Minnesota Vikings: The 4 Vikings With the Most to Prove in 2015

Nov 2, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (24) intercepts a Washington Redskins pass in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 29-26. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Captain Munnerlyn

Along with Linval Joseph, Captain Munnerlyn was the big free agency catch for the Vikings last off-season. He came in as an accomplished cornerback capable of covering both the slot and outside. He seemed like a great fit for Zimmer’s defense. Josh Robinson performed terribly in the slot in nickel formations in 2013. The addition of Munnerlyn meant Robinson would only be on the field in the nickel, but at an outside corner spot, with Munnerlyn in the middle. Munnerlyn would then play outside in two cornerback formations opposite Xavier Rhodes.

Unfortunately, Munnerlyn did not perform up to expectations in his first year in Minnesota. In fact, it got to the point that there were rumblings that Munnerlyn could have been cut after just one season on the Vikings. Munnerlyn himself has stated that he needs to put in more work and listen better to Zimmer and the rest of the coaching staff. Here is what Munnerlyn had to say, according to Brian Hall of Fox Sports North:

"“I’m definitely below my expectations. On the field I feel like I didn’t play well at all. I feel like it’s one of my worst years of football. At the same time, I feel like I helped a lot of guys being that leader in the secondary. I think we finished seventh, that’s a big difference from last year even though I didn’t play my best football. You put in that I played my best football, we might be No. 1. So, it was just some stuff I got to evaluate, study a little bit more in the offseason and get myself ready for next year.”"

It is all well and good that Munnerlyn is saying the right things but the proof will be on the field in September.