Childress lauds Udeze's attitude in leukemia battle

By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune

Last update: February 22, 2008 - 8:16 PM

INDIANAPOLIS - Whether Kenechi Udeze plays football again isn't something Brad Childress is thinking about these days. At this point, the Vikings coach simply hopes the defensive end wins his battle with leukemia.

"It's out of my mind right now," Childress said of Udeze playing football. "My mind right now is with him going through the process of getting well. That's the sole focus."

Udeze, who will turn 25 on March 5, was diagnosed with a form of leukemia this month and is undergoing chemotherapy at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. Childress said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he has visited Udeze three times since the diagnosis was made.

"If there's anybody that I know that will be able to beat that disease, it's Kenechi Udeze," Childress said. "I'm amazed at the rounds of chemo that he's been through, how positive he is and how he's hitting that every day. He is positive and upbeat in a tough time. As he told me the other day, he said, 'Coach, this is nothing more than a cold. I'm going to beat this.' So that's his mentality."

Childress doesn't know how long Udeze will be in the hospital but said it will be a "prolonged stay." Udeze, who certainly won't play in 2008, also has been getting plenty of support from his teammates and Vikings employees. "He's got virtually a cast of thousands rolling through there to see him," Childress said.

Show of support

Childress has been on the noncommittal side this offseason when asked if Tarvaris Jackson would be his starting quarterback next season. But Friday, Childress appeared a step closer to sticking with Jackson.

"I'm committed to him coming into training camp," Childress said. "His record is 8-4 in 12 starts ... "

Asked if that means the Vikings won't be looking for free agent help at quarterback -- the team reportedly has an interest in veteran Trent Green -- Childress indicated he might be in the market for a backup.

"I would just say globally about our football team, there a bunch of different positions that we're looking for help on," he said. "Sixty quarterbacks played in the NFL last year, [Jackson] missed four games. You better have somebody that's a viable candidate if your guy breaks his leg."

Brooks Bollinger and Kelly Holcomb, who are both under contract, served as the Vikings backups this past season.

Etc.

• The Vikings have expressed an interesting in retaining unrestricted free agent Dontarrious Thomas, but it appears the backup linebacker will test the market. Free agency begins at 11 p.m. Thursday.

• Defensive end Erasmus James, who has had surgery on his left knee three times since September 2006, has "got a long road to hoe here rehab-wise and getting back on the football field," according to Childress.