The Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Michael Bennett is healthy and in fine form. Now, the Minnesota Vikings are eager to get a full season out of their top runner.

"Bennett looks fantastic," coach Mike Tice said.

Last season, Bennett needed two surgeries on his foot and was out until November after a freak accident on a treadmill in March 2003. Even when he came back his impact was minimal - 447 yards rushing, 132 yards receiving and one touchdown over the last nine games.

Though Bennett's absence was a major worry last summer, it hardly caused a ripple. The Vikings finished with the top-ranked offense in the league, and veteran Moe Williams had a career season as the featured back.

Rookie Onterrio Smith stepped in nicely, too, once he convinced the coaching staff his knowledge, maturity and pass-blocking ability were up to NFL standards.

The Vikings also still have Larry Ned, a practice-squad player they have liked for two years, and they drafted Mewelde Moore out of Tulane in the fourth round last month.

It's enough talent for some to wonder whether Bennett could find himself as a part-timer - or even as trade bait if Smith proves he's good enough to start.

"You hear about stuff like that," Bennett said this week. "I don't take it as criticism. He's a great running back. ... It's competition. That's what the sport is all about."

And, as the Vikings showed last season, running back is a position where a team can never have enough good players.

"It's a blessing that we have such talented guys throughout the depth chart, top to bottom," running backs coach Dean Dalton said. "They'll all contribute somehow."

Bennett, though, remains the centerpiece.

Bennett, who thought about running track this summer, changed his mind when the Vikings hired Mark Ellis as their assistant strength and conditioning coach. Bennett has used Ellis as a personal trainer.

"The foot's good," he said. "Definitely 100 percent."

Tice and Dalton are pleased with the strides Bennett has made physically and mentally.

He recently bought a new computer, Dalton said, to make it easier to view game film at home.

"Michael is going to have a special year," Tice said.

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