The Vikings have reached the nadir of their search for a productive and reliable quarterback. Jeff George, who hasn't thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2001, is confident he can upgrade the team's 30th-ranked pass offense. After veterans Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger combined for only 182 passing yards against Philadelphia on Sunday, George called Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen out of the blue and asked him to gauge the team's interest, specifically that of coach Brad Childress, in the 39-year-old free-agent quarterback. "'After all,'" George told Allen," 'we are both Illinois guys. That has to mean something.'" "I think he misses the game badly and wants to be a part of it again," said Allen, who also co-hosts a morning show on KFAN-AM.