At the Vikings Organized Team Activity last week at Winter Park reserve quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was asked in what way is he better than a year ago.  He told Sports Headliners his focus at practice has improved, admitting that at times concentration lapsed in the past.

Watching Brett Favre last season has helped “a lot,” Jackson said.  “The way he prepared,” Jackson said. “The way he took every throw like it was a Super Bowl game throw out here.  So I took that same approach that he took.”

Jackson started 19 games for the Vikings in the three seasons before Favre signed on last summer.  He said if Favre says no to another season, teammates will be disappointed but they also realize they have to move on and “compete.”

What would Jackson’s reaction be? “Get ready to play,” he said.  “Obviously, if he’s not coming back, I am thinking I am going to be the guy. …”

Favre’s close friend and teammate Ryan Longwell isn’t sure if Favre will return.  The two were once teammates in Green Bay and have talked during this off-season but not about a second Vikings season for Favre.  Instead they have chatted about golf and family.

Although Favre will be 41 in October, Longwell won’t dismiss the possibility the Vikings No. 1 quarterback could play even better than last season when his performance ranked among the best of his legendary career.  “I was with him for two of the three (NFL) MVP years (in Green Bay) and he was better last year than he was for any of those years,” Longwell said.

Comments Welcome

Who has it right about the Vikings offensive line?  The naysayers or the optimists?

The doubters look at that unit and describe it as problematic.  A weak link last season and something that hasn’t been corrected for 2010.  Sports Illustrated pro football authority Peter King describes the line as “in decline” and a reason he listed the Vikings at No. 13 in his power rankings of NFL teams this spring. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/05/16/ranking/1.html

Those with an optimistic view acknowledge the offensive line wasn’t a a major team strength last season, particularly its run blocking.  However, healthier players and more experience will produce a better unit in 2010, according to the glass is half full folks.

Guards Steve Hutchinson and Anthony Herrera played with injured shoulders last season.  The unit also had new starters at center, John Sullivan, and right tackle, Phil Loadholt.  Sullivan was a second year player last season, while Loadholt was a rookie.

The complaints of the critics include that Sullivan is too undersized to be effective at center.  The critics say Herrera is average and left tackle Bryant McKinnie under achieves.  The unit also needs more depth with better reserves.

McKinnie told Sports Headliners healthier players and more experience can translate into a better offensive line.  He also had an answer to King’s statement that the line is in decline.  “Hopefully everybody on the offensive line knows that you can use that as motivation,” he said.

Comments Welcome

Ex-Gophers kicker Rhys Lloyd is married to a former women’s pro golfer, Tina Miller, an All-American at Miami.  Lloyd said his wife could only break even financially on the pro circuit because of expenses.  She’s not playing now and is a full time mom to the couple’s six month old son.   Lloyd, who has a 0.2 handicap, grew up in England and is excited about the June 12 World Cup soccer match between the United States and his native country.

Lloyd might make the Vikings roster as a kickoff specialist, a role previously filled by Ryan Longwell who is expected to again be the team’s field goal kicker.  Longwell, 35, said he realizes the NFL is a business and that specialists like him are “fair game” as the team determines its roster.

There’s been speculation about O.J. Atogwe, the former Rams free agent safety, being interested in the Vikings.  The team’s starting safeties last season, Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams, combined for one interception (Johnson).

Tyus Jones, the Apple Valley High eighth grader, continues to turn heads among basketball people.  He’s following up an impressive first high school season with AAU games this spring.  Jones is already a national name in amateur basketball and could become the most highly recruited Minnesota prep ever by colleges.

Baseball’s amateur draft begins today with the Twins selecting at No. 21 in the first round.  Washington, for the second consecutive season, has the No. 1 pick.

The Twins will hold an open tryout at the Metrodome on June 21 and 22.  The event is held annually and among the notable signings was Charley Walters in 1966.  The former Edison High pitcher had a brief baseball career before becoming a sports columnist for the Pioneer Press.

The Twins, averaging 38,871, are third in average American League attendance. Only the Yankees at 44,943 and Angels with 39,383 have higher averages, according to https://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance.

The Twins play in Philadelphia for an Interleague series June 18-20.  It will be the franchise’s first visit to Philadelphia since 2002 and only the third series ever against the Phillies.

St. Thomas senior pitcher Matt Schuld is an American Baseball Coaches Association Division III first team All-American.  Hamline junior outfielder Tony Rogers is among the recipients of an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award recognizing the nation’s best defensive players.

Comments Welcome