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

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.

Comments Welcome

Spielman Stresses Coach-QB Relationship

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

It was easy to think about Mike Zimmer yesterday when Rick Spielman answered questions on TV’s “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.” Spielman, the former Vikings GM who was fired along with Zimmer earlier this month, talked about the trend toward offensive-minded head coaches in today’s NFL and also the selection process that should go into hiring such leaders.

“I think the No. 1 thing you’re looking for is that a head coach really has to have a relationship with that quarterback,” Spielman said. “And can a defensive head coach connect with that quarterback? Now, you know an offensive head coach is probably going to be able to because that’s his job (background). But can a defensive coach do the same thing?”

Spielman, the Vikings’ GM for 10 years, hired a defensive guru in Zimmer back in 2014. During the Zimmer era he had six offensive coordinators and last season was reportedly the first where he met weekly with quarterback Kirk Cousins. That was four seasons into their relationship and chemistry has appeared strained between the two.

It’s believed it was Spielman, not Zimmer, who wanted Cousins signed to an expensive free agent contract in 2018. The best of Zimmer’s teams had lights out defenses and his top regular season records came prior to Cousins joining the team from Washington. The last two seasons Minnesota didn’t qualify for the playoffs, prompting ownership to part with Spielman and Zimmer.

Spielman said that not since 2017 have two defensive oriented head coaches had their teams in the Super Bowl. That year matched up the Patriots’ Bill Belichick and the Falcons’ Dan Quinn, two defensive specialists.

The four remaining teams in the 2022 NFL playoffs are led by head coaches with accomplished offensive backgrounds. The veteran of the group is the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, who won the 2020 Super Bowl. Sean McVay of the Rams and Kyle Shanahan from the 49ers had their franchises in the 2019 and 2020 Super Bowls respectively. Zac Taylor, in just his third season as a head coach, has the Bengals within one win of representing the AFC in the 2022 Super Bowl. Reid is 63 but the other three head coaches are all 42 or younger.

It will be surprising if the Vikings don’t hire an offensive specialist as head coach. Not only is that a trend, but historically college and pro teams often switch back and forth between offensive and defensive backgrounds when hiring head coaches.

Worth Noting

Spielman is making media appearances since the announcement of his dismissal January 10. Maybe at 59 he is interested in a football TV job rather than going back to the NFL. However, brother Chris Spielman is a newly hired executive with the Lions.

Don’t be surprised if Zimmer, 65, lands an assignment with the Cowboys. He worked for Jerry Jones’ team as defensive coordinator from 2000-2006 and before that coached defensive backs for the 1995 Super Bowl champion Cowboys.

Among Spielman’s better draft choices is right tackle Brian O’Neill who this year will be participating in his first NFL Pro Bowl. O’Neill, a second round pick in 2018, is replacing Tristan Wirfs of the Buccaneers, who is injured and unable to play.

The Vikings could be developing a pair of top tackles in O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, the team’s first round pick in the 2021 draft. During the last season he took over as the starting left tackle and was part of an improving offensive line that allowed Cousins to be sacked only 28 times, sixth fewest in the NFL.

The Vikings might take another step in developing an elite offensive line if they use their expected No. 12 first round draft choice this year on Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum. His physical and leadership skills are impressive, while playing at the key center position where 2019 draft choice Garrett Bradbury has struggled.

Cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner from Cincinnati and Derek Stingley Jr. of LSU could tempt the Vikings, too. If Minnesota wants to risk the choice on a project quarterback with raw skills in need of polish, Liberty’s electrifying Malik Willis could be the guy.

Vikings participating in the February 6 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas are O’Neill, running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and safety Harrison Smith.

The New Mexico State football team announced its 2022 schedule Monday, including the September 1 date in Minneapolis against the Golden Gophers. The Aggies, under first-year coach Jerry Kill, will also play two other Power Five opponents, with games at Wisconsin and Missouri. They will have six home games, the most since 2014.

“We need Aggie fans everywhere to come out and support our program this fall,” Kill said in a school news release. “Our team will have a hard hat and lunch pail mentality every time we take the field.”

The Timberwolves, at 24-23 and with 35 remaining games, have bested last season’s final win total of 23 (record of 23-49).

The most recent win came last night, 109-107 over the Trail Blazers. Wolves’ guard Anthony Edwards became the first player in NBA history to total 40 points, nine rebounds, five three-pointers, three blocks and three steals in a single game.

To some fans David Ortiz’s 2022 selection to baseball’s Hall of Fame is perplexing. Although the former Twin insists he never knowingly used performance enhancers, his name is associated with the steroid era. That stigma has denied Hall of Fame membership to the likes of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

Among players to watch in the state prep basketball class of 2023 is 6-9 power forward-center Patrick Bath from Totino-Grace. 247Sports gives him a composite three-star ranking. Cal-Poly and Sienna have made offers, per 247.

Fargo’s Tom Hoge, 32, has one career win but is playing some of the best golf of his PGA career and he finished second in last weekend’s American Express in La Quinta. The TCU alum turned pro in 2011 and has over $9 million in career earnings. As of Monday morning he was No. 34 in PGA Tour earnings for 2022, with $680,690, according to the Desert Sun. Spring Lake Park’s Troy Merritt was No. 61 at $349,190.

The Friday wrestling match between the No. 13 ranked Golden Gophers at No. 3 Michigan airs at 6 p.m. central time on BTN. The telecast will be followed by No. 1 Penn State at No. 2 Iowa.

Comments Welcome

Viking ‘Soap Opera’ Season Rolls on

Posted on January 2, 2022January 2, 2022 by David Shama

Can I have the movie rights for the 2021 Minnesota Vikings’ season? Someone text the phone number of a top Hollywood producer and let’s crank this baby out by September.

If there was any doubt about the season being movie worthy, it ended a couple of days ago when maligned quarterback Kirk Cousins entered COVID protocol and was all but ruled out of tonight’s game in Green Bay against the Packers. Pandemics provide compelling theater and COVID has hung over the team since last summer when it became known Cousins and multiple teammates weren’t vaccinated.

Kirk haters have been waiting for a moment like this where he isn’t available for a potential playoff-deciding game. “It’s his fault,” the critics scream while congratulating one another on their collective wisdom.

Backdrop today includes recent media reports Kirk’s dad, Don Cousins, is condemning of head coach Mike Zimmer. Don, also a staunch anti-vaccination practitioner, reportedly gave a like to a tweet suggesting Zimmer should be fired.

Film makers love controversy and there is a lot of it with these Vikings.

Kirk has long been the subject of whether he is overrated, overvalued and overpaid by the Vikings. A year ago then former teammate Everson Griffen suggested in a tweet it was GM Rick Spielman who pushed the Cousins free agent signing in 2018. “Ask ZIMMER if he wanted Kirk????” Griffen tweeted.

During 2021 came the revelation that in past seasons the head coach and the quarterback didn’t engage in frequent one-on-one meetings. This apparent communication lapse would be shocking for most teams but mildly surprising for the Vikings who specialize in drama.

The dynamic between the two team leaders received national scrutiny this fall when Cousins yelled at his coach, “You like that?” Cousins grabbed Zimmer and at first this seemed more like a confrontation rather than a celebration following Minnesota’s 19-17 home win over the hapless Lions. After the game the QB insisted he was just fired up and showing his emotions from the last second victory.

The potential on-camera time for Zim in my movie is trending up after model Katarina Miketin, 38 or 39, confirmed she is dating the 65-year-old coach. The news (gossip for months) was reported by various news outlets—from the Sporting News to the New York Post. Jealous movie script writers may squabble over who takes the lead in creating the dialogue for the romance.

I wince at going too Hollywood in the film, but what if we write into the script Mike and Katarina get married? All box office hits fudge here and there. How about a touch of Karma in the wedding scene where Mike’s groomsmen include kickers Dan Bailey, Daniel Carlson and Blair Walsh?

Not on the wedding invitation list but still in the movie? Bashaud Breeland. The cornerback was cut from the roster last month after a verbal altercation with coaches at practice. He also had a dustup with Vikings fans earlier in the fall. Still, how about a little kumbaya as we start a new year?

It’s clear Kirk, Zim and Katarina receive major parts in the film but there are important supporting roles for others including franchise owners Zygi and Mark Wilf. In the movie the mysterious New Jersey-based businessmen lurk in the background as fans hold their collective breaths waiting to learn what the Wilfs decide about the fates of Zim, Kirk and Spielman. Hoping Robert De Niro will play the sometimes stern looking Zygi. (Favoring Bradley Cooper for Kirk; looking for suggestions on Zim and Katrina.)

When COVID hasn’t been haunting the Vikings in 2021, injury woes have caused more hurt. State hero and WR Adam Thielen dramatized the pain in the last game. He tried to play against the Rams with an injured ankle and help keep the team’s slight playoff chances alive. But after awhile he limped off the field and headed to the sideline with anger and frustration apparent on his face. Surgery followed and he is done for the season, but maybe more admired than ever.

Film title? Dark Purple?

Frozen in Purple could get a review, too. The temperature at kickoff tonight will be about 10 above and feel colder to players and fans. The scene at Lambeau Field should only add to the Vikings’ cold weather legacy, and in the film this can be dramatized, too.

Remember the 2016 playoff game at TCF Bank Stadium? The temp was around minus 6, the wind chill clocking in at 25 below. Bud Grant, 88, showed up wearing a polo shirt. He was a bigger hit than the Vikings who lost 10-9 to the Seahawks when Walsh blew a late field goal.

When Grant coached the Vikings he embraced cold weather. Grant didn’t allow heaters on the sideline and he encouraged players to act as if harsh weather didn’t bother them. He also liked to tell a story about how Eskimos thrived in their cold environment and that the Vikings could, too.

Grant’s last years as head coach in the early and mid-1980s had his teams playing in the Metrodome. “The things that bothered me about going into the dome is it took some of the coaching out of it,” Grant said in Ross Bernstein’s book Sixty Years & Sixty Heroes. “I could use the elements to my advantage. Things like the wind, sun, rain, snow or even a frozen field.”

Bud could be in the movie. Imagine Bud, Mike Tice and myself with cameos in the opening scene. We’re sitting at a table inside Bunny’s Bar & Grill. In the background the TV shows a Kirk-absent Vikings team playing in wintry Green Bay.

To see the rest of the film, please buy a ticket.

Comments Welcome