5 Things Minnesota Vikings Can Do to Save Franchise

Let’s face it this season was through for the Minnesota Vikings weeks ago. That is unfortunate for such a proud franchise. But as we turn the corner on another losing season, it’s time to look at next year and some of the things Minnesota can do to improve as a team and franchise.

Here is some pretty interesting historical information. The last time the Vikings had back to back losing seasons was 2001-2002. This was when Dennis Green’s contract had run its course.

The lovable, affable Mike Tice was handed the reins. The Vikings went 5-11 in 2001, and 6-10 in 2002. Tice was able to put together a playoff team in 2004, but it wasn’t enough to keep his job after a few embarrassing off field situations.

Fast forward to 2010, Childress is fired amidst a firestorm of controversy; one gaffe after another and an unlikely, unassuming man was given the reins. I have said in the past that interim coaches who assume the head duties don’t last, and that bears out through history.

I wanted to give Frazier a chance. I supported the decision based on familiarity and staying in the family. I am now joining the chorus of many who feel that Frazier is in over his head.

Many will say that Minnesota does not have the personnel to compete at a high level. I disagree. This is pretty much the same team as 2009, without Favre and a few others, and a tweak here or there could do wonders for a team that is not as old as many think.

Also, look at the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh is working wonders with the same personnel that Mike Singletary could not. It starts at the top.

Consider some of the better coaches: Mike Tomlin, Bill Belichick, Sean Payton, and Mike McCarthy. It’s about game planning and adjusting. I do not see that in this current head man. There must have been plenty of reasons that seven teams did not hire Frazier.

With that said, let’s move on. It’s safe to assume that Frazier will remain at least for one more year.

Here are five things (not in order) the Vikings can do to improve the franchise for 2012 and beyond.

A Good Draft Always Helps

The Vikings have scored pretty well in recent years with their drafts. This might not seem evident, but the Vikings have had to battle injuries and off field situations to some of our draft choices, and that can greatly affect a team’s growth.

The Vikings have several players that are cornerstones for years to come: Christian Ponder, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph, Steve Hutchinson, Anthony Herrera, Tyrell Johnson on offense, and Jared Allen, Chad Greenway, E.J. Henderson, Bryan Robison, Christian Ballard, and possibly Brandon Burton and Mistral Raymond on defense.

Only Hutchinson and Henderson are past 30.

Most likely the Vikings are headed for a top five pick. It’s safe to say the Vikings will have seven picks, possibly picking up a few compensatory picks.

Offensive line: It’s apparent the Vikings need something here, whether it’s at tackle or center. If the Vikings have a top five pick they could land one of the top left tackles. However, I think Charlie Johnson is doing a good job replacing the head case Bryant McKinnie, so it’s tough to gauge if that is a priority.

Brandon Fusco and DeMarcus Love are rookies, Brandon Brown, John Sullivan, and Phil Loadholt are still young, so it’s tough to gauge their contribution or potential.

I understand Loadholt’s woes, but a top five pick on a right tackle might be a reach. Our problem seems to be depth, not age, go look at the roster.

Wide receiver:  Get someone who can stretch the field. Could it be Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon? If that top five pick is not an offensive lineman, it has to be a receiver. There are probably three good receivers that could go top five: Blackmon, Alshon Jeffery (although I am leery of South Carolina receivers) and Malcolm Floyd of Notre Dame.

Outside linebacker: Henderson and Greenway are solid, but the Vikings lack an edge LB who can wreak havoc. I don’t want to get hung up on the whole Clay Matthews thing, but if you look at impact defenses, most of those defenses have that edge linebacker.

At this point, it’s probably not Greenway. A quick disrupter can do wonders for Allen, Robison and the defensive backs. There are three likely offensive linebackers that could go top 15, should the Vikings trade down: Zach Brown from North Carolina, Courtney Upshaw from Alabama, and Travis Lewis from Oklahoma.

Defensive back: A glaring need because of injury and arrest has made this a need area. Unless there is a Patrick Peterson, the Vikings should not draft a defensive back as a top five or even top 10. This can be taken care of in the later rounds and via free agency.

LaRon Landry, Michael Griffin, and Tyvon Branch will be possible free agents.

Also, there’s Cortland Finnegan, and Brent Grimes at corner. I like Finnegan’s attitude. He would be a good replacement for Antoine Winfield.

Trade Toby Gerhart

Don’t get me wrong. I am a Toby Gerhart fan, but the Vikings spent a No. 2 draft choice on a guy who plays sparingly. The Vikings would do him a great service by trading him to a team where he can be the guy.

Minnesota can draft a third or fourth round back to provide support for Peterson, and Peterson has shown great resiliency. We also have an adequate back in Lorenzo Booker.

Again, I love Gearhart, but it’s time to allow him to blossom elsewhere and fill the back up spot with an economically viable back. We could gain a third rounder for him, perhaps even a late second. There are several teams out there that could use someone like him.

Consider Free Agents for Players That Fit the System.

The Vikings will lose players via free agency and possibly release some high tag players, so it’s important to back fill those losses or other positions via free agency. It’s difficult to think that just draft choices will be enough.

Whatever positions they look at, they should make sure that the players they sign are not simply big name splashes, but players that fit the system.

Fire Frazier and Hire Chip or Brian Kelly

Okay, maybe I am being a bit too presumptuous here, but if you look at what Harbaugh has done in San Francisco, it’s enticing to think that either Chip Kelly or Brian Kelly could do the same; Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State is another option. Even though these guys run a spread offense in college, they understand the game and how to make adjustments. I believe in their leadership and their ability to work with professionals.

I would say consider Nick Saban, but his track record is too fickle for me to believe that he would stay for an extended period of time.

There are several ex-coaches to look at: Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, and there are some assistants also, but Gruden has said several times that he is staying in the booth, and Cowher is an unlikely candidate as well. The way of assistants goes the way of those who have success in their relationships with players and acumen for the job.

Why fire Frazier? Because he is in over his head, is incapable of putting together a complete game plan, cannot adjust, and just seems outgunned.

Okay, maybe I am being too quick to judge here, but in reality, the Vikings should be 4-5 (Tampa Bay and Detroit Lions comebacks) at the very worst right now, maybe even 5-4 (San Diego Chargers late loss).

When you have such a competitive league, every win is crucial to postseason aspirations, and that’s not just lip service. Every game is that important.

I have chronicled the idea of hiring interims as full time head coaches, and I feel that either this year or next, the ownership will realize they made a mistake, and for an organization that has, in the past, been incredibly stable, this bothers me.

Again, I do not see Frazier as a long term solution. I would love to be wrong, but I don’t think I am.

Build It and They Will Come

The idea for a new stadium has been debated for years, and now it’s time to put up or shut up. I support the most recent plan for a fan/taxpayer ownership. The most recent marketing advertisement is incredibly persuasive.

There are many who could care less and think that all this sports politicking doesn’t help Minnesota. Those of you who wish the Vikings would move, or could care less, imagine what the economy would look like without a professional football team? The economic impact would be felt across the state.

The Vikings are Minnesota.

Does building a stadium guarantee success, of course not, but something has to be done, and building a stadium for multiple uses could provide Minnesotans with something that is both economically positive and sports-wise a mainstay for years to come.

I guarantee if they move, thousands upon thousands will regret it. I live in Virginia and can only wish I could see the Vikings in person week in and week out. Be careful what you wish for.

I welcome comments and suggestions for our team