Vikings

The Vikings took a running back known for catching the ball out of the backfield as their first pick yesterday. No one will know if he was the best available back with those skills until he actually plays, BUT I like the philosophy that goes with that pick. The Vikes now have three good, interchangeable backs who can catch the ball AND run if called upon. Relying on ONE good back who was known primarily for running has put the Vikings in the hole for 10 years now. It's time to think differently.

Their next pick? An offensive lineman. Their third pick? A defensive lineman to add depth. All the choices were good AND in the right order. They even picked up another offensive lineman with their 5th pick.

They got some good picks yesterday. I'm more excited about the coming season than I was last year.

Go Vikes!

Twins Rally, Win!

I didn't look for that. Sano is fast becoming one of my favorite players. He's even making cool plays at third.

Go Twins!

ESPN

I warned of the massive layoffs that ESPN would be experiencing over a month ago. Over 100 employees were let go yesterday.

Don't think that this is the end. ESPN is losing subscribers as more and more people cut their ties to cable television. You can't be a profit center AND spend that much money for sports. Something had to give.

TV sports contracts rights will begin to shrink. The pot will start getting smaller from now on. A few superstars will still be paid the big bucks. But there will be less of them. The ripple effect won't happen right away. But the biggest ripple just hit.

ESPN, FOX Sports, The Turner Stations, and others cannot exist the way they are with a dwindling supply of revenue. Cable television is changing in America. And the result is that major league sports will start to feel the pinch as well. Money is no longer unlimited.

Vikings First Round Pick...

The Vikings traded that pick last year for Sam Bradford.

We don't draft until the 16th selection of the second round. There's lots of good players left, but there never were many good offensive lineman available this year. IF you're going to miss a first round pick, this was the year to do it.

Twins

I always say, if you're gonna' get beat, really get beat. It was a good game (3-3) through 5.

Those last four innings? Let's just say they followed my suggestion. (14-3!!!)

Still in the hunt. Still watching and hoping for something better.

Ervin Santana (Buxton!)

And Vargas and Sano.

THAT was what the Twins should be doing. Three weeks into the season, and they are back to .500. I can't believe they got my interest back.

Santana is unreal.

Dozier!

The Twins needed a major highlight last night. They got it in the form of a bases-clearing double by Dozier. The Twins did hold on to win 3-2.

I'm no longer interested in every game, but am still checking on progress during commercial breaks. I guess that means I still care somewhat.

Go Twins!

In other sports news:

The Vikings open the season with a Monday night game against New Orleans. That just got more interesting as all reports seem to show Adrain Peterson is signing with the Saints. Go Vikings!