The best aspect of Gopher football in the new millennium has been the team’s running game.  Twice during the last few years the Gophers have ranked No. 3 in the country in rushing yards per game among Division I-A teams, according to espn.com.  Another season they were No. 5. 

Coach Tim Brewster and his staff gave the Gophers a new offense, the spread, last winter.  While some may think the spread is pass dominant, that won’t happen here this season.  Brewster told Sports Headliners he expects the Gophers to mix the pass and run equally. 

The decision to run is based on the team’s strengths: a good offensive line accustomed to the running game, and a senior tailback, Amir Pinnix who is one of the Big Ten Conference’s better runners.  Brewster wants Pinnix to rush for about 1,500 yards this fall for the Gophers who start practice next week and open their season at home against Bowling Green on September 1. 

In a look that may surprise those expecting a wide open formation, Brewster said the Gophers may frequently be in a two-running back, one tight end alignment.  No doubt part of that strategy is to take pressure off the Gopher quarterback, whoever that will be as an inexperienced threesome of junior Tony Mortensen, redshirt freshman Adam Weber and true freshman Clint Brewster compete for the job. 

Brewster made the point that another spread team, West Virginia, was second in the country in rushing last season.  The Mountaineers ran for over 300 yards per game. “Fear not Golden Gopher fans, we will run the football,” Brewster said.

In addition to Pinnix, the Gophers are likely to receive running help from long runs specialist Jay Thomas, fullback Justin Valentine and true freshman Duane Bennett who has already impressed Brewster. Bennett is one of several players the Gophers have recruited in recent seasons from the St. Louis area including Laurence Maroney.

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Gopher football commit Maurice Greer, the running back from Garden City Community College in Kansas, was so good in high school that reportedly Southern California and other powerhouse football schools were after him.  Greer developed testicular cancer and had his Division I football career delayed.  He’s recovered now and playing at Garden City after being at Denver’s Mullen High School, the same school that Tim Brewster’s sons, Clint and Nolan, have attended. 

A source said Bryce Webster, the Gopher basketball center who was the most acclaimed newcomer on the roster as a freshman last year, is leaving the team. 

Former Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Steve Aschburner now writes for SI.com. 

John Bell Wilson will sing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” as part of the festivities at the Minnesota Twins stadium ground break activities on Thursday.  Wilson, a financial advisor with UBS, has sung the national anthem at various local sports events for many years. 

Chuck Foreman will be inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor at halftime of the September 30 game against the Green Bay Packers.  Foreman, who played in five straight Pro Bowls as a Viking from 1973-78, will join 15 others previously named to the Ring of Honor.  

Fans here will monitor not only the performance of the Vikings but also the Pittsburgh Steelers during the next several months.  A big year for the Steelers and a mediocre performance by the Vikings will have fickle fans grumbling that new Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin, defensive coordinator here last season, is better than Minnesota’s Brad Childress.  Tomlin will have to screw up big time to mess up the longevity loving Steelers who have had three head coaches since 1969. 

Track announcer Paul Allen was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame yesterday.  Allen, the track’s announcer since 1995, also has ownership in race horses.  August is a busy month for Allen hosting his Monday-Friday KFAN Radio show, play-by-playing on Vikings games on KFAN, plus his duties at Canterbury.

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Anyone looking for positives about the Minnesota Vikings as they near the start of training camp later this week is advised to review developments during the off-season.  Certainly the 2006 season was a disappointment as the team lost its last three games, finished with a 6-10 record, the franchise’s worst showing since the 2002 group had the same mark, but the NFL draft and other off-season developments were positive for the Vikings.

Running back Adrian Peterson is a hero already, although he hasn’t had one carry for the Vikings.  Unless injuries limit his potential, Peterson has most everyone on the planet convinced he will be a premier NFL runner.  His speed and explosiveness will change the outcome of games and fill some box office magic missing since Randy Moss was sentenced to Oakland.

Unlike Moss, there are no questions about character with Peterson.  His reputation is that of a hard working player who doesn’t try to get by on talent alone. 

Peterson can make the season easier for inexperienced quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger.  If Peterson runs for 1,000 yards or more it likely means less production is needed from the passing game.

It’s easy to be optimistic before training camp about the Vikings’ much hyped draft choices led by Peterson.  However, Peterson seems like a sure bet and particularly second round pick Sidney Rice, only 20 years old, looks promising. Rice could help immediately at wide receiver, a position where the Vikings lack proven talent and depth.

Part of the off-season intrigue about this team is Troy Williamson’s journey to become a success after two disappointing seasons.  Williamson worked with doctors to improve his vision and caught thousands of balls to get better.  Insiders predict a break through season for the 24- year-old Williamson who was the team’s first pick in the 2005 draft. 

Chad Greenway, last year’s No. 1 draft choice, never played a regular season game because of his knee injury.  His off-season rehab has him ready to play now and the Vikings will learn if he was worth a No. 1 pick and can also improve their linebacker talent and depth.   

The Vikings worked at their image during the off-season.  Bad publicity because of player behavior is never helpful and it’s a heavier liability when the team has been losing, plus the franchise wants a new stadium and the University of Minnesota has a new football coach, Tim Brewster, who is working harder to promote his product than any Gopher coach since Lou Holtz.  The Vikings were out in the community during the off-season, whether it was visiting a school or coach Brad Childress reading poetry at the downtown library. 

Childress emphasizes responsible behavior whether it’s in the work environment or club hopping downtown.  He seemed confident and comfortable with himself during the off-season. 

Another off-season development was momentum regarding a new stadium. Downtown real estate plans by team owner Zygi Wilf, stadium support from the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission and interest from some politicians created opinion that the Vikings may be closer to stadium legislative support than in the past.  Oh, yes, another factor is the ticking expiration date of the team’s lease in the Metrodome, ending in 2011. 

The next few off-seasons will be interesting, too.

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