The Minnesota Vikings didn't take the Labor Day weekend off. With a trade of backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels on Friday, followed by the trimming of their roster to the required 53-man limit on Saturday, they greatly changed the look of their team from this spring, and the moves may not be over yet.
There wasn't much room for newcomers on the roster to begin with, as the Vikings are a very deep and talented team, and that may be biggest reason that Rosenfels (with Darius Reynaud) was traded to the New York Giants and that kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd was a casualty of the cutdown list. The team needed the roster spots, and four QBs and two kickers were a luxury, not a necessity.
What the Vikings received back in the trade from the Giants was a 5th round pick in 2011, a conditional pick in 2012 and a lot of grief. There has been much consternation in the media and in "Purple Nation" about the trade as many have believe that Rosenfels outplayed Tarvaris Jackson in the preseason and deserved to be the number two quarterback. Childress maintained throughout that he saw what he needed from Jackson in training camp and stands resolute on the decision in the face of growing discontentment.
"I'm not going to deal in hypotheticals," Childress responded in the Star Tribune when he was asked about the potential of a sixth-round rookie taking over if Brett Favre and Jackson were hurt this season. "I'm done with the backup quarterback. I'm done with it. You guys, if that's all you've got to write, good Lord."
Despite the regular season opener against New Orleans just four days, Childress was still answering questions on the trade on Sunday and his frustration was showing. But he maintained that Jackson gives the team the best chance to win:
"You have to balance the right now with the future," Childress said. "I think also I consistently stated to you guys the development I have seen with Tarvaris and the camp that he had. I think he's probably positioned himself, with the progress in the system, working knowledge and athleticism, to give us the best chance to win should Brett get hurt."
In addition to cutting Lloyd, who the Vikings paid a $200,000 bonus to, they also cut wide receiver Javon Walker, plus former Gophers Nate Triplett, Marcus Sherels and Logan Payne. The practice squad was announced on Monday, however, and defensive back Colt Anderson, offensive guard Thomas Austin, defensive tackle Tremaine Johnson, wide receivers Freddie Brown and Payne, fullback Ryan D'Imperio and cornerback Marcus Sherels made the squad.
Regardless of who stayed or who's gone, the Rosenfels trade could possibly come up again this season if Jackson is pressed into duty. And, if so, Childress had better be prepared for questions on it, because now more than ever he is linked with Jackson and will be remembered for his decisions regarding him now and in the future.
Comments
The great thing is when TJack fails Chilly will get fired!!
evan if t jack doesnt fail.... i still hope chilly gets fired
Oh, boy. Here we go. I wish I could say, "Oh, boy! Here we go!!"
I didn't jump on the Brett Favre as a Viking bandwagon real quickly, and was much more than satisfied in the end. Perhaps Chilly knows what he's doing. Perhaps. Maybe?
Farming out headline writing to Paul Simon, what, Bob Dylan isn't available, very clever Mr Joseph, remember however puns are the lowest form of humor,
that aside I suppose we are now a couple of torn ACLs away from seeing football Webb gems
The bard of Avon has your back. He used puns.
Dismember me if you really don't care. He once was a true love of mine.
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