INTERESTING NUGGET ABOUT JIM KLEINSASSER

Jim Kleinsasser was a second-round draft pick of the Vikings way back in 1999, the same year they selected in round one Daunte Culpepper (not bad) and Dimitrius Underwood (no comment). Kleinsasser, though largely anonymous, has been a fixture on the team ever since. And in the press release announcing that he’ll be staying with the team, the Vikings included an interesting tidbit. Of the six top single-season rushing performances in franchise history, Kleinsasser was a member of the offense, with his hard-nosed blocking helping to clear a path. And if Chester Taylor had managed 51 more yards in 2006, Kleinsasser would have been a part of each of the top five single-season rushing performances. Said coach Brad Childress: “We’re excited to have Jim back. We wanted him back and we’re glad he took time out from ice fishing to come in and sign his contract. Jim’s an important part of our offense and the kind of guy you want in your locker room.”