Vikings – Page 147 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Rhoda Leadership Key to U Success

Posted on September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 by David Shama

For a young man who could have been in the early months of a medical sales career this fall, Connor Rhoda is sure important to the Gophers.

Rhoda had earned his undergraduate degree in business and marketing education last winter, and planned to give up his last season of eligibility, figuring he didn’t fit into the plans of head coach Tracy Claeys and his assistants. The former walk-on was a “week away” from looking for a job and targeting a career in medical sales and management when P.J. Fleck was hired as head coach and let it be known he wanted to meet with him.

Rhoda’s playing time had been minimal through last season, including just one career start. But Fleck wanted him to compete for the starting job and Rhoda has made good on the opportunity, winning the assignment from redshirt sophomore Demry Croft while helping the Gophers to a 2-0 start.

Fleck demands his quarterbacks be leaders. Rhoda said the leadership role extends to the whole team, not just the offense. He has tried to “immerse” himself with everyone, even support staff in the office, and show the confidence of a leader.

Fleck said Rhoda is an “incredible story” and his leadership has separated him from the other quarterbacks that include Croft who won’t play tomorrow. Croft is facing an off-field issue. “I’ve said this before—year zero—the culture is the first thing in everything we do and if you can’t abide by the culture, then you’re not going to play,” Fleck said.

Croft competed for the starting job last spring and into the season but isn’t the leader and game manager that Rhoda is. Anticipation about Croft has been a focus for Gophers fans since coach Jerry Kill signed him to a Letter of Intent in 2015 and referred to him as a recruiting “steal.”

Kill said he was blessed to sign Croft and Gophers fans hoped he would unseat Mitch Leidner as quarterback in the fall of 2015. Croft, though, was ineffective in three games that season and redshirted last year.

Redshirt freshman Seth Green will play tomorrow if Rhoda is injured in the game. Green might emerge some day as the Minnesota starter but a source close to the program said he wouldn’t be surprised if the athletic 6-4, 229-pound Minnesota native eventually becomes a college tight end.

The quarterback of the future could be true freshman Tanner Morgan who Fleck is planning to redshirt. Another candidate might be left-handed dual-threat quarterback Brennan Armstrong from Shelby, Ohio. The high school senior has verbally committed to the Gophers and could be labeled a four-star recruit by next February when he can sign his Letter of Intent.

Of interest to Fleck tomorrow is Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill. He is considered one of the better passing quarterbacks in the country but Fleck was quick to mention something else about him.

“This kid, by far…he’s just one of the toughest quarterbacks I’ve ever played against, I’ve ever coached against,” Fleck said. “I got a chance (at Western Michigan) to coach against him two years ago in the Bahamas Bowl and when you watch that film, that team is extremely tough. Every one of them.

“Why? Because their quarterback is the toughest guy on the field. He’s one of the best passers we’ll face all year, one of the most accurate guys we’ll face all year… and the whole team responds to him.”

The 1-1 Blue Raiders, from Conference USA, are playing their third consecutive Power Five team to begin the season. They lost their opening game at home to Vanderbilt, 28-6, but on the road last Saturday defeated Syracuse 30-23.

Worth Noting

Rhoda stays in communication with Leidner. ”He’s happy for me,” Rhoda said. “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of experiences together and…I respect the hell out of him.”

Former Gopher football player Richard Humleker will receive the Minnetonka Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award tomorrow morning during a program at Minnetonka High School. Humleker is a long-time employee and leader for The Center of Discovery that assists people with disabilities.

The Vikings will deal with future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh on Sunday. What makes the 35-year-old Roethlisberger difficult for a defense? “His ability to extend plays,” said Vikings linebacker Ben Gedeon. “He gets outside of the pocket, he can break tackles and make a potential sack play into a long gain play. So we’re going to have to be cognizant of that, and (be) on our ‘A’ game, no doubt.”

Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford can’t run like Roethlisberger but his throwing accuracy was superb last Monday night in the team’s opening win against the Saints. He completed 27 of 32 passes and threw three touchdown passes, and set a career passer rating record, 143.0.

“The guy the world saw on Monday is the guy we get to see everyday in practice,” said Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. “He’s as accurate as anyone I’ve ever been around. …”

Vikings rookie running back Dalvin Cook impressed a lot of observers in his regular season debut, rushing for 127 yards against the Saints. “…Made a lot of guys miss some tackles, and then he had the ability to show his speed,” said veteran Vikings running back Latavius Murray. “He’s very special. Really, I think everybody just got a taste of what he’s capable of doing.”

Nate Davis of USA Today ranks the Steelers No. 5 and the Vikings No. 15 in his NFL power rankings. The Star Tribune’s Mark Craig ranks the Vikings No. 7 and Steelers No. 15. Both writers rank the Chiefs No. 1.

To avoid slow commutes on 494 look for Vikings players to relocate closer to Eagan next year when the organization moves its headquarters from Eden Prairie. Players, including former quarterback Brett Favre, have long rented or owned living space in Eden Prairie and other southwest and southern suburbs because of proximity to Winter Park, but that changes in 2018 when the organization moves into a state-of-the-art complex in Eagan.

The Twins, who defeated the Blue Jays last night in 10 innings, have 34 come-from-behind wins this season. Byron Buxton, who won the game with his 15th home run of the year, has 10 home runs in his last 31 games.

The Indians’ win streak of 22 games enhances Derek Falvey’s reputation as a talent evaluator. The Twins chief baseball officer was assistant general manager for the Indians before joining Minnesota last fall.

Mike Max has no plans to bring back “The Sports Show,” the popular local Sunday night program that went off the air in 2016.

Coach Hugh McCutcheon said having his Gophers volleyball team ranked No. 1 in the country is “good for our marketing department” and validates the program’s success. The Gophers play in the Boise State Tournament today.

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How about 10-6 Record for Vikings?

Posted on September 13, 2017September 13, 2017 by David Shama

News about the Vikings, Gophers, Lynx and Twins in today’s notes-focused column.

Vikings rookies Dalvin Cook and center Pat Elflein impressed in Monday night’s opening game win over the Saints. Cook broke Adrian Peterson’s opening game rushing record for a Vikings rookie with his 127 yards and Elflein became the franchise’s first rookie starter at center since Mick Tingelhoff in 1962.

Dalvin Cook (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Cook was the best running back in Monday night’s game that included the return of Peterson in a Saints uniform. The No. 2 draft choice showed speed, power and moves. Former Viking Bob Lurtsema said the elusive Cook can even make a 90 degree change in direction without slowing down.

Elflein, who looks like a draft day steal after being chosen in the third round, kept pass rushers away from quarterback Sam Bradford and showed his mobility on run plays. “He is the real deal,” Lurtsema raved. “He played so well. His awareness and peripheral vision is spectacular.”

Lurtsema is known for his accurate predictions about Vikings regular season records for wins and losses. He is forecasting 10-6 for this year’s team and a spot in the playoffs after the regular season ends on December 31. He believes Minnesota will either win or tie for the NFC North title.

Most everyone sees the Vikings and Packers at the top of the division but Lurtsema labeled the Lions a potential surprise team. “They know they got something cooking there,” he said about the Lions who signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a contract extension making him the highest paid player in the NFL.

Bradford was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week this morning after his career record 143.0 passer rating performance against the Saints. He completed 27 of 32 passes and threw three touchdown passes.

For those who like to speculate about coaching changes, it seems probable Saints boss Sean Payton has to do better than a fourth consecutive 7-9 record. His team was unimpressive in Monday night’s 29-19 loss, and Peterson had what appeared to be an emotional exchange with the head coach on the sidelines.

Jim Carter sent text messages to a half dozen football Gophers earlier this week about Jerry Kill, their former head coach. Carter, a close friend of Kill and wife Rebecca, wanted to assure the players Kill was okay after minor seizures on Sunday.

Carter, captain of the 1969 Gophers, said the players were grateful for the communication and relieved to receive an update about Kill. “I heard back from everyone,” Carter said.

Kill has been seizure free in recent years but Carter said the now Rutgers offensive coordinator had a “couple of quick seizures” on Sunday and was hospitalized that night. Carter spoke with Rebecca on Monday and learned the coach was back at work.

Kill was coaching on the sidelines when hit by a player last Saturday. The blow may have contributed to the seizures on Sunday. “I and others have urged him to go to the press box because it’s safer,” Carter said.

Kill, though, prefers the sidelines where he can be close to his quarterbacks. He is in his first season at Rutgers and coaching for the first time since resigning as Minnesota coach during the 2015 season because of health issues. He is expected to coach in Rutgers’ home game Saturday against Morgan State. The Scarlet Knights are 0-2 following losses to Washington and Eastern Michigan.

Andrew Harte, the former Gophers kicker under Kill, transferred to Rutgers where he has made two of three field goal attempts this season. Harte, 22, is from Downers Grove, Illinois and joined the Gophers program in 2013.

Jeff Jones, who was on Kill’s staff at Minnesota, is assistant director of player development at Rutgers.

Gopher redshirt senior linebacker Cody Poock, who had 14 career starts under Kill and Tracy Claeys, is now a reserve behind sophomore Thomas Barber.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Gentry, who was a much anticipated recruit from Cincinnati in 2014, left the Gophers program last month after having two career catches for 36 yards.

M Club director George Adzick said more than 40 members of the 1967 Minnesota Big Ten championship team have committed to attending a 50-year celebration in Minneapolis later this month. Players will be honored during the Minnesota-Maryland game at TCF Bank Stadium on September 30.

Credit Lynx owner Glen Taylor with approving the temporary installation of air conditioning for his team’s WNBA playoff games at Williams Arena. “Glen was driven by two distinct motives, and none were financial,” said Lynx president Chris Wright. “No. 1 was the safety of players. No. 2 was the comfort of fans.”

The Lynx won its opening playoff game in nearly 90-year-old Williams Arena last night against the Mystics. Without a temporary air conditioning system that could cost nearly $1 million before the WNBA playoffs end in a few weeks, the temperature in the building would have been about 85 degrees.

But with air conditioning temps will be in the 61 to 71 degree range for all playoff games. The Aggreko company based in Houston has contracted with the Lynx to cool Williams Arena. The company has provided forced air for Olympic and PGA events in the past.

Wright said WNBA bylaws require that playoff games be scheduled in facilities with air conditioning. With Target Center’s renovation not completed, and Xcel Energy Center unavailable, the Lynx considered various options for home playoff games including locations outside Minneapolis-St. Paul. Taylor, though, didn’t want the team playing away from its home market.

The Lynx expect crowds of 8,000 to 10,000 for early playoff games but if the team qualifies for the WNBA Finals capacity crowds of 14,625 at Williams Arena are possible. Single game ticket prices for first round home games start at $6 for a college student.

Starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, 10-10, will be a key to whether the Twins qualify for the playoffs. He has a 4-0 record with a 1.38 ERA in his last five starts. Last night he pitched six innings, giving up four hits and no walks in Minnesota’s 16-0 win over the Padres.

The Twins won’t have to worry about cold weather postponing two of their Target Field games next April. The club will be the host team in two games in Puerto Rico against the Indians on April 17 and 18, with off days before and after the series. The Twins will play 79 home games instead of the usual 81.

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What a Script Vikings May Write

Posted on September 4, 2017September 11, 2017 by David Shama

What a story it will be. A moment in state history that will be remembered by almost every Minnesotan—even a few that don’t even know the abbreviation “NFL.” The Vikings could fulfill a dream that dates back to the 1960s.

Next week the regular season begins in Minneapolis against the Saints. The Vikings need to successfully get through the regular season, win a couple of playoff games and then there it is—the Super Bowl in U.S. Bank Stadium.

The AFC can send its goliath, the Patriots, or an intruder like the Steelers. It won’t matter. The Vikings can come full circle, finishing as Super Bowl winners in front of their fans—in their stadium.

Mark Dayton might watch the postgame celebration from a seat that costs $20,000 in the “people’s stadium.” The Wilf brothers will jump up and down like little boys. Bud Grant may crack a smile. Fran Tarkenton will scramble on the field to congratulate Sam Bradford. Alan Page might philosophize about football’s relationship to the community.

The franchise’s legacy of faltering in the biggest games will be exorcised. The four Super Bowl losses in the 1970s were painful, but many Vikings fans weren’t alive when all that happened. The collective hurt is more palpable for the NFC championship game loss (at home) following a 15-1 regular season in 1998. Another nightmare finish was the playoff loss in 2010 to the Saints who with back alley shenanigans put a stop to the Vikings’ Super Bowl itinerary.

The Purple have been cursed for a long time. Maybe it was all part of a cosmic scheme to bring glory in 2018. Not only could the Vikings win their first Super Bowl next year, but they can become the first team ever to do so in their home stadium.

Perhaps the football gods have been scripting this story for awhile. Multiple elements are so perfect including the career coach Mike Zimmer, the straight talking defensive wizard who never had a head job in the NFL until the Wilfs hired him and hoped he could become Bill Parcells. A season ago Zimmer suffered the pain and anguish of eye issues, and has under gone multiple surgeries, but the 2018 Super Bowl could be his reward.

The biggest of stages can vindicate general manager Rick Spielman who enters this season with more than the usual number of eyeballs scrutinizing his work. A year ago he gave up draft choices to acquire Bradford from the Eagles. Winning the Super Bowl with Bradford and a whole roster Spielman assembled will quiet the critics who make a hobby of analyzing his draft choices over the years for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2010.

There will be those who scoff at this Super Bowl prophecy, but be reminded greater minds share the vision. The Pioneer Press reported last month comic turned senator Al Franken predicts a Purple win over the Patriots next February. And back in 2015 Bob Lurstema, the ever optimistic former Viking, saw his favorite team in the 2017 Super Bowl. So what if he was off by a year?

Lurtsema, by the way, could have many phone calls to return next winter. For years his voicemail greeting has teased he will return calls after “the Vikings win the Super Bowl”—then adds, well, maybe not that long.

But not so fast, my friends. Sports Headliners is now having second thoughts.

Are the Vikings really good enough to make a Super Bowl run? Yeah, Zimmer is going to confuse offenses with gap packages and other goodies in his tool box, and gotta like the defensive personnel, too. The front seven ranks with the better groups in the 32-team NFL and the defensive backs compare with the best, too.

The Vikings top half dozen players might all be defensive guys, starting with the safety most everybody wishes they had, Harrison Smith. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes is coming into his prime years and monster defensive tackle Linval Joseph is generally underrated but not by the Vikings. Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks impress with athleticism, and defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter can be league leaders in sacks.

The offense, though, makes a writer hit the pause button on the Super Bowl script. Yes, if Bradford can play like last year, he won’t be THE problem. He set an NFL record for completion percentage, 71.6 percent. He also showed more than accuracy, displaying Houdini-like timing avoiding hordes of tacklers rushing through the team’s leaky offensive line.

That line is what should keep Vikings fans awake at night. If there was such a thing as an NFL auction for personnel, talent evaluators would label the Vikings’ offensive linemen as either mediocre based on past performance, or unproven. That’s not a formula for Super Bowl optimism.

Bradford’s strong and accurate arm, and his drop back timing, could get the offense out of many jams. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs will again be productive and favorite receivers. Rookie running back Dalvin Cook has potential to create the long gainers any balanced offense needs.

A subplot to the season could be the impact of Minnesota native Michael Floyd, the first-year Viking suspended for the first four games. How about a story ending in the Super Bowl where the veteran wide receiver catches the winning touchdown pass?

Sorry, don’t think it will happen. The Vikings might go 10-6 and make the playoffs, just like they did two years ago after an 11-5 regular season. But it takes more imagination and preseason optimism than this keyboard has to see a parade down Hennepin Avenue following the Super Bowl.

Let’s plan on a first or second round playoff loss derailing the Super Bowl train. And what team will dash Purple hopes?

The Packers, of course, who will not only cross the border to beat the Vikings in the playoffs, but again when they travel to Minneapolis to play in the 2018 Super Bowl.

Double sorry.

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