The first installment of training camp battles to watch takes a look at the defensive back field for the purple, more specifically the CB's. The Vikings currently have 9 CB's on the roster, and assuming Antoine Winfield reports at some point, the Vikings have their starters set in him and Cedric Griffin. Then it gets messy. Apart from Winfield and Griffin, the Vikings have 7 other plays vying for roster spots, 5 of which all have realistic chances of being the team's nickel back on opening day.Benny Sapp, Marcus McCauley, Karl Paymah, Charles Gordon, and '09 3rd round draft pick Asher Allen will all be in the mix for that 5th defensive back spot. Then you have Marcus Walker, who was a mainstay on the practice squad his rookie season a year ago, and Derrick Roberson rounding out the competition.
Charles Gordon took the job and appeared to be running with the opportunity coming out of training camp last year before being lost for the season with a gruesome ankle injury midway. His health very well could determine his fate for the nickel job and possibly a roster spot. Seeing how hardworking and determined Charles Gordon has been throughout his career and coming back from the injury, I don't see him getting cut, but you never know. He is expected to be healthy by training camp, but will probably be eased into work.
Another guy who may be a step behind come training camp is the rookie, Asher Allen. Allen missed most of mini-camp after supposedly going under a minor arthroscopic procedure on his knee, which Childress would neither confirm or deny. I'd be surprised if Allen did win the job considering Childress' reluctancy to hand rookies jobs and the veteran mix that the Vikings have in the secondary.
Karl Paymah was brought in as a free agent this off-season, despite the Vikings having a logjam at the position and Paymah receiving interest from several other teams. He only signed a one-year deal, but does have some starting experience. Sapp, like Paymah also signed a one year deal, however he has a year in the system under his belt.
The forgotten man in all of this is 3rd year player Marcus McCauley. After playing in all 16 games and starting in 9 of the contests his rookie season, McCauley's playing time took a huge cut last year. The former Fresno State Bulldog was active for just 10 games and recorded only 6 tackles on the season. He faces an uphill battle just to make the team this year, however he has one thing going for him in that he has been the regular starting CB in practice with Antoine Winfield sitting at home throughout the off-season. McCauley will need to show consistency or he could be cut.
I really can't recall a time where there has been so many players realistically fighting for the nickel back job. The Vikings undoubtedly will have to cut some good players come late August/early September and the competition is sure to be intense.
2 comments:
Good stuff. So, how many CB's do you think they'll keep? 5? Regardless of how much of the field he sees, I think Allen will make the roster. Slim chance he would clear waivers and make the practice squad.
So, that would leave Sapp, McCauley, Paymah, Gordon, Walker, and Roberson vying for the other 2 spots. My money is on the last 2 spots being a combination of Sapp/Gordon/Paymah. I hope Gordon is healthy enough to compete. I liked McCauley a lot as a rookie, but if they bring in Paymah and draft a CB in the 3rd round, the coaching staff has lost faith.
Yeah, I don't think they'd cut Allen either. 3rd rounders are usually pretty safe. I think 5 is probably the best answer as to how many they will keep. I'm not sure what to make of McCauley right now, but I've had a hunch he's not going to make it for awhile now. He's gonna need a great camp. I believe there's one year left on his contract, but the same can be said for Gordon, Sapp, Paymah, and Winfield.
Post a Comment