Frazier a Finalist For Two Different Jobs

by Christopher Gates on Jan 11, 2009 1:39 PM CST in Minnesota Vikings

According to Access Vikings, Vikings' defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has interviewed for three different head coaching jobs since Minnesota's season ended last weekend. The speculation is that he's a finalist for two of those jobs, and the longer this goes on, the more I have the feeling that the Vikings are going to be in the market for another defensive coordinator in the very near future.

The two jobs that Frazier is a finalist for are the head coaching vacancies in St. Louis and Denver. The folks over at Mile High Report asked me to give an opinion of Leslie Frazier, and I simply stated that the Broncos would be wise to hire Frazier as their head coach. As much as I would hate to lose him. . .and wonder if we shouldn't promote him to our OWN head coaching spot. . .he's a worthy candidate, and his performance has justified a promotion with another team for him.

Of those two jobs, I think that the Denver job would be a better choice for Frazier. The NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" enterprise, and the Broncos are clearly much more suited to win now than the Rams are. Denver already has an all-world offense with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Eddie Royal (among others), but their defense is pretty awful, ranking near the bottom of the league in both points and yardage allowed. Bringing in a defensive guy like Frazier would help the Broncos in their attempts to build their defense. St. Louis has some talent at their disposal, but not nearly as much as the Broncos do.

Frazier has also interviewed with the Detroit Lions, and they shouldn't automatically be dismissed as a candidate there, either. Having coached in the NFC North the past couple of years, he has knowledge of the offenses of the other 3 NFC North teams, which would be of a great benefit to them. And, hey, if you're going to a team that just completed the first 0-16 season in NFL history, you know that you can't possibly screw it up any worse than the last guy did.

All in all, I think we're going to end up losing Leslie Frazier to one of these three teams. Frazier deserves his shot at a head coaching job, and he's going to get it in the next couple of days.

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Comments

A Bummer

But with the personnel of this defense, I don’t think it takes a genius to effectively run it. As long as they promote from within for this position, so they have someone who knows the current, and effective, system, the D will be just fine.

So, basically, I say, good luck Frazier on getting a HC gig. We’ll miss ya, but not in a way that spells doom for the team.

by cheaptoy on Jan 11, 2009 2:58 PM CST reply actions

Tomlin

I was bummed when Mike Tomlin left, but it was the best move for him and the Viking defense survived. Any potential Defense Coordinator would salivate for a chance to coach our line. Make a great choice Brad!

by DBQViking on Jan 11, 2009 3:18 PM CST reply actions

A Testament to...

the talent on the Vikings roster. Both Frazier and Tomlin before him had the benefit of having a very talented unit able to execute with results. It would be something for the team to lose another coordinator in so few years, with continuity being what it is at this level.

The downside of hiring ‘up and coming’ coordinators in this league is you don’t know how far up is or when it’ll happen.

by LoveHate on Jan 11, 2009 3:24 PM CST reply actions

If Frazier goes... hire from within

I suspect we’ll read any minute that Frazier is the new head coach of the Broncos (or Rams). I have always been impressed with Karl Dunbar but he has already said that he wants to remain line coach, so than I think Fred Pagac should get the gig, but who knows what bounces off the inner walls of Brad Childress’ skull. You have to give him credit though when it comes to picking DC’s.

It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a Viking to raze a village.

by Luft Krigare on Jan 11, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions

Not A Quick Fix

I do believe Frazier deserves a Head Coaching job i do not believe that he will automatically fix the Broncos defense because, as we have seen in the past, Hiring a Great Defensive Coordinator doesn equal Great Defense with new team.
see Marvin Lewis, Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel, etc.
it all depends on Talent and the Broncos do not have much on the defensive side of the ball.
i do believe that this will impair the Vikings Defense somewhat with a lack of continiuty, as was stated.

by klarue24 on Jan 11, 2009 6:51 PM CST reply actions

For selfish reasons

I’d like to see him come to St Louis. I agree that Denver is the best opportunity for him to win now—good offense with a good, young QB and a horriddefense that he knows how to fix.

But if he turns around the woebegone Rams, he’s the next coach of the year.

And I’d stay away from Detroit. That’s just a mess.

Thoughts on the Vikings, Buckeyes, and Cardinals

www.purplebuckeye.blogspot.com

by Ted Glover on Jan 11, 2009 9:08 PM CST reply actions

Shit or get off the pot Frazier

Take one already if you’re going to so we can snatch up a good DC before they’re all gone. I’m personally not excited about promoting Dunbar or Pagac. I figure if Childress picked them, how good could they be?

I would rather see them go after someone with some experience running a defense like Gregg Williams or somebody like that. We could use some experience and a good gameplan from our coaches.

by Bodysuit Man on Jan 11, 2009 9:43 PM CST reply actions