Vikings – Page 187 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers Get Big Ten ‘Underrated’ Label

Posted on June 1, 2015June 1, 2015 by David Shama

The only college football magazine on the shelves at Barnes & Noble’s Eden Prairie store last week was Sporting News College Football. Other college preview publications will follow soon but for now Gophers fans can enjoy a few accolades from Sporting News.

In the magazine’s Big Ten section Minnesota is labeled the conference’s most “underrated” program. Noting Jerry Kill’s consecutive eight win seasons, Sporting News says the “next mission” is to defeat Wisconsin and win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe (after 11 consecutive losses).

Minnesota junior quarterback Mitch Leidner is labeled the Big Ten’s “biggest overachiever.” The former Rivals.com two-star high school player showed more consistency last season than in 2013 and is expected to perform even better this fall.

The Gophers are predicted to finish third in the Big Ten’s West Division behind Wisconsin and Nebraska. The magazine forecasts Minnesota will play Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl (Yankee Stadium, New York City).

Minnesota can boost its improving national reputation with an opening season win against TCU on September 3 at TCF Bank Stadium. The Horned Frogs are mentioned in the same breath with Ohio State as most likely to win the national championship. Sporting News predicts the two teams will play for the title next January.

Gophers offensive tackle Josh Campion, defensive back Briean–Boddy Calhoun and punter Peter Mortell are All-Big Ten selections by Sporting News. All three are seniors.

The magazine delivers plenty of props to North Dakota State, ranking the Bison No. 1 in the FCS preseason top 25 while noting the program is 58-3 the last four years and in pursuit of a fifth FCS national championship. As usual, the Bison roster will be loaded with Minnesota natives including offensive tackle Joe Haeg from Brainerd High School who Sporting News includes on its FCS All-America team.

UMD is ranked No. 1 and Minnesota State No. 6 in the magazine’s Division II preseason top 25 rankings.

Worth Noting

Look at the fine print in college football magazines during coming weeks and read the names of former Gophers assistants coaching at other schools. “Alums” include New Mexico’s defensive and offensive coordinators Kevin Cosgrove and Bob DeBesse. Others are Rutgers offensive line coach Mitch Browning and running backs coach Norries Wilson, San Diego State offensive coordinator Jeff Horton, UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, and Greg Hudson, David Gibbs and Ted Roof who are defensive coordinators at Purdue, Texas Tech and Georgia Tech.

Eric Kendricks, the Vikings rookie linebacker from UCLA, loves football so much he told Sports Headliners he probably would play for semi-pro wages. “I can’t say the money is not nice but at the end of the day I am doing what I love. It’s putting a smile on my face so I can’t complain.”

Kendricks is being introduced to pro football this week and last at the Vikings’ OTAs. He admitted to being confused at times with all there is to learn. That includes thinking about the UCLA playbook when Vikings information is what’s needed.

Nothing unusual about that for a rookie. Kendricks, who was UCLA’s all-time leading tackler, may have a learning advantage because he played for a former NFL head coach in college who knows a lot about the pros. Bruins head coach Jim Mora told Kendricks, who was a college senior last season, that he was ready for the NFL.

“I get here and sometimes I think—was I ready?” said Kendricks who won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. “But that’s that whole NFL aspect, and how…difficult it is coming in for a college player. But I am trying to adjust.”

It’s too early to know if Kendricks, a second round draft choice, will be a starter right away, or just contribute on special teams. At a minimum he figures to see the field a lot next fall on special teams where he was used early in his UCLA career.

A Sportsillustrated.com article last Wednesday by Matt Verderame ranked the uniforms of all 32 NFL teams. Not such happy stuff for Vikings fans. The Purple came in at No. 23. “The Vikings have great colors, but the pants and sleeve piping knock it down some,” Verderame wrote.

Wait, Vikings fans, it gets worse. The Packers uniforms were ranked No. 1, just ahead of the Steelers and Raiders. Verderame praised the Packers’ “classic look” and traditional logo. Best part? “The incredible combination of green and yellow,” he wrote.

The Twins have the No. 6 selection in the First-Year MLB Player Draft that begins June 8. “There’s an opportunity to add high-end talent to our roster,” Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners. “Pitching would be my bet but… they’re (Twins decision makers) going to take the best guy available.”

The choice might be University of Illinois pitcher Tyler Jay. He could be the best left-handed pitcher available in the draft. There is, however, speculation on whether Jay is a reliever or starter in the pros.

The Central Division leading Twins are 25-10 since April 22, the best winning percentage in Major League Baseball. The Twins open a series in Boston tonight after sweeping the Red Sox in three games last week at Target Field.

Former Gophers and NBA legendary coach Bill Fitch, who turned 81 last month, talking to Sports Headliners about his birthday cake: “It took two days to blow out the candles.”

College basketball policy makers are on the right track (finally) with proposed rules changes that have the shot clock reduced from 35 seconds to 30 seconds and reducing the number of timeouts allowed. The changes are likely to be approved this month and will both increase scoring and speed up games. Hallelujah! See the March 18 Sports Headliners column “College Basketball in Need of Changes.”

Condolences to WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson on the death of his father Norb Robertson on Saturday. Mr. Robertson, 95, passed away from heart failure while out for a walk in St. Paul. Visitation (9 a.m.) and mass (10 a.m.) will be next Monday at Lumen Christi Catholic Church in St. Paul.

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Twins President Expects .300 from Mauer

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 by David Shama

There’s more good news ahead for the Twins if club president Dave St. Peter is right about Joe Mauer. The first place Central Division Twins have won 10 of their last 15 games but Mauer has struggled at the plate hitting .250 with one home run in that span—although he does have 12 RBI.

For the season the Twins are a surprising and impressive 28-18 playing in what St. Peter describes as perhaps baseball’s toughest division. Mauer is second on the team in RBI with 27 but his .276 average and on-base percentage of .337 are significantly lower than his career numbers of .317 and .399.

Mauer, the team’s highest paid player at a reported $23 million per season, suffered a concussion in 2013 and that ended his career as a catcher. Playing first base last season he hit only .277 and his continued below average numbers cause speculation by fans about the 32-year-old Minnesota native’s health.

St. Peter told Sports Headliners that Mauer is “100 percent” healthy. He said Mauer has been a team leader this spring and is evolving into one of the American League’s best first basemen. “I am not worried about Joe Mauer. I think Joe is still primed for a very, very solid season (and) one in which he could drive in 90 to 100 runs. I expect he’s going to hit over .300 and have one of the higher on-base percentages on our club. Joe Mauer is part of the solution. He’s not one of the problems.”

The Twins lost 90-plus games the past four seasons but fans are giddy about the club’s fast start this spring. If the regular season ended now, manager Paul Molitor’s team would be in the playoffs.

“I really don’t go there (the playoff talk),” St. Peter said. “It’s way too early. It’s May. Obviously you want to position yourself to be playing meaningful games late in the season. We’ll deal with that as it comes.

“We do know Mr. Molitor has got these guys competing, so the ultimate goal is to win the World Series. To get to the World Series you have to get to the post-season. Clearly those are things that are out there in front of us, but I can tell you we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about that in May.”

The Twins are 17-6 at Target Field so far—the best home record in the American League. St. Peter said it looks like the club has regained its “mojo” in Minneapolis where in 2010 the team had the best home record in baseball. “If nothing else…I thought that was absolutely critical…to play better at home.

“We’re playing great at home. Hopefully that trend will continue because I think that’s the trademark of a good baseball team.”

Worth Noting

St. Peter said there’s been a “bit of a lag” with the fan base coming back to buy tickets after the team’s struggles during past seasons. However, he’s encouraged by walkup sales including one game where about 5,000 tickets were sold. He said market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise.

Tickets remain for all home games including the much anticipated series with the Cubs June 19, 20 and 21. Those games may eventually sell out but the Twins aren’t close to sellouts for any remaining games on the 2015 schedule, St. Peter said.

The Twins will see familiar faces with the Blue Jays in town for games tonight through Sunday. First baseman and outfielder Chris Colabello, for years a journeyman in the Twins organization who could have hot streaks, is hitting .386 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 83 at bats.

Other ex-Twins with the Jays are infielder Danny Valencia and pitchers Andrew Albers, Liam Hendriks and R.A. Dickey. Sal Butera, the former Twins catcher, is a scout with the organization.

Matt Kalil was harshly criticized last season by fans and media but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer knows some of those barbs weren’t deserved. At times the left tackle (who played injured) didn’t receive the on-field help he needed from now departed starting left guard Charlie Johnson. This week at OTAs Brandon Fusco is working with Kalil from the left guard position after being on the right side last year next to tackle Phil Loadholt.

Kalil said he and Fusco want to achieve good communication and that includes developing rapport off the field. “Yeah, we’re trying to go out (for fun) a little more. Phil is kind of getting a little upset,” Kalil kidded. “That was his boy.”

Zimmer said a key reason for switching Fusco from right guard to left is to benefit rookie T.J. Clemmings who could become the starter on the right side. “We felt like with T.J. Clemmings it would be a little bit easier for him to stay on the same side (as in college),” Zimmer said.

Mike Wallace, the new wide receiver the Vikings acquired in a trade this off-season, said he’s played in five different offenses the last five years. He expects a comfortable adjustment here and looks forward to being part of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s emphasis on the vertical passing game. He doesn’t think he “messed up” a single play the first two days of practice this week.

Wallace caught 10 touchdown passes for the Dolphins last season. Three times during his career he has averaged 16.6 yards or better per reception, with best averages of 21 in 2010 and 19.4 in 2009 playing for the Steelers.

Is Wallace the kind of upgrade Zimmer wants for the Vikings at wide receiver? “I know he’s a dynamic receiver and he’s been doing a great job of working,” Zimmer said. “He’s a guy that works very, very hard. He’s been catching the ball well. He’s been learning the playbook. All of these things are all different, but he’s looked good.”

Vikings players, coaches and staff have their annual playground building project on June 3 at Falcon Heights Elementary School in Falcon Heights.

Calendar planning for 2016: Xcel Energy Center hosts the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships January 15-24, and the Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament March 17-19.

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Dutcher Understands Rick Pitino Role

Posted on May 25, 2015May 25, 2015 by David Shama

Rick Pitino has used the media to defend his son Richard Pitino this year. After the Gophers stumbled to a disappointing 6-12 Big Ten record and no post-season play, the legendary Louisville coach pointed out his son Richard—only in his second year of rebuilding at Minnesota—had no all-conference players to work with. Then earlier this month the elder Pitino disclosed his son seriously considered the Alabama coaching vacancy but wasn’t interested because he hadn’t established himself as head coach of the Gophers.

Rick was “proud” of Richard for demonstrating humility and perspective in making the decision, according to a May 8 Amelia Rayno story in the Star Tribune quoting from Pitino’s interview on “The Jim Rome Show” two days earlier.

Gophers fans have been surprised to find two Pitinos speaking for the Minnesota men’s basketball program. Jim Dutcher offered interpretation and opinion on the subject. Dutcher is a qualified source since he is a former Gophers head coach, follows the program closely and also has a son in major college basketball coaching.

Brian Dutcher has been Steve Fisher’s top assistant at San Diego State for years. The two have built a ho-hum program into one of the best on the West Coast, and as of late the Aztecs have a superior resume to Minnesota’s. Fisher is already past retirement age and Brian has been labeled “head coach in waiting.”

Gophers fans had read the rumors Richard Pitino’s name was on the candidate list for the Alabama job. When Dutcher later read Rick Pitino’s comments about the Alabama situation and why his son decided to remain at Minnesota, his reaction was “here’s daddy just trying to make something good come out of this.”

To Dutcher it’s obvious Pitino is making statements to protect his son. Dutcher believes that’s also what happened back in March when Rick made it clear Minnesota’s talent isn’t what it needs to be and Richard isn’t responsible for inheriting a bare cupboard. “Richard can’t say that but his dad can, so you gotta read through it and say this is what Richard thinks,” Dutcher said.

While it might bother Gophers fans that Rick, 62, is speaking for Richard, 32, Dutcher sees a protective parent at work using his platform as one of college basketball’s most prominent coaches. Dutcher, though, isn’t interested in going public with statements about Brian and his career.

“It’s not a role that I would play in Brian’s thing,” Dutcher said. “I get asked all the time why isn’t he the head coach? I say because it’s Steve’s job, and I don’t take it any further than that.

“Do you want your son to do well? Absolutely. Are you defensive about any criticism he may get? Absolutely. How you handle that. …I guess to each his own. I try not to be critical (the Pitinos). I just see it as a dad trying to be defensive in the defense of his son.”

While some may see Rick Pitino’s actions as meddlesome, Dutcher doesn’t. “That’s what fathers do,” Dutcher said.

It wouldn’t be surprising if there are more supportive comments coming from the older Pitino about his son. “When it’s parents speaking in defense of their children I give them a lot of leeway,” Dutcher said.

Worth Noting

Dutcher picks Maryland to win the Big Ten title next season. He added that Michigan, with injured star Caris LeVert returning for 2015-2016, will be a contender.

At 32, you wonder if conditioning and many years of basketball toil didn’t drive Janel McCarville’s surprise announcement to not play this season for the Lynx. McCarville played four seasons for the Gophers, then in the WNBA including the last two seasons for the Lynx where she was a major contributor as the team’s starting center.

Devan Dubnyk, who is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, reportedly earned $800,000 during 2014-2015 but perhaps could get a $1.8 million salary next season as part of a new three-year deal with the Wild, a hockey source told Sports Headliners. If the 29-year-old goalie had played a key role in taking the Wild to the Stanley Cup finals this spring he might have commanded $3 million next season.

ESPN analyst Jon Gruden said on the NFL Draft telecast April 30 the tackling of Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes was sometimes a “liability.” Vikings general manager Rick Spielman told Sports Headliners his first round draft choice has “made some pretty good tackles on (video) tape.”

Vikings fans will have to decide if there are tackling issues with Waynes. “The biggest thing with our corners in this (defensive) scheme is to be able to cover,” Spielman said.

Former Gophers wide receiver Isaac Fruechte only caught 18 passes (one touchdown reception) in Minnesota’s ground-focused offense last season but the Vikings added him to their roster for now. “He just came in and did a good job during our rookie minicamp,” Spielman said. “You could see the size (6-3) and the speed. He caught the ball well. We felt that coming out of that camp that it was worth giving him an opportunity.”

Former Vikings running back Dave Osborn speaks to the “Breakfast with Leroy” group on Saturday, June 13, at the Bloomington Knights of Columbus, 1114 American Blvd West. A breakfast buffet precedes Osborn’s remarks, with more information available by contacting Pat Rickert at 612-861-3981. Group attendees are mostly athletes from the Minneapolis public schools in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, many of whom went on to college and professional careers.

Minnesota native Tom Lehman couldn’t hold an early lead last week in the 76th Senior PGA Championship in French Lick, Indiana. Lehman finished seven over for the tournament while champion Colin Montgomerie was minus eight after final play yesterday. Don Berry, the Edinburgh USA head pro, also played in French Lick but didn’t make the cut.

Both Berry and Lehman are former winners of the annual Tapemark Charity Pro-Am in West St. Paul. This year’s Tapemark for men will be played June 12, 13 and 14 at Southview Country Club. Berry, eight times the tournament champion including last year, is expected to participate again.

Doug Mientkiewicz, manager of the Twins Double A Chattanooga farm team, said on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle program yesterday German native Max Kepler is “night and day” the most improved player on the roster. Kepler, who leads the team in hitting with a .345 average, can play all three outfield positions and first base.

Mientkiewicz also talked about center fielder Byron Buxton’s extraordinary speed, describing him as special when sprinting from third base to home plate.

When asked to identify a player most ready to help the Twins, Mientkiewicz said relief pitcher Zack Jones. He is 3-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.

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