Chad Greenway open to taking on two-down linebacker role
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway doesn't know what his exact role will be in his ninth NFL season, but the veteran is willing to do whatever he can to help the team.
"Hard to tell at this point," Greenway said about his role, per Andrew Krammer of 1500ESPN.com. "I don't know, I haven't identified exactly what my role will be. I'm open to absolutely anything, whatever that is. I'm just excited to win football games whatever that means I'm doing, I'm doing. Unsure at this point."
Greenway, 32, will likely start at weak-side linebacker in Minnesota's 4-3 base defense. On third downs, however, he may come off the field. The Vikings have leaned toward Anthony Barr and second-round rookie Eric Kendricks at linebacker when the team employs a nickel package, according to 1500ESPN.com.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has been coaching and coordinating NFL defenses since the mid-1990s, so he's likely to make the most of his personnel.
"We rotate defensive linemen, so I don't know why it's a big issue to rotate linebackers," Zimmer said, via 1500ESPN.com. "If we have enough quality to do that, that's important. We're not going to rotate defensive linemen if we don't feel like the guys we put in there are ready to go and vice versa for linebackers."
Greenway, a two-time Pro Bowler (2011-2012), is showing strong leadership by putting his interests aside to do what is best for the team.
(h/t 1500ESPN.com)
