Wild – Page 54 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Age in Footrace with CB Newman

Posted on May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 by David Shama

A Tuesday notes column including a former teammate’s perspective on ageless Terence Newman, and speculation about who the state’s most coveted 2019 prep football recruit will choose for college tonight.

That was no golden parachute the Vikings gave the 39-year-old cornerback Newman by re-signing him. He started seven of 16 regular season games last year, and could even be a regular again.

“Oh, for sure,” said Ben Leber. “There’s definitely a little bit of a step that he’s lost, but he’s still better than 80 percent of the rookies and the young guys out there.”

Leber, the retired Vikings’ linebacker who provides analysis during team radio broadcasts, played with Newman at Kansas State where the former Wildcat was also a track star. Leber estimates his former teammate still has “90 percent” of his top football speed.

Newman’s 15 years of experience allows him to mentor other defensive backs, and to use his knowledge most effectively for his own benefit. “His mind is invaluable as far as leadership…(he also) puts himself in the right position,” Leber said. “You watch the way he plays the game now. He’s so precise with his angles. He knows exactly where the receivers are going to end up.”

Newman is returning for his fourth season with Minnesota. He has the most career interceptions (42) among active NFL players and is the oldest active defensive player in the league. He has participated in 47 games with the Vikings, making 33 starts.

It wouldn’t surprise Leber if the Vikings and Newman agree on another contract a year from now. He describes Newman as “a machine,” while acknowledging people may kid the veteran about playing at such an advanced age.

“If you’re 39 going on 40 and you still have sweet hips like he does, no, you’re not old,” Leber said. “It’s fun to rib him about it because it just doesn’t happen in our league. But he’s definitely put himself in position to earn that, keep doing it and to keep collecting checks—and to keep chasing that (first Super Bowl) championship.”

Sounds like Edina’s Quinn Carroll will announce Notre Dame as his college choice tonight on KARE 11. The offensive tackle is among the most sought after prep players in the country for the class of 2019 and he has shown considerable interest in the Golden Gophers, but I will be surprised if Carroll doesn’t verbally commit to the Fighting Irish during the 10 p.m. newscast of the Minneapolis NBC affiliate.

“I would be absolutely flabbergasted if it’s not the Notre Dame Fighting Irish,” said Ryan Burns of GopherIllustrated.com. “They’ve been the consensus favorite here for many months.”

Burns believes Notre Dame’s football prestige and the Catholic focus of the school favors an ultimate commitment for the Irish. “It also doesn’t hurt that Notre Dame just had two offensive linemen go in the top nine picks of the NFL Draft, while Minnesota hasn’t had an offensive lineman drafted since 2006,” Burns said.

Carroll’s dad, Jay, was a tight end for the Gophers and named the team’s Outstanding Offensive Player in 1983. Burns estimates the younger Carroll has visited the Minnesota campus more than 10 times since Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck was hired in January of 2017. “It’s not every day you see a guy keep coming back to campus…and not end up choosing the University of Minnesota,” Burns said about so many unofficial visits.

Burns predicts the Gophers will finish as Carroll’s No. 2 choice. As of late the Gophers have been “bridesmaids” on high profile recruits including Council Bluffs, Iowa quarterback Max Duggan who chose TCU.

Fleck received good news recently when the NCAA granted medical redshirts to two of his more promising young players. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and wide receiver Demetrius Douglas, both 19, have been given additional eligibility following injuries last season. Winfield will be a redshirt sophomore next season, and Douglas a redshirt freshman.

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said at Sunday’s Minnesota Football Honors Awards that coach Mike Zimmer wanted to use the team’s first round draft choice on an offensive tackle but Spielman and the scouting department opted for cornerback Mike Hughes.

Jake Wieneke, the free agent wide receiver from Maple Grove signed after the NFL Draft by the Vikings, prompts comparisons with Adam Thielen but Wieneke had a much more impressive college career. Wieneke was named to All-America teams all four seasons at South Dakota State and is the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-time leader in career receptions and receiving yards. Detroit Lakes native Thielen, who was signed as a free agent by the Vikings in 2013, has become one of the NFL’s better wide receivers but in college at Minnesota State his highest honor was being named All-Northern Sun Conference South Division as a senior.

A source close to the Wild told Sports Headliners there probably isn’t anyone within the organization that will fit the candidate pool to possibly become owner Craig Leipold’s next general manager.

Former North Star and ex-Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton is interested in the position. He said on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” on Sunday that he has spoken with Leipold.

Former Sharks and Kings executive Dean Lombardi, with ties to the old North Stars, might be another name to follow.

While Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was let go last week, it appears head coach Bruce Boudreau will return for a third season. No NHL coaches were fired during the regular season for the first time since the 1960s.

Kevin Gorg, the Fox Sports North reporter on Wild and Twins games, will be sharing his wagering expertise again this year at Canterbury Park which opens for live racing Friday. He’s sold a $2 tip sheet at the Shakopee racetrack for years.

Not a good start for new Twins pitching coach Garvin Alston whose staff has an American League second worst ERA of 5.29. Dating back to last Friday’s first game of the homestand, the Twins have given up 30 runs in four games.

The inaugural Cretin-Derham Hall Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet will be May 17 at the University of St. Thomas. Matt Birk, Joe Mauer and Chris Weinke are among those who will be inducted.

Early birthday wishes: Lynx point guard and Gopher women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen turns 36 on May 9.

Comments Welcome

Nanne: Fletcher Did ‘Hell of a Job’

Posted on April 24, 2018April 24, 2018 by David Shama

Nobody in Minnesota has more experience in the NHL than Lou Nanne, 76, the former Minnesota North Stars coach, GM and president. With rumors circulating the last few days, Nanne wasn’t surprised to hear Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was fired Monday, a move he doesn’t agree with.

Prior to last season owner Craig Leipold said anything short of winning the Stanley Cup would be a disappointment. The Wild was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Jets Friday. While Minnesota is one of only three NHL teams to make the playoffs during the last six years, the Wild has advanced beyond the first round only twice during the time Fletcher has been in charge.

Nanne told Sports Headliners that when measured against the skills a GM needs like knowing personnel and how players contribute, Fletcher was more than successful. “Chuck did a hell of a job. I mean when you make the playoffs six years in the National Hockey League, you’re doing something right. Don’t ever kid yourself.

“St. Louis was an excellent team last year. Look at them, they missed the playoffs this year. Take a look at Los Angeles. Since they won the Cup (2014), I think they won one playoff game.

“Take a look at how many Cup winners don’t get back, and don’t make the playoffs for years after. There’s a lot of them.

“These guys (Wild ownership), I don’t think they understand how good a job the Wild has done to make the playoffs six years in a row. It’s a hard thing to do. You do it two years in a row (2017 and 2018) for 100 points (during the regular season), that’s tough. …

“Everybody wants to win the Stanley Cup. …Not an easy job.”

The new general manager will inherit a team stuck in the same annual performance gear. There are salary issues to confront and aging payers to make decisions about. There are also promising young ones like Joel Eriksson and Jordan Greenway.

Would a new GM want to let his franchise get worse before it gets better, by clearing out personnel and contracts. With losing comes better positioning in the draft and sometimes improved payroll flexibility.

Nanne said, “I wouldn’t have let him go. I am a fan of Chuck. I’d give him the opportunity if you want to tear it down and build it back up again. The fact is you almost gotta be bad before you’re good.”

Nanne said Leipold might pursue Predators’ assistant GM Paul Fenton to become only the third GM in franchise history. The two built a working relationship when Leipold was owner of the Predators before buying the Wild.

Leipold’s official statement was gracious toward Fletcher but the owner made it clear aspirations for the franchise aren’t changing. “I want to thank Chuck Fletcher for his substantial contributions to our franchise over the past nine years,” Leipold said. “Through his strong work ethic, integrity and vision, Chuck and his staff built a winning culture and a perennial playoff team. For all of that I am grateful.

“I feel it is time for a new approach aimed at delivering a Stanley Cup to the deserving fans of the State of Hockey. I wish Chuck and his family the very best going forward.”

Worth Noting

It appears guard Payton Willis saw a crowded and talented roster at Vanderbilt, and decided on transferring to Minnesota. The Commodores have one of the nation’s top recruiting classes for 2018. Willis was a reserve his first two seasons at Vanderbilt and after sitting out next season will have two more years of eligibility with Minnesota.

The 6-4 Willis started four games as a sophomore and five as a freshman for Vandy, averaging about five points per game both seasons. The Gophers have experience and depth issues with their guard roster for next season and 2019-2020.

ESPN college basketball authority Fran Fraschilla has a prediction about the Gophers next season: “I thought Jordan Murphy was on his way to All-American status this past season. If Amir Coffey takes the next logical step up, (if) Eric Curry comes back healthy and (Dupree) McBrayer can play up to his potential, I think they will be a middle of the pack Big Ten team with a chance to definitely play in the postseason,” Fraschilla told Sports Headliners.

Those four players figure to be starters, along with Isaiah Washington. Coffey and McBrayer were dealing with injuries of varying severity last winter, while Curry missed 2017-18 after preseason knee surgery.

An optimistic note about Minnesota is Big Ten leaders Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State could all take a step back after losing personnel. “I don’t expect any of the top four teams to be as good as they were this past season but they still all have great tradition,” Fraschilla said.

When Fraschilla saw the Gophers play last fall, before the Reggie Lynch suspension and Coffey’s shoulder injury, he thought the Gophers were a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 team for the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

Fraschila has been following Rochester John Marshall five-star forward power Matthew Hurt who will be a senior for the Rockets next season and is one of the most coveted recruits nationally in the class of 2019. “He’s definitely in the top 15 players in the country, without a doubt,” Fraschilla said. “He’s a big kid with really good versatility. He’s got toughness, can play inside or out. He’s destined at some point in time to play in the NBA if everything goes well and he keeps working hard.”

Gopher football players from last year’s team who have shown interest in playing pro football are Adekunle Ayinde, Vincent Calhoun, Jonathan Celestin, Merrick Jackson, Kobe McCrary, Duke McGhee, Steven Richardson, Ryan Santoso, Andrew Stelter, Nate Wozniak and Garrison Wright. A Big Ten authority told Sports Headliners he doesn’t expect any of the players to be taken during the three days this week of the NFL Draft but predicted Santoso as a free agent will earn a job as a punter or perhaps kickoff specialist.

Santoso started his Gopher career as the team’s field goal specialist. He became one of the Big Ten’s best punters, averaging 43 yards his senior season. He also had 17 touchbacks on kickoffs.

The authority also sees possible NFL camp invitations for linebacker Celestin because he runs so well, nose tackle Richardson who despite his short stature is strong, and 6-10 tight end Wozniak. “Everybody is looking for tight ends,” the source said.

As part of an NFL promotion to announce draft picks during the fourth through sixth rounds on Saturday, the Vikings will be at the St. Paul Curling Club where 2018 members of the U.S. Olympic men’s gold medal curling team will help publicize the selections.

Peter King writing yesterday for SI.com predicted the Vikings will take UTEP guard Will Hernandez with their No. 30 selection of the first round on Thursday. Referring to his “surprise” prediction, he wrote that former Chanhassen and Arkansas center Frank Ragnow (not necessarily a projected first rounder) will be chosen No. 27 by the Saints.

Comments Welcome

U Basketball Ticket Sales Jump

Posted on April 22, 2018April 22, 2018 by David Shama

A Sunday notes column including Gopher news and Timberwolves analysis.

The University of Minnesota Athletic Department reported via email to Sports Headliners that as of last Wednesday morning 400 new public season tickets for women’s basketball have been sold since Lindsay Whalen was named head coach on April 12.

As part of a request for information from the University about season ticket sales, it was learned just 13 new tickets had been sold prior to the announcement about Whalen, the former Gopher player and legendary figure in the state. Her presence as the new leader of the program has generated more interest than in a long time.

For the 2017-18 season, 1,338 public season tickets were sold. The Athletic Department is in a renewal period now with existing season ticket holders. With combined renewals and new sales, it seems certain that with the enthusiasm for Whalen the 2018-19 public season ticket totals will exceed the 1,338 total.

Last season, according to figures provided by the Big Ten Conference as of March 27, the Gophers ranked 35th in attendance nationally with a per game average of 3,130 fans at Williams Arena (capacity 14,625.) Purdue, averaging 6,036, led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the country.

Interest in Whalen and support for the Gophers could fade quickly next season if the team isn’t winning. Flip that scenario and Minnesota may have one of its best seasons ever at the box office.

Another opportunity for the Athletic Department to ride the Whalen momentum during the immediate months ahead is with donors. None of the women’s sports at Minnesota, including basketball, are profitable. The department also has a large debt remaining on the new $166 million Athletes Village.

John Anderson, coach of the No. 25 nationally ranked Gophers baseball team, speaks to the CORES lunch group May 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Reservations need to be made by May 7. More information is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

The Timberwolves earned their first playoff win against the Rockets last night because of several factors including being better at three-point shooting than the NBA’s most famous team for that skill. The Wolves made 15 of 27 attempts, 55.6 percent in their 121-105 victory. The Rockets were 15 of 41, 36.6 percent.

The Timberwolves, not known as a fast break team, outscored the Rockets 13 to 2 in that category to narrow Houston’s 2-1 lead in the best of-seven-game series.

Derrick Rose was a super sub last night, scoring 17 points in 21 minutes off the bench—more than any reserve on the Rockets. The Wolves were plus-17 when he was on the floor, best on the team after Jimmy Butler’s plus-19. Butler led Minnesota in scoring with 28 points.

Popular former Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, who management here decided to move on from, had a triple double performance in Salt Lake City last night with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as his Jazz went up 2-1 in its opening playoff series against the Thunder. Fans roared “Rubio!” during perhaps the greatest game of his career.

The 1976 Division III Saint John’s national champions will be honored with the Murray Warmath Legendary Team Award at the 11th annual Minnesota Football Honors Awards Event April 29 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Among the many other award winners will be St. Thomas alum and former Gopher athletic director Mark Dienhart who will receive the Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award. Minnesota Vikings award winners haven’t been announced.

Generation gap: Grant, who turns 91 next month, joined Star Tribune columnist Sid Hartman, 98, for lunch last week with new Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, 29.

Grant will hold another annual garage sale at his Bloomington home May 16-18.

New Gopher men’s basketball assistant coach Rob Jeter’s dad, the late Bob Jeter, was a great halfback at Iowa and was MVP in the 1959 Rose Bowl. Jeter played defensive back for the Green Bay Packers and coach Vince Lombardi in the 1960s.

The Vikings will select Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams with the 30th pick in the first round of Thursday night’s NFL Draft, according to the April 23 issue of Sports Illustrated. In its mock draft the magazine predicts the Browns, with the No. 1 overall choice, will choose Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen.

Wonder what Wild owner Craig Leipold is thinking after his team’s dismal first round playoff elimination in five games to the Jets? Injuries in 2017-18, including in the playoffs, were a problem, but before the season Leipold said anything short of winning the Stanley Cup would be a disappointment.

The Wild struggled offensively for much of the series and were shut out in the last two games. Wing Zach Parise led the club in goals with three even though he missed the last two games with a fractured sternum.

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