HONOLULU -- NFL rookies generally marvel at the speed of the game. The same can't be said of Minnesota Vikings running back Michael Bennett, who was repeatedly told to slow down in his rookie season in 2001.

	Michael Bennett finished the season with 1,296 yards rushing.

"I was trying to do everything 100 miles an hour," the second-year back from Wisconsin said. "As soon as I got the ball, I was trying to get to top speed, but you have to let your blockers set up things. And you have to be patient with it."

Bennett's patience and talent made Minnesota fans gradually forget about former star running back Robert Smith, who abruptly retired following the 2000 season. Just as important, the Vikings again displayed a balanced offensive attack as reflected in their league-leading rushing totals (156.7 yards per game) this past season. However, these weren't easy tasks.

As a rookie, Bennett's campaign was a huge disappointment. Not only did he bear the pressure of replacing Smith, but he was vying to become a featured addition of what had been an explosive unit. But starting with the tragic passing of offensive tackle Korey Stringer in training camp and culminating in coach Dennis Green's departure before the season finale, little went right for the Vikings in 2001.

Bennett, a first-round draft pick, had just 37 yards on 11 carries in his debut, a 24-13 home-opening loss to the Carolina Panthers. Two weeks later, he gained just 56 yards on 16 carries during a loss to the Bears. The Vikings eventually were forced to incorporate more backs into the mix.

"After I got drafted, I wanted to make my presence felt, but it was a struggle," Bennett acknowledged.

One thing worked in his favor: Neither one of the top backups, Doug Chapman or Harold Morrow, was ready to handle the load of being a No. 1 back. So when quarterback Daunte Culpepper wasn't making plays with his arm or legs, he was handing the ball off to Bennett, who ended up leading the Vikings with 630 rushing yards in 2001, despite his struggles.

"I didn't like the fact that I was a little impatient running the ball," said Bennett, who missed three games his rookie year because of injuries. "I am really becoming a student of the game, and once you become a student of the game, you become a complete player."

He did so by breaking down his game with position coach Dean Dalton in the offseason and studying. And while reviewing his own tapes were a priority, he also studied the game's most diverse back -- Marshall Faulk.

"I watched everything he did in a game. I watched every game he's played maybe back three years," Bennett said of the seven-time Pro Bowler. "It really helped me see how he saw the field, understood the game, and he knows what his offense is doing and what the opposing defense is doing. I put that in my repertoire this year and it really helped me."

The offseason preparations did wonders for Bennett and the Vikings. Even though Minnesota finished 6-10, they won three straight to close the season. And Bennett more than doubled his rushing totals, finishing with 1,296 yards and five touchdowns on 255 carries. In fact, he had a stretch where he gained at least 100 yards in four straight games.

"My first year, it felt like if you put a guy on the Indy car circuit and he's just out there jumping and dodging the cars because they're coming so fast," said Bennett, who has also consulted with Barry Sanders on his craft. "But this year, I felt like I was in the driver's seat of one of the cars. I was able to keep a good pace."

James C. Black is assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com