Jean-Paul Bergeaux - Saintsgab.com

Peyton Manning QB Indianapolis

There are three keys to winning. O-line, D-line and QB. If you get those three right, you have a solid team. Peyton Manning, therefore, is the one guy that makes a difference on the field. It is no secret that he is the offensive coach on the field, calls his own plays often and single handedly makes the Colts a top 5 team every year. Even at 32 Peyton has several good years left. He’s too smart to get hurt, he will age like a fine wine, getting better even as his physical skills start to fade.

John White - Catcrave.com

Tom Brady QB New England

There are a number of factors that would play a role in my decision making process. A franchise player should not only have the physical tools and the athletic ability to make plays consistently but should also be young enough to remain with the franchise for a number of years. Therefore, I’m ruling out the Peyton Mannings, Tom Bradys and LTs of the league. I want a guy who is this side of 30 - preferably no older than 28.

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From: Pro Football Weekly

OLT Bryant McKinnie’s hearing for a criminal case, in which he faces four separate charges related to a fight outside a Miami nightclub, was continued back in June and is scheduled for a court date of Sept. 24 — three days after the Vikings face the Panthers in Minnesota during Week Three of the season.

The team is aware of the situation and knows that McKinnie, should he be found guilty, could face punishment by the league. In fact, McKinnie already has met with commissioner Roger Goodell on the matter, so a punishment for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy could come down swiftly in this case, especially because McKinnie would be a repeat offender if found guilty. In that case, the Vikings would be left to replace one of their better run blockers, and there is no natural replacement on the roster who possesses McKinnie’s mass or talent.

Artis Hicks is a jack-of-all-trades who has played left tackle sparingly before (in Philadelphia, when Brad Childress was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator) and could play there in a pinch. But don’t be surprised if either Marcus Johnson or Chase Johnson gets a chance there. Marcus Johnson has more experience and has shown improvement, but don’t rule out the massive Chase Johnson (6-8, 331 pounds) possibly being a strong option.

It remains to be seen how serious the tampering charge that is being brought against the Vikings by the Packers really ends up being, but today the Vikings officially declined comment on the matter. Team spokesman Bob Hagan issued a simple two-sentence statement stating that the Vikings “are not commenting on the issue. These types of matters are handled by the league.”

The charge is being brought against the Vikings due to the fact that the Packers are claiming that Vikings offensive coordinator and former Packers QB coach Darrell Bevell had talks with Brett Favre that would go against league rules. Favre and Bevell are friends, but now that Brett has expressed his desire to return, the whole situation has become quite the mess.

The Vikings have been the supposed front-runner from the word “go” if Favre gets what he wants, and that is his release. The Pack have stated that is not going to happen, and that Favre can come back and compete for the starting job, despite the fact they want to give that slot to Aaron Rodgers. Vikings coach Brad Childress called the whole situation “a soap opera” (no kidding) and that Tarvaris Jackson is still the teams QB. Stay tuned.

The Packers have accused the Minnesota Vikings of tampering with Brett Favre. FoxSports.com reports that the Packers have filed tampering charges accusing the Vikings of inappropriate communications with Favre. The charges were reportedly filed because of conversations Favre had during this offseason with Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

Bevell was Favre’s quarterback coach with the Packers from 2003. If an NFL investigation finds the Vikings guilty of tampering, they could lose a draft pick. Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, now says Favre is going to hold off on petitioning the NFL for removal from the retired list. ESPN.Com reports that Bus now says he and Favre are going to wait and let Green Bay decide what they’re going to do.

Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson has had to sit back the past few days and listen to all the Brett Favre talk, just like everyone else in the league.  The difference for him is that it could be his job that is lost if all the rumors about Favre wanting to play in the Twin Cities are true, and somehow, someway, the future Hall of Fame’s QB wishes come true and the Pack releases him to sign with the Vikings.

Jackson has now finally spoken, telling the St. Paul Pioneer Press the following about his thoughts when it comes to Favre and the possibility of him coming to the Vikings.  “You know me, if it happens, it happens,” Jackson said.  “I can’t control it, but I don’t worry about it.  All I can do is handle my business.  It’s my team until coach [Childress] tells me otherwise.  That’s how I look at it.  We’re looking forward to a great season.  I keep up with it because I’m a sports fan.  But every time a quarterback comes up, they throw me in there.  It’s nothing new.  I know what’s going on inside the organization.  We’re a family.  We don’t worry about what people outside the organization feel.”

Jackson has been getting the support of the coaches and front office for the last year, but you have to know if Minnesota can find a way to get Favre, they would, and for now, it would cost Jackson his job.  Maybe in the end all the talk about Favre in Minnesota will only help Jackson be more motivated to play better and finally reach that potential that many have waited to see from him.

Game on.

Earlier today I wrote a piece about Minnesota putting their stock in QB Tarvaris Jackson and trusting him with the offense this season.  In some ways, its a very risky move.  Now while the Vikings have been saying all along that Jackson is there man, it was before someone else got into the mix.  Brett Favre.

The word is Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, sent a letter to the Pack asking for his release.  Some sources, including Sports Radio 1250 Milwaukee are reporting that the Vikings have already sent out feelers about signing Favre, as long as he gets released and they lose nothing in the process.

Favre to the Vikings would be the story of the year in the NFL.  A Hall of Fame to be QB leaves Green Bay to play for the rival Vikings?! And how do you think Jackson feels right now?  He’s probably sick to his stomach to say the least.  And just in case you forgot, guess who opens up Monday Night Football this year - the Vikings and the Packers in Green Bay.

That was also the night they were supposed to retire Farve’s number.  Now it could very well be the night they try to stop him from spoiling their season opener, and from trying to dethrone the Pack as the division champs.  This saga is going to steal all the NFL headlines, as well it should - it makes for some of the best drama this offseason to date.

It appears that the Brett Fave vs Packers saga is about to take a rather ugly and fast twist, as reports from various sources are saying that Favre has formally asked the team for his release in a letter sent by his agent, James “Bus” Cook. The story goes that Favre realizes that the Pack does not want him back, not a huge secret at this point, so his desire is for his release to play elsewhere in 2008.

The letter stated that he would like to have an amicable parting, meaning basically he wants no hard feelings when he likely goes to a team that the Pack will have to take on twice a year (Vikings and Bears) and maybe have to fight for the NFC North division title. The Packers did release a statement about the situation and their thoughts on Favre:

“Brett earned and exercised the right to retire on his terms. We wanted him to return and welcomed him back on more than one occasion. Brett’s press conference and subsequent conversations in the following weeks illustrated his commitment to retirement. The finality of his decision to retire was accepted by the organization. At that point, the Green Bay Packers made the commitment to move forward with our football team.”

In other words, Aaron Rodgers is the teams starting QB, no ifs, ands or buts, and Favre if he wants to come back is going to have to play elsewhere, which it now appears he wants to do with the announcement of asking the Pack for his release. The question now is what teams will line up to grab Favre when the Pack finally lets him go. The Vikings and Bears again appear at the top of the list, but many more may very well be lying in wait awating for the moment he’s a free man.

Last season the Minnesota Vikings went 8-8 and missed the playoffs due to a late season loss to the Redskins. There offense was paced by superstar in the making rookie RB Adrian Peterson, who rushed onto the scene and put up huge numbers, 1341 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. While he was as impressive as a rookie back as maybe there ever was, questions about the future of the quarterback position in Minnesota remains.

Can 3rd year pro Tarvaris Jackson finally turn the corner? If he doesn’t early enough in the year, do the Vikings get an itchy trigger finger and turn to someone else? Jackson does not get much respect, as despite going 8-4 as a starter a year ago, many feel that in the end, he’ll be what holds the Vikings back from getting to the next level. A level that seems as close as ever with the Packers losing (at least for now) their Hall of Fame QB to “retirement,” the Bears having little to no offense to challenge whatsoever, and the Lions being, well, the Lions.

Last season with a team that grabbed headlines due to Peterson and a pretty solid defense, Jackson threw nine TD’s and 12 picks, and only threw for 159 yards per game. While the Vikings offense is not built around needing a QB to throw for 300 yards every week, there are plenty of analysts out there that feel that when they need it, Jackson is not going to be able to deliver in the clutch, leaving Minnesota in a bind.

During the Vikings five-game winning streak in November, Jackson still has his moments where he made bad decisions, and still turned the ball over, but yet the Vikings were able to overcome it. Can they do the same in 2008? They will return a running game that should stay in or near the top of the league with Peterson and backup Chester Taylor. The defense upgraded with the “steal” of Jared Allen from KC, as he and the rest of that unit will make life tough on opposing offenses.

That leaves Jackson, who while getting praise from coaches and teammates about his offseason still has plenty to prove. In 16 pro games, 14 of which were starts, Jackson has thrown 11 TD’s and 16 interceptions, with putting up just 139.1 yards per game in the air. The team grabbed the most high profile free agent WR on the market that was available (minus Randy Moss who was never going to leave the Pats) in former Bear Bernard Berrian to give Jackson a go-to guy. Will it be enough?

Minnesota did make a play and almost pulled off a trade for Texans QB Sage Rosenfels this offseason, but the deal never got done. While Jackson has more physical skills at this point than Rosenfels, it should seep a little doubt in his mind why the team was trying so hard to get his services. When that deal went down the drain, the team signed ancient Gus Frerotte, who in no way is near where Jackson is.

“People are going to say what they want to say,” Jackson said. “It’s their job to analyze things and to give their opinion. My job is to go out there and prove them wrong.” If Jackson can’t prove them wrong early enough, the team may have to consider their options, as the talent on this team is too good this season and the shot to win the NFC North is in their sights. They can’t allow a QB that is going to make critical mistakes to get in their way and trip them up. Jackson has to show this year he’s not that type of QB.

The career of quarterback Kelly Holcomb is over, as the 13-year-pro announced that he is retiring. Last season Holcomb played for the Vikings, and appeared in three games, throwing two touchdowns and one pick in throwing for 515 yards. He started his career with the Colts, where he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played in five games in 97, staring one.

His career really took off after the Colts released him in 2000 and he signed with the Browns. After a few years as a backup, he eventually took the role of starter away from former number one pick Tim Couch. He started a few games early in 2004, but then suffered a broken bone in his leg, and then the season went south and by the time he knew it, the team was headed for a bad season. He backed up Jeff Garcia his last season with the team.

From there he went to Buffalo, and played half the games the first season, and then last season didn’t play a game. He went to Philly in 2007, never played, and then was moved to the Vikings where he finished up his career. He will now become the game-day radio reporter for his alma-mater, Middle Tennessee State.

“It’s something I always wanted to do, radio and TV,” Holcomb said. “People ask me if I plan to coach, and I have no aspirations to do that right now. But I like looking at the game from the radio and TV angles. “I’ve done some of that with ESPN and Fox. I like it and I think I could be pretty good at it. I’m happy to do it with (MTSU).”

A few days ago we threw out what we felt were going to be the five worst offenses in the NFL coming into 2008. Now on the positive side, we’re back to give you the other side of the ball - the defenses, and what five teams are going to have have top notch and the best defenses entering the season.

1. San Diego - The Chargers have a great blend of speed and power, and their three main parts of their defense - D-line, linebackers, and secondary all have playmakers. Shawne Merriman is a beast among linebackers, Antonio Cromartie is one of the most exciting corners in the league, and Jamal Williams, Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky make up a solid front three. This team is going to be tough to move on in 2008.

2. New York Giants - The defending Super Bowl champs return with a solid defense that should again make life tough on QB’s in 08. Even losing Michael Strahan, they still have a solid front line with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, LB core led by Mathias Kiwanuka, and good enough secondary to get the job done. The safety position has a few question marks, but overall this team is all about pressure, as their 53 sacks a year ago proved.

3. Dallas - Getting Adam “don’t call me Pacman” Jones will help a secondary that needs a boost, now the only question is will be eligible to play this year. Adding Zach Thomas brings some leadership to the defense as well as a guy that can still play. The LB tandem of Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware will give QB’s nightmares, and should result in turnovers and hurried throws that will play right in the hands of the secondary.

4. Pittsburgh - After DE Aaron Smith went down last season, the Steelers D was never the same. They get him back in 2008, and the team should be able to regain its early season form of 07. Dick LeBeau is a master at confusing QB’s, and with young studs at linebacker like Pro Bowler James Harrison and 2nd year player LaMarr Woodley, he will have two players that can make a QB’s day very long. The secondary has it’s issues, but if Troy Polamalu is back to 100 percent, the unit can make strides under coach Mike Tomlin.

5. Minnesota - Love what this team did in the offseason, snatching sack crazy Jared Allen from the Chiefs. His play, along with that of Kevin and Pat Williams will make offenses have some sleepless nights. E.J. Henderson is solid at MLB, and Chad Greenway and Ben Leber also had good seasons a year ago. The signing of Madieu Williams gives the secondary another weapon as well, and he’s better than Dwight Smith, who he replaces.