Time For Some Changes

Commentary by

10/14/05

My, how a few months seem to change things. It wasn’t all that long ago that Viking fans had a renewed optimism for the coming season. We had finally jettisoned Red McCombs and had a new owner in Zygmunt Wilf. We also added some top free agents to an ailing defense that looked like it would be top rated for a change. And on top of everything else, we were brining back an offense that could put up points with the best of them.

Well, so much for optimism. The new look defense looks surprisingly like the old look defense. They can not stop the run and teams pass on them at will, piling up huge amounts of yards. We could probably live with that situation if the offense was clicking along, but think again. This offense has as many turnovers as points some games. The offensive line can not run block and the pass blocking is going to get just about any quarterback put on the IR.

So our Vikings ship has sailed into the Bye Week with a gasoline soaked deck last week and a few holes in the bow. Then of all things, several of our players decide to go out and toss a lit match on that same deck, setting the whole ship on fire. Unless you have been in a monastery the last few days, you know the whole sordid story of the Vikings Cruise Ship incident in Minnetonka.

At this time, charges have not been filed and no one has been arrested. There are allegations and the investigators are interviewing witnesses. I will not detail the allegations here as they have been beat to death already. There were a number of Viking players involved in this incident and even if none of them participated in the lewd behavior, they have almost single handedly dealt this organization a blow that it will take years to recover from. They have taken a franchise that was trying to gain some respectability after the McCombs years and made it a joke before the entire league and the country. Plus embarrassing the team, Viking fans everywhere, and jeopardizing their chances for a new stadium.

But the real problem here is that this incident was allowed to take place at all. In this author’s opinion, there has been a pattern of this type of behavior going clear back to the Denny Green days and before. Players accused of domestic violence, DUI, assault, sexual misconduct, drug violations, and so on have been tolerated. That is a direct reflection on the ownership and coaching of this team. It is time for this organization to tighten up the ship, so to speak. These players need to know what is expected of them and that these types of behavior will no longer be tolerated.

Yes, I understand that these players are adults and should be responsible. We can not watch them every minute either. But at the same time, they need to know that if they break the rules they will no longer play for this team. These athletes are making millions of dollars and should be responsible to the organization and the fans. Lewd, crude, obnoxious, or criminal behavior should not be tolerated.

This is more than likely Mike Tice’s last year as head coach here with the Vikings. Probably was before this incident, but is almost a certainty now. While I don’t believe that it was Mike Tice’s fault this took place, it is time to bring in a whole new coaching staff at the end of this season. A Head Coach that will be tough and keep the players in line, get them in shape, and make sure they are ready for game day.

I have been a Vikings fan for over 30 years and this is the first time I have ever been embarrassed to be a fan of this team. I want that to change. We have a new owner in Zygi, whom I think will do the right thing and try to bring this franchise back to respectability and prominence. For this fan and author, the season can not come to an end quick enough. Hopefully on January 2, 2006, Zygi Wilf will do the right thing and set this ship back on its proper course and Viking fans will again have a renewed optimism for the coming season.