Minnesota Vikings: 9 Reasons Leslie Frazier May Want To Coach Elsewhere

Minnesota Vikings' interim head coach Leslie Frazier is hoping to remove the interim tag from his title.

He's interviewed for six head coaching positions, only to come up short each time. 

Right now Frazier is the fan favorite to coach the Vikings in 2011 and beyond.

Minnesota fans would love for Frazier to have the same success as two former defensive coordinators from the Vikings—Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin, both of whom have Super Bowl rings.

Of course fans need to remember it took Dungy 11 seasons and two teams before he won a championship—I doubt they will have the patience to wait that long. 

Like the appearance of any food to a starving man, Frazier might jump at the chance to coach the Vikings, but perhaps he should make sure to fully appreciate the situation before making a hasty decision.

Here are nine reasons he may want to try is luck in Denver, Dallas, Cincinnati, Carolina, San Francisco, Arizona or Buffalo—all of whom could be looking for a new head coach next season.

There's No Quarterback Controversy, Because There's No Quarterback

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Joe Webb #14 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at the Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, on September 2, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Pho

Heading into the 2011 season, the Vikings will have a huge hole to fill at quarterback.

Of course with the way Brett Favre has played in 2010 some may feel any QB that can move would be an upgrade—but of course they would be wrong (I refer to Tarvaris Jackson.)

Right now the only quarterback that is expected to be on the 2011 roster is rookie Joe Webb.

A quarterback for Alabama-Birmingham, Webb was originally drafted as a wide receiver, but impressed the coaching staff with his arm strength and talent, making the team as the third-string quarterback.

Before Viking fans get too carried away, remember the most popular quarterback on many NFL rosters is typically the third-stringer. This is usually the player with the greatest upside and the least exposure to the NFL.

Here are a few reasons to be very cautious.

This is the same organization that moved up in the second round of the 2006 draft to select Jackson.

Jackson played college at Alabama State, Webb at Alabama-Birmingham.

Alabama State has only 21 alumni to ever play in the NFL, and Jackson is the first and only quarterback.

Alabama-Birmingham has only 14 alumni in the NFL, and like Jackson, Webb is the only quarterback.

At this point Patrick Ramsey could have as good a chance to be the QB next season in Minnesota.

The Defense Is Starting To Show Its Age—Especially Against The Run

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 07: (L-R) Kevin Williams #93 and Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesoa Vikings in action during the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 7, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings defeated the Lions 20-16. (Photo by

The Vikings have prided themselves on their run defense.

The Pat and Kevin Williams defensive tackle tandem, known as the Williams Wall, has been the mainstay of the run defense.

But the defense is starting to show its age.

Minnesota's rushing defense has been on a five year decline with the average-per-game increasing from 61.6 yards in 2006 to the current 101.3 yards allowed in 2010.

In the Monday night game against the New York Giants at Ford Field, the defense gave up a total of 213 yards, allowing both Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to exceed the century mark. The Giants averaged 8.76 yards per carry in the game. 

The average age of the starters is 29 years old, led by 38-year-old Pat Williams. Six of the current starters will be 30 or older next season.

With the need to shore up the secondary and an aging linebacker corp, this defense is in need of an overhaul.

There Are Holes in The Offensive Line—and Not The Ones AP Can Use

Like the Vikings' defensive line, the offensive line is starting to show its weaknesses. 

In Adrian Peterson's rookie year in 2007, the Vikings averaged 164.6 yards per game. That number has come down each year since. 

Currently Minnesota is averaging 122.5 yards per game this season, only a slight improvement over 2009 when they averaged 119.5 per game. The difference is they had an explosive passing game last season. 

The offensive line is anchored by three players who are 30 or older—Anthony Herrera, 30, Bryant McKinnie, 32, and Steve Hutchinson, 33.

Hutchinson has missed that last two games with a broken hand, and Herrera is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The offensive line will need some reinforcements, and quickly.

The Receiving Corp Is Really Thin

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints commits pass interference in the end zone against Bernard Berrian #87 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orl

The current corp of wide receivers includes four players 28 years old or older.

At 24 years old, Sidney Rice is the star of this group and has the ability to stretch the field. But after Rice things get thin really fast.

This season has seen the disappearance of Bernard Berrian. He is currently averaging 9.2 yards per reception—the lowest in his seven year career. Originally signed as a down field threat, Berrian has constantly underperformed in 2010. With a number of drops this season, he does not appear able to make the transition to a possession type receiver.

Percy Harvin is an explosive receiver, but is better suited to play as the slot receiver, or coming out of the backfield.

What's missing is a good complement to Rice that will prevent defenses from constantly doubling him.

Hank Baskett, Greg Camarillo and Greg Lewis are not the answer and should be jettisoned from the team.

Percy Harvin Is a Superstar With a Question Mark?

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Percey Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

There's no question that Harvin is a superstar.

He is a game changer in so many ways—as the kick returner, a receiver in the slot, or as a running back.

In his short two-year career he has averaged 12.8 yards per reception, 8.6 yards per rushing attempt, and 25.5 yards per kick off return with three returned for touchdowns.

Including Peterson, Harvin may be the most exciting player the Vikings have.

He's also a regular question mark.

The unpredictability of his migraine condition can leave the Vikings' offense scrambling at any time. Already this season he has missed two consecutive games due to migraines.

This alone could cause a head coach to develop ulcers.

It wouldn't be so bad if Harvin just wasn't so good.

Minnesota Fans Are Quick to Turn on a Loser

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: A Minnesota Vikings fan holds up a sign urging the firing of Vikings head coach rad Childress before the game with the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by

Frazier may want to be wary of the Minnesota public.

These are the same fans that quickly turned on a coach that had improved the Vikings' record in each season as head coach.

Sure, the Vikings' record took a dip from nine wins to six the first year Brad Childress coached, but he needed to makeover the team in his image.

Childress won two more games over the previous season going from six wins in 2006 to 12 in 2009.

The Vikings were even one play away from reaching the Super Bowl.

All it took was a 2-4 start in 2010 and the fans started calling for his head.

The chants of "fire Chilly" could easily be heard at home games this year.

How quickly these fans forgot the great 12-4 season with a home playoff victory over the Cowboys in 2009.

Frazier needs to realize the Vikings' bandwagon is a fickle one, and can easily be tipped over due to frequent mass exoduses.    

The Loss of Eric Bieniemy Creates Uncertainty in the Vikings Running Game

Eric Bieniemy has decided to leave the Vikings as the running backs coach and accepted the offensive coordinator role at his alma mater, the University of Colorado.

Bieniemy is the only coach Peterson has known in his four years at the NFL level. 

Changes in coaches are nothing new, and shouldn't be an issue, but if the chemistry between coach and player is not optimal, then something has to give.

So far Peterson has not become any kind of spoiled diva of a superstar, but still, the hiring of a new running backs coach will be critical.

Who's the Boss of the Vikings?

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Minnesota Vikings Interim Head Coach Leslie Frazier talks to referees from the sideline while playing the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Vikings won the game 17-13. (Photo by Wi

Earlier this season there was some question as to who has the final say over Vikings' player personnel decisions.

Some waves were created when former head coach Childress released Randy Moss after only four weeks with the Vikings without consulting anyone within the organization. 

The team has Rob Brzezinski, the VP of Football Operations, Rick Spielman the VP of Player Personnel, and owner Zygi Wilf.

There is no general manager, a role that Childress thought was included with his head coaching duty.

Brzezinski is known for his ability to manipulate the players' contracts and creatively keeping the organization under the salary cap. 

Spielman has done a great job of overseeing the Vikings' drafts the past several years with notable draft picks of Peterson and Rice and was instrumental in the Vikings securing Jared Allen. 

But there is no one person that takes responsibility for all of the decisions. Good teams are run by "football" guys, and these are not usually the owner.

If Frazier were to run into any issues he would need to know where to turn, instead of having to convene a meeting of the Triangle of Accountability.

Uncertainty Past 2011

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 12: This photo composite shows Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Mall of America Stadium before (above) and after it's inflatable roof collapsed under the weight of snow and during a storm Sunday morning December 12, 2010 in Minnea

The current lease between the Metropolitan Sports Facility Commission expires after the 2011 season. 

After that, if there are no plans for a new Vikings stadium in the Twin Cities, all bets are off.

The relocation of the franchise should not affect the coach and players, but with any change some chaos is inevitable.

Players that are under contract and own homes in the area will be looking to move.

Free agents may think twice about signing with the team if there is no idea where they could end up.

Minor as it sounds it could be a factor in Frazier's decision to stay with the Vikings if the opportunity presents itself.

For Vikings fans Frazier brings with him a bit of hope. After all, he has achieved this season what Childress could not—a two-game winning streak.

Perhaps this time Frazier will be the one who's choosy.