Northern looks like a good Minnesota fit

SportsLine.com Report
Sept. 6, 2000

The Vikings believe they upgraded their pass rush by signing Gabe Northern.

A former linebacker in Buffalo, Northern will play in pass-rushing situations at right defensive end. The Vikings see the addition of Northern (6-foot-2, 260 pounds), as a complement to their pass rush, as opposed to an indication of their displeasure with who they have there now.

"There's no question our line has to improve leaps and bounds but any team feels that way about their line," Vikings defensive line coach Fred von Appen told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "We are not displeased with the play of our line. The addition of Gabe gives us more options and it makes us a better pass-rushing team."

Northern will backup Talance Sawyer at right end and will play in pass-rush situations. Bryce Paup will move over to the left side and spell Burrough.

Paup was signed to play the right side but as the preseason wore on, he played more on the left. He spent most of his time on the field against Chicago on the left side.

Coach Dennis Green has liked Northern since before he was drafted in the second round out of Louisiana State in 1996. Northern was a defensive end in college, but was made into a linebacker with the Bills. He had 10.5 career sacks and three touchdowns in four seasons in Buffalo. Green believes end is Northern's natural position.

Northern signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent this offseason but he had a hamstring injury most of training camp.

Wanted: Productive tight end

Sept. 4, 2000

Don't be shocked if the Vikings have a new starting tight end next Sunday against visiting Miami. Coach Dennis Green didn't make an announcement Monday -- he didn't make a ringing endorsement of starter Andrew Jordan, either.

Green benched Jordan in the second half of the Vikings' 30-27 victory over Chicago. Jordan dropped two passes before he was benched. One of Jordan's drops was in the end zone.

The Vikings put backup John Davis in and used No. 3 tight end Johnny McWilliams in the double tight end set in the second half. The team used two tight ends often as a change of pace.

Jordan and Davis started the game in the double tight-end formation.

Monday, Green would only say that all three tight ends will be used Sunday. Tight ends coach John Tice said he didn't expect there to be a lineup change. He said the team still believes in Jordan and replaced him to see if Davis and McWilliams could provide a lift.

However, it wouldn't be stunning if Davis and McWilliams continue to be the first two tight ends used.

LIWIENSKI DOWN: Green confirmed Monday that Chris Liwienski, who suffered a MCL sprain in his right knee Sunday, will miss 1-3 weeks.

Liwienski was replacing Corbin Lacina, who has been out with the same injury for the past two weeks. It looks as if Lacina will play against Miami and he is expected to return to practice Wednesday.

Brad Badger, beaten out by Liwienski as the top backup at guard, would start if Lacina can't play.

TARGETED: Daunte Culpepper knows he'll be a marked man after his big running day Sunday. He had three touchdowns and 73 yards rushing on 13 carries. It was the first time in team history a quarterback ran for three touchdowns.

Culpepper is looking forward to teams concentrating on him. That attention will help break loose receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss.

"That's what we want," Culpepper said. "If they stop me, one of the receivers will be open. It will get to the point where we have somebody open and then we'll put up big points."