Vikings – Page 4 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

J.J. McCarthy Start Prompts Recollection of Bud Grant Wisdom

Posted on September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 by David Shama

Former Vikings head coach Bud Grant used to say throwing accuracy ranked very high among attributes for a quarterback. A big arm might dazzle but without being able to throw the football on target, a quarterback is in trouble.

In two games of J.J. McCarthy’s debut season as the Vikings starting quarterback, he has frequently missed open receivers. He has thrown passes short of receivers, landing the football in the ground. Despite having one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers in J.J. Jefferson, seldom have the Vikings asked McCarthy to throw long. An exception came last Sunday when McCarthy missed a wide-open Jalen Nailor on a deep throw.

And so McCarthy’s brief but collective work prompts asking whether the Vikings, including head coach Kevin O’Connell, trust his accuracy.

The 22-year-old former first round draft pick, who has thrown three interceptions in eight quarters, has a completion percentage of 58.5 that ranks near the bottom among NFL quarterbacks. His QBR, which measures not only passing but performance aspects such as rushing, turnovers, penalties and more, is 20.4 and that ranks last in the league, per ESPN.com.

With McCarthy out for multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain, the watch period on the McCarthy experiment is on hold. But in the weeks, months and perhaps years ahead the answer about whether McCarthy will become an on-the-money passer will be known.

Grant went to three Super Bowls with a quarterback who couldn’t match McCarthy’s 6-3, 220-pound physique and arm strength. Fran Tarkenton, listed at 6-feet and 190 pounds, couldn’t sail the ball with some of his strong-armed peers like Joe Willie Namath but Grant built a passing game around his accuracy and athleticism. The 1975 NFL MVP played 18 years in the NFL.

BTW, the legendary Grant used to say a good coach needs three things: “a patient wife, a loyal dog, and a great quarterback, but not necessarily in that order.”

Worth Noting

The Twins finish their home schedule for 2025 on Sunday and are expected to have the lowest season attendance in Target Field history. A likely total of under 1.8 million is in sharp contrast to the glory days of the first three seasons at Target Field.

From 2010 through 2012 the Twins attracted a total of 9,168,101 fans (an average of 37,729 per game). In 2010 the Twins drew a franchise record 3,223,640 fans, followed by season attendance of 3,168,107 in 2011 and 2,776,354 in 2012.

With an unattractive product expected on the field next season, a further decline in attendance seems likely. Season tickets (or season ticket equivalents) might total in the 5,000 range after being almost five times that much when the ballpark opened.

Those who buy tickets to games next season will come to see fan favorites like Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan (presuming he isn’t traded). Patrons will also come for the ambience of Target Field and the allure of outdoor baseball on a warm and sunny day or evening.

And some fans will come to see opposing teams and players. When the lowly Senators franchise moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul for the 1961 season, fans were so thrilled to have MLB status they turned out as much to see the opposition as they did to watch the home club.

It’s “back to the future” for the Twins.

Are you waiting for the day when a college athletic director fires the football coach after the first game of the season? UCLA had the “patience” this season to wait until after the second game.

The UCLA opening has already prompted speculation about Golden Gophers coach P.J. Fleck going to Los Angeles. A couple of sources told Sports Headliners that Fleck’s wife, Heather, would like living in Southern California.

Don’t back up the moving trucks anytime soon, though. First, Big Ten institutions have no history in the last 50 years of hiring another program’s head coach. Also, UCLA has woeful fan support and is believed to rank among the Big Ten bottom feeders in Name, Image and Likeness money.

And why would Fleck want to leave for a rebuild? More probable in prompting a move could be if a rare opportunity to lead a program with abundant tradition and resources surfaces. Notre Dame is an example, but that job won’t be opening after this year or next.

Dick Jonckowski turns 82 on October 22. Basketball hall of famer Ricky Barry has telephoned him for 26 years on his birthday. Jonckowski calls Barry each year on his March 28 birthday.

Jonckowski, the former Golden Gophers public address announcer in multiple sports, said he’s been cancer free for about 18 months. He will receive a check up in December. He has had battles with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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Reactionary Vikings Fans Turn on Team at Home Opener

Posted on September 15, 2025September 15, 2025 by David Shama

When quarterback J.J. McCarthy pulled off a comeback opening game win on the road against the Bears last Monday night this town couldn’t wait to coronate the 22-year-old hero in U.S. Bank Stadium. But last night the expected script didn’t materialize, with McCarthy and Viking teammates playing poorly.

Boos cascaded down from the stands as fair weather fans expressed displeasure during a 22-6 loss to the Falcons. From toast of the town a week ago, to a bad dream today, doubts and anger have already surfaced in a young season about the team Minnesota is obsessed with.

McCarthy threw two interceptions and had a fumble that led to Atlanta’s last field goal of the game. For the night he completed 11 of 21 passes for 158 yards and no touchdowns, with a dismal rating of 37.5. Perhaps the worst moment was overthrowing a wide open Jalen Nailor for a potential long touchdown in the second half.

McCarthy looked frustrated and at times confused. After the game he used the cliched response of how he takes responsibility and must play “better.”

Sideline TV shots showed how eager he is to please and be coached by Kevin O’Connell. He looked the head coach in the eye and seemed quick to agree with whatever instructions or suggestions he was given, almost like a young puppy receiving training from its owner.

Frantic fans won’t help his growth and improvement with disapproval. They can only make his journey as a young, inexperienced pro QB more difficult.

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for McCarthy in recent days. Last week fiancé Katya gave birth to a baby boy, Rome Michah. She and McCarthy got engaged in January of 2024.

In fairness to McCarthy, the run game faltered last night and didn’t give him a complementary tool to his passing. The Vikings rushed for 78 yards, while the defense gave up an uncharacteristic 218 yards on the ground.

As if the game wasn’t frustrating enough, multiple Vikings went down with injuries including running back Aaron Jones, center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Justin Skule. He was starting for Christian Darrisaw who didn’t play and was sidelined with other regulars such as linebackers Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel, safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Jeff Okudah.

Worth Noting

Where do NFL players come from? As of the opening weekend rosters, Texas, with 199 players, produced the most personnel of any state, followed by Florida (179), California (165) and Georgia (143).

There were 20 players from Bradenton (Fla.) on league rosters, the most of any city. Atlanta and Miami tied for second-most (18), followed by Detroit with 16 players.

Former Vikings coach Mike Tice, now living in Las Vegas, has a new TV show. “The Coach’s Cut” with Mike Tice, can be found on multiple platforms including YouTube.

Tice is in my top three for most colorful Vikings head coaches ever. Put Jerry Burns at No. 1 and Norm Van Brocklin second.

Darius Taylor photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Gophers’ junior running back Darius Taylor is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft but don’t think pro scouts aren’t fully aware of hamstring issues that have caused him to miss nine career games including Saturday night at California. With a bye next Saturday, the star running back and pass catcher could be a solid bet to return to the lineup for the September 27 game at home against Rutgers. Taylor led the team in touchdowns last season with 10 and is clearly Minnesota’s most dangerous talent on offense.

It’s difficult to quantify but without Taylor the Gopher offense isn’t as effective. Even with him, the program continues to struggle from a lack of explosive skill position players to catch and run with the ball. In Saturday’s 27-14 loss to California, the Gophers’ longest run from scrimmage was 27 yards by Fame Ijeboi, while receivers Javon Tracy and Le’Meke Brockington had receptions of 25 and 23 yards respectively.

For years now the Gophers have lacked “take it to the house” playmakers and it cost them again over the weekend as did an awful punt returning night by Koi Perich. In the first half he chose to fair catch a punt inside his own five-yard line. In the fourth quarter he fumbled a rolling punt and Cal recovered at Minnesota’s eight-yard line before scoring a touchdown that put the Bears ahead 24-14.

It looks now like the 2-1 Gophers could end up with a final regular season record of around .500 after losing to Cal in a game they were favored to win. Nearly certain losses await in road games against national title contenders Ohio State and Oregon. The Gophers could win or lose any of the remainder games, including September 27.

Woe are the Demons! Northwestern State has been outscored 136-0 the last two Saturdays, losing to Minnesota 66-0 September 6 and 70-0 to Cincinnati September 13.

At 31 years old and with an injury-filled career, Byron Buxton will make 2025 the first time he’s been able to play over 100 games in consecutive seasons. The Twins gifted hitter and center fielder went six years from 2018-2023 not reaching 100 games and had three seasons where he appeared in 61 or fewer games.

In 11 seasons his peak playing time was 2017 when he appeared in 140 games. Last season he participated in 102 and with the 2025 season ending September 28 he already totals 114 games played.

Rocco Baldelli is tied for third place with the late Sam Mele in all-time wins (522) by a Twins manager. Baldelli has a long way to go to surpass No. 1 Tom Kelly, at 1,140 wins, or Ron Gardenhire at 1,068.

The Lynx, the betting favorite to win a fifth WNBA championship and ahead 1-0 in its best of three opening round playoff series against the Valkyries, are scheduled for a off day on Monday before flying to California on Tuesday. Game Two is Wednesday night beginning at 9 p.m. Minneapolis time, with ESPN televising.

The game will be played at the SAP Center in San Jose because Golden State’s regular home arena, the Chase Center in San Francisco, is not available.

Best wishes to director Howard Lavick next Sunday with the premier of his new documentary film at the Cloquet High School Auditorium. “Beyond the Prize” tells the story of the legendary 1963 Cloquet boys basketball team that is revered to this day. An undersized, scrappy team, Cloquet was a fan favorite whose style and success captured the hearts of fans across Minnesota in the state tournament. It was Cloquet’s fate to lose the state championship game, 75-74 to Marshall, in one of the epic title games of all time.

Admission for the 6 p.m. Sunday event is free. Lavick, a CHS alum, will engage with the audience after the screening, as will players from that team and coach Ben Trochlil.

Tennis, in a battle with pickle ball and other recreation activities, is billing itself as “the world’s healthiest sport.” It’s a big claim but anecdotal experiences and research suggest tennis can increase lifespan and wellbeing with its physical and social benefits. For some participants, it’s almost a cradle to grave activity.

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Vikings Grind But Show They’re Who We Thought They Were

Posted on September 9, 2025September 9, 2025 by David Shama

Enjoy a Tuesday notes column.

The Vikings substantiated their preseason label as an NFL playoff contender last night in a come from behind 27-24 season opening win over the Bears in Chicago. This looks like a top 12 team that will challenge the Packers and Lions for the NFC North Division title.

It could have been a different outlook today if first-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the offense hadn’t rallied in the fourth quarter after trailing 17-6 following three periods. McCarthy produced three final quarter scores with two touchdown passes and a TD run.

After the game head coach Kevin O’Connell, speaking to ESPN, said that at halftime he told his 22-year-old quarterback the Vikings were going to win. Minnesota was trailing 10-6 at the half having endured too many three and outs and failed plays.

McCarthy, though, was a leader even when things weren’t going well. On the sidelines he was interacting with his offensive teammates. Asked after the game by ESPN what he told his teammates, he said the message was “we gotta believe.”

While McCarthy received the headlines last night, the offensive line, providing protection and opening holes for the running game, was vital to the comeback. The rebuilt line with newcomers Will Fries, Donovan Jackson and Ryan Kelly gave notice they can be an upgrade from last season and a strength of this year’s team. And they played last night without standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw, with sub Justin Skule struggling at times.

The Vikings offense looked rusty for much of the game, including McCarthy. The unit hardly played in preseason games and left O’Connell open to second guessing if last night had been a disaster.

But the offense sharpened, the defense was mostly its stingy self with impact plays by such performers as newcomers Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave who caused problems for the Bears on the line of scrimmage. And place kicker Will Reichard was money as usual, making two field goals including one from 59 yards out.

With the offense coming around to meld with other strengths of the team, and winnable games at home coming up against the Falcons and Bengals, the Vikings look like who we thought they are (to paraphrase the late Denny Green.)

BTW: McCarthy became the first starting quarterback to overcome a 10-point fourth deficit to win in his NFL debut since Steve Young (1985). On Sunday night against the Falcons, he can become the first QB since 1970 to have his first two career starts be primetime games (7 p.m. EDT or later) and win both.

Among Vikings fans at the game was Minneapolis attorney Marshall Tanick. He attended the franchise’s first game ever, in 1961, also against the Bears. He might be the only person who can lay claim to being at both the 1961 and 2025 games.

There’s a rumor that the Wilfs are interested in becoming minority owners of the Twins. The family already holds ownership in the Vikings and the Orlando men’s and women’s pro soccer teams.

Sports Headliners is told Minnesota businessman and Twins fan Marty Davis is definitely not interested in being a minority owner.

The Golden Gophers, about a two-point favorite to defeat the California Golden Bears in Berkeley Saturday night, face their first game of the season against a Power Four opponent, and also first road test.

Of interest, too, is the 9:30 p.m. West Coast kickoff time. Sports Headliners is told the Gophers will fly to California on Friday, rather than earlier in the week, to allow more days to address the time change. Apparently, coach P.J. Fleck’s experience is that the best approach is to get in and get out quickly including departure for Minneapolis after the game.

It looks like status on whether star running back Darius Taylor (injured in last Saturday’s game) will play at Cal won’t be known until Minnesota’s availability report comes out Saturday night. Taylor has a history of hamstring trouble.

Two of the Gophers’ most highly ranked verbal commits for the recruiting class of 2026, Howie Johnson and Andrew Trout, attended last Saturday’s 66-0 win over Northwestern State. In 247 Sports rankings of recruits, Johnson, a defensive lineman from Forest Lake, and Trout, an offensive lineman from Rocori, are second and third only to Roman Voss from Jackson County Central.

Eli Diane, the defensive lineman from Wayzata High School, is a verbal commitment for the class of 2027 and also attended the game. 247 ranks Johnson, Trout, Voss and Diane as four-star recruits.

247 ranks the 2026 Gopher class, with 23 verbal commitments, No. 29 in the nation. Local recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners he believes the class is pretty much set as the early National Signing Day awaits in December. He added that “while they’re pretty good where they’re at right now,” watching senior season tape on prep players could prompt additions to the class.

Burns also said he knows the Gophers would “love” to get a verbal commit from class of 2027 Shakopee linebacker Blake Betton who has offers from Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin. Betton grew up a Gopher but wants to “go through the recruiting process,” per Burns.

The quality of the 2026 class is evident, and a factor Burns believes is impacting recruiting success is Minnesota’s placement of NFL players. Six players, three drafted and three free agents from last year’s team, are in the NFL. “Not many (college) teams can say that,” Burns said.

Many additional former Gophers players from the Fleck era are in the NFL, too. That, plus winning seasons in four of the last six years, helps attract high school talent, Burns added.

Annika Sorenstam, the women’s golf legend who spoke to the Twin Cities Dunkers yesterday at Interlachen Country Club, is part of a legacy of women who have spoken to the club during its storied history. The first female speaker was Minneapolis golf trailblazer Patty Berg who addressed the then Minneapolis Dunkers in 1951.

Sorenstam played at Interlachen in the 2008 U.S. Open. It was her final major tournament before retirement. On the last hole she recorded an eagle on the 18^th hole par five with a 199-yard six iron shot fueling the signature finish to her famous career.

The ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M is being played this week at the Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. The tournament was founded by the ANNIKA Foundation in 2014. The 54-hole stroke play event is held each year at the Royal Golf Club and the tourney features 12 of the top Division I women’s programs in the country.

Former Gophers basketball player Jamal Abu-Shamala, now a first vice president at UBS, has been recognized by Forbes on its Best in State Wealth Advisors List of the top financial advisors across America.

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