I posted this as part of a discussion on the EMB..

[bobbyinlondon]

http://www.profootballtalk.com

HECKERT, CHILDRESS TRADING WINGS FOR HORNS?

There's a rumor making the rounds in league circles that, once the dust settles in Minnesota, Tom Heckert will be the G.M. and Brad Childress will be the head coach.

Both Heckert and Childress currently are with the Eagles.  Childress is the offensive coordinator, and Heckert is the V.P. of player personnel. 

Since Heckert is under contract through 2009, the Vikings would be able to retain his services only if Heckert is offered "final say" authority over personnel.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has vowed to clean up the franchise for which he paid $600 million earlier this year.  It's clear to us that, in order to do so, Wilf needs to clean out the coaching staff and front office, and start all over again. 


I posted this on a thread on the EMB board where it talks about who would be fired on their "Around the NFL" forum. I've been reading the Minny papers, as I read nearly all the papers from the league cities and Wilf wants to rebuild the front office and coaching staff using the 49ers as a model, who used the Eagles as a model. Although it's only rumor right now, and I know some people don't hold PFT very well-regarded; still, they came up with some things like the Moss trade before it was official and also the situation with Westbrook.


There's an article on NFL.com by Adam Schefter who says there could be 10-13 vacancies after the season and a lot of owners and GM types might start their searches by Dec 1.
Looking around the league, it's not too difficult to see who would go--

NFC North--Minny, Detroit, GB
South--New Orleans
West--St. Louis, Seattle (if Mike Holmgren doesn't win a playoff game this year)

AFC East--NY Jets (Robert Johnson doesn't get along with either Edwards or Terry Bradway)
Buffalo (Mularkey and Tom Donahoe overestimated JP Losman)
North--Pittsburgh--Cowher could make a pitch to replace Vermeil in KC as his contract is up (Vermeil's that is)
Baltimore
South--Houston, Tennessee (possibly)
West--Oakland

In addition, depending on what happens to the Boys and Skins late in the year (and now especially that the Cowboys might be hurting with their  recent key injuries), whose to say that Parcells and Gibbs won't step down?

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Heckert leaving would be extremely detrimental to this franchise.  The Vikes would have to pay him a ton of money, though... because he already has a lot of power with the Eagles, and all the bad press goes to AR.

[MURP]

I wouldnt be surprised to see Childress leave.  I would be surprised to see Heckert go anywhere.   The Eagles have shown that they are willing to pony up the cash to keep their coaches and other executives if they really want to keep them. 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Childress better get out while the gettings good.  The offense might be without Westbrook and T.O. next year.

[Father Demon]

Just as a point of clarification, Martz was given a one year extension on his contract about 4 - 6 weeks ago.  Not sure how that will play out with his illness, though.

[MadMarchHare]

Lucky for Martz, it'll either kill him or go away.  If he lives, he should have no lingering problems (other than being a lunkhead, that is).

[ice grillin you]

heckert is a tough call...who knows how much he really does...and even if he runs the ship as far as the draft goes has he been so good that losing him would really hurt that much...not tot ake anything away from him but i cant imagine there isnt a dozen guys out there that are as good as he is...

as for childress....who will be in charge of the tony luke runs when he leaves

[MURP]

well he is Reids right hand man for all scouting of the draft and any other Free Agents/practice squad etc.  From all the articles about him im sure he does a hell of a lot for Reid. 

[Larry]

The vikings next coach will be a defensive coordinator.  That's what has been limiting them for the past few years--their defense.

Because of the success of the Pats, other teams are trying to follow their example by pairing a franchise QB with a defensive guru:  Manning-Dungy, Vick-Mora, Palmer-Lewis, etc.

So even though Heckert could be in line for their GM job -- the Vikings would have to pay him a ton of money and provide him with unlimited GM power for that to occur -- that doesn't necessarily mean he'll bring Childress along should he be hired.

I still say when it's all said and done Gregg Williams will be the Vikings next head coach.

[MURP]

The vikings next coach will be a defensive coordinator. That's what has been limiting them for the past few years--their defense.

heh, yeah.  this year they are also crap on offense ranking 29th in scoring.  ha. 

[ice grillin you]

well he is Reids right hand man for all scouting of the draft and any other Free Agents/practice squad etc.  From all the articles about him im sure he does a hell of a lot for Reid

yeah i dont doubt this...but what has he done that would cause concern over losing him...i dont want him to go as i think continuity is important and reid is comfortable with him and vice versa...but id hardly lose any sleep over him leaving if thats what happens

[MURP]

since we dont really know how much he does or how important he is there is only one way to find out.  If the Eagles keep him or if they let him go.  If Reid needs him around id expect Lurie to do whatever is necessary to keep him.

[henchmanUK]

Heckert isn't the No. 1 in football operations here though, Reid is. He could very well be swayed by the offer of that role in Minnesota.

[Larry]

I'm pretty certain Heckert & Co. does 99% of the personnel work, while Reid just has the final say.

If you asked Reid who are the top 5 tackles in college right now, could he name 1?  I don't think so.

[ice grillin you]

right now he couldnt....but btwn the end of the season and the draft reid definitely will be up on just about every potential day one pick