Twins – Page 107 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Big Vikings Decisions May Await Wilfs

Posted on December 31, 2018December 31, 2018 by David Shama

What does the Vikings ownership do now with their football leadership?

Staus quo?

Does the Wilf family even think about changing head coaches and/or general managers?

Zygi Wilf’s stated goal is a Super Bowl and before the 2018 season started the Vikings were among the NFL favorites to play in the big game next February. Yesterday the Vikings finished one of the most frustrating seasons in franchise history when they didn’t qualify for the playoffs and earn the opportunity to play in Super Bowl 53.

In five seasons as head coach Mike Zimmer has a 47-32-1 record. His clubs have won two NFC North Division championships. The Vikings reached the NFC title game about a year ago. That’s a better resume than a lot of franchises achieve over a five-year period.

Zygi Wilf has long been an admirer of former NFL coach Bill Parcells who also happens to be close with Zimmer. The Parcells influence reportedly was a factor in Zygi wanting Zimmer to be the coach. It might be difficult for the Wilfs to be emotionally invested in Zimmer and now consider parting ways.

Zimmer has mostly fulfilled expectations as a defensive coaching authority. There have been times when his units were among the NFL’s best. There have also been big moments like the NFC title game against the Eagles in January of 2018 when the defense didn’t show up in a 38-7 loss.

And late in yesterday’s game Minnesota needed to defeat the Bears to make the playoffs but the defense was subpar. Never was this more evident than in the fourth quarter when the Vikings trailed by three points, 13-10, but couldn’t stop the Bears from driving for a long touchdown and making a two-point conversion.

The Vikings haven’t found sustained offensive success during the Zimmer-Spielman partnership. The last few years have been a revolving door of offensive coordinators and quarterbacks. This season (8-7-1 final record) ended with an offense that lacked identity and productivity, and played a major role in the club defeating just one team with a winning record at the time the Vikings played them.

Spielman, who has been involved with player personnel decisions for the Vikings for 13 seasons, has struggled to put together an offensive line that is consistently successful. This season’s version played mostly mediocre football and sometimes awful like yesterday when the Bears just pushed Minnesota’s offensive linemen around on too many plays.

It was Spielman and Zimmer who decided spending a guaranteed $84 million last offseason on quarterback Kirk Cousins was a next step to a Super Bowl. Perhaps it will work out but so far Cousins, who often appears too deliberate in processing while in the pocket, has only added to his reputation of not being able to defeat winning teams (4-25 record).

Spielman has made many correct personnel moves over the years including draft choices like wide receiver Stefon Diggs, running back Dalvin Cook, tight end Kyle Rudolph, defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, and safety Harrison Smith. He has helped shape the franchise with free agent signings like defensive tackles Linval Joseph and Sheldon Richardson. He has also enhanced his roster with hard to find talent among undrafted college free agents (cue the music for wide receiver Adam Thielen).

Spielman is a high character guy who presumably has a solid track record of communications with the Wilfs. It’s hard not to like Spielman who counting his time with other NFL clubs has nearly 30 years of experience in player personnel work.

Since the Wilfs began operating the franchise in 2005, the value has increased dramatically. Zimmer and Spielman have played a major role in that monetary gain with Forbes now valuing the franchise at $2.4 billion. The Vikings, for whatever their season records, have been mostly entertaining and so popular in the state that no other sports entity is even worth mentioning in the same breath.

Yet during the Wilf era the team has won just two playoff games. Twice the Vikings have advanced to the NFC title game but didn’t advance to the Super Bowl. During the last five years the Vikings have missed the playoffs three times, with 2018 particularly frustrating and at times chaotic.

If the Wilfs were to change their football leadership, who would they turn to? There are many individuals who would love the opportunity to lead the franchise but the Wilfs know what they have in Zimmer and Spielman. Is that good enough for them?

Worth Noting

Fox TV analyst Troy Aikman talking yesterday about the Bears-Vikings game: “It will be a long offseason for Kirk Cousins and company.”

If Gophers junior wide receiver Tyler Johnson wants to apply for the 2019 NFL Draft, he and other underclassmen must do so by January 14. The draft is April 25-27 in Nashville.

Look for the Vikings to continue their interest in hosting a future draft.

The late Murray Warmath, the Gophers’ 1960 national championship football coach, would have been 106 years old last Wednesday. Former players remembered the coach’s influence on their lives in email exchanges.

The Twins have one of the five most improved farm systems in baseball, according to a Mlb.com story last Thursday by Jim Callis. He wrote that shortstop Royce Lewis and outfielder Alex Kirilloff “rank among the most elite prospects in the game.”

St. Thomas Academy running back Brendan McFadden, the Pioneer Press East Metro Player of the Year, has a preferred walk-on offer from Rice where 2017 Minnesota Mr. Football award winner Antonio Montero (Eden Prairie) is on the roster. Ivy League schools are also recruiting McFadden.

Linebacker Luke Herzog, also from St. Thomas Academy, will be a preferred walk-on at North Dakota.

The University of St. Thomas football team, 8-2 last season, was ranked No. 15 nationally by D3Football.com in its final poll. That’s the 10th consecutive year the Tommies have finished among the top 20 teams in the website’s final poll. Only two other Division III programs have accomplished that, Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Hill-Murray alum Jake Guentzel, the Penguins forward in town Monday night to play the Wild, has reason to celebrate the New Year. The 24-year-old recently signed a $30 million, five-year contract extension. Guentzel is in his third season with the Penguins and is on track for a career season in goals, assists and points.

Former Wild forward and Virginia, Minnesota native Matt Cullen, 42, has recently returned from the injured reserve list and is a valued leader on the Penguins.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor talking yesterday on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” show regarding a potential trade to help his inconsistent team: “I don’t see anything that is going to help in the near future.”

The Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball team the Gophers defeated yesterday, 71-53, is 3-10 on the season, and has played one other Big Ten team, losing to Maryland, 92-77.

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Fleck: U Recruiting Class ‘Historic’

Posted on December 19, 2018December 19, 2018 by David Shama

Enjoy a Wednesday notes column:

On National Signing Day today (Wednesday) the football Golden Gophers have another class ranked in the 30s by the 247Sports composite rankings. The 2019 class is currently at No. 33, while the 2018 class finished at No. 38, per 247.

“National Signing Day, it’s a very historic day for us,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said in video footage shown this morning on the Big Ten Network. “We’re looking to sign…recruiting classes that are arguably the greatest recruiting classes back-to-back in Minnesota history (Internet era).

“Coaches get a lot of credit when you win. … At the end of the day this is a players’ game. And we’ve got to find the best players and the best people that match our culture, match our university, match our state, and match this program as we continue to move forward.”

Because of technology and the fan interest in college football, recruiting rankings have become a phenomena of the new millennium. 247 reported the Gophers’ classes of 2017, 2016 and 2015 ranked No. 59, 46 and 63 nationally.

As of today Minnesota has the No. 8 class in the Big Ten, per 247. West Division rivals Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin rank higher but GopherIllustrated.com authority Ryan Burns thinks Minnesota’s class compares favorably, if not better. “I would put the offer list that Minnesota has for their commits versus any team in the Big Ten West (Division), and I think Minnesota would win,” Burns told Sports Headliners several days ago.

The Gophers have two four-star recruits, per 247Sports. They are Memphis defensive tackle Kristian Williams and Ellenwood, Georgia defensive tackle Rashad Cheney. Williams’ FBS offers included LSU and Mississippi, while Cheney turned down Alabama and Georgia.

Another signee, Jason Williamson, the state’s Mr. Football Award winner, will become a legend in his hometown of Owatonna if he has a big career at Minnesota. Williamson rushed for 3,009 yards and 46 touchdowns as a senior running back at Owatonna. During his career he ran for 7,009 yards and 102 touchdowns.

“Jason is an outstanding student (3.69 GPA) and a role model and leader in our hallways,” said Owatonna coach Jeff Williams in a statement after Williamson won the Mr. Football Award Sunday. “He is held in the highest regard by teachers and students alike. He is a favorite at our youth camp and in our elementary cafeterias. He is always willing to give of his time to work with the young kids in our district.”

Among Gophers signing today who could yet see their rankings increase by recruiting authorities is Rockwall, Texas quarterback Jacob Clark. The highly regarded Clark, a three-star recruit, will enroll at Minnesota soon and participate in spring practices.

The Gophers gave out their many annual awards at a banquet Sunday and senior linebacker Blake Cashman wasn’t among those honored. It’s surprising that with 19 different award categories that Cashman, who will skip the Quick Lane Bowl to avoid possible injury and prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft, wasn’t recognized with one or more awards.

The Outstanding Defensive Player Award went to junior end Carter Coughlin who led the team in sacks with 9.5. Cashman led Minnesota in solo, assisted and totals tackles with 104.

Coughlin is outstanding and could have made a difference for Ohio State this season. Coming out of Eden Prairie High School, he thought about becoming a Buckeye. His pass rushing skills would have nicely complemented the absence of OSU All-American defensive end Nick Bosa who missed most of the season for the 12-1 Buckeyes.

Junior Tyler Johnson, who won the team MVP Award Sunday, seems likely to consider declaring for the 2019 NFL Draft. Johnson was one of the Big Ten’s most productive receivers last season with 1,112 yards, 10 touchdown receptions and an average of 15.03 yards per catch.

Pro scouts, though, may question the speed of the 6-2, 200-pound former Minneapolis North athlete. Fleck and receivers coach Matt Simon could appeal to Johnson to play one more season at Minnesota to watch him mature, as did Corey Davis when he played for those coaches at Western Michigan. After Davis’ senior season he was an All-American despite generating minimal interest from college football programs coming out of high school.

Casey Mittlestadt, the former Gopher now an NHL rookie with the Sabres, has five goals and is only four goals behind the third leading rookies in that category.

Targeting 11? The Vikings had 10 sacks in their November 4 win over the Lions and possibly could top that total Sunday in Detroit. Minnesota had nine sacks, including two each from defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Anthony Barr, in last Sunday’s win against the Dolphins.

The North Dakota State Bison, who play next month for a seventh FCS national title in eight years, placed seven players on the Associated Press FCS All-American teams named last week, including three Minnesotans. Hutchinson senior safety Robbie Grimsley was named to the All-American first team defense; senior defensive end Greg Menard from Lakeville North was second team defense; and junior Zack Johnson of Spring Lake Park was honored as a third team offensive tackle selection.

Grimsley and Johnson were named Walter Camp FCS first team All-Americans on Monday. Grimsley has made 51 consecutive starts, Johnson, 29, for NDSU.

Twins front office executives Derek Falvey and Thad Lavine have placed the emphasis on taking a youthful roster into 2019. Pitcher Kyle Gibson at 31 and catcher Jason Castro, 30, are the only players on the club’s 39-man roster 30 or over. Pitcher Addison Reed turns 30 on December 27.

The Twins are offering a 19 percent discount on single game home tickets for March, April, May and September of next year. Excluded is the team’s home opener on March 28.

Dave Joerger, the Minnesota native and NBA Kings coach whose team split two games with the Timberwolves in the last several days, might have been the Wolves head coach if the late Flip Saunders hadn’t wanted the job in 2014.

Comments Welcome

Thielen Ignores Not So Athletic Tag

Posted on December 12, 2018December 12, 2018 by David Shama

Adam Thielen is the unofficial Most Valuable Player on the 2018 Vikings’ offense, with three crucial games remaining in the regular season to determine whether Minnesota qualifies for the playoffs. Ironically, an ankle injury suffered Monday night in a low scoring game against the Seahawks has caused speculation whether the team’s leading receiver will be available for the next game.

And inexplicably the 28-year-old wide receiver from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota—who is on a possible path to becoming first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career—still doesn’t know why NBC TV analyst Cris Collinsworth referred to him as not being that athletic during the Vikings-Packers game November 25.

With or without Thielen, the Vikings take a 6-6-1 record into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings, along with the 8-5 Seahawks, are the most favorably positioned potential wild card teams right now in the NFC.

That hardly means all is well with Minnesota, though. The Vikings managed just 17 points during the last two weeks in road losses of 24-10 and 21-7 to the Patriots and Seahawks. The failures with both the run and pass have been numerous and contributed mightily to Minnesota being without a victory this season against teams with winning records.

The offense has weak spots in the interior line and quarterback Kirk Cousins has appeared skittish, despite piling up the stats. Plenty of players have failed to execute at times but there has also been a problem with game plans and play calling, and that led to the dismissal of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo yesterday.

Thielen, despite double coverage and being shut down without a catch in the first half Monday night, stepped up in the second half of the Seahawks game. He caught five passes for 70 yards, including one scrambling and athletic run that should have prompted a nod of approval from Collinsworth. In the fourth quarter with the Vikings behind 6-0, Thielen also got himself open for a touchdown catch that could have turned the game around but Cousins threw an incomplete pass targeting tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Thielen’s five receptions Monday night pushed him over 100 catches for the season, a lofty level for any Viking now or in the past. His 103 catches lead the NFL, and with 1,236 yards he is only 40 behind his career high of 1,276 last season when he was second-team All-Pro.

It will be a challenge for the Vikings if Thielen’s ankle, injured late in the Seahawks game, won’t allow him to play. All season he has shown off a tool kit of skills including sure hands, deft moves, breakaway speed, hard running and old fashion grit.

The former four-sport high school athlete is exciting to watch with attributes that include the ability to find openings against defenders. Yet on NBC TV Sunday Night Football Collinsworth made that comment to a national audience about Thielen’s athleticism.

Collinsworth didn’t elaborate on the comment while on air and apparently hasn’t done so since. Nor has Collinsworth privately communicated anything more to Thielen about his observation that offended his fans.

Thielen photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

“I mean people are going to say stuff, (and) that doesn’t bother me,” Thielen told Sports Headliners. “…If you paid attention to all the stuff people said about you, you probably wouldn’t be where you are.”

Reserve quarterback Kyle Sloter told Sports Headliners that Thielen’s Vikings teammates regard him as “a great athlete.” Sloter praised Thielen for his sure hands and knowing where he is supposed to be on routes, while possessing football “measureables” comparable to the NFL’s best catchers.

Does Thielen rank among the more athletic pro wide receivers? “I would think so,” Sloter said. “To me when you are continually blowing by All-Pro corners and guys that have been there, done that…you’re pretty athletic. …I was a former wide receiver for three years and I feel like I know the difference between a guy that’s just a possession receiver and a guy that’s a go-to-guy in any situation, and I think Adam’s that for sure.

“I think one of his best physical gifts that people overlook is his quickness. I think he’s very fast (in) straight line speed, but his quickness in and out of his breaks, being able to shift his weight, being able to play off of people’s leverage, and being able to get in out of his breaks (is special). I think he’s up there with the best of them (wide receivers).”

Worth Noting

Steve Erban loves the Golden Gophers and for decades he has been hosting fan trips through his Stillwater-based Creative Charters. He’s promoting a “Golden Trek” vision of Gophers football, and he wrote via email that the journey begins with fans attending the December 26 Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit where Minnesota will play Georgia Tech.

Erban thinks coach P.J. Fleck’s program is on a roll after closing the season impressively, including claiming “The Axe” in Madison with a victory over the Badgers for the first time since 2003. He looks at the many Gopher players returning next season who are highly regarded and believes this is just the beginning in transforming the program under Fleck who has the reputation of a strong recruiter.

The message to fans is get in on the Gopher ascent that Erban believes will one day end at the Rose Bowl, or even at the national championship game. Those fans who do can claim they made the “Golden Trek,” an experience Erban compares to his attending every Gopher NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game going back to 1989.

Creative Charters is offering a day-trip itinerary on December 26 with an 8 a.m. flight out of Minneapolis. As part of Erban’s ambitious plan, he’s targeting five airplanes filled with 850 Gophers fans.

Erban wrote: “This trip to the Quick Lane Bowl will allow many Gopher fans to stand at the Rose Bowl/championship game some day and say: ‘I made the GOLDEN TREK.’ “

More at creativecharter.com

New Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson referred to pitcher Fernando Romero as having “wow” talent when talking on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” program Sunday. Romero, 24 later this month, started 11 games as a rookie last season, with a 3-3 record and 4.69 ERA. He could be a starter or reliever, according to Johnson who comes to the Twins directly from college coaching.

Because of open dates early in the 2019 schedule, Johnson speculated the Twins may begin the year with 12 pitchers, rather than 13.

It will be 100 years ago on December 21 that Hobey Baker, considered the first great American hockey player, passed away. The Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s best player, was the brainchild of Chuck Bard, CEO of the former Decathlon Club in Bloomington.

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