Souhan: Winter Park is a kinder, more professional place

[Mothman]

This Jim Souhan column left me feeling very, very encouraged about the future of the Vikings:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... 18341.html

Frazier said he was walking down the hall after the playoff loss to Green Bay last year when a longtime female employee stopped him. “I was bummed out, like we all were,’’ he said. “She said, ‘Leslie, I know it was a tough loss, but this environment that’s here now is way better than it’s ever been. People look forward to coming to work here.’

“What we’re trying to do here is affecting more than just our players. The culture is changing here. We’re still early in the process. But it’s definitely going in the right direction.’’

There’s a certain cognitive dissonance when you hear NFL bosses speaking this way. This is the league of brutal injuries, unguaranteed contracts, ruthless personnel moves.

Within the team’s hierarchy, though, ownership and management emphasize stability. Spielman’s top assistant, George Paton, has turned down chances to interview with other teams. Vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, reputed to be one of the best salary-cap managers in the game, remains in the fold. Spielman said he’s had key scouts turn down good opportunities with other teams as well.

Some people may be dismissive about this but I think the happy atmosphere Souhan describes in that column is a great sign for the future of the team. Happiness, stability, good people and a good work environment can all go a long way toward team success.

[King James]

I'm just a fan myself but I can tell the atmosphere is definitely different. Just by looking at the players on video they look happy, ready to learn and pushing to get better. Back in the Childress era, I remember people use to question the work ethic from this team as a whole. Now it seems like we are trying to be successful. I think the fact that we actually made the playoffs last season was a shocker and wake up call to the organization. The players always had good things to say about the coaches, which is something I haven't seen in my 15 years of being a Vikings fan. I think the Frazier and Rick Spielman combo will take us to a super bowl one day.

[The Breeze]

That was a great piece and I agree with your sentiment, Jim. When peeps say how everything starts at the top this is exactly the kind of thing they mean.

I can't say for sure but I would guess this is the same way people feel in places like GB, NE, Pitts, SF (especially in the Walsh/DeBartalo era).....this really bodes well for keeping players happy and invested too.

The trip to London and the possibility of it becoming the norm for a couple of years is also a boon of sorts. Guys can really come together and deepen their trust and family culture on trips like that.

Things are looking up for the team, and this season, not a make or break one, is going to be pivotal IMO and very exciting to watch.
My hope is that they stay healthy enough to challenge for the division and Fraizer gets a new deal in the process.

[J. Kapp 11]

Excellent piece, and very encouraging.

I think this is exactly what the team had in the late 60s and through the 70s with Bud Grant and Jim Finks. To think the culture is once again becoming one of professionalism has me pretty excited about the future.

[losperros]

I'm sorry but are all of you trying to say that there wasn't harmony and contentment during the Childress era?

Seriously, it's a great article and I agree that this may be the first time in a long time that the Vikings have had a unified professional vision running through the team and its staff.

[VikingLord]

I'm sorry but are all of you trying to say that there wasn't harmony and contentment during the Childress era?

There was - just on other teams. But I don't think Childress gets enough credit for taking rapid action against malcontents on the team. You know, like canning his best WR right around Christmas, sending Moss packing just weeks after spending a 3rd to acquire him...

(for those with sarcasm-blindness, the above was a real, real bright light)

On a more serious note, does anyone else see an intersection between Souhan's observations and the Harvin trade? If Frazier, Spielman, and the Wilfs are creating such a great atmosphere, and I'd have to assume they are based on the attendance at this last OTA, Harvin must have had some serious issues that were just incompatible with what the Vikings are trying to do. From a player's perspective it sounds like an ideal place to work, so why Harvin would have wanted to leave that situation, assuming the reports are true that he did want out, is beyond a mere mortal like me to comprehend. On the other hand, why the Vikings might have wanted to ship Harvin, if the reports are true about the many negative incidents he had while with the Vikings, becomes a little more clear. Harvin might have been that rare bird who managed to actually not be able to see a good thing when he had it.

[Mothman]

There was - just on other teams. But I don't think Childress gets enough credit for taking rapid action against malcontents on the team. You know, like canning his best WR right around Christmas, sending Moss packing just weeks after spending a 3rd to acquire him...

(for those with sarcasm-blindness, the above was a real, real bright light)

Honestly, I think sending Moss packing was the right move. it was just handled poorly. The bigger mistake was trading that draft pick for him in the first place.

On a more serious note, does anyone else see an intersection between Souhan's observations and the Harvin trade? If Frazier, Spielman, and the Wilfs are creating such a great atmosphere, and I'd have to assume they are based on the attendance at this last OTA, Harvin must have had some serious issues that were just incompatible with what the Vikings are trying to do. From a player's perspective it sounds like an ideal place to work, so why Harvin would have wanted to leave that situation, assuming the reports are true that he did want out, is beyond a mere mortal like me to comprehend. On the other hand, why the Vikings might have wanted to ship Harvin, if the reports are true about the many negative incidents he had while with the Vikings, becomes a little more clear. Harvin might have been that rare bird who managed to actually not be able to see a good thing when he had it.

I think there's a good chance that's the case. Good post!

[Mothman]

That was a great piece and I agree with your sentiment, Jim. When peeps say how everything starts at the top this is exactly the kind of thing they mean.

I can't say for sure but I would guess this is the same way people feel in places like GB, NE, Pitts, SF (especially in the Walsh/DeBartalo era).....this really bodes well for keeping players happy and invested too.

Not to mention just keeping them period. Free agents may want to return to the team (for a competitive price, of course) just because they like playing for the Vikes and they want to remain a part of what the organization is building.

The trip to London and the possibility of it becoming the norm for a couple of years is also a boon of sorts. Guys can really come together and deepen their trust and family culture on trips like that.

Excellent point.

Things are looking up for the team, and this season, not a make or break one, is going to be pivotal IMO and very exciting to watch.
My hope is that they stay healthy enough to challenge for the division and Fraizer gets a new deal in the process.

That's my hope too. I'd like to see the whole building process just take another positive step. Ideally, that means winning in the postseason but even if that doesn't happen, I'm hoping this season helps to create more stability/continuity and solidify the team going forward.

[losperros]

Honestly, I think sending Moss packing was the right move. it was just handled poorly. The bigger mistake was trading that draft pick for him in the first place.

But that's the point right there. It all was handled badly. From the get-go the Moss acquisition was doomed. Come on, Childress and Moss co-existing? That shows a lack of organization within the...well...organization.

And I think Coach Egomaniac was at the root of every team incongruity during those days from start to finish. On the plus side, Chili dumping Moss without consulting anyone else was what finally got Zygi's attention about what kind of tyrannical and divisive head coach Childress was.

[mansquatch]

Great stuff. We all care about the product on the field, but behind the scenes stuff like this is a big deal. Hoping the trend continues.

[Knoxx]

I think it has more to do with the owner rather then Chilli or Frazier. Hard to respect and work for a guy like Red McComb who talks out both sides of his mouth and was a penny pincher. He said he would never move the Vikes and in almost the same breath of air tried to relocate us and jumped at it every chance he got. Thankfully the league wouldn't let him. Sometimes I felt he was purposely trying to devalue the team to force the NFL to let him move the team.

Now what the Wilf's have shown is that they are men of their words and you really need to screw the pouch big time to get fired by them. I know I personally have quit jobs that were to chaotic but well paying to work elsewhere for less were there was more trust and stability. You just get burnt out having to go to a job that is stressful due to personal rather than the actual job.

[CalVike]

I am all for harmony, if they win. If the decisions at QB and WR produce a 6-10 clunker, throw the harmony out the window. If memory serves, Jim Finks and Bud Grant weren't on the same page at times and Alan Page and Grant famously feuded. It is a mistake to dump talent in their prime, especially Harvin at 24. Winfield is irrelevant big picture, but his cold blooded cutting certainly did not help harmony at Winter Park on the player side. So I question how harmonious it really is, behind the scenes.

[Mothman]

I am all for harmony, if they win. If the decisions at QB and WR produce a 6-10 clunker, throw the harmony out the window. If memory serves, Jim Finks and Bud Grant weren't on the same page at times and Alan Page and Grant famously feuded. It is a mistake to dump talent in their prime, especially Harvin at 24.

I mean no offense but that way of looking at it seems too simple. Remember, they "dumped" talent but they also acquired talent. What's the bigger mistake, trading Harvin for a first round draft pick that can (hopefully) become an impact player or keeping a disgruntled, problematic player for one more year only to see him walk in free agency while the team gets nothing in return (maybe they would have received a compensatory pick)? It's not like they just cut him and let's face it, he put them in a very difficult position.

I realize they had a choice and they could negotiated with him, slapped with the franchise tag, etc. but if he really wanted out, they did the right thing.

Winfield is irrelevant big picture, but his cold blooded cutting certainly did not help harmony at Winter Park on the player side. So I question how harmonious it really is, behind the scenes.

I question whether that move was as cold-blooded as the Strib reports made it sound. After all, we don't know what was actually said and I've always found the idea that Winfield and his agent were that surprised by the development a little hard to swallow. They had to realize that at his age and salary, with his expected role as the slot corner, that his position was somewhat precarious. Is what we've heard indicative of what really went down or spin from the agent of a player who was unhappy at being released and essentially losing, what, $4.5 million dollars?

I'd love to know what was said in the actual conversation between Spielman and Winfield that day.

[The Breeze]

I think the recent comments by Erik Spoelstra and Greg Poppovich hint at what the real issue is between owners and success in pro sports these days. Winning fixes lots of things as evidenced by the contrast between the Vikings 09 and 2010 seasons. But you don't see franchises win when ownership acts as an impediment. The league is full of owners that really don't know what they are doing. The difference between the teams that have positive successful cultures and the ones that flail is that the former accept their own ignorance and hire accordingly while the latter function from arrogance and blame everyone else for the problems.

3years is a ridiculously short time to expect to build a winning franchise correctly. 5 years is minimum IMO....unless there is obvious hangups that determine a change. Owners have to be willing to focus long term/big picture and understand the impact the organization has in the community. Developing and guiding raw youngsters into men of decent character with strong ethics and giving them something to belong to that they can be proud of is a good foundation for "winning". The real profit form ownership comes when they sell the franchise for a colossal profit. Like when you sell a home.....it's not a normal business like the ones many of these guys made their money in to begin with. I know they make money from year to year but if they are gripped from a profit standpoint on a season to season basis they, are not seeing the forest for the trees and will shoot themselves in the foot more often than not.

I believe the current ownership is cognizant of this and that they have good guys hired for the job. Winning should become symptomatic of their own adherence to the bigger picture.