Sid Hartman: Hutchinson is key to the running game

Steve Hutchinson was a member of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line when running back Shaun Alexander put up five consecutive seasons (2001-05) of at least 1,000 rushing yards.

The Seahawks faced problems similar to those the Vikings are facing with Adrian Peterson in that opposition defenses focus much of their efforts on stopping the running game.

"Any time you have a successful running game and running attack, defenses are going to bring extra guys in the box to defend it. We ran into that problem quite a bit in Seattle as well," said Hutchinson, the All-Pro left guard who joined the Vikings in 2006 as a free agent.

"We kind of did what we're starting to do around here, too. When teams come with the eighth and ninth man in the box we're making them pay by throwing over their head a little bit and making them back up and play a little bit more honest defense. So, it goes hand in hand."

Hutchinson was the 17th overall pick in the 2001 draft out of Michigan and immediately became a starter in Seattle. Alexander became a starting running back and rushed for 1,318 yards that season. He continued to produce for the next four years, culminating in an MVP season in 2005, when he rushed for 1,885 yards and scored 28 touchdowns.

After Hutchinson left, Alexander had a big decline, and he was cut by the Seahawks earlier this year. He just signed with the Washington Redskins last week.

"Yeah, he didn't run for 100-and-something yards every game," Hutchinson said of Alexander. "There were games where we had to do it kind of in the air; you want to be a balanced offense. I'm sure you have goals in what you want to do each game in rushing and passing, but sometimes defenses are going to try to take one thing away and you've got to make it work the other way."

Hutchinson credits new Vikings starting quarterback Gus Frerotte for freeing up some running opportunities for Peterson.

"Just like Gus, it's about knowing the checks and having us all be in tune with the game plan and when it looks like the run's not going to work," Hutchinson said. "We've just got to keep going and make adjustments and work with what the defense gives us."

Speaking of the Vikings offensive line, coach Brad Childress thought it was one of the team's stronger units when he took the job in 2006.

It was a surprise when the Vikings failed to draft a top offensive lineman in the early rounds of the past two years because this seemed like an area where they needed some depth.

The Vikings have given up 16 sacks in six games this season. Last season, they gave up 16 through six games as well, although 10 of those came in two starts by veteran Kelly Holcomb.

Jottings Dave Mona, who was active in running the U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen earlier this year, said the Edina country club's profit was in the area of $1 million for handling the major golf championship.

The University of Minnesota athletic department, with its various fundraising efforts, increased the amount raised from $26 million in 2006-07 to $27.5 million for 2007-08.

Former Gophers wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright was promoted from the Ravens practice squad to the active roster this past week, and with injuries to receivers Yamon Figurs and Demetrius Williams, the Baltimore Sun reported Wheelwright and fellow rookie Marcus Smith could see extended action today against the Dolphins. "Both of those guys are getting reps with the first team," Baltimore offensive coordinator Cam Cameron told the newspaper.

Even though Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is sidelined for the year because of an injury, former Vikings star Randy Moss continues to produce, having 20 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns through six games. On the other hand, former Gophers running back Laurence Maroney is having shoulder problems again and has rushed for only 93 yards on 28 carries for New England. He has missed three games.

Of all the junior college players recruited by Gophers football coach Tim Brewster, quarterback David Pittman was one of most highly touted. He has been hurt but did take two snaps in the Illinois game. The bye week should make Pittman ready to face Purdue this week.. ... Because of the team's 6-1 record, Gophers recruiters are getting some more favorable reaction to some of the top local players who in the past might not have given Minnesota much consideration. Minneapolis Washburn tight end Ra'Shede Hageman recently visited Ohio State. GoldenSports.net quoted Hageman's father as saying that the Gophers' success, after going 1-11 last year, is a plus for the home-state school.

Hasan Lipscomb, a running back from Houston who has committed to the Gophers, scored four touchdowns to lead his Cypress Ridge High School team to a 68-21 victory over Cypress Falls this past week in a game televised on ESPNU. He rushed 19 times for 251 yards.

Brock Lesnar's next mixed-martial arts bout will be against Randy Couture, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion, Nov. 15 at Las Vegas. UFC is billing the matchup as "the biggest fight in mixed martial arts history." Couture hasn't had a fight for a year.

Former Gophers guard Adam Boone signed with Fürstenfeld of the Austrian Basketball League, and he had 10 points, four assists and three steals in an 85-80 victory over Wörthersee in the season opener Saturday. ... Former Gophers forward Dan Coleman is playing for AD Vagos in Portugal.