Coaching Security

Coaches are fired for so many reasons. A lack of wins is usually the primary reason. Many Minnesota Vikings fans are calling for Leslie Frazier to be fired. I suppose that the media is as well when owner Zygi Wilf has to publicly state that Frazier is safe. Personally, Leslie Frazier's job should be safe. The Vikings lack talent at key areas, in particular offensive line and the secondary. In this past game against the Denver Broncos the offensive line nearly got rookie quarterback Christian Ponder killed. The secondary did kill the Vikings in the second half. It will always be difficult to overcome a lack of talent in the NFL no matter how great the coaching.

The Vikings effort in games this season says so much more about Frazier's coaching than the 2-10 record. I remember the Les Steckel coached team of 1984. That was a disaster. Bud Grant had to come out of retirement to put that team back together a year later. This season has not been a disaster. It hasn't been a lot of fun and its certainly been humbling. Most of this team was one play from the Super Bowl only two years ago. Perhaps that is what drives the fans to call for the sacking of the coach. With age and injuries this is a far different team than that 2009 team. This Vikings team could have won at least half of the ten losses. That's due to effort despite the lack of talent. Frazier has to be given the opportunity to build the team his way. He needs to be given the opportunity to rebuild the offensive line and the secondary. The areas of greatest concern. In a quarterback driven league this season has become more about establishing Christian Ponder. Seeing what they have in him. His ability to handle a difficult rookie season may go a long way in making him the player that can lead this team. So far it looks promising. Now they need to protect him with a line that won't get him killed. Success is a process and this season has been a part of that process. I don't see it as a step back. Frazier has seen the ultimate team success as a player and as a coach. He knows what it takes. The team has not quit and this team may have finally found their quarterback. I see that as a greater testament to the performance of Leslie Frazier and his coaches than the lack of success on the field.