The way this unfolding is kind of interesting.

Actually, I was thinking about the whole Vikings organization in a different light. I worked for over a decade in corporate America for a Fortune 1000 type company.

I had the pleasure (and curse) of being both part of acquisitions and divestitures. Both things are majorly disruptive to the entire organization. So much so, that on the acquisition side, most acquisitions are rarely successful. There is a built-in culture clash between the new ownership and the existing rank and file. There is the sometimes gradual and painful morphing of the corporate culture. There is disruption and chaos. This is a classic business-school case of what can do wrong - and just how many things get overlooked/glossed over in the due diligence. As an acquirer, you rarely know the trouble are in until you take the keys.

I am surprised that before the season started guys like Kevin Siefert and the other beat writers didn't predict a total collapse. As I fan, I wish I hadn't fallen prey to the "fresh-slate" optimism attached to each new season.

This organization has been "broken" for years. It's the main reason they cannot win it all. The built-in legacy factor of this storied franchise combined with the NFL's built-in guaranteed profitability, easily mask many of the inherent problems from scouting, personnel, marketing, executive management and coaching.

Tice will be a casualty at some point, but there will be an eventual purging of the entire executive staff. Some of it will be by attrition, others will be asked to leave. It's good. It's cathartic. When the business stumbles, things can quickly go from bad to worse. The pressure from the top can make day-to-day strategic decisions difficult, if not impossible. Anyone thinking that this will improve anytime before the next 3 years is delusional. It's about to get worse. Much worse before it will get better.

The acquiring company also a part of the problem, especially if they do not have solid systems in place to deal with the disruption and to systematically instill a rigid set of corporate controls. Managers and owners fall prey to the "new sports car syndrome" and often do rash and stupid things. When there's trouble, they are creatures of habit. They often rely on solutions that have worked for them in the past rather than seeking out new alternatives. There is also usually a lot of hubris attached to a very natural Attila the Hun complex.

The question is: Do you suffer death by a thousand cuts? Or do you lop things off right now? In my experience, I say now. The longer you wait, you only prolong the misery and the healing process. If the Vikings lose at Chicago, you pull the plug, regardless of consequence and start the re-building process.

Honestly, I don't fault Tice. He is more of a symptom than the disease itself. These problems are more than a decade old. The sale only acted as a catalyst. Hopefully, under stable management, good long-term plans will be put in place. The right people will end up in positions of power. It's not a certainty though and we won't know until it plays out.

I wish Tice the best. I hope he gets another chance to operate in a capacity to prove that he learned from his mistakes and can fulfill some of the potential others saw in him. Anyone who thinks this guy is stupid severely underestimates some of the skills he does have. I don't think he's necessarily one of the greats, but he's not nearly as bad as some people make him out to be.

There, I’ve said it.

Mike: Great analysis. I'm not sure I find it 'interesting' to watch the Viking ship blow up...but it is a bit entertaining!

I agree 100%. It's just too bad the bi-week is so soon, one week later and at 1-4 it would be easier to change leadership. The new interm coach would get two weeks to prepare and study. The problem is the division we are in 8-8 could very well win the division and we could be 8-8 by sure luck alone. Then it's only two lucky games into the NFC championship where this team was forcasted to go. I know I know luck has everything to do with it, but stranger things have happend. Then what to do...

It's hard to say what was the straw the broke the proverbial back, however...I do believe the other team playing in the humptey-dome are firmly entrenched in the same mode of thinking. Tell everyone you can't spend any more money to sign the free agents you secretly covet, and complain that your team can't win. Lather, rinse, repeat often and vigorously. With the Vikings well below the cap, and all the pieces finally in place for a paper dictated Super Bowl winner. Injuries, lack of depth, and coaching by committee are what's hurting the team. Tice isn't completely at fault. He's been given the keys to a car that is fantastic downhill, but still sputters like my 1991 Olds when climbing the Bluffs in St Paul.
Tice is a great guy, and probably a better motivator than most coaches. However, he's suffering from knee jerk-itis more than anything. The guy signing his checks is offering "anything" to help the team win, but at this point, would a more appropriate coach/specialty ratio help? Maybe. Would Ted's defense be better without a September 23rd Twins style lineup? Maybe.
Though I wasn't old enough to really remember the details of the dreaded 1983 season, and BBS barely born, does anyone remember if the fans were throwing their hands up and heads down as much then as now?

Eric: I was waiting for someone to bring up the Les Steckel era of mismanagement. Here's what I remember, being 22 at the time......nada. It is completely blanked out from memory. I've led a much healthier life because of it.

Although, I do remember the running joke at the time. Q: What is the name of Les Steckel's wife? A: Tess.

Anyone else have memories from 1983 without having to go through psychotherapy hypnosis to drag it out of memory?

I remember that Bud Grant coached the next year. :)

While I will agree that getting rid of Tice won't fix everything, it's a good start. They should fire the entire coaching staff.

Then they should hire Dave Wannestadt's mustache and put half of it on Jerry Glanville's face and half on Buddy Ryan's. Those two will be the co-head coaches and co-defensive coordinators. Then have Matt Birk be the Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line coach, since they already have that position.

Then start fresh at the end of the season with Charlie Weiss's haircut on someone who looks like Romeo Crennel who's name rhymes with Bill Belichek. I nominate Phil Stellczyk.

I underestimated my own 30 year old memory banks...I remember that Greg Coleman showed up in military fatigues and Mr. Semper Fi said, "I like your style". That we got creamed by San Diego 41-17 in the season opener.
And that Lord Grant came back to at least get us back to respectability with a 9-7 record.

it looks like a bleak year. maybe we can beat some of the weaker competition and pull out a not horrible season. but i think we should stick with the coaching staff we have, see if some of the key players come back from injury, and then wait for next years free agents and draft. Hire new coaching staff immediately after the season to get new systems in place. I can't truely belive that Tice would mention to different veteran players that he was thinking of quiting. That doesn't add up. Maybe a weird motivational tool. Anyway, next year get an upper level coach, more assistants, and more scouts. That is my piece and at least the vikings won't lose oct. 8th.

Yes, the Steckel boot camp. Nooooooo!!!!! Memories from '83 are flooding back! Damn you! Damn you all to hell!!!!!

Steve Jordan won Les Steckel's boot camp competition in training camp. I was a freshman in high school at the time and went to Les Steckel's football camp. Greg Coleman was the only Viking to show up. I pulled my hip flexor on the second day. I hate Les Steckel.

JL: Well, Coleman is still touting that punters are the best athletes in the NFL. So the other players knew better than to show up! :)