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Vikings adding Tony Sparano as offensive line coach

Published: Jan 13, 2016 at 09:53 AM

Kevin Patra

Senior News Writer

The Minnesota Vikings believe they've found aid for their troubled offensive line.

The team is hiring Tony Sparano as its offensive line coach, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday.

The Vikings fired offensive line coach Jeff Davidson this week after a poor season for the blockers. Coach Mike Zimmer described the line play as "sporadic" on Tuesday and added "we've got to do better."

The Vikings will need to add some talent and hope Matt Kalil finally gets fully healthy after another down season. Getting center John Sullivan and tackle Phil Loadholt back healthy could also be a boon for Sparano.

Sparano has experience with Zimmer when both were assistants in Dallas from 2003-2006. Sparano spent this season as tight ends coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He was head coach in Miami from 2008-2011 and then spent one season as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets in 2012. He was assistant head coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2013 and became the Raiders interim head coach in 2014 for 12 games.

Now he will try to improve on a group that had trouble blocking for Teddy Bridgewater in 2015.

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