Bass responding to opportunity's knock.(SPORTS)

Browse back issues of this publication by date December 30, 1999 | Seifert, KevinAnthony Bass is having fun now, clearly enjoying the scenery after his arrival in the Vikings' starting lineup. A Division I-AA college player two years ago, a member of the practice squad last season and a reserve until last week, Bass figures he has nothing to lose. Jokingly describing his responsibilities Wednesday as a free safety, Bass said, "I'm the deep man, so if anyone gets behind me, I'm the one getting pulled out of the game." An unlikely scenario, to be sure, especially after Bass set a career high with seven tackles and intercepted the first pass of his career in the Vikings' 34-17 victory against the New York Giants on Sunday. Because of a season-ending shoulder injury to starter Orlando Thomas, and the Vikings' desperately thin depth at the position, Bass seems destined to stay put, no matter how he plays. The third man to start at free safety and the eighth to start in the Vikings' secondary this season, Bass is aware of his unlikely ascendance. "I had no idea, no idea at all," Bass said."I was just trying to make the roster. Once I made the roster, I was just worried about trying to get playing time, whether that be on special teams or defense. Then once you get playing time, you worry about trying to make the best of the opportunity as you can." In a more ideal situation, Bass would be continuing a gradual development process that began last season. But starting in a secondary that also includes rookie cornerback Kenny Wright and converted wide receiver Robert Tate in the nickel, Bass held his own against the Giants. He gave himself a "B" for the performance, although Bass admitted, "If I was a veteran, I'd give myself a `C.' " "Anthony Bass is a very good athlete that we've had in our program for two years now," Vikings coach Dennis Green said. "He's worked his way up. He has tremendous range. He's playing a position where a lot of veterans play, because you have to do a lot of [play] calling, but Anthony has handled it." Signed as a free agent out of Bethune-Cookman last season, Bass was released in 1998 training camp before joining the practice squad in September. He was activated and played in three regular-season games and also served as a nickel back in the playoffs after Thomas and fellow rookie Ramos McDonald were injured. Bass played sparingly as a backup to Thomas and strong safety Robert Griffith this season, and he had a total of six tackles before Sunday's game. Despite increasing shortage of personnel in the secondary, Bass seemed to fall more out of favor each week. Rookie free agent Chris Rogers moved past him as the nickel back after McDonald was released, and another free agent, Antonio Banks, started ahead of Bass at strong safety, with Griffith moving to free safety, when Thomas was sidelined by a sore hamstring against Kansas City on Dec. 12. Bass had been deactivated for the previous two games, and his roster spot seemed in jeopardy. "When you're not on the field, you're concerned," Bass said. "You're an NFL player, and you want to be on the field. I don't know of anyone with any competitive spirit who would not want to be dressed." Bass ended up splitting time with Banks in Kansas City. At 6-1 and a lean 200, however, the Vikings thought he was better suited to play free safety than Banks was to start at strong. Thomas returned to start the following week against the Green Bay Packers, but Bass got the call after Thomas broke his scapula in that game. "Last year, Coach Green kept saying we have a lot of players on our team that came from the practice squad," Bass said. "So I knew it was possible. I was just waiting my turn, and I'm happy it happened the way it did. I can't look back and say, `Man, I wish it happened any other way,' because it happened." Responsible mostly for covering the middle of the field, Bass benefited from the Giants' insistence on throwing sideline routes last Sunday. And he picked a good time for his first interception, a play cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock called "one of the biggest plays of the year." With the Vikings leading 14-6 in the third quarter, Bass made a diving catch of a twice-tipped pass and returned it 4 yards to the Giants 27. On the next play, Randy Moss' touchdown pass to Cris Carter gave the Vikings a 21-6 lead. "You see things like Cris Carter playing on a bad ankle, and Robert Tate going from offense to defense," Bass said. "You say, if those guys are doing that, I've got to hold up my end of the bargain. So I think that playing free safety, I've got to show I'm doing the things I need to do to help the team." Revolving door Ten different players have started in the Vikings' secondary, including nickel backs: . Position Player GS - CB Jimmy Hitchcock 15 - CB Kenny Wright 10 - CB Ramos McDonald 5 - SS Robert Griffith 14 - SS Antonio Banks 1 - FS Orlando Thomas 13 - FS Robert Griffith 1 - FS Anthony Bass 1 - NB Chris Rogers 4 - NB Kenny Wright 1