There is more hope the Gophers facilities project can be built sooner and for less money, for around $150 million. That total would be short of the original estimate of $190 million reported when the announcement was made for plans to build a football facility and academic building and to make other improvements to other sports buildings.

Apparently, the architects and other people working on the plans for the different projects found a way to get the original improvements done for less money.

Some $60 million has been raised so far, and the fund- raising has some time to go. Land O'Lakes did make a contribution of $25 million in September, with $21 million going to athletics and $15 million of that going toward construction of the 60,000-square-foot Center for Excellence in the new Athletics Village. Ground for that project is expected to be broken on the current site of the outdoor track in August.

While a new track will be built somewhere on the farm campus, an exact location has not been selected. The Gophers track team is expected to use the facilities at Hamline University until a new track is built.

The Les Bolstad Golf Course was once considered a site for a new track, but it's no longer a possibility as the course will be brought up to modern standards in another remodeling project planned in the near future.

Meanwhile, one fan presented an idea that Mortenson, Kraus-Anderson, Ryan and other top local construction companies get together, move up the timing, and build the Gophers football facility at cost to allow for continued good recruiting and a winning program, and to assure that coach Jerry Kill won't leave.

Hard to compare

The Vikings are tied for sixth in the NFL with 38 sacks, and defensive end Brian Robison, who signed a four-year contract extension in the offseason, was asked what makes this unit so effective at getting to the quarterback.

"I think the one thing we do tremendously is all four of us working together," Robison said. "Everson [Griffen] has had some success, the inside guys have seen success, based on what we do together. It's really about all four of us working together and being able to get after the quarterback."

Griffin is eighth in the NFL with 12 sacks, and Robison was asked how he stacks up to former teammate and All-Pro Jared Allen, who has 4½ sacks this year for the Bears after recording 11½ sacks last year for the Vikings.

"They are two totally different guys," Robison said. "They rush totally different from each other. There's really no way to compare them, but the thing with Ev is he plays with such tenacity and emotion and a high motor and those things, that you have to respect a player that does that."

Though it was a difficult call, the Vikings seem to have made the right one in letting Allen leave via free agency. The Bears signed the 32-year-old Allen to a four-year, $32 million deal, while the Vikings inked Griffen, who turns 27 on Tuesday, to a five-year, $42.5 million contract. The 2010 fourth-round pick has stepped up.

Robison said one of the surprises of this year's Vikings team is that it has shown a lot of professionalism, despite its youth.

"The thing with our team, for having such a young team, is we stay even keel," he said. "We never get too high off of wins, never get too low off of losses. I think if we keep that progress going, not being satisfied, and go out each and every week and try to put ourselves in a situation to be successful on Sunday, we'll be OK."

And what does Robison think of coach Mike Zimmer's defensive game planning now that he has played 14 games under him?

"I love him," Robison said. "I mean, I think the guy has us going in the right direction. I think he has changed our mental attitude around here. I think there's a lot of things that he has done that is going to allow us to progress over the years.

"He's involved all over the board. He's definitely a hands-on head coach. He doesn't want to just sit back and let guys take care of things. He really wants to come in, be hands on, really coach the guys and get his message across."

Jottings

• There is good news regarding the cost of remodeling Target Center, too. Timberwolves CEO Rob Moor reported that $150 million in funds will be available to remodel the building, according to plans, but the only question is what part of the remodeling will start first next summer.

• The Miami Dolphins, going into their game against the Vikings, are still technically alive for a playoff berth following crushing defeats to the Ravens and Patriots, but it would take a miracle for them to make it and the word out of Miami is that coach Joe Philbin could be fired.

• Want a clear sign that players, not coaches, make the biggest difference in the NBA? Two previously fired Wolves coaches in Dwane Casey and Randy Wittman have the first- and second-place teams in the Eastern Conference. Casey was fired in 2007 after going 53-69 in two seasons and despite being 20-20 at the time of his firing, while Wittman went 38-105 and was fired in 2009. Casey's Toronto Raptors are 20-6 after beating Brooklyn on Wednesday, while Wittman has the Washington Wizards, who defeated the Wolves 109-95 on Tuesday, at 18-6.

• J.P. Macura, the former Lakeville North basketball standout, is having a solid freshman season for Xavier, averaging 7.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game. He is shooting 37 percent from three-point range and 46.2 percent from the floor for the Musketeers (8-2).

• Former Gophers coach Tubby Smith has Texas Tech off to a hot start, going 7-1 in nonconference play with victories over Air Force, Auburn, and Fresno State. Smith's lone loss was 69-64 in overtime at LSU, which is 7-2. Smith has a balanced squad with seven players averaging at least six points per game.

• Former Gophers forward Trevor Mbakwe sent out a nice notice on Twitter following the Gophers' bowl game announcement. Mbakwe is playing in Germany for Brose Baskets Bamberg and is averaging 11.1 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per game. Brose is 9-3 in the BBL, the highest level of professional basketball in Germany.

• Colorado Rockies GM Jeff Bridich told the Denver Post that there have been a number of inquiries into former Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who won the National League batting title last season. "Now that there are fewer free-agent hitters to be had, we are getting more calls on our hitters," he said. "Justin is a heck of a player and a heck of a hitter under a very fair contract." Morneau is set to be paid $6.75 million in 2015.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on 830-AM at 7:40, 8:40 and 9:20 a.m. and on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. shartman@startribune.com