The secondary was by far the most disappointing element of that diminished defense.  By season’s end, fans were fed up with watching Frank Walker, Madieu Williams, Lito Sheppard and Asher Allen get torched play-after-play.  Though no one in the organization is saying it, overhauling the over-matched secondary must be a top off-season priority for the new Leslie Frazier regime.

Of course, remaking an entire secondary is more easily said than done.  Once you identify which positions need the most attention, you then have to find new guys to replace the ones you want to get rid of.  It helps to have young talent, as the Vikings do in 2010 draft pick Chris Cook, who showed flashes of potential this year in between injuries and the occasional terrible play.  But for the quickest fix, you need to dip into the free agent market or make a trade.
(more…)

• Derek Anderson is “a possibility” for quarterback.
• Matt Birk is gone for sure.  The team was happy with his performance, but evidently, he has had a “philosophical” disagreement with Brad Childress.  Hmm…
• Brett Favre shouldn’t be ruled out.
• John David Booty is viewed as a back-up quarterback, period.  He will never start unless things fall totally apart.
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh is almost certainly not coming.  Nnamdi Asomugha is definitely not coming (how awesome would he be lining up opposite Antoine Winfield though).
• Antonio Bryant might be a possibility at receiver, but there are concerns about his character.
• C Jason Brown is the #1 free agent target, followed by RT Vernon Casey or RT Mark Tauscher.  Jordan Gross if the Panthers don’t franchise him.  The team does not believe Ryan Cook or John Sullivan is a long-term solution at center.  Cook will almost certainly be replaced at right tackle as well.
• Caplan sees 2 large free agent signings overall.
• Darren Sharper is gone.
• If the Vikings do elect to go out and get a new quarterback, Matt Cassel is the #1 choice, followed by Jeff Garcia.  Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck are out of the picture.  Caplan dismisses my guy Sage Rosenfels.

My own personal reactions:

• Just say no to Anderson.
• Sad to see Birk go…he’s the only interview I’ve ever landed as a blogger and, obviously, he’s one of the great all-time Viking linemen.  Clearly, if you get in Chilly’s doghouse, you’re finished (just ask Dwight Smith and Marcus Robinson).  It must mean something that a guy like Birk, who is smart and knows the game inside and out, would have philosophical differences with Chilly.  This is another strike against Childress as a coach, in my opinion.
• I’m tired of thinking about Favre.
• I believe I’ve said that all along about Booty.  No one seriously believes that guy will ever start.
• I never thought they would go after Houshmandzadeh.  Signing two expensive free agent receivers in consecutive years would not be a smart allocation of funds (especially if you don’t know who your QB will be).  The Asomugha thing was always a pipe-dream.
• Bryant…maybe…I don’t know…get back to me on it.
• I wouldn’t overspend for a center.  It’s fine with me if Cook never starts again.  I’m cool with Tauscher coming here if that’s the way things go.
• Nothing more need be said about Sharper.  He was good for awhile and then he wasn’t.  We need to be faster at safety.  It’s all about covering space.
• Cassel just got franchised, so who knows if he’s a realistic possibility.  Garcia?  I thought Chilly didn’t like gunslingers.  Well, if he’d be willing to sign Favre…