Vikings: Signals might be changing on play calling

At one end of the field Thursday, a group of Vikings were practicing a new set of offensive plays. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers presided over the drill, while coach Brad Childress stood 75 yards away observing the defense.

The scene was a noticeable departure from last year, when Childress personally installed the offense and directed its every movement. And while no final decisions have been made, the modification is part of Childress' plan to evaluate the offense and determine whether Bevell will assume primary play-calling duties in 2007.

Childress called most of the plays last season for the NFL's 23rd-ranked offense, but he has since acknowledged the burden it places on a head coach. As a result, Bevell will call some plays during "live" drills this spring and summer as Childress considers his options.

Although he played for Childress at the University of Wisconsin and shares many of the same values, Bevell said Thursday that his play-calling style would not emulate Childress as closely as some might think.

"Just because it would be a different person doing it," Bevell said. "That's really the only thing I can say. I'm not Coach. I don't think the same way Coach thinks. I think different things at times on offense. For that reason, it would be different. Anybody you put in that spot would be different from any other person."

Bevell chose his words carefully on the topic, indicating he was not aware of any permanent changes and referring most questions to Childress. Earlier this offseason, Childress said he enjoys calling plays and insisted: "It's not something I'm looking to put off on someone else."

At the same time, however, Childress recalled how Philadelphia coach Andy Reid reacted during a preseason game several years ago when he handed off play-calling duties.

"You can't believe the things you see when your head is not down on the play-calling card," Childress said. "You're more of a head coach."

That description has seemed apt this week for Childress, who carried on lively conversations with defensive backs Dwight Smith and Ronyell Whitaker during Thursday's practice while moving freely from position to position. Left tackle Bryant McKinnie suggested one explanation: Last year's painful transition to Childress' West Coast offense set the table for smoother practices this spring.

"If you have something new," McKinnie said, "you have to take it slow. It's like doing a puzzle. If you do it one time, then the second time you do it, it's going to go a whole lot faster. We just needed that one year under our belt to get the hang of it."

According to Bevell, last year's foundation has allowed for less confusion during installation periods this week.

"It definitely helps to have a year into it for everybody," Bevell said. "They've had one year under their belt. They know how we want it. We know the players can now focus on the finer details rather than just, 'Hey, what am I supposed to do on this play?' They can focus on the details."

Are they absorbing it fast enough for Childress to hand the reigns over to Bevell, who has never called plays at any level? Childress seems unlikely to make that decision much before preseason games begin in August.

If called upon, however, Bevell said he will be ready.

"We have an offense that we're working within," Bevell said. "The plays are the plays. I'm not talking about me or [Childress], but when you talk about a play-caller, everybody has their own spin on it. So would I be different than Coach? Probably. But the plays are the plays, and those are the philosophies that aren't going to change."

Kevin Seifert • kseifert@startribune.com