Sharper and Smoot Give Vikings Something New

With the acquisitions of Fred Smoot and Darren Sharper, the Vikings will have something new: a defensive secondary. Not since the days of Joey Browner have we had any talent to speak of behind the linebackers. Now we do.

Fred Smoot, who had three picks and 56 solo tackles last season, is also going to be fun to listen to. Try this quote on for size. "Water covers 65% of the world. The other 35% is covered by Smoot." This guy is going to be fun.

And now Darren Sharper, who we've seen in action during his time with the Packers, joins the crew. No more Ken Irvin. No more Rushen Jones. And thank goodness, no more Ralph Brown.

Although each year in recent memory the Vikings have claimed to have a better defense, this time they're on to something. The Williams' will dominate the defensive line, allowing Udeze, Johnstone and Mixon to appear better than they are. Smoot, Sharper and Winfield will cover receivers like a blanket, or at least successfully take care of their assignments, making guys like Brian Williams and Willie Offord less vulnerable. As for the linebackers...well, we still have some issues there. Hopefully Napoleon Harris will make this core better, but the linebackers will still be our weak spot.

Still, two out of three segments of the defense are solid this year. Maybe even great. After so many years of an all-around terrible defense, I can live with that.