With All the Offseason Moves, Do the Vikings Really “Need” Jeff Gladney?

Jeff Gladney
Nov 22, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) catches a pass for a touchdown against Minnesota Vikings defensive back Jeff Gladney (20) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

April yielded gruesome news regarding a 22-year-old woman in Texas, Jeff Gladney, and the Minnesota Vikings. Gladney, 24, turned himself into a Dallas County Jail shortly thereafter, surrendering on a warrant for felony family assault charges.

The events described –  punching, choking, and dragging – are vile. In 2014, Ray Rice, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, was involved in a similar incident that was recorded on surveillance video. Rice punched a woman in an Atlantic City elevator and dragged her out in a haunting scene. Rice never played professional football again – a path that may be fatefully forged for Gladney. It is unlikely that the tragedy beset on the unnamed woman was totally fictionalized, and the apprehension of Gladney seems to be the first step toward justice.

Just as folks are predisposed to adjudicate Gladney in the court of public opinion per First Amendment protection – the Vikings cornerback is entitled to due process. To be sure, all signs outwardly point to him as the culprit, but Gladney will receive his proverbial day in court. A rush to judgment is often too irresistible for onlookers – particularly when the news story is covered by dozens of media outlets Yet, no matter the act, every human in the United States is given a Constitutional platform to offer a defense of actions. Gladney’s is upcoming. The legal forecast is not optimistic for his sake. Why? Because history serves as a reasonable indicator that there is usually smoke with fire. The evaluation of his comeuppance is underway – and, yes, that includes the determination of his guilt. People, regardless of stature, cannot be identified as guilty solely based on mugshots or tweets – even when they turn themselves over to authorities.

It’s a delicate issue to wrestle as women must be heard and believed. In the end, justice will be litigated. Americans used to believe that’s what separates their commitment to the law in contrast to other unsavory nations – due process.

On the field, however, the Vikings offseason additions to the cornerback room minimize the need for a Gladney return – in 2021 or ever.

Patrick Peterson served as a surprise signing in March, filling out the Vikings CB depth with some pizazz. Peterson is probably a Super Bowl ring away from serious Hall of Fame consideration. He will expect to start.

Gladney’s 2020 rookie pal, Cameron Dantzler, was magnificent last season. The Mississippi State alumnus took a while to get going and even encountered a ghastly injury at the season’s midpoint. After that, he locked down every wideout in his path. Theoretically, Dantzler could experience a sophomore slump, but his trajectory is exciting on the whole. It would be rather odd for Dantzler to be yanked from the starting lineup because other veterans were brought aboard.

Then, general manager Rick Spielman continued. The Vikings hosted Bashuad Breeland for a free-agent chat. He left Eagan without a contract, signaling that marriage to the Vikings was unlikely. He reversed course several days later. Just like Peterson, Breeland is accustomed to starting football games. He did so with the Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs, and our neighborly NFC North team to the east. Breeland did not join the Vikings just to watch Cameron Dantzler develop. He’s youngish himself – only 29 – and is arguably in the prime of his career. Breeland will start football games – even it means a different Vikings cornerback is the odd man out.

Mackensie Alexander returned to the team, too. He played for one season with Cincinnati Bengals before rejoining Mike Zimmer and the Vikings. With the Bengals, Alexander played 61% of all defensive snaps in 2020. How the hell will he find that in Minnesota if Peterson, Dantzler, and Breeland all remain healthy?

Lastly, Harrison Hand just conducted a marvelous minicamp. That type of smoke ordinarily indicates that a young player is prepared to take a maturational next step. Good luck finding those spots with this conglomeration of corners.

Gladney – if the antics in Texas never happened – would be vital for the long-term prognosis of the Vikings defense. Dantzler, Gladney, and Hand are the only CBs slated to play on the 2022 Vikings. Peterson, Breeland, Alexander are one-year dudes for now.

But Gladney is largely not needed for these 2021 Vikings. That’s a product of the Vikings making roster moves because of Gladney’s turmoil, rest assured. In the event Gladney was cleared of all wrongdoing, the Vikings 2021 cornerback would be even more crowded than it is now.

It’s a good problem to navigate.

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