per Sid:
Challenge for Sherels
Marcus Sherels, who signed with the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2010 after playing with the Gophers, was not expected to make the team. But he has been the Vikings’ punt returner and occasional cornerback and kick returner for the past four years.
Still, every preseason there appears to be a challenger who is trying to take his roster spot, and this year it’s rookie Stefon Diggs.
But every year, Sherels seems to add new dimensions to his game and manages to make the squad.
In the preseason this year, Sherels has fielded three punts with an average return of 14.3 yards, and he’s returned two kickoffs for 81 yards, the most on the team. Diggs has six punt returns for a 25.0 yard average, including a 62-yard return.
Special teams coach Mike Priefer said it isn’t only Sherels’ returns that impress the coaches, but also his work as a “gunner” and being the first tackler down the field on kickoff and punt teams. Priefer looks for Sherels to continue what he has been doing during his career.
“I think the longer he’s done it, the more experience he has,” Priefer said. “We always tell our gunners to have a plan, don’t just go out there and wing it because that doesn’t work in the NFL. Marcus has a plan and he does a great job with his speed releases, and he does a great job with what we call our counter releases.
“When you have a plan, you study tape, you know what type of opponent you’re going against and you execute that plan like [Sherels] does, it really helps him be successful. He’s gotten better every year that I’ve been here.”
Does Priefer believe Sherels’ work as a returner has helped him to understand how to defend on special teams?
“Maybe at the point of attack, based on what the gunner might be thinking at the point of attack, but I don’t think he’s thinking about that when he’s returning the football,” Priefer said. “He’s improved on kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return since I’ve been here.”
http://www.startribune.com/several-twins-stood-out-during-six-game-winning-streak/323174051/
Go Gophers!!
