Vikings' Henderson looks to stand on his own

Erin Henderson got a few tips Thursday night as he prepared for his first practice in a Vikings uniform.

"I went over most of the playbook with my brother last night," Henderson said. "How many guys can say they had the opportunity to do that? This definitely has its plusses and minuses, but I can deal with the minuses with a plus like that."

Henderson, the younger brother of middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, signed a free-agent contract with the Vikings after going undrafted last weekend. Some scouting services projected him as a probable second-day pick at linebacker, but concerns over Henderson's history of knee injuries apparently scuttled his status.

Henderson said he was upset for "about 10 or 15 minutes" after the draft. But, he said, "then I thought about it: 'I'm going to Minnesota to play with big bro.' What do I have to be upset about?"

Like his brother, Erin Henderson starred at the University of Maryland. But because they are six years apart, they never have played on the same team.

Instead, Erin has lived in the shadow of his brother. He hopes to change that perception, starting with this weekend's rookie minicamp at Winter Park.

"I think right now they see me as E.J.'s little brother because I haven't done anything at the NFL level," he said. "If I went to a different organization, it might not be the same situation. But I'm here.

"They see E.J. every day. E.J. has been here five years. I'll be E.J.'s little brother until I go out and show them what I can do."

Friday, the Vikings worked Henderson at middle and outside linebacker. He will have to demonstrate proficiency at both positions to make the final roster.

About a dozen players with Upper Midwest ties practiced Friday on a tryout basis, hoping their performance would lead to a contract offer.

Among them:

• Running back Tom Busch (Iowa, Cottage Grove High School)

• Offensive lineman Marcus Coleman (Northern Iowa)

• Fullback Josiah Fenceroy (University of Sioux Falls)

• Tight end Jeff Fielder (Minnesota State Mankato)

• Quarterback Toby Korrodi (Northern State)

• Center Tim Mattran (Stanford by way of Chaska High School)

• Running back Amir Pinnix (Gophers)

• Linebacker A.J. Raebel (Wisconsin-Whitewater)

• Receiver Anthony Schreiber (Bemidji State)

• Linebacker Mike Sherels (Gophers)

• Running back Darion Williams (Northern Iowa)

Few, if any, of the tryout players in attendance Friday will sign a contract. But for most of them, this weekend will be their only opportunity to impress an NFL coaching staff.

"First and foremost," Sherels said, "you have to show that you can play on special teams. And then, you have to be able to take the things you learn in two or three days of meetings and apply them on the field."

• The Vikings waived receiver Joel Filani and linebacker Dallas Sartz. Filani spent last season the practice squad and Sartz signed as a free agent in March.

• Linebacker Vinny Ciurciu has changed his number to 54.

• Safety Tyrell Johnson wore No. 25 while quarterback John David Booty chose No. 4.