Sid Hartman: Time will test wisdom of Rosenfels decision

In 2005, quarterback Gus Frerotte led the Dolphins to a 9-7 season, completing 52 percent of his passes for 2,996 yards and compiling a 71.9 quarterback rating.

New Vikings quarterback Sage Rosenfels was Frerotte's backup, starting one game, but throwing only 61 passes the entire season, completing 34 for 462 yards and a 81.5 rating.

On Friday, Vikings coach Brad Childress announced the release of Frerotte, who was 8-3 as a starter last year, and the signing of Rosenfels. The former Texans quarterback is expected to battle Tarvaris Jackson for the No. 1 spot.

To the casual Vikings fan, this move sounded strange. But Rosenfels had this explanation: "That was four or five years ago when Gus came in. I was sort of the third guy, and Scott Linehan was the offensive coordinator. Gus had played for Scott for a couple of years and had that advantage. Gus is a great guy, and has had a great year."

Rosenfels responded to other questions as well.

Q How do you feel about the fact that the Vikings gave up only a fourth-round draft choice for you? People might conclude you're not that good.

A "I haven't heard too many GM's [general managers] say that. I'm more concerned about what GM's, head coaches and offensive coordinators have to say around the league."

Q Did you learn a lot from Gus?

"Yes. Gus is a real tough guy. He is an extremely hard worker. As a younger quarterback, you always try to pick up things from guys who have played in the league 11, 12, 13 years. I picked up a lot of different things from Gus."

Q How did you get to Miami?

A "That was after my rookie year when I got with the Redskins. They had four quarterbacks on the Redskins roster. Two were Steve Spurrier's Florida guys [Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel] and one was first-round draft pick Patrick Ramsey. I was sort of the odd man out -- I was a young guy with a really strong arm who had to learn the game and try and figure it all out. They [Miami] really gave me an opportunity to really develop."

Q What do you know about the Vikings?

A "When you are immersed in the NFL as quarterbacks are -- and players are -- you know a lot about almost every team. The Vikings are a team I definitely know a lot about because the Vikings were in the playoffs last year. They have been a consistent winner over the last few decades. It was a team I grew up watching."

Q What is your hometown?

A Maquoketa, Iowa. It's about 6,000 people. It's a small town [south of Dubuque].

Q How was it you were a Cyclone instead of a Hawkeye?

A "The Cyclones are obviously better. We've had good conversations in the locker room about all that. I had a lot of respect for coach [Dan] McCarney, obviously."

Well, it won't take long in the season to find out if it was the right decision to take Rosenfels over Frerotte. However, one thing working in Rosenfels' favor is the fact that he turns 31 on Friday, and can move a lot better than the 37-year-old Frerotte.

There will not be any more criticism of Gov. Tim Pawlenty by Vikings owners or officials about the fact that he hasn't taken the lead in helping get a new stadium for the Vikings.

Team owner Zygi Wilf and Pawlenty had a cordial meeting the day after the governor was blasted in this newspaper.

The state's budget deficit will be a major hurdle in doing anything in the Legislature this year. But Wilf and Pawlenty plan to work together to see what can be done before the Vikings lease at the Metrodome runs out following the 2011 season.

Childress said that negotiations are ongoing with free-agent center Matt Birk, but when asked about safety Darren Sharper, he answered: "I think he's exploring some other things right now."

Gophers basketball recruit Trevor Mbakwe, who is playing for Miami Dade Community College, was named to the Florida Southern Conference player of the year.

Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough was asked if there were any negotiations on a contract with All-Star goalie Niklas Backstrom, who will be a free agent at the end of this season. "I don't like to talk about those things," said Risebrough. "He's had a great year for us. It's just trying to figure it all out. One thing about Nik, it's not a distraction for him. It's kind of refreshing to see that. It's a motivator for him and that's a good thing."

Champlin Park senior Tyler Munneke, the son of Timberwolves vice president Jeff Munneke, intends to golf for the University of South Dakota.

Former Twins second baseman Luis Rivas, who played for Pittsburgh last season, is in camp with the Chicago Cubs, and the reports out of Arizona are saying he is a contender to make the team as a backup infielder. Rivas, who came up through the minor leagues as a shortstop, has been playing some third as a fill-in for Aramis Ramirez. Rivas might face competition from former Twins teammate Corey Koskie, who signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Saturday.

Among the free agents who have yet to sign with a team are two former Twins lefthanded relievers: Dennys Reyes, who pitched for the Twins the past three seasons, and Joe Beimel, who very briefly pitched for the Twins in 2004 before finding a lot of success with the Dodgers the past three seasons. Fox Sports reported that Oakland might be in pursuit of Reyes, and also reported that Beimel's agent, Joe Sroba, said his client is not holding out for more money but is willing to wait for the right opportunity.

Trenton Hassell had been seeing only limited action for much of this season with the New Jersey Nets, but the former Timberwolves swingman started every game in February for them after having played in only seven of the Nets' 16 games in January. On Feb. 1, New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank explained his reasoning for putting Hassell in the lineup by telling the Star-Ledger of Newark: "We're going to have to find ways to get Trenton minutes. Trenton is our best defender. He knows how to play the game. He's solid."

Jeff Walz served as a Gophers women's basketball assistant for the team's successful 2001-02 season before following coach Brenda Oldfield (now Frese) to Maryland, helping the Terrapins win the 2006 national championship. Well, in 2007 Walz became the coach at Louisville, and he has turned the Cardinals into a top-10 program. No. 8 Louisville beat No. 15 Pittsburgh 75-51 at home on Saturday to improve to 26-3 and 13-2 in the Big East.

Sid Hartman can be heard weekdays on WCCO AM-830 at 6:40, 7:40 and 8:40 a.m. and on his Podcast once a week at www.startribune.com/sidcast. shartman@startribune.com