Staff
Sam Ekstrom
Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.
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Meet Bryan Greenlee, the Golden Gophers’ New Guard … and Barber
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 6, 2019
The calendar turned to June, the Golden Gophers had another scholarship to dole out, and Bryan Greenlee didn’t yet know where he’d be playing college basketball in […]
Vikings
Mike Zimmer Given Three More 4th-and-1 Decisions vs. Chiefs After Ruing Decision in Week 8
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 4, 2019
Mike Zimmer is an old-school coach through and through, quick to scoff at the overuse of analytics at the expense of coaching instincts. It was no surprise, […]
Vikings
Vikings-Chiefs Game Showed the Importance of Special Teams Play
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 3, 2019
Mike Zimmer has preached since Day 1 of his tenure that each of football’s three phases — offense, defense and the oft-overlooked special teams — carry weight. […]
Vikings
Explosive Plays the Difference Maker in Vikings’ Loss to Chiefs
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 3, 2019
KANSAS CITY — The Minnesota Vikings had been marvelous through the first half of the season in one particularly important offensive category: yards per play. Only two […]
Vikings
INSTANT REACTION: Vikings Lose Heartbreaker on Last-Second Field Goal
By Sam Ekstrom - Nov 3, 2019
The Vikings lost 26-23 on a last-second field goal against the Chiefs. Sam Ekstrom gives his initial thoughts. BIG PICTURE: The Vikings needed to prove they could […]
Vikings
Rudolph Thanks Kelce, Thielen Updates Health & Halfway Benchmarks
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 31, 2019
Kyle Rudolph and Travis Kelce have been two of the league’s most consistent tight ends for the better part of the last decade. Since Kelce entered the […]
Vikings
Mahomes or Moore? Vikings Biding Time as They Wait For Chiefs’ Quarterback Decision
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 30, 2019
For the second time in six weeks, the Vikings may end up facing a 30-something journeyman backup quarterback. With Patrick Mahomes still recovering from a kneecap dislocation, […]
Gophers’ New Three-Point-Shooting Identity on Display in Exhibition Win
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 28, 2019
It was clear within five minutes of the Golden Gophers’ Monday night scrimmage against Division-II Southwest Minnesota State: Fans should prepare to watch the Gophers launch the […]
Vikings
Mike Zimmer Isn’t Concerned About Xavier Rhodes — Should He Be?
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 26, 2019
For the better part of a half decade, Minnesota Vikings fans have grown accustomed to continuity on Mike Zimmer’s defense. Everson Griffen rushing the passer, Anthony Barr […]
Vikings
DAY-AFTER REACTION: It Wasn’t Pretty, But a Win’s a Win
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 25, 2019
Sam Ekstrom and Luke Inman react to the fourth straight Minnesota win. In today’s special Friday edition: -Luke didn’t love the conservative gameplan, but will take the […]
Vikings
The Vikings’ Offense Continues Wearing Down Opponents, and the O-Line is a Big Reason Why
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 25, 2019
For the second straight week, a double-digit Minnesota Vikings win ended with pushing and shoving between a confident Vikings offensive line and a frustrated defensive front. There […]
Vikings
What if Case Keenum Had Been Under Contract With the Vikings in 2018?
By Sam Ekstrom - Oct 23, 2019
The Minnesota Vikings QB Conundrum of 2018 was a drama that could easily be likened to the hit series “Game of Thrones.” There they were, three quarterbacks, […]