[minnesota vikings news]

The number glares next to Kenechi Udeze's name, in the column labeled "sacks" wherever his 2006 statistics are posted. 0.0.

Yes, Udeze, the first-team All-American defensive end for national champion USC who was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2004 for his pass-rushing prowess, went the entire season without tackling an opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

"It ate at me, but that's something I let go when I came back and first started working out with the team," Udeze said after Thursday morning's practice, with one week of training camp passed.

"I did a lot of good things last year. The sack thing sticks out to a lot of people, but I look at what I did positive last year," Udeze said.

It wasn't like he never reached the backfield. In statistics tracked by the defensive coaches, Udeze led the team with 13 tackles for loss and ranked second on the Vikings behind All-Pro Kevin Williams with 41 quarterback hurries.

"He's this close. This close," coach Brad Childress said, extending his thumb and forefinger for illustration. "A lot of times he is shooting it to somebody else. Yeah, the numbers aren't there, but he is a good football player."

wcco.com - Udeze Puts Frustrating Season In The Past