ET says: "Desperate Measures, Desperate Calls"

"Isn't this the sexy pick? Great running back. Great offensive line. Great pass-rusher. OK, sign me up." - Matt Mosley, ESPN.

"The Vikings could easily compete with the Cowboys this year in the NFC. Both of their lines are top-notch and running back Adrian Peterson is a true difference-maker. This team will be a lot of fun to watch." - Bill Williamson, ESPN.

"Offseason moves will pay off for the Vikings." - Dan Pompei, NBC Sports.


Four weeks into the season, the Minnesota Vikings (1-3) haven't quite lived up to expectations. Tarvaris Jackson, the quarterback that Vikings' head coach Brad Chilldress has touted as the team's "quarterback of the future", has been replaced by Gus Frerotte after two disappointing losses. Offseason acquisitions Bernard Berrian and Jared Allen have simply disappointed the Vikings' fans thus far with subpar play on the field.

Simply said, for how talented this Vikings team is believed to be, they have looked about as good as Sarah Palin's interviewing skills.

So what's the solution?

"Fire Brad Chilldress!"

Well, that's the solution presented by the casual fan, at least. It seems to make sense. If a team is as talented as the Vikings, a half-brained coach should be able to lead them to the playoffs, or at least a winning record. Heck, he has Adrian Peterson on the team, the winning method should be simple: run the football!

Ladies and gentlemen, if the game was that simple, Les Steckle would have figured it out years ago.

Let's go over the facts.

- There is not one example in the extensive history of the National Football League in which a head coach was fired in the middle of the season, and the replacement head coach lead his team to the playoffs. Let me reiterrate this - there is not one example of an interim head coach providing a "quick fix" for the team.

- If Brad Chilldress is indeed the problem, and the right decision will be to remove him as the head coach, the replacement options are far more abundant in the offseason.

- Firing Brad Chilldress in the offseason also allows his replacement ample time to install a new system. This is not true if the decision is made in the regular season, considering the interim coach would only be provided under a week to install his system.

- Four games have been played. If the season was decided after four games, then Mike Tice would still have his job. Need I remind the fans that the Vikings were 2-5 last year at one point? 5 games later, the Vikings record (7-5) looked a lot more acceptable, and were the favorites to make the playoffs out of the NFC.

The individuals chanting "Fire Brad Chilldress!" are simply desperate for a quick solution... much like the United States Government officials chanting "700 Billion Dollar Buyout!".

Fact is, firing Brad Chilldress now, or at any point during the regular season, concedes the season, period. I, as well as every single Viking fan, am not ready to give up on the season just yet.

Skol Vikings!