A few months ago many Vikings fans thought Head Coach Brad Childress’ job was in jeopardy. Sure, the Vikings did win the NFC North last year with a 10-6 record. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs with a dominant defense and running game. Fan sentiment in the Twin Cities was that the Vikings needed a new Head Coach to get them over the hump of mediocrity.
Then a young whipper-snapper named Brett Favre came along. OK, maybe he’s not so young anymore. But 10 weeks into the NFL season, 40 year-old Brett Favre has the Vikings off to an 8-1 start and a commanding lead in the NFC North division.
Brad Childress’ ass four months ago: Definitely on the Hot Seat
Brad Childress’ ass right now: Quite Possibly on a Gold Toilet Seat
Financial terms have yet to be officially disclosed, but ESPN is reporting that the deal is between $4 and $5 million a year through the 2013 season (for the sake of comparison, the Packers’ Mike McCarthy is signed on through the 2012 season for about $4 million a year).
Why was Childress on the Hot Seat, you ask? Well, we could go for hours on that topic. But here is a microcosm of Vikings fans’ frustrations from the past few years under Childress:
3rd Down & 9.
Handoff to Adrian Peterson Off Tackle.
7-Yard Gain.
Vikings Punt.
Isn’t it funny what a good Quarterback can do for a Head Coach? Despite having one of the best defenses in the league (no question best defensive line) and easily the best Running Back in the league, the Vikings could only go so far without a decent Quarterback.
While frustration over Childress’ conservative offensive play-calling of years past is certainly understandable, it is also very misguided. What, besides the best Running Back tandem in the league (Chester Taylor would be starting for the Packers), is a coach supposed to lean on when he has no legitimate Quarterback?
Which brings me to my next question. How much of Childress’ new contract is he forking over to #4 for essentially saving his ass?
"Chili, give me your wife for one night and we'll call it even"
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20 November 2009 at 6:14 pm
He could coach high school…
20 November 2009 at 6:15 pm
Any higher level of competition and I’d choose someone else to lead my team.
CCccccCCCCOooommboooo Post.
21 November 2009 at 6:59 am
The saying goes that it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season, and it seems to be the case most of the time. The Packers need to cut down on the penalties, of else forget it, but if that can happen, then there’s more than a chance they won’t lose to the Vikings if it comes to a third game. Or at least, I’m hanging onto that old saying, anyway.
21 November 2009 at 10:41 am
the vikes have an excellent squad this year, top to bottom. however, i’ve never really been sold on on childress.as apacker fan, i’m glad to see childress get extended.
21 November 2009 at 12:41 pm
for sure grego. as a packers fan, I love childress getting extended! When Favre is gone, they’ll still need to find a quarterback again!!
21 November 2009 at 2:03 pm
I disagree, Brad Childress has the Vikings playing exponentially better defense every season. I know a lot of the credit should go to the GM but c’mon guys, this was a playoff team with a QB that couldn’t complete a pass longer than 10 yards. Childress may not be known for being an offensive genius but he has his team playing tough football and playing up to their potential every season. Which is more than you can say about the Packers. He deserves the extension and I don’t know what their saying up in MN but if I were a Vikings fan, I’d be glad to extend him.
21 November 2009 at 4:31 pm
Okay that was the Denman logged in under my name….in two years they will be regretting this decision and they wont be able to fire him because of the big contract and they wont eat that money.
21 November 2009 at 4:51 pm
If Denman wants to know what most Minnesota fans think of the extension, I have found that most Vikings fans can’t stand Childress.
Once Favre retires (for good this time) they feel like they’ll be stuck with Childress and the same boring style of years past.
I’m somewhere in the middle. I understand why Childress has been so conservative, but I wouldn’t be super excited about the prospect of Childress as the head coach A.F. (after Favre).
The extension may actually have something to do with keeping Favre around for a couple more years. Those two are buddies apparently. Maybe that would influence Favre to stick around.
But, if Favre retires after this season, and the Vikes struggle, they are stuck with Chili for at least a few more years.