You Talkin' to Me? Is the end near for Vikings' Childress?

From: McKee, Don

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Firing Line

Minnesota's rally against Arizona on Sunday earned Brad Childress a stay of execution. But owner Zygi Wilf had conspicuously refused to give "Chilly" a vote of confidence pregame.

No coach has been fired yet this season, although at least four - Wade Phillips in Dallas, Mike Singletary in San Fran, John Fox in Carolina and Jack Del Rio in Jacks - are on death row.

Will Childress be the coach when the Eagles play the Vikings on Dec. 26? And who, if any, will be the first NFL coach fired this season?

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; McKee, Don

Subject: Firing Line

Didn't General Jerry say that he won't fire Wade Phillips during the season? Owners/coaches/players wouldn't lie, would they?

From: McKee, Don

To: Gonzalez, John; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Firing Line

I think Jerry actually means it, if only because he can't get one of his preferred successors to take the job right now. And how much do you gain by bringing Dave Campo back from his spot as a secondary coach?

From: Fox, Ashley

To: McKee, Don; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Firing Line

That's part of Childress' problem. He has a more-than-capable replacement right there on his staff in Leslie Frazier, who will be a head coach in the NFL one of these days. Probably sooner rather than later.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; McKee, Don

Subject: Firing Line

I covered Dave Campo in Dallas. He's the kind of guy who probably had his mittens pinned to his jacket as a child so he wouldn't lose them. I was always amazed that he managed to find his way to the practice facility all by himself.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: McKee, Don; Gonzalez, John

Subject: Firing Line

Is it wrong that I'm disappointed that Minnesota made that comeback against Arizona? I like Brad Childress, but I've become addicted to the nonstop reports of dysfunction and drama coming out of their practice facility. It's been grisly, and highly entertaining. I didn't think he'd be the coach when the sun set on Sunday. We'll see how it goes. I think his footing is tenuous, at best.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; McKee, Don

Subject: Firing Line

I'm guessing Childress is still the coach when the Vikings play the Birds. If they decide to fire him, though, they should replace him with the guy who played Major Dad. Dead ringer.

From: McKee, Don

To: Gonzalez, John; Fox, Ashley

Subject: Firing Line

That would be Gerald McRaney, one of my faves since he said his idea of a great date was "three margaritas and a waitress in a cowboy bar." But I think he's retired. Chilly will be too.