Draconator Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/31869652/rick-dennison-minnesota-vikings-assistant-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-sources-say?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR1m-wd8tPzQqA7y1KBakZFJq0M_Nc1Y8JLLfvGnSeMNTm6SqNSsCSRaPmk EAGAN, Minn. -- After refusing to receive a vaccine for COVID-19, Rick Dennison is out as a Minnesota Vikings assistant coach, sources told ESPN on Friday. Dennison, who had served as the Vikings' offensive line coach/run game coordinator the past two seasons, is believed to be the first NFL position coach to part ways with his team after choosing not to receive a vaccine. The vaccine is required for all Tier 1 staff, including coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts. Players are not required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but will face strict protocols during training camp and throughout the season that vaccinated players will be able to forgo. In a memo released by the league earlier this summer, the NFL said any unvaccinated Tier 1 staff member must provide a valid religious or medical reason for not receiving the vaccine. Losing Tier 1 status prohibits coaches from being on the field and in meeting rooms and having direct interactions with players. Phil Rauscher has been promoted from assistant offensive line coach to fill Dennison's position, sources told ESPN. The Vikings also hired Ben Steele, who had recently been hired by Auburn as a special-teams analyst, to fill the position Rauscher had held since 2019. Dennison's departure comes at a time of transition for the Vikings offense, which will be guided by first-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was promoted this offseason to fill the role his father, Gary, held in Minnesota during the 2020 season. With 27 years of NFL coaching experience, Dennison was considered a vital piece in helping bridge the gap for the younger Kubiak given his extensive experience calling run plays and knowledge of the scheme the Vikings have used since the 2019 season. The Vikings were one of the league's heaviest running teams in 2020 behind Dalvin Cook, who became the first Minnesota player to rush for at least 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in a season. Cook was responsible for 30.5% of the Vikings' scrimmage yards in 2020, the second-highest rate in the NFL behind Derrick Henry (33.8), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Dennison worked with Gary Kubiak for more than three decades in Denver (1995-2009, 2015-16), Houston (2010-13) and Baltimore (2014). Prior to joining the Vikings in 2019, Dennison served as the offensive line coach/run game coordinator for the New York Jets during the 2018 season. Rauscher is entering his seventh season as a coach in the NFL after joining the Vikings in 2020. He coached with Dennison on the Broncos staff during the 2015 and 2016 seasons and was Washington's offensive line coach in 2019. Steele was on several NFL rosters as a tight end from 2001 to 2007, including in Houston under Gary Kubiak. He began working in the NFL in 2013 as an offensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a position he held until 2016. Steele was later promoted to tight ends coach for the Buccaneers before moving to the Atlanta Falcons, where he was an offensive assistant in 2019 and tight ends coach in 2020. He was hired by Auburn earlier this year. The Vikings will hold their first training camp practice Wednesday. Edited July 23, 2021 by Draconator Correcting a Mod. I am awesome! 1 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
co_springs_billsfan Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 In... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Dammit, Rick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWK Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Terrible coordinator 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoPoy88 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Sorry bout your luck Rick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 i'm more shocked he was still in the league. vikings may have gotten better. 5 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 7 minutes ago, SCBills said: Post your stats pinnacle of health… Lets see your height, weight, BMI etc., I aspire to be as virtuous as you one day. 5'8" 185lbs. Workout twice a day. Look like a linebacker. But that isn't what I am talking about and has no real relevance to not being vaccinated. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninSB Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, aristocrat said: i'm more shocked he was still in the league. vikings may have gotten better. Between the NFL and college I can’t believe how these coaches manage to stay around forever. It’s like a job for life as long as you are okay moving every two years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgotBILLStopay Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 So you are actually saying the Vikings caught a break here since their passing offense can actually improve? Rick was great for us in the run game but fell a bit short in the passing game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share Posted July 23, 2021 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 I disagree with Dennison's take most strongly. I do however regret that this causes someone to lose their job. The league has an alternative means of allowing players to participate. They should do the same for coaches IMO. That might mean him living with stricter restrictions as it does for players, but I feel there should be that option. 2 6 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 14 minutes ago, IgotBILLStopay said: So you are actually saying the Vikings caught a break here since their passing offense can actually improve? Rick was great for us in the run game but fell a bit short in the passing game. He was only the run game coordinator there and with the OL. He didn’t have control of their pass game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Boy Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, GunnerBill said: I disagree with Dennison's take most strongly. I do however regret that this causes someone to lose their job. The league has an alternative means of allowing players to participate. They should do the same for coaches IMO. That might mean him living with stricter restrictions as it does for players, but I feel there should be that option. Leadership is done by example. When your coach is like, “Eff it!!! I’m my OWN man.”, it can’t have a positive effect on the players or the locker room. Edited July 23, 2021 by Buffalo Boy 4 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Just now, Buffalo Boy said: Leadership is done by example. When your coach is like, Eff it!!!I’m my OWN man.”, it can’t have a positive effect on the players or the locker room. I get that but the result of a man losing his job because of a matter of personal choice makes me instinctively uncomfortable. I disagree most strongly with Dennison. But I don't feel comfortable with the outcome. 5 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorquemada Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, Big Turk said: 5'8" 185lbs. Workout twice a day. Look like a linebacker. But that isn't what I am talking about and has no real relevance to not being vaccinated. a 5'8" 185lb linebacker 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviF Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 1 minute ago, aristocrat said: what's your height weight bmi etc? workout history? A/S/L? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 1 minute ago, dorquemada said: a 5'8" 185lb linebacker I am more about the inside leg myself.... 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 50 minutes ago, co_springs_billsfan said: In... Me too, 😁👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCBills Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Just now, aristocrat said: what's your height weight bmi etc? workout history? 6’3 190 I eat lean meat, fruits & veggies six days a week. Cardio 3x per week Lift 5 days per week Basketball league once per week Box once per week No underlying health issues. I do my part in patronizing pharmaceuticals by taking Allegra every day for allergies. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoHuddleKelly12 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 This Dennison thread was born lucky—how can the mods possibly see what’s going on over here whilst the Bease Twitteratti universe thread over there keeps reappearing in various disguises? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeviF Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Getting steamy in here, gonna hit the sauna chill with some bros. You know just doing bro things naked in a hot room 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 In!... They will surely keep this gem alive now! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 1 minute ago, SCBills said: 6’3 190 I eat lean meat, fruits & veggies six days a week. Cardio 3x per week Lift 5 days per week Basketball league once per week Box once per week No underlying health issues. I do my part in patronizing pharmaceuticals by taking Allegra every day for allergies. Nudes? 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Great thread. Lol. Kudos to Dennison for sticking by his guns and choosing to retire from NFL coaching. No problem with the guys who make this decision, unlike dudes like Beas who just whine and create a distraction for their teammates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 1 minute ago, NoHuddleKelly12 said: This Dennison thread was born lucky—how can the mods possibly see what’s going on over here whilst the Bease Twitteratti universe thread over there keeps reappearing in various disguises? it definitely has some privilege 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Just now, SCBills said: 6’3 190 I eat lean meat, fruits & veggies six days a week. Cardio 3x per week Lift 5 days per week Basketball league once per week Box once per week No underlying health issues. I do my part in patronizing pharmaceuticals by taking Allegra every day for allergies. so you do all that stuff to stay healthy and well. but when it comes to a vax which will help you stay healthy and well you're like no i pass? there was a time when excercise was seen as a bad thing for you. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCBills Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 1 minute ago, GunnerBill said: Nudes? Ha.. check your DM’s 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 3 minutes ago, SCBills said: 6’3 190 I eat lean meat, fruits & veggies six days a week. Cardio 3x per week Lift 5 days per week Basketball league once per week Box once per week No underlying health issues. I do my part in patronizing pharmaceuticals by taking Allegra every day for allergies. You and Turk should rub tips together to see who is the bigger man. 1 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Just now, SCBills said: Ha.. check your DM’s 🤓 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 13 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I disagree with Dennison's take most strongly. I do however regret that this causes someone to lose their job. The league has an alternative means of allowing players to participate. They should do the same for coaches IMO. That might mean him living with stricter restrictions as it does for players, but I feel there should be that option. It’s Rick’s decision, he’s not signaled out for any reason not within Rick’s control. It’s not incumbent on the ream to accommodate Rick to the detriment of the Vikings. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Process Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Good. The country desperately needs more of this right now. No one can force you to take the vaccine. But more privileges need to start being taken away from those who don't. Being an NFL coach, player or fan that attends a game are not rights. 1 1 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorquemada Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 4 minutes ago, SCBills said: 6’3 190 I eat lean meat, fruits & veggies six days a week. Cardio 3x per week Lift 5 days per week Basketball league once per week Box once per week No underlying health issues. I do my part in patronizing pharmaceuticals by taking Allegra every day for allergies. Oh yeah, I am 11 feet tall, and weigh 17 tons. I break mountains into pebbles 3 times a day, then climb to the moon for cardio I have plantar fascitis though 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconator Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share Posted July 23, 2021 This is me 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 (edited) 1 minute ago, Draconator said: This is me this is me Edited July 23, 2021 by Dablitzkrieg 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 I just ate a chocolate Dilly Bar. I can't really work in the heat like I used to. I think I am getting old. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 8 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I get that but the result of a man losing his job because of a matter of personal choice makes me instinctively uncomfortable. I disagree most strongly with Dennison. But I don't feel comfortable with the outcome. I hear ya, but all day every day all of us follow rules, and do things we would rather not, to keep our jobs, not get arrested, etc etc, by his own free choice he was fired, it really is that simple, I wish the guy no harm, but this was not the smartest choice an adult person could make…, on the flip side, he is likely financially set for life so it really doesn’t matter in that respect. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Max Fischer said: It’s Rick’s decision, he’s not signaled out for any reason not within Rick’s control. It’s not incumbent on the ream to accommodate Rick to the detriment of the Vikings. I know that. Doesn't make me any more comfortable with the outcome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Fischer Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 10 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I get that but the result of a man losing his job because of a matter of personal choice makes me instinctively uncomfortable. I disagree most strongly with Dennison. But I don't feel comfortable with the outcome. Players also have a personal choice to not play hard, keep in shape, not understand the playbook, all that would have an impact on the team. Likewise, they can make a personal choice not to get a vaccine that sharply reduces the chance the team will need to forfeit a game. Both choices have consequences and a team, employer or anyone has the choice to not have them on the team. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Just now, Don Otreply said: I hear ya, but all day every day all of us follow rules, and do things we would rather not, to keep our jobs, not get arrested, etc etc, by his own free choice he was fired, it really is that simple, I wish the guy no harm, but this was not the smartest choice an adult person could make…, on the flip side, he is likely financially set for life so it really doesn’t matter in that respect. Indeed but how many of us suddenly have the terms of our employment on a matter as serious as this changed under our noses and the only options being conform or go? It is dangerous territory in my view. The league has provided a 3rd (tougher restrictions) option for players, I personally think they should do the same for coaches. And believe me I have little time for the anti-vax argument. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorquemada Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 This thread will get locked, and this post will get deleted, but the reality for the NFL, and the rest of our civilization, is that if we sit on our hands and demand that everything grind to a halt until we have some number of months with no new cases, we'll never get there. Like every single other viral epidemic in history, we will eventually learn to live with COVID. The arrogance of Government and an unfortunate number of citizens is that there is some magic bullet to get on the other side of COVID. There isn't. As I asked yesterday (in a post that some tweaked out mod deleted almost immediately), if the NFL starts forcing forfeits, are they going to refund tickets? Are they going to pay back DTV for that portion of what they paid for broadcast rights? Are advertisers going to get their money back? 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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