Califan007 The Constipated Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 http://washingtonexaminer.com/undrafted-corner-worth-the-chase-for-redskins/article/2501050 When the NFL red-flagged him before the draft, teams were scared off by two words: microfracture surgery. So cornerback Chase Minnifield went from high-round prospect to intriguing undrafted free agent.This is what they say now about the rookie cornerback: He could be a steal. He could help a team. He could, someday, become a starter. If (and that's the loaded word) Minnifield is healthy -- and it must be noted he practiced this spring for the Redskins, less than six months after surgery on his right knee. "I'm out here to prove everyone wrong," Minnifield said. "But I don't have much to prove. My game will talk for itself." This talk of slights and motivation is nothing new. "Chase hasn't changed one bit," said his father, Frank, a Pro Bowl corner from 1984-92 with Cleveland. "That's just his personality." For now, all Chase Minnifield proved is that he can play well in shorts and a helmet, as he did in the June minicamp. There's a long way to go to declare him a success story. But still ... "If the kid turns out to be healthy, he'll be a great steal for them," said Russ Lande, the Sporting News' draft analyst and a former NFL scout. "He's a legit starting corner in the NFL: great length, very good ability and natural ball skills. A tough kid. ... Hopefully a year from now he blossoms into the player he was before he hurt his knee. It's a great risk to take." Here's why: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman21ST Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I loved that we were able to land him. Dude is legit, we should have our corners set for the foreseeable future as long as he's healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetThePointsSoar Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 It just seems like these days the FO is making ALL the right moves. THESE are the types of risks & flyers you take, as opposed to the boneheaded moves of the previous regime. Every player we seem to bring in lately all seem to be high character guys with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Love it. If this is a dream, don't wake me baby. Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skins2victory Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 It’s very exciting that the skins gave themselves the opportunity to potentially have an undrafted player be a developing starter....... I think most of us on here will be watching him closely with our fingers crossed, I know I will..... HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma There Goes That Man Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 It’s very exciting that the skins gave themselves the opportunity to potentially have an undrafted player be a developing starter....... I think most of us on here will be watching him closely with our fingers crossed, I know I will.....HTTR Califan, are you a Redskins PR rep or something? I swear we get more news and stories from you than we do Redskins.com. Great article though. Really looking forward to seeing him develop as I think he can be a strong piece in our secondary for years. The FO has done a masterful job and I anticipate Chase eventually becoming another in a string of hits the FO has made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted July 2, 2012 Author Share Posted July 2, 2012 Califan, are you a Redskins PR rep or something? I swear we get more news and stories from you than we do Redskins.com. You should check out Bubba's Breaking News forum...HapHaszard has everyone beat in terms of number and quality of Skins news articles lol :yes:... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doghouse4x4 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I think he will turn out to be a steal personally. ---------- Post added July-2nd-2012 at 12:12 PM ---------- Califan, are you a Redskins PR rep or something? I swear we get more news and stories from you than we do Redskins.com. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC9 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I'm telling you, I was pissed with every round that went by after we drafted LeReibus that this kid was still on the board and his name wasn't called. The fact that we got him as an UDFA just made it sweet. If he puts out on the field this franchise is going to take care of him and he should know by now this fanbase will take care of him for a looong time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnyskins Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I hope he works out because I love seeing UDFA make teams and contribute. IF he becomes a starting corner next year, that would be the biggest draft steal for us in 10+ years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibbidoe Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 The thing I love about this team right now is how many different players, in many different positions, have potential and interesting stories. There are several guys who have a chance to overcome adversity/long odds, continue progress at new positions, achieve personal goals and HOPEFULLY help bring us back to greatness. RGIII, Helu, Hankerson, Darrel Young, Niles Paul, Brown, Jenkins, etc. Just a lot of guys who may become the next great Redskin at their position. Minnifield is a perfect example of it. Talented kid, undrafted because of injury, making every effort to prove that he belongs. Good story and seems like a good kid. Best of luck to him and all the others. HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggo-toni Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 This is like a classic Beathard move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpacePenguin Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Nice article. We sure do like our UDFA's around here for some reason. Maybe its that we've seen so many of Cerrato's draft picks bust or maybe it's that everyone loves an underdog, but for whatever reason most years, there's at least one whom posters seem to rally behind. This season it's unquestionably Chase. I'm rooting for him as well! Take Dhall's job please! ;p (Before someone gets all flamed up, I know Chase is not likely to rise higher than nickel/dime CB on the depth chart this season.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Talented on and off the field, like so many of the other young signings of this regime. As a franchise we're killing it re: talent evaluation compared to what we are used to and it appears to have got better as our scouting dept has meshed with Mike. Hope it stays intact for a few more years before guys start accepting the offers that can't be far away. Still find it amazing no one drafted him given how good surgery is these days and his talent/desire/work ethic/genes. We have some good CBs going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskindan07 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Hopefully he is legit and can take DHall's spot one day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicCitySkin Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I have a good feeling about this kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mahons21 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Is this kids situation different than the combs? Seems like we're being overly optimistic that chase will be able to stay healthy. I'm certainly rooting for him, but remain cautious about my optimism after the comb burned me soo bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondog Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 And our fans officially have their rookie mancrush/underdog story that we're all rooting for. I think everyone realizes what a steal is as long as he's healthy enough to regain his form - and that is the obvious nagging question. I already was hoping for big things from him down the read, after reading an article like this about how driven and intelligent he is, combined with the fact he was full go (regardless of without pads), I expect him to get back to form and contribute sooner rather than later. We are lucky there was such a good connection between his father and Bruce Allen, and it should be noted that if Hall and Wilson continue to improve and so does Chase, our corners could eventually become another strength for this defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlSkinfan Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't there a UDFA CB who was reported to sign with the Skins (i.e. imposter / hacked Twitter account ), to then only later find out he signed with the Iggles? Might be nice to see the development of both he and Minnefield. perhaps something else to try and best them at. For the record, I think we will surprise some (esp. NFCE) this season. Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Acre Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Is this kids situation different than the combs? For starters, we didn't use a draft pick on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conn Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Didn't know his father was a probowl CB. So he's got the pedigree, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuriousD Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Heart, desire and smarts! Seems to be a common thread running through the new breed of Redskins rookie these days. It's very refreshing, to say the least. Chase the dream, baby! We're rooting for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossomo Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Heart, desire and smarts! Plus kid is pissed off with a chip on his shoulder; this is his go to prove himself the better growing up in his fathers shadow. Not to mention injury. The science with microfracture surgery today isnt what it was in 2002. I read somewhere on a random med forum that opinions on the surgery haven't caught up with the science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roanoker Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Many of my friends and I were ecstatic when Chase went under the radar screen and ended up being picked up by Shanny. I believe he's a keeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smackdown 46 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Frank Minnifield was great in Cleveland, if the son carries on the tradition........look out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsGuy Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Is this kids situation different than the combs? Seems like we're being overly optimistic that chase will be able to stay healthy.I'm certainly rooting for him, but remain cautious about my optimism after the comb burned me soo bad. Kelly had a history with injuries before he was released. Does Minnnefield have a history with injuries in college, or did he have just this one injury? Keep in mind, he isn't just any UDFA. Minnefield was thought to possibly go as high as the late 2nd round (most likely in the third). His injury scared teams off. Folks hear the term "microfracture" and they think 'career threatning injury'. So teams stayed away. Even the Redskins, who didn't risk a draft pick on him. He didn't miss any time in mini-camps and OTAs, so hopefully everything works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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