The kicking game might be a strength on this year’s Gophers team.  Although it’s unusual for a head coach, Kill is involved with tutoring his punters and placekickers.  He doesn’t like standing around and sometimes wants to be involved with teaching. Punter Dan Orseske and Chris Hawthorne, both sophomores, have impressed in preseason workouts.

National football authority Phil Steele ranks the Gophers’ schedule the 21^st most difficult in the country.

College football fan Dana Marshall emailed that since Minnesota began playing in the Metrodome in 1982 and continuing through last season the Gophers and Indiana have the fewest seasons—four each—of above .500 conference records.

Vikings running back Toby Gerhart spent part of his offseason with Adrian Peterson and the team’s other running backs at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.  Gerhart’s brother Garth is a center for Arizona State.  Another brother, Colton, is a sophomore quarterback at Norco High School in California where his dad, Todd, is head coach.

In practice Gerhart sometimes lines up with Peterson in a two-back set, prompting speculation they may play in games together on a somewhat regular basis.

Ron Gardenhire said on his 1500 ESPN radio show Sunday he wants Alexi Casilla to remain a second baseman next season and not be a shortstop.  Gardenhire will play infielder-outfielder Trevor Plouffe at shortstop in some games before the season ends.  The Twins manager indicated the shortstop job will be an open competition at spring training in 2012.

Gardenhire also said there is “absolutely” room on next year’s roster for outfielders Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer, both of whom will need new contracts to stay with the Twins.  Gardenhire wants to see Cuddyer, 32, finish his career here.

Tink Larson will complete his transition to assistant coaching next year after being a head coach for 50 seasons, according to a story this month in the Waseca County News.  He will be an assistant with Waseca’s VFW, Legion and town-ball team, the Braves.  He is already an assistant coach with Minnesota State University, Mankato and the Waseca High School team.

It will be Maya Moore bobblehead night on Friday when the Lynx play at Target Center against San Antonio.

Dave and Linda Mona report they raised more than $32,000 for Cystic Fibrosis at last week’s Camden’s Concert, named in honor of their 3 ½ year-old grandson, Camden Mona.  The next concert date will be July 25, 2012, and feature country western singer Suzy Bogguss.

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Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton ─ who still follows the NFL closely including for his Sirius Satellite Radio show ─ expects Tarvaris Jackson to start for Seattle tomorrow night against the Vikings, and the preseason game will be another confidence test for the 28-year-old quarterback.

Jackson left the Vikings after last season and so, too, did his former offensive coordinator in Minnesota, Darrell Bevell.  The two have a new beginning in Seattle where Jackson is expected to become the team’s starter.

Jackson was unimpressive in Seattle’s first preseason game of the year, completing three of five passes during limited playing time in the first half.  Tomorrow night in Seattle the Seahawks’ new quarterback receives another opportunity.

This opportunity is special because Jackson has the advantage of playing against former players and coaches he knew in Minneapolis.  Dalton expects Bevell will be playing up the advantage to Jackson.  “Darrell will be pumping his brain full of confidence,” Dalton said.

Jackson spent five seasons here playing in Bevell’s West Coast offense, the system he was trying to execute last weekend during Seattle’s 24-17 win over San Diego.  “He (Jackson) didn’t look particularly crisp,” Dalton said.  “Hopefully, he will have a new life in Seattle.”

Although Jackson started 20 games for the Vikings during his career, there was ongoing doubt among media and fans about whether he was worthy of being the No. 1 quarterback.  Dalton said Jackson lacked confidence and consistency.

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“There’s never been a question about his arm strength, athleticism and work ethic,” Dalton said.  “His lack of confidence affected his passing.  You have to think fast to play fast.  I think he second guesses himself and you can’t do that against world class athletes.  You have to even throw the ball before guys are open.”

Earlier this month Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Jackson was “jerked around” during his days in Minnesota.  Dalton sees the statement as Carroll’s attempt to boost his quarterback’s confidence.

“If anything, he (Jackson) was given preferential treatment here,” Dalton said.  “Brad Childress (Vikings coach) hung his hat on Jackson for all or part of five seasons.  He moved up in the draft to take Jackson.  He (Jackson) had many opportunities here and opportunities to start.”

After starting 12 games in 2007 and five in 2008, Jackson was pushed to the background by the arrival of Brett Favre.  Jackson played in only 11 games the last two seasons and started just one.  He has 24 career touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.  He has never won a playoff game.

Carroll is regarded as a master motivator and perhaps he will improve Jackson.  The former second round draft choice will have Carroll’s support and Bevell’s, plus the opportunity to throw to former Vikings wide receiver Sidney Rice.

There’s that word again, opportunity.  The “O” word beckons tomorrow night in exhibition game No. 2 versus Jackson’s old team.

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