Deep Thoughts on Minnesota Sports

Blog that should actually be called: In Deep Depression over Minnesota Sports

2012-01-10T10:50:00.001-08:00

Let me rant...

* I can't wait until Ralph Sampson III graduates. I've disliked other Gophers for various reasons in the past. For example: I was frustrated with Lawerence Westbrook being selfish and all, but at least he actually cared and played hard every game. But, to be honest...Tubby has created this monster himself. The no-nonsense coach that makes players "earn" minutes, didn't use this philosophy for Ralph. Nope, Ralph was locked in at starter from day one. Who cares if he's never had a legitimately good game against a big time opponent that ended up in a Gophers win. Who cares if he plays like a Nancy and has never boxed out a single defender for a potential rebound in his career. Who cares if there are more deserving options on the bench to start over Ralph. The only one that has ever benched Ralph are his own injuries. I went down to the Old Spice Classic in Orlando and I thought Tubby was benching him because of poor play (he was getting worked in all three games: DePaul, Indiana State and Dayton). I find out after coming back in town that Ralph wasn't 100%...no shit, when does he ever play like he's 100%.

* Fred Pagac...wasn't he just a dead man walking once Singletary was hired on the staff before the year even started. So, do you blame Frazier for sticking with Pagac or adding Singletary to the staff? And if the reports are true that players quit on Pagac...what does that say about Leslie's leadership?

* Rick Adelman won't live long having to start every game watching Ridnour, Johnson, Beasley, Love and Darko attempting to play basketball. I'm not crying for Rubio to start, but watching this starting five play actually makes me want my son to play hockey. No ball movement once it hits Beasley. No defense. Piss poor team rebounding, even though we apparently have the "best rebounder" in the league on the floor. Wes Johnson resembles Rodney Williams timidness and absolutley no confidence with the ball on the perimeter.

* Build a GOD DAMN football stadium for the Vikings already! How can the state fumble away at maybe losing our most identified sports team in the state? Especially, coming off the heels of: 1. The Twins success off their new dig and the business they jump started in that district. 2. The roof collapsing last winter being the MOST depressing moment in the most depressing sports year ever for Minnesota. What is the hold-up? Has a stadium deal publicly financed or not ever turned into a debbie downer deal? I can't recall one...I mean the Vikings still pack the ugly, depressing dome every Sunday...with a horseshit product and all.

* Teams/players I purposely root against because the local teams suck so far into irrelevance that they don't really matter in the big picture anymore. Miami Heat (I hate LeBron and Bosh), Alabama basketball (do they have to air every one of their games on an ESPN channel), Matt Ryan (can we drop the "Matty Ice" nickname due to his playoff record), Indiana Hoosiers basketball (Tom Crean claps too much on the sideline), Northwestern basketball (I enjoy them failing to make NCAA...it boosts my morale of Gopher program), Kentucky basketball (John Calipari and that crazed fan base will hopefully never win that imaginary title, because obviously cheating will take said title away a few years down the line after Calipari leaves the program)...

* Attempting to build a man cave in our basement. My dream list to "honor" our local teams: Timberwolves - old school logo is the shit. But, you know what else was dope?? Stanley Roberts "Thug Love" tattoo. Twins - A Nick Punto fathead would do the trick, or maybe I could just honor them by having John Olerud's fielding helmet that Morneau and Span could wear next year. Vikings - maybe a mural on the wall of water covering two-thirds of the world and then Fred Smoot covering the other third..but then have Steve Smith getting wide open in whatever Carolina state they play in. Gopher hoops - Team photo that include Royce, Trevor, Devoe, Al, Blake, Colton, Rodney, Ralph...so, sad. Gopher football - uniforms under Jim Wacker that didn't represent school colors, also the grass from Pasadena that Brewster brought in.

SBG

It's been awhile...

2011-06-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

I apologize for my lack of posting to my one reader out there, but I've been recovering from bilateral brain weakness due to all Minnesota sports sucking it up in the past two months (actually, we're going on a little over a year). Well, our high school basketball coach used to say, "things can always be better, and things can always be worse"...which gets me thinking that we should be stomping on other people, sports, fanbases that are down at this point of time:

* Ohio State football: I'm pretty much amazed that this isn't Ohio State basketball that ran into NCAA violations. I mean besides being the biggest University in all of America...why would anyone (football or basketball or general student population) in their right mind want to spend at least four years of their precious life in Columbus, Ohio? Also, how is Ohio State the biggest university in America...while Ohio University is a middle of the road mid-major school...how does that work? Anyways, I'm glad Ohio State ran into this mess...maybe we won't have to hear THE Ohio State from their once proud alum on Monday Night Football introductions.

* Penn State basketball: You lose your head coach to Navy...while most of the vacancies have already been filled with the "hot", "emerging" candidates. Good luck!

* Basketball analysts comparing and debating about LeBron in relation to Jordan: Shut up! It's ridiculous on so many levels. The only comparison between the two are that they are both black and have highlight reel dunks. But, so did Dominique Wilkins...so maybe that's a better comparison to LeBron. LeBron currently has ZERO rings. It could be argued that he's not even the best player on his own team (Wade). Would Jordan let his team collapse with a fifteen point lead with six minutes and change to go in Game 2 (or any for that matter) of the Finals?

* Houston Rockets hire Kevin McHale: How long do you think this relationship will last? I bet it'll be no more than two years and he'll be complaining about the workload and/or travel by the end of the first year. Why is he jumping back in...?? This is just random, due to his lack of work ethic (by his own admission) and performance under Glen Taylor. The only positive is the possibility of Mark Madsen being an assistant coach under McHale...therefore, he would be the first assistant coach ever to be waving a towel over his head to cheer his players on.

SBG

Early Impressions on Twins...

2011-04-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

It's hard to get too high or low on an opening series against a talented, but inexperienced Toronto team...but, here's what I took away:

* I like Blackburn and believe he'll have a bounce back year. There are two reasons I love him...he was drilled in the face with a ball and came back without a hitch, or mental lapse. I mean I'm pretty sure Scott Baker and/or Kevin Slowey would be out of the league if that had happened to them. Also, his game 163 performance against the White Sox was clutch even though the Twins ended up losing it 1-0.

* The lineup is overrated. I think it's as good as Gardy can make with what he's got on the roster. But, this lineup makes middle of the road pitchers look like All-Stars more often than not. Quick run down: Span - singles hitter, Nishi - overrated, adjusting to MLB pitching, Mauer - please drive the fucking ball, Morneau - head issues = subpar year at the plate, Young - made strides last year, but he still has crappy, impatient at-bats all the time, Cuddyer - I'm done with him, Valencia - I like this kid, except he's slow as hell on the base paths, Casilla - will he even last the year as a starter?, Kubel/Thome - good pop, but how frequent will they actually produce?

* Drew Butera is growing on me. Twins get spanked in first two games against Jays with Mauer as the catcher. Butera catches the finale of the series and Jays only score three runs compared to the 19 runs combined they scored in the first two games. Now his actual batting prowess is a different story...but, this kid handles all the pitchers on the staff well when he's behind the plate.

* Not a fan of the bullpen. I mean I think Gardy and Rick Anderson will still work miracles with what they have out there, but there is no way in hell this resembles a post-season type bullpen right now. No power arms from either side, even Capps and Nathan pitch more to contact at this stage of their careers. Unless someone emerges through the farm system or via trade I just don't see how this bullpen will not be an achilles heal all season.

* The fielding through three games looks horseshit as well. Nishioka/Casilla combo looks out of whack. The rundown attempt during the opening game was atrocious (Morneau's fault, but Nishi didn't help matters). The outfield is still slow as hell...to the point where either Young or Kubel needs to be traded just to clear up some of the unathleticism they have on their roster. I wouldn't mind trading one of those two and bringing up a youngster (Revere or Hicks) or just playing Repko in place of them. Play either the youngster or Repko in center field and move Span to one of the corner spots so I don't have to see his noodle arm limp it in on two bounces to Nishi on a gapper.

SBG

2nd Annual OBBT Review

2011-03-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

We hosted our 2nd annual bean bag tournament at our house this year. Here were the highs and lows of the tourney:

* Weather was around 25-30 degrees the whole day. We had two and a half patio heaters going out in the yard that didn't seem to warm up anything unless you were right under it.

* We rented out bleachers (about five rows high...seats 40 maximum). A lot of people seemed to make use of them throughout the day...either to stay warm (two of the heaters were out there initially) or to just to get away from the cigarette smoke.

* We didn't fucking finish the tourney. It was pitch black when we finally threw in the towel and four teams were still left: Garett/Kia, myself/my lovely wife, Dave/Carol and Brad/Laura. We divied up the pot money for what I thought was fair for each of the teams. Garett/Kia were undefeated at the point so they walked away with $300...everyone else was somewhere between $100 and $180. I mean but seriously...not only does every Minnesota sports team suck this year but our very own event has us without an actual winner of our own bean bag tournament. I felt like Bud Selig at the All Star Game debacle.

* All 32 co-ed teams showed up without a hitch. Last year was brutal...I believe we had to get two teams the morning of the tournament to cover all 32 spots.

* Raised $300 for Patrica Quale and her 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer. We toppled last year's amount $240.

* I find it odd that we're raising money for breast cancer and more than half the participants are smoking cigarettes. So we're against breast cancer, but apparently cool with lung cancer.

SBG

OBBT Selection Show

2011-03-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

PMA

2011-03-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

PMA was a motivational acronym we used at our cellar dweller football program in college. Positive Mental Attitude. I mean doesn't this sound like something that Tim Brewster would say to his troops after getting blasted week in and week out. Well, I'm going to try to put it to use here today and list some of the positives that we have going around here for our Minnesota sports scene.

* Twins infield. I'm not even really talking about Morneau either. I'm anxious to see Casilla, Valencia and Nishioka play under Gardenhire. Will Gardy have the quick hook if one or more of these guys are in a slump? Casilla has the shortest leash of them all even though he's been clutch in tight spots for this club. If you throw Morneau back in the mix...we'd be back to the good ol' days with the "League of Nations Infield" (Koskie, Guzman, Rivas and Dougie M...yes, I'm too lazy to look up to see how to spell his last name).

* Blake Hoffarber. What a shitty way to end your college career...but, I hope the The Barn recognizes and appreciates what this kid has done to help this program along. No hatred towards Al Nolen, but this kid has done it on and off the court for all four years while improving his individual game every year.

Also, what's your favorite Gopher basketball moment that wasn't tarnished by academic scandal? I mean does it get any better than a white kid that was hardly recruited by Division I schools going up to grab a 3/4 length court out of bounds pass between taller, more athletic players and then having the wherewithal to spin and shoot a floating sideways one footer jumper that goes in and beats the Hoosiers IN Indianapolis to move on to the next round of the Big Ten Tourney. *My personal story on that game...I had Big Ten Network...my dad didn't have that channel yet (lots of posturing with cable companies)...he stayed on the phone while I was depressed that we blew the game and then Blake goes Christian Laettner on us and all I could say to my dad was a whole bunch of expletives over and over. My dad was confused up until I settled down after the 3rd or 4th replay.

* Kudos to Kevin Love. I think his double-double streak is a little water-downed by playing for a 15 win team currently. However, within that streak he's had some monster games that the T'wolves actually ended up winning (30-30 game against the Knicks and a 20-20 game against the Pistons). I always liked the energy he's brought to the court, now it seems that the "energy" is being validated by this current streak.

Other than what I mentioned above...our sports suck balls right now. But, remember...we have to have PMA.

SBG

Depressing...

2011-02-18T15:49:00.000-08:00

Gopher basketball is hanging by a thread for their NCAA tourney hopes only because of their Puerto Rico performance (North Carolina and West Virginia) back in November. And to make matters worse...Big Ten Network is showing the 1997-98 Gopher team...our roster was sick. Clem played ten guys and at least three guys (for sure) could create their own shot (Jacobsen, Jackson and Lewis) all on their own. Who can do that on this years squad...maybe Chip Armelin...a guy that Tubby plays maybe a whole ten minutes per game.

* You know what separates the elite Big Ten basketball programs from the rest of the pack? The elite teams year in and year out play man to man defense and play it extremely well. Purdue, Michigan State and Wisconsin refuse to play zone. Ohio State throws an occasional zone because they only play 6-7 players in their rotation and try to stay away from foul trouble with their own guys. Most of them recruit pretty well...but, how does Wisconsin manage year in and year out when they have their infamous black point guard and four white guys playing every year. I absolutely HATE zone. There is no accountability since they are guarding space...and the rebounding and/or art of blocking out an opponent is thrown out the window. I know Tubby is playing with a short deck...but, I don't think primarily sitting in a zone all game, every game is going to do these guys any good against perimeter oriented teams they'll face the remainder of the year.

* I'm watching The Greatest Games on BTN between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Clem's offense isn't much different than Tubby's. Every time down if Bobby Jackson doesn't try to go one on three in transition, they work the the high/low game with the posts. Which gets me thinking...our guards suck. I mean they were running high/low sets with Winter and Tarver...let me repeat...Trevor Winter and Miles Tarver...and get this...they were getting good shots.

Who had the longer college basketball playing career: Sam Okey or Jess Settles?

Another nugget...Paul Grant is playing...yes, the Timberwolves 1st round draft pick. I wouldn't have drafted him based on his free throw routine. He dribbles (more like slapping at the ball like a grade school kid) 8-9 times before he shoots it. Thanks, Kevin McHale.

* How has Tubby not addressed upgrading his guard (specifically, point guard) positions through recruiting in four years? Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber were Monson recruits. Justin Cobb and Maverick Ahanmisi were pretty much late editions/leftovers (not exactly rated high) to their respective classes. Devoe Joseph was a shooting guard that was forced to run the point while he was here. It's great that we have a plethora of big men...but, good guard play is what wins you games.

* If everyone comes back...how do rotate bigs next year. You'll have: Iverson, Sampson, Mbakwe, Walker and Eliason...plus, Oto. I only bring this up because through three years...Tubby has babied Ralph Sampson III. Ralph has not progressed thus far...what happens next year when we have legitimate bigs that should be playing over him...or at least comparable minutes to him.

* How sad is it that I just wrote about "next year"...that's how depressing it is watching the Gophers lately.

SBG

The Barn: Buckeyes @ Gophers

2011-02-07T10:57:00.001-08:00

My buddy Big Head Mike scored some sweet seats for this game. He had two on press row, plus two more seats that were 17 rows up right on the half court line. I was on quasi-babysitting duties for the day, so I took my son Cullen and we took the latter of the set of two. We also had "Club Passes" that came in handy for the pre-game and halftime festivities. Here's some of the highs and lows:

* I can't confirm this, but we were walking into the Barn at about 11:45 am (tip is at 1 pm) and Big Head Mike says he saw Ralph Sampson III pulling up in his ride to park. Isn't that a little late for a player (that plays a lot by the way) to be rolling in. He probably didn't want to expend much energy since he hardly has any to begin with.

* The Barn was ready for an upset...I thought the place was electric, and although Ohio State controlled the game from start to finish there were about 4-5 moments (when the lead was only around 5-6 points) throughout the game that the Gophers could have broken through had they converted some points on the offensive side.

* Where was our so-called NBA prospects (Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe) today? By the way...I think all that talk for those two are crazy...neither even have a mid-range jumper (or can even consistently knock down free throws) in their arsenal. They are the elite athletes on our team and they were pretty much non-existent the whole day. I think that speaks volumes on where their basketball skill level sits at today.

* Gopher basketball alums in attendance: Quincy Lewis, Jamal Abu-Shamala, Kevin McHale and Trent Tucker.

* I hate Thad Matta. He's basically a clean version of John Calipari. He has mastered his way around the "one and done" rule in college basketball by simply out recruiting everyone else in EVERY class. Plus, he plays only 6-7 players in his rotation so he's living on the edge with any major injury to one of those players could hamper their preference of style of play for the rest of year. So add in that he has the BEST recruiting class every year plus he plays the least amount of people in his rotation...he is either the luckiest bastard on the face of the earth or he has some ridiculous sixth sense on the state of his program from year to year.

* Jared Sullinger is basically the Shaquille O'Neal of the college basketball world. Not based on skill, but based on the referees having no idea on how to call anything regarding to him down in the post. At the beginning they didn't blow the whistle at all concerning any plays down on the block...on either end of the floor. Then all of sudden it was full blow on every touch foul...I mean some of the "and one plays" he had were flat out ridiculous in comparison to the precedent that THE REFS themselves started at the beginning of the game.

* Lone highlights for us: Chip Armelin's dunk over Lauderdale. Student section chanting "You're a pussy" towards Sullinger after he flops and draws a foul. My son not having to go to the bathroom during the game or worse...at halftime.

* You know what's worse than our half court offensive sets...?? The under the basket out of bounds plays where we usually have to lob to Ralph or Colton out on the corner of the court (ball side). I'm not looking for an easy two on an out of bounds play every time, but how lame and lazy is that play. Plus, what is the benefit of Ralph or Colton catching it in the corner? First off, they are in a corner...a trap may come to non ball-handler forcing a turnover. Secondly, they have their back to the basket and have no intention of looking down low, much less passing it down there. Plus, they usually make that dangerous pass backwards to a guard near the top of the key just so we can start our pathetic offense...sounds GREAT to me.

SBG

Big Ten Power Poll (Hater's Edition) 1/24/11:

2011-01-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here's a look around the league on some of the players/subjects I hate the worst:

1. Bruce Weber's Orange Blazer - You either need to wear this every (or at least every home game) game or not wear this at all. Otherwise, it's just called a distraction...and the last thing your inconsistent team needs is a distraction.

2. Northwestern and NCAA talk - Dead. Wisconsin...yes, the slow paced, work the shot clock team hammered the Wildcats 78-46 on their OWN FLOOR. Only 46 points for a team for team that probably boast to future recruits that they have scored 90+ points in six games this year...but, refuse to name the opponents.

3. John Beilein's post game speeches - I was watching The Journey on the Big Ten Network last night. Michigan falls to 1-5 in conference play with the last two losses coming against Indiana and Northwestern (not exactly upper-tier teams). Afterwards...he said of Northwestern's home court advantage: "...not many teams will win here." Re-read #2 on this blog. Beilein was also preaching to his team that they can still make the NCAA tourney if they just believe. They must not be believing hard enough that they can indeed get a rebound here and there then as well?

4. Misinformed McCaffery - McCaffery was also doing a spot on The Journey and was informing us on the transition from Siena over to Iowa. He stated that coming over to Iowa was great because it's one of the ten best programs in the country. I shit my pants when he said this...Iowa is not even a top ten program in the Big Ten, much less the country. I, seriously hope one of my sons is a top flight recruit so I can hear first hand all the bullshit that comes out of these guys' mouths. I would chuckle in the corner as they spout off ridiculous exaggerations about the minimal success they have endured.

5. Colton Iverson having the ball in his hands anywhere on the court, except on the block - Oh. My. God...he was horrendous with the ball at Michigan. And he wasn't even under duress at all by any defenders. His passes were wretched (outlet and at the elbow/free throw line area). His catching was pathetic...yet, somehow he made some of the prettiest (ok not pretty, but very solid) post moves he's made all year during that game. I'm a Colton fan, but boy was that hard to watch.

6. The term "best athlete" by basketball analysts - This is the worst thing you can be called if you consider yourself a basketball player. See: Rodney Williams and Kelsey Barlow. It pretty much means you don't know how to play the game and you are only getting by on pure genetics at this point.

7. Word just broke that Nolen will need surgery on a broken foot - This sucks more than #7, but I'm too lazy to put it at number one and then change all the rest of the items to the corresponding number. I like Al. He stymies his opponents...and realistically he lets us play man to man because he dominates his matchup and we rebound a helluva lot better in man to man than we do when we're in a zone. If there is a positive in this news...it should be on the offensive side. Maverick is a capable shooter. Chip Armelin will get more time and seems to be in attack mode on offense. Austin Hollins has been invisible lately, but he'll have to step up. Blake will probably not get as many good looks now with more point guard duties, but he's always a steady player...so, it sucks on one end of the floor but may be a better long term answer for us on what we need for next year. The scary part is we'll probably be playing a zone on defense from here on out.

8. Ryne Smith - My hatred for 'Ryne' continues...he was the inbounder for JaJaun Johnson's game winner for the Penn State game. He celebrated as if he hit it himself. He models his celebratory cheers/actions after Mark "Mad Dog" Madsen, but 'Ryne' is way more annoying.

9. Thad Matta - Simply for being 20-0 while playing maybe 6.5 players at the most. They usually just roll with six players (Sullinger, Lighty, Diebler, Craft, Buford and Thomas...Lauderdale gets the honor of starting every game and then rides the bench the rest of the way) and still have not been defeated. Three guys (Diebler, Lighty & Sullinger) played all 40 minutes at Illinois. That's absurd.

10. Michigan's roster - A putrid 11 team rebounds for the whole game against Minnesota. Once again, I ask what the hell are you recruiting, Mr. John Beilein...?? This is the Big Ten...we bang it out ugly in this league...there are no pretty points for your three point shooting dandy team in this league.

SBG

Big Ten Basketball Power Poll (Hater's Edition):

2011-01-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a Power Poll on the Top Ten figures/subjects in the Big Ten that I hate the most:

1. Thad Matta - He compared his freshmen duo (Craft and Sullinger) to playing like Stockton and Malone against Penn State. OK...do you watch basketball or just recruit? First off, your playing an improved Penn State...but, in all honesty they are still Penn State. Second of all...no pick and rolls were converted by those two...that was a staple of Stockton/Malone. This is what happened the majority of the time: feed Sullinger in the post/one on one he usually scores...feed Sullinger/double team comes and he kicks it to WIDE OPEN Craft because they didn't care if he shot the ball...rather have him than Diebler, Lighty or Buford get a good look.

2. Bo Ryan - Ugly, ugly game against Illinois. There were probably about 50 fouls called. No flow...majority of points were all scored at the free throw line = win for Wisconsin. Memo to Bo Ryan: Quit complaing to the refs...if you don't like the blocking calls they are calling on your guys than you should probably stop recruiting the slow footed white guys that can't keep up with the McCamey's of the world.

3. Luka Mirkovic - Can we darken that see through protective mask so we don't have to see your face when you go berserk every time you score? This is not hockey...scoring actually happens frequently in basketball...even in the Big Ten. I can't wait until you meet Minnesota's front court.

4. Ryne Smith - He's one of those asshole three point assassins. Cocky as hell when he's on. He'll make his shot and leave his follow through up in the air as he's running back on defense/or the huddle during a TV timeout. Plus, his parents had to give him the 'Ryne' Sandberg spelling for his first name...for that alone...he'll be present on this poll for a long time.

5. Michigan's Roster - What is John Beilein doing? If you can shoot a three at a decent clip, you should ask Mr. Beilein for a scholarship. They didn't have one single REBOUND (offense or defense) in the first TEN minutes against a bad to moderately bad Indiana team. Guess what he recruited for next year...yep, two more guards. Plus, if you add in that Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims were more Tommy Amaker's recruits than his, then what has John Beilein actually done? He did not inherit a massive mess like Indiana and Iowa (twice) were when new coaches came on the scene for those programs...this is ridiculous. With all this said...they'll probably beat Minnesota this coming Saturday night.

6. Feeding the Post/Minnesota Style - I have a feeling Jared Sullinger would be just OK in a Gophers uniform, simply because for whatever reason we can't make an entry pass into the post. We have a distinct size advantage over pretty much everyone else in the league, however we can't take advantage because we can't get the ball down there. Is it the guards simply not being able to or don't want to...or the post guys not sustaining position...?? I was so excited last year during the Big Ten tourney because I thought the lights went on during that run and everything clicked that it all starts with pounding the ball inside...well, I guess not.

7. Northwestern having TWO basketball analysts on BTN - I've brought this up in other social forums. Northwestern has NEVER made the NCAA Tournament EVER. And they have Tim Doyle and Shonn Morris both working games as analysts. I'm not doubting their basketball acumen, but I just find it a tad regional and biased that they both have jobs on the Big Ten Network doing the same job(s). And not to rip on Northwestern any more (I do however have a $30 bet that they wouldn't make the NCAA tourney though...and it's looking good up to this point), but basketball has been one of the more balanced sports in the conference (unlike football)...and they still haven't done anything in their existence.

By the way, Quinn Buckner was doing the Indiana vs Michigan game on Saturday night...what happened to his career...he was ahead of Clark Kellogg at one point on CBS.

8. Tom Crean - Kind of subtle...but, I re-winded and re-winded it again...and Tom Crean is an asshole. After his FIRST Big Ten victory of the year over Michigan...he flew through the line with quick bullshit handshakes and stormed out of the arena like his shit doesn't stink. Are you serious...?? You're on rebuilding year number three and still very minimal progress has been made by your program. I'd slow your roll if I was you.

9. Michigan State's comebacks - These are getting old already...two in one week against both Wisconsin and Northwestern. I will say I saw the collapse of both, and at least there were no significant calls that normally Izzo gets just because he's Tom Izzo that altered the result of the game(s).

10. Hype on Penn State - They defended their home court well and competed and stuck with Ohio State. But, let's not get too crazy on the Penn State bandwagon...they've already got seven losses (UGLY one to Maine) and look at their remaining Big 10 schedule. They only get Indiana (already played them) and Iowa once this year on their schedule...good luck in the NIT.

SBG

The Barn: Hawkeyes @ Gophers

2011-01-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

My three year old son Cullen (not named after the stupid Vampire family...just wanted to clarify) and I attended the hoops game last night while sitting in Section 209/Row 3...here's how the night transpired:

* We had to get there early because the leg room up in the upper level is cramped (I know from experience...I had to carry Cullen out one time and he proceeded to kick two people in the head in the row in front of us on our way out.), so I wanted to get the souvenirs out of the way early and get situated at our seats. Cullen wanted another glow and the dark basketball, while I also picked up a stuffed "Goldy" for his twin sister who was supposed to originally be my date for this game.

* We got there early enough to view their intro video...I've shown this video to my son at home on the computer and I name him all the guys that are shown. For some reason, he goes crazy over still photo shot of Jim Brewer's banner. By the way, they took Devoe's part off and added another Blake.

* So MANY people hyped up Austin Hollins coming into the year as a "heady" player that "knows how to play the game" because of who his dad is/was. This statement is FALSE. Once again, an opponent has a clear breakaway for an easy two and Austin decides to waste a cheap foul and let's the guy pretty much convert an easy three point play. This is about the third time I've seen this bonehead play from him this year. If you're going to foul in that situation, that ball better not come close to getting up near the rim. And now that I've seen him live in two games...he's weak with the ball and his passing is even weaker. Plus, he's just flat out not making shots...so, if this is all true wouldn't freshman Chip Armelin be a more "heady" player that "knows how to play the game"?

* Fran McCafferey gets a technical and the student section chants "Asshole" (best chant/cheer of the game). Welcome to the Big Ten, Fran. Student section was a lot better against Iowa than they were for the Indiana...but, they still lack any creativity. "Who hates Iowa, We hate Iowa" = lame. There must be some kind of rules against any chants/cheers with any creativity.

* Cullen was craving some popcorn midway through the first half. So, we waited until halftime to run and get some...however, they were introducing basketball alumni at the break and I wish we would have been in our seats. I couldn't catch all the names, but I saw Quincy Lewis (no surprise, he works with the U of M), David Grim, one of the Stanford twins...this would've been great material for my blog that nobody reads.

* Gophers blow their 10 or 11 point halftime lead within minutes in the second half. Seriously, I always revert back to the Virginia game at the Barn this year when things start to go south. They also had a 10 point lead at halftime of that game and it evaporated in minutes due to Virginia's hot three point shooting and our lackluster offense. If Tubby Smith wasn't our coach, I'd pretty much be convinced that our players were bought off to keep the game at a certain point spread for each game. The peaks and valleys (and specifically the lengths of the valleys) of this team just doesn't make sense...especially, for a team that doesn't rely on the three ball all the time. I mean we're not Michigan or Northwestern that hoist up threes at an ungodly rate.

* How spoiled is the younger generation getting to see Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe play? I mean these guys give us 5-10 highlights a game where they are violently dunking or blocking shots. I'm not saying these plays result in wins...but, as a kid is there anything better than watching these type of plays? I mean Sam Jacobson was pretty sick, but I think these two are on a different level amongst their peers.

* Gophers manage to get a win...we walk out to our car and get in. My son asks, "Why do all the girls' smile at me?"

SBG

The Barn: Hoosiers @ Gophers

2011-01-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

My wife and I attended the Big Ten home opener between two awful 0-2 squads...here were some of the highs and lows of the night:

* 6 pm start times blow. I left work early, picked up my wife and parked at around 4:50 pm. We walked into Pagoda's (I believe...Asian cuisine nonetheless) where I shoveled my face with vegetable fried rice and slammed three beers (because no alcohol is served in The Barn)...this was a horrible idea on my part, and I knew it while I was doing it.

* We left the restaurant at around 5:40 pm...witnessed a car accident while walking to the arena, where some dumbass chick hurried to make a light only to crash into the back of another vehicle to cause a three car pile up.

* We get to our seats...and I cough/puke (the sharting of the mouth) up some mucus of chinese food/beer. Great.

* Gophers PA announcer calls Jerimiah Rivers..."Jeremy" during introduction and all throughout the game. He did this around 8-10 times and only corrected himself twice. He's the fucking son of Doc Rivers...how do you screw this up that many times?

* Al Nolen turned it on late in this game...but, there have been major stretches in the last two games where he's on the court, but not really on the court on the offensive end. He may be "running the offense" but he's pretty much dribbling side to side on the perimeter. I'm not sure if he's more hurt than he's letting on or conserving himself for later in the game. But the offense isn't good enough to have lameduck possessions where they're not getting efficient, productive possessions on offense.

* The perimeter play for the Gophers is terrible. It's a bunch of spare parts. Al can drive and dish, but not finish. Blake can shoot, but can't get open or create his own shot. Rodney is athletic as all hell, but can't shoot or dribble to create anything for himself or others. Chip Armelin looked decent and at least isn't scared with the ball in his hands (even though he didn't convert some layups). Austin looked weak with the ball. And Maverick hit two threes, but outside of that I don't know what he really brings to our team yet.

* The departure of Devoe sucks. He wasn't great...but, he was 6'3'' and had good enough handles to at least create a shot (or at least a good look at the basket) of his own. And he didn't publicly carry around a "me" attitude much like Westbrook often did. And, I don't really understand the transferring decision during the middle of his junior year on his part. Is it jealously of his brother getting major minutes at a major college while he's only a freshman? I don't know...but, I'm pretty sure Fred Hoiberg has already placed a phone call to Devoe with the Cyclones picking up other misfits such as Royce White and Chris Allen in the past year.

* Tubby bashers...meet Tom Crean. He's in year three of rebuilding and no sign of even sniffing an "expanded" (mind you) NCAA tourney invitation. Tubby has done more with less and that is still true today. Tom can recruit (see: D. Wade @ Marquette)...but, can he actually coach...because all I see is him just standing on the sidelines and clapping constantly as if he's a coaching a girls' house league team every minute of every game.

* For having one of the largest student enrollments in the country...our student section is pretty lame. I'm not saying the play on the court inspired any more cheers (besides highlight type plays by Mbakwe and Williams)...but, the originality and effort to antagonize the opponent throughout the game is a FAIL.

* Did anyone miss my great insight on the Lions-Vikings matchup in week 17? Yeah, I didn't think so.

SBG

Week 16 Recap: Vikings @ Eagles

2010-12-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

Missed the first few series of the game due to watching the Gophers basketball team letting a winnable game at Wisconsin slip out of their reach at the end. Here's my random thoughts on the Tuesday night football game:

* When the dome collapsed we had to play Monday night in Detroit. When we played the following week at TCF Bank we had a significant snowstorm. So, when Philly has a snowstorm they can push it back two days and no one has to travel to another site to the play the game? I don't mind if they push it back, but all the way to Tuesday? I don't get it. It must be some prime time TV drama between NBC and ESPN...because Fox and ESPN had no issue sharing the Monday two weeks ago.

* Joe Webb looked good. He didn't turn the ball over. He made clutch throws on third down conversions. He seems to have some pocket presence...and he's just an unbelievable athlete. I wouldn't mind going with him as our starter next year.

* Blitzing Antoine Winfield repeatedly last night was a brilliant move. It was as if I playing Madden. I always get bored playing defense so I just pick the same defensive play every time because I know the offense doesn't have an answer.

* How has Andy Reid lasted so long in Philadelphia? He's probably the longest tenured fat coach in the history of any sport. Fat coaches just don't last in any sport. Name one...they either have health issues or simply can't coach or players lose respect for them because they have a foot fetish.

* Leslie Frazier probably locked up the job with the Philadelphia road win. We have one stinking game left, thank god...but, can we please see a fake punt/field goal, surprise onside or some other outside the box plays. I don't care if the plays fail...I just want some entertainment and I think the fan base is getting tired of doing everything by the book, especially when we're playing for NOTHING.

SBG

Week 15 Recap: Bears @ Vikings (TCF Bank)

2010-12-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

Why am I still writing these...?? I should just give up on the year like the rest of the Vikings. Here are my random and not so random takes:

* You know how you know your team sucks when you're a fan...?? You start criticizing the referees on every call because your team sucks so much that you need their assistance in order for your team to still be somewhat competitive in the game.

* Madieu Williams...how did I leave you off the "The 25 Worst Vikings"...?? You are terrible. And I'm tired of this shit I hear about "safeties really don't make plays when playing in a Cover 2 scheme"...Bob Sanders of the Colts was the sole reason for their Super Bowl run a few years back. The Colts defense was terrible until he came back late in the year from an injury and helped turn their season around. Safeties don't make plays in our system because we have shitty players at that position...Darren Sharper included.

* Leslie Frazier has a rotten hand. However, his defense has been BRUTAL. I've given Leslie and his defense the benefit of the doubt in almost every game this year. But, they've been horrible lately...they play solid in the first quarter and then either give up, get man handled, and/or get out schemed during the last three quarters. That's happened in four of the most lopsided losses this year (@ Chicago, Green Bay, New York Giants, and Chicago). What's the issue? Our guys are ready to play at the start, but then falter for the rest of the game...how do you not put that on the coach?

* The Vikings new stadium shouldn't have a roof. Not even a retractable roof. They belong outside and a retractable roof just sucks balls. What current stadium with a retractable roof really still maintains a vibrant atmosphere inside? Arizona? Detroit? Indianapolis? Some of those locations have more to do with the product they put on the field...but, I just think retractable roofs blow in general.

* Favre comes back only to get drilled into the turf once again, this time he leaves the game with a concussion. Shouldn't Sterger just pursue that Favre has to PLAY behind our dreadful offensive line for the last two games as punishment? I think that will teach him.

* Joe Webb...if he plays, please roll him outside of the pocket on pass plays. Let him see the field and let him work in space instead of him simply dropping back behind our god awful offensive line.

The 25 Worst Vikings...

2010-12-20T12:15:00.000-08:00

In no particular order...here's a list of some of the worst players/coaches to represent the Minnesota Vikings in my lifetime:

1. Troy Williamson WR - It's a little dicey to even credit him as being a "receiver".
2. Spergon Wynn QB - Does is name or his play get him on this list...?? I say both
3. Doug Brien K - Missed TWO extra points in ONE game against Buffalo.
4. Fred Smoot CB - Either hurt or was getting burned by opposing WR's...Steve Smith scorching you over and over and then celebrating the "Love Boat" fiasco with a touchdown dance was pretty hilarious (not at the time of course).
5. Les Steckel HC - You were so bad in 1984 (only one year on the job) that Bud Grant had to come out of retirement to clean your mess up.
6. Denard Walker CB - This is what you buy to shore up your starting DB backfield when you have Red McCombs' wallet to work with.
7. Dimitrius Underwood DL - You can thank your first round selection on Randy Moss lottery winner ticket from the year before. You had red flags all over, but Denny was still smokin' the Randy fumes.
8. Brock Lesnar DL - I was pining for Joe Webb to play this year, because athletic ability alone can be an advantage on the field for the sport of football...this wasn't exactly the case for Brock.
9. Wasswa Serwanga CB - We dug deep and far to fill out our roster for the defensive backfield.
10. Dwayne Rudd LB - Another player on the long list of Denny Green's "potential" picks that never panned out. After seeing his name on this list, he's probably busting out his celebratory dance that he used to do whenever he was in a camera shot of a tackle.
11. Bernard Berrian WR - A dandy indeed. I say BE GONE to B TWICE after the year is out.
12. Herschel Walker RB - Nice guy and all, but he didn't do anything for us on the field...plus, he left our cupboard bare for years to come.
13. Bob Lurtsema DL - If your nickname is "Benchwarmer Bob"...you weren't exactly stellar on the field. Even his restaurant/bar failed.
14. Qadry Ismail WR - "The Missile" was another receiver that wasn't exactly equipped with hands either, but he built a nice niche on the kickoff return game as long as he didn't fumble.
15. Erasmus James DL - Injury bug sucked away any chance of a professional football career.
16. Ryan Cook OL - He still hasn't found a position on the offensive line where he can succeed consistently at. He looks good for a game or two, then gets destroyed. This is what we got back in the Daunte Culpepper deal...so that makes it suck even worse.
17. Tarvaris Jackson QB - Not to beat a dead horse, but when Tarvaris plays I feel like it's watching a college game. He can't read defenses (pre-snap or post-snap)...hoping maybe he can scramble a little bit, but I'm just not confident that he can beat an opponent with X's and O's during a game.
18. Nafu Tahi FB - Why do the Vikings still use a fullback? He's not a threat in the pass game...you might as well just use another offensive lineman in the backfield if you sincerely need another blocker...or a tight end if you want to "trick" defenses into thinking you may pass.
19. Thomas Tapeh FB - Didn't play a down as a Viking, but did collect a check from them.
20. Karl Paymah DB - No wonder he was only allowed on the field for special teams in his prior stops...at least Frank Walker is close enough to the receivers to interfere with them if need be.
21. Donald Igwebuike K - The drug dealin' place kicker...Disney needs to make a movie on this.
22. D'wayne Bates WR - Can we please stop signing WR's off the Bears roster (Bates, M. Robinson, Berrian) ...they suck!
23. Koren Robinson WR - A drunk who had the case of the dropsies too.
24. Michael Bennett RB - A speed demon that couldn't capitalize on defensives' focusing more on our passing game (Daunte and Moss) than our running game.
25. The Metrodome - You can call it whatever you want to...but, the place sucks period. No atmosphere, no life, no elements = poor excuse for a place called "home".

SBG

Week 14 Recap: Vikings vs Giants (in Detroit)

2010-12-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Roof on the ground
Roof on the ground
An upgrade is Detroit bound...??

Here's some other insight on the pathetic performance and festivities of last night's game:

* Brett Favre's hand was purple. His right hand was also down his pants in the crotch area on several camera shots. If you had to sit through and attempt to watch that poor excuse of a game like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were forced to do...how do you not bite on a Jenn Sterger/sending dirty text message jab at Favre while he's playing with his junk on the sideline?

* Tarvaris Jackson BLOWS. Play Joe Webb. He may not be the answer, but don't let the fanbase (the ones that are still left) suffer more than we already have this year by watching T-Jack attempt to run the offense.

* We weren't going to win the game anyways...but, there were some bullshit calls. Camarillo was stood up on a punt return (one tackler had him by the legs) while another Giant special teams player came in late with a helmet to helmet hit. No call. Very next series...Bradshaw gets held up similar to Camarillo and Asher Allen gets flagged for the exact same thing that they didn't call for us (personal foul: helmet to helmet hit). Also, the block in the back call on Jasper Brinkley (where Booker would've had a kickoff return for a TD) was absurd. Similar to the gift call we got in Washington where they had a punt return for a touchdown negated.

* If Leslie Frazier is retained as the head coach...I think he needs to get rid of Bevell (offensive coordinator). I know we rolled into that game last night short handed...but, we just need some change. I still see Childress' offense at work and I don't like it. If we're going to be boring and ineffective (like last night)...let's pound the ball, burn clock and play the field position game against opponents. I'd accept that philosophy more than dinking and doinking the ball around in the pass game.

* Bernard Berrian has surpassed Ray Edwards on the "Vikings player that I hate the most award". What a pile of shit...I can't wait until he can rot on somebody else's dime and time and then blame everyone not named Bernard or B-Twice for his poor performance.

SBG

Basketcase Diary: Negative Edition (12/7/10)

2010-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Basketball drives me nuts...even if the expectations for a given team are really "Basement Brewster" level low...I still end up cussing at the television due to frustration. I hate turnovers. I can't stand having no flow/movement on the offensive end (with or without the ball). I hate when my team misses FREE throws. I hate lazy defense. I hate refs that call an inconsistent game. Or refs getting bullied by the veteran coaches of the league (cough...Izzo). So, this will be a forum for my rants that occur on the hardwood floor for both the Timberwolves and Gophers...here we go:

* Sebastian Telfair - How has this guy lasted seven plus years in the league? He is diminutive. He has no explosion/first step to his game (which means he can't get to the rim). When he tries to get to the rim...he doesn't finish. He can't D anyone up. He is HORRIBLE at the free throw line (74%)...that's a big man type percentage. My favorite part is where he'll miss both free throws and then come down on the very next possession and chuck up a three within the first ten seconds of the shot clock. Who is your favorite "peaked way too early and obviously doesn't have as much game as what SI wrote about years ago during their adolescent years as an athlete"...Sebastion Telfair or Felipe Lopez...I'll go with the latter.

* Devoe Joseph - He just got back in the mix...but, what's up with this guy struggling so mightily during the early going? He really didn't come on until the Big Ten Tourney last year...he played well during that 4 game stretch. Are we expecting too much from him from such a small sample size last year...and was that just a mirage (4 games is hardly a trend)...or will he be the real deal like so many of us just assumed he'd be coming into this year...??

* Free throw shooting - Atrocious. It's been so bad for the Gophers at the line that I miss the ever so selfish/unlikeable, Lawrence Westbrook. He would at least hit clutch free throws. Currently, we have TWO guys making free throws above a 67% clip (Blake and Maverick...two guys that barely get to the line anyways...and even Blake has missed some crucial free throws). And, it was crappy last year too (just not at this pace)...I mean it's so bad I would turn this into an opportunity to help raise money towards a new practice facility...make players make free throws during games...have fans contribute based on free throws made during games/or have them donate a sum of their choice if the team hits a certain percentage (example 80%) for each game. Plus, our program benefits by winning more games if we make more free throws...I mean this is probably the easiest fix to improve your team...plus, you have tangible evidence for Tubby that you are trying to work with him.

* Blake's perimeter defense - I love Blake's game. However, when mediocre teams/players are bombing three's on you at a ridiculous pace while you're playing straight up man to man defense...and then the coach has to go to a 2-3 zone so you're not overexposed (which is really ridiculous considering zones force teams to shoot from the perimeter) on the defensive end...pretty much sums up that you suck balls at playing any type of defense.

* Love's interior defense - Kevin Love is putting up gaudy offensive numbers. However, he is getting destroyed on the other end of the court. When he was teamed up with Al Jefferson...I gave Kevin the benefit of the doubt, because Al sucks at defense and I thought Kevin was at times overcompensating for Al's suckiness on D. I was wrong. Darko was out due to injury and Amare Stoudemire KILLED Love. Probably not the best match up for Kevin...but, I don't think it really matters anymore who the opponent is across from him.

SBG

Week 13 Recap: Bills @ Vikings

2010-12-05T14:05:00.000-08:00

Vikings dominate the Bills and quarterback Fitzpatrick as Leslie Frazier improves his head coaching record in the NFL to 2-0. As always here are my random observations of the game:

* A Joe Webb sighting is made in week 13 as a kickoff returner (in place of Percy Harvin). I was crying for this about 10 weeks earlier (before Randy Moss trade). I'm not sure if he'll pan out as a player in general at either position (quarterback or receiver), but the guy has physical abilities that no one else has. And if there's a sport that you can get by with raw athletic ability alone...it's football. Let him play.

* Favre gets hurt on first series...on a play where he throws an interception of course. Am I the only one that number 1...doesn't care...and number 2...thinks that maybe he was milking the injury based on the end result of the play (the interception)...and number 3...how can his consecutive game streak still go forward when only playing the first few snaps. If that's the case shouldn't Morten Anderson, Gary Anderson or some other kicker plead their case of longevity against Favre's...???

* Bills suck. But with that said, how about Leslie Frazier winning big (38-14) without Harvin or Hutchinson this week. Plus, you lose your starting quarterback in the first series. Then your backup quarterback throws a pick six to put your team in a 7-0 hole early in the first quarter. Like I said...Bills suck, but maybe we still need to direct some applause for Leslie Frazier and staff.

* Jackson made some great throws today, however I think he permanently placed himself as a backup for the rest of career with his erratic play during the duration of the game. He had three interceptions...two of them were ugly, bad decisions (first and last picks)...the second one he threw, he could have easily just ran for 4 or more yards to convert on the 3rd and 4...instead he threw behind Camarillo and became a victim of the tipped interception. He is not the answer at quarterback...this year or next year.

* Jared Allen finally played a complete game for the first time this year. Timberwolves used to have a reserve guard named James "Hollywood" Robinson. Flip only played him in garbage time when we were on the wrong end of the scoreboard. He dominated in these situations...scored bunch of points. Jared seems to have a similar trait...except he needs the Vikings to have a big lead in order for him to be a consistent force on the defensive end. That hasn't happened much at all for us...having just a lead or being tied is difficult enough...thus, Jared has had a down year.

* Welcome back Sidney Rice. It doesn't matter who our coach or quarterback is next year...Sidney Rice's contract needs to be extended. After watching numerous years of lousy to mediocre to above mediocre play...not many receivers have a knack for attacking the ball in a jump ball situation. Sidney Rice again proved that fact today by going after a T-Jack thrown ball and wrestling it away from one defender knowing that the safety was coming over to make a hit as well. See, I thought Favre made Rice last year...he obviously helped the development...but, I just think he's a keeper. Even if he can't blow past anyone with his speed.

SBG

Week 12 Recap: Vikings @ Redskins

2010-11-28T16:06:00.001-08:00

The Leslie Frazier era is upon us...here are my random observations from the game:

* Nothing says your team has no chance at the post season more than your cable provider (Direct TV) wanting you to air the Packers/Falcons (was being played at the same time of Vikings/Redskins game) based on the channel/guide information.

* Anyone else notice Ray Edwards get hurt late in the first half...and then the pass rush picked up without him in the 2nd half while Brian Robison was in the mix? Maybe some other 2nd half adjustments helped, but maybe not.

* Asher Allen looked serviceable today...it seemed like Leslie helped out a lot by mixing in multiple blitzes and dropping a variety of linebackers and defensive lineman in coverage to change things up. Of course, Washington has absolutely zero play makers though...but, anything is an improvement in play for Allen.

* I want Leslie Frazier to win the head coaching job. Most people bring up Dungy and Tomlin winning Super Bowls as head coaches and both being defensive coordinators previously with the Vikings...but, I just love his demeanor on the sidelines. Everything seems to be in control...even if it's not.

* Is Favre just punishing the Vikings fan base...are you kidding me that he runs for a first down on a 3rd and 8 play (to secure the win) on a team that has virtually no playoff aspirations? Yet, he decides to throw against his body, into coverage instead of gaining a few yards (for a potential game winning field goal attempt) during the NFC Championship game...what the FUCK...???

* How do you explain the block in the back gift call that we received on Banks' punt return for a TD (that would've put Washington ahead 20-17)? It was an illegal block, but I can't believe that they actually had the balls to call it. I just have a feeling that if Childress was still our coach that this would be a convenient "no call" for the refs.

* McNabb won't be with Washington next year. They were showing some of the dialouges that he had with Shanahan's kid (offensive coordinator) between possessions...and it was ugly, almost as if McNabb has already checked out for the year. I mean if the Vikings weren't such a great sideshow week in and week out for the NFL, Washington would be Ed Werder's temporary home during the NFL season.

* Good win for the Vikes...and congratulations to Leslie Frazier.

SBG

Week 11 Recap: Packers @ Vikings

2010-11-21T12:25:00.001-08:00

Packer week had as much buzz as Lion week. Here is a sobering look on what I witnessed in another pathetic week of football (I'm so happy Gopher basketball is in the mix now):

* Clay Matthews gets a weak sack tallied on the opening series (where Favre rolls out and slides right before the sideline). I don't get this play by Favre. He's out of the pocket so he could of just easily thrown the ball away or just take an extra two strides to get out of bounds. Is he concerned about his stat line and/or QB rating by throwing an incomplete pass?

* I didn't fucking start Greg Jennings on my fantasy team. Opted for Fitzgerald and Maclin instead. This game sucked on so many levels.

* Misspelling Kevin Williams (spelled: Willaims) on his jersey....when they have three Williams' on the team. If there is one they could of gotten away with they should have misspelled Madieu's since no one would be able to read it cleanly due to him running circles when getting juked out by opposing wide receivers.

* Ray Edwards had two sacks. But, my favorite part of his game today was him bitching out Cook and Allen (the two corners getting toasted the whole game). I'm not a big Ray Edwards fan, in fact I hate him...but, that was the most life I've seen out of the defense in about three weeks.

* Sidney Rice made his return today. I seriously blame him heavily for how this whole season unraveled. I know there's plenty of other scapegoats for this team's poor performance...but, this guy could have had hip surgery in the off season like it was suggested by two or three specialists. He neglected that information, then decided to do it after all at the start of the season. So we trade Sapp (could of used a corner the way Allen and Cook are playing) to Miami for Camarillo to get receiver depth. We then fail miserably on the Moss deal, while also giving up a 3rd rounder to New England. He then pushes back his return date a couple more weeks when we were still on the outside fringe of the playoff picture...thus, we get eliminated from the playoffs before Thanksgiving.

* No holding calls on Green Bay (offense and defensive...cough Woodson). I just find that hard to believe...just saying.

SBG

Week 10 Recap: Vikings @ Bears

2010-11-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

Bears suck, but Vikings suck worse...here's a recap:

* What a bitch move by Bernard Berrian declaring he can't play at the last minute, thus wasting a roster spot that could have been used to help our special teams (who played like shit). Just add it on the pile of selfish moves made by players on this roster. Brett Favre misses camp and has to be begged by three teammates. Sidney Rice elects for surgery during the start of the season (instead of the off season, this happened in the NFC Championship Game LAST YEAR). Randy Moss being Randy Moss. Anonymous players go to Chicago's press to air out dirty laundry on Childress and the locker room situation. The "culture of accountability" is out the window.

* Adrian Peterson was ineffective. I'm not sure if he's nursing an injury, but I've never seen him look that slow and upright while running the ball since he's been a Viking. Even his bad runs can some times be entertaining, but he just looked out of it.

* I can't put my hands around how to evaluate this defense. Obviously Lito, Cook, Allen (when healthy) and the safeties are targeted via pass by the opposing offenses. Our defensive line is generating no rush, thus we blitz...but, our blitzes are even getting picked up (rather easily I might say) so then we're man-to-man on the back end which is a horrible situation if you go back to where they (opposing offense) pick on every person in the secondary, not named Winfield. How do you have Jared Allen and Kevin Williams (who both demand double teams occasionally) and not generate a PASS RUSH??

* On Hester's TD, Ray Edwards fell down while back-pedaling in coverage. He would've at least been there for the tackle, maybe even a possible interception (I doubt it, but I like to exaggerate). Speaking of Ray Edwards...you need to give Chilly and management some props for not signing this guy to an extension. He wanted the bank based on one stinking performance against Dallas in the playoffs. He hasn't done anything since. He blows.

* Just thinking back to last year, I thought we were squared away (balance and depth) at every position (outside of a long term answer at quarterback) for the 2010 draft. Now, fast forward to this year...I don't think we have enough picks to accomodate all our needs. I think we still have a great base of talent, but the depth I thought we had last year is not there...or, at least it needs to be re-evaluated. Corner, safety, quarterback, offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver...all need help. I think the running back and linebacker core is strong, but depending on injuries and who leaves via free agency (maybe Greenway)...those might even need a bolster.

* In a drunken temper tantrum because of the outcome of the game, I broke my son's toy basketball hoop. Don't judge me...it was a piece of crap anyways...and we needed an upgrade any ways. How do you convince your kid to play basketball over hockey when the rim falls off after every five shots...?? Pretty soon he's going to think that's part of the game.

SBG

Week 9 Recap: Cardinals @ Vikings

2010-11-08T10:43:00.001-08:00

Wow...the roller coaster of emotions through a three hour football game the week is off the charts. It was another lousy executed game on many fronts for the Vikings, but they somehow find the magic from 2009 season to pull off an extremely important win for Brad Childress and their own playoff chances. Here are my drunken observations:

* Greg Camarillo. Brilliant. Awesome hustle play to strip the ball (from the defender just before he crosses the goal line). If that play ends up being a pick six...negativity sets in early on the drunkards at the game and it might go down in flames quickly. Also, how about Camarillo getting some good chunks of yards on the punt return game...and he also chipped in with some big catches. We're finally seeing dividends in week 9 (better late than never, I guess) on the Benny Sapp deal.

* Is Kenny Albert the ugliest play-by-play man you've ever seen? I think so.

* Bernard Berrian stepped up. However, it's hilarious to watch Percy catch it and run recklessly over the middle (sometimes running over defenders) versus Berrian twinkle toeing his way around big hits. And he's doing all this while wearing bright yellow shoes...as if he was Donald "Yellow Shoes" Brown from Wayne State University.

* The Fox halftime show (Strahan and Long) was ridiculous. They basically admitted without admitting that they didn't watch the entire first half. Their commentary was that Arizona was winning because Derek Anderson was a great game manager. Arizona was up 14-10. Half of those fourteen points was because of special teams (kickoff return for a TD). Derek Anderson did operate ONE solid drive at the end of the half against a "prevent/lets not tackle anyone defense" for a touchdown, but other than that he was virtually invisible for the half (and the rest of the game). Way to dig deep by watching the last two minutes of the half to create your opinion on the game.

* Percy Harvin steals "The Willis Reed: Limper of the Game Award" this week from Brett Favre. Brett Favre has dominated this award since his arrival to Minnesota in 2009.

* It's getting harder and harder to defend Brad Childress. I'm starting to think his play-calling/philosophy is HORRIBLE on offense. We still suck on 3rd and short situations. We still don't use Adrian Peterson enough (he would've only had around 40-50 yards total on the ground on minimal carries if he didn't break that 30+ yard gain in overtime...unacceptable.) Childress was on the verge of losing his job if he lost this game, and his offensive game plan was pretty much just throw it all around the field so we can show the whole league that we didn't need Randy Moss....while abandoning the most consistent threat he has on the team (Adrian Peterson). We're going into week 10 of the season...and I have no fucking clue what our identity is on offense. Next week: my wild guess is that Sidney Rice comes back healthy and then we turn into an ultra conservative offense and Peterson gets to carry the ball 35 times against Chicago.

SBG

Week 8 Recap: Vikings @ Patriots

2010-11-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

It's hard to write these when we're losing...in the beginning when Favre came back, and then we acquired Moss a few weeks later...I thought that even if the season got ugly, it would still be interesting with the cast of characters we have in the mix. Well, when you're an actual fan of the TEAM (not just the people wearing the laundry)...it still sucks when you lose...no matter what type of side shows you have on your roster. Here's what I took away from the game:

* How do we pound the ball on the ground relentlessly at the Patriots defense throughout the majority of the game and still manage to not be able to convert first downs on 3rd and short or 4th and short situations...?? Are we too predictable...should we do play-action instead...why do we even think about running to the right side (weaker side of our offensive line)...??

* Chilly's challenge on the Patriots (Brandon Tate, I believe) long reception over the middle was stupid. Way too early in the game and it was quite obvious in real time that the ball wasn't even close to hitting the ground.

* Also, not kicking the field goal before halftime and going for it on the 4th and goal play was the right decision. The play-calling like all 3rd and shorts & 4th and shorts however, was horrible. But, the actual decision to go for it was not. And if you think a three point lead would somehow have won us the game...just rewind to a week earlier when the Vikings led the Packers by a score of 17-14 at halftime.

* Shiancoe is overrated. I wrote this last year, but he's tough to watch. He ONLY gets open on pass routes if the play-action is in play and the defense bites on it. He can't get any separation otherwise. He never catches a pass clean (bobbles or just plain doesn't trust himself to catch it clean and turn up the field), thus he doesn't get any YAC (yards after catch). He's big and athletic, but can't break a tackle to save his life.

* Have to admit that I was kind of anxious to see if T-Jack would come in and lead us to a comeback victory...that was up until I saw him drop back and get sacked on his first attempt of the second possession. That was a typical T-Jack sack...staring at one receiver the whole time while getting bullrushed up the middle and not even noticing it due to his eyes being glued on the receiver.

* Patriots need to just wear their "throwback" every game from here on out. I hate Boston in general, but those jerseys are sweet.

SBG

We're pretty much the Detroit Lions of the NBA...

2010-10-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

It's tough to watch the Timberwolves. It's true that they have an immensely better overall roster than they did last year. However, they are still terrible. On opening night, they lose at home to a Kings team that is missing their best player (Tyreke Evans). Here's my insight on the game last night and some other random thoughts:

* Sebastian Telfair used to be our starting point guard a few years ago. Yuck. I hate his game. He looks for his own shot way too much, and never gets his teammates involved. Also, what's up with the two point guards (Ridnour and Telfair) combining for 35 points? I was under the impression that the point guard really didn't have to do much offensively (other than make the right "reads") in the triangle offense...??

* Wesley Johnson...I might have been wrong about him. I didn't like his age. I didn't like how he was from Syracuse (no defense). I didn't like how he transferred from Iowa State to Syracuse (usually, that's a red flag for whatever reason). His dunk last night was ridiculous. His handles are still weak, but at least he's not shy about attacking the hoop. His shot wasn't on last night, but it looks pretty effortless...especially, on a night when you're forced to watch Luther Head and/or Corey Brewer attempt a long range jumper.

* I want Kevin Love to succeed. However, I don't know if he does enough things well on a consistent basis to succeed at this level on a nightly basis. He hit a couple of threes, but he was more of a liability with the ball in his hands than an actual threat on the perimeter. He had some dumb turnovers (that I was told Michael Beasley would make, but not Kevin Love) that killed us in the 2nd half. I'm still not sure what to make of him, but I'm pretty sure he's not a "building block". He's more of a solid 6th man on a playoff team.

And this crap about him being on Team USA this past summer, which somehow translates to some people that he's now a "star" in the making needs to stop. It was a tier 2-3 team. He barely got minutes on that team. Christian Laettner was on the ACTUAL original Dream Team...how did that work out for us?

* I like Beasley. He can create on his own. We haven't had a wing player be able to create his own shot since...?? Maybe Latrell...but, he was the older version at the time...I would almost have to go back to J.R. Rider. That's sad.

* One of the many reasons I prefer college basketball over the NBA...is the referees. I complain about the refs during college games as well, but the NBA game is so inconsistent from possession to possession that Tim Donaghy keeps creeping in my mind while I'm watching the game.

SBG

Week 7 Recap: Vikings @ Packers

2010-10-25T10:17:00.001-07:00

This year sucks. We have all the talent in the world and it doesn't amount to shit. Rubes can blame Childress, but Favre is the issue. How can you blame the play calling on the coaches when Favre is up at the line switching everything in his pre-snap read? How do we blame our offensive line every week when Favre is hanging on to the ball too long? How can you not operate at the very least an efficient offense when you have the best running back in the game behind you? How many pick six's (defensive td's) are you going to let up this year? Why is it that whenever you make a bad play, it's automatically because of an injury that you are laboring...but, no one knew anything about it until you started clutching it on the field? Why do you pretend like you may not be able to play the next week due to an injury? Why do you choke in Sunday night games? Why does a married 41 year old (actually 39 year old at the time) send dick pics? Now, for my thoughts on the rest of the game:

* Having Sullivan return to the lineup seemed to be a huge upgrade for our offensive line. Weird. I didn't think we'd miss him as much as we did.

* Chris Cook looked horrible. Hopefully, he was just nervous or still banged up...because he looked awful and Green Bay was exploiting him in the first half.

* Frank Walker (Cook's second half replacement)...looks like Kimbo Slice with his ragged beard. Walker basically commits a penalty on every play he's involved in. It's just a roll of the dice on whether the ref wants to the throw the flag or not. I'm not sure if I like this tactic or not.

* Do you think there was a conspiracy on the Favre to Shiancoe touchdown call because both players have exposed their penises' to the public? I think so.

* Why does Ray Edwards have a "NFL" shaved into his hair? The guy gets fined every week and then complains to the media about how the league is picking on him...?? It would be similar to Jenn Sterger tattooing or shaving Brett's penis somewhere on her body.

* I love to watch Percy Harvin. Remember when we'd get excited about these type of players (example: David Palmer...little, fast and versatile) in the past and the various ways we could use them...however, they never amounted to shit. Percy has exceeded my expectations.

* Green Bay won the game...but, let's not give too much credit to Aaron Rodgers. He racked up his ridiculous yards (mostly in first half), but you can't tell me he won the game for them. He had plenty of chances to close the door...and he didn't...like usual. Vikes still had the ball in the final minute and a touchdown would've won us the game.

SBG

Week 6 Recap: Cowboys @ Vikings

2010-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Vikings eke out their second victory of the year to make them an ugly 2-3 (it's prettier than 1-4 though). Here are some of my random observations of the game (we watched the 2nd & 3rd quarters at Mad Jack's, while listening or watching the rest of the game in the comforts of either our car or home...so my analysis will be all over the map):

* I'm a homer...but with that said, the Vikings benefit from some real crucial calls that went against the Dallas Cowboys. Miles Austin's touchdown was called back because Asher Allen flew like a rag doll on a push off. Greg Lewis received a gift pass interference call that extended a key drive. Both of those were huge in either helping the Vikings put points up, or keeping Dallas from scoring any more. If this is a playoff game...do they even bother throwing the flag on either of those plays...I don't think so.

* A little frustrated by Tony Romo's scampers (not by design) right down the middle with no defender in sight until 10-15 yards down the field. Is there anything more depressing than to watch a quarterback who is not known as a scrambler, gain obscene amounts of yards and the defense not even being able to get a hit on the guy because he slides feet first...??

* Lito Sheppard and Bernard Berrian continue to give lame duck performances week in and week out. The good thing though is they are by far our most consistent players on the team. Congrats.

* The Vikings should be better than 2-3, but they are still in pretty good position within their own division as well as in the NFC side in general. Two of their three losses (Dolphins and Jets) are against AFC opponents and really don't factor into the tiebreakers...except for obviously adding to the loss column. The New Orleans Saints will probably be a shoe in for the playoffs, thus our loss to them may be pretty insignificant unless they struggle down the stretch. The Vikings are not exactly where they thought they'd be, but the mission has been altered to just survive and make it into the playoffs.

* Serious question...if you needed a big time scoring drive late in the game...who's your quarterback: Favre, Rodgers or Romo? I'd pick a forty-one year old, that's prone to throw a pick on any play over the other two pretenders any day of the week. What have those two done besides pile up ridiculous stats that have no bearing on their team's success...? They are not clutch when it matters most...end of game...end of season...playoffs...never.

* Offensive line play is horrible. The offensive line is so bad that Roger Goodell doesn't even have to suspend Favre in order to punish him for 'Danglegate 08'. Everybody wins....except for our offensive line, and probably the Vikings as well.

* Most memorable play outside of Harvin's return and E.J's two picks...shotgun formation on 3rd and 3 and the snap is low and on the ground. Favre picks it up with defenders in his face and zips it to Kleinsasser who just released himself from the line of scrimmage. He rumbles for a long gain to get deep in Cowboys territory.

* Does anyone else get nervous when the razzle, dazzle play on the kickoff return (last play of game/only up by three) for Dallas goes a little too long and you start saying...we're not going to lose like this are we...?? Only Minnesota fans...maybe Buffalo as well (Miracle in Music City).

SBG

Week 5 Recap: Vikings @ Jets

2010-10-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

The Tubby Tipoff is this upcoming Friday (10/15)...I can't wait for something positive in the Minnesota sports scene.

Now for my thoughts and observations on the game:

* I thought Mike Ditka was a liar, but I was wrong...he's just old. He claimed his Chicago team shut down Moss in his rookie year. Ditka was coaching New Orleans (1997-1999), not Chicago...but his team did actually hold Moss to one catch for six yards in 1997.

* Cris Carter is a dick. I will always admire his career between the lines on Sunday afternoons, but he is simply an asshole with a microphone in front of him. Why does he feel the need to upstage his co-workers (Matt Millen, Steve Young, etc) while each of them are giving their OWN "opinions"...? Wait your turn and then give your bullshit opinion...that's it, done.

* Rain delay. Great. More "insight" from Cris Carter and company.

* Brett Favre sucked. The two fumbles killed me. No contact was made with a defensive player and he coughs the ball up TWICE.

* Speaking of turnovers...does our defense know what these are? I will say that E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway looked pretty solid out there. Although, everyone else has been pretty quiet thus far...which is pretty amazing since they were on the field for virtually the whole game due to an inept Vikings offense.

* Other bright spots...Moss scoring a touchdown, Percy made some big plays (2 TD's), the offensive line looked better in the 2nd half, and the red zone defense.

* More low lights: Asher Allen, Cedric Griffin getting hurt, kickoff coverage when WE had momentum, pass protection in first half, and Jets converting on 3rd and long situations.

SBG

Yankees own Twins...again...

2010-10-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

Yankees sweep the Twins in the best of five series...I really didn't want to write anything about this since it was such a depressing performance by our ball club. Unfortunately, I feel like I have to though. Here's what I took away from watching all three games:

* TBS sucks. Why do you have TWO former pitchers filling ONE role as the "baseball analyst" on your broadcast team? Two "analysts" can work at times...but, you need different perspectives. Nothing worse than everybody in the booth agreeing with each other...the "Yes" man is the role for the play-by-play man.

* On the way home from work before game one of the series...I heard Dan Gladden ask Gardy about the game plan. Gardy mentions about having to "pitch inside" on the Yankees. I call bullshit. No one pitched inside the whole series. Every pitcher tried to tickle the outside corner on virtually every pitch. Thome was brushed back once and beaned another time in two different at bats (early in Game 1 by C.C.)...nobody did anything other than make the Yankees even more comfortable at the plate by only working the outside half of the plate.

* Fans want to criticize and put blame on Gardy. How about Joe Mauer? This guy is going to eat up a sizable chunk of our payroll starting next year (limits who we can and can't sign to help this club) and he's going to give us lame duck post season performances such as this year...and on top of it...he won't even speak to the media (he leaves that to Cuddyer) on a regular basis.

* Hunter Wendelstedt III...what are you doing? The Pavano pitch was strike three to Berkman. You missed plenty of other calls (balls and strikes) with your inconsistent strike zone that night too, but the real question is how do you throw out a manager in a PLAYOFF SERIES stating that fact to you in a close game. Gardy probably had some choice words for you, but he didn't throw a tantrum until you booted him from the game. Ever since I saw Doug Harvey get into the Hall of Fame this year (2010), I've seen more and more umpires take even less criticism.

Memo to Gardy: If you plan to get ejected from games, please line up a more competent fill-in manager than Scott Ullger. I had to watch his managing prowess in Detroit for 1 1/2 games in September...and it was B R U T A L, brutal.

* I read another blog (Down With Goldy)...he thinks the Twins should go and get Carl Crawford and either trade Young/Kubel and one of our mediocre pitchers for whatever we can get for them. I don't think it'll happen, but I'm game. This team won a lot of games this year, but this roster still needs a major overhaul. We're stuck in between a power team (with actually no to minimal power) and a speed team (with no speed other than Span and reserves). The current roster is great compared to years past...but, we still need upgrades all over the field. Is Span a true center fielder or should he be moved to a corner? Should Kubel/Young even own gloves? Do we even have a true ace on the staff? Are Hudson and Hardy worth keeping after average years at best? Will Valencia have a sophomore slump? Does Morneau have a headache this BIG? Is Mauer ever going to be clutch?

* I really liked our bullpen before the playoffs started. I thought Gardy would use it early and often because of our depth, and the lack of an ace on the starting staff. He didn't (until the Game 3 mismatch)...and now that strong bullpen will evaporate (Fuentes, Rauch, Crain or Guerrier) in the off season. I can't believe I just wrote "strong bullpen" and had "Crain" attached to that point.

SBG

Things just got a little interesting...

2010-10-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Vikings make a monster move by acquiring Randy Moss from the Patriots. Even at the age of 33, Randy is a huge upgrade over the current fleet of receivers currently running routes at Winter Park. Here are some random thoughts on the trade:

* You may not be a pro-stadium advocate for the Vikings, but you have to hand it to the Wilf Family for opening their wallets and doing their best to absolutely put the best possible product on the field year in and year out...all, while doing it in one of the worst and outdated stadiums (doesn't generate much revenue) in the league.

* I know we have a brutal stretch of games coming up...and I'm not trying to look to far ahead...but, can you just imagine the Vikings finally winning a Super Bowl with both Randy Moss (former franchise player for the Vikings) and Adrian Peterson (current franchise player), while a 40 year old (Brett Favre and former nemesis while playing at Green Bay) is our quarterback. I'm biased...but, our threesome is going to be a whole lot more entertaining than the Lebron, Wade and Bosh in South Beach.

* Childress was a control freak when he first arrived. How is he going to handle this circus when Favre and Moss are running the sidelines on game day...?? I'm sure we'll get a token line from his days from Philadelphia on how they were successful with Terrell Owens in the mix...but, I'm anxious to at least see how all the dynamics actually play out.

* As sports fans...enjoy this day. You don't see a franchise player come back to where he started his professional career, especially when he still has something left in the tank this late in his career. There is too many egos involved in the sports world for any of that to take place nowadays.

* Even if this fails (which it may)...it will still be fun to watch the drama unfold. Watching the first three games this year has been, well...boring. For whatever reason, the buzz around last years team did not carry over to this years team. That has now changed...Randy Moss is back in a Vikings uniform.

* Lastly, I love Randy Moss...and will continue to do so. People clamor about all these "antics" that he's done over the years. The "antics" are all football related (besides running over the traffic cop...oops). Some of his "antics" were actually cool though: squirting an official with a water bottle in St. Louis and pretending to moon the Packer fans in Lambeau...I would personally take credit for those acts because those are legendary and didn't hurt anyone involved besides Joe Buck's feelings of course.

SBG

Comerica Park/Detroit Review

2010-09-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Our family took a road trip out to Detroit to catch two of the three games (Friday and Saturday) of the Twins/Tigers series...we also indulged in some other activities...here's some insight and information regarding our trip:

* Comerica Park is already ten years old (amazingly)...here's what I took away from the park from our two nights of experiences:

- We sat in the outfield bleachers on Friday night...the sound system is horrible out there. It's muffled as if your trying to listen to an AM station in a parking ramp. If you want a good experience, pay the extra money (as we did on Saturday) for seats along the 1st or 3rd baselines. Ideally, you'll probably want to sit on the 3rd baseline due to better scenery with the skyline of downtown.

- Detroit basically just ripped off the idea of the water show display they have in dead center off of Kansas City. It doesn't run as frequently as it does in Kansas City, but I thought it was pretty lame on their part to incorporate that feature into their park when these two teams are in the same division. Can you imagine if Toronto or Tampa builds a new stadium and puts up a "green monster" in left field? No, because that would be stupid...you have years and years of baseball history in the city of Detroit and the best you can do is copy Kansas City...??

- The scoreboard is huge, but it already seems outdated. Along with two tigers prowling on the top (pretty cool), they have three separate screens that provide general information for the fans. Two of those three screens are of Metrodome quality with the orange/yellow bulbs providing very basic information. The third screen provides pictures and replays (although no replays were played on Friday night for some reason).

- They do have a Carousel and Ferris wheel that are tiger/baseball themed in the ballpark. The kids loved it, but if your a parent and don't want to miss the action of the game...you might want to get to the game early to get the rides out of the way because the only connection you have to the game during the rides is the sound of the crowd.

- If the Twins were still playing in the Metrodome...I probably would've enjoyed my experience a lot more, but now that Target Field is in play Comerica just seemed to lack in a lot of areas...specifically, creativity.

* My daughter desperately wanted a tiger claw (think...foam #1 finger) after seeing a kid roaming around in the stadium with one. She was throwing a fit, because I refused to buy her a claw with the Detroit emblem stamped on it. Well, I eventually caved in and bought her a pink and blue claw. Since that purchase...Twins haven't won since.

* True story: On Saturday night, we were sitting by father or grandpa/son or grandson combo...not really sure. The father/grandpa (fifty years old is being generous) is talking about video games and specifically about MLB The Show. He starts off by saying how "realistic" it is and parlays that comment into a story how he had Verlander (his starting pitcher) pitching in the 11th inning still and he gave up two walks and a bloop hit to load the bases. The next batter hits into a triple play to get his Tigers out of the inning. What's worse...the "fifty year old" man playing video games or the fact that he thinks this sequence of virtual baseball events was anywhere near "realistic"...??

* Detroit has black squirrels.

* We attended a Division II football game...Wayne State was hosting Ohio Dominican. Wayne State's campus is immersed right in the city of Detroit. My son claims it was his favorite part of the trip, my wife is still questioning me why I dragged everyone to that event. We did break a "rule for a family attending a sports event" though...we left the game early (with around 3 minutes left in the game)...I usually shun people who leave early. However, that game had little to no action. The best part was the announcer calling one of their wide receivers..."Donald Yellow Shoes Brown on the catch"...because of the fashion statement with the neon yellow cleats.

* The family went bowling (bumpers were in play). My daughter somehow gets the ball stuck half way down the alley. Her twin brother gets a spare. She wants to quit half way through, he wants to bowl double (his turn and her turn). She wants to take home the ugly bowling shoes to keep, he wants to take the bowling ball. Yet, they have an inseparable bond with each other that I'll just never know.

SBG

Week 3 Recap: Lions @ Vikings

2010-09-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

The answer in college football is not [to] change the coach out all the time. That's easy -- change the coach, change everything," Brewster said.

This post will be sponsored by the quote of the year by Gopher football coach Tim Brewster. The quote is from a day after another bad loss on the year, this time by Northern Illinois...he's basically trying to save his job with this quote, but the irony is that he's done exactly what he says not to do with his own assistant coaches during his tenure.

Our family was coming back from a "sports" road trip from Detroit (I will post in the next day or two on our adventures) so I didn't watch the game live with angst. So, in a nice calm setting (already knowing the results) I watched the Vikings-Lions game on the DVR...and as usual, here are my thoughts and observations:

* The Lions got screwed multiple times on various calls. And if you can't remember...this is one of the many reasons why we hated Favre when he was a Packer. He worked the officials and got borderline calls that extended drives, which usually resulted in points.

* Where is Jared Allen? Besides starting a brawl with quarterback Shaun Hill...has he done anything for us this year? I don't even hear his name during the game unless they're talking about one of his quirky off the field hobbies.

* Our bread and butter play right now (outside of an Adrian Peterson hand off) is a Brett Favre throw to either a tight end or slot receiver (in the middle of the field) on a five yard button hook. Ladies and gentlemen...I present to you your "kick-ass offense".

* I want Joe Webb on the field...as a receiver. I have no inkling on whether he'll be good or not. However, if we're rolling out Hank Baskett (in the same week he signed on with us), Greg Lewis, an underachieving Berrian, and our token white guy, Camarillo...can't we at least try the Webb experiment out.

* It's hard enough to sit through and watch a recording when you already know the result...but, it's even worse when there is a penalty on virtually every other play creating no flow to the game.

* Vikings need a change of identity for the short term in order to steal some wins. This defense is good and stout enough to get wins on it's own. They need to continue to run the ball well and play the field position game with their opponent. Limit turnovers and make their opponents go the length of the field for them to score. Will this really happen with #4 under center and him going against his toughest opponent...his ego...?? I don't know, but I think the only way they make the playoffs is by breaking even (playing at least .500 ball) during this brutal stretch of the schedule.

SBG

Week 2 Recap: Dolphins @ Vikings

2010-09-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

We knew it was going to be hard to repeat the same success as last year with a much tougher schedule (especially, right out of the gates)...however, losing home games...to the Dolphins of all teams...is gut-wrenching and depressing...here's what stood out for me during this game:

* Electing to go for a fourth down (and not converting) and not getting any points on the board with at least a field goal during the first drive of the game was a mistake. The Vikings are playing with a short deck on offense and should take any and all scoring possibilities available to them. Unless we are up against the clock and playing from behind, this team just needs to put points on the board whenever they can.

* I find it a little troublesome that our defense has let up two touchdowns in the opening drives of each game. Miami targeted Lito Sheppard for two of the biggest plays on that drive that resulted in the touchdown. Was it just me or when you saw Lito Sheppard turned around on those plays and seeing him sporting the #29 jersey (by the way, never a good sign to be able to see the whole backside of a defensive back during the game) didn't you yearn for Chester Taylor to be back on our squad...?? I miss him and so does our offense.

* Brett didn't play that well, but he has NO wide receivers stepping up. Percy bobbled the ball into the air for the interception at the goal line. Bernard Berrian was pathetic. On the other two interceptions, Brett put the ball up hoping Berrian could make a play on the ball (pretty much did this all of last year with Sidney Rice). Not only does he not make a play...he doesn't even try to turn into a defender and disrupt the ball and/or defender to break up the interception. Like I said, Brett didn't play well...but, these receivers are not doing him any favors. Shiancoe is pretty much the most reliable receiver...credit Shiancoe for his play and improvement, but that's not an ideal candidate to have as your "go to" receiver when the team was considered a Super Bowl contender at the beginning of the year.

* Toby Gerhart looked solid in limited time. However, with the offense looking very pedestrian like in Childress' first few years on the job...wouldn't you rather have an undersized, but explosive play maker like Jahvid Best rather than the lumbering and bruising Gerhart? Adrian Peterson is a one of kind running back, anyone you roll out there will be considered a change of pace compared to him...and if Childress had an ideal plan entering the season to pound the rock relentlessly at opponents, that's fine...however, when we play from behind our game plan gets thrown out the window quicker than Tim Brewster changing coordinators.

* Do the Vikings pursue Vincent Jackson? I think they have to. Not because I think it's a good move short term and/or long term. Mainly, because the Vikings need to do whatever they have to do to get into postseason, since they pretty much already went all in by begging Brett Favre to come back. And let's not forget about other elephants in the room such as the possible lockout in 2011 and the Vikings REALLY want to parlay another successful season into a new stadium.

* The defense played well (only really allowed 7 points, on the first drive of the game), but I still feel that they're not playing up to their potential. Miami didn't score much, but they were able to extend drives and take valuable time off the clock. When we needed three and outs, Miami converted crucial 3rd downs...not enough to score (field goals or touchdowns), but enough to put our mediocre offense in a position to have to drive the length of the field in order for us to score points.

SBG

Week 1 Recap: Vikings @ Saints

2010-09-10T10:04:00.001-07:00

We're in year two of the Favre era...but, the second year starts exactly how the first year ended...a loss to the Saints at the Superdome. Here's some of my perspective on the game and festivities of last night:

* Last year I could just tell that Chester Taylor was going to bolt after the season during free agency. I can't put my finger on it, but it just seemed like his body language on the sidelines seemed like he was bored with the situation. Well, after watching the opening of the game last night...the players seem to confirm with their solidarity act that there will be a work stoppage next year...so either a whole year will be lost, or an abbreviated season will take place next year. Here's a solution...fix the outrageous rookie pay scale, give more benefits to former players after they are done playing and take the safety precautions of the current players more seriously. They're squabbling over millions in a multi-billion dollar business that has a stranglehold on the market. And they're doing it at a time when we have troops overseas, a struggling economy and Simon leaving American Idol.

* New Orleans first drive started out with two big pass plays down the middle. Damn the NFL is harsh...E.J. Henderson makes a valiant recovery off a gruesome femur injury last year and they go right at him right away. E.J. did look a lot better as the game wore on, especially on the run game.

* I heard a lot of complaining about the play-calling (abandoning the run in the 2nd half). However, the Vikings dug themselves holes on plenty of possessions where penalties virtually put them into passing situations on every down. It just wasn't a sharp game offensively all around.

* Bryant McKinnie leaves the game with a "finger injury". Are you serious...?? I don't expect McKinnie to pull a Ronnie Lott and cut his finger off to get back in the game...but, you're 6'8"...300 plus pounds and we're worried about a finger...??

* New Orleans' kicker shanks two field goals yesterday, but makes the clincher last year in the NFC Championship Game in overtime...this kind of irony only happens to the Vikings.

* Leslie Frazier deserves a head coaching job in the NFL. He adjusts his defense on the fly and makes proper adjustments throughout the game better than anyone that we've had for awhile (Dungy was probably the last good defensive coordinator we had/Tomlin was a great motivator, but didn't exactly adjust within the game). The game looked like it could have been a stinker after the Saints first drive...but, credit Frazier and the defensive players for putting the team in position for the offense to steal a game.

SBG

Random, like an Ozzie Guillen interview...

2010-09-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Busy week of sports from every direction...so, I'm throwing it all at you with no rhyme or reason.

* I attended the Saturday late afternoon tilt between the Rangers and Twins with my wife and another couple. We had four tickets in the Legends Club and the seats and surroundings were excellent. I can't compliment the Twins enough on how they built that stadium. The wide open concourse and use of windows all over is easy on the eyes no matter where you are in the park. Also, the Legends Club is a hot spot for foul balls (we probably had about 5-6 balls land in and around the two sections on both sides of us).

* Jim Thome has now racked up 21 home runs this year. Did anyone realistically expect this kind of production from him, while doing it in a quasi-part-time role...? The answer is no...and kudos to Gardy for not overextending his playing time with the loss of Morneau.

* Gopher fullback Jon Hoese's dad dies less than a week after he has a career performance of three touchdowns in the opener against Middle Tennessee State.

* Why are members of my family and fans in general disgusted that we traded away Sage Rosenfels and kept T-Jack? Ideally, none of these guys will see the field for any significant/meaningful time regardless with Favre in the fold this year. Which gets me thinking...if you're a black quarterback and play for the Minnesota Vikings...you pretty much have a 2-3 year window to win the Super Bowl, or else the fan base will eventually turn on you (examples: Moon, Cunningham, Culpepper). Good luck Joe Webb!!

* Golden Gopher basketball goes 3-0 in exhibition games during their Canadian tour. Not sure what the competition was like, but I'm excited for the group that Tubby has in the fold. They have a plethora of quality big men (Iverson, Walker, Sampson, Mbakwe) they can choose from that will create lots of match up problems for the opponents (even in conference play).

* I recorded and watched a little bit of the "Legends Game" on Fox Sports North. I enjoy it when the Twins bring back former players...but, come on...Brian Raabe is participating in the "Legends Game". What did he do as a member of the Minnesota Twins? Not only was he a borderline prospect that didn't do anything individually at the major league level, but he managed to accomplish nothing on bad Minnesota teams.

* Season opener for the Vikings at New Orleans on Thursday night. It would be nice to sneak out a win...but, does that really help anybody cope from that NFC Championship game meltdown last year...??

* Ten person fantasy football draft in my cousin's league last night. I've won three consecutive years somehow while having the last pick in the first round every year (you draft based on your record/finish from the previous year). My squad: Larry Fitzgerald (keeper), Greg Jennings, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown, Felix Jones, Clinton Portis, Tony Gonzalez, Robert Meachem, Stephen Gostkowski, Jeremy Maclin, Chester Taylor, Vince Young, New Orleans Defense, and Mr. Irrelevant...Greg Camarillo.

I've never felt so depressed about my team so early in the draft. My keeper doesn't have a quarterback that can get him the ball. Favre is playing one of the toughest schedules. Ronnie Brown will share with Ricky. Felix will share with Barber. Chester will split with Forte. Portis will get hurt in the next week or two. Meachem and Maclin are unproven and probably going to be highly inconsistent throughout the year. Vince Young is clinically depressed. However, I think I got great value with my Camarillo pick...so I have that going for me.

SBG

Jim Dimick Jr.

2010-08-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Below is an article from the Pioneer Press on 8/24/2010, about the Richfield High School basketball program parting ways with their head coach Jim Dimick Jr.:

Former Richfield High School boys basketball coach Jim Dimick Jr. took one last shot to get his job back Monday night, but it might as well have been an air ball. Unknown to him, his shot was doomed from the start.

Dimick's passionate, 45-minute presentation filled with graphs and pie charts to defend his job performance and illustrate race issues in the western first-ring suburb apparently fell on deaf ears as the school board voted before the special hearing to approve his dismissal.

"I knew it was a long shot to get reinstated,'' said Dimick, who averaged 16 victories per season in his nine years as the Spartans' head coach. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that they already had their minds made up. Hopefully, I had a chance to educate them on some issues that they are facing.''

Superintendent Robert Slotterback confirmed after the meeting that a vote to approve Dimick's firing already had been taken. He said Dimick's presentation didn't require more discussion or a revote by the board.

"I'm very disappointed that coach brought the race issue into this,'' Slotterback said.

Dimick, son of legendary St. Olaf College baseball coach Jim Dimick, said he is considering a legal appeal.

"Even with all of the opposition, I still want to coach these guys,'' said Dimick, who led Richfield to two state tournament berths, including a runner-up finish in Class AAA in 2005. "I have a group of kids that I've been coaching since fourth grade. I'd like to see them through to their senior year.''

On June 29, Dimick was told by Richfield activities director Todd Olson that his contract would not be renewed. According to Dimick, Olson said one of the reasons cited was his inability to unite the entire Richfield basketball community.

"(Olson) said he wanted a new voice that can unite this community,'' Dimick said. "He told me I've burned too many bridges.''

Olson attended the meeting but left quickly and was unavailable for comment.

Ten days later, when Dimick received his letter of nonrenewal of his coaching contract, it cited overall performance concerns, including communication, leadership and program development. Prior to his arrival, the two previous coaches averaged six victories a season.

In his presentation — which was attended by about 30 supporters, half of them African-American — Dimick demonstrated the changing demographics of an inner-ring suburb as it relates to student-athletes who play basketball.

With the rampant open enrollment of the past decade, not just in Richfield but throughout Minnesota, kids who played in the community traveling leagues were getting displaced by students moving into districts.

According to Dimick, from 2003-10, 92 percent of the boys playing basketball in the Richfield community who moved into the city after sixth grade or open enrolled as ninth graders, were students of color. In that same period, 96 percent of the participants in the Richfield boys basketball traveling program did not make the varsity team as seniors.

From 2007 to 2010, 64 percent of Richfield's boys basketball varsity roster were students of color. In 2002, 71 percent of the varsity roster was white.

"You've got a small group of traveling (basketball) parents that don't consider themselves racists, but are pretty good people, yet they want a program of institutional racism,'' said Dimick, who is a certified public accountant in Minneapolis. "Then you have a group that you can call closet racists that don't want to see black kids wearing Richfield uniforms. It is a difficult issue. Nobody wants to talk about it.''

Richfield resident Jim Noonan, who is white, was so disgusted with the racial divide that he resigned from the traveling league board. He attended the meeting in support of Dimick.

"I've been on the (traveling) board longer than anyone here,'' Noonan said. "The demographics in his community have changed, period. Jim has provided a lot of money to the program for scholarships for all kids — white, black, green or yellow. He always did what was asked of him by the traveling board.''

Tartan boys basketball coach Mark Klingsporn attended the meeting in support of Dimick. Richfield plays in the Classic Suburban Conference along with Tartan and many other east metro schools.

"Jim had a very well thought-out and organized presentation on why he should not be fired,'' Klingsporn said. "I agree with him 100 percent on all of the issues and the situations he shared. I am concerned about quality coaches that get fired for the wrong reasons.''

Dimick said he plans to attend Richfield basketball games this coming season.

"I've got a lot invested in these young men,'' he said. "I've seen them grow, and I want to see them excel.''

The article is pretty one sided towards Dimick's side...and before I even start ranting...the only reason this article even made it to the paper is because of Jim Dimick's dad (Jim Dimick Sr.) who is a well known baseball coach in the Northfield area (St. Olaf) has some pull around the sports community (specifically, the Pioneer Press sports department). I grew up in Richfield and was a part of the program all the way through my senior year...here are some of my differences of opinion that are not noted in the article because of how much of a love fest this article turned into for Mr. Jim Dimick Jr.:

* Jim Dimick Jr.'s contract wasn't renewed. Even though the Pioneer Press stated this fact in the article, why are the words "dismissed", "dismissal" and "firing" still all over in this article?

* Jim Dimick Jr. lazily pulled out the race card. That's pretty funny because prior to coming to Richfield, Dimick was canned at Washburn (an inner-city school) for not getting along with board members/parents (pretty much the same issue at Richfield). Was the race card not convenient for him to use at Washburn on his way out?

* Jim Dimick Jr. is not a teacher in the Richfield School district...or any district for that matter. Please don't humor me about how much time you "invested" in these kids when there are real teachers/coaches helping these kids on and off the court every day.

* Flaunting your coaching average of 16 wins per season, while the predecessors only averaged 6 wins a season is incomplete and misguided information (and I'm not even sure the six wins is correct...it should be higher, but who knows how he manipulated the data). Before you arrived, Richfield was struggling to find a home in a conference where schools had similar enrollments to Richfield. The two predecessors you're referring to actually had to play in the Classic Lake Conference where the majority of the schedule is all 4A teams. They didn't get the luxury of your schedule year in and year out of playing mostly 3A teams. You would've been better off just stating that you've brought your team to the State Tournament twice in your nine years.

* Dimick has also been accused of recruiting/persuading other players from other communities to play for him at Richfield. Even if he's innocent on all these accounts, it's the perception that he's giving out to the community by assembling teams of non-Richfield residents on a yearly basis. If you're going to alienate your community/youth programs you better have a damn good team every year, otherwise shit will hit the fan and catch up to you as it did this year.

SBG

One Shining Moment(s) Volume 6

2010-08-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Strolling down memory lane for more random and obscure sports figures that have touched our lives here in the great State of Minnesota...

Cherokee Parks - Nothing memorable about his play on the court. The only thing that stood out was the massive amount of ink he piled up over the years all over his body. Is anyone in the same boat as me and thinks he got all these tattoos to be the anti-Christ to "Christ"ian Laettner...?? He was in Laettner's shadow during the majority of his Duke career and enters the NBA with pretty much the same skill set, plus size as Laettner. I think I'm on to something or on something.

John Smiley - There's just some things you can't duplicate. The amazing Twins season in 1991 is one example. However, when Jack Morris (workhorse of the staff) left for more money in Toronto. Andy MacPhail tried to work the magic again and replace Morris by acquiring John Smiley from Pittsburgh via trade before the 1992 season. Not a bad move on the surface. However, Smiley left after only one year with the Twins (via free agency)...and we had to watch Denny Neagle (one of us...played for Gophers...who we sent to Pittsburgh in the Smiley trade) go on to have a very good career in the National League. The John Smiley trade was the beginning of the end of competitive baseball in Minnesota for the rest of the 1990's.

Rick Fenney - He only played five years in the NFL (all with the Vikings 1987-1991...and all under Jerry Burns as Head Coach). A Quasi running back/fullback that thrived in a West Coast system in a limited role. His One Shining Moment is somehow having a career average over 4.2 yards a carry while getting the majority of his playing time in goal line situations where yardage is not as easy to rack up.

Townsend Orr - There are many good stories in college athletics, however most get overshadowed...Townsend Orr was a backup for the majority of his college career. Nowadays, that same kid put in Townsend Orr's situation may have transferred to get more playing time elsewhere. Townsend stuck it out and the Golden Gophers went on a rampage through the Great Alaskan Shootout with the leadership and tournament MVP performance of...Townsend Orr. They beat Arizona (Damon Stoudamire), Villanova (Kerry Kittles) and BYU (all eventual tourney teams) to catapult the team into the Top 25 poll.

Mitch Berger - A punter that nibbles on and stashes a half eaten Snickers candy bar in a shoe during a game...to save it for later...for energy...?? Ridiculous on so many levels. All you do is kick a ball...and your kicks don't even put points on the scoreboard...you just kick it around the field and jog back and forth to the sideline. Am I missing anything...how are you expending all this so called energy...and that you need to regain it with a Snickers...??

Denny Hocking - It seems like ages ago...but, the Twins actually won a playoff series in Oakland in 2002. During the celebration, Denny Hocking was spiked on his hand during the celebration pileup in the infield. Some speculate that the spiking of Hocking's hand...was intentional...by Jacque Jones. The funny part...is if that is/was the case...there were more unlikeable guys in that dugout than Hocking...A.J. comes to mind...

Rick Mahorn - Doesn't Rick Mahorn just sum up the Minnesota Timberwolves drafting history of the past, present and future...?? A two team expansion draft (Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves) consists of Orlando landing the 1st overall pick (figures). We then pick Rick Mahorn at pick #2 (our first team pick), but he doesn't want to play with us so we have to ship him to Philadelphia. So...virtually, in only a two team draft...the Timberwolves don't actually make a selection until pick #4 overall.

Tom Nevers - A top amateur athlete that played over at Edina High School. He excelled at both hockey and baseball and was offered a scholarship for both sports at the University of Minnesota. He declined and signed with the Astros after being drafted in the first round. "Nevers never made it to the big leagues." So, the One Shining Moment is having your rookie card in my baseball card collection.

SBG

Contract Extensions...??

2010-08-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's because we're "Minnesota Nice" and all...but, all across the board it seems that our local teams hand out undeserving contract extensions at some of the most inopportune times...here's a rundown of some of the recent extensions:

* Brad Childress - I like Brad Childress. I like stability. But, handing a contract extension in the middle of a season (specifically, a one of a kind season with the aging Brett Favre underneath center...with no future quarterback currently in the fold, even though he's an "offensive guru") is a bad decision. Keeping him is not a bad decision. Striking a deal at that time is a bad decision.

* Denard Span - To be honest, I think Denard is overrated. He plays outfield between Delmon Young and Jason Kubel/Michael Cuddyer...so he looks like a track star in comparison. His arm is a wet noodle. He pretty much hits ground balls (some for hits/most for outs). He is one of the worst fundamental base runners on the team. Yet, we extend his contract out for another 4-5 years before the 2010 season even starts. And we have Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks (similar players) making a fast rise in the minors.

* Tim Brewster - Maturi extended Brewster's current deal out for one more year so it wouldn't hinder his recruiting. It's actually not a bad deal on the University of Minnesota side (it creates a cheaper buyout after this year). However, the Gophers just opened up a new stadium last year and are already having trouble filling it. They should have cut ties with Brewster after this past year. Football is the main income in the athletic department and the with the brand new complex, it's unacceptable to have the program just waffling in mediocrity.

* Nick Blackburn - At the time, I really thought this was a good signing. They locked him up to a modest four year extension after pitching well in some of the Twins biggest games during the last two years. However, something went awry with Blackburn this year in the summer months. And now that extension is a black eye on a front office that usually has a keen eye on their own talent. Remember, this is a franchise that never handed out extensions unless it was their premier player(s) (and sometimes that didn't even happen...they often traded them). This past year they handed out three extensions with the new revenue that the stadium is piling up. And two of those (Span and Blackburn) look to be mistakes in hindsight.

* Darko Milicic - I'm in the minority and was actually hoping they would re-sign Darko. However, if you look at his "body of work" throughout his NBA career...it's pathetic that he should garner five million/year. And signing him to a four year deal is a little long in the tooth for someone who proved himself worthy in 20 something games for your club the previous year...?? I would've been happy with a 2-3 year deal for the big man.

SBG

Fireman's Recap...

2010-07-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

After a year away from the biggest softball tourney in the state...Tenacious D was back in the Tier 3 bracket. Long story short...we went 2-2...here are some of the highs and lows (depending on your perspective) over the weekend:

* Ugly facial hair galore!! I don't know if guys did it because they missed Fireman's so much or maybe it was the Carl Pavano steam, but we had a crew of 6-7 members or our team sporting a vast array of facial hair that was quite horrendous to say the least. I showcased the "handlebar".

* Tier 3 has evolved. I'm not sure if the actual play on the field is all that better, but just the shear planning with the team "uniforms" is ridiculous. The majority of teams had brand spanking new uniforms (with some over the top design), with matching pants and bags included in the deal. We are not one of those teams...which I prefer.

* In four games, we scored an average of 5.75 runs a game. And we won two of those four games...and our defense wasn't all that stellar either. Kind of a weird weekend.

* We were stuck at Dred Scott for our first three games. It probably worked out well, because we were playing on fenced fields and were able to play a five man infield. However, you don't get the same atmosphere that you get while playing at Valley View. After every one of our games at Dred Scott, everyone pretty much left after every game because there was nothing to do other than bake in the sun.

http://www.softball360.com/pdf/firemans2010_Tier3.pdf

SBG

At least we don't live in Cleveland...

2010-07-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

I used to like LeBron James...that was up until he just took a dump on the whole state of Ohio (did we mention he grew up there) with a national television broadcast revealing that he's jumping to Miami. Minnesota sports fans have been dumped (more like farted and/or sharted on) on plenty of times...nothing of the LeBron James magnitude...but, here's a reminder of our sourest moments as Minnesota sports fans:

* Lou Holtz resurrects the Gopher football program only to leave it for greener pastures (Notre Dame) after two years. Program has been stuck in neutral for decades.

* Stephon Marbury demanding a trade (preferably New York/ended up going to New Jersey) because he claims he was homesick or he was simply jealous of Garnett's outrageous new contract. What a head case either way...not sure if we would've consistently won with him in the fold...probably should have just kept Ray Allen as our pick that year...

* Norm Green moves the Minnesota North Stars down to Dallas. We get rewarded with an expansion team years later and then market ourselves as "The State of Hockey". Am I the only one that finds this comical...?

* Carl Pohlad throws in the Minnesota Twins organization as possible candidates for contraction. Our only current professional team still in town that has actually won championships is being put out on the chopping block by our very own owner. ESPN was publishing mock dispersal drafts to see where our players would go...it still stings even though nothing happened.

* Laundry List for the Vikings (no particular order): 1. Lost 4 Super Bowls 2. 1998 NFC Championship 3. 2001 NFC Championship 4. 2010 NFC Championship 5. Running out of time during your 1st round draft pick and having two teams leapfrog you because of it. 6. Love Boat 7. Herschel Walker trade 8. Red McCombs trading Randy Moss (the most marketable player on the team) in the same summer he sold the team.

* Latrell Sprewell turning down a healthy-sized (around 3 years/30 million) contract extension because he needs to feed his "family". He didn't even get a sniff of another NBA contract after turning that offer down.

* The Joe Smith under the table signing scandal leaves the Timberwolves with no 1st round picks for five years (I believe Stern ended up giving us one back, so technically only four picks/years were taken away). Combine that with our awful drafting and that means our franchise is crippled for years...even with Garnett on the roster. Stern sets a precedent with our pathetic franchise, but has yet to punish any team to the extent of ours in 10 plus years. He's only had to deal with a melee in Detroit, corrupt referees, a gun party in Washington and the collusion of the top 3 free agents in the class of 2010 all going to the same team. Yeah, I think the Joe Smith scandal is the worst of them all.

* Not only does Russ Archambault cost the Gophers from getting Khalid El-Amin (punching him in the face during a scrimmage)...him and Jan Gangelhoff are the focal points on why the men's basketball program gets turned upside down because of breaking NCAA violations. I'm not defending the program, but it took Jan just 400 papers and helping 20 different players to figure out that maybe she's doing something morally wrong.

SBG

Target Field Review #3...Left Field Bleachers: Part Two

2010-07-02T12:39:00.001-07:00

Eight family members attended the Twins/Rays tilt on July 1st. Due to some late planning, we were scattered by two's all over the left field bleachers. Here are some of my random observations on the night:

* Dead patch of grass in right field (probably from Magglio Ordonez butchering plays out there during the Tigers' series) was covered with brand new sod...right field kind of resembled the Metrodome playing surface if you stared at it long enough.

* I'm starting to finally come around on Delmon Young. It doesn't hurt when you throw a runner out at home from left field, plus hit a home run to tie the game late (7th inning, I believe) to help sway me. I really hated Delmon Young last year, and even the end of his first year here (he casually jogged in the ninth inning after a fly ball down the left field line in Kansas City/which ended up as an inside the park homerun to tie the game...I believe we eventually won the game, but Joe Nathan was steaming...then, combine that incident with the fact that the Rays came out of nowhere to dominate the AL with Garza and Bartlett as major cogs). So, I don't know if I've ever hated a local athlete (past or present) more and had that same athlete turn his career around/my feelings towards him while he was still a member with the local team. Normally, a trade to another team would maybe blossom a career...but, to Delmon's credit he has resurrected his career wearing the same uniform and has really supplanted himself as an everyday player.

* Good: Two guys were sporting the baby blue and bright orange tuxes worn in Dumb and Dumber. Bad: Rays apparently have fans that travel...? Four obnoxious idiots cheer everything pro-Rays...and by everything, I mean EVERYTHING...like balls and strikes. Ugly: Two intoxicated women were wearing eye black underneath their eyes, while sitting under an overhang in left field, during a night game...they should've been the ones sporting the Dumb and Dumber gear.

* Bottom of eighth...Rays are jogging out to take the field. I start thinking to myself why the hell Carl Crawford doesn't play centerfield for this club. They currently have lanky, but athletic Ben Zobrist patrolling centerfield. As if the Baseball Gods were answering my exact thoughts...Carl Crawford, while warming up with a bullpen arm in the outfield...not only overthrows his partner once...but, twice...consecutively...drawing great applause from the left field bleachers.

* Bottom of ninth...Rauch comes on for the save in a 4-3 game...he easily gets the first two guys out. Then, some asshole turns another set of the stadium lighting on (the lighting directly behind home plate). The whole stinking game they only had the stadium lights on down the lines (1st base and 3rd base lines) and now they turn everything on with one more out to get in the game...in a middle of an inning too...does that make any sense...?? Carl Crawford proceeds to single and then score on Evan Longoria's double down the left field line...all with two outs...tie game. It was as if they were prematurely prepping for the postgame without the game actually being over yet...doesn't anyone learn that nothing is in the bag when you're a fan of a Minnesota sports team.

* Game went into extra innings...however, a good percentage of the fans left before Rauch even took the mound in the ninth inning (when we were leading)...our fan base sucks...we get a new stadium and we're not even a year into it and everyone is still consumed about beating traffic. Do us all a favor and don't show up in the first place if beating traffic is your main objective.

* Gardy gets tossed on a "Jim Joyce" type call by the third base umpire.

SBG

Timberwolves Draft = Shedding Money...Again

2010-06-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

I'm an idiot (my wife would agree with that statement)...I continue to watch the NBA Draft every year thinking that this is the year my hometown team will turn the corner with some major moves that will jump start this franchise...it didn't happen last night...this is how it played out:

1. I can live with the Wesley Johnson pick at 4. I am not thrilled, because I don't believe he has much upside (already almost 23 years old) and his defense his questionable at best (since he primarily played in a zone all through college). However, he potentially fills a major void and he was the "experts" consensus pick for the Wolves. Off topic...but, I love the plaided pants worn by Johnson...probably the highlight of the night if you're a T'wolves fan.

2. Luke Babbitt slides all the way down to #16. We draft one of the best shooters in the draft and then ship his draft rights and Ryan Gomes to Portland for Martell Webster and...nothing else...not even a 2nd rounder...?? Portland GM Kevin Pritchard is already out the door (fired, but still handling draft night duties) and is still out-maneuvering David Kahn. In the end, it boils down to the Timberwolves sending two salaries for one in return...it's all about the bottom line, baby.

3. The Trevor Booker selection had me scared. Another power forward (looks like a Craig Smith/Gary Trent) who seemed to be a reach at that point in the draft. We eventually later traded his rights to Washington and a 2nd round pick for the 30th and 35th picks. Not a bad deal for the Wolves, but they once again get out of a higher slotted salary by moving lower in the draft. Saving money is what we do best on draft night.

4. With the newly acquired 30th pick (from Washington), the Wolves select Lazar Hayward from Marquette. We scout every nook and cranny in the world, but when it comes to the United States we apparently just scout the Big East schools to find talent.

5. With the 35th pick, they select Nemanja Bjelica from Serbia. He won't come over anytime soon which means he won't be on the Timberwolves' payroll...Glen approves this decision.

6. With their last pick of the night (46th), they select Paulao Prestes from Brazil. He'll continue to play elsewhere on somebody else's dime. Glen Taylor loves the pick.

Kahn kept referring to how this draft would help shape our roster and repeatedly bragged about having five picks in this draft. Well, the draft is over and we walked away with two players (Johnson & Hayward) that could maybe contribute next year. We gave one draft pick (Babbitt) away, along with the appealing contract (only partially guaranteed until June 30th) of Ryan Gomes for Martell Webster. The other two picks were foreign players that may or may not be assets down the road. The draft class overall was considered weak, but if that was the case we should've parlayed some of the extra picks this year into next year picks.

The off-season isn't complete yet, but it looks pretty daunting of a task to improve this teams record when looking at our own division, much less the rest of the Western Conference. Four out of the five teams in the Northwest Division had 50 or more victories (Denver 53, Utah 53, Portland 50, and Oklahoma City 50). Minnesota rounded out the division with a whopping 15 victories on the year. Does the additions of Johnson, Webster and Hayward even get us to 20 wins next year...?? I say no.

SBG

My Wish List for the Wolves...

2010-06-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

The NBA Draft is only two days away and hopefully the Wolves can capitalize on some off-season moves/luck in the draft and free agency period to sway them in the right direction from here on out. Here is what I'd like to see from the squad (no particular order) in the off-season:

* Sign Darko - He was out of shape for the last portion of the year with us, but this guy knows how to play and he's still only 25 (just for some perspective...Wesley Johnson will be 23 shortly compared to Darko, who has been in the league now for eight years). He's not going to light up the boxscore on a regular basis, but he defends his position (especially, the high pick and roll/popular play for all teams) well and seems to fit in nicely in the Triangle Offense. The Wolves need to think out of the box when constructing this roster...especially, considering that free agency and the draft has given us next to nothing since the franchise's inception.

* Keep Love & Brewer - Corey Brewer should be a lock to be on the roster next year since the lack of perimeter defense & shooting on the current roster. However, Love has been mentioned in some trade rumors lately. I like him coming off the bench (but, still getting major minutes) as a rebounder and a big guy that can stretch the floor with his three point range on offense. The best part about these two is that they bring energy every night...that's hard to sustain when your ballclub is on the losing end more often than not.

* Trade Al Jefferson - The train has already passed on getting maximum value in return for Al in a trade. However, I just think you need to move him to move him to let the rest of our roster develop. With Al on the squad, it will result in him dominating the ball on offense when he's on the court. If you sign Darko, hang on to Love and Pekovic comes over from overseas...where are the minutes going to come from for all these big guys?One of the better trades in Timberwolves history was sending J.R. Rider to Portland for Bill Curley, James "Hollywood" Robinson and a conditional 1st round pick. It wasn't what we got in return, it was just a matter of addition by subtraction.

* USE your draft picks - I understand that Glen Taylor has lost a lot of money the last few years due to the team's lack of success on the court. But, how can fans take this team/organization seriously when you've traded down (to pay less of a salary on the rookie scale: Mayo/Love and Roy/Foye) and/or you end up selling the pick away (Lawson & Chalmers) to get some extra cash from another team. This irritates me on multiple fronts:
1. The Timberwolves have sucked in their draft history...but, it's like the lottery...you can't win if you don't play.
2. The Minnesota Timberwolves are also not going to land an instant impact free agent...so, why not devote your resources on the draft and take a flier (even if it is a late first round pick) on a kid that could develop into a big contributor for our club?
3. I really don't even mind trading or giving away picks if they really feel it's the best decision at the time (however, I don't see the logic in any of the ones that they have made in the last few years)...but, once those names start getting attached to those picks (Roy, Mayo, Lawson, Chalmers) and you're actually trading the player's rights and not actually the pick itself...that's where you can have the fan base turn against you...because you've opened yourself up to constant criticism/comparing/critiquing when you're wheeling and dealing that late in the ballgame. If you deal the picks...deal them early, or at least if you deal them late when they may have more value...get something basketball related back instead of just cash for Glen Taylor's pocket.

* Get Long and Athletic in Draft - The most athletic guys on the rosters were Corey Brewer and Ryan Hollins. Corey Brewer was the only one that received steady minutes throughout the whole year. The team is probably stuck on whoever falls to them at the number four pick. But, later on in the draft they could get their hands on some tremendous athletes like: Jarvis Varnardo, Ekpe Udoh, Jordan Crawford, Xavier Henry, and/or Lance Stephenson. All are graded out to land in the middle of the first round or later.

SBG

Memorable Fashion Trends in Minnesota Sports

2010-06-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Carl Pavano's mustache has created quite a buzz (probably because we're boring people here in Minnesota)...along with his fashion statement, I've listed some others that we've encountered over the years while watching Minnesota sports:

1. Pavano's Mustache - Not exactly through the roof with creativity, but Carl Pavano was all but dead while "playing" in New York...this not only gives him a pulse, but a personality too.

2. Mitch Lee's shaved champaign glass in the side of his head - He came out with the new hairstyle after being acquitted of rape charges for all to see on the basketball court. Then followed that up with a similar sexual assault charge in Madison, WI. They don't grow 'em any dumber than this.

3. Mauer's Sideburns - Once again, not exactly an earth shattering trend...but, Gardy told me I had to chalk him up in the three hole.

4. Vikings' AFRO's - The receiving trio of Randy Moss, Kelly Campbell and Nate Burleson took out their braids and rocked the Afro's against the Chiefs in 2003.

5. Stanley Robert's "Thug Love" tattoo - Not exactly a fashion, more of a way of life in the jungle we call 'Sota.

6. Jared Allen's Mullet - It takes some balls to rock a mullet out in public. I attempted this back in my college years in 2001-02...and I couldn't do it...if I left the house, I always had to double team the mullet with a hat and a hooded sweatshirt, before I finally shaved it off. I salute you, Jared.

7. Kevin McHale's ugly sweaters - Does anything scream MINNESOTA more than men wearing multi-colored sweaters, with over the top geometric shape patterns on them? That alone could be the reason why free agents never wanted to come here to play...seizures gone wild.

8. Scott Erickson's low stirrups - No one in Minnesota was sporting the "wear the baseball pants low/showing no white socks through your stirrups" look before Scott Erickson arrived. I remember having to double or triple loop the bottom of my stirrups around my toes in order to make this work for my little league games...this would result in cutting off all blood circulation in my feet...but, it was all worth it.

9. Willie Burton's Mask - With a broken nose, Willie Burton had to sport a facial mask...not one of those high tech clear ones that appear to be really light...it was clunky looking, and had brown padding around it which made it resemble an old school hockey mask (which could of have also been a mask for a serial killer). His play did not suffer during this stretch either...in fact, it was probably his best stretch of basketball on the collegiate level.

10. Alex Burnett's bullpen backpack - This is kind of a low key one...but, I've noticed Burnett tote a backpack after games that is made out of some kind of brown fur (definitely animal related). You're not scoring any points with PETA.

11. Monson's sponsored sport coat - On several occasions during actual games, Dan Monson rocked a sport coat with an endorsement for Century 21...at least, you could have endorsed a product that basketball is somewhat affiliated with...and he wanted our basketball program to be taken seriously...??

12. Laettner's middle part/head band combo - The look just kind of fit the arrogant prick.

13. Childress' snowsuit - The images of Bud Grant patrolling the sidelines, wearing just a Vikings baseball cap and a light winter jacket in cold weather are long gone...our current coach bundles up like a three year old if the weather is below 30 degrees.

14. Marko Jaric's hair - Anyone that seems to put product into their hair before they play a game should not be acquired via draft or trade. Wally Szczerbiak almost defied all the odds and became the exception to the rule...but, in the end...he still failed.

15. Favre...the Silver Fox - Not many people can pull off the "gray beard" look in professional sports...mainly, because no one remains relevant in the sporting world for that length of time.

SBG

Sports, Sports, Sports...

2010-06-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'm going to broaden my scope a little bit to touch on some national stories as well...but, here's what's been on my radar in the sports world during the last week or so:

* Did you hear John Wooden died? You wouldn't believe this...but, Sid Hartman was a close personal friend of John Wooden.

* Stephen Strasburg strikes out 14 batters in seven innings of work with no walks. But, come on...Washington set this up perfectly for his first start to be against the lowly Pirates. It's a good confidence booster for a rookie making his MLB debut. Don't get me wrong...I think he'll still dominate, especially being in the National League...but, will he hold up healthwise, and how about mentally when he finally gets hit around a little bit.

* Got hooked on the NCAA Baseball Regionals (Fullerton Region) over the weekend, which also means I didn't get any sleep for four days. Four team - double elimination tournament...winner goes on to the Super Regionals. Gophers collapse coming out of the winner bracket and lose two straight to a tough Cal-State Fullerton team. A couple complaints about the coverage:

- Just because I'm watching ESPNU, doesn't mean that I'm a virgin to the game of baseball. Morgan Ensberg was horrible at doing the commentary. He spent more time on critiquing the "what if" plays that never happened than the plays that actually did take place. Please, just cover the game that we are watching. On the other hand, Morgan's play-by-play partner (Kutcher) was hilarious...although at times, he was encouraging Morgan's random tangents about nothing.

- They profile the Gophers' history and it lists that we've won 3 National Titles in baseball. Yet, we've never been to a "Super Regional" (which is another preliminary round before the actual College World Series). Is this what expansion is going to do to our NCAA sports...just create more stupid names for each level of accomplishment...if that's the case, I vote "NO" on everything expansion wise in any sport.

* I haven't told my wife, but I'm a closet soccer fan when the World Cup rolls around once every four years. I thoroughly enjoy the play/coverage...the only things I dislike are: the players flopping to extremes in order to draw the whistle and the reasoning that every four years an annoucer/TV personality will proclaim that, "U.S.A Soccer will really take off and grow after this year because of (enter a young promising player on the team)." No...it never happens...by the way, our 13 year old savior (Freddy Adu) that we found years ago (signed as a professional as a fourteen year old), is now 21 years old and is not good enough to make the squad.

* I'm rooting for the Lakers in the Finals. Mainly, because I'm done with Kevin Garnett. I'm so tired of him pounding on his chest and swearing f-bombs while running back on defense after he makes a shot in the 1st quarter...especially, now that he's just a complimentary player on the Boston squad. I used to love the "intensity" because half the players in the NBA are only there to go through the motions and collect their paycheck...but, his routine has gotten old quick now that's he on a different team.

SBG

Feeling Minnesota...

2010-05-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some random thoughts on some random topics:

* Why doesn't Justin Morneau have any Gold Glove Awards in his possession right now? The problem is Mark Teixeira's move to the New York Yankees has morphed him into Don Mattingly. He has already locked up this award at first base for the forseeable future. He starts off the year chalked up as the winner and the only way he can lose this award is by missing significant time due to injury. Teixeira is really solid by all means...but, Morneau deserves this award at least once in his career...and this should be the year he claims it. Morneau simply does more for his team in the field than what is expected out of Teixeira who is playing with at least two future Hall of Famers. By the way, have the baseball stat geeks figured out a formula for how many bad balls/throws that first basemen encounters throughout the year and their success rate for picking/scooping these bouncers to still get the out at first? My bet is no...otherwise, I believe Morneau would be killing this category thus raising some national attention for his defensive prowess.

* If you're African-American and your last name is Williams'...please come to Minnesota because our courts will have your back! Not only does the Williams' Wall (Kevin and Pat) benefit from our state courts delaying their suspensions/pay for almost two years now (and granting them an appeal to delay it even more)...but, we also have Jimmy Williams who wins a lawsuit against Tubby Smith and the University of Minnesota for $1.25 million over a verbal discussion over a phone conversation.

Shame on Tubby for not doing more research on Jimmy Williams, specifically the incidents during the Musselman/Dutcher era at our very own University of Minnesota. However, Jimmy Williams doesn't deserve any pity. He claims that since the verbal hiring scandal, that he has been blackballed from the coaching scene. I don't think he was blackballed, but now I'm for certain he sealed the deal with that one all by himself. I'm sure suing a coach/university for $1.25 million will only enhance your resume even more to others while deciding to hire you...along with all the cheating infractions on it as well. Not to mention...his worst offense of all is that the Timberwolves was one of his stopping grounds.

* I'm so tired of hearing complaints about the lack of home runs the home team has hit while playing at Target Field. We are the freakin' Minnesota Twins. We don't knock the ball out of the park on a consistent basis. It took us a gazillion years for one of our players to hit 30 home runs in one season...keep in mind that steroids were prevalent throughout the game during this stretch...and we still didn't conquer that feat until Morneau did it in 2006.

Which brings me to my next rant...Gardy...start managing the game. We sit on our hands way too much during the games, especially in the early innings. Let's put some runners in motion and see if we can manufacture some runs by playing some small ball here and there (not all the time, but pick a time here and there). There are so many missed opportunities due to poor to piss poor at bats by our hitters. It doesn't matter who is up either...it could be Butera to Mauer to Cuddy to Hudson. The only exception is usually Morneau...because they're always walking his ass so he doesn't even really count.

SBG

NBA Lottery Misery...Again

2010-05-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

I've come to hate Evan Turner (watching him play/trash talk in the Big Ten) and I don't believe John Wall has an all-around game (no consistent outside jumper). But, even with that said...I still know this is only a two player draft, and the two I mentioned above are the ones to grab. So when you have the second worst record in the NBA, and the lottery Gods decide that your awful franchise will be picking number 4...it stings, even if you knew it was going to play out this way all along. Here are some other random thoughts pertaining the NBA Draft Lottery and our Timberwolves:

* With the Timberwolves picking at number 4, they are officially in the "DeMarcus Cousins Territory". He grades out to be picked right around this area. Personally, I think this guy is a flat out bust. A big man with huge potential, but no work ethic and doesn't play defense (he's compared to Al Jefferson and Derrick Coleman on draftexpress.com)...add money into the equation and he'll float around the league several years until he's most popular as an "expiring contract" asset.

* Before the lottery unfolded it was well known that this was just a two player draft. Well, David Kahn leaked to the media (Star Tribune) that he thought there were three players (he wouldn't name them though) that he thought were top of their class. Ironically, the Timberwolves land the fourth pick. Whomever the team drafts without trading up, Kahn will claim that this was one of their initial targets all along.

* Speaking of trading up...I don't see this happening. I know Kahn likes to think we have assets, but I just don't see the rest of league thinking that what we have to offer will improve their own team by any significant measures.

* It's hard to say how Kahn plans on reconstructing this roster. But, it seems that either way the team is need of some wing players. So, I was doing some research on Wesley Johnson from Syracuse and I came across this tid bit on http://www.nbadraft.net/players/wesley-johnson: "Regardless, his smile can light up an arena and make him an immediate fan favorite." Let me rant...first off, we already got a mediocre player from Syracuse that has a great smile. His name is Jonny Flynn. Second, I'm offically done with anything that comes out of Syracuse basketball wise. They play zone under Boeheim so they have horrible defensive habits. ESPN hypes up the Big East as if this is the only quality basketball being played on the collegiate level. Here are your NBA busts from Syracuse in recent years: Derrick Coleman, Billy Owens, Hakim Warrick, Etan Thomas, John Wallce, and Lawerence Moten. I won't label Carmelo Anthony a bust, but he hasn't exactly been a franchise savior either. I'm officially anti-Wesley Johnson from this point on.

SBG

Target Field Review #2...Section 117

2010-05-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

I was a last minute fill-in to take my little brother-in-law (sophomore in high school) to the Twins second game of a double header against the Orioles on Saturday night. Here are some of my random observations throughout the game:

* We were located in Section 117, Row 19 in seats 1 and 2. Excellent view of everything...we were slightly under the overhang of the Legends Club and lined up behind the left side of the netting behind the backstop. My brother-in-law was excited about getting a foul ball...I told him he must not be good at geometry...I love being old and bitter.

* Twins screw up the "around the horn" in the 3rd inning. Orlando Hudson misfires to Nick Punto and the ball sails into third base foul territory. Nick Punto doesn't want anything to do with a ball that can't endure a simple "around the horn" routine. Baker had to get an additional ball from the home plate umpire. Never seen this happen before in person...kind of a weird moment for the "professional" players on the field.

* I noticed that on some of the introductions to Twins players stepping up to the batters' box, they'll do a simulated video game highlight of said player on the big scoreboard. Do you know Nick Punto's "highlight" was an infield single on this video game production? I'm not saying that they should have had Nick Punto unleashing a home run, but couldn't they at least given him a nice legit outfield single...I thought it was a little harsh, but also hilarious at the same time.

* I know Dick and Bert bring this up all the time, but Cuddyer's stance is odd. When Bert brings this topic up, I used to roll my eyes...but, his hands start at his waist in his batting stance. I don't think you can appreciate this until you watch this from behind. I know it's an attempt to quicken his swing...but, it just looks uncomfortable.

* Bottom of 8th, was pretty memorable just because of all the irony involved. Twins have runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and the bottom third of the lineup due up (Punto, Casilla and Butera). To create a possible double play scenario...Orioles decide to intentionally walk Nick Punto to load up the bases (weird, but I get the reasoning behind it). Gardenhire pulls a slick and unexpected move by pinch hitting Mauer in place of Casilla. The crowd erupts and goes crazy for 5-10 minutes...it was goosebump zone loud...and what does Mauer do...strikeouts swinging. So, we have two outs and our third string catcher, who can't hit comes to the plate...he ends up hitting a clutch two out single to left that drives in two more runs. So to recap: the crowd giggled when Punto was walked...erupted when Mauer took the on-deck circle...then settled into their seats after Mauer K's and eventual out (Butera) walks up to the plate....then erupts again as Drew Butera shockingly singles in two more runs.

* I strictly had a beer diet during the game, however I did pick up a $5 bag of Kettle Korn. I consider this as the best buy so far in the new stadium. The bag is huge and the Kettle Korn was really good...and the price is perfect.

* Scott Baker rolls into the fourth with a perfect game going...and I'm not saying this would've continued by any means...but, Span and Cuddyer allow the first hit to be a routine fly ball that both thought the other would catch easily. It look like our D leage softball team going after a fly ball (or should I say not going after a fly ball).

SBG

Target Field Review...from the Left Field Bleachers

2010-05-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

My wife and I took our three year old twins to Target Field to watch the high-powered Twins pound on one of the worse teams in all of baseball...the Baltimore Orioles. Well, it didn't exactly unfold as I thought it would...but, at least the game was quick and painless (especially, when you're toting kids that are asking to go home after the top of the 1st inning because they sense the break in action and assume it's time.) Here are my thoughts on the stadium and the game in general from the left-field bleachers:

* It pretty much drizzled the whole game. We didn't get a drop. We had the upper deck overhang as our built-in umbrella.

* I thought the view of the field from the left field bleachers was excellent. I didn't think we were too far away, and you could still tell what kind of pitches Pavano was throwing (off-speed versus fastball) without looking at the scoreboard for the MPH on the pitches. However, I was kind of bummed out that you could barely see the Minneapolis skyline, can't see the Minnie and Paul sign, plus you can't see the big scoreboard out in Left Center in the upper deck. They had several TV's above us hanging off the bottom of the second deck that showed us what was going on the big scoreboard...but, it's just not the same visual.

* It wouldn't be a Twins game without a head first dive into first base by none other than...Nick Punto.

* How sad is it that the biggest offensive play for the Twins during the game was an Alexi Casilla bunt single that hugged the third base line...? I could probably envision this in a day game when Gardy plays all the reserves...but, we had a lineup that's supposed to do some damage...especially, against a struggling Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff.

* We all shared a Murray's Steak Sandwich, a Cheeseburger with Fries, Cheese Curds, Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and obviously beer (the kids didn't partake in the beer). Only regret is the peanuts...my three old son can't crack the shell...but, on top of that he doesn't like the skin around the peanut either. So, I would crack the shell and dump the peanuts into his hand. He would then try to rub and peel the skin off the peanuts before he would eat them. This resulted in him dropping one of every two peanuts onto the floor. It was a no-win proposition based on how we were operating as a team. Even if I overachieved on my end and cracked a whole bunch of peanuts and dumped them into his hands...his small hands would get overwhelmed and still drop half the peanuts (if not more) because he was so consumed with trying to perfect one of them at a time.

* A bases loaded situation with two outs and Jim Thome is up to bat in the bottom of the 7th inning...and the crowd starts a "Thome" chant. He's already won us over...even if he fails from time to time.

* Jason Kubel has an underground following. Obviously, he's not as popular or clean cut as Baby Jesus or The Canadian...but, I think that's what makes him popular amongst the younger generation of underachievers. Plus, when your stats are down and slowly coming around...it doesn't hurt that your competition is the unlikeable Delmon Young.

SBG

One Shining Moment(s) Volume 5

2010-04-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Once again we'll take a look back at some of the memorable (ok...maybe not so much memorable) athletes/coaches that have graced us with their presence on our local teams:

Dusty Rychart - A walk-on freshman who is forced to play significant minutes against Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA tournament, (because four teammates were suspended due to an investigation into the basketball program, plus injuries to two other players) almost catapults the Gophers past the Zags in a comeback with a 23 point/17 rebound effort. This gets me off topic...and I'm not saying Clem and the program didn't cheat and bend the rules, but how does this get released when it did...isn't there a "John Calipari/Kelvin Sampson cheaters' ethic rule" of only releasing negative information about the program in the off-season.

Paul Grant - It's bad enough when you cheat and forfeit first round draft picks (Joe Smith scandal), but then when you draft someone and they don't even play until almost two years after you initially drafted them (injury related)...and he's not even a foreign player playing overseas. But, what takes the cake is he played at Wisconsin (a border battle rival school) and we still barely knew who he was at the time. Your "One Shining Moment" was being a big white man in the Midwest area at a time when part-time GM Kevin McHale was running the basketball operations. Impeccable timing.

Dimitrius Underwood - He's an NFL 1st round pick that has attempted suicide more times (2) than NFL games played (0). He was a gamble that Denny Green/staff took a bite on, only because Randy Moss proved to be worth every penny and more the year before. By default, your "One Shining Moment" is the escape from Training Camp on Day One...it was an O.J. in the white Bronco type moment for Viking rubes to try to follow our 1st round draft pick whereabouts.

Cheryl Littlejohn - She is the sucky version of John Calipari in the women's side of college basketball. Not only did she help put violations on both programs she was affiliated with (Minnesota and Chicago State), she underperformed in the win-loss column. In four years at the U of M, she won a whopping 7 games in Big Ten play. Despite all of this, her "One Shining Moment" was getting Lindsay Whalen to attend the U of M. The very next year, Brenda Oldfield and sophomore guard Lindsay Whalen helped the Gophers post a 22-8 record (11 Big Ten wins in one year).

Willie Banks - Willie Banks was on two championship teams ('91 Twins and '98 Yankees) without really being "on" those teams for any significant reason.

Tutu Atwell - Undersized, speedy wide receiver that also played a huge role in the special teams return game. He racked up a lot of stats on bad teams that were always playing from behind in the Wacker era. His "One Shining Moment" though was majoring in "Recreation"...I try to refrain from swearing...but, what the fuck...you can really major in that?

Fuad Reviez - Also known as Fuad-o-matic...he was the Vikings placekicker from 1990-95. Our offenses were so lackluster during that time span that his jersey was often seen worn by fans at games. When the kicker's jersey is selling...you know your offense sucks.

Derek Boogaard - I usually do blasts from the past, but this guy is just too embarrassing to pass up. I know you serve a purpose by being a goon that likes to fight on the team. But, come on...can you show me some inkling of hockey skill while that puck is around you. I've seen better hand-eye coordination in special ed. floor hockey games on the public access channels. Fourteen points in five years in the NHL. Your "One Shining Moment" of your career will be starting a hockey camp that teaches youngsters how to fight...way to help out the youth, Derek.

SBG

Brewster Introductory Press Conference...and more...

2010-04-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Read below...it's Tim Brewster's initial press conference (keep in mind his 1-11 record in his first year, no wins in trophy games, no rivalry wins, the coaching carousel of his assistants, no identity for the offense or defense, and of course all the off field issues with his players showing up on the police blotter to just name a few things.)

"Our expectation is to win a Big Ten Championship now. We’re not interested in any rebuilding process. I’m very fortunate that I’m not coming into a situation that is decimated where there are no players. There are players here. Glen Mason did an excellent job at this university and coached these kids well. They’ve won a lot of games. They’re not void of talent, so we’re in a little different situation here than it is at most places that are going through the hiring process. I’m very excited that it’s not a complete rebuilding process."My address to the team this morning involved two things: I want guys who are physically tough people and I want players who are passionate. I want players who love the game of football, because make no mistake about it, I love football. It’s been awfully good to me. It’s been my life. I love football and I’m going to surround myself with people who love football. These players have a thirst right now and I’m going to give them what they’re looking for. I promised them one thing, and that is I will never let them down. I’m going to have my football team prepared to play on Saturdays. We’re going to play with pride. We’re going to play with toughness. We’re going to play with passion and we’re going to win. We are going to win. We’re going to win the Big Ten Championship and we’re going to take the Gopher nation to Pasadena. That’s my dream, that’s my goal and that’s my belief. It will happen here sooner rather than later.
"What type of football team are we going to be and what type of kids are we going to recruit? Our process there, again, involves talking about toughness and passion. We want kids who are smart and who are going to be able to make plays. What do I want out of their experience here? 1) I want them to get a degree, and 2) I want them to represent this University in a fine fashion at all times. I’m going to communicate with these kids every step of the way make sure they understand what’s acceptable and what’s not. Once kids understand what’s acceptable and what’s not I think you have a much better shot chance for success. "The last thing I’m going to talk to these kids about is making sure they do things right every single day. I’m going to be consistent with what I do. I want them consistent with what they do. I want them training and working every single day towards winning a championship for the Gophers. All I can say is that it is an extremely bright future at the University of Minnesota. I’m extremely lucky to have been chosen as the head football coach at the ‘U’. I take that responsibility very, very seriously. I pledge to you that I’m going to do everything in my power to bring a championship to the Twin Cities and these kids are going to be passionate, they’re going to play hard and they’re going to represent you well."

Other news:
* Twins are 11-5 while winning their first five series of the year...yet, I still don't think they've played that well. However, they've only committed one defensive error through 16 games...that's what Gardy calls the "Twins Way".

* NFL Draft is tonight...it's hard to guess who will fall down to pick number 30...however, I'm going to say that Childress/Vikings goes with a quarterback (Clausen or Tebow). Remember when Childress apparently was threatening to bench Favre during the latter part of the year (Carolina game). I don't even know if that would be the right pick, but I just don't think Childress (but, mostly just his ego) wants to be caught with his pants down (insert "Pants on the Ground" song here) next season.

* Tubby's roster is still a work in progress. Cory Joseph remains undecided. Mbwakwe finally has a court date this summer to find out his status. They picked up two new recruits in Mo Walker and Oto Osenieks during the late signing period. They lost Damian Johnson, Devron Bostick and Lawerence Westbrook to graduation. Paul Carter is transferring to be closer to his sister, and Justin Cobbs may also transfer out of the program.

* Oregon still has not hired a men's basketball coach. They were setting their sights high and were shooting for Tubby, Izzo, Few, Stevens and Mike Anderson...recruits and current players are leaving the program due to not having a coach...and what makes things worse, they forked over thousands for a search firm to help assist with finding the best candidates for the job. Well, I guess they found the best candidates...they just can't hire any of them.

SBG

A Fan's Confidence...

2010-04-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Here's how I break down the 2010 Twins 25 man big league roster after a week of play. I'm rating the players (1 through 25...1 being the best) based on my confidence level as a fan that they'll succeed in a given circumstance...batting, fielding, pitching and/or miscellaneous.

1. Joe Mauer - He is just simply ridiculous. Premier player on both ends.
2. Justin Morneau - He seems to always falter at the end of the season, but he saves our team a lot of outs with some of his scoops on errant throws to first base.
3. J.J. Hardy - Too high...? No, he's got more range than Bartlett and a stronger arm. Anything he does in the 7 hole batting wise is a plus. I laugh when I think about Orlando Cabrera's fielding prowess (mostly lack of) after watching this guy play.
4. Denard Span - Solid all around. I don't think he's gotten off to the greatest start, but he still works counts as a leadoff hitter and his fielding is way above average.
5. Nick Blackburn - Doesn't have the greatest "stuff", but his knack for keeping the team in the ball game and also eats up valuable innings. He works fast as well.
6. Michael Cuddyer - I still think he's a guess hitter (and why teams don't continually throw sliders...I do not know), but even with that said he provides valuable pop from the right side, and his right arm out in the outfield is respected.
7. Carl Pavano - He battles his tail off (as Gardy would say)...he eats up innings, he may walk a few but he's pitching around the guy rather than not being able to actually find the strike zone like most of our pitchers struggle to do. He's a solid veteran pitcher that is very much needed in the starting rotation.
8. Orlando Hudson - A pretty good switch hitting bat in the number 2 hole. He hasn't been tested fielding wise, but staying in on the throw (while a sliding baserunner is trying to take him out) while turning the double play has been impressive.
9. Matt Guerrier - He's the Morneau version of our pitching staff. Starts off strong, struggles, then tries to regain his form towards the latter part of the year. Even with that said, he's the most consistent pitcher in our bullpen.
10. Jason Kubel - He could probably be a few spots higher, but I don't think he'll have the year he did last year. I don't believe he'll get as many fastballs served up to him now that he's a known commodity around the league. His performance in the Yankees playoff series from last year still has me down on him.
11. Jesse Crain - He was horrible last year. Yet, so far in the first week he's been really solid...he's got the best "stuff" by far out of bullpen. Guerrier has a nice breaking ball, but Jesse brings nastier pitches to the table.
12. Jim Thome - As a Twins fan...you're always skeptical about the old veteran that the team is bringing in. However, Jim Thome gives us quality at-bats with a good chance to give us even more pop in the line-up. He better keep doing this...because he really doesn't offer us too much more.
13. Scott Baker - One of the worst so-called "aces" of their team's staff. He doesn't have great stuff. He works at an extremely slow pace and it doesn't help that batters foul off thousands of pitches. He looks as if he's going to have a mental breakdown on the mound. All this adds up to a .500 pitching record...which isn't bad, but we've been waiting for this guy to turn the corner for about three years.
14. Kevin Slowey - I like him. I also don't think he has great movement or velocity on his pitches, but at least he seems to have a plan against the hitters...even if it doesn't materialize in his favor.
15. Jon Rauch - He's living on the edge like Eddie Guardardo in his save attempts. I think the move was smart and simple by the Twins to just have him assume the duties, but I just don't know how he'll handle the big boys (Yankees and Red Sox) when we're in the pressure cooker.
16. Delmon Young - I'm still not a fan of Delmon. He's been hot in the first week, but I still think he has some poor at-bats in clutch situations (swinging at first pitch when pitcher is struggling). The weight loss has helped some, but he's still a liability in left field. I've seen a runner take an extra base simply by how casually he approached a single hit right at him.
17. Brian Duensing - Mijares may want to watch out, before Duensing takes over the lefty late inning duties. Not powerful, yet works the corners with a variety of pitches. I like him...he came up big in some tight spots last year and has done so as well this year.
18. Nick Punto - Pitchers better recognize that we're in an even year...and that my friends is when Nick Punto takes the league by storm. On a serious note...he's batting nine (where he belongs) on a club that needs him for his defense more than his offense. His play at third has already been substantially better than his competition (Brendan Harris). His bat can't get worse than it was last year...he'll improve easily.
19. Pat Neshek - He hasn't killed us, but I just don't think he looks anywhere near his form two years ago. His delivery is not as funky, thus his ball doesn't have the same movement. I just think he's more hittable than ever.
20. Franciso Liriano - He seems like he's in better spirits this year, but I still see the same issues with his game. His whole delivery is out of control, which means he's walking batters and crappy ones on top of that.
21. Brendan Harris - His bat is decent. I'll give him that edge over Punto. However, his defense and range at the hot corner is not a good fit for him. He's running out of positions in my mind. I think last year was evident that he's not fit for the middle infield. It hasn't happened yet, but I believe he'll be Morneau's backup to 1st base here and there when he needs a rest.
22. Alexi Casilla - I like Alexi's game...his bat and glove are not exactly in the "consistent" category, but he adds another dimension to this unathletic plodding club. He's gotten big clutch hits for this club in the past, but there's just something with being a Latino Twins ballplayer (Gomez, Casilla, Liriano, Mijares) that just hasn't mixed for the last few years.
23. Alex Burnett - I saw one outing in his hometown of Anaheim. I thought he looked sharp in a blowout. We'll see if he gets any quality work in a more meaningful game down the line.
24. Jose Mijares - He came on the scene two years ago and impressed me. Since the start of last year, he has been the one of the biggest disappointments. He's got one of the easiest gigs...Gardy usually uses his late lefty in the bullpen for specific matchups against lefthanded batters. They may not even pitch to two batters, much less an inning. Yet, this guy continues to struggle finding the strikezone with all his TWO pitches in his arsenal.
25. Drew Butera - It's cool that his dad caught in the Major Leagues as well, but do I really have to watch this kid attempt to bat at this level during day games that Mauer doesn't play?

SBG

April Fool's Day

2010-04-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

April Fool's...or is it...??

* Nick Punto is your Opening Day starting third basemen for the Minnesota Twins.

* Best all-around big man on the Timberwolves roster is out of shape, hardly used, Europe bound after the season...Darko Milicic.

* Tubby Smith is letting rumors swirl around about his whereabouts next season while he's on the recruiting trail...great strategy.

* Gophers' basketball team's best recruit this year may be the same as last year (Royce White).

* Big Eleven...err, Big Ten's commish (Jim Delaney) releases that the NCAA tourney is leaning towards the expansion of 96 teams in the field. On a related note, the term "bubble" will be expanded to "globe" because anyone that picks up a basketball around the world is eligible to receive an at-large bid to the tourney.

* Shooter reports on 4/1/10 in the Pioneer Press, that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor doesn't have much patience in the rebuilding phase. Where was this lack of patience when Kevin McHale was employed by you?

* Tim Brewster is still the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.

SBG

Bean Bag Tourney Recap...

2010-03-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Our Bean Bag Tourney went over real well...here are some hits and misses:

1. All 32 teams showed up. However, we had to cover for a team and a half (so three people) the morning of the tourney. That wasn't fun, which kind of buzzkilled the first hour or so of the event for me.

2. I ordered a big check for picture purposes (1st, 2nd & 3rd place of the tourney and then the money we raised towards our fundraising cause)...everyone LOVED this...it's also re-usable so it'll be a staple at our event.

3. The tap for the keg was missing a seal, thus it was pumping out all foam. Had to ride with someone to the liquor store to exchange for one that works around noon (two hours into our event). Not cool liquor store.

4. Too many all guy teams (with teams bailing left and right leading up to the tourney, my hand was forced to go this route). I was really rooting for a co-ed team to make a deep run and finish in the top three. My wife and I made a deep run but we had a really good draw off the bat.

5. The food went over real well...Panini Creations is bomb. Probably coud've ordered a couple extra boxes to tie people over for another hour or so.

6. Two kegs for 32 co-ed teams would've been perfect. Two kegs for 16 co-ed teams and 16 all guy teams is not nearly enough.

7. We had big brackets posted on the garage that were updated with every game ending. This was underrated, but people were hovering around the brackets as they were being filled out.

8. We had a cup holder for everyone playing at every single board. That was probably the second most popular item besides the big check.

9. We had one scoreboard on all four courts. Even with drunkenness prevalent, there were no grudges/complaints/arguments over scoring.

10. I was too drunk to operate the camera to take photos of the 1st and 2nd place finishers. I apparently switched the camera to video mode, instead of picture mode. Sorry...no facebook cameos for the top two finishers in the tourney.

11. People were complimenting us left and right about the great idea and told us we should do this more often. I loved that they liked it...but, there is no way we're doing this more than once a year. There's a reason I picked the month of March to host this event. The weather is getting warmer and people are itching to get outside. You don't have to compete against softball tournaments or weddings or people going up north to the cabin etc. The hardest part of the tourney was getting a firm "yes" from people...and this was in March. Can you imagine getting people committed to a tourney during the summer? Good luck...you can borrow our boards if you want and host your own damn tourney. Plus, everything that I love in sports only happens once a year. Why ruin that?

12. We raised $234.73 for a buddy's mom that is a breast cancer survivor and partaking in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk this year. Rumor has it (from Sid Hartman's close personal friend) that she will be doing the walk next year as well. We need to smash that number next year.

SBG

1st Annual Bean Bag Tourney

2010-03-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

In honor of March simply being the best month of the year (seriously though: March Madness, Spring begins, St. Patrick's Day, receiving Girl Scout Cookies, Major League Baseball teams report to camp, etc) my wife and I decided to host our own little annual event starting this year (Saturday March 27th). We are hosting a 32 team (partners) double elimination bean bag toss tourney in our backyard. We have four courts set up, which results in 7-8 straight hours of non-stop excitement of bags being tossed back and forth. Gus Johnson is kicking himself right now that he is being subjected to NCAA men's basketball coverage over the weekend.

I'll give a recap of the event's highs and lows in my next entry...

SBG

We're Dancin'!

2010-03-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

After an amazing run in the Big Ten Tourney...Team Tubby has found itself in the Big Dance for the second consecutive year. They walloped Penn State. They escaped Michigan State. And, finally put a big whooping on Purdue to essentially clinch their spot in the field of 65. The Ohio State game was close until the 12 minute mark in the second half...then we collapsed...4 games in 4 nights with every game (except for Michigan State) starting earlier than the day before...we were bound to falter, eventually. This is my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Other thoughts and random observations from the tourney and teams:

* Someone's facebook status claimed Evan Turner looks like an 'Avatar'. My wife also chimed in that he speaks like he's deaf. I loved both.

* How about Bostick coming out of nowhere and getting major minutes in all the must win games? This is why I love Tubby. Bostick was in the doghouse all of last year because he didn't play defense. He got suspended right away this year and was buried in the bench. But, the kid to his credit stuck with it and is always the first one off the bench to congratulate his teammates when a time out is called on the floor. I don't mind his game either, in fact I think he brings an offensive spark off the bench...which the Gophers need (because Cobbs and Williams won't bring anything perimeter wise, or just plain offense for that matter). Maybe I'm giving Tubby too much credit, and it was more of an act of desperation than anything...either way though...it worked.

* Westbrook's antics in the late stages of the Michigan State team had me furious. He converts a difficult three point play in overtime. To put us up by seven or eight. He then bullrushes the screening of Raymar Morgan to put him at the line for two free throws/double bonus (luckily he misses them both). Then instead of passing the ball, Westbrook dribbles into a double team (because he wants to rack up his point total at the free throw line) and loses the ball which results into a quick two points for Michigan State. We still escape with a win, but doesn't this sequence sum up his career. He makes a great play for three points and virtually gives up four (even though they missed the two automatic free throws) by just simply being selfish.

* Let's give Colton Iverson some more clock. We win ugly. Our biggest wins this year (Butler, Michigan State, Purdue) have been when Colton is playing extensively. His offensive game is coming around a little bit...but he brings more intangibles than anything. How about when Draymond Green when out of his way to make sure he threw an elbow in Colton's direction while rolling around on the floor? Now we didn't get the benefit of the call, but at the same time Draymond Green's head is elsewhere if he's thinking about cheap shots over actually making a play. I like what Colton brings to the game...and not many teams (even the good ones) can match his size and toughness.

* Devoe Joseph single-handedly helped us pull out a win against Michigan State. If he doesn't drill down those two threes in overtime...we would be talking about another Gopher collapse down the stretch and landed right in the NIT field...which would've catapulted Illinois into the Big Dance instead of the Gophers.

* Purdue looked terrible (in both games by the way). I know they don't have Hummel anymore, but they didn't even show up and the Conseco Fieldhouse is in their backyard. Even with all this said, I still think they sneak into the Sweet Sixteen somehow. People undervalue defense in the tourney and I think Purdue is pretty stout, they just have to find some ways to score on the offensive end.

SBG

Big Ten Basketball Tourney

2010-03-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

A Puncher's Chance:
This is the Gophers last chance to make an impression for an at-large bid for the NCAA tourney. Some say they have to win the whole thing to get in...I, on the other hand think they could sneak in if they just win their first two games against Penn State and Michigan State. However, there would have to be a lot of help outside of our games to move ahead of the 4-5 other bubble teams in our way. For example: just within our tourney (not the gazillion other tourneys going on) we can't afford any upsets with the top four seeds. Illinois getting spanked by Wisconsin could move us into the fifth best team in the conference...at least in the committee's eyes since we hold the head to head tiebreaker, we have similar resumes and Illini's collapse to close out the year. Obviously, there are a lot of other things that have to happen as well...but, two more wins gets us to 20 (plus one would be against a quality opponent) and we have Tubby Smith as our coach. Never underestimate the power of having a big time coach when you're a team on the "bubble" when it comes down to Selection Sunday.

Identity Crisis:
Can we officially change our conference name to the Big 11? Or Big Midwest? I'm tired of the being associated with the Big Ten when we have eleven teams in our conference. It's cute that you can frame the number 11 in the Big Ten emblem, but come on you're just insulting our intelligence. Big East doesn't have to worry about numbers in their conference identity. The Big 12...used to be called the Big 8...they only changed the name to the properly reflect how many schools were affiliated with the new conference. Why are we so difficult? Or another solution besides renaming the conference...let's just kick Penn State to the curb so we're back at the number 10, for real...have they really added that much value to our conference (we're over a decade into it) other than shoving the corpse that is Joe Paterno out to the football sidelines on some Saturday afternoons.

Indy...??:
Why is Indianapolis hosting this basketball event every year (besides the first year or two when it was in Chicago)? The basketball tourney was sold to us that the hosting city would rotate amongst all the great cities we have in Big Ten country. Detroit can host a Final Four (just within the last year), but is not good enough to host the Big Ten tourney? We have Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis...and if we wanted to push it some more, I suppose you could include Milwaukee and Cleveland on that list (although, these are more of a stretch). I just don't understand the infatuation with Indianapolis as the venue of choice. Especially, when Indy is already hosting two big annual events year round...Indy 500 and the NFL scouting combine. Give Detroit and other cities capable of hosting a bone here and there.

SBG

Random Ranting...

2010-03-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

* Puff pieces done on players (specifically baseball players during Spring Training) makes me want to vomit. There should be a maximum of puff pieces you can publish during a week (blog or paper)...like one a week, and that's a stretch. It's cool that Delmon Young lost 20 pounds, but come back to me when he's hitting .250 and barely playing and let me know how that weight loss deal is going.

* You know why I hate the Winer Olympics...? It's not a collection of the best athletes all over the world...it's the collection of good athletes that have access and resources to these limited facilities all over the world where they can train. Also, the whole world is not represented in the Winter Olympics (it's a competition of five or so countries based on the sheer numbers they send over compared to the rest of the countries). The 5 Olympic rings should be condensed to 2 or 2 1/2 during the Winter Games.

* Trade Al Jefferson. He's garbage...his lone quality is his low post game from the 1st quarter through the 3rd quarter. We thought Kevin Garnett had a complex in the 4th quarter, wait til you see Al choking on bunnies two feet from the hoop. He just picked up a DUI, he doesn't play defense, doesn't rebound, argues with teammates during the game (because he's not getting enough touches) and the coach doesn't even have faith to play him in crunch time situations...I say get rid of him and I don't even care what we get back in return.

* NFL Free Agency...so the most competitively balanced league that can have worst to first/first to worst teams happen in back to back years is going to punish the teams that did well the previous year by not allowing them to pursue any free agents unless they lose one of their own to another team in this "uncapped year"...?? We lost Chestor Taylor...so now we can pursue a free agent? The NFL is successful because...it's simple. Quit confusing us and give us back the good ol' days of Daniel Snyder and the Redskins overspending on free agent flops.

* Brett Favre was on Jay Leno's show last night...I want him back. I don't have a full out crush on him like my mom does...but, I might be getting there.

* How does Ralph Sampson III's hook shots go in? First off, he doesn't get very good/deep position on the block. Then as he slowly winds into form...he'll suddenly be fading away so it's actually an eight to ten foot hook shot with no arc. I must say I thoroughly enjoy watching this...because I haven't seen a hook shot been routinely attempted since Shawn Bradley was playing college ball at BYU.

SBG

Spring Training Outlook...

2010-02-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

In one of the most anticipated years in team history (brand new stadium doesn't hurt)...let's review some the stories down in Fort Myers, and look into this upcoming baseball season...

* The return of Jacque Jones...the Pohlads' are known for the charity work, and I'm under the firm belief that's the case here. Jacque Jones attended the winter meetings to show his face (who was out of baseball completely last year) to prove that he was still alive. Twins' signed him to minor league contract...and I believe they are just doing him a favor to see if he can catch the eye of another team while getting some playing time with us during Spring Training. He's an outfielder that can't throw and has diminished range...and do we really need another left handed bat?

* Will Joe Mauer sign a long term deal before the season starts?...If this doesn't get done, the Twins should be contracted out of the league. Kevin Garnett, Ricky Rubio, Kirby Puckett, Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, Justin Morneau, Marian Gaborik, etc doesn't even compare to Joe Mauer. He is easily the most marketable/likeable asset to have on your team/organization...for business and performance.

* Southpaw headcases...Is there some mental disability that comes with being a left-handed pitchers? Brian Duensing seems to be the only normal one, but we are only baby steps into his career...who knows with him down the line...?? Francisco Liriano apparently is back on track, but just showing a pulse this year will be a drastic improvement over last years debacle. Jose Mijares is fat, happy and arrived into camp late. Be sure not to start any brawls this year by throwing at batters when we're in pennant race. Glen Perkins thinks the organization is out to get him...you want service time at the Major League level while your sitting on a bench spitting sunflower seeds because you're "hurt"...or were your feelings just hurt when you got rocked in your last start. You're officially not "one of us" Minnesotans' anymore.

* How will the new stadium play...?? Do the Twins have some insight? Apparently, they've loaded up on left-handed bats in the lineup and bench. After trading Carlos Gomez for J.J. Hardy...they didn't shore up the outfield defense at all...does the lack of ground to cover allow us to escape with our average outfield defense? How will our pitchers' that pitch to contact fare in a new stadium that has minimal foul ground territory? Will Scott Baker make it past the 2nd inning due to foul balls driving his pitch count through the roof?

SBG

I LOVE ME SOME ME...

2010-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Terrell Owens coined the phrase "I love me some me"...but several thousands of amateur/professional athletes live by this motto (even though they won't express this publicly). Here are some of Minnesota's best selfish acts throughout the years:

Kris Humphries - 0.7 assists per game during his only season as a Golden Gopher. Big men in general are not supposed to have high assist totals, but he was doubled (sometimes tripled) team when catching the ball on the low block the majority of the time (if not every time). He preferred his points over the team's general success. The next year...without Kris Humphries...Gophers make it to the NCAA tourney with virtually the same roster (add Vincent Grier in place of him).

Jack Morris - I might be crossing the line when ripping our own legend, Black Jack...but, he came "home" for one year...had an emotional press conference introducing himself as one of the new additions to the ballclub. The Twins win the World Series in his home state behind his brilliant performance in Game 7...then auctions himself off to highest bidder (Toronto). I'm not saying he should of stayed...but, don't give us some spiel about how special it is to play where you grew up...only to leave us the very next year because your stock went through the roof.

Isiah Rider - Anyone that proclaims in their first interview with their new team that their goal is to win the slam dunk contest...loves me some me. This is a team sport that actually plays 82 games that matter...well, that's probably not the case if you play for the Timberwolves.

Dwayne Rudd - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwayne_Rudd ...this link sums up Dwayne's career...the biggest article on his page is under "premature celebration"...priceless. If he would've transferred the time and energy involved in his celebratory dances over to his "game"...he...well...I can't guarantee you anything, other than he wouldn't be on my blog right now.

Clint Brewster - There's always something hilarious when the coaches' son (a red shirt freshman quarterback buried on the depth chart) talks smack to the opposing teams' kicker. As if the 1-11 record wasn't bad enough for your dad to have to endure during his first year as head coach...he has to answer to your actions, because you can't even speak to the media (team rule) since you haven't played an official college football down. Ladies and gentlemen...Gopher Nation.

Bert Blyleven - You deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. However, people don't need to hear you on various media outlets (local and national) stating your own case on why you should be in...that's lame. Speaking of lame..."Circle me Bert" signs need to be put to bed. I know it gets you off to see your name on all these signs, but we have a brand new stadium...we don't need to manufacture entertainment...the game itself will do just fine in the new ballpark. Thank you.

SBG

Nick Punto Day 2/12/2010...

2010-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, Minnesotans are messed up in the head...if the winter season of sports in Minnesota hasn't already brought us enough grief, frustration and disappointment for this part of the year...we decided to top it off while we dedicate a day to the biggest scapegoat in Minnesota Twins history...Nick Punto.

Here are some of my memories, rants and fun facts about Nicky:

* Nick Punto was born in San Diego...but, played for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Is this like a resume builder when he becomes a free agent?

* Let's recap the trade between the Twins and Phillies: Eric Milton's career is dead. Carlos Silva's career is on life support. Nick Punto is still playing...er, participating in team activities with the Twins.

* Scariest thought about the future...Nick Punto as a baserunning coach! "Even though you may get hurt...and it actually also makes you slower than actually running through the bag...I'm going to demonstrate how you successfully slide head first into first base."

* I don't need numbers to tell me how crappy Nick Punto is at the plate. I have no faith in Nick at the plate. You hope he can maybe coax a walk, but you never expect an actual clean base hit...you know, where there isn't controversary over why the official scoring judge ruled it a base hit instead of an error.

* I think the funniest Nick Punto memory was at the Metrodome last year (2009). He was on third base (as a baserunner) trying to crack a joke to Red Sox third basemen Kevin Youkilis. Kevin just turned to him said something simple like, "shut the hell up you puny ass sorry excuse for a baseball player, I can't believe you got all the way to third base...let alone you standing here and trying to conversate with me as if we were boys..." Punto's face turned red, along with him turning his attention elsewhere to avoid the confrontation.

* How sad is it that you are the automatic scapegoat on a team filled with the likes of Matt Tolbert, Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez, Brendan Harris, Jesse Crain, Glen Perkins, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, etc.

SBG

Random Venting (Gopher related)...

2010-02-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year to lash out...collegiate style...

* Sean (father) and Seantrel (son) Henderson: Way to go on milking all five of your official visits, plus a trip out to New York to "unveil" your college choice. I'm all for going over your options...but going clubbing down in Miami with current NFL football players who probably didn't even graduate from college should not be considered an "official" visit. Plus, Seantrel hasn't even officially qualified academically to even go to any of these schools...yet, he's got more than enough time on his hands to visit all these places. And Sean...you are pathetic...living vicariously through your son must get you a hard on. You showed some class by telling the press that Ohio State's Jim Tressell is boring...he apologizes for not taking you and your son to a local club.

* Tim Brewster: How are you still our coach? You can't keep any coordinators around for any length of time. With the coordinator shuffling game, you change your philosophy every year. The quarterback Adam Weber has been in 4 different systems in five years. You got a brand new spanking stadium that is having trouble filling up due to lackluster perfomances. You haven't recruited well...you lost out on the top rated Minnesota player in the last three years. You haven't won a rivalry game (Iowa or Wisconsin). You haven't won a trophy game. Plus, your players run amok off the field and run up quite the police blotter...and you have no consequences for them. I want Glen Mason back.

* Devoe Joseph: You are not a point guard. However, your brother is...so I will bite my tongue as I watch you force unwarranted shots and turn the ball over to the other team so they can get easy transition baskets...just so I can see your brother in Gophers jersey next year.

* Royce White: You're an idiot. You really think you can play the "victim" in this whole episode that YOU CREATED! You don't feel safe on campus...neither does the student population when you're lurking around. And your mentor is...drumroll...Troy Hudson...the most selfish player on the court when he played, then he tried to parlay his modest basketball career into a music career...this pretty much sums your life up.

* Tubby Smith: Please learn a zone offense and teach it to the kids. It would be nice to defeat the teams we are supposed to beat. Also, cut your ties with Royce White...I know he's young...but, if you haven't influenced him up this point than he's just a lost cause.

SBG

NFC Championship Recap: Vikings @ Saints

2010-01-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Vikings lose another gut wrenching big game that they could have had if it wasn't for costly turnovers. Not sure how this loss will stack up to the other recent NFC Championship collapses...but, it burns...and kept me up all night. Here's some other random thoughts while observing the final game of the season:

* Kudos to Leslie Frazier and the Vikings defense. The scoreboard reflects 31 points...but, the Saints really only had two significant scoring drives (both in the first half). The Vikings defense wasn't spectacular, but made enough adjustments to slow down the Saints when our own offense was sputtering. The 17 second half points were a result of our offense giving the ball away to the Saints with a short field to go. It would've been nice to turn some of those touchdowns to field goals...but, overall they played a real solid game in a tough environment against a team that thought they could possibly get 500 yards receiving (according to Pam Oliver's reports before the game).

* How about Adrian Peterson recovering his own fumble ten yards up the field after he was already tackled. Yes...I was yelling at my television at how much of an idiot he his for coughing it up for the third time, but that was just an amazing showcase of athleticism to get tackled...lose the ball...fall to the ground...get up and sprint 10 yards and beat two other Saints to the ball that were just watching the play.

* Bernard Berrian played out his mind. Even in a strong statistical year as he had last year...he didn't really impress me other than his speed. He really made some nice plays where he got some much needed extra yards after the catch that were crucial in extending drives. The buzzkill was obviously the fumble around the Saints 10 yard line...but, other than that I thought he really stepped up...especially with the Saints keying on Rice.

* At least Darren Sharper didn't get one of the five turnovers. When you're playing football over a certain age (let's just say 34, for arguments sake)...there should be a limitation on the type of celebrating you can engage in...specifically, dancing should be a no-no.

* All the turnovers killed us...but, in my mind the biggest one was the first one on the handoff exchange between Favre and Peterson. We could of potentially went into halftime with a seven point lead after receiving a gift fumble from Reggie Bush misplaying the punt. My other gripe with that play was the formation. I hate the split back formation unless you utilize both Adrian and Chester/Harvin at the same time. Why are we running the split back formation with tight ends lined up even with Peterson in the backfield? I just feel we are overcomplicating a play with a lack of personnel. It was a run heavy set with limited "weapons" on the field. The formation isn't what caused the fumble, but I just feel it's a goofy set to run out of because the lack of space/time the quarterback has to hand the ball off to the running back...and every one pretty much knows Peterson is going to get it.

* The Vikings had ample opportunities to secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs...but, instead we choked and took some bad losses @ Carolina and @ Chicago while the Saints were scuffling. So, we ended up not taking any advantage of that situation...much like we didn't capitalize on anything during the NFC Championship game when we had our fair share of opportunities to control the game.

* This was a very memorable year regardless how it ended. Having Favre on the squad made for some interesting times throughout the year...I'm not quite sure we'll be able to duplicate our success this year into next year (tougher schedule)...but, either way I would see if he's willing to come back...at least we can still stick it to the Packers twice a year.

SBG

"U"NIT"Why"

2010-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Golden Gophers basketball team takes another sucker punch to their resume with a loss at Indiana. I still have faith in Tubby to turn it around, but they are going to have rattle off some major wins (Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, @ Ohio State), along with winning all the gimmes left on their schedule to even be considered as an at-large bid for the Big Dance. Here's my formula for success the rest of the year:

* Full court press. The offense gets stagnant for too many stretches during the course of the game. Need to create some easy opportunties to get some points on the board. Tubby plays ten guys...might as well use that "depth" to your advantage. Plus, we're just not as physical as some of the teams...use our length to create possible turnovers, but even if we can't get that...the opponent is out of rhythm when trying to set up their half court offense.

* Get the ball inside. Ralph Sampson and Colton Iverson need touches on the block. They don't have the most polished low post moves...but, you force the action to the defense and you may be able pick up some valuable fouls on the other team. Ralph and Colton need to be strong and go to the basket...no fadeaways...is that clear Ralph?

* Get the ball inside...part two. Guards need to penetrate when lanes are available. If we can get Westbrook or Nolen to beat their man off the dribble, even if they can't score themselves...it will help free up Hoffarber or another teammate getting an open look at the basket.

* We need a concerted effort on the defensive rebounding every game. How do we go toe to toe with Michigan State on their home floor, but almost get doubled up on rebounds by a far less physical team in Indiana? That's unacceptable...they need to bring it every game...otherwise our flaws get exposed, even if we are playing bad teams.

* Pass the ball. We have to be one of the worst passing teams in the Big Ten. Nobody makes a pass to a teammate cutting to the basket...we hardly ever do any more high-low post passes where we'd catch the defense out of position for an easy two points. All we do is lazily move the ball around the perimeter and maybe feed the post once in a blue moon...this used to be our zone offense, now it's just evolved as our offense in general no matter what type of defense the opponent is playing.

* Good/Great guard play. If we don't get good to great performances out of our backcourt (Nolen, Westbrook, Hoffarber) we're in for a nailbiter against crappy teams and blowouts against good teams. College basketball success has always been predicated by good guard play. We can stay in games with other gimmicks (press), intangibles (hustle), etc...but, you ultimately win games by having good solid guard play.

*Update 1/21/10: Nolen is ruled academically ineligible. It will be tough sledding for the Gophers for the remainder of the year.

SBG

Divisional Round Recap: Cowboys @ Vikings

2010-01-18T10:35:00.000-08:00

Vikings pummel the Cowboys 34-3 for a decisive win over the media darlings...here are my rants and thoughts while watching the game:

* The Cowboys seemed to dominate the first quarter...however they kept shooting themselves in the foot with Daute Culpepper'esque' turnovers that absolutely killed drives, but most importantly...momentum.

* Ray Edwards played a good game. That was tough for me to type. However, even with a stellar game...was any one really worried about his "injury" and whether or not he'd come back to play the rest of game/or the rest of the postseason for that matter...? I wasn't...

* The Cowboys have an awfully good collection of talent on their team...but, you're really going to roll into the playoffs with Shaun Suisham as your kicker? He's not even a good regular season kicker (Neil Rackers, Shayne Graham)...and you want him to kick in the pressure cooker situations while in the playoffs?

* It's ironic that we're the "classless" ones while walking out of this matchup...Miles Austin celebrated more than Sidney Rice during this game. Miles Austin, let alone Dallas didn't score a touchdown during the entire game. Sidney Rice scored three touchdowns. Malcolm Jenkins and several other defensive players for the Cowboys are not shy expressing their emotions while making routine plays. The first time Keith Brooking's name was called all day was when he came sprinting over to our sideline to spout off his mouth. Good game Keith! The best though is when your owner is down on the sidelines staring down your head coach as if he's going to fire him on the spot...and then the coach realizing the owner is right there on the field...so...he then starts yelling at his coordinators for their performance on the field, even though the game is all but wrapped up. Stay classy Dallas!

* Fox post game crew (Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, etc) captured a moment in the Vikings locker room with Brett Favre leading the "Pants on ground..." song for his teammates. They bring it back to the studio with former Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson taking a jab at Brett and the Vikings doing this cheer for his 4th touchdown pass of the game, that ultimately ran up the score in his (and Dallas' faithful) eyes. This is coming from a guy that routinely ran up the score while coaching at the University of Miami no matter who they were playing. This...from a coach that not only dominated the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl, they had to embarrass them 52-17. Stay classy Jimmy!

SBG

Week 17 Recap: Giants @ Vikings

2010-01-04T11:49:00.001-08:00

Vikings pummel the Giants 44-7...they also get some help with the Cowboys defeating the Eagles to help the Vikes secure the #2 seed, but more importantly a week off...here are some other items I noticed while watching the game:

* Fox's broadcast team of Moose, Goose and the son of Marv Albert is overrated and tough to stomach. Why is Tony Siragusa talking so much?? You're supposed to be a sideline reporter. Do interviews before the game and during halftime...give us injury updates if there are any...otherwise, you should be mute. I thought the chemistry was awful between the three...

* Vikings should roll in a nickel defense more often than not throughout the playoffs. It gives us our best combination of players on the field...especially, considering the void we have of not having E.J. Henderson. On the line you feature: Jared, Kevin, Pat and reluctantly...Ray Edwards. Leber and Greenway should be your linebackers (get Brinkley off the field). Sapp and Griffin cover the outside receivers. Winfield can cover the slot or tight end, which also puts him in excellent position to help with run. Then throw any two safeties you feel are playing the best...Williams and Johnson/Sanford. Obviously, we'll be rotating players in and out depending on the circumstances...but, I believe this would be a pretty solid unit...even against traditional running formations.

* Why is Darius Reynaud muffing (twice) punts in a dome environment? This isn't anything like baseball, where the ball blends into the roof...if you can't fair catch or catch it clean at all, just let it bounce.

* I'm not sold on the Vikings resorting to a full fledge passing offense during the playoffs...even though that's how they took care of the Giants, and also had success against the Bears in the second half. Maybe I'm an optimist...but, I really think Adrian Peterson will be fully rested and ready to contribute heavily in the playoffs. Brett Favre may check out of some running plays, but I still believe the intention is to run the ball with success to save our defense and other flaws with our team.

* What would you draft in the late first round to improve this team? I personally, would supplement the offensive line with some talent considering our projected draft position. It'll be interesting what holes are left after this year though...both Favre and Chestor Taylor could be gone...

SBG

Week 16 Recap: Vikings @ Bears

2009-12-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-22T08:43:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-30T11:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-15T16:50:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

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:

2009-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-20T10:21:00.001-07:00

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

2009-10-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-10-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-28T13:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

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...

2009-09-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-09-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

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..."

2009-08-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-07-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-07-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

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