one (Herrera), and two question marks at center and right tackle.
Posted by: Jeff | August 3, 2009 04:17 PM
Herrera was actually an above average RG two years ago but struggled with injuries most of last season.
Harvin's versatility could give defensive coordinators fits and if he excels the field is going to open up for AD and Berrian.
Posted by: MNRunLeft | August 3, 2009 05:37 PM
i'm looking forward to getting Harvin when he becomes a post-hype pick in 2011
Posted by: veggieb | August 3, 2009 05:39 PM
Are you kidding me?
1) Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice are mediocre at best.
2) You mentioned three players on the team last year who have no fantasy relevance whatsoever: Taylor, Shianoce, and Kleinsasser. One out of 50 people can even spell their names correctly.
3) Percy Harvin has bust written all over him: 1) Product of an outstanding offensive coaching system, 2) Florida Gator, 3) (most importantly) questions about work ethic and attitude.
The Vikings will be a good team, AP is the #1 pick, but to say their offense has other assets is absolutely foolish.
Posted by: Steve | August 3, 2009 07:59 PM
The Vikes will even have more fantasty gold when Favre joins them this year.
Posted by: Misfit | August 3, 2009 08:12 PM