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He's been bothered by a back injury, too, as has Andrew Sendejo. Robert Blanton started camp with the first team, but Zimmer said this week he likely will miss another preseason game with hamstring trouble.
Savviness is an important trait,Nike Shox Gravity, too, particularly in this case with a new scheme under coach Mike Zimmer. Crocker has more than six seasons of experience in it, primarily with Zimmer as his defensive coordinator in Cincinnati.
MANKATO,NFL Jerseys Cheap, Minn. (AP) — Health problems have piled up in recent weeks for the Minnesota Vikings at strong safety, already one of the iffiest positions on their roster.
"He's kind of just come in and really been a calming storm with the injuries we've had back there at safety," defensive coordinator George Edwards said.
Working his way back into game shape, with the weight of the helmet and pads, has been a challenge. The Vikings held Crocker out of the exhibition opener last Friday against Oakland to give him more time, but he's on track to start next to Smith this Saturday against Arizona.
Rookie Antone Exum, a fifth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech, has also been in the mix. With Crocker being held out along with the slew of injured safeties, Kurt Coleman started at that spot last Friday.
Crocker was a late signing the past two years, too, not joining the Bengals until well into September. He didn't consider himself retired this time, either, but he wasn't interested in starting over with a new system with a coach other than Zimmer.
Sanford and Sendejo are expected to play against the Cardinals, along with Mistral Raymond, who left the game against the Raiders with a concussion.
When a 12-year veteran joins a team after the beginning of training camp, such a move can look desperate. Crocker obviously won't be as fast at age 34 as he was at 25, but he's had success in coverage and blitzing.
"I'm the older guy: been there, done that, seen it. So if I'm not able to come in and acclimate fast then I shouldn't be here, I guess," Crocker said.
"I don't know how, but he has got me to play at a very high level throughout my career, and I've played my best football with him," Crocker said. "So it's just not smart to go somewhere else at this point. I want to end on a good note if this is my last year, or next year or whenever."
So instead of playing catch up, Crocker actually has a head start.
"We know he's a true pro. Great communicator back there. He has an extensive knowledge in this defensive scheme,China Jerseys Cheap, so he's not going to be surprised by what somebody offensively does schematically," Edwards said.
"Really all I ask for is just an opportunity. At the end of the day, I think I can live with myself if I say I had the opportunity and I didn't make it,Cheap Baseball Jerseys," Coleman said.
Harrison Smith has the free safety spot in good hands, but a host of others lacking a standout have been competing to be the starter next to him. Then the Vikings signed Chris Crocker,Jerseys NFL Wholesale China, and the outlook cleared up a bit.
"We're trying to win ballgames right now, and you don't really have a lot of time to wait and see,Cheap Jerseys Online," Crocker said.
Jamarca Sanford has started most of the games at this spot the past two years, but new coaching staffs always require players to prove their ability. |
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