Vorschau » started his first training camp with the Min

MANKATO, Minn. - Captain Munnerlyn started his first training camp with the Minnesota Vikings away from the action and on the sideline, placed on the physically unable to perform list so he could work his way through a minor hamstring injury. Make no mistake, though. Munnerlyn will play the most prominent role in this teams young secondary. "Im definitely a leadership kind of guy," he said. "My names Captain!" Drafting Teddy Bridgewater was the off-season move by the Vikings that created the biggest stir, given their decade-long quest to establish a long-term solution at quarterback. Signing Munnerlyn in free agency was the most important acquisition in the meantime, however. This is a defence that allowed an average of 30 points per game last year, the most in the league, and the root of the problem was at cornerback. The Vikings abruptly dumped veteran Antoine Winfield to save space under the salary cap, and again declined to bring him back once the season started so they could add quarterback Josh Freeman. They lost not only their emotional compass, but pound for pound their best tackler. Winfields skill at playing the slot position against formations of three or more wide receivers was a stabilizing force for the group while others had their ups and downs at the outside spots. Josh Robinson was asked to learn slot coverage on the fly and failed at it often. Xavier Rhodes emerged during his rookie year as a promising building block, but he was still raw and was frequently injured. Chris Cook had another unproductive season and was not brought back. The rest of the depth chart was, to put it diplomatically, mixed and matched. Now with Munnerlyn in the fold and a scheme change under new coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings are banking on far better performances from their defensive backs. "We want no uncontested throws, so we want to be right up there on the receivers and limit those windows those quarterbacks have to throw it," defensive co-ordinator George Edwards said. Munnerlyn is tied with Charles Tillman for the most interception return touchdowns over the past four seasons, with five. He was credited last year with a career-high 13 pass breakups and 86 tackles. With Rhodes entrenched at one spot, Robinson is in line to start at the other outside spot with Munnerlyn in the middle. Shaun Prater, Derek Cox and Marcus Sherels are the other returners in competition, and draft picks Jabari Price and Kendall James are also under consideration. But while the evolution of NFL offences has dictated the nickel defence to be used almost as often as the base alignment, there will be plenty of plays when only two cornerbacks are on the field. Munnerlyn doesnt plan on being on the sideline for those. "Im never going to sell myself short in being just a nickel. I feel like Im a starting corner," he said. "I can be that guy on the outside. Yeah, I think its a job up for grabs, and if a jobs up for grabs Im going to win it." Munnerlyn was attracted to Minnesota largely because of Zimmer and his preference to play physical, pressing coverage at the line of scrimmage. That fits his style well. "Thats something I pride myself on, not letting my guy catch the ball," Munnerlyn said. The Vikings will need a lot of that from Munnerlyn to improve upon their greatest weakness of 2013. "Ive been happy with him. Hes very, very competitive. He likes to talk a lot on the field, so weve got to keep him reined in a little bit," Zimmer said. "But thats better than having to go the other way." Dalvin Tomlinson Womens Jersey . Scrivens stopped 48 shots and captain Andrew Ference scored in overtime as the Oilers pulled off a 4-3 upset of the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Darius Slayton Youth Jersey . 2015 Oscar nomination pending. 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Olympic hockey management team have been making what he called "ghost rosters" since August.Wilfried Bony joined Manchester City from Swansea on Wednesday to strengthen the English Premier League champions striking options and fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.Although City paid around $40 million for the 26-year-old forward, he will be competing for a starting place alongside Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic.Competition is normal, Bony told The Associated Press after signing a 4 1/2-year contract. Its the best players that will make me better. So I will work and then we will see (what happens).Bony completed the deal while in Abu Dhabi with Ivory Coast ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs through Feb. 8. The competition could prevent Bony from making his City debut for a month.He will hope to be in the team for the round of 16 Champions League game against Barcelona on Feb. 24, while helping City defend its Premier League title.Its for the (Premier League) title and to play the Champions League is why I decided to join Manchester City, Bony said in the interview in Abu Dhabi in French. Its a team that can be champions (of EEurope).dddddddddddd We can see this for four years. This is very important for me to make a step forward in my career and I am very happy for this.City is second in the Premier League after being held on Saturday by Everton, two points behind Chelsea.Its a team of champions, a team that always look to be champions and win trophies, Bony said. So I will join in this spirit, and its up to me to create my own way and fight to be part of them.The need to sign Bony was highlighted by recent injuries which forced City to play midfielder James Milner as a makeshift forward.Bony, who joined Swansea in 2013 from Dutch side Vitesse Arnehm, has 25 goals in 54 Premier League matches.He is very difficult to mark because he is so strong, City manager Manuel Pellegrini said on the club website. He is an intelligent footballer who has skill and power. His goals record has been excellent since he came to England.He adapted very quickly to the game here, and he will settle in at City quickly. He will be a very good addition to our squad. We now have four top-class strikers. ' ' '