GopherNation’s thoughts Minnesota sports

We have officially reached the doldrums of college sports. That period of time between basketball ending and football actually beginning when the only thing to talk about is recruiting and months of previewing football.

We’ve been known to stray from sports over these weeks and talk about whatever we feel like. Typically I’ve covered local breweries, but we’ve…r

A couple of weeks ago I did a Friday thought dump. Just me, getting to spew my opinions and you get to react. So I’m doing another one and doing it on this Monday because there is a lot going on for Minnesota sports. And I have opinions.

NFL DRAFT

I love the NFL Draft and the Vikings are in a prime position for the first night to be really interesting. After acquiring the 23rd overall pick to go with their 11th, they have some draft capital to work with if they want to go after a player they really want. The assumption is that these picks are going to be packaged to get a quarterback, but I have concerns.

Concern #1 – we give up the farm to move up into the top 3. On the one hand, moving up into the top 3 guarantees you will get one of the consensus top-3 quarterbacks. Likely Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. Great, would be thrilled to have one of those two. But it is possible to give up too much. Too much for a guy who may be your franchise quarterback for years or may end up being a total bust. You have to take that chance, to some degree, but you cannot give up your future.

Concern #2 – we move way up to draft JJ McCarthy. Once again, it comes down to how much would it take to move up to somewhere in the 4-7 neighborhood to land McCarthy. My problem here is that in January, McCarthy was a 2nd (maybe late 1st) round pick. And now he’s a lock to be in the top 10, maybe as high as 4th. Is he really that good? Or is he a quarterback in a draft when a lot of teams need a quarterback.

Frankly, I really only want to see them trade up if you’re not giving up too much AND you’re getting one of those top 3 quarterbacks. Other than that, take a chance that McCarthy drops to 11 (which I know isn’t likely, but things are sometimes weird). And if he doesn’t, you draft one of the corners who will be available at 11. Landing Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell would help our defense out a LOT.

• Scenario 1 – we trade up to get Maye or Daniels without giving up a future #1
• Scenario 2 – we get McCarthy, who fell to us at 11
• Scenario 3 – we draft a corner at 11 and then use 23 to either trade down or draft between Nix/Penix Jr.

Those first two scenarios are less likely and I’m very much OK with getting some defensive help before getting a quarterback a little later. There is no shame in trading down and DO NOT give up the farm for a quarterback.

Yes, I know this team needs a quarterback. Especially for the future. If they do not come away with one of those top 6 quarterbacks, they will be destroyed by the fans and media. I know this. But also, if they give up multiple picks to move up and draft a guy who doesn’t work out, they will also be destroyed by fans and media for years.

If you draft McCarthy at 11 and he doesn’t work out…that happens. That would be the right decision that just didn’t work out. If you trade up to 4, 5 or 6 to draft him he doesn’t work out? You have made that decision a significantly worse one. This is about managing your risk. This ESPN mock that has us moving up to the 8th pick, trading with Atlanta and not giving up 23 is awesome. I’d take this. But moving up to 4, trading both 11 and 23 to Arizona to draft McCarthy? Hard pass.

Lastly, I think it is a really interesting decision if you had to pick between Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. I’ve been in the camp of drafting Penix since last fall. But I’m starting to think that Nix is the style of quarterback that fits what Kevin O’Connell likes to do. I tend to think you could have either of these guys at 23. Getting some defensive help and a quarterback in the first round would be a home run.

Other names I like for later picks…

• Cooper DeJean – with your later 1st round pick, you could do a lot worse!
• Kool-Aid McKinstry – we need secondary help, but I don’t think we’ll be drafting in the range he’ll be going
• Ja’Lynn Polk – Washington WR who has some size and might be a good compliment as the Vikings third receiver
• Zak Minter – Michigan IOL who may be there in the 4th round for us
• Christian Mahogany – see Minter above, but he’s from Boston College

Don’t forget to check out Daily Norseman for more Vikings and draft coverage.

TIMBERWOLVES – Canis Hoopus for more thoughts

I know that often college basketball fans are not the biggest NBA fans, considering just how different these leagues are in terms of style-of-play. But man are these Timberwolves fun to watch.

Of course they ended up with the team that might be their worst possible first-round matchup. Before Saturday’s game against Phoenix, the Wolves had been 0-3 against the Suns this season and have lost 13 of the last 15 meetings. It is a unique NBA offense that actually succeeds against the Wolves great defense.

But have no fear, Wolves fans. This is going to be a weird series for the Wolves, one where our defense may not be what carries us. But we have 2 significant advantages.

The first is our balance on offense. I have loved how this team has complimented each other ffensively all season. When Anthony Edwards struggles, Karl-Anthony Towns has a big game. When teams come out hard on KAT, they are able to find Rudy Gobert inside (usually for a dump-off or little lob). And just when you fall asleep on Mike Conley, he buries an open three because you left him on the pick-and-roll.

Statistically, our offense lags behind much of the rest of the playoff field, but it will carry this team in round 1.

Secondly, out depth is so good. When discussing the offensive balance, I didn’t even get to Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Two of those guys are coming off the bench and all are capable of having huge games on both ends of the floor.

This team is fun and every playoff game will be appointment TV for me. If the Wolves win game 2 on TUesday, they will take the series in 5. If the Suns steal game 2, it will take 6 or 7, but the Wolves will advance.

Don’t let that Minnesota fatalistic attitude creep in. Winning it all is hard and it is not like we are even close to being a championship favorite. Enjoy this post-season before we are subject to some major drama with the ownership transition.

GOPHER GOLF

Hey, congrats to Isabella McCauley for winning the Big Ten golf championship. The sophomore from Inver Grove Heights had a monster final round as she stormed back from 18th place in the final round to secure a three-way tie for the title.

MORE PORTAL DRAMA

This current system is very flawed and untenable for anybody. More thoughts on this later.

Truly just the wild wild west. This sucks.