Posted December 19, 2008    

• Darren Sharper

• Kirby Puckett

• Marian Gaborik

• Bernard Berrian

• Matt Ryan

Sharper Wants to Play in 3 Decades 

Safety Darren Sharper, 33, is in his 12^th NFL season and wants to play three more years.  “I want to be a three decade guy,” he told Sports Headliners recently. “I think that says a lot about a guy’s career if he can play in three decades and also play considerably well in three decades.” 

There is an exception, though, to Sharper’s goal.  A starter throughout most of his career, he doesn’t want to play in the next decade as a reserve. “Nah, I never would be a backup,” he said. 

Sharper thinks his performance is effective enough now to provide confidence he can extend his career for awhile.  If not, Sharper is prepared to accept a job out of football, rather than be a reserve.  “If push comes to shove, I gotta get a job,” he said.  “I am gonna take the job.  I ain’t no fool. ...” 

Sharper wants to become an NFL or college color commentator after football.  He’s appeared locally on Fox 9 sportscasts.  He also was a TV color commentator on NFL Europe games from 2004-2007. 

The NFL career interception leader among active players with 54, Sharper has one interception this season.  That’s far off past years like the nine he had for the Vikings in 2005 or the nine with Green Bay in 2000. 

“You know what?” he asked.  “It’s kind of weird this season and how it’s been going.  The opportunities haven’t been there as they have in the past.  I think I am playing solid football. Still playing at a high level.  Our season is going well. … When you’re in your 12^th year and you can still play on playoff teams that’s something you can be happy about because a lot of people aren’t playing, and if they are they aren’t playing on playoff teams.” 

 

 "Nah, I never would be a backup."
Darren Sharper

Darren Sharper

Worth Noting 

The Twins are likely to play exhibition baseball at the new Target Field before opening the stadium for regular season games in 2010.  Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners that specifics about first events in the stadium won’t be decided until next summer.  Amateur baseball in March or April could be part of the plan, too.  

St. Peter said the sod for the new field will be laid in August.  He said that’s earlier than need be but the Twins are working to keep everything with the new stadium on schedule or ahead. 

The annual TwinsFest will be January 23-25 in the Metrodome with attendance of 25,000 to 30,000 expected, St. Peter said.  With the Twins lease ending next year, it’s not certain where TwinsFest in 2010 and beyond will be held.  The fan festival attractions will include the baseball hall of fame plaques of former Twins Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield, according to the Twins website. 

St. Peter said Michael Cuddyer is “our regular right fielder” and he couldn’t explain why last fall the team’s website listed the former third baseman among the infielders other than to say manager Ron Gardenhire is “not our webmaster.” 

Former Twins broadcaster Ted Robinson will provide play-by-play on tomorrow’s Minnesota-Louisville basketball game from Glendale, Arizona.  The game begins at 1 p.m. Minneapolis time on Fox Sports Net. 

Gopher coach Tubby Smith has a 4-6 record against Louisville coach Rick Pitino who was his boss when both worked at Kentucky.  The Gophers, 9-0, are one of 13 undefeated college teams.  Louisville, ranked No. 9 in the country, is 7-1.  

The second cup in the State of Hockey Greats coffee mug series will be given to all fans tonight at Xcel Energy Center.  The mug features coaches Herb Brooks, Lou Nanne, Doug Woog and Jacques Lemaire.   

New York Islanders wing Richard Park returns to the Xcel Energy Center tonight for only the sixth time since 2003-04.  Park had 37 goals and 37 assists for 74 points in 216 games for the Wild from 2001-2004.  

The Wild’s Marian Gaborik was activated off injured reserve Wednesday and played his first game since October 14 at Atlanta.  He had a goal and assist in a 3-2 loss to Calgary, the Wild’s sixth straight defeat.  The Wild are 221-180-87 all-time with him in the lineup and 47-56 -13 without him. 

 

Dave St. Peter
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins

Marian Gaborik
 

Extra Innings   

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian, who joined the Vikings in the off-season as a free agent from Chicago, has become a big play producer including last Sunday against Arizona when he returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown and also had a 41-       yard touchdown reception.  The Bears had the opportunity to put the franchise tag on Berrian and keep him.  Instead the Bears are being second guessed including by chicagotribune.com writer David Haugh who wrote the following earlier this week: 

“Of all the regrets that eventually could define this Bears season, the biggest one popped up Sunday on your TV screen. Don't adjust your set if it happens again. Bernard Berrian is right where the Vikings programmed him to be, dominating the NFC playoff picture with big plays.  The guy the Bears didn't do enough to keep around last winter won't go away now, and it will be his image more than any other that haunts the Bears this off-season if they miss the playoffs. …” 

Savvy rookie quarterback Matt Ryan of the Falcons, here to play the Vikings on Sunday at the Metrodome, TiVo-ed press conferences of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning while at Boston College to better himself for media relations, according to a story in the December 15 issue of Sports Illustrated. 

The Vikings and Arizona, with four players each, have the most starters on the first team NFC offensive and defensive Pro Bowl teams.  Chicago, competing for first place in the NFC North with the Vikings, had just one player (linebacker Lance Briggs) who made either the first or second teams.  Not only do the players enjoy a trip to Hawaii in February, those on the winning team receive $45,000 each while losers pocket $22,500, according to the NFL Players Association website.   

Vikings executive Steve LaCroix reported by e-mail that playoff ticket invoices for season ticket holders are due today and general public sales (via Ticketmaster) will start immediately “upon qualifying for the playoffs.” 

An MIAC officiating crew will work the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship gme, tomorrow at Salem, Virginia.  Mount Union will play Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Officiating will be Twin Citians Pat Whalen, Tom Tucker, Dan Pelletier, Dave Wittman, Scott Mitchell, Bill Nelson and Bill Merritt. 

St. Thomas junior center Josh Ostrue and Carleton senior safety Drew Ziller have been named to the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) Division III All-America team. Only 25 players nationwide were named to the team. The pair was also named to the D3football.com All-West Region first team last week.  D3football.com's All-American team will be announced tomorrow.

Breck wide receiver Bryce McNeal is the only Minnesota prep selected for the January 3 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.  The game will be telecast on NBC.

   

 Bernard Berrian
 

Josh Ostrue

Drew Ziller