Jackson to start for Vikings on Sunday vs. Falcons has 0 comments

Dec 19th 2008, 08:32 | FFN-Score: 4 points

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) - Tarvaris Jackson has reclaimed his starting spot at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

The team announced the move on Thursday, and coach Brad Childress said the decision has nothing to do with the health of Gus Frerotte and everything to do with the way Jackson has played the last two weeks.

"I thought it gives our team the best chance right now," Childress said. "It takes nothing away from Gus. It's more a product of what Tarvaris has done with the ball in his hand."

It's been quite a turnaround for Jackson, who was benched after losses to Green Bay and Indianapolis to start the season yet now finds himself leading the Vikings (9-5) into a crucial game with Atlanta on Sunday. A win would give the Vikings their first NFC North title.

Frerotte stepped in for Jackson in Week 3 and won seven of the next 10 games, but also threw 15 interceptions in that span. The 37-year-old Frerotte injured his lower back two weeks ago against Detroit.

And Jackson has filled in superbly, completing 70 percent of his passes for 268 yards and five touchdowns in six quarters of work to help the Vikings to wins over the Lions and Cardinals.

"Sitting back and watching Gus play, I think he's learned a lot from him," receiver Bobby Wade said.

That much was evident last weekend in Arizona, when Jackson was 11-of-17 for 163 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the 35-14 victory over the Cardinals that put the Vikings within one win or a Chicago loss of clinching their first division title since 2000.

The key to the transformation, Jackson said, was that he has learned to loosen up.

"I almost killed myself trying to be perfect," Jackson said. "Now I'm not putting as much pressure on myself. I'm just having fun."

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell likes what he sees from the third-year pro drafted to be the franchise quarterback in 2006.

"Tarvaris has shown an outstanding presence in there," Bevell said. "He's run the offense. He's done exactly what we've asked him to do. He's played well. He's brought us two victories in the last two games."

Childress wasn't ready to name Jackson the starter for the remainder of the season. When the coach pulled Jackson in September, he said Frerotte would be the starter for the rest of the year barring injury.

But that seems to have changed after Jackson earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Arizona.

"Gus is a great competitor and he would like to be starting," Childress said. "But he's also a great supporter. There's no down side with having two guys that can play."

Frerotte returned to practice this week and said he "definitely" felt good enough to play against the Falcons on Sunday, but was notified of the decision on Thursday morning.

"It's up to coach," Frerotte said. "Obviously I'm not happy about it, but it's coach's decision. I'll be out there to help this team, no matter what."