Article: Vikings hope Jackson has what it takes to be top QB; The second-year player has the arm, he has the work ethic. Now his team is gambling he can handle the responsibility.(SPORTS)(Jim Souhan)

Byline: Jim Souhan; Staff Writer

The date: Dec. 3, 2006. The scene: Chicago's Soldier Field. The setting: The Vikings had just lost to the Bears 23-13 in a game that looked more like rugby than modern football.

Vikings coach Brad Childress benched quarterback Brad Johnson in the third quarter, and backup Brooks Bollinger donned a sling in the locker room.

Reporters surrounded rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to ask the obvious question: Are you ready?

In a sports world filled with predictable sound bites and athletic arrogance, Jackson's response befuddled millions. "Not really," he said then. "I want to be, but if it comes down to that, I'd go out there ...

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