Wednesday, July 3th / 2002

RB Michael Bennett, Minnesota Vikings

Height: 5-9  
Weight: 211  
Born: August 13, 1978, Milwaukee, WI  
College: Wisconsin

Career Statistics:    

Chris Smith’s Thoughts:  

Michael Bennett had a disappointing rookie season with the Vikings.  He has amazing speed but doesn't seem to have the ability to routinely make tackles miss until he is outside.  Take away his long screen pass when the Vikings caught the Pittsburgh Steelers napping and his explosive speed didn't result in any plays over 31 yards.  Bennett runs a little too stiff and you can see that it was his sprinter speed that made him a special player in college.  He has to work on breaking through the holes aggressively and making defenders miss inside the tackles if he wants to elevate his game.

However, while there are a number of concerns about Bennett's style of play, the good news is that he is in a wonderful situation in Minnesota.  Having Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss to take the pressure off of the rushing attack is a huge plus.  He should find some room to run if he can both stay healthy and learn to run more passionately between the tackles.  He has a chance to be successful but I believe he'll be a middle of the pack starter this year.  If he stays healthy, he should break 1000 yards and he'll chip in with at least 5 touchdowns.  However the risk of injury is a pretty big concern with this player.  I wouldn't think about taking him in a draft until round four.

280 carries for 1140 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns
40 receptions for 340 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown
for a total of 190 Fantasy Points.  Injury Risk: 4

Quotes from the P.O.D. Thread in the forum: (make sure you click on the link that takes you to the thread.  There are many fantastic thoughts that I wasn't able to fit into this article).

Link to the thread: Click Here  

Positive Responses:

Wade:

"In Bennett's second year I think his production will improve (it better). I also think he has potential home run capability (which is good since Culpepper gets the call inside the 5 yard line)."

Green Bay Jay:

I like Bennett this year. I don't think anyone really understood how raw this guy was coming out of college. Another year, a run-favoragle 2 TE base set, and more touches should mean decent production.

Res Ipsa Loquitur:

Bennett will have all the chance in the world to improve on his dismal rookie season. He should see modest improvement for sure, and has potential for a real breakout season.

Interesting stat - Bennett did not fumble last year.

Sleepers:

Tice came forward 2 months ago and said they didn't use Bennett right. They will run the plays that sprung him at Wisconsin. I don't know about you, but that kind of talk tips me over. When a coach puts a player in a situation where the player can succeed by playing to their strengths... I have to kick him up a notch.

Mustang Man:

Well let's see Michael Bennett to me is a player on the verge of breaking out. All things point to him improving from his late season stats. If given the ball 15+ times I think he can realy be a big time player.

Ratpfink:

Overall, he should be a decent RB#2. Being the starter in Minnesota is a fairly good situation although one that really prevents a RB from being a true stud. I'll say
250-1100-4
40-320-1
with the possibility of another 50 carries and more TDs depending on how the defense and goalline situations turn out.

Negative Responses:

Defender of Asgard:

"Bottom line: He looks to be a lower level #2 RB, if you pick him higher than that, you're betting on potential."

Woodrow:

My hope is that someone takes him higher than I value him so I don't worry about it, but I'd have to start looking at him once the top 20 backs were off the board.

Would be thrilled to have him as my 3rd RB since there's probably more upside to my projections than downside.

Deacon14:

I'm not sold that this guy has the talent required to be an NFL back. He blocks like the turnstyle at Macy's Department store. His best asset is speed, yet he runs straight lines continually missing the opportunities and holes. He'd be better off approaching his carries - like a slow pitch softball at bat. Patience Michael Patience!

The Monsoon:

Look for more of the same from the second year back. It looks as though Tice is going to count on the combo of Moss and Culpepper to pull the Vikes through this season, and he is handing the offense over to a coordinator with no NFL experience..

Ministry of Pain:

I think he is just outside of your top25. I am not real positive about his future.

Blind Shaun

Plain and simple, Michael Bennett is a track-star who was turned into a football player. I have him ranked at #29 among running backs entering the 2002 season.

Footballguy Projections:

Chris Smith's Projections:  

P.O.D. average projections