Vikings’ cornerback Antoine Winfield, who has scored two touchdowns in six games and been spectacular with his physical play, could be a consensus all-pro pick after the season. Last week Detroit quarterback John Kitna said Winfield is the “defensive player of the year” in the NFL so far. Yesterday Winfield had two tackles, while defensive tackle Kevin Williams grabbed attention with four sacks.
The Gophers face Purdue coach Joe Tiller for the last time a week from Saturday. The Boilermakers have been consistent winners under Tiller, who is retiring after this season, but he really hit the big time just once when the 2000 team won the Big Ten Conference championship and went to the Rose Bowl. Tiller is in his last season and the program has stalled out. A mediocre Purdue team is 2-4 on the season, 0-2 in the Big Ten Conference.
The Sporting News 2008-09 College Basketball Yearbook selects the Gophers’ Damian Johnson as the best shot blocker in the Big Ten Conference. Last season the Louisiana junior led the Gophers with 46 blocks.
The Wild’s Derek Boogaard ranks No. 3 among the top five “puglists” in the NFL, according to Sports Illustrated’s October 13 issue. The 6-7, 258 pound Boogey Man is one of the league’s biggest fighters. Ranked No. 1 is Georges Laraque of Montreal, with Zdeno Chara of Boston No. 2.
The Twins Web site, which listed Michael Cuddyer as an infielder right after the season, now has him again among the outfielders on the team roster. There’s been speculation about a Cuddyer trial at third base before next season, a position he played in both the minors and majors. His most extensive playing time at third in the minors came in 2000 when in 138 games he committed 34 errors playing for New Britain, according to baseball-reference.com In 2004 with the Twins he had seven errors in 43 games while playing third base.
Third basemen with other teams that might have their names linked to the Twins during the off season may include Seattle’s Adrian Beltre, Los Angeles’ Casey Blake and Colorado’s Garrett Aitkins.
Sid Hartman’s Great Minnesota Sports Moments, published two years ago, is now in paperback. Hartman, 88, has been covering local sports since the 1940s.
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced that Saint Johns senior Jeff Schnobrich and Concordia senor Levi DeVries have been selected as semifinalists for the 2008 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth. Semifinalists for the award are also candidates for the NFF 2008 National Scholar-Athlete Awards. The Draddy Trophy is one of the top honors in college football, exemplifying a player’s on field accomplishments as well as success in the classroom and community activities.
Schnobrich is a political science major with a 3.90 grade-point average and a two-year starter at running back for the Johnnies. DeVries, a defensive back, is a physics and mathematics double major who carries a 3.97 grade point average. On the field he is a four-year starter and one of the team’s four co-captains this season.