Rest easy, Vikings fans.  The local NFL franchise will have approval by the state legislature for a new stadium by spring of 2011.

After years of following the issue of replacing the Metrodome with a new state-of-the-art pro football facility, and talking with sources, I am convinced Minnesota lawmakers will not say no to the Vikings.  While the possible cost of near $1 billion seems extravagant in this era of financial meltdown, I believe the controversial issue is more about politics than it is expense.

I watched when this area said no to better playing facilities for the Minneapolis Lakers and Minnesota North Stars.  Eventually both moved to other cities, but there’s no comparison between those franchises and the Vikings whose popularity among sports teams in the state goes beyond anything we’ve ever seen.  Local TV viewership of a Vikings game can reach 1 million or more households, with a huge percentage of televisions in this marketplace tuned in.  That’s a convincing indication of what the franchise means to people in the metropolitan area.  Statewide the Vikings have a huge following, too.  It’s a safe guess that following the team is important to between one-third and one-half of adult males ages 25-54 in the state.

For many Minnesotans seeing the Vikings move to another city would be similar to losing our state parks, or placing a ban on hunting and fishing.  It’s a cultural disaster if the Vikings franchise moves and high risk politics for legislators who will be held accountable.

It makes for entertaining drama when elected officials express caution and opposition to a new stadium.  Some will oppose a stadium no matter what the plan and timing but look for momentum on a bill to continue building between now and the end of the 2011 legislative session.  With 2010 being an election year for legislators and the Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome not expiring until the end of 2011, a stadium bill can be put off one more year.

A year from now things will turn serious and action will follow talk.  Some type of financing plan like lottery game revenues will be approved, and along with the Vikings’ contribution, be enough to fund a facility.  The stadium will have a retractable roof and attract other events beyond Vikings games that will benefit local and state economies.

The stadium will be a source of pride and keep the Vikings here for another 30 years or more.  People will wonder why it took so long to get this done and how the financing idea really didn’t seem that difficult (or painful).  Many of the politicians will congratulate themselves, and when it comes time for re-election the legislative stadium boosters will not lose an election because they voted for the stadium.

Heavy drama for an inevitable result.

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With a choice between LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook to fill the role as the Vikings’ No. 2 running back, Dean Dalton said he “probably prefers” Tomlinson.  Dalton, the former Vikings running back coach who is now an NFL media analyst, was asked about Tomlinson and Westbrook because one of them could sign with the Vikings during the off-season and fill the role left by the departure of Chester Taylor to the Chicago Bears.

Taylor was a much admired backup for three seasons to All-Pro Adrian Peterson.  Taylor’s contributions included his pass blocking and receiving, two qualities that haven’t always been strengths of Peterson’s. Taylor was also an effective runner, even capable of breaking off long gains, and last year ran for 338 yards and had 389 yards in receptions.

Both Tomlinson and Westbrook have enjoyed productive NFL careers, establishing themselves among the best running backs of the past 10 years.  Westbrook, 30, played in Philadelphia while Vikings head coach Brad Childress was an assistant there so he’s familiar with the offensive system used here.

Westbrook has a history of head injuries.  “The thing that scares you about Westbrook of course is the concussion situation,” Dalton said. “He would be a natural fit in the system, but the injuries and the wear and tear on Westbrook make him a little less desirable than someone like LaDainian Tomlinson.”

Tomlinson, 30, isn’t the same player he was when he led the NFL in rushing during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.  Still, Dalton said Tomlinson has run for a lot of touchdowns (23) the last two seasons and he can still be effective.  Last year, for the first time in his nine year career in San Diego, he rushed for less than 1,000 yards (730).  Dalton estimates Tomlinson is “80 to 90 percent” of the player that he once was, and that he can no longer be a 25 carries per game running back.

“One of the things that people don’t realize about LaDainian Tomlinson, because he’s been such a good running back, is that he is a tremendous pass protector,” Dalton said.  “And that was quietly where Chester Taylor was so valuable to the Vikings’ offense.  He’s (Tomlinson) a tremendous…receiver out of the backfield (too).  You retain that when you bring in someone with the experience of LaDainian Tomlinson. …”

Dalton has scouted both Westbrook and Tomlinson since even before they came into the NFL. He said either would be assets in the locker room.

There’s another benefit to bringing in a player like Tomlinson, according to Dalton who said it sends the right message to quarterback Brett Favre who is trying to decide whether to retire or play again for a franchise serious about winning a Super Bowl.  “…It (signing Tomlinson) keeps the backfield exceptional and that locker room strong,” Dalton said. “So if he accepts that role and that offer, Minnesota should remain on the top tier as the team that has a chance to win it all.”

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Al Nuness, the former Gopher basketball player, will travel with 13-year-old Tyus Jones and his 10-year-old brother Trey Jones to the Final Four next month in Indianapolis to provide them with a special basketball and life experience.  The youngsters are cousins of Nuness and he’s close to both boys.  Tyus has dazzled prep basketball fans with his performance as an eighth grade point guard playing for Apple Valley High School.  Nuness said the 6-foot youngster wears size 13 shoes and will probably grow to 6-5.  Gophers coach Tubby Smith has watched Jones play multiple times and the youngster has been to Minnesota’s games at Williams Arena and seen the Wisconsin Badgers play in Madison.

Nuness said Tyus excels in academics and basketball.  He’s been impressed with the unselfish play of the middle schooler who shows a senior’s understanding of what’s happening on the floor and helps make other players better.  Trey is a fourth grader whose sixth grade travelling team recently won a state championship.

At the request of Sports Headliners, Mr. Basketball chair Ken Lien provided his late season rankings of the best prep boys teams in 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A.  His top five in big school 4A are: Hopkins, Cooper, Henry Sibley, Champlin Park and Eden Prairie.  St. Paul Johnson is No. 1 in 3A followed by DeLaSalle, Benilde-St. Margaret’s, St. Paul Central and Columbia Heights.

The top five in 2A are Minnehaha Academy, Crosby-Ironton, Mayer-Lutheran, Morris Area and New London-Spicer.  Minnesota Transitions Charter is No. 1 in 1A followed by MACCRAY, Sebeka, Ada-Borup and Maranatha Christian.

The Mr. Basketball winner will be announced soon and the finalists are Marshall Bjorklund, Sibley East; Trevor Gruis, Ellsworth; Kevin Noreen,  Minnesota Transitions Charter; Dyami Starks, Duluth East; Jake Thomas, Columbia Heights.

Seantrel Henderson has yet to make his college commitment but there are those who wonder if the Cretin-Derham Hall All-American offensive tackle will be at a junior college next fall and not a four-year school.

There’s speculation Texas might be interested in becoming the 12^th member of the Big Ten Conference.  More likely, though, is Missouri, another Big 12 school.  Big East school Rutgers, because of the New York TV market, remains a good guess, too.

It will be interesting to watch the development of 22-year-old forward Guillaume Latendresse.  Acquired from Montreal before Thanksgiving by the Wild, he leads the team with 21 goals, and has 23 total goals for the season, exceeding his career high by seven.

Lou Nanne is providing color commentary during the boys’ hockey tournament for a 46^th time.  Nanne, whose analysis can be heard on KSTC, Ch. 45, first became a hockey name here as an All-American for the Gophers.  He and his college coach, John Mariucci, were close but their relationship could be volatile.   “He was like my second father,” Nanne said.  “We had a great relationship but during games sometimes it can get tumultuous.  Years ago in the World Championships I took too many penalties in a row and I went to the bench.  He got mad at me and he wasn’t going to let me on the bench. … He wanted me just to go right to the dressing room.

“So I am sitting on the bench and he swung at me and hit me in the head. …We had a little wrestling match on the bench.  In the locker room we were going to go at it again but the team finally told John either Louie goes on the ice or we’re not going.  So that settled the thing.”

The Swarm is working hard to promote lacrosse in the local marketplace and capitalizing on the growing popularity of the sport in the suburbs.  Owner John Arlotta is marketing oriented and excited about his franchise which has two more years remaining on its Xcel Energy Center lease after this season.  The Swarm, 4-4, is halfway through the 16 game regular season schedule and has won three straight games.

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