Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Twins will do this summer what they do best: surprise us ... somehow
The Twins' recent history of unpredictability extends to this week, when another talented but unproven team takes the field for Opening Day on Thursday at Target Field.
Souhan: For all its flaws, here's why we love all that madness
Jordan Murphy covered his face as he hugged his coach and teammates, knowing he would never share this kind of stage again. It's an unmatched sense of finality in sports.
Souhan: Murphy deserved more in final game for Gophers
Jordan Murphy spent all but four minutes of his last college game standing, gingerly stretching his aching back as the Gophers were sent packing from the NCAA tournament.
Jan. 20: Baldelli's baseball journey has led him to the Twins
Baldelli's ascension to a managerial job surprises only those who viewed him as just a superior talent or a tragic figure. Those close to him say his intellectual curiosity and natural empathy qualify him to lead.
Souhan: Kalscheur always had the outside shot, thanks to Mom
Gophers freshman Gabe Kalscheur honed his shooting stroke while practicing with his mother, LeeAnna, a standout basketball player for Cal Poly Pomona and Nebraska.
Souhan: Pitino downplayed the past and may have secured his future
Gophers coach Richard Pitino refused to play the "Him vs. Louisville" game all week, even after the Gophers had dribbled out the clock in their NCAA first-round victory over the Cardinals.
Souhan: Gophers' local recruits might make NCAA bids a habit
On Thursday, the 10th-seeded Gophers open the NCAA tournament featuring three starters from Minnesota. "There's nothing you can sell more ... than local kids having a great experience," Richard Pitino said.
Souhan: Spielman having fruitless offseason attracting offensive linemen
The Vikings' general manager needs to draft an offensive lineman or two next month who are capable of starting. Will he find them?
Souhan: Final Four an impossible dream for Gophers? You never know
Qualifying for the tournament that will end a couple of miles from campus means we get to see the bracket through the eyes and optimism of the Gophers' hometown players.
Souhan: A week at Twins spring training tells enough about upcoming season
Sights, sounds and observations from Twins camp in Fort Myers.
Souhan: Twins coach Watkins turned minor league experience into major league job
Tommy Watkins spent 12 seasons in the Twins' minor league system as a player. When the Twins overhauled their field staff, they hired Watkins to be their first base coach.
Souhan: Twins ace Berrios embraces hard, smart work
Since 2010, only three Twins pitchers have produced 200 innings in a season: Carl Pavano, Phil Hughes and Ervin Santana. With his work ethic at the front of the rotation, Jose Berrios should join that group this year.
Souhan: New Twins slugger Cruz is always right on schedule
"I try to use my time effectively," said new Twins player Nelson Criz, who schedules everything from treatments to workouts to meals with meticulous detail.
Souhan: Twins' Buxton carrying more bulk, moxie this season
The soft-spoken small-town kid is this spring displaying confidence bordering on the kind of competitive defiance that defines so many great athletes.
Wolves need to figure out what to do with Wiggins
North Score: Michael Rand and Jim Souhan debate the possibilities.
Souhan: Radar love is a rare sight for Twins pitchers
For decades, the Twins have relied on pitchers featuring changeups and splitters, forkballs and sliders, curves and other assorted junk. No more.
Souhan: Court-storm ritual becomes cliche
It's time for college basketball fans to recognize that court-storming is a dangerous idea, and to stop doing it.
Souhan: On this night, Gophers offer reminder of The Barn at its best
On Tuesday, the Gophers provided a reminder that a few decades ago a ticket to Williams Arena was as good as sports got in the Twin Cities.
Souhan: Boudreau knows his Wild well enough to know team won't quit
While the Timberwolves demonstrate virtually every winter what true dysfunction looks like, the Wild at least annually give themselves a puncher's chance.
Souhan: Wiggins has maxed out his welcome as a Wolves starter
Instead of taking advantage of Jimmy Butler's absence — either by becoming more productive or proving Butler's insults wrong — Andrew Wiggins has lapsed.
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Souhan: In modern sports, teams selling burgers and calling it steak
Because of expanded playoff fields, teams can sell drama to their fans. Every game matters. Every game could be the difference. Every game could lead to a trophy.
Souhan: Vikings should avoid blunder of using narrow-defined offense
Viking coach Mike Zimmer needs to guard against imposing a philosophy on his offense instead of finding ways for his best players to thrive.
Souhan: This is a Wild team in freefall without a parachute
On Sunday, the Wild didn't look like it was missing a player or two, a goal-scorer or two. It looked like it lacked competitiveness. That's the worst thing you can say about a hockey team.
Souhan: Thrilling win over Houston offers glimpse into Wolves future
What happened Wednesday night at Target Center was a small sample size. It was also a lot of fun, and might have important implications.
Souhan: Hey, Twins: Make a statement and sign Harper, Kimbrel
Free agents Bryce Harper and Craig Kimbrel are there for the taking. So why not bring them to Minnesota?
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Souhan: U's Bell can fill stat sheet, much like her coach once did
Rookie coach Lindsay Whalen has taught her oldest and best player to bring some swagger to the court, inspiring a four-game winning streak and a run of impressive performances from the senior guard.
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Souhan: Feats of Vonn, Moore might never be matched
At the end of a week that included National Girls and Women in Sports Day, let's recognize the importance of Lindsey Vonn and Maya Moore.
Souhan: Worse ordeals could be ahead for Wolves
If you thought the days of David Kahn and Kurt Rambis were bad … well, you were right. They were bad. But this is a different predicament.
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Souhan: Belichick, Patriots are not about culture, just ruthlessness
The Rams had better players on Sunday, and the Patriots made those superior talents look inept and confused.
Souhan: Remember Edelman's college debut? That 44-0 loss? To the Gophers
Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman continued building a postseason résumé that most Hall of Famers would envy after a college career that didn't exactly start well.
Souhan: Deep down, we should all have admiration for Tom Brady
Tom Brady is easy to hate, but here's why sports fans should embrace what he's accomplished.
Former Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson dies at 60
An eighth-round pick, Wade Wilson went on to play in an NFC Championship Game and a Pro Bowl
Souhan: Cooks hopes to have found a home with Rams
On Sunday, Los Angeles Rams receiver Brandin Cooks will play in a second consecutive Super Bowl, against the team he played for in last year's, the New England Patriots.
Souhan: Rams' Donald blends assets paying homage to 3 former Vikings
Over the past two years, Aaron Donald might be eclipsing any player produced by the Purple People Eaters or the Rams' similarly legendary Fearsome Foursome.
There's genius hidden behind the wit of Wade Phillips
The Rams' Wade Phillips is quick with a quip, disguising a defensive mastermind.
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Souhan: Atlanta has eyes on two top Dawgs at Super Bowl
The Georgia Bulldogs matter more in Atlanta than any other football team at any level. If you needed proof, you should have visited for a weekend in December 2017.
Souhan: Kaepernick situation shows Goodell earns millions 'by telling obvious lies'
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gave his annual state of the league address Wednesday and provided a reminder that his job title is completely different from his job description.
Souhan: Lady Luck tends to favor Super Bowl winners
The point here is not that the Patriots and Rams are headed for Atlanta only because of lucky breaks, but that winning NFL teams often require a combination of luck and ability.
Souhan: Super Bowls more compelling since 'Brady era' began
In the past 15 Super Bowls, the average margin of victory is 8.7 points, and there has been only one game decided by more than 15 points — the Seahawks' 43-8 victory over Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Souhan: Here's why I quit voting for baseball's Hall of Fame
If you are a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America for 10 years, you become eligible to vote for the Hall of Fame. But why would anyone want this thankless job?
Souhan: Twins should close a deal on top reliever Kimbrel
If you sign Craig Kimbrel, you'd be sending a signal to Miguel Sano and Joe Fan that you want to win now.
Souhan: Missed call was bad for Saints, but the playcalling was, too
There were plenty of questionable officiating rulings in both championship games. But based on their earlier decisions, the Saints can't say they were cheated.
Souhan: Wolves can't be counted on to show heart, toughness every game
What the Wolves displayed in Philadelphia was a lack of toughness, getting blown out from the start against a team that is dealing with its own version of Butler dyspepsia.
Souhan: Drastic changes coming for Wild - but when?
The Wild is paying $3 million or more to 11 current players. But the roster as it currently stands is highly paid, too old and too unproductive.
Souhan: On second-generation pros, Nick Foles and Vikings' draft woes
A few loosely connected thoughts with local angles as the NFL playoffs wind down to the final four teams.
Souhan: A logical solution to correcting illogical existence of NFL kickers
Kickers exist mostly so coaches will have someone to blame when they lose a close game. So let's devalue field goals.
Souhan: Murphy, Gophers disappoint in home loss to Terrapins
Minnesota and Jordan Murphy came up short at home, against one of the many good Big Ten teams with which they will be competing for an NCAA tournament berth.
Souhan: Wolves finally tired of a coach who couldn't help but be himself
There is a great coach somewhere inside Tom Thibodeau, but Thibodeau couldn't hear his inner Popovich over his own jet-engine monologue.
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Souhan: Big-money deals often turn out to not be deals at all
Most big-money sports contracts, here and elsewhere, turn into albatross-shaped millstones. Players are often paid for past production and fail to maintain it at higher salaries.
Best, worst big-money contracts in Minnesota sports history
Ranking Minnesota’s big-money deals Which big contracts in Minnesota sports history worked, and which ones didn’t? Here’s how Jim Souhan ranks ’em: Best large contracts…
Souhan: Wiggins' game is too uninspiring to draw even boos
Andrew Wiggins is playing under a five-year, $148 million contract and is a key player on a collapsing team. Yet the fans, at least in person, seem as apathetic about him as he is about getting back on defense.
Souhan: Vikings didn't have much better option than signing Cousins
Blaming GM Rick Spielman for the signing and Cousins for his play and behavior is easy at this point. What's difficult is figuring out what the Vikings should have done instead.
Souhan: Should Wilf fire Zimmer and/or Spielman to change Vikings leadership formula?
The Vikings showed why they are not a playoff team in Sunday's loss to the Bears. If Zygi Wilf wants to change his leadership formula, he's going to have to make big changes.
Souhan: Vikings always entertain, win or lose, so give thanks
The Vikings have been relentlessly interesting ever since their first game, and there is more value in that than in merely winning one Super Bowl.
Souhan: 'Hail Rudy' became rallying cry as Vikings offense got rolling
When you're in an end zone surrounded by superior athletes, likability won't do you much good. Being 6-6 and a former prep basketball star will.
Souhan: DeFilippo-Stefanski move by Vikings looks like right call, now
When Vikings coach Mike Zimmer fired offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, the move may have felt like scapegoating. It may even have felt personal. That doesn't mean it won't work.
Souhan: Established bat that would take pressure off Twins teammates? That's Nelson Cruz
The veteran slugger appears to be a good fit in the Twins lineup, and Derek Falvey appeared to acknowledge as much.
Souhan: Okogie is the latest Minnesota sports cult hero
For a franchise locked in a perpetual battle with inertia, rookie Josh Okogie is, to quote one of this century's greatest thinkers, manna from heaven.
Souhan: Stefanski succeeds in debut, but tougher tests are ahead
In his debut as offensive coordinator, Kevin Stefanski faced one of the NFL's worst defenses and his game plan led to the Vikings' largest point total of the season.
Souhan: Pressure is staring right back at Zimmer
Mike Zimmer has the prerogative to make controversial decisions like firing coaches and kickers, and the responsibility to do what he believes is best for his team. But is this approach what is best for his team?
Souhan: Cousins' play leads to firing; are Zimmer, Spielman next?
Kirk Cousins' performance Monday at Seattle got offensive coordinator John DeFilippo fired, a move that should be viewed as a possible preview of coming events.
Souhan: Whalen still pulling the right strings as Gophers coach
She has defied odds by immediately transferring her analytic nature to players who are only now beginning to understand the competitive drive behind the greatest basketball career in state history.
Souhan: First Butler trade burned Wolves, second one lights a fire
The Timberwolves are 9-3 since trading Jimmy Butler for Robert Covington and Dario Saric. Trading for Butler in the first place turned out to be move not worth the risk.
Souhan: Patriots show Vikings what they do to inferior opponents
On a day when the rest of the NFC North lost and the Vikings' primary rival fired its longtime head coach, they stewed in their own frustration.
Souhan: Last antics of Randy Moss forgiven, forgotten
If anyone cares to ponder the once-difficult relationship between Randy Moss and the Vikings, Sunday would be the right day to do so.
Souhan: Restless McCutcheon picked Gophers team over a dream
This summer, Hugh McCutcheon was voted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame but he skipped this month's ceremony to be with the Gophers on the road in a crucial part of the season.
Souhan: A Gophers coach deserves kudos. But it's not Fleck
New defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has saved a football program that was headed nowhere and engineered an unexpected victory in beating Wisconsin.
Souhan: These are the wins when big-game quarterbacks are made
Kirk Cousins still hasn't won a playoff game. But now beaten the Packers in a meaningful game, perhaps burying Green Bay's season and the tenure of Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Souhan: Big-money QB Cousins facing a defining stretch of games
Is Kirk Cousins the quarterback the Vikings thought they bought, or the one Washington refused to pay?
Souhan: At 2-6 in the Big Ten, Fleck and the Gophers look lost as ever
The Gophers football team has not improved in its second year under P.J. Fleck, even while playing in a mediocre league.
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.
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