Wild – Page 15 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Don’t Bet Against Kirk Cousins Comeback

Posted on January 30, 2024 by David Shama

Kirk Cousins had serious but successful surgery on his right Achilles tendon almost three months ago. At age 35, there is reason to be concerned about future performance by the Vikings’ soon to be free agent quarterback regardless of who he plays for next season.

How will his on-field mobility be? Hardly a turf-field dancer during his 12 season NFL career, a more limited Cousins could be a stationary target and easy prey in the pocket next fall. That status would make Cousins less productive and potentially prone to injuries including a concussion. Best case scenario might be okay maneuverability next season, with improvement the year after.

There is also a possibility of re-injury to the Achilles. That development would almost assuredly end Cousins’ career which other than last fall has been one of good fortune and durability. Even a less than stable right leg could lessen Cousins’ trademark arm strength.

Advances in surgery and rehabilitation have changed the outcomes of serious lower leg injuries for NFL players. The greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, recovered from ACL knee surgery in 2008 and played 14 more seasons. Adrian Peterson, the Vikings GOAT RB, injured his left knee in late 2011 and recovered from ACL surgery to have one of his best seasons in 2012.

However, Achilles tendon surgery is generally considered more problematic than ACL knee surgery for a football player. Rams’ running back Cam Akers, though, made a recovery in less than six months a couple of years ago, shaving multiple months off his scheduled return to the field. Reports now on the recovery by Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers after his 2023 Achilles tendon surgery are cheery and basketball players like Kevin Durant also have success stories following the potential career-threatening injury.

Cousins is a high character athlete who will follow advice and instruction at a GOAT level. He will use intelligence, common sense, work ethic and determination to provide himself with the best possible recovery outcome. He told NBC a while ago he expects to go from walking to jogging by February 1.

Cousins built his reputation as a top-twelve NFL quarterback on his strong arm, accuracy and football intelligence. Never considered a scrambling or running threat, Cousins does need to achieve mobility and lower body strength similar to the past to make his comeback successful. It’s reasonable–with no guarantees—to think of a recovery timeline that allows him to be on the field when the NFL schedule starts up next September.

Don’t bet against him regardless of where he calls home later in 2024.

Worth Noting

NFC North Division rivals Detroit and Green Bay are reminding Vikings fans of the alternatives in building quarterback success.

The division champion Lions have an eight-year career veteran in Jared Goff. He is similar in experience, league quarterback reputation and skill set to Cousins. The Lions have built an impressive total team and coaching support around Goff that could lead them to a Super Bowl in 2025. The Vikings? Much more of a long shot, although a healthy Cousins and significantly improved defensive personnel would shorten the odds.

The Packers have employed three starting quarterbacks in the last 31 years. The GB way is to identify quarterback potential and develop it. Aaron Rodgers sat for three seasons behind starter Brett Favre. After Rodgers left for the Jets in the 2023 off-season, the Packers turned to Jordan Love who had also been in development for three seasons. Love’s hot finish in his first year as a starter almost got the Packers to the NFC championship game this month.

It’s looking like much-admired Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will not be hired away for a head coaching job. Flores, the Dolphins former head coach, has a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three of its teams that remains unsettled. His return for at least one more season will be a major plus for Minnesota.

Gabriel Gonzalez, 20, the outfielder who the Twins acquired from the Mariners yesterday as one of four players coming to Minneapolis in return for second baseman Jorge Polanco is only 5-10 and 165-pounds, but he has surprising power and could turn out to be the gem of the trade for Minnesota. In 477 at bats in the low minors last year he hit 18 home runs.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, speaking before a gathering of more than 300 at the Minnesota Breakfast Club in Naples, Florida this month, talked candidly about his disappointing team. The Wild currently has 47 points, the second lowest total in the eight-team Central Division and is 5-9 this month including a two-game losing streak.

In the fall Minnesota had been forecast as a solid bet for the playoffs but prospects are iffy now. Breakfast attendee Marshall Tanick emailed Sports Headliners that Guerin said his in-season head coaching hire John Hynes (who replaced Dean Evason) is a “very detailed, very organized guy” who will help players in their preparations and performances.

Positives this season, per Guerin, include 39-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury becoming the second winningest all-time NHL goalie and the play of former Gopher defenseman Brock Faber who is impressing after joining the Wild for two games last spring.

Entertaining storyteller Bob Hagan, who for many years headed the Vikings’ public relations department, is the latest guest on Behind the Game with co-host Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden. Hagan, whose well-known quip at news conferences was “time for two more,” talks on the show about a career that made him one of the NFL’s well-known team communications leaders. https://youtu.be/maTN5BM4c4o.

Condolences to the family and friends of Phil Frerk who passed away from congestive heart failure earlier this month. He coached St. Louis Park girls’ basketball teams to state championships in 1986 and 1990. In retirement, the mild-mannered Frerk helped lead the CORES organization that hosted prominent speakers at luncheon gatherings in Bloomington. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Birthday club: Former Gophers All-American tight end and 1970s Viking Doug Kingsriter turned 74 yesterday, January 29. Authoritative Star Tribune Gopher basketball beat reporter Marcus Fuller celebrated his 45^th birthday last week.

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Cheery 2024 Predictions for Three with Twins Connections

Posted on January 3, 2024January 3, 2024 by David Shama

This could be a year to treasure for Twins ace Pablo López , outfield prospect Walker Jenkins and hometown hero Joe Mauer.

MLB.com authority Anthony Castrovince wrote recently that López is his choice for 2024 American League Cy Young winner. He noted the 27-year-old right-hander pitched a career-high 194 innings in 2023, improved his strikes-walks ratio (struck out 234) and was “awesome” in two postseason starts against the Blue Jays and Astros going 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA. Lopez’s regular season record was 11-8 in 32 starts with a 3.66 ERA.

Castrovince wrote: “…He might have only scratched the surface, because now that he’s added a sweeper that held opponents to a .173 average and .287 slugging percentage, he has a genuine five-pitch mix that could even improve in effectiveness as he gets more comfortable utilizing it. López has the command to do so. If he does, he’s a Cy winner waiting to happen.”

Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis of MLB.com talked about Jenkins on a recent podcast. They predict big things for the 18-year-old who was Minnesota’s No. 1 draft selection last year. Callis believes Jenkins could be the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball for 2024.

The athletic Jenkins is a five-tool player who in coming years could become the Twins’ starter in right field or center field. His impressive swing and power are attributes that often first draw attention, with observers raving about his potential. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Jenkins was taken fifth overall and he might be the steal of last year’s draft.

Jenkins didn’t sign his $7.1 million contract until late July, but he turned heads in the minors and perhaps will play in Double-A this year. His stats last season with two farm system teams included 102 at bats, .362 batting average, three home runs, 21 RBI and a .988 OPS.

Mauer, the St. Paul native who excelled at first base and catcher for the Twins before retiring after the 2018 season, has been tracking well in votes for acceptance into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Select members of the Baseball Writers Association of America do the voting that ended December 31 and votes made public so far indicate there’s strong support for Mauer to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Approximately 400 association members had an opportunity to vote. A candidate must receive 75 percent or more of the votes and Mauer has impressive credentials.

In addition to Mauer’s three batting titles and MVP Award, he was named to six American League All-Star teams, earned five Louisville Slugger Awards and three Rawlings Golden Glove Awards. He is also the only American League catcher ever to win a batting title.

Voting results will be announced beginning at 5 p.m. January 23 on the MLB Network.

Worth Noting

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins continues to progress on rehab from Achilles tendon surgery and NBC reported Sunday night that he expects to go from just walking to jogging by February 1.

Who starts for the Vikings at QB in the final regular season game Sunday in Detroit against the Lions? The prediction here is Nick Mullens because he has played more recently than Josh Dobbs and better than Jaren Hall.

Word has been Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a target for the Vikings in April’s NFL Draft. His passing accuracy might be questionable, and he wasn’t that impressive in the high stakes semifinal playoff win over Alabama Monday night. He looks far from ready to play in the pros and maybe not first round worthy.

A trusted source believes Bethel’s Brian Raabe, who has coached the Royals for 12 seasons and is known for his prowess as a baseball instructor, could be the next head coach replacing legendary John Anderson who is retiring after the 2024 season.

The Gophers, seeking to add experience to their running back roster, have offered a scholarship to Northwestern transfer Anthony Tyus III. As a junior in 2023, he was third on the team in rushing yards with 254 and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. The Portage, Michigan native was an Associated Press first team All-State selection in high school.

That was former Gopher defensive tackle Trill Carter playing for Texas Monday night in the Longhorns’ semifinal playoff game against Washington. He didn’t record any defensive stats but has been a contributor for Texas while participating in 13 of 14 games.

Among Gophers who transferred after 2022, no one was more recognized for his accomplishments with his new team than cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. He was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-American second team and was first team All-Big 12.

Former Gopher edge rusher Austin Booker, who led Kansas with eight sacks for 61 yards, also made first-team All-Big 12. Defensive lineman Gage Keys also transferred from Minnesota to Kansas and played a lot of snaps in 2023 before recently deciding to play for Auburn in 2024.

Running back Trey Potts and wide receiver Dylan Wright were highly visible offensive players for the Gophers before transferring. Potts was fifth for Penn State in rushing with 155 net yards while Wright caught 11 passes for 187 yards at TCU.

Think there will be a little drama November 9 when the Gophers play at Rutgers if their former quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, is playing for the Scarlet Knights?

It might not be widely known but the Gophers weren’t the first college football team from Minnesota to play in a January bowl game when they met Washington in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 1961. This college football bowl season is the 75^th anniversary of St. Thomas’ 1949 trip to the Cigar Bowl in Tampa where the Tommies tied Missouri Valley, 13-13. http://tommiesports.com

The Michigan basketball team the Gophers (10-3) play in Ann Arbor Thursday night is the only Big Ten club with a below .500 record at 6-7. The Wolverines are giving up a conference worst 79.1 points per game. Peacock televises the game starting at 8 p.m.

Hit by injuries, including star forward Kirill Kaprizov and goalie Filip Gustavsson, the Wild has lost three consecutive games and has to find a way not to go on a long losing streak.

In a state where many residents claim Norwegian descent, it’s interesting the Wild’s Mats Zuccarello is one of only eight players from Norway ever to play in the NHL. Norwegian Americans are 13.8 percent of Minnesota’s population, per Worldpopulationreview.com.

The Pelicans, who play the Timberwolves tonight in Minneapolis, are a difficult team for Minnesota when forward Zion Williamson plays. The Pels played last night and it could be Willamson is rested tonight by sitting out the game.

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Owner Made Voice Heard on Wolves Technical Fouls

Posted on December 12, 2023December 16, 2023 by David Shama

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor often wasn’t happy with his underachieving team last season and among the annoyances were too many technical fouls. The Wolves led the NBA in technicals per game (0.7, Teamrankings.com), and had issues with flagrant fouls and ejections. Taylor spoke up about the mess during the offseason.

“Yeah, that was an issue and the coach (Chris Finch) and I talked about it this summer that we had to get that cut down,” Taylor told Sports Headliners. “And my point to him (was) that I think it starts with the coaches. That it’s what they (coaches and players) say to the refs, how they say it to the refs, what the refs expect.

“I said that I don’t think we’ll ever become a championship team unless we cut down the technicals. I…(said) I think the process just doesn’t work that way.

“And by fall I talked to the coach about it again and he said he had taken the time during the summer to address it with the players. And I said when I have my business of basketball meeting with the players—I do every year—did he mind if I brought it up again directly to the players?

“That I just thought it’s something that sets us back, our relationship with the refs, when we complain too much…and things like that, and we should think (about the problem). And everybody was very receptive. I think they all understood it.

“They sounded like they agreed with the coach and myself that it had to be something everybody would work on and try to cut it back. And I think so far—we’re a fourth of the way through the season—I think they’ve done a good job.”

The message got through and the Wolves this season no longer rank among the leaders in team technical fouls per game (Teamrankings.com). This is a more disciplined team on the court and that has contributed to an NBA best 17-5 record. Six of the wins have been by fewer than 10 points, results where the absence of technical fouls for misbehavior can impact the outcome of games.

Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire, knew from his other businesses that leadership sets the tone for organizations. He made it clear to the well-respected Finch (Western Conference Coach of the Month October-November) that “you gotta make it very clear what your expectations are.” He encouraged Finch not to hold back in delivering the message and point out how arguing with the referees “over every play” was holding back team success.

In the past star forward Karl-Anthony Towns has too often let his emotions get the best of him and been a poster boy for whining to the officials. It’s a new KAT this season with improved body language, gestures and facial expressions.

“I would give that credit, most of that credit, to the coach,” Taylor said. “The coach has spent lots of time with KAT with film and looking over what he is doing and how he can adjust and how he can be a better teammate, not just score himself. And I think he has taken it to heart, and I think it has showed up.”

The Wolves, who did finish strong in a playoff series loss to the eventual NBA champion Nuggets, had a 42-20 regular season record in 2022-2023 after being 46-40 the season prior. More had been expected of a team that acquired All-NBA defensive center Rudy Gobert in the summer of 2022. But learning to play with Gobert, a long absence by KAT because of a persistent calf injury, and other issues, wrecked expectations.

The Gobert experiment (giving up a boatload of players and future draft picks) has become a success this season with the 11-year veteran anchoring a Wolves inside defense that’s among the most formidable in the league. He’s been an elite rebounder, too, including last week when he had consecutive 20 rebound games. Taylor sees a Gobert who is in better shape than last year, with more quickness and “spring to his step.”

Mr. Clutch for the Wolves has been 36-year-old point guard Mike Conley whose poise and experience late in games helps deliver big plays and shots. Taylor said the Wolves have known about Conley’s personal reputation of being a high-quality individual since he was at Ohio State.

It wasn’t until last winter, though, that new general manager Tim Connelly made a trade bringing him to the Wolves from the Jazz. Connelly has made moves to upgrade the roster, although during much of last season the acquisition of Gobert looked like a dud and was criticized across the country.

Taylor points out that it’s not only Gobert who has impacted the team but the acquisitions also of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Troy Brown have played key roles. Alexander-Walker has been starting most of the season for the injured Jaden McDaniels, perhaps the team’s best perimeter defender. Brown has made contributions off the bench and starting games recently when team scoring leader Anthony Edwards was injured.

Taylor was asked about the future of Target Center, the Timberwolves home and second oldest arena in the NBA. Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has reportedly met with government officials about renovations to Xcel Energy Center which opened in 2000 and is home to the state’s NHL team. Taylor is selling majority control of the Wolves to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriquez. He sees them taking the leadership on the arena situation.

“Well, the way I’ve handled it so far is I’d told both Alex and Marc this is something they’ve got to get on,” Taylor said. “Get organized and understand how they’re going to go about it. Come up with a plan and start presenting it to the leadership throughout the community.

“ …You gotta persuade people to participate and share in costs and get people to agree. Will it be fix up this one? Or will it be something new? Or whatever it can be?”

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