Target Corp. has signed on as the naming-rights sponsor for the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, which will be named Target Field.

Under the 25-year deal, the plaza area between Target Center and Target Field will be called Target Plaza.

“We are excited about our partnership with the Minnesota Twins and the opportunity to continue our long history of community support,” Target President and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said in a statement. “We are confident that Twins fans and community residents will enjoy this wonderful addition to our area for many years to come.”

In addition to the naming rights for the ballpark and plaza, Target also will receive extensive marketing and promotional opportunities.

The ballpark is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2010 season.

Week 1 @GB: On the road, nationally televised game, LOSS (0-1)

Week 2 IND: Home opener against Manning et al., LOSS (0-2)

Week 3 CAR: Carolina’s strength is the run, we stop it, WIN (1-2)

Week 4 @ Ten: Titans have a poor passing game, we stop the run again, WIN (2-2)

Week 5 @ NO: Great passing offense gets the best of our average at best secondary, LOSS (2-3)

Week 6 DET: All Day is too much for Shaun Rodgers-less run defense, WIN (3-3)

Week 7 @ CHI: Chicago always plays us tough at Soldier Field, they win in the snow, LOSS (3-4)

Week 8 BYE

Week 9 HOU: We squeak out win at home vs. surprise team in AFC, WIN (4-4)

Week 10 GB: They won opening night, we get revenge in HomerDome, WIN (5-4)

Week 11 @ TB: We haven’t won in Tampa since the 80’s, I guess Vikings don’t like pirate ships, LOSS (5-5)

Week 12 @ JAC: Jacksonville defense too tough on the road, LOSS (5-6)

Week 13 CHI: Bears offense might not score this week, WIN (6-6)

Week 14 @ DET: Vikings get a season sweep of the lowly Lions, WIN (7-6)

Week 15 @ ARI: Tarvaris passes fansy all day vs. weak Arizona defense, WIN (8-6)

Week 16 ATL: Jared Allen flusters Matt Ryan all day, WIN (9-6)

Week 17 NYG: Giants are 7-8 at this point and out of the playoff picture with nothing to play for, WIN (10-6)

10-6 record is good enough to win the division, but not a first-round bye.  Vikings will win the wild card game, but fall short of making it to the Superbowl.  The team is set up nicely to make a legitimate Superbowl run in 2009.

Ok, I am on record and would love to have everyone with an opinion lay out thier game by game predictions below.  I think the Vikings have a team that can beat any team any day, but we got a tough draw this year playing the AFC South which affects our record.  If we were playing the AFC East, for example, I think we would have one more win this year, which would mean a first round bye in the playoffs.  Where do you think I’m right and where am I wrong?  Let me know WHY, don’t just say ‘you’re an idiot…’ or ‘Green Bay blows!…’ 

Go Vikings!

PAUL BROGAN — SHAQ RAP

PAUL BROGAN - FINAL 4 RAP

PAUL BROGAN — NFL PLAYOFF RAP

PAUL BROGAN — SUPER BOWL RAP

The problem with drafting Love is that you don’t get any upside. What you get is a predictable 6′ 10″ guy who won’t change defenses. NBA history has shown little success for heavier set power forward types over the years. The power forward position has turned into small forwards converted for mismatches or centers converted for mismatches. You have Duncan, Garnett, Dirk, Bosh, Boozer, Jermaine O’Neal, Gasol and Jamison. Everyone of these players is more athletic than Love.

When Love was graded for the draft in 12 categories he scored well except in quickness and defense. I think this scouting report says it best:

Weaknesses: At 6-9, he is undersized and he also lacks great athleticism to offset this size deficiency … Was not in the greatest shape this season, often being the last man up the court and getting winded very quickly … Needs to work on fitness, could stand to lose some weight and put on more muscle … Weight and speed could always be an issue, as even when “in shape” he lacks great speed in the floor or laterally … Was able to get away with overpowering opponents in college, yet questions remain how his game translates against bigger, quicker and more athletic opponents at the next level … At times this season he struggled getting his shot off against taller defenders, more specifically the Lopez twins of Stanford, who forced him into off-balance shots and uncharacteristic turnovers … His one-on-one arsenal in the post is a bit predictable, as he almost always operates on the right block and prefers to turn to his left shoulder often finishing with a right hook … He gets into trouble when trying to do too much off the dribble because quicker defenders are able to slide over and force him into turning the ball over … Defensively he will have trouble matching up as he is undersized and because he has less than ideal lateral quickness … His lack of speed will make it extremely difficult for him to play for a running style of team …

Well the good news is the Timberwolves aren’t a running team. The one thing that comes up again and again is quickness. That’s one of the only things that matters in the NBA, at 6-10 he will have no height advantage like he had in college.

In college over his Pac10 season he shot more and more 3’s. Boozer shot 1 in three years of college. If you take away Love’s 3 pointers he average about 15 a game. I see Jamison and Dirk as shooters because of their quickness or height, I don’t see Love doing much of that in the NBA.

I’m not saying he can’t be a solid 10 points, 8 rb’s a game kind of guy, but that’s exactly what you are going to get. We now have 2 power forwards on our team with the exact same game. I just don’t see how a Love will get you 10-20 more wins each year.

I’m not declaring Mayo will be the next great shooting guard or small forward, I’m just saying there is a better chance that someone in that position can make a bigger impact on a team vs. a Love type player. You look at the 2008 NBA All-Stars and you see Wade, Kidd, Allen, Billups, Hamilton, Joe Johnson, Pierce, Bryant, Roy, Chris Paul and you think Mayo could be one of of those players. In the NBA it’s easier for him to produce those type results with his style game than it is for a Kevin Love to join Duncan and Garnett.

This is one case where I do think taking a very slight risk on a Mayo could potentially get you 10-20 more games a year. Taking a Love no matter how great he becomes won’t accomplish that type difference. The NBA is not a place for 3 pt shooting power forward white guys.

If nothing else you seriously have to question the man running each draft and wonder why he really likes a guy, for 13 years that has been a horrible sign.

Emmit Smith did some time with the Cardinals, Montana with the Chiefs, Jordan with the Wizards. Big deal I still remember them as a Cowboy winning Super Bowls, a 49er hooking up with Clark and the greatest player in history winning 6 championships with big shots over the Lakers, Blazers and Jazz.

If Favre plays for the Bears or the Redskins or the Vikings it doesn’t matter in the end. He already has built his legacy with the Packers and two years in another uniform won’t change that.

I can’t name a favorite Michael Jordan Wizards highlight and I don’t care. He lives on as the “from North Carolina, at guard, 6′ 6″ Michael Jordan” Chicago Bull in my memory.