Among the home town stories to follow when the Minnesota Wild start training camp next month is whether former Gopher Danny Irmen can earn a place on the roster.  With 22 players on the 23 man roster having NHL contracts, Irmen’s opportunity is far less than it could be.

Irmen, who turns 23 next week, must compete with some talented and more experienced forwards for a roster spot.  Last year, playing for the Wild farm team in Houston, he finished third on the Aeros in goals with 37.  In stops in Houston and with the Gophers he’s shown goal scoring ability, but conversations about Irmen usually include something more— his determination and competitiveness.

Former Minnesota North Stars coach Glen Sonmor provided color commentary on Gopher games when Irmen played for the University from 2003-2006.  What does Sonmor think of Irmen’s chances to make the team?

“I think they’re very good,” he said.  “But it’s a lot tougher than it was earlier because they’ve got some real depth at forward now finally. If he had come along three years ago at the stage he is now I am sure he would have been playing right away. And…I am sure he will play.  He’s eventually going to show them and he is showing them now that he’s got an ingredient they really need.  He’s got an edge to him.  He’s a fearless, tough competitor.  Everybody needs more of those guys. …”

Sonmor can foresee a journey that brings Irmen to the Wild later in the season, not the start.  “Something is going to happen and he may make it,” Sonmor said.  “I know they’re going to give him a real good look. …”

The Fargo native played in 80 games last season with Houston, the most in his career.   Sonmor described Irmen’s season as a “very good year” and said the young forward’s “fiercely competitive” style and talent gets him noticed.

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Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said today at a news conference that Kenechi Udeze will be the Vikings starting defensive left end in the season opener against Atlanta on September 9.  Frazier also said his defensive starters will play only the opening series in Thursday night’s final pre-season game against Dallas at the Metrodome.

It’s a solid guess that how many games the Twins win in this week’s three game series in Cleveland against the Indians will go a long way toward deciding Minnesota’s fate in pursuit of the Central Division title.  The Twins may need to sweep the Indians, or at least win two of three.

One reason the Twins are winning is Jason Kubel is hitting .357 and has driven in six runs in his last 10 games. Kubel, 25, entered this season with a .254 career batting average but he has the ability to be a much better run producer for the Twins and perhaps fill the minimal offense left field position.

Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight will be among those attending a dinner on Tuesday, September 18 at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota to honor the 40^th anniversary of Bud Grant’s first season as Minnesota Vikings coach.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Viking Children’s Fund.  More information is available by calling 952-828-6577, or www.vikings.com

Wild goalie Josh Harding will be signing autographs at the team’s State Fair booth from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.  Wild and Minnesota Swarm players are among those making celebrity appearances during the fair at the booth, located on the second level of the main grandstand.

In pre-season MIAC coaches polls, the following were voted the favorites to win the conference in football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer:  Saint John’s, Concordia, Gustavus and Macalester.  Coaches voted for every team in the conference except their own with points assigned for each vote.

Seven MIAC men’s basketball student-athletes have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Academic Honors Court. The honor recognizes college basketball student-athletes who excel in their academic pursuits. The seven are: St. Olaf junior Bob Hunter, Augsburg juniors Justin Kozlowski and Darren Nelson, and four seniors from Saint John’s, Chase Lenz, Matt Ohme, Craig Schafer and Scott Schafer.

Local sports fan Ken Lien, who for years chaired the Minnesota Mr. Basketball Committee, saw his first game at historic Lambeau Field last week and wrote the following via e-mail: “It truly puts the plastic Metrodome to shame!”

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While it seems like job one for the Minnesota Vikings is figuring out the quarterback position, another red flag priority is rushing the quarterback. The 2006 Vikings were best in the league in rushing defense but ranked last in the NFL along with Cincinnati in most passing yards given up per game. 

Pass defense, of course, will be a responsibility for the entire defense but the ends will be expected to lead the charge that can result in more quarterback hurries, sacks and interceptions.  That’s part of their job descriptions. 

End Kenechi Udeze, who started 15  games for the Vikings, had no sacks last season.  The other end last year, Darrion Scott, who started 13 games for the Vikings last season and replaced Erasmus James in the lineup after he injured his knee, led the team in sacks at 5.5.  As a team, the Vikings had 30 sacks (five NFL teams had fewer). 

Now speculation is that James, who has a pass sacking reputation, will return as a starting defensive end.  He and second year man Ray Edwards are the Vikings mega potential sack men.  

James missed 13 games last season after sustaining a serious left knee injury.   In 2005, his rookie season, he started the final nine games of the season, tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.0 and ranked fifth among NFL rookies in that category. 

Dean Dalton, who now is a multi-media NFL expert, was a Vikings assistant coach when James was drafted.  He’s also followed Edwards, who last season as a fourth round draft choice started two games with three sacks.   

“We believed when we drafted him (James) that he had that special juice,” Dalton said last week. “He has a really explosive first step that can get him on the edge, but he’s young (24).  In the NFL he’ll be going against left tackles which are usually the most athletic experienced offensive players so he’s got to really refine his game.   But he does have the skill set. …Erasmus has all the ability and all the potential in the world to be an outstanding defensive end. 

“And right now Ray Edwards shows flashes of it.  He just needs to be more consistent but it’s been encouraging because he’s played at a more consistent level throughout this training camp so far.” 

The Vikings have been taking a patient approach with James’ recovery from the knee injury.  He hasn’t played in the first two pre-season games but sometime during the season Dalton expects him to be playing.  (Viking coach Brad Childress indicated last week on KFAN Radio that James will play Saturday night in Seattle in Minnesota’s third pre-season game). 

“Even still when he gets back he’s got to overcome the mental part of not favoring that injured knee,” Dalton said.   “There’s a long way to go but I believe he’s making progress that will allow him to get back on the field this year.” 

Edwards needs to show more consistency and probably minimize his already well-known temper but he’s a promising player at only 21 years old.  “Having an explosive temper is generally not a sign of maturity,” Dalton said. “…Therefore he will need to get a harness on that so he can be more consistent for his team.  Somebody that he and his coaches can count on.” 

Edwards has been starting for the Vikings with Udeze in the first two pre-season games.  Edwards hurried Jets quarterback Chad Pennington last Friday night into a bad throw that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by linebacker Chad Greenway.  In pre-season games rookie Brian Robison, the fourth round pick from Texas, has shown pass rushing skills too, and leads the team in sacks with two.

 With a strong rush from the defensive ends and tackles, led by a pass rushing specialist at defensive end like James or Edwards, plus solid communication among the entire defense, the Vikings won’t have to blitz as much and can take another step toward productivity.  How important is improving defensive end play?

“It’s really important,” Dalton said. “That will really solidify a very, very good defense and make it a great defense if they can get excellent play out of the defensive end position.”

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