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Worth Noting

Posted on October 19, 2009February 7, 2012 by David Shama

Smith said Dominique Dawson, the 6-foot-7 walk-on forward from Southwest High School, will likely redshirt this season.

Other than a game against St. Joseph’s of Philadelphia, the Gophers home nonconference schedule could use more fan appeal.  Smith said eventually there might be home games against some of the most prestigious programs in the country.  He also said Louisville wanted the Gophers to be the opening opponent in its new arena next year but that didn’t work out.

Second year Vikings center John Sullivan, now a starter, learned from veteran Matt Birk last year before Birk left to play for the Ravens.  Sullivan said Birk taught him to be a thorough note taker.  “I’ve probably been through five notebooks already this year since the start of OTA’s and training camp,” Sullivan said.

After Saturday’s loss at Penn State, the Gophers have now lost eight consecutive trophy games.

Vikings defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy played for Penn State and legendary coach Joe Paterno from 1999-2002.  Last Saturday Paterno, 82, got his 389th coaching win against the Gophers.  He’s been an assistant coach at Penn State since 1950 and head coach dating back to 1966.  “When I was a player Joe told us that he’s going to die on the field,” Kennedy said. “I believe him.”

Kennedy speaks with praise and admiration about his old coach.  Because of Paterno, Kennedy said, “I am able to survive after football.”

After a terrific high school career, Kennedy thought he would only be at Penn State for a short while before moving on to the pros.  He learned from Paterno that Penn State emphasizes academics, not just football.  “Joe gave me a slap in the face and said, ‘Hey, this is what we’re about.  I am about men.  I have more doctors and lawyers out there than I do NFL players.’ ”

Gophers special teams coach John Butler describes Troy Stoudermire as explosive and fearless.  He said the sophomore kickoff returner, wide receiver and special teams tackler can play in the NFL because the pros want versatile players.

Freshman punter Dan Orseske, who punted for the Gophers earlier in the season before developing mononucleosis, could be redshirted, coach Tim Brewster said.

USA Today Sports Weekly named Twins catcher Joe Mauer and reliever Joe Nathan to its American League post season All-Star team.  Former Twin Torii Hunter, now with the Angels, was named the center fielder.

Ted Williams, who played for the AAA Minneapolis Millers, is ranked as baseball’s all-time No. 2 hitter after Babe Ruth in a story at https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/10/14/best.hitters/index.html?bcnn=yes.

A Gopher hockey fan who was in Grand Forks for Friday night’s game against North Dakota estimated that the pre-game presentation and introductions was way overdone, clocking close to 20 minutes.  He said: “Wow!  Longest I’ve ever seen!”

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Vikings Stadium Drive Needs More Passion, Leadership

Posted on October 16, 2009February 7, 2012 by David Shama

Odds are “50-50” right now that the Vikings franchise will eventually relocate, and “75-25” it will if a stadium plan doesn’t develop in the 2010 legislative session. That’s the opinion of a source close to the stadium situation who requested that his name not be used.

Another knowledgeable source offered a not so dire prediction.  Although the Vikings’ lease at the Metrodome expires after the 2011 season and the team is free to choose a new city, that expiration just represents a “date,” according to the source who indicated the franchise could still be sorting its options in 2012 and beyond.

What’s certain is Vikings fans have reasons to be concerned and there are various aspects of this story to watch in the months ahead.  For years franchise leaders have been pushing for a new stadium but the problem is government officials, business leaders and many fans aren’t engaged with the same passion.

That needs to change if the Vikings are to have a new stadium that will increase revenues and franchise values.  The September issue of Forbes magazine, reporting on all NFL franchises, listed the Vikings as second lowest in revenues ($209 million in 2008) and franchise value ($835 million).  Some NFL owners are reportedly frustrated with low revenue teams, and supporting those franchises more through league revenue sharing than they think is fair.

No city, county or state plan is presently being advanced for funding a new stadium that likely projects to a cost of nearly $1 billion.  A public-private funding partnership might see the cost divided up at $750 million and $250 million respectively. The Vikings, who should and will be engaged with funding, rightfully advocate that such a stadium should be located on the Metrodome site, taking advantage of the infrastructure already there.  The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission supports a retractable roof facility that can serve the area with various events other than pro football including high school games and other community activities similar to how the Metrodome has been used, only better.

But in the best of times elected officials are hesitant to approve stadiums and now we’re living through an era of economic hardship for the citizenry, business and government.  Governor Tim Pawlenty hasn’t made a new Vikings stadium a priority and neither have other elected officials on various levels of government.

Business leaders who could benefit directly from a new stadium in the surrounding area and others who have a stake in development to keep downtown a vibrant city core haven’t been visible on the stadium issue, either.  Their economic muscle could be listened to on this issue, and important, too, is the willingness of corporations to invest monies into the stadium.

What does that mean?  Naming rights for the stadium will be a sizeable contributor to help pay for the facility.  So will corporate sponsorships and advertising in the stadium.  Also potentially generating millions of dollars are personal seat licenses allowing ownership of specific seats in the new stadium.

In a new stadium the sale of personal seat licenses is a means for the public to support a stadium, too.  Between corporations and fans, up to 50,000 seats might be sold through personal seat licensing, generating large one time fees and annual monies through the sale of tickets for those seats.

The Vikings are asking the public to be proactive on the stadium issue by contacting elected officials and encouraging them to support a stadium solution in 2010.  Fans can also join Minnesota Momentum, a coalition of stadium supporters (more at www.minnesotamomentum.com).  More engagement by public leaders and the general public is needed including debating the specifics of a funding plan.  All interests should be involved and listened to.

Zygi Wilf’s ownership group has said it won’t move the franchise.  Multiple sources believe, though, that Wilf might one day be willing to sell and another group could prefer a home other than Minnesota.  It’s believed that the Wilf ownership could sell the franchise for $250 million (or more) than the original purchase price of $600 million.

Viable markets and stadiums to house NFL teams, though, are scarce.  The NFL shouldn’t repeat the mistake of going into a small market like Jacksonville where corporate support is minimal.  Another existing NFL town, Buffalo, has similar problems and will play a regular season game later this year in Toronto as part of apparently a multi-year test to try out Canada as a new home.

While the Bills may look north, the Vikings, Jaguars, Chargers, 49ers, Raiders and Rams have all had their names associated with a move to Southern California.  Real estate developer Ed Roski has been trying to clear legal hurdles to move forward on a proposed $800 million stadium in suburban Los Angles.

A stated goal is to have a commitment by an NFL team in 2010.  Sources speculate that a new stadium in City of Industry, California might be home to two NFL teams, not one.  That model makes building and maintaining the stadium a smarter financial move.

Prevailing thought is the team or teams in Industry will be existing franchises because the 32 NFL owners don’t want to dilute their rich TV revenue pie any further by adding more teams.  The owners are also likely to share in perhaps $10 million or so each from a relocation fee of $300 million or more that a team will pay.  You can do the math and see how that benefits team owners if two teams pay relocation fees to move.

Maybe the odds of the Vikings relocating to Los Angeles are twice what we thought. At this point there are lot more questions than answers, but here’s an interesting closer: the stadium drawing of the new facility in Industry has purple seats.

Comments Welcome

U Can Use Long Gainers at Penn State

Posted on October 16, 2009February 7, 2012 by David Shama

Troy Stoudermire had a sensational spring game for the Gophers and if he could produce anything similar tomorrow against Penn State it will enhance Minnesota’s chances against a Nittany Lions team that is more than a two touchdown favorite.

Stoudermire excited the crowd last spring running 54 yards from scrimmage to score a touchdown, catching three passes for 31 yards and averaging 47.7 and 18.5 yards returning kickoffs and punts.

Stoudermire, who could be used as the main ball carrier in the Wildcat formation or run with the ball on a reverse, has gained 12 yards this season on three rushing attempts. As a wide receiver, he has caught 13 passes for 121 yards, with one touchdown.  Most impressive are his kickoff returns, averaging 28.3 yards per return, second best in the Big Ten Conference and No. 17 in the nation.  Frequently the 5-10, 183-pound sophomore has been close to a touchdown return and his longest run is 54 yards.

The Gophers Mr. Versatile has also been impressive as a tackler covering kicks. “Wherever you utilize Troy, good things are going to happen,” said Gophers coach Tim Brewster.  “He’s a big part of our offense.  We look at different ways each week in which we can throw the ball to him, and we can hand the ball to him, that he can return kicks , that he can cover kickoffs, that he can cover punts.  He’s got his plate pretty full.”

Gophers teammate Eric Decker thinks Stoudermire will play a larger part in the offense in future weeks.  What about Stoudermire in the Wildcat?  “It’s always a possibility,” Decker said.

Decker has made the team’s longest pass reception this season, 53 yards.  Stoudermire’s longest is 19 yards.  Running back Duane Bennett has the longest run at 29 yards.  The numbers say the Gophers haven’t had a lot of long gains this season. Big yardage on a drive dramatically increases the percentage of scoring a touchdown.  The Gophers want more of those.  In six games the offense has produced 10 rushing touchdowns and seven passing.

Minnesota (4-2) can use plenty of points tomorrow at Penn State (5-1) against a team that figures to score at least three touchdowns.  Penn State is ranked No. 13 in the country by USA Today.

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