More than a few observers had to wonder about Brad Johnson’s contract Monday night as they watched the 38-year-old quarterback lead the team to an opening win over the Washington Redskins.  Johnson was superb running the team while completing 16 passes in 30 attempts and throwing one touchdown pass.  What made the performance all the more appealing was the passion with which he played. 

Post Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper, the face of the Vikings is now as much Johnson as anyone including coach Brad Childress.  He took over for Culpepper last season and the team won seven of nine games while he completed an impressive 62.6% of his passes.  In pre-season games this summer he made good on over 75.6% of his throws and in the win over Washington he looked almost flawless with his field command, quick releases and accurate tosses. 

The ESPN telecast Monday night showed all of this and also reported to the national viewing audience that Johnson, a former Super Bowl winning quarterback, is the 40^th highest paid quarterback in the NFL.  Supposedly Johnson is being paid $1.2 million this season in the second year of a four year deal for $6 million.

I asked a former NFL executive for his take on Johnson’s contract, agreed to when it appeared his role would be to back up Culpepper.  “Obviously they (management) don’t want to invest in a 38-year-old quarterback,” he said.  “Clearly he (Johnson) is out performing the contract.” 

The source speculated as to whether there are certain performance clauses in Johnson’s contract that could help him earn compensation more closely aligned with other NFL starting quarterbacks.  If such clauses are not already in place, the suggestion is to do so.  That would put more money in Johnson’s pocket without tying the Vikings to a long term deal. 

Such a move also will play well with the public and media.  If you can’t like Brad Johnson, you have a problem.  He is a genuine and caring individual who impresses new friends and old.  “He has done all the right things on and off the field,” the former football executive said.  “He’s a class player.” 

The Vikings have said much about their commitment to character and winning.   Johnson’s resume belongs on top of the pile to make good on that mission statement. 

Johnson had no comment on his contract including whether there are incentive clauses.  A team spokesman said he wasn’t aware of any developments with the contract.

Rick Anderson has been the Twins’ pitching coach since 2002.  He was asked if this is the most excited he has been about the staff from the perspective of youth and potential. 

“Absolutely.  Except for Radke (Brad) they all should be around here for a lot of years to come,” Anderson said. “It’s kind of funny because (you) talk about vets (on this staff) and they are (only) three, four years into the big leagues.  Take away Radke (12 big league seasons) and look where they are at.  They all have an upside to them.” 

Johan Santana and Carlos Silva, both 27, are staff elders along with Radke, 33, and ace reliever Joe Nathan, 31. Francisco Liriano, and Matt Garza, both 22, and Boof Bonser and Scott Baker, both 24, lead the youth movement.  Other young pitchers who have helped the Twins are Jesse Crain, 25, and Pat Neshek, 26. 

Bonser, a rookie, will pitch the second game in the much anticipated series against the White Sox at the Metrodome September 29-30, and October 1.  The season ending series could determine whether the Twins win the Central Division.  Santana will pitch the last game.  

Anderson expressed confidence in Bonser but admitted some concern about the right hander’s effectiveness in neutralizing the White Sox’s better left handed hitters such as Jim Thome.  “He (Bonser) has done a good job for a kid,” Anderson said. “He has shown a lot of confidence and poise attacking hitters.” 

What about Santana, the Twins’ Cy Young candidate who is 18-5?   “Santana matches up against anyone,” Anderson answered. 

Liriano, injured and out for the season, was going to pitch the opening game in the White Sox series.   It’s speculation now who will receive the assignment.

Gone are the days when the Gopher football program could keep almost every outstanding player in the state here.  Last week Notre Dame tight end John Carlson, from Litchfield, gained nearly 100 yards in pass receptions in the first half against Penn State.  Before the season started Notre Dame had three Minnesota starters, including Carlson, listed on its depth chart and the back up to Carlson is Marcus Freeman from St. Paul. 

Jim Laurinaitis, from Wayzata High School, was so good playing for Ohio State last Saturday he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.  The sophomore linebacker had a career-best 13 tackles and added a tackle for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception leading a rebuilt Ohio State defense to a win over Texas solidifying the Buckeyes’ No. 1 ranking.  

Laurinaitis was expected to play for the Gophers but changed his mind and became the first Minnesotan in memory to start for Ohio State.  Buckeye coach Jim Tressel is optimistic about Laurinaitis’ future.  “He is a bright young man,” Tressel said earlier this week.  “He studies the film hard. He knows what we expect of him.  He has a lot of desire to uphold that tradition of the excellent linebackers in Ohio State history.  With all those things being said, he also has some very good God given talents and we think he is going to end up being a good one.”  

Eden Prairie High School coach Mike Grant will see two of his seniors, linebackers, Bryce McNaul and Blake Sorensen, accept scholarships to Northwestern.  He said compared with years ago, parents and players are so much more “savvy” about the many assets schools offer because of the Internet and TV.  “And the movie Rudy doesn’t help because you watch that movie and you get so excited about Notre Dame,” Grant added. He recalled that Mark LeVoir, who played for him before going to Notre Dame, grew up wanting to play there.   

Grant thinks the Gophers’ new on-campus stadium, scheduled to open in 2009, is likely to help in-state recruiting.  “They just gotta get a few more of those (quality) recruits and hopefully this new stadium is going to attract some of those kinds of kids who love that kind of atmosphere,” he said.  “I think that’s the biggest thing they are missing is that atmosphere on Saturday afternoons.”