Author: David Shama

The Vikings Super Bowl ticket doesn’t get punched without Adrian Peterson and Tarvaris Jackson.  Sure, it’s speculative to whisper the words Super Bowl with a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004 but the Vikings have dramatically improved their talent the last couple of years and could be ready to roll deep into the playoffs.  No dice, though, if Peterson, the wondrous rookie running back last year, and Jackson, the third year quarterback, are on the injury list and not on the field.

The right knee injury Jackson suffered in last Saturday’s preseason game in Baltimore is enough to stir up Purple worry warts.  Jackson, designated this year as the team’s No. 1 quarterback despite two seasons of on and off effectiveness, was impressive in the team’s opening preseason game and second game against Baltimore playing briefly in each. Then he took a hit from two Ravens’ tacklers and suffered the fifth injury during his Vikings’ career.

Jackson had surgery on his right knee in 2006.  Last season he had head, finger and groin injuries.  He missed four games when he otherwise would have started, presumably slowing his maturation process as an NFL quarterback.

The latest injury, a strained ligament, isn’t expected to sideline him for long.  But Jackson needs to play, developing his skills at throwing and directing the offense.  The injury is a setback and combined with past health problems raises the question of whether Jackson is one of those unfortunate players who is frequently injured.

The problem, too, isn’t just frequency of being hurt but the possibility of suffering one devastating injury that is career threatening.  The Purple worry warts may start holding their collective breaths every game when they watch Jackson and Peterson.

Peterson would have won the NFL rushing title last season except for a knee injury.  He gained 1,341 yards but missed two games.  Not only that, but his five game numbers after the injury, 260 total yards and a 3.8 average per carry, were less impressive than his initial nine game total of 1,081 and 6.4.

In college at Oklahoma Peterson missed playing time because of his much publicized ankle and collarbone injuries.  And for all his marvelous gifts, including vision, speed, and strength, he’s been labeled a guy who runs too straight up and down, making him more susceptible to injury.

A healthy Peterson is right there with LaDainian Tomlinson (last season’s top NFL rusher) as the best runner in the league.  A healthy Jackson, based on his athletic skills and the assumption that quarterbacks are much improved by a third season, looks like a quarterback ready to give the Vikings a passing game to balance the run.

There’s no Super Bowl train leaving the station without Peterson and Jackson.

Rodney Williams, the highly recruited basketball player who will be a senior at Cooper High this school year, told Sports Headliners he expects to narrow his list of potential college choices to four or five by this weekend.

He said “for sure” the Gophers will make the cut.  Williams wasn’t as sure whether any other Big Ten Conference schools will be on the revised list. The Gophers have been drawing the attention of top players in various parts of the country since Tubby Smith became head coach in 2007 and are known to have interest in the 6-7, 188-pound Williams who is ranked a four star recruit by Rivals.com, listing him as the No. 23 small forward in the nation.

Williams said an opportunity to “play right away” will be the most important factor in selecting a college.  He plans to sign a letter of intent with a school in the late fall, November or December.

Grandfather Jerry Robertson said Williams has improved his game in “virtually every phase” this summer as he prepares for his final season at Cooper High School.  Robertson has coached AAU teams that Williams has played on including the Minnesota Magic age 17 and under group that won a state title this summer.  He said his grandson averaged about 16 points and 12 rebounds in the state tournament, and, as usual, demonstrated his extraordinary leaping ability with numerous dunks and blocked shots.

Williams said his three point shooting might be the single most improved aspect of his game this summer.  He talked about possibly making 40 to 45 percent of his three point attempts next season.

Rivals lists Minnesota, Miami and Wisconsin among likely contenders for Williams.  Robertson projects Williams’ college position as small forward in college.

He also said that his grandson “struggled a little bit” academically during his freshman and sophomore years before he realized the importance of grades to his future.  College scouts have said academics for Williams won’t be an entrance problem at major basketball schools, according to Robertson.

He speaks with enthusiasm about his grandson including when he talks about him as a person. “He’s a really great kid,” Robertson said.  “I think he’s a nicer kid than he is a basketball player.”

Hopkins’ Royce White, a five star recruit by Rivals, has already verbally committed to the Gophers.  Robertson said he foresees White, 6-7, 210, playing a power forward position in college, although Rivals ranks him the No. 2 prep small forward in the country.

“He’s good friends with Royce,” Robertson said.  Williams said, though, that their friendship won’t influence his decision about the Gophers.

Outfielder Joe Gaetti, acquired by the Twins two weeks ago from Oakland, hit a home run in his first game with Double AA New Britain last Thursday and then tore his Achilles tendon.  He’s the son of former Twin third baseman Gary Gaetti.

In a Sports Illustrated players poll (August 11 issue) former Twin David Ortiz, now with Boston, had the most votes as “the most dangerous clutch hitter in baseball.”   Ortiz’s former teammate with the Red Sox, Manny Ramirez now with the Dodgers, was second.

In the magazine’s August 18 issue the Twins’ Joe Mauer was second in a players poll to determine the “best all-around catcher in baseball.”  Russell Martin of the Dodgers had the most votes.

Through the first two games of preseason the Vikings’ Tarvaris Jackson completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2%) for 200 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions and hasn’t been sacked.  Jackson’s quarterback rating of 127.1 is an improvement from his 2007 preseason rating of 70.6.  Last year Jackson finished preseason 20 of 38 (52.6%) for 225 yards and no touchdowns.

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier talking earlier this week about how the chemistry is developing between newcomer Jared Allen, and returnees Kevin Williams and Pat Williams on the defensive line:  “I think it’s really come along faster than I thought it would.  He’s a guy who has achieved a great deal in this league in a short time, but Kevin and Pat are real established in the National Football League as premier defensive tackles so you’re always wondering how that’s going to mesh and how it will fit and if it will create some tensions with egos and so on.  But that hasn’t been the case. Those guys really respect one another’s games, and they’ve really gelled very well.

“Now it’s just a matter of playing together and seeing each other in adverse situations as well as positive situations to see how guys react. You find out a lot about people when things don’t go well, and that’s part of growing as a group.  We’re going through that in the preseason.”

Coming to the Vikings in anonymity as a center seems like a pretty good beginning.  The guy who played center longer than anyone for the franchise, Mick Tingelhoff, signed as a free agent.  Current starting center Matt Birk was drafted on the sixth round 10 years ago and became a Pro Bowl player.  This past spring the Vikings started looking ahead by drafting John Sullivan, also a sixth round pick.  Both Birk and Sullivan are similar in size, about 6-4, 300 pounds.  They’re also known as intelligent guys who attended highly regarded schools, Birk at Harvard and Sullivan at Notre Dame.

Free 24 by 36 inch posters of Adrian Peterson will be given to all fans as they depart the Metrodome following the Vikings-Steelers preseason game on Saturday night. The image, taken from an original painting by St. Paul native Robert Blehert, features Peterson breaking free for a touchdown.

Three former Gophers are on the Steelers’ roster: safety Tyrone Carter, running back Gary Russell and tight end Matt Spaeth.  Another Steeler running back is former Viking Mwelde Moore.

There are two NFL roster cut down dates next week: 75 players by Tuesday and 53 by Saturday.

Gopher coach Tim Brewster hosts his second annual football clinic for women tomorrow night (Friday).  The free event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex.  The clinic will cover the rules of the game, play demonstrations, position instruction, as well as offense, defense and special teams strategy sessions.  More than 500 women attended last year’s Gopher Nation Women’s Football Clinic.  To R.S.V.P for the clinic, contact Meghan Potter in the Gopher football office, potte128@umn.edu or 612-624-3826.

The Wild and Swarm will share a booth on the second level of the main Grandstand at the State Fair.  Players, team personnel and local hockey celebrities are scheduled to appear and sign autographs.  Among those scheduled are Wild players Kurtis Foster from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night, Danny Irmen 3 to 4 p.m. August 29, and Benoit Pouliot 3 to 4 p.m. on August 31.  

Jordan Nuness, who played for the Gophers before transferring to UMD where he was a standout for the Bulldogs, has decided not to pursue opportunities in European pro basketball, according to his father.  Al Nuness, a former Gopher captain, became president of the Golden Dunkers in June, a volunteer support group for Gopher basketball.

Just four points separates five teams in the competition for the seventh and final playoff position in the USL First Division standings.  The Thunder, with 27 points, is one point behind Portland and Montreal, both tied for seventh.  The Thunder play at home tomorrow night in the National Sports Center stadium against Carolina, tied for last in the standings with Miami at 24 points each.  The Thunder’s last regular season game is September 20.