Twins – Page 32 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Justin Jefferson & the 2,000 Yards Question in 2023

Posted on September 5, 2023September 5, 2023 by David Shama

Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson had 1,809 receiving yards last season. In NFL history only five others have totaled over 1,800 yards in the regular season, including Cooper Kupp from the Rams who had over 2,000 yards in 2021-2022 counting playoff games.

Jefferson, age 24, starts his fourth NFL season Sunday in Minneapolis against the Bucs. There will be a national watch to see if Jefferson can become the second member of the 2,000 yards club and the first to do it in the regular season. In Jefferson’s first three seasons his 4,825 yards is the most ever for an NFL player.

Voted the second-best player in the NFL this summer by his peers, Jefferson plays for a creative head coach in Kevin O’Connell who, along with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, devises schemes to get the former LSU star open against aggressive defenses.

A former executive with NFL teams, speaking to Sports Headliners on condition of anonymity, recognizes Jefferson’s extraordinary talents and the coaching staff’s high IQ but is skeptical about the 2,000 yards target. “I don’t see a 2,000-yard season. He’s going to have so much attention on him with double and triple teams. …I know that’s his goal to be a 2,000-yard guy but that’s a pretty high ask, I would say.”

Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The benefit to the Vikings for all the attention to Jefferson will be more opportunities for other playmakers, perhaps starting with rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison who shows big play potential. Wide receiver K.J. Osborn and tight end T.J. Hockenson can also stretch the field for a potentially explosive passing game led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Jefferson’s career high in touchdown passes is 10 in the 2021 regular season (eight last year). Davante Adams of the Raiders led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions last season. You can add a touchdown watch to tracking J.J. this season.

Another topic of Jefferson news is an expected contract extension that could be announced this week. The new terms might be $30 million or so over five to six years. How much will be guaranteed? “That’ll be a $100 million plus, I am sure,” said the source referenced earlier.

Gophers Football In-State Recruiting Update

The Star Tribune published its 23-man preseason All-Metro Dream Team last week. Included in Jim Paulsen’s story were Golden Gophers class of 2024 commits Jide Abasiri, Prior Lake; Sam Macy, Chanhassen; and Mo Saine, Eden Prairie. Who else might the Gophers pursue?

Ryan Burns, the recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated, said one of the names to follow is senior offensive lineman Kene Anene from East Ridge who has verbally committed to Kansas. He interests the Gophers, per Burns, but they haven’t offered a scholarship. “He is probably someone they watch the first few games of tape of. Decide if they want to move on him from there.”

Minnesota is likely to watch tape, too, of Minneapolis North senior cornerback Zashon Rich. “Really athletic kid,” Burns said. “Really, really raw like a lot of Minneapolis North kids are. He’s big enough to be a Big Ten caliber athlete but he’s got a lot of refinement left and if he can show that on his senior tape, you’re going to see some power five schools on him pretty quick.”

Junior offensive lineman Sam Ruid from St. Francis could also be a Gopher target. “He is on a short list for best junior lineman in the state,” Burns said.

Paulsen described Robbinsdale Cooper junior linebacker Emmanuel Karmo as “considered the top recruit in the state in the class of 2025.” Burns said the Gophers are evaluating Karmo as are other programs.

Burns said the Gophers are also watching senior Mounds View slot receiver Tyler Nystrom. “I know he is on their radar for a potential preferred walk-on.”

Minnetonka senior quarterback Milos Spasojevic wasn’t selected for the dream team but Burns said he’s the only QB Minnesota has offered preferred walk-on status to. Wisconsin has done the same.

Worth Noting

Mid-American Conference Opponent Eastern Michigan receives a $1.4 million guarantee to play the Gophers Saturday night at Huntington Bank Stadium, according to information obtained by Sports Headliners from the University of Minnesota. Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana will get $1.3 million for playing the Gophers in Minneapolis September 30.

The Gophers’ third nonconference game is on the road September 16 at North Carolina where the Tar Heels will pay a $200,000 guarantee to Minnesota. Next year NC is at Minnesota and will receive $200,000 as the visiting team.

Gophers’ kicker Dragan Kesich and safety Tyler Nubin were honored by the Big Ten today for their performances in last week’s 13-10 victory against Nebraska. Kesich, who kicked the winning field goal in the game’s closing minutes is Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Nubin, who had two interceptions including one in the fourth quarter that helped Minnesota’s comeback from a 10-3 deficit, is Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

The Gophers used three of their top four running backs against Nebraska. Not playing was redshirt freshman Zach Evans who impressed in his one game last season, rushing six times for 29 yards and a touchdown against Northwestern. “He’s (Zach) doing good, but this is all about competition,” Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck said about Evans. “I don’t make the depth charts. The players make the depth charts. I just pick who played best. Just because you did something one year, doesn’t mean you’re going to be there the next year. We keep adding talent, and you gotta go out there and perform. We have full trust in him when he gets out there and gets his opportunity.”

MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park pointed out yesterday that amazing Twins rookie Royce Lewis, who delivers in the biggest of moments at the plate, not only has hit three grand slams in the span of eight games, but four of his 13 career home runs have come with the bases loaded.

The Twins have won three of their last four games, including last night’s wild 20-6 victory over the Guardians in Cleveland. Former manager Tom Kelly once said momentum was as good as tomorrow’s starting pitcher.

Saint John’s is the No. 4 ranked team nationally in the latest D3football.com poll, moving up two spots since last week. MIAC rival Bethel is No. 16.

The Johnnies had a dramatic win in their opening game last Saturday against Trinity (Texas). Trailing 31-14 in the fourth quarter, Saint John’s scored the game’s final 20 points in a 34-31 overtime win over then-No. 4 ranked Trinity in Collegeville.

Twin Cities TV sports anchors Mike Max, Dawn Mitchell, Joe Schmit and Reggie Wilson will talk about the changing role of local television sports on Tuesday, September 26 at the Capital Club breakfast at Mendakota Country Club. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

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Vikings May Surprise the NFL Prognosticators Again

Posted on September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 by David Shama

How will the Vikings play during their 2023 regular season schedule that begins next Sunday in Minneapolis against the Bucs? After shocking the NFL with a 13-4 record last season, you may need a sleuth to find a pro football authority who thinks that record will be duplicated.

Projected win totals from many knowledgeable sources are under 10 wins. BetMGM has the wagering number at 8.5. Sports Illustrated magazine’s football preview issue is more pessimistic offering possible season records of 6-11 and 7-10. There’s a bandwagon of naysayers who don’t believe the Purple will repeat as NFC North Division champions.

The lack of enthusiasm is based on a couple of major factors. The Vikings, due to their success in 2022, have a challenging schedule that includes six teams who made the playoffs last season and they face five of those clubs in the first seven games. Second, the Vikings had a subpar defense last season and doubts remain despite bringing in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores and shuffling personnel.

A Sports Headliners source, a former front office leader with NFL teams, spoke with cautious optimism about the Vikings. Asking that his name not be published, he said Minnesota could win the division again, with the race likely to be decided in the closing weeks of the season when the Vikings and Lions play twice (weeks 16 and 18). The Lions are a popular choice to win the NFC North after closing 2022 by winning eight of their last 10.

The early part of Minnesota’s schedule has the source’s attention. “I think if they can get off to 4-3, 4-2, 5-3 (record)… then I think they’re in really good shape because then I think the schedule starts to turn a little bit. But It’s not going to be easy. They’ve got that first-place schedule and that’s what you get when you win the division. …”

Vikings fans will like hearing that the authority believes the Lions are “overrated” and receiving more praise than deserved because of their strong finish last season (Detroit didn’t qualify for the playoffs). The Lions will be competitive, though, and the division’s other teams, the Packers and Bears, will be, too, he said. He projects Minnesota’s record at 10-7 and “good enough to win the division.”

The source has concerns about the Minnesota defense, most specifically the pass rush and cornerbacks. Outside linebacker Marcus Davenport, acquired in the offseason as a free agent, must prove capable of being a force along with veteran sack specialist Danielle Hunter. Davenport, going into his sixth NFL season, had nine sacks for the Saints in 2021 but 0.5 last year.

The authority thinks another offseason acquisition, Byron Murphy, could be an “upgrade” over departed veteran Patrick Peterson. The other starting corner, Akayleb Evans, receives a positive nod from the source, too. The “tricky part” he said is the cornerback depth and how things go if Murphy or Evans are injured. Rookie Mekhi Blackmon is inexperienced, and second year corner Andrew Booth has been a disappointment.

“Andrew Booth, I just think he is a guy that just has not played great and he gets hurt a lot and if they have to play him, I think it’s a potential problem,” the source said. “I think that’s why they use a lot of three safety looks because they do have strength at safety with obviously Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, (and Josh) Metellus is a good player. Lewis Cine (second season) seems to have improved, even though he will still give up a play every once in a while. And I like Jay Ward, the rookie safety, a fourth-round pick. I thought he did some really good things in camp, and especially in that last preseason game. …”

Also on the safety roster is second-year player Theo Jackson. The reality is that the hefty number of six safeties indicates a couple of things. Flores likes mixing up his personnel and options by using three safeties on the field at times and the depth at the position may help cover up cornerback issues.

The source admires Flores but has a word of caution, too. Flores is known for taking chances with his schemes and play calls but his aggressive style “can also burn you at times.”

The NFL insider refers to the Viking offense as “excellent.” And why not? Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, known for his accuracy and durability, has No. 2 ranked NFL player Justin Jefferson leading a receiver corps that could be better than last season with the development of rookie WR Jordan Addison and a full season with tight end T.J. Hockenson who was acquired last fall from the Lions. The offensive line is led by two of the better pair of tackles in the NFL in Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw.

Yes, the Vikings no longer have explosive runner Dalvin Cook but the authority quoted here isn’t that concerned about the running game. Reserve Alexander Mattison moves up to replace Cook with Ty Chandler positioned as his backup. Mattison was better than Cook last year in short yardage. “I think they’ll be okay at running back, honestly, if those guys stay healthy,” the source said.

In another interesting roster move the Vikings have kept four tight ends with Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse. Head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to have opponents guessing as to what’s next and while the Vikings have a superb passing game, they will probably frequently use two tight ends, and possibly three when they want to power run, or disguise a pass.

Worth Noting

Daniel Jackson’s toe-dragging touchdown catch that allowed Minnesota to tie the score at 10-10 against Nebraska late in the fourth quarter last Thursday night must rank among the most spectacular catches in Gopher football history. The tie positioned Minnesota to later kick a field goal as time ran out and win 13-10 in the opening game for both Big Ten teams.

The Gopher mantra is “the football is the program.” The Gophers lived up to that by making fewer mistakes than Nebraska and because key Minnesota’s playmakers made big plays including Jackson’s heroics. Preseason All-American safety Tyler Nubin intercepted two passes including one that set up the winning drive where Dragan Kesich, who had kicked one previous field goal in his college career, delivered the winning three points. Another playmaker, cornerback Justin Walley, punched the football loose from a Nebraska ball carrier and the recovery gave Minnesota momentum for its drive that tied the game 10-10.

Word is there would have been even more Nebraska fans at the game if many had not chosen to be in Boulder, Colorado September 9 when Big Red plays Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes.

The announced attendance Thursday night was 53,629, the fifth largest crowd in Huntington Bank Stadium history.

As of late last week, Minneapolis native and cornerback Craig McDonald was still awaiting a waiver ruling from the NCAA to be eligible for the Gophers this season. The waiver approval is necessary because McDonald has transferred twice in his college career, having been first at Iowa State and later Auburn. McDonald would have three years of eligibility with the Gophers and can be a contributor in 2023.

Friends are looking for help in locating former Gophers’ basketball assistant coach Jimmy Williams who was most recently known to be living in Texas but not heard from in about 12 months. Williams was an assistant coach at Minnesota for 15 seasons including for the 1972 and 1982 Big Ten title teams.

Darrell Thompson, the Gophers’ radio analyst and former record-setting running back in the late 1980s, heads up the Minneapolis-based Bolder Options nonprofit that benefits youth with a mentor-focused program. The organization celebrates its 30^th birthday Friday night at a dinner at Quincy Hall (northeast Minneapolis) featuring a live auction and entertainment. The event will honor the late Mark Sheffert, a prominent Minneapolis businessman and Gopher supporter who served two terms as chair of the Bolder Options board and was highly impactful to the organization’s success. https://www.bolderoptions.org/

Beloved former Golden Gophers athletics trainer Jim Marshall, age 93, is scheduled for a trip to Washington D.C. on September 11 at the invitation of Honor Flight Twin Cities. The non-profit organization flies war veterans to D.C. for a day and provides a tour of various memorials including those for World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Arlington Cemetery and Iwo Jima. Marshall served his country during the Korean War and was assigned to a Navy submarine. https://www.honorflighttwincities.org/

The Twins’ starting pitchers for their key series in Cleveland against the Guardians Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray and Joe Ryan. The Guardians are expected to go with Lucas Giolito, Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams.

The Twins announced today that utility player Willi Castro (mild left oblique strain) has been reinstated from the 10-day Injured List. To make room for Castro, outfielder Michael Taylor, with a right hamstring strain, has been placed on the 10-day Injured List.

It’s a memorable year for Minikahda Club golf instructor Jeff Sorenson who last week won the Minnesota PGA Professional Championship at The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and earlier in the year was selected for induction into the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame.

Bill Robertson, the Minnesota native whose career accomplishments included commissioner of the WCHA, is making a successful transition after about a month to his new home in South Carolina where activities include diving into about 300 unread sports books he has collected over the years.

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Mystery Solved on Gophers’ Play Caller?

Posted on August 27, 2023August 27, 2023 by David Shama

With esteemed offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca gone to Rutgers since last January, who calls the plays Thursday night when Minnesota opens its season at home against Nebraska?

After Ciarrocca couldn’t refuse an offer for more money, and opportunity to be closer to family back East, Fleck named Greg Harbaugh Jr. and Matt Simon co-coordinators. Simon held that title last season with Ciarrocca but it was Kirk in charge on game days.

For unknown reasons Fleck has kept his play caller for Nebraska and presumably the entire season secret. The prediction here, and acknowledged by a trusted source, is Harbaugh makes the play calls this season.

Why? Because more than anything, Harbaugh coaches the quarterbacks. With that vital relationship, it will seem odd if Harbaugh doesn’t receive the play calling assignment. Ciarrocca was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Minnesota.

Simon, who specializes in coaching wide receivers, has called plays on an interim basis in two bowl games. His input, of course, is valued as the Gophers move forward, as is the contribution of offensive line coach Brian Callahan who is also the run game coordinator.

Callahan has been coaching the offensive line with considerable success since 2018. The Gophers have rushed with the best teams in the nation and produced an impressive list of All-Big Ten linemen.

Nathan Boe knows Callahan well as a sixth-year offensive lineman. He said his coach brings out the best in everyone’s potential. “He’s really a molder and he molds people into being the best version of themselves,” Boe said. “He’s been very demanding but you wouldn’t want anything less from your offensive line coach. …He’s a masterful mind at creating opportunities, especially short yardage, and goal line. It’s really fun to learn from him and just understand his knowledge of the game.”

Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck has to hope 2023 will start a run of stability with the play-calling responsibility and coordinator leadership. Ciarrocca left the Gophers after the 2019 season to accept the same job at Penn State. Mike Sanford Jr. replaced Ciarrocca, but he lasted just two seasons. Ciarrocca, who had the Gophers averaging a near school record 34.1 points per game in 2019, came back for 2022.

Harbaugh, who called plays at Western Michigan when he was an assistant coach there, will go through a growth cycle if he is the play caller at Minnesota. The Gophers will hope he is more than good Thursday night and even better when the regular season ends in November against Wisconsin.

A former college coach, who texts with Sports Headliners, said it will be “fun” to watch how play calling works out for the Gophers. He spoke candidly knowing his name would not be published.

“There is no such thing as co-coordinators on game day! Someone needs total responsibility to make quick and final decisions,” he wrote. “Co-coordinators are good during the week for practice planning or run/pass breakdown, but on Saturday only one coach can truly call plays to be successful.

“I am not a big fan of ‘on the job’ training for play calling at the power five level. To me (the) experience of calling plays at any level is worth more than gold. There is nothing like the speed and pace in the (press) box when calling plays in football. You literally have 4-6 seconds to get the personnel group, formation and play in right after the tackle occurs on the previous play.

“Sometimes the greatest skill of a play caller is the plays they don’t call, meaning they have a feel for what stunt/blitz might be coming and they know not to call certain plays at certain times (turning) into…potentially bad situations. Ultimately, it comes down to the players’ execution of each play. After all, every play works when you draw it up on the board!

“It will be a lot of pressure on the first-time (Gopher) play caller and will be interesting to see how they react. More importantly how do they adjust on the fly—as the game does not slow down. …”

The assumption is Fleck will okay more pass plays this season with promising quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis returning with his strong arm, and record setting rusher Mo Ibrahim gone to the NFL. While the Gophers may approach a 50-50 pass-run ratio, don’t anticipate a wild aerial show. Fleck’s core coaching philosophy prioritizes an effective running game.

Fleck pointed out that in 2019, when the Gophers had two first team All-Big Ten wide receivers in Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson, they threw the ball only 38 percent of the time. Don’t expect the 2023 offense to deviate too much (no matter who is calling plays) from ball possession football.

“There’s reason why we do hire from within to keep that system very similar,” Fleck said.

Fleck is 44-27 in six seasons at Minnesota. The win total is fifth in program history and his 26 Big Ten wins are sixth best. His winning percentage of .619 is third best among 11 coaches with 45 games or more leading programs at Minnesota.

Much of the success has been because of superb defenses led by coordinator Joe Rossi. Since 2019 when Rossi became the full-time coordinator the Gophers are 32-14 overall and 21-13 in the Big Ten. In 2022 the 9-4 Gophers had the No. 4 scoring defense (13.85 points) nationally and No. 9 total defense giving up 295.1 yards per game.

Tyler Nubin photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Gopher preseason All-American safety Tyler Nubin has taken note of Rossi’s wisdom. “That’s a guru, man. He knows it all. We have a check, a call for everything. He’s one of those guys that will sit in his office until 3 o clock in the morning and just game plan cause that’s the type of guy he is. …The things that you can do extra in order to put yourself ahead of the game, he’s a perfect emulation of that, and that’s what we try to accomplish every single day.”

Worth Noting

Jerry Kill, who turned 62 last Thursday, saw his New Mexico State Aggies lose 41-30 Saturday to UMass. A peerless rebuilder of programs, he led the once hapless Aggies to a surprising 7-6 record last season during his first year in Las Cruces. The former Gophers’ football boss is a ball coach through and through. He may try to coach forever.

The Vikings have the leverage in contract talks dragging out with tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is under contract this season and although he’s undoubtedly seeking a lot more than $12 million in 2024, the club knows it can franchise tag him for about that amount. His camp can argue the going rate for the better tight ends in the NFL is more and to keep him happy a richer deal is deserved but that negotiating approach isn’t that formidable.

The Vikings have one of the better tight end rosters in the league, with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt backing up Hockenson. That quality depth is assured if Hockenson is injured or for any reason unavailable.

The Vikings must reduce their roster to 53 players on Tuesday. Here is a guess at rookies who make the team: WR Jordan Addison, CB Mekhi Blackmon, OLB Andre Carter, LB Ivan Pace, CB/special teams NaJee Thompson.

The Twins decision makers are all-in on position-less baseball as they continue to show. Joey Gallo started in center field Friday night, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see rookie second baseman/DH Edouard Julien play at first base.

MLB.com points out the AL Central Division leading Twins and second place Guardians have decided every game they’ve played against each other this season by one or two runs. There are six remaining games between the two this season, with a three-game series starting Monday at Target Field.

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