Golden Gophers – Page 25 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Ownership Efforts Deserve Super Bowl Winner

Posted on November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 by David Shama

This is the 20^th season the Wilf family has owned the Vikings. Zygi and Mark Wilf have long talked about their goal to win a Super Bowl, and in their two decades in Minneapolis they have proven their commitment to do so.

The latest example of their resolve to provide resources is last week’s acquisition of left tackle Cam Robinson to replace the injured Christian Darrisaw. The 29-year-old Robinson will reportedly cost the Vikings $2 million, plus about $58,000 for each game he plays, with his former team, the Jaguars, also paying part of the compensation.

That’s not big bucks in today’s NFL but it shows for the umpteenth time the Wilfs’ willingness to spend money when asked. They could have told GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell to make do with their existing roster of offensive linemen—some of whom can play multiple positions. Instead, they okayed bringing in perhaps the best available replacement in the NFL for the all-important left tackle spot.

In July it was reported Darrisaw received a four-year extension on his contract worth $113 million, with $77 million guaranteed. He had allowed only 11 sacks combined for the two prior seasons.

After wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Darrisaw is arguably the most valuable piece of the offense. In June the Wilfs gave Jefferson a $140 million deal, with $110 million guaranteed, that made him the highest paid non-quarterback in the league.

It’s evident the Wilfs want to win and with the NFL trading deadline coming up Tuesday, don’t be too sure the Vikings won’t add to recent deals that brought Robinson and running back Cam Akers to Minneapolis. Shopping targets could include help on the defensive line and cornerback.

The Wilfs, long-time NFL fans even before acquiring the Vikings, will win any local poll of the best pro sports owners in the state.

When the Vikings struggled for years to obtain a facility to replace the Metrodome they didn’t make a lot of public bluster threatening to move the team. Their diligence paid off in a private-public partnership that made U.S. Bank Stadium a reality and one of the most acclaimed venues in the country.

The Wilfs also paid for their headquarters complex in Eagan that includes one of the NFL’s best training facilities. That has been a major factor in the Vikings ranking as one of the most player friendly organizations in the NFL as judged by the league’s players.

Asked about the 20-season milestone earlier this year, Mark Wilf said the journey has gone quickly. He praised the “greatest fans in the world” and referred to ownership as being “stewards of this great franchise with such a rich history.”

The Super Bowl goal is a constant ambition, Wilf said. And he’s encouraged about the new regime of Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell that took over in 2022. Asked about the change they have brought, Wilf said:

Mark Wilf photo courtesy of Marshall Tanick

“Well, I would just say the culture, the energy in the building, the collaboration among all the coaches, players, and staff. And it’s a real good feeling around here. We do our part as ownership, try to provide the resources to not just get the best players and staff, but have the kind of facilities that our players and coaches can thrive in, to have the kind of training camp where our fans can experience it and enjoy football like we have. And, of course, having the finest stadium in the NFL at U.S. Bank Stadium.”

Worth Noting

The 5-2 Vikings, who play the 4-4 Colts tonight at U.S. Bank Stadium, have a 69.2 percent chance of making the playoffs and 10.8 chance of winning the NFC North Division, per a Wednesday story on ESPN.com. The Lions’ numbers are 96.1 and 65.1. A third North Division rival, the Packers, check in with better numbers than the Vikings, too: 80.9 and 21.1.

After losing two straight games, the Vikings figure to earn a much-needed win against the mediocre Colts who have benched erratic quarterback Anthony Richardson. Veteran Joe Flacco, 39, figures to give the Colts a steadier performance against Minnesota’s confusing defensive looks than would Richardson. The Vikings rank third in points (137) allowed in the NFC.

Meanwhile, with Darrisaw out for the season, it may be more important than ever for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to get the ball out of his passing hand quicker than before.

The Golden Gophers have won four games in a row for the first time since 2021 after defeating Illinois yesterday on the road, 25-17. Minnesota is now 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten after a redemption victory.

The Gophers defeated Illinois head coach Bret Bielema for the first time ever, having entered the game 0-10 against him (0-3 at Illinois, 0-7 at Wisconsin). Minnesota’s Dragan Kesich, whose errant field goals cost his team the season opener against North Carolina, booted four field goals including late in the fourth quarter with a 46-yarder.

That score came at the 1:52 mark of the fourth quarter, increasing Minnesota’s lead to 25-17. The previous play, on third down and two yards to go for a first down, the Gophers (too predictably) tried a hand off and run by Darius Taylor, a marked ball carrier for sure who was stopped for no gain.

Illinois had taken a 17-16 fourth quarter lead after a poor decision by punter Mark Crawford who has the option to run if he sees an opening in the defense. He didn’t have the speed to pick up a first down with 12 yards to go. He was tackled at the Illinois 46-yard line and the Illini marched down the field for a touchdown.

One of the best calls by the Gophers resulted in their last touchdown of the game. On third down at the Illini one-yard line and trailing by one point, the Gophers lined up tight end Jameson Geers behind quarterback Max Brosmer who was under center. Before the snap, Geers moved out in the right flat and was all alone to make a touchdown catch with about five minutes remaining in the game and providing Minnesota a 22-17 lead.

The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in college football and fans are allowed to vote on it. Colorado’s Travis Hunter is a lock for the award, but the Gophers’ Koi Perich will draw votes and could be a favorite to win the award in 2025.

Former Gopher defensive back Beanie Bishop, who transferred to West Virginia after the 2022 season, is NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October. The Steeler cornerback tied for the league-lead with three interceptions, ranked second among rookies with five passes defensed and had 16 tackles.

The Timberwolves, starting the season at 3-3, are working to acclimate veteran newcomers Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Joe Ingles into their lineup and rotations. The first two players didn’t join the team until about a month ago.

Ingles, speaking recently to Sports Headliners, wouldn’t put a timeline on things meshing and it’s challenging because of the short time the players have been together. “I mean it just naturally takes time. Some days will be really good. Some quarters will be really good. They’ll be possessions that are good. They’ll be possessions of time when it doesn’t look as good. Obviously for us, you just gotta keep figuring that out as quick as possible.

“We don’t want to go 20, 30, 40 games in (and not have it). The good thing is everyone’s trying to figure it out. It’s an unbelievably hard-working team and they’re passionate and all that stuff. …”

Randle, the highest paid of the three newcomers and a focus of attention at power forward replacing Karl-Anthony Towns who was traded to the Knicks, is a first-time teammate of Ingles who notices how “hard he (Randle) plays on both ends.”

Randle is a career scorer of more than 20 points per game but there is more to his makeup that Ingles has noticed. “He is probably a lot more unselfish than I probably anticipated. When you’re with people day to day you see a lot more of who they are. …”

Randle’s effort earns praise, too. “He’s been a hell of a teammate,” Ingles said. “He’s been playing his ass off this year.”

The Wolves were the league’s best defensive team last season. So far, they rank No. 17 in defensive rating. “We pride ourselves on keeping people under 30 (points each quarter) as much as we possibly can,” coach Chris Finch said.

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Koi Perich ‘Big Fan of NIL,’ Will be Endorsing Gushers

Posted on October 29, 2024October 29, 2024 by David Shama

Koi Perich, the Gophers freshman phenom, is going to be working with General Mills and promoting Gushers as part of his Name, Image and Likeness activities that include clothing. https://athletesthread.com/collections/koi-perich

Blake Baratz, the Minneapolis-based sports agent, told KFAN’s Paul Allen yesterday morning that Perich has “something coming up with General Mills and Gushers.” He didn’t provide details about Perich’s endorsement of the fruit-flavored snack.

Perich, whose football success as a true freshman has drawn national attention, was also on Allen’s program and talked about multiple subjects including NIL that allows college athletes to be compensated for various roles including endorsing products and personal appearances. “I am a big fan of NIL,” Perich said. “I don’t have a lot to say on it, but, yeah, anything that can help me, and I’ll use anything I can…to help other people. That’s a big thing and awesome what they’re doing with it.”

NIL played a role in the 19-year-old Perich wanting to become a Gopher. He and those around him know that with his performance on the field, likeable personality and Esko, Minnesota roots, the opportunities with NIL can keep growing.

With his generational talent, Perich could enrich himself more at some other schools, but he expressed his confidence in head coach P.J. Fleck and the Gopher program yesterday. “I feel like in the next couple of years we’re just going to keep improving and improving, and it’s going to be really fun,” he said.

Before Perich left the KFAN studios Fleck joined Allen as he normally does on Monday mornings. The host teased that it was “student show” day and someone with the initials “K.P.” had a question for the coach.

The student asked: “Why don’t you blitz your safeties more?”

Not sure if the ultra-competitive Perich, who is confident he can do a lot of things on the football field, was serious or teasing, but Fleck kind of poked back with this answer:

“If you don’t like catching interceptions, I can blitz you a little bit more. You’re not going to be on KFAN as much (without those interceptions).”

At that point, Perich was like, Row the Boat. Whatever for the team.

Perich has been impressive returning punts for the Gophers but it’s been his interceptions from the safety position that have led to honors. He leads the Big Ten with five interceptions including two that closed out wins over USC and UCLA. He has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week and the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Week.

Koi Perich photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Before Perich’s career is over at Minnesota, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have a role on offense, perhaps as a receiver with limited snaps. “I can play a lot of positions,” Perich said on KFAN. “That’s what I’ve done my whole life. I feel any time, any position they put me there I can play it. It will just take me a little time and I can master it.”

Fleck admires the focus and commitment of how Perich lives his life. …”You’re talking about a kid, whatever he does, he is fully committed. He’s no nonsense. He just wants to compete and be fully committed and help make teams better. …

“He’s only been on campus for about five months, so he’s got a long career ahead of him. And a lot of work to do and he’ll just keep doing it better.”

Baratz’s company, IFA, represents other Gophers, too, including sophomore running back Darius Taylor. He burst on the scene last year as one of the nation’s premier runners. His emergence also prompted Fleck to say about 12 months ago the Gophers could lose players to other schools without NIL support from the public and the program would deteriorate.

Asked about where NIL is now, Fleck said this at his news conference yesterday: “It’s always a work in progress. It always will be. Always has been.

“We’ve had some very generous donors step up big time for us, and continue to do and work with Dinkytown Athletes and the collective. It’s really special to see what these people are doing for our student-athletes. I think everybody sees the importance of it. …That goes a long, long way in building football programs in 2024 and beyond.

“I’m really excited about where we are and the progress we continue to make every single day. The job of the head football coach is even more important now in fundraising. Not just for facilities and stuff, but for your student-athletes and getting out there and making sure people are really, really aware of what’s going on in college football. …So, I think people are really becoming more aware of it, especially our fans, our donors, our boosters, our supporters. And I can’t thank them enough. …”

NIL isn’t going away, even as revenue sharing with college athletes waits in the wings. It’s believed the Gophers football team has at least two players earning six-figures in NIL income. That number will increase and will be made possible by more individuals and businesses in the state supporting NIL for football and the other 21 sports at the University of Minnesota.

Dinkytown Athletes, the official NIL collective of Gopher athletics, recently announced a “million-dollar match campaign.” Mark Pearson’s Twin Cities-based financial services company, Nepsis, is matching dollar for dollar donations, new memberships or upgraded memberships to DA through November 10. The proceeds will go to Gopher football and volleyball.

Worth Noting

The Gophers have answered critics of their game management this fall. In the UCLA game Minnesota was trailing 17-14 with 2:20 remaining. The Gophers went on a scoring drive that ended with 27 seconds left in the game for a 21-17 win.

Against Maryland the Gophers got the ball on their 35-yard line with 28 seconds remaining in the first half. In six plays they moved down the field to kick a field goal with two seconds left in the second quarter boosting Minnesota’s lead to 34-13.

Gopher quarterback Max Brosmer was named the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Week yesterday for his performance against Maryland, a 48-23 win. Brosmer completed 26-of-33 passes (78.8 percent) for season-highs of 320 yards and four touchdowns.

The Gophers are surprisingly about 3-point favorites to win at Illinois Saturday. That would not only make Minnesota 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big Ten games, but also end a 0-10 record against head coach Bret Bielema (3-0 as with the Illini,, before that 7-0 at Wisconsin). The Illini are No. 24 in the AP national rankings, and are 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten games.

Fleck wasn’t biting yesterday when asked what a win over Bielema and a bowl eligibility sixth win would mean for his team.

“This is going to bore you—1-0 (winning the game). It’s all we’re worried about. I have a lot of respect for coach Bielema and what he does. He always has a hard, smashed mouth, tough football team. No matter where he was, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois. It’s his DNA. We gotta play our best football, playing a ranked opponent on the road. We gotta DIB, man. Do it better.”

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Vikes Get a Potential ‘Difference Maker’ Back With T.J. Return

Posted on October 27, 2024October 27, 2024 by David Shama

The Vikings, now with two consecutive losses after starting the season at 5-0, will get a potential boost in playmaking when tight end T.J. Hockenson makes his 2024 debut in the team’s next game—Sunday, November 3 at home against the Colts.

Hockenson hasn’t played since Christmas Eve of last year when he severely injured his knee with ACL and MCL tears. It’s been a long stretch of rehab and recovery after reconstructive surgery.

Anticipation was Hockenson might return last Sunday against the Lions or Thursday night for the Rams game. Unless something unusual happens, November 3 should see the return of the 27-year-old who prior to the season Pro Football Focus ranked as the fourth best tight end in the NFL.

T.J. Hockenson image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

An authority who was a front office leader with a couple of NFL teams emphasized the importance of having the sixth-year veteran on the field with his pass catching and running ability. “I think he might have been a difference maker (against the Lions),” he said. “(Sub) Johnny Mundt had a bad game. He had two holding penalties, had a dropped pass. Missed a block on a screen.

“He’s been an okay replacement for Hockenson as that kind of receiving tight end. … I think he (Hockenson) can take pressure off (wide receivers Justin) Jefferson and (Jordan) Addison, can open things up in the running game. He could be a difference-maker. “

Seven games into the season injuries complicate and compromise how the Vikings perform. Linebacker Blake Cashman has missed the last two games because of a toe injury. The authority, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cashman’s absence is significant while referring to the former Golden Gopher as having a “Pro Bowl caliber season” and being a player “that kind of controls the middle of the field.”

Cashman’s availability for the Colts is TBD, but not for star offensive left tackle Christian Darrisaw who suffered ACL and MCL tears in the Rams game and is out for the season. Replacement David Quessenberry struggled to keep pass rushers away from Viking QB Sam Darnold.

The season debut of Dalton Risner could help the offensive line outlook. Expected to be available for the Colts game after recovering from a back issue, Risner can play multiple positions on the offensive line. The same is true of starting left guard Blake Brandel whose career starts include time at left tackle.

Risner could slide into left guard while Brandel switches positions. Before Darrisaw’s injury it was thought Risner might provide competition for right guard Ed Ingram who has his critics. “He still has his struggles at times, but he is a pretty good run blocker,” the source said.

The Vikings coaches are likely sorting out multiple options for shuffling the o-line. Rookie Walter Rouse, a sixth-round selection, was impressive in the preseason and could move into the starting lineup. Possibly at right tackle with Brian O’Neill sliding over to fill Darrisaw’s spot?

The Vikings were talking about better execution after both the Lions and Ram games. Even with Darrisaw, and the team’s other potential Pro Bowl tackle, O’Neill, the offensive line has been part of the problem with its false starts and giving up sacks.

The Vikings, who didn’t give up 30 points in any of their first five games, have now lost games by scores of 31-29 and 30-20. Against the Rams, Minnesota had no sacks and few quarterback pressures.

Will GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah be shopping before the November 5 trade deadline? Looking for cornerback help, or offensive and defensive line additions. The Vikings don’t have much in future draft capital with only one first round and two fifth round picks for 2025.

A rumor with steam is the Vikings could trade for Dexter Lawrence II, the Giants’ defensive tackle who is among the best at his position in the NFL. The possibility enthralls Minnesota fans, but the source quoted here pours cold water on it. “Yeah, I think they’re dreaming.“

His reasoning? Yes, the 2-5 Giants are in free-fall and look to be rebuilding. But the club has Lawrence on a contract that reportedly has a value of about $22 million per year and getting rid of him would still leave the Giants responsible for “dead money”—meaning bonus money from the contract would go against the New York salary cap.

The source also sees Lawrence as “maybe their best player” and a rebuilding piece for the struggling franchise.

A more likely move to plug up holes in the defensive line could be a trade with the 1-6 Browns to bring back 6-3, 335-pound Dalvin Tomlinson. Now 30, Tomlinson was outstanding for the Vikings before signing with the Browns as a free agent in 2023 and might be available for a 2025 fifth round pick.

Worth Noting

Dallas Turner, before the season a favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year, is playing minimal snaps. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Turner is progressing in his development and “I think he’s going to make a big-time impact for us.”

The Big Ten’s reputation takes a hit in the preseason AP men’s college basketball national rankings. Despite expanding to 18 member schools, the league’s highest ranked team is Purdue at No. 4. Three other teams in the top 25 are: Indiana at 17, UCLA 22, and Rutgers 25.

Former Gopher Cam Christie, not unexpectedly, hasn’t played in the Clippers’ first two games. The 2024 NBA second round draft pick will be a developmental player just like former Gopher and Hopkins star Amir Coffey was, but now sees regular minutes for the Clippers. After two games Coffey is averaging 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Former Twins outfielder Brent Rooker ranked No. 5 in the majors last season with a barrel rate of 16.6 percent, per an Mlb.com story last week. Barrel is a slugging stat that measures exit velocity from a batted ball and launch angle.

Ahead of Rooker in percentage are four players in the World Series: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton.

Stew Thornley, the Minnesota-based author of many sports books, visited the grave of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda in Whittier, California earlier this month. At one time Thornley had visited the graves of every baseball hall of famer. There are now about 10 that he hasn’t.

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