The Lions had two players, outside linebacker Julian Peterson (No. 72) and wide receiver Calvin Johnson (No. 82), in the Sporting News magazine list of the top 100 NFL players published earlier this month. The Vikings had seven including five ranked in the top 50: running back Adrian Peterson (No. 3), offensive guard Steve Hutchinson (No. 14), defensive end Jared Allen (No. 21), and defensive tackles Kevin Williams (No. 30) and Pat Williams (No. 47). Quarterback Brett Favre ranked No. 51 and cornerback Antoine Winfield No. 76.
With speedy receivers in Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, the Vikings might make a smart move in next year’s NFL draft by picking Gopher wide receiver Eric Decker. He’s a possession type receiver who could be available when the Vikings draft beyond the first round. Vikings director of college scouting Scott Studwell was at Saturday’s Gopher-California game looking at players.
Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell saved a few bucks after his alma mater beat the Gophers on Saturday, 35-21. He told a certain Web columnist he would buy dinner at DQ or McDonald’s if the Gophers won.
TCF Bank Stadium has been certified as the first collegiate or professional football facility in the country to win the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The stadium has been awarded the LEED Silver Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.
WCCO Radio talk show host Dave Mona will make a presentation on the “Future of Sports in Minnesota” at a luncheon on Wednesday at the Minneapolis Club. The public is welcome to attend and more information is available by calling Margaret Letso, 612-332-2292.
Tony Mortensen, a reserve quarterback for the Gophers last season, is working as an intern in the Athletic Department to associate athletics director Marc Ryan. Mortensen is interested in a career working for a college athletic department.
Ryan, WCCO Radio broadcaster Dave Lee, Twins vice president Patrick Klinger and Wild vice president Bill Robertson are all friends and live within a few miles of one another in the Apple Valley and Eagan areas.
On a busy football weekend that included the Gophers game in Minneapolis and the Vikings game in Detroit, the Twins drew large crowds at the Metrodome against the Tigers. Saturday’s attendance was 43,338 while Sunday was 36,335.
Figure the Twins off-season to-do list includes committing to a set outfield, rather than so much rotation of players. Manager Ron Gardenhire said on his Sunday KSTP Radio show earlier this month that there are too many limited at-bats with an outfield rotation of Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, Jason Kubel and Delmon Young.
A regular outfield of Cuddyer, Span and Kubel packs a punch at the plate with Cuddyer and Span exceptional in the outfield. If Kubel gives up the left handed DH role, first baseman Justin Morneau, and catchers Joe Mauer and Jose Morales could frequently fill that spot.
The Twins have committed only 67 errors this season and the club record is 74 set in 2002.
Fox Sports North will televise the Champlin Park at Blaine game starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Other 7 p.m. games to be telecast are October 9, Wayzata at Lakeville North, and October 20, Cretin-Derham Hall at Woodbury.