MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings knew exactly what they were getting in Tony Sparano. After the coach spent more than a decade in the public eye -- during which he became well known for his Bill Parcells pedigree, thick Northeastern accent and overall appearance that seemed to be right out of a Scorsese movie -- it'd be hard for any team not to know what to expect.
Sparano, who replaced Jeff Davidson as the Vikings' offensive line coach in January, isn't coming in to make friends with players -- not with his exacting style and eye for detail, which the Vikings hope will jump-start a listless group.