marcus sherels

10 Camp Questions: Most Likely To Be Booted?

by Adam Warwas - Jul 12, 2016

Blair Walsh Locker New York — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

This 10-part series focuses on the biggest questions facing the Vikings as they head into Mankato for their training camp festivities. Be sure to answer the first six questions HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

We only have three questions left, and this one is complex because it is hard to directly answer it without directly answering some others regarding roster makeup. Still, I have a sneaking suspicion that a Vikings special teams battle or two could end up being the talk of Mankato, and that a surprise is as likely there as anywhere else on the roster.

Before getting to the question (and the all-important poll), I wanted to take a quick look at the main guys on special teams as it stands… at the guys that currently have jobs to lose.

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Wait, He Didn’t Make the Vikings’ Roster?

Question Of The Week

by Austin Belisle - May 26, 2016

VT QOTW

final 53-man roster for the Vikings — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

The bubble; the void at the bottom of an NFL roster where a player’s season can sink or swim. Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels has made a living on the bubble, scraping his way onto the final 53-man roster like clockwork each year. Journeymen and undrafted free agents spend most of their careers on the edge, but they’re not the only ones in fear of the eventual ‘pop.’

When a team like the Vikings consistently builds through the draft and retains young talent each offseason, they make it more difficult for those at the bottom of the depth chart to stick around. Sometimes, it’s a matter of circumstances; when Rick Spielman uses a first round pick on a wide receiver, another will have to go to make room on the roster. Other times, it’s a matter of players wearing out their welcome; think Gerald Hodges last year, and possibly, Cordarrelle Patterson this offseason.

Front offices have to make sacrifices when constructing a roster. It’s the reality of life in the NFL, where starting positions are only guaranteed if your name is Adrian Peterson or Teddy Bridgewater. Spielman’s cuts, as they do each year, will include a few surprising names. Who, exactly? That’s what the Vikings Territory team is going to try and answer today!

Fill in the blank — ‘Player X’ will not make the final 53-man roster for the Vikings.

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REPORT: Vikings Re-Sign Terence Newman

Free Agency

by Sam Neumann - Mar 15, 2016

defensive unrestricted free agents — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

Via Tom Pelissero of the USA Today, Terence Newman has re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings:

Terence Newman has agreed to a 1-year, $3M deal to stay with #Vikings, source said.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2016

The report has been confirmed by multiple media outlets.

It was reported earlier this month that Newman wanted to stay with the team, and while it took a week, it’s clear now the feeling was mutual. He’ll get a slight bump from last year’s $2.25 million salary, but still comes at a decent price for a player who, at 37 years old, was a solid starter and stabilizing presence in 2015. Newman is a Mike Zimmer guy, and Zimmer must be convinced he still has something left in the tank. Ideally, Newman move into a reserve role and provide depth and passing down flexibility next year, either at corner or safety or both.

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REPORT: Marcus Sherels To Return To The Vikings

by Adam Warwas - Mar 11, 2016

Sherels-Lions — Image courtesy of Vikings.com

If you are still tracking the Vikings free agency possibilities late on this Friday evening then your patience has been rewarded. The Vikings have reportedly agreed to a two year deal with punt returner and reserve cornerback Marcus Sherels.

The report comes from Chris Tomasson (who has done an amazing job this offseason) of the Pioneer Press. Tomasson says that terms were agreed to on Friday and Sherels will officially sign his new contract on Monday.

Sherels had visited the New York Jets this week, who are in need of a punt return specialist, but the deal was reached upon his return to Minnesota.

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Realistic Vikings Free Agents for 2016: Defense

Free Agency

by Adam Patrick - Feb 17, 2016

tempbest-of-team-012916-1-010--nfl_mezz_1280_1024 — Image courtesy of Vikings,com

Last week, it was all about the offensive and special teams free agents that could potentially land in Minnesota this offseason. This week, it is all about the defense.

For a unit that ranked fifth in points allowed last season, one would think that the Vikings do not have much to improve upon for 2016. However, improving in a few areas this offseason with free agent signings could help propel Minnesota’s defense into one of the NFL’s best in more categories than just points allowed.

Finding a safety to play next to Harrison Smith is priority number one on this defense’s offseason checklist, as well as improving the play at few other positions. The Vikings, who spent the fourth least amount on free agents last offseason, will likely bring in players who put a smaller dent in their wallet and shy away from the free agents looking for their big payday.

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