The Lesser Of Two Evils

An NFL team's bye week (especially if it comes as late as Week 8, as the Vikings' has this season) is always an interesting time of the football season, more so for a losing team, as every facet of the franchise is picked apart and evaluated in order to find that winning formula that will carry the team to victory after the short layoff.  Being a fan of the Vikings, I am no different in my thinking, as I would quickly like to comment on the success of our two starting quarterbacks this season, and pronounce a verdict on who should remain the starter for the rest of the season (or until injury or ineffectiveness render another a change necessary):

Tarvaris Jackson:

Pros-A few years ago, T-Jack was exalted as the "QB of the future" for the Minnesota Vikings.  He has excellent mobility, great athleticism, and is the only QB on the roster with long-term potential (excluding John David Booty, whose time may only come way down the line yet).

Cons-As a QB, Tarvaris has been maddeningly unable to consistently throw a good deep ball to keep defenses honest, and has also shown a lack of "cool under pressure", often making a stupid mistake that costs his team the game.  Jackson has also been injury-prone (especially in his legs), and thus has rarely played with all his body parts at decent health.

Gus Frerotte:

Pros-Gus is a veteran who rarely (the Bears game was likely an exception) throws too many interceptions or makes the kind of bone-headed plays that costs teams points and games.  He can throw a great deep ball with accuracy and thus allows the Vikings to stretch the field at least to some extent (or, as much as their shabby WR corps. will allow him).

Cons-The long-term futures for Gus Frerotte are slim.  He is in his mid-to-upper 30's, and thus will not be a part of the Vikings' future QB plans whatsoever.  Also, he has very limited mobility on a team that often struggles in pass blocking protection.

So there you have it...the lowdown on QB's Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte.  Based on that evidence, I would have to say that Frerotte, despite his advancing age and declining athleticism, is still the best option the Vikings have at quarterback for the rest of this season.  Jackson may be athletic and more exciting to watch, but his mental mistakes all too often overshadow those physical skills and cost the Purple too many points.  The only reason I could justify starting Jackson the rest of the way is if the coaches want to give him one "final test" of his abilities to be an NFL QB, and perhaps put the season in jeopardy for doing so.  However, I have always been a proponent of putting forward the best team (and, in this case, offense) on any given week to improve one's chances to win, not trying to play for a "next year" that will bring its own challenges.