Golden Gophers – Page 286 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Rod Carew: Aaron Hicks All-Star Talent

Posted on August 19, 2015August 19, 2015 by David Shama

Among those who have mentored Aaron Hicks in the past and are watching his improved season is Rod Carew. “I’ve always liked Aaron Hicks,” Carew told Sports Headliners by telephone last week.

The Twins 25-year-old center fielder flopped in 2013 and 2014 after making the club’s major league roster and becoming a starter. He hit .192 and .215 in 81 and 69 games those two seasons, and experienced demotions to Triple A Rochester. This year the switch-hitter and skilled fielder didn’t even start the season with the Twins but the way he’s played this summer indicates Hicks will fulfill the promise Carew and others have seen. “He’s got tremendous talent,” said Carew who is a special assistant for the Twins organization.

Carew played 19 seasons in the major leagues including 12 with the Twins. His lifetime average of .328 is among the best in baseball since 1950. He won seven batting championships and played on 18 All-Star teams.

Can Hicks become an All-Star? “Well, he’s got the talent,” Carew answered. “It’s all up to him.”

Hicks, who has been moved up from near the bottom of the batting order to the leadoff position, is hitting .272 with eight home runs and 25 RBI. He has 243 plate appearances, or close to the equivalent of a half season. His numbers in the last 30 games, including a .277 average and 17 RBI, are impressive. However, in the past 15 games the inconsistency that occurs during a long season is evident. In that stretch he is hitting .219, although he has homered three times including Monday night in New York against the Yankees.

Hicks has turned heads with his fielding. His spectacular catches have Twins fans also anticipating the arrival of Byron Buxton in the outfield. A combination of Hicks in left field and the even speedier Buxton in center will close down outfield space for opposing hitters. Hicks has no errors and eight assists this season.

Carew was famous for driving the baseball to all fields and he is seeing that trait in Hicks. “I think he’s using the whole field a lot better,” Carew said. “I think when he first came up he was trying to pull everything. He’s got some power and once he starts thinking about home runs, that’s when he starts getting into a rut. He just needs to continue thinking about driving the ball to all fields.“

In past years Carew believes the 6-2, 210 pound Hicks was putting too much pressure on himself including trying to hit balls over the fence. “Every time I see him I really stay on him and try to get him to maintain his focus,” said Carew who lives in California but travels to Minneapolis to assist the Twins. “I think Torii (Hunter) has been a great help for him too because Torii has that presence in the locker room to help the younger players out.”

Hunter has hit 18 home runs with 60 RBI as the Twins 40-year-old regular right fielder. No doubt Hunter, Carew and others in the organization who have mentored Hicks would like to see him playing at a high level when he is 40.

Worth Noting

Carew was born on a train in Panama in 1945. Early in his big league career fans knew him by the nickname “Choo-Choo” but he doesn’t answer to it now. “No one calls me that,” he said.

Florida wide receiver Dredrick Snelson is among the most hyped high school players who have made verbal commitments to sign with the Gophers next February but recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners Marshall, Minnesota WR Drew Hmielewski has the “potential” to be even better. Snelson, with three and four-star labels from recruiting sources, is also the “least solid” to keep his commitment among Minnesota’s recruits, according to Burns who is publisher of Scout’s GopherDigest.com. Snelson, described by Burns as an “excellent route runner,” is scheduled to visit Minneapolis for the Gophers game against Michigan on October 31.

Burns raved about Hmielewski, praising his athletic and leadership qualities. He can foresee maybe ranking Hmielewski a four-star recruit this fall. Like former Gophers All-Big Ten receiver Eric Decker, Hmielewski is an outstanding high school baseball player. Hmielewski also excels at basketball.

Last fall Burns was excited about quarterback Demry Croft who ended up signing with the Gophers and is now a freshman earning compliments from head coach Jerry Kill. Burns is even more enthusiastic about quarterback Tony Poljan who has verbally committed to be part of Minnesota’s 2016 class. He was impressed with Poljan’s throwing mechanics this summer and said the 6-6, 215-pound passer-runner from Lansing (Mich.) Catholic High School reminds him of a “young Ben Roethlisberger.”

Quoting Kill on Croft after last Saturday’s scrimmage: “He’s just an instinctive guy. He’s had a heck of a camp. It’s kind of like watching (Teddy) Bridgewater. He doesn’t get excited about anything. …There’s nothing that rattles the kid. He’s got an extreme amount of talent. He’s been very impressive in camp.”

Although the negative publicity about former Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague has been national news, Burns said the impact on football recruiting has been nil. He judges the 15 recruiting commits as the highest quality class yet in the Kill era that began in 2011.

Early speculation is the Gophers might have the best defensive secondary in the Big Ten, certainly ranking near the top. That’s a benefit and challenge for Minnesota starting quarterback Mitch Leidner—to practice against the skilled group of cornerbacks and safeties.

“You learn your progressions and reads better,” Leidner said. “You don’t see the coverages (in games) that they do. They disguise them well. …Some of the best athletes in the Big Ten are in our secondary, so it’s definitely helpful.”

While the Gophers may reach a final total of 4,500 or so student season tickets, some other Big Ten schools dwarf that number. Penn State has sold out its student allotment with 21,000 tickets, while last year Ohio State totaled over 29,000.

It will likely be a bittersweet homecoming for Christian Ponder on Saturday night when the former Vikings quarterback returns to Minneapolis with the Raiders. Ponder has friends here but he didn’t permanently win the starting quarterback position with the Vikings during a four-year career. His confidence couldn’t have benefited from booing and heckling Vikings fans. Ponder, who is projected as a reserve with the Raiders under former Vikings offensive Bill Musgrave, completed six of eight passes with one touchdown and one interception for Oakland last week in the team’s preseason win against the Rams.

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Turner Upbeat on Loadholt Replacement

Posted on August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 by David Shama

Norv Turner confirmed this morning starting right offensive tackle Phil Loadholt is out indefinitely with a torn left Achilles but the offensive coordinator is enthused about his replacement, rookie fourth round draft choice T.J. Clemmings.

Clemmings played in both of the Vikings first two preseason games and has been in training camp since last month. He replaced Loadholt, a veteran of six NFL seasons, during the first quarter of Saturday night’s game against the Bucs.

“He’s improving since he got here,” Turner said about Clemmings. “He’s having an outstanding camp. He played well in the Hall of Fame Game. He gets thrown into action earlier in the game (Saturday) than he thought. I thought he played extremely well. He’s a young player with a bright future, and he’s going to have to step it up.”

Clemmings is not only a rookie but somewhat a newcomer to the offensive line. At Pitt he was switched from defensive end to offense in 2013. He made a successful transition, and last year the Football Writers of America placed him on their All-American second team at offensive tackle.

Clemmings’ football career in high school was only two years. He excelled in basketball, turning down scholarship offers from Providence and Seton Hall to accept Pitt’s football offer. Scout named him the No. 6 defensive end prospect in the country as a prep senior.

He played right tackle at Pitt and there was pre-draft speculation earlier this year that he could be selected in the first round. Concern about past injuries impacted where he was drafted but it’s thought the Vikings may have made a wise move taking him in the fourth round.

The athletic Clemmings has the kind of quick footwork you might expect from a former basketball standout. However, his reputation also after being drafted was that his blocking techniques need work. Turner said Clemmings has “really improved his pass protection” since he’s been in Minnesota.

Among Turner’s expectations is Clemmings and right guard Mike Harris will communicate effectively on the field. Clemmings might take inspiration from Harris who was an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012 with the Chargers but started nine games. Turner was head coach of that team.

Worth Noting

Teddy Bridgewater (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Teddy Bridgewater is ranked No. 17 in Sports Illustrated’s listings of the NFL’s top 32 quarterbacks. “We’re going to look back and wonder how the Vikings stole Bridgewater with the last pick of the first round in ’14,” according to S.I.’s August 17 issue.

The publication’s Michael Beller offered top 32 rankings of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends to help fantasy football participants prep for the season. Rival quarterbacks from the NFC North ranked high—with the Packers Aaron Rodgers No. 1 overall, followed by the Lions Matthew Stafford at No. 13 and the Bears Jay Cutler at No. 14.

The Packers Eddie Lacy and the Chiefs Jamaal Charles are the No. 1 and 2 running backs, with Adrian Peterson of the Vikings No. 3. Among wide receivers, the Vikings Mike Wallace is No. 29, and teammate Charles Johnson No. 32. Kyle Rudolph is No. 20 in the tight ends rankings, while Vikings teammate Blair Walsh is No. 13 among a listing of 15 NFL kickers.

Quarterback Mitch Leidner was impressive in Saturday’s Gophers scrimmage, running the offense with confidence and making some accurate passes. No. 2 quarterback Chris Streveler made a poor throw early in the scrimmage when he looked too long in the direction of his planned pass and saw it intercepted for a touchdown by linebacker Cody Poock. Placekicker Ryan Santos had three field goals including 44 and 40 yards kicks.

During the two-plus hour scrimmage in high heat and humidity, Gophers coach Jerry Kill targeted some of his most vocal comments at the offensive line. He said after the scrimmage the only player who may not be available for the September 3 opening game is injured tight end Lincoln Pisek.

As of Saturday, approximately 4,700 tickets remained for that game against TCU at TCF Bank Stadium.

Former Minneapolis City Council president Denny Schulstad was one of six newcomers to participate in Kill’s second annual Boys of Fall Elite Camp earlier this month. There were also 10 repeat attendees who had an inside look at Gophers football by paying $2,000 each. During three days the campers attended team meetings and had a 90 minutes get-together with Kill. “It was fascinating,” said Schulstad about the camp experience. He plans to attend again next year.

The Twins (59-58) are now one game over .500 after yesterday’s 4-1 win over the Indians at Target Field and have won back-to-back series. Third baseman Trevor Plouffe homered for the second time in four days yesterday and rookie DH-third baseman Miguel Sano, 6-4, 260, stole the first base of his big league career.

Kyle Gibson, 8-9 with a 3.75 ERA, pitches tonight for the Twins in New York against the Yankees C.C. Sabathia, 4-9, 5.23 ERA.

Wild head coach Mike Yeo hosts his Pro-Am bass fishing tournament for charities on September 1 at Lake Minnetonka. The Mike Yeo Classic presented by Gander Mountain will include celebrities and professional fishing guides. Wild players Ryan Carter, Charlie Coyle, Justin Fontaine, Erik Haula, Zach Parise, Nate Prosser, Jordan Schroeder, Thomas Vanek and Jason Zucker are scheduled to participate along with David Backes from the Blues, Justin Falk of the Hurricanes, and Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing from the Twins. The tournament benefits the Pinky Swear and Angel foundations. More information at wild.com/yeoclassic.

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Teague, Flip Missed Golden Connection

Posted on August 14, 2015August 14, 2015 by David Shama

Norwood Teague’s departure as Golden Gophers athletic director stirs memories of his failed connection with Flip Saunders who was a candidate to replace Tubby Smith as Minnesota’s basketball coach in the spring of 2013.

Saunders was a once-in-a-generation fit for the job. The former Gophers point guard played during the program’s glory days of the 1970s when the team’s talent was extraordinary and the capacity crowds at Williams Arena were the envy of college basketball. Saunders, a four-year starter, later was an assistant coach for the Gophers and eventually became the popular head coach of the Timberwolves who reached the NBA Western Conference Finals in 2004.

Saunders kept his permanent home in the Minneapolis area after he left the Timberwolves and made coaching stops in Detroit and Washington, D.C. He was out of coaching in 2013 when Smith was fired by Teague. Saunders, full of energy and with a never ending appetite for basketball, had stayed active in the sport with national TV work, and when in Minnesota attended games including those involving Apple Valley High School superstar Tyus Jones.

Sources said Saunders was interested in returning to his alma mater. Teague, a cocky administrator and newcomer to this state, had other candidates for his basketball coaching job and made them a priority. The search wasn’t gaining ground when Teague agreed to meet out of town with Saunders—a gesture that may well have been prompted by pressure from program boosters and media to interview the former Gopher.

Saunders was told in the interview he would need the approval of Teague to hire his assistant coaches, according to multiple sources. A career coach with more than 30 years of experience and with connections all over the country, Saunders wasn’t going to be told who he could hire.

There probably were other issues—perhaps including bonus incentives—that may have tripped up getting a deal done. Whatever the stumbling blocks, talks ended within about 24 hours.

My sources questioned the determination of Teague’s efforts with Saunders. I know the late David Larson, a major Gophers financial supporter and former member of the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents, was angry a deal couldn’t be reached with Saunders.

What Larson and other proponents of a Saunders hire saw was a unique candidate and golden opportunity for the Gophers and the University. Saunders would have jump-started a program that has been in decline for more than 15 years and is still going downhill. Saunders’ relationship with Jones could well have resulted in the two of them leading a Gophers on-court turnaround last season. Instead Jones, playing as a freshman for Duke, was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player after the Blue Devils won the national championship.

As a former college point guard and veteran NBA coach who had coached some of the world’s best at that position, Saunders could have made a convincing pitch to Jones who he had a relationship with. Jones committing to Minnesota might have caused a domino effect in recruiting that at this point would have the program rolling.

Saunders was intrigued with college basketball and returning to Minnesota. He had insights into coaching in the Big Ten because of his close friend Tom Izzo, the legendary Michigan State coach. Over the years Saunders had thought about college coaching and planned to use the famous pregame ball handling and passing show he had learned as a player under coach Bill Musselman at Minnesota. It was a show stopper choreographed with music that had the stands packed 30 minutes before tipoff, with enthusiastic fans ready to clap and roar approval.

No wonder Larson and other insiders were angry when a deal wasn’t reached with Saunders. What they knew is this: When you’re dealing with a big time coaching candidate the strategy is to create a deal that person can be happy with and gives him the authority, structure and resources to be successful. Let’s also make this point: Of course you negotiate and make deals that you wouldn’t for other candidates.

Teague, who was hired as Minnesota AD in 2012, was an outsider from the East. In not developing relationships and understanding the culture here, he failed many times. I don’t think he understood what he had in Saunders.

The most passionate of Gophers basketball fans might now forgive but they won’t forget.

Worth Noting

Gophers senior wide receiver KJ Maye, who played in 13 games and started five in 2014, caught 16 passes for 298 yards and one touchdown. His goals for this season are “maybe like 60 catches, 900 yards,” he said.

Sophomore Brandon Lingen, who played prep football at Wayzata High School, is one of the Gophers trying to replace the departed Maxx Williams, probably the best pass catching tight end in program history. Does Lingen compare himself with Williams?

“Try not to because he’s a really good tight end,” Lingen answered. “But at the same time I try to emulate him, try to be just like him—trying to do what he did well and hopefully some day try to be like him.”

Lingen said earlier this year Williams, now in training camp with the Ravens, took all the Gophers tight ends out to dinner. What is the best advice he has heard from Williams? “Work hard and treat practice like a game,” Lingen said.

Stefon Diggs, the Vikings fifth round rookie draft choice from Maryland, impressed with a 62-yard punt return in Minnesota’s preseason opening win Sunday against the Steelers. Vikings special teams coach Mike Priefer was asked if he anticipates Diggs taking that primary punt return role from incumbent Marcus Sherels, the former Gopher from Rochester, Minnesota.

“I would like to continue to work Marcus [Sherels] in there because if he’s going to be the guy, then we need to make sure he’s ready for the season as well,” Priefer said. “You can’t just roll the ball out there against San Francisco and hope Marcus is the guy. So, were going to continue working the top three returners (including Adam Thielen) as we go forward.”

The Vikings open the regular season on September 14 against San Francisco, but tomorrow night play preseason game No. 2 against the Bucs starting at 7 p.m. in TCF Bank Stadium. Diggs, also a wide receiver, and Sherels, a reserve defensive back going into his sixth NFL season, have four more preseason games to prove their value. So, too, does Thielen, a second-year wide receiver, who didn’t return punts in game action last season. Sherel’s 10.5 career average on punt returns is the best in franchise history. His 15.2 average in 2013 was second best in the NFL.

Sports Media News reported on Tuesday the Vikings-Steelers game averaged 11 million viewers on NBC and was the most watched NFL preseason telecast on any network in five years.

Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki is struggling at the plate with a .231 average and just four home runs and 33 RBI. The team needs offensive production and first baseman Joe Mauer doesn’t have stats worthy of his $23 million salary. He is batting .269, with seven home runs and 50 RBI while usually hitting No. 3 in the lineup. But Twins president Dave St. Peter all but dismissed the notion of returning Mauer, a former All-Star catcher, back to that position. St. Peter said the organization has crossed the “threshold” with Mauer regarding catching because of his concussion history that prompted the switch to first base in 2014.

While the Twins are only 4-8 in their last 12 games, St. Peter is encouraged the club is playing “meaningful games in August for the first time in five years.” The Twins, who lost 90-plus games the previous four years, are a wildcard contender with a 57-57 record. St. Peter hopes that will help season home attendance to total about 2.2 million. The club’s attendance in 2014 was 2,250,606.

Rob Fornasiere, the Gophers assistant head baseball coach, is excited about the return of pitching coaching Todd Oakes who has made a courageous and inspirational recovery from cancer. “I would say the biggest boost we have for the coming season (2016) is the return of Todd Oakes full-time to our coaching staff. Just the overall presence and confidence he brings to the pitching staff I think will have a dramatic effect on our whole team. So you can talk about recruiting all you want, but I still think he is the biggest addition we have coming back to our team.”

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