Author: David Shama

Tight end Jim Kleinsasser, 32, is the only player on the Vikings’ roster that was with the team 10 years ago.

Among the likely stories coming out of Vikings’ training camp will be the dream of free agent rookie running back Ian Johnson to make the team.  He’s well-known for helping Boise State team to its dramatic 2007 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma and making a marriage proposal after the game.  Not so documented, though, is Johnson being an accomplished musician who plays the trombone and is learning the piano.

The Twins are 18-6 against the White Sox in the Metrodome since the beginning of 2007 and are 14-2 in the last 16 games.  The Twins are 21-12 versus the American League Central.

The inconsistent collective performance of the Twins’ starting pitchers this season was predictable.  None of the five pitchers in the regular rotation had more than one full season entering this year.

The late inning relief of Matt Guerrier and Joe Nathan has been impressive.  When the starters falter early, though, the Twins are like most teams in that they can’t consistently put their middle inning pitchers on the mound and expect to shutdown the opposition.   Nathan has converted on 29 of 32 save opportunities this season.  Guerrier has an ERA of 0.33 in his last 30 appearances.

Anthony Slama, 25, is a pitcher worth tracking in the Twins’ farm system. The right- handed reliever is pitching for Double A New Britain in the Eastern League and has a 4-2 record with 80 strikeouts in 58.1 innings.

In a 2009 NBA point guard dominant draft, the Wolves’ Jonny Flynn was the “class of the class” in summer league play in Las Vegas earlier this summer, according to Sports Illustrated.  A July 27 article praised Flynn’s decision making and ability to penetrate.  An Eastern Conference scout predicted future All-Star status for the 20-year-old Flynn who the Wolves selected with the No. 6 pick in the June draft. Flynn averaged 15 points and 7.4 assists in the summer league.

Internet and radio reports earlier this week have been saying that former Wolves’ point guard Stephon Marbury is behaving irrationally and ate Vaseline.  Marbury is a free agent but listed on the Boston roster.

The Wolves’ “Early Bird” promotion, that includes season tickets for $5 per game, ends on Saturday.

Greg Jones, the Michigan State junior linebacker who was selected earlier this week as the Big Ten Conference’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, was interested in the Gophers when in high school.  His interest lessened when there was a coaching change at Minnesota after the 2007 season.

The Gophers’ 2009 schedule is a stark contrast from two other Big Ten programs that have byes, Illinois and Wisconsin.  Both those schools have December games, lengthening their schedules and providing rest for players and coaches.  Illinois and Wisconsin both have two byes in their schedules.  “It’s hard to go 12 straight weeks,” Illinois coach Ron Zook said at the conference’s media day on Monday.  “It’s hard for players and coaches.”

Minnesota coach Tim Brewster is an advocate of adding a 12^th team to the conference, dividing the league into two divisions and having a conference championship game between the winners in December.  There’s probably a consensus among conference coaches that later games in the fall will help keep their teams sharper for bowl games.  “I think playing into December would help us,” Brewster said.

At media day Brewster described his program, 1-11 two years ago but 7-6 last season, as an “ascending program.”  He said this about the upcoming season: “We’re experienced, we’re talented and it’s an opportunity for us to really step forward as we go into TCF Bank Stadium.”

Four MIAC players have been named to the D3football.com Preseason All-America team.  First team selections included St. Thomas senior center Josh Ostrue and Bethel senior cornerback Tim Cornish.  Saint John’s senior defensive lineman Nick Gunderson and Gustavus senior safety Joe Welch were named to the second team defense.

Gustavus has chosen nine individuals for induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2009 inductees are Kerri Pool Foss (soccer), Dan Dohmeier (baseball), Bob Klindworth (cross country/track and field), Leisha Johnson Ronning  (basketball), C.J. Page (gymnastics), Scott Anderson (football), Jon Lindquist  (golf), Amy McCrea Morrell (tennis) and Steve Wilkinson (coach).

Don’t know if Brett Favre is going to play for the Vikings but if he does Sports Headliners has a few suggestions to help him settle in.  Here’s a list of must-do’s for the legendary Mr. Favre who has quarterbacked countless comebacks, willed his teams to victory, and played in all kinds of emotional and physical pain while inspiring millions during an 18 year NFL career that includes two Super Bowls and a record three consecutive league MVP awards.

First, refer to our metropolis as the Twin Cities.  We’re very sensitive and politically correct, and even though the Vikings play in Minneapolis be careful about any references to the city.  Follow the lead of the local broadcaster who refers to the “Metrodome in the Twin Cities.”  Political correctness before accuracy, you know.

Don’t worry about a few media guys who rip you before your plane lands.  We’ve been hoping they would go away for years, or at least take a couple of journalism classes to learn about fairness, objectivity and civility.

Presuming you and the Vikings win the season opener on September 13 at Cleveland, be prepared to become more popular than the Mall of America.  We have a huge bandwagon in this town for our heroes and there won’t be enough room for all who come on board by September 13.  (Note: many travel on one week passes).

Never publicly defend coach Brad Childress.  The cocktail fueled Vikings fandom knows Chili (as they like to call him) can’t coach.  If the Vikings lose, the blame is on the coaches, not the players.

Never intimate that Tarvaris Jackson isn’t a talented NFL quarterback.  I suspect a few of your more biased teammates think he’s earned starting status.  Wink, wink.

If you are still capable of miracles and lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl, don’t expect to win.  The Super Bowl record is perfect, 0-4.  Keeping it that way helps many Minnesotans feel sorry for themselves.

Don’t go deer hunting in Wisconsin this fall.  Some Packers’ fan, crushed by your decision to play for the Vikings, might “mistake” you for a buck.

Be sure to drink a Minnesota brewed beer like Grain Belt, and keep the Lienenkugel back home in Mississippi.  And we apologize in advance for limited options on two of your faves, okra and crawfish.

Never drive on 494 if you expect to get anywhere on time.  When you drive downtown be assured that not every street is closed for construction.

Finally this: even though the cynics are too far into the dark side to realize the truth, others know the reason you’re here at 39 with nothing left to prove is because you love football. To that we say, “Have fun.”

And thanks for signing on (hopefully).