You should learn how to spell a person's name in Journalism 101 class (as a close, personal friend uttered to me Monday). What in the name of Valhalla am I talking about?

While in Chicago last week, I received a call from the Mankato Free Press wondering if I would be available to do a interview on blogging. They got lucky, catching me in between my two martini lunch and reading yet another Steven Spielberg script (I turned him down again). So I spent 15 minutes or so chatting happily with the reporter about the art of blogging.

The second sentence of the article, published Sunday, read:

"Since last October, the blog's writer, Brian Haas of Plymouth, has managed to develop a site that is the top-read blog on the University of Minnesota server."

Now, I've been called a lot of things in my life. Haas has not been one of them. And this reporter had exchanged e-mail with me throughout the week and so should have know it is Maas and not Haas!

Oh well, I enjoyed it nonetheless. And any press I can get I'm going to happily take. Give it a read when you get a chance. Hell, I even warranted a photo illustration. That doesn't happen every day of the week. Better than a court related artist illustration, right!?!?

Third Wide Receiver

I thought it very interesting that Ol' Pencil Ear is following a school of Bud Grant credo. That being "no rookie shall start in his first year." Take this quote from my close, personal friend Sid Hartman's column from Monday:

"You want my opinion? (Um, no Sid we don't!) I think Tice and his coaching staff were the least ecstatic about the performances of [Troy] Williamson, especially regarding his ability to catch the ball, and [Erasmus] James, who was inconsistent, at minicamp. The coaches are anxious to see what both do when they put the pads on. They might not play a lot early."

Hmm. Sure, I pointed out to you in my May Mini-Camp Report that Troy had a little bit of the dropsies, but nothing major. He made some very nice snares as well.

So, if it won't be The Kid at the number three wide-out, who will it be? I've posted a new poll to the left asking that very question.

I believe it will be Travis Taylor who looked especially on his A-Game during Development Camp. And why not start out with a veteran to make sure Daunte Culpepper starts out the season with a seasoned WR corp? The Kid can always make his splash returning kicks, as I saw during Development Camp. Once he returns three or four to the house in the first couple of games, Ol' Pencil Ear can then insert Williamson into the lineup to stretch the field even further.

Who do you think should be penciled in at the #3 WR to start the season? Vote your thought and leave a Comment below if you want to elaborate.

Training Camp Update

I'm not sure when I will be down in Mankato yet. I hope to confirm my date very soon with the team so that I can gain field access in order to bring you some more photos.

The team has signed some rookies and continues to negotiate so that all rookies are in camp from the get-go. Yesterday, the team signed fourth-round RB Ciatrick Fason and seventh-round CB Adrian Ward .

Coming Tomorrow

We'll revist Winter Park and check on the progress of the ship renovation. When I visited back on July 3rd, it was in very bad shape and new owner Zygi Wilf made it a priority to upgrade.

See you then.

Posted by maasx003 at July 26, 2005 07:12 AM | TrackBack