Yet another honor for Decker
Posted on October 24th, 2008 – 10:26 AMBy Kent Youngblood
Greetings on a murky Friday morning. I have to apologize for not blogging anything yesterday. I was trying to get all my work done so I could travel today without worrying about writing.
Anyway. I just got an e-mail from the Big Ten saying that Gophers receiver Eric Decker was named to the Sporting News’ mid-season all-american team. No surprise there. A few other organization, including College Football News, have done the same thing. But it’s good to see Decker getting the attention.
Just so happens that my story for tomorrow is on Decker. I tried to take a different tack on the story. Instead of talking to Decker, which I’ve done before, many times, I decided to talk to some other folks, both in and out of the Gophers program for insights as to why Decker is so good. Here’s a teaser: One of the people I talked to was Bud Grant, who was a pretty good receiver in his time, too. He had an interesting take on Decker. Hope you like the story.
Anyway. After much thought — I think the Gophers’ game Saturday is a hard one to call — I think I’m going with the Gophers. But I still think Painter, backed into a corner, could come out hot. He has a lot to prove and he’s done it before. Good thing Sherels is back.
47 Responses to "Yet another honor for Decker"
Kent–I agree. There is a reason why Vegas has it a toss up. Others have said it, but the start of the game is crucial.
I think its safe to say that at the end of the season we will be able to look back at this game as the pivotal point in the gophers season. Are they for real or are they just good not great. We have all seen this point in some of the Mason teams. This game is the ‘hump’ that we need to get over.
The Gophers can lose this game, which I think they will, and still end up with a very good BT record. Beating a likely 7-1 NU team 11/1 would certainly be huge.
I look for PU to have a huge chip on their shoulder and will look to prove to people they are not as bad as their record shows. They kept Pryor and Wells pretty well contained while all the Gophers did was whiff. Plus Painter and Sheets can pile up the yards if they can take care of the ball, which has been their Achilles.
Good points Keith.
GoGophers, I agree, this is hump week, and although I would love to see our boys step onto the field to Digital Underground, I’ll accept focus and determination.
Like a broken record, a fast start is key. Our secondary is going to have to be on the ball as I’m guessing Painter will come out firing on all cylinders. Getting a turnover or two early could cause Purdue to self implode. Getting presure up front is also a must. Should be a fun game!
BOILER88,
Your mother must be proud with your statement. Personally, I have nothing against Purdue. I still get confused if the school’s in Ohio or Indiana. Then again, does it really matter? I sure as heck wouldn’t wish any harm to a Boilermaker or any other player. Speaking of your mom, she dropped the ball when she let you off your lease when you got onto the PC again.
I trust Coach Brewster’s methods of motivation and attention to details, and the vision he has brought to Minnesota GopherLand. His Coordinators are on the stick, and have a plan, a plan that will help the Gophers dominate this game. I pick Minnesota victory 37 - 10. Go Gophers!!!!!!!
mnmike
BOILER88’s mom didn’t drop the ball, she dropped BOILER88 on his head (obviously multiple times). What kind of a douche would write something like that?
Go Gophs!!
DrDon
I totally agree. You can definitely see more enthusiasm and motivation with this team. Even when things do go bad they don’t seem to get down, they just come back and play harder. Decker is awesome. I think Stoudemire has some outstanding potential, I hope he gets more playing time.
Go Gophs!!
Always a tough game against the ‘due so it should be tight, and high-scoring (guess we said the same about IU). Win games like this and we’re looking at #3 or 4 in B10 and a trip to orlando or tampa!! And a huge recruiting class next year!
Already looking towards payback for the Berkeley Bears in ‘09 at the new stadium.
Hey Boiler88- That “dink n dunk 4 yards a pop receiver” has 5 rec. TDs which is only one less than your entire team. He also ranks in the top 10 in the country in receptions and rec. yards. He’ll tear Purdue apart.
BOILER88 says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I truely believe the gollfers are the one team in the big 10 who deserves to have its players injured during a game. Heres to several career-enders ala brandon owens on saturady &
BOILER UP!
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BOILER88 says:
October 24th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Who gives a rip about some high school level dink n dunk 4 yards a pop receiver? I hope this punk doesnt leave WL until Dec**and then with a titanium rod in his neck and-or in a wheelchair><
________________________________________
I know I shouldn’t respond to trolls but it’s unbelieveable to me that anyone would make such asinine statements such as this.
Boiler88: “with a titanium rod in his neck and-or in a wheelchair” sounds like this has happened to you. Sorry that you’re now forced to make these comments on a blog instead of on the field.
Boiler88
Did you not see that TD catch against Illinois on Vontae Davis? Supposedly one of the best corners in college football? Stop getting mustache rides from Tiller.
Boiler88: One more thing, it’s unbelievable that anyone even pretending to be connected to Purdue would post something that happened to Daryl Stingley, a great Purdue alum. You’re a sick creature indeed.
Boiler88= PH.
Notice the weriting pattern. Don’t get sucked in…
A comment to boiler88… for some reason, wishing injury and bad things to a respected opponent only tells me that your boiler blew up in your face and damaged your brain. Thank goodness that true Purdue fans are not so sadistic as you, and because of comments and feelings by such as you, can only hope that my prediction of Gophers 37, Purdue 10 comes to fruition. Good luck Gophers.
GoGopher—well said–11:01.
have you ever seen a Purdue tailgate? it looks like a 4H convention
DrDon says:
October 24th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
A comment to boiler88… for some reason, wishing injury and bad things to a respected opponent only tells me that your boiler blew up in your face and damaged your brain. Thank goodness that true Purdue fans are not so sadistic as you, and because of comments and feelings by such as you, can only hope that my prediction of Gophers 37, Purdue 10 comes to fruition. Good luck Gophers.
————–
After the Pigeons and Becky fans, PU fans are by far the worst at the dome.
Guys … Forget this moron Boiler. It’s just Cruding Panty Hose.
He’s jealous that this wrenbawlbaby gets more ridicule that he does. If you have never accomplished anything in your life, you look for other ways to be recognized.
This Saturday belongs to the Gophers. The week of rest means Weber, Decker, and Sherels are back to full strength. Alford too.
Decker will continue to be recognized. He is, after all, the best college football player in America.
We will be healthy and we did get some extra pracitice so hopefully we won’t be rusty. If we can buiild a lead we can watch Sheets get aggrevated by not getting his touches and explode on Painter and co.
If we continue to cause TO’s and PU continues to give the ball away, it should be another fun Saturday.
Kent - what is up with David Pittman? He was another JUCO guy that was supposed to be a big recruit for us and possibly help us at WR. I believe he’s been banged up, but thought he would have been back a long time ago.
Any updates on his status?
Penn State wins. OSU is obviously a good team but Penn State is REALLY good. I’m glad the U doesn’t play them this year.
Derek says:
October 24th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
After the Pigeons and Becky fans, PU fans are by far the worst at the dome.
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True, but not many of them make it all the way to Minneapolis. They tend to get lost somewhere around Gary.
Turbo, I typed that last comment. Somehow it got posted with your name. I have NO idea how that happened.
Eric Decker is amazing. He began to impress me last season (a big shining light in an otherwise murky sea of losing football). He is hard nosed, has a knack for finding a seam, and never drops a pass. He may not be a “game breaker” like Benn at Illinois, or Crabtree at Texas Tech… but he is the dictionary definition of “play maker” and he continues to find a way to make big plays. I’d take him in front of either of those receivers.
I have a strange comparison that I can’t get out of my head: Eric Decker and Lindsay Whalen! I think I am better than most at keeping an eye on the high school talent here in Minnesota and both of these athletes had flown under my radar. Obviously both are from ‘outstate’ high schools with similar enrollments. Both were somewhat un-heralded coming out of high school and both made a big splash in their sophomore seasons… and then took it to another level (complete with national recognition).
I have believed for some time now that Decker will make a fine possession receiver in the NFL. Watching Weber and Decker work together is a real treat this year and next year should be even better.
Kent, I’m really looking forward to your article tomorrow. Decker’s a great story from any angle.
Okay everybody, let me apologize beforehand: this post is only for BOILER88. Boiler, I hope you die a horrible death. You are probably a big fata$$ sucking your own dick in your mom’s basement, and if you tell me where to find you, I will personally stick up a titanium rod up your you know what.
Go Gophs!!
gogophs: I accept your apology, as do many others. But let’s not, any of us, stoop to the level of boiler88, and let’s keep this blog cool. I am rooting for the Gophers, with a win for us, and no players from EITHER team have any injuries. Just rock ‘em, sock ‘em, hard nosed Big 10 FB, and the Gophers win 37 - 10. GO BREW CREW!!!!!!!!!
sorry faithful but this program isnt ready to scorch all road opponents yet, purdue by 10 points gpphers will have a small let down in their play
eric decker: 13.3 average YPC.
jimbo: Sorry….Gophers 37 - 10 over Purdue.
Kent, I will have to disagree on the Wisconsin pick. They have PJ Hill banged up, along with three starters out on the offensive line, plus they cant throw the ball so I expect to see Illinois fill the box and dare them to beat them through the air. Highly unlikely. I’ll take Illinios by at least 2 touchdowns in this one, there offense is too much for Buckys shaky D.
i see a gopher blowout as well.
[…] Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune comments on Saturday’s matchup: Anyway. After much thought - I think the Gophers’ game Saturday is a hard one to call - I […]
Born in MN but I have got to say I am a UW Husky fan first. As that is a sinking ship right now the Gophers have been my salvation this year. Purdue, I personally think, isn’t at the same level. This will be a huge win for UM. Decker is a stud.
It looks loke I have a namesake with a lower case “j.”
I wouldn’t have said that.
I no longer predict outcomes.
Can’t wait for the Gophers to beat up Purdue this year. We always seem to have a hard time with Purdue throwing 50 times a game and rolling up big numbers. I hope the D line tee-off on their QB just like they did with IL. Gophers win this one 30-20.
first, I agree with Schnauzer. Decker showed he was the #1 last year when what’s his face couldn’t catch the ball and Weber had to turn to Decker for completions? What was his name? He was so memorable I forget. Oh yah, Wheelwright. Decker blew the Wheels off him. Second, i think the bye was at a bad time. Big win, pause, road trip to team backed into a corner. 20-10 Purdue. That said, I was surprised Vegas put it a toss up. That says no respect. Prove them (and me) wrong boys….
We can not know anything about the game tomorrow until it is over. The rest is pure speculation. Both teams are still “middle eight” teams up to this game.
Contrast.
Gopher always have a tough time with Purdue and do NOT win at Purdue
With Decke the only offensive threat, other teams will adapt defense
Well I got BTN this year yep yep. 70+ stations and Saturday football everywhere but no gophers! No sir!
ESPN classic?? Huh? Channel 265? What?- Biggest game of the year! WHGTBK! Next week the game is televised by the PDQ go get another supscription from your favorite idiot cable guy network.
smashie says,
“I hope the D line tee-off on their QB just like they did with IL. Gophers win this one 30-20.”
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Don’t worry … they will. And my main man Willie VanDesteeg will lead the way. Nobody on the coaching staff has chewed him out for his aggressive play and nobody ever will. We are winning because of Willie’s leadership, his heart, his soul.
We do not ever again want Bud/Mason weak-kneed, passive defenders. Never again.
The Gophers will do a number of new things for the Purdue game.
1. Whaley will play some at running back.
2. Davis will play at Defensive end.
3. Pittman will play some at quarterback.
Kent, great article on Decker. He reminds me of Wes Welker only bigger. Hope he has a big day today.
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