The Vikings face the Buffalo Bills once every four years during the regular season, but cornerback Xavier Rhodes will line up against a familiar foe at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday.
The second-year cornerback will prepare for wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was the fourth overall pick in last year's draft. Rhodes, who attended Florida State, squared off against Watkins, who attended Clemson, twice in college.
"The kid is just good," Rhodes said. "He's explosive when he comes out of his breaks. I can say about his game now is he's more detailed now. They're probably on him for being more detailed, being at the right spot at the right time, not drifting his routes."
Watkins, who had one of the worst games of his young career last week against the Patriots, has prepared for press corners leading to his matchup against cornerback Darrelle Revis. The rookie was held in check for only two catches for 27 yards. Watkins will continue to prepare in practice to face other physical corners this season, such as Rhodes.
"I've got our cornerbacks being very physical from grabbing me, holding me, pushing me while I'm running my routes," Watkins said on a conference call with Twin Cities reporters Wednesday. "I've got those guys trying to get me better every day in practice."
Greenway 'pretty good'
Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway could see another streak fall this season, though he'll probably be a little happier about this one.
Greenway was a full participant at Thursday's practice, marking the second consecutive day he's been able to practice. He has missed the past three games because of broken ribs, snapping a streak of 90 consecutive starts and 115 consecutive games played.
"[Wednesday] we were in pads, and he felt pretty good," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "We've done another test to see where he's at healing-wise, and he looks pretty good. So I'm going to have to trust him with what he says."
