Author: David Shama

  Former Vikings defensive end Bob Lurtsema told Sports Headliners coach Brad Childress “loves” Tarvaris Jackson but Sage Rosenfels is the better quarterback for the team to retain.

There’s speculation during training camp the Vikings may trade Rosenfels in a move that will allow the club to make rookie Joe Webb the No. 3 quarterback.  Jackson is projected at No. 2 behind Brett Favre, with possibly Rosenfels No. 3.

Rosenfels, 32, played most of last Saturday night’s preseason game against the Rams.  He completed 23 of 34 passes for three touchdowns in a 28-7 win.

Lurtsema is a passionate observer of the Vikings, attending practices and games.  When asked last week if he would keep Rosenfels over Jackson, he answered “absolutely.”

“…He throws the ball better than Tarvaris,” Lurtsema said.  “I watch the different drills (without coverage). …You’ll find that Sage more than ‘T-Jack’ will throw a pass that allows the receiver to continue.  In other words, they don’t have to slow down.  They don’t have to come back for the pass.  They don’t have to reach down.”

Lurtsema said Jackson “doesn’t read his receivers as fast” as Rosenfels.  A gifted quarterback must see the field, situation and 21 other players with precision.

“Brett Favre goes bingo,” Lurtsema said.  “ ‘T-Jack’ goes uh.  It’s a God given talent to comprehend everything.”

Childress and the other Vikings decision makers saw a raw talent when they drafted Jackson in the second round in 2006 from small school Alabama State.  His NFL career results have been mixed but at 27 and so much time invested it appears the Vikings may still see Jackson as the team’s successor to Favre.

Lurtsema said Favre’s motivation for playing a 20th pro season at almost age 41 is about the quarterback legend’s passion for football, not money.  “He loves the game,” Lurtsema said. “Every Friday he’s like a kid in the candy store.  He can’t wait for the game.”

Anyone doubting the star power of Favre and the popularity of the Vikings in this town received a jolt of realty on Tuesday when his arrival at Winter Park received live news coverage (breaking into regular programming) on KARE 11, KSTP, Fox 9 and WCCO.

Lurtsema said some players come to training camp acting arrogant and not in shape, but he’s been impressed with rookie running back Toby Gerhart and second year cornerback Asher Allen.  He loves Gerhart’s “old school” attitude of extra effort and said the former Heisman Trophy runner-up has “great acceleration.”

Lurtsema said Allen’s “heart is as big as Antoine Winfield’s,” the veteran cornerback known for his fearless attitude.  He admires Allen’s love of the game, speed and aggressiveness for his size (5-9, 194 pounds).

The Vikings, who began play in 1961, are celebrating 50 seasons and a commemorative patch will be worn on uniforms this year.  Recognition of the anniversary will also include fan balloting for the 50 greatest players in franchise history.

Twins vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger said he has watched Justin Morneau “slugging the ball” while taking batting practice and the organization anticipates the All-Star first baseman will receive clearance about concussion concerns and resume playing for the Twins in 2010.

Carl Pavano, who has already won two games this season against Chicago, pitches tonight’s series finale against the White Sox.  He pitched seven innings and allowed two runs to win against Chicago in May.  Then last month went nine innings and again gave up just two runs.

The Twins, with sponsorship by Treasure Island Resort & Casino, are promoting their annual diversity celebration before tonight’s game at Target Field.  Fans attending will receive 10,000 “Chief” Bender baseball cards.

Charles Albert Bender, a Chippewa Indian, was from the Brainerd area and an accomplished major league pitcher during the first quarter of the last century.  Klinger said Bender led the American League in winning percentage three times with records of 23-5, 17-5 and 17-3.

Klinger also said no decisions have been made regarding an increase in ticket prices for games at Target Field next season.  “Any increase will be surprisingly modest,” he said. “There aren’t going to be radical changes in ticket prices.”

The average ticket cost went up by about $12 this season, an increase Klinger attributed to the change in stadiums for the Twins.  He said the majority of seats at the Metrodome were in the upper level (more modest pricing) while the majority of seats at Target Field are in the lower level (more expensive pricing).  

After last night’s victory over Chicago the Twins have won nine consecutive games at Target Field.  Minnesota has 24 wins since the All-Star break (July 12-14), the most in baseball.

Joe Mauer is batting .446 (50-for-112) since the All-Star break, the best average in baseball (minimum of 100 plate appearances).  Fourteen of Mauer’s 28 games since the All-Star break have been multi-hit games.  Eight have been three hits or more and three have been four hits or more.  He hit his first home run at Target Field last night.

Three of the most prominent sports publications in the country are pessimistic about Gophers football.  Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and ESPN The Magazine circulated their college football issues last week and made forecasts that included the Big Ten Conference race.

Sports Illustrated predicts the Gophers will finish last in the Big Ten with a 1-7 record (2-10 overall).  Sporting News forecasts the same conference and overall records as S.I. and believes Minnesota coach Tim Brewster won’t be brought back for 2011. ESPN has the Gophers ninth in the 11 team Big Ten but makes no prediction about records.

Michigan State senior linebacker Greg Jones, who is one of the most publicized preseason players in the country, changed his commitment while in high school from Minnesota to the Spartans after Gophers coach Glen Mason was fired.  The Gophers, though, might have a linebacker who becomes the equal of Jones in Florida transfer Brendan Beal who will be eligible to play for Minnesota next year.

Randy Shaver’s preseason all-metro football team includes two players who reportedly have made verbal commitments to the Gophers, offensive tackle Tommy Olson (Mahtomedi) and Peter Westerhaus (Holy Family).  www.kare11.com