11-19-2020, 07:11 PM
Defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa has been one of the Vikings’ main beneficiaries of the opportunity cleared by injuries, trades and opt outs.
Mata’afa, the third-year former Washington State standout, has earned a role in what has become a seven-man defensive line rotation after the Vikings traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue over the bye week.
He has averaged 28 snaps in the past three games, many at defensive end, where he’s found a spark after a frustrating start to the season led to an October demotion to the practice squad. He vented his frustration on social media.
“I had to reevaluate myself and reevaluate how I wanted to be as a player,” Mata’afa said Wednesday. “I wasn’t doing enough to be on the team, so as soon as I signed with the practice squad, I went into that week thinking like, ‘This is it. Like, I’m going to go out and show every day in practice what I can do for this team.’ ”
Mata’afa’s effort has translated to games. His 10 quarterback pressures in the past three outings trails only rookie defensive end D.J. Wonnum (11) on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I knew how hard it was to stay in this league, and I was frustrated with myself,” Mata’afa said. “I’ve always been an underdog my whole career: high school, college to now. My opportunity is finally coming, and I’m trying to make the best out of it."
https://www.startribune.com/mata-afa-fin...573120931/
Mata’afa, the third-year former Washington State standout, has earned a role in what has become a seven-man defensive line rotation after the Vikings traded defensive end Yannick Ngakoue over the bye week.
He has averaged 28 snaps in the past three games, many at defensive end, where he’s found a spark after a frustrating start to the season led to an October demotion to the practice squad. He vented his frustration on social media.
“I had to reevaluate myself and reevaluate how I wanted to be as a player,” Mata’afa said Wednesday. “I wasn’t doing enough to be on the team, so as soon as I signed with the practice squad, I went into that week thinking like, ‘This is it. Like, I’m going to go out and show every day in practice what I can do for this team.’ ”
Mata’afa’s effort has translated to games. His 10 quarterback pressures in the past three outings trails only rookie defensive end D.J. Wonnum (11) on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I knew how hard it was to stay in this league, and I was frustrated with myself,” Mata’afa said. “I’ve always been an underdog my whole career: high school, college to now. My opportunity is finally coming, and I’m trying to make the best out of it."
https://www.startribune.com/mata-afa-fin...573120931/
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