David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikes Rudolph Knows NFL Demands

Posted on July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 by David Shama

Playing professional football looks glamorous to the naïve but the start of Vikings training camp this weekend reminds close observers about the physical demands of the NFL.

The Vikings and Steelers will be the first to open training camps this summer because the two teams play on August 9 in the NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. That means both teams will play five preseason games in 2015, not four like other NFL clubs. While players play limited minutes during exhibition season, a fifth game does add to the risk of injuries.

The additional preseason game could help the Vikings better prepare for the 16-game regular season, a football marathon lasting until early January. Then 12 of the NFL’s 32 teams (the Vikings, of course, hope they’re included) are in the playoffs. The two franchises making it to the Super Bowl put their players through a survivor experience that can total up to 25 games including exhibitions.

Kyle Rudolph (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has missed 16 games during the last four seasons. In 2014 he played in nine regular season games. He dedicated the offseason to being on the field in 2015, not the sidelines, and expressed optimism about his health this week.

“Everything is good,” Rudolph told Sports Headliners. “Training camp is an opportunity for me to just get better and stronger to prepare myself for September when we get started.”

With Rudolph’s injury history he’s certainly qualified to voice an opinion about ongoing speculation the NFL will add more games in the near future. That speculation includes expanding the regular season schedule to 18 games.

“Sixteen games is a lot of games,” he said. “To play much more than that…I think right now we’ve got it right. And I don’t see a reason that we would need to change that, to add more games.

“Even when you go through a 16-game season completely healthy, it’s a long year. To add many more games than we already got, I think it would just be difficult with the limited numbers of players that we have available.”

The NFL could increase revenues by dropping two preseason games for each team and adding two regular season games. The league could also more quickly grow revenues by adding teams to the playoffs. The NFL is a cash cow, reportedly generating a minimum of $7 billion per year and perhaps over $10 billion. There are projections of doubling or tripling revenues in the not too distant future. That would not only enrich owners but also provide bigger paychecks for the players as part of the league’s revenue sharing agreement.

Vikings safety Harrison Smith said “it wouldn’t surprise” him if more games are coming soon. If so, he suggested NFL rosters be increased to add depth and help with the challenge of getting through more games. He acknowledged the 16-game schedule and playoffs are physically demanding. “It takes a toll on you,” he said.

The NFL is facing issues regarding the health of current and former players. Their mental and physical health has become an ongoing national story, and a threat to the league’s image. Increasing the number of games “would go in the opposite direction” of health concerns, Smith said.

The league has taken steps to increase player safety and financially assist former players with health problems. The NFL, if it does expand the schedule, will present the change in positive terms for not only fans but also for players who likely would see a reduced number of preseason games, larger rosters and bigger salaries.

“…At the end of the day it’s a business and they’re going to make as much revenue as possible,” Smith said. “That’s not a bad thing. It’s just you kinda gotta weigh your options out.”

Worth Noting

The Vikings report to training camp in Mankato tomorrow and will be there through August 13. The team practices for the first time on Sunday. All regular practices are free and open to the public. The Vikings will have night practices beginning at 7:30 p.m. on August 1 and 4 in Blakeslee Stadium.

More than 64,000 fans passed through the Vikings Village last year. The Village offers refreshments, memorabilia and fan activities as part of the training camp experience. More fan camp information at Vikings.com.

Gophers practices at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex are open to the public on August 10, 11 and 14 starting at 10:25 a.m. The team’s scrimmage at TCF Bank Stadium beginning at 10:10 a.m. on August 15 is also open to the public.

Frank Ragnow, the offensive lineman from Chanhassen High School who made the Coaches All-SEC team as a freshman last season playing for Arkansas, could be one of the Razorbacks breakout players in 2015 under former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema. Ragnow was in on more than 200 snaps last season and only had one penalty.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said his team interviewed five prospects prior to taking forward-center Karl-Anthony Towns with the NBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick last month. The other four were guards Emmanuel Mudiay and D’Angelo Russell, center Jahlil Okafor, and forward Kristaps Porzingis.

Taylor, the Mankato-based billionaire and owner of different companies including the Star Tribune, isn’t planning a summer vacation. In addition to business responsibilities, Taylor and wife Becky spend time most weeks with grandchildren—a group that totals 26.

The Minnesota United is averaging 9,200 fans per game and ranks third in attendance in the 11-team North American Soccer League. The United’s average is about 3,000 better than last season and a big increase over 2013 when the team was drawing 4,500 fans per game.

United president Nick Rogers told Sports Headliners the franchise’s marketing and anticipation of a possible Major League Soccer team in future years have contributed to more interest. Rogers said there was a “spike” in interest in March when news broke about a potential MLS expansion team in Minnesota. Within a week 1,000 season tickets were sold.

The United has 4,000 season ticket holders and those customers will have priority on buying season seats if Minnesota is granted an MLS team. The team’s 9,200 per game average attendance includes tickets sold and promotionally distributed. The average ticket price is $15 to $16.

It’s believed that despite the increase in attendance, the United—as has been true in the past—will not be profitable this season. The United’s majority owner is Dr. Bill McGuire who is leading the effort to acquire an MLS team and build a soccer stadium in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.

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No Contract Talk for Harrison Smith

Posted on July 22, 2015July 22, 2015 by David Shama

Harrison Smith could become a near consensus All-Pro safety in 2015 but the Vikings, who open training camp in a few days, haven’t locked him up long term. He played a major role in improving the Vikings defense from 31st in 2013 to seventh last season.

Smith told Sports Headliners on Monday there is no “timeline” for getting a deal completed. He was a No. 1 draft choice in 2012 and had an impressive season in 2014 including being named to the PFWA All-Pro team. This offseason the Vikings exercised an option on his expiring contract in 2015—meaning that he is bound to the team for 2016.

But a long-term agreement seems only a question of when, not if. Smith, though, isn’t spending time dreaming about a rich payoff. NFL contracts don’t guarantee all the money for the deal’s duration and he, of course, knows it.

Harrison Smith (Photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

“You see all these guys sign these big contracts—which is awesome—but it’s still a year-to-year contract when you really break it down,” Smith said. “You see guys sign five-year deals and then get cut after the first year or the second year. You gotta play your best every year, so that’s all I am worried about is just playing my best this year.”

Smith reportedly is finishing up a $7.14 million contract he signed as a rookie. He said the Vikings will pay him more in 2016 than 2015 but he didn’t specify the amount. He could make a persuasive argument for a big money deal with an All-Pro and Pro Bowl year in 2015, and if the Vikings become an elite team.

But Smith said he isn’t into formulating strategy right now. “I don’t worry about leverage,” he explained. “All that stuff doesn’t matter (now). Just go play football and play well. That’s all that matters.”

Smith played in all 16 regular season games last season, setting career highs in interceptions with five and sacks with three. He had 71 tackles, only three fewer than 2012 when he was an All-Rookie selection. The 26-year-old former Notre Dame player is regarded highly within the Vikings organization as both a player and person.

Worth Noting

Gophers coach Jerry Kill expects junior defensive end Hank Ekpe, who started one game last year, to have a “breakout season.” Kill made that prediction on WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle Sunday and said the 6-5, 244-pound Texas native has the speed to run with the team’s secondary players.

Kill also said junior quarterback Mitch Leidner returned this summer from the famous Manning Passing Academy with more confidence. Kill noted that several years ago then Gophers quarterback Adam Weber benefitted from his camp experience.

Despite the team’s popularity and the small seating capacity of TCF Bank Stadium (52,525), the Vikings are still promoting season tickets. The Vikings used a Valpak advertising insert pitching “great lower level seats are available.”

Darrell Thompson caught a pass from Brett Favre in the flag football celebrities game on Sunday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. The Packers Legends team defeated the NFL Legends group that included former Vikings quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Sage Rosenfels. Thompson, the Gophers all-time leading career rusher, was a teammate of Favre’s for three years with the Packers. Last weekend Favre returned to Wisconsin where he was honored by the Packers organization and the team’s fans.

Condolences to family and friends of Paul Faust who died recently. The former Edina High School football player was captain of the 1965 Gophers.

Glen Perkins saw his 28 consecutive saves streak end against the A’s last weekend. The A’s didn’t exactly rock the Twins All-Star closer with an infield hit and bloop single to the outfield. Perkins made a wild pitch that put a runner in scoring position and instead of protecting a 2-1 Twins lead in the ninth inning, the A’s were able to tie the score and force extra innings where they won the game. Perkins told Sports Headliners earlier this month that the pressure of the saves streak didn’t bother him.

“I go into it (relief pitching) knowing that I am going to fail because you can’t expect to be perfect,” he said. “The hitters on the other teams are too good, and at some point you’re going to fail. And you just have to be able to move on from that. …”

Saints owner Mike Veeck will speak at the next CORES luncheon on September 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Former Gophers basketball coach Jim Dutcher will talk to the group November 12. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans. More information about CORES is available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

NHL players Derek Stepan and Jordan Schroeder will host the fifth annual Charity Face-Off Golf Classic on August 3 at Indian Hills Golf Club in Stillwater. The scramble event is a fundraiser for the Friends of Saint Paul Hockey nonprofit that helps youth in the city participate in hockey. More information on playing and sponsorship opportunities is available by contacting Robert Smith, rsmith.forslind@comcast.net.

“Jumpin Jim Brunzell” recalled in his self-published book that 30 years ago the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association was deteriorating financially. Before deciding to join the upcoming World Wrestling Federation, he asked for a $95,000 annual guaranteed contract from the AWA where he had become one of the organization’s stars. Brunzell writes in his new book Matlands that AWA owner Verne Gagne turned down the request. “Verne said I wasn’t worth that much money and told me to go,” the former University of Minnesota and White Bear Lake High School athlete wrote. “I was heartbroken to leave Minnesota, but I had to for the future of my family.”

Brunzell wrestled professionally from 1972-1999. For the last 16 years he has worked for Dalco Enterprises, a Minneapolis-based janitorial supply company. More on his book at: www.blurb.com/b/6298514-matlands.

WCCO sportscaster Mark Rosen is Grand Marshall for tonight’s Minneapolis Aquatennial CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. The downtown event is the largest nighttime parade in the state.

The Twin Cities Dunkers have now contributed over $250,000 in four years to assist Minneapolis and St. Paul public high schools with their athletic programs. Funding for uniforms, equipment and fees has impacted thousands of athletes, and every sport offered by the schools.

Volunteers working at the 2016 Ryder Cup are asked to work four-hour shifts and asked to pay a $205.85 volunteer/uniform fee. The Cup will be played next September and October at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska.

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Experts Doubt U Will Win West Division

Posted on July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by David Shama

Four of the leading college football magazines predict the Gophers won’t duplicate last year’s second place finish in the Big Ten’s West Division. Athlon Sports College Football, Phil Steele’s College 2015 Football Preview and Sporting News College Football all forecast a third place finish for Minnesota while Lindy’s College Football has the Gophers finishing fourth in the seven-team division.

All four publications predict Wisconsin will win the West, just like last year when the Badgers finished first and the Gophers tied Nebraska for second place. Writers don’t disrespect Minnesota (5-3 in the division and 8-5 overall last season) but there is concern about the team’s offense because of inconsistent quarterbacking in the past and the departure of two major playmakers in 2014, running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams.

Lindy’s write-up on the Gophers includes this: “Touchdowns matter. Minny won’t score many.”

But coach Jerry Kill, his staff and players have a way of producing better than expected results including surprising and consecutive eight win seasons. Last year the Gophers played Wisconsin in the final regular season game with an opportunity to tie for the West Division title. “I would not be surprised to see that Nov. 28th game against border rival Wisconsin being a big one once again,” Phil Steele wrote.

Steele ranks the Minnesota special teams fourth in the nation and the Big Ten’s best. A major contributor is returning senior punter Peter Mortell who is a fourth team All-American in Steele’s publication. All four magazines list Mortell, who has averaged over 43 yards per punt the last two seasons, as their first-team All-Big Ten punter.

Among college juniors and seniors this fall, Steele ranks Gophers Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun as the No. 11 and 12 cornerbacks in the country. Sporting News includes Calhoun on its All-Big Ten first-team.

Those two, along with other standouts, lead a defense that will be challenged much of the season including games against offensive machines from Ohio State and TCU. Among the four publications, only Athlon doesn’t have the Buckeyes and Horned Frogs ranked No. 1 and 2 in the country, and all the magazines have OSU No. 1. The Gophers play TCU in Minneapolis on September 3 and then face the Buckeyes November 7 in Columbus.

The Gophers also play the Badgers, Nebraska and resurgent Michigan with new wonder coach Jim Harbaugh. All three games are at home. In Steele’s ranking of the most difficult schedules in the nation, the Gophers are 25th and listed before any other Big Ten school.

Any final thoughts about the Gophers after spending $36.96 (including Steele’s price of $12.99) on these publications? Well, nobody is raving about the collective talent on the roster and everybody frets at least a bit about the offense, and there’s no denying the schedule is for big boys only, but there is a hint of guarded optimism. Why? Because Kill and his assistants can coach, the Gophers minimize mistakes, play sound defense and excel on special teams.

“If the offense finds a way, this won’t be a fun team to play,” Athlon concluded on its Gopher page.

Worth Noting

College football in the state could command attention beyond the borders this fall. The Gophers are a possibility to be nationally ranked, while in Division II Minnesota State or UMD might be headed for a national championship. Lindy’s has the Mavericks ranked No. 1 while UMD is No. 3. Sporting News lists UMD No. 1 in the country with Minnesota State No. 6. The two teams play in Mankato on September 3.

If Lindy’s and Sporting News are correct, Saint John’s is back as a national power in Division III. The Johnnies are ranked No. 4 in the country by Lindy’s while Sporting News has them at No. 7. Both publications have Johnnies running back Sam Sura as a first-team All-American.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph worked with the ProCamps organization Monday hosting a camp at Edina High School for kids in grades 1-8. Scholarships were provided to disadvantaged youngsters. Vikings teammates Chad Greenway and Harrison Smith stopped by the Northwestern Mutual Kyle Rudolph Football ProCamp to see Rudolph. Rudolph is interested in working with ProCamps on a camp in his home town of Cincinnati.

The Capital Club featuring local sports figures as speakers hosts Vikings general manager Rick Spielman Tuesday at Town & Country Club in St. Paul. For more information about membership, contact Patrick Klinger, patrickklinger@klingercompany.com.

Saints owner Mike Veeck spoke to the club earlier this year when the gathering was at St. Paul’s new CHS Field. When asked for a tour of the new ballpark, the personable Veeck said to heck with formalities, and told guests to go where they pleased including perusing the dugouts and running the bases.

The WNBA, now in its 19th season, holds its All-Star Game on Saturday in Uncasville, Connecticut. While the league reportedly has some franchises that don’t lose money, the WNBA still has plenty of potential upside with the public and media. Like it or not, there are advocates for changes including lowering the rim from 10 feet.

A June 2 New York Times article reported Val Ackerman regretted not experimenting with a lower rim when she was WNBA president. She said in the story lowering the rim even by half a foot would result in fewer missed layups and a “more fluid game.”

Depending on how far the rim is lowered, dunking could become routine in WNBA games. Men in college and the NBA are about seven inches taller than women pros, according to Asher Price’s Times article.

Those who are advocates of keeping things the same for both men and women in sports certainly won’t be receptive to lower rims. But it could be argued the change would further help the WNBA brand to be distinctive, and also result in a more exciting product.

Another topic is the suggestion WNBA players should wear sexier uniforms. But that doesn’t’ seem realistic in today’s sports world and national culture. About as likely to happen as the Confederate flag flying again over the State House in South Carolina.

The WNBA is an ongoing success story, and part of the validation is that next Saturday’s game will be nationally televised live by ABC starting at 2:30 p.m. Minneapolis time. Fans voted Lynx players Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus to the Western Conference All-Star team. Augustus won’t play because of surgery on her right knee yesterday that will sideline her indefintely. Reserves will be announced on Tuesday.

According to ESPN.com’s listing of NBA salaries, there are only 23 NBA players earning less than $1 million. The entire payroll for each WNBA team is capped at less than $1 million.

Timberwolves rookie and former Apple Valley High School star Tyus Jones will earn $1,282,000 in salary, according to ESPN’s listing. Wolves rookie and overall NBA No. 1 draft choice Karl-Anthony Towns will receive a salary of $5,703,600.

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