Vikings Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson Continued his Maturation in a big 42-10 win over the Lions
December 3, 2007
(Philadelphia, Pa) --- This Sunday was special as we witnessed
the continued maturation of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in the Viking’s
42-10 thumping of the Detroit Lions. The Vikings scored on their first six
possessions and Jackson was a huge part of the win. In the big win, Jackson was
efficient finishing with passing numbers of 18-24, 204 yards, 2 touchdowns with
1 interception plus 20 rushing yards. In the last three weeks all wins for the
Vikings, Jackson has shown discipline in the pocket, an efficient arm and a
strong command of Brad Childress’ offense. Jackson said after the game of the
now 6-6 Vikings, "We feel like we're getting on a roll and we want to stay on
that roll”.
The young second year quarterback from Alabama State seems to finally figured
out that he has the NFL’s most potent backfield combination (Chester Taylor and
rookie of the year candidate Adrian Peterson) to lean on and that he is not out
on the field alone. The Vikes rushing attack put up 216 yards against the Lions
with a healthy 5.5 yards per carry average. Those number were built upon
Peterson returning from a two game absence from a knee injury to rush fifteen
times for 116 yards with 2 touchdowns. Taylor also contributed 14 rushes for 70
yards with one touchdown.
Jackson has now made twelve starts in his brief NFL career and he has started to
show the talent that Vikings expected when they made him a high second round
selection in 2006. He had come into the NFL as a virtual unknown to most, but I
had been following him since he was buried on the Arkansas bench behind former
quarterback and now current Jaguars WR Matt Jones. Jackson decided to transfer
to a historically black college Alabama State where he flourished in a wide open
offense leading the Hornets to a 10-2 record and their first SWAC Championship
game victory in 2004. In his final season at ASU he led his team to the Division
1AA playoffs plus he started the East – West Shrine Game finishing his
collegiate career with 7,000 yards in 36 games.
With upcoming winnable games against losing record teams the Niners, Bears,
Redskins and Broncos, we may have the opportunity to see Jackson and the Vikings
in the playoffs.
--- Submitted by Lloyd Vance
