Sports Quote of the Day:
"If you don’t practice you don’t deserve to win." ~ Andre Agassi, American Retired Professional Tennis Player and Former World No. 1Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Four Reasons the Chicago Bears Are Super Bowl Contenders.
By Brian Davis
COMMENTARY | "Drinking the Kool-Aid" is the common expression given to fans who, despite boatloads of hard evidence to the contrary, believe their respective team is heading for success -- usually in the form of a championship -- based on the circumstances surrounding the team.
Drink up, Chicago Bears fans, the Bears are Super Bowl contenders. And here's why:
The offensive line is competent
We're only a week into the season, but the offensive line finally has the appearance of a unit that could find substantial success. Jay Cutler wasn't untouched in the Bears win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but he wasn't sacked and, especially in the second half, was able to actually run the offense. Coming against the Bengals' staunch pass rush, this has to be encouraging. Geno Atkins had zero tackles and zero sacks. Cutler has been sacked 148 times (57 games) since coming to Chicago. That's a ludicrous amount, particularly when you consider quarterback hits and hurries aren't factored in. Since coming to Chicago, Cutler has been sacked 7.7% of the time every time he drops back to pass.
Despite all that, Cutler has managed 84 touchdowns, 64 interceptions, and over 12,000 passing yards. Not legendary numbers, but fairly respectable when all is considered. If he's actually protected, those numbers should trend upwards.
The Bears have quality at most of the important positions
If the protection is as improved as it appears to be, Cutler has a top-notch running back in Matt Forte, an elite receiver in Brandon Marshall, a big receiving tight end, quality backup receivers in Alshon Jeffery and Earl Bennett, elite special teams win Devin Hester, Robbie Gould, and Adam Podlesh, and an established, veteran defense not being forced to learn a new system.
In short, if the protection is there, there is no reason this offense shouldn't thrive under new coach Mark Trestman. Combine that the NFC North doesn't sport particularly staunch defensive units (though Clay Matthews in a one-man Jay-Cutler wrecking crew), the offense could finally be ready to move into the upper-tier that has been suspected to appear since Cutler's arrival.
The defense isn't relearning schemes
New defensive coordinator Mel Tucker made an intelligent move when he decided he wasn't changing the Bears' defensive plans. Other than adding the few wrinkles that any new coordinator will inherently bring to the table, he kept the scheme the players were used to -- variations of the Tampa-2. When those players include elite talent like Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings (arguably the best cornerback tandem in the NFL), Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, and Henry Melton, keeping them in situations they can continue to be elite is vital.
Much of the Bears defense's struggles over the last few years (modest as those struggles often were) have been a direct result of the offense racking up exorbitant amounts of three-and-out drives -- almost 25% of the time in 2012, over 30% in 2011. With the offense better designed for success, the defense should be able to stay off the field more than in previous years.
Mark Trestman to the rescue
It's entirely too early to predict the level of success Trestman is going to have, but with the weapons in place -- generally the same weapons as last season -- and the corresponding mind to properly use them, the Bears have a chance to have the offense Bears fans have always dreamed of. Offensive mediocrity is the Bears' calling card as much as a staunch defense.
With the defense already setup as an established unit, this could be the chance for the Bears to execute on both sides of the ball at a consistently high level. Add in the special teams and there is no reason this team shouldn't be there in the end.
In other words, go on, drink the Kool-Aid. You know you want to.
Suh, a Repeat Offender, Is Fined $100,000 for a Low Block. What's your take?
The Associated Press
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh’s latest controversial play drew a hefty fine.
Suh, of the Detroit Lions, was docked $100,000 by the N.F.L. for his illegal low block on Minnesota center John Sullivan in the Lions’ season-opening victory on Sunday.
Suh hit Sullivan during an interception return by Detroit linebacker DeAndre Levy, and the penalty negated a touchdown.
Randall Liu, a league spokesman, said Tuesday that Suh had been notified of the fine by Merton Hanks, the league’s vice president for football operations. Suh was not in the locker room at Detroit’s practice complex while it was open to reporters. A text message was sent to Suh seeking comment.
The fine is thought to be the largest given to an N.F.L. player for an on-field violation.
Suh said Sunday that he was not going after Sullivan’s knees, adding that the two had discussed the play at halftime. Detroit players said Suh apologized to the team Tuesday.
“He just basically said that he can’t make those types of mistakes — he can’t put us in a position where we’ve got to battle back from mistakes like that,” wide receiver Nate Burleson said. “He also said, with him having a target, and people looking for him, they’re looking at us in the same light. So as a team, we’ve got to understand that the microscope is on us.”
The league fined Suh $30,000 last year after he kicked Houston quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area. Suh was suspended two games in 2011 after stamping on Green Bay’s Evan Dietrich-Smith.
After reading this article, should Suh have been fined $100,000? We'd love to know, what's your take?
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks take to the ice to begin 2013-14 season.
TOM COYNE (Associated Press)
The Chicago Blackhawks opened training camp in unfamiliar territory, with a pair of NCAA Frozen Four banners hanging overhead instead of Stanley Cup banners and a sign at the other end of the rink reading: ''God, country, Notre Dame.''
The Blackhawks took to the ice in two separate shifts Thursday at the Compton Family Ice Arena, which sits on the edge of the Notre Dame campus in the shadows of the Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus, just across the parking lot from Notre Dame Stadium.
''When you walk into this place and see the mystique, I think it's perfect,'' Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
Conn Smythe Trophy winner Patrick Kane said starting training camp 100 miles from Chicago gave the opening practice a different feel.
''It's exciting to be here at such a historic place as Notre Dame. To be part of it is fun,'' he said.
Quenneville compared it to the first day of school, saying he believes being together away from the city should help bring camaraderie because they are more likely to do things together. Most of the squad spent Wednesday afternoon watching the football team practice, and team president John McDonough spoke to the Fighting Irish.
''They were some cool guys,'' Notre Dame nose guard Louis Nix III said. ''I'm not a big hockey fan, but I might just jump on the bandwagon.''
Irish coach Brian Kelly said Thursday he was happy to have the Blackhawks at practice, even though he was cheering for the Boston Bruins in the finals.
''They're champions. They're winners. We like to have winners around us, so it was great to have them. Even as a Bruins fan,'' he said.
Several of the Blackhawks players said they enjoyed watching the Irish practice.
''They're working hard, I can tell. It was hot and muggy from the rain,'' defenseman Brent Seabrook said. ''It was nice to see something like that.''
Even goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, a Russia native, said it was exciting to be on campus, saying one of the first movies he ever watched in English was ''Rudy.'' He played with the Blackhawks from 2005-09 and signed as a free agent during the offseason. He said he senses a different feeling in the locker room.
''It seems like there's more confidence in the room,'' he said. ''Whether it's the guys being here or the guys in the minors, it seem like there's kind of a swagger, I guess.
It's explainable. You win two Stanley Cups in four years, it makes you that way.''
The Blackhawks are expecting standing-room only crowds of more than 5,000 fans to watch practices Saturday and Sunday. Quenneville said he that should add some energy for the Blackhawks, who have played before sellout crowds for 227 straight home games.
''I think it's going to help with the pace. I think guys love playing in that type of environment,'' he said.
All the Blackhawks took part in practice. Quenneville said Michal Rozsival and Michal Handzus would take part in practices but not in scrimmages in the next several days as they continue to recover from injuries.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... With health a top priority, Bulls bring in Swanson.
By Adam Fluck
As the Bulls prepare to open training camp in a season where expectations will be lofty, staying healthy will be as important to the team as almost any other factor when it comes to pursuing the ultimate goal.
Injuries have provided several substantial roadblocks in recent history for a team that has won more than 85 percent of its games with Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer all in the lineup.
While playing at full strength is nothing short of a luxury in the NBA, now more than ever the Bulls have put a premium on its roster’s health, needs and goals.
With that in mind, the team hired Jen Swanson as its Director of Sports Performance over the offseason. Her first official day at the Berto Center was Aug. 26.
Swanson comes to the Bulls after five years at Athletes’ Performance in Los Angeles as the Performance Physical Therapy Manager, where she worked with a variety of athletes—including those from the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB—with an array of circumstances.
“Jen brings an incredible set of credentials to the table as far as her education, knowledge, skill level, ability and experience in dealing with a number of pro athletes working at Athletes’ Performance, which is one of the top facilities in the country,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “She’s highly organized and possesses great communication skills. We feel like with the addition of Jen we’re covering a lot of bases and addressing a lot of different needs.”
Under Swanson, Forman’s hope is that the Bulls will possess a group which operates in conjunction to assess each player’s strengths and weaknesses as integrated training programs tailored specifically to each player’s individual needs and goals are put in place.
“The training program will consist of a basketball and athlete specific prescription, integrating rehabilitation, performance training, skill development, nutrition and recovery into a customized individual plan to help athletes reach their peak performance,” explained Forman.
“Jen will be responsible for overseeing the athletic training and strength and conditioning departments, as well as massage therapy, chiropractic care, nutritional support, and any related auxiliary services,” Forman continued. “In addition to this, she will work to streamline communication with doctors, agents, and skill coaches to provide an optimal training environment for our athletes to succeed.”
Swanson’s top priority as she gets started is establishing a cohesive plan for the team’s strength coaches and athletic trainers so that all involved with a player’s wellbeing are working together.
“Communication is the key,” said Swanson. “It’s about getting to know people and understanding their goals and expectations, then trying to figure out a way so that everyone is on the same page for that.
“At the end of the day, everyone is here to try and make the players better,” Swanson continued. “We want to keep them healthy so they’re on the court and able to perform. So it is a matter of determining how we can do that as a team as opposed to individual entities.”
Swanson will also support the Bulls’ aim to be more proactive with injury prevention.
“It’s going to be integrated into everything we do,” explained Swanson. “The athletic trainers, even from assessment, and myself as well as a physical therapist will be looking at screenings and identifying any asymmetries, red flags or any issues that could increase risk for injury.
“Then within the training,” Swanson added, “whether it’s some of the manual therapy techniques they’re working on, mobility exercises within the strength programming, team warm-ups or recovery, all of it will be influenced and affected by those findings.”
Swanson’s interest in the field dates back to when she was 10 years old and wanted to become a sports medicine doctor. Years later, she worked for an orthopedic surgeon while attending college to get a firsthand look at the profession. While she valued the experience, she realized that more one-on-one, regular contact with athletes was a better fit rather than seeing them once every couple months as a doctor might.
During that same timeframe, Swanson, an accomplished track athlete at UC Davis while pursuing her degree in Exercise Science, was injured and spent a lot of time in the training room working with the athletic trainers on her rehab.
It was a combination of the two aforementioned events that made her realize the path she was destined to follow. Swanson went on to obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Duke University and is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports and Orthopedics, as well as is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Prior to joining Athletes’ Performance, she completed a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at the University of Pittsburgh/CRS where she also spent time working with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was during her tenure at Athletes’ Performance that she worked with Derrick Rose as he rehabilitated from a torn ACL. When recently told that the Bulls had hired Swanson, Rose was reportedly thrilled with the decision.
Though Swanson is prevented from discussing her work with specific players, she stressed that with any athlete, establishing a relationship is crucial.
“It takes a lot for an athlete to give you their trust,” said Swanson. “It’s a matter of trying to understand where they’re coming from, what their issues are, and educating them as to what you’re finding and how you’re trying to help them. It’s an important bond that needs to be worked on continuously.”
Swanson has already met and worked with a handful of current players in her brief time with the team. As the days count down until training camp at the end of September, the rest of the roster will gather at the Berto Center in preparation and Swanson will get to know them too.
It’s a new chapter for Swanson, who couldn’t be more upbeat about what’s to come.
“Everything that I’ve done before has been working with athletes in their offseason,” said Swanson. “I’m really excited to be a part of a team setting—the ups, the downs, just getting in the trench and working, being a part of something great. I think this organization from top to bottom really is very unique and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Golf-Opening 66 not good enough for frustrated Tiger.
Reuters; By Mark Lamport-Stokes
Tiger Woods was a frustrated figure at the BMW Championship on Thursday, despite draining a 22-foot birdie putt on his final hole to end the opening round just three shots off the lead.
The American world number one missed three putts from inside five feet and failed to birdie any of the three par-fives as he carded a five-under-par 66 on a breezy day at Conway Farms Golf Club.
"Well, I certainly wasted a lot of shots out there today," a disgruntled Woods told reporters after finishing three strokes behind pacesetting American Brandt Snedeker.
"I missed three short ones and played the par-fives stupendously.
"One of those days. I'm not exactly real happy. I played well, and I just didn't get much out of that round. As I said, I missed three little short ones in there and then played the par-fives even par. That's just not very good."
"It's a little bit lower considering the wind," said the 14-times major winner, who mixed seven birdies with two bogeys to end the day level with fellow Americans Steve Stricker and Kevin Streelman, and South African Charl Schwartzel.
"The guys really took advantage of it today. The greens weren't as fast as they were yesterday, and you certainly could be a lot more aggressive ... you could be really, really aggressive."
Woods has an impressive track record in the Chicago area, twice clinching the PGA Championship at nearby Medinah and visiting the winner's circle on five occasions at Cog Hill, which previously hosted the BMW Championship.
Though this is the first time he has competed on the par-71 layout at Conway Farms, he felt the biggest test on Thursday was adjusting to the greens.
"More than anything I think it's just reading the greens," said Woods, who occupied second place in the FedExCup standings going into this week's tournament, the penultimate event in the PGA Tour's lucrative playoff series.
"The familiarity, I just don't quite have it, and some of the putts are a little bit tricky here and there. But (caddie) Joey (LaCava) did a great job of getting the numbers and getting a feel for the golf course.
"We talked about it at length yesterday as we were playing the pro-am, what the wind direction was going to be for today and tomorrow and had a really good game plan."
Column: That's not music playing on NASCAR radios.
JIM LITKE (AP Sports Columnist)
Here's most of what you need to know about NASCAR's latest scandal: All that expensive radio gear inside race cars isn't for listening to music.
It's not there, either, just so NASCAR drivers can swap information with their crews in the pits or get updates from spotters on the roof about the traffic ahead - though to be fair, that's what the conversations are about 98 percent of the time.
But every once in a while, a guy needs help to get his car where he wants it to be.
Most of the time he'll turn to a teammate; occasionally, using intermediaries, he'll get word to an opponent. Cutting deals were a part of the sport long before radios, which is why what happened on the racetrack generally stayed there.
So the only thing really shocking about this racing thing is how careless, lazy or stupid some people have become, and how much audiotaped evidence the crews involved left behind.
There was plenty of funny business going on last weekend at Richmond, the final qualifying race before NASCAR's season-ending playoff Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
Without going into the intricate deals involving at least three teams and a handful of drivers, it's fair to say each joined the plot to help one teammate or another.
Afterward, fans threw around words like ''cheaters'' and ''shenanigans'' and wondered if some drivers were taking dives.
That explained the unprecedented penalties NASCAR levied against Michael Waltrip Racing team earlier this week, accusing two of its drivers of manipulating the race so a third teammate, Martin Truex Jr., could qualify for the Chase. Trying to get rid of its reputation for looking the other way in select cases, or else making up rules on the fly, NASCAR came down hard on MWR, without making clear where the line between competition and cooperation would be drawn going forward.
''I've seen the term 'Pandora's box' used quite a few times and I agree,'' five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson said. ''It's going to open it up.''
Everyone in sports cuts deals, too. Like NASCAR's drivers, they'll do anything to compete, but they're not beyond cooperating when both sides stand to gain.
Remember the ruckus Brett Favre kicked up a few years back by falling down too easily while defender Michael Strahan closed in on him and the NFL's sack record at the same time? Or when UConn coach Geno Auriemma worked out a deal with his Villanova counterpart so Nykesha Sales, the Huskies' then-hobbled star, could get an uncontested layup to start the game and become the school's all-time leading scorer?
Fans of those sports didn't like it, either. That's why other leagues make a point of punishing deal cutters, and why NASCAR jumped down a few throats this time, while keeping open the possibility of more to come.
The funny thing is that while the teams and drivers weren't all working together, there were enough schemes going on simultaneously for NASCAR to rightly conclude the Richmond results had been ''manipulated.''
So maybe it was just coincidental, too, that the Chase playoff begins this weekend in Chicago, a town that so prizes dealmaking the late cityside columnist Mike Royko once proposed changing the official motto from ''Urbs in Horto (City in a Garden)'' to ''Where's Mine?'' When someone brought up the city's history to Clint Bowyer, the MWR driver who spun his car to start this whole mess, he cracked a smile but didn't say a word.
NASCAR, too, has said little beyond announcing penalties and releasing a statement Thursday that it was still gathering facts about a possible second scheme involving a pair of Ford teams and an alleged payoff.
There was a time when the sport reveled in its outlaw image, when the guys in charge didn't ask too many pointed questions about what went on between drivers and teams during the race, and minded even less when some of it spilled into fistfights along pit road or in the garages. No more. Shedding its niche-sports status required NASCAR to embrace transparency and technology. Apparently, the message hasn't filtered down to everyone at the track.
The sad part is that the controversy could cost MWR, the team Waltrip cobbled together after retiring as a driver, the sponsors they need to survive. The real shame is that his drivers and crew weren't doing anything most of the others don't dabble in all the time.
They were just dumb enough to get caught.
Clint Dempsey challenges U.S. to shoot for loftier World Cup goal.
By Martin Rogers
United States captain Clint Dempsey has ordered his teammates not to be satisfied with merely qualifying for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.
Dempsey led the U.S. throughout a hugely successful campaign that culminated Tuesday night in a 2-0 victory over Mexico and a spot among the world's best 32 teams with two games to spare. However, the Seattle Sounders forward still nurses bitter memories of a dismal 2006 World Cup and even a 2010 tournament in which the Americans faltered in the round of 16 after dramatically topping their group.
"The job is not done now," Dempsey said. "It is one thing to qualify for the World Cup, but we will be sitting here talking about something different if we don't get out of our group. Everybody will be devastated.
"It would be nice to go on a nice run in a World Cup. That is something I haven't got to experience. That is what we are looking at now, to aim for that and not settle for what we've had in the past."
The U.S.'s most successful World Cup in recent times came under coach Bruce Arena in 2002 with a run to the quarterfinals thanks to victories over Portugal and Mexico. Getting out of the group is always the primary target for the Americans, but a finish similar to the round of 16 defeat to Ghana three years ago in South Africa would be seen as a disappointment this time around.
Qualification for Brazil 2014 could hardly have gone better. Tuesday's result in Columbus, Ohio, capped off a series of strong performances in CONCACAF's final six-team pool, with the only defeats coming on tricky visits to Honduras and Costa Rica.
"To be a captain and help the team qualify for a World Cup is something special that I will always remember," Dempsey said. "This region provides more competition than people think it is. CONCACAF is getting better. The teams have more players who are playing on bigger teams in Europe."We showed character over the qualifying process and we have to use that to help us grow."
Eyebrows were raised, both in the United States and in Europe, when Dempsey decided to bring his Premier League adventure to a close in August by leaving Tottenham Hotspur and linking up with the Sounders on a four-year contract reported to be worth $5 million per season. While Major League Soccer provides a lower level of competition than the Premier League, the timing of the respective seasons could help Dempsey get ready for Brazil.
Depending on how far the Sounders progress in the MLS postseason, Dempsey will likely head into winter break some time in November before reporting back for preseason duty a couple of months later. Rather than deal with the difficulties Europe-based players normally face after grueling domestic campaigns, Dempsey will go to Brazil three months into the 2014 MLS season, which could prove to be ideal timing for a player who is now 30 years old.
Moreover, Dempsey knows that another World Cup in 2018 may be beyond him, meaning next year's tournament could be the final time he gets to display his talents on a truly global stage.
"I got to experience Germany [in 2006] when we didn't advance from the group," Dempsey said. "Then at the same time I was part of [the 2009] Confederations Cup where we got to the final and then in 2010 where we won the group and then lost the next game. It is a learning process and you have to grow and build from the things you have been through.
"This team has been through some challenges and all of our experiences have helped us get ready. That gives you a platform to move forward."
Forward momentum has not been lacking for the past year, as Klinsmann and his players have built confidence and cohesion. Keeping those positive vibes bubbling until next summer is the next task and one which, if accomplished, could hold the key to the World Cup hopes of the U.S.
US 13th in FIFA rankings, highest spot in 3 years.
By AP Sports
The United States climbed to 13th in the FIFA rankings, its highest position since July 2010.
The Americans rose six places in the September rankings announced Thursday, which include Tuesday's 2-0 win over Mexico that clinched the seventh straight World Cup berth for the U.S. The Americans had dropped to as low as 36th in July and August in 2012.
World and European champion Spain remained first for the 25th consecutive month, and Argentina rose two places to second after qualifying for its 11th consecutive World Cup.
Germany dropped to third, and Italy rose two places to fourth after securing its 14th consecutive berth. Colombia dropped two to fifth. Belgium, Uruguay, Brazil, the Netherlands and Croatia round out the top 10.
If the system used four years ago is retained by FIFA, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Spain and Uruguay would be the seeded teams for the World Cup draw on Dec. 6, if they all qualify.
Argentina, Italy and host Brazil already are assured spots in the 32-nation field.
The Netherlands, which also has clinched, would be unseeded if the 2009 draw system is retained. England, which has not yet qualified, is ranked 17th and also would be unseeded.
New England Patriots beat New York Jets in sloppy game that turns ugly with late fight.
By Eric Edholm
(USA Today Sports Images)
Maybe it was the Thursday night jinx. Maybe the rain played a factor.
But for the second week in a row, the Patriots were fortunate to beat a division foe, barely outlasting the Jets, 13-10. And it was ugly all the way around, Tom Brady looked very frustrated most of the night, and it took a big effort from Julian Edelman (doing Danny Amendola doing Wes Welker), who had 13 clutch catches for 78 yards, and 72 more yards on punt returns, for the Patriots to come out winners despite a skill-position group that has been torn to shreds. Incredible: Brady had only 19 completions on 39 attempts for 185 yards.
Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith impressed with his throwing ability at times, throwing for 214 yards — 29 more than Brady had, on four fewer attempts — and rallied from several big hits
But Smith took four sacks, burned timeouts unnecessarily and was too slow to process information and react on a red-zone interception in the fourth quarter that quashed a great scoring opportunity with the Patriots vulnerable. Smith got the ball back with 56 seconds left from his own 29-yard line — a more favorable situation than in Week 1's comeback against the Buccaneers — but threw a horrible pick that landed in the hands of Aqib Talib. It was Smith's third INT of a night that started so promisingly.
That final pick led to a huge scrum with 38 seconds left, as Jets center Nick Mangold went very low to tackle Talib, who dilly-dallied before going out of bounds. It was just another feisty chapter in the bitter Jets-Patriots rivalry as a slew of players pushed and shoved, and two Jets, Willie Colon (hitting an official) and D'Bricashaw Ferguson (throwing a punch), were ejected. Expect hefty fines — at least — for Colon, Ferguson and Mangold.Dropped passes were the story of the night, for both sides, in what was a horribly tough game to watch. Aaron Dobson, despite a first-NFL-play TD, dropped two straight in the series in which Brady lost his cool on the field and on the sideline.
Clyde Gates dropped what would have been a touchdown for the Jets, and Kenbrell Thompkins couldn't haul in what looked like a pretty TD for New England. There were at least a dozen drops combined for the two teams, and it went beyond the wet field conditions.
The Jets controlled the action for much of the night with a rhythm passing game and a bruising rushing attack, but they only could mount one touchdown drive. Smith's second interception of the night, with 4:23 remaining, was his second poor decision on an otherwise pretty good night throwing the football.
Brady and the offense took over after that but could not run out the clock. They had problems sustaining drives all night.
Looking forward, there are concerns for both teams. The Patriots might be 2-0, but they have some serious self-scouting to do to find ways to move the chains consistently before Rob Gronkowski and Amendola return to the lineup. Throwing the ball that times to Edelman, as game as he was, just isn't a winning strategy for the long haul.
For the Jets, it's clear that Smith can make all the throws. He has special arm talent. He just needs more refinement in the other facets of his game, and it wouldn't help if his receivers could hang onto the ball. But things turned ugly fast late, and it's clear that Smith is going to have some rocky Sundays this year.
These two teams right now are not as far apart, talent-wise, as they have been the past two seasons. The close score is a pretty good indication of that. In the end, the Patriots were just a little better.
Major League Baseball results Thursday, September 12, 2013.
Reuters
(Home team in CAPS)
Atlanta 6 MIAMI 1
Oakland 8 MINNESOTA 2
Washington 7 NY METS 2
NY Yankees 6 BALTIMORE 5
PHILADELPHIA 10 San Diego 5
LA Angels 4 TORONTO 3
TAMPA BAY 4 Boston 3
Cleveland 14 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3
Milwaukee 5 ST. LOUIS 3
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