Six reasons for Vikes' great start - NFL - Minnesota Vikings

Why is Minnesota oft to a 4-0 start? Let me count the ways.

1. Mike Tice is getting comfortable. He never had been a head coach before taking over the Vikings a year ago, and he admits that last year was a learning experience. He started out trying to make too many people happy. Toward the end of last season, he finally decided to do things his way. It's working.

2. The offensive line is back. This unit, which was down after the death of Korey Stringer and the departure of several key players, has regained its swagger. Second-year left tackle Bryant McKinnie is playing very well, and the acquisition of right tackle Mike Rosenthal from the Giants, which allowed Chris Liwienski to move to left guard, has been huge. Right guard David Dixon and standout center Matt Birk round out a big, physical group that toyed with the 49ers last Sunday.

3. Randy Moss is terrorizing defenses again. No NFL receiver is better against double coverage, and thanks to a running game that has been solid despite the loss of Michael Bennett, Moss occasionally sees single coverage. He saw both against San Francisco and scored three touchdowns.

4. The quarterback play has been solid. Daunte Culpepper goes down, Gus Frerotte takes over and plays an exceptional game. Few teams are as solid at this key position.

5. George O'Leary has worked wonders with a defense that was one of the league's worst a year ago. The new coordinator hasn't changed much schemewise, but he has brought accountability to this unit. If there is a breakdown in coverage or filling a gap, he makes sure the player and the rest of the team know it. That wasn't the case last year.

6. Dedication. Moss told me last week that in past years, the Vikings sometimes failed to get up for the weaker teams. Now, he says, the preparation is the same. That's why he thinks this Minnesota team is better than the ones that reached the NFC championship game after the 1998 and 2000 seasons.

It sure is playing that way.

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Scouts' views

Observations and opinions from two, NFL pro scouts, one from each conference:

The season-ending loss of Rosevelt Colvin (hip) was a big one for New England. Colvin was an impact player and an intricate piece to the puzzle that Bill Belichick wanted on defense. Just from the standpoint of his play-making ability, his versatility in the defense and his presence on the field and in the locker room, they're going to miss him.... The problem the Giants' defense has right now starts with the front four and their inability to pressure the quarterback. Whenever you talk about their front four, you always have to talk about Michael Strahan. I think the toe injury he had in the preseason has slowed down his impact. He hasn't been getting off the ball and oft blocks like he has in the past. You have to believe that at some point in the year, as he gets healthier and more confident, he'll have more of an impact.... A kid who is very underrated is Chike Okeafor. He's a bit undersized for a defensive end, but he plays the run surprisingly well because he has great leverage and strength. And he can rush the passer. He was an unrestricted free agent who didn't really get an opportunity to shine in San Francisco, but now he's going to have an opportunity to make some plays in Seattle.... I don't know that Denver cornerback Lenny Walls is so much of a trendsetter as he is a great find at a position where people are looking for height and speed. He's got an uncanny ability to really get in and out of breaks for a guy of his size (6-4). From that standpoint, he's a rarity. Even though he doesn't have fixe short-area change of direction that shorter corners have, his size makes up for it. He can stick those long arms out and get his hands on balls. He's going to challenge quarterbacks to put balls up and over him.... Gregg Williams is an underrated head coach. He's a guy who is extremely organized, has the ability to communicate with his players and shows professionalism. Buffalo's front office will keep supplying him with good players, and he'll get the best out of them.... Jeff Feagles of the Giants is probably the most accurate punter I have ever been around. If he's kicking from anywhere on the near side of the 50, and you want it between the numbers and the sideline, he's able to put it there. He can put the ball at the 5- or 6- or 7-yard line, right on the out-of-bounds mark. And he can do it consistently and with adequate hang time.

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