Vikings erase Erasmus James

In a mildly surprising move, the Vikings released former UW defense end Erasmus James a couple days ago.

It's too bad, injuries played a big role in his ineffectiveness. It's not altogether surprising, given how often he was hurt during his Badger days.

Ras was really sort of an out-of-left field type of guy for Wisconsin. He was so dominant during the first half of the 2004 season that some people were talking about him as a top 5 pick. Then he got hurt on that cut block at Purdue in the Scott Starks game, and he was never the same again.

Whenever a professional rival takes a Badger - like the Vikings with Michael Bennett or James, the Lions with Brian Calhoun - it's bittersweet. You're glad they're in the pros and you want them to do well and represent UW ... but not too well. But you never want to see it end like this.

Hopefully Ras gets another shot, stays healthy, and sticks in the NFL for awhile.