Vikings – Page 274 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings’ Assignment: Get in Cam Newton’s Head

Posted on October 28, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Look up the NFL leaders in passing yardage and sitting there behind the revered names of Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees is a 22-year-old rookie quarterback named Cam Newton who has thrown for 2,103 yards in seven games.

The Carolina Panthers man-child has been improving as the season progresses and it will be the Vikings’ assignment to slow him down on Sunday in Charlotte. Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton was asked how a defensive coordinator should approach the assignment.

“What you want to do is try to beat him between the ears,” he said. “Throw (him) a lot of disguised coverages. A lot of combination coverages. Give him a man look and then be in zone. Give him a zone look and then be in man. …”

Newton started his college career at Florida, went to junior college, then transferred to Auburn where he was the ringmaster of the Tigers’ undefeated national championship team in 2010. He only played one full season as a college starter and then because of the NFL labor dispute didn’t have the usual offseason indoctrination that benefits rookies.

Newton’s inexperience is why Dalton said the Vikings need to confuse him. “If he’s thinking too much and hesitating, he’ll lose a step.”

Newton’s passer rating is only 82.8, placing him 19^th in the league and even behind the Vikings’ Donovan McNabb. He’s only thrown eight touchdown passes. But he’s improved each week, Dalton said, and the 2-5 Panthers have played competitively including a win over 3-3 Washington last Sunday.

“He’s really rejuvenated that whole franchise,” Dalton said. “They haven’t won a lot of games but they’ve competed in all of them, and he’s been phenomenal. He’s been throwing for 400 yards and everybody thought he would be running for 100, but he does that, too. ..”

The 6-5, 248-pound Newton has actually run for 266 total yards this season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry (his total yards rank No. 33 in the NFL). He has rushed for seven touchdowns, tying an NFL rookie quarterback record. He can not only use his powerful right arm to throw long and short, but he will both bulldoze tacklers and out run them.

Dalton said Newton will “probably” be Rookie of the Year and has All-Pro potential. “What Cam Newton brings is an unbelievable skill set ─ his blessing from his parents and God,” Dalton said. “Added to that is a tremendous work ethic and a passion to be great. He has that million dollar smile but he puts in the work behind it to go out and play and perform at a high level.

“And the kid is a winner. All he’s ever done is win and produce (national title teams at Blinn College and Auburn). … “

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Ryan Longwell: Ponder Debut Best

Posted on October 26, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell is playing in his 15^th NFL season and he told Sports Headliners that Christian Ponder’s first game for the Vikings was the most outstanding rookie quarterback debut he’s seen. Ponder threw for two touchdowns last Sunday and almost rallied the Vikings to a win over the undefeated Green Bay Packers.

“That’s the best I’ve seen, honestly,” Longwell said. “You’re short the win, but everything else ─ the poise, the decision making, the throws ─ just the command was awesome to watch. He’s got a bright future.”

Ponder’s performance not only was superior to anything shown this season by Donovan McNabb ─ the man he replaced ─ but the rookie brought an energy that certainly lifted the crowd at Mall of America Field and maybe most of his teammates, too.

An NFL quarterback who can make big plays is that important. “No doubt,” Longwell said. “You’re never out of it. I’ve had the blessing of being with a great quarterback (Brett Favre) through most of my years, and you’re just never out of it. I think we saw that today.”

Former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema said he was “totally excited” about the switch from McNabb to Ponder. Ponder’s down the field throws helped loosen up the Packers’ defense and enable Adrian Peterson to rush for 175 yards.

Ponder’s play in the 33-27 loss wasn’t perfect. He seemed confused at times by the Packers pass coverage and timing with his receivers needs to improve.

Ponder threw two interceptions, both to veteran Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson. “He realizes now that the defensive backs in the National Football League close a lot quicker than they do in college,” Lurtsema said.

The Vikings, 1-6, have nine games remaining on the schedule including Sunday at Carolina. All but two of the remaining opponents are playing at .500 or better but Lurtsema believes the Vikings can win about half of their games with their rookie quarterback now in charge.

“When the players believe in the quarterback, that’s the big difference,” Lurtsema said.

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Vikings Hold Cards Now on Stadium

Posted on October 24, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

What a mess! Back in the 1990s a Vikings executive told me Governor Arne Carlson informed franchise leaders to be patient until the Twins need for a new stadium could be resolved.

Guess what? Three governors later and the Vikings are still waiting. During the last 15 years, new stadiums for the Twins and Gophers football were approved while the Vikings unsuccessfully courted host communities to help them.

Get the idea the Vikings upper management and ownership is frustrated. Bet your autographed Adrian Peterson jersey on that!

Now if you don’t care whether the Vikings stay in Minnesota and you oppose public funding for a new stadium, then God bless you and the Constitution. You have plenty of company, but understand the majority of state political leaders are likely to disagree with you. If they don’t today, sometime soon they will.

The Vikings will remain in Minnesota.

Franchise owners and the NFL office in New York have leverage like never before with the Minnesota stadium issue. The whole mess is reaching critical mass. Not only have the Vikings been knocking on the doors of governors and host communities for more than a decade, but their lease in the Metrodome expires at season’s end and Los Angeles is flirting with the franchise.

It’s a new Minnesota stadium or bust mentality that the Vikings and NFL are presenting. That view threatens a cultural entity even more important to some Minnesotans than our 10,000 lakes.

No wonder Governor Mark Dayton is scrambling to call a special legislative session before Thanksgiving. He wants no repeat of 60 years ago when Los Angeles became the new home of the Minneapolis Lakers.

Dayton might be able to convince enough legislators to approve a new stadium in the coming weeks, but even if he has to kick the can a little further down the road that’s not likely to send the moving vans to Winter Park before New Year’s Day.

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