Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Vikings C John Sullivan Gets Snubbed In Pro Bowl Voting

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan case as a Pro Bowl snub.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/12/26/a-case-of-a-pro-bowl-snub-minnesota-vikings-c-john-sullivan/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football Dynasty League Watch-Oakland Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor

One of my recent contributions at Rant Sports, taking a look at Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor's potential value in dynasty fantasy football leagues heading toward 2013.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/12/26/fantasy-football-dynasty-league-watch-terrelle-pryor-2/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Timberwolves Having James Anderson In For A Workout

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Wednesday morning's news that the Minnesota Timberwolves will have former San Antonio Spurs guard James Anderson in for a workout this week.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/12/26/minnesota-timberwolves-having-james-anderson-in-for-a-workout/

Sunday, December 23, 2012

"Puck This": An NHL Manifesto

With the official cancellation of games into mid-January now, the NHL has me thinking about it in ways it rarely does. Could one the four "major" sports in America lose a full season for the second time in less than a decade? Seems foolish to me.

Quite frankly, I largely grew up without an NHL team here in Minnesota. Our North Stars moved to Dallas in the early 1990's, depriving me of a local big league pro hockey team to take an interest in during my earliest years of fully understanding, paying attention to and aggressively analyzing sports in general.

But I was still able to keep tabs on the NHL at-large via ESPN's coverage, which provided games on both coasts and kept me (and I'm sure others in Minnesota) engaged in the most visible pro hockey league in the world. And of course we got the NHL back with the Minnesota Wild, who had their inaugural season in 2000-2001.

It seems to be the NHL as a whole, on both the management and players' side, has an inflated sense of where they are on the American sports' landscape. After that previous lost season, 2004-2005, the league needed to re-establish an audience beyond the "hard core" hockey fans they would not go away shy of the league being disbanded. They needed the ubiquitous presence of ESPN with the attention and coverage they provide, but instead a television contract was struck with the niche Outdoor Life Network, which later became Versus in the United States and is now known as NBC Sports Network.

NBC and NBC Sports Network are certainly solid partners for the NHL to have in their corner, but there's really no competing with the wide girth of ESPN on a national level. If ESPN forgets about your sport or is unwilling to offer much coverage across their various mediums, casual fans in the United States may well follow suit and forget as well.

I describe myself as a casual hockey fan, but that is not to say I won't watch the NHL when games are played again. The Wild made some big moves during the offseason, and I plan to be part of what will surely be record local ratings for their first game this season (assuming it happens). But I also feel like I'm not alone in having the league largely off my radar right now beyond the latest news (usually dismal) regarding the current labor situation, and that is too bad.

-BB

Rant Sports.com: 2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Alert-Pittsburgh Pirates P Jason Grilli

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jason Grilli as a potential fantasy baseball sleeper for the 2013 season.

Link:  http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/12/23/2013-fantasy-baseball-sleeper-radar-jason-grilli/

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins Trade Target-Derek Holland

One of my most recent posts at Rant Sports, looking at Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland as a trade target for the Minnesota Twins.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/12/05/mlb-rumors-minnesota-twins-trade-target-derek-holland/

Rant Sports.com: NFL Rumors-Should The Minnesota Vikings Have Interest In Michael Vick If He's Available?

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking the possibility the Minnesota Vikings would show interest in Michael Vick if he is released by the Philadelphia Eagles after the season.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/12/05/nfl-rumors-should-the-minnesota-vikings-have-interest-in-michael-vick/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins Free Agent Target-3B Jack Hannahan

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking at third baseman Jack Hannahan as a free agent target for the Minnesota Twins.

Link:  http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/12/05/mlb-rumors-minnesota-twins-free-agent-target-jack-hannahan/

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Rant Sports.com: The Hall of Fame Case For Jack Morris

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, examining Jack Morris' credentials for election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/11/30/2013-baseball-hall-of-fame-is-it-finally-time-for-jack-morris-to-get-in/

Rant Sports.com: The Minnesota Twins Trade Denard Span

Here is one of my posts from Thursday at Rant Sports, looking the Minnesota Twins trade of outfielder Denard Span to the Washington Nationals in exchange for pitcher prospect Alex Meyer.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/11/29/mlb-news-the-minnesota-twins-trade-denard-span-to-the-washington-nationals/

Rant Sports.com:Minnesota Timberwolves-Is Opportunity Knocking For Derrick Williams?

Here is my post from late last night at Rant Sports, looking at the potential for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams to get more consistent playing time going forward.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/11/29/minnesota-timberwolves-opportunity-knocking-for-derrick-williams/

Rant Sports.com: 2013 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper-Detroit Tigers RP Bruce Rondon

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Bruce Rondon as a potential fantasy baseball sleeper for 2013.

Link:  http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/11/29/fantasy-baseball-sleeper-alert-bruce-rondon/

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football-Chris Cooley Back With The Washington Redskins

My latest post at Rant Sports, looking at the potential fantasy impact, if any, that tight end Chris Cooley can have after re-signing with the Washington Redskins.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/23/fantasy-football-impact-the-washington-redskins-bring-back-chris-cooley/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football-Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

Here is the Week 8 edition of my fantasy football "Waiver Wire Pickups", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/22/fantasy-football-week-8-waiver-wire-pickups/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Vikings-Examining Christian Ponder's First 17 NFL Starts

Here is my most recent post at Rant Sports, comparing Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder's first 17 NFL starts to some other noteworthy quarterbacks.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/22/minnesota-vikings-a-look-at-christian-ponders-first-17-starts/

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Timberwolves F Kevin Love Will Not Need Surgery On Broken Hand

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, taking a closer look at Thursday's news that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love will not need surgery on his broken right hand.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/10/18/nba-news-kevin-love-will-not-require-surgery-on-broken-hand/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football: Week 7 Studs And Duds

Here is the Week 7 edition of my fantasy football "Studs And Duds", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/18/fantasy-football-week-7-studs-and-duds-2/

Rant Sports.com: NFL Rumors-Should The Minnesota Vikings Trade For Dwayne Bowe?

Here is one of my most recent contributions at Rant Sports, looking at the possibility the Minnesota Vikings could trade for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/18/nfl-rumors-should-the-minnesota-vikings-trade-for-dwayne-bowe/

Rant Sports.com: NFL Week 7 Preview-Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals

Here is one of my recent posts at Rant Sports, previewing the NFL Week 7 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/17/vikings-vs-cardinals-nfl-week-7-preview/

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Should The Minnesota Vikings Give Devin Aromashodu An Expanded Role?

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, examining the idea of the Minnesota Vikings using wide receiver Devin Aromashodu more.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/16/nfl-rumors-should-the-minnesota-vikings-give-devin-aromashodu-an-expanded-role/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football Face-Off: Brandon Weeden vs. Ryan Tannehill

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, an in-season "Fantasy Face-Off" looking at rookie quarterbacks Brandon Weeden and Ryan Tannehill.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/16/fantasy-football-face-off-brandon-weeden-vs-ryan-tannehill/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins 2012 Additions-Jason Marquis

Here is my latest Minnesota Twins-centered piece at Rant Sports, looking at another of the new players from 2012, starting pitcher Jason Marquis.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/10/16/minnesota-twins-2012-additions-jason-marquis/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football-Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

Here is the Week 7 edition of my Week 7 fantasy football "Waiver Wire Pickups", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/15/fantasy-football-week-7-waiver-wire-pickups/#slide_1

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football 2012-Week 6 "Studs And Duds"

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, the Week 6 edition of my fantasy football "Studs And Duds".

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/11/fantasy-football-week-6-studs-and-duds/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Vikings-Key Players To Watch In Week 6

Here is one of my latest offerings at Rant Sports, looking at some key players to watch for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 against the Washington Redskins.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/11/nfl-week-6-the-minnesota-vikings-to-watch-vs-washington/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Vikings-Could Jerome Simpson Miss Multiple Games?

Here is one of my recent posts at Rant Sports, looking the possibility Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson could miss multiple games with a back issue.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/10/nfl-rumors-jerome-simpson-out-for-multiple-games/

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins Trade Target-Jair Jurrjens

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens as a trade target for the Minnesota Twins.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/10/09/mlb-rumors-minnesota-twins-trade-target-jair-jurrjens/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins Trade Target-Clayton Richard

Here is my most recent post at Rant Sports, looking at San Diego Padres starting pitcher Clayton Richard as a potential trade target for the Minnesota Twins.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/10/09/mlb-rumors-minnesota-twins-trade-target-clayton-richard/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Timberwolves Player Profile-Luke Ridnour

Here is one of my recent pieces for Rant Sports, taking a look at Minnesota Timberwolves guard Luke Ridnour.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/10/09/minnesota-timberwolves-player-profile-luke-ridnour/

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Rant Sports.com: NFL Week 5 Preview: Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, previewing the Minnesota Vikings' Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/10/04/vikings-vs-titans-nfl-week-5-preview/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football-Week 5 "Studs And Duds"

Here is the Week 5 edition of my fantasy football "Studs And Duds", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/10/04/fantasy-football-week-5-studs-and-duds/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Timberwolves To Be Cautious With Brandon Roy

Here is one of my recent posts at Rant Sports, looking at the Minnesota Timberwolves plan to be cautious with newly acquired guard Brandon Roy.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/10/04/nba-rumors-minnesota-timberwolves-will-be-cautious-with-brandon-roy/

Monday, September 17, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Twins News-Matt Capps Scheduled To Face Hitters

Here is my latest post at Rant Sports, looking at Monday's news that Minnesota Twins pitcher Matt Capps will face instructional league hitters this week.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2012/09/18/minnesota-twins-news-matt-capps-to-begin-facing-hitters/

Rant Sports.com: 2012 Fantasy Football-Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

Here is the Week 3 edition of my fantasy football "Waiver Wire Pickups", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/09/17/fantasy-football-2012-week-3-waiver-wire-pickups/

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football-The Demise Of Wes Welker?

Here is one of my recent posts at Rant Sports, looking at the fantasy value of New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker as he has had a reduced role through two games.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/09/17/fantasy-football-the-demise-of-wes-welker/

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Rant Sports.com: Fantasy Football 2012-Week 2 "Studs And Duds"

Here is the Week 2 edition of my fantasy football "Studs And Duds", featured at Rant Sports.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/fantasy/2012/09/13/fantasy-football-2012-week-2-studs-and-duds/

Rant Sports.com: Minnesota Vikings-Should They Have Interest In Greg Jennings?

Here is one of my latest posts for Rant Sports, speculating that the Minnesota Vikings could have interest in Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings if he is made available ahead of October's trade deadline.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2012/09/13/nfl-rumors-could-the-minnesota-vikings-have-interest-in-greg-jennings/

Rant Sports.com: Ricky Rubio On Track To Return In December?

Here is one of my latest contributions at Rant Sports, looking at Thursday's report Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio plans to begin running next week as he continues his recovery from surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.

Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/09/14/nba-rumors-ricky-rubio-to-make-his-season-debut-in-december/

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I am a sportswriter based in Minnesota, and I contribute currently to a few sports related websites. I intend to use this blog to create visibility for my work.

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