Minnesota Vikings: Eric Kendricks impresses in expanded role after Hodges trade
Every move made in the National Football League is up for scrutiny, it’s just the nature of the game. Each and every transaction will be beaten down, brought up, fileted, broiled, baked and seasoned all within the first five minutes of someone like Jay Glazer reporting the deal. The Minnesota Vikings experienced that over the bye week.
General Manager Rick Spielman dealt starting linebacker Gerald Hodges to the surprise of many for the NFL equivalent of a bag of balls, in reality a backup center and a draft pick. The move had some scratching their heads, but soon enough it became clear.
When Head Coach Mike Zimmer talked after the trade was made, it became clear that Zimmer didn’t want Hodges around for locker room reasons and Spielman got what he good get for the linebacker. The move didn’t make it easy for the Vikings though.
With Hodges gone the Vikings had to go with rookie Eric Kendricks in a starting role at linebacker. Kendricks responded tremendously to the gig registering ten total tackles, including a sack, in the 16-10 Vikings victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. He looked good while doing it too. It looked like Kendricks belonged.
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It was always believed that Kendricks would belong, that comes with being drafted in the second round of a draft, but it was still up in the air to see if Kendricks would be stellar in his rookie year. He looked pretty darn good on Sunday. If he keeps this up, the name Gerald Hodges will be a distant memory.
It’s popular to get on the Stefon Diggs rookie bandwagon, and for good reason, but don’t forget the other side of the ball. It might not be as sexy on the defensive side, but it’s just as important and Kendricks looks like he could be an important part of the Vikings for a long time.
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