Vikings' injuries create opportunities

Benny Sapp was on the field when Charles Gordon suffered a gruesome leg injury on a second-quarter punt return Sunday.

"It hurt my heart," Sapp said. "Chuck is one of those guys who I talk to on a regular [basis], who I kid around with, joke around with. Then to see that, it really hurt my heart. Really hurt me bad."

But Gordon's season-ending injury -- he suffered a broken fibula, a dislocated ankle and ligament damage -- created an opportunity for Sapp. The fifth-year cornerback is expected to take over the nickel role in the Vikings defense starting with Sunday's game in Tampa Bay.

The position is of paramount importance, because opponents often employ multiple-receiver sets against a Vikings defense that is among the NFL's best against the run. Gordon frequently replaced linebacker Napoleon Harris and served as a fifth defensive back, lining up inside against the slot receiver. Sapp spent much of practice this week working in that role.

"[Sapp] has played in the slot before in his career," said defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. "He's done a good job in the past, and he's well-versed in what we're trying to get accomplished. That's one of the reasons we signed him in the offseason, so that we could have a guy if something like this were to happen and still be able to leave Antoine [Winfield] at the corner position, which Benny allows us to do."

Sapp, 27, spent his first four seasons with the Chiefs but left last March for a one-year deal worth about $800,000 with the Vikings. Sapp had an impressive training camp in which he made several interceptions. But his gambling style also meant he gave up his share of significant downfield plays in practice.

When Gordon retained the nickel job that he had taken over midway through 2007, Sapp found himself on special teams and getting a few chances on defense in a dime (six defensive backs) look. He also was inactive for two games after suffering a hamstring injury.

"It was tough [not playing much] but the coaches, they make the decisions and for the most part it's a team decision so it's best for the team," Sapp said. "So I couldn't look at it like, 'I'm not playing,' or 'I'm not doing this or not doing that.' I couldn't look at it like that because we're all a team that's got one goal, and that's to get to the Super Bowl. If I felt like that, I couldn't be a part of this team"

Sapp steps into his new role with the advantage of having played extensively inside in the nickel defense when he was with the Chiefs, who, like the Vikings, use a version of the Cover-2 scheme.

"I think he has great instincts," Winfield said. "Really good ball skills and he loves to compete. He wants to go out there and make a play for us. I told him, 'Stay within the scheme, go out there and play hard and your opportunities are definitely going to come.' "

Winfield is capable of moving inside, and he did so early last season in the nickel. In those instances, Marcus McCauley would play the left cornerback spot normally occupied by Winfield. But the coaching staff prefers to leave Winfield on the outside.

Sapp took over inside after Gordon was injured and nearly made a key play in the second quarter. The Packers had first down at their own 10-yard line, when quarterback Aaron Rodgers' pass over the middle was tipped by Vikings linebacker Ben Leber and ended up in Sapp's hands for a brief moment until he dropped the ball.

He hopes to avoid any more miscues.

"It's a blessing, just to get an opportunity," Sapp said. "I just have to take advantage and make my teammate, my friend Chuck, proud of me because I know he will be."