Rams Players Warn — Vikings Getting a Good One at HC
The masses will watch Super Bowl LVI on Sunday with a no-lose scenario. If Joe Burrow wins with the Cincinnati Bengals, he’ll complete a Montanian rise to power in such a short time. Should Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams cap a fabulous roster build, fans’ longstanding sympathy for Stafford in Detroit will be totally vindicated.
But for the most part, Vikings loyalists don’t care about any of that. Their new guy is the offensive coordinator for the Rams, and the sooner he takes over the Vikings operations – the better. That should happen on Monday or Tuesday.
O’Connell replaces Mike Zimmer, who spent eight seasons in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to the NFL’s 10th-best record from 2014-2021. Minnesota was a Top 10 franchise with Zimmer at the helm, so the plan is to upgrade with the youthful offensive movement provided by O’Connell. Big 10th-place shoes to fill, indeed.
Based on the feedback from O’Connell’s peers, the Vikings are in marvelously good hands. Minnesota’s ownership and general management might’ve got this head coach decision right if the opinions of Rams players like the aforementioned Stafford, Kendall Blanton, and David Edwards are relevant.
Speaking about O’Connell, Stafford said this week, via Andrew Krammer from the Star Tribune, “He’s been spectacular. […] His demeanor and his ability to communicate and get to know guys on our team and demand a lot at the same time, I think, is something that will serve him well.”
It wasn’t only Stafford. Guard David Edwards weighed in, too, “An excellent communicator [..] Someone I really enjoy coming into work and seeing, has a great sense of humor. When he gets up in front of the unit, does our protection stuff, an incredibly intelligent guy.”
A honeymoon period always exists for a new coach – especially for O’Connell because his addition to the Vikings isn’t even official yet – so these comments and compliments are to be expected. Yet, the enthusiasm provided by the Rams players is noteworthy.
Los Angeles’s tight end, Kendall Blanton, dropped the Vikings by name regarding O’Connell, “He’s a light in the room, a great personality. […] My guy, man, since day one. Just talking to him and picking his brain, learning how he sees the game and things like that. Vikings fans, be ready.”
So, as Minnesota pivots to an era of offense – the last 11 seasons were skippered by defensive-minded head coaches – O’Connell brings an agreeable and impressive reputation. Players like him. Zimmer commanded respect from his men, especially those who played defense, but he was emphatically not a players coach. When Zimmer was new in the job, he once said his players’ job was to “please him.” Those kinds of musings won’t be extracted from an O’Connell presser.
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O’Connell has immediate work to tend after the Super Bowl. All other eight head coaching vacancies are filled, allowing those teams’ new coaches to fill out respective coaching staffs. O’Connell’s Vikings can’t do that yet because the man has a Super Bowl to win. Therefore, early next week, O’Connell must pound the pavement for offensive, defensive, and special teams coordinators.
The news of his hire in Minnesota should be official-official in the immediate aftermath of the Super Bowl.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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