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The Gnat
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 34112
Location: Minneapolis
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 Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:37 am Post subject: Fair to Middling (Erin is Eating) |
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| Quote: | | #Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson says he has bulked up to 248 pounds and expects to play middle, though that can change. |
twitter.com/TomPelissero
I don't have much of a problem with that, if he can maintain his lacking speed at that weight, he'll be better fit for the middle, and then let Hodges try and win the job at OLB, and bring in a veteran on a minimum deal, Paris Lenon possibly, to compete with Hodges.
Also, figured we needed a spot to talk about the ILB need.
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Lil Uno
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 5258
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:41 am Post subject: |
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Not sure how I feel about Erin in the middle yet. He has never been known as a cover backer and does look a little lost in space. Bulking up will help him be a better player in run support though. Hopefully he is taking pointers from his brother in that regard.
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disaacs
Joined: 13 Dec 2005
Posts: 19963
Location: Brownbackistan
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:44 am Post subject: |
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The only thing is that if they do go to more of a press-man coverage scheme (as it seems that they have been doing over the past year or 2), then Erin will be fine if they decide to move him to the middle full-time (rather than only in nickel). Still not ideal, of course, but he'd be okay.
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vike daddy
Joined: 12 Mar 2005
Posts: 66564
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:46 am Post subject: |
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what makes the college draft and roster building so interesting is that every team can't address every one of its needs in one season.
linebacking becomes our greatest priority now moving forward.
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SemperFeist
Joined: 13 Jan 2013
Posts: 341
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:47 am Post subject: |
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Henderson just doesn't have the read and react skills or the instincts to play in the middle. He was constantly late in diagnosing plays from the outside, it's only going to be worse at middle linebacker.
Here's hoping that Mauti's knees are ready to go, or that Cole has been working his butt off in the offseason.
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Klomp
Joined: 11 Aug 2011
Posts: 3379
Location: The Home of Schwan's Ice Cream
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 11:06 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | “@AjKFAN: Henderson said the #Vikings talked to him early in the offseason about moving to the middle, then again after the draft.” |
| Quote: | | “@TomPelissero: Henderson says coaches have made clear they expect him to open OTAs at the mike. That is significant. He apparently is Plan A now. #Vikings” |
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rpmwr19
Joined: 23 Dec 2006
Posts: 16906
Location: Stillwater, MN
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Based on the thread title, I assume Erin's new nickname is "the manatee."
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vikingsrule
Joined: 15 Nov 2005
Posts: 39415
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes!
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Henderson is probably the best option at MLB on the team, currently. Hodges and Mitchell can compete at WLB. I would guess that Mn will look at veteran MLB and OLB options.
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rpmwr19
Joined: 23 Dec 2006
Posts: 16906
Location: Stillwater, MN
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't sleep on Nate Williams, the LB/DE to take that last LB and be a special teams guy. Although, if Mauti if is healthy it could get interesting. We have quite a few incumbent linebackers
Greenway
Henderson
Mitchell
Mckenzie
Cole
Dean
With Mckenzie and Dean being key special teamers. May only be 1 LB spot.
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vikingsrule
Joined: 15 Nov 2005
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Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes!
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Id guess that if there are enough quality LBs, players like Dean or McKenzie could be out of a job.
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Klomp
Joined: 11 Aug 2011
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Location: The Home of Schwan's Ice Cream
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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| vikingsrule wrote: | | Id guess that if there are enough quality LBs, players like Dean or McKenzie could be out of a job. |
Yup, I agree. While they are both core special teamers, they don't do much else. I think only one is on the team next year. I'd also consider Audie's job in jeopardy.
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vikingsrule
Joined: 15 Nov 2005
Posts: 39415
Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes!
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Klomp wrote: | | vikingsrule wrote: | | Id guess that if there are enough quality LBs, players like Dean or McKenzie could be out of a job. |
Yup, I agree. While they are both core special teamers, they don't do much else. I think only one is on the team next year. I'd also consider Audie's job in jeopardy. |
I dont get why the team would waste roughly 10% of its roster on players who can only play specials. Therefore, if guys like Cole, Hodges and Mauti can show enough on special teams, the need for McKenzie and Dean significantly declines. Id take one, but not both.
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smiley4805
Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 366
Location: Sauk Rapids, MN
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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The LB competition is going to be exciting to watch this year. The only problem is I like Cole, and Mauti. What are the chances that they both make the final roster? BTW where did you all get the Class of 2013 sig? I love it.
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VikesGuy07
Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 4447
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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From a Star Tribune Q&A with Erin Henderson:
| Quote: | Q: You talked at the end of last year or making sure you stay home on defense and are in the right spot doing what’s asked of you. How do you get over that hurdle of making sure you’re doing that as consistently as you can?
A: When you’re playing the mike, it’s not as big of a deal. It’s not quite the same. Playing the will, you pretty much have to stay on that backside B gap no matter what’s happening. The ball could be going the other way and you want to go chase and you want to go be a part of the action. And then the running back might make a cut and get back through your B gap. It’s not really the same kind of situation once you move over to that mike. You still have to stay at home, still have to stick to your responsibilities. But I think they give you a little bit more freedom here at the mike to go find the ball and make plays. |
I thought this was actually an interesting point I hadn't thought about. Erin's problem has always been staying disciplined; he's picked up a reputation as a freelancer. He's right, in a sense, that playing in the middle will actually allow him to do that more, as other players will be asked to take on blocks, freeing the hole up for Erin.
What worries me though is his pass defense, then. That's something you CAN NOT freelance on. He needs to be keyed in to his man assignment/zone, and can't chase the play. That'll get the defense into huge trouble.
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YooAdrian
Joined: 13 Mar 2013
Posts: 58
Location: Valhalla
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| Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 7:37 am Post subject: |
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| smiley4805 wrote: | | The LB competition is going to be exciting to watch this year. The only problem is I like Cole, and Mauti. What are the chances that they both make the final roster? BTW where did you all get the Class of 2013 sig? I love it. |
I would love to see a Cole and Mauti get their chances as well but I am intrigued by Erin at MLB.. I feel like he can be as good as the run as EJ was in his prime and I love to see that he is bulking up.. Just hope the weight doesn't slow him down anymore in pass coverage because he can't afford that. It seems like a good plan but idk if I'm fully confident in relying on a 1st year MLB and a fourth round pick at WLB to go into the season.. I know we were talking about the options the Vikings might explore at MLB in Dansby and Urlacher but if Leslie and Co. are this confident in Erin in the middle I wonder of there is any chance we bring in a vet FA at WLB.. Anyone know who the remaining OLB FA's are?
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