Articles

There’s no cure for poor pigskin prognosticating

RICK LUBBERS: Poor pigskin pickin' is giving the News Tribune's sports editor fits.

• Rick Lubbers

Being bad might provide Luck to Vikings

RICK LUBBERS: Congratulations, Minnesota Vikings. By virtue of your lowly 1-5 record following a blowout loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, you now are officially enrolled in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes.

• Rick Lubbers
• Ponder or McNabb? Vikings to decide on QB by Wednesday
• Unbeaten Packers fending off talk about perfect season

Detroit fans rejoice: Lions gear no longer a fashion faux pas

RICK LUBBERS: In the past, donning a Detroit Lions jersey and hat was akin to breaking out a pair of Zubaz and a Jonas Brothers concert T-shirt. But not any more.

• Rick Lubbers
• Unbeaten Lions host Bears in prime time
• Finally, Vikings earn first victory
• Packers improve to 5-0

Rick Lubbers: Duluth would go Wild today, if team gave us the chance

Hello Minnesota Wild players and coaches - welcome to your practices in Duluth. If we may bring up one small gripe, it’s that we wish you had chosen to spend some time bonding with your fans here.

• Rick Lubbers

Rick Lubbers: Halftime? More like naptime for Vikes

So, how exactly are the Minnesota Vikings spending their halftimes? Are they checking their fantasy football stats? Are they doing anything remotely football-related?

• Rick Lubbers
• No lead too big to lose for Vikings

Rick Lubbers: Ride inside hot rod offers heart-stopping view of Duluth

On Sunday morning I broke the speed limit on Garfield Avenue in a 1939 red Willys Overland that nearly tripled the posted number. Thankfully for my wallet, Sunday morning’s trip was legal. No ticket. All thrills.

• Drag racing
• Drag racing
• Duluth drag race winners

Rick Lubbers column: Packers should rule NFC North

What Super Bowl hangover? Apparently the Green Bay Packers are intent on giving the rest of the league a hangover after defeating a very good New Orleans Saints team Thursday night in a battle of the past two Super Bowl champions.

• Rick Lubbers
• Packers outlast Saints in NFL opener
• Vikings' Harvin lobbying to return kicks

Rick Lubbers: Sun, sun, go away when NFL teams start to play

Nothing makes me feel guiltier than loafing on a couch all Sunday afternoon and evening, watching an endless procession of football games and pigskin highlights, when one of the finest weather days of the year is taking place outside.

• Rick Lubbers
• Vikings relishing their fresh start
• Too many good receivers is pleasant problem for Packers
• Opening-game matchups for Packers and Vikings

Rick Lubbers column: Making a play for the plates

It’s Labor Day, and that marks the end of the summer traveling season — but there’s unfinished business in my household: We need to find 10 more license plates to complete a quest we started on Memorial Day weekend.

• Rick Lubbers

Rick Lubbers column: Joggling could spice up some local running events

Looking for a new way to keep fit, sharpen your powers of concentration and possibly create a circus act?

• Rick Lubbers

Columns

Northland deserves to see Hermantown-East hockey matchup

RICK LUBBERS: It’s mind-boggling why a game between the Hawks and Greyhounds can’t be an annual event. And in this town, that’s exactly what it would be — an event.

• Hermantown hockey

Column: Green Bay Packers look poised to run the table

RICK LUBBERS: Thanks to the unbeaten Packers, members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins are starting to sweat.

• Packers’ Jennings out 2-3 weeks with knee sprain
• Jermichael Finley
• Rick Lubbers
• Roof is fixed — Vikings aren’t

Rick Lubbers column: Israel trip proves NFL’s reach is truly global

JERUSALEM — The nation of Israel has fought many border battles in its history, but what does it know about our less-serious but still intense border battle waged by the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers?

• Vikings shirt selling in Jerusalem

Rick Lubbers: Thome's pursuit lacked the usual buzz

Did Jim Thome's quiet demeanor contribute to the lack of national buzz surrounding his historic climb to the milestone? Or was there a deeper reason?

Dear Tiger Woods: I'll be your caddy

I understand you are looking for a new caddy. Fortunately, I know just the person to fill that thankless, but vital role. Me.

Rick Lubbers: Odim could be good fit in NFL

It might be a bit premature to target former Minnesota Duluth running back Isaac Odim for your fantasy football team now that he’s signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, but don’t dismiss him, either.

• Isaac Odim
• Football: Vikings grab McNabb
• Packers guard says he's done in Green Bay, headed to Arizona

Rick Lubbers: As NFL lockout ends, here are a few things you can count on

Fortunately, all of the labor ceased long before summer heat gave way to fall cool. So huddle up and get ready for the season.

• Vikings prepare for training camp
• Before football, a week of frenzy

Rick Lubbers: U2 riffs on rain-drenched show

I spent part of Saturday night crooning “Singin’ in the Rain” along with Bono and 60,000 U2 fans at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

• U2 in Minneapolis
• Rick Lubbers

Rick Lubbers: Mired in the 'sprinter' doldrums

When winter won’t end and spring hasn’t sprung, you’ve got ‘sprinter.’ And how long it will last is anyone’s guess.

• Slushy Fitger's 5K

Hometown hockey player's dream comes to life

Hermantown’s Kyle Schmidt turned a boyhood dream into reality Saturday night at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, scoring undoubtedly the biggest goal in the long history of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey — an overtime gem that propelled the Bulldogs past the Michigan Wolverines 3-2 in overtime.

• Photo