2015 Minnesota Vikings Secondary: Quarterbacks, Think Again!

The Minnesota Vikings play in the best division in football, the NFC North which consists of top talent quarterbacks and wide receivers to boot.

Minnesota’s 2^nd year coach, Mike Zimmer big challenge amongst many is just how do you slow down Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and yes even Jay Cutler.

The Minnesota Vikings defense finished 14^th overall but broken down were 25^th against the run and 7^th vs the pass.

A key to slowing down these quarterbacks is a relentless pass rush but even more is the secondary needing to cover the receivers forcing the quarterback to thrown the ball away, throw an interception or take the sack.

Minnesota’s secondary last season had 4 in the top 10 on the team in tackles. Robert Blanton ranked first, Harrison Smith was 3^rd, Captain Munnerlyn and Xavier Rhodes also found their numbers ranked in this top 10.

The Vikings’ roster has a combination of youth and veterans in an attempt to make this unit better than last year. Xavier Rhodes really had a big year in his 2^nd season showing why the Vikings took him in the first round of the draft of 2013. Rhodes had 49 tackles but even a better stat was 18 pass defenses.

Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Trae Waynes catches a pass in a work out drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings added in this most recent draft, Trae Waynes who is known as a physical bump and run corner. He is young obviously but with the amount of coaching Zimmer does, I look for a solid year out of this rookie.

The NFC North has big talented receivers such as Calvin “Megatron” Johnson (Lions), Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White (Bears) and add the duo of Packers’ Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. These guys will give any secondary a headache until you figure out how to slow them down.

Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Redskins wide receiver

Pierre Garcon

(88) during the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The size of two of the Minnesota Vikings’ young corners, Trae Waynes, 6’0” and Xavier Rhodes, 6’1” will be a definite help.

One major pickup in the offseason is Terence Newman coming in for his 13^th season in the NFL. He has been part of a Zimmer defense and I believe he is a huge asset in the effort to help teach and learn together as a unit. I know he did not sign to sit back rather he will compete for playing time but it is still nice to have his playing knowledge.

Four of the corners on the current roster have now one year under their belt working in the Zimmer system. They are Captain Munnerlyn, Shawn Prater, Josh Robinson, and Jabari Price.

Munnerlyn came last year as a free agent from a very good defense that Carolina Panthers had. He will be another veteran with important experience and knowledge when facing high-powered offenses.

Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties will be a great area to watch as well lead by Harrison Smith. The man in my mind is the hardest hitting safety in the NFL. This man needs to be a fixture as a Minnesota Vikings safety for years to come.

Robert Blanton started last year as well in fact lead the team in tackles. Blanton is young as well but the Vikes have guys on the roster I believe will challenge Robert for is spot.

2014 draft choice, Antone Exum Jr seems to be liked so I keep an eye on him in camp to see how he does. Marcus Sherels is on the roster but is used primarily as a kick return man.

I loved the signing of free agent, Taylor Mays. I was high on him coming out of college and was bummed out when the 49ers drafted him. I am real excited to see what he can bring to this system.

My reading up on the Vikings brings me to the past weekend at Vikings rookie minicamp and the talk of Anthony Harris having a big weekend.

I did some more reading and found that the Minnesota Vikings strength and conditioning coach was at the University of Virginia the same time Harris was. This could be a big asset for Harris having someone on the Vikings staff who knows him well.

I am obviously not a coach just a huge fan who just wants this team to succeed so badly. Mike Zimmer has got me excited just from year one.

The draft, the signings of free agents along with the coaching Zimmer does really leaves me feeling like this secondary can be a force to be reckoned with.

NFC North along with the rest of the NFL needs to be on alert because this Minnesota Vikings secondary is ready to challenge anyone, anytime.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

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