Timberwolves – Page 49 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Incentives Likely in New Cook Deal

Posted on August 4, 2020August 4, 2020 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column leading off with Minnesota Vikings developments.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said his organization is “working extremely hard” to finalize a new contract with starting running back Dalvin Cook who becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

Whether it’s coincidence or not, the Vikings media schedule in coming days includes making Cook available to reporters a week from Friday. Cook, about to begin his fourth season with Minnesota, is in training camp but Spielman offered no timeline when a new deal might be completed for one of the NFL’s top running backs who reportedly will earn $1.3 million in base salary this season based on his rookie contract from 2017.

Cook’s 1,135 rushing yards during the regular season last year was 10^th best in the NFL. His 53 receptions with a 9.8 yards per reception is impressive, too, but a source close to the team told Sports Headliners management is “very concerned” about Cook’s injury history, and that will impact the next contract.

The explosive Cook played in only four regular season games in 2017, 11 in 2018 and 14 (of 16) last year. The source believes the Vikings could offer a two or three-year deal at about $10 million per season, with perhaps only one-third of the money guaranteed. Such a contract could offer incentives, with Cook awarded bonuses for playing in 12 games and 16 games. In addition to durability incentives, bonus structure could include performance compensation such as leading the NFL in rushing.

A multi-year contract extension was announced for Spielman on Monday. No specifics on duration were offered, or compensation, but the deal might be for three years at $2 million or more annually. Head coach Mike Zimmer, under a new contract through 2023 that was announced last week, was scheduled to make $5 million in 2020 per Forbes last May, but his new deal could be for $7 million as early as this year.

Dating back to when Spielman started as general manager in January of 2012, the Vikings rank ninth in the NFL with a .570 winning percentage (72-54-2)—fourth best in the NFC over that eight-season period. And Spielman has more draft picks (93) than any other general manager in the National Football League. Of those selections, 56 are the result of trades and 13 have been first-round selections.

Spielman is respected in the Viking organization and doesn’t flaunt an ego like some front office heads in professional sports. He tries to put others first and began a news conference yesterday praising a long list of individuals who help him with his job. He stresses communications and honesty as the football department’s leader. “There’s no BS going on,” he said.

Spielman hired Zimmer in 2014. Both are sons of football coaches and love the process of building a team. Zimmer described himself and his boss as “hard headed,” yet said both agree on things about 99 percent of the time. “I understand his bad jokes probably better than anybody,” Zimmer kidded.

Spielman and Zimmer are seeing some sense of normalcy in these pandemic times with players finally on the field after virtual instruction had to be used in prior months. There is a level of confidence about the anti-virus measures at the team’s practice facility, but, of course, no certainty. “I feel like I am the COVID police,” Spielman said.

Zimmer reminds players to be cautious when they leave the facility. NFL labor policy does not allow keeping players in a hotel during training camp, so instead they can go home and to other parts of the community. The COVID issue reminds Zimmer a bit of what his friend and legendary former coach Bill Parcells told him years ago: “Five things will cross your desk every day you’re not prepared for.”

The Wilf family, owners of the Vikings since 2005, has been rumored as potential buyers of the Minnesota Timberwolves whose asking price might be $1.2 billion. The Wilfs could leverage the Vikings or their other business holdings for a sizeable bank loan, but they may not be interested because of the unsettled real estate market in New York and New Jersey where the group has many holdings.

If Gophers fans wonder whether any other players will join wide receiver Rashod Bateman in leaving the team to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, the answer is almost certainly no. Quarterback Tanner Morgan could be an early round draft selection next year, but he can raise his draft stock by playing this fall (if there is a season).

The Twins conclude their first home-stand of the year this afternoon, with eight games played before zero fans. It appears the Twins and other MLB teams will play their entire shortened season in front of empty seats—with the COVID-19 pandemic being a particularly ill-timed development for a Minnesota franchise that might have attracted 3 million customers this year.

Coming off 101 wins last season and a MLB record 307 home runs, there was a lot of preseason buzz about the Twins. Now it looks like optimism about Minnesota being one of baseball’s best teams is on target. Minnesota is off to a 8-2 start with continued power hitting and superb pitching out of the bullpen. The Twins have drawn 3 million customers three times in franchise history, including the first two seasons at Target Field, 2010 and 2011.

With so many MLB games already cancelled, there is speculation the season could be shut down as early as this week.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on WCCO Radio last night he expects Jake Odorizzi, who has been sidelined this season with back issues, to pitch this weekend against the Kansas City Royals.

Former Twins manager and Hall of Fame player Paul Molitor will tape an interview Friday for the Twin Cities cable TV program “Behind the Game.” Co-hosts Patrick Klinger and Bill Robertson will ask Molitor about his career and the current status of baseball.

Prominent Minneapolis attorney Marshall Tanick, a former sports editor of the Minnesota Daily, wrote a detailed story last month for the Minnesota Lawyer about the “eclectic litigation” the Twins have experienced in 60 seasons here. The preeminent litigation came about 20 years ago when financially challenged Major League Baseball sought to contract franchises including the Twins under the ownership of Carl Pohlad. The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, owners and operators of the Metrodome, took to the courts and successfully blocked the contraction. The litigation preserved the franchise for Minnesota, allowing enough time to win public approval for Target Field.

Deepest condolences to family and friends of Jim Presthus following his unexpected death Friday. The younger brother of former Gopher basketball captain Paul Presthus, the 67-year-old doctor and Edina resident died peacefully in his sleep.

Comments Welcome

Sources Saying Vikings Season Iffy

Posted on July 29, 2020July 29, 2020 by David Shama

Although the Vikings opened training camp yesterday, word is sources close to the organization question whether an NFL season will happen due to the ongoing COVID-19 threat.

Vikings employees were shaken Monday when the announcement came that popular trainer Eric Sugarman, in charge of the team’s COVID protocol, tested positive for the virus along with members of his family. That news came on the same day several Vikings players, including 2020 top draft choice Justin Jefferson, were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. The designation refers to a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons.

Vikings and NFL decision makers are monitoring their own franchises and what’s happening in other professional sports leagues that are starting up. Pandemic concerns have already surfaced in MLB, forcing cancellation of games after teams began playing their 60-game schedules just last week.

Baseball is a sport that allows social distancing on the field, whereas pro football does not and has about twice the number of players on rosters. “If baseball can’t play, what does that say about the NFL and college football,” said a sports industry source who has heard about Vikings concerns.

Another Sports Headliners source with expertise shared a similar view. “I have a hard time believing it (the schedule) is going to get off and running,” he said. “If there is a (NFL) season, it might be eight to 10 games.”

A worst case scenario for the Vikings and NFL would be stoppage of training camps because of sizeable virus outbreaks among their players and staffs, coupled with worsening news across Minnesota and the nation about the pandemic, and MLB suspending or cancelling its season. Football certainly falls into the category of high risk for coronavirus transmission.

The league has already cancelled all preseason games, with the regular season scheduled to start in September. Maybe.

Worth Noting

What? College Football News posted its preseason All-American offensive team this week including wide receivers, but Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman, a likely first round NFL Draft choice next spring, wasn’t included among the 12 receivers. Louisville’s Tutu Atwell, Jr., son of ex-Gopher Tutu Atwell, was included on the list.

Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan made Honorable Mention.

The outpouring of condolences following the recent death of Gophers 1960s three-sport standout Noel Jenke has been moving, and look for former teammates from baseball, football and hockey to organize a gathering to celebrate the life of the Owatonna, Minnesota native.

It looks like 79-year-old Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor will cash in on selling the franchise that he bought in 1994 for a reported $88 million and make a huge gain. Forbes has valued the franchise at $1.375 billion, with media stories having Taylor asking $1.2 billion. Taylor bought the club from original owners Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, who are believed to have paid the NBA $32.5 million in the late 1980s to bring an expansion franchise to Minneapolis.

I remember inquiring about an NBA franchise in the early 1970s and receiving a letter from league commissioner Walter Kennedy cautioning that an expansion fee would be over $500,000!

Taylor is likely to weigh several factors in deciding who will buy the club, including a review of bidders who are ethnic minorities. The NBA office will welcome and perhaps push for such potential buyers, and that includes former Wolves superstar Kevin Garnett who is part of an interested group. Garnett, though, has expressed harsh criticism of Taylor in the past and it’s unknown how that might affect decisions by the soft-spoken Timberwolves owner.

WCCO Radio’s Mike Max said this morning to watch for an announcement later today that the University of St. Thomas men’s hockey program will be joining the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

College Hockey, Inc. reports there are 218 NCAA alumni playing for NHL teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs that begin Saturday, and the Gophers have the most alums with 17.

The prediction here is Alex Stalock wins the goalie competition as the Minnesota Wild prep to play its opening game Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. He might handle pressure better than another veteran, Devan Dubnyk. Like every team in the playoffs, the Wild is searching for a hot goaltender to lead win after win in the playoffs. Look for coach Dean Evason to stick with whoever he chooses as starting goalie.

The Canucks are a solid offensive team and for the Wild to match production, continued breakout stardom will be needed from Minnesota forward Kevin Fiala. He tied his NHL career high of 23 goals last season before the pandemic prematurely ended the schedule. In the last five games he had seven points including four goals.

Expect Evason to not favor his top lines for most playing time. If the third or fourth lines are performing the best, their minutes will be considerable.

Josh Donaldson was off to a slow start at the plate in the Twins’ first three games, all on the road, but he hit his first home run of the season and first in a Minnesota uniform last night in the club’s home opening 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. In one game with the Twins, and 22 other prior games playing for other clubs, Donaldson has a career.384 batting average at Target Field.

Comments Welcome

Why Vikings Balk at Dalvin Cook Deal

Posted on July 27, 2020July 27, 2020 by David Shama

Whether Dalvin Cook reports to the Vikings opening of training camp tomorrow is one of the NFL’s trendy stories this week. The gifted running back, after three seasons with Minnesota, wants a new contract presumably paying him $13 million or more annually.

That the Vikings leadership, including general manager Rick Spielman, hasn’t made a deal with Cook and his agent in the offseason indicates how far apart the parties involved appear to be. The Vikings recognize Cook, whose 1,135 yards rushing was 10^th best in the league during the regular season last year, is an impact talent, and at 24 years old isn’t even near his peak as a rusher, but there are factors giving them pause including salary cap issues.

Although Cook is the team’s most dynamic player on an offense built for running, he isn’t going to command the NFL’s top salaries for running backs that are reportedly $15 to $16 million. Not only do the Vikings have cap issues, but Cook’s NFL career has been marked by both spectacular performance and injuries that have sidelined him.

Then, too, the Vikings have an NFL caliber starting running back in Alexander Mattison. As a rookie last season playing behind Cook, he rushed for 462 yards and his 4.6 yards per carry was similar to Cook’s 4.5. Mattison may not be as explosive as Cook, but he is a quality runner and was a third round steal from the 2019 NFL Draft.

Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme is favorable to runners. He proved that not only in his first season with the Vikings, but in prior years with the Broncos in Denver. Cook is fortunate to play in a scheme that can showcase his talents of running inside and outside, plus catching passes (53 receptions last year, 9.8 average).

NFL players are fined for not being in training camp. That’s hardly an incentive for Cook to miss much, or any time, with the Vikings in coming days or weeks. It just might be that all involved could agree on a multi-year deal that pays Cook in the range of $10 to $11 million annually.

Although it’s been speculated the Vikings might trade Cook for a high future draft choice, that seems improbable and foolish. The Vikings need Cook in 2020 and the seasons beyond with their focus on the running game. A Cook-Mattison tandem takes a lot of pressure off skittish quarterback Kirk Cousins and a receiver group trying to recover after the offseason trade of star Stefon Diggs.

Worth Noting

Friends and former teammates of Noel Jenke were saddened last weekend to hear of his death. Noel, 73, died of unknown causes several days ago in Wisconsin, and the Owatonna, Minnesota native is remembered as one of the Gophers’ greatest athletes ever.

Noel earned seven letters at Minnesota, with three each in football and hockey, and one in baseball. He was an outstanding linebacker on the Gophers’ 1967 Big Ten championship football team. Teammate Jim Brunzell said this via email: “God, what a great athlete and human being. He was one tough linebacker!”

Another football teammate, Jim Carter, played with Noel at Minnesota and in Green Bay with the NFL Packers. “He had lots of heart and he was fun to be around,” Carter texted.

Noel played five seasons in the NFL with three teams, the Vikings, Falcons and Packers. Baseball might have been his best sport but football coach Murray Warmath wouldn’t let him play because of the conflict with spring football. As a senior, and after his football eligibility expired, Noel played college baseball for one season and hit .402. It was 50 years ago last summer he made his minor league debut as an outfielder in AAA for the Red Sox’s Louisville farm team, but he never made it to the majors.

A celebration of Noel’s life will be held for family only tomorrow (Tuesday) at a church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Ruttger’s, located near Deerwood, Minnesota, opened its 9-hole golf course 99 years ago this year, becoming the first resort golf course in Minnesota. The course was rough by today’s standards with sand tee boxes, dirt greens and fairways “mowed” by the resort’s livestock. The course was the brainchild of long-time resort guest Hans “Zig” Ziegler, who convinced owner Alec Ruttger to convert some of the resort’s pasture land into a golf course, and it opened to the public in 1921.

The course has had many names through the years, starting with Ruttger’s Golf Links, but is now known as Alec’s 9 in honor of Alec Ruttger. Much of the 2,135-yard par 33 layout of the course has been maintained, but brought up to modern standards. In other words, the tee boxes are neatly mowed grass, and you won’t see any cows on the fairways.

Among pregame activities for the Minnesota Twins home opener tomorrow night will be the playing of both the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black national anthem.

Happy birthday to former Vikings running backs coach Dean Dalton who is 57.

Anonymous Sports Headliners reader with a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Minnesota Timberwolves: “I’ll admit it took me awhile to figure it out, but I’ve recently come to the realization that the T-Wolves defense this season was ahead of the curve in practicing social distancing on the court.”

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