The New Vikings Regime Is Fostering Overdue Positivity
With New Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell introducing his coordinators to the press on Thursday, there’s one thing the new Vikings regime is breeding, and it’s positivity.
If you are anything like me, the most disappointing aspect of this past season was gameday just wasn’t as fun as it should have been. Some weeks it felt more like a chore. Nobody from the coaching staff, down to the players, to the fans seemed to be enjoying themselves a lot of the time. Success is the ultimate goal, but enjoyment is a big part of the sport.
For a fanbase that is tortured by disappointment and near misses, positivity doesn’t come easy for some. A culture of positivity starts with the front office and coaching staff and filters down to the players. Keeping the fan base on board is the final piece of the jigsaw.
Right now, it is easy to be positive as we are in the honeymoon period of this new regime. In all likelihood, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell aren’t going to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Minnesota in their first season. Never say never. Strange things happen in sport all the time, but it’s unlikely.
They have been left with a lopsided roster that’s stronger on offense than defense — many highly-paid veterans with back-loaded contracts and not a lot of depth with several important players out of contract — all while sitting $16 million over the cap limit. These things can all be sorted out, but not everything is a quick fix. It may take time to get this team where it needs to be, which is why the vision expressed by the Wilf family at the start of this process was the right way to go.
Despite the bump in the road that was the John Harbaugh situation, ownership has stuck to what they set out to do initially, taking a complete u-turn from Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer, with Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell. This franchise needed a fresh approach and has got it with these young leaders.
Now they have put together a coaching staff to match. Even the vastly experienced 65-year-old Ed Donatell was a breath of fresh air in his interview, emphasizing “fun” and talking about being a leader and the shared vision of our general manager and head coach — as well as his excitement to jump on board with the young and progressive O’Connell (though I personally got most excited when he said we will set edges after watching our defense the past two seasons).
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The more reserved Wes Phillips immediately won over many fans with two particular comments. Firstly, it’s his excitement to come to a place all in on their football team, which you just don’t get in Los Angeles.
Second, his views on running the football were refreshing. The days of hearing at halftime that we need to establish the run when we’ve been struggling to gain two yards per carry are kaput. Thankfully, the Vikings look to be well into the rearview mirror with this weirdness. Running the ball is essential, but if it’s not working, you have to find another way.
Finally, Matt Daniels came to the stage and oozed positivity, an infectious character with a passion for special teams — recognizing as a player that special teams were where he could make it, and wanting to be the best he could be, then with the foresight to look forward to coaching in that area while still playing. It’s that commitment, determination, and vision that has landed him this role at just 32 years old. Any players that aren’t willing to run through walls for this special teams coordinator probably don’t belong in the league.
The new Vikings regime is breeding positivity, and I’m looking forward to seeing it grow. This is the right path to go down, and the role of fans is to get on board and ride the rollercoaster. There will be ups and downs, but this is a plan for long-term success. Not a quick fix. Try and enjoy the ride.
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