PHERSY: Hey Feldy, I'm sure that fool Guy N. Limbeck and you will talk in depth about the Vikings, who open tonight, but I think we should throw predictions out there as part of our usual rapid-fire bit. So, give me your Purple predictions, including a record and how you think they'll do in the postseason. That's, of course, assuming you think your favorite football team will be playing in the postseason.
FELDY: Oh, they'll be in the postseason, despite what some national experts are telling us. Isn't it great how Green Bay's offense has made them the team to beat. Apparently no one sees their pass defense. But, that said, I'm afraid the Vikings will have to get in as a wild card this season. Injuries have depleted their depth and they have a tough schedule to start. So, 10-6, win a wild card game, then out. … Back to the Packers, can they really be a Super Bowl contender with that defense?
PHERSY: No. I don't buy them as a Super Bowl contender. However, I'm extremely biased, and I can admit that Aaron Rodgers, Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings all will have big seasons. Oh yeah, and Jermichael Finley, too. Did you get him on your fantasy team, Feldy? ... How about that Gophers football team?! Some will look at that and think it was a close win against a garbage team, but I said last week how highly I thought of Middle Tennessee State. Were you impressed Feldy? I still strongly dislike Adam Weber, but I think the Gophers have a better chance at a respectable record. How about you? And do the Gophers win if Dwight Dasher isn't suspended for MTSU?
FELDY: Impressed? Yaawwwwwnnnn. No, not impressed. Your favorite coach, Tim-Tim, said his club "imposed its will" against MTSU in the fourth quarter. Wow, it's pretty special to push around guys who are outweighed by 60 pounds. Maybe Tim-Tim's defense will impose its will this week against that juggernaut South Dakota team. I'll get back to you on the Gophs when the Big 10 season starts. … Phersy, Jim Thome makes $1.5 million this season. Nick Punto makes $4 million. Does that make you feel ill?
PHERSY: No, it makes me feel like the Twins may have made the best bargain pickup of the entire offseason. I love making the White Sox squirm, and I know Thome's success does just that. Yeah, it was disgusting when the Twins gave Punto that kind of money. But we could go through a laundry list of big-league players who should be making more than that guy. ... Feldy, high school football started last week. Any scores surprise you from Week 1? And give me an upset pick for this week.
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FELDY: Can't say there were any really surprising scores. Byron beat two-time HVL Gold Division champ Zumbrota-Mazeppa by three touchdowns, but the Cougars have a minimal number of starters back. As for an upset, how about Owatonna taking down Mankato West in the Big Nine? This one might blow up in my face, as West hasn't lost a conference game since 2008, but the Huskies have to be a little ticked after getting thumped by Wayzata last week. … It's hard to believe it's hockey season already, but the Rochester Ice Hawks open at home on Saturday night. Lots of new faces are on the roster this season and the MnJHL gets better every year. Will the Hawks win the league again?
PHERSY: Is this a serious question Feldy? Am I on candid camera? Of course the Ice Hawks are going to win the MJ again for the 1,593rd year in a row. And there's great news: The Ice Hawks host the national tournament this season, so they'll have the Hawks Nest behind them when they hoist their first national championship trophy. One thing to watch this year Feldy is the progress of the Ice Hawks blue line. Several people inside the organization (and a certain local sports writer) are excited about that unit, and it's extremely talented. They're young and inexperienced, but the talent is there for the Ice Hawks to have the league's top blue line by midseason.
