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Green now No. 1 in coaching tenure
Posted: Tuesday January 12, 1999 12:42 AM
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Dennis Green raised an index finger beside his head and proclaimed himself "number one" Monday. No, Green wasn't making an early prediction about the outcome of this Sunday's NFC championship game, when his Minnesota Vikings will play host to the Atlanta Falcons. Green was referring to his status as the longest-tenured coach in the NFL following Marty Schottenheimer's resignation in Kansas City. "Unfortunately with the resignation of Marty Schottenheimer I go to the top of the class as far as the head football coach who has been in the same job," Green said. "I am now ranked number one for the longest period of time. That is not easy." It seemed especially difficult at times for Green, who was hired Jan. 10, 1992, just 11 days before the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Bill Cowher. Green Bay hired Mike Holmgren one day after Green in 1992, but Holmgren left for Seattle last week. Dan Reeves has been an NFL head coach for 18 consecutive seasons, but only the last two in Atlanta. Before the Vikings' breakout season this year -- their 16-1 record is the best in the NFL -- Green's tenure in Minnesota was marked by respectable performances on the field and upheaval off it. Ironically, Green's latest round of turmoil came about this time last year, when it seemed his tenure might end in resignation or firing amid a dispute with the previous 10-person ownership group. But Green endured that ticklish time and has risen to the top of his profession. "Seven years in the same job is a long time, in virtually any job. So I wear it very proudly," Green said. "It also, though, talks about the pressures of the NFL, any number of pressures in numerous ways. First off, you have to have relative success. Everybody wants to have ultimate success, but you can count the guys that have won Super Bowls on two hands. It doesn't happen very often." InjuriesSome prominent members of Minnesota's defense sustained injuries in Sunday's win over Arizona that will bear watching this week. The most serious could be free safety Orlando Thomas' strained hamstring. He hurt it in the second quarter and missed the rest of the game. Coach Dennis Green said Thomas most likely will be listed as probable for Sunday's NFC title game against Atlanta. Strong safety Robert Griffith, who had two interceptions against the Cardinals and shifted to free safety periodically after Thomas went out, got a bruise high in the middle of his upper back. He stayed in the game and, aside from a little stiffness, showed no serious side-effects Monday. All-Pro defensive lineman John Randle hyperextended his left knee in the waning moments. "We are concerned about Johnny Randle," Green said, although he quickly added "it shouldn't be anything serious. He should be able to play." Green said Randle most likely will be listed as probable when the injury report comes out Wednesday. Receiver Jake Reed, returning to action after a five-game layoff because of back surgery, injured a hamstring Sunday. Green said he probably will be questionable. FillerWith the Vikings' secondary depleted by injuries, three little-used backups stepped into prominent roles against Arizona. Safety Duane Butler, cornerback Antonio Banks and safety/corner Anthony Bass all got their first significant action of the season Sunday and all performed solidly. Banks recovered a third-quarter fumble to set up a touchdown for a 34-14 lead. Coach Dennis Green had particular praise for Banks and Bass. "Two guys who you may not have heard of, but they went out and played hard, played well, have been working for that opportunity," Green said. The trio was pressed into action because nickel back Ramos McDonald missed the game with a back injury and free safety Orlando Thomas left in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Mr. PessimismOffensive coordinator Brian Billick sat down before the season began to map out his projections for the Vikings' production this season. The idea was to help the players understand how each would figure into the unit's success, and Billick's predictions proved to be accurate in the way of individual production. But he admits he was way off in one category. Billick estimated the Vikings would set a team record with 450 points, surpassing the 412 they scored in 1995. He was off by 106 points, nearly a touchdown a game, as the Vikings set an NFL record. 'So I guess I'm the eternal pessimist for not thinking we could break the all-time scoring record,' Billick quipped. Mr. PerfectA perfect season on the field -- the first ever in NFL history -- hasn't meant any changes at home for kicker Gary Anderson. "I don't claim to do that, but I have been very fortunate," Anderson said when asked if the perfection had rubbed off on his personal life. "I was raised in a great home all my life, and I'm blessed with a great wife and two great boys. I think I'm an all right dad." The tongue-in-cheek questioner proceeded to ask if his wife referred to him as The Perfect Man. "No," Anderson said, laughing sheepishly, "but she says I'm not bad."
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