Should we be surprised about Norv Turner's resignation?

Norv Turner's resignation is surprising in terms of its timing. It is also a logical development.

Turner took over from the oft-criticized Bill Musgrave and could not match Musgrave's offense either in terms of running efficiency or pass protection.

He could not match Musgrave's creativity in using Cordarrelle Patterson.

He couldn't protect either Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Bradford.

And his willingness to allow failing offensive tackles to lose two games without helping them was likely to lead to Norv's departure, whether by his choice or coach Mike Zimmer's.

Pat Shurmur will take over as the Vikings' offensive coordinator with the knowledge that he needs to improve offensive line play, protect the quarterback and improve both running and short-passing efficiency so the offenisve line and Bradford don't have to run so many plays in obvious passing situations.

I thought Turner would be an ideal fit in Minnesota. He wound up being more like the head coach who was so often crticized than the offensive coordinator who gained fame with the Dallas Cowboys.

Of course, with the Cowboys, he had the use of a dominant offensive line and three Hall of Fame caliber skill players in Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

The Vikings should regret not keeping Musgrave around. He's doing good work in Oakland, and he did take a team quarterbacked by Christian Ponder to the playoffs.

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Today at 4 at Hell's Kitchen in downtown Minneapolis we'll run the Russo-Souhan Show with Michael Russo and a guest visit by Lynx star Lindsay Whalen.

Friday at 4 we'll run the Viking Update Show with Viking Update publisher Tim Yotter and a cameo from Grand Forks Herald hockey writer Brad Schlossman to talk North Dakota hockey.

All the shows are up at MNSPN.COM or available on Itunes and other podcast aps, via the Minnesota Sports Podcast Network.

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