Wild – Page 65 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

U Quarterbacks Redshirt Candidates

Posted on April 8, 2016April 8, 2016 by David Shama

At the Gophers’ Spring Football Game tomorrow fans will be curious to watch highly hyped quarterbacks Demry Croft and Seth Green.

Croft, a sophomore next fall, and Green, a freshman, have received a lot of attention from coaches this spring with starting quarterback Mitch Leidner not participating in drills or scrimmages after left foot surgery late last year. Conor Rhoda, a junior next season and a quarterback who was a walk-on, has also taken plenty of snaps with new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson watching.

Johnson’s hope is Leidner, the Gophers’ starter last season, will not only have a school-record breaking season but also be healthy all season. That will allow a plan where Green or Croft could be redshirted, perhaps even both. Rhoda has already used his redshirt season.

Johnson replied “absolutely” when asked about his interest in redshirting either Green or Croft. That decision is months away, though. For now Johnson continues to evaluate his roster of quarterbacks including Green, who graduated early from high school to enroll this winter at Minnesota, and Croft who played in three games last season as a true freshman.

Johnson told Sports Headliners Croft’s experience has provided him with an edge compared to Green but he’s been impressed with the freshman and former four-star recruit who played his senior year of high school football in Texas after gaining so much attention as a junior and sophomore at East Ridge High School in Woodbury.

“He’s done a tremendous job mentally,” Johnson said about Green last week. “…I tried to throw a bunch of things at him this spring to kind of see what might stick and where we need to go, and I am really, really pleased with that.”

When former Gophers coach Jerry Kill signed Croft to a National Letter of Intent he described the three-star Illinois recruit as a “steal.” He praised Croft’s athleticism and ability to run. Observers see similar skills in Green and one of the two appears on track to succeed Leidner in 2017 as the starter.

“I think they both have a good skill set,”Johnson said. “There’s things we need to work on but I think the future is bright at that position. With Mitch’s situation, they have certainly had a lot of opportunity this spring and that’s good because we’re putting them in situations where they need to grow and learn from. …I think they’re both growing a lot. I think they have a bright future.”

Johnson believes the “ceiling is unlimited” for Leidner and that his redshirt senior quarterback can rank among the best in the Big Ten. “The other thing that he’s got is guys want to play for him,” Johnson said. “He has that passion, that leadership, and I think he can command a huddle and how it needs to be commanded. I think that carries dividends more than anything.”

Leidner has played in 35 games for the Gophers and started 29. He has rushed for 1,129 career yards and 23 career touchdowns (second most in school history for a quarterback), and passed for 5,118 yards (sixth most for the Gophers) and 28 touchdowns (eighth most). He ranks fifth all-time in completion percentage (56.4), sixth in completions (407) and is tied for sixth in attempts (722).

Leidner won’t play in tomorrow’s Spring Game at TCF Bank Stadium but he is hoping for the medical okay to have few restrictions later this spring and summer. Last year he credited participation in the well-known Manning Passing Academy with helping him improve his skills. In June he and other college quarterbacks will be back at the academy in Louisiana learning from the Mannings while also serving as instructors for younger players.

“It’s pretty tough. We’re working 8 in the morning until 9 o’clock at night,” Leidner said. “We do three practices with these kids, coaching them up. Then in between each practice you’re getting your workout in with the Mannings and other college quarterbacks there. I am looking forward to it. It’s a good time.”

To put less stress on his foot, Leidner has lost weight from last season. He has dropped more than 15 pounds and joked about less frequent visits to near campus restaurant Manning’s where he likes the burgers and fries.

Gophers redshirt senior offensive tackle Jonah Pirsig said the culture is different now than when Matt Limegrover was coaching the line. Bart Miller is the team’s new line coach. “It’s just a lot more intense,” Pirsig said. “He expects a lot more from you. He doesn’t allow for you to take a play off, ever. He’s all about finishing.

“I think we get a lot more out of practice. We’re not standing around at all. From what we’ve seen on tape, a lot more guys on the ground on defense, which is a good thing for us. So it’s all about being more physical.”

That seems like the right approach in the Big Ten’s West Division where the Gophers compete against teams like Iowa and Wisconsin, programs that annually build their offensive success on productive running games. Pirsig said Miller has shown his players film of other teams including Wisconsin and the Gophers from earlier this century when runners like Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney were among the most productive in the country. “I think we’ll (the offensive line) have a really good year, this year.”

Pirsig said each season the Gophers consider every game on the schedule “winnable” and 2016 will be no different. “Our goal is to be in Indianapolis in December and I think we can do that,” he said referring to the Big Ten Football Championship Game site.

Worth Noting

The Gophers’ Spring Game is scheduled to begin about 12:45 p.m. Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Admission is free and there will free mini-footballs given to kids, plus other activities.

This will be a special year for the 27th annual Bruce Smith Golf Classic at Faribault Golf Club. The fundraising event benefits three Faribault schools and honors Bruce Smith who won the 1941 Heisman Trophy playing for the Gophers 75 years ago this fall. More information about participating in the golf event and attending the dinner is available by e-mailing Bruce Krinke, contact@fctv10.org.

It seems likely the Vikings will set an all-time attendance record for a preseason game in Minneapolis August 28. The Vikings and Chargers will play the first NFL game ever in the new U.S. Bank Stadium that night. Official football capacity in the stadium is 66,200 and demand for tickets figures to be extraordinary.

Representatives from the Wild including players Charlie Coyle and Mikael Granlund were among the supporters attending a tribute event to the Hendrickson Foundation last night at the Fallon Worldwide offices in downtown Minneapolis. The foundation helps make it possible for disabled individuals to play hockey and is supporting nearly 100 teams. Among those being assisted are children and military veterans.

Mike Max’s “Life to the Max” show on WCCO TV will offer a feature on the Hendrickson Foundation Saturday night. The program begins at 11:05 p.m.

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Vikes Need WR, Kill Praises Doctson

Posted on April 1, 2016April 1, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings might count their blessings on draft night if Josh Doctson is available. “I’d take him in the first round if I wanted a guy that could make plays,” Jerry Kill told Sports Headliners this week.

The former TCU wide receiver could be available when the Vikings use the No. 23 pick in the first round of the April 28 NFL Draft. Speculation is the Vikings will use a selection in the early rounds to improve their wide receivers roster and hopefully acquire someone who becomes a big time playmaker.

When Kill coached the Gophers against TCU, his team had to contend with the 6-2, 202-pound Doctson. He was TCU’s leading receiver in two wins over Minnesota, catching 14 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s a freak of nature, a great player,” Kill said. “Great hands. He catches the deep ball as good as you can get it done. He’s special at going up in getting the ball. He’ll block you. He runs really, really well. Just a very, very good athlete that can make plays.”

Doctson impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine this winter and projects as one of the first wide receivers to be drafted. He might be chosen between No. 16 and No. 26 in the first round, depending on what various NFL teams are looking for to fill roster needs.

While draft authorities believe Doctson could be the Vikings’ first selection, the team needs help in the offensive line too. A probable candidate is former Ohio State tackle Taylor Decker who Kill also faced during his time as Gophers coach.

“Physical, strong, Ohio State lineman,” Kill said. “Well coached. He’s coming from a big time program. Both those guys (Doctson too) are coming from programs that are top 10 in the country. They’re going to have some substance to them about being successful.

“They’re coming from two coaches that—Gary Patterson (TCU) coaches people hard and so does Urban (Meyer, OSU) in a good way. They hardened them, and I think they get those kids ready to play in the NFL.”

The 6-7, 310-pound Decker projects more as a right tackle than a left, where better arm length and athleticism are needed against edge pass rushers, according to his profile on NFL.com/draft. His Web page describes him as a strong run blocker, “tough guy” and a potential team leader. That’s the kind of makeup demanding Vikings coach Mike Zimmer values.

Like any potential draft choice, Decker has weaknesses but an anonymous AFC regional scout said this on Decker’s Web page: “I hope you kill this guy because I would love for him to fall to us. He’s strong and tough. You can beat him up with this or that, but he’ll be a long-time starting right tackle in the league for years.”

Worth Noting

Kill has a busy schedule while living at his lake home in Illinois. He is a consultant for Miami of Ohio coach Chuck Martin and Southern Illinois coach Nick Hill. He is also involved with public speaking and appearances, although the University of Minnesota has yet to schedule him as an independent contractor.

Kill will see many of his friends tonight at the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Clinic at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park. Kill helped line up Arkansas coach Bret Bielema as the featured speaker for this evening.

The March 28 issue of Sports Illustrated includes the magazine’s 2016 MLB predictions. The Twins will finish last in the AL Central with a 74-88 record, per S.I. Last season the club was 83-79 and finished second in the division. What’s going on? S.I. quotes a rival scout who said the team is improving but the big problem is the Twins are in a “tough, tough division.”

The magazine has doubts about the club’s starting pitching—the depth and quality. The fifth starter, for example, looks like Ricky Nolasco who had a 6.75 ERA in eight starts last season. “If Ricky Nolasco is in their rotation, then their rotation stinks,” the scout said.

The Twins need an ace and Ervin Santana, who missed part of last season while suspended, looks like the best candidate among the starters. But the ace label may go unclaimed for awhile with hopes Jose Berrios can fulfill his promise. The 21-year-old right hander is starting the season in the minors but looks like a lock to be part of the rotation this summer or next. The Twins need power pitching and Berrios not only has a 2.98 ERA in four minor league seasons but has struck out more batters than innings pitched.

Former North Star Tom Reid believes the surging Wild are better than a year ago on this date. The Wild, with four games remaining in the regular season, have won six of their last seven games and look playoff bound.

Reid, who has been the team’s radio analyst since the franchise’s first season in 2000-2001, has a couple of reasons for believing the 2016 team is better. “Most of these guys have another year of experience with this hockey club,” he told Sports Headliners Wednesday. “The other part is I think their defense is much more mobile for this year with all three sets of defensemen they’ve been using.”

Last year the Wild advanced to the second round of the playoffs before being swept by the Blackhawks. Reid, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, won’t make predictions about the Wild’s playoff fate this year. He said playoff forecasting is unsure for various reasons including whether teams are coping with injuries and how opponents match up against them.

Asked about players—in addition to the team’s big names—who haven’t received enough credit for the Wild’s recent success, Reid mentioned Charlie Coyle, Matt Dumba, Nino Niederreiter, Erik Haula and Mike Reilly. “Those are some of the guys that have really stepped up,” Reid said.

The Wild replaced coach Mike Yeo earlier this year with John Torchetti. Reid has praise for both men.

“You won’t find a guy who works harder than Mike Yeo. He will be back (some day) in the NHL. I think he has learned a lot…what it takes (to coach in the league)…but his voice wasn’t being heard by the players, for whatever reason. Sometimes players…sulk when things aren’t going the way they want them to go. They want to control everything.

“But I think a new voice coming here with Torch (helped). I liked him because he’s kind of like a blue-collar coach. He’s in their (the players) face. He’s right to them when they come off the ice and they’ve made a good play, and also when they make a bad play. He wants them to understand right away that this is not acceptable—here’s what I want you to do.

“He’s one of those guys that will step right in and not be afraid to take charge. He’s shown that by just his benching of some of the players. …I think he’s given our guys a little bit of confidence in themselves too. He uses the word trust all the time. Trusting each other. I think that’s what the team is doing right now.”

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‘Wally the Beer Man’ Keeps Pouring

Posted on March 30, 2016April 1, 2016 by David Shama

“Wally the Beer Man,” 81, has been hawking beer at various Minneapolis and St. Paul venues since 1970, but something is different this winter and spring. When Wally McNeil returns to his Plymouth home from the Xcel Energy Center after selling beer at Minnesota Wild games, Joyce McNeil, his wife for 28 years, isn’t there to greet him.

Joyce passed away on January 25 at age 85 from heart problems. An empty house can’t be very welcoming to Minnesota’s favorite beer vendor. To help deal with sadness Wally has sold beer at almost every Wild game this season.

Wally and Joyce met while employed at Twin City Wholesale Drug. She worked in city desk sales; he was vice president of operations. They were married June 23, 1988.

Joyce wasn’t a passionate sports fan but attended games when Wally was selling beer in the stands. About 16 years ago Joyce and Wally got into horse racing ownership at Canterbury Park. The couple bought race horses with Canterbury owner Curtis Sampson. Over the years the McNeils owned more than a dozen horses but none more successful than Wally’s Choice, whose lifetime earnings at the Shakopee racetrack and elsewhere are the second highest ever for a Minnesota bred.

Wally’s Choice was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame last year. Wally attended the ceremony but Joyce’s health kept her away. The Hall of Fame recognition brightened Joyce’s spirits. “She was excited,” Wally said.

During baseball season Wally will again be a celebrity beer seller at Sneaky Pete’s downtown and on special event dates at Canterbury Park he will also be selling beer. What’s his favorite brew?

“A cold one that somebody else pays for,” he answered.

Although he didn’t need the money and still doesn’t, Wally started selling beer at the Minneapolis Auditorium in 1970 for attractions like professional wrestling. He enjoyed being around people at various events. Customers liked him, too—drawn to his deep voice and friendly manner.

For decades part of the fun at a Twins game was buying a beer from Wally. His association with Target Field ended several years ago, though, after he and other beer sellers were targeted in a sting operation involving sales to underage drinkers. A Hennepin County jury found him not guilty, but Wally has chosen not to work anymore at Target Field.

Wally will turn 82 in August but has no plans to stop selling beer. He has no health issues after triple bypass heart surgery in 2009. “My blood pressure is 110 over 66,” he said.

Some Minnesota retirees move to Florida. Others sit in rocking chairs on their porches. Wally, a fit 6-2, 210 pounds, just keeps going as the king of Minnesota beer vendors.

“As long as the good Lord lets me,” he said. “One day at a time.”

Worth Noting

Former Gophers All-American safety Tyrone Carter is working with potential 2016 NFL draft choices including cornerback Rashard Robinson who Carter said is a first round talent but likely to be selected in the third round. Carter operates the Tyrone Carter Elite Training Schools in the Twin Cities and Robinson is from Carter’s prep alma mater, Ely High School in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Robinson’s playing time at LSU was reduced because of a suspension for violation of team rules. The 6-3, 177-pound player is gifted but Carter said his pupil will not go in the first round because of his off-field “baggage.” Carter, who won the Jim Thorpe Award at Minnesota honoring the nation’s best college defensive back, said Robinson had the skills to also win the award. “He is a talented young kid for his size,” Carter said.

Varmah Sonie, who is from Burnsville and was a senior cornerback for Northern Iowa in 2012, is also receiving instruction from Carter. Sonie hopes to join an NFL team as a free agent. Carter is also working with former Gophers David Cobb (Titans running back) and Ra’Shede Hageman (Falcons defensive tackle).

An announcement soon seems likely that the Vikings will name Adrian Peterson, who led the NFL in rushing last season, as their 2015 MVP. The Vikings will honor team award winners in multiple categories including MVP at the Hilton Minneapolis April 17. That evening the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame hosts its 9th annual Minnesota Football Honors event. See the March 16 Sports Headliners for more about the event that also honors high school scholar-athletes.

Spring football continues this week for the Gophers with two practices open to the public scheduled at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex. Practice tomorrow (Thursday) begins at 3:45 p.m. and activities Saturday start at 11 a.m. (A Gophers spokesman e-mailed that practice locations can be switched to TCF Bank Stadium. Fans can check for updates on Twitter @GopherFootball.)

The Wild, with five games remaining to make the playoffs, may catch a weary opponent tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center when playing the Senators. Ottawa plays at Winnipeg tonight before travelling to St. Paul. The Wild have won six consecutive games after last night’s victory over the Blackhawks.

Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald Jr. will again honor his mom, the late Carol Fitzgerald, at an April 8 fundraising dinner and celebration at the Minneapolis Event Center (St. Anthony Main). His mom passed away in 2003 and the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund was established to assist charitable causes important to her. Guests at next month’s Carol’s Night will include Fitzgerald and ESPN’s Josina Anderson. VIP ticket guests receive photo opportunities with Fitzgerald, the nine-time Cardinals NFL pro bowler. More information is available by calling 612-770-4575.

Monday’s announcement the Lynx will play a preseason game in Rochester on May 8 prompts speculation the WNBA team might play more exhibitions at the Mayo Civic Center in 2017 and beyond. The Lynx have a multi-year partnership with the Rochester-based Mayo Clinic. The Lynx haven’t played a game in Rochester since 2003 and no doubt will be interested in gauging fan response this spring. The defending WNBA champion team will play the Mystics in a Sunday game beginning at 4 p.m.

Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen joins commentators Dave Benz and Jim Petersen tonight on the Fox Sports North telecast of the Timberwolves-Clippers game from Target Center. Whalen is the Lynx franchise record holder in assists (1,072), and ranks third all-time in the WNBA for career assists (2,033). She is one of six players in WNBA history with 3,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists. The Minnesota native starts her 12th WNBA season this spring, seventh with the Lynx.

The St. Thomas men’s basketball team will be honored for their NCAA Division III national championship prior to the Timberwolves game. Earlier this month the Tommies won their second national title in the past six years.

Bill Robertson, WCHA commissioner, e-mailed his league is represented by 33 current or former players at the women’s International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships that started Monday and continues through April 4 in Kamloops, British Columbia. Annie Pankowski from the Badgers and Lee Stecklein of the Gophers will compete for the United States and are among 11 student-athletes who played during the 2015-2016 college season. Pankowski will be a junior at Wisconsin next season, while Stecklein will be a senior at Minnesota.

Author Patrick Mader’s official book launch is tomorrow (Thursday) for “Minnesota Gold: Conversations with Northland Athletes Competing on the World Stage.” Mader’s book profiles 57 Minnesotans, including past Olympians, and details their lives and accomplishments. His event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Braemar Golf Club in Edina, with a program at 7 p.m. Seven of the Minnesota athletes from the book are expected to attend: Trina Radke (swimming), Tami and Toni Jameson (team handball), Jim Mastro (wrestling), Mark Lutz (track), Van Nelson (track), and Janet Gerhauser (pairs figure skating). More at Patrickmader.com.

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