NBA regular season rosters have to be finalized by 5 p.m. Minneapolis time on October 27. Timberwolves decisions will include who to keep as a reserve point guard, 24-year-old Blake Ahearn or 37-year-old Kevin Ollie.
The Wolves are telecasting pre-season games for the first time in franchise history tonight and tomorrow night, according to Ted Johnson, the team’s marketing vice president. The Wolves have Target Center games on FSN North tonight versus Chicago and tomorrow evening against Milwaukee.
Johnson said there are 1,200 to 1,500 tickets remaining for the regular season and home opener October 29 with Sacramento.
The Vikings special teams received scrutiny at Brad Childress’ news conference Monday, a day after a blocked punt and mishandled punt return gift wrapped a pair of scores for Chicago in the Bears’ 48-41 win. Childress said he is in the special teams meeting every day. “And they get coached every day,” he added. “There is somebody back there with them. They’re not standing back there in a vacuum. …I will say an encouraging note. I think the coverage teams have done a good job here in the last couple of weeks.”
Although the Vikings auditioned other punters after Chris Kluwe had two of his punts returned for touchdowns by New Orleans earlier this month, Childress said he doesn’t expect to look further. He made it clear he isn’t blaming special teams coach Paul Ferraro, Kluwe or other players for special team mistakes.
“It all comes back to me,” Childress said. “I am not going to pin it on a coach or a player. That’s what it is. I am the guy that’s got the wins and losses by my record so it’s not the special teams guy. …”
Childress said he typically meets a couple times per week with owners Zygi and Mark Wilf. Topics include team status, injuries and personnel. “We talk about all those things,” he said. “Obviously as owners, they have the right to know. It’s important that you explain rationale.”
He also said the Wilfs have “pretty good wisdom” but are also willing to learn about the football side of owning an NFL team.
The Gopher football program has had its late season losing trend well documented through the years but since 1999 Minnesota has managed to finish two seasons in the top 25 national polls. In 1999 the Gophers were No. 18 in the Associated Press and No. 17 in the ESPN/USA Today final polls. Minnesota was No. 20 and No. 17 in those final polls in 2003.
Radio-TV journalist Mike Max had a pre-recorded interview with Michael Jordan on his “Life to the Max” show last Saturday night. Max said Jordan discussed various subjects including the challenge of being a world celebrity. The show had major competition airing opposite “Saturday Night Live” and Sarah Palin.