Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about cornerback Antoine Winfield: “With his physical stature, first of all, I don’t know anybody that hits harder than that guy pound-for-pound. I mean we’re talking about coming up and taking on offensive linemen, sticking a knife in a sweep, hitting the screen. …Deep thinker. He’s with the program. …”
Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said whether Troy Williamson returns kickoffs depends on Williamson’s physical condition and input from Childress.
The Twins finished the season at 96-66 after a record of 83-79 last season. The home and road records were 54-27 and 42-39, compared with 45-36 and 38-43 in 2005.
Talking about his unusual facial expressions when pitching, Twins reliever Pat Neshek said he first became aware of them while viewing video tape in the minor leagues: “I never even noticed that until I watched the videos every night and reviewed what I did the night before…it’s pretty funny.” He added, “I don’t think it intimidates anybody. It just looks funny.”
Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said opposing pitchers and hitters make adjustments to one another in a playoff series, but hitters gain more advantage as a series progresses.
It was 50 years ago this October the Gophers enjoyed one of their few wins against Michigan, defeating the Wolverines 20-7 in Ann Arbor. The Gophers rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit to score 20 second half points behind quarterback Bobby Cox. The game helped the Gophers to a 6-1-2 season, a near Rose Bowl invitation and national publicity for Cox. The next season Cox became the only Gopher football player ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.