Minnesota VIKINGS   2002 Record: 6-10 Head Coach: Mike Tice 6-11-0 overall TEAM LEADERS   Passing Daunte Culpepper 333-549, 3,853 yards, 18 TDs, 23 INTs   Rushing Michael Bennett 255 carries, 1,296 yards, 5 TDs   Receiving Randy Moss 106 catches, 1,347 yards, 7 TDs   Kicking Gary Anderson 18-23 FG, 36-37 PAT, 90 points Schedule | Roster | Statistics | Stadium

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

Where to begin with this train wreck? Derrick Alexander was a bust in his first season. Randy Moss caught 106 of the most nondescript balls in league history, and had seven 100-yard games (accounting for five of his seven touchdowns). Daunte Culpepper almost equaled his career interception total (29 entering the season; he threw 23).

Still, the Vikings' average margin of defeat was 9.3 points. Take away a humiliating 25-point loss to Seattle, and that deficit drops to 6.8 points. In fact, seven of the team's 10 losses were by seven or fewer points.

So what went wrong?

The other team gets to play offense, too. And considering the state of Minnesota's secondary, the Vikings' offense should be commended for even keeping the score close. Then again, passing is the franchise's strong suit; look what happened with the first-round draft pick for the second consecutive year.

Rumors continue to make the rounds, intimating that owner Red McCombs would like to sell/move the team. He certainly is deft at talking up the team, because after the draft-day snafu (time ran out on the Vikings at No. 7, opening the door for two teams to make their pick before Minnesota turned in its card for DT Kevin Williams) he put a top-like spin on the day's events:

"I'm very excited about our success on the first day of the draft," McCombs said. "Our staff got three first-rounders, which has never happened before with the Vikings. We think all of these players will have an impact on our team this year. I have talked to Kevin [Williams] and after watching him beat up the Longhorns for four seasons I am happy to have him on our side. I think we won the lottery."

For the record, those "lottery" picks include: Williams, LB E.J. Henderson (who health caused his stock to drop in the weeks leading up to the draft) and WR Nate Burleson (a 6-foot, 190-pounder who's not particularly fast and a projected second-day choice).

>> Impact Signing

CB Denard Walker -- Entering his seventh season, Walker is now with his third team. A third-round draft pick by the Titans in 1997, Walker played for the Broncos in 2001-02 and has started 87 of his 93 career games. The Vikings ranked 29th in pass defense last year, and Walker will be expected to help improve the made-over secondary.

Walker and free agent CB Ken Irvin were brought in this offseason to help 2002 signee SS Corey Chavous turn around a defense that allowed 256.4 yards passing per game last season. Minnesota also gave up an average of 12.8 yards per completion, worst in the NFL.

Accountable for only 11 picks in six years, Walker will have to step up his game if the Vikings are to do better than a minus-18 takeaway/giveaway, second worst in the league. But know this, he's never been on a losing team, enjoying a 59-37 NFL career.

>> Impact Loss

Good riddance to CB Tyrone Carter (Jets), LB Patrick Chukwurah (Texans) and LB Jim Nelson (Colts). The players Minnesota signed -- Walker and LB Chris Claiborne (Lions) -- more than make up for the loss of those three. Even casting off P Kyle Richardson is to be hailed; his 39.9 average was the second worst in the league.

>> Fantasy Stud

QB Daunte Culpepper -- His focus isn't always there, but he puts up huge numbers, which makes fantasy owners happy. Culpepper had a whopping 10 rushing TDs last year, which made him one of the most valuable fantasy QBs when you add it to his 3,853 passing yards (although surprisingly just two 300-yard games). The passing numbers may still not be there if no one steps up as an alternative to Randy Moss, but if he continues to run wild, he'll be a first-round pick.

>> Fantasy Sleeper

WR D'Wayne Bates -- He emerged as the No. 2 receiver opposite Moss last year after the Derrick Alexander experiment failed. However, his 689 yards and four TDs aren't anything to write home about. However, he should improve upon those numbers with a full season as the "other guy." While Culpepper will never have the luxury of having two stud receivers like Moss and Cris Carter, Bates can still prove to be very useful.

>> Vikings will not make the playoffs because ...

The defense couldn't stop you and me from throwing for 300 yards and putting up 21 points. Even though Minnesota finished with a three-game winning streak, none of them were by more than three points.