Character

There have been many reasons for the Minnesota Vikings unexpected success so far this season. The defense, Percy Harvin, Christian Ponder's steady quarterback play, Percy Harvin. It's not so obvious but I think that the character of the team is the biggest reason. The character of the veterans that remain and the character of the young players that have been added. In a recent interview defensive end Jared Allen said that he wasn't sure what to expect this season. An exodus of players that he knew and the introduction of so many young players that he didn't know worried him. His skepticism was shattered at training camp. In the way that the young players worked. In the way that they bought into the program completely. In the way that the coaches didn't allow inexperience to be an excuse. In all of this Allen saw hope.

General manager Rick Spielman has made character a priority when he looks at the Vikings team that he has and the one that he wants it to be. That character might be best seen in rookie kicker Blair Walsh. After the first rookie mini camp following the draft the Vikings released veteran kicker Ryan Longwell. They'd seen enough of Walsh in one weekend to know that he could be "the guy." Despite being the only kicker on the roster Walsh saw every kicker on the street as his competition. He had the team's confidence but he found no personal job security. He felt that he had to earn his job every day. Too many players take what they have for granted. Even kickers. After the first game in which Walsh kicked a field goal to force overtime and another to win in overtime Walsh praised the rest of the team for putting him in position to do his job. He said nothing of his kicks. Fellow rookies Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith, Josh Robinson and Rhett Ellsion have all made an immediate impact on the Vikings early success. Not only do they look like future team leaders they are making strides in that direction now. On the field and off the field they haven't let inexperience be an excuse for not doing the job. The example set by the coaches and the veterans can be seen in the character shown by the rookies.