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Gophers have Big Ten West opportunity; Dick Bremer's retirement; Biggest for Vikings: information Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand assesses the Vikings' new quarterback room in the wake of Kirk Cousins' season-ending injury and sees the opportunity in it. They have a nine-game sample to gain as much information as possible about what life is like without Cousins, which should inform how they proceed in 2024 and beyond.

10:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand for a look at the Gophers football team and the opportunity ahead. What specific help should you be rooting for as Minnesota tries to forge a path to a Big Ten West title? Plus the latest on the Michigan controversy.

28:00: Dick Bremer's retirement from the Twins and an uncertain TV future.

Special Delivery: Trade! Breaking down the Vikings deal for QB Joshua Dobbs with La Velle E. Neal III Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

On a special Tuesday afternoon NFL trade deadline edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III to break down two interesting Vikings moves -- most notably the acquisition of quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

How soon (if at all) could Dobbs play? Neal and Rand have different opinions on that, but both are intrigued by his mobility and rushing success this season. The trade shows the Vikings are at least giving themselves options in the wake of Kirk Cousins' season-ending injury.

Plus the sixth-round pick it took to get Dobbs was immediately recouped when the Vikings traded offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland to Jacksonville.

Film review: What did we learn about Jaren Hall, and is he the answer at quarterback for Vikings? Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the latest Timberwolves loss, a 127-113 defeat at Atlanta in which the Wolves gave up a 21-point second-half lead. Is this more of the same from a year ago? And are fans correct to be blaming head coach Chris Finch already?

6:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film from Sunday's 24-10 win at Green Bay. Of urgent importance: How backup quarterback Jaren Hall looked. The fifth-round rookie came on in relief of Kirk Cousins, and with Cousins out for the year he could be starting next week. Will the Vikings look to add another QB before Tuesday's trade deadline.

27:00: Vikings poetry delves into youth sports.

40:00: It could have been a snowy World Series.

Patrick Reusse on Kirk Cousins' season-ending injury -- and possible replacements for Vikings Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles injury dominated Monday's show featuring Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand. Just when the Vikings were getting their season in order and squaring their record at 4-4 with a convincing win over a bad Packers team, they lost their durable signal caller.

What happens next? Will the Vikings try to make a trade or sign another quarterback? Will they stick with rookie Jaren Hall? What they do will tell us a lot about who they think they are this season.

Plus Reusse's thoughts on Jimmy Butler, the Gophers and more.

La Velle E. Neal III on Twins offseason, P.J. Fleck and the building up of St. Thomas Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dives into the Wild and Vikings, finding an easy answer for their woes. The Wild aren't stopping pucks? Filip Gustavsson might not think so, but it probably has a lot to do with their defensive depth taking a big hit. The Vikings aren't running the ball how they want to this season? Maybe they miss their longtime 1,000-yard rusher, Dalvin Cook.

9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand to talk about the World Series between the surprising Diamondbacks and Rangers -- and what it can tell us about the Twins' path forward. They also get into Gophers football, while Neal shares insights on St. Thomas.

29:00: The Michigan sign stealing scandal has reached the Gophers; LeBron's minutes restriction lasted exactly one game.

Can Fleck's Gophers get on a roll? + Flawed process, different results for Vikings and Wolves Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was disappointed by the Wolves' season opener against Toronto, a 97-94 loss that featured much of the same offensive dysfunction we saw a year ago -- problems that supposedly were addressed in the offseason. It was just one game, but if it becomes a trend it will be even more of a concern.

10:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins Rand in the wake of Minnesota's 12-10 victory in Iowa City. With winnable games on the schedule, can the Gophers get on a roll and get themselves back in the Big Ten West race?

26:00: Sometimes a flawed process yields positive results. Kirk Cousins talks about how that feels.

A positive Vikings film review; Wild rewarded for patience; Is this the year for the Wolves? Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Host Michael Rand started with the Wild's 7-4 win over Edmonton on Tuesday, a testament to the faith and patience coaches showed in an underperforming top line. Instead of breaking up Ryan Hartman, Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello, coach Dean Evason evaluated their play and talked to the players. They stayed together, and Hartman's hat trick was the reward for all. It's a good lesson for many teams, including the Wolves as they start their season tonight.

10:00: The film review on the Vikings from their 22-17 win over San Francisco reveals a team that looked very strong at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Is their offensive line becoming a relative strength? Plus an exploration in the film review and in our Vikings poetry section of whether the Vikings played their best game of the year or if even better things are to come.

41:00: A very strange World Series reminds Rand of a very strange trip.

Huge win changes Vikings narrative; Wolves sign McDaniels, embark on make-or-break year Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: The narrative of the Vikings season flipped over a three-hour stretch Monday. Suddenly they have a strong offensive line? A stout defense? A clutch QB in prime time? Luck on their side? And a real chance to make the playoffs? That's what it looked like to host Michael Rand after a 22-17 win over San Francisco at U.S. Bank Stadium.

12:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joined Rand for a preview of the Wolves season, which begins Wednesday and has a real make-or-break feel to it -- especially after they signed Jaden McDaniels to a huge extension just before Monday's deadline. Can the Wolves win enough to keep their core intact, or will their play and bloated salaries force them to break things up?

32:00: The Astros lost, which is always a good thing.

Patrick Reusse with a unique view of the Gophers' win over Iowa and a bold Vikings prediction Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports and a look ahead to Monday Night Football.

They start with the Gophers' 12-10 win over Iowa, a 59-minute slog jolted to life by a controversial call overturning a punt return for a touchdown that helped Minnesota secure its first win in Iowa City since 1999. You might not be stunned to find out that Reusse wasn't all that impressed, but you'll want to hear what he says.

Plus Reusse is higher on the Vikings on Monday than most of us, but he'll have at least one eye on playoff baseball.

A defining moment for Gophers, Vikings + Remembering 'The Josh Freeman Game' 10 years later Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Introduction: Saturday marks the 10-year anniversary of Josh Freeman's one and only start for the Vikings. It came on Monday Night Football against the Giants, and it did not go well. Freeman was rushed into the lineup midseason. The Vikings' desperate search for a QB continued. And the game is still seared into host Michael Rand's memory.

10:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a breakdown of the big football games in the next couple of days. Can the Gophers and/or Vikings score season-changing victories?

32:00: The Wild lost their composure and another game; the Wolves finished a perfect preseason.

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