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S.I. too Pessimistic about Vikings’ Record

Posted on September 5, 2014September 6, 2014 by David Shama

The impression from here is national media is more pessimistic than local sources in forecasts about the Vikings’ 2014 season record. In Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview issue last week writer Andy Benoit predicts the Vikings will have a 4-12 record. Numberfire.com, a numbers crunching website, gives the Vikings an 11.3 percent chance of making the playoffs—a number exceeded in pessimism only by their view of the Raiders at 9.6 and Jaguars 6.9.

The Vikings’ record last year was 5-10-1, and their defensive statistics and quarterback numbers were nothing to toot your Gjallarhorn about. My opinion, though, is football authorities who are so pessimistic about the Vikings in 2014 are looking too closely at 2013 performance and not giving enough attention to the team’s potential and offseason changes.

The defense, for example, may feature the emergence of two impact players and starters—defensive end Everson Griffen and rookie linebacker Anthony Barr. Those two could juice the pass rush, a big factor defensively in the pass-happy NFL. Sacking quarterbacks or at least making them hurry throws can only help the linebacker and secondary units that remain suspect in both quality and depth.

Also, don’t discount coaching, an element that is probably more important in football than any other sport. New head coach Mike Zimmer will use his defensive expertise to improve the Vikings—maybe a lot. And new offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a gifted coach who will bring out the best from the troubled quarterback position.

Benoit was correct in identifying the quarterbacks as the Vikings’ major concern in his write-up. Veteran Matt Cassel will be the starter but his lack of a power arm is a problem when pass rushers come charging his way, according to Benoit. “While Cassel is tough enough to deliver the ball when he’s about to get hit, he’s not effective when doing so,” Benoit writes, while adding that the Vikings’ offensive line struggles to pass protect the quarterbacks.

But Cassel isn’t exactly on an island regarding helpers. Adrian Peterson remains the NFL gold standard for running backs and could be more productive than ever with a stepped-up role catching passes. Tight end Kyle Rudolph looked imposing catching and running with receptions during the preseason. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has to improve his pass routes but his running skills after catching the ball on passes or kickoffs are superb.

On defense the Vikings have potential stars in Griffen, Barr and safety Harrison Smith who could be more active as a pass rusher this season in a new scheme. Linebacker Chad Greenway is 31 but his experience and clubhouse leadership are valuable. Then, too, the Vikings are strong on special teams including with placekicker Blair Walsh who last season made all of his field goals between 20 and 39 yards, and five of six from 40 to 49.

The Vikings’ fate, as with every team in the league, will have a lot to do with injuries and who can’t play. Already the Rams, who the Vikings open the regular season against on Sunday, are without injured No. 1 quarterback Sam Bradford. That development may mean an opening road win for the Vikings in a season where Sports Headliners forecasts a 7-9 record.

Worth Noting

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King predicts the Packers will defeat the Colts 30-23 in the Super Bowl next February.

The NFC North, led by the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, is filled with impressive playmakers. “I think what we’re going to do offensively is going to be up there too,” Greenway told Sports Headliners. “I think we’re going to be pretty strong.”

Maxx Williams’ run, when he hurdled an Eastern Illinois defender in the open field after catching a pass in the Gophers’ first game last week, has become one of college football’s early season highlights—even featured on ESPN SportsCenter. The 6-4, 250-pound tight end said his move was instinctive and he couldn’t recall ever hurdling a defender before.

“I got lucky,” said Williams who has about a 33-inch vertical jump. “I saw him (the defender) going down. I just jumped up as high as I could—so I got a little scared. I thought he was going to hit me low. I figured I might as well try and jump, and it worked out for me.”

Williams, who is from Waconia High School, is one of the most athletic and fastest tight ends in the Big Ten. He is on the John Mackey Award list of candidates to be named the nation’s best tight end.

Devin Funchess, a former tight end who Michigan switched to wide receiver, caught three touchdown passes last week in the Wolverines’ opening game. Williams said he isn’t sure if he could make the switch to wide receiver and has no interest. “I love playing tight end,” he said.

As a redshirt sophomore, Williams will be eligible for the NFL Draft next year but almost guarantees being with the Gophers in 2015. He admitted the NFL is a “dream” but he has no desire to think about pro football now. “That’s way at the end of the day. Right now, I am living right now.”

Gophers’ redshirt freshman running back Berkley Edwards had four carries and two touchdowns in last week’s opening game including a 42-yard sprint down the sideline for a score. “We’d like to increase his workload every week a little bit and get him more involved,” said offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover. “Everybody in here (among the media) who saw the game understands that he’s a one touch, and that thing can be over in a hurry.”

An NFL scouting group has five senior Gophers on a watch list: Cameron Botticelli, defensive tackle; David Cobb, running back; Damien Wilson, linebacker; Cedric Thompson, safety; and Derrick Wells, cornerback.

Wilson, 6-2, 245-pounds led the team in tackles with 10 against Eastern Illinois. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys expects improvement over 2013, Wilson’s first season with the Gophers after transferring from Jones Community College in Mississippi.

“Damien is better (this year),” Claeys said. “I still think he can play better than what he did the other night. …He’s a little lighter than he was last year. That helps with all the no‑huddle teams, spreading it out. …You don’t find too many people his size that run like he does.”

The Gophers’ Thursday night opener at TCF Bank Stadium had an announced crowd of 44,344 but it appeared the spectator count was more in the 30,000 range. A weekday evening game is problematic for numerous reasons including traffic and competition from the State Fair. The Gophers will have Thursday night openers for the next three years including in 2015 on September 3 against TCU. The State Fair will end on September 7 next year.

Expect a larger announced attendance tomorrow than last week when the Gophers host Middle Tennessee State. School has started at the University of Minnesota (perhaps prompting a large student turnout), the State Fair is over and fair parking lots are now available to Gophers fans.

Congratulations to three Minnesota high school football coaches who earned their 100th career wins last week: John Austinson, Byron; Chad Johnston, Minneota; and Jeff Weiland, Orono. Their records as of last week were Austinson, 100-68-0; Johnston, 100-34-0; Weiland, 100-76-0.

MIAC football teams begin play tomorrow and if a poll of the league coaches is correct Bethel will repeat as champion. The predicted order of finish for the teams is Bethel, St. Thomas, Concordia, Saint John’s, Augsburg, Gustavus, Carleton, Hamline and St. Olaf.

Earlier this summer the conference placed two teams in the D3football.com top 25 preseason poll—Bethel No. 7 and St. Thomas No. 11. Both teams were also ranked in The Sporting News top 20 and Lindy’s top 10. The Sporting News listed Bethel No. 6 and St. Thomas No. 15, while Lindy’s had the Royals fourth and Tommies seventh.

Michael Hurt, the Rochester John Marshall High School junior small forward who the basketball Gophers offered a scholarship to last month, is the grandson of Dr. Richard Hurt who has been an advocate of smoke-free environments.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout, 23, is hitting .390 in 17 career games against the Twins. Trout helped the Angels to a 5-4 win over the Twins last night at Target Field where he is hitting .435 in six career games.

Reservations are being accepted through Monday to hear Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne at next Thursday’s CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. For more information contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

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U Football Season Tickets Total Increases

Posted on August 27, 2014August 27, 2014 by David Shama

It’s unlikely tomorrow night’s opening game at TCF Bank Stadium against Eastern Illinois will sellout.

Minnesota’s opening game on August 29 last year against UNLV at TCF drew 44,217 fans. Tomorrow night’s game—unless there is a huge walkup ticket sale—likely will have similar attendance. Eastern Illinois isn’t a strong box office attraction and the Gophers face entertainment competition from the State Fair on a weekday night.

The total number of Gophers season football tickets has increased slightly from last season. As of Monday, the Gophers had sold 5,043 student season tickets compared with 4,175 on the same date a year ago. School hasn’t started yet at the University of Minnesota and more student season tickets will be sold. An additional 800 student season tickets were sold last year after August 25, bringing the 2013 total to 4,975.

The overall season tickets total as of Monday was 33,385—a bit more than the final 2013 total of 33,284. The nonstudent season tickets total is expected to be between 28,000 and 29,000. The 5,043 student number includes many tickets sold as part of packages that includes admission to basketball and hockey games.

With the addition of extra seats at the west end of the stadium, capacity has increased from 50,805 to 52,525. The potential for setting single game attendance records is in play for high demand games against Iowa on November 8 and Ohio State November 15.

Jerry Kill’s fourth season as Gophers head coach begins tomorrow night. He will tell you there’s no question who his No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks are—Mitch Leidner and Chris Streveler.

No doubt Kill wants to see that one-two order continue through a 12-game season and a bowl win. He made it clear to the team months ago that Leidner, the redshirt sophomore from Lakeville South, was the starter. “There is no question Chris Streveler is our No. 2,” Kill said last Saturday.

Either injuries or lack of production have often had the Gophers and fans wondering what to expect from the starting quarterback. The Gophers used four different starters at quarterback during the last three seasons. MarQueis Gray had 10 starts and Max Shortell two in 2011. Those players started three games each in 2012 and Philip Nelson had seven starts. Last year Nelson started nine games and Leidner four.

Can someone play the whole season as the No. 1 guy at the most important position on the team? Leidner is the only quarterback on the roster with gameday experience. Unless he flops—or is injured—he is a heavy favorite to be the starter all year.

Expect the Gophers to design and use their offense to keep Leidner healthy and on the field. That is so much easier said than done, though. The 6-4, 237-pound Leidner is not shy about running and although his legs won’t be the primary weapon in the offense, the Gophers will need rushing productivity from him in the more difficult games including road tests at Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Leidner threw only three touchdown passes last season while completing 55.1 percent of his passes. His passing is likely to be improved and that’s a must for the Gophers who had just 12 touchdown receptions last season and were among the most unproductive passing teams in the country.

Streveler, a redshirt freshman, isn’t the equal of Leidner as a passer. Streveler looks like an athlete playing quarterback, and a teammate said the Illinois native’s greatest strength “definitely” is his running.

Leidner believes he is ready for a productive year leading an offense that includes Doak Walker Award candidate and running back David Cobb (1,202 yards last year), and a group of potential big play receivers. The experience of playing last season and all the preparation during the offseason made it easy for Leidner to answer the question whether there is any comparison with who he is now as a quarterback versus a year ago. “Nah, it’s not comparable at all, I don’t think. It’s a different mindset.”

That might be another way of saying the Gophers are ready to stop the quarterback carousel.

Worth Noting

Eastern Illinois is ranked No. 11 in the country in the FCS coaches poll. Historically, EIU has five wins over FBS programs like the Gophers including a 40-19 victory last year at San Diego State.

Kill predicted the Panthers will be ready to play and said this is a “bowl game” for the EIU program.

Panthers running backs Shepard Little and Taylor Duncan are the top returning FCS rushing twosome. Little had 1,551 yards last season while Duncan had 988 despite missing two games.

The Panthers are expected to play two quarterbacks including Andrew Manley who was the starter after spring practice. He is a transfer from New Mexico State and threw three touchdown passes for the Aggies when they beat the Gophers in 2011 at TCF Bank Stadium. The other quarterback is Jalen Whitlow, a transfer from Kentucky who started 15 games during the last two seasons for the Wildcats.

Near the top of any list for most anticipated Gopher debuts will be that of redshirt freshman running back Berkley Edwards. Fans have heard a lot about his speed and he is the second fastest player on the roster. His roommate, sophomore defensive back Jalen Myrick, is faster.

No Gophers unit is expected to be better in performance and depth than the secondary. Minnesota has six defensive backs who have started a combined 59 games led by Cedric Thompson with 19, Derrick Wells, 16 and Eric Murray, 13.

Last season the Gophers excelled against four of the best receivers in the Big Ten—Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin; Jeremy Gallon, Michigan; Cody Latimer, Indiana; and Allen Robinson, Penn State. The group had 4,982 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. Against Minnesota they totaled 224 yards (4.4 percent of season output) and two touchdowns (6.4 percent of their production).

Kill’s 53rd birthday was last Sunday. His three-year record at Minnesota is 17-21 overall, but during the last two seasons he is 14-12. In their previous 26 games prior to the 2012 and 2013 seasons the Gophers were 6-20.

The Vikings, 3-0, play their final preseason game tomorrow night in Nashville against the Titans, 2-1. The last year the Vikings were undefeated in preseason was 2001, winning all four games. The regular season didn’t go so well, though, with a 5-11 record, and Mike Tice replaced Dennis Green as head coach for game No. 16.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told the team on Monday Matt Cassel will be the starting quarterback. What stood out, prompting the decision?

“Well, Matt did not do anything to lose the job this preseason. I think he’s played great,” Zimmer said. “The team has a lot of confidence in him. They feel good about his veteran leadership and presence.

“I had to think about the whole football team, it wasn’t just about the quarterbacks. I’ve said this before, it’s not always the best player at (any position)…it’s how everything works together, and at this stage where we are at right now I feel like that’s the best thing to do.

“I told (rookie) Teddy (Bridgewater) that I’m so happy that he’s here with us. I’m glad he’s the guy we picked…and Teddy will be still, in my estimation, a great player for this franchise for years to come.”

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne will speak at the September 11 CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Nanne, who left the North Stars in 1991 after serving as team president, has been honored many times for his playing and administrative career including induction into multiple halls of fame. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations (by September 8) for the lunch and program can be made by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

Twins rookie Kennys Vargas had one hit in last night’s 2-1 loss against the Royals. He has hit safely in 20 of 24 career Twins games. In his last 10 games the DH-first baseman is batting .395 with two home runs and 11 RBI.

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Meet The Mike Zimmer You Don’t Know

Posted on August 25, 2014August 25, 2014 by David Shama

Mike Zimmer was named the Vikings ninth head coach last winter. Fans and media are still getting acquainted with Zimmer who after 20 years of being an NFL assistant became a head coach for the first time. In an exclusive interview, Sports Headliners asked him to fill in the blanks on various football and personal topics—some not too serious—to better understand who he is.

Football is the best game in the world because: “It teaches discipline, (and) toughness, and there’s such a team aspect of things.”

What I’ve already learned about Adrian Peterson is: “That he cares a lot about this football team and the franchise. Besides being a great running back, he’s a good person.”

Better know this about former NFL coach Bill Parcells: (Laughs). “That he is going to have a sharp stick and poke you with it—that he does it because he cares about you and wants you to be the very best that you can be.”

The most difficult time in my life was: “When my wife (Vikki) passed away (October 8, 2009, after 27 years of marriage).”

How I got offensive coordinator Norv Turner to come and work for me was: “Begging and pleading, and a few phone conversations. …I think he saw how we played defense and I saw how he played offense, and I thought it would be a good mix, and I think he did too.”

When people compare me to Bud Grant I think: (Laughs). “I think, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ I am kind of speechless. But I haven’t coached a (regular season) game yet so we should temper those thoughts, I think.”

If I want one thing on my tombstone it is: “Honesty.”

What amazes me about you guys in the media is: (Laughs). “Honestly, I have a lot of respect for the people in the media. I really do. Sometimes I get a kick out of how they can ask a question looking for the answer that they want (me) to give.”

I will promise Vikings fans this: “That I will do my very best every single day. Work as hard as I can to bring a championship to Minnesota.”

The perfect vacation for me is: “I am not a big vacation guy but I do like to hang out at my ranch (43 acres in northern Kentucky)—shoot guns, go hunting, things like that.”

My very first words to the team after being hired were: “I believe it was what kind of people and players that I was looking for…and what kind of things we’re not looking for.”

My best advice to No. 3 quarterback Christian Ponder is: “Hang in there. Keep fighting. Keep your head up, chest out, (and) good things will happen.”

Vikings fans will learn this about rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater: “That he is humble, caring. He’s obviously talented but he’s a guy that I think they’ll be proud to have as a quarterback some day.”

Here’s what I think about superstition: “I think I have it (laughs). But it’s not always a good thing.”

What’s an example? “I have a prayer that…I’ve used for the last three or four years that I read numerous times before the game. Just read it to myself. It’s about (the) game plan, (and) playing with great unity and effort, and smart. Things like that.”

My good luck charms are: “My kids (daughters Corri and Marki, and son Adam). They’re always helping me staying positive, and seeing the good things.”

If I could invite a few people—including historical figures and anyone alive today—to a dinner party I would include: “(General) George Patton, probably Michael Jordan. …Parcells would probably be one, although I would put him at the other end of the table. No, I am not joking on that one. Some of the great coaches—Don Shula—(and) I know they (Vikings fans) don’t want me to say (Packers Vince) Lombardi but him too.”

There’s nothing better to eat than: “Mexican, Tex-Mex especially. Anything with pico de gallo on it. Queso. Chicken I love. …”

My early impression of Minnesota as a place to live is: “My earliest impression was very cold. When I got here it was January 15th. But you know the people have been great. The area with all the lakes and the waterfowl and the clear blue skies—it‘s pretty neat.”

Were you discouraged by the January winter welcome? “Well, I was caught off guard a little bit. I didn’t expect it to be 18 below when I was driving into work, but we have heaters.”

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