Daily Nugs 10.21.2009

by Buck Bravo on Oct 21, 2009 1:15 AM CDT Comment 35 comments

Only three links for today, but these three are worth rigorous debate:

I fail to see the logic that losing the Vikings to California wold be good for Gopher football. Tickets may become more scarce, but the State as a whole would suffer. Apparently, a commenter at this site disagrees:

Minnesota legislators I've heard ,seem to be saying "talk to us after the recession". California's problems are worse than ours, so it's hard to imagine government help to build a stadium in LA. Maybe they can do it without public money like New York did for the Yankees.
If the Vikings leave, I'm happy to turn my football attention to the Gophers. That's what people did before the Vikings arrived, and still do in many places. The Gophers already have a nice stadium. It doesn't seem like that bad of an option to me. I could satisfy my pro football urges watching the Packers or the Bears.

Adam Rittenberg at ESPN's Big Ten Blog gives his midseason report of the Gopher football season:

It has been a bit of a mixed bag so far for Minnesota, which continues to search for consistency from its offense to complement an improved defense. There's certainly a new buzz around the program as football returned to campus and outdoors for the first time since 1981. The Gophers opened the year with hard-fought wins against Syracuse and Air Force and stayed close with Cal until the fourth quarter. Since then, there have been good performances against both Northwestern and Purdue, a missed opportunity against Wisconsin and an anemic offensive showing in a 20-0 loss at Penn State.

The internet sensitivity police have found themselves a cause with Goldy Gopher's imitation of Jerome Hayes' public display of prayer and self-righteousness. I will not offer an opinion on this debate, but with a resulting 20-0 shutout of Minnesota Hayes may be on to something:

What do you think?

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Comments

Goldy was a little dumb here and he knew it. You can see the mascot’s thinking:

(1) Here comes a Nittany Lion;
(2) He’s kneeling down, let’s copy him;
(3) Oh crap, he’s praying. Well, good for him;
(4) Maybe I’ll give him a fist bump for praying;
(5) Cheerleaders, help me out.

Moving on. Goldy should watch out this weekend – Justin and Zach Boren will probably try to run over him with their pickup truck.

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 6:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is exactly what happened. Goldy was looking away when Hayes crosses himself, because he’s looking at the crowd like “What is this guy doing.” Didn’t realize what was going on til it was too late. Then he was pot committed.

by twolf427 on Oct 21, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is the only funny thing Goldy has done ever.

by DownwithGoldy on Oct 21, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mascots are suppose to be funny, I can’t understand why Goldy’s mocking of a PS player would cause anybody’s knickers to get in a twist.

by Cugel on Oct 22, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vikings Situation

It actually peeves me to no end when Gopher fans think that it would be better if the Vikings leave.

While I can’t say I really like public funding of stadiums (Gophers included) I certainly am a big Vikings fan and it would be a sad time if they leave. On top of that, I can’t imagine that it would really benefit the Gophers in any sizable way to have them leave. They already sell out the stadium now. It actually might hurt recruiting to have no NFL team here.

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Oct 21, 2009 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like watching them, but I have no “attachment” for them like I do the Gophs, I probably wouldn’t be that crushed if they leave.

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Oct 21, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t like the stigma that would be associated with losing another professional sports team (the “Los Angeles Lakers” never makes sense to people until you explain the Lakers name).

Also, the NFL would undoubtedly award Minnesota a new franchise if expansion ever started up again, and the new Minnesota franchise would cost over a billion dollars and require a new stadium. So, it’s better to do it now – plus, now, the state could use stimulus funds and put thousands of people to work building the ballpark and surrounding infrastructure.

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that the best means of gaining public approval would be to sell the stadium to the general public as a jobs and infrastructure stimulus package. More people around here are more likely to respond positively to a “government jobs program” than to tourism and “tax base generation” pitches.

Buck Bravo

by Buck Bravo on Oct 21, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’s proof that Lester Bagley has taken an entirely wrong approach to selling a new stadium to this market. The “sky’s falling” approach doesn’t work when the team is 6-0 and a Super Bowl candidate.

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are a lot of comments

over at the daily norsemen about this topic. There was an idea floated around about getting fan contributions. Since there are a lot of fans across MN, ND, SD, Montana, Nebraska, and IA it isn’t totally off base to think that people would chip in $200 ($10 a year over 20 years) to be able to watch a midwestern team from the comfort of their own living room versus finding a new team to cheer that is farther way. If 1M people signed up…that’s 200M, and so on.

Should they get about 400M from that avenue, and the 300M plus that Wilf puts up makes the MN number more more reasonable in light of direct tax benefits that can be traced from the team’s payroll. Once you get to the jobs arguement, you are in deep %^&*. That arguement was used up during the last round of stimulus. Not sure there is enough political will to let that arguement go by. Adding a whole bunch of minimum wages jobs isn’t going to fly right now.

by TheEvilProfessor on Oct 21, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gambling

I fully support ending the indian monopoly on gaming and using proceeds toward a stadium.

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Oct 21, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just to be clear I don’t want them to leave, I just wouldn’t care that much.
Lou Nanne said about a month or so ago on KFAN that he thinks they will expand the Bank to 80 something and it would work for both teams, makes a lot of sense to me.

"they're calling insane hogs???"

by CrowTrobot on Oct 21, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The whole "if the Vikings leave, would it help the gophers" thought is indeed very entertaining...

I have thought about this a lot before, and I think it would help the gophers a lot, but overall the state economy would take a big hit. I’m pretty torn on this subject, as I became a Vikings fan way before a Gopher fan.

Since the U’s national prominence and attendance in football withered away when the Vikes came to town, there’s no reason to think the opposite wouldn’t happen if they left.

But like I said, I’m completely torn on the subject.

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 10:38 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

And poor Goldy

He got eaten by the media monster :(

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 10:55 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

I totally disagree about us gaining a nationally prominent team if the Vikes left. What would lead anyone to make that argument?

The power in football has permanently shifted toward the south along with the primary recruiting hotbeds in high school football.

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How is that not a sensible argument??

It’s a LOT more attractive for a recruit to play for a team that has the whole town supporting them instead of a team that’s on a backburner because of a pro team. Ever since the Vikings came to town a good amount of commitment has shifted from college to pro football here, and everybody knows it.

I should actually find out when the last time was or how often that a team wins a national or conference title when they have a pro football team in their city.

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 12:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Let me help you.

You don’t have that many options, because first of all, there are only 32 instances where this could be true, and major pro football teams play in major cities, not state capitals where most of the dominant universities are located (which somewhat proves your point).

For example, there are 2 teams in the Big Ten with those criteria – Minnesota and Northwestern. In the SEC, from memory, I believe there are zero. In the Big Twelve, I believe it’s also zero. In the Pac 10, again, technically, I believe only the University of Washington has that confluence (to count Stanford with the 49ers would obviously insult Palo Alto).

So you are left with really few options – Minnesota, Northwestern, Washington, Georgia Tech, Tulane, Boston College, Rice, Houston, San Diego State, tha U, Pitt, Temple, South Florida, U. of Buffalo, and, if you want to insult Berkeley, Cal, I guess.

However, the last one that fits your criteria is Miami (FL) in 2001.

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, I should be clear that pro football teams play in major cities EXCEPT for Green Bay.

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

I get more curious about this than anything. Is it not odd that our last Rose Bowl was the same year the Vikes came to town and that our last conference title was just the year before the renowned Purple People-eaters helped begin the Vikings’ string of division titles and Superbowl appearances?

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 1:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

Rutgers and Cincinnati.

You definitely have to count Berkeley—it is in the Bay Area.

Think about it—where is college football the MOST popular? The midwest and the south—the areas of the country where there aren’t big cities with (as many) NFL teams.

Being the only show in town helps popularity.

by rencito on Oct 21, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed,

you definitely need to count Stanford and Cal. Both Palo Alto and Berkley are to the 49ers and Raiders asThe Gophers are to the Vikings.

I guess if the vikings were to leave it would help the Gophers to regain center stage. I know a number of people who grew up in st. cloud and have different favorite college football teams other than the Gophers.

Also, hey Goldy misplayed that one. It looks like Goldy is looking away when Hayes crosses and kneels at first, then doesn’t figure it out right away and gets confused. It happens.

by bconway6 on Oct 22, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get the impression

that goldy was thinking it some sort of endzone celebration and originally was going to mock him…but then just got confused. Futhermore, while I don’t have a problem with players praying at a game…it should be done on the sideline and not delay the game. IMO. Then again, I am very businesslike in how I like to see the game played. i.e. no celebrations…just go about your business type.

by TheEvilProfessor on Oct 23, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but this was a pre-game ritual. There was no delay of the game.

by JIMPSU on Oct 23, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wrong

You have no clue about what a recruit looks for if you think they care about how much of the town is supporting them or not. Do they want a full stadium? I suppose but coaching, other players they connect to, chance to play, chance to win and the development toward future career goals are the things that matter.

Having just gone through the recruiting process with my son I can tell you he didn’t care one iota about whether the town was going to support his team more than the other town.

Visit my D2 Baseball Blog - Northern Sun Baseball

by FishingMN on Oct 21, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm friends with a lot of college ball players, and with most of them I can tell you right now, IT PLAYS A FACTOR.

And although I don’t agree with your opinion, Mr. Condescending, I do respect it; please don’t disrespect mine.

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 3:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I think it would make a difference

I think a lot more people would pay attention to the Gophers football if they were the only (football) show in town. Look at other towns that don’t have an NFL team (for instance, Austin, where I live) and they have very rabid fan bases. If you play for the Longhorns you are the star in town. Gophers football players are far from it. And yes, of course wins help support, but being the only show in town helps a lot too.

I think it can make a difference to recruits when they see the passion the community has for the team. In Austin, everyone wears burnt orange—and not just on game days. Austinites LOVE the Horns more than the Cowboys (Dallas isn’t all that far away). I’m not saying that it will be like flipping a switch and fans and recruits will automatically flock to the Gophers. But over time the (football) culture of the state would change and the Gophers would have a more passionate and loyal fan base.

by rencito on Oct 21, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Penn State

One of the last of the natural turf fields I believe is in the Nittany mountains. Huge crowds and Joe Paterno, I guess that is how he recruits players to the middle of nowhere. JG for governor, it seems he has all the answers. Lets beat Ohio State and make this year very special! Private ownership of the Vikes would be great!

by bobbyspringfield on Oct 21, 2009 11:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

by JG2112 on Oct 21, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Penn State correction

Sorry, I meant individual public ownership of the Vikes would be great- as in Green Bay Packers.

by bobbyspringfield on Oct 21, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't see how the Vikings leaving helps at all

People can be fans of both. The reason there is apathy surrounding the Gopher program is decades of bad to mediocre teams. Put together a decade that includes a couple Rose Bowls and top 3 or 4 finishes every year and you’ll see Gopher Nation grow.

The assumption that if the Vikings left, all Viking fans would jump on the Gopher bandwagon whole-heartedly is specious at best. People get behind winners.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Oct 21, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, GN, people can be fans of both. I'm one of them!

But I can’t spend all my extra time, money and energy on both teams, so I have to pick and choose.

So you’re saying all the Vikings season ticket- holders and game-attendees would just sit at home and watch the games on TV if they moved, and not even one of them would be remotely interested in attending a Gopher game or two? Even if just out of curiosity?

"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."

by buddylee853 on Oct 21, 2009 3:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, but I need to ask a Gopher Question?

I know this is mostly football and a little hockey but I don’t know where else to ask? Why would Brook Dieter leave the Gopher volleyball program? Anybody know or have any thoughts?

by kbrun22 on Oct 21, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

VERY interesting

she was their best player. 3rd in Big Ten for Points and Kills. There goes any thoughts of a Final Four run. Time for some unheralded freshman to step up.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Oct 21, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs