re: Marcus Sherels leaves Vikings for one-year deal with Saints

isnt that the guy that killed us with big returns just to keep the vikings in the game long enough to put them in position for the miracle missed tackle?

Can we keep someone on the roster that is just a return man?

Add back pj Williams imho

LINK

The New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement in principal with former Minnesota Vikings cornerback and return specialist Marcus Sherels, according to a league source.

The 31-year-old Sherels had spent his entire nine-year career with the Vikings up to this point, making his most notable impact as a punt returner. His five career punt return touchdowns rank second among active players behind Darren Sproles. He has also dabbled as a kick returner, with a 25.5-yard career average on 53 kick returns.

Sherels also comes to the Saints with experience at defensive back, though his playing time has been limited there in recent seasons. His last extensive playing time on defense came in 2013, when he was on the field for 45 percent of the Vikings defensive snaps. Since then, he has played a cumulative total of 74 defensive snaps.

It is expected to be a one-year contract for Sherels, according to a report from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The contract is expected to be finalized within the next few days.

Sherels is a Minnesota native who played collegiately at the University of Minnesota.

Vikings (and Pelicans) fan. Love Sherels. Not explosive but rarely fumbles. I remember him fumbling once in forever so it was nice to never worry about some special teams bs.

Pure return and st coverage guy. Never put him in the game on D

I don’t mind having a designated return guy who doesn’t play defense but they better have at least one backup outside corner they feel ok about in case of injury. Robinson is terrible outside. Hardee actually played well but he’s very inexperienced and was a WR in college. We may end up carrying 6 corners this year and just 4WR so they can keep Crawley on the roster.

LINK Best Sherels article I've seen so far.

There looks to be a new member of the New Orleans Saints’ special teams rotation this year.

On Thursday, the organization and defensive back/specialist Marcus Sherels agreed to terms on a one year contract, according to a report from the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota).

Undrafted from Minnesota nine years ago, Sherels has been with the Vikings organization for his entire NFL career, but has left the team in order to “chase a Super Bowl,” according to the report.

Sherels was courted by a half dozen teams this offseason, including Minnesota, who made overtures to re-sign the player, but in the end, he decided to make the move to New Orleans.

Though listed by the Vikings as a cornerback, Sherels built his reputation in the NFL primary as a return specialist, and boasts a record at first place in Vikings history with a 10.4 yard career punt return average in addition to the record for five career punt return touchdowns.

Sherels will enter the Saints’ training camp considered to be the favorite to win the team’s starting return position after a series of impressive showings in recent seasons.

In an exhibition game two summers ago against Seattle, Sherels intercepted a pass from Trevone Boykin and returned it for a 53 yard touchdown in an eventual Minnesota victory. In the regular season, Sherels returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown late against Carolina, and added a 79 yard yard touchdown against Houston in Week 5.

In that same year, Sherels also became the first Vikings player to have two games in which he finished with more than 100 yards in punt return attempts.

In his career, he has 208 returns for 2,171 yards.

Sherels also has Vikings franchise records in single season punt return average (15.2), the most punt return yards in a single game (119), the most punt return touchdowns in a season (two), and is the first Minnesota player to have two games with more than 100 punt return yards.

He also has 53 career kick returns for 1,350 yards.

In all, Sherels has appeared in 120 NFL contests and has made six total starts at cornerback.

The 31 year old is the third former member of the Vikings organization to come to New Orleans this offseason after running back Latavius Murray signed a four year contract with the club to replace Mark Ingram and guard Nick Easton joined the Saints to succeed Max Unger at center.

New Orleans featured running back Alvin Kamara as their lead punt returner last season. He had 12 return attempts and averaged just 6.8 yards per bring back. Next on the list was wide receiver Tommylee Lewis, who has eight punt return attempts and 7.5 yards per return on average.

Lewis is now with the Detroit Lions after signing with that organization this week and Kamara is expected to take on a far larger role on offense even than before with Ingram gone.

Guess Hardee and Sherels will be our gunners for punt coverage.