Aaron Rodgers after being asked last week if he has a performance clause in his contract that provides $10 every time he answers a question about Brett Favre: “I don’t think so.”
Rodgers talking about the Vikings’ defense: “Well, they got better. Which is amazing because they had a really, really solid defense last year. The front four they have. I’d put that against any front four in the NFL. …You’ve got a very solid linebacking crew, you’ve got maybe the best free (strong) safety in the game in (Darren) Sharper, who is a ball hawk. Antoine Winfield may be one of the most underrated corners in the league as far as toughness and coverage ability. You’ve got (cornerback Cedric) Griffin playing at a high level in his third year and the rookie (safety Tyrell Johnson) in the secondary is doing a nice job. …”
Vikings’ coach Brad Childress on whether Bryant McKinnie’s four-game suspension by the NFL (personal conduct policy) is a wake-up call for the 28-year-old offensive left tackle: “I wouldn’t suppose to speak for Bryant. I know he knew it was out there. He knows how the commissioner feels, having met with him. And he certainly knows how Zygi (Wilf, Vikings’ owner) feels and I feel about going forward here and the direction of the Minnesota Vikings. Let’s hope it’s a wake-up call.”
Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse will sign copies of his new book, Minnesota Vikings: The Complete Illustrated History, on Tuesday, September 16 starting at 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 801 Nicollet Mall.
The Gophers are trying to reverse the trend of the state’s best high school football prospects attending other universities. That puts a big bull’s-eye on Washburn tight end Ra’shede Hageman who might be the best senior prospect in the state. Hold your breath, though, because Ohio State is in pursuit and so, too, is Wisconsin which will need a replacement for senior All-American Travis Beckum.
If MarQueis Gray is admitted to Minnesota next year for the spring semester, Gopher athletic director Joel Maturi said he expects the former Indianapolis high school quarterback to be a true freshman in eligibility for the 2009 season. The NCAA has ruled that Gray, who practiced with the Gophers during August, must again take the ACT test.
“Sports Final,” a new 10:30 p.m. Sunday show with Dean Dalton and Rod Simons, debuted last night on KARE 11. The program will be on 48 weeks covering the local sports scene including the Vikings. Player guests will be part of the programming. Dalton and Simons previously hosted KSTP TV’s “Sports Wrap.”
Francisco Liriano is now 5-0, with a 1.44 ERA and 38 strikeouts in six starts since being recalled from Triple AAA Rochester. The nine strikeouts he had against Detroit on Friday night were a season high.