From: jag@unislc.uucp (John Ganske)
Subject: Minnesota Vikings News 8/28/92
Organization: Unisys Corporation SLC
Distribution: us
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 13:45:58 GMT
Keywords: ronnie west running back vikings fourth


Vikings news from the Minneapolis StarTribune for Friday August 28, 1992.
The following is from an article by staff writer Jim Souhan titled
"Vikings' West makes easy adjustment".

     When asked to describe his running style, erstwhile receiver and 
     ambitious runner Ronnie West said, "I don't have to much fake; 
     just a little tilt."

     Tilt, cruise, power, maneuverability.  Is he a back or a Cadillac?
     The Vikings hope the answer is: both.

     West, a rookie out of Pittsburg State in Kansas, was a finalist
     for the Harlan Hill Award - the Heisman Trophy for NCAA Division
     II players - last year when he compiled 1,044 yards and 12 touch-
     downs as a receiver.

     The acclaim and those stats got him drafted late in the ninth
     round by the Vikings, who hoped he could provide some depth at
     receiver.  He couldn't.  So about three weeks ago they moved him
     to running back, a position he had never played.

     Since then, West - who also could become a defensive back - has
     been one of the biggest surprises of a very surprising preseason,
     after rushing for two touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns on 
     Monday.  (me: I really hope that the decision to keep him has not
     been made just on the basis of scoring two touchdowns in a very
     lopsided preseason game.)

     With the final roster reduction scheduled for Monday, West is the
     fourth back on a team that will keep four backs, and is expected
     to play most of the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins
     on Saturday in the final preseason game.  Unless the Vikings find
     a more promising player on the waiver wire - which is a possibility
     - West should make the team.

     How has he made the adjusment so rapidly?  He has more experience
     making changes than taking handoffs.

     West began his college career at Valdosta State in Georgia, where 
     he ws reshirted and never played.  He left for Northeast Oklahoma
     A&M, where he became academically ineligible.  "I was short one 
     hour, I joined the service and I've been in the reserves for three
     years," he said.  "Then I joined the ROTC after I got to Pittsburg
     State and became a second lieutenant there, and I only played two
     years there."

     That's all it took for him to set the Gorillas' - yes, Gorillas -
     career records of 1,799 yards receiving and 21 touchdown catches.

     "Then, thank the Lord, the Minnesota Vikings draft me," West said.
     West says he gives thanks ofter, and not just for this opportunity.
     His father is a decon, and West belongs to the Fellowship of Christian
     Athletes.

     That's why when West scored the touchdown that made it 56-3 against
     the Browns, he dropped the ball, faced the crowd - such as it was - 
     and raised his arms to either side.

     "I'm not a showboater," he said.  "I was doing it to represent the
     way the Lord died upon the cross.  Most players kneel; I just said
     I'll do it this way."  (me: give me a break)

     West said he has learned thankfulness form his religion and discipline
     from his military service, both of which he thinks have helped him in
     football.

     "The player beside you, running backs, you can't turn your heads
     against them because you're going for the same job," he said.  "If
     he's down and out and doing something wrong, you've got to let him
     know.  The talent will show who's the best man, no matter what.

     West hopes his Vikings career will survive Monday's cuts.  If not,
     he'll make another career change.

     Asked what the key to his running style was, West gave an answer
     in keeping with his biography: "I just try to keep my feet moving."

   "Vikings notes" (also by Jim Souhan)
     "Gannon to start vs. Skins"

         Rich Gannon will start at quarterback in the Vikings' final       
         preseason game Saturday night, coach Dennis Green said Thursday.

         Green said Gannon would play the first half and Sean Salisbury
         would play the second half.  Green also said it will be decided
         next week who will start in the regular-season opener, Sept.
         6 at Green Bay, although Gannon clearly is the starter.

         "I just want to go out and move the team and go from there,"
         Gannon said.

         The Vikings plan to play many of their starters into the third
         quarter tomorrow to begin preparing for the regular season.

         Mustafaa's back
         Team doctor David Fischer said cornerback Najee Mustafaa (was
         Reggie Rutland) has learned through test that his painful back
         condition is not going to require surgery.

         Fischer said he's "structuring a rehabilitation program" for
         Mustafaa.

         Said Mustafaa's agent, Jeff Durand: "I don't thing it's possible
         to say when he'll be back.  The injury is serious and we believe
         it occured early in training camp....It's possible that if he
         strengthens the muscles, he might be able to play."

         Waiting a Waiters
         The Vikings worked out former Cleveland Browns linebacker Van
         Waiters - the guy who caught the fake field goal touchdown pass
         that beat the Vikings in overtime in 1989 - and plan to sign him
         today.  Waiters most likely will back up Carlos Jenkins at strong-
         side linebacker.

         Etc./ Receiver Hassan Jones has a groin injury and probably won't 
         play against the Redskins.


John Ganske      -------------------------
a readheaded dad, vegetarian, cyclist, runner, volleyball player,
programmer, and all-around good guy, glad to be back in Minnesota,
and soon to become small-time (very small-time) farmer 
     -----------------------------------------------------  
Unisys Corp.                            jag@unislc.slc.unisys.com 
Roseville, Minnesota                  jag@unirsvl.rsvl.unisys.com
                                                     612 635-7545  
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