(Sports Network) - It's simple: when a team that plays in the very, very mediocre NFC North is 9-7 in 2005 and 6-10 the next year, then that team had a bad season in '06. The Vikings, under first-year head coach Brad Childress, were close to atrocious on offense, averaging less than 17 points per game as a unit. They were undisciplined across the board, leading the league in penalties. Defensively, they were horrible against the pass, tying Cincinnati for worst in the league in allowing 238.6 yards per game.

The Vikings went into their bye week with a record of 4-2 but, after falling 41-21 at home against the Rams on Sunday, they finished by losing eight of ten.

"There's a million changes coming into this year, and we're all excited and fired up at the beginning of the year," said well-respected veteran center Matt Birk. "Unfortunately, the transition was a little tougher than we thought. So that's just the way it is. You have got to look long-term. You have got to have everybody on board believing in what you're doing. You can't win a Super Bowl if everybody's not on board and believes in the staff and the staff believes in the players and everyone believes in each other."

Childress said of his team's season and direction, "The fun in this business is winning, and that's always been it. It's not the practicing; it's not the meetings. It's the winning. That's what those guys are in it for, and make no mistake, you start every year with your goal as the Super Bowl. We just talked briefly about what are they going to do to put themselves in a position to better the Minnesota Vikings."

THE POSITIVES

-Minnesota led the NFL in run defense, in part because opposing offenses were eager to throw against them and in part because tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams had fantastic seasons. The Vikings gave up just 61.6 yards per game, leaving them 16 yards short of eclipsing the record for fewest rushing yards allowed (970) set by the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Minnesota's 2.8 yards per carry given up was a whole half-yard better than the league's second-best run defense (Baltimore).

-Running back Chester Taylor proved worthy of the three-year, $14.1 million that he signed. Taylor finished the season with 1,210 yards and 42 receptions.

-The Vikings appear to have ridded themselves of the embarrassing character issues that headlined this team in '05. Kick returner Koren Robinson was booted off the squad after another DUI arrest at the beginning of the season.

Safety Dwight Smith was arrested for a lewd act in the middle of the season and was benched by Childress as a result. No other problems occurred for this team during the season. However, shortly after the season concluded, there was a reminder that all is not perfect when leading receiver Travis Taylor was arrested in the early New Years morning for failing to obey a police officer's orders.

THE NEGATIVES

-The offense was lethargic, to say the least. Early in games, when plays were scripted, Minnesota was able to move the ball, but as time went on, they struggled more and more. A lack of playmakers was to blame, as well as regular untimely mistakes.

-The Vikings ranked 32nd in pass defense.

-Left tackle Bryant McKinnie struggled throughout the year, at least when considering the long-term contract that he signed, which is potentially worth over $50 million.

OFFSEASON GLANCE

The Vikings' big spending spree came last offseason, when they signed guard Steve Hutchinson, running back Chester Taylor, and linebacker Ben Leber, among others. This year, the focus will likely be on building more continuity on offense and developing what they already have. Minnesota, all in all, likes the direction that they're heading in.

"It's like remodeling a house when you're in it," Childress said. "It's not comfortable, and the neighbors don't like looking at it with the family room knocked off. That's what I would liken it to...It's a little bit painful sometimes, a little bit uncomfortable sometimes."

Quarterback Brad Johnson is not likely to be back next year. With rookie Tarvaris Jackson starting the final two games of the season, Minnesota must decide if it is ready to move forward with him as their starter. Jackson is still extremely raw and the team did gain only three first downs in his debut as a starter (a loss at Green Bay), but the talent and play-making potential is clearly there. If they don't go with Jackson, they could look at Atlanta's Matt Schaub. However, they would essentially be wasting the second-round pick that they used on Jackson if they choose to sign a free agent starter.

The Vikings may be wise to look for another receiver to help spark the offense. Travis Taylor was solid this season and has decent possession skills, but veteran Marcus Robinson will not return next year and after two years, Troy Williamson has not been the impact player that many thought he would be. Speed on the outside, as well as at the tight end position, would do wonders for this team.

The Vikings have the ninth pick in the draft and will probably look to use it on defense. The linebacker position is all set with Leber on the strong side, E.J. Henderson (who just signed a five-year, $25 million extension) on the weak side or middle, and rookie Chad Greenway (a first-round pick in '06) already nearly recovered from a torn ACL that cost him this season.

The front four is stout inside, (especially with Kevin Williams recently signing a long-term deal) though the lack of a pass-rush on the edge was a huge detriment this year. The Vikings have already invested first-round picks in Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze the past few years and may be inclined to hope those two players can stay healthy and emerge.

That leaves the secondary as the one area to upgrade. Benched cornerback Fred Smoot is overpaid and will probably be let go, especially with the emergence of rookie Cedric Griffin. Dwight Smith struggled this season and may also be a player they'll look to replace.

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Andy Benoit is the author of Touchdown 2006: Everything You Need to Know About the NFL This Year. For more information or to contact Benoit, visit www.touchdown2006.com.