After two straight losses and with an offense that has produced one running touchdown and two touchdown passes from its starting quarterback in four games, the Vikings should consider the Detroit Lions welcome prey when they come to the Metrodome.  The Lions have given up 106 points in their last three games while starting the season 0-4. 

The Lions rank 26^th in the 32 team NFL in yards allowed per game and are yielding an average of 368.5 yards (86.5 rushing, 282 passing).  “They have been very good against the run,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said. “People are exploiting the pass from time to time.”   

Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson said the Lions’ defense plays with effort. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, 6-4, 345, is outstanding and has 13 solo tackles and one sack.  “Look what Shaun Rogers can do by himself,” Johnson said. “A lot of times you have to double and triple team the guy. …” 

The Vikings are tied for fourth in the NFL in fewest points allowed and rank fifth in overall defense.  Minnesota is 27^th in points scored and 22^nd in rushing offense.  The Vikings have won 58 games against Detroit, more wins against the Lions than any other team.

Troy Hudson, who has been with the Timberwolves for four seasons, said the organization has had good point guards through the years but wonders why there has been so much turnover at the position.  He was the Wolves’ point guard in 2002-2003 when the team won 51 games and advanced to the playoffs. 

Hudson said comments every year that the Wolves are “lacking” at the point guard position “bothered” him for awhile but then he thought more about the criticism. “Okay, when I was healthy and I was really getting an opportunity we won 51 games with me at the point guard position,”  Hudson said. “The next year we won 56 games with Sam Cassell at the point guard position. … Then they brought in Marko (Jaric).  And then (years ago) we had Stephon Marbury here (and) Bobby Jackson here (and) Chauncey Billups here.

“So I just started thinking to myself is it really the point guard position?  What’s really being hidden here? I mean, if we’re going to say every year we need a new point guard. … You win 51 games one year, 56 games one year and those two point guards aren’t good enough.  I don’t know what else to say.

“Now I have come to the realization that maybe I am just not the guy they are looking for here.  Maybe it’s the way I play or my style of play but I don’t think it’s because I am not a great point guard or a good point guard.  Maybe they are looking for a point guard around here that doesn’t exist.” 

Hudson said he considers himself a “basketball player” and is prepared to play point guard or off-guard for the Wolves.  “Two or one (positions) is cool with me. … I always do the things that the coaches want me to do,” Hudson said. 

Newcomer Mike James, formerly with Toronto, seems likely to win the point guard position this fall.

Vikings offensive tackle Steve Hutchinson, a former Michigan star, spoke to the Wolverines last Friday night prior to their Saturday game with the Gophers about the home field advantage of the Metrodome.  “He told us then that it’s as loud as any place he’s ever played, if not louder,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. 

Joel Maturi was asked for a reaction to the highly critical article by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse regarding Maturi’s contract extension and past performance as University of Minnesota athletic director. Maturi e-mailed the following:  “Not my mindset to get responsive, defensive.  I am proud of what we have accomplished in four years and feel very good about the direction of this Athletics Department and feel anyone who looks into the facts will surmise much the same.” 

The Gophers sold 1,264 tickets on Saturday for the Michigan game, according to Maturi’s office.  With more use of the Internet and phone sales, fewer day of game sales are being made. 

Timberwolves president Chris Wright reports that over 500 of the “Big Ticket Packages,” offering a $21 per game lower level Target Center seat for the season, have been sold so far.  The team has sold 1,300 new season tickets, up 400 from last year at this time. 

Zimmerman High School football coach Dave Hamlin e-mailed that senior running back Zac Nielsen has 870 yards and 18 touchdowns in five games while playing limited minutes.  “These numbers reflect only 1/2 to 2/3 of every game,” Hamlin wrote.  “I usually take him out in the third quarter as we have been scoring a lot and I don’t want to run up scores or risk injury with my starters.” North Dakota State has shown interest. 

Former Gopher football coach Murray Warmath, 93, was recently interviewed by a volunteer for the Minnesota Historical Society.  There is a project to talk with Minnesotans about their experiences from long ago including World War II.  Wamath served in the Navy and was stationed in Brazil. 

Joe Janasz, former public relations director of the Minnesota North Stars, played Scottish and Irish golf courses on a recent trip with buddies to watch the Ryder Cup.  A 14 handicapper, he reports the famed St. Andrews Old Course is “fairly easy.”