Vikings Defense: Tice vs Childress

Here are some comparisons between the Vikings defense of the last three years (2006-2008) and the Vikings defense in the three years before Brad Childress took over (2003-2005). (Mike Tice was also the coach in 2002, but I excluded that year to keep it at three years each. Therefore, it is less a comparison of the two coaches as a comparison between Childress and where he took off from.) The Vikings were a combined 26-22 in the three years before Childress. With him as head coach, they are 24-24. They made one playoff appearance in each stretch.

Against the run, the Vikings defense has improved by leaps and bounds. This is well-documented. In the final three Tice seasons the team gave up 4.46 ypr, and 119 ypg. In the three Childress years those numbers have gone down to 3.09 and 70.8, respectively. That is enormous improvement. In the final three Tice seasons the Vikings gave up 51 rushing touchdowns. Childress' teams have given up just 26. They have also forced 22 more fumbles and recovered 14 more. Pretty incredible difference. Pat Williams played just one season with Mike Tice as head coach (the team was 19th against the run, and gave up 4 ypr in 2005). That season, neither Ben Leber or Chad Greenway were on the team and E.J. Henderson was not yet a starter.

The passing numbers are a little less encouraging. Completion percentage has gone up from 61.3 to 61.6. Passing yards allowed per game has gone up from 219.1 to 239.4. Yards per play has gone down. Touchdowns have gone down from 65 to 52. Interceptions and sacks have both gone down. Basically, things are about the same against the pass. But, it bears noting that in 2008 the Vikings improved in basically ever single pass defense statistic except interceptions.

The most important differenc is in 3rd down percentage. From 2003-2005 Minnesota allowed 3rd down conversions 42.6% of the time. Childress' defenses give them up just 36.2% of the time, and were 4th in the league this year. 4th down conversions have also improved. 

Most appalling are the penalty numbers. In Mike Tice's second season, 2003, Minnesota did OK with penalties, committing 90 for 720 yards. Since then the team has committed at least 109 every season. To show how much penalties have gone down league-wide, the Vikings committed 110 in 2004 and were ranked 15th in the league. This season they committed 109 and were ranked 29th.