Vikings sign Terence Newman to one-year deal

Terence-Newman-032715-Getty-FTR

Terence Newman is reuniting with coach Mike Zimmer for the third time in Minnesota.

The Vikings signed the free-agent cornerback to a one-year, $2.5 million contract that includes $750,000 in guarantees, the team announced Friday.

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NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported the deal on Thursday.

The veteran previously played under Zimmer for four seasons in Dallas and two seasons in Cincinnati, when Zimmer served as defensive coordinator there.

“That’s the biggest thing. He can still play. He came in the league later. I think he was 25 when he came in,” Zimmer said, according to the team's website. “He struggled a little bit in Dallas and then played great in Cincinnati. Last year, he didn’t play quite as good, so seemingly with me, we get things fixed a little bit. I really respect him, and I think he really respects me.”

Newman, 36, was selected by the Cowboys as the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and earned two Pro Bowl selections in 2007 and 2009. He was released in a salary cap move in March 2012 after his productivity and health began to decline.

Newman signed with the Bengals as a free agent the next month and started 41 games over three seasons. He recored 72 tackles, 14 passes defended and one interception last season.

In his 13-year career, Newman has accumulated 786 career tackles (622 solo), 37 interceptions and 169 pass breakups.

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