Author: David Shama

Who has it right about the Vikings offensive line?  The naysayers or the optimists?

The doubters look at that unit and describe it as problematic.  A weak link last season and something that hasn’t been corrected for 2010.  Sports Illustrated pro football authority Peter King describes the line as “in decline” and a reason he listed the Vikings at No. 13 in his power rankings of NFL teams this spring. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/16/ranking/1.html

Those with an optimistic view acknowledge the offensive line wasn’t a a major team strength last season, particularly its run blocking.  However, healthier players and more experience will produce a better unit in 2010, according to the glass is half full folks.

Guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera played with injured shoulders last season.  The unit also had new starters at center, John Sullivan, and right tackle, Phil Loadholt.  Sullivan was a second year player last season, while Loadholt was a rookie.

The complaints of the critics include that Sullivan is too undersized to be effective at center.  The critics say Herrera is average and left tackle Bryant McKinnie under achieves.  The unit also needs more depth with better reserves.

McKinnie told Sports Headliners healthier players and more experience can translate into a better offensive line.  He also had an answer to King’s statement that the line is in decline.  “Hopefully everybody on the offensive line knows that you can use that as motivation,” he said.

Ex-Gophers kicker Rhys Lloyd is married to a former women’s pro golfer, Tina Miller, an All-American at Miami.  Lloyd said his wife could only break even financially on the pro circuit because of expenses.  She’s not playing now and is a full time mom to the couple’s six month old son.   Lloyd, who has a 0.2 handicap, grew up in England and is excited about the June 12 World Cup soccer match between the United States and his native country.

Lloyd might make the Vikings roster as a kickoff specialist, a role previously filled by Ryan Longwell who is expected to again be the team’s field goal kicker.  Longwell, 35, said he realizes the NFL is a business and that specialists like him are “fair game” as the team determines its roster.

There’s been speculation about O.J. Atogwe, the former Rams free agent safety, being interested in the Vikings.  The team’s starting safeties last season, Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams, combined for one interception (Johnson).

Tyus Jones, the Apple Valley High eighth grader, continues to turn heads among basketball people.  He’s following up an impressive first high school season with AAU games this spring.  Jones is already a national name in amateur basketball and could become the most highly recruited Minnesota prep ever by colleges.

Baseball’s amateur draft begins today with the Twins selecting at No. 21 in the first round.  Washington, for the second consecutive season, has the No. 1 pick.

The Twins will hold an open tryout at the Metrodome on June 21 and 22.  The event is held annually and among the notable signings was Charley Walters in 1966.  The former Edison High pitcher had a brief baseball career before becoming a sports columnist for the Pioneer Press.

The Twins, averaging 38,871, are third in average American League attendance. Only the Yankees at 44,943 and Angels with 39,383 have higher averages, according to https://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance.

The Twins play in Philadelphia for an Interleague series June 18-20.  It will be the franchise’s first visit to Philadelphia since 2002 and only the third series ever against the Phillies.

St. Thomas senior pitcher Matt Schuld is an American Baseball Coaches Association Division III first team All-American.  Hamline junior outfielder Tony Rogers is among the recipients of an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award recognizing the nation’s best defensive players.

Kevin Garnett, who in 12 seasons with the Timberwolves never played for an NBA finals team, now finds himself within reach of a second world championship in three years as a member of the Boston Celtics.  His team is in Los Angeles tonight for game one of the finals against the Lakers.

For Garnett, there’s more than another ring in the offering.  His legacy can be enhanced, too.

At 33, Garnett’s career is far closer to the finish than the beginning.  Except for 24-year-old point guard Rajon Rondo, Boston’s best players are “geezers” like Garnett, guard Ray Allen, 34, and forward Paul Pierce, 32.  Even 6-11 long distance shooting sub Rasheed Wallace is an NBA old timer at 35.

This Celtics team is built to win in June, 2010, not a year or two from now.  Garnett, Pierce and Allen could move into fast company among Celtics legends by winning a second championship in three years.

Boston won three world titles in the 1980s with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.  In the 1970’s Dave Cowens and John Havlicek led two NBA title teams.  And in the 1950’s and 1960’s basketball’s ultimate winner, Bill Russell, teamed with players like Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn, Sam Jones and Havlicek to win 10 championships.

A title in 2010 will enhance how Garnett is remembered among the game’s great players.  Winning championships commands attention, provides a personal showcase and builds the most favorable of reputations.

For Garnett, the seven game world championship series is an ideal stage.  The 6-11 power forward has no attribute that sets him apart from basketball’s greatest players.  Instead, he’s a master of many skills, a superstar who brings to almost every game 20 points and 11 rebounds, plus timely passes and blocks.

But there’s more.  He also arrives at work with a scowl, with a focus on defense and determination to win.  His resolve to keep opponents from scoring and teammates in check helped produce a title two years ago, according to basketball writer Bill Simmons.