Minnesota Football: Golden Nugz 09-02-14

Did you hear that MarQueis Gray is back in Minnesota?  Of course you did and so did he.

My phone and social media sites are finally starting to calm down lol! I couldn't imagine if it was @EricDecker87 coming back to the vikes!

— MarQueis Gray (@MarQueisG) September 1, 2014

The Viking's 3rd TE was bombarded by media on his first day as a Viking.

While Gray attempts to move his belongings from Cleveland, he's still trying to process his role with the Vikings. It helps that Gray spent last season in Cleveland under offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who used Gray in two tight end formations and Wildcat plays as a rookie last year.

"I believe [Turner's] trusting me a lot, obviously, because he wants me to be here," Gray said. "I just got to make sure I do my part and uphold all the great things he's said about me."

And Viking coach Mike Zimmer had nice things to say about his new addition.

"We played against Marqueis last year a couple of times and he's a good athlete," said coach Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati's former defensive coordinator. "He's got some position flexibility and runs well."

Welcome back Mr. Gray.

THE NUGZ

• Speaking of popular former Gophers, the New York Times has a big profile on Eric Decker.  This is the must-read of today's Nugz.
• Big Ten Powerhouse has a conference summer recruiting round-up.
• Rant Sports looks at Gopher football's best NFL prospects on offense.
• Incoming quarterback recruit, Demry Croft had a huge opening night.

Demry Croft, the NIC-10's first Big Ten quarterback recruit in a quarter of a century, completed 29 of 37 passes for 415 yards and also ran 17 times for 108 yards in Boylan's 41-13 win over Auburn. His 415 yards were second-most in NIC-10 history.

• Tyler Tanner McEvoy will remain Wisconsin's starter at QB.
• Off Tackle Empire goes around the Big Ten to tell us what we learned in week one.
• A couple of SBN B1G Brothers have up their weekly B1G Power Polls.  Hammer and Rails has Minnesota at #6 while The Champaign Room has us 11th (behind Indiana and Rutgers...bulletin board material there)