How much longer do you guys think we will be saddled with Dennis Green and his self exaulted "system?" I don't know if it's just part of getting older, but I find myself less interested in the Vikings with each passing year. I think a big part of it is a feeling that Dennis Green is a moron who has wasted some of the greatest talent ever to be assembled on a football squad with his horrific gameday coaching and even worse general managership of football decisions. I used to think that Green was an above average coach who had less than desirable talent, but now I know that he is the only one lacking. Green came into town and blew out all of my childhood heros, but then again, they were coming off of an era where they failed to live up to anyones expectations, so I figured it was acceptable. Unfortunately he has continued to blow out anyone who has posed even the slightest inconvienence to his out of control sense of self righteousness, regardless of their value to the overall good of the team. Think about it, what would our Defense have been like if we would have kept Doleman and Thomas on the line and we would have had a real DB coach to bring along Washington and Fuller? The unfortunate thing is that I see no end to Green's tenure in Minnesota in the near future. Either Red McCombs is playing us all (which is my vote) or he really does believe in Dennis Green. Either way things are going to end in the heartbreak hotel for all of us die hard fans. The NFL and in particular the NFC has been on a decline for the past 5 or so years, starting with a mediocre Packer team and right on down thru the Falcons, Rams and Giants the Vikings have been perhaps the most talented team over that span of time in the NFC. Unfortunately Dennis Green has bumbled this into two completely different but equally humilating NFC title game losses.

-- Iz (izmorrow@aol.com), March 03, 2001

Answers

I think part of the Vikings' problem is that Green wears too many hats on the team and cannot devote his attention to one job at a time. Head coach and what is it, VP of football operations?

One time this season on Media Player I listened to one of Green's locker room talks during a game and it surprised me because it was quite motivational and you could tell from listening to the players that they were inspired by it. It must have been a game we were already winning and were ahead with a comfortable margin. Because in my opinion, that's one of Green's worst coaching traits -- that he cannot motivate and inspire the players when the team is behind, and he refuses to change his coaching tactics to suit a particular game. The system, the system, the system. His system sucks.

He's a control freak who cannot stand for anyone to stand up to him or question him. He and Red both kiss Moss's ass. It will probably take at least two more NFC championship game losses for Red to see where the blame lies for those defeats.

The offseason sucks big time. I hate hearing about the salary cap and losing players like John Randle, who will probably end up in Tampa Bay, followed by Steussie. I hate hearing all the political maneuvering behind the scenes, and the jockeying for positions. And I especially hate hearing that Solomon won't be fired, and that neither will Denny!

-- Deb Cross (debcross2000@aol.com), March 03, 2001.

I agree, denny is a horrible gameday coach and should concentrate on COACHING only. His ego is bigger than the state of Minnesota and he seems to have Red convinced he is the best thing since sliced bread. Red may be fooloing us all. Maybe he knows denny will run this team into the ground and the people in minnesota won't give a shit and never build them a stadium, therfore allowing him to move the team to L.A or wherever the hell he takes them. I have a feeling this is going to be a BIG time down year for the Vikes. We won't have any money for FA's until next year and it may be too late by then. GO VIKES!!!!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), March 03, 2001.

Tom I'll have to agree with you that next season will be a down year for the Vikes! I feel Culpepper surprised everyone last year and with Smith's running we did better than expected.I think teams will be better prepared for Culpepper and without a star running back and a defense it will be a yuck kind a year!

-- Ralph (RFELIX7550@aol.com), March 04, 2001.

Dennis Green is an absolute joke as a coach and should be fired immediately. He lost all credibility during "The Knee" game against the Falcons when he literally cost the Vikings an opportunity to go to the Super Bowl.

Fire Dennis Green now!

-- zeke (zhekaizhang@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001.

Answer: Until Red moves the team! Denny can screw up this team and lose every game and still not get fired. Red is using Denny as his scapecoat to get the team out of hear with the blessing of all Minnesotains. He knows he will not get his stadium built in this state. He wants this team in the Alamo dome. He even paid off Moss to not to play well. You know what? He has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams! I say good buy and don't let the door hit you on the way out! I hope Denny knows he will be out of a job the minnute this team crosses the border. How ironic that state would be wisconsin.

-- PurplePuker (Deter005@gold.tc.umn.edu), October 16, 2001.