Recruiting – Page 96 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Could Wild Lose $1.5 Million Per Game?

Posted on September 14, 2012September 14, 2012 by David Shama

A Sports Headliners hockey source estimates the Wild could lose up to $1.5 million per game if the upcoming NHL season is postponed or cancelled.

The current collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players expires tomorrow night. If a new deal isn’t struck during the immediate hours ahead the source predicted it could take until about January 1 to start the season.

Even having a new agreement in place by then would be better than eight years ago when failed negotiations between players and owners wiped out the entire season of 2004-05. “A terrible time,” the source said.

His believes the Wild might lose $1 million in ticket revenues for each game played next season, plus other revenues including concessions, merchandising, suite purchases and parking. The pending work stoppage comes at an unfortunate time for the Wild who with the summer signing of free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter caused such a stir in the local sports market it’s possible the franchise could move to No. 2 in popularity behind the Vikings.

Most NHL players don’t get paid until the season starts but Parise and Suter received bonuses of $10 million this summer, according to the source. He also said the Wild ownership is probably working on a plan now regarding how front office employees will be compensated if the coming season is delayed for a long time.

Wild players have been working out at local rinks including the Bloomington Ice Gardens and Orono Ice Arena. They are expected to be physically prepared whenever the season starts.

Football Notes & More:

The Gophers (2-0) are favored by only a few points to defeat Western Michigan (1-1) tomorrow at TCF Bank Stadium, and there was talk earlier in the week about the Broncos being the odds-makers’ choice. Either way it doesn’t impact senior Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray.

“As a freshman I was worried what outsiders thought about us,” Gray said. “You realize the only people that matter are the ones wearing the uniforms or that’s in this building (Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex). The comments and stuff that people say doesn’t stick to me anymore.”

Minnesota players were aggressive and focused last week, despite playing FCS New Hampshire. Coach Jerry Kill wants his team to approach each game with an “underdog” mentality, regardless of the opponent. “We feel we should do that every weekend,” Gray said looking back on the New Hampshire game.

The 6-4, 250-pound Gray ranks eighth among Big Ten rushers with 177 yards. He’s no proponent of sliding to avoid tacklers. “I don’t think about it,” he said. “I just think about how big I am. I just use my size and know that I am basically like a d-end playing quarterback. I can fall forward to get two yards. Lowering my shoulder or trying to get out of bounds are my best options. So sliding is never an option.”

Speculation a few years ago was the Gophers’ Ra’Shede Hageman would be a standout tight end in college. Although he played offense and defense at Washburn High School, he knew his preference.

“I didn’t care about defense,” he said. “I didn’t like it.”

Now a junior and one of the most promising defensive linemen in the Big Ten, Hageman has three sacks in two games and is tied for the Big Ten lead in that category with Purdue’s Kawann Short.

Broncos quarterback Alex Carder threw five touchdown passes last Saturday in a 52-21 win over Eastern Illinois. Since the start of the 2010 season he’s thrown 67 touchdown passes. The Broncos rank No. 13 in passing offense (333.50 yards per game) among NCAA major college teams.

Carder, who is on preseason watch lists for the nation’s top quarterback, is one of five fifth-year starters on the Broncos offense. The lone Minnesotan listed on the roster is Jonathan Harden, a 5-9, 319-pound No. 2 nose tackle from Cretin-Derham Hall.

Western Michigan lost its opening game this season at Illinois (24-7) but the Broncos are considered a contender to win the West Division of the Mid-American Conference.

The Broncos are 0-3 against Minnesota, with the last meeting in 1977, a 10-7 loss to the Gophers. Broncos alumni include Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings and former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema.

Big Ten teams lost six of 12 nonconference games last weekend. The conference has only three teams in the Associated Press top 25, with Michigan Statethe highest ranked at No. 10. The SEC has four teams ranked among the top nine, including No. 1 Alabama.

Don’t believe the hype that major college football programs just schedule “cupcakes” in nonconference games. Northwestern plays Boston College tomorrow and the Wildcats’ first two games were against Syracuse and Vanderbilt. Michigan State plays Notre Dame tomorrow and opened its season against western power Boise State.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Adrian Peterson still has a “ways to go” in reaching the performance level he had last season prior to his ACL injury.

Musgrave was asked if he’s ever seen anyone run harder for his size than Percy Harvin (5-11, 184): “No. Never have. What would be the term? No fair dodging. That’s Percy’s theme. He’s not going to avoid anybody. He can make people miss… he’s agile but he’s not going to run out of bounds. He’s going to run through or run over somebody.”

When St. Thomas played at Saint John’s two years ago the game drew 16,421 fans, a record for Division III football. The Tommies and Johnnies, both 2-0, play tomorrow in Collegeville with such a large crowd expected the Saint John’s sports website is featuring information about travel and parking information.

John Gagliardi will coach his 600^th game for Saint John’s tomorrow. He is college football’s winningest coach and is in his 60^th season as Johnnies head coach.

Gophers’ wrestling coach J Robinson, a former U.S. Army Ranger, was asked about the September 11 anniversary this week and he said Americans have been mostly “insulated” from evil during their lives. “They got a real taste of what it was like and they didn’t like it,” he said.

But Robinson also said the “wake-up call” has been forgotten by many and not much has changed since 9-11-01 for millions of Americans other than security checks in airports. That won’t alter the reality that America has its enemies. “Evil exists in the world and we are very naive in not addressing it,” Robinson said. “Evil can not co-exist with good anywhere.”

This school year is his 27^th as Gophers wrestling coach. The program has won three national titles with Robinson as coach. At 66 years old, how many more can he coach? “A bunch,” he said. “I plan to but whether I will or not that’s another thing.”

Robinson expects his team to be ranked No. 2 or 3 nationally this fall. “Half of our team are All-Americans and the other half want to be All-Americans. So that’s good.”

Prep basketball authority Ken Lien is guessing that Apple Valley junior point guard Tyus Jones will attend Kentucky. He said the prep super star’s final three college choices could be Kentucky, Michigan State and Duke.

Kentucky coach John Calipari visited Apple Valley High School this week and North Carolina coach Roy Williams will be in town next week, according to Lien.

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Tartan CB ‘Dynamic’ but UW Committed

Posted on September 12, 2012September 12, 2012 by David Shama

Ask local prep football authority Zach Johnson about the state of Minnesota’s best college prospects in the class of 2013 and he delivers the highest praise for Tartan High School defensive back Keelon Brookins.

“I just think the world of Keelon Brookins,” Johnson told Sports Headliners. “I think he’s dynamic. I think he’s got a chance to be a shutdown cornerback in the Big Ten. Currently committed to Wisconsin—if he sticks with that. Sounds like he will, but he was committed to Minnesota for a few months before switching to Wisconsin.”

Brookins, whose father earned two degrees at Minnesota, is one of three prep players from the state who lead a 2013 class Johnson describes as “not deep” in big-time college prospects. Johnson, who uses his expertise as publisher for Gopherillustrated.com, said the big three consists of Brookins, Cretin-Derham Hall receiver James Onwualu and Cooper defensive back Malik Rucker.

Johnson also has impressions of both Onwualu and Rucker. “I don’t think he (Onwualu) has the big play (ability) or the high ceiling of a Michael Floyd but I think he’s a guy that probably (will) fit in well at Notre Dame and be a contributor there.

“Rucker, I know, he is still sort of talking to Minnesota but still says he’s solid to Iowa. He appears to be a guy that would be perfect for Iowa’s defense. Probably stick him back at safety and let him ball hawk, and I think that is more what will fit his game. I don’t think he’s that bigger safety that will be into run support, nor do I think he’s really aggressive. I think he will be more of a free safety that will sit back and try to pick off passes.”

Johnson said it’s “disappointing” none of the three players is verbally committed to Minnesota at this time (official college signing date for prep football players will be February 6, 2013). He also said “there’s a big drop off” in the state’s major college prospects after Brookins, Onwualu and Rucker.

Johnson described Wayzata’s Chris Wipson as a “solid linebacker.” He’s the only Minnesota native listed among six preps verbally committed to the Gophers on Gopherillustrated.com. Wipson receives a two-star rating from Rivals.com. Brookins is a four-star, while Onwualu and Rucker are three-star players.

There are three two-star players and three with three-star ratings on the Gophers commit list so far. “But all of them are pretty much what you’d expect from Jerry Kill early on in his recruiting (program building),” Johnson said. “Not really heralded. …They’re (the Gophers) not beating many Big Ten or BCS type schools to get these guys.

“But then again they didn’t have to do that to get a lot of the current true freshmen on the field right now that are seeing some potential.”

Those who understand the Gophers program know Minnesota’s head coach and his staff realize that until Minnesota becomes a winner it’s going to be difficult to land big-time high school players, those with four and even five-star ratings. In the meantime, the Gophers coaches will use their wits and moxie to find players, including talent others don’t recognize.

“I would expect until they figure out a way to compete in the Big Ten, that they’re going to have to rely on their evaluation skills, and their ability to find those guys who might be an inch short or 10 pounds light than what the big schools want,” Johnson said. “You can still win football games finding those guys.”

Notes:

Kill said yesterday he may redshirt about 24 of his freshmen this season. Per NCAA rules, a freshman will lose the redshirt option if he plays even a minute in one game.

Troy Stoudermire mishandled a punt in the opening game on August 30 against UNLV and was replaced by A.J. Barker who has kept the Gophers’ punt return job since including last Saturday in Minnesota’s 44-7 win over New Hampshire. Barker has been steady and returned three punts including one for 19 yards last week. He leads the Big Ten Conference in punt return average at 14 yards.

David Schwerman was the Gophers’ opening night punter at UNLV. He punted twice for 31 yards and then was replaced by Christian Eldred. The Australian native and program walk-on averaged 42 yards on four punts against New Hampshire.

UNLV, the team the Gophers defeated 30-27 in overtime in Henderson, Nevada, lost at home again last Saturday night when FCS Northern Arizona beat the Rebels 17-14.

Vikings’ executive Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners he expects an architectural firm that will design the new downtown stadium to be chosen before month’s end. Five firms are submitting bids including HKS, the firm that designed the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Although the Vikings like the Indy facility, Bagley said that won’t be a factor in selecting a firm.

Quarterback Christian Ponder recovered from a slow start in last Sunday’s 26-23 season opening win over the Jaguars. Ponder rallied his team to a late second quarter touchdown that seemed to turn around his day and the offense but before that he was booed by the crowd of 56,607, the smallest at a Vikings home game since the 1990s.

“Anytime you get booed, you gotta feel for that guy,” teammate Toby Gerhart said. “(Fans) got on him early but he stepped up, made some key plays, key passes for us as the game went on, and really helped us win that game.”

Gerhart, the Vikings reserve running back, said Adrian Peterson told him on the sidelines he was “ecstatic” to be playing again after last season’s ACL injury, and needed to contain his emotions.

Vikings No. 2 quarterback Joe Webb on the importance of winning at home: “You gotta protect the house. You can’t let nobody come in your home and take over. It’s a great place to play (Mall of America Field). Minnesota fans, they bring great energy to the stadium.”

Webb has a two-year career rushing average of 6.8 yards per carry, but he didn’t play in Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Will fans see Webb in the run-friendly Wildcat offense this season? “You never know what’ll happen,” he said.

Webb and former Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sometimes text one another, offering words of encouragement.

Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams, 32, believes he’s still playing at a high level. “Without a doubt. I wouldn’t get out there if I couldn’t,” he said.

Vikings rookie offensive tackle Matt Kalil, the team’s top draft choice in 2012, blocked a pair of field goals and extra points during his junior 2011 season at USC. He blocked an extra point attempt in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.

How did he judge his play as the starting left tackle in the regular season opener compared with preseason games? “Probably my most solid game,” he said.

Twins first-year pitcher Sam Deduno, who defeated the Indians on Monday night, is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 1.80 ERA.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, who has made a successful recovery from concussion problems, is hitting .326 in his last 62 games.

WCCO TV’s Mark Rosen said over 8,000 hard copies of his book Best Seat in the House have been sold.

Eric Perkins has replaced Randy Shaver as KARE 11 sports director. Shaver is now the co-anchor on the KARE 11 week day nightly news with Julie Nelson.

Murray’s restaurant has completed its remodeling project and re-opened last Friday. Enhancements include private seating areas for groups and a larger bar along with overall redecorating.

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Shortell Feels on ‘Different Level’

Posted on August 21, 2012August 23, 2012 by David Shama

When cramps forced quarterback MarQueis Gray to the sidelines in the Gophers opener last year against USC, true freshman Max Shortell had to enter the game in the fabled Los Angeles Coliseum. Shortell would later start two games for the Gophers.

Looking back at last year, Shortell said he realizes how inexperienced he was. If called upon to replace Gray this season he will be much more comfortable.

“Last year I was almost just trying to make it through,” he said last week. “This year I feel like I am on a whole different level.”

Shortell, who completed 26 of 54 passes while throwing two touchdown passes and two interceptions, acknowledged that for a backup quarterback to watch from the sidelines in games not knowing when he will play presents a challenge.

“It’s hard the whole game to be focused (while) on the sidelines,” he said. “Coming into the game you know you’re not going to play but you have to be in every snap all week mentally. You have to be prepared to play.

“As far as staying loose on the sidelines, that’s really hard to do. Especially when it’s cold out. …It’s real tough just to be waiting.”

Gray is a senior and could be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Shortell’s playing time might be even less than last season when he participated in eight games.

“I hope I can play,” Shortell said. “I hope I can push MarQueis and step in when I need to.”

Shortell said the Gophers offense, now in its second season with a new coaching staff, is “light years” ahead of where it was in August of 2011. “We’re making plays that we just missed last year. In games we just missed plays and now out here on the practice field we’re making these plays.”

Gophers football notes and other items:

A priority for the Gophers in practice during August is special teams. Coach Jerry Kill and his staff came to Minnesota from Northern Illinois with a reputation for producing results with special teams. Minnesota won only three games last season but the recovery of a fourth quarter onside kickoff was a big play in a 22-21 win over Iowa and a fourth quarter blocked punt turned into a touchdown produced the final Gophers points in a 29-23 victory against Miami (Ohio).

Punting, kickoffs, coverages and returns receive Kill’s attention and it’s a good bet the Gophers will turn another game or two their way in 2012 with special teams. “I think you always win in the kicking game,” Kill said last week. “If you go look at NFL—at college football—the good teams gotta be good on special teams. Because you’re gonna win some games on special teams, or you gonna lose some games. And we’ve spent a heck of a lot of time on trying to win, and we’ve always been pretty good at it everywhere we’ve been. …”

Look for Kill to announce his starters for the UNLV game (August 30) in six days or so. Regardless, in certain position units like the defensive line Kill will play subs, not just starters, in game action.

Sports Illustrated’s college football issue ranks Alabama No. 1 with two Big Ten teams in the publication’s preseason top 10—No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 8 Michigan State. Other Big Ten teams in the top 25 are No. 13 Michigan, No. 19 Nebraska and No. 22 Ohio State. The magazine lists seven Heisman Trophy favorites including Michigan’s Denard Robinson and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball.

The Universityof Minnesota Alumni Association is partnering with Creative Charters to promote a fan trip to the Gophers-UNLV game in Las Vegas. The alumni association is also promoting a tailgate party before the game with a discount available for early registration. More at www.minnesotaalumni.org

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said yesterday that backup quarterback Joe Webb looked better in his second preseason game than in the first. The coach said Webb is making progress including understanding defenses.

“Well, Joe is making strides every day,” Musgrave said. “The other night he missed on a couple throws that he would like to have back, but he did some good things for us too. He made some plays with his legs when we spread him out and got everybody out of the backfield. That is definitely one of his strengths.”

Fritz Waldvogel, the former St. Thomas star, has scored 27 touchdowns in nine games playing in the German Football League, according to www.tommiesports.com.

Gophers assistant coach Saul Smith told Sports Headliners Maurice Walker, who missed all of last season, is healthy and playing summer basketball. Smith said the Gophers need the 6-10, 289-pound Walker’s presence in the low post. “We’ll need him in Atlantis,” Smith said about the November 22 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas where the Gophers will play Duke.

Smith’s dad, Tubby Smith, starts his sixth season at Minnesota this fall. Saul said this could be the best Gophers team so far but Minnesota “will have to prove it” in the Big Ten.

Prep basketball authority Ken Lien emailed that DeLaSalle forward Reid Travis, ranked by ESPN.com as the No. 31 player nationally in the prep class of 2014, has been offered a scholarship by Boston College.

Lien also reported that Cooper guard Rashad Vaughn said Baylor, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas are showing strong interest in recruiting him.

ESPN ranks Vaughn the No. 12 prospect in the class of 2014 while Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones is No. 2.

NBC’s coverage of the USA men’s gold medal basketball game had 12.5 million viewers, while the USA women’s title game had 10.2 million, according to NBA.com.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor left the states last week for China to participate in a mission with the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

The St. Cloud State men’s basketball team will play an exhibition game on November 2 at Michigan State. Kevin Levandoski, a 6-1 sophomore guard from Appleton, Wisconsin, is on the Huskies roster and is MSU coach Tom Izzo’s nephew. Levandoski suggested the game to Izzo, according to online reports.

About.com ranked the greatest baseball players of all time last week. Among catchers, the Twins Joe Mauer didn’t receive a mention among the top 15. Harmon Killebrew ranked No. 6 among first basemen and Jim Thome No. 10.

The Gophers volleyball team is ranked No. 16 in the country in a preseason poll by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. In a poll of Big Ten coaches Minnesota is picked to finish No. 4 in the league with Nebraska the title favorite.

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