If a midseason award were given for Most Frustrating Team in the NFL, the 3-4 Minnesota Vikings would no doubt be a favorite for this dubious honor. [img_r]http://www.billingsgazette.net/h/blogs/ychromosome/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/brad_childress1.jpg[/img_r]
Vikings CB Antoine Winfield put his teams uneven effort so far this season in perfect perspective with his one-sentence summation of the teams latest failure an odd 48-41 loss in Week Seven to the division-rival Bears in Chicago:
Somehow, some way, we found a way to lose.
Despite Minnesota owner Zygi Wilfs willingness to greatly expand his payroll this offseason with high-profile free-agent expenditures for both his defense (DE Jared Allen) and offense (WR Bernard Berrian), the Vikings have found all kinds of ways to disappoint their fan base in their four losses, as well as a 12-10 victory in Week Six over the lowly division-rival Lions that was so uninspiring that the Fire Childress chants at halftime ended up being the featured attraction.
To his credit, Brad Childress, Minnesotas beleaguered head coach, has taken full responsibility for his teams failings.
Theres nobody in this building that is happy with the standard right now that were playing at, Childress said early this past week. I think the good thing is that its recognized by the members of this football team. They want to be better, they want to improve, they are all pulling for each other.
Yet, will that be enough to prevent Childress, in his third season as Minnesotas head coach, from following in the same footsteps as NFL counterparts Lane Kiffin, Scott Linehan and, most recently, Mike Nolan, each of whom has already walked the plank before the 2008 seasons official midpoint?
Perhaps a better question is this: Just how frustrated has Wilf become?
They spent $132.4 million this year alone and rank fourth in the league right now in committed cash, a high-rankling NFL executive told PFW. For the product they are showing on the field, Id be sick about it if I were the owner.
You break the bank to win a Super Bowl and you cant even win your own division?
The way we hear it, though, it's unlikely that Wilf will seriously consider pulling the plug on Childress before the 08 season is completed.
Not only did Childress direct a strong turnaround last season, leading the Vikings to an impressive 5-3 second-half record after a similarly disappointing 3-5 first half; he also has the good fortune of coaching a team in the NFC North, which, according to most league observers, does not contain a clear-cut front-runner among the Bears, Packers and Vikings.
But if the Vikings dont clean up their act in a number of key areas that team management is expected to watch very closely the rest of the year, Childress could very well be on the outside looking in next February.
To wit:
After reportedly begrudgingly benching QB Tarvaris Jackson, Childress needs to be rewarded for his faith in Jackson's replacement under center, Gus Frerotte. The way we hear it, Childress turned down Vikings VP of player personnel Rick Spielmans plan to acquire another quarterback besides Frerotte. Frerotte has proven to be a much better game manager than Jackson, but he has been down more often than up, particularly in third-down situations (the team currently ranks 27th in third-down efficiency) a category that is often very closely tied with coaching.
Somehow, some way, the team must start making more big plays on both sides of the ball and cutting down on ill-timed penalties. They are currently tied for 24th with a minus-4 in turnover differential.
An offensive line with three All-Pro-caliber performers (OLT Bryant McKinnie, C Matt Birk and OLG Steve Hutchinson) must be a lot more dominant. Short-armed ORT Ryan Cook has been a particularly weak link.
The defense, which should be helped by the return from injury of free-agent addition S Madieu Williams for the second half of the season, must continue to overcome adversity. Already the teams LB corps has taken a huge hit due to the season-ending loss of underrated MLB E.J. Henderson. In addition, the vaunted D-line could be in a world of trouble if the disclosure by insider Jay Glazer on Fox TVs pregame show Sunday proves true that both Vikings DTs Kevin and Pat Williams are among the players facing four-game suspensions for testing positive under the leagues steroid policy.
Minnesotas special teams, under the direction of coordinator Paul Ferraro, have been flat-out awful so far this season and must show major improvement. Childress has already publicly taken Vikings P Chris Kluwe to task for twice failing to kick the ball out of bounds, away from the Saints Reggie Bush, in the teams win over Saints, and a pair of ugly special-teams breakdowns including a bobbled punt by Kluwe that resulted in a blocked kick that was returned for a TD were key factors in Minnesotas loss to the Bears.
Finally, theres the question of Childress game-day management, which was certainly more than a little questionable against Chicago. Two major examples: (1) His decision to have the Vikings kick off short just before halftime, which made it easier for the Bears to get in range for a field goal that allowed them to seize momentum, and (2) his unsuccessful decision on a key 4th-and-1 play in the third quarter to opt for a Frerotte rollout and use explosive featured back Adrian Peterson as a decoy.
In addition, the Bears seemed to know what the Vikings were running defensively, as Bears QB Kyle Orton kept identifying blitz situations by frequently focusing on Minnesotas Mike linebacker.
Brad (Childress) is an ego guy, an NFL pro scout from a rival team told PFW. I like him, but hes no genius now. Im just glad they got him and Rick Spielman at the helm.
As long as those two guys are running the show, well always have a chance to beat them.