Childress speaks cautiously about McKinnie's legal situation

Mar/18/08 10:59 PM Filed in: Bryant McKinnie
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress said the team will wait out the legal system and the NFL before determining whether Bryant McKinnie needs to be disciplined following a fight outside a Miami night club.

"The legal system is obviously what's in play here for starters," Childress told reporters Tuesday at team headquarters. "It's difficult to talk about. The legal system is what it is. Time kind of seems like it goes through an hour glass. It grinds. It doesn't usually fast track."

Childress was careful not to pass judgment on McKinnie, and he spoke cautiously about the situation.

McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces including aggravated battery, which is a felony, and three misdemeanors after a street brawl outside Club Space in February.
Since taking over two years ago, Childress has demanded accountability from his players, both on the field and off.

Owner Zygi Wilf made it clear after coach Mike Tice was fired that he would not tolerate embarrassing behavior like the infamous "Love Boat" scandal, and Childress hasn't hesitated to punish players for misbehaving.

McKinnie's next court date is April 11. Regardless of the outcome with authorities, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could still decide to levy some sort of disciplinary action, as could the Vikings.
"I'd just say we've been consistent, the Wilfs have been consistent, with the way we want the Vikings to be represented," Childress said. "I know what Zygi's values are and I know what my values are and I know what our collective Vikings values are.

"I'm looking for the right words here. It's difficult."

McKinnie is an anchor on the left side of the line along with All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson and Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, who helped pave the way for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor last year.

When asked if McKinnie, who signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension in 2006, is still considered one of the building blocks of his team, Childress hesitated.

"I know you don't want to hear, 'Until I get all the facts,"' he said. "But we could face some difficult decisions down the road. Some are tougher than others."

McKinnie's trouble is just one of the problems facing the Vikings this offseason.

(usatoday.com)