| Jim
Kleinsasser
Scout.com Headlines: |
Sunday slant: Miracle man on their side 
Kleinsasser got to be with Favre, not against him, on Sunday and was feeling the karma.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Oct 4, 2009 |
Vikings could be short-handed Friday
The Vikings had a number of starters that continued to be sidelined during Wednesday’s practice.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Aug 19, 2009 |
Training Camp Photo Gallery: TEs
A closer look at the tight ends during training camp drills in Mankato
-by VikingUpdate.com
Aug 7, 2009 |
Kleinsasser inks three-year deal
Tight end is first veteran Vikings have re-signed since free agency began
-by VikingUpdate.com
Feb 28, 2009 |
VikingBuzz BLOG
Return man on the radar? Kleinsasser re-signs. Sharper to Saints?
-by VikingUpdate.com
Feb 28, 2009 |
TE Jim Kleinsasser: Vikings re-sign one of their own
-by VikingUpdate.com
Feb 27, 2009 |
Vikings continue free-agent work
The Vikings are using their time in Indy to talk with representatives of their own free agents.
-by VikingUpdate.com
Feb 22, 2009 |
Kleinsasser Inducted into N.D. Hall of Fame
Vikings tight end one of two receiving prestigious honor last weekend
-by VikingUpdate.com
Jun 23, 2008 |
Positional Analysis: Tight Ends
The Vikings have a decent amount of money tied up in the tight end position.
-by VikingUpdate.com
May 12, 2008 |
VikingBuzz BLOG: 8/14
Vikings hoping for West Coast Offense production from their tight ends
-by VikingUpdate.com
Aug 13, 2007 |
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Ht: 6-3
Wt: 272
| Date of Birth: |
01/31/1977 |
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| Biography: |
How Acquired: Drafted in the second round by the Vikings in 1999. The team packaged two draft picks to move up in the second round to select Kleinsasser.
Injury History: Suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2004 season opener vs. Dallas, being placed on injured reserve and missing the remainder of the season. Missed two games in 2002 with a knee injury. Missed five of the final seven games in 2001 with an ankle injury. Missed two games in 2000 with a hamstring injury. Missed three games in 1999 with an ankle injury.
Contract Status: Vikings Contract Chart
Career Stats: FoxSports.com Player Page
Kleinsasser established himself as an integral part of the Vikings offense in 2002 and 2003 when he returned to tight end after an experiment as a fullback. The versatile big man also sees occasional duty blocking in the backfield and as an H-back, but his primary position remains tight end.
2005: Caught 22 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns – starting all 16 games. He caught at least one pass in 13 games.
2004: Was re-signed to a five-year deal contract on March 2, 2004, the day before he would have become an unrestricted free agent. After two catches for 24 yards, his season crumbled to a halt when his knee crumbled in the season opener. Was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 22.
2003: Topped his previous best with 46 receptions (third among TEs in the NFC) for an 8.7-yard average and four touchdowns (tied for first among NFC TEs). Had a career-low two carries, as he focused on blocking and getting into routes in the flats. Despite struggling nearly the entire season with plantar fasciitis, started every game for the first time in his career.
2002: Had his most versatile and all-around productive season. Caught a career-high 37 passes for 393 yards and had six rushes for 17 yards. Established himself as a very valuable and versatile offensive weapon as a pass blocker, run blocker and pass receiver.
2001: Rushes and catches were almost evenly split in 2001 as a fullback, catching 24 passes for 184 yards and carrying the ball 23 times for 72 yards. Missed five games with an ankle injury and started the other 11.
2000: Started eight of 14 games he played. Was the main lead blocker for Robert Smith, who set a team record with 1,521 rushing yards. Caught 10 passes and rushed 12 times from his fullback position.
1999: After a rough start to the 1999 season, turned things around when he was switched from tight end to fullback. By the end of the season, he could regularly be seen throwing his squat body full speed into a pile, leading the way for Robert Smith or Leroy Hoard. Ended 1999 with six receptions for 13 yards.
College: His senior year, caught 45 passes for 710 yards and five touchdowns as a tight end. Had 81 knockdown blocks in 1998. In 1997, was named All-North Central Conference. In 1996, also earned All-NCC honors and was named to the Midwest Region first team while starting every game.
Personal: Got married after the 2004 season and he and his wife Christa live in Eden Prairie. He is a regular speaker at the annual Special Olympics in his nativ |
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