I know I haven't even touched any of this stuff yet, but there has been a lot of action in Minnesota sports in the last month. I'm going to do a little run-down of random thoughts, of course, in no particular order.

*** Flip Flopped. I nearly broke down like a cheap suit when I heard that Flip(nosis) Saunders was fired from his position as head coach of the Timberwolves. Kevin McHale, a long-time Saunders friend and boss, replaced Flip with himself as head coach. Weird situation all over. I loved Flip. His great suit followed by the Men's Wearhouse suit. His weird neck tick. His thinning hair and alcoholic's nose. He dragged this team out of the ashes and turned them into an annual contender. He did a great job. I'll miss him.

Certainly, the Wolves were the biggest disappointment perhaps in all of professional sports this year, coming off a No. 1 seed last year in the Western Conference and an appearance in the conference finals. Expectations were high, as the Wolves returned their top 9 players, and replaced an overmatched Gary Trent with a younger, better shooting, more athletic Eddie Griffin. In addition to the Wolves returning the team that earned the No. 1 seed last year, Shaquille O'Neal left last year's nemesis, the LA Lakers, and the conference to play for the Miami Heat. All signs pointed to the Wolves making it to the NBA Finals.

Instead, here they sit, one game under .500 after losing to the Clip Show last night. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. With Kevin McHale as coach (which appears to be only a short-term fix), the Wolves are showing more energy on the court, but I think this season is in disrepair at this point. Throw in the towels... Ding Dong the Wolves are dead. Good thing I don't have to watch them every night being in Chicago.

*** Randy Moss --- Good riddance. The Vikings got NOTHING for Randy Moss, debatably the best receiver in the league. Being flipped for a 1st round draft pick and an inexperienced linebacker (Napolean Harris), it's not hard to see how the league feels about Moss's questionable character. I'm disappointed to see him go, as he was the most exciting player to watch on the team, and he could change games by himself. However, I think the Vikings will be a better team for letting him go. Good Riddance, Randy Moss.

*** Reggie Fowler buys Vikings. He's a little shady. I wish he'd clean things up, tell the truth and get the skeletons out of the closet. I think the NFL needs more black owners (read = at least ONE black owner), and I hope Fowler rises to the occasion. But, with all of the inconsistencies in his early dealings, I'm not sure he'll pass the stringent NFL owner-approval proceedings.

Though I'd like to see Fowler, I'd actually prefer Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. Taylor lives in Mankato, he has a committment to Minnesota (he wouldn't move the team), and most importantly, he has relationships with the legislature to possilby get a new stadium for the team.

*** No NHL. Who cares (aside from a lot of people in Minnesota and Canada... and I suppose Detroit and parts of the Northeast.)

*** Minnesota Gopher basketball. I'm running out of time and space, but this is exciting. A bunch of walk-ons, short guys and overachievers are making a run at the NCAA tournament. They would be a sure-bet at this point, if only they had beaten Northwestern at home (a game they should have won). But these Gophers still have a legitimate chance to make the "dance" if they win one of their next two games, which are both winnable.

Their next game is this Saturday, on the road at Purdue. Purdue sucks, but it's the immortal Gene Keady's last home game coaching the Boilermakers. I doubt Minnesota will win. Final game is at Penn State, the worst team in the Big Ten. Should be a sure thing. It's been a surprise and a pleasure to watch this group win... Feel good story of the year in the TCs.

*** Pitchers and catchers reported on Sunday, and position player workouts start on Saturday. I smell hot dogs, spilled beer and fresh-cut grass (or the plastic smell of turf). I can't wait for baseball to start. It's my lifeblood. Opening Day is only 38 days away. Bring it. Minnesota Twins, your 2005 Central Division Champs...

*** I'm poised to join a new softball team this spring with my friend Kelvin at Northwestern. Apparently he's assembled a bang-up bunch that annually competes for the campus title. I'm a seasoned vet. Let's get it on.

Happy Friday, folks.