JT the Brick

Most of my time last week on radio and television was spent discussing the off-field problems of the Minnesota Vikings. Seventeen of their players allegedly were on two separate charter cruise boats on Lake Minnetonka during their bye week. Some of then allegedly engaged in lewd and lascivious conduct with women and members of the boat staff.

Sports fans eat up this type of drama, and it clearly looks like the Vikings need to clean house and rebuild their shaky reputation. This alleged incident not only hurts the franchise's image but also could hurt their chances of getting public money for a new stadium.

The Vikings were crushed by the Chicago Bears 28-3 Sunday, and it’s clear their season is over. They play in the pitiful NFC North, but the Vikings will be lucky to win five games. They have no rhythm on offense and are out of position on defense. Coach Mike Tice was desperate for a win at Soldier Field, and his team didn't put up a fight.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is the biggest fantasy football bust in the league and continues to look lost without former teammate Randy Moss. Minnesota has tried to improve their pass defense, but star cornerback Fred Smoot is at the center of the sex boat scandal and clearly does not seem focused during this tremulous time.

The Vikings know that all local and national media that covered this game wanted to see if they would play with passion and a sense of urgency. But they appeared as if they spent the off week in consultations with lawyers instead of preparing for Chicago. Minnesota also picked up 14 penalties for 91 yards that also proved they were not mentally ready.

The Bears are below average on offense but have several defenders that can step up and make plays when the game is on the line. Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher had a solid game with nine tackles and two sacks while cornerback Charles Tillman contributed with seven tackles and an interception.

Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has every reason to clean house and he should start by firing Tice on Monday. This is an obvious move for every Vikings fan that still cares about winning.

I think JT is a bit over the top. You have to be incredibly naive to think the Vikings are the only pro athletes to have dealings with strippers, etc. Heck, it was the media that suggested Randy Moss had to go elsewhere, and now the media wants to hang the coach. Well I do think it may be time for Tice to go because the team isn't performing on either side of the ball but not because of any outside activity. As for public money for a stadium I am not in favor of that anyway when so many schools around the country need money.
--Archie, Columbia, S.C.

I totally agree! I have been a Vikings fan for 33 years and will remain one forever, but I am so disgusted with this season. We need a real coach who knows how to control his players.
--Mel Francisco, Yahtahey, N.M.

Firing Tice should only be the start. The Vikings have been mismanaged ever since Denny Green was sent away and Red McCombs bought the team. Get outside once again and be a real team.
--John Martinson, Prince Frederick, Md.

If you propose that every team that has a losing record and lewd behavior within their ranks fire their coach, then 13 teams would be without a coach Monday.
--David, St. Louis

Tice has to go, and now. If not for the sake of public relations alone, Wilf must distance himself from this guy immediately. I'm sure Tice is a nice guy, but he has lacked the winning leadership qualities the team and the fans deserve. The coach's inability to instill a winning and professional attitude has been reflected in his players and their recent actions. He has failed to inspire this in the team for the past three seasons. What's worse is his poor weekly game planning, which has been obvious in light of the Viking's annual end-of-year collapse. This Vikings fan is sick of this crap and would gladly respect any attempt at change.
--Jack Salvia, Pitman, N.J.

As a lifetime Bengals fan, I know inept when I see it. The Vikings are more inept than the Bengals were during their worst years.I think that sums it up.
--Pat Hogan, Supply, N.C.

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