David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Peterson Can’t Come Up Short Again

Posted on September 6, 2016September 6, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings don’t want to see Adrian Peterson repeat his opening game results of last season when he ran for only 31 yards against the 49ers. With starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater out for the year, the Vikings will be relying more than they planned on Peterson when they begin their season next Sunday in Tennessee against the Titans.

It’s a legitimate question, though, as to how Peterson, who led the NFL in rushing last season, will perform in Tennessee. Peterson, 31, didn’t play in any preseason games this summer—just like last year. When he ran against the 49ers defense last September his longest run was nine yards and he had his second lowest rushing total of the year. Two NFL authorities told Sports Headliners that no physical contact in preseason games makes NFL running backs, including Peterson, less ready for the regular season opener.

To preserve his health Peterson hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2013. In opening regular season games in 2013 and 2014 he was more productive than against the 49ers, but in neither one reached his common standard of 100 yards or more (seven games in 2015).

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

One NFL source referenced above said there is another factor relating to Peterson’s production in opening games. He said opening games typically feature defenses that are more polished than offenses which are more complicated and take more time to develop. “Defenses are flying around ahead of offenses, with low scoring games (typical),” he added.

It takes some faith to think the Vikings can beat the Titans without a 100-yard plus day from their future Hall of Fame running back. Fill-in Vikings quarterback Shaun Hill, 36, is a considerable drop-off from Bridgewater but at least he will be facing a Titans’ secondary that is probably the biggest weakness of that unit. Still, the Vikings will most likely try to pound the ball most of the time with Peterson. That seems true, too, even if newly acquired and talented quarterback Sam Bradford, the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, is familiar enough to compete using a limited playbook and minimal familiarity with receivers.

“We have maybe the best running back in the NFL,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said last week after losing Bridgewater with a severe knee injury. Zimmer also said “we have a real good team” and referenced his receivers, improved offensive line and impressive defense.

The Vikings’ best prescription for an opening win appears to be a big day by Peterson on Sunday, and turnover production from Minnesota’s defense. The Titans were 3-13 last season and there is no guarantee the club will be better in 2016. The team’s offense is likely to feature the run with offseason trade acquisition DeMarco Murray and draft choice Derrick Henry being highly anticipated rushers. The Titan’s gave up 423 points last season, the second most in the AFC.

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey is occupying a “warm seat” in Nashville. The former Vikings tight end was 2-7 as head coach last season after taking over about midway through the year. The Titans hired a new general manager in the offseason who may have interest in other coaches. Mularkey had losing records in previous head coaching opportunities in Buffalo and Jacksonville.

Effort, though, shouldn’t be a problem for the Titans Sunday. Regardless of records from last season (the Vikings were 11-5 and NFC North Division champions), almost all teams play with a lot of adrenaline in opening games. The Vikings have opened on the road five of the last six seasons and are 1-4 away from home.

Worth Noting

In its August 29 pro football issue, Sports Illustrated predicts the Titans will lose their first five games and finish the season with a 3-13 record.

The Vikings have added Eden Prairie native and offensive tackle Carter Bykowski to their practice squad and released cornerback Tre Roberson.

The Gophers have verbal commitments from many high school players for next year’s freshman class but none may turn out to be a better college player than Blaise Andries, the offensive tackle from Marshall, Minnesota. High school recruiting authority Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners Andries has all-Big Ten and NFL potential.

Burns, publisher of Scout’s GopherDigest.com, said Andries is impressive in multiple ways including his physical skills and “mindset.” Already about 6-5 and 300 pounds, Andries will likely be bigger and stronger as a Gopher.

Intelligent and influential with peers, Burns said Andries scored a 31 on his ACT test, and has a 3.99 GPA with ambitions to become an actuary. Andries has an impressive demeanor on and off the field. “He is a great leader,” Burns said.

Among others players who have made verbal commitments to the Gophers is Woodbury High School tight end Nathan Burch. If Burch becomes a Gopher, Burns said he will be the “best blocking tight end” Minnesota has signed to a letter of intent in a while.

Golden Valley resident Eddie Cohen is in his 60th season as a member of the Gophers football game day statistics crew. Cohen, for years a Minneapolis-based attorney, represented local athletes over the years including former U athletes Lou Hudson and Noel Jenke, and ex-Twin Jim “Mudcat” Grant.

The Gophers, who defeated Oregon State last Thursday night and are now 3-1 all-time against the Beavers, will play a first-ever game in Corvallis September 9, 2017. Some media outlets have ranked Corvallis as the best college town in the country.

While there is still no formal announcement on a contract extension for Gophers men’s hockey coach Don Lucia, the program has hired U alums Ben Gordon and Corey Millen. Gordon’s title is assistant director of hockey operations and Millen is an undergraduate assistant.

The Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Tyler Duffey and first baseman Kennys Vargas from Triple-A Rochester. The Twins have also selected the contract of infielder James Beresford from Rochester and transferred outfielder Danny Santana to the 60-day disabled list. Rochester hitting coach Chad Allen is joining the Twins staff.

Slugging second baseman Brian Dozier hit three home runs yesterday and his total of 38 for the season is the most by a Twins player since Harmon Killebrew homered 41 times in 1970. He and Killebrew are the only players in franchise history to hit at least 36 home runs in a single season.

Despite having the worst record in major league baseball the Twins rank 21st out of 30 teams in home attendance, according to ESPN.com. The Twins are averaging 24,668 fans per game, their lowest figure since 23,598 in 2004. This is the seventh consecutive season of declining home attendance dating back to 2010 when Target Field opened and the Twins drew over 3 million fans averaging 39,798 per game.

Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference fans can follow league news on the new MIAC website. With the 2016-2017 school year starting, more than 6,000 students are expected to participate in MIAC programs. Over 70 percent of the students are Minnesota natives.

Comments Welcome

Bradford May Adjust Fast to Vikings

Posted on September 4, 2016September 4, 2016 by David Shama

Sam Bradford’s NFL experiences in different offensive systems and relationships with Vikings assistant coach Pat Shurmur, and players Shaun Hill and Adrian Peterson, should hasten the adjustment to his new team, and allow him to play soon.

Bradford, who will be 29 in November, was acquired yesterday from the Eagles to solve the Vikings’ quarterback void created by the season-ending injury to Teddy Bridgewater. Bradford is in his seventh NFL season and he has played for several offensive coordinators and in multiple systems.

“Yeah, if there’s a good thing about learning a new offense every year, it’s that I’m familiar with this process, and I kind of know how it goes, I guess,” Bradford said after being traded to the Vikings for future draft choices. “I’m sure there will be some carryover from some of the systems that I’ve been in, but as far as right now, we really haven’t gotten too deep into the (Vikings) playbook. But, I’ve gone through this process, so hopefully doing it before will help me pick things up a little quicker.”

Rick Spielman (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings).

The list of Bradford’s previous coaches includes Shurmur who was his offensive coordinator with the Rams in 2010 and Eagles in 2015. Shurmur, now the Vikings’ tight end coach, talked with Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman before the trade for Bradford, a starter for both the Rams and Eagles.

“…He knows what his strengths and weaknesses are,” Spielman said of Shurmur’s past history with Bradford. “I think that’s a valuable asset for us as our coaches teach him the offense and understand what things he does best, and what things that he may struggle at. Our coaches always preach to put these guys (in the best possible situations) and to utilize what they do best.”

Bradford acknowledged his relationship with Shurmur should help him learn offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s system. “Pat is very familiar with me as a player. I think he understands the things that I do well, the concepts that I like. So I’m sure that he can relay that to coach Turner. …”

Turner’s system includes a deep vertical passing game to loosen defenses for shorter throws and create space for the team’s running backs. That deep threat has been a challenge since Turner joined the Vikings prior to the 2014 season but Bradford could improve results.

Spielman said Bradford, 6-4, 224, has multiple attributes as a passer. “He is a very accurate thrower. He does a great job getting through his reads of progressions. He makes quick decisions in the pocket. He can throw the deep ball down the field. Some of the routes that we throw in our offense, we’ve seen those same routes and seen him complete those same balls that he’s going to have to do in this system.”

Hill, 36, signed with the Vikings as a free agent in 2015 to back up Bridgewater, who then was the team’s second-year starting quarterback. Hill had played the previous season with the Rams where he was the backup to Bradford. Hill’s knowledge of the Vikings’ offense will be an asset for Bradford. “I’m really excited to work with Shaun again,” Bradford said. “We had a great relationship when we were in St. Louis.”

Peterson, a future hall of famer, is a major presence in the Vikings locker room. He and Bradford were together for awhile in college at Oklahoma. Peterson will be supportive of his new teammate and no doubt help ease Bradford’s transition.

Today and into the week Bradford will be learning the playbook and adjusting to his new teammates. It’s unlikely he will start the season opener at Tennessee next Sunday. Hill is the team’s No. 1 QB now, but his age and lesser skills than Bradford likely mean a change is coming soon—perhaps game No. 2 on the schedule at home against the Packers September 18.

Bradford could become the team’s starting quarterback indefinitely. The Vikings have him under contract through next season. Bridgewater’s knee injury is so serious and predicted recovery time so extensive he might not be effective next season. If the Vikings win big with Bradford this season, the quarterback job could be his or at least up for competition in 2017.

Bradford was the first-overall selection in the 2010 NFL draft by the Rams. He became the 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and still holds the league rookie record for most passes completed (354). Last season he set Eagles franchise records in completions (346) and completion percentage (65 percent), and finished fourth in team history in passing yardage (3,725).

Worth Noting

Best wishes to former Vikings tight end and Twin Cities resident Joe Senser who is recovering from a health issue. Senser played for the Vikings from 1979-1984 and later was a radio analyst on their games.

The Vikings, as expected, dominated the television audience numbers last Thursday night. Their preseason game did a 19.2 rating and 37 share in this market, with the Gophers’ nonconference opener drawing a 5.1 and 10. The Twins-White Sox game had a 2.2 rating and 4 share. At no time during the evening did the Gophers’ numbers exceed the Vikings.

The hapless Twins, who ended a 13-game losing streak with a win Thursday night, had historic TV numbers a week ago Sunday, according to a ratings authority. He said the Nielsen results of the Twins-Blue Jays game showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

True freshman Tyler Johnson from Minneapolis North caught three passes for 31 yards in the Gophers’ 30-23 win over Oregon State. Only senior wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, with four catches, had more receptions for Minnesota in the opening game.

A converted quarterback and defensive back, the 6-4 Johnson has impressed coaches, teammates and others. Johnson could exceed the numbers of last year’s leading freshman receiver Rashad Still who caught 18 passes for 194 yards including three touchdowns. The Gophers’ freshman receiving records for yardage (654) and touchdowns (seven) are held by Ernie Wheelwright in 2004. Ron Johnson set the total receptions record with 38 in 1998.

True Thompson, formerly of Armstrong High School, suffered a concussion last month playing football for Iowa Western Community College. The wide receiver and son of Gophers’ career leading rusher Darrell Thompson will sit out the season as a redshirt.

True’s brother Race Thompson, who will be a junior this fall at Armstrong, is an outstanding 6-8 basketball player being recruited by the Gophers, and he attended the Minnesota-Oregon State game Thursday evening. He has received scholarship offers from multiple schools including Minnesota and Marquette.

Renovation of Target Center will not only relocate the Lynx to Xcel Energy Center next year, it could be a problem for the Timberwolves. If the team were to surprise and make a deep playoff run next spring the arena renovation timeline will slow down.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners Target Center work sometimes will be so extensive the whole building will be closed for events. If the Wolves need the arena for playoff games, the renovation schedule will intensify to have Target Center ready for the opening of the team’s 2017-2018 schedule.

“We just have to work that out,” Taylor said. “Maybe some inconveniences but we’re just gonna have to adjust.”

The Wolves haven’t made the playoffs since 2004 but have one of the NBA’s most promising young rosters.

Comments Welcome

Here’s an Optimistic Vote on Claeys

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 by David Shama

Tracy Claeys leads the Gophers on the field tomorrow night as the program’s head coach. The game kicks off his first full season in that role after being named coach last November.

Will Claeys be heading up the football program a couple of years from now?

The three-year contract University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler gave Claeys last fall carries a clear message: This is a trial run for the U and the 47-year-old former defensive coordinator who served Jerry Kill for years and then succeeded him as Minnesota’s coach. The U was willing to give Claeys the job as head coach but not make a major commitment in years or money—at a reported $1.4 million in 2016.

Claeys may turn out to be worthy of the long-term, big money deal that many college football coaches earn. To get there he will have to improve his recruiting because the Gophers need better personnel and more depth to annually compete against the Big Ten’s best teams.

Kill upgraded the talent with the six recruiting classes he directed. The arrows on the progress chart will need to move upward under Claeys’ leadership. He and his staff will certainly continue the Kill model of finding overlooked high school players with potential. The coaches have shown an aptitude for developing players at various positions but the Gophers need to sign-up more quality ready-to-play talent.

“I think the recruiting will make all the difference in the world,” former Gophers captain Jim Carter told Sports Headliners. He, too, believes the unknown about Claeys’ legacy is probably recruiting.

Carter is an admirer of Claeys. “Not all coaches are teachers, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but Tracy is,” Carter said. “I’ve watched him for a number of years, since he’s been here with Kill.

“He never yelled much. He always gets people in the classroom after they film all the practices. He teaches technique, and he teaches the kids what to do. That’s unusual. He’s both a coach, but a very good teacher.”

Carter has been close to the Gopher program for years. He’s been impressed with what Claeys has done in a short period as head coach. That includes the bold move Claeys made after last season when he dismissed longtime colleague Matt Limegrover who was the offensive coordinator and line coach. Claeys replaced Limegrover with new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson and line coach Bart Miller.

“As far as hiring Miller and Johnson, the people that I talk to over there—which includes many of the players—are very optimistic about them,” Carter said. “They’re encouraged about the planning with the offense. They’re encouraged about the aggressiveness of Miller with the offensive line. He’s a tough guy and he’s getting toughness to rise up out of some of those offensive linemen. I see it as very, very positive, those moves that Tracy made bringing those two guys in.”

Johnson is expected to direct an unpredictable offense that is more likely to take risks than the play-calling of the Kill-Limegrover era. Claeys directed a defense under Kill that was the backbone of the program’s success, but for the Gophers to have winning records year after year in the Big Ten the offense must get much better. Over 100 teams ranked ahead of Minnesota in scoring offense last season.

Fans are taking a wait-and-see approach with Claeys. There’s not much hype about Gopher football and that is part of the reason there will be a lot of empty seats in TCF Bank Stadium for tomorrow night’s nonconference opener against Oregon State. But program insiders already see a lot they like about Claeys including his devotion to the job. The 47-year-old bachelor is all about football and the people who work and play for him.

There is no pretense with Claeys. He’s straightforward with people inside and outside of his program. He is a high I.Q. guy who has already shown he will take action when he sees problems. He not only made the coaching staff changes referenced above but he brought in two junior college transfers in the offensive line after recognizing the vulnerability in talent and depth with that unit.

The Gophers have a quality person and teacher leading their program. Now all Claeys has to do is go out and win a bunch of games, and keep the arrows on that recruiting chart going “north.”

Gophers Notes

Although he isn’t expected to be coaching, Mike Sherels might be at tomorrow night’s game sitting with other coaches in the press box. Carter heard Sherels could be in the press box all season after recovering from surgeries earlier this summer for an undisclosed medical issue.

Sherels has recently been in the football office, although Keith Jordan is the acting linebackers coach. “The news is fabulous compared to where he was a couple weeks ago where I had real serous concerns about life-threatening problems he went through,” Carter said last weekend.

Among their offensive starters, the Gophers have only three players in their last season of eligibility—the lowest number in major college football. The three are quarterback Mitch Leidner, offensive tackle Jonah Pirsig and receiver Drew Wolitarsky.

Minnesota has 13 total players on the roster in their last season of eligibility. That’s the third lowest total in the nation after Kentucky with 11, and Baylor and Penn State with 12 each.

The Gophers’ position chart released this week has defensive tackle Andrew Stelter listed as a starter ahead of Steven Richardson who earlier this month talked about his goal of becoming All-Big Ten. Both are juniors.

Among the 22 starters on offense and defense, five are from Texas, and four each from Georgia and Minnesota. The Minnesota products are Leidner, Pirsig, Stelter and safety Adekunle Ayinde.

True freshmen and Minneapolis natives Phillip Howard and Tyler Johnson are listed as wide receivers on the No. 2 offense. Redshirt junior Conor Rhoda from Eagan is Leidner’s backup.

The Gophers will have two more nonconference games after tomorrow night before starting their Big Ten schedule October 1 at Penn State. Big Ten teams will play a nine-game conference schedule for the first time since 1984. Big Ten players will have the opportunity to compete against all the other teams in the conference at least once during a four-year period.

Teams from the East Division will host five conference home games during even-numbered years, while teams from the West Division will have five home games during odd-numbered years. The Gophers, part of the West Division, play four home league games and five on the road in 2016.

Texas Lutheran University has hired Mike Wacker as men’s basketball coach. He is the son of former Gophers football coach Jim Wacker who also coached football at TLU.

Congratulations to longtime Gophers donor Lee Sundet and his wife Louise who had their 65th wedding anniversary last Friday.

1 comment