Minnesota Vikings Sign Safety Chris Crocker

No, not this Chris Crocker.

I'm talking about Chris Crocker, the long-time veteran safety that has made several stops across the National Football League. . .including, most recently, in Cincinnati with new Minnesota Vikings' head coach Mike Zimmer.

Crocker was selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns out of Marshall. He spent his first three years with the Browns, played the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, and spent a season with the Miami Dolphins before spending the past five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

How "veteran" is he? Well, at 34 years old, he's officially the oldest player on the Vikings' roster, a year older than long snapper Cullen Loeffler. Last season, in 12 games, Crocker put together 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 passes defended, and two interceptions, including a 32-yard pick six against the New York Jets.

Crocker will, presumably, now enter the competition to start opposite of Harrison Smith for the Vikings. To make room for Crocker, the team released defensive end Rakim Cox.