RandyMoss84
08-02-2007, 06:41 PM
McCauley leans on Winfield
Vikings rookie has good teacher
By Chad Courrier
The Free Press
MANKATO —
On draft day back in May, Marcus McCauley had two wishes: that he’d be drafted by either Denver or Minnesota.
If one of those came true, he’d get a chance to learn the cornerback position from the Broncos’ Champ Bailey or the Vikings’ Antoine Winfield.
Now with a couple of months’ practice with the Vikings, things have worked out even better than the third-round draft choice from Fresno State could have imagined.
“It’s the best possible situation I could be in,” McCauley said. “Every question I have, he has the answer. He’s been awesome.”
McCauley has been one of the most impressive players in this first week of training camp, showing up with a big hit, pass breakup or interception at nearly every practice. On Tuesday, he stepped in front of a short pass and took the interception down the sideline for a touchdown.
“I had that same play before, and I just missed it,” he said. “You have to take that back to the lab, learn from your mistake and not let it happen again.”
He also had a big hit on a short-yardage drill, stuffing the corner and bringing down the running back, a play that should have made his role model Winfield proud.
“When you’re a corner, I think you get more respect when you can hit somebody because they assume you can cover,” McCauley said. “It’s like a linebacker, you’re expected to hit people. When you can cover, that’s when you get respect.”
Despite being just 5-9 and 180 pounds, Winfield has always been known as a big-hitting, sure-tackling corner. He’s comfortable with being a mentor at training camp, remembering how he felt when he was a young player in Buffalo, always asking veterans Ken Irvin or Thomas Smith for advise or tips.
“I just let (McCauley) know you have to work hard, it’s not easy,” Winfield said. “Every team is going to challenge you when you’re a young player.”
Winfield said he’s found an eager student in McCauley, who’s battling for a spot as the nickel back in pass coverage. Whether it be on the field, in the locker room or in the lunch line, McCauley has found Winfield and safeties Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith to be good sources of information.
“He soaks up everything he can get,” Winfield said.
McCauley, who is bigger at 6-1 and 203 pounds, is clearly becoming more comfortable with each practice, yet he always has time to seek out Winfield on the sidelines, looking for an edge when it comes to the next play.
“Everything is new to me,” he said. “(Winfield) just tells me to trust my instincts and trust my ability. You’re going to make mistakes, just make the mistakes at full speed.”
I just thought I find this interesting, would you guys be happy if the Broncos have drafted Marcus? Just curious!
Vikings rookie has good teacher
By Chad Courrier
The Free Press
MANKATO —
On draft day back in May, Marcus McCauley had two wishes: that he’d be drafted by either Denver or Minnesota.
If one of those came true, he’d get a chance to learn the cornerback position from the Broncos’ Champ Bailey or the Vikings’ Antoine Winfield.
Now with a couple of months’ practice with the Vikings, things have worked out even better than the third-round draft choice from Fresno State could have imagined.
“It’s the best possible situation I could be in,” McCauley said. “Every question I have, he has the answer. He’s been awesome.”
McCauley has been one of the most impressive players in this first week of training camp, showing up with a big hit, pass breakup or interception at nearly every practice. On Tuesday, he stepped in front of a short pass and took the interception down the sideline for a touchdown.
“I had that same play before, and I just missed it,” he said. “You have to take that back to the lab, learn from your mistake and not let it happen again.”
He also had a big hit on a short-yardage drill, stuffing the corner and bringing down the running back, a play that should have made his role model Winfield proud.
“When you’re a corner, I think you get more respect when you can hit somebody because they assume you can cover,” McCauley said. “It’s like a linebacker, you’re expected to hit people. When you can cover, that’s when you get respect.”
Despite being just 5-9 and 180 pounds, Winfield has always been known as a big-hitting, sure-tackling corner. He’s comfortable with being a mentor at training camp, remembering how he felt when he was a young player in Buffalo, always asking veterans Ken Irvin or Thomas Smith for advise or tips.
“I just let (McCauley) know you have to work hard, it’s not easy,” Winfield said. “Every team is going to challenge you when you’re a young player.”
Winfield said he’s found an eager student in McCauley, who’s battling for a spot as the nickel back in pass coverage. Whether it be on the field, in the locker room or in the lunch line, McCauley has found Winfield and safeties Darren Sharper and Dwight Smith to be good sources of information.
“He soaks up everything he can get,” Winfield said.
McCauley, who is bigger at 6-1 and 203 pounds, is clearly becoming more comfortable with each practice, yet he always has time to seek out Winfield on the sidelines, looking for an edge when it comes to the next play.
“Everything is new to me,” he said. “(Winfield) just tells me to trust my instincts and trust my ability. You’re going to make mistakes, just make the mistakes at full speed.”
I just thought I find this interesting, would you guys be happy if the Broncos have drafted Marcus? Just curious!