Mike Priefer quietly returned to Winter Park amid the Adrian Peterson chaos Monday and got a warm ovation from Vikings players.
"We clapped for him when he came into the meeting room today," fullback Jerome Felton said. "Everybody is excited to have him back because he is a big part of our team."
Felton said Priefer, the special teams coordinator who was reinstated after serving a two-game suspension for anti-gay comments made during the 2012 season, apologized for his absence and was happy to be back, telling the team, "It ends today. We're going to move forward."
Priefer was initially issued a three-game ban from the Vikings that could be reduced to two games at the team's discretion if he went through sensitivity training. In a statement the Vikings released Sunday, they felt Priefer "was fully and thoughtfully engaged throughout the process and successfully completed the program."
Priefer, who did not speak publicly Monday, addresses the media on Thursdays.
"I'm proud that Mike did the things that he had to do," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "I'm proud that we didn't ruin a guy's career because he made a mistake. I'm glad that we were able to stand by him. I appreciate all of his hard work and the things that he's done during these two weeks."
Interim special teams coordinator Joe Marciano filled in for Priefer during the first two games, but Zimmer took responsibility for the poor special teams performance in the 30-7 loss against the Patriots on Sunday.
Defensive end Chandler Jones blocked a field goal and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the first half. The Vikings defense and punt return units were confused at times on fourth down due to the Patriots stalling their decision to punt the ball. It led to the Vikings having nine players on the field during a Patriots punt in the second half.
Felton said Priefer's presence will make a difference as one of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL.
"We think that we will raise our special teams play having him back," Felton said.
Uncertain label
Cornerback Xavier Rhodes was asked about being a No. 1 cornerback and facing some of the top receivers in the NFL weekly, but he gave a puzzled look at the reporter.
"No. 1 corner? What do you mean by No. 1 corner?" Rhodes asked.
He was then asked again after the interview if he thought he was a No. 1 cornerback. Rhodes replied, "Well, the stats show that I'm not."
The second-year cornerback has the tools to reach that No. 1 cornerback label, but it was apparent against the Patriots that Rhodes still is growing. He was called for three penalties, which he considered 50-50 calls, though Rhodes was targeted six times by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, according to Pro Football Focus. Zimmer doesn't think Rhodes has any confidence issues, however, despite the performance.
"Obviously we don't want penalties defensively, but the good thing is if you want to take a positive out of that is we're pretty darn close to all the receivers in those situations," Zimmer said. "We've got to keep perfecting the technique of not only being in the right place and contesting catches but not committing fouls."
Rhodes said the penalties were frustrating and threw him off his game.
"You start questioning your technique and what you should do," Rhodes said. "In a situation like that, you just got to believe in yourself and believe in your technique."
Failing grades
A Pro Football Focus evaluation wasn't necessary to notice left tackle Matt Kalil struggled against the Patriots.
Kalil allowed two sacks and four quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, against the Patriots. The offensive line as a whole allowed 10 quarterback hurries in a game where Matt Cassel was sacked six times.
Kalil also failed to block Jones on the blocked field goal right before halftime that would have cut the Vikings deficit down to 17-10.
"The guy he went up against yesterday, [Jones] probably went to Canton [Pro Football Hall of Fame] yesterday," Zimmer said. "He had a great game. He blocked a field goal, scored a touchdown, but Matt is still working on some things. We talked a little bit this morning about some things. He's going to have to continue to get better. We're going to have to get him better, and we expect him to get better."