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Michael Rand started RandBall with hopes that he could keep lies from conquering the minds of the weak. So far, he's only succeeded in using the word "redacted" a lot. He welcomes suggestions, news tips, links of pure genius, and pictures of pets in Halloween costumes here, though he already knows he will regret that last part.
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TFD: 900 pounds of Butterfingers dropped off in Boston, in case Gisele Bundchen didn't humiliate Wes Welker enough
Posted by: Michael Rand under Professional football Updated: February 7, 2012 - 5:24 PM
While Giants fans celebrated their victory at the Parade in New York City – Boston locals got a 900 pound sweet surprise courtesy of Pawngo in the center of Copley Square in the heart of Boston. 900 pounds, or 8,000 bars of Nestle Butterfingers were piled high with a sign entitled, “Thank you Wes Welker” - making everyone in the area stop to take pictures, grab a bar, and have a laugh.
It's unknown whether Gisele Bundchen was buried at the bottom of that pile of candy bars.
Web site stirs up Troy Aikman + Erin Andrews love connection talk
Posted by: Michael Rand under Professional football Updated: February 7, 2012 - 2:25 PM
Move over, Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady — Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews could be football’s hottest new couple. The Dallas Cowboys hall of famer-turned-Fox Sports commentator was locked in a long flirting session with the sexy blond ESPN reporter at GQ’s pre-Super Bowl bash at The Stutz in Indianapolis on Friday night. Aikman and Andrews were all smiles during an intimate conversation at the Lacoste and Patron-sponsored blowout, where a party insider confirmed, “The body language suggested there’s an attraction there.” Aikman divorced wife Rhonda last year after a decade of marriage.
The body language suggested there's an attraction there? Well, that's a little bit of a flimsy premise. But not flimsy enough for a headline!
Mid-day talker: Who is the best ex-Minnesota athlete not in the Hall of Fame
Posted by: Michael Rand under Twins fans, Vikings Updated: February 7, 2012 - 12:27 PM
We wrote for today's paper about Cris Carter and the conundrum facing the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters as they attempt to sift through various wide receivers eligible (or soon-to-be-eligible) for the HOF.
Our question now, though, is this: Who is the best former Minnesota athlete who is NOT in the top Hall of Fame in his sport?
Does Carter top your list? Maybe you prefer Jim Marshall. How about Mick Tingelhoff, as long as we're still talking about the Vikings.
Or maybe you prefer Jack Morris, the St. Paul native who only pitched one year with the Twins but made it a memorable one? A case could even be made for Tony Oliva, who had an incredible eight-year stretch from 1964-71.
Hockey? Basketball? Soccer? Are we missing anyone? Who do you like?
Tuesday (What should we expect out of Derrick Williams?) edition: Wha' Happened?
Posted by: Michael Rand under Wolves news Updated: February 7, 2012 - 9:54 AM
However, with Love serving a two-game suspension, this is -- pardon us -- Williams' chance to roar in back-to-back games against Sacramento and Memphis. It should give us a clearer picture of what the No. 2 overall pick can bring to the table when given major minutes, meaning there could be a considerable silver lining in Love's suspension (particularly if it serves the dual purpose of helping K-Love clean up his on-court act a bit).
The long-term question with Williams concerns not only his position but exactly what we might expect out of the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. And that's where the picture gets a little cloudier. Not long before the 2011 draft, we compiled a list of the No. 1 and No. 2 picks from the past 15 years. We'll condense that to just show you the last 15 No. 2 picks prior to Williams.
2010: Evan Turner; 2009: Hasheem Thabeet; 2008: Michael Beasley; 2007: Kevin Durant; 2006: LaMarcus Aldridge; 2005: Marvin Williams; 2004: Emeka Okafor; 2003: Darko!; 2002: Jay Williams; 2001: Tyson Chandler; 2000: Stromile Swift; 1999: Steve Francis; 1998: Mike Bibby; 1997: Keith Van Horn; 1996: Marcus Camby
Let's remind you (and Williams) that this is an extremely mixed bag full of superstars, good players and role players. It's also a mix of guys who came out guns blazing (like Durant) and guys who needed at least a season to figure out the pro game (like Aldridge). There are three ROYs on that list (Beasley, Okafor and Francis), which doesn't seem like a ton in 15 years.
That said, we have a long way to go before the "caged lion" is just another No. 2 pick trying to find his way on the Wolves roster alongside Beasley and Darko. He has a chance to show us a lot these next two nights, and we'll be very curious to see what happens.
TFD: Patriots Super Bowl roster had 18 players who were two- or no-star high school recruits
Posted by: Michael Rand under NCAA: football, Professional football, Gophers Updated: February 6, 2012 - 5:29 PM
Pats no stars (7): CB Kyle Arrington (Hofstra), LB Dane Fletcher (Montana State), S James Ihedigbo (Massachusetts), OG/C Nick McDonald (Grand Valley State), CB Antwaun Molden (Toledo/Eastern Kentucky), OG Donald Thomas (Connecticut), RB Danny Woodhead (Chadron State).
Pats two stars (11): LS Danny Aiken (Virginia), S Patrick Chung (Oregon), WR/CB Julian Edelman (Kent State), K Stephen Gostkowski (Memphis), RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Indiana/Ole Miss), LB Gary Guyton (Georgia Tech), DT Kyle Love (Mississippi State), CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers), DB Sterling Moore (SMU), OT Sebastian Vollmer (Houston), C/OG Ryan Wendell (Fresno State).
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recent posts
- TFD: 900 pounds of Butterfingers dropped off in Boston, in case Gisele Bundchen didn't humiliate Wes Welker enough
- Web site stirs up Troy Aikman + Erin Andrews love connection talk
- RandBall: Who is the best ex-Minnesota athlete not in the Hall of Fame?
- Tuesday (What should we expect out of Derrick Williams?) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Patriots Super Bowl roster had 18 players who were two- or no-star high school recruits
- RandBall: Gardy reveals Opening Day lineup (for now)
- Mid-day talker: Kevin Love's two-game suspension -- too much, not enough or right on?
- Monday (Eli Manning -- creating a Hall of Fame career?) edition: Wha' Happened?
- Weekend Links with Jon Marthaler: Super Bowl vs. Superb Owl
- RandBall: Urban Meyer has Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema all upset
- Frank Thomas might want to spread out his Big Hurt Beer and Josh Hamilton support tweets a little
- RandBall: NFL team in Los Angeles would likely be expansion team
- Friday (Beyond Maturi: Next steps at the U) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Where exactly does Darko Milicic keep his money?
- Stu's Hunt Down: Ex-Minnesota prep soccer and World Cup stalwart Holly Manthei
- Thursday (Time to fire up the NBA Trade Machine for the Wolves) edition: Wha' Happened?
- TFD: Honoring Rookie of the Month Ricky Rubio the only way we know how
- RandBall: Twitter diatribe a fascinating sports business story
- Former Minnesota high school standout and current NHL player David Backes is a hero to dogs
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