Posted July 23, 2010    

•Adam Weber

•Rashad McCants

•Joe Mauer

•Brett Favre

•Marian Gaborik

Weber’s Off-Season Preparation Impresses Decker 

Adam Weber has impressed former roommate Eric Decker this summer with his preparation for the upcoming season.  

“He’s hungry this year,” Decker said of the Gophers senior quarterback.  “I can see it ...in his work ethic and his eyes, that he really wants it this year.  I was down in his room and he’s got some good goals set in mind as far as how he wants to lead this team, how he wants to go out as a Golden Gopher. …He’s gonna get what he deserves.” 

Decker, who was Weber’s favorite receiver in past seasons before being drafted last spring by Denver, believes that Weber is determined to work through adversity to be successful.  Last season the school-record setting quarterback struggled along with the rest of the offense.   

Weber found himself playing in a new offense for a new coordinator.  His offensive line and receivers faltered more often than anyone in Dinkytown wanted.  “He’s got a lot of criticism but he keeps his head up and he’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Decker said.  “You want to be friends with him, you want to follow him because he does things the right way.  …I think it will work out for him this year.” 

Decker made a reputation at Minnesota for not only being a sure-handed wide receiver but also having an exemplary attitude.  That attitude was part of what attracted  Denver to draft him on the third round.  It appears that sooner or later Denver is looking for leadership from players like Decker and rookie quarterback Tim Tebow, guys who will be warriors on the field, role models off.   

“My teammates so far realize they love the game,” Decker said.  “They’re giving all they’ve got on the field, and then off the field they’re just down to earth simple people that give back and do the right thing.” 

Decker said he’s physically recovered now from the left foot injury that made him miss five games in 2009.  He and other Denver players are scheduled to start practice next week. 

 

McCants Still Seeking NBA Employment 

Former Timberwolves 2005 first round draft choice Rashad McCants, who didn’t play basketball last season, was supposed to be part of Cleveland’s NBA Summer League tryout team that finished play earlier this week.  However, McCants was a no-show, apparently because he spent time with his ailing mother, according to http://www.cavstheblog.com/?p=2668. 

McCants’ life out of basketball is the subject of a not too flattering feature in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine.  The article, which explores why McCants can’t find an NBA job, quotes former Wolves coach and executive Kevin McHale and also former teammate Kevin Love.   

McHale describes the 6-4 shooting guard as a talented player with a “high basketball IQ.”  He also says McCants wasn’t enough of a team guy during his four seasons in Minneapolis.   

“Rashad has a me-against-the-world attitude,” Love says in the story.  “You have to get past that if you want to help yourself.” 

The Wolves traded McCants to Sacramento in February of 2009.  Those close to the Wolves have characterized McCants as moody.  He certainly wasn’t smiling when I was around him.   

In the magazine story McCants defends his demeanor and says just because he isn’t “chipper” doesn’t mean he’s a "bad guy."  His lack of job offers, though, indicates that NBA employers are cautious about him. 

At almost 26 and after being without an NBA home last season, the clock is ticking for McCants.  He’s a difficult to defend scorer who sometimes earns points quickly with a pretty jump shot that can be accurate for three pointers and shots closer to the basket.  He’s also capable of slashing to the hoop and finishing with dunks.  That kind of athleticism translates to defensive potential too.   

His best NBA stats were during 2007-08 including an average of 14.9 points per game.  He also averaged career highs in minutes per game at 26.9 and made .407 percent of his three point field goals.

 

Worth Noting

The Twins are 5-3 since the All-Star break ended on July 13.  Their record going back to June 1 is 20-25. The mediocrity of recent weeks has changed the view that the Twins are among the elite teams in the major leagues. 

ESPN.com power rankings had the Twins No. 4 in all of baseball during week five of the season.  This week the Twins are listed at No. 13.  And USA Today Sports Weekly  ranked the Twins No. 16 last week.    

It’s evident that unless the Twins upgrade their starting pitching and relievers, the club has almost no chance to regain its spot among the best in the majors.  Another Central Division title, though, is more likely but no certainty.  

Twins outfielder-infielder Michael Cuddyer picked up his plate production last September when first baseman Justin Morneau couldn’t play and he’s done the same this summer with Morneau sidelined with a concussion.  He is batting .332 (66-for-199) during the last two seasons as a first baseman and .359 (23-for-64) this season. 

Twins catcher Joe Mauer doesn’t have a girlfriend, according to his grandfather Jake Mauer.  “His girlfriend is his mom,” Jake joked.  “Have you seen those commercials?” (Mauer and his mom Theresa have appeared in TV ads for PlayStation and Kemps).  

Several Twins including Michael Cuddyer, Jesse Crain, Orlando Hudson, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Nick Punto, Denard Span, Jim Thome and Delmon Young are expected  to participate in the Twins & Pins Charity Bowling Classic July 29  at Brunswick Zone XL in Brooklyn Park.  The event was created to raise money for The Friends of St. Paul Baseball, The Autism Society of Minnesota, and the Curing Autism Through Change and Hope Foundation which was founded by Hudson.  Single and team event packages ranging from $300 to $5,000 are available.  Packages include personalized bowling shirts, gift bags, team photos, guest passes, and food and beverage.  For more information, visit www.TwinsandPins.com or call 651-343-4239.  

Don’t be surprised if Vikings sixth round draft choice Joe Webb makes the final roster as a quarterback, not a wide receiver.  If so, that could be an affirmation of not only Webb’s potential, but also concern about how much veteran backups Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels can be effective in coming seasons. 

It seems a smart guess that Brett Favre’s first preseason game for the Vikings will be the team’s third of the summer, at Mall of America Field on August 28 against Seattle.  Favre might play most of the first half, then fewer minutes in the final preseason game on September 2 at home against Denver.  

Favre’s announced return to the Vikings is anticipated soon but even his agent, Bus Cook, reportedly referred to Favre as a “drama queen.”   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/19/even-brett-favres-agent-thinks-favre-is-a-drama-queen/ 

Vikings single game and two-game packages go on sale Wednesday.  Single game tickets are available for all games except Dallas and Green Bay. Two-game ticket packages are being sold for Dallas-Detroit and Green Bay-Denver.  

An NHL source told Sports Headliners that Mike Modano is still trying to decide whether he wants to play next season or retire.  Detroit, because it’s his hometown, and Los Angeles, because it’s a good fit for his actress wife Willa Ford, are more likely destinations than Minnesota or San Jose. 

The same source said there’s talk Marian Gaborik might be going from the New York Rangers to Los Angeles.  

Five MIAC players have been named to the D3Football.com Preseason All-America team including three from St. Thomas, Josh Ostrue, Ben Wartman, and Fritz Waldvogel. Saint John’s Kyle Schroeder was also named to the first team and Bethel’s Andrew Johnson to the second.  The 50-player honor team has representatives from just 34 of 241 Division III football programs.

 

Marian Gaborik

 Ben Wartman

Kyle Schroeder