KEVIN O’CONNELL – Page 8 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Looks Like the Vikings Second Best Team in NFC, But…

Posted on November 7, 2024November 7, 2024 by David Shama

Going into week 10 of the NFL season, the surprising 6-2 Vikings are probably the second-best team in the National Football Conference.

The 7-1 Lions, who defeated the Vikings 31-29 last month in Minneapolis, are a landslide choice as the premier team in the conference. The Packers, 6-3, would certainly get the vote for No. 2 among cheeseheads while ignoring at least a couple of facts.

Quarterback Jordan Love is having an injury-hindered season impacting his performance. Second, the Vikings defeated the Packers, 31-29, in Green Bay earlier this season in a game where Love threw three interceptions.

Sam Darnold image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The surprising Commanders, 7-2, will get some “ballots” by east coast fans for No. 2 in the NFC. But Washington will live or die with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and has won four games by five points or fewer including a miracle ending 18-15 victory over the Bears. The Vikings have the edge over the Commanders, with an experienced quarterback in Sam Darnold, and better defense.

Minnesota starts a string of games beginning on Sunday playing opponents they should handle and pad their record against—going to 10-2, or at least 9-3. First up are the 2-7 Jags, followed by two more road opponents, the 2-6 Titans and the 4-4 Bears. Then on December 1 the Vikings are back home to play the 5-4 Cardinals.

All is well? Maybe, but what could go wrong is the kicking game. Rookie Will Reichard is on Injured Reserve and so is long snapper Andrew DePaola.

Four of the Vikings nine games have been decided by seven points or fewer. Miscues with snaps, field goals or extra points could result in close losses in coming weeks.

Not worried yet? Well, 2024 NFL games have fans reaching for Pepto Bismol. So far this is the most competitive NFL season ever. Seventy-five games have been decided by seven points or fewer and 65 by six points or fewer—both the most through Week 9 in league history.

New kicker John Parker Romo and long snapper Jake McQuaide will be scrutinized starting Sunday, with both knowing the bar is high in replacing Reichard and DePaola. Reichard didn’t miss a field goal until last Sunday night, going 14-14 in his first seven games and is perfect on extra points. DePaola is a former All-Pro and Pro Bowler in the last two years.

Romo, 27, has been with three other NFL teams but never played in an NFL game. In 2023 Romo made 17 of 19 field goals for the Brahmas of the XFL.

McQuaide, 36, is a 14-year veteran with 200 games of NFL experience. He was a Pro Bowler in 2016 and 2017 with the Rams.

In tight moments during the weeks ahead, go ahead and cross your fingers for the NFC’s second-best team.

Worth Noting

In case you forgot about the Jaguars, the last time they and the Vikings met was in December of 2020. The Vikings won in overtime in Minneapolis, 27-24.

Jags head coach Doug Pederson has a place in Minnesota football history. He was head man of the Eagles when blowing out the Vikings 38-17 in the January 2018 NFC championship game. Pederson, BTW, may have trouble holding his job in Jacksonville where prized QB Trevor Lawrence has struggled.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talking about his outstanding seventh year right tackle: “I think Brian O’Neill is having one of his best seasons I know that I’ve been a part of with him, and he’s been an established core player in this organization for a long time. But I cannot say enough about what he means to our offense and what he’s been able to do this year at the right tackle spot, playing some of the best football of his career for sure.”

NBC’s cameras caught J.J. McCarthy on the sideline of last Sunday’s Vikings-Colts game at U.S. Bank Stadium. The impromptu shot showed the injured rookie quarterback, with a stocking cap perched on his head, letting out a yawn during the late-night game.

The Timberwolves, coming off one of the winningest years in franchise history dating back to the beginning in 1989-1990, have sold over 11,000 season tickets for 2024-2025. In its announcement last month, the club said this is the first time reaching 11,000 since the inaugural season at Target Center in 1990. And the Wolves reported adding more new season tickets than any other NBA franchise.

It’s believed that the Wild has about 12.500 season tickets sold for 2024-2025, and renewed about 90 percent of past customers. Since the club’s inception in 2000-2001 yearly season ticket totals have been considerably higher. A source said there was a year that 16,500 were sold.

Julius Randle has 150 points, 45 rebounds and 33 assists in his first seven games with the 4-3 Timberwolves who play the Bulls in Chicago tonight. No other player in franchise history has totaled 150 points, 40+ rebounds and 30+ assists in their first seven games.

Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North the three legal authorities involved with the arbitration process to determine ownership control of the Timberwolves and Lynx are being paid $25,000 per day. The arbitration process between present owner Glen Taylor and the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group is this week in Minneapolis.

Credible speculation is the Davis family of Minnesota has interest in purchasing the Twins from the Pohlads. Marty Davis, a source said, would be a high profile and determined owner.

The Pohlads, who have owned the franchise since 1984, have long been criticized by fans for not spending enough money on player payroll. What’s generally not known by the public is they have been loyal and generous to employees over the years.

Eric Curry, the well-known Minneapolis area college basketball referee, will work the Maui Invitational in Hawaii that is scheduled November 25-27.

The Gopher football team that plays at Rutgers Saturday morning faces a Scarlet Knights group that after winning its first four games of the season has lost four in a row including a 42-7 beat down by the Badgers in Piscataway. The Gophers, 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, will try to win five consecutive games for the first time since 2019 when they began the season winning nine straight. Rutgers is 4-4 overall, 1-4 in league games.

The quarterback spotlight will be brighter than in most games, with former Minnesota starter Athan Kaliakmanis now at Rutgers matched up against his 2024 successor Max Brosmer. Kaliakmanis, in eight games, has completed 54.1 percent of his passes, with nine touchdown throws and five interceptions—a QB rating of 119.5. Brosmer, in nine games, has completed 68.2 percent of his passes, with 13 touchdown throws and four interceptions— 140.3 QB rating.

Rosters for the annual Minnesota High School All-Star Football game December 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium will be announced next Tuesday on Randy Shaver’s prep podcast (YouTube) and seen later in the day at http://www.allstarfootball.org.

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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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Put the Lions Down as ‘1A’ & Label Vikings ‘1B’ after Today

Posted on October 20, 2024October 21, 2024 by David Shama

It was entertaining and it was close. And it was the Vikings’ first loss of the season in a game where they were outplayed (slightly) by the Lions.

The Lions showed at least for now they’re the “1A team” in the NFC North and perhaps the entire NFC. Give the Vikings the “1B label” in the division with both teams owning 5-1 records and sharing first place in the North after today’s 31-29 Detroit win at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minnesota’s offense could produce only two touchdowns against the Lions defense. The Vikings had three field goals by flawless rookie kicker Will Reichard and a defensive TD run of 36 yards by linebacker Ivan Pace. Pace’s score put the Vikings ahead 29-28 with just under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

The Vikings, though, couldn’t convert on a two-point attempt after Pace’s six points. And even more crucial the offense couldn’t take time off the clock when it went three and out late in the fourth quarter, prior to the Lions marching down the field to set up their winning field goal of 44 yards by Jake Bates with 15 seconds remaining.

The Lions had put themselves in a first quarter hole when a failed fake punt gave Minnesota the ball on Detroit’s 34-yard line. Shortly after, RB Aaron Jones ran 34 yards TD to put Minnesota up 6-0. Reichard converted the extra point and later in the quarter the Vikings went up 10-0 with his 57-yard field goal.

The Viking defense, like the offense, was spotty in a game where Lions running back Jaymyr Gibbs ran for 116 yards on 15 carries including two touchdowns. Detroit QB Jared Goff, often frustrating the Vikings’ famed blitz efforts, was 22 of 25 for 280 yards and two touchdown passes. The Lions, during the second and third quarters, put together four consecutive series where they scored touchdowns.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell talking on KFAN Radio after the game said there were too many “self-inflicted” things that impacted execution and cost his team the win. It was penalties and other failures including an illegal formation on the next to the last play of the game that pushed the Vikings even further out of miracle field goal range. With all the faith O’Connell has in Reichard (12 of 12 on field goals this season), he knew that about 70 yards was asking a lot.

The Vikings can feel better about themselves quickly because they are in Los Angeles Thursday night to play the Rams. That starts a schedule of games against the Rams, Colts, Jaguars and Titans. Those clubs have a combined record of 7-16 and their pedigrees pale in comparison to “1A”—a Super Bowl favorite who barely escaped with a win today in Minneapolis.

Gophers & College Football Notes

Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman finds it “incredible” to see the high-level true freshman Gopher Koi Perich is playing at. “He’s going to be a superstar by the time he graduates so I am happy for him,” Cashman told Sports Headliners.

Cashman was a walk-on with the Gophers after Eden Prairie High School and became a 2018 second team All-Big Ten linebacker. He is acquainted with Perich who has impressed with his play at safety and on special teams, already receiving Big Ten Conference and national awards. “…I got a chance to meet him. He seems like a great young man with a good head on his shoulders. So, he’s got a bright future.”

There’s been speculation Perich eventually might receive the opportunity to play on offense, running or catching the football—or both. “That would be amazing,” Cashman said. “You don’t often see that. That would be cool.”

Condolences to family and friends of Dick Larson who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. Dick was a prominent quarterback for the Gophers in 1956 and 1957. The Roosevelt High School alum was a favorite of head coach Murray Warmath and Dick was an assistant coach for Warmath from 1958-1965.

Warmath and Dick were like father and son. He looked after Warmath’s affairs up until the time the national championship coach died in 2011 at age 98.

Dick had a sharp football mind and was highly personable. If he had stayed with coaching, instead of committing to a long business career, he might have been a great college head coach.

Members were beaming last week at the Twin Cities Dunkers program when 103-year-old Tom Swain, the oldest Dunker, came to hear new University of Minnesota president Rebecca Cunningham. Swain, still sharp and remembering friends, was the first academic advisor for athletics at the U.

There are 618 athletes on the Gophers 22 sports teams this school year, with close to an even female-male split.

Undergraduate newcomers at the U Twin Cities campus total about 10,000 this fall, a source told Sports Headliners. That’s the highest such total, he said, since right after World War II. About 7,800 are freshmen, with the balance being transfers.

It was five years ago that LSU was making its way toward the national championship, eventually finishing 15-0 with a domination of foes that prompted admirers to say the Tigers are the greatest team in college football history. Vikings guard Ed Ingram told Sports Headliners that team could have won “one or two NFL games.”

“Great everything (offense, defense, special teams), we put everything together,” said Ingram who was on that LSU team with Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Joe Burrow, now a franchise record setter with the NFL Bengals.

Indiana is the envy of every fan who annually supports a hapless college football team. The Hoosiers, mostly a football graveyard forever, are 7-0, top 20 ranked and setting school records. Their season is a result of superb coaching, an influx of talented and experienced transfers and ideal scheduling.

First-year coach Curt Cignetti, 63, had been a big winner at lower stops before he reached Indiana and the Big Ten. Upon arrival he said: “I am excited to lead this program forward and change the culture, mindset, and expectation level of Hoosier football.”

And, man, has he. With a roster that includes transfers from his previous stop at James Madison, the players have responded to the demands of their coaches and executed at a high level. It’s also been a confidence builder that the nonconference foes were FIU (2-5), Western Illinois (3-4) and Charlotte (3-4). The Big Ten schedule, after four games, includes two teams with overall records above .500—Nebraska at 5-2 and Maryland, 4-3.

Vanderbilt, with its improbable 2024 win over then No. 1 ranked Alabama, is another “believe in miracles” story with beloved former Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill playing a big role. Kill is senior offensive advisor and chief consultant to head coach Clark Lea who led his Commodores over Alabama in one of the most notable upsets in college football history. Vandy’s drama specialist is quarterback hero Diego Pavia who played for New Mexico State last year when Kill was head coach there.

Aggie fans learned about miracles in 2023 when New Mexico State, historically even a worse program than Indiana or Vandy, defeated Auburn on the Tigers’ home field in another upset for the ages. Vandy is off to a 5-2 start to the season.

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