[Bryan88]

Kleinsasser looks for his ring

Jimmie Johnson was a great NFL tight end for 10 years, so when the new Vikings tight ends coach describes Jim Kleinsasser as the best blocking tight end in the NFL, you listen, because someone with his playing experience should know what it takes to be the best at his position.

When told what Johnson said, the humble Kleinsasser, in his 10th year with the Vikings, talked about what a great teacher Johnson has been.

"I don't know about that, [talking] that way," said the 31-year-old Kleinsasser, who made the jump from North Dakota to the NFL. "But I love Jimmie, and he's a great coach to play for and I have fun when I'm out there with him."

But has he learned a lot from Johnson?

"Oh, definitely. Jimmie's a guy that's played for quite a few years in the league," Kleinsasser said. "So, he brings that experience, and we talk quite a bit about how to do certain things in certain situations, certain looks. We've both come up with pretty good ideas, and a lot of times we're right on the same page.

"I was a huge Redskins fan back in the day, and he's got a ring," said Kleinsasser, referring to the Super Bowl championship Johnson won with Washington in Super Bowl XXVI, when the Redskins beat Buffalo at the Metrodome in January 1992. "... So I'm a little envious of that, but hopefully I'll get one for myself."

Kleinsasser has 158 career receptions but only 11 over the past two seasons under Brad Childress, including only four last season. It's his blocking that keeps him in the lineup.

"Well, that's the kind of thing I've been doing [blocking] the past few years, that's my job, that's my role and I try to be the best at what I do," he said.

What does a tight end do to make sure he is doing his job?

"You've got to get in the weight room, work on that," he said. "But the big thing is just experience, and learning how to use your technique and leverage -- basically, just getting out there and doing it over and over and finding out what works."

One thing Kleinsasser has had to do when the team has worked out together this offseason is block Jared Allen, the great pass-rushing defensive end acquired from Kansas City.

"He's a talented guy, he's quick, strong, I can't say enough good things about him," said Kleinsasser, who has gone against Allen in the past when the Vikings and Chiefs trained together or played each other. "He's the kind of guy that you can't just get set and [say], 'OK, he's going to bull-rush you,' or 'He's going to speed' -- he can do it all."

Allen said of Kleinsasser: "Jimmy's a beast. He's a big guy, he's hard to deal with and I'm glad he's on my team."

Kleinsasser said there hasn't been any conversation with the team about a contract extension. He can be a unrestricted free agent after this year.

"I'm just playing my contract, and we'll see what happens," Kleinsasser said.

It's hard to imagine that Kleinsasser wouldn't be with the Vikings in 2009.