Offense

QUARTERBACK

Starter: ??????

Backups: Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, John David Booty, Sean Glennon

The skinny: Brett Favre's decision to remain retired might still have an effect on Jackson and Rosenfels, who thought they would be battling for the backup spot until Tuesday. Jackson was the starter at the end of last season, while career backup Rosenfels came via trade. Coach Brad Childress has proclaimed it an open competition. Booty figures to again fill the No. 3 role.

RUNNING BACK

Starters: RB Adrian Peterson, FB Naufahu Tahi

Backups: RB Kahlil Bell, RB Ian Johnson, RB Chester Taylor, RB Albert Young, FB Nehemiah Broughton

The skinny: Peterson and Taylor provide one of the best tandems in the NFL, although Peterson is the clear-cut No. 1 guy. Peterson became the first Vikings running back to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,760 yards, but he must improve in pass protection and also holding onto the football. Peterson had an NFL-high nine fumbles in 2008 and lost four of them. Taylor's greatest value is as a pass catcher out of the backfield (45 receptions in 2008) and as a blocker. Young has a good chance to win the job as the No. 3 back after spending last season on the practice squad. Tahi returns as the lead fullback.

TIGHT END

Starter: Visanthe Shiancoe

Backups: Jeff Dugan, Jim Kleinsasser, Garrett Mills

The skinny: Shiancoe showed significant improvement in his second season with the Vikings, tying for the team lead with seven touchdown receptions. Shiancoe became a sure-handed receiver whose 42 catches were 15 more than he had in 2007. Kleinsasser, entering his 11th season, remains one of the NFL's best blocking tight ends. Although he has only 10 regular-season catches in the past two years, Kleinsasser was rewarded with a $9 million, three-year contract. The versatile Dugan can line up at either tight end or fullback. Mills battled injury problems last season.

WIDE RECEIVER

Starters: Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade

Backups: Aundrae Allison, Percy Harvin, Glenn Holt, Jaymar Johnson, Nick Moore, Vinny Perretta, Darius Reynaud, Sidney Rice, Bobby Williams

The skinny: A weakness when Brad Childress took over as coach in 2006, the Vikings now have some real weapons at receiver. It begins with Berrian and Harvin, who provide explosive downfield threats. That is key, because it means defenses can't put eight men in the box in order to stop Peterson without being worried about being burned by a speedy receiver. Harvin, still unsigned, also will have to be accounted for because of his versatility. The Vikings experimented with him at quarterback in the "Wildcat" formation during minicamp. Rice was plagued by a knee injury last season but still managed to catch four touchdown passes and will be expected to make big strides. Wade has led the Vikings in receptions in each of his two seasons. Allison, Holt, Johnson and Reynaud will battle for the final spot.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters: LT Bryant McKinnie, LG Steve Hutchinson, C John Sullivan, RG Anthony Herrera, RT Phil Loadholt

Backups: T Chris Clark, T/C Ryan Cook, C Jon Cooper, G Brian Daniels, C Juan Garcia, G/T Artis Hicks, G Andy Kemp, T Drew Radovich, G Nick Urban, T Bobby Lepori

The skinny: All eyes will be on Sullivan as he takes over for Matt Birk, who signed with Baltimore as a free agent. A second-year player out of Notre Dame, Sullivan should have no problem with line calls, but he will have to adjust to going up against some jumbo-size nose tackles. Loadholt, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma, hasn't been assured the starting job, but almost certainly will win it, assuming he signs soon. That will give the Vikings the 6-8, 335-pound McKinnie at one tackle with the 6-8, 343-pound Loadholt on the other side. Herrera underwent shoulder surgery that slowed him during offseason workouts. Hutchinson is one of the NFL's best, having been named to six Pro Bowls.