17 Dec 10 Minnesota Vikings Fire Brad Childress: Was It the Right Decision?

Who is really to blame for the Vikings' woes?Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Vikings' season has been a complete bust.This is undoubtedly true, but was it really the right call to fire Brad Childress?Certainly there can be arguments made in favor of getting rid of the coach. He seemed to have lost the respect of many players in the locker room. Many of his decisions have come under scrutiny, especially when he chose to waive multiple pro-bowl wide receiver Randy Moss after only four weeks.Let's take a look, however, at the Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
bigger picture.In his first four seasons with the Vikings, Childress led the team to records of 6-10, 8-8, 10-6, and 12-4. A consistent gain of two wins per season. That's a rather impressive streak. And what that means is that the team was improving steadily each season.Last year, the Vikings emerged as an NFC powerhouse, falling one interception short of the Super Bowl. And that is where the problem stems from, to me.He's a Hall of Fame player, there's no question, but the biggest problem in the Vikings' locker room this season has been Brett Favre.He's got a lot of heart, a lot of determination, and way too much pride.He's been to the top of the mountain and back to the bottom on multiple occasions. But in 2010, he's the guy who just didn't know when to quit.The Vikings are a miserable 3-7. At best, they're looking at five or six wins this season. Much of the blame must lie with Favre, not Childress.He's already thrown nearly three times the interceptions he threw last season. He's beat up and one has to wonder about his future quality of life after football. What sort of health issues might he face down the line after 20 years of taking brutal hits, especially at his age now?The solution should have been to bench Favre; to give someone else a chance to Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
lead the offense and to start building towards the future instead of trying to live off the past. Another full season, one without Favre, would have been beneficial for determining just how far Childress could take the team moving forward.Now the Vikings will need to perhaps look for both a new quarterback and a new head coach for next season. The Vikings still run the risk of finishing in the basement of the NFC North. Their week 17 showdown with the Detroit Lions could determine just who holds that unenviable position.On the other side ofReebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
the same coin, the same type of change has seemed to work for Dallas so far. So only time will tell if this decision was right for the team right now.But it will take nothing short of a miracle for the Vikings to salvage their season and end up in the post season. Minnesota will have to run the table while all their other NFC wild card rivals fall on their faces.That, as they say, is highly unlikely.