Will Loney Be Better Then Linehan?

The Vikings offensive coordinator position is proof positive that you "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." For the entire second half of the season, and especially the last few games, Scott Linehan was second-guessed and criticized for every mistake he made...and "mistake" is a relative term.

If Randy Moss would have rolled right and thrown a touchdown to Marcus Robinson, Linehan would have been praised for his offensive brilliance. But as it is, Moss tossed the ill-advised pass that was picked off in the end zone, and Linehan's lynching was on.

A fake field goal here, a poorly timed end-around there, and next thing you know, Linehan was on the chopping block. He was the reason our offense was struggling. Our defense flat-out stunk, but the offense should be carrying the load. There was one problem...Scott Linehan.

And then he left. He signed a three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins that nearly tripled his salary. And after he was gone, Vikings fans suddenly realized that this guy was the best offensive coordinator in the league. He's a future head coach in the NFL and man oh man, did we screw up by letting him go.

What?

Where did this change of heart come from? I have one hyphenated word for you: group-think. Some pack of fans, probably a talk radio personality or two, decided they disagreed with some calls Linehan made. These fans started the lyching process and once everyone else got wind of their beliefs, it quickly became law.

Had rational heads prevailed, Linehan would have been respected for the solid offensive coordinator that he is right from the start. He probably still would have shipped off to Miami--and who can blame him--but at least Vikings fans wouldn't be acting like the Republican's portrait of John Kerry.

The lesson here is simple. Watch football. Eat popcorn. Drink your beverage of choice. And most importantly, think for yourself.