The 2 New Vikings Corners Offer Up Size and Snarl
Football is a matchup sport. Boasting a Vikings corner who can play bully ball therefore has a pile of merit.
On Tuesday afternoon, veteran James Pierre (a free agency addition) alongside Chuck Demmings (a draftee, snagged in the 5th) got onto the grass for some work. Each offer a different dynamic to the defense due to boasting better size than CB1 Byron Murphy Jr. and CB2 Isaiah Rodgers. And, to be sure, there’s a decent amount of internal optimism for what these guys bring to the table.
2 New Vikings Corners Offer Much to Like
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said that he has been mentioning Pierre for a little while, hoping to bring him over from Pittsburgh. Flores coached there in 2022, giving his some firsthand insight about what the long-and-strong veteran can do.
Check out some of the DC’s insight: “He’s kind of a pro’s pro. I don’t have anything but really, really positive, good things to say about him.” Not long afterwards, Flores described the corner’s professionalism and work ethic. Crucially, “he’s a good player.” In other words, Flores is sold. Of all the Vikings’ coaches, he likely demands the most benefit of the doubt.
Last season, Mr. Pierre got into fourteen games while starting five. The final stat tally shows 30 tackles to stand alongside 1 interception, 11 passes defended, and 1 fumble recovery.
Watching him on the field means seeing an easy mover who isn’t afraid to blanket a receiver. He’s a long guy who can lean on a receiver in the same way a power forward in basketball drapes himself over somebody trying to back toward the rim.
Gotta assume, folks, that receivers don’t love going against James Pierre.
Another notable detail from yesterday’s practice was the grit in Chuck Demmings. The outspoken, charming rookie isn’t shy about getting his mitts onto the receiver. To be sure, there’s a delicate balance, especially for a young fella making the jump from college to the pros. Aggression can become an issue if penalties get called.
Still, it’s good to see that he isn’t timid. The opposite appears to be true.
Very likely, Demmings settles in as the CB4 in the upcoming season. What will be fascinating to see is if he’ll be a true CB4 who can get called upon when a corner is needed or if he gets the Dwight McGlothern treatment.
Up front, the Vikings have a ton to prove. The front seven isn’t a lock to be as good or better than last year due to the subtractions of Jonathan Greenard, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave. A ton hinges on the ascension from Jalen Redmond and then health for Caleb Banks.
However, the secondary is in good shape overall. Most want Harrison Smith to return so he can continue functioning as Gandalf, but there are a pile of solid players in that secondary.
In some ways, the cluster of defensive backs are like a hockey team without a true first line but several trios all at a second-line level. All of Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, Murphy, and Rodgers are good players. Tossing new Vikings corners Pierre and Demmings into the mix makes things look even better. Look for waves of competent DBs to get sent into the game, working as air-traffic controllers in Flores’ increasingly multiple defense.
James Pierre, 29, stands at 6’2″ and weighs 185 pounds. Chuck Demmings is a young fella at 23. He’s 6’1″ and 190 pounds. Neither appear to lack toughness and compete.
