http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271021015
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=271021102
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070730
I never want to hear a Boston fan of any kind complain about living in a "tortured sports city." Never. Do you understand me? Never.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
State of the Minnesota Sports Scene
Here we are, 11 days from what I traditionally consider to be the peak of the sports season. The college football world is over the mid-point of its season and racing toward the bowl series and recruiting drama. The NFL season is in full swing, dominating Sportscenter even on nights when no games are played. Universities around the countries are hosting "Midnight Madness" to kick off their respective college basketball seasons. And in 11 days, the coux de gras, at least for me - the NBA season gets underway. Let's take a brief moment to examine the state of Minnesota sports at this, the high point of the sporting season.
1. Minnesota Golden Gophers - College Football. The one team I truly bleed for, the Gophers have had what can generously be described as a disappointing season thus far. Losses to Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, Indiana, and Northwestern have deflated the enthusiasm and support new head coach Tim Brewster had built heading into the system, exposing his coaching staff and team for what they are: inexperienced and out gunned. Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Weber has shown potential and with the proper athletes, the defensive schemes should prove to be much more effective, but the seniors on this team, especially Amir Pinnix, Ernie Wheelwright, John Shevlin, and Jamal Harris have done a poor job leading by example in their final year as Gophers.
Ironically, the Gophers still could sweep their rivalry games this year as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa have all competed with Minnesota weekly on who could be the most embarrassing Big Ten program of the moment. The team's biggest problem remains team speed on the defensive side of the ball, undoubtedly the first thing Brewster will need to address through recruiting to make this team competitive again.
2. Minnesota Vikings - NFL. This year's Viking's team, in my opinion, has underperformed as well, though not as badly as my beloved Gophers. The Vikings, for the first time in a decade, made a good decision with their first round draft pick and now sport one of the most productive and exciting rookies in the league this year, Adrian Peterson. I'm still shocked he fell to us at pick #7 and convinced the only reason he did was because of his collarbone injury during his Junior year. Barring that injury, he goes #1 in my mind, without doubt. But even with this stud new runner, the Vikings are a bumbling 2-3.
The team's defense is certainly good enough to win with, though the pass defense can be exposed (can you say Dwayne Bowe?). Quarterback and wide receiver remain the Viking's two weakest positions, though Sidney Rice is beginning to show potential. Unfortunately, you cannot consistently win in the NFL without solid quarterback play, and Tavaris Jackson has not shown the ability to lead the team in pressure situations. With an upgrade at quarterback, this team is ready to contend.
3. Minnesota Golden Gophers - College Basketball. The Gophers b-ball team made a big splash following the NCAA Tournament by hiring coach Tubby Smith away from the Kentucky Wildcats, a perennial superpower in the college basketball world. Tubby has already picked a couple of solid commitments for the 2008 season, but the roster for the 2007 season does not lend much optimism for the Gophers' Big Ten campaign. Dan Coleman is a hard worker and fun player to watch and Spencer Tollackson is a steady performer, though a bit of an underachiever considering is ballyhooed recruitment.
There's no doubt about it, it will take time to repair the damage Dan Monson's ineptitude did to this program, but I expect them to content for the Big Ten title in the next two to three years.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - NBA. At last we come to the biggest enigma of the Minnesota sports scene, the Timberwolves. I know the Sports Guy has been geeking out about the Celtics acquiring Garnett from the Wolves and thinks they got the better end of that deal. I know Marc Stein has the Wolves last in his pre-season power rankings because of the Garnett trade. I know every Minnesotan is upset that Garnett is gone and feels an overwhelming sense of hopelessness about the season. But let's face some realities:
*sigh*
No doubt about it, these are trying times for the Minnesota sports faithful. Hopefully things will improve.
1. Minnesota Golden Gophers - College Football. The one team I truly bleed for, the Gophers have had what can generously be described as a disappointing season thus far. Losses to Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, Indiana, and Northwestern have deflated the enthusiasm and support new head coach Tim Brewster had built heading into the system, exposing his coaching staff and team for what they are: inexperienced and out gunned. Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Weber has shown potential and with the proper athletes, the defensive schemes should prove to be much more effective, but the seniors on this team, especially Amir Pinnix, Ernie Wheelwright, John Shevlin, and Jamal Harris have done a poor job leading by example in their final year as Gophers.
Ironically, the Gophers still could sweep their rivalry games this year as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa have all competed with Minnesota weekly on who could be the most embarrassing Big Ten program of the moment. The team's biggest problem remains team speed on the defensive side of the ball, undoubtedly the first thing Brewster will need to address through recruiting to make this team competitive again.
2. Minnesota Vikings - NFL. This year's Viking's team, in my opinion, has underperformed as well, though not as badly as my beloved Gophers. The Vikings, for the first time in a decade, made a good decision with their first round draft pick and now sport one of the most productive and exciting rookies in the league this year, Adrian Peterson. I'm still shocked he fell to us at pick #7 and convinced the only reason he did was because of his collarbone injury during his Junior year. Barring that injury, he goes #1 in my mind, without doubt. But even with this stud new runner, the Vikings are a bumbling 2-3.
The team's defense is certainly good enough to win with, though the pass defense can be exposed (can you say Dwayne Bowe?). Quarterback and wide receiver remain the Viking's two weakest positions, though Sidney Rice is beginning to show potential. Unfortunately, you cannot consistently win in the NFL without solid quarterback play, and Tavaris Jackson has not shown the ability to lead the team in pressure situations. With an upgrade at quarterback, this team is ready to contend.
3. Minnesota Golden Gophers - College Basketball. The Gophers b-ball team made a big splash following the NCAA Tournament by hiring coach Tubby Smith away from the Kentucky Wildcats, a perennial superpower in the college basketball world. Tubby has already picked a couple of solid commitments for the 2008 season, but the roster for the 2007 season does not lend much optimism for the Gophers' Big Ten campaign. Dan Coleman is a hard worker and fun player to watch and Spencer Tollackson is a steady performer, though a bit of an underachiever considering is ballyhooed recruitment.
There's no doubt about it, it will take time to repair the damage Dan Monson's ineptitude did to this program, but I expect them to content for the Big Ten title in the next two to three years.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves - NBA. At last we come to the biggest enigma of the Minnesota sports scene, the Timberwolves. I know the Sports Guy has been geeking out about the Celtics acquiring Garnett from the Wolves and thinks they got the better end of that deal. I know Marc Stein has the Wolves last in his pre-season power rankings because of the Garnett trade. I know every Minnesotan is upset that Garnett is gone and feels an overwhelming sense of hopelessness about the season. But let's face some realities:
- This team wasn't getting any younger. Garnett will be 31, Trenton Hassell will be 28, Mike James will be 32, Ricky Davis will be 28, and none of them were performing at their peak.
- They couldn't contend in the west. The Wolves, as they existed last year, couldn't beat the premier teams in the league, who all just happen to play in their conference. They simply stood no chance against San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Utah, and Houston, and barring a blockbuster trade, that wasn't likely to change for a very long time.
- Garnett would have left anyway. KG only had 2 years left on his contract when he was traded and has an option to opt-out of this next year and enter free agency early. Since he entered the league, the Big Ticket has made approximately $200 million, which means money is clearly not a factor in where he chooses to play. Garnett has never won an NBA championship and has only played for one Wolves team, the 2004 team, that seriously contended and it is well established he wants to win a ring before retiring. All this adds up to a scenario where, if he had not been traded, Garnett would have left Minnesota anyway, its just that the Wolves would have received nothing in return.
- The players the Wolves received are decent. Al Jefferson will be a solid player for the next 10 years and is improving by leaps and bounds every year. Gerald Green is an explosive player and will make a capable backup at the swing position for the next few years. Furthermore, the sheer number of players acquired gives the Wolves flexibility to make trades for players that can help them win now.
*sigh*
No doubt about it, these are trying times for the Minnesota sports faithful. Hopefully things will improve.
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