Xs & Os: How Drafted Safeties Could Help Vikings

[Viktor]

Film Breakdown: Former Vikings player and coach Pete Bercich, now a Vikings Radio Network analyst, looked at some of Metellus' college tape and said he is "very intrigued by this pick."


Bercich suggested that Metellus should connect with Maalouf soon after entering Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.


"As a player, and I know this personally, everyone wants to make the team at their position. Well, the problem you have is you have Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith, two pretty darn good safeties in front of you," Bercich said. "It doesn't mean you're not a great football player, it doesn't mean you're not going to make this team, but you have to understand how. You've got to go to Marwan Maalouf's office, knock on his door and say, 'I'm going to be your best friend.'


"This is before going to your position coaches. You've got to get in there, get to know the special teams, let them know, 'Whatever it is that I need to do to make the team, I'm going to do,' Bercich continued. "I believe that Josh Metellus can be one of the better special teams players out there as well, so I'm looking for this kid to have an impact in a number of different ways this year. Tons of potential, love the way he reads and how quick he is to react."


Bercich noted that Metellus lined up at multiple spots before snaps and was quick to process what was going on during plays. One such play resulted in an interception at Maryland.


"In this instance here, he's the deep safety. As soon as the ball is snapped and the receiver is running that route, the flare. [Metellus] sees the flare, he knows that the outside guy is coming underneath, so he immediately stops his feet and goes underneath to pick that thing off," Bercich said. "When you have a safety who is not a 4.4 guy [in the 40-yard dash], he can't waste any movement, but I think this kid is veteran enough and can diagnose the plays. The ball gets tipped, he comes underneath and makes the play, so you've got to love — and you'll see it throughout this film — his ability to recognize plays and to be at the right place at the right time."


Bercich also pointed out a pair of pass breakups at Indiana.


"You'll see Josh out here toward the bottom of the field, kind of playing a nickel corner, but still a safety off," Bercich said. "As soon as he sees the receiver chop his feet, he looks inside and sees that slot receiver coming out to block him, so he knows he's got himself a whip screen in front of him. He plants his foot and is able to get underneath, get in and break that play up."


The other play against the Hoosiers involved diagnosing a pre-snap movement by Indiana and communication to other teammates before a goal-to-go play. Metellus then thwarts a corner route in the end zone.


"This is one of the hardest things you can do as a DB in a number of ways. First of all, it's 3-on-3 on the outside. They have no extra defender. That's tough," Bercich said. "The second thing is he's covering that slot receiver, and that slot receiver runs a corner route, so he's got to set up, be inside with his body and then get outside and undercut that route. I love to see the awareness of where he fits, the receiver coming at him, him blocking the inside, but as soon as that receiver cuts to the corner, he plants his foot, goes underneath and tries to get underneath that throw and break it up. Fantastic recognition."