Vikings – Page 223 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Williams Wants to Help Set Legacy at U

Posted on September 6, 2013September 6, 2013 by David Shama

Redshirt freshman tight end Maxx Williams impressed with his blocking and also making a difficult touchdown catch in last week’s Gophers win over UNLV. He hopes the win and his four seasons of eligibility is the beginning of a new era for Minnesota football.

“I want to know I was part of something that became great,” Williams told Sports Headliners. “I think that would be one of the best things that I can do. I helped build that program.”

The 6-4, 254-pound Williams from Waconia High was recruited by other schools including Gophers’ rivals Wisconsin and Iowa but he was never serious about any college but Minnesota. He realized he wanted to help turn around a program that has struggled for decades trying to win Big Ten games.

He also has affection for his home state. “I love it here,” Williams said. “It’s where I always wanted to be.”

Williams’ dad, Brian, played football for the Gophers and so did his uncle, Ron Goetz. His mom, Rochele, was a volleyball player at the U. Those “bloodlines,” as Jerry Kill described them, had the Gophers coach almost gushing about Williams the other day, talking about “great instincts” and the running ability of his 19-year-old tight end.

Williams impressed Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson a few years ago. Nelson’s Mankato West team beat Waconia three consecutive seasons. “He was the whole offense,” Nelson said. “When Waconia was running the ball he was the running back. When they were throwing it he was either the tight end or the quarterback. I’ve known since day one that guy can make plays. I think he’s going to be a big role in this offense.”

Nelson said injuries held Williams back last season but now there is an opportunity for the two to help improve a Gophers offense that often struggled last season and at times against UNLV. Test No. 2 comes tomorrow night in Las Cruces when Minnesota plays at New Mexico State.

Worth Noting

The Aggies better not conclude from scouting the Gophers in the UNLV game that they have seen all of Minnesota’s offense. Nelson said his team “probably showed about 50 percent of the offense” in last week’s opener. “We’re always kind of switching things up running our offense,” he said.

The Gophers may use some no-huddle offense during the season, according to Nelson.

Sophomore Rodrick Williams, who may start tomorrow night at running back in place of the injured Donnell Kirkwood, is nicknamed “Nugget” because he ate so many chicken nuggets on his recruiting trip to Minnesota while in high school. Linebacker James Manuel is nicknamed “Mule” because of his physique.

With Kill declaring Andre McDonald off the team indefinitely, the Gophers are now without three wide receivers who a year ago looked like major contributors for a few seasons. McDonald, A.J. Barker and Devin Crawford–Tufts are no longer with the team.

It’s for certain the Lions will try to exploit the inexperienced Vikings cornerback group including Josh Robinson (two years experience) and Xavier Rhodes (rookie) on Sunday in Detroit. “This is going to be a big week for them (the cornerbacks) but they’ll do a good job,” said Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. “They’ll be ready.”

Former Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick said yesterday morning on ESPN Radio with hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic that Adrian Peterson had a “stunning” total of 33 runs of 20 yards or more last season. “At best, a team will average 11 or 12 a year,” said Billick, who will provide commentary on the FOX telecast of Sunday’s game.

Peterson, who was NFL MVP for the first time after last season, said yesterday he deserved to win the award earlier in his career.

Former Gopher Keith Ballard believes controversial and aggressive forward Matt Cooke will play a major part in the Wild’s success next season. Ballard told Sports Headliners any grievances Wild players had with Cook in the past will be forgotten in the locker room. Both Cooke and Ballard, a defenseman who contributed to national titles with the Gophers, are off-season acquisitions. The Wild open training camp next Thursday.

St. Thomas, hoping to compete again for a Division III national football championship, opens its season tomorrow with a 1:10 p.m. home game against UW-Eau Claire. The Tommies home and away games will be broadcast on WCCO Radio.

Comments Welcome

AD Boston: Aggies Can Upset U Again

Posted on September 4, 2013September 4, 2013 by David Shama

New Mexico State upset the Gophers two years ago in Minneapolis, winning 28-21 in the second game of Jerry Kill’s career as Minnesota head coach. McKinley Boston, the former Gophers athletic director who now holds the same position at New Mexico State, believes the Aggies can win again when the two teams meet on Saturday night in Las Cruces, although Minnesota may enter the game as a three touchdown favorite.

The Aggies are 4-20 since their big win in Minneapolis with the most recent loss a 56-7 pounding by Texas last Saturday night. “It’s obvious we’re struggling but (new head coach) Doug Martin has created a lot of enthusiasm,” Boston told Sports Headliners on Monday. “Now you and I know words and hype are one thing. You need a big win. I am very excited about the possibility (of defeating Minnesota).”

Martin was the offensive coordinator two years ago when the Aggies pulled off an upset that was big news in the Big Ten Conference and back in Las Cruces where football glory has been mostly absent through the years. The Aggies are using a no-huddle offense and are likely to fill the hot sky with footballs on Saturday night. Temps in Las Cruces on Saturday, including early evening, are likely to be in the 90s.

New Mexico State had 242 yards passing and only 104 yards rushing last Saturday against Texas in Austin. The Aggies trailed 14-7 at the half before the Longhorns scored 42 unanswered second half points on a field where the temperature was 110 degrees. “I think we just ran out of gas,” Boston said. “I think we’re improved (this season) on both sides of the ball.”

Among the Aggies’ issues in the past has been a defense that gave up over 40 points seven times last season. Against New Mexico State the Longhorns had 715 total yards in offense, 359 rushing and 356 passing.

But Texas has a talented roster and hopes for returning to the elite in college football this fall. The Gophers, who are 10-14 since their loss to the Aggies, are still building their resume.

Hosting the game in New Mexico plays a part in Boston’s optimism and excitement about Saturday. The game is being advertised as the first ever visit to Las Cruces by a Big Ten opponent and from a business perspective a win over the Gophers will mean more future ticket sales and revenues.

Boston said there’s “no ifs, ands or buts” about the total importance of the game. “The fact we beat them before, a lot of people believe we can win,” he said.

Worth Noting

Boston is predicting attendance in the mid-20,000 range for the game, about 5,000 short of capacity at Aggie Memorial Stadium (capacity 30,343). On Friday night and at the game he will entertain friends with Minnesota connections including Leon Trawick and Curt Wilson, both former teammates of Boston with the 1967 Big Ten champion football Gophers.

Boston said September 7 “will be the only Saturday of the year” he’s not cheering for the Gophers.

Twins president Dave St. Peter talking to Sports Headliners about Terry Ryan: “I wouldn’t trade him for any other general manager in the game.”

Ryan is closing in on 24 months since he took over the franchise’s general manager role for a second time in his career. Ryan’s desire for a less demanding lifestyle drove him away from the job in 2007. “I have no indication he won’t come back (for next season),” St. Peter said.

Although Twins phenoms Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano won’t be among the minor leaguers recalled in September, both will be in spring training camp with Minnesota next year, according to St. Peter. He also said Buxton will play in the Arizona Fall League and Sano will participate again in winter baseball in his native Dominican Republic.

Although former Gophers guard Al Nuness is a distant cousin of Tyus Jones, it was coincidence the two were in Waco, Texas last weekend. Nuness arrived last week and is still in Waco celebrating the first birthday (today) of granddaughter Jasmine Nuness. She is the daughter of Jared Nuness who is Al’s son and works as director of player development for the Baylor men’s basketball team that is recruiting Jones.

“I am not involved and have never been involved in Tyus’ recruiting process,” Al said.

Jones, rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 prospect in the country for the class of 2014, made an official visit to Baylor a few days ago. Joining him in Waco was his friend Jahlil Okafor, the No. 1 rated prospect. It’s almost certain the two players, Jones a point guard from Apple Valley High School, and Okafor, the center from Whitney Young High in Chicago, will attend college together.

The Vikings won’t make the playoffs, according to the September 2 issue of Sports Illustrated. The magazine’s pro football issue predicts the Vikings will have a 9-7 record, finishing second in the NFC North behind the Packers, 10-6. The Vikings are ranked No. 8 among NFC teams, four listings behind the Packers, one ahead of the Bears and seven in front of the Lions.

The publication’s article on the Vikings (no surprise) focuses on quarterback Christian Ponder. “Ponder, 25, must prove he’s the club’s unquestioned No. 1 quarterback,” writes Don Banks.

The Patriots will defeat the Seahawks, 30-23, in the Super Bowl, according to Peter King who leaves the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson off his list of predicted NFL individual award winners. The Patriots’ Tom Brady is the pick for MVP, the Titans’ Chris Johnson Offensive Player of the Year and the Packers’ Eddie Lacy Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Vikings open the regular season in Detroit on Sunday against a franchise Minnesota has dominated historically and in more recent years. The Vikings are 68-33-2 all-time against Detroit. The Lions have only six wins versus the Vikings dating back to 1998.

Comments Welcome

Physical Play May Define Vikes vs. 49ers

Posted on August 23, 2013August 23, 2013 by David Shama

Preseason NFL games are similar to arguments with spouses. A lot of folks avoid both but Sunday night’s Vikings game with the 49ers in San Francisco deserves more attention than most exhibitions.

The nationally televised (NBC) game is expected to feature more playing time by regulars than is the norm during preseason. Look for the Vikings to possibly use starters on offense and defense in the first half and into the early third quarter. If the 49ers do something similar—and it’s typical for NFL teams to use regulars the most in preseason game threes—it will be interesting to see how physical the action is on the field.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh defines aggression. He used physical play to turn around a punch line college program at Stanford. Then he followed a similar blueprint with the 49ers since taking over in January of 2011. Visit the 49ers website and read this mantra posted about Harbaugh: “Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

Harbaugh, perhaps the NFL’s best coach, had his team in the Super Bowl last season before losing to the Ravens and his brother, head coach John Harbaugh. The 49ers, who were 21-27 in the three seasons before Harbaugh took over, are a favorite to win the Super Bowl next February.

Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway said his team wants a physical identity, too. “I think we’re going to be very physical which is a good thing for us. Coach (Leslie) Frazier has preached that and we’re trying to act on it in camp by being physical every day.

“They’re (the 49ers) a very physical team…so I think it’s going to be a good matchup to see where we’re at. They’re talented. It will be a fun game.”

The Vikings are 0-2 and the 49ers 1-1 in preseason games. Greenway is much more interested in how his team performs, rather than whether the Vikings win.

“This game doesn’t mean anything really as far as what it’s going to be like—what’s going to happen when you play a full four quarters game in the regular season,” Greenway said. “It gives you a snapshot of where you’re at. Obviously if things go well I think we’ll feel good about how we’re doing. But if things go poorly it doesn’t mean that things are going to be poor (during the season). You can’t think that way.”

Worth Noting

Mike Singletary, now a Vikings assistant head coach, was the 49ers head coach before Harbaugh. His career record with the 49ers was 19-22.

Reserve cornerback Bobby Felder, signed by the Vikings in 2012 as an undrafted free agent, was a member of the practice squad last year but is in competition with starter Marcus Sherels for the punt return job. Felder is expected to return punts on Sunday night. Felder has three returns in preseason, averaging 20.7 yards per return.

Former Gophers receiver and quarterback MarQueis Gray is a tight end with the 49ers and has caught one pass for 13 yards.

Vikings reserve quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson attended Balboa High School in San Francisco.

The 49ers are tied for seventh and the Vikings are tied for 10^th on the most difficult 2013 schedules list compiled by the NFL.

NFL teams have to reduce their rosters to 75 by Tuesday and 53 by August 31.

After this season the Vikings will have many unrestricted free agents on the roster including All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen. Would Allen like to see at least some contract offers from the Vikings during the season to retain players, rather than wait until 2014?

“Not my concern really, to be honest,” Allen told Sports Headliners. “They’re (management) going to make decisions based on what they feel is best for the team. My job is to go out and play as hard as I can with whoever is on the field and try to win a championship.”

Tyus Jones plays in the Under Armour Elite 24 game tomorrow night on ESPNU starting at 6 p.m. Minneapolis time. Another Minnesota native, Rashad Vaughn , will also participate. The game will be played on an outdoor court under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City and features 24 of the best high school players in the country. Jones, the Apple Valley High School senior point guard, is rated by Rivals.com as the No. 2 player in the country for the class of 2014. Vaughn, a shooting guard now playing for Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, is rated No. 7 in the class.

Tyus’ brother Tre, an outstanding eighth grade guard, may join the Apple Valley varsity this fall. Debbie Jones, mother of Tyus and Tre, said she will be completing paperwork with the school district to request that Tre join the varsity this coming season.

The Twins have a rarity with Baseball America’s best prospects ranking of Byron Buxton at No. 1 and Miguel Sano No. 3. Since the rankings began in 1990 only five other teams had two prospects among the top five players, according to the August 19 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Obviously rankings don’t come with a guarantee for future success. In 2004 the Devil Rays had B.J. Upton ranked No. 2 and Delmon Young No. 3. Earlier this month Young was put on waivers by the Phillies and his eight year MLB career, including with the Twins, has been a disappointment.

Congratulations to former Albert Lea High School coaching legend Paul Ehrhard on his 80^th birthday party last Saturday. About 150 family and friends celebrated with Ehrhard who contributed to three state football and three state wrestling titles at Albert Lea. Ehrhard also coached in California where he worked with some high profile football players including Reggie Bush. Ehrhard graduated from Montgomery High School and played collegiate baseball and football at St. Thomas where he later coached the freshman football team.

Starting with this season the MIAC will recognize its top football coach with the John Gagliardi MIAC Football Coach of the Year Award. The award is named after former Saint John’s coach John Gagliardi who is the winningest college football coach ever.

St. Thomas is No. 1 in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Division III preseason poll. The Tommies, 39-1 last season and national champs, have a loaded roster with returning talent.

Comments Welcome