A weekend full of notes starting with the Vikings.
New placekicker Kai Forbath, who was signed as a free agent last month, kicked four field goals in yesterday’s 25-16 Vikings win over the Jaguars. He is 10 for 10 in four games with Minnesota.
Forbath replaced Blair Walsh who missed the infamous 27-yard goal that cost the Vikings their opening playoff win against the Seahawks last January in Minneapolis. Walsh was out of sync this fall, particularly struggling with extra points. Forbath has converted on four of six attempts but his one miss yesterday can be forgiven because a penalty had put the ball at the Jaguars’ 38-yard-line.
Walsh may have had the yips this year, but Forbath isn’t admitting to any extreme nervousness impacting motor skills. “I’ve always told myself if you’ve missed, to move on from it,” he told Sports Headliners. “Not try to overcorrect it. …”
Forbath reportedly was let go by the Redskins in 2015 because he didn’t hit the ball deep enough on kickoffs. With the Vikings he has produced 13 touchbacks in 22 kickoffs. Walsh, who missed four extra points and made 12 of 16 field goals, had 19 of 41 kicks resulting in touchbacks this season.
The Vikings signed Forbath to a two-year contract but it’s not guaranteed. “I’ve been going through that my whole career so nothing new to me,” he said. …
With three games remaining in the regular season, first round draft choice Laquon Treadwell is still a non-contributor to a Vikings offense that has struggled most of the season. While coaches and teammates have insisted Treadwell’s lack of playing time and success isn’t concerning, fans and media have a different view.
The Vikings’ rookie wide receiver has one reception this season and didn’t catch a pass in yesterday’s win over the Jaguars. He plays a position that is not a project process like offensive line and quarterback, but yet he has hardly seen the field despite playing on an offense that has gone begging for big plays.
While the 6-2, 215-pound Treadwell seems to have the size and hands to succeed at wide receiver, questions persist about his speed and ability to separate from defenders. Right now he is part of a suspect 2016 draft class that also includes fourth round offensive lineman Willie Beavers who hasn’t been able to earn significant playing time despite the injury epidemic on the O-line.
Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen insists Treadwell has the skills to play in the pros. “You see it everyday in practice. He’s got the size, got the speed. He’s got the athleticism. It’s just putting it all together.
“It’s a tough (offensive) system. It’s a long season. It’s just not easy to come in, and step in, and make plays. You gotta earn your right, you gotta keep getting better.”
Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who turned heads as a rookie last season, is a believer in Treadwell, too. “He’s doing everything in his power to become the player that he wants to be.”
Diggs likes Treadwell’s attitude. “He has that want to. He wants to do well.” …
Instead of three regular season NFL games in London as in the past, four will be played next year. The Vikings last played in London in 2013. The use agreement the franchise signed with the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) in October of 2013 allows only three Vikings home games to be played internationally during a 15-year period. So, as of now, the Vikings can move only two games from U.S. Bank Stadium to an international site.
The NFL teams participating in the 2017 London game are expected to be announced tomorrow. …
The Vikings are paying $10 million to the MSFA in this their first season at U.S. Bank Stadium. That amount increases by three percent per year in the future. The club also pays what the use agreement terms “direct and incremental operating expenses” for Vikings events at the stadium. The Vikings receive all revenue from various sources for their events including but not limited to tickets, naming rights, suite licenses, sponsorships and signage. …
A hockey source told Sports Headliners he believes the Minnesota Wild has a leadership issue but offered only praise for goalie Devan Dubnyk and new coach Bruce Boudreau. “Who are the leaders (among players)?” the source asked. “There needs to be leaders that push the young players, police the locker room and make sure everyone is rowing the boat together.”
The Wild has been inconsistent and lost too many close games this season, although the club has won four consecutive games, is in third place in the seven-team Central Division and is a playoff contender. The source said Boudreau has done a “good job” but he has been taken aback at times by the team’s lack of effort, and that relates to the players’ leadership issue.
Dubnyk leads the NHL in goals against average per game at 1.63, save percentage at .946 and shutouts with four. He is the team MVP so far and is playing like he did two seasons ago when he rallied Minnesota to the playoffs. How come?
“Goalies are creatures of habit like pitchers,” the hockey man said. “Sometimes they’re hot and sometimes they’re not.”
At what level has Dubnyk been playing? “I think he is as good a goaltender as there is the NHL,” the source said. “He just hasn’t (consistently) had the support.” …
Five voices familiar to local fans have been nominated for Minnesota State Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). They are Mike Grimm, Alan Horton, Anthony LaPanta, Cory Provus and Mark Rosen. …
The Gophers and Washington State play on December 27 in the National Funding Holiday Bowl, and both are led by head coaches who didn’t play college football—Tracy Claeys and Mike Leach. Sports Headliners reader Mike Wilkinson wonders if that has ever happened before in major college bowl history? He also wrote in his email that Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino didn’t play college basketball. He asked if a major college athletic department ever had football and basketball coaches like Claeys and Pitino who didn’t play their sports while students in college? Anybody have answers? …
Two Twins minor leaguers made the Arizona Fall League (AFL) top 25 prospects team announced last week by MLB.com. Shortstop Nick Gordon was fourth in league average at .346, while also leading players at his position in total chances and assists in 21 games. Catcher Mitch Garver was second in the AFL in home runs with four, while batting .229 in 19 games. Gordon was listed as the No. 2 prospect along with Yankees’ minor leaguer and shortstop Gleyber Torres. Garver ranked No. 23. …
Condolences to friends of Edina attorney and Hobey Baker supporter Jack Carlson who died last Wednesday night. Jack was an avid sports fan with a passion for University of Illinois athletics.
Regarding Tracy Claeys and Rick Pitino not having played their respective sports in college: I always say you don’t have to be a horse to be a horse trainer.