Anything less than the playoffs this year will be a failure on the staff. They have assembled a top 5 roster outside of potentially qb. If McCarthy doesn't live up to at least getting this roster to the playoffs, then the staff put way to much trust in him and should have exhausted every avenue to have a backup plan. I think you are right that it will be a rough start, but they have spent a ton of money and draft capital to build an IOL to be able to lean on the run game for some time.I'm not expecting McCarthy to light it up early in the season.... most rookies don't. I think he will be better as the season progresses and he learns more. The Vikings season will go the way McCarthy goes. I'm not expecting them to make the playoffs, but hope they do.