Brad Childress, Welcome to the Hot Seat

Welcome to the Hot Seat, Brad Childress. I hope you enjoy your stay.

By allowing the Minnesota Vikings to spend over $70 million on new talent this past offseason, owner Zygi Wilf basically issued his ultimatum to head coach Brad Childress.

If the Vikings cannot obtain a playoff berth this year, there may be a coaching mix-up in the Twin Cities.

Wilf certainly gave Childress a lot to work with.

He gave Childress veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte. Frerotte is extremely capable of coming into a game and playing at a high level or even spot starting if Tarvaris Jackson isn't performing decently.

Speaking of Jackson, Childress' fate practically rests on this young man's shoulders. If Jackson doesn't improve in 2008, Childress may be looking for a job.

At the very least, Frerotte should be able to provide Jackson with veteran tutoring and advice. That is, if he isn't too busy with rookie John David Booty.

Booty is fresh off the biggest scene in college football, USC. His presence should provide both Jackson and Frerotte with the needed motivation and competition to perform at their absolute best this season.

Now, if the entire Viking's organization didn't have their careers hitched onto the arm of Jackson, Childress might not be on the infamous Hot Seat.

Minnesota administration and fans would recognize this as a rebuilding year with a bad quarterback and look forward to Booty's upcoming glory days.

Back to the present: Jackson is the man, whether we like it or not. If he doesn't perform, too bad.

Another young presence in Minneapolis is defensive end Jared Allen. Wilf gave good money for him, giving up among other things the Viking's first round draft pick. His future in purple is also a key element in Childress' future in purple.

Much less is being made of Allen, though. He will immediately be paired up with the best set of defensive tackles in the NFL in Pat and Kevin Williams.

There are questions and concerns, however, about Allen's ability to stay sober.

Allen was written up for two DUI's last year and was suspended for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He appears to be regretful and wants to change his ways:

"I'm sorry my actions of last year will affect my teammates, coaches and fans. I have definitely learned from my mistakes and am glad to finally put this entire thing behind me once and for all."

Allen isn't the only defensive addition in Minnesota. Safety Madieu Williams, formerly with the Cincinnati Bengals, was signed as a free agent very early on this past free agency period.

Williams is an above-average safety and is a big improvement over whose spot he takes: Dwight Smith.

In one of the biggest and most highly touted free agent signing this year, Minnesota grabbed receiver Bernard Berrian to a six-year, $42 million contract.

While many fans think this price is ridiculously high, Berrian should at the very least raise Sidney Rice's ability.

Rice was one of the least-talked about great rookies last year. At only 22 years old (the youngest on the Viking's roster at the time), Rice caught 31 balls for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He is easily a top 50 receiver for 2008.

Childress' future as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings hinges on the performance of the above listed players. In addition to the youth of this squad, Minnesota doesn't have a particularly easy schedule in 2008.

They face the Indianapolis Colts in the Metrodome and are at Jacksonville Jaguars in November.

If they win either of these games, Childress' future may be sealed. If not—look out.