Vikings DT Sharrif Floyd Goes From Student To Sensei

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd is only entering his third NFL season, but he’s already acting like a seasoned veteran for the team. The 24-year-old former Florida Gator was the #23 overall draft pick back in 2013, but now he’s already been taking some of the younger players on the squad under his wing.

Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (95) sits after getting a penalty for grabbing the the facemask of the Carolina Panthers quarterback negating the sack in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The sack was negated by the penalty. Panthers win 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

According to an article on Vikings.com, Minnesota’s coaching staff felt that Floyd would be a great player to help out the new players since he was in their exact position last season. In the article, they describe how Floyd stayed after practice with rookie defensive lineman B.J. Dubose in order to hopefully make the learning curve and time it takes to adjust to the pro level much shorter.

Luckily for the Vikings, Sharrif Floyd seems more than willing to take on a sensei role rather than a student one to help out the team. Here is what Floyd said about the experience:

"“I was comfortable about our techniques and style because we’ve been through it and messed up enough times to know what’s good and what’s not good. I’m just teaching, learning and giving the footnotes that I took since my first year with Coach Patterson that young guys need to know. I’m getting him on the right path, as far as keeping his mind in a positive state and knowing he can make mistakes.”"

Personally, I think it’s great to see a player so unselfish with his time to take on this kind of responsibility. Big things are already expected of Sharrif Floyd in his season, but helping to bring along other players to flourish in the Minnesota Vikings defense is something that will help everyone involved.

Hopefully, Dubose will be able to learn a lot of Sharrif Floyd and can be a valuable member of the team’s rookie class that also features defensive players like cornerback Trae Waynes and linebacker Eric Kendricks. Fingers are crossed that the Vikings’ defense can make another big jump from last season with the help of all this young talent.

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