Bennett to start 12/24

**ADubya26** · 12-21-2004, 11:27 AM

According to Viking Update:

* Three weeks after vowing Onterrio Smith would be the featured back the rest of the season, Mike Tice announced Michael Bennett will start Friday's game.

Also,

Injured veterans Matt Birk, Antoine Winfield and Bryant McKinnie are all expected back -- only adding to the hype surrounding this important divisional game -- which has enormous playoff implications.

I really hope Bennett steps it up

**cajunvike** · 12-21-2004, 11:34 AM

They ALL need to step it up...we need to make this a STATEMENT game...and not one that shows that we will only be in the playoffs for one game.

**whackthepack** · 12-21-2004, 11:40 AM

Are they featuring Bennett to try and raise his trade value for the offseason?

**VikingsTw** · 12-21-2004, 11:51 AM

If you didnt notice bennett had a nice game VS the lions and bennett is starting to get back the way michael is supposed to be. We're starting to see the bennett that was coming out of the offseason before he was injured. All i can say to the pack is WATCH OUT!

**UTVikfan** · 12-21-2004, 11:53 AM

I read the quote on Vikings.com, and heard it on ESPN, but it didn't sound like O. Smith was a for sure starter the rest of the year to me. I am sure their gameplan worked better with Bennett so they started him. NBD, that is how it works for the Vikings. Bennett started the game last week too. I just barely watched the start of it, (damn work) yesterday. It has been RBBC for I don't know how long, and as long as they keep MM returning kicks and punts, I personally don't care who they start. They are all capable.

**rkuriger04** · 12-22-2004, 05:58 PM

its a good plan with o smith giving bennett breathers and moe in goal line.

**muchluv4smoot** · 12-22-2004, 06:11 PM

"whackthepack" wrote:

Are they featuring Bennett to try and raise his trade value for the offseason?

Absolutely! It better not cost us a game for doing it though. It will be like last week probably. Tice will let bennett play early in the game, and when it comes crunch time, he will rely on onterrio.

**snowinapril** · 12-22-2004, 06:17 PM

"vikingstw" wrote:

If you didnt notice bennett had a nice game VS the lions and bennett is starting to get back the way michael is supposed to be. We're starting to see the bennett that was coming out of the offseason before he was injured. All i can say to the pack is WATCH OUT!

TRUE DAT.

Maybe it was just an attitude adjustment or maybe he just needed a while to get his legs and skills back after the injury. I was surprised to see him starting against the Lions.