Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) tackles Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Vikings 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, rumors have been running wild about the Vikings interest in signing free agent Linebacker Brian Urlacher.  The 34 year old former All-Pro Linebacker has also been linked to the Denver Broncos, but that report has been refuted by KCNC-TV’s Gary Miller.  This leaves the Vikings as the only known suitor out there for Urlacher.

Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Erin Henderson (50) warms up against the Houston Texans before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

If the Vikings signed him, it’s questionable as to what his role would be with the team.  His veteran leadership would be huge in helping develop their young Middle Linebackers.  The team recently moved Erin Henderson from Outside Linebacker to the inside and penciled him in as the starter.  Then, they drafted Michael Mauti in the seventh round of the draft this year to compete with Henderson.  They also feel good about the young Audie Cole to develop into a solid player.  Urlacher’s experience could be a major factor in why the Vikings would be interested.

October 6, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Michael Mauti (42) looks on during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

But would the Vikings use Urlacher as a starter if they did sign him?  The team seems confident that Henderson is more than capable of filling the void left by Jasper Brinkley in the middle.  They also see a leader in Michael Mauti if he can heal in time to compete for the position.  Urlacher’s age, speed and injury history raise a lot of questions as to his ability going forward.  The team would most likely put him in the competition with Henderson and Mauti for the job.

Another major factor will be the Urlacher’s pay.  The Vikings are already strapped for cash after other big free agent signing like Greg Jennings, Phil Loadholt, and Jerome Felton.  The team also has yet to sign their 3 first round draft picks this year.

Do you think Urlacher is worth picking up?  If so, is he an immediate starter, or should he compete for the job?  And at this point of his career, is he still an effective player?

Dec 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley (54) after catching a pass during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the Draft this year, most Vikings fans expected the team to pick a Middle Linebacker early on.  They had three chances in the first round of the draft to draft a replacement for Jasper Brinkley, who was signed this offseason by the Arizona Cardinals.  It wasn’t due to a lack of talent in the remaining players, either.  Most of the top Linebackers in the draft were available at the end of the first round .  Their decision to pass on them was confusing.

Now that we are approximately one week removed from the 2013 NFL Draft, the Vikings have started showing some of their cards.  The team didn’t seem as worried about the Middle Linebacker position because they had a plan.

Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Erin Henderson (50) warms up against the Houston Texans before the game at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, Vikings Linebacker Erin Henderson revealed that he has bulked up to 248 pounds in anticipation of the move from Outside Linebacker to Middle Linebacker.  The fact that Henderson has had the time to add that weight to his frame says that Minnesota was anticipating this move all along.  They pulled the wool over the eyes of every NFL expert and fan by publicly flirting with the idea of taking a player like Manti Te’o.  Instead, the Vikings were able to fill three other positions of need in the draft by moving a player to another spot on the defense.

Whether or not Henderson will win the starting job in training camp is still unknown, but he seems to be the club favorite to take over the spot.  He will face competition from Audie Cole and Michael Mauti along with others, but he seems to be penciled in as the Vikings current starter at the position.

Aug 17, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Audie Cole (57) returns an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bills 36-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The Vikings had a good night all around, showing improvement in the offense and defense, avoiding injury and as a bonus even winning the game. Here are the five guys I think helped themselves the most:

1. Mistral Raymond

Raymond had something to prove after a well-publicized missed tackle in game 1. Leslie Frazier gave him the chance by letting him start, and Raymond responded with several big plays, including a stuff in the run game and a pass break-up. Frazier challenged the young man and the young man came up big. That’s a good sign for his continuing development.

2. Harrison Smith

He got his first chance to start and he didn’t disappoint. His highlight was a bat-down where he sold coverage then came on a late blitz into Ryan Fitzpatrick’s face, leaping to knock the ball away. Later he showed his physicality by clobbering a Bills receiver while helping in deep coverage. Overall, Smith just seems like he gets it. As a rookie he’ll surely have his struggles but for now he’s living up to his 1st round status.

3. Jasper Brinkley

It wasn’t a great night for Jasper but it was a solid night. He made some tackles and didn’t commit any glaring mistakes. I don’t think anyone expects him to become a great playmaker all of a sudden. We’re hoping he can develop into a serviceable two-down middle linebacker and right now he appears to be heading in that direction.

4. Manny Arceneaux

In preseason sometimes you only get one chance to make a big impression, especially if you’re a receiver. Manny Arceneaux got his one chance last night and made the most of it. Mid-fourth, he got deep on the Bills’ secondary and Sage Rosenfels delivered the ball to him over the top for a 48-yard gain. Arceneaux showed good concentration and body control on the play, and may well have nudged ahead of Devin Aromashodu for the final receiver spot. It didn’t help Aromashodu that he and Joe Webb couldn’t connect at all during their time together on the field. Maybe Aromashodu should lobby to play with Rosenfels next game.

5. Audie Cole

Audie Cole didn’t just become a player last night, he became a folk hero. Late in the fourth when everyone was pretty much tuned out, including the fans who had long-since begun filing out of the Dome, Cole gave us all an unexpected thill by picking off a pair of Buffalo passes and returning them for touchdowns. Cole showed great recognition on both plays, but recognition doesn’t matter if you can’t finish the play. Cole did finish both plays, in spectacular fashion, and had his teammates so pumped they all ran down to the end zone to celebrate with him. Cole may be somewhat limited physically, but he’s obviously got some native football instincts working for him. He’s clearly made this squad as a special teams guy and who knows, we may see him playing linebacker in a real game before too long.

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