Former Cardinal Jefferson part of the coaching staff this week

Backup cornerback A.J. Jefferson has been a popular fella among the coaching staff at Winter Park this week.

Why?

Because two months ago he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals, who play the Vikings at Mall of America Field on Sunday.

"I feel involved a little bit more this week," Jefferson said. "They want to talk to me a lot. I feel like part of the coaching staff now."

Jefferson spent Monday going from meeting room to meeting room to share his inside knowledge of the Cardinals.

"It was about 45 minutes on Monday, and I anticipate them asking me more questions as the week goes on," Jefferson said. "I talked to [special teams coach Mike Priefer]. I sat in the offensive room when they had a meeting. And I was talking to my teammates this morning about the receivers and just trying to help them out and let them know what they can do to stop those guys."

Jefferson joined the Cardinals as a rookie free agent in 2010. He played in two games that year and then started seven of 16 games last season. He was traded to the Vikings on Sept. 1 as the Cardinals were making their final roster cuts.

Jefferson gave a couple of quick scouting reports on quarterback John Skelton, who replaces the injured Kevin Kolb this week, and receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

On Skelton as opposed to Kolb: "Skelton is a bigger guy. He stands in the pocket tall. He can throw the ball downfield. They're both good runners, so you have to keep them contained, but I think Skelton is the better downfield passer."

On Fitzgerald: "He's a big-bodied guy. You definitely have to get your hands on him and stop him from getting downfield because he's a threat anywhere he is."