While the Vikings' struggles on offense and against the pass last season have been well documented, the team also had its problems on special teams. One of the biggest areas of concern centered around the kickoff and punt coverage units.
Only Oakland (2-14) ranked ahead of the Vikings (6-10) in the NFL when it came to average starting field position allowed after kickoffs (30.7-yard line for Minnesota, 32.6 for the Raiders). Atlanta finished atop the NFL at 23.6.
"One of our key points of emphasis as we graded players throughout the draft was special-teams ability, whether it was cover ability, whether it was return ability," coach Brad Childress said Tuesday following another day of organized team activities (OTAs) at Winter Park. "It was a huge point of emphasis to elevate the speed on the coverage units."
The Vikings also signed free-agent linebacker and special-teams ace Vinny Ciurciu to a three-year, $3 million deal that included a signing bonus of a little more than $500,000. Ciurciu spent his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers and was a key contributor on special teams.
"I think 80 percent of it is heart and 20 percent of it is ability," Ciurciu said of success on special teams. "If you want to go down there and make the play, chances are you're going to."
Vikings special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro worked with Ciurciu in 2005 when Ferraro was a special teams assistant with the Panthers. Ferraro is optimistic the addition of Ciurciu and draft picks such as Marcus McCauley, Brian Robison and Rufus Alexander will help matters.
"We've got a lot more depth than we had a year ago," Ferraro said. "The competition is greater, and any time you have a lot of competition, you're going to get better. I expect us to improve in both punt coverage and kick coverage."
Valuable experience
With Antoine Winfield staying away from OTAs, McCauley saw time with the first-team defense Tuesday at left cornerback. McCauley, the Vikings' third-round pick from Fresno State, was playing opposite Cedric Griffin, who is entering his second season.
"That's the great upside, probably the silver lining with Antoine not being here is [McCauley's] turns," Childress said. "You can't put a premium on the turns that he is getting out here versus formations, motions, different route concepts. I think that's a great thing for him. He's done a good job."
McCauley has good size (6-1, 203 pounds) and clearly has made a positive early impression on the coaching staff. During last week's minicamp, which Winfield did attend, McCauley played with the first team in the nickel package.
Etc.
• Winfield's absence from the Vikings' OTAs on Tuesday was no surprise. He participated in the mandatory minicamp last weekend but has not taken part in this offseason's voluntary team functions, which includes these OTAs. Winfield has not given his exact reasons for staying away, but indications are he isn't satisfied with the direction of the franchise.
• Defensive end Kenechi Udeze was sent home before Tuesday's practice after he became ill.
• Monterrey Tech football coach Frank Gonzalez, who has won three consecutive Mexican national championships, will intern with the Vikings this summer as part of the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program. Gonzalez was an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles in the same program last year.
• Fullback Tony Richardson and several of his teammates played host to 50 Special Olympic Minnesota athletes Tuesday at Winter Park for a punt, pass and kick clinic.
Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com
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