Posted October 9, 2009    

•Brett Favre

•Eric Decker

•Martin Havlat

•Nick Blackburn

•Eric Butorac

Measuring Favre Impact by the Numbers 

Quarterback Brett Favre has thrown only one interception thus far for the Vikings, the fewest after four regular season games in his nearly two decades career.  His 68 percent completion percentage is close to the team record of 69.2 by Daunte Culpepper (2004). 

There’s no question Favre has been fortunate not to have a few balls intercepted but he’s thrown accurately much of the time.  His minimal interception total is a result, too, of often featuring short, high percentage passes, and at times a preference to run the ball featuring Adrian Peterson.   

Favre, who celebrates his 40^th birthday tomorrow, has made 273 consecutive career starts.  That’s a record and so, too, is being the first starting quarterback in NFL history to defeat all 32 teams.  That was accomplished on Monday night when the Vikings defeated Favre’s former team, the Packers, 30-23. 

The Vikings-Packers Monday Night game broke a ratings record as the watched event in cable TV history. Favre drove those ratings just as he has other popularity numbers including NFL jersey sales where he ranks No. 1, according to figures on merchandising, amount of Web traffic and ticket sales released by the Vikings.  The Vikings’ Web site, www.vikings.com, is receiving four times the amount of traffic compared to recent years and he's made ticket sales jump, too. 

Favre signed a two-year contract with the Vikings on August 18 and his impact on business was immediate.  In the 72 hours following his signing the franchise sold over 4,000 season tickets and more than 15,000 individual game tickets.  The three Vikings Locker Room retail stores and Vikings.com sold more than 5,000 Favre jerseys. Vikings.com had over 1 million visitors. The Vikings had 800,000 page views in the first 24 hours after the signing (compared to an average of 100,000). 

For Vikings fans the most important of all the numbers is the team record, 4-0.  If the Vikings win at St. Louis on Sunday, they will be off to their first 5-0 start since 2003.

 

Brett Favre's one interception after four games is the fewest during his career. 

Adrian Peterson

Decker: ‘Must Win’ for U Tomorrow 

Although some observers are in a funk about the Gophers after losing to Wisconsin last Saturday, it’s a good bet the players will be sharp in tomorrow’s homecoming game at TCF Bank Stadium against Purdue.  The Gophers (3-2) know they made too many mistakes against Wisconsin, losing a sixth straight game to the Badgers, but their commitment to the season doesn’t have to hit bottom with seven games remaining. 

Senior wide receiver Eric Decker said earlier this week the Gophers need to prepare better in practice to avoid the mistakes that led to a loss against traditional rival Wisconsin but he’s not concerned about emotional damage for tomorrow’s game.  “I’m not (worried).  I think we have enough upperclassmen and leadership to be able to put that (loss) in the past and prepare for Purdue,” Decker said. “This is a big game for us and all of us feel like this is a must win.  Every week is the biggest game for us. We are going to do everything we can do (and) break down film on Purdue and see what we can do against them on offense.” 

The Gophers gave up 454 total yards to Wisconsin in the 31-28 loss, 295 rushing and 159 passing.  “I feel like we took a step back last week,” Gophers safety Kyle Theret said.  “We didn’t play the way we wanted to. We didn’t hit like we wanted to and I feel like we were ‘out-toughed.' It is kind of embarrassing as a defense and we want to get back to the way we want to be playing.”  

Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott ranks first in passing yardage per game (255.2) and total offense (270.8) in the Big Ten Conference.  Purdue running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in rushing yards per game (108.2). The Gophers defense is fourth (202.4) in passing defense and 10^th in rushing defense (174.6). 

But the Gophers defense has made big plays this season as has the team’s passing game (ranking sixth in the conference).  The running game, though, has been a problem and the Gophers are last in league rushing at 96 yards per game.   

The Gophers may better that average against a Purdue defense that is giving up 159.4 yards per game in rushing defense, ninth in the league.  The Boilermakers are 10th in pass defense at 240 yards per game. 

With road games the next two Saturdays at Penn State and Ohio State (both Big Ten title favorites), the Gophers will be in a funk themselves if they don’t beat a Purdue team that is 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in the Big Ten, losing last week to Northwestern.

 

Worth Noting 

Viking running back Adrian Peterson talking about recognizing Brett Favre’s 40^th birthday tomorrow: “I don’t know if the team has any plans. I haven’t come up with anything yet, but I definitely plan on surprising him with something; some type of gift or something.”

Viking coach Brad Childress has a 14-3 record in his last 17 regular season games. 

If the Vikings (4-0) win at St. Louis (0-4) on Sunday it will be the team’s sixth consecutive road win.  

Gopher coach Tim Brewster talking about sophomore center Trey Davis who will be starting on Saturday and replacing the injured Jeff Tow-Arnett who is injured and out for the season: “He (Trey) played for us last year.  Got some experience.  He's got strength.  Explosive guy.  He was a national champion shot putter, track athlete.  He's a smart guy.  He'll do a good job of making decisions at the center spot and help our offense.  I feel very comfortable with Trey Davis stepping in and taking over the center job for us.” 

Purdue first year offensive coordinator Gary Nord had the same title last year at Florida Atlantic when the Owls lost to the Gophers.  

The Gophers don’t have a big tailback on the roster but that could change next season.   Minnesota may have a special runner coming to campus if Lamonte Edwards, already about 6-2, 215 pounds, keeps his verbal commitment.  The Woodbury High School running back is one of two four-star players to make a verbal commitment to Minnesota (the other is Irondale lineman Jimmy Gjere), according to Rivals.com.  The Minnesota 2010 recruiting class has moved up to No. 32 in the rankings, http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2010&School=46 

Josh Sacco, a five-year-old from Tennessee, has been gaining attention for his memorization of Kurt Russell’s locker room speech in the movie “Miracle” that tells the story of coach Herb Brooks and his players on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team.  http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/How-4-year-old-boy-mastered-Miracle-speech-in-?urn=nhl,193765&cp=13 

Martin Havlat, who got his 400^th career NHL point on his third assist in the Wild’s win and home opener on Tuesday night, goes through an extensive stretching routine (up to 45 minutes) prior to games and practices. He’s been able to avoid groin and hamstring injuries during his NHL career.  

The Wild, who lost to Los Angeles last night, are on an 11-day road trip today, the longest of the season.  

Wild head coach Todd Richards’ parents flew to Columbus to watch his NHL coaching debut last Saturday.  

Gopher sophomore Jordan Schroeder has been named to the preseason All-American team by College Hockey News. Schroeder is also the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s preseason Player of the Year pick by both the coaches and the media. Last season he was the WCHA Rookie of the Year and was a second-team All-WCHA selection after ranking third in the country with 45 points and 32 assists in 2008-09.

The Twins didn’t want to make excuses after losing their opening playoff game to New York on Wednesday night, but they had to be tired after the intense schedule and emotions of recent games. 

Twins right hander Nick Blackburn starts tonight’s game in New York and will need to keep his pitches down against the Yankees powerful lineup of hitters.  Blackburn had no decision in a May start in New York, giving up six hits and four runs in 7.2 innings. 

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, 79, isn’t expected to attend the playoff series in New York with the Twins, according to Yahoo! Sports.  He’s been in declining health and mostly stays in Tampa and seldom sees his Yankees.  This post-season run will be seen as a win-one-for-George, whose Yankees last won the World Series in 2000.  http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-yankees-steinbrenner&prov=ap&type=lgns 

The Twins are selling Homer Hankies at their pro shops and the Metrodome.  There will be a “white out” against the Yankees for playoff games at the dome on Sunday and Monday.  

Rochester native and tennis pro Eric Butorac is promoting the Minnesota Tennis Challenge on Saturday, December 5 at the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center, http://www.ebmntc.com./ 

 

Brad Childress

Martin Havlat

Jordan Schroeder