Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
And Boyd has seen a heavy uptick in his defensive snaps of late. The special teams ace has more than held his own on defense, too.
"All the corners [have] played better," Zimmer said. "I think Kris [has] played a lot more disciplined.
"Jeff continues to get better each and every week as far as understanding things, understanding his role and what the offense is capable of," Zimmer added.
Both Gladney and Boyd said they haven't been fazed by getting thrown into the fire, especially in back-to-back-to-back wins over Green Bay, Detroit and Chicago.
In a way, they've been molded for this opportunity from their Texas roots.
"We both have embraced it. At this point, with the limited number [of cornerbacks] we do have, we know everyone is depending on us," Gladney said. "Really, these are the moments — not the circumstance of everyone getting hurt — but these are the moments you ask for.
"You're pushed out there and everyone is depending on you," he added.
Up next is a two-step with Dallas Cowboys at 3:25 p.m. (CT) Sunday.
Gladney participated in a media session with Twin Cities reporters on Wednesday and described his family's shift of allegiance from the Cowboys to the Vikings.
"I was always a Cowboys fan growing up. Just like I told my dad, he can wear a double-sided jersey, but the Vikings have got to be on the front," Gladney said with a laugh. "He's rooting for the Vikings for sure this week. The whole family's rooting for the Vikings even though we're Cowboy fans.
"They're all on the bandwagon, and for me, it's an easy switch that makes me just want to play harder just playing the home-state team," Gladney added.
The former Big 12 corners are quite familiar with the threat posed by rookie CeeDee Lamb, who was drafted in the first round out of Oklahoma, as well as Amari Cooper. Lamb leads all rookies with 44 receptions and ranks third with 595 yards. Cooper vexed the Vikings last season in Dallas with a whopping 11 catches for 147 yards and a score. He leads Dallas with 59 catches for 655 yards this season.
The Cowboys, however, have struggled with continuity at quarterback since Dak Prescott was lost for the season in Week 5. Andy Dalton, who started two games before missing time, is expected to be back and face a Zimmer defense in a game for the second time of his career. They overlapped with the Bengals from 2011-13.
Gladney and Boyd are certain to bring another round of toughness to the game.
"It's all we know. Once you're out there, you have to do your job and get the job done, man," Boyd said. "It's a mutual understanding between us two. We don't even have to say anything. We already know from how we grew up and how we handle things … nothing has changed. The only thing that's changed is the colors on our uniform. We've got to bring that same mentality."
It's the mentality of bEast Texas.