Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Walsh Not Dwelling on Seahawk Miss

Posted on August 17, 2016August 17, 2016 by David Shama

Vikings, Gophers, Twins and Canterbury Park notes:

Fans might still be stewing over the Vikings’ 10-9 playoff loss to the Seahawks last January but field goal kicker Blair Walsh insists he has moved on. It was Walsh’s 27-yard missed field goal that ended the Vikings’ goal of reaching the Super Bowl.

“We’re not going to talk about that anymore,” Walsh said Monday. “We’re so far past that. This is a new week for our team. A new season for our team. I’ve addressed that multiple times in the past so I think we’re just going to move past it.”

Sounds like when the Vikings are in Seattle for tomorrow night’s preseason game against the Seahawks Walsh doesn’t plan to be thinking about the first round playoff loss at TCF Bank Stadium. Walsh said he worked hard during the offseason and is looking forward to another successful year after leading the NFL in field goals last season with 34.

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway said he doesn’t expect to have memories of the playoff game on the trip this week. “Not really. Your job as a player is to wash those things away and just continue to try to focus on what’s next. …We have to move on to the next thing which is the (2016) season.”

Greenway, who is headed toward his 11th and perhaps final season with the Vikings, has the experience to judge how the defense is playing in its four exhibition games leading up to the season. “I look at the little things like how we run to the football, how we attack as a team,” he said. “Make sure we’re trying to strip the football and get turnovers, and then how we’re doing in situational football (game circumstances).”

The wins and losses of preseason games are usually regarded as meaningless, but it must say something that since Mike Zimmer became head coach the Vikings’ record is 9-1 in exhibitions. How to explain it? Zimmer demands effort from his players—starters to scrubs. The Vikings may sometimes outwork the opposition in preseason games.

It will be interesting to see how many times Teddy Bridgewater is sacked during preseason and the regular season that follows. The Vikings third-year quarterback was sacked 44 times during the 2015 regular season. Only five other NFL quarterbacks were sacked more times. His quarterback rating of 88.7 ranked 35th in the NFL.

The offensive line had issues with pass protection last season but the criticism of Bridgewater is he sometimes holds onto the ball too long. Although Bridgewater played only briefly in last week’s preseason opener against the Bengals, he was sacked on the second play of the first offensive series.

Bridgewater impressed with a pass in tight coverage to Adam Thielen in the first quarter, with Zimmer saying later, “I don’t know if Teddy makes that throw a year ago.”

The opening of U.S. Bank Stadium has prompted extensive media coverage both locally and nationally. Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson said media interest includes varied sources such as Maxim, Popular Mechanics, Sports Business Journal, USA Today and The Weather Channel.

Last Friday night the television household ratings in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market were generally higher for the Olympics than the Vikings-Bengals preseason game. The Vikings game had a slight edge in the early evening but later the Olympics ratings were about seven points higher. Both the Vikings and Olympics had much larger ratings than the Twins-Royals game (example: at 9 p.m. the Olympics had an 18 while the Twins were 1.7).

Sports Illustrated’s August 15 college football preview issue includes four Big Ten teams in its rankings of the nation’s top 25 teams, and the Gophers only play one this season, Iowa. Michigan is No. 4, Ohio State No. 9, Michigan State No. 13 and Iowa No. 14.

Gophers linebacker Jack Lynn talking about college football publications predicting his team will finish fifth in the seven-team Big Ten West Division: “It’s just fuel in our fire. We know in the locker room what we have to do to be successful. You just take it from there.”

Lynn, a senior and one of the Gophers leaders on defense, mentioned running back Kobe McCrary first when asked about offensive players who have impressed during August practices. He likened the junior college transfer to former Gopher power runner Rodrick Williams.

McCrary, a junior, could be the Gophers No. 2 running back for their September 1 home game against Oregon State. Redshirt sophomore Rodney Smith, who was second on the team in rushing yards last year, looks certain to be No. 1.

“Some of the things I’ve seen Rodney do in camp so far have been unbelievable,” said Gophers senior quarterback Mitch Leidner. “The cuts he’s made, the catches he’s made. …He’s a tough physical runner. I think really the rest of those running backs can really look up to Rodney…what he’s doing right now.”

The Gophers need breakthrough help at wide receiver and Lynn has been impressed with redshirt sophomore Melvin Holland Jr. “He’s looking good,” Lynn said. “He’s coming out and competing every day. He’s gotten a lot better since even this spring.”

Former Gopher linebacker Mike Rallis is working on a career in the WWE and wrestling under the name of Riddick Moss. Brother Nick, a senior linebacker for the Gophers, said he’s considered a pro wrestling career but wants to pursue college coaching.

Max Kepler (photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins).

A Bleacher Report website story August 11 projected where all 30 major league baseball teams will rank three years from now. The Twins ranked No. 16 with a predicted batting order of centerfielder Byron Buxton, shortstop Nick Gordon, right fielder Max Kepler, third baseman Miguel Sano, DH Adam Walker, first baseman Byung-Ho Park, left fielder Eddie Rosario, second baseman Jorge Polanco, and catcher Mitch Garver. Starting pitchers listed are Jose Berrios, Kyle Gibson, Steven Gonsalves, Phil Hughes and Kohl Stewart.

Twins first baseman Joe Mauer, who had three hits including a homerun in the club’s win over the Braves last night, is batting .436 in his last 15 games.

Eduardo Nunez, who hit over .300 at times for the Twins, is struggling since being traded to the Giants last month. He is hitting .214 with the pennant contending Giants and instead of playing his former position of shortstop has been at third base.

Ricky Nolasco, also recently traded by the Twins, isn’t compiling stats much different with the Angels. His record in Minnesota was 4-8 with a 5.13 ERA and in Los Angeles he is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA.

Canterbury Park’s Minnesota Festival of Champions is Sunday afternoon, and a highlight of the racing season at the Shakopee track. The annual event is only for Minnesota-bred thoroughbreds and quarter horses, helping to showcase the state’s breeding industry.

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Happy Anniversary to Sports Headliners

Posted on August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 by David Shama

This story won’t lead the local 6 p.m. television news but this month is the 10-year anniversary of David Shama’s Minnesota Sports Headliners.

During the first several months of writing this column, readership consisted mostly of family, friends and wayward viewers from cyberspace. A cantankerous sportswriter used to greet me with this welcome in locker rooms and at news conferences:

“Nobody reads you.”

Today, I can say somebody does. Sports Headliners has recorded millions of page views since its beginning in 2006. Along the way many people have been interested enough in what is reported and opinioned here to keep returning to the website.

For that I am grateful. It’s been feedback from readers that is valued as much as anything experienced during this 10-year journey. “You just keep turning them out,” one reader said in an email. “I don’t know how any fan can consider themselves well informed about Minnesota sports without reading Headliners.”

Another reader suggested something I wrote was “Pulitzer-prize worthy.” Those are ultra kind words but so far no notification about my Pulitzer from the accrediting organization.

Not all readers, of course, have appreciated my efforts. A few folks refer to me as a “moron.” Others prefer “idiot.”

I have made mistakes but I don’t believe my intelligence quotient has sunk to single digits—yet.

Most weeks during the year I try to post the best three columns I can. More often than not the content is mostly notes because that’s the type of sports column I most enjoy reading.

Bud Grant (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.)

To scoop other media rivals is fun and professionally rewarding. Sports Headliners scoops most recently were about the announcement of the new Gophers athletic director, and Bud Grant’s precarious small plane landing in Canada. Then there is the trivial get-it-first stuff that is fun to come up with—like where a local athlete is going to play overseas, or the latest on a dating relationship.

Sports Headliners was a one-man startup back in 2006. Today the whole effort remains pretty much the same. That means developing story ideas, covering events, shooting photos, doing interviews, transcribing audio tapes, writing first drafts, editing multiple times and posting the column on the website. The “advertising department” is also in my office where I have lists of prospective advertisers and files on current advertisers.

When I started the blog I didn’t realize how much time it would consume. It is a busy endeavor but it’s also a source of pride and satisfaction. I had a passion for writing this column 10 years ago and still do. I have also had the support of my wife who has provided encouragement and helps with editing.

The realization of Sports Headliners fulfills an ambition I had for a long time. Back in the 1970s I was a Twin Cities sportswriter with assignments that included covering the Vikings and Twins for a wire service. While with the Sun Newspapers I turned down an opportunity to join the Pioneer Press sports department. That is a decision I second-guessed over the years, but I also fulfilled another goal—to have a career in sports marketing.

After having positions with the North Stars, General Sports, Jostens and the United States Tennis Association, I decided to start my own communications business with Sports Headliners as the flagship effort. Technology made the website possible but I couldn’t produce this product without my education as a journalist and relationships with Minnesota sports organizations.

Over the years Sports Headliners has been referred to by various names including blog, column and newsletter. A friend and former coach has labeled it “a missile.”

That’s a head-scratcher but it sure helps not to take yourself too seriously. I know I don’t represent a media giant like the New York Times, or the Star Tribune. I realize my writing “touch” isn’t the cleverest or best delivered in this town. So far there are no journalism awards displayed on my office walls.

But I enjoy what I do, and just as rewarding is that many of you do as well. I often tell friends that I have received more compliments for postings in this space than anything done professionally in my life.

That’s very rewarding, and so, too, is the endorsement of advertisers. Murray’s has been with me almost from the beginning. Van Clemens, Manchester Companies, Goldy’s Locker Room, LZ Automotive, Family Dentistry and many others either are or have been advertisers. Their advertising helps make this effort possible and I encourage every reader to patronize them. These are quality businesses operated by great people.

It’s been 10 years of growth and personal satisfaction writing for you. I have been reminded almost weekly how challenging it is for the Minnesota sports public to be upbeat about local teams. The Super Bowls, Rose Bowls, Final Fours, NBA Finals, Stanley Cups and World Series years for Minnesota teams were long ago.

Brett Favre (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings).

There has been an occasional dance with glory in the last 10 years including WNBA championships won by the Lynx. Favorite memories for me also include the 2009 Vikings’ flirtation with the Super Bowl. That season was mostly defined by the brilliance of then 40-year-old quarterback Brett Favre. The gunslinger from Mississippi by way of the Packers and Jets brought his magic show to Minneapolis and had perhaps the best season of his life.

To be around the kind of greatness showcased by Favre that season is rare—especially in these parts. Yet, fans here seem to remain mostly optimistic. No matter the team, or often the year, fans predict that next season the results will be better, records will improve. Often those aren’t realistic views, but these are attitudes that define what fans are all about. When fans aren’t optimistic, their interest can be near life support status and they may be close to deciding it’s time to move their passion to another team or pastime.

Of all the teams in town, the Vikings seem like the most realistic choice to have major success in the near future. They have good personnel, with even better coaching and resources including the right ownership and facilities. Maybe they soon will wake up the echoes of 2009.

There are other bright spots in town including the Timberwolves with their talented core of players young enough to be playing at Williams Arena instead of Target Center. The ballyhooers have them soon contending for championships but first it would be nice to see the franchise qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

I like several of the team leaders here. Paul Molitor has a high baseball IQ. Mike Zimmer is already included in conversations about the NFL’s better coaches. Bruce Boudreau looks like the Wild’s best coach since Jacques Lemaire. The Wolves Tom Thibodeau’s defensive coaching skills are admired from Rochester to Rio. Gophers AD Mark Coyle and football coach Tracy Claeys have their hearts in the right places working with student-athletes.

The next 10 years could provide an entertaining and perhaps even successful ride for at least a few of our teams. I know some of what happens will be unpredictable, and that too will make things fun.

I am looking forward to the next 10 years of Sports Headliners. In the meantime, keep the comments coming, and if you’re inclined to label me a moron or idiot so be it.

Just part of the job.

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Big Dip in U Football Season Tickets

Posted on August 13, 2016August 13, 2016 by David Shama

As of yesterday the Gophers had sold 22,706 football season tickets, according to an email from an athletic department spokesman. Those are season tickets that don’t include student sales and the figure represents a major decline in season sales from last year’s final total.

The spokesman also reported that nonstudent season tickets last year totaled 27,885. With less than three weeks to the start of the Gophers season, the athletic department is off about 19 percent from last year’s final sales.

The last few years the public season ticket total is believed to be in the 27,000 to 30,000 range. If the Gophers didn’t sell any more tickets in 2016 they would be down 5,179 tickets from last year at TCF Bank Stadium (with a capacity of over 51,000). The department will expect to boost its total of 22,706 but time is growing tight.

A drop-off of 15 to 20 percent is a significant loss in ticket revenue. The decline has the attention of athletic department leaders who have reportedly cancelled a 2017 price increase. They may have done so not only because of push back from ticket buying customers but also because of media reports earlier this year the Big Ten Conference has negotiated a rich TV deal for its schools. The Gophers’ future TV revenue share reportedly will be over $44 million annually and that would make it easier to hold steady with ticket prices.

A price increase in 2017 was scheduled to be part of a three-year escalation in pricing announced in late 2014. Late this week the athletic department sent emails to ticket holders announcing the freeze in prices, according to a Sports Headliners source. Joe Christensen wrote about the change in pricing in today’s Star Tribune.

Many seats at TCF Bank Stadium have increased in cost by hundreds of dollars because of built-in donation fees attached to ticket prices (also labeled and reported as “scholarship seating fees”). At the time of the 2014 announcement the department explained the necessity for creating more revenues to counterbalance rising costs and to increase the operating budget for Gopher athletics.

However, there is a lot of pushback from unhappy season ticket holders, even though many realize expensive tickets have become common with football programs across the country. One source told Sports Headliners this summer he heard Gophers football season ticket sales for 2016 were off about 20 percent. Another source estimated 10 to 15 percent.

The Gophers were coming off a 8-4 regular season and 5-3 Big Ten record in 2014 when athletic director Norwood Teague announced changes in pricing. Minnesota was headed toward its first New Year’s Day Bowl game since 1962, and Jerry Kill was building his popularity as head coach. By season’s end last year the Gophers had finished 2-6 in the Big Ten and 6-7 overall after a Quick Lane Bowl win against Central Michigan. They also played the last part of the season without Kill who resigned in October because of health concerns.

Without the face of the program in Kill and coming off a disappointing season, it’s not surprising there is a major drop-off in season ticket sales now. The 2016 price increase is no doubt part of the cause. Also, adding to the problem is a home schedule that is less attractive than 2015 when marquee names Michigan, Nebraska, TCU and Wisconsin came to town. The best draws on this fall’s home schedule are Iowa and Northwestern. Next year is better with the main attractions lining up as Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Worth Noting

Best wishes are welcome for Gophers linebackers coach Mike Sherels who has had multiple hospitalizations and surgeries the last couple weeks including Thursday, according to a source. Sherels, 31, has been visited by Gophers players and is likely to remain hospitalized for awhile.

It appears likely Shannon Brooks, the Gophers leading rusher in 2015, will miss the opening game against Oregon State after surgery this week for a broken bone in his foot, according to another source. Speculation is Brooks might be out three to five weeks. Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys is expected to provide details about Brooks early this evening.

After Oregon State September 1, the Gophers play a tune-up game September 10 versus Indiana State and then have a bye before their final nonconference game against Colorado State September 24. A Brooks return for that game might be probable. Brooks, a sophomore, rushed for 709 yards and was a surprise impact player last season.

Redshirt sophomore Rodney Smith, the team’s second leading rusher last season with 670 yards, probably will become the team’s main ball carrier. His backup, junior college transfer Kobe McCrary, seems likely to receive major playing time, too.

McCrary, 6-2, 235 pounds, led the nation’s junior college players in rushing touchdowns last season with 22. Competing at Butler Community College in Kansas, and playing in one of the premier JC leagues in the nation, the Florida native rushed 225 times for 1,190 yards.

Ryan Burns, publisher of Scout’s GopherDigest.com, said McCrary is similar to Brooks in his ability to break or slip tackles. He also told Sports Headliners that while redshirt freshman James Johannesson had an eye-catching spring game for the Gophers and remains a promising player, McCrary “was brought in for a reason.” As Burns knows, Claeys isn’t likely to recruit junior college players with their limited years of eligibility unless they can help the team immediately. McCrary will have two seasons of eligibility at Minnesota.

Burns thought the Gophers had a potential breakthrough freshman in former Marshall High School receiver Drew Hmielewski but he will miss the 2016 season because of shoulder surgery and will be a medical redshirt. “At some time he will probably start practicing this fall,” Claeys said. “I don’t know when.”

Claeys definitely expects Hmielewski to participate in spring practice. Coming out of high school Scout ranked him as the No. 9 wide receiver in the Midwest.

This afternoon’s 4:45 p.m. Gophers practice at TCF Bank Stadium is the last one open to the public.

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