Miguel Sano – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers-Badgers Football Recruiting Rivalry Heats Up

Posted on July 9, 2023July 9, 2023 by David Shama

Two coveted high school offensive linemen have changed the recruiting storyline between the Gophers and Badgers. Minnesota’s recruiting class of 2024 has a verbal commitment from Nathan Roy of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, while Irondale High School’s Emerson Mandell has announced he will play for the Badgers.

For the Gophers and Badgers, trading off the No. 1 ranked recruits in their states is uncommon for sure. 247Sports has Roy as No. 1 in the state of Wisconsin in both its composite recruiting rankings and its own rankings. 247 has Mandell No. 3 in Minnesota in its rankings but No. 1 in the composite.

Although the Gophers have commitments from Roy and two other offensive linemen, they wanted Mandell who announced for Wisconsin a few days ago. The Badgers aren’t used to having the top players in Wisconsin say no to them and receiving a commitment from Mandell is something to crow about even though Roy is the more hyped prospect.

New Badgers coach Luke Fickell and his staff have seen their 2024 recruiting raise eyebrows so far. The 247Sports ranking of the state’s top five players show three commitments to Penn State, with one each to Minnesota and UCLA.

For about 30 years the Badgers have pretty much kept the state’s best players at home, but this year has been different with the program holding only two commitments so far among the 247Sports top 10 Wisconsin natives. The change in coaching staff may have had an impact, with relationships in the state starting over at Wisconsin high schools. Another change is the Badgers are abandoning their old-school meat grinder offense for an Air Raid attack.

Maybe this year is just a fluke for Badger recruiting in the state. Roy reportedly considered the Badgers, but he is relatively new to the state having lived elsewhere growing up. The Gophers, including respected offensive line coach Brian Callahan, capitalized on the opportunity to get Roy who 247 ranks as the No. 9 offensive line prospect nationally for the class of 2024. Mandell is No. 24.

The Gophers and Callahan have recent successes to pitch at recruits. John Michael Schmitz, a 2022 All-American center, was drafted in the second round by the Giants in last April’s NFL Draft. Daniel Faalele, a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in 2022, was the first Gopher offensive lineman to be drafted since 2006 when both Greg Eslinger and Mark Setterstrom were selected.

The pledge by Mandell to become a Badger is the third time in the last five classes that Wisconsin has taken the No. 1 player in Minnesota (offensive lineman Riley Mahlman from Lakeville South in 2021, linebacker Kaden Johnson of Minnehaha Academy in 2020). The Gophers haven’t secured the No. 1 player out of Wisconsin in maybe forever. In 2013 tight end Gaelin Elmore, the No. 6 player in Wisconsin per 247, joined the Gophers and had a successful career but usually Minnesota doesn’t even come close to a Roy or even an Elmore.

The Gophers have won three of their last five games against Wisconsin. More success in the rivalry could mean more recruiting “wins” in Dairyland.

Worth Noting

Stewart Mandell recently named his “they’re still playing college football team” for The Athletic. The team has players whose careers started as far back as 2016 and includes Gophers wide-receiver Chris Autman-Bell who has been in Minneapolis since 2017. “He has been at Minnesota for so long that he was part of P.J. Fleck’s first recruiting class.” Mandell wrote.

Fleck, who is taking vacation time this month, speaks July 27 at Big Ten football Media Days in Indianapolis. Watch for coverage of Media Days July 26 and 27 on the Big Ten Network.

Tom Swain (Photo credit University of Minnesota)

Tom Swain, the first academic advisor for athletics with the Gophers, turned 102 on July 4. Happy birthday, my friend.

Sports Headliners has learned that unlike the last two summers The Meadows at Mystic Lake will not host a Legends of the LPGA tournament. The Legends was founded in 2000 and is the official senior tour of the LPGA, showcasing former LPGA Tour players ages 45 and older. LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Juli Inkster won the first two tournaments at The Meadows in Prior Lake.

“We really enjoyed hosting the LPGA Legends golf tournament in 2021 and 2022. We decided to pause on hosting any professional tournaments this year but are pursuing potential LPGA opportunities for next year.” Mike Luckcraft, director of The Meadows at Mystic Lake, said in a statement to Sports Headliners.

There are many circle the date prep football games this fall and one is October 18 when Rogers plays at Mankato West. The past two seasons, Rogers has lost to West in the state Class 5A semifinals.

It was only six years ago that Miguel Sano, now 30 and out of baseball, represented the Twins in the MLB All-Star Game. In 2017 he hit .264 with 28 home runs and 77 RBI. Last season in 60 at bats with Minnesota his numbers were .083, 1 HR and 3 RBI.

It’s getting to the point where baseball fans may want to tell their grandchildren they saw Shohei Ohtaini. His Angels will be at Target Field once this season, playing a three-game series against the Twins September 22, 23 and 24. Ohtani’s pitching and designated hitting have prompted comparisons with the great Babe Ruth who not only was a fabled slugger but spent part of his career on the mound.

Twins radio voice Cory Provus said on Friday night’s broadcast that Brandon Hyde, the Orioles manager, was a finalist for the Twins’ managerial job in 2018 before Rocco Baldelli was hired. The Orioles play for a three-game sweep of the Twins today at Target Field.

Long time Twins fans will remember the name Johnny Sain who after his post-pitching career was a MLB pitching coach for multiple teams including the Twins. He was outspoken but is regarded as one of the better pitching coaches of all time. Among his students was Hall of Famer Jim Kaat who learned from Sain with the Twins in 1965 and 1966 (won 25 games) and with the White Sox 1974 and 1975 (21 and 20 wins).

“We just were a good fit,” Kaat told Sports Headliners. “He wasn’t a power pitcher during his career, but he really taught me a lot about pitching. Changing speeds, about control, learning to control your fast ball. He meant a lot to me. He’s the one that when the Twins did let me go he sort of suggested I make a change with my motion and all of a sudden that became very effective and I had a couple 20 game seasons doing that.”

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Don’t Bet on Cook’s Future with Vikes

Posted on February 3, 2023February 3, 2023 by David Shama

Dalvin Cook has rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last four seasons, but the 27-year-old may have played his last game for the Vikings as the club figures out how to manage the payroll. For 2023 the franchise is currently projected to be more than $24 million over the salary cap as allowed by the NFL.

A league insider told Sports Headliners he would move on from the player and what he said was an $11.8 million salary cap hit in 2022, and save $8 million in 2023. Cook is one of the more expensive running backs in the NFL and the source calls him a “luxury” that the team can no longer afford.

Cook, who has often been sidelined with injuries, has played a lot of football during his six-year pro career. He may no longer be the resource he once was. Last season he played in four more games than the year prior, but he had only 15 more carries and 14 more total rushing yards. His yards per carry of 4.4 was the lowest of his career.

Dalvin Cook photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The importance of running backs for the more successful NFL teams isn’t what it used to be. Some clubs aren’t paying high salaries to running backs including the 2023 Super Bowl Chiefs who start a seventh-round rookie. The Vikings could replace Cook with a running back by committee approach led by veteran Alexander Mattison who is three years younger.

Vikings’ all-world receiver Justin Jefferson, now approaching his fourth season, has emerged as the bell cow on offense, replacing Cook. “He’s not the guy anymore on offense,” said the source. “It’s Jefferson, and they gotta extend Jefferson. Get a new deal for him.”

The source, who prominently worked in NFL front offices in the past and remains knowledgeable about the league, isn’t optimistic the Vikings could generate trade interest in Cook. “If you could get a third (round pick) or something for Dalvin, that would be great but I don’t think they’re going to get it, and I think they’ll end up releasing him.”

The authority, speaking in an interview this morning on condition of anonymity, sees the Vikings also moving on from veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks as they figure out the salary cap that will be set at almost $225 million per team for 2023. They could also be intent on downsizing deals with wide receiver Adam Thielen and safety Harrison Smith.

Jefferson is likely to become the NFL’s best paid wide receiver, with his cap hit perhaps reduced by receiving a large signing bonus. The Vikings are also likely to extend quarterback Kirk Cousins who in 2023 will be in the last year of his deal expected to carry a salary cap hit of about $36 million.

If Cousins isn’t offered a one-year extension, it won’t send a positive message to the 34-year-old or the team. Last season he led the offense to eight comeback victories in Minnesota’s 13-win season.

The source quoted above doesn’t buy into fan interest for sending Cousins to the 49ers for either of two inexperienced quarterbacks (Trey Lance or Brock Purdy), plus perhaps a draft choice. “I think it would weaken the Vikings because I don’t think those guys at this stage of their careers are nearly as good as Kirk,” he said.

It’s believed that by extending Cousins, the Vikings could save about $15 million with the salary cap for 2023. That’s significant for a franchise looking for creative ways to stay within the cap.

The source expects either Ejiro Evero from the Broncos or Brian Flores from the Steelers to be the new defensive coordinator. He thinks head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to continue the 3-4 defensive scheme used by fired coordinator Ed Donatell but will be anticipating more blitzing and pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Schemes, of course, can be an asset but there is also consensus the Vikings need to upgrade their defensive personnel.

That includes a new deal to keep defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and figuring out linebacker Za’Darius Smith. Smith was an elite sacks and tackles for loss performer for the first part of the season, but a knee issue changed his productivity.

Worth Noting

Gophers All-American center John Michael Schmitz plays in the 74^th Senior Bowl Saturday and will draw evaluation from NFL teams including the Vikings. Garrett Bradbury, the Vikings’ center who missed several games last year with back problems, is a 2023 unrestricted free agent. The NFL Network will televise the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Alabama, with game time at 1:30 p.m. central.

Evan Hull, the former Maple Grove all-state running back, will also play in the Senior Bowl after choosing to leave Northwestern. As a redshirt junior last fall he rushed for 913 yards on a 1-11 Northwestern team.

In the Rivals national listing of the top 150 prep basketball prospects for the class of 2023, Gopher signee Cameron Christie from Rolling Hills, Illinois is ranked No. 140, while another shooting guard, Taison Chatman from Totino-Grace, is at No. 40. Chatman is a verbal commit to Ohio State.

The Gophers’ other 2023 signee, Dennis Evans, the 7-foot-1 center from Riverside, California, is ranked No. 11 and only one prep center is rated higher.

Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was featured recently in a New York Times story. He is missing his rookie season while rehabbing from offseason foot injury. Author David Gardner reported Thunder coach Mark Daigneault gave Holmgren a book from a Holocaust survivor to help him cope.

Michael Fulmer, who the Twins acquired last season from the Tigers, remains an unsigned free agent after posting a 3.39 ERA with the two teams in 2022. The right-handed reliever could fill a need for the 2023 Twins but be aware left-handed hitters hit .337 against him last season while he held right-handed batters to a .188 average, per stats from Baseballreference.com.

Former Minnesota slugger Miguel Sano, released by the Twins last year, seems like a potential fit in Japanese baseball but is still hoping to catch the interest of an MLB team.

Cory Provus, Twins radio play-by-play voice who stays busy in the baseball offseason working football and basketball games for the Big Ten Network, is the latest guest on the Behind the Game public access TV program with co-hosts Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson. The Chicago native, who has been with the Twins since 2012, is a graduate of the renowned S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C10RLkOnMQ

Jack Larson, the longtime GM at Xcel Energy Center, is no longer in that role, with Jim Ibister the interim replacement.

I am speaking to the CORES lunch group Thursday, March 9 at the Bloomington Event Center. Organizer Jim Dotseth will be sending out a meeting notification to past CORES attendees later in the month. Reservations can be made by emailing dotsethj@comcast.net. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Randy Shaver, the KARE-11 news anchor and former sportscaster with the station, has been tireless in efforts to encourage funding for cancer research including through high school football games (Tackle Cancer). His annual Rush to the Cure event will be June 4 and 5. https://randyshavercancerfund.org/events/rush-creek-golf-classic-gala/

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Vikings Great, Until They Are not

Posted on October 9, 2022October 9, 2022 by David Shama

Who are these Minnesota Vikings?

They looked like the 2009 version of the Purple in the first half today, making almost all the right moves while taking a 21-3 lead over the then hapless Bears from Chicago. But the now 2-3 Bears made adjustments after trailing 21-10 at halftime and forced a close game before the Vikings won 29-22 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

These Bears aren’t the legendary “Monsters of the Midway.” In fact they probably are the worst team Minnesota has played this season while rolling to a 4-1 record and sole possession of first place tonight in the NFC North.

Living up to their reputation, the Bears started their initial possession in the first quarter with a delay of game. Hard to duplicate that even in Pop Warner ball. But give them credit for rallying in the second half before screwing up again. Trailing 29-22, Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette declined to duck out of bounds in the closing moments of the fourth quarter and stop the clock. Much criticized Minnesota cornerback Cam Dantzler made the play of his young career by stripping Marsette of the football and ending Chicago’s hopes.

This was supposed to be a verdict day on how good the Vikings are. They started by scoring a knockout. Quarterback Kirk Cousins set a franchise record by completing 17 consecutive passes in the first half. Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson had 10 catches for 138 yards. Dalvin Cook ran for two scores.

The third touchdown of the first half came on a flip pass from Cousins of one-yard to reserve receiver Jalen Reagor. The score was set up on a drive that included Jefferson throwing across the field to Dalvin Cook on a 23-yard reception.

The creativity of the first half had a Vikings historian wondering how soon it will be before head coach and play caller Kevin O’Connell will be anointed the franchise’s greatest offensive mastermind ever. It was O’Connell, a week after his punter completed a pass for a first down, that devised schemes allowing Jefferson room to catch passes despite being one of the NFL’s most targeted playmakers.

The unflappable new Vikings coach is Mr. Popular in Purple Nation. He stands in contrast to his predecessor, Mike Zimmer, who often looked dour and had a disconnect with Cousins. Now Cousins seems reborn under the new administration. He even used his legs to run for the winning touchdown today before throwing to Jefferson for a two-point conversion making the score 29-22. Often targeted by critics for not delivering enough results, he has quarterbacked Minnesota to three consecutive wins and fourth quarter comebacks in two of the last three games.

The Vikings are following the NFL trend of playing games not decided until the closing minutes. Their success has been a surprise, partially because the schedule hasn’t been overly imposing. They caught Aaron Rodgers with a new band of receivers in their opening game and won. Across the pond in London last week, the Saints were playing without their top quarterback and running back, factors helping Minnesota to another win.

More good fortune may await. Next Sunday the Vikings play the Dolphins who because of injuries were down to their third string quarterback today. Yes, the Vikings may not emerge as a great team this fall, but so far they seem to be in the right place at the right time. Just ask Marsette, the former Viking, who turned his first reception with the Bears into a costly boo-boo.

Worth Noting

St. Paul native and Cretin-Derham Hall alum Patrick Markley takes over as North Oaks Golf Club general manager October 17. He has worked at various private golf clubs accros the country and most recently was head professional at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Luis Arraez had a $2,125,000 one-year deal to play for the Twins this season. The 2022 American League batting champ was paid less in base salary than 15 other rostered players including Miguel Sano at $9,250,000 and Emilio Pagan, $2,300,000, per Spotrac.com.

With promising young outfield talent like Forest Lake’s Matt Wallner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Twins move on in the offseason from veteran right fielder Max Kepler who made $6,750,000, according to Spotrac. Wallner, 24, is the Twins Minor League Player of the Year, after hitting 277 with 27 home runs and an OPS of .953.

Other developments in the offseason could be a new pitching coach (with interim Pete Maki staying with the organization) and changes in strength and conditioning personnel after an injury-riddled season.

The Twins finished the season with a 78-84 record. The prediction here last summer was 76-86.

Home attendance was under 2 million for the third time in the last four seasons (dating back to 2018 and not including the pandemic year of 2020). Minnesota finished No. 9 among AL franchises with Target Field attendance of 1,801,128.

Forbes reported MLB attendance was down almost 6 percent from the 2019 season prior to the pandemic. With an exciting team that won the Central Division title the Twins drew 2,294,152 fans at home.

University of Minnesota alum and Redwood Falls native Craig Thompson, who has been head of the Mountain West Conference for nearly 24 years, will resign as commissioner effective December 31.

Word is out Colorado State, one of that league’s more competitive teams, will come to Minneapolis October 22 for a private scrimmage against Ben Johnson’s Gophers in Williams Arena. Minnesota native Niko Medved, a former Gopher student-manager under Clem Haskins, has won 20 games or more the last three seasons at Colorado State.

Former Gophers guard Jamal Mashburn Jr., playing for ex-Minnesota coach Richard Pitino at New Mexico, will be a favorite to be first team all-Mountain West next winter. He was a third teamer last season.

Lindy’s college basketball magazine predicts New Mexico will have a so-so season but picks Long Beach State, led by former Gopher coach Dan Monson, will win the Big West Conference. Monson has been coaching at Long Beach since he was fired by the Gophers during the 2006-2007 season. His record with the Beach is 237-242.

When UCLA joins the Big Ten in 2024, the Bruins will bring with them 11 national championships in men’s basketball. Big Ten teams collectively have won 10.

St. Thomas, in its second season of Division I football, is tied with Valparaiso for first place at 2-0 in the Pioneer League. The Tommies defeated Davidson 27-16 yesterday.

Mark Haugejorde, the project manager of Tepetonka, is the latest guest on “Behind the Game.” He talks with co-hosts Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson about the new high-end golf club being built near New London- Spicer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU9dA9T1rxI

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