NIKO MEDVED – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings & Rodgers Meet Sunday After Off-Season Flirtation

Posted on September 22, 2025September 23, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Monday notes column.

It looks like a soap opera season regarding the Vikings quarterback position after journeyman Carson Wentz was more than serviceable yesterday in subbing for injured first-year QB J.J. McCarthy. Wentz, starting for his sixth NFL team in six consecutive years, looked settled in the pocket and threw two touchdown passes while completing 14 of 20 throws in Minnesota’s 48-10 win.

Wentz’s poise, decision making and performance contrasted to the mostly skittish play of the 22-year-old McCarthy in the team’s first two games. His high ankle sprain perhaps will keep him sidelined until after the team’s next two games in Europe and bye week of October 12.

Since the 2-1 Vikings passed on veteran options during the past offseason to anoint McCarthy with the job, it will be interesting to see if head coach Kevin O’Connell puts Wentz back on the bench upon McCarthy’s return to the active roster. Does that happen even if the Vikings defeat the Steelers in Dublin next Sunday and take down the Browns the following Sunday in London?

Ironically, the Vikings face future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Dublin. The not so well known truth is there was considerable mutual interest between the Vikings and Rodgers during the offseason about having him play for Minnesota in 2025.

It’s believed Rodgers would have preferred Minneapolis to Pittsburgh. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, ownership and O’Connell looked at the possibility but in the end the coach apparently decided McCarthy was his first choice.

That decision could end up being highly supported or criticized. Same with an October decision to either continue on with Wentz or bench him upon McCarthy’s return. Remember, too, the Vikings had off-season options to retain 2024 star Sam Darnold or even turn to 2024 late season acquisition Daniel Jones, another veteran with a career of mixed results.

“As the World Turns on the Purple Quarterback Stage.”

Rodgers, 41, had two touchdown passes in the (2-1) Steelers’ 21-14 win at New England yesterday. He has 510 career regular-season touchdown passes and has surpassed Brett Favre (508 touchdown passes) for the fourth-most in NFL history.

O’Connell said after the thorough beat down of the Bengals he was pleased with the response of his team after losing the previous game to the Falcons. He’s impressed with the leadership on the team.

“…It’s not just our eight captains. We’ve got nearly 30 players (who) received votes to be captains this year, and I can name player after player that showed up today and were phenomenal for their team, and just so proud of those guys.”

Credit Minneapolis attorney and sports historian Marshall Tanick with asking the question about who was the last University of Minnesota former quarterback to play in a regular season NFL game prior to yesterday. On Sunday Max Brosmer entered the Viking game in the fourth quarter and became the first former Gopher to do that since Cory Sauter. Playing for the Bears in the 2002 regular season finale, the Hutchinson native completed 6 of 9 passes for 59 yards in the game.

Star wide receiver Jordan Addison returns for the Steeler game after serving a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He had 885 receiving yards last season, second on the team to superstar WR Justin Jefferson.

Yesterday showed how topsy-turvy the NFL can be. The Bengals, now 2-1, lost their first game of the season while the Vikings made up for a poor performance in Week Two against the Falcons who struggled so much yesterday against the Panthers that starter Michael Penix, Jr. was benched and Atlanta fell to Carolina, 30-0. The Packers, after two games almost coronated as Super Bowl champs, were upset by the lowly 1-2 Browns in Cleveland.

The Gophers, 2-1, have almost a must win on Saturday at home against 3-1 Rutgers. Minnesota needs a win to keep hopes in place of having an above .500 season and quality bowl invitation.

Athan Kaliakmanis, the former Gopher starting quarterback, looks much improved in his second season leading Rutgers. He is second in Big Ten passing yards with 1,150 (USC’s Jayden Maiava is first with 1,223). Kaliakmanis was on target throwing the ball for a while in a 38-28 loss to Iowa last week, but his production fell off in the second half as the Hawkeyes defended him with more pressure.

Kaliakmanis departed the Gophers after a so-so 2023 season. Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck was asked today about his emotions regarding his former starter going into this week.

“Listen, this is Rutgers versus Minnesota. I got a lot of respect for what they do and how they do it. He’s playing really well in his fifth year in that type of same system. You’d expect to see that type of growth that he has shown, and has played in. He’s playing at a high level.”

The Gophers men’s basketball team opened fall practice today at Williams Arena where coach Niko Medved expects his team will hold workouts a couple times per week. Cal transfer B.J. Omot, a Mankato native, will be available for practice after late spring surgery for a leg issue. Omot, a 6-8 redshirt junior forward, figures into what Medved predicts will be a nine-man rotation in games for the Gophers.

Redshirt 6-3 junior guard Chance Stephens, the transfer from Maryland, has been dealing with an illness and Medved said today “he has not been able to do anything yet.” The coach said Stephens’ return plan is uncertain.

Max Gizzi, the fifth year transfer 6-1 guard from NAIA Huntington University, impressed Medved during the summer but then broke his foot. The coach estimated another six weeks or so before he returns to practice.

Guard Isaac Asuma, from Cherry, Minnesota, had extensive playing experience last season and Medved gushed about him. Not only is the 6-3 guard talented but is “just an exceptional dude” with his personality and attitude.

The Gophers have an exhibition opener at home October 16 against North Dakota State. The first game is also at home, November 3 against Gardner-Webb.

Medved’s 2026 high school recruiting class of verbal recruits is ranked No. 6 in the nation by 247Sports. He is “pretty happy” with the three-player class but said “potentially one more” recruit could be added.

Tim Connelly, president of basketball operations for the Timberwolves, speaks to the Capital Club on October 4 at Mendakota Country Club. More information about the club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Publicity ramps up on the Timberwolves next week with the team holding Media Day next Monday.

The Wild is making a number of training camp practices at TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center in St. Paul open to the public. Fans need to register at http://wild.com/openpractices to attend an open practice.

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Ownership Speculation Puts Spotlight on Falvey, Baldelli

Posted on August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 by David Shama

If the Pohlad family finds a buyer for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the next six months (no guarantees), that new individual or group will decide the fate of employees including club president Derek Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli.

Fans rightfully expect new ownership to be passionate and knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions about their MLB acquisition. Keeping the status quo, of course, will require the least work, including retention of Falvey the leader of baseball personnel decisions since October of 2016 and Baldelli, the field boss dating back to the 2019 season when he was chosen American League Manager of the Year.

That combo’s highlights include the Twins division titles in 2019, 2020 and 2023. Falvey’s 2017 team was also a Wild Card entrant in the playoffs. During his entire regime the Twins have won a single playoff series in the postseason.

Over the years much of the fan base has soured on Falvey and Baldelli. A team last season that looked like a cinch to make the playoffs went through a late season collapse including losing 25 of 37 games. The Twins finished 82-80 and Falvey and ownership received criticism for not making mid-season moves to strengthen the roster.

This summer personnel moves by Falvey gutted 40 percent of the team’s roster, moving 11 players in what was an unprecedented 96-hour stretch in club history. The team moved on from key contributors, particularly in the bullpen, in return for a clubhouse full of prospects.

New ownership will have to decide if Falvey and Baldelli, and those who work for them, measure up to whatever standard they set for performance. Ownership must discern in the highly competitive marketplace of Major League Baseball, how good are the two at what they do?

Falvey and Baldelli backers can argue they have done okay or better with the limited payroll the Pohlads have dictated. And certainly, this summer’s result of saving a reported $30 million from the payroll wasn’t a move that ownership didn’t have its hands involved with.

The Twins have a serious product and image challenge with the public including present and past season ticket holders. Apathy and disgruntlement have been building for years and is not likely to change until there is new ownership.

The reconstructed Twins could sweep away some gloom among the more loyal fans if they vastly exceed low expectations from now through the rest of the season. On the positive side, this bargain basement roster of unknowns, journeymen and holdovers has won five of its last eight games.

If the Twins were somehow able to play over .500 baseball the rest of the way that would be an achievement worth noting on the resumes of Falvey and Baldelli. That could quiet some of the speculation that the Twins are three years or more from being a division and post season contender.

If the club collapses in August and September, the move on from Falvey and Baldelli voices will grow louder. And if new ownership wants to make the proverbial “clean sweep” of its front office and manager/coaches, that’s the quickest way to create a new image and ease the anger among Twins fans.

Retention of those presently in authority will require courage and explaining by new ownership.

Niko Medved Talks Keeping Best Hoops Talent Home

For most of this millennium the men’s Gopher basketball program has been unable to bring the best players in the state to Dinkytown. From Tyus Jones to Chet Holmgren, the elites have gone elsewhere.

That has contributed to dismal results at Minnesota. In the past 20 seasons the Gophers have one winning season in Big Ten games. Twice during that stretch, they have won an NCAA Tournament game.

In the class of 2026 the top two prep players in the state, according to 247Sports, are Faribault center Ryan Kreager and Wayzata shooting guard Christian Wiggins. They’re committed to Loyola Chicago and Iowa State respectively. Wayzata small forward Nolen Anderson is ranked No. 3 and verbally committed to the Gophers.

New head coach Niko Medved was asked by Sports Headliners what it will take to reverse the longstanding trend at Minnesota of not convincing the most elite players to choose the program. Medved said there’s “a lot to sell here” and at his previous job (Colorado State) there was a track record of winning and helping players reach full potential.

“Playing in a system that they love playing in, that is conducive to them growing and developing as a player,” Medved said. “I think we have a great culture that guys want to be a part of and it’s just continuing to sell that. …We have really made an effort to do that and try to get the best guys, but they gotta be the best fit for us.

“…I look at what P.J. (Fleck) has done right across the way (for football). It didn’t necessarily happen for him right away but, man, he just kept chopping wood, chopping wood, and selling and selling, and now look at it. All these guys from around the area want to come and play for the Gophers. And we are going to get there too.”

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Brian Flores Likes What He Sees in Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Posted on July 29, 2025July 29, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

All eyes seemingly are on first-year Vikings starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy at training camp. Among those most qualified to give an opinion about the 22-year-old is defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Flores said yesterday part of the strategy in preparing the inexperienced quarterback is “giving him a lot of different looks” from the defense. “I think J.J. has done a great job. I really do. I think he’s got real good command of the offense. I think he’s throwing the ball really well. I think he’s doing a lot of nice things and I’ve liked watching him improve. That’s good for everybody.”

Seems like when, not if, Flores will leave from his successful run here and accept an NFL head coaching position elsewhere. As in past seasons, it appears likely Flores will hear his name speculated on for openings in the fall and early winter.

Flores had a head coaching job previously, leading the Dolphins from 2019-2021. That tenure didn’t end well with a 24-25 record and negative feelings about his dismissal.

Flores has flourished in two previous seasons as leader of the Vikings defense. In his first two seasons leading the defense (2023-24), Minnesota had 53 total takeaways, the third most in the NFL trailing only Buffalo (59) and Pittsburgh (57). The Vikings have also held foes to an average of 96.1 rushing yards per game under Flores. That’s the third-fewest rushing yards per game over the past two seasons, behind only Detroit (93.6) and Baltimore (94.7).

Flores, who was a finalist for the Associated Press Assistant Coach of the Year for 2024, has not only polished his resume here, but also assimilated the offensive wisdom and coaching prowess of head coach Kevin O’Connell. In three seasons O’Connell has dazzled as a quarterback developer and offensive strategist.

Flores praises the way the offense goes about its business, from leadership to how the unit practices. He is comfortable going into the boss’s office and “picking his brain” on things like pass protection or route concepts. He describes O’Connell’s relationships with others as a “super power.”

“My time with him has been incredible these last two years and this year as well,” Flores said. “I think I am pretty good in some areas. Areas I am not as good in, he’s really good in. So just kind of naturally I get better in those areas. …”

Flores describes a “bit of a chess match” between the Vikings offense and defense as both units work on details to improve themselves and each other. Flores knows O’Connell is loaded with football smarts. “X’s and O’s wise, he’s as good as they get,” Flores said.

No word on who will be replacing recently retired Joe Schmit as sports director at KSTP TV. If the successor comes internally, seems likely the choice could be Chris Long who was the No. 2 behind Schmit.

George Schauer, the point man on the Golden Gophers famous Harlem Globetrotters-like warmup show in the early 1970s, died earlier this month in Dallas. Coach Bill Musselman put Schauer on scholarship strictly because of his ballhandling skills and trickery as he led his teammates through a pre-game show set to music that packed Williams Arena and had fans roaring with delight.

Former Gophers assistant coach Kevin Wilson told Sports Headliners Schauer scored two points in his four-year career and that Schauer and the Williams Arena faithful went bonkers when he made his field goal.

Schauer entertained with his basketball wizardry after college with his most recent gig as an ambassador for the Frisco, Texas based Texas Legends of the G League. That’s the official minor league of the NBA.

New coach Niko Medved’s 2025 Gophers have their last day of summer practice Thursday. Medved meets with the media that day to provide an evaluation.

Cody Nagel from Cbssports.com ranked the 18 Big Ten football coaches last week and Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck is at No. 8. Coaches above Fleck starting at No. 1 are Ryan Day, Ohio State; Dan Lanning, Oregon; James Franklin, Penn State; Lincoln Riley, USC; Kirk Ferentz, Iowa; Curt Cignetti, Indiana; Bret Bielema, Illinois.

Pioneer League football coaches voted St. Thomas to finish third in the standings this fall behind San Diego and Drake. In four previous seasons in the league, head coach Glenn Caruso’s Tommies have finished top three each year including a championship in 2022.

Twins infielder Luke Keaschall (right forearm) remains on rehab assignment with the Saints after having only 19 at bats with Minnesota this season. Pitcher Bailey Ober (left hip impingement) is also rehabbing with the Saints and has a 1.00 ERA in nine innings and two starts.

Don’t look now but while Twins pitching ace Pablo Lopez is sidelined the man traded to obtain Lopez, infielder Luis Arraez, is hitting .322 in his last 30 games and lifted his season average to .292.

Twins legends and hall of famers Jim Kaat and Rod Carew speak to the Twin Cities Dunkers on August 15.

Congratulations to Jeff Maday on being inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame. The track’s media relations manager has been with the racing facility for more than 30 years and started as a groom.

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