Onterrio Smith Wants First-Round Money

Onterrio Smith, the Minnesota Vikings fourth-round draft pick is trying to use the injury of starting running back Michael Bennett to his advantage. According to "The Minneapolis Star-Tribune", the rookie out of Oregon is seeking escalators that would pay him close to first-round money should he win the starting job at halfback. The problem with Smith's thinking is that the longer he holds out, the less likely he is to win the starting spot.

Vikings head coach Mike Tice told the "Star-Tribune", "The important thing for Onterrio to note is that if he misses [today], I don't look at it as missing one practice. I look at it as if he's missed 15 days. He missed 14 days of developmental camp. . . . That's important to note and he needs to realize that. We've expressed that to him and his representation."

"It's not about how you run a football. If you're going to get on the field for the Minnesota Vikings as a running back, you've got to know who to block in pass protection. He's certainly got to know who to block when they blitz. It's not just about getting the ball and running down the field."

Smith would probably be best served to get into camp as soon as possible, prove to the Vikings that he has the ability to start in the NFL, then look for that big payday when his rookie deal runs out. I do not foresee Red McCombs giving in to his demands.