We all know that NFL coaches often obstruct the truth when they move their lips, but it’s rare to see them do it as clumsily as the Vikings did Tuesday.
Especially when the Vikings had no reason to lie, other than out of habit.
After getting briefed by the team’s public relations staff, special teams coach Brian Murphy and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke with the media after practice. Murphy was asked if kicker Ryan Longwell was at practice. (Longwell was one of three players that flew to Hattiesburg, MS on Monday night to help bring Brett Favre back.)
“We were kicking inside,” Murphy said, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Right, but was Longwell there?
“He was here. He was around.”
Brad Childress wasn’t scheduled to speak, so he avoided the circus. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell had a different story than Murphy.
“I came out here and [Brad Childress] told me he had the other guys inside.”
“Had they been here the entire time?” Bevell was asked.
“I was told that he had them inside,” Bevell said. “They were in the building. I came out to practice, coach said they were inside.”
It’s all rather silly. What exactly are they trying to protect? The Vikings should apologize to Bevell and Murphy for making them available to look so ridiculous.