Tice Quitting?

[JIvers]

I picked the following report up on CNNSI.com, which got it from the Pioneer-Press. Obviously I'm hoping it's true, although I doubt that an interim coach could do anything to turn this train wreck around. If the un-named players in this report are quoted accurately, Tice has pretty much lost this team, and if he doesn't go now (one way or another) it will get even uglier.

An 80-minute meeting Mike Tice called with his players earlier in the day left some wondering if their coach was on the verge of resigning. Some players praised Tice, with one veteran calling the meeting very "useful." But three players said Tice told them he contemplated resigning hours after the Vikings' blowout loss to the Falcons, a point two players considered deplorable. One starter said Tice delivered a "rambling resignation speech." "He quit on us," the starter said. "I lost all respect for him." "You could tell he gave up on us," another player said. According to that player, Tice also said he would not be surprised if Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made a coaching change.

-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

[Bobby Bass]

Not going to happen he is there for the season with the owners backing. But the report has pisted a few people off as it was to be kept behind closed doors. Maybe this will lite a little fire under Tice and he will start acting like a head coach and not everyones big brother.

[lawdog]

Wilf hired two "coaching advisors" to get Tice through the season. I figure he just must think he has no interim alternative...

[IFallsRon]

It's further proof that McCoombs made a decision on coach based on salary. Tice was a poor choice from the start but the lack of talent doesn't make him look any better.

[Uncle Bill]

Mabey these "coaching advisors" will advise him (Tice) to bench Dumb-te Slowstepper and put in Brad Johnson.

[Down to Earth]

Don't you remember Tice "doesn't have to defend our quarterback". If C-Pep tanks again against the Bears, I think you almost have to give Johnson a start, but I don't think Tice ever will. He's too in love with C-Pep. Just look at how he's been with Bennett, he's finally realizing what everyone else did in game 1. One reason I don't think he will start Johnson is he doesn't want a QB controversy, though if it keeps on like this he'll get it. I just don't think he'll get it in time. From what I've heard listening to KFAN, its not like the receivers aren't getting open. I just don't think C-Pep is making the right reads on coverage, etc. THis is where I think the experience of Johnson would be beneficial to the offense right now.

[sunnyj]

And Johnsons scrambeling ability will surely be the saving grace of the vikings offese. Keep Cpep in the game, he will come around when the line gives him some time.

[lawdog]

Quote:

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I just don't think C-Pep is making the right reads on coverage, etc. THis is where I think the experience of Johnson would be beneficial to the offense right now.

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If I've said it once I've said it a dozen times, Moss made Culpecker look like a much better QB than he is. This is the first time in his career he's not consistently faced single coverage everywhere away from the double team on Moss. You hit the nail right on the head, he doesn't know how to read defenses at all because its not the same thing he's seen for years and he doesn't get to play 10 on 9 ball anymore.

[09ultra]

I really think Tice needs to go, bring back Bud he can finish this season and then the vikes could go after Carroll in the off season I think he is ready to come back to the NFL and could really turn this team around. I think the team has all the talent in the world and really have they have been out coached or really not coached very well at all.We have waited long enough to get a consistant winning team back on the feild.

just my .02, I feel alittle better now!

[JIvers]

I do agree that another bad start would justify sitting Culpepper down for the rest of the game. Johnson, though, would not last long enough to make much difference in the Vikings season. He has little mobility and has always been injury-prone, and with horrible offensive line play he would be knocked out of the game in short order. Like it or not, Culpepper is the starter, and will remain the starter.

I would also point out that Culpepper did just fine in the three games last year when Moss was out with his ankle injury. This team misses Birk and Linehan as much or more than it misses Moss.

Another unconfirmed report (but it sounds credible, which is why I repeat it here) has several Vikings lobbying for Linehan to be brought in as head coach next season, if, or rather when, Tice is not brought back.

As for bringing Bud Grant back: rumor had it that cheap-skate Red McCombs was ready to fire Tice last last season during the annual collapse, and offered the interim job to Bud. Grant declined the offer, pointing out that he has been out of the game for twenty years, and is getting up there in age.

[NAPAFISH]

Bud would never come back. The only things he wants to do involves Blaze orange, a fishin rod or a shot gun

[Down to Earth]

I guess the route I was going with Johnson, is he'd be reading the defense better and getting rid of the ball quicker to the receivers. Your probably right, in that you pretty much gotta stick with Culpepper. I wouldn't be concerned as much if Culpepper was actually healthy and not playing with his knee not 100%.

[Stratosman]

The O-line is the main problem right now, wasn't he sacked like nine times against the Falcon's, and it didn't look like any of them were because he held the ball too long? It doesn't matter who's in there, if the the line can't give the QB any time. Johnson would have the same problem I'd bet.

[nbdyknws]

Wait how many superbowls has Brad won and how many has Culpepper won?

Aighty of course Brad is not as good as Culpepper could be, and see that I said "Could Be".

For everyone backing up Culpepper, let me know how many interceptions and fumbles he has so far. And realize he is not in his 10th game this season. He just finished his 3rd.

Maybe let Culpepper sit on the bench and see how the offense works with him on the sidelines for one game. They do it with every other professional team. Pujols starts slumping what do you think they do. Sit Pujols, rest up alittle and go thru why your in your slump.

So why not say Culpepper sit this game out and rest up your knee that you now say is bugging you that much you are throwing 10 interceptions in 3 games, and let a proven veteran go in and try and get us a win. Tell him his job is not in jepordy and just figure out what is going on.

Tice eh take a few deep breaths because you aren't lasting past this year, might as well try and enjoy it because you aren't going to be wanted back in the NFL.

[Uncle Bill]

If Dumb-te is such an asset to the team, why risk injury when the game is all but over. Play Johnson.

[Hockey Guy]

How about this: Bring back Bud for the rest of this season, have Tarkenton be our QB, and next year after Farve retires we can get him for the head coach. Now that would give the guys on NFL Live something to talk about.

[CodyDawg]

Loney came out in the paper and said the Oline was only responsible for 3 of the 9 sacks. One paragraph later Travis Taylor said "The eye in the sky don't lie, the WRs are getting open." I guess that means Daunte is the problem in my book. For all you Daunte backers, what is his career record? Well under .500. Has he ever won a big game? Nope. Who is the only QB to have piloted the Viking ship for a few games other than Daunte and how did he do? Ol Gus had a darn near perfect rating when DC was hurt. Maybe DC is just not that good and his old Moss-inflated stats are masking that fact. I say trade him while he still has value. Oh, and by the way, his Wunderlic score was not all that impressive...hmmmmm.

[JIvers]

Brad Johnson did not "win" the Super Bowl for Tampa Bay; he avoided screwing up while Tampa's defense won games by 9-6 scores. Johnson was so valuable to that Super Bowl team the he was demoted and released the following season. Trent Dilfer likewise "won" a Super Bowl with the Ravens, but no one is calling him a great QB. Anyone who thinks this Viking defense can be relied on to win games while the QB avoids screwing up didn't watch that defense get lit up by Cincinnatti and Atlanta.

As for the Moss factor and Culpepper's struggles: Moss failed to take Minnesota to a single Super Bowl. For that matter, check how Oakland is doing with him in the lineup.

The bigger problem is the offensive scheme and lack of blocking. Frerotte excelled with Linehan as offensive coordinator, and Culpepper looked great last year when Moss was out for three games. Both QBs flourished under Linehan's scheme, which has now been replaced with Loney's.

Travis Taylor may well be open, but that doesn't matter if the QB is getting pounded into the turf because the line can't pass-block. Johnson is a statue, and he would quickly be demolished under the pressure Culpepper has faced.