Oldest Viking Playing Position Usually Staffed By The Young
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The Vikings didn't do anything flashy in free agency this off-season.
Their biggest move was the addition of Terence Newman, who will likely be one of their starting cornerbacks.
He's the oldest player on the Vikings roster, at a position usually reserved for the young. Terence Newman turns 37 on Sept. 4, but don't think he's just here to pass along wisdom.
"I'm here to play football," he said.
It'll be Newman's third time playing football for Mike Zimmer. They were together in Dallas and later in Cincinnati. The former fifth overall pick had other offers when he chose to sign a one-year deal this season with the Vikings, but the chance to reunite with Zimmer made a big difference.
"You know what to expect," Newman said. "I've been in this defense, and I got a good chance to see some of the guys last year on tape. We played some of the same teams. And the way these guys play, it was impressive."
And Zimmer has played him, everywhere -- on the outside, in the base defense and sliding inside in the nickel.
"I'm pretty comfortable, Newman said. "I've played nickel before, I've played outside, so I'm pretty comfortable either way."
In that nickel package, it's possible the Vikings could play three former first-round picks at cornerback at the same time. And with the other two being young guys in Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes -- all Newman's experience definitely does come in handy.
"You understand what's expected of you," Newman said. "It's no different than somebody that's on the D-line. You try to lead your guys. And I try to help lead our secondary, and use my experience and pass it onto them."
A guy born in the '70s, playing with two guys born in the '90s. That's the Vikings' likely plan. And Newman's glad to be a part of it.
"I'm just happy to be here, and playing under Zim," he said.
