Jefferson’s Man Coverage, Return Ability Appealed To Vikings
Posted by on September 4, 2012 – 1:06 pmLast weekend while they and all other NFL teams were cutting 20-some players from their rosters to reach the NFL’s mandated 53-man roster limit, the Vikings were also scheming to add a player to their roster.
That player was A.J. Jefferson. The Vikings sent undisclosed draft pick compensation to the Arizona Cardinals last Friday in exchange for Jefferson, a 6-1, 190-pound CB. Jefferson signed with the Cardinals in April of 2010 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Fresno State and played in 18 games with 7 starts over 2 seasons.
Jefferson’s size makes him a good fit in the Vikings defensive scheme at an outside CB spot, and his addition adds depth to a position that has veterans Chris Cook and Antoine Winfield as starters and youngsters Brandon Burton, Josh Robinson and Marcus Sherels providing depth. He has good speed and, when dialed in, has displayed the ability to be a starting-caliber NFL DB.
While not a household name in Minnesota, Jefferson is a player the Vikings liked enough that they felt compelled to trade for him. Why? Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier spoke on that issue Monday.
“He has the ability to cover man and also play some zone coverage, good press corner, but he can also play off,” Frazier detailed. “He’s a willing tackler, we like that part of his game.”
This past offseason, Frazier had commented on multiple occasions that the Vikings may play more man coverage than they have in the past. That’s a plan that sounds great in theory, but a team must have the appropriate personnel on-hand in order to execute the plan.
Frazier feels Jefferson could give the Vikings just that.
“We wanted a guy who could play some man coverage and he’s shown that he has the strength to do that,” Frazier said.
Frazier noted that Jefferson has kick return abilities as well.
“His speed, his athleticism, he’s a good kickoff return guy as well. He’s a long guy with his size, we liked that as well.
“It was about what guy could fit what we’re trying to get done on defense that would really help us have a chance to win on Sundays. We felt like A.J. gave us some things that we were looking for and that’s why he’s here.”
Tags: A.J. Jefferson
Posted in All, Mike Wobschall | 68 Comments »
By Chaz on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
first
By Chaz on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Only time will tell if he was worth the trade. Hopefully he plays well for us this season!
By Bleedspurple1973 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I’m really liking the direction this team has taken with the youth movement. The fudge packers did something similar a few years back and look where it got them. We have the foundation building for a competitive franchise for years to come, and hopefully a superbowl run once this new stadium opens in a few years. We are so overdue. Even the bucs and Aint’s got there’s. SKOL vikings.
By RichardA1 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Did they take a blood sample, see if he bleeds purple! Will suprise alot of teams when they find out we have a defense!
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Why hasn’t Mistral Raymond been announced as the starter?
By Justin F on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I read that Jefferson sucked while on the Cardinals. That better not be a foreshadowing to his performance this year.
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
LOL at how desperate the Cardinals fans are for a new LT. They’re begging for BRYANT MCKINNIE!
http://forums.azcardinals.com/showthread.php?t=61939
By OTKalil2012 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I predict AP will not play at all this Sunday…
But I also predict Toby will get 100+ yds on the ground…
And 2 TD’s…
I predict the secondary will struggle a lot the first half of the season…
But also predict they will learn and do much better in the secondary when it counts…In the second half of the season against division rivals…
Keys to the first game this Sunday…
Contain the Jags running game…
Get into Gabberts face…Blitz this young QB…Gabbert hates pressure…And wilts underneath a cluttered pocket…
By Mike B. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
It’s good they may have another weapon in the Def secondary. We are really young hopefully the coaches can gel them together.
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Sherels ankle injury likely will give AJ a shot.
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
At the PR job. Last one was incomplete.
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Gabbert closes his eyes when people come near him.
I know Jerry Rice says he played scared but a QB can’t do that.
By animal26 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
not sure why we traded for this guy. I few Cards fans told me that he’s nothing more then a decent special teams player and that’s about it. for his covering skills, he gets beat a lot. seems like it was a waste of a trade from what I’ve heard.
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Well anything is better than Carr, Bowman, and the retreads of last year.
By JE on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
You just heard why we traded for him. He fits into our defensive scheme. Hes tall and fast and can play man coverage. Need i say more.
By Todd B on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Benched, and a willing tackler. I hope Rick.knows what he is doing-
By Baba-Kluwe on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Jefferson had 12 p@sses defended last year, so I doubt he was getting burned very much. I heard he started the first 7 games last year, and was doing good, but then started getting alot of PI calls against him for big yardage and thats why they benched him.
By Baba-Kluwe on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Jefferson 16 games(7 starts), 66 tackles, 12 p@ssdef, 1 int
Sherels 16 games(3 starts), 27 tackles, 3 p@ssdef, 0 int
Asher Allen 12 games(9 starts) 49 tackles, 3 p@ssdef, 1 int
Based on the numbers from last year he looks like a huge upgrade.
By vikingbob136 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Looking at the roster it seems like next year we are going to have to draft some defensive lineman. J Allen and K Williams will be aging veterans and i don’t believe
we have anyone who can fill their shoes.
If Ponder doesn’t improve, i can see the Vikes drafting Barkley.
Any thoughts from the crowd?
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
He is our guy and till he sucks for long period I will support him.
I liked Ced Griffin but with the knee injuries he could not come back from it was time to cut bait.
By H.M.G. on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Ponder will do good and confirm he is the guy.
Drafting Manti Te’O is the first order of business.
Then another S if Raymond doesn’t step up. If he steps up then DLine. DT Jesse Williams will be around in the 2nd. This coming draft is loaded with talented DLinemen.
By Jimmy on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Barkley is over rated Tyler Wilson is the best QB in this coming draft. Tyler Bray is 2nd.
By JE on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Drafting Barkley?? We just drafted Ponder. Good Greef hes just getn his feet wet and people are already talking about replacing him! ARE YOU NUTS. We took Ponder with the 12th pick and are paying him 15 million. He has all the tools to be outstanding. Ponder isnt going anywhere!!!
By chicagoflagship12 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
thnx baba…now i hope 33 is 1 silly look-a-way from bein cut…save a few $ rick n go with robert…..no one will blame ya
By Jimmy on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
CR@PPY @SS SITE! POST!
By Jimmy on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
DT Johnathan Hankins in the 1st. TOTAL BEAST!
CB Micah Hyde in the 2nd. Could be a 1st rounder.
LB Kevin Redd!ck 3rd. Dominate MLB.
OLine 4th.
Other 4th a WR.
DLine 5th.
Rest of picks depth.
By Jimmy on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Because his last name has RICHARD in it the site was being a D I C K!
By rogerthevikefan on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
It doesn’t allow B@LLS either but does testicles.
By rogerthevikefan on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Well Kevin RedJOHNSON will likely be a 2nd round pick any ways. North Carolina develops good D players.
By rogerthevikefan on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Hyde is awesome. Maybe best CB Iowa has ever produced.
By 32frank12 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
So excited to head up to the Cities this weekend to go to the Game…hoping for a good showing from our team!!
SKOL!!!
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Hmmmmm. More blitz this season?
By Frederick Jones on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
A.J. Jefferson is needed at CB for the Vikings!!!
By OTKalil2012 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I have mentioned this before…But think it is important enough to repeat for fans to evaluate through the season..
I think the Vikings need to work on Frazier throwing the red flag !!…
Do they have a booth monitor analyst reviewing plays in the booth advising Frazier on throwing a flag for official reviews ??…
I mean, has Frazier even got one call right in the preseason ??…
The Vikings need a NEW replay booth adviser…Or Frazier needs to start taking that persons advice…
Wasting time outs…And red flag oppritunities needs to stop…That can lose the Vikings football games…
By Frederick Jones on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
YOU KNOW WHAT SCARES JONES ABOUT THE ADRIAN PETERSON INJURY IS THE STATISTICS BEHIND OTHER RUNNING BACKS WITH THIS INJURY.
WE KNOW ABOUT GALE SAYERS AND KI-JANA CARTER. IS ADRIAN ON THE SAME CYCLE.
YES HE IS A MANSTER. BUT HIS BONES/MUSCLES/JOINTS ARE VERY HUMAN LIKE THE REST OF US.
I HAVE NOT SEEN A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THIS.
HAVE YOU?
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
@ OTKalil————-last preseason game Paul Allen mentioned a retired referee in the box for us this season to advise Coach. i dont recall a name
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
As far as AP goes I bet he sees a play or two on Sunday. Might need touch the ball but his presence is enough to rattle the Jags defense if we need the distraction.
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Correction……………might NOT touch the ball
By OTKalil2012 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
@odark30…
Thanks…
Happy to hear that…The Vikings just have to start getting more of those calls right !!…
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
@OTKalil————-Gotta have it this season anyway with the replacement refs making such terrible calls
By Ozzinator on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Where is Mistral Raymond in all of this?
By Ozzinator on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Why isn’t anybody talking about Mistral Raymond?
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
What is there to say?
By Ozzinator on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
You know………….. Mistral Raymond!!
By Viking33 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Leaning towards Wings
By odark30 on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
@ Viking33—————-I may have missed a post. Wings?
By Kyle on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Mistral got owned against brandon jacobs in the first preseason game and then he came the next game and got 1 or 2 tackles for a loss. He isnt that bad a of a player when he gets some pressure on him. And also why isnt harrison starting, REALLY!!! Jamarca sanford. short. gets beat a lot. Harrison, agressive tall and could be a team leader. we need harrison starting and jenkins opposite cook with winfield in the nickle. With that we might be good this year. if ponder can hold out until we get jerome back from that 3 game suspension
By sandiamond on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
AD for a ply or two is invalid. 5-10 carries test him out or hold till week 2. The time is now for the team to bolt out at 1-1 new season
By Frederick Jones on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Wow…I guess everyone is as in the dark as old jonesie about the statistical analysis of ACL injuries and Running Backs in the NFL.
But you know that most don’t come back very quick after an injury like that, and how many last quite a few years afterwards?
I know Fred Dogg is being negative, but I’d hate to see A.D. wind up like Ki’jana Carter who came back too soon from an ACL, and lasted ONE (1) play! At least that is what I heard on KFAN.
By Frederick Jones on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Let’s have a discussion about this!
Terry Allen had some knee injuries, and came back 2 times to have 1000 yard years, when 1000 yards meant something.
Darrel Thompson, U of MN and GB Packers lasted about 4 years, and looks like a cripple now.
I pray they don’t put A.D. in too soon!!!
By sandiamond on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Fred, The team must know if Peterson is ready to rock&roll after week1 or else they will have to pick up a vet RB
By Frederick Jones on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
@Sandiamond,
Maybe that’s what they are saving ALL the money for S-man!
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
We have a vet RB– Toby Gerhart.
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Powerful words spoken at the Democratic Convention:
“My mother fought hard for civil rights so instead of a mop, I could hold this microphone.” ~ Julián Castro
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on his predecessor, Mitt Romney: “He was a lot more interested in having the job than doing the job.”
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Interesting article on McDonald’s tapping into a huge market:
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20120904/US.McDonald_s.India/?cid=hero_media
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I won’t listen to all the empty rhetoric– Spencer. Please keep that where it belongs– le garbage.
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Saw that on Yahoo earlier today.
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Interesting, huh? Anyone own a sodastream machine or tried one?
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
“Success isn’t about how much money you make, its about how much of a difference you make in people’s lives.”
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Spencer, the person who said that was PAID for those words.
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Miche||e Obama delivered an absolutely beautiful speech, simply breath-taking. It was both personal, and related to all of the current issues. Titus, you missed a treat. On that note, i’m going to sleep.
God Bless.
By Spencer on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Cant believe you “Miche||e” is censored on here.
By TITUS KNOWS BEST on Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
I wonder who wrote it for her.
By wyonorseman on Sep 5, 2012 | Reply
Can’t believe anyone is thinking about voting him again when all he as done is made this country worse.
By wyonorseman on Sep 5, 2012 | Reply
If someone else steps up Sherels may be gone when Simpson comes back. Blanton could play corner if he had to and may be better then Sherels.
By Ozzinator on Sep 5, 2012 | Reply
True words spoken by wyonorseman!
By JE on Sep 5, 2012 | Reply
I will third that wyonorseman!