Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica
"America's Finest Sports Fan Travel Club, May We Plan An Event Or Sports Travel For You?"
We offer: Select opportunities, For your convenience, At "Very Rare but Super Fair" pricing
We offer: Select opportunities, For your convenience, At "Very Rare but Super Fair" pricing
Because it's all about you!!!
"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come." ~ Dwayne Johnson, Actor, Producer and Semi-Retired Professional Wrestler
Trending: Arnold Palmer, golf legend, dies at 87. (See the golf section for Ryder Cup and PGA updates).
(Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)
Trending: Bears take another wrong step in loss to Cowboys. (See the football section for Bears and NFL updates).
Trending: 10 Questions heading into the 2016-17 season. (Please see the basketball section for Bulls updates and NBA news).
Trending: Kevin Harvick wins at New Hampshire to advance in the Chase. (See the NASCAR section for "The Chase" racing updates and NASCAR news).
Trending: Cubs and White Sox road to the "World Series".
Cubs 2016 Record: 99-56, Clinched 09/15/2016
White Sox 2016 Record: 74-81
White Sox 2016 Record: 74-81
(See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
Houston Texans 0
New England Patriots 27
Arizona Cardinals 18
Buffalo Bills 33
Oakland Raiders 17
Tennessee Titans 19
Cleveland Browns 24
Miami Dolphins 30
Baltimore Ravens 19
Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Detroit Lions 27
Green Bay Packers 34
Denver Broncos 29
Cincinnati Bengals 17
Minnesota Vikings 22
Carolina Panthers 10
Washington Redskins 29
New York Giants 27
Los Angeles Rams 37
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32
San Francisco 49ers 18
Seattle Seahawks 37
New York Jets 3
Kansas City Chiefs 24
San Diego Chargers 22
Indianapolis Colts 26
Pittsburgh Steelers 3
Philadelphia Eagles 24
Chicago Bears 17
Dallas Cowboys 31
Atlanta Falcons Monday Night Game,
New Orleans Saints 09/26/2016
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! View from the Moon: Bears take another wrong step in loss to Cowboys.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The stated base goal of John Fox is to improve every week, show improvement somewhere. Three games in the 2016 season, the exact opposite is transpiring, with all the ominous implications that go with that trend line for an organization trying to pull itself out of what had looked to be a generational low point. Before Sunday anyway.
The Bears’ 31-17 beating at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys left the Bears (0-3) with a second straight winless September. But while some positives were found among the losses to Green Bay, Arizona and Seattle last September, the only one from Sunday seemed to be that the Bears didn’t quit, something that seemed vaguely the case as the Philadelphia game wound down.
Brian Hoyer started in place of Jay Cutler, sidelined with a thumb injury, and whether he makes a case for a change at quarterback remains to be seen. What Hoyer did do, though, was bring the Bears back, at least close to respectability, in the second half in what he personally is taking away as one significant positive from a bad game.
“The one thing that I’ll say is that to see the resilience in that [locker] room, to come back out down 24-3 at halftime and keep battling, it’s good to see that,” Hoyer said. “It’s good to have that perseverance even in tough times. You’ve got to take that, build on that and figure out how to move the ball.”
But Hoyer acknowledged that there are no moral victories in the NFL, and Sunday was not one of those anyway.
The Bears led into the fourth quarter against Houston. They led until just before halftime against Philadelphia. They never were close to leading the Cowboys.
“I think we were kind of reversed this week – very poor first half and I thought we got better on both sides of the ball the second half,” Fox said. “The bad thing about the first three games is we haven’t put a complete game together.”
More concerning perhaps, the Bears have been outplayed in virtually every phase of every game, and looked sloppy and undisciplined too often in the process, hinting at breakdowns beyond just talent issues.
Each week this season has left the Bears seemingly worse than they were the week before. The second-half collapse at Houston was followed by a more woeful performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday, which seemed almost encouraging compared to this Sunday, when the Cowboys ran up 274 yards and 24 points on the Bears – only six yards and five points fewer than the Eagles hammered for in their full game against the Bears.
The last time the Bears saw the Cowboys, the defense of Mel Tucker allowed Dallas 194 rushing yards and 41 points. The Cowboys had 135 yards and 24 points in just the first half this time. Bears opponents scored 74 and 62 points on the historically bad Tucker defenses of 2013 and 2014. The Bears of Fox/Vic Fangio allowed 105 yards in the first three last year and 83 this year.
The offense under coordinator Dowell Loggains started the season badly and initially took another step backwards against the Cowboys. The Bears managed all of four first downs and barely eight minutes time of possession in the first half. The offense scored 14 the first week, seven the second (special teams returned a punt for a TD vs. Philadelphia) and three until the Cowboys had 24 this week.
Special teams committed penalties on consecutive plays of the first half, the second costing them a recovered onside kick.
The options now? “Give up, give in or give it your all,” Fox said. “We’ve got the right kinds of guys in that locker room and I think we’ll improve from it.”
Bears grades: Brian Hoyer brings some life to offense, but too little, too late.
By John Mullin
The Bears’ 31-17 beating at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys left the Bears (0-3) with a second straight winless September. But while some positives were found among the losses to Green Bay, Arizona and Seattle last September, the only one from Sunday seemed to be that the Bears didn’t quit, something that seemed vaguely the case as the Philadelphia game wound down.
Brian Hoyer started in place of Jay Cutler, sidelined with a thumb injury, and whether he makes a case for a change at quarterback remains to be seen. What Hoyer did do, though, was bring the Bears back, at least close to respectability, in the second half in what he personally is taking away as one significant positive from a bad game.
“The one thing that I’ll say is that to see the resilience in that [locker] room, to come back out down 24-3 at halftime and keep battling, it’s good to see that,” Hoyer said. “It’s good to have that perseverance even in tough times. You’ve got to take that, build on that and figure out how to move the ball.”
But Hoyer acknowledged that there are no moral victories in the NFL, and Sunday was not one of those anyway.
The Bears led into the fourth quarter against Houston. They led until just before halftime against Philadelphia. They never were close to leading the Cowboys.
“I think we were kind of reversed this week – very poor first half and I thought we got better on both sides of the ball the second half,” Fox said. “The bad thing about the first three games is we haven’t put a complete game together.”
More concerning perhaps, the Bears have been outplayed in virtually every phase of every game, and looked sloppy and undisciplined too often in the process, hinting at breakdowns beyond just talent issues.
Each week this season has left the Bears seemingly worse than they were the week before. The second-half collapse at Houston was followed by a more woeful performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last Monday, which seemed almost encouraging compared to this Sunday, when the Cowboys ran up 274 yards and 24 points on the Bears – only six yards and five points fewer than the Eagles hammered for in their full game against the Bears.
The last time the Bears saw the Cowboys, the defense of Mel Tucker allowed Dallas 194 rushing yards and 41 points. The Cowboys had 135 yards and 24 points in just the first half this time. Bears opponents scored 74 and 62 points on the historically bad Tucker defenses of 2013 and 2014. The Bears of Fox/Vic Fangio allowed 105 yards in the first three last year and 83 this year.
The offense under coordinator Dowell Loggains started the season badly and initially took another step backwards against the Cowboys. The Bears managed all of four first downs and barely eight minutes time of possession in the first half. The offense scored 14 the first week, seven the second (special teams returned a punt for a TD vs. Philadelphia) and three until the Cowboys had 24 this week.
Special teams committed penalties on consecutive plays of the first half, the second costing them a recovered onside kick.
The options now? “Give up, give in or give it your all,” Fox said. “We’ve got the right kinds of guys in that locker room and I think we’ll improve from it.”
Bears grades: Brian Hoyer brings some life to offense, but too little, too late.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Comparisons in football are rarely exact because personnel and other factors are involved. But by any measure, even with its largest yardage (390) and points (17) outputs of the year, the Bears’ offense remained a muddled phase of the game, failing until too late in a lost cause to show meaningful progress Sunday night in a 31-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The offense last year, playing against Green Bay, Arizona and Seattle, averaged 294 yards over than 0-3 stretch, and that was including the 146-yard debacle against the Seahawks behind Jimmy Clauson. Through this year’s 0-3 start, the Bears have topped 300 yards just once, the 390 against the Cowboys, but with only 114 total yards in Sunday’s first half, and 188 of the total came in the fourth quarter after they were down 24-10.
Even in defeat the Bears last year averaged 30 rushing attempts behind a far poorer offensive line than the 2016 edition should be based purely on supposed talent. For Sunday’s first half, the Bears attempted six runs vs. 12 pass attempts. For the game the Bears attempted just 12 runs by backs and continue to look like anything but a competent rushing offense.
The Bears attempted to run more in the third quarter but by that time were behind by more than two touchdowns. The offense failed to convert any of its first six third downs and was unable to stay on the field and shift some pressure from the Bears defense to the Dallas defense when the game was still in question.
Quarterback: B+
Brian Hoyer’s first start as a Bear will not make anyone forget Josh McCown but it may raise some intriguing questions about the position as the year goes on. Hoyer was serviceable, completing eight of 12 passes in the first half and 30 of 49 for 317 yards for the game, fourth-highest yardage total of his career.
Hoyer injected some life into the offense, which picked up from a halftime deficit of 24-3 to threaten the Cowboys at least a little in the fourth quarter.
“I thought he was good,” said coach John Fox. “All parts [of the offense] were alive. We pass-protected better. We are still hit and miss with the run game. We’d pop a big run, then we’d lose minus-2.”
Running back: C-
The problem is still that whatever the Bears might have in the running game, it isn’t making its way into any coherent, consistent part of the offense.
Jordan Howard, who provided some flashes in last Monday’s loss to Philadelphia, got chances earlier this week and ripped off a 36-yard run in his first carry. Howard had a 14-yard carry in the third quarter and built a strong case for himself to take over the role of starter going forward.
Howard finished with nine carries for 45 yards as the Cowboys stacked to take his running lanes away as the first half played out and the Bears fell further behind.
“A young guy learning to figure out our system and play better,” said coach John Fox. “I think he’s done well with it and will continue to improve.”
Jeremy Langford continues to start but was ineffective early, with a missed handoff on the first series and a juggled pass on the second. Langford left in the third quarter with an ankle injury but not before getting loose for a 23-yard run, his longest carry of the season.
Receiver: B
Alshon Jeffery and Zach Miller provided what receiving firepower the Bears had, with Miller catching all four balls targeted for him in the first half, eight of nine for the game, including second-half touchdown catches of 2 and 6 yards. Miller finished with 78 yards, with a long-gainer of 26 yards.
Jeffery caught five passes for 70 yards but was blanketed with double coverage much of the game. Kevin White had a 32-yard reception but still is not breaking loose, targeted 14 times but only catching six, for a total of 62 yards.
Cameron Meredith fumbled away a first-down completion in the third quarter with the Bears starting to generate a little offensive momentum.
The offense last year, playing against Green Bay, Arizona and Seattle, averaged 294 yards over than 0-3 stretch, and that was including the 146-yard debacle against the Seahawks behind Jimmy Clauson. Through this year’s 0-3 start, the Bears have topped 300 yards just once, the 390 against the Cowboys, but with only 114 total yards in Sunday’s first half, and 188 of the total came in the fourth quarter after they were down 24-10.
Even in defeat the Bears last year averaged 30 rushing attempts behind a far poorer offensive line than the 2016 edition should be based purely on supposed talent. For Sunday’s first half, the Bears attempted six runs vs. 12 pass attempts. For the game the Bears attempted just 12 runs by backs and continue to look like anything but a competent rushing offense.
The Bears attempted to run more in the third quarter but by that time were behind by more than two touchdowns. The offense failed to convert any of its first six third downs and was unable to stay on the field and shift some pressure from the Bears defense to the Dallas defense when the game was still in question.
Quarterback: B+
Brian Hoyer’s first start as a Bear will not make anyone forget Josh McCown but it may raise some intriguing questions about the position as the year goes on. Hoyer was serviceable, completing eight of 12 passes in the first half and 30 of 49 for 317 yards for the game, fourth-highest yardage total of his career.
Hoyer injected some life into the offense, which picked up from a halftime deficit of 24-3 to threaten the Cowboys at least a little in the fourth quarter.
“I thought he was good,” said coach John Fox. “All parts [of the offense] were alive. We pass-protected better. We are still hit and miss with the run game. We’d pop a big run, then we’d lose minus-2.”
Running back: C-
The problem is still that whatever the Bears might have in the running game, it isn’t making its way into any coherent, consistent part of the offense.
Jordan Howard, who provided some flashes in last Monday’s loss to Philadelphia, got chances earlier this week and ripped off a 36-yard run in his first carry. Howard had a 14-yard carry in the third quarter and built a strong case for himself to take over the role of starter going forward.
Howard finished with nine carries for 45 yards as the Cowboys stacked to take his running lanes away as the first half played out and the Bears fell further behind.
“A young guy learning to figure out our system and play better,” said coach John Fox. “I think he’s done well with it and will continue to improve.”
Jeremy Langford continues to start but was ineffective early, with a missed handoff on the first series and a juggled pass on the second. Langford left in the third quarter with an ankle injury but not before getting loose for a 23-yard run, his longest carry of the season.
Receiver: B
Alshon Jeffery and Zach Miller provided what receiving firepower the Bears had, with Miller catching all four balls targeted for him in the first half, eight of nine for the game, including second-half touchdown catches of 2 and 6 yards. Miller finished with 78 yards, with a long-gainer of 26 yards.
Jeffery caught five passes for 70 yards but was blanketed with double coverage much of the game. Kevin White had a 32-yard reception but still is not breaking loose, targeted 14 times but only catching six, for a total of 62 yards.
Cameron Meredith fumbled away a first-down completion in the third quarter with the Bears starting to generate a little offensive momentum.
Offensive line: C
The line was difficult to assess because of curious play-calling not facilitating the offense in general establishing any rhythm. The best play of the night appeared to be Kyle Long and Bobby Massie creating a gaping seam on the right side for Jordan Howard’s first run.
But against an average defensive front, the Bears failed to gain any consistent advantage up front. What the line did do, however, is keep Brian Hoyer from being sacked on 49 dropbacks, with only one hit of Hoyer according to preliminary stats.
“I thought we protected the passer way better tonight,” said coach John Fox.
Coaching: D
That the Bears’ first play, supposed to be a simple handoff, was botched and left Brian Hoyer running with the ball points to coaching and preparation. Hoyer blamed himself for the play, a run-pass option on which he said he should’ve handed off, but the importance of a solid start in a road game cannot be overemphasized, and the Bears didn’t get that, from any possession of the first half.
The choice of a dump-off to Jeremy Langford short of the sticks on third-and-3 on the Bears’ second series was mystifying, one of the third-down plays on which receivers were put in position of needing to pick up the yardage with the football with the Dallas defense closing. With two supposed Pro Bowl guards, the Bears worked the edges of the Dallas defense early and got nothing.
The defense was hampered without its two best players (nose tackle Eddie Goldman, linebacker Danny Trevathan) but the Cowboys did generally whatever they wanted against a reeling defense that allowed 10- and 9-play drives on the first two Dallas possessions. The Cowboys were able to get ultra-quick receiver Cole Beasley in single coverage vs. linebackers (Christian Jones, Jerrell Freeman), and soft coverage allowed Dallas receivers uncontested releases with the Bears then unable to close once the ball was out.
Special teams discipline was non-existent, with a false start called on long snapper Patrick Scales prior to a field goal, then a recovered onside kick nullified by a member of the coverage team offside.
Bears Grades: Defense reaches low in loss to Cowboys.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The injuries to key players, particularly on defense, are a fact of football life for the Bears. But after allowing 31 points and 447 yards to the Dallas Cowboys and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, more yardage than in any game last year when the Bears did not allow 400 yards even once.
The defense has given up more points in the first three games of both 2015 and 2016 than it did in either of the two years of Marc Trestman/Mel Tucker defenses, record-setting disaster years for Bears defenses.
“We have to figure this out,” said linebacker Willie Young. “We better figure it out fast. It isn’t like we have a whole season ahead. We have to figure this out, like, yesterday… Quick, fast and in a hurry.”
Dallas drove 10 plays for a touchdown and nine plays for a field goal in the first quarter, at which point the game was effectively over, given the Bears’ ineptitude on offense. The Cowboys added drives of 11 and 10 plays in the second half and had five possessions of nine plays or more, holding the football for four minutes or longer on each of their first half possessions, all ending in points.
“I wish I could point to one thing,” said defensive lineman Akiem Hicks. “It was a variety of things we have to shore up and tighten up on our end.”
The Bears managed exactly one tackle for loss on 65 Dallas offensive plays and one hit – zero sacks – on Prescott.
Defensive line: D-
Linemen failed to consistently win at the point of attack vs. running plays and too often got out of rush lanes, allowing Prescott easy escapes. Pressure on Prescott was non-existent from either base 3-4 or 4-3 nickel packages.
Will Sutton started for Eddie Goldman at nose tackle and had a pass deflection in the second quarter.
“What it really comes down to is assignment football,” Hicks said. “Stay in your gaps. Play your technique. …I think in some areas we were lacking, and that’s where they took advantage of it.”
Linebacker: F
With veteran and co-captain Danny Trevathan down with a thumb injury, the surprise decision was made to start rookie Nick Kwiatkoski at inside linebacker, alongside veteran Jerrell Freeman. Kwiatkoski missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and played only in the fourth preseason game.
Leonard Floyd remains in the starting lineup and making plays, but also breaking down too often. His loss of contain, against a solid seal block by tight end Jason Witten, cost the Bears a shot at a fourth-down stop on the first Dallas possession. Floyd finished with five tackles, according to preliminary statistics.
Christian Jones was easily skirted by Prescott for a 17-yard scramble in the second quarter. Jones finished with three tackles but was a liability in pass coverage.
Freeman led the Bears with 12 tackles but linebackers did not contribute to pressure and were out of position on too many runs by Ezekiel Elliott, who finished with 30 carries for 140 yards plus 20 yards on two pass receptions.
Secondary: F
Jacoby Glenn managed a pass breakup in the end zone but was badly beaten for a 29-yard completion on a third down in the second quarter, setting up a Dallas touchdown.
Chris Prosinski broke up a throw to Dez Bryant to force the Cowboys to settle for a third-down field goal. But Prosinski failed to come up in support on a slant to Bryant inside cornerback Tracy Porter and then whiffed on a tackle of Bryant.
The front was putting next to no pressure on Prescott but coverage was too often too late in reacting to the football. Prescott finished with 19-for-24 passing for 248 yards, no interceptions and a passer rating of 123.6.
“We went out and played hard,” Glenn said. “[Dallas] is a good team. They are all fighters. I think we played good. Pretty solid. We started out kind of slow but we got going.”
Special teams: D
Connor Barth converted a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter. But overall special teams were unable to provide any help in field position for either the offense and defense.
Matters reached the point where long snapper Patrick Scales even was called for a false start on a second-quarter field goal. Barth converted the kick from five yards farther back (34 yards). The Bears then tried an onside kick, recovered the football, only to have linebacker Jonathan Anderson called for offsides.
Eddie Royal returned punts eight and nine yards.
The defense has given up more points in the first three games of both 2015 and 2016 than it did in either of the two years of Marc Trestman/Mel Tucker defenses, record-setting disaster years for Bears defenses.
“We have to figure this out,” said linebacker Willie Young. “We better figure it out fast. It isn’t like we have a whole season ahead. We have to figure this out, like, yesterday… Quick, fast and in a hurry.”
Dallas drove 10 plays for a touchdown and nine plays for a field goal in the first quarter, at which point the game was effectively over, given the Bears’ ineptitude on offense. The Cowboys added drives of 11 and 10 plays in the second half and had five possessions of nine plays or more, holding the football for four minutes or longer on each of their first half possessions, all ending in points.
“I wish I could point to one thing,” said defensive lineman Akiem Hicks. “It was a variety of things we have to shore up and tighten up on our end.”
The Bears managed exactly one tackle for loss on 65 Dallas offensive plays and one hit – zero sacks – on Prescott.
Defensive line: D-
Linemen failed to consistently win at the point of attack vs. running plays and too often got out of rush lanes, allowing Prescott easy escapes. Pressure on Prescott was non-existent from either base 3-4 or 4-3 nickel packages.
Will Sutton started for Eddie Goldman at nose tackle and had a pass deflection in the second quarter.
“What it really comes down to is assignment football,” Hicks said. “Stay in your gaps. Play your technique. …I think in some areas we were lacking, and that’s where they took advantage of it.”
Linebacker: F
With veteran and co-captain Danny Trevathan down with a thumb injury, the surprise decision was made to start rookie Nick Kwiatkoski at inside linebacker, alongside veteran Jerrell Freeman. Kwiatkoski missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury and played only in the fourth preseason game.
Leonard Floyd remains in the starting lineup and making plays, but also breaking down too often. His loss of contain, against a solid seal block by tight end Jason Witten, cost the Bears a shot at a fourth-down stop on the first Dallas possession. Floyd finished with five tackles, according to preliminary statistics.
Christian Jones was easily skirted by Prescott for a 17-yard scramble in the second quarter. Jones finished with three tackles but was a liability in pass coverage.
Freeman led the Bears with 12 tackles but linebackers did not contribute to pressure and were out of position on too many runs by Ezekiel Elliott, who finished with 30 carries for 140 yards plus 20 yards on two pass receptions.
Secondary: F
Jacoby Glenn managed a pass breakup in the end zone but was badly beaten for a 29-yard completion on a third down in the second quarter, setting up a Dallas touchdown.
Chris Prosinski broke up a throw to Dez Bryant to force the Cowboys to settle for a third-down field goal. But Prosinski failed to come up in support on a slant to Bryant inside cornerback Tracy Porter and then whiffed on a tackle of Bryant.
The front was putting next to no pressure on Prescott but coverage was too often too late in reacting to the football. Prescott finished with 19-for-24 passing for 248 yards, no interceptions and a passer rating of 123.6.
“We went out and played hard,” Glenn said. “[Dallas] is a good team. They are all fighters. I think we played good. Pretty solid. We started out kind of slow but we got going.”
Special teams: D
Connor Barth converted a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter. But overall special teams were unable to provide any help in field position for either the offense and defense.
Matters reached the point where long snapper Patrick Scales even was called for a false start on a second-quarter field goal. Barth converted the kick from five yards farther back (34 yards). The Bears then tried an onside kick, recovered the football, only to have linebacker Jonathan Anderson called for offsides.
Eddie Royal returned punts eight and nine yards.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Alexandre Fortin signs three-year deal with Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
After earning a couple of invites from the Blackhawks this offseason, Alexandre Fortin earned a contract on Sunday.
Fortin agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Blackhawks, who had invited him to prospect and training camp. The 19-year-old, who was passed over in two NHL drafts, was hoping to latch onto the Blackhawks’ organization.
“You know, it’s a nice day for me. I’ve been working on that since I was young, so now it’s just Step 1 and I’m very excited for the future,” Fortin said following Sunday’s training camp sessions. “I have to thank the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the first team that really believed in me. It’s awesome.”
Indeed, Fortin was just looking for a chance and he could get it here eventually.
“I think it’s a real plus,” Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Kitchen said. “I think he earned a contract. Right from the start, he stepped up and played. He’s been very consistent in every scrimmage. He’s been a threat to score out on the ice. I think he’s done a terrific job. He’s got to be very, very happy about the whole situation. It’s great for the organization: get a free agent who comes in and earns a three-year entry-level contract.”
The most likely scenario is he’ll head back to his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, after logging some training camp time with the Blackhawks. He could get into a preseason game, too. But the future definitely looks bright for Fortin.
“It’s, for sure, just Step 1. My real goal is to play pro,” Fortin said. “So I’ll keep learning, keep doing what coaches want, I’ll watch (the players) who I have to be like and keep working on that every day until my real dream comes true.”
Keith doing fine
Duncan Keith participated in one of the Blackhawks’ two practices again on Sunday, and Kitchen said Keith did just fine.
“The first day, Duncs, he got through the practice no problem. He didn’t have any issues. Talked to him the next day, the festival game day, and he said he was fine. Today was a little tougher day for defensemen, so we were asking a lot of them. There was a lot of 1-on-1, 2-on-1s, 2-on-2s. Duncs said after practice the forwards had it off and the D had the work day today. But he responded well afterwards,” Kitchen said. “He even asked if he could come out for the other practice, but we said no.”
Michal Rozsival ready to take whatever role Blackhawks give him.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Michal Rozsival didn’t think he’d be back this season.
The veteran defenseman didn’t know what the future held for him, but he trained as if he’d get a chance somewhere. And while he knows he may have a different role with the Blackhawks than he has in years past, he’s happy to do whatever the team asks.
“Obviously with my age, I’ve been in this role before. My last two or three years here I didn’t know what my role will be. But always told the coaches and management that I’ll play and if they need me I’m ready,” said Rozsival following the Blackhawks’ opening day of training camp on Friday. “I’m ready to do what they want me to do, whether it’s play 20 games, 30, 40 or 50 games.”
The Blackhawks’ defensive depth is stronger this season, thanks in large part to the Blackhawks signing Brian Campbell this offseason. Trevor van Riemsdyk and Erik Gustafsson gained experience last year and the Blackhawks hope to see Michal Kempny, signed this offseason, make an impact.
General manager Stan Bowman, speaking in early July, said, “Rozsival’s at a different stage but he brings a lot to the table. His role won’t be the role it was in previous years in terms of minutes or games but he can still play.” Rozsival can also help fellow Czech Kempny adjust to his new home and language. Rozsival said he doesn’t know Kempny very well yet but has seen him play.
“I feel he’s a good hockey player and he’s had some good seasons in Europe. So I’m just waiting to see what it’ll be like when he gets here and how he’s going to adjust,” Rozsival said. “But he’s a good hockey player so I’m thinking he won’t have a problem adjusting.”
Asked if he was willing to be a translator for Kempny, Rozsival said, “I’ll do my best, for sure.”
First impressions
With several players still at the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, the Blackhawks coaches saw what some of the prospects had to offer on Friday. One to watch for is Alexandre Fortin. A native of Quebec, Fortin impressed during the Blackhawks’ prospect camp this summer. He scored a goal in the team’s scrimmage today.
“Nice set of hands,” said assistant coach Mike Kitchen of Fortin. “He’s here on a tryout so we’ll keep a close eye on him. He had a good day today. Good speed, stick. We’ll keep a close eye.”
Not here yet
Patrick Kane, Ville Pokka and Kempny were not at Friday’s training camp opener. Kitchen said the three may get some down time before joining the Blackhawks.
“We’re just going to give them some time off, play it by ear,” he said. “They’ve been going since September 1, and even prior to that. We have to make sure we say to them, if they need time [take it], especially Kane with the amount of time he gets with us, the responsibility and what he went through at the World Cup. Guys like Pokka and Kempny might want to get on the ice a little bit earlier, although Patrick’s a rink rat and loves to be on the ice. That may be a coach’s choice.”
Blackhawks' Duncan Keith feeling encouraged at Day 1 of camp. (Friday, September 23, 2016).
By Tracey Myers
The veteran defenseman didn’t know what the future held for him, but he trained as if he’d get a chance somewhere. And while he knows he may have a different role with the Blackhawks than he has in years past, he’s happy to do whatever the team asks.
“Obviously with my age, I’ve been in this role before. My last two or three years here I didn’t know what my role will be. But always told the coaches and management that I’ll play and if they need me I’m ready,” said Rozsival following the Blackhawks’ opening day of training camp on Friday. “I’m ready to do what they want me to do, whether it’s play 20 games, 30, 40 or 50 games.”
The Blackhawks’ defensive depth is stronger this season, thanks in large part to the Blackhawks signing Brian Campbell this offseason. Trevor van Riemsdyk and Erik Gustafsson gained experience last year and the Blackhawks hope to see Michal Kempny, signed this offseason, make an impact.
General manager Stan Bowman, speaking in early July, said, “Rozsival’s at a different stage but he brings a lot to the table. His role won’t be the role it was in previous years in terms of minutes or games but he can still play.” Rozsival can also help fellow Czech Kempny adjust to his new home and language. Rozsival said he doesn’t know Kempny very well yet but has seen him play.
“I feel he’s a good hockey player and he’s had some good seasons in Europe. So I’m just waiting to see what it’ll be like when he gets here and how he’s going to adjust,” Rozsival said. “But he’s a good hockey player so I’m thinking he won’t have a problem adjusting.”
Asked if he was willing to be a translator for Kempny, Rozsival said, “I’ll do my best, for sure.”
First impressions
With several players still at the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, the Blackhawks coaches saw what some of the prospects had to offer on Friday. One to watch for is Alexandre Fortin. A native of Quebec, Fortin impressed during the Blackhawks’ prospect camp this summer. He scored a goal in the team’s scrimmage today.
“Nice set of hands,” said assistant coach Mike Kitchen of Fortin. “He’s here on a tryout so we’ll keep a close eye on him. He had a good day today. Good speed, stick. We’ll keep a close eye.”
Not here yet
Patrick Kane, Ville Pokka and Kempny were not at Friday’s training camp opener. Kitchen said the three may get some down time before joining the Blackhawks.
“We’re just going to give them some time off, play it by ear,” he said. “They’ve been going since September 1, and even prior to that. We have to make sure we say to them, if they need time [take it], especially Kane with the amount of time he gets with us, the responsibility and what he went through at the World Cup. Guys like Pokka and Kempny might want to get on the ice a little bit earlier, although Patrick’s a rink rat and loves to be on the ice. That may be a coach’s choice.”
Blackhawks' Duncan Keith feeling encouraged at Day 1 of camp. (Friday, September 23, 2016).
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Duncan Keith wasn’t feeling right about a month ago.
It was that right knee, the one on which he had surgery last October, so Keith decided not to play for Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Instead he focused on getting that knee fully healed and preparing for this season with the Blackhawks.
A month later, it’s turning out to be a wise decision.
Keith won’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage but he practiced on Friday when the Blackhawks opened training camp at Johnny’s IceHouse West. While he won’t be doing everything this preseason — assistant coach Mike Kitchen said Keith may not play in any scrimmages — Keith is feeling better than he did when he bowed out of World Cup.
“It's just kind of been basically going on for a while now. I tried to use some time this summer to rest it and do some different things. Once I started skating it didn't react very well so I had to do a few different things to try and get it ready,” Keith said. “It was disappointing I wasn't ready to go for the World Cup. But maybe I wouldn't be where I am right now if I didn't take the time to let it rest and not start skating again until a couple of weeks ago.”
Brent Seabrook wasn’t surprised that Keith didn’t show much of an issue.
“That guy is amazing. It looks like he hasn’t missed a step. But that’s Dunc for you,” Seabrook said. “He’s one of those kind of guys.
Keith said he’s been skating for about a month now, so the 25-minute practice on Friday was no problem.
Assistant coach Mike Kitchen said Keith “should be fine” for the season opener. Kitchen added that they won’t push Keith this preseason, They’ll also leave it up to Keith to decide if he wants to play a later scrimmage. Considering how much Keith plays during the season, Kitchen said they’re going to be as cautious as possible these next two-plus weeks. And they’ll try to rein in the workaholic Keith as much as they can.
“He wanted to go out for two practices, and we said, ‘No, just go one,’” Kitchen said. “We’re so early in camp. There’s no reason for us to push him at all.”
As far as Keith’s fitness level, Kitchen has no worries in that department, either.
“He brought that up the other day. I watched him before camp started and he was really pushing himself. I said, ‘How can you push yourself so hard? You’re a fit guy anyway.’ You don’t lose it. Those kind of guys don’t lose their fitness and are so conscious of it,” Kitchen said. “He’s at such a high level and it doesn’t take much for him to maintain that level.”
Keith was disappointed to miss World Cup of Hockey but naturally he likes what Team Canada is doing there thus far — “I think they’re going to win, but we’ll see what happens.” But Keith had to do what was best for him and the Blackhawks. Right now, he’s optimistic he’ll be ready to start the season.
“There's no concern to be honest with you. It's just like any type of thing you go through where you do the rehab and you get it ready, and when you're ready to play you're playing and there's no excuses by then,” Keith said. “I'm confident, I feel strong out there. I feel like this offseason has given me a lot of time to basically recover from six, seven, eight seasons prior to that. Since I haven't skated in a long time and getting back on the ice back here in September, I think that's all it is, is just kind of shaking some of that rust off and making sure my knee is getting better and better.”
It was that right knee, the one on which he had surgery last October, so Keith decided not to play for Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Instead he focused on getting that knee fully healed and preparing for this season with the Blackhawks.
A month later, it’s turning out to be a wise decision.
Keith won’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage but he practiced on Friday when the Blackhawks opened training camp at Johnny’s IceHouse West. While he won’t be doing everything this preseason — assistant coach Mike Kitchen said Keith may not play in any scrimmages — Keith is feeling better than he did when he bowed out of World Cup.
“It's just kind of been basically going on for a while now. I tried to use some time this summer to rest it and do some different things. Once I started skating it didn't react very well so I had to do a few different things to try and get it ready,” Keith said. “It was disappointing I wasn't ready to go for the World Cup. But maybe I wouldn't be where I am right now if I didn't take the time to let it rest and not start skating again until a couple of weeks ago.”
Brent Seabrook wasn’t surprised that Keith didn’t show much of an issue.
“That guy is amazing. It looks like he hasn’t missed a step. But that’s Dunc for you,” Seabrook said. “He’s one of those kind of guys.
Keith said he’s been skating for about a month now, so the 25-minute practice on Friday was no problem.
Assistant coach Mike Kitchen said Keith “should be fine” for the season opener. Kitchen added that they won’t push Keith this preseason, They’ll also leave it up to Keith to decide if he wants to play a later scrimmage. Considering how much Keith plays during the season, Kitchen said they’re going to be as cautious as possible these next two-plus weeks. And they’ll try to rein in the workaholic Keith as much as they can.
“He wanted to go out for two practices, and we said, ‘No, just go one,’” Kitchen said. “We’re so early in camp. There’s no reason for us to push him at all.”
As far as Keith’s fitness level, Kitchen has no worries in that department, either.
“He brought that up the other day. I watched him before camp started and he was really pushing himself. I said, ‘How can you push yourself so hard? You’re a fit guy anyway.’ You don’t lose it. Those kind of guys don’t lose their fitness and are so conscious of it,” Kitchen said. “He’s at such a high level and it doesn’t take much for him to maintain that level.”
Keith was disappointed to miss World Cup of Hockey but naturally he likes what Team Canada is doing there thus far — “I think they’re going to win, but we’ll see what happens.” But Keith had to do what was best for him and the Blackhawks. Right now, he’s optimistic he’ll be ready to start the season.
“There's no concern to be honest with you. It's just like any type of thing you go through where you do the rehab and you get it ready, and when you're ready to play you're playing and there's no excuses by then,” Keith said. “I'm confident, I feel strong out there. I feel like this offseason has given me a lot of time to basically recover from six, seven, eight seasons prior to that. Since I haven't skated in a long time and getting back on the ice back here in September, I think that's all it is, is just kind of shaking some of that rust off and making sure my knee is getting better and better.”
CUBS: David Ross helps Cubs edge Cardinals in regular season home finale.
Associated Press
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
David Ross got fired up when Cubs manager Joe Maddon walked to the mound with two out in the seventh inning, ready to argue for Jon Lester to stay in the game.
Maddon and Lester had a different plan.
"Joe looked at him and said 'Have you ever been a part of where the catcher gets taken out of the game before the pitcher?'" Lester said, describing the scene with a big grin. "You can just see him, it's like the kid at the candy store when you tell him he can pick out whatever he wants.
"It was just like the disbelief in his face and slams his mask back over his face and all he can say is 'I love you guys. I love you guys. I love you guys.'"
Ross then walked off to another standing ovation from a raucous crowd of 40,859 at Wrigley Field, part of a heartwarming Sunday night for the backup catcher in his last season. He also hit his 10th homer and teamed with Lester for another scoreless performance, helping the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It was an amazing night," Ross said.
Ben Zobrist had three hits and scored two runs as Chicago finished with a major league-best 57-24 home record. It's the most home wins for the Cubs since they went 58-19 at the West Side Grounds in 1910.
The Cardinals lost for the third time in four games, wasting a chance to improve their playoff positioning. They remain a half-game back of San Francisco for the second NL wild card after the Giants lost 4-3 at San Diego earlier in the day.
"I think we're in a good position right now," pitcher Carlos Martinez said through a translator. "I also think we have a great shot at winning the World Series."
Ross, Lester's regular catcher, was greeted with a long standing ovation when he came to the plate in the second inning. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina walked halfway to the mound, forcing the unassuming Ross to take in the moment, and he took off his batting helmet to acknowledge the cheering crowd.
Ross then struck out, but he got another chance in the fifth and drove Martinez's second pitch over the wall in left for 1-0 lead. Ross clapped his hands as he rounded first on his 10th homer and the cheers continued after he reached the dugout, prompting a curtain call.
"It was just fitting that David would hit a home run, isn't it?" Maddon said. "I mean it had to have happened tonight."
Lester (19-4), one of the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award, struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander allowed three hits and walked one while improving to 10-0 with 1.34 ERA in his last 13 starts.
It was Lester's idea to pull Ross in the middle of an inning.
"He's like a brother to me and for him to give me that was pretty cool," Ross said.
The Cardinals pulled within one on Jhonny Peralta's two-out RBI single in the eighth, but Brandon Moss flied to center with runners on the corners. Willson Contreras responded with an RBI single in the bottom half and Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 16th save with the NL Central champions and No. 36 on the year.
Martinez (15-9), pitching with a heavy heart after the death of Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez in a boating accident, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked four.
"He had lots of juice," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "It's probably the hardest sinker I've ever seen him throw. A couple of those were 97 (mph). He was locked in. He wanted it bad today, and he was good enough for us to win."
Maddon and Lester had a different plan.
"Joe looked at him and said 'Have you ever been a part of where the catcher gets taken out of the game before the pitcher?'" Lester said, describing the scene with a big grin. "You can just see him, it's like the kid at the candy store when you tell him he can pick out whatever he wants.
"It was just like the disbelief in his face and slams his mask back over his face and all he can say is 'I love you guys. I love you guys. I love you guys.'"
Ross then walked off to another standing ovation from a raucous crowd of 40,859 at Wrigley Field, part of a heartwarming Sunday night for the backup catcher in his last season. He also hit his 10th homer and teamed with Lester for another scoreless performance, helping the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
"It was an amazing night," Ross said.
Ben Zobrist had three hits and scored two runs as Chicago finished with a major league-best 57-24 home record. It's the most home wins for the Cubs since they went 58-19 at the West Side Grounds in 1910.
The Cardinals lost for the third time in four games, wasting a chance to improve their playoff positioning. They remain a half-game back of San Francisco for the second NL wild card after the Giants lost 4-3 at San Diego earlier in the day.
"I think we're in a good position right now," pitcher Carlos Martinez said through a translator. "I also think we have a great shot at winning the World Series."
Ross, Lester's regular catcher, was greeted with a long standing ovation when he came to the plate in the second inning. St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina walked halfway to the mound, forcing the unassuming Ross to take in the moment, and he took off his batting helmet to acknowledge the cheering crowd.
Ross then struck out, but he got another chance in the fifth and drove Martinez's second pitch over the wall in left for 1-0 lead. Ross clapped his hands as he rounded first on his 10th homer and the cheers continued after he reached the dugout, prompting a curtain call.
"It was just fitting that David would hit a home run, isn't it?" Maddon said. "I mean it had to have happened tonight."
Lester (19-4), one of the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award, struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. The left-hander allowed three hits and walked one while improving to 10-0 with 1.34 ERA in his last 13 starts.
It was Lester's idea to pull Ross in the middle of an inning.
"He's like a brother to me and for him to give me that was pretty cool," Ross said.
The Cardinals pulled within one on Jhonny Peralta's two-out RBI single in the eighth, but Brandon Moss flied to center with runners on the corners. Willson Contreras responded with an RBI single in the bottom half and Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth for his 16th save with the NL Central champions and No. 36 on the year.
Martinez (15-9), pitching with a heavy heart after the death of Miami pitcher Jose Fernandez in a boating accident, allowed two runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out six and walked four.
"He had lots of juice," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "It's probably the hardest sinker I've ever seen him throw. A couple of those were 97 (mph). He was locked in. He wanted it bad today, and he was good enough for us to win."
WHITE SOX: Carlos Rodon strikes out 11 as White Sox top Indians.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Carlos Rodon and his filthy repertoire made sure Cleveland’s celebration would have to wait for another day.
Rodon had his best outing of the season on Sunday afternoon and the White Sox prevented the Cleveland Indians from clinching an American League Central title with a 3-0 win in front of 24,118 at Progressive Field. Rodon matched a career-high with 11 strikeouts and allowed just two hits and three walks over eight scoreless innings.
David Robertson struck out the side in the ninth to convert his 36th save. The two White Sox pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts in the two-hitter, including eight of the last nine.
“That’s the best I’ve seen (Rodon),” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “Strike one was the biggest thing and it was with authority, it was placed well. After that it just seems like he got better as the game moved along. A couple of guys get on and he turned it up in key situations. In the middle of the game, late in the game. He had it all.”
Working with a strong fastball and a wipeout slider, Rodon had no-hit stuff from the outset as he breezed through the early innings. The left-hander retired the side in order in the first on 10 pitches and only slowed down once.
He worked around a leadoff walk in the second inning and didn’t put another man on base until he walked Jose Ramirez with one out in the fourth inning. But Rodon rebounded from that with a strikeout of Mike Napoli and a Carlos Santana pop out.
Brandon Guyer ended Rodon’s no-hit bid with a leadoff single to center in the fifth inning and Coco Crisp followed with a walk. Both runners moved into scoring position on a sac bunt, but Rodon toughened up and escaped the jam with his 1-0 lead intact. Michael Martinez’s fly out to shallow right wasn’t deep enough to score Guyer from third and Rodon blew a 95-mph fastball past Rajai Davis to strand the pair in scoring position.
“When he did get in a jam he settled down,” third baseman Todd Frazier said. “You didn’t see him get antsy or excited. You see it in pitchers’ faces. Sometimes guys got antics out there with the pouty face. He didn’t have any of that, he just bulldogged his way through and I couldn’t be happier for him. Hopefully there’s more of that to come for him next year.”
Rodon was superb the rest of the way as he retired the side in order in the sixth and eighth innings, including striking out all three men in the latter. Rodon struck out five of seven batters between the seventh and eighth innings to establish a new season-high and tie his career mark with 11.
Rodon improved to 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 starts since Aug. 6.
“I was able to drive the ball today and when I’m going good that’s the way it is, driving the ball through the zone and attacking hitters,” Rodon said. “It needs to stay like that.”
The White Sox offense provided just enough support for Rodon against Josh Tomlin and Co.
Frazier’s leadoff single in the fifth inning and stolen base set up the team’s first run as Carlos Sanchez singled to left with two outs to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead.
The White Sox later capitalized on a Michael Martinez error as they loaded the bases with one out. Pinch runner J.B. Shuck tagged on Sanchez’s fly ball to shallow center and scored even though the throw beat him as catcher Chris Gimenez couldn’t hang onto the ball.
Frazier drew a one-out walk in the ninth, stole second base and advanced to third on an error. Omar Narvaez then provided insurance with a two-out RBI single to put the White Sox up by three runs.
That was plenty for Rodon and Robertson to work with.
“There’s a lot on the line for these guys playing on the other side being able to clinch something and he just had his mind set on it,” Ventura said. “Today he was going out with a purpose. He was locating, he had great command on his changeup. It’s a lineup that has been able to rough us up before and he responded.”
White Sox grieve Jose Fernandez's death along with rest of MLB.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Whether they knew him or not, the overwhelming sentiment throughout the White Sox clubhouse on Sunday is that baseball was robbed of one of its most likeable players when Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was tragically killed in a boating accident.
Known for his vivid celebrations on the field and his wide, endless smile, Fernandez made a strong impression, whether with his skillset or infinite love of the game. White Sox players had their eyes fixed on several televisions littered throughout the visiting clubhouse at Progressive Field on Sunday during a morning press conference confirming the death of Fernandez, 24, and two others.
White Sox reliever Dan Jennings played with Fernandez for two seasons. Though he enjoyed a 3-0 White Sox win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, Jennings said his happiness was muted as he mulled the death of Fernandez, who was killed when the boat he was on slammed into a jetty in Miami Beach, Fla.
“He seemed invincible is what it was,” Jennings said. “A lot of guys know what I mean when I say he was invincible on the mound. There were days he was unstoppable, and that’s how you viewed him is invincible. It’s too hard to really put into words what he meant to the game and what he meant to Miami.”
“I just hope to love the game as much as he does some day. It’s tough to do, but he did. He had fun, and he loved the game more than anything.”
Todd Frazier remembers how approachable he found Fernandez in their limited interactions. The two met in the outfield one day after they faced each other for the first time and joked around.
“I was like, ‘Dog, you don’t throw me any fastballs,’ ” Frazier said. “He was like, “Why would I throw you fastballs?’ And we just started laughing.
“That’s the kind of guy he was. You could come up and talk to him. He had an infectious smile and just had a love for the game that I hope every ballplayer could have. It’s a terrible, terrible day.”
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Fernandez’s death reminded him of the March 22, 1993 accident that took the lives of Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews. Only pitcher Bob Ojeda survived that crash and Ventura remembers the shockwaves it sent through clubhouses throughout baseball.
“I can still remember … just how sad that was,” Ventura said. “You don’t have to know them personally. But they’re within their group, and it breaks everybody up. It really does.”
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon didn’t have a chance to meet Fernandez, a pitcher he admired for his competitive style and bulldog mentality. But another reason Rodon looked up to Fernandez is for the way he seemed to play the game with such joy. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said during a press conference Sunday that Fernandez enjoyed the game like a Little Leaguer does.
Rodon recently spoke about rediscovering his own joy of baseball. Naturally, Rodon’s thoughts drifted toward Fernandez when he took the mound on Sunday.
“You could tell,” Rodon said. “We had a beautiful day to come out and play and sad to say that one person is never going to get to play again. He’ll be very missed. You can’t take these days for granted. Just hope you guys go home today and tell the people you love, you love them. Losing a person like that is hard.”
Known for his vivid celebrations on the field and his wide, endless smile, Fernandez made a strong impression, whether with his skillset or infinite love of the game. White Sox players had their eyes fixed on several televisions littered throughout the visiting clubhouse at Progressive Field on Sunday during a morning press conference confirming the death of Fernandez, 24, and two others.
White Sox reliever Dan Jennings played with Fernandez for two seasons. Though he enjoyed a 3-0 White Sox win over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, Jennings said his happiness was muted as he mulled the death of Fernandez, who was killed when the boat he was on slammed into a jetty in Miami Beach, Fla.
“He seemed invincible is what it was,” Jennings said. “A lot of guys know what I mean when I say he was invincible on the mound. There were days he was unstoppable, and that’s how you viewed him is invincible. It’s too hard to really put into words what he meant to the game and what he meant to Miami.”
“I just hope to love the game as much as he does some day. It’s tough to do, but he did. He had fun, and he loved the game more than anything.”
Todd Frazier remembers how approachable he found Fernandez in their limited interactions. The two met in the outfield one day after they faced each other for the first time and joked around.
“I was like, ‘Dog, you don’t throw me any fastballs,’ ” Frazier said. “He was like, “Why would I throw you fastballs?’ And we just started laughing.
“That’s the kind of guy he was. You could come up and talk to him. He had an infectious smile and just had a love for the game that I hope every ballplayer could have. It’s a terrible, terrible day.”
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Fernandez’s death reminded him of the March 22, 1993 accident that took the lives of Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews. Only pitcher Bob Ojeda survived that crash and Ventura remembers the shockwaves it sent through clubhouses throughout baseball.
“I can still remember … just how sad that was,” Ventura said. “You don’t have to know them personally. But they’re within their group, and it breaks everybody up. It really does.”
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon didn’t have a chance to meet Fernandez, a pitcher he admired for his competitive style and bulldog mentality. But another reason Rodon looked up to Fernandez is for the way he seemed to play the game with such joy. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said during a press conference Sunday that Fernandez enjoyed the game like a Little Leaguer does.
Rodon recently spoke about rediscovering his own joy of baseball. Naturally, Rodon’s thoughts drifted toward Fernandez when he took the mound on Sunday.
“You could tell,” Rodon said. “We had a beautiful day to come out and play and sad to say that one person is never going to get to play again. He’ll be very missed. You can’t take these days for granted. Just hope you guys go home today and tell the people you love, you love them. Losing a person like that is hard.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... 10 Questions heading into the 2016-17 season.
By Sam Smith
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The 2016-17 Bulls convene Monday and there will be some big questions.
Like, what’s your name again? And, so who did you play for?
It’s the start of a new era for the Bulls. Eight of the 15 players expected on this season’s roster were not with the team last season. Gone from last season’s flawed 42-40 team are Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, E’Twaun Moore, Cameron Bairstow, Mike Dunleavy and Justin Holiday. They join previous former Bulls like Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Richard Hamilton and Kirk Hinrich, thus effectively ending the run of the group for much of the last decade that was considered a potential title contender.
So who are these new Bulls? They could be compelling. They hope to be successful. Here are perhaps the top 10 questions for the coming season:
1. Who’s going to score?
There were the injuries and the disputes, but Rose and Gasol were two of the team’s top three scorers the last two seasons. Wade should make up for at least one guy. He is 34, but he had a highly productive season in 2015-16 and was Miami’s best player in the playoffs. His departure from Miami to return to his home town team still remains one of the most shocking developments of free agency. Lopez should give the Bulls more offense than Noah. Much also will be expected from the Bulls two most prolific three-point shooters, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. There are many ways to score, not just shooting the three. Finalists Golden State and Cleveland were one/two in made threes last season. But Houston, Charlotte and Portland rounded out the top five. NBA teams averaged 115-120 points per game often in the 1960s and 1970s before the three-point shot. With Rajon Rondo’s speed, ballhandling and ability to find players, the Bulls can increase their scoring in transition and with cutting and movement.
2. What about pace and space?
Enough with that. It’s not who these Bulls are or were. It reminds me of the 1980s when everyone tried to get a big point guard to run the floor, but only the Lakers had him. This discussion that Fred Hoiberg has to play pace and space is like the New York media obsession with the triangle offense. They don’t have the personnel, so they won’t rely on it. Tet media will continue to ask about it since they don’t know what’s going on otherwise. Offenses are just systems to fall back on. Hoiberg always has emphasized playing to his talent, and with Rondo the Bulls have a premier attacking and passing point guard who is adept at finding open players. Though Rose was a better scorer, the Bulls probably haven’t had a point guard more attuned to looking for teammates since Guy Rodgers.
Like, what’s your name again? And, so who did you play for?
It’s the start of a new era for the Bulls. Eight of the 15 players expected on this season’s roster were not with the team last season. Gone from last season’s flawed 42-40 team are Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, E’Twaun Moore, Cameron Bairstow, Mike Dunleavy and Justin Holiday. They join previous former Bulls like Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Richard Hamilton and Kirk Hinrich, thus effectively ending the run of the group for much of the last decade that was considered a potential title contender.
So who are these new Bulls? They could be compelling. They hope to be successful. Here are perhaps the top 10 questions for the coming season:
1. Who’s going to score?
There were the injuries and the disputes, but Rose and Gasol were two of the team’s top three scorers the last two seasons. Wade should make up for at least one guy. He is 34, but he had a highly productive season in 2015-16 and was Miami’s best player in the playoffs. His departure from Miami to return to his home town team still remains one of the most shocking developments of free agency. Lopez should give the Bulls more offense than Noah. Much also will be expected from the Bulls two most prolific three-point shooters, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. There are many ways to score, not just shooting the three. Finalists Golden State and Cleveland were one/two in made threes last season. But Houston, Charlotte and Portland rounded out the top five. NBA teams averaged 115-120 points per game often in the 1960s and 1970s before the three-point shot. With Rajon Rondo’s speed, ballhandling and ability to find players, the Bulls can increase their scoring in transition and with cutting and movement.
2. What about pace and space?
Enough with that. It’s not who these Bulls are or were. It reminds me of the 1980s when everyone tried to get a big point guard to run the floor, but only the Lakers had him. This discussion that Fred Hoiberg has to play pace and space is like the New York media obsession with the triangle offense. They don’t have the personnel, so they won’t rely on it. Tet media will continue to ask about it since they don’t know what’s going on otherwise. Offenses are just systems to fall back on. Hoiberg always has emphasized playing to his talent, and with Rondo the Bulls have a premier attacking and passing point guard who is adept at finding open players. Though Rose was a better scorer, the Bulls probably haven’t had a point guard more attuned to looking for teammates since Guy Rodgers.
3. Will Rondo be a problem with flareups with coaches?
Can a four-time All-Star who led the league in assists last season be Most Improved? Rondo appears in a perfect situation to resurrect his reputation with a player friendly coach and mature veterans to join. He seems to know it as he’s been, the coaches say, by far the most engaged player this summer and leading up to training camp, working with young players, active in the community and a sponge for coaching and learning. With all the silly talk of who’s team it is, which is essentially specious, Rondo could emerge as a big time leader given his importance to the team with his ability to push the ball and create offense.
4. Can the Bulls make enough three pointers?
They were in the bottom third last season in makes and attempts, but third in percentage. They should get even better looks with Rondo since Rose tended to look for his shot more; similarly with Butler. Mirotic should have more catch and shoot opportunities, and though McDermott didn’t shoot those particularly well he certainly should. Plus, Bobby Portis has good three-point range and should see more playing time this season. Rookie Denzel Valentine was a good three-point shooter in college who should improve with pro level practice. And Jimmy Butler always comes back better than he was the season before. He planned to work on the three. The Bulls could surprise some with the three, but it would be a mistake to forget their cutting and penetrating abilities with Wade and Butler both proficient at getting to the free throw line. Those points with the clock off are very valuable and can make up for a lot of threes ignored. Wade always has said he was limited in the Miami offense in shooting the three, but should have more freedom with the Bulls. And he showed in last season’s playoffs shooting 52 percent on threes that he has that ability.
5. Who’s the backup point guard?
There are plenty of candidates. And why there are plenty of candidates. It’s why the Bulls added Isaiah Canaan. So while it doesn’t look like training camp will be about roster spots, there will be plenty of competition for positions. Spencer Dinwiddie could have a slight advantage coming in with a solid summer session at point guard, but the depth chart point guards don’t necessarily mean they’ll be the backup. Valentine sees the court and runs a team like a point guard. Rondo is fully healthy again. He plays a lot and averaged 35 minutes per game last season. It also doesn’t mean he needs to be backed up by a classic point guard. Wade did a lot of ball handling for the Heat and has an exceptionally high usage rate (hey, look at me with advanced stats), meaning the percentage of a team’s plays. Plus, Butler has said he likes playing point guard and did some at the end of last season. Though neither has the passing instincts of someone like Rondo, they can make plays and run pick and roll in a half court game and get to the line. Jerian Grant also will get a look, though he’s more of a scorer.
4. Can the Bulls make enough three pointers?
They were in the bottom third last season in makes and attempts, but third in percentage. They should get even better looks with Rondo since Rose tended to look for his shot more; similarly with Butler. Mirotic should have more catch and shoot opportunities, and though McDermott didn’t shoot those particularly well he certainly should. Plus, Bobby Portis has good three-point range and should see more playing time this season. Rookie Denzel Valentine was a good three-point shooter in college who should improve with pro level practice. And Jimmy Butler always comes back better than he was the season before. He planned to work on the three. The Bulls could surprise some with the three, but it would be a mistake to forget their cutting and penetrating abilities with Wade and Butler both proficient at getting to the free throw line. Those points with the clock off are very valuable and can make up for a lot of threes ignored. Wade always has said he was limited in the Miami offense in shooting the three, but should have more freedom with the Bulls. And he showed in last season’s playoffs shooting 52 percent on threes that he has that ability.
5. Who’s the backup point guard?
There are plenty of candidates. And why there are plenty of candidates. It’s why the Bulls added Isaiah Canaan. So while it doesn’t look like training camp will be about roster spots, there will be plenty of competition for positions. Spencer Dinwiddie could have a slight advantage coming in with a solid summer session at point guard, but the depth chart point guards don’t necessarily mean they’ll be the backup. Valentine sees the court and runs a team like a point guard. Rondo is fully healthy again. He plays a lot and averaged 35 minutes per game last season. It also doesn’t mean he needs to be backed up by a classic point guard. Wade did a lot of ball handling for the Heat and has an exceptionally high usage rate (hey, look at me with advanced stats), meaning the percentage of a team’s plays. Plus, Butler has said he likes playing point guard and did some at the end of last season. Though neither has the passing instincts of someone like Rondo, they can make plays and run pick and roll in a half court game and get to the line. Jerian Grant also will get a look, though he’s more of a scorer.
6. Can the Three Alphas work together?
Rondo, Wade and Butler all have been players known for, as it’s called, having the ball in their hands. This will be something they’ll have to work out among themselves. But the Celtics did a pretty good job of that with Rondo while having players like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who liked to make plays having the ball. Rondo has a history of holding onto the ball to make a play, like Steve Nash did, often dribbling through with the ball. You see it with Stephen Curry at times even as Steve Kerr wants him to give it up more quickly. The Bulls will want Rondo to outlet more and throw ahead. Wade taking a gamble as a free agent at 34 is invested in working together, and he proved he could fit with the way he eventually ceded to LeBron James. It should help Butler having a super pro and leader like Wade around.
7. Should the Bulls make a trade to clear the front court jam?
Anyone say Taj Gibson? He’s last man standing from the Rose/Noah team, but not too soon. It would be asking a lot to have Cristiano Felicio jump right in as Robin Lopez’ prime backup with just a few weeks of regular NBA play. Gibson has basically been a power forward his career, but in this NBA with activity as important as size for a center Gibson could play a lot of center. He always has been among the team’s best shot blockers and rim protectors. He was a starter last season, but with Lopez replacing Gasol at center and Lopez not as good a shooter, the Bulls will need more spacing up front. Gibson will be a free agent after the season. Wade has a player option after one season and Rondo has a partial guarantee for a second season.
8. Who will start?
Four of the five starting positions surely are set. It’s Rondo at point guard, Wade at shooting guard, Butler at small forward, Lopez at center. So who’ll start at power forward? Mirotic seems the likely candidate since he started in more than half his games last season and has the shooting range to pair with Lopez, the latter mostly an inside player. But the starting position will have to be earned. The Bulls still could use Gibson as he expanded his shooting range some last season, though not to three-point range. Bobby Portis doesn’t seem ready to start. Doug McDermott could play power forward in this NBA and could be an effective mismatch with his great shooting touch and good size at 6-8. But the power forward position is so crowded that it seems unlikely McDermott could get time there, especially because players like Mirotic and Portis don’t fit at small forward. Portis did play center in the summer league and could get some time there with certain matchups.
9. Is there a role for Tony Snell?
The athletic swingman goes into the last year of his rookie deal with plenty of uncertainty after being dropped from the rotation late last season. He’s got defensive abilities with his long arms and movement. We’ve heard again about a good summer. Can he be more aggressive? Or even a little? The talent is there. There should be desperation now. Maybe that makes a difference.
10. Where will the Bulls finish?
The preseason guessing and Las Vegas odds has them on the edge of making the playoffs. At least for the first time in six or seven years there are few expectations. But they have certified All-Stars and young shooters and could prove a surprise. One concern is that the East is stronger with previous non playoff teams like the Knicks, Magic and 76ers looking stronger. Plus, the Pacers, Celtics and Pistons seem to have improved. The Bulls have a chance to be in the mix for top four after Cleveland at the top, but realistically figure to be in with the group of playoff and potential top four hopefuls like the Hawks, Hornets, Heat, Knicks and Pistons. Burdened in recent years by injury issues, the Bulls seem to have a healthier group coming in with no one among the core players coming off a surgery or any serious injury. Wade seems to keep himself in excellent shape while Butler and Mirotic came off the Olympics looking strong. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but it should be entertaining and interesting and from a place to start looking forward once again.
Bulls preliminary Roster/Depth Chart 2016-17.
Point Guard
Rajon Rondo
The four-time All-Star and 10-year veteran is starting with his fourth team in the last three seasons. But Rondo is coming off averaging close to a triple double at 12.2 points, a league best 11.9 assists and 6.2 rebounds. He also shot a career high 36.5 percent on three pointers.
Spencer Dinwiddie
The 6-6 guard played two seasons with the Detroit Pistons as a second round pick after an ACL injury in college. He averaged 4.4 points in about 13 minutes when he did play, but has been healthy and played with the Bulls summer league team.
Jerian Grant
The Notre Dame 6-4 combo guard was the 19th pick in the 2015 draft and ended up with the Knicks. He was part of the Derrick Rose trade. He averaged 5.6 points for the Knicks in about 16 minutes per game as a rookie. He is the nephew of former Bull Horace Grant.
Isaiah Canaan
The six footer who was a second rounder of the Rockets in 2013 averaged in double figures the last two seasons for the 76ers as primarily a three-point shooter. He’s a career 36 percent on threes and has averaged about seven attempts per game the last two seasons.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade
The future Hall of Famer and Chicago native enters his 14th season with three championships, a 12-time All-Star who is probably the most famous and regarded player with the Bulls since Michael Jordan. A 2009 league scoring champion, Wade comes off a strong season when he played 74 games and averaged 19 points and 21.4 in the playoffs on a career best 52.2 percent three-point shooting.
Denzel Valentine
The rookie first round draft pick led the Bulls to the summer league title on clutch shots in the final game. He has a remarkable knack for understanding and seeing the game and running a team even as primarily a shooting guard. He was a four-year player at Michigan State and college player of the year.
Small Forward
Jimmy Butler
The 6-7 sixth year man switches to small forward, which probably is a more natural position. He’s coming off a gold medal with the USA Olympic team after being an All-Star the last two seasons and all-defensive team the last three.
Doug McDermott
The Bulls’ best shooter enters his third season after being 11th pick in the 2014 draft. He averaged 9.4 points last season and shot 42.5 percent on three pointers in 23 minutes per game after playing little as a rookie.
Tony Snell
The 2013 20th pick played his fewest games last season among his three, playing little the last quarter of the season. He averaged 5.3 points in about 20 minutes per game with defense his strength. He slumped to a three-year low 37 percent shooting.
Paul Zipser
The 6-8 swingman played in the German league last season and was a second round pick. He won an award for top young player and can play some shooting guard.
Nikola Mirotic
The third-year shooting big man averaged in double figures both seasons and came on the end of last season after appendix surgery. He shot 39 percent on threes and helped Spain win a bronze medal in this summer’s Olympics.
Bobby Portis
The second year player who was selected 22nd in the 2015 draft comes off a good summer league performance. He averaged seven points in limited play last season, playing in 62 games.
Center
Robin Lopez
The ninth-year big man, the twin of the Nets’ Brook, arrived in the Rose trade and will move into the spot occupied by Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. He averaged 10.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in starting all 82 games for the Knicks last season, his fourth team. He has started all 82 games three of the last four seasons.
Taj Gibson
The eighth-year 6-9 forward is the last holdover from the group that went to the conference finals in 2011. He’s been a power forward, but could find more minutes at center with the forward spot crowded and the team needing a rim protector. He has averaged at least a block per game every season. He shot a career best 53 percent last season.
Cristiano Felicio
The second year 6-10 center from Brazil came on late last season and played effectively with the summer league team. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in about 10 minutes per game and played for Brazil in the Olympics.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Arnold Palmer, golf legend, dies at 87.
By Jay Busbee
(Photo/Arnold Palmer/Theconservativetreehouse.com)
The right man at the right time, Arnold Palmer transformed an entire sport and, along the way, became an American legend. Palmer, one of the most famous athletes on the planet and a friend to presidents, kings, and movie stars, died Sunday at the age of 87.
Palmer, the son of a Pennsylvania country club greenskeeper, learned the sport of golf as a youth and perfected his game while at Wake Forest. He turned pro in 1955, winning a tournament in his first year as a professional, and three years later won the Masters.
Six of Palmer’s seven major wins came in a short period, from 1960 to 1964, but that happened to be the exact moment when televised sports first became a national obsession. Palmer’s good looks, humble origins, cheerful demeanor and on-course success combined to make him an early favorite of viewing audiences, and “Arnie’s Army” turned out in force wherever he played.
Palmer’s battles with Jack Nicklaus were instant legend, a rivalry that blossomed into a friendship lasting more than half a century. Along with Gary Player, the men created the foundation for modern golf, and remained connected, visible and vibrant long after their playing days were done.
Palmer was one of the first sports figures to create a vibrant off-course empire. In addition to the products he endorsed – everything from tractors to the famous “Arnold Palmer” drink – Palmer oversaw a thriving course design business and helped found The Golf Channel.
Palmer was one of the first sports figures to create a vibrant off-course empire. In addition to the products he endorsed – everything from tractors to the famous “Arnold Palmer” drink – Palmer oversaw a thriving course design business and helped found The Golf Channel.
Generations of golfers, from world-class pros to weekend hackers, owe Palmer a debt of gratitude. He was a singular force in American sports, and he’ll be deeply missed.
McIlroy wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup titles.
McIlroy wins Tour Championship, FedEx Cup titles.
By Will Gray
(Photo/The Golf Channel)
The season's final event was certainly not short on drama. Here's how things ended up at the Tour Championship, where Rory McIlroy rallied to win the tournament (and the FedEx Cup) in a playoff:
Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy (-12, won on fourth playoff hole), Ryan Moore (-12), Kevin Chappell (-12), Paul Casey (-9)
What it means: McIlroy seemed out of the mix before an improbable hole-out eagle on No. 16 was followed by a birdie on No. 18. That got him into a playoff with Moore and Chappell, and after Chappell exited on the first extra hole the remaining two combatants went toe-to-toe for a few more rounds. An errant approach to the fourth extra hole by Moore opened the door for McIlroy, who rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt to win both the tournament and FedEx Cup title.
Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy (-12, won on fourth playoff hole), Ryan Moore (-12), Kevin Chappell (-12), Paul Casey (-9)
What it means: McIlroy seemed out of the mix before an improbable hole-out eagle on No. 16 was followed by a birdie on No. 18. That got him into a playoff with Moore and Chappell, and after Chappell exited on the first extra hole the remaining two combatants went toe-to-toe for a few more rounds. An errant approach to the fourth extra hole by Moore opened the door for McIlroy, who rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt to win both the tournament and FedEx Cup title.
Round of the day: McIlroy got off to a relatively slow start, but closed with a flourish to post a 6-under 64. Birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 were followed by four straight pars before McIlroy jarred his approach on No. 16 for eagle. He hit a dramatic rescue shot from the trees on the 72nd hole to set up a closing birdie, then stuffed his approach on the first extra hole before ultimately outlasting Moore to clinch the season-long title.
Best of the rest: Moore capped an impressive postseason run with a 64 in the final round that left him just short of the tournament title but might have been enough to snag the final Ryder Cup spot. Moore rolled in putt after putt, including a lengthy birdie on No. 16 and another putt of similar length on the same hole to keep his hopes alive during the playoff. It was a remarkable effort that quickly lifted him into contention for Davis Love III's final pick.
Biggest disappointment: On a day filled with red numbers, Johnson wasn't able to get anything going. Two birdies were countered by three bogeys and a double bogey, as Johnson shot a 3-over 73 to slip from the lead into a tie for sixth. It was a tough way to finish a stellar season, and when McIlroy won the playoff it meant that the FedEx Cup title Johnson appeared to have coming his way instead went to the Ulsterman.
Shot of the day: McIlroy watched Moore roll in a lengthy par putt on the fourth extra hole to keep things interesting, then stepped up and calmly rolled in an $11.5 million birdie putt of his own that was never in doubt.
Quote of the day: "I just wanted to go out here and play the way I've been playing." - McIlroy
McIlroy: U.S.A. has 'the best task force ever'.
By Rex Hoggard
Let the games begin.
Earlier this week U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III raised some eyebrows when he said of his team, “This is the best golf team, maybe, ever assembled.”
On Saturday following a third-round 66, Rory McIlroy was asked if he’d heard Love’s comments. After a short pause, his reply was delivered with a sly smile.
“Definitely assembled the best task force ever, that's for sure,” he laughed. “Look, it's a great team. They have a lot of very talented players in there. They're obviously quite confident. So you know what, it's up to us to go there and try to upset the odds.”
McIlroy’s European teammate Lee Westwood responded to Love’s comment via Twitter, “No pressure there then lads.” And even NBC Sports analyst Johnny Miller got into the mix when asked if he considers the ’16 U.S. team better than the ’81 Ryder Cup squad, which included Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Tom Kite, Ray Floyd, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite and Miller.
“No,” Miller said. “But it is a really good team. It’s like a boxing match and [Love] is just throwing it out there. Normally you don’t say that. Somebody must have said, ‘I’ll bet you $100 you won’t say that.’”
Love: Our team 'maybe best ever assembled'.
By Golf Channel Digital
Davis Love III said his U.S. Ryder Cup team of 11 – soon to be 12 – might be the best in golf history.
Love joined Matt Adams’ “Fairways of Life” on Friday and was discussing the confidence his team needs in order to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2008.
“We don’t have to do anything superhuman, we’re a great golf team,” Love said. “This is the best golf team, maybe, ever assembled.”
Love said past teams have played “not to lose, rather than to win,” and that panic would set in early in the matches if things didn’t go well. In order to reverse that, Love said, U.S. players needed to display some bravado.
“You need to stand up there, smash it down the middle and take off walking,” he said, “and let the other team know we are going to dominate you.”
Love added that the vice captains checked in with each other on Thursday evening and that Tiger was a little late to join because of attending soccer practice. Check out the video below for more Love comments on Woods, his vice captains and their need for a game plan.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: The consensus is that the American team is exceptional this year. Prove it and let's bring the Ryder Cup home this year!!!!!
NASCAR: Kevin Harvick wins at New Hampshire to advance in the Chase.
By Kelly Crandall
(Photo/Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick took advantage of a restart with six laps to go in the Bad Boy Off Road 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to earn his third win of the season.
Harvick quickly disposed of Matt Kenseth, who had been dominant in the second half of the race, to lead the final five laps. The win, Harvick’s second at New Hampshire, comes in his 100th start with Stewart-Haas Racing, the organization he joined prior to the 2014 season. Harvick won his first championship that same year.
Sunday’s victory automatically advances Harvick and the No. 4 team to the round of 12 in the Chase.
“Man, that worked out really good,” Harvick told NBCSN in victory lane. “My car was pretty good on the restarts, and once we got clean air there at the end, it wound up being really good out front. Just really proud of our team, they did a great job. On we go.”
Kenseth finished second after leading 105 of 300 laps. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was in position for his third straight win at New Hampshire as he fended off repeated challenges from Martin Truex Jr. throughout the final 50 laps. However, Truex, who led a race-high 141 laps, fell from second to seventh on the second to last restart, which opened the door for Harvick.
“We talk about that stuff all the time,” Harvick said of the restarts. “I think for me it was just a smooth restart; I just didn’t want to spin the tires. I don’t know what happened to (Kenseth) or if I just timed it right, but worked out good when we got to Turn 1.”
Kyle Busch finished third, Brad Keselowski fourth, and Kurt Busch fifth.
HOW HARVICK WON: Harvick beat Matt Kenseth into Turn 1 on the race’s final restart with six laps to go.
WHO ELSE HAD A GOOD RACE: Brad Keselowski finished fourth after spending much of the event outside the top 10 … Pole-sitter Carl Edwards rebounded from a commitment line violation to finish seventh … Kasey Kahne was the best of the non-Chase drivers with a ninth-place finish, his fourth consecutive top-10 finish.
WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Austin Dillon finished 16th in his backup car … Jamie McMurray finished 19th … Tony Stewart finished one lap down in 23rd-place … Chris Buescher finished two laps down in 30th-place.
NOTABLE: Sunday was Kevin Harvick’s 10th career Chase win, which includes at least one win in the last five seasons. The victory was the third at New Hampshire for Stewart-Haas Racing.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Last restart’s my fault. The one before that I thought I did right and (NASCAR radioed) down that they thought I slowed up before I restarted or something, so the last one I let Kevin lay back on me which we’re supposed to be side-by-side, and I should have known better. I should have just went really late in the zone and waited until he had to get up to my nose because he anticipated it just right and laid back and plus I spun the tire, so I got beat through (Turns) 1 and 2 and then it was over.” — Matt Kenseth
WHAT’S NEXT: The Delaware 400 is the final race in the round of 16 at Dover International Speedway on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Chase points: McMurray, Dillon, Stewart, Buescher outside entering Dover cut race.
By Nate Ryan
With one race remaining in the first round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, it’s clear which drivers will be facing the most pressure in the Oct. 2 race at Dover International Speedway.
Of the 16 eligible for the championship, 12 will advance to the next round, and Jamie McMurray (ranked 13th, five points out of 12th), Austin Dillon (-5), Tony Stewart (-11) and Chris Buescher (-30) are in danger of missing the cut.
On the flip side, Brad Keselowski (35 points ahead of 13th) and Kyle Busch (+33) virtually are locked into advancing to the next round.
Martin Truex Jr. (Chicagoland) and Kevin Harvick (New Hampshire) have secured second-round berths through victories.
Full standings:
NASCAR warns teams not to ‘circumvent what happens for postrace inspection’.
By Dustin Long
(Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
NASCAR warned Sprint Cup competitors not to “circumvent what happens for postrace inspection” during the drivers meeting Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
NASCAR later confirmed the warning also meant that teams should not be swerving after the race as they do to ensure that their car meets postrace requirements.
Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president and chief racing development officer, addressed competitors at the beginning of Sunday’s meeting.
NASCAR later confirmed the warning also meant that teams should not be swerving after the race as they do to ensure that their car meets postrace requirements.
Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president and chief racing development officer, addressed competitors at the beginning of Sunday’s meeting.
“We appreciate everybody being here today,’’ O’Donnell said after introducing VIPs. “I know they’ve come here to see a race. With that in mind, there has been a lot of dialogue in what takes place after the checkered flag with postrace inspection.
“I want to make clear to everybody here that in NASCAR’s judgment any measures that are taken to circumvent what happens for postrace inspection we’re going to react. We know that’s subjective but ask all of you not to put it in our hands because we will react if we have to. I think everybody knows what that means.
“We want to concentrate on the race. We want to celebrate the winner for the second race of this Chase. Couldn’t be more clear. I hope everybody agrees with that and hope everybody has a great race.’’
“We want to concentrate on the race. We want to celebrate the winner for the second race of this Chase. Couldn’t be more clear. I hope everybody agrees with that and hope everybody has a great race.’’
His comments came after NASCAR announced this week that it would not penalize Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson for failing the Laser Inspection Station last weekend at Chicagoland Speedway. NASCAR announced it would do away with what previously triggered P2 and P3 penalties for such an infraction. That gives teams an additional tolerance before a P4 penalty would be invoked.
NASCAR also stated earlier this week that every Chase car eligible for the championship will go through inspection after the race. All 16 cars remain eligible at New Hampshire. When the field is cut to 12 after Dover, then all those cars will go through inspection. Same as when the Chase field is cut to eight teams and then to four.
NASCAR also stated earlier this week that every Chase car eligible for the championship will go through inspection after the race. All 16 cars remain eligible at New Hampshire. When the field is cut to 12 after Dover, then all those cars will go through inspection. Same as when the Chase field is cut to eight teams and then to four.
SOCCER: Fire give up two goals in a minute in loss at New York City FC.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
For about six minutes things looked pretty good for the Chicago Fire.
That changed quickly.
After earning three corner kicks in the first six minutes, the Fire allowed two goals in rapid succession in a 4-1 loss to New York City FC on Friday. Jefferson Mena kneed in the first goal on a designed short corner kick routine and David Villa doubled the lead a minute later to give the hosts a two-goal lead less than 10 minutes into the match.
After earning three corner kicks in the first six minutes, the Fire allowed two goals in rapid succession in a 4-1 loss to New York City FC on Friday. Jefferson Mena kneed in the first goal on a designed short corner kick routine and David Villa doubled the lead a minute later to give the hosts a two-goal lead less than 10 minutes into the match.
Andrea Pirlo played a short corner in the eighth minute that led to Khiry Shelton centering the ball with a header. Mena was open in front to score with his knee and make it 1-0.
Almost exactly 60 seconds after Mena found the net, Villa was there to score again. The Fire turned it over soon after the kickoff and Villa didn’t miss his chance in the box.
That disastrous sequence left the Fire (6-14-9, 27 points) chasing for the rest of the match.
Arturo Alvarez sparked a number of Fire chances in the rest of the half, including assisting Luis Solignac on a goal. Alvarez picked up his seventh assist of the season with a cross that Solignac headed into the net in the 35th minute.
Alvarez later hit the post on a shot that led to a corner kick. David Villa and NYC (13-9-9, 48 points) countered that corner kick. The result was a Steven Mendoza curled shot past Sean Johnson that restored the two-goal lead just before halftime.
David Villa added NYC’s fourth and his second goal in the 83rd minute.
Fire defender Rodrigo Ramos saw his first action since the U.S. Open Cup semifinal loss on Aug. 9. Ramos started at right back after missing the previous eight MLS matches. Also on the backline, Jonathan Campbell did not start for the first time since Aug. 6. Campbell replaced Ramos in the 58th minute.
The Fire go from the East Coast to the West Coast with a match at Seattle on Wednesday.
Premier League roundup: Arsenal thrash Chelsea; City, United, Liverpool win big.
By Andy Edwards
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
A roundup of all of Saturday’s action in the Premier League…
Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea — FULL RECAP
Arsene Wenger was appointed Arsenal manager 20 years ago next Saturday, deservedly making the upcoming week all about the legendary Frenchman. On top of his two decades of guidance, Arsenal also fans have a 3-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to celebrate. Saturday’s meeting at the Emirates Stadium was over not long after it started, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott putting the Gunners 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes. Mesut Ozil made it 3-0 not long before halftime, and that was that. The best Arsenal performance since … when, exactly? It’s been a while.
Swansea City 1-3 Manchester City — FULL RECAP
Will Pep Guardiola ever lose a game, drop a point in the PL? That almost seems the more proper question, rather than, “When will he?” Swansea were his latest victims on Saturday, with many thanks due to the return of Sergio Aguero (suspension) and the brace he scored. Raheem Sterling bagged the other for Man City, a spectacular piece of dribbling that left Kyle Naughton‘s body on the floor and his soul in Aguero’s back pocket (WATCH HERE).
Manchester United 4-1 Leicester City — FULL RECAP
Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench, and voila, Man United were a devastating attacking team against Leicester. Coincidence? The world may never know. The personnel move did allow Paul Pogba to play further up the field, just behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which resulted in the world-record signing scoring his first goal for the club. It came in the 42nd minute, and it capped off a four-goal first half for United, which also saw Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford on the scoresheet.
Liverpool 5-1 Hull City — FULL RECAP
James Milner‘s pair of penalty kicks led the way for Liverpool, who also got goals from Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, in a 5-1 demolition of 10-man Hull. Coutinho’s goal was the pick of the litter (WATCH HERE), and perfectly exemplified the ruthless nature of the Reds’ devastating attack. Now level with Arsenal and Everton, just one point back of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool are unquestionably in the race for the top four, and one of a few clubs with an outside shot at making a play for the title if everything falls their way.
Middlesbrough 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur — FULL RECAP
Heung-Min Son‘s first season in the PL was a largely forgettable campaign for the Tottenham attacker — four goals in 28 appearances — but after a full season in England, and a regular place in the starting rotation in 2016-17, the South Korean has matched last season’s output of goals already, through three appearances this season. Nos. 3 and 4 came in the first half on Saturday, helping Spurs to six games unbeaten on the season (one of two sides without a loss). No Harry Kane, no problem for Mauricio Pochettino.
Bournemouth 1-0 Everton — FULL RECAP
Everton were the side stricken from the ranks of the unbeaten on Saturday, losing 1-0 away to Bournemouth. The goal, scored by Junior Stanislas in the 23rd minute, was one of just three shots on target between the two sides. What the Cherries and Toffees lacked in quantity, Stanislas more than made up for with quality (WATCH HERE).
Sunderland 2-3 Crystal Palace — FULL RECAP
The spending power of PL clubs is simply unmatched the world over. For proof, look no further than Palace, a relatively small club in the grand scheme of the world’s game, spending $41 million on Christian Benteke this summer. A year after transfer rumors linked the big Belgian to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, he’s signed for last season’s 15th-place finishers. On Saturday, he’s scored his second goal in four games for the club, the 93rd-minute winner at the Stadium of Light. Imagine being, say, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Schalke, or any club of that size, and saying to yourself, “We’d love to have Benteke, but Palace are in for him. We can’t compete with that.” Palace, by the way, came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Sunderland.
Stoke City 1-1 West Bromwich Albion — FULL RECAP
The hits just keep on coming for Stoke and Mark Hughes. The Potters just had to survive a few minutes of stoppage time, and victory was theirs for the first time in 2016-17. Instead, Salomon Rondon grabbed a 91st-minute equalizer, and Stoke would settle for their second point of the season. Fortunately for Stoke, Sunderland’s loss means the Black Cats replace them at the bottom of the league.
Wayne Rooney no longer good enough for Manchester United.
By Shahan Ahmed
(Photo/Reuters)
At age 30, Wayne Rooney is no longer good enough to play for Manchester United in the Premier League.
Frankly, Rooney is a captain without a position on United because he is simply not good enough to play anywhere on the park at this point in his career. That reality, however harsh, was hammered home on Saturday at Old Trafford in the Red Devils’ convincing 4-1 victory over defending Premier League champion Leicester City.
Frankly, Rooney is a captain without a position on United because he is simply not good enough to play anywhere on the park at this point in his career. That reality, however harsh, was hammered home on Saturday at Old Trafford in the Red Devils’ convincing 4-1 victory over defending Premier League champion Leicester City.
With Rooney left out of the starting lineup, Juan Mata got to play in his natural No. 10 role for the first time this season. As United’s prime playmaker, Mata was everywhere against Leicester and scored his second goal of the season, one more than Rooney.
On that goal (the only one that didn’t come off a corner kick), Mata moved from the left side, to the furthest man forward, to the right side and to the middle of the park, where he was playing deeper than central midfielder Paul Pogba. He linked up with the Frenchman on a give-and-go type of run, but Pogba’s return chip found Jesse Lingard, who managed to get a clever touch to get the ball back to Mata for the finish.
Man United boss Jose Mourinho, when he was in charge of Chelsea, famously sold Mata to United in 2014 under slightly suspicious circumstances. Mata joined the Blues as a central playmaker in 2011 and won the club’s player of the year award in 2012, when it won the FA Cup and the Champions League. He also received Chelsea’s top individual honor in 2013 before Mourinho came back to Stamford Bridge and moved him to United.
Because of that past transaction, most observers predicted a quick summer exit for Mata. But the 28-year-old arguably has been Manchester United’s best player this season, while Rooney has been by far the most criticized player in the team – and with cause. Some pointed to teenage sensation Marcus Rashford as the reason Rooney was left out of the starting XI, but that simply wasn’t the case. The reason was Mata.
Even in instances where he lost the ball on Saturday, Mata immediately pressured the ball with enough gusto to collapse any possible advantage resulting from his errors. The only consistent criticism leveled at the Spaniard has been his tracking ability and his defensive effort, but the way he fought for the ball out of possession in the first half, one could not criticize his defensive effort. In any case, Mata reacted exponentially more positively to his turnovers than Rooney tends to do and had far fewer crucial turnovers than Rooney puts together in his outings.
The funny part of all this is that United’s purchase of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund expected to be the catalyst for Rooney’s eventual demotion. Mkhitaryan, though, has struggled with fitness, so Mourinho continued forward with Rooney until United stumbled to three straight defeats. After Rooney failed to score against lowly Northampton in the English Football League Cup on Wednesday and looked like one of the weaker players on the pitch, the Portuguese manager put out his best team against Leicester City, with Mata as the No. 10 and Rooney on the bench.
Anyone who followed Mkhitaryan at Dortmund will laugh at the thought of Rooney keeping the Armenian out of the team. In effect, United has two No. 10s that are considerably better than Rooney in the vital role. At some point, Mkhitaryan will surely make that fact abundantly clear. Heck, even Pogba would be a better option than Rooney in that role.
So where can Rooney play?
At striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is clearly the top choice. However, one would definitely take the 18-year-old Rashford and probably pick Anthony Martial over Rooney should the Swede miss games via suspension or injury. Rashford is a teenage sensation, while Martial joined the club as the most expensive teenager in the history of the sport, with the contract costing up to an estimated 60 million pounds (about $80 million).
As the fourth best striking option and the fourth-best No. 10 option, Rooney no longer deserves to play in either role for Manchester United. But Rooney playing as a winger is even more laughable. The England captain isn’t quick enough on either side of the ball to play on the wings. Rooney may be able to put in a cross, but to say that he should be the man out wide serving balls in is a joke.
Rashford and Lingard started on the outside on Saturday, and their pace created chances and put pressure on Leicester City in and out of possession. Rooney simply doesn’t offer that type of pace. Also, his propensity to lose the ball would immediately lead to crushing counter attacks.
In one particular instance on Saturday, Rashford ran half the length of the pitch to perfectly receive a ball in the box from Ibrahimovic on a lightning quick counter. Unfortunately for United, the 18-year-old’s shot caught the ball on the wrong bounce. That sort of chance would never have been possible with Rooney on the pitch.
Is Rooney the right man in midfield?
The only conceivable option would be to push Rooney deeper in the midfield, which is where former manager Louis van Gaal placed the diminished forward. The problem, of course, is that Manchester United already has a logjam at the position with players that are naturally fit to play the role (i.e. they’re clearly better than Rooney for the job).
Pogba is the most expensive player in the history of the sport, so he assumes one midfield spot without question. For pure muscle and physical play, Marouane Fellaini is a better option than Rooney and seemingly a favorite of Mourinho. For possession, Ander Herrera is a better passer and more aware from a positional standpoint than Rooney. Herrera played the role on Saturday and looked great in keeping the ball and helping build attacks. Even 35-year-old Michael Carrick is a better option than Rooney in the middle of the park, and that’s without getting into curiously overlooked options like Morgan Schneiderlin.
Without going too far on the limb, even Daley Blind would be a better option than Rooney in midfield, though the Dutchman had an impressive outing at left back against Leicester City. He did especially well on delivering corners.
If Rooney is fourth-choice as a striker, he’s seventh-choice as a central midfielder. He is no longer good enough to warrant a position in United’s starting 11 on any occasion in any position. Sure, he may regain his form and return to the side at some point, but the player that has slogged through the first month and a half of the season is nowhere near worthy of a starting spot and has not even made a strong case to be included on the Red Devils’ bench.
If Rooney did not wear the armband and had not spent the bulk of his career at United, he would probably be doing passing drills with Bastian Schweinsteiger in the reserve squad. While excommunicating Rooney does not appear to be in Mourinho’s plans, the manager would be wise to only play the out-of-form forward in cup competitions. So, the English Football League Cup, the Europa League and the FA Cup can all feature Rooney because, frankly, those cup competitions will not make or break United’s season. Van Gaal won the FA Cup and got sacked before he could even celebrate the title.
The Premier League, however, is far too important a competition to put out a player who regularly turns over the ball, cannot properly press, has trouble finding goals, lacks pace and is not good enough of a passer to feature in attack or in the midfield.
Simply, 30-year-old Wayne Rooney is no longer good enough to start for Manchester United, and Saturday’s decision to bench him should be the rule, not the exception.
NCAAFB: 2016 NCAA Associated Press Football Rankings, 09/25/2016.
AP
| RANK | SCHOOL | POINTS | PREVIOUS | RECORD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama (50) | 1511 | 1 | 4-0 |
| 2 | Ohio State (4) | 1440 | 2 | 3-0 |
| 3 | Louisville (6) | 1409 | 3 | 4-0 |
| 4 | Michigan (1) | 1292 | 4 | 4-0 |
| 5 | Clemson | 1267 | 5 | 4-0 |
| 6 | Houston | 1239 | 6 | 4-0 |
| 7 | Stanford | 1166 | 7 | 3-0 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 1084 | 11 | 4-0 |
| 9 | Texas A&M | 1036 | 10 | 4-0 |
| 10 | Washington | 986 | 9 | 4-0 |
| 11 | Tennessee | 909 | 14 | 4-0 |
| 12 | Florida State | 804 | 13 | 3-1 |
| 13 | Baylor | 729 | 16 | 4-0 |
| 14 | Miami (Fla.) | 696 | 15 | 3-0 |
| 15 | Nebraska | 640 | 20 | 4-0 |
| 16 | Mississippi | 540 | 23 | 2-2 |
| 17 | Michigan State | 527 | 8 | 2-1 |
| 18 | Utah | 493 | 24 | 4-0 |
| 19 | San Diego State | 304 | 22 | 3-0 |
| 20 | Arkansas | 241 | 17 | 3-1 |
| 21 | TCU | 239 | NR | 3-1 |
| 22 | Texas | 217 | 21 | 2-1 |
| 23 | Florida | 176 | 19 | 3-1 |
| 24 | Boise State | 163 | NR | 3-0 |
| 25 | Georgia | 142 | 12 | 3-1 |
Others receiving votes: Arizona State 135, Oklahoma 120, North Dakota State 58, West Virginia 51, Virginia Tech 38, Colorado 33, North Carolina 26, Iowa 25, UCLA 22, Auburn 18, LSU 17, Western Michigan 14, Wake Forest 9, Memphis 6, Maryland 2, Toledo 1.
By Pat Forde
Les Miles was fired after LSU opened the season 2-2. (Photo/AP)
The football culture at Louisiana State University is both a beautiful and terrible thing, perpetually cycling between extremes. It is a catalyst for festive joy in the good times, and “Lord of the Flies” savagery in the bad times.
They loved the good times with Les Miles. The trick plays and the grass eating and the good luck and the great wins.
But these are bad times, and the program and its supporters have turned on Miles in vicious fashion.
They’re not bad times by the standards of most of the nation’s college football programs, of course. But bad enough that on Sunday, with an intolerable 2-2 record, a national championship-winning coach became a casualty of the culture.
The number of ways in which LSU mishandled Miles in the past 10 months is staggering. Boosters orchestrated a power play to oust him last year, leaking the plan nearly a week before the firing was to happen and leaving their national championship-winning coach twisting in pitiful limbo. The backlash was severe enough that the firing was halted at almost literally the last minute – Miles’ job was saved during the regular-season finale against Texas A&M.
What should have happened next did not happen next. Miles should have been compelled to make staff changes, specifically replacing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who proved himself fundamentally incapable of modernizing LSU’s archaic offense or developing a competent passer. But Miles had won the power struggle and thus kept Cameron, making only the concession of reducing his huge salary from $1.5 million to $1.2 million.
The folly in that plan was revealed immediately this season, when the Tigers flailed to 14 points – half of them courtesy of a defensive touchdown – in an opening upset loss to Wisconsin. LSU followed that with a pair of unspectacular victories over Jacksonville State and Mississippi State, then lost 18-13 at Auburn on Saturday in a battle of desperate teams.
So many times in the past, these crucial coin-flip moments had miraculously come up in favor of Miles. But not this time. And it would cost him his job.
If LSU had won that game, Les Miles would still be its coach today. Instead, after being on the wrong side of a second and the wrong side of the line of scrimmage, he was fired in September like some problem child or perennial loser.
Miles was neither. His being treated as such was the final act of administrative malpractice by LSU.
You know who gets fired at this time of year? Inveterate losers like Charlie Weis at Kansas. You know who doesn’t get fired at this time of year? A guy in his 12th season who is the second-winningest coach in the history of his school.
You know who fires coaches at this time of year? An athletic director at a second-tier program trying to get ahead of the hiring cycle, like Greg Byrne at Arizona with Mike Stoops. Or an incompetent AD who hired someone with rampant off-field problems, like Pat Haden at USC with Steve Sarkisian.
A program of LSU’s stature doesn’t fire a coach of Les Miles’ stature four games into the season. It’s a vicious panic move spawned by regret over not doing it last year – and it wasn’t done last year because the school turned it into a week-long melodrama in which Miles ultimately became a sympathetic figure.
Thus this action might be unprecedented in modern college football history.
Championship coaches have been fired – Gene Chizik at Auburn, Larry Coker at Miami – but they were flash-in-the-pan winners who had none of the sustained success that Miles has enjoyed. Mack Brown was forced to resign at Texas, but that came in December – he was spared the indignity of a September trap-dooring.
What LSU did to Miles simply doesn’t happen. Until now.
The Mad Hatter’s biggest single problem was that he had to coexist in the SEC West with the man who preceded him at LSU, Nick Saban. And while nobody continuously gets the best of Saban, only one coach has had to try to beat him at his old school.
When Saban pounded Miles 21-0 in the 2011 BCS Championship Game, that tipped the scales of approval against Miles for good. When he beat him the next four seasons and won two more national titles, that made it worse.
Remember, LSU has no rational claim regularly winning national championships. Miles did it in 2007, Saban in 2003 – and before that the only other one came in 1958. Plenty of coaches have failed Baton Rouge between Charlie McClendon and Saban, from Jerry Stovall to Mike Archer to Curley Hallman to Gerry DiNardo. But Saban’s success – and Miles’ continuation of it, has spoiled an already rabid fan base.
LSU fans have every right to be angry that Miles basically squandered the Leonard Fournette Era, three seasons with the best running back in school history. They have every right to be furious that in a time when virtually everyone can throw the ball with some panache, LSU cannot. They are entitled to their frustration over a 15-11 SEC record since 2012.
But running Les Miles out on a rail in September is a low-class move, culminating a series of amateurish events over the past 10 months. They love a winner in Louisiana, but they will turn on that man when the winning slows down. That’s the ruthless side of LSU football.
Saturday’s College Football Scores, 09/25/2016.
WTOP.COM (Associated Press)
EAST
Albany (NY) 20, St. Francis (Pa.) 9
Boston College 42, Wagner 10
Bryant 45, CCSU 25
Buffalo 23, Army 20, OT
Charleston Southern 35, Monmouth (NJ) 7
Cornell 27, Yale 13
Dartmouth 35, Holy Cross 10
Fordham 31, Penn 17
Georgetown 17, Columbia 14
Harvard 32, Brown 22
Iowa 14, Rutgers 7
James Madison 31, Maine 20
Kennesaw St. 36, Duquesne 28
Lehigh 42, Princeton 28
Mississippi St. 47, UMass 35
New Hampshire 39, Rhode Island 28
Robert Morris 21, Malone 19
Sacred Heart 38, Stony Brook 10
Syracuse 31, UConn 24
Temple 48, Charlotte 20
VMI 23, Bucknell 13
Villanova 31, Lafayette 14
West Virginia 35, BYU 32
SOUTH
Alabama 48, Kent St. 0
Auburn 18, LSU 13
Ball St. 31, FAU 27
Campbell 33, Butler 27
Chattanooga 41, Samford 21
Coastal Carolina 41, Furman 21
Elon 27, William & Mary 10
Florida St. 55, South Florida 35
Florida Tech 28, Presbyterian 7
Grambling St. 43, Alcorn St. 18
Indiana St. 34, Illinois St. 31
Jacksonville 24, Stetson 7
Jacksonville St. 48, Liberty 19
Kentucky 17, South Carolina 10
Louisville 59, Marshall 28
Memphis 77, Bowling Green 3
Middle Tennessee 38, Louisiana Tech 34
Minnesota 31, Colorado St. 24
Mississippi 45, Georgia 14
Morgan St. 28, Howard 24
NC Central 34, Norfolk St. 31
North Carolina 37, Pittsburgh 36
Old Dominion 33, UTSA 19
Prairie View 56, MVSU 21
Purdue 24, Nevada 14
Richmond 38, Colgate 31
SC State 48, Florida A&M 14
SE Louisiana 34, Northwestern St. 24
SE Missouri 17, Murray St. 16
Savannah St. 16, Bethune-Cookman 10, OT
South Alabama 41, Nicholls 40, OT
Southern U. 59, Alabama A&M 31
Tennessee 38, Florida 28
Texas Southern 31, Alabama St. 27
Troy 52, New Mexico St. 6
Tulane 41, Louisiana-Lafayette 39
UCF 53, FIU 14
UT Martin 44, Tennessee Tech 23
Vanderbilt 31, W. Kentucky 30, OT
Virginia 49, Cent. Michigan 35
Virginia Tech 54, East Carolina 17
Wofford 31, ETSU 0
MIDWEST
Appalachian St. 45, Akron 38
Cincinnati 27, Miami (Ohio) 20
Drake 30, Morehead St. 28
Duke 38, Notre Dame 35
E. Illinois 56, Austin Peay 35
Iowa St. 44, San Jose St. 10
Kansas St. 35, Missouri St. 0
McNeese St. 42, Incarnate Word 35
Michigan 49, Penn St. 10
Missouri 79, Delaware St. 0
Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13
Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 21
Valparaiso 24, Davidson 20
W. Illinois 28, N. Illinois 23
W. Michigan 49, Georgia Southern 31
Wake Forest 33, Indiana 28
Virginia Tech 54, East Carolina 17
Wofford 31, ETSU 0
MIDWEST
Appalachian St. 45, Akron 38
Cincinnati 27, Miami (Ohio) 20
Drake 30, Morehead St. 28
Duke 38, Notre Dame 35
E. Illinois 56, Austin Peay 35
Iowa St. 44, San Jose St. 10
Kansas St. 35, Missouri St. 0
McNeese St. 42, Incarnate Word 35
Michigan 49, Penn St. 10
Missouri 79, Delaware St. 0
Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13
Ohio 37, Gardner-Webb 21
Valparaiso 24, Davidson 20
W. Illinois 28, N. Illinois 23
W. Michigan 49, Georgia Southern 31
Wake Forest 33, Indiana 28
Wisconsin 30, Michigan St. 6
SOUTHWEST
Baylor 35, Oklahoma St. 24
Cent. Arkansas 28, Arkansas St. 23
Houston 64, Texas St. 3
Jackson St. 32, Ark.-Pine Bluff 20
North Texas 42, Rice 35, 2OT
Sam Houston St. 52, Houston Baptist 16
Southern Miss. 34, UTEP 7
Stephen F. Austin 41, Abilene Christian 30
Texas A&M 45, Arkansas 24
FAR WEST
Air Force 27, Utah St. 20
Arizona St. 51, California 41
Boise St. 38, Oregon St. 24
Cal Poly 42, Montana 41
Colorado 41, Oregon 38
E. Washington 50, N. Arizona 35
SOUTHWEST
Baylor 35, Oklahoma St. 24
Cent. Arkansas 28, Arkansas St. 23
Houston 64, Texas St. 3
Jackson St. 32, Ark.-Pine Bluff 20
North Texas 42, Rice 35, 2OT
Sam Houston St. 52, Houston Baptist 16
Southern Miss. 34, UTEP 7
Stephen F. Austin 41, Abilene Christian 30
Texas A&M 45, Arkansas 24
FAR WEST
Air Force 27, Utah St. 20
Arizona St. 51, California 41
Boise St. 38, Oregon St. 24
Cal Poly 42, Montana 41
Colorado 41, Oregon 38
E. Washington 50, N. Arizona 35
Idaho 33, UNLV 30
Idaho St. 42, Sacramento St. 34
North Dakota 17, Montana St. 15
S. Utah 45, Portland St. 31
San Diego 34, Dayton 22
Stanford 22, UCLA 13
Tulsa 48, Fresno St. 41, 2OT
Washington 35, Arizona 28, OT
Weber St. 38, UC Davis 35
Idaho St. 42, Sacramento St. 34
North Dakota 17, Montana St. 15
S. Utah 45, Portland St. 31
San Diego 34, Dayton 22
Stanford 22, UCLA 13
Tulsa 48, Fresno St. 41, 2OT
Washington 35, Arizona 28, OT
Weber St. 38, UC Davis 35
NCAABKB: Women’s hoops coaches boycotting recruiting events.
By Terrence Payne
(Photo/Getty)
For some high-major women’s basketball programs, the final evaluation period of 2016 is being used as a vacation from the recruiting trail.
According to a report from Lindsay Schnell of Sports Illustrated, are not attending events during this weekend’s recruiting period for a host of reasons.
According to a report from Lindsay Schnell of Sports Illustrated, are not attending events during this weekend’s recruiting period for a host of reasons.
First, many are fed up with the price of tournament packets, booklets of rosters that college coaches receive upon paying their entry fee. Packets are supposed to be chock-full of contact information for the prospects, but sometimes aren’t accurate or up-to-date. (This has become a well-documented issue on the men’s side of college hoops. CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish wrote on it this summer.) Furthermore, there are so many events now that college coaches are often forced to pay obscene amounts of money to watch just one player at a single event, and play recruiting hopscotch around the country, criss-crossing the nation to see so many events and spend thousands of dollars. One Power Five coach said her staff crunched the numbers, and found that in just two years, they’ve spent more than $4,000 more than they did in 2014 on packets alone. Another coach told a story of sending an assistant across the country for one day, to one event, to watch one team. When the assistant arrived, the team had left early for its next event. No refund was available for the college that had paid what turned out to be a useless entry fee. The head coach called it “exasperating.”Jeff Borzello of ESPN, who spoke to Notre Dame head coach and eventual Hall of Famer Muffet McGraw for his report, estimated that the cost for one of the coaches packets — the ones that include player contact information, rosters, etc. — can cost each school an average of $600 per event.
This era of grassroots basketball has taken off in recent years with Nike, Under Armour and adidas all creating their own sponsored leagues. All three run exceptional events from the staff to the facilities, all the way to the three, free meals a day for coaches. Organizers of these events will argue that there’s a cost to running such high-end events. These packets, some of which are so in-depth they include players’ GPAs, help fund these tournaments (events, paying a staff, etc.).
Coaches, mostly mid to low-major coaches, will argue that these packets aren’t worth the cost, considering that every coach (head and assistant) must purchase them in order to gain entrance. And you will find packets where the information inside is either inaccurate, or missing or both. For elite programs, this isn’t an issue. You show up, you’re seen, you leave, you go to the next event, repeat. For mid to low-major coaches, this really puts a dent in their budget, especially when they have to travel to multiple events (buying packets at each one) because you have to land that “steal,” you have to find that player who is overlooked.
This protest, or boycott (or whatever you want to call it) will hurt those these events are intended to help the most: the players. If coaches continue to avoid these tournaments, that late-bloomer may miss out on a scholarship, or that player with mid-major offers won’t get the chance to play in front of high-major coaches.
According to Schnell, there is a proposal, voted on in April, to eliminate a live recruiting period in April and September. But many coaches in women’s basketball have made it clear this weekend how they feel about the issue.
Illinois PG expected to be ready for practice.
By Terrence Payne
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Illinois point guards and injuries have been an unfortunate trend over the past two seasons with Tracy Abrams, who missed the past two seasons with a torn ACL followed by a torn Achilles the next year.
On Sunday, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported some good news for an incoming Fighting Illini floor general. Te’Jon Lucas, a three-star prospect from the Class of 2016, will be fully cleared for the start of practice, according to Rothstein. In February, Lucas had broke his fibula in his right leg in two places during a game.
Lucas had committed to Illinois the previous September.
Abrams received a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in June, and he decided to remain in Champaign for his final season. If healthy, he’ll be the starter. Jaylon Tate is also back for another season. But they are both seniors, which makes Sunday’s report important for John Groce’s program. Lucas will be on the floor Day 1 of practice, being molded for the future by two experienced guards.
The 5-foot-11 Lucas is the only true freshman on the roster.
Illinois begins the 2016-17 season on November 11, hosting Southeast Missouri State.
On Sunday, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported some good news for an incoming Fighting Illini floor general. Te’Jon Lucas, a three-star prospect from the Class of 2016, will be fully cleared for the start of practice, according to Rothstein. In February, Lucas had broke his fibula in his right leg in two places during a game.
Lucas had committed to Illinois the previous September.
Abrams received a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in June, and he decided to remain in Champaign for his final season. If healthy, he’ll be the starter. Jaylon Tate is also back for another season. But they are both seniors, which makes Sunday’s report important for John Groce’s program. Lucas will be on the floor Day 1 of practice, being molded for the future by two experienced guards.
The 5-foot-11 Lucas is the only true freshman on the roster.
Illinois begins the 2016-17 season on November 11, hosting Southeast Missouri State.
Fitzgerald's diagnosis for 1-3 Northwestern: 'Those are the things that losers do'.
By Vinnie Duber
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Four games. Three losses. And Pat Fitzgerald is not happy.
Nor should he be after the way his team played in a 24-13 loss to 20th-ranked Nebraska on Saturday night in Evanston. The Wildcats have issues that perhaps shouldn't be expected to be overcome against a team has loaded with offensive firepower as the Huskers, but when Nebraska gifted Northwestern a pair of goal-line fumbles, taking 14 points off the board, it seemed like a game the Cats could have — and maybe even should have — won. It's because the offense not doing anything with those fumbles wasn't the lone mistake in the game, not by a long shot. Fitzgerald laid them all out in succession, his team's Saturday-night screw-ups: holding penalties that negated key third-down conversions, a Clayton Thorson interception in the end zone that snuffed out momentum, a missed extra point and a missed field goal by increasingly inaccurate kicker Jack Mitchell and a defense that was shredded for 556 yards of Nebraska offense.
So yeah, Fitz was not happy.
"You cannot do that and expect to win. Those are the things that losers do," the head coach said after the defeat. "And when you’re 1-3, that’s why you’re at where you’re at. When you self-inflict, when you get penalties in crunch-time situations, you throw interceptions in the red zone, you miss extra points, you miss field goals — want me to keep going? You keep adding all those things up, it ends up equaling a loss. And we’ve had three of those games.
"The young men in that locker room have got to figure out the discipline that it takes to be a winner consistently. We’ve typically been that way during my time, and for whatever reason right now we are choosing not to do that. And I’ve got to get that fixed, that’s the bottom line. We know how to win, but we can’t do the things that losers do. That’s what we’re doing right now. You are what your record says it is, and it’s not very good. We’ve got to get it fixed, and we’ve got to get it fixed in a hurry."
Saturday, the list of mistakes was long, but this style of play hasn't been limited to one week or one night. Season-opening losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State came in gut-wrenching fashion, first thanks to a Thorson fumble at the goal line and second on a walk-off field goal to an FCS opponent. All three losses have come in the friendly confines of Ryan Field, but that home-field comfort hasn't prevented Thorson from turning the ball over, play from both the offensive and defensive lines that earned press-conference call-outs from Fitzgerald, a banged-up secondary getting a similar tongue-lashing Saturday and a defense as a whole not playing in a fashion that mirrors the at-times dominating performances that unit turned in a year ago.
So excuse Fitzgerald if he can't pinpoint one thing that's disappointed him the most.
"I think the biggest disappointment is three losses," Fitzgerald said. "Three games that if we play the way we’re capable of, we have an opportunity to win all three. That starts and ends with me. I’m going to look hard at why we’re not playing and executing consistently. Are we asking guys to do too much? Are we thinking out there? You can make an excuse for the young guys, but if you go out with the 1s, you’re expected to perform. And if you don’t perform, you don’t deserve the right to go back out there as the 1.
"We’re four games in. There’s enough evidence on tape of who we are, and now we’re a very inconsistent football team. And that fits squarely on my shoulders. I’m not going to pout, I’m not going to feel sorry for myself. The only way I know how to fix it is to go out and do it, go out and practice it, go out and fix it."
The head coach is putting the blame on himself, but the players aren't shrinking from their responsibilities, either.
On offense, in particular, things have not gone well. Finishing drives was a particular talking point Saturday after the Cats had seven drives end in Nebraska territory, with another stopping at midfield, but coming away with just scores on just two of those drives. Northwestern reached the red zone just once but had three other drives end inside the 30-yard line — with two interceptions and a turnover on downs.
Getting close to the end zone but coming away with nothing is a fine little microcosm for the season as a whole. The three losses have been by a combined 14 points. But you don't get a win for getting close.
"We’re close, and I think as a team, looking at our three losses, we’re tired of being close," wide receiver Austin Carr said. "Offensively, we need to finish. Defensively, we need to put a whole game together. I’m telling the guys that we have to come together stronger, we can’t let this break us, we can’t let these losses ruin our whole season, we can’t throw in the towel. We’re going to focus on going 1-0, we’re going to learn from our mistakes, we’re going to look forward, we have to keep pushing.
"It’s just mental toughness. Getting deep into a drive, we have to lock it in. ... I think we had a lot of great preparation this week. Winning a Big Ten game is hard. I think we can just get tougher in the head game."
Winning in the Big Ten is hard. Unfortunately, the Cats found winning outside the Big Ten to be hard, too. Things will get tougher before they get easier. Next up is a game at Iowa, and that's followed by Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin in three of the four games after the visit to the Hawkeye State. Northwestern is still getting its feet under it, something that proved difficult against teams from the MAC and from the FCS. Doing it against Big Ten title contenders is a whole different challenge, as the Cats found out the hard way on Saturday night.
"We go out to Iowa City, we’ve got to perform. That’s going to be tough. That’s going to be an awesome environment, they’ve got unbelievable fans. It’s going to be an incredibly huge challenge for us, and if we don’t go out there with the right attitude and the right preparation, we’ll get our fannies whipped, we’ll get crushed," Fitzgerald said. "So these guys better figure it out pretty quick. They better walk out of the locker room, they better hug whoever they love, they better go to bed, then they better wake up and get ready to get their rear ends coached off this week. Because that’s what’s going to happen.
"I’m not going to sit here and I’m not going to take it and I’m not going to accept it. They better buckle it up. They better start hydrating right now. Because it’s not acceptable the way we’re playing right now. Starts and ends with me, so I’ll fix it."
Nor should he be after the way his team played in a 24-13 loss to 20th-ranked Nebraska on Saturday night in Evanston. The Wildcats have issues that perhaps shouldn't be expected to be overcome against a team has loaded with offensive firepower as the Huskers, but when Nebraska gifted Northwestern a pair of goal-line fumbles, taking 14 points off the board, it seemed like a game the Cats could have — and maybe even should have — won. It's because the offense not doing anything with those fumbles wasn't the lone mistake in the game, not by a long shot. Fitzgerald laid them all out in succession, his team's Saturday-night screw-ups: holding penalties that negated key third-down conversions, a Clayton Thorson interception in the end zone that snuffed out momentum, a missed extra point and a missed field goal by increasingly inaccurate kicker Jack Mitchell and a defense that was shredded for 556 yards of Nebraska offense.
So yeah, Fitz was not happy.
"You cannot do that and expect to win. Those are the things that losers do," the head coach said after the defeat. "And when you’re 1-3, that’s why you’re at where you’re at. When you self-inflict, when you get penalties in crunch-time situations, you throw interceptions in the red zone, you miss extra points, you miss field goals — want me to keep going? You keep adding all those things up, it ends up equaling a loss. And we’ve had three of those games.
"The young men in that locker room have got to figure out the discipline that it takes to be a winner consistently. We’ve typically been that way during my time, and for whatever reason right now we are choosing not to do that. And I’ve got to get that fixed, that’s the bottom line. We know how to win, but we can’t do the things that losers do. That’s what we’re doing right now. You are what your record says it is, and it’s not very good. We’ve got to get it fixed, and we’ve got to get it fixed in a hurry."
Saturday, the list of mistakes was long, but this style of play hasn't been limited to one week or one night. Season-opening losses to Western Michigan and Illinois State came in gut-wrenching fashion, first thanks to a Thorson fumble at the goal line and second on a walk-off field goal to an FCS opponent. All three losses have come in the friendly confines of Ryan Field, but that home-field comfort hasn't prevented Thorson from turning the ball over, play from both the offensive and defensive lines that earned press-conference call-outs from Fitzgerald, a banged-up secondary getting a similar tongue-lashing Saturday and a defense as a whole not playing in a fashion that mirrors the at-times dominating performances that unit turned in a year ago.
So excuse Fitzgerald if he can't pinpoint one thing that's disappointed him the most.
"I think the biggest disappointment is three losses," Fitzgerald said. "Three games that if we play the way we’re capable of, we have an opportunity to win all three. That starts and ends with me. I’m going to look hard at why we’re not playing and executing consistently. Are we asking guys to do too much? Are we thinking out there? You can make an excuse for the young guys, but if you go out with the 1s, you’re expected to perform. And if you don’t perform, you don’t deserve the right to go back out there as the 1.
"We’re four games in. There’s enough evidence on tape of who we are, and now we’re a very inconsistent football team. And that fits squarely on my shoulders. I’m not going to pout, I’m not going to feel sorry for myself. The only way I know how to fix it is to go out and do it, go out and practice it, go out and fix it."
The head coach is putting the blame on himself, but the players aren't shrinking from their responsibilities, either.
On offense, in particular, things have not gone well. Finishing drives was a particular talking point Saturday after the Cats had seven drives end in Nebraska territory, with another stopping at midfield, but coming away with just scores on just two of those drives. Northwestern reached the red zone just once but had three other drives end inside the 30-yard line — with two interceptions and a turnover on downs.
Getting close to the end zone but coming away with nothing is a fine little microcosm for the season as a whole. The three losses have been by a combined 14 points. But you don't get a win for getting close.
"We’re close, and I think as a team, looking at our three losses, we’re tired of being close," wide receiver Austin Carr said. "Offensively, we need to finish. Defensively, we need to put a whole game together. I’m telling the guys that we have to come together stronger, we can’t let this break us, we can’t let these losses ruin our whole season, we can’t throw in the towel. We’re going to focus on going 1-0, we’re going to learn from our mistakes, we’re going to look forward, we have to keep pushing.
"It’s just mental toughness. Getting deep into a drive, we have to lock it in. ... I think we had a lot of great preparation this week. Winning a Big Ten game is hard. I think we can just get tougher in the head game."
Winning in the Big Ten is hard. Unfortunately, the Cats found winning outside the Big Ten to be hard, too. Things will get tougher before they get easier. Next up is a game at Iowa, and that's followed by Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin in three of the four games after the visit to the Hawkeye State. Northwestern is still getting its feet under it, something that proved difficult against teams from the MAC and from the FCS. Doing it against Big Ten title contenders is a whole different challenge, as the Cats found out the hard way on Saturday night.
"We go out to Iowa City, we’ve got to perform. That’s going to be tough. That’s going to be an awesome environment, they’ve got unbelievable fans. It’s going to be an incredibly huge challenge for us, and if we don’t go out there with the right attitude and the right preparation, we’ll get our fannies whipped, we’ll get crushed," Fitzgerald said. "So these guys better figure it out pretty quick. They better walk out of the locker room, they better hug whoever they love, they better go to bed, then they better wake up and get ready to get their rear ends coached off this week. Because that’s what’s going to happen.
"I’m not going to sit here and I’m not going to take it and I’m not going to accept it. They better buckle it up. They better start hydrating right now. Because it’s not acceptable the way we’re playing right now. Starts and ends with me, so I’ll fix it."
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, September 26, 2016.
emoriesofhistory.com
1919 - The St. Louis Browns defeated the New York Yankees 6-2 in a game that lasted 55 minutes. The game was the second game of a doubleheader.
1962 - Maury Wills (LA Dodgers) became the first player to steal 100 bases. He ended the season with 104.
1981 - Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) became the first player to pitch five no-hitters with a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1983 - The Australia II won the America's Cup. It was the first time in 132 years that a U.S. yacht lost the cup.
1994 - The double murder trial for O.J. Simpson began with jury selection in Los Angeles.
1995 - The prosecution began its closing argument in the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.
1998 - Mark McGwire hit home runs 67 and 68 for the season.
1998 - Dennis Eckersly (Boston Red Sox) appeared in his 1,071st game.
2012 - The National Football League and the NFL Referees Association reached an agreement to end an ongoing referee lockout. On June 4, 2012, the NFL had announced it would be hiring replacement officials after a failed attempts to resolve a labor dispute.
1962 - Maury Wills (LA Dodgers) became the first player to steal 100 bases. He ended the season with 104.
1981 - Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) became the first player to pitch five no-hitters with a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
1983 - The Australia II won the America's Cup. It was the first time in 132 years that a U.S. yacht lost the cup.
1994 - The double murder trial for O.J. Simpson began with jury selection in Los Angeles.
1995 - The prosecution began its closing argument in the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.
1998 - Mark McGwire hit home runs 67 and 68 for the season.
1998 - Dennis Eckersly (Boston Red Sox) appeared in his 1,071st game.
2012 - The National Football League and the NFL Referees Association reached an agreement to end an ongoing referee lockout. On June 4, 2012, the NFL had announced it would be hiring replacement officials after a failed attempts to resolve a labor dispute.
***************************************************************************
Please let us hear your opinion on the above articles and pass them on to any other diehard fans that you think might be interested. But most of all, remember, Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica wants you.
No comments:
Post a Comment