Author: David Shama

Despite missing the playoffs last season and high profile players Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss being long gone, the Vikings’ local TV popularity remains impressive.  For the first five Sunday games this season the Vikings are averaging a 30.5 rating, better than last year’s 28.8.  (A rating point is a percentage of households watching a particular program).  

The best rating among the Sunday games is a 35.1 against the Bears (27.4 in first Bear game in 2005).  The second best rating came last Sunday against Seattle, 33.7.   

With around 500,000 households watching each game, the Vikings blow away the TV popularity of other teams in town.  On Sunday, October 1 when the Twins were playing for the Central Division championship, they had an 11.8 rating compared with the Vikings’ 23.6 (Buffalo game).  The Twins’ audience did impact the Vikings’ rating because it was the lowest of the season and about six points below the second smallest rating. 

The Twins’ playoff games at the Metrodome had 9.2 and 10.8 ratings, while in Oakland the rating was 11.3.  The third game had a better rating because the telecast started later in the day and continued into early evening. 

Last Saturday’s Minnesota-North Dakota State football game produced a 4.5 rating (cable telecast).

About 1,000 tickets remain for the Timberwolves regular season opener on Wednesday, November 1 but president Chris Wright said the game will sell out. 

Timberwolves assistant coach Randy Wittman said he was interested earlier this year in returning to Indiana University as head coach to succeed Mike Davis.  Wittman, almost a legendary player at Indiana, said the school showed no interest in interviewing people with ties to the school. 

Minnesota’s homecoming game against Indiana on Saturday, November 4 (11 a.m. kickoff) will be shown on ESPN360, a broadband service available only through a computer and free to fans that receive high-speed broadband service through an ESPN-affiliated provider.  The Gophers’ season opening game at Kent State was also on ESPN360. 

Aaron Sickman, Minnesota Wild communications manager, estimated more Wild players (about 10) are living in Woodbury this season than any other area community.  Downtown Minneapolis is second, with seven or eight players.   

“Miracle on Ice” goalie Jim Craig, one of the stars of America’s 1980 gold medal winning Olympic team, will be the keynote speaker at the Herb Brooks Foundation’s benefit gala on Friday, November 3, at the RiverCentre Ballroom in St. Paul.  The foundation will provide funding for the Herb Brooks Training Center opening in January at the National Sports Center in Blaine.  Tickets to the gala (available through Saturday) can be purchased by calling Tracy Adams at 952-473-5580, or via e-mail, herbbrooksdream@mn.rr.com.   

Rich Decker, long time Minnesota high school basketball coach, hopes to be elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives next month.  He would represent District 29-B (Rochester). 

Condolences to the family of Don Dix, former public address announcer for the old St. Paul Saints baseball team.  Dix, 92, died last week and survivors include daughter Barbara Pfaender and husband Jay, a volunteer leader with the local section of the United States Tennis Association. 

Bethel University now has the MIAC career record holders for rushing yards and passing yards.  Phil Porta set the conference rushing record last Saturday when he increased his career MIAC total to 3,979.  In 2003 quarterback Scott Kirchoff set the conference record for career passing yards with 6,168.

The Vikings are nearing the half way mark in the schedule
and fans had hoped for more from the offense.  Quarterback
Brad Johnson has thrown only four touchdown passes and
the Vikings have two rushing touchdowns, both by Chester
Taylor.  Field goals and touchdowns generated by trick
plays (two touchdowns) and the defense (two interceptions
and two fumble recoveries for scores) have contributed
more than expected while the offense has struggled
including near the goal line. 

The offense doesn’t have Pro Bowl playmakers at the skilled
positions of quarterback, running back and receiver.  Right
tackle Marcus Johnson and right guard Artis Hicks are
developing players. The unit’s stars are on the line’s left side
with tackle Bryant McKinnie, guard Steve Hutchinson
and in the middle with center Matt Birk.  This is a group
that fans perhaps thought would push defensive lines all over
the field, creating running and passing opportunities that
could make the team’s skilled position players look better.

The offensive line, including the big three, hasn’t been
dominant so far.  However, this is a line that is learning a new
system with new coaches.  They are also learning about one
another and how to play together.

Hutchinson is in his first season with the team.  Birk didn’t
play at all last season because of hip and hernia injuries.  A
major setback such as that can cause a player to take a long
time to fully recover. Vikings fans may not want to hear this
but it could be late this year or even next season that the
offensive line establishes itself. Led by Hutchinson, Birk and
McKinnie it should happen. 

Hutchinson came to the Vikings from Seattle having been
recognized as perhaps the league’s best left guard, earning
three straight trips to the Pro Bowl and helping Shaun
Alexander score an NFL best 28 touchdowns while playing
on a line that for four games didn’t allow a sack.

Hutchinson voiced optimism after joining the Vikings earlier
this year.  “I know Matt Birk well,” Hutchinson said. “In my
opinion, he is one of the best centers in the game.  Bryant
McKinnie at the left tackle spot, I think he is one of the top
 tackles in the game.  I think I’ll fit in there well between
them and we should have a really good flow and be able to
jell pretty good.”  

Hutchinson, Birk and McKinnie are all 30 or younger and
figure to have a lot of football left in them.  Hutchinson will
be 29 in November.  Birk, a four time pro bowl selection, is
30.  McKinnie, 27, has started 61 straight games for the
Vikings and should have his best football ahead of him.  At
6-8, 335, he is a human shield providing pass protection.  
There is still time for Hutchinson, Birk and McKinnie and
the offensive line to become dominant.