Special teams have bonded, blossomed behind Daniels
EAGAN, Minn. — The bond Matt Daniels has developed with his players in his first season as special teams coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings stretches out of the practice facility and into the parking lot.
Each week, Daniels turns over his designated space to a player whose effort and performance on the unsung units of the kicking game warrants the honor.
From the VIP vehicle treatment to his self-appointed player nicknames to the custom-made hats — with “ST” on the front and an African proverb about the strength of community on the side — he gave the group, Daniels has done his best to make Minnesota’s special teams, well, special. That starts with strategy meetings that are always interactive, never paternalistic.
The fellowship was strengthened during training camp when Daniels’ father, Bruce, died of a heart attack. Daniels told his players he needed their support, and the connection has only grown since.
“I’m always big on a two-way flow of communication,” Daniels said. “I don’t want to be up there where you’re constantly hearing me talk for 30 or 40 minutes and I’m not hearing any type of conversation coming back at me.”
The 33-year-old’s first season in a leadership position at any level has coincided with an overall improvement by the Vikings in this vital area and facilitated a unique camaraderie on a team that counts strong chemistry as a major asset entering the playoffs. They host the New York Giants in the wild-card round on Sunday.
“It’s just great to have a coach who’s trusting in you, believing in you, kind of feeling like a player on team in the way he’s integrated himself into the building,” said backup safety Josh Metellus, who blocked punts in consecutive games last month and was recently
voted as a replacement captain for injured right tackle Brian O’Neill.
All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola is “Sir Po.” Kicker Greg Joseph is “G-Money.” Practice squad wide receiver Dan Chisena is “Hot Sauce.” Daniels goes by “Hat,” a moniker that stuck with him in college after a big hit in practice.
Daniels got a degree in public policy at Duke, where he was a first team All-ACC safety in 2011. He latched on as an undrafted rookie with the Rams and lasted four years in the league.
Painfully bad luck for his playing career served as a seed-planting spark for his move into coaching, even if he didn’t fully appreciate it while rehabilitating a torn ACL and MCL in his knee in 2012 and then a broken tibia and fibula and dislocated ankle in 2013. Both of those injuries occurred while blocking on kick returns when another player rolled
into his leg.
Bradbury cleared to return:
Vikings center Garrett Bradbury has been cleared to return to the starting lineup after missing the last five games of the regular season with a back injury.
Coach Kevin O’Connell announced that Bradbury would start against the New York Giants in the wild card round playoff game Sunday. He fully participated in practices Thursday and Friday. Austin Schlottman started the first four games in Bradbury’s absence until breaking his lower leg, when backup guard Chris Reed took over at center.
The Vikings listed three players as questionable for the Giants game: cornerback Cam Dantzler (ankle/ personal matter), kickoff returner/running back Kene Nwangwu (illness) and safety Harrison Smith (knee). O’Connell said he expects Smith to play.