Kick return position an open competition for Minnesota Vikings
By Adam Carlson
After moving on from Cordarrelle Patterson, the Minnesota Vikings will need to find someone new to return kickoffs, but who will win the job during 2017?
While things didn’t work out with former first round draft pick Cordarrelle Patterson and the Minnesota Vikings, he did provide the team with a great kick return game. In his 4 season with the team, he was a two-time Pro Bowl player and a three-time All-Pro as a return specialist.
Now, the Vikings are going to be looking at other options to handle kickoffs. There are many options including Marcus Sherels, Rodney Adams, Stacy Coley, and others who are looking to show off their return skills.
Recently, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer spoke on the official Minnesota Vikings website about the competition and how it could be a real opportunity for some young players to carve their niche with the team.
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"“Maybe it’s by committee … we have several candidates and I’m excited about that,” Priefer said. “We drafted two guys who could do it. We’ve got guys on the roster that want to do it.”"
The Vikings have some big shoes to fill in 2017 as Patterson holds 12 team records for kick returns and scored 5 return touchdowns while averaging over 30 yards per attempt from 2013 through 2016.
Not only that, but in a game where field position is so important and explosive plays can make a huge difference, naming a new return specialist is a decision that Minnesota will need to take very seriously.
"“We’ve been fortunate to have some very talented returners who have played for us here in Minnesota. I think when you have a good returner, that makes everyone else around them better. They listen more attentively during the meetings, they study harder. I think we do a good job of teaching the finer points of the return game. At the end of the day, there’s been a lot of talented guys that have been here and they’re fun to coach, but we’re going to find someone that’s a pretty special kickoff returner.”"
Next: Vikings options for kick returners
Who do you think will win the kick return job for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 or do you feel the team will take a committee approach to the duty? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.