More Viking Thoughts

Q: Should Sunday's Game affect Mike Tice's Job Status?

A: A lot of people would say no since it is a meaningless game, with the Bears not playing any of their starters the whole game. But I think the effort the Vikings give will show us something. If the Vikings lay down like dogs like they did in a 33-3 lose to Jacksonville in 2001 that probably sealed Dennis Green's fate. A lackluster fan response towards Tice means something as far as fan intrest goes but not much. But if the Vikings play a hard-fought, well-executed game, it shows that the Vikings aren't quitting on Mike Tice. It also shows signs of progress. It probably wouldn't change my final verdict but will add stuff to consider either way.

Q: What should the Vikings be looking for in their next Head Coach?

-I think one factor that will be considered is marketablity. I don't mean in the sense that one has good media relations, I really don't care what the media thinks of a guy, they like Tice. I mean by this you probably can't hire someone like (Jim Schwartz-Titans DC, Mike Singeltary-49ers Asst. Head Coach, Brad Childress-Eagles Off.Coordinator, Jim Haslett-NO Saints Head Coach, Donnie Henderson-Jets DC, Jerry Gray-Bills DC, Maurice Carthon -Browns OC, or Jim Fassell-Ravens OC). The reason being you can't really sell to the Viking fans a Coach-who might be very good someday, or a coach that might deserve a second chance from a team that is worse than the Vikings this will be a tough sell, so this seems to limit your field to the 12 teams in the playoffs for being under consideration.

-I am less opposed to college than some. They could have connections like Denny Green did to assemble a talented staff from the college game, with pro-position coaches serving as coordinators. Nick Saban is doing a good job in Miami, and the closest to thing to Saban out there is Kirk Ferentz, who has done a terrific job at Iowa.

-Def.Coordinators seem to be hired at a much greater rate than offensive coordinators which the three off.coordinators serving in thier first stint as head-coaches nearly got fired or will be fired after this season. But when looking at D.Coordinators like Bill Cowher, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith, Jack Del Rio, Marvin Lewis, Jim Mora, JR. and John Fox having success this needs to be noted. It should be noted the Vikings have never hired a Def.Coach as their head-coach.

-The NFL would require interviews of African-American candidates so you can be assured that Tim Lewis will get an interview. Maurice Carthon, Jerry Gray, and Donnie Henderson as stated above I would consider long-shots. I also wouldn't rule Ted Cotrell and Mike Singeltary out for interviews. But if Tice is fired, I am very confident Lewis would be interviewed, and considered .