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

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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Gophers Use Predictions for Motivation

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

Andre Hollins calls it a “slap in the face.”

The Gophers’ best player is using predictions by college basketball writers that his team will be among the worst in the Big Ten Conference as motivation. “I think we can be a surprise team. …Nobody really knows what to expect, expecting us last. That’s the motivation that we’re using.”

Hollins, who led the Gophers in scoring last season at 14.6 points per game, is one of two returning starters from a team that finished 8-10 in Big Ten Conference games and 21-13 overall last season. He and Austin Hollins were starting guards last season but forwards Rodney Williams and Joe Coleman, and center Trevor Mbakwe, are no longer part of a Minnesota program with a new coach in 31-year-old Richard Pitino.

Basketball writers see a program in transition with changes in personnel and a new coaching staff. They forecast a challenging winter for the Gophers playing in the Big Ten, perhaps the nation’s best conference.

Andre Hollins said the Gophers, who have started fall practice preparing for their first exhibition game against Cardinal-Stritch at Williams Arena on November 1, are embracing the changes. “Much more energetic, enthusiastic. Just the whole program,” he said.

The team’s best players are likely to be the guards. The strategy could be to compensate for lack of size and talent in the frontcourt by playing wide open basketball — fast breaks, quick shots, full-court defense, double teams, and force turnovers.

The Gophers want opponents to panic and to do so Hollins is already seeing the importance of conditioning for himself and teammates. “We’re playing hard-nosed full-court defense an hour twenty minutes in practice,” he said. “I don’t think many teams do that in the nation.”

Hollins, a junior, has been known as an offensive player but when asked about personal goals for the season he said, “Be the best player I can be. Pick it up defensively. Be one of the best defending guards in the nation.”

Hollins said he improved his defense during the summer and made a comparison with how the Gophers will play defense this season versus last. While former coach Tubby Smith had players deny passes, the Gophers now will ease off on that so not to be vulnerable to backdoor cuts to the basket by opponents.

Hollins also said he’s learned to be more vocal, an attribute that will help him as one of three newly elected captains. Austin Hollins and guard Maverick Ahanmisi are the other captains.

Worth Noting

Forward Mo Walker, 6-10, has lost about 50 pounds and looks like a different person. Andre Hollins said Walker can now keep up with 6-11 center Elliott Eliason in running drills. Eliason is known for his ability to run up and down the court.

The Gophers haven’t set an October date when practice will be open to the public but plan to do so.

Pitino has converted the gym adjacent to his Bierman Building office into a practice facility. A wall has been constructed with power operated window shades to provide privacy. On the wall are video monitors showing images including of Minneapolis, the University campus and celebrities such as Ricky Rubio and Adrian Peterson.

The facility has a nearby locker room and showers. It is intended more for individual instruction, with the Gophers also using Williams Arena with its larger floor on practice days.

A passionate and knowledgeable Twins fan, disappointed with the decision to re-sign manager Ron Gardenhire for two more years, sent this e-mail to Sports Headliners: “After so many losses over the last three years, it’s hard to believe a change wasn’t made. Only in Minnesota do we accept such mediocrity on a consistent basis. I love Gardy as a person. It just seemed the right time to go in a different direction.

“What I find interesting is the Twins point to the A’s, Pirates and Rays and tell you a big payroll isn’t necessary to win. That may be true but then it’s an indictment of the team’s baseball operations department for failing to draft, sign and develop players that make an impact. If a team isn’t willing to spend money, then it better draft and develop well. Some of the Twins first-rounders like (Chris) Parmelee, (Trevor) Plouffe, (Aaron) Hicks and (Kyle) Gibson made it to the bigs but don’t appear to be impact players. Others, like (Denard) Span and (Ben) Revere, were traded before the start of the season.”

A guess is Gardenhire’s new deal pays him between $1.4 and $1.6 million annually. Baseballprospectus.com lists his two-year total compensation at $2.5 million for 2008-2009, but offers no figures more recent.

The Gophers (4-1) play at Michigan (4-0) tomorrow in a 2:30 p.m. ABC regionally televised game. The Gophers haven’t won in Ann Arbor since 2005 and have two victories in Michigan Stadium since 1980. The “Big House” has an official seating capacity of 109,901 but 115,109 saw the Wolverines defeat Notre Dame last month – the largest crowd ever to watch a college or pro football game.

Senior defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman said younger teammates might be somewhat “star-struck” playing against college football’s all-time winningest program in such a famous venue, but they need to know it’s “just a regular football game.”

Two years ago it wasn’t a regular game, as Michigan embarrassed Minnesota 58-0 in the “Big House” before 111,106 fans.

The Gophers average of only 27.4 penalty yards per game is the best among Big Ten teams. Coach Jerry Kill stresses in weekly meetings the importance of minimizing penalties.

“You wouldn’t want to be in here (the meeting room) after a ballgame and you were one who made a dumb penalty because it’s going to go up on that screen. That’s called the Daily News.” Kill said. “We all get educated through the Daily News and it helps because it’s not degrading anybody. This is why we didn’t score. This is why we kicked the field goal because we lined up wrong. So we’re gonna get that corrected. ‘Yes, sir.’ Okay, move on. So that’s kind of how we try to teach.”

The defensive secondary might be the Gophers’ top unit, comparing favorably with the best in the Big Ten. Safety Cedric Thompson thinks so and believes the unit is better than last year. “We’re a lot more physical, smarter and faster,” he said.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier didn’t want to tell his players that because of the team’s unexpected poor start and 1-3 record they had to spend part of their bye week at Winter Park working: “I think it’s important that our players get a chance to get away, take their minds off some things for a little bit and also…get re-engaged from a physical standpoint as well. So I think this is the right decision. We’ll come back on Monday, get started on the next opponent. …”

Vikings rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has turned heads with his kickoff return ability including a 105-yard touchdown return against the Bears last month. He is averaging 33.8 yards on 12 returns and was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September. Frazier allows him freedom about making decisions about whether to return a kickoff or down the ball in the end zone for a touchback.

“Yeah, we do have a lot of trust in him for sure,” Frazier said. “We have some parameters on when he can bring it out and when he doesn’t, but it’s not by yards. We think he can return one 109 yards, 108 yards and he’s done 105 so we trust his judgment. We do have some things we talk about when it comes to where the ball is kicked when he has to not return it, but he’s made good decisions up to this point.”

It wasn’t complacency that ended St. Thomas’ 36 game regular season winning streak last month. “Gosh, no. No way,” coach Glenn Caruso told Sports Headliners yesterday. “We would not tolerate it.”

The Tommies lost 20-18 to St. John’s on September 21 and had a bye last weekend. Caruso was surprised how poorly his team played “at times” against the Johnnies, committing five turnovers after a focused week of practice. “It was a great reminder of how strong the rest of the conference has gotten,” he said.

The Tommies are home for a 1:10 p.m. game tomorrow against Carleton, another MIAC opponent. Caruso said the St. John’s loss doesn’t end the dream of playing later this year for the Division III national championship but the Tommies need to focus on the present each week.

State basketball legend Janet Karvonen, now 50, is finishing studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, according to the latest issue of MVP Magazine. Bob Brown wrote in his story for the southeast Minnesota sports publication that Karvonen plans to intern at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Lino Lakes. “It’s still a new thing for women to be ordained as pastors,” said Karvonen who grew up in the Lutheran church.

The Lynx open the WNBA Finals on Sunday night at Target Center against the Dream. Single game tickets start at $26.

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Iowa Recruiter Put Down Gophers

Posted on September 27, 2013September 27, 2013 by David Shama

Gophers, Vikings and other notes leading up to the first official fall football weekend:

When Rodrick Williams was in high school his college football choices came down to Minnesota and Iowa. He told an Iowa recruiter he was interested in the Gophers.

“What he told me was, ‘I thought you liked to win.’ He laughed at me,” Williams said earlier this month. “So then it got in my head I am going to go to Minnesota and we’re going to beat Iowa. Let him know we’re the ones winning.”

Two years ago Williams was being recruited out of Lewisville, Texas. Back then the Gophers were experiencing what would turn out to be their second consecutive 3-9 season. Iowa, though, had records of 11-2 in 2009, 8-5 in 2010 and 7-6 in 2011.

Iowa was 4-8 last season while Minnesota finished 6-7 including the Gophers’ first bowl game appearance since 2009. This year Iowa is 3-1 and Minnesota 4-0 in nonconference games.

Williams, a sophomore running back, didn’t play last season when the Hawkeyes defeated the Gophers 31-13 in Iowa City. But Williams is expected to play tomorrow when Iowa comes to Minneapolis. He is the second leading Minnesota rusher with 277 yards.

Williams and the other Gophers are excited about tomorrow. The two teams are playing in their 2013 Big Ten Conference opening game. The winner of the annual border rivalry gets to keep Floyd of Rosedale, the bronze pig and trophy that dates back to 1935.

“I’ve been thinking about the Iowa game since this summer,” Williams said. “Try to get the pig back.”

Both programs want to move past recent mediocre seasons, making this perhaps the most important Minnesota-Iowa game in years. The winner makes a statement about not being suspect No. 1 to finish last in the Legends Division that also includes Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska and Northwestern — all teams considered superior in personnel to Minnesota and Iowa.

The winner of tomorrow’s game, of course, will dream bigger than just avoiding a last place finish in the division. In September there are ambitions about winning a lot of conference games and earning a trip to a big-time bowl.

And then there’s the emotion of the Iowa-Minnesota rivalry. Minnesota students annually chant, “We hate Iowa!” In recent days Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner said he’s heard those three words on campus. “It’s all in good fun,” Leidner said.

Leidner, the Gophers’ redshirt freshman starting quarterback, will play in his first Iowa-Minnesota game. The importance of it, the atmosphere on campus, the sellout crowd and Floyd of Rosedale have him looking forward to kickoff. “It’s going to be awesome,” Leidner said. “Can’t wait.”

Leidner also said he has a close relationship with his teammates and has fun with them. “I wrestle Isaac Hayes quite a bit. There was one night that I pinned him five times in a row.”

Senior safety Brock Vereen said the Gophers don’t want their emotions to overtake their decision making against Iowa. “Sometimes it’s good to have emotion. Sometimes it’s not,” Vereen said. “Too much of it is a bad thing.”

Gophers coach Jerry Kill doesn’t seem too concerned about his team being distracted and not able to execute assignments tomorrow. “We’ve had enough distractions and things around here for a lifetime for the last two years,” Kill said. “…When we have control of them (the players) I feel very good about it. When we don’t have them and they’re not here, you worry about them if you’re playing Iowa or anybody.

“You don’t sleep when you’re in charge of 115 players. It doesn’t matter who you play, or what you do, you’re uncomfortable.”

Minnesota defeated Western Illinois two weeks ago, a team with a similar offense to Iowa’s. “Even though the personnel is very different, just to have the same looks and stuff…it will give us a lot more confidence going forward,” Vereen said. “But at the same time you can’t really compare the personnel.”

If you judge the personnel of Iowa and Minnesota by comparing players named to preseason awards candidates lists, the Hawkeyes are superior. Iowa linebacker James Morris and Minnesota tackle Ra’Shede Hageman are both being considered for the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy, annually awarded to the nation’s best defensive player. The Gophers’ Williams is a candidate for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award given to the player who best exhibits the on and off the field characteristics of Campbell.

But Iowa’s Mark Weisman is on the Doak Walker list for best running back, Mike Meyer is a candidate for the Groza Award recognizing the top placekicker, C.J. Fiedorowicz could win the Mackey Award for best tight end, and not only is Morris up for the Butkus Award given to the best linebacker but so, too, are linebacker teammates Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey. That’s six Hawkeyes to two Gophers.

Unlike many observers, former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton doesn’t agree the team’s offensive line is playing subpar. He told Sports Headliners that defenses are crowding the line of scrimmage, making it more difficult for Adrian Peterson to rush for big yards. “You should be able to stretch the field,” Dalton said.

The line has been criticized for not only run blocking but also allowing too much pressure from pass rushers on quarterback Christian Ponder. But Dalton said the pressure is often caused by Ponder who needs to more quickly find a receiver, or throw the ball away. Instead, Ponder frequently holds the ball too long in the pocket.

The potential is present to “stretch the field.” Dalton likes the receiver group of tight end Kyle Rudolph, 2012 carryover wide receiver Jerome Simpson and offseason wide receiver acquisitions Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson.

The 0-3 Vikings play the 0-3 Steelers in London on Sunday. Because of a rib injury, Ponder isn’t expected to play and will be replaced by Matt Cassel who started eight of 16 games for the Chiefs last year. He threw 12 interceptions and six touchdown passes.

The Steelers are led by former Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s head coach since 2007. He is a boss who Matt Spaeth admires.

“I love him,” Spaeth told Sports Headliners this week. “I don’t think it gets much better. He’s very real, speaks the truth. He always knows the right thing to say whether it’s good, bad or indifferent. I’ve got a ton of respect for the guy.”

Spaeth, the former Gophers tight end from St. Michael, Minnesota, is on injured reserve. He has an injured right foot and has been unable to play in any games in what is supposed to be his seventh NFL season.

Spaeth doesn’t know when he will return to game action and although he has been rehabbing after surgery, he isn’t even running yet. “Trust me. It’s a very difficult time for me,” Spaeth said. “All the injuries I’ve had, I’ve never had an injury like this. It’s tough to watch (my teammates). I could be helping these guys. I want to be out there showing what I am capable of.”

Spaeth said the Steelers have been making too many turnovers. “Ball security has to be job No. 1,” he said.

A few years ago former Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith said, “I don’t do the tweet.” But now Smith, soon starting his first season as Texas Tech head coach, has a Twitter account, @coachTubbySmith. He has sent eight tweets and has 13,776 followers but is following no one on Twitter.

The Timberwolves will have their media day in Minneapolis on Monday, then four days of training camp at Minnesota State, Mankato. The Tuesday through Friday practices are closed to the public.

The latest D3football.com poll has Bethel ranked No. 5, St. Thomas No. 6 and Saint John’s No. 21. Bethel plays at Carleton in a MIAC game on Saturday while St. Thomas has a bye.

Saint John’s takes on Concordia in its first conference home game under new head coach Gary Fasching.

Twins rookie catcher Josmil Pinto homered last night in the 6-5 loss to the Indians. It was his fourth home run in 80 at bats for Minnesota.

Rookie Michael Tonkin pitched in relief last evening and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 10.1 innings.

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