Coach Tice

I decided that there was no better prompt to resume my blogging than the firing of one Coach Mike Tice. Yesterday, almost immediately after the Vikings crushed the Bears 35-10 (yes, I realize that the Bears were resting their key players) Zygi Wilff, without really giving Tice any time to enjoy his victory, announced that he would not be renewing Tice's contract for next year. I'm still trying to work through my feelings on this one. Am I happy? Am I sad? Am I relieved? Am I worried? I guess I have to say I'm a little of all four.

Yes, Tice lost control of his team at the beginning of the season. We all know the scandals, Super Bowl scalping, the Love Boat, the Whizzinator, etc., but the important thing is that he got the team back under control. The thought that the Vikings, or any team, can come off that, combined with a 2-5 start to end up with a winning season one game off the conference champions does not prompt me to think that a new coach is necessarily needed right now. Is that really what is best for the team?

I will admit, I was beginning to call for Tice's blood when it seemed that he had absolutely no control over his players. It was downright embarrassing being a Vikings fan for awhile there. You can't defend that stuff, you just have to shrug and smile and say "they're still my team". Then there is the fact that the Vikings just can't seem to get there with Tice. Last year they made it to the second round of the playoffs but I'm pretty sure everyone knew before the game that that's as far as they were headed. He had the talent, he just couldn't produce. Still, I can't help thinking if he just had one more year....

Along with this pondering I am also forced to think about next season, which will inevitably involve more "rebuilding". New coach, new players, new game plan. Great. Unless whoever comes in (please not Steve Mariucci) can pull a Gruden, next year looks to be just as disappointing as the last few. Oh well, at least I'm not a Packers fan.