With a new coach and an owner who was willing to spend a lot of money, the 2006 Minnesota Vikings is expecting a playoff run. The team's offensive line got a major upgrade with OL Steve Hutchinson from Seattle, Artis Hicks from Philadelphia, and Jason Whittle from the Giants. They should help pave the way for an improving ground game that was 27th in the NFL in rushing last season. Another upgrade may be running back Chester Taylor from Baltimore which will give them more depth at the position. Linebacker Chad Greenway was the team's first-round draft pick out of Iowa and should help improve the nastiness of the defense as will linebacker Ben Leber, which the team signed away from San Diego.
The loss that Vikings fans should be worried about are quarterback Duante Culpepper, at least if he gets healthy and returns to form in Miami. Running back Michael Bennett had worn out his welcome but was capable of being a strong back. On defense, LB Sam Cowart and strong safety Corey Chavous were capable of making their fair share of big plays, but defensive back Brian William's departure will weaken the secondary.
The QB position for the 2006 Vikings football team is not very deep, but in capable hands if Brad Johnson can remain healthy. The offense that Childress is installing requires accuracy and a strong leader, which is why the team was more than willing to trade Culpepper and ride the wave with Johnson. Full back Tony Richardson is a strong blocker, and that should make Taylor's transition to a full-time starter all the more easy. After letting wide receiver Randy Moss go to Oakland two years ago, this team doesn't have much in the way of pass catchers. Wide receivers Koren Robinson and Troy Williamson will be the top two, but WR Travis Taylor can be a threat to the opposition as well.
The 2006 Vikings football team should have a defense that is a little more aggressive than the jokes they have put on the field in years past. The defensive line is a deep spot with both defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams both capable of plugging plenty of holes. The end spot is a little bit more uncertain. The linebacking corps is not deep, but they are capable of holding their own with linebackers Ben Leber and EJ Henderson coupling with the talented rookie Chad Greenway. Minnesota has one of the top tandems in the league with cornerbacks Fred Smoot and Antoine Winfield. Free safety Darren Sharper is still very talented after spending 9 years in the league. Strong Safety Tank Williams will replace Chavous, but he's coming off knee surgery and it's up in the air what the team will get with him.
There are a lot of people expecting big things out of the Vikings this season, and it may or may not be with good reason. We think the Wild Card is going to come out of the East for both spots, but Minnesota should be in the running. Minnesota has a lot of new faces, including the coaching staff, but the division is rather weak and their schedule is soft enough that the team should have a good chance of posting a winning record. That means get your futures action in on the Over 8 wins total.
