Tuesday Thoughts

Why was Mike Tice fired?

1. No one would ever describe the Vikings as overachievers, or even a team that played up to it's capablities. In the 2003 and 2004 season-The Vikings were favorites of I believe 24 of 32 regular season games, and ended up going 17-15. They lost big games to pretty medicore teams, the only reason they were only favored half the games this year, was due to their terrible road performances. No one before this year would describe the Vikings as overacheivers, but that was mostly due to a terrible schedule (They beat 7 teams with records of 6-10 or worse), and the Giants and Bears game which they won from other circumstances. The Vikings were considered one of the most talented teams in football this year, before thier injuries. But everyteam has injuries.

2. Conflict with management. Mike Tice got into a public tiff with Rob Brezenski after the First Packer game because of bad clock management. Not smart, Brezenski is the most valauble member of the franchise front office. He gives the Vikings more of an advantage than Tice ever could.

3. I think off the field stuff, had something to do with it despite what Zygii said. Zygii had to question whether Tice was a authority figure, when he had his own problems with ticket scalping.

What I am here in regards to the Vikings

*With Gregg Willams out of the mix, due to his contract extension. Brad Childress seems to be the leader to be the Next Coach of the Minnesota Vikings. It wouldn't shock me if Childress was hired soon. The Vikings did contact Ron Rivera from what I can gather, but will have to go to Chicago to interview him. Rivera is my prefered candidate of the names I have heard considered. I have stated numerous times my preference for Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. But Rivera has been successful at his last two stops (Before the Bears, he was the Eagles LB coach) , and worked with two very good coaches. Rivera is supposed to have a great personality, demeanor, and knowledge of the game.

*I'm not really hearing much in regards to the Vikings Player Personnel Director. I am not that opposed to Scott Studwell having a chance with the job for a couple years. Tom Ditrimoff who is the Director of College Scouting for the Patriots and Rick Smith of the Broncos have been talked about. But no one has been contacted from outside the organization.