Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica
Sports Quote of the Day:
"The time when there is no one to feel sorry for you or cheer you is when a player is truly made." ~ Tim Duncan, NBA Player (San Antonio Spurs) speaking about practice.
Why the Chicago Bears Should Fire Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker and Shake Up Their Defense. What's your take?
By Billy Grayson
COMMENTARY | The easy thing for the Chicago Bears and their fans to do is blame injuries for their recent failures on defense.
After all, they have now seen five starters miss at least one game- and in most cases more- this season. DTs Nate Collins, Henry Melton, and Stephen Paea, LB Lance Briggs, and CB Charles Tillman have all suffered injuries that have forced them out of action for at least one game this season.
The latest blow was the shoulder injury to Briggs, one that is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks, and possibly longer. Briggs had taken over for retired MLB Brian Urlacher as both the voice and the face of Chicago's defense this season.
A seven-time Pro-Bowler, Briggs was leading the league in tackles before sustaining the injury in Sunday's loss to the Washington Redskins, a 45-41 shootout that Bears fans never dreamed they would see under former head coach Lovie Smith.
Smith lived and breathed defense, specifically the Cover-2 scheme aimed to take away teams' big-play ability and work extra hard to put points on the board. Prior to Sunday, in the history of the Chicago Bears franchise, they had never lost a game in which they scored 41 points.
That statistic doesn't necessarily mean this year's defense is the worst in their franchises history, but it does tell you this: the defense has taken a significant step back, and that was clear even before Briggs went down.
So, who is to blame for the catastrophic decline that is the Chicago Bears defense? Look no further than the man calling plays, newly hired defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.
Tucker was brought in by Trestman after serving the last four seasons as defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Under the tutelage of Tucker, Jacksonville's defense finished third worst in 2012 in both yards allowed/game (380.5) and points allowed/game (27.8).
A disciple of Nick Saban's, Tucker was right in sticking with Chicago's 4-3 despite offseason rumors of them switching to a 3-4 that Tucker has utilized in the past. He even decided to learn the Bears' defensive signals and calls instead of bringing in his own system in hopes that would ease the transition for them.
The results, thus far, have been disastrous. The Bears rank fifth worst in points allowed (29.4/game) and seventh worst in yards allowed (391.0/game) and, without Briggs, things don't appear to be getting any better any time soon.
With that said, the Bears appear in need of a major shakeup on their defense, and there's no better way to do that than to show everyone involved that even the guy in charge isn't safe. Firing Tucker is the best way to wake up this struggling defense.
Can things really get much worse for this defense following last week's performance? At the very least, this shows players and fans alike that Trestman isn't throwing in the towel on this season.
Trestman has largely stayed out of Tucker's way in handling the defense, deciding to take full control of the offense, and that's fine. Nonetheless, the burden still falls on Trestman's shoulders because he brought Tucker in; it's time he had did something to rectify this mistake.
The Bears personnel simply doesn't matchup with Tucker's style of play. Tucker calls far too many blitz packages, which results in the numerous big plays they give up every week.
With the Bears bye week in full force, there is no better time to make a move than right now. We've all seen something like this happen before: last season, the Baltimore Ravens fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron on December 10 with the team sitting at 9-4 and battling for a playoff spot. They replaced him with Jim Caldwell, a man who had never before called plays for a team but was nonetheless thrust into the position.
The Ravens, as you know, went on to win the Super Bowl.
"It's not about fair or unfair, right or wrong. We need a change. Our plan and our goals are to win games, win our division and get to the playoffs," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said about firing Cameron.
It's never an easy thing to do to fire a coordinator midseason, but in this situation it is the right thing to do. Tucker has taken the Bears defense to a low they haven't seen in over a decade, and injuries can not be used as reasoning for that.
Maybe the players will better respond to a different voice. Hand over the duties to defensive backs coach Jon Hoke, who may better understand how to avoid the plethora of big plays the defensive backs have allowed this season, before hiring a full-time replacement next season.
There's no denying the defense is talented: just look at the number of turnovers they force and Pro Bowls they appear in as a group. But with so many key impending free agents on their defense (Melton, Tillman, Corey Wootton, Tim Jennings and James Anderson, just to name a few) who's to say their defense will even have this much talent next season?
As Trestman loves saying, this is a "next man up league" and the players have to do their jobs. But so does Tucker and, simply put, he hasn't done his this year. Who's to say the "next man up" philosophy doesn't apply to the coaching staff as well?
After reading this article, we'd love to know what's your take? Should the Bears change their Defensive Coordinator or let him finish out the season and see if things get better? What do you think?
Confident Marshall declares Cutler will return in two weeks.
CSNChicago.com
Brandon Marshall isn't a doctor, nor does he play one on TV.
Yet, that didn't stop the Bears receiver from offering his own on-air diagnosis of injured quarterback Jay Cutler while appearing on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" on Thursday.
"I predict Jay Cutler will be back in two weeks," Marshall said. "They say four-to-six, but we've got the right people around Jay right now so we'll get it done."
Marshall spent the majority of his six-minute-plus interview on the news program discussing his role in promoting awareness for mental health. Marshall attended an event for the cause Wednesday evening that was also attended by Vice President Joe Biden.
But Chicago sports fans will likely find the last few seconds the most noteworthy, when Marshall tells interviewer and admitted Bears fan Peter Alexander when he thinks Cutler will return.
Cutler suffered a groin injury Sunday against the Redskins, and the Bears announced Monday the quarterback is expected to miss at least four weeks. The Bears have a bye this week before taking on the Packers on Monday Night Football on Nov. 4.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? St. Louis scores in OT; Lightning beat Hawks. (But we got a point!!!)
By MARK DIDTLER (Associated Press)
Martin St. Louis scored 1:16 of overtime and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-5 on Thursday night.
St. Louis got the game-winner from in-close. The Tampa Bay captain also had an assist and moved past Neal Broten (923) for 93rd place on the career points list with 924.
Steven Stamkos scored a tiebreaking power-play goal as the Tampa Bay went up 5-4 at 17:31 of the third.
Chicago's Jonathan Toews was credited a game-tying goal with 1:49 left in the period after the Lightning put the puck into their own net.
Stamkos finished with two goals and two assists. Matt Carle, Nate Thompson and Victor Hedman had the other Tampa Bay goals.
Chicago also got goals from Bryan Bickell, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw. Kane assisted on Shaw's goal, giving him five goals and 15 points in eight games against Tampa Bay.
Chicago took a 4-3 lead 93 seconds into the third on Shaw's in-close power-play goal. It was the first time the Blackhawks have scored during the third period since opening night.
Steven Stamkos scored a tiebreaking power-play goal as the Tampa Bay went up 5-4 at 17:31 of the third.
Chicago's Jonathan Toews was credited a game-tying goal with 1:49 left in the period after the Lightning put the puck into their own net.
Stamkos finished with two goals and two assists. Matt Carle, Nate Thompson and Victor Hedman had the other Tampa Bay goals.
Chicago also got goals from Bryan Bickell, Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw. Kane assisted on Shaw's goal, giving him five goals and 15 points in eight games against Tampa Bay.
Chicago took a 4-3 lead 93 seconds into the third on Shaw's in-close power-play goal. It was the first time the Blackhawks have scored during the third period since opening night.
Hedman's first goal in 41 games tied it at 4 at 11:03 of the third.
After blowing a two-goal lead, Stamkos gave Tampa Bay a 3-2 advantage at 17:21 of the second when he beat backup goalie Nikolai Khabibulin from the top of the right circle. It was just Khabibulin's second start in Tampa since helping the Lightning win the 2004 Stanley Cup.
Kane pulled the Blackhawks even at 3-3 on a breakaway goal with 1:07 remaining in the second.
Bickell cut the Blackhawks' deficit to 2-1 with a rebound goal with 11 minutes left in the second. The left wing has a goal in three consecutive games.
Chicago tied it at 2-all on Hossa's thigh-high re-direction that eluded Ben Bishop 1:36 after Bickell scored. Hossa has 438 goals, which ties him for 62nd place all-time with Gary Roberts.
Tampa Bay took advantage of its first power play as Carle put the Lightning up 1-0 6:28 into the game. The Blackhawks entered with the NHL's third-worst short-handed unit.
Thompson stopped a 19-game goal drought to make it 2-0 during a short-handed 2-on-1 at 1:24 of the second.
NOTES: There were a number of Hockey Hall of Famers with ties to the Blackhawks in attendance. Current Lightning broadcaster Phil Esposito spent time with former teammate Bobby Hull. Others at the game included Stan Mikita and current Blackhawks senior adviser Scotty Bowman. ... Stamkos has nine goals and 14 points in seven games against the Blackhawks. ... Chicago D Michael Kostka is expected to miss four to six weeks due to a lower-body injury. He was hurt during practice Tuesday.
Duncan Keith hasn't 'noticed guys getting reckless'.
By Jason Brough
As hockey fans debate another injury-causing hit that’s sure to result in a suspension, we direct you to the comments of one Duncan Keith, defenseman for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Some believe the NHL isn’t doing enough to keep bad hits out of the game, and perhaps there’s more that can be done. (ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun wonders if coaches should be held more accountable for the actions of their players.)
And Keith, of course, is no stranger to the NHL’s disciplinary process having been suspended twice for incidents, including a five-game ban for elbowing Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin in March of 2012.
But he’s not unique among players in his opinion that hockey is a fast, intense, physical game that’s played on the edge, and so incidents are going to happen.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... Bulls' backcourt the NBA's most athletic, best?
By Aggrey Sam
When asked to analyze how he was meshing in the starting backcourt with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler put some thought into his response.
“Still working on it, but I feel like you kind of get to mesh with the guys that are out there on the floor with you, going to the basket or spotting up or letting him create,” the Bulls’ starting shooting guard observed after Thursday afternoon’s practice at the Berto Center. “I feel like all eyes are going to be on him a majority of the time anyways so you just have to be ready. Sometimes you don’t know the ball is coming to you, but it will get there somehow, someway.”
But when queried about whether the combination of he and Rose, two players known for playing above the rim, was the most athletic starting backcourt in the NBA, Butler was diplomatic, albeit in a tone that he knew what the answer was and simply wanted the assembled media to come to its own conclusion.
“That’s a good question. I hear it, but I don’t know,” he said, somewhat cryptically. “I guess we’ll come to find out.”
Looking around the league, the Bulls’ guard duo might be the obvious choice. While there are point guards rivaling Rose’s athleticism, such as Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook or Washington’s John Wall, and shooting guards as explosive as Butler, like Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, but not a pair on the same level as both of them collectively.
In fact, even just regarding talent—assuming Rose maintains his preseason return to at least his previous form and Butler’s second-half emergence last season evolves into the breakout campaign many observers expect—the Bulls’ backcourt could be amongst the top-five pairs of starting guards in the league.
Right now, the consensus pick would be the Golden State Warriors ‘“Splash Brothers” combo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, with the Wizards’ pair of the aforementioned Wall and second-year shooting guard Bradley Beal right behind them, if they stay healthy, continue the chemistry exhibited at the end of last season and both display expected improvement.
But how far behind, if at all, are Rose and Butler? After all, none of the above quartet has even one All-Star nod on their resume, while Rose has an MVP award to his name.
Another potential pairing that could rank high on the list is in New Orleans, with All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday coming to the newly-christened Pelicans from Philadelphia and playing alongside a supposedly healthy Eric Gordon—or maybe free-agent acquisition Tyreke Evans, who is capable of playing all three perimeter positions—but even that group isn’t clearly superior to the Bulls.
An argument can be made that not only does the NBA’s most athletic starting backcourt reside in Chicago, but by the end of the season, a case could be made that it’s the league’s very best.
Rose not only back, he might be better.
By Aggrey Sam
There’s a multitude of ways to describe the triumphant fashion in which Derrick Rose has returned to the NBA this preseason—in his latest effort, a 26-point outing in Wednesday night’s win over the Thunder, he shrugged off a poor shooting night to score 13 points in the final 7:30 of the contest to keep the Bulls undefeated through seven exhibition games—but perhaps no flourishes of the keyboard can do it more justice than the words of teammate Carlos Boozer.
“We know the sky’s the limit for us because we’re going to continue to improve and having him back makes a whole lot of difference because he makes it easier for everybody else. He makes it easier for each one of us because he takes so much responsibility for himself. But it’s also fun to watch him,” the much-maligned power forward, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds of his own, his best game of the preseason. “After sitting out for a year, there’s so many moves that he does that I don’t see other people do. Like the move he did in the first half to Reggie Jackson got me out of my seat, I was so excited, man. But he’s one of those kind of players that you’ve got to watch him because if you don’t watch him, you might miss something."
Boozer then took it a step further, claiming that this new version of Rose, who also dished out six assists (albeit against five turnovers), went 10-for-10 from the charity stripe and shot 4-for-8 from 3-point range, is superior to the old one, the youngest-MVP-in-NBA-history edition.
“No, he’s better. You know why? Because I think watching for a year, taking care of his body—you see he’s stronger—and on top of that, he’s a workhorse. You guys know that already. He improves every year. But his knowledge of the game is better, he feels the game better,” Boozer insisted. “If somebody’s going, he finds them. His passing is so much more precise this year, on top of all the other stuff that he already had. The skill set got better, his athleticism is obviously still there. Today he practically played left-handed because he had a sore elbow and still had an amazing game. So very impressive stuff, man.”
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau attributed Rose’s growth to the maintenance and development of his game, which is starting to become a legend unto itself.
“It’s reflective of all the work he has put in. You can’t imagine how much shooting this guy has done. Last year, he wasn’t playing in the games but he was shooting. He shot every day before practice, then in practice, then after practice. Then he’d go to the game and shoot some more. Then on off days, he gets to the gym and shoots for hours. He’s really worked at it. That old saying that the magic is in the work, there’s a lot of truth to it,” said the coach, who later admitted that the saying is his own. “It’s not only what he’s doing individually before and after practice, it’s what he’s doing in practice and the example he’s setting and leadership he’s showing for our team.
“Derrick is very unselfish. So when a second defender comes, he knows how to make a play. He can beat you not only with his shot, but with a pass and our bigs are active on the boards, so they can beat you with a second shot. When you have somebody like that, the responsibility is to make the right play, the winning play. So if he gets double-teamed and he makes a pass and it’s a wide-open shot and a make-or-miss league, if it’s the right play that’s all you’re thinking about. Was the process correct? He does that,” Thibodeau went on to explain. “His ability to deliver the ball and make a quick read allows guys to get a rhythm three off or a wide-open shot. I think the speed that he’s generating now, when there’s contact, it puts the onus on the officials to make the call. He’s not trying to avoid contact. He’s doing a great job of getting to the line. I thought that got him back into rhythm, getting to the line more. When he’s coming at you with a head of steam, it creates easy scoring opportunities for people.”
Rose’s new backcourt partner, Jimmy Butler, is in his first season starting alongside the former league MVP—as a seldom-used rookie, he only got to see Rose in games from the sideline, then they reversed positions during the point guard’s recovery and Butler’s emergence last season—seconded his coach’s praise of the Chicago native’s work ethic.
“Man, that’s huge. He sets the bar extremely high, so you want to chase that bar. You want to try to get a piece of that, so you see him in the gym and obviously he’s the best player on our team, but you see the way he works,” said Butler, who finished with 12 points in his first game back in the lineup after missing the Bulls’ last three contests with a bruised left knee. “That’s why he is where he is, so we need to be in there working with him.
“It’s tough, man. But that’s what he’s been working on. Shooting J’s, finishing with contact, making the right play at the right time and that’s why he’s great. MVP,” he continued. “But you see the work that he puts into it and he doesn’t expect, he doesn’t take anything for granted because he’s one of the hardest-working guys that I’ve been around.”
As for Rose himself, due to his perfectionist tendencies, he isn’t quite satisfied with his performance thus far, though he acknowledges being at least mildly pleased with his progress, especially as he returns to his familiar role of putting the Bulls on his back when necessary.
“That’s what I love, man. I think that I’m one of those types of players, where I think I can close the game and like I said, if I didn’t have my teammates and didn’t have the teammates that I have, that allow me to do that, I’d be in trouble. But just having them, being around them, they know how hard I work. They put the ball in my hands to see what I was going to do,” he said. “It’s coming along. I still have a long way to go, where in one-on-one situations, I have so much stuff I want to go to, but I have to get used to playing like that again, but I think it’s coming slowly. But I’m seeing some improvements.
“It’s a new beginning. I think I’m going to be a different player. Like I said, my confidence has grown as a player and I’m on a team with a bunch of guys that’s taking this game seriously like I am,” the point guard added. “I had a couple of turnovers, too, that I normally wouldn’t get. but I think the game’s slowed down a little bit for me. My only thing now, I would have to say, is passing the ball the right way. Now, I think I’m jumping in the air a little too much, but that comes with just playing.”
Minor adjustments, things that can be tweaked, still a few aspects of his game that could be polished. But all in all, not only is Rose back to making the same level of impact he was when we last saw him fully healthy, he might be on the verge of being even better.
Cardinals take Game 2 to even up World Series against Red Sox.
By D.J. Short
(Getty Images)
The World Series will head back to St. Louis all evened up.
After falling in Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday night, the Cardinals bounced back last night with a 4-2 victory over the Red Sox in Game 2.
The Cardinals got on the board first with an RBI ground out from Yadier Molina in the bottom of the top of the fourth inning, but the Red Sox pulled ahead against Michael Wacha when David Ortiz connected for a two-run blast — his 17th career postseason homer — over the Green Monster in the bottom of the sixth. However, the Red Sox failed to hold the lead for long, as errors from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Craig Breslow on the same play opened the door for the Cardinals to move ahead in the top of the seventh. Carlos Beltran, who left Game 1 with a rib contusion, added an insurance run with an RBI single.
The defensive implosion wasted a solid effort from John Lackey, who ended up being charged with three runs over 6 1/3 innings. Wacha walked away with the victory, even though he wasn’t as sharp as he was in previous postseason outings. The 22-year-old walked four batters and threw 65 out of 114 pitches for strikes. The Cardinals relied on more youth to finish off the win, as Carlos Martinez danced around trouble in the eighth inning and Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth to notch the save. All three pitchers used by the Cardinals tonight were 23 years old or younger.
Friday is a travel day, so the World Series will resume Saturday night at Busch Stadium. Joe Kelly will be on the mound for St. Louis in Game 3 while Jake Peavy will start for Boston.
Colorful 'loveable rogue' Daly back with a bang.
After falling in Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday night, the Cardinals bounced back last night with a 4-2 victory over the Red Sox in Game 2.
The Cardinals got on the board first with an RBI ground out from Yadier Molina in the bottom of the top of the fourth inning, but the Red Sox pulled ahead against Michael Wacha when David Ortiz connected for a two-run blast — his 17th career postseason homer — over the Green Monster in the bottom of the sixth. However, the Red Sox failed to hold the lead for long, as errors from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Craig Breslow on the same play opened the door for the Cardinals to move ahead in the top of the seventh. Carlos Beltran, who left Game 1 with a rib contusion, added an insurance run with an RBI single.
The defensive implosion wasted a solid effort from John Lackey, who ended up being charged with three runs over 6 1/3 innings. Wacha walked away with the victory, even though he wasn’t as sharp as he was in previous postseason outings. The 22-year-old walked four batters and threw 65 out of 114 pitches for strikes. The Cardinals relied on more youth to finish off the win, as Carlos Martinez danced around trouble in the eighth inning and Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth to notch the save. All three pitchers used by the Cardinals tonight were 23 years old or younger.
Friday is a travel day, so the World Series will resume Saturday night at Busch Stadium. Joe Kelly will be on the mound for St. Louis in Game 3 while Jake Peavy will start for Boston.
Colorful 'loveable rogue' Daly back with a bang.
By Daniel Hicks
John Daly of the US looks on after putting at the 7th hole during day one of the BMW Shanghai Masters golf tournament at the Lake Malaren Golf Club in Shanghai on October 24, 2013. (AFP Photo/Mark Ralston)
Flamboyant former major winner John Daly came back from elbow surgery with a flawless four-under par 68 to lie second after the opening day of the BMW Masters in Shanghai on Thursday.
"After not playing a competitive round in about 14, 15 weeks, it felt pretty good," said Daly after his round left him in second place.
Daly is three shots behind another American, Luke Guthrie, who leads the European Tour $7 million event on seven-under par, and one ahead of another fellow countryman Peter Uihlein in third.
"It's been ailing me for probably six years and the last four have been really brutal in this elbow," Daly said.
"To finally get the surgery done... it's nice to be able to pinch chips and three-quarter golf shots again which I haven't been able to do in a long time," said the 47-year-old who won the Open Championship at St Andrews in 1995.
"It's good to be out playing again. Those 14, 15 weeks... it's the longest I've spent in one place I can ever remember."
Early starter Daly compiled a rare bogey-free round on a day when winds strengthened and temperatures dropped across the wide open Lake Malaren layout, with few trees to afford the players protection from the chilly, blustery gusts.
Daly went out in one-under-par 35 but really got going on the back nine with birdies at the 10th, 15th and 17th for a back nine in 33 blows and a card of 68.
It was a remarkable performance from the veteran, who had not lifted a club in anger since withdrawing with the elbow injury after the first round of the US PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic on July 3.
"Luckily I got a lot of shots that came out right today. I putted OK. Just hit a lot of greens. It's just one of those days where you just want to survive," Daly added.
Daly's round did not escape the attention of Europe's finest. Graeme McDowell, currently second in the European Tour Race to Dubai standings, after finishing with a 70, said he had noticed the big man's name near the top of the leaderboard.
"Great to see him up there," said McDowell. "He's one of those guys you can't help but pull for. John's a loveable rogue and he always puts bums on seats."
Daly's trademark trousers on the first day were typically garish, and in colors similar to the German flag.
But Daly said that he hadn't deliberately worn them as a homage to the tournament's sponsors.
"Are they?" he said, when the color similarity was pointed out. "I don't want to disrespect the Germans by any means, but ketchup and mustard, that's what they call these."
NASCAR considers qualifying change, adds test.
By David Caraviello
NASCAR on Thursday discussed with drivers potential changes to qualifying procedures for next season, and laid out plans to further enhance competition on intermediate tracks.
In a meeting at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., officials from the sanctioning body told drivers from all three national series that it was considering the elimination of single-car qualifying for the 2014 season. The alternative would be group qualifying similar to the procedure currently used on road courses, where a number of vehicles would be on track during qualifying at the same time.
Currently on road courses, cars are assigned to a set number of groups based on practice speeds, from slowest to fastest. Each group is on the track for an amount of time determined by the series director, and a car's best time during its session counts as its qualifying time of record.
Kerry Tharp, NASCAR's senior director of competition communications, said the proposed procedure would have to be adjusted depending on track size. The process would be different at Daytona and Talladega, the two facilities that require the use of restrictor plates to slow the cars down. At those venues, the field would have an open qualifying session lasting 45 to 50 minutes that would allow for drafting.
"Nothing in stone yet," Tharp cautioned. Thursday's meeting -- in which drivers were also informed that a baseline concussion test will be mandatory in all three national series beginning in 2014 -- was to solicit feedback from competitors, who Tharp said were receptive to the idea. The primary goal would be to make qualifying more exciting for spectators.
"We believe it would provide a much more enjoyable experience for the fans who are not only at the track," Tharp said, "but those who are watching as well."
Toward that same end, NASCAR continues to work on improving the current Sprint Cup Series car, particularly at mile-and-a-half tracks. NASCAR has scheduled a second test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, this one for Dec. 9, to build on its findings from the first test at the facility on Oct. 14. There, six drivers representing three manufacturers tested seven different aerodynamic elements used in three different packages.
Teams tinkered with elements such as static ride height, vents in the rear fascia, a strip across the roof, a larger rear spoiler, and a stepped-down front splitter. Since then, NASCAR has been to the wind tunnel and performed computer simulation. Officials plan to meet with engine builders next week, and have another wind tunnel session set for November.
The first Charlotte test was "very productive," Tharp said, allowing NASCAR to eliminate some elements that didn't work, and focus more on those that did. "Those are some of the things we're looking at now trying to validate, and some of the things we'll likely test in December to make the racing better," he added. "? We're very diligent and very aggressive toward this end right now, and for the balance of this year."
It's all being done with the intention of improving the racing, particularly at the intermediate tracks that comprise the bulk of the schedule. "That's a top priority for us," Tharp said. "We're approaching that very aggressively."
"Nothing in stone yet," Tharp cautioned. Thursday's meeting -- in which drivers were also informed that a baseline concussion test will be mandatory in all three national series beginning in 2014 -- was to solicit feedback from competitors, who Tharp said were receptive to the idea. The primary goal would be to make qualifying more exciting for spectators.
"We believe it would provide a much more enjoyable experience for the fans who are not only at the track," Tharp said, "but those who are watching as well."
Toward that same end, NASCAR continues to work on improving the current Sprint Cup Series car, particularly at mile-and-a-half tracks. NASCAR has scheduled a second test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, this one for Dec. 9, to build on its findings from the first test at the facility on Oct. 14. There, six drivers representing three manufacturers tested seven different aerodynamic elements used in three different packages.
Teams tinkered with elements such as static ride height, vents in the rear fascia, a strip across the roof, a larger rear spoiler, and a stepped-down front splitter. Since then, NASCAR has been to the wind tunnel and performed computer simulation. Officials plan to meet with engine builders next week, and have another wind tunnel session set for November.
The first Charlotte test was "very productive," Tharp said, allowing NASCAR to eliminate some elements that didn't work, and focus more on those that did. "Those are some of the things we're looking at now trying to validate, and some of the things we'll likely test in December to make the racing better," he added. "? We're very diligent and very aggressive toward this end right now, and for the balance of this year."
It's all being done with the intention of improving the racing, particularly at the intermediate tracks that comprise the bulk of the schedule. "That's a top priority for us," Tharp said. "We're approaching that very aggressively."
Soccer-Brazilian players' union threatens to halt World Cup matches.
Reuters; By Brian Homewood
The union representing Brazilian footballers FENAPAF has threatened to disrupt the World Cup by taking legal action to stop matches being played at midday in tropical venues.
FENAPAF president Rinaldo Martorelli said he believed he could obtain last-minute court injunctions to stop matches from being played if soccer's governing body FIFA did not agree to stage matches at cooler times of the day.
He said Brazilian legislation protecting workers' health would favor his cause.
"I think we can stop all the opening games in the championship which have been arranged for those kickoff times, which will cause huge disruption," he told Reuters on the sidelines of an international soccer conference.
Martorelli warned that he would delay legal action until the last possible minute so that World Cup organizers would not have time to get the ruling overturned.
The use of a last-minute court injunction, known locally as a "liminar", is a regular feature of all walks of Brazilian life.
In May, a judge issued an injunction ordering Brazil's friendly match against England at the recently-refurbished Maracana stadium to be suspended, four days before it was due to be played, on safety fears.
The Rio de Janeiro state government managed to get the ruling overturned, although it caused severe embarrassment and uncertainty.
"If we can sit down with FIFA and they accept our proposals, the problem is resolved," said Martorelli.
"If not, they will have to wait until the day that the players go onto the pitch, because the police and a justice official will be waiting, there will be no game."
"It won't give them time to recover, they know it's a risk that they are running...I can go to any court in the country."
Although the World Cup will take place in southern Brazil's winter, tropical conditions will prevail in the northern part of the country where Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Natal and Manaus will all stage matches.
Two matches in each of Natal, Salvador and Recife have been scheduled for 1300 local time plus one in Fortaleza. There will also be two 1500 kickoffs in Manaus, at the heart of the Amazon rain forest.
FENAPAF said it had staged experimental matches at those times in Manaus and Fortaleza to study the effects on players and was due to issue the results in the next few weeks.
"The constitution and law favors preventative measures to protect workers' health," said Martorelli, adding that he had weekly calls from Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo over the issue.
Premier League Power Rankings: Southampton surging, Manchester United sliding - Week 8.
By Joe Prince-Wright
This season just keeps getting worse for Manchester United, and so far Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are taking full advantage of their struggles by pulling away at the top. Plus, a few surprise packages are still hanging around.
One of those is Southampton, who are flying high, while their isn’t much movement further down as the midtable mediocrity crew cancel each other out.
Week 8 saw the highest number of goals, 34, as offenses finally exploded and plenty of teams look in dire straits at the back. Find out how it affected the Premier League Power Rankings below.
By now you should know the drill. Every Wednesday we put our neck on the line to analyze the strength of each Premier League team, forget about the official league standings (here they are in case you actually do want them) that doesn’t mean squat.
The Power Rankings take into account the strength of schedule, injuries, suspensions, playing well but still losing and plenty of other variables. The W-D-L bracket shows each PL team’s current record and you can now see how many spots each team has moved, up or down, from week-to-week.
RANKING | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1 | - | Arsenal: A big win against Norwich showcased the Gunners’ attacking talents, with Aaron Ramsey coming off the bench to shine and Mesut Ozil running the show. Wenger’s side left it late to wrap up that win but they are loaded with attackers. Now they just need to stay healthy to keep the charge going. (6-1-1) |
 | 2 | - | Chelsea: The Blues went behind against Cardiff but looked strong in the second half as they surged back, with Eden Hazard scoring twice and Samuel Eto’o getting his first. Oscar hoping off the bench shows their strength, plus a big UCL win and goals for Torres helps. Mourinho is getting settled at Stamford Bridge. (5-2-1) |
 | 3 | UP 1 | Manchester City: Rejoice! They finally broke their away day voodoo against West Ham, by confidently beating the Hammers 3-1. David Silva and Sergio Aguero turned on the magic, and Pellegrini’s men suddenly look like world beaters. (5-1-2) |
 | 4 | DOWN 1 | Tottenham: Spurs are looking solid and dependable as they ground out yet another clean sheet in a solid win away at Aston Villa. And in Andros Townsend they’ve got a star winger who could possibly replace Gareth Bale. Maybe it’s too early for that, but Tottenham have a strong squad assembled. (5-1-1) |
 | 5 | UP 3 | Southampton: The Saints are the big movers this week as Mauricio Pochettino‘s men really should have beaten United at Old Trafford in the 1-1 draw. Southampton have come a long way in a short time, but after a win at Anfield and beating plenty of bottom half PL fodder, they look superb. Young talent, high-pressing and full of confidence... how long can they keep this up? (4-3-1) |
 | 6 | DOWN 1 | Liverpool: The Reds are having a few growing pains here and there and they came up a little short at Newcastle. Grabbing a 2-2 draw against the spirited Magpies who were down to 10-men actually turned out to be a good result. But too many defensive lapses and giving the ball away cheaply hampered Liverpool. (5-2-1) |
 | 7 | - | Manchester United: Moyes’ United were outplayed by the Saints and they got lucky. Defensively they were struggling, as both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were out injured. The lack of depth for Moyes is worrying, especially as UCL action hots up. Problems persist as the slow start continues. (3-2-3) |
 | 8 | DOWN 2 | Everton: Roberto Martinez‘ men gutted out the win against Hull, but it certainly wasn’t pretty. Another good defensive display was made all the better thanks to a terrific finish from Pienaar with his first touch off the bench. Great start carries on. (4-3-1) |
 | 9 | - | Swansea: A resounding win at home to Sunderland showcased what the Swans are all about, pouncing after long-spells of possession to punish the opposition. They resemble more of a counter-attacking team this season, and with Bony getting amongst the goals more regularly, Laudrup’s team will keep threatening. (3-1-4) |
 | 10 | - | Aston Villa: A spirited yet pretty toothless display from Villa against Spurs summed up their season so far. Poor going forward but much better at the back than last year, a home game against Everton this week will show how far they’ve come. (3-1-4) |
 | 11 | - | Hull City: A battling display perhaps deserved more against Everton, and Hull are looking just fine in the PL. They held their own and sub Yannick Sagbo smashed home a great effort, but Spurs away this Sunday will not be easy to navigate. Scrappers who never give up, that’s the Tigers. (3-2-3) |
 | 12 | - | Norwich City: A poor loss at Arsenal showed up all of the Canaries weaknesses, as the Gunners tore their slow defense apart. They managed to grab a goal back and make things interesting, but ultimately their lack of guile going forward has, and will continue to, cost them. (2-1-5) |
 | 13 | - | West Brom: The Baggies were the better team for most of the second half vs. Stoke, and should have had a penalty when Youssouf Mulumbu was brought down. Steve Clarke‘s men are another team that are solid, but lack quality going forward. Need to keep improving. Tricky trip to Anfield coming up. (2-4-2) |
 | 14 | UP 3 | Newcastle: Newcastle are looking back to their best with a display full of energy, passion and drive vs. Liverpool gaining them a vital point after going down to 10-men. That fighting spirit should see them raring to for the derby against Sunderland on Sunday, can Pardew’s men deliver a win away to pile more misery on the Mackems? (3-2-3) |
 | 15 | UP 3 | Fulham: What a difference a few weeks make, as Martin Jol‘s men recorded back-to-back wins. They absolutely hammered Crystal Palace on Monday night, with Pajtim Kasami and Steve Sidwell scoring screamers. That scrappy win against Stoke before the break could be the turning point when all’s said and done. (3-1-4) |
 | 16 | DOWN 1 | West Ham: It was always going to be hard against Man City, but the Hammers made life hard for themselves with a poor defensive display. Add in a lack of belief going forward and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Record signing Andy Carroll won’t be fit anytime soon, so ‘Big Sam’ has some big problems. (2-2-4) |
 | 17 | DOWN 3 | Stoke City: Another game, another blank in the ‘goals for’ column for the Potters. How can Mark Hughes’ side get the creative juices flowing? Maybe bring in the likes of Brek Shea to mix things up… Anyway, Stoke have a solid foundation to build from, and that’s about all you can say so far. (2-2-4) |
 | 18 | DOWN 2 | Cardiff: Things are starting to slip away from Malkay Mackay, especially with some unrest behind the scenes. All that nonsense aside, the Scotsman is seeing his side start games well, then peter off as Chelsea’s class showed the Bluebirds up. Fitness or concentration an issue? Massive game away at Norwich this week. (2-2-4) |
 | 19 | - | Crystal Palace: Who will lead the Eagles now? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind as Ian Holloway walked away from the early-season strugglers on Wednesday following the capitulation vs. Fulham. So many new faces have arrived, and with 30 games to go… Can anyone save this sinking ship? (1-0-7) |
 | 20 | - | Sunderland: Deja vu… “Another week, another defeat for Sunderland.” Gus Poyet has got a huge job on his hands with the Black Cats and he saw that on his debut with a poor second half in the 4-0 loss to Swansea. Are the Mackems ever going to win a game? A Tyne-Wear derby should get things going. (0-1-7) |
As Stern preps exit, NBA Finals format changed.
By BRIAN MAHONEY (AP Basketball Writer)
David Stern's NBA owners gathered one last time, toasting the outgoing commissioner before he leaves after 30 years on the job.
They also changed back one of the earliest changes Stern made.
Leaving with Stern is the NBA Finals format he implemented in his first full year on the job, one that alleviated travel concerns but critics felt also gave an advantage to the lower-seeded team.
Beginning with the 2014 finals, the higher-seeded team will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. The lower seed gets Games 3, 4 and 6, following the same format the NBA uses in all other rounds.
The NBA for the previous 29 years has used what's referred to as the 2-3-2 format, in which the higher seed hosts the first two games, then goes on the road for three straight.
The 2-3-2 format was instituted in 1985 in part to ease the amount of cross-country travel with the Celtics and Lakers frequently meeting for the championship. But some felt it also worked against the team that should have the advantage.''There certainly was a perception ... it was unfair to the team that had the better record, that it was then playing the pivotal Game 5 on the road. So this obviously moves that game back to giving home-court advantage to the team with the better record if it's a 2-2 series,'' Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said. The unanimous vote to approve the 2-2-1-1-1 format came Wednesday during Stern's final preseason meeting with his board of governors. Owners also voted to add an extra day between Games 6 and 7.
Leaving with Stern is the NBA Finals format he implemented in his first full year on the job, one that alleviated travel concerns but critics felt also gave an advantage to the lower-seeded team.
Beginning with the 2014 finals, the higher-seeded team will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. The lower seed gets Games 3, 4 and 6, following the same format the NBA uses in all other rounds.
The NBA for the previous 29 years has used what's referred to as the 2-3-2 format, in which the higher seed hosts the first two games, then goes on the road for three straight.
The 2-3-2 format was instituted in 1985 in part to ease the amount of cross-country travel with the Celtics and Lakers frequently meeting for the championship. But some felt it also worked against the team that should have the advantage.''There certainly was a perception ... it was unfair to the team that had the better record, that it was then playing the pivotal Game 5 on the road. So this obviously moves that game back to giving home-court advantage to the team with the better record if it's a 2-2 series,'' Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said. The unanimous vote to approve the 2-2-1-1-1 format came Wednesday during Stern's final preseason meeting with his board of governors. Owners also voted to add an extra day between Games 6 and 7.
Stern has often said he was acting on advice - or complaints - about the travel from former Celtics boss Red Auerbach when the finals format was switched. But with commercial flights long since replaced by charters, teams didn't have the same difficulties now with the number of trips.
Instead, the ones who had the higher seed found it more inconvenient, Stern said, to be on the road for as many as eight days in a row when the opponent hosted the middle three games.
Silver, who will become commissioner after Stern retires Feb. 1, is a proponent of the 2-2-1-1-1 format, though he said Stern and other league executives all thought it was time for the change.
''It reached a crescendo where basketball people thought it was important and the business people stood down and said it was no longer necessary for the convenience of transportation or the media,'' Silver said.
Beyond the re-election of Spurs owner Peter Holt as chairman, there was little other business for the owners, who toasted Stern during dinner Tuesday night. Stern said there was a video tribute voiced by Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, along with ''some speechifying'' and ''a series of totally embarrassing photos of me over the last 36 years.''
''I got the opportunity to thank my colleagues at the NBA for their incredible work and saying how pleased I was that the league was in such good hands under those colleagues and Adam's stewardship,'' Stern said.
The owners were also presented with a Stern bobblehead doll. The commissioner said Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert joked that unlike most bobbleheads whose heads nod up and down, Stern's only moves side to side as if shaking its head no.
''It's been a great opportunity,'' Stern said. ''Believe it or not, even including my interaction with the media and the burns that come from being a lightning rod, it's been a great run, and I'm grateful to the owners for giving me the opportunity.''
Too many unbeaten for BCS? Give it time.
By RALPH D. RUSSO (AP College Football Writer)
The debate has already started, even though it's probably not even necessary.
With Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Ohio State, Baylor and others undefeated, there has already been much discussion about which teams would play in the BCS championship game if more than two finish the season unbeaten.
This is probably a good time to remind everyone that only twice since the BCS has been in existence have there been more than two undefeated teams at the end of the regular season from an automatic-qualifying conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East/American Athletic, Pac-12 and SEC). And only six times since the BCS was implemented in 1998 has there been a title game matching unbeaten teams.
Using advanced metrics, Bill Connelly, who writes the Football Study Hall blog for SBNation and is the author of the book ''Study Hall: College Football, Its Stats and Its Stories,'' determined there is only about a four percent chance Alabama, Florida State and Oregon will all get through their remaining schedules unbeaten.
So it is far more likely that the debate will end up being which one-loss team (or teams) deserves to play for the national championship.
The quality of a loss can be as important as the quality of a team's victories. See Oklahoma State's overtime loss to Iowa State in 2011 that kept the Cowboys from playing for the national championship for an example.
This week the top four teams in the BCS are all hefty favorites to varying degrees.
No. 1 Alabama gets Tennessee at home. The Crimson Tide have won six straight in the rivalry. The Volunteers are coming off their first big victory under coach Butch Jones, but beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa will be far tougher than it was to take out South Carolina in Knoxville.
No. 3 Florida State, second in the BCS standings behind Alabama, gets North Carolina State at home. The Wolfpack have been a nuisance for the 'Noles in recent years, including last season, when they rallied in the fourth quarter to win in Raleigh.
Oregon, No. 2 in the AP poll and just a shade behind FSU in the BCS, faces No. 12 UCLA. The Bruins are coming off a loss to Stanford. Playing the Ducks and Cardinal back-to-back is generally not a recipe for success, as Washington can attest.
No. 4 Ohio State is home against Penn State. While Alabama is in the BCS driver's seat - for whatever that's worth a week before Halloween - and Oregon and Florida State are positioned to jockey for second, the Buckeyes appear to be stuck behind all three. They can least afford a loss if they want to stay in the race.
The picks:
MAIN EVENT
No. 12 UCLA (plus 23) at No. 2 Oregon
Ducks hopeful De'Anthony Thomas (ankle) is healthy enough to play ... OREGON 48-24.
MARQUEE MATCHUPS
Penn State (plus 14 1/2) at No. 4 Ohio StateBuckeyes go for 20th straight win under Urban Meyer ... OHIO STATE 31-21.
No. 8 Stanford (minus 4 1/2) at Oregon State
Beavers making big jump in competition ... STANFORD 38-28.
No. 10 Texas Tech (plus 7) at No. 17 Oklahoma
Red Raiders and Sooners have alternated wins and losses for last eight seasons ... OKLAHOMA 38-24.
Vanderbilt (plus 18 1/2) at No. 14 Texas A&M
Both teams have quarterback injuries ... TEXAS A&M 48-35.
BEST BET
No. 18 Louisville (minus 20) at South Florida ... LOUISVILLE 38-13.
UPSET SPECIAL
No. 20 South Carolina (plus 3) at No. 5 Missouri
QB Connor Shaw not expected to start for Gamecocks, but might play ... SOUTH CAROLINA 30-27.
PLUCKY UNDERDOGS
Tennessee (plus 28 1/2) at No. 1 Alabama ... ALABAMA 35-10.
Wake Forest (plus 22 1/2) at No. 7 Miami ... MIAMI 38-14.
No. 9 Clemson (minus 14) at Maryland ... CLEMSON 40-17.
Duke (plus 13 1/2) at No. 16 Virginia Tech ... VIRGINIA TECH 34-17.
No. 25 Nebraska (minus 10 1/2) at Minnesota ... NEBRASKA 28-20.
No. 15 Fresno State (minus 9) at San Diego State ... FRESNO STATE 45-35.
No. 19 Oklahoma State (minus 13) at Iowa State ... IOWA STATE 31-28.
Volunteers and Demon Deacons coming off big wins. Letdown for Clemson? Blue Devils fourth in ACC in yards per play, but have lost 12 straight to Hokies. Gophers, Aztecs and Cyclones all get the home team's chance for their biggest wins of the season.
MISMATCHES
NC State (plus 31) at No. 3 Florida State ... FLORIDA STATE 48-14.
No. 6 Baylor (minus 34 1/2) at Kansas ... BAYLOR 58-21.
FAU (plus 24) at No. 11 Auburn ... AUBURN 45-10.
Furman (no line) at No. 13 LSU ... LSU 52-10.
UConn (plus 22 1/2) at No. 21 UCF ... UCF 41-10.
Eastern Michigan (plus 30) at No. 23 Northern Illinois ... NORTHERN ILLINOIS 48-14.
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