One outlet has a list
With Training Camp for NFL teams still nearly two full months away, people everywhere that cover the league and its teams are looking for something to write about. As we’ve seen during most offseasons, that can only bring about one question:
Whatcha gonna do when List-a-Mania runs wild on you?
Yes, ‘tis the season for ranking and racking and stacking and so forth, so we’ll start with a list we’ve gotten from USA Today’s Touchdown Wire. (Hat tip to our friends at Windy City Gridiron for seeing it first.) Jarrett Bailey has ranked all 32 NFL head coaches going into this season, so let’s see where he has Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell slotted at.
You’ll actually have to scroll for a while to find O’Connell’s name, as Bailey has him at #13 among NFL coaches. Here’s what he has to say about the Vikings’ third-year head coach.
The Vikings were taped together like a car out of Mad Max – just sheet metal, hope, and vibes. While I’m not the biggest JJ McCarthy guy in the world, if he’s going to succeed anywhere, it will be in Minnesota. An outside zone oriented offense that relies a lot on intermediate throws over the middle of the field will benefit the young quarterback. As will having a great duo of receivers, a great tight end, and a good run game. Being with O’Connell makes life easier, and that’s about as high a compliment as you can give a head coach.
Given what the Vikings went through last year, particularly at the quarterback position, it’s nice to see at least one person recognize the job O’Connell did last year given the adversity. If everyone is back healthy this season, this team is likely going to be much better than a lot of folks seem to think they’re going to be.
O’Connell’s ranking at #13 is pretty impressive, but that only gives him the third-highest ranking among his NFC North peers. Chicago Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus is near the bottom of the list at #31, while Dan Campbell of Detroit checks in at #8 and Matt LaFleur of Green Bay is ranked at #5.
What do you think of Kevin O’Connell’s spot on this list, folks? Is he in just about the right spot?