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Gophers Earn Preseason Recognition

Posted on June 19, 2022June 19, 2022 by David Shama

With the Gophers’ opening game against New Mexico State approaching two months out, preseason publicity for Minnesota football is coming from national sources. The trend is to laud center John Michael Schmitz and label the team a dark horse to win the Big Ten West Division.

Athlon Sports has Schmitz as its first team preseason All-American center. Lindy’s Sports lists the Gopher senior as the second best center in the nation behind Notre Dame’s Jarrett Patterson. Perhaps no source commands more respect annually than Phil Steele Publications. That outlet also named Schmitz a second team preseason All-American.

Schmitz and eight other Gophers have earned recognition from Phil Steele. Schmitz was named first team All-Big Ten, while defensive tackle Trill Carter and running back Mo Ibrahim are second teamers. Offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga, rush end Thomas Rush, linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin, long snapper Brady Weeks and wide receiver Dylan Wright are third team All-Big Ten. Running back Trey Potts was named to the fourth team offense.

Gophers drawing recognition from Lindy’s include wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell and tight end Brevyn-Spann Ford, both named third team All-Big Ten. Safety Tyler Nubin and punter Mark Crawford earned third team defense recognition along with Sori-Marin. Ibrahim is included on the second team offense.

Lindy’s predicts the Gophers will finish fifth in the West Division behind Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue and Nebraska. The magazine frets about the quality of the offensive and defensive lines, and points out quarterback performance must improve.

Athlon forecasts Minnesota placing fourth behind Wisconsin, Purdue and Iowa. Minnesota’s record will be 7-5 overall, 4-5 in the Big Ten, per Athlon. Ibrahim is a member of the magazine’s All-Big Ten second team while Sori-Marin and Nubin are third teamers on defense.

Ouch. If there’s one place Gophers fans don’t want to return for a bowl game, it’s Detroit. But that’s where Athlon says Minnesota will have a date in the Quick Lane Bowl against Central Michigan. If that rendezvous works out, there could be Christmas parties that attract larger crowds.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck’s teams have been known to exceed expectations. His 2019 and 2021 teams both surprised prognosticators with respective records of 11-2 and 9-4. The 2019 team finished a stunning No. 10 in the country in two polls and last year’s Gophers won a third consecutive bowl game under Fleck. In his last 39 games he has a 27-12 record with the Gophers.

A prickly subject is Minnesota’s streak of seven consecutive losses to Iowa dating back to 2014 (Fleck’s first Gopher team was 2017). You can bet defeating Iowa November 19 in Minneapolis is a Row the Boat obsession.

Minnesota has won two of its last four games in its other border rivalry. Wisconsin could be the school to beat in a West Division that in preseason national rankings will be without a top 10 team. The division isn’t daunting and the Gophers, despite having to play five conference road games versus four at home, will be thinking “why not us?”

The first four games of the 12-game schedule should tell a lot about the season. The Gophers need to start 3-0 against nonconference opponents New Mexico State, Western Michigan and Colorado (all at home). They need to play at a high level, win or lose, in their Big Ten opener September 24 at Michigan State. The Spartans are one of the better teams in the East Division and possible top 20 program in 2022.

Cornerback Justin Walley, named to the 247Sports True Freshman All-American team last year, is being slighted in early recognition of Big Ten players. But his team is, too, and you can be sure Walley and the Gophers will value accolades at season’s end a lot more than in June.

Gophers Football Notes

If the Gophers win the West Division they will face an intimidating history in the Big Ten championship game against the East Division representative. The West champion is 0-8 in Big Ten title games.

Fleck makes his annual appearance before the Twin Cities Dunkers Thursday at Interlachen Country Club.

Grumbling Penn State fans don’t think the Gophers are worthy of being designated their annual White Out game opponent. Minnesota plays in Happy Valley October 22.

Former Gophers two-time All-American tackle and Outland Trophy winner Bobby Bell turned 82 Friday.

Ex-Minnesota head coach Glen Mason took a bad fall earlier this year, fracturing seven ribs. However, he told Sports Headliners he is “going strong now.”

The Goal Line Club will again raise money for the football program by staging its annual golf tournament. The Gopher Football Golf Classic at StoneRidge Golf Club in Stillwater is open to Goal Line Club members and their guests. More at the Goal Line Club website.

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Twins Clarify Buxton 100 Games Target

Posted on June 14, 2022June 14, 2022 by David Shama

Reports this spring left fans with the impression the Twins want to limit star center fielder Byron Buxton to 100 games this year. Derek Falvey told Sports Headliners yesterday there is no “stop light” at 100.

Buxton, a do-it-all talent capable of becoming the American League’s best player, is invaluable to the Twins, but an unusual number of injuries have prevented him from playing 100 games each season dating back to 2018. The club wants to proceed with caution, while maximizing Buxton’s availability to help produce a Central Division title and playoff run.

“We’re not shooting just for 100 games,” said Falvey, the Twins’ baseball operations boss. “I think we’re trying to eclipse what he has yet to eclipse over the last five years. Playing him the way we had in prior years didn’t get us there. We would like to try a more sophisticated way to keep him on the field as much as possible….”

Falvey also said the 28-year-old Buxton is on pace to play in 115 to 120 games. He acknowledged the player who “can put us on his back” and carry the team has low-level inflammation in his right knee. The knee became news in April and Buxton was briefly sidelined. He was also diagnosed with a low-level hip strain this spring.

Falvey indicated Buxton is able to manage his health issues—and no differently than teammates who face challenges. Buxton played a MLB career high 140 games in 2017, his third season with the big league club. This year in 45 games for the 36-27 Twins he has hit a team leading 18 home runs and driven in 32 runs.

Fans grumbled over the weekend that neither Buxton nor shortstop Carlos Correa played in Saturday’s Minnesota’s home game against the Rays. Ticket buyers wanted to see the club’s two marquee players and box office attractions.

“Hey, we want both of those guys out there as much as possible,” Falvey said good-naturedly. “That wasn’t pre-planned or designed by Rocco or me or otherwise.”

The Twins played the Rays Friday night and then Saturday afternoon. Falvey said sometimes in that situation manager Rocco Baldelli will go to players and talk about the possibility of not playing in the afternoon game.

Correa, the All-Star the Twins signed as a free agent during spring training, has missed time with an injury and more recently with COVID. He was absent from 11 games with a right finger contusion and then eight because of COVID, returning to the active roster last Wednesday.

Falvey said there are no lingering health issues with the 27-year-old Correa but it can require time for players to recover their muscle strength after COVID. “We’re trying to bring him back thoughtfully,” Falvey said.

With the pandemic, a shortened spring training and the normal physical demands on players in today’s modern game, teams in Major League Baseball have dealt with a lot of roster disruptions. Among the more serious for the Twins was placing first baseman Miguel Sano on the 60-day Injured List in mid-May following knee surgery.

Falvey departed for Fort Myers yesterday and he will see Sano who is working out with the organization’s minor league players. Falvey said it will be awhile before a return date to the Twins active roster can be determined. “But hopefully he is a boost for us at some point during the course of the end of June and into July.”

NFL Films Visits Dick Jonckowski

NFL Films came to Dick Jonckowski’s home in Shakopee yesterday to relive moments from the famous 1975 Vikings-Cowboys game at Metropolitan Stadium. Jonckowski’s visitors included Drew Pearson who caught the famous “Hail Mary” touchdown pass in the final minute to give the Cowboys a 17-14 fourth quarter win in the NFC title game.

Jonckowski, known best by many Minnesota sports fans as the public address voice of Gophers basketball for decades, was a field usher at the stadium back in the 1970s. A passionate Vikings fan, the colorful Jonckowski had his name on the back of his usher jacket and drew attention throwing behind-the-back passes with the football.

Before the “Hail Mary” pass, the trailing Cowboys, trying to sustain what would be the winning drive, had a fourth and 16 situation. Quarterback Roger Staubach passed to Pearson who picked up 17 yards and a first down. The catch was controversial, though, with many observers insisting Pearson caught the ball out of bounds.

The reception was made near Jonckowski who wasn’t happy about it. “I was frustrated. I just kind of (gave) a sissy kick. I kicked the bottom of Drew Pearson’s shoe which really wasn’t much, but (Dallas coach) Tom Landry’s wife saw it from the stands. After the game was over, she called Pete Rozelle, who was then the commissioner.”

Rozelle phoned Bob Sims who ran the ushering operation and said Jonckowski had to be reprimanded. Sims decided Jonckowski could continue as an usher but not be on the field. He was banned as a field usher for two years.

“Somebody told me…if it (the incident) happened today you would probably go to jail,” Jonckowski said. “You know the way the world is, I probably would. Who knows?”

There was animosity between Pearson and Jonckowski prior to the 1975 encounter. “We didn’t like each other way before that. He was pretty cocky,” Jonckowski said. “I just didn’t like his attitude. So one day I yelled at him, ‘You couldn’t carry (NFL Hall of Famer) Charley Taylor’s jock.’ And he came running over to me and was going to pound me, but he let it go.”

After the 1975 run-in, Staubach told Jonckowski Pearson was a good guy and the two should patch things up. They did so before Pearson retired in 1983.

Several years ago Pearson was in town for an autograph appearance. “He remembered me right away and we had kind of a fun time,” Jonckowski said.

Arlene and Dick Jonckowski in their sports memorabilia-filled basement.

Things went well yesterday when Pearson spent about two hours talking with Jonckowski. Both are outgoing and enjoy humor (a Jonckowski calling card with his endless jokes and stories he uses while speaking to groups). Wife Arlene was also interviewed during the nine hours spent by NFL Films at the Jonckowski residence.

Before coming to Minnesota Pearson didn’t know much about his friend’s background. “He wants me to come to Dallas to sign autographs and speak,” Jonckowski said.

The game remains vivid in the minds of Jonckowski, Pearson and thousands of NFL fans, mostly because of its controversial finish. Staubach, who would later describe the play as a “Hail Mary” desperation heave, threw the winning 50-yard touchdown pass to Pearson who appeared to push Vikings’ defender Nate Wright on the play.

But no penalty.

Jonckowski saw the play and that evening newspaper columnist Sid Hartman called him at home to ask if there was a shove by Pearson. Jonckowski said he thought there was. “…Sid slammed the phone down. Didn’t even say thank you. But that’s typical Sid.”

The 1975 Vikings, 12-2 during the regular season, were led by NFL MVP Fran Tarkenton and might have been one of the best teams in franchise history. The team was a Super Bowl favorite but instead saw its playoff march end in bitter disappointment.

Jonckowski didn’t have details yesterday as to how the filming will be used and when it will air.

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Vikes Can’t Obsess on First Round CB

Posted on April 26, 2022April 26, 2022 by David Shama

What will the Vikings do Thursday night in the first round of the NFL Draft?

Former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond offered advice in a Monday interview with Sports Headliners. “If they are wise, you don’t want to get locked into a certain position of need which we all know is a corner for them.”

Diamond, the NFL Executive of the Year in 1998 when the Vikings went 15-1, learned long ago that “especially in the first round” it’s not prudent to become overly focused on need at a particular position. Unless a team is after a quarterback, take the best player available, he said. Don’t pass on a great player and settle for a good one to fulfill a need.

Diamond, who learned that philosophy from Bud Grant, Jerry Reichow and Frank Gilliam from the Vikings, was president of the Titans after he left Minnesota. With both organizations he believed there are limited opportunities to select a player who was all but certain to become a Pro Bowl level talent. “We always felt there were eight to 10 blue chip players in every draft,” he said.

The Vikings have several needs going into this week’s three-day, seven-round draft. They could, for example, benefit from taking an edge rusher at No. 12. Sports Illustrated’s mock draft has Minnesota selecting Eden Prairie High School and Florida State alum Jermaine Johnson.

Diamond sees Johnson as a top four prospect among edge rushers in this year’s draft. “I think that he’s a guy that has got a lot of talent. I think he runs well and has good effort and all that.”

With the new Vikings’ 3-4 defensive scheme, and injury uncertain for veteran pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, the franchise could benefit from selecting an edge rusher in the first round and then choosing cornerbacks in the second and later rounds. Diamond suggests the club might follow that path and use the third round pick for a quarterback to compete with backup Kellen Mond (2021 draft).

Diamond describes it as “good strategy” to take a quarterback prospect in the third round. He doesn’t see the position as one of immediate need and rates veteran Kirk Cousins in the 10 to 15 range among NFL quarterbacks. With Cousins flanked by outstanding playmakers, and if the defense is upgraded, the Vikings can be a winner, Diamond said.

That’s not to say, though, the Vikings couldn’t improve their offense in the draft with a center, guard or tackle who is able to push existing starters or provide depth. With Tyler Conklin having been traded, and starter Irv Smith coming off a knee injury, Diamond sees the importance of adding a pass catching tight end in the later rounds.

Rounds four through seven may provide roster help at wide receiver, and multiple spots on defense including linebacker and safety. The Vikings are talented at wide receiver with their starters but adding a contributor in the draft can provide depth. “There’s a lot of talent at wide receiver this year (in the draft),” Diamond said.

This will be Kwesi Odofo-Mensah’s first draft as a general manager. Diamond’s guess is the Vikings won’t be wheeling-and-dealing during the draft and likely will retain most or all of their eight picks. He’s not an advocate of parting with your first round selection and not selecting a player until the second round.

“I am always apprehensive about trading out of the first round,” Diamond said. “A couple of occasions that we did it, it really didn’t pay off.”

This year eight franchises have multiple first round selections, meaning eight do not. Diamond can’t recall that circumstance before. The numbers could lead to trades involving both the 2022 or 2023 drafts.

Among the many players Diamond is following are former Gophers Boye Mafe and Daniel Faalele. Mafe has created unexpected offseason buzz as a potential elite edge rusher and has drawn late first round or second round speculation. Faalele, the 6-8, 384 pound offensive tackle, has prompted similar talk but Diamond said there is concern about the Australian native staying under 400 pounds.

Diamond is a senior consultant for the Minneapolis-based Institute for Athletes, an established agency representing players. He is involved with recruiting and is familiar with many prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Worth Noting

Diamond talking about the lengthy three-day draft: “To me the first couple rounds, (are) really fun to watch. Rounds four through seven a little tedious. And I kind of felt that way even as a GM and in the draft room because it gets so long and a little bit boring at times. …”

In Sports Illustrated’s mock draft top cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr., Ahmad Gardner and Trent McDuffie will be selected No. 7, 10 and 11 respectively. At No. 24 in the first round the prediction is the Cowboys will choose Mafe.

Rocco Baldelli, the 2019 American League Manager of the Year, is criticized for game strategy but a move paying off this spring is batting Byron Buxton lead-off where he can often have more plate appearances than hitting further down in the order. He was in position to win Sunday’s extra inning game against the White Sox and did so with a three-run home run that put the Twins in first place in the AL Central Division.

Inspiring to see 100-year-old former Gophers’ ticket manager Tom Swain and Vikings legend Bud Grant, who turns 95 next month, in attendance at the Twin Cities Dunker Fund Dinner at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Who will be the Wild’s starting goalie in the first game of the playoffs next week? There could be a goalie controversy in the postseason but the guess here is Cam Talbot gets the first start over Marc-Andre Fleury. Remember when the Wild made the 2003 Western Conference Finals using goalies Dwayne Roloson and Manny Fernandez?

Wild home single game playoff tickets go on sale tomorrow at 2 p.m. via www.ticketmaster.com

The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, the NHL Rookie of the Year in 2021, turns 25 today.

Former Gopher footballer and ex-pro wrestling star Jumpin’ Jim Brunzell emailed about whether Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson will be a hero or heel in the WWE. “Dave, I’ve never met Gabe but because of his size and cockiness I believe he’ll be a natural heel or bad guy! If they decide to make him a baby-face, or good guy, he’ll be a Hulk Hogan type who’ll out wrestle his opponent. And when his opponent fouls Gabe, he’ll make a big comeback and pin him with some suplex for the cover! Who knows?”

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