One of the reasons we like doing radio spots (apart from the fact that it’s free advertising) is that the conversation sometimes gives us ideas for topics about which to write.
And so it was that the just-completed segment with our old pal Paul Charchian (who’s filling in for Paul “I’ve Got 250 Paid Vacation Days, At Least I Think They’re Paid” Allen) on KFAN in Minneapolis resulted in a light-bulb flickering regarding the current situation involving Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
Last night, Michael Lombardi of NFL Network said he’s hearing that Jackson will ask to be traded once the Vikes blow the horn for Brett Favre. We said that we think Jackson should sit tight, in large part because it’s too late in the offseason for him to get ensconced with a new team.
One of the impediments would be the task of learning a new offense without the benefit of participating in the offseason program, during which much of the playbook is installed. So Jackson’s best chance for getting up to speed based only on training camp and the preseason would come on a team that runs a similar if not identical offense.
And there happens to be one such team, in the same division as the Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers use essentially the same offense as the Vikes, which is one of the reasons why Brett Favre would (will) be such a good fit in Minnesota. Also, the Packers have two unproven backups to Aaron Rodgers -- Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm.
Thus, the Packers could end up being interested in Jackson. And Jackson could end up being interested in the Packers.
This potential dynamic, however, is all the more reason for the Vikings to decline any trade request from Jackson. His potential appeal to the Packers also gives the Vikings all the justification they need to refrain from cutting him, even if he fails to beat out Sage Rosenfels for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.