Kolodziej Leaves For Cards

The exodus of Vikings players continues as another member of the 2006 team signs on elsewhere.

Ross Kolodziej, who was a key defensive line backup last year, signed a deal with the Arizona Cardinals Friday.

Kolodziej was signed last year to spell Kevin Williams and Pat Williams and was viewed as a solid backup who played an important role. However, when free agency began, the Vikings didn’t make a strong push to re-sign Kolodziej and let him test the free agent market. After getting no takers in the first month and a half of free agency, Kolodziej went back where he came from – he played for the Cardinals in 2004-05.

Kolodziej’s name is the latest in a growing list of players that have gone from the current Vikings column to the former Vikings column.

SATURDAY NOTES
* Add another Viking player to the former Viking player column. Mike Rosenthal, who was signed as a free agent and installed at right tackle by the Vikings three years ago, signed Friday with the Dolphins.

* Speaking of the Dolphins, the team’s first minicamp got underway Friday and Cleo Lemon was their starting quarterback. Daunte Culpepper has yet to be cleared to fully practice.
* Former Vikings cornerback Ralph Brown signed with the Cardinals Friday.