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.

Addison’s Drive May Ensure NFL Success

Posted on April 30, 2023 by David Shama

Jordan Addison, the Vikings’ first round draft selection in 2023, is gifted with the physical abilities to play in the NFL but enhancing his likelihood of becoming a dynamic receiver is his work ethic.

Initial references to Addison typically include mentions such as his ability to get separation from defensive backs. His foot work, route running and speed, including quick bursts, have all drawn praise, but there’s more that has contributed to his achievements and recognition that include winning the 2021 Biletnikoff Award honoring him as the best receiver in college football.

Addison won the award while at Pittsburgh, before transferring to USC and playing there last fall. A football source texted Sports Headliners that while playing for Pitt, Addison showed he was a “grinder,” and described the 5-11, 173-pound Addison as a “lunch bucket guy.”

Jordan Addison photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

When Addison arrived in Los Angeles he found his preferred jersey number, 3, had been retired to honor former USC Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Carson Palmer. Addison promised “to work his tail off” at USC and Palmer graciously told the transfer he could wear the number.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said his franchise was attracted to Addison’s “drive to be great.” At the Friday news conference where O’Connell spoke to the media, Addison said he has wanted to play football since he was three years old, but his mom wouldn’t okay participation until he was five.

Addison made it known in the media session he’s ready to play his rookie season. What’s his thought process? “Because just my confidence and I’m willing to come in here and work every day. I’m happy coming into the building, studying extra tape and just being around the guys.”

Addison has college experience as a slot receiver and could fit there for the Vikings who need to replace the departed Adam Thielen on their wide receivers roster. Schematically and physically Addison should be a great fit for the Vikings’ already superb passing game led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receivers Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Because of his smallish size for a pro receiver Addison will probably need to get stronger in his body and hands. But with his other skills at the young age of 21, and reputation for willingness to work, the expectation is he will be up for the assignment.

Worth Noting

It was 25 years ago this month the Vikings drafted wide receiver Randy Moss at No. 21 of the first round. Other teams knew he was talented, but character concerns made them back away from Moss who went on to a Hall of Fame career.

Zach Evans, the redshirt freshman named one of the MVPs of the Gophers’ spring game, was ranked the No. 10 running back in the nation by Rivals after his senior season in Heath, Texas where he rushed for 26 touchdowns and 1,957 yards.

Early predictions have Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota as favorites to win the Big Ten West Division this fall.

It’s fair to speculate about Dean Evason’s future as the Wild’s coach. After Friday night’s playoff loss to the Stars, Evason coached teams have lost four consecutive opening playoff series dating back to 2020, including this spring with Dallas eliminating Minnesota in six games. His decision to start goalie Marc Andre-Fleury in Game Two was a disaster, with Minnesota losing 7-3 after opening the series with a win in Dallas behind Filip Gustavsson.

Evason changed up his lines Friday night to spark more scoring but the Wild produced just one goal after being shut out in Game 5. The Wild, trailing 1-0 after the first period Friday, were inexplicably flat in the second period as Dallas took a 3-0 lead into intermission. And Evason will tell you he wasn’t satisfied with the play of his special teams in the series.

Wild GM Bill Guerin isn’t the most patient of leaders and fans may wonder if sooner or later he might be tempted to change coaches in an effort to get a franchise that hasn’t advanced beyond the first round since 2015 to go deeper into the playoffs. This is the second consecutive year the Wild led 2-1 in a best of seven series only to lose, with the Blues being the nemesis in 2022.

Evason is an intense leader, and a solid coach, and a change might not be fair to him, but when expectations aren’t met for a long time shake ups can happen.

Don’t be too sure the Timberwolves can’t find a trade partner for controversial center Rudy Gobert. The Mavericks, for example, need rebounding and interior defense to complement high-scoring guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

MLB teams are now allowed to have jersey sponsors, but most clubs still don’t have deals including the Twins. It will require big money for any sponsors to have their patches on uniforms.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, the former Twins prospect who was sent to the Reds last August as part of a deal to acquire pitcher Tyler Mahle, is hitting .464 in 28 at bats for AAA Louisville. The 23-year-old third baseman-first baseman turned heads with his .577 batting average in spring training.

Yennier Cano, the ex-Twins pitching prospect sent to the Orioles last year as part of the transaction to acquire Jorge Lopez, has yet to allow a hit in 9.2 innings after being recalled from Norfolk April 14. Now 29, Cano signed with the Twins at 25 and made a name for himself in Cuba.

Long time Twin Cities newspaper columnist Patrick Reusse celebrated 42 years of sobriety April 27. “There was no risk to my job or anything like that,” Reusse told Sports Headliners years ago about the decision to enter recovery for alcoholism. “I got sick of being hung over. I was single, (and) my first wife had divorced me in ‘79. I was running around with a younger crowd and acting goofy. …”

The annual Twin Cities Dunkers Fund dinner and auction is Tuesday night at Interlachen Country Club. The fund assists the under financed athletic programs of the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools. Last year’s event raised $161,350 and since 2011 has generated $1,107,588.

Jon Cherney, executive director of the Herb Brooks Foundation for five years, is leaving the organization.

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Vikings May Target Coveted Quarterback Anthony Richardson

Posted on April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 by David Shama

Daniel House spends countless hours studying NFL draft prospects and told Sports Headliners he could see the Vikings selecting coveted Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson Thursday night. “I am passionate about the draft,” said House who has a following because of his Mnvikingscorner.com and Gophersguru.com websites and appearances on local radio.

It’s a head scratcher as to what the Vikings will do with their five selections in the seven round NFL Draft that will go through Saturday. “The first round is interesting because there’s a couple different ways they could go,” House said.

He believes if Richardson is still available in the eight, nine or 10 range of the first round, the Vikings may be able to trade to a better position from their No. 23 spot and take the 6-4, 244-pound quarterback who could emerge as an NFL starter early in his career. “This is one of the more unpredictable top tens that I can remember in a while because you don’t really know how teams are going to value the quarterback (candidates), and then (defensive tackle) Jalen Carter, how much does the off the field situation (maturity-character) play into his slide down the board? Don’t really know.”

If the Vikings stay at No. 23, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey could be their target and provide talent for new coordinator Brian Flores. “Kancey would be a very intriguing player in the Vikings’ scheme,” House said via email this morning. “He is an explosive DT who could move all over the front and create mismatches based on the situation or matchup. He’d also be a very dynamic weapon in the defensive line movement game. The Vikings need more interior pass rushing juice and Kancey could provide that. Flores would feature him very creatively too.”

House also likes North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs, while admitting he is “a lot higher” on him than others. The Vikings can benefit from a third skilled wide receiver behind Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn. House said the 5-9 Downs has “excellent ball skills” as shown by his 72 percent success with contested catches last season. “He’s got great field vision and can cause damage after the catch,” House said about another possibility at No. 23.

The Vikings have cornerback needs, too, that need attention. “I am a huge fan of Cam Smith,” House said in regard to the South Carolina corner. The 6-1, 180-pound Smith runs a 4.43 40, per NFL.com, and is not only a physical defender but is skilled in anticipation of pass routes, House said.

If the Vikings trade back from No. 23 in the first round as part of a strategy to add picks, Downs or Smith might be available, or Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. House said the media is “undervaluing” Benton who NFL.com projects as a second-round pick. At 6-4, 309 he is not only strong but showed pass rushing skills at the Senior Bowl, per House.

Daniel House

Edge rushers are coveted in the NFL and Iowa State’s Will McDonald is another player that House believes is undervalued. McDonald looks like a possibility in the first round and certainly somewhere in the second. “I loved the energy and effort he played with,” House said. “He’s one of those guys that maybe didn’t play in the best fit schematically but could translate (to a new scheme) and be a huge, huge boon for an NFL team who values him.”

The Vikings don’t have a second-round selection but do have picks in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. Possible second or third round players House likes in the upcoming draft include Mississippi running back Zach Evans who with his explosiveness reminds him of the Vikings’ Dalvin Cook.

House also favors day two and three prospects Israel Abanikanda from Pittsburgh, Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and Illinois defensive tackle Calvin Avery. The Vikings may have included Avery among top 30 players hosted here for draft analysis. House sees him potentially filling a nose tackle need for the Vikings and “someone to keep an eye on” during day three.

The Vikings’ NFC North Division rivals include the Lions who have two selections in the first round. House believes the Lions could take Illinois corner Devon Witherspoon at No. 6 and beat the Vikings to Kancey at No. 18. The Bears need offensive line help and may opt for Tennessee tackle Darnell Wright. At No. 13 the Packers may go with Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Before their trade Monday with the Jets that moved them up from No. 15 to 13, House thought the Packers might pull an “out of the box” move selecting McDonald who eventually would replace 30-year-old outside linebacker Preston Smith.

Several Golden Gophers could be selected over the three days, starting with center John Michael Schmitz who is likely to go in the first round, possibly to the Giants or Seahawks. House believes cornerback Terell Smith and safety Jordan Howden may be selected in the fourth round. He sees running back Mo Ibrahim, quarterback Tanner Morgan, pass rusher Thomas Rush and linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin as possible seventh rounders.

The draft projection for Ibrahim, the Gophers’ record setting All-American, may surprise some fans. While Ibrahim has strength, toughness and excellent run vision, there are concerns about his injury history and lack of top-level speed.

Worth Noting

Passionate Vikings fan Steve Nestor, who has followed the franchise since its inception in 1961, emailed the following: “If the Vikings draft a QB @ 23, I will no longer follow or watch them. They have so many holes to fill. They need to get more picks and sign some free agents! How is that for being adamant?”

House said dating back to 2017 the football Gophers are the least penalized team in the FCS. “I spent a lot of time looking into that project,” he said.

Minnesota averaged 3.97 penalties per game. Air Force was second at 4.03. Cincinnati, where Luke Fickell led the Bearcats before taking over at Wisconsin after last season, was the most penalty prone team with an average of 8.05.

Look for P.J. Fleck and his assistants to be active in the transfer portal now with needs that include defensive backs. Also, coaches will be on the road recruiting high school players during May.

The Wild, tied at 2-2 in their first round series with the Stars and resuming play tonight in Dallas, could make history if this team advances to the Stanley Cup Finals and wins, per NHL Stats. No expansion team in the NHL, NBA, NFL or MLB that began play this century has ever won a championship. The Wild’s first season was 2000-2001 and although the franchise has been to the playoffs 11 times, Minnesota has never qualified for the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Wild, who lost 3-2 to the Stars Sunday night at Xcel Energy Center, don’t lose often at home. Minnesota has had 24 wins and only eight losses at the X since November 19 of last year.

Denny Schulstad, a close friend of basketball immortal George Mikan, speaks to the CORES lunch group Thursday, May 11 at the Bloomington Event Center. Schulstad, who served 22 years on the Minneapolis City Council and is a former Brigadier General in the Air Force, will share stories about Mikan who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five world championships in six years and was named Mr. Basketball for the first half of the 20^th century. Reservations can be made by emailing Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Dick Jonckowski, who emcees the CORES lunch programs, will be the featured speaker at the annual Brainerd Elks Fishing Fling fundraiser Wednesday, May 10 at the Brainerd National Armory. Proceeds benefit the organization’s youth activities fund.

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U No. 13 in Football Recruiting Rankings

Posted on April 23, 2023April 23, 2023 by David Shama

With 11 commits, the Golden Gophers are No. 13 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings of football recruiting classes for 2024.

The Gophers have picked up five of those verbal commitments this month. “It’s been quite the run the last few weeks,” recruiting authority Ryan Burns of GopherIllustrated told Sports Headliners.

The two recruits with the 247 highest composite rankings are players that excite Burns the most. Offensive lineman Riley Sunram of Kindred, North Dakota and safety Koi Perich of Esko, Minnesota are from small towns but are big names in the recruiting world. Burns said, “I think in this day and age, it proves if you’re good enough they will find you anywhere. …”

Sunram has offers from Big Ten schools, plus Kansas State and Miami (Florida). At 6-5, 295-pounds he is athletic and capable of playing both sides of the football. “I am a big fan of Riley Sunram from North Dakota,” Burns said.

He raves, too, about Perich who not only turned down Iowa and Wisconsin but said no to Michigan. Burns said Perich’s highlight tape just goes on and on with impressive plays, while those of most prep players are much briefer. Perich averaged over 20 points for a winning Esko basketball team and is a track star with achievements including winning the state Class A long jump as a sophomore.

Perich is one of five Minnesotans who are verbal commits. Burns thinks head coach P.J. Fleck and staff are connecting with Minnesotans because the program is winning.

Throw out the COVID year of 2020 and the Gophers have won nine games or more each of the last three seasons and had winning records in the Big Ten. The 2019 team finished No. 10 in the country and qualified for a program rarity, playing in a New Year’s Day bowl game. “They (recruits now) saw the Auburn win,” Burns said about the Gophers winning the Outback Bowl.

The hope is to bolster the 2024 recruiting haul by adding two of the most coveted state players who haven’t committed anywhere yet. Offensive tackle Emerson Mandell from Irondale High School and edge rusher Wyatt Gilmore from Rogers have plenty of big schools in pursuit including the Gophers. “I mean they’re (the Minnesota staff) certainly making a big push; I’ll tell you that,” Burns said. “And those are two big fish that are out there right now.”

Gilmore attended the Oklahoma spring football game Saturday and Burns said potential visits to Wisconsin and Purdue may await. Mandell’s offers include Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Penn State.

“Now I think (the Gophers) they’re trending positively with both,” Burns said. “Do I think both are going to make a decision here in the coming weeks? I wouldn’t say that. But Wyatt Gilmore was just back on campus for what I believe was his fifth visit to campus since he was offered in June. …Emerson Mandell I believe has already been here four times. So they’re (the Minnesota staff) doing their part. We’ll see what those two kids decide.”

Burns said both players have a lot of offers, including from schools with more established Name, Image and Likeness success than the Gopher program. Realistically, what are Minnesota’s chances of commitments from both home state stars? “I think 50-50 to land both is probably a good number right now,” Burns said.

The Gophers had their spring game on Saturday, but they have a double digit number of 2024 recruits and that’s ahead of other years. The Gophers definitely have momentum in recruiting. None of the 11 players are composite four-star players but the possibility is there for that to change. “I think a lot of these kids in this (2024) class already have four-star potential,” Burns said.

In addition to Burns’ input on Sunram and Perich mentioned above, here are comments from him about the other nine verbal commitments the Gophers have. Players are profiled in the order of their 247 recruiting rankings, starting from the highest (after Sunram and Perich) to the lowest.

Jide Abasiri, defensive lineman from Prior Lake High School. At about 6-5, 265, Burns describes Abasiri as “incredibly, incredibly long” and with the potential to perhaps someday “play on Sundays.” The physical ability is there. “He looks the part of what Big Ten defensive linemen look like,” Burns said.

Mo Saine, defensive lineman from Eden Prairie High School. Like Abasiri, he is new to playing football but has the makings of a special player, too. At 6-5, 270, Saine needs more coaching, playing time and dedication in the weight room, but the promise is there for an outstanding college career.

Zahir Rainer, safety from Richmond, Virginia. At 5-10, 185, Rainer takes inspiration from former Gophers All-American safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. who was a dynamo at a similar size. Burns expects Rainer to play with a “chip on his shoulder” and maybe contribute early on special teams. “…Being able to land the son of an eight-year NFL vet with 30 plus offers is a big deal,” Burns added while referring to Wali Rainer.

Corey Smith, wide receiver from Brownsburg, Indiana. Burns said Gopher coaches saw him run in January and were impressed, including the speed of the 6-1, 170-pound athlete. The Gophers were his first Power Five offer, but attention has been growing. “Any time he touches it, he can potentially take it to the house,” Burns said.

Mason Carrier, linebacker from Detroit Lakes High School. Burns said Carrier, at 6-2 and 225 pounds, is an athlete that runs 4.6 in the 40 and reminds him of current Gopher Cody Lindenberg as players deserving of more recruiting interest. Burns added that Carrier is “steadfast” in his commitment to Minnesota and that he’s “very excited about” the northern Minnesota linebacker.

Brady Pretzlaff, linebacker, Gaylord, Michigan. At 6-3, 215, Pretzlaff is long in build and can move well and accepted a Gopher offer in January after Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi saw him, according to Burns. Stanford offered Pretzlaff recently.

Jaydon Wright, running back, Kankakee, Illinois. Wright is a powerful runner at 220 pounds and reminds Burns of former Gopher Ky Thomas. “He can move like he’s not 220 pounds,” Burns said. “He moves incredibly well for his size.” Illinois has now offered Wright but he remains committed to Minnesota.

Dallas Sims, wide receiver from Clearwater, Florida. The Canadian native has about 20 college offers and at 6-2 has more height than wide receivers on the Gopher roster now. Burns admires Sims’ ability to go up in the air and catch the football, and his competitiveness. “Love that kid’s mindset,” Burns said.

Simon Seidl, cornerback from Hill-Murray High School. Seidl plays for former Gopher assistant coach Rob Reeves who told Burns his player has everything needed by a Big Ten corner. Another player new to football, the 5-11, 170-pound Seidl is “very, very fast,” per Burns, and is an exceptional athlete who also plays hockey and had double digit points last season.

Burns believes Minnesota’s recruiting class for 2024 could eventually total about 22 players.

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