Record 12-4
Additions
- WR Greg Camarillo, WR Javon Walker
- DE Michael Montgomery, CB Lito Sheppard
Losses
- RB Chester Taylor, OT Artis Hicks
- CB Benny Sapp, CB Karl Paymah
Draft Picks
CB/FS Chris Cook
RB Toby Gerhart
DE Everson Griffen
Clay – This is the toughest team for me to critique. Very little turnover which is a good thing. I like the addition of Sheppard to the corner backs. I think AP will have a bounce back year and make a concerted effort to hold on to the ball. The wide outs are hurting but should be deep enough to survive the Rice injury. Keeping EJ healthy for the whole year would make a big difference. The defense did quite well considering he and Winfield were out for a considerable amount of time. The schedule is front loaded so if they can come out of the first half with a winning record they should be in good shape. 11-5
Nate -Losing Sidney Rice for the tough half of the schedule will hurt, but its all about getting home field advantage for the Vikings. In the last 16 seasons the Vikes have only finished above .500 on the road once (1998). Last year they beat Cleveland, St. Louis, and Detroit before finishing 4-5 on the road. The Vikings have traditionally struggled both on the road and late in the year, so an easy schedule late and only one tough road game late (Eagles) could put the Vikings in a good position to get the #1 seed. They should win only 3 or 4 games in their first 7, but will win no less than 7 in their final 9. They could very well be 3 games behind the Packers if they lose week 7, but I would still expect them to win the division. 11-5
Austin - 12-4
