Vikings take another hit with loss of Udeze

[The extremist]

I remember the heated debates during the 2003 draft on whether the 'skins should have drafted Udeze, KWII, or Taylor

Vikings take another hit with loss of Udeze

DAVE CAMPBELL

Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze, a starter who is in his second NFL season, will miss the remainder of the season with an injury to his left knee.

Udeze, who was hurt in Minnesota's game against New Orleans on Sept. 25 and didn't play last week at Atlanta, had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday that revealed a problem more serious than the team originally believed. Udeze, who will need six to eight months to recover, had loose cartilage cleaned up during a procedure designed to stimulate new cartilage growth.

Coach Mike Tice confirmed the news following Thursday's practice, the last gathering of the week for the struggling Vikings (1-3) - who don't play this weekend.

"Just a little bit more adversity," cornerback Fred Smoot said. "We've just got to get through it."

Udeze, a first-round draft pick from Southern Cal who made 15 starts and had five sacks as a rookie, was making significant strides this year - especially with his mental preparation and grasp of the game.

"Oh, gosh, here we go again," defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said. "You lose one of your starting players - that's a big blow to us. Because he was also playing very well."

Spencer Johnson, who became a starter at tackle in the second half of last season as an undrafted rookie, would be the starter at left end - if he's healthy. Johnson (sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee) didn't practice Thursday, and Tice said he wasn't optimistic about him playing on Oct. 16 at Chicago.

That leaves rookie Erasmus James, the first-round draft pick from Wisconsin, as the only other player at the position with Darrion Scott and veteran Lance Johnstone continuing to share time on the right side.

Johnstone didn't play last week because of an injury to the area around his chest and shoulder, but he's on schedule to return against the Bears. The Vikings will probably bring in a few free agents for workouts on Friday.

Backup safety and special teams captain Willie Offord (knee) is already on injured reserve. Backup cornerback Brian Williams (knee) has not yet been able to practice since getting hurt against the Saints, and he probably won't be ready yet to play at Chicago. Beyond Udeze, though, athletic trainer Chuck Barta said it was too early to rule anyone out.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, bothered by bursitis and a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, is improving. Culpepper sat out his first practice on Thursday and might rest again on Monday, but Tice said there was no chance of the three-time Pro Bowl pick missing the Bears game.

The Vikings are not only using the extra time to get healthy, but they're giving themselves a thorough self-examination - a typical bye-week practice in the NFL. Two retired coaches, Jerry Rhome and Foge Fazio, have joined the team this week to provide independent analysis of the entire program - schemes, procedures, players, game plans, techniques and whatever else catches their attention.

Rhome, who spent time with nine NFL teams as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, has been working with the offense. Fazio, who was a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for five NFL clubs including Minnesota from 1995-99, has been watching the defense.

Both are longtime friends of Tice, who would like them to stay in some capacity for the rest of the season. Tice even indicated that Rhome could assume a play-calling role from the booth and allow offensive coordinator Steve Loney to return his focus to the offensive line - a group that has gradually made progress after a rough start.

"He wants to square away his line himself," Tice said.

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