Sharrif Floyd
Sharrif Floyd is the heir apparent to longtime Viking standout Kevin Williams at under tackle. A disruptive penetrator who works to finish the play, he has a thick upper and lower body build. Floyd is quick off the ball, but does struggle to rush the passer. At times he will get wired to the blocker because of his short arms. He uses his hands well to control a man scheme blocker. Xavier Rhodes is a perfect fit for the Tampa two defensive scheme. With the loss of Antoine Winfield and a big void at right corner, Rhodes will be challenged every week in the pass happy NFC North. He has good ball reactions, good hip flexibility, and burst quickness. Experienced in both zone and man to man coverage, he is confident and poised in his play. He has good visual and ball skills to make a play on the ball. Cordarrelle Patterson is working at the “X” position and returning kickoffs. A dynamic and unique receiver, he is also a dangerous return specialist. Electric with the ball in his hands, he has rare straight away speed for a big receiver and has been clocked in the mid 4.3 range. He has been working on running pass routes to learning how to play the game in OTAs. He is talented enough to start and contribute providing impact play; however, he is still developing his pro physical skills. Gerald Hodges is penciled in at weak outside linebacker. An ascending talent, he started his career as a safety which gave him experience in pass coverage. Quick to read and react, he plays well laterally, stays square, and gets downhill when the openings are there. He will contribute on all special teams’ coverage. Jeff Locke is a booming left-footed punter with the job that is his to lose after the release of Chris Kluwe. He has been a steady and consistent performer in college for four years with a career average of 44.23 yards. He has placed 34 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded 68 touchbacks on 89 kickoffs. Jeff Baca has above average athletic ability. A physical and aggressive screen off and position blocker, he plays with a strong base. He has good use of hands to use a short six inch punch in pass pro. Quick to cut off inside penetration, he should shine when the pads come on. Michael Mauti has been rehabbing his knee during OTAs and will probably start out the season on PUP. It was a surprise to us that he was drafted because of his long injury history, not because of his talent level. He’s an intense competitor with a solid football aptitude and toughness. He has good instincts and is quick to see, register, and hit. Travis Bond is a big, wide bodied blocker who is getting work during OTAs at both guard and tackle. A long armed athlete, he looks the part. He must work to stay low and to leverage his targets in the run game. He is more of an inside player unless he gets help as a tackle. Everett Dawkins is quick enough to be a one gap penetrator. He reacts well to angles, traps, and combination blocks. When plays are right at him he needs more anchor strength. He has good lateral quickness but needs to improve his hand quickness and the use of his hands shedding a block. GRADE: GOOD.
Box 235 Hiawatha, IA 52233