Gophers Basketball – Page 164 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

QB Draft Pick Shadows Vikings

Posted on November 7, 2012November 7, 2012 by David Shama

Did the Vikings draft the wrong quarterback in 2011?

The answer isn’t so easy to finalize—at least yet. Christian Ponder was chosen by the Vikings with the No. 12 selection in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. No other quarterback was then selected until the Bengals chose Andy Dalton in the second round with the No. 35 pick in the draft.

Before the draft, former Viking Bob Lurtsema was praising Dalton to Sports Headliners. Reached by telephone on Monday, Lurtsema, who is still close to the Vikings and was in Seattle for the Seahawks game last Sunday, said that based on 1.5 NFL seasons Dalton would have been the “far better” choice for Minnesota.

Dalton made the Bengals and a lot of other admirers look good in his rookie season of 2011. His numbers included 20 touchdown passes. Even more important he helped lead the Bengals to the playoffs for only the third time since 1991.

But Dalton has hit something of a sophomore slump, throwing five interceptions in his last three games. Lurtsema, a former defensive lineman, said there is such a thing as a sophomore jinx and the problem is “you start thinking more” than is needed.

Dalton has passed for 2,130 yards this season, ranking No. 12 in the NFL, while throwing for 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Pretty comparable to Ponder’s 1,806 yards, 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Their passer ratings are 86.7 Dalton, 82.0 Ponder.

Dalton’s Bengals are 3-5 while Ponder’s Vikings are 5-4. The Bengals have lost four consecutive games while the Vikings have been losers in two straight.

Not surprisingly, Lurtsema described Sunday’s Vikings home game with the 4-4 Lions as “huge,” and he hopes Ponder will shake off his Seattle performance that included no touchdown passes and 11 of 22 pass completions.

“I just hope he’s not playing scared because he’s missing a lot of open receivers,” Lurtsema said. “Trying to be perfect—rather than going with instincts—can really take a toll on your game.”

Not just Dalton and Ponder from the quarterback class of 2011 are struggling. No. 1 pick Cam Newton was sometimes the face of the NFL last season but in 2012 his numbers are humble including just six touchdown passes. Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert, quarterback first round picks at No. 8 and 10, have had their struggles, past and present. Their teams, the Titans and Jaguars, have combined records of 4-13.

Playing quarterback in the NFL is perhaps the most difficult position in sports and a second-year player can still have a big learning curve in front of him. A lot of factors impact success, including teammates, injuries, coaching and the opposition. And what’s between a quarterback’s ears—meaning his confidence, belief in his system and ability to make adjustments—can be the kind of stuff that can challenge a quarterback in his second season, regardless of whether the rookie year was boom or bust.

Allow two more years and then judge whether Dalton, the redhead from TCU, would have looked better in purple than Ponder.

Worth Noting

Ponder passed for 63 yards and had a passer rating of 37.3 in Sunday’s loss to Seattle, the Vikings’ third defeat in the last four games. Carlos Monarrez, writing for the Detroit Free Press on Monday, said “Minneapolis is now officially panic central” after the Vikings started the season 4-1.

“Looks like the Vikings are who we thought they were, namely a good defensive team that overachieved early on offense and now has regressed to the mean,” Monarrez wrote on freep.com.

Uh, oh. There goes the Redskins Rule that said if Washington, D.C.’s NFL team lost its most recent home game prior to the presidential election the non-incumbent candidate wins the White House. The Redskins lost at home on Sunday but Mitt Romney also lost the election yesterday to President Barack Obama.

The Gophers play at Illinois on Saturday, facing an Illini team that has lost six consecutive games. With three games remaining on the schedule, the 2-7 Illini have no chance to qualify for a bowl game.

Minnesota, though, has a 5-4 record and can become bowl eligible if the Gophers win against a team that has lost by two touchdowns or more in its six losses. On Monday the dailyillini.com quoted quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase as saying the Illini are playing only for the “love of the game” now.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill talked about injuries yesterday and said receivers A.J. Barker and Derrick Engel are questionable for Saturday’s game. Offensive tackle Ed Olson may be available.

Charlie Strong was Florida’s defensive coordinator in January of 2007 when the Gophers head football job was open. The Gophers chose Tim Brewster but it is believed Strong might have taken the job if offered. Strong became Louisville’s head coach in 2009 and this season the 9-0 Cardinals are ranked No. 9 in the BCS top 25.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Strong’s name was mentioned to succeed coach Derek Dooley at Tennessee. The Vols are 0-5 in SEC games, 4-5 overall.

The Gophers are averaging 47,043 fans per game in attendance, lowest of their four seasons at TCF Bank Stadium. Does a new stadium guarantee attendance success? Maybe not. The last three seasons in the Metrodome the Gophers averaged 52,206, 51,791 and 48,958. Minnesota’s on-campus stadium has a capacity of 50,805 (about 14,000 fewer seats than the Metrodome) but the Gophers have only sold out one game during the last two seasons.

Brainerd coach Ron Stolski, the winningest prep football coach in state history, is looking forward to 2013. In Brainerd’s final game this fall he started eight juniors and one sophomore on offense. “Year 52 coming up. Have as much interest, enthusiasm and passion as ever,” Stolski said via email.

Wolves guard Brandon Roy, trying to make an NBA comeback after not playing last season, has made just 0.292 percent of his field goals while averaging 6.7 points in three games. He is averaging 4.3 assists per game. The Wolves play the Magic at home tonight, Minnesota’s second regular season home game.

The Gophers have two potential NBA first round draft choices in senior forwards Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams but the team MVP could well be sophomore Andre Hollins. As the point guard, he’s the floor leader including late in games when the Gophers have often had problems closing out opponents. Hollins can create his own shot, drive to the basket or make outside jumpers.

The Gophers open their nonconference schedule on Friday night against American University, the Washington, D.C.based-school that is a member of the Patriot League. Last season the Eagles were 20-12 and are coached by Jeff Jones who played for Virginia against the Gophers and Kevin McHale in the 1980 NIT championship game. Jones was head coach at Virginia when he was 29 years old.

The Eagles have seven seniors on their roster. Junior center Tony Wroblicky had 18 rebounds in an exhibition game win over Mary Washington.

Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia will earn bonuses if his team wins the WCHA title and national championship. The Gophers have been ranked first or second nationally in polls this fall.

Notable former Twins in free agency this off-season are Torii Hunter, Francisco Liriano, Kyle Lohse, A.J. Pierzynski and Delmon Young. Bet your Target Field opening game tickets none of them will be pursued by the Twins.

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Split Opinion: Vikes’ Playoff Chances

Posted on November 4, 2012November 4, 2012 by David Shama

With the NFL now at midseason does it appear the Vikings are a playoff team?

Depends on who you listen to.

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton, who now has an NFL show on Sirius Satellite Radio, thought before the season the NFC North would have three teams contending for the playoffs—the Bears, Lions and Packers. Now he’s replaced the Lions with the Vikings who play at Seattle this afternoon.

“I believe the NFC North will have two playoff teams—three in the hunt and I think two will actually make it,” Dalton told Sports Headliners. “It’s possible that three could make it.”

Dalton predicted the Bears (6-1) and Vikings (5-3) will be the NFC North playoff teams, besting a Packers team (5-3) facing a run of injuries but with a talented roster. “Green Bay has all kinds of possibilities but I like Minnesota right now because I think week in and week out they’re going to be more consistent and that’s a credit to Leslie. And it’s not a discredit to Mike McCarthy (Packers coach).”

Dalton admits he’s a “fan” of Vikings coach Leslie Frazier and likes the coaching staff. “You can see this team learning as a young group, growing,” Dalton said.

But Frazier’s record was 3-13 last season and the Vikings haven’t made the playoffs since 2009. In the “coaches are hired to be fired world of the NFL,” there’s not much job security. That’s why it wasn’t surprising Sports Illustrated included the Vikings on a short list of “teams to watch” regarding coaching changes in the coming months.

The magazine’s November 5 issue featured an NFL midseason report with a lot more than speculation about job security. S.I. forecast who will make the playoffs and did include two teams from the NFC North—but the Vikings didn’t make the cut with the magazine predicting the Bears and Packers will join the Falcons, 49ers, Giants and Seahawks in the NFC playoffs. (The Giants are predicted to defeat the Texans in the Super Bowl.)

In the same issue two Vikings made Peter King’s All-Pro midseason team, 35-year- old cornerback Antoine Winfield and wide receiver Percy Harvin, described as “football’s most dangerous receiver/returning weapon.” King chose Harvin as his Offensive Player of the Year.

U Bowl Fate & More Notes

With three games remaining on the regular schedule, the 5-4 Gophers need one more win to be bowl eligible and the only likely “w” is the Illinois game next Saturday. The 2-7 Illini will have the Gophers at home but Illinois is 0-5 in the Big Ten and the team’s only wins are over Western Michigan and Charleston Southern.

The Gophers’ other two remaining games are against 7-2 Nebraska in Lincoln and 5-5 Michigan State in Minneapolis. After yesterday’s 35-13 loss to Michigan at TCF Bank Stadium, the Gophers were still targeting a bowl game for the first time since 2009.

“We gotta look forward to the next game,” said cornerback Troy Stoudermire. “We gotta help the young guys keep their heads up. Gotta keep motivating Philip (Nelson) because if he goes in the tank, we don’t have a chance to get to a bowl game.”

The Gophers played a strong first quarter against Michigan but were dominated the rest of the game. Nelson, Minnesota’s freshman quarterback, believes the Gophers weren’t “embarrassed.” “At the same time there’s nothing to be happy about,” he said.

“We gotta erase it right now,” said wide receiver MarQueis Gray after the Michigan game. “Just start getting ready for Illinois tomorrow.”

ESPN plans to have Chris Berman interview Mitt Romney and Barack Obama during halftime of Monday night’s Saints-Eagles game, according to various reports.

The Gophers basketball team plays its second and final exhibition game tomorrow night at home against Southwest Baptist. Right now it looks like Minnesota’s starters are forwards Joe Coleman and Rodney Williams, center Elliott Eliason, and guards Andre Hollins and Austin Hollins.

Wild coach Mike Yeo and Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith are among those growing moustaches in November to raise awareness about prostate cancer. Smith is a prostate cancer survivor. Learn about the Wild’s efforts, www.wild.com/movember.

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team scored 41 points more against Winona State last Thursday night than when the two teams met in 2011. In last week’s exhibition between the Division III Tommies and Division II Winona State, St. Thomas won 93-83 in Winona while making 15 three pointers and 28 of 32 free throws. A year ago this month Winona State won 84-52.

Responding to a question via email, Tommies coach John Tauer said his nationally ranked team has high expectations. Tauer wrote: “With 10 of our top 11 back from last season, along with a talented group of newcomers, we have a chance to be very good. …”

Congratulations to Eagan-based author Ross Bernstein on his two new books, World Series Winners: What It Takes to Claim Baseball’s Ultimate Prize; and Wearing the C: Leadership Secrets of Hockey’s Greatest Captains. The baseball book has a foreword by Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, with insights from many other former Twins players. The hockey book includes interviews with a long list of well-known Minnesota names from Matt Cullen to Bobby Smith.

Twins pitcher Glen Perkins will speak at the Oakes Family Benefit next Saturday at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan. Assistant Gophers baseball coach Todd Oakes is doing well in his recovery from leukemia. An auction will include courtside Timberwolves tickets. The event begins at 6 p.m.

The Twins probably can’t afford him, but Tigers free agent pitcher Anibal Sanchez is the kind of innings-eater Minnesota needs. He has pitched near 200 innings each of the last three seasons.

The eighth annual Twins Diamond Awards event will be January 24 at Target Field and will benefit brain, nerve and muscle disorders research at the University of Minnesota. Among the award winners are Most Valuable Twin Josh Willingham, Pitcher of the Year Scott Diamond and Ben Revere, Most Improved Player.

Last week’s NWCA/USA Today Coaches Poll had the Gophers wrestling team ranked No. 1 in the country. The Gophers’ season opens on Friday at home against Hofstra. Big Ten teams have won the last seven consecutive national championships.

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U Likely in Tyus Jones Top 5

Posted on October 29, 2012October 29, 2012 by David Shama

Debbie Jones told Sports Headliners she hopes her son Tyus Jones can narrow his college choices to five finalists in the coming weeks. “I would probably say in the next month or so,” Debbie said.

Tyus, with a reputation as the best high school point guard in the country for the class of 2014, is considering the Gophers and many other schools. His mother wasn’t specific about how many schools but said the decision to arrive at a list of five will be made by Tyus and family members.

Will the Gophers be among the final five? “I can’t say for sure. I would think they would be in the five,” Debbie said.

Debbie also said there’s no target date as to when a final college choice will be made by Tyus who is becoming a prep legend in Minnesota and will lead an Apple Valley High School team with ambitions to become state champions. She acknowledged her son’s popularity and support among Minnesotans is a factor in the Gophers favor.

“That’s the hardest part for all of us because that is there and it is a pretty big deal,” Debbie said. “It comes down to taking everything into consideration.”

Before narrowing the choices of colleges to five, Tyus wants to visit Kansas and Kentucky. Travel dates haven’t been established.

Worth Noting

Philip Nelson had one of the best passing games ever by a true freshman Gophers quarterback on Saturday against Purdue. Nelson, starting his second game, passed for 246 yards (all in the first half) and in one stretch completed 12 consecutive passes. Rickey Foggie passed for 281 yards in a game as a true freshman in 1984. The school record for consecutive passes is 14 set by Adam Weber in 2008 when he was a redshirt sophomore.

Cornerback Michael Carter also had an extraordinary performance in the Gophers 44-21 win over Purdue. At times he was all over the secondary breaking up passes, and he returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He tied Michael Lehan’s school record for six pass breakups in a game set in 2001.

Carter was among the last players to commit to the Gophers in 2009 and then coach Tim Brewster was excited about Carter’s potential. But Carter didn’t emerge as an impact player until Saturday, more than halfway through his senior season and after playing in only five games last season, starting none.

Nelson was announced this morning as Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week, while Carter is the Co-Defensive Player of the Week in the conference.

The Vikings offense has produced four touchdowns in the last two games, but the results haven’t diminished the confidence of Adrian Peterson who said the team has to sustain long drives. “We’ve got great potential offensively,” Peterson said. “Confidence is there.”

Peterson has rushed for 276 yards in the last two games. That’s his best two-game total of the season.

A Sports Headliners reader after watching quarterback Christian Ponder face a persistent pass rush in last Thursday night’s Vikings-Bucs game, emailed this: “I guess he has to learn to throw from his back.”

Vikings running back Toby Gerhart hasn’t fumbled since the closing minutes against the 49ers on September 23 when he had two fumbles. He told Sports Headliners that was “dumb running” because instead of making ball security the highest priority he was trying to have a big gain.

“I’ve become a smarter runner in that situation,” he said. “Four minutes (to the) end of the game. There’s no reason to try to make a big play. Get what you can and get down (on the turf). We’re (the Vikings) just trying to run out the clock. Now I’ve tried to look at situations more for what they are and be smart about it. …”

The Vikings play the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday, going against coach Pete Carroll. When Gerhart was at Stanford he played against Carroll, the USC coach.

“He’s a good coach,” Gerhart said. “He gets his guys fired up to play and they play for him. …Just his personality from what I’ve seen across the field, it seems like he’s a good motivator.”

Carroll was a Vikings assistant coach in the 1980s under head coaches Bud Grant and Jerry Burns.

Tartan High School defensive back Keelon Brookins emailed news that his rehabilitation from a torn ACL is going well and he remains verbally committed to Wisconsin where he plans to enroll in January. He attended the Gophers-Badgers game in Madison on October 20.

If the Timberwolves are going to make the playoffs, they might have to beat out Northwest Division rival Utah, a team led by former Wolves center Al Jefferson. Also on the roster is ex-Wolves guard Randy Foye. Former Wolves forward Tyrone Corbin is Utah’s head coach. The Wolves open their regular season at home on Friday night against the Kings.

Wolves forward-guard Chase Budinger might have a career scoring year. He scored 21 and 20 points in the team’s last two preseason games. In Budinger’s first three seasons in the NBA, all with the Rockets, he didn’t average more than 22.4 minutes and 9.8 points per game, but his skills, including three point shooting, are a solid fit in Wolves coach Rick Adelman’s offense.

Former Wolves forward Michael Beasley averaged 12.7 in preseason games for the Suns, although he had 29 points on Friday night against Denver. In the October 29 issue of Sports Illustrated an anonymous scout said this about Beasley: “I am not a fan of Michael Beasley. It’s his personality. He just doesn’t seem to care. He doesn’t play hard.”

Ex-Wolves guard Wes Johnson averaged 8.6 points in preseason for the Suns.

Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 25 of the Associated Press preseason college basketball poll, but the Gophers aren’t included. The Big Ten is the first conference since the Big East in 2008-2009 to have three teams in the AP preseason top five: Indiana at No. 1, Ohio State No. 4 and Michigan No. 5.

The American League champion Tigers open the Twins regular season schedule next year as part of a series of games against attractive teams at Target Field in April. The Mets, Angels, Rangers and Marlins will also be in Minneapolis that month. Single game tickets are expected to go on sale in February.

Patrick Klinger is no longer vice president of marketing with the Twins after 14 consecutive years with the organization. Klinger, whose responsibilities included oversight of advertising, broadcasting and special events, may start a public relations firm.

St. Thomas is the preseason choice to finish first in MIAC men’s hockey, according to a league poll. Following the Tommies are Gustavus, St. Olaf, Saint John’s, Concordia, Hamline, Augsburg, Bethel and Saint Mary’s.

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