Author: David Shama

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr talking about the rivalry between the Wolverines and Gophers and the Little Brown Jug dating back to 1903: “It makes it special because it is the oldest trophy in college football history.” 

Gopher football coach Glen Mason asked about whether not having an on-campus stadium and collegiate atmosphere has made recruiting more difficult: “I don’t think there is any doubt about it. I know everybody who has recruited against us has used that for years and years. I only know that because the people we recruited constantly bring it up to me.” 

Twins reliever Pat Neshek, from Brooklyn Center, talking about how long it takes him to warm up before he is prepared to come in the game:  “Probably takes me about eight to 10 pitches and I am ready.” 

Viking safety Tank Williams talking about the potential of teammate Troy Williamson for becoming a super star: “He definitely has the talent. It’s all about having the work ethic to take it to the next level. When you have that determination nothing is going to keep you from achieving your goals. That’s what it takes.  He has the caliber to do it.” 

The St. Paul Chamber’s Face-Off Luncheon welcoming the Minnesota Wild starts at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3 at the RiverCentre Grand Ballroom.  All the players will be introduced and President/General Manager Doug Risebrough will preview the season. 

Northfield High School football coach Bubba Sullivan emailed to report that running back and defensive end Anthony Jacobs, who has verbally committed to the Gophers, was also offered a scholarship by Hawaii, and “Wisconsin showed a lot of interest.” 

Local attorney Marshall Tanick wrote an interesting article about historical litigation involving boxing in Minnesota in a recent issue of the Minnesota Lawyer.  Tanick’s interest was prompted by the enactment earlier this year of state legislation to re-establish a Minnesota Boxing Commission.

Wide receiver Troy Williamson has been a tease ever since Vikings fans heard about the South Carolina speedster prior to the 2005 NFL draft.  At least one pre-draft expert described Williamson as the best player available in the entire draft. When the Vikings came to their turn to pick at No. 7, guess who was still available? 

Since his arrival in Minneapolis Williamson has shown extraordinary speed and ability to make big plays while sometimes dropping passes and fighting through injuries.  At 23 and with only a small dose of NFL game experience, there is considerable optimism Williamson will become a consistent shock and awe weapon on an offense that used to feature the explosive Randy Moss at wide receiver. 

In the Vikings’ win over Carolina on September 17, Williamson had his first NFL 100 plus yards receiving day catching six passes for 102 yards, including a 30 yard reception.  Last Sunday against the Bears he caught four passes for 39 yards. 

As a rookie last season Williamson ranked third among NFL rookie receivers in yardage and had two of the Vikings’ four longest receptions at 56 and 53 yards.  That seemed like a tease from Williamson’s days in high school and college in South Carolina.  In high school he won the state track championships in the 100 and 200 meters while earning a football scholarship to South Carolina.  At run oriented South Carolina, his opportunities to catch passes were limited but as a freshman he averaged 28.9 yards per reception. 

Williamson has impressed his Viking teammates including quarterback Brad Johnson.  He noted Williamson’s improvement in coming off “jams” and running more effective routes.  “He has improved tremendously from last year,” Johnson said. “He has become much more of a complete receiver.” 

Viking safety Tank Williams was impressed with Williamson’s work ethic last summer.  “I remember being out here in the off-season when everybody else was gone and training on their own,” Williams recalled. “He was here every day with the wide receivers coach, working on routes and things like that, trying to get back from when he had the off season surgery (abscess removed from left hip). He is a hard worker (and) wants to be good. He wants to get better each and every week, and so you can really see the progress taking place on the field.” 

Johnson agrees with Williams.  “He (Williamson) listens,” Johnson said. “He works hard.  He’s fun to play with.” 

Trailing the Bears 19-16 last Sunday, Johnson went to Williamson on two of the last three plays of the game.  On second down Williamson dropped a ball that would have given the Vikings a first down on the Bears’ 40 yard line.  On fourth down and two yards to go the Vikings surprised the Bears when Johnson tried a long pass to Williamson but the ball was over thrown.   

Dropped balls this season and last have sometimes characterized Williamson’s play.  Williams said there is a “lot going on in a young player’s head” and that a receiver can become much more reliable in catching balls through drills, experience and focus. 

“He really doesn’t let stuff get to him,” Williams said. “You can see on the field, if one play doesn’t go his way he just keeps battling back and trying to get another big play later in the game. In this league with all the great players you got to play against, you really got to have resolve and he really has shown that.” 

Johnson talks about Williamson’s explosiveness, whether it’s on short or long pass routes, or just the threat of him making a big play and how that may increase opportunities for the offense.  “Good things happen when he is on the field and he makes us a better team,” Johnson said.

The Vikings have scored 51 points in their first three games, defeating Washington, 19-16, and Carolina, 16-13, and losing to Chicago, 19-16.  Kicker Ryan Longwell accounted for 33 of those points on eight field goals, three extra points and one touchdown pass. 

Longwell field goals won the first two games for the Vikings and he nearly had the opportunity to tie last Sunday’s game against the Bears and send it into overtime.  With the Vikings offensively challenged so far, they have used Longwell’s leg and a solid defense to build a successful start to the season. 

Longwell’s touchdown pass off a fake field goal and then his field goal in overtime led the Vikings to their win over Carolina.  His performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the sixth time in his 10 year career. 

Does Longwell work on his passing?  “I would say the word work maybe a little strong,” he answered.  “I certainly catch balls for (Chris) Kluwe when he is punting and throw them back so I am always throwing the ball around. But to say I am actually work on my passing might be an overstatement.” 

Now that fans have seen the pass on a fake field goal, when do they see the run?  “We got a little bag of tricks,” Longwell said. “You just never know when we’re going to pull something out. So we’ll have a lot of things up our sleeve, so just keep watching.”