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Vikings sign Brinkley to back up Henderson, who is dying to get back on the field
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It was announced yesterday that the Minnesota Vikings have signed 2009 5th-round draft pick linebacker Jasper Brinkley .gif)
(details of the contract were not disclosed). It was reported elsewhere that this is good news as the Vikings didn't really have an answer at middle linebacker after starter E.J. Henderson went down in the fourth game of the season with an injured toe. The Vikings were already missing a potential backup in Heath Farwell (knee injury), so they ended up picking up former Viking linebacker Dontarrious Thomas (who had been let go by San Francisco) to finish out the season. So, that report would seem to have some veracity.
Binkley will be a nice backup for Henderson, as he is a hard hitting linebacker--though he missed some time with an injury of his own. As a junior, he started the first four games of 2007 but tore his right lateral collateral ligament and received a medical redshirt. He rebound last season with 65 tackles, third on the team, five tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
Regardless, I can't see him getting on the field much (other than on special teams) next season. Can you imagine just how much Henderson is chomping at the bit to get back into uniform? You are going to have to pretty much cut his foot off to keep him out of the lineup in 2009.
Henderson raced out of the gate last season before the injury, following his 2007 season, which many thought should have been a Pro Bowl season. Then he had to sit and watch the rest of 2008. The word was that he was ready to play in the Vikings playoff game against the Eagles if needed, but Childress kept him out of the lineup, knowing just how important he is to the defense.
It is almost like getting a new player for an already tough defense, and this player is one of the better at his position in the game. Henderson is a leader on the defensive team, and will be raring to go come training camp.
Best of luck to Brinkley, but look for Henderson to keep a strangle-hold on his position of middle linebacker (and opposing running backs, for that matter) all season.
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