Five Things The Minnesota Vikings Must Do To Become Competitive Again

I know all the Fantasy Football players will be upset with this comment, but its true. There is no reason to run Peterson this year, because Running Backs have a self life. They can just as easily become the best running back in one year and the next fall flat on their faces the next (Take Shaun Alexander) . Peterson has the uncannily skills of agility, speed, power, and great field vision. He could (if healthy) become the next Emmit Smith, but that is only if the staff gets him a great offensive line, and blockers. If the Vikings want to become Super Bowl contenders in a few years then hold back Peterson for this year until he has the pieces around him to become the next Emmit Smith.

So far Ponder has shown that he deserved to be the 12th pick in the draft, yet we haven't seen his arm besides the first Green Bay game. I would like to see more time in the pocket (which might not happen with our offensive line) and less scrambling for yards. We all know Ponder is fast, but I want to see if he can really lead this team with his arm. Unleash Ponder this year, show the whole world that he is Vikings quarterback of the future, because if he does not succeed there is a plethora of quarterbacks in this upcoming draft.

We need to see if Frazier has the ability to run a great team. Last year people begged for the Vikings to fire Brad Childress, and we got our wishes, but look at the San Fransisco 49ers and there coach Jim Harbaugh and what he has done there. I am not saying fire Frazier, but if he can not move forward then its time to look elsewhere.

Its time to go young. That means drafting better. Steve Hutchinson and Antoine Winfield will be considered for the NFL Hall of Fame. E.J. Henderson and Cedric Griffin have admirably played with pain. But this is not a sentimental league. If they can't justify their 2012 salaries, they shouldn't be back, and a lot of other veterans. Look at the Packers, they have formed that team around young, and great players. Take a page out of their playbook.

This one is easy. Play for next years draft, the Vikings could greatly benefit by getting one of the first picks next year. They could dangle in the "Suck for Luck" campaign or look to improve the secondary or offensive line or my favorite get Blackmon from Oklahoma State, he could help the Ponder succeed by giving him that deep threat that this team DESPERATELY needs.