Sports Quote of the Day:
"Make the present good, and the past will take care of itself." ~ Knute Rockne, Legendary Notre Dame Football Coach
Bear Down Chicago Bears!! Offense not clicking, Bears beat Chargers 33-28. What's your take?
By
This new and supposedly improved offense is producing some awfully familiar results for the Chicago Bears.
Jay Cutler looked shaky again and the defense made up for it, harassing Philip Rivers early on and setting the tone for the Bears in a 33-28 victory over the San Diego Chargers in a preseason game on Thursday night.
All eyes remain on the quarterback after the Bears made some big changes on offense in the offseason, hiring coach Marc Trestman to replace Lovie Smith and revising their line.
So far, the results are mixed at best.
Cutler played a quarter and completed 4-of-5 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, but the only receiver he targeted was Brandon Marshall. That's not a good sign for the Bears, considering they want to distribute the ball more evenly this year. Nor was Cutler getting intercepted trying to hit Marshall in double coverage.
On a more positive note for the Bears' offense, Matt Forte ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts after carrying just once in a loss at Carolina in the preseason opener.
His 58-yard run around the left end set up the game's first touchdown, a 5-yard strike from Cutler to Marshall.
And reserve Michael Ford ran one back 100 yards in the third quarter, leading to a 3-yard scoring run by Michael Bush.
The first-team defense sacked Rivers three times and forced two turnovers, even though star defensive end Julius Peppers (hamstring), defensive tackle Henry Melton (concussion) and linebacker D.J. Williams (strained right calf) sat out with injuries.
Rivers got swarmed as soon as he stepped on the field, and the Chargers fell again after getting pounded by Seattle last week. He was 5 of 9 for 50 yards with an interception, and he lost a fumble on a sack by Shea McClellin, leading to a 3-yard run by Forte that made it 14-0 near the end of the first quarter.
Backup Charlie Whitehurst came in early in the second quarter and was 6 for 9 for 69 yards and a touchdown. He fumbled away his first snap, leading to a field goal by Robbie Gould, but he also led the Chargers on an 80-yard TD drive late in the half.
Cutler got sacked twice on the opening drive, an ominous start after he threw an interception on Chicago's first play from scrimmage the previous week.
Jarret Johnson burst through the left side to force a fumble on second down that the Bears recovered, and Cutler held the ball too long on the next play, resulting in a sack for Corey Liuget.
Forte set up Chicago's first touchdown on the next possession when he turned a pitch into a 58-yard sprint down the left side to the 5. Marshall, who sat out last week after having offseason hip surgery, then caught a strike from Cutler in tight coverage to give the Bears a 7-0 lead.
They had a chance to add to it after Chris Conte picked off Rivers at the 35 on the next possession. But on the first play, Cutler got intercepted by Donald Butler trying to hit Marshall in double coverage.
The Chargers were driving near midfield when McClellin sacked Rivers from the blind side and forced a fumble that Major Wright recovered. The Bears took over on the San Diego 35, and Forte ran it in from the 3, making it 14-0 with 18 seconds left in the quarter.
Both teams were missing some key players, although Peppers' absence was a bit of a surprise.
Trestman said this week that the eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end would play after sitting out against Carolina, but he was not in uniform.
The Chargers held out Danny Woodhead because of his undisclosed injury and receiver Malcolm Floyd after he hurt his right knee in practice on Monday. Rookie linebacker Manti Te'o also sat out as expected after spraining his right foot against Seattle last week.
As time went on, the offense started to get better, however, Cutler still only looks for one receiver, Brandon Marshall. What about the other receivers, why not spread the ball around? That's going to hurt the Bears in the long run. That's our opinion, what's your take, what do you think?
NFL bag policy: Details of new stadium rules.
By James Dator
The NFL are implementing new rules for what can be brought into the stadium on game day. Here is the important information you need to know, so there wont be any delays when you arrive at the stadium.
"Be Clear" is the motto of the NFL's new bag policy, once which went into effect week one of preseason. The new rules limit the size, and type of bags brought into stadiums -- while offering alternatives so fans can still have personal effects. Large bags are limited to see-through plastic, which small clutch purses are only allowed if they're roughly the size of a hand.
Standard large bags are no longer permitted. Fans can purchase a clear plastic tote bag from either the team store at the stadium, or through the NFL Shop website. Those who elect not to buy a tote will have the option to bring their own, provided it's clear plastic or PVC and does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12."
via NFL.com
A second alternative is offered for fans to bring a gallon-sized clear resealable bag. The only non-clear bags permitted will be small clutch-type handbags, roughly the size of a hand, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5."
Recent events stemming from the Boston Marathon bombing helped shape the changes, but that was just one factor. The NFL discussed its decision in the FAQ section of their bag policy page on the NFL's official site.
That was a factor to take into account, certainly, but we update and improve the policy every year. It has evolved so that we can continue to adjust to the realities of public safety. We had been discussing a new approach to bag restrictions before the Boston Marathon incident. We have come up with a way to do it that will actually make access more convenient for fans than it has been. We think the fans will embrace and appreciate it.While the bags listed in the policy are allowed, the NFL strongly suggests fans refrain from bringing them to the stadium to expedite queue lines at games. Additional exceptions can be made for fans with extenuating medical circumstances, and are subject to additional checks at stadium gates.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks single-game tickets on sale Monday.
By Tony Andracki
It seemed like just yesterday the Blackhawks were hoisting the Stanley Cup after their dramatic championship run, but the upcoming season is already upon us.
At 10 a.m. Monday, Blackhawks regular season single-game tickets go on sale for the 2013-14 campaign.
Fans can purchase tickets by heading to www.chicagoblackhawks.com, calling (800) 745-3000 or visiting TicketMaster locations.
The Hawks open their season Oct. 1 at the United Center, hosting Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Captials, kicking off a stretch of six of the first eight games in Chicago.
Most contests will start at 7 p.m. throughout the season. And, unlike the Nashville Predators, there are no reports of the Blackhawks attempting to keep opposing fans out of the UC.
Blackhawks hire Weeks as goaltending coach.
The Associated Press
The Chicago Blackhawks have hired NHL veteran Steve Weeks as goaltending coach.
This year's Stanley Cup champions made the announcement Monday. Weeks has more than 25 years of experience with the NHL. He most recently was an assistant coach and goaltending specialist with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He's also been with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Weeks says he's looking forward to working with Corey Crawford and Nikolai Khabibulin (hah-bee-BOO'-lihn).
The 55-year-old Weeks is from Scarborough, Ontario. He played 13 seasons with the NHL.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... The NBA: Joakim Noah.
At 10 a.m. Monday, Blackhawks regular season single-game tickets go on sale for the 2013-14 campaign.
Fans can purchase tickets by heading to www.chicagoblackhawks.com, calling (800) 745-3000 or visiting TicketMaster locations.
The Hawks open their season Oct. 1 at the United Center, hosting Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Captials, kicking off a stretch of six of the first eight games in Chicago.
Most contests will start at 7 p.m. throughout the season. And, unlike the Nashville Predators, there are no reports of the Blackhawks attempting to keep opposing fans out of the UC.
Blackhawks hire Weeks as goaltending coach.
The Associated Press
The Chicago Blackhawks have hired NHL veteran Steve Weeks as goaltending coach.
This year's Stanley Cup champions made the announcement Monday. Weeks has more than 25 years of experience with the NHL. He most recently was an assistant coach and goaltending specialist with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He's also been with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Weeks says he's looking forward to working with Corey Crawford and Nikolai Khabibulin (hah-bee-BOO'-lihn).
The 55-year-old Weeks is from Scarborough, Ontario. He played 13 seasons with the NHL.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... The NBA: Joakim Noah.
By Kelly Dwyer
One of the more common go-to tropes regarding Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is a tired one. The bit where the announcer says, “you’d love him if he’s on your team, but you’d hate him if he was on the other side,” as if Noah was A.J. Pierzynski or something.
This, I have a hard time understanding – because outside of a few well-placed barbs at LeBron James-led outfits in Cleveland and Miami, Noah isn’t some sort of jerk-hole. He’s not a cheap-shot artist or referee baiter. He doesn’t consistently whine, he doesn’t deliberately toss out fouls that cross the line, and outside of some head-down hand-clapping, the man doesn’t really antagonize opposing fans that much. Unless you count the play that happened directly before the clapping as antagonistic.
The man just plays hard while utilizing a skill set that doesn’t seem to have a direct lineage. There’s Kevin Garnett in there, but Noah doesn’t have the hops nor ability to toss in a slick turnaround jumper. There’s some Vlade Divac from the pinch post, but Noah doesn’t flop, and he doesn’t take many foo-foo chances with his bounce passes. Perhaps some Bill Russell, in his ability to appear to hedge while actually staying closer to the rim than most and run the floor, but Noah won’t ever post Russell’s gaudy block and rebound totals.
It was as if Scottie Pippen was handed a seven-footer’s frame and Fernando Venezuela’s mechanics with the ball. And, perhaps, Fernando Venenzuela’s actual mechanics; because I’m sure Fernando had someone with a pony-tail or giant Rasta bun working on his car at some point.
This isn’t even getting into his role, which like it was with Pippen, seems to change from game to game. Because of Chicago’s unique roster – always adapting even when every player is fully healthy – Noah is the rare center that has to switch around roles based on the opponent – usually a job for a versatile swingman.
In some instances he will be asked to fire shot after shot at the hoop either from that standing position on the perimeter, or with pell-mell drives and swooping hooks; with the later two often coming because the Bulls need to get something, anything, on the rim for an offensive rebound. And then there are the instances where Chicago’s offense goes completely through their center as the initial option a passer that either registers the assist, or the hockey assist.
There are good passing centers, and there are those that register more assists or feature a higher percentage of possessions used that turn into assist. Noah is the only center that often rules as the initial passing option, and this is sometimes even the case even when Derrick Rose and/or Kirk Hinrich are on the floor.
And when both are gone? Noah’s the guy. Here’s a quote from an interview with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, published earlier this summer at Grantland:
In some instances he will be asked to fire shot after shot at the hoop either from that standing position on the perimeter, or with pell-mell drives and swooping hooks; with the later two often coming because the Bulls need to get something, anything, on the rim for an offensive rebound. And then there are the instances where Chicago’s offense goes completely through their center as the initial option a passer that either registers the assist, or the hockey assist.
There are good passing centers, and there are those that register more assists or feature a higher percentage of possessions used that turn into assist. Noah is the only center that often rules as the initial passing option, and this is sometimes even the case even when Derrick Rose and/or Kirk Hinrich are on the floor.
And when both are gone? Noah’s the guy. Here’s a quote from an interview with Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, published earlier this summer at Grantland:
But his all-around game, his passing — when Hinrich went down, we had to run our offense through him, and I thought he did a terrific job with that.
“We had to run our offense through him.”
Not just, “he really gives us another great wrinkle with his passing,” or, “you always have to worry about doubling Joakim because he’ll surprise you with a dish.” No, it’s “we had to run our offense through him.”
Not just, “he really gives us another great wrinkle with his passing,” or, “you always have to worry about doubling Joakim because he’ll surprise you with a dish.” No, it’s “we had to run our offense through him.”
Then there’s the defense.
Former Bulls coach Scott Skiles basically ran Tyson Chandler right out of town and Ben Wallace deep into the ground by asking those ex-Defensive Players of the Year to go way, way over the top on screen and roll plays, showing well past the three-point line while leaving them either prone to cheap fouls (Chandler) or step-slow recoveries (Wallace). With Tom Thibodeau in charge, Noah has been asked to stay low, and utilize his length and smarts to cover all sorts of ground on the interior on any sort of penetration play, while happily giving up inefficient, long two-point shots should the opponent settle.
Former Bulls coach Scott Skiles basically ran Tyson Chandler right out of town and Ben Wallace deep into the ground by asking those ex-Defensive Players of the Year to go way, way over the top on screen and roll plays, showing well past the three-point line while leaving them either prone to cheap fouls (Chandler) or step-slow recoveries (Wallace). With Tom Thibodeau in charge, Noah has been asked to stay low, and utilize his length and smarts to cover all sorts of ground on the interior on any sort of penetration play, while happily giving up inefficient, long two-point shots should the opponent settle.
Noah (who averaged over two blocks per game last year) will never come close to leading the NBA in rejections, but the NBA has learned that huge gobs of box score stats aren’t the way toward a sound defensive game plan. It’s why Chandler, Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert and Noah are considered so devastating. And amongst those four, Noah stays with guards and other whippets with far more ease.
This is why it was so worrying to see Thibodeau play Noah – who has a history of fatigue-related plantar fasciitis injuries – close to 40 minutes per game over the first three months of the season without any regard for his long-term health, in a season that was punted away by the Bulls’ front office months before. And this is why it was so frustrating to see an obviously hampered Noah limp around midseason, playing through the injury in the face of the Bulls’ award-winning coaching staff.
Hopefully everyone got a hell of a lot smarter, or at the very least, more compassionate over the offseason. It’s the only way to save one of the league’s most special players, a unique talent that you just can’t help but admire. Whether you’re clad in red, or otherwise.
Two and a half months until Joakim Noah plays basketball again. God, I hate the offseason.
Instant replay proposal is small step in right direction for MLB.Two and a half months until Joakim Noah plays basketball again. God, I hate the offseason.
By Jeff Passan
It is easy to sit and ask for full-blown, every-call, get-it-right-or-pay-the-price instant replay when it sounds so simple. The technology is there. And if every couch potato with a remote who always fast forwards through the commercials and restarts exactly at the right time can so master a DVR, surely Major League Baseball can give this replay thing a proper whirl.
Here is the problem: It is not realistic, not yet, not when replay has the ability to dramatically alter the way we view baseball. To cast that aside as just an excuse is to ignore the thousands of hours people inside baseball have spent watching games, dissecting scenarios, doing dry runs and trials, and ultimately resolving to wade waist-high into this instead of jumping in headlong.
Hopefully, this calms some of the complaining from the baseball cognoscenti that scoffed Thursday when commissioner Bud Selig announced the outline of the league’s replay plan for 2014. That was expected. Of course hardcore fans want full replay on every play. The languid pace of a baseball game suits their sporting tastes and pleasures.
Because baseball has ballooned into a nearly $9 billion business, its game must satisfy a far greater number of people than those with so much invested in it already. Staunch fans will not ditch the sport en masse because of a replay plan that doesn’t fully placate their idea of a replay plan but goes so much farther than the pathetic version in place currently. Casual fans, on the other hand, already plotz at the down time during a game – at relief pitchers taking three minutes to warm up instead of the scheduled 2 minutes, 25 seconds, or batters stepping out of the box after every pitch, or starters taking half a minute in between pitches.
Adding significant interruptions to the game – and make no mistake, they would be significant – is dangerous enough to at least force baseball to whet people’s appetite and see how they react instead of giving them the whole meal and having to take it back because it was all overcooked.
Take, for example, this scenario in full-blown replay, either with a fifth umpire in the press box or a centralized system at MLB’s offices in New York. The bases are loaded. The batter hits a ball to the gap that an outfielder scoops with a fairly obvious trap – one that probably would go unchallenged, as would the relay that comes to the plate where the runner trying to score from first base is called out.
In order: The replay official would need to ensure the outfielder trapped the ball, which takes at least two angles’ worth of replays. Next would be the play at the plate, which, if it were close, would probably necessitate three angles. Can’t forget making sure all three of the runners touched the proper bases on their way home, which totals six bases to worry about. That is one play. Though not nearly as convoluted, there are plenty more in a single game, enough that the average game might find itself 15 or more minutes longer.
To sit there and blame those at MLB for this is wrong-headed. The game itself is to blame. It is not altogether receptive to replay. Non-action time during a game is dreadful enough that Deadspin has started a gallery of people reading books at ballgames. Of course Tony La Russa, John Schuerholz and Joe Torre, the influential members of the league’s Executive Council who helped shape the final plan, would like broader replay in a vacuum.
Even Bud Selig, a longtime replay opponent, wants more than this. Anybody who thinks a group of smart men is sitting in a room and conspiring to come up with ways not to get calls right should check out the window, because those black helicopters are mighty close.
Baseball simply doesn’t want to overreach and miss, and its prudence is to be commended. Instant replay will work only if it works, which is to say the public must show it’s willing to accept its detriments before its full benefits can be unleashed. If strong enforcement of pace-of-game rules – players’ objections before the plan is put into place will be about how the league is expected to hound them over doing things faster – happen to offset the time spent on replays, baseball will happily re-open the matter for discussion and expansion.
Schuerholz told as much to owners at the replay meeting in Cooperstown, N.Y. One ownership source said he appreciated the Atlanta Braves president’s candor. Schuerholz said this is the first step of many in replay and that he’s realistic enough to understand there will be changes to it at the end of the 2014 season because of unforeseen scenarios that baseball games so often produce.
Everyone involved, from MLB to the umpires to the players to the managers who themselves aren’t altogether keen on adding another duty to their already-stressful job, admit this is an imperfect system. It is also light years better than what’s in place now and should cut down on a significant majority of the blown calls. The public’s voice in this has been heard, whether it’s convincing Selig to join the revolution or willing the umpires away from their no-way stance three years ago and into their we-want-more position today.
There are plenty of situations where baseball is unreasonable and intractable. This is not one of them. Between now and November, when the final plan is locked in, replay will get better, and between the end of next season and the beginning of 2015, it will improve, too. And that is the point, after all: to change the game for the better, even if it takes few steps instead of a giant leap.
Wie in the spotlight again as a Solheim pick.
This would seem to be a good time to do whatever she can to blend in at Colorado Golf Club.
Except for the socks.
Wie added her own touch to the U.S. uniform of a khaki skirt, red shirt and a blue cap. She showed up on the practice range with knee-high socks of red-and-white stripes capped off by a thick blue stripe with white stars.
''It's a bit patriotic,'' Wie said Wednesday. ''I just kind of accumulate things over the year. I see things and I'm like, 'Oh, that would be great for Solheim Cup.' And I just brought them out.''
It's far more important that she bring out her very best game as the Americans try to stay perfect on home soil and win back the Solheim Cup from Europe.
U.S. captain Meg Mallon met with Wie at St. Andrews after the Women's British Open to tell her she was on the team. The next thing she told Wie - after the 23-year-old from Hawaii stopped crying - was to not think of herself as a wild-card selection, but one of 12.
''It's tough being a captain's pick,'' Mallon said. ''There's a lot of pressure that players put on themselves being a pick.''
Then again, that's a big reason why she took Wie.
Few other golfers have received so much attention for winning so little. Wie first was recognized in golfing circles when she was a 12 and blasted 270-yard tee shots during a Pro-Junior event at the Sony Open alongside PGA Tour players. Scrutiny followed a short time later, and it has been relentless.
Some of it was grounded in jealously. Without having won a tournament, Wie still attracted the largest galleries and the richest endorsement contracts. Some of it was grounded in reality. Wie spent her teen years trying to play against the men - PGA Tour events, even U.S. Open qualifying - without ever showing she could beat the women.
If there is additional pressure as a captain's pick, who better to handle it?
''She lives on this stage almost every day that she plays,'' Mallon said. ''So walking into this environment is not going to affect her. I needed another player like that on the team. I had three rookies already. And like I said earlier, do I want five to six birdies a day at home sitting on the couch? So for me, that was a pretty easy decision.''
The hard part falls to Wie.
She has a 4-3-1 record in two appearances, including a 3-0-1 mark in her debut in 2009 outside Chicago when she also was a captain's pick. Wie went 1-3 two years ago in Ireland, losing to Suzann Pettersen in singles on the 18th hole in a European victory.
There is reason for skepticism when Mallon says she didn't want to leave ''five or six birdies'' at home on the couch. Wie has never been a great putter, and it has been several years since she was considered among the longest hitters.
Now, her putting is noticed for the peculiar stance. She struggled so badly late last year that she tried stooping her 6-foot frame so that her back is perpendicular to the ground and her eyes are directly above the ball. It looks funny. It looks painful. But it works.
''I always felt a little bit uncomfortable being tall putting,'' Wie said. ''And I was just like, 'OK, I'll go down lower to the ground. And I made every single putt coming in.
And then I went to Dubai and I did the same thing there. I putted a lot better.''
As for the stance?
''A lot of people have asked me how my back is, if my back hurts,'' she said. ''But it actually feels a lot better doing that for me. Because I'm flexible, it's easier.''
Mallon is more interested in numbers than appearance.
She said Wie has gone from 147th in putting a year ago to 37th this year. Mallon also said Colorado Golf Club is more of a second-shot course. Wie has been wild off the tee, but the fairways here are exceptionally wide.
''Her trouble has nothing to do with approach shots, and her short game is one of the best we have on our tour,'' Mallon said. ''This golf course, players will need lot of creativity. So I knew this was a very good fit for her.''
Mallon gave Wie one other piece of advice. Don't bother reading any stories about the captain's picks.
The pick smacked of yet another dose of entitlement for Wie, even suggestions that she was chosen solely for television ratings. Remember, this is the kid who was given an exemption to the U.S. Women's Open when she was 14, and who was the first amateur to play in the LPGA Championship as a teen.
Here is the problem: It is not realistic, not yet, not when replay has the ability to dramatically alter the way we view baseball. To cast that aside as just an excuse is to ignore the thousands of hours people inside baseball have spent watching games, dissecting scenarios, doing dry runs and trials, and ultimately resolving to wade waist-high into this instead of jumping in headlong.
The truth about replay is this: The extreme likelihood is that it will get bigger and better, and that’s just this iteration. Before the passage of the replay plan proposed to owners this week – one that allows managers to challenge one call in the first through sixth innings, plus two more over the final three innings – it must be ratified by players and umpires, too. And one source at the World Umpires Association said they plan to ask for – and expect to be granted – what amounts to a doomsday trigger: If a manager is out of challenges and an imperative call is close, they can request a replay themselves.
Hopefully, this calms some of the complaining from the baseball cognoscenti that scoffed Thursday when commissioner Bud Selig announced the outline of the league’s replay plan for 2014. That was expected. Of course hardcore fans want full replay on every play. The languid pace of a baseball game suits their sporting tastes and pleasures.
Because baseball has ballooned into a nearly $9 billion business, its game must satisfy a far greater number of people than those with so much invested in it already. Staunch fans will not ditch the sport en masse because of a replay plan that doesn’t fully placate their idea of a replay plan but goes so much farther than the pathetic version in place currently. Casual fans, on the other hand, already plotz at the down time during a game – at relief pitchers taking three minutes to warm up instead of the scheduled 2 minutes, 25 seconds, or batters stepping out of the box after every pitch, or starters taking half a minute in between pitches.
Adding significant interruptions to the game – and make no mistake, they would be significant – is dangerous enough to at least force baseball to whet people’s appetite and see how they react instead of giving them the whole meal and having to take it back because it was all overcooked.
Take, for example, this scenario in full-blown replay, either with a fifth umpire in the press box or a centralized system at MLB’s offices in New York. The bases are loaded. The batter hits a ball to the gap that an outfielder scoops with a fairly obvious trap – one that probably would go unchallenged, as would the relay that comes to the plate where the runner trying to score from first base is called out.
In order: The replay official would need to ensure the outfielder trapped the ball, which takes at least two angles’ worth of replays. Next would be the play at the plate, which, if it were close, would probably necessitate three angles. Can’t forget making sure all three of the runners touched the proper bases on their way home, which totals six bases to worry about. That is one play. Though not nearly as convoluted, there are plenty more in a single game, enough that the average game might find itself 15 or more minutes longer.
To sit there and blame those at MLB for this is wrong-headed. The game itself is to blame. It is not altogether receptive to replay. Non-action time during a game is dreadful enough that Deadspin has started a gallery of people reading books at ballgames. Of course Tony La Russa, John Schuerholz and Joe Torre, the influential members of the league’s Executive Council who helped shape the final plan, would like broader replay in a vacuum.
Even Bud Selig, a longtime replay opponent, wants more than this. Anybody who thinks a group of smart men is sitting in a room and conspiring to come up with ways not to get calls right should check out the window, because those black helicopters are mighty close.
Baseball simply doesn’t want to overreach and miss, and its prudence is to be commended. Instant replay will work only if it works, which is to say the public must show it’s willing to accept its detriments before its full benefits can be unleashed. If strong enforcement of pace-of-game rules – players’ objections before the plan is put into place will be about how the league is expected to hound them over doing things faster – happen to offset the time spent on replays, baseball will happily re-open the matter for discussion and expansion.
Schuerholz told as much to owners at the replay meeting in Cooperstown, N.Y. One ownership source said he appreciated the Atlanta Braves president’s candor. Schuerholz said this is the first step of many in replay and that he’s realistic enough to understand there will be changes to it at the end of the 2014 season because of unforeseen scenarios that baseball games so often produce.
Everyone involved, from MLB to the umpires to the players to the managers who themselves aren’t altogether keen on adding another duty to their already-stressful job, admit this is an imperfect system. It is also light years better than what’s in place now and should cut down on a significant majority of the blown calls. The public’s voice in this has been heard, whether it’s convincing Selig to join the revolution or willing the umpires away from their no-way stance three years ago and into their we-want-more position today.
There are plenty of situations where baseball is unreasonable and intractable. This is not one of them. Between now and November, when the final plan is locked in, replay will get better, and between the end of next season and the beginning of 2015, it will improve, too. And that is the point, after all: to change the game for the better, even if it takes few steps instead of a giant leap.
Wie in the spotlight again as a Solheim pick.
By
United States' Michelle Wie works on her putting during a practice round for the Solheim Cup golf tournament.
Michelle Wie hasn't won a tournament in three years. She didn't come close to earning a spot on the Solheim Cup. Being a captain's pick for the second time on the last three American teams stood out even more this year because one of the players left out won on the LPGA Tour this year.
Except for the socks.
Wie added her own touch to the U.S. uniform of a khaki skirt, red shirt and a blue cap. She showed up on the practice range with knee-high socks of red-and-white stripes capped off by a thick blue stripe with white stars.
''It's a bit patriotic,'' Wie said Wednesday. ''I just kind of accumulate things over the year. I see things and I'm like, 'Oh, that would be great for Solheim Cup.' And I just brought them out.''
It's far more important that she bring out her very best game as the Americans try to stay perfect on home soil and win back the Solheim Cup from Europe.
U.S. captain Meg Mallon met with Wie at St. Andrews after the Women's British Open to tell her she was on the team. The next thing she told Wie - after the 23-year-old from Hawaii stopped crying - was to not think of herself as a wild-card selection, but one of 12.
''It's tough being a captain's pick,'' Mallon said. ''There's a lot of pressure that players put on themselves being a pick.''
Then again, that's a big reason why she took Wie.
Few other golfers have received so much attention for winning so little. Wie first was recognized in golfing circles when she was a 12 and blasted 270-yard tee shots during a Pro-Junior event at the Sony Open alongside PGA Tour players. Scrutiny followed a short time later, and it has been relentless.
Some of it was grounded in jealously. Without having won a tournament, Wie still attracted the largest galleries and the richest endorsement contracts. Some of it was grounded in reality. Wie spent her teen years trying to play against the men - PGA Tour events, even U.S. Open qualifying - without ever showing she could beat the women.
If there is additional pressure as a captain's pick, who better to handle it?
''She lives on this stage almost every day that she plays,'' Mallon said. ''So walking into this environment is not going to affect her. I needed another player like that on the team. I had three rookies already. And like I said earlier, do I want five to six birdies a day at home sitting on the couch? So for me, that was a pretty easy decision.''
The hard part falls to Wie.
She has a 4-3-1 record in two appearances, including a 3-0-1 mark in her debut in 2009 outside Chicago when she also was a captain's pick. Wie went 1-3 two years ago in Ireland, losing to Suzann Pettersen in singles on the 18th hole in a European victory.
There is reason for skepticism when Mallon says she didn't want to leave ''five or six birdies'' at home on the couch. Wie has never been a great putter, and it has been several years since she was considered among the longest hitters.
Now, her putting is noticed for the peculiar stance. She struggled so badly late last year that she tried stooping her 6-foot frame so that her back is perpendicular to the ground and her eyes are directly above the ball. It looks funny. It looks painful. But it works.
''I always felt a little bit uncomfortable being tall putting,'' Wie said. ''And I was just like, 'OK, I'll go down lower to the ground. And I made every single putt coming in.
And then I went to Dubai and I did the same thing there. I putted a lot better.''
As for the stance?
''A lot of people have asked me how my back is, if my back hurts,'' she said. ''But it actually feels a lot better doing that for me. Because I'm flexible, it's easier.''
Mallon is more interested in numbers than appearance.
She said Wie has gone from 147th in putting a year ago to 37th this year. Mallon also said Colorado Golf Club is more of a second-shot course. Wie has been wild off the tee, but the fairways here are exceptionally wide.
''Her trouble has nothing to do with approach shots, and her short game is one of the best we have on our tour,'' Mallon said. ''This golf course, players will need lot of creativity. So I knew this was a very good fit for her.''
Mallon gave Wie one other piece of advice. Don't bother reading any stories about the captain's picks.
The pick smacked of yet another dose of entitlement for Wie, even suggestions that she was chosen solely for television ratings. Remember, this is the kid who was given an exemption to the U.S. Women's Open when she was 14, and who was the first amateur to play in the LPGA Championship as a teen.
Wie, who graduated last year from Stanford with a degree in communications, quit reading long ago. And despite facing criticism at such a young age, she has shown remarkable maturity in not fighting back. The high road comes naturally.
''It's just the way my parents raised me,'' she said. ''My mom always said - and I know it's a cliche - 'If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing.' Everyone has their reasons for saying things and everyone is entitled to it. I always try to think the best of everyone. It does hurt when I hear things. But if I don't have something nice to say, I'm not going to say it. That's how I work.''
The time is now for Greg Biffle in Michigan.
By Staff report, NASCAR Wire Service
Although Greg Biffle can't secure a spot in the 2013 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 (1 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Michigan International Speedway, a strong performance can go a long way in helping him reach the postseason as a championship contender.
Biffle currently is seeded ninth in the standings, 181 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, who last weekend at Watkins Glen clinched a spot in the Chase. More precariously, however, Biffle sits only four markers in front of Kurt Busch in the 11th position.
To say Biffle is on the bubble would be an understatement.
An early-race accident or middle-of-the-road performance at Michigan could knock him from the top 10 -- and possibly even out of a provisional Wild Card position. Heading into the weekend, two-time race winner Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman, who has one win, hold these spots. Biffle currently maintains a 22-point advantage over Newman for the second Wild Card.
The good news for Biffle is that Michigan is one of his best tracks and he currently rides a two-race winning streak at the two-mile oval nestled in the Irish Hills an hour-and-a-half away from Detroit.
"I'm looking forward to Michigan; it would be three in a row if I can pull off another win," Biffle said. "I feel like one more win would lock us into the Chase."
While Biffle can't secure a spot in the Chase with a victory at Michigan, it would put him in a great position to do so over the other three races remaining before the playoffs begin and could be the insurance he needs to claim a Wild Card spot if he does fall out of the top 10.
If Biffle is to find Victory Lane on Sunday, he'll need to rely more on his success at the track than how he's performed recently.
In 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Michigan, he has notched four wins, 10 top fives and 13 top 10s. He twice has had back-to-back victories there, winning in the August 2004 race and June 2005 race. He duplicated that feat this past June after posting his third victory at the track last August.
More impressive, however, is that in those 21 starts, Biffle has finished all 21 races, finished on the lead lap in 20 and led at least one lap in 15. His 110.0 Driver Rating is tops at the track. He also leads all active drivers in the following categories: most laps in the top 15 (2,862), best average running position (8.2), faster early in a run (179.520 mph), fastest late in a run (175.542 mph), fastest on restarts (174.076 mph) and fastest green-flag speed (177.096 mph).
Biffle's average finishing position at Michigan is 11.3, which is his second-best average among tracks (10.1 at Kansas Speedway).
In the seven races following his June win at Michigan, however, his performance has been inconsistent and not where it needs to be if he's to make a serious play for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. He followed up his win with a strong eighth-place performance at Sonoma, but then finished 34th, 17th, 15th, 24th, 10th and 16th in subsequent races.
Not only has Biffle done well at Michigan, but his team, Roush Fenway Racing, has experienced great success there. Biffle's June victory was a series track record 13th for owner Jack Roush, whose headquarters lies less than 100 miles east in Livonia.
Despite their success, Biffle and his team know Sunday won't be a walk in the park and they'll arrive focused and ready to go for that illustrious three-peat.
"Even though we've won the last two races, we can't let our guard down," said Matt Puccia, Biffle's crew chief. "The competition has changed quite a bit over the last few months."
List of Live Soccer Games on US TV for August 16 to August 18.
Biffle currently is seeded ninth in the standings, 181 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, who last weekend at Watkins Glen clinched a spot in the Chase. More precariously, however, Biffle sits only four markers in front of Kurt Busch in the 11th position.
To say Biffle is on the bubble would be an understatement.
An early-race accident or middle-of-the-road performance at Michigan could knock him from the top 10 -- and possibly even out of a provisional Wild Card position. Heading into the weekend, two-time race winner Kasey Kahne and Ryan Newman, who has one win, hold these spots. Biffle currently maintains a 22-point advantage over Newman for the second Wild Card.
The good news for Biffle is that Michigan is one of his best tracks and he currently rides a two-race winning streak at the two-mile oval nestled in the Irish Hills an hour-and-a-half away from Detroit.
"I'm looking forward to Michigan; it would be three in a row if I can pull off another win," Biffle said. "I feel like one more win would lock us into the Chase."
While Biffle can't secure a spot in the Chase with a victory at Michigan, it would put him in a great position to do so over the other three races remaining before the playoffs begin and could be the insurance he needs to claim a Wild Card spot if he does fall out of the top 10.
If Biffle is to find Victory Lane on Sunday, he'll need to rely more on his success at the track than how he's performed recently.
In 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Michigan, he has notched four wins, 10 top fives and 13 top 10s. He twice has had back-to-back victories there, winning in the August 2004 race and June 2005 race. He duplicated that feat this past June after posting his third victory at the track last August.
More impressive, however, is that in those 21 starts, Biffle has finished all 21 races, finished on the lead lap in 20 and led at least one lap in 15. His 110.0 Driver Rating is tops at the track. He also leads all active drivers in the following categories: most laps in the top 15 (2,862), best average running position (8.2), faster early in a run (179.520 mph), fastest late in a run (175.542 mph), fastest on restarts (174.076 mph) and fastest green-flag speed (177.096 mph).
Biffle's average finishing position at Michigan is 11.3, which is his second-best average among tracks (10.1 at Kansas Speedway).
In the seven races following his June win at Michigan, however, his performance has been inconsistent and not where it needs to be if he's to make a serious play for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title. He followed up his win with a strong eighth-place performance at Sonoma, but then finished 34th, 17th, 15th, 24th, 10th and 16th in subsequent races.
Not only has Biffle done well at Michigan, but his team, Roush Fenway Racing, has experienced great success there. Biffle's June victory was a series track record 13th for owner Jack Roush, whose headquarters lies less than 100 miles east in Livonia.
Despite their success, Biffle and his team know Sunday won't be a walk in the park and they'll arrive focused and ready to go for that illustrious three-peat.
"Even though we've won the last two races, we can't let our guard down," said Matt Puccia, Biffle's crew chief. "The competition has changed quite a bit over the last few months."
List of Live Soccer Games on US TV for August 16 to August 18.
By Zac Wassink
COMMENTARY | History will be made this coming weekend, as the Premier League makes it anticipated move to NBC.
Live soccer games on US TV for August 16
GolTV: Tune into this channel at 9:30 pm for Universidad de Guadalajara vs. Dorados.
Univision Deportes: One late night match, Santos vs. Tigres, will air on the station starting at 10:30 pm.
Live soccer games on US TV for August 17
NBC Sports: Liverpool vs. Stoke City begins the morning at 7:45 am. Arsenal vs. Aston Villa follows at 10:00 am. Later that night, the New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union will get underway at 8:00 pm.
FOX Soccer Plus: Aberdeen will host Celtic for a game that begins at 7:25 am.
Real Sociedad take on Getafe at 12:45 pm. Real Valladolid will host Athletic Bilbao at 2:55 pm. Valencia vs. Malaga ends the afternoon at 4:55 pm.
Borussia Monchengladbach host Hannover 96 at 12:30 pm. Penarol will play against River Plate at 2:30 pm.
UniMas: Monterrey will play against Tijuana at 8:00 pm.
Univision Deportes: Nice vs. Stade Rennais will start at 2:00 pm. Veracruz vs. Querétaro begins at 6:00 pm. Pachuca will take on América at 8:00 pm. Chiapas vs. Toluca ends the evening at 10:00 pm.
beIN Sport: Barcelona will play against Levante at 12:30 pm. Real Madrid vs. Real Betis will kick off at 2:55 pm. Both of those games will also air live on beIN Sport en Español.
beIN Sport en Español: Sevilla FC vs. Atlético Madrid finishes off this station's weekend at 4:45 pm.
As always, remember to check your local listings for channel availability, and also to learn about all of the games airing via tape-delay and replay over the weekend.
Are you ready for some football? No seriously, are you ready for some football?
Major League Soccer, Serie A, La Liga, Eredivisie and Bundesliga matches will also be featured on television, as will games taking place in Mexico and South America. It's somewhat of a light weekend for the ESPN3/Watch ESPN service, which only has two games from Friday to Sunday.
All times listed below are ET. Also, games airing on Premier League Extra Time and NBC Sports Live Extra were not included since not all providers carry those two services.
Live soccer games on US TV for August 16
FOX Soccer Plus: Partick Thistle host Hearts at 2:40 pm.
beIN Sport: Sochaux-Montbéliard will play against Olympique Lyonnais at 2:25 pm. Univision Deportes will also show this match live.
GolTV: Tune into this channel at 9:30 pm for Universidad de Guadalajara vs. Dorados.
ESPN Deportes: Coverage of Monarcas de Morelia vs. Club Atlas de Guadalajara is scheduled to begin at 8:25 pm.
Univision Deportes: One late night match, Santos vs. Tigres, will air on the station starting at 10:30 pm.
Live soccer games on US TV for August 17
NBC: Swansea City look to ruin the start of a new era for Manchester United. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 12:30 pm.
NBC Sports: Liverpool vs. Stoke City begins the morning at 7:45 am. Arsenal vs. Aston Villa follows at 10:00 am. Later that night, the New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union will get underway at 8:00 pm.
FOX Soccer: One NWSL match, Western NY Flash vs. Boston Breakers, will begin at 8:00 pm.
FOX Soccer Plus: Aberdeen will host Celtic for a game that begins at 7:25 am.
beIN Sport: Marseille host Evian Thonon Gaillard at 10:45 am. That match will also air live on Univision Deportes. Toulouse vs. Bordeaux follows at 1:45 pm.
beIN Sport en Español: A triple-header of games will air on the station on Saturday.
Real Sociedad take on Getafe at 12:45 pm. Real Valladolid will host Athletic Bilbao at 2:55 pm. Valencia vs. Malaga ends the afternoon at 4:55 pm.
GolTV: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich begins the morning at 9:30 am.
Borussia Monchengladbach host Hannover 96 at 12:30 pm. Penarol will play against River Plate at 2:30 pm.
ESPN Deportes: PSV vs. Go Ahead Eagles begins the day at 12:40 pm. Cruzeiro will play against Vitória, and that game begins at 5:25 pm.
Univision: Tune into Univision at 6:00 pm for Cruz Azul vs. Atlante.
UniMas: Monterrey will play against Tijuana at 8:00 pm.
Univision Deportes: Nice vs. Stade Rennais will start at 2:00 pm. Veracruz vs. Querétaro begins at 6:00 pm. Pachuca will take on América at 8:00 pm. Chiapas vs. Toluca ends the evening at 10:00 pm.
Live soccer games on US TV for August 18
beIN Sport: Barcelona will play against Levante at 12:30 pm. Real Madrid vs. Real Betis will kick off at 2:55 pm. Both of those games will also air live on beIN Sport en Español.
beIN Sport en Español: Sevilla FC vs. Atlético Madrid finishes off this station's weekend at 4:45 pm.
GolTV: Four live games will air on GolV on Thursday. Ajax vs. Feyenoord begins the day at 9:30 am. Borussia Dortmund will play against Eintracht Braunschweig at 11:30 am. After a break, Flamengo will take on Sao Paulo at 3:00 pm. Boca Juniors vs. Atletico Rafaela follows at 5:10 pm.
UniMas: The station's only live match of the day, Guadalajara vs. Puebla, will begin at 6:00 pm. Univision Deportes will also show this match live.
Univision Deportes: UNAM vs. León kicks off at 1:00 pm. The night then ends when San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sporting Kansas City kicks off at 11:00 pm.
As always, remember to check your local listings for channel availability, and also to learn about all of the games airing via tape-delay and replay over the weekend.
Are you ready for some football? No seriously, are you ready for some football?
If you are, please read the link below!!!
Link: http://allsportsamerica.blogspot.com/2013/07/are-you-ready-for-some-football-no.html
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
************************************************************
Please let us hear your opinion on the above articles and pass them on to any other diehard fans that you think might be interested. But most of all, remember, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica wants you!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment