Crisis Averted: Vikings Special Teams Stud is Sticking Around
K. Joudry
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Collectively, Vikings fans questioned Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Tom Pelissero of The NFL Network tweeted out the discouraging news that a Vikings special teams stud was being cut: preseason star NaJee Thompson. Well, the discouraging news didn’t last long. Take a look at the update from Pelissero: “Clearing up some miscommunication: The #Vikings have NOT waived CB Najee Thompson. The impressive undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern remains on the roster.”
For good measure, Andrew Krammer of The Star Tribune affirmed what Pelissero had to say, noting, “The #Vikings aren’t waiving cornerback NaJee Thompson, I’m told. They’re keeping him.”
Collectively, Vikings fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Vikings Special Teams Stud Will Stick Around
Why are people so enthused about Thompson? His effort as a gunner is reason #1.
Take a look at this tremendous rep:
Honestly, there’s no way he could have played the coverage any better.
Coming off the line of scrimmage, Thompson works his man toward the middle of the field. Like a receiver trying to get separation from a corner, Thompson forces his blocker to flip his shoulders and hips toward the inside. Thompson, though, works back toward the sideline; the blocker is unable to recover in time, meaning the gunner had a free lane. He then used that free lane to put together a tremendous tackle.
Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels is sure to love that kind of effort and ability.
As an encore, NaJee Thompson again stopped a returner before the play could develop at all. Check out the Tennessee rep:
Think back to when Dan Chisena was with the Vikings. The insanely fast receiver regularly got down the field in a hurry, giving him the chance to stop the returner immediately after the ball was caught. In many instances, though, Chisena struggled to break down effectively when going in for the tackle.
Thompson doesn’t have that issue, folks.
His length and speed stand out, but so too does his ability to shake loose from blockers. Once he gets to the climactic moment, Thompson is more than capable of making the tackle. Ryan Wright is going to be very, very happy that Thompson is sticking around.
Thompson will get the chance to keep helping the special teams on September 10th when the Buccaneers visit U.S. Bank Stadium.
Be sure to keep swinging by PurplePTSD. We’ll be keeping Vikings fans covered on all of the roster cut craziness as the day continues.
