22-year old WR Percy Harvin is right there with Joshua Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns as the most lethal kickoff returners in the NFL.  Harvin palyed in 15 games for the Vikings last season and he returned 42 kickoffs for 1,156 yards (27.5 avg) with 2 TD returns.  Harvin has is all as a returner as he has mind blowing moves and the speed to take it to the house any time he touches the football.  Look for him to have another outstanding year returning kickoffs setting the offense up with good starting position.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE VIKINGS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  A+

The Vikings’ O-Line might be a tad overrated but they are still solid.  LT Bryant McKinnie got a lot of negative pub for blowing off obligations in Miami at the Pro Bowl so he was sent home.  He is a good pass blocker and he once was a dominating run blocker.  But, he needs to be more focused and motivated to get to his top level.  LG Steve Hutchinson is a really solid pass blocker but his run blocking is starting to slip.  Still, he will likely play at a high level for the Vikings once again in 2010.  Center John Sullivan is smart and he’s a good technician but he has problems with bigger D-Linemen.  RG Anthony Herrera is a solid all around player when healthy as he plays until the whistle blows on every play.  RT Phil Loadholt was so-so as a rookie last season.  The Vikings hope he cuts down on his penalties in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE VIKINGS O-LINE in 2010:  B

54-year old head coach Brad Childress is a solid leader for the Vikings.  He led them to a 12-4 (75%) record last season and they were also 1-1 in the playoffs as they missed appearing in the Super Bowl by a field goal in O.T.  The Vikings have improved their record in each of Childress’ four years as a head coach.  He has a 36-28 (56.3%) record during the regular season and he is 1-2 (33.3%) in the post season.  While it will be hard for Childress to improve the Vikings record for five straight years the team will be angling to win 2 more games in the playoffs in 2010 and he looks like he can get the team there as long as Brett Favre plays.

35-year old kicker Ryan Longwell might be getting older but he also appears to be getting better.  Longwell played in 16 games for the Vikings last season and he nailed 26 of 28 field goals (92.9%).  He also made 54 of 55 extra points as he finished up the year with 132 points.  Longwell has now played in 208 games in his NFL career and he has made 322 of 388 field goals (83%).  He has also made 536 of 543 extra points as he now has 1,502 points in his NFL career.  Longwell is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down any time soon.

28-year old Rhys Lloyd will be the kickoff specialist for the Vikings this season to preserve Longwell’s leg.  He played in all 16 games for the Panthers in the same capacity last season.  He has played in 35 games (0 starts) in his three years in the NFL but he has yet to attempt a field goal or even an extra point. 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE VIKINGS KICKERS IN 2010:  A

23-year old Sidney Rice made it to his first Pro Bowl last season as he was on the same wave length with Brett Favre all year long.  Rice played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Vikings last season and he caught 83 passes for 1,312 yards (15.8 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  He has now played in 42 games (21 starts) in his three years with the Vikings and he has caught 129 passes for 1,849 yards (14.3 avg) with 16 TD grabs.  If Rice stays healthy he will have another huge year in 2010 for the Vikings.

29-year old Bernard Berrian played pretty well for the Vikings in 2009.  Berrian played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Vikings last year and he caught 55 passes for 618 yards (11.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  He has now played in 90 games (60 starts) in his six years in the NFL and he has caught 253 passes for 3,779 yards (14.9 avg) with 24 TD grabs.  Berrian has also carried the ball 16 times for 90 yards (5.6 ypc) in his career.  Berrian will likely start opposite of Sidney Rice again in 2010 but he will likely finish third or fourth in receptions.

22-year old Percy Harvin made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2009.  He played in 15 games (8 starts) for the Vikings last season and he caught 60 passes for 790 yards (13.2 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  Harvin also carried the ball 15 times for 135 yards (9.0 ypc) last season.  Harvin is a outstanding special teams player too which will likely limit his touches offensively in 2010 as they don’t want to wear him out due to his smallish frame.

30-year old Greg Lewis will be #4 in line at WR.  Lewis played in 13 games (1 start) for the Vikings last season and he caught 8 passes for 96 yards (12.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He has now played in 103 games (24 starts) in which he has caught 135 passes for 1,795 yards (13.3 avg) with 8 TD grabs in his career.  Lewis is a solid #4 WR.

26-year old Jaymar Johnson played in 6 games (0 starts) as a rookie last season and he caught 1 pass for 9 yards.  He will have a hard time making the Vikings this season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE VIKINGS WRs in 2010:  A