ESPN La Crosse 105.5

NBA Suspends Random Marijuana Tests

By Adam Roberts – 12/4/2020

Looks like players in the NBA will no longer have to heed Stephen A. Smith’s advice to stay OFF the weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed.

The NBA and its players union are agreeing not to conduct random marijuana tests during the upcoming season. While citing the circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic, a league spokesperson said the random testing program’s focus will be on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse. A similar policy was adopted for the NBA’s Orlando restart this summer. What remains uncertain is if there will be no penalties whatsoever for those who are involved in legal trouble with marijuana in their possession.

Training camp is underway and the regular season is set to open later this month. Milwaukee begins the year against Boston on the 23rd.

Aaron Rodgers; Kyle Rudolph Named Art Rooney Award Nominees

By Adam Roberts – 12/4/2020

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph have both been nominated for the 7th annual Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award recognizes players who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship on the field, and was created in 2014 to honor the late Steelers founder.

Although no Packer or Viking player has won the award yet, a notable player from each has won it with another franchise; Charles Woodson won in 2015 as a member of the Oakland Raiders, while Adrian Peterson was last year’s winner with Washington.

Minnesota High School Winter Sports Could Begin December 21st

By Adam Roberts – 12/3/2020

Anytime the MSHSL Board convenes for a meeting, John Millea is an excellent Twitter account to follow for up-to-date info. And he was busy again today.

According to John, the board today came to a decision on dates for the start of winter sports in Minnesota, which are dependent on the state government’s decision whether or not to extend a shutdown that is currently keeping sports from starting until December 19th. If the shutdown doesn’t get extended, winter sports such as basketball, hockey, and wrestling could begin practicing on December 21st. Otherwise, the earliest things could begin would be January 4th. It’s also important to remember that plenty of finer details have yet to be determined.

In Wisconsin some schools have already begun their winter sports, with Tomah boy’s and girl’s basketball already with a game under their belts, but many remain on pause for the time being. The Sparta boys will begin their season next Monday at Tomah (7pm over on ESPN Sparta 102.1), while Coulee Region Basketball on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 will begin next week Friday in Sparta as they face Adams-Friendship.

Gun Deer Harvest Numbers Up Significantly

By Adam Roberts – 12/3/2020

Though I sadly had to sit on the sidelines once again this year for the nine-day gun deer season, the good vibes I was sending out to all the hunters in the woods/cornfields/marshlands clearly paid off, with 2020 a banner year for whitetail deer harvesting.

According to the Wisconsin DNR, harvest numbers are up 15.8 percent statewide, with 188,712 deer gunned down this year. This could be correlated with an uptick in overall licenses sold this year, with over 820,000 distributed for the hunt (up 3.5 percent from 2019).

The rise in hunters this year could likely be attributed to many seeking an outlet for COVID related stress and anxiety with an activity that not only is pretty easy to do socially distanced, but also can be a truly therapeutic experience and a chance to slow down the hectic pace of everyday life.

Another encouraging statistic was the rise in female hunters this year, with over 92,000 taking to tree stands and deer blinds across Wisconsin.

Congratulations to everyone who harvested a deer this year! And if you have more meat than you think you will consume, consider donating it to a local food pantry this year.

Brewers Trade Corey Knebel To Dodgers

By Adam Roberts – 12/3/2020

A former All Star pitcher for the Brewers has a new home with the world champions.

Ahead of the Wednesday deadline to tender contracts to players, Corey Knebel was traded by the organization yesterday to the Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Knebel played in 15 games for the Crew in 2020, pitching 13.1 innings with 15 strikeouts and a 6.08 ERA.

There had been reports that Knebel would be non-tendered, but GM David Stearns said those reports were not accurate.

Also, Milwaukee avoided arbitration with one-year deals for shortstop Orlando Arcia, catches Manny Pina and Omar Narvaez, and first baseman Dan Vogelbach. Outfielder Ben Gamel, reliever Alex Claudio, and Jace Peterson will become free agents after being non-tendered.

Vikings Cut LS Austin Cutting

By Adam Roberts – 12/2/2020

Despite the previous article I wrote detailing the return of wide receiver Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings as they try and manufacture a wild card run, change is still needed on the Vikings special teams unit, which came yesterday evening.

The Vikings have cut long snapper Austin Cutting, a seventh-round pick last year from the Air Force Academy. In a world where one gaff can be a career-ender depending on the situation, Cutting had a low snap in the team’s game against Chicago and had previously missed time on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Minnesota singed a veteran in Andrew DePaola the week after the Bears game, who will take over the role full-time now.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen Activated From Reserve/COVID-19 List

By Adam Roberts – 12/2/2020

Believe it or not, weeks after some in the national media dubbed the Minnesota Vikings the worst team in football, they’re suddenly right back in the wild card race.

Since starting the year 1-5, the Vikings have won four of their last five, but with little room for error and a semi-difficult schedule to finish the year, they would certainly love to be at full strength for the stretch run. Today, one of their big receiving weapons was given the go-ahead to return to action.

The team has activated wide receiver Adam Thielen from the COVID-19 list. Thielen missed Sunday’s win over Carolina after landing on the list November 23rd. He has racked up 49 catches for 646 yards and eleven touchdowns this season.

Minnesota currently sits 8th in the NFC at 5-6, one game behind 6-5 Arizona for the 7th and final playoff spot in the expanded postseason, and could get back to .500 this weekend with a home game against 1-10 Jacksonville.

Bucks To Play Warriors On Christmas

By Adam Roberts – 12/2/2020

Giannis and the Bucks will once again be a featured part of the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase, arguably the biggest regular season day for games.

Milwaukee will welcome Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors to Fiserv on December 25th in the second of five top tier match ups including Mavs-Lakers, Pelicans-Heat, Nets-Celtics, and Clippers-Nuggets.

The game will the the first time Milwaukee has hosted a Christmas Day game since 1968.

If Giannis doesn’t sign the super max before then, you can be certain that will be the main point of emphasis for the commentary team.

De Soto, West Salem Request Football Conference Realignment for 2022

By Adam Roberts – 12/1/2020

Two area schools have requested to change their football conference affiliation starting in the fall of 2022.

Today was the official deadline for WIAA schools to request football-only conference realignment for that season, and De Soto and West Salem both are seeking a change. If the requests are approved, De Soto would switch from the Ridge & Valley Conference to the 8-Player South, while West Salem would leave the Mississippi Valley and join former MVC opponent Aquinas in the Coulee.

Also notable is River Falls, who is requesting a switch from the MVC back to the Big Rivers. The Wildcats still have not played a down of MVC football due to their season switching to the alternate spring plan.

As Travis Wilson of Wissports.net reports, any moves would require corresponding moves to keep conference numbers the same. The football-only realignment of a few years ago was done with the purpose of keeping conferences at 8 teams. A task force will overview each request and then the WIAA Board of Control will have the final say.

Packers Cut WR Darrius Shepherd

By Adam Roberts – 12/1/2020

I hinted that the Packers’ signing of Tavon Austin could mean the writing is on the wall for wide receiver and special teamer Darrius Shepherd. Today, we got confirmation that this is in fact the case.

Green Bay is releasing wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, who has served as the primary kick and punt returner since the injury to Tyler Ervin. This doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Shepherd in Green Bay, however; he could still be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Shepherd of course had a costly fumble on a kickoff return against the Indianapolis Colts a couple of weeks ago, and as we saw with Ty Montgomery a few years ago against the Rams, one bad play building upon a string of mediocre performances can cost you a roster spot.

Austin will be eligible to practice with Green Bay tomorrow.