Tuesday (Dimitrius Underwood) edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 – 8:18 AMBy Michael Rand
It has been almost nine years since the Vikings chose Dimitrius Underwood in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft. Since then, we cannot read a draft preview article about “all-time busts” without wincing in anticipation. For those who don’t recall, Underwood showed up for camp signed and in that famous military gear (pictured), ready to “go to war.” He left camp almost immediately and never played a single down for Minnesota, which released him about 10 days later. He later played briefly with the Dolphins and Cowboys, but in terms of a draft bust, it doesn’t get much bigger than that. So it was surprising to see ESPN.com’s list of 50 all-time draft busts without seeing a single word about Underwood. Maybe it’s just not as big a deal nationally as it was locally. Maybe he gets more of a free pass because of the demons he was fighting. But from a team standpoint? Come on. He’s top 10, top 5 material.
Things we forget about that draft:
1) Underwood was the Vikings’ second first-round pick of 1999, No. 29 overall. Chosen No. 11 overall was a young QB named Daunte Culpepper.
2) Culpepper was chosen as part of the haul obtained for trading Brad Johnson to Washington. In all, the Vikings got a first, second and third round pick for Johnson. Wow. Johnson went on to be a Pro Bowl player in 1999; Randall Cunningham was benched in favor of Jeff George.
3) Underwood was a defensive end; another DE, Patrick Kerney, was taken one spot later at No. 30, by the stupid Falcons, only a few months after they had broken everyone’s hearts. Kerney has 72.5 career sacks (including 14.5 last season) and started 105 consecutive games at one point in his career. All of those numbers are the same number more than Underwood ever accumulated with the Vikings.
4) What if: the Vikings had taken Kerney instead of Underwood; if the Vikings hadn’t traded Johnson; if every draft bust list had a mandatory Underwood inclusion; if a certain kick in a certain game … nah, let’s not.
Fasola-link! Two cents from our former colleague Tom Jones, cranking out the 10 most overrated events in sports.
21 Responses to "Tuesday (Dimitrius Underwood) edition: Wha’ Happened?"
Who did the Bears take with the pick directly following Daunte in that draft? #40 on the ESPN list: Cade McNown- Not only was he horrible at football, he actually got banned from the Playboy mansion.
I didn’t see one Viking on the list, you guys should be proud. The Bears of course had 2 (Curtis Enis) but could have had many, many more.
Hey,
This is really a low blow. As I’ve said in the past, this was a “free” pick so it shouldn’t reflect poorly on my brilliant drafting choices. I am who I thought I was.
jama - I heard when Cade got banned it was really Ralph Macchio’s fault.
I disagree with a couple of the 10 overrated events. The Olympics are great, the problem is when politics get involved or they decide to let Lifetime producers write the material for the athlete’s back story. I just wanna watch the games.
Also, the NBA Draft is a must every year. I know going in our team will probably throw away our picks (if we have any that weren’t taken away) but just watching what those guys wear is worth it. This is also the event that brought us “Doodie Ebi” so how can you really over rate that?
I know Denny was trying to copyright the “They are who we thought they were” tirade but do you think he regrets that at all now? Whenever I think of Denny I think of that tantrum and a Grand Slam breakfast.
So I was in the Grotto with the Karate Kid, Drama, Fred Durst, and Cade McNown when…….
When I think of Denny, I always think of those cold (brrrrrrrrrrrrr) Calcutta clippers.
All of those numbers are the same number more than Underwood ever accumulated with the Vikings.
Perhaps not surprisingly, they are also the same number more than I ever accumulated with the Vikings
Cade really shouldn’t have freed those monkeys…
Also, Rashaan Salaam…just sayin’
Cade really shouldn’t have freed those monkeys…
Also, Rashaan Salaam…just sayin’
My thought process was disjointed there…I was meaning that Rashaan Salaam should be included in any list of Bears draft busts. I thought Heisman running backs were “sure things” didn’t you?
Rashaan Salaam was Ricky Williams before Ricky Williams was Ricky Williams.
Damn that Wacky Tobaccy
Roughkat +1
VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isn’t Underwood dead yet?
He can’t even commit suicide right.
Nice pick.
Wow, some of the commenters on that Tom Jones article might have a future with Vikings Access. Of course, so might Tom Jones–I mean, what kind of respectable publication posts article of top 10 lists?
Now, where are our movie quotes for the week?
Who has had a more dysfunctional career Dimitrius Underwood or Alonzo Spielman.
The Bears win again!
Toonces: It’s only Tuesday…movie quotes are on Friday, Meatloaf night is tomorrow…
Classic width: true
Full Leaderboard: false
Which Bear is Best?: false
Black Bear: true
Looking at the draft steals section is more interesting. There’s such a lack of respect to O-line players. Not to be too much of a homer, but getting Matt Birk in the sixth round was a steal.
Fair point, Jon.
Underwood stabbed himself in the neck. He’s legit crazy and doesn’t make the top 50. It’s a little early to tell, but Troy Williamson should also be on that list. Would Chris Hovan make honorable mention?
