By Chad Courrier
MANKATO — Benny Sapp may jump the route, making a nice interception, or he may bite on the fake, thinking he’s got the pick, only to see the receiver get behind him.
“That’s (training) camp,” he said. “I may gamble more than some, but I want to make plays, that’s what I do.”
Sapp, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, is battling for a backup and nickel position in the Vikings secondary. Nearly every practice, Sapp jumps in front of a receiver to make a breakup or interception, but that always seems to be followed by a receiver catching a long pass behind him.
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said that he spends a lot of time talking with Sapp about taking chances.
“You want aggressive corners,” Frazier said. “But you don’t want to be aggressive and give up plays over the top.”
Sapp and second-year cornerback Marcus McCauley appear to be the front-runners for the nickel position and primary backup to starters Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin.
“(Sapp) has really added some spice to that position,” Frazier said. “It’s really heated right now.”
In Sapp’s first four seasons, he made six starts, most of the time playing behind veteran Ty Law. He has 101 career tackles and two interceptions. He chose to sign with the Vikings because he trusted the coaching staff.
“They seemed loyal,” Sapp said. “Sometimes, when you go to a place, you feel at home. You want to make the right decision, and I think I did.”
Sapp said that all the defensive backs are performing well, and he stressed that what’s best for the team is his main concern.
“Every day is an opportunity,” he said. “As long as God gets me up in the morning and lets me put on the pads, there’s an opportunity.
“I’m an emotional player. I love the game, and when I show emotion, maybe that helps another guy get going. It’s all about team chemistry.”
