Author: David Shama

If quarterback Brett Favre can throw two touchdown passes in Sunday’s home game against Miami, he will become the first player in NFL history to have 500 touchdown passes.

Favre needs 500 yards to become the first NFL quarterback to throw for 70,000 yards.

Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams talking about Miami’s simple offensive approach: “They ain’t doing nothing pretty.”

Former Gopher and Green Bay Packer Darrell Thompson started watching Miami quarterback Chad Henne when Henne was at Michigan.  Thompson said Henne, who was a 2008 second round draft choice by the Dolphins, has improved as a pro and includes him in the NFL’s top 30 percent of quarterbacks.

Thompson helps local youth while heading up the Bolder Options organization as executive director.  Bolder Options has fundraising long distance runs at Lake Nokomis tomorrow.  www.bolderoptions.org

The just released History of the Minnesota Vikings DVD is almost four hours long and details the franchise’s success as it celebrates 50 seasons. The DVD is available for purchase at Vikings Locker Room stores, www.vikingslockerroom.com and other DVD retail outlets.

Athletic sophomore MarQueis Gray had a career high nine receptions for the Gophers against South Dakota.  He’s learning the wide receiver position while he remains quarterback Adam Weber’s backup.  “MarQueis will become a more precise route runner,” Gophers coach Tim Brewster said.

The September 13 issue of Sporting News magazine includes seven Big Ten basketball teams in its top 50.  Michigan State is No. 1, Purdue No. 3, Ohio State No. 5, Illinois No. 15, Wisconsin No 18, Minnesota No. 34 and Northwestern No. 41.

On the list of 30 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award are two former MIAC athletes who have completed their eligibility.  Former Gustavus Adolphus hockey player Melissa Mackley and ex-St. Thomas softball player Alison Wright are among the 10 Division III finalists for the honor. There are 10 finalists each from Division I, Division II and Division III.

Fans are justifiably upset with last Saturday’s loss to South Dakota but the extremists asking for the firing of coach Tim Brewster are wrong.

The Gophers have 10 games remaining on their schedule.  Brewster, his staff and players deserve the opportunity to show what they can do in those games starting with Saturday’s home game against Southern California.

Brewster believes that his squad has more athleticism, football talent and potential than his previous teams.  You can be sure University officials are going to give Brewster every chance in the weeks ahead to earn some wins.  They’re not going to make a change in September.

The loss to a South Dakota team that is part of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) was a “hot poker” to the faces of angry fans who have been upset for decades with Gopher football.  There was frustration coming into this season as Brewster started his fourth year with a losing record and fans found much to complain about after the 41-38 loss on Saturday.

But it makes no sense not to allow Brewster to see what he can do in the remaining nonconference games and the eight Big Ten Conference games that follow.  No one knows how the Gophers will play in those games.

What’s certain is Gopher football has the potential to be better than it is, much better.  The public should continue to be outspoken.  The emails, phone calls and letters that are flying around this town might be the best hope for helping Brewster or whoever is coaching the Gophers in the years ahead.

A public demanding that the University make winning football a priority is a healthy first step.  Historically the University has often made poor decisions regarding football and its importance, although the new football stadium is a valuable resource and step in the right direction.  It’s time to thoroughly address all the problems and find solutions.

Loyal fans can recite the years of bad and mediocre football at Minnesota.  They can complain about all the reasons it’s a challenge to win games here.  They can even empathize with Minnesota coaches about smaller budgets compared to some Big Ten schools that spend more money on their football programs.

But action resulting from public outcry is what might move the dial forward.  We need a constituency that demands Gophers football become a winning program.  If you care, make your voice heard (repeatedly) via emails, phone calls and letters.

In the September 13 issue of Sporting News Magazine the publication lists the NFL’s top 100 players as selected by a 99 man panel including 25 Hall of Famers.  The Vikings, with seven selections, have more players than any franchise, followed by the Ravens and Steelers at six each.

Running back Adrian Peterson is the highest rated Viking at No. 5, followed by defensive end Jared Allen No. 10, quarterback Brett Favre No. 15, offensive guard Steve Hutchinson No. 23, defensive tackle Kevin Williams No. 29, and wide receivers Sidney Rice No. 71 and Percy Harvin No. 93.

Williams’ No. 29 ranking surprised his defensive line teammate Jimmy Kennedy.  “They’re robbing Kevin,” Kennedy said about the All-Pro who some analysts consider the best defensive tackle in pro football.  “If Jared is 10, Kevin gotta be eight.”

Kennedy admires Allen, too, a player who has a reputation for sacking the quarterback.  “He’s relentless, man,” Kennedy told Sports Headliners.  “He goes out there and people always talk about him versus the pass.  He’s stellar versus the run as well.  Night in, night out, he comes ready to play and he’s going to leave it on the field.”

Williams has played in five Pro Bowls, Allen three.  Williams is 30 years old, Allen 28.  The two of them, along with defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Ray Edwards form perhaps the NFL’s best defensive line.

Sporting News ranked quarterback Peyton Manning of the Colts as the No. 1 player, followed by Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Titans running back Chris Johnson and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.