Vikings hope Frazier stays, but realize his desire

By DAVE CAMPBELL

Published January 7, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.

Text size

More NFL News

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — As the Vikings packed up and prepared for the offseason this week, defensive players sounded resigned to losing another coordinator.

Leslie Frazier was to interview for the Denver Broncos' head coaching vacancy Wednesday, with several more teams interested in the same. The Vikings hired Frazier in 2007 after defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin left to take over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It seems like we've got musical chairs going on," said Kevin Williams, who has also played for Ted Cottrell and George O'Leary in his six-year career.

Jared Allen praised Frazier after his first season playing for him here.

"He provides a work environment that is conducive to getting better," Allen said. "He is not the kind of guy who is going to hammer on you. He lets you do what you need to do. I have already told him that if he does get a head coaching job, I wish him all the best. I want him to stay here and I want him to come back, at least for another five years. I know the business side of it, and I had to make a business decision to come here. He is deserving of a head coaching job. I give him my support. I hope he stays, but if not someone is going to get a hell of a coach."

___

KLUWE'S KICKS:@ The punt coverage unit was a major weakness this season for the Vikings, who allowed four touchdowns in those situations to tie an NFL record. They gave up seven special teams scores, in all, which was the most in history.

Punter Chris Kluwe was at least partially responsible for some of that, as coach Brad Childress angrily pointed out after the game at New Orleans in which Reggie Bush ran back two of his boots for touchdowns. But Kluwe's buddy, kicker Ryan Longwell, defended the job he did this season.

"Whether that was right or wrong, that's tough for a guy to have to go through that to be singled out," Longwell said. "I think he's bounced back. ... His job is just as important as the guys who are running and covering it."

Sometimes, the long kicks are the worst ones, if they're so far — and not high enough — the coverage team can't get to the returner fast enough and keep him from running where he wants to.

"You need more hang time at times, but Kluwe's such a weapon that you hate to handcuff him too much," Longwell said.

Said Kluwe: "I think it just comes down to little things. We just need to make sure that all of us are doing our responsibilities when we get out there. Just can't have any of those little breakdowns, because they seem to take advantage of 'em every time we had 'em."

What if special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro is fired?

"Other than the well-publicized breakdowns, we had a pretty good year covering," Kluwe said. "We had a 35-yard net, even with all the touchdowns we had, which is still a really good year. Hopefully he's back here next year and we can keep going."

___

HOW FAR?:@ Losing linebacker Heath Farwell to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the first preseason game was a big blow to the special teams. Farwell laughed this week when reminded how much his teammates and coaches missed him.

"It kind of makes you feel good, but then you kind of feel like you're useless in the training room," Farwell said. "I want to be out there, so it made it even harder on me."

Farwell said he'll be 100 percent by March. He's one of 12 unrestricted free agents on this year's team, though only safety Darren Sharper, center Matt Birk, tight end Jim Kleinsasser and Farwell are notable names on the list.

"They've told me that they want me back here, but we haven't talked numbers," Farwell said.

___

STILL SHARP?:@ Sharper reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Vikings, if they'll have him back.

"I love the guys here in the locker room," he said.

With rookie Tyrell Johnson, who started while Madieu Williams was out, behind him on the roster it wouldn't be surprising if the team doesn't offer him another contract.

"You never know how things are going to go," Sharper said, assuring he'll play a 13th season in the NFL somewhere. "I definitely feel as though I can play for a couple more years."

___

BIG BILL:@ Antoine Winfield is planning to pay for all of the Vikings defensive backs, plus assistant coaches Joe Woods and Derek Mason and about 25 family members, to accompany him to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl next month.

Cedric Griffin, who had a solid second half of the season as the starter at the other cornerback position, might not take Winfield up on his generous offer, however. He's said he'd like to be picked to play in the annual all-star game before going to the festivities himself.

Winfield, though, was skeptical. He said he had the same vow three years ago until Sharper invited him. Then all bets were off.