Although the Vikings embarrassed themselves in last week’s loss to the Packers in Green Bay, a win seems likely against the Lions on Sunday at TCF Bank Stadium. You don’t have to buy a crystal ball from the Vikings Locker Room store at Mall of America to be optimistic.
The 42-10 loss to the Packers occurred on Thursday, while this past Sunday the Lions’ inept field goal kicking cost them a win at home against the Bills. The Vikings, 2-3, will have the advantage of extra preparation time for the Lions game. No doubt the 3-2 Lions wish they had played Thursday because more rest might increase the chances of injured offensive stars Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush being available in Minneapolis.
The Lions will be using their third field goal specialist this year against the Vikings after dismissing Alex Henery who missed three kicks in the Bills game. That doesn’t speak well for the Lions, long known as a dysfunctional organization and one the Vikings have a 69-34-2 all-time record against including wins in three of the last four games.
The Vikings played without Teddy Bridgewater at Green Bay but the 21-year-old rookie quarterback returns on Sunday. That figures to give the whole team a lift while juicing an adoring crowed that will roar approval every time he completes a pass or scrambles for yardage.
The Vikings should be in a determined mood on Sunday—looking for a make-good performance. Mike Zimmer preaches resiliency and the Vikings can show what they have learned from their head coach. Veteran defensive end Brian Robison talked to Sports Headliners awhile ago about Zimmer’s influence.
“It doesn’t matter what happens to us. All we can do is move forward and get ready for the next opponent,” Robison said last month. “I think that’s the approach he takes and I think that’s the approach he’s instilled into us. …And that’s what you want out of a head coach.”
Worth Noting
The game with the Lions can be considered sold out. Vikings’ executive vice president Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners on Monday that at mid-week there are likely to be tickets returned by the Lions from their visiting team allotment.
The game at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus will be the club’s fifth, counting regular season and preseason games. Bagley said reaction by fans to the team’s new temporary home has been positive. “Our fans love it because it’s such an upgrade from the Metrodome.”
Transportation and parking have been a challenge for fans. “Our message is plan ahead on how to get in and out ,” Bagley said.
This Saturday and Sunday is the only weekend when the Gophers and Vikings both have home games at TCF Bank Stadium. Scott Ellison, the Gophers’ associate athletic director for facilities, said it will require eight workers about 12 hours to prepare the stadium for Sunday’s NFL game after the Gophers finish their contest with Northwestern on Saturday. The Gophers’ game begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday but Ellison said even if Minnesota was playing at night his crew could have the stadium ready Sunday morning for the Vikings.
The Vikings announced yesterday quarterback Chandler Harnish has been signed to the practice squad where he provides depth behind Bridgewater and Christian Ponder. Harnish replaced McLeod Bethel–Thompson who was released.
Last month ESPN announced the results of what fans think of all 122 MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises. The results were based on surveys, research and calculations developed by Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center that figures “how well teams turn fans’ money into wins.” Results on each franchise were calculated in the following eight categories: affordability (price of tickets, concessions, parking), coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience, bang for the buck (“wins in the past year, per fan dollars”) and title track.
Title track means “championships won or expected within the lifetime of current fans.” In that category baseball’s Cardinals are No. 1 while the Timberwolves are last at 122nd. The Vikings are No. 102 while the Wild are 61st and Twins 51st.
In the overall rankings of the 122 franchises the Wild are No. 24, Twins 62, Vikings 103 and Timberwolves 114. The Wild are fourth among all franchises in stadium experience while the Twins are ninth.
The Wild rates No. 7 among 14 Western Conference teams, according to the October 8 Sports Illustrated NHL power rankings. The Blackhawks—picked by S.I. to win the Stanley Cup—are first in the rankings with the Kings, Ducks, Blues, Avalanche and Stars also ahead of Minnesota. The magazine said the Wild’s strength is on “the blue line” and noted Minnesota defenders last season allowed “just 27.7 shots-against per game, fifth best in the NHL.”
The Wild’s season opening game will be tomorrow night starting at 7:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy. A pre-game party outside Gate 2 will be from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and includes music, food, beverages, happy hour prices and interactive games.
In a move to reduce payroll, the Blackhawks traded former Gopher Nick Leddy to the Islanders. Leddy, a 23-year-old defenseman reportedly making $2.7 million, was a key contributor to the Blackhawks’ 2013 Stanley Cup championship.
Author George Rekela’s new book, A History of Professional Hockey in Minnesota from the North Stars to the Wild, is a well researched and entertaining description of the highs and lows of the NHL here through the years. More at Historypress.net.
Former Gophers’ golfer and New York Times best selling author Harvey Mackay received a surprise birthday present last month when wife Carol Ann provided—on 48 hours notice—a trip to Scotland to watch the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup, he told Sports Headliners, had been on his personal “bucket list.”
East Ridge High School junior quarterback Seth Green is expected to announce his college choice October 15 with Michigan State, Minnesota and Oregon the contenders. The guess here is he will choose Oregon where he visited September 6.
Dr. Phil Esten, the former Gophers’ associate athletic director who was most recently working in the University of California athletic department, starts a new position next week as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for intercollegiate athletics at Penn State. His career experiences also include University of Minnesota Alumni Association president.
Congratulations to Les Viken from Fosston High School and Bill Weiss of Chisago Lakes High School who earned their 100th career coaching wins on September 26. Viken’s record at Fosston is 100-102 in 20 seasons while Weiss’ record is 100-75 in 18 seasons at Chisago. Congratulations, too, to Underwood High School coach Chuck Ross who won his 100th career game last Friday, increasing his 18 year record to 100-75.
Bridget Hennen is the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week for women’s soccer after scoring three goals in Bethany Lutheran College’s two recent wins. Hennen, a junior midfielder from Apple Valley, was also the UMAC Defensive Player of the Week in late September two years ago. She is only the second player in UMAC history to win both awards during her career.