NFL NOTES : Walker Hasn’t Made Difference

The mere presence of Herschel Walker in their backfield has not transformed the Minnesota Vikings into world-beaters or dramatically changed the nature of their running game. If anything, the Walker trade has been just another upsetting factor in a season of controversy.

They have lost two straight to Philadelphia and Green Bay to fall into a first-place tie in the NFC Central with the Packers at 7-5. In the past four games, the Vikings have managed just three offensive touchdowns to go with 16 field goals, and Walker’s 42 yards rushing in a 20-19 loss to the Packers Sunday was his low since leaving Dallas.

The mention of the Vikings’ inability to put the ball in the end zone Sunday brought a look of disgust to the face of Jerry Burns. “I’ve heard that all year long,” the coach said. “I don’t want to comment. I know there’s an inability. What do you want me to do?”

Burns hinted he’s unhappy with the play of quarterback Wade Wilson, but the alternative of Tommy Kramer is no better. Wilson sounded critical of the play calling near the goal line against the Packers, but he denied adjustments caused by the Walker trade have much to do with the Vikings’ offensive problems.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about the trade, but we haven’t come together as an offense all year long,” Wilson said. “It’s not the offensive theory; it’s the physical mistakes.”

Considerable attention has been focused on the way offensive coordinator Bob Schnelker has used Walker in tandem with fullback Rick Fenney. When Walker joined the Vikings, there was talk of giving him the ball 25 to 30 times a game. Walker, however, has gotten it an average of 19 times, including 15 pass receptions, and he comes out of the game on most third-and-long plays.

Wilson said Walker is learning the offense “gradually,” and the coaches have indicated he’s not as versatile as they thought he would be. “You can’t feed the ball to Herschel 50 times a game and think we’re going to win the ballgame,” Burns said.

Since joining the Vikings, Walker has carried for 519 yards to help Minnesota improve to 12th in the league in rushing, and he has added 138 yards receiving. But the Vikings are 4-3 in seven games with Walker, which is not what they expected.

“The person who’s being cheated the most is Herschel,” cornerback Carl Lee said after losing to the Packers. “He’s an excellent player, but he’s human. When he doesn’t do certain things, everyone asks why. He’s a key player, but he can’t do it all by himself. It’s unfair that he has to bear the pressure of taking the team to the Super Bowl.”

No policy has been formulated, but it seems clear the NFL is prepared to accept applications for the draft from a flood of underclassmen. “The word we’re hearing is that three dozen to four dozen players are coming out,” league spokesman Joe Browne said. “Agents are a big factor in campus life; the agents are ubiquitous.”

New Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is considering allowing those who have completed their junior year of eligibility to enter the draft, as Pete Rozelle did this year with the Detroit Lions’ Barry Sanders, but he may oppose any sophomores or freshmen who want to sign up for the draft. “At some point, you have to draw the line and accept a court challenge,” Browne said.

The possibility that management will impose a wage scale to hold down rookie salaries has many underclassmen worried. “I would think there’s paranoia running rampant among college juniors relative to a wage scale,” Ralph Cindrich of International Management Group said. “I don’t know if there is a basis for that fear. As a general rule, a player is better off to play out the extra year in college. But if I felt a wage scale was going to be implemented, it would be most advantageous to come out (now). And I would advise him of that.”

Around the League: --The Chicago Bears are 2-6 in their past eight games. Only the Cowboys, 1-7 in the same span, have played worse. After Sunday’s 38-14 loss to the Washington Redskins, Coach Mike Ditka said of the Bears’ playoff chances, “I think it’s over.” But after linebacker Mike Singletary called a players-only meeting in which he challenged anyone who thinks it’s over to stand up and got no takers, Ditka backed off his own comments. According to quarterback Mike Tomczak, Ditka told his squad, “Listen guys, what I said (Sunday), don’t take too much to heart.” Discussing the Bears’ next game with the Vikings, Ditka said, “No, it’s not really over. I still think we have a shot, but this week is the ultimate game for us.”

--The Vikings’ Burns blasted cornerback Reggie Rutland and outside linebacker Mike Merriweather for dropping potential TD interceptions, saying of Merriweather, “What is a guy paid a million dollars a year for?”

--The race for the No. 1 draft pick appears to be coming down to the New York Jets (3-9), Atlanta Falcons (3-9), Lions (3-9) and Seattle Seahawks (4-8), but the San Diego Chargers (4-8) and New England Patriots (4-8) still have a shot.

--Bears’ defensive tackle Dan Hampton on his 10th knee surgery: “I don’t want to confuse anybody with all these scars. I’ve got color-coded stitches so the autopsy will be a lot easier for everybody.”