Recent content from Jim Souhan
Souhan: Rodgers has it good in Green Bay; he should stay
The Packers play in the NFC North, one of the two worst divisions in football.
Souhan: Brady's success diminishes Belichick's 'greatest coach' title
Without Tom Brady as his quarterback, playoff success has been hard for Patriots coach Bill Belichick to find, including getting routed by Buffalo this weekend.
Souhan: Optimism overblown? Big Ten deals U hard dose of reality
For all of the nonconference promise and that notable victory at Michigan, the Gophers have become who we thought they were — likable, limited and 1-5 in the Big Ten.
Souhan: Wolves have the players — finally — but on-court presence, maturity still lacking
If this team can grow up, quickly, it could join the (short) list of most-likable squads in franchise history.
Souhan: 7 deadly sins? No, but Vikings must avoid these coaching-search myths
Here are seven examples of popular notions that could cost the Vikings a great coach — the next Mike Tomlin, perhaps — and why they're wrong.
Souhan: Vikings must look hard at undervalued market of Black leaders
Some of the many Black men in the NFL waiting for an opportunity deserve a long look at the team's GM and head coach openings.
Souhan: Now the awkward conversations begin for Vikings, Zimmer
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer didn't want to talk about his future after Sunday's 31-17 victory over the Bears. "Not my choice. Not my decision," he said.
One last question for the Vikings: Will they play hard?
The franchise has a lot of problems, but player effort and coaching intensity have not been among them.
Souhan: Big changes could make the Vikings more like Packers — or Bears
The Vikings' division rivals offer them glimpses of what they could become ... one way or another.
Souhan: Patrick Beverley trade was a steal for Wolves
The veteran guard is who Jimmy Butler was supposed to be: a leader who makes other players around him better.
Souhan: It's time for Wilfs to move on from Cousins, Zimmer, Spielman
Don't be afraid of a Vikings rebuild, even if it involves the quarterback, coach and general manager. Turnarounds can happen quickly in the NFL.
Souhan: Awful loss final proof Spielman-Zimmer era must end
They couldn't cover the mess after the QB they banked on became a careless COVID casualty with the team's fate on the line.
Souhan: Rodgers, Packers could get last laugh on current era of Vikings football
Barring a big upset by the Vikings on Sunday night, this could be the last chapter in an epic Aaron Rodgers-Mike Zimmer rivalry.
Souhan: For all the difficulty he's caused, for all he'll yet cause, dump Cousins
The Vikings and their owners need to separate from a quarterback who accumulates statistics more than victories and whose cost runs counter to his success rate.
Souhan: Football genius John Madden sure did make Austin proud
Hall of Famer stayed connected to relatives in his birthplace, including a memorable visit in 1999.
Souhan: Gophers bowl could be first step toward bigger things in 2022
Coach P.J. Fleck has some firepower returning for next season, including the coordinator who had the offense humming in 2019.
Souhan: Jefferson sets record, then sets off quiet storm about Vikings offense
The Vikings' immediate concern is their playoff position, but their bigger concern is Justin Jefferson questioning his coaches, his quarterback and the team's intensity.
Souhan: Vikings refuse to take advantage of what Rams, Stafford offered them
Losing to the Rams shouldn't be considered an embarrassment. The way the Vikings played, it was.
Souhan: Will Vikings or Rams have the more disruptive pass rush today?
So will Aaron Donald ruin the Vikings' offensive game plan? Or will someone like Michael Pierce of D.J. Wonnum wreck the Rams'?
Souhan: Desperate and shorthanded, Vikings can blame betrayals by unvaccinated players
Dalvin Cook's foolish decision is hurting the team now, Harrison Smith's did that earlier, and Kirk Cousins can thank his good luck he's not in that position.
Souhan: Gifts Minnesota sports fans and athletes could use right now
More health, more support and, sure, more wins — it's a long list, but you dedicated Minnesota sports fans have been good this year. Happy Holidays to all of you.
Souhan: Why do Zimmer and Cousins sink when Vikings most need them to sail?
The Vikings coach loses more often in December, the quarterback makes more mistakes in December — and together they might have only one more chance to fix this.
Souhan: Vikings' embarrassing win over Bears was 'must-unsee TV'
The Vikings played a dilapidated version of a terrible team on Monday night and, as the saying goes, did what they needed to do. When they didn't, the Bears did it for them.
Souhan: Judging franchises, Vikings have present but Bears have future
Reduce the competition to one game, one night, and the Vikings are clear favorites over the Bears. But looking into the future tells a different story despite the Bears' disarray.
Souhan: As COVID issues rise, sports leagues should require all employees get vaccine
What do we admire in athletes? Leadership and mental toughness. This is an ideal time for leagues and athletes to demonstrate both.
Souhan: With early results in, let's declare Johnson a winning U hire
Ben Johnson getting the Minnesota men's basketball coaching job last spring made all kinds of sense. Ten games in, Johnson's team is 9-1 and proving believers correct.
Souhan: Kaat's baseball life taking him to Cooperstown as time moves backwards
It took longer than many people would have liked, but former Twins pitcher Jim Kaat finally received the phone call that he thought might never come.
Souhan: Lynx's Cheryl Reeve receives the ultimate compliment
Selection as next coach of Team USA puts her in rarefied air.
Souhan: Kirk Cousins, the Vikings' 'Captain Quirk,' confounds with up-and-down play
Kirk Cousins is a talented passer who all too often turns into a short-circuiting robot.
Souhan: A hollow Vikings win only highlights what the team is missing
In emotional terms, the Vikings left little doubt they are missing something vital, something usually described in cliched terms. Heart. Guts. Leadership. Killer instinct. Football smarts.
Souhan: $100 million deal is a win for both Buxton and the Twins
The seven-year contract makes all kinds of sense for both sides. Next up: Find a few pitchers so the Twins can be competitive in 2022.
Souhan: Cousins fails to meet moment against 49ers; Vikings really need him now
Quarterback Kirk Cousins no longer has the comfort of relying on a good defense or a great running back. Now it's time to earn his big salary.
Levi's Stadium has not been a good fit for the Vikings
If the Vikings are to win today, they'll have to avoid playing the kind of game where the 49ers' physical rushing attack and pass rush dominate the game flow.
Souhan: Vikings' vaccination stats continue to hang over the team in Week 12
Dalvin Tomlinson is the latest unvaccinated starter expected to miss a game because of COVID-19.
Souhan: 'Trying to be a legend': Jefferson proves worth yet again
Justin Jefferson wore a Randy Moss T-shirt in warmups on Sunday, proof that Minnesota greats appreciate history. That's called dressing for success.
What to watch during Vikings-Packers? Aaron Rodgers' toe
A toe injury kept the Packers quarterback from practicing much this week. And he looked rusty last Sunday, following 10 days on the COVID list.
Souhan: Flawed and fantastic, Aaron Rodgers' ride into Minnesota could be his last
Unless the Packers win the Super Bowl, he likely will play for a different team next year. Green Bay would be ridding themselves of a nuisance, and one of the best QBs ever.
Souhan: Whalen, Bueckers, Reeve. Great eras will mix in Bahamas this weekend
When Lindsay Whalen's Gophers play Paige Bueckers and Connecticut on Saturday, it will be easy to both reminisce and to see the future.
Souhan: Cousins can join NFL's top QBs and still lead Vikings to playoffs
Quarterbacks are the difference-makers again this season, and Kirk Cousins showed against the Chargers that he can turn that into good news for Vikings fans.
Souhan: Vikings play most complete game just when they needed it
This is what Mike Zimmer's Vikings were built to look like: a team featuring power running, excellent receivers and defensive grit and adaptability.
Souhan: Vikings' path to victory against Chargers centers on Cook
The Chargers are terrible against the run. A big day from Dalvin Cook could control the ball, the clock and the scoreboard.
Souhan: Giving up on the Vikings? Chargers are worthy of your cheers
They have sharp uniforms, maybe the best young quarterback and an admirable coach.
Souhan: Is Gophers' future as bright as Fleck's new contract suggests?
P.J. Fleck signed a new deal just before had a chance to increase his leverage with a strong finish to the season and a possible high-profile bowl victory. That raises some questions.
Souhan: Whalen, Johnson attached, despite different Gophers timelines
The rookie men's basketball coach and the famous women's coach should come to success at different times, but one Minnesota native can pave the way for the other.
Souhan: Vikings offense, Smith deserve blame for latest loss
The offense continued a seasonlong trend of not putting the game away on a day when starting safety Harrison Smith was not available at all.
Souhan: There's a blueprint to beat Ravens for Vikings
For all of their struggles, the Vikings should be able to make big plays against the Baltimore defense.
Souhan: Vikings spend too much on players who give them too little
Their opponent Sunday, the Ravens, do the opposite. They are ruthless in some ways — and in first place.
Souhan: Rodgers' arrogance in full view while Packers' season suddenly in jeopardy
It used to be fun to think about Aaron Rodgers possibly following Brett Favre's footsteps to Minnesota after Green Bay boots him. Now: no thanks.
Souhan: Loss to Cowboys exposes Vikings' nepotism problem again
With Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator and Adam Zimmer as co-defensive coordinator, the Vikings do not have the coaching chops of a serious contender.
Souhan: Vikings' frustration evident after loss. So what's next?
The Sunday night loss is the kind of game that unravels a season, that destroys confidence, that leads to firings and organizational overhauls.
Souhan: Vikings' goal for 11 games? Be better than average
The Vikings have to prove they are capable of winning important games. And Kirk Cousins has to prove he's capable of elevating the franchise in a way that justifies his contract.
Souhan: James has a 'new temple' but same outlook ahead of boxing title defense
Jamal James has more financial stability, a world title belt, a measure of fame, and the pressure of defending his title. And his Minneapolis gym, the Circle of Discipline, is moving into a new and much-improved space.
Souhan: Seven things the WNBA can address as it rises in popularity
The league certainly needs to find its own niche when it comes to TV exposure. And it needs to answer a question posed to Cheryl Reeve by new Lynx and Wolves co-owner Marc Lore.
Souhan: Make-or-break stretch of games coming up for Vikings defense
They'll face Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson, and their offenses' array of bells and whistles.
Souhan: It's a losing play for Fleck to tout Gophers' 'culture' over talent
P.J. Fleck's postgame comments Saturday after a win over the Cornhuskers insulted Nebraska's coach and his own Gophers players, plus his recruiting.
Souhan: Still too soon to say Gophers QB Morgan has turned the corner
Tanner Morgan followed a strong first half Saturday with a confounding second half, but the Gophers' defense closed the door on Nebraska.
Souhan: Wild's Guerin doesn't care about your feelings (and that's good)
The 2021-22 Wild team will be younger than its recent predecessors and general manager Bill Guerin is betting on it being better.
Souhan: Lacking second-half scores, Vikings need to unleash stars
An offense featuring an excellent running back, two of the NFL's best receivers and one of its highest-paid quarterbacks hasn't scored a touchdown after halftime since Week 1.
Souhan: Awkward Cousins-Zimmer moment perfect snapshot of Vikings season
The Vikings had just pulled off a victory made miraculous by their own ineptitude, and now Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer were feeding raw video evidence of … something.
Souhan: If Vikings lose to Lions, light the match
Historically, Vikings teams that don't beat Detroit fail to make the playoffs. And if this team fails to make the playoffs, changes will come top to bottom.
Souhan: Phenom golfer McCauley has LPGA in mind after Gophers
Isabella McCauley became the first woman and youngest player ever to win the Minnesota Golf Champions tournament last weekend.
Jamal James will defend boxing title in Las Vegas vs. Radzhab Butaev
The Minneapolis boxer will fight an undefeated opponent from Russia the day before Halloween.
Souhan: Money for proven closer must be high on Twins priority list
A bad closer doesn't just lose games — he destroys morale. When a team works to build a lead and the closer can't do his job, over and over again, players feel helpless.
Souhan: Final score doesn't reflect how Browns dominated Vikings
This was the first time the Vikings had to face a contender that would rather run through you than throw over you, and the Vikings turned into saloon doors.
Souhan: What makes NFL football great? Let's count the ways
Most of it has to do with weekly, built-in suspense factors. How so, you ask? You just proved the point.
Souhan: Twins can't let Buxton leave and become their new-age David Ortiz
Letting Byron Buxton leave the Twins as a free agent would be a disaster. Signing him would be a signal that they are willing to take an intelligent financial risk.
Souhan: New owners have wild ideas — like turning Wolves into winners
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez offered thoughts on management philosophies and team culture, but turning the Wolves franchise around won't be easy.
Souhan: After shining on big stages, Collier disappeared in playoffs
The Lynx's loss in a single-elimination WNBA playoff game to Chicago at Target Center was directly related to Napheesa Collier's unusually lackluster performance.
Souhan: Can these Lynx win it all again? Playoffs-ready Powers might have the answer
A fifth title could come, if the Lynx can get healthy enough together in time. Aerial Powers is healed, and that's a really big deal.
Souhan: Americans have better Ryder Cup team, but Europe has better teamwork
The USA has entered virtually every Ryder Cup with a stronger lineup than Europe, in terms of world rankings and majors won. But the Europeans have an advantage that goes beyond the numbers.
Souhan: Rosas failed for Timberwolves. What should they do next?
With ownership changing, the answer to Wolves' leadership problems, at least for now, is still in the organization. But if they want a model, they don't have to look far
Souhan: Who to blame for Vikings' loss? Always follow the money
Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Kirk Cousins are making millions, they're supposed to be the key to big victories, not a temp placekicker.
Souhan: Kepler deserves some of your Twins exasperation, too
Why does Max Kepler seem to get a free pass from the summer of 2021 criticism party? He's failing too often at the plate, plain and simple.
Souhan: Leaked! Rodgers plan to ruin Pack, escape to Vikes! (Maybe)
Columnist Jim Souhan tests your appetite for dark-web satire on a moody first Monday of the NFL season.
Souhan: In losing a crucial season opener, Vikings' flaws are exposed
While there is plenty of precedent for NFL teams rallying from slow starts, the 2021 Vikings are in a dicey situation after their season-opening loss to the Bengals. Here's why.
