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Commanders boast 'all-star coaching staff'
BY DON SEEHOLZER
Pioneer Press
The head coach already is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the assistant ranks include three former NFL head coaches.
As staffs go, they don't get much better than the Washington Commanders', so Brad Childress and the Vikings' coaches know they will have their work cut out for them Monday night.
"They have the all-star coaching staff over there," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Friday. "They have a lot of all-star players, too. But we've been coaching football on our side for a while. I think we have good minds and we're ready. We're excited for this opportunity."
In addition to Childress, who will be making his NFL head coaching debut, Monday night's game will be the first for Bevell and defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin in their current positions.
Washington will counter with coach Joe Gibbs, a three-time Super Bowl winner, and the former head coaching trio of associate head coach-offense Al Saunders (San Diego), associate head coach-defense Gregg Williams (Buffalo) and assistant head coach-offense Joe Bugel (Phoenix, Oakland).
Advantage: Commanders?
"I'm sure they feel that way, and I happen to agree with them," Tomlin said. "Those are guys that I grew up admiring professionally and things of that nature. But the game will be won or lost inside the white lines on the field."
Portis takes a pass: Commanders running back Clinton Portis still is officially listed as questionable for Monday night's game because of a partially dislocated shoulder, but he said after Friday's practice that he is targeting Washington's second game for his return.
"The way things look, bro, you'll probably be seeing 26 against Dallas," he told Commanders media members.
The Vikings have been downplaying the significance of Portis' loss on the Washington offense, but consider these statistics:
• Portis rushed for a franchise-record 1,516 yards last season.
• Backup Ladell Betts has rushed for 1,271 yards during a four-year NFL career that includes just two starts.
Injury update: Commanders cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen) is listed as doubtful but also has said he won't play Monday, which means a start for former Viking Kenny Wright.
Defensive end Renaldo Wynn (ankle-probable) is the Commanders' only other injured player.
The Vikings upgraded running back Mewelde Moore (knee) and cornerback Fred Smoot (ribs) from questionable to probable, and both will play.
Captain crunch: Linebacker E.J. Henderson will serve as the Vikings' defensive captain for Monday's game, joining quarterback Brad Johnson (offense) and kicker Ryan Longwell (special teams).
"E.J.'s been solid for us, of course, all training camp," Tomlin said. "He doesn't say much, but his actions speak loudly. He's a Maryland native, so we just felt it was right."
Henderson, who played his college football at Maryland, said he expects to have 10 to 15 people in the stands at FedEx Field.
"It was a nice surprise," he said. "It felt great. I hope I can live up to the honor."
Stadium stuff: Owner Zygi Wilf, while emphasizing that Blaine remains the Vikings' first choice as a future stadium site, said the team is keeping its downtown options open.
"Minneapolis is always in the picture," Wilf said. "It's our home right now. But we have a partner in Anoka, and we're working hard to move the stadium process forward into this upcoming legislative session."
Wilf said the team is gearing up for another stadium push and getting all its facts and figures together.
"We're working with engineers and architects and getting the cost analysis more definitive," he said. "Understanding what type of stadium we're looking for."
Cone of silence: The Vikings' interest in free-agent wide receiver/kick returner Quincy Morgan is no secret, but that doesn't mean special-teams coach Paul Ferraro has to confirm it.
"I couldn't even answer that," he said. "We're looking at a lot of people, keeping our eye on the wire. Whatever is going to make us a better team."
Morgan worked out for the Vikings on Tuesday and could be signed next week.
Ferraro also declined to name a kickoff returner for Monday, saying it could be Troy Williamson, Moore or Ciatrick Fason.
Sound of music: In addition to playing their first regular-season game under Childress, the Vikings will debut a new theme song Monday.
"Bring in the Horns" was designed to appeal to younger fans, according to a team release, but "Skol Vikings" will continue to be played.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/15475926.htm
BY DON SEEHOLZER
Pioneer Press
The head coach already is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the assistant ranks include three former NFL head coaches.
As staffs go, they don't get much better than the Washington Commanders', so Brad Childress and the Vikings' coaches know they will have their work cut out for them Monday night.
"They have the all-star coaching staff over there," offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Friday. "They have a lot of all-star players, too. But we've been coaching football on our side for a while. I think we have good minds and we're ready. We're excited for this opportunity."
In addition to Childress, who will be making his NFL head coaching debut, Monday night's game will be the first for Bevell and defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin in their current positions.
Washington will counter with coach Joe Gibbs, a three-time Super Bowl winner, and the former head coaching trio of associate head coach-offense Al Saunders (San Diego), associate head coach-defense Gregg Williams (Buffalo) and assistant head coach-offense Joe Bugel (Phoenix, Oakland).
Advantage: Commanders?
"I'm sure they feel that way, and I happen to agree with them," Tomlin said. "Those are guys that I grew up admiring professionally and things of that nature. But the game will be won or lost inside the white lines on the field."
Portis takes a pass: Commanders running back Clinton Portis still is officially listed as questionable for Monday night's game because of a partially dislocated shoulder, but he said after Friday's practice that he is targeting Washington's second game for his return.
"The way things look, bro, you'll probably be seeing 26 against Dallas," he told Commanders media members.
The Vikings have been downplaying the significance of Portis' loss on the Washington offense, but consider these statistics:
• Portis rushed for a franchise-record 1,516 yards last season.
• Backup Ladell Betts has rushed for 1,271 yards during a four-year NFL career that includes just two starts.
Injury update: Commanders cornerback Shawn Springs (abdomen) is listed as doubtful but also has said he won't play Monday, which means a start for former Viking Kenny Wright.
Defensive end Renaldo Wynn (ankle-probable) is the Commanders' only other injured player.
The Vikings upgraded running back Mewelde Moore (knee) and cornerback Fred Smoot (ribs) from questionable to probable, and both will play.
Captain crunch: Linebacker E.J. Henderson will serve as the Vikings' defensive captain for Monday's game, joining quarterback Brad Johnson (offense) and kicker Ryan Longwell (special teams).
"E.J.'s been solid for us, of course, all training camp," Tomlin said. "He doesn't say much, but his actions speak loudly. He's a Maryland native, so we just felt it was right."
Henderson, who played his college football at Maryland, said he expects to have 10 to 15 people in the stands at FedEx Field.
"It was a nice surprise," he said. "It felt great. I hope I can live up to the honor."
Stadium stuff: Owner Zygi Wilf, while emphasizing that Blaine remains the Vikings' first choice as a future stadium site, said the team is keeping its downtown options open.
"Minneapolis is always in the picture," Wilf said. "It's our home right now. But we have a partner in Anoka, and we're working hard to move the stadium process forward into this upcoming legislative session."
Wilf said the team is gearing up for another stadium push and getting all its facts and figures together.
"We're working with engineers and architects and getting the cost analysis more definitive," he said. "Understanding what type of stadium we're looking for."
Cone of silence: The Vikings' interest in free-agent wide receiver/kick returner Quincy Morgan is no secret, but that doesn't mean special-teams coach Paul Ferraro has to confirm it.
"I couldn't even answer that," he said. "We're looking at a lot of people, keeping our eye on the wire. Whatever is going to make us a better team."
Morgan worked out for the Vikings on Tuesday and could be signed next week.
Ferraro also declined to name a kickoff returner for Monday, saying it could be Troy Williamson, Moore or Ciatrick Fason.
Sound of music: In addition to playing their first regular-season game under Childress, the Vikings will debut a new theme song Monday.
"Bring in the Horns" was designed to appeal to younger fans, according to a team release, but "Skol Vikings" will continue to be played.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/sports/15475926.htm