Minnesota Vikings: Why Terence Newman Makes Sense

While the Minnesota Vikings have almost seemingly done little to nothing during the free agency of 2015, they have been on the brink of getting some large named players. From apparently looking into Devin McCourty, Bradley Fletcher, and others; to making moves for backup quarterback Shaun Hill, and stud wide receiver Mike Wallace. The NFL free agency makes pro teams turn into collegiate teams; battling over the top ranked recruits in the nation in a limited amount of time.

The little noise that the Vikings have made has been drowned out by the whole Adrian Peterson situation, and as fans its almost killing us inside. When you see other teams such as the Buffalo Bills, or Philadelphia Eagles making huge moves signing big names, it’s slightly depressing when your team does almost nothing.

Oct 12, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback

Terence Newman

(23) against the Carolina Panthers at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals and the Panthers tie in overtime 37-37. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

For the Vikings, things could possibly get a little more interesting! This past week the team confirmed that they had veteran cornerback Terrrence Newman come down (or in this case, come up) for an official visit. Newman, who turns 37 in September, is just a tad out of his prime. However, Newman is not a horrible cornerback whatsoever. He is much better than his 76th pass coverage overall ranking from Pro Football Focus. In the 2014 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, he started 13 games, totaled 14 pass deflections and recorded one interception.

For being 36 at the time, that’s really not terrible. Regardless of being “out of his prime,” and almost considered “too old” to play, Newman had stayed in shape and stayed healthy, playing in 41 games in the past 3 years. Very impressive for his age. What makes sense for him to be picked up by the Vikings, is that they have hardly any depth in the cornerback position. With Xavier Rhodes, Josh Robinson, and Captain Munnerlyn as the main three, and all playing 16 games, after a while they’re going to get tired and teams will figure them out. Quick.

He would be a definite two or three on the depth chart, (hopefully) making the rest of the corners and secondary play harder to start.

Another reason why Newman would fit into the Vikings system is because he’s played for coach Mike Zimmer in both his days with the Cowboy and Bengals. On top of that, have we all forgotten the fact that Newman was the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft? Yes, that was ages and ages ago, but the fact is still – Newman knows how to play. He would be a great mentor for the other cornerbacks on top of it all. Rhodes, Munnerlyn, and Robinson have an average age of 25 years old, 11 years younger than Newman. There is no doubt in anybody minds that Newman couldn’t teach them a few things or so. Also, the Vikings had the seventh best opponents passing yards per game in 2014 under Zimmer. He certainly knows what he is doing.

Newman has also been reached out to by the New England Patriots. After losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, don’t be too shocked if you see him slip away from the Vikings and go to the Patriots. Depending on money, and how much play time he wants, it could go either way.

Regardless of what happens, Vikings fans can only hope for the best on this one. If Newman decides to join the growing Vikings, they can be a real threat in the NFC North, and the NFC itself. One of the biggest hopes is that Newman can turn these young cornerbacks from boys, to men.

Next: Mike Wallace Gives Vikings Huge Spark

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