Vikings – Page 29 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Hall of Famers Lavish Praise on Wolves’ Anthony Edwards

Posted on May 5, 2024 by David Shama

Anthony Edwards, 22 years old and in his fourth NBA season, is leaving no doubt about achieving superstar status this spring. His latest statement was scoring 43 points yesterday to lead the Timberwolves to a 1-0 advantage in their second-round NBA Western Conference playoff series with the Nuggets.

Edwards (22 years, 273 days) is the fifth youngest player in NBA history to record three or more 40-plus point playoff games, joining Amar’e Stoudemire, LeBron James, Kevin Durant (three games each) and Luka Dončić (five games). The latter three players, all still active, are one day headed to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“The Ant man is here to stay,” Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said on TNT’s postgame show. Dirk Nowitzki, enshrined in Springfield last year, was asked on the show about the Wolves’ shooting guard who is drawing early comparisons to legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

“I mean his poise at that age,” Nowitzki said. “He’s an unbelievable athlete…(and) he’s got the skillset with him. He’s the complete package.”

In Minnesota’s 106-99 win over the Nuggets in Denver, Edwards had seven rebounds, three assists, one turnover, two blocks and one steal. A second half left-handed block of a shot attempt by Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. was a showstopper.

During the nationally televised game TNT analyst and Hall of Famer Reggie Miller raised the question of whether Edwards isn’t the best two-way player in the NBA now. “I am saying he is,” Miller said.

Yesterday morning, Trent Tucker talking on KFAN Radio, said Jordan, his former teammate and old friend, has taken notice of Edwards’ ascent to elite status. Apparently, No. 23 likes what he sees in No. 5.

Edwards, who scored 25 points in the first half, made an impressive variety of shots during the game, converting 17 of 29 field goals. “When I came in the league, the thing was that I couldn’t shoot,” he said at the postgame news conference.

Then Edwards explained how hard he worked on his shooting during past summers. There were days that 2,000 practice shots were part of his effort.

Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic is a near consensus candidate to win his third NBA MVP Award this year. It’s not too soon to think Edwards could be front and center in that conversation starting next year and for many more.

“To be honest, of course he is a special player,” said Jokic who will one day be a slam dunk selection for Springfield. “I have a huge respect for him. He can do everything on the floor. You need to enjoy and respect your opponent and how good and how talented he is. …”

Worth Noting

Barkley talking on TNT about the second half taunting technical on Edwards called by Courtney Kirkland: “Hey, Mr. Official. Nobody came to see your ass play. Stop giving taunting technicals in the game. Nobody came to see you. You give a kid a warning. You don’t call a taunting technical in the playoffs. Don’t do that (for staring at another player).”

Owner Craig Leipold, GM Bill Guerin and others from the organization are meeting at an out-of-town site this week to make offseason plans for the Wild who missed the playoffs this spring for the first time since 2019.

Former Wild executive and WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson spoke via zoom the other day to Mike Max’s sports leadership class at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Max, the WCCO TV sports director, is an adjunct instructor during spring semester at the school.

Robertson, now living in South Carolina, will speak May 13 in Bluffton about the business of sports to the Athletic Club of the Lowcountry.

Outfielder Matt Wallner, who started the season with the Twins and hit 080, is batting .214 with the Triple A Saints. The 26-year-old Forest Lake native’s future may well be determined by reducing his strikeouts which have been a pro career challenge. In 56 at bats with the Saints he has struck out 24 times.

No one should be surprised if 2023-2024 freshman guard Cam Christie, now in the transfer portal while mulling NBA interest, ends up at Michigan State where brother Max Christie, now with the Lakers, played.

Put this in the 2025 prediction bucket: incoming freshman point guard Isaac Asuma will be the Gophers’ starting point guard by mid-January.

Willie R. Braziel, who was the head boys’ basketball coach at Columbia Heights and been involved for years with Minnesota AAU basketball, is the new head coach at Simley.

Joe Alt, from Totino-Grace High School, was the only Minnesota native selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Florida had 30 players, followed by Texas 24; Georgia 23; California, 18; Louisiana, 11; New Jersey, 11; Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Ohio, all with 10 each.

J.J. McCarthy and his Michigan teammates received four rings last month to commemorate their 2023-2024 success: Big Ten championship, Rose Bowl, College Football Playoff and National Championship.

Condolences to family and friends of former Gophers’ fullback Dick Borstad who passed away April 25. He played in the mid-1950s and later was an assistant coach on the 1960 national championship team. The Detroit Lakes High School alum was the 1954 Mount Olivet Minnesota State Athlete of the Year.

With Borstad’s passing, assistant coach Dick Larson is the only living coach from the 1960 championship team. A Gopher quarterback from 1955-1957, Larson turns 88 in August and remains a treasured link to great teams of the past.

Bob Parsons, founder of sports equipment company Parsons Xtreme Golf and a “golf nut,” has a book out about his life story including the entrepreneurial success that made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. The Vietnam veteran, best known as the founder of GoDaddy, will be at an event Friday open to the public at the Minneapolis Club to talk about his book FIRE IN THE HOLE! The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success. Mpls Club welcomes Bob Parsons, Founder of PXG & GoDaddy. Tickets, Fri, May 10, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

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Ex-Vikings GM: Team Got Best Rusher in NFL Draft

Posted on April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

Former Vikings GM Rick Spielman praised his former team’s aggressiveness in moving up the draft board and early players chosen. Minnesota’s first three picks were quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner, both first rounders at No. 10 and 17, and cornerback Khyree Jackson, No. 108 in the fourth round.

The Vikings, of course, are hoping they found their franchise quarterback in McCarthy. Defensively, having lost edge rushing talents Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum to free agency, and also needing help in the secondary, the Vikings may have filled significant needs for highly regarded defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“…In Brian Flores’ defense you have to have pressure on the quarterback which can alleviate some of the pressure on the secondary—which they needed to address as well—which they did with the Oregon kid (Jackson),” Spielman said recently on CBS Sports HQ. “So I think they did a great job, especially in the first round making sure that they got the quarterback. They couldn’t come out of this draft without a quarterback, and they got a legit pass rusher who I thought was the best pass rusher coming out. That’s why I think it was an A (draft grade for Minnesota).”

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t hold back in his praise of Turner either (he was the second edge rusher drafted after the Colts selected Laiatu Latu from UCLA). O’Connell described Turner, the 6-3, 247-pound former Alabama star, as a “great fit in Flo’s defense, incredibly versatile, huge traits and skill set to be a dominant player on the edge for us.”

On the plus side, too, from this draft is the club didn’t sacrifice it’s 2025 first round pick. Speculation was GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might offer his two first round picks in 2024 and his 2025 first rounder to move up to No. 2 or 3 on the NFL Draft board, allowing Minnesota to choose North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.

Here are four expectations about McCarthy:

Fans are giddy about the 21-year-old former Michigan national championship quarterback. Interest will be intense, and his summer debut will create must-see viewing for the usually “ho-hum” preseason games. There will be a clamoring for tickets to training camp to get the earliest of looks at McCarthy and demand to buy his jersey seems likely to be exceeded in sales only by that of the other J.J.— wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

McCarthy knows he landed in an ideal situation where he is surrounded by talented offensive teammates starting with Jefferson. Also important is learning from O’Connell, a QB whisperer, and his position coach Josh McCown who played 18 seasons of quarterback in the NFL. Teammates and teachers probably will make McCarthy comfortable, and likely the envy of quarterbacks drafted before him who landed in less ideal environments.

Among the many parts of the learning curve that won’t come overnight is McCarthy becoming totally in synch with his receivers. Successful NFL quarterbacks and receivers have a familiarity with one another that doesn’t happen right away. It can take a year or more for everyone to completely know the nuances of each other. How effectively and how fast McCarthy and the key receivers click, will be a key measurement in his development.

How much will McCarthy play during the regular season? O’Connell has said his rookie quarterback won’t be rushed but there is a lot of time between now and next October or November. An injury to presumed veteran starter Sam Darnold, or poor performance for too many weeks by Darnold, might send McCarthy off the bench and into the game. Remember, the NFL is a win now league.

The Timberwolves, who closed out their first-round playoff series Sunday night with a 4-0 sweep of the favored Suns, might be undervalued by oddsmakers who have made the Celtics, Nuggets and Thunder bigger favorites than Minnesota to win the NBA championship. The Wolves are going to be a “heavy lift” for any team as long as the defense remains among the best in the league (anchored by Rudy Gobert) and Anthony Edwards continues to be the premier clutch shooter in franchise history.

Meanwhile, mediation regarding franchise ownership is expected this week. It appears almost certain the contested sale of majority ownership between Glen Taylor and the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez two-some will later go to arbitration and eventually be resolved by NBA leadership and league owners. My guess is when the dust settles Taylor prevails—at least partially because of his successful track record with the franchise in meeting financial obligations.

Bustingbrackets.com ranks the Gophers’ Ben Johnson No. 17 in its listing this month of the 18 Big Ten men’s basketball coaches. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo is No. 1 with USC’s Eric Musselman, son of former Minnesota coach Bill Musselman, ranked the fourth best coach.

Elevate the Arches is the new collective supporting St. Thomas athletics. Both Dinkytown Athletes (supports Gophers athletics) and Elevate the Arches are limited liability companies, not charitable organizations.

The football Tommies host their annual spring game Saturday starting at 12:04 p.m. in O’Shaughnessy Stadium. Admission is free. The Tommies, 7-1 in Pioneer League games last season, haven’t lost at home since 2016. They have an NCAA-leading home winning streak of 31 consecutive games.

The Twins have struggled all spring trying to develop a five-man rotation. Sonny Gray, who the Twins lost through free agency last offseason, would be the staff ace if he had been retained. With the Cardinals, he is 3-1 and has a 1.16 ERA.

Lance Lynn, Gray’s teammate with the Cardinals and another former Twins starter, is 1-0 with a 2.64 ERA. Other Twins alums and former starters off to impressive starts are the Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios, 4-1 with a 1.23 ERA, and the Pirates’ Martin Perez, 1-1 and a 2.86 ERA.

It was 30 years ago last Saturday that Twins’ starter Scott Erickson threw a no-hitter, walking four and striking out five in a 6-0 April 27, 1994, win over the Brewers. Francisco Liriano threw the last no-hitter for the club in 2011.

Each year the Twin Cities Dunkers stage a Dunkers Fund Dinner to raise money for the athletic programs at the 14 Minneapolis and St. Paul public high schools. The Fund has generated over $1 million in the last few years and this year’s members-only dinner is Thursday.

There is a silent auction to generate more funding and you don’t have to be a Dunker member to bid. Click on the attached https://bidpartner.net/dunkersfunddinner/silent-auction/ to preview auction items including a trip to watch the Gophers play UCLA in the Rose Bowl on October 12 and golf outings at Wayzata, North Oaks, Minikahda, Woodhill, Stone Ridge, Spring Hill, Bearpath, Burl Oaks, Somerset, Hazeltine and other courses.

Bloomington-based Vintage Sports Authentics’ spring auction includes memorabilia of former Twins Jim Kaat, Joe Mauer and Kirby Puckett with bidding open now. www.VSAauctions.com

Chase Brixius, the linebacker from Benilde-St. Margaret’s who is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 17 state prospect for the class of 2025, is the grandson of Frank Brixius, the Academic-All-American tackle on the Gophers’ 1960 national championship team. Among Chase’s college offers, per 247, are North Dakota State and Buffalo.

I worked for the Minnesota North Stars in the 1980s and never heard a bad word then or since about legendary radio voice Al Shaver who passed away last week at age 96. Son Wally has been calling Gophers’ hockey on radio since 2001 and his son Jason Shaver is the broadcast voice of the Chicago Wolves (American Hockey League) for 13 seasons. Condolences to family and friends of Al, a gentleman and great announcer.

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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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