With Mike Hughes around, Marcus Sherels could have to fight to make Vikings' roster
Return specialist Marcus Sherels has signed a one-year contract with the Vikings for the eighth time. But he's facing stiff competition for that role from first-round draft choice Mike Hughes.There was a time when the annual exercise of figuring out who would bump undrafted free agent Marcus Sherels off the Vikings’ roster was a rite of training camp.
Sherels, the thinking went, was too short, too one-dimensional and simply too expendable to keep on the roster. The annual bit of training camp punditry started in the Leslie Frazier era and continued in the Mike Zimmer era. But as Sherels went from roster afterthought to the Vikings’ all-time leading punt returner and one of the longest-tenured players on the roster, keen observers stopped assuming there would be any way he wouldn’t make the team.
The game might not be worth playing again this summer, after Sherels worked as both the Vikings’ kick and punt returner last year and signed a one-year contract — his eighth deal in as many years with the team — in March. But like a tired Hollywood franchise, it’s back for one more sequel this summer — and this time, there’s an adversary that might actually be worth watching.
http://www.startribune.com/with-mike-hughes-around-marcus-sherels-could-have-to-fight-to-make-vikings-roster/485821701/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I like Sherels, but if Hughes proves to be a sure handed returner, why would you keep Marcus? He's not a good backup CB and the team seems especially deep in that department heading into TC. If Holton Hill continues to impress and stay away from the weed, you can't take a chance of putting a top level talented outside CB like that on the practice squad.
And a p.s. here: IF Hill stays clean and prospers in Minnesota, you have to start giving kudos out to the organization for how strong the culture is.
The only way MS is on this team is if nobody else worthy of a roster spot show any promise as a returner...which is kind of sad as I have grown fond of watching him return punts...hes got a style kind of unique that is pretty effective.
It's never been easy for him or had any long term security. Guys like him you usually never have much concerns for their life after football. Ever year could be the after year. That tends to make you more practical.
This really should be it for Marcus. The only way I see him making the team is if Hughes struggles catching the ball. That's always been Sherels' ace in the hole. He's not an especially dangerous return guy, but he catches the damn ball. Every time. And ST coaches HATE return guys who turn the ball over.
@"MaroonBells" said: This really should be it for Marcus. The only way I see him making the team is if Hughes struggles catching the ball. That's always been Sherels' ace in the hole. He's not an especially dangerous return guy, but he catches the damn ball. Every time. And ST coaches HATE return guys who turn the ball over.maybe its the system.... maybe its MS, but he has been near the top of the league in terms of average yds per punt return the last 5 years or so. several times in the top 5, so as far as a PR goes, he is pretty special when you factor in his sure handedness as you mentioned.
@"MaroonBells" said: This really should be it for Marcus. The only way I see him making the team is if Hughes struggles catching the ball. That's always been Sherels' ace in the hole. He's not an especially dangerous return guy, but he catches the damn ball. Every time. And ST coaches HATE return guys who turn the ball over.
Yeah, Jimmy nailed it... he's been one of the top punt returners in the league the past couple seasons. He's ranked 2nd, 6th, 2nd, and 7th in terms of punt return average the past 4 seasons. He also has 5 punt return TDs for his career, which is tied for 2nd amongst active players in the NFL.
That's his role and he does it VERY well. However, if Hughes shows he is just as dangerous/reliable as a returner... Sherels is gone. There is no need to carry a punt return/special teams ace anymore with the CB depth we've accumulated.
@"Wetlander" said:@"MaroonBells" said: This really should be it for Marcus. The only way I see him making the team is if Hughes struggles catching the ball. That's always been Sherels' ace in the hole. He's not an especially dangerous return guy, but he catches the damn ball. Every time. And ST coaches HATE return guys who turn the ball over.Yeah, Jimmy nailed it... he's been one of the top punt returners in the league the past couple seasons. He's ranked 2nd, 6th, 2nd, and 7th in terms of punt return average the past 4 seasons. He also has 5 punt return TDs for his career, which is tied for 2nd amongst active players in the NFL.
That's his role and he does it VERY well. However, if Hughes shows he is just as dangerous/reliable as a returner... Sherels is gone. There is no need to carry a punt return/special teams ace anymore with the CB depth we've accumulated.
another thought though (not to take away from Marcus's accomplishments) we keep talking about the depth and quality of players growing, well as we get a better roster top to bottom that will be forcing some pretty damn good athletes to play special teams and help block for said returns. We arent just marching any geek off the street out there anymore, even if they arent great at their given positions, the athleticism of this roster is through the roof.
@"MaroonBells" said: This really should be it for Marcus. The only way I see him making the team is if Hughes struggles catching the ball. That's always been Sherels' ace in the hole. He's not an especially dangerous return guy, but he catches the damn ball. Every time. And ST coaches HATE return guys who turn the ball over.Yes, if Hughes can safely handle punt returns, then Sherels loses the battle. I remember Thielen filling in for Sherels and costing us the game with a fumble at the 2. Of course it wasn't a fumble but the refs gave the ball to Dallas during the TV timeout.
The other thing that Sherels does so well is cover on both kick teams. That isn't as hard to replace, but it will likely be missed in some small ways.
We want to ( and do) write him off every year and every year he not only sticks he performs. unless he’s noticeably lost a step he makes the team to play special teams as he’s good bith ways.
The issue with Sherels is he is unreliable at corner which is his listed position. If he has to play corner then the Vikings are in more trouble than a little bit.
So him making the roster means they are carrying 4 special team ONLY players instead of 3.
This could be an issue if you want to keep 10 offensive linemen instead of 9, or 9 defensive linemen instead of 8, etc.
There will be another player at a position that they have to let go and it could come back to hurt them. Maybe.
If a guy is a returner and that is all he does then he better be like Devin Hester. To me.
Sherels does play special teams well but they can find others to do that.
Either the way, with his age, the end is near.
I'm hoping he makes the team. He is so sure-handed at fielding punts, I never catch myself holding my breath hoping he hangs onto it. I guess its like Walsh. (Chris, not Blair) I have always like the special teamers that give absolutely everything they have each time they are on the field.
@"Bullazin" said: We want to ( and do) write him off every year and every year he not only sticks he performs. unless he’s noticeably lost a step he makes the team to play special teams as he’s good bith ways.earlier in his career this was the case, but the last couple years its been much harder to do that. we havent had that guy that looks like he could play the part and provide more at a regular position. time will tell if Hughes is the man to do it, but if Hughes were to win starting nickel then I have to doubt they would put him out on return teams as a regular.
@"JimmyinSD" said:Good point Jimmy. That makes it a wee bit more complex for sure.@"Bullazin" said: We want to ( and do) write him off every year and every year he not only sticks he performs. unless he’s noticeably lost a step he makes the team to play special teams as he’s good bith ways. earlier in his career this was the case, but the last couple years its been much harder to do that. we havent had that guy that looks like he could play the part and provide more at a regular position. time will tell if Hughes is the man to do it, but if Hughes were to win starting nickel then I have to doubt they would put him out on return teams as a regular.
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