While the media storm surrounding Daunte Culpepper, and the Minnesota VIkings has died down quite a bit, I am still left wondering, what are the Vikings to do? 

- - Quarterbackless in Minneapolis

I agree, the Minnesota Vikings are not in a very good position at this point.  Many Viking fans tend to look at Brad Johnson's history (superbowl) or his record last season (7-2), and sadly some at the color of his skin, and they see the Vikings next starting QB.  I cannot bring myself to even face that possibliity.  If the Vikings start Brad Johnson opening day, the Vikings will not win the NFC North, nor will they make the playoffs.  (bold prediction)

First, we can go over the positives about Brad, as he is not completely a negative.  He doesn't make stupid mistakes often (everybody makes stupid mistakes).  He knows when to throw the ball away.  And he is a proven veteren with clubhouse presence.  He knows the WCO quite well, and should have a pretty easy transition. 

Sadly, that's where the positives end.  Brad is 37ish years old (ancient for a football player).  He is faced with diminishing skills, and diminishing production.  In fact, it already has begun.  Let's take a look at how Brad Johnson's 7-2 record really played out. 

As a starter, Brad won the Vikings 7 games, but a quick glance at the teams he beat, and his performance in those games, leads an objective fan to run screaming from the room.  In his first start, he was absolutely hideous, the Vikings won that game on defense and special teams.  He was stumped by great defenses such as GB, Cleveland and Detroit.  The great defensive club that is the St. Louis Rams held Brad's passing yardage to under 200.  He only broke 200 yards 4 times all season (less than 50%),  Against Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago (week 17, against 5th stringers... seriously, a back-up center was plaing DT), and Detroit (1 out of 2 attempts). 

The Vikings success in those weeks could be crediited to field position.  The VIkings defense set Brad up with the short field on numerious occasions, and like any self respecting QB, he cashed in.  A solid feat, but nothing to write home about.

Now let's examine Culpepper's performance.  Culpepper really wasn't that bad for the Vikings.  He was still a 65% passer (damn good, and just think how high it would have been if the defenders counted as completions).  I still remember week 1, the VIkings were about to take the lead against the Bucs, but a phantom Offensive PI call on Jermaine Wiggins' TD led to a loss of 6 points, and the ending of the drive... (Wiggins had not touched his defender...)  Now i'm not saying they would have won that game, but week one they did not play all that bad, even after Daunte's INT fest...

I believe daunte had to go becuase of his attitude.  Childress didn't want to deal with another player demanding money, and not focusing on football.  and for good reason. 

The Vikings better have plans to get another QB on the roster, because Brad Johnson is a scrub.  Matt Shaub and Gerrard are both available for 2nd rounders (or at least they were at the beginning of the offseason).  I say the Vikings should ship one of the 2nd round picks they are holding and get themselves a QB.  Or draft one using that pick.

The Vikings could go QB in the first round, if by some miracle Vince Young or Jay Cutler flal into their laps.  I'm not a fan of Cutler, but I think the Vikings need to take a risk on a QB, and i wouldn't be opposed to trading up to get him.