Doubters in his ears, Erin Henderson ready to play angry

[PacificNorseWest]

It's a shame E.J.'s career was cut short by that injury. Still had a healthy career, but I felt he had a few more very good years left in him.

[losperros]

Henderson's discipline, in general, needs work. He has all the physical tools he needs to be a starting NFL middle linebacker. But he needs to play smarter, not angrier.

I agree. Maybe Henderson also needs to be more emotionally inspired to do the homework for the job. It's overall technique and the mental aspect of the game that holds him back.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I don't care if he plays angry, sad, mad, or happy. As long as he can cover the middle of the field better then it has been, learn how to be a Mike (calling the plays with confidence) and can stop the run and tackle. I think he has the tools as much as anyone on the team (which isn't saying a lot I know).

[King James]

It's a shame E.J.'s career was cut short by that injury. Still had a healthy career, but I felt he had a few more very good years left in him.

E.J was terrible in the pass coverage, that is why the Vikings let him go. He just isn't the same player anymore. But I'd take a unhealthy EJ over his brother Erin. Erin is horrible.

[Eli]

E.J was terrible in the pass coverage, that is why the Vikings let him go. He just isn't the same player anymore.

You seem to be saying two different things. He was let go because he was hobbled by his injury, not because of his pass coverage skills, which were never good. He's just 33 now. If he hadn't been injured he might still be with the team and starting at MLB.

[PurpleKoolaid]

E.J was terrible in the pass coverage, that is why the Vikings let him go. He just isn't the same player anymore. But I'd take a unhealthy EJ over his brother Erin. Erin is horrible.

No way is Erin worse then EJ in coverage. If he was, the Vikings wouldn't be talking about putting him there. We don't know if Erin can handle coverage as a MLB, but I don't think anyone on the planet ever thought EJ was good at it.

[NextQuestion]

Anyone remember the Reggie Wayne 30 yard TD that Erin was trying to cover? Ugh.

[Funkytown]

Probably an extremely biased opinion, but EJ says Erin is going to thrive at middle linebacker and be a beast. I hope so.

[King James]

No way is Erin worse then EJ in coverage. If he was, the Vikings wouldn't be talking about putting him there. We don't know if Erin can handle coverage as a MLB, but I don't think anyone on the planet ever thought EJ was good at it.

Well I know one thing. He couldn't handle pass coverage at the WILL LB spot. Why else would be getting Gerald Hodges, who is predicted to start Game 1? Im sure some people will say that made the move because of Brinkley leaving and wanted someone with experience like Erin to cover the middle. I will refuse to believe that...lol

Erin is blessed right now. Urlacher who was probably is only threat, is retiring and didnt want to take the lower contract offer. The two guys he is competing with, one is coming off three injury(Mauti) and the other one is still developing (Cole) but either of them still has a shot to win the job.

Im pulling for Michael Mauti. Last year I was pulling for Cole and I still like Cole and wouldn't be mad if he won the job. But Michael Mauti has those leadership state. He's one of those Ray Lewis types. Not talent wise, but when it comes to inspiring your team on the field and on the sidelines. He knows how to rally the team. I hope becomes a great NFL player.

[Eli]

Well I know one thing. He couldn't handle pass coverage at the WILL LB spot. Why else would be getting Gerald Hodges, who is predicted to start Game 1? Im sure some people will say that made the move because of Brinkley leaving and wanted someone with experience like Erin to cover the middle. I will refuse to believe that...lol

Erin is blessed right now. Urlacher who was probably is only threat, is retiring and didnt want to take the lower contract offer. The two guys he is competing with, one is coming off three injury(Mauti) and the other one is still developing (Cole) but either of them still has a shot to win the job.

Im pulling for Michael Mauti. Last year I was pulling for Cole and I still like Cole and wouldn't be mad if he won the job. But Michael Mauti has those leadership state. He's one of those Ray Lewis types. Not talent wise, but when it comes to inspiring your team on the field and on the sidelines. He knows how to rally the team. I hope becomes a great NFL player.

I agree with most of what you say, except that Gerald Hodges was not drafted to replace Erin Henderson. You don't draft someone in the 4th round (except a punter or kicker) with an eye toward replacing anyone. The Vikings had/have one open starting linebacker spot. They went OLB with that pick because they felt Hodges was the best linebacker on the board and felt that he might be able to start if Henderson can move inside. If Henderson can't play MLB, then he'll continue at WILL and the Vikings will start either Cole, Mauti, Hodges or one of the journeymen at MLB.

[Demi]

Hope Hodges gets a good look somewhere.

Everything else said, no matter who wins the job, it's an instant coverage upgrade over what we've had the last decade IMO.

I do think it's likely next year at this time we're looking at an entire new pair of guys looking to earn spots next to Greenway though.

[Funkytown]

Henderson once again said he’ll be the Vikings middle linebacker on Thursday. In an interview with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan on Sirius XM NFL radio, Henderson said there are no plans for him to move back outside.

“At this point there’s no plans of me moving back to the outside,” Henderson said. “I’m still playing middle linebacker after speaking with my coaches. That’s the decision that they made and what they want to do right now. I’m still embracing it. I’m still looking forward to it and I’m still excited about the opportunity to get out there and play Mike for the Vikings.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... er=ya5nbcs

[Eli]

The WILL LB position is probably Desmond Bishop's more natural fit in a 4-3, so that isn't surprising. From what I've read about his play in Green Bay, he wasn't counted on to be a coverage guy in the middle.

The bad news is that it means the Vikings are still stuck with Erin Henderson at MLB.

[Funkytown]

The bad news is that it means the Vikings are still stuck with Erin Henderson at MLB.

I actually want to see what Erin can do at MLB. He's been talking an awful lot during this offseason here. I want to see if he can walk the walk. That's partly why I wasn't too excited about the signing of Bishop. But if this plays out as he's suggesting, the signing of Bishop doesn't affect that situation at all. I'll still get to see it. Not sure if it's going to be ugly or not, but I want to see it--at least for a little bit.

[Mothman]

The WILL LB position is probably Desmond Bishop's more natural fit in a 4-3, so that isn't surprising. From what I've read about his play in Green Bay, he wasn't counted on to be a coverage guy in the middle.

The bad news is that it means the Vikings are still stuck with Erin Henderson at MLB.

Maybe he'll surprise people and actually be good in the middle. Henderson isn't a great player but he's not a bad player either and he seems to think the middle is his natural position. I'm not expecting him to suddenly emerge as a top MLB or even to as the long term solution at the position but if he's right and it is the best fit for him, maybe he'll do a good job. It's a possibility many don't even seem to be considering...