Vikings' Edwards on Cherilus: 'He's still in the college mode'
It's no secret Gosder Cherilus is still struggling with his technique in his second year as the Lions' starting right tackle. It's why he was in and out of the lineup early last season, and it's one reason -- though hardly the only one -- why Matthew Stafford spent a lot of time running for his life Sunday at the Metrodome.
But fourth-year defensive end Ray Edwards, the unsung member of the Vikings' dominant front four, wasn't impressed with Cherilus after Sunday's game. Keep in mind, Cherilus isn't well-liked by the Vikings after his hit on Jared Allen last fall. And he's actually gotten the better of Edwards in previous meetings. But it's alarming to hear, nonetheless, if you're a Lions fans.
"He's still, I believe, in the college mode," Edwards told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after a big day that included two sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble on Kevin Smith that Edwards recovered on the first play of the second half.
Edwards went on to critique Cherilus' pass-blocking skills, saying film study exposed weaknesses.
"Yeah, I see that he turns his shoulders quickly," Edwards said. "If you are out wide on (Cherilus), he turns his shoulders quickly. So I tried to beat him around the corner quickly and he used his hands a lot."
