As Leslie Frazier’s Vikings took the practice field in Mankato in pads for the first time Thursday, fan expectation for 2011 has likely lessened from a year ago -- but not by much. After an incredible 2009 campaign led them to an NFC championship appearance, Brett Favre's magic ended with a thud after an injury-riddled, 6-10 record last season.

But just when you thought it was Minnesota’s time to enter the proverbial "rebuilding stage" after selecting Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder twelfth overall, Zygi Wilf traded for the very guy many speculated would dawn the Purple and Gold years ago: Donovan McNabb.

QB Carousel
While it's no doubt a roll of the dice for McNabb, 34, who's coming off his worst statistical season since his rookie year, the asking price was right -- a mere sixth-round pick next year. The move will also place Ponder under the tutelage of the 13-year veteran, rather than throw him into the fire with a suspect offensive line (a la the Packers with a rookie Aaron Rodgers).

Aside from getting yet another media darling behind center, you have to think the move was intended to send a message to both fans and Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson that management is gunning to win both in 2011 and beyond.

And although the quarterback has presumably been shored up, there still remain a number of question marks after the whirlwind weeks of the condensed free agency period.

Life without Sidney
News: Rice was wooed to Seattle along with teammate Tarvaris Jackson, signing a 5 year, $41 million contract with the Seahawks.

They were able to snap up Michael Jenkins (Falcons) and Devin Aromashodu (Bears) in addition to second-round pick Kyle Rudolph, although it remains to be seen how great their roles will be as neither has ever been a 1,000 yard receiver.

Views: Not only do the Vikings lose their best deep threat, but the also lost out on a number of the other options on the market in James Jones (Packers), Malcolm Floyd (Chargers) and Braylon Edwards (49ers).

Expect Bernard Berrian and especially Percy Harvin to take on expanded roles as the outside receivers. Harvin, 23, is reportedly entering his third year ten pounds lighter, and optimistic about the migraines that have hampered each of the past two seasons.

Trouble in the trenches?
* Quick stat: Minnesota’s defense finished 2010 tied for 20th in sacks and 29th in yards lost from scrimmage after leading the league in both categories in '09.

To make matters worse, they appear to have lost four opening-day starters from a year ago in Ray Edwards, Madieu Williams, Pat Williams, Ben Leber and possibly a fifth in Kevin Williams, who is likely to serve a four-game drug suspension.

News: They signed Saints nose tackle Remi Ayodele, 28, who will be expected to start. Ayodele has just 2.5 career sacks in five years to Williams’ 20.5 career takedowns- a sizeable drop-off in both experience and production. Brian Robison, Erin Henderson and Tyrell Johnson have the early edge as the other replacement starters.

News: The Vikings also released left tackle Bryant McKinnie, the former No. 7 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. According to reports by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the move came after he arrived at camp at close to 400 pounds.

While McKinnie was a Pro Bowl selection in 2009, he did not play in that game after refusing to practice. The 10-year man was unfortunately at the center of controversy more than not, dating back to the Love Boat scandal in 2005.

Views: Regardless of why he’s gone, the fact is he’s gone and the Vikings are going to need to find a serviceable replacement for him fast. Reports are that Minnesota won't move Phil Loadholt over to protect McNabb’s blindside, after struggling on the right side last season -- that will belong to Charlie Johnson, whose natural position is guard. Can you see the issue here? It will be exponentially tougher seeing Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and Kyle Vanden Bosch six times a year. Stay tuned.

Bottom line: How costly could the non-drafting of Auburn’s Nick Fairley, Florida’s Mike Pouncey or Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi be now? Only time will tell, but interestingly enough, all other NFC North teams addressed the offensive and defensive line in the 2011 first round.

For Vikings news on Twitter, follow @Vikings_Live.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

-- PATRICK STUMPF
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

The pick: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State (12th overall)
NFL comparison: Chad Pennington

In my draft analysis last week, I wrote that the Vikings biggest need going into 2011 would be finding a franchise quarterback. In selecting Ponder, considered by most to be a mid-to-late second rounder, it's evident Minnesota simply panicked. After seeing Newton (first overall), Locker (eighth) and Gabbert (tenth) gone, Zygi Wilf and company were unable to find a trading partner, and probably weren't sure they'd get a sufficient answer under center depending on how far back they moved. My guess is that they felt backed into a corner, and the decision came down to Ponder or TCU's Andy Dalton. The three-year starter for the Seminoles possesses a high football IQ, scoring a 37 on the Wonderlic test, but his durability and arm strength are concerns.

Viking brass says Ponder will be thrown into competition with Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar, the lone quarterbacks under contract. Rumor has it the team will continue to pursue veteran options, such as Donovan McNabb or Carson Palmer. My question is, why reach for a guy with a top-15 selection and not give him every opportunity to start? While they probably will do so, after the questionable team management displayed last year anything is possible.

Ponder very well may turn out to be a solid player. It was just surprising that the Vikes passed on Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who was rated a top-5 pick on many draft boards. The Vikings could be desperate for pass-rush depending on the status of Ray Edwards (free agency), Kevin Williams (suspension) and Pat Williams (retirement) going into next season. The divison rival Lions quickly jumped on Fairley with the very next pick.

For Vikings news on Twitter, follow @Vikings_Live.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

-- PATRICK STUMPF
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

When Jared Allen, Ryan Longwell and Steve Hutchinson flew down to Mississippi last August to woo Brett Favre back to the Vikings, they envisioned at least a repeat of their magical '09 run, going 12-4 and falling just an interception away from the Super Bowl. Minnesota didn't fall on the same fortunes in 2010, dropping to 6-10 in a season polluted by scandal and in-locker room controversy. As we approach Draft Day, here's my assessment of the Vikings' need level in (presumably) their first year AF (After Favre):

Quarterback: Paramount
While Minnesota could go a number of ways in the first round (No. 12 overall), none could provide as much excitement and fill a pressing need like a quarterback. With the team's dip winning percentage went their quarterback ratings, as their three (Favre, Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb) combined for 26 interceptions and a mere 14 TDs. I don't see Jackson or Webb being long term answers, so if a guy like Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett falls, don't be surprised if Zygi Wilf pulls the trigger.

Running Back: Low
The Vikings already have the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson, and Toby Gerhart did a serviceable job as the backup after Chester Taylor signed with Chicago last off-season. This remains a lone position of strength.

Receivers: Medium High
They failed to have a 1,000 yard receiver, and Sidney Rice, arguably their best young talent at the position, is now scheduled to be a free agent. If Minnesota can't re-sign him, the Vikes will desperately need another weapon that can stretch the field. Outside of Percy Harvin who continues to be an unknown with his migraines, they don't have much, which is especially troubling if they start a rookie quarterback.

Offensive Line: High
Although they did not get good quarterback play, part of that can attributed to their offensive line, which surrendered 36 sacks. Bryant McKinnie will be entering his 11th year in the league on the left side and right tackle Phil Loadholt was singled out by the Twin Cities media multiple times this year as well. The problem is the interior line was just as inconsistent. It's going to take a couple of players to shore up this unit long-term.

Front Seven: Medium High
The success of their pass rush will rely on a bevy of players' willingness to return next season, knowing full-well the team will be rebuilding. Chad Greenway was given the franchise tag, and deservedly so as the team's leading tackler. However, three-fourths of the defensive line is in jeopardy of either leaving via free-agency or suspension. Free agent Pat Williams is 38 and likely gone, Ray Edwards could receive a lucrative contract from other teams and Kevin Williams will serve a four-game drug-related suspension. Thus, Jared Allen has the potential to be their only 2010 starter back. Ben Leber is yet another guy eligible for free agency, so if he chooses to leave, don't be surprised to see a linebacker selected early. Luckily for the Vikings, this year's draft is fairly deep across the board at those positions.

Secondary: High
Chris Cook was brought in to help last year, however, his injury forced the likes of Asher Allen and Frank Walker into significant playing time. Antoine Winfield remains a Pro-Bowl caliber player, but outside of him, who's going to step up?

Special Teams: Medium
Percy Harvin is an explosive player returning kicks, however, a 37-year old Ryan Longwell will likely depart and retire. Expect a new Viking kicker to be picked up in the late-rounds of next week's draft.

For Vikings news on Twitter, follow @Vikings_Live.

Follow Blog Blitz on Facebook and join the conversation.

-- PATRICK STUMPF
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

The 2010 Vikings season gave fans plenty of things to get angry about. Here are the ten that stick out in my mind as of this writing (were I to do this post tomorrow I would probably think of ten entirely different things):

1. We Lost to the Dolphins at Home
After dropping the opener to the Saints in predictably frustrating fashion, the Vikings headed home for a two game stand against the eminently beatable Dolphins and Lions. Did I just call the Dolphins eminently beatable? Well, that was what we all thought at the time. What we didn't know was that Brett Favre would throw three picks, including a goofy one to Percy Harvin at the goal line; or that Favre would get sacked and fumble a ball that the Dolphins recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Because of those turnovers, the Vikings fell to 0-2 and we got our first hint that we were probably in a lot of trouble.

2. Sidney Rice Messed Everything Up By Not Having Surgery Sooner
I know this has already been gone over more than enough, but I can't help it - I'm still ticked off about it. If only Sidney had taken care of the hip sooner and been ready for the season, we would've had him on the field for those early games and maybe squeaked a couple of them out, and we never would've had to trade Benny Sapp for Greg Camarillo, and we never would've made that dopey Randy Moss trade so now we'd have that third-round pick. The season was one big messed-up Rube Goldberg machine, and Rice putting off his surgery was the giant boot kicking the bowling ball down the first ramp.

3. Brett Favre Screwed Up Our Offensive Line
Favre screwed up our offensive line? Yes. It's only a theory, but I believe the bad line play and even some of the injury issues were created by Favre. Think about it: You're a Vikings offensive lineman, and there's this legendary quarterback behind you who is as immobile as a statue and so physically diminished that the next hit he takes could literally break him in half. So you're already playing tight, knowing you have to keep this guy alive or the season is doomed. But add to that the pressure of not wanting to be the guy who gives up the sack that ends the streak...well, you can see the emotional turmoil our linemen must've been in. It's no surprise to me that they played lousy and even ended up injured. I'm surprised a couple of them didn't jump off a bridge.

4. Jenn Sterger
It's a good thing I'm a gentleman or I would call this woman all sorts of bad names.

5. I Thought Firing Chilly Fixed the Offense But I Was Wrong
This one's on me for being a gullible buffoon. Yes, I actually bought into all that nonsense about the offense getting better because Chilly was gone. I believed Darrell Bevell and Brett Favre collaborating on the game-plan was going to lead to the Vikings terrorizing opponents like in 2009 and riding a wave of greatness all the way into the playoffs. Unfortunately, I left a few key things out of my reasoning. Like the fact that Favre was done. And that our receiver corps was never 100%. And that our offensive line couldn't block. And that Bevell is as big an idiot as Childress.

6. Our Stadium is a Pile of Junk
The roof caved in. On a stadium used by an NFL team. And they had to play in a division rival's stadium and then at a college stadium outdoors with the turf frozen to the hardness of a parking lot. How in the heck does that even happen?

7. We Wasted Another Great Adrian Peterson Season
How many great years does Adrian Peterson have in his body, when you consider the reckless abandon with which he plays? Think about it people: he's already played four years. When you draft a great running back you figure you'll be lucky if you get eight good years out of him. So, chances are Peterson is already halfway done. And if he gets hurt next year we could already have seen the best we'll ever see out of him. And what do we have to show for it? One Super Bowl run and a bunch of crap. Whoever ends up the offensive coordinator in 2011, they better design an offense that takes advantage of this guy. He better get 1800 yards and 20 TDs next year. I mean it.

8. Our Secondary Stank
Madieu Williams. Frank Walker. Chris Cook. Lito Sheppard. Asher Allen. This team needed fire insurance, there was so much burning going on. And yes, I know they got put in a bad spot because the pass rush disappeared for the first half of the season and there was no Cedric Griffin. But still. Come on. Take a decent angle once in awhile. Learn to look back for the ball. Hold onto the dang picks on those rare occasions when you're actually in position to make a play. Are you professionals or not?

9. Jared Allen Was Awful at the Start
I know Jared Allen got good again at the end of the Cardinals game and was able to carry that through the rest of the season, but that doesn't gloss over the fact that he got totally dominated the first seven weeks. You want to know the last time I saw a guy get erased that completely? I was watching Star Trek, and Captain Picard shot a Borg with a phaser. That's what Jared Allen looked like for most of the first half of the year: A big lumbering android getting evaporated by a bald guy with a ray gun. Okay, it's a weak analogy, but I'm only a blogger after all.

10. Randy Moss
Oh, Randy, we so wanted to love you again, but you had to go and bad-mouth Chilly, and talk stuff about that Italian guy's chicken, and tell everyone on-camera how much you love Bill Belichick. Plus you didn't do squat on the field. And you gave up on that ball on the interference call. Now our memories of you are tainted. Is there any chance of doing an Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind memory-scrub, just on the 2010 Moss debacle? Except the one good part where he made the joke about the Love Boat. That was awesome.

For Vikings news on Twitter, follow @Vikings_Live.

For more on the Minnesota Vikings, check out FanSided's VikingAge blog.

--DAN ZINSKI
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

The Vikings have named Leslie Frazier their head coach for the 2011 season. The move isn’t a surprise given to the way the team played for Frazier during his interim period with the team.

Frazier survived a tumultuous series of events which included the loss of his first two quarterbacks, playing two home games in different stadiums, a postponed game in Philadelphia despite playing in similar conditions just a week before and playing the last three weeks of the season with a quarterback who had been transitioning to wide receiver.

Throughout the hilarity, Frazier fielded a mostly competitive team and proceeded to finish 3-3. His best win and the one that undoubtedly solidified team owner Zygi Wilf’s faith in Frazier, was the rousing 24-10 win over the Eagles. The former defensive coordinator’s gameplan was simple: send pressure on Michael Vick and never allow him or his feet to be comfortable in the pocket. The Frazier added wrinkle to this standard principle is the use of veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield. The veteran quarterback was a missle on the field. He tracked Vick every step of the way. The announcers seemed incredulous that a player of Vick’s ability and talent could become unhinged and reduced to sheer mortality by the simple use of a cornerback blitz.

The deployment of Winfield was incredibly useful. It led to one Vick fumble, which Winfield scooped up and ran in for a touchdown and it led to numerous interception opportunities, but Minnesota only cashed in on one. Offensively, Joe Webb and the Vikings rushed all over the Eagles. Adrian Peterson ran as hard as he had all year and the Eagles wilted, preventing the team from a possible bye-week.

The gameplan, the win and the positive response by the players all contributed to a week-long celebration in Minnesota.

Last Friday, the Vikings and Frazier engaged in discussions about a long-term role as head coach. The announcement of this contract will be the fulfillment of a lifetime goal for Frazier. He’s interviewed for seven other teams but was always considered second-best. Denver came close to hiring Frazier, but ultimately choose Josh McDaniels, a coach the team fired this season. Frazier even interviewed for the Seahawks last year, when it was widely known he wasn’t going to get the job because Pete Carroll had already been hired.

The man who steps up to the podium when announced by the Wilf family is everything the Viking organization desperately needs. Frazier is organized, full of energy and widely regarded as a first class person - a complete 180 from the Brad Childress era that featured outright lies, poor people skills and constant in-house fighting. The makeup of the man is key as the job isn’t easy. Frazier faces the scrutiny of a fan base annoyed with the team’s effort this past year and a state that is stonewalling a new stadium. He inherits a team in transition. It is a veteran squad at a crossroads. His first big decision is quarterback.

But all of those decisions are still a long way from happening and Frazier should take the time now to enjoy his rise to the top of the coaching ranks. Best do this now, because the road is about to get rocky.

-- MIKE SCHAEFER
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com