Onterrio Smith's career wasn't too pretty with the Minnesota Vikings, and now he'll have a chance to do better elsewhere. The team released Smith, who was still serving a one-year suspension dating back to last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Smith still has about six weeks left to serve on his suspension.

"We've decided to terminate Onterrio Smith's contract ahead of this weekend's college draft. We wish him well in his future endeavors," said Vikings new head coach Brad Childress.

In 2003, Smith showed a lot of promise as the team's future starter. He rushed for 579 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. In 2004, Smith served a four-game suspension, but still led the team in rushing. He could have been the team's starter last season, but he was caught using a "Whizzinator", a device used to beat drug tests, which sparked more trouble. A month later, Smith was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy for the third time.

The Vikings signed Chester Taylor in the offseason and also have Mewelde Moore and Ciatrick Fason on their depth chart. The Vikings may select a running back in the first few rounds of the draft.