Hartman: Gannon remains a big fan of Zimmer

Former Vikings quarterback Rich Gannon, who led Oakland into the Super Bowl with an MVP season in 2002, did the television color commentary on the Vikings-Bears game Sunday. Although Gannon didn't think it was the Vikings' best day, he is convinced the team's future is good because of first-year coach Mike Zimmer.

"I like what Mike Zimmer is doing," said Gannon, who ranks with the best NFL television analysts. "I think he has a football team that they can grow with, and it's going to get better. But they have to play well. They have to play well in all phases to have a chance, and they didn't do that on Sunday against the Bears."

Can the Vikings win some games going forward?

"I mean they're 4-6, and I think they have a chance to be a .500 team this first year," Gannon said. "They have a tough schedule and a young quarterback. But I think that they have the right coach, there's no question about it.

"I'm a huge fan of Mike Zimmer. He's no-nonsense. He's very disciplined, detailed, he's going to hold the players accountable. I love the fact that he hasn't given up the responsibilities in terms of calling the defense. That's what got him the job in the first place, and I like the fact that he's still very much involved."

Gannon, a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro quarterback, was asked for his take on Vikings rookie Teddy Bridgewater's future.

"I think he has a chance. You can tell he's an intelligent kid," Gannon said. "He has some mobility to extend plays. I think he has good accuracy and touch. I like the fact that he's very poised. You've seen him in these come-from-behind situations. I think he's struggling to throw the deep ball a little bit with some accuracy. I think part of that is who he's throwing it to.

Gannon spent his rookie season (1987) with the Vikings and never got much opportunity to play here, playing in only four regular-season games that first season, but Gannon said for a young quarterback, every time you're on the field is a learning experience.

"I think [Bridgewater] is learning how to play the position. I think so far, so good," Gannon said. "This is a player you can build a team around. Just in talking with [offensive coordinator] Norv Turner and Mike Zimmer, I think they feel real good about his future as a Viking."

Gannon was asked for his impression on the rest of the offense, which ranks 30th out of 32 NFL teams in total offense at 309.1 yards per game.

"It's tough when you lose your best player, but they have some issues," Gannon said. "The offensive line has been up and down. The left tackle [Matt] Kalil has really struggled. They don't have that go-to guy at wide receiver right now. I think [Greg] Jennings was leading the team in receptions going into last weekend and he had 35 catches. That's not a ton of production. And then the lack of big plays. You don't see the explosive plays when you watch this offense. That's where they are offensively.

"I think defensively, I'm encouraged. This group has a chance to be really good. This [defensive end] Everson Griffen, I think he's an outstanding player. I think [linebacker] Anthony Barr is going to be a top-tier player at his position. I've always been a big fan of [linebacker] Chad Greenway. I think the two guys inside have been pretty stout in [Linval] Joseph and [Sharrif] Floyd. The corners, this kid [Xavier] Rhodes is getting better. I've always liked [safety] Harrison Smith. I've seen the most improvement with the Vikings when I look at their defense."

"The way that kid [Aaron] Rodgers is playing, you're going to have to pull something out of your hat to do something there," Gannon said.

Rodgers leads the NFL with a quarterback rating of 120.1. His closest competition, Dallas' Tony Romo, is at 107.2. Gannon said that right now, no one is better.

"[Rodgers] is the best in the business," Gannon said. "Two reasons why: I think he has the best arm in football right now, and people don't talk enough about his legs. His feet, his quickness, his explosiveness in the [shotgun] and under center, and his ability to avoid the rush and extend plays with his legs, I think he's as good as there is right now in the game."

Good news for the Gophers football program: Giovan Jenkins, who coached outstanding running back Jeff Jones at Minneapolis Washburn, reports that Jones has done good academic work in his first semester at the university and will become eligible to take part in spring practice.

"Jones is a different type of running back than David Cobb, but he will give the Gophers the same type of yardage that Cobb has given the Gophers," Jenkins said.

• Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was at a loss for words in praising former Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones, who helped the Blue Devils beat Michigan State 81-71 on Tuesday. Jones scored 17 points in the second half and added four assists. The freshman has scored 38 points in three games.

• The University of Minnesota academic building will be built on the site of the current track, adjacent to the Bierman Building. The word is that while the new track is built, the men's and women's track teams likely will be using the Hamline University track for meets and practices.

• InterMat has the Gophers wrestling team ranked No. 1 in the nation in its tournament rankings by a wide margin with 107 points. Iowa is second at 98.5. The Gophers also are No. 1 in InterMat's dual meet rankings.