Lineman Tom Compton is home and happy with Vikings

For offensive lineman Tom Compton, signing with the Vikings wasn't just a reunion with his home state, where he attended Rosemount High School, but it was also a reunion with quarterback Kirk Cousins as both were 2012 draft picks of the Washington Redskins.

Cousins was a fourth-round pick, going No. 102 overall, while Compton was in the sixth round at No. 193.

Compton played out his rookie contract in Washington, appearing in 44 games and starting 11, before going to Atlanta in 2016 and Chicago last year.

He was on the field when the Falcons blew their 28-3 lead over the Patriots in the 2017 Super Bowl. "That was definitely one of the tougher experiences of my football career," he said. "But it's definitely an experience I will never forget."

He remembers his time in Washington with Cousins fondly. The team went 10-11 in games Cousins started with Compton on the roster, and the Redskins reached the postseason twice.

"We had a great time there," Compton recalled. "Kirk was definitely ready to play, he studied real hard and always attacked it like he was going to be the starter. I respected that. He was always focused on being the guy."

Cousins wasn't the guy at the start, being the backup to 2012 No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III, who started 35 games over three seasons before Cousins took over.

"He is the same guy." Compton said. "He comes in with the same mind-set every day. He's out here competing, the same guy.

"We are still good friends. Obviously we work together and we're talking a lot more, but the friendship is always there."

Compton attended South Dakota out of Rosemount, where he grew up a Vikings fan. He was the first South Dakota draft pick in 12 years when the Redskins selected him.

He said he didn't see the NFL in his future early in his college years.

And what about the idea of playing for the Vikings?

After starting his career on the practice squad, which Compton said had to happen for him to get used to the speed of the NFL, he has settled in as a versatile offensive lineman.

"Everything is a lot quicker," he said. "I think it has been going well. Trying to get better at it every day."

Compton will start at left guard for the second straight game Saturday against Jacksonville. He was asked what he learned from the Denver game last week.

"The tape was pretty positive," he said. "We did some good things running the ball, protecting. Obviously there's a lot we can clean up and get better for this week with Jacksonville."

Will he feel any added pressure playing his first game at home for his hometown team?

Former Vikings head coach Bud Grant will be the grand marshal at a parade for the Minnesota American Legion's 100th national convention Aug. 26 in Minneapolis, and he will be a featured speaker at the Legion's banquet Aug. 28.

Grant, who turned 91 in May, enlisted in the Navy during World War II and played football at the Great Lakes naval training center along with Billy Bye and Dean Widseth before they all joined the University of Minnesota in 1946.

There's no question Grant's athletic history was a big part of the decision but even more so was his service in the Navy. He said he was very glad to get the opportunity.

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