Hartman: Vikings miss Cassel more than other stars

The Vikings have played without running back Adrian Peterson, tight end Kyle Rudolph, guard Brandon Fusco and linebacker Chad Greenway, but in my opinion, the player they've missed most is quarterback Matt Cassel, who broke bones in his left foot during the Vikings' 20-9 loss to the Saints in Week 3, which ushered in rookie Teddy Bridgewater's NFL career.

Cassel would have given the Vikings the experience Bridgewater lacks and, in my opinion, the Vikings would have a better record than their current 2-5.

Cassel had a solid first game for the Vikings this season against the Rams, completing 17 of 25 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. His second start against the Patriots didn't match the opening performance (24-for-46 for 255 yards and one TD with four interceptions), but as a whole, the Vikings played poorly in a 30-7 loss.

Against the Saints, Cassel was performing well before getting injured, completing five of 10 passes for 53 yards.

True, the offensive line hasn't performed like it did a year ago after Fusco, who recently had signed a big contract, injured his shoulder.

However, Bridgewater, handicapped by inexperience, has had his problems holding the ball too long and missing many wide-open receivers. The Vikings coaching staff clearly wanted Cassel to be their starter this season while Bridgewater learned from the sideline.

Bridgewater played great in his first two appearances against the Saints and Falcons, completing 31 of 50 passes for 467 yards without a turnover while rushing for a TD, but in his past two games, he has had a hard time getting into a rhythm. He's completed 38 of 63 passes for 345 yards and one TD with five interceptions.

"It is very tough but everyone's situation is different," Bridgewater said. "There are some [quarterbacks] who had success early in their careers and some guys whose team struggled early in their careers."

Has this season been what Bridgewater expected?

"It has actually exceeded expectations," he said. "You know, everyone has been great around here, from the players to the personnel to the administrators, so everything has been great so far. No game is going to be given to you — some of these games come down to the wire where you have to put together a two-minute drive to kick a field goal and win the game — so just knowing how difficult it is to win in this league."

Bridgewater said he has to play faster, get the ball to his receivers earlier and allow them to make plays, and also develop some consistency. Asked if it was a big jump going from college to the NFL, Bridgewater didn't hesitate.

"Oh yeah, much different," he said.

Grant, who took over the Blue Bombers at the age of 29, coached the Canadian team from 1957 to '66, dominating the Canadian Football League by winning four Grey Cup championships and going on to win 290 games in the CFL and NFL.

Grant's statue will be the first of many great Blue Bombers players to follow.

Maybe it would be a good idea for the Vikings owners to duplicate Winnipeg's tribute in front of the new Vikings stadium for Grant, who without a doubt did an incredible job during the 18 years he coached the Vikings by taking them to four Super Bowls and posting one of the best overall records of any coach in the NFL. Grant certainly deserves such recognition.

• Paul Cornick, an Orono native who played college football at North Dakota State, made his first NFL start at right guard in the Broncos' 42-17 victory over the 49ers, the game in which Denver quarterback Peyton Manning broke Brett Favre's career touchdown passes record. Cornick, who went undrafted out of college, earned his way into the lineup by replacing starter Chris Clark, while performing on the practice squad for Denver over the past two seasons. Broncos General Manager John Elway told the Denver Post, "This was nothing against Chris, this was about Cornick earning a shot."

• Jerick McKinnon had his second 100-yard rushing game for the Vikings against Buffalo on Sunday, gaining 103 yards on 19 carries. He also rushed for 135 yards against the Falcons in Week 4. Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that while McKinnon has thrived, that doesn't mean it will limit Matt Asiata's carries.

• While the Gophers are ranked No. 24 in the Amway Coaches Poll in football, they aren't the only Minnesota team that's ranked in the national polls. In the AFCA rankings in Division II, Minnesota State Mankato is ranked No. 1 and Minnesota Duluth is ranked No. 2. In Division III, Bethel is ranked No. 15, St. Thomas is No. 19, Concordia (Moorhead) is No. 23 and St. John's is No. 24. … The Gophers wrestling team is ranked No. 1 according to InterMat; Minnesota also is ranked No. 1 in men's and women's hockey.

• The Timberwolves recently were ranked at the Most Affordable Team for families in the NBA, according to information compiled by the national website NerdWallet.com. The information is based on what it would cost a family of four to attend an NBA game in 2014-15 by purchasing four tickets, four hot dogs, two sodas, two beers and parking. The most expensive team, according to the data, is the Cleveland Cavaliers at $1,504.89. You could have the same at a Wolves game for $349.75. … Former Timberwolves star Kevin Love scored 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds in a 96-92 loss to Memphis on Wednesday. Before that, he had a rough couple of preseason games as he learns David Blatt's new offensive system in Cleveland. In the previous two games, Love went 3-for-16, including 0-for-7 from three-point range, while scoring 14 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.

• Jake Guentzel, son of Gophers associate head coach Mike Guentzel, is tied as college hockey's top point scorer with four goals and five assists in four games for Nebraska-Omaha. Mario Lucia, son of Gophers coach Don Lucia, has five goals in his first four games for Notre Dame.

• Former St. John's football coach John Gagliardi will be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in Denver on April 2. Also being inducted is former Timberwolves guard Chauncey Billups.