Wild – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Cutting QB J.J. McCarthy Today? Fuhgeddaboudit

Posted on August 30, 2026August 30, 2026 by David Shama

Enjoy a Sunday notes column.

NFL rosters must be reduced to 53 men tonight (Sunday) by 5 p.m. Minneapolis time. Any speculation the Vikings will cut disappointing third year quarterback J.J. McCarthy from their roster is ludicrous.

McCarthy, who has won six regular-season games as the team’s starter and lost the No. 1 job to Kyler Murray in training camp this summer, could be traded over the weekend or later. Dismiss any speculation, though, the Vikings will give him up for a late round future draft choice, or cut him for the roster with nothing in return.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

The likely scenario is the Vikings won’t receive trade offers that entice them, and it makes sense that decision makers Kevin O’Connell (head coach) and Nolan Teasley (general manager) aren’t giving up so soon on Minnesota’s 2024 first round draft choice. Even if the 23-year-old is going to be replaced for now by Carson Wentz as backup quarterback, it doesn’t mean McCarthy can’t follow a path where he emerges as at least a serviceable NFL starter.

Other predictions about today’s cutdown include a nod here to rookie Brett Thorson winning the punting job from veteran Johnny Hekker, and linebacker Ivan Pace and offensive tackle Walter Rouse, both veterans, being cut. Bubble RB Zavier Scott makes the team but second-year former Golden Gopher QB Max Brosmer does not.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the Vikings add a player or two from the Seahawks roster after they make their cuts, partly because Teasley, as a former Seattle executive, worked for the organization for 13 seasons.

Promising Vikings rookie defensive lineman Domonique Orange has potential to have one of the better nicknames in franchise history. Known as “Big Citrus,” he is listed by the team at 6-2 and 322 pounds. If he becomes a mainstay his handle can be up there with “Harry the Hitman” (Harrison Smith), “All Day” Adrian Peterson, Randy “The Freak” Moss, and “Benchwarmer” Bob Lurtsema.

BTW, a source said word inside the Vikings organization is that it’s “highly doubtful” the 37-year-old Smith decides to play another season.

Former Twins general manager Thad Levine talks weekly with prominent sports newsmakers on his podcast Rosters to Rings. It’s the kind of in-depth content you’d expect from the cerebral Levine.

The presumptive sale of the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion this summer is a startling contrast to the historical purchase prices of the NBA franchise, per A.I. The Detroit Gems were purchased for $15,000 and moved to Minneapolis in 1947. Bob Short bought the club for $150,000 in 1957, moved the team to L.A. in 1960 and sold it for about $5 million in 1965.

With the addition of 23-year-old power forward Jonathan Kuminga, the Timberwolves now have a starting lineup that averages a youthful 26.4 years. Point guard LaMelo Ball, shooting guard Anthony Edwards and small forward Jaden McDaniels are all 25, and center Rudy Gobert is 34. Remove Gobert, and the Wolves have a foursome averaging 24.5 years.

With that youth, the Wolves may be positioned for a long time to compete against two other dominant and youthful teams in the Spurs and Thunder. Those franchises are wagering favorites to win the 2027 NBA title with the Wolves a top 10 bet.

Possibility that the NHL will add an expansion team in Texas (Houston or Austin) could prompt speculation the new team will play in the Western Conference’s Central Division and allow the Wild to join a less competitive division. Minnesota might jump at the chance to escape the Avalanche and Stars.

A big storyline to follow when the Wild heads into training camp and preseason next month will be who establishes himself as the team’s No. 1 goalie. Filip Gustavsson, 28, has the edge in experience but the NHL Network recently gave Jesper Wallstedt, 23, the No. 9 spot on its list of top 10 league goalies.

The Avalanche’s Cale Makar’s new contract extension is expected to prompt a new deal for the Wild’s Quinn Hughes. It’s believed the Hughes camp has been waiting for the Makar signing to set the market for defensemen as they are two of the best in the world.

Makar’s new compensation is reportedly at $20. 4 million in annual average value. Hughes may become the Wild’s highest compensated player, exceeding the $17 million annual average value reported deal of teammate Kirill Kaprizov.

Fordy Leipold, son of Craig Leipold, is director of marketing of his dad’s new Minnesota Forge pro volleyball team based in St. Paul.

New gameday food items will be available at Huntington Bank Stadium for Golden Gophers football and include Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts (Section 121), Cold Stone Creamery (Sections 131, 121), Sushi Flip Pops (Section 143), Salads & Sides (Section 127) and Original Fried Chicken Tenders in the West Plaza. Mini Sloppy Joe’s will be featured at the Game Day Cart (Section 143).

New Spam-inspired offerings include Spam Corn Dogs at Curds & Cakes (Section 123), the Spam Stadium Dog at the Sizzle Stand (Section 135) and Spam Fries in Club Cambria. Dominos Pizza, BBQ Cabin, Maui Wowi, Minnesota’s Original Brat Dog, The Lotus Vietnamese and Parlour Burger locations return this season. Proceeds from Parlour Burger benefit Dinkytown Athletes.

Gophers starting center Ashton Beers attended a media gathering for food sampling at the stadium. Asked what’s the best food option in small town Slinger, Wisconsin, he replied: “Culver’s.”

Linemate Tony Nelson, the right guard who was raised on a family farm near Tracy, got married recently to Amber Findlay.

University of Minnesota athletics lost two extraordinary boosters with the deaths this summer of Kay McReavy and Lee Sundet, both of whom passed away in their 90s. Condolences to friends and family.

Probably safe to say there will be more than a little grumbling among Gopher football fans that want to watch the opener in their homes Thursday night against Eastern Illinois; they need the Peacock platform.

The Gophers are the only Big Ten football program returning their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and starting quarterback.

Pickle ball sources say former Gopher basketball player Andre Hollins, 2011-2015, is outstanding at the game.

No details announced yet, but big names are expected for signings at the Minnesota Card Show September 17-20 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Over 600 vendor tables will feature sports cards and other memorabilia.

Quarterback Anthony Policare, the first- year starter who threw the winning touchdown pass in the last minute of the St. Thomas 15-9 season opening win against Winona State last week, is a transfer from Buffalo University where he spent three years.

A certain online sports columnist celebrates 20 years this month!

Comments Welcome

Painful Loss, But So Much to Celebrate about John Anderson

Posted on August 9, 2026August 9, 2026 by David Shama

Minnesotans will offer their tributes tomorrow to University of Minnesota legendary baseball coach John Anderson. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis, with a celebration of life open to the public starting at 6 p.m. at Maturi Pavilion at the University.

The events can be viewed via the following links:

www.youtube.com/user/SaintOlafChurch/live

https://www.youtube.com/live/R_p5bjmcka4?si=NlW2OfIAt8vvcDaO

Anderson died unexpectedly at age 71 last month, just a few days after experiencing heart failure. Friends have extended condolences to wife Jan, daughter Erin and other family, while also processing the stunning loss of the man who so deeply impacted the lives of many others.

Golden Gophers baseball is a special sport at the U. It’s the oldest program in the 22-team athletic department, dating back to 1876. Gopher baseball has an extraordinary tradition of leaders, players and championships.

The great Dick Siebert coached the Gophers from 1948-1978. He led Minnesota to national championships in 1956, 1960 and 1964. His extraordinary players included Paul Giel, Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield. They were Minnesota natives as were most of the players on his teams.

Anderson, born in Hibbing and a graduate of Nashwauk-Keewatin High School, wanted to pitch for the coach they called “The Chief.” An arm injured in 1975, after one year with the program, punctured that balloon so Anderson became a student assistant coach and later a grad assistant. He learned about the legacy of the program. And who better to have as a college baseball tutor than “The Chief”?

In 1981 it was Giel, then the school athletics director, who asked Anderson to become head baseball coach. At 26, he succeeded George Thomas (1979-1981) as head coach. He had been an assistant coach to Thomas.

Former Gophers baseball coach John Anderson — John Anderson

Anderson retired as Minnesota’s coach after the 2024 season. What a run it was over 43 seasons with a 1,390-1,021-3 record, ranking first in the Big Ten and 20th all-time among NCAA Division I coaches in career victories. Minnesota had winning seasons in 38 of his years as head coach, and the Gophers had 31 seasons with at least 30 wins and 10 seasons with at least 40.

Minnesota finished first or second in the Big Ten standings 24 times, advanced to 20 Big Ten Tournament championship games and qualified for the conference tournament in 31 of 38 Anderson’s seasons. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year eight times, first as a rookie head coach in 1982 and most recently in 2018.

Anderson led the Gophers to 19 NCAA postseason appearances, including a historic and dramatic 2018 year that included hosting an NCAA Regional for the first time since 2000 and advancing to the program’s first NCAA Super Regional, achieving the program’s best postseason finish since reaching the College World Series in 1977.

But there was so much more to the man affectionately referred to by his uniform number, “14.” Awhile back he told Sports Headliners: “It’s not just about wins and losses. My philosophy has always been I am here to prepare people for the next 50 years of their lives. Kids have to understand there’s a 50 percent less chance to play professional baseball today because the draft got reduced by 20 rounds. You better be preparing people for life after baseball.”

Anderson had over 330 All-Big Ten Academic selections. He was proud to tell a reporter in 2024 his entire senior class that year would graduate with degrees. The academic progress rate for the last five years was a perfect 1000.

He cared deeply about the well-being of his players. He knew his role was that of a teacher devoted to guiding his players way beyond baseball, helping develop their academics, life skills and character with the intent they can thrive as adults in a competitive and changing world.

There was no doubting his leadership and devotion to the U. He could have left for better paying jobs, including ones with more resources for winning but he was loyal to the end to his program, players and school.

Remarkably, he spent 49 years at the U counting time as a player, student assistant coach, graduate assistant, and assistant coach. He loved Minnesota and in a final gesture keeping with the selfless spirit that defined his life, his body was returned to the University for organ donation.

I last communicated with him several weeks ago regarding the honor of being named the latest recipient of the prestigious Lefty Gomez Award from the American Baseball Coaches Association. The annual award was to be presented next January and is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to baseball locally, nationally, and internationally.

Anderson texted the following regarding the award: “Humbling honor that is an achievement by an army of people that contributed to the program’s success during my leadership of the Gopher baseball program. Nothing is accomplished by one individual. I am grateful for all those special relationships that I shared over the years.”

To further detail Anderson’s impact on others, Sports Headliners reached out to individuals via text and email asking for their comments. Their replies about “14” are below:

Charlie Nelson, Gopher baseball player 1991-1994 and leader of KLN Family Brands, a Sports Headliners advertiser

“John Anderson taught me the importance and the value of caring for someone even when they might have nothing to offer up at the time.

“I was a freshman on the baseball team and at the time, I wasn’t providing value as a student, baseball player, or teammate. When John sat me down, I didn’t know what to expect. Instead of telling me that maybe the U of M wasn’t for me…he spent time talking to me about life. He shared some of his own struggles with me and he reminded me that being a student athlete at the U of M was a longer journey than I had mentally prepared for.

“I worked hard over the next few years earning the opportunities he gave me and the patience he had with me when he didn’t need to. John was teaching me lessons about life and leadership before I even knew it. I was beyond fortunate to have played for “14” and to have called John Anderson a good friend.”

Patrick Klinger, former Twins marketing executive and now leader of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival

“John was an exceptional coach and an even better human. We smoked many cigars, raised a few glasses of vino and played numerous rounds of golf together.

“One of my favorite memories was rooming with John on golf trips to Arizona. We’d stay up late in our room discussing life, family, friends and sharing experiences. Funny, I never recall talking baseball with him even though we’d both been in that business.

“He was a special man, and I was honored by his friendship. And when I think of those whom I’d like to emulate, John Anderson is near the very top of that list.”

Joel Maturi, former Gopher athletics director from 2002-2012

“I wish I had something original to say about John Anderson but cannot find the words.

“As I have shared with others, I was an athletic administrator for 40 years and worked with and evaluated many coaches. No one embodied a whole person approach emphasizing the total growth and well-being of those he coached better than John.

“Every person I have spoken to or read comments of on his passing all spoke of his impact on their life, not baseball. It is what John believed his mission was and no one did it better.”

Bill Robertson, former sports executive including with the Minnesota Wild

“Coach John Anderson (14) was more than just a baseball coach at the University of Minnesota for so many seasons. He was a mentor of mine, relationship-builder and most importantly a caring husband and father.

“His knowledge of the environment in college baseball was off the charts. He saw things others could not (do) in developing talent. He knew the limitations and climate of playing college baseball in the Upper Midwest.

“John taught me a lot about being professional and how to treat others. Even players who did not play much for him still revere him as he was honest and upfront while truly caring about their future.

“If my son wanted to play college baseball, I would want him to play for John.”

Comments Welcome

Smith’s Vikings Decision May Come in About 3 Weeks

Posted on July 22, 2026July 22, 2026 by David Shama

With the Vikings opening training camp in a few days, the Harrison Smith watch will prompt even more attention from fans and media. Will the 37-year-old safety and 14-year-veteran play another season in Minneapolis?

Smith and the Vikings leadership have been quiet about his future. A former leader with NFL front offices who knows about Smith and Viking head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to Sports Headliners about the situation.

While acknowledging he doesn’t know if Smith will retire or join the team in training camp, he believes both Smith and O’Connell know what the decision is. “They’re just not saying,” the source said.

“…I suspect he’ll come back for one more year, but it wouldn’t surprise me either way,” he added.

The source believes if there is a return, Smith will be back in time for the two joint practices with the Ravens August 19 and 20. The Vikings will host the Ravens for scrimmages at TCO Performance Center, prior to their August 22 preseason home game against the Baltimore-based team.

Those practices are important to Minnesota’s preparation for the regular season and the authority referred to them as a “tipping point” during training camp.

The authority, who personally hopes Smith will play at least another season, said it’s clear to him that the Vikings want the six-time Pro Bowler to return, and that despite his age the veteran is still more than capable of playing at a high level. “I think they need him back. I think they’re a little thin at quality safeties.”

Smith is still athletic and able to run with younger rivals. Those skills haven’t deserted him like others who are moving toward their late 30’s.

And then there’s Smith’s high IQ for the game. He’s a defensive professor on the field knowing where to line up and getting his teammates adjusted if necessary. He can jump around and move before the snap, confusing and discombobulating quarterbacks. He’s a football encyclopedia with his knowledge of tendencies and rival players.

Smith may decide he’s still too interested and healthy to retire from the game he enjoys so much. The source wouldn’t rule out even another season in 2027.

“Hard to say. Probably but maybe not. If he plays healthy, stays healthy, I could see him continuing. I know he loves the game and I know he loves O’Connell and (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores.”

If retirement is the decision the factors could start with family. Smith is married with small children. He may decide he’s had a healthy and fulfilling career, and it’s just time to retire.

“He’s definitely a Hall of Famer,” the source said.

Worth Noting

NBA teams often build their rosters to compete with high impact individuals on other clubs who are championship caliber. And now there is a pattern going on in the Western Conference:

Monster talented Victor Wembanyama, 7-4 and 22 years old, has the attention of rivals with a window that has him as a possible league MVP annually and his Spurs team in the hunt for an NBA championship each year.

The 2025 NBA champion Thunder counter with Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren who is 7-1 and 24 years old. And in this year’s NBA Draft it looked like anti-Wemby strategy adding 7-3 Aday Mara who is 21.

The Lakers are rebuilding their roster including with the addition of 7-2 Walker Kessler, also 24. He was drafted by the Timberwolves in 2022, and was part of the trade that brought Rudy Gobert to Minneapolis. Gobert, 34, is 7-1 and is an annual contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Now the Wolves could be grooming 7-3, 20-year-old center Rocco Zikarsky as a “Wemby Weapon.” The Bulls took him in the second round of the 2025 draft, then traded him to the Wolves where he played in five games last season. The Australian native averaged 2.8 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Arlene and Dick Jonckowski in their sports memorabilia-filled basement.

Minnesota funnyman and legendary public address announcer Dick Jonckowski celebrated his 60^th wedding anniversary with wife Arlene earlier this year. “The Polish Eagle” told Arlene they should get married in a bathtub and have a “double ring ceremony.”

Jonckowski, who turns 83 in October, treasures a lot of memories including the PA work at the first game played at Target Field when the Golden Gophers hosted Texas Tech before the Twins opened the new stadium. At Met Center he was once a last-minute replacement for the Harlem Globetrotters PA voice who was ill.

The other day Jonckowski recalled that famous St. Paul newspaper sportswriter Don Riley struggled remembering names, but recognized faces. His go to introduction with two people who were strangers was this: “Tiger, meet Ace. Ace, meet Tiger.”

There’s ongoing local interest in securing a National Women’s Soccer League team for Minneapolis-St. Paul. Craig Leipold has ownership not only in the Wild but is the principal investor in the new Minnesota volleyball team that debuts next year in Major League Volleyball, and he has a stake in the Twins.

Leipold is on record about this being an attractive time to buy sports franchises. Interested in a Minnesota NWSL franchise?

“I would never say never, but its never been presented to me,” Leipold told Sports Headliners. “So, I haven’t really thought much of it. So, I’d have to see what the opportunity is.”

Sunshine and warm temperatures figure to allow the 3M Open July 20-26 to go on without interruption at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler makes his 3M debut and will draw ticket buyers. Kurt Kitayama, 2025 winner, tries to become the first player to win back-to-back in the eight-year history of the 3M.

Nobody in the local media is more associated with golf than KFAN afternoon radio host Dan Cole. “The Common Man” is not only an avid player and reporter but also was declared long ago by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura as the state’s ambassador of golf.

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