Author: David Shama

Joe Webb, the Vikings sixth round draft choice, demonstrates his athleticism on a YouTube video where he jumps over seven football practice bags.  The video was made last winter and has generated lots of attention. “Especially when it first got on YouTube a lot of people called me up and said, ‘That’s crazy,’ ” Webb recalled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9PsUH1fmJk

Webb was drafted as a potential wide receiver but his raw talent as a quarterback intrigues the Vikings.  He was given attention and opportunity at the team’s recent minicamp.

Among those watching Webb was former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema who predicted Webb will make the Vikings 53-man roster or practice squad this year.  “I know I am competing to make a No. 53 spot. …I am just trying to find my way in,” Webb said.

Webb alos said the Vikings coaches like his arm and ability to move around.  But offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said it will be a process to develop the young quarterback who also played wide receiver in college at UAB.

“‘He’s a big athlete,” Bevell said. “He is a tall guy (about 6-4, 220 pounds).  He has a strong arm. …He is very raw at this point. There are a lot of things that he can continue to improve on. …”

Lurtsema also likes Vikings rookie defensive end Everson Griffen.  He said Griffen has the athleticism to “shuffle” off initial contact and make plays for the Vikings.

Critics said last year that Vikings center John Sullivan was undersized for his position at about 6-3, 300 pounds.  Sullivan told Sports Headliners he’s worked hard during the off-season to improve himself physically.  “Really tried to increase upper body size, and get bigger and stronger, and I think I’ve done a good job of that so far,” he said.  “We’ve got a little bit of time before training camp so I will try to continue to make improvements.”

Sullivan said his weight has increased to “just over 300.”

Last week’s approval by Santa Clara voters of a 49ers stadium means the NFL has only three remaining stadium challenges among it 32 teams.  Oakland, San Diego and Minneapolis still have stadium issues.  What’s interesting about the $937 million stadium plan is that nearly 90 percent of the funding will come from private sources.  It seems unlikely that any financing plan for a new Vikings stadium will have 90 percent funding from private sources.

Wesley Johnson, who worked out for the Timbrwolves yesterday, is a popular choice to be the No. 4 pick in next week’s NBA draft and become a member of the Wolves. The Syracuse junior wasn’t highly recruited in high school but his development in college has made him a probable fit for the Timberwolves who are in need of a small forward.  Last season the 6-7, 205 pound Johnson ranked 10^thin the Big East Conference at 16.5 points per game, fifth in rebounding averaging 8.5, fifth in steals at 1.7, sixth in blocks with 1.8 and seventh in three-point percentage at .415.

The Northwoods League, a summer college baseball league that includes Minnesota franchises, reports a record 162 alumni chosen during the 50 rounds of last week’s major league baseball draft.  The league website says 65 former Northwoods players have made the big leagues.  https://www.northwoodsleague.com/News.aspx

Former North Stars owner Howard Baldwin wants to make a movie about hockey legend Gordie Howe.

Mike Modano, who started his career with the North Stars, will play a 20^th NHL season and probably finish his career in Dallas where new ownership will be decided soon.

Ex-Gopher Paul Martin, in demand as a free agent, may wait until New Jersey names a coach to replace Jacques Lemaire before deciding on a future with the Devils.

The annual Bruce Smith Golf Classic at Faribault Golf Club is next Monday.  The classic is named after Faribault native and former Gophers Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith.  The event provides scholarships for students who have graduated from Faribault High School, Bethlehem Academy and the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf.

Rachelle Dosch is the new head volleyball coach at Gustavus.  Dosch, a 2007 St. Thomas grad, was an assistant coach at Winona State and Luther College during the past three years.

Athletic director Joel Maturi, whose contract with the University ends in June of 2012, told Sports Headliners that University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks wants him to continue beyond that date.

Although it wasn’t publicized at the time, Bruininks expressed that desire last fall.  The president’s conversation with Maturi coincided with Bruininks’ announcement that the 2010-11 school year will be his last heading the University’s Twin Cities campus.  A new president is expected to be directing the University in 2011-12.

“He (Bruininks) did not think it would be in the best interest of a new president, or Gopher athletics, to hire a new athletic director in his first year (on the job),” Maturi said.

Maturi, who has been the Gophers athletics director since 2002, is still considering Bruininks’ request that suggested a two or three year contract extension.  He will need to give the president a final answer by December.

Maturi, who has been planning to retire in 2012, will review health and family considerations in making a decision on whether to remain for a couple more years.  That scenario would push his retirement age to almost 70.

“It’s not any greater than 50-50 that I will stay on,” Maturi said.

A new athletic director needs to start work in July or August of 2012 if Maturi retires in June of that year.  Maturi doesn’t plan to be part of the search committee or in other ways be involved with choosing his successor.  “That’s not my job,” he said.  “That’s not appropriate.”