Can E.J Be The Answer At Middle Linebacker

By: Ziggy
Source: ZStarOnline.com

But maybe the question everyone should be asking is "Does he have to be??" The reason that should be the question we're talking about is twofold. First, with this years draft fast approaching and the depth of quality linebackers in this draft, teams are going to get a wealth of talent through the third round. With the Viking having five picks on the first day, there should be no problem finding "The Answer" and their franchise quarterback (but that's a different discussion).

The second reason that E.J. Henderson doesn't necessarily need to be the man is simply due to the perception of the position. Historically, the Mike linebacker position is the quarterback of the defense, calling the individual plays and ensuring that everyone is lined up where they need to be. Now looking at our defense, especially given that we are moving to the Tampa Bay style cover-two, we have players that are not only qualified to make the calls but have in the past. Darren Sharper did about half the time last year and Ben Leber has had experience handling those duties under Marty Schottenheimer. Also, let's not forget that Napoleon Harris was a middle linebacker in Oakland, and I still hold out hope that Nap is going to turn it around this year and display the talent we've seen from him in years past.

Now looking at E.J. himself, there really isn't anything that stands out in my mind to say that he can't be the answer in the Mike position. In his three years with the team he's performed strong, albeit not stellar. Coming in his rookie year he battled just to see the field, but he used that time to learn the system. In 2004, his sophomore effort showed substantial improvement and they handed the reigns over to him. Although he did struggle at times with getting the defense in position, he still made plays and racked up 94 tackles by seasons end. Not bad considering the lack of playing time the previous season.

And that brings us up to last year. The 2005 campaign derailed for Henderson before it began when the team signed Sam Cowart and gave him the starting role in the middle. The coaches though were impressed enough with E.J. that they wanted him on the field. Thus begins the switch to the weak side, where he had never taken a snap in all of his playing days. True, his numbers sank a bit (74 tackles as compared with 94 the season before), but playing both a new position and in and out of spot relief in the middle can be a lot to control for a third year player.

My point in all this is back in his natural position, with a less complex more player friendly system and some additional help all the way around, I think E.J. Henderson is due for, and more importantly going to deliver, the rock solid big play kind of season that we were all hoping for when he was drafted in the second round.