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From The Star Tribune
Cardinals interested in trade for Vikings' Bennett
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
September 22, 2005 VIKE0922.NOTES
Running back Michael Bennett resumed his role as the Vikings' nominal starting running back Wednesday, but his long-term future with the organization remains unclear.
Bennett's name once again has emerged in trade rumors, and a person with knowledge of the situation said the Vikings held cursory discussions this week with the Arizona Cardinals -- whose coach, Dennis Green, selected Bennett in the first round of the 2001 draft.
In-season NFL trades are rare, and no deal appeared imminent Wednesday. The league's trading deadline is Oct. 18.
But the Cardinals have pursued Bennett periodically since Green arrived last season, most recently before the April 2005 draft. Bennett is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Meanwhile, Bennett was working with the Vikings' first-team offense Wednesday during the portion of practice open to the media. Mewelde Moore, who replaced Bennett after he fumbled twice in the Vikings' 38-7 loss to Cincinnati, also saw time with the first team.
Bennett expressed frustration with what he considered a quick hook, but coach Mike Tice said: "I haven't lost any confidence in Mike because he had a couple of fumbles." Bennett said he cleared his head during a fishing expedition earlier this week.
"I'm definitely happy [Tice's] confidence is still there," Bennett said. "I'm not going to lose any confidence in myself and my abilities."
Two listed as doubtful
The Vikings listed receiver Nate Burleson (left knee sprain) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (right ankle sprain) as doubtful on their injury report. Neither player practiced Wednesday.
Burleson is not expected to play Sunday, and his status for next week's game at Atlanta is unclear as well. Henderson seems to have a slight chance to play but would be replaced by Dontarrious Thomas if he cannot.
Middle linebacker Sam Cowart (strained left calf) participated in a portion of practice and is expected to return to the lineup. Cowart, safety Darren Sharper (left knee sprain) and defensive end Kenechi Udeze (right calf strain) are listed as probable.
Meanwhile, quarterback Daunte Culpepper said his right knee is "just about 100 percent." Culpepper has been playing this season with an unspecified injury that has caused periodic swelling, athletic trainer Chuck Barta said.
"It feels the best it has felt in about two or three weeks," Culpepper said.
Etc.
• Zygi Wilf and his ownership group have offered Tice anything he needs to help turn around the 0-2 start. "But unfortunately I don't think there is anything today that they can do or any check they can write to help us get better," Tice said. "We have some things we have got to battle our way through. ... But it's nice to know that the owners are there for you."
• The Vikings signed defensive end Eric Coleman to the practice squad and released offensive lineman Shannon Snell.
• Cory Withrow and Melvin Fowler rotated at center with the first team during practice Wednesday.
• Vikings players scheduled a players-only meeting to hash through their 0-2 start. "You can only go so far living everything for the outside world," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "We're trying to win for us. We're not trying to win for everybody else who is doubting us right now. We're trying to pull together as a team. If you're going to do that, you have to do that starting in-house."
• Tice's daughter, Adrienne Tice, departed Wednesday morning for the University of Oregon, where she is a freshman. "It kind of takes a little out of you when your kids leave," Tice said. "You realize how lucky you are to have a family like I have."
Staff Writer Mark Craig contributed to this notebook. Kevin Seifert is [email protected].
Cardinals interested in trade for Vikings' Bennett
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
September 22, 2005 VIKE0922.NOTES
Running back Michael Bennett resumed his role as the Vikings' nominal starting running back Wednesday, but his long-term future with the organization remains unclear.
Bennett's name once again has emerged in trade rumors, and a person with knowledge of the situation said the Vikings held cursory discussions this week with the Arizona Cardinals -- whose coach, Dennis Green, selected Bennett in the first round of the 2001 draft.
In-season NFL trades are rare, and no deal appeared imminent Wednesday. The league's trading deadline is Oct. 18.
But the Cardinals have pursued Bennett periodically since Green arrived last season, most recently before the April 2005 draft. Bennett is in the final year of his rookie contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Meanwhile, Bennett was working with the Vikings' first-team offense Wednesday during the portion of practice open to the media. Mewelde Moore, who replaced Bennett after he fumbled twice in the Vikings' 38-7 loss to Cincinnati, also saw time with the first team.
Bennett expressed frustration with what he considered a quick hook, but coach Mike Tice said: "I haven't lost any confidence in Mike because he had a couple of fumbles." Bennett said he cleared his head during a fishing expedition earlier this week.
"I'm definitely happy [Tice's] confidence is still there," Bennett said. "I'm not going to lose any confidence in myself and my abilities."
Two listed as doubtful
The Vikings listed receiver Nate Burleson (left knee sprain) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (right ankle sprain) as doubtful on their injury report. Neither player practiced Wednesday.
Burleson is not expected to play Sunday, and his status for next week's game at Atlanta is unclear as well. Henderson seems to have a slight chance to play but would be replaced by Dontarrious Thomas if he cannot.
Middle linebacker Sam Cowart (strained left calf) participated in a portion of practice and is expected to return to the lineup. Cowart, safety Darren Sharper (left knee sprain) and defensive end Kenechi Udeze (right calf strain) are listed as probable.
Meanwhile, quarterback Daunte Culpepper said his right knee is "just about 100 percent." Culpepper has been playing this season with an unspecified injury that has caused periodic swelling, athletic trainer Chuck Barta said.
"It feels the best it has felt in about two or three weeks," Culpepper said.
Etc.
• Zygi Wilf and his ownership group have offered Tice anything he needs to help turn around the 0-2 start. "But unfortunately I don't think there is anything today that they can do or any check they can write to help us get better," Tice said. "We have some things we have got to battle our way through. ... But it's nice to know that the owners are there for you."
• The Vikings signed defensive end Eric Coleman to the practice squad and released offensive lineman Shannon Snell.
• Cory Withrow and Melvin Fowler rotated at center with the first team during practice Wednesday.
• Vikings players scheduled a players-only meeting to hash through their 0-2 start. "You can only go so far living everything for the outside world," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "We're trying to win for us. We're not trying to win for everybody else who is doubting us right now. We're trying to pull together as a team. If you're going to do that, you have to do that starting in-house."
• Tice's daughter, Adrienne Tice, departed Wednesday morning for the University of Oregon, where she is a freshman. "It kind of takes a little out of you when your kids leave," Tice said. "You realize how lucky you are to have a family like I have."
Staff Writer Mark Craig contributed to this notebook. Kevin Seifert is [email protected].
-> to the RB with the 8ft vertical and 10yrd broad jump
