Minnesota Vikings: Trae Waynes may finally be ready
By Dan Zinski
The Minnesota Vikings may finally be ready to hand a starting job to cornerback Trae Waynes.
After mostly sitting out his entire rookie season, is 2015 first-round draft pick Trae Waynes finally ready to start?
Only Mike Zimmer knows for sure. There are hints however that Waynes is getting closer to earning the trust of his coaches.
Monday morning, Waynes and not Terence Newman was out there with the first team during walkthrough.
In his latest training camp stock report, our Josh Zinger noted that 38-year-old Newman may be tailing off a bit and that Waynes is coming on strong.
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Last Thursday Newman was given a veteran rest day and Waynes took advantage of the opportunity by having a strong practice.
ESPN recently quoted Mike Zimmer talking about the big area Waynes is working on:
"“He’s getting better,” Zimmer said. “I think he had a good couple days here. He’s really trying to work on the things we’re coaching him, and trying to be more aggressive. Where he needs to continue to get better is being aggressive at the top.”"
It certainly appears that the young man is starting to get it.
Last year, Waynes was thrown into the fire in preseason by Mike Zimmer and looked badly over-matched.
With Waynes struggling, Zimmer fell back on veteran stalwart Newman who rewarded the coach’s faith by having a solid season, leading the Vikings in interceptions.
Everyone knew however that it was only a matter of time before Waynes took over for Newman. The Minnesota Vikings did not draft Waynes with the #11 overall pick to have him sit forever behind an old man.
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This Friday the Vikings open the preseason against Cincinnati and we’ll see if Zimmer puts Waynes in there with the first team.
I’m certainly hoping that Waynes is ready to take over. Nothing against Terence Newman, but I’m excited to see what the talented Waynes can do lining up opposite Xavier Rhodes.
The Vikings are hoping their secondary can take a major step up this year, and for that to happen, Waynes needs to begin fulfilling his promise.