Childress stresses QB competition

While quarterback remains a hot-button issue among fans, Vikings coach Brad Childress insists it will be a competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels.

Anytime Vikings coach Brad Childress addresses the media, the first batch of questions involve the team’s quarterback situation.

That was again the case when Childress talked to reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif. One thing Childress would not discuss was the Vikings’ potential interest in Denver’s Jay Cutler, who is off limits as a discussion topic because he’s under contract to the Broncos.

But Childress did delve more into the competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels, who was acquired from Houston for a fourth-round draft pick in next month’s draft. There has been a feeling that Jackson will have the upper hand because he is considered to be “Childress’ guy” and Childress’ comments probably won’t change that.

“We are legitimately having a competition,” Childress said. “Someone has to take the first step, the first snap. Tarvaris will probably do that. It doesn’t mean Sage won’t step up and earn it. I have to create a situation where both guys can be protected by the offensive line, get the benefit of play calling with Adrian Peterson.

“I have to get them both in all situations. Is there a certain time for a decision to be made? In a perfect world, earlier than later, but then the question could be asked, ‘Did you really have a competition.’ Typically it will be decided deep in training camp.”

The Vikings have been linked to the Cutler trade speculation and a recent Internet report that Minnesota was the first to talk to Denver about a trade won’t slow that.

Childress was asked about someone besides Jackson and Rosenfels competing for the spot.

“J.D. Booty is also on the roster,” Childress said, referencing the Vikings’ No. 3 quarterback in 2008. “It’s always interesting for me to see a guy that’s in his second year to see if he can make a move. He’s doing his homework, he’s changed his body around and is more familiar with the system. But if you’re handicapping this thing, those are the two (Jackson and Rosenfels) where the starter will be selected from.”

NOTES

It’s clear from their offseason moves, or lack thereof, that after making the playoffs this past season, Vikings executives were happy with the majority of the team’s roster.

Quarterback was one area of concern for coach Brad Childress and Co. and the hope is that the addition of Sage Rosenfels can create some competition for Tarvaris Jackson.

The Vikings made one their biggest moves of the offseason when they signed cornerback Cedric Griffin to a five-year contract extension last week. Griffin had a year left on his rookie contract. Otherwise, things have been pretty quiet at Winter Park.

The Vikings have added only two free agents from outside the organization, signing cornerback Karl Paymah and wide receiver Glenn Holt to one-year contracts. Paymah will battle for a job in the nickel defense and Holt likely will see the majority of his time on kickoff returns.

The biggest outside addition was the Vikings’ trade with Houston for quarterback Sage Rosenfels. That trade cost the Vikings a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. The team still will have six picks in the draft, including two in the seventh but none in the fourth or sixth rounds.