Leber’s new home turf is the Metrodome

During his days as a member of the Vermillion Tanager football squad, Ben Leber's home turf was the DakotaDome on the USD campus.

Soon Leber will be playing on a home pasture that is just as green, but much larger in size.

According to news reports, at a time when national attention was focused on Vikings' quarterback Daunte Culpepper leaving Minnesota for Miami, Leber signed with the Vikings.

Leber started for San Diego at outside linebacker since his rookie year in 2002, losing his job to star rookie Shawne Merriman last October and landing on injured reserve in November. He's still rehabilitating, but the South Dakota native said he's close to 100 percent.

Leber, a Vermillion native, played at Kansas State and was drafted by the Chargers in the third round.