NCAA – Page 112 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Playoff Type Game for Vikings Tonight

Posted on December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 by David Shama

Enjoy a Monday morning notes column “colored mostly purple” with Vikings items.

Maybe I know something (or if you prefer, just assume I am speculating), but the Vikings offense likely will have an aggressive plan for tonight’s game against the Seahawks in Seattle. That unit has been under scrutiny for not producing enough points, lacking a running attack and faulty play calling.

A week ago the Patriots offense used early plays to spread the field and sometimes attack the flanks of the Minnesota defense in a game New England went on to win 24-10. Might the Vikings do something similar tonight, including misdirection plays to counter an aggressive Seahawks defense?

Minnesota hasn’t scored more than 25 points in a game since October 28. Head coach Mike Zimmer has regretted not having a better running game and after the New England loss the Vikings ranked 30th among 32 NFL teams in rushing. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has been scrutinized for his work.

The Vikings, 6-5-1, have four remaining regular season games and while some people within the organization don’t want to publicly place extra importance on the outcome tonight, others are willing. “We’re treating this game like a playoff game,” said wide receiver Brandon Zylstra. “Two…teams (Vikings and Seahawks) that are really fighting for a playoff spot right now. We’re going to bring the fight to them. Just be as physical as possible. We know a lot rides on this game.”

The NFC rival Seahawks are 7-5 and one of the teams that could potentially keep the Vikings out of the playoffs. Zimmer, who is often cautious about his comments with the media, was asked if the game has a playoff feel to him.

“I think going on the road with that crowd and the type of football team that they are, I think yeah, a little bit,” he said. “These next four games will determine what we do, and where we go, and how we perform in the clutch. Yeah, I guess you could say that.”

Vikings safety Harrison Smith: “We’re right where we need to be. That’s it.”

Not only do the Seahawks annually field competitive teams, but playing at noisy CenturyLink Field is challenging. The Seahawks are 41-12 in their last 53 home games and fans will be extra charged for tonight’s game that is so important to both teams and is being played on national TV. Since 2010, the Seahawks are 24-5-1 in prime time games, outscoring opponents 775 to 427.

How much pressure is there on coaches to win in the NFL? One way to look at it is that Zimmer, who has coached the Vikings since 2014, is the only remaining head coach in the four-team NFC North Division from last season.

Zimmer on first-year offensive coordinator DeFilippo: “I think he’s doing a good job. We talk all the time. We talk about things…I think are important and I think he tries to do those.”

First-year quarterback Kirk Cousins has some impressive stats including his 3,289 passing yards—the second most in team history for the first 12 games of a season (Warren Moon is first at 3,511 yards in 1994). Cousins needs 328 yards to set the franchise record for 13 games.

Zylstra, who attended New London-Spicer High School, plans to be at Saturday’s Minnesota Football Showcase at U.S. Bank Stadium. He played in the annual all-star football game that recognizes outstanding prep seniors. “Sure, I loved my time (as an all-star), that was something I really enjoyed out of high school,” Zylstra said.

Quarterback Cole Kramer from Eden Prairie and running back-safety Jason Williamson from Owatonna, both Gopher verbal commits to become freshmen in 2019, are among those playing in the Saturday afternoon game.

Former Vikings head coach Bud Grant, who was at the Triple Crown Sports Card and Bobblehead Show last Saturday in Bloomington, was surrounded by memorabilia including from his playing days with the NBA Minneapolis Lakers. Grant said he is the only living member of the 1950 Lakers team.

Kansas State could make a savvy coaching hire by convincing North Dakota State’s Chris Klieman to replace Wildcats’ legend Bill Snyder who has retired. If Klieman were to take over at K-State, it would make sense for he and his staff to continue recruiting undervalued Minnesota prep players just as he has done in winning FCS national titles with the Bison.

Renowned emcee and public address announcer Dick Jonckowski is pleased with sales of his book that came out last summer, and reports over 940 copies have been sold. It’s All About Me, Dick Jonckowski: A Minnesota Treasure is filled with tales and jokes from the Minnesota native’s colorful life. More at Polisheagle.com.

Holiday spirit: The Minnesota Wild hosts a coat drive to benefit the Salvation Army Tuesday night at Xcel Energy Center when the team plays Montreal. Coats and monetary donations will be collected at Gates 1-5 from 5:15 p.m. until midway through the first period. New and “gently-used” winter coats for children and adults are needed. Wild defenseman Greg Pateryn will deliver the coats to the Salvation Army on Dec. 17.

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Ex-Gopher Was U President Candidate

Posted on December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 by David Shama

Although it hasn’t been reported, Minneapolis native and former Gophers linebacker Pete Najarian was a candidate to be the next President of the University of Minnesota. Najarian, who was co-captain of the 1985 Gophers, confirmed his candidacy to Sports Headliners during a telephone interview this week.

Najarian, who found success and fame nationally as an options trader, financial markets analyst and TV personality, didn’t seek the position that now has a sole finalist in University of South Carolina Provost Joan Gabel. “The fact that I was nominated was very flattering,” Najarian said.

Najarian loves the University and pursued the school’s athletic director’s position before it was filled in 2016 by Mark Coyle. Unlike that process when he was given a formal interview, there was no such sit down for the President’s position, although he had conversations with selection committee members.

To some observers of the Presidential selection process that could raise the question of whether a business person with an accomplished background like Najarian was treated as a serious candidate. “You know, I think it’s a tough thing, quite frankly. I think they were legitimately considering (alternative) folks but I think also they’re looking for somebody…within the educational system already,” Najarian said. “I am sure there are many, many highly qualified candidates out there…who have great résumés from different universities.”

Najarian has an easy going personality, and that along with his professional background, could have made him a strong leader and uniter of the many factions at the University. He said that while the President’s position “was not something I had sat back and dreamed about like I did the AD position,” he envisioned things where he could make the University better.

A source told Sports Headliners the final three candidates to become President were all females and high level administrators at other schools. Cabal would be the first female President ever at the University of Minnesota.

Worth Noting

Condolences to family and friends regarding the death this week of pro wrestling legend and Minnesota native Larry “The Axe” Hennig. He was a star in the old American Wrestling Association that entertained generations of fans in Minneapolis, St. Paul and other major cities.

Jim Brunzell, another AWA star, emailed with the news yesterday and wrote: “I affectionately called him Dad, and would greet him with a hug and big kiss on the cheek! May he rest in peace!”

Former Spring Lake Park football player E.J. Ejiya, a senior at North Texas, was named this week as a Conference USA all-league first-team linebacker. After graduating from high school in 2014, he became a Junior College All-American at North Dakota State College of Science. His skills and work ethic have him positioned now as an NFL prospect.

Ejiya ranks fourth nationally in tackles for loss with 23 and leads the Mean Green in sacks with 9 (fourth in C-USA). His 113 total tackles are also fourth most in the league. As the top rated defensive player for North Texas, he has a grade of 86.5 from Pro Football Focus. That ranks him 26th among all FBS linebackers.

A side benefit for the Golden Gophers in preparing for Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense in the December 26 Quick Lane Bowl is that Georgia Southern, Minnesota’s nonconference opponent on September 14 of next year, also employs that seldom used system. The run-dominated offense at Southern is coached by coordinator Bob DeBesse who was Gopher OC under Jim Wacker from 1992-96.

Will the Gophers have all their starters for the Quick Lane Bowl game on December 26? Maybe more on that later.

Bud Grant will be at the Triple Crown Sports Card and Bobblehead Show from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. Two of his former Vikings players, Bob Lurtsema and Dave Brown, make appearances from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer was in the holiday spirit last weekend at Mauer Chevrolet where he was helping build bicycles for Toys for Tots.

Mark Rosen said he is retiring January 10 from his longtime position as WCCO TV’s No. 1 sports anchor. Rosen, whose wife Denise is dealing with cancer, had announced earlier this year he intended to retire from TV in April but he has moved up the date. The 67-year-old started working part-time at WCCO TV in 1969 and will be missed a lot by Minnesota sports fans.

Rosen told Sports Headliners he has signed a new contract with KFAN and will continue a regular role with the Minneapolis FM station. His new schedule without TV but with radio will allow him to be home by late afternoon weekdays. The Rosen family will vacation in Mexico later in the month.

Recently retired Star Tribune sports editor Glen Crevier is interviewed on “Behind the Game,” the Twin Cities cable TV program co-hosted by Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson. Crevier had a 43 year career in journalism, including the last 20 at the Star Tribune. He is passionate about college football and has visited famous stadiums including Michigan Stadium this year. In addition to cable, the Crevier interview can also be viewed on YouTube.

As the nation mourns the death and also celebrates the life of George H.W. Bush, coaches and athletes could pause and remember the grace and humility with which the former war hero and President lived his life.

Today’s “look at what I did” athletes stand in sharp contrast to the quiet, humble and kind manner in which Mr. Bush lived his life including accomplishments that in perspective were far more important than winning touchdowns, last minute goals and ninth inning home runs. When the heroes from “The Greatest Generation” scored touchdowns, they simply handed the football to the referee. After a creative scoring play in basketball, the athlete from that era quietly headed back up the court to take his position on defense.

Hotdogging after a spectacular accomplishment in sports or another endeavor? Mocking an opponent by wagging a finger, or nodding a head? Not in Mr. Bush’s generation that included all those World War II men and women who came home and were reluctant to even talk about what they had seen and done.

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‘Jury’ Still Out on Vikings Kirk Cousins

Posted on December 3, 2018December 3, 2018 by David Shama

After last night’s 24-10 loss to the Patriots, the Vikings are 0-4 this season against teams with winning records. That also means Minnesota’s new $84 million starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, is also 0-4 for the 6-5-1 Vikings who are scrambling to make the NFL playoffs after a near Super Bowl run last season.

Cousins has been impressive many times this season, including in Minnesota’s 24-17 win over the Packers late last month. He completed 29 of 38 passes for 342 yards, with three touchdown throws and a QB rating of 129.5. That doesn’t mean, though, that NFL authorities who praise him don’t also express concerns.

In yesterday’s game the Vikings scored only one touchdown, a late second quarter end zone reception by wide receiver Adam Thielen. The Vikings had struggled in the first half to get themselves going with an offense referred to as “herky-jerky” by former Viking linebacker Ben Leber.

Although the Vikings managed just a second half field goal for points, Leber saw a better quarterback. “He doesn’t seem like he’s playing mentally very fast (the first two quarters)…they come out in the second half and he was like a completely different quarterback,” Leber said during postgame comments on KFXN Radio. “I just don’t understand why it takes a lot of time to get him really mentally involved in the football game.”

During the national TV telecast on Fox, Troy Aikman, the former Super Bowl winning quarterback for the Cowboys, said Cousins can struggle with defensive pressure. The Patriots sacked him twice in the game and other times had him under duress. Although he avoided some blitzes, he threw two interceptions and had his lowest quarterback rating of the season at 70.4.

“There are certain instincts that good quarterbacks have,” former Viking defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema told Sports Headliners. “…They know when they have pressure from the right side, the left side or behind. I don’t know whether he (Cousins) picks it up fast enough.”

The Vikings have been looking for a consistent running game all season including yesterday, and they rank 30th among 32 NFL teams, averaging 86.1 yards per game. “You gotta establish a running game,” Lurtsema said. “Once I know you don’t have a running game as a defensive lineman, that puts twice as much pressure on the quarterback.”

Cousins could help himself with timely runs but often seems reluctant to do so. Yesterday he didn’t have a single rushing attempt or yard. With the Patriots showing the Vikings different looks during the game, a timely scramble or running in a straight line for a first down would have helped.

The 30-year-old was sacked a career high 41 times last season playing for the Redskins. Opponents have put him on the ground 30 times this season with four more games to play.

“He’s got the arm. He’s smart. He’s just a great, great kid,” Lurtsema said. “…As far as the few negative things he does have, you can overcome them very easily once you establish the running game.”

Lurtsema and many others will be rooting for Cousins as the Vikings close out the schedule with a chance of winning the NFC North Division title, or at least gaining entry into the playoffs as a wild card team. Cousins has already established himself here as a personable and high character individual.

Worth Noting

Lurtsema, who played in the 1970s, talking about the trend toward guaranteed contracts in the NFL: “Once they get job security in the National Football League, a lot of them lose that competitiveness.”

That is University of Minnesota regent Michael Hsu who wrote an article posted on Deadspin.com last Friday headlined “Here’s A Fair Way To Pay College Athletes For Their Labor.”

He writes that the NCAA “…should allow the total compensation received by athletes at any school within a conference to be equal to the highest-value full ride within the same conference. Better still, the NCAA could permit total allowable compensation for every athlete in the nation to equal that of whichever school is the most expensive in a given year. (Northwestern’s full ride was the most expensive among all Division I schools in 2017-2018.)”

By full ride (Northwestern was $70,385) Hsu is referring to the fact schools are already “…permitted to pay athletes with grant-in-aid scholarships, which are good for tuition and fees, room, board, and books, as well as small cost-of-attendance stipends.” He suggests the easiest way to distribute the increased compensation to athletes would be via cash payments, increasing the amounts of the cost of living stipends they already receive.

Cyndi Bickerstaff, vice president of event operations for the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four® Local Organizing Committee, is the sister of former Gophers basketball player J.B. Bickerstaff who is now head coach of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

Andrew Wiggins, the Timberwolves second highest compensated player with a reported $147.7 million deal, is averaging five-year career lows in minutes, points per game and field goal percentage. By position a small forward or shooting guard, his limitations are often glaring including needing the ball to be a team contributor.

The Twin Cities Dunkers have gifted over $593,000 in the last eight years to the athletic departments of Minneapolis and St. Paul high schools.

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