A 13-year season ticket holder’s view of the Vikings from Section 201

Since the moment Brett Favre defected to Minnesota last week, there has been constant speculation Tarvaris Jackson would be the odd man out at QB. That would be a mistake.  While his tenure with the Vikings has been the source of much anger and frustration, Jackson’s sterling performance on Friday gave us a glimpse of his ability.

Jackson has started  19 games in his 3-year career including a 2008 season in which the signal caller tossed 9 TDs versus just 2 picks. Numbers however only tell a silver of the story.

Last season, about the same time he was benched in favor of Gus Frerotte, Jackson’s 15-month-old son TJ had a pacemaker installed to combat a slow heart rate.  The third-year signal caller did his best to avoid media coverage of the story. This guy has guts and character.

It’s true Jackson’s first playoff start was a clunker (15-35 for 164 yards, 1 INT), but keep in mind the Vikings were playing Philadelphia. Andy Reid will outcoach Brad Childress 10 times out of 10.  The QB facing the Eagles the following week didn’t do much better either. Eli Manning went 15-29 for 169 yards and two interceptions against the Bird’s hot defense.  Asante Samuel was only able to return his first pick to the 1-yard line instead of taking it all the way like he had the previous week.

That being said, it’s clear that Jackson has not won over the fans and many of them would love to see him go. Some have legitimate concerns, but I came across anecdotal evidence that suggests there are more sinister reasons for some of their complaints:

Jackson entered Friday’s game to a smattering of boos.  I however, clapped as he ran onto the field causing the guy sitting next me to ask, “You like Jackson?”  I responded, “Yeah, he’s got some upside and it’s not his fault Chilly put him in there before he was ready.”  The same man, now leaving his seat and heading down the aisle for a restroom/concession break turned his head and said, “Yeah, it’s not his fault he’s black.”