Former Vikes RB Smith cut from CFL

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, June 14, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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In a remarkable turn of events, the once highly-touted, supposed steal of the 2003 NFL Draft, Onterrio Smith, was unable to make a Canadian Football League roster. This past Saturday, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers cut the troubled running back.

Throughout his entire football life, the former Minnesota Vikings back has battled with off-the-field issues--mainly drug use--but his talent always seemed to outweigh his other baggage. Unfortunately for him, he broke the substance abuse rule in the NFL and received his third strike. By now, everyone knows about the whizzinator kit he was caught with in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, when a tube of toothpaste set off the metal detector. He was subsequently suspended for the entire season. His bid for reinstatement for this season was denied by the league office.

In order to still play football, Smith decided to venture to Canada and try his luck in a foreign place. Early on in training camp with the Blue Bombers, Smith suffered an injury to his foot which forced him to miss the first preseason game. Soon, it became doubtful whether or not he could make the roster. His fate was sealed after last Thursday's exhibition game. He needed to impress to make the team, and sadly he only received two carries, which he gained seven yards on.

It is regrettable for all involved that Smith couldn't have done more with his vast talent. He had all the ability in the world to make himself into something. If he used his head, Smith could have been a Pro Bowl-caliber player on the NFL stage.

While at Grant High School in Sacramento, California, Smith was named 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.

His troubles began soon after.

In 2000, he was kicked off of the University of Tennessee football team for using marijuana. He subsequently transferred to Oregon.

While many teams shied away from his shady character issues, the Vikings took a chance on Smith. He immediately paid big dividends. It was only a matter of time before his bad decisionmaking broke though again.

He was suspended for four games in his second season (2004), thanks to his aptitude to make deplorable decisions, as he received strike two under the league's substance abuse policy. However, he still led the Minnesota Vikings in rushing that season with 544 yards.

The aforementioned whizzinator incident before the '05 season cost him his NFL career.

It's amazing how some people just can't learn from their mistakes. Smith isn't the first person to succumb to poor decisions and drugs, costing him a career. And he certainly won't be the last.

Unable to stick in the CFL, and with the NFL door seemingly closed, what other options are there for Smith? The Arena Football League will be a challenge for Smith because it's a league built mostly on passing and high scoring, and he isn't known for his hands. There is a chance a team could take a flyer on him, but then again, who really wants to deal with his problems?

Smith has seemingly used up all his chances, but with his talent, don't rule out a return to the NFL, or another league on the horizon.

Get more Onterrio Smith insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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