We are 125 percent on board with the idea of Josh McDaniels becoming the new offensive coordinator of the Vikings. Here are the reasons: *The NFL is littered with examples of men who didn't have the chops to be head coaches but are fantastic assistants. We believe McDaniels, at least for the time being (remember, he's only 34) falls into that category. If he was good enough to be Bill Belichick's OC in his early 30s, he can lead any offense. He is still an up-and-comer, one of the best young offensive minds in the league. His experience in Denver ended sourly. He made mistakes there. But he wouldn't be the head guy here, and he could learn from the past follies while getting the most out of his full-speed ahead enthusiasm -- a trait that often works better coming from a coordinator than the person in charge of everything.
*It signals a change from the West Coast Offense (or at least the version run by Brad Childress, the K.A. Offense). We're not saying it's a bad system. We are saying an offense that sputtered during a brutal 2010 season -- and fans who watched it happen for much of the Childress Era -- could use a clean break.
*It's an affirmation of the type of man Leslie Frazier is. If you'll recall, Frazier was one of two finalists for the Denver head job. The other, of course, was McDaniels. For Frazier to have no lingering bitterness, and to not be threatened by bringing in a former head coach (and possibly two if Mike Singletary is also hired), and to instead be focused on bringing in the best people possible to help him ... well, those are all good things.
*It's a sign the Vikings are thinking of going young at QB. Ultimately, that's what this team needs: to develop a franchise quarterback. McDaniels has a track record of that with Matt Cassel in New England. Kyle Orton had two nice years in Denver while McDaniels was there.
*If it happens, it will be a quick development that moves the focus even more squarely on 2011 instead of 2010. This franchise needs that. Badly.
