Jackson evaluation still "ongoing," Childress said
Vikings coach Brad Childress didn't exactly give quarterback Tarvaris Jackson a vote of confidence, at least not publicly.
"That process is still ongoing," Childress said of Jackson's evaluation. "...But I was able to talk to Tarvaris this morning, and have a great eye-to-eye with him. Kevin (Rogers) spoke with him yesterday. I thought he continued to make progress, as we went through, and hopefully that’s a things to come picture of what you saw there in the last five minutes, playing wide open and cutting loose with it and making plays with his arm and his feet."
Asked if he would be comfortable with Jackson as his starter in 2008, Childress said, "You know, I don’t know that it’s ever good to get comfortable.
"But I’m glad that I saw progress from him – positive progress from him – and he has a lot of things that they collectively and individually need to improve on," Childress said. "So We’ll see if those things come to fruition as we keep moving."
Childress also said he expected Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger back, although he tempered that by saying, "good football players are what we’re all about, and I haven’t even started to assess the draft or free agency yet, and see what’s out there.
"So this is a fluid situation."
Finally, regarding Jackson, Childress was asked if he hasn't said anything more definitive about his quarterback to motivate him.
"Yeah, I’m not interested in trying to motivate him by leaving a cloud of doubt," Childress said. "He knows exactly how I feel about him. And, again, those are conversations that are between coach and quarterback."
Childress, though, insisted that improving the passing offense and improving the passing defense are the offseason priorities.
Other highlights:
* Childress said the Wilfs have given him full support in pursuing free agents this offseason.
"If we deem it necessary, money is not an issue," Childress said. "We just want to make sure that you’re smart, on how you’re spending your money, and who you bring into the mix."
* Still, Childress said building the team through the draft is the priority.
* Childress said he has given two teams permission to speak to his assistants. The Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins all have openings.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier would appear the most likely candidate.
* CB Antoine Winfield, DT Pat Williams, WR Bobby Wade, DE Jayme Mitchell and LT Bryant McKinnie all will have some sort of procedure during the offseason.
* Regarding WR Troy Williamson, "One thing I have to say about Troy is, Troy worked extremely hard this offseason to try to better himself.
"He tried different things. We tried different things to improve. He’s still under contract to the Minnesota Vikings, and he’s a part of those ongoing discussions that we’ll have next week when we talk about the receiver position."
"That process is still ongoing," Childress said of Jackson's evaluation. "...But I was able to talk to Tarvaris this morning, and have a great eye-to-eye with him. Kevin (Rogers) spoke with him yesterday. I thought he continued to make progress, as we went through, and hopefully that’s a things to come picture of what you saw there in the last five minutes, playing wide open and cutting loose with it and making plays with his arm and his feet."
Asked if he would be comfortable with Jackson as his starter in 2008, Childress said, "You know, I don’t know that it’s ever good to get comfortable.
"But I’m glad that I saw progress from him – positive progress from him – and he has a lot of things that they collectively and individually need to improve on," Childress said. "So We’ll see if those things come to fruition as we keep moving."
Childress also said he expected Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger back, although he tempered that by saying, "good football players are what we’re all about, and I haven’t even started to assess the draft or free agency yet, and see what’s out there.
"So this is a fluid situation."
Finally, regarding Jackson, Childress was asked if he hasn't said anything more definitive about his quarterback to motivate him.
"Yeah, I’m not interested in trying to motivate him by leaving a cloud of doubt," Childress said. "He knows exactly how I feel about him. And, again, those are conversations that are between coach and quarterback."
Childress, though, insisted that improving the passing offense and improving the passing defense are the offseason priorities.
Other highlights:
* Childress said the Wilfs have given him full support in pursuing free agents this offseason.
"If we deem it necessary, money is not an issue," Childress said. "We just want to make sure that you’re smart, on how you’re spending your money, and who you bring into the mix."
* Still, Childress said building the team through the draft is the priority.
* Childress said he has given two teams permission to speak to his assistants. The Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins all have openings.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier would appear the most likely candidate.
* CB Antoine Winfield, DT Pat Williams, WR Bobby Wade, DE Jayme Mitchell and LT Bryant McKinnie all will have some sort of procedure during the offseason.
* Regarding WR Troy Williamson, "One thing I have to say about Troy is, Troy worked extremely hard this offseason to try to better himself.
"He tried different things. We tried different things to improve. He’s still under contract to the Minnesota Vikings, and he’s a part of those ongoing discussions that we’ll have next week when we talk about the receiver position."
posted by Sean Jensen at 12:02 PM
6 Comments:
I know it’s still early, but this sure sounds like we’re gonna be stuck with the same mediocre coach and offense as in 2007……god help us!
Megdi...No help in sight...It is going to get worse next year..with same so called kick ass coach, kick ass QB and the great running receivers..yes..with a great pass defence...sorry...we will be back to 6-10...
Off-Season Wish List:
1. Donovan McNabb
2. Mario Manningham (Michigan)
3. Keep Leslie Frazier
4. 2nd round CornerBack
Feel free to add more...
1. trade a #2 pick for McNabb for the short term.
2. go ater WR Bryant Johnson, UFA, Arizona Cardinals-runs great routes, has good hands, and at 6’3his size makes him an appealing option.
3. Go after Andre' Davis UFA Houston Texans-currently has 563 receiving yards and three touchdowns on the season. Davis has also been able to impress as a return man on special teams. His 884 kickoff return yards with a few scores shows he's a dangerous return guy.
4. go after Jared Allen, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs In ’07, he has returned to form with 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles
Someone help me out:
1. Is McNabb a free agent? If not, would Phil. take a #2 pick?
2. Is Larry Fitzgerald a free agent? I would guess he would love to come home.
McNabb is not a Free Agent but it was said weeks ago that he could come to the Vikings for a 2nd round pick due to the fact that the team wants to get their #1 QB drafted in the last couple years on the field.
As for Larry Fitzgerald, I think he is a restricted Free Agent and you can bet it will cost the Vikings either a #1 & a #3 or it will cost them two #1 to obtain him.
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