Patrick Peterson Takes on ‘Grandfatherly’ Role with Vikings
Dustin Baker
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Yes, the picture attached to this article is doctored for satire.
Patrick Peterson is 31 years old, but he’s making a profound impact on his teammates as a bastion of wisdom.
In a tribute of sorts to Peterson, the slated-to-start Cameron Dantzler referred to the ex-Cardinal as a grandfather-like personality.
Peterson and Dantzler were born eight years apart.
Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, Peterson was injured late in the contest, causing the Vikings cornerback to miss at least three games. He’ll be out during a bloodthirsty stretch of matchups that includes the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, and perhaps the Green Bay Packers. In his absence, Dantzler, who called Peterson his granddad figure, will presumably get the nod to start.
And Dantzler has had one hell of a 2021 season so far. Somehow, he found a tunnel to head coach Mike Zimmer’s doghouse and nestled in for a few months. Zimmer, through the media, explained Dantzler needed to improve his special teams performance before consideration for a CB1 or CB2 role once again. It is unclear if Dantzler polished his special teams resume.
But when the second-year corner gradually received playing time again, Dantzler made the best of it. His current Pro Football Focus grade is 67.9 – the best by any Vikings cornerback through six games. Peterson’s PFF grade is 64.3, although his on-the-field play feels a bit better than a 60s-like designation.
In any event, Dantzler is learning from Peterson, which was the plan all along when Peterson signed the free-agency dotted line on St. Patrick’s Day. The only difference is the juxtaposition on the Vikings depth chart. When the Peterson signing hits the news wire, most Vikings fans believed Peterson would grab the CB1 title with Dantzler as his “Robin” at CB2. Instead, Bashaud Breeland – another player with a strange 2021 season to his name – has filled the CB2 role. Dantzler even began the 2021 campaign all the way down on the depth chart as CB6 – if that can be believed.
The tide is turning, though. Dantzler is calling his teammate his grandpa, Peterson’s injury will enable more defensive snaps for Dantzler, and the Mississippi State alumnus is performing well when Zimmer actually allows him into games. And by default, Dantzler has to see playing time now. Otherwise, the Vikings would lean on Harrison Hand, Kris Boyd, and a hodgepodge of practice squad players – less than ideal for a team scheduled to face Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup in five days.
Minnesota’s defense in the first couple of weeks was suspect. But it’s improving by the week, evidenced by stats like this:
The Vikings are surrendering an 87.5 passer-rating-against to Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, and Sam Darnold – which ranks eighth-best leaguewide through seven weeks. In 2020, Minnesota’s passer-rating-against ranked 23rd at season’s end.
While the Vikings defense isn’t quite back to Zimmerian form yet – they still blow big 4th Downs late in games – Peterson’s grandfatherly vibes are evidently returning the team to prominence on defense. That’s why it’s such a big blow for the man to miss the next three games.
The Vikings are three-point underdogs at home versus the Cowboys on Halloween night.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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