David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Rodgers Blocking Vikings Title Path

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

The Packers have won four consecutive NFC North titles with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback. The Vikings have one win against the Packers in the last four seasons.

“I am tired of that,” said Vikings defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. “It’s been three years since I’ve been here and the Packers have been the toughest game every year.”

Sunday night in Green Bay two 10-5 teams will decide who is the 2015 division champion. “Everybody is going to play lights out,” said Vikings kick returner and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. “We want to go home with the title.”

The Packers were embarrassed in Arizona last Sunday, losing 38-8 to the Cardinals. Rodgers, probably the NFL’s best quarterback, played behind a leaky offensive line. His two fumbles were returned for touchdowns. He was sacked eight times and threw one interception.

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.)

The Vikings scored a season high 49 points in their easy 49-17 win over the Giants at TCF Bank Stadium. Adrian Peterson ran for over 100 yards for the seventh time this season. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 15 of 25 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions. But it was the defense that wrote the best storyline, harassing quarterback Eli Manning, his receivers and runners.

That defense made Vikings fans wonder if similar results could happen in Green Bay Sunday in the nationally-televised game on NBC. Floyd, though, isn’t assuming the Packers’ meltdown in the desert will repeat in the below freezing temps at Lambeau Field.

“It’s not that easy to just take someone’s confidence away,” Floyd said. “At the end of the day they can easily jump back on a horse. You gotta understand who that quarterback is. …”

The Packers have stumbled at times this season, not playing up to expectations. The Packers were coming off consecutive losses when they played the Vikings in Minneapolis on November 22 but the Purple couldn’t put an end to their 0-4-1 losing streak against Green Bay. In that 30-13 win, Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and Eddie Lacy rushed for 100 yards.

The Vikings hope to control Rodgers by keeping him in the pocket most of the time. The Packers’ receivers sometimes struggle to get separation and if the Vikings don’t have to double team some of them it will allow the Minnesota defense to concentrate more on Rodgers.

Still, it only takes a breakdown here or there for Rodgers to exploit a defense. Floyd said Rodgers and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are the only two players he could think of that can throw touchdowns from the 50-yard line while moving.

“He’s a guy that can make a lot of passes on the run,” Floyd said. “We know his style and we know how he can be. We can’t take last week lightly (the Packers’ performance against the Cardinals). At the end of the day he’s still Aaron Rodgers—still the Green Bay Packers, and we gotta treat them as such.”

Worth Noting

Peterson, who has 1,418 yards rushing, could win his third career NFL rushing title Sunday night in the Vikings’ final regular season game. The 30-year-old Peterson would become the second oldest player ever to lead the league in rushing. The Jets Curtis Martin was 31 in 2004 when he led the league.

Bridgewater has 1,421 yards passing, six touchdown throws, two interceptions and a 94.6 passer rating in his last six road games. The Vikings are 4-2 in those games.

Stubhub.com is listing tickets as low as $97 for the game in Green Bay. The temperature at kickoff could be about 20 degrees with no snow and moderate wind.

National Player of the Year candidate Denzel Valentine, who last month had knee surgery, likely won’t be available when the Spartans play the Gophers tomorrow at Williams Arena. Without Valentine, the nationally No. 1 ranked Spartans lost 83-70 at Iowa on Tuesday night in their Big Ten opener.

Jim Dutcher, the former Gophers coach, told Sports Headliners Valentine is “50 percent” of the Spartans team. “The Gophers can beat them,” he said, while cautioning Michigan State will give its best effort to avoid an 0-2 Big Ten start.

The Gophers opened their Big Ten season with a 78-63 loss at Ohio State on Wednesday night. Inside play, on both offense and defense, was problematic as it was during the nonconference games. Dutcher likes the team’s perimeter play but problems defending, scoring and rebounding inside prompt him to forecast a 12th place finish in the Big Ten, and perhaps a 4-14 record.

Dutcher said if the Gophers (now 6-7 overall) get “lucky” they could win more than four games. “Six would be a lot but that can happen,” he said. “There are not a lot of great teams in the Big Ten.”

Twins president Dave St. Peter speaks to the CORES luncheon group on Thursday, January 7 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. Reservations and more information are available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

It will be interesting to see if former Twins Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan and Torii Hunter all retire during this offseason. Cuddyer and Hunter have already announced they will. Morneau and Nathan seem like candidates, too, after long careers that included being core players on the Twins’ division championship clubs several years ago.

The December 28 issue of Sports Illustrated includes pages of farewells to American sports figures who died in 2015 including former Twins pitcher Dean Chance, ex-Minneapolis Laker guard Hot Rod Hundley, former Gophers and Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Saunders, and Flip Saunders who played guard for the Gophers and coached the Timberwolves. Noticeably absent from the pages was wrestling icon Verne Gagne.

Niklas Backstrom, the Wild’s 37-year-old goalie who reportedly earns $4 million, hasn’t played in a regular season game January 13, 2015. He is an emergency goalie behind Devan Dubnyk and Darcy Kuemper.

The Wild play the Lightning tomorrow night in Tampa Bay. In a November game in St. Paul, the Wild shut out the Lightning 1-0. Dubnyk stopped all 31 Lightning shots and defenseman Jared Spurgeon scored the lone goal for the Wild.

Spurgeon, 26, recently signed a four-year, $20.75 million contract extension that begins with the 2016-2017 season. He is probably a top 20 NHL defenseman who can help the Wild for several more years.

With fall sports ended, results are compiled for the MIAC All-Sports competition, and St. Thomas and Saint John’s are the leaders. The annual MIAC All-Sports competition takes a comprehensive look at each institution’s performance within the league to award an overall champion for each gender. The fall update includes final results for golf, cross country, soccer, volleyball and football. Saint John’s leads the men’s standings, while the Tommies are atop the women’s rankings. Final standings for the 2015-2016 school year will be announced in the spring.

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Kill: “Great” Gophers Team in 2016

Posted on December 30, 2015 by David Shama

In a telephone interview with Sports Headliners on Monday night Jerry Kill predicted the Golden Gophers will have a great football team in 2016. Kill also said he doesn’t regret resigning last fall as the University of Minnesota’s football coach and has no intention of being a head coach again. He is undecided about future career plans but isn’t interested in becoming the University’s athletic director.

Kill spoke from Detroit after the Gophers won the Quick Lane Bowl 21-14—the program’s first postseason victory since 2004. Kill, Minnesota’s honorary captain for the game, watched from the sidelines with his former players and assistant coaches.

“It pretty much closes out my career with the Gophers, being on the sideline, getting the first bowl win with the guys, and the seniors,” Kill said. “It was a good moment.”

The victory over Central Michigan pushed Minnesota’s final record to 6-7 and stopped a streak of seven consecutive bowl losses. It was an uplifting end to a tumultuous year that saw Kill abruptly resign in late October for health reasons while his team worked its way through an abnormal number of injuries and a schedule that matched the Gophers against six teams who won nine games or more in 2015.

Kill’s first season as Gophers coach was 2011 and he predicted early on it would take time to rebuild a program that had won only 11 of its last 14 games and become a Big Ten bottom feeder. “I always said six and seven (years into the program) will be good, as long as the kids work hard,” Kill told Sports Headliners.

The schedule next season doesn’t include 2015 national powers Michigan, Ohio State and TCU. The mix of a favorable schedule, along with more talented, experienced and healthier Gophers players, has Kill feeling optimistic. “They’ll have a great team,” he said.

Kill’s successor, Tracy Claeys, will have many returnees but none more important than quarterback Mitch Leidner who was the Quick Lane Bowl MVP. A senior in 2016, Leidner has become Minnesota’s best quarterback since Adam Weber in 2010 and he has silenced some critics. Criticism directed at Leidner last season and in 2014 was sometimes mean-spirited and a source of frustration for Kill.

“He’ll have a great year (2016),” Kill said. “Everybody has questioned him since the day I stuck by him. He keeps getting better and better. He’s a tough sucker.”

Kill was a godsend for the Gophers’ football program. His 2013 and 2014 teams each won eight games. The 2014 group was 5-3 in the Big Ten, the program’s best conference record since 2003. That team also played in Minnesota’s first New Year’s Day bowl game since 1962.

Kill also turned around a failing academic situation at Minnesota where players were battling to stay eligible. The team’s improved academic work was a factor in Minnesota being invited to the Quick Lane Bowl, despite having a 5-7 regular season record. The off-field behavior of players also improved dramatically under the leadership of Kill and his staff who demanded good citizenship.

Now former defensive coordinator Claeys and a group of assistants that Kill put in place are beneficiaries of what looks like a bright future for Gophers football. Asked whether he has any regrets about resigning, Kill said, “No, not one. I did the right thing for the players. I did the right thing for the coaches.

“Sometimes I had to do a lot at the University of Minnesota—a lot more than people really know. If I could just coach the game (teach players) it would have been a lot easier but I had to do a lot of other things and it caught up with me.

“Now I don’t have to put a band-aid on it (improving his health). I can get it taken care of the next three to six months. I’ve been in the (Florida) sunshine walking…doing all the things my wife (Rebecca) wants me to do, and we’ll see what happens.”

Kill, 54, has a history of health problems including epilepsy. He was exhausted when he resigned as coach and had suffered recent seizures. As Minnesota’s coach his success on the field, along with his authentic and caring personality, made him the face of the athletic department—even the University—but it all came with a steep price. He pushed himself beyond the physical limits most people can endure, working long days 12 months a year not only for the football program, but also the athletic department where he was a key fundraiser for the school’s ambitious $166 million Athletes Village project.

Kill now is intent on improving and maintaining his health. “I will never be a head coach again,” he said. “I don’t want any part of it. I actually was offered a job to coach again at a smaller level, and no way I am going to do that. I might be a consultant, or I hope I can get on a bowl committee or selection committee. I will stay close to football. …I just don’t know how much. The main thing I am focused on is getting better and (focusing on) my family. That’s the most important thing to me.”

Kill said he has yet to discuss any future role working for the University but is open to discussions. The athletic director position, however, doesn’t attract him for a couple of reasons. After working 16 hours a day or more as football coach, he thinks the AD job at Minnesota will require at least that much daily dedication and that’s not the direction he is headed. Then, too, Kill wouldn’t be comfortable with a potential conflict of interest overseeing a football program he was so close to. “I am not real fired up about being the athletic director,” Kill said. “I don’t think that’s a good thing for Minnesota.”

Kill and his wife will vacate their downtown Minneapolis residence next month and move back to the family lake home in Illinois. Eventually Kill wants to find something for the next chapter of his life he can do with passion. He is already considering some offers but didn’t provide details. “I’ve got a lot of options, more options than I ever thought I would have,” Kill said. “I just have to pick what I want to do and what my body is going to allow me to do.”

Kill is planning to have discussions about going on the national speakers’ circuit, and he will write a book with local author Jim Bruton. The manuscript will talk about his career, values and “health situations.” The book will probably be out by next September and be marketed to business and football people, and those who suffer from epilepsy.

That project and no doubt other activities will bring Kill back to Minnesota, even though this won’t be his permanent home. Minnesotans will remember this remarkable leader who not only did so much for the University, but along with his wife reached out to assist causes and people in the larger community.

Kill is appreciative of how so many Minnesotans supported him. “We’re grateful for our time (here),” he said.

He would have loved to be around for a great run of Gophers football in 2016 and beyond, but he knows he made the right decision walking away. He gave everything he had to the Gophers and when he couldn’t give anymore he wasn’t going to take a paycheck for anything less than his best effort.

“I’ve lived a great life and I’ve had a great career, over 32 years,” Kill said. “I fired myself, I guess.”

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Zimmer’s Vikings Path Similar to Grant

Posted on December 28, 2015December 28, 2015 by David Shama

Notes following last night’s Vikings win, and prior to today’s Gophers bowl game.

Coaching legend Bud Grant led the Vikings to a division title in his second season in Minnesota. Next Sunday in Green Bay second-year coach Mike Zimmer can lead the Vikings to the NFC North Division championship with a victory over the Packers.

In Grant’s first season of 1967 his record was 3-8-3 (14-game regular season). But in 1968 a rebuilt roster helped Grant coach the Vikings to a division winning 8-6 record.

Zimmer’s record last season was 7-9 but this fall his club has been one of the NFL’s surprise teams. Given minimal chance to win the NFC North before the season started, the 10-5 Vikings can put an end to the Packers’ recent dominance of the division with a win next Sunday night in Green Bay.

Bud Grant (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings.)

There’s already some speculation Zimmer will become the Vikings’ best coach since Grant, the stoic field boss who led the franchise to four Super Bowls. Both men have shown a common sense and no-nonsense approach to leading their teams. The two are pure football men who are about substance, not flash. They have reputations for being able to judge personnel including whether players are committed to minimizing mistakes and doing what’s necessary to win.

Who wins at Lambeau Field next Sunday in a matchup of 10-5 teams? The offensive lines might have more to do with the game’s outcome than any other units. The Packers’ line was dreadful yesterday, allowing eight sacks in a 38-8 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was under so much pressure he had two fumbles that the Cardinals scooped up and ran into the end zone for touchdowns.

The Vikings’ defense, including the team’s sack specialists, might be “drooling” this week while watching film of the Green Bay offensive line. Zimmer has one of the NFL’s highest defensive I.Q.’s and is a master of disguising and then bringing pressure on quarterbacks.

The Vikings’ offensive line has also struggled with pass protection while showing efficiency to run block for Adrian Peterson, the NFL’s leading rusher. The Packers’ defense isn’t equal to the Vikings, but Green Bay did hold Minnesota to two touchdowns when the teams met in Minneapolis on November 22.

In that game the Vikings rushed for only 94 yards, including 45 from Peterson in a 30-13 loss. The Vikings will almost certainly need more than 45 yards from Peterson on Sunday. His offensive teammates can help him with a solid run-pass mix, and they do have a hot quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater who has only one interception in his last seven games while completing 60 percent or more of his passes.

Rodgers and the Packers have dominated the Vikings in the past. Minnesota’s last win in Green Bay was during the 2009 season. Some fans who root for the Purple might be cocky after last night’s 49-17 Vikings’ win over the Giants and the Packers’ meltdown in Arizona. Maybe the Packers’ offensive line has too many holes to patch but Rodgers is probably the NFL’s best quarterback and he can work miracles for his teammates. Just ask the Lions who Rodgers beat with a Hail Mary in Detroit earlier this month. …

A Gophers insider who is typically cautious didn’t hesitate in predicting a Minnesota win over Central Michigan tonight in the Quick Lane Bowl at Detroit’s Ford Field. The 5-7 Gophers are favored by several points over the 7-5 Mid-American team and Minnesota seems likely to cover the spread and win its first bowl game since 2004.

The program’s seven-game bowl losing streak is something head coach Tracy Claeys has talked to the team about, mentioning how the seniors can be the first upperclassmen to earn a postseason victory in several years. Claeys and most of the coaching staff have been at Minnesota since 2011 and are 0-3 in bowl games.

Among the top seniors is wide receiver KJ Maye who led the Gophers in receptions with 65 and receiving yards at 706. He is a much improved player after early career numbers that included 16 catches for 298 yards as a junior.

Maye believes he had a “great year” and when asked for a letter grade said “A-.” The 5-10, 199-pound former high school quarterback expects to be drafted by an NFL team and looks at the bowl game as an opportunity to impress pro scouts. What would he do with his first paycheck as a pro? “I’d put it in the bank,” he said laughing. “I am not touching it.”

Claeys said on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle show yesterday his team is the healthiest it has been since midseason. Players who have been injured he indicated could play tonight in the bowl game include Jon Christenson, Scott Ekpe, Brandon Lingen, Steven Richardson and Rodney Smith. Claeys expressed concern about the conditioning of players who haven’t played for awhile.

Claeys expects to name his offensive coordinator soon, replacing Matt Limegrover who was let go. That person will also have responsibility to coach a position group. “My main thing is that whatever position they coach…it needs to be either tailbacks, quarterbacks or the tight ends,” Claeys said. “The less kids you have to worry about in practice, the better off you’re going to be on calling the plays on game days.”

Rumors are that players with remaining eligibility will leave the program after the bowl game. “It happens everywhere,” Claeys said. “Especially at certain positions where only one (player) can play, or two can play at a time. …”

Passionate Gophers fans may speculate that among players who might transfer are reserves Berkley Edwards (running back) and Jacques Perra (quarterback). Competition for playing time next season at running back and quarterback looks challenging.

Claeys had his 47th birthday on Christmas Day in Detroit and the players sang Happy Birthday to their first-year coach.

University of Minnesota officials, including leaders from the Gophers athletic department, fly to Detroit today and return after the game. The team departed Minneapolis on Christmas Eve day and participated in bowl game activities including a dinner on Saturday night attended also by Central Michigan. Players received gifts including $200 gift cards from Best Buy and headphones.

With school not in session at Minnesota until next month, many Gophers won’t directly return to Minneapolis after tonight’s bowl game. Instead, they will head home including to warmer climates where their families reside.

The bowl game will be the coaching debut of Dan O’Brien whose title is assistant to the head coach, assistant defensive backs coach and co-special teams coordinator. O’Brien had been a senior administrator in the Minnesota athletic department overseeing football. Interim athletics director Beth Goetz now directly supervises football and some other sports.

The bowl in Detroit dates back to 1997 and has been known as the Motor City Bowl, Little Caesars Bowl and now the Quick Lane Bowl. Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center has more than 700 locations nationally, according to the company website.

The matchup between the Gophers and Chippewas might attract a crowd of less than 20,000 at Ford Field, a covered facility seating about 65,000. The game will be televised by ESPN2 and may draw a national TV audience of two million viewers or more.

That may seem like a high viewership number for a bowl game far down on the list of attractive sites and team matchups, but positives include being televised by a popular cable network during prime time hours with no other college football in direct competition for most of the event. Sportsmediawatch.com reported on January 14 of this year that the last Quick Lane Bowl had about 2.8 million viewers while the three College Football Playoff games each had 28 million or more viewers.

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