Author: David Shama

The NFC North could be a quarterback soap opera this fall with major story lines developing in not only Minneapolis and Chicago, but Detroit and Green Bay, too.

The Lions, 0-16 last season and in worse shape than General Motors, appear headed for a showdown between former Viking Daunte Culpepper and rookie Matthew Stafford.  Since 2005, Culpepper, 32, has played nothing like the Pro Bowl player who was outstanding here in the early years of this decade, but reportedly he’s been impressive during the off season.  He will compete with Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.

Watching over it all is new Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehean, the same guy who had that title with the Vikings when Culpepper was most productive (and healthy).  While Linehan may favor starting Culpepper early in the season because of his experience, he’s impressed with Stafford.

“He gets it out so quick, and with so much velocity,” Linehan said in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune.  “And he’s more accurate than I thought he was.”

In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers is surrounded by the ghost of Brett Favre.  Rodgers was last year, too, but in his first season as the Packers’ No. 1, Favre was based in New York with the Jets.  If Favre decides not to retire and play for the Vikings (seems likely), he will be perched on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, waiting to stir things up between two teams and zealous fans from both states.

The 2009 Packers and Vikings games could be historic events, not football games.  The first game is Monday, October 5 in Minneapolis; the second on Sunday, November 1 in Green Bay.  The value of tickets for those games will go up like the hottest of stocks the day Favre signs on with the Purple.  The border war goes nuclear in interest and emotion.

It’s possible Favre and Rodgers will emerge from the season as heroes with their local fan bases.  But then again, they might not even be welcomed back for another season.  The only thing for sure is that Favre won’t be a god with many cheese-heads in Green Bay, and Rodgers will draw applause here only if he throws about four interceptions in each game.

And the happiest soap opera script in the division could be down in Chicago where new quarterback Jay Cutler just might be better than any of his rivals.  The quarterback- poor Bears took a gamble with a big offering, acquiring Cutler by giving Denver two first round picks, a third round choice and quarterback Kyle Orton.

Cutler’s resume says he might be worth it.  He made the AFC Pro Bowl roster after last season, his third in the NFL.  Among his numbers: 4,526 yards passing and 25 touchdown passes.  He joins a Bears offense that in past seasons has often looked like it was playing with 10 guys, not 11.

The Twins will play their first series in Chicago against the Cubs since 2001 when the two teams meet at Wrigley Field on June 12-14.  The last time in Chicago the Cubs swept the three game Interleague series.  The overall record between the two franchises is 7-5 Cubs.

Always of interest at Wrigley is who will lead fans in the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch.  At one of the games in 2001 former Twin and Cub Gary Gaetti took the microphone.

The tradition of a celebrity leading the fans in the singing started about 10 years ago after the death of legendary Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray.  It was fun-loving Harry who at each home game whipped up the crowd with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”  Since then the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Mr. T and Bret Bielema have led the way.

No word on who is on deck for the Twins-Cubs series but how about Mark Prior at one of the games?  The Twins, drafting No. 1 in 2001 chose Joe Mauer, leaving Prior for the Cubs at No. 2.  He’s been a bust and parted ways with the Cubs in 2007.  Nah, the Cubs wouldn’t see the fun in that one.

If you’re going to the Cubs-Twins games next week, here are a few tips based on my experience at Wrigley last week when I watched Chicago beat the Dodgers on a cold Friday afternoon:

Coming from downtown Chicago, you can’t beat the convenience of taking the commuter train, arriving at Wrigley about one block from the stadium.

Be sure to see the Harry Caray statue outside the ballpark.  Toast the grand old broadcaster who was also famous for calling St. Louis Cardinals games.  He would like that.

Don’t completely anticipate the weather based on predicted temps and blue skies.  A nasty wind off Lake Michigan can make a day with temps in the 60s feel like an outdoor November football game.

The Polish sausage with onions is recommended.

Don’t know for sure but it’s difficult to believe new Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn wants Kevin McHale back as coach, serving in a high visibility spot in what can be a fresh look organization.  Former NBA coaches Jeff Van Gundy and Sam Mitchell would receive approval from the team’s fan base.

Oops. On a news page in last Wednesday’s Star Tribune the newspaper reported that supermodel Adriana Lima is “expecting her first child with her husband, NBA star Marko Jaric… .”  The former Wolves guard may have been described various ways while here, but, puh-leze, not a star.

Charles Barkley, whose targets for controversial remarks have included Wolves’ owner Glen Taylor, commented on his producer during the final show of the season for Inside the NBA. The following comes with a warning about “explicit” language.   https://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/31/charles-barkley-starts-his-vacation-early/

“Wally the Beerman” (Wally McNeil) plans to sell beer again by late July or early August following his triple bypass heart surgery on May 18.  McNeil told Sports Headliners he’s recovering at home and plans to hawk beer at Twins and Saints games later this summer.  “Can’t lift anything over 10 pounds (right now),” he said.

McNeil, who turns 75 in August, wasn’t experiencing heart problems when he went in for a routine physical last month.  A stress test led to an angiogram revealing a blocked artery and “moderate/severely” blocked arteries.  He can’t drive for awhile and knows it will take time to recover. “You won’t catch me on the tennis courts this week,” he said.

Kevin Slowey, 8-1 after last night’s Twins 4-3 win over Cleveland, has now tied his career-high by winning four straight games (five starts).  His eight wins rank second in the major leagues behind Toronto’s Roy Halladay who has nine.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has now hit safely in 11 straight games. He is batting .415 (17-41) with eight runs, three doubles, a triple, two homers and 14 RBI in those games.

Former Edina tennis player Whitney Taney, now at Michigan, has been named to the All-Big Ten Academic team.  Taney, who had a 3.8 GPA during her sophomore year, was selected by Michigan coaches as the team’s sportsmanship winner.  She played No. 1 and 2 doubles, and No. 3 and 4 singles for Michigan compiling 27-6 and 15-10 records, according to her dad, Ted Taney.  He said she will teach tennis at Edina Country Club this summer.

St. Thomas junior outfielder Alison Wright and Gustavus senior shortstop Rachael Click have been selected to the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Softball Academic All-America first team. Wright was also named the College Division Academic All-American® of the Year.

Registration for golfers is open for the 38^th annual Tapemark Charity Pro Am at Southview Country Club June 12-14.  https://proam.mn/