Vikings – Page 255 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on April 30, 2012April 30, 2012 by David Shama

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman had the final word on college draft choices during the NFL draft last weekend, a change from recent years when authority was shared. Spielman is a self-described “perfectionist” but presents an easy going personality to the media who like him.

In addition to the 10 players drafted, Spielman plans to sign “10-13 college free agents.”

With the drafting of USC left tackle Matt Kalil, the Vikings offensive line is set except for right guard. The starter there might be Brandon Fusco from Slippery Rock University who the Vikings drafted in the sixth round last year. He’s a player Spielman is “very, very excited about” after seeing Fusco play limited minutes last season and following his overall development.

The Big Ten Conference didn’t have a player chosen in the first round of the NFL draft until the Lions took Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff at No. 23. Three other Big Ten players were later drafted in the first round (32 total players). National champion Alabama had three players taken in the first round and the Southeastern Conference had nine chosen, including four of the first 10 selected.

If the Twins continue losing games and paying customers, club revenues will decline and possibly create more interest among the front office to use Target Field as the site for outdoor hockey games and other events.

Carl Pavano has only one win but he’s been the workhorse among the team’s starters. He has thrown six-plus innings or more in his five starts and has a staff high 33 innings pitched.

Word is the NCAA had one or more observers at the Nike elite basketball tournament in Eagan earlier this month that attracted some of the best prep players and college coaches in the country. NCAA rules include having coaches segregated from fans and not engage in media interviews. Coaches at the tourney included Jim Boeheim, Bob Huggins, Tom Izzo, Mike Krzyzewski and Bo Ryan.

Former Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett tied the Lakers Metta World Peace as the second “dirtiest” player in the NBA, according to results of a league players’ poll published in the April 30 issue of Sports Illustrated. The Clippers Reggie Evans was No. 1.

The Lynx opened training camp yesterday without several players who are still playing overseas. Included are Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen who will also miss camp time from May 11-13 to practice with the USA Basketball team. They are among 11 players named to the final USA roster.

The Gophers play their farewell baseball game at 41-year-old Siebert Field tomorrow night starting at 6:35 p.m. The ceremonial first pitch prior to the game against St. Thomas will feature Marilyn Siebert, daughter of legendary coach Dick Siebert, former coach George Thomas and former Gophers Paul Molitor and Terry Steinbach. During each half inning every decade of Gophers baseball dating back to the 1940s will be honored on the field. While the Gophers are playing their games this season at the Metrodome, Minnesota is planning a new on-campus stadium to replace Siebert Field. All tickets for tomorrow night’s game are general admission.

Jason Verdugo, 37, officially begins work as Hamline’s athletic director tomorrow succeeding Bob Beeman who is moving to Texas. Verdugo will give up his Hamline baseball coaching job at season’s end.

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Vikings May Target WR Tonight

Posted on April 27, 2012April 27, 2012 by David Shama

The Vikings used two first round picks last night to fill needs at left offensive tackle and safety but among other positions of priority is wide receiver. The NFL draft continues tonight and although the Vikings don’t have a pick in the third round they might choose a wide receiver with their fourth round choice.

Their man might be a wide receiver who has played in Minneapolis before. Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt, who played the last two seasons against the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium, could still be available when the Vikings use the No. 66 pick in the three-day NFL draft.

McNutt, about 6-3, 220-pounds, is a converted quarterback who has deceptive deep speed on pass routes. At Iowa he played in a pro style offense showing ability to get open in the vertical passing game. He also displayed soft hands and toughness while making clutch catches.

On Saturday, during rounds four through seven, the Vikings might look at another neighboring receiver, Wisconsin’s Nick Toon. He’s a good route runner and has made difficult catches. Although similar in size to McNutt he’s not as gifted and has been susceptible to injuries.

The Vikings have already improved the roster after acquiring USC left tackle Matt Kalil and Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith last night. Kalil was a consensus choice as the best offensive lineman in the draft and is likely to become an immediate starter for the Vikings. The addition of Kalil is a double bonus for the offensive line because his presence allows last year’s starting left tackle, Charlie Johnson, to move to left guard.

Safety is probably the neediest position on the roster so the Vikings made a late first round trade to acquire Baltimore’s pick at No. 29. With it they chose Smith, regarded as the second best safety in the draft (after Mark Barron taken by Tampa Bay at No. 7). The Vikings knew this wasn’t a draft deep in safety talent. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman raves about Smith who was a captain for the Irish and is known for his football intelligence.

Smith joins center John Sullivan, tight ends Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson as former Notre Damers on the Vikings roster.

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Not All Sold on Kalil for Vikings

Posted on April 25, 2012April 25, 2012 by David Shama

The Vikings may use the third pick in tomorrow night’s NFL draft to choose USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil but that doesn’t mean general manager Rick Spielman didn’t look vigorously at options with other teams to trade down.

Spielman said yesterday at a news conference that his contacts with other teams have picked up this week and there’s enough volume of calls to “create potential” for a trade. He wouldn’t specify how many calls he’s received.

Former Colts executive Bill Polian, writing for ESPN.com, suggested a Dolphins and Vikings trade. The Dolphins would move up to No. 3 and draft Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Vikings would receive Miami’s No. 8 pick in the first round, plus second and third round choices from the Dolphins.

While Kalil is the consensus No. 1 offensive lineman in the draft, opinion is the 6-7, 300-pound left tackle might still be available at No. 8. Iowa’s Riley Reiff is another left tackle option, according to Polian.

Profootballweekly.com praises Kalil’s work ethic, describing him as an “excellent pass protector” and “good functional” run blocker. The website doesn’t consider Kalil a “wow” prospect on tape, questioning his leverage and strength in his hands.

The Vikings are much in need of a more than competent left tackle they can plug in for the next 10 years. Last season’s starter, Charlie Johnson, isn’t suited for the position and could move over to left guard. With the talented pass rushing right defensive ends in the NFL, an above average left tackle to protect the quarterback rates high on any team’s needs list.

While drafting Kalil at No. 3 is probably a safe move, the team has a lot of needs and Sports Illustrated pro football authority Peter King thinks the Vikings should draft LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. While taking a cornerback at No. 3 is unusual, King writes in the April 23 issue of Sports Illustrated that the Vikings have to play six games a season against NFC North quarterbacks who will throw a combined 100 touchdown passes each season.

“Minnesota’s secondary is horrible—even worse than its offensive line,” King writes in his mock draft article. “The Vikings don’t need a corner. They need two.”

That’s the point of those who argue the Vikings should trade the No. 3 pick to acquire more draft choices than the 10 they have and will use from Thursday-Saturday. The team has needs in all areas on defense, and is looking for offensive linemen and wide receivers (don’t be surprised if the Vikings draft Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon at No. 3).

Yesterday Spielman acknowledged Kalil, Claiborne and Blackmon as the players the Vikings are looking at for the No. 3 pick. He said there are “no negatives” with the three.

Because of his promotion to general manager, this will be the first draft where Spielman has been the final drafting authority for the Vikings. Talking yesterday Spielman made it evident he’s a “perfectionist.”

“I expect to hit (be successful) on all 10 (picks),” Spielman said. “I am not going to be satisfied with anything less.”

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