David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Loadholt Talking Super Bowl

Posted on May 7, 2012May 7, 2012 by David Shama

Reporting from Winter Park:

Last season’s 3-13 record hasn’t lessened Phil Loadholt’s optimism about 2012. “Our goal is to win the world championship,” the offensive tackle told Sports Headliners.

Such a statement may surprise outsiders but the off-season is a time of renewed optimism, particularly for players who have been taught since Pop Warner football to set goals and anticipate success. Loadholt said having the Vikings participate in the next Super Bowl is “definitely possible.” His opinion is the team has the “right” talent and coaching staff to make that happen.

With no NFL labor strike preventing players and coaches from working together as training camp approaches, the Vikings won’t be at the disadvantage they were a year ago when they were learning a new offensive system under then new coordinator Bill Musgrave, according to Loadholt. That’s another reason for his optimism.

The return of running back Adrian Peterson from an ACL injury will make a difference, too. Like a lot of observers, Loadholt looks at Peterson’s physical gifts with wonder. “I expect him to come back faster than anyone else (from the injury),” Loadholt said.

Loadholt was one of many veteran players watching last weekend’s Vikings Rookie Mini-camp at Winter Park in Eden Prairie. There were ten 2012 draft choices, 15 rookie free agents, seven pre-draft signees and 39 pro-college tryout players listed on a roster provided to media. There were 71 total players listed including a few being counted on in 2012 like first round draft choices Matt Kalil (offensive tackle) and Harrison Smith (safety), but the roster consisted mostly of long shots to make the team.

Brandon Fusco, a sixth round draft choice last season who did earn a 2011 roster spot, was one of the veterans who watched the drills at mini-camp. He could be lining up at right guard next to Loadholt this season. He told Sports Headliners as last season progressed, “the game slowed down” because his knowledge improved. Now he’s more experienced and in his best physical shape ever. “I feel a lot more confident I am the guy for the (starting) job,” he said.

Another second-year player, quarterback Christian Ponder, was at the mini-camp. Coach Leslie Frazier said he liked having Ponder volunteer to watch Musgrave’s offense being installed. “That’s a big deal because we’re counting on him from a leadership standpoint and you like the fact that you’re starting quarterback is a football junkie,” Frazier said. “He would take the time to just watch and observe. That’s encouraging.”

Kalil left USC after his junior season but said the decision to turn pro wasn’t a difficult one even though the Trojans could be the No. 1 team in college football next fall. “I think I accomplished everything I wanted to at USC,” he said.

Vikings starting center John Sullivan said playing in a pro style offense and in “pressure games” at USC will help Kalil make the adjustment faster to the NFL. Kalil agreed that the offense was similar to the Trojans but he’s learning different terminology with the Vikings.

Although the Vikings drafted Georgia kicker Blair Walsh in the sixth round, Frazier said it’s not likely the team will keep two kickers. That means either Walsh or 15- year veteran Ryan Longwell will be responsible for field goals and kickoffs. Walsh was a first team USA Today prep All-American.

Wide receiver draft choices Greg Childs and Jarius Wright have been friends since elementary school. After playing football together at Arkansas, they have a chance to be teammates on the same NFL team.

“I know,” Frazier said. “…I was talking to them and it’s just amazing to go from elementary school, middle school, high school, college and then teammates in the pros. What are the odds of that happening?

“They’re great friends as you would expect and tremendous players. They are reminding me, ‘Coach, we’ve always been winners. Everywhere we went.’ I said, ‘Hallelujah, we’ll take that. Bring some of that with you.’ We’re glad to have them and looking forward to seeing how they progress.”

Among the players on the mini-camp roster were several former Gophers including tight ends Tiree Eure and Nick Tow-Arnett, and wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight. Two other ex-Gophers listed were defensive linemen Anthony Jacobs and Brandon Kirksey.

Another name of local interest was Minneapolis native Marcus Fitzgerald, brother of Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Marcus is 26 and although out of football for awhile is trying to make a pro roster as a wide receiver. His dad, Larry Sr., said Marcus has been working as a social media consultant.

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Spielman: Wilfs Best NFL Owners

Posted on May 4, 2012May 4, 2012 by David Shama

Rick Spielman has worked in the NFL for 22 years but the “best owners” who have employed him are the Wilf family.

The Vikings general manager told Sports Headliners that Mark and Zygi Wilf have impressed him with their commitment to the organization and willingness to learn. In a word, the Wilfs want to win.

“They’re willing to do whatever they have to do from their end to make that happen,” Spielman said. “They believe in the direction we’re going right now. How we’re building this roster. How we will continue to build this roster, and they’re just very, very supportive of what transpires as we go forward.

“Just being able to speak with them almost on a daily basis—or every other day basis—it’s not ownership that’s absentee. They want to know what’s going on. They want to know why we’re doing this or doing that, so they understand it as well.”

The Wilf’s involvement includes sitting with Spielman during the NFL Draft each year including the 2012 selections last week. Spielman said it’s “exciting” to have the NFL’s “best owners” in the room with him.

“They are front and center every year. They are very passionate owners but they also give you the sense that they don’t interfere. They put you in charge because they ultimately believe you are going to do the right things for the organization, but they are very, very supportive. They enjoy the draft very much.”

Part of Spielman’s philosophy in shaping the roster is to look for more than physical ability. He wants players with high football intelligence. That’s particularly an asset for what Spielman describes as the middle of a team.

Spielman believes he has the right football intelligence in new draft choice Harrison Smith at safety, along with inside linebacker Chad Greenway, center John Sullivan and quarterback Christian Ponder. “The middle of that football team from the safety to the linebacker to the center to the quarterback, those are the ones that are making all the calls and adjustments during the games,” Spielman said.

Ponder, a rookie last season, had his progress interrupted by the labor dispute that prevented players from working with coaches during the off-season. Spielman expects improvement from Ponder in 2012.

“We’re looking for strides every year,” Spielman said. “Different quarterbacks hit it at different times. I know Christian has been working extremely hard since we’ve been allowed back in the building (Winter Park). He came back in great shape. He’s out there throwing with our receivers.”

How good can Ponder become? “Time will tell,” Spielman said. “We have a lot of faith in Christian and his ability to be our franchise quarterback.”

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Worth Noting

Posted on May 4, 2012May 4, 2012 by David Shama

Adam Weber said he’s being given an equal opportunity in Denver to demonstrate his value as a backup quarterback to Peyton Manning. The former Gophers quarterback is starting his second season with the Broncos and is confident in his abilities.

“I do know what I am doing,” Weber told Sports Headliners when asked to describe his strengths. “I am a smart quarterback, can move the ball and create plays when they break down. I am trying to be the best I can be.”

Weber, who signed last season with Denver as a free agent, worked while in college at a passing camp headlined by Manning. He describes Manning as one of the first players to practice, last to leave, and a “good person.”

Weber said that with Manning’s pass-first approach and determination to throw long, this could be a “big season” for former Gophers wide receiver Eric Decker. This will be Manning’s first season with Denver and Decker’s third. “I think all the wide receivers are excited,” Weber said.

Peyton’s brother, quarterback Eli Manning of the Super Bowl champion Giants, hosts NBC TV’s Saturday Night Live this Saturday night. Peyton has also hosted SNL.

Sports industry experts might be startled by the lack of knowledge some Minnesota legislators have displayed during the Vikings stadium debate this spring. What’s also alarming is you can be certain some legislators aren’t too savvy on other issues that also involve policy making.

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi told Sports Headliners he understands his replacement, Norwood Teague, will be on campus for a “couple of visits” before taking over full time in early July. Teague’s pre-July work is expected to include meetings with Maturi and Gophers associate athletic directors, and also major donors and backers of the program.

Maturi said he has no announcement yet on a major Gophers home basketball game for the 2012 nonconference season. Nor is there any final word on coach Tubby Smith’s possible contract extension. “You know as much as I do,” Maturi said.

In a group email sent by Maturi this week to Gophers supporters, he reported that 413 Gophers student-athletes have been honored for maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA during their careers.

If you keep a Big Ten football calendar, circle Saturday, September 1 for the game in Arlington, Texas between defending national champion Alabama and Michigan. Other Big Ten nonconference games that day include Boise State at Michigan State, and Iowa at Northern Illinois (Soldier Field, Chicago). The Gophers open their schedule on August 30 at UNLV.

The Big Ten has announced kickoff times for two of the Gophers conference games. The September 29 game at Iowa starts at 11 a.m. Minneapolis time. The October 13 game at home against Northwestern also begins at 11 a.m.

The Twins have the No. 2 pick in next month’s MLB amateur draft. Mark Appel, a junior pitcher at Stanford, has to be one of the prospects the Twins have under review. He’s 6-1 this year with a 2.73 ERA and struck out 81 batters in 79 innings.

Not only do the Twins have the worst record in Major League Baseball at 6-18 but their Rochester Triple-A farm team is off to a slow start at 10-16.

Second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka continues to struggle at Rochester hitting .203 with no home runs and three RBI. Joe Benson, considered one of the organization’s better outfield prospects, is hitting .186. Starting pitcher Scott Diamond is 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA. He’s tied for the league lead in wins.

Drew Butera, who the Twins recalled from Rochester this week, led all Twins catchers in games caught last year, 93. He threw out 20 base stealers last season, ninth most in the American League.

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