Vikes looking to purge their LB corps...

[InmanRoshi]

Vikes and Childress have hired Tampa Bay defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin as their defensive coordinator. Presumably he's going to install the "Tampa 2" defense, which will require faster and more agile LB's than what they currently have with Keith Newman, Sam Cowart, Napolean Harris and EJ Henderson all in the 6'2 240+ range. . Supposedly remodeling the LB corps will be their top priority in the offseason. There are some pretty big names in that corps, and most of them have experience in the 3-4. Might be a good place to look for some LB much needed aquisitions.

 

[TheHustler]

Nap Harris if he's cut.

 

[junk]

I believe Sam Cowart is a free agent anyway.

 

[AsthmaField]

Henderson and Harris... if available, should be a pretty good fit in the 34.


Wasn't Harris a DE in college, at least one season? He might be a very good fit at OLB opposite Ware (assuming he's hard nosed enough).

I don't really know that much about either Harris or Henderson though.

 

[Gaede]

I might be remembering it wrong, but Harris didn't do a good job in Oakland's 3-4 and that's why they didn't have a problem trading him.

Maybe that's someone else I'm thinking of though

 

[InmanRoshi]

Harris was used as both a DE and OLB in college, and played with his hand on the ground in nickel pass rushing situations. Raiders made him a full time OLB in the 4-3 when they drafted him. Then Oakland moved to a 3-4 and moved him to inside linebacker, which was really didn't make much sense. For the Vikes, Harris was demoted to 2nd string by Keith Newman when Tice performed a "roster shakeup" after the slow start, but was a nickel pass rusher.

 

[AbeBeta]

They aren't purging Harris. Don't be silly.

 

[Gaede]

ah, okay

 

[jterrell]

Henderson is a big backer who could play inside next to Bradie James. Shouldn't be expensive at all either.

Wonder if they'd trade us Henderson and a 6th for Al Singleton.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I agree with you guys, I'd take Henderson in a heartbeat. He was really a stud in college, and I'm not sure why he hasn't been better as a pro, except for some injuries. Seems to me that he's a very aggressive, combative, powerful kind of LB that would do well mixing it up inside as an ILB in the 34.

 

[Eskimo]

I wouldn't mind giving Henderson a shot at wearing the star if available.

 

[Hailmary]

Wasn't Cowart a stud in Buffalo before blowing out his knee or something?

If he passes his physical, I wouldn't mind having him in a rotation on running downs.

He's 30 and his best years are behind him, but may be a good role player for us.

 

[Nors]

Henderson would be a nice add. Let Shanle, Fowler and him go at it!

 

[dmq]

I loved Henderson in college, but didn't he have tackling problems? Why would they get rid of him, I thought he was very fast.

 

[neosapien23]

Harris was used as both a DE and OLB in college, and played with his hand on the ground in nickel pass rushing situations. Raiders made him a full time OLB in the 4-3 when they drafted him. Then Oakland moved to a 3-4 and moved him to inside linebacker, which was really didn't make much sense. For the Vikes, Harris was demoted to 2nd string by Keith Newman when Tice performed a "roster shakeup" after the slow start, but was a nickel pass rusher.

Yeah the Raiders are idiots. Warren Sapp as a DE in the 3-4. Not going to happen. Anyone know how old Harris and Henderson are?

 

[Nors]

Henderson is only 3 or seasons out of college. Injuries have followed him....

 

[JonCJG]

I like E.J. alot but thought he was really slow. Well come to find out he isn't much slower than Bradie James and was alot stronger coming out of college.

He was a beast at Maryland, I wonder why he hasn't been tearing up the league with that D line in front of him?

At any rate I would love to get him for a 2nd day pick to fight it out with Burnett for the other ILB position next to James. At worst he would be a good backup and an upgrade over Shanle.



Ej Henderson
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/394379

Bradie James
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/394685

 

[superpunk]

Henderson's a beast. That guy has a nose for the football, unfortunately he's been stuck in Minnesota's pathetic system. Jerruh, get it done.

 

[Alexander]

Napolean Harris was buried so deep on their depth chart he would need a shovel to get out.

We can do much better.

 

[neosapien23]

Napolean Harris was buried so deep on their depth chart he would need a shovel to get out.

We can do much better.

Well thats true, but I think Napolean was made for the 3-4. He might come cheap as well. He could be a better fit here in Dallas. The 4-3 did not suit him well.