Media – Page 12 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Defense May Thrive on Rookie QB Mistakes

Posted on December 10, 2023December 10, 2023 by David Shama

The eyes of Vikings pass defenders could be wide-eyed today against the Raiders in Las Vegas. That’s because players like Minnesota cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will be facing a rookie quarterback in Aidan O’Connell who didn’t take over the starting assignment until early November. When matched up against an inexperienced QB, Murphy told Sports Headliners a defender can think “this week I gotta go get more picks.”

O’Connell took over from George Clooney look-a-like Jimmy Garoppolo for the November 5 Raiders game against the Giants. Vegas is 2-2 since, with wins over the Giants and Jets, and losses to the Dolphins and Chiefs.

The 25-year-old fourth round draft choice from Purdue played sparingly until given the starting assignment against the Giants. Now the Raiders are committed to him this season—although not unexpectedly he has been inconsistent throwing six interceptions (three against the Dolphins) and four touchdown passes to receivers who include elite WR Davante Adams.

“Playing a younger quarterback, they’re trying to make everything perfect, and obviously trying to get the ball to their top guys,” Murphy said. “So that kind of gives you a tell (clue) where the ball is going. Where you need to be on that type of play.”

The Vikings will try to confuse O’Connell with their defensive looks and blitz-happy scheme. That will challenge his QB IQ and poise but there is a feeling in Vegas the rookie is improving.

Vincent Bonsignore, writing for the Las Vegas Review-Journal Friday, noted that in O’Connell’s last game (against the Chiefs) he had no fumbles or interceptions. Among those impressed was Raiders coach Antonio Pierce.

“That last game (against the Chiefs), that kid played well,” Pierce said in the Journal’s story. “He gave us a chance to win, took care of the football, made the adjustments, made the corrections that we needed to, was poised … that’s what we want to see.”

Worth Noting

Murphy is in his first season with the Vikings after four years with the Cardinals. The Vikings, under second-year coach Kevin O’Connell are known for their culture, and Murphy is a believer saying “the support system around this place is just amazing.”

During the team’s bye week Murphy went home to Arizona and spent time with his six-year-old son. The most exciting development, however, was learning he will be the father of a baby girl due in April.

Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ own elite receiver, Justin Jefferson, returns to the lineup today after missing seven games because of his hamstring injury. “I mean It’s huge (having him back),” WR K.J. Osborn said. “It will change the way teams defend us, give us another playmaker.”

Osborn and Jefferson are close so he knows how frustrated his friend was. “He’s a competitor. He wanted to get back out there. I know it was killing him. …”

Osborn talking about Jefferson’s personality and make up: “He’s a great guy. The same guy that you guys (media) see is how he is. Very personable. Funny, always wants to have fun. Smile on his face. Nice guy that comes from a great family.”

Jefferson has 5,396 career receiving yards and needs 117 receiving yards to surpass Michael Thomas (5,512 receiving yards) for the most by a player in his first four seasons in NFL history.

Osborn will be a free agent after this season but said nothing is happening now regarding a contract extension with the Vikings.

Just like the Raiders, the future of the Vikings’ QB situation is unsettled both short and long term. Joshua Dobbs was named the starter for today after there was anticipation Nick Mullens would get the call. However things to turn out today, there will be many fans who will say, “I told you so.”

Vikings’ left guard Dalton Risner, now in his fifth NFL season, knows the public is fickle. “You can’t focus too much on the outside (noise),” he said. “They’re gonna love you when you’re up. They’re gonna hate you when you’re down.”

Dobbs does provide a running threat that Mullens can’t offer, and Osborn has been impressed. “Cause I didn’t even know he was that athletic. I think it surprised a lot of us. But he goes out there, and when he has to, he’s able to extend plays with his legs and help us out that way.”

Risner doesn’t anticipate a quarterback controversy inside the Vikings’ locker room. “This is a strong locker room. From what I’ve taken it’s a locker room that supports whatever the coaches are doing and whatever the organization chooses. “

Risner joined the Vikings two games into the season. He became a starter on October 23 and while some on the outside may be so-so on his performance he isn’t. “I’ve had a really good year. I haven’t even given up a sack yet.”

The Vikings’ other starting guard, Ed Ingram, was maligned last season as a rookie but he’s improved now. Ingram told Sports Headliners that as a rookie playing next to standout tackle Brian O’Neill, he was nervous and “I didn’t want to mess him up.”

Ingram said the coaches have told him his “level of play has elevated since last season.” He now believes he and O’Neill complement each other.

Vivid Seat’s Fan Forecast is 54 percent of the patrons at today’s game at Allegiant Stadium will be Vikings fans.

Maxwell Woods, the running back / defensive back from Chanhassen High School, was today named Mr. Football for 2023 by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA). In a news release Chanhassen coach Cullen Nelson said:

“Maxwell Woods is the hardest worker I have ever coached and his drive to win is unmatched. He is an ambassador for our football program and school. He is the ultimate competitor and teammate. He isn’t a stats guy; he is a team guy. He gets just as excited when his teammates score as when he does. I will never coach a player better than Maxwell Woods. He is the total package. Maxwell is committed to North Dakota State University to play running back next year.”

The Mr. Football Award is co-sponsored by the MFCA and the Vikings. The two organizations also annually collaborate on the All-Star football game matching high school seniors from the state in a North-South rivalry. With its varied activities to benefit high school football, the MFCA lives by the mantra “The Keepers of the Game.”

Audra Martin, the Twins sideline reporter, and Wild studio host, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game” with hosts Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden. A Chicago native and graduate of Central Florida, Martin has worked in this market since 2015. The show is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW-LqbyoZhI

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The Bet Here: A Nick Mullens Start at QB in Las Vegas

Posted on December 3, 2023December 3, 2023 by David Shama

It will be surprising if Nick Mullens isn’t named the starting quarterback for the Vikings in their next game, December 10 in Las Vegas against the Raiders. Head coach Kevin O’Connell declined to name a starter during last week’s bye period, but Josh Dobbs is 2-2 in leading the offense and is coming off a four interception performance against the Bears November 27.

Mullens’ back injury likely prevented him from being the starter after Kirk Cousins suffered his torn Achilles season-ending injury against the Packers October 29. Mullens has the best understanding of the offense on a quarterback roster that also includes rookie Jaren Hall.

Dobbs was acquired in an October 31 trade with the Cardinals. Mullens came to Minnesota in a trade with the Raiders in August of 2022. Both he and Dobbs are 28 years old, have been with multiple NFL teams and are considered journeymen.

Nick Mullens image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Mullens’ experience with the offensive system could give the Vikings the best outcome in getting the ball to superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson in Vegas and for the rest of the season. Jefferson is expected to play next Sunday after being sidelined with a hamstring injury for almost two months. The whole offense is predicated on passing success with other superb targets in rookie WR Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Likeable and soft spoken, Mullens has been a supportive backup to Cousins. If he starts next Sunday it will be his first for the Vikings during the regular season. In 24 previous games in the NFL, including 17 starts, he has thrown 27 touchdown passes and 23 interceptions.

The future status of the Vikings quarterback leadership beyond this season is muddled. The club seems almost certain to take a quarterback in the first round. Minnesota could be on pace to draft around No. 20 and the best available then might be J.J. McCarthy of Michigan. He not only has passing skills but has the mobility to add another option to O’Connell’s creative schemes and play calling. He is young (turns 21 in January) and will need developmental time.

The Vikings and Cousins have to determine if they can figure out a new contract. Cousins is a free agent and a proven top 12 NFL quarterback but his bargaining power will be diminished coming off such a severe injury. Still, he would be valuable to the Vikings for a season or two while they groom a McCarthy.

But how do the Vikings determine their salary cap and budget challenges in 2024 with expensive new contracts that could start with Cousins at $35 million, Jefferson at $30 million and pass rushing whiz Danielle Hunter at $25 million.

Worth Noting

McCarthy’s coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, is likely to leave the controversies of college coaching behind and take an NFL job in the coming weeks. Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings two years ago with a resume that included taking a so-so 49ers team to the Super Bowl. Last week Yardbarker was quoting 5-1 odds he will be the next coach of the NFL Panthers.

Speaking of quarterbacks, a lot of fans have to be rooting for Cole Kramer to have a successful game leading the Gophers in their bowl game. The former Eden Prairie star enrolled at Minnesota in January of 2019 and has seen minimal playing time during his career including brief appearances in two games this season. He’s been the definition of the “loyal trooper” and it will be interesting to see if with starter Athan Kaliakmanis in the transfer pool he chooses to use his last year of eligibility at Minnesota in 2024.

The Gophers are targeting FCS passing leader Max Brosmer, the quarterback from New Hampshire who has entered the transfer portal. He was the team’s captain and is originally from Georgia. Brosmer was a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy recognizing the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule told reporters recently “a good quarterback” costs $1 million to $2 million in NIL money. Presumably he’s talking FBS, not FCS, because the Gophers can’t afford that kind of money.

Dinkytown Athletes, the official collective of Gopher athletics, is making progress in generating NIL money including with creative ideas partnering with businesses. It’s believed NIL money will first be a priority here in retaining players on the roster.

Quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who once had an interest in the Gophers, is in the transfer portal and leaving Louisiana Tech. Coming out of high school in California in 2019, Bachmeier was one of the nation’s top ranked pro style quarterbacks and chose Boise State.

The Gophers haven’t played in the Rose Bowl since January of 1962 when they defeated UCLA in the “grandaddy” of all bowl games. That changes next year when Minnesota plays at UCLA on the Bruins’ home field, the Rose Bowl. Stillwater-based Creative Charters is already promoting a fan-trip to Southern California October 9-13.

Bill Guerin has fired two head coaches since becoming the Wild’s GM, Bruce Boudreau in 2020 and Dean Evason last week. If new hire John Hynes doesn’t last at least a few years, scrutiny will focus on Guerin who has yet to see one of his Wild teams make a deep playoff run.

After last night’s win over the Hornets in Charlotte, the Timberwolves are 15-4, the best record through the first 19 games of a season in franchise history.

Cleveland.com reports former Gopher and Minnesota native Jamison Battle is making a career high 38.6 percent of his three-point shots. Stephen Means of the website predicts Battle’s new team, the Ohio State Buckeyes, will win 73-61 against the Gophers tonight in Columbus in the first Big Ten game for both teams on the 2023-2024 schedule.

Popular emcee and former Gophers public address announcer Dick Jonckowski had a checkup last month and continues to be cancer free from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Dick was told he won’t need another checkup for a year.

David Mackay produced and directed a movie he filmed in Norway and Ireland titled “My Norwegian Holiday” which debuted Friday night on the Hallmark Channel. David is the son of Minnesota icon Harvey Mackay who has been a prominent booster of local sports and confidant to Gophers sports leaders over the years.

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Pablo Lopez Can Flip Twins Series Outlook Tonight

Posted on October 8, 2023October 8, 2023 by David Shama

The way it looks now the Twins need a “W” tonight in Houston against the Astros if they are going to win their best of five American League Division Series. After losing Game 1 yesterday, the Twins can’t fall behind 2-0 in the series.

Those who think Minnesota can run off three straight against the defending World Champion Astros may also like Robert Kennedy’s chances in the 2024 presidential race.

It’s up to Pablo Lopez and the bullpen to control the Astros tonight, limiting Houston to a run or two while the Twins’ offense sends three or four runners across the plate. Otherwise, Minnesota has to win Games 3 and 4 in Minneapolis Tuesday and Wednesday, plus Friday back in Houston.

Whew!

Lopez likes pressure and he’s got it tonight after studying the Astro hitters yesterday in their 6-4 win. In Game 1 of the Wild Card series last Wednesday, he came through while pitching 5 and two-thirds innings and giving up one run to the Blue Jays. He delivered on the big stage in helping the Twins end their 18-game postseason losing streak.

Lopez’s goal tonight needs to be pitching beyond five innings. If he does, that means he’s sharp and his performance eases the toil on the bullpen. Yesterday the Twins used four relievers against the experienced Astros who are in the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season.

That bullpen, the fourth hardest throwing in the American League during the regular season, gave up three runs yesterday but none in the two game Wild Card sweep of the Blue Jays. Included in the results were four innings of no runs in relief of Sonny Gray in Game 2 of the Wild Card series last Thursday.

Gray and Lopez are two prime time starters that are the envy of many MLB teams. Ideally, when Gray, who pitched five shutout innings against the Blue Jays, goes to the mound Tuesday at Target Field he will be pitching to put his team ahead 2-1 in the ALDS series.

Worth Noting

One of the more curious moments in the Twins’ postseason came last Wednesday in Royce Lewis’ third time at bat. After homering in his first two plate appearances, Lewis faced a three balls and no strikes count, but wasn’t “green lighted” to swing away on the next pitch.

Likely driven by analytics and perhaps scripted for all Twins hitters before the game started, Lewis apparently was instructed by third base coach Tommy Watkins and manager Rocco Baldelli to take the next pitch, a called strike.

When the Gophers sold out their home game against Michigan Saturday night it was the first time since 2019 that Minnesota has twice filled its stadium in the same season. The Gophers also sold out their 2023 opener against Nebraska.

The 52-10 beat down by No. 2 ranked Michigan was a reminder of the talent gap between the Gophers and the best teams in college football. Minnesota at 3-3 will be challenged to win six games and qualify for a bowl game.

This week’s bye week ideally is an opportunity to have linebacker Cody Lindenberg, who hasn’t played all season, and running back Darius Taylor, out for the last two games, back in the lineup and recovered from injuries. Their return would help but nothing is more vital than improvement by the offensive line and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis who has been a disappointment including last night with two interceptions returned for scores by the Wolverines.

Vikings superstar receiver Justin Jefferson goes into today’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Chiefs leading the NFL in receiving yards with 543.

What’s the over-under for Patrick Mahomes TV commercials today in the Chiefs-Vikings game? Six.

How about the over-under for mentions of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance? Same. Six.

Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Mahomes leads the NFL with 49 touchdown passes. Viking QB Kirk Cousins is third with 40.

A broadcast crew that critics consider the best in the land covers today’s game for CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson.

Minnesota icon Dick Jonckowski has a special birthday October 22. “I will be 80,” he said. “Jeez cripes, I can’t believe it.”

The “Polish Eagle” wants everyone to know he is still available for public speaking and emcee duties. He is inviting friends and fans to stop by Mancini’s Char House on the evenings of October 14 and 20 when he will be joining the Midas Touch band and playing his trombone kazoo. Best news from the “Eagle” is being 13 months cancer free.

Jeff Drown image courtesy of Coady Photography

Longtime local horse racing supporter Steve Erban emailed a reminder that Minnesota owners have thoroughbreds who will be competing in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships next month at Santa Anita Park. Those horses are Zandon, owned by Jeff Drown from the St. Cloud area, and Zozos, owned by Barry and Joni Butzow from Eden Prairie.

Zandon will run in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 4, and televised by NBC with a post time of 5:40 p.m. Zozos will also run November 4, competing in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Classic, with FanDuel televising and a 1:30 p.m. post time.

Both thoroughbreds competed in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and are coming off recent wins. Zandon won the Woodward Stakes at Belmont, while Zozos triumphed at the Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Erban and wife Dorothy, along with Drown and the Butzows, are longtime owners of race horses at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. “Canterbury Park is a first-class Minnesota horse racing facility that could become one of the country’s premier summer race tracks with a higher purse structure,” Erban said via email. “It’s time the Minnesota State Legislature recognizes the need for a higher purse structure for the Minnesota horse racing industry. Minnesota, why not have the best?”

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