Recent content from Jim Souhan
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.
Souhan: 'Fix your face.' Moore hid her distress during Lynx losses
She has done nothing but win as a basketball player, so when the Lynx started the season 3-6, Maya Moore admitted being distraught. But did you see it?
Souhan: Affordable contract would keep Mauer in with Twins, fans
Joe Mauer could retire this fall, could walk away at a logical juncture of his career, but that doesn't seem to be where the story is currently heading.
Souhan: Post Wild, Wolves drafts, remember prospects are just that
The Wolves and Wild, both desperate for young talent, held picks later in the first round of their respective drafts, meaning they had no chance to acquire a sure-thing superstar. Maybe they got lucky.
Souhan: Used to cringes, Wolves induce yawns on draft night
Was it more fun when the Wolves were picking Jonny Flynn instead of Steph Curry, or Wes Johnson instead of DeMarcus Cousins? Well, no.
Souhan: Twins need a starting catcher, not a stopgap
Everywhere you looked Tuesday other than the final score, there was evidence that the Twins need help. Behind the plate would be a good place to start.
Souhan: Let's hope Minnesota PGA stop is classier than the U.S. Open
In recent years, golf is attracting fans who don't seem to care about the game as much as the opportunity to wander in a beautiful space, screaming inanities while getting drunk.
Souhan: Class A is an ideal spot for Sano to bounce back
Miguel Sano's demotion to Class A Fort Myers may be a pivotal event in his career.
Souhan: Walking with Tiger at 2008 Open was one for memory books
Columnist Jim Souhan writes: "In more than 30 years of sportswriting, walking alongside Woods that week might be my career highlight." Here's why.
Souhan: 'Wonderwall' more than a sign of a Loons victory for Heath
When Minnesota United wins a game at TCF Bank Stadium, "Wonderwall" plays. It brings a smile to Adrian Heath's face for more reason than victory.
Souhan: Vikings' Warren would be a team owner a racially challenged NFL desperately needs
The Vikings' chief operating officer would be an ideal point person for a new ownership group. He is exceptional at what he does. He is the highest-ranking black person on the business side of an NFL franchise.
Souhan: Cowardly NFL goes backward with anthem decision
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his known associates are hiding their greed and cowardice behind faux patriotism.
Souhan: Fenton seeks elusive formula of roster moves, puck luck
New Wild GM Paul Fenton is going to have to be creative and probably ruthless in remaking the roster of a team that has advanced to the conference finals just once.
Souhan: Coach Whalen reminds us she remains an outstanding player
She protected the ball, led a Lynx comeback and showed her feisty side when she drew a technical foul during a shoving match.
Souhan: Mauer's latest DL stint could be troubling
This could be a 10-day injury that fades from memory, or it could be the beginning of a poorly written ending for the grown-up kid from St. Paul.
Souhan: Unselfish Lynx stars make it easy for team to attract talent
The Lynx are the most successful WNBA franchise this decade, but in basketball, winning teams aren't always the most attractive to incoming players.
Souhan: Despite flaws, these Twins have a rare ace in the hole
The Twins face a rare dilemma in a few weeks when Ervin Santana is back healthy: Go with a six-man rotation or eject a quality arm from the rotation.
Souhan: Analytics crunch numbers but give personalities short shrift
You want to win a championship? You'd better have the right kinds and combinations of people on your team.
Souhan: Choices by Wolves, Gophers could make or break teams
Sharing some thoughts on Tom Thibodeau, Lindsay Whalen and the prospect that has shined the most among the Twins' position players.
Souhan: Twins have best starting rotation since Santana, Liriano days
The rise of Jose Berrios and Fernando Romero, combined with the acquisitions of Jake Odorizzi and Lance Lynn and a resurgence of Kyle Gibson, gives the Twins their best starting staff since 2006
Souhan: Loons showcase what can be for sport, franchise as both grow
Bill McGuire, the owner of Minnesota United, didn't become a soccer fan until about four years ago. Now he's all-in.
Souhan: Plenty of questions surrounding Twins but don't panic - yet
Some answers to the burning questions surrounding the slumping 2018 Twins.
Souhan: When Sano and Buxton sit, Twins' outlook sags
To watch the Twins play without them is to be transported back to 2011, when the franchise had to adapt to life without a healthy and helpful Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
Souhan: Wilf, Spielman stick to their guns for another NFL draft
Rick Spielman has been running the Vikings' draft since 2007, when owners put him in charge of the big event. It's been their show ever since.
Souhan: Trading Andrew Wiggins is the best bet for Timberwolves' future
The Wolves can't afford to lose Jimmy Butler to free agency unless Wiggins is going to replace him as an ace defender, Alpha personality and go-to-scorer. What are the chances of that happening?
Souhan: Wolves have big advantage over Rockets that's not being used
The Timberwolves have two post players who can score, rebound, and theoretically take advantage of the Rockets' lack of interior height.
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Souhan: Wolves learn the hard way, you do not poke 'The Beard'
In Game 4, Harden became a human torch, erasing a Timberwolves lead and any shadow of a doubt as to who will win this playoff series.
Souhan: Wolves making Rockets look like less than NBA's best team
The series is far more even than expected because the Wolves have hinted at what they could become and the Rockets haven't yet won a championship.
Souhan: Teague proves he can handle big moments
Jeff Teague on Saturday turned in his most emotional and important performance with the Wolves, thumping his chest and screaming at the crowd in the fourth quarter of a blowout win.
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