Vikings show interest in Frerotte

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: March 18, 2008 - 11:57 PM

As Vikings officials spent Tuesday watching Matt Ryan work out at Boston College's Pro Day, the team was making plans to talk to a veteran quarterback today.

Gus Frerotte, who spent the past two seasons with St. Louis, is scheduled to be at Winter Park after visiting the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday.

Frerotte has played 14 NFL seasons with seven teams, including two (2003 and 2004) with Minnesota when he served as Daunte Culpepper's backup. The Vikings continue to look for a veteran to challenge Brooks Bollinger for the backup job behind Tarvaris Jackson and perhaps even put pressure on Jackson in training camp.

Vikings coach Brad Childress did not attend Ryan's workout but said Tuesday the organization is doing its due diligence on prospects for the April 26-27 draft and checking on available veterans.

According to the Boston Globe, the Vikings were one of 23 NFL teams at BC's Pro Day. A group including vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers watched Ryan, who is expected to be taken in the top 10. The Vikings, who select 17th in the opening round, also will bring in Delaware's Joe Flacco for a pre-draft visit.

Frerotte, 36, isn't the first veteran in whom the Vikings have expressed interest. The team attempted to trade for Houston backup Sage Rosenfels and also had interest in free agents Josh McCown and Cleo Lemon. McCown ended up with Miami and Lemon with Jacksonville.

During his time with the Vikings, Frerotte appeared in five games and started twice in 2003 in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper. He then followed former Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to Miami when Linehan took the same job with the Dolphins.

Frerotte started 15 games for Miami in 2005 before going to St. Louis as a backup after Linehan became the Rams coach the next year. Frerotte appeared in eight games last season and made three starts (1-2) in place of Marc Bulger, who was injured.