Kenechi Udeze on track for OTAs with Minnesota Vikings

Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze is expected to participate in the first organized team activities this spring, coach Brad Childress said.

[SILLY CHILLY]

"(I'm) happy for him," Childress said. "I know what it takes to keep the guys together from the regular season, on into the playoffs."
hahaha i find this hilarious hes speakin liek he knows all bout going far into playoffs, hey chlly tomlin won more games in post season i one season then u did all 3 years..how amny did u winn OHH YEAA NONEEE I LOVE my vikes man but if we dont make moves in the next 2-3 years there goes our window for a SB fire childress promote frazier

[Bevell Blows]

What the hell did Murphy do last year if he is giving the special teams a fresh prospective? Bill Parcells already picked up the 3 time Canadian football league MVP, so is this guy any good? I guess it won't be that hard for him to beat out Vinny Circui that guy was a free agent joke.

[Greg from Louisiana]

"celebrating the Vikings' 30-year partnership with the University of Minnesota department of pediatrics." ??

Pediatrics? Oh I know, they help in dealing with problem children on the team.

I hope Udeze can make it all the way back, the Vikings can always use another good defensive lineman.

[Bevell Blows]

I really wonder what is going on with Sydney Rice? I know he was knicked up this last year, but when he was able to play he was used sparringly. Is he another case of the coaching staff holding him back because you need to earn your stripes in the league before you play, it wasn't until week 7 of All Days rookie year before the national media and everyone else was asking why isn't he on the field more. Rice has the ability to be that #1 WR with a good offseason in the weight room. So far I see a player's career that the coaching staff has mucked up. I would like a reporter to ask Chili how many years does he think it will take to build this team for many years to come?

[Digga]

Hate beeing cheesy, but man that is amazing that Kenechi is coming back to play. He deserves a ton of credit for his hard work. Good luck dude!

[Gophers fan]

Given Chilly's past I wouldn't be surprised if he cuts Udeze for not conforming to the team's weight requirements.

Either way, it would be AWESOME to see Udeze on the field again. At this point, it's awesome to see that he's got his healt back. That guy seems to be one of the few players that actually 'gets it.' Similar to M. Birk.

[super mega blog]

KC just signed Todd Haley...always nice to break it over the drubs at PP. So why not just fire childress and promote Frazier to head coach now, rather than midway through the season after the Vikings are a dismall 4-4. With an influx of coaches that look legit, its in rather poor taste to stick with a dufus like brad childress...he's not going to get any lucky wins with these new coaches in the league...time to bring in brett favre as a player coach...looks like it may happen now that Ray Lewis is hinting that he wants to sign with the Jets according to AM New York, oh, scouped the drubs again.

[Danny Boy]

I am happy for Udeze but c'mon fans, be honest...this guy has been nothing but a bust since he was drafted. All of the sudden everyone is calmmoring about this guy and yes, he is sick and good for him in his attempt to return but again, the guy, as a football player, defensive end, well he just plain sucks, end of story...SO..before all you folks slam me , please tell me what he has actaully accomplished ON the football field?...

[Chili SA]

Some of you nerds have neglected to notice who it is who is getting paid big bucks for coaching an actual NFL franchise and who it is who sits around blogging for free all day for a second-rate news rag, while drooling and spilling lukewarm java across their assorted, jumbled keyboards.

[PurpleBlood0021]

Danny Boy wrote:

I am happy for Udeze but c'mon fans, be honest...this guy has been nothing but a bust since he was drafted. All of the sudden everyone is calmmoring about this guy and yes, he is sick and good for him in his attempt to return but again, the guy, as a football player, defensive end, well he just plain sucks, end of story...SO..before all you folks slam me , please tell me what he has actaully accomplished ON the football field?...

In general, you make a good point. We are all happy for Kenechi and almost everyone has had a loved one who has been affected by cancer - so we can feel for this guy's struggle to get back to the norm. However, his production on the field has been a dissapointment, but I don't think he can be completely written off yet. He was a first round pick for a reason and at the very least has some value as a back-up.

[Gophers fan]

What has he accomplished? Well he's made it to the NFL, which 99.5% of the rest of us who played football couldn't get close to doing. AND, if he makes it back I would call it quite the accomplishment to get back onto the football field. I refuse to even look at it in such a cynical way.

[Va Vikings Fan]

Childress has faith in Murphy??? He also had or has faith in Ryan Cook, Brooks Bollinger, and Tavaris to name 3. Maybe his fresh perspective will be to have the team line up across the field at the 30 when they kick off or at the line of scrimmage when they punt.

Say one thing for Brad: he is the worlds best at self deception [but then again he keeps Zygi fooled too.

[Lifetime deal for Chilli]

I wouldn't trade Chilli for two Mike Tomlins. He may be bald, may look like big bird, may be one of the least motivating personalities in coaching history, and may have no clue how to be a head coach but lets give him time to iron it out. He is our guy so get behind him. Why not give Chilli a 10 year deal a la Charlie Weis in a show of confidence?
Last thing I'll say... now that we now have a premier linebacking talent that we so sneakily plucked from the CFL I just can't have next season start soon enough. See you in Miami purple fans!

[notanostrich]

Anybody get the feeling that "Lifetime deal for Chilli" is a Bears fan? I kinda like the idea though. That way I'd know ahead of time what to expect from the vaunted purple and gold. I could get some important things done during the football season. Like pluck the hair on my big toes.

[IAVikeFan]

I hope KU makes it back 100%... it will be one of the great success stories in the franchise history.

[Rooster7]

Danny Boy wrote:

I am happy for Udeze but c'mon fans, be honest...this guy has been nothing but a bust since he was drafted. All of the sudden everyone is calmmoring about this guy and yes, he is sick and good for him in his attempt to return but again, the guy, as a football player, defensive end, well he just plain sucks, end of story...SO..before all you folks slam me , please tell me what he has actaully accomplished ON the football field?...

How can you say he is a bust?? Just from sack totals?? His sack numbers are not strong but sacks are not everything. Udeze is VERY solid in run support and correct me if I'm wrong, usually led the team in QB hurries. He has been a very disruptive force in the pocket even though his sack numbers don't show it. God bless Kenechi! Come back with motivation and show these nay sayers what your all about!

[dmabs]

Hope he makes it back. The vikings should resign Fred Evans, Heath Farwell, and Jim Kleinsasser and get Jordan Gross in free agency. It would be nice to have a great o-line. Ryan Cook should move back to Center he has value still.

[dmabs]

I agree with Rooster 7 Udeze is not a pass rusher however he over-achieves in run support. Udeze is a beast.

[Delviking]

Danny Boy wrote:

I am happy for Udeze but c'mon fans, be honest...this guy has been nothing but a bust since he was drafted. All of the sudden everyone is calmmoring about this guy and yes, he is sick and good for him in his attempt to return but again, the guy, as a football player, defensive end, well he just plain sucks, end of story...SO..before all you folks slam me , please tell me what he has actaully accomplished ON the football field?...

Well he is a great tackler and eats up RBs going to that side which is what a LE does in the 4-3 Defense we play the right end goes after the QB. if he comes back and plays at the level he did in the 07 season he will a good DE who stay fairly healthy other than the cancer, unlike edwards who was injured for a lot of the game and of yeah udeze never caused the vikes to lose three sacks because of offside penalties like edwards did in a single game last year.

[Sage Rosenoffsides]

When he returns I will show him how much of a joke I am at QB.