A tough act to follow

Vikings have a new man in charge of their big-play offense

Former offensive coordinator Brian Billick helped guide the Vikings to a NFL-record 556 points. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

The Minnesota Vikings, the only team to go 15-1 and not make it to the Super Bowl, open their camp in Mankato, Minn., on Aug. 1. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Vikings this season. SI's season previews will be posted August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know :

1) How much credit do we give departed coordinator Brian Billick for that gee-whiz offense of '98?

2) If the answer was "a lot," then what's going to happen with new offensive coordinator Ray Sherman -- who didn't exactly hit it off with Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh -- calling the shots?

3) Is it too much to ask for another Pro Bowl year from Randall Cunningham? And if he falters, can we really expect to see Jeff George in the purple and white?

4) Will defensive backs finally toughen up on Randy Moss, and stop giving him a clean release?

5) Big, run-stopping tackles Jerry Ball and Jason Fisk are gone, and middle linebacker Eddie McDaniel is a sleek 230. Is this a cause for concern, or are we just looking for trouble?

The Vikings can make the playoffs if : They just don't screw up. All the offensive weapons that helped them score an NFL-record 556 points last season (34.8 points a game) are still there -- other than Billick, that is. John Randle moves to tackle to anchor a solid defense. Only the Vikings can keep the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Pivotal games : Sept. 12 at Atlanta, Dec. 20 vs. Green Bay. Revenge? You think the Vikings want revenge? In the Georgia Dome on Opening Weekend, they can make semi-amends for their NFC Championship Game flop. Or not.

On the hot seat : Jake Reed, returning from off-season back surgery, was the receiver who lost out most when Moss had his phenomenal rookie year. Cris Carter needs his catches, too, so Reed will have to fight to get close to the numbers of his glory years.

Up-and-comers : Ramos McDonald, a second-year corner from New Mexico, may well be the new starter at left corner. If the Vikes' offense is as potent as last season, and teams are forced to throw to catch up, he'll be one busy guy.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost John Burrough, DE, from Atl. Carlester Crumpler, TE, from Sea. Pete Bercich, LB, re-signed Ed McDaniel, LB, re-signed Mike Morris, C, re-signed David Palmer, RB, re-signed Orlando Thomas, S, re-signed Harold Morrow, RB, re-signed Moe Williams, RB, re-signed Greg DeLong, TE, Bal. Charles, RB, Bal. Derrick Alexander, DE, Cle. Jerry Ball, DT, Cle. Corey Fuller, CB, Cle. Jason Fisk, DT, Tenn.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 11 Daunte Culpepper QB Central Florida 1 29 Dimitrius Underwood DE Michigan St. 2 44 Jimmy Kleinsasser TE North Dakota 4 120 Kenny Wright CB Northwestern St. 4 125 Jay Humphrey OT Texas 5 169 Chris Jones ILB Clemson 6 199 Antico Dalton OLB Hampton 7 236 Noel Scarlett DE Langston