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.

Frazier to Address Locker Room Attitude

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by David Shama

Leslie Frazier wasn’t pointing fingers at his news conference today despite the team’s fourth consecutive loss yesterday, a 1-7 record and criticism from veteran players. The Vikings head coach plans to address his players this afternoon about team attitude in the locker room.

Today’s Star Tribune reported that following yesterday’s game Vikings players made critical comments about defensive coordinator Alan Williams and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. “I respect their opinions and I know how competitive they are. How much they want to win,” Frazier said. “I’d like for them to talk to their coaches and myself about whatever concerns they have. Try to get those worked out, but I do understand their frustration.”

Frazier, who expressed confidence the Vikings can start winning, acknowledged he “probably” needs to talk with individual players who have been critical in the media. He wants players on the “same page.”

Frazier doesn’t foresee any staff changes in responsibilities or titles.

Former Vikings head coach Jerry Burns remains supportive of Frazier despite the record and preseason optimism about contending for the NFC North Division championship. “I think Leslie Frazier is a very fine coach,” Burns told Sports Headliners. “If he gave too much command (to his coordinators) I don’t know. I don’t think Leslie Frazier is at fault.”

Burns said criticism causes problems for team cohesiveness. “I don’t like to see that to be honest with you,” Burns said. “It doesn’t help the team. It doesn’t help the fans behind the Vikings.”

Burns is “proud” of Frazier and advises against any major changes to staff and personnel during the season. He said players could be making staff decisions look bad because of problems with execution, and added that it’s difficult to make any major changes in the middle of the season.

The Vikings’ 1-7 record is the worst in franchise history since the same start to the season in 1961. Burns said the team’s record should be better but isn’t partly because of having lost three games in the final minutes of fourth quarters.

Worth Noting

How times change. Sports Headliners was told by a local source that Vikings officials and Frazier discussed extending the coach’s contract late last summer. There was supposedly mutual interest after Frazier’s 10-6 record in 2012 and optimism about the 2013 season. Frazier’s current contract reportedly has an option for the 2014 season but management has declined to make a further commitment.

The same source who talked about Frazier’s contract said ex-NFL coach Jon Gruden was in town several weeks ago but didn’t know the reason for the visit.

Frazier said today tight end Kyle Rudolph’s fractured left foot could keep him from playing for another month. The coach plans to start Christian Ponder at quarterback for a third consecutive game when the Vikings play at home on Thursday night against the Redskins.

The NFL Network will air a one hour documentary on former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m. Minneapolis time. The program includes interviews with Cunningham, former Vikings teammate Cris Carter and ex-Vikings coach Dennis Green. Cunningham quarterbacked the 15-1 1998 Vikings team and he has lived a dramatic life on and off the field.

Cretin-Derham Hall High School assistant coach Ray Hitchcock said there’s a “pail of mail” at school every day from colleges wooing junior defensive end Jashon Cornell. He has been rated the No. 1 high school football prospect in the nation for the class of 2015 by ESPN.com. Hitchcock believes Gophers coach Jerry Kill has reason for optimism in the recruitment of the 16-year-old. “I think Jerry has a great shot,” Hitchcock said.

Jeff Jones, the Gophers’ only four-star recruit per Rivals.com who has verbally committed for 2014, ended his senior season for Washburn on Friday night with 44 touchdowns — 34 rushing, eight receiving and two kickoff returns for scores. Coach Giovan Jenkins told Sports Headliners that Kill’s struggles with epilepsy haven’t diminished his running back’s interest in the Gophers.

“If he had to pick a school today, I think Minnesota would be No. 1 due to his relationships with the coaches,” said Jenkins who coached the Millers to a 6-0 City Conference record and 13^th consecutive title.

After Saturday’s improbable 42-39 win over Indiana, the Gophers have won three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2008 and only the fourth time dating back to 2003. Minnesota is a surprising 7-2 overall, 3-2 in the Big Ten and justifies the faith of program insiders who before the season thought the Gophers’ record could be significantly better than last year’s 6-7 and 2-6 totals. The last time Minnesota won four consecutive conference games was 1973.

Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson was named Co-Big Ten offensive Player of the Week for his play against Indiana including four touchdown passes and a 70 percent completion rate. Minnesota punter Peter Mortell was named Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 43 yards per kick and placing two punts inside the Indiana 20 yard line. Nelson shared his honor with Penn State running back Bill Belton who had a career high 201 yards rushing versus Illinois.

Twins players can expect new coach Paul Molitor to be up front with them. Molitor has that reputation including a willingness to talk about the cocaine addiction he experienced early in his major league playing career.

Molitor is a smart baseball man and so, too, is another Minnesota native who could be on the Twins staff some day, Gene Glynn. He recently agreed to return for a third season as manager of the Twins’ AAA Rochester team.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins and Saints develop a business relationship when the St. Paul minor league team moves into its new downtown ballpark in 2015.

Tubby Smith recently hired his son Saul Smith, who worked for him at Minnesota, as video coordinator at Texas Tech. Saul joins former Gophers assistants Joe Esposito and Vince Taylor on his dad’s staff at Tech.

The Gophers basketball team plays Concordia, St. Paul tonight in an exhibition game at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Cardinal Stritch 79-57 in an opening exhibition game last Friday night and now plays a Concordia program that was 9-18 last season.

The Gophers made 11 of 30 free throws on Friday night and were out rebounded 40-34 by Division II NAIA Cardinal Stritch. “We’re not worried about the free throws,” said Gophers guard Andre Hollins. “I think that was a lot of nerves from the first game.”

Rebounding could be an ongoing issue, though. The Gophers lack size, and coach Richard Pitino noted that 6-4 forward Austin Hollins played 23 minutes but had no rebounds.

In the Williams Arena concourse there are photos of the Gophers’ greatest players including Ron Johnson who is identified as being All-Big Ten in the late 1950s. That is correct but missing is acknowledgement of his two-time All-American status.

The Timberwolves, 3-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season, play at Cleveland tonight. Wolves forward Kevin Love leads the NBA in scoring average at 29.7 points per game.

Wild right wing Jason Pominville, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Capitals left wing Jason Chimera have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 3. During that period Pominville tied for the league lead in goals (4) and points (6), scoring in all three games to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible team six points. He is tied for third in the NHL in goals this season with 10.

The Venture Bank 2014 Minnesota Golf Show will be February 14-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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National Championships Coach Praises Kill

Posted on November 1, 2013November 3, 2013 by David Shama

J Robinson, 67, has coached the Gophers to three national championships in wrestling. He has strong philosophies about coaching and life, and doesn’t hesitate to express them.

“You’re put here for a purpose. You’re not put here to be happy,” Robinson told Sports Headliners.

Robinson is a former Army Ranger who when asked about Gophers football coach Jerry Kill brought up leadership. Robinson, who attended both Ranger and Jungle Warfare School before serving in Vietnam, said leadership isn’t measured just when the leader is present. A test of leadership is whether things “fall apart,” or if they function successfully when the leader is absent.

At times the Gophers have been without their football leader because of Kill’s absence to better manage his epilepsy, but the program has excelled in wins the last two Saturdays over nationally ranked Northwestern and Nebraska. Kill played a partial role in those wins but they wouldn’t have happened without the staff he hired and the players he tutored in two-plus seasons as Minnesota’s head coach.

The success doesn’t surprise Robinson. “He’s got a formula for what I would call success,” Robinson said.

That “formula” has various elements from identifying player personnel to infusing discipline into the program to being willing to trust and delegate responsibilities to assistant coaches. The Gophers are a surprising 6-2 so far this season and maybe on track to duplicate third year turnarounds Kill led at Southern Illinois (10-2) and Northern Illinois (10-3).

Last Saturday’s win over Nebraska, a school the Gophers hadn’t defeated since 1960, was a potential program-changing victory. But to make that a reality this Minnesota team will have to distinguish itself from others who have had similar headline making upsets.

The 1977 team upset No. 1 ranked Michigan 16-0 in Minneapolis, then lost games the next two weeks and finished 7-5 after being 6-5 the year before. In 1986 the Gophers surprised No. 2 ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor but lost the next two games, ending with a 6-6 record after the previous season’s 7-5 mark.

In 1999 the Gophers surprised No. 2 Penn State in “Happy Valley” and won their next two games before losing in the Sun Bowl to Oregon. That season the Gophers were 8-4, winning three more games than in 1998 but in 2000 and 2001 the records were disappointing, 6-6 and 4-7.

The Gophers also surprised Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2005, only to lose the next two games and finish the season at 7-5 after being 10-3 in 2003. Coach Glen Mason was fired after the 2006 bowl game when the Gophers were 6-7.

At Indiana tomorrow the Gophers will try to do the unusual, follow up on a major win with another victory and signal a major shift in the program. Quarterback Philip Nelson said beating Nebraska, college football’s winningest program since 1970, was a confidence booster. “I think this one’s a big one just because Nebraska is a great team. Nobody really ever expects us to really win that much.”

Worth Noting

Freshman wide receiver Donovahn Jones ran four times from scrimmage for 40 yards against Nebraska. A converted prep quarterback, he is still learning how to play wide receiver.

Asked how close he is to becoming a primary receiver Jones said, “I have a little more learning before I get to that point. I am not that far away.”

Jones, who turned down a Missouri program that wanted him to be a wide receiver, said he isn’t interested in returning to quarterback. The position demands passing skills he doesn’t believe he possesses. He also said senior wide receiver Derrick Engel and freshman running back Berkley Edwards are probably the only offensive players faster than he is.

Gophers deputy athletic director David Benedict said earlier this week more than 5,000 tickets remain for the Penn State game at TCF Bank Stadium on November 9.

St. Thomas Academy coach Dave Ziebarth earned his 100^th career win last week. Ziebarth, 100-26-0, coaches his team tonight against Henry Sibley in the Section 5-5A championship playoff game.

Texas native Adrian Peterson is requesting 62 tickets for people he knows to attend Sunday’s game in Arlington, Texas against the Cowboys. The Vikings All-Pro running back said he was a Cowboys fan growing up.

Peterson still has tightness in his right hamstring but said keeping it warm and stretching enables him to run effectively. “Last week (Sunday’s game) I felt good,” he said. “It’s probably the best I’ve felt in a couple of weeks. This week I’ve just got better.”

Cordarrelle Patterson is the only NFL player with two kickoff returns for touchdowns this season. The Vikings rookie didn’t even return kickoffs in high school, had one touchdown in junior college and two in college. His returns this season are for 105 yards and 109 yards, a distance that is tied for the NFL record.

Vikings placekicker Blair Walsh said he is no longer bothered by a left hamstring injury and will be able to kickoff and handle other kicking in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

Coach J Robinson has eight All-Americans returning to his wrestling team and believes the Gophers could contend for the national championship. InterMat’s rankings have three Big Ten schools as the best in the country with Penn State No. 1, Iowa No. 2 and Minnesota No. 3.

The Gophers basketball team opens its exhibition schedule tonight with a 7 p.m. game against Cardinal Stritch. New Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said earlier in the week he’s been impressed with his team’s attitude and poor practices have been minimal.

Pitino described junior guard Kendal Shell as a player that at first he questioned having on the roster, but not any more. Shell played in nine games for a total of 20 minutes averaging 0.7 points per game last season. “Kendall is the most improved player by far,” Pitino said.

Another changed player is junior forward Mo Walker who has lost almost 60 pounds after not being able to play effectively at 310 pounds last season. Pitino wants more change, though. “He needs to be meaner on the court,” the coach said.

Drake transfer Joey King, who is from Eagan, expects a lot of family and friends at games. The sophomore forward said his grandparents are talking about “getting a bus” for game day supporters.

Wally Ellenson, another sophomore forward for the Gophers, is the brother of Henry Ellenson who is ranked as the No. 42 player nationally in the prep class of 2015 by Rivals.com. Wally said his brother (Rice Lake, Wisconsin) has grown a couple more inches to 6-10. “He kind of wants to stop but I don’t think he has a choice,” Wally said.

Junior forward Oto Osenieks only averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game last season but now might become a starter. Osenieks passed on an opportunity to tryout for the Latvian team that played in the European championships this summer. With a new Gophers coach and changes in the program, he stayed in Minneapolis to improve. “I don’t regret my decision. I got so much better in the summer.”

Osenieks said he’s become a more aggressive player while remaining an “unselfish” teammate. “I am not afraid of contact,” he said.

Osenieks is taking business courses in school and some day may open a Latvian restaurant in Minneapolis. “I love it here,” the Riga, Latvia native said.

Daquein McNeil, the Gophers freshman guard from Baltimore talking this week about the weather in Minneapolis: “I hope it doesn’t get colder.”

The Wolves are at home tonight against the Thunder, a favorite to win the NBA title and the club that new Minnesota shooting guard Kevin Martin played for last season. Martin’s NBA stops have also included the Kings and Rockets where he played for Wolves coach Rick Adelman. Martin was a major scorer for Adelman’s Rockets in 2010-11, averaging 23.5 points per game.

Wolves power forward Kevin Love played in only 18 games last season because of injuries but had a memorable season in 2011-2012. He became only the third player in NBA history (Larry Bird, 1984-85; Charles Barkley, 1992-93) to average 25+ points and 10+ rebounds while making 50+ three-pointers.

Former Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn is living in Portland and looking for his next career opportunity. Wolves owner Glen Taylor said Kahn contacted him asking for assistance regarding a potential position that didn’t work out.

Wolves CEO Rob Moor said renovation of Target Center is expected to begin late next spring or early summer. Changes to the building will happen in phases over about an 18 month period and could force the Lynx to find another home court for some games.

Moor also said that while seating capacity for concerts will increase there will not be additional seats for basketball as part of the $100 million renovation.

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Kill Trades Sideline ‘Fire’ for Press Box

Posted on October 30, 2013October 30, 2013 by David Shama

Notes, quotes and opinions during a busy sports week that not only includes Gophers football, the Vikings and Wild, but also opening games for Gophers basketball and the Timberwolves.

Jerry Kill expects to be working in the coaches’ booth in the press box above Memorial Stadium in Bloomington on Saturday rather than on the sidelines when his Gophers play Indiana. Kill is figuring out how to manage his epilepsy with medications and lifestyle. He has attended all recent practices and was in coaches’ booths the last two Saturdays as the Gophers pulled off upset wins over Northwestern and Nebraska.

An intense and dedicated worker even for a college football coach, Kill is determined to make changes that will help in his battle against seizures. “I gotta work smarter,” he said yesterday. “I got great people (assistants).”

Kill’s activities from the coaches’ booth include communicating with his quarterbacks. Philip Nelson was asked if there is an aspect that even if minimal is missed with Kill not on the sidelines. “Yeah, I think just having his fire out there. It’s something that I personally miss but at the same time what we’re doing (as a team) is working,” the Gophers sophomore quarterback said. “I know coach Kill is pretty superstitious so I know he might stay in the box as long as we keep winning.”

Kill noted that retired college football legend Darrell Mudra coached from the press box during his career and won national championships. “I kind of enjoy it up there,” said Kill who indicated he’s working more like 10-hour days now instead of 16. Count on Kill providing plenty of passion to his team in game day locker room situations.

ESPN reported last Saturday that draft expert Todd McShay ranks the Gophers’ Ra’Shede Hageman as the No. 5 defensive lineman prospect for next year’s NFL Draft. Hageman’s improved play as a senior is a top of the list reason why the Gophers are 6-2 overall, 2-2 in the Big Ten and winners of their last two games including a 34-23 win over top 25 ranked Nebraska last Saturday.

Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys has become an admirer of Hageman, a former tight end still learning how to play on the defensive line. “If they had a draft (in the Big Ten) for d-linemen, I am telling you I would not want to play against Ra’Shede with the way he’s playing and how much better he’s getting each week.”

In a dominant performance against Nebraska, Hageman had three tackles, one sack and two tackles for losses. A press box observer compared the work of the Gophers’ nose guard to the legendary Bobby Bell, Minnesota’s two-time All-American defensive tackle in the 1960s who won the Outland Trophy.

The Gophers will welcome a career day from the 6-6, 311-pound Hageman against the Hoosiers. Indiana (3-4, 1-2) leads the Big Ten in passing with 342.7 yards per game and a few Hageman sacks of the quarterback could help turn things Minnesota’s way.

Claeys, who has been the team’s acting head coach when Kill is absent, said this about the Gophers’ potential: “I think there’s bigger wins out there for us if we continue to work and believe in each other. …”

The Gophers led Nebraska 17-13 at halftime. Since the 2011 season, when the Kill era began, Minnesota is 12-0 in games when leading at halftime.

ESPN College GameDay last Saturday featured senior Stanford center Conor McFadden, a former walk-on from Sun Fish Lake, Minnesota who according to the show learned the Cardinal playbook in only three days. His brother Pat McFadden, who also played at St. Thomas Academy, is a freshman walk-on running back.

Former quarterback Joe Webb now converted to wide receiver by the Vikings will be a free agent after this season. “I still have quarterback in my heart but right now just trying to help the Vikings at receiver,” he told Sports Headliners.

Brad Childress lost his job as Vikings head coach after the Packers won 31-3 in Minneapolis in November of 2010. Don’t expect the same for Leslie Frazier whose team was embarrassed by the Packers 44-31 last Sunday at Mall of America Field. One difference is that other than perhaps wide receivers coach George Stewart there’s not a top candidate on the staff to succeed Frazier, who was Childress’ defensive coordinator.

But Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf were at Sunday’s game when the Packers dominated Minnesota and they know enough about football to not be pleased with the loss, or the team’s unexpected 1-6 start to the season.

Frazier on whether he foresaw his team’s troubles after being 10-6 and in the playoffs last season: “…There was no scenario that went through my mind that would have told me that we’d be 1-6 at this juncture. Looking at the way our games have transpired, I do understand why we are where we are. As I said earlier, I do believe we can get some things fixed and get going here. There are definitely some things we have to work on to get done, but I think it’s possible to get done.”

Frazier said new quarterback Josh Freeman, who had been diagnosed with a concussion, received permission to play last Friday although he didn’t participate in the Packers game. Either Freeman or Christian Ponder will be announced today or later in the week as the starting quarterback.

The Cowboys, who host the Vikings on Sunday in Texas, are in first place in the NFC East with a 4-4 record and remain the most popular NFL team in the nation, according to a Harris Poll released two week ago. “America’s Team” is No. 1 even though the Boys have only one playoff win since 1996.

The Packers were No. 2 in the poll, the Vikings No. 13.

The Wild won’t be road weary this week. The team lost to the Blackhawks at home on Monday night and had yesterday off. There will be practices today and tomorrow at Xcel Energy Center followed by a home game Friday against the Canadiens. Then practice at home on Saturday and a game against the Devils on Sunday at Xcel.

Former Gophers point guard Ariel McDonald is an assistant boys basketball coach at Providence Academy in Plymouth. He will also do Gophers analysis for 1500 ESPN.

Gophers coach Richard Pitino showing his sense of humor on his Gophersports.com blog writing about FIU transfer Malik Smith and his performance in a scrimmage: “He didn’t hurt any of our great fans with his errant passes.”

Pitino said he won’t inform his players until Friday who the starters will be for that evening’s opening exhibition game against Cardinal Stritch at Williams Arena. The starting lineup will change multiple times in the week’s ahead. Cardinal Stritch, located in Milwaukee, won the 2013 NAIA Division II national championship.

The Timberwolves open the regular season tonight at home against the Magic who are trying to convert former Hoosiers All-American forward Victor Oladipo into a point guard as a rookie.

Here are several things to know about the local NBA club that also plays at Target Center on Friday night against the Thunder, perhaps the best team in the Western Conference.

Unless this club has another run of devastating injuries, expect the Wolves to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The talent and coaching are in place to finish 12 to 18 games over .500.

The Wolves will score points and some nights could be the league’s most entertaining bunch. A lack of experience and defensive lapses may limit the postseason run, though.

Power forward Kevin Love might extract more success from his skills than any All-Star in the NBA. Still waiting for those marvelous length of the court outlet passes he threw during his one season at UCLA.

Not sure yet if Ricky Rubio is more Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson, Pete Maravich or Bob Cousy. But know this: the Wolves point guard is one special playmaker and he’s only 23.

Center Nikola Pekovic’s short arms don’t suit him well for blocking shots but the man is scary strong. That attribute serves him well on offense and defense where he can shove opponents into places on the court they don’t want to be.

Shooting guard Kevin Martin makes a lot of bull’s-eyes and is the team’s best offseason acquisition. His marksmanship helps counter the limited shooting skill of small forward Corey Brewer who can contribute best as Mr. Defense.

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