Vikings' defense steeped in orneryFive angry men have something to proveBY SEAN JENSENPioneer PressMANKATO, Minn. ? Ted Cottrell doesn't need to inspire his charges.The Vikings' defensive coordinator is fortunate his newly acquired veterans all believe they have something to prove."I don't have to tell them anything," Cottrell said. "They've all got their own self-motivations. Anytime you get a self-motivated athlete, it's a big plus."Allow cornerback Fred Smoot, the unofficial spokesman of the defense, to break down what drives each of his new teammates:? "Pat Williams wants to let people know what Pat Williams can do, show his worth playing next to (all-pro) Kevin Williams."? "You got a guy like Napoleon Harris, who wants to let the whole world know that, yes, he's worth the Randy Moss trade."? "You got Darren Sharper. Do I even have to say why he's motivated? All the stuff he did for Green Bay, and all of a sudden he's a Viking?"? "New York talked (trash) about Sam (Cowart), saying he lost a step. He's ready to prove that he's still on top of his game."? "There's a lot of bitter taste in a lot of our mouths, including me. I want to show the NFL my worth."They came to the right place for redemption.Pat Williams, Cowart, Sharper, Harris and Smoot could bolster their individual resumes if they collectively help turn around an underperforming defense. Since 1995, the Vikings have ranked 26th or lower in the NFL on defense six times.Each of the additions has played and starred on a top-ranked defense. Some would contend they deserved more accolades (only Cowart and Sharper earned Pro Bowl berths), and all would argue they belong on the all-slighted team.A late-first-round draft pick in 2002, Harris started for most of his rookie season with the Oakland Raiders, including in Super Bowl XXXVII. In his second season, he started all 16 games and collected 109 tackles, the second most on the team. But he struggled with a knee injury last season and started only nine games."It was definitely frustrating last year because I was being judged and criticized, even though they knew I wasn't 100 percent," Harris said. "But the proof is in the pudding. When you cut on the tape, the years I wasn't hurt, I played hard and I played fast."During the offseason, Harris was traded to the Vikings, along with the seventh overall selection and a seventh-round pick, for the controversial Moss."You want to go out there and showcase your talent. It's important for a guy like me to come in ? especially in the type of deal I came through, and show that I'm a good player," Harris said. "I do realize that some people feel I'm just a throwaway player. They lost a Pro Bowl player on their offense."But they gained one on defense. That's what I'm out to prove."Cowart is trying to get back to the Pro Bowl. Signed to an inflated six-year, $31 million contract in 2002, he was uncomfortable playing outside linebacker for the New York Jets.Last season, he played well at middle linebacker in the season opener, finishing with 13 tackles and forcing a fumble. But he suffered a knee injury in the second game and was replaced by rookie Jonathan Vilma.During the offseason, the Vikings traded a seventh-round pick to the Jets for Cowart and signed the veteran to a one-year, $1 million contract."I don't think in New York I got a fair shake," Cowart said. "Coming in, I expected to play middle, but I played outside for two years. Then I got criticized for not having middle linebacker numbers."I just want to prove to myself that I can still do what I know I can do and play to a level that's among the elite middle linebackers in the league. That's the goal of mine going into the season every year."Sharper had been a mainstay of the Packers' defense for several seasons. But his play slipped last season because of a partial tear in the posterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Despite an NFL-high 31 interceptions since 2000, Sharper was released by the Packers after refusing to restructure his contract."Me leaving was actually a blessing in disguise because I don't know if the situation there is a situation that's going up," Sharper said. "It might be going down a little bit."Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said he has heard Sharper talking about his first game against the Packers."It's fun because you hear all this talk in the locker rooms and the meeting rooms. 'I can't wait to play Green Bay. I'm going to go out and hit Brett Favre,' " Winfield recalled Sharper saying.Harris said the veterans feel a kinship because of the circumstances that led them to join the Vikings."It's great when you're around guys in a similar situation," Harris said. "I think that's a good thing for us because it'll give us motivation throughout the year to do well."Sean Jensen covers the Vikings and the NFL. He can be reached at sjensen@pioneerpress.com.
ahhh thats what I like hearing the guys have a chip on their sholder, now the only guy I wish we had is Deric Johnson the lineback out of texis, I think he is gonna be DROY and probably end up a probowler soon. that also would have solved our problem with linebackers
Its true. If all of our guys lived up to what they can do and played together we could be the number 1 D. At least top 5.
<span style="colorurple">That's a bit optimistic.I'd be happy in the upper half of the top 15.</span>
The Vikings D looks mean as hell, I'd be scared to face them. Good job in the offseason, you guys made some good moves and definetly solidified your D. I think you guys are a Big time superbowl contender this year.
