For all you guys who wanted to move him to safety while he was at tOSU....
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14298686.htm
New fire ignites Kleinsasser
BY SEAN JENSEN
Pioneer Press
Although this will be his eighth NFL season, Jim Kleinsasser feels like a rookie all over again.
"It's a fresh feeling," Kleinsasser said. "It's like the first day of school.
"It's exciting. Maybe after so many years, you kind of get into a comfort zone. This kind of lights a new fire, and it's making me excited about the new season."
Kleinsasser started 16 games last season for only the second time in his career. But he finished with a modest 22 catches for 171 yards and no touchdowns. With the departure of coach Mike Tice, there were some questions about Kleinsasser's future with the Vikings, especially after he signed a five-year, $15 million contract in 2004 that included a $4.25 million signing bonus.
"It's a business, so you never know what's going to happen," Kleinsasser said. "But I've got a contract right now, and as long as they don't lock me out of the building, I'm going to keep showing up. I come in here and try to do the best in this offense, and do the best I can."
More important, though, Kleinsasser has a renewed confidence in himself physically. After missing the final 15 games of the 2004 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Kleinsasser returned in 2005, but he didn't feel fully recovered.
Asked how he feels now, Kleinsasser said, "My legs feel great, actually."
In 2005, Kleinsasser said he sometimes would go into cuts on the wrong foot, to overcompensate for the other.
"Now it's solid," he said. "I took some time off, and got away from everything, so the rest helped."
For now, Kleinsasser is focusing on learning the new West Coast offense, noting that he'll do "whatever hat they want me to."
"I'll do whatever," he said.
Smith update: As is, Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said he is comfortable with his depth at running back.
"If we had to go to battle tomorrow, we'd be ready," Bevell said, mentioning starter Chester Taylor, Mewelde Moore, Ciatrick Fason and Adimchinobe Echemandu.
But Vikings owner Zygi Wilf remained confident that the Vikings could bring back another player: Onterrio Smith.
Currently fulfilling a yearlong suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Smith is eligible for reinstatement next month, and Wilf said the Vikings could be inclined to give him another opportunity.
"The way this coaching staff responds to players, this would be the right environment for him to move his career forward," Wilf said. "But all that's subject to his reinstatement."
Wilf also said it would be important for the Vikings to feel comfortable with Smith, both mentally and physically, before inviting him back to the team.
Smith has more career touchdowns (nine) than Moore (four) and Taylor (seven).
South Dakota on hold: With the Vikings making some headway with their stadium efforts, Wilf said it would be "disingenuous" to consider an out-of-state option for training camp.
"At this time, we're concentrating on our Blaine complex and Mankato," Wilf said.
Wilf said earlier this year that he would consider South Dakota, given the state's high interest in the Vikings and the regional tie.
"We understand they have a lot going on," said Mark Johnston, the press officer for South Dakota governor Mike Rounds. "If they're ready, we'll be prepared to talk to them."
Defensive approach: Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin is one of the club's most animated figures at practices, showing players how he wants drills done and imploring players to play at a high tempo.
Asked what fans can expect from his defense, Tomlin said, "What they can expect to see, we're going to create a frenzy.
"We've defined that by big guys running and little guys willing to hit," he said. "That's what we're focused on right now. We think that regardless of scheme, historically the great defenses throughout the history of the league have played in a frenzy, so that's what we want to do."
Briefly: Tight end Richard Owens is a fullback now. One of the special teams captains last season, Owens said, "I will do whatever it takes to make this team and stay in this league."
•
Dustin Fox switched from safety to cornerback, and guard Adam Goldberg practiced some at left tackle Saturday.
• Asked if his three linebacker spots are wide open, Tomlin said: "We are of the philosophy that all 11 spots are open. We know there are some strong candidates at some of those spots and the likelihood of them losing those spots is minimal."
Sean Jensen can be reached at
[email protected].
