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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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Receiver Jalen Reagor Targets Breakout Year with Vikings

Posted on August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 by David Shama

Jalen Reagor, the reserve wide receiver who the Vikings acquired almost a year ago in a trade with the Eagles, is on the spot as he prepares in training camp for his fourth NFL season. There is no guarantee he will make the final roster and even if he does this is the final year of his contract, with free agency ahead in 2024.

Reagor is receiving opportunities in the preseason. He is tied with tight end Nick Muse for most receptions on the team with six. His 65 yards in catches is tops on the Vikings.

August is the time for the 24-year-old former first round draft choice to prove his value and set the stage for what he hopes will be a breakout season even though it will likely be as a sub behind starters Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn and Jordan Addison.

“Last year I got here the week of the first game, so it was kind of hard to adjust but having a full offseason, you know, (with) K.O. and the guys helping me I feel pretty good,” Reagor told Sports Headliners.

K.O, head coach Kevin O’Connell, is an offensive guru with a talented group of playmakers including the peerless Jefferson, veteran Osborn and promising rookie Addison. The wide receiver roster includes four former first round draft choices in Jefferson, Addison, Reagor and N’Keal Harry.

The talent in the WR room is a plus to Reagor. “It just breeds competition,” he said.

Reagor’s value to the Vikings includes his speed. He can “take the top off defenses” and he said there might not be anyone on the roster who could motor faster in the 40-yard dash. “There’s not many receivers (in the NFL) that can run like I can,” he said. “I feel like that’s what I bring to the game, and then being able to do the in between stuff, the reverses, the tosses, the little trick stuff and be a complete receiver. So I feel like all around (talent).”

Reagor’s versatility could work in his favor in being able to make the team. He has 18 career rushes for 83 yards. He also returned both punts and kickoffs for the Eagles. With the Vikings last season, he returned 26 punts for 167 yards in 17 games.

Critics have said the 5-11, 197-pound former TCU star is slowed in his routes by physical defenders and that he doesn’t block effectively. The Eagles, who drafted him in 2020 ahead of Minnesota selecting Jefferson, gave up on him when they made the August 31 trade to the Vikings in return for draft choices.

Jalen Reagor photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

This summer Jefferson was voted by his NFL peers as the No. 2 player in the league behind only quarterback Patrick Mahomes from the Chiefs. Although Jefferson is 24 also and entering his fourth NFL season, Reagor said he can learn from the team’s superstar receiver.

“Being No. 2 (ranked) as a receiver, that’s just like a receiver winning the Heisman (Trophy),” Reagor said. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing. I am proud of him. It’s good to be on the team with him and watch and learn from him every day.”

The Vikings could have an explosive offense, just like last season. With a wide receiver group that wants to be the best in the NFL, a deep tight end roster, five returnees in the offensive line, a quality quarterback in Kirk Cousins and veteran running back in Alexander Mattison, the Vikings will score impressively like they did in 2022 when they won 11 one-score games and averaged 24.9 points per game.

Minnesota seemingly took a page from the NBA with a “if we have the ball last, we’ll win” approach while pulling out six fourth quarter wins. No wonder Reagor said if his offense has the last possession in a tight game “it’s going to be a problem.”

And he hopes to be part of the solution this fall.

Worth Noting

The Athletic asked its NFL writers to vote on the best stadiums in the league and U.S. Bank Stadium is No. 1. “This wasn’t even close,” Jon Machota wrote in an article posted yesterday by the Athletic. “Half of the voters placed it No. 1 in their rankings.”

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles ranked second, with Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, third. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and Lumen Field in Seattle rounded out the top five.

Gopher senior safety Tyler Nubin is receiving a lot of preseason hype. Publicity includes second team (The Athletic) and third team (Phil Steele) All-American recognition, and listings on watch lists for three prestigious national awards honoring defensive players: Chuck Bednarik, Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski.

Nubin admits the attention “is cool” but tempers his enthusiasm. “It doesn’t really matter because like you said it’s preseason so it’s just a guess. I have to go out there and perform. …”

Nubin will be a playmaker and leader for the Gophers’ defense. So, too, will redshirt junior linebacker Cody Lindenberg. “It’s great to see his growth for sure,” Nubin said.

Lindenberg brings the “juice” to practices. “His energy, you can really feel it,” Nubin said.

Gophers’ multi-positional offensive lineman Nathan Boe, now in his sixth year with the program, comes from a family that has long followed Minnesota football including during its glory days. When coach P.J. Fleck was recruiting Boe out of Lakeville North the coach told him the Gophers were a “sleeping giant.”

That resonated with Boe whose grandfather and great grandfather listened to the Gophers on the radio. Boe said: “We have a long tradition here and it’s really fun to be part of it. …”

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who the Gophers face in Chapel Hill September 16, is the No. 5 player in college football, per ESPN.com who rated the top 100. Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, the Totino-Grace alum and North Oaks resident, is No. 11 on the list. Former Gopher running back Bucky Irving, who gained over 1,000 yards last season for Oregon, is No. 77.

The Twins open a two-game series in Milwaukee tonight against a Brewers team that is No. 10 in the MLB.com power rankings. The Twins are No. 13 in the latest rankings.

Trevor May, who pitched for the Twins from 2014-2020, has 12 saves while holding opponents to a .220 batting average this season with the Athletics. Will the Twins have interest in signing the 33-year-old right hander as a free agent in the offseason? He makes $7 million with Oakland, per Spotrac.com and is the highest paid player on the budget conscious team’s roster.

The Northwoods League, that includes teams from Minnesota and showcases college baseball players in the summer, set a new attendance record with a total of 1,313,916. The old record was 1, 262, 610 set in 2019.

Wild preseason and regular season tickets go on sale Thursday, with availability via Wild.com/tickets and Ticketmaster.com.

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