Jackson says he merits job as starter; Childress to wait

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson had a strong fourth quarter on Sunday, rallying the Vikings from a 19-3 deficit with two touchdown passes and running for a pair of two-point conversions. He gained 32 yards on this fourth-quarter run.

By KEVIN SEIFERT, Star Tribune

Last update: December 31, 2007 - 7:48 AM

DENVER - Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson once again juxtaposed his potential and limitations in Sunday's 22-19 loss at Denver, leaving coach Brad Childress facing another round of questions about his long-term intention for the position.

While there are indications he wants to make Jackson his likely starter in 2008, Childress refused to address the issue, reiterating that he plans to discuss it with the coaching and personnel departments.

"I'm not going to answer that question standing here with the emotions that flow at the end of the game," Childress said.

Jackson led a fourth-quarter comeback, throwing two touchdown passes to receiver Bobby Wade and converting a pair of two-point conversions on scrambles. He threw for 108 of his 175 yards in the fourth quarter while also running 32 yards to set up Wade's second TD.

Jackson finished the season with an 70.8 rating in 12 starts, with nine TD passes and 12 interceptions. The Vikings set franchise records for fewest attempts (432), completions (249) and touchdown passes (12) in a season.

Asked whether he believed he had performed well enough to merit the 2008 job, Jackson replied, "Yes."

He added: "I felt like I've gotten a lot better but I've still got a long way to go. I need to get better, and that's what I'll be spending my time doing in the offseason."

Wade was among the players who said Jackson's fourth-quarter assertiveness caught their eyes.

"He stepped up to try to win a game instead of just manage it," Wade said. "He's done that here in the second half of the season. Any time they gave him a chance to play big, he played big. I think he's a good quarterback on his way to being great."