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The Vikings have added to their linebackers group, the team announced Wednesday.

Minnesota agreed to terms with free agent DeMarquis Gates, who most recently played for the XFL's Houston Roughnecks.

Being that the XFL's season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic after just five games, players from the league were allowed to sign with NFL teams. Gates' Roughnecks ended their debut campaign as the league's lone undefeated squad at 5-0.

 

Here are 3 things to know about the new Vikings linebacker: DeMarquis Gates

1. Making the highlight reel

Gates played a key role in the Roughnecks defense, coming up with big plays like the one below, which initially appeared to be an interception but was called a fumble recovery in the stats book. The play clinched a Houston win over Dallas.

His 32 combined tackles tied for fifth in the XFL, according to league stats. Gates also had 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and an interception through five games.

2. Multiple stops along the way

Gates has played for three professional football leagues.


He initially joined the Browns in 2018 as an undrafted free agent but was released. He then played for Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. Gates led the AAF with 52 tackles and five forced fumbles through eight games before the league folded.

In April 2019, Gates signed with the Redskins but was waived in June.

3. Rebel before a Roughneck

Gates played at Ole Miss from 2014-17, leading the Rebels in tackles each of his final three seasons.

As a senior, he became the first Ole Miss player to record more than 100 tackles since five-time All-Pro Patrick Willis accomplished the feat in 2006.

Gates' 70 solo tackles in 2017 topped the SEC and put him at 13th-best in FBS. His 9.5 tackles per game ranked third in the conference.

Vikings.com

 

Is he that player that threw a punch? i do believe he's the one

 

I don't know... ive seen very little XFL.

 

The Vikings have reached an agreement with offensive guard Dakota Dozier, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.

The one-year, $1 million deal will return Dozier to Minnesota for a second season.

He spent his first five seasons with the Jets.

In 2019, Dozier played 16 games with four starts. He saw action on 362 offensive snaps and 73 on special teams for the Vikings.

Dozier, 28, has appeared in 53 career games with 11 starts.

 

After further review, yes, he was that guy who threw the punch after making a play, got ejected and signed autographs on the sidelines, lol.

 

Tajae Sharpe is gonna replace Stefon Diggs can't see it,is it gonna be the same old same old again?

 

I'm really scared that Rick will fu*k up the draft and Anthony Harris will get traded i hope not,still can not figure out why the Vikings couldn't work out a deal with Kline and Pat Elflien is still on the roster,IMO the Vikings are officially a mess

 

The Vikings are showing interest in Jarius Wright he's 30 yrs old got to be a smoke screen by the Vikings,when he was on the roster he didn't get much playing time he can't replace Diggs and get a young wide out and in the draft get a mobile QB as your backup cause Shaun Mannion ( sp )is a disaster

 

Adam Thielen: Stefon Diggs trade was a bummer

The Vikings fielded a potent receiving duo over the last few years, but they opted to break it up this offseason by trading Stefon Diggs to the Bills.

It was not a development that brought a smile to the face of the other half of the tandem. Adam Thielen said he ” learned so much from [Diggs] as far as a receiver, how to run routes, different things like that” over the years and that he’s going to miss their partnership in the future.

“Obviously, it’s a bummer that he’s not here because it was such a fun duo to be able to work off one another and things like that, whether it be practice or games,” Thielen said on KFAN, via the Pioneer Press. “So, I’m definitely going to miss that, but it will be fun to see him have success somewhere else.”

The Vikings signed Tajae Sharpe to go with Bisi Johnson as options to work with Thielen. They also have 12 draft picks, including two first-round selections, that could be used to further build out the group.

NBC

 

The door is wide open for Bisi Johnson to step up and for this COVID-19 to go away this is becoming a nightmare

 

I really like Johnson. Breakout season on tap?

 

Wouldn't be bad to see Eli Apple land a spot in Minnesota.

 

I can see a breakout year for Bisi Johnson if they make him part of the Offensive game plan Eli Apple interesting

 

Yeah when you look at though Adam Thielen eyes the Diggs trade was a BUMMER Diggs took a lot pressure off Thielen

 

Should the Vikings trade for Odell Beckman No they just got rid of the tweeting Diva,the Vikings are a run first team not a enough football's would be thrown his way would he cause a fit and be a headache...DON'T WANT HIM OR NEED HIM

 

You would love watching him make some crazy catches that didn’t matter because he missed some easier ones.

 

WOW!Harrison Smith is not on the all decades team but Cordarrlle ( sp ) Patterson is why Harrison Smith was a more important player

 

The whole thing was kinda silly. They had Tyreek Hill as a punt returner.

 

Yeah it's the silly season i guess there's going to be a lot of weird and wacky stories