For sake of discussion, here is my week-by-week projection of the upcoming season. This is always a challenge at such an early point in preseason, but I feel comfortable taking a stab, based upon the current rosters and scenarios that are playing out across the League. This is just for fun, and I'm sure many will have differing views. If you are easily offended by any predictions that vary from a 16-0 record, you should be forewarned that I do not see that in the cards. Hehe.

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I have stated this before, and never found much support. And I am not posting this expecting to receive much (if any) agreement this time around. This is the time to shop #28 around to other teams.

The cold, hard facts are what have me more convinced than ever this is the decision in the best interests of everyone involved... even the fans who just want to be able to buy replica jerseys with Adrian's name across the back. Sure, they love seeing him play his heart out and occasionally break off a memorable run. But they must realize how short-sighted that all has become. Here are the facts as I see them, as we finish up the first week following the CBA agreement (in terms).

1. The Vikings are not going to be winning the Super Bowl in early 2012. They are highly unlikely to compete for a playoff spot this season, barring some incredible string of events. It seems to me they are not going to compete for a Super Bowl any time soon, and I cannot imagine any scenario under which they MIGHT be viable championship contenders for the next 3-4 years. Their division is much stronger now, and their own roster is a lot less formidable than it was a couple of years ago.

2. The Offensive Line is clearly in decline and not as talented as it needs to be. I feel McKinnie is a weak spot, and Hutch is getting older and banged up. I feel Loadholt has disappointed and may not be the player he appeared to be capable of becoming. The Center position is manned by mediocre players at best, and the RG position is shaky. How many times (and I saw almost every game last year) have we seen Peterson run into the backs of his O-Lineman? He is sometimes at fault, but often, I think he expects a little more forward push that never comes. His frustration level is only going to increase this year, and with no true vertical passing threat, teams will stack the box and wear down Peterson and the other RBs. Injuries are likelier, too, when everyone loads up against a running game and tries to take the only real threat out of the contest.

3. Peterson's trade value is at its peak. He is still young and his best year could be ahead of him. But the window closes fast on running backs who shoulder the load like he does. Now is the last time to get fair value in return by trading him to a contender who would pay for that missing component to the Title.

4. His contract is coming to an end and he will demand enormous money to sign a new deal. This franchise simply is not in the position to afford a superstar like Peterson for any longer. Trading him would bring (ideally) a decent RB and draft picks plus another player or two.

Summarizing:

Let's be real here. Other than drawing fans to the games to see Adrian Peterson play (unfortunately, while getting frustrated and/or injured), what sense is there in keeping someone of his talents in the middle of a no-win situation? The team is clearly an also-ran now. We are rebuilding, no matter what the PR department says. Ponder could take 2-4 years to be really NFL-ready and productive. He may even be a bust. We have no idea, but the average is 3-5 years for a drafted QB to be worth much. Peterson will have a lot less tread on his tires in another 2-3 years. So, he will likely be in decline by the time the Vikings are even sniffing at another Division title - at best. This is a roster in need of serious help at a number of key positions - that means we need a lot of fresh, young faces to revamp and retool. Do I need to outline some of those areas of concern? (OL-DB-WR-LB-QB) Better to trade Peterson now, while healthy and productive. At this point, we cannot afford to tie him up and he will bring the most in return. If we wait, sign him and then are cash-strapped, we will not be able to field as competitive a team as we need to.

Would I prefer to keep Peterson? OF COURSE. He is probably the most talented Viking player of this generation. But I am being real. The prudent, intelligent move is to shop him actively, get the most we can get in return - and set about the obvious task of rebuilding this roster. I restate - the Vikings are not a playoff-ready team in 2011-12. And they look to be a team that cannot compete for any Super Bowl run for the foreseeable future. (Don't forget how much older and ineffective much of the roster will be in 2012!) By trading Peterson now, we can retool faster and have better balance on the payroll. What if he suffered a major injury this season? Now is the time to parlay his desirability into something tangible - for his sake and the sake of the franchise.

I will probably get flamed for my stupidity, but I need to get this off my chest. I keep scouring the various sports and NFL sites, expecting to read some news of the Vikings signing a Cornerback or a Wide Receiver or some OLine help/depth. In my 50+ year old senility, I guess I would be guilty of overreacting, if I were in some position of importance with my beloved franchise in Minnesota. As an over-the-hill, never-was who has only been an armchair quarterback, I would feel highly motivated and compelled, actually, to beef up those areas where the team seems dangerously thin.

Am I just a fool, or would others be similarly inclined. I mean, I see other teams shoring up their ranks since the Saturday cut-downs. Maybe they snatched up all the viable NFL talent and there is nothing left for the Vikings. I would not have been inclined to go after Houshmanzadeh, but there must be a few decent WR prospects out there to bring in for a workout. And I saw more than a few pretty decent Offensive Linemen get cut. I don't have a ton of faith in the team's current OL (other than Hutchinson, of course) and it would seem logical to try to add some critical depth. I am very concerned with the depth at Cornerback, too. And I would hate to see what the team would look like if one or two of the remaining DB's got injured early on.

I am trying to be patient, but I just don't understand why they would risk a disastrous start to the season with such glaring lack of depth at these positions. Not to mention Kick Returns, which I would be hesitant to expose Harvin on. They intend to put Camarillo out there too, but he lacks ideal speed and moves for the role. Renaud will be missed, and this could be another problem area. I'm trying to be optimistic about the season, and think the Vikings have an outside chance to go deep into the playoffs, but this lack of depth at several key positions worries me.

Go ahead, tell me I am just negative or misinformed. I can handle it. I would just like to read something that tells me this team is making some intelligent moves in the right direction. Tired of no news... while other teams seem to keep improving.

My opinion (as a loyal, very long-time Vikings fan), after much consideration, is that the Vikings would be wise to see if they can acquire Jason Campbell for a reasonable (bargain) price. All signs point to the Skins wanting to let him move on, and with the way other veteran QBs have been moving for low draft picks, I am sure the Vikings could steal him away for a reasonable price. In watching his career unfold, I feel he has been unfairly doomed by terrible front-office mismanagement, weak coaching, and unrealistic expectations. Throughout his first years (after being thrown into the fray too early) he has been improving steadily, and has been a true warrior. He has not complained, as shown discipline and toughness, even in the worst of times. He has the physical tools and size, and is still young - with his best years ahead. If he had the right mentorship and felt he had a shot to resurrect his career, I think it has all the ear-marks of a great situation for whatever team gets him. The Vikings would possibly get their QB of the future for a low cost, and if they determine he is not the answer, he can be the backup or transition to whatever QB they draft next season. It is a perfect time to make this move, and not reach for a QB in this year's draft.

What do you all think?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4057069

This guy is the perfect fit for the Vikes! He is an underrated receiver and return man!! GO GET HIM, YOU DORMANT MONKEYS! http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4057069

Does anyone else see the intelligence of this move?? It is a slam-dunk! I sincerely hope the team will at least make some serious inquiries about Parrish!!!!!  PLEASE WAKE UP VIKINGS.

So, the Vikings, in their inimitable wisdom are setting out to plug all of the holes on offense and defense, by using our handful of draft picks to take care of it. Oh, I see how it works... you simply pick all of the players your scouts KNOW are phenoms; guys who will make immediate impact during their first years. Simple! Why didn't I think of that?!

Look, even if the geniuses in commnad make a trade or two between now and the draft, they have left too many holes to plug and still imporve the team. I can't understand what their brilliant plan is - but maybe that's because I'm no genius, like Childo seems to think HE is. I guess the joke will be on me when the team makes some blockbuster trade or eleventh hour signings of some superstars every other team missed out on.

I am bracing to be schooled now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3994444

Darren Sharper is a Saint now, according to this story. I am sure you'll all join with me in wishing him all the success in the world, provided his new team doesn't play the Vikes in the playoffs!  Good luck, Darren - You are a classy NFL player and always a gentleman. May you find the energy for several more productive years with your new team.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_11906852?_requestid=12386297#comments

I can't help but allow myself to think it is REMOTELY possible that the Vikings have been so quiet in recent days, because they are possibly putting all their efforts into acquiring Cutler. Yeah, yeah.. I know I am crazy. But, I am so convinced this is the best possible move they could make for the present and the future, I allow myself to imagine that it might work out the way I never imagined it could.

I wonder if there is a three-team deal brewing, and I think it's remotely possible, maybe not likely though. If the Vikes are aggressive and would offer up this year's #1 and maybe next year's #2, plus one of our current QB's (maybe Denver is thinking Booty would fit that offense?) and maybe we have to throw in one more player or pick. It is possible, right?

Or maybe you guys will say it is just crazy thinking. All the signs seem to point toward a serious rift in Denver, which came out of left field...but it is what I was hoping for all along, having lamented that we didn't draft Cutler when he came out. I was sure we could have moved up to snag him.

Do you think there is any reason to be optimistic here, given the news of the past week or so?

Reality check for true Vikings fans:

1. Bob Sanders (Def. Coach of Packers) has been fired. He is a good one and I would support hiring him to replace Frazier, who is probably gone soon.

2. Matt Cassel is franchised but that does NOT mean he can't be traded, and it makes sense for NE to donsider trading him. They will need a good backup for Brady, but they can sign another veteran. You can't tie up $30 million in two QBs, it makes little sense. I say trade them a Number One and a player or two for Cassel.

3. Let Birk and Sharper go.

4. Dump Bryant McKinnie for anything we can get.

5. FIRE CHILDRESS. Marty Schottenheimer got shitcanned after going 14-2, people. So it would by no means be unprecedented to can an unimaginative and inflexibledud like Childress before the fan base completely erodes and revolts.

6. FIRE BEVELL. If you need any more evidence that this guy is in way over his head, you must be blind.

7. OVERHAUL the Special Teams, starting with the coach. Pathetic performances all year long should be enough for even the most foolishly patient out there.

8. Consider trading Peterson for a big package of players/picks or a bonafide QB that can take this team where it needs to go. Reinstate Chester Taylor as starter, and get him another partner and move toward using a few two-back sets, etc.

9. Cut some of these posers at WR and obtain some FA wideouts or draft one good one and rebuild the slow and weak starters.

10. Offer a great enticement to Mike Shanahan or another proven coach and get him here ASAP. Let him adjust the concept and with the strong core we have he will instantly have a playoff-caliber team.

11. Trade up in the draft if possible.

12. Please stop lying to yourselves and make the bold moves necessary to save the franchise. Otherwise it is moving to Los Angeles or Toronto before long and you should facew that fact.

Best wishes to the real Vikings who play their hearts out or support those who do.

If serious changes do not occur I may actually have to turn away from my favorite sports team of the past forty years, because I cannot stomach it any longer, watching this once-proud franchise flopping around in futility for so many decades. Winning the Super Bowl is the only goal worth pursuing, and this edition of the Vikings is certainly no closer to realizing that goal than the last several iterations - probably a lot further from it than the '98 team that SHOULD have made it.

SKOL!