Hodges traded for 6th-rounder & center Nick Easton

[Mothman]

Wow, I'm not entirely sure what to make of this development but it's interesting!

[DK Sweets]

Spielman has been reading your posts, Jim.

[mondry]

Sounds like Hodges wasn't a team player and failed to listen to his assignments which makes a lot of sense and I've mentioned how he was getting washed out in run defense a lot, particularly against SF and Carlos Hyde's cut backs.

Zimmers big on working as a team and sacrificing your own personal stats / glory to get your job done, guess they got tired of his free lancing.

[fiestavike]

I am wondering who approached who. I would love to know if the Vikings were trying to move Hodges, or acquire Easton? Where the 9ers trying to acquire Hodges? Was Easton or the 6th round pick the "throw in" to even the deal up? Very interested to see what details might emerge.

Also of note, both Easton and Sirles have been praised more for their run blocking from what I've seen. I like what that might suggest. If the Vikings liked them enough to pursue them, its possible they are viewing them as more than just depth. I wonder if they are going to try to work either of them into the lineup. But of course, we don't even know if the Vikings were pursuing Easton or just took his as a flyer in a deal to dump Hodges for some unknown reason

BLLALAAARG too many questions, not enough answers.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

...

[84BreaksAnkles]

I just don't know if it's wise to bank on the fact that he plays center, like Matt Birk- And he's from Harvard, like Matt Birk..

This is an undrafted player, who was about to be let go by his team, coming in and we ship out a ready to plug and play starter, who is 3rd on our team in tackles. And can make plays to effect the game. This kid, who knows how he pans out, + a 6th rounder? I just don't see the value, unless Spielman and the boys really really like him.

I hope I'm wrong and its not just a case of Rick being like "Well, Birk was good and played for us, and he was from Harvard. So is this new kid! Maybe he's smart enough to overcome his shortcomings."

[808vikingsfan]

Really reading into things here, but maybe Hodges wasn't that well liked in the locker room?

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 72f60f14bf

Watched the video and didn't get any vibe that Hodges wasn't liked. I think just the fact that his teammates can joke around and talk to him and mention his name says he was liked more so than disliked. We're probably both reading too much into it.

Sure would have liked to see Cole moved instead of Hodges though.

[fiestavike]

I hope I'm wrong and its not just a case of Rick being like "Well, Birk was good and played for us, and he was from Harvard. So is this new kid! Maybe he's smart enough to overcome his shortcomings."

I'm pretty sure that's not it. I think they are probably taking a similar approach that they took at the WR position when they had some weaknesses there. Trust your scouts, bring in enough bodies to fill up an RV, and work them to see who sticks. You only need to hit on a couple guys to really upgrade the position...and you can do it on the cheap.

What's confusing to me is whether they REALLY like Easton or there was something odd going on with Hodges. The trade does appear a bit lopsided at face value.

[fiestavike]

Watched the video and didn't get any vibe that Hodges wasn't liked. I think just the fact that his teammates can joke around and talk to him and mention his name says he was liked more so than disliked. We're probably both reading too much into it.

Sure would have liked to see Cole moved instead of Hodges though.

admittedly, I'm just grasping at straws.

btw, the 96 questions segments are pretty funny.

[jackal]

A few thoughts on this...

The Vikings do have another linebacker coming back of injury status soon ?

The Ravens who have one of the best GM's(Ozzie N.) wanted this guy ....

He basically has followed the same path as Matt Birk into the NFL ...

His physical combine stats were pretty good. Seems to be a NFL Center in size
and ability(Intelligence and Strength)

Berger is very long in the tooth and made the team because of versatility...

[fiestavike]

Quotes about Nick Easton from Baltimore Ravens board when he was traded to SF

Draft pick? Really? That's it!

Good trade. Jensen, Urshel, Zuttah all can play center. getting a pick for an UDFA is good.

Good for Easton. I hated to think of him being cut. SF got themselves a good player for a couple years to come.

i like easton, and i thought he deserved a spot but i didnt know how we would fit him in, but to pick up a UDFA, and immediately trade him for a draft pick the following year.. even if its a 7th, thats just the rich getting richer. our FO is nothing short of brilliant, when will people understand this

Are you seriously complaining about trading a rookie free agent for a draft pick when he was at the very least third on the depth chart and NOT proven because he hasn't actually played in a single regular season NFL game? This move has nothing but class written all over it yet you seem to want to spew hatred all over it. A young man who didn't get drafted, was given a chance by one of the best teams in the NFL. He played good enough to make the team but they did not have the spot for him. insIead of just letting him go, getting nothing for him they traded him to a team that may actually give him playing time that isn't even in the same conference. If you can't see how brilliant and classy that is, seek help...

Great trade for both teams. We get a draft pick for someone who might have been cut or released after other pending signings and SF gets a good player and Easton gets to live his dream.

Good move for both teams. Easton wouldn't have played here, but he will for SF. Plus we get a draft pick. Win-win.

nobody is heartbroken, but he seemed to be well regarded by Ravens fans.

[S197]

I recall the Vikings first play in base defense was the long TD run by Denver. Pretty sure it was on twitter. In any case, the Vikings have been more and more heavily in the nickel, which makes Hodges less valuable.

I wish him the best. I'm not entirely sure what to think about the trade, I've never heard of Nick Easton, you could have told me he was a pitcher for the Braves and I would have believed you.

Chip Kelley seems like the type of guy who would want Patterson...

[VikingPaul73]

I didn't like Hodges at MLB but liked him on the outside.

This is why I really wish the Vikings had addressed OL depth in the offseason.....then they wouldn't have had to panic after having their OL absolutely embarrassed on Sunday by trading a promising young LB for an undrafted backup center (who was about to be released) on Tuesday.

Oh well, it was nice to have some decent depth at LB for a few weeks

[halfgiz]

Hodges is back playing with Navarro Bowman who he played with in college.
Kind of like the Kendrick's / Barr thing for us.

[Dirtyswabby]

Gerald Hodges JR. ‏@g_hodges6 14h14 hours ago

Haven't I been preaching bout how amazing God is! Told you

I think Hodges wanted out. This was posted right after news broke of the trade.