#77 Korey Stringer 6-4, 335 lbs Ohio State

Games and Starts

(reg. season, playoffs): 1995 (16/15), 1996 (16/15,1/1), 1997 (15/15,2/2), 1998 (14/14, 2/2), 1999 (16/16, 2/2), 2000 (16/16, 2/2). Total - 93/91, 9/9

Professional Info

Made first appearance in the Pro Bowl following the 2000 season, the fifth different Viking offensive lineman to play in the Pro Bowl in the past three seasons (Matt Birk, Jeff Christy, Randall McDaniel, Todd Steussie and Stringer)...Has consistently raised his level of play and continues to establish himself as one of the top tackles in the NFL...Has started every game he has played in over the past 65 games...Last game he played in but did not start was vs. Denver (11/24/96) when he did not start due to an ankle injury, but saw time on special teams...Has played in 93 of a possible 96 games in his six-year career...Ranks seventh in club history for starts by a tackle with 91...Has started all nine postseason games he has played in with Minnesota...Over the 1998 and '99 seasons the Viking offensive line has only allowed a sack every 15.6 pass attempts...Minnesota has averaged 375.4 net yards per game over the past three seasons...Teams with right guard David Dixon to give Minnesota an overpowering presence on the right side.

2000 Earned first career berth in the Pro Bowl...Consistently graded highest of the Vikings offensive linemen...Cleared path for Robert Smith to set team record for single-season rushing (1,521 yards) and break the Vikings' career rushing record, setting the new mark at 6,818 yards...Helped Smith become the first Viking RB to lead the NFC in rushing and earn a second career trip to the Pro Bowl...Started all 16 games for the second time in his career...Has started every playoff game since joining the team in 1995...Protected first-year starting QB Daunte Culpepper during his breakout season, helping the untested QB earn the starting spot in the Pro Bowl...Vikings ranked fifth in the NFL in total offense and led the league in rushing offense for much of the season...Minnesota's 5,961 yards of total offense on the season (372.6 yards per game) was the second highest total in Dennis Green's nine seasons with the team.

1999 Started all 16 games for the first time in his career...Paved the way for college teammate Robert Smith to become only the second player in team history to post three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons...Left game vs. Oakland (9/19) with knee injury but returned to start at Green Bay (9/26) and missed only two plays of the Packers game...Part of an offensive line in which all five linemen started the entire season...Part of an offense that was ranked third (362.1 ypg.) in total offense in the NFL...Helped quarterback Jeff George throw for 2,816 yards, 23 touchdowns, and the third best quarterback rating in the NFL...Provided time to help Cris Carter lead the NFL in touchdown receptions (13) as well as helping Randy Moss lead the NFC in reception yardage (1,413)...Keyed an offense that produced a 100-yard rusher and receiver for only the second time in team playoff history vs. Dallas (1/9/00), helping running back Robert Smith gain a team playoff record 140 yards on the ground.

1998 Named to College & Pro Football Weekly's Second Team All-Pro squad...Key element of an offensive line that allowed only 25 sacks in 533 pass attempts...Instrumental in Robert Smith's back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons...Paved way for the most potent offense in NFL history, scoring a league-record 556 points...Vikings were ranked second in the NFL in total offense, averaging 391.5 yards per game (270.5 passing, 121.0 rushing)...Cleared running room for Robert Smith and Leroy Hoard to set a team record for rushing yards by a tandem with 1,666, breaking the old mark of 1,617 set by Terry Allen and Roger Craig...Protected Randall Cunningham as he threw for a team-record 34 touchdowns, and helped Randy Moss set an NFL rookie record with 17 touchdown receptions...In two games against 1998 Defensive Player of the Year Reggie White of Green Bay, who led the NFL with 16 sacks in 1998, Stringer helped shut White down and hold him sackless...Left game at Baltimore (12/13) with groin injury...Inactive for game vs. Jacksonville (12/20) and at Tennessee (12/26)...Returned to starting spot at right tackle in Divisional Playoff game vs. Arizona (1/10/99) and NFC Championship game vs. Atlanta (1/17/99).

1997 Helped pave the way for Robert Smith to rush for a team record 1,266 yards...Started 15 games...Deactivated for game vs. Carolina (10/12) due to injured knee sustained at Arizona (10/5).

1996 Started 15 of the 16 games...Missed start vs. Denver (11/24) due to a injured ankle...Sustained injury at Oakland (11/17)...Only played on the field goal and extra point protection teams against Broncos...Part of line that produced two multiple 100-yard rushers (Robert Smith, Leroy Hoard)...Vikings finished fifth in the NFC in total offense (325.3).

1995 Thrust into action at right tackle in the opener at Chicago (9/3), after starter Rick Cunningham left the game with a knee injury...Started first NFL game vs. Detroit (9/10)...Started every game the rest of the season at right tackle...Named to All-Rookie team by College and Pro Newsweekly and the Football News...Helped Vikings set a then single-season team records for points (412) and net yards (5,938)...Was the 24th overall selection in the 1995 draft...Third offensive lineman taken in the '95 draft after Tony Boselli (2nd overall), and Ruben Brown (14th)...Second of eight Ohio State players (Joey Galloway, 8th pick, Seattle) chosen in '95.

College Info

Consensus All-America in 1994...Became first Buckeye offensive lineman to become a two-time All-America since Chris Ward in 1976 and '77...Named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in '93 and '94...Ohio State's Most Valuable Player in '94...Along with Dan Wilkinson, became the first OSU sophomore to earn All-America honors since 1979 in '93...Big Ten Freshman of the Year in '92 despite only six starts...Teammates for one season at OSU with Robert Smith.

Personal Info

Unanimous All-America and two-time All-State at Harding High School in Warren, OH...Named the Ohio Division I Lineman of the Year as a senior...Recorded 52 tackles as a defensive tackle as a senior...Led Harding to a 14-0 record and the state title his junior year...Majored in recreational education at OSU...Active in the Twin Cities community through "Viking Super Challenge" at local schools and the St. Paul Public Library...Korey and wife, Kelci, have a son, Kodie Drew (2/20/98).

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#74 Brad Badger 6-4, 319 lbs Stanford

Games and Starts

(reg.season/playoffs) 1997 (12/1-Wash.), 1998 (16/16-Wash.), 1999 (14/4-Wash), 2000 (16/0, 1/0-Minn.). Total - 58/21, 1/0.

Professional Info

Enters the 2001 season as the starter at the left tackle position...Capable of playing either guard or tackle...Started 21 games in his three-year career with the Redskins and played in all 16 games in his first season with Minnesota.

2000 Played in all 16 regular season games, as well as the Divisional Playoff game vs. New Orleans (1/6/01)...Played left guard after starter Chris Liwienski left the game with a knee injury in the season opener vs. Chicago (9/3)...Split time with Corbin Lacina at left guard vs. Miami (9/10) and at New Englend (9/17)...Played right guard at Chicago (10/15), relieving David Dixon, who was hampered with a broken hand...Saw time at right tackle at Indianapolis after Korey Stringer left the game with an injured knee...Regular player on both field goal and extra point protection teams...Signed with the Vikings as a restricted free agent in April.

1999 Played in 14 games for the Redskins, making four starts...Key part of wedge for the kickoff return teams, making several key blocks...Saw limited time at guard in the first eight weeks of the season before cracking the lineup at Philadelphia (11/14) at left guard...Started the following week vs. the NY Giants (11/21) and again vs. Arizona (12/12) and at Indianapolis (12/19)...Inactive for the last two games of the season due to an ankle injury.

1998 Started all 16 games for the Redskins, and played in all but three offensive plays all season...Made the switch from left guard to left tackle before the season...Started the first 10 games at left tackle, but was forced to move to right guard the following week vs. Arizona (11/22) because of injuries to the rest of the line...Moved back to left guard again the next week at Oakland (11/29) where he stayed for the remainder of the season.

1997 Played in 12 of 16 games in his rookie season...Started in his first game in Washington's season opener vs. Carolina (8/31) in which the running game pumped out 198 yards on the ground...Was a regular on the kickoff return unit...Reserved to a backup role for the remainder of the season until week 17 vs. Philadelphia (12/21), when he played almost the entire game after starter Joe Patton was injured on the third play from scrimmage.

College Info

Named first team All-Pac 10 first as a senior, starting every game at right guard...Started 34 of 35 games dating back to his sophomore year...Started every game for the Cardinal as a sophomore and earned second-team All-Pac 10 honors...Moved from tight end to center midseason as a freshman, and then moved to offensive guard in spring drills before his sophomore year...Played at Stanford with Vikings' Kailee Wong and Troy Walters.

Personal Info

Was involved in the Redskins Season Kickoff Cruise in support of the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation...Was an All-American selection and was rated Oregon's best prospect by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report, at Corvallis High School...In six games as a senior tight end, he had 12 receptions for 260 yards and three touchdowns... As a junior, he earned honorable mention All-State honors, catching 18 passes for 252 yards and a score...Also lettered in baseball and basketball...Named honorable mention All-state in basketball as a junior...Majored in Political Science.

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#67 Jay Humphrey 6-6, 314 lbs Texas

Games and Starts

(reg.season/playoffs) 1999 (0/0, 0/0)

Professional Info

Signed with the Vikings as a free agent on February 14, 2001...Spent the entire 2000 season on the Vikings' practice squad...Drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 1999 draft.

1999 Active, but did not play vs. Detroit (1/2)...Inactive for the Vikings' 15 other regular season games and both playoff games...Was the Vikings backup longsnapper to Mike Morris in addition to his backup role on the offensive line.

College Info

Started the last 36 games of his career for the Longhorns at right tackle...Three-year starter and four-year letterman...During his three years as a starter, Texas ranked among the top 25 in rushing and averaged better than 200 yards per game on the ground...Was in on over 2,600 plays over his last three seasons...Doubled as the teams longsnapper...Senior accomplishments include All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, All-American by The Sporting News, second-team All-American from the Associated Press, and third-team all-American honors from Football News...Blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, who led the nation in rushing for the second consecutive season and set the NCAA Division I all-time rushing mark with a school-record 2,124 yards in '98...All-Big 12 Conference second team choice as a junior...Was redshirted as a freshman.

Personal Info

All-State and Texas Top 100 Selection at Richardson (Tex.) High...Rated one of the nation's best offensive linemen by Blue Chip Illustrated...Earned University of Texas Athletic Directors Award with a 3.2 GPA...Member of Southwest Conference (1995) Honor Roll...His father, Tom, was also an offensive lineman in the NFL and played for Denver, Kansas City, Cleveland, and Atlanta ...Sports Management Major...Enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf...Resides in Richardson, Texas in the offseason...Wife is LPGA standout Kelli Kuehne, who took third in the 1999 Women's U.S. Open.

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#61 Lewis Kelly 6-4, 306 lbs South Carolina State

Professional Info

Begins his second season with the Vikings healthy and considerably stronger after spending the offseason training with the Vikings' strength staff...Looking to compete for playing time at offensive tackle...As a seventh round selection, Lewis joins Vikings' linemen Dave Dixon (free agent), Matt Birk (7th round), Chris Liwienski (free agent), Cory Withrow (free agent), and Mike Malano (7th round) as undiscovered players that assistant head/offensive line coach Mike Tice has had a knack for scouting and developing...Spent his rookie season on injured reserve.

2000 Missed the entire season because of an injured right knee suffered during training camp...Placed on injured reserve on August 22...Drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round (248th overall).

College Info

1999 Earned the Bulldogs' award for Best Offensive Lineman...Registered 12 knockdowns in seven games, missing three games due to an ankle injury...MEAC Lineman of the Week vs. Howard (11/6).

1998 Started in 11 games for the Bulldogs...Finished the season with eight knockdowns.

1997 Moved from tight end to the offensive line to help fill a void created by the loss of two starting tackles due to injury...Stated two games at left tackle and earned the team's Most Improved Player Award.

1996 Started his collegiate career as a backup tight end...Saw action in 10 games as well as making three starts...Used mainly as a run blocker...Had one catch on the season.

Personal Info

Earned a letter in his senior season after not playing football earlier in his career...Criminal Justice major.

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#73 Brian Crawford 6-6, 324 lbs Western Oregon

Professional Info

Drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round with their eighth pick (225th overall)...Became the first Western Oregon player ever selected in the NFL Draft and is the first WOU player to play with the Vikings...First Columbia Football Association player drafted since Horace Smith of Oregon Tech (10th round) and Eric Boles of Central Washington (11th round) were chosen in 1991...Only offensive lineman drafted by the Vikings in the 2001 NFL Draft.

College Info

First player in school history to earn All-CFA honors four straight years...Started all 39 games that he played at Western Oregon and did not allow a sack in his last 30 games...Averaged an 83.9% grade percentage during his career at Western Oregon.

2000 Honored as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association...Named by the Sports Xchange as a first-team Little All-American and was also first-team All-Little Northwest and All-CFA...Recognized as the Most Valuable Lineman at the Division II Cactus Bowl...Helped the Wolves generate an average of 325 yards of total offense per game while manning the right tackle position...Had a career-best 79 knockdown blocks and registered an 84.1% grade percentage...Registered 10 knockdowns, including two that led to touchdowns, while helping the WOU offense accumulate 410 yards against Humboldt State...Had a season high 91% grade against Mesa State...CFA All-Academic selection for the second straight year.

1999 Was an All-CFA first-team selection and garnered All-Little Northwest second-team honors...Helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 34 points and 409 yards per game...Finished the season with 67 knockdowns and an 83.7% grade...Graded out at a career-high 93% and registered 12 knockdowns as the Wolves amassed 534 yards against Humboldt State...His 93% grade against Humboldt State set a WOU offensive line record...Was a key part in the Wolves' offense gaining 461 yards of total offense against Simon Fraser...Helped Western Oregon gain 403 yards against Central Washington...Was a CFA All-Academic selection.

1998 Earned second-team All-CFA honors...Was a member of the Wolves' biggest offensive line in school history.

1997 Helped lead the Wolves to the CFA Championship...Earned honorable mention All-CFA recognition.

1996 Redshirted as a freshman.

Personal Info

Earned NAIA All-American honors in 1999 placing fifth in the discus and finished third in the same event his sophomore year (1997)...Set the McArthur Stadium (WOU home field) mark with a throw of 168-8 in the discus...Was a Burger King Academic All-American nominee...Graduate of Lakeridge High in Lake Oswego where he lettered twice in football...Named Most Improved Player at Lakeridge...Also starred in wrestling and track and field...Earned a secondary education degree, specializing in social science...Parents are Stan and Diana Crawford...Resides in West Linn, Oregon.

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#64 Wes Hines 6-3, 305 lbs McNeese State

Professional Info

Signed by the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2001...One of three Vikings' 2001 free agents signed to play offensive line...Currently the only player on the Vikings' roster representing McNeese State. College Info

2000 Named second-team All-America by the Associated Press...Received first-team All-Southland Conference recognition and was selected as a first-team All-Louisiana choice his senior season...Received the Voris King Award as a team captain...Led the Cowboys in knockdown blocks (87) and grade percentage (90.5)...Recorded a career high 16.5 knockdown blocks versus Troy State...Against Prairie View he recorded a perfect grade (1.000)...Was a key member of the offensive line that allowed only three sacks for the entire season...Helped the Cowboys rank among the national leaders in scoring with an average of 26.2 points per game, in rushing offense with an average of 190.6 yards per game, and in total offense, averaging 389.2 yards per game.

1999 Graded out at 83.5% and issued 78 knockdowns.

1998 Finished his sophomore campaign with an 82.5 grade percentage and 76 knockdowns.

1997 Was an immediate starter as a freshman for the Cowboys and had 74 knockdowns and an 82.0 grade percentage...Ranked third on the team in knockdown blocks...Was named McNeese State's Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the Southland Conference.

1996 Redshirted.

Personal Info

Majored in accounting...Two-year letterman at Lee High in Baytown, TX...Earned All-district honors at Baytown.

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#68 Bennitte Waddell 6-5, 308 lbs Tuskegee

Professional Info

Signed by the Vikings as a rookie free agent on April 22, 2001...Joins Kentucky State CB Carey Scott and Morehead LB Isaac Keys as rookie players from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on the Vikings roster...One of three rookie free agent offensive linemen signed by the Vikings.

College Info

Helped lead Tuskegee to a perfect 12-0 season, earning the 2000 National Black College football championship...Tuskegee won the SIAC title in 2000, the 19th SIAC crown in school history...Team was ranked #1 nationally in four polls and won Pioneer Bowl IV 12-9 over Winston-Salem State...The Tigers? 12-0 season was only the second in 109 years of football at the school...Transferred to Tuskegee from Hampton...Had to sit out the 1999 season due to his transfer, playing only one season at Tuskegee...Played 1996-98 at Hampton...Named to the Sheridan Broadcasting Network All-America Team as a senior...Honored as a first-Team All-SIAC pick...Named the SIAC Lineman of the Year...Selected the SIAC Lineman of the Week on three occasions during the season...Selected to play in the Cactus Bowl Division II All-Star Game in Kingsville, TX.

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#65 Oscar Comeaux 6-4, 298 lbs Northwestern State Louisiana

Professional Info

Signed by the Vikings as a rookie free agent in 2001...One of three Vikings' 2001 free agents signed to play offensive line...Attended the same college as defensive back Kenny Wright.

College Info

Two-year starter at Northwestern State...Played in all 22 games at NSU during his junior and senior seasons.

2000 Was a second-team All-Southland Conference selection...Helped lead the Demons to a 6-5 record.

1999 Transferred to NSU from Trinity Valley Community College and was an immediate starter.

1998 Was a key member of Trinity Valley team that recorded a perfect 12-0 record and captured the national junior college championship...Recognized as a first-team all-conference selection at tackle.

Personal Info

Selected to the 2000 NSU Athletic Honor Roll...Graduate of Houston's Sterling High...Majored in sociology...Son of Oscar Comeaux Jr. and Robin...Has one sister, Uranius.

IZ

-- Iz (izmorrow@yahoo.com), June 11, 2001