Finally having his full coaching staff in place, Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier was excited to go to Mobile, Ala. this week to coach in the Senior Bowl.
The opportunity to coach the North squad in Saturday's Senior Bowl will certainly aid the Vikings as they look to April's draft, and Frazier embraced the opportunity to bring his coaching staff to Alabama and work with the players first-hand. The ability to work together as a coaching staff isn't lost on Frazier either, after Minnesota hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams to be its defensive coordinator last week and added Brendan Daly as the defensive line coach.
"Going to the Senior Bowl is really big for us, especially with some of the changes that were made on our staff," Frazier said last week after hiring Williams. "I told some of our guys that this week is really a start for us as far as gelling as a staff and beginning to put things in place prior to the OTAs and the minicamps as a staff. I think it's going to be a big plus for us, a big advantage in that way.
"Not only do we get a chance to look at the players and visit with them and spend more time with them than we would if we were outsiders. Having this whole offseason together I have to believe is going to be a tremendous benefit to all of us, our entire staff and squad as well. Not that that's an excuse for us not having more wins a season ago, but I have to believe it will be a plus for us."
Due to last season's 3-13 record, Minnesota had the opportunity to coach this week at the Senior Bowl. Frazier spoke to the players Sunday night and practice was set to begin Monday afternoon after player weigh-ins. While other teams are in Alabama this week, Minnesota's chance for personal interaction on a daily basis gives the coaches a unique perspective.
"The fact that we get a chance to work hands-on with the players, we get to talk with them, spend time with them, eat in the cafeteria with them, talk about their lifestyle," Frazier said. "It will be immeasurable, the time that we'll be able to be around them and be able to evaluate these players because as you guys know, it's tough to go wrong when you're drafting with the third pick in the draft."
With the No. 3 pick in the draft, the Vikings might not have their eye on any seniors. Minnesota is most often linked to two juniors who declared for the draft — Southern California left tackle Matt Kalil and Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon.
Regardless, with top picks in every round and the possibility of as many as 10 picks overall, the prep will be invaluable for the Vikings.
"We have to hit on (the No. 3 pick) but now when you get to rounds five, six and seven, those rounds are as important as that first round when you are trying to revamp your roster like we are," Frazier said. "For us to be this up close and personal with these players should help us when we have 10 picks in this draft. We hope to hit on every one of them. That's the goal, to hit on every one of them where they can be contributive to our team and that's the situation that we're in."
As Frazier noted, Minnesota drafted five players who played in the Senior Bowl last season, including quarterback Christian Ponder, who was the MVP of the game. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard, a 2011 third-round pick, and sixth-rounders offensive tackle DeMarcus Love, center Brandon Fusco and linebacker Ross Homan also played in last year's Senior Bowl.
Ponder became the team's starting quarterback midseason after being drafted with the 12th overall pick. Ballard and Fusco eventually were every-week backups. Love was on the active roster all season, but didn't play. Homan never made the team.
For a team desperate for talent and youth, the Vikings could see a similar situation this year by bringing in several of the Senior Bowl participants.
Several players could fit Minnesota's needs, specifically along the offensive line and defensive backfield. Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, considered one of the top defensive backs available, is on Frazier's North squad. Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams is on the North squad and was measured at 6-foot-7, 323 pounds during Monday's weigh-ins. Two guards for the North squad, All-American Kevin Zeitler from Wisconsin and Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele, are considered among the top prospects on the interior of the offensive line.
But player evaluation isn't the only thing on Frazier's mind.
"From a coaching standpoint, now we get a head start on developing the chemistry that's going to be so necessary for us to improve this next season," Frazier said. "So I'm excited about the fact that we'll be in meetings, we'll be able to start developing some of the things we want to develop for 2012."
Williams is excited for his first chance to work alongside his fellow coaches and knows the Senior Bowl not only gives the Vikings an advantage on evaluating players, but also developing as a coaching staff.
"The new staffs nowadays don't get that chance to work together and gel, and become comfortable with one another and it's almost a camp, so to speak, for the coaching staff," Williams said. "So under NFL rules we may get a little of a leg up on other coaching staffs to get a chance to work together."
