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.

Worth Noting

Posted on December 13, 2010November 4, 2011 by David Shama

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell has a 0.4 handicap and when his NFL career ends might devote two years (starting with small tournaments) to see if he can play professional golf. Another post-football option could be an expanded role on the Golf Channel where he’s already done some off-season TV work.

Longwell, 36, has only four games remaining on his contract with the Vikings, and so he’s unsure of his future. He makes his off-season home in Orlando where his dad, a former golf pro, lives nearby. Longwell said he’s within a 10 minute drive of Disney World and frequently visits the famous entertainment attraction multiple times per week. “We’ll certainly eat over there or go on a ride or something three or four times a week,” he said.

The Vikings need help at wide receiver and might find it in next year’s college draft. A mock first round draft in the December 6 issue of Sporting News Magazine projects seven wide receivers being drafted in the first round. Among them is Notre Dame and former Cretin-Derham Hall wide receiver Michael Floyd projected at No. 14.

Here’s one way to evaluate the minimal exceptional talent that new Gophers coach Jerry Kill inherits from former coach Tim Brewster: the All-Big Ten team selected by the media gave honorable mention recognition to two underclassmen, kick returner/cornerback Troy Stoudermire and linebacker Gary Tinsley, both juniors. The coaches All-Big Ten team included only senior center D.J. Burris among Minnesota honorable mention selections. Burris was also on the media team, receiving honorable mention recognition. No Gophers were chosen first or second team All-Big Ten by either the coaches or media.

Mr. Basketball chair Ken Lien said Hopkins star and Gopher recruit Joe Coleman has improved his shooting during the off-season and his form looks smoother.

Apple Valley ninth grader and point guard Tyus Jones continues to be among the most watched Minnesota preps. Lien said it’s important for Jones to keep his competitive approach with so many years of high school basketball ahead. “By the time he’s a junior, he could be bored with the whole thing,” Lien said. “I wish he would play multiple sports. It would be good for him.”

ESPN.com’s top 50 ratings of major league hitters includes only two Twins on the list, Joe Mauer at No. 22 and Delmon Young, No. 40. Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera is No. 1. https://espn.go.com/mlb/playerratings/_/type/batting

With the addition of slugger Adam Dunn in Chicago, the American League team power rankings for 2011 likely will have the Red Sox, Yankees and White Sox ahead of the Twins unless Minnesota makes a major personnel upgrade.

Sixty-two of the best boys and girls high school hockey teams in the Upper Midwest participate in the 10th annual Schwan Cup hockey tournament, December 27-January 1. The tournament field is divided into four divisions each for boys and girls. https://www.nscsports.org/index.htm

The Swarm lacrosse team lost a local connection with the retirement of Colin Achenbach, the only Minnesota born player in the franchise’s six-year history.
The graduate of Apple Valley High School signed with the Swarm as a free agent in 2007. The Swarm opens its 2011 season on January 8 at home against Rochester.

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Shh! Fumbleless Peterson on a Roll

Posted on December 10, 2010November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Adrian Peterson is fifth among NFL rushers with 1,123 yards, but the number that could be in bold face among his stats is zero fumbles.

What was a hot topic a year ago has almost become forgotten. Peterson had seven fumbles and lost the ball six times during 16 regular season games last year. The year before, 2008, he had nine fumbles, losing four of them.

The fumble numbers hurt and likely so did the public criticism. Peterson is a prideful guy.

He acknowledged in September placing more emphasis on handling the football with care. He said ball security is definitely a “mental” issue and also that running backs coach Eric Bieniemy showed him examples where he fumbled or presented the opportunity to tacklers to knock the ball loose.

“…As far as the physical part, it’s just holding it high,” Peterson said earlier in the season. “I found out by studying myself that when I’m going down I kind of brace myself with the hand I’m carrying the ball in, and that’s leaving opportunities for those guys that are reaching, and scraping and punching for that ball, giving those guys the opportunity to make big plays.”

Vikings cornerback Litto Sheppard played for the Jets last year. When he joined the Vikings he brought perspective on how rival players viewed Peterson. “That was a big thing for Adrian this year to come in and try to protect the ball more,” Sheppard said. “The kind of player that he is and considering how last year ended, with the history of what people think, I think he took it upon himself to take that next step and be a lot better as far as protecting the football and not turning the ball over especially in tough games. He’s done a great job and it shows.

“When I first got over here I mentioned a couple of things to him as far as what…we were scouting him on. I think he’s definitely took heed to some of that. …He’s such a tough runner, (and) he tries to fight for every yard. Once guys got a hold of him they tend to go for the ball. I think he has been more comfortable (this fall) as far as protecting the ball at the first initial contact.”

Sheppard said the approach when he was with the Jets was that when a defender slowed Peterson down “everybody else was going for the ball.” Regardless of whether Peterson faces that strategy this year or not, he’s holding on to the football.

And including this Sunday’s game at home against the Giants he only has to get through four more games to have a perfect goose egg in the fumbles category.

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Worth Noting

Posted on December 10, 2010November 4, 2011 by David Shama

Peterson joins local writer and broadcaster Larry Fitzgerald for a guest appearance on Monday night at Outback Steakhouse in Inver Grove Heights. More information on activities including Peterson’s appearance is available by calling 651-457-7688.

Sheppard is a free agent after this season and doesn’t know about his future with the Vikings. “I have a lot of football left in me,” the 29-year-old said. He believes he has “three or four great ones” left if he’s healthy.

Rookie guard Chris DeGeare had his first NFL start last Sunday in place of the injured Steve Hutchinson. DeGeare said he played “pretty good” and that a false start penalty given to him should have been on left tackle Bryant McKinnie. DeGeare said he won’t know until Sunday morning if he will start against the Giants.

Former Gophers cornerback Marcus Sherels, now on the Vikings practice squad, said he wants to add about 10 pounds of muscle next year and bring his weight to 180. He’s not sure if the Vikings will bring him back next season and provide an opportunity to make the 53-man roster.

The Texas offensive staff has openings and it might not be surprising if former Gophers coach Tim Brewster rejoined his old Longhorns boss Mack Brown as an assistant coach.

Work ethic guy Cliff Lee would be a perfect fit in the attitude-conscious Twins organization but it would be a shock if the front office ever considered the kind of seven year big money deal the 32-year-old lefthander wants.

Last month the Twins added four players to their 40-man roster to protect them from being available to other clubs in yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft. The four are first baseman Chris Parmelee, outfielders Joe Benson and Rene Tosoni and right-handed pitcher David Bromberg. All but Tosoni are playing in the Arizona Fall League. Parmelee, a former first round draft choice, is hitting .339 in 29 games with 13 RBI, according to stats on the Twins website. Benson is hitting .236 in 17 games while Bromberg is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA.

Deolis Guerra, acquired from the Mets in the 2008 Johan Santana trade, has a 2.92 ERA and 2-1 record pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League. Kyle Waldrop has a 1-0 record and 16.05 ERA in 10 games in the same league.

Tickets for TwinsFest went on sale Wednesday. The three-day event will be held January 28-30 at the Metrodome with more than 60 current and former Twins players expected. Tickets are available at Target Field, the team’s pro shops and at www.twinsbaseball.com.

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