By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The white-hot spotlight of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome will be shining directly on quarterback Tarvaris Jackson Friday night, when the third-year signal-caller and his Minnesota Vikings face the Seattle Seahawks in the preseason opener for both teams.

Jackson faces a great deal of scrutiny heading into the 2008 season, as he has frustrated fans, coaches, and teammates with inconsistent play at various times during his first two years in the league. The play of the former second- round draft choice from Alabama State is sure to have a profound impact on the fortunes of a Minnesota team that is loaded in several other areas.

The Vikings, who finished 8-8 last season, made a major splash in the offseason by acquiring free agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian (ex-Bears) and safety Madieu Williams (ex-Bengals), then pulled off a blockbuster trade for Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen in order to bolster the pass rush.

Jackson and the team's other high-profile starters are expected to see only limited time on Friday, in keeping with first-week-of-preseason tradition.

Veteran Gus Frerotte and rookie John David Booty (5th Round, USC) figure to follow Jackson in the lineup at quarterback.

The big story for the Seahawks on Friday night will be the work of a new-look backfield that will formally begin life without former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander.

The Hawks released their all-time leading rusher this past offseason, bringing in free agents Julius Jones (ex-Cowboys) and T.J. Duckett (ex-Lions) to help carry the load.

Among the other prominent storylines for Seattle comes at the kicking position, where longtime placement staple Josh Brown defected to division rival St. Louis, and rookie Brandon Coutu (7th round, Georgia) and veteran Olindo Mare (ex-Saints) are vying for duties.

Deion Branch (knee) is among the Seahawks starters who will not appear on Friday.

The Seahawks lead the all-time preseason series with the Vikings, 6-5, with Seattle breaking a deadlock in the series by virtue of a 30-13 home win prior to last season.

The two organizations remain linked in the minds of many by the infamous "poison pill" incident of two offseasons ago, when the Vikings exposed a loophole in contract language to acquire guard Steve Hutchinson, while Seattle returned the favor by prying receiver Nate Burleson from Minnesota.