Sports Drafts – Page 5 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Wild Never Got Started in Playoff Series

Posted on May 8, 2015May 8, 2015 by David Shama

Chicago swept the Wild 4-0 in the playoffs that ended last night at Xcel Energy Center. “We were chasing (from behind) every game,” said Wild coach Mike Yeo. “It was an incredible stat. We never had the lead.”

During the second round Stanley Cup playoff series the Blackhawks frequently used a lead to turn up their defense and make it more difficult for the Wild to score. Minnesota produced just seven goals in the series, once being shutout and in another game scoring one goal.

A year ago media and fans sat at Xcel Energy Center and recognized the team’s need for additional scoring. A common wish was for the Wild to acquire forward Thomas Vanek during the off season. That happened but during the playoffs this spring, including against the Blackhawks, Vanek didn’t score a goal.

The Wild’s offensive shortcomings weren’t just because of the 31-year-old former Gopher who had come home to help the Wild make a deeper playoff run. The series against the Blackhawks exposed the truth that Chicago had superior playmakers and scorers.

Former North Stars player and executive Lou Nanne acknowledged the Wild’s need for “more scorers” and that some Minnesota players didn’t do enough in the series. “They’ve got a couple superstars we don’t have,” Nanne said.

But Nanne said this season has been a success for the Wild and the 2015 team is the best in franchise history. There’s a nucleus to build upon while the Wild compete in what he described as the NHL’s best division (Central) and conference (Western).

After watching the Blackhawks’ impressive play against the Wild, Nanne said Chicago is his favorite to win the Stanley Cup.

Worth Noting

With yesterday’s win over the A’s, the Twins have now won 10 of their last 13 games. The Twins, 16-13 overall, are 6-1 in May and 12-5 this season at Target Field.

The Twins try to improve their 4-8 road record this weekend starting with tonight in Cleveland against the Indians. Mike Pelfrey, among the surprise contributors in the starting pitching, has a 2-1 record with a 2.63 ERA. Tonight he faces Cleveland’s Trevor Bauer, 2-0, 3.38 ERA.

During the weeks ahead Vikings rookies will have about 20 sessions to help them with life skills and behavior, according to Rick Spielman. The Vikings general manager said his organization offers diverse presentations ranging from all the negative things that can happen to players off the field, to the decision-making of buying or renting a car, or house. “We are very proactive,” Spielman said. “We’ve had guest speakers come in from all over the country that we feel can help educate our guys.”

Prior to drafting players, the Vikings devoted a lot of time to psychological test results and background checks. Character played a major role in who the Vikings were willing to select. Spielman knows, of course, that one or more of the 10 rookies drafted last week will make mistakes but hopefully not career threatening errors. “Everybody does (make mistakes), but we try to be as diligent as we can in that area (prevention),” Spielman said.

Spielman will speak next Thursday at the CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations for the program (deadline is next Monday) can be made by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

Spielman said his son J.D. Spielman, who will be a senior at Eden Prairie High School next year, has football offers from Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan and Minnesota. He potentially could be a slot back, defensive back or return specialist in college.

The Vikings will have 10 draft choices, 10 free agents and 40 other prospects in for rookie workouts this weekend including today. The club emphasizes inviting ex-college players from this area to workouts. Among the organization’s “finds” over the years have been cornerback and punt returner Marcus Sherels (Gophers) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (Minnesota State-Mankato).

Vikings marketing executive Steve LaCroix said the club has sold about 40,000 season tickets for the new stadium scheduled to open in 2016. The stadium capacity for football will be about 66,000 and eventually over 60,000 of the tickets sold could be season tickets. By state legislative mandate, some single game tickets at affordable prices must be made available for purchase.

The Vikings could have interest in some day hosting the NFL Draft that for decades was held in New York but this spring was staged in Chicago. Various fan activities drew about 200,000 people in Chicago.

Jerry Kill credits the late Dave Larson, who once gave $500,000 to the football program to pay for tutors, laptops and enhancements to the weight room, with playing a major role in improving academics. Kill said earlier this week his players have seven consecutive semesters of collective GPAs of 3.0 or better.

Larson was a University of Minnesota regent and philanthropist. His widow, Janis Larson, told Sports Headliners late last year she will provide $15 million for the football complex that is part of the Gophers’ $150 million plan to build and renovate athletic facilities.

Kill is Honorary Chair of the group trying to bring the College Football Playoff National Championship Game here. “They’re going to move that game around just like the Super Bowls,” Kill told Sports Headliners. “There’s not a finer place than the Twin Cities. They have the Super Bowl and Final Four (already booked), and should have the national championship game.”

Kill said he hasn’t started lobbying efforts on behalf of a national title game for the new Vikings Stadium. Minneapolis is expected to bid for the 2020 game. “I am not that far along on all this,” said Kill, who agreed a few weeks ago to become Honorary Chair. Minneapolis and stadium promoters are aggressively pursuing national attractions for the domed multipurpose stadium that is expected to be among the most unique sports venues in the world.

Kill said all four of his players chosen in the NFL Draft are in “perfect” places for opportunities with their new teams. The four are tight end Maxx Williams, Ravens (second round); linebacker Damien Wilson, Cowboys (fourth round); running back David Cobb, Titans (fifth round); and safety Cedric Thompson, Dolphins (fifth round).

The 1950 NFL Draft was the last time Minnesota had four players selected in the first five rounds.

Former Gophers wide receiver Derrick Engel developed tendonitis in his knee awhile ago and that has slowed his pursuit of a pro football opportunity.

Congratulations to 74-year-old Bobby Bell who will be among University of Minnesota graduates receiving a degree next Thursday during ceremonies at Mariucci Arena. Bell, arguably the greatest Gophers football player ever, will graduate with a park and recreation degree. Friends and family will attend his graduation and celebrate at a party on campus Thursday evening. Among those expected at activities are former Chiefs teammate Willie Lanier and Bell’s son Bobby Bell Jr.

Bell was a two-time All-American tackle for the Gophers. He won the 1962 Outland Trophy, and during his three-year career at Minnesota the Gophers had a 22-6-1 record while playing in two Rose Bowls, and winning both a Big Ten and national championship.

Tom Obarski, the 2014 Concordia-St. Paul Division II AFCA All-American, has signed as a free agent placekicker with the Bengals.

Canterbury Park’s live horse racing season begins next Friday. The 70-day race meet is the longest since 1992. It’s estimated approximately $14 million in purses will be paid to horsemen, a record for the Shakopee racetrack. For the third consecutive season, Canterbury Park’s nearly 1,600 horse stalls will be at capacity.

Wednesday’s column about Verne Gagne prompted e-mails from readers with their own memories of local professional wrestling. A friend remembered going to the Minneapolis Auditorium as a youngster and bringing a squirt gun. “I sat at the end of an aisle with my arms folded. I then proceeded to squirt the Kalmikoff brothers as they walked by,” he wrote in an e-mail. “When they looked over, I was looking elsewhere with an angelic look on my face.”

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Wild’s Mike Yeo Deserves New Contract

Posted on May 12, 2014May 12, 2014 by David Shama

Wild coach Mike Yeo’s job status drew speculation in recent months but with Minnesota’s impressive Stanley Cup playoff run this spring it will be a major surprise if he doesn’t return for the 2014-2015 season. Yeo’s current contract reportedly ends this year.

Tom Reid, who played more than 11 seasons in the NFL and now is the Wild’s radio analyst, likes Yeo’s performance. “I expect Mike and the entire coaching staff to be back,” Reid told Sports Headliners. “They’ve done a good job here.”

Yeo, who had never been an NHL head coach previously, was hired at 37 years old to lead the Wild starting with the 2011-2012 season. Minnesota made the playoffs last season but lost in five games to the Blackhawks who went on to win the Stanley Cup.

This year more was expected from the team and coach. “They went through a couple hiccups along the way (this season) but I think for the most part Mike has learned an awful lot,” Reid said. “I like the way he’s managed behind the bench. The (line) combinations he’s put together.”

Reid said the young coach shows an ability “to read” players well. “He’s certainly learned much better bench management than he had when he first came in,” Reid said.

Yeo has juggled goaltenders but often been successful during the season and playoffs. The team’s overall defense has been a factor in the Blackhawks series holding Chicago to between 19 and 22 shots in the first four games. Impressive, too, has been the development of inexperienced players like Mikael Granlund and Jared Spurgeon.

Yeo is the NHL’s youngest head coach. He has had the Wild in the playoffs the last two years after a five year absence. “With coaching it’s no different than being a player,” Reid said. “You’re a rookie when you come into it and you have to learn the ropes of what has to be done and how you conduct yourself on the ice.”

The Wild lost 2-1 last night in game five and now trail the Blackhawks 3-2 in their second round best of seven series. Minnesota is back home for game six on Tuesday night.

The team has shown persistence under Yeo, recovering from 2-0 series deficits first against the Avalanche and now with the Blackhawks. Even if the Wild season ends on Tuesday night, expect Yeo to return for a fourth season with a new contract.

Worth Noting

Metro area Culver’s Restaurants will donate 10 percent of sales today to the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund. Culver’s is a longtime sponsor of the fund and from May 5-19 is giving customers a $1 coupon in return for a $1 donation.

Randy Shaver, the KARE 11 news anchor and cancer survivor, was an all-state high school cornerback in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. High school football has long been a “passion” and he was Benilde-St. Margaret’s freshman team head coach for four seasons before resigning last year.

Why did he give up the position? “I have a mom who is very sick right now with a rare head and neck cancer,” Shaver told Sports Headliners. “I didn’t want to get too involved with something and not be able to fulfill the commitment because I think her situation could change this year. There’s a lot of other factors too but that’s part of it.”

Shaver’s son Ryan Shaver is a TV sportscaster in Mason City, Iowa.

It might not be that much of a stretch to think Teddy Bridgewater, the Louisville quarterback who the Vikings chose with the No. 32 pick during round one of last Friday’s NFL Draft, could have played for the Gophers. Louisville head coach Charlie Strong was defensive coordinator at Florida in 2007 and may have been a finalist to replace Gophers head coach Glen Mason in January of that year. Strong was later hired at Louisville and he successfully recruited many Florida high school players including Bridgewater.

Bridgewater was the third quarterback taken in the first round and at one time there was speculation he would be first. Will being passed over by so many teams provide motivation? “You can bet that,” Bridgewater said last Friday. “I talked with (Vikings) coach (Mike) Zimmer awhile back when I came here and he told me he loves guys that play with a chip on their shoulder. So after having that conversation with him and just experiencing last night, I’m glad to be a Viking, but you can best believe I’ll play with a chip on my shoulder.”

Vikings’ NFC North rivals Chicago and Green Bay selected defensive backs in the first round. The Bears chose cornerback Kyle Fuller from Virginia Tech. “My favorite cornerback in the draft,” ESPN analyst Jon Gruden said on Friday night.

The Packers, in need of a turnover causing defender in the secondary, chose Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

ESPN showed Mel Kiper’s draft grades for all NFL teams last night including a “B” for the Packers and “B-minus” labels for the Bears, Lions and Vikings.

The Vikings lost five games in the closing minutes last season. This message is displayed at the team’s indoor practice facility: “Tough teams win in the fourth quarter.”

Ra’Shede Hageman and Brock Vereen were chosen on the second and fourth rounds last weekend, becoming the first former Gophers to be taken in the NFL Draft since 2010 when Eric Decker and Nate Triplett were selected.

Ex-Gopher Derrick Engel, the team’s best wide receiver last season, is still recovering from ACL surgery and although he wasn’t drafted last weekend NFL teams have interest.

The Twins demoted shortstop Pedro Florimon to Triple-A Rochester last week because he was hitting .108. His lifetime major league average is .207. Twins pitching great Jim Kaat’s career batting average was .185.

The last Gophers national championship baseball team was honored at Siebert Field on Saturday. Players from the 1964 team were recognized before Minnesota’s home game with Purdue. Minnesota also won NCAA titles in 1956 and 1960.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, based in La Crosse, is promoting a September 13, 14 and 15 trip making stops in Milwaukee for the Brewers-Reds game, in Green Bay to see the Packers and Jets, and ending in Chicago to watch the Cubs and Reds. More at Jaybuckley.com.

The Lynx, who have media day today, will have nine games televised on Fox Sports North including next Sunday’s regular season home opener at Washington.

Cross country and track and field standout Kristina Poss will be one of three students in the 2014 St. Catherine senior class to graduate as valedictorian. A chemistry major, she will begin medical school next year at Minnesota.

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Hageman Goal to Start as NFL Rookie

Posted on May 9, 2014May 9, 2014 by David Shama

Ra’Shede Hageman will have to wait another night to learn what NFL team wants him. Last evening was a disappointment for the former Gophers defensive lineman who was one of only 30 players invited by the NFL to be present for the first round of the draft.

All 32 teams passed on Hageman who had his adoptive parents and Washburn High School football coach Giovan Jenkins among his guests in New York for the draft that continues tonight with rounds two and three. The ex-Washburn all-state player could have become the first Gopher who is a native Minnesotan to be drafted in the first round since the Packers chose running back Darrell Thompson in 1990.

Chris Burke’s NFL Mock Draft in the May 5 issue of Sports Illustrated had Hageman going in the first round to the Cowboys at No. 16. “His motor ran hot and cold for the Gophers,” Burke wrote. “When he’s on, though, few can disrupt the pocket like this 6’6” monster.”

Other draft forecasters didn’t have Hageman being chosen in the first round. Hageman’s draft profile on NFL.com refers to him as a top 50 prospect, not a certainty for the first round. The profile praised his size, athleticism and mobility but cautioned about his technique and said his “motor idles.”

Jenkins told Sports Headliners last night Hageman said he will be okay. “We all know he’ll go (be drafted) tomorrow,” said Jenkins who heard the Bears, Cardinals and Patriots had first round interest.

Hageman told Sports Headliners earlier in the week he was prepared for whatever happens in the draft. His goals are to be a starter as a rookie and “work as hard as I can.”

As the radio analyst on Gophers games, Thompson watched Hageman’s college career and said recently he would be somewhat surprised if Hageman wasn’t a first round pick.

“I think he will be successful (in the NFL),” Thompson said. “I think he can be a force to be reckoned with. He’s got to learn to pay with leverage to take advantage of his strength and power. He can have an eight or 10 year career.”

What about the “motor?” Thompson believes a couple of factors are likely to motivate Hageman in the pros. In practice Hageman will face superior competition than with the Gophers. “He (otherwise) could get manhandled in (pro) practice,” Thompson said.

The other factor? “He’s playing for money now. That’s a motivator,” Thompson said.

Worth Noting

The Vikings chose Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater with the No. 32 pick in the first round, a surprise move Minnesota made by acquiring the Seahawks first round draft choice. In taking Bridgewater the Vikings passed on Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr who ESPN analyst Jon Gruden said last night could be the “steal of the draft.”

The Vikings preferred Bridgewater, a player who excites ESPN analyst Ray Lewis. “He has what it takes to take Minnesota to the next level,” Lewis said.

The final bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis was submitted this week to the NFL. On May 20 the league will award the game to Minneapolis, Indianapolis or New Orleans.

Dave Mona isn’t part of the Minnesota Bid Committee but he was involved with the effort bringing the 1992 game to the Metrodome. He is confident Minneapolis will be awarded a second Super Bowl, if not in 2018 then another year. “I am practically 100 percent certain we’ll get a Super Bowl,” he told Sports Headliners.

Mona, a longtime Minneapolis area public relations executive and WCCO Radio sports talk show host, said NFL owners like to reward cities that have new stadiums. The prospect of hosting the Super Bowl is commonly promoted in civic drives by cities trying to build stadiums. The new downtown facility here opens in 2016 and a Super Bowl has been in the conversation even before the state of Minnesota and city of Minneapolis agreed to fund the stadium along with the Vikings.

Mona recalled the Minnesota Super Bowl bid contingent was twice turned down before the 1992 game was awarded to Minneapolis. Along the way the group changed strategy, moving from a soft sell to willingness by Vikings general manager Mike Lynn to support favored initiatives by other NFL owners in return for Super Bowl votes. “We turned it into a political campaign and I think that’s what won it for us,” Mona said.

A veteran basketball source told Sports Headliners he believes Timberwolves president Flip Saunders also wants to coach the team. Owner Glen Taylor, though, has said he wants to keep Saunders in his present role and find someone else to coach. The source believes Saunders’ best chance to persuade Taylor that he should have both jobs is to insist he, Saunders, is the coach most likely to convince All-Star forward Kevin Love to sign a new contract next year.

Saunders, who has coached three NBA teams including the Wolves, has worked at building rapport with Love who becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2015. “I would be pessimistic about their chances to keep Love,” the source said.

The source believes the Wolves, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2004, still are a project team with multiple flaws. He questions whether Love, 25, wants to commit his future to such a franchise. His criticism of the Wolves includes point guard Ricky Rubio who he faults for fourth quarter turnovers and not making shots.

“They have to promote him to sell tickets. He does the spectacular but not the ordinary,” the source said.

It seems unlikely the Wolves will pursue fired Warriors coach Mark Jackson who is associated with controversy, including with Breitbart.com asking in a story on Wednesday if Jackson was let go at least partially because of his Christian views on gay marriage.

Taylor, who is interim chair of the NBA board of governors, has been told by the league not to talk about the Clippers and the expected forced sale of the franchise by owner Donald Sterling.

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