Turner's Quarterbacks

There has been some speculation that the Minnesota Vikings are interested in LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Maybe. Maybe not. With the Vikings need at the position, every quarterback can be linked to the team. You can't really believe anything that is said as we creep closer to the NFL Draft. Mettneberger is often mentioned in Vikings draft rumors because he fits the type of quarterback that many have pegged as a preference of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Strong-armed, pocket passer. Turner has been saddled with this preference because of his time spent and work done with Troy Aikman and Philip Rivers. What coach wouldn't have a fondness for effective, accurate throwers like Aikman and Rivers. I think that people tend to forget that Turner inherited both quarterbacks. I think that it's a mistake to pigeonhole Turner as having a preference for a singular type of quarterback. He's experienced enough and open-minded enough to accept and work with a variety of quarterback types. He's worked with too many quarterbacks to single out one as his.

Through his coaching career, Norv Turner has worked with Troy Aikman, Heath Shuler, Gus Frerotte, Trent Green, Brad Johnson, Doug Flutie, Drew Brees, Jay Fiedler, Rich Gannon, Kerry Collins, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Jason Campbell. That's quite a mix. Of those quarterbacks, only Trent Green, Brad Johnson, Drew Brees, Jason Campbell, and Brian Hoyer were added on Turner's watch. Those were the only quarterbacks that might have been of his choosing. I find it interesting that after film review and workouts with San Jose St. quarterback David Fales, Turner said that the young thrower is a Trent Green clone.

The coaching combination of Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner has about all of the Vikings fan base very excited. Outside of one beautiful season from Brett Favre, the play at quarterback has been horrid in Minnesota. There's hope now with Turner at the helm. There's a faith, not seen in a long time, that Turner will select the right quarterback and effectively coach that quarterback. Maybe he can even revive the career of Christian Ponder. I don't think that the fan base has that kind of faith.

Norv Turner has worked with so many different quarterbacks that it's a disservice to his experience and coaching to narrow his preference for the position. I think that nearly all of the quarterbacks in the draft could be in play. Zach Mettenberger could be the one. David Fales too. Aaron Murray? Certainly. Tom Savage. Even that squirrelly kid from Texas A&M. Turner can can get positive results from a variety of quarterbacks.