Vikings’ Henderson quietly becoming one of league’s best

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, November 07, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Lost in all the hoopla surrounding rookie running back Adrian Peterson's record-setting Sunday was yet another outstanding performance by middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and the Minnesota Vikings' defense.

Early last week, Henderson pinpointed third-down defense as something the Vikings needed to improve upon. Minnesota entered the game allowing conversions on 44 percent of third downs. Sunday, the team's third-down 'D' was exceptional, holding San Diego to 25 percent (4 of 16) in those situations. The difference, though, was on first and second down, as the Vikings' defense stymied the Chargers' high-powered offense. On average, San Diego's third-down plays needed 8 yards just to move the chains.

Meanwhile, the NFL's reigning MVP, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, was held to 40 yards on 16 carries -- a paltry 2.5 per attempt -- or 256 fewer yards than Peterson gained in the same game. Never did anyone expect to see LT outrushed by 150 yards in a game (let alone 250-plus), which puts into perspective how well Peterson and the Vikings' defense fared.

Playing without its best cornerback, Antoine Winfield, the Minnesota secondary turned in its best effort of the season. The defensive backs were solid in coverage, tipped numerous passes, and the members of the front seven were in quarterback Phillip Rivers' face all day.

Additionally, All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates didn't catch a ball until there was 2:20 left in the third quarter. The 10-yard reception was his only grab of the game.

Henderson led all Vikings tacklers with seven stops. It's nothing new to the former Bednarik and Butkus award winner; after all, he led the Vikings in tackles in 2004 and '06, and finished second on the team in '05. Currently, he leads all Viking defenders in tackles (67).

After notching 109 tackles last year from the weak side, Minnesota moved Henderson to the middle in the offseason, and his impact has consistently been felt. In Week 6 Henderson destroyed Chicago Bears fullback Jason McKie and jarred the ball loose, leading to a recovered fumble by Winfield. This past Sunday, Henderson was flying all over the field and was effective as an up-the-middle blitzer.

Henderson also has the speed and athleticism that allows him to be successful in pass coverage.

"If he's not in the Pro Bowl, I'd be shocked," an impressed Tomlinson said to reporters, referring to Henderson.

If that's not a ringing endorsement for how good a player Henderson has become, nothing is.

Eric Krupka, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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