KEVIN O’CONNELL – Page 5 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

National Voice Not on Board with QB J.J. McCarthy Outlook

Posted on May 11, 2025May 11, 2025 by David Shama

Maybe all of us local rubes are so smitten with the reputation of Kevin O’Connell as a quarterback guru that it takes an authority from beyond fly over-country to voice skepticism about J.J. McCarthy.

Colin Cowherd expressed his doubts the other day about McCarthy who missed his rookie season in 2024 but is considered all but certain to be the Viking starter this season—partially because of O’Connell’s confidence in him and the weak competition from Sam Howell and Brett Rypien. “In a league where every good team knows who their quarterback is, nobody knows what J.J. McCarthy is. I am a skeptic,” said Cowherd, the popular national sports talk host.

“First of all, he played for a college team known for a run game and defense. He was not asked to win games. He was asked not to lose them.

“What the draft people said about J.J. McCarthy coming in (was) ‘his strength (is) mental prep. Well, he plays with a chip on his shoulder.’

“Weakness? Modest arm strength, average escape ability. Very few examples of him adjusting protections at the line.

“All this stuff I am supposed to love is this sort of nebulous he is a winner; he plays with a chip.

“How is his arm? How is his athletic ability? How is his size? Eh, huh.”

In three seasons as Vikings head coach O’Connell has dazzled with his impact on quarterbacks. His most praised work came last season when he transformed journeyman Sam Darnold, in his lone season with Minnesota. The Sporting News and Professional Football Writers Association of America both named him league Comeback Player of the Year for his 2024 production that included career highs in several passing categories.

O’Connell seems committed to McCarthy who he referred to last year as the “young franchise quarterback.” The 22-year-old, who was 27-1 as a starter at 2024 national champion Michigan, apparently has successfully rehabbed from knee surgery.

The Vikings made McCarthy their selection at No. 10 in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He and O’Connell, and others, can express all the confidence about succeeding as an NFL starter but it’s all conjecture. Just ask Herd.

Worth Noting

Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves 23-year-old guard, made five three-point shots last night to set an NBA record. His career total of 108 is the highest in league history for a player under 24 years old.

He scored 28 of his 36 points in the second half as the Timberwolves came from behind to defeat the Warriors, 102-97, and take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference playoffs semifinals best of seven series.

Howard Sinker, writing recently in the Fluence Media sports newsletter, reports that Chris Hine’s book on Edwards will be out June 3. Sinker talked to the Star Tribune’s Wolves beat writer who said Edwards best sport growing up was football and he didn’t blossom in basketball until he was a teenager.

“…Another thing is people may not realize how he can read people,” Hine told Sinker. “He knows how to read a room, and one person close to him called him a ‘politician.’ He’s very in touch with how to deal with people, who has his best interests at heart and who doesn’t, and it’s been that way for a long time.”

The book is titled: Ant: The Incredible Journey of NBA Rising Star Anthony Edwards.

No surprise to the news that the Wolves’ Mike Conley Jr. was named to the inaugural NBA All-Interview team (second team recognition) last week. The Professional Basketball Writers Association recognized players “who are consistently thoughtful, insightful and engaging with the media,” per a news release from the PBWA.

Steph Curry, of the Warriors, and Kevin Durant, from the Suns, were the top finishers in a vote by PBWA members and are joined on the All-Interview first team by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks; Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers; and Draymond Green, Warriors. With Conley on the second team are: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers; Bam Adebayo, Heat; Josh Hart Knicks and Damian Lillard, Bucks.

Happy Birthday next Friday to retired Gopher baseball coach John Anderson who turns 70 years old. In various roles, including head coach and as a player, Anderson spent 49 seasons with the Gophers before retiring last year.

Marc Ryan, one of the all-time good guys in the University of Minnesota Athletic Department for 36 years, is retiring effective June 15. The longest tenured employee in the department, Marc has served in various roles over the years. Currently as senior associate athletics director, he is the sport administrator for nine teams at the U. His charm and wisdom will be missed!

The Giants need a win today to avoid being swept by the Twins at Target Field for only the second time since Interleague play began in 1997 (also swept in 2002). The Twins have won seven consecutive games to put their season record at 20-20.

Condolences to my former North Stars colleague Peter Jocketty following the recent passing of his brother Walter, 74. The Minneapolis native was a much-admired baseball executive whose transactional moves helped the Cardinals to championships including the World Series crown in 2006.

Seven players from the 2025 Wild roster will represent their countries at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, from May 9-25.

Canada: goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Jared Spurgeon.

Czech Republic: defenseman David Spacek.

Slovakia: goalie Samuel Hlavaj.

Sweden: defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Marcus Johansson.

United States: defenseman Zeev Buium.

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Ryan Tannehill May Still Wait in Wings for Vikings QB Job

Posted on May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by David Shama

Concerns about 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy and whether he can pull his weight this fall in his first year as an NFL starting quarterback won’t be answered until at least after the first several games of the regular season. Even if he delivers, injuries could sideline him from leading an offense that is a vital part of a Minnesota Super Bowl contender.

Doubts are present now and could increase about whether newly acquired 24-year-old Sam Howell can be a quality replacement for McCarthy if needed. Before completing a deal with the Seahawks for Howell in April, the Vikings reportedly had conversations with 36-year-old Ryan Tannehill who sat out last season but is a former Pro Bowler.

A former front office executive with NFL clubs, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered perspective on Howell and Tannehill. “I thought they’d sign Tannehill who is more accomplished than Howell, but there’s a big cap savings as Howell costs $1.1 million this season. And Tannehill would’ve been at least at the $10 million they paid (Sam) Darnold last year.

“And they can perhaps put this cap savings toward re-signing Stephon Gilmore or another quality corner which would help the corner situation that wasn’t addressed in the draft, or a good vet safety to compete with Theo Jackson, with Cam Bynum gone.

“Howell at least is a decent and somewhat experienced QB with 18 starts in Washington in two years (2022-2023). In 2023 (17 starts) he threw 21 TD passes but also led the league with 21 interceptions. Also had five rushing TDs that season so he can run a bit.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

“Kevin O’Connell will coach up Howell to be more careful with his throws. They only invested a swap of fifth round spots to get Howell so if he doesn’t perform well enough in training camp and preseason games, or if McCarthy gets re-injured or isn’t where they want him to be, they could still try to sign Tannehill during training camp or in regular season.”

Tannehill expressed desire last season to play for an NFL team but was selective about the opportunity that he would welcome. The Vikings, during the summer or season, with their loaded roster and superb coaching, might well be of interest to the veteran who last played for the Titans. But Minnesota could also need to be convinced he is the right guy to ride in on the white horse wearing a white hat.

It’s believed Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins like horses, too.

Worth Noting

The prediction here is the Timberwolves will win their best of seven Western Conference semifinal playoff series against the Warriors in six games. The Wolves have more length, depth and a better blend of youth and experience. The Warriors are uber dependent on Steph Curry, 37, and 35-year-olds Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

Warrior fans should jump off the Golden Gate Bridge if any of three are injured and sidelined in the series that begins tomorrow night at Target Center.

The Wild need to extend star forward Kirill Kaprizov’s contract this offseason or the next. How important is the assignment?

“Oh (blank),” Lou Nanne told Sports Headliners. “It’s the franchise. How important is it to be in the league?”

The team’s offseason to-do list should also include adding two or three quality forwards, Nanne said. He believes the roster has a good core but can improve with help at the wing and center spots. The defense can get a boost too if young defenders David Jiricek and Zeev Buium come through, he added.

Nanne, the state of Minnesota hockey legend who turns 84 next month, predicts the Panthers and Stars will play in the 2025 Stanley Cup finals. The healthier team will win, he believes. “It should be a big series between those two, I would think.”

No doubt Twins fans are frustrated after last season’s 12-27 finish to the schedule and this year’s 15-20 start. Dave Mona, for example, posted this on Facebook recently: “I’ve been a Twins fan since they moved here in 1961, but it’s getting harder and harder. (Edouardo) Julien is a liability at second base. (Jorge) Alcala is (a) disaster in the bullpen. The offense is loaded with guys who can’t hit. …Their best prospects can’t seem to recover from sprained ankles and pulled hamstrings. Hard to watch.”

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings and the Minnesota Sports and Events group bring the NFL Draft to Minneapolis for the first time ever, perhaps in 2029. The host cities have been announced for the next two drafts, Pittsburgh in 2026 and Washington D.C. in 2027. The draft drew a record breaking 775,000 fans in Detroit about a year ago.

Congratulations to Sam Bruggers from Champlin Park for his film work on winning the annual Bob Marcus Award from the Football Film Federation. High school football film is a backbone of success for prep programs. The Marcus award is named after the successful former Gopher and Viking video expert.

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Sam Howell Acquisition Likely Ends Vikings QB Room Drama

Posted on April 30, 2025April 30, 2025 by David Shama

The Vikings were headed for controversy if they had added either Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins to their quarterback room this offseason.

The ultra ego Rodgers would have landed here surrounded by paparazzi, with immediate expectations to replace 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy as the 2025 season starter. Cousins would have likely been willing to be McCarthy’s backup but as soon as the inexperienced QB had a difficult stretch, fans would have been in revolt and chanting Kirk’s name.

The Vikings saved millions of dollars in payroll by not pursuing the two veterans. They also negated the potential soap opera of having a former star quarterback either replacing or at least looking over McCarthy’s shoulder. In a worst-case scenario, the tumult could have even disrupted the kumbaya in the locker room.

Instead, the Vikings made a trade last week with the Seahawks for 24-year-old Sam Howell, a rather obscure NFL player who has played in 20 games in three years, including two last season. He could walk through the airport here and no one would recognize him. And in a sense, that’s the point.

Howell is clearly arriving at TCO Performance Center to be a reserve, a guy with limited starting experience to back up McCarthy. Howell was a 2022 fifth round draft choice of the Commanders. He started one game his rookie season, then 17 in 2023 throwing 21 touchdown passes and 21 picks. He led the league in passing attempts, interceptions and sacks (65).

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and QB coach Josh McCown excel in developing quarterbacks. Just ask Sam Darnold, the journeyman who had the best NFL season of his life leading the 2024 Vikings. Now the prime students are McCarthy and Howell who played in one game for the Seahawks last season.

McCarthy’s skills have intrigued the Vikings since before they selected him No. 10 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Injured all of last season, he’s destined to start his first NFL games in September and to do it without a marquee name drawing attention away from him.

Howell’s career is in need of rehab. The former North Carolina QB was traded by the Commanders last year and played in two games, attempting 14 passes. With “Doctor” O’Connell, he will no doubt get a thorough evaluation from arm angle on his throws to his progressions as plays develop.

Worth Noting

The Wild lost a second consecutive overtime game to the Golden Knights last evening in Las Vegas. It looked like Minnesota would win 3-2 with a goal late in the third period only to have a video replay negate the score by Ryan Hartman. Teammate Gustav Nyquist was offside on the play.

Minnesota icon Lou Nanne was prophetic talking to Sports Headliners about the importance of “little things” prior to the game where the Wild was trying to go ahead 3-2 in the best of seven playoff series. “You gotta be sharp all the time. You gotta be thinking every time you’re on the ice. You gotta be aware of what’s going on.”

The Wild had to play the third period and overtime with Marc-Andre Fleury, the backup to Filip Gustavsson who had to leave the game because of illness. Nanne labeled Gustavsson the best goalie in the series and Kirill Kaprizov, with five goals in five games, the “best player on either team.”

Asked to compare the rosters of Vegas and Minnesota, he said the Knights are deeper and then added: “Pretty well balanced. It’s just that they are bigger and they are stronger. But I think it’s a good match for us. We have as much opportunity to win as they do.”

To win the series, the Wild will need to rally with victories Thursday night in the Twin Cities and Saturday in Las Vegas.

The Timberwolves, leading 3-1 in their playoff series against the Lakers, are about five-point underdogs tonight in Los Angeles. Worry if you wish about the Wolves blowing the series, but the NBA began in 1947 and only 13 teams have ever come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a seven-game series.

There are fans who think the Lakers, with their storied championship legacy and huge TV market, will be given preferential calls by the officials tonight because the NBA wants the Lakers to extend the series. This kind of conspiracy has been present for decades but it’s rubbish because the NBA powers would be foolish to issue edicts about who should win games and thereby destroy the league’s credibility.

Minnesota native Ken Mauer, who refereed in the league for 37 years, told Sports Headliners yesterday “it’s make believe” to think the refs will favor the Lakers.

The officials also have a reputation to maintain. And, BTW, the NBA has admitted the officials missed a late game call in Sunday’s Minnesota win that hurt the Lakers.

Sunday’s game on ABC peaked with 10,274,000 viewers, according to Nielsen, and was the most watched NBA game of that day and evening.

Dating back to the regular season, the Wolves are 20-5 in their last 25 games.

Last week’s three-day NFL Draft from Green Bay was viewed by an average audience of 7.5 million people across ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and digital channels. It is the second most-watched NFL draft ever, behind only 2020 and up 27% from last year.

Top Twins prospect outfielder Walker Jenkins hasn’t played in a minor league game for Double -A Wichita since early April because of an ankle injury.

Ex-Twin Tyler Mahle is probably the biggest pitching surprise in MLB this spring. He is 3-0 for the Rangers with a gaudy 1.14 ERA, second best among starters.

The Twins traded for Mahle during the 2022 season and injuries limited his availability during parts of two seasons. In December of 2023 he signed as a free agent with the Rangers and has worked his way back from Tommy John surgery to stardom.

The Rangers signed him to a two-year $22 million contract that pays him $16.5 million this season, per MLB.com.

The college football transfer portal is closed and for a second consecutive season the Gophers have retained most of their core players. Offensive linemen Phillip Daniels and Martes Lewis could be significant transfer losses.

247Sports ranks the Minnesota transfer class as seventh best in the Big Ten. The website lists 22 incoming and 20 outgoing transfers with the program.

The Big Ten announced men’s basketball opponents yesterday for the 18 league teams for the 2025-2026 season. Each team will play 20 league games, facing 14 opponents only once. Dates and times announced later. Below is the Golden Gophers list of opponents.

Home: Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, UCLA, USC.

Away: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington.

Home/Away: Indiana, Northwestern, Wisconsin.

Tempting for this writer: A Kentucky Derby bet Saturday on a horse named Journalism, a bay colt with $600,000 in career earnings who has emerged as a Derby favorite.

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