Minnesota Vikings: Terence Newman tackles father time

The Minnesota Vikings have re-signed 39 year-old CB Terence Newman but how much of an effect will the seemingly immortal defensive back have on the defense in 2018?

The Minnesota Vikings announced that they have resigned veteran CB Terence Newman on Monday. Newman will be in his 16th season and at 39, about to be 40 years-old, it’s fair to wonder whether or not he will make an impact on this defense in 2018.

After drafting a cornerback in the first round, the Vikings defensive backfield is starting to become pretty crowded. Newman’s biggest impact could very well be in mentoring and teaching the younger DBs, specifically Mike Hughes, how the NFL game works.

Newman has seen it all since being drafted fifth overall in 2003 and these young players should learn a lot of from him and by the sounds of things,  some already are. Rookies do not usually make it to the field on Mike Zimmer’s defenses and Newman, assuming he can still do everything he needs to do in coverage, could be playing a fair amount this season while Mike Hughes learns.

After playing in the league for so long, Newman seems to possess a nearly psychic-level of play diagnosis, which allows him to stay productive on the field among younger, faster wide receivers. In 2017 Newman had 25 tackles and an interception to boot.

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Having a player in the locker room who has spent the majority of his 16 year career with Mike Zimmer has to help in the communication from coach to team. At the very least the defense backs will benefit from Newman’s knowledge of Zimmer’s schemes, heck, if Newman figures out he has lost the fire early in training camp, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him join the coaching staff.

Terence Newman is exactly the kind of player you want on your roster and Vikings fans should feel good about him returning to the team, especially after the draft.