Dunbar, Pagac could move up if Frazier leaves

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is expected to interview with the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions for their head coaching jobs this week.

The St. Louis Rams also have received permission to interview Frazier, and the New York Jets also are reportedly interested in him.

"You hope he has an opportunity," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "You wish him the best and hope he can go do something."

If Frazier gets a head coaching position, the team could look within the organization for his replacement. Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and linebackers coach Fred Pagac were candidates for the Vikings defensive coordinator job after Mike Tomlin left to become the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach in 2007.

Veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte has one year remaining on his contract, but his return seems uncertain based on comments he made to Yahoo.com. Frerotte, who was 8-3 as the starter, expressed his frustration after watching Tarvaris Jackson struggle in a 26-14 loss to the Eagles. Frerotte's back was healthy enough for him to play the past three games, but coach Brad Childress kept Jackson as his starter.

"I just don't know what to think right now," Frerotte told the website. "It was a very frustrating experience because I felt like I should've been the one playing. That might sound selfish, but I think I would've given us the best chance to win. I'm going home to St. Louis [on Monday] to be with my family and figure out where things stand, but the way things played out at the end really makes me question things."

Offensive lineman Artis Hicks said he will have surgery this week on his injured right triceps. Hicks said he tore his triceps muscle in the season opener against Green Bay and did more damage against Jacksonville on Nov. 23. Hicks missed three games late in the season because of the injury.

"My threshold for pain is pretty large," he said. "It was weakness. It wasn't strong enough to be able to protect myself. I didn't want to become a liability by any means because then I'm hurting the team."

• Running back Adrian Peterson was named the team's offensive MVP, Kevin Williams won on defense and kicker Ryan Longwell for special teams. Both players and coaches vote on the honors.

• Special-teams ace Heath Farwell, who missed the entire season because of a knee injury, said he is ahead of schedule and is expected to return fully in March.

• Defensive tackle Pat Williams said his broken right shoulder is about 80 percent but said he still plans on playing in the Pro Bowl.

• Safety Darren Sharper, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the second quarter, said the injury might have forced him to miss one more playoff game if the Vikings had advanced.

• The Vikings signed three players off their practice squad to reserve/futures contracts: running back Albert Young, wide receiver Jaymar Johnson and guard Brian Daniels.