Author: David Shama

If Brett Favre becomes the Vikings quarterback there should be no doubt how he will operate, according to a former NFL coach who spoke to Sports Headliners on condition of anonymity.

“A guy like Favre, his record speaks for itself,” the source said.  “He’s a veteran, experienced quarterback.  He knows the system.  You just gotta let him play the game. To guide and direct him is not the way to go.  You bring him here to be your quarterback.  He’s going to make good plays.  With the runner (Adrian Peterson) they have and offensive line, they could be very exciting.”

Although Favre will be 40 years old in October, if his right arm is healthy after tendon surgery he should perform similarly to past seasons.  In 2008 with the Jets his team was 8-3 until he injured his right shoulder.  The year before he led the Packers to the NFC championship game.

Defending against a healthy Favre is a challenge.  “He’s very strong armed and makes all the throws,” the source said.  “You’re always concerned about his ability to push the ball down field.  You can’t allow him to set his feet and stay in the pocket. Your only chance is make him feel pressure.  At that position, there’s no quarterback with his experience.  He’s seen and done it all.”

The Vikings have some special players including Peterson and defensive tackle Kevin Williams, but the most important position on a pro football team is quarterback.  If Favre comes out of retirement he’s presumably healthy and that figures to give the team a huge improvement in quarterback performance.

Among those who agree is scout.com which moved the Vikings to No. 4 in its NFL power rankings.  That’s assuming a guy who will wear No. 4 is quarterbacking here this fall.  https://profootball.scout.com/2/876060.html

Twins’ pitcher Kevin Slowey’s placement on the 15-day disabled list on Friday night with a strained right wrist eliminated any chance of being selected for the All-Star game in St. Louis on July 14.  Slowey is 10-3 and among baseball’s winningest pitchers. Anthony Swarzak, recalled from Triple-A Rochester to replace Slowey, was recently named to the International League All-Star team after compiling a 4-4 record with a 2.34 ERA in 10 starts.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer’s grandfather Jake, who started selling his handicapping sheet in 1985 at Canterbury Park, will be featured on a segment of KSTP TV’s Twin Cities Live on Wednesday afternoon.

Wolves’ forward Kevin Love was one of 25 developing NBA players to accept an invitation to participate in the 2009 USA Basketball Men’s National team mini-camp July 22-25 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Gophers are selling custom designed frames for $200 that include a piece of the Williams Arena floor that was replaced earlier this year.  https://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=3743642

The Sporting News issue of July 6, has the Gophers football team ranked No. 50 among 120 schools.  Among Big Ten programs, Northwestern, Illinois, Purdue and Indiana are ranked lower.  The highest rated conference school is Ohio State at No. 9.  The Big Ten’s other top 20 school is Penn State at No. 12.

Scout.com has the Gophers 2010 recruiting class ranked at No. 28 in the country.  The Website reports that Minnesota has 10 verbal commitments so far.  https://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2010

The Gophers have had few Iowa recruits on the roster over the years but Minnesota is reportedly among the schools that interest Cedar Rapids running back Andre Dawson, a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com.  https://iowa.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=76560

Bill Fitch wasn’t trying to list candidates for the Wolves’ head coaching job but during an interview with Sports Headliners he mentioned Sam Mitchell, the former Toronto coach who also was a player here.   Fitch’s admiration for Mitchell was obvious.

Fitch, who coached the Gophers from 1968-1970, is now retired but he coached in the NBA for almost three decades and won an NBA title with Boston in 1981.  He still follows the league with interest from homes in Texas and New Mexico.

“I like Sam Mitchell a lot,” Fitch said.  “I am not pushing names but the first name that came to mind was Sam.”

Mitchell, 45, coached the Raptors for four-plus seasons, with a 156-189 record.  He was NBA Coach of the Year in 2007 after his team won the Atlantic Division.

What’s appealing to Fitch about Mitchell?  “I like his demeanor,” Fitch answered.  “He’s a patient coach.  I think he’s been grounded in the fundamentals of coaching by a lot of people.  He brings a lot of class.  He’s one I think that would bring a strong team element.

“I really thought he did a heck of a job at Toronto.  I hated to see him put out to pasture because the good Lord could come down and coach that ball club the last year there and not be happy with it.”