The Vikings are big on having quality people, and Tomlinson's reputation is that he is a man of high character.
"LaDainian is unbelievably smart, a very intelligent football player," Brewster said. "I think he would be a great pickup for the Minnesota Vikings. LaDainian Tomlinson would be a great asset to any organization."
Brewster was surprised the Chargers released Tomlinson, who averaged 1,388 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns per season in his nine seasons in San Diego.
"I don't know if it was a money issue or what the issue was," he said. "I had three great years with LaDainian. He's not a good football player, he's a great football player."
Yes, and Vikings coach Brad Childress has heard these great words about Tomlinson from Brewster himself. We all sat at the same table Saturday night at the St. David School benefit dinner, and Brewster was telling Childress what a good move it would be for the Vikings if they signed Tomlinson.
Smith's future? Phil Knight is the chairman of Oregon-based Nike, one of the top sporting goods companies in the world. Knight is a big University of Oregon booster, and in 2007 he made a $100 million contribution to the school athletic department, which helped result in the construction of a new 12,500-seat Ducks basketball arena that is scheduled to open this fall and will be named for Knight's late son.
Oregon is expected to be looking for a new men's basketball coach -- Ernie Kent reportedly told Ducks players he is not returning after the Ducks finished eighth in the poor Pacific-10 this season -- and Knight is a big supporter of Tubby Smith . The Gophers coach says he hasn't been contacted about the Oregon job, is happy at Minnesota and is not interested in moving.
One person worried about losing Smith is Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi , who knows Knight could be involved in making Smith one of the highest paid coaches in the country if he decides Smith is the man for the job.