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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"I'm looking forward to the future, and feeling grateful for the past." ~ Mike Rowe, Television Host, Narrator, Actor and Former Opera Singer
"I'm looking forward to the future, and feeling grateful for the past." ~ Mike Rowe, Television Host, Narrator, Actor and Former Opera Singer
Trending: Chicago Blackhawks Set To Host 2017 NHL Draft. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Hard to argue that no ’85 Bears listed on Super Bowl's 'Golden Team'. (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: IOC sends medical advice to Olympic committees on Zika virus. What's Your Take? (See the last article on this blog for details). How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks' 'statement loss' to Stars tightens Central Division race.
By Tracey Myers
Dallas Stars defenseman Patrik Nemeth and Blackhawks right wing Richard Panik, No. 14, collide in the second period at the United Center on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. (Photo/Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The in-game video montages honored former Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya, likely stirring emotions for both.
The in-game video montages honored former Blackhawks Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya, likely stirring emotions for both.
But the Dallas Stars player who got the best of the Blackhawks on Thursday night wasn’t one of their former teammates.
Patrick Eaves recorded a first-period hat trick and the Blackhawks’ third-period comeback attempt wasn’t enough as the Stars beat the Blackhawks, 4-2, at the United Center.
The Blackhawks’ second straight loss thickens the Central Division plot. While the Blackhawks remain atop the division, the Stars now trail them by just one point. The Stars also have three games in hand.
Corey Crawford was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 first-period shots. Scott Darling stopped 14 second- and third-period shots in relief. Patrick Kane scored his 33rd goal of the season and Duncan Keith added his eighth. Kari Lehtonen was strong, especially in the third period when the Stars needed him to be. He stopped 44 shots, including 19 of 21 in the third.
Last Friday, the Blackhawks recorded what some players called a “statement” victory over the Stars in Dallas. Thursday, on the other hand…
“Well, that was a statement loss if that’s the case,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “It was a terrible, brutal, brutal first period. We kind of stopped the bleeding in the second, good third. They scored early and it was like we had Ringette sticks tonight. No blade on our sticks.”
The Stars, meanwhile, looked tremendous from the start. They were tenacious, they won puck battles and they took advantage of the Blackhawks’ sloppy play. Eaves’ first goal was an even-strength, seeing-eye shot from an odd angle just 3:19 in the game. The Stars also scored on both of their first-period power plays. Eaves scored on both advantages, his hat-trick goal came just four seconds into the Stars’ second power play.
“We were wide open, giving them chances early. As we saw they don’t miss too often,” Jonathan Toews said. “Obviously they’ve got some firepower, their power play got them going. We get down 4-0, I think we were just kind of in a funk there, and it took us a while to really push ourselves to get out of it. So we started playing with a little confidence in the third and got on the score sheet, but as you saw, it was a little too late when it comes down to it.”
The Blackhawks put up a fight in the third period, firing 21 shots on Lehtonen. Keith’s goal came just 32 seconds into the third and Kane added his about eight minutes into it. But Lehtonen stopped all other threats.
The Blackhawks were missing Artemi Panarin for the second consecutive game. Certainly that hurt them on offense – “anytime you’re missing one of your top players, it’s going to have an effect on everyone so hopefully he gets better soon,” Kane said. But Panarin’s absence wasn’t a good reason for what the Blackhawks allowed on the other end.
“We can’t give up the quality or quantity of chances to a team you know can score and attacks well,” Quenneville said. “They’re ready, it’s an important game and you come out like that. That was tough.”
The Blackhawks have been great at home this season but it’s where they’ve suffered their last two defeats. It’s not a situation over which they’ll panic, but they certainly need to be better. And they have to be better, and make the right statement, from the start next time.
“I think we expected that [the Stars] were going to come out hard, given the fact that they had a rough game and didn’t play their best against us last time we were in their building,” Toews said. “I guess we just weren’t prepared to respond to that.”
Chicago Blackhawks Set To Host 2017 NHL Draft.
By Sean Leahy
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Between the Los Angeles Kings getting the 2017 NHL All-Star Game and outdoor games likely in Toronto, St. Louis and Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, the one remaining thing to fill on the league calendar for next season is the Draft.
That question will be answered officially on Thursday when the League announces that the Chicago Blackhawks will play host to what will likely be the Nolan Patrick sweepstakes, according to ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun.
A Thursday afternoon press conference will feature NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Blackhawks TV analyst Eddie Olczyk. It will be the first time Chicago has hosted the draft.
The city of Chicago has seen a lot of NHL events in recent years with the Blackhawks playing in three Stanley Cup Finals and hosting the 2009 Winter Classic and a 2014 Stadium Series game. (United Center will also host the NCAA Frozen Four in April 2017.)
As Nick Cotsonika wrote last year, the Blackhawks have become the NHL's go-to glamour franchise. They win. They produce All-Stars. They sell out the building. They boost television ratings. We're just surprised with them likely to have played in five outdoor games by the time this draft rolls around that Bettman isn't announcing the 2017 event will be outside.
Chicago City Council approves Blackhawks' new practice facility.
By C. Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Six months after the Blackhawks and city struck a deal to build a new practice facility right outside the United Center, the Chicago City Council unanimously approved the plan, the team announced Wednesday. The Chicago Zoning Committee unanimously approved it on Tuesday, and was previously given the green light by the Plan Commission in January.
“The Blackhawks are excited not only for what this new facility will do for our franchise but for the benefits it will bring to the community at large,” said Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough via the team's press release. “We are grateful for the support of Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Burnett, and the entire city leadership team, all of whom have been instrumental throughout the approval process.”
The 127,000 square-foot community training center will feature two NHL-sized rinks, with 94 percent of the operations to be used by the community, including young adult, youth and community programs. It will also serve as the permanent practice home for the Blackhawks, who have used Johnny's IceHouse West as their practice home since 2010.
“The Blackhawks are excited to make this investment in our community and we are committed providing the next generation of hockey fans with a place to learn the game we all love so much,” Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz said.
The new facility is expected to open in the fall of 2018.
“The Blackhawks are excited not only for what this new facility will do for our franchise but for the benefits it will bring to the community at large,” said Blackhawks President & CEO John McDonough via the team's press release. “We are grateful for the support of Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Burnett, and the entire city leadership team, all of whom have been instrumental throughout the approval process.”
The 127,000 square-foot community training center will feature two NHL-sized rinks, with 94 percent of the operations to be used by the community, including young adult, youth and community programs. It will also serve as the permanent practice home for the Blackhawks, who have used Johnny's IceHouse West as their practice home since 2010.
“The Blackhawks are excited to make this investment in our community and we are committed providing the next generation of hockey fans with a place to learn the game we all love so much,” Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz said.
The new facility is expected to open in the fall of 2018.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Hoiberg challenges fading Bulls to 'find ourselves' during break.
Mark Strotman
Chicago Bulls Coach Fred Hoiberg (Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls' problems began rather quietly.
Following a season-best six-game win streak that had vaulted them just 2 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls traveled to Atlanta on Jan. 8 and were demolished in a 120-105 loss. Not much cause for concern, facing a quality opponent on the road after playing five of six at home, more problems crept up in losses to Washington and Milwaukee. The Bulls then needed a Jordan-esque performance from Jimmy Butler to beat the 4-36 Sixers, when a sense of trouble began.
Road wins against Detroit and Cleveland quieted critics temporarily, but Wednesday night's loss — again to Atlanta — produced what Derrick Rose admitted was the low point for the Bulls in this roller coaster of a season; a roller coaster featuring far more downs than ups of late, as the Bulls have now lost 13 of 18 games and are teetering near .500 for the first time since early November.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg, who admitted the first game back home after a lengthy road trip is "the hardest game you're going to play all year," wouldn't make excuses for his team after a 113-90 loss, the seventh straight game an opponent has topped the century mark. A difficult game, but for the Bulls it might have also been the most important to date.
Struggles during an odd road trip that had them in Los Angeles for four days, playing an always-difficult Denver game followed by four games in four different time zones in a six-day span might have been expected. Especially while dealing with injuries to three key players, including their All-Star shooting guard the final two-and-a-half games.
But Wednesday night was a chance for the Bulls earn a victory over an opponent with a winning record for the first time since Jan. 25, win at the United Center for the first time since Jan. 15 and snap a three-game losing streak. Doing so would have given the Bulls a glimmer of momentum heading into a period where they won't play again for eight days.
Instead, as Hoiberg remarked, the Bulls got satisfied with a break in sight and, as many teams are guilty of doing, looked ahead to the hiatus.
"It’s almost when the tough times hit our guys we're satisfied with, ‘Oh well, we’ve got the break coming up,'" Hoiberg said after the loss. "And as a team we’ve got to find ourselves. I challenged them to whatever they’ve got to do over the break, look themselves in the mirror, find a way to get committed to this thing and go on a run. And that’s all we can do right now, is look forward."
Looking forward, the Bulls are still dealing with real injury concerns. Butler will miss the next three to four weeks, Nikola Mirotic is only just standing upright after an appendectomy, and Joakim Noah likely has played his final game with the Bulls. Even Taj Gibson got banged up Wednesday night.
But Rose is playing the best basketball of his post-ACL-tear career, his 6-for-18 shooting performance against the Hawks notwithstanding. Pau Gasol, 35, was named to his second straight All-Star Game in place of the injured Butler, and he went for 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in Wednesday's loss, his 12th double-double with five or more assists; that trails only Draymond Green (16) and Russell Westbrook (13).
E'Twaun Moore is putting up career-best numbers in an extended role the past two weeks, Doug McDermott is shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc — he scored 17 points against the Hawks — and Mike Dunleavy is rounding into form after offseason back surgery. In other words, as Gibson described it:
"We have more than enough to win. We used to win games with less than this," said the power forward, who himself has averaged 9.0 points and 8.1 rebounds since Jan. 1. "It’s our mental. It’s extremely frustrating, and it hurts my heart.
"I can't seem to put a finger on it. It's frustrating. I try to tell guys, we’ve got to get back to playing for each other. Leave your heart out there and leave it on the line."
Gasol echoed the sentiments of his coach, saying the All-Star break will give the Bulls a chance to recharge and figure out how they're going to play better basketball. Since Jan. 8, the Bulls have had the fifth least efficient offense and ninth worst defense. That's combined for a net rating of minus-7.3 points per 100 possessions; that mark is fourth worst in the NBA, behind only the Suns, Lakers and Nets, who are a combined 39-128 this season.
"I think we can be a lot better than what we are, and hopefully this break helps us understand where we are, reflect on what we can do better, what it means to — from an individual standpoint — change for us to perform at a better level and win games.
"Understanding that we’ve gone through a difficult stretch, but at the same time there’s 30 games left and we can make a really good push and a really good run. And that’s what we’re going to do. That’s my mindset."
The issue for the Bulls, however, is that the road doesn't get any easier. On their losing skid they've played seven teams with below-.500 records. They'll begin the second half of the season in Cleveland, playing a Cavs team that has won eight of 10 since Tyronn Lue's head coaching debut. The following night they host the Raptors, arguably the East's hottest team.
Now just one game in front of the ninth-seeded Pistons, the Bulls will use the All-Star break to rest bumps and bruises, reduce the timetables of those still injured and figure out how they'll dictate the rest of a season that appears to be fading fast.
"The biggest thing is we have to get back to playing winning basketball. It has to be a sacrifice. You have to give everything you can to help this team win," Hoiberg said. "All the little things. That's what it's about right now."
Disastrous third quarter dooms Bulls in fourth straight loss. (Wednesday night's game, 02/10/2016).
Following a season-best six-game win streak that had vaulted them just 2 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls traveled to Atlanta on Jan. 8 and were demolished in a 120-105 loss. Not much cause for concern, facing a quality opponent on the road after playing five of six at home, more problems crept up in losses to Washington and Milwaukee. The Bulls then needed a Jordan-esque performance from Jimmy Butler to beat the 4-36 Sixers, when a sense of trouble began.
Road wins against Detroit and Cleveland quieted critics temporarily, but Wednesday night's loss — again to Atlanta — produced what Derrick Rose admitted was the low point for the Bulls in this roller coaster of a season; a roller coaster featuring far more downs than ups of late, as the Bulls have now lost 13 of 18 games and are teetering near .500 for the first time since early November.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg, who admitted the first game back home after a lengthy road trip is "the hardest game you're going to play all year," wouldn't make excuses for his team after a 113-90 loss, the seventh straight game an opponent has topped the century mark. A difficult game, but for the Bulls it might have also been the most important to date.
Struggles during an odd road trip that had them in Los Angeles for four days, playing an always-difficult Denver game followed by four games in four different time zones in a six-day span might have been expected. Especially while dealing with injuries to three key players, including their All-Star shooting guard the final two-and-a-half games.
But Wednesday night was a chance for the Bulls earn a victory over an opponent with a winning record for the first time since Jan. 25, win at the United Center for the first time since Jan. 15 and snap a three-game losing streak. Doing so would have given the Bulls a glimmer of momentum heading into a period where they won't play again for eight days.
Instead, as Hoiberg remarked, the Bulls got satisfied with a break in sight and, as many teams are guilty of doing, looked ahead to the hiatus.
"It’s almost when the tough times hit our guys we're satisfied with, ‘Oh well, we’ve got the break coming up,'" Hoiberg said after the loss. "And as a team we’ve got to find ourselves. I challenged them to whatever they’ve got to do over the break, look themselves in the mirror, find a way to get committed to this thing and go on a run. And that’s all we can do right now, is look forward."
Looking forward, the Bulls are still dealing with real injury concerns. Butler will miss the next three to four weeks, Nikola Mirotic is only just standing upright after an appendectomy, and Joakim Noah likely has played his final game with the Bulls. Even Taj Gibson got banged up Wednesday night.
But Rose is playing the best basketball of his post-ACL-tear career, his 6-for-18 shooting performance against the Hawks notwithstanding. Pau Gasol, 35, was named to his second straight All-Star Game in place of the injured Butler, and he went for 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in Wednesday's loss, his 12th double-double with five or more assists; that trails only Draymond Green (16) and Russell Westbrook (13).
E'Twaun Moore is putting up career-best numbers in an extended role the past two weeks, Doug McDermott is shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc — he scored 17 points against the Hawks — and Mike Dunleavy is rounding into form after offseason back surgery. In other words, as Gibson described it:
"We have more than enough to win. We used to win games with less than this," said the power forward, who himself has averaged 9.0 points and 8.1 rebounds since Jan. 1. "It’s our mental. It’s extremely frustrating, and it hurts my heart.
"I can't seem to put a finger on it. It's frustrating. I try to tell guys, we’ve got to get back to playing for each other. Leave your heart out there and leave it on the line."
Gasol echoed the sentiments of his coach, saying the All-Star break will give the Bulls a chance to recharge and figure out how they're going to play better basketball. Since Jan. 8, the Bulls have had the fifth least efficient offense and ninth worst defense. That's combined for a net rating of minus-7.3 points per 100 possessions; that mark is fourth worst in the NBA, behind only the Suns, Lakers and Nets, who are a combined 39-128 this season.
"I think we can be a lot better than what we are, and hopefully this break helps us understand where we are, reflect on what we can do better, what it means to — from an individual standpoint — change for us to perform at a better level and win games.
"Understanding that we’ve gone through a difficult stretch, but at the same time there’s 30 games left and we can make a really good push and a really good run. And that’s what we’re going to do. That’s my mindset."
The issue for the Bulls, however, is that the road doesn't get any easier. On their losing skid they've played seven teams with below-.500 records. They'll begin the second half of the season in Cleveland, playing a Cavs team that has won eight of 10 since Tyronn Lue's head coaching debut. The following night they host the Raptors, arguably the East's hottest team.
Now just one game in front of the ninth-seeded Pistons, the Bulls will use the All-Star break to rest bumps and bruises, reduce the timetables of those still injured and figure out how they'll dictate the rest of a season that appears to be fading fast.
"The biggest thing is we have to get back to playing winning basketball. It has to be a sacrifice. You have to give everything you can to help this team win," Hoiberg said. "All the little things. That's what it's about right now."
Disastrous third quarter dooms Bulls in fourth straight loss. (Wednesday night's game, 02/10/2016).
By Mark Strotman
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls figured out their first-quarter woes Wednesday night. The only problem was those issues popped up again in a disastrous third quarter that ultimately led to a fourth straight defeat in a 113-90 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Fred Hoiberg preached the Bulls needing to get off to a quick start, something they failed to do Monday when they allowed 38 points in a wire-to-wire loss to the Charlotte Hornets. That marked the end of a disappointing 2-5 road trip, giving the Bulls one last chance to find some sort of momentum heading into the All-Star break.
The Bulls were without Derrick Rose in that Charlotte loss, but the former MVP looked rested after two days off in the opening period, scoring nine of his 14 points. All-Star Pau Gasol added eight more to help the Bulls shoot 62 percent in the stanza, taking a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Playing without Jimmy Butler for the third straight game, and already down Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah in the frontcourt, the Bulls’ lack of interior depth showed in the second quarter. Hoiberg was forced to deploy rookie Bobby Portis and Cameron Bairstow, and the Hawks took advantage. Center Al Horford cued in on Bairstow, scoring nine of his 16 points in the quarter while the Bulls' offense went quiet, shooting 40 percent and committing five more turnovers. A late offensive spurt from Gasol, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, kept the Bulls within shouting distance at halftime.
But in the third quarter things went south. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver scored 13 of the Hawks' first 15 points in the stanza, with the latter knocking down a pair of triples that helped push the lead to as 15 just four minutes into the second half. The Hawks wound up shooting 68 percent from the field in the period, getting eight points in transition and having nine different players record a point.
The frustrations of losing 12 of their last 17 games began to boil over for the Bulls, too. Taj Gibson picked up a technical foul after Korver’s first 3-pointer. It was the second technical foul assessed to the Bulls after Rose picked up one in the first half. Gasol looked frustrated by calls most of the first half as well. Gibson’s night went from bad to worse after he left the game with a left foot strain.
That left the woefully thin frontcourt in worse shape, and though the Bulls climbed back within 10 thanks to the hot shooting of Doug McDermott, the Hawks scored 12 of the final 16 points in the quarter to push the lead back out to 18 points. The closest the Bulls got in the final quarter was 15.
The Bulls have now lost 13 of 18 games, and the sledding won't get any easier after the All-Star break. They'll open the second half against the East's top two seeds, at Cleveland and home against Toronto. With the loss, the Bulls are now just one-half game ahead of the No. 8 seed in the East, the Hornets.
Fred Hoiberg preached the Bulls needing to get off to a quick start, something they failed to do Monday when they allowed 38 points in a wire-to-wire loss to the Charlotte Hornets. That marked the end of a disappointing 2-5 road trip, giving the Bulls one last chance to find some sort of momentum heading into the All-Star break.
The Bulls were without Derrick Rose in that Charlotte loss, but the former MVP looked rested after two days off in the opening period, scoring nine of his 14 points. All-Star Pau Gasol added eight more to help the Bulls shoot 62 percent in the stanza, taking a one-point lead into the second quarter.
Playing without Jimmy Butler for the third straight game, and already down Nikola Mirotic and Joakim Noah in the frontcourt, the Bulls’ lack of interior depth showed in the second quarter. Hoiberg was forced to deploy rookie Bobby Portis and Cameron Bairstow, and the Hawks took advantage. Center Al Horford cued in on Bairstow, scoring nine of his 16 points in the quarter while the Bulls' offense went quiet, shooting 40 percent and committing five more turnovers. A late offensive spurt from Gasol, who finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, kept the Bulls within shouting distance at halftime.
But in the third quarter things went south. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver scored 13 of the Hawks' first 15 points in the stanza, with the latter knocking down a pair of triples that helped push the lead to as 15 just four minutes into the second half. The Hawks wound up shooting 68 percent from the field in the period, getting eight points in transition and having nine different players record a point.
The frustrations of losing 12 of their last 17 games began to boil over for the Bulls, too. Taj Gibson picked up a technical foul after Korver’s first 3-pointer. It was the second technical foul assessed to the Bulls after Rose picked up one in the first half. Gasol looked frustrated by calls most of the first half as well. Gibson’s night went from bad to worse after he left the game with a left foot strain.
That left the woefully thin frontcourt in worse shape, and though the Bulls climbed back within 10 thanks to the hot shooting of Doug McDermott, the Hawks scored 12 of the final 16 points in the quarter to push the lead back out to 18 points. The closest the Bulls got in the final quarter was 15.
The Bulls have now lost 13 of 18 games, and the sledding won't get any easier after the All-Star break. They'll open the second half against the East's top two seeds, at Cleveland and home against Toronto. With the loss, the Bulls are now just one-half game ahead of the No. 8 seed in the East, the Hornets.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Hard to argue that no ’85 Bears listed on Super Bowl's 'Golden Team'.
By John Mullin
Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent (95). (Photo/images.search.yahoo.com)
But one slight of the “85 Bears is interesting. Consider it at most a small, unintentional case of adding insult to injury, and arguably justified.
On top of the failure of the 1980’s Bears to reach only one Super Bowl came the selection of “The Super Bowl 50 Golden Team” late last month by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That collection is made up of 22 Hall of Famers, and the Bears Super Bowl XX team has four players enshrined in the game’s pantheon, three from that ’85 defense.
But the number of Bears selected to the Golden Team is...zero.
More than likely, the shutout is the result of reaching only that one Super Bowl. No member of the Golden Team played in fewer than two.
Despite these three members of the Super Bowl XX defense being Hall of Fame performers, a case for putting any of them ahead of the Golden Team choices is difficult, even based on an epic Super Bowl performance.
DE Richard Dent - The Colonel was the MVP of Super Bowl XX. But Golden Team member Reggie White, the left end on two Green Bay Super Bowl teams, had three sacks in the 1996 game vs. Dent’s 1.5, and White was simply one of the dominant players of his or any era.
The other Golden Team end was Charles Haley. As the only player with five Super Bowl rings, and with impact play in all of those wins, Haley is arguably the easiest call of all.
DL Dan Hampton - Danimal was a factor at both end and tackle, particularly over the center in the “46” defense. But he does not edge out either Haley or White at end, and the defensive tackles were Joe Greene from the Steelers and Randy White from the Cowboys. White is a debatable selection, a co-MVP in one Super Bowl, and how he was chosen over Kansas City’s Buck Buchanan is for another time. But as dominant as Hampton was, he ranks below at least those three.
MLB Mike Singletary - Two words. Ray. Lewis. To more. Jack Lambert.
Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden went against Greene, Lambert and those ‘70s Steelers teams. When I was working on “The Rise and Self-Destruction of the Greatest Football Team in History: The 1985 Bears and Super Bowl XX,” Madden was adamant that the ’85 group was the best he’d ever seen, including the Steelers.
But individually, one Super Bowl and some very, very good others are too much to overcome for ‘85ers to make the Golden Team.
Rotoworld NFL mock draft 3.0: Bears draft key member of Ohio State's defense. Let the prognosticating begin.
Rotoworld
Ohio State LB Darron Lee (Photo/csnchicago.com)
NBCSports' and Rotoworld's NFL Draft expert Josh Norris released his mock draft 3.0 on Thursday. Here are the Top 11 picks. Also, be sure to check out the entire mock draft here:
You will notice a few of these projections are the same as my last mock draft. That is because they make sense… for now. Less than five percent of you are actually reading this introduction. Thank you to those who are. These “projections” will change frequently. Don’t take these guesses as “X player is projected in the first-round.” It is too early to make such a statement.
You will see the top quarterbacks drafted much later in this mock than others. Right now everyone is concluding one or two will be top ten picks. This is a common theme every year; sometimes it happens, sometimes it does not. In this situation Sam Bradford could follow Chip Kelly to the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick to the Browns and Chase Daniel to the Eagles.
1. Tennessee Titans - FSU DB Jalen Ramsey - Everyone is mocking Laremy Tunsil here. For years it has been accepted that left tackle is the most important offensive line position. In the past, it seemed all of the top pass rushers played opposite the left tackle. That played into the importance of the position. Now pass rushers are deployed from all different alignments. Basically I’m trying to explain why tackle will not be the pick here, since Tennessee’s interior seemed to struggle just as much as the edge. The Titans likely want to trade this pick, but a versatile, aggressive defensive back with size and athleticism is not a bad consolation.
2. Cleveland Browns - Ohio State EDGE Joey Bosa - Bosa is all explosion and power, shedding his opposition with strength and extension. He is one of the best run defending edge players I have seen. Don’t expect a flexible bender who turns the corner. That is not Bosa’s game. Many have asked how Bosa will fare dropping into coverage. I’d make him a designated rusher who occasionally covers the curl to flat area, which is not a big question.
3. San Diego Chargers - Ole Miss T Laremy Tunsil - Philip Rivers has also displayed functional mobility and an ability to win in a confined pocket. Common thought would be that Rivers’ ability to succeed in such a situation would continue to decline with age. This entire offense would improve with a better offensive line. Tunsil has an aggressive demeanor to go along with his strength.
4. Dallas Cowboys - UCLA LB Myles Jack - As of now, I consider Jack the top prospect in this draft class. Jack can play like a 260 lbs power linebacker or display the agility a 230 lbs coverage specialist. He moves differently than most players at the position. Linebackers tend to play better when working behind a talented defensive line, and expect Dallas to invest in the interior throughout the draft. Jack is on track to participate in the Combine.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Eastern Kentucky EDGE Noah Spence - The Jaguars will likely lose three edge rushers this offseason (Clemons played 675 snaps, Branch played 616 and Davis played 250) and were in dire need of pass rushing productivity this year. I would not argue with anyone who ranks Spence as the second best edge rusher in this class. In fact, I likely agree. He combines explosion with power and is not afraid to work through his opponent or around them. Off field issues led to his dismissal at Ohio State, but what if those aren’t “issues” anymore.
6. Baltimore Ravens - Notre Dame T Ronnie Stanley - Eugene Monroe turns just 29 in April, but he has only played in 17 games over the last two seasons. The Ravens cannot count on him to play a full season. On top of that, Kelechi Osemele is a free agent and 2016 is the final year of Ricky Wagner’s deal. Getting a talented left tackle in a rookie deal is a great proposition.
7. San Francisco 49ers - Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell - I rank Treadwell as a top five prospect in this class and think much of the criticism around him is nitpicking. Treadwell is an ultra-physical receiver both before and after the catch. It might not matter for many, but receiver coaches will love his blocking intensity. The 49ers need foundation pieces on offense, and Treadwell can be that.
8. Miami Dolphins - Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves - Hargreaves’ 2015 season did not match 2014, but it was far from bad or even average. I was a big Jamar Taylor fan out of Boise State, but he has not played well. Unless the team really believes in young corners Bobby McCain and Tony Lippett as full time starters, expect them to address this position early.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Clemson EDGE Shaq Lawson - We know all about what Lawson and Clemson’s defensive line did this year. Lawson produced a great matchup against Ronnie Stanley this season, winning on some occasions and losing on others. He has flashes speed, power and pass rushing awareness with a variety of moves.
10. New York Giants - Oregon DL DeForest Buckner - I’m not completely sold on Buckner’s pass rushing success early on. However, I am sold on Buckner's individual traits that can result in a powerful pass rusher. Let me explain. Buckner has desired size and length. He is not slow off the football. He has strength in his hands and uses length. All of these show up as a run defender. Once he shows urgency and intent to play behind the line of scrimmage and shed against the pass, he can be a huge factor on a defense. The Giants might see a Justin Tuck comparison here.
11. Chicago Bears - Ohio State LB Darron Lee - John Fox invested at linebacker in multiple previous stops. The Bears lack speed on defense, and Lee offers it. Yes, Lee missed some tackles this season, but I think his agility put him in plays others might not reach. Improvements to the interior of the defensive line would also help.
John Lackey will push Cubs to be ‘100 percent’ focused on World Series.
By Tony Andracki
Recently acquired Cubs Pitcher John Lackey. (Photo/csnchicago.com)
John Lackey has seen it all before.
A century-plus between championships won't intimidate a guy who won a World Series Game 7 as an Anaheim Angels rookie. The Chicago market shouldn’t bother someone who restored his reputation and helped the Boston Red Sox win a title only two years after the fried-chicken-and-beer expose.
Lackey has a lot of connections after 14 years in the big leagues and wanted to join the same rotation as good friend Jon Lester. But beyond just the people, a sense of history helped lure him here, taking a two-year, $32 million deal when he could have scored a bigger contract somewhere else.
"The chance to win a world championship in this city [was why I chose the Cubs]," Lackey said. "At this point in my career, I'm trying to win. Winning is the biggest thing for me.
"These are my last couple years in the big leagues. To go out [with a championship] would be pretty dang cool."
There will be great expectations next week when Cubs pitchers and catchers formally report to Arizona. The last game Lackey pitched was in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform - when he served up a three-run shot to Javier Baez as the Cubs clinched the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field.
To say Lackey was thinking about his free-agency tour at that point in October would be too much of a stretch. But he did admit Lester - his best friend in the game - has been in his ear for some time.
Lester accelerated the rebuilding process for the Cubs when he signed a $155 million megadeal last offseason and helped change the culture in the clubhouse.
Now, Lester has reinforcements in the form of a 37-year-old pitcher with almost 2,500 big-league innings under his belt.
"When [Lackey] walks into a room, he commands the room," Lester said. "Not only because of his size and stature and all that stuff, but because of what he's done in this game. He's a two-time World Series champ. He's made an All-Star team (and had) some Cy Young runs.
"That immediately commands guys' attention. The big thing about Lack is you'll definitely know how he feels when he feels it. You need guys like that on your team.
"You need guys that keep their mouths shut and go about their business. And you need guys that aren't afraid to say what needs to be said at that time. And he's definitely that guy.”
Lackey helped fill a major offseason need for the Cubs, providing another reliable, battle-tested arm for manager Joe Maddon when October rolls around.
Maddon was the bench coach on the Angels team that won it all in 2002. Lackey acknowledged familiarity with Maddon, Lester and backup catcher David Ross helped entice him to take less money to sign with the Cubs.
But at the end of the day, it all comes back to the opportunity to end the longest championship drought in sports history.
"There's no bigger factor than a chance to win and do something special in this city," Lackey said. "You're seeing guys take less money to come here...and be a part of something special."
While Jason Heyward, the team's biggest offseason signing, said he hasn't really dreamed about what it would be like to win it all in Chicago, Lackey has no reservations about thinking World Series.
"One-hundred percent," he said. "That's the only reason I came."
A century-plus between championships won't intimidate a guy who won a World Series Game 7 as an Anaheim Angels rookie. The Chicago market shouldn’t bother someone who restored his reputation and helped the Boston Red Sox win a title only two years after the fried-chicken-and-beer expose.
Lackey has a lot of connections after 14 years in the big leagues and wanted to join the same rotation as good friend Jon Lester. But beyond just the people, a sense of history helped lure him here, taking a two-year, $32 million deal when he could have scored a bigger contract somewhere else.
"The chance to win a world championship in this city [was why I chose the Cubs]," Lackey said. "At this point in my career, I'm trying to win. Winning is the biggest thing for me.
"These are my last couple years in the big leagues. To go out [with a championship] would be pretty dang cool."
There will be great expectations next week when Cubs pitchers and catchers formally report to Arizona. The last game Lackey pitched was in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform - when he served up a three-run shot to Javier Baez as the Cubs clinched the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field.
To say Lackey was thinking about his free-agency tour at that point in October would be too much of a stretch. But he did admit Lester - his best friend in the game - has been in his ear for some time.
Lester accelerated the rebuilding process for the Cubs when he signed a $155 million megadeal last offseason and helped change the culture in the clubhouse.
Now, Lester has reinforcements in the form of a 37-year-old pitcher with almost 2,500 big-league innings under his belt.
"When [Lackey] walks into a room, he commands the room," Lester said. "Not only because of his size and stature and all that stuff, but because of what he's done in this game. He's a two-time World Series champ. He's made an All-Star team (and had) some Cy Young runs.
"That immediately commands guys' attention. The big thing about Lack is you'll definitely know how he feels when he feels it. You need guys like that on your team.
"You need guys that keep their mouths shut and go about their business. And you need guys that aren't afraid to say what needs to be said at that time. And he's definitely that guy.”
Lackey helped fill a major offseason need for the Cubs, providing another reliable, battle-tested arm for manager Joe Maddon when October rolls around.
Maddon was the bench coach on the Angels team that won it all in 2002. Lackey acknowledged familiarity with Maddon, Lester and backup catcher David Ross helped entice him to take less money to sign with the Cubs.
But at the end of the day, it all comes back to the opportunity to end the longest championship drought in sports history.
"There's no bigger factor than a chance to win and do something special in this city," Lackey said. "You're seeing guys take less money to come here...and be a part of something special."
While Jason Heyward, the team's biggest offseason signing, said he hasn't really dreamed about what it would be like to win it all in Chicago, Lackey has no reservations about thinking World Series.
"One-hundred percent," he said. "That's the only reason I came."
Jon Lester ready for Year 2 after taking leap of faith with Cubs.
(Photo/theheckler.com)
Chicago will always be a destination for free agents, because even Cubs players on last-place teams get treated like royalty in this city. In the end, money talks, and the Cubs guaranteed six years and $155 million, caving on that no no-trade clause policy.
But Lester had to trust Theo Epstein’s front office in a way that John Lackey, Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward did not. Lester had to believe ownership would boost payroll, support a playoff contender and eventually finish the Wrigley Field renovation by raising a World Series flag.
Lester had to believe in the scouting reports on Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber, which sounds obvious now but would have been a leap in November 2014 for a three-time All-Star who’s already won two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox.
“You put a lot of faith in these guys when you sign here that they’re going to do what they say,” Lester said. “And they’ve done more.”
Lester won’t be the focus next week when pitchers and catchers officially report to the Sloan Park complex. There will be so many other storylines in Mesa, Arizona.
Jake Arrieta is the unquestioned ace of the pitching staff, a Cy Young Award winner who will have to prove he can bounce back after throwing almost 250 innings last year.
Heyward now has the biggest contract in franchise history, an eight-year, $184 million megadeal for a Gold Glove outfielder who doesn’t have to be a superstar, just part of the supporting cast.
Lackey – Lester’s buddy from Boston and a player Cubs Twitter loved to hate when he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals – will have to deal with the welcome-to-Chicago adjustment period.
“Any time you walk into a room and you know who everybody is, you’re more relaxed,” Lester said. “I’ve been here for a year. I understand how everything works. I think people have gotten to know me a little bit.
“Last year, I felt like I needed to do a little bit more at certain times than I’m used to just because of everything that comes with what was going on last year.
“I feel like this year, I can just go out and do my normal routine and not have to worry about getting off to a good start in spring training. My concern is getting off to a good start in the season.
“I wanted to impress people a little bit too early last year and obviously it set me back. That’s stuff you learn.”
Lester experienced a “dead arm” and threw less than nine innings in the Cactus League last year. His Opening Night debut will be remembered for the bathroom debacle at Wrigley Field and the ESPN broadcast highlighting the lefty’s issues throwing over to first base. He wound up finishing with a losing record (11-12) and losing both of his playoff starts.
But that obviously doesn’t tell the story of Lester’s first season on the North Side. He made 30-plus starts for the eighth consecutive year. He passed the 200-innings mark for the seventh time.
Lester’s 3.34 ERA marked an improvement from his career numbers in the American League (3.58). He also ranked as a top-15 NL pitcher in terms of strikeouts (207), WHIP (1.122), quality starts (21), batting average against (.240) and opponents’ OPS (.661).
“I don’t do anything flashy,” Lester said. “I’ve never been a flashy guy. I don’t have electric stuff. I don’t do anything that makes anybody go ‘Wow!’
“I just put my hat on, grab my glove and go out and pitch as best I can every day. If you look at it that way, I did my job.
“All the other numbers, I think they were probably right around my career norm. It was a good season as far as making all my starts and being healthy (after) dealing with all the stuff in spring training.”
Lester has long-term security, but he will still feel a sense of urgency at the age of 32. The window won’t stay open forever, there are no guarantees with young players and the history of nine-figure contracts for pitchers is filled with bad investments.
If the 2015 Cubs arrived a year ahead of schedule, there is no doubt that this team is all-in for this season: It’s World Series or bust.
Cubs release 2016 TV broadcast schedule; CSN to air 86 games.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs released their 2016 season TV broadcast schedule Thursday afternoon and Comcast SportsNet will air 86 games.
ABC7 will air 25 games again while WGN-TV will broadcast 45 games.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies return for their fourth season in the booth.
ABC7 will air the Cubs' season opener on April 4 against the Angels in Los Angeles. CSN's first broadcasts will come on April 5 and 7 for the second and third games of the season.
Here is the complete broadcast slate:
ABC7 will air 25 games again while WGN-TV will broadcast 45 games.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies return for their fourth season in the booth.
ABC7 will air the Cubs' season opener on April 4 against the Angels in Los Angeles. CSN's first broadcasts will come on April 5 and 7 for the second and third games of the season.
Here is the complete broadcast slate:
Statistically, Mat Latos could be a bargain for the White Sox.
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Compare two unnamed players and their 2015 stats for a moment:
Player A (31 years old): 4.96 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 214 IP, 6.86 K/9, 2.06 BB/9, 1.22 HR/9
Player B (28 years old): 4.95 ERA, 3.72 FIP, 116 1/3 IP, 7.74 K/9, 2.48 BB/9, 1.01 HR/9
Player A has a career 4.09 ERA and 3.84 FIP; Player B has a 3.51 ERA and 3.44 FIP. Player A signed a five-year, $90 million deal this winter; Player B signed a one-year, $3 million deal.
Player A is Jeff Samardzija, who signed with the San Francisco Giants. Player B is Mat Latos, who signed with the White Sox on Tuesday.
Latos, of course, has injury concerns, dealing with knee and elbow issues that limited him to just 37 starts in the last two seasons (Samardzija combined for 55 starts in 2014 and 2015). As those injuries have come and gone, Latos’ average fastball velocity has dropped from a tick under 93 miles per hour during his peak with San Diego and Cincinnati to about 91 miles per hour in 2014 and 2015.
Latos, of course, has injury concerns, dealing with knee and elbow issues that limited him to just 37 starts in the last two seasons (Samardzija combined for 55 starts in 2014 and 2015). As those injuries have come and gone, Latos’ average fastball velocity has dropped from a tick under 93 miles per hour during his peak with San Diego and Cincinnati to about 91 miles per hour in 2014 and 2015.
The point in the Latos-Samardzija comparison is this: The price of starting pitching, especially this offseason, is exorbitant. Three million dollars is pocket change in the MLB free agent market. That’s the starting point when looking at how the White Sox deal with Latos could be, potentially, a massive bargain.
Latos hit his peak from 2010-2013, posting a 3.27 ERA (and 3.29 FIP) over 799 innings. He was one of eight pitchers to strike out at least 180 batters in each of those four seasons, joining Justin Verlander, James Shields, Tim Lincecum, Cliff Lee, Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez and Cole Hamels in that designation. He totaled 16 WAR (via FanGraphs) in that span, 14th among starting pitchers.
The White Sox, of course, would be elated to get that kind of production of out Latos — combining it with Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon could mean Robin Ventura, Don Cooper & Co. have baseball’s best rotation at their disposal. But Latos probably will have to re-gain the velocity he’s lost on his fastball to reach that level of success — often times, once velocity is lost, it won’t come back, but given Latos’ age it’s not implausible that’ll return.
Latos, though, has had success with decreased velocity. Sporting a fastball that averaged a career-low 90.7 miles per hour in 2014, the right-hander posted a 3.25 ERA over 102 1/3 innings. While his 4.95 ERA in 2015 was ugly, he did go through stretches where he looked like his old self — from June 18 until he was dealt from the Miami Marlins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he had a 3.26 ERA over six starts.
It has to be noted, though, that Latos’ hard contact rate rose in each of the last five seasons, peaking at 33 percent in 2015 (14th among starters with at least 110 innings pitched). And his tenure with the Dodgers was particularly rough — he posted a 6.66 ERA in 24 1/3 innings with them.
But only seven starting pitchers have, to date, signed major league one-year deals for $3 million or fewer: Latos, Bud Norris ($2.5 million, Atlanta), Ryan Vogelsong ($2 million, Pittsburgh), Brandon Beachy ($1.5 million, Los Angels Dodgers), Jacob Turner ($1.5 million, White Sox), Gavin Floyd ($1 million, Toronto), and Edwin Jackson ($507,000, Miami). The White Sox entered the low-risk, high-reward market on Latos and shored up the back of their rotation without breaking the bank, and could be rewarded for it come this summer.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Reavie leads at Pebble Beach as Spieth, Day battle.
Reuters; Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes, Editing by Andrew Both
Chez Reavie holds a one-shot lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. (Photo/Getty Images)
American Chez Reavie rebounded superbly from missed cuts in his last two PGA Tour starts to fire an eight-under-par 63 and grab a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Thursday.
While some of the biggest names in the game battled hard to post sub-par scores, Reavie covered his final nine holes in a sizzling seven-under 30 at Monterey Peninsula Country Club, the easiest of the three venues being used for this week's event.
That left Reavie, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 2008 Canadian Open, one stroke in front of Australian Cameron Smith and American Bronson Burgoon, who also played at Monterey Peninsula, after a picture postcard day of unbroken sunshine.
Swede Freddie Jacobson had the best score at the Pebble Beach host course, a seven-under 65, while Englishman Justin Rose and American J.B. Holmes were best at Spyglass Hill, with six-under 66.
World number one Jordan Spieth, back on the PGA Tour after playing tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Singapore, struggled with his short game as he mixed four birdies with three bogeys for an opening 71 on the challenging Spyglass Hill layout.
Swede Freddie Jacobson had the best score at the Pebble Beach host course, a seven-under 65, while Englishman Justin Rose and American J.B. Holmes were best at Spyglass Hill, with six-under 66.
World number one Jordan Spieth, back on the PGA Tour after playing tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Singapore, struggled with his short game as he mixed four birdies with three bogeys for an opening 71 on the challenging Spyglass Hill layout.
"I played the hardest holes on this golf course in four under par and then I played all the easy ones over par," Spieth, 22, told Golf Channel. "It's kind of a bit odd.
"I'm just not quite dialed in with my wedges or with the short game right now. I had three (birdie) chances on par-fives greenside, just little chip shots, basic shots, and I made par as well as bogeying that 115-yard par-three.
"So a little frustrating with that but, all in all, to actually shoot one under with what I felt like I should have shot today is promising, considering we are going to the two easier courses, in my mind."
Australian world number three Jason Day also had to fight hard as he matched Spieth with a 71 at Spyglass Hill.
"It's a little frustrating," said Day, who birdied two of his last six holes to finish the round with something of a flourish.
"It's a little frustrating," said Day, who birdied two of his last six holes to finish the round with something of a flourish.
"I feel like I am hitting the ball pretty good and then I stand over some shots and I just don't quite have the control that I would like to have.
"I feel okay with how I am driving it. I feel like it's really close. Once I start getting that control back in the swing and I start gaining a little bit more confidence, then hopefully from there I will start playing a little better."
Love gets an earlier start on knowing Ryder Cup team.
By DOUG FERGUSON
The U.S. Ryder Cup team traditionally starts to take shape at the Memorial when the top players are invited to one of the cottages at Muirfield Village to be fitted for uniforms. Davis Love III wants to get an earlier start in his second stint as captain.
Love said his first ''team meeting'' would be in two week at the Honda Classic for at least 20 players, maybe twice that many, depending on who is playing.
''We're going to have a dinner during the week of Honda, and then we'll probably have two or three more,'' Love said Wednesday. ''So I'm going to be a little bit more focused this time on the start, work my way through the points list and make sure that we've got everybody covered - not wait until the Memorial Tournament when we have a clothes fitting to talk to the guys for the first time.''
Love said he is paying so much more attention to the points, even eight months before the matches at Hazeltine, that he caught a mistake in the standings recently before they were published.
He said Tom Lehman, one of his vice captains, recalled having his first team dinner at the Bridgestone Invitational, just over six weeks from the 2006 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
''That's too late for us now. We want to get ahead of the game,'' Love said.
Love also said another vice captain, Tiger Woods, suggested getting together away from the golf course, perhaps a fishing trip to hang out and talk shop.
Love also said another vice captain, Tiger Woods, suggested getting together away from the golf course, perhaps a fishing trip to hang out and talk shop.
''I think if we all get to know each other a little bit better in March and April and May, rather than waiting until August and September, we're going to be better off,'' he said.
THE TROPHY: Jordan Spieth has a green jacket from winning the Masters. Equally inspiring was to see his name on the trophy - twice.
Spieth went to Augusta National in December with his father and his agent. One of the more poignant memories of that trip was seeing the Champions Locker Room (he shares a locker with four-time champion Arnold Palmer) and the Masters trophy.
''There's actually a lot of people who don't realize there's a Masters trophy, and it's huge and it sits in the center of the room when you walk in the main clubhouse area there,'' he said. ''They have the winners and they have the runner-ups on the trophy. My name was on that trophy from finishing runner-up (in 2014). And this year I was able to go back, pick out where it was where my name was on as the runner-up, and then look one spot down and diagonal and there's your name for winning it with the score.
''And that,'' he said, ''was really cool.''
PRIORITIES: The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is only the third tournament for Jason Day since the Tour Championship. He rallied on Sunday at Kapalua with a 65 to finish tied for 10th (15 shots behind Jordan Spieth) and missed the cut at Torrey Pines while playing with the flu.
''And that,'' he said, ''was really cool.''
PRIORITIES: The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is only the third tournament for Jason Day since the Tour Championship. He rallied on Sunday at Kapalua with a 65 to finish tied for 10th (15 shots behind Jordan Spieth) and missed the cut at Torrey Pines while playing with the flu.
He expected a slow start to the year given his time off. But it's the time off, he says, that sets him apart from Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler.
''Rickie and Jordan don't have kids and stuff like that yet,'' Day said. ''So it's very important for me to make sure that I see my kids grow up and obviously see the birth of my second child, Lucy. And they will get there one day and they will probably go through the same things that I'm feeling and going through as well.''
His wife gave birth to their second child in November.
His wife gave birth to their second child in November.
''It's all good stuff,'' Day said. ''It can be difficult at times, but that's where the balance of being a professional golfer, playing at an elite level against the best players in the world and trying to balance family life and personal stuff is difficult to do. But over time you get better and better at it.''
PLAYING FOR THE CAPTAIN: Davis Love III says the two toughest losses he ever endured as a player at the Ryder Cup was in 1995 at Oak Hill and in 1997 at Valderrama. It was more about the captains than his record.
Lanny Wadkins was his captain at Oak Hill, and Love recalled an era when both teams have a dinner after the matches.
Lanny Wadkins was his captain at Oak Hill, and Love recalled an era when both teams have a dinner after the matches.
''I saw with Lanny and ... it was a very quiet dinner,'' he said. ''You know Lanny. So excited about it, so into it. He put everything he could into it for a year-and-a-half, and then to have it all unravel right there at the end, I was really, really disappointed for him.''
Love felt the same way about Tom Kite and his captaincy two years later. Love, Tiger Woods and Justin Leonard were major champions in 1997, and they combined to go 1-9-3 in the matches. Love lost all four of his matches.
''Tiger and Justin and I were playing so well, and we went over there and none of us played well,'' he said.
He at least was able to use that experience when Love was captain in Medinah and Europe rallied from a 10-6 deficit. He recalled Brandt Snedeker telling him that ''I owe you one'' because of the loss.
''I said, 'You don't owe me one,''' Love said. ''If we're starting to add up who owes who, I owe Kite and Wadkins and a lot of captains.''
NASCAR makes major changes to overtime policy.
By Nate Ryan
NASCAR made major changes to its green-white-checkered policy for the 2016 season Thursday, adding an “overtime line” and allowing unlimited attempts instead of a maximum of three.
The rules were clarified in a bulletin entitled “NASCAR Overtime” and apply to all three of NASCAR’s national series.
The “overtime line” will constitute a valid green-white-checkered if the leader passes the line on the first lap under green before a yellow. If a caution flies before the leader passes the overtime line on the first lap under green, it won’t be a valid attempt, and as many subsequent attempts as necessary can be made to secure the finish.
Once an attempt is verified as valid, it will become the only attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.
Previously, NASCAR’s policy was that if the yellow flew on the second lap of a green-white-checkered finish, that would end the race. If the yellow flew during the first lap, another attempt would be made with a maximum of three. Eight Sprint Cup races had a green-white-checkered finish last year.
The rule was tweaked to one green-white-checkered attempt solely for the race last October at Talladega Superspeedway after the previous restrictor-plate race at Daytona International Speedway ended with a multicar pileup that sent Austin Dillon’s Chevrolet into the catchfence. NASCAR cited safety as a reason for the change.
The Talladega finish, though, featured its own controversy as NASCAR waved off a green-white checkered attempt when it ruled the yellow flag flew before the green. The caution waved again shortly after the second attempt at a green-white checkered finish, ending the race.
The rules were clarified in a bulletin entitled “NASCAR Overtime” and apply to all three of NASCAR’s national series.
The “overtime line” will constitute a valid green-white-checkered if the leader passes the line on the first lap under green before a yellow. If a caution flies before the leader passes the overtime line on the first lap under green, it won’t be a valid attempt, and as many subsequent attempts as necessary can be made to secure the finish.
Once an attempt is verified as valid, it will become the only attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.
Previously, NASCAR’s policy was that if the yellow flew on the second lap of a green-white-checkered finish, that would end the race. If the yellow flew during the first lap, another attempt would be made with a maximum of three. Eight Sprint Cup races had a green-white-checkered finish last year.
The rule was tweaked to one green-white-checkered attempt solely for the race last October at Talladega Superspeedway after the previous restrictor-plate race at Daytona International Speedway ended with a multicar pileup that sent Austin Dillon’s Chevrolet into the catchfence. NASCAR cited safety as a reason for the change.
The Talladega finish, though, featured its own controversy as NASCAR waved off a green-white checkered attempt when it ruled the yellow flag flew before the green. The caution waved again shortly after the second attempt at a green-white checkered finish, ending the race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweeted that he liked the change:
"I like these changes a lot. Good moves all around."
***************************
"The new GWC rules are the direct result of a collective effort from both @NASCAR and the Drivers Council working together."
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Full text of NASCAR’s bulletin on green-white-checkered changes:
NASCAR Overtime
For all three NASCAR national series, a race may be concluded with overtime, consisting of a new procedure for a green-white-checkered flag finish featuring an “overtime line.” The location of the overtime line will vary by track.
After taking the green on the overtime restart, if the leader then passes the overtime line on the first lap under green before a caution comes out (a “clean restart”), it will be considered a valid green-white-checkered attempt. However, if a caution comes out before the leader passes the overtime line on the first lap under green, it will not be considered a valid attempt, and a subsequent attempt will be made. If necessary, multiple subsequent attempts will be made until a valid attempt occurs.
Once a valid attempt is achieved (clean restart), it will become the only attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. If a caution comes out at any time during the valid green-white-checkered attempt, the field will be frozen and the checkered/yellow or checkered/red displayed to cars at the finish line.
NASCAR unveils how unchartered teams will qualify for races.
By Nate Ryan
Two days after announcing a landmark agreement that guaranteed 36 Charter teams in every Sprint Cup race, NASCAR unveiled how the other four spots will be determined each week.
For all races but the season-opening Daytona 500, the Charter teams will be assigned starting positions in the 40-car field based on their qualifying speeds. The four “Open” slots will be determined by the qualifying results of teams that don’t have charters.
If qualifying is canceled, the combined practice speeds determine the positions of the four “Open” teams. If practice and qualifying are canceled, owner points will determine the four Open teams (2015 owner points will be used in the first three races this season).
For the Daytona 500, a Sunday qualifying session still will set the front row. The rest of the field will be set by the two Can-Am Duel qualifying races Thursday. The fields of the two qualifying races will be split evenly between Charter teams and Open teams.
The 36 Charter teams will have their starting positions determined by their finishes (aside from the top two Daytona 500 qualifiers).
The remaining four Open positions will be assigned to:
–The highest-finishing Open team in each qualifying race.
–The final two slots will be awarded based on qualifying speeds (if not already a top Open team finisher in the qualifying race).
If Daytona 500 qualifying is canceled, the top two finishing Open teams in each qualifier will earn Daytona 500 starting spots.
If the second Can-Am Duel race is canceled, the highest-finishing Open team in the first race earns a starting spot, and the final three spots are awarded based on qualifying.
If both Can-Am Duel qualifying races are canceled, qualifying determines the starting spots of all four Open teams.
If qualifying and the Can-Am Duel are canceled, the combined practice speeds are used to determine the four Open teams.
If all on-track activity before the Daytona 500 is canceled, the 2015 owner points will determine the four Open teams.
NASCAR also revealed slight changes to its Sprint Cup points system with the field size dropping from 43 cars to 40. The formula will remain one point per position; with the winner awarded 40 points (instead of 43) and 40th still awarded one. There remains a three-point bonus for a win, one point for leading a lap and another point for leading the most laps.
For all races but the season-opening Daytona 500, the Charter teams will be assigned starting positions in the 40-car field based on their qualifying speeds. The four “Open” slots will be determined by the qualifying results of teams that don’t have charters.
If qualifying is canceled, the combined practice speeds determine the positions of the four “Open” teams. If practice and qualifying are canceled, owner points will determine the four Open teams (2015 owner points will be used in the first three races this season).
For the Daytona 500, a Sunday qualifying session still will set the front row. The rest of the field will be set by the two Can-Am Duel qualifying races Thursday. The fields of the two qualifying races will be split evenly between Charter teams and Open teams.
The 36 Charter teams will have their starting positions determined by their finishes (aside from the top two Daytona 500 qualifiers).
The remaining four Open positions will be assigned to:
–The highest-finishing Open team in each qualifying race.
–The final two slots will be awarded based on qualifying speeds (if not already a top Open team finisher in the qualifying race).
If Daytona 500 qualifying is canceled, the top two finishing Open teams in each qualifier will earn Daytona 500 starting spots.
If the second Can-Am Duel race is canceled, the highest-finishing Open team in the first race earns a starting spot, and the final three spots are awarded based on qualifying.
If both Can-Am Duel qualifying races are canceled, qualifying determines the starting spots of all four Open teams.
If qualifying and the Can-Am Duel are canceled, the combined practice speeds are used to determine the four Open teams.
If all on-track activity before the Daytona 500 is canceled, the 2015 owner points will determine the four Open teams.
NASCAR also revealed slight changes to its Sprint Cup points system with the field size dropping from 43 cars to 40. The formula will remain one point per position; with the winner awarded 40 points (instead of 43) and 40th still awarded one. There remains a three-point bonus for a win, one point for leading a lap and another point for leading the most laps.
SOCCER: Accam stars in Fire's 4-2 preseason win against Philly.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Chicago Fire winger scored twice and played a big part in a third goal in the Fire's 4-2 preseason win against the Philadelphia Union at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex.
Accam got the scoring started with a penalty kick. In the 14th minute his corner drew a hand ball in the box. He slotted the ensuing penalty home.
The lead didn't last long at all though. The Union scored 53 seconds after the kick off to score with Sebastien Le Toux crossing into rookie Fabian Herbers, who scored with a back heel. Herbers was a college teammate of starting Fire center back Vincent Keller at Creighton this fall.
The Fire struggled to make a mark on the game for much of the rest of the first half, but the best chances continued to come from the left wing and Accam. Accam broke free when trialist John Goossens hit a through ball to Accam in stride on the wing. Accam blew by the defender and scored with a low finish past goalkeeper Andre Blake for a 2-1 Fire lead in the 40th minute.
The Fire made seven changes at halftime. Sean Johnson, Matt Polster and Brandon Vincent played their first action of the Fire's preseason. Accam, Vincent Keller,
Jonathan Campbell and Michael Harrington were the four starters to stay on after halftime. Harrington moved from right back to left back when Vincent came on for Joey Calistri, who started at right back for the second straight preseason game.
Accam nearly had his hat trick when he broke through the Philadelphia defense again in the 58th minute. He dribbled around Blake, but saw his shot cleared off the line by a diving clearance from defender Ken Tribbett.
Two minutes later Accam created yet another chance, but this one found the back of the net. He combined with Gilberto down the left wing and fired a shot at Blake, which created a rebound that popped right up to Nick LaBrocca. LaBrocca headed in the easy finish for a 3-1 lead.
Gilberto scored a goal of his own in the 64th minute when a defensive turnover by the Union gave Gilberto an open shot, which he did not miss.
Alex Morrell soon subbed in for Accam. Collin Fernandez left a few minutes after picking up an injury. He was replaced by Vincent Mitchell. Joao Meira made his first appearance this preseason as a second half sub. Every healthy field player in camp appeared.
Warren Creavalle scored in the 83rd minute for Philadelphia by finishing a cross from the right.
The Fire will travel back to Chicago tomorrow with the Florida part of the preseason now completed. The next preseason game is in Portland on Feb. 21 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
MLS announces Arsenal as All-Star Game opponent.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Major League Soccer made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday that Arsenal will be the seventh different English team to play the MLS All-Stars. The game will take place on July 28.
Avaya Stadium is the home of the San Jose Earthquakes which opened in 2015. The Chicago Fire played the first official match there in the Earthquakes’ home opener on March 22. San Jose won 2-1.
“We’re thrilled to be able to welcome Arsenal this summer for a number of reasons,” said Mark Abbott, President and Deputy Commissioner of MLS, at the press conference. “Not only are they one of the top clubs in the world and it continues our tradition of having high level competition for the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, but there are a number of deep connections between Arsenal and our league.”
Abbott mentioned Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke also owns the Colorado Rapids, Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis was once the deputy commissioner of MLS and Arsenal greats Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry also played in MLS.
Last year the MLS All-Stars beat Tottenham, Arsenal’s biggest rival, 2-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Rapids. Arsenal last played in the U.S. in 2014 when the club played the New York Red Bulls.
San Jose last hosted the MLS All-Star Game in 2001 when the game was still played with the East vs. West format.
Week 26: Top 5 Premier League storylines — Top-four battle royal.
By Andy Edwards
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
One group of Premier League savants knew: the PL schedule makers, which is why this Sunday shall henceforth be known as “Super Duper Mega Uber Sunday,” as it’s 3rd versus 1st, and 4th versus 2nd.
Top-four battle royal, part 1
Arsenal vs. Leicester City — Sunday, 7 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
Will Arsenal “Arsenal it up?” Will Leicester finally fall apart and blow the PL title, as they were supposed to have done
Top-four battle royal, part 2
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur — Sunday, 11:15 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
The last time Tottenham were ahead of Man City this late in the season will have to have been the final day of the 2009-10 season, when Spurs qualified for the UEFA Champions League just ahead of City. Heading into Sunday, a single point is all that separates the sides. When they met earlier this season, Spurs hammered City, to the tune of 4-1. The importance of three points speaks for itself, as either side could surge into a commanding place in the title race with a victory on Sunday.
Man United's top-four hopes hanging by a thread
Sunderland vs. Manchester United — Saturday, 6:45 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
As the PL’s top-four teams have kept winning in recent weeks, so too have Man United, to an extent. With that, the Red Devils are no closer to Champions League qualification today than they were three weeks ago before their mini-run of 11 points from six games. Only Aston Villa (10), who are rock bottom of the league, have won fewer points at home this season than Sunderland (12). United are currently six points back of 4th, so with at least two of the four sides ahead of them guaranteed to drop points on Sunday, it’s a big, big weekend for United to take of their own business and apply a little pressure.
The Fallen On Hard Times But Someone Has To Win (Maybe) Derby
Crystal Palace vs. Watford — Saturday, 10 a.m. ET (Premier League Extra Time)
When 2016 began, Crystal Palace were 5th in the PL. Unfortunately for them, the clock also struck midnight on what had been a hugely successful season to that point — five losses and one draw since, and they’re now 12th in the league table. The story is eerily similar for Watford, who were 7th after a Boxing Day draw with Chelsea — five losses, a draw and a win later, they’re 10th. A single point is all that separates Saturday’s combatants desperately hoping to regain their early-season form.
Is Roberto Martinez's employment under review? It might be
Everton vs. West Bromwich Albion — Saturday, 10 a.m. ET (NBCSN)
Everton will be a fascinating club to watch as the 2015-16 season winds down. There’s essentially no chance of them finishing in the top-four or -five (12 and 6 points back, respectively), and they look essentially the same side that massively disappointed en route to an 11th-place finish last season — they’re atrocious and hugely naïve defensively, which has been a characteristic of Roberto Martinez-managed teams since, well, the beginning of his managerial career. $100 million is a lot of money to spend over four transfer windows without any discernible progress.
NCAABKB: BUBBLE BANTER: All of tonight’s bubbly action in one place.
By Rob Dauster
By Rob Dauster
(AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Trying to evaluate the profile that Temple (KenPom: 95, RPI: 69) eventually puts together.
The Owls are currently sitting tied for first place in the American at 9-3. They’ve swept UConn after coming from down 12 to beat the Huskies in Philly on Thursday. They’ve swept Cincinnati. They handed SMU their first loss of the season. They beat Tulsa. That’s four top 50 and six top 100 wins, which are good numbers in comparison to other bubble teams.
The problem?
They also lost at Memphis (yuck) and East Carolina (double yuck), have a non-conference strength of schedule that sits right around 200, lost to every good team they played out of conference and have thus far managed just six top 150 wins this season. The other issue? They’ve basically run out of quality opponents in the league. They do play at Tulsa (RPI: 50) and Houston (RPI: 91), which are basically must-wins at this point, and since every other opponent they play in the American has a sub-100 RPI, those are essentially can’t-lose games.
What that leaves us is the Villanova game. That will be played next week, and that’s as close to a must-win as you can get in mid-February.
WINNERS
- Cal (KenPom: 44, RPI: 32): The Golden Bears absolutely dominated the best team in the Pac-12 in Oregon and landed a critical win for their profile. Cal now has four top 50 wins, four more top 100 wins and just two of their eight losses came against teams outside the top 100. This win means that, as long as Cal wins the games they’re supposed to win down the stretch, they should be in.
- Indiana (KenPom: 24, RPI: 51): The Hoosiers picked up a critical win over Iowa, one that likely moves them off of the bubble for now. Indiana has a non-conference schedule strength in the 230s, three losses outside the RPI top 90 and, now, just two top 50 wins. They needed this.
- Syracuse (KenPom: 39, RPI: 44): Syracuse landed their sixth top 50 win and eighth top 100 win of the season on Thursday. They also got word that the selection committee will factor in that Jim Boeheim missed time for the Orange. It may be time to take them off of this list, at least for the time being.
- Oregon State (KenPom: 81, RPI: 31): The Beavers are putting together a pretty impressive profile. They beat Stanford on Thursday, their seventh top 100 win. They are 6-5 against the top 50 and all eight of their losses have come against top 75 opponents. Four of their last six games are on the road, including a trip to Eugene to take on the Ducks. It’s not going to be easy.
- Colorado (KenPom: 56, RPI: 29): They tried their hardest not to, but the Buffaloes eventually did get a win over Washington State at home. In double-overtime. Colorado is in the tournament right now and is probably three wins away from locking up their bid.
- Gonzaga (KenPom: 33, RPI: 66): The Zags beat Portland, setting up the most important game of their season: a trip to SMU on Saturday. They have to win that if they want an at-large bid.
- Valparaiso (KenPom: 22, RPI: 48): The Crusaders still have an outside shot at an at-large bid, but they are at a point where they cannot afford another loss. Win out, lose in the Horizon final and they’ll have a chance. They won on Thursday.
LOSERS
- UConn (KenPom: 19, RPI: 46): On paper, UConn’s loss at Temple on Thursday isn’t all that bad. It’s a road loss to a top 100 opponent. Those happen in league play. Where it hurts is that the Owls have now not only swept UConn, but they did it by erasing a 12-point lead in the final five minutes. The Huskies fall to just 5-7 against the top 100 with just one top 50 win, albeit at Texas. With no bad losses and two shots left against SMU, UConn is still in decent shape.
- Florida State (KenPom: 37, RPI: 38): The Seminoles missed a shot at landing a nice road win at Syracuse on Thursday. It doesn’t hurt their profile, and with three top 25, another top 50 and a top 100 opponent left on their schedule, there are still chances to play their way onto the bubble. The problem? All those games are losable as well.
- VCU (KenPom: 32, RPI: 40): The Rams were on the wrong end of a brutal loss to UMass on Thursday night. It’s not the kind of loss that is going to eliminate VCU from the bubble conversation — not by any stretch — but one of the strengths of VCU’s résumé was that they didn’t have any bad losses to speak of. Now they have a loss to a sub-150 team. Their next four games are all potential landmines as well. Will Wade’s club would do well to avoid losing any of those four.
- Stanford (KenPom: 104, RPI: 71): The Cardinal lost at home to Oregon State on Thursday, digging the hole even deeper. Stanford will have some chances to get big wins down the stretch, but they have quite a bit of work to do.
- Saint Mary’s (KenPom: 26, RPI: 52): It may be time to write off Saint Mary’s for good. They lost to Pepperdine tonight, meaning that the Gaels now have no top 50 wins, four top 150 wins and two sub 125 losses.
- Arkansas-Little Rock (KenPom: 41, RPI: 63): The Trojans has two good wins — at Tulsa and at San Diego State — but with just two top 150 wins and two sub-150 losses, UALR probably couldn’t afford losing to Louisiana Monroe on Thursday.
BUBBLE BANTER: Saint Joseph’s lands huge win, as does Texas Tech, Butler, Marquette. (Wednesday night's results, 02/10/2016).
By Rob Dauster
This is the win that Saint Joseph’s (KenPom: 48, RPI: 30) needed.
Well, that’s not exactly true. They are now 20-4 on the season and 10-2 in the Atlantic 10. They haven’t lost to anyone ranked outside the RPI top 50, and while that seems like it should be a simple thing to do, upsets happen all the time in college basketball. Not losing to anyone that stinks is one of the marks of a good team.
The problem, however, is that prior to their trip to Foggy Bottom on Wednesday, the best win that St. Joe’s had on the season … Princeton? At Temple? They were without an RPI top 50 win and, if you factor in Buffalo, the Hawks and three top 100 wins on their résumé.
That’s not exactly the stuff of at-large bids.
And then Wednesday happened, and the Hawks went into the Smith Center and hammered a good George Washington team by 18 points, the same GW team that went into Richmond on Saturday and handed VCU their first loss of the conference season.
It looks like nothing more than a top 50 road win on their profile, but for at least one person that was in attendance (Hi!), it was something of a statement win. I had my doubts about the group, and while the eye-test is totally subjective and probably the worst way to gauge whether or not a team is a tournament team, they certainly passed my eye-test today.
WINNERS
- Butler (KenPom: 41, RPI; 67): The Bulldogs landed a critical win on Wednesday night, as they went into Newark and knocked off a Seton Hall team that is probably better than you realize. That’s an RPI top 50 win on the road that’s getting added to a résumé that, entering the night, had just a single top 50 win. Period. The Bulldogs still have plenty of work to do, but with their only two bad losses coming on the road against league competition and five wins against the top 100 with four coming away from Hinkle Fieldhouse, Chris Holtmann’s club has positioned themselves nicely to not only get a bid but get a solid seed as well.
- Texas Tech (KenPom: 59, RPI: 51): The Red Raiders kept their hopes of an at-large bid alive by beating an undermanned Iowa State team in Lubbock. The Cyclones played without Jameel McKay, but that isn’t going to be discussed by the selection committee, at least not in regards to Tech’s profile. They still have some work to do, and a home win over Oklahoma next week might be what does the trick.
- Wisconsin (KenPom: 51, RPI: 62): Don’t look now, but the Badgers have won six straight games. Included in that stretch? Michigan State and Indiana. Greg Gard’s group is still a ways away from really being a bubble threat — that’s what happens when you have four sub 100 losses, two of which are sub-150 and one of which is against Western Illinois and their 272nd RPI. But Wisconsin, after beating Nebraska, is now firmly back on the bubble of the bubble. So good for them, I guess.
- Marquette (KenPom: 103, RPI: 106): The Golden Eagles knocked off Providence despite 42 points from Ben Bentil in Milwaukee, giving them a sweep of the Friars. This puts Marquette back in striking distance of the bubble, but they still have quite a bit of work left to do. Their 6-8 record against the top 100 isn’t bad, the loss to DePaul is and that 306 non-conference strength of schedule is a major black eye on their profile. Between the regular season and the Big East tournament, I think Marquette needs seven more wins to get in.
- Tulsa (KenPom: 61, RPI: 65): The Golden Hurricane are also back in the conversation after they landed their third top 50 win of the season, going into Dallas and picking off SMU.
- South Carolina (KenPom: 45, RPI: 28): The Gamecocks beat LSU in Columbia on Wednesday night, a win that probably is better in real life than it looks on an NCAA tournament profile. The reason that South Carolina is even in the bubble conversation is that they have just one top 50 win. But this will be their eighth top 100 win, compared to just three losses, none of which are sub-100.
- Michigan (KenPom: 46, RPI: 56): The Wolverines just needed to avoid losing to Minnesota to keep themselves on the right side of the bubble. They did that, although the final score was much closer than any Wolverine fan would have liked.
- Vanderbilt (KenPom: 35, RPI: 58): Like Michigan, Vanderbilt just needed to avoid the résumé disaster that would be a loss to Missouri. They did just that. Kudos.
LOSERS
- LSU (KenPom: 53, RPI: 76): LSU’s NCAA tournament profile will remain one of the most intriguing in college hoops after the Tigers lost to South Carolina on the road. This was a chance for the Tigers to make a statement, to go into Columbia while in sole possession of first place in the SEC and beat a South Carolina team that is currently sitting in the top 30 of the RPI. They didn’t, which means that the Tigers are now 15-9 on the season with just one of their six top 100 wins coming against the top 50. That said, LSU’s terrible losses don’t look so terrible these days; from an RPI perspective, Marquette — who is currently 106th in the RPI — is their worst loss. And that non-conference strength of schedule that was one of the ten worst in all of college basketball? It’s now right around 200 after playing Oklahoma, which isn’t good but also isn’t embarrassingly bad. I think the Tigers are in, and fairly comfortably as of today.
- Seton Hall (KenPom: 31, RPI: 37): Losing to Butler certainly doesn’t help Seton Hall’s cause, but this isn’t a bad loss. The Pirates are still without a sub-100 loss, although this does drop them to 6-7 against the RPI top 100 with a pair top 50 wins. They’re still in the tournament as of today, and probably with some room to spare.
- Washington (KenPom: 80, RPI: 57): Relatively speaking, even with a road loss to Utah, the Huskies are still in decent shape. They have three top 30 wins, they’re 7-8 against the top 100 and they really have just won terrible loss. Combine that with the fact that they still play at Colorado, get the Bay Area schools at home and have the Oregon trip coming up, and the Huskies will have the chances to earn their bid. The problem? Each of those five games are losable as well.
- George Washington (KenPom: 71, RPI: 34): There are two positives to take out of GW’s loss to Saint Joseph’s on Wednesday night: 1) The Hawks may end up being an RPI top 25 team once the numbers are crunched overnight, so this is anything but a bad loss, and 2) This 18-point drubbing will look exactly the same as a one-point loss at the buzzer in the eyes of the selection committee.
- San Diego State (KenPom: 65, RPI: 49): The Aztecs lost to Fresno State at home last night. That might be the end of their at-large bid chances.
NCAAFB: Notre Dame WR Corey Robinson wins student body president election.
By Nick Bromberg
The new student body president of Notre Dame is a football player.
The new student body president of Notre Dame is a football player.
Wide receiver Corey Robinson won Wednesday night's elections. He's the son of former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson.
We are beyond excited and honored to announce that we have officially been elected the next Student Body President and Vice President of the University of Notre Dame! Thank you to everyone who voted today, the other candidates who we had the pleasure of running with, and especially to everyone who has supported us along the way. We owe this to the students, our campaign team and all of the hard work they have done, and to the shared vision that has inspired us to take on this responsibility.
Thank you, Notre Dame, we will carry out the mission we have set before us - we hope to make the university of Our Lady proud. God Bless and Go Irish, Corey & Becca
Robinson, a senior in 2016, announced his campaign in January. He told The Observer, the student paper of Notre Dame and St. Mary's, that he'd be able to juggle the responsibilities of playing football and being student body president.
“This spring, all of our practices are in the morning, so we practice from six in the morning until 10 a.m., and the rest of the day is free, and I have one class a day, no class on Fridays,” he said. “In the summer, same kind of thing — we only practice for two hours a day, and I’m going to be here every day, all day, so that’ll be easy as well. I’m only taking one class. “
Once the Irish begin their 2016 season in August, Robinson said his schedule will change but would still allow him to fully work in student government.
“In the fall, we practice to 2:30 to 7, so anything between those hours, I can’t participate in, but the rest of the day, I’m free,” he said. “I’m going to have three or four classes … and the way my schedule works, only football and student body, so that way, I’ll be able to be fully invested in both, in those two aspects.”
Robinson had 16 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown in 2015. Those numbers will likely increase next season with the departures of WR Will Fuller and RB C.J. Prosise to the NFL.
And he can also say he's more popular at Notre Dame than Nick Saban is at Alabama. OK, sort of. Saban finished fifth in the student government president elections at Alabama in 2014 despite, of course, not running for the position.
And he can also say he's more popular at Notre Dame than Nick Saban is at Alabama. OK, sort of. Saban finished fifth in the student government president elections at Alabama in 2014 despite, of course, not running for the position.
NCAA rules committee OKs increased replay official authority.
By Nick Bromberg
The thought of replay officials having more influence on college football games is closer to reality.
The NCAA rules committee approved a proposal that would allow replay officials to have the ability to stop the game to assess a targeting foul that was missed on the field. If the replay official deems the play to have occurred without the officials seeing it, the official viewing the replay can buzz down to the field to notify the referee.
The targeting foul, a penalty since 2013, has previously only been able to be assessed by officials on the field. If the Playing Rules Oversight Panel passes the proposal in March, it'll be official in 2016.
The NCAA rules committee approved a proposal that would allow replay officials to have the ability to stop the game to assess a targeting foul that was missed on the field. If the replay official deems the play to have occurred without the officials seeing it, the official viewing the replay can buzz down to the field to notify the referee.
The targeting foul, a penalty since 2013, has previously only been able to be assessed by officials on the field. If the Playing Rules Oversight Panel passes the proposal in March, it'll be official in 2016.
The rules committee also said it would allow electronic devices in the press box and locker rooms during games for coaching purposes. Electronic devices are still prohibited on the sideline however. The NFL has a deal with Microsoft that grants teams the use of tablets on the sidelines.
Other rules committee notes:
Other rules committee notes:
• The committee wants officials to enforce the 3-yard limit for linemen going downfield before a pass more strictly.
• "Deliberate" tripping should be a penalty and defenseless players now include a runner who is sliding feet first. Low blocks by a player who leaves the tackle box and blocks below the waist toward the initial position of the ball should also be prohibited.
IOC sends medical advice to Olympic committees on Zika virus. What's Your Take?
By STEPHEN WILSON
The IOC advised national Olympic committees on Friday to follow the World Health Organization's guidance on dealing with the Zika virus ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, asserting its confidence that the games will be safe.
Brazil has been hit hard by the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to severe birth defects in infants, raising concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on South America's first Olympics in August.
"All parties are taking action to address this topic, and are following developments closely," the IOC said.
The two-page note from the IOC medical commission repeated advice for travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites and for women who are planning to become pregnant to assess the potential risks of traveling to areas infected with the virus.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We've recently started following the situation concerning the Zika virus. As you may be aware, it has now made it to the United States. The CDC has jumped on this serious health problem and are monitoring it intensely. We do not have a handle on this issue yet but we're following it religiously also. It's too early to make a determination as to whether our athletes should participate or not as the Olympics are six months away and as we all know, many things can happen with this virus, good and bad, before the games start. Let's let the health authorities do their jobs and make the proper decision concerning our athletes participation in the games. As soon as we determine our position within the month before the games start, we will share it with you.
In the meantime, do you have an opinion on this issue? What are your initial thoughts and what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your position with us.
We thank you for your assessment in advance and we anxiously look forward to reading your comments.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Brazil has been hit hard by the mosquito-borne virus, which has been linked to severe birth defects in infants, raising concerns about the outbreak's potential impact on South America's first Olympics in August.
The International Olympic Committee sent a note to all national Olympic committees outlining the latest medical advice concerning Zika, the most recent problem for a country already dealing with a severe economic crisis and a sprawling corruption scandal.
"All parties are taking action to address this topic, and are following developments closely," the IOC said.
The two-page note from the IOC medical commission repeated advice for travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites and for women who are planning to become pregnant to assess the potential risks of traveling to areas infected with the virus.
"The IOC remains in close contact with the WHO to ensure that we have access to the most up-to-date information and guidance, from now through to Games time," the IOC statement said. "At the same time NOCs should consult with their national health authorities to get advice and guidance."
The IOC did not say the Olympics were threatened in any way and made clear it expects the Aug. 5-21 games to be secure for athletes and visitors.
"We remain confident that there will be a safe environment for successful and enjoyable games in Rio de Janeiro," the statement concluded.
The WHO, which declared Thursday that the Zika virus was "spreading explosively," will hold an emergency meeting of independent experts Monday to decide if the outbreak should be declared an international health emergency.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday announced a nationwide attack on the mosquito that spreads that Zika virus, vowing to "win this war" against the insect.
The mosquito has been linked by Brazilian researchers to a seemingly sudden upsurge in cases of microcephaly, in which children are born with abnormally small heads. The virus has also been linked to the paralysis-causing Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Brazilian researchers believe the strain of Zika may have entered Brazil with visitors arriving for the 2014 World Cup.
Mario Andrada, spokesman for Rio's Olympic organizing committee, said there was no threat of the games being postponed or canceled because of the outbreak.
Mario Andrada, spokesman for Rio's Olympic organizing committee, said there was no threat of the games being postponed or canceled because of the outbreak.
"We're not even thinking of that," he said. "This has never been mentioned. No way. It's impossible to do that. There is no reason to do that."
The IOC reiterated the position that, because the games will be held during the southern hemisphere winter, the mosquito population will be smaller and the threat of the virus diminished.
The IOC reiterated the position that, because the games will be held during the southern hemisphere winter, the mosquito population will be smaller and the threat of the virus diminished.
The IOC cited current medical advice that all travelers should take measures to avoid mosquito bites, including wearing long pants and long sleeves and using insect repellent.
Women who are planning to become pregnant should discuss travel plans with their health providers to assess the risk, it said.
The IOC said the WHO does not recommend any change to travel plans, but noted that some national authorities have recommended "on a precautionary basis" that pregnant women should consider avoiding travelling to areas infected by Zika.
The IOC noted that plans had already been put in place by Brazilian organizers for daily inspection of Olympic venues to remove any puddles of stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
"Rio 2016 will also continue to follow the virus protection and control measures provided by the authorities, and will provide the relevant guidance to games athletes and visitors," the statement said.
Andrada, the Rio Games spokesman, said organizers held a conference call Friday with sponsors to explain preventive measures. He said officials had started inspecting the venues and already noticed an improvement.
"In the beginning, the first few days of inspecting, we found a lot (of stagnant water)," Andrada said. "Now it's dropped dramatically."
The Australian Olympic Committee said this week that any pregnant team members "need to consider the risks very carefully" before deciding whether to go to Brazil.
The U.S. Olympic Committee said it was monitoring the situation through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the IOC, the WHO and infectious disease specialists.
The European Olympic Committees said it was following events and also expects that each individual country "will be taking strict precautions and will be advised by their own health authorities."
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We've recently started following the situation concerning the Zika virus. As you may be aware, it has now made it to the United States. The CDC has jumped on this serious health problem and are monitoring it intensely. We do not have a handle on this issue yet but we're following it religiously also. It's too early to make a determination as to whether our athletes should participate or not as the Olympics are six months away and as we all know, many things can happen with this virus, good and bad, before the games start. Let's let the health authorities do their jobs and make the proper decision concerning our athletes participation in the games. As soon as we determine our position within the month before the games start, we will share it with you.
In the meantime, do you have an opinion on this issue? What are your initial thoughts and what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your position with us.
We thank you for your assessment in advance and we anxiously look forward to reading your comments.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1879 - The first artificial ice rink opened in North America. It was at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY.
1880 - The National Croquet League was organized in Philadelphia, PA.
1982 - Wayne Gretzky tied the NHL record for points in a season when he got his 153rd point.
1987 - Bill Fitch became the fifth coach in NBA history to get 700 career wins.
1989 - Wayne Gretzky got his 45th career hat trick and achieved a 40+ goal season for the 10th time in his career.
1993 - The San Jose Sharks lost their 17th straight game to tie an NHL record.
1997 - Kevin Johnson reached 1,000 career steals.
2002 - Baseball owners approved the sale of the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos.
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