The Vikings continued an active offseason and a busy week on Friday by signing free agent linebacker Derrick Pope and hosting free agent defensive end James Hall. Earlier this week, Pope and free agent defensive back Nathan Jones visited Winter Park, with the Vikings and Pope finalizing an agreement today.
The signing of Pope strengthens the linebacker corps and it may also improve the special teams unit. The 6-0, 232-pound Pope was drafted by the Dolphins in 2004 and had 64 tackles for the Dolphins last season. Pope went to Alabama and has played in 55 career games, with 149 career tackles.
· Started career-high nine games in 2007 after starting a total of five in his previous three seasons.
· Snared first career interceptions in 2007 in consecutive games, grabbing picks in the final two regular-season games off some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, picking Tom Brady at New England (12/23/07) and Carson Palmer versusCincinnati (12/30/07).
· Notched season-high 5 tackles in 2006 against the Vikings when he filled in for injured Channing Crowder.
· Has worked with Boys and Girls Clubs during his Miami career.
· Named 1st-Team All-SEC as a senior and played in Senior Bowl and Blue-Gray Game.
Tackles................................... 14........ @ Denver, 12/12/04
vs. Buffalo, 12/4/04.................. 1.0........ Drew Bledsoe
vs. Cincinnati, 12/30/07............... 1........ Carson Palmer