Hartman: Vikings pass protection needs to improve

In the NFL it is a known fact that the left tackle is the most important position in protecting the quarterback.

While Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil started all 16 games last season, he noted at the end of the season that knee inflammation and swelling was serious enough that it required surgery in the offseason. Kalil's injuries, mixed with injuries to center John Sullivan and guard Charlie Johnson, meant that the offensive line simply wasn't as able to protect the quarterback as they were in 2012, when Christian Ponder started every game.

Besides the offensive line's faults last season, the defense blew five games in the final minutes, which also helped contribute to a 5-10-1 record. Yet, there was plenty of blame pointed at Ponder for not providing the amount of offense needed to overcome the deficiencies of the defense.

That lack of quarterback protection last year had a lot to do with the lack of scoring and the team's losing record, compared to 10-6 in 2012.

Last season, Ponder played nine games, but overall the Vikings allowed 44 sacks (which ranked 22nd in the NFL) and 84 quarterback hits (which ranked 19th).

Compare that to 2012, when the Vikings allowed just 32 sacks (11th in the NFL) and just 64 QB hits (fifth) and you can see why blaming most of the team's disappointing 2013 performance on Ponder doesn't get to the bottom of the issue.

In 2012, when Ponder started every game and took them to the playoffs, Kalil was named to the Pro Bowl and was one of the key pieces of a revamped offensive line that helped lead Adrian Peterson to the second-best rushing season in NFL history, gaining 2,097 yards.

If the first half of the preseason game against Arizona is any indication, the offensive line is blocking like they did in 2012. Matt Cassel, who has been sacked just once in two games, wasn't touched Saturday night despite playing the entire first half.

He completed 12 of 16 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown. So in two preseason games, with good protection, Cassel has gone 17-for-22 for 215 yards with one score and no turnovers.

And Teddy Bridgewater looked good against the Arizona backups, throwing two TD passes, including the winner in the closing moments of the 30-28 victory. So the early signs are good for the Vikings offense.

The Gophers are excited about the development of sophomore receiver Drew Wolitarsky, who caught 15 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown last year.

Wolitarsky, who graduated from Canyon County High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., talked about how he ended up at Minnesota.

Wolitarsky said he had offers from San Jose State and San Diego State, but no Pac-12 schools offered him scholarships, despite setting California records for career receptions and receiving yards in high school.

Wolitarsky said he expects nothing but improvements this season from the passing game.

"I truly believe it will [be better]," he said. "I think it already has [improved]."

Ex-Twins around the majors

With the Twins trading away Kendrys Morales, Sam Fuld, Kevin Correia and Josh Willingham, the team saved around $8 million in payroll this season. Willingham was due about $1.75 million, Correia $1.5 million, Morales about $4 million. The Twins payroll was at $85.4 million, and they shouldn't have to take on any additional contracts to raise that number.

On July 13, former Twin Francisco Liriano was 1-7 with a 4.72 ERA for the Pirates, but in six starts since then he has gone 2-2 with a 1.89 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 38 innings, dropping his ERA to 3.78.

Meanwhile, Twins first-round draft pick Nick Gordon continues to have a quality first season with the Elizabethton Twins. In 44 games, Gordon was hitting .282 with a .323 on-base percentage, five doubles, three triples, one home run, 18 RBI and 33 runs scored. Gordon's batting average ranks 17th in the Appalachian League, and he is just 18 years old.

Sid's Jottings

• Former Gophers and NBA player Bobby Jackson, who was a member of Rick Adelman's Timberwolves staff last year and was with the current Flip Saunders staff until recently, will not be a member of the 2014-15 Wolves staff. "We're going in a different direction when it comes to coaches," Saunders said.

• The fact that the Vikings will share TCF Stadium with the Gophers this season will pose some problems for the Gophers, who had to scrimmage at Bierman Field on Saturday instead of TCF Bank Stadium because of the Vikings-Cardinals preseason game Saturday night. Meanwhile, ESPN believes the best the Gophers can do is duplicate last season's mark of eight victories.

• Former Vikings running back Toby Gerhart played his first preseason game with the Jaguars on Thursday and had six carries for 19 yards and one reception for eight yards in a 20-19 loss to the Bears. In that same game, Jared Allen made his debut for Chicago and had one tackle for a loss, while former Gophers safety Brock Vereen had four tackles.

• New WCHA Commissioner Billy Robertson, states that the WCHA will be moving into their new offices in Edina on Monday just off France Avenue and Interstate 494.

• DeLaSalle basketball standout Jarvis Johnson has his official visits with the Gophers, UNLV and Wisconsin, and Johnson says that he has been in contact with former Cooper standout Rashad Vaughn, who is a freshman at UNLV. "I have been talking to Rashad Vaughn and we are pretty close," Johnson told GopherHole.com. "He is telling me that he likes it there and it is pretty comfortable to be there."