Bob Sansevere (Pioneer Press) had a great interview with Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress mostly about free-agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to visit the team Thursday.

Here are portions of the interview I found interesting.  BS is Bob, and BC is Brad.

BS: The fact that he’s coming in should be encouraging to you because he knows he’s not coming in to be the starter. Is that a fair thing to say: He pretty much knows the role because you lost the guy who had the role last year. (Adrian Peterson’s backup, Chester Taylor, signed last week with the Chicago Bears, creating an opening for a third-down and fill-in back.)

BC: I would think he knows that, but I always want to over-communicate clarity. So we won’t hopscotch around that. We’ll have to show him what his role will be.

Tomlinson will be joining the team in a role specified by Childress.  Although Childress didn’t comment much about his role, Tomlinson is certainly the backup to running back Adrian Peterson.

BS: Has (recently released Philadelphia Eagles back) Brian Westbrook been ruled out because of the concussion issue (two last season), or is he still in the mix?

BC: He’s still out there. He hasn’t retired.

BS: Is he in the mix for you to consider?

BC: Everyone who hasn’t been picked up is out there for us to consider. And we’ve got grades on all those guys.

BS: Are you considering him? Maybe I should ask it that way.

BC: We’re considering LaDainian, who’s coming in the door right now. I’m kind of a one-day-at-a-time guy.

Just as we reported all along, the Vikings were interested in running back Brian Westbrook.  It sounds a lot like Childress is looking forward to getting Tomlinson signed, but Westbrook appears to still be in the radar as a possible plan B option.

A lot seems to be hanging on roles when it comes to Tomlinson and Westbrook.  Our source was very clear that after the Vikings lost running back Chester Taylor in free-agency, the team was looking into bringing Westbrook in.  Source told us Westbrook wasn’t ready to visit for a reserve role and still felt he could be a starter in the league.

Coincidentally, Tomlinson suddenly enters the picture and the main issue is whether or not he will take the back-seat to Peterson.  Indications are that Tomlinson knows what to expect before his visit, but Childress will make his role very clear during the visit.

Tags: Brian Westbrook, LaDainian Tomlinson