Vikings – Page 201 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U Needs to Kick in Door at ‘Big House’

Posted on September 26, 2014September 26, 2014 by David Shama

Gophers fans have learned to treasure rare wins against Michigan, including in Ann Arbor where Minnesota plays the Wolverines tomorrow in a game TV viewers from Minneapolis-St. Paul will see on ABC. The opinion here is the Gophers’ chances are 50-50 to earn one of those once-in-a-generation moments tomorrow at Michigan Stadium—the famous 109,901 capacity “Big House.”

The Gophers won in Ann Arbor in 1962 and haven’t exactly been greedy there since, with victories also in 1986 and 2005. During the last 50 years—home and away—the schools have played against each other every season except two, and the Gophers have defeated Michigan only five times, claiming the famous Little Brown Jug trophy awarded to the winning team.

There have been years when the Wolverines were so vastly superior to the Gophers in coaching and personnel that Minnesota fans might have enjoyed a more pleasant afternoon cleaning their showers. But tomorrow the Gophers will take the field in Michigan Stadium with a coaching staff and a roster of talent that compares more favorably to the Wolverines than in the recent past.

Michigan is 2-2 with wins over bad teams and embarrassing losses to Notre Dame, 31-0, and Utah, 26-10. In the two defeats the Wolverines didn’t produce an offensive touchdown and they enter tomorrow’s game with a quarterback dilemma after senior starter Devin Gardner was replaced by sophomore Shane Morris during the Utah loss.

College football’s winningest program appears shaky. After four games, critics are calling for head coach Brady Hoke’s job. His record the last 30 games is 17-13. That’s not up to Michigan standards and if the Gophers build a sizeable lead in the game the stadium boo-birds will be noticeable.

After last week’s loss to Utah, Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo expressed concern about the body language of Michigan players. He also observed a lack of full effort in some situations.

The best scenario for the Gophers will be a successful start in the game and double-digit lead by halftime. That could help demoralize the Michigan defense, the strength of the team. The Wolverines are No. 1 among Big Ten clubs in total defense allowing 261 yards per game.

The Gophers’ strength is also on defense so forcing the Michigan offense into costly turnovers might turn the game Minnesota’s way. So, too, could Minnesota special teams work where success might come from blocking a punt, field goal attempt, or having a long kick return.

The Gophers’ offense was muted against the one quality team Minnesota, 3-1, has played so far. TCU held the Gophers to 268 total yards, including only 99 yards rushing in a 30-7 win in Fort Worth.

For the season the Gophers’ passing offense ranks last in the Big Ten, producing 99.8 yards per game. Minnesota is fourth in rushing offense at 236.2 yards while Michigan’s defense is allowing only 80.2 yards.

Much has been written about Minnesota’s inability to pass with success. Freshman quarterback Chris Streveler completed just one throw in last week’s 24-7 win against San Jose State, but has kept a positive attitude—even joking about it and receiving some good-natured kidding. “Yeah, some of my buddies in class have been like, ‘Nice completion or whatever.’ It’s just funny,” Steveler said. “I like to joke around about it because we got the win so it doesn’t really matter, to be honest. …”

The Gophers have their own quarterback puzzle with Streveler and Mitch Leidner who is definitely the No. 1 starter but might not play tomorrow because of injuries. Whoever plays may give the Gophers improved passing but don’t expect to be dazzled because baby steps seem more likely and receivers, not just quarterbacks, need to step up.

The oddsmakers have the Wolverines as a double-digit favorite to win and that looks off target. A low scoring, close game seems more likely. The Gophers’ chances of winning may come down to better preparation, more will and focus than the Wolverines.

Those are attributes associated with Gophers head coach Jerry Kill who is admired by coaching peers. An ESPN.com poll of FBS coaches announced last week had Kill tied with Kansas State’s Bill Snyder for most underrated coach in the country.

When teams feel prepared, players have confidence. Maybe the Gophers are ready. “It would be good to go in there and steal one from Michigan,” said Gophers junior cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun. “We watched them on film. I said they’re good and we’re good too. But I think we have a really good shot to win this weekend.”

Kill and the Gophers would like to start changing wins against the Wolverines to more than a once-in-a-generation thing.

Worth Noting

Gophers’ senior defensive tackle Cameron Botticelli is a team leader and was asked if Minnesota takes extra confidence going into tomorrow’s game because the Big Ten has been unimpressive in nonconference competition and Michigan has a 2-2 record.

“I feel like we always have confidence in our team no matter how well or how poor the rest of the conference is doing,” he said. “Just because they’re 2-2 doesn’t mean anything to us. Michigan is a good team and they’re going to be physical and fast so we need to prepare hard this week no mater what our opponents’ record is. …We’re ready for a fight.”

Streveler is the Big Ten’s Co-Freshmen of the Week for his 161 yards rushing performance against San Jose State—the third highest total ever by a Minnesota quarterback. Streveler’s success, and that of running back David Cobb, who rushed for 207 yards, was enhanced by the quarterback understanding whether the best decision was to hand the ball off to Cobb or run with it himself.

Gophers’ offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said Steveler, despite being inexperienced and making his first college start, made defensive “reads” as effective as any quarterback he has coached at Minnesota or before that at Northern Illinois. “He did a fantastic job,” Limegrover said. “Everything they threw at him—handled it like a vet—which was great to see.”

The Gophers have lacked consistency at the quarterback position for awhile but a program insider said Kill hasn’t pursued junior college quarterbacks, preferring to develop his own players over their four or five year careers. That formula worked with considerable success at Northern Illinois when Kill and his assistants found under-recruited talents Jordan Lynch and Chandler Harnish.

Rookie Teddy Bridgewater gets his first NFL start on Sunday when the Vikings play the Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. He will be the second youngest Vikings quarterback ever to start a game for the team. Fran Tarkenton, 21 years, 226 days, was the youngest, while Bridgewater will be 21 years and 322 days on Sunday.

Suspended running back Adrian Peterson, who has the biggest contract on the team and a tarnished reputation, will miss his third consecutive game and likely will never play for the Vikings again. As the Vikings navigate the local political, business and social scene here, it seems highly improbable they will keep a 29-year-old running back who is expensive and controversial. Peterson, though, is all but certain to some day play with another NFL club.

Detroit Lakes native and wide receiver Adam Thielen, who was on the Vikings practice squad last year, had his first career start last Sunday against the Saints but didn’t catch a pass.

Vikings-Falcons connections include Mike Tice and Ra’Shede Hagemen. Tice, the former Vikings head coach, is the Falcons offensive line coach while Hagemen, the former Gopher, is a rookie reserve defensive tackle.

Saint John’s running back Sam Sura, averaging an MIAC-leading 180.7 rushing yards per game and five touchdowns, will test St. Thomas’ defense tomorrow when the Johnnies and Tommies renew their rivalry in St. Paul before an anticipated crowd of 10,000 fans. The Tommies have the league’s top-ranked defense, allowing 8.5 points and 263 yards per game. Saint John’s is 2-1 overall, 0-1 in the MIAC while St. Thomas, 2-0, plays its league opener tomorrow.

Congratulations to Marshall High School football coach Terry Bahlmann who won his 200th career game last week. Bahlmann has a career record of 200-91 over 31 years of coaching including at three high schools in Iowa.

The WCHA made the right hire earlier this year when Bill Robertson agreed to become commissioner. His business skills, including marketing expertise, will be a major asset for the WCHA which announced an exclusive partnership with FOX Sports North this week to telecast the 2015 WCHA Final Five. The network will provide live telecasts from the Xcel Energy Center for all three games of next year’s Final Five: Two semifinal games on Friday, March 20 and the Broadmoor Trophy championship game on Saturday, March 21. Tournament ticket packages go on sale starting at noon Monday with availability at the Xcel Energy Center and via Ticketmaster.

Offseason workouts are generating optimism about the 2014-2015 Gophers basketball team. Minnesota might finish among the top six teams in the Big Ten Conference and possibly make an NCAA Tournament run. Richard Pitino, the Gophers 32-year-old head coach, is a taskmaster and pushes his players hard.

State prep basketball authority Ken Lien was pleased to see Pitino receive a verbal commitment from DeLaSalle guard Jarvis Johnson for the Gophers’ 2015 recruiting class. “I am excited to watch Jarvis play at the U because he’s got tremendous quickness, not only north and south, but great lateral quickness,” Lien said. “He will be fun to watch defending people. …He’s going to have to improve his shooting—and the ball handling—to be able to run the fast break the way Pitino wants them to run.”

Former Gopher Oto Osenieks, who gave up his career last winter with a season of eligibility remaining because of a knee injury, is in graduate school taking sports management classes and helping with the basketball program.

The Timberwolves begin training camp in Mankato next week and team owner Glen Taylor will continue the team tradition of hosting players for dinner at his house on October 3. His wife Becky, with help from her daughters, will make enough lasagna to feed a group of players, coaches and other staff at the Taylor home in Mankato. “She’s a typical Minnesota housewife and loves to take care of her family,” Taylor said. “She’s got a big family, and it just gets extended when the players come down (to Mankato).”

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Peterson Gets Attention but How Is Son?

Posted on September 22, 2014September 22, 2014 by David Shama

Dr. Herb Brenden is a retired Minneapolis area psychologist who devoted much of his 44-year career to family therapy, helping children and adults cope with various issues. He is also a Vikings fan and former high school football player.

Dr. Brenden was asked about the Adrian Peterson incident that has led to Peterson facing criminal charges and indefinite suspension from the Vikings. Peterson allegedly abused his four-year-old son—who lives in Minnesota—during a visit to the running back’s Texas home last spring. Peterson faces a child abuse indictment in Montgomery County and international media attention has been on Peterson during the past week, but what about the status of the four year old that was reportedly punished using a switch with leaves stuffed in his mouth?

Peterson experienced physical discipline during his own childhood. The use of corporal punishment is often passed from one generation to the next. Dr. Brenden said that could be a way the four year old will be impacted long-term after he becomes an adult.

“You see what happened to Adrian. He’s repeating some of the same patterns that his mother and father used,” Dr. Brenden said. “It’s a very quick way to get a response from a child, but the emotional underpinnings are so disastrous.”

In the short-term the child may have learned to become aggressive around his peers while also growing fearful of his famous father, a 29-year-old man with a powerful physical presence. “It’s pretty hard to develop a good bonding if you’re fearful,” Dr. Brenden said.

Photographs of the child’s body showed injuries including bruises and cuts. It’s not difficult to imagine the boy’s emotional hurt and humiliation. “You can see why so many people just kind of almost go into an absent state of mind (in that situation),” Dr. Brenden said. “They’re just powerless. Who is going to be able to counteract a strong guy like Peterson?”

In recent days the subject of corporal punishment in child rearing has prompted a national discussion with proponents arguing if used properly it can be beneficial, and that switches and belts are a widely accepted practice in the South. But using a switch—a tree branch stripped of its leaves—or a belt on a child is not something family therapists approve. “We’ve been discouraging that as long as I can remember,” Dr. Brenden said.

Peterson has stated he didn’t intend to harm his son. The boy reportedly wasn’t crying during the incident, and that may have caused Peterson to go further with the switching than he might otherwise have done, according to Dr. Brenden. “You can see where people become even more aggressive,” Dr. Brenden said.

Peterson’s career is in limbo as he awaits a court hearing next month and possible trial in 2015. He has gone from one of pro sports’ most decorated heroes to someone who may never play for the Vikings again, with a career and reputation in free-fall. His situation has drawn the ire of NFL sponsors, merchandisers, fans and media.

Dr. Brenden said the incident with Peterson’s son has likely been a major blow to the Texas native’s self-esteem. “Can you imagine going from having your picture advertised on the new (Vikings) stadium to just being an outcast where people can’t buy your jersey and anything else? It would be just devastating.”

Peterson has already consulted with a psychologist and Dr. Brenden said it’s important for Peterson to receive counseling over a period of time. Eventually Peterson could learn from his mistakes and become a better dad to the several children he has fathered out of wedlock including the four year old. “I think if this doesn’t trigger some action on his part (to be a better parent) it’s pretty hard to imagine anything that would,” Dr. Brenden said.

The NFL has taken a mega public relations blow over the Peterson incident and the Ray Rice assault of his girlfriend. An optimist would hope Peterson and Rice both become informed and sincere spokesmen about domestic abuse. “I would say that a lot of people become even more of an advocate for the things that they’ve been guilty of doing—child abuse (and) spousal abuse,” Dr. Brenden said. “Some of them are actually doing seminars for other players where they talk about what they’ve learned and new ways of doing what’s best.”

The NFL is facing a flurry of negative publicity including the impact of concussions on players. Public awareness is growing, too, about domestic assault reports, and drinking and drug charges. The league’s policy failures have prompted calls for commissioner Roger Goodell to resign.

But Americans are addicted to the NFL and games continue to be the most watched national TV programming. Fans remain passionate despite the news about players like Peterson and Rice, and the inconsistent and failed responses to problems by the Vikings and league office in disciplining offenders.

Dr. Brenden may be in the minority among fans who will dial down their attention. “I’ll be less interested in what’s happening with them (the Vikings) on the field because of all the things that are happening, not only with the players but with the administration,” he said. “They (the Vikings) really botched this, and then the NFL (too). They’ve been so powerful that they haven’t had to consider any kind of consquences. It looks like when sponsors start cutting back funds it gets their attention. It’s obvious they haven’t had a good plan to deal with abuse.”

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Vikings D-End Could Play Running Back

Posted on September 19, 2014September 19, 2014 by David Shama

Nobody is suggesting the Vikings replace Adrian Peterson at running back with a defensive end but Paul Wiggin told Sports Headliners that Everson Griffen could make the switch.

“He could play running back for us,” Wiggin said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete.”

Wiggin is a former college and NFL coach who works in the Vikings’ front office. He made the statement above after being asked about Griffen’s abilities and potential. The 26-year-old, 6-3, 273-pound Griffen is in his fifth season with the Vikings but first year as a starter. During the last offseason the Vikings signed him to a new contract, an indication the organization thought he was ready to replace Jared Allen as an every week starter.

Griffen’s job description puts an emphasis on sacking quarterbacks—something the Vikings hope he can do to Drew Brees of the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans. Griffen had 2.5 sacks in the final three games of last season, and then had two in the Vikings’ opening win this year against the Rams. His two sacks put him among the NFL leaders in that category so far.

“We attack. Our coach (Mike Zimmer) wants us to attack,” Griffen said in the September 14 issue of the Vikings’ GameDay program. “We make plays. I feel like we’re go-getters. We’re not waiting for them (foes) to strike. …”

Wiggin has watched Griffen mature as a person and said that has played a role in the player’s improvement. Griffen is involved with a program that makes meals available to school-age kids, and has participated in the Vikings’ blood drive and community events.

Griffen was drafted by the Vikings in 2010 after being a second team All-Pac 10 defensive end as a junior playing for USC. In high school in Avondale, Arizona he also played in the defensive line and had 16 sacks his senior season. But guess what? He also played running back in high school, rushing for 1,251 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Worth Noting

Replacing Peterson in New Orleans likely will be Matt Asiata who was given that assignment in Peterson’s absence last Sunday. The Vikings are also looking at rookie Jerick McKinnon and Joe Banyard, a first-year player last season who has yet to have an NFL carry. “We will keep evaluating that spot each and every time,” Zimmer said.

Wiggin, whose career experiences include college head coach at Stanford and in the NFL with the Chiefs, has the title of senior personnel consultant with the Vikings. Part of his job is to scout opposing linemen from films. He identifies tendencies that can help Vikings offensive and defensive linemen.

The Rams’ Robert Quinn, for example, is one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive linemen. In preparation for the Rams game on September 7, Vikings offensive tackle Matt Kalil was given 42 plays involving Quinn to watch on his iPad.

Gophers redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Streveler will have his first college start tomorrow if Mitch Leidner, who has been slowed by knee and turf toe injuries, can’t play against San Jose State at TCF Bank Stadium. Streveler, 19, might have the cool for the pressure-filled job.

As a reserve player Streveler likes to have “fun” on the sidelines, trying to help however he can. Off the field? “I don’t really take myself too seriously,” he said. “I stay pretty low-key.”

Leidner has only passed for 362 yards in three games, completing 48.1 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Still, offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover believes the redshirt sophomore can become an effective passer, and that progress will come by Leidner having better support from teammates including pass blocking.

“In anything you want to be successful (doing), you have to feel comfortable in that environment, and I don’t think he feels comfortable now going back and throwing the football,” Limegrover said. “So what’s happening is he’s trying to do too much and it’s getting him in trouble. I think that has to start up front (offensive line).”

Last winter the Gophers signed a promising group of incoming freshman wide receivers to National Letters of Intent but so far none has seen the field. This week it was announced that Isaiah Gentry, the 6-4 receiver from Cincinnati, is out for the season because of a knee injury that bothered him for a couple of weeks.

“Yeah, he’s a tough kid,” Limegrover said. “He fought through what a lot of guys would have shut down on and really actually did pretty well. So long‑term, that’s exciting for us, and it’s a little disappointing in the short-term that he had to get shut down.”

Melvin Holland Jr., 6-3 from Ashburn, Virginia, and Conner Krizancik, 6-2 from Mentor, Ohio, could be freshman wideouts who will play this season. Among the first year receivers, Holland may have turned the most heads in practices.

At the start of this college football season the University of Alabama compliled a list of programs with the most graduate students on their rosters. The Crimson Tide and Boston College topped the list with 15 each, and only four other teams had more than San Jose State’s nine grad students including starting quarterback Blake Jurich.

The Spartans have only five players on their 104-man roster who aren’t California natives. Three of them are from Arizona, with one each from Texas and Washington.

Congratulations to Browerville head football coach Wayne (Ribsy) Petermeier on his 100th career win last week. Petermeier, now in his 13th season at Browerville, was previously head coach at Hayfield for one season. His career record is 100-41.

The Gophers baseball team practiced this week with 33 players. The Gophers don’t provide full scholarships for baseball but 26 of the players have partial financial assistance ranging from 25 to 70 percent.

The baseball Gophers once offered a full scholarship to Joe Mauer who could have also had a football scholarship to Florida State but signed a contract with the Twins coming out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in 2001.

Big Ten Hockey Media Day is next Wednesday in Detroit. Forward Kyle Rau and goalie Adam Wilcox will represent the Gophers who are expected to be among college hockey’s elite teams next season.

SI.com listed college basketball’s top 20 college guards, wings and “big men” for next season in a September 11 story, but no Gophers were included—a mild surprise that senior guards Andre Hollins and DeAndre Mathieu were left out. In a separate listing of freshmen, Tyus Jones, the ex-Apple Valley high schooler now at Duke, was included with the best first-year guards, and Rashad Vaughn, who played at Cooper High School two years ago and is now at UNLV, was listed among the top wings.

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