The Vikings brass can blow any smoke they want to – they were mortified by the way Brooks Bollinger played in the 3rd preseason game against Seattle. Hence their quick action in acquiring a new back-up quarterback to take his place behind Tarvaris Jackson. Today, the Vikings sent what’s reported to be a 2009 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Kelly Holcomb. At the same time he announced the trade, coach Brad Childress made the smart move of declaring Jackson his starter – assuaging any fears Jackson might have that Holcomb, who’s already familiar with the offense, could come in and snatch the no. 1 spot away from him.
And what about Mr. Bollinger? Childress went out of his way to say that he expects Brooks to make the roster as the third-stringer. He also said that Tyler Thigpen will most likely be kept on the practice squad. The team has already cut Drew Henson, so he’s out of the picture. Finally, after an off-season of uncertainty, our quarterback depth chart is clear – Jackson, Holcomb, Bollinger.
It was a move that had to be made – anyone who watched Bollinger’s performance against Seattle knows this. Now, with a genuine veteran behind Tarvaris, we can rest a little easier. Should Jackson get hurt or fail to perform, at least we have someone we can go to, who has had success in the past, albeit a limited amount. And the best thing about it is that we didn’t have to give up much to get him – just a sixth-rounder down the road.
Reports say the Patriots and Falcons were also in on Holcomb – how happy is Kelly to not wind up in either of those situations? Let’s see, would I rather sit forever behind a Hall-of-Famer who’s never hurt, be the guy who has to come in and replace a dog-killer or be the back-up to an unproven QB in an offense I already know, replacing a guy all the fans were fed up with? I know which one I’d pick.
Holcomb’s career stats, should you be curious.
And here’s what Kelly said upon being acquired:
"I’m looking forward to going to Minnesota and being a part of something special. … I’ve seen Minnesota some. I think Tarvaris has a lot of ability. I think it could end up being a special team. I’ve been around awhile, so I’ve learned some things. Hopefully, I can come into that quarterback room and share some knowledge and help those guys out."
Special. Right.