2017 Camp Battles: Cornerbacks
LBVikings
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Cornerbacks have evolved into the divas of the defense. The Vikings’ unit isn’t short of personality quirks, from Mackensie Alexander’s brash nature to Terence Newman’s red wine. Even in the depth of the roster, weird stories like Tre Roberson’s position switch and Terrell Sinkfield’s unorthodox career make for plenty of potential headlines. There’s not a lot of potential for motion at the top of the roster, outside of whoever Newman bumps off the field (if anyone). Below the five locked in veterans, however, a gaggle of hopefuls from incredibly diverse backgrounds will vie for a chance to participate in the Vikings’ elite secondary.
Xavier Rhodes – There’s no ambiguity to Xavier Rhodes’ role on the Vikings. Not only is he clearly the top corner on the team, but occupies a space as one of the faces of the franchise and a top corner in the whole league. He’s gone from idolizing those like Darrelle Revis to supplanting them atop the football world. Rhodes won’t have much to fight for, and will instead utilize training camp as preparation for the season, and to emerge as a leader in the Vikings’ locker room.
Terence Newman – Old Man Newman believes in the Vikings, and came back for what is likely his final year in football to chase a ring. Newman has already occupied a warm space in the heart of Vikings fandom by defying age and providing excellent cornerback play, allowing the Vikings to operate patiently with their younger understudies. Newman’s headline of this past season came in week 16, when a perceived mutiny called him and coach Mike Zimmer into question. It turned out to be an innocuous misunderstanding of what to do when Jordy Nelson motioned across the field, but regardless, the Vikings signed him to another year and Zimmer may even invite him to be a coach after his body wears down on him. It’s unclear when that will happen, but in the meantime, Newman will challenge Trae waynes for the third year in a row, move inside to slot, or even play safety if necessary. His snaps will likely be limited, but his role on the team will be decided by what he’s still capable of, and over the course of camp, we’ll see that question be answered.
Trae Waynes – Waynes may be the first player that many analysts look to during traning camp and the preseason. After a successful tenure at Michigan State, the Vikings selected Waynes 11th overall and are waiting patiently to see the return from that. Last season, Waynes only played in about half of the defensive snaps, leaving fans to ask what the problem is. Most are familiar with the two sides of the Waynes debate – either he’s not living up to expectations, or he’s buried behind the transcendent play of Terence Newman. In both 2015 and 2016, Waynes went through a similar battle with Terence Newman to be the #2 corner behind Rhodes. He’s 0-2 in that regard, and this year provides him an opportunity to settle into his role on the Vikings’ defense.
Mackensie Alexander – The pre-draft process was very strange for former National Champion Mackensie Alexander. His impressive resume of game tape was overshadowed by whispers of character concerns and an eye-opening press conference. After getting to know Alexander’s brash personality, his rookie years was surprisingly quiet, with Alexander contributing mostly on special teams before unceremoniously ending his season on IR. In his second year, there’s time for him to develop, and the team believes in his ability to follow in Trae Waynes’ footsteps. Currently, he’ll be competing with Terence Newman as the slot receiver, though, Newman’s battle with Waynes could nullify this one.
Marcus Sherels – It’s time we learn our lesson about Marcus Sherels and the roster bubble. The 5’10” former Minnesota Gopher has scratched and clawed his way from college walk-on to NFL rookie tryout to elite punt returner. Throughout his career, Sherels has experience competition for his punt returning duties from names like Jaymar Johnson, A.J. Jefferson and a litany of other walking 40 times. But Sherels has persisted, drawing inspiration from his brother and Gophers linebacker coach Mike. It seems unlikely that Sherels’ roster spot is in any jeopardy, barring an emergence from someone like Rodney Adams or Moritz Böhringer. However, the open battle at kick returner will likely take the attention away from Sherels’ entrenched role as a hard-working everyman who’s earned his keep and then some.
Jabari Price – In football every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In 2010, Jabari Price’s alma mater was involved in a well-documented academic scandal that resulted in a gauntlet of suspensions. For Price, while it was a black stain on the school he had just joined, was able to start as a true freshman– a rare honor for a player of his caliber. Someone else’s career-defining issues provided Price an opportunity, which was one that ultimately led Price to sneak into the 7th round of the 2014 NFL draft. He impressed early, but a DWI arrest and a scuffle with Laquon Treadwell last year have dominated Jabari-related headlines most recently. Price will now fight with Tre Roberson, Terrell Sinkfield and Horace Richardson for what is likely only one available CB slot.
Tre Roberson – It’s easy to root for a position convert. Roberson was a quarterback throughout his high school and college days. He transferred from Indiana to Illinois, skipping over the normal redshirt season by transferring to lower competition. He played well there, and during his pro day, worked out as a defensive back, drawing teams with his athleticism. The Vikings took note of this and signed him as a UDFA, where he came into camp. Roberson has embraced the position switch. Despite playing with a broken hand, Tre Roberson played better than he was expected to. It wasn’t quite enough to make the roster, but Roberson made the practice squad and will have another chance to make the roster this season, primarily gunning for Jabari Price’s place there.
Terrell Sinkfield – You may recognize this name from a different position group in the past. A former standout wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is known nationally for an eye-popping 40 time. But the former Northern Iowa Panther has dressed in Vikings gear before, failing to make it through the first round of cuts. Sinkfield has a burning desire to make it in the NFL, even if it requires a full-on position switch. Surrounded by vets like Terence Newman and fellow position convert Tre Roberson, Sinkfield has the resources to ease the burden of transition into cornerback. Still, the group is crowded, and Sinkfield would have to overcome incumbent Jabari Price and the other low-ranked CBs to make the roster. It will always be an uphill climb to transition from Canadian to American football.
Horace Richardson – Heading into the is collegiate career at SMU, Horace Richardson was highly regarded. But back-to-back ACL tears, along with a myriad of other injuries, kept his talents a relative mystery. But he managed to stay healthy his senior year, earning All-ACC honors and attracting NFL attention. His return to the team propelled SMU’s entire secondary to great heights, despite a disastrous 2015. Richardson, however, wasn’t enough of a difference-maker to earn a spot at the NFL combine, and fell out of the draft. As an undrafted free agent, Richardson will look to prove he can stay healthy and develop into an NFL-caliber corner. Considering the roster ahead of him, he’ll likely eye a practice squad slot, and will have to rely on special teams to get anywhere near the 53-man roster.
BATTLE TO WATCH: Obviously, all eyes will be on the battle between Trae Waynes and Terence Newman, but those players won’t be in the game forever, and that battle may be decided by the play of Mackensie Alexander and the extend of Newman’s age decline. In the late stages of the preseason, watch the corner play of Jabari Price and Tre Roberson – with five CB slots likely decided (Rhodes, Newman, Waynes, Alexander and Sherels), those two will compete for the sixth slot. Price, who has taken a much more traditional route, could be challenged by the surprising play of Tre Roberson. Should Roberson continue to improve at his new position, he could knock Price off the roster, and Price will fight to prevent that.
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