A Wily Whitaker Weekend in Europe

Vikings cornerback Ronyell Whitaker tied an NFL Europe record over the weekend, and his coach back at Winter Park is keeping tabs on him.

Ronyell Whitaker started at right cornerback for the Rhein Fire and tied an NFL Europe record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Rhein’s 13-10 loss to Hamburg on Sunday.

Whitaker’s performances overseas haven’t gone unnoticed in Winter Park, where the coaching staff views film of him and others in Europe to keep up on how they are doing. His former position coach in Tampa Bay, Mike Tomlin, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Vikings, is among those reviewing Whitaker’s progress.

“I get reports on him and I watch games, and I guess he’s lighting it up,” Tomlin said over the weekend. “He’s doing well, but that doesn’t surprise me; I’ve known that young man for a long time. He has great football character. He has ridiculous work habits. He’s going to come in here fighting. He’s not going to take a back seat to anyone, and it’s going to be fun to watch those guys sort themselves out.”

Whitaker also posted five tackles and three passes defensed on the day.

Vikings wide receiver Aaron Hosack started and caught four passes for 57 yards for the
Frankfurt Galaxy in their 17-12 loss to Amsterdam on Sunday. Frankfurt is in second place with a 6-3 record.

Tackle Sean Bubin started at right tackle for the Hamburg Sea Devils in their 13-10 win over Rhein on Sunday.

All three Vikings in NFL Europe are expected to be back in action on Saturday.