Vikings Will Sign Javon Walker
By Dan Zinski
Wide receiver figured to be a position of strength for the Vikings going into the 2010 season. Then bad stuff happened to Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin.
And now? The Vikings are so desperate for depth at wide-out that they’re reportedly about to sign former Packer and Raider Javon Walker.
Anyone who watched last night’s preseason game realizes that, without Rice and Harvin out there, the Vikings’ array of weapons looks rather anemic. The signing of a washed-up Walker will likely do little to remedy this situation however. The fix the Vikings really need? A healthy Sidney Rice and a healthy Percy Harvin.
I have little doubt that Rice and Harvin will indeed get well, and pick up where they left off last season. What really concerns me is how dismal the pass protection looked against the 49ers and their aggressive rush.
Brett Favre got flattened just a few plays in, then Tarvaris Jackson entered the game and spent the next quarter-and-a-half running for his life. In the end, the Vikings’ harried quarterbacks managed only 79 total passing yards.
Some of this could be attributed to us being early in preseason and the line simply not being ready for the Niners’ blitzing approach. But some of it must be chalked up to not having enough good, experienced players in the O-line mix.
Last year, Artis Hicks would’ve been out there with the second team at left tackle. This year it’s Chris Clark, who in two preseason games has looked about as awful as it’s possible for a young lineman to look.
Needless to say, if Bryant McKinnie should have to be yanked from a game again like he was last year vs. Carolina…well, he’s not going to be yanked, because there’s no one else to put in. Our only hope is that a decent veteran will get cut before the season and the Vikings will be able to snap him up.
You know you have offensive line issues when Ryan Cook is your most reliable back-up.
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