Their quarterback situation is questioned, as is their defense, and for the first time in several seasons, their offensive line is not considered rock solid. Even Green's grip on the team has come into question. Whether those concerns are valid will be seen. But it's certain that if the Vikings are going to make a Super Bowl push, Daunte Culpepper must succeed at quarterback, the defense must be solid, the offensive line must be cohesive and Green must have the support of his players. This question goes beyond Culpepper and whether he has the capabilities of being a productive NFL player.
Few quarterbacks succeed immediately.
And, of course, teams with troubled quarterbacks rarely compete for the Super Bowl. So, a fast maturation of Culpepper is paramount to the Vikings' success. He doesn't have to be a Pro Bowl performer, but he can't be a liability, either. Some believe the new-look offensive line is more vital to the Vikings' chances than Culpepper. Once considered the Vikings' most stable area, the line is experiencing change.