Brian Murphy, who had been the assistant to Ferraro since Brad Childress took over in 2006, was promoted to the coordinator's position this week. Ferraro left the Vikings last month to become the linebackers coach for the St. Louis Rams.

Murphy's stint with the Vikings is his first in the NFL, but he served as an assistant at the college level for 14 years before coming to Minnesota. He also was the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at the University of Wisconsin from 2002 to 2005.

It's unclear how the Vikings will fill the position vacated by Murphy. The Vikings also are looking for an assistant defensive line coach after Brendan Daly left to become the defensive line coach for the Rams.

--As for the Vikings' free-agent situation, center Matt Birk, tight end Jim Kleinsasser and safety Darren Sharper are all set to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 27. The Vikings did not have any talks with those three during the season and four days after the season coach Brad Childress said, "No decision has been made on that as of right now."

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter -- Tarvaris Jackson. Backups -- Gus Frerotte, John David Booty.

Jackson might be out of opportunities to be this team's starter. Benched after the Vikings lost their opening two games in favor of veteran Gus Frerotte, the second-round pick in 2006 returned in December after Frerotte suffered a broken bone in his back. Jackson rallied the Vikings to a victory at Detroit and then threw a career-high four touchdowns the next week in a victory at Arizona. But after a solid performance in a loss against Atlanta, Jackson took a step back in the regular-season finale against the Giants and was back to his old struggling ways in a first-round playoff defeat against Philadelphia. Jackson had an interception returned for a touchdown by Asante Samuel, and his 45.4 passer rating was a season low. Jackson finished 2-4 as a starter and could return as a backup. Frerotte did not hide his displeasure with losing his job because of injury. Despite the fact he signed a two-year contract last April he might not be back. Booty, a fifth-round pick last spring out of Southern California, spent the season learning on the sideline but isn't going to be ready to start in 2009. This means the Vikings are likely going to have to look outside for a starter.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters -- RB Adrian Peterson, FB Naufahu Tahi. Backups - Chester Taylor, Maurice Hicks, Jeff Dugan.

Peterson continued to prove himself to be one of the NFL's young superstars, rushing for a league-leading 1,760 yards on 363 carries with 10 touchdowns. Peterson, though, still needs to make significant strides in his blocking and pass-catching. He had 21 receptions, but that was far fewer than Taylor, who was third on the Vikings with 45 catches and two touchdowns. Taylor continued to be used in many third-down situations because the coaching staff does not have confidence in Peterson's pass-protection abilities. Having to take a dominating offensive presence off the field on a key down is far from ideal. With Taylor entering the final season of his contract in 2009, eventually it's going to become a must that Peterson can be counted to stay on the field. Taylor would seem a likely candidate to depart after next season given that he remains a very capable running back and yet had only 101 carries this season. Hicks, meanwhile, had no role other than to return kicks in his first season with the Vikings. Tahi emerged as the starting fullback and frequent lead blocker for Peterson after free-agent acquisition Thomas Tapeh was released early in the season. Dugan also saw time at fullback and late in the season became a primary ball carrier in short-yardage situations. Tapeh's short tenure with the Vikings had to make one think the team regretted letting veteran Tony Richardson get away to the New York Jets in free agency.

TIGHT END: Starter -- Visanthe Shiancoe. Backups - Jim Kleinsasser, Garrett Mills.

Shiancoe proved to be a bust in 2007 after leaving the Giants to sign a big free-agent contract with the Vikings. However, this season he emerged as the pass-catching tight end Minnesota believed it was getting when it made its original investment. Shiancoe finished tied for the team lead with seven touchdowns and was fourth on the club with 42 receptions for 596 yards. In 2007, Shiancoe had 27 catches for 323 yards and only one touchdown and was plagued by dropped passes. Kleinsasser, who will be an unrestricted free agent, had only six catches for 92 yards but continues to be one of the NFL's best blocking tight ends and would be an extremely difficult player to replace. Mills was bothered by injuries starting in training camp and saw action in only eight games. He has shown that he has pass-catching ability, but his inability to stay on the field could cause the Vikings' patience to grow thin.

WIDE RECEIVER: Starters -- Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade. Backups -- Sidney Rice, Aundrae Allison, Darius Reynaud.

The Vikings made a significant financial investment in Berrian last offseason, giving him a $42 million, six-year deal ($16 million guaranteed) to leave the Chicago Bears as a free agent. For the most part, he proved to be the big-play threat the Vikings were hoping to get. Berrian, who was slowed early in the season by a foot injury and late in the year because of a sprained ankle, tied for the team lead with seven touchdown catches and finished second with 48 receptions that went for 964 yards. His average of 20.1 yards per catch ranked first in the league. Berrian's presence enabled Wade to spend much of his time playing in the slot, where he is most comfortable. Wade led the Vikings in receptions for the second consecutive season with 53 for 645 yards. Minnesota wished it had gotten that type of production out of Rice or Allison. Rice was expected to have a breakout year in his second season, but he suffered a knee injury early on and missed three games. He finished second on the team with four touchdown catches but was pretty much a non-factor when it came to the rest of the field. Rice had only 15 receptions for 141 yards. Allison, meanwhile, did not see regular playing time and had 10 catches for 109 yards in 15 games. Reynaud was activated from the practice squad late in the season because of his ability to return kicks. However, a foot injury sidelined him after only three games.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LT Bryant McKinnie, LG Steve Hutchinson, C Matt Birk, RG Anthony Herrera, RT Ryan Cook. Backups -- T/G Artis Hicks, C John Sullivan, T Marcus Johnson. Injured reserve -- T Drew Radovich.

This group deserves credit for helping Peterson win the NFL rushing title, but they also gave up 43 sacks. While Birk, Herrera and Hutchinson did not miss a start, the same couldn't be said for the tackles. McKinnie, who was arrested last offseason after a brawl outside a Miami nightclub, was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. When he did return, it took him some time to get back into the swing of things. Cook, meanwhile, started the first 10 games but was benched in favor of Artis Hicks after making a variety of mental and physical mistakes. Cook did not remain on the sideline very long because Hicks aggravated a triceps injury he had suffered in the regular-season opener at Green Bay while playing in place of McKinnie. It's believed that right tackle will be a primary focus of the Vikings this offseason as they look to upgrade. But this does not mean Cook's days on the roster are numbered. With Birk set to become a free agent after 11 seasons in Minnesota, Cook could get an opportunity to shift back to his college position of center. Sullivan also could get a look at that spot in training camp if Birk departs. Hutchinson, a perennial Pro Bowl player, and Herrera are solid at the guard spots, although the latter still has plenty of room to improve. Hicks is a valuable backup with the ability to play either tackle or guard position. Johnson, the lone remaining member of the Vikings' 2005 draft class, could find himself elsewhere next season. The Vikings liked Radovich enough that they kept him on injured reserve this season after the undrafted free agent from Southern Cal suffered a shoulder injury.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters -- LE Ray Edwards, DT Kevin Williams, NT Pat Williams, RE Jared Allen. Backups -- DT Fred Evans, DT Jimmy Kennedy, DT Ellis Wyms, DT Letroy Guion, DE Brian Robison, DE Otis Grigsby. Injured reserve -- DT Kenderick Allen, DE Jayme Mitchell. Reserve/non-football illness -- DE Kenechi Udeze.

Just as the Vikings made a big investment on Berrian in an attempt to improve their receiver corps, they also spent heavily to obtain a Pro Bowl rush end in Allen. He did not disappoint. Acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs last April for a first- and two third-round draft picks and then signed to a six-year, $74.5 million contract, Allen led the Vikings with 14.5 sacks and played through knee and shoulder injuries that would have sidelined most. Allen's production and the fact other teams often had to double-team him helped Kevin Williams get 8.5 sacks. That was his highest total since he had 11.5 in 2004. The Vikings finished with 45 sacks to rank fourth in the NFL. Getting consistent pressure on the quarterback helped Minnesota move from the bottom of the league in pass defense in 2007 to 18th this season. The Vikings also finished first against the run for the third consecutive season. This was in large part because of the continued dominance of Pro Bowl tackles Kevin and Pat Williams. The Vikings thought they might lose both for four games at one point after the NFL suspended them for violating its anti-doping policy but the pair sued to stop the suspensions and their case remains in court. Pat Williams, however, was lost late in the year because of a broken shoulder. The only non Pro Bowl starter on the line was left end Edwards, and he finished with five sacks to place fourth on the team. The key back-ups were Evans, who frequently spelled Pat Williams on passing downs, and Robison, who played both end spots and also moved inside in some passing situations. Kennedy and Wyms are veteran journeyman and it remains to be seen if they will return. Kennedy was signed as insurance late in the year when it appeared the Williamses might have to sit out. Both Kennedy and Wyms will be free agents. Guion, meanwhile, was more of project in his rookie year.

LINEBACKERS: Starters -- SLB Chad Greenway, MLB Napoleon Harris, WLB Ben Leber. Backups -- WLB Vinny Ciurciu, SLB Erin Henderson, MLB David Herron, MLB Dontarrious Thomas. Injured reserve -- Heath Farwell, E.J. Henderson.

This group suffered a major blow in the fourth game of the season when defensive captain E.J. Henderson suffered two dislocated toes on his left foot and had to undergo season-ending surgery. The Vikings quickly signed Harris, who had been released by Kansas City, because he was familiar with Minnesota's system after spending 2006 with the team. Nonetheless, changes had to be made. While Henderson had stayed on the field for all downs, Harris came out in the nickel package, leaving Greenway and Leber as the linebackers. In these instances, Leber had to assume the middle linebacker spot. Leber also became the linebacker who relayed the defenses into the huddle after getting them communicated into his helmet. Still, this unit played well. Greenway was third on the team with six sacks and Leber led the club with four fumble recoveries and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. With Henderson expected to make a full recovery, Harris could be allowed to walk as a free agent this offseason. Herron also saw some playing time after Henderson got hurt but he also was slowed by injuries. Ciurciu and Erin Henderson were viewed as special teams players and Thomas saw little time after being re-signed following E.J. Henderson's injury. In addition to Henderson, another key return could be that of Farwell. Farwell was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the exhibition opener. Set to become an unrestricted free agent, Farwell is a standout on special teams and has upside as backup a linebacker.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters -- LCB Antoine Winfield, SS Darren Sharper, FS Madieu Williams, RCB Cedric Griffin. Backups -- CB Marcus McCauley, CB Benny Sapp, S Tyrell Johnson, S Husain Abdullah, S Eric Frampton. Injured reserve -- CB Charles Gordon, S Michael Boulware.

Williams was another of the Vikings' big free-agent pickups last offseason, but he missed the first seven games because of a neck injury suffered early in training camp. This enabled second-round rookie Tyrell Johnson to get plenty of experience as a starter. That should pay in 2009 given that it appears unlikely Sharper will return. The veteran will be an unrestricted free agent and with the Vikings likely to make a significant addition at quarterback, money could be saved by going from Sharper to Johnson. Winfield, elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his 10-year career, will be entering the final season of his contract in 2009. He only had two interceptions this season but nonetheless played well and continued to be an incredibly hard-hitting corner given that he is only 5-9, 180 pounds. Griffin, meanwhile, showed improvement as the season progressed. The third-year player was picked on early by opponents but seemed to gain confidence. To his credit, he did not give up many big plays. Williams didn't do much to impress from a statistical standpoint but it was hard to ignore the fact the Vikings were 7-2 after he returned. Sapp, who will be a free agent, made a contribution in his first season with the Vikings by assuming the nickel back role after Gordon was lost for the season because of a dislocated ankle. McCauley, though, all but disappeared after seeing extensive duty in his rookie season in 2007. His future with the team appears uncertain at best and it would not be surprising if the Vikings look to add depth at cornerback this offseason. Abdullah and Frampton were used on special teams.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Ryan Longwell, P Chris Kluwe, LS Cullen Loeffler, KOR Maurice Hicks, PR Bernard Berrian.

Longwell continued to be Mr. Clutch throughout the season, kicking three game-winning field goals. He now has six since joining the Vikings in 2006. The perception of Kluwe's season might not be all that good given that four of the NFL record seven touchdowns the Vikings surrendered on special teams came on punts. But Kluwe actually was outstanding from a statistical perspective, finishing the season with a 47.6 gross average and a 35.0 net average. It's the punt coverage unit that the Vikings need more production from next season. Loeffler remains a top-notch long snapper and rarely makes a mistake. The Vikings will be looking for far better from their return men. Berrian provided a spark on punt returns, averaging 16.3 yards and taking one 82 yards for a touchdown on seven attempts, but having your No. 1 receiver return punts isn't ideal. Reynaud (25.1 yards on eight returns) was solid on kickoff returns before he suffered a foot injury. Hicks, signed as a free agent from San Francisco, averaged 23.8 yards on 29 returns and did little to suggest he was a good investment for that role.