Smith the final piece to Vikings puzzle

By Krupka  |   Tuesday, July 25, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Minnesota Vikings
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It's been a long time since I could say this, and truly believe it. Here goes...opposing quarterbacks should be very afraid of the Minnesota Vikings' defense. For many, it feels like an eternity since the defense could put pressure on the oppositions' offense, rather than its own, to score points.

After boasting one of the worst pass coverage units for years, slowly but surely the organization has brought in the personnel needed to revamp a once-porous defensive backfield. It started two years ago, when the team made a last-second move to essentially steal free agent cornerback Antoine Winfield from underneath the New York Jets' nose. Prior to last season, the Vikings added Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback Fred Smoot and Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper to the mix. Then this offseason, they continued to put the pieces together, signing free agent safety Tank Williams to a one-year contract, and drafting cornerback Cedric Griffin in the second round.

If all that wasn't enough, on Tuesday, the Vikings added another impact player to their already deep secondary, agreeing to a three-year, $6.5 million contract with free safety Dwight Smith. Defensive coordinator Mike Tomilin and vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman view their newest addition as the final piece to a puzzle, which is an outstanding defensive backfield.

Widely regarded as a standout safety, Smith was released by the New Orleans Saints last Thursday in their quest to turn over the defensive roster. To be fair to the Saints, they did try and trade the 27-year-old before releasing him, but couldn't find any deals to their liking. Smith didn't fit the defensive scheme in New Orleans, but he's hoping to experience a career rebound in Minneapolis now that he's back in the "Tampa 2."

The Saints' loss is certainly the Vikings big coup. By joining the Vikings, the Akron product will be reunited with his former secondary coach of four seasons from Tampa Bay in Tomlin. Smith was a third-round pick in 2001, and developed nicely under his new coordinators tutelage. He is an excellent defender against both the run and pass, and has elite cover skills.

The safety tandem of Smith and Sharper is arguably the best in the NFL, and certainly gives the division-rival Chicago Bears' duo of Mike Brown and Nathan Vasher a run for their money.

On paper, the Vikings' secondary looks to be second to none. Of course, being a paper champion and a real champion is another story, but I think it's safe to say the play on the field this season should prove that the team's secondary is elite, with Smith completing the puzzle.

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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