Tice Exploring Options?

WCCO in Minneapolis reported a while ago that the Washington Huskies might be interested in Vikings coah Mike Tice. Apparently the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Pioneer Press are reporting that Washington is interested in Tice, and Tice would be interested in Washington, but not until his current contract expires in January.

I can't say this surprises me. I am a big Vikings fan, and after watching the debacle against the Bears last week, I can't say I would miss him, either. I think Coach Tice sees the writing on the wall. The fact that we have heard nothing of contract negotiations with the Vikings suggests that the team is waiting to see how the team plays down the stretch and into the playoffs, before making any kind of offer.

Tice was hired a few years ago for a couple of reasons; it was easy, and he was cheap. Ownership has not shown any real commitment to long-term winning since Red McCombs took over.

Tice's inexperience showed on a few occassions, the botched draft pick two years ago is only the most blatant example. His pronouncement last year that Randy Moss would get 40% of the touches in each game was another major blunder. But, to his credit, the players seem to like him and he does bring a winning attitude to the organization.

If you had asked me a month ago if the Vikings should keep Tice for another couple of years, I would have said yes. But today I would say "No, it's time to move on."

Here are my reasons for saying Coach Tice should be allowed to leave:

1. No noticeable improvement in defense under Tice. If anything, the defense has become worse. When Chad Hutchinson can rip you apart, you have issues.

2. The Vikings now have no clue what to do with their running game. It's not that they don't have a running game, they have a very good one. The Vikes are 2nd in the league in Yards per Rush Attempt, but 25th in Rush Attempts. If you average 4.8 yards/rush, you should be running the ball consistently, 25 times per game. Not the Vikings! Onterrio Smith was tearing the Bears apart last week, then they stopped giving him the ball. Stupid!

3. Over-reliance on the passing game (Randy Moss). See number 2.

4. Not adjusting to conditions. This is a big one. When playing in the Metrodome you can pass all day long. But when you go outside, in the cold, on grass, you must change your game plan. The Vikings are not willing to commit to the run when conditions warrant it.

5. Not adjusting to what the opponent is doing. The Vikings coaches were completely inept during the Bears game. In the first half it became very obvious that the Bears, with Urlacher back in action, would be blitzing and using a high-pressure front to get to Culpepper. It worked very well. You would expect the Vikings to adjust to that and start using plays to slow down the blitzes and pressure. Nothing doing! No screens, no delayed draws, very few quick outs, and even fewer quick slant routes. They kept trying to throw mid- to long-range passes to a less-than-100% Randy Moss. In the meantime, when they did occassionally go to the run game, they would get big gains. Then they would come right back with 3 or 4 passes.

If Mike Tice does not re-sign with the Vikings it is doubtful any other NFL team would pick him up as a head coach. If he wants to continue as a head coach, his only options may be in the college ranks. That might be a good move for him.