Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Bleacher Banter

Josh Berhow: The NFL has its preseason and the MLB has its Spring Training, so why not give Bleacher Banter a warmup before the school year starts? Whaaat up, Buck?

Tyler Buckentine: There's no question we need the practice. We're probably pretty rusty.

Vikings Training Camp returns to 'Kato in a few weeks and it's rumored that a certain in-and-out of retirement rival QB could grace the MSU practice fields as a Viking.

Will Brett Favre defy everything that's right in football and play for Minnesota? I think he'll stay retired anyway but I guess I should ask for your opinion.

Berhow: In my opinion, he's not coming back. But even if he did, the Packers still have his rights and would never let him come to Minnesota. But to tell you the truth-I don't even want him.

We need a quarterback who's a game manager, not someone who will sling the ball and throw two picks a game. I would rather have Tarvaris Jackson throw for or run for one touchdown a game with one turnover, than Brett Favre throw two TDs and three picks.

Buckentine: Moving on. I'm really excited to watch the Twins play in October. That's right, I said it. It's going to happen.

There's a new school of piranhas slapping singles up the middle, manufacturing runs. That's how we do it in Minny because who needs the long ball?

Casilla, Harris, Buscher and Gomez are coming out of the wood work. Mauer and Morneau are raking while Delmon Young is showing improvement. Perkins, Slowey, Baker and Blackburn are shutting everyone down. All those pieces are gonna come together and get us to the postseason. No questions.

And Josh. Did you ever think Livan would have more wins than Johan at this point of the season? The trade doesn't look all that bad anymore, does it?

Berhow: You're right, it doesn't. However, Santana isn't getting the best run support in New York, and it seems the Mets fans get mad if he doesn't strike out 10 or gives up three runs, I think they were expecting too much, even from Johan Santana. But if the Mets make the playoffs and Santana helps them cruise through it, then you'll see who got the best of the deal.

I really like Blackburn and Slowey, though. I think those two will be solid pitchers for a while, not stars like Johan, but solid 12-15-game winners.

But changing sports again, did you like the midnight trade of Mayo for Love by the Timberwolves?

Buckentine: It seemed like it was a bad idea at the time, and I don't know a whole lot about the NBA or basketball in general, but ESPN intelligence tells us Minnesota got the better end of the deal. Other sources tell me the T-Wolves are going to be better than terrible this season. I'll believe it when I see it.

At least we got a local boy - Mike Miller - out of this deal. Miller rooted for Minnesota sports teams growing up in Mitchell, S.D., so that's cute.

We also know he can shoot the three-ball as good as anyone. I'm more excited to see him play than I am Love. Because really, what's love got to do with it?

Berhow: Yeah, Miller will bring some added points to the team, but he will also bring below-average defense, something too many of our players already have. Corey Brewer is our only above-average defender.

Love and Al Jefferson will be a great offensive combination down low. Love's passing and outside shooting ability will free up even more room for Jefferson to cause havoc inside.

And Love said playing in Minnesota was his first choice, not sure if that's the truth or not, but either way it's good to hear.

And though Mayo might have been the sexy pick, I think Love is the kind of player who wins titles, even though Mayo might grab some scoring titles. We'll see in 5-10 years.

Now, remember me saying this first when it happens: The Minnesota Timberwolves will win at least nine games next season...

Buckentine: Don't use the "sexy pick" cliche. Love is more important anyway and as much as I like talking about Love with you, it'll get weird if we forget about the diversity of the word and, well, nevermind.

Why don't we close out with your thoughts on Doug Risebrough's offseason moves and the fact that Marian Gaborik almost talked Marian Hossa into coming to Minnesota.

Personally, I think if this team was going to make a run at Stanley, it was going to be one of the last two seasons.

Berhow: Unfortunately for Wild fans, Hossa went to the Wings and Rolston and Demitra are gone, too. This team might be very, very thin next season, especially at center, and if Gaborik doesn't get a deal done before the season starts, he will be shipped somewhere at the trading deadline, ugh...

Not a bad preseason finale for the good guys, but we'll do better next time at Bleacher Banter, the anti-column for Love-loving college kids, by Love-loving college kids.


Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter managing editor
Josh Berhow is the Reporter sports editor

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