vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Senior Bowl notes: Frazier talks defensive changes
Posted by: Dan Wiederer under Leslie Frazier, Leslie Frazier, Steve Hutchinson Updated: January 23, 2012 - 8:34 PM
Leslie Frazier knew it wouldn't be easy to convince Fred Pagac to accept a revised role on the coaching staff, one that would require him to give up his position as defensive coordinator and return to coaching linebackers. But now that Pagac has accepted that change and has already begun adapting to the role at this week's Senior Bowl, Frazier expressed his vision for how Pagac and Mike Singletary would interact.
"I think it’s going to work out fine," Frazier said. "This is a tremendous boost here. Having a chance to go through this [Senior Bowl] process is almost like having a mini-camp in a lot of ways for our staff. So I think it’s a big plus for us. It gives us a chance to work out some of the kinks we’ll have on our staff. But so far so good."
Pagac stands to now be the primary coach of the linebackers.
"Well, the fact that Fred has been in this system the longest and has the most experience in this system, he’ll take the lead on a lot of things," Frazier said. "And between he and Mike, they’ll work out what we need to do from an individual standpoint. And we’ll divvy up duties when it comes to game planning opponents. The biggest thing on the field is you have different responsibilities for two different guys. But having a lead guy really makes a difference. And to have two guys who are very good coaches and have great minds working with our players, I’ve got to think it’s going to be an advantage for our defense and particularly for our linebackers."
Also of note Monday:
- Frazier said he recently talked to guard Steve Hutchinson, who's fully recovered from the season-ending concussion he suffered on Dec. 18. Said Frazier: "I know he wants to still play. At least that’s what he told me, he still wants to play."
- Frazier continued to assert his interest in taking an active role in shaping the defense with new coordinator Alan Williams on board. Frazier was asked if, after a full season as head coach, he missed the responsibilities of being a coordinator and if he had considered being a head coach/coordinator. "Yes and no," he said. "It’s just hard to do. There are some guys who do it and it’s hard to do. You can make a lot of mistakes trying to do that. I see guys trying to do that and I see the mistakes they make. So I don’t want to go that direction. I think we’ve got some good guys in place and I think they’re going to do a good job for us. But I’d rather be in the middle and not just staying in one room and not being able to do some things I think I need to do."
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