Goodspeed’s 2006 Season Officially Done

Fullback Joey Goodspeed was hoping to get a new start with the Vikings in 2006. Instead, the former St. Louis Ram and San Diego Charger suffered a minicamp injury that has now officially ended his season.

Fullback Joey Goodspeed has officially been placed on the injured reserve list for the Minnesota Vikings, ending his comeback attempt before it really got much of a chance.

During a minicamp practice in May, he went down on the FieldTurf of the Vikings’ indoor practice facility and grabbed his left knee. He was helped from the field and held out the rest of the practices. It was later determined that he had torn his left anterior cruciate ligament.

Goodspeed has spent time with the St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers since coming to the NFL from Notre Dame, but he spent last season out of football. He was one of the Vikings’ first signings under new head coach Brad Childress.

The Vikings have not used the fullback position in several seasons, but with Childress switching the offense to the West Coast style, that position is now back in play. Tony Richardson was expected to be the starter, but Goodspeed was the next most experienced fullback on the roster.

Goodspeed played in all 16 games with the Rams in 2004. He rushed only three times for 6 yards, but caught 11 passes for 71 yards.

Early in his career in San Diego, Goodspeed became a solid blocker who was adept at picking up the blitz.

At Notre Dame, he was a good all-around player who made a quick impact as a freshman in '96 and was considered similar to former Irish fullback standout Marc Edwards in style, with tough, physical, blue-collar work ethic a primary attribute.

Prior to signing with San Deigo, Goodspeed had stints with Pittsburgh (2000) and New Orleans (2001).

NOTES

Vikings practice today is expected to be open to the media, and VikingUpdate.com will be there with a practice report for Saturday and interviews in the days following.

Wide receiver Skyler Fulton, who was in camp with the Vikings in 2004, is now trying to make it with the Seattle Seahawks.

Offensive lineman Brandon Newton, who also tried to make it with the Vikings in 2004 and 2005, is now in the same situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Offensive lineman William Obeng, another 2005 camp body for the Vikings, is now with the Oakland Raiders.