Vikings – Page 155 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Failing Offensive Line Clouds Vikes Future

Posted on November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 by David Shama

The Viking lost their second consecutive game last night, scoring one touchdown in a 20-10 loss in Chicago. The Vikings, 5-2, still lead the NFC North Division but after the surprising loss to the Bears, now 2-6, Minnesota’s results in their last nine regular season games is worth biting your nails over.

After two road losses the Vikings are at U.S. Bank Stadium to play the 4-4 Lions in another division game next Sunday. The Vikings’ energy and will figures to go up a notch next week but reality is this team is searching for answers—mostly due to a crisis with the offensive line.

Injuries have reshuffled the personnel and the argument is valid this could be the NFL’s worst offensive line. The Vikings haven’t been able to effectively run the ball all season and in the losses to the Eagles and Bears no one could blame Sam Bradford’s relatives for worrying about the quarterback’s safety. Bradford was under almost constant pressure last night, with the Bears making him hurry throws, while deflecting passes and taking him out of his throwing rhythm.

Sam Bradford (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

He was sacked five times including multiple times in the first half when the Vikings scored only three points. “I would not want to be Sam Bradford,” said ESPN game analyst Jon Gruden.

The Vikings scored their lone touchdown on a sharp throw by Bradford to Stefon Diggs for 25 yards. Trailing 20-10 with more than five minutes to go, the Vikings had an opportunity to narrow the lead but never got the ball back. The defense, perhaps the NFL’s best, couldn’t stop quarterback Jay Cutler and teammates who for much of the game out played Minnesota.

Today the NFL’s trading deadline ends and perhaps the Vikings can acquire help in the offensive line. With or without a new player, the unit will need to work on improving skills, energy and determination for the Lions. The usual electric atmosphere in U.S. Bank Stadium will help. Probably a lot. …

The 0-2 Timberwolves open their home schedule tonight against the Grizzlies. The team has plenty to prove, but first-year coach Tom Thibodeau and second-year center Karl-Anthony Towns rate high among their peers.

Thibodeau has a chance to build a resume in Minneapolis that eventually could list him as the best coach in Wolves history. For now the forlorn franchise can take comfort that he makes just about anybody’s rankings of the NBA’s top coaches—including Gregg Popovich (Spurs), Rick Carlisle (Mavericks), Erik Spoelstra (Heat), Steve Kerr (Warriors), Doc Rivers (Clippers) and Brad Stevens (Celtics).

Thibodeau led the Bulls to the playoffs in all five of his seasons as head coach in Chicago, including having the best record in the league the first two (2010-2012). Going into this season his .647 winning percentage ranked seventh in NBA history (minimum 200 games).

Towns was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year last season, and NBA authorities believe he’s just getting started. The league’s general managers said in a survey Towns is the player they would most want to start a franchise.

Beyond Thibodeau and Towns, though, things are murky. The Wolves blew leads and couldn’t close out games in road losses last week to the Grizzlies and Kings. The better NBA teams have a player or two who can make big plays and shots late in games. Towns can be a force but he can’t always carry the team in the clutch and make the biggest of shots. Third-year small forward Andrew Wiggins has the skills to be the top candidate to help but he hasn’t reached star status yet.

Power forward Gorgui Dieng, shooting guard Zach LaVine and point guard Ricky Rubio, the team’s other starters, have to play more consistently—just like Wiggins. They won’t be guaranteed starting spots as the season progresses, although the Wolves bench players have plenty to prove, too, including rookie Kris Dunn who fills in for the injured Rubio tonight.

Thibodeau won’t stand for lack of effort and toughness. Less talented players may be on the floor if they provide the most energy and grit. Expect an aggressive start by the Wolves tonight as they try to win their first game on a journey that will be considered a disappointment if they can’t end this season at .500. …

The Wild, playing some of the best hockey in the NHL, has the Sabres at home tonight but then doesn’t have another game at Xcel Energy Center until November 15 against the Flames. Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk shut out the Sabres last week in Buffalo and defenseman Ryan Suter had two points in the 4-0 win. Dubnyk had three shutouts last week—the first goalie in Wild history to accomplish that.

Iowa, the Wild’s affiliate team in Des Moines, was 2-1 in games last week. Iowa center and former Gopher Jordan Schroeder led the team with three points. …

Good news for former Gophers athletic director McKinley Boston who is out of a hospital in New Mexico after having a blood clot on his lung. …

Amir Coffey, the 6-8 freshman guard from Hopkins, makes his college debut Thursday night at Williams Arena when Minnesota plays Bemidji State in an exhibition game. “He is a tremendous passer,” said Gophers coach Richard Pitino.

Although Gophers forward Jordan Murphy almost led the Big Ten in rebound average per game last season, he didn’t receive the notoriety of some other top freshmen in the conference. “I think he has a big chip on his shoulder (going into this season),” Pitino said of Murphy.

The Gophers had a poor shooting performance in their intrasquad game open to the public on October 22. “I think we were just getting the jitters out,” said sophomore Dupree McBrayer who could start at shooting guard and be the backup point guard.

Junior center Reggie Lynch, 6-10, 260, gives the Gophers a low post scorer and shot blocker now that he is eligible after transferring from Illinois State. Three point shooting? Lynch said he attempted one three pointer in practice but has no plans to let one fly in a game.

When 6-9 freshman forward Eric Curry arrived in Minneapolis from Arkansas earlier this year he weighed about 220 pounds. He was told to gain weight and could eat “anything” he wanted. Calories and weight training have him up to 235 pounds. …

St. Thomas is offering $50 season tickets guaranteeing the same seat location for all men’s and women’s home games. …

It’s been a newsmaking fall for Badgers linebackers with Minnesota connections. Yesterday Eden Prairie’s Ryan Connelly was named co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high 11 tackles against Nebraska on Saturday. Two weeks ago Jack Cichy, a native of Somerset, Wisconsin who attended Hill-Murray School in Maplewood, was honored as Defensive Player of the Week for his career-high 15 tackles against Ohio State. …

Creative Charters is offering an incentive to Gophers football fans who buy a travel package for the Nebraska game before 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 2. Purchase a $399 per person package for the game in Lincoln on Saturday, November 12 and receive a $50 voucher for a trip to Minnesota’s bowl game (site, date and opponent to be determined). Creative’s trip to Nebraska departs Minneapolis via Sun Country November 12 at 10 a.m. and returns following the game. More at Travelingopher.com, or 651-748-0080. …

Murray’s Restaurant owner Tim Murray attended the first two World Series games with friends, paying $160 per night for good seats at Cleveland’s Progressive Field. Murray estimated there were 7,000 or more Cubs fans at each of the games, and while they added excitement to the World Series environment he said there was less “electricity” in Cleveland than other cities where he has watched the series.

Murray, who has visited every stadium in Major League Baseball, has attended World Series games in Minnesota in 1965, 1987 and 1991, and also 1982 in Milwaukee, 1993 in Philadelphia and 2004 in St. Louis. The Indians, who lead the series 3-2, can finish the Cubs tonight in the best of seven games playoffs. “I would like to see the Cubs comeback but I think Cleveland wins one of the next two,” said Murray who is a fan of both teams. …

Derek Falvey, the Twins new top baseball executive who is closing out his front office responsibilities with the Indians, will likely be introduced to the Minneapolis-St. Paul media in the next several days. Falvey, 33, pitched for Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut where he was an economics major.

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Vikings Missed on Brainerd Lineman

Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 by David Shama

In last spring’s NFL Draft the Vikings used their fourth round pick to select Western Michigan offensive tackle Willie Beavers. One round later the Colts chose former Brainerd and North Dakota State offensive lineman Joe Haeg.

There has to be some head-scratching in Brainerd and Fargo over why the Vikings chose Beavers over Haeg. Beavers has yet to see the field on game days, while Haeg is earning praise in Indianapolis.

The Vikings have been reshuffling their offensive line for months trying to put together a cohesive unit that can run block, and protect quarterback Sam Bradford in the pocket. The task is ongoing with the latest effort last Sunday when the Vikings gave 31-year-old tackle Jake Long game action just days after signing him.

Part of the Vikings’ struggles are attributable to the retirement of veteran offensive tackle Phil Loadholt and the decline of center John Sullivan who was released prior to the season. Injuries to starting tackles Matt Kalil and Andre Smith have been a bigger part of the storyline. But in Indianapolis injuries have allowed Haeg to get an early start to his NFL career while playing guard and tackle.

Here’s what an online story in the October 26 Indianapolis Star said: “Fifth-round pick Joe Haeg has been invaluable for the Colts in just seven games as a pro. He’s now started games at three completely separate positions: right guard, right tackle and left guard. He’s become a jack of all trades and embodies the mantra of flexibility the Colts preach to their offensive linemen.”

Haeg, born in Minneapolis, was an All-American for the Bison and close observers could see his potential coming out of Brainerd High School. University of St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso watched Haeg as a prep player and evaluated him as a “diamond in the rough.” Now Caruso has seen Haeg playing for the Colts. “It’s no surprise seeing his name on the back of a Colts jersey,” Caruso said.

While Vikings fans may wonder about acquiring a big salary veteran lineman like Joe Thomas from the Browns, they could have had Haeg for a rookie’s salary. Instead, they have Beavers who seven months ago Pro Football Focus ranked No. 2 among the “10 most overrated 2016 NFL Draft Prospects.” …

The Vikings gave up six sacks in their loss last week to the Eagles, and head coach Mike Zimmer complained about his team’s blocking. Will the Vikings vary their formations and at times use extra blockers in future games? “That’s a possibility,” Zimmer said. …

Veteran Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is in his eighth season with the Bears and neither he nor the team have fulfilled expectations since Chicago acquired him in a trade with the Broncos. When the Bears made their move for Cutler in the spring of 2009 the Vikings had a quarterback problem and Minnesota media were envious of Chicago’s deal. Later that year the Vikings convinced Brett Favre to come out of retirement. Cutler is expected to start for the 1-6 Bears Monday night in their game in Chicago against the Vikings. …

Kansas and head coach Bill Self might be in the lead to eventually sign nationally sought Rochester John Marshall power forward Matthew Hurt. Hurt is a sophomore and consensus five-star prospect.

Hurt’s brother Michael is a freshman forward for the Gophers and one of the team’s best potential shooters. The Hurt brothers attended Gophers games at Williams Arena as grade schoolers. …

There is no doubting the parity in college football. The Gophers, for example, won by only one point against Big Ten winless Rutgers a week ago Saturday afternoon. Unranked Penn State upset No. 2 Ohio State that night. Yesterday Associated Press top 10 ranked Baylor and West Virginia lost games. Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said there are often eight to 10 games each weekend with surprise endings. In his opinion the parity trend has been ongoing for about 10 years, and he thinks social media may play a role.

“Sometimes kids read things and try to make up their mind about the game…who is going to win or lose, and that can affect your preparation during the week. But I’m not for sure on all of it.

“I do think that kids are being trained better in high school, and are stronger. So I do think there’s a good core of players out there coming out of high school, and everybody’s getting their share of good ones.” …

Injuries have kept Gophers junior tight end Brandon Lingen sidelined for most of the season. Quarterback Mitch Leidner acknowledged Lingen’s absence has limited the passing game. The potential All-Big Ten receiver’s route running, speed and 6-5 height create more possibilities for Leidner, who compared Lingen to former teammate and 2014 All-American tight end Maxx Williams.

“He’s probably a little bit better of a route runner than Maxx was,” Leidner said. “He doesn’t have, I think, as great a hands as Maxx had, but I think he is a better route runner (than) when Maxx was here. I’d say they’re both probably pretty similar in speed.” …

Jared Weyler, the Gophers redshirt sophomore guard, said the offensive line is told on Fridays the unit’s goals include no sacks or hits on the quarterback for the next day’s game. Another goal is 300 yards rushing. In yesterday’s 40-17 win over Illinois, Minnesota gave up two sacks and rushed for 171 net yards. …

John Cunningham, a key hire earlier this year by new Gophers athletics director Mark Coyle, is a name to watch. A U alum and critic of the athletic department raved about Cunningham in a conversation with Sports Headliners. Cunningham, the Gophers deputy athletics director for administration, impressed the alum with his intelligence and personality. Cunningham has a law degree and his administrative skills include extensive experience with NCAA rules compliance. …

Former Timberwolves assistant coach Eric Musselman could be in for a successful season in his second year coaching Nevada. A preseason Mountain West Conference media poll predicts the Wolf Pack will finish second to San Diego State. Nevada went from a nine win team to 24 victories last season and won the College Basketball Invitational Championship.

Look for media and friends of Musselman here to push his name if the Gophers change head coaches next year. …

Dick Mattson, honored earlier this month by the Gophers with a Distinguished Service Award for his nearly 50 years as an athletic equipment manager, was a fiery supporter of U teams. During the Lou Holtz era he vigorously waved a hockey stick to fire up crowds before games at the Metrodome. …

A Sports Headliners reader emailed after last Monday’s column that Gophers Don Lucia is not only the winningest men’s hockey coach ever, but he also has lost the most games. Lucia’s record since taking over the Gophers for the 1999-2000 season is 418-221-69. He has coached the most games in Gophers’ history. …

When baseball was truly the nation’s pastime, MLB games were shorter and Americans were more patient. Times for the first games of the World Series have been 3:37, 4:04, 3:33 and 3:16. A lot of sports fans are too restless to watch for long. …

Glenn Caruso (photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

It’s been another special fall for St. Thomas football. A week ago Saturday head coach Glenn Caruso earned his 100th win at UST, while the Tommies program got its 600th victory. The first season of Tommies football was 1904.

The undefeated Tommies have been top five-ranked by D3football.com and could be headed back to the Division III national championship game. Caruso said the 2015 team was his best since starting with the Tommies in 2009. The coach said that was a selfless group, although not as athletic as Caruso’s 2011 and 2012 teams.

The Tommies are without injured All-American running back Jordan Roberts who has played in just two games. Caruso said pro scouts are showing interest in Roberts who will return to the Tommies next season. …

Bethel’s Steve Johnson also achieved a milestone victory in October, winning his 200th game at the school. He became the 78th coach among all divisions (12th active) to reach 200 wins, and the 33rd to do that at one school and the 10th in Division III. Johnson is in his 28th season at Bethel and his 200th win placed him third among active NCAA Division III coaches in career victories.

Bethel, 3-5 overall and 3-3 in MIAC games, lost 27-6 to St. Thomas yesterday. The Tommies are 8-0 and 6-0. …

Lou Nanne’s American Grill, the Edina restaurant that opened earlier this year for lunch and dinner, is now serving breakfast. A direct mail promotion was sent this month offering a $10 breakfast gift card. …

The milder than normal temps for much of October have extended the season for Twin Cities recreational players. A nine-hole course in the Minneapolis western suburbs was charging $10 to play nine holes this month, with $5 the cost to play nine more.

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Vikings Could Even ‘Limp’ into Playoffs

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings had a dismal performance in losing to the Eagles yesterday but with a 5-1 record they are positioned to qualify for the playoffs, and possibly a repeat title in the NFC North.

Mistakes on offense and special teams resulted in the team’s first loss of the season in Philadelphia, 21-10. The Vikings’ patchwork offensive line was exploited by the Eagles—creating the possibility quarterback Sam Bradford would sustain a serious and even season-ending injury.

Bradford is okay but perhaps the Eagles discovered something schematically other teams can use against the Vikings’ offense. Possible, but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer would be expected to make schematic adjustments, too, and perhaps with personnel changes. Evident for certain yesterday was the Eagles played at a high level defensively. Philadelphia has given up only 23 total points in three home games this season.

A weak Bears team likely helps the Vikings to a sixth win when the two teams play next Monday night in Chicago. The 1-6 Bears have the worst record among the remaining teams on Minnesota’s schedule. The Vikings close the regular season with the Bears in Minneapolis January 1.

The Vikings also have two games remaining against the Lions (4-3), another division rival. The other opponents are the Cardinals (3-3-1), Colts (3-4), Cowboys (5-1), Jaguars (2-4), Packers (4-2) and Redskins (4-3).

With their remaining schedule (five home, five road) and superb defense, the Vikings figure to win at least five or six more times. Even playing .500 football—and the Vikings should do better than that—gives Minnesota a regular season record of 10-6 and probable spot in the playoffs. Last season the Vikings’ 11-5 record won the NFC North. In 2008 and 2012 Minnesota had 10-6 records, good enough to win the division one year and finish second the other season. The Vikings qualified for the playoffs both years. …

Former Vikings linebacker Jeff Siemon will (for a fee) sign memorabilia and pose for photos on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. His appearance is part of the two-day Saturday-Sunday Triple Crown Sports Collectibles show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. …

Gophers redshirt sophomore running back Rodney Smith was announced as the Big Ten’s Offensive player of the week this morning. He had 257 all-purpose yards in Minnesota’s win last Saturday against Rutgers. That was the most for a Gopher since Troy Stoudermire had 290 against Iowa in 2008. Highlights for Smith included a 94-yeard kickoff return for a touchdown. …

Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia didn’t bring up the subject but told Sports Headliners his uncertain contract status earlier this year cost the program at least one future recruit. He wouldn’t specify a number.

Lucia ended last season with just one more year on his contract. It was thought an extension could be finalized last spring or summer but an agreement for an additional two years wasn’t announced until earlier this month.

“I don’t know why it took so long, to be honest,” Lucia said. “Nothing changed from June when we talked, so it just took that long to get everything back from the University and get it all signed.”

When asked about the delay’s impact on recruiting, Lucia said, “It didn’t help. Let’s put it that way.”

Lucia, 58, has been leading the program since 1999 and is the Gophers’ all-time winningest coach. He is comfortable with the new contract that takes him through the 2018-2019 season. “It’s fine. It’s like anything. In some ways when you coach at this level, you’re always year to year. You do enough, and they want to keep you around. If not, they go in a different direction.

“I still love what I do. I know I am fortunate to be working here. It’s hard to believe this is my 18th year, 30th year as a head coach. It’s nice to be able to go to work and say I really enjoy what I do. I love the kids. This is a fun team to be around. They want to work.”

Lucia and other coaches in the athletic department were reporting to an interim athletic director during the past school year. That negated contract talks for Lucia until new AD Mark Coyle arrived last spring. It also impacted recruiting, although the Gophers do have multiple verbal commitments in place for next season.

Lucia is trying to get the Gophers back in the NCAA Tournament after failing to qualify last season—although Minnesota did win the Big Ten championship. The Gophers’ 6-11 nonconference record was the team’s undoing for the NCAA’s.

This season Minnesota is 2-2 in nonleague games. The Gophers won two games in Alaska against Anchorage and Fairbanks, but were swept last weekend by St. Cloud State. …

Rumors about the Timberwolves trading Tyus Jones to the Sixers makes sense for guard-desperate Philly. Jones could reunite with boyhood friend and ex-Duke teammate Jahlil Okafor.

Sports Illustrated’s NBA Preview issue predicts the Timberwolves will just miss qualifying for the playoffs, finishing ninth in the 15-team Western Conference. The magazine picks the Warriors to defeat the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Basketball authorities, including the NBA’s general managers, are optimistic about the Timberwolves who were 29-53 last season and haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The league’s GMs said in a survey Minnesota will be the NBA’s most improved team.

The survey named Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns the player most general managers want to start a franchise. They also chose point guard Kris Dunn as most likely to be Rookie of the Year, and the second biggest steal in the draft. It’s a popular view Dunn, selected No. 5 overall in the first round, was the best player in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Sports Illustrated quoted an anonymous NBA scout as saying former Wolves forward Kevin Love wasn’t happy with the Cavaliers last season and likely would have been traded over the summer if the club hadn’t won the league championship in June. …

Greg Eslinger, the former Gopher All-American center inducted last week into the M Club Hall of Fame, weighed close to 300 pounds in college but has lost about 75 pounds and is running marathons. Eslinger has a sales career in Fargo.

Steve Fritz bobblehead (photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

Athletic director Steve Fritz is the cover subject of the current University of St. Thomas magazine. A bobblehead photo of Fritz, who coached the 2011 UST men’s basketball team to a national title, is on the cover with the headline “Steve Fritz Is the Ulitmate Tommie.” He is in his 50th school year, arriving at St. Thomas in 1967 as a student and basketball player, and after graduation staying on as an employee in various positions during his career.

Minneapolis-based Taste of the NFL founder Wayne Kostroski said via email that tickets are on sale for the 2017 event in Houston Saturday, February 4. The 26th annual party dedicated to hunger relief in America will be held at the University of Houston and be even more appealing to Minnesotans if the Vikings are playing in Houston’s Super Bowl the next day. More at Tasteofthenfl.com.

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