Two new proposals for new Vikings stadium
Two new proposals are being floated for a new home for the Minnesota Vikings, one of which would certainly drive home the fact that the name of the team is not the "Minneapolis Vikings."
State Sen. Roger Reinert of Duluth has proposed building a new stadium there and allowing liquor sales on Sunday in order to pay for it. Duluth is Minnesota's fourth largest city, and is located more 150 miles from the Vikings' current home at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
The city last had an NFL team in 1927: the Eskimos, inspiration for the 2008 George Clooney film "Leatherheads." The city has celebrated its share of championships recently, though: the Bulldogs of the University of Minnesota Duluth won the NCAA Division II football championship in 2008 and 2010, and the university won its first NCAA title in men's hockey in 2011.
The other proposal is a little closer to home for the Vikings. Ramsey County has offered a new financing plan for a new stadium in Arden Hills, some 15 miles from the current Metrodome. Ramsey County has proposed to use revenue from multiple sources to raise some $20.6 million per year, including parking lot naming rights, parking fees, an admissions surcharge, stadium sales taxes and taxes on ancillary developments.
As of Thursday, the only plan being considered for the Vikings called for the team's new stadium to be built on a site adjacent to the current Metrodome. That plan would allow the team to remain at its current home during 75 percent of the construction, then play one season at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota while construction is completed.
The Vikings returned to the Metrodome in 2011 after a roof collapse in December 2010 forced the relocation of the team's last two home games that season.
--As the Vikings' defense declined rapidly in 2011, speculation arose that the team was considering a change to the increasingly popular 3-4 scheme. Coach Leslie Frazier put an end to that notion when he hired Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams as his new defensive coordinator. Williams and Frazier have worked together with the Colts and are ardent supporters of the 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme.
"We are going to keep a lot of the same principles in place," Frazier said. "There are things that the Colts did that are a little bit different than what we do. I would like to really try to improve on some things that we've done. He will bring some fresh ideas, a new train of thought with him. I did think a little bit about some other options that were available but after evaluating our season and also looking at our history here on defense, I didn't want to get too far away from the things that have helped us be a successful defense over the years."
--Mike Singletary was unquestionably one of the best linebackers in NFL history. But he's still learning when it comes to being able to take that knowledge and coach players with it. That's one reason the Vikings asked Fred Pagac to return to his old job as linebackers coach after he was stripped of his defensive coordinator duties. Pagac accepted the demotion and will take the lead on coaching the linebackers. Singletary, who coached the linebackers in 2011, will work as Pagac's assistant.
"Fred is an outstanding coach and I'm just thrilled that he was willing to accept this role to work with our linebackers along with Mike Singletary," Frazier said. "Two guys who I have a great deal of respect for as coaches in their respective roles and the fact that they're both going to be in that role with our linebackers, I'm believing we're going to have the best linebacker corps in the National Football League. Thrilled that Fred will accept this role and it really took a lot when he decided to do that."
--One of the surprises in the wake of the Vikings' 3-13 season was the decision to fire defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and keep defensive backs coach Joe Woods. The defensive line, led by NFL sacks king Jared Allen, was the strength of the team, while the secondary was at the top of many weaknesses. In Woods' defense, the secondary was devastated by injuries and cornerback Chris Cook's absence because of felony charges of domestic abuse.
Frazier believes in Woods. He also thinks the addition of Williams as coordinator will help the secondary. Williams coached the Colts' defensive backs the past 10 years.
"Alan's background in the secondary is an added plus, there's no question about it," Frazier said. "I think one of the things that will help our secondary is our doing a good job of evaluating along with drafting players that play in the secondary in this draft and if we can do some things to help ourselves in the draft, or NFL free agency, I think our secondary will improve."
--Williams believes one of his strengths is helping young defensive backs adjust to the NFL immediately. That's good, because the Vikings are expected to add defensive backs through the draft.
"As a secondary coach with Indianapolis, we drafted a lot of young DBs, so I would think what I do best is be able to develop a young player and have him at a winning level early in his career," Williams said. "When I say early, I mean in the first part of his career; his first year. I think that's important when you are talking about a roster from top-bottom, that your veterans play like veterans and you're 'A' players play 'A' football on a consistent basis, but also with the secondary, injuries are just a part of the ball game.
"What I did in Indianapolis is when a veteran was out, a young player could hold down the fort and play winning football until that veteran or starter came back. That would be what I think I bring to the table and what I do best."
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're the third overall pick, so we'll be looking at all the options. If someone wants to come up and get our pick, we're going to be more than willing to listen." - General Manager Rick Spielman, when asked what the Vikings plan to do with the third pick in the draft.
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