Author: David Shama

The Vikings have scored 51 points in their first three games, defeating Washington, 19-16, and Carolina, 16-13, and losing to Chicago, 19-16.  Kicker Ryan Longwell accounted for 33 of those points on eight field goals, three extra points and one touchdown pass. 

Longwell field goals won the first two games for the Vikings and he nearly had the opportunity to tie last Sunday’s game against the Bears and send it into overtime.  With the Vikings offensively challenged so far, they have used Longwell’s leg and a solid defense to build a successful start to the season. 

Longwell’s touchdown pass off a fake field goal and then his field goal in overtime led the Vikings to their win over Carolina.  His performance earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for the sixth time in his 10 year career. 

Does Longwell work on his passing?  “I would say the word work maybe a little strong,” he answered.  “I certainly catch balls for (Chris) Kluwe when he is punting and throw them back so I am always throwing the ball around. But to say I am actually work on my passing might be an overstatement.” 

Now that fans have seen the pass on a fake field goal, when do they see the run?  “We got a little bag of tricks,” Longwell said. “You just never know when we’re going to pull something out. So we’ll have a lot of things up our sleeve, so just keep watching.”

Nick Bollettieri,75, is a legendary tennis coach and innovative educator who has coached nine players ranked No. 1 in the world during their careers:Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Martina Hingis, Marcelo Rios, Monica Seles, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova.

Bollettieri, based in Florida, will headline a fund raising event, Kidspeed 2006, for InnerCity Tennis (ICT) from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 at the Lifetime Fitness Athletic Club in Eden Prairie.  The gala includes a cocktail reception and silent auction, a center court exhibition with Bollettieri and David Wheaton (Minnesota’s own tennis legend) and a Kidspeed demonstration showing the power, energy and fun of the ICT programming. The dinner program features two experts on the community and local children —Jennifer Reedy from the Itasca Project and Peter Benson from The Search Institute.  

The event is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to participate in a demonstration of the ICT curriculum.  For costs and other details call Karen McGlynn at 612-803-0350.

ICT is a 54-year-old non-profit organization that uses tennis as a vehicle to deliver educational, fitness and sport instruction.  Kidspeed is a program developed at ICT to improve the life skills it teaches annually to 4,000 children.

Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson when asked facetiously who would win in a foot race between him and wide receiver Troy Williamson: “Depends on how much of a head start I have.” 

Injured Viking defensive lineman Erasmus James, a former Badger, will be in Madison for the Minnesota-Wisconsin game on October 14.  Until he injured his left knee he had been planning to sit in the student section. 

Twins’ catcher Joe Mauer talking about the team’s home field advantage in the Metrodome:  “Teams don’t like coming in here a whole lot.”   

Twins’ first baseman Phil Nevin, who this year has played in the National League for the Cubs and in the American League for Texas and Minnesota, talking about the two leagues: “I think the pitching in the American League is a touch better. Where I see it most is in the bullpens…. you got better arms coming out of the pens over here.”  

The Twins- White Sox series, Friday through Sunday at the Metrodome, is Fan Appreciation Weekend.  All fans will receive a 2007 wall calendar on Friday and Saturday and kids will receive a team poster on Sunday.  Fans in attendance have the opportunity to win prizes from the Twins and corporate partners throughout the weekend. 

Among the freshmen football players the Gopher coaches like are defensive linemen Garrett Brown and Willie Dyson and linebacker Lee Campbell.  All are true freshmen.

On the go media man Mike Max is reporting and sometimes studio anchoring for Ch. 4 sports, hosting The Sports Show on Ch. 23 Sunday nights, hosting his Sports to the Max talk show on WCCO Radio weekday nights, plus being on the radio station for Twins pre-game shows and the Monday night Glen Mason show.  He said his work week can last 65 hours.