Paul Wiggin coached the Vikings defensive line in the 1980s and has decades of NFL experience. He told Sports Headliners the talent among the defensive linemen on the 2013 Vikings is more than impressive.
“I don’t think that we ever had that many great players,” Wiggin said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen competition at this level in coaching (the) defensive line.”
Wiggin, 78, is a personnel consultant for the Vikings. Not only is he a former defensive line coach, he was once head coach of the Chiefs and during his playing career with the Browns was a starting defensive end.
The actual or potential talent might be at least eight deep on the defensive line. “There’s no dog days. These guys have to come out every day and compete,” Wiggin said.
The Vikings have been in training camp since late July and no defensive lineman has created more of a stir than fourth-year reserve end Everson Griffen. Wiggin said Griffen, who has only one regular season start in his previous three seasons, “has put on a show” in training camp.
What happened? “Some guys, it takes them awhile to realize what they’re capable of doing,” Wiggin said. “Suddenly the light came on. He’s done some things this offseason that are impressive.”
“I became a student of the game,” Griffen said on the broadcast of last Friday night’s preseason Vikings-Texans game.
Wiggin said Griffen’s self-image improved because of his role as a spokesman for the 2013 Million Meal Challenge and the goal of reducing hunger for millions of children. “It’s going to be hard to keep him off the field (this season),” Wiggin said.
Worth Noting
Attendance at Friday night’s game at Mall of America Field against the Texans was announced at 62,306 but there were empty seats all over the stadium. No surprise that more than an hour before the game no ticket hawkers were visible on the street.
For a second consecutive season the city of Minneapolis is using increased parking meter fees for Vikings games. Parking at meters about six blocks from the stadium cost $15 on Friday night, although an adjacent lot was charging $10.
Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, who did sideline reporting for radio and TV on Friday night’s game, said he misses the “camaraderie” of the locker room but not being on the field. “I don’t miss the way my body feels. I don’t miss some of the collisions out there. I don’t miss a large part of the game.”
Leber on the Vikings’ possible record for 2013: “I would say 10-6, and I think we get in the playoffs, and then from there who knows?”
Former safety Joey Browner talking about what it means to him being inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor on October 27: “To know that I am above ground to see it.”
Browner, a Viking from 1983-1991, describing the highlight of his NFL career: “When my mom saw me, (and my brothers) Keith and Ross play in the same season (1986),” he said.
Fantasy Football fans can read the August 12 issue of Sports Illustrated to see how the magazine ranks the top 32 NFL players at offensive positions. Aaron Rodgers is No. 1 among quarterbacks with Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton joining him in the top five.
The Vikings’ Christian Ponder is ranked No. 26. “He was awful down the stretch and will be without (Percy) Harvin,” the magazine commented. “Still, he’s better than he showed in ’12.”
Other Vikings are Adrian Peterson No. 1 among running backs, Blair Walsh No. 3 kicker, Kyle Rudolph No. 6 tight end and Greg Jennings No. 33 wide receiver.
Jerry Kill’s wife Rebecca talking about first impressions of her husband when they began dating: “I was ready to verbally commit on the first date. Sign the National Letter of Intent on the second date.”
Kill said after Saturday’s scrimmage it will be awhile before he decides on his starting punter and kicker. “I think a kid needs to know a week going into a game, or close to three or four days out,” said Kill whose Gophers open the season on August 29 at home against UNLV. “We keep charts of kicks and things like that, and we want to give everybody an opportunity. We don’t have to be in a hurry right now.”
The Timberwolves will introduce new shooting guard Kevin Martin to the media today in Minneapolis. Martin is a three-point shooting specialist with a career field goal average of .385. He’s played in games when he’s attempted 10 or more three- point shots.
Concordia-St. Paul senior Zach Moore is the choice in a NSIC coaches poll for South Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Moore, a defensive end from Chicago, was an All-American last season and had 14 sacks.
The Twins traded 39-year-old infielder Jamey Carroll to the Royals yesterday but some day it might be a smart move to interview him about rejoining the organization as a coach or manager.