Capital Card
The Kobayashi of Kool-Aid
Repeat after Green: Just another game
Coach sanguine about return to Metrodome
BY BRIAN HAMILTON
Pioneer Press
The high road apparently does not have an offramp, even after two years.
Saturday, Dennis Green will return to the Metrodome sideline as coach of the Arizona Cardinals in an exhibition game against the Vikings, the team he led for a decade. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Flagstaff, Ariz., he tried politely to play down the drama while waxing sugary about his life in Minnesota.
Of course, Green also had refused to address the game until Wednesday, and then he cut it off after a few questions.
Construction, it seems, has turned the high road into a one-way boulevard.
"I'm one of 32 coaches, and 14 guys have had other jobs in the National Football League," Green told reporters at Cardinals training camp. "I'm just one of those 14 guys, and most of them have probably played at the place where they coached for many, many years.
"Minnesota was good to me. My wife is from Minnesota, both my children were born in Minnesota. I was there 10 years, and that's another part of my life. I've moved on, and I'm very happy now and looking forward to trying to be a playoff team."
Green acknowledged that the spotlight would be on him Saturday, then closed the issue during the next reporter's question.
"You know what guys? I've already said how I felt about it," Green said. "I've said my best memories are that my children were born there and my wife is from there. … Other than that, I think they have some great fans. They have a lot of talent on their football team. The stadium will be filled, because that's what they do every single game.
"It's one of four preseason games for us. I don't want my team worrying about playing Minnesota or San Diego or Oakland or Denver, because that's not what it's about."
Of course, it won't be just another game, not when Green will make his Arizona debut in these circumstances. He purportedly isn't happy at the NFL schedule makers, either.
Green finished in Minnesota with a 101-70 record, second in franchise history in victories to Bud Grant. Twice Green took the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.
But he was a lightning rod for criticism that he didn't take the Vikings one step further. His relationship with the Twin Cities media was caustic, and his relationship with the fans depended on whom you asked. All of which makes this a strange — if not strained — reunion.
"In all honesty, it will be strange," Vikings running backs coach Dean Dalton said. "I have the utmost respect for Denny. He gave me my opportunity in the National Football League, and I will be forever indebted to him for that.
"I feel it will be like playing against someone in your family.''
"I think everyone knew he would be back," center Matt Birk said. "Everyone knows that he's a good coach. He's going to be a lifer, one of those guys who will always coach. You could just tell he's got that passion for the game and the zest for teaching. It wasn't a huge surprise to anybody who has ever played for him.''
Green inherited an Arizona franchise desperate for success after just one winning season since 1984. He said he couldn't draw comparisons between the Vikings and what he has in the desert.
He did make one thing clear: He will not accidentally meander to the wrong sideline Saturday night.
"No chance," Green said.
Depending on whom you ask, that might be good or bad.
Coach sanguine about return to Metrodome
BY BRIAN HAMILTON
Pioneer Press
The high road apparently does not have an offramp, even after two years.
Saturday, Dennis Green will return to the Metrodome sideline as coach of the Arizona Cardinals in an exhibition game against the Vikings, the team he led for a decade. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in Flagstaff, Ariz., he tried politely to play down the drama while waxing sugary about his life in Minnesota.
Of course, Green also had refused to address the game until Wednesday, and then he cut it off after a few questions.
Construction, it seems, has turned the high road into a one-way boulevard.
"I'm one of 32 coaches, and 14 guys have had other jobs in the National Football League," Green told reporters at Cardinals training camp. "I'm just one of those 14 guys, and most of them have probably played at the place where they coached for many, many years.
"Minnesota was good to me. My wife is from Minnesota, both my children were born in Minnesota. I was there 10 years, and that's another part of my life. I've moved on, and I'm very happy now and looking forward to trying to be a playoff team."
Green acknowledged that the spotlight would be on him Saturday, then closed the issue during the next reporter's question.
"You know what guys? I've already said how I felt about it," Green said. "I've said my best memories are that my children were born there and my wife is from there. … Other than that, I think they have some great fans. They have a lot of talent on their football team. The stadium will be filled, because that's what they do every single game.
"It's one of four preseason games for us. I don't want my team worrying about playing Minnesota or San Diego or Oakland or Denver, because that's not what it's about."
Of course, it won't be just another game, not when Green will make his Arizona debut in these circumstances. He purportedly isn't happy at the NFL schedule makers, either.
Green finished in Minnesota with a 101-70 record, second in franchise history in victories to Bud Grant. Twice Green took the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.
But he was a lightning rod for criticism that he didn't take the Vikings one step further. His relationship with the Twin Cities media was caustic, and his relationship with the fans depended on whom you asked. All of which makes this a strange — if not strained — reunion.
"In all honesty, it will be strange," Vikings running backs coach Dean Dalton said. "I have the utmost respect for Denny. He gave me my opportunity in the National Football League, and I will be forever indebted to him for that.
"I feel it will be like playing against someone in your family.''
"I think everyone knew he would be back," center Matt Birk said. "Everyone knows that he's a good coach. He's going to be a lifer, one of those guys who will always coach. You could just tell he's got that passion for the game and the zest for teaching. It wasn't a huge surprise to anybody who has ever played for him.''
Green inherited an Arizona franchise desperate for success after just one winning season since 1984. He said he couldn't draw comparisons between the Vikings and what he has in the desert.
He did make one thing clear: He will not accidentally meander to the wrong sideline Saturday night.
"No chance," Green said.
Depending on whom you ask, that might be good or bad.
