Lions not worrying Vikings' Pat Williams

The undefeated Detroit Lions have the NFL's fourth-ranked scoring offense, the sixth-ranked passing attack and the seventh-ranked offense overall heading into Sunday's home opener against the Vikings.

Vikings Pro Bowl nose tackle Pat Williams doesn't seem to care.

"We don't worry about the Lions," Williams said on Wednesday. "Basically, they have to worry about us. We're not going to change our game plan for what kind of scheme they got. They have to worry about our game plan."

The Vikings have beaten the Lions 10 consecutive times, the NFL's longest active winning streak against one team.

Lions fans obviously are being slow to embrace their team's 1-0 start. The team announced that approximately 3,500 tickets still are available for Sunday's game at Ford Field.

Sharper has 'spying' antidote

Safety Darren Sharper said the answer to stopping teams from videotaping an opponent's sideline in violation of NFL rules is to put a speaker inside the helmet of the on-field defensive play-caller, similar to what the league does with its quarterbacks.

"You watch," Sharper said. "Because of what's going on in New England right now, this time next year, defensive players will have speakers in their helmets."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick confirmed Wednesday that he talked to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the allegations that the Patriots videotaped the Jets' sideline coaches during New England's 38-14 victory last Sunday. The league has not ruled on the matter.

Emmitt talks to Tank

Emmitt Smith, the NFL's career rushing leader and new ESPN analyst, called Vikings safety Tank Williams to apologize for inadvertently using his name when talking on the air about troubled former Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson.

Williams said he accepted Smith's apology and noted that it wasn't the first time someone made the mistake.

"I don't see how it happens," Williams said. "I see we have the same first name. But one's Williams and one's Johnson. One's 300-some pounds. The other is 200-some pounds. Bald head ... braids. But I guess it happens."

Etc.

• NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said there's nothing to report on the possibility that defensive tackle Fred Evans will be suspended by the league because of now-resolved legal issues in Texas and Florida. Evans said Wednesday he will appeal any punishment the league decides.

• A reporter opened a question for Vikings coach Brad Childress by saying, "Your reputation has been as an offensive guru ..." To which Childress interrupted and said, "It used to be."

• Because of an incentive in Pat Williams' new contract that will be virtually impossible to achieve, the Vikings are expected to get a $13.2 million credit toward their 2008 salary cap.

• Linebacker David Herron, who was signed by New England after being released by the Vikings at the end of training camp, has joined the Vikings' practice squad. Herron was let go by New England this week. To clear space the Vikings released linebacker Brandon Archer from their practice squad.

• Running back Mewelde Moore isn't complaining about being inactive last Sunday. "It's whatever the coaches want to do," he said.

• The Vikings listed six players on their injury report. Receiver Robert Ferguson (ankle) and linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (hand) participated fully in the non-padded practice. Safety Mike Doss (calf), fullback Tony Richardson (arm), running back Chester Taylor (hip) and fullback Naufahu Tahi (ankle) participated on a limited basis. The Lions listed three players. Running back T.J. Duckett (ankle) did not practice, while running back Kevin Jones (foot) and quarterback Dan Orlovsky (toe) were limited.

Staff writer Judd Zulgad contributed to this report.

Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com