Forward Rodney Williams had a modest freshman season for the Gophers, starting four of 32 games, averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks.  For those who haven’t seen him play, or practice, it must have been stunning to visit Nbadraft.net earlier this fall and see him projected as the No. 11 pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft.

A mock draft is just that, a hypothetical, but know this: NBA teams are salivating for prospects that combine basketball skills with athleticism.  Teams will draft prospects lacking experience and still teenagers.

The 6-7, 200 pound Williams played at Robbinsdale Cooper where his senior year numbers were modest: 15.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.  But Williams showed back then that he was a recruit to be coveted, a superb athlete who gracefully moved up and down the court.  The potential was there to be a great college player…scoring, rebounding and defending.  And top it all off with flair, using his extraordinary leaping ability to dunk the ball and block shots.  Even while in high school some observers saw a young man who belonged in the NBA slam dunk contest.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith was asked by Sports Headliners for his reaction to the lofty place Nbadraftnet.com positioned Williams.  “I would say, wow.  What a great thing,” Smith answered.  “I pray that’s the case.  That would be beautiful for him, for us and for his family.

“I think he’s capable.  I think he has that type of potential, if he’s willing to work.  But let’s just say this.  He has a long way to go, a lot to prove.  If he does that, he’s going to be all right.

“But at this point he ain’t no 11 pick.  But he could and I hope and pray that he is.  I hope he’s a No. 1 pick (first player chosen). That’s my goal. That’s my dream for him is to be the best player in college basketball.”

Williams started at small forward for the Gophers last Tuesday night, contributing 13 points on six of eight shooting in 22 minutes in the team’s 109-59 exhibition game win over Northeastern State.  He also blocked three shots.

The Gophers play Winona State at home tonight, their second and final exhibition game.

Comments Welcome

In an updated version, NBAdraftnet.com has Williams projected at No. 16 in the first round.  https://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

Former Stanford running back Toby Gerhart said he hadn’t heard the rumor that Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh might be the next Dallas coach.  “I think he’s one of the best young coaches out there,” Gerhart said.  “So I think any job that opens up whether it be college (or pro)…I think his name is going to be attached to it.  I have no idea what he’s going to do.”

Speculation is if Harbaugh leaves Stanford he will go to the NFL. Gerhart said before the NFL draft he met Harbaugh’s brother John, the Baltimore coach, and the two are “spittin’ images” of one another including knowledge and passion for competition.

Gerhart has 63 yards on 19 carries in limited work for the Vikings.  Asked about whether it’s human nature to be anticipating that first long run as a pro, he said: “Yeah, break that first long run, or get in the end zone, one or the other. Yeah, waiting for that moment.  Hopefully it’s coming soon.”

Greg Camarillo is in his fifth NFL season but had never returned punts until the Vikings gave him that job several weeks ago.  Camarillo told Sports Headliners he was the backup punt returner at Stanford but only caught one punt in a game.  He had no experience returning punts in high school or peewees.

Minneapolis native Walt Jocketty is Sporting News Magazine’s baseball Executive of the Year for his work with Cincinnati, winners of the National League Central Division title.  The November 8 issue ranks the Twins No. 4 among American League teams and speculates that Matt Capps might be traded this offseason with the likely return next spring of closer Joe Nathan.

Family pride: My wife’s nephew, 36-year-old Eric Gilbertson, finished fourth among runners in the Cactus Rose ultramarathon, completing the 100-mile course in 23 hours, 42 minutes.  Held in Bandera, Texas, the race is promoted as: “A nasty rugged trail run. Bonus points for blood, cuts, scrapes & puke.”

Last week’s NABC/Division II preseason coaches poll ranked St. Cloud State No. 8 in the country, Winona State No. 9.  Cal Poly Pomona ranked No. 1.

The Wild traded Nick Leddy and Kim Johnsson to Chicago last February as part of a deal that brought Cam Barker here.  Leddy was demoted to Rockford of the AHL in mid-October.  Johnsson is no longer with Chicago and Barker has three points on three assists for the Wild.

 

Comments Welcome

Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton told Sports Headliners that head coach Brad Childress is facing his “biggest test” now in his four-plus seasons with the Vikings.

The unexpected release of wide receiver Randy Moss this week creates a situation where Childress could “lose the locker room,” Dalton said.  The team’s “psyche” is vulnerable anyway because of the 2-5 record, and the sudden departure of the controversial Moss after just four games might be problematic for the Vikings on Sunday when they play Arizona at Mall of America Field.

Dalton thinks Childress reacted hastily in releasing Moss after his impromptu news conference last Sunday during which he asked and answered his own questions, often finding praise for his former New England coach Bill Belichick and teammates, and some fault and certainly not as much affection for the Vikings organization.

Childress hasn’t detailed reasons for letting Moss go although speculation is that his 33-year-old receiver’s misdeeds in behavior and lack of effort at times added up to a resume not to the liking of the coach.  The press conference may have been the final factor.  “To make a quick response (by Childress) seems a little reactionary from comment(s) from the press conference,” Dalton said.

There’s a “potential divide” now in the locker room, according to Dalton.  Differences of opinion among players about the Moss departure perhaps can be controlled by veteran leadership.  Some players could be upset about losing a big play receiver like Moss who was brought in after the season started to help a faltering passing game.  Others might believe the sometimes bizarre behavior of Moss (he reportedly cursed out a caterer at Winter Park last week) and his “play when I want to play” attitude is too much of a distraction.

Childress is a disciplinarian and committed to having a roster of players he’s comfortable with.  At other times during his tenure with the Vikings he’s irritated players with his moves including when in 2006 he released wide receiver Marcus Robinson on Christmas Eve.  Another incident was his clash with wide receiver Troy Williamson about being absent from the team for too many days in 2007.  Williamson missed time that Childress didn’t approve because of his grandmother’s funeral.

Dalton said relationships in the locker room and with coaches can’t be counter productive.  “With a close knit group it’s important to have the right personalities,” he said.

The Vikings gave up a third round draft choice in 2011 to New England to acquire Moss just a few weeks ago.  They also would have had to pay his salary had Tennessee not claimed him off waivers on Wednesday.

The Vikings knew what kind of talent and character they were acquiring.  “If Moss didn’t fit, that decision should have been made before the trade,” Dalton said.

Dalton, a former Vikings assistant coach under Mike Tice, follows the NFL closely and has a weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio.  He doesn’t agree with those who point to Moss’ minimal stats with the Vikings (13 receptions, 174 yards and two touchdowns) and say he didn’t contribute.  “He was drawing coverages that allow somebody else to get open,” Dalton said.

The Vikings have almost buried their season and probably have to win seven or eight of the remaining games to win the NFC North and make the playoffs.  “Another loss in the next few weeks and stick a fork in them,” Dalton said.

Dalton, though, believes the Vikings could pull off almost a miracle finish.  They are more talented than the team he helped coach in 2005 that won seven of its last nine games.  “They’re going to need a lot of momentum because they’re in a really bad spot,” Dalton said.  “They’re talented enough to get on a hot streak.  And that’s how he (Childress) can win back that locker room. …”

Comments Welcome