Prediction for next season starting QB will be ......

[majorm]

I think, or maybe HOPE Cassel starts the season. I certainly hope he comes back.

I also am pretty sure they will draft a QB #1. They just about have to. Then if he's not quite ready to start, Cassel would be okay to have in the meantime.

As for who they should draft...who knows. I sure don't. Ask ten different people who they think the top QB is and it seems you get ten different answers right now. Hopefully some guys will seperate themselves between now and the draft.

One thing I am sure of; I don't want Ponder even tossing peanuts in the stands for this team next year. I'm hoping Zimmer might cut him in his introductory presser.

[MountainGirl]

This team already has a bit of a start with some nice young pieces. Patterson, Rhoades, Harrison Smith, Floyd, Kahlil, Rudolph. The retooling shouldn't be a long endeaver, 5 first rounders in 2 years was a nice thing. A QB and a few defensive pieces, and this team will start to contend. This 2013 team would have won this division with better QB play, and or better defensive play. Of course winning this division this year would not have meant they were a true contender, but they might not be as far away as some may think. A passer is a key at this point, because offensive weapons are in place. Norv is going to love having Patterson and Peterson.

I may have to rethink passing on the PCLs in the new stadium.

I agree with you, but I'm trying to keep from having unrealistic expectations. Zimmer is a great coach, but he needs some time. I'm going to predict 8-8 this coming year, and then get better from there, so I can be pleasantly surprised if they do better than that.

[PurpleHalo]

I agree with you, but I'm trying to keep from having unrealistic expectations. Zimmer is a great coach, but he needs some time. I'm going to predict 8-8 this coming year, and then get better from there, so I can be pleasantly surprised if they do better than that.

Yeah I wouldn't be upset with an 8-8 type season, especially knowing players are learning new systems on both sides of the ball. I am not impatient, I would rather see it built right, with a chance to contend through a large window, that is how the best teams set it up. But at the same time, most teams are limited by QB play in this age of NFL. I wouldn't be upset with 4-12 as long as I know wheels are in motion. And I feel wheels are indeed turning here in purple land!

[Sutsgold]

Here is my 2 cents on what the vikes are doing this spring.... This Vikings are asking season ticket holders to purchase SBL. I have been told that close to 70 % of the new stadium will be SBL's This is a huge dollar committement from fans who have been loyal and have never had to pay such an upfront amount to have the right to purchase their ticket. For some it will be 5k just to get the same seat they have been in for 20 years. I fall in this category! The Vikings are doing their best to excite their fan base, and dont be surprised if they make a move in round 1 up to get a qb. At the very least id say 8th pick will be a qb. Two that jump out will be Manziel (his name would create a buzz) and second Derek Carr (might drop based on his brothers performance in nfl) Im not saying they are the best players available or even the best picks, Im saying they will sell SBL's better than a defensive end or offensive lineman.

[themarksmann]

Mike Zimmer is our coach, not Leslie Frazier? I do not believe that Zimmer will start interception throwing, Ponder. And no way, Cassel will start. We need a good QB for AP, so for some of you suggesting us to start Cassel is stupid. But if you want Cassel to start be prepared to be last in the division once again.

[IrishViking]

Here is my 2 cents on what the vikes are doing this spring.... This Vikings are asking season ticket holders to purchase SBL. I have been told that close to 70 % of the new stadium will be SBL's This is a huge dollar committement from fans who have been loyal and have never had to pay such an upfront amount to have the right to purchase their ticket. For some it will be 5k just to get the same seat they have been in for 20 years. I fall in this category! The Vikings are doing their best to excite their fan base, and dont be surprised if they make a move in round 1 up to get a qb. At the very least id say 8th pick will be a qb. Two that jump out will be Manziel (his name would create a buzz) and second Derek Carr (might drop based on his brothers performance in nfl) Im not saying they are the best players available or even the best picks, Im saying they will sell SBL's better than a defensive end or offensive lineman.

I agree with you but remember they aren't moving into the new stadium next year. There are two more drafts between now and then not including this upcoming one. It would be silly to reach for a QB you aren't sold on to excited the fan base when you have two years before you get into the new stadium. I just hope they don't do something drastic. Like trade out of round 1 completely for draft pics next year. They need to keep slowly and steadily finding nuggets and putting them on the field. No all or nothing, pile all our drafts into one season and hope its the loaded one.

[Sutsgold]

It is true they are not moving into new season for two years, however, season ticket holders are being asked to pay for the SBL this spring. Ive already gotten two emails and a mailing from the vikes for payment on my season tickets. This is the earliest I have ever gotten this. Two years from now will be too late. They want the money now, and thus the coaching change, and soon the qb change. All the SBL money goes into the wilfs share of the stadium, so I am guessing we are going qb all the way this draft. Dont be shocked if we dont take two.

[Slick Rick]

Josh Freeman. I predicted this months ago.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

Something tells me Josh Freeman has a good chance of sticking around... I just think that if Norv is hired, he isn't going to want to give up Josh Freeman so easily.

[Slick Rick]

Yeah I wouldn't be upset with an 8-8 type season, especially knowing players are learning new systems on both sides of the ball. I am not impatient, I would rather see it built right, with a chance to contend through a large window, that is how the best teams set it up. But at the same time, most teams are limited by QB play in this age of NFL. I wouldn't be upset with 4-12 as long as I know wheels are in motion. And I feel wheels are indeed turning here in purple land!

I would be very upset at 8-8. This is a postseason team that underachieved last year. I predict 11-5 with room to improve based on who they sign, re-sign and draft. So, 11-5 right now, and if they make some very reasonable moves that I think they may, I could very well see them 12-4 or even 13-3.

Why? I think the scheme that Zimmer runs will benefit our defense in every aspect, especially our secondary. I think if we get the right nose tackle, our run defense will be return to 2007-2009 form, and if we re-sign Everson Griffen or Jared Allen, our pass rush won't drop off, and if anything, will improve with the upgrade at nose tackle. I think that the improved pass rush and run defense will help our pass defense, and I think playing more aggressive coverage will help cornerbacks like Xavier Rhodes, Josh Robinson and Chris Cook (If he returns, I don't necessarily expect him to) a lot, since their skillsets are more towards that type of scheming.

I also think, seeing they have the money to do so, that we could see a big time FA signing. Brandon Spikes, Aqib Talib and Jairus Byrd are all FAs that could help us out. Either way, I expect this to be a big offseason. The Vikings want to win before they move into the new stadium.

[Webbfann]

Whoa there, Mr eleven and five. I think 9-7, and I too would be a bit let down with 8-8. But not very let down. I'd also not be that surprised if we pulled off 10-6. But 11-5 is not in my sights. Of course this is the sort of thing I'd love to be wrong on, but Zimmer isn't Superman.

I would be very upset at 8-8. This is a postseason team that underachieved last year. I predict 11-5 with room to improve based on who they sign, re-sign and draft. So, 11-5 right now, and if they make some very reasonable moves that I think they may, I could very well see them 12-4 or even 13-3.

Why? I think the scheme that Zimmer runs will benefit our defense in every aspect, especially our secondary. I think if we get the right nose tackle, our run defense will be return to 2007-2009 form, and if we re-sign Everson Griffen or Jared Allen, our pass rush won't drop off, and if anything, will improve with the upgrade at nose tackle. I think that the improved pass rush and run defense will help our pass defense, and I think playing more aggressive coverage will help cornerbacks like Xavier Rhodes, Josh Robinson and Chris Cook (If he returns, I don't necessarily expect him to) a lot, since their skillsets are more towards that type of scheming.

I also think, seeing they have the money to do so, that we could see a big time FA signing. Brandon Spikes, Aqib Talib and Jairus Byrd are all FAs that could help us out. Either way, I expect this to be a big offseason. The Vikings want to win before they move into the new stadium.

[Webbfann]

Mike Zimmer is our coach, not Leslie Frazier? I do not believe that Zimmer will start interception throwing, Ponder. And no way, Cassel will start. We need a good QB for AP, so for some of you suggesting us to start Cassel is stupid. But if you want Cassel to start be prepared to be last in the division once again.

ROFl. Lets wait and see what the OC wants. That's probably more important anyway.

[NextQuestion]

Turner comes in and we sign Freeman and he starts, Shaub from Houston is signed as backup after being released, and we draft the kid from Eastern Illinois to start grooming for the future.

OMG no. Schaub is the worst.

[Slick Rick]

Whoa there, Mr eleven and five. I think 9-7, and I too would be a bit let down with 8-8. But not very let down. I'd also not be that surprised if we pulled off 10-6. But 11-5 is not in my sights. Of course this is the sort of thing I'd love to be wrong on, but Zimmer isn't Superman.

Well I've outlined exactly why I think it will happen, and I think it's very rational and reasonable.

I think we improve significantly on both sides of the ball, in a nutshell, just from a change of schemes and a few personnel tweaks.

We're talking about a team removed one year from 10-6, that closed the season strong after starting 1-7, lost several games in the final minute, and is now in the hands of one of the great defensive minds in the league. Upgrading at nose, QB, replacing Jerome Simpson with a healthy Greg Childs and hiring Norv Turner to get the offense back on track could be just what we need to win the division.

I was just thinking about how Freeman and Childs were on the same team in practice last year, and could have developed a nice rapport. I think that's your sleeper QB/WR combo of the year if Childs can stay healthy.

[Slick Rick]

Yeah, we don't need Schaub. Cassell is a perfectly viable backup.