KIRILL KAPRIZOV – Page 11 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Trade Kirk Cousins, Draft Matt Corral

Posted on February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 by David Shama

Daniel House started a blog several years ago devoted to Vikings coverage and since then he has drawn a large following for his new age insights about Minnesota’s NFL team and also the Golden Gophers. House is a workhorse in gathering and interpreting comprehensive information—including analytics—about those two teams. He also has a “library” on other pro and college football teams and players across the nation.

House told Sports Headliners he believes the Vikings, if they have the opportunity, should grab Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral in the upcoming NFL Draft. “That’s the guy I would be going after 100 percent…a quarterback that has the highest upside that could change your franchise if everything clicks and the system fits him well.”

Corral hasn’t been as valued in 2022 mock drafts as a couple of other college quarterbacks. House is puzzled about that but it doesn’t deter him from raving about Corral who played for head coach Lane Kiffin, the quarterback whisperer who attended Bloomington Jefferson High School.

House looks at Corral and sees an athlete with arm strength and pocket presence who played in a quick tempo offense at Mississippi. He praises Corral’s competitive attitude and how teammates rally around him. Invaluable, too, is Corral’s ability to run and make gains out of potential lost yardage situations, while fitting the mobility mold of most successful NFL quarterbacks in today’s game. “That play extension trait is the most important thing, and Corral definitely has that,” House said.

House acknowledges Corral has mechanical things “he can clean up” and that the California native needs to keep improving his accuracy. But House could see the Vikings writing a long-term success story with a franchise rebuild plan that trades away 33-year-old QB Kirk Cousins, replaces him with a “bridge quarterback” for a couple of seasons and develops Corral to take over the position.

NFL trades are allowed starting next month and the Vikings are likely interested in moving on from Cousins. His $45 million salary cap hit is a roadblock to signing other players. Considered a top 12 to 15 NFL quarterback, Cousins has experienced mixed success with the Vikings but might be seen as someone helping another team improve. The Vikings could sweeten a trade deal by paying part of Cousins’ 2022 guaranteed salary.

Several landing spots might be in play including the Browns and Broncos. There are Vikings ties in both places. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was Kirk’s offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. New Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah came from the Cleveland front office. Klint Kubiak, Minnesota’s offensive coordinator last season, is now the quarterbacks coach with the Broncos. Former Vikings assistant general manager George Paton is the Denver GM.

A “bridge quarterback” candidate pool could include Baker Mayfield of the Browns. Former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater, popular with teammates and fans while in Minnesota, is with the Broncos. There are other possibilities with other teams.

When Cousins played for Washington his quarterbacks coach for one season was Kevin O’Connell, now the new Vikings head coach. He worked with Cousins to improve his quarterback’s skills in improvising and mobility. It’s evident, though, that Cousins doesn’t have a high ceiling for extending plays. “He is not that guy…that can go off script,” House said.

More recently as offensive coordinator of the Rams, O’Connell helped develop and direct one of the NFL’s most imaginative offenses, built on attacking the defense all over the field. Having a quarterback who can extend plays is most certainly something O’Connell wants in his Viking quarterbacks.

O’Connell is known for his teaching skills and could welcome a talent like Corral. He also has a young, athletic quarterback on the roster in Kellen Mond who the Vikings selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In next Sunday’s Super Bowl the Rams play the Bengals, a team that was among the bottom feeders of the NFL for years. But with second year QB whiz Joe Burrow the Bengals have surprisingly earned their way into the big game. The Vikings haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977 and to earn their way back will need exceptional quarterback play.

House suggests Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell may well have to take multiple shots at finding their savior. “I think that’s the important thing is trying to throw darts until you hit on a quarterback because if you hit on the right one, you saw what can happen,” House said referring to the success of quarterbacks like Burrow and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs.

Nanne: Kaprizov Most Exciting Wild Player Ever

Lou Nanne, 80, is the godfather of Minnesota hockey. He was an All-American defenseman for the Golden Gophers, and for the NHL North Stars he was a player, coach, GM and president. At state tournament time he has been the authoritative voice of Minnesota prep hockey for nearly six decades.

When Nanne talks hockey, listen. And the other day he was raving about the Wild’s electric second-season forward Kirill Kaprizov.

“He’s the most exciting player the Wild has ever had to watch,” Nanne told Sports Headliners. “He’s so much fun and he’s got so many different skills. It’s really good that the Wild fans have the opportunity to see him play like this. That’s why you buy tickets is to be entertained and he entertains you.”

Nanne counts the 24-year-old Russian forward among a handful of NHL players who routinely bring fans out of their seats. He joins the appreciative crowds (whether at home or at Xcel Energy Center) in anticipating Kaprizov’s next shift on the ice and what he might do.

On track to becoming a super star, Kaprizov creates magic on the ice with his goal scoring and playmaking. “The fact that he can create stuff out of nothing,” Nanne said. “His speed, his hands, his shot, his head. It just energizes you. …He’s got five years on the contract and it should be a delightful five years watching this guy.”

Starting with Kaprizov’s rookie debut more than a year ago, opponents have tried to double-team and intimidate him. “That doesn’t affect him at all,” Nanne said. “He’s got a low base and center of gravity. He’s got huge thighs and he’s very, very strong on his skates. …He’s like a little truck out there. He’s taken some heavy hits.”

Nanne sees improvement from last season, particularly defensively, by the 5-10, 200-pound Kaprizov who is being showcased at the NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. “Kirill the Thrill” is joined in Vegas this weekend by teammate Cam Talbot who Nanne ranks a top 10 NHL goalie.

“He is a smart goaltender,” Nanne said. “He knows how to play. The way he cuts his angles, the way he controls rebounds. The way he sets pucks up; when to free the puck. …”

The Wild has a 28-10-3 record. It’s the first time in franchise history to earn 28 wins in the first 41 games. Minnesota’s first season was 2000-2001.

At the halfway mark of the season, Nanne includes the Wild among teams he believes are most likely to earn their way into the Stanley Cup Finals. Others are the Panthers, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Capitals and Lightning.

“Oh, I am really excited about them,” Nanne said about the Wild. “They’re playing so well.”

Minnesota has won six consecutive games but the second half of the schedule will continue to test the team’s abilities, resolve and depth. The Wild must play 40 games in 77 days.

The NHL trade deadline is March 21. The Wild, led by GM Bill Guerin, will apparently be cautious in making a move that could upset the locker room. “This team is a very close team,” Nanne said. “They care about one another and they play for one another. I know that Bill is very concerned about that (team chemistry). What he is going to do is…be extremely calculated—if he does anything—because he likes what he has.”

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Beat the Pack Sunday? Read Here

Posted on November 16, 2021November 16, 2021 by David Shama

If on Sunday the Vikings can pull their season record to 5-5 with a home win over the 8-2 NFC North Division leading Packers, public momentum for sending Mike Zimmer to the unemployment line drops a few notches.

If by a miracle the coach eventually gurus his club to the playoffs, and then wins a couple of postseason games, let’s start a Zim for governor campaign. Maybe even send him directly to the White House.

As of today, Zimmer cronies have no plans to set up 2022 campaign headquarters downtown, or on the Iron Range where his persona is a perfect fit.

Amidst gloomy skies last week I predicted the Vikings to win in SoCal against the Chargers. Mostly I foresaw a desperately needed victory last Sunday because of the 3-5 Vikings’ slick running game and the Chargers’ flimsy ability to defend it.

The Packers look surprisingly improved on defense this fall, and the balance they have added to an always dangerous offense is why NFL.com has Green Bay No. 1 in its power rankings of league teams. The Packers shut out the Seahawks Sunday and in their last five games have given up just 58 points.

Dalvin Cook (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Something to watch for Sunday is if talented linebacker Rashan Gary’s hyperextended elbow allows him to play and help control Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook. Packer stud offensive tackle David Bakhtari might return after missing all of the season so far.

Put a question mark near Anthony Barr’s name, too. He missed the Chargers game and his presence is important if the Vikings are to slow Packer power back A.J. Dillon (about 250 pounds). More elusive runner Aaron Jones is injured and won’t play.

Zimmer is 6-7-1 in games against the Packers and Aaron (Houdini) Rodgers. “Our guys have to understand that this guy can make every throw,” Zimmer said Monday. “He can use his legs. He’s very, very smart. He can get them in a lot of good things (situations). So we’re gonna have to be tight in coverage but…we can’t give up big plays as well. They’re spreading the ball around a lot.”

Zimmer won’t pull his career record to .500 against the Packers on Sunday. Nope, not unless Rodgers develops COVID again. He was rusty in his return game last Sunday but the Vikings won’t see more of the layoff effect. At 37 he is playing cocky, looking like a sixth grader toying with fourth graders in a backyard football game. He is still the whole package including amazing elusiveness and poise.

Vikes go to 4-6 Sunday and things will look more dicey for a gubernatorial run.

Worth Noting

Zimmer took a phone call from his friend Deion Sanders during yesterday’s news conference. Asked if Sanders and long time pal Bill Parcells are the biggest headliners in his contact list, Zimmer added Kenny Chesney. “I got a few,” the coach said.

Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins passed for 294 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 109.5 rating in the win over the Chargers. Cousins became the sixth player ever with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in seven consecutive road games.

Here is something Cousins doesn’t receive enough praise for: His durability. Dating back to playing with Washington in 2015, he has been in every regular season game but one.

Taylor Heinicke, the vagabond quarterback who was with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie in 2015, seems to have found solid ground in Washington where as the starter he led the team to a surprise win over the Super Bowl champion Bucs Sunday.

Gophers coach P.J. Fleck gave no indication at his Monday news conference he intends to change starting quarterbacks. During practices backup Zach Annexstad receives significant repetitions but it doesn’t appear he will replace starter Tanner Morgan whose inaccurate passes have become a trend.

Fleck is loyal to Morgan and the two have been through a lot together. The coach values the redshirt senior’s skills in game management and not turning over the ball.

There are passing game issues at receiver, too, and sophomore redshirt WR Dylan Wright who showed playmaking ability earlier in the year is now used sparingly with indications he isn’t meeting expectations. “Guys earn their playing time,” Fleck answered briefly when responding to a question about Wright’s status.

Stats whiz Daniel House from the Gophers Guru website reports Minnesota ranks 116th in explosive plays out of 130 college football teams.

Fleck reported no significant injuries from the Iowa game, leaving the assumption everyone could be ready for Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday. “We came out pretty healthy.”

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne, 80, enjoys part of the year at his condo in Florida that is just a few miles from the residence of former Gophers football coach Glen Mason, who is also back and forth between Minneapolis and the “sunshine state.”

The former North Stars president and GM remains captivated by second-season Wild forward Kirill Kaprzov. “He’s got skills very few players have,” Nanne said.

Nanne said the NHL Western Conference race is so tight with competitive teams. “It’s going to be crazy.”

The Wild? “They’ll definitely make the playoffs,” he said.

The Land O’Lakes Center for Excellence has many Gophers athletes walk through its halls every day. It’s a welcoming place where athletes greet and open doors for one another and visitors. On one wall are paper signs people have written about what it means to belong. (See photo).

The Wild, Wolves, Gophers hockey and basketball are facing ticket selling challenges. A hockey industry source said season ticket totals for the Wild and Wolves are unusually low at less than 8,000 each. Empty seats at Gopher hockey are some of the best in the arena. Gophers basketball is under 6,000 public season tickets.

With Stan Bowman out as GM for the 2022 US Olympic men’s hockey team it seems Wild boss Bill Guerin could move up from assistant GM.

The Wild can break series ties with rivals this week at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild face the Sharks (34-34-8 all-time) tonight and Thursday evening the Stars (33-33-13). The Stars game is a homecoming for defenseman Ryan Suter who is second all-time in franchise assists for the Wild, and second in points and games played.

Chris Wright, the recently retired United executive and before that president of the Timberwolves, will keep homes in Eden Prairie and Naples, Florida, plus visiting his 98-year-old mom in his native England.

Dave Mona, former co-host of the “WCCO Radio Sports Huddle,” will co-host with wife Linda a Fan in the Stands trip for the station and Holiday Vacations to Fort Myers to watch Twins spring training March 15-20.

Dick Jonckowski, Minnesota’s prominent master of ceremonies, emcees the Minnesota Old Timers Hockey luncheon at Mancini’s Char House November 22.

Lynx GM and coach Cheryl Reeve was the keynote speaker Friday at the annual meeting of the Twin Cities Compensation Network. Her comments included gender equity.

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Fleck: NIL Can Be Game-Changer for U

Posted on October 5, 2021October 6, 2021 by David Shama

The NCAA approved a policy last summer allowing current and incoming college athletes the opportunity to benefit from their names, images and likenesses. Already there are scattered reports from around the country of both large and minimal amounts of money being provided to student-athletes.

Research by Sports Headliners doesn’t substantiate a lot of activity benefiting University of Minnesota athletes. The school athletic department can help educate but not arrange potential NIL opportunities for its athletes. There doesn’t appear to be much response so far from the outside community including the 16 Fortune 500 companies based in the state of Minnesota.

There certainly is potential to create a reputation that the U is a desirable NIL destination for student-athletes. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has long been known for its successful businesses of all sizes. Many of those businesses are owned or have staff with passion for Gophers athletics.

NIL is not to be used for “under the table” payments by boosters to reward athletes for performance, or as a recruiting inducement. NIL is also not a pay-for-play tool in the sense that athletes receive a salary from their schools, making them employees. However, word is getting out about schools where athletes are profiting.

For example, at Miami (Florida) a gym owner proposed an NIL deal rewarding everyone on the Hurricanes football team with $500 per month. A University of Michigan retailer reportedly is selling football jerseys with the names of players on the back and more than $10 per shirt goes to the athlete. Paige Bueckers, the former Hopkins superstar who was named 2021 college basketball Player of the Year in her freshman season at Connecticut, is rumored to be lining up more than $500,000 in NIL money. Gable Steveson, the Gopher and gold medal winning Olympic wrestler, is still competing for the U but has (presumably) a lucrative deal with pro wrestling’s WWE.

College athletes are allowed NIL advisors to find deals such as making personal appearances, doing TV commercials or utilizing their social media platforms. Those advisors can’t be coaches from the athletes’ schools, but leaders at the U certainly recognize the potential in this market place given the vitality of the business community.

“…We have a very, very unique location of where we are, and we need to be able to use that, and we need our community to want to use that,” Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck said. “Use our student athletes and really take this program to a different level, and I think we’re very, very capable of doing that.”

Fleck considers NIL to be another major change benefitting athletes, along with things like player safety and the transfer portal. He knows NIL could be a huge catalyst for recruiting, perhaps annually boosting the Gophers into the company of recruiting classes that rank among the top 20 in the nation—a change resulting in rosters with plenty of four-star players, and perhaps a few five-stars.

Fleck is clearly excited about NIL and how it can benefit Gopher football. “I think there is great potential here for what we can become. …We just have to be incredibly creative. We have to be able to use it like everyone else. To be able to use it (as) part of recruiting student athletes to come here.

“Again, not setting those things up, but when you look at where you are and where you’re located, what resources we have around here, this can be game-changing for the University of Minnesota. It can be game-changing for where we are going in the future.”

Notes: Vikes Miss on Second Half Points

The Minnesota Vikings’ offense has no second half touchdowns in the last three games (two losses). After Sunday’s home loss to the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Mike Zimmer surprisingly said on KFAN radio he hadn’t thought about the scoring drought in the last two periods. “I’ll have to look at what we’re doing offensively at halftime,” he said.

The offense produced a crisp opening game touchdown drive in the 14-7 loss to the Cleveland Browns Sunday. Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, also talking on the KFAN post game show, said the early game plans of rookie offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak impress but production stalls out.

“But as the game goes on, and you have to start calling plays based on game situations, and it seems like we’re just not as creative,” Leber said. “We’re not ahead of it where we should be, where we are in the early parts of the game. …”

Leber believes blitzes and line twists by the Browns frustrated Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins and his linemen. “We’ve seen Kirk where he gets in these games and he feels the pressure before it’s really there, and I think that really had an effect on him late in the game,” Leber said.

The one-win Vikings have lost three games by a total of 11 points. That’s part of why Zimmer keeps insisting he has a “good team” despite the record, while anticipating results will turn around as the season progresses.

Viking wide receiver Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 84 yards and the team’s lone touchdown Sunday. He has 114 receptions for 1,738 yards and 10 touchdowns in 20 career games. He and Odell Beckham Jr. and A.J. Green are the only NFL players in league history with at least 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches in their first 20 games.

Vikings veteran linebacker Anthony Barr (knee injury) has yet to play in the first four games but Zimmer is optimistic about a return to the field Sunday against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. “I think he’ll play this week,” Zimmer said at his news conference yesterday.

The experience of the 29-year-old allows the Vikings to do things a younger player can’t, the coach said.

Zimmer also said the coaches are talking about how to keep 33-year-old defensive end Everson Griffen fresh for the balance of the season. He’s been effective in rushing the opposing quarterback, with two sacks in three games this season.

Single game tickets remain for the Minnesota Wild home opener against the Winnipeg Jets October 19. A promotional email Monday used this subject line: “Don’t Miss (Kirill) Kaprizov Opening Night.”

Starters for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their opening preseason game last night: center Karl-Anthony Towns, forward Jaden McDaniels, guards Josh Okogie, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell. Impressions: a skilled group capable of explosive offense and more than average defense, but not an adequate rebounding unit. Note to head coach Chris Finch: start Jarred Vanderbilt in place of McDaniels to improve the offensive and defensive rebounding.

Towns needs to be an alpha defender and rebounder all season. He also must cruise through a season without being sidelined with injuries (briefly missed time during the game last night).

The 20-year-old Edwards looks taller and stronger than during his rookie season last winter. Everyone knows about his offense but he’s going to be elite defensively. He had two blocks and two steals in his team’s 117-114 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

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