Golden Gophers – Page 376 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Faces May Change in 2014 Twins Infield

Posted on September 21, 2012September 21, 2012 by David Shama

The need to develop better starting pitching dominates conversations about the Twins but Roy Smalley said the club’s unsettled infield is “absolutely” priority No. 2 for improving the team.

Guessing who will be the starting shortstop and second baseman next season will occupy the thoughts of fans over the winter, but it’s not even a lock that in another year or two Trevor Plouffe will be playing third base and Justin Morneau will be at first.

Plouffe has a head start on the third base job going into spring training after a first season in that assignment for the Twins during 2012. Never able to win the shortstop job in the past, Plouffe has been okay in the field and at times very promising at the plate, hitting 23 home runs with 51 RBI and a .238 average in 383 at bats.

Smalley, the former Twins and Yankees shortstop, said Plouffe has homework to do. “He’s got some mechanical things in his swing he needs to iron out. It’s just a process. I think he will keep making progress.”

Morneau will one day be in the Twins Hall of Fame but he will be 32 with a history of concussions when his reportedly $14 million contract ends after next season. If the Twins and Morneau can’t get together on a deal, and Plouffe doesn’t lock up the third base job, the infield in 2013 or 2014 could have four new faces compared to this summer’s starting players.

Uncertainty surrounds shortstop and second base. Not to have those positions settled with quality players is not the “normal recipe” for a division contender, according to Smalley who stays close to the Twins as a TV analyst.

After years of being a division champion, the Twins are trying to find their way back to the top. Smalley is impressed with the defensive ability shown by late season call-up Pedro Florimon but the 25 year old hasn’t proven he can hit.

Smalley believes Florimon is “probably the leader” to claim the shortstop job but said there are other possibilities including Brian Dozier who was the regular shortstop earlier in the season. “It will all be determined by performances in the spring,” Smalley said.

The same evaluation can be applied to the second base situation. Among the possibilities is Alexi Casilla who has been with the Twins since 2006 but has never established himself as a starter playing shortstop or second base. “They keep trying to give him the job (second base) and he kind of keeps refusing it,” Smalley said.

Eduardo Escobar, 21, is another middle infield candidate and late season call-up whose offensive skills are suspect. The prospect of minimal offense from the shortstop and second baseman isn’t attractive and such a situation would demand that the third baseman, first baseman and a corner outfielder be productive with power.

But right now the Twins don’t even know if they have good field, no hit guys who can be solid over the course of a full season. “First you have got to catch the ball at short and second,” Smalley said. “You’ve got to make all the plays there.”

Notes on Max Shortell & More:

Sophomore quarterback Max Shortell, who threw three touchdown passes in relief of the injured MarQueis Gray last Saturday, is a popular teammate who often shows his sense of humor, according to Gophers’ junior wide receiver Derrick Engel.

“Max is definitely a jokester,” Engel said. “Even on the football field, like in the game (last) Saturday. During TV timeouts he was joking, smiling. He definitely helps lighten up the mood in the huddle. …”

Engel described Shortell as “down to earth” and a person easy to accept. “Everyone gets along with him really well, no matter where you’re from, no matter what your background is,” Engel said. “Everyone connects with Max. I think that’s a key thing to have, is your quarterback…being able to connect with the rest of your teammates. Maxie is definitely one of the more popular guys on our team, and we’re confident with him being our leader going into the next few games while MarQueis is healing up from his injuries.”

How does Engel think true freshman Philip Nelson, who has yet to take a snap in a college game, would respond if he had to replace Shortell? “It might be a little difficult right away playing in front of that many people (compared with high school), but I think Phil is someone who would respond great if he was thrown in. Especially now that he knows that he’s like the No. 2 guy to come up in the next few weeks if something were to happen to Max.

“Phil is an 18-year-old kid but he doesn’t act that way. He’s real mature for his age. He’s a great leader. I think he will be great for us down the road, if not sooner.”

Gray’s high ankle sprain sustained last Saturday against Western Michigan will likely keep him sidelined tomorrow night when the 3-0 Gophers play 1-2 Syracuse at TCF Bank Stadium. The Orange has scored 98 points in three games including 41 in a one point loss to Northwestern.

Syracuse, led by senior quarterback Ryan Nassib and senior wide receiver Marcus Sales, ranks third in the country for passing offense per game at 379.67 yards. Sales is averaging 116.7 yards per game in receptions and has caught four touchdown passes. So far Minnesota’s pass defense, led by impressive coverage in the secondary and six sacks by defensive linemen D.L. Wilhite and Ra‘Shede Hageman, ranks No. 15 in the nation.

Minnesota’s defensive backs have frequently been in position to make plays and the Gophers have five interceptions. Senior cornerback Troy Stoudermire praises secondary coach Jay Sawvel’s work with the unit.

“We’re the last group to leave every single day in the meeting room,” Stoudermire said. “Just putting in the extra time, I think that’s what’s making our DB group the best (in recent U history) right now.”

It was Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby (once the AD at Iowa) who hired Jim Harbaugh about six years ago and launched the former Michigan quarterback into the big time world of head coaching. Harbaugh was head coach at Division I-AA San Diego before Stanford hired him. He turned heads at Stanford, making the Cardinal a top 10 program. Now as head coach of the 2-0 49ers (they play the 1-1 Vikings on Sunday at Mall of America Field) Harbaugh has a Super Bowl favorite in his second season in the NFL.

Harbaugh succeeded Mike Singletary, now a Vikings assistant coach, as boss of the 49ers. Singletary’s record in three seasons with the 49ers was 18-22. Harbaugh’s record is 15-3.

Vikings’ defensive coordinator Alan Williams talking about 35-year-old receiver Randy Moss of the 49ers: “You never want to turn Moss loose. That would be a mistake not to pay attention to Randy Moss. Until he’s turned in his retirement papers, I think every defensive coordinator, every secondary, every defense is going to pay attention to him. We have to.”

Vikings’ quarterback Christian Ponder leads the NFL in passing completion percentage at 75.8. Vikings’ offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said there were only a few plays out of 70 that Ponder should have made a different decision in the game last Sunday against the Colts.

Blair Walsh, the Vikings’ rookie kicker, can set a franchise record on Sunday if he can boot a field goal of 50 yards or more in three consecutive games. He told Sports Headliners he has no incentive bonuses in his contract for achievements like that.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen answering a question about a personal foul penalty against the Colts: “I am not a dirty player. I play hard.”

If a major football coaching opportunity occurs in Minnesota expect Marc Trestman’s name to surface. The former Gophers quarterback and Vikings assistant coach has a long resume of college and pro assignments. He’s in his sixth season coaching Montreal in the Canadian Football League where his teams have won two Grey Cup championships.

Timberwolves media day will be on Monday, October 1 from noon to 2 p.m. at Target Center. Fans can watch and also submit questions that day via www.timberwolves.com.

The Wolves will train in Mankato from October 2-5, working out at the Bresnan Arena in the Taylor Center at Minnesota State University.

The Wolves will gain a local pro sports marketing edge this fall if the Vikings disappoint fans, and the Wild don’t play because of the NHL work stoppage. Popular opinion is the Wild, bolstered by free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, are more likely to make the playoffs than the Wolves.

Former North Stars player and president Lou Nanne has become a frequent guest on Mike Max’s Sunday night TV program, “The Sports Show,” replacing the late Dark Star.

FOX Sports North and the Big Ten Network will combine to televise 34 of 36 men’s Gophers hockey games next season including Minnesota’s opener at Michigan State on October 12.

Are there leadership changes coming in baseball’s AL Central Division? It wouldn’t be surprising if there were off-season changes to the Twins’ coaching staff. How about manager Jim Leyland’s future in Detroit where the Tigers could be headed to a disappointing second place finish?

The streak is over. The St. Scholastica (Duluth) women’s soccer team, undefeated in 99 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference games dating back to 2003, lost to Minnesota- Morris last Saturday.

Comments Welcome

Vikings’ Simpson Plans to Stay Humble

Posted on September 19, 2012September 21, 2012 by David Shama

Jerome Simpson told Sports Headliners he’s learned his lesson after pleading guilty earlier this year to a felony drug charge and then being suspended by the NFL for violating league substance abuse policy.

“Just getting back to the old Jerome Simpson, and just being myself and not getting out of character,” Simpson said. “Just always staying humble and doing the right thing.”

It was reportedly a year ago this month that a marijuana shipment to Simpson’s home in Kentucky led to his problems. That development would detract from a breakout season while playing for Cincinnati.

The Vikings signed Simpson in the offseason, hoping he will become the deep threat receiver the offense needs. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound North Carolina native who grew up an only child influenced by his mother’s values will finish his three-game suspension by the NFL after this Sunday’s Vikings-49ers game.

Simpson described the waiting to play as “grueling” but believes he’s circled back to the values he was raised with. “I’ve grown so much in being able to appreciate the position I am in, and the influence that I have on the community and a lot of youth, and people back home, and just all around me,” he said.

A second round pick by the Bengals in 2008, Simpson never had more than 20 catches until last season. In 2011 he had 50 receptions for 725 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 14.5 yards per catch. Among the highlights was a front flip into the end zone touchdown against the Cardinals that has become YouTube content.

The Vikings have been searching for an elusive big play receiver since Sidney Rice left for Seattle after the 2010 season. In two games this season the Vikings’ longest pass completion by quarterback Christian Ponder is 29 yards and the team’s average pass reception is 8.3 yards. With an exceptional slot receiver in Percy Harvin, promising tight end in Kyle Rudolph and All-Pro running back in Adrian Peterson, a speed-blessed wide receiver to stretch the field and the defense is a missing element in the offense.

The wait to learn if Simpson is the answer is almost over.

Notes:

Controversial former Viking Randy Moss will receive attention locally this week and on Sunday when the 49ers come to Mall of America Field. But at age 35 Moss is no longer the dominating wide receiver he was when he played here from 1998 to 2004. Moss didn’t start for the 49ers in either of his team’s first two games this month. He caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the opening game and one ball for 14 yards last Sunday.

During player introductions on Sunday night Moss said he was from Rand University, a school that doesn’t exist. The reference was to his hometown while growing up, Rand, West Virginia.

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill said yesterday he isn’t sure when MarQueis Gray’s high ankle sprain will allow him to play again but didn’t rule out the senior quarterback’s participation in Saturday’s home game against Syracuse. The guess here is Gray will be able to play against Iowa on September 29, or following Minnesota’s bye week in early October.

As of yesterday afternoon the Gophers had about 1,500 tickets at $40 each available to the public for Saturday’s game. A spokesman said all 5,300 tickets on sale earlier in the week at a special discount price of $10 are gone.

Friends and family of John Williams will feel joy and sorrow tomorrow night at the M Club Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in TCF Bank Stadium’s DQ Club Room. John passed away this summer and I know how pleased he would have been to attend the ceremonies along with eight other honorees including volleyball’s Lindsey Berg, football’s Tyrone Carter, hockey’s Butsy Erickson and wrestling’s J Robinson. John was a Time Magazine All-American offensive tackle on the Gophers 1967 Big Ten championship team. He was admired for his football accomplishments, including playing in the NFL, but family and friends know what made him special was his devotion to helping others.

John was a good friend who was quietly proud of the Gophers and his many achievements including his dental practice in north Minneapolis. I can’t give John a higher compliment than to say “I can’t replace him in my life.”

St. Thomas confirmed what most MIAC observers thought last week when the Tommies defeated Saint John’s 43-21 in their famous rivalry game. The Tommies are among the best Division III teams in the country and have impressed with a 3-0 start that includes a defense holding opponents to 98 total yards rushing for the season. The Tommies have a schedule bye this Saturday.

Former Vikings wide receiver Leo Lewis and ex-Stillwater head football coach George Thole will be among the speakers for the MVP event on Tuesday, September 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater. MVP is an abbreviation for Men, Value and Purpose. MVP gatherings celebrate sports with “food, fellowship and inspiration.” The public is welcome to attend next Tuesday’s event and more information is available by emailing Todd Fultz, toddfultz@me.com.

Former Gustavus tennis coach Steve Wilkinson received the Iowa Varsity Club Lifetime Achievement award last Friday. On Saturday the former Hawkeyes’ tennis player and assistant coach was introduced at Kinnick Stadium prior to the start of the Iowa-Northern Iowa football game. Wilkinson has the most coaching victories (929) in the history of college tennis, was five times national tennis coach of the year and is a member of six tennis halls of fame, according to the Varsity Club.

Twins’ Target Field attendance for the 2012 season is 2,580,329 with two home stands remaining. Attendance totals the first two seasons at Target Field (2010 and 2011) were 3,223,640 and 3,168,107.

Stubhub.com listed tickets on Monday starting at $5 to $7 for next week’s Yankees series at Target Field.

The Twins, tied for last place in the Central Division with a 61-87 record, have been swept 11 times this season.

Scott Diamond, the team’s leading pitcher in wins with 11, has only one victory since August 6. He has an ERA of 7.33 in his last four starts.

Zack Greinke, known for not liking a lot of media attention, will be a free agent during the off-season. This market seems like a comfortable fit for Greinke who is pitching for the Angels.

St. Paul native Ken Mauer starts his 27^th season as an NBA referee this fall. He may officiate for another five to six years. Mauer said salaries for NBA officials range from $90,000 to $400,000. He will work 70 to 75 games per season and be on the road about 25 days per month.

Close friends know Mauer has a 1989 Rolls Royce convertible. He acquired the car after making a successful investment. “It’s not as fancy as everybody thinks it is but I take good care of it because I probably won’t be able to get another one,” he said.

Bleacherreport.com puts the Timberwolves at No. 17 in its new NBA power rankings out this week. The website said “on paper” the Wolves are better than last season but won’t make the playoffs. Too many ifs including point guard Ricky Rubio’s recovery from ACL surgery, and how effectively new but aging acquisitions Brandon Roy (shooting guard) and Andrei Kirilenko (small forward) perform.

Coach Kevin McHale’s Rockets receive a No. 29 ranking. Coach Randy Wittman’s Wizards are No. 24. Both are former Wolves head coaches.

Comments Welcome

U QB Future May Change Now

Posted on September 17, 2012September 17, 2012 by David Shama

MarQueis Gray’s high ankle sprain has potentially changed quarterback plans for the Gophers. With Gray out indefinitely, sophomore Max Shortell will be the starter and freshman Philip Nelson, who was highly probable for a redshirt season, is the No. 2 quarterback.

If Shortell becomes injured or sick, then Nelson is the next man up on the limited quarterback roster. Nelson has been the No. 3 quarterback behind Gray and ahead of fellow freshman Mitch Leidner who has been seeing scout team duties in practice. Redshirt freshman Dexter Foreman is another reserve quarterback.

Nelson is a high potential player but one obviously without college experience. Prep recruiting authority Tom Lemming rated Nelson the No. 2 pro-style high school quarterback prospect in the country last year. Nelson’s potential in throwing and running the ball is a good fit in Minnesota’s balanced offense.

But the hope by the Gophers coaches is Nelson won’t have to see game action because once he’s on the field his redshirt eligibility disappears. A redshirt season for Nelson in 2012 means he’s still a freshman in football eligibility next season, while Shortell is a junior. That sets up a possible scenario where Shortell could be the starter for two seasons as a junior and senior while Nelson will have two remaining years of eligibility after Shortell completes his career at Minnesota.

The 6-6, 237-pound Shortell has a lumbering running style that makes him a big target for tacklers and potential injury. He would be well advised to slide at the end of runs whenever possible, avoiding the kind of near head-on collision he escaped from last Saturday against Western Michigan.

Gray’s skill set begins with his running, while Shortell’s starts with passing. For that reason the Gophers coaches will make changes to the offense with Shortell as the starter and he won’t be asked to run with the ball nearly as many plays as offered to Gray. That will help limit Shortell’s exposure to injury.

Notes:

Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit praised Shortell who replaced the injured Gray in the first half with the Gophers leading 10-7 on Saturday. He said Shortell, who threw three touchdown passes including two in the first half, was “probably the difference” in the game’s outcome.

“Your whole game plan changes,” Cubit said of the switch in quarterbacks. “Now all of a sudden—no offense to Gray—you have a guy that can throw it around a little bit more. He came in at a time Minnesota was struggling, and he was able to give them a much needed boost.”

Junior Gophers’ defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman didn’t have a sack in the 28-23 win over Western Michigan, leaving his total for the season at three after being double and triple teamed by the Broncos. Was he frustrated by all the extra attention from blockers?

“It’s just part of football,” Hageman said. “I get mad. I just use that for fuel. …”

Sophomore Gophers’ running back Donnell Kirkwood ran for a single game career high of 120 yards. He credited his resolve to be more of a physical runner for the success after having 71 yards in the previous game against New Hampshire. “I think I kind of got away from that last week, trying to make the big play,” Kirkwood said.

Junior Minnesota wide receiver A.J. Barker, who caught three touchdown passes yesterday, isn’t on scholarship but look for that to change, according to what Gophers coach Jerry Kill said on WCCO Radio yesterday.

The 3-0 Gophers play 1-2 Syracuse in a 7 p.m. game Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. The game is being billed as “Fill Our House” by the Minnesota Athletic Department and $10 tickets are available to the public. Those tickets can be purchased now via www.mygophersports.com or by calling 612-624-8080.

Jason LaFrenz, Gophers’ associate athletics director, said the season tickets total for students is 4,000. Last year it was 5,600.

There’s no accusing suspended wide receiver Jerome Simpson of not being optimistic about the Vikings. Asked last Thursday what he thinks his team is capable of this season, he said: “Super Bowl. I really do because we have so many championship people at positions. … We got a great quarterback, Christian (Ponder). We’ve got so much talent on this team. Anything short of a Super Bowl is lost in my book.”

The Vikings looked more like a team headed for a repeat of last year’s 3-13 record yesterday in a 23-20 loss to the mediocre Colts in Indianapolis. Mistakes, including three personal foul penalties in the third quarter, hurt the Vikings on both offense and defense. Despite playing against a Colts offensive line that has been shuffled with personnel changes, and a rookie Indianapolis quarterback in Andrew Luck, the Vikings couldn’t make enough big plays to win.

The Vikings continue to rotate defensive linemen in and out, much more than in past seasons. KFAN radio analyst Pete Bercich reported during the first half that starting tackle Kevin Williams was so upset he threw his helmet on the sidelines.

The Vikings will pull off one of the NFL’s biggest upsets of the season next Sunday at Mall of America Field if they can defeat the 2-0 49ers, a Super Bowl favorite and perhaps the league’s best club. The two teams met in the preseason and even then the 49ers looked superior, easily winning 17-6.

Mike Tice had to handle tempermental Randy Moss when Tice was head coach of the Vikings. Now Tice is offensive coordinator of the Bears and has an emotional quarterback in Jay Cutler who wasn’t happy with the play of some teammates in last Thursday’s 23-10 loss to the Packers. The Bears played poorly at times in that game, showing a leaky offensive line and receivers who under performed.

St. Paul native and NBA referee Ken Mauer is supportive of the NFL officials who aren’t working so far this season because of a lockout. Mauer said those officials are being told to take fewer benefits, and he “would fight for any worker in this country that was going through something like that.”

“I am for them,” Mauer told Sports Headliners. “I am proud of what they are doing. I applaud them. “

It’s popular to criticize the replacement officials but they have a difficult assignment. Those officials are working NFL games for the first time and their performances are in the national spotlight.

Mike Markuson, the former Hamline University and Farmington High assistant, who was fired as Wisconsin’s offensive line coach after two games last week, was replaced on the Badgers staff by 27-year-old Bart Miller. Miller was promoted to interim offensive line coach from his position as a graduate assistant. The Badgers rushed for only 173 yards in a 16-14 win over Utah State last Saturday.

The guess here is Rashad Vaughn, the Cooper junior guard and one of the nation’s best prep basketball prospects in the class of 2014, will keep the Gophers near the top of his list college lists.

Prep basketball authority Ken Lien emailed that representatives from Louisville, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin will be in town recruiting Vaughn this week.

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