Author: David Shama

The Boston Celtics Home Page features a picture of Kevin Garnett and these words:  “We’ve Got The Big Ticket (Time To Get Yours).”

Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale after being asked what Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge told him about the five players he was acquiring from Boston. “They were all quality kids and I was really going to enjoy them. That they were a lot more mature than their ages, and they worked hard, (and) will do whatever you ask them to do. The little bit that I’ve gotten to know them they’ve all proven that being the case.  They want to move up here as soon as they can.  They can’t wait to get going so it (the future) will be fun.”

After the Twins’ 4-0 loss to the Indians on Monday, Minnesota had been shutout a major league leading 10 times.  The Twins averaged 2.4 runs (17 runs) during their last home stand that ended Monday.

Xcel Energy Center general manager Jack Larson told Sports Headliners he considered a tennis exhibition between Pete Sampras and John McEnroe but decided not to after seeing modest interest in other markets where the two played.  Larson isn’t considering other exhibitions at this time.

Whitney Taney leaves for the University of Michigan late this month where she will be one of four incoming freshmen players on the Wolverine tennis team that starts practice on September 15.  Although difficult to predict, Whitney may play No. 3 singles, according to her father, Ted Taney.   The last several weeks have been rewarding for the former Edina High School superstar who had a career prep record of 166-0.  She recently won a prestigious tournament in Ann Arbor for college players.  Her tournament wins included a semi-finals victory over Andrea Remynse, the nation’s top college recruit in 2007 and a player headed to UCLA, according to Ted.  Also, Whitney was named the national girls prep tennis player of the year by the National High School Coaches Association.

Three MIAC football student-athletes are on preseason All-America teams. Bethel University senior safety Brandon Carr is a first team choice for the D3football.com All-America team and a second team selection by Lindy’s magazine.  Saint John’s junior defensive tackle Nick Gunderson is a first team pick by D3football.com and Lindy’s, while senior teammate Andrew Salvato is a second team choice by both sources on their pre-season teams.

Saint John’s and Bethel are ranked in the D3football.com, Street & Smith’s magazine and Lindy’s national polls. The Johnnies are third in the D3football.com top 25 while the Royals are 24th.  St. Olaf is 35th in the D3football.com poll. In the Street & Smith’s poll, Saint John’s is second while Bethel is 11^th.  Lindy’s has the Johnnies seventh and Bethel 10^th.

Guess who the fastest prep high school football player in Florida was last fall?  Here’s a hint: he stands 5-foot-8, weighs 160 pounds and starts practice as a Gopher freshman today.

Minnesota football coach Tim Brewster told Sports Headliners on Saturday that Harold Howell, from Jacksonville, was the fastest football player in talent- rich Florida last season.  Howell, who runs about a 4.3 40 yard dash, figures prominently in Brewster’s plans as a punt and kickoff returner.  Brewster said on Saturday the coaching staff probably will look at Howell today as a possible cornerback.

The Gophers are thin at cornerback and Howell will be considered, even if it’s only for one day, as a replacement for Dominic Jones who recently was dismissed from the team.  Howell played defensive back and receiver in high school where he also starred as a return man, scoring three touchdowns on kickoff returns and four on punt returns.

“If we give Harold Howell a crease, if we give that young guy a chance, he is out (gone), in a hurry, right now…,” Brewster said.  Running back Jay Thomas, another game breaker, also figures in the kick off and possibly punt return plans.

Can he play cornerback in the Big Ten Conference as an 18-year-old, 160-pound freshman?  Brewster said “we’ll have an idea (today) whether it’s something physically that he (Howell) wants to do.”

There’s been talk, too, the Gophers may look at another true freshman at cornerback, Curtis Thomas from Aldine, Texas.  The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Thomas is listed as the starting free safety, is one of the team’s more highly anticipated recruits, and already has a reputation as a leader and player who badly wants to win.

A newsworthy aspect of Brewster’s media day on Saturday was the announcement that he won’t make excuses if the Gophers don’t perform.  Seldom has a coach or manager made such a public statement but the new Gopher coach is looking for results. If he and the team don’t produce, he isn’t planning to be a spin doctor. 

Brewster reiterated his goal to win right away, again taking aim on a Big Ten championship and trip to the Rose Bowl.  While predicting a bright future in recruiting, the expectation is to win now.  “Patience is not one of my better virtues,” he said. 

He praised his players for improving their conditioning and strength.  Last winter after being named Gopher coach he said the players needed to be in “better shape.”  He said Saturday the way players look now is “mind blowing in physical appearance and conditioning.”

Brewster’s most enthusiastic and newsy remarks included comments about his offensive and defensive coordinators, Mike Dunbar and Everett Withers.  Famed Texas coach Mack Brown, who once employed Brewster as an assistant, told the Gopher coach that the 58-year- old Dunbar had been on his list of offensive coordinator candidates if the Longhorns were shopping.  “He’s just a sage old veteran,” Brewster said.

Dunbar joined the Gophers after building his reputation at California and before that Northwestern.  Withers, 44, came to the Gophers from the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and before that had coaching stops at Texas and Louisville.  Brewster predicted that Withers will one day become a head coach.  “He is a flat-out star in our profession,” Brewster said.  “I am going to do everything I can to make it happen.” 

Brewster also said the Gophers need to learn to close out games, stopping the trend of blowing leads such as the infamous Texas Tech bowl loss.  “We’re gonna finish games on offense, finish games on defense (and) in the kicking game,” he said. “I am looking for players that… love the game and will finish.”

Brewster said senior linebacker John Shevlin, being counted on as an important defensive contributor, has a sore back.  Even if Shevlin’s practice time is limited, the goal will be to have him ready for the team’s opening game with Bowling Green on September 1.