His name is Erin Henderson, and you probably have heard of him. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award as a junior. He was a starting linebacker for the University of Maryland. He was a great player, and he was projected to be a high draft pick. Nobody was really sure where he would go, but there was lots of speculation. Some said early second round, some said mid second round, some said thrid round. The projections ranged from everywhere the beginning of the second round at the earliest, to mid fourth round, at the latest. I saw a mock draft a few weeks ago that had him in the second round. Instead, what happened? He didn't get drafted, and I feel that this is severly wrong.
He left after his junior season, and it wasn't because he was full of himself. It wasn't because he was sick of his team, or because he was convicned he was a first rounder. He had experienced draft picks through his time at Maryland, and when the season ended, he still wasn't sure. He talked to scouts, he talked to NFL executives, he talked to the coaching staff. They all said that he would go earlier rather than later, but he still wasn't convinced. He talked to his brother, E.J. Henderson, a very good LB for the Vikings, and decided to leave. Someone was going to get themselves a solid LB.
It wasn't like he was all potential, he had done plenty to back up his stats. He was first team All-ACC, getting thr thrid most votes. He led the ACC in tackles not one, but two years. He was one of the best LB's in the ACC, one of the best in all of the country. Ask Matt Ryan, Ray Rice, Branden Albert, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, Owen Schmitt, Tashard Choice, Kenneth Moore, Steven Justice. Those are all guys who played against Henderson. He held his own with all of them, but they got drafted, he didn't.
Well, everyone said the reason he didn't get drafted was because he got hurt. So what? Plenty of people get hurt, yet people of his caliber with injuries nearly all got drafted. So why didn't he? Long term concern, durability issues. He was a borderline second round pick, why couldn't someone take a chance on him? His hometown team, the Ravens, had ten picks. They passed on him ten times. The other hometown team, the Redskins, had ten picks. They didn't go for him either. Not even with the 249th pick. His brother's team, the Vikings, passed on him six times.
He was supposed to go within the top 75 players. Instead, he didn't get dratfed. 252 guys got drafted, and he wasn't one of them. Now, he's out of school, and won't have a chance to showcase his talents. If he had come back, he could have proven that he wasn't a fluke (If that was possible after two great years), the injury was behind him, and that he truly was an elite player. Instead, who knows...
Erin Henderson is one of my favorite players, and now we will just have to wait. My point for this blog was to get his name out there and to show people that he is a legitimate player, because I hate when good players don't get any attention.
Thanks, and please tell me what you think.
UPDATE
Erin Henderson was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Now, one of my favorite players will be on my hometown team, and he will get his chance. Also, a potential Henderson-Henderson in the linebacking core is possible, and I am a happy guy.
New Orleans Saints Camp
Comments (16)
I agree that hes going to be a good player,if only the jets would have drafted him...
Ny | 04/27/08, 06:33 PM
Report Offensive CommentHow is it wrong? I wouldn't have passed him up, but it's not like they were entitled to.
Danbash | 04/27/08, 06:36 PM
Report Offensive CommentSounds like Someone should have drafted him.
"Cincy" The wall | 04/27/08, 06:38 PM
Report Offensive CommentProblem is he's had knee problems for the last three years. If he were deemed healthy at the combine, I'm sure he'd have been a mid-round pick but there are still too many questions about that knee. I'd imagine there are half a dozen teams trying to negotiate a UFA deal with him right now. He's either going to be a steal, or justify teams reluctance to draft him.
Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox | 04/27/08, 06:49 PM
Report Offensive CommentNOW the fun starts. So he wasn't drafted?? There's STILL free agency, which starts right about now.
Just stay glued to the "Transactions" section of the sports pages.
DC Sports Nut: the return | 04/27/08, 07:05 PM
Report Offensive CommentThere is still free agency, don't worry, he will be one of the few to go somewhere.
DetroitFan* BS: Is A Vigilante | 04/27/08, 07:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentHe could have been a nice steal, he will get picked up by somebody though . . .
Dawgee Fresh | 04/27/08, 07:12 PM
Report Offensive CommentThanks, everyone.
Really, my point was to get his name out there so that people would know that he really is a legitimate player, because I hate when people who have the talent don't get any attention.
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 04/27/08, 07:17 PM
Report Offensive CommentI thought the same thing last year with Walker, he ended up starting for the Texans by the end of the year
BSchwartz07 | 04/27/08, 07:37 PM
Report Offensive Commenti really wish that he had been drafted
he's a good player
EliManning's#1Fan is 5-16 | 04/27/08, 07:45 PM
Report Offensive CommentIf no one knows, I am a huge MD fan, this is sad, but I know that either the ravens or vikings will pick him up (maybe someone else will, but I have my money on those two places).
Terpsfan is Maxwell Smart | 04/27/08, 07:52 PM
Report Offensive CommentGreat blog. He clearly should have gone. For that matter, Ben Moffitt and Jo-Lonn Dunbar got hosed as well.
Who knew that teams would collectively draft every wideout in North America?
I've always wondered though why his parents gave him a feminine name...
Porkins: El CHALUPA-cabra | 04/27/08, 08:03 PM
Report Offensive CommentLiving in Minnesota, I can vouch for E.J. Henderson. One of the more underrated players in the game.
I know the Steelers could have a spot for his brother if he's healthy. He's probably being signed as we speak.
Ombudsman Cooz | 04/27/08, 08:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog. I agree, he should've got drafted and given a shot. He is such a good player, that he shouldn't have not gotten drafted.
dyhard is going to Texas! | 04/27/08, 11:25 PM
Report Offensive CommentI was shocked he wasn't drafted. He was definitely one of the players I was rooting for.
J. HOVA: ALL FOR THE LOVE | 04/28/08, 08:58 AM
Report Offensive CommentHe blew his ACL out
MDPRIDE111 is going to Boston | 05/11/08, 06:18 PM
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