Vikings 37-year-old defensive back Terence Newman has been around the NFL for a long time.
In his 13th season, Newman has shown the versatility to cover receivers at the cornerback position and in last week's game he switched over to playing the role at safety.
After a promising effort on Thursday Night against the league's top passing offense in the Arizona Cardinals, Newman said he can see himself playing safety in the future.
With 45 tackles and three interceptions this season it's safe to say the younger players at his position group are open to following is weekly regime.
Kevin Clark of the Wall Street Journal writes that red wine has paired with several seasons of Newman’s career and has been a bonding experience for the Vikings secondary this season.
The Minnesota Vikings, currently leading the pack for an NFC wild card playoff spot, have a top-10 pass defense that is built on tight cornerback coverage and an aggressive pass rush. And red wine.
…
*Early in the season, Newman made a tongue-in-cheek reference to Pinot Noir as the secret to his remarkable longevity. His teammates drank it up. "They start joking 'Oh, is that the key?' " Newman recalled. "But I promise you that night, five guys took pictures of a glass of wine they were drinking." *
[Captain] Munnerlyn, 27, was one of those who listened. He hadn't had a glass of wine in a long time, he said, and knew little about the subject. So when he heard Newman discuss the benefits of a glass of red, he called someone who did: his fiancée. "I said: 'I've got to get some red wine.' And it was pretty good," Munnerlyn said, adding that "every defensive back has bought a bottle."
6 Vikings featured in PFFs' Pro Bowl Roster
Pro Football Focus has released its Pro Bowl roster after 14 weeks of the 2015 NFL season. The roster includes six of the Minnesota Vikings.
RB Adrian Peterson C Joe Berger, DT Linval Joseph, LB Anthony Barr, S Harrison Smith and KR Cordarrelle Patterson were all featured on the list.
Highlighted is one member of the Vikings offense and one player on defense:
When the Vikings placed starting C John Sullivan on the IR due to a back injury at the beginning of the season, Berger a utility offensive lineman took on the role.
The most notable name is Berger, the backup Vikings lineman who was thrust into a starting spot, and has subsequently earned the highest grade of all centers.
Vikings LB Anthony Barr has become a leader in his second season in Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer's defense.
The 23-year-old has forced three fumbles with 61 total tackles this season.
We've got a mix of rush linebackers and your more conventional outside guys — such is the nature of a Pro Bowl ballot. Barr and (K.J.) Wright are those you'd most commonly associate with traditional, 4-3 outside linebackers, with Barr in particular looking every bit the first-rounder.
Quick Hitters
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes that Justin Trattou is glad to be back with the team.
A take from the Duluth News Tribune on the announcement that the inaugural Polaris-Vikings Winter Fest will be held Feb. 19-21.
