Sanford Could Push For Starting Role?

Judd Zulgad (Star Tribune) reports the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff, primarily coach Brad Childress, were impressed by rookie safety Jamarca Sanford’s performance on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sanford replaced injured safety Tyrell Johnson at the strong safety position and racked up six tackles on defense, as well as another two tackles on special teams.  Johnson is still the starting safety, but Childress acknowledged Sanford could at least challenge Johnson for the starting job at some point.

“Right now, Tyrell has been hurt, he’ll come back and be the starter,” Childress said to the Star Tribune.  “Jamarca, great experience to start a game and know that you don’t miss a step with him.  It’s hard to read into the future on what the competition looks like.  By nature, being No. 2 behind a No. 1 there is always that push.”

The Internet message board community is already speaking about benching Johnson in favor of Sanford.  Johnson is definitely improving his game every week and to have a player like Sanford in the wings is a big plus.

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