Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Gophers' Carr is a victim of NCAA's hypocrisy
The NCAA making a random example of Marcus Carr, who has the same résumé as many athletes allowed to compete after transferring, does not set a precedent that will keep athletes from transferring in the future.
Souhan: Not making big deal has been a big deal in Wild's success
Give Bruce Boudreau depth, and he can do damage to opponents. He's rolling four quality lines that might not have existed had Paul Fenton made a splashy trade over the summer.
Souhan: As stress of coaching U builds, Reeve says she's there for Whalen
Lindsay Whalen's coaching debut at the University of Minnesota on Friday night will be unique because her circumstances are almost as unimaginable as they are familiar.
Souhan: Let the Joe Mauer Hall of Fame debate begin
A look at Twins history reveals the difficulty and unpredictability of judging players whose careers were damaged by injuries.
Souhan: Freshmen were the draw for Gophers in promising opener
In a program and an athletic department in desperate need of ticket sales and financial success, Richard Pitino isn't shying away from expectations.
Souhan: Hunter puts 'superhero' skills to good use against Lions
Defensive end Danielle Hunter blends the Hulk's bulk and Spiderman's agility, and you would probably like him when he's angry.
Souhan: Both Thielen, Diggs stand-up guys for Vikings
Last week vs. New Orleans, Adam Thielen fumbled in the red zone and Stefon Diggs stopped running a route leading to a pick-six. Both took responsibility in the moments after the game.
Souhan: Butler has done enough harm; Wolves need to trade him now
Two nights after scorching the Lakers, Jimmy Butler sat in the locker room, lounging in jeans and whining about media coverage instead of playing.
Souhan: Baseball can't wave off signs of self-inflicted ills
Baseball's problem is that it is going backward while the NFL is surviving some of its problems and solving others. Here are five proposals for changing the game.
Souhan: Plenty of blame to go around after Vikings' lethargic loss
Last time the New Orleans Saints visited they aided and abetted the Minneapolis Miracle. This time, they facilitated Minnesota mediocrity.
Souhan: Vikings are in debt to Minneapolis Miracle architect
The true Minneapolis Miracle is that Vikings fans have mythologized a fluke play, caused by the most egregious missed tackle in recent NFL history, that led to an embarrassing blowout loss.
Souhan: Analytics aside, Baldelli's prime task is salvaging Buxton, Sano
If the transition from Paul Molitor to Rocco Baldelli as Twins manager is to succeed, Rocco Baldelli will have to prove he can somehow improve key players who have faltered.
Souhan: What's the rush to get Griffen back on the field?
Rejoining his teammates at the Vikings' training facility might be good for Everson Griffen. Everything else — practicing, playing, taking even light hits to the head — sounds inadvisable.
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Souhan: Sure as his hands, 'humble dude' Thielen makes NFL history
Adam Thielen left MetLife Stadium with another milestone and a cut mouth, courtesy of a shoulder to the chin.
Souhan: Vikings' QB situation hit rock bottom 5 years ago at Meadowlands
On Oct. 21, 2013 the Vikings chose to start the recently acquired Josh Freeman, who had been cut by Tampa Bay, over Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel in a Monday night game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium
Souhan: Get rid of Butler and let Towns take control on the floor
Once Jimmy Butler is gone, the Wolves won't be rebuilding from scratch. Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best young players in the league, who soon should make the word "young" an unnecessary qualifier.
Souhan: Playing like a broken record, Thielen thrives in spotlight
Adam Thielen is making history while writing one of the greatest Minnesota sports stories of all time, prompting a new question: Who does he compare to historically?
Souhan: There's nothing 'soft' about Vikings' next two opponents
The Vikings' next two games could be as important and revealing as any two on the schedule.
Souhan: Winner? Leader? Tough guy? For Butler it's no, no and no
Jimmy Butler calls himself a winner while trying to force a trade from a talented playoff team to a horrible one. It's part of being Jimmy Two-Face.
Souhan: Dolphins, others paid for doubting Brees
In 2006, the Dolphins chose to trade for Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper instead of signing Drew Brees. Which was a good move -- for Brees and the Saints.
Souhan: Joseph possesses large body but shows off larger skills
Linval Joseph is 6-4 and 329 pounds. Sunday, when a football floated in his direction, he reacted not as a living stereotype of a full-figured lineman, but in the way any world-class athlete would.
Souhan: Vikings' Thielen is a well-grounded rising star
In a league full of spectacular receivers and prolific offenses, Adam Thielen ranks second in catches, yards and yards per game. Like Joe Mauer, he deflects praise.
Souhan: 'Falvine' didn't really tell us why they fired Molitor
Paul Molitor was fired for several reasons, and none of them would have sounded great if Derek Falvey and Thad Levine had been direct in their answers.
Souhan: Mauer stars in what should be the perfect ending
Joe Mauer could come back, could play a role, but he will never play one as poignant as the one he helped write Sunday
Souhan: Royals could teach Twins a lesson in patience
Without the benefit of a new stadium or large payroll, the Royals came within a few pitches of winning two straight World Series titles. It takes patience - and organizational leadership.
Souhan: Vikings have yet to show they can stop anybody
This was a mismatch, and given that the Vikings defense is supposed to be the strength of the team, that is a bad sign.
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Souhan: Vikings' season already tinged with tragedy, troubles
There are already ominous signs that this season could be more like 2010, when the Vikings got their coach fired, than 2009, when they came within an eyelash from playing in a Super Bowl.
Souhan: After lopsided loss, time is now for Annexstad to showcase poise
Freshman QB Zack Annexstad is leading a Gophers team that raised expectations in the first three games, and Saturday was blown out by Maryland.
Souhan: The time to judge P.J. Fleck begins now
The Gophers coach excels at connecting with talented teenagers. Whether he's a good Big Ten coach is yet to be determined, but the determining can fairly start Saturday when his young team opens conference play.
Souhan: Wolves, Jimmy Butler have reached the tipping point
NBA stars carry all the power, so the Wolves need to carefully explore all their difficult options.
Souhan: In Cousins, Vikings have QB who could match Rodgers' efforts
In a rivalry defined for 25 years by the Green Bay Packers' stability at the most important position, Kirk Cousins went into Lambeau Field on Sunday and threw for 425 yards and four touchdowns.
Souhan: Heroics can be painful but QBs live for the moment
NFL quarterbacks prove that football's toughest players are often those who receive, rather than deliver, punishment.
Souhan: Packers have a lot to lose if Rodgers plays Sunday
Here's how it should go down Sunday at Lambeau Field: If the Packers wonder whether Aaron Rodgers is healthy enough to play in Week 2, he's not healthy enough to play in Week 2.
Souhan: Veeck follows Saints from afar this championship series
With the team's founder away because of Hurricane Florence, the Saints earned a shutout to even up their series with Kansas City.
Souhan: Cousins' head-first dive was crazy, but won the locker room
New Vikings QB Kirk Cousins put his team above health with a fourth-quarter dive on third down, and fellow football players respect nothing more.
Grade the Vikings: How did the team do on offense, defense, special teams and coaching?
Use our weekly poll to grade the Vikings' performance against the 49ers.
Souhan: Vikings OC DeFilippo has a certain swagger
John DeFilippo is eager to prove himself, and follow the path cut by Brian Billick and Pat Shurmur.
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Souhan: Twins need a winter of answers to a long summer of questions
We will learn nothing from a month devoid of baseball meaning. What could matter is this winter, especially for Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano.
Souhan: With Vikings pieces in place, pressure now rests on Zimmer
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is set up to win big, which means he is set up to be blamed if he doesn't. Vikings coaches have been here before.
Souhan: This is Diggs' time to shine as most-talented, highest-paid receiver
Stefon Diggs signed a five-year contract valued at $72 million during training camp. He's 24, entering his prime with a quarterback eager to spin him the ball. This is Diggs' moment.
Souhan: Bears' trade for Mack throws another hurdle in front of Vikings
In the past few days, the Packers signed Aaron Rodgers, the Rams signed defensive end Aaron Donald and the Bears traded for Khalil Mack. The Vikings face them all this season.
Souhan: Decker shows that risks of football can be worth taking
Eric Decker is proof that an unheralded Minnesota kid can stay in Minnesota and use the Gophers program as a trampoline to the big time.
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Souhan: Elflein situation will not go away for Vikings
What we know is that the Vikings have to find a way to field a functional line, or a remarkably talented roster will be wasted.
Souhan: Thibodeau has relaxed, recharged himself over the summer
Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau seems to be known more for growling than winning but during a long conversation last week looked refreshed and sounded cheerful.
Souhan: A's here to destroy every losing argument by Twins fans
Oakland has built one of this season's elite teams without an easily described formula, but with a series of moves that at the time were underappreciated.
Souhan: Armed with support, James pursues boxing title bout
Minneapolis boxer Jamal James on Friday night returns to the Armory to face Mahonry Montes on a card that includes Minnesota's Caleb Truax and Celso Ramirez
Souhan: With MVP Fowles on her game, Lynx won't be easy playoff foe
If Lindsay Whalen wasn't retiring, Sylvia Fowles would have been the center of attention at Target Center with a big game and record-setting performance.
Souhan: Jaguars should try to land Bridgewater as a replacement for Bortles
Blake Bortles' play Saturday again inspired no confidence to a team with championship aspirations.
Souhan: 'Make football violent again'? Sendejo's mindset needs to be knocked out
Football doesn't need to be more violent. The game is at its best when its best players are healthy. Safety Andrew Sendejo needs to get that message.
Souhan: Praise Twins front office for new approach
What this Twins season ultimately proved is that ownership was right when it brought in a front office to revamp the team's baseball operations and analytics.
Souhan: We may never see the likes of Lindsay Whalen again
Will there ever be another basketball player, or any athlete, from Minnesota who so ideally combines greatness and so many other attributes?
Souhan: Lynx starters take the floor, and Whalen stays behind
When Sunday's game started, Lindsay Whalen took a seat on the bench for the first time since the first game of her WNBA career..
Souhan: Get up close and personal with Saints manager Tsamis
George Tsamis has seen it all: He pitched in the Little League World Series, pitched for the Twins and, these days, he pitches batting practice for the Saints.
Souhan: Functional offensive line might be enough for Vikings
Nick Easton's injury will prompt paranoia in a fan base that is always wary of the next disappointment. But is panic about the offensive line overblown?
Souhan: Well-traveled defensive line coach finds home with Vikings
Andre Patterson is the only coach on the Vikings staff who has worked for both Denny Green and Mike Zimmer, Red McCombs and the Wilfs. And he hopes his longevity continues.
Souhan: Tom Lehman's next role is making Blaine course worthy of PGA
Tom Lehman will spend the next year overseeing an effort to turn TPC-Twin Cities from a course that produced low scores on the Champions Tour into one that needs to challenge golf's best players.
Souhan: Twins front office did what it had to do at the deadline
Derek Falvey and Thad Levine continue to do what is logical and, in the Twins' organization, traditional.
Souhan: 'Honor means everything' as Johan Santana joins Twins Hall of Fame
Santana won two Cy Young Awards with the Twins, and credits coaches and teammates who mentored him during his years in Minnesota.
Souhan: Moss was greatness, wherever he ranks
Moss' fans have progressed from worrying whether he would enter the Hall of Fame on the first ballot to debating whether he ranks first among all receivers, including Jerry Rice (right).
Souhan: Moore adds another trophy to her case
Maya Moore on Saturday became the first player from the host city to win a WNBA All-Star MVP award. She won her third, tying her with Lisa Leslie for most in league history.
Souhan: WNBA All-Star Game in Minneapolis should matter to all of us
The Lynx rank among the best of our sports ambassadors, and their play and popularity helped bring another big-time event to the Twin Cities - the WNBA All-Star Game.
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Souhan: Like Favre, Thome delivered as an elder arrival to Twin Cities
Brett Favre put on quite a show when he decided to come to Minnesota. So did Jim Thome.
Souhan: Vikings have finest of facilities, can they be finest on field?
The Vikings' new TCO Performance Center is massive and spectacular with everything an NFL player could want. There are no excuses for the team not to perform at the highest level.
Souhan: With shrewd trade, Cleveland leaves Twins in the dust
By trading for All-Star closer and Minnesota native Brad Hand, along with rookie reliever Adam Cimber, Cleveland sacrificed an excellent catching prospect and provided a reminder that timing can be as important as talent.
Souhan: Try for playoffs or move on to 2019? Twins can do both
As they showed last year, they are capable of contending even by subtracting from the team they have.
Souhan: Twins must stay patient with Sano, Buxton
There is a sense of urgency around the Twins, the kind of urgency that could persuade a more jittery front office to rush Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano back to Target Field. But patience is required.
Souhan: Serena Williams adds to greatness with Wimbledon run
Ten months after giving birth and recovering from a pulmonary embolism that required six weeks of bed rest, Serena Williams is in the Wimbledon final.
Souhan: At age 53, Palmeiro's redemption tour rolls through town
After 569 major league home runs and 3,020 career hits, Rafael Palmeiro is playing for the Cleburne Railroaders, who are in town facing the St. Paul Saints this week. But why?
Souhan: Collusion? Free agents at Target Field make shambles of that argument
Baseball braintrusts spent most of the winter making suspicious people like me think they were engaging in collusion. Now they can claim to have been displaying intelligence.
Souhan: Pubs are the place to show deep World Cup allegiances
All along Nicollet Mall on Saturday morning, international soccer fans wore their national colors, sang and peaceably assembled to watch the World Cup, the tournament's drama transcending time zones.
Souhan: Brunson grabs spotlight for herself on boards
Brunson already held a career record for team play, last year becoming the only WNBA player ever to have won five league titles. Thursday, she earned her greatest individual achievement in her 15th season.
Souhan: It's almost time to write off Twins, but there is a sliver of hope
The team left spring training with justified optimism and has performed as if trying to revisit contraction.
Souhan: Wolves need to contend and keep paying customers entertained
The Wolves could learn something from other local franchises that have failed to win championships: There is value in relevance.
Souhan: Vikings face decision on Barr and Diggs, so here's some advice
The Vikings' decision depends on what you value.
Souhan: When NBA free agents go shopping, Wolves don't make many lists
While other teams await big names, for the Wolves, even with all of the talent on their roster, free agency remains something to fear.
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