Leslie Frazier – Page 4 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Missing ‘Formula’ of NFL Winners

Posted on November 18, 2013November 18, 2013 by David Shama

There just aren’t enough cars on the Vikings’ “Blame Train” to accommodate everyone. The record is 2-8 and while the quarterbacks are the easiest target for criticism, plenty of others are culpable.

The “cast of failures” includes the offensive line, defensive backfield and pretty much most positions. Even 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson, playing part of the season with a problematic hamstring, is averaging a career low 4.4 yards per carry.

The coaches and front office won’t be winning post-season NFL awards. Head coach Leslie Frazier and coordinators Bill Musgrave and Alan Williams are coaching for their jobs. General manager Rick Spielman’s offseason personnel moves including quarterbacks and 2013 first round draft choices hasn’t brought the necessary help.

But why be that surprised the Vikings, after a 10-6 record last season, have slipped into oblivion. Since the Wilf ownership group took over the franchise prior to the 2006 season the Vikings have been consistently inconsistent. The annual records are 6-10, 8-8, 10-6, 12-4, 6-10, 3-13 and 10-6. (That’s three winning seasons, three losing and one year at .500.)

NFL teams that win most consistently have great coaches, make shrewd personnel decisions and are led by exceptional quarterbacks. Look at the long time success of the Patriots with coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. The duo won their first of three Super Bowls in 2002 and as of today is contending for another trip to the big game with a 7-2 record.

The Packers, led by front office executive Ted Thompson, head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, make Vikings fans green with envy. The Pack often struggles on defense, uses replacement parts for injured offensive linemen and receivers, and keeps on winning. But since Rodgers was injured on November 4 the Packers have lost three consecutive games without him.

In the parity-happy NFL, a top coach and quarterback are that important in making a difference. Look at what’s happened in Kansas City where first-year coach Andy Reid and interception stingy quarterback Alex Smith have the Chiefs at 9-1 after last season’s 2-14 disaster.

Out in Seattle the Seahawks’ 2013 dominance has been led by head coach Pete Carroll who has plenty to say about personnel decisions just like Belichick. With his approval, the Seahawks drafted “too short” quarterback Russell Wilson in 2012 and acquired all-world playmaker Percy Harvin from the Vikings in 2013. One day after defeating the Vikings 41-20, the Seahawks’ record is a league best 10-1 and Carroll could become 2013 NFL Coach of the Year.

Much of the NFL consists of up and down franchises like the Vikings who don’t have the front office, coaching and personnel “formula” mastered like the elite of the league do. A few lucky breaks or career years by a handful of players can vault the up and downers to successful seasons. Something out of the ordinary has to happen like just before the 2009 season when the Vikings saw Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre decide he wanted to play here.

The result? A 12-4 record and near-miss trip to the Super Bowl when a then 40-year-old Favre showed he could outperform any quarterback in the NFL. Two years later Favre was retired and the Vikings ended the 2011 season with a 3-13 record.

The 2013 Vikings could have a 5-5 record because they have lost three games by a total of nine points. What that proves—as if we needed more evidence after all these years—is the Vikings’ personnel isn’t too much different than a lot of teams. Except, of course, at quarterback, and that also brings up the issues of coaching and front office personnel decisions too.

Back to the “formula.” For the Vikings’ owners, it looks like they need to put in a lot more “lab time.”

Again.

Vikings Notes

Frazier said at his news conference this afternoon he will have a “good idea” by Wednesday who the starting quarterback will be in Green Bay against the Packers on Sunday.

Talking about injuries, Frazier said it’s not certain yet if Adrian Peterson (groin) will be available for the game. The availabilities of center John Sullivan (concussion) and wide receiver Greg Jennings (Achilles) are also unknown.

Definitely out for the game and possibly the season is cornerback Josh Robinson with a fractured sternum. Marcus Sherels or Xavier Rhodes will replace Robinson at left cornerback.

Rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had his first NFL start against the Seahawks. He caught three passes for 28 yards. Frazier said Patterson was targeted for more balls than he received.

Frazier liked the effort of his team on Sunday, just not the four turnovers that gave the Seahawks 20 points. He said his players thought they could win the game and were “engaged.”

With six games remaining on the schedule, the Vikings could break the franchise record of most points allowed in a season. The record is 484 by the 1984 Vikings and in 10 games this season the club has given up 320 points.

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Surging Gophers Draw National Attention

Posted on November 6, 2013 by David Shama

With a surprising 7-2 record and three consecutive Big Ten wins, the Gophers are drawing national attention this week leading up to Saturday’s game at TCF Bank Stadium against Penn State.

ESPN’s Samantha Ponder was at the Gophers’ football office yesterday to interview coach Jerry Kill and defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys who serves as head coach when Kill is absent. Her segment will air on Saturday’s College GameDay show.

SI.com college football writer Stewart Mandel listed his bowl game predictions on Monday and he predicted the Gophers will play in the Gator Bowl against SEC power South Carolina on January 1. If so, that will be the Gophers’ first January 1 bowl appearance since the 1962 Rose Bowl.

The Associated Press, Harris Interactive and USA Today top 25 polls all have the Gophers receiving votes this week. Although Minnesota didn’t make anybody’s top 25, the Gophers are earning attention from voters, probably more so than at any time in Kill’s three years as head coach in Minneapolis.

Gophers radio analysts Ray Hitchcock and Darrell Thompson think Minnesota is among the top six teams in the Big Ten. Hitchcock likes Minnesota’s chances of winning two of its three remaining regular season games. That script would leave the Gophers at 9-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten.

The present record of 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten surprises Thompson and others. “I think it’s a big surprise, quite honestly,” Thompson said. “It also goes as a credit to the coaching staff and the kids. The hard work is starting to pay off. We’ve seen improvement in losses but it’s good to finally see the kids have earned — and the coaching staff has earned — victories.”

Minnesota has won two of its last three games by three point margins. The other victory was by 11 so the Gophers haven’t dominated Big Ten opponents but that doesn’t mean the players and Kill are without solid confidence.

“I think we can play with whoever we want,” said tight end Maxx Williams. “We know our potential. We know how good we are and we know what we can do as a team. …We go into every week thinking we have a chance to win that game. I think that’s what helps us with our success.”

Kill agrees the Gophers can be good if injuries don’t become a problem. “I think that’s the key to the next three to four weeks. The off-week will help us.”

After the Penn State game the Gophers have a bye before playing at home against Wisconsin on November 23 and then closing the season at Michigan State November 30.

Good news yesterday was Kill’s prediction starting quarterback Philip Nelson, who injured his hip last Saturday against Indiana, will be ready to play in the Penn State game.

Worth Noting

The Big Ten has one of the nation’s best teams in Ohio State, ranked No. 4 in the major polls. But the league has no other teams in the top 15 of polls and that’s probably not fair to Michigan State and Wisconsin who deserve better.

Here are the latest Sports Headliners power rankings:

1. Ohio State: Buckeyes look on course for a national championship in next few years.

2. Michigan State: Spartans’ defense compares with any in the country.

3. Wisconsin: Badgers discover the forward pass under new coach Gary Andersen.

4. Michigan: These aren’t Bo Schembechler’s Wolverines; too many mistakes and leaks on defense.

5. Nebraska: Where have you gone Taylor Martinez? Coach Bo Pelini fighting for his job.

6. Minnesota: Swallow hard but Gophers deserve this ranking after three consecutive league wins.

7. Iowa: Hawks battle but offense lacks creativity and playmakers.

8. Penn State: Bowl ban and scholarship reductions will continue to topple this once mighty program.

9. Northwestern: Preseason thoughts of a Big Ten championship have died because these are unlucky Cats.

10. Indiana: If tackling is ever eliminated, pencil in pass-happy Hoosiers for the national title game.

11. Illinois: Illini have lost 18 consecutive league games but wait in anticipation for Indiana and Purdue.

12. Purdue: In their last three Big Ten games the beleaguered Boilermakers have been outscored 114 to 7.

High school senior basketball players can sign NCAA Letters of Intent from November 13-20. Minnesota prep stars Tyus Jones from Apple Valley and Reid Travis from DeLaSalle will reportedly make commitments during the early signing week instead of waiting until the next period, April 16-May 21. Jones is likely to announce his college choice next week at Apple Valley High School while Travis will do so this Friday at DeLaSalle High School.

Don’t be surprised if the Gophers sign Travis. No chance with Jones, though.

Former Twins vice president of corporate partnerships Eric Curry became vice president of sales for Sun Country Airlines last month. Curry is also an NCAA men’s basketball referee and officiated 85 games last season. He will work Big Ten, Pac-12 and Mountain West games this season. He officiates his first game ever at legendary Pauley Pavilion on November 12 when UCLA hosts Oakland (Rochester, Michigan).

The Vikings have lost two games this season by four points and another by one point. If Minnesota had won those games their record going into tomorrow night’s game at Mall of America Field against the Redskins would be 4-4, not 1-7. The other teams in the NFC North, the Lions, Bears and Packers, all have 5-3 records so if not for those losses the Vikings would be in the division race.

In that scenario there would be local optimism about a division title, too, because both the Bears and Packers are playing without their injured starting quarterbacks, Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier will have Christian Ponder make his third consecutive start tomorrow night. Ponder completed 25 of 37 passes last Sunday in a four point loss to the Cowboys. He threw one touchdown pass and had a pass intercepted. In five games this season Ponder has thrown three touchdown passes, been intercepted six times and has a 72.5 quarterback rating, but Frazier saw improvement last Sunday.

“I thought he was more confident in some of the things he was doing, more control,” Frazier said. “I like the decisions that he made when he had to escape the pocket, getting out of trouble and avoiding sacks. There are some things that he can do better obviously…but I like the way he moved and the way he handled our no huddle situation as well. He really seemed comfortable there. We thought he would with the way he practiced and he did a good job of directing our team.”

Despite the Vikings’ record, general manager Rick Spielman expressed public support for Frazier last week. Frazier, however, said he hasn’t spoken to his boss about his status that includes a contract with an option only for 2014.

With the Metrodome being torn down after the Vikings season, the baseball Gophers will play only 18 home games next year after having 34 in 2013. The Gophers don’t have a home game scheduled until March 26 when they play Saint John’s from the MIAC. Minnesota opens its 2014 schedule on February 14 in Glendale, Arizona against Northern Illinois.

The Gophers “M” Club for letter winners will be 100 years old next year. Director George Adzick said dues paying members now total nearly 1,000, an all-time high.

Reservations are requested by next Monday for the November 14 CORES luncheon program featuring Matt Majka, the chief operating officer of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment whose business interests include the Minnesota Wild. The program will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington. For reservations or more information, contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

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Frazier to Address Locker Room Attitude

Posted on November 4, 2013November 4, 2013 by David Shama

Leslie Frazier wasn’t pointing fingers at his news conference today despite the team’s fourth consecutive loss yesterday, a 1-7 record and criticism from veteran players. The Vikings head coach plans to address his players this afternoon about team attitude in the locker room.

Today’s Star Tribune reported that following yesterday’s game Vikings players made critical comments about defensive coordinator Alan Williams and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. “I respect their opinions and I know how competitive they are. How much they want to win,” Frazier said. “I’d like for them to talk to their coaches and myself about whatever concerns they have. Try to get those worked out, but I do understand their frustration.”

Frazier, who expressed confidence the Vikings can start winning, acknowledged he “probably” needs to talk with individual players who have been critical in the media. He wants players on the “same page.”

Frazier doesn’t foresee any staff changes in responsibilities or titles.

Former Vikings head coach Jerry Burns remains supportive of Frazier despite the record and preseason optimism about contending for the NFC North Division championship. “I think Leslie Frazier is a very fine coach,” Burns told Sports Headliners. “If he gave too much command (to his coordinators) I don’t know. I don’t think Leslie Frazier is at fault.”

Burns said criticism causes problems for team cohesiveness. “I don’t like to see that to be honest with you,” Burns said. “It doesn’t help the team. It doesn’t help the fans behind the Vikings.”

Burns is “proud” of Frazier and advises against any major changes to staff and personnel during the season. He said players could be making staff decisions look bad because of problems with execution, and added that it’s difficult to make any major changes in the middle of the season.

The Vikings’ 1-7 record is the worst in franchise history since the same start to the season in 1961. Burns said the team’s record should be better but isn’t partly because of having lost three games in the final minutes of fourth quarters.

Worth Noting

How times change. Sports Headliners was told by a local source that Vikings officials and Frazier discussed extending the coach’s contract late last summer. There was supposedly mutual interest after Frazier’s 10-6 record in 2012 and optimism about the 2013 season. Frazier’s current contract reportedly has an option for the 2014 season but management has declined to make a further commitment.

The same source who talked about Frazier’s contract said ex-NFL coach Jon Gruden was in town several weeks ago but didn’t know the reason for the visit.

Frazier said today tight end Kyle Rudolph’s fractured left foot could keep him from playing for another month. The coach plans to start Christian Ponder at quarterback for a third consecutive game when the Vikings play at home on Thursday night against the Redskins.

The NFL Network will air a one hour documentary on former Vikings quarterback Randall Cunningham tomorrow night starting at 8 p.m. Minneapolis time. The program includes interviews with Cunningham, former Vikings teammate Cris Carter and ex-Vikings coach Dennis Green. Cunningham quarterbacked the 15-1 1998 Vikings team and he has lived a dramatic life on and off the field.

Cretin-Derham Hall High School assistant coach Ray Hitchcock said there’s a “pail of mail” at school every day from colleges wooing junior defensive end Jashon Cornell. He has been rated the No. 1 high school football prospect in the nation for the class of 2015 by ESPN.com. Hitchcock believes Gophers coach Jerry Kill has reason for optimism in the recruitment of the 16-year-old. “I think Jerry has a great shot,” Hitchcock said.

Jeff Jones, the Gophers’ only four-star recruit per Rivals.com who has verbally committed for 2014, ended his senior season for Washburn on Friday night with 44 touchdowns — 34 rushing, eight receiving and two kickoff returns for scores. Coach Giovan Jenkins told Sports Headliners that Kill’s struggles with epilepsy haven’t diminished his running back’s interest in the Gophers.

“If he had to pick a school today, I think Minnesota would be No. 1 due to his relationships with the coaches,” said Jenkins who coached the Millers to a 6-0 City Conference record and 13^th consecutive title.

After Saturday’s improbable 42-39 win over Indiana, the Gophers have won three consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2008 and only the fourth time dating back to 2003. Minnesota is a surprising 7-2 overall, 3-2 in the Big Ten and justifies the faith of program insiders who before the season thought the Gophers’ record could be significantly better than last year’s 6-7 and 2-6 totals. The last time Minnesota won four consecutive conference games was 1973.

Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson was named Co-Big Ten offensive Player of the Week for his play against Indiana including four touchdown passes and a 70 percent completion rate. Minnesota punter Peter Mortell was named Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 43 yards per kick and placing two punts inside the Indiana 20 yard line. Nelson shared his honor with Penn State running back Bill Belton who had a career high 201 yards rushing versus Illinois.

Twins players can expect new coach Paul Molitor to be up front with them. Molitor has that reputation including a willingness to talk about the cocaine addiction he experienced early in his major league playing career.

Molitor is a smart baseball man and so, too, is another Minnesota native who could be on the Twins staff some day, Gene Glynn. He recently agreed to return for a third season as manager of the Twins’ AAA Rochester team.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins and Saints develop a business relationship when the St. Paul minor league team moves into its new downtown ballpark in 2015.

Tubby Smith recently hired his son Saul Smith, who worked for him at Minnesota, as video coordinator at Texas Tech. Saul joins former Gophers assistants Joe Esposito and Vince Taylor on his dad’s staff at Tech.

The Gophers basketball team plays Concordia, St. Paul tonight in an exhibition game at Williams Arena. Minnesota defeated Cardinal Stritch 79-57 in an opening exhibition game last Friday night and now plays a Concordia program that was 9-18 last season.

The Gophers made 11 of 30 free throws on Friday night and were out rebounded 40-34 by Division II NAIA Cardinal Stritch. “We’re not worried about the free throws,” said Gophers guard Andre Hollins. “I think that was a lot of nerves from the first game.”

Rebounding could be an ongoing issue, though. The Gophers lack size, and coach Richard Pitino noted that 6-4 forward Austin Hollins played 23 minutes but had no rebounds.

In the Williams Arena concourse there are photos of the Gophers’ greatest players including Ron Johnson who is identified as being All-Big Ten in the late 1950s. That is correct but missing is acknowledgement of his two-time All-American status.

The Timberwolves, 3-0 for the first time since the 2001-2002 season, play at Cleveland tonight. Wolves forward Kevin Love leads the NBA in scoring average at 29.7 points per game.

Wild right wing Jason Pominville, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Capitals left wing Jason Chimera have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 3. During that period Pominville tied for the league lead in goals (4) and points (6), scoring in all three games to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible team six points. He is tied for third in the NHL in goals this season with 10.

The Venture Bank 2014 Minnesota Golf Show will be February 14-16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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