Twins – Page 153 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

‘Sky’s the Limit’ for Vikings Defense

Posted on June 17, 2015June 17, 2015 by David Shama

Notes on the Gophers, Twins and Vikings.

The Vikings ranked No. 14 in total NFL defense last season. Minnesota was No. 25 among 32 teams in rushing defense and No. 7 in pass defense. This week the team is finishing mini-camp for the spring and veteran defensive end Brian Robison likes what he sees.

“I think the sky’s the limit for us (defensively),” Robison said yesterday. “I think we’ve got an opportunity to do some really special things around here.

“I think our DBs are playing tremendous right now. I think they’re even better than what they were last year. Defensive line wise, I think we’re rushing very well. Linebackers, having Chad (Greenway) back and having a few of those guys back in there doing the things they’re doing. Fifty-four (rookie Eric Kendricks) is doing some great things out here.

“Yeah, we’ve got very high expectations for our defense and now it’s just about going out there and doing it. We can always have high expectations but if you don’t put it on tape then it doesn’t matter.”

Contrary to a published report earlier this spring, J.D. Spielman hasn’t verbally committed to the Gophers. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told Sports Headliners yesterday the Gophers remain on the list of possible college destinations for his son who will be a senior football player at Eden Prairie High School next season.

Spielman said he and his son visited Michigan and coach Jim Harbaugh two weeks ago. Additional college visits are planned later this month but Spielman declined to identify the schools. J.D., who just finished his lacrosse season for Eden Prairie, has football offers from Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska. Spielman said his son is being recruited as an “athlete,” meaning he could play collegiately on offense, defense or special teams.

Zac Epping, the former Gophers guard, is working with Minneapolis-based agent James Selmer and drawing interest from several NFL teams including the Titans. Epping, who has lost weight since his Gophers days and feels quicker, now weighs 310 pounds and hopes to have a deal soon with an NFL club.

Teams are looking at Epping as either a guard or center. The 6-2 Kenosha, Wisconsin native impressed during his Gophers career with his work ethic and passion for competition. As a young college player, former Gopher offensive lineman Matt Carufel made an impact on Epping. “He kind of taught me, don’t take any crap from anybody,” Epping said.

The Vikings and U.S. Bank officially announced a 20-year naming rights deal on Monday for the new downtown domed stadium. U.S. Bank Stadium has long been rumored to be the name for the facility that opens next year. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported Monday the deal is for $220 million.

If an $11 million per year figure is accurate, the deal is by far the largest of its kind for a Minnesota sports venue. Target Field naming rights have been estimated in the $5 to $6 million range annually with Xcel Energy Center perhaps worth half that, and Target Center and TCF Bank Stadium under $2 million each.

Dave Mona is looking for auction items for the sixth annual Camden’s Concert on July 13 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Among items already secured are prime seats at Lambeau Field for the Packers and Vikings game. The concert features the Wright Brothers and is named after Dave and Linda Mona’s grandson Camden Mona. The event raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Anyone with ideas for auction items can call Dave Mona at 952-944-5344.

Phil Steele’s College Football Preview and Athlon Sports have named Gophers punter Peter Mortell first team preseason All-Big Ten, according to a June 1 Gophersports.com story. Both Steele and Athlon included Minnesota defensive backs Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Eric Murray on their All-Big Ten second teams. Defensive end Theiren Cockran made Steele’s second team and offensive tackle Josh Campion was on Athlon’s second unit.

Former Gophers associate athletics director Tom Wistrcill has resigned as Akron athletics director to become an executive with Learfield Sports, the national company that works with colleges and conferences developing sports related revenues including for broadcasting.

Whether 21-year-old rookie center fielder Byron Buxton goes back to the minor leagues will have a lot to do with if he can hit breaking ball pitches. Buxton debuted on Sunday, struck out twice and was hitless in four at bats. He saw plenty of breaking balls. He is hitting .200 in three games with the Twins.

Breaking balls are a challenge to most young hitters, and whatever the reasons the Twins organization is working on a string of promising prospects who have floundered early in their MLB careers. The list includes Oswaldo Arcia, Aaron Hicks, Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas. All but Hicks impressed with early hitting only to stumble later.

Part of hitting success is confidence and the Twins didn’t allow Arcia, Buxton, Hicks, Santana and Vargas to play and excel for a full season in Triple-A, baseball’s highest level in the minors. The suspicion here is Buxton will be dispatched back to the farm system in a couple of weeks if he doesn’t impress at the plate. No doubt that would be a good move for this highly scrutinized athlete who is rated among the top prospects in baseball.

Buxton is a social media hit with over 24,000 Twitter followers. Decades ago Buxton’s rookie trading card would have been a hot item but now sports memorabilia, including card collecting, has much less interest. The value of old baseball cards for the bigger names is still impressive, though. Harmon Killebrew’s rookie card could command $250, with Rod Carew’s at $150. Mickey Mantle’s rookie card still is the gold standard with a price that might exceed $25,000.

St. Thomas men’s basketball coach John Tauer has authored a book on youth sports and parents. “It’s a combination of psychology, motivation research, anecdotes from the playgrounds to the pros on how and why kids excel or get burned out on sports,” Tauer wrote in an e-mail to Sports Headliners. The book is titled Why LESS is MORE for WOSPS (Well-Intentioned, Overinvolved Sports Parents) and more information is available at Amazon.com. Dr.Tauer, a St. Paul native, has his doctorate in social psychology.

The Warriors likely wouldn’t have earned an NBA title if high scoring guard Klay Thompson had been traded last summer to the Timberwolves. There was interest inside the Warriors organization in sending Thompson—the son of former Gophers All-American center Mychal Thompson—to the Wolves in a deal involving disgruntled power forward Kevin Love who was later traded to the Cavs. But Warriors consultant Jerry West insisted Thompson not be traded and was ready to resign if the deal was made, according to a SI.com story last Thursday by Chris Ballard.

West is a brilliant talent evaluator, perhaps the best in NBA history. He played a major administrative role in the Lakers winning eight world titles in Los Angeles and more recently helped turn around both the Grizzlies and Warriors. The legendary West was drafted as an All-American guard out of West Virginia in 1960, the same year the Lakers left Minneapolis, so he never played here. Ballard wrote that West’s drive for perfection is still present and he can shoot his age, 77, on the golf course.

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Gophers Get Big Ten ‘Underrated’ Label

Posted on June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 by David Shama

The only college football magazine on the shelves at Barnes & Noble’s Eden Prairie store last week was Sporting News College Football. Other college preview publications will follow soon but for now Gophers fans can enjoy a few accolades from Sporting News.

In the magazine’s Big Ten section Minnesota is labeled the conference’s most “underrated” program. Noting Jerry Kill’s consecutive eight win seasons, Sporting News says the “next mission” is to defeat Wisconsin and win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe (after 11 consecutive losses).

Minnesota junior quarterback Mitch Leidner is labeled the Big Ten’s “biggest overachiever.” The former Rivals.com two-star high school player showed more consistency last season than in 2013 and is expected to perform even better this fall.

The Gophers are predicted to finish third in the Big Ten’s West Division behind Wisconsin and Nebraska. The magazine forecasts Minnesota will play Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Yankee Stadium, New York City).

Minnesota can boost its improving national reputation with an opening season win against TCU on September 3 at TCF Bank Stadium. The Horned Frogs are mentioned in the same breath with Ohio State as most likely to win the national championship. Sporting News predicts the two teams will play for the title next January.

Gophers offensive tackle Josh Campion, defensive back Briean–Boddy Calhoun and punter Peter Mortell are All-Big Ten selections by Sporting News. All three are seniors.

The magazine delivers plenty of props to North Dakota State, ranking the Bison No. 1 in the FCS preseason top 25 while noting the program is 58-3 the last four years and in pursuit of a fifth FCS national championship. As usual, the Bison roster will be loaded with Minnesota natives including offensive tackle Joe Haeg from Brainerd High School who Sporting News includes on its FCS All-America team.

UMD is ranked No. 1 and Minnesota State No. 6 in the magazine’s Division II preseason top 25 rankings.

Worth Noting

Look at the fine print in college football magazines during coming weeks and read the names of former Gophers assistants coaching at other schools. “Alums” include New Mexico’s defensive and offensive coordinators Kevin Cosgrove and Bob DeBesse. Others are Rutgers offensive line coach Mitch Browning and running backs coach Norries Wilson, San Diego State offensive coordinator Jeff Horton, UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, and Greg Hudson, David Gibbs and Ted Roof who are defensive coordinators at Purdue, Texas Tech and Georgia Tech.

Eric Kendricks, the Vikings rookie linebacker from UCLA, loves football so much he told Sports Headliners he probably would play for semi-pro wages. “I can’t say the money is not nice but at the end of the day I am doing what I love. It’s putting a smile on my face so I can’t complain.”

Kendricks is being introduced to pro football this week and last at the Vikings’ OTAs. He admitted to being confused at times with all there is to learn. That includes thinking about the UCLA playbook when Vikings information is what’s needed.

Nothing unusual about that for a rookie. Kendricks, who was UCLA’s all-time leading tackler, may have a learning advantage because he played for a former NFL head coach in college who knows a lot about the pros. Bruins head coach Jim Mora told Kendricks, who was a college senior last season, that he was ready for the NFL.

“I get here and sometimes I think—was I ready?” said Kendricks who won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. “But that’s that whole NFL aspect, and how…difficult it is coming in for a college player. But I am trying to adjust.”

It’s too early to know if Kendricks, a second round draft choice, will be a starter right away, or just contribute on special teams. At a minimum he figures to see the field a lot next fall on special teams where he was used early in his UCLA career.

A Sportsillustrated.com article last Wednesday by Matt Verderame ranked the uniforms of all 32 NFL teams. Not such happy stuff for Vikings fans. The Purple came in at No. 23. “The Vikings have great colors, but the pants and sleeve piping knock it down some,” Verderame wrote.

Wait, Vikings fans, it gets worse. The Packers uniforms were ranked No. 1, just ahead of the Steelers and Raiders. Verderame praised the Packers’ “classic look” and traditional logo. Best part? “The incredible combination of green and yellow,” he wrote.

The Twins have the No. 6 selection in the First-Year MLB Player Draft that begins June 8. “There’s an opportunity to add high-end talent to our roster,” Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners. “Pitching would be my bet but… they’re (Twins decision makers) going to take the best guy available.”

The choice might be University of Illinois pitcher Tyler Jay. He could be the best left-handed pitcher available in the draft. There is, however, speculation on whether Jay is a reliever or starter in the pros.

The Central Division leading Twins are 25-10 since April 22, the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball. The Twins open a series in Boston tonight after sweeping the Red Sox in three games last week at Target Field.

Former Gophers and NBA legendary coach Bill Fitch, who turned 81 last month, talking to Sports Headliners about his birthday cake: “It took two days to blow out the candles.”

College basketball policy makers are on the right track (finally) with proposed rules changes that have the shot clock reduced from 35 seconds to 30 seconds and reducing the number of timeouts allowed. The changes are likely to be approved this month and will both increase scoring and speed up games. Hallelujah! See the March 18 Sports Headliners column “College Basketball in Need of Changes.”

Condolences to WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson on the death of his father Norb Robertson on Saturday. Mr. Robertson, 95, passed away from heart failure while out for a walk in St. Paul. Visitation (9 a.m.) and mass (10 a.m.) will be next Monday at Lumen Christi Catholic Church in St. Paul.

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Twins President Expects .300 from Mauer

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 by David Shama

There’s more good news ahead for the Twins if club president Dave St. Peter is right about Joe Mauer. The first place Central Division Twins have won 10 of their last 15 games but Mauer has struggled at the plate hitting .250 with one home run in that span—although he does have 12 RBI.

For the season the Twins are a surprising and impressive 28-18 playing in what St. Peter describes as perhaps baseball’s toughest division. Mauer is second on the team in RBI with 27 but his .276 average and on-base percentage of .337 are significantly lower than his career numbers of .317 and .399.

Mauer, the team’s highest paid player at a reported $23 million per season, suffered a concussion in 2013 and that ended his career as a catcher. Playing first base last season he hit only .277 and his continued below average numbers cause speculation by fans about the 32-year-old Minnesota native’s health.

St. Peter told Sports Headliners that Mauer is “100 percent” healthy. He said Mauer has been a team leader this spring and is evolving into one of the American League’s best first basemen. “I am not worried about Joe Mauer. I think Joe is still primed for a very, very solid season (and) one in which he could drive in 90 to 100 runs. I expect he’s going to hit over .300 and have one of the higher on-base percentages on our club. Joe Mauer is part of the solution. He’s not one of the problems.”

The Twins lost 90-plus games the past four seasons but fans are giddy about the club’s fast start this spring. If the regular season ended now, manager Paul Molitor’s team would be in the playoffs.

“I really don’t go there (the playoff talk),” St. Peter said. “It’s way too early. It’s May. Obviously you want to position yourself to be playing meaningful games late in the season. We’ll deal with that as it comes.

“We do know Mr. Molitor has got these guys competing, so the ultimate goal is to win the World Series. To get to the World Series you have to get to the post-season. Clearly those are things that are out there in front of us, but I can tell you we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about that in May.”

The Twins are 17-6 at Target Field so far—the best home record in the American League. St. Peter said it looks like the club has regained its “mojo” in Minneapolis where in 2010 the team had the best home record in baseball. “If nothing else…I thought that was absolutely critical…to play better at home.

“We’re playing great at home. Hopefully that trend will continue because I think that’s the trademark of a good baseball team.”

Worth Noting

St. Peter said there’s been a “bit of a lag” with the fan base coming back to buy tickets after the team’s struggles during past seasons. However, he’s encouraged by walkup sales including one game where about 5,000 tickets were sold. He said market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise.

Tickets remain for all home games including the much anticipated series with the Cubs June 19, 20 and 21. Those games may eventually sell out but the Twins aren’t close to sellouts for any remaining games on the 2015 schedule, St. Peter said.

The Twins will see familiar faces with the Blue Jays in town for games tonight through Sunday. First baseman and outfielder Chris Colabello, for years a journeyman in the Twins organization who could have hot streaks, is hitting .386 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 83 at bats.

Other ex-Twins with the Jays are infielder Danny Valencia and pitchers Andrew Albers, Liam Hendriks and R.A. Dickey. Sal Butera, the former Twins catcher, is a scout with the organization.

Matt Kalil was harshly criticized last season by fans and media but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer knows some of those barbs weren’t deserved. At times the left tackle (who played injured) didn’t receive the on-field help he needed from now departed starting left guard Charlie Johnson. This week at OTAs Brandon Fusco is working with Kalil from the left guard position after being on the right side last year next to tackle Phil Loadholt.

Kalil said he and Fusco want to achieve good communication and that includes developing rapport off the field. “Yeah, we’re trying to go out (for fun) a little more. Phil is kind of getting a little upset,” Kalil kidded. “That was his boy.”

Zimmer said a key reason for switching Fusco from right guard to left is to benefit rookie T.J. Clemmings who could become the starter on the right side. “We felt like with T.J. Clemmings it would be a little bit easier for him to stay on the same side (as in college),” Zimmer said.

Mike Wallace, the new wide receiver the Vikings acquired in a trade this off-season, said he’s played in five different offenses the last five years. He expects a comfortable adjustment here and looks forward to being part of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s emphasis on the vertical passing game. He doesn’t think he “messed up” a single play the first two days of practice this week.

Wallace caught 10 touchdown passes for the Dolphins last season. Three times during his career he has averaged 16.6 yards or better per reception, with best averages of 21 in 2010 and 19.4 in 2009 playing for the Steelers.

Is Wallace the kind of upgrade Zimmer wants for the Vikings at wide receiver? “I know he’s a dynamic receiver and he’s been doing a great job of working,” Zimmer said. “He’s a guy that works very, very hard. He’s been catching the ball well. He’s been learning the playbook. All of these things are all different, but he’s looked good.”

Vikings players, coaches and staff have their annual playground building project on June 3 at Falcon Heights Elementary School in Falcon Heights.

Calendar planning for 2016: Xcel Energy Center hosts the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships January 15-24, and the Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament March 17-19.

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