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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New York and southern California were the leading major league baseball areas in attendance through games of last Thursday.  The Yankees led all of baseball with a home attendance average of 51,889, while the Los Angeles Dodgers were second at 46,343.  The New York Mets were third at 44,891, followed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 41,426.  The Twins ranked 18^th in the major leagues, seventh in the American League, with a home average of 28,898. 

The Twins former home, Washington, D.C. isn’t much of a success story, despite having a big league team again for just two-plus seasons.  The Nationals are averaging 23,181 fans at home while nearby Baltimore is struggling, too, at 25,255.  Common wisdom for years has been that the Washington-Baltimore market isn’t large enough to support two big league teams.  Washington is actually working on its third big league try, having lost teams called the Senators twice, once to Minnesota in 1960 and to Texas in 1971. 

New Twins outfielder Darnell McDonald is hitless in his last 20 at-bats in the majors.  His last hit came in 2004 while playing for the Baltimore Orioles.

Anticipated September dates involving MIAC football teams in non-conference games include Concordia hosting Minnesota State University-Moorhead on September 1 in the annual Power Bow. Talk is this could be one of the last Power Bowls because of restructuring in the NSIC where Moorhead is a conference member.  September 8 will be the debut of new Hamline coach Jim Good when the Pipers host Martin Luther.  St. John’s hosts Concordia on September 22 in a promising conference game.  The margin of victory in the last three games is 2.33 points.   

The Florida Atlantic Owls play the Gophers on September 15 in Dolphins Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.   The Owls will play all of their other games at Lockhart Stadium with a capacity of about 20,000.  Dolphins Stadium seats approximately 75,000.  The game will be Tim Brewster’s first on the road as Gopher coach.   

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Much has been written and said recently about Cretin-Derham Hall high school all-state wide receiver Michael Floyd and his potential college choice.  Conflicting information has left most everyone unsure as to whether Floyd includes the University of Minnesota among his top possibilities. 

Perhaps not even Floyd knows, for he is only a teenager and a young man who must learn day by day.  Ohio State may dazzle one morning, Notre Dame another.

No doubt the Gophers badly want Floyd, the state’s biggest recruiting prize in 2008.  He is an extraordinary receiver who fits perfectly into Minnesota’s new pass priority offense. 

Understand, though, the Gophers are going to recruit successfully with or without Floyd who last year was a USA Today all-American. Head coach Tim Brewster’s recruiting resume as a college assistant coach includes the likes of Julius Peppers and Vince Young, legendary college players from North Carolina and Texas.  Brewster is 24-7 about recruiting and he hired much of his coaching staff to follow in his footsteps.  You better believe that his highly compensated staff is expected to deliver results and that those assistants are already meeting benchmarks.

The Gophers are likely to land a top 20 or 30 national class in 2008.  Beyond that they are already targeting recruits for 2009.  Many of the very best players in the country require time to bring on board.  And to fill pressing needs the Gophers just might land one or more junior college stars. 

Twenty-five years ago it was controversial for a top in-state prospect to attend a school other than Minnesota.  Intense affection and loyalty to the Gophers was the norm in many homes and high schools.  Times and values have changed, although Sam Maresh is an exception, a throw back kid.  The Champlin Park High School linebacker gave the Gophers a verbal commitment last spring and pledged to recruit others for the class of 2008. 

Maresh is a four-star recruit on rivals.com’s five star system.  Go to rivals.com and see the best prep prospects ranked state by state.  In the Texas rankings find Eric Lair, a receiver from Houston, who has made a verbal commitment to the Gophers even though he had offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska.  Search various states and find Minnesota listed among potential college choices of outstanding prospects. 

Over the last 15 years the Gophers have often seen the state’s best prep players go elsewhere.  Chris Weinke, Larry Fitzgerald, Dominic Byrd, James Laurinaitis, John Carlson, Rafael Eubanks and others scattered south, east and west. It will take a few years but that kind of blue chip migration will be slowing, perhaps stopping.  Then combine the best of Minnesota preps with outstanding players from elsewhere and you understand the Brewster formula for future success. 

And don’t be surprised at all if Floyd stays home and takes the lead in starting a new recruiting trend in Minnesota.

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