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In 2001,
Michael
Bennett
was
drafted
out of
Wisconsin
by the
Minnesota
Vikings
with
their
first
round
pick
(pick
number
27).
Bennett
was
drafted
because
of his
Olympic
sprinter
speed
which
would
help
diminish
the loss
of
Robert
Smith
who
called
it quits
before
the 2001
campaign.
Bennett
has
shown
flashes
of
greatness,
but like
Robert
Smith
the
injury
bug has
plagued
his
career.
In his
first 4
years in
the
league
Michael
Bennett
has only
played a
full
regular
season
once and
that was
back in
2002.
Not
coincidentally,
that was
his best
season.
In 2002,
Bennett
totaled
1,647
yards
from
scrimmage,
scored 6
touchdowns
and was
selected
to the
Pro
Bowl.
Michael
Bennett
was
poised
for a
breakout
season
last
year
before
he was
injured
in a
preseason
game
against
the San
Francisco
49ers.
Bennett
missed 6
games
and
played
sparingly
in
others.
The most
carries
he
received
was in
week 16
when he
carried
the ball
17 times
for 92
yards
and
caught 3
passes
for 67
yards
and a
touchdown
against
the
Green
Bay
Packers.
That’s
what I
expected
heading
into
last
season
before
the
injury.
Well,
it’s a
new year
and
Michael
Bennett’s
stock is
up in
2005,
and
here’s
why...
1.
Onterrio
Smith
Smith
led the
Vikings
in
rushing
last
year but
he has
been
suspended
for the
season
for
violating
the
league’s
substance
abuse
policy.
That
means
heading
into the
season
Michael
Bennett
is the
number
one back
and he’s
being
backed
up by
Mewelde
Moore.
2.
Age and
Health
Bennett
is
healthy
and he
has
regained
his
Olympic
speed
after
running
the 100
meters
in 9.9
seconds
recently.
Despite
the
injuries
in the
past,
Bennett
is only
25 years
old so
he has a
lot of
juice
left in
him.
Rumor
has it
that
Bennett
is in
the best
shape of
his life
and that
he has
spoken
with
several
players
who have
had
similar
foot and
ankle
injuries.
After
those
discussions
he
changed
his
training
habits.
Bennett
shook up
his
training
regimen
with
help
from
former
Vikings
running
back
Robert
Smith.
Smith
was an
injury
waiting
to
happen
until he
posted
his best
season
in 2001
when he
rushed
for over
1,500
yards
and
scored
15
touchdowns.
Let’s
hope
Bennett
is
really
listening
to
Robert
Smith.
3.
Contract
time
It’s
funny
whenever
a guy’s
contract
is
almost
up they
seem to
work
harder
and
perform
better
than
they
ever
did.
After
the 2005
season
Michael
Bennett
will be
an
unrestricted
free
agent so
he’s
playing
for big
money
which is
always a
good
thing
for your
fantasy
team.
4.
The
Departure
of Randy
Moss
The
Vikings
loaded
up on
players
this
off-season
after
the
departure
of Randy
Moss to
Oakland
so they
can run
the ball
more and
play
defense.
The
Vikings
had to
throw
the
football
as much
as they
did
because
they
couldn’t
stop
anyone
on
defense.
With the
additions
of DT
Pat
Williams
(Buffalo),
S Darren
Sharper
(Green
Bay), CB
Fred
Smoot
(Washington),
LB Sam
Cowart
(Jets),
LB
Napolean
Harris
(Oakland),
and the
drafting
of DE
Erasmus
James
(Wisconsin),
the
Minnesota
defense
should
be much
improved.
When you
can play
defense
you can
run the
football
at will.
I
believe
career
high
numbers
are in
store
for
Michael
Bennett
if he
remains
healthy.
If you
have any
comments
on this
article
feel
free to
contact
me.
Stingray |
