Vikings: Frerotte signs on for second stint as backup QB

Vikings coach Brad Childress wants the veteran in a mentoring role, but also ready to play if the need arises.

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: April 9, 2008 - 12:17 AM

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Gus Frerotte might not be familiar with the Vikings' version of the West Coast offense, but the 14-year veteran knows plenty about helping young quarterbacks and the opportunity to do just that is a big reason he decided to return to Minnesota. Frerotte, 36, signed a two-year, $3.75 million contract Tuesday to serve as Tarvaris Jackson's backup.

"The basic idea is I'm coming in as the No. 2 quarterback, will be able to be a quality backup and work with Tarvaris," said Frerotte, who will enter training camp ahead of Brooks Bollinger on the depth chart. "I'll be able to help him during games and in certain situations. I kind of like that role. It's nice when young kids take to heart what you're telling them and the experiences you've had."

Frerotte found himself in a similar situation in his first go-around with the Vikings in 2003 and '04, playing behind Daunte Culpepper. It worked out pretty well as Culpepper put together back-to-back outstanding seasons.

"That was the first time I accepted [being a backup]," said Frerotte, who twice started in place of an injured Culpepper in 2003 and won both games. "I had a great time there."

This is a much different Vikings organization than Frerotte left when he followed former Minnesota offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to Miami in 2005. Coach Mike Tice, Culpepper and others are long gone. But Frerotte liked what he saw and heard from coach Brad Childress.

"The meeting with [Childress] kind of sold the Vikings to me again," said Frerotte, who spent the past two years as a backup with St. Louis before being released following the season.

Childress is pleased Fre-rotte is looking forward to helping Jackson, but the coach also wanted to make sure his new quarterback could step in if needed.

"The thing I remind people is that while I want somebody in a mentoring role, the co-pilot can become the pilot on this deal really fast," Childress said. "That's real when you're talking about 60 quarterbacks playing last year in this league. You still want somebody who possesses all the skills. ... What I saw on tape was this guy still had it."

The Packers and Raiders expressed interest, but Frerotte was happy to join the Vikings -- even if it means he's got plenty of studying to do. Frerotte has made seven stops in his career but the only time he was in a West Coast system came in 2000 and 2001 with Denver.

"I don't know if this will be too extreme," he said. "The first time I went to Denver, it was pretty tough. There is verbiage and learning obviously but I've been doing this long enough, I'll just have to put two and two together. It's just repetition."

Preseason games set

The dates and times for the Vikings' preseason schedule have been finalized. The team will play host to Seattle at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8; play at Baltimore at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16; play host to Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23; and finish at Dallas at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28. KSTP (Ch. 5) will carry all of the games except the one against Pittsburgh. CBS will air that matchup nationally.