Apr/080
Jared Allen what? Doesn’t anyone care that the Gophers got new uni’s?
I know that the NFL draft is tomorrow and I didn't really break it down like I did last year. Well, I guess that's because second round projections aren't that interesting. Here are my two scenarios: 1) Vikings trade down to the late second or early third round to get an additional 4th round pick. They then use their first two picks on the offensive line (tackle, center, guard or tight end) or wide receiver. 2) Vikings keep the 47th overall pick and take Fred Davis from USC. Shane Co. was a huge bust last year and we really need a TE that can run the seam route to keep the opposing safeties honest covering Berrian and Rice.
Ok, now that the draft speculation is out of the way - the Gophers got new uniforms! Believe it or not, Gopher Football is about to be relevant in the next year or two for the first time in my 28 years on this planet. They are building a new on-campus stadium, which will attract not only a huge contingent of fans; and also better players. http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle In addition, they have updated their look for the 2008 season. http://www.gophersports.com/PhotoAlbum. Personally I only like white on white, maroon on maroon, and maroon on gold; but I guess they might use the other 3 combinations as well, against my will.
Apr/0813
LA Developer Unveils New Stadium With Purple Seats
The Trib is reporting that LA Developer Ed Roski announced plans today to build a $800 million dollar NFL stadium on land he already owns near Los Angeles. Roski said the stadium could be completed by 2011, the same year the Minnesota Vikings lease expires with the Metrodome.
Could we see Adrian Peterson rushing his way to NFL title's with the LA Vikings? LA already took the Lakers from MN, are the Vikings next? The San Diego Chargers would also be an attractive team to move since the 'ol Jack Murphy Stadium is dying quickly.
http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com/
http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com/images
Apr/080
Wednesday Night Video Cures For Boredom
Can't Say It Any Better Than This Video
Marleau Destroyed by Sarich
Miikka Has a New Friend
A Little Wild Pump Up Thing
Why Shaq Needs To Get Back To Rap
All Carlos Needs is 3.1 Seconds
Apr/082
Oh How I Think Fondly of Past NBA Drafts
With the 3rd Pick in the 2008 NBA Draft the Minnesota Timberwolves select:
Apr/080
Coin Flip for Second Slot in Lottery?
Ok, with 4 games remaining the Timberwolves are currently slotted in the 3rd best position in the draft lottery, which would give them a 15.6% chance of landing the #1 overall pick. However, at 19-59 the Timberwolves are only one game in the win column ahead of the Seattle Supersonics (18-61). This means that to catch Seattle the Supersonics will have to win one more game than the Timberwolves the rest of the way. Complicating matters is that Seattle has three games left and the Timberwolves have four.
On first blush it would appear that we have no chance in this equation. Seattle's three remaining games are against solid Western Conference opponents (San Antonio, Dallas and Golden State). However, here is the scenario by which we could catch Seattle. The Timberwolves have 4 remaining games, the next 3 of them on the road. I predict that we will lose out. We play Orlando, Memphis and Detroit on the road in the next week or so, and will lose all three. The only close game will be at Memphis, but Rudy Gay will prove to be too much on the road. Then we come home for the final game against Milwaukee, which we will use to give backups extended minutes to try to determine who should remain on the roster for next year (Richard, Smith, Telfair, Snyder, etc.).
If we finish the year 19-63 we have a shot. The reason being that Seattle will win one of its remaining games, and here's why: First they play San Antonio. There's a chance that Duncan and company could be resting their players. They have no shot at catching New Orleans for the number one spot in the West and might not have a huge preference whether they play Dallas or Phoenix. Seattle's second game is against Dallas. This is more of a long shot, but it's possible that Dallas might not want to win out, because securing the 7th spot means that they will have to play SA or LA. If you're SA, why not lose a couple, grab the 8th spot and play New Orleans in the first round? Which brings us to the game that I think Seattle has the greatest chance to win: Golden State. Right now GS is in the 9th spot, on the outside looking in. By the last game of the season they will likely be officially eliminated, deflated, and looking to next year. On the other hand, Seattle has a lot of young talent who will be looking to make a statement for playing time to the coaches going into the offseason. If, and it's a big if, Seattle can pull out one of these three games for the reasons I have stated, and if the Timberwolves do the prudent thing and lose out, the Timberwolves will have a chance at a coin flip to see who gets the second slot and a 19.9% chance at grabbing Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose with the number one pick on May 20th. Here's hoping that the Supersonics will finish their run in Seattle on a strong note - maybe even win a couple more games..
Rose or Beasley, who do you want when it all unfolds?
OR
Apr/0814
Minnesota Wild 2008 Playoff Predictions
After clinching the Northwest division with 98 points the MN Wild will open the 2008 playoffs as the #3 seed. The Wild will face off against a familiar rival the #5 seeded Colorado Avalanche.
After breaking down the the other 3 Western Conf. matchups I will make this prediction - The Wild will play in the Conference Finals. Here's how:
The playoffs are re-seeded after each round. If everything follows the chalk then the Wild would face the #2 seed San Jose Sharks. But the Sharks are the playing a feisty Calgary team that went 3-1 this year against the Sharks. I'm not saying this will hold up in the playoffs but it does show the Sharks have struggled with the Flames. The real reason I think the Flames with upset the Sharks is the schedule. The NHL has scheduled the opening two games to be played Wed & Thurs. back to back. I believe this will only help with the momentum one of the team creates in game one as they will play again without a practice or much time for adjustments. The Flames have been very inconsistent this year but San Jose has a history of blowing up in the playoffs. If the Flames get something going they could win the series.
If the Flames pull the upset the Wild would then face the #4 or #5 seed Anaheim or Dallas. The Wild have a winning record against both. The Flames would play the Red Wings. If the Wild win again they will play the Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals. I only see this playing out if the Flames can somehow upset the #2 seeded Sharks. If they do, the Wild should be playing in Detroit later this year.
Then again if a goalie gets hot and starts standing on his head anything can happen. My 2008 Playoff Prediction - Wild vs. Wings in the West, Canadiens vs. Caps in the East. The Red Wings end up having too much and beat the Capitals in six.
Apr/085
Welcome to LOL Park???
Stickandballguy is reporting that he:
came across the following nugget: the top-level domains www.landolakespark.com and www.landolakesfield.com have been purchased by the Minnesota Twins. According to my WHOIS searches (see graphics below), club itself is the Registrant and the technical contact given for the domain is John Avenson, the Twins' Vice President of Technology.
Here is the proof:
