Thread: E.J. Henderson eager to get back on field

Marrdro wrote:

bsmithberkley wrote:

tastywaves wrote:

i_bleed_purple wrote:

tastywaves wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

Vikings prepare for Jasper Brinkley to start

I would prefer to see these young guys sit back and learn for 3-4 years before being thrown into the fire.

EJ is 30 already, seems like he's only started a couple of years for us.

well, really he was only good for a couple years for us. He was moved back and forth between linebacker positions, never really getting good at any one position until he got moved back to MLB a few years ago. He's had really just two good seasons, then last year.

Yea, life in the NFL. Not all sunshine and roses. I was surprised at him being 30.

EJ is one of those hard working players that really learned how to play the MLB position well. He doesn't have elite physical skills, but he positions himself well. It really amazes me how good he is with his lack of speed and taking on players much faster than him in that middle zone. He will be at a huge disadvantage if his speed falls off with the leg injury. He was borderline before the injury. He got the most out of his abilities.

Brinkley is now two years removed from his knee surgery and also 20 lbs lighter. Considering many thought he would be a first round pick before the knee surgery, it makes me wonder what we could have on our hands in Brinkley as a "Two Down LB", which is essentially what we did down the stretch last year and giving Leber a bigger role.

Leber had 8 passes defended and an Interception in the 6 games after EJ broke his leg. To put that in perspective Michael Boley was next for all Linebackers with just 6 in 16 regular season games!

Was anybody watching those last 6 games closely and noticing how we used Leber on 3rd and passing downs?

So did Ben perform well enough to see a new contract at the end of the year?

I watched, and my answer is no.

I am just intrigued by how well Leber performed on Passing Downs as the MIKE. While I respect Henderson for his effort, I never felt he was optimal as a MIKE on passing downs, Leber's ability to cover the Pass better than Henderson is interesting. He just get's to a lot of balls and makes plays.

I think you may have brought up Leber as good fit in that situation yourself.

I am most interested in how we use Brinkley/Leber in NICKLE and DIME packages after a full off-season to work all the bugs out. They did really well Add-hoc down the stretch.

What did you not like about Leber's play down the stretch?

I really never cared for Leber

But I feel he stepped up his game when he needed to

With EJ out I guess that meant more chances to make plays.. And he did

Was never flashy or anything.. And that's ok.. He's a good fb player

bsmithberkley wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

bsmithberkley wrote:

tastywaves wrote:

i_bleed_purple wrote:

tastywaves wrote:

Marrdro wrote:

Vikings prepare for Jasper Brinkley to start

I would prefer to see these young guys sit back and learn for 3-4 years before being thrown into the fire.

EJ is 30 already, seems like he's only started a couple of years for us.

well, really he was only good for a couple years for us. He was moved back and forth between linebacker positions, never really getting good at any one position until he got moved back to MLB a few years ago. He's had really just two good seasons, then last year.

Yea, life in the NFL. Not all sunshine and roses. I was surprised at him being 30.

EJ is one of those hard working players that really learned how to play the MLB position well. He doesn't have elite physical skills, but he positions himself well. It really amazes me how good he is with his lack of speed and taking on players much faster than him in that middle zone. He will be at a huge disadvantage if his speed falls off with the leg injury. He was borderline before the injury. He got the most out of his abilities.

Brinkley is now two years removed from his knee surgery and also 20 lbs lighter. Considering many thought he would be a first round pick before the knee surgery, it makes me wonder what we could have on our hands in Brinkley as a "Two Down LB", which is essentially what we did down the stretch last year and giving Leber a bigger role.

Leber had 8 passes defended and an Interception in the 6 games after EJ broke his leg. To put that in perspective Michael Boley was next for all Linebackers with just 6 in 16 regular season games!

Was anybody watching those last 6 games closely and noticing how we used Leber on 3rd and passing downs?

So did Ben perform well enough to see a new contract at the end of the year?

I watched, and my answer is no.

I am just intrigued by how well Leber performed on Passing Downs as the MIKE. While I respect Henderson for his effort, I never felt he was optimal as a MIKE on passing downs, Leber's ability to cover the Pass better than Henderson is interesting. He just get's to a lot of balls and makes plays.

I think you may have brought up Leber as good fit in that situation yourself.

I am most interested in how we use Brinkley/Leber in NICKLE and DIME packages after a full off-season to work all the bugs out. They did really well Add-hoc down the stretch.

What did you not like about Leber's play down the stretch?

Its not that I didn't like anything. I actually thought he did a good job.

I just don't think he did enough to get a extension is all I'm saying.