Vikings – Page 220 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Claeys Won’t Go Rah-Rah on Saturday

Posted on October 15, 2013October 15, 2013 by David Shama

Interim Gophers football coach Tracy Claeys said this afternoon there is nothing new on a date for the return to work of head coach Jerry Kill. It appears Kill will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday when the Gophers play at Northwestern.

“I don’t anticipate him being at that game,” Claeys said.

Kill is not at his Gophers office and few details have been made available during his absence that began with missing the Michigan game on October 5. Kill likely won’t return to work until he and his medical advisors have a very high level of confidence he can avoid the repetitive seizures that have sidelined him in the past and made national headlines.

Kill talks with Claeys by telephone. How much input does Kill have? “As much as he wants,” Claeys said.

Claeys will coach from the sidelines on Saturday, a change from the press box locations he normally uses as defensive coordinator. But Claeys will continue to handle the defense, plus the responsibilities of a head coach.

Will he offer a pep talk prior to the Northwestern game? “Those rah-rah speeches, you give those and they work for one or two plays,” he said. “As soon as someone belts you a good one, the rah-rah speech is gone. Winning football games still comes down to playing hard and executing. Doing your job. We’ll remind the kids of the things they need to do well and I have no doubt we’ll play hard.”

Claeys will start Mitch Leidner at quarterback but Philip Nelson could play for a series as early as the first half. “There will be no set rotation or anything like that,” Claeys said.

He also said Leidner’s past performance merits the start against Northwestern. Nelson lost his starting job during the nonconference season because of a hamstring injury but the coaching staff doesn’t want to forget about him. “There’s not that big a difference in skill between Philip and Mitch,” Claeys said. “We don’t have to go change our offense that much.”

Worth Noting

The Vikings could be shopping for a quarterback in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft. The top five prospects are Marcus Mariota, Oregon; Zach Mettenberger, LSU; Brett Hundley, UCLA; Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M; and Tajh Boyd, Clemson, according to a scout’s list in the October 14 issue of Sports Illustrated.

During the second half of Sunday’s Vikings-Panthers game a fan was hiding his face with a paper mask — an idea that could become more popular with the Purple off to a 1-4 start including the embarrassing 35-10 loss to the Panthers.

Fans sometimes pay a lot of money before they arrive in their seats for a game at Mall of America Field. First Covenant Church was charging $40 to park a vehicle on Sunday and inside the stadium Adrian Peterson jerseys were selling for $115 each.

When the Vikings play their home schedule at TCF Bank Stadium next year there may not be any single game tickets available. Steve LaCroix, the club’s vice president of sales and marketing, said the Vikings have total season tickets now in the “mid-50’s” range and will add about 2,000 seats to the present capacity of TCF Bank Stadium, 50,805. Announced attendance at Sunday’s game at Mall of America Field was 63,963.

Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson is averaging a career best 16.2 yards per reception. The 27-year-old missed games with the Vikings last year because of violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy but he told Sports Headliners 2013 is a new start.

“I am playing the best football of my career right now because I am just so relaxed and I am just tuned in,” he said last week. “I have no worries. I just go out there and just play football and have fun and entertain the people.”

Simpson, whose teammates nickname him “Juice” because of his energy, is focused too on his off-field behavior. “I am taking care of my business, and being the best person I can,” he said.

Vikings second-year placekicker Blair Walsh is tied with the Bears’ Robbie Gould for the NFL record for consecutive field goals of more than 50 yards with 12 and made All-Pro as a rookie last season. He also set the franchise record for most points in a single season. Asked if he thought about being remembered among the best kickers in NFL history, Walsh said, “It’s way too early for that.”

The PBS telecast last week about concussions and NFL players is a sobering look at pro football. “League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis” focuses on how the NFL has addressed information about football causing long-term brain injuries. The program can be viewed on PBS.org.

Gophers fans thinking about buying tickets on Saturday morning at Ryan Field will find plenty of inventory. Although the Wildcats have become a strong program, fan support is underwhelming. Attendance has been less than 39,000 for three of four home games this season. The Ohio State game drew a capacity crowd of 47,130 but thousands of seats were filled with Buckeyes fans.

Here are Sports Headliners’ Big Ten football power rankings: Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Northwestern, Indiana, Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue.

The Gophers wear a variety of uniform combinations including the drab maroon jerseys and pants they have dressed in for three of four home games in 2013. Seniors vote to determine the uniform selections from game to game.

Former Gophers coach Tim Brewster, now tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida State, turned 53 on Sunday.

Brainerd’s Ron Stolski, the winningest prep football coach in Minnesota history, won his 350^th game last week. His career record is 350-155-5. State prep football coaches closing in on 100 career wins are Jim Galvin, Mounds View, 99-41; Dave Ziebarth, St. Thomas Academy, 98-26; John Austinson, Byron, 98-66; Bob Staska, McGregor, 97-59; and Jeff Weiland, Orono, 97-75.

MIAC attention this week will be on Saturday’s football game at Bethel when the first place Royals, 3-0, play St. Thomas, 2-1. Royal Stadium has a capacity of 3,500 but two years ago attendance was 5,842 when the Tommies came to Bethel. Bethel hasn’t defeated St. Thomas since 2007, 19-18.

Gophers coach Richard Pitino will have his team scrimmage in game format on Friday night at Williams Arena. The scrimmage is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free.

Pitino’s father, Rick Pitino, is promoting a new book but got the brush off from Boston radio talk show host Fred Toucher who ripped Pitino for ruining the Celtics and then hung up on him after about 10 seconds, according to various media reports. Rick Pitino, coach of the defending national champion Louisville Cardinals, has a self-help book called The One-Day Contract. He is often criticized for his work as Celtics coach and president in the late 1990s.

Former Timberwolves guard and front office executive Fred Hoiberg is starting his fourth season as Iowa State’s head coach. Hoiberg has impressed with his coaching and it might be the Wolves will consider him if present head coach Rick Adelman retires in a year or two. Adelman, 67, has been concerned about his wife’s health and his coaching career seems year-to-year now. Hoiberg celebrates his 40^th today.

Dan Terhaar, former Minnesota Wild broadcaster, is the radio voice of St. Cloud State hockey on KNSI in St. Cloud.

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My Take on Vikings, Gophers Football

Posted on October 11, 2013October 11, 2013 by David Shama

What I believe and you might want to know about Gophers football and the Vikings:

Gophers fans I hear from are discouraged about the program, including the team’s 0-2 Big Ten start and coach Jerry Kill’s struggles with seizures. After decades of being a passionate fan, one guy contemplates giving up on the Gophers after this season ends. Another man is predicting one or two wins in conference games for not only this season but the ones most immediately ahead.

Then there is a supporter who retains a sense of humor, asking to be assured there are no tall buildings tempting him into suicide when he follows the team next week to Evanston to play nationally-ranked Northwestern. Unfortunately, the Sears Tower in Chicago is not far away from the Wildcats’ campus.

“In the off-chance that the Gophs underwhelm the Wildcats, I‘ll broaden my horizons and develop interests other than U of M football,” the fan wrote in jest. “In fact, I’ve already bought a book on cricket.”

Loyal fans have suffered for decades. Since 1970 Gophers teams have only five times won more than half of their Big Ten games. During that span the Gophers have just six finishes of fourth or higher in the standings. Minnesota hasn’t won the Big Ten title since 1967.

Twice in the last six decades the program showed enough juice to look like it might become an annual force in the Big Ten. The best hope died when coach Lou Holtz left town for Notre Dame after the 1985 season. A flicker of light danced in Dinkytown during the Glen Mason era but the Gophers never achieved better than fourth place finishes (three times) in the Big Ten and couldn’t earn an invite to a New Year’s Day bowl game. Mason’s 10 year record in league games was 32-48.

Mason took over a struggling program from coach Jim Wacker. In 1999, his third season at Minnesota, the Gophers were much improved. They upset No. 2 ranked Penn State and finished with an 8-4 overall record including 5-3 in the Big Ten.

This is Kill’s third season at Minnesota. His team isn’t nearly as good as Mason’s 1999 club. Kill inherited a mess from Brewster, his predecessor, and maybe a more difficult job than Mason found awaiting him in 1997.

An optimist will argue the program has been down for so long it’s going to take awhile longer to become more competitive. Give Kill four recruiting classes (he has had two of his own making) and then judge the program, according to supporters.

The results on the field during the Kill era certainly leave room for much improvement, although the Gophers did qualify for a bowl game in 2012 — the first for the program since 2009. But there are no overall winning records in either of the two full seasons under Kill. Big Ten results in two-plus years are painful with Kill having four league wins against 14 losses. The defeats have been mostly one-sided. Minnesota has only twice lost games by 14 points or less.

Kill’s epilepsy is a threat to his future and has become the face of the program nationally. His seizures have to be stopped or managed effectively enough so that he can do his job and not be a bigger news story than the team.

Count on Kill, a strong character guy and good football coach, to exhaust all possibilities in becoming seizure free. He is one of the most determined individuals I have ever met. Kill’s integrity won’t allow him to coach in the months and years ahead if he can’t be fully functional in his nearly 24-7 role as head coach.

The announcement yesterday that defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will become interim coach while Kill takes time off to concentrate on treatment and management of his epilepsy is no surprise. But it is a responsible action and welcome news for a coach with multiple game day seizures at Minnesota including this year.

A silver lining for the story is how Kill’s struggles have raised awareness about epilepsy and seizures. In addition, Minnesotans have been reminded about the problems and disabilities that confront so many people, and become more tolerant of them.

The best outcome for Gophers football is for Kill to get well and be able to provide stability to a program that has been fragile for too long including because of the coaching merry-go-round. He has already shown he can guide his players to dramatically improved academic performance. More recruiting classes with better talent (there’s a woeful lack of offensive and defensive playmakers on this year’s team) — along with the maturation process for players that comes with time in the weight room — will bring better results on the field.

Regarding the Vikings, let’s address the most recent drama with this franchise. Two weeks ago fans and media jumped into conspiracy mode after hearing Christian Ponder had a bruised rib. Wasn’t this, they speculated, just a contrived excuse to bench the erratic quarterback?

Uh, no, not really. Ponder’s rib injury is real, still a problem and could be for awhile.

Matt Cassel will probably start at quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday at home against the Panthers. On some future date this fall newly acquired Josh Freeman will almost surely come on the field during a game, either as a reliever or starter. So four games into the season the 1-3 Vikings don’t know who their regular quarterback is.

Not good.

The Vikings began this season 0-3 and since 1990 only three NFL teams with that record have made the playoffs. The Vikings are not going to win all of their remaining 12 games so probably the best they can hope for — a big hope — is to win nine of them and finish 10-6. That might — a big might — win the NFC North and provide a ticket to the playoffs. A 10-6 record, though, is unlikely to qualify for postseason as a wildcard team.

Ponder is a bright guy who may overthink his options when on the field. He does play with hesitation and is indecisive.

Local fans have made Ponder Purple Enemy No. 1 and subjected him to more abuse than any Viking in recent memory. An unhappy crowd is a subtraction in the home field advantage department. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that many boos,” Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said about a home game this year.

Management has ego invested in Ponder, having taken him as the 12^th pick in the first round of the 2011 draft. He was to become the franchise quarterback but if he falls out of favor and Cassel or Freeman takes the Vikings to the playoffs, management still looks good because they acquired both of those players in the last nine months.

Freeman was too talented for the Vikings not to sign despite problems with the Bucs and coach Greg Schiano. Sometimes guys with troubled pasts become major contributors on new teams. Allen had DUI problems with the Chiefs but has been invaluable here. Years ago Cris Carter had drug problems early in his NFL career but he became a Hall of Fame receiver for the Vikings.

In the pass-happy and parity oriented NFL, the Vikings need better quarterback play than they have had in recent seasons. Adding to the pressure to find a savior at quarterback is NFC Division rivals Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay have superior QB’s.

This Vikings roster is too talented not to be in contention for the playoffs. Head coach Leslie Frazier, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and defensive coordinator Alan Williams are on the spot. They have been coaching here long enough to be well beyond the “honeymoon” period.

Despite problems at quarterback, the Vikings defense has been a disappointment and is more responsible than the offense for the team’s 1-3 start — three losses by a combined 15 points. The Vikings rank 14^th out of 16 NFC teams in total defense.

This team should be 2-2, if not 3-1.

Among players who deserve a smiley sticker are wide receiver Jerome Simpson and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson. Simpson is the team’s top pass catcher with 19 receptions for 342 yards. He looks more engaged than last season, his first with the team. Patterson, averaging a league best 33.8 yards on kickoff returns, was named NFC Special Teams Player of the month for September.

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Expect Vikings to Start Cassel at QB

Posted on October 7, 2013October 7, 2013 by David Shama

Expect Matt Cassel to start at quarterback for the 1-3 Vikings on Sunday when they play the Panthers at Mall of America Field. That’s the opinion of former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema who remains close to the team and is a knowledgeable observer.

It’s not known if Christian Ponder’s rib injury will allow him to play, assuming coach Leslie Frazier wants him to return as the starting quarterback. Ponder missed the team’s most recent game after being the starter and losing quarterback in the first three games. Cassel was impressive as the starter in the win over the Steelers in London a week ago Sunday.

In that game Cassel completed 16 of 25 passes for two touchdowns with no interceptions. Those numbers surpassed any stats by Ponder in a single game this season but Lurtsema said starting Cassel is about more than going with the “hot hand” Sunday against the Panthers.

A large and vocal anti-Ponder group of fans targeted the third-year quarterback with resounding boos when the Vikings played at home on September 22, a surprising 31-27 loss to the Browns. Lurtsema believes even if Ponder is healthy enough to play on Sunday, Frazier will bench him because the coach wants a supportive crowd and risks losing “home field advantage” if Cassel isn’t his quarterback.

“That comes into play, although he’s not going to say it,” Lurtsema said last Friday.

Lurtsema has been supportive of Ponder in the past but acknowledges Cassel, a nine year NFL veteran, was effective against the Steelers in his first start ever for the Vikings. “I am in Ponder’s corner but it seemed Cassel didn’t make as many steps after the read (prior to passing),” Lurtsema said. “Ponder takes three or four where Cassel will throw immediately. You’ve got to anticipate receivers.”

Adding more intrigue to the quarterback drama on the team is the expected announcement the Vikings are adding Josh Freeman to the roster. He threw a career high 27 touchdown passes last season but was cut by the Bucs last week. If Freeman joins the Vikings it’s an acknowledgement the team doesn’t believe third team quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who has never played in an NFL game, is ready to help.

Before the season Lurtsema predicted the Vikings’ record will be 11-5. He remains impressed with the club’s talent and said the “worst” record will be 9-7 (despite the 1-3 start). The “best” will be 11-5.

Lurtsema, who correctly predicted the team’s 2012 record of 10-6, holds the defense most accountable for the team’s three losses that came by a total of 15 points. Lurtsema is critical of Josh Robinson who he said has been rated the “worst corner in the NFL.” Teams have consistently targeted passes in Robinson’s direction. “They (the Vikings) gotta do something,” Lurtsema said. “It’s just glaring (the problem).”

The defense has struggled, including in fourth quarters, and at times seems missing in action. Lurtsema insists the key to resurgence is the front four, led by tackle Kevin Williams and end Jared Allen. “The defensive line sets the tempo,” he said. “They gotta get aggressive but have to be disciplined (stay in assignments).”

Worth Noting

Lurtsema is sure the Vikings will beat the 1-3 Panthers next Sunday, 22-6 losers to the Cardinals yesterday. “Absolutely. Slam dunk.”

Personal seat license fees in the new Vikings stadium will be applied to 75 percent of the seats and range in cost from $500 to $10,000, according to a story in the October 4 Star Tribune. The average cost will be $2,500.

Lurtsema is critical of the fees. “I don’t think it’s fair. I think a lot of guys (buyers) are going to be really upset. I would be upset if I had eight to 10 tickets. That’s a lot of buckaroos.”

Lurtsema said a friend paid about $250,000 in personal seat license fees for his Giants tickets when the team moved into its new stadium.

While the Vikings only have four touchdown passes in four games, Minnesota’s NFC North Division rivals have been much more productive. The Bears’ Jay Cutler (10 TD passes), the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers (nine) and the Lions’ Matthew Stafford (eight) have totals among the best in the NFL.

Former Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page played his tuba in a salute to runners along the route of yesterday’s Twin Cities Marathon.

Ex-Vikings assistant coach and former Gophers quarterback Tony Dungy turned 58 yesterday.

Gophers’ defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle yesterday injuries would keep “four or five” of his defensive backs on the sidelines if Minnesota had a game this Saturday. The Gophers have a bye in the schedule and don’t play until October 19 in Evanston against pass-happy Northwestern.

Baseballprospectus.com lists the 2013 Twins payroll at approximately $82 million. While the Twins finished with the third worst record in the American League at 66-96, two of their AL rivals — the Rays and Athletics — made the playoffs with payrolls about $20 million less than Minnesota’s.

The Gophers outshot Lethbridge 46-12 in an exhibition 5-1 win on Saturday. Minnesota will face more difficult opposition this weekend in the Icebreaker Tournament at Mariucci Arena. The field includes nationally ranked New Hampshire along with Clarkson and Mercyhurst.

Media reports have the Gophers and North Dakota verbally agreeing to resume their storied men’s hockey rivalry in a nonconference series starting in 2016-17.

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