February 15, 2005
New Vikings owner
"Reggie Fowler is ready to buy the Minnesota Vikings from Red McCombs. ... Fowler declined to reveal how much he would pay for the team, but published reports and a rival bidder, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, put the price at about $625 million. ... Fowler said he will live in the Twin Cities area -- something the San Antonio-based McCombs didn't do. He rejected any thought of moving the team." Well, I guess that's a relief. I wonder if there will be any personnel changes...
Posted by mikeindo at 10:06 AM
January 21, 2005
post-season (not playoffs)
The Vikings let their offensive coordinator go. Scott Linehan, who had been with the team for the last three years, was wooed away by the Dolphins. Offensive Line coach Steve Loney has been promoted to the vacant position. More talk about Loney's hiring. Also, trade talk for Randy Moss!?
Posted by mikeindo at 09:27 AM
January 17, 2005
&%#$@
The Eagles just didn't give the Vikings many chances, winning 27-14. A hundred yards in penalties, miscommunication on a fake FG, Eagles receivers stepping up, and an Eagles defense doing what it planned to do spelled a long day for the Vikes. But hey, they got further than people thought, beating rival Green Bay when it mattered most. Task for the off-season? Learning how to tackle properly - none of this 'bump into them hope they fall over' stuff. And maybe (same old story) better defensive players.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:49 AM
January 10, 2005
YEAH!!!!
The Vikings beat the Packers 31-17 at Lambeau yesterday, vindicating their two losses to them during the season! Oh, happy day! The defense played pretty darn well, making stops and picking off Favre four times, the most all season and tying a team playoff record. Moss had two TD catches and some controversy (in my mind, it's not that bad cuz he didn't actually bare himself at all). This was only the second time in NFL history (the first being the day before) an 8-8 team had won a playoff game. Also, coming in the Vikings had only won two of their last 22 games outdoors. Not many had given them a chance. So now on to Philadelphia where the Eagles, who beat the Vikes in Week 2, haven't played seriously in three weeks and this time are without Terrell Owens.
Posted by mikeindo at 03:49 PM | TrackBack
January 04, 2005
new subject: vikings
At the end of the Vikings-Redskins game, Minnesota had scored with less than ten seconds left to pull within three points. They attempted an onside kick with two seconds remaining, and even though chances were almost nil to recover it and stop the clock with a chance for a game-winning Hail Mary, stranger things have happened. Unfortunately, in this case normality prevailed. But one of the supposed leaders of the team, WR Randy Moss, was headed into the locker room before the kick was even attempted! Also, might the Vikings be sold soon? "Chances of the state Legislature providing an out-of-town owner like McCombs with financial help for a new stadium are virtually zero. With Taylor, a former Minnesota legislative leader, as owner, chances for a new stadium would improve significantly."
Posted by mikeindo at 10:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 03, 2005
well, we're in.
The Vikings lost their last game of the season yesterday to the Redskins. But they still made the playoffs by virtue of Carolina's loss. Vikes QB Culpepper couldn't get the ball to the WRs because of the good coverage and suffered several sacks because of it. Three mistakes on huge plays cost TDs each time. Now, the Vikings travel to division rival (and NFC North champ) Green Bay, to whom they've lost both games 34-31, for the first round of the playoffs. Despite Tice's contract extension, I wonder if he'll be let go if the Vikings lose, espcially with their weak finish (3-7 in final 10 games) again.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 28, 2004
more vikes
St. Louis beat the Philadelphia Eagles' 'JV' team last night, 20-7, which kept the Vikings from clinching a wild card spot. Now, either a Minnesota win at Washington, a St. Louis loss to the Jets, or a Carolina loss to the Saints next week will do it. Surely, one of those things will happen. But then again, last year we thought the Vikings would surely beat the Cardinals to get in... Also, Vikes coach Mike Tice had his one-year extension picked up yesterday. I guess cuz he'll finally make the playoffs with one of the most high-powered offenses the NFL has ever seen? Otherwise, in my mind he's made too many mistakes, like playcalling (Moss' INT'd TD pass, for example), ill-advised challenges, the handling of Moss' injury, and a second straight year of fading in the second half of the season. I guess we'll see what happens.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 27, 2004
vikings
Well... Can't blame 'em for trying. The Vikings lost at home to the Green Bay Packers the exact same way at the end as their loss to them in Green Bay last month: last-second, game-winning FG by the GB kicker for a 34-31 loss. So Green Bay clinches the division title and the Vikings are forced to go for a wild card spot. It looks better this year than last though, as they can get that spot with a Rams loss tonight. Main beef about Vikings game? The decision to punt on what would be their last drive. Sure it was fourth and five, but giving the ball to Brett Favre with a minute and a half left is perfect for him. Plus, you think the defense was going to stop them? Our strength is offense, not defense. If the Vikes, make a first down, then the drive continues toward a game-winning FG. If they don't GB take over, scores quickly, and the Vikes get the ball back with a chance to tie on one final drive. Despite this loss, I imagine coach Mike Tice will be given a contract extension because they'll make the playoffs (finally).
Posted by mikeindo at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 20, 2004
a win is a win
Woo-hoo! The Vikings are back tied for first in the division! They beat Detroit on a lucky last play and Green Bay lost! This really sets the stage for their game against each other in Minneapolis this Friday. If Green Bay wins, they win the division because of tiebreakers (GB would be 2-0 vs the Vikes). But if MN wins and beat Washington in the last week, they are NFC North champs. Actually, it seems that if the Vikings beat GB and then lose to Wash., and GB beats Chicago that week, the Vikes would still be division champs thanks to the third tiebreaker (head-to-head, divison games record, COMMON GAMES RECORD). But even if they lose those two games, there's a chance MN still makes the playoffs as a wildcard.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 13, 2004
"Another Vikings collapse?"
That was a headline leading into last night's Sportscenter. The Vikings lost yesterday at home to the enigmatic Seattle Seahawks, 27-23. The biggest story coming out of it was the call for a trick play with two minutes left in the game. Instead of a go-ahead touchdown, WR Randy Moss's pass was intercepted in the end zone. Two fourth-quarter turnovers and only three second-half points just doesn't get it done. And giving the opposing QB three TD passes per game doesn't help either.
The Vikes started the season 5-1 but have lost five of their last seven and with Green Bay's come-from-behind win (of course) yesterday, Minnesota is now a game back in the division race. Last year, the Vikes started 6-0, only to then go 3-7 and just miss the playoffs. Minnesota's remaining games are at 5-8 Detoit, 8-5 Green Bay at home, and at 4-9 Washington. Green Bay's games are 7-6 Jacksonville at home, at Minnesota, and at 5-8 Chicago. Chances of winning the division now are slim but not zero.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 06, 2004
football
As I stated before, TCU and Nebraska won't be playing in bowl games. Florida State (8-3) is going to the Gator Bowl versus West Virginia (8-3) on January 1 in Jacksonville, FL. Minnesota (6-5) will play Alabama (6-5) in the Music City Bowl. And to the pros, the Vikings wasted a great chance to be in sole possession of first place in the division when they lost at Chicago (5-7), while Green Bay lost at Philly (11-1). Despite identical records, GB still leads the division over MN based on its win over the Vikes earlier this year. Four regular season games remain, including a rematch in Minneapolis on December 26th.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 29, 2004
recap
Both Nebraska and TCU lost to fall to 5-6 and be ineligible for a bowl game. So, obviously, their seasons are done. TCU's string of six straight bowl appearances is broken, but Nebraska's now-broken streak was bigger: 35 straight years of bowl appearances and 43 consecutive winning seasons. The 6-5 Minnesota Gophers accepted a bid to the Music City Bowl in Nashville on December 31 against an SEC team. Florida State's regular season is done and will probably get the Gator or Peach Bowl. For the Vikings, Randy Moss finally returned and had four catches for 40 yards and a TD in their win over Jacksonville. Let's hope for a Packers loss tonight so that the Vikes are in first place!
Posted by mikeindo at 10:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 23, 2004
sports stuff
Woodbury Royals high school football lost their state semifinal game last Friday, 26-7 to Wayzata. Good run though, espcially since they went 3-5 in the regular season.
Roger Federer won the year-end Tennis Masters Cup, played this year in Houston, beating #3 Lleyton Hewitt, 6-3 6-2. "The INDESIT ATP 2004 Race winner and World No. 1 won his 11th title of a remarkable season which included three Grand Slam titles and three ATP Masters Series titles." "Federer collected $1.52 million for a season total of $6.35 million - just shy of Pete Sampras' all-time record of $6.5 million in 1997." (Says something about Sampras' feat seven years ago since prize money goes up each year.)
Posted by mikeindo at 09:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 22, 2004
ups-and-downs
Football: Minnesota finished the regular season at 6-5 (3-5 Big Ten) last weekend and now wait for a (mediocre) bowl bid. They finished at #6 nationally for rushing yards per game and had two 1000-yard backs, the first instance in NCAA history. Nebraska was off this weekend and finishes the regular season versus Colorado. Even at 5-5 (3-4 Big 12), a Big 12 North title seems possible, but first-place Iowa State (6-4, 4-3) beat the Huskers earlier. Four O-Line players are transferring. TCU (5-5, 3-4 Conf USA) beat So. Miss. 42-17. (Too bad this win didn't come last year when TCU tripped at the BCS doorstep by losing to So. Miss. in their last game.) They need to beat Tulane (4-5, 2-4) in Fort Worth next week to be bowl eligible. #8 Florida State lost to Florida at home for the first time since 1986. FSU will probably lose the ACC title tiebreakers now and miss the BCS. The Vikings rallied to beat Detroit and stop their three-game losing streak. Unfortunately, Green Bay squeaked out their game too to remain tied with the Vikes.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 15, 2004
high school sports!
Hearing during our MN trip that my high school's football team made the Class AAAAA state tournament that weekend, I just checked in on its progress and stumbled upon other news: the football team won their first-round game and now play in the Metrodome in the state seminfinals this Saturday! Also, girls soccer successfully defended their state title! So that makes at least four state titles for our high school overall in the last six years. Only one other had come since the school was built in 1975.
Posted by mikeindo at 02:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
futbol
For the second consecutive straight week in a row (ha), of the five football teams I keep up with, only Florida State won. TCU was crushed last Wednesday by Louisville, 55-28, and two of TCU's late TDs were against the third-string Louisville players. TCU is now 4-5 and with two games left, a bowl bid seems unlikely. FSU beat NC State on Thursday after being down 10-0 at the half, and still have a chance at winning the ACC. Their last regular-season game is this weekend against Florida. Minnesota's second-half comeback fell short when a game-winning FG sailed wide with 28 seconds left and lost the bronze pig to Iowa for the year. They finished their regular season at 6-5, losing five of their last six. And talk of a new stadium? Nebraska was pummeled by #2 Oklahoma, 30-3, and at 5-5 must beat Colorado next week to qualify for a bowl and keep their 35-year bowl game streak alive. And last night in the pros, the Vikings played hated Green Bay at Lambeau. They were headed for an ugly loss, but in the 4th quarter the defense made two great stands and the offense (still w/o Moss) scored twice. Actually, the second was maybe too quickly and gave the Packers enough time for a game-winning FG. (The Vikes should've been credited with the fumble recovery on the kick-off though.) It was the second straight game lost on a last-second FG and they've now lost three straight after starting 5-1 (talk of last year but I'm not buying it). So now the Packers are slightly leading the division. Game 2 of the rivalry scheduled for Christmas Eve. In Minnesota. And they'll have Moss.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 10, 2004
gotta cover the football...
#13 Florida State beat lowly Duke last Saturday after Wyatt Sexton replaced Chris Rix - it was Rix's first start in six games after losing the starting job to Sexton. They play NC State tomorrow night. Nebraska lost at Iowa State last weekend, after closing to within a TD only to throw an INT, and plays #2 Oklahoma this week - ugh. Minnesota lost kinda big to #4 Wisconsin, losing Paul Bunyan's Axe for the year. TCU had a bye last Saturday because they play tonight at #14 Louisville - doesn't look good either. The Vikings lost a shootout at Indianapolis last Monday night, maybe just cuz they ran out of time. Perhaps if Randy Moss had been in, it would've tipped the scales toward the Vikes. He's officially listed as doubtful for next week's game at Green Bay.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 01, 2004
1-4
What a weekend for my teams! FSU's 14-game winning streak versus Maryland ended, 20-14, and dropped to #13. Minnesota lost to Indiana, its third-ranked (nationally) rushing offense held to just 169 yards by the Big Ten's second-worst defense, and dropped back out of the Top 25. TCU lost to Cincinnati even though Cincy crossed midfield only once after halftime. The lone win was from struggling Nebraska, beating Mizzou, which surprisngly moves them into good postion to win the Big 12 North (and then likely face #2 Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game). The Giants seem to have the Vikings' number, beating them in the Dome yesterday, 34-13. Randy Moss only played the first half (hamstring).
Posted by mikeindo at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 29, 2004
ooohhhh yeah!
If you like football, then you'll be glad to hear that each of the next 19 days will have at least one game!
Posted by mikeindo at 08:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 25, 2004
sports roundup
Minnesota crushed Illinois 45-0 at homecoming and at 6-2 (3-2 Big Ten) are now ranked again at #23. Nebraska (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) allowed another opponent to set offensive records in their loss to KSU; they have no points toward a ranking. TCU beat Houston at homecoming, 34-27, and at 4-3 (2-2 Conf USA) also have no ranking points. FSU squeaked one out against Wake Forest, despite QB Sexton's five turnovers, and remain #5 at 6-1 (4-1 ACC). All four of my college teams were ranked at the end of last year. Randy Moss' strained hamstring kept him out of all but two plays, snapping his catch streak but extending his start streak, but the Vikes still beat the Titans, 20-3, and at 5-1 are atop the NFC North. They have the NFL's #1 offense (the defense, especially versus the pass, remains the weaker unit at #29) and ESPN puts them at #3 in their Power Rankings. Of their ten remaining games, the tough ones look to be Jacksonville, at Indy, and maybe Seattle and at Green Bay.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:29 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 20, 2004
bosox win!
The Boston Red Sox are going to the Series! They did something never done before in MLB postseason play - came back from a 3-0 series deficit! They return to the Fall Classic for the the first time in 18 years to try to break Babe Ruth's curse versus either the Astros or St. Louis, who play their Game 7 tomorrow (Thursday).
Posted by mikeindo at 11:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 18, 2004
teams america
College: Minnesota lost big to another Michigan team - just like last year - and dropped out of the Top 25. Nebraska beat Baylor (with former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in the marching band) and set a school passing record. TCU lost on Friday to UAB and is now 3-3. Florida State is now ranked #5 after crushing previously higher-ranked Virginia, 36-3. Pros: Vikings won 38-31 over New Orleans last night, setting NFL records for number of 5-TD passes by a QB in a season (three) and consecutive games with 4+ average yards per rush (four). Randy Moss tweaked his hamstring though.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 13, 2004
sports catch-up
While overseas, I neglected my football responsibilities - I even forgot on Sunday that games would be on that day! Just as well. Anyway, it was another up-and-down weekend for my teams. The Twins lost their playoff series exactly the same way they did last year: to the Yankess in four games after winning the first in NY. Argh. Still, three straight division titles is nothing to scoff at. In college football, the Gophers lost in the last two minutes to Michigan - their first loss of the season - and next play Michigan State. (Last year they lost to both teams after going in at 5-0 as well.) Florida State pulled out a close one versus Syracuse, 17-13. TCU was idle and plays UAB next. And lastly, Nebraska suffered its worst defeat in its 114-year history, losing 70-10 to Texas Tech. Woe, woe, is Lincoln. They should get back some confidence this week against (ahem) Baylor.
Posted by mikeindo at 01:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 06, 2004
whole lotta stuff
Indiana Jones 4, previously thought indefinitely delayed, might be back on track ... Miami Vice will be a movie, with Jamie Foxx as Ricardo Tubbs ... Twins won Game 1 against the Yankess ... Vikings running backs: Michael Bennett reinjured his knee and will have surgery, Onterrio Smith is suspended for four games, Moe Williams has a strained calf and is questionable for Sunday, leaving rookie Mewelde Moore ...
Posted by mikeindo at 10:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 04, 2004
pigskin check-in
In his first start for the Seminoles, Chad Sexton threw three TDs in now-#8 Florida State's win over North Carolina. #13 Minnesota beat Penn State and next play at #14 Michigan. TCU beat Army in the last minute to avoid giving Army their first win in 19 games - the longest losing streak in the country. Nebraska beat Kansas for the 36th straight year, despite four turnovers and two missed field goals. In the pros, the Vikings had a bye week and next play at Houston, who've won two straight.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:32 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 27, 2004
football
#11 Florida State beat Clemson and may have now has a new starting QB. #19 Minnesota crushed Northwestern 43-17. TCU lost 45-44 to South Florida in double overtime on a botched snap during a PAT. Nebraska was idle this week. And the Vikings held on for a 27-22 win over the Bears and now are tied with Detroit atop the NFC Central.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:32 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 21, 2004
Minnesota sports
Eagles 27, Vikings 16. Argh. To the Eagles' credit, they seemed to tackle better, put pressure on Vikes QB Daunte Culpepper every play, and committ WAY fewer penalties. And it's tough to compete when you fumble the ball away at the goal line (maybe he should've passed the ball then, as well as the other time he got stuffed at the goal line), kill drives with constant holding and false-start penalties, have to settle for field goals, and not once go deep to Randy Moss. And by the way, replays showed that the Eagles' Terrell Owens didn't have control of the ball as he went out bounds in the end zone on his touchdown catch! Well, 1-1 isn't bad and at least the Packers lost to the Bears.
On a high note, the Twins clinched the AL Central for the third straight year!
Posted by mikeindo at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 20, 2004
football recap
#22 Minnesota "scorched the ground" against Colorado State and is now 3-0 going into their first Big Ten game next week versus Northwestern. #11 Florida State piled up almost 500 yards offense in their win over UAB, 34-7. Nebraska held on to beat Pitt, 24-17. However, TCU lost big to Texas Tech, 70 to 35! Whoops! I guess they won't be BCS busters this year! As for the pros, the Vikings play the Eagles in a huge Monday Night Football game tonight.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 13, 2004
time to resume
Ok, now that the U.S. Open is over, it's time to shift sports focus to football! It was up and down for my teams' season-opening games this past weekend. Friday night, Florida State lost its sixth straight game to Miami (and third in the last 11 months), which again came down to the wire. The Bill Callahan era in Nebraska didn't start well in a loss to Southern Mississippi. #23 Minnesota beat up on Illinois State, though, as did TCU on SMU. And yesterday the Vikings beat the Cowboys 35-17, in a showdown between the #1 offense (MN) and #1 defense (Dallas) in 2003.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 15, 2004
greatest teams
The top 25 teams of the last 25 years, according to ESPN.
Posted by mikeindo at 04:52 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 10, 2004
college football mess
College football's post-season is a mess. The Bowl Championship Series is supposed to determine the top two teams to play in the year-end national championship game, eliminating past controversies of dual champions who never got to play each other that year. Yet still (friggin' computers...), this past year the team ranked #1 in both the Associated Press poll and coaches' poll wasn't picked to be in the championship game! So a new version of the BCS has been decided on. I wondered why there wasn't an immediate revival of pleas for the often suggested but never considered playoff system. Finally, someone wrote about it.
More: So after the four BCS bowls are played, they then determine the top two teams to play in the national championship game? Well, of course there will be controversy over that too. What if three or even four really good teams all play separate BCS games and win convincingly? Unlikely? That probably what was said about what happened this year. Right back where you started.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 07, 2004
unlikely champion
Did anyone see the French Open final yesterday? Gaston Gaudio, the 44th-ranked player in the world, a man who had not won a tournament at all since 2002, who was 1-9 in career five-set matches before this tournament, was 15-20 in career Grand Slam matches and had never been beyond the fourth round of any Slam, saved two championship points and went on to win the title yesterday, 0-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 8-6. He beat the #3 player and fellow Argentine, Guillermo Coria, who developed a leg cramp in the fourth set but played on. Coria had won 37 of his last 38 clay-court matches, with the one loss coming to #1-ranked Roger Federer a few weeks ago, and was the favorite coming into the tournament. Gaudio's ranking jumped 34 spots to #10!
Posted by mikeindo at 09:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 02, 2004
vikings overview
ESPN's Vikings overview, five Vikings questions, and "suffering thru Vikes' misery." What will happen this year...?
Posted by mikeindo at 02:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 12, 2004
geekball
Vikings WR Randy Moss added 15 pounds to assist in yards-after-catch. "(He) even paid $10,000 to buy a coaches' computer, which allows him to download breakdowns of every play. Six teammates followed Moss' lead and made similar purchases." Ten-thousand?
Posted by mikeindo at 10:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 11, 2004
baseball origins?
A document from 1791 recently found in Massachusetts mentions "base ball" about 50 years before Abner Doubleday is said to have invented the game.
Posted by mikeindo at 03:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 01, 2004
greatest athlete?
ESPN: Who's the greatest athlete?
Posted by mikeindo at 09:41 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 12, 2004
fastest serve
Andy Roddick blasted a serve this weekend that was 152 MPH!! That's a record. And by the way, it was 'in'.
Posted by mikeindo at 02:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 30, 2004
minn hockey
The University of Minnesota-Duluth mens hockey upset two-time defending national champion University of Minnesota to get into the Frozen Four! Too bad they had to be in the same section of the bracket. Also in the final four are Denver, Maine, and Boston College. - Thanks Jeff - haha!
Posted by mikeindo at 09:26 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 29, 2004
NCAA ball
The University of Minnesota women's basketball team is in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament! As the #7 seeds, they've upset second-seeded Kansas State and #3 Boston College. They next play top-ranked Duke tomorrow night...
UPDATE They beat Duke!! They're in the Final Four in New Orleans! They'll play perennial Final Four team UConn on Sunday night.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 12, 2004
vikes continue with defense
Former Viking and U of Minn safety Tyrone Carter is back with Minnesota after the NY Jets cut him for salary cap room. He was their starting safety.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 08, 2004
vikings add wr
"The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a four-year contract Monday with free-agent wide receiver Marcus Robinson... (who is supposed to be the) complement to Randy Moss that the team has been searching for since Cris Carter's retirement after the 2001 season. The Vikings are ecstatic about this offseason and are now turning their attention to the draft."
Posted by mikeindo at 11:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 05, 2004
vikings sign CB
Antoine Winfield, "one of the top corner(back)s at the deepest position in free agency," has signed with the Vikings. They've also resigned TE Jim Kleinsasser. They "put out feelers" for Randy Moss but he'll remain in Minnesota too. They're in good shape in terms of salary cap room for the free agency market before the draft is held.
Posted by mikeindo at 04:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 01, 2004
sports
BCS to add a fifth game! "Cities expected to show immediate interest include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, Orlando and San Diego."
Local interest groups may try to buy the Vikings if the Minnesota legislature doesn't approve a new stadium. Maybe they're positioning for a preemptive strike to keep the Vikings in Minnesota since there have been rumors that current owner Red McCombs would move them away if they didn't get a new stadium.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 13, 2004
collapses
The Vikings' collapse this season inspired a list of all-time great collapses in sports.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 07, 2004
Wimbledon's Centre Court will have
Wimbledon's Centre Court will have a retractable roof in 2009.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 02, 2004
college football
My four college teams finished their bowl games 2-2. TCU lost last week, Nebraska won the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday, Minnesota won the Sun Bowl on Wednesday with a late field goal, and Florida state lost the Orange Bowl last night - their fifth straight loss to Miami.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:55 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 29, 2003
football
Pro football: Woe, woe, woe are the Vikings. They stumbled in the last game of the season against one of the worst teams in the NFL. And because of it, Green Bay won the NFC North with their own win over Denver, who sat players out prepping for their own playoff run. For the Vikings, it was again a case of a loss despite far more yards on offense and longer time of possession. Here's how it ended, with two fourth-down Arizona TDs, both reviewed and upheld, and an on-side kick. The Vikes join the '78 Redskins as the only teams to start a season 6-0 and then miss the playoffs.
College football: TCU lost a close one to Boise State in the Fort Worth Bowl last Tuesday (we were on the road to Florida) and Nebraska plays Michigan State tonight.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 23, 2003
division race
Green Bay won last night which means if the season ended today, the Vikings would still win the NFC North division based on the fourth tiebreaker - conference games' record. I was going to write out all this tiebreaker information and math, but the bottom line is this: if Minnesota wins their final game next week, they win the NFC North division no matter what Green Bay's result is. If MN loses, Green Bay wins the division no matter what the Packers do.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 22, 2003
vikings
The Vikings scored a huge win over the Chiefs on Saturday 45-20! So of course I'm going to be at least checking in on tonight's Green Bay-Oakland game!
Posted by mikeindo at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 18, 2003
pro bowl
Four Vikings made the Pro Bowl this year, the second-most of the NFC teams.
Posted by mikeindo at 04:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 15, 2003
vikings
Well, the Vikings and the Packers are now tied for the division lead. The Vikings lost to the Bears and their rookie starting QB and the Packers beat San Diego. Now looking at the tiebreakers beyond their 8-6 records, they have the same division record (4-2), same record in common games (6-4), the Vikings have a slight edge in conference record at 7-4 to 7-5 but have one more to play, the strength of victory (point margin in wins) is the same at 112 points, and then the Packers have the edge in schedule strength. The Vikes have 12-2 KC at home next and then finish at 3-11 Arizona. The Packers are at 4-10 Oakland next and finish with 9-5 Denver at home. It's gonna be close!
Posted by mikeindo at 01:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 12, 2003
funny espn
Funny ESPN: "As John Madden would say, when the six best teams are playing in the same conference, that means that one conference has the six best teams." and "[The Philadelphia Eagles are] the most solid team in the NFC ... which is like being the most stable member of the Jackson family."
Posted by mikeindo at 03:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 08, 2003
football
Bowl picture set: #8 Florida State gets an unwanted rematch with #9 Miami in the Orange Bowl on Jan 1, #19 TCU plays a home game against #16 Boise State in the Fort Worth Bowl on Dec 23, #20 Minnesota plays Oregon in the Sun Bowl, and #21 Nebraska plays Michigan state in the Alamo Bowl.
The Vikings won big yesterday over Seattle with good defense, no turnovers, and explosive offensive plays - just like earlier in the season. Unfortunately, Green Bay came back and beat the Bears to remain just one game behind the Vikes with three games left. Ok, now I'm gonna nerd out: The Vikes have Chicago, Kansas City, and Arizona left. The Packers have it easier with San Diego, Oakland, and Denver. If MN and GB finish with the same record, it would then go to their head-to-head record this year, which they split. Then to division records - GB finished their division games at 4-2 and Vikings are 4-1 with only Chicago left. If MN loses, then they look at winning percentage in common games. Right now the Vikes lead that 6-3 to 5-4 but the rest of both teams' games are common games. If it's still even, then it's strength of victory, which MN leads 112 points to 95. If it's still tied, then it's schedule strength, which GB would win by their games with Philadelphia (10-3) and Tampa Bay (6-7) over MN's with Arizona (3-10) and the Giants (4-9).
Posted by mikeindo at 09:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 03, 2003
bowl games
Want to know about the BCS Bowl picture? Better have some aspirin ready! As for my teams, #9 FSU will either go to the Fiesta Bowl against probably #6 Texas or the Rose Bowl against #4 Michigan. #19 TCU is in the Fort Worth Bowl maybe against Colorado. #20 Minnesota may go to the Alamo Bowl maybe against another of my teams, #21 Nebraska! Most of these guesses are based on a rough formula.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2003
vikings rant
Can I just point out some things about the Vikings' loss to the Rams last Sunday? Minnesota had four more first downs, sixty-nine more total yards, and held the ball for 15 minutes longer. So what happened? It was a blocked punt, three lost fumbles, and defense, defense, defense. The defense has been a problem now for a number of years. I'll repeat what's been said that last five years or so: this offseason needs to be dedicated to improving the defense. But let's actually do it this time!
Posted by mikeindo at 11:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
tcu bowl game
TCU accepted an invitation to the inaugural Fort Worth Bowl on December 23. In my opinion, I don't think their rejection of the GMAC Bowl had so much to do with the TCU final exams conflict as much as the Frogs just wanted a bigger bowl game. But what makes the Fort Worth Bowl bigger? Being held five days later in the bowl season? Maybe I'm wrong. They may play 7-5 Air Force, #17 Boise State, or 9-3 Connecticut.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 01, 2003
teams
#9 FSU clipped Florida in a shootout, #17 TCU beat winless SMU and then rejected an invitation to the GMAC bowl. #23 Nebraska beat Colorado and then fired Coach Solich. #22 Minnesota's regular season is over. The Vikings played the Rams in a battle of division leaders and got creamed, so they're still only a game ahead of the Packers.
Posted by mikeindo at 03:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 24, 2003
teams
Ok, so TCU's out of the BCS running (see below) and have dropped out of the Top 10 to #17. Who knows what bowl game they get, but it'll probably be a New Years Day game. #22 Minnesota's regular season is done and may get the Dec. 29th Alamo Bowl. Ninth-ranked Florida State and #23 Nebraska (will Coach Solich get forced out?) were idle last week and each have one regular-season game left this Saturday, vs Florida and at Colorado, respectively. The Vikings beat Detroit to snap their four-game losing streak. The defense showed up (but against the NFL's second-worst offense) but the offense didn't perform well (against an average defense). Unfortunately, Green Bay also won to stay just one game behind the Vikes in the division. Looking ahead to the end of the division race, the Vikings' remaining games include 8-3 St. Louis, 7-4 Seattle, and 10-1 Kansas City. Green Bay only faces one team with a winning record (6-5 Denver).
Posted by mikeindo at 09:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 21, 2003
frogs lost
Well, TCU's dreams of a BCS bowl game and all the nationwide debate over it is now over. The Horned Frogs lost last night at Southern Mississippi 40-28 despite a big fourth-quarter rally. Now they won't even be conference champion if So. Miss. wins next week.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 17, 2003
Masters Cup Houston
So the final of the men's year-end tournament was a replay of a first-day round robin match that went the distance, but Roger Federer's defeat of Andre Agassi this time on Sunday was crushing. Also, the women's tour is considering "shorten(ing) its 11-month schedule by a week in 2006 and by two weeks in 2007." WOW! I'm sure that'll make a lot of difference...
Posted by mikeindo at 10:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Teams
Ok, Florida State won and wrapped up the ACC and is the first to lock up a BCS game berth (probably Orange Bowl) but will be without a star player. #15 Nebraska lost at home to KSU for the first time in 35 years and have now slipped to second in the Big 12 North. #17 Minnesota gained 563 yards but was upset by #20 Iowa, so Floyd of Rosedale (the pig statue that goes to the MN-IA winner) stays in Iowa. #9 TCU won big but slipped in the BCS polls because of weak opponents - and will further soon. The Vikings lost their fourth straight - Daunte Culpepper had 396 yards passing but 5 turnovers (and add another fumble by Nate Burleson). They're now only a game ahead of Green Bay in the NFC North and play 'lowly' (third straight week I've used that word...) Detroit at home.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 13, 2003
Tennis
I'm so sorry I haven't been reporting on the year-end Tennis Masters Cup Houston! Where are my manners? The top eight players split into two groups of four and play round robin. The top two from each group then play in the semifinals. The top three ranked players, Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Roger Federer, all had the chance of finishing at number one, and the tournament was promoted as a showdown of sorts. Well, that's all quickly over! Tuesday night, Roddick won his first match which mathematically killed Federer's chances, and then last night, Ferrero lost his second straight match and is now also mathematically out. So Roddick's clinched it. He's the youngest American ever to finish the year at number one. But the tournament continues...
Posted by mikeindo at 01:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 10, 2003
More Vikings defense
From the Minneapolis Star Tribune today: "How does a franchise that forged its very identity on fundamentally sound defense continually have this much difficulty establishing even a semblance of defensive competence? ... The Vikings were stone-cold killers on defense [in the 1970s]. They hit people, and hurt people, and scared people. For most of the past 30 years, they have lost that identity. The Jerry Burns Era ['86-'91], featuring Joey Browner, Keith Millard and Chris Doleman, included some headline-grabbing defenses that piled up gaudy statistics, but often withered in the fourth quarter, and the playoffs. Dennis Green ['92-'01], with the considerable help of Tony Dungy, had good defenses early in his tenure, but Green quickly became seduced by piling up yardage. The goal in [current Head Coach Mike] Tice's second year was to simply upgrade the defense from horrid to serviceable. A promising start has given way to a cold reality: Serviceable is nowhere in sight."
Posted by mikeindo at 11:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Football
Teams: #3 Florida State was upset by Clemson and basically knocked out of the national championship picture, but a win Saturday against NC State would clinch the ACC and a BCS game. Also, #16 Nebraska beat Kansas and play #25 KSU next. Eighteenth-ranked Minnesota beat Wisconsin on a last-second field goal and play #20 Iowa next. Their 9-2 record is the best since 1905; if they beat Iowa, they'll probably get a New Years Day bowl in Florida - Outback or Capitol One. As for the pros, the Vikings lost to the lowly Chargers! They've lost three straight and are now officially on a skid. The Chargers had only one win and had replaced their starting QB. The Viking defense was the story, giving up big plays (including Chargers RB Tomlinson's longest career TD run), 458 yards (third straight week over 450), 42 points, and not forcing the Chargers to punt until the third quarter. Next Vikings game is at the 'lowly' Raiders, another team hungry for a big win.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 06, 2003
Poor Boris
According to his new autobiography, Boris Becker became addicted to pills and developed a drinking problem during and after his career. In recent years he's dealt with "an expensive divorce settlement, an admission he fathered a child with a Russian model, and a legal battle with German tax authorities."
Posted by mikeindo at 03:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
TCU in the BCS?
TCU barely won last night against Conference-USA rival #25 Louisville to remain one of only two unbeaten teams in the country (Oklahoma). They're #9 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings and people are talking about them getting into one of the four BCS games. Even though I could be biased in their favor since I went there, in my opinion, they haven't earned it. Sure, they're undefeated, but they're in a weak conference and the toughest opponent on their schedule was Louisville. Many of the Top Twenty teams with a loss (and some with two losses) have tougher schedules and therefore deserve it more. Well, ok, maybe if TCU wins the rest of its games by, like, 30 or 40 points each, then perhaps they deserve a BCS game appearance. All I'm saying is that it'd be interesting to see how they'd do against a legitimate BCS team like Florida State.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 05, 2003
Reality Tennis
Andy Roddick will be the star of a reality show called The Tour next year.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 03, 2003
Tennis
The year-end tournament for mens pro tennis in Houston next week is set. And what is world number one Andy Roddick doing to prepare? Hosting Saturday Night Live...
Posted by mikeindo at 10:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Teams
Teams this weekend: TCU off but plays Louisville on Wednesday. Florida State shut out Notre Dame and Minnesota won big but Nebraska was upset. As for the pros, the Vikings dropped their home game to the Packers! Green Bay piled up the yards, including 261 rushing. The Vikes still have a two-game lead over them in the division though, and their remaining schedule includes only two teams with winning records.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 31, 2003
Vikings training camp moving?
Duluth, Fargo-Moorhead, Mankato (the current site), and Sioux Falls, South Dakota have all made proposals for hosting the Vikings' summer training camp after Mankato's contract runs out this year. They've been there for 39 years. A decision will be made at the end of November.
Posted by mikeindo at 09:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 30, 2003
Tennis
Philippoussis, Grosjean, and Srichaphan all lost yesterday, meaning that David Nalbandian qualifies for Houston without even playing this week! Again, his injury may force him out anyway.
Posted by mikeindo at 03:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 29, 2003
Pro tennis
There is a minor league pro tennis tournament (called a "challenger") here this week. We went last night and saw some and hope to go back again. The highest-ranked player is world #74 and American Brian Vahaly, who is sponsored by the event's sponsor. (Meaning, he probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for his sense of obligation!)
David Nalbandian, the guy about to clinch the eighth spot for Houston, withdrew from this week's Paris event due to his wrist injury. Although ATPTennis.com didn't say it, it appears that he's out of the running and it opens the door for Philippoussis and Grosjean. But both, who are still in the Paris event, have really tough matches. "The Scud" (Philippoussis, because of his rocket serves) plays #17 Gustavo Kuerten and Grosjean plays #31 Tim Henman, both of whom are playing well. Interestingly, the winners of these two matches then play each other in the next round!
Posted by mikeindo at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 28, 2003
In the pro mens tennis
In the pro mens tennis race to the year-end tournament in Houston next week, only one spot remains. David Nalbandian can clinch it easily this week in Paris if his aggrevated wrist holds up. Others on his heels: Mark Philippoussis and Sebastien Grosjean. It seems that the only way they can bump Nalbandian out is if he loses in the first or second round and one of them makes the final. Otherwise, they'd be battling for the alternate spot, which may pay off anyway cuz Agassi may pull out since he and wife Steffi Graf (or is it 'Stefanie' now?) had their second child last month. He hasn't played since then. ... Ok, ATPTennis.com has confirmed my thought above: if Nalbandian wins his second round match this week, he's in.
Posted by mikeindo at 10:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My Teams
TCU won 62-55 and it wasn't even an overtime-filled game! They're still undefeated at 8-0 with four regular season games left. Univ of Minnesota ended their two-game skid by beating Illinois and have three games left including #14 Iowa. The Vikings are undefeated no more. The Giants beat them in Minneapolis, but they're still tied for thr second-best record in the NFL and lead the NFC North by three games over Green Bay, who they play next week in Minneapolis. The Vikings beat them in Green Bay earlier this year and their QB, Brett Favre, is like 12-23 in domes. ... Just read that Vikings owner Red McCombs ripped the team in the locker room afterward for their loss, then later sort-of apologized. Hey, chill out, Red, they're 6-1! I mean, you could own a team like the Falcons...
Posted by mikeindo at 10:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 20, 2003
Teams this weekend: Vikings stay
Teams this weekend: Vikings stay unbeaten, so does TCU, but once-undefeated Univ of MN loses its second straight. One funny line from another pro football game's report: "The Falcons trotted off the field to massive boos." "Massive boos"! Haha!!
Posted by mikeindo at 11:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 17, 2003
Poor Red Sox.
Posted by mikeindo at 11:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 16, 2003
Poor Cubs. Will the Red
Poor Cubs. Will the Red Sox win Game 7 in New York tonight?
Posted by mikeindo at 11:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 13, 2003
So how did my teams
So how did my teams fair this weekend? It was up and down. #13 Minnesota gave up four touchdowns to #19 Michigan in the fourth quarter and then a last-second field goal to lose their first game of the season. #5 Florida State lost their huge game against #2 Miami at home for their first loss. But, #17 TCU beat So. Florida to remain unbeaten!
Posted by mikeindo at 11:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 06, 2003
It was a good weekend
It was a good weekend for almost all of my teams: 13th-ranked Univ. of Minnesota beat Northwestern 42-17 (they play #19 Michigan next - "biggest game in years"), #17 TCU beat Army 27-0 (South Florida next), and the Vikings beat Atlanta 39-26 (Broncos in 2 weeks). And they're all still undefeated! The only downside was the Twins losing their playoff series to the Yankees.
Univ. of Minnesota football coach Glen Mason on the first quarter in which the offense gained only eight yards and no points: "(It) was the worst quarter of football from my perspective I've ever been associated with as a coach."
Posted by mikeindo at 12:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 07, 2003
Two weeks ago I blasted
Two weeks ago I blasted Juan Carlos Ferrero for getting a high seeding for the U.S. Open even though he didn't do well this summer and is mainly a clay-court specialist. Well, he just fulfilled his seeding by making it into the semifinals. I told mom and dad in Florida that I'd stand on my head if he makes it that far. So, I'll get Laura to take my picture and I'll post it here soon. So much for my tennis knowledge!
Posted by mikeindo at 02:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 03, 2003
From an email: "Why do
From an email: "Why do golf courses have 18 holes - not 20, or 10, or an even dozen? During a discussion among the club's membership board at St. Andrews in 1858, a senior member pointed out that it takes exactly 18 shots to polish off a fifth of Scotch. By limiting himself to only one shot of Scotch per hole, the Scot figured a round of golf was finished when the Scotch ran out." - Thanks Dad
Posted by mikeindo at 02:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 01, 2003
"Another weapon..."
The Vikings' 1300-yd RB Pro Bowler Michael Bennett is set to play in this Sunday's game against the Packers (ESPN 7:30pm CST) after being out for all the games this season so far.
Posted by mikeindo at 04:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 22, 2003
Pete Sampras will officially retire
Pete Sampras will officially retire Monday night at the U.S. Open - no, he's not playing in it... See the ATP's tribute to him.
Andy Roddick's first-round opponent at the U.S. Open? The only one to beat him all summer, Tim Henman!
Posted by mikeindo at 02:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 19, 2003
The seedings for the U.S.
The seedings for the U.S. Open came out today and - surprise surprise - they mirror the current rankings! Gee, the seeding committee must've taken all of 30 seconds to complete their task! Stupid. You cannot tell me with a straight face that Juan Carlos Ferrero will fulfill his #3 seeding and make it to the semifinals! His summer hardcourt record? 3-2 with losses to the 24th- and 44th-ranked players. And Andy Roddick's summer hardcourt record, who is one spot below Ferrero? 20-1 including three tournament wins! Seems fair...
Posted by mikeindo at 02:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 07, 2003
Did you watch any Wimbledon?
Did you watch any Wimbledon? Champion Roger Federer was smooth. He'd been picked as the next great player when he beat Sampras at Wimbledon two years ago but hadn't come through yet, especially in major tournaments. But he schooled everyone and only lost one set the whole tournament! And 46-year-old Martina Navratilova won the mixed doubles tournament, tying her with Billie Jean King for most overall titles at Wimbledon with 20.
Posted by mikeindo at 03:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack