Post by Purple Pain on Jul 26, 2021 8:54:23 GMT -6
What camp battle are you most interested in?
The Vikings didn’t stop at Peterson in their effort to give themselves security in the secondary. They also signed former Chief Bashaud Breeland and 2016 Vikings second-round pick Mackensie Alexander, who spent last year in Cincinnati.
Breeland’s coverage statistics when targeted are actually better than Peterson’s since 2018. He’s allowed eight touchdowns with six interceptions and a completion percentage of only 52.7% on 146 targets.
The reason that he doesn’t have particularly high coverage grades from PFF is similar to Peterson: Penalties. He tied for the eighth most penalties among corners in 2020 and tied for the most in 2019.
Where Breeland fits into the mix will be determined throughout camp.
“I feel like I can play every position in the secondary but you got to a master at one before you’re a master at none and I feel they brought me in to be an outside corner,” Breeland said. “And that’s what they want me to bring to this team, bring my physicality and really allow myself to come in and help these young guys develop during their journey and their career. “
In the past neither Breeland or Peterson has played much in the slot. Enter Alexander.
Between 2018 and 2019, Alexander became the Vikings’ regular nickel cornerback and put together two solid seasons in that role. In Cincinnati in 2020 he was similarly strong, giving up a 87.0 rating into his coverage. He’s gone three straight years without giving up more than 10 yards per reception.
Alexander’s role isn’t really up for debate unless first-round pick Jeff Gladney returns to the team at some point. As for camp, we’ll look for how he’s reintegrating himself into Zimmer’s system.
Who starts at CB2?
Last season Cameron Dantzler finished with the highest PFF grade of any rookie corner in the NFL. But the thing about PFF grades is that, while they are helpful in giving us a snapshot of a player’s season, they don’t tell you much without context. In Dantzler’s case, two terrific games boosted his grade in what was largely a season filled with rookie moments.
In games against Mike Glennon’s Jaguars and Mitch Trubisky’s Bears, Dantzler registered grades over 90. He didn’t have another game graded higher than 66. He also suffered three separate injuries that forced him to miss time.
None of this is to say that Dantzler can’t take the next step and become a long-time starting outside corner for the Vikings. It’s only to say that there’s a reason the Vikings brought in Breeland to battle for the CB2 spot across from Peterson.
Dantzler not practicing during OTAs or minicamp further justifies the addition of a just-in-case-corner.
Whether Breeland or Dantzler deserves first crack is an interesting question. The Vikings seem to be in more of a position to give Breeland the job. They aren’t entering a season where they’re trying to learn about young players, so Dantzler wouldn’t seem to get preference from the broader perspective of where the team stands. Zimmer has also brought young corners along slowly in the past. Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander lost jobs to Terence Newman early in their careers so we could see Breeland starting for this year with plans for Dantzler to act as depth and then get the job back in 2022.
Where they begin the race at CB2 on Wednesday will be something to note.
The final cornerback spot
Hopefully you have your program in hand during the fourth quarters of Vikings preseason games because there are a lot of names to know.
Heading into camp, Harrison Hand has a strong argument for being next-man-up after Peterson, Breeland, Dantzler and Alexander. He put together a splashy minicamp and flashed talent during his few appearances last season. Kris Boyd is Hand’s biggest competition if the team only keeps five corners. Boyd is fighting for his roster spot after a tough 2020 in which he gave up a 121.3 QB rating against on 34 targets.
Beyond that battle, Parry Nickerson and Tye Smith could get in the mix with any injuries to players ahead of them as each has previous NFL experience. Amari Henderson, who spent last year with the Jaguars but did not see the field, and Dylan Mabin are both dark horse candidates for either a surprising final roster spot or practice squad positions.
Breeland’s coverage statistics when targeted are actually better than Peterson’s since 2018. He’s allowed eight touchdowns with six interceptions and a completion percentage of only 52.7% on 146 targets.
The reason that he doesn’t have particularly high coverage grades from PFF is similar to Peterson: Penalties. He tied for the eighth most penalties among corners in 2020 and tied for the most in 2019.
Where Breeland fits into the mix will be determined throughout camp.
“I feel like I can play every position in the secondary but you got to a master at one before you’re a master at none and I feel they brought me in to be an outside corner,” Breeland said. “And that’s what they want me to bring to this team, bring my physicality and really allow myself to come in and help these young guys develop during their journey and their career. “
In the past neither Breeland or Peterson has played much in the slot. Enter Alexander.
Between 2018 and 2019, Alexander became the Vikings’ regular nickel cornerback and put together two solid seasons in that role. In Cincinnati in 2020 he was similarly strong, giving up a 87.0 rating into his coverage. He’s gone three straight years without giving up more than 10 yards per reception.
Alexander’s role isn’t really up for debate unless first-round pick Jeff Gladney returns to the team at some point. As for camp, we’ll look for how he’s reintegrating himself into Zimmer’s system.
Who starts at CB2?
Last season Cameron Dantzler finished with the highest PFF grade of any rookie corner in the NFL. But the thing about PFF grades is that, while they are helpful in giving us a snapshot of a player’s season, they don’t tell you much without context. In Dantzler’s case, two terrific games boosted his grade in what was largely a season filled with rookie moments.
In games against Mike Glennon’s Jaguars and Mitch Trubisky’s Bears, Dantzler registered grades over 90. He didn’t have another game graded higher than 66. He also suffered three separate injuries that forced him to miss time.
None of this is to say that Dantzler can’t take the next step and become a long-time starting outside corner for the Vikings. It’s only to say that there’s a reason the Vikings brought in Breeland to battle for the CB2 spot across from Peterson.
Dantzler not practicing during OTAs or minicamp further justifies the addition of a just-in-case-corner.
Whether Breeland or Dantzler deserves first crack is an interesting question. The Vikings seem to be in more of a position to give Breeland the job. They aren’t entering a season where they’re trying to learn about young players, so Dantzler wouldn’t seem to get preference from the broader perspective of where the team stands. Zimmer has also brought young corners along slowly in the past. Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander lost jobs to Terence Newman early in their careers so we could see Breeland starting for this year with plans for Dantzler to act as depth and then get the job back in 2022.
Where they begin the race at CB2 on Wednesday will be something to note.
The final cornerback spot
Hopefully you have your program in hand during the fourth quarters of Vikings preseason games because there are a lot of names to know.
Heading into camp, Harrison Hand has a strong argument for being next-man-up after Peterson, Breeland, Dantzler and Alexander. He put together a splashy minicamp and flashed talent during his few appearances last season. Kris Boyd is Hand’s biggest competition if the team only keeps five corners. Boyd is fighting for his roster spot after a tough 2020 in which he gave up a 121.3 QB rating against on 34 targets.
Beyond that battle, Parry Nickerson and Tye Smith could get in the mix with any injuries to players ahead of them as each has previous NFL experience. Amari Henderson, who spent last year with the Jaguars but did not see the field, and Dylan Mabin are both dark horse candidates for either a surprising final roster spot or practice squad positions.
... and neither is this Chris guy.