Author: David Shama

Despite speculation last week, it’s very unlikely the Gophers will commit to an eight- year deal with a new coach.  That’s just too many years and too much risk unless Minnesota has the opportunity to land the highest of high profile coaches.

Minnesota’s Adam Weber made a record 49^th consecutive career start for a Big Ten quarterback last Saturday at Illinois.  The record has been verified by the Minnesota sports information department.  Department officials also said Weber will become one of three players in conference history to start 50 games when he plays his final game on November 27 at home against Iowa.  The two others are former defensive linemen, Ohio State’s Luke Fickell (1993-96) and Iowa’s Matt Kroul (2005-08).

The last three seasons have been difficult for the Gophers when they didn’t have wide receiver Eric Decker.  In Decker’s junior season, 2008, Minnesota didn’t win its last three games after he was injured.  Last year the Gophers won two of five games after he was injured, ending a disappointing senior season.  This year the Gophers have all kinds of problems even without Decker but he was so talented the argument could be made the Gophers might have won a few more games with their record setting receiver.  The Gophers are 4-15 in a three-year period without him.

The Minnesota State High School League continues to consider TCF Bank Stadium as a future site for the Prep Bowl but nothing is definitive, according to executive director Dave Stead. He said the challenge is finding dates that match the league’s needs with stadium availability. This year’s Prep Bowl will be at Mall of America Field November 26 and 27 (Minnesota-Iowa game, TCF Bank Stadium).

Last year the Prep Bowl and other tournament football games generated revenues of $832,792.  During the 2009-10 school year boys hockey tournament games generated the most money among all league activities, $1,352,025.  A large portion of revenues from league sponsored tournaments is used for tourney operating costs and also sent to participating schools to pay for expenses.

Stead spoke in Bloomington last week to the C.O.R.E.S group that includes many former educators and coaches.  C.O.R.E.S. is an abbreviation for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.   The group’s next meeting is January 13.

Jessica Aney not only excels in tennis, but also hockey. The diminutive 12-year-old seventh grader finished second this fall to Rochester Century teammate Kelsey Frechette in the Class AA singles championship.  Aney is also expected to have an outstanding season playing for Century’s girls hockey team.  She was recently named the 2010 Sports Illustrated Kids Sports Kid of the Year.

Dick Jonckowski is starting his 25^th year as Gophers public address announcer for men’s basketball.  His niece is Michelle Beisner, sideline reporter for the NFL Network.

Chicago’s Joakim Noah is no longer a fan of former Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett now in his fourth season with Boston. https://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5789761

The 3-5 Vikings are halfway through their 16-game regular schedule and it’s time for “report cards.”  Considered among the most talented teams in the NFC, the Vikings would be the most disappointing so far if not for the collapse of Jerry Jones’ empire in Dallas where the Cowboys have fired coach Wade Phillips following a 1-7 start.

The Vikings deserved an “A-” last year after a 12-4 record, NFC North title and near miss on their march to the Super Bowl.  This season has been characterized by close losses, lack of clutch plays, injuries, under achievement, controversy and off-field drama.

Last Sunday’s near miracle rally, coming up with two touchdowns in the closing minutes to send the game into overtime and then winning 27-24 against Arizona, takes some sting out of the report card, but not enough to approach even “B” status.  Sports Headliners gives the Vikings a “D+” grade after eight games.

For more detailed grading a former NFL coach agreed to pass out report cards if his name wasn’t used.  Here are the grades starting with the Vikings coaches.

Head coach Brad Childress.  Ouch! Our source gives Childress an “F.”  “There’s too much talent on the roster to be struggling,” he said.  The ex-coach said there have been too many distractions including the (Randy) “Moss debacle” and clashes with top players.

Assistant coaches: “B+.”  His evaluation improved after the Vikings rallied to beat Arizona last Sunday using a hurry-up offense and blitzes on defense. “The assistant coaches have helped keep the ship together,” the source said.

Quarterbacks: “B-.”  Prior to Sunday he would have handed out a “near failing grade.”  The ex-coach said Brett Favre helped rejuvenate teammates and fans with two late fourth quarter touchdown passes.  (He looked more like the Favre of old than the quarterback who has often struggled this season with his accuracy.)  “T-Jack (Tarvaris Jackson) and (rookie) Joe Webb have proven they’re not ready,” the source said.

Tight ends and fullbacks: “B-.”  He lumps these players together because of their role as blockers.  He questions having the fullback position because of the limited opportunities the offense provides Naufahu Tahi for running and receiving.  Tight ends Visanthe Shiancoe, Jeff Dugan and Jim Kleinsasser win praise.  He particularly likes Shiancoe’s “productivity and explosiveness.”

Receivers: “C.”  Percy Harvin has the former coach’s admiration. This is a player who continues to improve in his second season and who shows explosiveness, making him one of the NFL’s most dangerous wide receivers.  The absence of Sidney Rice has been “impactful” and Moss wasn’t here long enough to make much of a contribution but the source said extra coverage on Moss created opportunities for others. Bernard Berrian had a breakout game last Sunday catching nine passes but before that was a “really negative contributor.”

Running backs: “B-.”  The ex-coach said Adrian Peterson has had an “excellent” season.  What concerns him, though, is rookie running back Toby Gerhart hasn’t given the team depth and replaced the highly regarded Chester Taylor who left for Chicago during the off-season.  If Taylor were still here he would give this unit an “A” grade.  “What makes me scratch my head is when they substitute for Peterson after a big play,” the source said. “Let him get a rhythm.”

Offensive line: “D.”  “The line has had a bad year (and) not lived up to its capabilities,” the source said.  “The tackle play has been awful.  The guard play has been solid with (Steve) Hutchinson and (Anthony) Herrera.  The center position is a mess, not playing well.”

Kicking game: “A.”  Punter Chris Kluwe has “added control” to his distance, according to the former coach.  Place kicker Ryan Longwell is “rock solid.”  Fans seldom hear about Cullen Loeffler and that’s the best testimony to a long snapper’s reliability.

Special teams coverage and returns: “C”.  Coverage has ranged from “brilliance” to “awful,” according to our evaluator.  He likes the “big plays” of Harvin on kickoff returns.

Defensive line: “B” to “B+.”  This is still an “upper echelon” group, although the sack production has often been missing and sometimes the unit hasn’t stopped the run when it most needed to.  But remember, the ex-coach said, the line has had its moments including earlier in the season when it was the defense that kept the Vikings in games.

Linebackers: “B+” or “A-.”  The unit is one of the best and most underrated in the NFL, the source said.  E.J. Henderson has had a “miraculous turnaround,” after missing time last season because of a broken leg.  He said Chad Greenway is a “tremendous athlete.”

The safeties grade out at a “D” while the cornerbacks earn a “B-.”  “The safety play has been average at best (in the past) and been slipping even further,” according to our evaluator.  Players have been in and out with injuries.  He is critical of the preseason trade where the Vikings gave up defensive back Benny Sapp, a good contributor in the past, for wide receiver Greg Camarillo.

The Gophers open their regular season tonight at Williams Arena against Wofford College, a program that made the NCAA tournament last winter.  Gophers coach Tubby Smith told Sports Headliners last week before his team had won two exhibition games that “we could be pretty good” this season.

What does that mean? “For me it means reaching our maximum potential,” he answered.  “What that is no one knows. …”

Smith said “our goal” is to win the Big Ten championship.  He believes his team is a title contender in a league that many consider the best in the country.

Vital to success will be each player accepting his role, according to the coach who has had 20-win seasons in his first three years at Minnesota.  Players must play for the team, not themselves.  “Forget yourself for others and you’ll never be forgotten,” he said.

Among the Gophers leaders will be point guard Al Nolen, a senior who missed much of the last conference season because he was academically ineligible.  Nolen has struggled his entire career with outside shooting.  But Smith isn’t “concerned” about the outside shot, insisting that Nolen’s exceptional defense, plus ball distribution, penetrating and free throws is what he’s looking for.

“If he knocks down open shots that’s a real plus,” Smith said.  “That’s a big time bonus.  I am looking for him to do the things he does best.”

The Gophers freshmen class of Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin, Elliott Eliason, Austin Hollins, Oto Osenieks and Maurice Walker has impressed Smith.  He respects their work ethic and other character traits more than any freshmen group he’s coached during his long career.  “They’re a special group,” he said.  “…Just the right kind of people.”