Published: Sunday, November 22, 2009
Vikings’ Henderson off his game
MINNEAPOLIS — E.J. Henderson is a man of few words, so it comes as no surprise that the Minnesota Vikings’ middle linebacker refuses to make excuses when he talks about his performance this season.
Henderson leads the Vikings in tackles with 78 and he remains a tough, physical presence in the heart of the defense. But he admittedly has not reached the level he was playing at last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 4.
Henderson dealt with a painful shoulder injury early in the season and has battled a knee injury in recent weeks. Those injuries have clearly taken a toll, especially after he missed so much time last season. Just don’t expect him to admit that.
“I’ve left a couple of plays on the field through the season, but it’s a process,” he said. “Keep grinding. You hate to use excuses and say, ‘I missed a lot of time last year.’ You don’t want to make excuses for anything. You don’t want any reason to say, ‘Well, I’m not at the same level I was at.’ I’m just going to keep going at it like I have been and when those splash plays come, try and make them.”
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier often refers to those “splash” plays when discussing his defensive captain. It’s those monster hits or flying tackles Henderson typically makes that send a bolt of energy through the entire defense.
“I don’t think I’ve had too many splash plays this season, and we’re going into Week 10,” Henderson said. “I’m just going to keep working and hopefully those splash plays will come.”
The Vikings are optimistic. Henderson had full participation in every practice this week after turning in one of his best games of the season against the Lions. Frazier said the bye week was particularly valuable for Henderson, who was able to rest and get constant treatment.
“He was more of the E.J. that you like to see (last week),” Frazier said. “The explosiveness, the aggressiveness that you like out of E.J. and the decisiveness as well. He’s had to deal with some little nicks and bruises along the way that have kind of hindered him to a degree but yet he’s still playing at a high level for us. I expect now that we’ve had that bye week that his play will just continue to improve as we get through November and December, which is a big plus for us because when he’s playing at the high level that he can play, there aren’t any better than E.J.”
Henderson had reason to be in good spirits this week. Not only is his knee feeling better, he also was named the Vikings community man of the year for 2009.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “I’m a little banged up but overall I think everybody is. Nothing that really slows me down on Sundays. Now Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays are different. During the week it’s tough, but going into Week 10, everybody is banged up.”
The Vikings knew it would take Henderson time to find his stride after being sidelined for so long last season. Backup linebacker Erin Henderson said his brother is a perfectionist and doesn’t want to use rust or injuries as an excuse.
E.J. Henderson is mindful of the bigger picture.
“Nobody is more frustrated with the process than myself,” he said. “I want it to happen yesterday, but it’s hard to be frustrated when you’re 8-1. We use the phrase ‘Together we eat.’ We have a lot of guys on this team playing well right now, playing good football. As an individual, you want your football to be the best. You want to feel like you’re pulling your weight. I’m going to continue to do that.”
Henderson leads the Vikings in tackles with 78 and he remains a tough, physical presence in the heart of the defense. But he admittedly has not reached the level he was playing at last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury in Week 4.
Henderson dealt with a painful shoulder injury early in the season and has battled a knee injury in recent weeks. Those injuries have clearly taken a toll, especially after he missed so much time last season. Just don’t expect him to admit that.
“I’ve left a couple of plays on the field through the season, but it’s a process,” he said. “Keep grinding. You hate to use excuses and say, ‘I missed a lot of time last year.’ You don’t want to make excuses for anything. You don’t want any reason to say, ‘Well, I’m not at the same level I was at.’ I’m just going to keep going at it like I have been and when those splash plays come, try and make them.”
Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier often refers to those “splash” plays when discussing his defensive captain. It’s those monster hits or flying tackles Henderson typically makes that send a bolt of energy through the entire defense.
“I don’t think I’ve had too many splash plays this season, and we’re going into Week 10,” Henderson said. “I’m just going to keep working and hopefully those splash plays will come.”
The Vikings are optimistic. Henderson had full participation in every practice this week after turning in one of his best games of the season against the Lions. Frazier said the bye week was particularly valuable for Henderson, who was able to rest and get constant treatment.
“He was more of the E.J. that you like to see (last week),” Frazier said. “The explosiveness, the aggressiveness that you like out of E.J. and the decisiveness as well. He’s had to deal with some little nicks and bruises along the way that have kind of hindered him to a degree but yet he’s still playing at a high level for us. I expect now that we’ve had that bye week that his play will just continue to improve as we get through November and December, which is a big plus for us because when he’s playing at the high level that he can play, there aren’t any better than E.J.”
Henderson had reason to be in good spirits this week. Not only is his knee feeling better, he also was named the Vikings community man of the year for 2009.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “I’m a little banged up but overall I think everybody is. Nothing that really slows me down on Sundays. Now Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays are different. During the week it’s tough, but going into Week 10, everybody is banged up.”
The Vikings knew it would take Henderson time to find his stride after being sidelined for so long last season. Backup linebacker Erin Henderson said his brother is a perfectionist and doesn’t want to use rust or injuries as an excuse.
E.J. Henderson is mindful of the bigger picture.
“Nobody is more frustrated with the process than myself,” he said. “I want it to happen yesterday, but it’s hard to be frustrated when you’re 8-1. We use the phrase ‘Together we eat.’ We have a lot of guys on this team playing well right now, playing good football. As an individual, you want your football to be the best. You want to feel like you’re pulling your weight. I’m going to continue to do that.”
Comments
(