Commentary

Observation deck: Watch QB Bollinger

It's not out of the question for Brooks Bollinger to enter the 2007 season as the Vikings' starting quarterback, writes John Clayton.

Originally Published: July 28, 2007
By John Clayton | ESPN.com
MANKATO, Minn. -- Five observations from Minnesota Vikings training camp, gleaned from the team's Friday practices:

1. Bollinger on alert
Brooks Bollinger is an important player to watch this preseason. It's not out of the question for Bollinger to enter the season as the team's starting quarterback. Even though the entire offseason and training camp is geared toward making Tarvaris Jackson the starter, Bollinger is the fallback option. Jackson looks rushed as a starter. He has all the tools to be a good quarterback, but lacks experience and is learning one of the toughest offenses imaginable.

The entire season might come down to whether the Vikings made the right call in putting their faith in Jackson and Bollinger. It is too late to find a quarterback outside the organization to start the season. Rumors persist the team could grab Kelly Holcomb out of Philadelphia late this summer, but that would be a backup move. Bollinger has nine NFL starts. He's a young, somewhat frail 6-foot-1, 205-pound athlete, but he is smart.


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John Clayton

NFL senior writer
  • Senior NFL writer and commentator
  • Joined ESPN in 1995
  • Member of the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

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