Vikings – Page 215 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Mpls. Super Bowl Final Bid Due in May

Posted on February 7, 2014February 7, 2014 by David Shama

Vikings executive Lester Bagley returned from Sunday’s Super Bowl in the New York area optimistic the 2018 game will be awarded to Minneapolis. “I think we have a very strong chance,” Bagley told Sports Headliners.

Bagley is on a five-member Minnesota Super Bowl steering committee that includes Meet Minneapolis president Melvin Tennant and Timberwolves CEO Rob Moor. The steering committee is part of a larger Minnesota Super Bowl group led by local business leaders including Doug Baker, Richard Davis and Marilyn Carlson Nelson.

“We’re going to hire an executive director to run the bid process for the next four months because we all have aggressive day jobs,” Bagley said.

The Vikings open their new indoor stadium in 2016 and last fall Minneapolis was named a finalist for the 2018 Super Bowl along with Indianapolis and New Orleans. Preliminary bids are due April 1 and then negotiations lead up to a final May 7 deadline for offers to be submitted. Those bids will be discussed at the NFL owners meetings May 18-21.

The NFL has awarded Super Bowls to northern cities in the past, sometimes a few years after their domed stadiums opened. Detroit hosted the 2006 Super Bowl at Ford Field. Indianapolis was the site of the 2012 Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium. Minneapolis hosted the 1992 Super Bowl at the Metrodome.

Both prestige and economic benefit result from hosting the game that has grown into a week full of related activities. “The Super Bowl is like the world’s grandest event,” Bagley said.

Last Sunday’s Super Bowl was the most watched U.S. TV program ever, drawing an audience of 111.5 million. The game was played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and Cynopsis Sports calculated in its Monday newsletter MetLife received “$32.4 million in exposure as a result of its naming rights deal.”

Asked about the anticipated economic benefit to this community, Bagley said a study from the Indianapolis Super Bowl calculated a figure of $324 million. By comparison the Twins have estimated the economic impact of MLB’s 2014 All-Star game in Minneapolis at about $85 million.

Bagley said the local Super Bowl committee will “regroup” if they are turned down for 2018 but he is optimistic. “We think 2018 is the year.”

Worth Noting

Alan Roach, who attended high school in Brainerd, was the public address voice for eight Super Bowls until last Sunday’s game. Roach is also the public address announcer for Broncos home games and that caused a potential conflict of interest with being assigned to Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Roach was invited to a party where the Minneapolis group pitched the 2018 Super Bowl to NFL decision makers.

Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant will speak at the March 13 CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington. Grant had 11 championship teams with the Vikings and coached Minnesota to four Super Bowls. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations (by March 10) for the lunch and program can be made by contacting dotsethj@comcast.net.

The Vikings new coaching staff includes head coach Mike Zimmer and three coordinators—George Edwards, defensive coordinator; Mike Priefer, special teams coordinator; and Norv Turner, offensive coordinator. Other assistants: Robb Akey, assistant defensive line; Jeff Davidson, offensive line; Ryan Ficken, assistant special teams; Jonathan Gannon, assistant defensive backs/quality control; Jerry Gray, defensive backs; Jeff Howard, defensive assistant; Klint Kubiak, assistant wide receivers/quality control; Andre Patterson, defensive Line; Drew Petzing, coaching assistant; Kevin Stefanski, tight ends; George Stewart, wide receivers; Scott Turner, quarterbacks; Kirby Wilson, running backs; Adam Zimmer, linebackers.

Willie Schneider, the senior fullback on the Tommies football team last fall, is the nephew of Seahawks general manager John Schneider who is receiving so much credit for personnel decisions that helped Seattle win the Super Bowl.

Gerry DiNardo, analyzing Big Ten Conference recruiting on the Big Ten Network Wednesday, raved about Connor Mayes, the center from Van Alstyne, Texas who signed a National Letter of Intent with the Gophers. “I think this guy has the potential to be one of the best freshmen in the entire Big Ten class this year,” DiNardo said.

Jeff Jones, the Washburn running back who also committed to the Gophers on Wednesday, said whether coaches care about him determines motivation. “…That gives me the fire and the will to be able to go out and play my heart out for that staff,” he told Sports Headliners.

Asked if he would have a special meal to celebrate Signing Day on Wednesday, Jones said no but he often enjoys “a cold bowl of cereal” with Reese’s Puffs a favorite.

Gophers fans might be upset Minnesota high school offensive linemen J.C. Hassenauer and Frank Ragnow chose Alabama and Arkansas for their college careers but Hawkeyes fans are probably even more troubled about Ross Pierschbacher from Cedar Falls going to Alabama. He is a first team Parade magazine All-America offensive lineman.

Philip Nelson, the former Gophers quarterback, isn’t the only name Minnesotans will recognize if they follow Rutgers football. Ex-Gophers offensive coordinator Mitch Browning is the offensive line coach and former Gopher Norries Wilson is the running backs coach. Nelson will be eligible to play for Rutgers in 2015.

Former Gophers, Badgers and Vikings assistant Phil Hueber is on the University of Pittsburgh staff as offensive line coach.

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill and Eden Prairie High School coach Mike Grant are on a panel for the “Breakfast with the Champions” program February 19 at Target Field’s Metropolitan Club. The program is a project of the Positive Coaching Alliance Minnesota and the purpose is to help develop team leaders. Coaches and others who are interested in more details can contact Deborah_edwards@positivecoach.org.

The Minnesota Minute Men announced the 10 finalists (only seniors are eligible) for the 30th Annual Mr. Hockey Award: Philip Beaulieu (Duluth East), Tyler Cline (Blaine), Spencer Naas (Benilde St. Margaret’s), Tyler Nanne (Edina), Avery Peterson (Grand Rapids), Mitch Slattery (Hill Murray), Steven Spinner (Eden Prairie), Luc Snuggerud (Eden Prairie), Nick Wolff (Eagan) and Zach Yon (Roseau).

The Minute Men also announced Maclean Berglove (Elk River) and Hunter Shepard (Grand Rapids) are the finalists for The Frank Brimsek Award recognizing the state’s top senior goaltender. The Mr. Hockey Awards Banquet will be held on March 9 at RiverCentre.

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Here’s the Quiz for Super Bowl Party

Posted on January 31, 2014January 31, 2014 by David Shama

Every Vikings fan worthy of wearing horns and a purple jersey knows the franchise is 0-4 Super Bowls. Just wanted to get that out before inviting you to take the Sports Headliners Super Bowl Quiz.

I promise not to ask too many questions that stir memories of the Vikings’ Super Bowl struggles. On a brighter note, I do predict you will be a candidate for “the life of the party” on Sunday if you share this quiz while watching the game with friends and family.

The following questions might not be as fun as those Super Bowl commercials, but for trivia (and useless knowledge) they will do just fine. Let me know if you answer 20 or more correctly. If you can’t answer any questions correctly, don’t bother with watching the Super Bowl on Sunday — tune into Animal Planet’s “Puppy Bowl” instead.

Here are Sports Headliners’ 22 quiz questions:

1. Name the teams and the score of the first Super Bowl.

2. Who did the Broncos and Seahawks defeat in the AFC and NFC title games to reach the 2014 Super Bowl?

3. Who is the Seahawks player who proclaims himself the NFL’s best cornerback?

4. How many Super Bowls have been played outdoors in northern cities?

5. What do David Shama and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning have in common? (Okay, so this is the most difficult question of them all. Get over it).

6. Eric Decker is a starting wide receiver for the Broncos but what sport besides football did he play at the University of Minnesota?

7. Decker is the only ex-Gopher playing in Sunday’s Super Bowl but Wisconsin has four alums in the game, more than any Big Ten school. Can you name all four?

8. The 1992 Super Bowl was played in Minneapolis. Name the teams and final score.

9. What future year has prominently been mentioned for a possible Super Bowl to be played in the new Vikings stadium?

10. Who was the Vikings starting quarterback in the 1970 Super Bowl?

11. What years did Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll serve as an assistant Vikings coach?

12. Who is the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl?

13. Who is the last Super Bowl game MVP who wasn’t a quarterback?

14. Name the ex-Vikings receiver who played in only one regular season game for the Seahawks this season but is expected to be available for the Super Bowl.

15. Name the singer whose breast caused a sensation during halftime of the 2004 Super Bowl.

16. Name the former Twins baseball broadcaster who provided TV play-by-play on CBS during some of the early Super Bowls.

17. In the 2010 NFC title game the Vikings almost won to advance to the Super Bowl, losing in overtime 31-28. Who was the team that defeated the Vikings?

18. Vikings wide receiver Sammy White took a jarring hit in the 1977 Super Bowl loss to the Raiders. Who was the Raider that made this memorable tackle?

19. The Seahawks starting fullback was a quarterback at Penn State. Who is he?

20. In what Super Bowl did the two teams score the fewest points in one half?

21. What’s the name of the annual trophy given to the Super Bowl winning team?

22. The Vikings aren’t the only franchise with four Super Bowl losses. What club is also 0-4?

And the Answers Are….

1. The Packers defeated the Chiefs, 35-17, in Super Bowl I in 1967.

2. The Broncos beat the Patriots and the Seahawks defeated the 49ers (this was a “layup” so hope you scored on this one).

3. Richard Sherman, “Mr. Humble,” who did lead the NFL in interceptions with eight during the regular season.

4. None, but that changes on Sunday when MetLife Stadium in New Jersey becomes the first Super Bowl in a northern climate to host the Super Bowl.

5. Manning and I both have March 24 birthdays. (Point of clarification: we were born in different years).

6. While at Minnesota, Decker was an outfielder for the Gophers baseball team.

7. For head scratching difficult, this might be the second hardest question on the quiz. The four Badgers alums are: Montee Ball, Chris Maragos, O’Brien Schofield and Russell Wilson.

8. Redskins 37, Bills 24 in Minneapolis’ only Super Bowl.

9. Minneapolis is trying to land the 2018 Super Bowl for the new Vikings stadium opening in 2016.

10. Joe Kapp, also known as “Hennepin Joe” for his fun loving ways, was the Vikings Super Bowl quarterback in 1970.

11. Pete Carroll was a Vikings assistant from 1985-89, working first for Bud Grant and then Jerry Burns.

12. John Elway was 38 in 1999 when he led the Broncos to a Super Bowl win over the Falcons.

13. The last non-quarterback MVP in the Super Bowl was wide receiver Santonio Holmes of the Steelers who won the award in 2009.

14. In his only regular season game of the year ex-Viking Percy Harvin played against his old team and caught one pass for 17 yards.

15. It was Janet Jackson who had that revealing moment while on stage with Justin Timberlake during halftime of the 2004 Super Bowl.

16. Ray Scott, who was the Twins radio and TV voice in the early 1960s, did play-by-play for CBS on the early Super Bowls.

17. The Saints were the team that defeated the Vikings, a game that is still a painful memory for Purple loyalists.

18. The Raider who made the memorable tackle was safety Jack Tatum, still known as one of the NFL’s hardest hitting players of all-time.

19. Michael Robinson made the unusual but successful transition from college QB to fullback.

20. The Steelers led the Vikings 2-0 at halftime of the 1975 Super Bowl, the fewest points ever scored in one half of the big game.

21. The Vince Lombardi Trophy is annually given to the winning Super Bowl team.

22. The Bills are also 0-4, losing four straight in the 1991-94 Super Bowls.

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40 Years but Super Bowl Memories Linger

Posted on January 22, 2014January 23, 2014 by David Shama

About four decades ago the Vikings split two games with the Dolphins within a period of five months. Unfortunately for the Vikings, their win came in the preseason of 1973. The loss was in the 1974 Super Bowl.

The Vikings defeated Miami 20-17 in a preseason game at Met Stadium during August of 1973. At Super Bowl VIII the Dolphins scored on their first two possessions and dominated the game in a 24-7 victory.

Forty years ago this month the Vikings were in Houston preparing for the Super Bowl and making news long before kickoff. The AFC Dolphins were allowed to use the Houston Oilers practice facilities but the NFC Vikings were assigned to a high school stadium.

Patrick Reusse recalled the high school facility in the 2008 book Minnesota Vikings, The Complete Illustrated History. “The Vikings were left with the locker room at James M. Delmar Stadium, a high school facility without lockers and only nails in the wall for hanging clothes,” Reusse wrote. He described the room as small, with barely enough space for the coaches, and outside there were no tackling dummies or blocking sleds. But the Dolphins were given superior facilities because both Miami and the Oilers were AFC teams.

The practice setup was so bad Vikings coach Bud Grant criticized NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Doug Kingsriter, a tight end on that Vikings Super Bowl team, said Grant was justified in his criticism even though the commissioner later fined him.

“There were birds not only in the shower but they were up in the corners in the locker room,” Kingsriter recalled. “It’s like you’ve gotta be kidding me. I don’t recollect there was even a door going from the workout facility to the outside. It just felt really rinky-dink. And, of course, it got Bud into trouble with Pete Rozelle. He fined him $5,000.”

Kingsriter told Sports Headliners he considered the fine on Grant “very unprofessional” given the status of the Super Bowl and the contrasting practice facilities. A year later the Vikings were back in the Super Bowl, this time in New Orleans and the NFL office did the Purple no favors again.

The Steelers stayed at the upscale Fontainebleau while the Vikings were assigned to a lesser hotel. “It was like a motel in a way,” Kingsriter said. “It was a two-story with a courtyard right under a runway at New Orleans International. We had planes going off all night long. We thought this is Pete Rozelle again. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and he’s gonna play it out with us.”

Kingsriter was married the week before the Super Bowl. He received permission from Grant to join the team late for Super Bowl preparations but couldn’t convince the coach to allow his buddy and teammate, linebacker Jeff Siemon, to attend the wedding in West Texas.

Kingsriter, the former Gophers All-American tight end from Richfield, recalls throwing a block in the game and injuring his nose. “So I was going on my honeymoon after the game with a broken nose,” he said laughing.

Worth Noting

Dave Osborn played on the first three Vikings Super Bowl teams including the club that faced the Dolphins. His opinion is the Dolphins were clearly superior to the Vikings and might have defeated Minnesota seven of 10 times. “Now the other Super Bowls we played, I think we were the better team,” he said. “We should have won some of those games.”

Include Osborn among many former Vikings who praise Grant. Earlier this month, when the Vikings were searching for a new head coach, Osborn suggested Grant should return to the team.

Osborn described the franchise as needing leadership and facing “turmoil” with challenges that include winning over the public and selling high price tickets in the new stadium opening in 2016. “I would do whatever possible to hire Bud Grant as an interim coach, whether it was for one year, or two max,” Osborn told Sports Headliners in early January.

“…Let Bud sit in the front office. Bud doesn’t have to go on the field. Just let Bud be in control. Let him hire some good assistants. I guarantee you this team would be better ready to move into that new stadium when the time came. I mean Bud is 86 but he could do it. That’s the confidence I got in Bud. Great leadership.”

Osborn said Grant used to review film to see if his players were lined up the way he wanted for the National Anthem.

Mike Tice owns a 2014 Kentucky Derby contender along with Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. Midnight Hawk won the Sham Stakes earlier this month at Santa Anita. Tice, the former Vikings coach, led him into the winner’s circle. The Sham is the first in a series of 3-year-old races at Santa Anita serving as Derby qualifiers. The colt is trained by Bob Baffert.

Sophomore Philip Nelson played inconsistently during two years of trying to win the Gophers quarterback job but his announcement last week to leave the program means Mitch Leidner is the only QB on the roster with game experience. The situation is similar to about a year ago when Max Shortell left the Gophers after the 2012 season and Nelson was the only QB with game experience.

Could Nelson’s next school be either North Dakota State, San Diego State, Texas Tech or Wyoming?

Gophers coach Jerry Kill will be among the speakers at the MFCA Clinic March 27-29 at the DoubleTree in St. Louis Park. Last year’s annual clinic drew 1,200 attendees and 50 exhibitors. More details including registration are available at the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Website.

Gophers junior center Elliott Eliason averaged 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore. He’s improved those figures this season to 8.7 and 2.6, ranking second in both categories among Big Ten players. Big Ten Network analyst Shon Morris said on Sunday’s Minnesota-Iowa game telecast that Eliason is the most improved player in the conference.

If the Gophers can defeat Wisconsin at home tonight it will be their second consecutive win in Williams Arena against the Badgers. The Gophers won 58-53 in overtime last year and earlier in the 2013 season lost by one point in Madison. A win also means the Gophers will be 2-3 in five January games against Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin, all teams that either are or have been top 25 ranked this season.

Dan Kornbaum, who led a trio of wins last week by Augsburg when he averaged 23.3 and 10.3 rebounds, will be a player St. Thomas has to watch tonight when the Tommies (9-1) host the Auggies (7-3). Kornbaum also had 25 points and five rebounds in a 97-60 Augsburg win over Saint Mary’s on Monday night.

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