Vikings' Frazier kicks off his interview tour

Up next for the team's defensive coordinator: an interview with the Lions and possibly the Rams.

By JUDD ZULGADand CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune staff writers

Last update: January 7, 2009 - 11:22 PM

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Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was in Denver on Wednesday to interview for the Broncos' head coaching job. Frazier is expected to go through the same process with the Detroit Lions on Friday. The St. Louis Rams also are interested.

Frazier, who has been with the Vikings for two seasons, was the sixth candidate to meet with the Broncos. Todd Bowles, the assistant head coach and secondary coach with the Miami Dolphins, reportedly will interview with Denver today. Bowles, like Frazier, is also considered a candidate for the coaching jobs in Detroit and St. Louis.

The Broncos also reportedly have talked to Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and their own offensive coordinator, Rick Dennison.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the Rams want to interview Frazier next week. Billy Devaney, the Rams' executive vice president of player personnel, was a member of Atlanta's front office last year when the Falcons interviewed Frazier. Frazier also was a candidate for the Miami job last year.

Sharper: 50-50 I'm back

Veteran safety Darren Sharper said Wednesday that he had a good meeting with coach Brad Childress on Monday and that he will now "just kind of wait and see how free agency goes."

"I'd like to come back and I told a couple of guys that in my exit interview," Sharper said. "We'll see what happens. ... I'd say it's more 50-50 [that he's back]. You never want to close the door because I know they believe I have a lot of good years of playing football left in my body. I know the defensive scheme and it would be easy for me to come back."

The future for the Vikings at the safety spot Sharper's occupies could be 2008 second-round pick Tyrell Johnson. "Tyrell is a guy who played and played well enough to show that he can be a starter," Sharper said, referring to the seven games Johnson started in place of the injured Madieu Williams. "It's a decision that management has to make."

Sharper, 33, suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday against the Eagles that forced him to miss the second half.

Etc.

• Allen will be an in-studio guest on ESPN's "NFL Countdown" from 10-noon Sunday.

• Adrian Peterson is one of three running backs to be nominated for the FedEx ground player of the year award. Peterson, who won the NFL rushing title, is competing with Atlanta's Michael Turner and Carolina's DeAngelo Williams. The award will be decided by fan voting that runs until Jan. 23. Votes can be cast at www.nfl.com/fed ex.

• The Vikings signed practice squad offensive tackle Chris Clark (Southern Mississippi) to a reserve/futures contract.

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