The impression from here is national media is more pessimistic than local sources in forecasts about the Vikings’ 2014 season record. In Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview issue last week writer Andy Benoit predicts the Vikings will have a 4-12 record. Numberfire.com, a numbers crunching website, gives the Vikings an 11.3 percent chance of making the playoffs—a number exceeded in pessimism only by their view of the Raiders at 9.6 and Jaguars 6.9.
The Vikings’ record last year was 5-10-1, and their defensive statistics and quarterback numbers were nothing to toot your Gjallarhorn about. My opinion, though, is football authorities who are so pessimistic about the Vikings in 2014 are looking too closely at 2013 performance and not giving enough attention to the team’s potential and offseason changes.
The defense, for example, may feature the emergence of two impact players and starters—defensive end Everson Griffen and rookie linebacker Anthony Barr. Those two could juice the pass rush, a big factor defensively in the pass-happy NFL. Sacking quarterbacks or at least making them hurry throws can only help the linebacker and secondary units that remain suspect in both quality and depth.
Also, don’t discount coaching, an element that is probably more important in football than any other sport. New head coach Mike Zimmer will use his defensive expertise to improve the Vikings—maybe a lot. And new offensive coordinator Norv Turner is a gifted coach who will bring out the best from the troubled quarterback position.
Benoit was correct in identifying the quarterbacks as the Vikings’ major concern in his write-up. Veteran Matt Cassel will be the starter but his lack of a power arm is a problem when pass rushers come charging his way, according to Benoit. “While Cassel is tough enough to deliver the ball when he’s about to get hit, he’s not effective when doing so,” Benoit writes, while adding that the Vikings’ offensive line struggles to pass protect the quarterbacks.
But Cassel isn’t exactly on an island regarding helpers. Adrian Peterson remains the NFL gold standard for running backs and could be more productive than ever with a stepped-up role catching passes. Tight end Kyle Rudolph looked imposing catching and running with receptions during the preseason. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has to improve his pass routes but his running skills after catching the ball on passes or kickoffs are superb.
On defense the Vikings have potential stars in Griffen, Barr and safety Harrison Smith who could be more active as a pass rusher this season in a new scheme. Linebacker Chad Greenway is 31 but his experience and clubhouse leadership are valuable. Then, too, the Vikings are strong on special teams including with placekicker Blair Walsh who last season made all of his field goals between 20 and 39 yards, and five of six from 40 to 49.
The Vikings’ fate, as with every team in the league, will have a lot to do with injuries and who can’t play. Already the Rams, who the Vikings open the regular season against on Sunday, are without injured No. 1 quarterback Sam Bradford. That development may mean an opening road win for the Vikings in a season where Sports Headliners forecasts a 7-9 record.
Worth Noting
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King predicts the Packers will defeat the Colts 30-23 in the Super Bowl next February.
The NFC North, led by the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, is filled with impressive playmakers. “I think what we’re going to do offensively is going to be up there too,” Greenway told Sports Headliners. “I think we’re going to be pretty strong.”
Maxx Williams’ run, when he hurdled an Eastern Illinois defender in the open field after catching a pass in the Gophers’ first game last week, has become one of college football’s early season highlights—even featured on ESPN SportsCenter. The 6-4, 250-pound tight end said his move was instinctive and he couldn’t recall ever hurdling a defender before.
“I got lucky,” said Williams who has about a 33-inch vertical jump. “I saw him (the defender) going down. I just jumped up as high as I could—so I got a little scared. I thought he was going to hit me low. I figured I might as well try and jump, and it worked out for me.”
Williams, who is from Waconia High School, is one of the most athletic and fastest tight ends in the Big Ten. He is on the John Mackey Award list of candidates to be named the nation’s best tight end.
Devin Funchess, a former tight end who Michigan switched to wide receiver, caught three touchdown passes last week in the Wolverines’ opening game. Williams said he isn’t sure if he could make the switch to wide receiver and has no interest. “I love playing tight end,” he said.
As a redshirt sophomore, Williams will be eligible for the NFL Draft next year but almost guarantees being with the Gophers in 2015. He admitted the NFL is a “dream” but he has no desire to think about pro football now. “That’s way at the end of the day. Right now, I am living right now.”
Gophers’ redshirt freshman running back Berkley Edwards had four carries and two touchdowns in last week’s opening game including a 42-yard sprint down the sideline for a score. “We’d like to increase his workload every week a little bit and get him more involved,” said offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover. “Everybody in here (among the media) who saw the game understands that he’s a one touch, and that thing can be over in a hurry.”
An NFL scouting group has five senior Gophers on a watch list: Cameron Botticelli, defensive tackle; David Cobb, running back; Damien Wilson, linebacker; Cedric Thompson, safety; and Derrick Wells, cornerback.
Wilson, 6-2, 245-pounds led the team in tackles with 10 against Eastern Illinois. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys expects improvement over 2013, Wilson’s first season with the Gophers after transferring from Jones Community College in Mississippi.
“Damien is better (this year),” Claeys said. “I still think he can play better than what he did the other night. …He’s a little lighter than he was last year. That helps with all the no‑huddle teams, spreading it out. …You don’t find too many people his size that run like he does.”
The Gophers’ Thursday night opener at TCF Bank Stadium had an announced crowd of 44,344 but it appeared the spectator count was more in the 30,000 range. A weekday evening game is problematic for numerous reasons including traffic and competition from the State Fair. The Gophers will have Thursday night openers for the next three years including in 2015 on September 3 against TCU. The State Fair will end on September 7 next year.
Expect a larger announced attendance tomorrow than last week when the Gophers host Middle Tennessee State. School has started at the University of Minnesota (perhaps prompting a large student turnout), the State Fair is over and fair parking lots are now available to Gophers fans.
Congratulations to three Minnesota high school football coaches who earned their 100th career wins last week: John Austinson, Byron; Chad Johnston, Minneota; and Jeff Weiland, Orono. Their records as of last week were Austinson, 100-68-0; Johnston, 100-34-0; Weiland, 100-76-0.
MIAC football teams begin play tomorrow and if a poll of the league coaches is correct Bethel will repeat as champion. The predicted order of finish for the teams is Bethel, St. Thomas, Concordia, Saint John’s, Augsburg, Gustavus, Carleton, Hamline and St. Olaf.
Earlier this summer the conference placed two teams in the D3football.com top 25 preseason poll—Bethel No. 7 and St. Thomas No. 11. Both teams were also ranked in The Sporting News top 20 and Lindy’s top 10. The Sporting News listed Bethel No. 6 and St. Thomas No. 15, while Lindy’s had the Royals fourth and Tommies seventh.
Michael Hurt, the Rochester John Marshall High School junior small forward who the basketball Gophers offered a scholarship to last month, is the grandson of Dr. Richard Hurt who has been an advocate of smoke-free environments.
Angels outfielder Mike Trout, 23, is hitting .390 in 17 career games against the Twins. Trout helped the Angels to a 5-4 win over the Twins last night at Target Field where he is hitting .435 in six career games.
Reservations are being accepted through Monday to hear Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne at next Thursday’s CORES luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. For more information contact Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.