Undercover Brother: Former Bear Frazier Takes over in Minnesota

Former Chicago Bears cornerback Leslie Frazier has taken over as interim head coach of the Minnesota Vikings after head coach Brad Childress was relieved of his duties on Monday following a 31-3 loss to the division rival Green Bay Packers.

Childress looked like a genius last season after bringing Brett Favre out of retirement and got to within a play of the Super Bowl, earning a hefty contract extension en route to the NFC Championship game.  This season, Chilly dispatched some players to Mississippi to drag Favre back, but apparently his heart – or his body for that matter- are up for the challenge.  With the Vikings in the midst of a disappointing 3-7 season and a player revolt unfolding, owner Zygi Wilf had no choice but to fire Chilly.   Live by the Favre, die by the Favre, I guess.

Frazier, a member of the championship 1985 Bears defense, has been a head coaching candidate for a number of years finally gets his chance.  He is considered a member of the Tony Dungy coaching tree and adhering to the same Cover-2 defensive philosophy as our very own Lovie Smith.

Speaking of Lovie, he reacted to the news from Minnesota in his Monday press conference.  Here are some of the highlights:

"“I’m very surprised,” coach Lovie Smith said. “I just found out about it a few minutes ago and it’s a shame a little bit when you have your team a play away from being in the Super Bowl one year and he’s without a job the next year. But that’s our business. When we get in it, we realize that. Looking at it from a different point of view, it’s always good to see a guy like Leslie Frazier get an opportunity.”"

Frazier’s first move as head coach?  Keep the struggling Brett Favre as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.  Maybe he’s working undercover for the Bears?