"The lockout-shortened offseason set back no-longer-interim coach Leslie Frazier and his staff, and they spent 2011 trying to navigate a tailspin. Now the Vikings' coaches are reveling in this week's Senior Bowl bonding experience while overseeing the North team.

The Vikings retained all but one position coach, and after hiring defensive coordinator Alan Williams, the team expects to improve thanks to continuity and a retooled roster.

Coaching the North team allows Williams to sample his two-linebacker-coach system, led by demoted coordinator Fred Pagac and aided by Mike Singletary.

"We get to test it out at the Senior Bowl to see how we will work together and see how we will jell," Williams said. "