This summer, there has been a lot of focus on Favre going to Minnesota.  All the while, the NFL's leading rusher from 2008 gets only a small fraction of the discussion time as of late.  I think it's pretty cool that the attention has been taken off of AD, I think it's kinda symbolic as to what might happen in the regular season. 

Last year was a good year for Adrian Peterson, afterall what RB had a better year?  But despite his success, you can't help but wonder if there isn't possibly more potential to tap with Peterson on a balanced offense.  Last year there were times when opposing defenses sold out to stop the run.  It allowed the passing game to make plays at times.  But I feel they could have capitalized more with the passing game than they did.

Will defenses force Farve with 8 man fronts?  As Packallday pointed out, there are some that think defenses would be willing to commit 9, given the right formation.  I don't believe this.  That would mean 2 guys to cover Berrian and Shiancoe.  I think Favre would have a field day on that.  But 8 man fronts against 2 WRs might even be a stretch.

So to come back around to my idea, What kind of impact does Favre have on Peterson's year?  How much better can AD be than he was last year? 

I just don't see teams willing to try 8 man fronts that much with Favre at QB.  I think if they do, Peterson puts up similar #s to last year.  Because that's what happened last year.  The difference would be that the passing game would be more successful than last year.  Berrian, Rice and Favre will carve up 8 in the box.  Think about Favre on that play action pass.

If the passing game were to improve, I think Peterson would see a lot of 7 man fronts.  That's when Peterson goes from 5 yds to 50 yds on a lot of plays.  I think the best thing about Favre in Minnesota is how he will help the running game. 

Being a fan, it's tough to throw out a guess as to how many yards Peterson will get in '09, but I think it will be higher than last year's #.  If defenses focus on AD just like they did last year, it would make sense he get similar #s as last year.  But can opposing D's afford to do that if Favre is there to make an audible?

Seeing how there is a core group of fans here that don't like to talk about Favre, and seeing how I disagree with them all, and seeing how I am a relative new-comer to the site, I thought I would bring up something that has nothing to do with Favre (at least for a couple weeks anyhow).

Who are the 5 most valuable Vikings on the roster?

You can answer this any way you see fit.  Here's my way:

1. AD - Probably the biggest no brainer to me.  So it will be interesting to see how many of you disagree with me on this.  AD could be the best running back of all time if he has a long career.  I think he already has made a play for the best Viking RB of all time, but I will need at least 3-4 more years before I say that with certainty.  Bottom line is, defenses must focus on him.

2. Jared Allen - I love this guy.  I don't really care for his off-field shtick, but it doesn't bother me either.  It's on the field that makes him a stud.  I love the fact that he plays the run effectively as well.  I don't really care for pass rush guys that are all about sacks.  Doleman comes to mind.  Jared is the best of both worlds and that is rare.  And on a lesser note, he has great enthusiasm.  You need a "Randle" guy on defense.

3. Kevin Williams - This guy is also a beast.  He gets a whole lot of sacks for a DT.  So in that regard, he is also multidimensional.  A lot of DTs can only plug up the middle, but Williams does both.  In a way it's a little unfair to compare him to the other guys I want to put in the #3 spot, because to me DT is such an important position.  Everything else that happens on defense is effected by what your DTs can and can't do.

4. Hutchinson - Now that Birk is gone, Hutch will assume the role as leader of the O-Line.  Again, his placement is based on how critical O-Line is to an offense.  If I were building a team, my first priority would be 2 DTs, then 5 solid O-Linemen, then DE, LB, and RB.  That's why I like the Vikes front office so much now, because it seems like that's their priority as well.  You might not say that 10 years ago.

5. EJ Henderson - This guy was having a breakout year last year.  He should come out all guns a blazin' with the D-Line the Vikes have.  We have not had a MLB like him since Del Rio and Studwell.  I love watching a LB dash through a hole and take down a RB 2-3 yards behind a line of scrimmage.  It always seems like a real backbreaker to the running game, almost like an INT to the passing game.  EJ is one of the guys I can't wait to see this year.

Other guys I wanted to put on: Leber, Greenway, P Williams, McKinnie, Kleinsasser, C. Taylor, Winfield, Berrian, and Longwell.

For anyone questioning Longwell, the guy has made some LONG, CLUTCH, kicks in his time in Minnesota.  Just ask teams that don't have a good kicker how much they wish they had one.

I know Viking fans have differing opinions on Favre.  Some can’t stand him, some think he and his arm are washed up, and others see him as the final piece of the puzzle that will not only bring home a Super Bowl, but stab the heart of the greatest rival.  This conversation has been played.

But what are the odds he comes out of retirement and plays for the Vikes?  Despite your opinion, which truly means next to nothing in the big picture, let’s explore the chances.

I think it’s fairly safe to say, if Favre does come back, it will be for the Vikes.  My guess is, if he can’t play in a west coast offense, on a team that’s built to win, that can stick it to Ted Thompson and create enough drama in cheese-land to get Thompson fired, then he will probably not come back at all.  If anyone can think of another team that has all these things, please suggest it below, but I can’t think of one.

Would he stay away because of his arm?  I don’t think so.  If his arm was messed up, why would he not have surgery?  He won’t need it for life after football?  My guess is time will heal it otherwise it would be silly to not opt for surgery.

Would the Vikings take him if he wanted to play?  I’m not really sure about this one.  Obviously there was interest in him a year ago.  Wilf came out a while back and said the Vikings have no interest.  But that was back when he was not really available.  And I find it interesting that it was Wilf.  Why not Childress or Spielman?  My guess is, if Chilly or Spielman said it, it would close the door.  But as is, the Vikes can backtrack on this statement without tarnishing the image of the brass.

Does Favre want to play for the Vikes?  Hmmm….  AD and Taylor behind him, a solid O-line, Berrian, Rice, Harvin, and Shiancoe in front of him, and a defense that’s really coming into stride.  Don’t forget a favorable schedule.  The offense he’s played.  If that does not sound appealing, I don’t think there could be a better setup.  Not to mention, whether Favre wins a Super Bowl in Minnesota or only wins the division, Ted Thompson is as good as got, stick a fork in him.

When I put all this together, I think the odds are, it goes down.

With Spielman putting red dots on a lot of potential talent coming out of college, I have to wonder how much damage do you do to an organization by taking talent that has a red dot on it?  My thought is that certain teams can take on Character Risk type guys because of the prevailing culture while other teams seem to get worse every time they add another red dot. 

Case in point is the Cowboys.  There was enough talent there to not only make the playoffs, but challenge for the NCF title.  Yet, when push came to shove, they got humiliated by a division rival, losing to Philly 44-6.  That's not just getting beat, that's getting beaten down.  But was it the Character guys causing bad chemistry, or is Romo just destined to be a giant choker, period?

Cincinnati and Oakland are other teams that seem doomed by Character Dot as well.

Yet other teams seem to be able to control a character guy or two.  Randy Moss has been fine in New England.  I always thought Marvin Harrison was a good guy until that thing at his car wash happened.

Can the Vikings afford a bad character guy?  I don't really think so.  And I like the Vikings approach so far.  Tice let the inmates run the joint, and look where it got him.  As much as people complain about Childress, I have to give him credit for recognizing that character is a factor to be considered.

So I'm sitting here at work, dieing to read some new Viking news.  I know Spielman is talking on KFAN this morning but my network blocks internet radio.  Anyone who can hear this and wants to share Facts and or opinions of this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, they had T. Johnson on right before him.  Any word on that would be cool as well.

I would love to hear facts but opinions would be great as well.