Vikings

Defense

Spielman replaces Fran Foley, who was fired recently after three tumultuous months on the job. We’re surprised Spielman got another job so soon after a weak record in Miami. Coach Brad Childress should have more juice here than Spielman.

Wilf was born in New Jersey, attended New York Law School in Manhattan, and apparently carries a torch for the former Giants and Jets head coach. Wilf is reportedly “seeking an upgrade on” coach Leslie Frazier, and GM Rick Spielman is on board with the Big Tuna. Wilf asked Parcells to “name his price” as football czar as well as head coach, though the 71-year-old future Hall of Famer has reservations that the game has “passed [him] by.” We have to believe the Vikings’ interest in a high-profile coach is (was?) related to the push for a new stadium in Minneapolis. The report stems from Parcells’ side, however, which suggests an attempt at leverage with the Saints.

The St. Paul Pioneer-Press and NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora both confirm ESPN 1500 Twin Cities’ account that Parcells will not be joining the Vikings. Owner Zygi Wilf has been a fan of the Big Tuna dating back to the dominant 1980s Giants squads, but the rebuilding Vikings have little appeal to a 71-year-old coach. The Saints are “still in the mix,” reports LaCanfora. The original New York Post report screams of a leverage ploy by Parcells to squeeze more money out of New Orleans.

Previous reports suggest the Vikings did have serious interest in Parcells at one time, but the embers died out when their fervor went unrequited. Parcells’ camp then took that former interest to the Post in an attempt at leverage over the Saints, only to end up with egg on the face.

Morris-to-Minnesota rumors have been percolating for days now, and it’s clear he’s Minnesota’s top choice to replace Fred Pagac. Before taking over as the Bucs’ head coach in 2009, Morris had never coordinated a defense at the NFL level. The Bucs ranked 30th in yards allowed this season, and dead last in points against.

The Vikings are flirting with the worst record in team history, but this report jibes with recent comments from owner Zygi Wilf. Despite sitting at 2-11, the Vikings have more-or-less been competitive, with eight of their losses coming by a touchdown or less. Frazier deserves another season.

Per NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, the interview should take place on Tuesday morning. Williams has generated interest around the league before, most recently for the Bears’ defensive coordinator post in 2010 that went to in-house candidate Rod Marinelli. Williams is a former Tony Dungy disciple and has all kinds of experience with the Tampa 2-style scheme Leslie Frazier runs.

It’s the second consecutive year the Bears have prevented an assistant from interviewing elsewhere after Mike Tice wasn’t allowed to interview for the Titans’ offensive coordinator position last January. Teams are not required to allow under-contract assistants to interview elsewhere for jobs other than head coach. Minnesota’s interest in Hoke is surprising since the Bears ranked just 28th against the pass in 2011.

The Vikings have offered Pagac a linebackers coach title, but he won’t be calling defensive plays anymore. Mike Singletary coached the position last year and probably won’t be back. Pagac’s defense ranked 21st overall, 26th against the pass, and 11th versus the run in 2011. The Vikings also relieved defensive line coach Karl Dunbar of his duties last week.

“Leslie will definitely be back next year,” said Wilf. Wilf also expressed confidence in Christian Ponder as a franchise quarterback, giving Frazier some long-term rope. Also working in Frazier’s favor is the fact that his team plays hard every Sunday. The Vikings would do well to upgrade their outside receivers in the offseason. The secondary has fallen apart due to injury late this year.