Author: David Shama

Two defensively challenged football teams meet in West Lafayette, Indiana on Saturday when the Gophers and Purdue play in the Big Ten Conference opening game for both schools.  Minnesota’s defense has been imploding in conference games for years and continued its reputation earlier in the month with a 42-17  non-conference loss to California.  Purdue’s defense ranked near the bottom among major college teams last season and its three mediocre non-conference opponents this year have averaged 31.3 points per game against the Boilermakers. 

Here’s the point: the Gophers may have the better defense.  Minnesota has shutouts in two of its first three games, defeating Kent State 44-0 and Temple 62-0.  Purdue has defeated I-AA Indiana State, 60-35, Miami of Ohio, 38-31, and Ball State, 38-28.  The Boilermakers went into overtime at home to defeat Miami, a team that previously lost to Northwestern, 21-3, and last Saturday was beaten by Kent State, 16-14 (on Miami’s home field).  Northwestern, by the way, lost to I-AA New Hampshire at home the week after beating Miami. 

This is a circle it opportunity game for Minnesota.  Other conference road games will be at Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State.  All are currently more highly regarded opponents than Purdue, a team with inexperienced players on defense including two freshmen starters in the secondary. 

Minnesota’s chances may be determined by limiting the number of big plays by the Purdue offense and by how many minutes the Gopher offense can keep the ball away from the Boilermakers and score points.  Against California the Gophers blew defensive coverages and generated a mild pass rush.  Tackling was a flop.  

Sophomore quarterback Curtis Painter threw three touchdown passes and passed for over 400 yards against Ball State last Saturday and figures to improve as the season continues.  He has explosive helpers in sophomore wide receiver (much hyped) Selwyn Lymon, junior wide receiver Dorien Bryant and junior running back Kory Sheets.    

Purdue has long been known as a passing school, Minnesota as a running program.  Unless the Gophers fall way behind in the game early, look for Minnesota to prefer the run over the pass.  Quarterback Bryan Cupito, a senior, needs to give Minnesota an edge at quarterback, with fewer mistakes, sound leadership and timely passes. 

Circle the Gophers and their fans happy after this game? 

Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, who has made his off-season home in Tallahassee, Florida, plans to live in Athens, Georgia after the 2006 season.  Brother-in-law Mark Richt, the Georgia football coach, is in Athens.  After his playing career ends, Johnson said he may coach high school basketball or tutor players prior to the NFL draft.   

Through his foundation Vikings fullback Tony Richardson is donating approximately 6,000 dictionaries to the third grade students in the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. 

The Vikings have the second best home record in the NFC dating back to 1996.  The Packers have 61 wins, 20 losses while the Vikings are 58-23. 

Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters, 59, said he loves his work and plans to write for another 15 years.  His many contacts include Vikings’ center Matt Birk.  “He used to caddy for me, and now I have to wait in line to talk to him,” Walters joked.   

The Wild have renewed 95% of their season tickets and capped season tickets at 16,500.  Bill Roberston of the Wild front office reports there are 5,500 season ticket accounts.  Most are individual accounts, not corporate, and account holders are evenly divided between Minneapolis and St. Paul.  The Wild have sold out every game in franchise history including pre-season. 

The Timberwolves will host a free scrimmage open to the public at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 at Bresnan Arena in Mankato.  A ticket is required for admission and tickets are available now at the Taylor Center on the Minnesota State Campus and US Bank locations in Mankato. 

Former Gopher football player Norries Wilson has Columbia University off to a 1-0 start in his first season as coach, defeating Fordham last Saturday 37-7.  Wilson spent three summers with NFL clubs in the 1990s as part of the NFL Fellowship Program.  The program provides minority coaches with coaching experience at training camps.  About 1,000 coaches have participated since the program’s inception in 1981. 

More than a few observers had to wonder about Brad Johnson’s contract Monday night as they watched the 38-year-old quarterback lead the team to an opening win over the Washington Redskins.  Johnson was superb running the team while completing 16 passes in 30 attempts and throwing one touchdown pass.  What made the performance all the more appealing was the passion with which he played. 

Post Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper, the face of the Vikings is now as much Johnson as anyone including coach Brad Childress.  He took over for Culpepper last season and the team won seven of nine games while he completed an impressive 62.6% of his passes.  In pre-season games this summer he made good on over 75.6% of his throws and in the win over Washington he looked almost flawless with his field command, quick releases and accurate tosses. 

The ESPN telecast Monday night showed all of this and also reported to the national viewing audience that Johnson, a former Super Bowl winning quarterback, is the 40^th highest paid quarterback in the NFL.  Supposedly Johnson is being paid $1.2 million this season in the second year of a four year deal for $6 million.

I asked a former NFL executive for his take on Johnson’s contract, agreed to when it appeared his role would be to back up Culpepper.  “Obviously they (management) don’t want to invest in a 38-year-old quarterback,” he said.  “Clearly he (Johnson) is out performing the contract.” 

The source speculated as to whether there are certain performance clauses in Johnson’s contract that could help him earn compensation more closely aligned with other NFL starting quarterbacks.  If such clauses are not already in place, the suggestion is to do so.  That would put more money in Johnson’s pocket without tying the Vikings to a long term deal. 

Such a move also will play well with the public and media.  If you can’t like Brad Johnson, you have a problem.  He is a genuine and caring individual who impresses new friends and old.  “He has done all the right things on and off the field,” the former football executive said.  “He’s a class player.” 

The Vikings have said much about their commitment to character and winning.   Johnson’s resume belongs on top of the pile to make good on that mission statement. 

Johnson had no comment on his contract including whether there are incentive clauses.  A team spokesman said he wasn’t aware of any developments with the contract.