I often have told this story when writing how important the center is for a National Football League team.

The Vikings were another example today, missing injured John Sullivan (concussion) as they scored only one touchdown and lost 17-16 at Buffalo on a last-second touchdown pass by Kyle Orton.

It was a draft I attended in 1968, and Paul Brown was drafting for the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, who had the No. 2 overall pick. The Vikings took USC tackle Ron Yary No. 1. There were some great quarterbacks and running backs available, but when it came time for Mr. Brown to announce his draft choice, he said "The Bengals select Bob Johnson, center of the University of Tennessee." Knowing Brown as I did, I asked him, "Why are you doing that?"

He said "Bob Johnson will play a dozen years for me, and without a good center, you can't win."

And he was right. Johnson played 12 years, and his No. 54 is the only number retired by the Bengals.

So when Joe Berger, who hasn't played much center in the NFL, and hardly any for the Vikings, came in at center for the injured Sullivan, the team was in trouble. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was sacked five times.

The Vikings just don't score touchdowns, and until they find a way to score touchdowns without Adrian Peterson and without Kyle Rudolph and without Matt Cassel and without Brandon Fusco, and now without Sullivan, it's going to be more difficult.