Vikes bring back Frerotte to protect, push Jackson

Vikes bring back Frerotte to protect, push Jackson

The Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Gus Frerotte - again.

Frerotte's contract was finalized Tuesday. The 14-year veteran served as Daunte Culpepper's backup for the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and now he's in line to do the same for incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.

The Vikings were looking for more polish at the position, and possibly someone to push Jackson for the job. Brooks Bollinger and Kelly Holcomb failed to produce when Jackson was injured, leaving coach Brad Childress without a reliable alternative when Jackson was struggling.

Bollinger is still on the roster, but Holcomb was released.

During Frerotte's last stint with Minnesota, he had a successful 2 1/2 games as the starter when Culpepper hurt his back in September 2003.

Frerotte has 82 NFL starts, but most of those came at the front end of his career with the Washington Redskins from 1994-98. He spent the last two seasons with St. Louis, starting three games for the Rams in 2007 and throwing seven touchdowns against 12 interceptions.

Frerotte is more accomplished than Holcomb or Bollinger, but several backup quarterbacks were signed before him since the market opened in March. The Vikings were interested in trading for Houston's Sage Rosenfels, but the Texans weren't willing to part with him with starter Matt Schaub's health in question.

[www.pittsburghlive.com]