Sid Hartman: Draft decision has a Moss feel to it

Randy Moss wasn't drafted until the 21st pick in 1998 because he carried a lot of baggage, including not being allowed to play football at Notre Dame because of a fight and being dismissed by Florida State because he tested positive for marijuana.

At the time, Irish coach Lou Holtz ranked the former Vikings receiver the best high school athlete he had ever seen on film.

But Marshall University did accept Moss despite the questionable character of the great wide receiver, and he had 96 receptions during his final season in college for 1,820 yards and 25 touchdowns.

On draft day, one club after another passed up Moss despite his great athletic ability. Then Vikings coach Dennis Green gambled and took a chance.

It's no secret that the current New England Patriot developed into a great NFL receiver, maybe better than Jerry Rice and in my opinion the best that ever played the game.

Now on draft day 2009, there was a similar situation. Percy Harvin of the University of Florida reportedly had tested positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Like Moss, Harvin was recognized as one of the best and most versatile players available in the draft. He had amassed 1,929 receiving yards to go with 1,852 yards on the ground in only 36 games, averaged 9.55 yards per carry and scored 32 touchdowns. He was still available at the 22nd pick. The Vikings, despite claiming they eliminated 78 players because of poor character or for other reasons from their board and in desperate need of offensive linemen, surprised a lot of people by drafting Harvin.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf OK'd the drafting of Harvin even though he had made clear that he didn't want any more Love Boat incidents or matters of that sort.

"We feel that the players on our team can work with Harvin and there won't be any problems," Wilf said.

When Childress was asked early why the Vikings didn't take a tackle in the first round, he said, "Offensive linemen can't make plays." But the Vikings did get an outstanding tackle, Phil Loadholt of Oklahoma, in the second round.

If this decision works out as well as a similar decision worked regarding Moss, and if the Vikings find more offensive line help later in the draft, maybe the Harvin move will put the Vikings in the 2010 Super Bowl.

Bright spots for U One smart observer was asked his opinion of Saturday's Gophers spring football game at St. Thomas, and he picked out two stars: return man/receiver Troy Stoudermire, who made great kick returns of 59 and 60 yards and scored on a 54-yard run in the fourth quarter, and kicker Eric Ellestad, who reached the end zone on two kickoffs and saved a touchdown with a tackle.

Yes, the No. 1 defense did show some improvement over last year, with more speed and athleticism.

The incoming freshman class will contribute depth to this team, with such players as Michael Carter of Florida sure to help.

However, if you want my observation of how good the Gophers football team will be, I'd say that it will be much improved in personnel over the 2008 team but it is too bad that this current group could not have played the 2008 schedule.

The only pushover on the 2009 schedule is South Dakota State, and in the past it has surprised some Division I teams.

On the schedule are three of the best teams in the country -- California, Penn State and Ohio State.

Money for free agents The Vikings are $17 million under the NFL salary cap, so they will have money to sign any and all players who aren't drafted who they think can help the team.

One player that the Vikings will make a strong bid for is Gophers defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg if he isn't drafted.

The Gophers delegation that watched the pro workout at the university thought that VanDeSteeg was without a doubt the player with the best potential to make it in the NFL.

Jottings The Twins will commence the Target Field seat selection the week of May 4. The first group selecting seats in the new ballpark will be a number of season ticket holders who have had seats since 1961. ...The Twins have sold 40,000 seats for the final game at the Metrodome, against Kansas City on Oct. 4. ... According to "Team Marketing Report," the Twins' 2009 average ticket price stands at $21.70, which ranks 16th in the major leagues and well below the league average price of $26.64 The Yankees lead with an average of $72.97 at the new stadium. ... The Twins' Opening Day in the new stadium will be April 12, 2010. The Twins had several staffers at the New York Mets game last week observing their CitiField opener.

Duane Bennett, the outstanding Gophers running back who was put out for the season in the second game when he suffered a serious knee injury, could have played in the spring game Saturday but was held out. ... Defensive back Marcus Sherels, who had serious surgery on his shoulder, couldn't have played, but he will be ready this fall. Dr. Pat Smith, Gophers orthopedic specialist, said that the shoulder surgery he did on Sherels was much more serious than that of quarterback Adam Weber, who took part in spring practice but wasn't allowed to be hit. ... Gophers season football tickets went on sale on Saturday, and by late afternoon 6,000 of the 8,000 had been sold. Two thousand are being held out for freshmen. ... Incidentally, the Gophers have a waiting list of 1,500 for public season ticket sales.

Gary O'Hagan, the agent who represents a number of NFL players and coaches including former Vikings coach Dennis Green, said Green definitely will coach a team in the United Football League, which will begin play this fall with four teams. Watching the Gophers spring game with his father was Liam O'Hagan, who was an outstanding quarterback at Harvard and is hoping to get drafted.