Author: David Shama

Wright said last week the Wolves have renewed about 76 percent of their season tickets so far and have sold 700 new season tickets.  The Wolves have 60 to 70 seats near the court available for purchase.

Minneapolis businessman Peter Rocca won two silver medals in the backstroke for the U.S. in the 1976 Olympics.  The California native wrote an e-mail to Sports Headliners regarding American swimmer Michael Phelps who won eight gold medals at this year’s Olympics and has 14 in his career.  Rocca marveled at not only Phelps’ skills but his endurance.  Rocca wrote: “He swam 17 high level and quite a few gut wrenching races.  A good swimming friend of mine figured that beginning 8/9 he warmed-up, raced and warmed-down and was in/out of the pool close to 40 times.  Add to that pre and post race rub downs, eating three meals, meeting with the press, the U.S. team meetings, working with his coaches and then adding in his need to recover and sleep. There was so much to accomplish and so many things that could have tripped him up, yet he prevailed and broke seven world records in the process in the widest variety of races and strokes that anyone has ever swum at the Olympics. …”

Minnesota tennis legend David Wheaton, 39, has been waiting to hear if he will be invited to play in the U.S Open senior men’s singles and mixed doubles competitions that begin Tuesday, September 2 in New York.  Six men and six women participate (women’s singles and mixed doubles).

Wheaton, who lives in suburban Minneapolis, isn’t picking Roger Federer to even make the semi-finals in the main men’s single draw.  He likes Rafael Nadal, although he hasn’t played well in previous opens, or Novak Djokovic to win the U.S. Open that began today.  As for the women’s winner, Wheaton said take the top eight players, put their names on a wall, and throw a dart to hit a name and possible winner.

Wheaton is mentioned briefly in the new Pete Sampras book, A Champions Mind, Lessons From A Life In Tennis.  Sampras writes about playing Wheaton and describes him as an “overshadowed American of my generation.”

Wheaton thinks the description is fair and remembers being ranked in the top 20 in the world in 1992 but he wasn’t selected to represent the U.S. in the Olympics because he had peers like Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Michael Chang.

The 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, featuring 2008 All-Around Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin and 2008 All-Around Olympic Silver Medalist Shawn Johnson, will be at the Xcel Energy Center on Sunday, November 9. Tickets are now on sale.

The Vikings Super Bowl ticket doesn’t get punched without Adrian Peterson and Tarvaris Jackson.  Sure, it’s speculative to whisper the words Super Bowl with a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004 but the Vikings have dramatically improved their talent the last couple of years and could be ready to roll deep into the playoffs.  No dice, though, if Peterson, the wondrous rookie running back last year, and Jackson, the third year quarterback, are on the injury list and not on the field.

The right knee injury Jackson suffered in last Saturday’s preseason game in Baltimore is enough to stir up Purple worry warts.  Jackson, designated this year as the team’s No. 1 quarterback despite two seasons of on and off effectiveness, was impressive in the team’s opening preseason game and second game against Baltimore playing briefly in each. Then he took a hit from two Ravens’ tacklers and suffered the fifth injury during his Vikings’ career.

Jackson had surgery on his right knee in 2006.  Last season he had head, finger and groin injuries.  He missed four games when he otherwise would have started, presumably slowing his maturation process as an NFL quarterback.

The latest injury, a strained ligament, isn’t expected to sideline him for long.  But Jackson needs to play, developing his skills at throwing and directing the offense.  The injury is a setback and combined with past health problems raises the question of whether Jackson is one of those unfortunate players who is frequently injured.

The problem, too, isn’t just frequency of being hurt but the possibility of suffering one devastating injury that is career threatening.  The Purple worry warts may start holding their collective breaths every game when they watch Jackson and Peterson.

Peterson would have won the NFL rushing title last season except for a knee injury.  He gained 1,341 yards but missed two games.  Not only that, but his five game numbers after the injury, 260 total yards and a 3.8 average per carry, were less impressive than his initial nine game total of 1,081 and 6.4.

In college at Oklahoma Peterson missed playing time because of his much publicized ankle and collarbone injuries.  And for all his marvelous gifts, including vision, speed, and strength, he’s been labeled a guy who runs too straight up and down, making him more susceptible to injury.

A healthy Peterson is right there with LaDainian Tomlinson (last season’s top NFL rusher) as the best runner in the league.  A healthy Jackson, based on his athletic skills and the assumption that quarterbacks are much improved by a third season, looks like a quarterback ready to give the Vikings a passing game to balance the run.

There’s no Super Bowl train leaving the station without Peterson and Jackson.

Rodney Williams, the highly recruited basketball player who will be a senior at Cooper High this school year, told Sports Headliners he expects to narrow his list of potential college choices to four or five by this weekend.

He said “for sure” the Gophers will make the cut.  Williams wasn’t as sure whether any other Big Ten Conference schools will be on the revised list. The Gophers have been drawing the attention of top players in various parts of the country since Tubby Smith became head coach in 2007 and are known to have interest in the 6-7, 188-pound Williams who is ranked a four star recruit by Rivals.com, listing him as the No. 23 small forward in the nation.

Williams said an opportunity to “play right away” will be the most important factor in selecting a college.  He plans to sign a letter of intent with a school in the late fall, November or December.

Grandfather Jerry Robertson said Williams has improved his game in “virtually every phase” this summer as he prepares for his final season at Cooper High School.  Robertson has coached AAU teams that Williams has played on including the Minnesota Magic age 17 and under group that won a state title this summer.  He said his grandson averaged about 16 points and 12 rebounds in the state tournament, and, as usual, demonstrated his extraordinary leaping ability with numerous dunks and blocked shots.

Williams said his three point shooting might be the single most improved aspect of his game this summer.  He talked about possibly making 40 to 45 percent of his three point attempts next season.

Rivals lists Minnesota, Miami and Wisconsin among likely contenders for Williams.  Robertson projects Williams’ college position as small forward in college.

He also said that his grandson “struggled a little bit” academically during his freshman and sophomore years before he realized the importance of grades to his future.  College scouts have said academics for Williams won’t be an entrance problem at major basketball schools, according to Robertson.

He speaks with enthusiasm about his grandson including when he talks about him as a person. “He’s a really great kid,” Robertson said.  “I think he’s a nicer kid than he is a basketball player.”

Hopkins’ Royce White, a five star recruit by Rivals, has already verbally committed to the Gophers.  Robertson said he foresees White, 6-7, 210, playing a power forward position in college, although Rivals ranks him the No. 2 prep small forward in the country.

“He’s good friends with Royce,” Robertson said.  Williams said, though, that their friendship won’t influence his decision about the Gophers.