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.

Ryan Longwell: Ponder Debut Best

Posted on October 26, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell is playing in his 15^th NFL season and he told Sports Headliners that Christian Ponder’s first game for the Vikings was the most outstanding rookie quarterback debut he’s seen. Ponder threw for two touchdowns last Sunday and almost rallied the Vikings to a win over the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

“That’s the best I’ve seen, honestly,” Longwell said. “You’re short the win, but everything else ─ the poise, the decision making, the throws ─ just the command was awesome to watch. He’s got a bright future.”

Ponder’s performance not only was superior to anything shown this season by Donovan McNabb ─ the man he replaced ─ but the rookie brought an energy that certainly lifted the crowd at Mall of America Field and maybe most of his teammates, too.

An NFL quarterback who can make big plays is that important. “No doubt,” Longwell said. “You’re never out of it. I’ve had the blessing of being with a great quarterback (Brett Favre) through most of my years, and you’re just never out of it. I think we saw that today.”

Former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema said he was “totally excited” about the switch from McNabb to Ponder. Ponder’s down the field throws helped loosen up the Packers’ defense and enable Adrian Peterson to rush for 175 yards.

Ponder’s play in the 33-27 loss wasn’t perfect. He seemed confused at times by the Packers pass coverage and timing with his receivers needs to improve.

Ponder threw two interceptions, both to veteran Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson. “He realizes now that the defensive backs in the National Football League close a lot quicker than they do in college,” Lurtsema said.

The Vikings, 1-6, have nine games remaining on the schedule including Sunday at Carolina. All but two of the remaining opponents are playing at .500 or better but Lurtsema believes the Vikings can win about half of their games with their rookie quarterback now in charge.

“When the players believe in the quarterback, that’s the big difference,” Lurtsema said.

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Notes Including U Football Valued at $125.5 Million

Posted on October 26, 2011December 27, 2011 by David Shama

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported earlier this month that Indiana University professor Ryan Brewer developed a methodology to determine the financial worth of major college football teams representing public institutions. Brewer’s study ranked the Gophers No. 26 in the country with a valuation of $126.5 million. Only Indiana and Purdue ranked lower than the Gophers among Big Ten schools, according to the Journal.

The Journal reported that Texas, a school that boasts the Longhorns TV network, was No. 1 on the list with a valuation of $848.3 million. That was almost double No. 2 Georgia at $483.6. The SEC had six teams in the top and the Big Ten placed five in the first 15.

Jerry Kill’s contract announced yesterday pays him $1.2 million, according to Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi who acknowledged the compensation is among the lowest for Big Ten head football coaches. The median salary of conference head coaches is $1,781,759, according to a September 30 article by the dailynebraskan.com.

The seven year deal pays Kill $1.2 million annually unless the University approves increases. The compensation is more than three times Kill’s salary at Northern Illinois.

Maturi said Kill’s top assistants, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys and offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover, have salaries in the $300,000 to $325,000 range.

Kill said on WCCO Radio Sunday that among Gophers football redshirts who have potential is 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle Foster Bush from Menasha, Wisconsin.

Gophers fan Dave Henry emailed with news about his in-laws, Bob and Till Kraay of Owatonna who were married on October 29, 1951. They plan to celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium when Minnesota plays Iowa. Not only will it be 60 years to the day that the two were married, but the Kraays went to Iowa City on November 3, 1951 after returning from their honeymoon and watched the Gophers and Hawkeyes play to a 20-20 tie. “They sound like fans of the day to me!” Henry wrote in his email.

Speculation about NFL franchises that might relocate to Los Angeles includes not only the Vikings but two organizations that years ago moved from southern California, the Raiders and Rams.

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Notes Plus

Posted on October 26, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso will be the speaker on Thursday, November 10 at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon in Bloomington. The undefeated Tommies are ranked with the top teams nationally and could win a Division III national championship. C.O.R.E.S. members can contact Jim Dotseth for more information, dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

Myron Medcalf has left the Star Tribune to join ESPN.com. He’s been replaced as the Gophers basketball beat writer by Amelia Rayno who joined the newspaper as an intern in 2010.

Gophers assistant basketball coach Saul Smith admired former Green Bay Packer Sterling Sharpe while growing up. Smith’s dad Tubby also wore Packer green while playing basketball in high school so Saul grew up a Packers fan and was at Mall of America Field on Sunday cheering for Green Bay.

Tubby Smith said he’s seen enough in early practices to be impressed with this team’s shooting. The best since coming here from Kentucky in 2007? “No question about it,” he said.

Prior to Monday’s practice, Smith said freshman Joe Coleman had made 50 percent of his three point attempts in practices while redshirt freshman Oto Osenieks had converted 46 percent.

The Gophers ran out of point guards last season in part because players transferred either before or during the season. Sophomore point guard Maverick Ahanmisi is the team’s one returnee at the position. He’s competing with newcomers Andre Hollins (freshman) and Julian Welch (junior college transfer) to determine the No. 1 point guard. Ahanmisi said he wants to be the starter but is willing to accept a reserve role if necessary and plans to spend his career with the Gophers.

Smith said none of the point guards has emerged as the best but Welch “probably has the least turnovers.” Andre Hollins had several stitches in his cheek at practice on Monday after a recent collision with Austin Hollins.

Lester Patrick Trophy 2011 honorees Mark Johnson, Bob Pulford, Tony Rossi and Jeff Sauer will be at the RiverCentre in St. Paul tonight for an awards ceremony. The trophy honors individuals for “outstanding service to hockey in the United States.”

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