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Middling Rankings for Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

Posted on August 20, 2024August 20, 2024 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

Dan Orlovsky, writing recently on ESPN.com, listed the NFL’s best quarterbacks in seven different categories: arm strength, ball placement, mechanics, decision-making, pocket presence, rushing ability and second-reaction creativity. His top 10 lists in each category (based on current performance and expectations) included former Vikings starter Kirk Cousins in just one: “decision making with the football.”

Orlovsky defines decision making as knowing what the defense “is trying to get him (the QB) to do with the ball—and what it is trying to keep him from doing.” Add to that, Orlovsky writes, the QB needs to figure out whether the first read is “going to work given what the defense is showing.”

Cousins, who signed on with the Falcons in the offseason after being The Guy with the Vikings since 2018, checked in at No. 10 in the decision-making rankings. Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow are the top three on the list.

Cousins, whose season ended last season in late October after tearing his Achilles, reportedly received a four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons. They are gambling the 36-year-old can recover from his serious injury and play at a high level for a team with playoff expectations. With a new Falcons coach in Raheem Morris and a top 10 2024 draft pick in rookie Michael Penix Jr. behind him, Cousins faces plenty of pressure to perform.

In the 2024 annual vote by NFL players ranking the top 100 players, Cousins came in at No. 81 after being 42^nd last year. In fairness to Cousins, only being able to play in eight games limited his impact but his peers also watched him get off to perhaps the best start of his career. He threw 18 touchdown passes for 2,331 yards and had just five interceptions.

A popular prediction is for the Falcons to win nine to 10 games. The Vikings six to seven.

It’s a good guess the Vikings added former UFL wide receiver Justin Hall to the roster on Monday partly for roster depth if Jordan Addison is suspended for regular season games because of his July driving incident in Los Angeles. Hall, 5-8 and 189-pounds, had the third most receiving yards in the UFL in 2024 with 603 playing with Houston.

ESPN.com also recently ranked the top 100 college football players going into the season, with Golden Gophers left tackle Aireontae Ersery the only Minnesota player listed. Ersery, Minnesota’s left tackle, is No. 59 on the list that has Tennessee defensive tackle James Pearce No. 1.

North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, who Minnesota will see in its August 29 opener, is the lone Tar Heel on the list at No. 29. Hampton is an Associated Press first team preseason All-American while Ersery is second team.

The Gophers gave up a Big Ten worst 165.9 yards per game rushing last season but could be much improved in 2024. Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said Monday “we’re swarming more and better than we ever have to the ball.”

The Gophers have their own featured back in sophomore Darius Taylor who despite limited play last season rushed for 799 yards in six games. Taylor was a wide out at times in high school and his ability to catch the ball prompts Fleck to describe him as adding “that full playmaker ability to our offense.”

Minnesota may also have one of the deeper running back rosters in the Big Ten with Fleck yesterday talking about multiple players including Marcus Major, the 6-foot, 220-pound graduate transfer from Oklahoma who the coach said has exceeded expectations. “Every time I see that (jersey) No. 24, I just think, man, looks like 24 (former Gopher record setter Mohamed Ibrahim), just bigger,” Fleck said.

If Gophers starting quarterback Max Brosmer is injured during the season his replacement could be true freshman Drake Lindsey. Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. said Monday Lindsey knew coming to Minnesota would be an opportunity to learn from Brosmer, the graduate transfer FCS All-American from New Hampshire. Harbaugh has been impressed with Lindsey’s learning curve and other skills.

“I sat him down right before he signed, and we talked about how we had to bring in a transfer at that time,” Harbaugh said. “And we were talking about Max and I explained to him that this is going to be a really big thing for you to learn from him, and then for Max to take him under his wing and Drake has done that.

“If you saw him in the spring, he was running the two (second unit) offense as a true freshman, and he should be a senior in high school. He’s done a great job…as soon as he got here in January, of learning the offense, understanding the offense, making mistakes, learning from those mistakes. He’s a natural thrower of the football.”

The Twins, 70-55, will only have to go 20-17 the rest of the season to reach the coveted 90 wins mark. Since the club’s last World Series championship in 1991 the Twins have had seven seasons where they won 90 games or more. They had a regular season 95-67 record in 1991.

Luis Arraez, the former Twin now with the Padres and trying to win his third consecutive batting title, has amazingly almost as many doubles at 23 as times he has struck out, 26, in 497 plate appearances.

Bailey Ober, 12-5 and the Twins starter tonight (Tuesday) against the Padres in San Diego, has 10 consecutive quality starts—tied with Corbin Burnes from the Orioles for the longest such streak in MLB this season. Quality starts mean at least six innings pitched, giving up three earned runs or fewer.

Birthdays: baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor is 68 on Thursday and former Gopher women’s basketball coach Pam Borton 59.

Former Gophers head football coach Jerry Kill, now a top assistant at Vanderbilt, turns 63 on Saturday. For more on Kill’s life: https://shamasportsheadliners.com/jerry-kill-healthy-happy-cheering-for-gophers/

Hockey is the focus at the next gathering of the Twin Cities Dunkers on September 17 when TV’s Joe Schmit moderates a discussion with Brock Faber from the Wild, Gophers coach Bob Motzko and North Stars legends Lou Nanne and Tom Reid.

The Star Tribune has abandoned a long history of using Minneapolis in its name to become the Minnesota Star Tribune. It could be a cold day in hell when the Pioneer Press drops St. Paul from its nameplate.

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Despite Injury, Favored Status Remains for J.J. McCarthy

Posted on August 15, 2024August 16, 2024 by David Shama

Despite right knee meniscus surgery on Wednesday that will end his season, rookie J.J. McCarthy apparently remains the quarterback in waiting for the Vikings. This is part of what head coach Kevin O’Connell said yesterday when he reported on McCarthy following surgery:

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

“As our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in. As excited as I was to draft him, he’s confirmed everything that I hope to see not only early on through training camp, but through his performance last Saturday (preseason opening game). Our fan base and everyone should just be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building.”

At the news conference KOC didn’t speculate 27-year-old Sam Darnold, who the Vikings signed as a free agent in the offseason, could become the team’s long-term quarterback.

Darnold and the 21-year-old McCarthy, who the Vikings took at No. 10 in the first round of last spring’s NFL Draft, might have been in a quarterback battle during the coming season. The two had been taking most of the reps at training camp this summer.

Speculation had a couple of scenarios about the competition including Darnold starting the season and McCarthy moving in at No. 1 after several games. Another path was holding McCarthy out for the entire season to let him learn and more fully develop—remaining on the bench no matter how Darnold performed.

Darnold will likely one day remember 2024 as the season that defined his pro football career. The opportunity to become an established starter was evident last winter when he reportedly signed a $10 million one-year contract to likely replace the departed Kirk Cousins, but now with the absence of McCarthy it’s even more likely he’s at a fork in the road regarding his career.

It appears Darnold will need to stage one of the more amazing comeback stories in recent NFL history to change the likelihood of McCarthy taking over the team next year. McCarthy has youth, talent and commitment on his side while Darnold’s track record is one of mostly disappointment after being drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018.

The grandson of Marlboro man Dick Hammer, McCarthy didn’t get off to a smoking start with the Jets where in three seasons he threw 39 interceptions, and 45 touchdown passes. Then he played two unproductive seasons with the woeful Carolina Panthers. Last season, he started one game as a backup for the 49ers.

Darnold, though, is intriguing. He has a quick release throwing the football and good arm strength. He is athletic enough to move around in the pocket like a teenager playing backyard football. With McCarthy’s injury, Darnold can play in a more relaxed environment and know the boo-birds in the stands, and perhaps even his own coaches, won’t pull a quick “trigger” and bludgeon his career.

Darnold’s reputation is that of a gun-slinger quarterback. He can make observers scream, “Oh, no!” Or yell, “Oh, yes!” as he fits passes into tight spaces.

The truth is Darnold has never been in a situation so ripe for success as in Minnesota. He is in a quarterback friendly system led by O’Connell. His gifted offensive teammates include wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, elusive running back Aaron Jones, and formidable pass blockers Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. This is an elite NFL offensive environment that Darnold is integrating with.

No one, including O’Connell, can know for sure whether there is a transformation coming from the former USC quarterback who many thought might be the No. 1 overall draft choice in 2018 instead of Baker Mayfield. He is intriguing enough to believe if he gives the Vikings sustained production the club can have playoff aspirations and thoughts of winning 9 games or more.

If not, thoughts of the “Golden Boy” and 2025 will come quickly to mind.

Worth Noting

Congratulations to sports icon Dave Mona who is back for his 50th year as the press box voice at Vikings games, working games over the years at Met Stadium, the Metrodome and U.S. Bank Stadium. Asked about his age, Mona quipped, “More than 50.”

On game days Mona is continually providing information to the media. Asked about the future, he joked again and said: “Yeah, just a year at a time. Have been for about 48 years.

“I enjoy it. It’s a fun thing to do. I love working with a group of guys being part of the stats crew. I think people would be fascinated to see what goes on statistically as part of the game and how calm it is in there—despite all the information being tossed back and forth.”

Max Johnson, the son of former Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, wears jersey No. 14 just like his father. Max, who previously played collegiately at LSU and Texas A&M, is in a starting team quarterback competition for North Carolina to see who leads the Tar Heels in their August 29 opener against the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis. Max has two seasons of remaining eligibility.

Gopher head coach P.J. Fleck talking about the competitiveness of the 2024 team: “I just think they’re ultra-competitive. They really are. And I think good teams know they’re really good. They act that way. They walk that way. They talk that way. They work that way.

“And look, we don’t know what kind of team we’re going to be…that story is yet to be told. But they come to practice every day like they feel they’re a really good football team. And I love that about them. …

“But right now, I mean competing with each other, is as good as we’ve ever had. With iron sharpening iron. I think it’s really productive for us.”

Fleck talking about prize freshman Koi Perich, who arrived on campus in June, and the Esko native’s possible playing time: “I think it’s really early when you talk about true freshmen. I think it’s all about how their bodies handle the next few weeks.

“It’s really difficult coming here in June and making a huge impact as a true freshman. It’s just hard at any level at any position, but we love what he does. We love how hard he plays. He’s really smart and if he continues to take the next right step, then you could see him being in the mix as we go forward. Not only just safety, but special teams and other certain parts of the game.”

Veteran teammate and defensive lineman Danny Striggow on Perich: “Koi is a fun guy to be around. I didn’t really hear him talk for the first couple of weeks that he was here. He was a little quiet but now he’s starting to open it up…to get in with a lot of the guys.

“It’s really cool to see him come in and be explosive right away. Kind of see him work into his role and really take control of the positions that he is in and the reps that he is getting. To be able to go out there and really take advantage of what he’s getting for reps.”

Veteran linebacker Cody Lindenberg has been impressed with Perich’s energy and instincts. The former 4-star recruit, who was the MVP of the January All-American Bowl, is a playmaker at safety or special teams including returning punts. “…Whatever it is, he’s going to make a play somehow, some way. It’s been great to see him grow, too. It’s a short while since he’s been here but he’s gotten a ton better.”

Gopher senior Quinn Carroll, who has switched from right tackle to right guard, likes playing more inside where a player is “more influential” in the run game and “that’s my strength” right now.

Condolences to family and the many friends of Scott Buss, age 50, who died unexpectedly several days ago. The Eden Prairie resident was a personal favorite. We were scheduled to be part of a foursome at Dwan Golf Course in Bloomington on Sunday. Scott was chosen by sportswriter John Sherman from the Sun-Current for Edina’s all-time high school baseball team. In his senior spring at Edina in 1993 the Star Tribune named him the all-state first baseman. Kind and soft spoken, with a passion for people and sports, Scott leaves a void that will never be filled for those who loved him.

Tom Kelly, who managed the Twins to two World Series championships and whose statue is outside Target Field, turns 74 today (August 15).

Bailey Ober, 12-5 with a 3.52 ERA, can extend his career best winning streak (now at four) when he starts for the Twins tonight against the Rangers in Texas.

Comments Welcome

Enjoy a Sizzling Summer Minnesota Sports Trivia Column

Posted on June 25, 2024June 25, 2024 by David Shama

I’ve put together a sports trivia column to occupy any open minutes during the leisure days ahead including the Fourth of July holiday. Be prepared to stump yourself, family or friends—and anyone else.

Without much further ado, I present 20 questions with a mix of queries that include “softball” asks and a couple that might even stump trivia mastermind Dave Mona. For those who want to give up before starting, scroll down past question No. 20 to find the answers.

Mona used to organize an annual sports trivia contest with the finals broadcast on WCCO Radio. I sought his help for my exercise, and he didn’t disappoint.

“My favorite one (trivia question), is one I invented,” Mona said.

1. So here it is with Mona leading off with question No. 1: What baseball Hall of Famer has his name on nearly every small battery in the United States?

2. What’s the name of the Minnesota Wild’s mascot?

3. The Wild has three native born Minnesotans on its roster including Alex Goligoski and Vinni Lettieri. Who is the third?

4. In January of 2021 this Wild forward became the first player in NHL history to have three points, including an overtime goal, in his first game. Who is he?

5. Who were Minneapolis-St. Paul’s first NBA and NHL franchises?

6. This legend just retired from coaching the University of Minnesota baseball team. Name him.

7. Name the Minnesota golf club that has hosted every premier tournament of the PGA and USGA.

8. What was Bud Grant’s given name at birth?

9. Outfielder “Bombo” Rivera played for the Twins from 1978-1980. “Bombo” was his nickname but what was his real name?

10. Several years ago, these three slick fielding Twins outfielders liked to say: “Nothing falls (between them) but raindrops.” Who are they?

11. In 1968 Cesar Tovar of the Twins played every position in a game against the Oakland A’s. As a pitcher who did he strike out?

12. Name the public address announcer at the Metrodome who drew hoots with his warning: “No smoking in the Metrodome.”

13. Chad Hartman, son of media icon Sid Hartman, has a popular drive-time show on WCCO Radio. What powerhouse radio station did Chad work for prior to WCCO?

14. Who was the Viking who said “I play when I want to play” but then walked it back.

15. Who caught Bret Favre’s amazing 2009 touchdown pass to defeat the 49ers in game three of the season?

16. Who once said, “I play third-string center for the Vikings behind Mick Tingelhoff and Mick Tingelhoff hurt?”

17. Who is the former Golden Gopher basketball player who once made such a spectacular dunk at Williams Arena that ESPN referred to him as the “Jewish Jordan?”

18. Golden Gopher basketball coach Ben Johnson also played for Minnesota but at what school did he begin his Big Ten playing career?

19. Name the Golden Gophers football player who this summer is a preseason All-American.

20. What NBA honor did “The Big Ticket” win in 2004?

And the Answers Are…(See Grading at Bottom)

1. This is a real “groaner:” Tigers Hall of Famer Al Kaline. Get it: alkaline in batteries.

2. “Nordy”. Don’t know the species but word off the ice is that “Nordy” is a real party animal.

3. Emerging star Brock Faber, born in Maple Grove, Minnesota is the third native born player on the Wild roster.

4. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota’s star player. (Hope you’re building momentum with your answers to questions two, three and four).

5. The Minneapolis Lakers, who won five world championships in the City of Lakes, left town for Los Angeles after the 1959-1960 season, while the Minnesota North Stars, who never won a Stanley Cup, moved to Dallas after the 1992-1993 season.

6. John Anderson took over the University of Minnesota baseball program in 1981 and through his retirement last spring he coached in over half of all games the baseball Gophers ever played—dating back 136 years, per Joel Rippel from the Star Tribune.

7. Hazeltine National Golf Club has fulfilled the vision of more than 60 years ago that club founder Totton Heffelfinger and his colleagues had to bring the biggest of golf events to this area.

8. Harry Peter Grant, the great former Gophers athlete and Vikings head coach, died in March of 2023 and will forever be missed.

9. That was no “layup” question. Here’s the answer: Jesus Manuel Rivera. He got tagged with his nickname as a kid in Puerto Rico, with “Bombo” meaning flyball.

10. Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario were so slick in the field they could (presumably) even run down raindrops.

11. Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, “Mr. October”, was the batter Tovar struck out.

12. The late Bob Casey gave the no smoking edict and was the Twins’ public address voice every season from 1961-2004.

13. Chad Hartman was with KFAN prior to WCCO and almost a quarter century ago co-hosted “Chad and Barreiro” before he and Dan Barreiro split for separate shows on the station.

14. Controversial Randy Moss said those words in 2001 but gave “I play when I want to play” a different perspective after he retired from the NFL.

15. With 12-seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Vikings trailing 24-20 at the Metrodome, Favre threw deep into the end zone to WR Greg Lewis who tight-roped staying inbounds. The dramatic win made the Vikings 3-0 and got everyone believing a magical season awaited—and it did.

16. Center Godfrey Zaunbrecher watched the durable Tingelhoff play on and on. Tingelhoff never missed a game and started all 240 regular season games of his career that ended in 1978.

17. ESPN’s SportsCenter was blown away by Sam Jacobson’s spectacular dunk but incorrectly referred to him as “Jewish.”

18. Johnson, a college guard, started his Big Ten career at Northwestern (1999-2001) after graduating from Minneapolis DeLaSalle.

19. Athlon Sports College Football magazine named Gophers senior tackle Aireontae Ersery to its second team All-American offense. Phil Steele publications named the 6-6, 325 pound Ersery to its All-American third team.

20. Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett won the NBA MVP for the 2003-2004 season, averaging 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds as Minnesota emerged as one of the league’s elite teams.

Grading: answer 16-20 correctly and you’re invited to write the next sports trivia column. Scoring 11-15 right is worth two pats on the back. A pat on the fanny—from your significant other—is the reward for answering 6-10 correctly. O-5? It’s not too late to enroll in sports trivia summer school classes.

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