Big city newspaper reporters are objective in their evaluations of teams.  That’s why it commanded attention when Kevin Seifert, who covered the Vikings for nine years at the Star Tribune before leaving the newspaper last week, expressed his optimism about the team in an interview with Sports Headliners.

“The sky’s the limit for them,” he said.  “They obviously think they’re close. …”

The Vikings’ personnel have been upgraded in recent seasons including the 2008 acquisition of Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen from Kansas City.  Seifert mentioned the addition of Allen and the retirement of Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre, and then said the Vikings “have as good a chance as anyone” to win the NFC North Division championship.

Expectations for 2008 clearly include the playoffs for the first time since 2004.  “Anything less than getting in the playoffs is a disappointment, and I am sure they (the Vikings) will tell you the same thing,” Seifert said.

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway told Sports Headliners that this time of year “every team all across the country is pretty optimistic at this point.”   Part of the optimism here and elsewhere is that teams are starting fresh, a “new slate,” as Greenway describes it.

“We’re laying the groundwork and the framework now for what hopefully will be a playoff team,” he said.  “But we have a lot of work to do before we can even put ourselves in that category.”

Seifert will be joining ESPN.com to write about the NFL and will continue to live in this area.  His nine year memories of reporting on the Vikings include how much news continually comes from that assignment and the unexpected death of offensive lineman Korey Stringer, a story that continues to this day.

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Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told reporters recently that the Vikings’ practices this month are an opportunity for the newly acquired Allen to establish credibility with his teammates.  The Vikings finish the last of their OTA’s (organized training activities) today and then will have a veterans’ camp June 6, 7 and 8.

Allen, who led the NFL in sacks last season with Kansas City, has made an impression on coaches and players alike at Winter Park.  Frazier said Allen “probably” led the NFL in “batted balls” last year.  Known for his high level playing energy, Frazier praised Allen’s effort and said that another of the 6-foot-6, 26-year-old’s attributes is that he’s “so long.”

A new player, particularly one with a high profile like Allen who has achieved Pro Bowl status and was regarded as a team leader in Kansas City, must become comfortable in his new environment and be accepted by teammates.  That’s what Frazier referred to when he mentioned the value of the Vikings’ practices this month and next, prior to the team going to training camp in late July.

Greenway was asked what the extroverted Allen will mean to a Vikings’ defense that was the NFL’s best against the run last year but mediocre on pass defense.  “Well, I think first of all, he adds great leadership quality about him,” Greenway said. … “He’s a good player.  He’s tested.  We know what he brings. …Anytime you can add a player like that, it’s going to make our defense a lot better.  So we hope he’ll fit in with us well and it seems to be a good fit so far.”

Greenway, a Vikings’ starter, is feeling much better about his own career than a year ago.  At that time he was coming off of surgery on his left knee that forced him to miss all the regular season games of his rookie year in 2006.  He said playing a 16 game season in 2007 and having the knee hold up was the best test and proof that he’s okay.

But 12 months ago at this time he felt concern.  “Last year there was so much anxiety coming into this thing (OTA’s),” he said. “The knee was a year less than where it’s at now.  So I had that kind of in the back of my mind.  I just feel a lot more comfortable out there.  I feel like I belong. …

“I am just trying to become a leader (now) of the defense.  You have so many leaders on this defense and so many good veteran players that I am just trying to fit in where I can and help out as much as I can.”

Looks like you will able to count Allen and Greenway among the leaders.

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Intriguing magazine cover story found while cleaning out a closet: In the December 4, 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated former Vikings’ quarterback Daunte Culpepper declared, “I want to be the best ever.”

ABC-TV NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy described Flip Saunders, the former Timberwolves coach now directing Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals, as one of the league’s best coaches.

The initial reaction was one of disappointment last week when the Timberwolves came up with the third pick in the June 26 NBA draft instead of first or second and the opportunity to take either guard Derrick Rose of Memphis or forward Michael Beasley of Kansas State.  But there’s opinion that this might be a Big Three instead of a Big Two draft.  The third option being USC guard O.J. Mayo who already has a pro body at about 6-4, 195 pounds, and has exceptional playmaking and scoring skills.  However, management’s expertise at drafting over the years provides concerns about future picks by the Wolves.

Twins infielder Alexi Casilla is hitting .306 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 11 games and 36 at-bats after being recalled from Rochester.  With the Red Wings he hit .250 with no home runs and two RBI in 96 at-bats.

The Twins are one game over .500 despite being without four pitchers who a year ago could have been projected as starters.  Scott Baker is on the disabled list while Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza are with other teams.

Saint Paul Saints owner Mike Veeck is part of an ownership group that wants to have a team playing in Normal, Illinois as part of the Frontier League, according to Pantagraph.com, a Web site that covers news in the Bloomington, Illinois area.

For those who keep track of the trivial in Gopher football scheduling, this year Minnesota will play only one Big Ten Conference game at home before November. The last time that happened was 1975.  The Gophers play Indiana on October 4 at the Metrodome, then aren’t at home until November 1 against Northwestern.  Not that it’s likely to happen, but the schedule sets up so there’s no potential conflict with Twins home playoff or World Series games.

Wally’s Choice, the local race horse who didn’t race at all last year after a career- threatening torn tendon in 2006, ran for the first time in 2008 on Saturday at Canterbury Park, finishing third in the eighth race of the day. Wally’s Choice is owned by Wally “the Beerman” McNeil, his wife Joyce McNeil and Canterbury Park Board Chairman Curtis Sampson.  With over $431,900 in career earnings, the owners hope that one day Wally’s Choice can break Blair’s Cove’s all-time record of $533,528 for Minnesota bred race horses.  Wally’s Choice, a seven-year-old thoroughbred, received stem cells from his own body to help the healing process from the torn tendon.

Three representatives from the MIAC were recently honored with regional awards from the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association. Saint John’s senior Chris Erichsen was named Central Region Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. St. Thomas men’s coach Steve Mathre and St. Thomas women’s coach Joe Sweeney were named Central Region Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Coaches of the Year.

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