Marcus Sherels: Just doing his job

Usually when you lose there is something positive you can pull out of it, regardless of the final score. Sunday’s game against the Browns left the Vikings with very little to be positive about. The defense couldn’t stop a 3^rd string quarterback, the offense faltered in the red zone (again), and the special teams allowed the Browns to score a touchdown on a fake field goal and gain 34 yards on a fake punt. Combined with 3 untimely turnovers, it was difficult to watch.

The only positive thing the Vikings can take from this game is the play of Marcus Sherels. He led the team with 8 tackles, 2 passes defended, and made a critical tackle on a fake punt, which would have gone for a touchdown had he not made the play. He wasn’t perfect, he did fumble the ball once and you would much prefer your defensive backs to record interceptions instead of tackles, but he didn’t give up any big plays on defense and made several impressive plays in the open field.

Forced into a much larger defensive role following injuries to starter Chris Cook and backup, A.J. Jefferson, Sherels played much better than anyone expected. For a guy that keeps finding a way to stay on the roster he played extremely well.

Marcus Sherels came to the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was assigned to the practice, then cut from the practice squad, then resigned to the practice squad, and finally added the active roster all during the 2010 season. The next two seasons he remained on the roster as a return man/backup cornerback and his spot on the roster was as safe as it could be for a player who is primarily a special teamer. In training camp this season the Vikings brought in Bobby Felder to compete with Sherels, following training camp and a few preseason games, Felder was winning the competition.

During the final preseason game Sherels returned a kickoff 109 yards for a score and intercepted a pass, while Felder suffered a serious ankle injury, ending any competition for Sherels' job.

During the game against the Browns, Sherels once again played his best when the pressure was on. Forced into a much larger role, he far outplayed expectations and didn’t let the spotlight affect him. It speaks volumes for him but it also speaks volumes for the rest of the defense. When the pressure has risen, they have wilted.

When needing one stop with the game on the line, two weeks in a row the defense has failed. The Vikings have sack leaders, consecutive pro-bowlers, and first round draft picks and on Sunday their best player was an undersized, undrafted, backup. The rest of the defense needs to start playing like their jobs are on the line, they need to start playing like they might not get another chance, they need to start playing like Marcus Sherels.