This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated names the best players in the NBA and puts the Wolves Al Jefferson at third team center.  Former Wolves forward Kevin Garnett is on the first team and his Celtics are predicted to defeat the Lakers in the NBA finals.  Former Wolves’ coach Flip Saunders will win coach of the year, according to the magazine for directing a comeback season by the Wizards.

Common opinion is the Vikings will have a difficult game in Pittsburgh on Sunday against the Steelers, but the defending Super Bowl champs (4-2) have won four games against teams that have won a total four games.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger talking about the best attribute of former Vikings assistant Mike Tomlin, now head coach of the Steelers: “I think you hear it a lot, and I think it’s maybe overused sometimes, but I think he is a players’ coach. His age helps, that he can relate to the guys. If we have suggestions or comments about things, he listens to us. He’s willing to change if it’s in the best interest of the players and the team.”

Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe leads the team in touchdown receptions with five in six games.  He had seven last season.  Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton joked with Shiancoe when he told him: “I said you know Brett Favre put Bubba Franks (Favre’s former Packers teammate) into about five Pro Bowls in a row as the king of the one yard touchdown, because he’s (Favre) so effective on the play action on the goal line.  Shiancoe said, ‘Hey, I am all for it.’ ”

Wide receiver Sidney Rice had the biggest day of his pro career last Sunday, catching six passes for 176 yards.  Dalton is impressed with Rice’s athleticism including the ability of the 6-4 receiver to leap high and catch the ball.  “We’ve seen in some one-on-one matches that he really knows how to adjust his body to the ball and take it away from defenders,” Dalton said.

It helps Rice and the other receivers that they count on Favre to put the ball close to them.   “Brett is so accurate with the ball that he tries to put the BB through the key hole,” Dalton said.

Favre talking about what he does to keep his 40-year-old right arm healthy: “I ice when I feel like I need to. When’s the last time I iced? I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been pretty blessed. The good Lord has blessed me with a great arm and the ability to make some plays. But I probably should take better care (of my arm).  I say that but it’s been 19 years, but if it hurts I take care of it.  I play the game a certain way and just been pretty fortunate.”

Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said yesterday he hopes his defense will force Pittsburgh to throw 40 to 45 times on Sunday.  He also said a decision hasn’t been made on injured cornerback Antoine Winfield’s availability for Sunday. It’s a possibility that nickel back Benny Sapp will fill in for Winfield.

Special teams coach Brian Murphy said a decision has yet to be made on the availability of the injured Percy Harvin.

The competition for the MIAC football championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs remains close.  Of the four MIAC football games played last Saturday, none were won by more than seven points and two went into overtime.  Gustavus beat Carleton 28-21 by scoring a touchdown with 14 seconds left in the game while Augsburg defeated Concordia in overtime by seven points, 27-20. Coach John Gagliardi’s Saint John’s team defeated St. Thomas by three points in overtime, 20-17, and now leads the standings.  Hamline lost to Bethel 20-17 on a last second field goal.

The Gophers, who play preseason WCHA favorite Denver at home tonight and tomorrow night, will look for scoring help from sophomore forward Jordan Schroeder who saw an eight game scoring streak dating back to last season end this past weekend against North Dakota.  He was held scoreless in both games of a weekend series for just the second time (also last October at Wisconsin) in his college career.

Wild right wing Petr Sykora has 20 or more goals in each of his last 10 NHL seasons, sharing the longest active streak in the NHL with Calgary’s Jarome Iginla and Nashville’s Jason Arnott, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The Wild is one of only six NHL teams to have two 300-goal scorers–Owen Nolan (407) and Sykora (301).

Former Bloomington Jefferson star Jeff Saterdalen will be inducted into the St. Cloud State Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday.

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Don’t expect MarQueis Gray to replace Adam Weber as the Gophers starting quarterback.  Fans and media are directing criticism at Weber after the Gophers produced only 138 in total yards including 101 passing last Saturday in a 20-0 loss to Penn State, now ranked 11^th nationally by USA Today.

It was true 50 years ago and will be the same a half century from now: fans and media reps focus blame on the quarterback when results are poor.  Often the criticism isn’t deserved and the critics lack credibility.  On talk radio this week a commentator was criticizing “Aaron Weber.”

Fans have told Sports Headliners that Weber isn’t performing and want more playing time for Gray.  The Gophers are 11^th in the Big Ten Conference in yards rushing per game and ninth in passing.

While Weber isn’t an All-American and makes mistakes, he’s certainly a better than average Big Ten quarterback.  The offensive line, though, is below conference standards.

Last Saturday Weber was harassed by Penn State rushers while trying to pass and to his credit escaped to keep plays alive.  He also handed the ball off to running backs who didn’t have space to run because the Gophers line wasn’t successful at pass blocking or run blocking against a Penn State line and linebackers that rate among the best in the country.

The truth is results like last Saturday are to be expected when there is a large discrepancy in ability between lines like Minnesota’s and Penn State’s.  The Gophers could face similar results this coming Saturday at Ohio State against a formidable Buckeyes defense that is second in rushing yards given up per game and third in passing yardage yielded.

The Gophers’ 4-3 record includes losses to teams with better personnel–California, Wisconsin and Penn State.  Weber and the Gophers (including a defense improved over a year ago) have been able to win against four teams they match up with or exceed in personnel.

Don’t look for coach Tim Brewster to back off his commitment to Weber because a radio guy criticizes “Aaron” or fans whine about him.  A lot of critics live by this: “What have you done for me lately?”  Translation: if the Gophers start winning again the complaining goes away.

There’s plenty to value about Weber who other than wide receiver Eric Decker has no great players surrounding him on offense.  The Gophers need to get better on offense at a lot of positions.  Weber is the unit’s second best player.

Weber, a redshirt junior, has invaluable experience as a three year starter.  He does and sees things that are way beyond what the fan recognizes.  Putting the Gophers in the correct plays and reads for running and passing is something that a less experienced quarterback like Gray isn’t ready to do.

Decker said yesterday: “I’d ask anybody to stand back in Adam’s position and try to do what he does because he’s got to call all the protections.  He’s got to make the reads.  He’s got to know what his receivers are all doing, and then he’s got to drop back, elude defenders and throw the ball perfectly.”

If Weber were making mistakes in judgment and passing that were similar to what an inexperienced quarterback does, the Gophers would be losing games by larger margins than they are.  In addition, Weber is a respected leader on the team who has rallied the Gophers to victories late in games.

Weber is a personable student-athlete who cares about academics and football.  He’s a role model for what football players at Minnesota should be.  He’s also a school record- setting quarterback.

This season Weber has completed about 56 percent of his passes and thrown six touchdown passes.  Before the season, expectations were for better results but the Gophers are in a new offense and his throwing mechanics have been changed.  Weber’s stats, including his average of 189.3 passing yards per game, could be better by season’s end.

Gray is a freshman who hasn’t played much football for two years.  He was injured and missed games his senior season of high school.  At Minnesota last fall he wasn’t eligible.

In high school Gray played in a spread system.  The Gophers have moved away from that offense to a pro style using multiple variations with the quarterback mostly under center.  Obviously Gray has much to learn and some day is expected to make a big impact on the program.

Brewster has said Gray will eventually impress with his passing and running.  He has even made some comparisons between Gray and Vince Young, the former Texas All-American quarterback.

There’s nothing wrong with anticipating Gray’s arrival as a playmaker for the Gophers.  But the time is not right because of the offense’s other problems, Weber’s skills and Gray’s lack of experience.  A quarterback controversy isn’t a good call.

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When the Vikings went to three of their Super Bowls in the 1970s, they had a record setting quarterback in Fran Tarkenton and a dominant defensive line including perhaps the NFL’s best pass rusher in tackle Alan Page.  This year’s franchise model (now 6-0) is made of similar stuff with players such as record setting quarterback Brett Favre and linemen Jared Allen, Pat and Kevin Williams, and Ray Edwards.

Coming into this season Allen had the most sacks in the NFL since 2004 with 57.5. Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton was asked if Allen, who is first in the NFC at 7.5 sacks per game and third in the NFL, is the league’s best pass rusher. “I think so,” Dalton said. “But what makes him so great is Pat Williams is so dominant on the inside, Kevin Williams is so dominant on the inside, and Ray Edwards is a little unheralded because he brings consistent pressure, too.”

Allen, 27, is a colorful character who loves to simulate a rodeo calf tie-up after making a sack.  He has athleticism including quick feet, and a ferocious will to sack passers and stop ball carriers.

Dalton values him as both a run stopper and pass rusher.  Where does Allen rank among the top all around defensive ends?  “I think right now he’s one of the best defensive players in the league, and so therefore he’s probably one of the top defensive ends for sure,” Dalton said.

Dalton likes how the Vikings defensive coordinator has used Allen including moving him around in the Green Bay game earlier this month and creating match up problems for the Packers offensive line.  “Leslie Frazier has done a great job of scheming to try to get him into some one-on-one match ups, because one-on-one he’s virtually unstoppable,” Dalton said.

Allen isn’t a bad cheerleader, either. He’s frequently waving a hand prior to a play, encouraging the Metrodome crowd to increase the noise.

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