David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Worth Noting

Posted on August 1, 2011October 9, 2011 by David Shama

Pulley said the two best high school seniors next season will be Hopkins point guard Siyani Chambers and Benilde-St. Margaret’s Isaiah Zierden, a two-guard who Pulley believes ranks with the best prep shooters in America. He said both are “mid-major” college prospects who could excel in the right programs.

Maya Moore of the Lynx has been named WNBA Rookie of the Month for July. She led all rookies in scoring at 13 points per game. Teammate Seimone Augustus is the Western Conference Player of the Month after averaging 19 points per game in July.

New Britain relief pitcher Tyler Robertson is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week. Last week he was 1-0 with one save while pitching five innings, allowing no runs and striking out seven.

Twins reliever Glen Perkins has allowed just one earned run in his last 18 appearances. He is 3-0 with a 0.59 ERA in 15.1 innings.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier surprised fans today by cutting left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson on new teammate and quarterback Donovan McNabb: “I’ve been able to play with Donovan a couple times in the Pro Bowl. I’ve been around him enough to know that he’s a great leader, full of energy.”

Former Viking and now KFAN radio host Mike Morris is the new strength and conditioning coach for athletic teams at Concordia, St. Paul.

St. Thomas wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel and tackle Chad Vandergriff, along with Bethel guard Mitch Elliot, have been named to the first team North offense for the D3 Senior Classic preseason All-American team. St. Olaf running back Leon Clark was named to the North second offense while on the second North defensive team are Gustavus safety Brad Kruckeberg and Carleton linebacker Mark Scoglund. Players, including those who were listed as honorable mention preseason All-Americans, are eligible for invitations to the December 10 D3 Senior Classic in Salem, Virginia, a post season all-star game for Division III players.

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso will speak at a C.O.R.E.S luncheon on Thursday, November 10. Twins curator Clyde Doepner is the speaker on Thursday, September 8. C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

Former Pioneer Press sportswriter Gregg Wong emailed about the Men’s Doubles Fundraiser on Tuesday, August 16 at Minikahda Club. Proceeds go to Saint Paul Urban Tennis, a nonprofit organization annually offering tennis and life skills to more than 4,000 youth. Additional information is available from the SPUT office, 651-222-2879.

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Frazier: Vikings Need to Embrace Now, Let Go of 2010

Posted on July 29, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

New Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was a popular choice by the players to succeed Brad Childress last season. Frazier coached the team as interim boss and earned the confidence of not only players but owners, too.

The 2010 Vikings were among the popular picks to reach the Super Bowl before the season began. But the team had various disappointments including the performances of the offensive line, receivers and quarterback Brett Favre. Childress was let go after the Green Bay game in Minneapolis on November 21. The Vikings had a 3-7 record then and finished 6-10.

Frazier had been the Vikings defensive coordinator since 2007 and earned the respect of players with his football knowledge and leadership. Now 52, Frazier hasn’t been a head coach for a full season since he helped start the football program at Trinity College in Illinois in the late 1980s. But Frazier radiates positivity, has a football background that includes Super Bowl wins as a player and assistant coach, and seems comfortable with the challenge of leading a Vikings team that some media believe will finish last in the NFC North behind Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit.

Doubts about the 2011 Vikings include the quarterback position, offensive line and a revised coaching staff. Frazier talked with Sports Headliners this week about a variety of subjects including what he needs to establish with his team. Here is the interview Q & A:

What do you think the team expects from you as the new head coach?

Frazier: “I think our players are looking for leadership, someone to really chart the direction of our team as we navigate this new season. … They’re looking for guidance and that’s what I am here to provide.”

What do you need to prove or establish this year?

“I think I need to make sure that we don’t have a bad taste in our mouths from last season. That we’re moving forward and looking forward to 2011, and not holding on to 2010. If I can get that done, where we’re focused on 2011, that will be a big boon for our team.”

Do you need to establish yourself more with the offensive players? Or did you establish that as interim coach?

“I think they’re familiar with me. Now we’ve got some new guys coming to our club that I will have to get familiar with and vice versa. But I think they kind of have a good feel for the way I lead and what’s expected.”

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Frazier Expects Vikings to Compete for NFC North Title

Posted on July 29, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

How good of a football team can you have this year?

“I think we can compete again for the NFC North championship. I really do. I know last year didn’t turn out so well for us but I don’t think we’re as far away as some people think.”

Will this team likely be focused more on running the football no matter who is quarterbacking?

“For sure. We’re going to definitely try to use Adrian Peterson as a strength like we have in the past and just make sure that everything starts with Adrian. Hopefully our passing game will feed off of that.”

How do you develop the offensive line?

“You know, we’ve got some guys that we drafted that we think are going to help. Being able to have a healthy Anthony Herrera (guard) will make a difference. A healthy Steve Hutchinson (guard) will make a difference. So if we can get some of our key guys back healthy again, including our center (John) Sullivan, we’ll have a chance to improve our offensive line.”

How much of a difference can leadership make in the wins and losses for a team?

“If you’ve got good leadership in your locker room, you may not have the most talented team, but your leaders can really turn a team around by their attitude and their approach everyday. And that’s the intangible that gets overlooked sometimes when you talk about talent. But great leadership—and I’ve been on teams with great leadership—you can win games with it.”

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