The beginning of 2021 has not been kind to Bashaud Breeland. The free agent most Vikings fans assumed would step right in and at least be adequate, has been anything but. After three terrible performances to start the year, Breelands poor play culminated in a week four removal following an egregious coverage error early against the Browns. Although the team listed his absence as due to illness, most believe it was likely due to his play.
To Breeland‘s credit, on Friday he stood in front of a podium and a slew of Vikings reporters to discuss the season and his play thus far. The presser didn’t last long and certainly didn’t go well.
“New team, new scheme. Trying to get fundamental with the team and the play-calling.” Breeland initially said in response to questions about his play thus far. “It’s been a rough start but we’ve got a lot of football left… When times get tough you’ve got to dig harder.”
Then, as reporters pushed a bit about his last play in the Cleveland game, he seemed confused.
Unfortunately for Breeland, it didn’t stop there as one of those reporters was Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Tomasson is probably as well known for his heated exchanges with Mike Zimmer as he is his actual writing. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very good writer, but the man has a knack for asking questions that piss people off. His exchange with Breeland was no exception.
Tomasson asked if Breeland was embarrassed by his PFF ranking of 103 out of 103 cornerbacks in the league. Breeland fired back by ranking Tomossan’s writing.
Listen, I like a good reporter versus athlete/coach battle as much as the next guy, but if we’re all being honest Tomasson’s question was a BS cheap shot, even for a guy playing as poorly as he is. It was fun to watch Breeland fire back, but let’s hope he takes some of that attitude onto the field this weekend. It seems like he plans to, as he went on to tell fans and media “ya’ll just watch” followed by “I can’t wait til Sunday”. The reality is that the Minnesota Vikings are quite thin at cornerback and certainly can’t go on to have a very successful season if Breeland doesn’t at least give them something. Let’s hope this is the moment Breeland turns things around and gets right.
