David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on December 7, 2011December 29, 2011 by David Shama

Former Minneapolis South High star Tayler Hill, now at Ohio State, is the Big Ten Women’s Player of the Week after averaging 25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals in wins over Florida State and Oklahoma last week.

Eric Dungy, son of former Gophers quarterback and Vikings assistant coach Tony Dungy, is a reserve redshirt freshman wide receiver who has played in five games for Oregon but has no receptions.

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton is supportive of head coach Leslie Frazier. He said keeping perspective on the difficult challenges Frazier has faced including a reduced off-season working with players because of the NFL labor dispute and the multiple team injuries have impeded progress. The coach has shown leadership and Dalton said, “I like the coaching staff Leslie Frazier has put together.”

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has thrown eight interceptions in seven games. No question Ponder has forced a number of passes but what fans miss is the entire scheme of the play including whether receivers were in the proper spots on the field, according to Dalton.

When the Vikings released quarterback Donovan McNabb last week, the move only fueled speculation that the veteran’s work habits were lacking.

Sports Illustrated’s December 5 NBA preview issue includes a prediction the Timberwolves will finish last in the Northwest Division. The publication said the team is “no longer lacking for talent” and describes the rookie tandem of Derrick Williams and guard Ricky Rubio “as enticing as any.” No playoffs for an eighth straight year, but improvement and “maybe even some long-overdue fun,” according to S.I.

Gene Glynn, who has been named manager of the Twins Rochester farm team, was the first Minnesota Mr. Basketball winner back in 1975 after an outstanding athletic career at Waseca High School.

If as reported on the Twins Website general manager Terry Ryan is shopping for a corner outfielder at the winter baseball meetings, it’s probably a solid indication he doesn’t expect to sign both Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. Among the factors in favoring Cuddyer being retained by the Twins is his right-handed bat. Past Twins lineups have been heavy on left-handed hitters like Kubel.

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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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