Minnesota Vikings: Gerald Hodges gets reps at MLB

The Minnesota Vikings’ already heated two-man middle linebacker battle may have just become an even-more-heated three-man race.

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Saturday at training camp, Mike Zimmer revealed to the media that he is giving 3rd year linebacker Gerald Hodges some reps at the Mike position. Audie Cole has been getting most of the work at MLB with the first team, with rookie Eric Kendricks backing him up.

Why the move to give Hodges a look at the Mike? It seems Zimmer isn’t entirely sold on Audie Cole.

Zimmer on Cole at MLB: "Audie's doing a lot of things right in practice. Just feel like he needs to cut it loose a bit."
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) August 1, 2015

A 2013 4th round pick out of Penn State, Hodges emerged in 2014 when given a chance to play in place of the oft-banged-up Chad Greenway

Performing at the Will position, Hodges showed good athleticism and playmaking ability, and flashed solid coverage skills. PFF graded him out well ahead of Greenway, albeit in many fewer snaps.

Hodges was thought to be a candidate to start at the Will backer position coming off his promising 2014 performance, until the Vikings re-did Chad Greenway’s contract and declared him the starter, sending Hodges back to the bench.

Hodges getting a look now at the Mike suggests the coaching staff is gaining confidence in him, and perhaps losing a little confidence in Audie Cole.

Most assume Eric Kendricks will ultimately be the starter at MLB, but for the time-being, Cole and Hodges are both in the mix as well. Yes, Kendricks is going to have to earn it. That is just the Zimmer way with rookies.

Next: Bridgewater becoming tight with Wallace

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