Vikings – Page 26 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Jim Harbaugh ‘Cloud’ Again Hangs over Vikings

Posted on April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 by David Shama

Two years ago the Vikings flirted with hiring Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach to succeed Mike Zimmer. The Michigan head coach, and former Super Bowl coach of the 49ers, didn’t strike a deal with the Vikings but his desire to return to the NFL was realized this winter when he took over the Chargers.

Harbaugh, a tough guy leader who teaches and demands physical football, has been a winner wherever he’s been in charge. From San Diego to Stanford, from the 49ers to Michigan, his teams have been winners—with a highlight being the Wolverines’ college playoff national championship in January.

There’s no doubt at this keyboard Harbaugh would have turned the Vikings into an NFL power. While that window is closed, the 60-year-old task master could impact Minnesota’s future if he is interested in giving up the Chargers’ No. 5 first round pick in tonight’s NFL Draft.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Doing so might allow the Vikings to select a Harbaugh favorite—J.J. McCarthy, his gifted championship quarterback at Michigan. Enabling the Vikings to draft high enough to obtain McCarthy would place the 21-year-old quarterback in a special environment, surrounded by gifted offensive players like tackles Brian O’Neil and Christian Darrisaw, receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, and running back Aaron Jones, and coached by QB savant Kevin O’Connell.

There is near consensus that four quarterbacks, including McCarthy, will go early in the first round. The Bears at No. 1 appear a lock to draft Caleb Williams, the Commanders and Patriots at No. 2 and 3, will likely take quarterbacks, too. But none of those teams has anywhere near the quality resources and support system in place for a rookie quarterback like the Vikings do.

Harbaugh knows about the Vikings’ environment and naturally would like to see his protege prosper in the NFL. But he didn’t get to be a legendary coach by just playing nice guy or concerned mentor. The NFL is cold business and it will take, first and foremost, a trade package that helps the Chargers to get them to move off the No. 5 spot in the first round.

What is that package? Well, giving up Minnesota’s No. 11 spot and No. 23 position in the first round of this year’s draft is common sense and a start. But Harbaugh will demand more, looking for quality opportunities to rebuild the Chargers per his plan that includes aggressive, physical and talented players on both sides of the ball. What he doesn’t need is a proven young quarterback, having inherited Justin Herbert, 26, who has played four pro seasons with the Chargers and should be approaching his peak years, especially with Harbaugh grooming him.

Harbaugh might say yes to an offer that includes the two 2024 first rounders, a fourth-round pick, plus wide receiver Jordan Addison. The Chargers need help at receiver and Addison had a superb first season with Minnesota. An alternate package could be the two 2024 first round picks and the Purple’s No. 1 pick in 2025.

Moving down to No. 11 could give Harbaugh the opportunity to draft Georgia’s Brock Bowers, recognized by many as the top tight end available. Harbaugh has highly valued tight ends everywhere he has used his run-dominant, pass smart system. At No. 23 he is likely to find a behemoth offensive lineman with the scowl and talent Harbaugh covets.

Among the first five selections of the draft there’s considerable media speculation the Commanders will choose Jayden Daniels from LSU. At No. 3 the Patriots might be interested in teasing the market to see how much draft capital they could luck into (think multiple number ones in the years ahead). But they also need a quarterback and Drake Maye from North Carolina or McCarthy are likely their candidates.

At No. 4 in the first round the Cardinals, with veteran QB Kyler Murray, may be delusional if they don’t snap up Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison who appears to be a generational talent.

The Vikings conceivably could swing a trade with the Patriots, but the asking price may be exorbitant. And how can the Cardinals make a trade that costs them the coveted receiver they need? Maybe the Giants, positioned at No. 6, could offer the world and move up by convincing the Cardinals they can be positioned after the first five teams have drafted to take one of the two other wide receiver gems, Malik Nabers from LSU or Rome Odunze from Washington.

While the Cardinals need help at multiple positions, probably making it more unlikely they will trade their top pick is that they also have the No. 27 spot in the first round and third choice in the second round.

It seems likely, though, that if the Vikings want badly to get an elite quarterback in this draft (and there is no reason to believe after Kirk Cousins’ departure they don’t), then they have a better chance to trade with Harbaugh than anyone else who holds a high perch in the first round.

When the Vikings interviewed Harbaugh two years ago the potential was there for him to impact the franchise for a long time. And now with the Chargers, his imprint on the Vikings could have significance too if the Vikings draft McCarthy or Maye, who they may like even better.

What if the Vikings find Harbaugh isn’t answering his phone, and nobody else presents the opportunity to move up into the first four spots in the first round? The Vikings could still go quarterback, with either Oregon’s Bo Nix or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. likely to be available.

Both are experienced college quarterbacks with attributes, and if not for this being a deep QB draft, might have been likely top 10 choices. Nix appears to be a savvy talent who could fit effectively in O’Connell’s offense while Penix’s skill at throwing the deep ball is probably the best among the six quarterbacks mentioned so much in this draft.

At No. 23 the Vikings could address another position of need, cornerback. Cooper DeJean, the Iowa native who was denied a touchdown punt return against the Gophers because of an invalid fair catch, will likely be available. He is athletic, tough, smart and uber competitive. And the ex-Hawkeye is no longer the “enemy.”

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‘Ant’ & Wolves Make a Statement in Game 1 Win

Posted on April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 by David Shama

Whether it was physical, or verbal, Anthony “Ant” Edwards and the Timberwolves made a statement with their 120-95 win over the Suns today at Target Center.

Edwards, who had averaged 14 points in three regular season losses to the Suns, scored 33 including 18 in the decisive third quarter as the Wolves took Game 1 of their opening Western Conference playoff series. Minnesota extended a 10-point halftime lead to an in-command 92-72 advantage after the third quarter. Edwards, the Wolves’ fourth year wunderkind was a full-time scorer and part-time cheerleader, dazzling with his shooting including four three-pointers while sometimes imploring the crowd to match his uber excitement.

Edwards even took to jawing in the second half with Suns superstar and Hall of Fame bound forward Kevin Durant who led his team in scoring with 31 points.

Late in the fourth quarter, Edwards stripped Durant of the basketball and took off down court for an uncontested dunk. The play was a microcosm of a game where the youthful Edwards and the Wolves played with more energy and physicality than Phoenix.

The Wolves had several days to prepare for their playoff opener and the results were to their liking. There was significant time spent by coaches and players watching past film of the Suns and also instructive practices to get ready for what could be a seven-game series.

In a 125-106 regular season ending loss at Target Center last Sunday the Wolves didn’t look engaged or tough. After today’s game coach Chris Finch said at his press conference heard on KFAN Radio that his team “made all the effort plays tonight.” He praised his team for running the floor, rebounding and playing “with some physicality on defense.”

The Wolves played a complete game, excelling at both ends of the court. They had 19 turnovers in the first half of last Sunday’s loss but totaled 24 today in four quarters. Minnesota was dominant in rebounding with a 52-28 edge (13-3 on offensive rebounds).

Suns’ sharp shooters and three-point specialists Grayson Allen and Bradley Beal who combined for 56 points (nine of nine on three-pointers) last Sunday scored 19 today and were one for six on three-pointers. When they and the other Phoenix starters went out of the game, the Suns bench didn’t match that of the Wolves who were led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid who scored a combined 30 points for Minnesota. Respectively the two had the best plus-minus totals on the team, plus-28 and plus-22 .

After the game, Edwards was interviewed on the court by Bally Sports North, with the fans at the game and at home able to listen. “The crowd definitely played a big role in tonight’s game. Keep coming out and supporting us,” Edwards said.

He also noted that today was just one game in the series that earlier in the week had oddsmakers favoring the Suns. Words of wisdom from the 22-year-old.

Worth Noting

Here are the remaining dates, locations, times and networks for the Wolves-Sun series through Game 4: April 23, Minneapolis, 6:30 p.m. TNT; April 26, Phoenix, 9:30 p.m. ESPN; April 28, Phoenix, 8:30 p.m. TNT. Games can also be seen on Bally Sports North.

How ironic if the Wolves were to win the NBA championship 70 years after the Minneapolis Lakers did so. The 1954 Lakers were part of a Minneapolis dynasty that also won league titles in 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1953.

Three in a row for Gophers football regarding the No. 1 recruit from the state of Minnesota. Esko safety Koi Perich, the class of 2024 No. 1, signed with the Gophers last December. This month class of 2023 No. 1 Jaxon Howard, the edge rusher from Robbinsdale Cooper transferring from LSU, committed to a scholarship, and Minnesota received a verbal commitment from class of 2025 No. 1 Emmanuel Karmo, the linebacker also from Cooper.

With the transfer portal closing at month’s end, former Gophers center Pharrel Payne has yet to find a new program. One door seemingly closed when Indiana secured Oumar Ballo, a transfer from Arizona regarded as the top center in the portal.

Payne, who reportedly visited Indiana, is likely seeking an NIL deal paying well into six figures. Unlike Indiana, where there is a track record of six-figure NIL deals, the Gophers’ NIL pot might not exceed $600,000 to $700,000. That’s been enough, though, to retain Dawson Garcia, Elijah Hawkins, Parker Fox and Mike Mitchell Jr., and receive a commitment from Canisius transfer Frank Mitchell who will replace Payne.

Gophers athletic department leaders Mark Coyle and Jeremiah Carter, along with men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson and Katie Harms representing the NIL Dinkytown Athletes collective, will discuss NIL’s impact on college sports at Wednesday’s Capital Club breakfast at Mendakota Country Club. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Drake Maye, who the Vikings could end up drafting in the first round Thursday night, a year ago was projected by some authorities to be the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft but an inconsistent 2023 season with North Carolina dropped his stock. Maye’s inconsistency could be partially attributable to playing for a new offense coordinator, but the potential, including arm strength, is there to make him an intriguing draft target whose flaws might be easily fixed by the Vikings coaching staff.

“It’s all there. He just needs to end up in the right system,” said Daniel House who offers his football insights on Mnvikingscorner.com and Gophersguru.com.

Ten former Gophers are on NHL rosters of Stanley Cup playoff teams: Brady Skjei, Carolina Hurricanes; Casey Mittelstadt, Colorado Avalanche; Kyle Okposo, Florida Panthers; Tommy Novak, Nashville Predators; Hudson Fasching, New York Islanders; Mike Reilly, New York Islanders; Ryan Lindgren, New York Rangers; Blake Wheeler, New York Rangers (on Injured Reserve); Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs; Nate Schmidt, Winnipeg Jets.

Stillwater-based Creative Charters is hosting its annual Kentucky Derby trip, with the April 28-May 5 travel a dream experience for horse racing fans with its insights about the sport and Kentucky racing culture. The fun, of course, includes the “Run for the Roses” on May 4.

BTW, Creative has sold out its gold, maroon and white trips—and is now selling the pink and green trips—for the Gophers October 12 game against UCLA at the historic Rose Bowl. Minnesota last played in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1962, defeating UCLA 21-3.

News of O.J. Simpson’s death earlier this month prompted memories of September 1968 when the Gophers, coming off their 1967 Big Ten championship season, hosted nationally-ranked Southern California and the most hyped player in college football—Orenthal James Simpson. Minnesota coach Murray Warmath let the Memorial Stadium grass grow long hoping to slow O.J., but the All-American tailback and the Trojans had their way winning 29-20.

Twins’ broadcaster Cory Provus, who is about eight inches shorter than 6-foot-4 TV partner Justin Morneau, stands on a wooden box in the TV booth to minimize the difference in size between the two.

The economic impact of Minneapolis hosting WrestleMania 41 next year could be over $225 million but the WWE has yet to make a final announcement about the 2025 location. Online reports have Las Vegas as a Minneapolis rival to host the multi-days extravaganza that draws young and old from across the country and elsewhere.

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‘Ant’ Rubbing Elbows with LeBron, Jordan & Oscar

Posted on April 16, 2024 by David Shama

Anthony Edwards is in elite company after finishing the regular season on Sunday with 2,049 points, 430 rebounds and 405 assists.

At 22 years and 253 days old, Edwards became the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to total 2,000 plus points, 400 plus rebounds and 400 plus assists in a season. The others are legends LeBron James (three times), Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson.

Edwards finished the season as the only player in franchise history to average 25 plus points, five plus rebounds and five plus assists. His 2,049 points rank second in Wolves history to Karl-Anthony Towns’ 2,061 in 2016-2017.

Edwards’ value was significant defensively, too, helping the Wolves to a second-best franchise record of 56-26. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly told Sports Headliners that Edwards and teammate Jaden McDaniels (23-year-old starting small forward) “are two of the best perimeter defenders in the league.”

The Wolves finished the season No. 1 in scoring defense in the NBA, allowing 106.5 points per game. They also led in defensive field goal percentage, allowing 45 percent. It’s a franchise first for Minnesota to finish a season ranked first in either category.

The defense, which also led the NBA in advanced defensive rating, is led by 7-1 center Rudy Gobert. He’s the favorite to win his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and is part of a total team commitment limiting scoring by opponents.

“When you have that many guys committed to playing defense…it’s infused through your team and everybody buys in,” head coach Chris Finch told Sports Headliners.

As the No. three seed in the playoffs, the Wolves will need to play better defensively and offensively against the sixth seeded Suns who swept them during the regular season including an embarrassing 125-106 loss in Minneapolis Sunday. The Wolves, trying to drive the basketball where there were no openings and throwing errant passes, committed a ghastly 19 turnovers leading to 26 points in the first half.

The Suns, 49-33 during the regular season, present matchup problems for Minnesota. Point guard Mike Conley is only 6-foot tall and faces a Phoenix backcourt with 6-6 Devin Booker Beal and 6-4 Bradley Beal. Up front the Suns have 6-11 shot master Kevin Durant who was guarded by the Wolves’ 6-6 Edwards on Sunday.

The Suns have mobile and effective scorers in Beal, Booker, Durant and 6-4 small forward Grayson Allen. That raises questions about whether the Wolves can play Gobert and 7-foot-power forward Karl-Anthony Towns, the Twin Towers, for long stretches defensively.

Offensively, on Sunday the Suns constricted offensive opportunities for Edwards, who averaged 25.9 points per game this season. Double teams and constant attention resulted in just seven field goal attempts and 13 points for Edwards.

The NBA is all about adjustments from game to game and it will be pivotal for the Wolves to not only create more opportunities for Edwards to score but also move the basketball better to present better opportunities for other players.

The Wolves, who were resoundingly defeated by the Suns in all three games this season, have home court advantage in the potential seven-game series starting with Saturday’s opener in Minneapolis. The Suns are about a two-point underdog for Saturday.

The Wolves, who finished 42-40 last season, have a strong Coach of the Year candidate in Finch. Edwards will draw some attention for NBA MVP and power forward Naz Reid is a legit contender for Sixth Man of the Year.

Quoting Kevin O’Connell on QB Hunt and Justin Jefferson

The Vikings have a lot of voices providing input as they evaluate quarterbacks for the upcoming NFL Draft. Head coach Kevin O’Connell offered insight yesterday when asked about a situation where the Vikings could be trying to decide on who to draft when a couple of quarterbacks are almost equally valued by them.:

“Yeah, I mean, luckily, we’ve got a lot of really smart people in this building and between Kwesi’s (GM Adofo-Mensah) staff and our coaching staff, the process has been really good. The quarterback position is one where you may have 10 really smart coaches or personnel folks watch the same cut-up, and you might come away with 10 different opinions on a player.

“That’s why we have to spend a lot of time together. That’s why we spend a lot of time with the players themselves and really envision not only what they’re going to be like as an NFL quarterback, but what are they going to be like as a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings if we’re able to get one of these guys. …”

Superstar receiver Justin Jefferson didn’t attend yesterday’s first voluntary offseason workout program. That’s not unexpected from an uber talent who is in a year of contract talks.

O’Connell is unsure when Jefferson might participate in workouts, with volunteer days now and mandatory activities ahead. “… I know I’ve had a lot of great dialogue with Justin throughout even the early part of this offseason and leading up. So, you know, my hope is we can get him around the team.

“He’s obviously such a special player, but it goes beyond that. Especially this time of year because of just the energy and the flat-out way he comes in when he’s in this building and he goes to work and how his teammates respond to him.

“So, I want him here as much as we can have him, but also understand that there are a lot of factors involved. And like I said, there’s nobody I love having more around on a daily basis, just because of how he elevates others. Truly a special, special player.”

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