Wild – Page 79 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Bowl Prospects Dim for Golden Gophers?

Posted on September 30, 2013September 30, 2013 by David Shama

What now for the Golden Gophers?

Passionate Gophers fans had a disappointing day on Saturday when Iowa defeated Minnesota 23-7. It was a game many thought was a likely win because Iowa was coming off a 4-8 season and had lost its opening game to Northern Illinois.

Wrong assumption.

It was suggested here last Friday the Hawkeyes have better personnel than the Gophers. Correct analysis.

The Hawkeyes dominated Minnesota starting with the line of scrimmage where Iowa’s superiority in offensive and defensive linemen was evident from the opening minutes of the game. But the Hawkeyes were better in other positions, too, including linebackers, running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers.

The Gophers came into the game 4-0 and need two more wins to be bowl eligible. Iowa was supposed to be win No. 5, with the Hawkeyes projected among the most likely victims on Minnesota’s Big Ten Conference schedule. Now, with seven league games remaining, all Gophers fans can do is cross their fingers the team can find a couple more wins.

Except for the November 2 game at Indiana, the Gophers will send inferior personnel onto the field in the weeks ahead. And the Hoosiers might be Minnesota’s equal in talent, and will have home field advantage. Assuming a victory against the Hoosiers is a mistake.

The Gophers play at Michigan on Saturday where the shaky but undefeated Wolverines are difficult to defeat. Michigan has had two weeks to prepare for the game. Then the Gophers have their own bye before playing in Evanston on October 19 against one of the best Northwestern teams in years.

Nebraska comes to TCF Bank Stadium on October 26 and the Gophers might have a chance for an upset against a Cornhuskers defense that can be clueless. But don’t count on a win and for sure the Gophers face long odds against Wisconsin at home on November 23 and at Michigan State November 30. A declining Penn State program (the Nittany Lions are at TCF Bank Stadium on November 9) might provide the best opportunity for a win among the remaining opponents.

Reality is the Gophers may fail to qualify for a bowl game. The four wins leading up to the Iowa game were nice but came against the softest nonconference schedule in the Big Ten. UNLV, New Mexico State, Western Illinois and San Jose State — a combined 7 wins and 12 losses for four teams without much personnel. Nobody in the Big Ten had it easier than Minnesota.

That’s the kind of schedule Gophers coach Jerry Kill wants. He’s trying to reshape the talent-poor program he was given in 2011. The plan calls for winning all the nonconference games, finding a couple of league wins and going to a lower level bowl. Extra practices have value but just as important is using a bowl game for a sales tool with recruits, part of the patter the program is improving and will be a winner.

The Gophers are better than two years ago. This is not the same program Kill inherited. The talent is superior, the players are bigger and stronger. They play hard but are often overmatched and out-executed.

It takes time to construct a more competitive roster. Kill has only had two recruiting classes that were the work of him and his assistants. Building a football program is an exercise in not only acquiring skilled players but also increasing total numbers on the roster and putting those players through a process of becoming stronger and more experienced.

The Gophers might surprise their disappointed fans and find a couple more wins this season but even the most optimistic scenario won’t have Minnesota doing much better than last year’s 2-6 Big Ten record. Minnesota hasn’t won half of its conference games since 2005 when the Gophers were 4-4.

Put down 2015 as a possibility for climbing to .500 in the Big Ten. Kill knows what he is doing and the Gophers will be better next year, and the year after. For disappointed Gophers fans that might not represent much encouragement but could be reality.

If you want to rant, don’t direct your comments to Kill. Send them to the school administration. Tell them you want the Gophers to have more resources comparable to the better college football programs including improved practice, academic and training table facilities.

And if you want a little encouragement look at undefeated Northern Illinois’ record this season. The program Kill helped build — led by quarterback Jordan Lynch who Kill recruited and developed — is 2-0 against Big Ten teams. The Huskies are the first Mid-American Conference team in history to have two wins against Big Ten teams in one year.

Just ask Iowa and Purdue.

Worth Noting

A source with knowledge about the Twins organization told Sports Headliners he expects the club to announce today Ron Gardenhire won’t return as manager for 2014. The same source said Paul Molitor could be the team’s new hire.

Don’t expect the Twins to name a successor today if an announcement is made regarding Gardenhire leaving the franchise. If interested, the well-liked Gardenhire is almost certain to be offered a position within the organization if he is no longer the manager. You can be sure Gardenhire’s Twins colleagues and bosses feel bad he finished the season two wins short of 1,000 career victories.

The Twins completed their 2013 season yesterday with a loss to the Indians and a final record of 66 wins, 96 losses. The Twins were also 66-96 last year and 63-99 in 2011. The three year cumulative record, 195 wins, 291 losses, is the worst in Twins history dating back to 1961.

What’s next? Well, from 1997-2000, the Twins’ record was 270 wins, 376 losses. Breaking that record is in play unless the club unexpectedly improves its starting pitching — by a lot.

Average home attendance declined by about 4,000 per game. The season per game averages since Target Field opened in 2010 are: 39,798, 39,112, 34,512 and 30,588.

Adding to the frustration for fans is seeing the success of Twins alums with other teams. Among the achievers in 2013 were outfielder Michael Cuddyer who won the National League batting title with a .324 average and pitcher Francisco Liriano who tied for third in the NL with most wins, 16.

Relief pitchers and ex-Twins Joe Nathan and Grant Balfour were top six finishers in AL saves. Slugger David Ortiz hit 30 home runs and drove in 103 runs, while Carlos Gomez hit 24 home runs and stole 40 bases — painful reminders the Twins had less productive players at designated hitter and center field.

Sports Illustrated offers an NHL preview including power rankings in its September 30 issue. The Wild is ranked No. 6 in the 14 team Western Conference. The Penguins are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference with the Blackhawks No. 1 in the West and the magazine’s choice to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

S.I. chose Wild second year defenseman Jonas Brodin as its “Breakout Player” in the Central Division. “Polished beyond his years in the defensive zone, look for the 20-year-old Brodin’s offensive game to blossom this season,” S.I said.

The new Robbinsdale High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its first honorees from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 18 at Robbinsdale Middle School. The inductees are Dennis Claridge, Don Dale, Verne Gagne, Tom Heinonen, Julian Hook, Len Lilyholm, Tom Loechler, Irv Nerdahl, Larry Peterson, Cindy Sneddon, Randy Sonenfeld and H.W. “Doc” Spurrier.

Robbinsdale High closed in 1982 but the building is still used by the middle school. More information about the hall of fame is available by calling 763-537-3317.

1 comment

Williams Wants to Help Set Legacy at U

Posted on September 6, 2013September 6, 2013 by David Shama

Redshirt freshman tight end Maxx Williams impressed with his blocking and also making a difficult touchdown catch in last week’s Gophers win over UNLV. He hopes the win and his four seasons of eligibility is the beginning of a new era for Minnesota football.

“I want to know I was part of something that became great,” Williams told Sports Headliners. “I think that would be one of the best things that I can do. I helped build that program.”

The 6-4, 254-pound Williams from Waconia High was recruited by other schools including Gophers’ rivals Wisconsin and Iowa but he was never serious about any college but Minnesota. He realized he wanted to help turn around a program that has struggled for decades trying to win Big Ten games.

He also has affection for his home state. “I love it here,” Williams said. “It’s where I always wanted to be.”

Williams’ dad, Brian, played football for the Gophers and so did his uncle, Ron Goetz. His mom, Rochele, was a volleyball player at the U. Those “bloodlines,” as Jerry Kill described them, had the Gophers coach almost gushing about Williams the other day, talking about “great instincts” and the running ability of his 19-year-old tight end.

Williams impressed Gophers quarterback Philip Nelson a few years ago. Nelson’s Mankato West team beat Waconia three consecutive seasons. “He was the whole offense,” Nelson said. “When Waconia was running the ball he was the running back. When they were throwing it he was either the tight end or the quarterback. I’ve known since day one that guy can make plays. I think he’s going to be a big role in this offense.”

Nelson said injuries held Williams back last season but now there is an opportunity for the two to help improve a Gophers offense that often struggled last season and at times against UNLV. Test No. 2 comes tomorrow night in Las Cruces when Minnesota plays at New Mexico State.

Worth Noting

The Aggies better not conclude from scouting the Gophers in the UNLV game that they have seen all of Minnesota’s offense. Nelson said his team “probably showed about 50 percent of the offense” in last week’s opener. “We’re always kind of switching things up running our offense,” he said.

The Gophers may use some no-huddle offense during the season, according to Nelson.

Sophomore Rodrick Williams, who may start tomorrow night at running back in place of the injured Donnell Kirkwood, is nicknamed “Nugget” because he ate so many chicken nuggets on his recruiting trip to Minnesota while in high school. Linebacker James Manuel is nicknamed “Mule” because of his physique.

With Kill declaring Andre McDonald off the team indefinitely, the Gophers are now without three wide receivers who a year ago looked like major contributors for a few seasons. McDonald, A.J. Barker and Devin Crawford–Tufts are no longer with the team.

It’s for certain the Lions will try to exploit the inexperienced Vikings cornerback group including Josh Robinson (two years experience) and Xavier Rhodes (rookie) on Sunday in Detroit. “This is going to be a big week for them (the cornerbacks) but they’ll do a good job,” said Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier. “They’ll be ready.”

Former Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick said yesterday morning on ESPN Radio with hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic that Adrian Peterson had a “stunning” total of 33 runs of 20 yards or more last season. “At best, a team will average 11 or 12 a year,” said Billick, who will provide commentary on the FOX telecast of Sunday’s game.

Peterson, who was NFL MVP for the first time after last season, said yesterday he deserved to win the award earlier in his career.

Former Gopher Keith Ballard believes controversial and aggressive forward Matt Cooke will play a major part in the Wild’s success next season. Ballard told Sports Headliners any grievances Wild players had with Cook in the past will be forgotten in the locker room. Both Cooke and Ballard, a defenseman who contributed to national titles with the Gophers, are off-season acquisitions. The Wild open training camp next Thursday.

St. Thomas, hoping to compete again for a Division III national football championship, opens its season tomorrow with a 1:10 p.m. home game against UW-Eau Claire. The Tommies home and away games will be broadcast on WCCO Radio.

Comments Welcome

Gerhart Open about Future Post-2013

Posted on June 7, 2013June 7, 2013 by David Shama

Toby Gerhart becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season and the Vikings’ second team running back told Sports Headliners he isn’t about to predict where he wants to be employed in 2014.

“Totally open. We’ll see. It’s going to be interesting. For me I am just focused on this year. We have a good team. …”

In three seasons Gerhart has mostly warmed the bench with a close-up view of all-world running back Adrian Peterson. The exception occurred in 2011 when he started five games, mostly because Peterson was injured. That season he rushed for 531 yards and a career best 4.9 yards per carry. In his rookie year of 2010 he rushed for 322 yards but last season just 169 as Peterson dominated the offense while coming within nine yards of breaking the NFL all-time single season rushing record.

Playing behind Peterson is something like being vice president of a country with a dictator for president. There is The Man, and then everyone else falls in line. Peterson is 28 and Gerhart is only two years younger. Peterson is incredibly gifted and also motivated including his zeal for offseason training and apparent will to play at a high level for years to come.

Gerhart, an All-American at Stanford and second round draft choice by the Vikings in 2010, is a power runner with deceptive speed. At the NFL scouting combine, Gerhart said he was timed at 4.53 seconds. He spent much of the last offseason working to increase quickness and his weight is down a few pounds from his 235 of last season. “Feel quick, feel good out here,” Gerhart said after practice on Wednesday.

Gerhart also believes his skills are that of an NFL starter but his opportunities have been so limited with the Vikings where he’s accepted his role without complaining. “It’s hard to show what I can do when you get one carry in the first (quarter) and another carry in the fourth (quarter). That’s not really my style of running. I am a grind down the defense type of back.

“I hear everybody say he only averaged three yards a carry, or whatever it is. But given the circumstances and the situation that I am in, in terms of carrying the ball, I just gotta do a job and a role. It makes it tough but, hey, we’ll see what happens.”

Obviously 2013 is a year that will provide answers about Gerhart’s future. Will the Vikings ease the pounding on Peterson and give Gerhart more opportunities in the offense? Or will Gerhart’s total carries be similar to 2012 when he had a career low 50? Will the Vikings trade Gerhart between now and their opening game in September? Such a move would acknowledge what most observers already believe and that is the Peterson system will be status quo in 2013. A trade could bring the Vikings more value in return than waiting to lose Gerhart for a compensatory draft pick next year.

Whatever the answers, Gerhart has the right attitude by emphasizing the present moment and not focusing much on a future that is only partially under his control.

“Are the Vikings going to sign me back? I don’t know,” Gerhart said. “Hopefully I put enough good stuff on tape that A they want me back, or B another team wants me…we’ll see what happens.”

Worth Noting

Gerhart reportedly earns $630,000 in base salary this season, according to various Internet sources.

Gerhart talking about expectations for third-year quarterback Christian Ponder: “I expect him to continue to grow. I think he’ll grow as a leader. So far this spring he’s actually thrown the ball really well around here. He’s good with his reads, good velocity and been accurate so far. So he’s looking good this spring.”

Gerhart and two friends were fishing on Lake Minnetonka near Big Island on Monday. “We probably caught (and released) 50 bass,” Gerhart said. “It was unbelievable. There was streaks where six casts in a row I would reel in a bass. Another time there was four casts in a row. …It was one of my best fish days of my lifetime.”

The Vikings expect 200-300 members of the press at their game against the Steelers in London on September 29.

Former Viking center Matt Birk told KFAN FM yesterday morning he and his world champion Ravens teammates will receive their Super Bowl rings today. Birk chose not to join his teammates at the White House earlier this week for a Super Bowl celebration with President Barack Obama. Birk said on KFAN that the President’s comments several weeks ago saying “God bless Planned Parenthood” were the reason he chose not to attend the White House event. Birk is known for his pro-life views.

Fox Sports North will televise the minor league Kane County game against Cedar Rapids (Twins’ super prospect Byron Buxton) on Monday starting at noon. Replay Monday night beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Timberwolves forward Kevin Love said on ESPN TV yesterday morning that he and guard Ricky Rubio will workout together in Los Angeles this summer in preparation for next season.

Dave and Linda Mona have country music star Kathy Mattea booked for the fourth annual Camden’s Concert on Wednesday, July 17 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Dave e-mailed that more than $100,000 has been generated from past events to benefit cystic fibrosis research. Some revenues are generated from the silent auction, and items that will provide experiences such as great seats to a game, or riding a Zamboni are being sought for this year’s event. Suggestions can be emailed to: l.mona@creativeenvironments.net.

Some offseasons are more interesting than others, and there’s nothing boring about what lies ahead for the Wild. The club has no first round draft choice but it wouldn’t be surprising if a trade changes that before NHL teams make their picks on June 30.

Decisions will have to be made about whether to retain selected Wild free agents. Salary cap restrictions are expected to make the Wild cautious about who they bring back and also acquire, but after having a mediocre season on the ice everyone knows the team has to improve. “The single biggest need for next year is to get bigger on defense,” an NHL source told Sports Headliners.

Adding more quality players throughout the roster, including more productive scorers, is a need, too. The responsibility for making changes starts with general manager Chuck Fletcher who is being judged by an impatient owner, Craig Leipold, and skeptical fan base, according to the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The team doesn’t have a winning legacy and recently announced season ticket price increases for next year. The source said some season ticket holders are debating about renewing and could be hold-outs at Xcel Energy Center until after the schedule begins, waiting to see how the team is playing.

Although there was speculation about the job security of Fletcher and coach Mike Yeo earlier this spring, the source doesn’t believe Leipold was close to making a change. The dynamics will be different next season, though. “If the Wild gets off to a bad start, it may be the demise of the whole (coaching) staff,” the source said. “If in the first 15 games they lose 10, it will not be good.”

Comments Welcome