Updated: Vikings release statement on OL coach Dennison's status
Vikings leave the door open to Dennison remaining with the team
By Matthew Coller
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made it clear during his minicamp press conference that things would be difficult for anyone that elected not to take the COVID-19 vaccination.
That sentiment appears to be coming to fruition as ESPN’s Courtney Cronin is reporting that offensive line coach/run game coordinator Rick Dennison is out after refusing to be vaccinated.
The team released the following statement on Friday, which suggests that a decision has not yet been made final:
“The Vikings continue to hold discussions with Offensive Line Coach Rick Dennison regarding the NFL-NFLPA COVID-19 Protocols for training camp and preseason games. At this time, Coach Dennison does not have an exemption to the vaccination requirements of those protocols. We will adhere to the requirements of the protocols and of applicable law.”
If Dennison remains on the staff without being vaccinated, he will not be allowed to have direct interactions with players either on the field or in meetings.
The team’s statement could be interpreted that they are trying to convince Dennison to get vaccinated or that he could move to a different role that doesn’t require face-to-face coaching.
Dennison has been with the Vikings for two years, operating one of the league’s most successful rushing attacks. According to Cronin the team will promote assistant OL coach Phil Rauscher to replace Dennison. The Vikings have also hired Auburn special teams analyst Ben Steele as an assistant, per the report.
The NFL essentially made the vaccine mandated for coaches when they made rules against direct contact with players for unvaccinated coaches for anyone that isn’t “Tier 1.” So whether we end up calling vaccine-related coaching exits a firing or resignation or hiatus, it’s clear that the league’s rules only leave two options for coaches: Getting vaccinated or being off the staff.
It’s important to note that coaches do not have a union so they do not have a seat at the table in NFL-NFLPA negotiations or protection from losing their job due to vaccination status.
If Dennison does not end up on the staff, this will be the second time in four years in which the Vikings head into the season without the same offensive line coach who was present for OTAs and minicamp. In 2018, O-line coach Tony Sparano passed away right before the beginning of training camp. During that season, Sparano’s loss was certainly felt.
Over the last two seasons the Vikings have struggled along the offensive line in pass protection, allowing quarterback Kirk Cousins to be the fourth most pressured QB in the NFL in 2020 per PFF. How much of that can be attributed to Dennison versus personnel is hard to say considering Dennison had a long track record of success in the NFL.
In the draft the Vikings made a concerted effort to improve their pass protection by drafting Christian Darrisaw in the first round and Wyatt Davis in the third round. Now it may end up landing on the shoulders of Phil Rauscher to prepare his young players for the 2021 season.
The difference between 2018 and 2021, aside from the emotional blow that the team took losing Sparano, is that Rauscher has been on staff coaching the offensive linemen since last season and he worked with the Broncos in 2015 and 2016. He’s very familiar with the personnel and techniques that he’ll be in charge of teaching. In 2018, the team moved Clancy Barone, their tight end’s coach, over to the O-line.
How the running game aspect of Dennison’s duties are dolled out will be worth watching. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is heading into his first season as OC. He previously worked as the team’s quarterback’s coach.
Vikings running back Alexander Mattison responded to Dennison’s exit on Twitter, saying it doesn’t make sense.
It’s clear there will be a split of opinions surrounding the matter. Since the league announced that it will not reschedule games and teams with COVID outbreaks will be handed a forfeit, debates have broken out amongst players on social media about the NFL’s strong pro-vaccination stance with the most notable players against the rules being receivers Cole Beasley and DeAndre Hopkins. The majority of players are reportedly vaccinated.
The possibility of Dennison leaving will certainly stoke the fires of those debates over the coming days.
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There is a fundamental difference between assuming a risk that one bears oneself, and assuming a risk that puts others in danger. It's why getting drunk is legal, but DUI is not, and why we cannot smoke on airplanes anymore, but can in our cars and homes.
That aside, while Sparano seemed to be a good OL coach, I'm not sure Alex Gibbs, Dante Scarnecchia and Howard Mudd could make an OL perform with DeFilippo as the OC--and the 2018 G-C-G personnel certainly added to the degree of difficulty. Dennison has a proven track record, but it's not as if he was making Elflein, Bradbury, Dozier or Cleveland shine, either.
Pretty simple for me... As an employer I would not consider anything but productivity which inclues doing your job as well as maintaining a positive image for the company. COVID compliance is a productivity issue. If you miss a game no matter what the reason, there is a productivity issue. The employer is completely within their rights to consequence you for poor or failed productivity, particularly when you make a conscious decision to not adhere to the company's policies associated with productivity. It gets more restrictive if your personal choice not only reduces your personal productivity but goes on to affect the productivity of others.
I have no problem with personal decisions but I do have a problem with whining about consequences because you made a decision that warrants them.