During 10 years as an assistant in Indianapolis, Alan Williams earned a reputation for quickly developing young defensive backs. Finding a way to use that strength in his first season as a coordinator will be helpful. After all, the Vikings are expecting five players younger than 25 -- Chris Cook, Harrison Smith, A.J. Jefferson, Mistral Raymond and Josh Robinson -- to play important roles in 2012.
Williams won't unveil anything revolutionary scheme-wise. He'll keep the Vikings running a Cover-2 based system but has vowed to mix in more man-to-man coverage. Throughout the offseason, the Vikings made a concerted effort to stockpile quality depth in the secondary, hoping that will provide greater versatility in matching up with opposing passing attacks.
Frazier has lauded Williams as a bright coach with positive energy who will help keep the Vikings fundamentally sound. But Frazier also hopes to have greater involvement in monitoring how the defense runs and will guide Williams through his first year.
