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Mike Zimmer ‘Encouraged’ By Rookie LB Eric Kendricks

By Adam Carlson

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When UCLA’s Eric Kendricks fell to the Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, there was a lot of excitement throughout the fan base that the team might have finally found a long-term answer for their middle linebacker position.  In the past, the team has brought in veterans, tried out several players in the spot, and even tried moving other starters to the hole in the defense, but nothing really seemed to fit,

Thanks to the amazing athleticism that Eric Kendricks offers combined with football smarts and a willingness to be physical, the Vikings were willing to overlook what some analysts were calling an undersized player for the middle linebacker spot.  If he can win the starting job for Minnesota this year, he would start next to his UCLA teammate Anthony Barr.

The odds that Kendricks will be named the starter seems to be getting better every day.  According to a recent article on ESPN’s website, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is pleased with how the rookie is coming along and impressed with what he’s seen during OTA’s and rookie camp.  Here is what Zimmer said about Eric Kendricks in the article:

"“He’s further ahead than most rookies, I would say,” Zimmer said. “They’re all different — Barr was pretty sharp last year when he came in. Eric’s been doing a good job. He’s obviously got a lot of athletic ability. He’s studying real hard. I think he’s got a chance to be a good player.”"

May 27, 2015; Eden Prairie, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) works on OTA drills at Winter Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

It is that studying that is really going to help Kendricks adjust to the NFL level.  That’s especially true with a position like inside linebacker, where a player is asked to do many things including run support, drop back in coverage and even occasionally go after the quarterback.

This is something that Mike Zimmer understands about Eric Kendrick’s development, yet Zimmer is encouraged by what he’s been seeing.

"“It’s hard for linebackers with alignments and different coverages and different things they have to do, because they’re involved in so many different things with the run and the pass. They have a lot of things on their plate, and with a young guy that has to make calls, that has to make adjustments and checks, it will take a little while. But I’m more encouraged by the things he’s done.”"

Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Eric Kendricks be a day one starter for the Vikings just like Anthony Barr was for the team in the previous season.  He is already working with the first team offense during the squad’s organized team activities, giving the former Bruin an even more likely shot at the role.

With how much athletic ability Kendricks has and how impressive he’s been, he might just be the guy that can finally make the middle linebacker position stop being won by a game of musical chairs in Minnesota.

Fingers crossed.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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