David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Magic Number Looks Like 8 Games

Posted on December 5, 2011December 29, 2011 by David Shama

What now for the 2-10 Vikings?

With four games remaining on the schedule none of the players and coaches will probably talk about anything but competing and trying to win, but the best long range benefit for the franchise could be extending the team losing streak to eight straight games. The Vikings lost their fourth consecutive game yesterday to Denver, 35-32 in the closing seconds.

It was the seventh loss by seven points or less. The defeat left players frustrated and critical of their own misdeeds. “I am trying to win games,” Jared Allen said. “I don’t want it (the season) to end at 2-11 or whatever the hell we are. …”

Three of the Vikings four remaining opponents have winning records. The Vikings probably won’t even be favored on the road against 4-8 Washington. A 2-14 final record would position the Vikings near the top in the 2012 NFL draft order and that’s a reward which figures to be more valuable than winning a couple more games.

Other than Indianapolis (0-12), no team has a worse record than the Vikings (St. Louis is also 2-10). The Vikings have painful personnel needs at wide receiver, along the offensive line and in the secondary. They could use a top five draft choice to improve themselves, either drafting a college player or perhaps even leveraging their pick in a trade.

The irony about the Vikings is that even with a bad record, this team has exceptional players in certain positions, starting with Allen at defensive end and all-world running back Adrian Peterson. And certainly the Vikings saw into their future during the Denver loss with rookie quarterback Christian Ponder throwing for 381 yards while tossing two touchdown passes to third year receiver Percy Harvin and one to rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Everyone who cheers for the Vikings wants to see young players like that trio develop in the four remaining games, but those with a long term perspective are just as open to L’s as W’s the rest of the way.

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Prep Star Jones Still Looking at Gophers

Posted on December 5, 2011December 29, 2011 by David Shama

There’s no truth to speculation Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones is not “seriously” considering the Gophers as his college choice, according to his mother.

Debbie Jones told Sports Headliners she didn’t “know where people are getting their information” when discussing her son, a high school sophomore who national observers consider the best at his position in the country. “Oh, yeah, he is definitely considering Minnesota,” she said.

Programs that Jones is seriously looking at include Ohio State, Michigan State, Duke and Arizona, as well as Minnesota. Except for Duke all have offered scholarships.

About a month ago family members including Tyus and his mother were at Ohio State for a first out of town unofficial visit. Debbie said they met Buckeyes coach Thad Matta and attended an exhibition game.

She also said multiple factors will weigh on her son’s ultimate college choice and that staying home to attend school has appeal. While the Gophers haven’t been winning for years like Ohio State and others on his list, that won’t necessarily tip a decision to choose a school other than Minnesota, according to Debbie.

Her sister and brother-in-law, Darcy and Greg Cascaes, made the trip to Columbus. Debbie said family will influence the consideration of a college choice but ultimately the decision will be “what Tyus wants to do, no doubt.”

Apple Valley opens its season tomorrow night against Eden Prairie at home. Apple Valley hopes to be among the state’s best teams this season and in a prep jamboree last month beat defending Class 4A champion Hopkins. “Our kids played fabulous,” Debbie said.

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Worth Noting

Posted on December 5, 2011December 29, 2011 by David Shama

The 1962 Vikings lost seven consecutive games, the most in franchise history for one season. The 2011 team, now on a four game losing streak, could break the record by losing its last four games including the season finale at home on January 1 against Chicago.

Former Gopher wide receiver Eric Decker talking about his Denver quarterback teammate Tim Tebow who directed the Broncos to another close win yesterday against the Vikings: “He’s a miracle maker. He brings a positive attitude and optimism that has rubbed off on the guys. He does a great job.”

The Gophers 1972 Big Ten championship basketball team was honored at halftime of Saturday’s Minnesota-USC game at Williams arena. Among those in attendance were Ron Behagen, Jim Brewer, Corky Taylor, Clyde Turner, Greg Troland and Dave Winfield.

The Gophers were coached by the late Bill Musselman who loved to intimidate opponents and motivated his players by playing war songs in the locker room.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith after being asked about Rodney Williams’ spectacular 360 degree dunk in Saturday’s win against USC: “I didn’t see it. What did he do?”

The Timberwolves could put a starting lineup on the floor with players who were all top five draft choices. Forward Derrick Williams and center Darko Milicic were No. 2 overall choices, guard Wes Johnson a No. 4, and forward Kevin Love and guard Ricky Rubio both were No. 5 picks. Michael Beasley, who could win a job ahead of Williams, was also a No. 2 draft choice.

St. Thomas won its home football playoff game on Saturday against St. John Fisher and advances to the Division III semifinals but a less than capacity crowd was a disappointment.
The Mr. Football banquet will be Sunday afternoon at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park. The 10 finalists for the award are: Beau Bofferding, Marshall; Jonathan Harden, Cretin-Derham Hall, Trey Heid, Lakeville North; Andrew Larson, Eden Prairie; Andre McDonald, Hopkins; Nate Meyer, Rocori; Phillip Nelson, Mankato West; Jonah Pirsig, Blue Earth Area; Sam Sura, South St. Paul; Tyler Vaughan, Braham. The Mr. Football program is sponsored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and the Vikings.

Eden Prairie Class 5A state championship football coach Mike Grant will be the speaker on Thursday, January 12 at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon in Bloomington. C.O.R.E.S. members can contact Jim Dotseth for more information, dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

The Wild announced that in partnership with West Bend and Kincaid’s Classic American Dining, the Wild About Children event last month raised $150,000 ─ the second largest fundraising total in event history. Over eight years, more than $814,000 has benefitted Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

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