Wednesday (Great Debate) edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on July 2nd, 2008 – 11:13 AMBy Michael Rand
Today’s subject — other than “what happened to our series of tubes this morning? — is Tarvaris Jackson. As we mentioned yesterday, you can participate in this series as well by sending us a post (300 words or thereabouts) by Sunday.
Will Tarvaris Jackson be “the man” this year?
This would be the proverbial 900-pound gorilla in the room if not for the fact that everybody in the state of Minnesota – even within the Vikings organization – acknowledges it. The fact is that, barring significant injuries at other positions, Jackson’s development will be the single most important factor that determines whether the Vikings can make the leap into the playoffs and possibly beyond.
Last year was certainly encouraging from some standpoints, but it was also a very mixed bag filled with bad decisions (jump passes aren’t good), more injuries and a general unease when watching young Tarvaris play.
In order to be “the man,” as stated so eloquently in the question, Jackson doesn’t have to be Brett Favre (especially the part about the crushing addiction to pain medication). We hate the term “game manager” because it has been used and abused to the point that analysts don’t know what it means anymore, but Jackson does need to make good decisions on the vast majority of plays. That doesn’t always mean throwing it away on 3rd-and-5; sometimes it means tucking it under and running; sometimes it means threading the needle. It’s all about risk and reward at the QB position: don’t take a risk unless the potential reward is worth it.
Come to think of it, that kind of sums of Jackson. Brad Childress took a risk in moving up to get Jackson – a gifted but somewhat raw athlete who also appears to have the poise and leadership traits necessary to succeed – and the head coach obviously thought the potential reward was worth it. If we find out this year that Childress was wrong, the consequences will run deep.
It’s early July right now, though, and anything is possible. This thing could go one way or another way. Which one will it be?
36 Responses to "Wednesday (Great Debate) edition: Wha’ Happened?"
I don’t want Jackson to be a game manager. Brad Johnson was the ultimate game manager, and all that meant was that he’d throw the ball away five times per game and invariably hit the check-down on third down, even if it was 3rd-and-12 and the receiver would have to break 14 tackles to reach the marker. I hated Brad Johnson. I’d much rather have someone a little dynamic back there, even if it means the occasional jump pass.
Today’s link probably lost in space, but hey, here’s Devo and McDonald’s in the news!
Tommy Kramer, Wade Wilson, Tommy Kramer II, Wade Wilson II, Rich Gannon, Jim McMahon, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Daunte Culpepper, Brad Johnson II… among these Vikings QB alums I’d say T-Jax most resembles Rich Gannon. Gannon had a decent arm, used his legs to get in and out of trouble and I believe he even had a jump pass in his arsenal. If memory serves, Gannon also had a very good running game (Terry Allen, Scotty Graham) to lean on.
Will Tarvaris Jackson be “the man” this year?
What is it with Minnesota media?
Why do they alway’s fall in love with no talent QB’s?
Is it a race deal?
He sucks, and he will never develop.
I think he will throw for 2847 yards, 19 TDs with 8 INTs and QB rating of 89%.
Will T-Jack be “The Man” this season?
The answer is “maybe.”
End of debate.
NEXT!
“Today’s link probably lost in space, but hey, here’s Devo and McDonald’s in the news!”
Here is another well known 80’s head Ornament. Why didn’t McDonalds go this way?
“sometimes it means tucking it under and running”
That’s not always as easy as it sounds.
Can all of us here in RandBallyWood make a pact to ban the use of “T-Jack”? I mean, really, Tarvaris is such a pretty name, no matter how you pronounce it. And “T-Jack” is SO Access Vikings.
Clarence is funny.
Is it a race deal?
No.
Hey, great, the evidence is in: we all spent our stimulus checks on video games!
Yes, I know, I’m a statistician: correlation does not mean causation. Shut up.
“Hey, great, the evidence is in: we all spent our stimulus checks on video games!”
The point of the checks was to stimulate the American Economy. The only things that are still made in America that you can get for $600 or less are Cigarettes, certain hard liquors, and Beer (Not Miller…they are owned by a company in South Africa). Do not worry United States Government…I’ll take care of it.
Joker - don’t forget your everlasting support of American-made porn.
Personally, I don’t think that the key to the team making the playoffs this season is Tarvaris. He’s important, no doubt–but I think the person that is most important to step up his game is Brad Childress.
His rookie year, he had his head rammed so far up his own @ss it wasn’t even funny–even I wanted to see us fire him, and I firmly believe that a guy needs three years to prove himself.
Last year, he was marginally better–but it still took him WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too long to adjust to teams putting 8-9 guys in the box to stop Purple Jesus. It shouldn’t have taken two and a half games for him to realize that we had to split out 3 or even 4 WR–even if T-Jack had trouble throwing deep, and Williamson couldn’t catch, to free up some space.
If Childress can adapt more quickly, keep the offense fresh so AP gets some room to operate, and not overthink himself, T-Jack doesn’t have to make the leap all the way to superstar for them to do well.
Now, to win the Super Bowl…yeah, he probably needs to make that leap.
AZ
I’m more of an Asian Porn kind of person. It looks like they’re “Turning Japanese” but they’re not because they already are…but wait…
New debate:
Will there be another Randball post today?
Maybe he went to the game?
Maybe he left on vacation already.
Maybe get got fired for all of my comments
Joker, when referring to Rand as an unwanted offspring of questionable/right-winged parentage, you spell it “git”. It’s also common to throw an article in there. Like “the”.
Corrected: Maybe the git got fired for all of my comments.
No need to thank me. No one ever does.
Maybe he’s getting his pug ready for the 4:15 showing of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl at the Hastings Theatre
“No need to thank me. No one ever does.”
As shown in this case…
Warning: Link goes to ACCESS VIKINGS, do not scroll beyond the end of the post!
Well I just got back from the Twins game and wow did the Tigers lineup absolutely suck today. I’m suprised they didn’t ask the Twins if they could borrow a player or two to make the teams even.
Somewhere in New Jersey, Peter King is celebrating the rebirth of his career. Will Favre change his number to 45?
RE: Favre. It’s just so weird that this news broke before everyone left for the 4th and nobody would be paying attention to ESPN.
Oh, did I say weird? I meant to say GO THE [REDACTED] AWAY ALREADY. GO.
RE: Favre. It’s just so weird that this news broke before everyone left for the 4th and nobody would be paying attention to ESPN.
Is anyone going to call him out for being an attention-starved phony after that cry-fest he put on a couple months ago? Does this mean we have to watch another one of those next year? And the year after that?
I suppose it’s fair to note that Chris Mortensen may just be wrong again.
Michael
Come out of the basement, it’s time to get some more work done. You only have one post today and it’s already 4:20. Put the D&D cards away and get it done!
WHERE IS RAND? THE ODDS:
Sensitivity Training: 3-1
All-Day Meeting About Focusing on Core Competencies and Shifting Paradigms in the New Media Platforms of Tomorrow: 2-1
Sonic Run Gone Horribly Wrong: 7-2
Caddy Day at Sid’s Swimming Pool: 9-1
Minot, North Dakota: 20-1
The Field: 15-1
Favre reportedly spent the early off-season golfing with Roger Clemens.
Psh, Mrs. Rand- D&D doesn’t use cards! Gosh! Everyone knows that.
Rand has been devouring the 4th Edition DMG, I’m sure.
Hootie: Please tell me that you don’t own a die with more than six sides…
Erm no… Not at all. I uh, didn’t even know that they made dice with say 4, 8, 10, or 20 sides. Nope, no clue that such ridiculous things even existed.
/whistles nonchalantly
