2014 Vikings head coach is....

[Getanet]

Thin ice? Maybe dealing with sensitive people that want to make a big deal out of anything they can.

How many HOF QB's are black?

How many HOF RB's or WR's are white?

I don't see it being racist at all, just playing the odds.

To be clear, I'm not calling you a racist. But there is a huge difference between looking at aggregate totals and applying that to specific individuals.

Also, as a whole, quite a few RB's and WR's in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are white.

[Musky Buck]

No 1 should worry too much, whoever we get we'll be debating who's next 2-3 years from now. The teams that have that tier 1 quarterback also kinda look like they have the tier 1 coaches. It's all about QB's. They handle the ball the most, call plays often, change plays often, give the team faith if down we can come back so they hang in there and fight and when it happens like Luck did you're an instant believer. Who are the final 8 ? Manning,Brady,Brees,Rivers,Luck,in my book underrated Cam Newton, Wilson,Kaepernick so basically nothing has changed much I guess no Eli or Rodgers but they know hey we can get back in the hunt again because we can add depth etc. and have 0 worry at QB unlike the rest of league as outsiders looking in. We were grabbing straws, Leslie knew it was over, never got the guy in here that can break into that playoff pack of 8 teams, when we did it Adrian, very rare for a back to lead a team into playoff land and Walsh's foot, anyway if Bud Grant couldn't get it done I'll Randy Moss it, aint eva gonna be a superbowl champion here, not in Minnesota.

[hawgchaser]

The last two statements I quoted are probably paraphrases of common statements made often in the early era of integrated pro sports. Stereotypical assignment of team positions based upon color alone are racist - regardless of the race of the person making the statement-regardless of the percentages/odds used to justify the statement.

The statements I quoted were direct quotes and made no room for the exceptions to the "rule". Names like Kaepernick, Wilson, Newton, Griffin etc. seem to indicate that Scott's racial "odds" in 5 years may be a 180 degree reversal from the "odds" today.

I apologize for making my response to those statements personal. I'll correct that and say that the statements/attitudes expressed are racist.

[nofishfisherman]

I know what FG intended to say, I dont think he is racist either.

The majority of good QB are white, that isnt racist. So odds are better to go with a white QB.

The majority of good WR, and RB are balck, that isnt racist, it is a fact. So, the odds are better to go with a black WR, or RB.

But, if you think the best fit for your team is a certain QB, and he happens to be black, by all means, take him. Same goes for a white WR, or RB.

This mentality is exactly why the Rooney Rule was put in place to start with.

Teams wouldn't look at minority candidates because no minority candidate had ever had any real success. Of course that was because very few ever got the chance.

If skin color enters the equation like it apparently does in the example above it shows that perhaps the rule isn't as outdated as I previously thought.

[nofishfisherman]

How many HOF QB's are black?

How many HOF RB's or WR's are white?

I don't see it being racist at all, just playing the odds.

How many black QB's were given a chance back in the day?

You may be playing the odds by sticking with a white QB but the odds you are playing were created by a long list of white coaches that funneled top quality black athletes into positions other than QB because the past sentiment was that they weren't smart enough to play QB. That also explains why so the WR/RB positions have historically been dominated by black athletes. If they weren't allowed to play QB they had to play somewhere.

And as stated before there are a lot of HOF RBs and WRs that are white.

[FISHINGURU]

Well in the past couple decades plenty of black QB's have been givin great opportunities, we'll have to wait and see how it plays out, I haven't seen any yet and don't see any of them as HOF'ers right now, I do/did like a few of them though.

Which white lead RB's or white #1 WR's have been HOF'ers in the past 20-30 years? Maybe all the ones that are in the HOF from back in the day are there because of all the white coaches and voters? I've been watching football for the past 30 years or so and don't recall very many successful white lead RB's or white #1 WR's. There are a few that pop into my head but definitely not alot.

[fishersofmen]

The Washington Redskins have their coach. The Minnesota Vikings might not be far behind.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that a trio of candidates are believed to be finalists for the chance to replace the fired Leslie Frazier.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Todd Bowles, who runs the Arizona Cardinals' defense, are two of the three, Rapoport was told. The third candidate remains a mystery.

A nugget on the Bowles front: If he wins the job, Rapoport cited former Cowboys and Bills coach Chan Gailey and Ravens coordinator Rick Neuheisel as possible hires for offensive play-calling duties.

The Vikings planned all along to interview up to 10 candidates before whittling the field down to three. Plans to meet with Jay Gruden were erased after the former Bengals offensive coordinator hammered out a deal Thursday to become coach of the Redskins.

On the heels of the Frazier era, Minnesota again appears poised to hand the reins to a proven defensive-minded coach.

Zimmer -- an entertaining wild-card on last year's "Hard Knocks" -- would be an intriguing hire. But whoever takes over can't ignore an offense with major issues at the quarterback position, a bee's nest of non-viable passers who played a major role in Frazier's fall from grace.

[FISHINGURU]

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Todd Bowles, who runs the Arizona Cardinals' defense, are two of the three, Rapoport was told. The third candidate remains a mystery.

Psssssst, who they tryin to fool? We all know the third candidate is Buck.

[Scott K]

I am not sure who they are going to get as far as head coach, but I wouldnt mind them knocking on Favres door to see if he wants to run the offense, either as a QB coach, or the OC.

I am sure this wouldnt bode well for the eastern cheesbacks, but who cares. Favre mentoring/coaching Manziel, hmmmm

[countyline]

On the heels of the Frazier era, Minnesota again appears poised to hand the reins to a proven defensive-minded coach.

Chicago and soon Detroit went the other way. With what they have on offense, going with a defensive minded coach will equal door step for the next few years. MN needs a offensive minded coach with a quit but strong D coordinator.

[Rick]

SF Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman is on the Vikes wish list to be interviewed as part of the final three.

I believe he already interviewed for the HC position after the 49ers - Packer game.

So all three will interview one more time and the Vikes will pick between Roman, Bowles and Zimmer.

We might have a new HC after the 2nd round of interviews as soon as they can get a contract worked out.

[FISHINGURU]

Reports are saying we are going to interview Roman today in North Carolina, and also defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

Pretty crazy how all these guys are doing interviews as they are supposed to be all in on game planning in the big games coming up.

[BuckSutherland]

I gotta say I am not impressed with the way this coaching search has gone.

1. If we get Greg Roman (SF Off Cord) does that mean we get to run the read option here?? I am sure that Peterson will fit right into that. Not to mention we would draft a more mobile running type guy to fit the system.

2. If its Zimmer (Cincy DC) are we really going to trust a defensive coordinator to help find and groom our franchise QB?? And I am not fond of anyone that comes out of Marvin Lewis one and done system.

3. If its Bowles (AZ DC) I have same questions for him as Zimmer.

I think Wisenhunt might be the guy to get a franchise QB, and develop him. He did it with Rothlisberger in Pitt. He also made it to the Superbowl with Kurt Warner and his wife. Then in their brilliance the Bidwell family gave Wisenhunt franchise QBs like John Skelton to work with. He seems to have been a great help to Phillip Rivers this year. Wish they would give him another look at least.

Lions will win the division next year if they get Wisenhunt.

And I really wish that the NFL would keep any of this carp from happening until the playoffs are over. Its not fair to the guys who are still with teams who are in the playoffs yet to not be hired cause they are doing good.

[fishersofmen]

Zimmer is coming back for a second interview this week. They may have already found their guy.

[FISHINGURU]

Not like the new HC can't hire good staff to work with the other side of the ball and groom the other players.

Just because we get a defensive coach doesn't mean we can't groom a QB or have a good offense, same goes for an offensive coach doesn't mean we can't have a good defense with good defensive players. That is why it is important to have a good staff to go along with the HC.

There's no guarantee just because we hire an offensive coach that we will draft the right QB and groom him into being good just because we hired an offensive coordinator. We are going to need a perfect storm.

I like Zimmer the most out of these guys that we've interviewed so far,

I'm guessing with him coming in again he's the leading guy, the other guys we are interested in are still on the winning teams. Roman, Tomsula, and Bevell might not of impressed enough to wait for them. Not sure if we've even talked with Gace or Del Rio, I don't think either of them are worth waiting for if we are really impressed with a guy right now.

It does suck they allow these interviews to happen while the season is still going on, teams should have to wait until the Super Bowl is over.

Lions winning the division? C'MON Man!!!

[TR21HP]

It's all a crapshoot anyways, some coordinators can make the transition to head coach while others can't. Completely different animal being head coach versus coordinator. Hopefully who ever the Vikes get will have something special because he will be inheriting a mess.

[zepman]

Wisenhunt wasn't even interested in the Vikings coaching opening...or any of the others for that matter. Him and Detroit were linked early. He learned from his time in AZ that if you don't have a solid QB...well, you won't hold on to your job for very long.

I'll assume the Vikings and other teams contacted him and he simply told them "no thanks".

[mnviking28]

The one comment that I read today that I liked the most about Zimmer was that he is a tell it like it is, no B.S. guy that has a lot of connections in the football world and would have no trouble bringing in a top flight offensive mind. He is also a guy that shows some emotion. One guy actually referred to him as the "anti-Frazier". That alone makes this an attractive hire. Leslie seemed like a very likeable guy, but most games, I was wondering how long it was going to be until the medical staff checked him for a pulse. I have never seen a more disinterested looking coach in all the football I have ever watched.

[nofishfisherman]

Why are people so concerned with what a coach looks like on the sideline? A guy that shows emotion can be just as inept as a guy who is low key.

If I'm looking for a coaching candidate what he looks like on the sideline wouldn't make the top 1000 things I am judging him on.

As long as he can lead and motivate his players in his own way I don't care if he's running up and down the sidelines screaming or if he's doing it with a calm quiet voice.

I fully agreed with the firing of Frazier but the one thing I'll give him credit for is that even during a miserable season with seemingly nonsensical approach to the QB position he still never lost his locker room. The team played hard for him until the bitter end. The tells me that he could motivate his players in his own way, he didn't need to yell and stomp up and down the sideline like an one-who-thinks-I-am-silly to get his point across. His major issue was not in his demeanor but rather in the X's and O's of the game plan and in game adjustments.

[nofishfisherman]

Wisenhunt wasn't even interested in the Vikings coaching opening...or any of the others for that matter. Him and Detroit were linked early. He learned from his time in AZ that if you don't have a solid QB...well, you won't hold on to your job for very long.

I'll assume the Vikings and other teams contacted him and he simply told them "no thanks".

Actually he just signed a deal to become the Titans head coach.

[zepman]

I saw that...kinda suprising being that most reports had the Lions waiting to hire him once the Chargers season was over.

I would have liked a Wisenhunt hire for the Vikes but I'm on board with the other top candidates Spielman is looking at too.

[LABS4ME]

I'd take a calm demeanor like Leslie's over a complete lunatic like harbaugh... I used to like him... He's nothing more than an annoying side show now. Between him and boldin, it was enough to want to tip the tv over!

Good Luck!

Ken

[zepman]

Well, if we get Zimmer, he is the exact opposite of Frazier.

[schmitty3]

The thing about Leslie on the sideline that bugged me was he never really said anything to his players after some really STUPID mistakes or penalties. Fred Evans would come off the field after 3 offsides penalties, and not one coach would be there to rip into him. It was just like a don't let it happen again type of thing. Those types of things killed us in a lot of games, and those guys should be scolded imo.

[FISHINGURU]

Zimmer is a strong leader and holds people accountable, that's something we need around here. Would be nice to see a little fire in a coaches eye for once.