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Sports Quote of the Day:
"Football fans share a universal language that cuts across many cultures and many personality types. A serious football fan is never alone. We are legion, and football is often the only thing we have in common." ~ Hunter S. Thompson, Journalist and Author
"Football fans share a universal language that cuts across many cultures and many personality types. A serious football fan is never alone. We are legion, and football is often the only thing we have in common." ~ Hunter S. Thompson, Journalist and Author
Trending: 2015 Chicago NFL season opener, Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears. Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 12:00PM (CST)
On a more solemn note:
September 11, 2001, Never to be forgotten!!!
From this...
To this... 
Never giving up, Never giving out, Never giving in... America Strong!!! We're winners.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 1 Preview. What's Your Take?
By Evan Massey
The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are set to kick off their respective 2015 seasons against each other on Sunday afternoon. It is a major rivalry game with quite a bit more on the line than a regular-season opening game.
Both teams are expected to be missing key players, which adds even more intrigue into the game. Green Bay is without question the better team heading into the season, but the Bears are hoping to start the season off with a bang and prove that they shouldn’t be taken lightly. There is absolutely no pressure on the Bears, while Green Bay has to figure out how to play to their full potential without star wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Aaron Rodgers is more than capable of making players better around him. Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are more than capable of stepping up and helping replace Nelson’s production and the signing of veteran receiver James Jones will be a big help for the Packers as well. The aerial attack shouldn’t be too much worse than it was last season and Rodgers is definitely a top candidate for an MVP award.
Jay Cutler, on the other hand, is very likely to be without his No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White. White has already been ruled out for the first six games after undergoing shin surgery, while Jeffery is strongly considering missing Week 1 due to a calf injury. Chicago’s offense would be in a world of hurt without those two players, but they still have a few weapons to work with. CS&T/AA note: It should be noted that Jeffery has been practicing since Wednesday's workout.
There is no doubt that this game should be a blowout victory by the Packers. They have the advantage of playing at home(?)* while having more talent on both sides of the football. That being said, the Bears have a brand new coaching staff that has instilled confidence into their team since taking over. *CS&T/AA note: Mr. Massey is misinformed, the game is being played in Chicago at Soldier Field.
Chicago truly believes that they can knock off the Packers, which makes this a very dangerous trap game for Green Bay.
Predicting a game is never easy, but usually the better team is able to show it throughout the course of four quarters. Green Bay is obviously the best team that will be on the field Sunday afternoon and should pull out a victory. More than likely, the Packers will win the game by a final score of around 35-21 or something close to that.
Having the Packers face off against the Bears in Week 1 is exactly what the NFL needed. The NFC North is without question intriguing this year, although Green Bay is by far the favorite to take home another division title.
Expect to see both teams come out and leave everything they have on the field in Week 1. Green Bay definitely should come away with a victory, but John Fox is hoping to open up with a win in his Chicago coaching debut. It should be a very heated battled between two bitter rivals and it is a game that will be well worth watching.
Prediction: Green Bay 35, Chicago 21 (Ya think???)
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica: Everyone believes that this is going to be a beat down, not..... wrong answer. If it was that cut and dried, why play the game? Anything is possible. And Bears' coach John Fox is very coy at playing possum. The Bears did not reveal or show anything in their preseason games. All plays were very vanilla and general. The Bears are going to be pumped and leave it all on the field. Everyone in the Bears' organization is aware of G. B. Coach McCarthy's comments, “We will proudly stand as the 95th team in the history of the Green Bay Packers,” McCarthy said, then adding with emphasis, “when we kick Chicago’s ass!” A little disrespect goes a long way. "Patience, persistence and preparation make an unbeatable combination for success." Just don't be surprised if the Bears pull the first major upset of the 2015 NFL season. At any cost, just remember, you heard it here first.
Stanford University, (#21 in the 2015 NCAA Football Rankings), came into Chicago last Saturday to play the 11 point underdog Northwestern University. It was a given that Northwestern had no chance of winning. Northwestern ran the ball very well and viola, look at what happened, Northwestern pulled off the upset 16-6. Again, we reiterate, anything is possible. Let's go Bears!!!
As usual, you now know how we feel and what we think. We'd love to hear your opinion, your comments and what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your thoughts. We anxiously look forward to hearing what you have to say. We truly respect your opinion!!!
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Bears: Martellus Bennett calls Adam Gase's offense 'empowering'.
By John Mullin
It isn’t often that a receiver in any position catches 90 passes, earns a trip to the Pro Bowl, yet achieved it in an offense he considers stale and stifling. But such was the case for Martellus Bennett in 2014.
Bennett, beginning in his fourth different offense in eight NFL seasons, described the system of coordinator Adam Gase and staff “empowering,” a term that few would apply to the offense of Marc Trestman.
“At first [the Trestman offense] was difficult to learn but after you got it, it pretty much was what it was, no changes week to week,” Bennett said. “We ran the same offense no matter what… . Last year we ran the same stuff no matter what. It was predictable. If it was third down and the down-and-distance was something, I could call a play before it came in.
“And if I could do it, [Green Bay defensive coordinator] Dom Capers could do it.”
Not so what Bennett has experienced in a relatively short time under Gase. Despite missing most of the offseason program and practices, Bennett immediately took to a system notable for fitting itself to the player rather than the player to the system.
“I feel like I get to do everything that’s in my repertoire now,” Bennett said.
“Everything I’ve shown them I can do, they find a way to use it. They don’t just stick you in a role. They craft a role for each guy when they see what you can and can’t do; use the things you do well and limit using the ones you don’t.
“They craft the role to the player rather than the player to the role. Which is empowering.”
Which is basically what Gase has found with Bennett, a 6-foot-6 physical target (who’s listed at 265 but wants his weight kept a mystery) who will block and is a student of both his craft and his offense.
“He's so smart,” Gase said. “He came in, and how fast he learned the playbook for not being here. And then being able to adjust... how physical he is in the run game and pass protection - it's so unique. Not many tight ends you see that can do what he does.”
Update: Packers coach defends 'kick Chicago's ass' comment.
By Patrick Finley
Context is everything, apparently.
Asked about his week-old comment that his Packers would “kick Chicago’s ass” in the opener, head coach Mike McCarthy said he was simply playing to a rah-rah crowd.
“It’s really more out of a respect for the rivalry,” he said Wednesday. “Let’s be honest: I was at the Chamber of Commerce ‘Welcome Back’ luncheon. I think that explains it.”
Bears head coach John Fox said he saw the comments, joking Monday and he “looked at the tape” from last year’s blowouts and “they should be confident.”
McCarthy spends the week of the first Bears game of each season teaching his team about the rivalry.
“It’s really primarily geared toward our first-year players, new players in Green Bay, just to make sure they understand the importance and the significance of the best rivalry in pro football,” he said.
Patriots dominate, or was that the Steelers defense being exposed?
By Frank Schwab
Let's start with the roll call of credit for the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
Tom Brady was great again, completing 19 passes in a row at one point. He finished 25-of-32 for 288 yards and four touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski was super yet again, scoring three touchdowns, but that's no huge surprise because he's the most dominant tight end ever. Julian Edelman was typically good, Dion Lewis made a lot of plays as the Patriots' scrap heap running back of the hour, and the defending champions looked fearsome in their 28-21 season-opening victory at Gillette Stadium. The game looked a lot closer at the end because of a last-second touchdown by Pittsburgh.
Got all that? Enough credit to the victors? Cool. Now let's talk about the team that played the patsy in the Patriots' second victory parade, because there has to be a lot of concern there.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for defense for decades, but they won't be this year. Anything the Patriots wanted to do, they did. Everything looked easy, in part because the Steelers didn't do much to make it hard. They didn't cover Gronkowski on the first of his three touchdowns. Seriously. Gronkowski just wandered out to line up and nobody followed him. Brady just hurried up the snap and just got it out to him quickly. The Steelers lined up with 10 men on one play in their red zone later on. In the fourth quarter, after the Steelers' offense had made a game of it, they didn't cover Gronkowski again off the line (yes, seriously) and Gronk had a 52-yard catch down the seam. That led to the touchdown that clinched it. This offseason the Steelers parted ways with longtime coordinator Dick LeBeau, and new coordinator Keith Butler did not have a good first game.
The secondary, which everyone knew might be an issue, looked bad. The front seven didn't get much pass rush and when the Patriots did run, Lewis in particular made them miss a bunch of tackles.
It's not fair to judge the Steelers off one game, especially this one. It's really hard to play in New England, it's really, really hard to play in New England when they're celebrating a Super Bowl title and it's about impossible when they were riding the wave of the deflate-gate victory in federal court. That was a hornet's nest the Steelers stepped into on Thursday night.
Still, is the defense really good enough to win the AFC North or be a Super Bowl contender? It didn't look that way. The offense moved the ball easily, though a couple missed field goals by Josh Scobee didn't help. DeAngelo Williams looked reborn as he replaced suspended Le'Veon Bell, Ben Roethlisberger kept the team in the game and Antonio Brown was great once again. The Steelers had more than 400 yards. No problem there.
But the defense didn't do its job. The Steelers won't face many quarterbacks like Brady and they'll definitely not face another tight end like Gronkowski, so maybe it was just a tough matchup. But for one night this looked very little like any of the tough, hard-nosed Steelers teams we're used to seeing.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Patrick Kane grand jury rescheduled.
Jared S. Hopkins and Stacy St. Clair
A western New York grand jury is expected to resume the sexual assault investigation into Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, his attorney told the Tribune on Thursday.
The Erie County district attorney's office postponed proceedings earlier this week, a move that raised questions about the direction of the high-profile case. Before the last-minute delay, Kane's accuser and a friend who was with her at Kane's lakefront home on the night of the alleged incident had been scheduled to appear before the grand jury Tuesday afternoon.
Kane's attorney, Paul Cambria, said Thursday that he did not know why prosecutors canceled the grand jury presentation but that the move did not come at his request. He also said he was told the proceedings would resume soon, though he would not say exactly when.
"We were informed that it (the grand jury) was rescheduled," Cambria said.
Sources said the case is expected to go before the grand jury in about two weeks, which would put it on a collision course with the Blackhawks' training camp, which opens Sept. 18. The Blackhawks declined to say Thursday if Kane will join his teammates at camp in South Bend, Ind.
At least five potential witnesses are expected to be called before the grand jury, in addition to Kane's accuser.
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III could not be reached Thursday but has repeatedly declined to comment on the case.
Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III could not be reached Thursday but has repeatedly declined to comment on the case.
Grand jury investigations are commonplace in Erie County, where Sedita is known for his cautious approach. Local attorneys have told the Tribune that Sedita almost always sends high-profile investigations to a grand jury, even in cases that he doesn't intend to indict. The move — which often prolongs investigations — takes some of the responsibility for whether to charge a suspect off his shoulders.
Kane, 26, has been under investigation over an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred last month at his gated mansion in Hamburg, N.Y., near Buffalo. He has not been charged with any crime. The Tribune previously has reported that Kane spent the night of Aug. 1 at SkyBar, a popular nightclub about 15 miles from his Hamburg home, staying past midnight with friends. Cambria previously confirmed an off-duty Buffalo police officer's revelation that he had driven Kane, a male friend and two women to the player's home after leaving the bar.
Hamburg police Chief Greg Wickett has said the case remains active.
Kane's accuser continues to cooperate with the investigation, according to a source connected with the case.
With neither side pushing for the grand jury's postponement, legal experts said it could signal a problem with the evidence or a witness. Former Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark said he was surprised by this week's postponement because the scheduling of a grand jury typically indicates the investigation has been concluded.
"That's giving them a pretty long time to find out where they are from an investigative standpoint," he said of the month-long probe.
Kane's agent this week said the winger did nothing wrong, marking the first time someone from Kane's camp has publicly proclaimed his innocence. Cambria declined to discuss any aspect of the criminal investigation or any potential civil actions facing the Blackhawks star.
"There's a process. We're going through the process and we're going to keep it that way," Cambria said.
NHL will 'watch the process play out' on Patrick Kane rape investigation.
By Josh Cooper
The NHL will take a ‘wait and see’ type approach with troubled Blackhawks superstar Patrick Kane.
When asked about Kane, who is subject to a rape investigation, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHL needed the process to play out before deciding how to deal with Kane from a disciplinary perspective.
“Obviously when a player is involved in something like Patrick Kane is subject to right now in terms of the authorities investigating and looking, it's unfortunate, it's a terrible thing, but we're going to have to watch the process play out and at the appropriate time we'll make whatever decisions have to be made at the time,” Bettman said.
When asked if the NHL has started its own investigation on Kane, Bettman indicated one had not begun.
"At the appropriate time we will look into it,” he said.
The NHL suspended Kings defenseman Slava Voynov with pay after he was arrested under suspicion of domestic violence. Voynov was then charged with a felony and pled no contest to misdemeanors. He’s still under suspension by the league according to Bettman who also said as of Wednesday morning he was still in jail.
Bettman did trumpet the overall record of the NHL when asked about using the NFL, which has taken a few PR hits over off-field player discipline, the last few months, as a learning tool.
“Without commenting on any other leagues, what I've said is overwhelmingly we have over 700 players and overwhelmingly they conduct themselves in a magnificent, appropriate way that reflects well on each other, and on their teams, the league and the game,” Bettman said. “As I've said as well we've had a variety of programs in place, we're constantly looking at what we can do to make sure that the programs are touching the right bases and are effective, but we focus on what we think is best for our players and our game. As I've said, overwhelmingly our players do the right things."
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... NBA preseason primer: Offseason winners.
By Vincent Goodwill and Mark Strotman
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Mark Strotman: Well, Vinnie, the Tigers completed their fire sale more than a month ago and the Brewers haven't been fewer than 10 games under .500 since May 11. I'd say baseball season has been done for quite awhile - we can get into Packers-Lions later - for the both of us, meaning basketball season is arriving at the perfect time. The Bulls will kick off their annual media day in less than three weeks and in less than a month will take the United Center floor for the first time since Matthew Dellavedova outplayed Derrick Rose in Game 6 (That's the last Delly reference, so just breathe).
But before we discuss Fred Hoiberg's group and its expectations, let's backtrack a bit and discuss this off-season's winners. The consensus is that the Spurs were the clear victors - it's about time something went that franchise's way - signing prized free agent LaMarcus Aldridge while also maxing out Kawhi Leonard and getting David West to sign a one-year, $1.4 million deal. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are back for one more run on team-friendly deals, and re-signing Danny Green (4 years, $40 million) was subtly a really important move and great value for a 28-year-old 3-and-D shooting guard.
Given the Warriors didn't lose anything this offseason it's tough to call the Spurs the favorites, but this summer couldn't have gone any better for San Antonio - they even won the Summer League championship led by Becky Hammon, which was all sorts of awesome. Having the game's best coach score the league's best offseason? Well, Pop, in the words of a teary-eyed Terrell Owens, 'It's really unfair.'
Vincent Goodwill: Well considering the Bears only exist in my world as entertainment for Jay Cutler’s underachievement, I can remove my “Lions free” tag for two weeks every fall (which I’m sure endears me more to Chicago sports fans). And while I don’t disagree with you about the Spurs winning the offseason, heck, they changed not only the makeup of their team but also became much more dynamic by signing Aldridge and keeping Leonard on an expected max extension, I still have my doubts about the backcourt, sans Leonard.
The one team that had to win the offseason for the future of its franchise did so, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Scott Brooks was a good coach for a team in the embryonic stage, but the Thunder have evolved well past the labor pains. They’re ready to have the baby, thus the hiring of former Florida coach Billy Donovan, who was well-regarded in NBA circles before now.
They have the deepest roster in the league, with rotating bigs, shooters and guys waiting to fill a role. Oh, and if Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook come back completely healthy and stay that way? The championship road goes through Oklahoma City and Golden State in the Western Conference. Yes, they overpaid for restricted free agent Enes Kanter (but who doesn’t with the way the cap is rising?), but they can play anywhere between nine and 11(!) guys in a rotation on a given night without losing much.
While the Spurs have just shored up their future by signing Aldridge, the Thunder franchise is doing everything it can to keep Durant happy, as the clock on his free agency is ticking louder and louder. From here, if Durant’s foot problems are behind him, this could be a revenge year from the 2014 MVP. That would make Pop and the Spurs cry.
MS: Speaking of Oklahoma City, another small-market team that’s building toward something in a similar fashion is the Milwaukee Bucks. While one of Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan or Brook Lopez would’ve been ideal, the Greg Monroe signing is a perfect fit; Monroe’s strengths (post scoring) will be magnified in Milwaukee, and his weaknesses (rim protection) will be covered up by a host of long, active defenders. I thought it was the best fit of any player who signed this offseason, schematically. GM John Hammond moved quickly to re-sign Khris Middleton, who is still just 24 years old - or 23 months younger than Jimmy Butler.
The Bucks will “get back” Jabari Parker, the No. 2 pick who was limited to 25 games in his rookie season after tearing his ACL, and though the Bucks will handle him with extreme caution, he’s going to be a contributor on a Bucks team that averaged fewer than 98 points a year ago. Add Chris Copeland to the forward mix, trading for Greivis Vasquez and the simple fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be five months older and five months better and you’re looking at a Bucks team that could challenge for a top-4 spot in the East. And while that’s not saying a whole lot, we’re talking about a team that won 15 games two years ago. Jason Kidd and Hammond deserve to be applauded. The Bucks didn’t get the sexy names in free agency. They got the right ones.
VG: I see you’re going with teams with new additions developing new traditions, and I’ve long been a fan of what the Bucks are doing with their youth along with adding Greg Monroe. Them going six games with the Bulls in the playoffs will give them much-needed positive reinforcement, as the Bulls will have to deal with that monster this season.
But I like continuity, so the Miami Heat—yes the LeBron James-less Heat—will be a team to watch this season. They get Chris Bosh back from that mysterious injury that caused him to miss the last half of the year, with a healthy Goran Dragic and a still formidable Dwyane Wade for at least 50 games (assumedly). Hassan Whiteside is a young force whose only vice is consistency but as Bulls fans know, he can swat everything in sight and lock in for an entire game.
They’ve quietly added Amare Stoudemire, who certainly isn’t a difference maker but will help you several nights during the season as a reserve when he turns back the clock on those creaky knees. They signed Gerald Green for the league minimum, a coup for Heat boss Pat Riley, who clearly wants one more shot at LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the right to play in the NBA Finals.
If—and it’s a big “if”—the Heat are relatively healthy, they’ll be a team nobody wants to see. They still need perimeter shooting, and one has to worry about the “Thibs” miles Luol Deng has on his body, but in-season upgrades are always available for purchase. Playing in June is still a dream, but they want to make May a nightmare for the Cavs, Bulls and any other conference contender.
CSN will air, live stream 42 regular season Bulls games in 2015-16.
CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls released their 2015-16 season TV schedule Thursday and Comcast SportsNet will air 48 games - 42 regular season and six preseason contests. All Bulls broadcasts on CSN will be available via live stream on CSNChicago.com and the NBC Sports' Live Extra app.
Some of the CSN highlights include:
—A United Center showdown with LaMarcus Aldridge on his new team, the San Antonio Spurs (Nov. 30)
—A matchup at the UC against Steph Curry the defending champion Golden State Warriors (Jan. 20)
—A pair of games against Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat (Jan. 25, March 1)
—Three games against Chicago native Jahlil Okafor in his first NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers (Nov. 9, Dec. 14, April 13)
—Three games against Chicago native Jabari Parker as he makes his return from his knee injury with the Milwaukee Bucks (Jan. 5, Jan. 12, April 3)
—Three games against the Central Division rival Indiana Pacers (Nov. 16, Nov. 27, March 29)
—A rematch of some newfound Eastern Conference rivalries with the Washington Wizards (Jan. 11, Feb. 24) and the Toronto Raptors (Dec. 28, Feb. 19, March 14)
—Two preseason games from unique locations like Winnipeg (Oct. 10) and Lincoln, Neb. (Oct. 23)
—A United Center showdown with LaMarcus Aldridge on his new team, the San Antonio Spurs (Nov. 30)
—A matchup at the UC against Steph Curry the defending champion Golden State Warriors (Jan. 20)
—A pair of games against Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat (Jan. 25, March 1)
—Three games against Chicago native Jahlil Okafor in his first NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers (Nov. 9, Dec. 14, April 13)
—Three games against Chicago native Jabari Parker as he makes his return from his knee injury with the Milwaukee Bucks (Jan. 5, Jan. 12, April 3)
—Three games against the Central Division rival Indiana Pacers (Nov. 16, Nov. 27, March 29)
—A rematch of some newfound Eastern Conference rivalries with the Washington Wizards (Jan. 11, Feb. 24) and the Toronto Raptors (Dec. 28, Feb. 19, March 14)
—Two preseason games from unique locations like Winnipeg (Oct. 10) and Lincoln, Neb. (Oct. 23)
Cubs: Jake Arrieta's pitching plan after rainout in Philadelphia.
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs still have plenty of time to line up their rotation so that Jake Arrieta can start the National League’s wild-card game.
The immediate response to the heavy rain that fell across Citizens Bank Park and wiped out Thursday's game is that Arrieta will start Game 1 in Friday’s doubleheader (4:05 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet) against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Cubs have positioned Kyle Hendricks for Game 2 and will go with Dan Haren on Saturday night, meaning the Sunday afternoon finale to this four-game series is listed as “to be determined” and could become a bullpen exercise. The Cubs (80-58) will then go from the worst team in baseball to the playoff contender right in front of them. Jon Lester and Jason Hammel are scheduled to pitch in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arrieta would be up next on Wednesday at PNC Park.
The Cubs and Pirates appear to be on a collision course toward that wild-card game on Oct. 7, coming out of a division that should produce three playoff teams with 90-plus wins.
Lester — who won two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox and owns a 2.57 career ERA in the playoffs — endorsed the idea of Arrieta starting that win-or-else game: “The statement that I think he’s probably the best pitcher in baseball right now probably sums that one up.”
Arrieta — who has made 15 straight quality starts, sliced his ERA to 2.03 and put a no-hitter on his resume — will be going for his 19th win on Friday and making his Cy Young case.
“I know those are questions that are asked a lot — ERA, wins, innings, strikeouts,” Arrieta said. “But, honestly, those will work themselves out. What I worry about is the four days in between my start, what I can do to get better. How can I go into that start as prepared and as confident as possible?
“That’s my focus, because I know that on Day 5, when I go out there, I’ve covered all my bases. I know what my intentions are, and the results speak for themselves.
“At the end of the day, if I win 20 games, then that’s just a byproduct of the time I spend in between my starts.”
Cubs: Room on playoff roster for Javier Baez and Jorge Soler?
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs have assimilated their young talent faster than they ever expected, to the point where they can openly talk about the possible shapes of their playoff roster in the second week of September.
If runs will be at a premium against Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League’s wild-card game, then Javier Baez might play his way into the conversation as a stabilizing infield force behind Jake Arrieta and a pitching staff that wants to get groundballs.
If not someone who could make the highlight-reel play that saves a 2-1 game on Oct. 7.
“Of course, you have to consider him, no doubt,” manager Joe Maddon said Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. “Just for his glove, if anything. He’s had good at-bats. But what he’s done defensively has been pretty spectacular. And you can’t walk away from that, either, man. All those different items play.”
Baez will always have the potential to look out of control at the plate, but his swing appears to be more streamlined since his September call-up from Triple-A Iowa, going 8-for-25 with only six strikeouts since getting back into The Show.
Maddon has already begun playing Baez — a natural shortstop with a strong arm and good instincts — at third base while shifting Kris Bryant to the outfield.
The Cubs don’t know if they can count on Jorge Soler, who’s been on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle since Aug. 24. The rainstorms that rolled through Philadelphia on Thursday cancelled the simulated game the Cubs hoped to organize for the rookie outfielder.
In terms of options, the Cubs were down to advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach, their last minor-league affiliate still playing a potential elimination game on Thursday night. Instructional league won’t start up in Arizona until Sept. 21.
How much would you need to see before clearing Soler for the playoffs?
“That’s a good question,” Maddon said. “I don’t know. He needs to play some, though. You just can’t throw him out there in a pertinent game right now.
“He might be OK. It’s hard to bet on that. But we’ll wait and see. If we can’t get him playing anywhere … we have to figure (that) out.”
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs have assimilated their young talent faster than they ever expected, to the point where they can openly talk about the possible shapes of their playoff roster in the second week of September.
If runs will be at a premium against Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League’s wild-card game, then Javier Baez might play his way into the conversation as a stabilizing infield force behind Jake Arrieta and a pitching staff that wants to get groundballs.
If not someone who could make the highlight-reel play that saves a 2-1 game on Oct. 7.
“Of course, you have to consider him, no doubt,” manager Joe Maddon said Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. “Just for his glove, if anything. He’s had good at-bats. But what he’s done defensively has been pretty spectacular. And you can’t walk away from that, either, man. All those different items play.”
Baez will always have the potential to look out of control at the plate, but his swing appears to be more streamlined since his September call-up from Triple-A Iowa, going 8-for-25 with only six strikeouts since getting back into The Show.
Maddon has already begun playing Baez — a natural shortstop with a strong arm and good instincts — at third base while shifting Kris Bryant to the outfield.
The Cubs don’t know if they can count on Jorge Soler, who’s been on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle since Aug. 24. The rainstorms that rolled through Philadelphia on Thursday cancelled the simulated game the Cubs hoped to organize for the rookie outfielder.
In terms of options, the Cubs were down to advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach, their last minor-league affiliate still playing a potential elimination game on Thursday night. Instructional league won’t start up in Arizona until Sept. 21.
How much would you need to see before clearing Soler for the playoffs?
“That’s a good question,” Maddon said. “I don’t know. He needs to play some, though. You just can’t throw him out there in a pertinent game right now.
“He might be OK. It’s hard to bet on that. But we’ll wait and see. If we can’t get him playing anywhere … we have to figure (that) out.”
White Sox: Trayce Thompson's success extends to righty pitchers.
By Dan Hayes
Doesn’t matter who he faces, Trayce Thompson continues to have success at the plate.
Given the chance to start against right-handed pitchers on consecutive days after he mostly was paired up versus lefties, the White Sox outfielder produced four hits in seven at-bats, including a homer, a walk and four RBIs.
Thompson — who has a .408/.453/.714 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 53 plate appearances — said he has noticed how pitchers have adjusted their plan of attack and he has done his best to keep pace. After Thompson homered in the second inning of Wednesday’s loss, Cleveland pitched him outside and he finally was able to execute in his last at-bat with an RBI single to right center.
“The biggest thing is just feeling out what they’re trying to do to you,” Thompson said. “Like my last at-bat, I know they’re trying to go away with most of the time, especially after my first at-bat. So my second and third at-bat I didn’t make the adjustment. I had to do it in my last one on that first pitch. There’s stuff every day that I’m still learning.”
The White Sox have spent the past 5 1/2 weeks easing Thompson into life in the big leagues. They almost entirely played Thompson against left-handed pitchers (he only had 11 plate appearances against righties before Tuesday), which hasn’t gone over well on social media with fans clamoring for more playing time and media constantly asking about it.
The club has even continued the practice with right-handed pitchers as both Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin are worse against righty hitters than lefties.
“Some of the previous games we’ve had they’ve been really tough on righties,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “A young guy, you’re getting him in there, he’s had a nice run against lefties and now you’re getting a look at him with righties, but you’re also trying to make it a positive thing for him. He’s going up there with a pretty good chance.”
Thompson feels like he’s in a pretty good spot to have success. Not only does he feel comfortable at this level — “it’s the same game,” Thompson said — but he’s confident. And he has a solid support system in place as well.
“I just gotta stay within myself,” Thompson said. “And I feel like I’ve done a good job of that. A lot of guys are helping me here. Everyone is making me feel comfortable. Harold Baines and Daryl Boston every day before the game in (batting practice) and stuff, I’m working with them. They’re making me feel good, and I’m getting a lot of help. It’s been real comfortable for me, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Given the chance to start against right-handed pitchers on consecutive days after he mostly was paired up versus lefties, the White Sox outfielder produced four hits in seven at-bats, including a homer, a walk and four RBIs.
Thompson — who has a .408/.453/.714 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 53 plate appearances — said he has noticed how pitchers have adjusted their plan of attack and he has done his best to keep pace. After Thompson homered in the second inning of Wednesday’s loss, Cleveland pitched him outside and he finally was able to execute in his last at-bat with an RBI single to right center.
“The biggest thing is just feeling out what they’re trying to do to you,” Thompson said. “Like my last at-bat, I know they’re trying to go away with most of the time, especially after my first at-bat. So my second and third at-bat I didn’t make the adjustment. I had to do it in my last one on that first pitch. There’s stuff every day that I’m still learning.”
The White Sox have spent the past 5 1/2 weeks easing Thompson into life in the big leagues. They almost entirely played Thompson against left-handed pitchers (he only had 11 plate appearances against righties before Tuesday), which hasn’t gone over well on social media with fans clamoring for more playing time and media constantly asking about it.
The club has even continued the practice with right-handed pitchers as both Carlos Carrasco and Josh Tomlin are worse against righty hitters than lefties.
“Some of the previous games we’ve had they’ve been really tough on righties,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “A young guy, you’re getting him in there, he’s had a nice run against lefties and now you’re getting a look at him with righties, but you’re also trying to make it a positive thing for him. He’s going up there with a pretty good chance.”
Thompson feels like he’s in a pretty good spot to have success. Not only does he feel comfortable at this level — “it’s the same game,” Thompson said — but he’s confident. And he has a solid support system in place as well.
“I just gotta stay within myself,” Thompson said. “And I feel like I’ve done a good job of that. A lot of guys are helping me here. Everyone is making me feel comfortable. Harold Baines and Daryl Boston every day before the game in (batting practice) and stuff, I’m working with them. They’re making me feel good, and I’m getting a lot of help. It’s been real comfortable for me, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Golf: I got a club for that..... In Retrospect: Lee Trevino explains why he skipped the Masters for 3 years in his prime.
By Ryan Ballengee
Lee Trevino waits on a tee box during the 3M Greats of Golf at the Insperity Championship at The Woodlands CC on May 2, 2015 in The Woodlands, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Lee Trevino skipped the Masters three times in the prime of his career, a move that baffled so many in the sport. He passed on Augusta National in 1970, '71 and '74, going on to win the U.S. Open and British Open in 1971 and the PGA Championship in 1974.
At the time and for years after, Trevino maintained that he didn't play in the Masters because he was convinced he couldn't play the course well. It was in his head. However, having held the 36-hole lead there twice over the years, perhaps that should have been seen as a flimsy excuse.
In an interview with Global Golf Post, Trevino explained the real reason why he didn't play the Masters: It was a boycott of tournament chairman Clifford Roberts.
At the time and for years after, Trevino maintained that he didn't play in the Masters because he was convinced he couldn't play the course well. It was in his head. However, having held the 36-hole lead there twice over the years, perhaps that should have been seen as a flimsy excuse.
In an interview with Global Golf Post, Trevino explained the real reason why he didn't play the Masters: It was a boycott of tournament chairman Clifford Roberts.
"My problem wasn't with Augusta," Trevino said. "My problem wasn't with the golf course. I made it that simply because I didn't want to tell the truth. My problem was I couldn't get along with Cliff Roberts.
"Cliff Roberts and I locked horns the first time I was there. I took a disliking to the man and he took a disliking to me. I stayed away from there because I didn't want to have anything to do with him."
Eventually, Jack Nicklaus, who Trevino beat more than any of Nicklaus' supposed rivals in majors, convinced the Merry Mex to come back.
"I never told Jack about it," Trevino added. "I went back and I didn't say anything. It wasn't Augusta at all. I loved Augusta."
The response back then to Trevino's decision to avoid Augusta was that he must have known his low fade wouldn't work at Augusta National. Trevino's response, then and now, is rooted in history.
"I never told Jack about it," Trevino added. "I went back and I didn't say anything. It wasn't Augusta at all. I loved Augusta."
The response back then to Trevino's decision to avoid Augusta was that he must have known his low fade wouldn't work at Augusta National. Trevino's response, then and now, is rooted in history.
He said, "Jimmy Demaret won it three times with a fade."
Mickelson gets nod for US Presidents Cup team.
AFP
US golfer Phil Mickelson walks onto the 1st green having visited the burn with his first shot during his third round, on day four of the 2015 British Open Golf Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland, on July 19, 2015. Friday's high winds, which forced organizers to announce only the second Monday finish to the tournament in its history, gave to cool, rainy weather as play in the third round started on Sunday. (AFP Photo/BEN STANSALL)
- United States captain Jay Haas completed his 12-strong party for next month's Presidents Cup in Incheon by naming veteran Phil Mickelson and son Bill Haas as his captain's picks. Five-time Major winner Mickelson, 45, had finished outside the automatic qualifying spots, putting him at risk of ending a remarkable sequence of 20 consecutive Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. However Haas said there was never any question of Mickelson, who was 30th in the qualification standings and has not won for two years, not being selected. "Phil has been a veteran of many, many, many teams without needing a pick -- so if anyone deserves a pick it is Phil Mickelson," Haas said. "He is without question the leader of our team -- the guys on the team were adamant that Phil is the guy. Phil was an overwhelming choice."
AFP
- United States captain Jay Haas completed his 12-strong party for next month's Presidents Cup in Incheon by naming veteran Phil Mickelson and son Bill Haas as his captain's picks. Five-time Major winner Mickelson, 45, had finished outside the automatic qualifying spots, putting him at risk of ending a remarkable sequence of 20 consecutive Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. However Haas said there was never any question of Mickelson, who was 30th in the qualification standings and has not won for two years, not being selected. "Phil has been a veteran of many, many, many teams without needing a pick -- so if anyone deserves a pick it is Phil Mickelson," Haas said. "He is without question the leader of our team -- the guys on the team were adamant that Phil is the guy. Phil was an overwhelming choice."
NASCAR: Denny Hamlin tears right ACL, won't miss final 11 races of 2015.
By Nick Bromberg
Denny Hamlin celebrates in victory lane after winning a NASCAR Xfinity auto race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Denny Hamlin will be driving with a torn ACL again.
Denny Hamlin will be driving with a torn ACL again.
The driver of the No. 11 tore his right ACL on Tuesday. According to a statement from Joe Gibbs Racing, Hamlin has been cleared by doctors to drive at Richmond on Saturday and in the Chase. He tore it playing basketball.
"Hamlin had a MRI this morning to confirm the diagnosis and has been evaluated by the medical team at OrthoCarolina. He has received the medical clearance necessary to continue racing activities and is expected to race the remainder of the season and through the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Hamlin will require surgery to repair the ACL damage following the season."
Hamlin previously tore his left ACL in January 2010. Guess how he tore that one too? Yep, playing basketball. He drove with the ACL tear at the beginning of the 2010 season but decided to go ahead and have the surgery in March 2010.
He didn't miss any races that year and ended up winning eight times. It's his most successful Sprint Cup Series season to date, though he lost the championship in heartbreaking fashion. He entered the final race of the year with a 15-point lead over Jimmie Johnson and struggled at Homestead. Johnson ended up winning the title by 39 points.
Hamlin is currently eighth in the Sprint Cup Series points standings and is in the Chase thanks to his win at Martinsville. He's one of the favorites for the 2015 title at the moment given the speed of the four JGR cars. Hamlin was also the only JGR driver to make it to the final round of the 2014 Chase.
He didn't miss any races that year and ended up winning eight times. It's his most successful Sprint Cup Series season to date, though he lost the championship in heartbreaking fashion. He entered the final race of the year with a 15-point lead over Jimmie Johnson and struggled at Homestead. Johnson ended up winning the title by 39 points.
Hamlin is currently eighth in the Sprint Cup Series points standings and is in the Chase thanks to his win at Martinsville. He's one of the favorites for the 2015 title at the moment given the speed of the four JGR cars. Hamlin was also the only JGR driver to make it to the final round of the 2014 Chase.
SOCCER: New Fire defender Daneil Cyrus ready to make his mark.
By Danny Michallik
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
It’s been quite the whirlwind month for the Fire’s newest signing.
After enjoying a training stint with the club prior to this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and having been closely monitored by head coach Frank Yallop and the technical staff throughout the tournament, Daneil Cyrus sealed a loan move from TT Pro League side W Connection to the Fire on the last day of the MLS secondary transfer window.
Since then, the Trinidad and Tobago international has spent the better part of the last four weeks in paperwork limbo. Despite acquiring his International Transfer Certificate on Aug. 12, the 24-year-old was forced to remain in his native country to await the receipt of his P1 visa. Upon receiving his passport, his entry into the Fire fold was halted yet again after being summoned by Stephen Hart to face Mexico in an international friendly on Sept 4. in Sandy, Utah, a 2-2 draw in which Cyrus featured 90 minutes.
“JJ [Joevin Jones] and the guys wanted to know if my loan deal was for next year,” said Cyrus, who communicated his frustration with the long-drawn-out process to reporters on Wednesday.
You couldn’t blame his teammates' inquisition.
In the time between the announcement of Cyrus’ purchase on Aug. 6 and Monday – his first official day of training with the club – the Men in Red played seven games, bowing out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and taking just five points from 18 available. Although he’s only had a few days to get his bearings, the Trinidadian leaves no doubt as to which area of the field he would prefer to ply his trade in should his services be required heading into the final stretch of the season.
“Anywhere the coach would want me to play, I will play, but I prefer playing center back,” Cyrus added, “because of my vision to see the field, but as well as right back. My strength is my speed, so I don’t mind playing right back as well.”
Whether Cyrus impresses enough to guarantee a spot in Yallop’s starting lineup for Friday night's clash with New York Red Bulls (6 p.m. CT; UniMás) remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that at 6-foot-4, his stature alone will supply the back line with a different, and perhaps more imposing presence.
“It’s nice to add a player,” Yallop said via Monday via teleconference. “It took a while with the permit and all the red tape and paperwork we had to get through and waiting. It’s been kind of frustrating, but he’s here now. He’s a young international player who’s done well for his country, and we’re trying to integrate him into MLS once we get him training with us and get him playing games. I expect him to see the field for sure. I don’t know exactly when. We just have to make sure he’s up to speed on everything, but there’s no time like now, because we need to get a result Friday.”
For now, Cyrus is hoping to take the experience gained from his brief spell with Sporting Kansas City on loan in the summer of 2011, and fine-tune his game to adapt to the physical demands of the league to make for a better adjustment in the Windy City.
“Of course it’s a conversation that I had," Cyrus said when asked if he'd held talks with the coaching staff about extending his stay with the club beyond 2015. "The environment is nice, Chicago is a very lovely place, the team is a very big team in the league over the years,” he said. “I don’t mind making a permanent move.”
NOTES
- Gilberto left training early Wednesday morning with "a little bit of a hamstring," according to Yallop, which was confirmed as a strain by a club spokesperson. The Brazilian is listed as questionable for Friday.
- David Accam (Ghana), Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago) and Collin Fernandez (United States; U-20s) all participated in full training. Sean Johnson (U.S.) and Matt Polster (U.S.; U-23s) will fly directly from Massachusetts and England, respectively, on Wednesday to Harrison, N.J. to meet up with the squad ahead of the trip to face the Red Bulls.
- Konstantin Möllering is no longer training with the club.
NCAAFB: The State of Notre Dame Football.
By Terrence Moore
They stood inside Notre Dame Stadium at the legendary tunnel, two, three, even more of them as the stories kept coming. "It's pretty much the same place," said Mike Creaney, glancing around, with former teammates for a reunion last weekend of their 1970 squad that just missed joining the slew of Notre Dame football teams to win it all.
Denny Allan, a running back during those days, said, "The tunnel is the same size, but I'm a little wider." He laughed, then added, "I agree [with Creaney] that the Notre Dame mystique hasn't changed. If you go by the last few years, the football program is where it was when we were here."
Well, almost.
On this side of the St. Joseph River, where football icons are as plentiful as the beams off the Golden Dome on a sunny day, folks remain in constant search of the next Knute Rockne. That, along with a 12th national championship and an eighth Heisman Trophy winner. So this is encouraging news for Creaney, Allan and the rest of the Fighting Irish Nation: Current Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is the next Lou Holtz, who was the next Ara Parseghian, who was the next Frank Leahy, who was the first of the next Rocknes.
Since Kelly lacks a national championship at Notre Dame, he is a Rockne in waiting. Leahy, Parseghian and Holtz had at least one title during their Notre Dame coaching careers, and they are in the College Football Hall of Fame. Which means each of those members of the Irish's Holy Trinity was clearly the next Rockne, and who was Rockne? Not only was he a Notre Dame god, he was a national treasure after the turn of the century through his death in a plane crash in 1931. His .881 winning percentage remains the highest ever among those coaching major college football teams for more than a decade.
As for Notre Dame's next national championship, it's a splendid work in progress, especially if you go by a loaded Irish team clobbering Texas 38-3 at home Saturday night in the season opener. Given that, along with Sports Illustrated predicting Notre Dame will join the Final Four of the College Football Playoff in January, the Irish are flirting with making their second trip to the national championship game in four years.
Then there is that Heisman thing, and Notre Dame has an early candidate in junior quarterback Malik Zaire. After he helped the Irish shock LSU last season in the Music City Bowl during his first collegiate start, he was even better against Texas. He completed 19 of 22 pass attempts for 313 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Now consider this: John Huarte, Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack and Paul Hornung were Heisman winners at quarterback for Notre Dame. Joe Montana and Joe Theismann weren't, but they also were pretty good. The point is, in the nearly 130-year history of Notre Dame football, only Steve Beuerlein's 90.6 percent completion rate during a game against Colorado in 1984 is superior to Zaire's 86.4 against Texas.
The Irish are rolling toward something huge. If it doesn't happen this season, it will in the near future. Don't just take it from me, who was born and raised within these city limits and grew up bleeding blue and gold. Listen to somebody with more than a clue when it comes to such things.
Somebody like Parseghian.
"People keep asking me if Kelly is going to be the next great coach at Notre Dame, but he's a great coach now," Parseghian said, looking decades younger than 92 in a back room of Notre Dame Stadium during a reception for his 1970 team. As a whole, Parseghian was in charge of Irish squads from 1964 through 1974, along the way to two consensus national championships (three overall, if you include their MacArthur Bowl award in 1964). He also never lost more than two games during a regular season.
Kelly can't say that, but he can say this: After grabbing two NCAA Division II titles at Grand Valley State, he won enough at Central Michigan, Cincinnati and his opening five seasons at Notre Dame to enter this season as the third-winningest active coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision behind Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and South Carolina's Steve Spurrier.
Only Holtz coached Notre Dame to more victories during his first five seasons than Kelly.
Holtz, by the way, was the last Notre Dame coach of consequence, and he resigned after the 1996 season. After that, the Irish had the underwhelming likes of Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis. Then Notre Dame jumped from a combined record of 13-12 during Weis' last two seasons to 16-10 during the first two years of Kelly.
"Don't forget, Brian went undefeated [in 2012] during his third year at Notre Dame and played for the national championship, and I know we got beat by Alabama, but so did everybody else," Parseghian said, laughing. "Nothing is better than experience when it comes to handling the pressure here, and that's what Brian Kelly has now. When you first start coaching at a particular school, especially at Notre Dame, you don't know a whole lot about it. And around here, you're operating in spiritual types of situations.
{related}"Then you get the chance to know the alumni and the fans, and they get to know you, and you have those who love you, and those who would like to see you go. I just think Brian is well-established now."
No question there. For one, Kelly has convinced the notoriously conservative priests who run the university to go wild and crazy. All you need to know is that many football traditions for the Irish go back to Rockne, and Notre Dame Stadium featured grass when his last team opened the place in 1930. It stayed that way until Kelly had the Powers That Be replace the real stuff with fake stuff before last season to make his team faster.
Once, the only sound at Notre Dame home games was from the band, the crowd or the PA announcer. Now, during the last couple of years, the Irish have joined everybody else by blasting high-energy music throughout the stadium in stretches from the opening kickoff to the final horn.
They've moved the pre-game mass from Saturday to Friday.
They've gotten rid of the public luncheon that used to take place on campus every Friday before home games.
They've decided (Oh, Holy Mother of God) to put a video board in Notre Dame Stadium. Still, it will be at the south end, which means it won't block more of the view in the stands of Touchdown Jesus to the north. Plus, with those in attendance ranging from Notre Dame players, coaches, students, the band, the cheerleaders, the Leprechaun and seemingly everybody else within St. Joseph County, they've continued the spirited pep rallies that have occurred forever on campus the Friday evening before every home game.
"At Notre Dame, there is sort of a tendency that, anything you do twice, it becomes a tradition," said Jack Swarbrick, a Notre Dame graduate who is in his eighth year as the school's vice president and athletics director. "You need to distinguish between traditions that matter and traditions that really aren't essential to what you're trying to do. So I understand that people like real grass. I prefer real grass, but it's what surface helps your team the most. That's the way you have to approach it.
"The same with the video board. We think it will help our team by creating a better environment, but the things that really matter in terms of tradition aren't going to change. There won't be any advertisements on that board or around the stadium. Ever. We're going to continue to have a bowl stadium with people sitting on benches to share the game together.
"With all of this construction [a massive NBC studio being added to the stadium and an enlarged press box], we're not building suites. You have to be prepared to change the other things, but you have to keep the things that are really about your character and about who you are."
So far, so great.
You know, with an asterisk … as in, the need for several more national championship banners in that tunnel.
Oklahoma-Tennessee Preview.
AP - Sports
(Photo/espn.go.com)
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops thinks cutting down on penalties will help his team get off to a better start than it did in the season opener.
Stoops will look for his No. 19 Sooners to play a clean game from the outset when they visit No. 23 Tennessee on Saturday.
Oklahoma was held to a field goal over its first six possessions against Akron last Saturday, a slower-than-expected start for the program's heralded "Air Raid" offense under new coordinator Lincoln Riley, before it went on to a 41-3 victory.
Stoops is chalking up the early issues to penalties. Three of those first six drives included a penalty - two false starts and one holding call - and there were two other penalties on early punt returns by the Sooners.
"We emphasize it constantly," Stoops said. "We constantly are talking about it when we watch practice tape and what kind of discipline and technique they are using and what would constitute a foul and what wouldn't and we need to stay away from it."
The good news for the Sooners is they were dominant in the second and third quarters against Akron, scoring five touchdowns. Baker Mayfield passed for 388 yards and three touchdowns, breaking Sam Bradford's school record for yards in a season opener and validating Stoops' decision to name him the starter over Trevor Knight and Cody Thomas.
"For a period of time," Stoops said, "we executed really well and avoided penalties that hurt us and operated like we feel we can."
Somewhat lost in the excitement over Mayfield's performance was Oklahoma's ineffective showing on the ground. The Sooners rushed for only 100 yards, but Stoops isn't worried.
"We're aware every part of the game needs to keep improving but I believe in what we're doing and we'll be able to run it," he said.
Considering the state of Tennessee's secondary, another pass-heavy game plan might be in order for the Sooners. While the Volunteers beat Bowling Green 59-30 in their opener last Saturday, they allowed Matt Johnson to throw for 424 yards without an interception.
Injuries also have ravaged the Vols' defensive backs, who are coached by Willie Martinez, a former Oklahoma assistant. Martinez served a one-game suspension during the Bowling Green game after committing an NCAA recruiting violation.
Tennessee, however, had bigger issues than just Martinez's absence, coach Butch Jones said.
"We had too many mental errors and to play winning football you can't have the amount of mental errors that we had," he said. "Again, first game, going fast, a lot of things happening, but that's inexcusable."
After an encouraging performance in the opener, Tennessee's offensive line is about to discover just how far it has come in the last year.
Oklahoma sacked former Vols quarterback Justin Worley five times and pressured him throughout a 34-10 victory last season. That game set the tone for a season in which Tennessee allowed 43 sacks, the most in the SEC.
The Vols say they're stronger up front this year and backed up that confidence last week by allowing only one sack while supporting a 399-yard rushing performance.
It gives us a lot of confidence," offensive tackle Kyler Kerbyson said. "I think the more confidence you have, the better you play."
Tennessee's linemen already have grown quite a bit since last year's meeting with Oklahoma. The Vols entered last season with six combined starts from their offensive linemen. The trip to Oklahoma marked the first time Kerbyson started at left tackle.
The right tackle that night was Coleman Thomas in his first career start as a freshman.
Kerbyson now has a year of experience at left tackle and was named SEC offensive lineman of the week. After making five starts at right tackle last year, Thomas has returned to his natural position at center.
The rest of the first-team line includes Jashon Robertson at left guard, Dylan Wiesman at right guard and Brett Kendrick at right tackle. That line is protecting a more mobile quarterback this year now that Joshua Dobbs has taken over.
Tennessee's improvement up front was obvious last week. Alvin Kamara rushed for 144 yards and Jalen Hurd gained 123, giving Tennessee two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 2009. Tennessee's rushing total was its best since 1994.
Dobbs was just 11 yards away from giving Tennessee three 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 1991.
The Vols face a much tougher test this week against Oklahoma senior linebacker Eric Striker, who continually worked his way into Tennessee's backfield last year.
"He's really the heart of the defense," Stoops said. "Eric's a key leader for us. He has the pulse of everybody. He gets everybody going."
NCAABKB: Kentucky coach Calipari humbled by Hall of Fame induction.
By GARY B. GRAVES
Kentucky coach John Calipari stands on stage during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2015 announcement in Indianapolis. Memphis plans to honor former Memphis Tigers coach Calipari in December for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame despite a Twitter backlash to the university president's initial announcement. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
And he has been known to ramble on once he gets going.
Lately though, he's been struggling. The Kentucky coach is trying to choose the right words to thank everyone during his 10-minute speech at this weekend's induction in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The list is long, and time is short.
It's actually been pretty nerve-racking for the boisterous Calipari.
''We've taken down a few trees trying to get this thing, believe me,'' he said of trying to keep his acceptance speech within the time limit. ''I've changed it 6,000 times to shorten it, shorten it. Let's put it this way: I don't want to be that guy.''
Calipari, 56, is part of an 11-member class entering the Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. Among the other inductees are former Wildcat and ABA star Louie Dampier; Boston Celtics greats Tom Heinsohn and Jo Jo White; and Spencer Haywood, whose lawsuit opened the door for college underclassmen to enter the NBA draft.
Calipari has taken full advantage of that landmark decision, prepping a pipeline of ''one-and-done'' players for the pros at Kentucky and Memphis while taking those schools and UMass to Final Fours.
Former Wildcats coach Joe B. Hall believes Calipari's successful resume' despite the succession of short-timers at Memphis and Kentucky proves his Hall worthiness.
''He's done it in spite of that handicap,'' said Hall, a Calipari confidant and College Hall of Famer himself. ''I think this honor makes you reflect on the road you've taken and the opportunities you've had. John has certainly arrived.''
Calipari didn't have the same level of success at the NBA level, where he was 72-112 over parts of three seasons with the New Jersey Nets. He was a Philadelphia 76ers assistant under Larry Brown, who will be among a trio of Hall of Fame presenters including former Kentucky star Pat Riley and Julius ''Dr. J'' Erving.
For Calipari, taking his place among the greats hasn't really sunk in.
''I don't see myself as one of those guys,'' said the Pittsburgh-area native, saying his success has been rooted in getting opportunities at good programs. ''I mean, first ballot? It's the ultimate pat on the back, a thank you for players, coaches and contributors and officials.''
While Calipari's success is being validated, the road to the Hall of Fame hasn't been totally smooth. There have been a few pot holes along the way.
The NCAA vacated UMass' 1996 Final Four appearance and Memphis' 2007-08 season and runner-up finish for violations involving stars Marcus Camby and Derrick Rose, respectively. Calipari was not implicated in either instance.
Those vacated berths have left Calipari with an adjusted college record of 593-176 in 23 seasons as well as fuel for critics.
While UMass plans to honor Calipari this season, Memphis canceled a dinner planned for December hours after announcing the benefit on Thursday. Calipari left Memphis to take the Kentucky job, and took several recruits with him.
Memphis President M. David Rudd received resistance to the idea from fans and issued a statement on Twitter citing ''genuine distress'' at the idea of honoring Calipari.
The coach views getting called by the Hall as perhaps the biggest vindication of his career.
''I'm not worried about those people,'' Calipari said of his detractors, before Memphis announced its change of plans. ''Those aren't the people that helped us get to where we are. They're going to have a tough weekend.''
Calipari, on the other hand, plans to live it up.
He will have a throng of well-wishers including this year's Kentucky squad, which has the tall order of following a top-ranked team that finished 38-1 and featured six players taken in the NBA draft.
There'll probably be too many supporters to count, though the only number that's on Calipari's mind these days is 10; he's got to get the timing of that speech down.
Georgetown legend John Thompson receives inaugural Dean Smith Award.
By Matt Norlander
John Thompson was a good friend of Dean Smith's for decades. (Photo/USATSI)
Fittingly, it's a man who was close personally and professionally to the late North Carolina coach, a legend in his own right, someone who was also considered -- like Smith -- to be a pioneer in college sports.
Georgetown giant John Thompson is the pick.
The USBWA sent out a release Wednesday afternoon, noting Thompson will receive his award in person "at a dinner in Chapel Hill on November 10th."
The dinner will double as an auction, and all proceeds from the event will go toward the Dean E. Smith Opening Doors Fund, a charity that "provides financial assistance for undergraduate students from low-income families and enables professionals in education and social work to pursue advanced degrees."
Thompson is the towering figure who was an intimidator and big-time personality during his days with the Hoyas. He won a national title in 1984 an amassed 596 career wins. His connection with Smith dates back to the 1960s, when Thompson coached St. Anthony's High School (Washington, D.C.) and had some of his players recruited by Smith.
"There was no one in basketball I loved or respected more than Dean Smith," Thompson told the USBWA. "There was never anyone like him."
When Dean Smith coached the United States men's basketball national team to a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Thompson was by his side as an assistant.
Smith died at 83 in February after battling years of deteriorating health, including a fight with Alzheimer's.
Thompson is now 74 and still a presence within Georgetown. His son, John Thompson III, has coached the Hoyas since 2004. Thompson continues to work as a color commentator for college basketball on radio.
Serena's Grand Slam quest will have to wait another day.
By Danielle Elliott
Serena Williams reacts after winning a point against Venus Williams during a quarterfinal match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Serena Williams will have to wait one more day to continue her quest for the calendar Grand Slam.
With rain continuing throughout the day and forecasted to last all night, the USTA announced at 3:05 p.m. ET that the women's semifinal matches scheduled for Thursday evening will be pushed back to Friday morning.
Williams will face Roberta Vinci in the first match, starting at 11 a.m. (ET). They'll be followed by Flavia Pennetta and Simona Halep.
The match is a tall order for surprise semifinalist Vinci – unless Williams starts to beat herself.
The six-time U.S. Open champion looked shaky in the first week, but, as she always manages to do, she found her form in time for the fourth round. She's always better in the later rounds. She dropped a set to sister Venus in their quarterfinal match, but was superb in the two sets she won. That's the Williams fans should expect to see on Friday morning.
Vinci's run through the draw was helped by Eugenie Bouchard having to withdraw from their fourth-round match. That leaves the Italian more rested than Williams, perhaps her only advantage. Ranked 45th, she is only one year younger than Williams, but has had a wholly different career. This is her first grand slam singles' semifinal.
Williams has won all four of their previous matches, including a straight-set win earlier this summer. “I'm not going to underestimate her. She played really well," Williams said Tuesday when asked about that recent meeting. "She's not in the semifinals of a Grand Slam for no reason. She knows what to do and she knows what to play.
"I just think it was great that I played her because I kind of know what to expect, and I'll be more ready for it this time."
The men's semifinals, originally scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, will now start at 5 p.m. Roger Federer will face fellow Swede Stan Wawrinka, while Novak Djokovic takes on defending champion Marin Cilic.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1912 - Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) stole six bases against the Detroit Tigers.
1926 - The U.S. won its seventh consecutive Davis Cup.
1943 - The NHL approved the Hockey Hall of Fame. The official building for the hall of fame was not opened until August 26, 1961 on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition.
1946 - The Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds played to a scoreless tie in 19 innings.
1951 - Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions.
1956 - Frank Robinson (Cincinnati Reds) tied a rookie record for most home runs in one season when he hit his 38th of the year.
1959 - Roy Face (Pittsburgh) ended a 22-game winning streak. He finished the season 18-1.
1974 - The St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets set a National League record when they played 25 innings. It was the second longest game in professional baseball history.
1985 - Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds) achieved hit number 4,192 to break the record held by Ty Cobb.
1987 - Howard Johnson (New York Mets) became the first National League infielder to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.
1999 - Brett Favre and Robert Brooks of the Green Bay Packers completed a 99-yard touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears to tie an NFL record.
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