Rosenfels has early advantage

Sage Rosenfels turned in a solid opening performance that would seem to give him the early advantage in the Vikings’ quarterback competition.

The quarterback rotation system is well underway for the Vikings and it would appear all signs are pointing to Sage Rosenfels having a advantage in the race.

Rosenfels got the start Friday against the Colts and Brad Childress indicated that, regardless of who started the first game, the other would start the second – meaning Jackson will start Friday in the preseason home opener against Kansas City.

Rosenfels looked sharp completing his first six passes and finishing the game completing 10 of 13 passes for 91 yards and a passer rating of 95.4. Jackson, on the other hand, had a bunch of overthrows, completing just 7 of 15 passes for a passer rating of just 53.5.

“I thought he had decent rhythm, I thought he knew where he was looking,” Childress said. “He got the football up the field and checked the down. He had good command and so he started off this week and Tavaris will kick it off next week vs. Kansas City.”

The fact that Jackson will start against Kansas City shouldn’t be viewed as an automatic endorsement of his ability to be a starter. The signs point to Rosenfels starting the third preseason game as he makes his return to Houston to play the Texans in the game that most people acknowledge as the most important of the four preseason games – because the starters typically play the entire first half and a series or two after halftime.

It’s unclear why there is such a shroud of secrecy surrounding the status of the two quarterbacks, but, for one game anyway, it would appear the Rosenfels has a big advantage in the QB duel.

“I will let coach judge that, but honestly to me, personally I have a lot better to get,” Jackson said. “I have a lot more work to do. I will let coach judge the competition. I will let him evaluate that. I feel like I have a lot more work to do.”

SUNDAY NOTES

The Vikings will likely have word on the status of Bernard Berrian today when the team resumes practice. Berrian injured his right hamstring and was taken off the field on a cart Friday night. He was seen following the game walking very tentatively.

The injury to Percy Harvin isn’t thought to be serious. He didn’t play Friday due to a shoulder strain suffered in practice, which opened the door for Darius Reynaud to return kicks and Jaymar Johnson to return punts and a kickoff.

Although the Vikings have broken training camp in Mankato, they’re still going to have training camp-type practices this week, including a 1 p.m. practice today.

Former Viking Daunte Culpepper got the start Saturday in Detroit’s preseason opener, but rookie Matthew Stafford stole the show with a solid first performance.