Vikings give Frazier contract extension, title of assistant head coach

Star Tribune

Last update: March 19, 2008 - 11:44 PM

Print this story

league notes

More from Vikings

The Vikings formalized defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier's dual role within their organization, adding "assistant head coach" to his title on Wednesday. As part of the promotion, Frazier's contract was extended through the 2009 season.

Although the additional title is largely ceremonial in the NFL, Frazier said it "kind of makes things official" after he spent much of the past year advising coach Brad Childress on "everything ... from top to bottom, on our roster."

Childress hired Frazier to replace the departed Mike Tomlin last year and said he has "done a tremendous job.

"I value speaking and sharing with him," Childress said, "the ideas he has, the perspective he lends [and] the leadership he gives our defensive staff and our players."

As an example, Frazier noted that Childress asked him to evaluate film of free agent quarterback Gus Frerotte, who visited Winter Park on Wednesday. "Just to give him a defensive perspective on the player," Frazier said.

"It's been a great experience for me," Frazier added. "I've learned so much about the whole of our organization and how things operate because of Brad's willingness to involve me in some major, major decisions and conversations."

Frazier was a finalist for two head coaching jobs this winter, in Miami and Atlanta, and his new title symbolizes his status as an elite assistant coach.

"When the right situation arises I think I'll be ready for [a head coaching job]," Frazier said. "But the big thing for me is to really do a great job here in Minnesota as defensive coordinator, to help our football team win a championship. If that's the case, the opportunities to be a head coach will come. That's really, really where my focus is."

Quarterback update

Frerotte was expected to remain in the Twin Cities overnight as the Vikings continue their search for a veteran backup to starter Tarvaris Jackson.

Frerotte is no stranger to the Vikings or Minnesota, having spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the team. But he spent Wednesday getting acquainted with a new coaching staff and offensive system.

Frerotte, who will turn 37 this summer, visited Green Bay earlier this week.

Brohm invited

Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, projected as a second-round pick in next month's NFL draft, told Scout.com that the Vikings are among the teams that have invited him to make a pre-draft visit. The Vikings also plan to host Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco and had several prominent officials in attendance at Tuesday's Boston College Pro Day, watching quarterback Matt Ryan.

Packers to honor Favre

The Green Bay Packers have had preliminary discussions with recently retired quarterback Brett Favre about retiring his No. 4 uniform during the upcoming season.

• The Packers agreed to a two-year, $5.4 million deal with free-agent linebacker Brandon Chillar.

Etc.

• The Indianapolis Colts re-signed free agent defensive end Josh Thomas.

• Offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, the Cincinnati Bengals' franchise player, signed a one-year tender of $7.5 million, the average '07 salary of the NFL's top five paid offensive linemen.

• Steelers receiver Cedrick Wilson has been charged with assaulting his estranged girlfriend at a suburban Pittsburgh restaurant

• Former Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he is close to finalizing terms of a new contract that would complete an agreed-upon trade and send him from the Atlanta Falcons to the Oakland Raiders.

• Tennessee center Kevin Mawae was elected president of the NFL Players Association.

Staff Writer Judd Zulgad and the Associated Press contributed to this notebook.