Chris Walsh

"Viking Update" wrote:

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Walsh To Return To Vikings

[size=9px]Viking Update Staff - VikingUpdate.com
July 22, 2004 at 12:12pm ET[/size]

Chris Walsh was the captain of the Vikings special teams for several years because of his high motor and non-stop intensity. Now, he's going to see if he can translate his high level of play to the coaching ranks.

When the NFL looks for assistant coaches, it's often former players that fill the bill. Former Vikings players Mike Tice , Jack Del Rio and Mike Mullarkey took that route and have risen all the way to the level of head coach.

Chris Walsh may be going that route as well. VU has learned that Walsh, who has been working in the construction industry in Arizona since his retirement from the game, is going to join the Vikings coaching staff.

Walsh, who was one of the NFL's top special teams players for years, will return to the Vikings as a volunteer assistant special teams coach. He will work under Rusty Tillman and see if he can translate the work ethic and intensity he brought to the game as a coach.

If his first stint pans out, don't be surprised to see another team snap him up when an opening for a special teams coach arrives.

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Just some info that I found that will hopefully spark some discussion. This off-season thing is way too long.

I always liked Chris as a player, he was never affraid to sacrifice his body to go after the ball or a tackle. He came up with some very important catches that keep drives alive.

I hope he has a long and prosperous career in coaching. I wonder if he will shave his head at the start of the season. :thumbleft:

If he can instill a fraction of the intensity he played
with into our special teams---
He will always be in my top 5 favorite Vikings.

this is realy good news Chris was a motavator on special teams, and a good go getter here is hoping it translates into a great Coach, as they say Chris "live long and prosper" god speed and fair winds but most of all BEAT THE PACK :director:

That's awesome!! I was disappointed when he retired from playing, I really like watching him, even if it was only on special teams!!

I hope Walsh cleaned up to help this team seems to me he had some problems with drinking that helped to end his playing days. I do wish him well!

I think this is great :!: He was a great player :!: I hope he can fire up the players like he always did to himself when he played :!: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

"dan3ski" wrote:

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I hope Walsh cleaned up to help this team seems to me he had some problems with drinking that helped to end his playing days. I do wish him well!

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Drinking had nothing to do with his retirement. Chris did hav a DWI
in 2001 and correct me if I'm wrong but he had never been in trouble
before or after that. I hardly cosider that a problem more like a mistake.

Could't be happier...Walsh was the man and deserves the coaching position.

"purplehorn" wrote:

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"dan3ski" wrote:

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I hope Walsh cleaned up to help this team seems to me he had some problems with drinking that helped to end his playing days. I do wish him well!

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Drinking had nothing to do with his retirement. Chris did hav a DWI
in 2001 and correct me if I'm wrong but he had never been in trouble
before or after that. I hardly cosider that a problem more like a mistake.

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Actually, I'm pretty sure that was Walsh's second conviction for driving under the influence. I think it Walsh's retirement came down to 1) Special teams, including Walsh, were a big disappointment in 2002, 2) as a veteran with as many years of experience as he had, Walsh's salary for 2002 would have been pretty high for someone who was basically only a ST player, and 3) Tice & Co. wanted younger, cheaper players on ST who could also fill a more valuable role on the team (immediately or in the near future)-like Rushen Jones, Keenan Howry, etc. At best, Walsh would have been the #5 or #6 WR with no hope of moving higher than that.