David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Put Big Playmakers in the Mix

Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014 by David Shama

Analysis and news about the Vikings 24 hours following their surprising and impressive 34-6 win over the Rams yesterday.

An ongoing complaint during last season’s 5-10-1 fiasco was the coaching staff didn’t take advantage of its playmakers. There was no moaning about that in St. Louis Sunday afternoon when the Vikings opened the regular season against the Rams.

The team’s franchise face, Adrian Peterson, was handed the ball on three of the first four plays of the game. After four quarters the All-Pro running back had 21 carries for 75 yards. He also was used as a pass receiver, catching two balls.

But that’s hardly where the story ended. Cordarrelle Patterson had three runs for a 102 yards, setting a rushing record for a Vikings wide receiver. The second-year man-child stunned observers, including the Rams, by lining up as a tailback in the I-formation and running 67 yards for a touchdown. Patterson, who seemed under utilized as a rookie last season, also caught three passes for 26 yards, and was a potential touchdownmaker running back kickoffs.

Veteran wide receiver Greg Jennings, who joined the Vikings as a free agent for the 2013 season, also seemed left out last season. Not so yesterday when he was the team’s leading receiver with six catches for 58 yards and one touchdown.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph, another man-child talent, only had a couple of receptions but one was for a touchdown pass from Matt Cassel. The Vikings veteran quarterback, who the old coaching staff started in only six games in 2013, had a good day completing 17 of 25 passes with no interceptions for a rating of 113.8.

With plenty of contributors, Peterson didn’t mind sharing the glory. “I am all about wins,” he told KFAN Radio after the game.

The Vikings had playmakers on defense too, including safety Harrison Smith who returned an interception 81 yards for the team’s last score. Smith also had a sack after head coach Mike Zimmer placed him near the line of scrimmage.

An observer had the impression that unlike a season ago the Vikings were correctly positioned on defense. Certainly Smith was yesterday and so were others including rookie linebacker Anthony Barr who applied pressure on the quarterback and was second to safety Robert Blanton in solo tackles.

Last year the Vikings seemed predicatable on defense but the team’s alignments yesterday were effective including mostly man-to-man work in the secondary. The Rams, who played the second half with their third team quarterback, weren’t the kind of offensive challenge the Vikings will face in the coming weeks but it was a praise worthy beginning. The Rams were held to 273 yards passing and 72 rushing.

At Zimmer’s news conference this afternoon he was pleased having won his first game as an NFL head coach but he wasn’t dwelling on yesterday. “We’ve got so many things we have to work on,” he said. “Our whole focus is about us getting better.”

Zimmer said because of injuries defensive starters Sharrif Floyd (tackle) and Xavier Rhodes (cornerback) are “day-to-day.”

Worth Noting

Patterson will be a guest on Paul Allen’s KFAN Radio show tomorrow morning, live from the Vikings new stadium preview center downtown. Fans that have passes will be able to attend.

The Vikings’ Scott Studwell, who has taken on a reduced scouting role as a regional college scout, said he will evaluate 200 to 300 players for next year’s NFL Draft compared with about 700 in the past.

The Vikings used a Valpak mailing last week with an insert headlined: “Don’t Get Left Inside.” Single game tickets for 2014 were promoted in the insert and also a pitch that “the only way to guarantee your seat in the new stadium is to become a season ticket member.”

Adam Thielen, the former Minnesota State-Mankato wide receiver who made the Vikings roster after being on the team’s practice squad last year, said the Gophers and then head coach Tim Brewster showed no interest in him coming out of Detroit Lakes High School. Thielen attracted almost no following from colleges while in high school and he recalled at Mankato State he received about $250 in financial assistance his freshman year. “It was real partial,” he said.

Thielen became a starter at wide receiver during his redshirt sophomore season. He was an undrafted free agent by the Vikings in 2013.

A source who spoke anonymously said former Gopher Marion Barber III who was reportedly in a hospital last June for a mental health evaluation is okay now and living in the Dallas area.

Barber’s former teammate Laurence Maroney, also one of the Gophers’ greatest running backs ever, lives in the St. Louis area where he is in the music business, according to the same source.

Gophers athletic director Norwood Teague said on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” yesterday that his department no longer owes any money to coaches who have been terminated. He also said $40 million has been secured toward the $190 million goal for improved facilities.

The Big Ten office issued a statement this afternoon announcing the reinstatement of Penn State’s eligibility starting now for the conference’s championship football game and a postseason bowl.

Fans will relive Twins memories when they work through the pages of an impressive new book from Nodin Press in Minneapolis. Twins historian Stew Thornley, franchise curator Clyde Doepner and photographer Jerry Stebbins have collaborated on a 96-page book that includes photos of championship rings, gloves, jerseys, pennants, signed baseballs, ticket stubs and other items—even a photo of organist Ronnie Newman’s bench. There are also photos and descriptions about historic achievements by Twins greats including Harmon Killebrew’s 573rd home run and Kirby Puckett’s Silver Slugger Award. The Minnesota Twins Through Memorabilia is like visiting a museum.

Twins relief pitchers have an 8.13 ERA in their last eight games. The club has lost four consecutive games and plays at Cleveland tomorrow night where the Twins starter will be Trevor May, 1-4 with a 9.38 ERA.

In case you want to wish him a belated happy birthday, former Timberwolves star Kevin Love turned 26 yesterday.

Rochester, Minnesota 16-year-old Ingrid Neel played in her first US Open Junior singles match last week in New York, losing in three sets. She and a partner lost in the second round of junior doubles in New York. Neel made news a few years ago by deciding to play boys’ tennis for Rochester Mayo High School, prompted by her belief girls couldn’t offer enough competition. She trains in Florida, with a pro career possible.

Indian Horse Relay will be at Canterbury Park September Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Twelve teams from various Native American nations compete in high-speed bareback riding, exchanging thoroughbred horses on the run. These non-wagering races feature riders in traditional Native American dress competing in qualifying races before determining a champion on Saturday. Known as America’s first sport dating back about 400 years, IHR remains culturally important to Native Americans today. IHR is co-hosted by Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake.

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S.I. too Pessimistic about Vikings’ Record

Posted on September 5, 2014September 6, 2014 by David Shama

The impression from here is national media is more pessimistic than local sources in forecasts about the Vikings’ 2014 season record. In Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview issue last week writer Andy Benoit predicts the Vikings will have a 4-12 record. Numberfire.com, a numbers crunching website, gives the Vikings an 11.3 percent chance of making the playoffs—a number exceeded in pessimism only by their view of the Raiders at 9.6 and Jaguars 6.9.

The Vikings’ record last year was 5-10-1, and their defensive statistics and quarterback numbers were nothing to toot your Gjallarhorn about. My opinion, though, is football authorities who are so pessimistic about the Vikings in 2014 are looking too closely at 2013 performance and not giving enough attention to the team’s potential and offseason changes.

The defense, for example, may feature the emergence of two impact players and starters—defensive end Everson Griffen and rookie linebacker Anthony Barr. Those two could juice the pass rush, a big factor defensively in the pass-happy NFL. Sacking quarterbacks or at least making them hurry throws can only help the linebacker and secondary units that remain suspect in both quality and depth.

Also, don’t discount coaching, an element that is probably more important in football than any other sport. New head coach Mike Zimmer will use his defensive expertise to improve the Vikings—maybe a lot. And new offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a gifted coach who will bring out the best from the troubled quarterback position.

Benoit was correct in identifying the quarterbacks as the Vikings’ major concern in his write-up. Veteran Matt Cassel will be the starter but his lack of a power arm is a problem when pass rushers come charging his way, according to Benoit. “While Cassel is tough enough to deliver the ball when he’s about to get hit, he’s not effective when doing so,” Benoit writes, while adding that the Vikings’ offensive line struggles to pass protect the quarterbacks.

But Cassel isn’t exactly on an island regarding helpers. Adrian Peterson remains the NFL gold standard for running backs and could be more productive than ever with a stepped-up role catching passes. Tight end Kyle Rudolph looked imposing catching and running with receptions during the preseason. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has to improve his pass routes but his running skills after catching the ball on passes or kickoffs are superb.

On defense the Vikings have potential stars in Griffen, Barr and safety Harrison Smith who could be more active as a pass rusher this season in a new scheme. Linebacker Chad Greenway is 31 but his experience and clubhouse leadership are valuable. Then, too, the Vikings are strong on special teams including with placekicker Blair Walsh who last season made all of his field goals between 20 and 39 yards, and five of six from 40 to 49.

The Vikings’ fate, as with every team in the league, will have a lot to do with injuries and who can’t play. Already the Rams, who the Vikings open the regular season against on Sunday, are without injured No. 1 quarterback Sam Bradford. That development may mean an opening road win for the Vikings in a season where Sports Headliners forecasts a 7-9 record.

Worth Noting

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King predicts the Packers will defeat the Colts 30-23 in the Super Bowl next February.

The NFC North, led by the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, is filled with impressive playmakers. “I think what we’re going to do offensively is going to be up there too,” Greenway told Sports Headliners. “I think we’re going to be pretty strong.”

Maxx Williams’ run, when he hurdled an Eastern Illinois defender in the open field after catching a pass in the Gophers’ first game last week, has become one of college football’s early season highlights—even featured on ESPN SportsCenter. The 6-4, 250-pound tight end said his move was instinctive and he couldn’t recall ever hurdling a defender before.

“I got lucky,” said Williams who has about a 33-inch vertical jump. “I saw him (the defender) going down. I just jumped up as high as I could—so I got a little scared. I thought he was going to hit me low. I figured I might as well try and jump, and it worked out for me.”

Williams, who is from Waconia High School, is one of the most athletic and fastest tight ends in the Big Ten. He is on the John Mackey Award list of candidates to be named the nation’s best tight end.

Devin Funchess, a former tight end who Michigan switched to wide receiver, caught three touchdown passes last week in the Wolverines’ opening game. Williams said he isn’t sure if he could make the switch to wide receiver and has no interest. “I love playing tight end,” he said.

As a redshirt sophomore, Williams will be eligible for the NFL Draft next year but almost guarantees being with the Gophers in 2015. He admitted the NFL is a “dream” but he has no desire to think about pro football now. “That’s way at the end of the day. Right now, I am living right now.”

Gophers’ redshirt freshman running back Berkley Edwards had four carries and two touchdowns in last week’s opening game including a 42-yard sprint down the sideline for a score. “We’d like to increase his workload every week a little bit and get him more involved,” said offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover. “Everybody in here (among the media) who saw the game understands that he’s a one touch, and that thing can be over in a hurry.”

An NFL scouting group has five senior Gophers on a watch list: Cameron Botticelli, defensive tackle; David Cobb, running back; Damien Wilson, linebacker; Cedric Thompson, safety; and Derrick Wells, cornerback.

Wilson, 6-2, 245-pounds led the team in tackles with 10 against Eastern Illinois. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys expects improvement over 2013, Wilson’s first season with the Gophers after transferring from Jones Community College in Mississippi.

“Damien is better (this year),” Claeys said. “I still think he can play better than what he did the other night. …He’s a little lighter than he was last year. That helps with all the no‑huddle teams, spreading it out. …You don’t find too many people his size that run like he does.”

The Gophers’ Thursday night opener at TCF Bank Stadium had an announced crowd of 44,344 but it appeared the spectator count was more in the 30,000 range. A weekday evening game is problematic for numerous reasons including traffic and competition from the State Fair. The Gophers will have Thursday night openers for the next three years including in 2015 on September 3 against TCU. The State Fair will end on September 7 next year.

Expect a larger announced attendance tomorrow than last week when the Gophers host Middle Tennessee State. School has started at the University of Minnesota (perhaps prompting a large student turnout), the State Fair is over and fair parking lots are now available to Gophers fans.

Congratulations to three Minnesota high school football coaches who earned their 100th career wins last week: John Austinson, Byron; Chad Johnston, Minneota; and Jeff Weiland, Orono. Their records as of last week were Austinson, 100-68-0; Johnston, 100-34-0; Weiland, 100-76-0.

MIAC football teams begin play tomorrow and if a poll of the league coaches is correct Bethel will repeat as champion. The predicted order of finish for the teams is Bethel, St. Thomas, Concordia, Saint John’s, Augsburg, Gustavus, Carleton, Hamline and St. Olaf.

Earlier this summer the conference placed two teams in the D3football.com top 25 preseason poll—Bethel No. 7 and St. Thomas No. 11. Both teams were also ranked in The Sporting News top 20 and Lindy’s top 10. The Sporting News listed Bethel No. 6 and St. Thomas No. 15, while Lindy’s had the Royals fourth and Tommies seventh.

Michael Hurt, the Rochester John Marshall High School junior small forward who the basketball Gophers offered a scholarship to last month, is the grandson of Dr. Richard Hurt who has been an advocate of smoke-free environments.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout, 23, is hitting .390 in 17 career games against the Twins. Trout helped the Angels to a 5-4 win over the Twins last night at Target Field where he is hitting .435 in six career games.

Reservations are being accepted through Monday to hear Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne at next Thursday’s CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. For more information contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

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Top QB Favors Ducks But Gophers in Mix

Posted on September 3, 2014September 3, 2014 by David Shama

Seth Green, the junior quarterback from East Ridge High School in Woodbury, who could become a consensus all-state player within a couple of months, told Sports Headliners he ranks Oregon ahead of the many other colleges pursuing him.

Green has heard from a lot of schools and has offers from Oregon, Illinois, Iowa, Louisville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Wisconsin. Asked if he leans toward one day playing for Oregon, he answered, “Yes, sir.” He plans to announce his college choice by early next summer—at the latest.

The 6-4, 210-pound Green, who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash, has been a starter for the Raptors since his freshman season. He impressed college recruiters last season, and also during the offseason with both his quarterbacking and overall athletic skills.

Green is almost certain to become one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks ever from the state of Minnesota. After Oregon, he quickly mentioned Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin as schools that have more of his interest than others. What might cause him to one day commit to the Gophers?

“I don’t know—just sort of seeing how they keep building their program,” Green said. “They’re on a really great track right now and I like what they’re doing. They’re headed in the right direction with (head) coach (Jerry) Kill and (quarterbacks) coach (Jim) Zebrowski. So just seeing them continue to grow.”

The Gophers have increased their win totals every season since Kill became head coach in 2011. Minnesota has program connections to Green who was born in Minneapolis. His father, Bryan Green, was a running back via Birmingham, Alabama for the Gophers in the early 1990s. East Ridge coach Mike Pendino was a Gophers assistant in 1990 and 1991.

“I do know Minnesota is still in the mix,” Pendino told Sports Headliners. “His dad is a Minnesota guy. He’s a Minnesota kid (Seth). I know he likes the Gophers.”

But Pendino isn’t going to dictate a college choice to Green or any of his players. “I try to help them (his players) through the process. I am not going to ever tell anyone where they should or shouldn’t go. That’s their choice. They’ve got to go there for the next five years.”

Pendino coached eight time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald when the two were at the Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield. Although Green and Fitzgerald play different positions, there are similarities.

“Yeah, he reminds me of Fitzgerald in the way he carries himself and the way he handles himself,” Pendino said. “The confidence that he oozes and the way the kids react to him.”

Green took over as the East Ridge starting quarterback after one game as a freshman. “He’s learning and growing every day,” Pendino said. “He’s come so far from his freshman year to now, and he’s got a lot of room to grow. I think the potential is unlimited with Seth.”

Last year Green threw for 1,322 yards in 10 games and had 13 touchdown passes. Those numbers and others are almost certain to expand but Pendino also wants to see Green become more of a team leader and take charge in helping teammates focus. “Once he’s on the field his athleticism, his smarts take over.”

During past seasons Green has had more opportunities to pass than run but Pendino said his quarterback is a special dual-threat talent. “He’s got a gun for an arm. He can make every throw. Once we let him start running he can be a tailback, too.”

The coach doesn’t question his quarterback’s dedication to learning including willingness to watch game films. “He’s a film junkie,” Pendino said.

Green received his offer from Oregon earlier this summer after attending a Ducks camp. “They called me and said he did absolutely awesome out there, and they just wanted to do a little character check on his background,” Pendino said. “Great character kid. Didn’t take very long and they just called me and said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna offer Seth.’

“He deserves it. He worked hard and he’s a good player.”

Every passionate college football fan knows Oregon successfully recruits elite and athletic players. Marcus Mariota, the Ducks dual-threat quarterback this season, is a Heisman Trophy favorite. Green has watched film of the Ducks and sees similarities with himself and Oregon’s 6-4, 219 pound junior quarterback.

Mariota threw 31 touchdown passes last season and just four interceptions while rushing for 731 yards. “Yes, I am a big fan of his because he’s sort of like the perfect dual-threat quarterback,” Green said.

Green will see Mariota and the Ducks this Saturday when Associated Press No. 3 ranked Oregon plays No. 7 Michigan State in Eugene. His trip to Oregon’s campus is likely to reinforce all the excitement and positive feelings he already has from his visit earlier this summer.

The Ducks are not only one of college football’s powers but their videogame-like offense is captivating to watch. With revenue sources that include Nike founder and Oregon alum Phil Knight, the football department’s facilities are the envy of other Division I schools and so spectacular Sports Illustrated published a photo spread showing off the luxurious and high tech features.

Green described the football facilities as a mini-campus. “You have Autzen (Stadium) right there, you have the practice field, the football complex and it’s all right there. ….I thought that was really cool—how it’s all with each other so you’re not distracted.”

Green said Oregon hasn’t promised he will be the only quarterback in the Ducks’ class of 2016 but he was the first offered a scholarship. He was honored by the offer. “I feel like I fit there the best. With their team, style, offense, facilities, location—it (Oregon) benefits me the most and I’ll get the most out of it.”

Green, who is one of the East Ridge football captains, will have a busy week. Before catching a 7 a.m. flight on Saturday morning, he and the Raptors play their second game of the season on Friday night at Cretin-Derham Hall against the Raiders.

The Raptors defeated Park of Cottage Grove in their 2014 opening game last week. Green completed 17 of 30 passes in that game and threw three touchdown passes.

Before choosing a college he would like to help East Ridge to a state championship. “I feel like we can be as good as we want to be if we put in the work and time and effort—and focus and execute, then we can be really good,” he said.

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