Vikings – Page 145 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Not too Late for Grant Bobblehead

Posted on June 1, 2017June 1, 2017 by David Shama

A Thursday notes column leading off with—you never expected this—Bud Grant Bobblehead news, plus Gophers basketball, the Twins, and fishing.

Grant sold Bobbleheads at his annual garage sale last month but those who missed out can still obtain the plastic statue through Joe Florenzano and Triple Crown Sports Collectibles. The former Vikings coach is depicted to reflect his football career and passion for the outdoors. The figurine shows him wearing a Vikings cap and jacket, holding a duck, and accompanied by his hunting dog Boom. The Bobblehead is a first for the 90-year-old Minnesota sports legend, and probably the last.

Mail orders are being accepted while limited supplies last, with the cost $55 for an unsigned Bobblehead and $90 for a signed. More information is available at Vikingstwinsman@gmail.com.

Grant will sign autographs at Florenzano’s collectibles show from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 at Southtown Shopping Center. Fees are charged for autographs and photos.

Sportingnews.com has the Gophers No. 10 in its top 25 national basketball rankings for 2017-2018. The rankings, posted online yesterday, listed Michigan State No. 2, with the Spartans the only Big Ten team ahead of Minnesota. The Gophers were a surprise last season finishing 11-7 in Big Ten regular season games, and they are losing only one key player. Ryan Fagan wrote the “Gophers will push for the Big Ten championship.”

The other ranked Big Ten teams are No. 23 Purdue and No. 24 Northwestern. Arizona is No. 1.

There is some speculation that when the ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchups are announced the Gophers will host Duke at Williams Arena. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 3 by Sportingsnews.com, and the Gophers have never played them in the Challenge. Minnesota is 1-2 historically (all neutral court games) against the famed program, with the last game coming in a 2013 Duke win in the Bahamas.

The Gophers are “drowning” in Challenge games against Florida State, having played the Seminoles three times in the last five years.

Christine Clifford (photo credit: Ephraim Moore)

Christine Clifford, a Golden Valley resident, won a tarpon invitational tournament in the Florida Keys last month where 127 tarpon were caught. She hauled in a record 14 tarpon in the 33rd annual tourney, breaking the previous record of 11.

The Twins have lost four straight but with a surprise 26-23 record still have the best winning percentage in the AL Central. Minnesota lost 8-6 to the Rays on Sunday in a 15 inning game that took 6 hours and 26 minutes—longest in club history. The Twins blew a late inning 8-2 lead on Memorial Day, losing 16-8 to the Astros. In losses to the Astros Tuesday and yesterday, the Twins were defeated 7-2 and 17-6. For the three game series the Astros scored 40 runs, the Twins 16.

“Building character right now, along with building a winning attitude,” said Jim Rantz. The now retired Twins front office executive spoke to Sports Headliners yesterday morning before another loss at Target Field.

The Twins can now show the defeats aren’t demoralizing to a team that was 59-103 last season. A strong June led by revived pitching would help. The club hasn’t played better than .500 baseball in June since a 14-13 record in 2012. Last year the Twins were 10-17 during the month, on their way to the worst record in the majors.

The June schedule has the Twins on the road for two-thirds of the month but Minnesota is 14-5 in away games so far, 12-18 in Minneapolis. The Twins play the Angels in Anaheim tonight and won’t have to face Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout who was in the early running to win the AL Triple Crown before tearing a ligament in his left thumb.

The Twins had the opportunity to select Trout in the 2009 first-year player draft but took Kyle Gibson with the No. 22 choice. The Angels found Trout still available drafting at No. 25. Gibson has been inconsistent with the Twins during his career, and this season has been disappointing so far. His record is 1-4 with a 7.75 ERA.

In the Astros series the Twins faced star shortstop Carlos Correa who Houston chose with the No. 1 selection in the 2012 draft. The Twins, picking next at No. 2, drafted center fielder Byron Buxton. “I think we were leaning toward Buxton all along,” said Rantz who was involved with that draft.

Buxton has been sensational in the field and a major contributor to the improved Twins defense that has played a key role in the club’s early contention for a division title. After a miserable start at the plate, Buxton is contacting the ball with some consistency and he hit .254 in May. His average now is .201.

Rantz thinks Buxton might be the fastest player in baseball and refers to him as a hitter who eventually may average .250 to .280 each season, with double digit totals in home runs. “He’s going to get his hits and some of them won’t be pretty, but that’s what speed does,” said Rantz.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners he hasn’t been surprised how consistent the Twins outfield and infield defense has been. Minnesota has the second fewest errors among MLB teams, according to Espn.com. “Our outfield defense has been as good as any outfield defense in Major League Baseball,” St. Peter said. “All of the modern metrics demonstrate that.”

St. Peter said minor league performances by Buxton and fellow outfielders Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario indicated they would perform well in the majors. Early signs were also present with shortstop Jorge Polanco and third baseman Miguel Sano. “I think the other person that probably doesn’t get enough credit is Joe Mauer at first base,” St. Peter said. “Joe is having an incredible year defensively over there and certainly should be somebody who gets Gold Glove consideration.”

St. Peter talking about the club’s personnel: “We’re always open to discussions about how we make our team better. I don’t think there is a single player on our roster that is immune from those types of discussions. …”

ByungHo Park is playing again for Triple A Rochester. He had a hamstring injury earlier in the year and is hitting .228 in 92 at bats after an impressive spring with the Twins and almost making the big league roster. “But I certainly expect to see Byung in Minnesota at some point in 2017,” St. Peter said about the DH and first baseman.

The Twins sold about 1,500 of the new Spring Ballpark Pass, St. Peter said. The pass provided access inside Target Field but not a seat and cost $99 to watch Twins games in April and May. That type of product is something the Twins will consider in the future.

St. Peter said the club has sold more than 13,500 season tickets and could exceed 14,000 for 2017. The team’s season ticket total last year was about 14,000.

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Dalvin Cook Predictions Coming in

Posted on May 30, 2017May 30, 2017 by David Shama

It’s only spring and the Vikings are going through early practices, but expectations have already arrived for rookie running back Dalvin Cook. Anticipation among fans and media has been present since the Vikings moved up in April’s NFL Draft to select the former Florida State All-American in the second round, but a couple things said recently are newsworthy.

Vikings college scout and veteran front office authority Scott Studwell made a prediction last week about the 21-year-old who will compete to replace Adrian Peterson as the team’s starting running back. “He’s going to play early and he’s going to play a lot,” Studwell told Sports Headliners. “We’ll see how it all shakes out.”

If there is a guru among pro football writers, it’s Sports Illustrated’s Peter King. He had his own projection about Cook last week. He wrote online that by Halloween the 5-10, 210-pound Cook will be one of the NFL’s five best running backs. King also said the Vikings need a renewed running game and Cook—along with veteran Latavius Murray—can provide the answer.

Dalvin Cook (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

The Vikings ranked last in NFL rushing last season at 75.3 yards per game. Studwell said the Vikings must commit to running the ball and Cook can be a major contributor. “Hopefully he’ll loosen up the box a little bit. He’ll put pressure on defenses. He’s got big play potential and that’s what we were missing.”

Studwell studied Cook on tape before the Vikings made him their highest drafted running back since they took Stanford’s Toby Gerhart in the second round in 2010.

“He is an exceptional athlete,” Studwell said about Cook. “He can do everything. He catches it extremely well. He’s got great feet, he’s got really good eyes. He plays probably faster than he times. He’s got game speed. He’s got exceptional inside run ability. He’s pretty much the entire package.”

A history of off-field problems and injuries gave teams pause in drafting Cook who could have been a first round choice but instead was the ninth player chosen in the second round. Now he has a new start in the pros. “(For) anybody’s general impression, he’s just a good guy,” said fellow rookie Eric Wilson.

Wilson is a linebacker, and playing on the other side of the ball has given him an opportunity to watch Cook. “His quickness is hard to come by,” Wilson said. (With) his vision, he’s able to make cuts that a lot of people just can’t make. That’s going to take him a long way as long as he stays in the playbook.”

Maybe Cook’s rookie season will draw comparisons to Peterson’s 2007 debut when he rushed for an NFC best 1,341 yards. That effort, combined with Chester Taylor’s running, allowed the Vikings to set a team rushing record of 2,634 yards as Minnesota ranked No. 1 in NFL rushing offense. Cook, Murray and the Vikings have no where to go but up.

Worth Noting

Tre Jones, the elite prep point guard from Apple Valley High School, suffered a top ankle sprain last week and is on crutches. “He needs time to heal but nothing is broken,” said his cousin Al Nuness.

Jones was playing in California for his Minnesota team that competes in the Nike EYBL when injured. The culmination of the EYBL schedule comes at the Peach Jam July 12-16 in South Carolina and Nuness said that figures to be a target date for Jones’ return, if not sooner.

The Twins have the first pick in the June 12 first-year player draft but don’t expect that player to be on the big league roster this year. The only first round pick ever to play for the Twins in his first season as a pro was pitcher Eddie Bane who made his big league debut July 4, 1973 at Met Stadium with no time spent in the minors.

The Twins probably could draw a near capacity crowd at Target field if they showcased their No. 1 this year. The club is hoping to draw 2 million fans and top last season’s attendance of 1,963,912 million, the lowest ever in seven years at Target Field.

If Mike Zimmer’s eye struggles were to sideline him for an indefinite period it’s a decent guess general manager Rick Spielman will designate offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as interim head coach. Shurmur has NFL head coaching experience—2011 and 2012 with the Browns, and 2015 as interim boss with the Eagles. He was promoted by Zimmer last fall from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator when Norv Turner left the team.

Schurmur and wife Jennifer entered their bulldog Penny in Canterbury Park’s fourth annual Running of the Bulldogs yesterday at Canterbury Park. Penny didn’t emerge as a winning dog in one of the racetrack’s more popular just for fun promotions that also include annual Corgi and Weiner dog races.

Ex-Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi will have the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion named for him at a yet to be determined event this fall. Maturi retired in 2012. His career highlights included the building of TCF Bank Stadium and a deep commitment to gender equity.

It was 15 years ago last week that legendary Gophers athlete and athletic director Paul Giel died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Giel, an All-American at Minnesota in baseball and football, had a varied career that also included being sports director at WCCO Radio.

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Lurtsema Predicts Teddy to Play in 2017

Posted on May 16, 2017May 16, 2017 by David Shama

Bob Lurtsema watched Teddy Bridgewater throw footballs last week and he predicts the Vikings quarterback, who missed all of the 2016 season because of a severe left knee injury, will soon be competing with Sam Bradford for the starting job.

“He’ll play in preseason,” Lurtsema told Sports Headliners. “He’s throwing sharp.”

Neither Bridgewater nor the Vikings have announced an official return to the field but Lurtsema, the well-known Vikings alum who remains close to the franchise, spoke confidently about a comeback for the 24-year-old who Minnesota drafted in 2014. When asked how Bridgewater’s knee is recovering, Lurtsema replied, “Very, very well.”

Before Bridgewater hurt the knee in a noncontact situation last summer, there was every confidence the former Louisville star was going to be the team’s starter and quarterback of the future. The knee injury was so severe, however, it cast doubt over Bridgewater’s short and long term future, with suggestions he might not ever play again.

The Vikings were forced to acquire the veteran Bradford late last summer. He not only learned the offense remarkably well on short notice but passed the football with amazing accuracy. His completion rate of 71.6 percent was even more impressive because of the injuries that devastated the offensive line. That percentage set an NFL single season record.

When asked about the Vikings’ likelihood to hold a competition in training camp this summer between Bridgewater and the 29-year-old Bradford, Lurtsema said, “Hell, yes.”

Who will win the job? Lurtsema said the selection will have everything to do with head coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s belief about who is better suited to run the style of offense they think best fits the club’s overall personnel. The quarterback who can best complement that offense and execute it gets the job, per Lurtsema.

When Lurtsema saw Bridgewater last week he expressed empathy concerning the knee injury and lengthy rehab. Bridgewater said injuries are part of the game and players can expect to get hurt. “I feel great now and things are going to be good,” Bridgewater told Lurtsema.

Worth Noting

The Vikings will open their regular season against former star running back Adrian Peterson who is now with the Saints. Coaches recently haven’t allowed the 32-year-old Peterson to have contact in preseason games. Lurtsema believes that is a mistake not getting the body ready for running the football and if Peterson follows the pattern as a Saint he will have minimal production against the Vikings in the season opener.

Lurtsema appeared at a Twin Cities Sabercats game last Saturday to sign autographs. The Sabercats are a semi-pro football team that won its 2017 opening game at North St. Paul Polar Field against a team from Iowa. The Sabercats have a playing roster of 53 and don’t receive compensation. Players range in age from 18 to their late 30s.

Bud Grant’s birthday is Saturday. The legendary former Vikings coach turns 90.

Sunday’s column about the 1967 Gophers Big Ten championship football team prompted emails from readers including former team student trainer Steve Nestor. Nestor remembered coach Murray Warmath used four different starting quarterbacks that season—Larry Carlson, Phil Hagen, Ray Stephens and Curtis Wilson. “Go figure! Has to be more than unique,” Nestor wrote regarding Minnesota’s last Big Ten title team that struggled to score points early in the season.

The column referenced the late John Williams who was a highly recruited fullback from Toledo coming out of high school and he was pursued by legendary coach Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. The coach hung up the phone on Williams when he heard the schoolboy star was going to Minnesota, according to emailer Steve Hunegs.

Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck told WCCO Radio “Sports Huddle” listeners on Sunday his preference is to name his starting quarterback the first week of practice in August. Senior redshirt Conor Rhoda and junior Demry Croft looked like the favorites for the job coming out of spring practices.

As the new head coach in January, Fleck inherited a program that excels academically and made vast improvements in recent years. Eligibility was a major issue when Jerry Kill became head coach in late 2010, and part of what the public doesn’t know about the academic turnaround is football department staff went to classes checking on the attendance of players.

The May 15-22 issue of Sports Illustrated has high praise for Jake Guentzel, the Penguins rookie forward who is the son of Gophers associate men’s hockey coach Mike Guentzel. Jake’s teammates include superstar center Sidney Crosby who has helped make the Penguins a favorite to win the 2017 Stanly Cup. “He’s just so smart,” Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin said of Guentzel. “Jake thinks the game at a high enough level that he can keep up with Sid.”

Former Gopher Phil Kessel scored the lone goal last night in the Penguins’ 1-0 win over the Senators to tie that Stanley Cup series at 1-1.

The same issue of S.I. included NBA leaders this past season in hustle statistics like charges drawn, contested shots, deflections and loose balls recovered. Among the leaders in scrappiness was Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio whose 3.8 deflections per game tied John Wall of the Wizards for third best in the league. Robert Covington from the 76ers led all players in that category at 4.2.

The Star Tribune’s Sunday night online story about the Gophers softball team not being selected by the NCAA to host a regional playoff series was the most read article on the website. The Big Ten champions will be sent to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where play begins Friday and the field includes the SEC’s Alabama. The 54-3 Gophers were faulted for having zero wins against top 10 nationally ranked teams and only two versus top 25 programs. All 13 SEC softball teams made the NCAA Tournament and eight of the 16 hosts for regionals are from that conference.

The St. Paul Saints open their season Thursday night against Gary and are giving away 6,000 tams in recognition of the late Mary Tyler Moore whose 1970s TV show was factiously based in Minneapolis. A Minneapolis statue of Moore, who died earlier this year, depicts her famous tam toss from the TV show.

Saints owner Mike Veeck had a hip replacement 49 days ago and is moving well. He and the Saints are celebrating 25 seasons in St. Paul this year.

Minnesotan Michele Tafoya, the sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, impressed with her presentation to the CORES group last Thursday. The next program is September 14 when Matt Birk, the former Vikings center who now works for the NFL, speaks to CORES. Darrell Thompson, the Gophers all-time leading career rusher and now the team’s radio analyst for games, will speak on November 9. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

St. Thomas used four spring conference championships to win the 2016-2017 MIAC men’s and women’s all-sports title for the 10th consecutive year. It’s the 31st all-time title for the St. Thomas men and 26th for the women.

Target Center general manager Steve Mattson is leaving his position because of a family relocation to Seattle.

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