Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that rookie CB Chris Cook has been running with the first team ahead of former New York Jet Lito Sheppard. Cook is reportedly battling both Sheppard and Asher Allen to fill in for Cedric Griffin who may or may not suit up in Week One’s contest versus New Orleans, as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.
Mancini’s Take: Seeing the rangy 6-2 Cook getting the nod over Sheppard should come as a shock to no one given the veteran’s subpar showing last season. In Minnesota’s system, Sheppard will be asked to contain receivers and funnel them towards the middle of the field, as opposed to playing the man-to-man style the Jets employ. Sheppard is physical. In fact, he’s a little too physical and gets a lot of flags thrown his way due to his overactive hands. Cook, on the other