E.J. named backup

**jiggyjack** · 03-20-2005, 04:03 PM

fanball is reporting because of the recent signing of Cowart that E.J. has been named the backup heading into training camp.

Tice was quoted as saying that E.J. has a lot of football to learn and needs to dedicate himself to being a much better football player...Tice also said he hopes he can return to being an elite special teams player.

I was hoping that Cowart would be a depth move but I guess E.J. needs to earn it back. I think his play was poor last year, but this has me a little concerned with Cowart's injuries in the past and his age.

**midgensa** · 03-20-2005, 04:05 PM

I don't see how anyone would be surprised by this. Cowart is superior in leadership, tackling, coverage and knowledge of the system. E.J. definitely has some raw talent and is an extremely solid back up to turn to should Cowart go down.

**muchluv4smoot** · 03-20-2005, 04:06 PM

"jiggyjack" wrote:

fanball is reporting because of the recent signing of Cowart that E.J. has been named the backup heading into training camp.

Tice was quoted as saying that E.J. has a lot of football to learn and needs to dedicate himself to being a much better football player...Tice also said he hopes he can return to being an elite special teams player.

I was hoping that Cowart would be a depth move but I guess E.J. needs to earn it back. I think his play was poor last year, but this has me a little concerned with Cowart's injuries in the past and his age.

EJ basically needs to learn, that he needs to work off the field too. He didn't study at all, and was unable to lead our D. That is why cowart was brought in to start. Cowart is still a d@mn good football player and will help our D out a lot. He is a guy that always hits the right gaps, something our LB's never seemed to do right last year.

**dan3ski** · 03-20-2005, 04:51 PM

EJ basically needs to learn, that he needs to work off the field too. He didn't study at all, and was unable to lead our D. That is why cowart was brought in to start. Cowart is still a d@mn good football player and will help our D out a lot. He is a guy that always hits the right gaps, something our LB's never seemed to do right last year

I gotta agree with this all to often last season the Viking LB's shot the wrong gaps.

**PurpleRide** · 03-20-2005, 05:04 PM

Good, maybe sam will COVER someone

**kramer9guy** · 03-20-2005, 05:10 PM

Yeah, not a surprise at all...I like E.J. but he does need to sharpen his skills. Maybe behind a seasoned vet for another year or two he can step it up.

**ultravikingfan** · 03-20-2005, 05:13 PM

Good. At least he can now learn and be a quality back-up.

**DefensivePlaymaker** · 03-20-2005, 07:29 PM

"jiggyjack" wrote:

fanball is reporting because of the recent signing of Cowart that E.J. has been named the backup heading into training camp.

Tice was quoted as saying that E.J. has a lot of football to learn and needs to dedicate himself to being a much better football player...Tice also said he hopes he can return to being an elite special teams player.

I was hoping that Cowart would be a depth move but I guess E.J. needs to earn it back. I think his play was poor last year, but this has me a little concerned with Cowart's injuries in the past and his age.

this is good. at this point EJ is not good enough to start. He's no Vilma that's for sure, who as a rookie played spectacular. maybe a season or two learning behind cowart, EJ will return more focused and be able to read plays better.

**finnishvikingsfan** · 03-20-2005, 07:32 PM

I would like to see another seasoned vet on the roster to possibly help with DT.

**cajunvike** · 03-21-2005, 09:22 AM

Just think...we now have one helluva backup at MLB...one who will be learning from a more experienced player ahead of him...when EJ is ready to start again, he will be awesome!