Decker has knee surgery, will be healthy for bowl

The Gophers football team resumed practice Wednesday minus two wide receivers. Eric Decker had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday, but will be healthy for the Insight Bowl on New Year's Eve. Ralph Spry, however, is transferring to another school.

By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune

Last update: December 11, 2008 - 7:14 AM

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The Gophers football team resumed practice Wednesday minus two wide receivers. One will be back, the other won't.

Star receiver Eric Decker had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage Monday. Decker, who also missed most of two games because of a left ankle sprain suffered against Northwestern on Nov. 1, is expected to recover fully in time for the Gophers' Insight Bowl game against Kansas on New Year's Eve.

The surgery is similar to one had by quarterback Adam Weber, whose knee was 'scoped Oct. 5. He returned in time to lead a victory over Illinois the following week.

"Eric will be fine," Gophers coach Tim Brewster said. "He'll be 100 percent ready to go for the bowl game."

Decker had hoped to play through the knee injury, but after the Iowa game it was decided that surgery was the best route.

Meanwhile, sophomore receiver Ralph Spry has decided to transfer. Spry began the year as a starter, but had his season derailed by a two-game suspension for violating team rules. He finished the regular season with seven catches for 63 yards.

"I guess I'm just looking for more opportunity," said Spry, who said he is looking at Troy as a possible new school. A native of Auburn, Ala., he might see if there is an opportunity there, too.

"I wish him the best," Brewster said. "He did a nice job for us."

Running start

The Gophers, with new offensive line coach/running game coordinator Tim Davis on board, began working extensively on the new-look running game. So far, it's getting rave reviews. The Gophers offense became more one-dimensional as the season progressed. After the 55-0 loss to Iowa in the regular season finale, Brewster pledged to bring a more physical running game to the team.

Brewster has said he will use the spread offense look much of the time. But, with Davis, the Gophers will use Weber more under center, use a fullback more, have the offensive linemen in three-point stances more often and use the I-formation.

Not surprisingly, the running backs like it.

Freshman Shady Salamon loves the deeper set because it gives him a better view of the field.

"The more comfortable we get with it the better," Weber said. "It will be nice to have it going into the bowl game. There isn't any of that on film, so we'll be able to do some things that Kansas hasn't seen."

DeLeon Eskridge, also a freshman, might need the most work at it. Salamon ran out of the I-formation in high school. Eskridge did for his first two high school seasons, but hasn't since. Jay Thomas and Duane Bennett -- who is rehabbing after knee surgery -- are giving Salamon and Eskridge pointers on how to thrive in the set.

Etc.

• Defensive linemen Willie VanDeSteeg and Garrett Brown both turned ankles during practice Wednesday, but neither injury was serious.

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