Well readers, it sure has been a while since I last wrote a blog on this site. I've been quite busy but haven't we all? After several failed attempts at finding a suitable subject, I settled on a preview of MN fall sports - I'm talking the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild. Why, you ask? Well, because hope springs eternal in Minnesota and although the Vikings don't figure to contend seriously this upcoming season, there is still a glimmer of hope on the horizon for the other local sports teams. As the summer comes to a close and my favorite season approaches, we can finally stop talking about the shortcomings of the Minnesota Twins and the largely meaningless preseason schedule. Without further ado, here are the 5 things to look for from our beloved sports teams this fall (in no particular order). 1 - The development of QB Christian Ponder.. or lack thereof There is no position in sports more widely celebrated or scrutinized than that of the quarterback. Coming off a disastrous 3-13 campaign, the Vikings will once again turn to CP7 to take the reins of the offense in 2012. Ponder displayed flashes of potential during this preseason, but ultimately needs to be a more consistent player. Most Vikings fans have to be especially worried about Ponder's pocket presence, where he looks lost and indecisive far too often when under duress. Conversely, Vikings coaches don't seem to be too worried and I get that too. While preseason stats are semi-indicative, they don't paint the whole picture. More important is Ponder's development as a leader of this offense and an efficient game-manager. With a newly-solidified offensive line and a bolstered receiving core, Christian Ponder should be in a better position to succeed in 2012. Facing the Jaguars and Colts in weeks 1 and 2, respectively, Ponder needs to set the tone early - and with W's. Personally, I think Ponder has all the tools to be a good, but not great, NFL quarterback. Confidence is everything for a young QB and Ponder needs to develop that within himself. I expect to see some improvement in his play from last year - the only question is how much? The Vikings can count on several playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the player most crucial to their W-L record in 2012 will be Christian Ponder. 2 - An 'All Day' affair? Wherefore art thou, Adrian Peterson? Ok, I apologize for the dated Shakespearian reference, but I do think it's fitting. By now, we all know the questions surrounding Adrian Peterson heading into the 2012 season. Will he be the same explosive player post-ACL tear? Can AP reclaim his throne as the best RB in the NFL? For me, I think the key here is that we (as Vikings fans) remain patient. All indications are that Peterson will suit up week 1 against Jacksonville after being held out of all preseason action. The Vikings staff is exercising caution with AP, because, after all, he is our franchise player. Every indication has been that Peterson is heading towards a full recovery following a lengthy rehabilitation process. Heck, if anyone could come back stronger from a gruesome ACL tear, it would be Adrian Peterson. Personally, I'm expecting another 1,000 yard season + an additional 10-12 TD's from the man they call "All Day". The only thing is, nobody knows if his production will hold up given the physical nature of the NFL. Peterson is perhaps the NFL's most punishing running back in that he packs a punch of his own. If AP is to return to full form, we'll know. We'll see him running all over, around, and through opposing defenses. I'm hoping the Vikings limit AP's touches to 15/game in the early weeks before letting him loose. Toby Gerhart is one of the more capable backup RB's in the league and the Vikings spent a 2nd round pick on him only three years ago. Keeping in mind that AP is the key to the Vikings' success for the next seven years, there is no need to rush him back to action prematurely. I, for one, will be holding my breath each carry that AP gets. Minnesota has counted on Peterson to shoulder the load since 2007, here's hoping that he can do exactly that once again this year. 3 - Return of the Pack (Wolfpack, that is) The Minnesota Timberwolves finally showed signs of improved play last year, before stumbling down the stretch and missing the playoffs with a final record of 26-40. Having failed to reach the postseason since 2004, the Timberpups, led by All-Star Kevin Love, are anxious to make some noise in 2012-13. With the clock ticking on Love and coach Rick Adelman's contracts, GM David Kahn followed through with a series of intriguing moves. It was Kahn's most active offseason yet, and by all accounts, his most successful. Added to the mix is former Portland star Brandon Roy, Russians Alexey Shved and Andrei Kirilenko, backup big Greg Stiemsma, and versatile forwards Chase Budinger and Dante Cunningham. Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson are the two notable players gone from last year's roster, but I would argue they created more frustration than they helped solve. As it stands now, the Wolves roster looks like a legitimate playoff contender. I would figure they would contend for the 5-8 spot in the Western Conference, IF healthy. Obviously, health is the biggest caveat with this team and will go a long way in determining their success in this upcoming season. Roy and Kirilenko look to be key additions, but both have a history of prior injuries. Greg Stiemsma is a substantial upgrade over Darko Milicic, but he was plagued by foot issues for the better half of last season. Not to mention one Mr. Ricky Rubio, the Spanish rookie sensation who was a major catalyst on both ends of the floor in 2011. He is coming off an ACL tear and is expected to return in early-to-mid December - more on him later. Despite all the question marks, it is easy to see improvement in talent and depth throughout the roster and especially at the wing positions. With a potential starting line-up of Rubio/Roy/Kirilenko/Love/Pekovic, the Wolves are a team to be reckoned with. I think it's safe to say we can count on solid contributions from Love (25/12 pretty much every night) and Pekovic. The Target Center should once again be electric this year, as fans and team officials alike expect the Timberwolves to make the leap into the postseason. It isn't often that you see a team dump pretty much all of its dead weight and underperforming players in one offseason. The Wolves have done exactly that and if Kaaaaaaahn! is to be believed, winning basketball should be right around the corner. 4 - Rick(y) Rolled After clawing their way to a 21-20 record just past the All-Star Break, the Wolves were in contention for the 8th playoff spot in the West. Then, Ricky Rubio banged knees with 'The Black Mamba', and the Wolves faded into oblivion - finishing the season 5-20 without their young point guard at the helm. Yup, Minnesotans were Rick Rolled - this time without the annoyance of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' by Rick Astley. Rubio, in his first NBA season, played like a true veteran and displayed basketball IQ and court vision well beyond his 21 years. His play made the Wolves exciting again (which cannot be understated) and re-invigorated a disgruntled fanbase. On the court, he averaged 8.2 assists/gm - numbers which more than made up for his suspect shooting percentage. Moreover, Ricky was a team leader and was garnering a lot of attention and respect league-wide prior to his season-ending injury. Rubio is a rare player - one who looks to pass-first and improve the play of his teammates. There is absolutely no question that his injury deflated the Wolves postseason chances last year. Even with additional depth at PG heading into this season, the Wolves need a healthy Rubio in order to compete. Similar to Adrian Peterson, Minnesota sports fans simply don't know what to expect from Rubio post-injury. According to team staff, Ricky's recovery and the rehabilitation process have been advancing ahead of schedule. I'd expect him to return in December and eventually regain his form as an elite playmaking point guard. Rubio is already beloved by Wolves fans - lets hope he can meet or even surpass the lofty expectations that have been set for him in 2012-13. 5 - Not Again! Just when things were looking up for the Minnesota Wild, negotiations soured on a new CBA between NHL players and owners. With the old deal set to expire in early September, there is no guarantee that the NHL will return for it's 2012-13 season. Despite the disastrous 2004-05 lockout, it seems commissioner Gary Bettman has learned little from the last go-around. All indications are that the two sides are far apart from a deal as I write this column in late August. Meanwhile, fans in the State of Hockey are clinging to the small hope that a deal gets done in time. Why? Well, the Wild finally opened up their pocketbooks in July, signing F Zach Parise and D Ryan Suter to matching 13 year, $98 million contracts. By signing the best two players available in FA (and spending $196 million to do so), Wild management made a huge commitment to their loyal legions of fans. Finally, it seemed as though the Wild would seriously contend for the playoffs and maybe even more. A free agent splash this big had never been seen by Minnesota sports fans. Now, it seems as though we may need to wait a few months - or longer - to watch our newly assembled Cup contender tear up the ice. What a shame for Wild fans and what a shame for the sport of Hockey.
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AuthorHey, I'm Ted Sorensen and this is my sports & personal blog. Leave some comments and let me know what you think! Archives
June 2016
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