Vikings’ newest signing adds depth to DT position

By Krupka  |   Thursday, June 08, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej. The five-year veteran was drafted in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. This will be his fourth team in five years; his most recent stop was as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

Kolodziej, who has been a journeyman so far in his career, saw his most extensive playing time this past season, which makes it no surprise that he posted career highs in games (16), starts (14), tackles (23)and sacks (three).

As a member of the Giants from 2001-2003 he appeared in 10 games, started one and had a total of just four tackles. He spent the '03 season with the 49ers but never saw action on the field. From 2004-2006 he was a member of the Cardinals, and played in 29 of a possible 32 games, while starting in 18.

Since entering the league, Kolodziej has been somewhat of a project, and slowly but surely has improved. In his collegiate days at the University of Wisconsin, current Vikings coaches--head coach Brad Childress, assistant offensive line coach Jim Hueber and assistant special teams coach Brian Murphy--were all part of the Badgers' coaching staff. It's plausible that they see something in him that could help translate a spot for Kolodziej at least on the practice squad. With Kevin Williams and Pat Williams forming a dominating duo at the starting defensive tackle positions, and two solid backups in CJ Mosley and Spencer Johnson, it is somewhat of a curious pickup.

This is just speculation, but there could possibly be something that Childress or defensive line coach Brian Baker saw in their backups that worried them. Or they may just feel like they needed someone to push Mosley and Johnson.

In any event, depth is crucial in the NFL and the signing of Kolodziej gives the Vikings a competent backup at the fifth tackle spot in case of injury and solidifies the team's depth at the position.

Get more Minnesota Vikings info at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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