Don’t include new Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin among the critics of the Metrodome.  “I’ve always, even when I was down in Tampa, loved playing indoors,” he said.  “Schematically you always want a fast surface.  This defense is built for speed, so you look forward to playing on a fast surface. “

Vikings safety Darren Sharper leads the NFL in interceptions since the 2000 season with 40.  Last season his nine was one short of the Vikings’ single season mark of 10 set by Paul Krause in 1975.

Jake Mauer talking about his trip to baseball’s All-Star game last month and how grandson Joe provided first class travel accommodations including limousine service and police escort:  “I never knew about ‘red carpet’ treatment before, but I do now and I like it.”

Sporting News’ Big Ten football preview magazine is more candid than the usual publications.  Among the features are quotes from an anonymous scout or conference coach.   Here are excerpts on the Gophers:  “I think Mason (Glen) is a good coach.  He’s a hard-nosed guy.  That’s a hard-nosed team. … They are kind of like Northwestern on defense.  They won’t ever have the horses.”

The Gophers’ offensive line is being rebuilt with changes that include replacing all-Americans Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom, and Tony Brinkhaus moving from tackle to center to replace Outland Trophy winner Eslinger.  Still, Brinkhaus expressed optimism about the line earlier this month.  “We think once we get that cohesiveness as a line we’re going to be one of the best in the Big Ten (Conference),” he said.

Former Gopher coach Jim Dutcher, who became an outstanding TV basketball analyst, will receive the Minnesota Magic Basketball Club’s Lifetime Service Award at Golden Valley Country Club on October 26.   Television partner Dick Bremer will emcee.

Comments Welcome

Ouch!  The sound of broken bones or other injuries to Brad Johnson and Bryan Cupito will spark anxiety among the local football populace.  For the Vikings or Gophers to lose their starting quarterbacks isn’t welcome news any season but this year neither team has an experienced backup. 

Johnson, 38 next month, with limited mobility, faces a physical challenge to escape the 16 game season without injury.  Yes, he’s smart, experienced and delivers the ball quickly out of the new West Coast offense, and his line has the talent to provide protection.  Still, it’s a long season and only one play could sideline him for one or more games. 

Cupito enters his senior season with the Gophers having already been a two-year starter.  Along the way he’s missed playing time with a concussion and shoulder injury.   With a likely commitment to more passing than in the past, Cupito’s ability and luck in escaping injury may well be tested more than ever.  A respected Big Ten quarterback for his passing and on-field command, Cupito has neither the Herculean build (6 foot 3, 205), nor the scrambling ability that can help avoid injuries. 

Rookie Tarvaris Jackson is the guess here to replace an injured Johnson.  Although just a rookie, Jackson showed poise, touch and scrambling ability in his brief pre-season debut against the Oakland Raiders.  “I think they are getting this young man ready to be the No. 2 quarterback,” Joe Theismann told a national TV audience on ESPN.  The former Super Bowl quarterback said Jackson impressed him in practice, too.  

Despite his lack of experience, Jackson is 23, older than some rookie quarterbacks and he played collegiately at both Arkansas and Alabama State, gaining experience at two programs.  At State his numbers improved dramatically over three seasons with interceptions going from 13 to 9 to 5.  Touchdown passes increased from 18 to 20 to 29. 

Tony Mortensen played in six games last season, starting once for an injured Cupito.   If a replacement is needed for Cupito, he seems the likely choice.  A redshirt sophomore from Hutchinson, the 6-foot-3, 230- pound Mortenson spent the summer preparing himself knowing “you are only one snap away” from going into the game.  He wants to be more consistent in his throwing motion but is confident in his abilities. 

In his game as a starter, Mortensen completed seven of 17 passes for one touchdown.  For the season, playing limited minutes, he attempted 24 passes, completing nine. The coaching staff used conservative playing calling and limited his opportunities to throw the ball. 

Coach Glen Mason said Mortensen is probably the team’s most improved player since spring practice.

 

Comments Welcome

With only nine seniors on the roster, and coming off a 7-5 season, the Gophers are certainly not generating conversation about a top 25 year and BCS invitation. Yet Minnesota is regarded as a possible surprise team in the Big Ten Conference, capable of winning six or seven games and making it to a bowl game. 

Although the Gophers no longer have three super star players from last season, linemen Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom, and running back Laurence Maroney, coach Mason is optimistic about his offense.  “We have enough pieces to the puzzle that I really think we will be good,” he said earlier this month. 

The program has reached elite status with its offensive system.  Minnesota is the only school in the country to both rush and pass for over 2,000 yards each season for the last seven years.   The Gophers have been in the top 20 nationally in rushing yards per game since 2001 and top five the last three seasons.  Last season the Gophers were third nationally in rushing at 273.1 yards per game.  The Gophers are the first school in college football history to have two 1,000 yard rushers three consecutive seasons. 

 Cuptio’s career improvement has been impressive and Mason said his quarterback may have a “great” season.  Cupito’s development, and the presence of outstanding receivers like Ernie Wheelright and Matt Spaeth, plus the loss of Maroney and Gary Russell as runners, means the Gophers are likely to pass more than in the past. 

An intriguing development for the running game was the transfer a few weeks ago of sophomore Alex Daniels from linebacker to tailback.  Daniels, 6 foot 3, 255, intrigued Mason with his athleticism in high school where he saw him run track and likened him to the race horse Seabiscuit.   Daniels high school experience included tailback and Mason said the Ohio native has “all the potential in the world.” 

The defense?  “Defense is the whole story, I think,” Mason said.  Prior to starting practice Mason said he was “confident” the defense will be better. Last week he said it again while admitting past defensive shortcomings included being “terrible” in third down situations where repeatedly the Gophers could not make stop the opposition. The Gophers gave up 29.0 points per game last season and four teams passed for over 300 yards against them. 

Playmakers on defense probably include stocky safety Dominic Jones (5 foot 8, 190), hard-charging linebacker John Shevlin and sophomore end Steve Davis who Mason said “played remarkably well as a freshman.”

Comments Welcome