Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Cure for an uncommon 'cold?' A hot game for Diggs
Stefon Diggs had more receiving yards Sunday afternoon than in any other two games this season. "I have been waiting patiently, preparing," he said.
Souhan: These next two Vikings games mean everything
If the Vikings lose their next two games, they will have to make up ground against such quarterbacks as Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. That's a bit scary, given that they've already lost a game to Chase Daniel.
Souhan: Why Twins should consider trading Rosario
Rosario is talented, entertaining, clutch ... and tradable. Will the Twins deal their cleanup hitter for pitching this winter?
Souhan: From Metrodome to Target Field, Twins' dubious record lingers
The playoff failures are a shared history now, from old Yankee Stadium to new, from Metrodome to Target Field, from Everyday Eddie Guardado to Any Pitch Will Do Eddie Rosario.
Souhan: All is well (for now) after convincing victory over Giants
The Vikings proved that they could handle drama and beat a mediocre team with a rookie quarterback. But the fate of this season rests with how they'll do when things get tougher.
Souhan: Twins' lineup of sluggers does little to rattle Yankees pitching
In two lopsided losses in the Bronx, the Twins lost by a combined score of 18-6, and in their 8-2 loss on Saturday at Yankee Stadium in Game 2, they were hardly competitive.
Souhan: Twins off their game in series opener, and pay the price
The Twins on Friday needed more innings from starter Jose Berrios and more resistance from the lineup. Instead, they produced one run after the third inning.
Souhan: Twins-Yankees a modern baseball matchup in a classic venue
Never before have two 100-victory teams met in baseball's playoffs while wielding so much power and so little pitching certainty.
Souhan: Lots of reasons why these Twins shouldn't fear the Yankees
Are we supposed to believe that the 2019 Twins have no chance to beat the 2019 Yankees because a bunch of departed players failed to beat previous Yankee teams?
'Grown up.' Sano finally becoming the player he was expected to be
Twins executives, managers, coaches and teammates had tried to lead Miguel Sano. Then a new teammate came along and Sano found the ideal leader in Nelson Cruz -- and Sano was ready to follow him.
A much different Twins team gets ready to recapture postseason magic
These powerful newbies could break Minnesota's streak of 13 playoff losses.
Souhan: Take it from the old guard and welcome Yankees in the playoffs
Current and former Twins believe there is no reason to fear their playoff matchup with the Yankees, but that belief is hardly supported by historical fact.
Souhan: Blossoming bullpen becomes Twins' weapon of secrecy
The bullpen became a Twins weapon because of the most boring and underappreciated aspect of baseball management: Patience with young talent.
Souhan: Key players turned around careers for march into postseason
Wednesday night, a handful of formerly under-or-off-the-radar Twins players produced, again, proving that the most mathematic of sports is often the least predictable.
Souhan: Forget Lombardi. Fleck needs to be next Glen Mason (or Jerry Kill)
P.J. Fleck arrived at Minnesota painting himself as the next Murray Warmath. Approaching his third Big Ten football opener, it's time for him to target a more reasonable goal.
Souhan: Cook's excellence has made him the face of the Vikings
Dalvin Cook is the Vikings' best player, athlete, stratagem and blemish-obscurer. "We're riding his coattails,'' receiver Adam Thielen said.
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Souhan: Big money, big trouble so far in Year 2 of Cousins, Gruden
Success is still very much possible for the Vikings QB and the Raiders coach, but they are battling high expectations and confidence-deflating starts.
Souhan: Maybe Baldelli isn't so different from past Twins managers
Twins first-year manager Rocco Baldelli wields attributes that previously benefited Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire and Paul Molitor.
Souhan: Champion St. Paul Saints get their minute in the sun
The social media response turned a joke about having a one-block, one-minute parade into an event, which is just how things happen in Saints World.
Souhan: Is Cousins regressing? Or did Vikings overestimate him from the beginning?
On Sunday, quarterback Kirk Cousins was in situations where he could prompt comparisons to Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Instead, he evoked memories of Christian Ponder.
Souhan: Talk of Vikings' new 'offensive identity' should be silenced
What works one week might not work the next.
Souhan: Vikings will bring Ham to counter Green Bay, cheeseheads
C.J. Ham's ability to pass block, run block, run and catch could give him rare job security for an NFL fullback, especially one who wasn't drafted out of college.
Souhan: What the hex going on with Twins' history of crushing injuries?
The Twins, who found out Tuesday they'd be without Byron Buxton the rest of the season, haven't entered the playoffs with their best players healthy since 2003.
Souhan: Cook reminds us how much he needs to remain healthy
Having Dalvin Cook available and productive is the unifying theme of the 2019 Vikings. He is the rare non-quarterback who may be his team's pivotal player.
Souhan: Pressure is on Zimmer, Spielman to make playoffs run
The Vikings should be good this year. They should make the playoffs. If they don't, ownership will have to decide whether to give Mike Zimmer and personnel boss Rick Spielman one more year.
Souhan: Vikings' kicker drama nothing new, but now is self-imposed
When it comes to Vikings and kickers, history doesn't just haunt. It nags.
Souhan: USWNT, Lynx players support the fight for excellence and better pay
Both teams know that merely winning won't mean they will suddenly begin earning what their male counterparts make, nor will silence. "We're all in this together," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said.
Souhan: Greatest of all time? Biles could be best of the best
Most debates about the greatest athlete of all time skew toward our most popular sports and most celebrated performers. But Simone Biles could be the greatest athlete ever.
Souhan: Lynx star flashes old skills for home fans, perhaps for final time
Seimone Augustus played what might have been her last game at Target Center on Sunday night. If the Lynx can't secure a home playoff game, Augustus might have said her first goodbyes.
Souhan: Why Sano is the Twins' most important player in September
Twins slugger Miguel Sano has refined his mechanics so he can crush fastballs, and his batting eye so he can lay off tough pitches.
Souhan: Sky coach learned from Lynx's Reeve. 'I stole everything'
In his first year as a head coach, James Wade is taking the Chicago Sky to its first playoff berth since 2016. His philosophy: Why reinvent the wheel when you can borrow one?
Souhan: Twins worrisome rotation on full display against Tigers
While pitching well enough to Detroit, Martin Perez continued a trend for the twins that is part good, part lousy and part worrisome:
Souhan: Yeah, Cook is ready for the Vikings' regular season to begin
Running back Dalvin Cook provided the highlight of the Saturday's preseason game with an 85-yard TD run.
Souhan: Here's why Bill Guerin now has the easiest job in sports
If the Wild struggles struggles this season, fired Wild general manager Paul Fenton will be blamed, and rightly so. If the Wild surprises this year, the new general manager's leadership will be lauded.
Souhan: Juiced baseballs or not, Twins deserve their accolades
If you're the kind of baseball traditionalist who believes the old days were better, this might be a good time to adopt modernity. This Twins season has been fascinating.
Souhan: Zimmer praises Vikings offense after win — hey, it's a start
Let's search for hints, clues and annoyances from the Vikings' exhibition (the NFL hates that word) game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
North Score: Why don't we try writing down the 'unwritten rules'?
Are these unspoken agreements useful or would we be better off in general without them?
Souhan: Vikings run themselves in circles trying to find dependable kicker
They have used up another fifth-round draft pick to land a guy who might or might not be the solution.
Souhan: To coach Caruso and the Tommies: Consider vengeance
The MIAC will be an easier place to win games and a lesser place to be an athlete once St. Thomas is gone. The Tommies shouldn't go out quietly
Souhan: Twins fans worry themselves into the ground
You have questions about the Twins after the trade deadline? Jim Souhan has answers.
Souhan: 'Midwest's Mariano.' Nathan getting last word by joining Twins' Hall of Fame
Joe Nathan mastered that as the best closer in Twins history, and he said he will try to employ that skill Saturday when the team inducts him into its Hall of Fame.
Souhan: Owner Leipold's decision making now Wild's biggest problem
You can blame fired Wild GM Paul Fenton for a rare blend of incompetence and arrogance, but only after you blame the guy who knew him -- and hired him anyway.
Souhan: Vikings' optimism reigns as camp begins. But so what?
What will matter for the 2019 Vikings is not what they say this summer, but what they show after a potential rough start or key injury this fall.
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Souhan: Twins' bullpen has its moments, but criticism is misplaced
Can the Twins win big this year without making a trade to bolster their bullpen? The tested nerves of a Minnesota sports fan say no. History says yes.
Souhan: Love baseball? You have to love what Adrianza's done for Twins
Claimed off waivers in February 2017, Ehire Adrianza joined the Twins as a stereotypical light-hitting utility infielder. But his game has grown substantially.
Souhan: As Twins know, the best trades are those a team never regrets
The Twins don't need to make a statement. They need to avoid regret.
Souhan: After 31 years, Munneke keeps doing his best to sell underwhelming Wolves
As the vice president of fan experience, Jeff Munneke might have the toughest job in local sports, and he is one of the longest-tenured of Minnesota sports executives.
Souhan: There's a place in Twins lineup for Arraez
In eight pitches in Tuesday's game, Louis Arraez demonstrated how he has risen so quickly with the Twins and, perhaps, so permanently.
Souhan: What rebuilding? Sims leads overhauled Lynx into contention
If you haven't noticed, the Lynx are 10-7 without four star players who were with them last season: Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson and Seimone Augustus.
Souhan: Is James title-fight material? He says yes
Jamal James, a welterweight from Minneapolis, on Saturday headlined another nationally televised card at the Armory. He defeated Antonio DeMarco in a unanimous decision.
Souhan: Cruz's contributions to Twins go well beyond his statistics
The Twins should return to the playoffs this season. If they do, Nelson Cruz and the people who signed him should receive a large percentage of the credit.
Souhan: Minneapolis boxer hopes he's on verge of career-defining fight
Jamal James, 30, is closing in on a title fight that could change his life. But because this is boxing, there are no guarantees this will actually happen.
Souhan: Top two finishers give 3M Open instant credibility
Little more than an hour before Matthew Wolff rolled in his winning eagle, there were six players tied for the 3M Open lead and 14 players within two shots of it.
Souhan: 3M Open co-leaders got to top with different swings
To paraphrase golfers everywhere and Duke Ellington once upon a time: It's not how, it's how many; and you ain't got a thing if you ain't got your own swing.
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Souhan: Lehman goes low on TPC Twin Cities course he redesigned
Thursday, in the first round, he shot a 67, leaving him tied for 18th. If he keeps playing like this, he'll face insider trading charges.
Souhan: Nice-guy Day seeking nicer results on PGA Tour
Jason Day hasn't won the PGA Tour in more than a year, and he missed the cut twice in majors in 2018. But, "my game is kind of starting to take a turn," he said on Wednesday."
Souhan: Reed's Ryder Cup pluck endeared him to Minnesota fans
At Hazeltine in 2016, Patrick Reed became Captain America, a player who elevated his game when playing for country and with countrymen.
Cavner's team for 3M Open following Palmer's example
3M Open boss Hollis Cavner follows Arnold Palmer's model of kindness, with a penchant for relentless networking and old-fashioned hospitality.
Souhan: Longtime Minnesota pro sees state PGA stop become reality
Decades before the 3M Championship became the 3M Open, a local golfer stopped by 3M headquarters to pitch a local tournament. That golfer, Joel Goldstrand, deserves to be remembered, as well.
Souhan: Loons beat up on a club that's far from MLS-ready
The Loons put eight shots on goal against a clearly overmatched Cincinnati side on Saturday. Seven went in.
Souhan: Fix Sano's swing, and he's back to being fearsome
Miguel Sano, 0-for-7 on Thursday, is desperately in need of a reset. But this is no time to give up on him. His primary problem is mechanical, and mechanics can be fixed.
Souhan: A few losses doesn't mean Twins are anywhere near a slump
Their performance over the past two weeks doesn't qualify as a toe stub, much less a headlong tumble down the stairs.
Souhan: For Mauer, contract became an unjust burden
His inability to produce at a $184 million level in his later seasons drew much criticism from fans.
Souhan: Love for 'special guy' Big Papi transcends borders
Former Twins player David Ortiz went on to enormous success with the Red Sox. Sunday night in Santo Domingo he was shot in the back and remembering happier times is not difficult for current players.
Souhan: Why did a Hall of Fame prep basketball coach walk away from her sport?
That Faith Johnson Patterson isn't coaching is an indictment of high school sports and society. "I think things have changed drastically in terms of parent involvement," she said.
Souhan: Want to support Whalen? Buy a ticket to women's sports
In the Twin Cities sports market, the average male fan spends more time complaining about his favorite team than recognizing Minnesota as a bastion of women's sports success.
Souhan: Twins' early success proves you can't please every fan
The Twins' success this season is not pleasing everyone in the fan base - nor will it.
Souhan: Warren a good choice to take on hypocrisy of college sports
Kevin Warren accomplished all that he could with the Vikings as their chief operating officer. Now he's off the lead the Big Ten, which should not be his destination job.
Souhan: Heath criticizes defense when offense was problem in loss
The crowd was loud, the sun was shining and the play was intense, and all that wound up mattering was that Minnesota United didn't take advantage of scoring chances.
Souhan: It's like 2006 all over again with these Twins
For the last 104 games of the season, the 2006 Twins played better than any Twins team since the 1991 World Series champion, and the 2019 Twins are playing just as well.
Souhan: Twins to look at need for even more protection from foul balls
Twins officials said that Target Field uses more netting than is required by Major League Baseball, and that they will reevaluate the need for more fan protection.
Souhan: Cancer survivor Smeltzer calm but says 'it's hard to keep it together'
Rookie pitcher Devin Smeltzer looked composed right up until he met his wife, Brianne, outside the Twins clubhouse after the game. That's when the tears started.
Souhan: Hitting coach Rowson is man behind Twins' offensive surge
James Rowson and assistant hitting coach Rudy Hernandez are at the heart, or at least the calluses, of the Twins' transformation into a feared slugging lineup.
Souhan: Lynx draft picks stand out in debut for team in transition
First-round draft pick Napheesa Collier logged big minutes Saturday in the Lynx season opener, and connected well with fellow rookie Jessica Shepard.
Souhan: Mauer is Twins' 2019 MVP - Most Valuable Pensioner
Joe Mauer's retirement - and money off the books - is not the only key development in the Twins' emergence as one of baseball's best teams, but it might be the most important.
