In Year 2, Eric Kendricks Improving Speed, Tenacity
MANKATO, Minn. (WCCO) – Eric Kendricks knows this season is important because his position is important.
Kendricks, the Vikings' middle linebacker, went through quite a transition as a rookie. He is still quiet, but determined to take another step.
It was baptism by NFL fire last season. Kendricks was thrust into the starting middle linebacker position.
"It was very difficult but I truly believe that they wouldn't have put me to the task if I couldn't have handled it," Kendricks said. "Here I am and I'm going to keep working to be better every day."
It doesn't mean that year two will be easier, just that he now knows what he didn't know -- and that matters as he tries to assess an opposing offense.
"That's my goal this year is understanding more of what the offense is doing and get a little jump on the reads and be a little faster to the ball," said Kendricks.
He has a sounding board and an asset standing next to him -- the advantage of having veteran Chad Greenway flanking him on Sundays and in camp.
"Awesome. His knowledge of the game and his experience is overwhelming to me and I just try to soak it all in," Kendricks said.
What he knows for sure is this: To play this position at this level takes intelligence to be sure, but never forget that grit counts an awful lot.
"That tenacity, that effort, that get to the ball, that want to and chase to the ball," Kendricks said.
