Tice unhappy with replays, disloyal fans

[clevfan]

Tice unhappy with replays, disloyal fans
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
December 20, 2005


Vikings coach Mike Tice blamed his team's 18-3 loss to Pittsburgh on its sputtering offense and frazzled special teams. But make no mistake: Tice wasn't happy with video workers at the Metrodome, nor the fans that filled it Sunday.

Tice said Monday he was really bothered by the number of Steelers fans that procured tickets and attended the game. He also suggested the Dome's JumboTron operators could do a better job favoring the home team.

First things first: Tice estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Steelers fans were at the game, curtailing the Metrodome's home-field advantage. If Tice's figures are accurate, that means at least 10,000 of the Vikings' season-ticket base sold their tickets.

"It confuses me, I guess," Tice said. "Maybe they're not really diehard season-ticket holders or maybe they needed the money for Christmas presents. I don't know. One of the two."

Asked if the situation impacted the game, Tice said: "Look, when you go to some stadiums, it's so deafening that you can't hear. When you have 15 to 20 thousand of the opponent's fans in there, it's not deafening. There is a difference. The fans that were there were great. But it wasn't like a big game when it's just your guys in there.

"Maybe, in their defense, they sold the tickets when ... we were 2-5. Maybe they said, 'The heck with it, I'm not going to that.' Maybe that's the case. Or maybe Pittsburgh fans are just a little more diehard than our fans are."

Meanwhile, Tice was disappointed that Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher was able to watch a replay of a third-quarter catch by receiver Cedrick Wilson before deciding whether to challenge the spot. Cowher eventually challenged and the Steelers were awarded a first down.

The Metrodome's game-day operations staff handles video replays on the big screen. In many NFL stadiums, home teams control what replays are shown.

"We don't get any help at home on the video board at all," Tice said. "It's been something that I've been complaining about since I've been the head coach. ... Our marketing department has been working diligently. We tried to make it so simple to give them instruction: 'Look, if you think it's going to help us, show it. If you think it's going to hurt us, don't show it.' That's kind of how we've simplified it to."

Swan song

On his last full day in the NFL, Darren Bennett nearly returned to his roots as an Australian rules football player. Bennett and Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter engaged in a shouting match during pregame warmups Sunday after Porter shoved rookie punter Chris Kluwe.

Porter first yelled at Kluwe and directed him to get off the Steelers' side of the 50-yard line. Porter then began stretching directly behind Kluwe, bumping him several times. Bennett, who was deactivated for the game, ran to Kluwe's defense.

"The Steelers try to be tough," Bennett said. "So I just called his bluff, that's all. I called him a bunch of stuff you can't write in the newspaper."

Porter was fined $10,000 last season for a pregame fight with Cleveland running back William Green, and Bennett said: "He's already been fined for fighting. He wasn't going to do it again."

Kluwe, who is recovering from injuries to his left ankle and right knee, said Porter's behavior was "not very classy." He also suggested Porter did not come after the Vikings' toughest player.

"I guess he felt that he had to prove a point by picking on the punter," Kluwe said. "I mean, I've got two injured legs. What are you going to do next, go beat up on the wheelchair section?"

Injury report

Sprained ankles for center Melvin Fowler (left) and Marcus Johnson (right) likely will keep both players out of Sunday night's game against Baltimore, Tice said. Cory Withrow and Mike Rosenthal, respectively, would start in their places. In other injury news:

• Tight end Jermaine Wiggins was wearing a boot on his sprained left ankle Monday but is expected to play.

• Linebacker Keith Newman (sprained knee) is improving but will miss his second consecutive game.

Etc.

• The Jan. 1 game against Chicago has been moved to 3:15 p.m.

• Bennett was released Monday and is expected to retire. One possibility for filling his roster spot is promoting receiver Chris Jones from the practice squad.

• Tice will send the NFL a tape of Marcus Robinson's disputed non-catch in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Tice unsuccessfully challenged the play, claiming Robinson made a legal catch and should have been awarded a touchdown. "Instantaneous possession is all you need in the end zone," Tice said.

[jimmy the greek]

tice complaining about ticket selling... you can't buy comedy like this

[sledge]

Pit fans are diehards...They travel well!!!!Not an excuse for Tice...But I am sure that the stadium was packed with Pitt people....

[Brock]

He opened his mouth, now there may be less fans in two
weeks. All Chicago fans!

[Vietbet]

Looks like he is blowing his "Coach of the Year" chance

[clevfan]

Dome will be discreet with Vikings replays
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
December 21, 2005


The Vikings' landlord has offered to help rectify the team's complaints about the timing of replays on the Metrodome's video boards.

Coach Mike Tice said Monday he has been working for years to convince Dome employees not to show replays that could help opposing coaches decide whether to challenge a call. Bill Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, said he wasn't aware of Tice's requests until Tuesday.

"The Vikings control the event," Lester said. "So, if something has to be changed about what's shown or not shown, our people would welcome the direction."

A crew of 13 employees works in a cramped room on gamedays, operating advertisements, video boards and sound levels. There isn't room for a Vikings employee to sit in the room, but Lester suggested wiring a headset that would enable someone from the team to speak directly with the video board operator.

"We're always willing to work with the team," Lester said.

The NFL discourages teams from blatantly manipulating scoreboard replays, but -- coincidence or otherwise -- many stadiums seem to show replays inconsistently. During Sunday's 18-3 loss to Pittsburgh, Steelers coach Bill Cowher watched the replay of a third-quarter catch by Cedrick Wilson before deciding to challenge the spot. Cowher won the challenge and Pittsburgh was awarded a first down.

Injury report

Tice said center Melvin Fowler's sprained left ankle showed improvement Tuesday, and the Vikings believe Fowler will be ready to play Sunday night at Baltimore. However, Right tackle Marcus Johnson is making slow progress with his sprained right ankle and is less likely to play.

Tice said whoever practices today will start Sunday. Cory Withrow would replace Fowler, and Mike Rosenthal would start for Johnson, if necessary.

Tight end Jermaine Wiggins (sprained left ankle) is expected to play, Tice said.

Etc.

• The Vikings plan to promote practice squad wide receiver Chris Jones to fill the roster spot vacated by punter Darren Bennett. They have workouts scheduled for this morning in order to sign a linebacker to the practice squad.

• Koren Robinson could set a team record for kickoff return average in a season. Robinson is averaging 26.6 yards on 43 returns, good for first in the NFC and third overall in the NFL. The Vikings team record is 26.3 yards, set by John Gilliam in 1972 on 14 punts. Robinson has seven returns of at least 40 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown.

• The Vikings held their second annual "Vikings and Friends Holiday Party" at Winter Park, providing 300 needy families with a meal, interactive games and autographs from players and coaches. Owner Zygi Wilf was on hand, and Fowler (drums), Robinson (vocals) and safeties Corey Chavous and Darren Sharper (cowbells) provided musical entertainment.

• The Vikings' loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday had a 40.7 rating and 75 share on WCCO (Ch. 4), making it the team's highest-rated game of the season in the Twin Cities. The Week 11 victory over Green Bay delivered a 39.2 rating for KSTP (Ch. 5) on "Monday Night Football." Each ratings point equals approximately 16,655 households in the Twin Cities.


Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.