Give Erin Henderson a chance. That’s all the Vikings linebacker is asking for.
First, former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o was supposed to come in and start at middle linebacker for the Vikings. Then it was former Bears star Brian Urlacher.
All the while, Henderson was telling everyone that he was mentally preparing himself to make the transition from outside linebacker in the man in the middle. Henderson vented his frustration to Tom Pelissero.
“I haven’t been more pissed in — I couldn’t tell you. I don’t think I’ve ever been this pissed in my entire life, to just hear people talk about stuff that they have no idea what they’re talking about.
“I guess it’s getting to a point now where it’s like, ‘Dang, I just want a little bit of respect.’ I’m not asking you to call me the greatest linebacker to ever play the game yet. Maybe one day we might get to that point, but show me a little bit of respect for what I’ve done and what I’ve accomplished in this league.”
Head coach Leslie Frazier says the Vikings aren’t interested in signing Urlacher, but what if they do?
“Cool. Bring him in,” Henderson said. “And if he’s better than me, if he can outplay me at that position, then let him play — but just make sure it’s a competition, you know what I mean? Make sure I’ve got a fair shot at it and I get my fair shake that I deserve at the position. That’s all.”
