Smith’s Viking career likely over

By Krupka  |   Tuesday, April 04, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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According to a league source, troubled Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith will be released when his suspension is up in May. It's unfortunate that Smith couldn't stay out of trouble because nobody has ever doubted his athletic ability, just his character and decision-making.

At Grant High School in Sacramento, California, Smith was a Super Prep All-American and two-time All-State selection. He set single-season school records with 3,154 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns as a senior. Because of those impressive accomplishments, he was highly-recruited by a bevy of big-name schools.

Smith decided to attend the University of Tennessee and as a true freshman, he played in eight games in 1999, averaging a little more than six yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns; he also caught two touchdowns. Unfortunately for Smith, he was kicked out of Tennessee in 2000 for using marijuana.

He transferred to Oregon, but had to sit out the 2000 season thanks to NCAA regulations. In 2001, he split carries with the Seattle Seahawks' Maurice Morris. Smith averaged six yards per carry, while racking up 1,058 yards and nine total touchdowns. In 2002, he averaged 4.7 yards per carry and rushed for 1,141 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Although Onterrio Smith had a great deal of potential entering the draft, teams shied away from him because of numerous character issues that afflicted him in the past. The Vikings decided to take a chance on Smith with their fourth-round pick, leading NFL Draft Guru Mel Kiper to dub Smith as the "steal of the draft." Smith agreed and shaved the letters S.O.D. in the back of his head.

With the motivation to prove that he was indeed the steal of the draft, Smith worked harder than ever. The Minnesota Vikings' front-office looked like geniuses as their new fourth-round pick was paying big dividends on the field. As a rookie in 2003, Smith averaged 5.4 yards per carry rushing for 579 yards and five touchdowns.

In 2004, Smith reverted to his old form with some questionable decisions. He was suspended four games for receiving his second strike under the league's substance abuse policy. However, he still led the Vikings in rushing with 544 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and caught 36 passes for 394 yards and two more touchdowns.

Smith was expected to compete for the starting job in 2005, but his decisionmaking - or lack thereof - cost him the whole season. On April 21st, 2005, a tube of toothpaste in Smith's possession set off a metal detector at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota . When security checked through Smith's luggage they found the "original whizzinator", which is a kit used to pass drug tests. Smith's excuse was that he was bringing it to a cousin, but few bought that excuse. As NFL rules state, failing to cooperate with a drug test is the same as failing one, and since this was Smith's third strike, he was suspended for the entirety of last season.

During Smith's suspension, things got even worse as he was accused of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old "mentally impaired" woman last October. The status of the case is unclear, but the woman was suing for $150,000 in damages.

It's certainly sad to see Smith's abundant talent go to waste because of poor decisions; he has the potential to be a great back in the NFL if he could simply stay out of trouble. The 5'9", 220 pounder has tremendous vision, great speed, loves contact and can grind through defenders; he also runs with power and burst. Smith's repertoire includes great juke and spin moves. When on the field, Onterrio reminds Minnesota's fans of former great Vikings back Robert Smith because of his moves and speed.

There always seems to be players that have great potential that just make the wrong decisions and fade out of the league ala former Pittsburgh Steelers back Bam Morris and former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Tamarick Vanover. Then there are others like former Vikings receiver Cris Carter, who learn from their mistakes, forge ahead and end up having great careers. In Carter's case, he's become a surefire Hall of Famer when it's his turn on the ballot.

Most would think that after having a year to sit around and think about his past transgressions that Smith may have learned something. Others will say three strikes, you're out. Much to Smith's chagrin, it seems that the latter will be the case in his situation.

With the crowded backfield in Minnesota, which boasts free agent acquisition Chester Taylor, third-year man Mewelde Moore, and second-year man Ciatrick Fason, there doesn't seem to be much room in the Vikings' backfield anymore for Smith and the headaches that come with him. There are also rumblings that the Vikings will draft another running back this April, which would all but end Smith's tenure in Minneapolis.

Despite Smith's smorgasbord of past troubles, he has a good chance of remaining in the NFL with some team because of his immense talent and potential. Don't be surprised if he succeeds and becomes a starter somewhere. And then again, don't be surprised if he flames out like a Formula-1 car wreck.

Eric Krupka can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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