Snaps with first team are no ego trip

MANKATO - Eric Frampton spent time with three teams as an NFL rookie last season, so he knows better than to get too comfortable.

That is why the Vikings safety showed a healthy dose of perspective Monday when asked about his work with the first-team defense in practice. Injuries opened the door for Frampton to showcase himself a little more, but the second-year player from Washington State knew better than to lose sight of his primary job.

"Special teams is my M.O.," Frampton said. "That's first and foremost. I know I'm clearly not a starter. But when I get in there I'm going to play like it. It starts with special teams. Even in college my coach always told me you're a special-teams player first."

Frampton's role on special teams will become even more meaningful with the loss of Heath Farwell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury Friday against Seattle in the preseason opener.

Frampton made an impact on special teams last season after being claimed off waivers from Detroit. He collected 14 tackles on special teams in nine games and was named a game captain against San Diego in only his second week with the Vikings.

Frampton is playing on all four special-teams units in training camp, including as gunner on punt coverage.

"He's just a really aggressive kid," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "He's a 90-miles-per-hour guy. He has a great knack for getting to the football, not unlike a guy like Heath. He's not the biggest, not the fastest and not the strongest, but he wants to get there."

Frampton is also trying to make his mark on defense. A neck injury to Madieu Williams has opened the door for more playing time, and the coaching staff appears happy with his progress.

"We went into this training camp trying to find out if he could help us as a safety, and he has done some things to make you believe that he can be a functional guy at safety and he's improving," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "He's improving in his awareness, been able to take proper angles to the football, playing the football in the air, which were some deficiencies in the past."

Frampton said he feels comfortable with the defense after bouncing around last season. He was drafted by Oakland in the fifth round but got released following training camp. Detroit signed him but then placed him on waivers after five games. The Vikings signed him in late October.

"It was stressful," he said.

Frampton said he doesn't want to take anything for granted, but he likes his current situation and thinks he can play a major role on special teams this season.

"It's unfortunate what happened with Heath," he said. "Coming into the season it was like, 'OK, we've got Heath Farwell. He's our leader on special teams and we have a couple other key players.' Now it's a big void that we have to fill."