On 2005 roster at present (Bold indicates projected starter)

20: Moe Williams; 10th season
23: Michael Bennett; 5th season
30: Mewelde Moore; 2nd season
32: Onterrio Smith; 3rd season
34: Butchie Wallace; 1st season
35: Ciatrick Fason; R

As with the linebackers, I really didn't get a chance to observe the running backs.

But unlike the linebackers, it was not because I was afraid of what I might see. Rather the opposite. What is there to worry about? Well, maybe one thing but we'll get to that later.

There was a new boy in town. His name is Ciatrick Fason. Fason has some upper body conditioning to be done....as you can see. But then, Robert Smith was much the same and within a year or two looked like he wanted to be considered for a cage match on W.W.E. wrestling.

S.O.D. walked right past me early on. And I can swear on the Bible the man had NO odor of any smoke on him. Medicinal or recreational. I'm a pharmacist...I know these things. And Smith looked good. Caught everything thrown his way.

But one wonders how he and Michael Bennett will share time this coming year. Will they play nice or will each sulk if they don't get enough carries each game to satisfy their individual drives?

And who can really blame them? Each could start for about half the teams in the NFL, right now. But with the Vikings, they will be expected to fill certain situational roles. Something I just can't bring myself to really accept. I'm old-school. I want a featured back.

And then there is the old man of the bunch, Moe Williams. As I stated way back with Mini Camp Report I, it was very cold at mini camp Friday. And there were a bunch of macho players in short-sleeves and shorts who probably have a little sniffle or tickle in the throat about now. Not Williams. He's been in Minnesota long enough to know about wearing layers. And let me tell you something else about the old man. No one ran harder on each and every drill than Moe did.

No one.

Oh, and did I mention Mewelde Moore? The fourth in the Barbershop Quartet that we call the RBs of the Vikings? Well, MeMo was there as well. And MeMo had the longest play from scrimmage the entire day. He broke over the middle, took in a pass from Daunte Culpepper, put a unknown DB on his butt with a juke that would have made Barry Sanders smile.....and went literally untouched for 20+ yards. That even shutup Fred Smoot.

So, what is there to worry about? Because, if one of the RBs goes down with an injury during the season, the Vikings won't have to worry about filling a big void. They just plug in the next guy and away they go.

Well, between you-me-and-a-fence-post....I really didn't see these guys yukking it up out there. Not a lot of smiles and such. Lot of standing off to themselves which I only noticed because it was so glaring that you couldn't help but to notice it.

After practice, each unit came off the field as a cohesive unit. The running backs came off solo. And only MeMo hung around for interviews and photos. All the other running backs bolted.

I could be completely off base on that. And I hope I am.

Other Photos

Michael Bennett ran hard all day.

MeMo takes in a catch.

Michael Bennett awaits the play call.

Moe Williams behind the line of scrimmage.

Ciatrick Fason heads to the locker room after practice.

MeMo hangs around for the media.

Up next: Kickers & Special Teams! (Projected to be up Saturday night)

Previous: Linebacker, Quarterback, Defensive Line, and Initial Report (just scroll down)

And be sure to leave a COMMENT below if you have a specific question you would like to ask me and I'll reply using the COMMENTS field.

And if you want to use a photo on your own personal site...I simply ask that you credit me and my Vikings Underground web blog.

Posted by maasx003 at April 30, 2005 10:52 PM | TrackBack