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Recent content from Sid Hartman
Hartman: Vikings' Keenum has spelled trouble for the Buccaneers
The star of the Vikings' win has come up big vs. the Buccaneers each of the past three seasons.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Vikings’ decision to sit quarterback Sam Bradford for Sunday’s game with Tampa Bay couldn’t have been an easy one. Bradford wanted…
Hartman: Gophers' Rhoda thankful he returned for fifth season
Quarterback Conor Rhoda was ready to leave the program, but P.J. Fleck's arrival and persuasion quickly changed his mind.
Hartman: McCrary comes through when Gophers need him
The Gophers football team got a big surprise performance on offense Saturday when senior Kobe McCrary had 23 carries for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Mike Zimmer has never faced the Steelers as a head coach, but he faced them twice a year when he was the…
Hartman: Vikings O-line shows promise after win over Saints
The Vikings; offensive line cleaned up many of the mistakes that dogged it during the preseason and during the 2016 campaign.
Hartman: Mike Zimmer thrilled by play of Vikings offense
The Vikings coach had nothing but praise for the unit after its eye-opening Week 1 performance.
Hartman: Zimmer has faith after Vikings' frustrating finish last season
The Vikings are coming off a 2-2 preseason, and their first test out of the gate is against a Saints team that features one of the game's top quarterbacks.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • It’s looking more likely that Twins first baseman Joe Mauer, who is having a great comeback season if there ever was one,…
Hartman: Twin Cities setting stage for Super Bowl LII in grand fashion
Come February, more than 5,000 media members will be here and the Minneapolis dateline will be in papers all over the country and the world.
Hartman: Easton's patience rewarded as starter on Vikings offensive line
Nick Easton started five games at center last season, but will move to left guard as the Vikings open the year.
Sid Hartman's Sunday jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on the improvements he has seen from defensive lineman and former Louisiana State standout Danielle Hunter: “Danielle has…
Hartman: Ex-coach Mason sees Gophers victory as a positive first step
Glen Mason, who worked Thursday's game for Big Ten Network, said the key for this year's Gophers is to be playing well when the schedule gets tough.
Hartman: Claeys wasn't being set up to succeed as Gophers coach
Even if he had been retained, Tracy Claeys had no shot at lasting beyond this season. Several things would have combined to seal his fate.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Quarterback might be a problem for the Gophers as they are planning to start both Conor Rhoda and Demry Croft, but…
Hartman: Vikings offense struggling to finish off drives
Mike Zimmer wants to see more from his starters Sunday night against San Francisco in what could be their final preseason tilt.
Hartman: Young core sparks Twins' August surge
Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco have all starred at the plate of late.
Sid's Sunday Jottings
JOTTINGS • The Gophers got great news with the recent NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) announcement for 2016. The football team tied for sixth in…
Hartman: Vikings seeking offensive line answers
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer says Friday's game in Seattle will help evaluate the line and several young players.
Hartman: Ex-Michigan star Gedeon excelling in Vikings linebacker battle
Ben Gedeon, a fourth-round pick out of Michigan, is quickly catching on at linebacker in Vikings camp and mounting a bid to make team at need position.
Hartman: Zimmer, Patterson have lengthy history as coaches, friends
Andre Patterson has been coaching with Mike Zimmer on and off for 29 years since they first coached together at Weber State in 1988, when Patterson coached the defensive line and Zimmer was defensive coordinator.
Hartman: Fleck not down on Gophers' chances, despite criticism
One of the big story lines regarding P.J. Fleck taking over as Gophers coach has been whether he is downplaying expectations after a 9-4 season under Tracy Claeys.
Hartman: Wolves owner plans to sign Wiggins, keep team
Glen Taylor made it clear he is going to sign guard/forward Andrew Wiggins in the near future to a five-year, $150 million contract -- and that he won't be traded.
Hartman: Hunter should be next up to receive payday from Vikings
If you're looking for the next Vikings defender to get a big contract, look no further than Danielle Hunter. The third-round pick was the steal of the 2015 draft, and he keeps getting better.
Hartman: Fleck brings in some top assistant coaches to Minnesota
It's hard to remember two coaches with better pedigrees joining a new staff the way that Robb Smith and Ed Warinner signed up with Fleck.
Hartman: Zimmer says improving run game a 'point of emphasis'
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer talked about some of the changes coming to the Vikings and how he plans to approach camp with a team that finished 8-8 last season.
Sid's Sunday Jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck talked about how he plans to use running backs Rodney Smith, who rushed for 1,219 yards last…
Amid trade rumors, Wolves at work on Wiggins extension
Owner Glen Taylor said discussions are in the early stages.
Hartman: Ex-Twin Hawkins was all for taking Lewis on draft day
LaTroy Hawkins did not flinch as many pushed for the Twins to select Hunter Greene with the No. 1 pick.
Hartman: Tim Brewster sings praises of Vikings' rookie Cook
Former Gophers coach Tim Brewster recruited Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook to Florida State.
Hartman: Kundla leaves a bucket-load of memories
Sid Hartman pens his tribute to the late John Kundla, who died at 101 last weekend.
Hartman: Bradford feels better prepared than last year
Bradford admitted that even though he put together good numbers, he didn't have full command of the offense for some time last season.
Hartman: Twins' 1987 success exceeded expectations of then-GM MacPhail
Andy McPhail thought the Twins might be a .500 team in 1987. That was before they won the World Series.
Hartman: Sano put himself in position to succeed with Twins
Twins third baseman and slugger Miguel Sano reached his goal of making the All-Star Game by working hard.
Hartman: Mauer having renaissance season at the plate, in the field
Halfway through his 14th major league season, Twins first baseman Joe Mauer's .286 batting average is his best since 2013, when he hit .324 and posted a .404 on-base percentage.
Sid's Sunday Jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked about the condition of the 22 players who missed spring practice because of injuries. “They’re getting…
Hartman: Wolves' offseason has been a fruitful one
After bringing in Jimmy Butler, Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson, one website ranked the Timberwolves' transactions close to the best in the NBA this summer.
Hartman: Twins' turnaround from 103-loss season rooted in defense
The Twins still have pitching and hitting questions, but the players have had success preventing runs.
Hartman: Molitor tells Twins All-Stars to enjoy the experience
Twins manager Paul Molitor was a seven-time All-Star, spread out over 15 seasons. "[T]he first time you walk into an All-Star locker room it's just something you'll never forget."
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck was asked if he has made any decisions on the two scholarships he still has open for…
Hartman: Bottom to top, Twins closer Kintzler knows baseball
Brandon Kintzler climbed through the minors and recovered from an injury to become one of AL's best closers.
Hartman: A surprise to see Wolves deal an improved Rubio
Ricky Rubio appeared to be getting better and better throughout his NBA career, including as a shooter. But Ton Thibodeau wanted to go a different direction.
Jottings
JOTTINGS • Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck reported that the team will start its training camp the first week in August. “The way we…
Hartman: Butler trade puts Wolves on fast track
The Timberwolves have acquired young talent, but getting All-Star Jimmy Butler has drawn lots of attention.
Hartman: Taylor says Butler could help lure free agents to Wolves
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor believes the team's newest star, Jimmy Butler, could attract other outstanding players.
Hartman: Derek Falvey says Twins are adapting well to change
Behind-the-scenes work is paying off, the team's baseball boss says.
Hartman: Trade for Butler signals Wolves want to win right now
It must have been hard to deal guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, but Tom Thibodeau now has a veteran leader in Jimmy Butler who can score and defend.
Hartman: Zimmer, known for coaching defense, takes on Vikings offensive issues
For the 2017 season it's clear that the Vikings are going to need much more out of their offense, which ranked 28th in the league in 2016, if they are going to compete for a Super Bowl bid in their home stadium.
Hartman: Berrios' turnaround buoys AL Central-leading Twins
After going 3-9 last year, the young pitcher is 6-1 with a 2.74 ERA since being called up in May.
Hartman: Vikings memories flow with Moss, Rashad at Winter Park
The Vikings couldn't find two better Ring of Honor inductees than Randy Moss and Ahmad Rashad.
Hartman: Prepare for 'sticker shock' on Super Bowl tickets
Vikings executive vice president of public affairs and stadium development Lester Bagley warned of "sticker shock" for the Super Bowl. "Tickets are going to be hard to come by," he said.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was asked to sum up the battle for Chad Greenway’s former weak-side linebacker position. “We’re going to…
Hartman: State's MLB draft history isn't very deep
Only a handful of players from Minnesota high schools have ever been selected in the first round.
Hartman: Wright pushes on after mostly invisible season for Vikings
Jarius Wright, the 2012 fourth-round draft choice out of Arkansas said that while last season was very difficult for him, he is always keeping a positive mind-set.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was asked if being with the team all offseason is a big advantage compared with last year,…
Hartman: Former Hill-Murray star Guentzel making Stanley Cup history
Guentzel, who grew up in Woodbury, now has 12 goals and seven assists in the playoffs, including three goals in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final.
Hartman: Twins owner Pohlad rolls with ebb, flow of season
Twins owner Jim Pohlad sees improvement from the team so far, but knows rosters made up of young players will struggle on occasion.
Hartman: Vikings need their recent draft picks to develop quickly
The Vikings like what they see from their young players, which is good considering how many veterans are free agents after the season.
Hartman: Elflein makes his mark at center, guard for Vikings
Former Ohio State assistant Ed Warinner, now with the Gophers, praises Vikings versatility of Vikings rookie Pat Elflein.
Hartman: Kepler moves about Twins' lineup and outfield, stays productive
No matter where he hits in the Twins order or plays in the outfield, Max Kepler has been productive lately.
Hartman: Vikings' Newman learns to adapt in an ever-changing NFL
Terence Newman said he relishes the chance to keep playing and being productive. He is a two-time Pro Bowl player and is also second on the active list for career interceptions with 41.
Hartman: Twins happy to still have Ervin Santana on their roster
He's struggled in his past two home starts, but the team has no regrets about not trading him.
Hartman: Vikings' new Eagan practice facility is first-class
Vikings officials call the new Eagan complex an "iconic venue" and hopes it heralds on-field success.
Hartman: Robison keeps belief in Vikings going into 11th season
Defensive lineman Brian Robison will be the longest-tenured Viking when the 2017 season starts.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Twins have the No. 1 choice in the draft this year for the first time since Joe Mauer in 2001, and…
Hartman: Gophers have great expectations for Athletes Village
Scott Ellison, Gophers associate athletic director in charge of the Athletes Village facilities project, is enthusiastically reporting the project is progressing as scheduled.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Timberwolves General Manager Scott Layden knows the team will have a very good first-round pick. He was asked how the team scouts…
Hartman: Jones says Vikings defense suits him better than Green Bay's
Datone Jones jumped the border to sign with the Vikings after the defensive lineman bonded with Minnesota coaches.
Hartman: Vikings DE Griffen always on lookout for ways to improve
Everson Griffen, an eight-year veteran, knows that in the NFL you get better or you get out.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford said this past week that he is looking forward to having a full offseason with his teammates. “Just…
Hartman: Fruechte in line for more playing time with Vikings
The former Gophers wideout has learned much on the practice squad and feels ready to help Vikings.
Hartman: Zimmer assesses what Vikings could do in draft, free agency
Even though the Vikings don't have a first-round pick Thursday night, coach Mike Zimmer expects talent to still be available.
Hartman: Vikings GM Spielman lays out plan without first-round pick
The last time the Vikings didn't make a first-round selection was in 2010, before Rick Spielman assumed his role in 2012
Hartman: Wild's daunting task vs. Blues can still be achieved
Lou Nanne says beating the Blues won't be easy after being down 3-0, but Game 4 provided hope.
Twins' Buxton on slow start: 'I just need to relax'
Byron Buxton, leading the league in strikeouts with 23 and hitting just .085 with four hits in 47 at-bats over 14 games to start this season for the Twins, has turned things around before.
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