EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- As Chad Greenway went about his daily business as the leader of the Minnesota Vikings' linebacker group, not far behind was Gerald Hodges.
Hodges tried not to bother Greenway, the dean of Minnesota's defense. Instead, Hodges watched intently as Greenway prepared for practice and put himself through the grind to play in 115 straight games.
Greenway was a mentor, even if he didn't know. Hodges never told Greenway he was paying attention so closely.
"That's not Gerald," Greenway said. "He wouldn't do that. He's going to watch on his own. I had the same thing when I was younger. You find guys that have had good careers or are good professionals and you just watch and see how they go about your business.
"I had Ben Leber and E.J. and a lot of guys that knew how to approach games. So I think that's for me, I've been the oldest guy for a while in that room, so just try to lead by example and we have a great group of young guys that are all really talented and it will be fun to watch them."
Greenway will be watching Sunday for the first time since the 2006 season. Greenway, who has led the Vikings in tackles each of the past six seasons, has been declared out for Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons, snapping a streak of 90 consecutive starts for Minnesota.
Hodges, the understudy, is likely to start in the base defense and pick up much of Greenway's playing time. After watching Greenway, Hodges will try to replicate him on Sunday.
"Chad is a professional in the way he handles his things on and off the field, in practice, in the film room and that's the biggest thing," Hodges said. "The sooner you take that step to being a professional, the more it's going to carry you over on film work."
Being a professional has meant more to Hodges this season.
"I believe I frustrated myself last year just by not paying attention to detail as far as film work and things like that," Hodges said. "I'm pretty much to blame for my own self last year for just trying to let my talent and athletic ability take over instead of putting the time in on and off the field."
Hodges was a fourth-round draft pick out of Penn State. He had the opportunity to start as a rookie with a gaping hole at outside linebacker on the other side of Greenway. Instead, Hodges struggled to adapt and was active for just 11 games. Limited to mostly special teams work, he ended the season with five tackles.
Quick and strong, Hodges learned he couldn't get by solely on his athleticism.
"If you come in as a rookie, you're not the best player on the team and things like that," Hodges said. "There's guys that have been around here and know what to do and (have) been through everything they need to get through so they can be the best."
Guys like Greenway, so Hodges paid more attention this year.
"I feel very, very comfortable coming into this game," Hodges said.
Greenway is confident in his backup.
"He's a gamer," Greenway said. "He'll be totally fine. He's going to make a ton of plays and be all over the place. Just try to keep his emotions in check, know he's going to play a lot of snaps and just be ready to go."
Coaches have been pleased with Hodges' progress, but also say he has to continue to pay attention to detail.
"We got to continue to get him going," coach Mike Zimmer said. "He's got a lot of athletic ability. I need to make sure he stays on his Ps and Qs as far as being disciplined and doing the right thing every play."
Hodges played 18 defensive snaps in last week's game, partly taking over for Greenway who left early with a broken rib.
Hodges finished second on the team with seven tackles after entering the game with 11 career tackles. He had two tackles for loss.
"He's been a work in progress and the thing that we keep expressing upon him, if he'll come in, work every day, he will see those things and keep getting better and better because he's gaining more experience at it," defensive coordinator George Edwards said. "He's learning the fundamentals and techniques of it and he's going out and he's executing them."
Hodges said he had a feeling he was going to be called on to replace Greenway this week but didn't want to "jump the gun." Greenway was watching this time, though.
"He's ready," Greenway said. "He can handle it."
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