Doubters in his ears, Erin Henderson ready to play angry

[dead_poet]

Erin Henderson is sick of hearing about Brian Urlacher.

He's sick of hearing about a lot of things, really. But nothing gets under Henderson's skin like the suggestion he can't, or shouldn't, or won't be the Minnesota Vikings' middle linebacker in 2013.

"Coach told me all the time, 'Play angry. You're too nice sometimes. Play angry,'" Henderson told 1500ESPN.com by phone on Wednesday. "I haven't been more pissed in -- I couldn't tell you. I don't think I've ever been this pissed in my entire life, to just hear people talk about stuff that they have no idea what they're talking about.

"I guess it's getting to a point now where it's like, 'Dang, I just want a little bit of respect.' I'm not asking you to call me the greatest linebacker to ever play the game yet. Maybe one day we might get to that point, but show me a little bit of respect for what I've done and what I've accomplished in this league."

"People can say I'm not a three-down 'backer," Henderson said. "They can say whatever they want to say. But it's right there in front of your face. The proof is in the pudding. And I'm only going to get better from here. I'm going into my third season, and I've never felt more confident about myself or about my game than I do right now."

Full post: http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Peli ... ngry051513

[Demi]

People can say I'm not a three-down 'backer," Henderson said. "They can say whatever they want to say. But it's right there in front of your face. The proof is in the pudding.

Would that be the pudding Bercich was talking about when he said Erin lost the 3rd down job to Brinkley after getting it?

[Funkytown]

I don't think I've ever been this pissed in my entire life, to just hear people talk about stuff that they have no idea what they're talking about.

...what's that saying? "Haters gonna hate!" lol.

For real though, I get it. People are always running their yaps about things they know nothing about--nine times out of ten it's negative, too. I hope this pushes him to be a total beast!

[vikeinmontana]

[PacificNorseWest]

For real though, I get it. People are always running their yaps about things they know nothing about--nine times out of ten it's negative, too. I hope this pushes him to be a total beast!

Pretty much. It happens though. Hopefully he's the kind of player who can do that (turn anger into higher productivity). I'm pullin' for him.

[The Breeze]

Talk. Is. Cheap.

[King James]

I still say we sign Brian Urlacher or start either Cole or Mauti. Henderson sucks.. And I will continue to say he sucks until he proves us wrong. He basically lost his spot as the weak side Linebacker and he is only moving to MLB because the Vikings couldn't draft a top MLB

[jackal]

I am not sure why we are moving him inside ... he is kinda small for that spot?

not super strong against the run or against the pass IMO

[Mothman]

That picture combined with that phrase is comedic gold.

[dead_poet]

I am not sure why we are moving him inside ... he is kinda small for that spot?

At the beginning of May Henderson was up to 248 pounds from the 244 he was listed at last season. Listed at 6'3. Ray Lewis is 6'1/250; Patrick Willis is 6'1/240; London Fletcher is 5'10/245; Takeo Spikes is 6'2/242; Brian Cushing is 6'3/248 (same as Henderson now). His size is fine.

not super strong against the run or against the pass IMO

He's adequate in run support. His discipline, technique and talent in coverage needs work.

[Eli]

Henderson's discipline, in general, needs work. He has all the physical tools he needs to be a starting NFL middle linebacker. But he needs to play smarter, not angrier.

[dkoby]

So, Now he decided to play angry. Not when the coach told him to, but when he reads the press clippings and feels he is getting no respect. Need a little motivation much?? He basically admitted he wasn't playing with full intensity, until this season. Great. And just because you started and can recite your stats, doesn't mean you are good, you were just the best bad option.

[Funkytown]

So, Now he decided to play angry. Not when the coach told him to, but when he reads the press clippings and feels he is getting no respect. Need a little motivation much?? He basically admitted he wasn't playing with full intensity, until this season. Great. And just because you started and can recite your stats, doesn't mean you are good, you were just the best bad option.

See:

[headless_norseman]

Henderson's discipline, in general, needs work. He has all the physical tools he needs to be a starting NFL middle linebacker. But he needs to play smarter, not angrier.

That pretty much wraps it up right there.

[jackal]

Kinda surprised I always thought he was a smaller LB ...

never been a big fan of him, his brother E J, I really liked...

hardest hit I ever saw on a bears player, right before the end of quarter, E J killed him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ6hOvVHS5s