5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About The 2014 Minnesota Vikings

With the 2014 NFL regular season a little more than 10 weeks away, it’s time to start daydreaming about seeing our favorite team on the field. There are some reasons to be excited about the upcoming year and there are also some reasons to be skeptical. This time, we’ll focus on reasons to be optimistic about the 2014 Minnesota Vikings!

Here my top 5 reasons to be optimistic about the team:

The team has a fresh new defensive scheme. Gone are the days of the patient defense that just tries to limit yards after the catch. Now, the defense will focus on getting pressure on the quarterback and disrupting things in the backfield. Last year, the Minnesota Vikings were 31st in the NFL in total pass defense last year and gave up 37 passing touchdowns (most in the league). Hopefully, this defensive change will result in turnovers and a vastly improved squad.

Jun 17, 2014; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks with the media after morning practice at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

There are new leaders on the coaching staff. The offense will feature new coordinator Norv Turner and the defense has George Edwards as their new coordinator. When you add in new head coach Mike Zimmer and tons of new positional coaches, the 2014 Minnesota Vikings look to have a new attitude and new direction going forward. Last year, the coaching staff was criticized for being too soft. I have a feeling that softness won’t be much of an issue with this new group of leaders.

There is youth all over the roster. After two years of solid drafts, this team has a lot of young players to be excited about. While guys like Cordarrelle Patterson and Teddy Bridgewater seem to be getting most of the media attention, there are loads of young guys that will look to impress this year. Youngsters Xavier Rhodes, Sharrif Floyd, and Anthony Barr look poised to shine in new starting roles and many others will be fighting for a spot on the team. Youth and speed are what this team is all about.

They will be playing outdoors this year. There are a lot of football purists out there who feel that real football is played outside in the elements. The mud, snow and wind will be huge factors in the games hosted at TCF Bank stadium this year. That will be a huge change from the temperature and climate controlled Mall of America Field that the Minnesota Vikings played in since 1982. Now, the only NFC North team hosting games indoors this year will be the Detroit Lions.

Oct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) celebrates his touchdown run against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson. Seriously, he deserves his own spot on this list. Any time Peterson is healthy and has the football in his hands, it is time to get excited. Sure, he’s getting older, but that’s no reason to think that he won’t be productive in a featured running back role and now as a dynamic pass catcher in the new offense. He’s still the face of the organization and possibly the most exciting man in the NFL. When you’re a Vikings fan, it still doesn’t get any better than seeing Adrian Peterson on the field.

What is your favorite reason to be excited about the 2014 Minnesota Vikings? Discuss it in the comments!

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