Author: David Shama

 If you measure a player’s contribution by both skill level and versatility, then Dominic Jones is the Gopher football team’s most valuable player.  After all, what else would you expect from “Mighty Mouse?” 

Jones, a 5-foot-8, 190- pound sophomore, started the season as Minnesota’s strong safety.  Trumaine Banks’ broken left arm sent Jones to cornerback after the Wisconsin game on October 14.  Jones had started as a freshman at safety, impressing everyone with his hard tackling and desire to cover the field to make as many plays as possible.  So how well did Jones adapt to cornerback?  “He’s a better corner than he is a safety,” coach Glen Mason said Sunday on WCCO Radio.

Jones, who is a good fit for the “Mighty Mouse” tag because of his speed, strength and short stature, started seven games as a true freshman last season and also returned punts.  This season he has clearly established himself as one of the team’s best players, covering receivers with skill and rocking ball carriers or receivers with tackles worthy of his nickname.  As both a punt and kickoff return man, he ranked among the 2006 Big Ten Conference leaders in both categories. 

Jones is so versatile Mason has said the former Columbus, Ohio high school star could excel as a running back for the Gophers.

Vikings’ No. 1 draft choice Chad Greenway injured his left knee on August 8 in a pre-season game against the Oakland Raiders and shortly thereafter it was announced Greenway wouldn’t play until next year.  He has been rehabilitating the knee this fall and said recently he probably could play before the season is over but won’t. 

“I am quite a ways ahead (of schedule on rehab). …It’s gone very well (the last three months),” Greenway said.  “Technically, I could push harder and get back.  But there’s no point in pushing it because when you start pushing it you put more stress on the patella and you get tendonitis and stuff. …I will be 100% by mini-camps (next spring) and I will certainly be looking to be 100% within the next month and a half, two months.” 

The rookie linebacker from Iowa, the No. 17 pick in the draft earlier this year, is working hard to regain his explosiveness and lateral movement.  He works on strengthening his legs and balance.   

Greenway injured his right knee in the spring of 2002 in Iowa City and had a major rehabilitation process.  He recovered to play in the fall and during his Iowa career became an All-America linebacker. 

In addition to participating in practice next spring, Greenway is looking forward to golf and perhaps playing every day.  He has a 10 handicap. “It’s not that great but it’s good for me,” he said. 

Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Garnett, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis and Mike James are players fans can consider voting for as starters for the 56th NBA All-Star Game in February.  A media panel chose 120 players from throughout the NBA for the all-star ballot.  Among the ways fans can vote are at NBA arenas, on AOL.com/nba, and at T-Mobile-owned retail locations. 

Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about Daunte Culpepper’s comeback chances in Miami following his “devastating knee injury” while playing for the Vikings last season:  “He’s got all those tools.  Sometimes when you have one of those devastating knee injuries that next year is tough and really you don’t get back to have all of your faculties maybe until you’re 16-18 months out.” 

Gopher coach Glen Mason said on WCCO Radio Sunday that the improvement of offensive lineman Andy Brinkhaus, who is being red shirted this season, is “mind boggling.”  Brinkhaus played at Bloomington Jefferson last fall. 

Bill Lester, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission executive director, recalled testifying before the Minnesota legislature several years ago about stadiums including Lambeau Field in Green Bay where there are seats just 17 inches wide.  “I said there isn’t a 17 inch derrière in the entire state of Wisconsin,” Lester chuckled.   

Patrick Reusse talking on KSTP Radio compared the glory days of capacity crowds and roaring fans with the now dwindling attendance and quiet atmosphere at Williams Arena for Gopher basketball games. He described the change as enough to make you “puke.” 

Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Jackie Hernandez is leaving the St. Paul Saints coaching staff to become the manager of the Charlotte County Redfish (Port Charlotte, Florida) in the newly formed independent South Coast League.  Hernandez, 66, will be in his 47^th year in professional baseball in 2007 and first as a manager.