Vikings – Page 152 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Top Hoops Prep Keeps Gophers in Mix

Posted on November 16, 2016November 16, 2016 by David Shama

Race Thompson, the junior forward from Armstrong High School who is among the best prep basketball players in Minnesota, made unofficial recruiting visits to Creighton and Nebraska last weekend. Both schools have offered scholarships, along with Arizona State, Iowa State, Kansas State, North Dakota, Northern Iowa, Marquette and the Gophers.

Thompson said he will probably choose a school after the AAU season ends next summer. If he chose a college now which one would it be?

“I honestly don’t know,” Thompson told Sports Headliners last week.

Race’s dad Darrell is the Gophers all-time career leading rusher and now a radio analyst on Minnesota’s football games. The Thompson family lives in Plymouth, and Darrell is the president of Bolder Options, the Minneapolis-based nonprofit that works with at-risk youth.

Darrell, though, isn’t pushing his son toward a specific college, preferring to let him make his own decisions. Race said the important factors for him in choosing a school are the basketball program’s coach, the players and style of play.

The 17-year-old Thompson, who starts practice with Armstrong later this month, is 6-foot-8 and about 220 pounds after growing an inch and becoming heavier since last season. He was told by a doctor he will grow another inch before reaching his maximum height. He averaged about 16 points last season and is capable of games with a triple-double in scoring, rebounding and assists.

Athletic enough to play both small and power forward for Armstrong, Thompson had a busy summer impressing college coaches while playing AAU basketball. Now the high school season will take up the fall and winter, but Thompson said he also budgets time to relax. “It’s fun to be away from basketball every once in awhile, (and) just be a normal kid and hang out with your friends.”

Worth Noting

The Gophers and Northwestern play Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, and so far this season the two West Division rivals have only two common opponents, Iowa and Purdue. In early October the Wildcats defeated Iowa 38-31 in Iowa City and the Gophers lost to the Hawkeyes at TCF, 14-7. Minnesota defeated Purdue in Minneapolis, 44-31, on November 5. Northwestern, playing on the road last Saturday, beat Purdue 45-17.

After the Purdue game Northwestern players carried teammate and former Navy SEAL Tom Hruby off the field. Near the end of the game, Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald put the linebacker in at running back near the Purdue goal line. The play was botched, though, and the 34-year-old Hruby didn’t score a touchdown in the game that came one day after Veterans Day.

Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys talking about his wardrobe: “I have one suit. That’s all I got.”

Joe Bjorklund, who a year ago was an offensive lineman for the Gophers, is now working for Mortenson Construction on the Athletes Village project at the University of Minnesota. Bjorklund is a project engineer for the company after majoring in construction management and business at the University.

Dick Ames, one of the Gophers most generous donors ever, was on campus yesterday to see the construction progress on the Athletes Village and have lunch with athletics director Mark Coyle.

Ames was a close friend for 45 years with the late Phil McElroy, the former Gopher football player and athletic department booster. Condolences to family and friends of McElroy who recently passed away. McElroy’s funeral is Friday morning at the Church of St. Patrick in Edina.

Gophers senior associate athletics director Marc Ryan has a son who is on the Saint John’s basketball team. Sean Ryan is a 6-2 freshman guard from Eastview High School.

The Vikings might announce today that Alex Boone is moving from left guard to left tackle to fill the opening created last Sunday when Jake Long’s season ended with his torn left Achilles injury. Boone had experience starting at left tackle when he was with the 49ers. Reserve Jeremiah Sirles could fill the left guard spot vacated by Boone.

The Vikings drafted Western Michigan tackle Willie Beavers on the fourth round earlier this year but despite the chaos of injuries to offensive linemen the rookie apparently isn’t ready to play.

Kyle Rudolph could tie Steve Jordan’s franchise record for most career touchdown catches by a Vikings tight end in Sunday’s home game against the Cardinals. Rudolph has 27 career TD catches. With five scores this season, he is tied with three others for the most touchdown receptions by an NFL tight end in 2016.

The Vikings sent an email to customers last week asking for Pro Bowl votes. The ultimate fan vote for blind loyalty might be a ballot for much criticized offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings. The Vikings had five Pro Bowl players after the 2015 season.

Dave Stead, the State High School League executive director, predicts record attendance for the Prep Bowl’s first year in U.S. Bank Stadium. The two-day Prep Bowl on November 25 and 26 will be a first opportunity for many ticket buyers to see the Vikings’ new facility. Tickets each day are $14 for adults and $9 for students. Admission allows ticket buyers to see all the high school football state championship games being played that day.

The early season verdict on the Minnesota Wild is new coach Bruce Boudreau has the team playing with effort. The Wild, who lost 1-0 last night to the Flames, is 8-6-1 with an impressive 41 goals scored and 29 given up. The team doesn’t practice today, and plays the Bruins tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center.

Former Twin Randy Bush, an assistant general manager with the World Series champion Cubs, said on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle last Sunday he wasn’t contacted by Minnesota regarding its search for an executive to lead the baseball department.

In January look for high school football coaches associations to put out a joint statement at the American Football Coaches National Convention expressing concern over the Big Ten’s decision to play football games on Friday nights next year.

Patty Wetterling, the well-known advocate for missing children, speaks to the Capital Club on December 8, with Vikings executive Kevin Warren talking to the group December 20. The breakfast gatherings will be at Town & County Club in St. Paul. More information is available by contacting Patrick Klinger, patrick@thebrandenchancementgroup.com.

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Vikings Looking at Roster Again

Posted on November 14, 2016November 14, 2016 by David Shama

A notes-filled column including news from Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, and also Gopher season ticket totals:

Zimmer said today he will meet this afternoon with general manager Rick Spielman to discuss personnel. Zimmer referenced the meeting when asked about the left tackle position and also placekicker Blair Walsh.

Starting left tackle Jake Long injured his left Achilles in yesterday’s loss to the Redskins and is out for the season. After the game left guard Alex Boone told reporters he might move to left tackle but Zimmer said that was premature and he will have more to say about his offensive line on Wednesday.

The Vikings have been devastated by injuries in the offensive line. If the team turns to the outside for help a possible addition might be tackle Carter Bykowski who was with Minnesota earlier this year. Bykowski, who is on the Falcons’ practice squad, knows the Vikings’ system.

Walsh missed another extra point (his fourth of the season) in yesterday’s game. He is also only 12 of 16 on field goals and last week the Vikings auditioned potential replacements. Things are so bad Fox TV analyst Chris Spielman (Rick’s brother) said during the game that Zimmer should just plan on Walsh missing kicks. After the game a caller on the Vikings radio network suggested the team should sign a “female soccer player” as the new kicker.

Zimmer on whether injured running back Adrian Peterson might play again this season: “I have no idea.” …

University of Minnesota nonstudent season tickets for both men’s basketball and men’s hockey are down by about 1,000 each from a year ago. As of last week, basketball was at 6,246 compared with 7,221 for the 2015-2016 season. The hockey number was 6,039 after totaling 7,080 in 2015-2016.

Hockey student season tickets were at 2,739 after last season’s figure of 2,788. The basketball student season tickets total was 1,181 after a 2015-2016 number of 1,748. …

After Saturday’s 24-17 loss to No. 21 ranked Nebraska, Tracy Claeys has a 5-7 Big Ten record as interim and head coach of the Gophers. Five of the defeats have been by seven points or less. Claeys has won just one close conference game, defeating Rutgers 32-31 this fall. He has no victories over nationally ranked, or rivalry teams.

The Gophers, 7-3 overall and 4-3 in league games, have lost to Penn State, Iowa and Nebraska—all top 25 ranked teams.

Game times announced: Minnesota’s home football game with Northwestern Saturday will be at 2:30 p.m. and the Gophers men’s hockey game against Minnesota State at Mariucci Arena will start at 8 p.m. …

The St. Thomas football team finished the regular season with a 10-0 record, including 8-0 in the MIAC. Last Saturday the Tommies defeated St. Olaf 73-7 to win the MIAC title. Saint John’s (9-1, 7-1) won second place by defeating Concordia-Moorhead (7-3, 6-2). The Johnnies, who lost their only game to St. Thomas, defeated Concordia 31-7. St. Thomas has an opening Division III playoff game at home on Saturday against Northwestern (Roseville), while Saint John’s hosts Wisconsin-Platteville.

Concordia had a 23-20 loss to St. Thomas earlier in the season. “They should have beaten St. Thomas,” said Saint John’s coach Gary Fasching.

Fasching offered that opinion while speaking to the CORES lunch crowd last Thursday. He had the audience laughing when he opened his talk by saying, “I notice some St. Thomas people (here), so I will try to speak a little slower.”

Fasching told the audience former Saint John’s coach John Gagliardi had his 90th birthday last week. The legendary Gagliardi sat in with the Johnnies’ coaching staff every Monday this season to review film. …

CORES emcee Dick Jonckowski introduced Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino at a recent gathering of Minnesota high school basketball coaches. He referred to Pitino’s father, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, as the “Italian Stallion.” Then he introduced the “Pepperoni Pony.”

Jonckowski jokes that he met up with Blair Walsh at a local McDonald’s. Jonckowski asked the Vikings’ placekicker how he is doing. “I can’t kick,” Walsh supposedly said. …

That was Minnesota resident Eric Curry officiating the ESPN televised game Friday night in Hawaii between basketball powers Arizona and Michigan Sate. Curry is married to former Gophers basketball player and now Macalester coach Kelly Roysland. …

The Timberwolves had three players listed in Sports Illustrated’s ranking of the NBA’s top 100 players. The magazine’s NBA preview issue last month ranked center Karl-Anthony Towns No. 23, forward Andrew Wiggins No. 67 and point guard Rick Rubio No. 71. …

Twins owner Jim Pohlad told Sports Headliners he is open to spending more money on players as new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine rebuild his team. The Twins’ payroll ranked 19th among MLB franchise’s in 2016, according to Espn.com.

Twins fans have noticed the Braves, who ranked with baseball’s worst teams last season, added free veteran agent pitchers R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon this month.

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Twins New Bosses Face Fan Anger

Posted on November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 by David Shama

The Twins introduced new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to the media and fans today. News of their appointments won’t sell many tickets or immediately improve a team that lost 103 games last season.

Falvey is the new executive vice president and chief baseball officer. Levine’s title is senior vice president and general manager. They represent a new start for a franchise that has lost over 90 games in five of the last six seasons. Home attendance has declined every year, with the Twins drawing less than two million fans last season for the first time since moving into Target Field in 2010.

Fans have become both angry and apathetic. A knowledgeable sports industry source told Sports Headliners he heard the Twins’ season tickets total is about 8,800 right now. Another source believes the final total for 2017 will be about 10,000. When the club started playing at Target Field the season tickets total was approximately 25,000.

TV viewership was dismal at times last season. A ratings authority said the Nielsen results for a Twins-Blue Jays game in August showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners earlier this year market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise. To rally the fan base, though, Falvey and Levine will have to make changes that re-energize the public.

At the top of the to-do list is adding a couple of marquee players to the roster before next season. The Twins have a reputation for usually not spending significantly on free agents—nor wisely when they do. Their offseason shopping list might start with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who the Twins errantly traded away to the Nationals in 2010 for closer Matt Capps. Ramos, 29, had a breakout year in 2016, becoming a National League All-Star and hitting .307 with 22 home runs with 80 RBI.

Everyone knows the Twins need to upgrade their pitching staff and that assignment might be where Falvey and Levine can show their smarts first. If they can identity the right pitching help this offseason, that will be impressive. Without better starters and relievers, the Twins are probably a lock to finish last in the American League Central Division again.

The shopping list should also include a clubhouse leader. The Twins never replaced role model vet Torii Hunter who retired after the 2015 season. His leadership and hitting production were key reasons why the 2015 team had a winning record (83-79).

Falvey and Levine should show the fan base they are changing the culture in the baseball department. Change is anticipated to include increased use of analytics but it’s also expected to result in new faces in the organization. Changes might include new coaches.

Levine indicated at today’s news conference he and Falvey see manager Paul Molitor as “someone they can invest in.” No reassurances were made, though, that all the coaches on Molitor’s staff will return. Rob Antony, who has been leading the baseball operation, drew praise from Falvey who didn’t hint at change there.

The 33-year-old Falvey and the 44-year-old Levine have a big job ahead. In a few years the results of their decisions will be known. Let them do things now they believe will give the Twins the best chance to win in 2017 and beyond.

Falvey comes from the Indians where he was assistant general manager. His most extensive experience with the organization was serving four years as the director of baseball operations. Levine has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant general manager for the Rangers.

Worth Noting

Falvey and Levine impressed with their answers at today’s news conference, with the latter more than once showing a sense of humor. The transplanted Texan said he had been warned about Minneapolis weather in November but temps have been mild. “This is actually a lovely time of year up here,” Levine said.

Bo Hellquist, the former UMD pitcher from Savage who signed as a free agent with the Twins in June, had a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games pitching in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, operating from La Crosse, Wisconsin, has announced 30 trips for 2017 including games to see the World Series champion Cubs. Billed as the “Ultimate Wrigley Field Experience,” the Chicago trip will allow fans to watch games from the stadium and a rooftop. More at Jaybuckley.com.

Give the Gophers and coach Don Lucia credit for a weekend with a tie and a win over North Dakota, a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Saturday night’s announced attendance was 10,310—the ninth largest ever at Mariucci Arena.

The Sports Illustrated College Basketball Projection System simulates the season ahead 10,000 times and ranks teams from No. 1 to 351. The Gophers are No. 97, just behind East Tennessee State and one spot ahead of South Dakota State. Minnesota ranks 13th in the 14-team Big Ten Conference. Rutgers—ouch!—is 224th.

S.I. ranks Duke No. 1 in the nation, while Big Ten teams in the top 16 are Wisconsin No. 8, Purdue No. 11 and Indiana No. 14.

Emmit Carpenter, who kicked three field goals including two of over 50 yards in the Gophers’ win over Purdue Saturday, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week today.

New Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur impressed yesterday with his use of various personnel and play calling, including a surprise touchdown run by reserve tight end Rhett Ellison in Minnesota’s 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Bleacherreport.com’s NFL power rankings this morning have the Lions at No. 11 and the Vikings No. 12. The Redskins, who the Vikings play next Sunday, are No. 13, while the Patriots rank first.

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, and one that Vikings fans will enjoy. The travelling exhibit, on display through January 15, includes an area devoted to the Minnesota NFL franchise. In addition to the Hometown Heroes section, fans can enjoy and learn about the history of pro football including how Ole Haugsrud purchased the Duluth Eskimos franchise for $1 in 1925. Haugsrud later became one of the original Vikings owners.

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