Recent content from Sid Hartman
Hartman: Wolves show ability to adjust in NBA playoffs
Saturday's Game 3 win displayed new resilience, especially by some of the team's youngest stars.
Hartman: Vikings feel confident drafting from a position of success
"The good thing is we have a pretty good football team, so we can kind of be selective on taking the best player available and not try to fill too many holes," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.
Sid's Sunday jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman broke down what newly signed wide receiver Kendall Wright brings: “Very good slot, has some quickness…
Hartman: It's do-or-die time for the Wolves
After getting blown out in Houston 102-82 on Wednesday to fall behind 0-2, the Timberwolves host their first playoff game in 5,075 days on Saturday.
Hartman: UCLA built the base for Vikings' Kendricks, Barr
Ex-Bruins coach Jim Mora sees a continuation of their college days in what Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr have done with Vikings.
Hartman: U football bolstered by numbers in Fleck's second season
Last year around the time of the spring game the Gophers roster was so depleted that they couldn't even run two teams on the field.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • With the Timberwolves set to play Houston in the franchise’s first playoff game in 14 years, it’s worth noting that the Rockets will…
Hartman: Thibodeau's vision leads Wolves to NBA playoffs
Tom Thibodeau assessed the Wolves, brought in key additions and finally ended a 14-year postseason void.
Hartman: Owner Taylor thrilled after Wolves ends playoff drought
The Wolves ended their long postseason drought, and owner Glen Taylor was happy for the loyal fans.
Hartman: Mauer's $184 million contract with Twins nearing end
Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey has said he will wait until the offseason to do any contract negotiations with Joe Mauer, who would hit free agency at age 36.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Recommended for Gophers football fans: Make plans for the spring game at noon Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. It is guaranteed to be…
Hartman: Tough offseason isn't slowing Twins' Sano
With Miguel Sano coming off surgery on his left tibia and facing an MLB investigation there was some uncertainty whether he would start the season with the big league club.
Hartman: Twins face challenges early in the season
If the Twins hope to have a better start than 2017, they will need to deal with key absences.
Hartman: Sherels' return is another good move for the Vikings
Sherels hasn't had any issues being a great returner in the NFL, and he'll have another year to prove that with the Vikings in 2018.
Hartman: Target Field experience remains a top priority for Twins
Target Field will reveal some significant changes when the home schedule begins next week.
Hartman: Big decisions face Twins in year ahead
One thing to keep watch of is how this year affects the Twins' decision-making when it comes to contracts in 2019.
Hartman: Vikings invested wisely in landing Cousins as long-term QB
For all the talk of the Vikings giving Kirk Cousins a three-year guaranteed $84 million contract, with $24 million for 2018, it's worth noting that the Vikings will be spending only $4 million more on quarterbacks in 2018 than in 2017.
Hartman: With Cousins and Richardson, Vikings learn that talent draws talent
Cousins and Richardson came to Minnesota as free agents in part because of team's success.
Hartman: Nanne says Gophers hockey job will draw top candidates
Ex-Gophers player and North Stars chief supports Don Lucia's decision to depart on his own terms.
Hartman: A salute to the Joneses, Minnesota's great basketball family
There's no doubt that there has never been a pair of brothers from Minnesota who have been as decorated as Tyus and Tre Jones.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Before signing with the Vikings, Kirk Cousins spent time in town during Super Bowl week. He visited the Gophers football team and…
Hartman: Vikings, DeFilippo saw plenty of Cousins' play up close
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Thursday talked about how John DeFilippo's experience watching Kurk Cousins from the opposite sideline helped the Vikings' decisionmaking.
Hartman: Gophers coaches draw scrutiny as contract renewals approach
Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle said that he knows there are a lot of questions surrounding the contracts of some of his coaches.
Hartman: Vikings sought out best available QB in Cousins
By pursing Kirk Cousins, the Vikings hope he'll be as healthy and productive as in the past three years.
Hartman: Family ties could help land standout Edina lineman at U
After more than 20 unofficial visits to campuses around the nation, Carroll announced this past week he had narrowed his choice to six programs, and the Gophers are one of them. The others are Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.
Hartman: Downing rises from Eden Prairie backup QB to NFL assistant
New Vikings coach Todd Downing got his start playing for Mike Grant, then worked his way up.
Hartman: Gannon weighs in on Vikings-Packers, Keenum vs. Cousins
Former NFL MVP Rich Gannon sizes up the Vikings-Packers rivalry and the debate over the Vikings' next quarterback.
Hartman: Rowson guides Twins' young hitters to success
When James Rowson joined the Twins last season, he said he immediately saw just how athletic the young hitters were.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • John Anderson, in his 37th season as the Gophers baseball coach, became the 20th coach in NCAA Division I baseball history to…
Hartman: Vikings should end chatter and sign Keenum to long-term deal
After a stellar season, Case Keenum has proven he can lead, and it would finally resolve the team's quarterback issues.
Hartman: Wolves not looking for just one player to replace Butler
Without Jimmy Butler in the lineup for the foreseeable future after knee surgery, coach Tom Thibodeau intends for the Wolves to employ a team effort to make up for his absence.
Hartman: Vikings turning attention to combine, free agents
With the NFL scouting combine starting Thursday in Indianapolis, the Vikings are well underway preparing for the 2018 season.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • With the news that Jimmy Butler has a meniscal injury instead of a ligament tear, the Timberwolves at least avoided the huge…
Hartman: U football recruits already on campus quickly could help program
P.J. Fleck is counting on seven new players to have an immediate impact on the football program.
Hartman: DeFilippo vows to get Vikings' quarterback situation fixed
New offensive coordinator DeFilippo knows that the Vikings quarterback situation is unique, with three potential starters from last year's roster being free agents.
Hartman: NFL executive praises state's host efforts for Super Bowl
NFL COO Tod Leiweke was no stranger to Minnesota, having once served as Wild team president. He had told league officials to expect a world-class, unique event in Super Bowl LII, and he said that looking back on the experience, that was exactly what they got.
Hartman: No league showing greater value growth than NBA
The Lakers, purchased for only $15,000 back in 1947, now are worth an astounding $3.3 billion.
Hartman: Saunders' impact with Timberwolves remains clear today
From the time Flip Saunders arrived at the University of Minnesota in 1973, he showed he was a brilliant basketball mind.
Hartman: Molitor believes young Twins turned the corner
The Twins last season reached the playoffs for the first time since 2010, and manager Paul Molitor was given a three-year contract extension. "I'm really excited to see what this team can do," he said.
Jottings
JOTTINGS • Now that the dust has settled on the Vikings’ season, quarterback Case Keenum talked about some of the great memories he had…
Hartman: Dozier still hopeful for new Twins deal
Second baseman Brian Dozier has been a bargain for how he has performed during his Twins career.
Hartman: Polishing tarnished image helped Moss get to Hall of Fame
Sid Hartman writes: "In my 70-plus years of working in sports, I have never seen an athlete repair his reputation as well as Randy Moss has."
Hartman: Eagles show their effort against Vikings was no fluke
There is no doubt that the Eagles' victory over this New England franchise proves that the Vikings lost to a truly great team two weeks ago.
Hartman: Without U.S. Bank Stadium, we'd have no Vikings or Super Bowl
There was no shot of the Super Bowl returning here without Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minneapolis City Council working together to get stadium financing.
Hartman: Grant was a two-way star in his Eagles playing days
Before he was coach of the Vikings, Bud Grant played two seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hartman: Dungy cautions not to underestimate Eagles QB Foles
Tony Dungy has been watching Eagles quarterback Nick Foles since he was in college at Oregon. "I think they're going to give New England all they can handle," Dungy said of the Eagles.
Hartman: NFL remains strong with Goodell leading the way
When Roger Goodell took over for Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner in 2006, Forbes valued only five NFL teams at above $1 billion. Today they all are, with the Vikings having more than tripled in value
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Cole Kramer, the outstanding quarterback who led Eden Prairie to the Class 6A state championship last year, has accepted a scholarship offer…
Hartman: Keenum played his way into Vikings' quarterback mix
Case Keenum's impressive season means he will be strongly considered as the Vikings starter in 2018, but will it also tempt other teams to make offers?
Hartman: Eagles will be Vikings' toughest test of season
The Eagles are 8-1 at home, with their lone loss coming in Week 17, when they rested several starters and fell 6-0 to the Cowboys.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings defensive end Brian Robison on the opportunity in front of the team today: “I have been in this league for 11…
Hartman: Joseph's vision for success with Vikings becomes reality
Linval Joseph foresaw great things ahead when he signed with the Vikings as a free agent.
Hartman: Want to compare Sunday's QBs? Ask Shurmur
Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has coached Case Keenum and Nick Foles, who meet in Sunday's NFC title game.
Hartman: Jaw-dropping finish gets Vikings step closer to Super Bowl
The Vikings often practice "Seven Heaven," the final play that rescued their playoff dreams vs. Saints.
Hartman: Vikings, Saints have come a long way since season opener
While the Vikings' 29-19 home victory in the season opener was emphatic, the teams are completely different at this point in the season.
Jottings
JOTTINGS • It can’t be emphasized enough that Mike Zimmer wants fans to make some noise for the Vikings’ divisional playoff game. He is asking…
Hartman: Vikings linebacker Kendricks ready for Saints' attack
The Vikings' top tackler says their diverse offense poses problems, but he's excited to take them on.
Hartman: Vikings' acquisition of Reiff proves valuable
The Vikings needed a left tackle, and signing the durable Riley Reiff has helped keep the QBs upright.
Hartman: Keenum grew into starter's role as Vikings QB
Case Keenum didn't have the best start to what would become a record-setting year for the Vikings.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Among the many benefits to the Vikings getting a first-round bye is that it gives a chance for Kyle Rudolph to get fully…
Hartman: Tight end Morgan stands out from Vikings' 2016 draft class
David Morgan, a sixth-round selection, has versatility that's been much appreciated after injuries to Kyle Rudolph and Kevin McDermott
Hartman: Murray makes his mark after slow start for Vikings
Former Raiders running back Latavius Murray took a while to heal from ankle surgery, but he's been effective of late.
Hartman: Zimmer makes it clear: 'I like this team'
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has plenty to be proud of as the Vikings enjoy a bye week to open the playoffs.
Hartman: Vikings' success will bring Super Bowl complications
As the likelihood of a deep Vikings playoff run gets more likely each week, the planning for the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium takes on new intrigue for the team's front office.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • ESPN ran its first 2018 NFL mock draft and had the Vikings selecting Martinas Rankin, a tackle out of Mississippi State, with the…
Hartman: Twins' Dozier enjoys not being part of trade talks this offseason
Rumors swirled around Twins star Brian Dozier last year. He stayed put and helped team's huge turnaround.
Hartman: Former Vikings LB Greenway misses team, but not game
The fourth-leading tackler in franchise history has kept busy in retirement with family, his foundation and host work for Super Bowl LII.
Hartman: NFL isn't dwelling on Super Bowl winter weather issues
Historically the average high in Minneapolis on Feb. 4 is 25 degrees, while the average low is 8 degrees. But Super Bowl planners have bigger issues facing them than the weather.
Hartman: Vikings' Diggs quietly having one of his best seasons
With all the buzz around Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen's breakout season, it's easy to forget that Stefon Diggs continues to perform like an All-Pro.
Hartman: P.J. Fleck expects football recruiting success to keep building for Gophers
The football coach wants Wednesday's highly-rated signing class to become the rule, not the exception.
Hartman: Vikings' performance vs. Bengals was nearly flawless
The Vikings took advantage of a subpar opponent in Cincinnati
and rolled to a victory that gave them a division title.
Hartman: Vikings linebacker Lamur is still served well by time with Bengals
Vikings linebacker Emmanuel Lamur spent four seasons in Cincinnati, the first two under Mike Zimmer, who was defensive coordinator then. The Bengals made the playoffs both of those seasons.
Hartman: Key for Vikings? Clean up the little things
Everson Griffen knows the defense is going to have to not repeat the mistakes made against the Panthers in the final three games of the regular season.
Hartman: Vikings must strive for better pass protection for Keenum
Case Keenum has compiled lofty statistics this season, but six sacks vs. the Panthers were way too many.
Hartman: Zimmer's four-year record ranks among Vikings' best
If Mike Zimmer can go 3-1 the rest of the way, he will pass Jerry Burns by a half-game to have the second-best four-year start to his coaching career in Vikings history.
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