Despite Favre's status, Childress says Jackson's his man

The Vikings coach said despite all the media attention, his quarterback doesn't need to be looking over his shoulder.

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune

Last update: July 16, 2008 - 8:05 AM

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VIKINGS

As the Brett Favre saga rages like an inferno to the east, Vikings coach Brad Childress reiterated Tuesday that he's comfortable with Tarvaris Jackson and said his third-year quarterback will enter training camp next week as the unequivocal starter.

"I think I've always said that," Childress said when asked if Jackson is his guy. "I just think he's right where he needs to be in terms of being a third-year quarterback. Would I have liked to see him play 16 games last year? Absolutely, I would have. But I think he's in a natural evolution. He understands what it means to play an NFL season as a starter with all eyes on him, dissecting everything."

Childress has watched the Favre-Green Bay Packers poker game from a distance, but he's well aware his team has been thrown into national speculation as one of Favre's possible destinations. It's hard to imagine Jackson isn't aware of it, too.

"I think this: He's a guy that doesn't put a lot of stock in what he reads anyway," Childress said. "I tell you I read everything. Whether he says it and does it or doesn't do it, I don't know. I think that's the other thing. He's learned to deal with whatever the fickleness, which is the NFL or the fan. We're with you win or tie, and you can't tie anymore."

As the Favre situation plays out, Childress said he's only focused on Jackson's development and the strides he's made this offseason. Jackson went 8-4 as a starter last season and completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 1,911 yards and nine touchdowns with 11 interceptions.

But Jackson's development is viewed by many as the biggest question mark on a team that will arrive in Mankato one week from today with its highest expectations in years. Childress said he's happy with Jackson's progress, saying he's built "equity" with his approach this offseason.

"I don't see any back steps," he said. "I see the same work ethic, and those are the things that he demonstrates to the teammates and the coaches every day."

Childress addressed a number of other topics Tuesday. Among them:

• Childress had no new update regarding left tackle Bryant McKinnie, saying the league has not given him any timetable on whether it will punish McKinnie for his part in a brawl outside a Miami nightclub. McKinnie could face a possible suspension as a multiple offender of the league's conduct policy. Childress said the team will look at several players -- including Artis Hicks -- at left tackle in case McKinnie is suspended, which is something they did during OTAs and minicamp.

• Childress reported no injuries and said everybody should be ready for camp.

• The Vikings announced that owner Zygi Wilf and linebacker Chad Greenway will travel to Iowa City to show their support for the residents of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids who were affected by the flooding in that area. As part of the trip, Wilf and Greenway will present a $30,000 contribution from the Vikings, the Wilf family and Greenway's Lead the Way Foundation to the United Way of Johnson County Relief Fund. The Vikings traveling party also will assist in cleaning up the Iowa City Boys Baseball Fields at the city park.

• Childress is scheduled to ride in a Blue Angels fighter jet today during an appearance in Duluth. He is expected to take about an hour-long flight in a F-18 Hornet aircraft.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.