Team Depth Chart:
http://www.vikings.com/TeamDepthChart.aspx
At a glance:
The Vikings seems to be all about the trenches. The offensive line looks very impressive, and the defensive line looks very impressive. That being said the QB & WR on offense, and the LB's and DB's (except A.Winfield) are sub-average at best.
I'm spending a lot of time this week talking about the Vikings because it's a team I'm pretty familiar with.
Madieu Williams has helped stabilize a fairly porous secondary (although they still rank 20th in passing yards allowed). Sharper is pretty good SS.
Winfield is one of the best run-support CB's in the league (ha! the Cardinals don't run!) and Griffith
is improving by the week. Call it a third season light bulb finally going off. Will he be able to hang with either Fitz or Boldin? Not likely, but is he some guy off the street? Not really.
Sapp is a below average player with great speed.
Leber and Greenway, both are capable of plaing either Sam or Will in the Vikings T2 scheme. Greenway should excel in coverage, but has been caught flat. Both are above average. Mike LB Harris is sub-average.
Cardinals Gameplan:
This is not a team to try and "get the running game going" on. Pass, pass, pass. On defense we have to contain Adrian "We shoulda drafted" Peterson.
Even at home I think the Cardinals are going to have a really tough time winning this game.
Dependant on suspensions, this could be the right time to try and generate a running game. If the Williams DT's are out it puts a much less acclaimed duo in the heart of the line. If the Cardinals show they're willing to try and run (and do so with marginal effectiveness) then the D has to tighten up, opening options on the outside. A win/win.
If the Williams are in, things get murky and very challenging. Say what you will about Jared Allen the person, the man is a pass-rusher and a run-stopper. The same could be said for Kevin Williams. Pat takes on multiple blockers and knows his position. DE Edwards is the weak link on the line, whose production hasn't reflected the 3 great players on his right side.
Offensively, the decision at QB won't be settled until the last possible moment by the Vikings. Official word is that Frerotte is the starter unless his back injury keeps him from playing, if he can't go the team will turn to Tavaris Jackson.
Jackson reminds me of Josh McCown. Physical tools, doesn't see the field well (yet, he's still young). Frerotte is a journeyman who could get the job done, but isn't going to be the reason a team wins the game.
The O-line has exceptional LT/LG/C/RG runblockers (RT Cook has been a disappointment for the team as a whole). These guys make holes. They are not spectacular in pass protection but don't have to be. Because of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Peterson's cutback and never-quit are deadly and I believe the Cards will have to open themselves to being burned by the pass on some occasions in order to stop this guy.
Taylor isn't as explosive, but that's like saying Jamal Lewis isn't Jim Brown. That doesn't make Lewis (in actuality Taylor) any less dangerous or effective it just means the guy above him is
rare. Taylor does everything right as a RB and could have a big day if the Cards let up when he's in.
The WR's are a disappointment to the team right now, but that may be because the team doesn't have a solution at QB.
Berrian was brought in to provide the QB with a number 1 guy, but hasn't produced in that fashion. After a good campaign last year, Rice has virtually disappeared this season. QB Jackson's favorite targets are TE Shaincoe and WR Bobby Wade. Frerotte seems to try and find Berrian on most occasions with mixed success.
This game is a great test for the playoff-bound Cardinals.
The Vikings have an electric running game and a capable defense, two things most other playoff teams will have.
This will serve as a litmus test for the Red. A win means that the team is on the right track.
Go Cards!!
