Andersen to break Blanda’s longevity record

George Blanda was expecting the call, and the old quarterback/kicker didn’t have to think long about his answer.

Minnesota Vikings place-kicker Morten Andersen will play in his 341st career game today, passing Blanda for the most in NFL history, but the former poster boy for career longevity said he has no hard feelings.

“I have no feelings,” Blanda, 77, said Friday from his suburban Chicago home. “My football playing career ended over 28 years ago. (Andersen) has had a great career, and he’s going to break my record. I’ve had a lot of my records broken. It doesn’t matter to me.”

That also goes for the fact that his record is being broken by a pure kicker.

Andersen already has passed Blanda in career points (2,274-2,002), but he never has been anything more than a kicker. Blanda was a starting or backup quarterback for much of his 26-year career, during which he passed for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns.

Blanda, who played for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders during a career that lasted from 1949-75, said he couldn’t care less.

“I was a player,” he said. “I played quarterback and some linebacker early in my career and all those things. That’s fine. All records are made to be broken, and I don’t even think about them.”

Andersen was pleased to get Blanda’s blessing.

“I think the world of George Blanda. He was one of my heroes, just like Jan Stenerud is,” said Andersen, who spent time with both once in Bozeman, Mont. “I tried to emulate the way (Blanda) was as a professional, and his longevity, his consistency. What’s amazing is, he played that many games in seasons that were only 14 games, 12 games sometimes.”

Blanda said he was fortunate to play as long as he did and wished Andersen, 44, many more good seasons.

“I wish him well,” Blanda said. “I’m sure he’s going to play a lot more games. I’m sure he’s going to break my record of playing past 48.”

Brunell to start Monday night

Quarterback Mark Brunell will start for the Washington Redskins on Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, having recovered sufficiently from a strained hamstring.

He took most of the snaps in practice Saturday, and coach Joe Gibbs announced his decision after the practice.

Giants safety to undergo surgery

New York Giants safety Shaun Williams will have surgery on his left knee Monday to repair damaged cartilage.

It was not immediately known how long Williams will be out of the lineup.

Rookie Gibril Wilson, who had an interception against Washington last week, will start in Williams’ place today against Cleveland.