Tice extensionto be addressed at end of year
Associated Press
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs has an option on coach Mike Tice's contract for 2005, and McCombs reiterated Wednesday that it will be addressed after this season.
That has been his stance since the summer. However, in a story in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, McCombs said he'll pick up Tice's 2005 option regardless of what happens this season -- and then look into a longer-term extension.
That was apparently news to Tice.
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"I do not discuss my contract with Red," the coach said. "I have a job to do and goals to reach."
McCombs, speaking from his San Antonio office, offered his support of Tice, who's in the final year of his original three-year contract.
"I am very pleased with him as a coach, and I see no reason why he wouldn't be coaching the Vikings as long as he wants to," McCombs said.
After last season, when the Vikings lost seven of their last 10 games and missed the playoffs with a last-second loss at lowly Arizona, McCombs remained mum on Tice's status until promising two days later he would return in 2004.
MOSS WATCH: Randy Moss was back at practice Wednesday, yapping away and joking with his teammates.
He's closer to being his old self on the field, too.
Moss was limited in practice, and coach Mike Tice said he'll likely be limited again today. But Tice sounded optimistic about his star receiver's recovery from a strained right hamstring.
"He did really everything we wanted him to do and probably a little bit more," the coach said.
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Moss was listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report.
MORE INJURIES: Center Cory Withrow (knee) and weak-side linebacker Chris Claiborne (calf) are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Withrow practiced Wednesday, but the coaches want him to take a little more time to recover from his sprained right knee since reserve Billy Conaty played well behind Matt Birk last weekend.
Claiborne didn't practice Wednesday.
Guard Adam Goldberg (knee) is listed as questionable. Running back Michael Bennett (knee), linebacker E.J. Henderson (knee) and running back Moe Williams (quadriceps) are listed as probable.
