What a Difference a Sale Makes

The Minnesota Vikings' sale has not been completed yet, but the influence of new ownership is becoming obvious. Not long ago, Vikings' current owner Red 'Do It Cheap' McCombs gave permission to Vikings management to seek a trade for Randy Moss. This was after Tice began rounding out the coaching staff with more 'who the heck is he' assistants that could be had for nothing. Not once were the Vikings mentioned when it came to seeking big name assistants from successful franchises.

Now the Vikings have been sold, pending approval from the league, and some things are already changing. Tice now says that Moss won't be traded.

"We're not trading him," Tice said. "He's not on the trading block. We've received no calls. We're not trying to shop him or any of our running backs, either."

The tone from Vikings HQ has definitely changed. The impression is that new owner Reggie Fowler has advised everyone to stand pat until he officially takes over. Even Randy Moss, the disgruntled one himself, is now saying he wants to stay in Minnesota. Technically, Fowler can't be involved in operations of the team until the deal closes, but it is hard to imagine he didn't give McCombs some instruction on how he wants this to progress. When you plop down $625 million, you can put a few conditions in place.

This sale puts almost everything in question. How will they handle the draft, free agency, and re-signing their own players? What happens with a new stadium? How safe is this not-so-great coaching staff?

It appears mid-March would be the earliest that Fowler could begin making changes himself, so everyone must proceed as if the team will remain intact. That means Tice will pursue the free agents he wants and, hopefully, be free to use the entire $30 million of cap space available to do it.

It also means it would be very difficult to replace the coaching staff prior to next season. If he were to replace the coaching staff, it would have to be someone recently retired, ala Joe Gibbs, or someone from the college ranks. It is doubtful that any other coaching staff in the league would allow the Vikings to talk to their assistants after March. The most likely scenario is that Tice and Co. will return for another season.

No matter which way the Vikings go, it will be an improvement. McCombs bought a team that was in the NFC championship in his first year. Since then the franchise has deteriorated into a team with one of the worst defenses in the NFL, a low-budget coaching staff with little experience, an offense that can't win without Moss, and two straight season-ending collapses.

There is now a light at the end of the tunnel.