Recent content from Sid Hartman
Sid Instant Replay from 1977: Vikings' Super Bowl loss to Raiders hurt the most
Read Sid's column from the Jan. 10, 1977, edition of the Tribune following the Vikings' loss to Oakland in the Super Bowl.
Read Sid's column from 1974, when Ara Parseghian left Notre Dame
On every remaining Sunday in 2020, the Star Tribune will republish a memorable Sid Hartman column from the archives.
Sid instant replay: Undefeated Gophers topple No. 4 Penn State
On every remaining Sunday in 2020, the Star Tribune will republish a memorable Sid Hartman column from the archives. This one is from last fall.
Sid Instant Replay: Bud Grant surprises team by deciding to retire
On every remaining Sunday in 2020, the Star Tribune will republish a memorable Sid Hartman column from the archives. This one is from Jan. 28, 1984.
Hartman: Thielen says Vikings have the talent to bounce back from 1-4
Making the playoffs after a 1-4 start undoubtedly will be a challenge for the Vikings , but there's no doubt this offense has enough weapons to go on a big winning streak starting Sunday against the Falcons.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Coach P.J. Fleck and the Gophers will have a huge challenge opening the season with Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium next week,…
Hartman: Wolves coach Saunders navigated difficult first season
It's hard to think of a more difficult rookie coaching season than the one Ryan Saunders just went through with the Timberwolves.
Hartman: Back-and-forth loss at Seattle is as hard as it gets
The 27-26 loss at Seattle on Sunday night has to qualify as one of the most difficult regular-season losses the Vikings have ever suffered.
Hartman: Seattle's Carroll won't overlook 1-3 Vikings
Pete Carroll has his Seahawks looking like one of the best teams in football at 4-0, but the former Vikings defensive backs coach knows better than to overlook Mike Zimmer.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • St. Thomas graduate John Schneider is in his ninth season as the general manager of the Seattle Seahawks after spending eight seasons with the…
Hartman: Daronte Jones leads young Vikings cornerbacks
Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones has had to guide a lot of inexperienced players but has a great mentor in Mike Zimmer.
Hartman: Vikings show some fight, save their season in Houston
Coach Mike Zimmer's team on Sunday saved its season in a game it had to have. And right now, you see a club that can compete for a playoff spot and is getting better each game.
Hartman: Vikings running backs can turn season around
The 0-3 Vikings entered Week 4 ranked eighth in the league at 146.7 rushing yards per game and No. 1 overall with 6.03 yards per rush.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS• Pro Football Focus on Vikings rookie receiver Justin Jefferson's breakout game in Week 3: "Jefferson was the highest-graded wideout of the week and should…
Hartman: Twins run into familiar end to unfamiliar season
Despite their playoff loss, the Twins did well to navigate in a pandemic and win the AL Central.
Hartman: Twins, Vikings have different fortunes at home
The Twins this season set a club mark for home winning percentage while the Vikings have opened winless at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Hartman: Vikings asking a lot of skilled-position rookies
If the Vikings want to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2013, when they finished 5-10-1 in Leslie Frazier's final season, they're going to need some rookies to step up in a big way.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer on Titans QB Ryan Tannehill, who has the No. 4 passer rating in football. “I think the biggest…
Hartman: U can change fortunes in openers vs. Michigan, Ohio State
Gophers have a chance to defy fortunes against the Wolverines this year and the Buckeyes in 2021.
Hartman: Cousins gets the blame but Vikings' offense misses Diggs
If anyone thinks Kirk Cousins is the biggest problem on this Vikings team, they don't know football.
Hartman: Big Ten's Warren stays thoughtful in unprecedented year
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren took over for Jim Delany on Jan. 2 of this year and since then has dealt with situations that no commissioner has ever dealt with.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Twins starter Kenta Maeda is fourth in the American League in ERA (2.52), tied for eighth in innings (60⅔), first in WHIP (0.76)…
Hartman: Twins winning at historic pace at home, but reward will be minimal
The Twins' .808 winning percentage at Target Field won't make a difference if they advance to the neutral-site playoffs.
Hartman: Packers controlled the ball, and the game against Vikings
It's becoming a familiar pattern, with Aaron Rodgers keeping the Vikings offense off the field.
Hartman: Cousins motivated after Packers left him feeling ill
Aaron Rodgers has gotten the better of Kirk Cousins and the Vikings — going 2-1-1 against the Purple since 2018, including two dominant victories in 2019.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Packers wideout Allen Lazard starred at Iowa State and has some experience against the Vikings cornerbacks from his Big 12 days. “I actually…
Hartman: Zimmer lacks usual info about Packers going into Sunday's game
With no preseason games this year in the NFL because of the virus, scouting teams has been difficult, but the Vikings know Sunday's foe well.
Hartman: Key week of games coming up for Twins
Cleveland and White Sox are competitive, and the Twins will face both teams in the next week in games that will help shape the postseason.
Hartman: Facing Packers will restore some normalcy for Vikings
After an ever-changing offseason, Mike Zimmer's team will welcome familiar routines.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings wideout Adam Thielen on getting ready for a regular-season game against the Packers next week without a single preseason game: “You better…
Hartman: Cousins, like Moss, just being honest in controversial quote
Kirk Cousins' quote about COVID-19 lit up social media this week, but some of the context was missed - just as Randy Moss' words in 2001.
Hartman: Vikings, Twins differ on approach to trades this season
Vikings' deal for Ngakoue was necessary; Twins could afford to wait for injured players to return.
Hartman: With Tom Moore coaching Tom Brady, a historic career continues
The Minnesota native is getting paired with another Hall of Fame quarterback this year.
Hartman: In 1959, Lakers star Baylor refused to play to protest racism
Elgin Baylor sat out a neutral-site game in segregated West Virginia after being refused food service.
Hartman: Zimmer, Fleck face uneven playing field due to league choices
The NFL and NCAA are putting the local head coaches in a bind because there is no consensus on what is or isn't allowed for each team or conference.
Hartman: Stefanski takes his story of success to Cleveland
Kevin Stefanski went from being a personal assistant to Vikings coach Brad Childress in 2006 to becoming the coach of an NFL squad 14 years later. It is as impressive as any coaching rise in the league.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Pro Football Focus ran a 2021 NFL mock draft and had Gophers wideout Rashod Bateman going No. 24 overall to the Packers. PFF…
Hartman: Wolves get break they needed by winning NBA draft lottery
Winning the NBA draft lottery and getting the first pick is a bright spot in a really tough year for the Timberwolves franchise.
Hartman: Don't be surprised if new-look Vikings defense is even better
There's been plenty of turnover, especially in the Vikings' secondary, but others are ready to step in.
Hartman: Rosas proud of Wolves' response to difficult year
Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas knows this has been a franchise-altering offseason, even though those changes haven't necessarily been on the court.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • The Vikings’ Mike Zimmer on the idea that he’s an old-school coach: “I know everybody says I’m old school and this and that,…
Hartman: Vikings' Smith faces challenge of mentoring young defensive backs
The five-time Pro Bowl safety will show the ropes to newer players as training camp begins.
Hartman: Big Ten 2020 football season likely gone for good
Spring football is under consideration, but more top athletes will opt out to prepare for NFL draft.
Hartman: Unproven Wes Johnson shows he's right for Twins pitching staff
The Twins front office and manager Rocco Baldelli took a chance when they brought in Wes Johnson last season. The gamble has already paid off.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he is not a patient man, but he knows he is going to have to be patient this…
Hartman: Vikings' tackle Johnson could bring big help to new-look defense
With the Vikings losing several veterans, 2017 fourth-round draft pick Jaleel Johnson could emerge in a larger role this season.
Hartman: Twins' depth makes them a World Series contender
Through smart deals and development, the franchise has assembled a fine collection of talent.
Hartman: Zimmer, Cousins right duo for Vikings' title hopes
The Vikings' decision to give contract extensions to quarterback Kirk Cousins and coach Mike Zimmer this offseason mean that this club has made its decision on who can lead it to a Super Bowl.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Hall of Fame football coach Tony Dungy told Sirius XM Radio that he sees a lot of similarities between Gophers coach P.J. Fleck…
Hartman: Coronavirus may shrink Vikings' home-field advantage
Since the team moved into U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016, they have posted a 23-9 record at home, a number matched only by the Eagles and Saints for the best home mark in the NFC.
Hartman: Cleveland's pitching will be tough challenge for Twins
A rivalry pitting a strong Cleveland rotation vs. potent Twins offense could become a highlight of the season.
Hartman: Taylor's local ties saved professional basketball in Minnesota
If Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor finds a suitable buyer to meet his demands and his asking price for the club, it will end one of the most important pro sports tenures in state history.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Giving Mike Zimmer a new contract was a no-brainer for the Vikings. The coach’s new deal will keep him with the team through…
Hartman: St. Peter says focus on playing entire season, winning title
The Twins will play in an environment very different from previous seasons, and that's not lost on anybody within our club, president Dave St. Peter said.
Hartman: Twins, Vikings medical staffs staying on top of virus protocols
The Vikings' protocols and safety measures are already being studied by people around the NFL; the Twins effort is being led by a Mayo Clinic physician.
Hartman: Salary cap wizard Brzezinski helps Vikings keep Cousins
The Vikings opened this offseason in one of their toughest salary cap spots in recent memory, with the least cap space in the NFL. Rob Brzezinski led the way as the team made a ton of moves to get some relief.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said the club has been pleased with the physical strength of the pitchers in camp: “I think…
Hartman: This Twins lineup is best in franchise history
The Twins have had better hitters on their rosters over the years, with greats such as Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett, Joe Mauer and Rod Carew. But from top to bottom, this club is hard to beat.
Hartman: Capers, Kubiak help Zimmer evaluate talent, schemes
The addition of experienced coaches give the Vikings a fresh look at how they do things on offense and defense.
Hartman: Meyer likely to go straight from Gophers to majors
The Woodbury native has a chance to do something that very few players in the history of baseball have accomplished: Skip the minor leagues
Hartman: Coyle says university is ready for return of athletes
The list of athletic and medical experts the Gophers have to draw on is large because the University of Minnesota has such a well-respected academic roster
Hartman: Kubiak's history gives Vikings big advantage in virtual offseason
There was no doubt when Gary Kubiak joined the Vikings last season that he was going to play a big part in the offensive game plan, no matter what his title would be.
Hartman: Twins ready to play ball, St. Peter says
"We left spring training in March with a really good baseball team, a team poised to take an additional step or two toward the pursuit of a world championship," Dave St. Peter said.
Hartman: Gophers looking for more Morgan magic this season
Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan is 15-4 as a starter, indicating his importance to the team.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS• There is no better promoter of the game of golf than Hollis Cavner, the executive director of the 3M Open, so you have to be…
Hartman: Vikings can't bank on 2020 free agents for much help
It's hard to think of any season in recent memory when the Vikings brought in such a small free-agent class as they did this offseason.
Hartman: Twins owner Pohlad knows MLB needs to return to play soon
Twins owner Pohlad said communication with the commissioner's office has been steady with the club, but not directly between himself and Rob Manfred.
Hartman: Dungy's success story stands atop Gophers list
The former player and coach's voice is clear and forceful on matters of racism.
Hartman: Vikings growth on offensive line key 2020 factor
Center Garrett Bradbury said that the continuity from last season should put the team at a big advantage when it ends its virtual training camp and gets back on the field in July.
Hartman: Hughes, drafted in 2018, has most seniority among Vikings cornerbacks
That Mike Hughes is the most veteran cornerback shows that the group will have a lot of learning to do when Vikings camp opens.
Hartman: Vikings set standard high on defense despite big change
Last year the Vikings ranked second in the NFC, allowing 303 points. Still, a lot of people around the club, including Mike Zimmer, felt the team could use a fresh start on defense.
Sid's jottings
JOTTINGS • Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren has created the Big Ten Conference Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition for student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, chancellors and presidents…
Hartman: U football doesn't sacrifice values while recruiting top talent
The Gophers have five four-star football recruits, and they definitely stand out. But coach P.J. Fleck also looks for high character.
Hartman: Vikings must find a way to pay Cook
Dalvin Cook is signed through 2020, but he'll be looking for a big payday: he's only the 39th-highest-paid running back in the NFL.