Sendejo To Start Against Giants

Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Andrew Sendejo (34) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are making the most of their recently extended safety, Andrew Sendejo.  In the wake of the news that Harrison Smith was going miss the game because of injury, most assumed that the role of starter would go to Mistral Raymond.  But that is not the case.

August 10, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kyle Williams (10) leaps over Minnesota Vikings defensive back Andrew Sendejo (34) during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Raymond has only seen playing time in one game for Minnesota this year and has been inactive for several of them.  The only time Raymond found playing time this year is when starting safety Jamarca Sanford was out with an injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Even then, he wasn’t the starter.  Sendejo was named the starter for that game as well and Raymond only made the field to give him breaks.

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota’s head coach, had some nice words to say about Sendejo’s efforts against the Steelers:

"“He played quite a bit against Pittsburgh and he did some good things at safety,” Frazier said. “He did good enough to make us feel like he can do a good job in the starting role.”"

However, it sounds as though Frazier and the coaching staff feel like Mistral Raymond is better suited for backup duties:

"“He is back now, he’s healthy,” Frazier said. “But part of why he didn’t play early on was the injuries coming out of training camp. He did a good job when we got him in the game against Pittsburgh when they rotated. We have confidence that if he has to play in this ballgame he would do a good job as well. But the injuries have kind of set him back every time he has kind of taken a step forward.”"

With Sendejo’s recent 2 year contract extension and him being named the starter twice over a former starter, you have to believe that the Vikings are impressed with Sendejo and feel he is ready to take on a bigger role with the team if necessary.