The Vikings are making their way through the preseason and everything seems to be under control. The Vikings have so many young players on both sides of the ball but once again the coaching staff has made it work. Obviously it is early, but so far the so-called "weak link" defense has shown up every game and has produced numbers that were missing last season. Already the defense has produced 11 sacks and six turnovers. As this unit gets more comfortable with the scheme and each other we may see the dominating defense that hasn't been around since Dungy left.

On the offensive side of the ball the one big question that still remains is who will be the number one running back? Doug Chapman and Mo Williams are both nursing injuries and Chapman has been the unofficial preseason number one with Bennett fitting in somewhere. Now it seems with the injuries to Chapman and Williams, Bennett will get his shot. Bennett is scheduled to start against the Colts this week and will take a majority of the load in both practice and the game. He may not be the official starter yet, but after the Colts game watch for a decision on that to come quickly. Bennett has the skills and the speed to be number one. Right now he just has to learn the offense and gain the confidence he had in college. He will be an elite player soon.

In other news, the Vikings are still courting former Seahawk, DT Cortez Kennedy. Coach Green has said he will go with rookie Shawn Worthen at the nose tackle position, but if Kennedy comes to town that will be a huge boost for the middle of the D-line. Kennedy would not only bring a great veteran presence on the young line, but also a huge physical presence. Kennedy has apparently been hitting the weights and has trimmed down and toned-up and is in great shape according to many Vikings players. What do you think of the addition of Kennedy, good or bad?

Finally the agent for Korey Stringer has told the press that he has hired two lawyers that specialize in wrongful death cases. The agent hired the two lawyers to make the process of getting answers for the family quicker. Stringer's wife has said that she has not ruled out a lawsuit against the NFL and the Vikings. I hope that this will not become a distraction for the team and I hope that Mrs. Stringer can find the answers that she is looking for. This is still a very unfortunate situation that will be in the news for some time.

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), August 23, 2001

Answers

Kennedy will definitely be a BIG plus if we can get him. How about a CB too?? GO VIKES!!!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), August 23, 2001.

Cortez is coming......

I can feel it........

As long as Ralph does not spill any beer tonight, or he will jinx the deal..........

Ralph, be on your best behavior with your beer...........

Ralph, beer..........

Beer, Ralph..........

Ralph buy beer..........

beer bought by Ralph..........

Ralph buy Iz beer............

Ralph for Iz buy beer.........

Ralph tonight buy Iz a beer.......

When you hear the snap of my fingers you will run around like Yo Murphy on Crack and squeal like a pig.......

-- IZ (izmorrow@yahoo.com), August 24, 2001.