Vikings – Page 234 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U Needs to Limit Illini 3-Pointers

Posted on January 9, 2013January 9, 2013 by David Shama

The Gophers, 14-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten, play three-point-minded Illinois, 14-2 and 1-1, tonight in Champaign. The Illini, No. 12 in the latest A.P. poll, lead the conference in three-point attempts with 411 (Northwestern is second at 331), and don’t stress inside scoring.

Illini guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul have 114 and 109 three-point attempts. By contrast, the Gophers’ leader, Austin Hollins, has 68.

“We gotta lock in on stopping the threes, but then it also comes down to our weakside,” said Gophers forward Joe Coleman. “We could be backdoored…so we want to make sure that our help-side is on point the whole game.”

Illinois made only 35.6 percent of its shots in an opening league loss to mediocre Purdue, 68-61 on January 2. Then last Saturday, in the Illini’s first conference home game, Illinois routed No. 15 Ohio State, 74-55, making 48.3 percent of attempted field goals including 41.7 percent of three-pointers in the second half.

Stop the three-point shot and stay calm is a worthwhile mantra for the No. 8 ranked Gophers tonight in the game that starts at 8 p.m. and is televised on the Big Ten Network. Staying poised can be a challenge in Assembly Hall, perhaps the loudest basketball facility in the conference.

“It’s a great environment,” Hollins said. “It is tough to play there, but it’s a fun environment to play in as well. “

The Gophers are starting their most difficult three-game stretch of the season tonight. On Saturday Minnesota is at No. 5 ranked Indiana and next Thursday plays No. 2 ranked Michigan at Williams Arena.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith has an experienced and balanced team. The starting lineup includes two seniors and all five players were regulars last season. The Gophers score inside and out, they usually out-rebound opponents, they can pressure with their defense either full or half court, and Minnesota leads the league in blocked shots (6.7 per game). Plus, the bench has made contributions, too.

It’s not a team dependent on one or two players. “That’s what I like about this team,” Smith said. “Anybody can step up at any time. We have a lot of players we can go to. A lot of weapons this year.”

The Gophers have already played No. 1 Duke (neutral court loss) and No. 22 Michigan State (home win) but tonight the opponent is on the road and is also a top 15 team.

“Illinois is a great team and we’re playing at Illinois,” Hollins said. “It’s going to be a tough game. It’s going to be a dog fight. We’re gonna have to come in there and play our ‘A’ game.”

Worth Noting

Hollins said during his basketball career he had not made five consecutive three-point shots like he did on Sunday night. In the second half his consecutive three- pointers stretched the Gophers’ lead over Northwestern from nine to 20 points.

Hollins, who has an exceptional work ethic and will to improve, had been bothered by a groin injury. “He’s finally healthy for the first time since Southern Cal (game on December 8),” Smith said.

The Gophers have had one win (2010) against Illinois in Champaign since 2000.

At Sports Headliners’ request, prep basketball authority Ken Lien sent on Monday his rankings of state boys’ teams listed below.

Class 4A: ParkCenter, Apple Valley, Hopkins, Osseo, Eden Prairie, Roseville, Tartan, Minnetonka.

Class 3A: DeLaSalle, Waconia, Blake, Austin, Holy Angels, Marshall, Delano, Grand Rapids.

Class 2A: Pelican Rapids, Melrose, St. Peter, Hawley, Litchfield, St. Cloud Cathedral, Byron, Hayfield.

Class 1A: MaranathaChristianAcademy, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrose, Upsala, Heritage Christian, Southwest Minnesota Christian, Ulen-Hitterdal, Lakeview Christian, Dawson-Boyd.

Vikings fullback Jerome Felton said he will pay for five to 10 family members to accompany him to his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii later this month.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier confirmed yesterday Christian Ponder is the No. 1 quarterback going into next season. Ponder helped the Vikings to four consecutive wins to close the regular season and earn a playoff opportunity.

“…We saw glimpses of what he can bring to our football team and the way he led us down the stretch, you feel like you have a chance to win every game when your quarterback plays the way he played,” Frazier said. “We’re excited about his development and looking forward to him getting better through this offseason.”

Geep Chryst, the quarterbacks coach for the 49ers, was coached as a high school football player in Madison, Wisconsin by Joel Maturi, a former prep coach and more recently the Gophers athletic director. Geep is the brother of University of Pittsburgh head coach Paul Chryst.

The No. 1 ranked Gophers hockey team, after defeating No. 2 Notre Dame last night, is now 7-1 against ranked teams this season. The playmaking of Minnesota’s Christian Isackson made ESPN SportsCenter’s highlight plays.

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Harvin’s Future Stirs Offseason Interest

Posted on January 9, 2013January 9, 2013 by David Shama

What to do with Percy Harvin could be the most defining decision the Vikings ownership and management makes during the offseason. His contract expires contract after the 2013 season.

In four seasons Harvin has proven he’s among the NFL’s most skilled kickoff returners and slot receivers. He’s also been controversial, reportedly arguing with coaches and wanting to be traded. Because of his injured ankle he didn’t play after November 4, but rather than be on the sidelines for some of the Vikings important late season games he stayed home in Florida rehabbing.

At his season ending news conference yesterday, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said it’s not unusual for a rehabilitating player not to be with the team and that Harvin is supportive of his teammates. Asked about what is involved with coexisting with Harvin, Frazier said:

“I don’t know if there’s anything that needs to be done. He’ll coexist peacefully, he exists peacefully now. Just get back, get healthy and get back on the football field.”

Former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema, who remains close to the organization and is a closer observer of the NFL, told Sports Headliners on Sunday he thinks management will trade Harvin and could secure a first round pick in the 2013 college draft. “You can fight the system to a point and be belligerent to a point, and he stepped over that. They will get a No. 1 easily (in a trade).”

Whether Harvin is on the roster or not, Lurtsema said the No. 1 offseason need is to develop or acquire a deep receiving threat. While Harvin can be explosive after the catch and run for 20 yards or more, the Vikings need a wide receiver whose speed and catching ability can result in long distance scores like Randy Moss used to provide. “Get those cornerbacks to back off a little bit,” said Lurtsema who favors retaining Harvin.

The Vikings thought they acquired that kind of talent when last offseason wide receiver Jerome Simpson signed as a free agent. Simpson, though, missed some games (started 10 of 12) and never seemed to develop a consistency and rhythm with quarterback Christian Ponder.

Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings, a free agent this coming offseason, might be a possibility for the Vikings. With probably the best wide receivers corps in the NFL, the Packers are thought unlikely to retain Jennings.

While Ponder has erased doubts he is the No. 1 quarterback, it might be time to switch backup Joe Webb to wide receiver, or let him go. Lurtsema said the Vikings should replace Webb with a veteran quarterback like Sage Rosenfels who was cut before the season.

Webb, who has played three seasons with the Vikings, struggles with his accuracy and decision making despite being a gifted athlete. Replacing the injured Ponder in the playoff game last Saturday against the Packers, Webb threw some poor passes and stepped back in the pocket when he should have moved forward to avoid pass rushers.

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Win Streak Makes Vikings Superstitious

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

Vikings notes and quotes:

The Vikings have won four consecutive games and the streak has prompted superstitions at Winter Park. Fullback Jerome Felton, a Pro Bowl selection for 2013, told Sports Headliners the team has been eating the same lunch items each Friday during the winning streak that has the Vikings headed for a first round playoff game on Saturday night in Green Bay against the Packers.

The Vikings have been enjoying pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and other offerings provided by Brasa catering on Fridays. “They got the best cookies ever,” Felton said. “I think that might be everybody’s favorite.”

During the winning streak linebacker Erin Henderson has made a habit of Thursday lunches at Jimmy John’s. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard and wide receiver Jarius Wright have been letting their hair grow.

If the Vikings keep winning, Wright said he will avoid haircuts. “Yes, sir. I will just let it grow.”

Rookie placekicker Blair Walsh is one of the team MVPs. He has kicked an NFL high 35 field goals, ranks fourth in league total points with 141 and has 53 kickoffs for touchbacks, third best among all players. His .921 field goal percentage is the best in NFL history for a rookie kicker. Three times he’s been the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

Chosen last week for the Pro Bowl, Walsh said he can still improve. “I missed three kicks (this season) and you can always improve by not missing.”

Walsh made 35 of 38 field goal attempts and showed no signs of the mechanical issues that caused a poor season in 2011 at Georgia. He has the knowledge now to correct any problems that might occur again.

Walsh has no individual goals he is “shooting for” but said his technique and distance can get better. “Absolutely. I’ll improve from this year to next year.”

Center John Sullivan said the Vikings have an advantage over other teams when instead of punting the ball they can sometimes try Walsh on a long distance field goal. “Ten-for-10 on field goals (from) plus 50 yards is the best in league history. That speaks for itself,” Sullivan said.

Walsh made an impression even in training camp. “We knew what he was going to be able to do on kickoffs, especially in this division where you have so many dangerous returners,” Sullivan said. “That helps a lot. But I think he surprised everybody with his range on field goals, and the accuracy with which he’s hitting. So that’s a testament to how hard he works.”

Walsh replaced 15 year veteran Ryan Longwell who in a pro career playing for both the Packers and Vikings never had a season with total field goals and points the equal of Minnesota’s 2012 sixth round draft choice.

The Vikings have an extraordinary 2012 draft class that also includes starting left tackle Matt Kalil who like Walsh has been mentioned in All-Pro discussions. Kalil was a first round pick as was Harrison Smith who has helped upgrade the safety position. Cornerback Josh Robinson (third round) and wide receiver Jarius Wright (fourth round) are other major contributors.

The Vikings have remade their roster since 2009, the last playoff qualifying season. “A lot of new guys, new faces,” said Vikings owner and president Mark Wilf. “It’s the first time (in the playoffs) for a lot of them. We’re excited and I think we’re building something special here.”

Despite their contributions, none of the Vikings rookies will receive bonus money for their regular season performances. NFL contracts don’t allow such compensation in rookie agreements.

The team’s best player under 25 is Percy Harvin but the dynamic receiver, runner and kickoff returner hasn’t played since November 4 because of his injured ankle. Harvin, a fourth year player, reportedly has squabbled with former head coach Brad Childress and current coach Leslie Frazier. There’s speculation that with an expiring contract at the end of 2013, Harvin could be traded this off-season.

Wilf talking about Adrian Peterson who missed by nine yards breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season NFL rushing record of 2,105: “He’s a special person and a special player. We believe he’s one of the best, if not the best running back of all-time.”

Peterson will play in only the fourth playoff game of his six-year career tomorrow night in Green Bay. He’s ready and not kidding when talking about returning kickoffs if the Vikings need a late game score.

Peterson’s backup, Toby Gerhart, grew up as a Packers fan while living in California. Quarterback Brett Favre was his hero.

The December 31 issue of Sports Illustrated picks the Patriots to defeat the Packers in the Super Bowl next month. The Packers have won nine of their last 11 games.

Worth Noting

The No. 9 ranked (Associated Press) Gophers basketball team plays Northwestern at home on Sunday night starting at 6 p.m. Northwestern, 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, is a popular choice to finish near the bottom of the Big Ten standings but Gophers guard Austin Hollins doesn’t expect Minnesota to have a problem being motivated.

The Gophers defeated No. 18 Michigan State on Monday in their first Big Ten game and Hollins likes the potential of his team. “I think the sky’s the limit. We have so many options. I don’t think there’s a drop-off when our bench comes in, and that’s tough for teams to play against. You’re wearing them down, wearing them down.

“You sub in and you’ve got the same intensity as you did with the first five. The depth really helps us. Everyone’s focused and that also helps.”

The 17^th annual Timberwolves Shootout will be Saturday at Target Center with four prep games including a 3 p.m. anticipated matchup between Tyus Jones and Apple Valley High School versus Rashad Vaughn and Robbinsdale Cooper. As of Wednesday, Jones was averaging 22.3 points per game and Vaughn 28 with a 51 point game recently. Both players are juniors. A $15 admission ticket also provides entrance Saturday night to the Timberwolves-Trail Blazers game.

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team, ranked No. 3 nationally by D3hoops.com, is 10-0. The Tommies are at home for a 3 p.m. game tomorrow against 8-0 Augsburg.

Ted Mondale, executive director of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, wants the new Vikings stadium to one day host the Big Ten championship football game. The first two Big Ten title games have been at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, a facility similar to the stadium being planned in Minneapolis.

Jason Zucker leads the Wild’s Houston Aeros minor league affiliate in points with 29 and goals, 15. Justin Fontaine, Brian Connelly and Mikael Granlund are next with 22, 21 and 20.

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