EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress knows who is going to play quarterback on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
All three quarterbacks on the roster know who is going to play against the Chiefs.
But Childress is withholding that information from the rest of the team, and the public, for now. The coach said Friday that he doesn't want to take away the competitive advantage he feels he has by keeping the decision a secret.
"I don't see the upside of putting it out there," Childress said after practice.
Starter Tarvaris Jackson has an injured groin and did not practice all week. He's listed as doubtful for Sunday. Incumbent backup Brooks Bollinger came on in relief against Detroit last week, but fumbled a snap at midfield, allowing the Lions to drive the game-winning field goal.
That means that 11th-year veteran Kelly Holcomb could be the front runner. He was acquired in a trade with Philadelphia in the final week of the preseason, but said he feels comfortable with his knowledge of the offense.
Holcomb said he is used to the cloak-and-dagger nature of the situation from his days with the Browns.
"It was every week when I was in Cleveland," Holcomb said. "It was one of those deals where, 'Hey, we're not telling.' That's just the way it is. In this league anything the other team gets, it helps them. So don't show your hand."
Childress said he would inform the rest of the team of his decision on Saturday before they leave for Kansas City.
Receiver Bobby Wade said he has confidence in Bollinger and Holcomb.
"They both took snaps this week in practice," Wade said. "It can go either way. But I think we're ready to win with either one of them."
Notes: Jackson was the only Vikings player not to practice on Friday. Safeties Darren Sharper (hip) and Dwight Smith (hamstring), FB Tony Richardson (forearm) and RB Chester Taylor (hip/oblique) participated on a limited basis. Richardson is listed as doubtful for the Chiefs game, while Sharper, Smith and Taylor were all listed as questionable.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
