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Clemson Tiger Bound for Vikings?
Gaines Adams, defensive end from Clemson, just might be the Vikings
No. 1 draft choice later this month. Draft expert
Dean Dalton
told Sports Headliners on Monday he would choose Adams if the first six
picks ahead of the Vikings go pretty much as expected.
Players like wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech,
quarterback
JaMarcus Russell of LSU, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of
Wisconsin and running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma are among
the most highly regarded prospects and expected to be drafted before
Adams. As much as Dalton likes Adams, and recognizes the team’s need
for a pass rushing defensive end, he cautions that the Vikings would
want to think about not passing over one of the draft’s most elite
players if one of them becomes available.
Dalton, a former Vikings assistant coach, is studying about 150
potential draft choices as part of his new media career. He will be
providing his draft expertise to ESPN.com, Sirius Radio and FSN North.
How
does he evaluate the 6-foot-4, 261-pound Adams? “I like Gaines Adams
because he has explosive speed off the edge,” Dalton said. “He has a
tremendous first step and he’s a pure pass rushing defensive end with
great size, but he has the ability on his frame to become bigger. …He
has excellent football instincts. His athleticism along with his big
body and long arms allows him to bat balls down when he can not get to
the quarterback before the ball is out, as well as close down passing
lanes. …”
Dalton is an advocate of what he describes as drafting for “value”
rather than just filling a need on the roster. When he was with the
Vikings the team had five quarterbacks on the roster with NFL experience
but still drafted Daunte Culpepper in the first round
because of his extraordinary skill and potential.
Dalton suggests that filling roster spots can be done between April and
September through free agent signings and trades. Of course, many teams
are like the Vikings with so many needs they can often draft a high
value player who plugs a hole. With the uncertainty about the future of
defensive end Erasmus James’ left knee, the Vikings need a
speed rushing defensive end.
While
Adams looks like the more likely pick for the Vikings, Dalton mentioned
two other “high impact” defensive players as possibilities. LaRon
Landry of LSU is a physical player who has played both strong and
free safety for the Tigers and is projected ahead of Adams in ESPN.com's
draft listings. Amobi Okoye of Louisville is a defensive tackle
who is only 19 years old and highly regarded by Dalton and others.
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“He has a tremendous first step and he’s a
pure pass rushing defensive end with great size."
Dean Dalton on Gaines Adams
Daunte Culpepper
Erasmus James
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Better Playoff Result Inspires Mauer
Ask
Joe Mauer if he can repeat as American League batting champion
and he responds with a humble expression and laugh. “If that means we
can get back to the playoffs, I hope I do,” he said yesterday.
Mauer, who could become the first hitter since Boston’s Nomar
Garciaparra to repeat as American League batting champion, hit .347
last season in a story book season for him and Justin Morneau,
league MVP, and Cy Young winner Johan Santana. The Twins, with
hearty performances from many players, pulled off a national headline
making season, coming from 10.5 games behind Detroit in August to win
the Central Division championship.
An
opening playoff loss to Oakland left Mauer feeling frustrated. “It was
just fun to see many people have great years and that definitely
contributed to the team’s success,” he said. “Obviously last year you
probably couldn’t have had a better regular season but the early exit
from the playoffs kind of left a sour taste in a lot of guys mouths. We
want to get back there and improve on that (the playoffs). So that’s
kind of what’s driven us during this off-season to get ready for the 07
season.”
Mauer, 23, only hit .220 in spring training but said there’s no concern
about the average and that he used the time in Florida to prepare for
the season. He hit a career high 13 home runs last season. Does he see
himself becoming more of a home run hitter?
“I am
not a big numbers guy,” he said. “If I hit home runs that help our team
win that’s good but I am going to keep doing things that help us win.” |
Photo Courtesy of Minnesota Twins
Joe Mauer
“Obviously last year you probably couldn’t
have had a better regular season but the early exit from the playoffs
kind of left a sour taste in a lot of guys mouths."
Joe Mauer
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Worth Noting & Quoting
Minnesota tennis legend David Wheaton hopes to return to
Wimbledon to play doubles later this year. Wheaton, with partner T.J.
Middleton of Mobile, Alabama, won the 35 and over doubles in 2004 and
finished second the last two years. Wheaton told Sports Headliners he
doesn’t have an invitation currently because so many former Wimbledon
singles champions expressed interest in the doubles which is no longer
35 and over, but 45 and under. Also, the number of teams for doubles
has been reduced from 16 to eight.
Wheaton, who once was ranked No. 12 in world singles, is the new touring
pro at Wayzata Country Club where his brother, John, is the new
director of tennis. Wheaton will be involved with group and individual
activities. Tim Herron is the club’s touring golf pro.
Ben,Wheaton’s eight-year-old yellow lab retriever, has terminal
prostate cancer. A bachelor, Wheaton describes Ben as his “best
friend.”
Tom Wistrcill, University of Minnesota associate athletic director,
talking about whether character and ethics were important in hiring
Tubby Smith as the new Gopher basketball coach: “Extremely
important. He’s such a man of character, such a good person, great
family man. The discussions we had with him about academics, about
building the family and all that were fantastic so we knew he was going
to bring that here (from Kentucky) as well.”
“Hi, Everybody,” Herb Carneal’s autobiography, is available
through Adventure Publications, 763-689-9800, or 800-678-7006. Carneal,
who past away Sunday, began his career as a Minnesota Twins play-by-play
announcer in 1962, the team’s second year here.
Wild single-game tickets
for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs go on sale Saturday at
10 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and noon at all
Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com) locations. Fans can also order by
calling Ticketmaster at 651-989-5151. There’s a limit of two tickets
per game per person.
Tickets went on sale Monday for the Minnesota Vikings Draft Party on
Saturday, April 28 at Winter Park. General admission tickets at $20
each can be purchased at Vikings Locker Room stores, or by calling
612-33-VIKES. Special Red Zone tickets are $70 each and benefits
include an autograph session with 2006 No. 1 draft choice Chad
Greenway. Other Vikings expected at the party are Tony
Richardson, Cedric Griffin and Mewelde Moore, plus
team alumni. The event has sold out six consecutive years.
Through the end of the winter sports season, five MIAC schools ranked in
the United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup Top 100. Schools receive
points for team placements in national championship events. At No. 22
and with 302.5 points, Gustavus Adolphus is the top ranked MIAC school.
Next are Saint John's (24th, 289.5 points), St. Thomas (54th, 187
points), St. Olaf College (83rd, 140 points) and Bethel (85th, 136.5
points). Williams College (Mass.) leads the national standings with
704.5 points.
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Chad Greenway
John M. Williams, DDS
Cosmetic & Family Dental Care
612-521-7611 |
