Despite Win, Criticism Hangs over Childress
What’s the difference between 2-6 and
3-5? Maybe somebody’s job, or even career.
Brad Childress will coach the Vikings next Sunday in Chicago. There was opinion in
the press box and on the street yesterday afternoon that Childress would
lose his job if the Vikings couldn’t beat 3-4 Arizona at Mall of
America Field. That feeling was growing in the fourth quarter when the
Vikings trailed Arizona 24-10 before a dramatic comeback led by
41-year-old quarterback Brett Favre and a resurgent defense that produced a 27-24
overtime victory.
A Vikings assistant was overhead in the
locker room telling a well-wisher this: “We needed that one, buddy, for
a lot of reasons.”
In the court of public opinion Childress
is among the most unpopular coaches ever to lead a team in this town.
From the beginning, back in 2006, his outspoken confidence met with
disapproval by some fans and media. A 6-10 record that year didn’t
help. Since then the season records have been 8-8, 10-6 and 12-4, but
there’s been minimal affection directed by fans
toward Childress who have various rants including game management.
Last season’s NFC championship loss to New
Orleans will long be remembered for the Vikings blunder of having 12 men
on the field. That closed a storybook season with bitter feelings for
some observers. Expectations this August were for another triumphant
season but problems, some of them having nothing to do with Childress,
have made for an ugly start to a 16-game schedule now half over.
Criticism has intensified in recent days
leading up to yesterday’s game. It resulted from not only the record
and two-game losing streak but because of supposed conflict between
players and Childress. Alleged incidents with the now-departed Randy
Moss, and also wide receiver Percy Harvin and defensive
tackle Pat Williams, have been reported.
Those run-ins had observers wondering if
Childress was losing his team, but the determined fourth quarter effort
yesterday seemed to answer that question positively. Still, there’s a
solid argument to be made that Childress’ job security is week-to-week.
Ultimately keeping Childress is ownership’s decision.
A factor that may weigh in the decision is whether Childress told owners
Zygi and Mark Wilf last week about his intent to get rid
of Moss before
Childress did so. If so, that’s to his credit and the explanation had
to help ease the feeling of giving up on a player only a few weeks after
he was acquired for a 2011 third round draft choice. If not, that could
be a body blow to the trust relationship between the coach and
team owners.
The Wilfs are more than passionate
football fans; they’re sophisticated business people. Sometime during
this season or at the end they will make a business decision on what
they think is best for the Vikings. They approved the hiring of
Childress and thought so highly of his work a year ago that he was given
a five-year contract extension.
So the Wilfs have invested themselves
emotionally and financially in their coach. But the opinion of critical
fans and media counts for plenty. Outside the stadium yesterday there were signs and chants calling for Childress to be fired.
During the game, the same chants were heard and the Vikings were loudly
booed. And on Twitter you can get in on the campaign: @FireChilly and
@FireChildress.
An unpopular coach and losing team is not
an asset for another campaign: the drive for legislative approval and
public funding of a new stadium. That stadium will increase the value
of the Vikings franchise and sooner or later financially benefit the
owners.
The Wilfs hired Childress, extended his
contract, and opened their wallets to aggressively spend on player
personnel. They have expectations short and long term. They also
understand perceptions, and in the court of public opinion the Childress
supporters are a silent and slim minority.
How could Childress possibly turn around
the public negativity? Take his team to the Super Bowl. Anything less
than that will be his fault, even when it isn’t.
An almost miracle win yesterday makes the
Super Bowl still a slight possibility. But the only game that counts
for Childress now is next week in Chicago where a lot fewer fans will be
calling for his head.
