Mark Madsen never hesitated last week when asked direct questions by Sports Headliners about Kurt Rambis, reportedly the next Timberwolves head coach.   Madsen has known the 51-year-old Rambis, the Lakers’ assistant coach, since Madsen was in college at Stanford.

“When it comes to professional experience and knowledge of the game, it’s very difficult to find anyone better,” said Madsen, the former Timberwolf traded to the Clippers earlier this summer.  “His offensive philosophy is influenced by Jackson and Riley.  He knows how to relate to guys. …”

Rambis, of course, played on NBA championship teams as Pat Riley’s “do the dirty work” starting power forward.  He’s been an assistant to Phil Jackson on title clubs for part of this decade.

Madsen said Rambis was his coach at an NBA scouting combine after he finished playing at Stanford.  Then Madsen played three seasons in Los Angeles where Rambis was beginning his now 10 season duty as a Lakers’ assistant.

While the Lakers environment includes four world titles since 2000, the Wolves have floundered at times during this decade including the last two seasons when they’ve won 46 of 164 games.  Under new president of basketball operations David Kahn, the Wolves find themselves starting over (again).

“I think he could be an unbelievable fit as Minnesota’s coach,” Madsen said.

The Wolves’ roster has 10 players with three years or less of NBA experience.  Madsen said Rambis’ attributes include teaching and player development.

No franchise becomes successful without the ability of its players to execute defensively.  Last season Jackson put Rambis in charge of the team’s defense and the Lakers went on to win a 15^th world title.

Madsen said Rambis, who long ago became a fan favorite because of his hustling playing style and Clark Kent type glasses, will excel in community relations, too, with his personality.  “Kurt Rambis is beloved in Los Angeles and the Laker organization,” Madsen said.

The announcement of who the next Wolves coach will be is expected this week.  If a guy jumps out of a phone booth at the press conference, we’ll know it’s Rambis.

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Preseason NFL games often provide minimal entertainment but the Percy Harvin factor offers appeal as the Vikings prepare for their 2009 opener on Friday against the Colts in Indianapolis. The No. 1 draft choice from Florida will debut his speed package, and where he will be positioned is a major part of the intrigue.

Harvin is listed on the roster as a wide receiver and his play-making ability there potentially fills a need.  Bernard Berrian, the best at the position, has been labeled inconsistent, and past production by other wide receivers hasn’t always been so impressive.  Harvin and Berrian give the Vikings deep threats on the field at the same time.

Harvin, though, could also contribute returning kickoffs or punts, but likely not both, as the two assignments demand different skills and increase potential for injury.  Then, too, Harvin is expected to line up this season at running back, and where things could be particularly interesting is seeing him featured in the wildcat formation.

How much or little the Vikings run out of the wildcat in Indy and during their other three preseason games might be a tip-off to the extent which coach Brad Childress intends to use Harvin in that scheme.  Minimal use in preseason (under-exposing the wildcat to future opponents) may signal plans for much more during the season.

The wildcat is a variation of the stone-age single wing formation where the running back takes a direct snap from the center and has the options of running, throwing or handing off the ball.  At Florida Harvin ran the wildcat in an explosive college offense that also featured Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Tim Tebow.  (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knv9wR0M5m4).

With consistency and production in doubt from the quarterback position, the Vikings potentially could benefit from a wildcat package each game.  Perhaps a half dozen plays out of the scheme will throw defenses off enough that the Vikings could benefit more than usual from the passing out of the west coast offense by quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels. Then, too, the wildcat is a potential distraction to benefit Adrian Peterson in the run game.

But Childress and his coaches must be convinced that the Vikings, including Harvin, can run the wildcat with minimal mistakes.  Team training camp priorities include orienting Harvin, partially rebuilding the offensive line (center, right tackle) and developing a starting quarterback.

No doubt Childress will keep the wildcat in mind.  “You have to be able to hurt people (with the wildcat),” he said. “You cannot line up in it just to say you are in it.  It is whether you can be productive in it, whether it is run or pass.”

Starting on Friday night we may be able to start grading the production and speculate on what’s coming.

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Former Gophers and NFL receiver Ron Johnson is working with the Colts and helping coach the wide receivers.

NFL players, past and present, who have already been in TCF Bank Stadium, praise the new facility at https://www.play4brew.com/umFinal.html.

Gophers coach Tim Brewster said NFL legend Jerry Rice told him the FieldTurf playing surface at the stadium is the best in America.

Freshman quarterback MarQueis Gray dazzled at the spring game and Brewster said the Gophers will have a package of plays for him in each of their 12 games this season.  But junior Adam Weber is definitely the starter.  “We’ve got no quarterback controversy,” Brewster said.

Randy Ruiz, who played briefly with the Twins in 2008, is second in home runs (25) while playing for Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League.

Trent Oeltjen, a 27-year-old outfielder from Australia who originally signed with the Twins, was called up from the minors last week by Arizona and hit a home run in his first game.

Boston Celtics assistant general manager Dave Wohl and former Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak (fan chatter, Wolves website) are names mentioned for assistants to Kurt Rambis as the Wolves new head coach.

Based partially on summer play, DeLaSalle High School could have an exceptional team next season with a roster expected to include guards Jalen Jaspers and Bretson McNeal (son of former North High star and Mr. Basketball Brett McNeal).

Dennis Alfton, director of operations for the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, is one of 12 employees being permanently laid off due to the departure of the Twins and Gophers from the Metrodome.  Their employment ends next February.  Alfton has been with the commission for 33 years and wants to continue working in the event industry.

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