Desmond Bishop Wants a Shot at Aaron Rodgers

Oct 23, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Packers defeated the Vikings 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Bishop is making no bones about it. He understands what it means to now be a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He knows that he will be playing against his old team the Packers twice a year. And that means two shots a year at Aaron Rodgers.

Bishop spoke to NFL Network about his reasons for signing with the Vikings, and the chance to take on Rodgers twice a year was right at the top of that list.

“It was part of the reason [for signing],” Bishop said. “And if I can get a chance to play against Aaron Rodgers, I think that right there, in itself, is a motivation. You know, you want to play against the best.”

Bishop added, “When I was playing for Green Bay, the games I cherished most was playing against the Vikings because I had a chance to play against Adrian Peterson. That’s my mindset. I want to play against the best.”

How much Bishop actually gets to play will depend on how things go in camp. Right now Bishop figures to be in a battle against several other guys for a starting linebacker spot. Erin Henderson is still reportedly in the mix at Mike despite his lack of experience there. If Henderson somehow locks down the middle? Bishop will still have a shot at the Will position, if he can beat out the likes of Gerald Hodges and Marvin Mitchell.

Okay so Bishop shouldn’t have much trouble winning a spot against that competition. Assuming his legs are good. And remember it was fear about possible lingering issues with his legs that caused the Packers to dump him in the first place.

The Vikings are hoping that, in Bishop, they are getting a guy who can rebound from injury and return to the above-average form he showed before. But it’s possible they are only getting another late-career E.J. Henderson. A guy who was once good but is no longer physically capable of playing at that high level.

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