The Vikings got an opportunity to see expensive offseason additions Jared Allen, Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams on the field during the team's recently concluded workouts, but the biggest reason for optimism might have surrounded the performance by quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

Jackson, entering his second season as the Vikings' starter, looked far more poised and in control as the team went through practices during Organized Team Activities and minicamp that were open to the media.

Jackson's improvement will be crucial if the Vikings are going to have the type of success that many expect after they invested more than $60 million in guarantees on Allen, Berrian and Williams.

Last season, Jackson went 8-4 as a starter but threw three more interceptions than ...More