Author: David Shama

Oakland made Darren McFadden of Arkansas the first running back chosen in Saturday’s NFL draft.  Before the draft last week former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton, who now analyzes the NFL in the media, said McFadden isn’t in the “same class” as the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson who was the first back selected in the 2007 draft.

Mike Max, host of WCCO TV’s “Life to the Max,” said the May 17 show will feature Sid Hartman, the 88-year-old Star Tribune columnist.  The story will include interviews with Bob Knight, Lou Holtz, Pete Carroll and Governor Tim Pawlenty.  “Life to the Max” can be seen on Ch. 4 Saturdays from 11 to 11:30 p.m.  Max has interviewed many celebrities on the show but wants to some day include Tiger Woods.  He said the show’s ratings vary from 3 to 4.5.

Sunday nights Max hosts the “The Sports Show” on WUCW TV, Ch. 23. The show’s regulars also include Patrick Reusse, Dark Star and Hartman.  Max said he’s working on changing the show’s time slot from the current 10:35 to 11:05 p.m.  Starting later this year he wants the show to air from to 9 to 9:30 p.m.

Courtney Boylan of Chaska and Jordan Taylor of Benilde-St. Margaret’s won the Miss and Mr. Basketball awards last night at a banquet that brought together the five girls and boys finalists.  Last year’s Mr. Basketball winner, Gopher Blake Hoffarber, spoke to the audience about the transition from high school to college basketball.  The Amazing Hondo, the well-known local magician who played basketball at Winona State, entertained the crowd.

Tim Larson, who was named Jostens president and CEO at age 34 earlier this year, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and once worked in the Gopher sports information department.

The Minnesota Thunder, who will open the home schedule on Sunday night at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul, expect to have an improved team with a mostly new roster.  It’s been a busy off-season for coach Amos Magee and general manager Djorn Bucholz.  Even last week the Thunder added two players, Brazilian forward Frederico Moojen and Colombian/Canadian defender Andres Arango.  Magee said Moojen “will score a lot of goals for our team this season.”  He expects Arango to be “one of the last pieces to a playoff puzzle.”

The Thunder haven’t been in the playoffs since 2004.  The team is 1-1 on the season, having lost the road opener to Portland, 2-1, but defeated Vancouver, 1-0.  Sunday’s game is against Rochester and begins at 5:05 p.m.

The Big Ten announced last week that Edina’s Whitney Taney, a freshman at Michigan, is one of its 11 players on the women’s all-conference tennis team as voted by the coaches.  The Gophers’ Lindsay Risebrough, daughter of Wild general manager Doug Risebrough, is one of 11 sportsmanship award winners representing each Big Ten school.

Interest in the Vikings increased with Wednesday’s announcement that Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen, the NFL’s sack leader last season, was joining the team.  The team had sold over 100 new season tickets as of yesterday afternoon, according to Vikings’ spokesmen.

The Vikings sent their first round and two third round choices to Kansas City for Allen, creating speculation yesterday whether Minnesota will try to add draft picks for this weekend’s NFL college draft.  The Vikings hold six picks currently, starting with the No. 47 choice in the second round.  They also have single picks in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds, with two choices in the sixth.

While it may not happen, the Vikings management team will certainly consider adding draft choices, perhaps trading a player or giving up a pick from next year.  “We’re gonna be flexible,” said Scott Studwell, director of college scouting.  “We would like to get some picks back if we could.”

Rick Spielman, vice president of player personnel, said he doesn’t “box out” possibilities that could improve the draft inventory.  Then he laughed after thinking about all the money owner Zygi Wilf has spent on free agents and also making Allen the richest defensive lineman in the league, explaining he would need “clearance” from ownership to pay a first round draft choice if the Vikings acquire one in the next 24 hours or so.

Head coach Brad Childress said there are “too many variables” for the Vikings to be targeting specific players with their existing six picks.  The Vikings, of course, hope to be pleasantly surprised when they draft, including at No. 47, hoping to find a player available who they rate worthy of being taken among the first 20 or 30 players.

Studwell said offensive tackles, cornerbacks, running backs and receivers are the deepest positions for talent in the 2008 draft.  The Vikings are potentially interested in players at any of those positions, but have the least need at running back.

A Vikings spokesman said yesterday there are still tickets remaining for the team’s Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party on Saturday.  By calling Ticketmaster before 9 p.m. tonight, tickets can be purchased for $15 each.  On Saturday tickets are on sale for $20 at the Winter Park Fieldhouse.

“Who’s house?  Our house!”  Gopher football assistant coaches have used that cheer to fire up Minnesota fans since head coach Tim Brewster put his staff together over a year ago.  It’s fair to say that as Brewster and his assistants get ready for a second season they are still working on the “house’s” foundation.

Tonight (Friday) the public can assess more of the building process when the Gophers play in their annual free spring game at the Metrodome starting at 7 p.m.  Don’t expect to reach a lot of conclusions, though.  Playing an intra-squad game is a lot different from facing another team in the fall.  Plus, the Gophers’ starting defensive lineup for next season is far from settled with the possibility that incoming junior college and freshmen players will earn regular spots in August and September.

That’s because the Gophers have a strong group of freshmen and junior college players from a recruiting class that focused on defensive players and earned national praise.  The help wanted sign was really out as Brewster and his staff went recruiting after last season’s team was a disaster defensively and largely responsible for a 1-11 record.

Tonight’s game is an opportunity to see some newcomers already here including linebacker Rex Sharpe, defensive back Tramaine Brock and athlete David Pittman, all jucos.  Pittman is an exciting player who will play some at quarterback and other positions.  Look for him to give the Gophers’ a big play running threat at quarterback in special situations next season.

Most fans will focus on quarterback Adam Weber who was a Sporting News third team freshman All-American last season.  His 241.2 yards per game passing was third in the Big Ten Conference and he set school records for pass completions, attempts, touchdown passes and yardage.  Weber has now added muscle and weight that will help him take the pounding required of a passing-running quarterback in the spread offense.  He’s also working to become a more vocal leader.

With improved talent, more familiarity with the offensive and defensive systems, plus a favorable schedule, the Gophers will win more than one game next season.  As usual the non-conference schedule is soft and unattractive to fans, but helpful for winning games.  The Gophers will be favored in home non-conference games with Northern Illinois, Montana State, and Florida Atlantic, and at Bowling Green.  All four of the home conference games–Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan and Iowa–are possible wins. The road will be much more difficult with games at Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin.

The Gophers could win several games, although the regional and national media will make them a popular choice to finish last again in the conference.  Ohio State is the elite team in the conference, a possibility to play in a third consecutive national championship game.   Wisconsin, Penn State and Illinois may be the next best teams.  Iowa has struggled in recent seasons but Mark May predicted on ESPN2 this spring that the Hawkeyes will be one of the surprise teams in college football next season.  He based his prediction on Iowa returning most of its offensive starters and the skills of head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Big Ten football has been inferior to other conferences for awhile, including the SEC which has five coaches who have won national championships.  Brewster’s opportunity is to consistently recruit such high level players to Minnesota that he passes by the many mediocre Big Ten programs.

Talented players build a strong “house.”