FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Retired Old Rat]

Good picks an analysis hazbeen.  I hope you are wrong about the 11/10 UST/Olaf game.

[DuffMan]

Browsing the Johnnie's roster for 2012, I'm feeling old.  Billy was just a little kid during my days. 

Billy Gagliardi

Year: Freshman
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minn.
High School: Tech

Personal: Born 8/11/93...son of Jim and Anne Gagliardi...undecided major...a 2012 graduate of St. Cloud Tech H.S...played for head coach Gregg Martig.

[tmerton]

So, is there any possible way to make this seriously off-topic discussion even remotely related to Minnesota with an amazingly coincidental piece of information?  Why yes there is.

Little House on the Prairie, now with serial killers.

I just had to push your karma to 1234, Oz.  Seems like a good number - like -666 seemed like a good one for TDT (we just couldn't keep him there).

[OzJohnnie]

Woohoo!  Gojohnnies.com has published their season opening article and it's a doozy.  Getting excited for for the season.

And what I like best about the article is how it frames the season:

With all due regards to Charles Dickens, it was the worst of times and the best of times for the Saint John's University football team last fall.

Will the 2012 version be the team that started the 2011 season 2-4 overall or the team that finished the campaign with four impressive wins to finish 6-4?

Let's find out.  Four days!

[Retired Old Rat]

Rumor has it tmerton and mrs. tmerton will be gracing us with their presence in Collegeville this weekend.  That Johnnie thing just sucks you in and won't let you away.   

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

apparently, the Twins placed Mauer on revocable waivers. This had Dave Lee and Mike Max in a dither this AM during drive time. Caveat on all this-- teams place nearly every player on revocable waivers this time of year as a means of gauging interest, assessing value, etc.  A few years ago, the NY media thought the world was ending as the Yankees put ARoid on revocable waivers. Last I looked he (and his syringes) still wears pinstripes.

BUT if the twins were to trade Mauer, they'd need to get at least a true #1 starting pitcher still in his prime (Jared Weaver?Cole Hamels?), another SP and 2-4 decent prospects. I dont see anything happening. (and you read it here first-- Morneau will have an MVP-caliber season in 2013, hopefully wearing a Twins uniform)

I'm planning to be in Collegeville Sat, as I have to be in Watkins that morning to honor my favorite Johnnie of all time. I've heard there's a pretty cool welcoming bunch that tailgates before most games....can anyone confirm this?

[sfury]

My friend Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote a great piece for ESPN about a semipro player who was killed on the field. At one point in the story, an old Cobber player named Ryan Wuttke makes an appearance. Long story, but worth the time.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8307997/why-men-dave-coleman-jr-willing-risk-much-play-semi-pro-football

[finsleft]

My friend Kevin Van Valkenburg wrote a great piece for ESPN about a semipro player who was killed on the field. At one point in the story, an old Cobber player named Ryan Wuttke makes an appearance. Long story, but worth the time.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8307997/why-men-dave-coleman-jr-willing-risk-much-play-semi-pro-football

Excellent, well written.

[Johnnie Red]

Miacmaniac, you would be more than welcome to make an appearance at the Stiftungsfestivities tailgate party this coming Saturday morning. We are located in the parking lot above the scoreboard end of the field. The party usually gets going by 10:00 a.m., though a number of us are there earlier. Bring a culinary delight along to share if you like. The invitation is also extended to Northwestern fans.

[hazzben]

(and you read it here first-- Morneau will have an MVP-caliber season in 2013, hopefully wearing a Twins uniform)

I hope you're right on both counts.

I love Morneau and have hated to see the way he's had to battle through some ridiculous injury struggles the last few years. A return to form would be a great story. Even better if that return to form happens for the Twinkies! After all, I'd like the $4 Morneau Tshirt/Jersey I just bought on a sale at Walmart to still be relevant down the road

[tmerton]

Rumor has it tmerton and mrs. tmerton will be gracing us with their presence in Collegeville this weekend.  That Johnnie thing just sucks you in and won't let you away.   

If you're talking about last year, "sucks" is the appropriate terminology.  And, with due deference to gojohnnies.com, I missed that part about the best of times.

[tmerton]

I've heard there's a pretty cool welcoming bunch that tailgates before most games....can anyone confirm this?

Surprisingly, you got JJR to bite on that.

[MadRedFan]

"MadRedFan" = St. John's fan (season ticket holder) living in Madison, Wisconsin.  Not a Johnnie, married to a Bennie.  Have only posted a couple times, but have been waiting for the season to chime in some more.

I've read the previews in the Times and on gojohnnies.com, and am psyched for the season and Saturday.  I know some have posted here about the D being slow recently, but I'm one who likes some size, especially on the D-line, and this year's version has some good sized boys.  Ross Carlson, Nate Blenker, Donner, Zrust.  Couple 230 pound DE's.  I'm liking it.  I'd prefer some 235-240 MLB too, but this group will be fine.

I'm optimistic about the offense.  Two solid RB's, with size.  Freetly should be tough - the Johnnies usually find a way to get a lot out of the TE.  Line is young but experienced really.

Looks like a great day Saturday for a game too.  Looking forward to it.  We'll be at the cabin for the long weekend and so can make the game.

[OzJohnnie]

+k to MadRed. I'm optimistic as well. I'm looking forward to a good hit out this weekend.

[Retired Old Rat]

MadRedFan, be sure to stop by the tailgate and introduce yourself.