The Vikings' Captain Munnerlyn has righted his own ship

Cameras and recorders flock to Captain Munnerlyn most days at Winter Park. His big, welcoming smile and jovial personality make for easy conversation and good quotes.

The veteran defensive back, however, still is trying to prove to the Vikings that he's more than what others label him to be.

During training camp, coach Mike Zimmer tabbed the seven-year vet as a nickel back, hinting his role in the secondary would be limited. The comments came after Munnerlyn's disappointing first season with the Vikings, and that didn't sit well with him.

Last spring, Zimmer had shot an earlier flare. "We're not going to take any 5-9 corners here," the coach said, just hours after the drafting 6-foot cornerback Trae Waynes in the first round.

Munnerlyn is 5-9, 195 pounds.

"I definitely use that as motivation," Munnerlyn said. "If I sit here and tell you that I don't, I'd be lying to you. If [Zimmer] wants me to be a nickel back, I'll be the best nickel back in the league."

Feisty — just like his play so far. Munnerlyn has combined for 14 tackles and made life difficult for receivers during the team's 3-2 start.

He helped stall one of Kansas City's late drives by shutting down two of Alex Smith's targets, and Zimmer took notice. Munnerlyn is also playing a role in the nickel's run defense and blitz package.

Despite that nickel tag, playing time hasn't been an issue. He took 61 percent of the snaps in the 16-10 victory over the Chiefs and 63 of 72 in the last meeting with the Detroit Lions, whom the Vikings face Sunday at Ford Field.

Zimmer is glad he was able to motivate Munnerlyn.

"I try to be honest with the guys, and he's done a really good job," Zimmer said. "He continues to understand what we're trying to teach and what we're trying to do. … Sometimes the first-year guys have a little harder time because we try to be disciplined and we try to do things right. We believe in a certain way."

"To his credit, he's come a long way," Zimmer emphasized.

Munnerlyn is the first to admit he performed poorly last season as a full-time cornerback. He struggled to fit into Zimmer's defensive scheme after five seasons in Carolina, and he was eager to the make the big play instead of doing what he was asked.

Once preseason rolled around, there was even some question that he would make the final roster. Waynes took a lot of the snaps as the nickel back, and Terence Newman had taken over the full-time corner spot.

The process humbled Munnerlyn, he said, and helped him get back to his old self.

"At first, I wrestled with it because I knew that I can go out there and be an every-down corner," he added. "But last year I didn't play my best football. So sometimes you just got to re-evaluate yourself and re-evaluate the situation you're in. That's what I did and now I'm the nickel back, so I just go out there and compete and make plays and fly around."

It's easy for his teammates to recognize the change on the field.

"He changed up his attitude," cornerback Xavier Rhodes said. "He's more confident in what he needs to do. He's just a captain on the team and he does his job and make sure other do theirs. … [Last Sunday] he was in the right position when it was crunch time and when we need him and he made the plays."

Like Munnerlyn, safety Andrew Sendejo knows how difficult it can be to earn Zimmer's trust. Sendejo is impressed with his teammate's response.

"Cap has done a great job all year stepping up and making plays that have come his way," Sendejo said. "I think he does play with a chip on his shoulder. He plays with a feisty attitude. … We're going to continue to lean on him to make big plays."

Waynes already has benefited from his time with Munnerlyn.

"I've learned a lot from him. He's helped me and other guys to learn this new system," Waynes said. "He's always willing to help people. … He's serious about what he does. He's always learning and trying to get better. Once we're in the locker room or outside of football, he's all fun and games."

Jason Gonzalez • 612-673-4494