Oct 15th 2008 8:50PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Vikings, NFC North
As long as he can pass a physical, Napoleon Harris will return to the Vikings to fill a definite need.
Harris was just dumped by the Chiefs, but he should actually have a little more luck in Minnesota, where his strengths (speed and coverage ability) fit the role he’ll fill (backup middle linebacker). If Harris has anything left–the Chiefs thought that he was done–it will be as a Cover Two middle linebacker.
With David Herron banged up, it may sound crazy but Harris could go from signing on Thursday to seeing serious playing time on Sunday considering the team’s hospital ward of linebackers. Starting middle linebacker E.J. Henderson is on injured reserve and it’s not clear whether Herron will be able to play. The Vikings signed Dontarrious Thomas Monday to help fill in, but he’s more of a run-plugger while Harris is a better coverage backer. The two of them could end up splitting time until Herron gets a little healthier. And since they’re both former Vikings, they should remember most of the playbook.
It’s never a good thing to have your top two middle linebackers hurt, but at least in the Vikings chance they can go out and find players who at least know the system.
