Welcome to the first installment of "MrNFL's prediction system previews."  On these posts, we will look at an NFL team, and grade them at different positions to figure out what record each team will get.  For a full explanation on how the system works, click here.

Today's team?  The Minnesota Vikings.

LAST SEASON: The Vikings had troubles last year, finishing 6-10.  The offense was inconsistent,  and while the run defense was great, the pass D was below average.

Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers

QB's: Tavaris Jackson, Brooks Bollinger, Drew Henson, Tyler Thigpen
WR's: Sidney Rice, Troy Williamson, Aundrae Allison, Bobby Wade, Billy McMullen, Cortez Hankton, Martin Nance, Jason Carter, Chandler Williams

This group does not have a very good look to it.  Tavaris Jackson has essentially no experience, Bollinger is average at best, and Henson...well...he just sucks.  Of course, they aren't going to be helped out much by the receivers.  Williamson has yet to show that he's more than a bust.  Rice is a rookie, and can only do so much.  The rest are either rookies or mediocre.  The Vikings are going to be strug-a-ling with these guys.

QB/WR score: 5/10

Running backs/Tight Ends

HB's: Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Mewelde Moore, Artose Pinner, Naufahu Tahi, Ciatric Fason, Wendell Mathis
FB's: Tony Richardson, Joey Goodspeed

TE's: Jim Kleinsasser, Jeff Dugan, Richard Owens, Stephen Spach, Visanthe Shiancoe

The running game should be a lot better off than the passing game.  Chester Taylor is a solid running back.  They drafted Peterson, who if healthy, is a very good back.  Moore is good as a receiver out of the backfield as well. 

If Richardson can stay healthy, he's still one of the top blocking fullbacks in the game.  Kleinsasser is a good blocking TE.  They don't have a receiving threat out of the TE, but solid blocking.  Overall, a pretty good group.

RB/TE score: 8/10

Offensive Line

T's: Bryant McKinnie, Marcus Johnson, Ryan Cook

G's: Steve Hutchinson, Artis Hicks, Anthony Herrera

C's: Matt Birk, Cullen Loeffer

I'd hope they'd sign a few more guys, because only 8 guys is a little low on depth.  They are set at center, Matt Birk is one of the top centers.  Hutchinson is a great guard.  Bryant McKinnie is a pretty good tackle as well.  The remaining spots are a bit of a concern.  Johnson has had trouble staying healthy, but he's solid.  Hicks is not bad, but not great.  Overall, they have a pretty solid line.

OL Score: 8/10

Defensive Line

DT's: Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, Spencer Johnson, Howard Green

DE's: Erasmus James, Kenechi Udeze, Ray Edwards, Jayme Mitchell, Khreem Smith, Brian Robison.

One of the reasons the Vikings had such a great run D last year was the beef inside, and they have a fantastic 1-2 punch at DT with Kevin and Pat Williams. However, the ends are a bit more of a concern.  Udeze is a good run stopping end, but didn't have a sack all of last year.  They hope James, hurt most of last year, can bring that pass rushing force, that they lack on this group.   They should be great against the run again, but rushing the passer still looks to be a problem, bumping this group down just a bit.

DL Score: 8/10

Linebackers

LB's: E.J. Henderson, Chad Greenway, Dontarrious Thomas, Ben Leber, Vinny Ciurciu, Heath Farwell, Rufus Alexander, Jason Glenn

Henderson showed he's a very good linebacker, and he'll get them tackles.  We don't know what 2006 1st rounder Greenway can do, he was hurt all year, and it's a big question whether this guy has success, or struggles.  Leber is a decent weakside guy, Thomas is alright, the rest aren't much.  I think this group is decent, not bad enough for a 6, but not good enough for anything higher than a 7. 

LB score: 7/10

Defensive Backs

CB's: Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, Marcus McCauley, Jerron Wishom, Dovonte Edwards, Charles Gordon, Michael Hawkins, Ronyell Whitaker,

S's: Darren Sharper, Tank Williams, Dwight Smith, Mike Doss, Greg Blue,

They have potential to have success at safety.  Sharper is a good veteran, Dwight Smith isn't bad.  If Tank Williams and Mike Doss can stay healthy, they can both be very productive.

However, the corners are still a concern.  Winfield is decent, but allowed a lot of catches.  Griffin is still only a 2nd year guy, and isn't great yet.  They drafted McCauley in the 3rd, but have little left.  The upside at safety just barely gets them a 7 here.

DB score: 7/10

Special Teams

K: Ryan Longwell

P: Chris Kluwe

KR: Mewelde Moore, Troy Williamson

Longwell is still a solid NFL kicker.  Isn't spectacular, but he gets the job done.  Kluwe doesn't have the strongest leg, but he is solid at placement.  Moore is a good punt returner, but with Bethel Johnson  gone, he or Williamson will likely have to take over kick return duties.  Overall, a decent unit.

ST Score: 7/10

Coaches

Head coach: Brad Childress
O. Coordinator: Darrell Bevell
D. Coordinator: Leslie Frazier

Childress was criticized a lot in his first year as a head coach.  While it may still be a bit early to judge, confidence isn't high in him.  Bevell was also a first year coordinator last year, and the offense had passing problems, despite Bevell being a former QB.  Frazier is taking the coordinator job after Mike Tomlin left for the Steelers head coaching job.  Frazier formerly was the Colts DB coach.  I'm not sure they can get higher than a 2 from me.

Coach score: 2/5

Recap
QB/WR-5/10
RB/TE-8/10
OL-8/10
DL-8/10
LB-7/10
DB-7/10
ST-7/10
C-2/5

FanIQ Says... (232)

"Prediction System" rankings: Minnesota Vikings Full explanation here. 7 categories. Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running backs/Fullbacks/Tight ends Offensive line Defensive line Linebacker group Secondary (more...)
(Q1 of 8) Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Consensus answer: 4.466	Asked by: MrNFL
Asked 6/18/07