"Bernard Berrian was happy during his time with the Chicago Bears, a four-year period during which he caught 150 passes for 2,197 yards and 13 touchdowns.

But the wide receiver signed a free-agent contract with the Vikings for $42 million over six years, including $16 million guaranteed, when the Bears didn't meet his asking price. Chicago reportedly offered him $25 million over five years.

"I know they wanted to [keep me]. It's just the price wasn't right," he said. "So, I didn't feel that I was going to be worth that amount, so they didn't go after me."

Berrian started off slow with the Vikings but now has caught 22 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns. He also drew the pass interference penalty that led to the victory at New Orleans. He is averaging 19.8 yards per reception.

Last week against the Lions he turned a short reception into an 86-yard touchdown, and he believes he is ready for a good season even though he is not 100 percent healthy because of a toe problem.

A year ago, the Bears slumped to a 7-9 record after losing to the Colts in the Super Bowl the season before, but Berrian believes the Vikings will face a much improved Chicago team Sunday.

"They're playing better on both sides of the ball," said Berrian, a second-round pick by Chicago in 2004 out of Fresno State. "They're moving the ball passing, they're moving the ball running, they've got their running game going again.

"Their passing game is elevated and Kyle Orton is doing a nice job spreading the ball around to a lot of different receivers. And the defense is back to playing the way they were playing two years ago."

Berrian looks for a close game Sunday at Soldier Field.

"It's going to be a great game, two good defenses, offenses are similar," he said. "We're playing at their turf, so it's going to be a hostile environment. It's going for first place in the division. So it means a lot for both sides."

If Gus Frerotte can complete some long passes, it will open up the running game for Adrian Peterson, and that could mean a victory in the most important game of the young season.

Similar situations Yes, the Gophers football season has a ways to go. But if their success keeps up, you can find some similarities between this team and the 1960 group that tied for first in the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl.

The Gophers in 1959 under Murray Warmath were 2-7 before making the big jump to 8-2 in 1960. Last year, the Gophers were 1-11 in their first year under Tim Brewster, but they are 6-1 this season.

Like Brewster, Warmath was able to add two good recruiting classes to make the jump. A year ago, Brewster lost six games by a touchdown or less. Warmath's seven losses in 1959 included 6-0 to Northwestern, 14-6 to Illinois, 14-6 to Michigan and 11-7 to Wisconsin.

Warmath's recruiting of outstanding players such as Bobby Bell (who played from 1960 to '62), Bill Munsey (1960-62), Sandy Stephens