07-16-2008, 02:01 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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The real 12th Man
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Childress says Tarvaris Jackson is his man
Quote:
As the Brett Favre saga rages like an inferno to the east, Vikings coach Brad Childress reiterated Tuesday that he's comfortable with Tarvaris Jackson and said his third-year quarterback will enter training camp next week as the unequivocal starter.
"I think I've always said that," Childress said when asked if Jackson is his guy. "I just think he's right where he needs to be in terms of being a third-year quarterback. Would I have liked to see him play 16 games last year? Absolutely, I would have. But I think he's in a natural evolution. He understands what it means to play an NFL season as a starter with all eyes on him, dissecting everything."
Childress has watched the Favre-Green Bay Packers poker game from a distance, but he's well aware his team has been thrown into national speculation as one of Favre's possible destinations. It's hard to imagine Jackson isn't aware of it, too.
"I think this: He's a guy that doesn't put a lot of stock in what he reads anyway," Childress said. "I tell you I read everything. Whether he says it and does it or doesn't do it, I don't know. I think that's the other thing. He's learned to deal with whatever the fickleness, which is the NFL or the fan. We're with you win or tie, and you can't tie anymore."
As the Favre situation plays out, Childress said he's only focused on Jackson's development and the strides he's made this offseason. Jackson went 8-4 as a starter last season and completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 1,911 yards and nine touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
But Jackson's development is viewed by many as the biggest question mark on a team that will arrive in Mankato one week from today with its highest expectations in years. Childress said he's happy with Jackson's progress, saying he's built "equity" with his approach this offseason.
"I don't see any back steps," he said. "I see the same work ethic, and those are the things that he demonstrates to the teammates and the coaches every day."
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http://www.startribune.com/25489064.html
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