NBA Lockout Hits Another Industry

The NBA lockout has struck again. We've all read, I've even written, about the stories of all the individuals (besides players and owners) turned upside down by the NBA lockout - arena workers, team support staff, the media...

We've forgotten the escorts. They're people too, you know.

There appears to be a 30% decline in the industry, where there are clients who charge $400-4,000 an hour depending on the... woman.

Can we all just say this lockout has gone too far?

AP, No Hurry

Running back Adrian Peterson will be walking around in a boot, and not a snow boot, through this Thursday. Coach Leslie Frazier said Peterson will try to do some work in practice on Friday to determine his playing status for Sunday's game in Atlanta.

My opinion, and likely everyone else's as well, no hurry, AP. Minnesota's record of 2-8 puts the pressure off of a quick return.

An MRI test on Monday revealed a "Grade 1-type" of sprain and "a little bit of ligament damage," according to Frazier. The injury isn't serious, but like I said, there is no hurry.

Toby Gerhart and WR Percy Harvin should take this opportunity to step up their involvement and effectiveness on the field. Harvin has already shown he can be a dangerous threat out of the backfield, but should really take this time to utilize his powerful running and deceptive moves.

Sunday's game held other disappointing news as well. Jared Allen's franchise-record streak of 11 consecutive games with a sack ended Sunday.

Pro Bowl: Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson

Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson should, without a doubt, be voted into the Pro Bowl this year.

In 2010, Allen failed to make the Pro Bowl after three consecutive appearances. He had led the team in 11 sacks that was good for 10th in the league.

Allen has received a lot of flak for his year off from the Bowl, resulting in a new vengeance in 2011. He is currently leading the league with 11.5 sacks and is on pace for a record-setting season. Allen needs 11 more sacks in nine games to tie Michael Strahan's 22.5 single-season record.

Allen also has an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Adrian Peterson has made the Pro Bowl every year since he has been in the league (since 2007). There is no reason that Peterson isn't going to continue his run of consecutive Pro Bowls.

Support the Vikings as they pursue Pro Bowl bids - vote Vikings and vote often.

"Stadium plans for NFL's Minnesota Twins hit new delay" - Reuters

Go to this link:  http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/03112011/2/stadium-plans-nfl-minnesota-twins-hit-new-delay.html  for a better view.

The Minnesota Vikings have no shot of getting a new stadium if people think we're voting on another new Twins Stadium.

Minnesota Twins Claim Pitchers off Waivers

The Minnesota Twins are attempting to fill the myriad of holes in the team this offseason, starting with pitching staff. The organization claimed left-hander Matt Maloney from the Cincinnati Reds and Jeff Gray from the Seattle Mariners, both off waivers.

Maloney is a 27-year-old that went 0-3 with a 9.16 ERA in eight appearances for the Reds last year. He spent the majority of the season in Triple A, going 7-1 with a 2.99 ERA in 14 appearances, 13 of which were starts.

Gray is a 29-year-old that went 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six appearances for the Chicago White Sox before Seattle claimed him in May. There he went 0-1 with a 4.89 ERA in 24 appearances for the Mariners.

There was a release from the Twins stating that both aren't expected to immediately contribute to the club.

This seems strange to me. The Twins drowned last year. We don't need a piece of wood to float on... we need a ship. If we don't start picking up players that can be counted on to contribute immediately, then we're already sunk for next year.

Get your act together, Twins. We need something better than what you've given us so far this offseason.