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Vikings Cut Rookie Twyman; Name Phil Rauscher As New OL Coach

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

While all the highlights of pre-training camp noise has revolved around the Packers, the Vikings are not without their own stories today as well.

The team is cutting ties with rookie Jaylen Twyman before he ever steps onto the field. The former Pitt Panther was cut on Monday for a non-football injury after he was shot four times during the offseason. The defensive tackle was selected in the sixth round, 199th overall by Minnesota. According to ESPN, however, the move may just be procedural, as if he clears wavers, he reverts back to the Vikings and will be able to be retained without the team losing a roster spot.

The team also announced today that Phil Rauscher will replace Rick Dennison as the team’s offensive line coach this season. ESPN says Dennison, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, will remain with the team as a senior offensive adviser.

Christian Yelich Out for 10 Days Due To COVID

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich has been placed on the 10-day IL after contracting COVID-19.

Yelich was vaccinated with the team at the start of the season, and reported “mild symptoms” to the team yesterday. In addition, Jace Peterson will be out for a minimum of seven days as a close contact.

GM David Stearns says Lorenzo Cain will be activated from the IL to cover one of the two roster spots, and Pablo Reyes will be recalled from Triple-A Nashville. Stearns also reaffirmed tonight’s game against Pittsburgh will go on as scheduled; MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says the team delayed travel to Pittsburgh by a day to undergo testing and contact tracing.

We will update this story with more details as they become available.

Badger MBB To Play In Maui Jim Maui Invitational Vs Texas A&M

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

Traditionally, the Wisconsin men’s basketball team has started their year with some fun in the sun at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and that will be the case again this year.

Wisconsin will be a part of the eight team field participating in the annual early season nonconference showcase. Joining the Badgers will be Butler, Chaminade, Houston, Notre Dame, Oregon, Saint Mary’s, and Texas A&M. The Aggies will be the Badgers first opponent on November 22nd; it’ll be the first time the two have met since 1984, a 71-69 Wisconsin win in Madison.

After that, Wisconsin will face either Butler or Houston on the 23rd.

Aaron Rodgers Arrives In Green Bay

By Adam Roberts – 7/27/2021

For those who don’t know me too well, I’ve often thought I have some sort of weird gift/curse. Whenever I leave on any kind of vacation, something big tends to happen while I’m away.

Back in 2008, I went up to my family’s cabin up north for a weekend; while I was gone, a tremendous storm flooded my hometown of Fond du Lac and dealt with a historic amount of damage. A tornado also passed closely by Fondy while I was away camping with my grandparents even before that.

And yesterday as I returned from a remote backpacking trip, while not as severe as damaging weather, Aaron Rodgers officially returned to Green Bay as training camp begins and a highly dysfunctional offseason ends.

As for the all-important fine print, the Packers and Rodgers are finalizing a deal before the start of training camp today. Rodgers is expected to play with Green Bray through 2021 while they are working towards the final stages of a reworked contract. His original contract had him with Green Bay until after the 2023 season, but under the reported concessions the team is offering to Aaron, that year would be voided in addition to making 2022 a year where Rodgers will have more control over his future.

Despite Rodgers’ arrival early this morning, the media circus is just getting started. Expect reporters to pepper Rodgers at his first media availability during camp, and for the questioning to continue for camp’s entirety. This, along with the continued struggle to secure wide receiver Davante Adams for the long-term, will ensure the 2021 Packers’ training camp is the most touchy since the end of the Favre era.

Vikings Fire OL Assistant Coach Rick Dennison Over Vaccine Refusal

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

A Minnesota Vikings assistant coach is out of a job after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reports Rick Dennison is believed to be the first position coach in the NFL to leave his team after choosing not to get the shot. He served as an assistant coach on the offensive line and was the run-game coordinator. The league is requiring the vaccine for all Tier 1 staff, which includes coaches, front-office executives, equipment managers and scouts. Players are not required to get the vaccine, but face strict protocols during the season, and yesterday the league detailed consequences teams will face if an unvaccinated player causes an outbreak including forfeits and loss of pay for both teams that miss a game.

Cronin says sources have told ESPN Phil Rauscher has been promoted from assistant offensive line coach to fill Dennison’s position. This will certainly be a hot topic when the Vikings report to training camp next week Wednesday.

Packers and WR Davante Adams Have Broken Off Extension Talks

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

When this headline was read aloud by Steve “Sparky” Fifer on The Wendy’s Big Show this afternoon, it elicited a yawn from the show’s Leroy Butler. But I’m sure not everyone is yawning today.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport: It’s not just Aaron Rodgers: The Packers and star WR Davante Adams have broken off long-term extension talks. There are no current plans to resume them. The two sides have been negotiating for months, but they are now in a bad place, sources say. First the QB, now the No. 1 WR.” Continued Rapoport: “The Packers and Davante Adams’ reps worked behind the scenes to get a deal done. The proposals have not acknowledged Adams as the highest paid WR, sources say. Green Bay’s classic structure has led to limited options. Now, talks are off with just a few days to go before camp.”

There still is no word for certain on what will happen next week when training camp begins on Wednesday with regards to Rodgers. All signs would indicate that he will be present for the mandatory start of camp, but no party has confirmed this fact. Now add on top of that this Adams news, and it’s no wonder why some in the state are likely clinging tightly to the euphoria of a Bucks’ championship. This training camp could be a very frustrating one for those who don’t live for drama.

Loggers Fall In Return To Action 6-2 To Rochester

By Adam Roberts – 7/23/2021

In their return to the diamond after the all-star break, defensive struggles once again caused problems for the Loggers.

Second baseman Chrisitan Dicochea committed two of La Crosse’s three errors in a 6-2 loss to Rochester at Mayo Field. The Loggers plated the first two runs of the game in the top of the first on a Ildefonso Ruiz two-run home run but would get nothing from there.

Third baseman Kevin Sim had the best day for La Crosse, going 3-4 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base.

La Crosse and Rochester meet up again this evening at Mayo Field.

WI Gov. Tony Evers Declares Today “Buck In Six Day”

By Adam Roberts – 7/22/2021

By declaration of Wisconsin governor Tony Evers, today is officially “Bucks In Six Day”.

Tens of thousands of fans in Milwaukee cheered for their NBA champion Bucks as the team enjoys a day of celebration downtown. Today players and owners cruised through the heart of the city in double-decker buses for their championship parade as they toasted their first NBA title in 50 years. The festivities continued outside Firserv Forum where the stars of the day celebrated with their fans. P.J. Tucker was possibly the star of the day, reminding the gathered masses that the Bucks are “dawgs”. Thanasis Antetokounmpo was also in attendance, separated in a Jeep due to his ongoing COVID situation.

Next on the agenda for teammates Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday is to head out to Japan to join Team USA ahead of the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony tomorrow.

NFL Says Teams Who Can’t Play Due To COVID Outbreaks May Have To Forfeit Games

By Adam Roberts – 7/22/2021

Big news was dropped this afternoon from the NFL in regards to games this season that may be impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the league informed clubs today that if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will forfeit and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding. This marks a notable change in policy from last season, when all attempts possible were made to reschedule games, and also marks another hard stance the league is taking against unvaccinated players and coaches.

On top of a possible forfeit, Pelissero reports the team responsible for a canceled game because of an outbreak among unvaccinated players/staff will be responsible for financial losses and subject to potential discipline from commissioner Roger Goodell. And then there’s potential the biggest tidbit of the whole release: if a game is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled within the current 18-week schedule due to a COVID outbreak, neither team’s players will receive their weekly paragraph 5 salary. No. Pay.

At Big Ten media day earlier, the conference did not specify what their policy would be as far as possible COVID cancellations.

UWL Alum Mel Dow Named WIAA Associate Director

By Adam Roberts – 7/22/2021

The newest WIAA associate director has a Coulee Region connection.

Mel Dow will take over for Wade Labecki, who will be retiring from the position effective September 1st.

Dow has served as the athletics and activities director in the Stoughton School District since 2010. He attended UW-La Crosse and received a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sports science in 1997 followed by a master’s in education in 2002.

“Mel’s passion, work ethic and vision for interscholastic athletics will enhance the service that our WIAA team provides to the member schools and student-athletes,” Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “I am confident that he will embrace this new challenge as an opportunity to make a positive difference, and we can’t wait to have him here on staff with us to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

Dow also served as an assistant wrestling coach at UWL during the 1999-2000 season.