[Bette]

The 2007 season is in the books, and free agency and the NFL draft are still two or three months away, but there's no time like the present to put the Vikings under the microscope.
With players reporting for their final meeting today, here are four areas the team must address during the offseason.
1. PASSING GAME
It all starts at quarterback and whether the Vikings decide Tarvaris Jackson did enough in his first season as the starter to return as the unchallenged No. 1. But it goes beyond that. Jackson's inexperience could make attracting a top wide receiver more difficult, but improving the receiving corps is the best way to get a true evaluation of his capabilities. On the other hand, wide receivers Bobby Wade, Sidney Rice et al might look better if the Vikings trade for Donovan McNabb or another available veteran. If not, they need to get Jackson some pass-catching help to force defenses out of the eight-man fronts Adrian Peterson faced last month.
2. PASS DEFENSE
There is nowhere to go but up for the Vikings, who finished No. 1 in the NFL in run defense but last against the pass, allowing an average of 264.1 yards a game.

3. PASS RUSH
the Vikings need more from their outside rushers so they can be true to their Cover 2 scheme and take some heat off their besieged secondary.
4. PUNT RETURNER
With Mewelde Moore expected to depart via free agency, the Vikings will have a hole to fill here and Wade shouldn't be the answer. Returning punts is hazardous duty for a starting receiver, and there are plenty of players who can do better than his 7-yard average



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