Author: David Shama

Don’t expect MarQueis Gray to replace Adam Weber as the Gophers starting quarterback.  Fans and media are directing criticism at Weber after the Gophers produced only 138 in total yards including 101 passing last Saturday in a 20-0 loss to Penn State, now ranked 11^th nationally by USA Today.

It was true 50 years ago and will be the same a half century from now: fans and media reps focus blame on the quarterback when results are poor.  Often the criticism isn’t deserved and the critics lack credibility.  On talk radio this week a commentator was criticizing “Aaron Weber.”

Fans have told Sports Headliners that Weber isn’t performing and want more playing time for Gray.  The Gophers are 11^th in the Big Ten Conference in yards rushing per game and ninth in passing.

While Weber isn’t an All-American and makes mistakes, he’s certainly a better than average Big Ten quarterback.  The offensive line, though, is below conference standards.

Last Saturday Weber was harassed by Penn State rushers while trying to pass and to his credit escaped to keep plays alive.  He also handed the ball off to running backs who didn’t have space to run because the Gophers line wasn’t successful at pass blocking or run blocking against a Penn State line and linebackers that rate among the best in the country.

The truth is results like last Saturday are to be expected when there is a large discrepancy in ability between lines like Minnesota’s and Penn State’s.  The Gophers could face similar results this coming Saturday at Ohio State against a formidable Buckeyes defense that is second in rushing yards given up per game and third in passing yardage yielded.

The Gophers’ 4-3 record includes losses to teams with better personnel–California, Wisconsin and Penn State.  Weber and the Gophers (including a defense improved over a year ago) have been able to win against four teams they match up with or exceed in personnel.

Don’t look for coach Tim Brewster to back off his commitment to Weber because a radio guy criticizes “Aaron” or fans whine about him.  A lot of critics live by this: “What have you done for me lately?”  Translation: if the Gophers start winning again the complaining goes away.

There’s plenty to value about Weber who other than wide receiver Eric Decker has no great players surrounding him on offense.  The Gophers need to get better on offense at a lot of positions.  Weber is the unit’s second best player.

Weber, a redshirt junior, has invaluable experience as a three year starter.  He does and sees things that are way beyond what the fan recognizes.  Putting the Gophers in the correct plays and reads for running and passing is something that a less experienced quarterback like Gray isn’t ready to do.

Decker said yesterday: “I’d ask anybody to stand back in Adam’s position and try to do what he does because he’s got to call all the protections.  He’s got to make the reads.  He’s got to know what his receivers are all doing, and then he’s got to drop back, elude defenders and throw the ball perfectly.”

If Weber were making mistakes in judgment and passing that were similar to what an inexperienced quarterback does, the Gophers would be losing games by larger margins than they are.  In addition, Weber is a respected leader on the team who has rallied the Gophers to victories late in games.

Weber is a personable student-athlete who cares about academics and football.  He’s a role model for what football players at Minnesota should be.  He’s also a school record- setting quarterback.

This season Weber has completed about 56 percent of his passes and thrown six touchdown passes.  Before the season, expectations were for better results but the Gophers are in a new offense and his throwing mechanics have been changed.  Weber’s stats, including his average of 189.3 passing yards per game, could be better by season’s end.

Gray is a freshman who hasn’t played much football for two years.  He was injured and missed games his senior season of high school.  At Minnesota last fall he wasn’t eligible.

In high school Gray played in a spread system.  The Gophers have moved away from that offense to a pro style using multiple variations with the quarterback mostly under center.  Obviously Gray has much to learn and some day is expected to make a big impact on the program.

Brewster has said Gray will eventually impress with his passing and running.  He has even made some comparisons between Gray and Vince Young, the former Texas All-American quarterback.

There’s nothing wrong with anticipating Gray’s arrival as a playmaker for the Gophers.  But the time is not right because of the offense’s other problems, Weber’s skills and Gray’s lack of experience.  A quarterback controversy isn’t a good call.

When the Vikings went to three of their Super Bowls in the 1970s, they had a record setting quarterback in Fran Tarkenton and a dominant defensive line including perhaps the NFL’s best pass rusher in tackle Alan Page.  This year’s franchise model (now 6-0) is made of similar stuff with players such as record setting quarterback Brett Favre and linemen Jared Allen, Pat and Kevin Williams, and Ray Edwards.

Coming into this season Allen had the most sacks in the NFL since 2004 with 57.5. Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton was asked if Allen, who is first in the NFC at 7.5 sacks per game and third in the NFL, is the league’s best pass rusher. “I think so,” Dalton said. “But what makes him so great is Pat Williams is so dominant on the inside, Kevin Williams is so dominant on the inside, and Ray Edwards is a little unheralded because he brings consistent pressure, too.”

Allen, 27, is a colorful character who loves to simulate a rodeo calf tie-up after making a sack.  He has athleticism including quick feet, and a ferocious will to sack passers and stop ball carriers.

Dalton values him as both a run stopper and pass rusher.  Where does Allen rank among the top all around defensive ends?  “I think right now he’s one of the best defensive players in the league, and so therefore he’s probably one of the top defensive ends for sure,” Dalton said.

Dalton likes how the Vikings defensive coordinator has used Allen including moving him around in the Green Bay game earlier this month and creating match up problems for the Packers offensive line.  “Leslie Frazier has done a great job of scheming to try to get him into some one-on-one match ups, because one-on-one he’s virtually unstoppable,” Dalton said.

Allen isn’t a bad cheerleader, either. He’s frequently waving a hand prior to a play, encouraging the Metrodome crowd to increase the noise.

Dalton’s Eden Prairie home burned earlier this month and will have to be rebuilt.  He is involved with pro and college media work including hosting a weekly TV show with Gophers coach Tim Brewster.

The Vikings can become the unofficial AFC North champions before year end.  The Vikings have wins over Cleveland and Baltimore.  On Sunday they play at Pittsburgh and have a home game on December 13 against Cincinnati, the fourth member of the division.

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor has been struggling and receiving criticism.  During last week’s loss to Purdue the much publicized sophomore threw two interceptions and fumbled twice.  The Gophers MarQueis Gray has been compared to the athletic Pryor who is now in his second season as a starter.  Pryor’s statistics include completing 56 percent of his passes, averaging 167 yards per game and throwing eight touchdown passes.

Part of Pryor’s challenge reportedly has been dealing with modifications in the Ohio State offense to include more option pitch or keep for the quarterback.  Pryor’s offensive teammates haven’t performed up to Buckeyes standards.  Coach Jim Tressel said at his news conference after the Purdue game that it’s not what media want to “write” but he refuses to single out players for criticism, and coaches, too, must share in collective problems.

How did he evaluate the quarterback? “The No. 1 measuring stick is we didn’t win,” he said.  “So the evaluation wasn’t good.”

Gray and Adam Weber are roommates on Friday nights before Gopher games.

Steve Solem of BOLD High School has 200 career wins after a 41-0 victory over Lac qui Parle last week.

The annual banquet honoring the prep player chosen as Mr. Football will be held starting at noon on Sunday, December 6 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park, according to https://www.mshsca.org/Football/.

Any team potentially interested in trading for soon to be 36-year-old Twins reliever Joe Nathan presumably has to satisfy themselves about questions regarding velocity on his fast ball and control of his pitches.

NBA sources see the Timberwolves as the No. 14 team among 15 in the Western Conference, according to https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/10/19/scouts.picks/index.html.

FOX Sports North will televise 35 Timberwolves games in high-definition during the 2009-10 season (an increase of 15 from last season).  The first HD telecast will air on Friday, October 30 against Cleveland.

Center Mikko Koivu will be the Wild’s full time captain for the season, according to a team announcement yesterday.  “Mikko possesses all the qualities you want your leader to have,” said coach Todd Richards. “He is passionate, has a great work ethic and competes for everything.  The way Mikko plays defines him as the leader of our team.”