Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to the
Views and Personal Photos on the Vikes from the Inaugural Hall of Fame fan.
Brought to you by Mr. Cheer or Die and the Vikes Geek, welcome to theAs the Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their 2005 season, the general consensus around the league was that the Vikings had the talent to be a playoff contender—not just in 2006, but in 2005. When the Vikings failed to make the playoffs in 2005, former head coach Mike Tice lost any support that he might have had from the new Vikings’ ownership and found himself looking for a new coaching job.
Enter Brad Childress.
Childress came to Minnesota after serving several seasons as Andy Reid’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia. By his own admission, Childress had a somewhat circumscribed role as offensive coordinator under Reid, with Reid calling the plays in all but a handful of games. Despite the usual accolades from former players, Childress’ limited role in Philadelphia led some to wonder whether Childress was the right hire for a team arguably on the brink of a playoff run.
In defense of his new hiree, Vikings’ owner Zygi Wilf noted that Childress was an upstanding citizen and a good family man. Despite such overwhelming evidence of coaching acumen, some still wondered whether Childress was ready for a head coaching gig with a playoff ready team.
Initially, Childress opted to stand above the fray. “Let them wonder,� seemed to be Childress’ motto. “I’ll prove my mettle with my on-field performance.�
Childress’ lack of public statements, blanketed by front office refusals to offer public statements on the team absent approval from the triangle of authority—which included Childress—suggested that Childress would follow through with a pledge to show us on the field. And while the Vikings’ new head coach received criticism for so closely guarding his words, some local pundits acknowledged that, at a minimum, Childress had offered one improvement over the previous coaching regime by playing things a bit closer to the vest—a move considered more professional in some circles.
Without much more than the occasional comment on things of little relevance to Vikings’ football, Vikings’ fans were left to what to make of Childress. Would he be at least the slightest improvement over Tice? Or was he too much of a rookie—or too much of something else—to provide the Vikings the improvement at coaching that they so desperately needed after last season?
Two weeks ago, Childress began to show his true colors to Vikings’ fans. And if you resided in the camp that said let’s see what the man can do before we question his methods, you suddenly had reason to reconsider your position. In public statements the likes of which the new Vikings’ head coach previously had not offered, Childress made clear where he felt he stood in the pantheon of football coaching history.
“When I met the players, I could see some of them had concerns.� Childress commented to a gathering of reporters. “They were looking at each other like ‘who’s this guy?’ I looked them in the eye and said, ‘You didn’t choose me, I chose you. I chose you.�
Childress’ point was clear. Team was important, but nobody was more important than was he. For a coach so obsessed with “team� that he found it necessary to dump Daunte Culpepper for a bag of beans because Culpepper was “too much about ‘me,’� the comments were rather curious.
A Mere Blip on the Radar
Childress easily could have been forgiven his rather grandiose comments had he gone back to his vow of silence until the season started. For two weeks, it looked like that might happen. It appeared that the coach had found his way back to the higher ground, to a more sensible plane of professionalism.
But then someone asked Childress about Daunte Culpepper for the umpteenth time. And this time, Childress let fly. And, in so doing, the new coach revealed not only a strain of poor public decision-making, but also a touch of amateurism the likes of which we were assured by Vikings’ ownership did not run through the veins of this coach.
Responding to questions about Culpepper’s rehabilitation program, Childress noted that he had sent an assistant to Florida to check out Culpepper’s workout facility. Childress stated that the facility was inferior to what the Vikings had to offer in Minnesota and that he believed that Daunte would have been better served returning to Minnesota to rehabilitate. End the statement there and nobody blinks an eye.
What appeared to irk Childress, however, was not the fact that Culpepper opted to continue to workout in Florida. Nor did Childress even contend that Culpepper—despite the quarterback using what Childress deemed to be inferior rehabilitation facilities—was not making suitable progress in his rehabilitation. No, what Childress seemed obsessed with was the fact that the facility was located in a strip mall, next to a Wal-Mart and, though Childress does not know this for a fact, a Chinese restaurant. Yes—a Chinese restaurant. Need Childress say any more?
Well, only if he wants others to know what he was getting at. Precisely what picture was Childress attempting to draw for Vikings’ fans reading his comments? Was he insinuating something about locations that support Wal-Mart stores and Chinese restaurants? Was there any point to his rant?
We don’t currently know what Childress’ point was in delivering this rant, except that he was frustrated with Culpepper’s apparent refusal to rehabilitate in Minnesota. The concern for Vikings’ fans, however, is not over the disagreement, but over Childress’ ancillary concerns—concerns about the location of the facility in relation to a Wal-Mart and a Chinese restaurant. One has to wonder how rationale a person can be who shows more concern over the location of a rehabilitation center than over the progress that the person rehabilitating is making?
Ultimately, Childress’ recent public statements reflect the worst of both Denny Green and of Mike Tice in the arena of public statements. And if public statements offer insight into a coach’s ability to control his emotions and govern a team, Vikings’ fans might be in for a rude surprise in 2006.
Up Next: More Free Agency. Plus, stadium talk.
VU Podcast Forty-Nine
Join us in listening to Mr. Cheer Or Die, Shane of the Greet Machine, and Larry Spooner (Co-Chair of Minnesota Momentum) in bringing you up to date with the latest stadium developments with the Gophers, Twins, and Vikings. Listen in on the VU Podcast page.
New Wilf Approval Poll
The March edition of the Zygi Wilf Approval rating is closed and the April one is now up. Zygi finished with a 80% approval rating, his lowest of the year thus far. How will he fair in April? I'm sure the draft will play a role in that decision and you may consider holding your vote until then. You can find the approval poll along the left frame.
And a new poll is also up. Which position should the Vikes address first in the upcoming draft? QB? LB? RB? Vote to the left directly below the approval rating poll.
Posted by maasx003 at April 3, 2006 1:35 AMThe fact that Childress has been a little more vocal is no reason to re-consider anything. Childress will still have prove himself regardless of what he says. We have to be behind him, at this point, no matter what. You can also look at other voal coaches who have proven themselves to be a great leader. I'm just glad to know that he is not afraid to talk at all. He is not hiding. Maybe he needs to be more thoughtful in what he says, but I think we just got rid of a coach who said everything he thought and most of us appreciated that in him.
Until next time...
Gene Ramsay
AKA - AlabamaViking
I think you are misinterpreting Childress' objection to where Daunte was rehabbing. If you re-read the Pioneer Press article, you may realize that the issue wasn't what was around the area, it was the facilities that were located there. Most notably, when Daunte invited the trainer to view him outside. No track or field for him to run on. Instead, he is doing his running in the alley or the WalMart parking lot. Now, I'm sure Daunte had another place in which to run but how does it look when he is demonstrating how his knee is coming along by running in an alley or parking lot?
Posted by: Norseman of the Apocalypse at April 3, 2006 11:17 AMI agree with the VG that Childress should just shut up, although it makes the off season more interesting to have him talk.
So far however the only thing I am judging him on is his role in letting Culpepper run himself out of town for a song.
He is at a negative net result right now, but this is really just the beginning. How he handles the draft and linebacker situation is his next major test.
The the real test begins.
Posted by: J. Lichty at April 3, 2006 12:50 PMWell I agree with Childress. Although no-comment would have been better. But I imagined the same thing when word got out(about the location). In know way do I think we are at a negitave at this point. Hutchinson was the No. 2 FA behind Alexander in all of the NFL. Stepping back and looking at DC's career (not to mention he wanted out)one year he was hall of fame material the next he shouldn't have been drafted. I don't believe you build a dynasty that way. I will wait and see the results on the field.
Posted by: Lonnie at April 3, 2006 2:03 PMI don't want to hear a peep out of Childress. Calling Culpepper out again and complaining about the Seahawks offer sheet has been disturbing. He should be concentrating on the best available linebacker for our system. With 5 picks in 3 rounds, I'd like us to lean heavily on the defensive side of the ball.
Lets get a couple linebackers, a cornerback, a safety and throw in a QB that might pan out down the road. Every Sunday morning, during the season,
we can say a little prayer for Brad's safety. Because if he goes down, we're going to see some of the ugliest quarterbacking in a long time.
Jesus wept, Brian. That has to be the most inane thing you have ever posted on this web page. We finally get a coach with a backbone and you're ranting on abourt his "grandiose" schemes and reading meanings into language about the FL rehab facility. "I chose you" isn't about Childress, it's about him him telling the players he sees the talent on the Vikings and that they have the ability to be a winner with his tutelage. We're having the best offseason in 30 years and you are piling on the crap already...
Posted by: Tarheel Vike at April 3, 2006 2:55 PMVG has always been worst case senario guy. Last year this time it was 10 posts about how stupid the vikes were for trading Moss. Now he has the balls to compare Childress with Tice. Next it will be how Wilf is like Red. Please Geek, don't quit your day job, or better yet, join a Packers Blog.
Posted by: ajj90 at April 3, 2006 5:26 PMAJJ,
Thanks for visiting from Packerland. How else to explain your constant defense of questionable decisions?
I'm certain that the Vikings appreciate the loyalty of fans who expect nothing more than a chance to make the playoffs. But as someone who has been around long enough to have seen some better teams in Minnesota, forgive me if I call a spade a spade rather than offering a feeble benefit of the doubt.
As for my m.o., the proof is in the pudding. You came to my site last year after the Moss trade and virtually predicted a Super Bowl run following the addition of Napoleon Harris and Troy Williamson. What stands as the more realistic response to last year's off-season, my criticism or your optimism?
Posted by: vg at April 3, 2006 6:04 PMI am just making the point that nobody likes to read the worst case scenario about everything. Give it up. The proof is in the pudding, read the comments after each of your posts. Realism is one thing but to carry on and on is just overkill. I am just saying keep your day job, and your posts would be better suited on Rube Chat on KFAN.
Posted by: ajj90 at April 3, 2006 9:47 PMAJJ,
Thanks again, as always, for the tip. As I've said to you before, feel free not to read my posts. There are plenty of alternatives out there. If none of them strike your fancy--as my posts clearly do not--feel free to start your own blog. There you will have the freedom to put the rosiest of spins on everything that the Vikings do. I will continue to offer a voice For those that prefer an honest appraisal of the Vikings--the type of appraisal that can lead to necessary change were it heeded.
As for the comments of others, I have no problem with most of them. That's part of this site. And that's part of writing a blog column. Of the 1000 or so daily readers of this site, it is not surprising, nor unexpected to have some who disagree with what I write. In that respect, my only concern is when readers miss the point of a column, as you appear to have yet again. The point of this column and every other column is to raise an issue when it still matters. If the topic takes issue with something that the Vikings have done, it is to suggest a change that could benefit the team. If you, or others, elect to read that as "the worst possible scenario" so be it. But if your only point continues to be to disparage the writing by making readily controvertible statements that do not contribute to the discussion, your time is better spent elsewhere.
Or you can take a cue from readers such as PA Viking and Lichty who, although they do not always agree with me--though they appear to today, contrary to your suggestion--at least offer something in the way of a constructive comment. That's the point of my column and of this site. And that's the type of reader for whom I will continue to write.
Posted by: vg at April 4, 2006 1:08 AMVG, you do have valid points and usually are pretty much on the button. You do get pretty pessimistic a lot of the time, and I can't begrudge you that on a lot of things, but I think what people are saying is that once in a while, give us a "glass is half full" column to sate the masses ;-)
Otherwise, keep up the good work and more importantly, good research.
Dave
Posted by: Dave at April 4, 2006 1:59 AMFolks - if the Viking futility over the last 8 years is not reason for sober analysis and pessimism, then nothing will be.
This is not 1998 -- this team has made huge mistakes and done very poorly since 15-1. Let us not forget that.
Keep up the great analysis VG.
Posted by: J. Lichty at April 4, 2006 10:26 AMVG, astute analysis as always. I'm a fan of your realistic outlook. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Elder at April 5, 2006 6:07 PM