Media – Page 23 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Super Bowl LVI Worthy of the Hype

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

A few Super Bowls tempt you to hold your nose. A bunch make you yawn during most of the game. Not last evening. America was mostly entertained from the opening kickoff all the way to a dramatic ending at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Bengals had a chance to turn a last minute drive into a game winning touchdown, or at least force overtime with a field goal. Wasn’t to be, though, with the Rams’ Aaron Donald making what will become known as legacy tackles on third and fourth downs to lock up a 23-20 win over the Bengals.

The home town Rams won the NFL’s biggest prize after moving to Los Angeles just six years ago. Owner Stan Kroenke orchestrated the transfer from St. Louis and bitter fans there have no time for him. Think of him as the St. Louis version of North Stars owner Norm Green. But he stood on the field after the game as a Tinsel Town hero.

“Another ending fit for Hollywood, “NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said to Kroenke, the stadium fans and the TV audience.

This was a close and compelling game most of the night. The Rams led 16-13 at halftime but trailed going into the fourth quarter 20-16. The Bengals put together a field goal, and a touchdown in the third quarter that shouldn’t have happened. Bengals receiver Tee Higgins pulled the facemask of Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey who fell to the ground, allowing a 75 yard touchdown. No replay, no overturning the play.

The Rams, trailing 20-16 in the fourth quarter, had to rally on their last possession. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who played in NFL purgatory for years with the hapless Lions, made clutch throws on a long drive, mostly to Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Cooper Kupp. With 1:25 remaining in the game, Kupp caught a one-yard touchdown pass to put the Rams ahead to stay.

If Rams fans were enraged by the no-call that Higgins scored on, they could empathize with the Bengals faithful late in the game. Before Kupp caught the TD pass a flimsy defensive holding penalty inside the 10-yard line on Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson kept the drive going for the Rams.

The Super Bowl can seem like a football game sandwiched around a suffocating parade of TV commercials. For some Super Bowls a restless viewer can’t reach quickly enough for the remote, even stumbling on to something called the “Puppy Bowl.” But last night’s fourth quarter should have moved you to the edge of your seat.

Here are other Super Bowl musings including a few with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

The big game’s halftime show? NBC’s Maria Taylor teased it as perhaps the “greatest” ever. Oh, my.

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. Hmm. Hmm.

You could be at home today, pulling a “Ferris Buehler” after the big game. If so, remember not to post photos on social media that show you seeking a hangover “remedy” at a favorite watering hole.

Americans are convinced their country is in a downward spiral so why not chip further away at “our national fabric” and declare the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday? Or switch the Super Bowl to Saturday nights? Ease the guilt of millions who call in sick on Mondays.

Hate to disappoint but at the last minute the Sports Headliners’ Board of Directors nixed a $7 million expenditure to buy a :30 second TV commercial for last night’s extravaganza. And they wonder why readership is flat.

$7 million? A paltry sum when compared with the record $7.6 billion that was expected to be wagered on the game, per the American Gaming Association. And how was your trip to Wisconsin or Iowa to bet on the Bengals or Rams?

Now 30 states offer legal betting, but not the North Star State. That could change sooner than a Kirk Cousins departure from the Vikings.

The Super Bowl is all about money, from expensive rings to player bonuses, from escalating franchise values to billions spent by American consumers on products and services. See any connection between the disappearance of protests at NFL games and an apparent agreement between league powers and the players’ union?

TV viewership numbers for Super Bowl LVI could be publicized today with the number expected to be about 115 million. Word is neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump watched. Speculation is Biden fell asleep prior to kickoff, while Trump spent the evening in front of a favorite mirror.

During halftime I checked the furnace to see if it was operational. I am traumatized on Super Bowl Sunday because a few years ago I blew out part of the electrical wiring in the house while using a powerful space heater. Ever tried to find an electrician the night of the Super Bowl?

Honestly, I’d prefer to watch the big game near a beach in Florida. A longtime friend sent a post card from the sunshine state and asked when I was headed that way. “I’ll look for you but it’s a big state,” he wrote.

The two head coaches in this year’s Super Bowl, Sean McVay, 36, from the Rams, and Zac Taylor, 38, of the Bengals, weren’t even born when the Vikings played in their last Super Bowl, 1977. The combined ages of McVay and Taylor are the youngest two-some in Super Bowl history.

There has been one MVP in Super Bowl history that played for the losing team. Linebacker Chuck Howley of the Cowboys won the honor in Super Bowl V even though his team lost the game 16-13 to the Colts.

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Trade Kirk Cousins, Draft Matt Corral

Posted on February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 by David Shama

Daniel House started a blog several years ago devoted to Vikings coverage and since then he has drawn a large following for his new age insights about Minnesota’s NFL team and also the Golden Gophers. House is a workhorse in gathering and interpreting comprehensive information—including analytics—about those two teams. He also has a “library” on other pro and college football teams and players across the nation.

House told Sports Headliners he believes the Vikings, if they have the opportunity, should grab Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral in the upcoming NFL Draft. “That’s the guy I would be going after 100 percent…a quarterback that has the highest upside that could change your franchise if everything clicks and the system fits him well.”

Corral hasn’t been as valued in 2022 mock drafts as a couple of other college quarterbacks. House is puzzled about that but it doesn’t deter him from raving about Corral who played for head coach Lane Kiffin, the quarterback whisperer who attended Bloomington Jefferson High School.

House looks at Corral and sees an athlete with arm strength and pocket presence who played in a quick tempo offense at Mississippi. He praises Corral’s competitive attitude and how teammates rally around him. Invaluable, too, is Corral’s ability to run and make gains out of potential lost yardage situations, while fitting the mobility mold of most successful NFL quarterbacks in today’s game. “That play extension trait is the most important thing, and Corral definitely has that,” House said.

House acknowledges Corral has mechanical things “he can clean up” and that the California native needs to keep improving his accuracy. But House could see the Vikings writing a long-term success story with a franchise rebuild plan that trades away 33-year-old QB Kirk Cousins, replaces him with a “bridge quarterback” for a couple of seasons and develops Corral to take over the position.

NFL trades are allowed starting next month and the Vikings are likely interested in moving on from Cousins. His $45 million salary cap hit is a roadblock to signing other players. Considered a top 12 to 15 NFL quarterback, Cousins has experienced mixed success with the Vikings but might be seen as someone helping another team improve. The Vikings could sweeten a trade deal by paying part of Cousins’ 2022 guaranteed salary.

Several landing spots might be in play including the Browns and Broncos. There are Vikings ties in both places. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was Kirk’s offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. New Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah came from the Cleveland front office. Klint Kubiak, Minnesota’s offensive coordinator last season, is now the quarterbacks coach with the Broncos. Former Vikings assistant general manager George Paton is the Denver GM.

A “bridge quarterback” candidate pool could include Baker Mayfield of the Browns. Former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater, popular with teammates and fans while in Minnesota, is with the Broncos. There are other possibilities with other teams.

When Cousins played for Washington his quarterbacks coach for one season was Kevin O’Connell, now the new Vikings head coach. He worked with Cousins to improve his quarterback’s skills in improvising and mobility. It’s evident, though, that Cousins doesn’t have a high ceiling for extending plays. “He is not that guy…that can go off script,” House said.

More recently as offensive coordinator of the Rams, O’Connell helped develop and direct one of the NFL’s most imaginative offenses, built on attacking the defense all over the field. Having a quarterback who can extend plays is most certainly something O’Connell wants in his Viking quarterbacks.

O’Connell is known for his teaching skills and could welcome a talent like Corral. He also has a young, athletic quarterback on the roster in Kellen Mond who the Vikings selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In next Sunday’s Super Bowl the Rams play the Bengals, a team that was among the bottom feeders of the NFL for years. But with second year QB whiz Joe Burrow the Bengals have surprisingly earned their way into the big game. The Vikings haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977 and to earn their way back will need exceptional quarterback play.

House suggests Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell may well have to take multiple shots at finding their savior. “I think that’s the important thing is trying to throw darts until you hit on a quarterback because if you hit on the right one, you saw what can happen,” House said referring to the success of quarterbacks like Burrow and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs.

Nanne: Kaprizov Most Exciting Wild Player Ever

Lou Nanne, 80, is the godfather of Minnesota hockey. He was an All-American defenseman for the Golden Gophers, and for the NHL North Stars he was a player, coach, GM and president. At state tournament time he has been the authoritative voice of Minnesota prep hockey for nearly six decades.

When Nanne talks hockey, listen. And the other day he was raving about the Wild’s electric second-season forward Kirill Kaprizov.

“He’s the most exciting player the Wild has ever had to watch,” Nanne told Sports Headliners. “He’s so much fun and he’s got so many different skills. It’s really good that the Wild fans have the opportunity to see him play like this. That’s why you buy tickets is to be entertained and he entertains you.”

Nanne counts the 24-year-old Russian forward among a handful of NHL players who routinely bring fans out of their seats. He joins the appreciative crowds (whether at home or at Xcel Energy Center) in anticipating Kaprizov’s next shift on the ice and what he might do.

On track to becoming a super star, Kaprizov creates magic on the ice with his goal scoring and playmaking. “The fact that he can create stuff out of nothing,” Nanne said. “His speed, his hands, his shot, his head. It just energizes you. …He’s got five years on the contract and it should be a delightful five years watching this guy.”

Starting with Kaprizov’s rookie debut more than a year ago, opponents have tried to double-team and intimidate him. “That doesn’t affect him at all,” Nanne said. “He’s got a low base and center of gravity. He’s got huge thighs and he’s very, very strong on his skates. …He’s like a little truck out there. He’s taken some heavy hits.”

Nanne sees improvement from last season, particularly defensively, by the 5-10, 200-pound Kaprizov who is being showcased at the NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. “Kirill the Thrill” is joined in Vegas this weekend by teammate Cam Talbot who Nanne ranks a top 10 NHL goalie.

“He is a smart goaltender,” Nanne said. “He knows how to play. The way he cuts his angles, the way he controls rebounds. The way he sets pucks up; when to free the puck. …”

The Wild has a 28-10-3 record. It’s the first time in franchise history to earn 28 wins in the first 41 games. Minnesota’s first season was 2000-2001.

At the halfway mark of the season, Nanne includes the Wild among teams he believes are most likely to earn their way into the Stanley Cup Finals. Others are the Panthers, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Capitals and Lightning.

“Oh, I am really excited about them,” Nanne said about the Wild. “They’re playing so well.”

Minnesota has won six consecutive games but the second half of the schedule will continue to test the team’s abilities, resolve and depth. The Wild must play 40 games in 77 days.

The NHL trade deadline is March 21. The Wild, led by GM Bill Guerin, will apparently be cautious in making a move that could upset the locker room. “This team is a very close team,” Nanne said. “They care about one another and they play for one another. I know that Bill is very concerned about that (team chemistry). What he is going to do is…be extremely calculated—if he does anything—because he likes what he has.”

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Timing Looks Right for Vikes-Harbaugh

Posted on January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 by David Shama

Jim Harbaugh as the next head coach of the Vikings? The timing looks right if the money and security are in place.

The 58-year-old University of Michigan head coach has been linked this month to NFL jobs with the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and now the Vikings. Authoritative sources report there is preliminary interest between Harbaugh and the Vikings’ ownership and management.

Harbaugh could be more than restless in Ann Arbor where his relationship with athletic director Warde Manuel is suspect. A year ago Manuel cut Harbaugh’s $8 million compensation in half after the Wolverines finished the pandemic impacted 2020 season with a 2-4 record. A legendary coach was reduced to an annual salary among the lowest in the Big Ten Conference.

In 2020 some Wolverines fans were howling for Harbaugh’s dismissal after yet another season ending loss to hated Ohio State. Manuel retained Harbaugh but the message sent by the pay cut seemed clear: get things turned around…or else.

Backed in a corner with presumably a bruised ego, the combative Harbaugh delivered a comeback season in 2021. Michigan won its first Big Ten title since 2004, earned a first-ever spot in the College Football Playoff—and ended a nine-game losing streak to Ohio State.

What about a revised contract now for Harbaugh who has been at Michigan since 2015? Not yet and perhaps talks between Harbaugh and Manuel are less than amicable. Earlier this month Detroitsportsnation.com reported former Detroit radio personality Gregg Henson said the coach and AD had a “heated discussion” because Harbaugh hasn’t signed the contract being offered by Michigan.

Maybe Harbaugh is using NFL rumors as contract leverage, but then again after seven seasons on the job his interest in moving on from his alma mater could be genuine. His record is 61-24 and among the best in school history. He has revived the program at college football’s winningest school.

He has also had a front row seat to the challenges.

Competing in the Big Ten with Ohio State can lead to ulcers. The Buckeyes, along with Alabama, Georgia and Clemson, are in a different league than everyone else in college football. Those schools have a tiresome chokehold on the sport and it starts with monopolizing the best talent.

Recruiting? It’s a safe guess most head college football coaches dislike the 365-days per year grind of convincing pimple-faced teenagers to play for them. It wouldn’t be surprising if Harbaugh, four years away from Social Security eligibility, has had enough of recruiting and its various demands.

Harbaugh might have the energy and will to coach another 10 years, and he could consider a return to the NFL a better fit than staying at Michigan. As head coach of the NFL 49ers for four seasons, he led the team to three NFC Championship games. He had an overall record of 49-22-1 and was 5-3 in the postseason including a Super Bowl loss to his brother John Harbaugh of the Ravens. Competing for a Super Bowl win is the kind of goal that makes the heart race fast in fiery coaches like Harbaugh.

Harbaugh has been a winner wherever he has coached including his first assignment with the San Diego Toreros of the Pioneer League. After three seasons and a 29-6 record, it was on to Stanford. Upon arrival he said: “I vow I will attack this endeavor with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

Wow.

The Cardinal was 1-11 before Harbaugh arrived. In his fourth and final season Stanford finished 12-1 including an Orange Bowl win.

A fallout with then 49ers GM Trent Baalke prematurely ended Harbaugh’s era in San Francisco. It’s an under statement to say Baalke, now the Jacksonville Jags’ GM, doesn’t have a resume to match Harbaugh who soon signed on with Michigan.

In San Francisco there was a young man working in the front office who had the privilege of learning from Harbaugh. That was Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s transitional opportunity moving from Wall Street to the NFL. Now as the new Vikings’ GM, his relationship is presumably an asset in a romance between Minnesota and Harbaugh.

Kwesi is affable. Harbaugh strong-minded. The chemistry could work.

It appears Harbaugh is the best opportunity for the Wilf ownership group and Kwesi to secure a high profile coach who comes with instant credibility for the fan base. And it’s a bonus that Harbaugh is known as something of a “quarterback whisperer.” The former Michigan and Bears QB impacted the careers of Andrew Luck, Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick.

Anyone ever heard of Kirk Cousins?

Cousins and his teammates don’t collectively offer a Super Bowl worthy roster. But there is talent in place and with the right moves the Vikings could become special in the near future.

There are also world-class practice and game facilities in Eagan and downtown. Ownership has consistently shown willingness to spend money, and there is a salary cap whiz in the front office named Rob Brzezinski.

And then there is this: a source told Sports Headliners the salary-cap challenged Green Bay Packers won’t be re-signing Aaron Rodgers. A Packers team without their magician quarterback will position the NFC North to be a free-for-all race next fall.

The Vikings will have to pony up the big bucks and offer security to get Harbaugh on the sidelines. Maybe it happens. The karma is apparent.

Worth Noting

Gregg Wong is calling it quits after15 years as one of the Twins’ three official scorers at home games. The former Pioneer Press sportswriter told Sports Headliners the assignment just wasn’t “fun anymore” and seemed more like a job because of more detail needed by MLB, lengthy games and the retirement of friends he knew at the ballpark.

The well-liked Minneapolis native will continue working as part of the golf staff at Edina Country Club. “I’ll stay there as long as I live, or as long as they will have me,” Wong said.

Belated birthday wishes to Vikings hall of famer Carl Eller who turned 80 last week.

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