After releasing guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera the Minnesota Vikings found a new guard in Nick Taylor. He's a little small for a guard in football but he was just fine for a point guard in basketball. In his final season at Florida International in 2009 he was listed at 5-10 and 165 pounds. He had a marginal collegiate basketball career. He had no collegiate football career. Taylor spent last season playing cornerback in a minor arena football league. He's got a long way to go be part of a 53 man NFL roster but stranger things have happened.
Taylor, 23, worked out at FIU's pro day on Wednesday, where he clocked at 4.34 and 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The Vikings apparently thought enough him to bring him to Minneapolis for a private workout on Friday. They signed him shortly thereafter. Taylor said that team officials told him his long-shot bid to make the roster will include a look at cornerback, punt returner and perhaps receiver, too.
I actually like that the Vikings are kicking all the bushes to find football talent. It certainly can't hurt. San Diego's all-pro tight end Antonio Gates spent his college career at Kent St. on the basketball court rather than the football field. Who knows? Maybe, Taylor becomes a punt return demon. The Vikings have checked out some non-football players in recent years. Track star Todd Lowber had a shot. He didn't make the team but he bounced around some practice squads and played in the Canadian Football League. Wrestler Brock Lesnar tried out as a defensive end. He was a huge attraction with the fans at training camp but was an early cut. Those two didn't work out with the Vikings. Maybe, Nick Taylor can. You never can tell.
Welcome to the NFL Nick Taylor.
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