Vikings – Page 194 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Ex-Coach Expects AP to Remain a Viking

Posted on April 17, 2015April 17, 2015 by David Shama

Former Vikings running backs coach Dean Dalton would be shocked if Adrian Peterson refuses to play for the Vikings this season. He is also convinced the future Hall of Famer won’t cause problems for coach Mike Zimmer after the Vikings begin practices.

Dalton was a Vikings assistant from 1999-2005. Peterson didn’t become a Viking until 2007 but Dalton knows him from being around the team. Although Peterson’s agent has made statements about whether his client’s future should be with the Vikings, Dalton questions whether that’s how Peterson feels.

Dalton told Sports Headliners Ben Dogra’s stance could be based on trying to leverage a better contract here or elsewhere. Yesterday the NFL reinstated Peterson from his suspension involving mistreatment of his son last year. The fact Peterson is now officially eligible to play in 2015 prompted the question of whether the controversial superstar will intentionally cause trouble with Zimmer and the team as a means for escaping Minnesota.

“I would say absolutely not,” Dalton said. “I think he would be 180 degrees from that. Having known the young man since he was drafted, (I know) his heart is in the right place.

“He’s more than served his punishment for disciplining his son. I would suggest that the good people of Minnesota will welcome Adrian back and Peterson will welcome that.”

Dalton said Peterson won’t give Zimmer and teammates “anything less than 100 percent.” During an eight-year career Peterson has scored 86 touchdowns and in six seasons rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Although Peterson turned 30 in March, Dalton expects Peterson to be refreshed and determined after playing in only one game last year because of the suspension.

Despite Dogra’s comment about playing in Minnesota not being in his client’s best interest, Dalton believes the most likely of scenarios would have Peterson with the Vikings next season. “I definitely don’t think they will release him,” Dalton said about speculation the Vikings might want to rid themselves of Peterson’s team-high expensive contract and his seemingly disgruntled agent.

A trade is a possibility, Dalton acknowledges, but he said transactions involving teams and a star player like Peterson can be challenging. Still, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has a history of pulling off surprising trades including sending troublesome receiver-runner Percy Harvin to the Seahawks in 2013 for three draft choices.

Dalton laughed recalling an early experience with Peterson. During Peterson’s rookie training camp team owner Zygi Wilf approached Dalton. Wilf asked Dalton if he wished the Vikings could have drafted Peterson when he was still coaching. “I would still be your running backs coach,” Dalton answered.

Worth Noting

When the Wild defeated the Blues last night in their opening game of the Stanley Cup playoffs it was only the second loss in April for St. Louis. The Blues had also won five of the last six games at Scottrade Center against the Wild, outscoring Minnesota 22-10. But the Wild, who last year struggled to win on the road in the playoffs, were impressive last night with a 4-2 victory.

For the first time in program history, the Gophers last night had two players selected in the WNBA Draft. Center Amanda Zahui B. was the No. 2 pick overall by Tulsa and forward Shae Kelley was the No. 35 choice by the Lynx.

Cameron Botticelli, a senior leader as a defensive tackle on last season’s Gophers football team, is unlikely to be chosen in the NFL Draft. “I am predicted as an undrafted free agent which is fine by me,” he told Sports Headliners. “If you look back in high school and coming here as a walk-on, I’ve never had the red carpet rolled out for me—which is totally fine, but I have had an opportunity and I feel that’s all I need to show that I belong.”

Botticelli didn’t draw interest from major college football programs while he played at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee. He surprised observers by becoming a starter and contributor on the Gophers’ defense. Now he’s hoping to succeed in the NFL and is using Minneapolis-based Blake Baratz (Institute for Athletes) as his agent. Botticelli has been training with other Gophers having NFL ambitions, David Cobb, Cedric Thompson and Damien Wilson.

“Just working out every single day,” Botticelli said. “Trying to get better and give myself the best shot, wherever I get an opportunity this May.”

If not the NFL? “You know what? As far as a plan ‘B,’ it’s been well documented and I‘ve not been shy shy about it, I am just as passionate about a career in law as a career in football. So if things weren’t to work out that’s where I would be headed.”

Botticelli earned a 3.6 GPA while majoring in political science and earning a degree. He has a serious interest in politics but first would want to establish himself in the private sector. Media members, impressed with his intelligence and articulation, refer to him as “the Senator.”

“Kyle Gergely, the equipment guy, calls me the Governor,” Botticelli said. “I didn’t know how I feel about it but, yeah absolutely, that’s something (politics) I feel very passionately about and I want to pursue.”

Gophers fans were disappointed redshirt freshman quarterback Jacques Perra wasn’t available for last Saturday’s spring game because of a thumb injury. That injury isn’t expected to be an ongoing problem but it came after having a sore arm. “He has had arm problems all spring so he hasn’t been able to throw the ball with zip,” Gophers coach Jerry Kill told Sports Headliners.

Perra, a walk-on last fall from Roseville High school, could push redshirt sophomore Chris Streveler for the No. 2 quarterback spot. Perra might have more passing potential than any quarterback on the roster.

Former Gophers center Elliott Eliason is working with Teddy Archer, the local agent who also represents Austin Hollins and Maverick Ahanmisi. Eliason is hoping to secure a contract in the near future from a European team. Hollins played this past season in France while Ahanmisi was in the Philippines. Both were teammates of Eliason but one year ahead of him at Minnesota.

Eliason started 35 games for the Gophers as a junior in 2013-2014 but played fewer minutes last season than he did as a sophomore. His playing time dropped to minimal minutes in the last several games and he told Sports Headliners there was a “lack of communication” between him and coach Richard Pitino. In retrospect both he and the coach could have done more to understand each other, Eliason said.

Eliason will graduate from the University of Minnesota with a marketing degree this spring. Eventually he hopes to play in the NBA. During his junior season he finished third among Big Ten players in blocked shots and his 6.6 rebounds per game was sixth best in the league.

Jessica Plant—announced this week this week as one of two winners of the 2015 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award—is the first female winner from the Gophers to ever be honored with the prestigious Big Ten scholarship. The award began in 2008 and is an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior student-athlete pursuing a postgraduate degree for achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership.

Plant, a swimmer at Minnesota, is a Rhodes Scholarship finalist, two-time Academic All-American and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. She enters her final undergraduate academic semester with a 4.0 GPA as she progresses toward her art history and classical civilizations degrees.

Minnesota State, Mankato athletic director Kevin Buisman announced three candidates have been selected as finalists in the search for a new women’s hockey head coach. The three are Bemidji State women’s hockey assistant Amber Fryklund, former St. John’s men’s head coach John Harrington and UMD assistant coach Laura Schuler.

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50% of Coach Kill’s Time Spent Recruiting

Posted on April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 by David Shama

Gophers football notes.

The Gophers coaches finished spring practice last Saturday and won’t be engaged in formal practices on the field with players until August, but this is a busy time with various tasks including recruiting. The NCAA allows college football assistants to be on the road recruiting now and head coaches like the Gophers Jerry Kill can recruit via telephone during this period of the spring.

Kill told Sports Headliners recruiting is a 365 days activity, and he and his staff spend 50 percent of their collective time each year in that process including evaluation and contact with potential Gophers. He said the football office receives approximately 5,500 e-mails annually regarding recommended prospects.

From all their research the staff has to figure out who they want as players and who will accept Gophers scholarships. Multiple players each year also agree to walk-on without a scholarship. Kill has eventually rewarded some walk-ons with scholarships.

The Gophers have several verbal commitments for the class of 2016 but much more work remains before high school players can sign National Letters of Intent next winter. “Right now in recruiting, it’s a critical time,” Kill said.

Kill’s staff will be visiting areas of the country where high school players have spring practices. That aids the evaluation process but spring practices don’t go on in Minnesota so Kill’s summer camps are vital to the evaluation process, and possible scholarship offers.

The Gophers coaches evaluated existing personnel on their roster yesterday morning. Sometimes after several weeks of spring practices players are moved to different positions, but not now. “We’re not moving anybody,” Kill said.

Kill’s health has gained attention during his time at Minnesota but the news is all good now. “I have been seizure free for 18 months,” he said.

The coach praises epilepsy special Dr. Brien Smith from Grand Rapids, Michigan for helping him. In addition to medication, Kill tries to walk every day and is diligent about eating at regular intervals.

Kill’s youngest daughter, Tasha, 24, will be married in Marion, Illinois on May 23 to Jason Hines.

The Gophers aren’t boasting but a visitor at spring practices developed the impression players and coaches might be thinking Minnesota will have one of the Big Ten’s best defenses next season. “I think there’s a very good chance,” Hank Ekpe told Sports Headliners. “We’ve been working hard all spring. We’ve been committed to what coach Kill is saying and what coach Tracy Claeys has been telling us. I think we’ll have a very good defense.”

Ekpe, a junior defensive end next season, was a force in the spring game last Saturday. His older brother Scott Ekpe, a senior in the fall, could replace the graduating Cameron Botticelli at starting defensive tackle. The Ekpes were starters together at Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas and could be regulars next fall, too.

Rodrick Williams, who will be a senior next season and likely the Gophers No. 1 running back going into August practices, is determined to maintain his weight at about 227 pounds after dropping 20 pounds since last season. He wants to avoid many carbohydrates. “…Like Little Debbie Snack Cakes,” Williams said, offering an example. “Too much bread, stuff like that.”

The 5-foot-11 Williams, who backed up David Cobb last year, said he’s faster than when he broke off late season touchdown runs against Nebraska and Missouri. “I still got my power. Little quicker, and I can move a little better, and I don’t get tired as quickly.”

The Big Ten Network announced this week there will be six Saturday night primetime football games including Minnesota at Iowa on November 14.

Worth Noting

Congratulations on another “great catch” by former Gophers and Vikings tight end Doug Kingsriter who is engaged to Kim Deason. Both are living in the Dallas area.

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame hosts its 8th Annual Minnesota Football Honors event May 3 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The event is open to the public and sponsored by the Vikings. The NFL club will announce its team awards for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Man of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

The following individuals will be presented awards by the Minnesota chapter: Tom Obarski, Concordia-St. Paul, Bob Stein Scholar-Athlete; David Cobb, Gophers, Bobby Bell College Impact Player of the Year; David and Janis Larson, Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan; retired coach Dick Hanson, Burnsville High School, John Gagliardi Legacy; Mike Max, WCCO radio & TV, Sid Hartman Media; Josh Benson, Hinckley-Finlayson, Courage; Garrett Gardner, St. Paul Central High School, Stacy Robinson Leadership; Nicole Dailey, University of Minnesota, Cheerleader.

Scholar-athlete award winners will be Trey Anderson, White Bear Lake Area High School; Tom Auger, St. Cloud Cathedral High School; Ben Ellefson, Hawley High School; Gunnar Grimsrud, Rochester Mayo High School; Ismael Kamara, Harding High School; Taylor Ottersetter, Mayer Lutheran High School; Ben Shoults, Maple Grove High School; John Solberg, Cambridge-Isanti High School; Mitchell Stangel, Crosby-Ironton High School.

The event includes a social hour starting at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program. More at Minnesotafootballhonors.com.

The St. Thomas football team will take a 13-day trip to Italy this summer with stops in several cities including Rome and Naples. An NCAA foreign travel policy allows the trip and coach Glenn Caruso’s Tommies will have a special cultural experience and also play a game against Giaguaire Torino.

The Big Ten placed two teams in this year’s Final Four and the conference could be impressive next season too. Sports Illustrated writer Seth Davis issued his “Way-Too-Early College Basketball Top 25” April 8 and included six Big Ten teams: Maryland, No. 5; Michigan State, No. 8; Indiana, No. 9; Michigan, No. 16, Wisconsin, No. 17; Purdue, No. 19. Virginia was No. 1, and Iowa State, coached by former Timberwolves guard Fred Hoiberg, ranked No. 6.

Tonight’s opening Stanley Cup playoffs game for the Wild and Blues is historic. The two franchises have never played against each other in the playoffs, although the North Stars and St. Louis competed in nine series. The last of those series was in 1991 when coach Bob Gainey’s Stars defeated the Blues in Game Six behind two goals from Bobby Smith.

Women’s basketball coach Marlene Stollings today announced the signing of 6-foot-1 forward Kynadi Johnson and 6-foot-3 center Karley Barnes to National Letters of Intent to play for the Gophers beginning next season. Johnson is a transfer from Butler Community College in Kansas and Barnes is a transfer from Tallahassee Community College in Florida.

The Minnesota State High School League kicks off a 100-year celebration Friday and Saturday at the State Speech Tournament at Lakeville North High School. The Minnesota State High School Athletic Association, the forerunner of the MSHL, began in April of 1916. Today the MSHL annually serves over 400 high schools, and more than 200,000 participants in 42 activities. The 100-year celebration will extend into 2016.

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NFL Scouting Combine Not the Gospel

Posted on February 27, 2015February 27, 2015 by David Shama

The NFL Scouting Combine that ended earlier this week in Indianapolis drew plenty of attention (as usual) from pro football fans but all the measureables recorded of participating players certainly don’t guarantee future results.

Representatives of the NFL’s 32 teams judged more than 300 college prospects, evaluating speed, strength and what’s in their collective noggins (Wonderlic intelligence test). Over the years the combine has proven this: low test scores won’t deter players from fooling the personnel gurus and becoming All-Pros.

Former Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen wasn’t drafted until the fourth round in 2004 by the Chiefs. Michael Salfino, writing in the February 19 Wall Street Journal, offered insight on Allen in his article about the combine. “Jared Allen became a fearsome pass rusher despite being third-weakest since 1999 in the bench press.”

Combine results from 2015 aren’t yet posted on NFLcombineresults.com but details of prior years are. Ever heard of Tom Brady? He is the guy who won four Super Bowls as the Patriots quarterback despite being a sixth round draft choice. Salfino points out that since 1999 Brady ranks 283rd among the 288 quarterbacks tested in the vertical leap at the combine. “Coming out of Michigan in 2000, Brady barely managed to get himself two feet off the ground in the vertical-leap drill,” Salfino wrote.

A source close to the Vikings told Sports Headliners that going into last year’s NFL Draft the Vikings weren’t interested in selecting quarterback Johnny Manziel. “Johnny Football” was drafted by the Browns’ with the No. 22 choice in the first round last year while the Vikings took Teddy Bridgewater at No. 32, the final pick of the round. Maybe Manziel’s 32 score on the Wonderlic (Bridgewater had a 20) was part of the Browns’ decision-making process.

Manziel was no wonder last fall as a rookie having zero touchdown passes, two interceptions and a passer rating of 42 in five games (two starts). Bridgewater was selected as the quarterback on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team. His percentage completion of 64.4 percent was the third highest in NFL history for a rookie.

While college prospects at the combine parade around in track outfits, it might be best to remember how these guys played on the field during their college careers. NFL teams have countless hours of game films to use in evaluating prospects and scouts are seeing players live week after week in the fall.

ESPN talk show host Colin Cowherd wisecracked last week on his show that if he were running an NFL team he would instruct the personnel guys to stay home. Instead he suggested dispatching a private detective and psychologist to Indy.

Worth Noting

NFL scouts also look at college prospects during pro days at various schools. Expected to participate at the Gophers Pro Day on Monday are former U players Michael Amaefula, Cameron Botticelli, David Cobb, Derrick Engel, Zac Epping, Isaac Fruechte, Logan Hutton, Marcus Jones, Donnell Kirkwood, Harold Legania, Ben Perry, Cedric Thompson, Derrick Wells, Maxx Williams, Damien Wilson and Devon Wright. The event isn’t open to the public.

The Vikings will use their No. 11 first round draft choice to select Stanford junior offensive tackle Andrus Peat, according to this week’s NFL mock draft by Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks. He predicts on Si.com the Browns, drafting one spot after the Vikings, will take DeVante Parker, a wide receiver from Louisville and former college teammate of Bridgewater’s.

Parker, 6-3 and 210, is one of the best wide receiver prospects in the 2015 draft. Although Parker doesn’t have elite speed, he has quickness and is able to get open and make yards after receptions. Bridgewater’s familiarity with Parker causes speculation the Vikings, who need help at wide receiver, will give plenty of thought to drafting him.

The Gophers basketball team upset Michigan State last night for the program’s first win in East Lansing since 1990. It was one of Minnesota’s best performances of the season but the Gophers are a disappointing 6-10 in Big Ten games. Many college basketball authorities thought before the season the Gophers would finish between third and sixth in the standings but with two regular season games remaining Minnesota is in seventh place.

The Gophers have lost seven conference games by a total of 27 points. Jim Dutcher believes if Minnesota had former Apple Valley star and Duke freshman Tyus Jones the Gophers would be around .500 in the Big Ten. Jones, among the nation’s elite point guards, has been a clutch performer for the Blue Devils. “He’s a big game player who knows when certain things need to be done,” said Dutcher, the former Gophers coach.

Dutcher thinks it will be a mistake if Jones decides to enter the NBA Draft after this season. He said Jones, 6-1, 190, needs more experience and physical strength to maximize his chances of succeeding in the pros.

Darryl Mitchell, who was an all-conference selection on Dutcher’s 1982 Gophers Big Ten championship team, has been practicing law in Florida but is relocating to Minnesota in March. Mitchell was a first team Parade Magazine high school All-American and chose the Gophers over other schools including 1970s powerhouse UCLA.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association has three teams in the top 11 in the country in two national polls, with No. 2 Minnesota State, Mankato; No. 3 Michigan Tech and No. 11 Bowling Green. Tonight and tomorrow evening Minnesota State hosts Tech.

“I think we’re as competitive as any other league in college hockey,” WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson told Sports Headliners. “We have the hope and intention to get three teams into the NCAA Tournament and we’re on track for that. We could also have more if a surprise team wins the WCHA Final Five which would give them an automatic bid.”

The Final Five will be March 20 and 21 at the Xcel Energy Center. Robertson hopes to approach 8,000 fans in attendance on each of the dates. Ticket information is available via Ticketmaster.com.

St. Thomas men’s basketball coach John Tauer was featured in a February 17 article in the New York Times. Tauer is not only one of the most successful Division III basketball coaches in the country but is also among the few who teach in the classroom, according to the story. Tauer, who has his doctorate in social psychology, is currently teaching a class called Motivation and Emotion.

The Tommies, who won an MIAC record 10th regular season title in 2015, open the playoffs tonight at home against Gustavus. St. Thomas finished 22-3 and 17-3 in the MIAC while the Gusties were 16-10 and 11-9. The Tommies are one of only three Division III programs to have won 1,600 games.

Tommies football coach Glenn Caruso speaks tomorrow at the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association Clinic at Fenwick Park High School in Oak Park, Illinois. Other speakers include Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. Caruso is 73-13 in seven seasons at UST and the Tommies have participated in the NCAA playoffs five of the last six seasons.

Tickets are on sale for the sixth annual Camden’s Concert at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. The event will be held July 13 featuring The Wright Brothers who were popular at last summer’s concert and helped generate funding for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets are available via Hopkinsartscenter.com.

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