It was more evidence that Asamoah, 24, entrenched in his third NFL season, is finding his niche.
“Any time I get to step out on those white lines, man, it’s an honor because a lot of people don’t get that opportunity,” Asamoah remarked. “So I’m just trying to maximize every opportunity I get, which right now is special teams. I’m making the most of it and going out there and trying to dominate every time.”
Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels said Asamoah “continues to assert himself as the leader of the pack. I asked our group several weeks ago, like, ‘Who’s the true pulse of the unit?’ “
Third-year safety Theo Jackson has played a team-high 256 snaps on special teams. Kamu Grugier-Hill, a 43-game starter at linebacker in his nine-season career, has logged 251. Asamoah is next at 237 (69.7%), and making his case as a doubly important Viking, amping up teammates with his voice and play style.
Take for instance, in Minnesota’s first home game in almost one month (Dec. 1 against Arizona), he hustled more than half the length of the field to square up with Cardinals punt returner Greg Dortch and make a solid solo tackle in the open field. It saved a 7-yard return from becoming potentially worse.
One game before that, Asamoah clutched onto the football after Jerry Tillery’s giant left mitt blocked a field goal attempt by Bears kicker Cairo Santos. His alertness shifted into higher gear on the runback – Asamoah went left, cut right, changed speeds, started to roll, stopped and weaved back to his left toward the painted “C” logo at midfield. He made at least five skill position-esque moves during the 22-yard return.
“Why are you trying to cut back?!” Dallas Turner shrieked at Asamoah on the sideline afterwards.
In the calmest, direct-est tone, Asamoah quipped, “No, I’m a running back.”