Oct 17, 2010; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jasper Brinkley (54) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The master plan for middle linebacker this year was to let an aging E.J. Henderson walk in free agency and install the relatively spry Jasper Brinkley as the starter at the position. So certain were the Vikings that Brinkley could take over E.J.’s spot, they didn’t even bother picking a middle linebacker during the 7 rounds of the draft (the only linebacker they took, Audie Cole, is strictly an outside guy). But for the plan to work, Brinkley must avoid suffering an injury like the one that landed him on IR for all of 2011.

So far, so…not so good. Word came out of Tuesday’s OTA session that Brinkley has already been sidelined with a groin injury. There’s no reason for us to believe it’s anything serious – yet – but folks are naturally going to worry when it’s a guy who has already lost an entire season due to an injury in the same general area (last year it was a hip). It doesn’t take much for the injury-prone label to get slapped on a player, and very often that label proves to be accurate.

The Vikings don’t exactly have a lot of other in-house options if Brinkley struggles with his health again. They signed Marvin Mitchell earlier this offseason but he’s best suited to a back-up/special teams role. Solomon Elimimian was plucked away from the CFL ranks but he’s a project at best (and, incidentally, he’s already hurt too). You could argue that, even with Brinkley fully healthy, the Vikings lack a proven starting-caliber NFL middle linebacker.

And that’s why, when all is said-and-done, there’s still probably a really good chance E.J. Henderson will be brought back. I don’t know if this groin situation with Brinkley will speed that process up, or maybe encourage the Vikes to give E.J. a few more dollars than they would have otherwise just to get him in. But with Brinkley already struggling to stay healthy and those other names not exactly inspiring confidence, I say let’s not mess around with it anymore. Let’s bring E.J. back for a year as a 2-down guy and let his brother and Chad Greenway run in the nickel. Everybody down with that?

I’m a problem solver, is what I am.

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Jan 1, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson (56) walks along the sidelines in a break of action in the fourth quarter of the game with the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. The Bears win 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Just ask Erin Henderson about the free agent market for linebackers this offseason. Erin thought he would be a commodity on the open market, possibly commanding a three year deal worth somewhere in the $9 million range, but in the end he had to come back to the Vikings for a measly $2 million for one year. Things have been even leaner for Erin’s brother E.J. who hit the market as an unrestricted free agent weeks ago and as far as we know has yet to get so much as a sniff.

There are lots of reasons for the lean traditional linebacker market. One is that, with the shift toward pass-heavy offenses, the position is simply not as valued as it used to be, at least not compared to the safety position or defensive end. The other is that, with the profusion of 3-4 defenses in the league, the outside pass-rushing types are the ones getting the money, not so much the old-fashioned non-blitzing 4-3 linebackers like the Hendersons.

In E.J.’s case there are extra complications. Namely, his age and the fact that his knees are shot. Given these factors plus the devaluation of the linebacker position, it should be no surprise that E.J. hasn’t seen a market develop for his services.

The upshot is, if E.J. wants to continue his NFL career, he will likely have to do it with the Vikings for a lot less money than he thinks he’s worth. In a blurb this morning Sid Hartman said there’s still “a good chance” E.J. will indeed return to the Vikings for at least one more season. Hartman said the hang-up between E.J. and the team has been E.J.’s insistence on receiving the same compensation he got in 2011. That would mean him getting $6.7 million for one year, and obviously that is not going to happen. Gimpy-kneed middle linebackers who can’t stay on the field on third down don’t get anywhere near $6 million a season.

During this apparently contentious negotiation with E.J., the Vikings have done their best to talk up Jasper Brinkley as his replacement, and have also added middle linebacker depth in the form of former Saint Marvin Mitchell. The point being, the Vikings really don’t think they need E.J. Henderson at this point, and E.J. would do well to get the hint and just take whatever money they’re willing to offer. If E.J. even gets $1 million for one year I’d be surprised.

Not that E.J. wouldn’t still be the starting MLB if he did sign, cause I think he would be. Jasper Brinkley may turn out to be a solid player but even with bad knees I think E.J. can beat him out. The point is, with the Vikings figuring to employ their nickel defense even more heavily this year than in the past – they didn’t use all those draft picks on secondary help for nothing – even if Henderson wins the MLB job he won’t be on the field much. His brother Erin proved last year that he’s better in coverage than the elder Henderson, meaning Erin and Chad Greenway would certainly be the nickel linebackers, relegating E.J. to run-stopping duties.

Can E.J. Henderson, even at his age and with his physical issues, still be an asset to a defense? Yes. But only as a low-paid role player. The sooner he figures out where he now fits in the grand scheme, the sooner E.J. will be back in purple and ready to contribute.

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Sep 13, 2009; Cleveland, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (81) on the bench during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. he Vikings beat the Browns 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Next Friday may be D-Day for a number of pricey Vikings veterans. Rick Spielman says he will have a final plan in place by that date regarding who to cut and who to keep, and who to pursue in free agency to replace any jettisoned pieces. Spielman said he will sit down with Leslie Frazier, Rob Brzezinski and the rest of the brain trust next week and work all of that out. Then the whole thing will be run by Zygi Wilf for final approval. And after that, we presume, a few older players will be getting pink slips.

Rick didn’t ask for my advice but I’m going to give it anyway. Rick, here’s what I’d do: Cut Steve Hutchinson, Anthony Herrera, Cedric Griffin and Eric Frampton. Unless Mike Priefer really enjoys yelling at Frampton on the sidelines. In which case I’d keep him. Those other three guys, don’t even hesitate. Don’t bother trying to restructure any deals. If you really mean to have a fresh start, have a fresh start. Clear out as much of the deadweight as possible and bring in new guys.

The big future plan meetings next week will also include discussions about retaining free agents. Erin Henderson we know the Vikings are already actively trying to lock up and I think that’s wise. Should Visanthe Shiancoe or E.J. Henderson come back? What about Fred Evans? Is Devin Aromashodu worth keeping around as a fourth receiver? So many questions. Next Friday the answers should begin coming into focus.

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