Photo By Brian Curski
Written By Chris Schad
During the NFL Draft last May, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves on the clock with the ninth overall selection. Many fans were screaming to take a quarterback with the pick, but head coach Mike Zimmer knew that his team needed impact players on the defensive side of the ball to survive in the offensively loaded NFC North.
When the Vikings decided on Anthony Barr, fans didn’t know how to react. A linebacker was nice, but somebody needed to get the offense going and instill hope into the fan base.
Luckily for them, that’s exactly what that selection did. Barr had a season that put him in the conversation for defensive rookie of the year until he suffered a season-ending knee injury, but he did more than just put himself on the map.
For years, the Vikings had linebackers who read the play and then reacted to what they saw. As a result, the linebackers were the second line of defense rather than attacking and creating havoc for opposing quarterbacks. With Barr, the Vikings had a new wrinkle and one that should only grow as the team adapts to Mike Zimmer’s defensive playbook.
Like the defensive line a season ago, the linebacking corps could see a complete overhaul this spring and say goodbye to one of the long-time leaders of the franchise.
How The Vikings Envisioned 2014
Linebacker was a question mark throughout OTAs, but the team expected Barr to be a starter from Day 1. WIth veteran Chad Greenway playing the other side and Jasper Brinkley in the middle, the Vikings had a slight upgrade in talent that would figure to help the defense make improvements from a season ago.
How 2014 Played Out
Barr was unleashed in a Von Miller-type role and rushed the passer 24.5 percent of the time (fifth among 4-3 outside linebackers) according to Pro Football Focus. This was a stark contrast from the Leslie Frazier regime as the Vikings didn’t have a single rusher that eclipsed 11 percent.
As Barr rose, Greenway continued to fall. He was a liability in coverage, but had some success attacking the passer. However, he missed his first games since tearing his ACL during his rookie season in 2006, which allowed playing time for Gerald Hodges.
In limited time, Hodges was impressive, ranking ninth among 4-3 outside linebackers and providing an upgrade in coverage and stopping the run — two staples of the Zimmer defense.
Brinkley also did his part, holding down the middle of the defense while providing a solid run-stuffing presence.
The Current Situation
The most important issue the Vikings will face this offseason will be what to do with Greenway. While he has been one of the key cogs for the defense in the past seven seasons, the team could save $7.1 million if they release him this spring.
The Vikings will also have to decide if they want to bring back Brinkley, who is an unrestricted free-agent.
Offseason Plan & Targets
With a cap number that could be too rich for the Vikings’ liking, it’s possible that Greenway could have the same fate as Jared Allen one season ago if they’re unable to restructure his contract. In this scenario, Gerald Hodges could get his chance at age 24 and wouldn’t require the massive financial commitment that Everson Griffen got from the team as an unrestricted free-agent.
With Barr and Hodges manning the outside, the Vikings will have to decide if they want to bring Brinkley back or use the potential savings from cutting Greenway to dip into the free-agent market.
Unfortunately, only Brandon Spikes, a run-stuffing specialist better suited for a 3-4 defense, seems to be worth the financial commitment.
That would lead for the Vikings to search for a potential replacement in the draft, but with the top prospects commanding a first or second-round pick, the door could be open for a Brinkley return.
Whichever way Rick Spielman decides to go, it looks like another youth movement could be coming for the Vikings defense in the form of a linebacker overhaul.