Audie Cole

[BuckSutherland]

What do you fellas think of him?? He looked about a thousand times better than Henderson at the end of last year. Anyone think he is Zimmer's day one starter??

I would like to see what a couple of those other LBs we drafted can do too.

[zepman]

Biggest question mark on the whole team Buck.

Very interesting was the LACK of interest the Vikings had in the FA market concerning LB's. Huge area of need...very little interest in FA. Sure, they signed a few but nothing more than "competition" come training camp.

Mauti, Cole and Hodges...three young LB's who never sniffed the field under Frazier. When Cole got his chance...he played well. Mauti was ahead of him on the depth chart the whole season but tweaked his knee prior to Hendersons exit...Frazier elected to start Cole in his place while being cautious with Mauti. Cole played well and Mauti stayed on the bench.

Nobody knows what we have with these three...Hodges was supposed to be one of the best "cover" OLB's coming out of college. He was a safety his first few years at Penn St. Too bad we never got to see him play. Mauti was a beast (1st team All Big Ten) on the inside in his college days...he should be healthy and ready to roll again. Cole is just a "player"...probably doesn't work-out really well but when the ball is snapped he has great instincts and makes plays...a lot like a LB Zimmer had in Cincy...Burfict.

The Vikes will probably take a LB in the 1st round but I see them taking one that will compliment our DE's. Someone like Barr or Mack would be perfect...can cover but can bring the HEAT when needed.

I think Zimmer likes the young LB's on the roster....

[FISHINGURU]

I think he just looked decent because we are used of seeing such garbage, kind of why Cassel looked good after watching Blunder. When your used to watching the bottom of the barrel week after week anything that brings a spark looks great.

Cole made some nice plays though, just need to see more of him before we know if he's the truth or not. Frazier and staff must not of liked new young guys they'd rather ride or die with some old washed up scrubs then see what the new guys have.

Nice thing about Zimmer is he's not connected to any of these guys so best guy for the job will be playing, not some scrub just because he's been on the roster a few years.

With new coaching and schemes any of our guys could end up being really good, even some of the guys that weren't so good in the Cover 2.

Same with Cassel, he could end up being pretty good under Turner and a new scheme. Turner is probably a little better then Mustpuke at drawing up plays to fit the guy that's starting.

I'm excited for the new season, new coaches, new players, no favorites, best man wins the job. The path we were on wasn't working, I'm glad they blew it all up and are starting over.

[PurpleFloyd]

They invested some decent picks on those guys and they really need them to become starters in order to maintain the rebuild of the team.If at least 2 don't become starters then they will have to burn more FA dollars or draft picks on the position and that is going to hamper their ability to holes in other parts of the team.

[DrJuice1980]

Audie Cole: 7th round

Michael Mauti: 7th round

Gerald Hodges: 4th round

Purple: Invested decent picks? Not really. Dime a dozen.

6'2" and all 210lbs of me would have put forth a better effort than Henderson, I truly believe that (if I had access to all that he had for 3 months). He was by far the most pathetic excuse I have ever seen for a Mike LB in the NFL. To be the next guy called up would be like Christmas. Cole didnt look bad, but who would following that $hyt show. He made some good plays but also blown coverage a few times. Im not sold on Hodges at all either and I havent seen much of Mauti. My guess would be we move on, Hodges might be an ok Sam and the other 2 are special teamers.

[zepman]

Hard for anyone to be sold on any of them since they never got to play....

[Scott K]

I think Zimmer will get them to play, and design a play for them.

[RumRiverRat]

Mediocre at best.

[Scott K]

Mediocre at best.

That is much better then what we had in the recent past.

[DrJuice1980]

It should be noted that just because the stat line might show tackles it doesn't necessarily mean you're legit if you're close to the top. A LB should lead the team in tackles or get 5-10+ a game but just cause you brought a guy down doesn't mean you're good at doing your job out there.