Norv Turner wants "explosive" offense for Vikings

New Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner is hoping the team can get a dynamic young quarterback, but still pictures running back Adrian Peterson as the key to the Vikings offense.

"We want to make big plays, we want to be an explosive offense, and we want to run the ball," Turner said today at Winter Park.

The new Vikings coaching staff was officially named today by new coach Mike Zimmer. Turner and defensive coordinator George Edwards fielded questions from the media.

Turner, a head coach for 15 NFL seasons, with three different teams, was Cleveland offensive coordinator last season.

When Turner was approached about taking the job by Zimmer, Turner said his decision was made when, "I looked at the roster, I looked at the offensive side of the ball. I think this is a group that can be real good, and I think we can be good real fast."

Turner said the Vikings' quarterback situation is "a process we got through, and we'll see where it takes us."

Matt Cassel is opting out of his contract with the Vikings, which would leave Christian Ponder as the only QB on the roster as free agency begins March 8. Turner, however, said the door isn't closed on Cassel, and he also had nice things to say about Ponder.

"When you have the No. 1 defense in the league, it's easier to play quarterback," Turner said. "Everyone is in agreement to adding a young quarterback to the organization, so it's just a matter of going out and getting him."

Turner, who was coaching San Diego when Peterson set the NFL single-game rushing record of 296 yards as a rookie, said he has talked to Peterson.

"He understands the biggest thing to me is we are trying to win," Turner said. "And he's at the point in his career where he wants to make the playoffs and have some success in the playoffs and whatever it takes for us is what he wants to do."

Edwards, who has been offensive coordinator for Washington and Buffalo, was linebackers coach in Miami last season.

"We have some good young talent that we can come in and develop," said Edwards. "We don't think we're that far off."

"We can't change everything schematically, but we want to put people in the right positions," Edwards said.