Week 16 Recap: Vikings @ Bears

Another week...another loss...another post on random thoughts throughout the game:

* There is something wrong with our defense...I can handle a sputtering offense from time to time, but not having a defense playing well going into the playoffs is scary considering the offensive juggernauts we may face down the line: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Dallas, Arizona and Green Bay.

* Adrian Peterson has had fumbling issues his whole career. However, this is the first time it actually directly cost the Vikings the game.

* With virtually all backups in the Bears secondary (actually, pretty much the whole defense were 2nd stringers due to injuries and/or other issues), the Vikings decide to go conservative on the offensive side in the first half. It resulted in 0 points...kick ass offense.

* How do you expect your team to cope and play well in cold weather when our own head coach is in a snow suit roaming the sidelines? I hope Childress gets fined by the NFL for "improper apparel".

* Where would this team be without Favre as our quarterback? It's kind of scary to think about...but, even scarier is that we actually made the stinkin' playoffs last with a combo of T-Jack and Gus as our quarterback...unbelievable.

* Special teams was horrible last night. To sum up the night: we had a blocked extra point, Kluwe had a 15 yard punt on one occasion, and their kickoff return team gashed us on multiple returns. Plus, Percy Harvin was just ordinary at best on our returns. Grade: F
SBG

Week 15 Recap: Vikings @ Panthers

Another embarrassing loss on national televison...once again here are my random thoughts on the game:

* When the Vikings had 3rd and long situations on offense...the Panthers only rushed three and dropped eight in coverage...however, they still applied ten times the pressure than we could muster against their injury riddled offensive line...and we were rushing 4 or more defenders.

* I praise Antoine Winfield last week...and then our most consistent defender doesn't show up on big pass plays (mostly in the second half) that killed us throughout the game.

* Isn't it common knowledge that a quarterback with little experience...the team's gameplan will look like this: 1. run the ball a lot 2. we will try to screen you to death and 3. we will move him around on the edges/outside the pocket to give our quarterback more space to see the field/receivers.

* It's not depressing that we only scored 7 points in the whole game. It's depressing that we had great field position for the first three quarters (because of their unwillingness to kick to Harvin/and our defense in the first half) and didn't come away with even more points. Even if Longwell makes that field goal...10 points is unacceptable when we got the ball on our 40 on virtually every possession.

* I don't know what to think of the Brad Childress attempt to pull Brett Favre during a 7-6 game in the middle of the third quarter. All I know is we need a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the way we've been playing lately...I wouldn't mess around trying to play head games with a 40 year old diva as our quarterback during the stretch run.

SBG

Week 14 Recap: Bengals @ Vikings

My wife, myself and our two year-old twins attended the game in person in the upper bowl of the Metrodome. Here are my scattered thoughts while witnessing the game:

* It's nice to have Antoine Winfield back on the playing field. I don't know how productive he'll be in the next five years of his new contract, but he has to be the best free agent pick up the franchise has ever landed. Best part (besides his nine tackles) was him doing the 10 push ups as mock punishment for dropping an easy interception. * By the way...if you're thinking Cris Carter...he was waiver wire pick up...we didn't really have to outbid anyone for his services.

* Cincinnati's offense is very pedestrian. We think we have it bad with the Vikings play-calling...Cincinnati's is worse, and it's not that they lack talent on offense...just imagination.

* No Percy Harvin in the lineup...and the offense was still functional...not great, but decent enough to have some much needed quality drives throughout the game.

* Anthony Herrera needs ritalin. He is the most riled up player we have on the field. Hopefully, the opponents are not offended by his actions because out of all the starters on offense...he probably ranks as the 11th most important piece.

* Vendor count in section 201...
Vendors selling beer: 159 times
Vendors selling anything else (food/pop/anything other than beer): 1 time
I'm usually not appalled by this (and actually would encourage this)...but when you have to satisfy the needs of two year old twins at a game...it can get tricky.

SBG

Week 13 Recap: Vikings @ Cardinals

Here's my observations from a depressing 30-17 loss:

* Run the ball. Run the ball. Run the ball. We were a 10-6 football team last year with everyone in the world knowing that Adrian Peterson was going to the get the ball 25-30 times a game...and he still had success, as well as the team. What is wrong with this formula? You eat up clock. You protect your 40 year old quarterback. You save your defense from being on the field all game. Run the ball. I don't need Cris Collinsworth crediting the Arizona Cardinals run defense when we've only handed the ball off to A.P. thirteen times.

* E.J. Henderson's leg injury was gruesome. It's one of those injuries that sucks the life out of the stadium (even if it's not the home stadium of the injured player).

* Shiancoe is an excellent red zone threat...however, anywhere else on the field he is virutally useless. He doesn't win any one on one matchups and only gets separation from defenders by the play action...not by his own skill set.

* Brett Favre is entertaining...even when he sucks. My dad and I noticed that on his first interception...he did a no-look throw. He was staring down Percy Harvin to the right, but threw the ball down the middle hoping he could sneak a throw into Sidney Rice. It was highly comical and I haven't enjoyed an interception that "my team" has thrown ever...until this one came about...

* Ray Edwards has two offsides penalties...one of them negates an interception by Tyrell Johnson. I remember John Randle always jumping off sides...and I didn't mind that at the time because at least he got to the quarterback more than once every few weeks. You on the other hand...kill us on both ends...you get penalties, plus you don't get to the quarterback. Go work on your modeling.

* Brenda Warner defeats Deanna Favre 3-0 in the NFL housewives Super Bowl of camera shots. What the hell has Brenda Warner done to garner attention from the cameras to capture her reactions to the game? At least Deanna Favre battled through breast cancer for a feel good story, but Brenda...come on NBC, start a reality show if you want...but, don't ruin my football watching experience by showing me Brenda Warner singing and dancing to a Cardinals win.

* Memo to NFL color analysts: Bernard Berrian has either lost a step or is playing with a nagging injury. You can not give credit to corners and/or safeties and/or linebackers and/or defensive lineman for "blanketing Berrian and his blazing speed". Not only does he not look fast on some of these replays...the routes are not precise enough to get any separation. Berrian and Shiancoe must practice together on how to run routes and not get open.

SBG

Gopher Hole

The Minnesota Golden Gopher basketball team has an unimpressive 4-3 record thus far. The three losses include: Portland, Texas A&M and Miami, Fl. The season is still long, but the team has put themselves in a hole to start the season. The team has struggled mightily in various aspects of the game...here are my frustrations thus far:

* Ralph Sampson III is weak. I don't know if Tubby is trying to build confidence in the young man by leaving him in the starting lineup, but Colton Iverson should be playing major minutes over him right now.

* No one on the entire squad has a mid-range game off the dribble on the offensive end. We either spot up behind the arc or drive carelessly at the hoop and risk a charge being called against us. Does anyone know what a jump stop is on this team?

* The zone offense is ridiculous. I'll be surprised if the Gophers don't see a zone thrown at them for stretches during every game (besides Michigan State/Izzo loves man to man defense) this year. Their ball movement is horrible and it's all around the perimeter during the majority of the possession. Get the ball in the middle and attack the zone.

* Our "defense" is overrated. I don't think they fight through and/or switch on picks well enough. We give up way too many uncontested three point attempts to our opponents. And lastly, but most importantly...we don't rebound well at all on the defensive end.

* Rodney Williams should not be starting. I know he's only a freshman, but he's a liability with the ball in his hands. With a team struggling to generate points...it's hard to do that while you are turning the ball over to the other team. Let him come in off the bench during stretches in the game where we decide we might want to put some full court pressure on our opponents.

* Good teams make free throws...Minnesota hasn't done that, potentially costing them at least a game (Texas A&M) if not two.

SBG

Week 12 Recap: Bears @ Vikings

After a 36-10 dominating performance over the Bears, the Vikings now have a 10-1 record. Here is what I took away from the game:

* Do the Vikings not carry a third running back on our active game day roster? Chester Taylor got banged up on a play in the 4th quarter during mop up time. The Vikings bring in Adrian Peterson to replace him. We've been fortunate with the lack of injuries to our team thus far this season. We shouldn't push our luck in that department.

* I'm getting vibes about this team like I did with the Vikes in 1998. Fun to watch, but it's as if some of the games are too boring because the contest is so one-sided in our favor that you start questioning how bad the opponents really are. The next couple of weeks should help to see where this team stands amongst the best.

* I really hate the expression on Adrian Peterson's face after he loses a fumble. It's the grimace/smile with his teeth clenched down look. However, I'd rather see that 7-10 times a year than have to look at Jay Cutler's face the whole year.

* Brett Favre's pinpoint accuracy on some of these throws is ridiculous. On some of the throws over the middle, I can't even believe he throws it there based on the tiny window he has of completing that pass. And let's not be confused either...he's not throwing jump balls to Randy Moss like Randall Cunningham did in 1998. He's delivering the ball to the receiver on time and in stride...it's unreal.

* Vikings should flaunt their throwback jersey in more games during the year. I'd also like to see the old school purple pants along with their throwback jersey for home games.

SBG

Week 11 Recap: Seahawks @ Vikings

Vikings improve to 9-1 and as always...here are some random observations:

* The Metrodome...err, I mean the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome needs an upgrade on their playing surface. The field resembles the fashion phase of the patches sewn all over the jeans (but, mostly the knee area).

* Do you think the Vikings defense was worried about the "Seneca Package"? I don't think so...my reasons...Seneca Wallce is not even a top twenty threat...passing or running the ball. Second, you know Matt Hasselbeck is not going to be involved in the play...he's injury prone and has had a hard time staying on the field the last couple of years. I don't think they'll be playing razzle, dazzle with him anytime soon. So, you're basically going 10 players versus 11 players on defense. And the main ball carrier (Seneca Wallace) is not even that explosive. Penalty on Seattle...overcoaching by the Seattle staff.

* Chester Taylor looked really solid carrying and catching the ball today. It might be the competition he went against. It might be that he actually got to touch the ball more than twice. It might just be a fluke for some other reason...but a playoff team needs depth...and I like what I saw.

* I know I'm looking way ahead...but, I don't want to face the Packers in the playoffs. Just imagine if the Packers somehow beat the Vikings and Brett Favre, especially at the dome...the suicide rate in the state of Minnesota would spike dramatically.

* It's cool that we pulled Favre out when we had a comfortable lead. But, can we do that with Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and others as well. These guys were still taking snaps well after Favre was pulled and these are the guys taking the hits on every play.

* I really didn't like the timing of the Childress extension...but, with that said...it was still a nice, sound win to silence the critics...for now at least.

SBG

Week 10 Recap: Lions @ Vikings

Vikings improve to 8-1...with no serious injuries to the squad (unlike the Lions)...here are some other random observations:

* Seriously...Sidney Rice gets over 200 yards receiving without any touchdowns. I haven't looked it up, but I'm guessing receivers getting over the 200 yard landmark in a game usually score a touchdown in that game...not Sidney Rice.

* Why does the Vikings' offense have so much success on their first drive of every game? I know they script plays...but, doesn't the defense script plays to stop the offense in general as well on a weekly basis? And, if scripting plays was such an easy thing to do on offense...wouldn't you script plays 'til the duration of the game (or at least until the half...).

* Bernard Berrian is horrible this year. Maybe the hamstring is affecting him this year...but, even if that's the case...it doesn't mean you should be dropping balls on slants and hitches (shorter routes).

* Ray Edwards got some love on the Fox telecast. However, he still sucks in my mind...he faces fullbacks/running backs and tight ends on his pass rush because the WHOLE offensive line is shifting towards Jared Allen.

* Post two more fumbles on Adrian Peterson's stat line this year. Yet, I just don't think any of his fumbles have been that costly this year compared to last year. Winning cures everything...so does a competent quarterback.

SBG

United We Suck

Here's my couch potato critique on the Minnesota Timberwolves so far in the 2009-10 campaign (keep in mind this is coming off a historic 45 point loss to the mediocre Golden State Warriors):

* Two best players on the squad are Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions. They play the same position and are rarely ever on the floor together. I don't think that's a good thing for a team lacking a tremendous amount of talent throughout their roster.

* Let Al Jefferson build up strength in his knee as well as in his game...and then trade his ass. He's a defensive liability that also does his best imitation of the Kevin Garnett disappearing act offensively in the 4th quarter during crunch time.

* Simplify Corey Brewer's offensive game. He needs to run the floor and get easy layups...and in the half court offense he needs to shoot or pass within three seconds. He can't dribble worth a lick and I cringe everytime he tries to create his own shot. He is pretty solid defensively though...which is good to have on the perimeter.

* It's great that Ryan Hollins can jump out of the gym. However, it's frustrating that he turns the ball over half the time on the limited touches he does get in the half court offense. And it's even more frustrating that his defensive position/discipline is absolutely horrible because he's trying to swat everything in his general vincinity. This is not an AAU game...be disciplined in your positioning and you'll get your blocks.

* I like the coaching staff. I like the variety of starting lineups. I like the playing rotations based on matchups and based on how the individuals are playing during that particular game. I just wish they would try to play Sessions and Flynn together more during stretches. With limited scoring on their roster, I think they could bring a spark offensively...even though it creates bad matchups defensively.

* This team will struggle to get fifteen wins this season. There's not consistent scoring on the offensive side, and give up way too many possessions with careless turnovers. They have way too many lapses on the defensive end. Plus, they just don't have any major significant advantage (physically or athletically) over other opponents that will factor in the outcome.

SBG

Profiling Tubby's 2009-10 Roster

Now that it's official that Trevor Mbakwe is indeed suspended from game action until his issue off the court is "resolved"...I want to quickly break down the roster for our nationally ranked #18 team for this upcoming season...on a side note: should our national ranking be in jeopardy, or at least changed to reflect the loss of contribution from Mbakwe...??

0 Al Nolen - Point guards are supposed to get better with more talent around them. I thought Nolen was horrible last year (excluding the Louisville game) even though the roster was significantly better than his freshman year. I like his defense, but cringe when watching him play offense.

1 Paul Carter - I just like his overall game. And I like him even better because I just found out he's only a junior. Since he came from a juco I just assumed he was there for two years. This means he will not just rot on the bench because of all the influx of talent on the roster coming in at his position, he would just assume Damian Johnson's role next year.

3 Justin Cobbs - Freshman point guard from California. His playing time, if any will be contingent on what position Tubby plays Devoe Joseph. If Tubby slides Joseph to the two spot, I can see Cobbs getting some meaningful time behind Nolen. Other than that, I don't know much about him.

4 Dominique Dawson - A freshman (Southwest Minneapolis) project that will probably be red-shirted this year. Tubby's son is an assistant coach at Southwest High School. Not too surprised by this given the connection of the family genes.

5 Devoe Joseph - I think he's solid. I don't believe he's a prototypical point guard (lacks some quickness and I don't think his handling of the ball is the strongest), but I think he's savvy enough to play it on occasion. I wasn't impressed with his outside shot, but he did have a breakout game at Penn State.

20 Lawrence Westbrook - He's the x factor on the perimeter for us. Not sure how 20 less pounds on his frame will affect his game, but if he doesn't produce offensively for us (without getting too out of control and jacking unnecessary shots up) it could be another frustrating year in terms of lack of offense. The ironic part is that the success of this year for this team will be contingent on Dan Monson's recruits in the backcourt (Nolen and Westbrook).

22 Devron Bostick - I think he'll be buried in the bench throughout much of the season. He has offensive capabilities, but if he's a liability defensively like last year...I don't believe Tubby will play him in his regular rotation.

24 Blake Hoffarber - With more legitimate options behind Nolen at point guard, I see Blake's playing time to decrease even more this year. Obviously, his shooting is an asset and if we see zones thrown at us on a regular basis...he will get more minutes, but he's still more of a situational player than anything.

30 Royce White - Word is that he's already penciled in the starting lineup and the offense seems to be going through him in practice. I don't really care if the offense runs through him, but usually when they say "an offense runs through them" about a 1. Hopkins High School kid...2. Power Forward...3. that continues their basketball career at the University of Minnesota...that means the offense stops at them (compliments of Kris Humpheries and Dan Coleman).

33 Rodney Williams - Rodney Williams is already a youtube legend because of his high-flying dunks. Speaking of youtube legends...I got wrapped up in this UFC reality show that had Kimbo Slice on (who is also a youtube legend in his own right). Guess what...Kimbo lost to some fat slob in his first fight on the show. I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

34 Damian Johnson - One of the more underrated players in the Big Ten. He doesn't do anything flashy...but, just a solid player that plays excellent defense every time out on the floor. Out of the three seniors this year, I'll miss him the most...and I think that will hold true with the program as well...even though they are stacked at the position, he does all the little things that are not exactly in the boxscore.

45 Colton Iverson - Not a lot of post moves down low, but I thought he really asserted himself as the year went on...even though Ralph started stealing most of his minutes towards the end of the year. You need big bodies in the Big Ten, and for the most part I think he held his own last year defensively. My only complaint is his acne problem on his face. My wife wanted to name our youngest after his name...all I could think about was Colton's acne infested face.

50 Ralph Sampson III - Isn't he a typical big man in a nutshell. Kind of out there in his own world, shows flashes of excellence here and there but for the most part just basically plays ok. Tubby seemed to favor him over Colton towards the end of the year. I like both of them, but with the logjam of power forwards this year...maybe one, or possibly both will see even more limited time due to shifting to more athletic lineups depending on our matchups. I just hope I don't have to see 15-18 foot jumpers from him on a regular basis this year. Stay on the block and go to work.

SBG

Week 8 Recap: Vikings @ Packers

For the second consecutive week...I'm stuck watching the game live in the hospital with my wife. However, this week we are joined with our newest addition to the family...Carter O'Rourke. Here's some things I came across while watching the game on the 15 inch TV screen in our room:

* Why are teams still kicking to Percy Harvin? Not only should he get Rookie of the Year honors...he probably needs to be put on the NFC Pro Bowl team as a return specialist.

* The tackling was horrendous for the Vikings in the second half. That pretty much happens when your defense is on the field for the whole 2nd half...but, some of the angles were even more frustrating. Benny Sapp on the Rodgers long scramble was flat out ridiculous.

* Aaron Rodgers has great boxscore numbers when it's all said and done...but, he just doesn't do it for me. How many opportunities/points were squandered when the Packers had the ball inside our ten yard line, much less the red zone?

* The offensive line has done a really good job picking up the blitzes against some formidable defenses the last couple of weeks. Especially, the interior lineman (Hutchinson, Sullivan and Herrera)...they have been a big plus when a lot of people (including me) had a lot worries when they were struggling with the Browns and Lions of the league earlier in the year.

* How do you rectify near collapses to opponents (Ravens and Packers) when you've been dominating the majority of the game? I would like to say play-calling and have an easy scapegoat in Childress. But, it's not like Childress got ultra-conservative today...in fact, there was one three and out series after Green Bay cut it to 24-13 (where the momentum was swinging their way) that we passed the ball on all three downs. I was screaming at the TV that we should've ran the ball...but, then all the fans would've been up in arms that Childress was too conservative.

* Favre stuck it to the Packers twice this year already, with two great performances. Hopefully, this isn't all he came back for...because we still have 8 plus games left.

SBG

Minnesota Timberwolves 2009-10 Outlook:

Before the season officially begins...here's some of my takes on yet another "rebuilding" year for this struggling franchise:

* I'm excited to see Jonny Flynn and what he brings to the table. We haven't had a legitimate threat at the point guard position since Stephon Marbury (we had him before he was shooting youtube videos of himself).

* I'm even more excited not to see Mark Madsen this year going crazy and waving a towel on the bench when the Wolves go on a 4-0 scoring run.

* Mark Blount is officially on our roster...yet, him and his agent are seeking suitors to join forces with. Good luck with that...you non-rebounding, jump shooting, 7-footer with no defensive abilities.

* Kurt Rambis, Bill Laimbeer and Reggie Theus. All were good to great players in the NBA, but the coaching pedigree looks like this: One has pretty much lived in Phil Jackson's shadow for the last several years, one coached women and the other was a coach for a teenage boys + 1 girl team on the Hangtime sitcom. This will be interesting to say the least.

* NBA fans that hope their local team loses in hopes of getting a better draft pick are not true fans. Have we not learned that the draft doesn't guarantee anything in 20 plus years of bad-to-mediocre basketball being played here in Minnesota? Kevin Garnett is the only person we can hang our hat on that we drafted ourselves and made a legitimate positive impact on the franchise...everyone else has either been a bust, or has had a middle of the road type career (but, had to change teams to do so).

SBG

Week 7 Recap: Vikings @ Steelers

Vikings drop to 6-1 on the year...here are some of my thoughts on the week 7 loss:

* Santonio Holmes flexes his bicep muscle after every catch he makes. Luckily, we only had to endure this twice throughout the whole game. Maybe it's an inside joke, but his biceps or lack thereof are that of an aerobic instructor. Good tone, no body fat...but, nothing to write home about. I would understand if Terrell Owens or Anquan Boldin came up with this...but Santonio Holmes...??

* I watch games for the Adrian Peterson factor. Plays like the stiff arm in Cleveland, or in this case the "I'll flattened you to the ground even though you should be the one putting the lick on me because I'm the defenseless receiver" play. I used to love the Randy Moss factor...but, Adrian is more entertaining to watch because he embarrasses professional athletes on his plays. Moss was more of a freak that just made incredible plays. Adrian is a freak, because he punishes people.

* Is Sidney Rice really this good? He hardly had a pulse his first two years in the league, and now Brett Favre has helped include his name as a possible Pro Bowl candidate this year...kind of amazing when you really think about it. Which brings me to a debate I've had with numerous people...is Jerry Rice's or Cris Carter's career more impressive? Look at the quality and quantity of quarterbacks that Carter had throwing to him over his career compared to the Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Montana and Young) Jerry Rice had throwing to him. And, Carter still wasn't that far off from going toe to toe statistically with Jerry Rice. I choose Cris Carter.

* I felt like we should have won this game...a lot of blown opportunities...however, I think the 49er's were probably thinking that after we stunned them in week 3. Or the Ravens last week after they missed a 44-yard field goal on the last play.

* A quick recap on the majority of the Steelers' scoring drives.
1. Steelers get a field goal after a Chris Kluwe 19 yard punt starts their field position on our own 40 yard line.
2. A touchdown was given up before halftime when we suddenly go conservative on defense with two deep safeties.
3. Two defensive touchdowns scored in the fourth quarter.

That's 24 out of there 27 points for the day. Kind of hard to swallow, but as former Viking wide receiver Kelly Campbell used to say, "It is what it is!"

SBG

Week 6 Recap: Ravens @ Vikings

Vikings squeeze out another win...however, injuries and poor play in the 4th quarter put a damper on the victory. Here are some other random observations:

* Why doesn't Ray Rice get twenty touches a game for the Ravens? This guy is a beast who is not utilized enough in their offense.

* I like Pat Williams. However, he has to be the most overrated player in Minnesota Viking history. He's virtually a special teams specialist. He only plays around 30% of the defensive plays (downs where we think the opposing team is more likely to run the ball). Yet, the local papers are constantly quoting him before and after games...and he's always talking smack. Pat, I need more from you on the field if you're going to run your mouth week in and week out.

* If you are a receiver in the last year of your contract...you want Karl Paymah lined up across from you. He could single-handedly lose a couple games for the Vikings this year if we play him regularly on defense.

* Offsides #91 on the defense...Offsides #91 on the defense ...Offsides #91 on the defense. Add three more reasons to the long list on why I do not like Ray Edwards.

* Antoine Winfield, Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin all get injured in the same game. None of the injuries seem to be serious, but is there any other three player combo on this team that you wouldn't want to get hurt for a good portion of the year (if not, the whole year)...because the backups are a drastic drop off in performance. Favre and Allen come to mind, but Winfield and Harvin add a lot to their respective units, plus the special teams unit. And I know we have Chester Taylor, but Adrian Peterson is in a class by himself.

* Even if Winfield is cleared to play this week, the Vikings should make a move on a corner to add some depth. It would be a shame if we expected Brett Favre and company to outscore every opponent in a shootout from here on out, because the back end of our defense can't cover/stop anyone.

SBG

One Shining Moment(s) Volume 4

More random Minnesota sports figures...and my memories of them...

Leroy Hoard: "If you need one yard, I'll get you three yards...if you need three yards, I'll get you three yards...if you need ten yards, I'll get you three yards." One of the most underrated/hilarious sports quotes we've had in this town...and for that, you've made my pristine list.

Charles Thomas: Most underrated player on the team that never existed. The 1997 Final Four run still brings back a lot of memories for me. Charles was one of my favorites. He didn't get a lot of clock, but he shot the ball well and defended even better. You could tell he was a basketball player (not just an athlete...as are most these days). After the year was through though, he transferred to Eastern Kentucky.

Tony Campbell: This guy was automatic on mid-range jumpers. His whole game was running defenders off baseline screens to catch and shoot the ball. Averaged around 16-19 points per game just doing this for a crappy Timberwolves team. But, he did it within the flow of the game...not forcing the issue like some players do these days...cough intheircontractyear cough MikeJames. Sorry...I haven't gotten my flu shot yet.

Paris Hamilton: Bust. Sid Hartman loved to throw out your name in the Jottings section as if you were going to be the savior of the Gophers Football program...so the pinnacle of your career is being a close, personal friend to Sid Hartman.

Shane Schilling: Drug Bust. I don't even know where to begin with this guy. His basketball career started to decline after his junior year of high school. Then as Bill Simmons would put it...he entered the "Tyson Zone". He randomly runs across Interstate 94 in the middle of the night (probably high off his ass) and was caught. He's charged with felonies of auto theft and receiving stolen property. Has a separate incident where he has a stand off with the police shouting "f****** pigs" at them while he is high on methamphetamine. Shane...you grew up in Minnetonka (or at least around that community)...you've even had some officers in your hometown area give you the benefit of the doubt and let you off on instances where they should have charged your ass. You're pathetic.

Tony Fiore: Prime example of why the win-loss record for a pitcher doesn't mean squat. Tony racked up an astonishing 10 wins pitching solely in middle relief during the 2002 campaign. After a short stint with the Twins in 2003, he was released and never reached the Major League level again.

Eddie Ortega: A very obscure memory...Ortega was an infielder for the St. Paul Saints...and every time he was up to bat...the announcer went all out on his last name,"Ort-eeegggaaa" similar to how Bob Casey hollered out "Kiirrbbbbyyyy" Puckett. Did you know Rey Ordonoz, Mike Mimbs, Kevin Millar, Leon Durham and Minnie Minoso were all on this same team in 2003 as well...?? And I remember Eddie Ortega of all people.

Jimmy Rodgers: I don't bash coaches...ok, yeah I do...but, only the ones I don't like. I don't think I can bash any coaches (except for Wittman) that the Timberwolves have had in their whole history...simply, because 1. the coaches haven't been around that long and 2. because they just haven't had enough talent on a consistent basis to even have high enough expectations to evaluate the coaches' on a serious basis. Jimmy Rodgers didn't even make it a year and a half with the club. But, his hair will forever live with me. He was balding on top, but he rocked the permed curls flowing on the sides and back...it was classic.

SBG

Week 5 Recap: Vikings @ Rams

Vikings improve their record to 5-0 against the lowly Rams...here are some random things I took away:

* I understand we were playing the Rams...but, I think Benny Sapp is the real deal. He reminds me of the second coming of Antoine Winfield...an aggressive corner that loves to tackle and has decent, but not great coverage skills. Of course it helps when the only legitimate threat the Rams have on offense is Steven Jackson.

* Donnie Avery's touchdown dance when the game was already in the bag for the Vikings...basically, just sums up why the Rams are a joke this year and could be the one to go 0 - 16 this year, if there is a team that accomplishes this feat again this year.

* Was Phil Loadholdt not playing because of performance or injury? I still haven't heard word on why he was mysteriously pulled from the starting line-up.

* I've been seeing a trend of opposing tight ends racking up some major yards against our defense. Is this because of the scheme of our defense or the lack of talent on the linebacker level? We haven't exactly faced top notch tight ends either up to this point of the year.

* The next three games (Baltimore, @ Pittsburgh and @ Green Bay) on the schedule will be good competitiion to see what to expect from this team from here on out.

SBG

"Anthony"...a New York Yankees fan...

During baseball season I'm often involved in Howard Sinker's 220 club/blog..."A Fan's View" on the Star Tribune website while at work (shh!!...don't tell anyone). Every day has virtually been the same scrutiny on our local 9 ballclub. Why does Punto play...why do we have the pedestrian Brendan Harris as our DH, and we go on and on...

We just lost Game 1 of the ALDS, 7-2 to the Yankees. We weren't even as hard on the club as we usually are, based on how lucky we are just to be a part of the playoffs...but, out of nowhere Yankee fans/posters start going on and on about how great they are (we never get opposing teams fans in the comment section and if we do they applaud our team/organization).

I decided to pluck one guy's (Anthony) comments out for you...to show you my frustration towards these ignorant bastards. I'll also post my responses as well as other Twins fans'. Though he never really directs anything at me...he still irritates me to no end...I don't know what I want to accomplish with this post, other than to show my wife why I do the things I do when I watch games our local teams play in...the vulgar language, the kicking and punching of the couch, the turn the channel only to turn it back because I can't be a true fan that misses the ultimate comeback...these are the people that drive me to these extremes! Why they bug me...I don't know...they just do!! Go Twins...make it a series where New York has to sweat it out!

Anthony says:
October 8th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Funny reading all these ‘Twinkie’ fans writing as if they have a chance in the series with this AAA team other than Mauer. You’re 3-24 at Yankee stadium over the last few years and got spanked 8 straight now. Can’t wait until you open up your new ‘open air’ park and try to play games in October when it’s 20 degrees and snowing. Who thought of that ingenious idea? Should have stuck with that oversized Gladbag sh*thole…LOL

Shawn Bradley Guy says:
October 8th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Anthony,
Twins have a better chance in this series than you do of even buying a ticket, much less walking into the corporate-esque thing you call a baseball stadium.

mike wants wins says:
October 8th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
The average temperature in NYY land is 5 degrees warmer than in Mpls in October. It’s pretty much the same in Boston.
Of course, Anthony is not the only person that doesn’t bother looking up information in less than 1 minute on the internet….

Shawn Bradley Guy says:
October 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
How does Anthony even know what a triple A team is…if he’s a Yankees fan? Isn’t their farm system the rest of the Major League?

Anthony says:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hey Mike wants Wins: First of all the World Series is played in November where Minnesota averages lows in the mid 20’s and averages about 50 in. of snow every winter….You know New York has never had a problem outside based on all the World Series rings so lets see how that works out for you buddy boy!…LOL

Anthony says:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Then all you Twinkie fans will shut your pie holes about how you’re going to win this series and realize you’re still living in East Bumblef*ck with nothing else going on but being up to your nuts in snow….Then what?…LOL

Shawn Bradley Guy says:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Wouldn’t we be West Bumblef*ck to you?

Dood says:
October 8th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Geography bears no weight when comedy is in effect.

Anthony says:
October 8th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Dood you probably look like that neanderthal-looking Vikings Mascot, Ragnar that runs around with the fur outfit and the beard blowing the horn….LOL

Shawn Bradley Guy says:
October 8th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Anthony, I heard you resemble Rocky Dennis

He didn't respond after this comment...in Minnesota, we call this a "moral victory"!

SBG

Game #163...Take Two

Twins Win! Twins Win! Twins Win!...here are some other random notes from the instant classic on 10/6/09...

• Alexi Casilla...even though you are in the Michael Vick doghouse, which means you never get to play by the way...how can you be so clutch? You've had three game winning hits (in big games by the way) in a year...while playing part time. You rock!
• Jose Morales...were you bought off by Jim Leyland? Good performance from our DH...6 pitches, 6 swing and misses...Gardy had to replace you with Brendan Harris during the middle innings. Looks like Mike Redmond will be on the roster again next year.
• Kudos to Bobby Keppel and Joe Nathan for pitching out of jams...it was reminding me of the 1991 magic we had during our playoff runs.
• Gardy...with our pitching staff...please start Young, Gomez and Span in the outfield and have Kubel DH for us. I'm done with this Morales bullshit.
• Jim Leyland outmanaged himself. Why do you pull the dominating Porcello so early when your middle relief has been your achilles heel all year? The game substitutions also lacked common sense...you replace your hottest hitter (Ordonez) with a defensive replacement? You also put Adam Everett in for a pinch runner instead of leaving the speedy Santiago on the base paths...??
• I'm so tired of the "poor Detroit...and how bad our economy is..." argument. That has nothing to do with baseball...and even if it did...how does that help us with the Miguel Cabrera getting drunk off his ass during a crucial series where they could have easily wrapped up the division with one more win in the White Sox series...instead he decides to drink heavily like I do, but he goes one up me and fights with his wife...stay classy Detroit!
• Orlando Cabrera is finally a true Twin. He has created lasting memories for a generation of Twins fans. The two run homer against Miner was classic, but he topped that off with a line drive catch and doubling off Granderson on first base to end a scoring threat. Classic.

Today/tonight...we made more memories to cherish in this ugly dome we call home...it was a good day!

SBG

Week 4 Recap: Packers @ Vikings

These are some of the randoms thoughts I took away from the most over-hyped week 4 game ever in the history of the NFL:

* Packer fans suck...Vikings win...but, they'll come up with every excuse in the book on how we stole this game. Complaining about the phantom pass interference call on Woodson (where he intercepted it in the endzone) is pointless anyways...because there were TWO flags on the play...and both penalties were against the Packers (offsides and pass interference).

* Vikings defense is still solid. Yes, Aaron Rodgers almost racked up 400 yards passing. But, the defense does a great job limiting the opponents scoring...which is all that matters. The first touchdown allowed was a broken play (credit the Packers, but it wasn't because of schemes). The second touchdown was the result of Adrian Peterson's fumble recovery and return. Take those 14 off the board and the Packers legitimately scored 9 points. I'll take my homer glasses off now...

* We have another Deanna Favre sighting...I understand the connection between her and the breast cancer awareness...but, has any other players' wives (besides Brenda Warner) received this much TV coverage without being a celebrity themselves. I think not...

* Credit Sidney Rice for going up and catching the two onside kick attempts. I watched this same play when the Packers and Bengals played in week 2. No one on the Bengals team wanted anything to do with the ball, hence Green Bay recovered it and almost drove down the field and won the game.

* Look at it like this...Packers gameplan seemed to be to take away our two most explosive players (Peterson and Harvin). Favre adjusts and spreads the ball all around using the likes of Shiancoe, Berrian and Rice. This is what it's like to have an actual NFL caliber quarterback. The Vikings have been missing that the last several years.

SBG

Week 3 Recap: 49ers @ Vikings

This is for my only out of state reader, Kory Ellingson. He lives down in Iowa and is at the mercy of their television programming. He complained that they aired the Green Bay/St. Louis matchup, then jumped to the Detroit/Washington game (to capture Detroit snapping their losing streak...high quality TV!), neglecting one of the most memorable game winning drives in Vikings history. I also have to apologize that I was forced to listen to the game on the radio (except for the last five minutes, we caught "the drive" on TV), due to driving back from Kansas City...but, here are some random things I took away from the game on Sunday:

* Favre's completion percentage wasn't even close to what it was last week. However, he seems to do just enough to move the chains on 3rd down when passing the ball. Having confidence with a quarterback on converting a 3rd down attempt hasn't been there the last 4-5 years.

* No way Bobby Wade makes that catch at the end of the game. I know the Greg Lewis signing/Bobby Wade release a couple days before the season started raised some eyebrows...but, Childress actually looks like a genius because Lewis is a simply more athletic than Wade, plus they saved money under the cap.

* We've played the Browns, Lions and 49ers...and we're still saying we have to protect the quarterback better after every game. If we can't protect Favre when we play these teams...what are we going to do when the schedule actually gets tougher?

* I don't feel like Adrian Peterson is touching the ball enough. He's crazy good, besides his fumbling antics and pass protecting...he still puts up 90 plus yards per game on limited carries (under 20 carries the last two games). I know they stack the line, but they've been stacking the line since he's been in the league...and he's played with lesser quarterbacks than the one he is currently playing with. Save our quarterback and give him the ball more on a regular basis.

* Can we really fault the fans for leaving early and not seeing the spectacular finish? Yeah, I'm sure we can...but, this franchise has never had a big time quarterback in their prime (by no means am I saying Brett Favre is in his prime). Our fans are not accustomed to these type of games where the quarterback will take over the game and help us win in the final minutes/seconds. To quote a country song...Brett Favre is not as good as he once was, but he's as good once as he ever was...

SBG

Kansas City/Kauffman Stadium Review

Our family started an annual tradition this year to follow the Twins to an opposing team's ballpark to take in a few games over a weekend. With the newly renovated Kansas City stadium being fairly close to us, we figured we may as well start off there. I took in a Friday night game with a buddy...then the whole family attended the Saturday night game (so we are 2-0 while attending)...here are some of the memories I'll take back with me:

• The ballpark itself is amazing...I'm not exactly sure what was renovated and what was there prior to the overhaul, but everything was perfect. It sits really low, just like the new Twins stadium will. So the minute you walk into the gates, you can see the field immediately.
• The outfield concourse is a great gathering point. Lots of different activities for all different ages of fans. Quick recap: outdoor bar, indoor bar, Royals Hall of Fame, waterworks display, carousel, other baseball activities for younger kids (almost like our State Fair, but better), and a variety of different vendors for food and drinks.
• On Friday night, we had seats right in front of the "Waterworks" display. This was cool up until the 3rd or 4th inning when the constant mist felt like we had a rain cloud plopped over our heads.
• Royals had a discount vendor selling jerseys of former Royals players in the stadium. I thought this was an excellent and original idea from a small market team that usually ends up losing their better players anyways, however there was no one to choose from other than Coco Crisp. How cool would it be to sell and get jerseys from former Royals: Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon, Bob Hamelin, etc? Or how about getting jerseys from guys that actually had a big league career because your team was so bad and/or unwilling to spend money at a certain position? Twins fans could expect a Tony Fiore, Lew Ford, or a Tony Batista jersey...the ideas are endless.
• The scoreboard was huge and centered perfectly in the outfield. Even if you were sitting in the outfield, you could still gather any information from the scoreboard you needed without any issues.
• Beer was $7.25 (which is probably standard) in the park. If I was to do it again, I would've tailgated for the experience (for one of the games) in the parking lot, but to also save money on the back end (in the stadium).
• Potty training our twins (Caidence and Cullen) at a public restroom at a ballpark is not how you avoid the swine flu. Their hands were all over the seat...we washed them up, but that still that gives me the chills thinking about the germs on that toilet seat.
• The ballpark is great, the atmosphere and surroundings (as places to go afterwards) outside is virtually dead besides the tailgating done before games. The city itself is pretty industrial...but, there was absolutely no where to go except your hotel restaurant to eat, much less drink.
• On Friday night, my buddy and I sat in between a Kansas City couple on our left and two New York guys on our right who were in town for a wedding on Saturday. Can you have a more random seating arrangement than that at a baseball game? I'm sure one would be able to top that, but the dialogue was interesting and diverse throughout the whole game.
• The George Brett Bridge...blows...what kind of tribute is that to your Hall of Famer? It's a regular overpass over a highway that has a sidewalk on both sides that's narrower than a balance beam. They just slapped a sign that says, "The George Brett Bridge". No colors, no significant design on the bridge to honor him...maybe you could get away with this if he was dead...but, he's alive and has to look at this piece of shit that is supposed to be in honor of him. Good job, Kansas City!

SBG

Week 2 Recap: Vikings @ Lions

Here's some of the random things I came across while watching the Vikings play the forever rebuilding Detroit Lions in Week 2:

* Larry Foote, Linebacker for the Detroit Lions...does a dance/stomp with his "foot(e)" after every play (very uncreative by the way), as if he made the play all on his own...even though he has 3-4 teammates assisting him, if not making the plays themselves.

* Marquand Manuel is really good and getting injured. Las Vegas needs to post an over and under number for how many times Marquand Manuel gets assisted off the field on a weekly basis.

* Percy Harvin is a keeper. I know we got to keep it in perspective while playing the Browns and the Lions, but this guy is always falling forwards and keeps churning for more yards even after initial contact (on kickoff and while playing receiver). He's a wide receiver that runs with the ball in his hands like a running back.

* Brett Favre has been efficient. Even on some of his incomplete passes, I saw some shaky route running (Rice and Shiancoe) by the intended receivers.

* Was it the second half adjustments, or just the intensity of the Vikings (combined with the lack of intensity by the Lions in the second half) that turned the tide of this game. I guess we won't know until we start facing better competition.

* Another game...another win...and no major injuries to any of our key players.

SBG

So, you're saying we've got a chance...

The Twins have been brutal to watch this summer. They are much like the Vikings under Mike Tice: below average payroll, lack of quality depth throughout the roster, a shoddy defense (this would be comparable to the Twins pitching staff) but, they have stars (Moss/Vikings vs. Mauer/Twins) on the squad that you just can't help not watch.

Even with the up and down season they have had thus far...the Twins are only a mere 4 games out of first place with plenty of head to head games versus the slumping division leader, Detroit Tigers. Here's what I'm looking forward to (some of my opinions for not only the rest of this season, but looking towards next season as well):

* Play Jose Morales...you don't even have to play him, just let him DH and get some quality at-bats. I wasn't a believer in him early (because I remember when Redmond was batting a surprising .320 or so a couple years back and fans were clamoring for him to be in the lineup more as well), but he deepens the lineup especially when you can use him over Redmond.

* Will the Ewing Theory (Bill Simmons reference that team may actually play better without their best player...addition by subtraction) play out for the rest of the season with the Twins playing without Justin Morneau...and how does this effect a former MVP winner, with the the last three years having him collapse during the stretch runs.

* Who actually steps up this year on the pitching staff during this final stretch? Could Brian Duensing really be a playoff starter if somehow we managed to squeak in? Not to overwhelm you even more, but who the hell is our starting pitching rotation next year: Pavano (do we re-sign him), Baker, Blackburn, Duensing, Slowey, Perkins, Liriano, Swarzak, etc...could you even be confident to lock in three of the above as sure things?

* Is Carlos Gomez just going to be a defensive replacement/pinch runner in the late innings? Is Alexi Casilla in that same role? Granted they have both struggled mightily this year...but, we are not even a year removed when these two players were key components to our run the year before.

* Joe Nathan is scaring me (I know he is prone to bad stretches here and there...but, still he seems less confident with his fastball)...he hasn't quite bottomed out like Brad Lidge in Philadelphia, but this is another reason to bolster up the bullpen even more for next year in case he collapses just like pretty much everyone else did in that Twins bullpen this year.

* Let Orlando Cabrera walk after the season. Trade one of your young mediocre pitchers and a mid-level prospect over to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy.

* Does Joe Mauer get an MVP award for the remarkable season he's had offensively? I doubt it...but, no other full-time catcher will come close to the numbers he's put up this year...I'm not even sure he can match this godly performance.

SBG

Week 1 Recap: Vikings @ Browns

Just wanted to share some of my random thoughts while watching the season opener for the Vikings:

* Brett Favre looks old. Just watching him walk around looks very grueling to him. The shoulder pads look like they could weigh around 100 lbs the way his shoulders are sagging.

* How do we have two players (Adrian Peterson and Benny Sapp) getting so dehydrated to the point where they had to insert IV fluids? We were in Cleveland of all places, and it was only 70 degrees outside...??

* On Adrian Peterson's 64 yard touchdown run...Sludge (KFAN morning show) brought up a great point when trying to describe the play: "If you were playing video games, it was the kind of play that happens that infuriates you to point where you think it's so unrealistic...and they've made the guy on the game too damn good."

* I think Brian Billick thinks Brian Billick is amazing at everything he does...but, I actually have to admit that I did enjoy his play-by-play commentary. I never really cared for him as a coach, but he was pretty spot on throughout the game. (Although, this judgement could be influenced by how horrendous the two clowns doing the Gopher football game the night before.)

* Although they won't go public with this information...don't you get the feeling that the Vikings thought process with the whole handling of the Favre situation (still pursuing him after training camp had already broke)...we have three winnable games right out of the gate, no matter who our quarterback is under center...we'll use that as Brett's preseason to get him acclimated with the offense in general, as well as conditioning.

SBG

The Wonderful World of Youth Sports...

I coach basketball in the winter. I'm not exactly a volunteer, considering they technically pay me...but there is no amount of money that pays enough to deal with delusional parents in youth sports...especially, when you have to deal with parents, like the one below. This is a real email exchange between a parent (Katie) and myself (Coach Casey). I got to give kudos to my wife who brilliantly wrote the last response...I was en route to our familiar "friendship game" for the weekend when the response came back from the parent. I was just going to let the parent have the last word, until I read what my wife wrote. It was too good not to send it off.

Hi Casey,

I realize I caught you off-guard after the game last night. I apologize for that, but I wanted to explain my frustration.

When I sent you that email in the beginning of December, I was hoping it would be received as constructive and come at a time when it could help you build some momentum with this team. I realize you have your frustrations, but I'm really trying to understand why, after having had a terrible experience the previous year, you didn't start fresh with this team and see what you could do to adjust and work with the girls. From what I have seen from these girls, they are coming to practice, trying hard, and despite a really lousy record, sticking in there.

I just think that this substituting 5 in at a time and plays we're playing are killing us. When our girls call 'Edina' I can see the opposing team know exactly what to do to break it. Hannah was frustrated last night because she didn't understand why you'd call play 13 (a play not practiced) over 14 (what you had practiced). Why not be a little strategic and get ahead when we can? Last night was the perfect example--call a timeout when we're nearly even and put in your strongest players. This isn't about my daughter -- if she's not playing well, I wouldn't expect her to be in. The whole team would gain some confidence despite who was on the court.

I know it's late in the season and don't expect things to change, but I wanted to explain my frustration and reasons for my comment last night. I will keep quiet and remain constructive.

Thanks for listening,
Katie

Katie,

Just to clear some things up...13 is an offensive set against a zone, we only run it if the team is playing a 2-3 zone on defense (that Jefferson team was mixing their defenses up, just like what we do). I never call for that play unless I see that they are running a zone on defense. Otherwise, if they are running a person to person defense, we will run Edina or 14.

Half the battle of having any success at any level is to be lined up properly for whatever we are running (offense or defense). Running fives at a time helps us prepare the girls as to where they need to be and what we are going to do on the offensive and/or defensive side of the ball. They are accountable to be at certain spots, depending on what we are doing.

We are mixing and matching the fives every game, depending on how they played the previous game.I know you and several parents are passionate about winning. Well, I'm passionate about coaching and developing ten girls into better basketball players. I called my last timeout at the end of the Jefferson game (prior to our encounter) just to tell them how proud I was in their play during that game. I saw a back door pass for a hoop. I saw a give and go for a hoop. We had defensive intensity on a regular basis.

Just to give you a heads up, John and I have attempted putting our best five on the floor to start the game and then go from there. However, one game we got off to a horrible start and we were down 8-0. What do you do then? You put all your eggs in the basket and you get nothing out of it. The best five isn't actually the best five players. You need role players amongst those five, that help compliment the better players. You need girls' that do the little things: making that extra pass, boxing out, rebounding etc. Let me know if you have any questions...

Thanks,
Casey

Hi Casey,

I just don't see the passion you claim to have about developing the girls. I think your communication style doesn't suit you well for coaching and I implore you to take a look in the mirror and try to understand what you could have done better last year and this year. That would be leadership.

Katie

Katie,

I don't think that you know me well enough to question my passion for coaching, I've been doing it for several years (six in the Edina program) and I work hard to teach and develop all the girls that I have. There is a strategy behind the things that I do and I'm sorry that you don't see that, however I am here to work with the players and would get no where if I aimed to keep all of the parents happy. I would also ask that you focus only on this year, I didn't coach your daughter last year and I don't feel that season has anything to do with our current team. To me, leadership isn't defined by the number of wins at the end of the season, it's defined by working hard to get everyone to play to the best of their ability.

Side note: the girls ended up winning today, but I thought they put forth a better effort in both games (against better competition) yesterday than they did today.

Thanks again,
Casey

SBG

Meet Athlete-Student...Greg Paulus

The Minnesota Golden Gophers open up their football schedule with an away game at Syracuse this Saturday. Syracuse's quarterback is Super Senior Greg Paulus...actually, on Syracuse's team website they point out that Greg's class is "Graduate". A quick recap on how this doesn't make any sense to me how he can play...

* You played and used up all four years of eligibility at Duke while playing basketball. You were never red-shirted or injured in any of those years to gain an additional year of eligibility.

* If you had some ambition to play football in college, why didn't you factor that into your original choice of school. Why didn't you maybe go to a lesser school athletically where you could realistically play both sports?

* Your playing time diminished during your upperclassmen years at Duke. Why didn't you approach Coach K about playing both basketball and football at Duke during your last year or two? It's not as if Duke's football team is anything to write home about. They would've gladly taken you on.

* Your basketball career fizzles with no legitimate opportunities to make bank in the United States.

* You are invited to the Green Bay Packers (need I remind you that this a professional team) for a tryout, but you don't impress them enough for them to sign you to a contract.

* The NCAA grants you an extra fifth year of eligibility. Plus, you don't even have to sit out a year which almost all Division I athletes have to abide by no matter the reason behind the transfer.

* If you disliked the Brett Favre drama, this is no different...except of course it's on the collegiate level and doesn't get the ridiculous, every day coverage of ESPN. A one year solution at the most important position on the field. All of Syracuse's quarterbacks last year, either left the program or had to change positions. All incoming quarterback recruits that probably signed with Syracuse because of instant playing time (they've had one of the worse 5-6 year stretches in Division 1 football) either have to waste a year on the bench or are being redshirted.

Go Gophers!!

SBG

One Shining Moment(s) Volume 3

Another edition of some flashbacks for you Minnesota sports fans...

Ernest Nzigamasabo: You were highly entertaining. It wasn't what you did on the basketball floor though, it was the urging (by my dad and I) of Grandpa O'Rourke to pronounce your name after he downed a scotch or two. I never heard a name pronounced a hundred different ways (until I started listening to Bert Blyleven call Twins baseball games). He had such difficulty remembering your last name correctly that he would then screw up your first name by calling you Eddie or Eric. I guess you had to be there.

Rick Reed: The Rick Reed deadline deal was the first "contender" deal we made where we were the actual contender in the trade for the "win now" effect since the early 1990's. However, that trade never really panned out as planned. I guess that's what you get for trading for a scab.

Esera Tuaolo: I always wondered if the failed ESPN series "The Playmakers" (you know you watched it...it was at ESPN's climax) had Esera in mind as the influence on the gay character. I'm not aware of too many professional football players coming out publicly. Of course when you sing the National Anthem in a high-pitched soprano voice...people will start to wonder.

Charles Shackleford: Even the ten die-hard Timberwolves fans may not remember the original "Shack's" brief tenure here. He worked the media better than Shaquille, for example this great quote during his NC State days: "I can shoot with my left hand, I can shoot with my right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious."

Chris Darkins: I don't know about you, but I love football players that wear the visor on their helmet. Name me someone you absolutley hate that plays or has played football collegiate or professional that wore a visor. I bet you can't do it...even Dan McGwire pulled off the visor act, and looked cool doing it.

Lindsay Whalen: She is single-handedly responsible for the only legitimate Final Four banner that the University of Minnesota can hoist up to the rafters in the Barn. Many didn't follow this season as closely as I did. But, she came back from a wrist injury just in time for the Big Dance her senior year. From there, she brought women's basketball madness to the Twin Cities. Yet, she became so popular nationally by the Final Four run that the Lynx had no shot at her in the draft. Imagine that...the Lynx actually had a good enough record the previous year not to be able to have a high enough draft pick to select the savior of this town for women's basketball. It's called the Minnesota Lynx curse around these parts.

Juan Berenguer: I received my first and only "major league" baseball from him when he flipped it up to my dad by the bullpen after the Twins secured a win. I also wanted to bring up how he has started an ongoing tradition in Twins baseball. The Overweight Latino Call to the Bullpen Presents: Juan Berenguer, Rich Garces, Eddie Guardado, Dennys Reyes and Jose Mirajes.

Chad May: I'm so tired of some of the Vikings fans' thinking that John David Booty is ready to take over the reigns. What possible signs have you seen from him? Obviously, Tarvaris wasn't ready and he's looked leaps and bounds better in pre-season than Booty...it's because Booty is white, right...? Well, Chad May had a stellar college career, much like John David Booty as well as hundreds of other white successful quarterbacks that just don't materialize into the pro game.

SBG

Tubby Time

Tubby Smith is loved so much in Minnesota...that we dread when every off-season comes along. We can't stand the rumblings and rumors that he may be leaving our revived and beloved program for the following:
1. more money,
2. better facilities,
3. better recruiting base,
4. better weather
5. more money or
6. a simply more prominent basketball school not named Kentucky.

Yet, Tubby has stayed the course with us and we can't be more excited.

However, Tubby and company have a difficult decision to make with new recruit Trevor Mbakwe. Trevor is accused of an assault charge to a woman down in Miami. Latest developments on this case have Trevor's lawyer trying to delay the trial until after the upcoming basketball season. The lawyer's reasoning is because all of his witnesses (Trevor's teammates from Miami Dade Community College) will be all over the country playing basketball with different teams if the trial dates stay as originally planned.

From an outsider's perspective/opinion on what the school and program should do (that doesn't have any details, other than what the newspapers have printed)...I would suspend him from all athletic activities until there is a resolution in the courtroom. He can attend classes, and he can even keep his scholarship (up until the ruling, if not favorable). The school and the program need to make a statement on the standards of this program that is now the focal point of the University...which is all because of Tubby Smith.

Now if Dan Monson was still the coach...my opinion might have changed drastically on this matter...but I have faith in Tubby to move forward regardless of who is on the roster.

Another random note...Gophers website did a Q&A with Trevor
http://www.gopherhole.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=927 ... his guilty pleasure is watching Law & Order...the irony is hilarious.

SBG

You're Off The Mark

The quote below is from Mark Schlereth on the Favre signing with the Vikings:

"That book was integrity and ethics. That's what that book was, and we're going to throw it away. And we're going to sell our soul for what we think is a championship," Schlereth said on the air. "And let me tell you: … You show me the last time that any NFL franchise was one player away from winning a championship. They just needed that one player. I'm gonna tell you something. That doesn't work. That may sound good in theory, but in practicum that doesn't work. And I guarantee it's not going to work in this situation."

Mark...let me brief you on some items you are clearly missing, because it appears that you haven't been following the Vikings lately or ever for that matter:

1. First off, you bring up "integrity and ethics" and something called a "book"...wasn't this "book" burned and/or at least singed a bit by acquiring Jared Allen (a two-time DUI offender at the time)...or how bout drafting Percy Harvin smoking grass and failing a drug test right before the NFL combine that determined his fate and future. Let me guess...you didn't have anything to say publicly at this time about those acquisitions.

2. "And we're going to sell our soul..." You're damn right we would sell our soul...we'd probably even give up our NBA team too along with our soul. The Vikings have lost four Super Bowls. However, the pinnacle of our failure came when we choked against the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game during the 1998 campaign. We had the best damn team in the league and nothing to show for it. We would've dismantled your Broncos in the Super Bowl...along with one your knees for good measure.

3. So no team is ever one player away from winning a championship? This does happen occasionally. As Howard Bryant pointed out on an article on espn.com http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4409317...Deion Sanders has done it twice with two different teams (49ers and Cowboys). Also, he points out the irony of Terrell Davis landing in Broncoland which helped Denver catapult for back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1998 & 1999.

Couple random rants that are semi-related to the above quotes...

Why don't these former players turned "TV analysts" just cover their own positions or same and/or similar positions. So the content of what Mark Schlereth should be commenting on would be the offensive and defensive line. I don't care what Mark thinks of Brett Favre or Ochocinco...it's irrelevant, because it's not factual or based on anything fact worthy. I'd rather hear what Trent Dilfer has to say about Brett...ok, I'm lying...but, at least it would be more believable.

Favre's best part in the introductory press conference with his newest team...he had a question directed towards how his legacy will be perceived now with the latest comeback attempt. His response, "First off, it's MY legacy..."

SBG

"Dude looks likes a lady..."

My wife came across an article on an 800 meter word class "woman" sprinter/runner from South Africa. The "golden girl" is being investigated on what gender she truly is beneath the spandex uniform. Considering watching "little" (I use this term ironically, because it really wasn't little) Visanthe Shiancoe pop onto our television screens during a locker room interview, I figured this wouldn't be that hard to hash out with a simple eye test to decide if this runner was a male or female. But, as I was thinking about some of my favorite local teams...a lot of these athletes have attributes that fit the opposite sex more than their own sex:


1. R(h)on(da) Gardenhire - Does your face really have to turn red like an embarrassed school girl during every game in the dugout? I know you have to wear a uniform and all, but it's not like you're doing anything to cause that much blood to flow to your cranium.

2. Mike(ah) Miller - You bug me on so many visual levels: the hair, the prancing around (even though you were supposed to be the #3 scorer for us), the nice small talk you have with the refs during games and of course your mouthguard.

3. Brett(a) Favre - The waffling back and forth drives me nuts (don't get me wrong, I love having him on the Vikes). Women do this all the time though, and the funny thing is...they are never satisfied with what they decided on...Brett(a) will probably also regret his latest comeback at some point in his life.

SBG

I'm not a fan of Brendan Harris

I don't care for Brendan Harris. He irks me for the following reasons:

1. Speed up your routine at the plate. Do you really need to Chuck Knoblauch me to death during every at-bat? You're not a good enough hitter to get away with that. We go to the ballpark/watch TV to watch Mauer and Morneau...not a Brendan Harris lamaze breathing routine between every pitch of your at-bat.

2. I've played fastpitch softball with 60 year-olds that turn a quicker and better double play ball at 2nd base than you. What is your dilemma? It's your stinking footwork...how else can you explain Casilla, Tolbert, Casilla, Punto, Tolbert and Casilla getting playing time over you at 2nd base, while all are batting below .200 while playing that position.

3. You were packaged with Delmon Young.

4. Explain your career to me...seven teams in eight years in the big leagues. The weird part is that you break in with Montreal. Next stop is the Cubs. You go back to Washington (which was the formerly the Montreal Expos). Then you go to the Reds. Then you manage to go back to Washington (which once again used to be the Montreal Expos club). We always kid that Gardy has some secret relationship with Nick Punto...what the hell did you have going on with Montreal/Washington?

5. Naive local fans crave for you...but, everyone knows that your nothing but a career utility infielder...that can't play 2nd base.

SBG

SBG's "Jottings/Little Birdie says..." 8/4/09

I really hope Horatio Caine and the rest of CSI Miami can somehow get Trevor Mbakwe off this assaut charge down there...

Tarvaris Jackson gets hurt. Shawn Bradley gets dunked on. I get drunk and watch sports. This is not exactly news...it's just stating the obvious.

Myron Medcalf...who blogs about the Gopher's hoops squad on Star Tribune, may be the worst blogger out there. In fact, he inspired me to start my blog. You can either thank him or curse him at your leisure.

Does the press (I use that term loosely) really need to Twitter the result of every pass play that Sage throws during Training Camp down in Mankato? I don't think Twitter was invented to keep us posted on Sage Rosenfels...just my opinion.

Wolves, Rockets and Cavaliers get fined for leaking the upcoming schedule too early. Really, David Stern...? You're not the NFL...your league doesn't generate interest about your stupid upcoming schedule. It's six month's long and we only get to see the stars of the Eastern Conference once on our home court. Big deal. Why don't you just take some 1st round draft picks away from us while you're at it?

Here comes the annual Minnesota Lynx collapse this year that pushes them out of the playoff picture.

Remember when Tim Brewster agreed to less money so he could get "top" assistants with the money leftover? I initially thought this was a great idea, but does this mean he can forever avoid job scrutiny if all he does is hire and fire new assistants based on his team's struggles year in and year out?

Tubby Smith had a Father/Son (overnight) Basketball Camp this past weekend. We heard Don and Dan Monson were at the camp to learn the basic concepts of basketball.

Another reason to hate Ray Edwards: He is a runway model. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12986317 Do all of us a favor and go AWOL during camp like Dimitrius Underwood. We don't need you...I'd rather have Brian Robison in at defensive end anyways.

Minnesota Wild will not make the playoffs next year.

SBG

Why so Chilly Minnesota?

Whatever happened to "Minnesota Nice"? Brad Childress seems to be the most hated man in this state since Norm Green moved the North Stars. Why does the Vikings faithful hate him so much? I've been pondering this for awhile...and just to let you know...I coach middle-school basketball...so in a sense, in my own mind I'm in the coaching fraternity...so these coaches...as Sid would say, "are my close personal friends". I will try to justify some of the complaints I often see and read that iritate fans.

1. He's neglected the quarterback position. Agreed. He hasn't made an upgrade since he's been here, however the defense has gotten a whole lot of his attention and has been progressively better every year (even after Tomlin left). Do people remember the Vikings under Mike Tice and Denny Green? There were numerous games where playing on the road was an automatic loss, no matter where we were playing. There were plenty of Sundays' where the team simply didn't show up under Tice and Green. How many games in Childress' tenure have we been blown out in...the only one that I recall was at Green Bay during Adrian Peterson's rookie year (I remember that game because he left with an injury, on a borderline cheap hit).

2. He's arrogant and stubborn. Agreed. He's arrogant and stubborn...and probably didn't get off on the best foot with the media and fans during the first year or two. But, this coach was also hired to clean up the image of the Vikings right after Tice was let go. We (the Vikings) were the equivalent of the Cincinnati Bengals (if not, a leg up) in off-field issues during much of Tice's tenure. (Love Boat, Randy Moss in general, Snowmobile charity event/that turned into rape allegation, etc)

3. His playbook/play calling is vanilla and boring. Playbooks and play calling mean very little, unless you have the players to execute the plays. Perfect example is Brian Billick. Brian Billick wasn't fielding head coaching job offers until after the Vikings had Randy Moss scoring touchdown after touchdown. Billick then became an offensive genious...? How did that translate over to Baltimore? He won a Super Bowl, despite a well below-average offense. In fact, when teams don't have a good quarterback they often pick up their morale by saying, "hey, Trent Dilfer (Billick's quarterback) won a Super Bowl!" Billick was such an offensive genious, that he wasn't able to build an offense for nearly 10 years in Baltimore...resulting in Baltimore canning a coach that won a Super Bowl for them.

4. Mike Tice did a lot more with a lot less help from the owner. I hate this argument. First this is more of a front office debate, rather than who the head coach was at the time, but if we were comparing head coaches, then...: Is it Childress' fault that Red McCombs was tight with his money and Zygi Wilf isn't? How does this fall on Childress? And how do we know Mike Tice would succeed with more payroll added to the team? Would we sign more Denard Walkers'? And wouldn't you say that the Vikings under Childress have spent their money wisely, not lavishly on solid free agents additions (with the exception of Thomas Tapeh).

5. He's bald, he has a porn mustache and hides behind a Perkins menu during games. I can't defend him anymore...we should run him out of town.

SBG

Career Day!

I've decided to play Guidance Counselor for some of the athletes in the Minnesota sports scene...because quite frankly, for some of you...your playing days will be coming to an end quickly...And it's always good to have a back-up plan, especially in this economy.

Nick Punto - Marriage Counselor - No matter what position you play: 2nd, Shortstop, 3B or on the bench...you're always on the mound with Rick Anderson while he is conversing with the pitcher and catcher during a crucial situation. This has served as your internship for rough patches in relationships.

Percy Harvin - City Worker - As long as you can pass the initial drug screen (which wouldn't happen)...you would fit in nicely with this organization. The Government loves worthless people that don't show up to work on a regular basis.

Carlos Gomez - Dance Instructor - I've never seen a more over dramatic crow hop in all of baseball. It's really ugly on the baseball field, but could get rave reviews in the artsy world of dance.

Corey Brewer - Actor - If you were posing as a child in those Feed the Children of Africa ads...I would be donating money towards that cause in a heartbeat. Your legs are freakishly skinny...I get all squirmy just thinking about how easy those could shatter in the wind.

Ray Edwards - Boxing Promoter/Politician - You somehow get publicity even though you suck. You say the most ridiculous comments and make outrageous predictions (for example: "I'll break the single season sack record" or "I'd rather have T-Jack than Favre"). You never deliver on anything...and why people waste their time on you is beyond me...

SBG

Mr. Yuck sticker...

I love when the Twins make me stay up late on a weeknight just to torture and punish me for being a fan of the team. The Twins blew a 10 run lead in Oakland last night to lose a gut wrenching game. In order to blow off some steam, I'm taking some notes from my wife...and have created an Alphabet of Frustrations from last night's loss.

Are you kidding me with Punto batting 2nd?
Brendan Harris needs to just step in the box and hit, I'm so tired of his batting routine between every pitch.
Catcher Mike Redmond has zero chance of throwing any baserunners out.
Don't make excuses (Dick and Bert) how they are stealing off the pitcher (not the catcher), Redmond sucks.
Errant throws by Punto help keep innings alive for the A's.
Foul pop ups must be caught, Justin Morneau.
Gonzalez gives up 11 earned runs 2 and 2/3's...yet, gets a no decision. Sign me up.
Holliday goes deep twice to boost his trade value.
I thought it was difficult to hit homeruns in Oakland during night games.
Justin Morneau drives in 7 RBI's in the first three innings and then disappears for the rest of the game. Isn't this a snapshot of every year in his career. He gets his numbers early and then fades away towards the end of the year.
Keppel is not the answer to the bullpen, Mr. Bill Smith.
Luckily only a couple hundred fans in the stadium had to actually witness this sad excuse of a baseball game.
Mirajes is a poor man's Dennys Reyes. It amazes me how lefties can have no velocity or movement on their pitches and they are still in the bigs because they are simply left-handed. My son Cullen will now begin to work on his southpaw form.
No one has had success in the two-hole except Mauer, says Dick Bremer...ding, ding, ding...we have a winner...put Mauer in the two spot until someone worthy actually earns that spot? (I know Mauer wasn't starting this particular game.)
Oh my god...will someone on the stinking starting rotation emerge as our #1 pitcher. I'm so sick of how fragile the mental health of all our starters are.
Punto gets rave reviews from Sean Casey and Harold Reynolds on the MLB channel after turning a double play (I go back and forth when games get this ugly)..."he is always making great plays no matter where he plays." I chuckled to myself.
Quite a trade for my new favorite GM David Kahn...I'm starting to prepare for the ultimate collapse for the Twins and trying to focus on more positive local sporting news.
R.A. Dickey needs to be used more in games such as these to switch up the pace. I know he gave up the game winning home run the night before, but Gardy and staff keep talking about how they can use him on consecutive days...this was the perfect game to insert him right after Blackburn to burn up some innings.
Stomach is turning with the lead disappearing.
Twins officially give up lead and now trail 14-13.
Ugly.
Very Ugly.
What are you thinking Gardy? Brendan Harris gets a leadoff hit in the top of the eighth...you let Redmond bat (who grounds into a double play), then you bat Mauer for Casilla with two outs and nobody on? Why not save Mauer for the ninth to bat? Or at least if you bat Mauer in the eighth...why not bat him for Redmond with a runner on?
X-rays show that Gardy has some brain farts located in his cranium.
You got to be kidding Mr. Umpire...at least you could've got into position to make a call and not stand directly behind the pitcher at home plate. I don't mind that you called him out...I complain that you weren't even in position to make a call one way or another without interference, especially when you had ample time to swing around to the other side.
Zero confidence in Delmon Young...even from teammates (Cuddyer). That's all I could think about when Cuddyer tried to score from second base on a wild pitch.

SBG

Fireman's

I'm a beer league softball player. Softball tournaments are really lame. It usually involves a lot of players that think they are better than what they truly are...along with these players are obnoxious significant others loudly cheering aimlessly at an ungodly pace. A quick fact ladies: there really isn't that much action in a softball game to be cheering at that rate. The most frustrating part though is the abundance of teams that play down a level so they can live out the glory of winning the tournament...and parlay that into a bigger tournament down the road.

The Annual Fireman's Softball Tournament however, is the absolute class of all softball tournaments in the state of Minnesota. If I had to compare it to anything for those that didn't comprehend the magnitude...I would compare it to March Madness fever. Everybody wants to be in it...however, it's such a unique event that even if you're not in it...people still want a piece of it. People will still show up as spectators just to be there and take in the surroundings around them.

This is the one weekend where I don't mind pitchers wearing hockey helmets. This is the one weekend I don't mind the softball players strutting around like their shit doesn't stink. And this is the one weekend that I can tolerate the players' significant others yelling on every play...

This tournament is just unique in so many ways. How else can you explain a whole generation of people growing up loving the home run element that adds to the game of baseball/softball...willing and wanting to play on open fields with no fences during this tournament...and they still love every minute of it.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that beer is the steady diet during the events of the weekend.

SBG

*All-Stars*

If it wasn't for baseball, I wouldn't even know what an 'asterisk' stood for. Baseball made Roger Maris the 'asterisk'. A sport based on statistics galore has lately relied on the 'asterisk' to provide some "moral fiber" (compliments to George W. Bush) to the game that has been flooded by cheaters.

To honor baseball during this year's All-Star game, I'd like to present the Minnesota Twins Asterisk* All-Stars (they might have not cheated, but they didn't deserve to be there):

* Ron Coomer 1999- You were so important to us in 1999 that the Twins just let you walk after the season. What position did you even play during that year to earn a bid? 1B? 3B? DH?

* Matt Lawton 2000- You didn't deserve to be an All-Star. However, what I do like is that in the year 2000 (I just had a Conan O'Brien moment "in the year 2000") in the heart of the steroid era...the Twins send a light hitting corner outfielder as their All-Star.

* Joe Mays 2001- You probably were deserving at the time based on your stats for the first half of 2001. Yet, usually All-Star berths are made a year later when you were supposed to. You were lucky, you went downhill fast once you started having arm issues in 2002.

Did You Know...?? Kent Hrbek only made the All-Star game once in his career. And the year that he made it was in 1982. I'm not trying to be a homer here...but that blows my mind. Look at Hrbek's stats throughout his career and keep in mind he was one of the best fielding first basemen during his time (even though Mattingly stole all the gold gloves). I also was under the assumption that Hrbek missed a lot of time due to injuries. I was wrong...in fact, Mattingly had more time missed due to injuries based on his career statistics year by year. On top of all that, Hrbek and the Twins won two World Series (1987 & 1991). How many did Mattingly and the Yankees win during his playing career...0!

SBG

Williams' Wall Should Crumble...

The NFL may be unpredictable from year to year on the field...but, when they are in the courtroom it's inevitable that the NFL will trump anything and anyone that stands in it's way. Especially, when everything is based upon a collective bargaining agreement that the players union agreed to.

I'm not quite sure how Kevin and Pat Williams think they can wiggle out of this without getting at least two games, if not the standard four games eventually. I understand losing the game checks is a significant amount of their salary. However, they could do themselves and the team even more harm by missing crucial games down the stretch, which could include playoff games.

My personal opinion (a fan's request) is to cave in and sit the first four games of the season. Browns, Lions, 49ers and Packers would be the games that you would miss. On paper, it looks as if this doesn't seem too daunting of a task to escape this stretch of four games with a 2-2 record, and possibly even better.

Plus, maybe we could add to Brett Favre's folklore by having him beat his old team shorthanded.

SBG

All-Metrodome Patch Team

You ever have a conversation with someone, anyone these days...and it always veers off to how bad the economy is...I find it really annoying even though it's true. The Minnesota Twins have operated like they've endured a "bad economy" throughout their whole existence of the franchise. To honor them and the Metrodome's last year of hosting the Twins, I have come up with an All-Metrodome Patch Team. This pays tribute to all the players they've signed on the cheap in the off-season (or during the season) to patch up their ballclub in one shape or form.

C: Pat Borders - His play resembles Mike Redmond, which means he never really plays, or if he does play he has no impact on the game whatsoever. But, Dick Bremer loved to bring up his MVP of the World Series accomplishment.

1B: Orlando Merced - Remember it took the Twins a gazillion years for someone (Morneau) to finally hit at least 30 home runs in a season. Go through some of the names we stuck at "power positions" such as 1st base/3rd base/corner outfielders...you'll see why it took us so long.

2B: Bret Boone - Remember when you sported the t-shirt "Chicks Dig the Long Ball". I would've just been happy (and probably the chicks too) with a few singles here and there from you.

SS: Jose Offerman - We actually signed you as a pinch-hitter, which wasn't a bad move...however, I think it's more comical to put you at shortstop considering your fielding prowess during your Major League career.

3B: Tony Batista - It's pretty fitting you come over from a year of baseball in Japan with a buddha belly of your own. Nick Punto replaced you as the everyday third basemen...how would you like to live with that for the rest of your life...?

LF: Alex Cole - Rec-Specs...isn't it funny that some times you remember people by the fads/fashions of their day, not necessarily because they were memorable themselves.

CF: Otis Nixon - You resembled E.T....except, your eyes were more bloodshot than his...it must've been that cocaine.

RF: Roberto Kelly - Very solid player in his day...however, the Twins were about five years late on signing him during his prime.

DH: Ruben Sierra - It's pretty funny going over this list and realizing that half of these players that played under Gardenhire didn't get along with him...thus, they were released or traded. I thought you were a players' manager, Gardy?

SP: Bob Tewksbury - No way!...Twins add a veteran pitcher long in the tooth, who doesn't throw hard...but, he throws strikes. "He knows how to pitch" replies Gardy.

RP: Mike Jackson - You only got this spot because of great timing. I don't know if anyone heard, but Michael Jackson died...this is my sad pathetic way to pay homage to him.

SBG