4 Vikings that could benefit from the Brian Flores hiring the most in 2023
By Dean Jones
Lewis Cine – S
The enormous sense of excitement surrounding Lewis Cine‘s arrival evaporated quickly thanks to a serious injury suffered against the New Orleans Saints. This was a major blow to the Vikings, who never got a tune out of anyone else alongside All-Pro safety Harrison Smith throughout the campaign.
Cine certainly looks the part as he makes a return to full fitness. Taking the cautious approach would be wise to avoid any further complications considering the severity of his initial problem, but all signs point to the defensive back becoming a significant asset for Brian Flores in his first season as defensive coordinator.
Although Flories received criticism for his approach with some Miami Dolphins players, his no-nonsense should mesh well with Cine’s style of play. If the pair hit it off, then the former Georgia stud’s partnership with Smith should make a supreme difference as Minnesota gets set to return to their 4-3 base scheme in the wake of Ed Donatell’s failed experiment.
Last season was obviously a difficult one for Cine, who was seen as a draft steal after contributing substantially to the Bulldogs’ national championship triumph in 2020. What comes next is of vital importance and Flores will be there to guide him every step of the way.