P.J. FLECK – Page 18 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Owner Agrees Wolves Are Anthony Edwards Led Team

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by David Shama

The Timberwolves open the regular season Wednesday night in Toronto against the Raptors and Sports Headliners recently interviewed Minnesota owner Glen Taylor about multiple topics including team leadership, expectations, and progress on selling majority control of the franchise.

Does the longtime owner agree with public perception that 22-year-old guard Anthony Edwards, about to start his fourth NBA season, is now the team leader? “The answer is yes to your question,” said the Mankato-based businessman who purchased the franchise in 1994.

Edwards, one of the most athletic and gifted players in the NBA, is on track to supplant forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns as the face of the franchise. In the last three seasons Edwards has increased his basketball wisdom while improving season scoring averages from 19.3 to 21.3 to 24.6. Presumably he will be asked to make the biggest of plays late in games to decide outcomes, while also excelling at playmaking and defense.

The maturation of Edwards was evident this summer when he played for the U.S. Men’s FIBA World’s team. He led the U.S. in scoring at 18.9 points per game and minutes (25.9) as the Americans placed fourth in the tournament. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals.

The lead role is expected to fall on Edwards, despite the greater experience of Towns, entering his ninth NBA season, and center Rudy Gobert, starting his 11^th. Both veterans earn roughly four times the salary of Edwards at $9.2 million, per ESPN.com.

Taylor’s expectations are for his players to excel this season, including the team’s two other starters, forward Jaden McDaniels and guard Mike Conley, Jr. “We should be one of the elite teams,” Taylor said after being told The Athletic predicts the Wolves will finish in a tie for third in the Western Conference.

“We have the guys (the talent),” Taylor said. “The other thing is it just appears watching them play the five preseason games that we are different this year. That the guys are more in tune. They’re playing really competitive ball right from the very beginning.

“Where in the previous years in the preseason we were always a little sloppy. We looked like we weren’t quite ready and stuff like that. And if we can just kind of keep playing…like we played in the preseason, we’ll get off to a good start. There’s no reason we can’t keep going, and then it gets down to injuries (determining wins and losses).”

Taylor is told that as a group the team came to training camp in better shape physically and with conditioning, and more prepared mentally. It appears, too, there is motivation to perform better after last season’s disappointing 42-40 record and eighth place finish in the Western Conference that was impacted by injuries.

Taylor decided in 2021 to sell the Wolves and Lynx franchises for $1.5 billion by the end of 2023, eventually giving majority control to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. Two payments have been made so far and it’s been an unusual installment plan for buying a professional sports franchise.

Lore and Rodriguez have apparently been financially challenged to raise the capital needed for majority ownership (Taylor will retain a minority interest). The final payment is due in December but apparently will be stretched out further, with Taylor’s approval. “I cannot see them getting it done at the end of December,” Taylor said.

Taylor hasn’t been in touch with Lore and Rodrguez for some time. “I am assuming the guys will get it done, but I have no knowledge. They don’t share anything with me so I can only assume they’ll get it done. I don’t know anything more than (when) we talked about a month ago or something like that.”

Danielle Hunter Trade Looking Less Likely by Vikings

An NFL insider thinks it’s possible the Vikings could trade sack master Danielle Hunter prior to the league trade deadline October 31 but questions the wisdom of such a move. A deal with a team like the Jaguars might fetch a first-round draft choice for the Vikings who could then have two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and leverage their draft capital to select a coveted quarterback.

The former executive with NFL teams said a few days ago that perhaps making it more likely Minnesota hangs on to its talented pass rusher would be if the then 2-4 Vikings split their next two games. Well, the Vikings took care of the 49ers Monday night with a 22-17 win, moving their record to 3-4. Next up are the 2-4 Packers, October 29 in Green Bay.

A 3-5 record, or 4-4, with a friendly schedule ahead could well have Vikings management thinking of competing for a place in the playoffs. At 2-6 the outlook would have been more discouraging for sure and conducive to strategizing for the future.

Danielle Hunter image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.

When healthy, Hunter has been a proven talent during his eight-year career as a defensive end and outside linebacker. “I don’t think they will trade Hunter,” the source said while speaking anonymously. “Why would you do that? He leads the league in sacks (nine). He’s only 28 years old. …He’s proven he can stay healthy the last couple years. Without him their pass rush is nothing—as far as the front people, without a blitz. He’s their best player on defense. Those pass rushers don’t come easily.

“I think it’s just been ridiculous speculation that they would trade him. Now if they lose to San Francisco and Green Bay, they’re sitting at 2-6, then they might reconsider if they could get a first-round pick. But I don’t think they’re going to do it without a first-round pick. …”

Hunter, who turns 29 on October 29, is on a one-year deal in 2023 and likely will be looking for $20 million per season or more on his next contract. That could give a potential trade partner pause if that franchise has serious salary cap issues.

Before signing his one-year deal Hunter wasn’t happy with his contractual situation and appeared willing to leave Minnesota. His new contract reportedly can pay him up to $20 million. Perhaps adding to Hunter’s happiness barometer is that he’s experienced how effective he can be in the new defensive system of first-year coordinator Brian Flores.

“…I don’t think he’s anxious to get out of here,” the authority said.

Gophers Football Notes

After the Gophers’ win over the Hawkeyes Saturday the team bused home and later coach P.J. Fleck and wife Heather toasted Minnesota’s first win in Iowa City since 1999 by having a “teeny bit” of bourbon from a bottle the coach had been saving for a first victory over Iowa, having lost six straight since he became Gopher coach.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Devon Williams has been improving dramatically and caused an Iowa fumble in the upset win Saturday. Fleck described Williams’ performance as one of the best by a linebacker he’s seen since taking over at Minnesota in 2017.

Top running backs Darius Taylor and Zach Evans didn’t finish the Iowa game because of apparent injuries. Fleck said he hopes to have one of them “in the mix” for Saturday’s home game with Michigan State.

Starting linebacker Cody Lindenberg has yet to play in seven games because of a leg injury. Fleck said it’s possible Lindenberg could play in four games and receive a redshirt season as allowed by NCAA rules.

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Carlos Correa ‘Mr. Clutch’ for Twins Just like Kirby Puckett

Posted on October 10, 2023October 13, 2023 by David Shama

Carlos Correa’s clutch performance for the Twins in the postseason prompts memories of the late Kirby Puckett. It was Puckett who made that still famous quote before Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, telling teammates to “jump on his back” because he was going to carry the team.

Correa is more than shouldering his load, too, including driving in three of Minnesota’s six runs Sunday night when the Twins tied their American League Division Series at 1-1 with the Astros. Fittingly, Correa even threw out the last Astros batter of the evening with a spectacular fielding play and throw in the 6-2 win.

In four postseason games this fall Correa is hitting .588, and it’s not just his performance at the plate that has been key for the Twins. His fielding, high baseball IQ and leadership have all been impactful. Before coming to Minnesota, the 29-year-old shortstop experienced six postseason years with the Astros.

Do-Hyoung Park, writing for MLB.com yesterday, offered this timely quote about Correa from manager Rocco Baldelli: “We’ve always heard all of the sayings and things: When the lights come on and the bright lights, there are some guys, they’re giants in the light. He’s one of them. That’s what he is.”

Correa, who joined the Twins in 2022 as a free agent and then re-signed with them last off-season, made history Sunday night with those three RBI. He now has 63 career postseason RBI, tied with David Justice for third best ever among big leaguers.

No doubt the Twins’ $200 million “Mr. October” looks forward to moving up that historical list (Bernie Williams tops at 80, Manny Ramirez second with 78) but the big prize right now is advancing to the World Series. To do that the Twins will need two more wins to close out the Astros and be able to win four games in the American League Championship Series.

That itinerary would put the Twins back in the World Series for the first time since 1991. Minnesota defeated the Braves in seven games, partially because of Puckett’s heroics in Game 6. The five-tool superstar robbed Ron Gant of an extra base hit and had three hits including an 11^th inning walk-off home run for the ages that won the game and tied the series 3-3 in front of a delirious Metrodome crowd.

Puckett was a centerpiece on World Series championship teams in 1991 and 1987. In 24 postseason games he hit .309, with five home runs and 16 RBI. He was also a leader who inspired teammates, just like a guy in the here and now—Carlos Correa.

Worth Noting

Twins Hall of Famers Johan Santana and Joe Mauer will do the ceremonial first pitch honors before this afternoon’s ALDS game at Target Field. Minneapolis-based vocalist Aby Wolf will perform the national anthem.

Today’s Minnesota starting pitcher Sonny Gray, who held the Blue Jays scoreless in last week’s Wild Card series win, faces the Astros for the third time this year. He is 0-0 and has a 2.77 ERA against the Astros, with four walks and 16 strikeouts in two starts.

Ryan Jeffers has been the Twins’ catcher in each of the four postseason games, after splitting assignments during the regular season with Christian Vazquez. Jeffers has excelled defensively and calling games for the 3-1 Twins but has just two hits in 13 at bats.

Knowledgeable and optimistic Twins fans know the World Series starts October 27 and potentially runs through November 4. Home field advantage in the best of seven series, just like in the ALDS and ALDCS, is determined by which two teams had the better regular season record.

Twins radio voice Cory Provus, who calls Big Ten Network football games, will also work BTN men’s basketball during the upcoming season.

By Friday, after the Wild’s home opener against the Panthers Thursday night, it’s anticipated that over a nine-day period about 300,000 fans in the Twin Cities will have attended games of the Twins, Vikings, Wild and football Gophers.

The Wild has only two players on its 21-man opening night roster that weren’t with Minnesota last year: forwards Pat Maroon (Tampa Bay) and Marco Rossi (Iowa). Defenseman Brock Faber is the youngest player on the roster at 21; while goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who turns 39 in November, is the oldest.

Hockey authority Bill Robertson predicts the Wild will finish seventh in the Western Conference and make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “Healthy (Kirill) Kaprizov and solid goaltending will be big keys for the Wild this year,” the former college hockey commissioner wrote via email. “Former Gopher Brock Faber will take a huge step forward and become an impact player for Minnesota.

“Boston is the best team in the NHL as they have depth from top to bottom and will be ready this year for the Stanley Cup Playoffs! No quick exit this year. Best player in the game is Edmonton’ s Conner McDavid as he is a superstar and can impact a game when he is on the ice. Conner has awesome skills.”

The Wild announced today that Kaprizov has been named an alternate captain.

Jim Harbaugh, who was a candidate for the Vikings head coaching job before Kevin O’Connell was hired in 2022, has the No. 2 college football team in the AP Poll but doesn’t make the top 10 in annual compensation among his peers. His $8.2 million at Michigan ranks No. 12, with Alabama’s Nick Saban No. 1 at $11.4 million and Michigan State’s embattled Mel Tucker No. 5 at about $10 million, per Usatoday.com last week.

Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck ranks No. 26 at $6 million.

The 1-4 Vikings and 3-3 Gophers are struggling but other state teams are excelling including St. Thomas, 3-0 in conference games and leading the Pioneer League, and Saint John’s, No. 8 nationally in the D3football.com rankings and tied with Carleton for the best league record in the MIAC at 3-0 each.

Happy birthdays: NFL legend Brett Favre is 54 today, October 10. Former Gopher athletics director Mark Dienhart turns 70 tomorrow.

Forward Parker Bjorklund from St. Thomas has been voted preseason first team All-Summit by the league coaches. The voting also predicted the Tommies will finish fourth in the standings behind South Dakota State, Oral Roberts and North Dakota State.

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P.J. Fleck Timing on NIL Comments No Accident

Posted on October 3, 2023October 3, 2023 by David Shama

Golden Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck’s comments last week about the urgency of increasing money for Name, Image and Likeness were calculated. Fleck, speaking on his radio show, pointed out his program lost players to other schools after last season because of NIL and that more money will be needed in the future to avoid an exodus of talent.

One likely concern is whether the Gophers can retain superb freshman running back Darius Taylor. Other Gopher targets by Power Five programs could include redshirt sophomore quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and redshirt defensive end Anthony Smith.

Tampering with players at other schools and using NIL as a recruiting inducement isn’t legal but that’s standard operating procedure by many college football programs. The Gophers play by the rules while others (perhaps the majority of Power Five programs) don’t operate ethically and the NCAA appears almost toothless with its enforcement of policies.

Fleck made his public comments last week not only knowing he will have to recruit some of his own players to stay in Minneapolis after this season, but there will also be players from outside the program evaluating Minnesota’s reputation for NIL money. Included will be players in the transfer portal and high school prospects from the class of 2024. All will be aware of whether Minnesota is a place where NIL is strongly positioned.

Fleck isn’t saying retaining and attracting players to Minnesota is all about money. Far from it, as he sells the college experience and opportunity to be part of a program that emphasizes development of football skills, academics, personal character and community involvement.

Fleck, though, is concerned about having enough money to keep the Gophers competitive in the high paced recruiting environment of major college football. With 85 scholarship players, not all will be positioned to capitalize on their name, image and likeness in the marketplace, but many will. A commonsense guess is the Gophers need a couple million dollars available annually through the Dinkytown Athletes (DA) collective to meet their needs and have more money than many Power Five programs.

DA started up only a year ago and results are encouraging for NIL funding involving not only football but other sports at Minnesota. Money isn’t just given out to players. It’s earned with athletes available to provide instruction to youth, engage at fan events, make personal appearances for charities and businesses, and endorse products and services including their own.

A big moment can provide NIL opportunity for an athlete like it did with Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson in the opening game against Nebraska. He made an extraordinary toe-tapping TD catch in the game and DA later helped connect him with Athlete’s Thread to sell clothing celebrating the extraordinary reception.

“We have a lot of players on our football team right now who make a lot of money in NIL,” Fleck said. “It’s my job, (AD) Mark Coyle’s job, and our job with our NIL department and our collectives to go out and raise lots of money for our student athletes. And that’s what we’ve been doing. There’s been a lot of support from our fans and our alumni to help, because that’s the name of the game.”

An initiative announced last week was that Gray Duck Spirits is producing its first ever beer, Duck Duck Beer, along with a new seltzer Fan Pack, as part of a partnership with DA. The products, decorated in maroon and gold, are being sold in state liquor stores and bars and restaurants, with 20 percent of sales going to Dinkytown Athletes. At Huntington Bank Stadium fans can not only help the cause by buying Duck, Duck Beer but the Parlour burgers stand is giving its proceeds to DA.

Adding to the momentum of growing dollars for NIL at Minnesota are social events involving passionate Gophers fans who have the means to boost DA revenues for football and other sports with their checkbooks. And DA, which last week had its strongest membership week since last fall, has options for fans to support NIL starting at $10 per month membership, or boosters can make a one-time contribution of any amount.

Fleck is aware of the momentum for NIL at Minnesota and certainly was last week when he gave a shout-out that more NIL revenue is needed. He’s also grateful for the funding already in place.

A long time ago when the Gophers were winning Big Ten and even national championships, football players had off-the-field jobs provided by businesses in Minneapolis and elsewhere in the state. Those players were attracted to Minnesota because of academics, a winning football team and a jobs program that generously rewarded players. In a strong business community that still prevails, and with many fans who still care about Golden Gophers football, Fleck knows making the present like the past is a strategy deserving urgency.

Worth Noting

Esko safety Koi Perich, the Gophers’ highest ranked 2024 recruit from the state, received a scholarship offer from USC last week. He is scheduled to attend the Minnesota-Michigan game Saturday night in Minneapolis, a recruiting authority told Sports Headliners.

Know how sweet a home win over Michigan next Saturday night would be for the Gophers? It’s been 46 years since Minnesota defeated the Wolverines in Minneapolis. In 1977 the Gophers pounded No. 1 ranked Michigan 16-0 at old Memorial Stadium.

Former Gophers running back Barry Mayer, who was second team All-Big Ten in 1970 and lettered three seasons at Minnesota, is relieved to have three major surgeries completed. In May he had back fusion, and knee replacements in August and September.

MLB.com ranks the Twins’ pitching staff third best among the 12 teams in the postseason, with the Brewers No. 1 and Blue Jays No. 2. Minnesota’s offense ranks No. 9, with the Blue Jays (who face the Twins starting today in a best of three series) at No. 8.

Starters Sonny Gray, Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan all rank in the top 10 in AL expected ERA. MLB.com also points out the club’s highest paid players, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, have OPS+ averages below the league average, and Minnesota led the majors in total strikeouts “by a wide margin.”

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