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

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

Rick Lubbers column: NASCAR champ so young, he can’t rent a car

Most 20-year-olds have trouble searching for the oil dipstick, air filter or spare tire for their cars and trucks, so Trevor Bayne can be excused for having trouble finding Victory Lane after winning Sunday’s Daytona 500.

• Trevor Bayne
• Bayne becomes youngest to win Daytona 500
• Wood Brothers make improbable return to Victory Lane