Tarvaris Jackson Happy-Talk
Minicamp is all about happy-talk…saying good things about guys the fans and/or media are down on in hopes of turning some of them around. And no one on the Vikings is a tougher sell than Tarvaris Jackson who despite going 8-4 as a starter in ‘07 still has lots of doubters.
Coaches and players are already out there plugging away on behalf of T-Jack. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke of Jackson’s improvement from last minicamp to this:
I think he’s better in every area from this time last year to where he is now. He’s made great improvements, and that’s a credit to him and how hard he’s wanted to work to get better.
Receiver Bobby Wade says the team believes in Tarvaris:
He kind of had a taste of what it’s going to be like in a career for a quarterback to get knocked down and have to get back up, have to still find a way to win games, find a way to manage games and lead a team. It’s the hardest position on the field, but you can definitely see his confidence in his ability and also the confidence that the team shows him.
Back-up QB Gus Frerotte sees leadership qualities coming out in his young protege:
I can see it. There’s no hesitation when he calls plays. He’s very confident with himself and how he’s handling himself in the huddle and with the other players. That’s really good to see. That’s all about being a leader and being a quarterback.
We know he has the physical skills…but does he have it between the ears? Most crucially perhaps, will he be able to develop the accuracy on the deep throws to make the Bernard Berrian signing worthwhile? I’m pretty sure he can handle the meat-and-potatoes West Coast stuff…now he needs to be consistent on the long passes. The pressure on him is a little different this year, I think, because the guy sitting behind him on the bench is someone fans in Minnesota have seen before, and know can chuck it. The drum beat for Gus will get real loud real fast if Berrian is torching people on fly patterns and the ball isn’t getting to him.
OK, enough of the confidence talk. Build on your experience from last year or I’ll be “beating the drum” for Gus or Booty.
June 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pmI still think Boots will eventually be the guy, but if we are to win it has to be a TJ breakout or hope Ferotte can be the veteran that can lead a playoff rush in a year the vikes need to come out and prove they belong. Maybe not a Super Bowl this year but hoping we can be knocking at the door. I’ll be at the Jax and tampa games so by then we’ll have a clue.
Skol.
Thanks for the well wishes gang. I can get out of the wheelchair and walk a few steps. That’s a hopeful start-Thanks.
hey vance your in a wheelchair. My homeboy i live with and take care of was hit by a bus on a crotch rocket. yeah it was bad. but hes still alive. hes in a chair too and they say he’ll never walk. did they tell the same shit or wat. and if so wat are you doing to bring back movement to ur legs
June 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pmI never lost feeling but as I skidded on the pavement I was bleeding to death and had mast trousers on until they could control the internal bleeding-47 units of blood! My back hed in the meantime contacted a flesh eating bacteria that invaded my lower back and hip muscles. They had to be cut out before it invaded my whole body. At that time they told my wife I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life. I kept fighting and astounded many when i stood in a walker for 5 seconds. Transfers from bed to a chair to a stand was difficult. I would often cry like a sissy but then gritted it out. I walked from my living room to the bedroom today. That is a very unbalanced walk as I don’t know what my leftover muscles can do.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:19 amI know a guy who was in the same scenario as your friend. He is in a chair but does not give up. He exercises his legs by hand and can get his chir in back of his truck and can use a walker to get back to the cab. I don’t let anyone say I can’t do something. I know my limits but do something different each day to keep moving ahead. Tell your Homie to do the same. It’s not easy but don’t get depressed. You fight, you smile, you love and pray. Despite what some think I don’t blame God but look to Him in a more real way for guidance.
I have a friend who is a minister that is in a chair and works in the Twin Cities with the disabled. It is not a religious crutch thing but a support group for the handicapped. Former Vikings safety Karl Kassualke is an active member ( he was paralized). It is good to have the support and understanding of similar folks. There are lots of activities including a wheelathon at Nakomis tomorrow.If your friend wants to follow up with them I will help. He can also write me to get in touch.
Tell him to fight back and keep living as if someday something special will happen. In the meantime, play the hand you were dealt, keep fighting to make new steps (no pun intended) and tell the nay sayers to screw themselves. He will find life has more to offer him despite the accident. I’m a better person for all this and he will be too.
vgerkovich@yahoo.com
hey man i really appreciate your words of encouragement. my freind says you inspire him he will write when he can. i would love to to have him take those classes but unfortuanately i live in frickin wa. i hope for the best with you keep fighting.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:35 amWould be happy to hear from him. it is frightening to wonder how far you can go before you know, this is it now live with it. On the other hand Iam a stubborn norseman and I’ll never pay attention. Have him write.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:54 amFrickin’ Wash St by any chance. My Godson played rt tackle there. I wish I could get the Vikes to call himfor a tryout. He made it to the last cut for 2 yrs with the TB Bucs.
I’m going to try to get a few more Vikes fans from FL to get on these blogs. We are passionate fans here. It will be fun to see who is at the Tampa and Jax games. We want to start a club.
Hey da2213,
. Does your injured pal live near you or in Minn? I was thinking and praying for him after reading your letter last night.
June 14th, 2008 at 10:05 amHow did you come up with the fancy handle. Think I got the 28 part. The rest sounds like a secret CIA code
PS My brain goes into little fogs so excuse my writing and memory errors. I can list the entire Vikes roster but forget names as I am writing. I also had severe blood loss where they told my wife I might wake up a veggie. It was like drowning. So I can’t complain.
holy crap brother your a lucky man to be alive. i can tell ur a good peson man and your prayers and thoughts and info has been generouis. how could you not your a vikes fan. but for real tho a lotta people dont like talkin about that stuff and thats cool that u wood pray for a complete stranger. thanks. By the way i live in Port Angeles, WA St. with my friend and take care of him.
June 16th, 2008 at 12:02 amMy name da2213 is actually just dazzle. the 2’s are the “Z”s, 1 is a “L”, and 3 is “E”, its my nickname. And ten Viking of course cuz thats the squad. then 28 is AP
June 16th, 2008 at 12:05 amVery unique and well done. I never came up with a fancy handle
June 17th, 2008 at 11:36 amYour friend is lucky to have a friend like you. Some friends get distant from an accident victim cause it is too difficult for them to handle. I am fortunate to have friends, who like you, are there through thick and thin. My poosey is even trying to figure how to get me to my seat for the Vikes/Jax game. That is what I mean in not giving up. I’ll figure out a way to have fun some way or another. Have your pal write. We had a mens prayer group and I mentioned him to the gang.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:42 amwhat if you go see that vikes/jax game you are tuly the luckiest man alive. i would kill to see the vikes live. that cool that you brought my friend up in your meeting. i try to look out for him the best way possible. I think it would be easier for you t e mail my address. i would write bacc his response. he just doesnt move to much he still has pressure sores. but any ways i will pray for yo and keep you in mind. my address is da2213@live.com
June 19th, 2008 at 1:47 amthanks VaNc3 for the feed bacc i like to think i have a name no one has
June 19th, 2008 at 1:50 amhey vance my bad mane. i dont even know my own e mail address its da2213viking@live.com. i just checked today and realized i ave u the wrong email. but this one works hit me up hope ur doing better
June 19th, 2008 at 4:22 pmSorry Have not checked in for awhike and just read your notes. Been busy but your friend has been on my mind and was wondering how his attitude has been Will write soon. Late but checking to see if you and JD have been on lately. Gotta check out the Culpepper story. I coached with his old HS coach
June 21st, 2008 at 2:18 amVanno
Awike??? It’s late Oh, gpt my Soc Sec approved and my retirement disability. SS on the 1st application-is that unreal?
June 21st, 2008 at 2:20 amhey go vance, god be with you man…..hope thing work for you and your wife in this yime of testing. never been through anything like this so i admire anyone that can. go baby go
June 21st, 2008 at 11:29 amsorry about the spelling, i’m a 2 finger puncher
June 21st, 2008 at 11:30 am