Author: David Shama

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton told Sports Headliners that head coach Brad Childress is facing his “biggest test” now in his four-plus seasons with the Vikings.

The unexpected release of wide receiver Randy Moss this week creates a situation where Childress could “lose the locker room,” Dalton said.  The team’s “psyche” is vulnerable anyway because of the 2-5 record, and the sudden departure of the controversial Moss after just four games might be problematic for the Vikings on Sunday when they play Arizona at Mall of America Field.

Dalton thinks Childress reacted hastily in releasing Moss after his impromptu news conference last Sunday during which he asked and answered his own questions, often finding praise for his former New England coach Bill Belichick and teammates, and some fault and certainly not as much affection for the Vikings organization.

Childress hasn’t detailed reasons for letting Moss go although speculation is that his 33-year-old receiver’s misdeeds in behavior and lack of effort at times added up to a resume not to the liking of the coach.  The press conference may have been the final factor.  “To make a quick response (by Childress) seems a little reactionary from comment(s) from the press conference,” Dalton said.

There’s a “potential divide” now in the locker room, according to Dalton.  Differences of opinion among players about the Moss departure perhaps can be controlled by veteran leadership.  Some players could be upset about losing a big play receiver like Moss who was brought in after the season started to help a faltering passing game.  Others might believe the sometimes bizarre behavior of Moss (he reportedly cursed out a caterer at Winter Park last week) and his “play when I want to play” attitude is too much of a distraction.

Childress is a disciplinarian and committed to having a roster of players he’s comfortable with.  At other times during his tenure with the Vikings he’s irritated players with his moves including when in 2006 he released wide receiver Marcus Robinson on Christmas Eve.  Another incident was his clash with wide receiver Troy Williamson about being absent from the team for too many days in 2007.  Williamson missed time that Childress didn’t approve because of his grandmother’s funeral.

Dalton said relationships in the locker room and with coaches can’t be counter productive.  “With a close knit group it’s important to have the right personalities,” he said.

The Vikings gave up a third round draft choice in 2011 to New England to acquire Moss just a few weeks ago.  They also would have had to pay his salary had Tennessee not claimed him off waivers on Wednesday.

The Vikings knew what kind of talent and character they were acquiring.  “If Moss didn’t fit, that decision should have been made before the trade,” Dalton said.

Dalton, a former Vikings assistant coach under Mike Tice, follows the NFL closely and has a weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio.  He doesn’t agree with those who point to Moss’ minimal stats with the Vikings (13 receptions, 174 yards and two touchdowns) and say he didn’t contribute.  “He was drawing coverages that allow somebody else to get open,” Dalton said.

The Vikings have almost buried their season and probably have to win seven or eight of the remaining games to win the NFC North and make the playoffs.  “Another loss in the next few weeks and stick a fork in them,” Dalton said.

Dalton, though, believes the Vikings could pull off almost a miracle finish.  They are more talented than the team he helped coach in 2005 that won seven of its last nine games.  “They’re going to need a lot of momentum because they’re in a really bad spot,” Dalton said.  “They’re talented enough to get on a hot streak.  And that’s how he (Childress) can win back that locker room. …”

Arizona (3-4) ranks 31^st in the 32 team NFL in points scored.  The Cardinals also rank 31^st in scoring average by opponents, 28.3.  The Cardinals haven’t won here since 1977.

Sunday’s game will be the first that Vikings safety Husain Abdullah has played against his brother, Arizona safety Hamza Abdullah.  There are 18 pairs of brothers in the league including former Gophers Marion Barber III and Dom Barber.

The Vikings rank No. 8 in popularity among NFL teams, according to the most recent Harris poll.  Dallas is No. 1 followed by Indianapolis, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, New England and the New York Giants.  Arizona is No. 11.

The Vikings schedule, based on the records of teams in 2009, is tied with Chicago for 14^th most difficult in the NFL.  The cumulative record of Vikings opponents last season: 129-127.

Here’s a pro scout’s view on Randy Moss as quoted in part from the October 25 issue of Sporting News Magazine: “…He still faces constant challenges at the line of scrimmage throughout a game, like jams and reroutes.  Those types of things slow down his vertical acceleration.  He’s not an inside banger, and he never was.”

Kent State has cancelled a nonconference football game with Purdue for next year, leaving the Boilermakers scrambling to fill an open date.  Kent State had a $425,000 guarantee to play at Purdue but a $1.2 million offer from Alabama will have the Golden Flashes heading south. The lesson is for schools to set larger cancellation fees.

The Gophers football team is at Michigan State tomorrow and facing an almost certain loss. Then two more defeats are likely and the Gophers will finish with a 1-11 record for the second time in four years.

During the last 40 years the Gophers compiled five winning Big Ten records.  In that period there have been three third place finishes, and no firsts or seconds.

On November 5, 1960 the Gophers were ranked No. 3 in the nation and played No. 1 rated Iowa in the most important Minnesota football game since World War II.  The Gophers won 27-10 and went on to win the national title.  There’s a wonderful story about that game in the Sports Illustrated vault. https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1071994/index.htm

Coach Don Lucia’s Gophers hockey team (5-3) is trying to win back some fans and can take a step in that direction tonight and tomorrow night against Wisconsin (5-2-1).  Previous seasons have disappointed and the Gophers announced earlier in the week tickets were available for this weekend’s games.  Minnesota has won its last three games and outscored opponents 15-6.

The Wild’s Cal Clutterbuck is helping to promote “Movember.” Clutterbuck’s moustache has its own Twitter account (@ClutterStache).  “Movember” encourages men to grow moustaches during November to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research.

The Wild had Sakura chefs visit Xcel Energy Center and make fresh sushi for lunch after practice on Monday.

The sixth Annual Diamond Awards Event will be January 27 at Target Field and benefit brain, nerve and muscle dis­orders research at the University of Minnesota.  Diamond Awards will be recognized including Joe Mauer as the Twins MVP and Upper Midwest Player of the Year. The awards are based on voting by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.  More information on the event at 612-33-TWINS or 800-33-TWINS.

St. Thomas senior setter Emily Foster has been chosen by league coaches as the MIAC Volleyball Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.  She has also been named to the all-conference team for the fourth straight year and is the seventh player in league history to have 5,000 career assists.

Other award winners are Defensive Player of the Year Nicole Neumann from St. Catherine, Rookie of the Year Kathryn Gaydos of Saint Benedict and Coach of the Year Cindy Book from St. Olaf.