Legacy alive with Frazier
Working as the Indianapolis Colts' defensive backs coach last February, Les Frazier's Super Bowl preparation was constantly interrupted by memories of his first trip to the big game with the 1985 Bears.
"Down when we were at the Super Bowl, I can't tell you the number of people who approached me about that 1985 team and wanted to reminisce," Frazier said. "It's amazing after all these years, people still recognize the guys on that team and the team in general."
Of course, the fact that the Colts played the Bears helps explain the strong interest in the '85 Bears around Miami, site of that team's only loss.
About a week after the Colts' Super Bowl victory, Frazier added to the legacy of the '85 Bears defense when he was named defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. He'll coach against his former team Sunday at Soldier Field.
Frazier joined Jeff Fisher (Eagles, Rams, Oilers), Ron Rivera (Bears), Rex Ryan (Ravens), Rob Ryan (Raiders) and Mike Singletary (49ers) among people with direct ties to the '85 Bears who have gone on to become NFL defensive coordinators.
Rob and Rex Ryan are the twin sons of legendary defensive coach Buddy Ryan. Fisher was on injured reserve during the '85 season, Singletary's job title is actually assistant head coach/defense, and Rivera was let go by the Bears last winter.
Still, that's impressive fallout from a single team.
"Just being affiliated with that special time in Chicago football history means a lot to me," Frazier said. "Mike Singletary and I talk at least once a week. I just got a phone call a couple days ago from Richard Dent. I stay in touch with Gary Fencik from time to time.
"That's one of the things I talk to the players about here. On that championship team, I think we were more than just teammates, there were some life-long friendships built during that time."
Frazier played cornerback for the Bears from 1981-86. The one piece of bad news for the Bears in Super Bowl XX was Frazier suffering a career-ending knee injury during a punt return.
"He has a little appreciation for having to play on the edge in the National Football League," said Vikings head coach Brad Childress. "He knows you can't cover them forever, so he's not afraid to get after the quarterback."
Even though Frazier joined a team that finished 6-10 last season, he still had big shoes to fill. He replaced Mike Tomlin, who is off to a 4-1 start as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, the Vikings managed to hold their opponents to the second-fewest rushing yards (985) since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
The run-stopping remains strong under Frazier's watch. Minnesota (1-3) leads the league in rush defense at 62.0 yards per game and 2.5 yards per carry, thanks to Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
The Vikings rank 30th, meanwhile, in pass defense at 266.8 yards per game.
"Our pass coverage isn't necessarily bad, it's just that no one can run the ball on us," Minnesota safety Darren Sharper said. "That kind of swings the seesaw a little toward the pass defense side."
Frazier is trying to use some of the aggressive traits of Buddy Ryan's 46 defense, which specialized in putting pressure on the quarterback above all else. The Vikings are better at stuffing the run than chasing the quarterback, but they have a respectable 12 sacks in four games.
"There are some things we try to do," Frazier said. "We can't do everything we did with Otis (Wilson), Wilbur (Marshall), Mike (Singletary) and all. But there are some things from a mentality standpoint that I try to incorporate, just the way Buddy went about doing certain things."
The "46 Defense" coaching tree
Including Buddy Ryan's twin sons, Rob and Rex, six people with ties to the 1985 Bears have gone on to become NFL defensive coordinators. Minnesota's Les Frazier is the latest addition. Here's the list:
Jeff Fisher, Philadelphia (1988-90), L.A. Rams (1991) Houston Oilers (1994)
Ron Rivera Bears (2004-06)
Rob Ryan Oakland (2004-)
Rex Ryan Baltimore (2005-)
Mike Singletary* San Francisco (2006-)
Les Frazier Minnesota (2006-)
*Singletary's title is assistant head coach/defense