#87 Byron Chamberlain 6-1, 264 lbs Wayne State

Games and Starts

(reg.season/playoffs) 1995 (5/0-Den.), 1996 (11/0, 1/0-Den.), 1997 (10/0, 3/0-Den.), 1998 (16/0, 3/0-Den.), 1999 (16/0-Den.), 2000 (15/0, 1/0-Den.) Total - 73/0, 8/0.

Professional Info

Enters the 2001 season competing for the Vikings' starting tight end spot...Established himself as a top pass-catching tight end during his career with Denver...Had most productive season in 1999 with 32 catches for 488 yards and two TDs...Has seen action in 73 career games...His receiving average over his six-year NFL career is 13.8 yards per catch...Has been a contributor on special teams during his career as a cover man and returning kickoffs.

2000: Saw time in 15 games at tight end and on special teams...Pulled in 22 passes on the season, the second-highest total of his career...Had career-high six catches at San Diego (10/8)...Posted his season-high with 58 receiving yards and a fourth quarter TD catch vs. Oakland (11/13) on Monday Night Football in Denver's 27-24 win...Notched season-long 38-yard catch in season opener at St. Louis (9/4) on Monday Night Football when he converted a third-and-16 play from the Broncos' 2-yard line...Inactive for game at Oakland (9/17) with hamstring injury.

1999: Played in all 16 games and ranked third on the team with a career-high 32 receptions for 488 yards (15.3 avg.) and two TDs, with a long of 88...His 15.3 yards-per-catch average was the highest on the team...Had three tackles on special teams...Saw increased playing time at tight end the final 11 games after Shannon Sharpe went down with a broken clavicle, which subsequently landed him on injured reserve...His 88-yard reception on a shovel-pass from Brian Griese vs. Green Bay (10/17) was the longest non-scoring pass play in franchise history, propelling him to his first career 100-yard game, ending the day with three catches for 123 yards. The play also represented the seventh-longest pass play overall in club history, was the longest in the AFC, and tied for third-longest in the NFL for the 1999 season...Matched his career high with five receptions and scored his first career touchdown vs. Minnesota (10/31) on a 1-yard pass from Griese that allowed Denver to tie the game at 20-20 in the fourth quarter...His second touchdown came on a 57-yard pass from Griese at Jacksonville (12/13) that tied the game at 24-24 with 1:43 to play.

1998: Saw action at tight end and on special teams in all 16 games and caught three passes for 35 yards (11.7 avg.) with a long of 16, while making five special teams tackles...Caught a pass in each of the first two games, for seven yards vs. New England (9/7) and 12 yards vs. Dallas (9/13), and waited until the season finale vs. Seattle (12/27) to add another, for a season-long 16 yards...Played in all three postseason games and caught five passes for 55 yards with a long of 16...His first two postseason receptions came in the AFC Championship Game vs. the Jets (1/17/99) for 26 yards...Stepped in for an injured Shannon Sharpe (knee) in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII vs. Atlanta (1/31/99) and came through with three receptions for 29 yards with a long of 13...Also recovered two Atlanta onside kicks in the fourth quarter to help seal Denver's 34-19 win and the team's back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

1997: Saw action in 10 of the 16 games as a reserve tight end and special teams performer, and caught two passes for 18 yards with a long of nine, both coming against St. Louis (9/14) in a 35-14 Bronco victory...Returned a kickoff for 13 yards at Kansas City (11/16)...Inactive at Atlanta (9/28), vs. New England (10/6), vs. Seattle (11/2), at San Francisco (12/15) and vs. San Diego (12/21), and was active but did not play at Pittsburgh (12/7)...Returned a kickoff for 13 yards at Kansas City (11/16)...Appeared in three of the four postseason games at tight end and on special teams (did not play in Super Bowl XXXII).

1996: Saw action in 11 regular season games on special teams and at tight end...Caught 12 passes for 129 yards (10.8 avg.), returned three kickoffs for 49 yards, and made a special teams tackle...Inactive for the first three games while recovering from a ruptured tendon in his left ring finger...Returned to practice on 9/18 after missing six weeks, then saw his first game action of the season at Kansas City (9/22)...Had two receptions for 18 yards vs. San Diego (10/6), including his first of the year on a 12-yarder...His longest reception was a 17-yarder vs. Seattle (12/1)...Set then-career highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (61) vs. Oakland (12/15)...Saw action at tight end making three catches for 22 yards at San Diego (12/22)...In the AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. Jacksonville (1/4/97), he saw action on offense and also contributed on special teams, returning a kickoff for 15 yards.

1995: Was signed to the active roster on 11/24 after spending the first 11 games of the season on the practice squad...His first professional game came at Houston (11/26)...Was elevated to the second-string tight end position for the final thre games of the season while Shannon Sharpe was out with an eye injury and Jerry Evans was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury...Caught a pass for 11 yards at Oakland (12/24) and had two special teams tackles. The reception, from John Elway, came during Denver's game-tying drive in the fourth quarter as the Broncos went on to win 31-28.

College Info

Set a school record for receptions at Wayne State with 161, and ranks third on the all-time list for receiving yards with 1,941...Began his college career at Missouri, where he was an All-Big Eight Conference honorable mention selection in 1991...Started all 10 games as a senior at Wayne State in 1994, registering a school-record 83 catches for 926 yards (11.2 avg.), and seven TDs...Also rushed seven times for 100 yards (14.3 avg.) and a TD...Division II first-team All-America choice by The Poor Man's Guide to the NFL Draft...Sat out the 1992 season following his transfer from Missouri where he had spent three seasons...Played in every game as a freshman in 1989, catching three balls for 92 yards (30.7 avg.) and a touchdown...All-Big Eight Honorable Mention in 1991...Redshirted in 1990.

Personal Info

Third-team all-state selection as a wide receiver at Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, Texas...Was also an all-district and All-Tarrant County first-team choice...Lettered twice in track and three times in baseball...Born in Honolulu, Hawaii...Makes his home in Parker, Colo.

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#85 Andrew Jordan 6-6, 263 lbs Western Carolina

Games and Starts

(reg. season, playoffs): 1994 (16/12, 1/1), 1995 (13/7), 1996 (13/9, 1/0), 1997 (2/0-Minn., 2/0-Tampa Bay), 1998 (3/0-Phil.), 1999 (11/1, 2/0), 2000 (16/4, 2/1). Total - 76/33, 6/2 (Minn.-71/33, 6/2).

Professional Info

Played in all 16 games in 2000, his first complete season since his rookie year in 1994...Returned to Vikings in fifth week of 1999 season, returning to the team that originally drafted him in 1994 and played in all 11 remaining games with one start...Led Viking tight ends in catches in 1994, '95 and '96...Had impressive debut season in '94, being named to numerous All-Rookie teams...His 35 catches in '94 were the most by a Viking rookie since Sammy White's 51 in 1976...Has worn four jersey numbers during his Viking career, #83, #89, #43 and #85. Jordan switched from #83 to #89 when the Vikings re-signed veteran Steve Jordan during his rookie season and wore #89 the rest of '94-'97. Jordan wore #43 when he returned to the Vikings in '99 since no numbers in the 80s were open. He switched to #85 after rookie Jim Kleinsasser changed positions to fullback and changed numbers.

2000: Played in 16 games with four starts in the regular season...Saw time in both playoff games, starting the NFC Championship game at N.Y. Giants (1/14/01)...Had season-high three catches and season-high 27 receiving yards vs. Miami (9/10)...Started in season-opener vs. Chicago (9/3) and caught a 9-yard pass...Had a catch for four yards at Green Bay (11/6)...Caught a 4-yard pass vs. Arizona (11/12)...Had season-long 12-yard catch in regular season finale at Indianapolis (12/24), finishing with a pair of catches for 19 yards.

1999: Played in all 11 games he was with the team and both postseason games...Started vs. San Diego when team opened in two-tight end formation...Caught all five passes on the season from Jeff George...Caught first touchdown pass since 11/5/95 when he pulled in a 7-yard scoring pass from Jeff George vs. San Francisco (10/24), also his first catch of the season...Had season-high two catches for season-high 13 yards vs. Detroit (1/2/00)...Longest catch of the season was an 11-yarder at Chicago (11/14)...Caught a 9-yard pass vs. Dallas (11/8) on Monday Night Football...Saw time at fullback and tight end at Denver (10/31)...Regular contributor on special teams and fielded a kickoff at Detroit (10/17)...Spent 1999 preseason with Philadelphia Eagles.

1998: Played in three games for Philadelphia, catching two passes for nine yards...Signed by Eagles on 12/1/98...Inactive for game vs. St. Louis (12/3/98)...Caught first pass as an Eagle vs. Arizona (12/13), an eight-yarder from Koy Detmer...Caught 1-yard pass at Dallas (12/20) from Koy Detmer...Released by Tampa Bay on 8/25 during training camp.

1997: Played in two games for the Vikings, at Chicago (9/7) and vs. Tampa Bay (9/14) but did not have a catch...Released by Vikings on 9/23...Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 12/9 and played in final two regular-season games for the Bucs, catching one pass...Saw first action on special teams for Tampa Bay at NY Jets (12/14)...Caught pass vs. Chicago (12/21) for no gain in regular-season finale.

1996: Led Vikings' tight ends with 19 catches and 128 yards...Started nine of the Vikings' first 10 games of the season...Scored on a two-point conversion at Seattle (11/10)...Inactive for game vs. Denver (11/14) at Detroit (12/8) and at Green Bay (12/22).

1995: Led Vikings' tight ends in catches with 27 and points with 12...Caught first career touchdown pass in season-opener at Chicago (9/3)...Had season-high four catches vs. Dallas (9/17) and Green Bay (10/22)...Scored touchdown in 27-24 win over Green Bay (11/5)...Suffered ankle injury vs. Tampa Bay (12/3) and missed final three games of the regular season...Dressed but did not play at Cincinnati (12/24).

1994: Steal of the draft for the Vikings who selected him with their 6th-round pick, the 179th player taken overall...Led Vikings' tight ends with 35 catches and 336 receiving yards...Led NFL rookie tight ends in catches...Caught most passes by a Viking rookie since Sammy White's 51 in 1976...Started 12 games at tight end...Named to Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America, Football News and College and Pro Football Newsweekly All-Rookie teams...Had an 18-yard catch that helped set up game-winning field goal in overtime vs. Green Bay (10/20)...Had career-high five catches at Tampa Bay (10/30) and at New England (11/13)...Scored only points of the season on a crucial two-point conversion in fourth quarter vs. Chicago (12/1)...Played with childhood hero Steve Jordan late in the season when the veteran tight end was re-signed out of retirement due to injuries to several players...Wore #83 before Steve Jordan was re-signed in honor of Jordan.

College Info

Western Carolina gained 415 yards and scored 30 points per game, the school's most lethal offense in 24 years, in 1992...Blocked for running back Kevin Thigpen who ran for 1,079 yards in '92...Caught 21 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons with the Catamounts...Named All-Southern Conference in '93...Transferred to Western Carolina from North Greenville Junior College.

Personal Info

All-Mecklenburg County tight end as a senior at West Charlotte, NC High...Caught 27 passes for 317 yards and six touchdowns in 1989...Lettered in basketball...Majored in criminal justice at Western Carolina.

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#89 John Davis 6-4, 271 lbs Emporia State

Games and Starts

(reg. season, playoffs): 1997 (8/0-T.B.), 1998 (16/0-T.B.), 1999 (16/0, 2/0-T.B.), 2000 (15/9, 2/0-Minn.). Total - 55/11, 4/0.

Professional Info

Started most games of his career with nine in 2000...Had seven career receptions entering the 2000 season and more that doubled that production with the Vikings...Caught the first pass completion of Daunte Culpepper's career, a 9-yard catch in the first drive of the season opener vs. Chicago (9/3)...Caught first TD of his NFL career vs. Jacksonville (11/15/98).

2000: Ranked sixth on the team with 17 catches, secnd among Viking tight ends...Started most games at TE among the Vikings...Had season-high four catches at Detroit (10/1)...Notched season-high in receiving yards with 42 vs. Miami (9/10), with a season-long 37-yarder in only his second game as a Viking...Caught first TD as a Viking on a 26-yard strike from Daunte Culpepper vs. Tampa Bay (10/9) on Monday Night Football against his old teammates...Had a 3-yard catch vs. Green Bay (12/17)...Inactive for Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas (11/23)...Caught three passes for 28 yards with a long of 18 vs. Carolina (11/19)...Pulled in a 7-yard pass vs. Arizona (11/12)...Had an 11-yard catch at Tampa Bay (10/29)...Had a 5-yard catch at New England (9/17)...Caught two passes for 31 yards with a long of 22 in season-opener vs. Chicago (9/3).

1999: Played in all 16 games including both playoff games...Finished the season with two catches for seven yards and a touchdown...Made first catch of the season at New Orleans (11/7), a 1-yard touchdown catch from Trent Dilfer in the second quarter...Had a catch for six yards vs. Atlanta (11/21), his second reception of the year...Posted his first career playoff reception and touchdown vs. Washington (1/15), a game-winning 2-yard score on third-and-one in the fourth quarter...Saw action at tight end and kickoff return in the NFC Championship game at St. Louis (1/25).

1998: Played in all 16 games, playing on special teams and a reserve role at tight end...Finished the season with two catches for 12 yards, including his first NFL touchdown and added a tackle on special teams...Spent time at tight end vs. NY Giants (10/4) and recorded first catch of the season with an 11-yard reception...Made second catch of the season at Jacksonville (11/15), a 1-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Trent Dilfer, which was also his first career touchdown.

1997: Saw action in eight games, making two starts at tight end...Ended the season with three catches for 35 yards, all in the last four games of the season...Inactive for the first eight games...Played in both playoff contests...Participated in his first NFL game at Indianapolis (11/2) on special teams...Had first reception of three yards at NY Giants (11/30)...Made his first start at tight end vs. NY Jets (12/14), due to absence of Jackie Harris and Dave Moore, and finished with a 16-yard reception...Made his second start of the season vs. Chicago (12/21) and had a catch for 16 yards...Saw limited playoff action, primarily as a special teamer and caught a pass for no gain at Green Bay (1/4)...Reception at Green Bay was the result of a fake field goal attempt that resulted in a shovel pass to Davis from holder/quarterback Steve Walsh.

College Info

Split time between tight end and tailback...Recorded 624 yards on 128 carries (4.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns...Added 13 receptions for 172 yards and two additional scores...Named honorable mention All-Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association...Transferred to ESU after two seasons at Cisco, TX, Junior College.

Personal Info

Lettered in football, basketball and track at Jasper (TX) High School...Helped set a national high school record in 4x100 meter relay with a time of 39.9 seconds...Born in Jasper, Texas.

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#48 Matt Cercone 6-5, 252 lbs Arizona State

Games and Starts

(reg. season): 2000 (2/0)

Professional Info

Versatile player who can line up at tight end, fullback or H-back...Will compete for an expanded role in the Vikings' offense and on special teams this season.

2000: Saw first NFL regular season action vs. Carolina (11/19) and the following week on Thanksgiving Day at Dallas (11/23)...Saw time on special teams and on offense at Dallas (11/23)...Inactive for game vs. Detroit (11/30)...Spent 2000 training camp with the Vikings before being released on August 27 when rosters were reduced to the final 53 players...Signed to the Vikings' practice squad on August 29...Spent a week on practice squad and was released on September 5...Re-signed to the practice squad on September 25 where he spent seven weeks before being called to the active roster for three weeks, vs. Carolina (11/19), at Dallas (11/23) and vs. Detroit (11/30)...Moved from active roster to practice squad on December 5 where he spent the rest of the regular season and both playoff games...Spent the 2000 NFL Europe season with the Barcelona Dragons, catching six passes for 44 yards and a TD in helping the Dragons to a .500 record...Spent the 1999 training camp with the Vikings but was released on August 27, 1999...Originally signed as a rookie free agent on April 30, 1999.

College Info

1998: Caught 10 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown during his senior season as the Sun Devils went 5-6 overall...In a three-game stretch against Notre Dame, Stanford and Washington State he had five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown...Had career-best day in 34-15 win vs. North Texas when he pulled in four passes for 55 yards...Had three catches for 18 yards vs. Notre Dame...Had a two-yard touchdown catch in 44-38 overtime win vs. Stanford as well as returning a kickoff for 11 yards...Had a career-long 19-yard catch at Washington State...Caught one pass for eight yards at Oregon.

1997: All eight of his catches went for a first down or a touchdown...Started first game as a Sun Devil against BYU...Scored ASU's only touchdown in a 13-10 win vs. Oregon State and finished the day with two catches for 25 yards...Had a 14-yard touchdown catch vs. Washington...Had a 12-yard reception against Oregon...Had an 11-yard catch against USC...Caught a 16-yard pass at Miami (Fla.)...Had his season-long 17- yard catch vs. archrival Arizona.

1996: Played two seasons at Bakersfield Community College...Named JC Gridwire All-American in 1996 as well as earning the Bakersfield CC coaches award as the Most Outstanding Player...Named to the Western States Conference first team in '96...Team went 20-2 during his two seasons, won two Western States Conference titles and played in the Potato Bowl both seasons.

Personal Info

Majored in administrated justice/natural resources at ASU.... Graduate of South High in Bakersfield, CA where he starred in football, basketball and baseball...Enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing in his free time.

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#49 Jeff Kostrewa 6-5, 261 lbs Wisconsin-La Crosse

Professional Info

Signed by the Vikings as a rookie free agent on April 23, 2001...Athletic tight end with NFL prototype size...Joins defensive end Jeff Hazuga as rookie players from the Division III Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

College Info

Ended his UW-LaCrosse career ranked 15th on the school's career receptions list with 70 catches and 19th in career yards with 939...Helped lead the traditionally strong UW-L program to a 25-14 mark during his career and the 1999 WSIC title.

2000: Named to the American Football Coaches Association Division III All-America team...A second-team All-America choice by Hewlett-Packard, a third-team All-America by Football Gazette, and a second-team All-West Region choice...Selected to play in the 2000 Aztec Bowl All-Star Game in Merida, Mexico...Named first-team All-WSIC...Honored as UW-LaCrosse's Most Valuable Player...Led the Eagles with 42 catches, 628 receiving yards and five TDs...Ended his senior season strong with 18 catches for 216 yards and a TD in the final three games...Caught a pair of passes in Aztec Bowl to help the U.S. top Mexico 27-26.

1999: Named second-team All-WSIC as a junior...Played in all 11 games for the team...Helped Eagles to a 7-4 mark and the WSIC title...Had 13 catches for 139 yards and a TD.

1998: Saw action in eight games and pulled in 15 passes for 172 yards.

Personal Info

Graduate of Bradford High in Kenosha, WI...One of four Vikings players who played high school football in neighboring Wisconsin, joining fellow rookies Michael Bennett, Jeff Hazuga and Mike Solwold. ____________________________________________________________________

#62 Mike Solwold 6-6, 244 lbs Wisconsin

Professional Info

Signed by the Vikings as a free agent on April 22, 2001...Joins fellow Wisconsin Badger teammate Michael Bennett on the roster.

College Info

Was perfect on both punts and placements in his two years as the team's regular longsnapper...Three-time letterwinner.

2000: Played in all 13 games for the Badgers, serving as the longsnapper for all punts and placements...Snapped to punter Kevin Stemke who led the nation in net punting and won the inagural Ray Guy Award, given to the top punter in the nation...Added a special teams tackle on the year...Won his third letter.

1999: Was the longsnapper in all 12 games for both punts and placements...Key element for the Badgers' league-best kicking game that scored 94 points from All-Big Ten first-team kicker Vitaly Pisetsky...Longsnapper for a streak of 14 of 14 consecutive field goals made that set a school record and tied for second-best in Big Ten history...Won his second letter as a longsnapper...Perfect on snaps during first year as a starter...Credited with two assists vs. Minnesota...Added two special teams tackles on the year...Was also a reserve tight end for the Badgers.

1998: Backup longsnapper behind Mike Schneck, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers following the season...Played tight end on the scout team.

1997: Earned his first letter as a member of the special teams.

1996: Redshirted in his first season with the Badgers.

Personal Info

Prep Football, The Sporting News, National Recruiting Advisor, Schutt Sports Group, and Super Prep All-American tight end at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, WI...Gatorade State Player of the Year...Captain and team MVP as a senior...Played in the Wisconsin Shrine Game...Starter on teams that won the 1993 & 1994 state championships...Finished with 39 career receptions...History major at Wisconsin

IZ

-- IZ (izmorrow@yahoo.com), June 08, 2001