veteran leadership

[vike daddy]

you draft youngsters for your future, but you obtain veterans for leadership and the training of the college kids.

i love that the vikings are emphasizing that this year, it will make a big difference on the field:

Cowart was shifted to the middle last season, and he made 13 tackles and forced a fumble in the season opener. But he suffered a sprained knee in the second game, was sidelined for six games and gave way to rookie Jonathan Vilma, who played brilliantly and was the NFL defensive rookie of the year.

"It wasn't that I couldn't get my spot back," said Cowart, who passed the Vikings' physical Thursday. "I think they went with the youth movement, which is definitely understandable."

Despite some rough times, Cowart is not mad at the Jets.

"I'm definitely happy, not to say I was bitter or upset with the Jets," he said. "It wasn't like that at all. They knew I didn't want to settle for less."

With the signing of Cowart, the Vikings quickly are becoming the Midwest version of the old Bills defense. Coordinator Ted Cottrell, cornerback Antoine Winfield, defensive tackle Pat Williams and Cowart worked together when the Bills' defense was consistently ranked among the NFL's best.

Cowart, who also played under Cottrell while with the Jets, is looking forward to the reunion. And he is elated at the opportunity to play again with Williams.

"He's one of the best," Cowart said of Williams. "Every defense he's been a part of has been solid. Not only is a great run stopper, he's got the quickness and hand speed to be an effective pass rusher also."

Tice is confident Cowart can improve the defense.

"I talked to him about certain situations, and he gave me wonderful veteran answers," Tice said. "He's a guy who will be vocal for us in the huddle. As I've said throughout the offseason, I think we lack veteran leadership. With Darren Sharper and Pat Williams, Fred Smoot and Sam, we've added some players who bring veteran awareness and leadership to our huddle.

[marshall]

Wow your a Great writer that was Fantastic it was like reading a newspaper colum I really liked your style very polished, your right Cowart can be great, give E.J some time. I was estatic when we drafted E.J. i watched that bowl game with Maryland & Henderson and i thought he was going to be RAY Lewis!! He had a sack, an inteception, a forced fumble and i think he recovered it, and he had double digit tackles. He was one of those guys who was always around the ball, he needs time. I think the breakout players this year will Be our DE's from last year, i would not draft one very high anyway. Udeze will be GREAT after shoulder surgury, and didn't any one else notice #98 at the end of the year and in the playoffs Darien Scott will be super strong against the run, and he got enough hustle to get after the passer. With good Lbs now one will be able to run on us.

[BaltimoreTerp]

are you sure that wasn't a newspaper article? wow well written.
_________________
"The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day.”

[UtBDan]

errr... It's not a newspaper article?
_________________
UtBDan:
Music Education student at Marywood University in Scranton, PA
...bassist.
Vikings fan.

[Helter]

we are definetly looking like a team that can get the job done

[vike daddy]

of course it's a newspaper article, guys, i didn't write it.

it's not like i can call up tice and get quotes from him, you know.

[Helter]

sure you can , just offer him some 2005 SB tickets

[vike daddy]

ha!

and a pencil sharpener.

[Helter]