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"Sports Quote of the Day"
“It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win.” ~ John Paul Jones, Well Known Naval Commander During Revolutionary War
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
TRENDING: Three goals in 34 seconds fuels Blackhawks’ comeback over Avalanche. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: Pace sends message to Bears fans. (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
TRENDING: Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine show up in Bulls win over Jazz. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: Ryan Newman snaps a long winless drought in the desert for Richard Childress Racing. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).
TRENDING: Chicago Sports Week in Review, 03/09/2017---03/18/2017. See the last article on this blog for notable news that happened last week while we were on sabbatical.
NCAA "MARCH MADNESS" SCORES (UP TO THE MINUTE):
Thursday, March 16 games (First Round)
FINAL: Notre Dame 60, Princeton 58
FINAL: Virginia 76, UNC Wilmington 71
FINAL: Butler 76, Winthrop 64
FINAL: Gonzaga 66, South Dakota State 46
FINAL:. West Virginia 86, Bucknell 80
FINAL: Florida 80, East Tennessee 65
FINAL: Middle Tennessee 81, Minnesota 72
FINAL: Northwestern 68, Vanderbilt 66
FINAL: Xavier 76, Maryland 65
FINAL: Villanova 76, Mt. Saint Mary’s 56
FINAL: Saint Mary’s 85, VCU 77
FINAL: Purdue 80, Vermont 70
FINAL: Florida State 86, Florida Gulf Coast 80
FINAL: Wisconsin 84, Virginia Tech 74
FINAL: Iowa State 84, Nevada 73
FINAL: Arizona 100, North Dakota 82
Friday, March 17 games (First Round)
FINAL: Michigan 92, Oklahoma State 91
FINAL: Baylor 91, New Mexico State 71
FINAL: Arkansas 77, Seton Hall 71
FINAL: Oregon 93, Iona 77
FINAL: Louisville 78, Jacksonville State 63
FINAL: USC 66, SMU 65
FINAL: North Carolina 103, Texas Southern 64
FINAL: Rhode Island 84, Creighton 72
FINAL: Kansas 100, UC Davis 62
FINAL: Duke 87, Troy 65
FINAL: Wichita State 64, Dayton 58
FINAL: Cincinnati 75, Kansas State 61
FINAL: Michigan State 78, Miami (Fla.) 58
FINAL: South Carolina 93, Marquette 73
FINAL: UCLA 97, Kent State 80
FINAL: Kentucky 79, Northern Kentucky 70
Saturday, March 18 games (Second Round)
FINAL: West Virginia 83, Notre Dame 71
FINAL: Wisconsin 65, Villanova 62
FINAL: Gonzaga 79, Northwestern 73
FINAL: Xavier 91, Florida State 66
FINAL: Butler 74, Middle Tennessee 65
FINAL: Arizona 69, St. Mary’s 60
FINAL: Florida 65, Virginia 39
FINAL: Purdue 80, Iowa State 76
Sunday, March 9 Games (Second Round)
FINAL: Michigan 73, Louisville 69
FINAL: Kentucky 65, Wichita State 62
FINAL: Kansas 90, Michigan State 70
FINAL: North Carolina 72, Arkansas 65
FINAL: Oregon 75, Rhode Island 72
FINAL: Baylor 82, USC 78
FINAL: South Carolina 88, Duke 81
FINAL: UCLA 79, Cincinnati 67
Thursday, March 16 games (First Round)
FINAL: Notre Dame 60, Princeton 58
FINAL: Virginia 76, UNC Wilmington 71
FINAL: Butler 76, Winthrop 64
FINAL: Gonzaga 66, South Dakota State 46
FINAL:. West Virginia 86, Bucknell 80
FINAL: Florida 80, East Tennessee 65
FINAL: Middle Tennessee 81, Minnesota 72
FINAL: Northwestern 68, Vanderbilt 66
FINAL: Xavier 76, Maryland 65
FINAL: Villanova 76, Mt. Saint Mary’s 56
FINAL: Saint Mary’s 85, VCU 77
FINAL: Purdue 80, Vermont 70
FINAL: Florida State 86, Florida Gulf Coast 80
FINAL: Wisconsin 84, Virginia Tech 74
FINAL: Iowa State 84, Nevada 73
FINAL: Arizona 100, North Dakota 82
Friday, March 17 games (First Round)
FINAL: Michigan 92, Oklahoma State 91
FINAL: Baylor 91, New Mexico State 71
FINAL: Arkansas 77, Seton Hall 71
FINAL: Oregon 93, Iona 77
FINAL: Louisville 78, Jacksonville State 63
FINAL: USC 66, SMU 65
FINAL: North Carolina 103, Texas Southern 64
FINAL: Rhode Island 84, Creighton 72
FINAL: Kansas 100, UC Davis 62
FINAL: Duke 87, Troy 65
FINAL: Wichita State 64, Dayton 58
FINAL: Cincinnati 75, Kansas State 61
FINAL: Michigan State 78, Miami (Fla.) 58
FINAL: South Carolina 93, Marquette 73
FINAL: UCLA 97, Kent State 80
FINAL: Kentucky 79, Northern Kentucky 70
Saturday, March 18 games (Second Round)
FINAL: West Virginia 83, Notre Dame 71
FINAL: Wisconsin 65, Villanova 62
FINAL: Gonzaga 79, Northwestern 73
FINAL: Xavier 91, Florida State 66
FINAL: Butler 74, Middle Tennessee 65
FINAL: Arizona 69, St. Mary’s 60
FINAL: Florida 65, Virginia 39
FINAL: Purdue 80, Iowa State 76
Sunday, March 9 Games (Second Round)
FINAL: Michigan 73, Louisville 69
FINAL: Kentucky 65, Wichita State 62
FINAL: Kansas 90, Michigan State 70
FINAL: North Carolina 72, Arkansas 65
FINAL: Oregon 75, Rhode Island 72
FINAL: Baylor 82, USC 78
FINAL: South Carolina 88, Duke 81
FINAL: UCLA 79, Cincinnati 67
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Three goals in 34 seconds fuels Blackhawks’ comeback over Avalanche.
By Tracey Myers
For about 50 minutes the Blackhawks were sleepwalking through their Sunday evening game against the Colorado Avalanche, the visiting team looking much sharper.
In just over three minutes, the Blackhawks upended all of that.
Patrick Kane scored his 32nd goal of the season and the Blackhawks scored six unanswered goals in the third period to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3. The Blackhawks went ballistic in the final period, scoring four goals in 3:02, including three in 34 seconds, to turn a forgettable game into an unforgettable third.
The Blackhawks are now seven points ahead of the Minnesota Wild, who lost 5-4 to Winnipeg on Sunday.
The comeback began when Jonathan Toews redirected a Duncan Keith shot midway through the third period to cut it to 3-2 at 10:17. The Avalanche challenged for offside and, despite it appearing to be that in replays, officials ruled it was a good goal. According to the NHL’s Situation Room:
Review was not conclusive in determining whether Toews tagged up at the instant the puck was on Richard Panik’s stick when Chicago entered the attacking zone prior to the goal. According to Rule 78.7, “If a review is not conclusive and/or there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether the call on the ice was correct, the On-Ice Official(s) will be instructed to confirm their original call.”
Richard Panik and Artemi Panarin followed with quick goals of their own, giving the Blackhawks three goals in 34 seconds. Toews added his second 3:02 after he scored his first for a 5-3 Blackhawks advantage.
The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead just 4:33 into the game when Kane finished a 2-on-1 of he and Panarin. But the Blackhawks looked sleepy and sloppy for a good part of this noe, opting for passes more than shots. Mikhail Grigorenko tied the game at 8:14, then added his second one about seven minutes later to give the Avalanche a 2-1 edge.
Sven Andrighetto’s redirect of a Mikhail Grigorenko shot put the Avalanche up 3-1 late in the second period. But the Blackhawks’ who came out strong as soon as the third began, were too much late. Marcus Kruger added an empty-net goal with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Ryan Hartman scores overtime winner as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs. (Saturday night's game, 03/18/2017).
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
For about 50 minutes the Blackhawks were sleepwalking through their Sunday evening game against the Colorado Avalanche, the visiting team looking much sharper.
In just over three minutes, the Blackhawks upended all of that.
Patrick Kane scored his 32nd goal of the season and the Blackhawks scored six unanswered goals in the third period to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3. The Blackhawks went ballistic in the final period, scoring four goals in 3:02, including three in 34 seconds, to turn a forgettable game into an unforgettable third.
The Blackhawks are now seven points ahead of the Minnesota Wild, who lost 5-4 to Winnipeg on Sunday.
The comeback began when Jonathan Toews redirected a Duncan Keith shot midway through the third period to cut it to 3-2 at 10:17. The Avalanche challenged for offside and, despite it appearing to be that in replays, officials ruled it was a good goal. According to the NHL’s Situation Room:
Review was not conclusive in determining whether Toews tagged up at the instant the puck was on Richard Panik’s stick when Chicago entered the attacking zone prior to the goal. According to Rule 78.7, “If a review is not conclusive and/or there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether the call on the ice was correct, the On-Ice Official(s) will be instructed to confirm their original call.”
Richard Panik and Artemi Panarin followed with quick goals of their own, giving the Blackhawks three goals in 34 seconds. Toews added his second 3:02 after he scored his first for a 5-3 Blackhawks advantage.
The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead just 4:33 into the game when Kane finished a 2-on-1 of he and Panarin. But the Blackhawks looked sleepy and sloppy for a good part of this noe, opting for passes more than shots. Mikhail Grigorenko tied the game at 8:14, then added his second one about seven minutes later to give the Avalanche a 2-1 edge.
Sven Andrighetto’s redirect of a Mikhail Grigorenko shot put the Avalanche up 3-1 late in the second period. But the Blackhawks’ who came out strong as soon as the third began, were too much late. Marcus Kruger added an empty-net goal with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Ryan Hartman scores overtime winner as Blackhawks beat Maple Leafs. (Saturday night's game, 03/18/2017).
Associated Press
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Ryan Hartman scored with 17 seconds left in overtime to lead the Chicago Blackhawks past the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Saturday night.
John Hayden notched his first NHL goal, and Corey Crawford stopped 25 of 26 shots for Chicago, which holds the top spot in the Western Conference with 97 points following their fourth straight win.
Auston Matthews had a goal to snap a seven-game drought, while Frederik Andersen made 37 saves for the Maple Leafs, who hold the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 79 points.
Toronto took a 1-0 lead in the first period when William Nylander took a quick pass from Matthews and then sent it right back to Matthews, who crashed the front of the net and redirected a shot through Crawford's pads.
Matthews inched within two goals of Wendel Clark's franchise rookie record (34 in 1985-86) with the goal. The 19-year-old rookie hadn't registered a goal or point since Feb. 28 in San Jose.
Nylander set a career high by extending his point streak to seven games. The 20-year-old has seven points in that span and 51 points on the season - tied for fourth on the Leafs and fourth among all NHL rookies.
Andersen nearly allowed a goal in the opening minute of the second when he bobbled a shot from Jonathan Toews. He kept the Leafs in front until the midway point of the frame when Hayden evened the game at 1. The play started in the Chicago zone with Brent Seabrook firing a long outlet pass to Toews. Chicago's captain then found Hayden, who kicked the pass from his left skate to his stick before beating Andersen.
Five takeaways from Blackhawks' overtime win over Maple Leafs.
By Charlie Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Here are five takeaways from the Blackhawks' 2-1 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night:
1. Auston Matthews snaps point drought.
It had been seven consecutive games that the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 went without recording a point, the longest drought of his young NHL career. He ended that 8:25 into the game by burying a pass from William Nylander for his 32nd of the season, putting Toronto up 1-0.
It was a big goal for the most important player on the Maple Leafs as they continue their quest for a playoff spot. They need him to be on top of his game to have a chance at holding down the No. 2 wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
2. John Hayden tallies first career NHL goal.
What a week it's been for Hayden. His four-year collegiate career wrapped up at Yale University, he signed his first professional contract, played in his first career NHL game with Jonathan Toews as his linemate, and in his second, scored his first career goal. He made a terrific reception with his skate on a 2-on-1 pass from Toews, then ripped one past Frederik Andersen's glove to tie the game up at 1-1 in the second period. He also registered 15:29 of ice time, a game-high seven hits, and four shots on goal.
Hayden became the seventh Blackhawks player this season to record their first career NHL goal, joining Gustav Forsling, Ryan Hartman, Vinnie Hinostroza, Michal Kempny, Tyler Motte and Nick Schmaltz. It's also the first time the Blackhawks have had multiple Illinois-born players (Hayden and Hinostroza) score in the same season since 1998-99 (Eddie Olczyk and Chris Chelios), according to Elias.
3. Ryan Hartman rewarded, scores overtime winner.
Hartman was noticeable all night, and was rewarded for it by getting a late shift in overtime and ending it by faking out Andersen and slipping one five-hole for his 16th goal of the campaign. All 16 of those have come at even strength; only Auston Matthews (27) and Patrik Laine (25) have more.
Hartman finished with a game-high nine shot attempts (six on goal), three hits and was on the ice for 20 shot attempts for and only 10 against at even strength, which was tied for the best Corsi rating on the team.
4. Corey Crawford pitches in on offense.
On Hartman's overtime winner, Crawford registered a secondary assist, the fifth of his career and first this season, making it the fourth straight year he's recorded an assist.
He wasn't too shabby in goal, either. He stopped 25 of 26 shots en route to his third straight victory, and bumped his save percentage to .955 during that streak.
5. Tomas Jurco turns in solid effort in return to lineup.
Marian Hossa participated in morning skate, but was ruled out due to a lower-body injury that Quenneville said he suffered during Thursday's game, and deemed "not serious." Jurco had initially been slotted in on the fourth line, but was promoted to the third in Hossa's spot at right wing along with Hartman and Marcus Kruger.
After being a healthy scratch for three straight games with zero points in his first six games since being acquired by the Blackhawks on Feb. 24, Jurco showed flashes and more consistency against the Maple Leafs. He had 12:09 of ice time, his second-highest total since joining the team, to go along with six shot attempts (three on goal), two hits, and was a team-high plus-10 Corsi.
His best shift came at the beginning of the third period when he generated a flurry of chances, the last one bouncing off a Maple Leafs defender and hit the post.
Bear Down Chicago Bears !!!!! Pace sends message to Bears fans.
By Larry Mayer
Bears general manager Ryan Pace discussed the team's free-agent moves. (Photo/chicagobears.com)
The Bears have emailed a video to season-ticket holders in which general manager Ryan Pace discusses the team's free-agent moves and vows to continue to upgrade the roster.
"Hard work is underway, but we're excited about the progress we've already made," Pace says. "Our goal from the start is to have a team that's built for sustainable success. To do that, we must be calculated in free agency and string together successful drafts."
Since free agency began March 9, the Bears have signed nine players from other teams: Quarterback
Pace provides insight on several of the free-agent acquisitions and discusses how the Bears will continue to get better.
"We still have avenues to improve our team," Pace says. "I challenge our football ops to identify players in the later stages of free agency and really that's no different than the importance of finding players in the later portion of the draft.
"Speaking of the draft, we have a huge chip with the No. 3 overall selection, picking high in every single round. We're going to take full advantage of the position that we're in. We're going to get better. We will improve. I appreciate you as loyal fans. We're going to build this thing together. Thank you. Go Bears!"
Bears free-agency analysis: Better does not necessarily mean good.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
This is the last in a series analyzing the Bears' decision-making during the 2017 free-agency period.
From 3/13: Bears free agency analysis: Alshon Jeffery non-deal left an understandable void
From 3/14: Bears free-agency analysis: Offseason OL pattern holds with Tom Compton
From 3/15: Bears free-agency analysis: Ryan Pace overhauls secondary
As the first and second waves of free agency recede, a handful of observations as to the effects the Bears' spate of signings will have on the bigger, 2017 picture, with the overall conclusion that the Bears are better than a year ago, although "better" does not equate to "good," which the Bears need more than a few signings to be.
It would be difficult for the Bears not to emerge from the signing period any worse off than they finished the 2016 season. And while the dozen signings did not carry the splash factor of a handful of others (cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the New England Patriots, defensive lineman Calais Campbell to the Jacksonville Jaguars, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to the Philadelphia Eagles), at the very least the Bears upgraded themselves, if not as much as they or their fan base might've preferred.
But the reality is that at the positions of need, the Bears got incrementally better over where they were in 2016, like the additions or not.
Quarterback: Mike Glennon for Jay Cutler/Brian Hoyer? Cutler and Hoyer are career mid-level NFL quarterbacks at best. Until Glennon proves something, he's not there yet. The Bears are gambling that he has upside that none of their incumbent options had; until then... +/-? Minus
Defensive line: The Bears defense suffered when nose tackle Eddie Goldman was down with an ankle injury. Opponents averaged 3.8 yards per carry in the six games Goldman played, 4.8 in the 10 he missed, replaced by chiefly by Will Sutton. Bears signed former New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks nose tackle John Jenkins on Friday. Jenkins or Sutton? +/-? Plus
Cornerback: Prince Amukamara and Marcus Cooper will not make Chicago forget Charles Tillman anytime soon. And they did not rate on a par with Gilmore, A.J. Bouye or Logan Ryan. But the Bears started Jacoby Glenn, Bryce Callahan, Cre'Von LeBlanc and Johnthan Banks at the corner opposite Tracy Porter. Callahan has upside but the signings are steps up from the 2016 collage. +/-? Plus
Safety: Quintin Demps at 32 is a de facto bridge rather than long-term solution. And with two picks in the first 36, the Bears will be in position to add a top-shelf safety via the draft. In the meantime, Demps or Harold Jones-Quartey? Or Adrian Amos? +/-? Plus
Receiver: Losing Jeffery created a void in the passing offense, taking away a wideout with 304 catches over the past five years. The Bears expect Cam Meredith and Kevin White to provide size on the outside, and went for speed in signings of Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright, who combined for 387 catches over those same five years. +/-? Minus
Tight end: Zach Miller is the usual known unknown, coming back from IR. The Bears already re-signed Daniel Brown. Logan Paulsen among the NFL's most-penalized tight ends, with more infractions (6) than pass receptions (3), including none over the final eight games. Dion Sims graded out as a better blocker and had 26 receptions, including four games with as many or more as Paulsen had all season. +/-? Plus
Offensve line: The offense changed starting offensive lines five times last season, primarily because of injuries at guard (Kyle Long, Josh Sitton). Tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie accounted for a combined 31 of 32 starts, with Mike Adams stepping in at right tackle for one game (New York Giants). Signing Tom Compton creates competition for Massie in particular, but also puts a proven swing tackle behind the starters. +/-? Plus
Quality in 2017 NFL Draft may work against Bears trading out of No. 3.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Signing Mike Glennon ostensibly settled the Bears' situation for their 2017 starting quarterback and dialed down urgency to use the No. 3-overall pick to find their right-now quarterback in this year's draft. That was considered a good thing, given that the general evaluations of the 2017 draft options were not the stuff of which No. 3's are made.
Reducing positional need creates draft flexibility, and the Bears are in the desirable position with options to add picks through trading down. But there's a catch.
The problem is not the quality of the draft as a whole, but rather the quality of individuals. Few players have to this point so significantly separated themselves from the field that they become far-and-away, must-have targets that a team or teams feel driven to trade up for.
Within the top five, that typically means quarterback: San Diego up to No. 2 for Ryan Leaf (1998), Atlanta up to No. 1 for Michael Vick (2001); Washington up to No. 2 for Robert Griffin III (2012); St. Louis up to No. 1 for Jared Goff, Philadelphia up to No. 2 for Carson Wentz (2016).
With Combine interviews and work done, and Pro Days and team visits to go, the best of the 2017 quarterback group has not inspired draft lust, at least not publicly.
Reducing positional need creates draft flexibility, and the Bears are in the desirable position with options to add picks through trading down. But there's a catch.
The problem is not the quality of the draft as a whole, but rather the quality of individuals. Few players have to this point so significantly separated themselves from the field that they become far-and-away, must-have targets that a team or teams feel driven to trade up for.
Within the top five, that typically means quarterback: San Diego up to No. 2 for Ryan Leaf (1998), Atlanta up to No. 1 for Michael Vick (2001); Washington up to No. 2 for Robert Griffin III (2012); St. Louis up to No. 1 for Jared Goff, Philadelphia up to No. 2 for Carson Wentz (2016).
With Combine interviews and work done, and Pro Days and team visits to go, the best of the 2017 quarterback group has not inspired draft lust, at least not publicly.
"I don't know that there's a quarterback — you never know; it only takes one team, right? — in this class that is going to drive a team to go and move up several spots, give away what they need to give up to move up and go get one," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said Wednesday via conference call.
While the 2017 draft is considered to be extremely strong at number of positions, some of the diffused quality in fact may make it more difficult for teams like the Bears at No. 3 or San Francisco at No. 2 to pull off a desired trade-down.
"While there's a lot of good players at the top, I think that after [Texas A&M edge rusher] Myles Garrett there could be a little drop-off," McShay said. "Everyone else has something about them, maybe they're a good fit for one scheme but not another, but I would find it hard to believe that with that No. 2 pick, that [the 49ers] will be getting a lot of calls on it." And by extension, the Bears at No. 3.
The consensus favorites remain North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky and Deshaun Watson from Clemson, but "they are truly late-first, second-round grades," McShay said. "It won't surprise me if one or both of them go in the top 10, but as we get closer, people are starting to realize that there's more value at other positions if you're talking about the first five or six picks of this draft."
Where mock drafts routinely will posit the same top 4-5 players in drafts, a current sampling using NFL Draftscout.com analysts has the Bears selecting Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore, LSU safety Jamal Adams (2), Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (2) and Trubisky.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Michael Carter-Williams latest Bull trying to reclaim up-and-down season.
By K.C. Johnson
Michael Carter-Williams is one of three guards in this most shifting of seasons to move from starting one game to not playing by coach's decision the next.
And like Rajon Rondo returning to reclaim his starting role, Carter-Williams has taken advantage of the coaching staff changing its desired criteria for playing time. Jerian Grant, who shot 40 percent from 3-point range, is the odd man out for now.
On Saturday, Carter-Williams not only again served as Rondo's backup. He played the entire fourth quarter as coach Fred Hoiberg sought defensive pressure as opposed to the offensive pace Rondo provides or the floor spacing Grant offers.
"He's a guy who can disrupt the ball," Hoiberg said. "He's guarding backup point guards and picking up the pressure. I thought he changed the pace of the game."
Carter-Williams finished with nine points and four assists in 26 minutes, 38 seconds.
Rotation roulette: For the second straight game, newcomer Joffrey Lauvergne logged fourth-quarter minutes over Cristiano Felicio despite Lauvergne not playing in the first three quarters.
"He just understands the game, knows how to play," Hoiberg said of Lauvergne, acquired in last month's trade with the Thunder. "He sprints into his ball screens. He did a good job of getting us some movement. He got Jimmy (Butler) a great backdoor cut on a three-point play and was solid on the other end."
Cautious approach: Hoiberg said the plan is for Cameron Payne to do lateral movement on his own on the Bulls' day off Sunday and perhaps practice Monday. Payne, the centerpiece of the Thunder trade, hasn't dressed for three games as he battles pain in the right foot he has broken the same bone in twice.
Despite Payne and the Bulls downplaying long-term concerns, the development isn't a good sign. Payne, who has a screw in the foot, opted not to have a second surgery when he fractured the bone a second time last fall.
Layups: Bobby Portis, who eventually followed Joe Johnson to Arkansas, grew up with the Razorback as his favorite player along with Kevin Garnett. On Saturday, Portis matched up against Johnson as the Jazz used a smaller lineup. "It was fun," Portis said. ... The Suns signed forward Jarell Eddie from the Windy City Bulls to a 10-day contract.
Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine show up in Bulls win over Jazz. (Saturday night's game, 03/18/2017).
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
A streaking Bobby Portis ran down the baseline after going full bore to close out on Joe Johnson, finding gold when Denzel Valentine launched a 45-foot fly pattern pass for a dunk.
That’s what’s called “Player Development”, as was Valentine’s triple that luckily rolled out to him in the left corner when Utah’s Rudy Gobert slapped Joffrey Lauvergne’s layup to Kingdom Come.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Valentine said. “You gotta stay patient, aggressive and confident.”
Both were critical plays in the fourth quarter against a quality opponent fighting for playoff position in the Bulls’ 95-86 over the Jazz Saturday night at the United Center.
Like Friday night, the Bulls played a spirited fourth quarter, erasing early mistakes and a double-digit deficit with vigor, timely shooting and an energy that’s rarely been seen this year.
One could say it was their best defensive performance of the season, on the heels of Wizards point guard John Wall carving up the Bulls’ defense for 20 assists. Holding the Jazz under 40 percent was an unsung highlight, and Jimmy Butler choked off the Jazz’ last hope by snatching the ball from a streaking Gordon Hayward and saving it from going out of bounds with less than a minute left and the Bulls leading by six.
“Go get the ball back,” Butler said. “It started with Mike (Carter-Williams) from making a play on the ball and making him alter his layup. I got it in just enough time to grab it. Just great hustle on everybody’s part.”
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was impressed by the overall effort on the defensive end, especially after the way they’ve played in the last stretch, having lost seven of their last eight.
“I thought we really locked in all night,” Hoiberg said. “We didn’t get off to a great start, down eight to ten off the bat. We did a good job in the second half, beginning of the third quarter.”
But perhaps the biggest highlight was the reliance on the young players who rose to the challenge under the circumstances, as the book is still out on Portis and Valentine to be sure.
For once, though, they produced in a winning situation, as Valentine scored 11 with 12 rebounds and four assists while Portis scored a career-high 22 points with five rebounds, doing his best to contain Joe Johnson on the perimeter while helping out on the mammoth Gobert (13 points, 13 rebounds) on the interior.
“Most of the time, I don’t play in the fourth quarter,” Portis said. “it was fun to see how fired up our guys were, even the bench was happy. The crowd, too. They were really involved tonight.”
If Portis followed the usual pattern of being pulled from the starting lineup as he was for Nikola Mirotic, he wouldn’t have seen the floor, as was the case with the revolving door of point guards.
But when he entered, he was aggressive, hitting jumpers and floaters, playing free and easy. After looking unsure of himself the last several games, he played definitively and it showed as he took advantage of every opportunity he had to score.
When he entered, the Bulls were down 18-10 with 3:27 left in the first after trailing by 12, and the energy in the building changed immediately.
“I liked starting so I played with a chip on my shoulder,” Portis said. “The last couple games I was hesitant to shoot. I gotta get that out my system. Probably just thinking too much and not playing the way the game is supposed to be played.”
Hitting his first six shots, he scored 13 in the first half, and three straight buckets to start the fourth gave the Bulls a slim lead, critical while Butler was on the bench.
“The biggest thing was putting two halves together, a complete game,” Portis said. “I feel like I did. I took good shots, I didn’t force anything on the offensive end. I let the game come to me. We got a big, well-needed win tonight.”
Butler finished with 23 points and seven assists in 37 minutes, but it wasn’t all isolation ball as the Bulls got him shots in different places, punctuated by several cuts to the basket, including a late one that resulted in a three-point play on his first possession midway through the fourth.
Sometimes the load appears to be too much for Butler, carrying an offensive load while keeping the other team’s best perimeter player in check on the other end.
But he put Hayward on punishment and holding him to five of 16 shooting and 14 points.
Whether it was a by-product of one leading the other or overall concentration on defense, it was likely their best performance of the season on that end, forcing 15 turnovers and keeping the Jazz to just 25 percent from three.
The only fly in the ointment was getting outrebounded 49-39, an aspect that kept the Jazz ahead until the third when the Bulls took their first lead at 49-48, a comeback after trailing by 12 early and looking pretty lifeless.
But the life came from the youth, as they showed their worth for a night, in a season where they don’t have many more opportunities to impress for the future.
That’s what’s called “Player Development”, as was Valentine’s triple that luckily rolled out to him in the left corner when Utah’s Rudy Gobert slapped Joffrey Lauvergne’s layup to Kingdom Come.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Valentine said. “You gotta stay patient, aggressive and confident.”
Both were critical plays in the fourth quarter against a quality opponent fighting for playoff position in the Bulls’ 95-86 over the Jazz Saturday night at the United Center.
Like Friday night, the Bulls played a spirited fourth quarter, erasing early mistakes and a double-digit deficit with vigor, timely shooting and an energy that’s rarely been seen this year.
One could say it was their best defensive performance of the season, on the heels of Wizards point guard John Wall carving up the Bulls’ defense for 20 assists. Holding the Jazz under 40 percent was an unsung highlight, and Jimmy Butler choked off the Jazz’ last hope by snatching the ball from a streaking Gordon Hayward and saving it from going out of bounds with less than a minute left and the Bulls leading by six.
“Go get the ball back,” Butler said. “It started with Mike (Carter-Williams) from making a play on the ball and making him alter his layup. I got it in just enough time to grab it. Just great hustle on everybody’s part.”
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was impressed by the overall effort on the defensive end, especially after the way they’ve played in the last stretch, having lost seven of their last eight.
“I thought we really locked in all night,” Hoiberg said. “We didn’t get off to a great start, down eight to ten off the bat. We did a good job in the second half, beginning of the third quarter.”
But perhaps the biggest highlight was the reliance on the young players who rose to the challenge under the circumstances, as the book is still out on Portis and Valentine to be sure.
For once, though, they produced in a winning situation, as Valentine scored 11 with 12 rebounds and four assists while Portis scored a career-high 22 points with five rebounds, doing his best to contain Joe Johnson on the perimeter while helping out on the mammoth Gobert (13 points, 13 rebounds) on the interior.
“Most of the time, I don’t play in the fourth quarter,” Portis said. “it was fun to see how fired up our guys were, even the bench was happy. The crowd, too. They were really involved tonight.”
If Portis followed the usual pattern of being pulled from the starting lineup as he was for Nikola Mirotic, he wouldn’t have seen the floor, as was the case with the revolving door of point guards.
But when he entered, he was aggressive, hitting jumpers and floaters, playing free and easy. After looking unsure of himself the last several games, he played definitively and it showed as he took advantage of every opportunity he had to score.
When he entered, the Bulls were down 18-10 with 3:27 left in the first after trailing by 12, and the energy in the building changed immediately.
“I liked starting so I played with a chip on my shoulder,” Portis said. “The last couple games I was hesitant to shoot. I gotta get that out my system. Probably just thinking too much and not playing the way the game is supposed to be played.”
Hitting his first six shots, he scored 13 in the first half, and three straight buckets to start the fourth gave the Bulls a slim lead, critical while Butler was on the bench.
“The biggest thing was putting two halves together, a complete game,” Portis said. “I feel like I did. I took good shots, I didn’t force anything on the offensive end. I let the game come to me. We got a big, well-needed win tonight.”
Butler finished with 23 points and seven assists in 37 minutes, but it wasn’t all isolation ball as the Bulls got him shots in different places, punctuated by several cuts to the basket, including a late one that resulted in a three-point play on his first possession midway through the fourth.
Sometimes the load appears to be too much for Butler, carrying an offensive load while keeping the other team’s best perimeter player in check on the other end.
But he put Hayward on punishment and holding him to five of 16 shooting and 14 points.
Whether it was a by-product of one leading the other or overall concentration on defense, it was likely their best performance of the season on that end, forcing 15 turnovers and keeping the Jazz to just 25 percent from three.
The only fly in the ointment was getting outrebounded 49-39, an aspect that kept the Jazz ahead until the third when the Bulls took their first lead at 49-48, a comeback after trailing by 12 early and looking pretty lifeless.
But the life came from the youth, as they showed their worth for a night, in a season where they don’t have many more opportunities to impress for the future.
Bradley Beal, Wizards hold off Bulls for win. (Friday night's game, 03/17/2017).
Associated Press
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Playing their first game without Dwyane Wade, the Chicago Bulls almost pulled off an improbable comeback against the Washington Wizards.
That's small consolation for a struggling team fighting for a playoff spot.
Bradley Beal scored nine of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, John Wall dished out a career-high 20 assists to go with 14 points, and the Wizards held on to defeat the Bulls 112-107 on Friday night.
Minus Wade, whose fractured elbow will keep him out for the rest of the regular season, the Bulls were down 19 points at halftime before getting as close as one.
Bradley Beal scored nine of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, John Wall dished out a career-high 20 assists to go with 14 points, and the Wizards held on to defeat the Bulls 112-107 on Friday night.
Minus Wade, whose fractured elbow will keep him out for the rest of the regular season, the Bulls were down 19 points at halftime before getting as close as one.
"I hate this word, `soft.' I hate it, but that's exactly what we were," Butler said of his team's start. "They beat us to every 50-50 ball, worked our tail in transition, we turned the ball over. Those things that we've talked about all year long replayed in that first half."
Chicago rallied and eventually had a chance to tie it, but a well-guarded Butler missed a 3-pointer from the wing with 3.9 seconds left.
"I'll take that shot," Butler said. "Maybe I should've side-stepped a little bit. You can say all this stuff now, but I had a great look at it."
Butler finished with 28 points and Robin Lopez added a season-high 25 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who began the night in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, and have lost seven of eight.
Wall, playing despite spraining his left foot in Wednesday's loss to Dallas, sank four free throws in the final minute, including two with 1.8 seconds left.
Washington's Jason Smith, starting in place of Markieff Morris who was a late scratch due to illness, tied his season high with 17 points and Ian Mahinmi had a season-high 16.
"It was solely attributed to John," Smith said of his output. "He was distributing the ball to everybody."
Washington, 21-4 in its last 25 games, had lost two straight, allowing 119 and 112 points.
"We got back to defending the right way, guarding our guy individually," Beal said. "They made some tough shots and some big 3's here and there, but for the most part I thought we did a solid job.
The Wizards led 49-40 late in the first half when Smith's jumper started a 10-0 run that was capped by Wall's 3-pointer that circled the rim and dropped as the half ended.
Those were Wall's only points of the half, but he had 12 assists.
"There's only a few guys in the league that can dominate a game with passing, and he's one of them," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said.
The Bulls rally began in the third quarter and Nikola Mirotic's 3-pointer with 1:24 left pulled the Bulls within two at 104-102. Wall's 20th assist then produced Marcin Gortat's layup.
Butler hit a 3 to pull Chicago to within one with 39.7 seconds left before Otto Porter's two free throws put Washington up 110-107 with 18.4 seconds to go.
CUBS: Why Joe Maddon and The Geek Department think this Cubs lineup could be more explosive than last year’s team.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/csnchicago.com
The Geek Department has spoken, reaffirming Cubs manager Joe Maddon's belief that Kyle Schwarber should be the leadoff guy atop another monster lineup projected to score more runs than the 2016 World Series champions.
"I'm all about the geeks," Maddon said. "Everybody should have their own geek."
Before the Cubs even reported to Arizona for camp, Maddon assigned a project to the research-and-development wing inside Theo Epstein's front office, asking what the simulations looked like with Schwarber at leadoff and the pitcher hitting eighth in front of Jon Jay or Albert Almora Jr.
"Really hot, really hot," Maddon said. "If that number's right, I'll take it."
Would that projection be north of 800 runs?
"I didn't get an actual overall number," Maddon said. "I got a per-game number. That's what I like."
Maddon sort of smirked when asked if the per-game average would be north of five: "I don't know. It's a good number." The Cubs led every National League team except for the Colorado Rockies with 808 runs scored last season. Pitcher Mike Montgomery batted eighth in Sunday's prime-time lineup against the Kansas City Royals at Sloan Park, where 2 through 7 the Cubs looked like an Opening Night cast: Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras and Jason Heyward.
The Cubs are banking on a full season/good health with Schwarber, Heyward not being one of the worst hitters in the majors and continued growth from their young talent. Even with Dexter Fowler taking his you-go, we-go act to the St. Louis Cardinals, the internal forecast has the 2017 Cubs scoring more runs than last year's 103-win team.
"With Schwarber hitting first, yeah," Maddon said. "I think that's accurate. I don't remember that number being on last year's lineup. They gave me a sheet with different scenarios. It was pretty heavy.
"Dexter was awesome, obviously. But (it's) Schwarber with the power potential, the home runs coming out of that spot with the extra at-bats, the natural rebounding of Jason. You just think that Jason's going to be a better hitter, production-wise, than last year, (plus) some of the younger guys, like Willson as an example, in his second year in the big leagues.
"I've been talking about bearing down on defense and pitching, because I think naturally the hitting's going to get better, based on these guys are good and they have more experience.
"All those things indicate that if we set it up this way, we should have a pretty good offensive year, especially against a right-handed pitcher."
Schwarber might get the day off against tough lefties, which would push the pitcher back down to the ninth spot. But the Cubs aren't an NL West team that will regularly have to face a Clayton Kershaw or a Madison Bumgarner. And the facts on the ground are constantly changing.
"I talk to the guys upstairs: 'This is what I'm thinking. Tell me where I'm wrong,'" Maddon said. "Like I said a couple years ago when Schwarber finally came up, I thought of hitting Schwarber first there and Dexter second. But they insisted the other way around. They were right.
"So, listen, I have no problem with that stuff. Believe me, that's the one thing I have learned: You can have all the great feelings in the world. It still might not be the right thing. Like a guy comes up to me and says: 'I have a good feeling about today.' Oh my God, I want to run.
"How do you know? There are so many times I've come to the ballpark, felt like crap, and we'll play the best game of the year. That has no correlation. You can feel all you want. (But) they gave me some solid information. I'm open for all that stuff."
While "Bryzzo," an American League-style lineup and a franchise built around hitters drew more attention, the Cubs rolled up a plus-252 run differential last year with consistent pitching and the best defensive unit in the majors, meaning this could actually be a different dimension for the defending champs.
"Everybody talked about the offense," Maddon said. "We pitched and caught the ball so well that the differential spread based on that. It wasn't just purely beating people up offensively."
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Carlos Rodon didn’t look like a guy who pitched in his first game of the entire spring on Sunday afternoon.
Rodon allowed a hit and walked one while striking out five batters in four scoreless innings in his 2017 Cactus League debut. Yoan Moncada also homered and doubled twice for the White Sox, who pounded the Los Angeles Angels 11-2 at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
After working on a deliberately slow program, Rodon admitted he’s been antsy to appear in an exhibition game.
“I’ve been sitting here for a while watching everybody else do something,” Rodon said. “I finally get to get out there and compete. So it was fun.
“Just normal. Getting back out there on the mound and facing those guys. Just had a fun time out there and we had some good defense playing behind me today. Hats off to those guys.”
Rodon had some good movement working. He dropped in a pair of offspeed pitches for called third strikes, two of three punch outs. The left-hander’s fastball sat between 90-91 mph in a scoreless first inning.
Rodon -- who threw strikes on 38 of 65 pitches before throwing 10 more in the bullpen -- struck out Mike Trout, Luis Valbuena (twice), Cameron Maybin and Cliff Pennington. He said he used all four of his pitches in the outing.
“It’s nice to get a sense of where I’m at and just be able to compete out there like I said,” Rodon said. “Build from that. Just try to build that pitch count up and then try to get up and down five or six times next time and then just more command better changeups.”
The White Sox wanted for Rodon to take the slow route this spring. Not only do they want to help him reach the 200-inning mark, they hope he could avoid some of the fatigue Rodon experienced last summer. Despite that fatigue, Rodon returned to action after he sprained his wrist and excelled, posting a 3.11 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings.
“We’re glad he’s out there,” manager Rick Renteria said before the game. “He’s on track and falling into the schedule we had set up at the end.”
Of late, Moncada has been on an impressive pace. Most of his damage Sunday came against the Angels bullpen as he homered off Kirby Yates and hit the first of his doubles against Austin Adams. Through 46 plate appearances, Moncada is slashing .317/.391/.683 with three homers and 13 RBIs.
Fellow prospect Zack Burdi struck out one in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He hasn’t allowed a run in eight of nine appearances and has a 2.70 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 10 innings this spring.
Matt Davidson homered and tripled in four at-bats. Adam Engel went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Melky Cabrera went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the White Sox, who finished with 14 hits.
Cody Asche has already settled in with White Sox.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Joining a new team after six pro seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies didn't exactly put Cody Asche's mind at ease last month.
Then he set foot into the White Sox clubhouse.
A non-roster invitee to camp, Asche has since found a comfort zone and it has translated to the field. With 11 days left in camp, Asche -- hitting .364/.563/.909 with six extra-base hits in 32 plate appearances -- is firmly in the mix for the Opening Day roster.
"You lay awake at night before you come to spring training with a new club wondering how it's going to be and how scary it could be, being it's your first time," Asche said. "It's nothing like I would have imagined. I felt like I fit in right away, and I'm really taken aback by the humbleness of the superstars in this room, (Jose) Abreu, (Todd) Frazier, (Jose) Quintana. Those guys, they're really great teammates."
A fourth-round draft pick in 2011, Asche was "very surprised" when the Phillies decided to designate him for assignment on Dec. 2. The University of Nebraska-product quickly rose through Philadelphia's farm system and was promoted to the majors late in the 2013 season. Asche -- who hit 31 homers and has a .684 career OPS in 1,287 PAs -- struggled defensively at third base in 2013 and 2014, which prompted the Phillies to switch him to the outfield the past two seasons. Arbitration eligible this offseason for the first time and due a raise, Philadelphia opted to move on.
"I didn't see that coming at all," Asche said. "I thought at least I would be back in camp and fighting for a job again. That's baseball. That's how it goes. I wasn't the first, and I won't be the last.
"I don't want to prove to them anything. A lot of people have to make tough decisions in this game. Sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong."
The White Sox are hopeful the Phillies were incorrect in their evaluation of Asche, who signed a minor-league deal with an invite to camp on Dec. 22. Though he faces longer odds as a non-roster invitee, Asche's chances are helped because he's one of the few left-handed sticks in camp.
The White Sox have added some flexibility to Asche's game by trying him out at first base this spring. They've been pleased with how he's handled his chances there as well as his offensive performance, which includes three doubles, three homers and nine walks in 32 trips.
"He's making it tough on everybody," manager Rick Renteria said. "Done a nice job preparing, executing and the things he is capable of doing. He's a pro and is doing things he's capable of, not trying to do too much. He's shown well. He's a pro and a person that kind of grows on you. He's pretty witty and very professional going about your business."
Asche said it didn't take long to feel comfortable in his new digs. He and Renteria had a chat at the start of camp where the manager "laid it on the line and told me what was going to be expected of me," Asche said. He has since found plenty of friendly faces, whether it's a quick word with Abreu or joking with Frazier.
Asche thinks he's matured as a person over the last few years. Though it has been tough to move on from old friends in Philly, Asche said he's only looking forward.
"No one wants to be DFAed from their parent club that drafted them and brought them up, but I always welcome new challenges," Asche said. "It's been real easy to play for these guys and around this group of teammates.
"I want to be a part of this culture. I want to be a part of this team. I want to play hard for Ricky. "I want to play hard for the guys in this room, and that's really all I'm focused on."
Then he set foot into the White Sox clubhouse.
A non-roster invitee to camp, Asche has since found a comfort zone and it has translated to the field. With 11 days left in camp, Asche -- hitting .364/.563/.909 with six extra-base hits in 32 plate appearances -- is firmly in the mix for the Opening Day roster.
"You lay awake at night before you come to spring training with a new club wondering how it's going to be and how scary it could be, being it's your first time," Asche said. "It's nothing like I would have imagined. I felt like I fit in right away, and I'm really taken aback by the humbleness of the superstars in this room, (Jose) Abreu, (Todd) Frazier, (Jose) Quintana. Those guys, they're really great teammates."
A fourth-round draft pick in 2011, Asche was "very surprised" when the Phillies decided to designate him for assignment on Dec. 2. The University of Nebraska-product quickly rose through Philadelphia's farm system and was promoted to the majors late in the 2013 season. Asche -- who hit 31 homers and has a .684 career OPS in 1,287 PAs -- struggled defensively at third base in 2013 and 2014, which prompted the Phillies to switch him to the outfield the past two seasons. Arbitration eligible this offseason for the first time and due a raise, Philadelphia opted to move on.
"I didn't see that coming at all," Asche said. "I thought at least I would be back in camp and fighting for a job again. That's baseball. That's how it goes. I wasn't the first, and I won't be the last.
"I don't want to prove to them anything. A lot of people have to make tough decisions in this game. Sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong."
The White Sox are hopeful the Phillies were incorrect in their evaluation of Asche, who signed a minor-league deal with an invite to camp on Dec. 22. Though he faces longer odds as a non-roster invitee, Asche's chances are helped because he's one of the few left-handed sticks in camp.
The White Sox have added some flexibility to Asche's game by trying him out at first base this spring. They've been pleased with how he's handled his chances there as well as his offensive performance, which includes three doubles, three homers and nine walks in 32 trips.
"He's making it tough on everybody," manager Rick Renteria said. "Done a nice job preparing, executing and the things he is capable of doing. He's a pro and is doing things he's capable of, not trying to do too much. He's shown well. He's a pro and a person that kind of grows on you. He's pretty witty and very professional going about your business."
Asche said it didn't take long to feel comfortable in his new digs. He and Renteria had a chat at the start of camp where the manager "laid it on the line and told me what was going to be expected of me," Asche said. He has since found plenty of friendly faces, whether it's a quick word with Abreu or joking with Frazier.
Asche thinks he's matured as a person over the last few years. Though it has been tough to move on from old friends in Philly, Asche said he's only looking forward.
"No one wants to be DFAed from their parent club that drafted them and brought them up, but I always welcome new challenges," Asche said. "It's been real easy to play for these guys and around this group of teammates.
"I want to be a part of this culture. I want to be a part of this team. I want to play hard for Ricky. "I want to play hard for the guys in this room, and that's really all I'm focused on."
Golf: I got a club for that..... Leishman rallies to win Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Golf Channel Digital
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Marc Leishman made a late charge Sunday to win a red cardigan at Bay Hill. Here's how things played out in the final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational:
What it means: Leishman is heading back to the Masters after winning his second career title at the API. Leishman was lurking behind Kisner and Hoffman all day, but the Aussie took control of the tournament with a 51-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th. Leishman then made two great up-and-downs on 17 and 18 to secure the victory.
Round of the day: Danny Lee went out early and fired a bogey-free 67 to move up from 39th place to T-17.
Biggest disappointment: McIlroy briefly held the lead before a disappointing three-putt on 18 dropped him two strokes behind Leishman, but this distinction goes to the final group of Hoffman and Kisner who were both over par on Sunday.
Shot of the day: Leishman's eagle was incredible, but the shot of the day by Zach Johnson was unreal.
Quote of the Day: "The putter's been amazing." – Leishman
Commentary: Harold Varner III walks alone in desert of golf diversity.
By Mike Bianchi
All these years after Tiger Woods was supposed to blaze the trail, break down the barriers and inspire a flood of African-American golfers onto the PGA Tour, the deluge has turned into a drought.
Harold Varner III walks alone through the desert of diversity in professional golf. Two decades after Tiger turned pro, Varner is the only black PGA Tour golfer in a sport that is whiter than the checkout line at Banana Republic.
Varner, the 26-year-old from Gastonia, N.C., was 4-under after the second round of The Arnie on Friday and is six shots behind leader Charlie Hoffman. Obviously, Varner would love to get his first PGA Tour victory for himself, but he’s also keenly aware of his status as the only African-American on tour.
“Somebody will make a difference someday,” Varner says. “Hopefully, it’s me. I just need to get in the right position where I can do it.”
This, of course, is the longest of long shots. If Tiger, one of the greatest golfers of all time, couldn’t make a difference, then you wonder if anybody can.
The NBA is 75 percent African-American. The NFL is 70 percent African-American. Major League Baseball has sunk to 9 percent African-American.
Meanwhile, the field at The Arnie this week is 0.83 percent African-American. Donald Trump’s cabinet is more diverse than the PGA Tour.
“Am I surprised? No, because golf is really expensive,” Varner says. “Why would I spend $30 a day to play golf when I can spend 30 bucks a month and go to the ‘Y’ and play basketball.”
Or, more commonly, pay nothing and go the public park and play basketball. Or go down to the local Boys’ Club and pay nothing to play Pop Warner football.
This just in: You can’t simply go down to the city recreation department and join the local youth golf team. Golf, even at the youth level, is increasingly becoming a sport of personal swing coaches, custom-made clubs and unlimited access to golf courses and range balls.
Varner only took up golf because he wasn’t very good at basketball and because there was a local municipal course in his hometown where kids could pay $100 to play unlimited golf all summer long.
“It’s all about accessibility,” Varner says. “It’s hard to get out on a golf course when you’re a kid with no money. I played basketball, but when I wasn’t starting or getting much playing time, I quit. I know that’s a little selfish, but now I’m in the perfect sport for a selfish mindset.”
Harold Varner III walks alone through the desert of diversity in professional golf. Two decades after Tiger turned pro, Varner is the only black PGA Tour golfer in a sport that is whiter than the checkout line at Banana Republic.
Varner, the 26-year-old from Gastonia, N.C., was 4-under after the second round of The Arnie on Friday and is six shots behind leader Charlie Hoffman. Obviously, Varner would love to get his first PGA Tour victory for himself, but he’s also keenly aware of his status as the only African-American on tour.
“Somebody will make a difference someday,” Varner says. “Hopefully, it’s me. I just need to get in the right position where I can do it.”
This, of course, is the longest of long shots. If Tiger, one of the greatest golfers of all time, couldn’t make a difference, then you wonder if anybody can.
The NBA is 75 percent African-American. The NFL is 70 percent African-American. Major League Baseball has sunk to 9 percent African-American.
Meanwhile, the field at The Arnie this week is 0.83 percent African-American. Donald Trump’s cabinet is more diverse than the PGA Tour.
“Am I surprised? No, because golf is really expensive,” Varner says. “Why would I spend $30 a day to play golf when I can spend 30 bucks a month and go to the ‘Y’ and play basketball.”
Or, more commonly, pay nothing and go the public park and play basketball. Or go down to the local Boys’ Club and pay nothing to play Pop Warner football.
This just in: You can’t simply go down to the city recreation department and join the local youth golf team. Golf, even at the youth level, is increasingly becoming a sport of personal swing coaches, custom-made clubs and unlimited access to golf courses and range balls.
Varner only took up golf because he wasn’t very good at basketball and because there was a local municipal course in his hometown where kids could pay $100 to play unlimited golf all summer long.
“It’s all about accessibility,” Varner says. “It’s hard to get out on a golf course when you’re a kid with no money. I played basketball, but when I wasn’t starting or getting much playing time, I quit. I know that’s a little selfish, but now I’m in the perfect sport for a selfish mindset.”
Varner was, in fact, inspired to play golf by Tiger, but not for the obvious reason. It wasn’t the color of Tiger’s skin that motivated Varner; it was the dominance of Tiger’s game.
“Tiger inspired me because he was the best player, not because he was black,” Varner says. “He just beat the [bleep] out of people when I was growing up.”
It’s hard to believe that Tiger’s massive influence and global appeal has had no measurable impact on increasing the number of African-American golfers. It’s not like the PGA Tour hasn’t tried. The Tour has different diversity programs and has been a major sponsor of the First Tee youth development organization.
Even so, golf at all levels remains whiter than it’s ever been. Here’s all you need to know: Last year’s, ahem, Minority Collegiate Golf Championship was won by Bethune-Cookman with a roster composed of eight white golfers and two black golfers.
At The Players Championship a couple of years ago, Woods himself offered a unique perspective on the paucity of African-American golfers. He pointed out that many black golfers of the past (see Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford) got their start as caddies — a profession that is rapidly dying in today’s motorized golf world.
“I honestly believe that we don’t have any African-Americans out here playing on the Tour or even a lot on the mini tours because of the advent of the golf cart,” Woods said then. “That took away a lot of the caddie programs. They would go out and loop, carry for 36 [holes], hit a few balls here and there. At least they got introduced. They got to watch it, simulate it, got to be around it.
“That’s all gone. So we don’t have the pool of players anymore and so as you get up to the peak, as competition pyramids up to the top, it [the number] obviously declines.”
Frighteningly, it has declined to a point of near-extinction.
And then there was one.
Harold Varner III walks alone down parched fairways in the desert of diversity.
56-year-old Juli Inkster shoots 64 in Founders Cup.
USA TODAY
LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan gave Juli Inkster a hug after her closing 8-under 64 on Sunday in the Founders Cup. She jokingly recoiled when he addressed her as "playing captain."
The 56-year-old Inkster is preparing to captain her second U.S. Solheim Cup team and wants no part of a dual role in August in Iowa, though she still loves to play and compete on the tour and showed again she has the game to keep up with much younger players. The 64 was her lowest round on tour since also shooting 64 in the third round of the 2003 Evian Masters.
"I like the challenge of getting better and playing," Inkster said. "I don't know if that makes sense, but I really enjoy playing golf. I really enjoy practicing and I really enjoy working on my game, especially when you have days like this where things come together and it works out.
"Just got to learn how to put the four rounds together again. I really like the direction I'm going. I've been working with a guy named Jeff Brehaut. He's a friend of mine and he's been good for me."
Inkster has won seven major championships and 31 overall LPGA Tour titles, the last in 2006. She made the last her nine Solheim Cup appearances as a player in 2011.
Coming off a Legends Tour victory two weeks ago in Sun City West, the Hall of Famer finished at 16-under 272 at Desert Ridge. She opened with rounds of 65, 73 and 70.
"In order to win out here, you've got to play four really good rounds, four low rounds," she said.
Inkster made a 15-footer for eagle on the par-5 fifth and had six birdies in her bogey-free round.
"I really like the way I'm hitting the ball," she said. "Rolled the ball really well today."
NASCAR: Ryan Newman snaps a long winless drought in the desert for Richard Childress Racing.
(Photo/yahoosports.com)
Ryan Newman took the lead by staying out under caution and won at Phoenix Raceway, ending a three-year winless drought for Richard Childress Racing.
It was the first victory in Cup for RCR since Kevin Harvick at Phoenix in November 2013, a stretch of 112 races. Newman, who joined RCR in 2014, snapped a 127-race winless skid dating to July 2013 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Stewart-Haas Racing.
Newman credited the victory to crew chief Luke Lambert, who elected to keep the No. 31 Chevrolet on track instead of pitting for two tires as the driver had requested.
“What a gutsy call by Luke,” Newman told Fox Sports after his 18th victory in NASCAR’s premier series. “I called for two tires, and he called for none. I’ve won more races no tires than I have with four. I’m just proud of these guys. We had a good car all day. We kept it out of trouble and collected in the end.”
A brutally hot day in the Valley of the Sun affected Newman, who slumped over while being administered bags of ice in victory lane.
“I’m spent, man,” he said. “I had the chills on Lap 150. I’m done.”
Kyle Busch took the lead on a pit stop under yellow with 118 laps to go and seemed in command in search of his first victory of the season after being in the spotlight this past week because of a postrace altercation with Joey Logano. Busch wasn’t punished despite taking a swing after a last-lap crash with Logano at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Logano played a role in having a late-race impact again on Busch when his No. 22 Ford blew a right-front tire with six laps remaining, causing a caution that sent the race into overtime. Busch entered the pits with the lead but left in fifth behind three cars that stayed on the track: Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Larson beat Busch out of the pits to start fourth on the restart. Larson finished second, his third consecutive runner-up finish and fourth in the past five races dating to last season’s finale.
Busch, who leap-frogged Chase Elliott into the lead during a caution for a wicked hit by Matt Kenseth (who emerged unscathed), staved off the field on two restarts before losing the lead. He was trying to end a 19-race winless streak dating to last July at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Busch finished third, followed by Stenhouse and Brad Keselowski.
First-time stage winners claimed the first two 75-lap segments of the race.
Logano started from the pole and led 82 of the first 84 laps to capture the first stage. But his No. 22 Ford dropped to 32nd on Lap 122 after a speeding penalty under yellow.
Elliott won the second stage after taking the lead on a three-wide move.
Kyle Larson takes points lead after runner-up Phoenix finish.
By Dustin Long
It was the first victory in Cup for RCR since Kevin Harvick at Phoenix in November 2013, a stretch of 112 races. Newman, who joined RCR in 2014, snapped a 127-race winless skid dating to July 2013 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Stewart-Haas Racing.
Newman credited the victory to crew chief Luke Lambert, who elected to keep the No. 31 Chevrolet on track instead of pitting for two tires as the driver had requested.
“What a gutsy call by Luke,” Newman told Fox Sports after his 18th victory in NASCAR’s premier series. “I called for two tires, and he called for none. I’ve won more races no tires than I have with four. I’m just proud of these guys. We had a good car all day. We kept it out of trouble and collected in the end.”
A brutally hot day in the Valley of the Sun affected Newman, who slumped over while being administered bags of ice in victory lane.
“I’m spent, man,” he said. “I had the chills on Lap 150. I’m done.”
Kyle Busch took the lead on a pit stop under yellow with 118 laps to go and seemed in command in search of his first victory of the season after being in the spotlight this past week because of a postrace altercation with Joey Logano. Busch wasn’t punished despite taking a swing after a last-lap crash with Logano at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Logano played a role in having a late-race impact again on Busch when his No. 22 Ford blew a right-front tire with six laps remaining, causing a caution that sent the race into overtime. Busch entered the pits with the lead but left in fifth behind three cars that stayed on the track: Newman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Larson beat Busch out of the pits to start fourth on the restart. Larson finished second, his third consecutive runner-up finish and fourth in the past five races dating to last season’s finale.
Busch, who leap-frogged Chase Elliott into the lead during a caution for a wicked hit by Matt Kenseth (who emerged unscathed), staved off the field on two restarts before losing the lead. He was trying to end a 19-race winless streak dating to last July at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Busch finished third, followed by Stenhouse and Brad Keselowski.
First-time stage winners claimed the first two 75-lap segments of the race.
Logano started from the pole and led 82 of the first 84 laps to capture the first stage. But his No. 22 Ford dropped to 32nd on Lap 122 after a speeding penalty under yellow.
Elliott won the second stage after taking the lead on a three-wide move.
Kyle Larson takes points lead after runner-up Phoenix finish.
By Dustin Long
(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson‘s runner-up finish Sunday at Phoenix Raceway was good enough to take the points lead for the first time in his NASCAR Cup career.
Larson left Phoenix with 184 points after placing second in both stages and the race. Brad Keselowski is next with 178 points. He’s followed by Chase Elliott (171), Martin Truex Jr. (153) and Joey Logano (135).
Click here for Cup points report
Results from DC Solar 200 Xfinity Series race at Phoenix.
By Jerry Bonkowski
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Justin Allgaier worked and worked and worked for Saturday’s DC Solar 200 victory — not just in the race, but for the last 4 1/2 years.
The Illinois native snapped an 80-race winless streak that dated back to August 2012, earning his fourth career Xfinity Series win and the first for JR Motorsports at Phoenix.
Ryan Blaney finished second, followed by Erik Jones, William Byron and Elliott Sadler.
SOCCER: Early goal, red card lead to lopsided loss for Fire in Atlanta.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/USA TODAY)
In a match between two upstart teams in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Fire fell short in the early test.
The Fire gave up an early goal, suffered a red card soon after and were overwhelmed in a 4-0 loss in Atlanta's sold out Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.
Atlanta midfielder Julian Gressel hit a low cross from the right in the fourth minute that bounced off Brandon Vincent and went into the goal.
The start to the match went from bad to disastrous when Johan Kappelhof was given a red card in the 11th minute. Kappelhof pulled down Josef Martinez and was ruled to be the last defender to deny a scoring opportunity. As a result, he was given the red.
Jonathan Campbell replaced Arturo Alvarez a few minutes later to give the Fire (1-1-1, 4 points) a full four-man back line the rest of the way.
Atlanta (2-1, 6 points) thoroughly dominated possession the rest of the match, but struggled to put shots on target. Despite nearly 83 percent possession in the first half, Atlanta had just one shot on target to the Fire's two.
However, the home team put the match away in the 60th minute. Highly paid designated player Miguel Almiron threaded a pass through multiple defenders to Martinez, who beat the offside trap, dribbled around goalkeeper Jorge Bava and scored into an open net.
Hector Villalba pounced on a loose ball in the box in the 67th minute to make it 3-0 and the rout was on.
Martinez scored his second goal with an impressive pair of touches. He knocked a through ball around Bava with his first touch and scored from a very tight angle to finish off the scoring.
Already down a goal, the Fire were practically out of the game when Kappelhof was sent off and Atlanta finally converted all the possession into goals in the second half. Atlanta finished with 83 percent possession for the match.
Fire forward Michael de Leeuw suffered a hamstring injury in training on Friday and was not with the team for Saturday's match. Luis Solignac took his spot in the starting lineup, which was the only change from last week's 2-0 win against Real Salt Lake.
La Liga roundup: Barcelona earns crazy win, Atletico keeps pace.
By Kyle Bonn
(Photo/Getty Images)
Barcelona faced adversity against Valencia at the Nou Camp, but they fended off pesky Valencia 4-2 on a pair from Lionel Messi and one each by Luis Suarez and Andre Gomes.
The first half was wild. Eliaquim Mangala headed home a corner to put Valencia ahead inside the opening half-hour, but it wasn’t long before Suarez hit back to draw back level. It appeared to be crumbling for the visitors when Mangala picked up his second yellow card for a pull-back Suarez in the box, both earning Barcelona a penalty and seeing Valencia down a man. Messi bagged the penalty before the break for a 2-1 lead, but Valencia struck back not a minute later as Munir El Haddadi scored on the stroke of halftime to make it 2-2 at the break.
The pivotal moment came in the 52nd minute as Neymar was clean through, but Diego Alves made an incredible save to keep the game level. Moments later, Messi put Barcelona in front with his 25th La Liga goal, skirting two defenders and beating Alves to his near post. That put Barcelona 3-2 up, and they finished it off against the tiring visitors with one from Andre Gomes with two minutes to go.
Atletico Madrid scored a massive victory by beating Sevilla at home 3-1. Diego Godin, Antoine Griezmann, and Koke all scored to give the home side all three points, a huge win that closed the gap with Sevilla in third at just two points. Griezmann’s goal was especially pretty, a left-footed rocket on a free-kick just outside the box that clipped the underside of the bar and cannoned in.
The loss likely shuts the book on any outside shot Sevilla may have had at the La Liga title, now sitting eight points back of Real Madrid, who also has a game in hand.
Elsewhere, Celta Vigo had struggled to translate its solid Europa League performances into sustained league form, but they managed to this weekend with a 1-0 win over Deportivo. Iago Aspas in particular is on a roll, and he scored the lone goal in the game, his sixth goal in his last nine games across all competitions. Aspas managed to slip by three defenders unnoticed at the back post, and Claudio Beauvue met him with a cross for the 74th minute goal.
Sporting Gijon got a big win in a huge relegation matchup, winning 3-1 to move onto 18 points, just one back of their opponents. They’re still seven points off safety, but they now have some life in the fight. All three of Sporting’s goals came in a seven-minute span just past the hour mark.
Finally, Malaga continued to struggle, finishing with a scoreless draw against 17th placed Leganes. Malaga has won just one league match since November 26th.
Serie A roundup: Juventus stays 10 points clear, Roma comes back.
By Kyle Bonn
(Photo/Getty Images)
Juventus began a new league winning streak as they rode an early Juan Cuadrado goal to a 1-0 road win over Sampdoria, maintaining the 10 point league lead.
Cuadrado scored just seven minutes in at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, heading in Kwadwo Asamoah’s left-flank cross. They would defend strong the rest of the way, as Sampdoria out-shot Juventus 10-9, but they offered little in front of net. Juventus could have had a second had Gonzalo Higuain not inadvertently blocked a sure goal for Mario Mandzukic on the line.
The Italian giants drew on March 5th against Udinese, halting a seven-match winning streak, but now with successive wins over AC Milan and Sampdoria, the streak begins anew. The victory came at a heavy price, however, as Paulo Dybala was forced off with a leg injury in the 28th minute. This is an equally big loss for Argentina, who called Dybala up for the coming.
With the comfortable lead at the top, Juventus just has to ward off Napoli. They did just that, despite Napoli’s exciting 3-2 win over Empoli. They built an early 3-0 lead on two from Lorenzo Insigne bracketing one from Dries Mertens, but Empoli put up a fight. Omar El Kaddouri scored in the 70th minute to give the hosts a lifeline, and Massimo Maccarone hit in the 84th minute to make it a game. Napoli would see the game off, to keep Mertens from rueing his missed penalty in the 7th minute.
Roma found itself down trailing Sassuolo in the opening 10 minutes, but would come from behind to earn a 3-1 win and all three points. Leandro Paredes evened it up in the 16th minute, and Mohamed Salah put Roma in front before the break. Edin Dzeko hit past the hour mark to complete the scoreline and keep Roma in third and within one point of Napoli.
Elsewhere, Lazio was held to a 0-0 draw on the road at Cagliari, harming their chances of catching the top 3. Lazio could only get four of its 14 shots on target, and they fell five points back of Roma, and now sit just two points ahead of fifth-placed Inter and sixth-placed Atalanta, both on 55 points.
Atalanta moved themselves into that advantageous position with a 3-0 win over bottom-feeders Pescara. Alejandro Gomez and Alberto Grassi scored on each end of halftime, and Gomez earned a third in stoppage time to finish things off. Fiorentina won at Crotone 1-0 thanks to a late 90th minute winner from Nikola Kalanic, but they still trail AC Milan by five points for seventh place.
Serie A: Hart’s howlers help Inter to draw with Torino; AC Milan win.
Associated Press
(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Joe Hart gifted Inter Milan both of its goals but Torino managed to draw 2-2 in Serie A on Saturday and damage Inter’s bid for a Champions League place.
Hart’s first mistake allowed Geoffrey Kondogbia to score. Torino fought back with goals from Daniele Baselli and Afriyie Acquah. However, another error from the England goalkeeper saw Antonio Candreva level.
“This draw is like a defeat,” Candreva said. “Our rivals who are ahead of us in the standings are running strongly, and now we have to try to win all of the matches.”
Inter remained fifth and was five points behind third-placed Napoli and the final qualifying position for Europe’s premier club competition.
“We’re not happy, we made a mistake in how we approached the match,” Inter coach Stefano Pioli said. “There are many regrets, especially at the end, there were chances to win the match.”
Napoli visits Empoli on Sunday. On the same day, Atalanta, which lost 7-1 at the San Siro last weekend, can move level with Inter with a win over Pescara.
The match had been hyped as a fight between Serie A’s top goalscorers. Torino and Italy forward Andrea Belotti led with 22, two more than Inter captain Mauro Icardi.
Icardi had the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute but he was ruled offside on Ever Banega’s through ball.
Inter did go in front when Kondogbia’s effort squirmed between Hart’s hands.
Its lead lasted just six minutes before Baselli was left unmarked to head in after a corner was flicked on by Cristian Molinaro.
Belotti may not have got on the scoresheet but he helped set up Torino’s second with a cross-field pass to Juan Iturbe, who pulled back for Acquah to curl into the top left corner in the 59th.
Torino’s lead lasted even less than Inter’s as the visitors leveled three minutes later when Hart completely missed a cross and Candreva fired into an empty net.
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Home | Away | PTS |
| Juventus | 28 | 23 | 1 | 4 | 58 | 19 | 39 | 15-0-0 | 8-1-4 | 70 |
| Roma | 28 | 20 | 2 | 6 | 61 | 25 | 36 | 12-0-1 | 8-2-5 | 62 |
| Napoli | 28 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 65 | 30 | 35 | 10-3-2 | 8-3-2 | 60 |
| Lazio | 28 | 17 | 5 | 6 | 50 | 30 | 20 | 10-2-3 | 7-3-3 | 56 |
| Inter Milan | 29 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 55 | 31 | 24 | 10-2-2 | 7-2-6 | 55 |
| AC Milan | 29 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 32 | 10 | 10-2-3 | 6-3-5 | 53 |
| Atalanta | 28 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 43 | 33 | 10 | 9-1-3 | 7-3-5 | 52 |
| Fiorentina | 28 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 45 | 37 | 8 | 7-7-0 | 5-2-7 | 45 |
| Sampdoria | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 35 | 33 | 2 | 8-4-2 | 3-4-7 | 41 |
| Torino | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 54 | 48 | 6 | 8-5-1 | 2-5-8 | 40 |
AC Milan maintained its push for Europe with its fourth win in five matches in Serie A.
Mati Fernandez scored his first Milan goal to send his side sixth, two points below its city rival Inter.
It didn’t start out well for the Rossoneri as Andrea Bertolacci pulled up hurt in the opening minute and had to be replaced by Manuel Locatelli.
The teenager almost had an immediate impact but his effort flew narrowly wide.
Lucas Ocampos nearly scored against his old team with a shot that was acrobatically cleared off the line by Genoa defender Armando Izzo.
Mati Fernandez broke the deadlock shortly after the half hour, running onto Gianluca Lapadula’s backheeled flick and dinking it over goalkeeper Eugenio Lamanna.
La Liga: Ronaldo turns playmaker to lead Real Madrid past Bilbao.
Associated Press
(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo turned into Real Madrid’s playmaker by setting up two goals to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on Saturday and keep on track to reclaim the Spanish league title.
Ronaldo passed for Karim Benzema to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium.
Bilbao equalized through Aritz Aduriz’s header in the 65th, but three minutes later Ronaldo flicked on a corner kick for Casemiro to finish off.
“We won at a very difficult ground. We had to dig in but we played with real character,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said.
Madrid, which hasn’t won the league since 2012, leads second-placed Barcelona by five points. Barcelona hosts Valencia on Sunday. Madrid has a game in hand.
| Team |
GP
| W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Home | Away | PTS |
| Real Madrid | 27 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 71 | 28 | 43 | 11-3-0 | 9-2-2 | 65 |
| Barcelona | 27 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 77 | 23 | 54 | 9-3-1 | 9-3-2 | 60 |
| Sevilla | 27 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 51 | 31 | 20 | 10-2-1 | 7-4-3 | 57 |
| Atlético Madrid | 27 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 49 | 22 | 27 | 9-2-2 | 6-5-3 | 52 |
| Villarreal | 28 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 39 | 20 | 19 | 8-3-3 | 5-6-3 | 48 |
| Real Sociedad | 28 | 15 | 3 | 10 | 42 | 39 | 3 | 7-3-4 | 8-0-6 | 48 |
| Athletic | 28 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 35 | 32 | 3 | 10-3-2 | 3-2-8 |
44
|
The loss ended Bilbao’s unbeaten home streak at 13 games in the league, one short of the club record in 1992.
Madrid spent long stretches in its half absorbing Bilbao’s pressure brought by wingers Inaki Williams and Inigo Leque.
But Madrid’s efficiency proved the difference. As Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde put it: “They beat us with two moments of brilliance.”
Midfielder Casemiro played a part in Benzema’s goal when he spotted Ronaldo breaking down the left. Ronaldo received his long pass and squared the ball for Benzema to slot in.
Benzema moved into the top-10 La Liga scorers in Madrid’s history, with 119 goals in 237 matches. Ronaldo had the club record of 280.
Madrid had little trouble repelling Bilbao’s crosses until Williams forced Keylor Navas to make a difficult save early in the second half.
Shortly after, Williams sped past Marcelo and crossed for Raul Garcia to head the ball back to the center of the six-yard box where Aduriz nodded it home.
Bilbao’s push was deflated by Ronaldo, however, when he headed on a corner kick for Casemiro to control and tap in uncontested.
“I know what my duties in the team are and that’s not scoring goals because there are more gifted players than me playing further forward,” Casemiro said. “Having said that, if I can score, then all the better.”
Deyverson’s goal just before halftime secured Alaves a win over regional Basque Country rival Real Sociedad.
With a second consecutive loss, Sociedad missed the chance to move into fifth place and lost ground on the top four spots that earn Champions League berths.
Enrique Garcia headed in Pedro Leon’s cross for Eibar in the 20th, and Espanyol midfielder Jose Jurado equalized shortly after halftime.
The splitting of the points did little to help both sides’ hopes of qualifying for the Europa League.
Bottom-side Osasuna is staring at relegation after its winless streak reached 20 rounds.
Betis eased to victory from Rafa Navarro’s first career goal in the league followed by Ruben Castro’s strike.
Championship Focus: Newcastle drop more points, but remain top.
By Andy Edwards
(Photo credit: Leeds United / Twitter: @LUFC)
No one wants to win the Championship, and no one wants to lock up a place in the playoffs to fight for promotion to the Premier League.
The Championship’s top nine teams (all sides currently within five points of the fourth and final playoff place) have a combined nine wins from the group’s last 27 games played, including zero by the current leaders.
Birmingham City 0-0 Newcastle United
With every opportunity to sew up the league title, Rafa Benitez‘s Magpies have two points to show for their last three league games, a run which includes a painfully (four shots on goal between the sides) scoreless draw away to 18th-place Birmingham on Saturday.
It was still somehow better than any prospective title challenger could muster…
The Championship’s top nine teams (all sides currently within five points of the fourth and final playoff place) have a combined nine wins from the group’s last 27 games played, including zero by the current leaders.
Birmingham City 0-0 Newcastle United
With every opportunity to sew up the league title, Rafa Benitez‘s Magpies have two points to show for their last three league games, a run which includes a painfully (four shots on goal between the sides) scoreless draw away to 18th-place Birmingham on Saturday.
It was still somehow better than any prospective title challenger could muster…
Leeds United 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
After erasing a five-point deficit with a pair of wins last week, Brighton came crashing back down to earth on Saturday, losing 2-0 away to a quickly climbing Leeds side which now sits fourth in the league table, two points back of third-place Huddersfield Town and two points clear of fifth-place Reading.
Chris Wood grew his league-leading goals haul to three with a second-half brace (63rd and 85th minutes), and Garry Monk‘s side looks to be the peaking-at-the-right-time team — seven games without a loss (four wins, three draws) — with the promotion playoffs six short weeks away.
Elsewhere in the Championship
(19th) Bristol City 4-0 (3rd) Huddersfield Town
(6th) Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 (5th) Reading
(7th) Fulham 1-4 (16th) Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League roundup: Chelsea delight, Arsenal misery.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo/by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
West Bromwich Albion 3-1 Arsenal — RECAP
Craig Dawson scored a pair of goals and Hal Robson-Kanu added another as West Bromwich Albion heaped misery on Arsenal with a fourth Premier League loss in five outings.
Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford — RECAP
Troy Deeney headed a pinpoint effort… into his own goal as Palace gained some breathing room in the relegation battle.
Stoke City 1-2 Chelsea — RECAP
Gary Cahill conceded the penalty that allowed Jon Walters to cancel out Willian‘s opener, and then scored the winner as Chelsea moved closer to coronation.
Everton 4-0 Hull City — RECAP
Hull was down 1-0 when it went down to 10 men, and Romelu Lukaku scored a brace in stoppage time to lead the Toffees sixth.
Sunderland 0-0 Burnley — RECAP
The Black Cats wasted a few chances and now sit seven points back of safety.
Bournemouth 2-0 Swansea City — RECAP
Alfie Mawson has been good of late for Swans, but saw Benik Afobe‘s shot take a turn off of him and defy Lukasz Fabianski to make it 1-0. Afobe added another, and the Cherries scooped up back-to-back wins for the first time since March 2016.
West Ham United 2-3 Leicester City — RECAP
Leicester’s heroes of 2015-16 were on point Saturday, as Riyad Mahrez, Robert Huth (!!), and Jamie Vardy all scored and Kasper Schmeichel made some key saves to make sure Manuel Lanzini and Andre Ayew’s goals were in defeat. It’s four-straight wins for the Foxes.
For more on Saturday’s action, listen to the latest 2 Robbies podcast.
NCAABKB: No. 1 Gonzaga’s win over No. 8 Northwestern marred by blown goaltending call.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
No. 8 Northwestern was rolling.
They were on a 23-8 run, having trimmed what was once a 20-point deficit down to just five. There were five minutes left in the game, and the collective hope of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Doug Collins and 75 percent of the sports journalism world was going to be enough to lead the Wildcats to the miraculous upset.
And then this happened:
A dunk attempt by Dererk Pardon was blocked by Zach Collins, according to the officials, but Collins had actually blocked the shot by putting his hand up through the rim. It’s quite clearly a blown call by the officiating staff — one that was confirmed in a release by the NCAA on Saturday evening — and to compound their error, the ref closest to Northwestern head coach Chris Collins lit him up with a technical foul when he protested. (Collins earned the tech by running on the floor, but he was justified in being angry.)
Instead of a bucket that would have cut Gonzaga’s lead to three points and continued to add game pressure on a team that doesn’t exactly have the best reputation of being able to handle game pressure, Gonzaga got a pair of free throws and was able to push the lead back to ten points two possessions later. Northwestern never threatened again, and Gonzaga went on to win, 79-73.
It was a brutal break for the Wildcats, one that I’m sure Mark Few isn’t going to complain about, as the Zags avoided bowing out of the tournament in the second round, which was the fate the program suffered the last time that they were a No. 1 seed.
Nigel Williams-Goss led the way with 20 points for the Zags, while Zach Collins chipped in with 14 points, five boards and four blocks off the bench as the Zags advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, where they will face No. 4 seed West Virginia.
They were on a 23-8 run, having trimmed what was once a 20-point deficit down to just five. There were five minutes left in the game, and the collective hope of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Doug Collins and 75 percent of the sports journalism world was going to be enough to lead the Wildcats to the miraculous upset.
And then this happened:
A dunk attempt by Dererk Pardon was blocked by Zach Collins, according to the officials, but Collins had actually blocked the shot by putting his hand up through the rim. It’s quite clearly a blown call by the officiating staff — one that was confirmed in a release by the NCAA on Saturday evening — and to compound their error, the ref closest to Northwestern head coach Chris Collins lit him up with a technical foul when he protested. (Collins earned the tech by running on the floor, but he was justified in being angry.)
Instead of a bucket that would have cut Gonzaga’s lead to three points and continued to add game pressure on a team that doesn’t exactly have the best reputation of being able to handle game pressure, Gonzaga got a pair of free throws and was able to push the lead back to ten points two possessions later. Northwestern never threatened again, and Gonzaga went on to win, 79-73.
It was a brutal break for the Wildcats, one that I’m sure Mark Few isn’t going to complain about, as the Zags avoided bowing out of the tournament in the second round, which was the fate the program suffered the last time that they were a No. 1 seed.
Nigel Williams-Goss led the way with 20 points for the Zags, while Zach Collins chipped in with 14 points, five boards and four blocks off the bench as the Zags advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, where they will face No. 4 seed West Virginia.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Saturday gave us two of the best games of the tournament, with No. 8 Wisconsin upsetting No. 1 Villanova and No. 5 Iowa State erasing a 19-point second half deficit only to give the game right back to No. 4 Purdue.
Sunday hasn’t disappointed either, as the day was chock-full of upsets, dogfights, highlights and last-second shots.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
No. 2 Duke is heading home. The Blue Devils got run out of Greenville by No. 7 South Carolina, as the Gamecocks scored 65 second half points in an 88-81 win on Sunday night. It was a fitting ending for a team loaded with talent that was never quite able to put it all together, as they were more or less punked by a tougher, more physical South Carolina team in what amounted to a road game.
The best game of the day was the nightcap in Indianapolis, as No. 2 Kentucky avoided a late-game collapse and locked up No. 10 Wichita State on the final two possessions of the game. There was so much to love about this game, from the Wichita State revenge factor to the battle between De’Aaron Fox and Landry Shamet to the way that Gregg Marshall schemed Malik Monk into a limited role. What was even better was that the game came down to a final possession, and while it was a low-scoring, defensive slugfest, it was a hell of a game to watch. Defense doesn’t have to be ugly.
The ride isn’t over yet for No. 7 Michigan, as the Wolverines came from behind to beat No. 2 Louisville and get to the Sweet 16. The most impressive part of the win is that Michigan did it while star point guard Derrick Walton Jr., who has ben one of the best players in the country over the course of the last six weeks, finished with just 10 points on 3-for-13 shooting. The Wolverines were involved in a plane crash earlier this month, and ever since then, the narrative that this is a Team of Destiny has ben bandied about. That should stop, because the Wolverines aren’t a Cinderella. They’re just damn good.
With the losses, the ACC — the ‘best conference in the history of conferences’ — is now down to just one team left in this tournament, No. 1 seed North Carolina while the Big Ten — which was maligned all year long — has three teams in the Sweet 16, including the two teams that beat No. 1 Villanova and No. 2 Louisville.
The team that Michigan will play in the next round, No. 3 seed Oregon, came very close to getting upset as well. The Ducks erased an 11-point second half deficit, knocking off No. 11 Rhode Island thanks to a Tyler Dorsey three with 36 seconds left in the game. URI had a couple of shots to tie the game on the final possession, but they couldn’t connect.
No one in the tournament has been more impressive throughout the first weekend than No. 1 seed Kansas, who pulled away from No. 9 Michigan State down the stretch and ended up sending the Fighting Tom Izzos home with a 20-point loss.
No. 1 seed North Carolina was not impressive, however, as the Tar Heels blew a double-digit lead and very nearly lost to No. 8 seed Arkansas on Sunday evening. The Tar Heels were down 65-60 with three minutes left, but used some sterling defense and a 12-0 run down the stretch to pull away with the win. The question with this team is defense and toughness, and while that was something of an issue late in the first half and early in the second half, the Tar Heels made the plays they needed to make down the stretch to win it.
SATURDAY’S BEST
Tyler Dorsey, Oregon: Dorsey not only scored 27 points on 9-for-10 shooting against Rhode Island, but he had five boards, three assists and two steals, in addition to, you know, a game-winning jumper.
Moe Wagner, Michigan: The German important scored 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting as the Wolverines knocked off No. 2 seed Louisville to get to the Sweet 16. Just don’t call them the ‘Team of Destiny’.
Josh Jackson, Kansas: Jackson had a team-high 23 points as the Jayhawks beat No. 9 seed Michigan State.
NCAA Tournament Saturday Recap: Villanova upset, Florida State beat down, Northwestern burned by no-call.
By Rob Dauster
(Photo/Elsa/Getty Images)
The first round of the NCAA Tournament left us wanting more, and the second round delivered.
In a big way.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
The reigning champs went down. Villanova, the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament field, lost a thriller to No. 8 seed Wisconsin on Saturday thanks to a pair of massive threes from Bronson Koening and a Jordan-esque move from Nigel Hayes that led to a winning bucket with 11.4 seconds left on the block. The question with Villanova now is what the legacy of this team will be?
The other No. 1 seed in action on Friday night was Gonzaga, and Mark Few’s club survived an upset-bid from No. 8 seed Northwestern on the strength of some questionable-at-best officiating late in the game. Even though this is the third straight year that Gonzaga has been in the Sweet 16, this is a program with the reputation of getting knocked out of the tournament early; somehow, the narrative has become that Gonzaga getting a No. 1 seed and losing in the second round is the norm for that program.
It’s ironic, really. That’s what Villanova does, but because Villanova won a national title, it’s not something we’re allowed to mention anymore.
Have we seen a more dominant performance in this tournament than No. 11 Xavier‘s 91-66 win over No. 3 Florida State? The Musketeers, playing without their most important player in Edmond Sumner, advanced to the Sweet 16. The job that Chris Mack has done with this team this season cannot be overlooked. They’ve dealt with more adversity on their roster than just about anyone left in the tournament not named Duke.
The Game of the Day, however, came in the nightcap, as No. 5 Iowa State squared off with Caleb Swanigan and No. 4 Purdue. Swanigan was sensational, but Purdue blew a 19-point second half lead and let Iowa State take the lead … before a 9-0 in the final five minutes game them the lead back. It was wild, it was intense, it was fun and it was a win for Purdue.
No. 7 Saint Mary’s put a scare into No. 2 seed Arizona, jumping out to a 10-point first half lead, but the Gaels faded down the stretch as Allonzo Trier woke up in the second half en route to a 69-60 win. The Wildcats will advance to take on No. 11 seed Xavier, as Chris Mack and Sean Miller, good friends and former colleagues, will square off.
The first game of the day was as impressive of a performance as we’ve seen out of No. 4 seed West Virginia this season. They’ve had bigger wins this year, but their win over No. 5 seed Notre Dame made a statement with the number of huge jumpers they made down the stretch. It’s not often that West Virginia wins games with their shooting, but that’s exactly what happened Saturday.
Kelan Martin scored 19 points and Andrew Chrabacsz scored 15 as No. 4 Butler sent No. 12 Middle Tennessee and their Cinderella slippers home. The Bulldogs are in the Sweet 16 despite having a team that doesn’t quite have the talent you would expect out of a Sweet 16 team. They’ve not a mid-major anymore, but this is one of college basketball’s best stories.
SATURDAY’S BEST
Iowa State vs. Purdue: Everything about this game was great. Comebacks by both teams, stars playing like stars, big shots, big dunks, great pace. If there was a standout, however, it was Caleb Swanigan, who finished with 20 points, 12 boards and seven assists.
Trevon Bluiett, Xavier: Bluiett had 29 points as No. 11 Xavier put together one of the most impressive performances of this tournament, beating No. 3 seed Florida State by 25 points.
Jevon Carter, West Virginia: Carter had 24 points and three assists, hitting four huge threes as the Mountaineers advanced to the Sweet 16.
Not Virginia: The’Hoos saw their scoring issues pop back up on Saturday night, as they managed all of 39 points in a blowout loss to No. 4 seed Florida.
NCAAFB: Spread offenses in college make NFL a guessing game.
AP
The spread offenses that dominate the NCAA produce a parade of points but also prospects that aren't quite ready for the NFL.
Quarterbacks have to learn to line up under center and scan the field while backpedaling. Running backs have to learn to scurry straight ahead. Wide receivers have to dramatically expand their route tree.
"The football being played from the high school level to the college level is a different brand of football than they're going to be asked to play," 49ers general manager John Lynch said.
Nowhere is that gulf more evident than in the trenches where the vast majority of offensive linemen are no longer the plug-and-play types like Ryan Clady or Joe Thomas were a decade ago.
Now, teams have to project how shrewdly and swiftly these big men will adjust to the pro game because most of them have never gotten into a three-point stance to blow an opponent off the ball or been asked to maintain a block for several seconds while his quarterback searches for his target.
While every team sprinkles in some college-style plays, the spread hasn't really infiltrated the NFL, where teams fear their quarterbacks would get exposed to more hits. So it's up to the O-linemen to quickly adapt to protect the passer — and the owner's chief investment.
That puts the onus on personnel evaluators to pinpoint which linemen are going to be able to make that leap.
CHECKING THE CRYSTAL BALL
Titans coach Mike Mularkey looks for play-to-the-whistle attitude: "You can see it on tape, whether they've got that in them," Mularkey said. "I can see body language. You can see. Film doesn't lie."
It does hide, though.
"Sometimes, you go through 80 plays and only like eight of them are truly grade-able, where they're at the point of contact and they're actually doing something you're going to ask them to do," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "And what you never want to do as a coach is ask a player to do something that he's not capable of doing.
"And so if you can't see that on tape, the next most important thing to me is seeing them in personal workouts, where you can get down there, you can get a position coach to go down there, take them through some drills. And yeah, it's not football, you can't see their toughness and everything like that like you can on tape, but the physiology of how a guy moves, sometimes you have to send a guy down there to see how they move."
They look for fluid footwork and flexibility in addition to seeing how strong and smart they are.
IT'S EDUCATED GUESSES
"There are colleges that are wide open and throw the ball 100 times, so you don't get to evaluate every technique that they're going to be taught here," Bengals personnel director Duke Tobin said. "You've got to kind of project them in. You've got to project traits. You've got to project size, strength, movement. You've got to project is he an aware player? Can he react quickly? If those are all yes, then you feel pretty confident that he can come in and run the techniques that you're going to have him run."
Projecting was more of a buzzword at the NFL scouting combine this month than ever before.
"It's easy when you can see a guy go do exactly what you're going to ask him to do and you can evaluate that, judge that. It becomes a little bit more interesting when you have to project, and that's part of our business," said Texans GM Rick Smith.
"It still boils down to you want an athletic guy, a guy that has strength and power and smarts and movement," Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said. "So, if you can see those things ... and you can. You just don't see it or identify it as quickly as you did in the past. But you can still see it. It just makes it more challenging."
BRAIN POWER IS ALSO KEY
Rams coach Sean McVay said as important as athleticism is the academic side because of "all the different things that they have to handle with blitz protection and pickups and pass pro, being able to adjust in the run game."
So they want to see the linemen get low for leverage and then see what they have "above the neck," McVay said.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said the college O-linemen aren't "used to the physicality of the NFL game in a three-point stance, and they're not used to how complex the pass protections are, and I think it slows them all down."
There are exceptions such as Titans tackle Jack Conklin , from Michigan State, and Lions tackle Taylor Decker, of Ohio State, who came more conventional, power run offenses.
REDSHIRT ROOKIES
More and more raw rookies, however, are getting essentially a redshirt year like Cardinals tackle D.J. Humphries, a first-round pick in 2015 who debuted in 2016.
"I loved him coming out (of Florida)," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. "We knew what we were getting, a very young guy who had very little skill set and a lot of athleticism. It took him a year to get the skill set. We knew he had the heart. To take these guys and teach them how to play, to hear a play in the huddle and decipher the information, to go up and get down in a stance, to run block that way, to get off on a hard count — it's very hard for these guys.
"They struggle all spring and a lot of times, they really struggle in training camp because that's the first time they've put on pads and actually hit anybody. That's a problem with our game, we just don't get to practice enough in pads with these young kids."
A NEW CROP
This year's draft class is lean at tackle with the top prospects Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin and Utah's Garett Bolles both having started just one year in college.
Arians, however, isn't one to criticize the college coaches for not preparing these players for the pros.
"No, their job is to win games and I'd be doing the same damn thing if I was coaching in college with the 20-hour rule," Arians said. "I'd get the best athlete I could, put him back there (at quarterback) and spread it out. It's our job now to adjust and not criticize what they're doing and really to get our fans to realize your No. 1 pick is not what it used to be.
Tony Boselli ain't coming out now because he's in a different offense. There's so much more teaching involved with these younger players right now. Much greater athletes but much more teaching on our part."
LEARNING ON THE FLY
Sometimes teams decide it's best to let their linemen figure it out on the field.
The Seahawks had the lowest-paid offensive line in football last year, spending just over $6 million on its inexperienced unit that featured a converted basketball player at left tackle, a rookie at right guard, a second-year player with one previous game at left guard and a center on his third position in three years.
The Seahawks took things up a notch last season by training former hoopster George Fant on the fly to play left tackle.
"It was a shock that he could compete, but he showed quite early that he was physically capable," his coach, Pete Carroll, said.
NOT JUST THE NFL'S CONUNDRUM
Seahawks GM John Schneider said the pool of O-linemen is thin even for college coaches because the best big men are lining up on the other side of the ball or even at tight end — two groups that are, not surprisingly, very deep in this year's draft class.
"The majority of guys aren't like, 'I'm going to be the best offensive lineman in high-school football,'" Schneider said. "They want to sack the quarterback."
Ramczyk comes from a power-run offense but even he is under no illusion about being able to step right in and dominate as he did in the Big Ten.
"Going into the NFL is a huge jump," Ramczyk said. "You're playing against the best players in the world. So I don't think it's easy for anyone to adjust."
Quarterbacks have to learn to line up under center and scan the field while backpedaling. Running backs have to learn to scurry straight ahead. Wide receivers have to dramatically expand their route tree.
"The football being played from the high school level to the college level is a different brand of football than they're going to be asked to play," 49ers general manager John Lynch said.
Nowhere is that gulf more evident than in the trenches where the vast majority of offensive linemen are no longer the plug-and-play types like Ryan Clady or Joe Thomas were a decade ago.
Now, teams have to project how shrewdly and swiftly these big men will adjust to the pro game because most of them have never gotten into a three-point stance to blow an opponent off the ball or been asked to maintain a block for several seconds while his quarterback searches for his target.
While every team sprinkles in some college-style plays, the spread hasn't really infiltrated the NFL, where teams fear their quarterbacks would get exposed to more hits. So it's up to the O-linemen to quickly adapt to protect the passer — and the owner's chief investment.
That puts the onus on personnel evaluators to pinpoint which linemen are going to be able to make that leap.
CHECKING THE CRYSTAL BALL
Titans coach Mike Mularkey looks for play-to-the-whistle attitude: "You can see it on tape, whether they've got that in them," Mularkey said. "I can see body language. You can see. Film doesn't lie."
It does hide, though.
"Sometimes, you go through 80 plays and only like eight of them are truly grade-able, where they're at the point of contact and they're actually doing something you're going to ask them to do," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "And what you never want to do as a coach is ask a player to do something that he's not capable of doing.
"And so if you can't see that on tape, the next most important thing to me is seeing them in personal workouts, where you can get down there, you can get a position coach to go down there, take them through some drills. And yeah, it's not football, you can't see their toughness and everything like that like you can on tape, but the physiology of how a guy moves, sometimes you have to send a guy down there to see how they move."
They look for fluid footwork and flexibility in addition to seeing how strong and smart they are.
IT'S EDUCATED GUESSES
"There are colleges that are wide open and throw the ball 100 times, so you don't get to evaluate every technique that they're going to be taught here," Bengals personnel director Duke Tobin said. "You've got to kind of project them in. You've got to project traits. You've got to project size, strength, movement. You've got to project is he an aware player? Can he react quickly? If those are all yes, then you feel pretty confident that he can come in and run the techniques that you're going to have him run."
Projecting was more of a buzzword at the NFL scouting combine this month than ever before.
"It's easy when you can see a guy go do exactly what you're going to ask him to do and you can evaluate that, judge that. It becomes a little bit more interesting when you have to project, and that's part of our business," said Texans GM Rick Smith.
"It still boils down to you want an athletic guy, a guy that has strength and power and smarts and movement," Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said. "So, if you can see those things ... and you can. You just don't see it or identify it as quickly as you did in the past. But you can still see it. It just makes it more challenging."
BRAIN POWER IS ALSO KEY
Rams coach Sean McVay said as important as athleticism is the academic side because of "all the different things that they have to handle with blitz protection and pickups and pass pro, being able to adjust in the run game."
So they want to see the linemen get low for leverage and then see what they have "above the neck," McVay said.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said the college O-linemen aren't "used to the physicality of the NFL game in a three-point stance, and they're not used to how complex the pass protections are, and I think it slows them all down."
There are exceptions such as Titans tackle Jack Conklin , from Michigan State, and Lions tackle Taylor Decker, of Ohio State, who came more conventional, power run offenses.
REDSHIRT ROOKIES
More and more raw rookies, however, are getting essentially a redshirt year like Cardinals tackle D.J. Humphries, a first-round pick in 2015 who debuted in 2016.
"I loved him coming out (of Florida)," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. "We knew what we were getting, a very young guy who had very little skill set and a lot of athleticism. It took him a year to get the skill set. We knew he had the heart. To take these guys and teach them how to play, to hear a play in the huddle and decipher the information, to go up and get down in a stance, to run block that way, to get off on a hard count — it's very hard for these guys.
"They struggle all spring and a lot of times, they really struggle in training camp because that's the first time they've put on pads and actually hit anybody. That's a problem with our game, we just don't get to practice enough in pads with these young kids."
A NEW CROP
This year's draft class is lean at tackle with the top prospects Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin and Utah's Garett Bolles both having started just one year in college.
Arians, however, isn't one to criticize the college coaches for not preparing these players for the pros.
"No, their job is to win games and I'd be doing the same damn thing if I was coaching in college with the 20-hour rule," Arians said. "I'd get the best athlete I could, put him back there (at quarterback) and spread it out. It's our job now to adjust and not criticize what they're doing and really to get our fans to realize your No. 1 pick is not what it used to be.
Tony Boselli ain't coming out now because he's in a different offense. There's so much more teaching involved with these younger players right now. Much greater athletes but much more teaching on our part."
LEARNING ON THE FLY
Sometimes teams decide it's best to let their linemen figure it out on the field.
The Seahawks had the lowest-paid offensive line in football last year, spending just over $6 million on its inexperienced unit that featured a converted basketball player at left tackle, a rookie at right guard, a second-year player with one previous game at left guard and a center on his third position in three years.
The Seahawks took things up a notch last season by training former hoopster George Fant on the fly to play left tackle.
"It was a shock that he could compete, but he showed quite early that he was physically capable," his coach, Pete Carroll, said.
NOT JUST THE NFL'S CONUNDRUM
Seahawks GM John Schneider said the pool of O-linemen is thin even for college coaches because the best big men are lining up on the other side of the ball or even at tight end — two groups that are, not surprisingly, very deep in this year's draft class.
"The majority of guys aren't like, 'I'm going to be the best offensive lineman in high-school football,'" Schneider said. "They want to sack the quarterback."
Ramczyk comes from a power-run offense but even he is under no illusion about being able to step right in and dominate as he did in the Big Ten.
"Going into the NFL is a huge jump," Ramczyk said. "You're playing against the best players in the world. So I don't think it's easy for anyone to adjust."
Notable Chicago Sports Week in Review, 03/09/2017---03/18/2017.
Note: We didn't publish the last week as we were on our Spring sabbatical, however, we wanted to summarize some of Chicago's notable sports news for 03/09/2017 through 03/18/2017. Thanks for your continued patronage.
Note: We didn't publish the last week as we were on our Spring sabbatical, however, we wanted to summarize some of Chicago's notable sports news for 03/09/2017 through 03/18/2017. Thanks for your continued patronage.
Chicago Blackhawks, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/18/2017, (3-2).
chicagoblackhawks.com
March 9, 2017, Anaheim Ducks Vs. Blackhawks, 1-0 (L)
March 9, 2017, Anaheim Ducks Vs. Blackhawks, 1-0 (L)
March 10, 2017, Blackhawks Vs. Detroit Red Wings, 4-2 (L)
March 12, 2017, Minnesota Wild Vs. Blackhawks, 4-2 (W)
March 14, 2017, Blackhawks Vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4-2 (W)
March 16, 2017, Blackhawks Vs. Ottawa Senators, 2-1 (W)
Chicago Bears, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/18/2017.
Chicago Bears release Jay Cutler
By Bryan Perez
The Chicago Bears made it official today with the release of veteran quarterback Jay Cutler, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cutler, who was acquired by the Bears in a trade with the Denver Broncos in 2009, started 102 games with a 51-51 record over the last eight seasons. He ends his Bears career atop almost every franchise passing record.
Now an unrestricted free agent, Cutler will join a volatile quarterback market along with Cowboys veteran Tony Romo.
Cutler, 33, was the 11th pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, but fell out of favor with coach Josh McDaniels and was traded to the Bears for two first-round picks and Kyle Orton prior to the 2009 season.
Despite never reaching the expectations that came along with the trade, Cutler leaves behind a legacy that future quarterbacks will chase in the record books. His franchise records include:
The Bears have moved on to newly signed Mike Glennon, who agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with $19 million guaranteed. Chicago is still considered a candidate to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Whether Cutler decides to play again is still unknown. Teams like the Jets, Browns and Texans could certainly use a starter with his skill set, but the fit will have to be right for him and his family.
Bears fans will remember Cutler in a more favorable light than the national media will portray, as he represented hope at a position that haunted Soldier Field for decades.
Pressure is now on Glennon and whomever else may line up under center for the Bears in 2017. The ghost of Jay Cutler isn’t going away anytime soon.
Alshon Jeffery signs with Eagles on 1-year, $14 million deal.
By Larry Brown
The Philadelphia Eagles are giving Carson Wentz some major weapons next season.
The Eagles on Thursday signed Alshon Jeffery to a one-year deal worth $14 million. They also added Torrey Smith on a 3-year deal.
Jeffery was considered one of the top wide receivers on the free agent market. The Colts, Bears and Vikings were interested in Jeffery, but he ultimately is going to Philly, where he’ll be their No. 1 receiver.
Philly will now have Jeffery and Smith to go along with former second-round pick Jordan Matthews, Dorial Green-Beckham, and former first-round pick Nelson Agholor.
Clearly the Eagles felt the need to upgrade their pass-catching options for Wentz and have done that.
Jeffery will look to have a big season so he can get an even bigger contract next offseason. He played 12 games last year after serving a suspension for PEDs and only played in nine games in 2015. He also reportedly turned down a greater contract with Minnesota in order to rebuild his free agent stock in hopes of cashing in next year.
Chicago Bulls, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017, (1-5).
chicagobulls.com
March 8, 2017, Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic, 98-91 (L)
March 10, 2017, Houston Rockets Vs. Bulls, 115-94 (L)
March 12, 2017, Bulls Vs. Boston Celtics, 100-80 (L)
March 13, 2017, Bulls Vs. Charlotte Hornets, 115-109 (W)
March 15, 2017, Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Bulls, 98-91 (L)
March 17, 2017, Bulls Vs. Washington Wizards, 112-107 (L)
Dwyane Wade Injury Update
chicagobulls.com
This morning (March 16, 2017), Dwyane Wade underwent an MRI for a right elbow injury suffered in the fourth quarter of last night’s game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. The results of the MRI showed a sprain and a small fracture in the elbow. Wade will be out the remainder of the regular season.
Chicago Cubs, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017.
chicagocubs.com
Cubs reduce spring roster to 43 players. (March 17, 2017)
The Chicago Cubs today assigned seven players to minor league camp, reducing their spring roster from 50 to 43 players.
Right-handed pitchers Pierce Johnson and Felix Pena, catcher Victor Caratini and outfielder Jacob Hannemann have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Three non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: Infielder Chesny Young and outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Mark Zagunis.
Chicago's spring roster of 43 players consists of 22 pitchers (four non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 11 infielders (four non-roster invitees) and five outfielders (one non-roster invitee).
Chicago White Sox, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017.
By Colleen Kane
White Sox manager Rick Renteria one month in — 'His energy is electric'.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria and third baseman Matt Davidson were hurrying to different duties in the hall of the Camelback Ranch training facility, passing by massive photos of historic team moments.
Renteria, who likes to pick out an image to feature in his morning media sessions, remarked that the Sox needed to get some Matt Davidson photos up on the wall.
It was an off-the-cuff comment, but one that demonstrated the inclusive atmosphere Renteria is trying to instill in his first spring training as Sox manager. That starts with the morning meetings, at 9 every day, when cheers and laughter often spill through the clubhouse doors.
Often Renteria talks. Sometimes groups of players do skits or presentations based on their backgrounds or interests so they can relate to one another. Usually they'll discuss the good and bad from the previous day's game. Always there's learning involved.
"He has an amazing knack to tie everybody in and make it one," bench coach Joe McEwing. "Whether it be different cultures, different personalities, he's able to reach every single one and bring everybody together for one common goal."
A year ago this week, Sox camp under former manager Robin Ventura was thrown into upheaval when Adam LaRoche retired over restrictions on his son's time in the clubhouse. Renteria hasn't had to deal with anything of that magnitude, and nearly a month into his second go-around leading a spring training, he said it has exceeded his expectations.
"The guys are really kind of jelling," Renteria said. "They're taking in the information and they're working and taking in the skill work. Obviously, we have three weeks left of spring. But so far, so good, knock on wood."
He smiled and knocked on his head.
Renteria was known for his positive demeanor long before he joined the Sox. Perhaps it's easier in a light spring training atmosphere, on a team without a lot of outside expectations to succeed, but the players said they are taking to him.
"I walked in his office and I told him, I've played for a lot of managers, but he's a little bit different, in a great way," catcher Geovany Soto said. "I feel he has done a great job getting everybody together — the rookies, veterans, the pitchers and outfielders and infielders — as a team rather than separate groups."
Renteria said he believes clubhouse unity is important on a rebuilding team because the younger players inevitably will experience growing pains, and they'll have each other to lean on. He said his main focus for the players has been reinforcing that they follow the right plan of attack on the field, from fundamentals on defense to their approach at the plate and situational hitting.
Shortstop Tim Anderson said Renteria is fired up at all hours of the day, making it easy for the players to mimic the attitude, and is "definitely someone you would want to be around 100-some games." And infielder Yolmer Sanchez said he likes that Renteria, who is fluent in Spanish, talks to all of the players to make them feel included.
"You don't feel a lot of pressure, so you play more relaxed, so I think that's good for rookie guys like us," Sanchez said. "He's always talking to everyone all day long. That's good for the team, good for the clubhouse."
Along with the players, it's also spring training for a partially new staff.
Renteria and McEwing said they benefited from a year together in 2016 as the bench coach and third-base coach, respectively, to understand one another. McEwing said Renteria has encouraged him to bounce anything off him and not be afraid of overstepping boundaries.
"Trust is important in terms of us getting to know each other," Renteria said, "and me being able to know that if I'm doing something he believes I should handle differently, that he has the voice to say, 'Hey, take a step back, Skip, and look at this from this angle or from that perspective.' … I hope I've given him the sense that he can always speak honestly with me about any number of things going on within the clubhouse or on the field."
New third-base coach Nick Capra and bullpen coach Curt Hasler also spent weeks with the Sox at the end of last season to get a sense of the big-league operation.
After five years as the Sox director of player development, Capra is getting used to being back on the field, where he said his real passion lies. He is also learning the players on the basepaths, where he promises the team will be aggressive when the situation dictates.
"Everybody can tell the energy that's floating around the camp," Capra said. "His energy is electric. His passion for the game of baseball is electric. … He set the standards early, stuck with it and everybody is buying into it."
Chicago Fire, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017, (1--1).
chicago-fire.com
March 11, 2017, Real Salt Lake Vs. Fire, 0-2 (W)
March 18, 2017, Fire Vs. Atlanta United FC, 0-4 (L)
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, March 20, 2017.
Now an unrestricted free agent, Cutler will join a volatile quarterback market along with Cowboys veteran Tony Romo.
Cutler, 33, was the 11th pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, but fell out of favor with coach Josh McDaniels and was traded to the Bears for two first-round picks and Kyle Orton prior to the 2009 season.
Despite never reaching the expectations that came along with the trade, Cutler leaves behind a legacy that future quarterbacks will chase in the record books. His franchise records include:
- Completions: career (2,020), season (370 in 2014)
- Pass Attempts: career (3,271), season (561 in 2014)
- Passing Yards: career (23,443)
- Passing TDs: career (154), playoff game (2 on 2011-01-16 SEA; with 3 others)
- Passer Rating: career (85.2)
- Pass Yds/Game: career (229.8)
- 300+ yard passing games: career (16)
The Bears have moved on to newly signed Mike Glennon, who agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with $19 million guaranteed. Chicago is still considered a candidate to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Whether Cutler decides to play again is still unknown. Teams like the Jets, Browns and Texans could certainly use a starter with his skill set, but the fit will have to be right for him and his family.
Bears fans will remember Cutler in a more favorable light than the national media will portray, as he represented hope at a position that haunted Soldier Field for decades.
Pressure is now on Glennon and whomever else may line up under center for the Bears in 2017. The ghost of Jay Cutler isn’t going away anytime soon.
Alshon Jeffery signs with Eagles on 1-year, $14 million deal.
By Larry Brown
The Philadelphia Eagles are giving Carson Wentz some major weapons next season.
The Eagles on Thursday signed Alshon Jeffery to a one-year deal worth $14 million. They also added Torrey Smith on a 3-year deal.
Jeffery was considered one of the top wide receivers on the free agent market. The Colts, Bears and Vikings were interested in Jeffery, but he ultimately is going to Philly, where he’ll be their No. 1 receiver.
Philly will now have Jeffery and Smith to go along with former second-round pick Jordan Matthews, Dorial Green-Beckham, and former first-round pick Nelson Agholor.
Clearly the Eagles felt the need to upgrade their pass-catching options for Wentz and have done that.
Jeffery will look to have a big season so he can get an even bigger contract next offseason. He played 12 games last year after serving a suspension for PEDs and only played in nine games in 2015. He also reportedly turned down a greater contract with Minnesota in order to rebuild his free agent stock in hopes of cashing in next year.
Chicago Bulls, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017, (1-5).
chicagobulls.com
March 8, 2017, Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic, 98-91 (L)
March 10, 2017, Houston Rockets Vs. Bulls, 115-94 (L)
March 12, 2017, Bulls Vs. Boston Celtics, 100-80 (L)
March 13, 2017, Bulls Vs. Charlotte Hornets, 115-109 (W)
March 15, 2017, Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Bulls, 98-91 (L)
March 17, 2017, Bulls Vs. Washington Wizards, 112-107 (L)
Dwyane Wade Injury Update
chicagobulls.com
This morning (March 16, 2017), Dwyane Wade underwent an MRI for a right elbow injury suffered in the fourth quarter of last night’s game vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. The results of the MRI showed a sprain and a small fracture in the elbow. Wade will be out the remainder of the regular season.
Chicago Cubs, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017.
chicagocubs.com
Cubs reduce spring roster to 43 players. (March 17, 2017)
The Chicago Cubs today assigned seven players to minor league camp, reducing their spring roster from 50 to 43 players.
Right-handed pitchers Pierce Johnson and Felix Pena, catcher Victor Caratini and outfielder Jacob Hannemann have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Three non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: Infielder Chesny Young and outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Mark Zagunis.
Chicago's spring roster of 43 players consists of 22 pitchers (four non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 11 infielders (four non-roster invitees) and five outfielders (one non-roster invitee).
Chicago White Sox, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017.
By Colleen Kane
White Sox manager Rick Renteria one month in — 'His energy is electric'.
White Sox manager Rick Renteria and third baseman Matt Davidson were hurrying to different duties in the hall of the Camelback Ranch training facility, passing by massive photos of historic team moments.
Renteria, who likes to pick out an image to feature in his morning media sessions, remarked that the Sox needed to get some Matt Davidson photos up on the wall.
It was an off-the-cuff comment, but one that demonstrated the inclusive atmosphere Renteria is trying to instill in his first spring training as Sox manager. That starts with the morning meetings, at 9 every day, when cheers and laughter often spill through the clubhouse doors.
Often Renteria talks. Sometimes groups of players do skits or presentations based on their backgrounds or interests so they can relate to one another. Usually they'll discuss the good and bad from the previous day's game. Always there's learning involved.
"He has an amazing knack to tie everybody in and make it one," bench coach Joe McEwing. "Whether it be different cultures, different personalities, he's able to reach every single one and bring everybody together for one common goal."
A year ago this week, Sox camp under former manager Robin Ventura was thrown into upheaval when Adam LaRoche retired over restrictions on his son's time in the clubhouse. Renteria hasn't had to deal with anything of that magnitude, and nearly a month into his second go-around leading a spring training, he said it has exceeded his expectations.
"The guys are really kind of jelling," Renteria said. "They're taking in the information and they're working and taking in the skill work. Obviously, we have three weeks left of spring. But so far, so good, knock on wood."
He smiled and knocked on his head.
Renteria was known for his positive demeanor long before he joined the Sox. Perhaps it's easier in a light spring training atmosphere, on a team without a lot of outside expectations to succeed, but the players said they are taking to him.
"I walked in his office and I told him, I've played for a lot of managers, but he's a little bit different, in a great way," catcher Geovany Soto said. "I feel he has done a great job getting everybody together — the rookies, veterans, the pitchers and outfielders and infielders — as a team rather than separate groups."
Renteria said he believes clubhouse unity is important on a rebuilding team because the younger players inevitably will experience growing pains, and they'll have each other to lean on. He said his main focus for the players has been reinforcing that they follow the right plan of attack on the field, from fundamentals on defense to their approach at the plate and situational hitting.
Shortstop Tim Anderson said Renteria is fired up at all hours of the day, making it easy for the players to mimic the attitude, and is "definitely someone you would want to be around 100-some games." And infielder Yolmer Sanchez said he likes that Renteria, who is fluent in Spanish, talks to all of the players to make them feel included.
"You don't feel a lot of pressure, so you play more relaxed, so I think that's good for rookie guys like us," Sanchez said. "He's always talking to everyone all day long. That's good for the team, good for the clubhouse."
Along with the players, it's also spring training for a partially new staff.
Renteria and McEwing said they benefited from a year together in 2016 as the bench coach and third-base coach, respectively, to understand one another. McEwing said Renteria has encouraged him to bounce anything off him and not be afraid of overstepping boundaries.
"Trust is important in terms of us getting to know each other," Renteria said, "and me being able to know that if I'm doing something he believes I should handle differently, that he has the voice to say, 'Hey, take a step back, Skip, and look at this from this angle or from that perspective.' … I hope I've given him the sense that he can always speak honestly with me about any number of things going on within the clubhouse or on the field."
New third-base coach Nick Capra and bullpen coach Curt Hasler also spent weeks with the Sox at the end of last season to get a sense of the big-league operation.
After five years as the Sox director of player development, Capra is getting used to being back on the field, where he said his real passion lies. He is also learning the players on the basepaths, where he promises the team will be aggressive when the situation dictates.
"Everybody can tell the energy that's floating around the camp," Capra said. "His energy is electric. His passion for the game of baseball is electric. … He set the standards early, stuck with it and everybody is buying into it."
Chicago Fire, Week of 03/09/2017--- 03/17/2017, (1--1).
chicago-fire.com
March 11, 2017, Real Salt Lake Vs. Fire, 0-2 (W)
March 18, 2017, Fire Vs. Atlanta United FC, 0-4 (L)
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, March 20, 2017.
emoriesofhistory.com
1897 - The first intercollegiate basketball game that used five players per team was held. The contest was Yale versus Pennsylvania. Yale won by a score of 32-10.
1911 - The National Squash Tennis Association was formed in New York City.
1914 - The first international figure skating championship was held in New Haven, CT.
1918 - The Toronto Arenas beat the Vancouver Millionaires to become the first NHL team to compete in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1948 - The University of Michigan beat Dartmouth to win the first NCAA men's hockey championship.
1968 - Wilt Chamberlain became the first center in NBA history to lead the league with assists. He ended the season with 702 for an average of 8.6.
1971 - For the first time in NHL history two brothers faced each other in goal. Ken Dryden (Montreal Canadiens) beat Dave Dryden (Buffalo Sabres) 5-2.
1981 - NFL owners adopted a disaster plan for re-stocking a team should a club be involved in a fatal accident.
1989 - It was announced that Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose was under investigation.
1990 - The Los Angeles Lakers retired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's #33.
1992 - Kenny Bernstein became the first drag racer to break the 300mph barrier. He averaged 301.7mph in a qualifying run at the National Hot Rod Association's Gatornationals.
2004 - Wade Belak (Toronto Maple Leafs) slashed Ossi Vaananen (Colorado Avalanche) in the face. Belak was later suspended by the NHL for 8 games for attempt to injure.
2005 - LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) became the youngest, at age 20 years and 80 days, NBA player to score 50 points in a game (56). The Cavaliers lost the game to the Toronto Raptors 105-98. The 56-point performance by James was a franchise record.
2005 - Major league baseball players and owners agreed to remove fines a possible discipline for positive testing of steroids. This left suspensions as the only punishment.
1911 - The National Squash Tennis Association was formed in New York City.
1914 - The first international figure skating championship was held in New Haven, CT.
1918 - The Toronto Arenas beat the Vancouver Millionaires to become the first NHL team to compete in the Stanley Cup Finals.
1948 - The University of Michigan beat Dartmouth to win the first NCAA men's hockey championship.
1968 - Wilt Chamberlain became the first center in NBA history to lead the league with assists. He ended the season with 702 for an average of 8.6.
1971 - For the first time in NHL history two brothers faced each other in goal. Ken Dryden (Montreal Canadiens) beat Dave Dryden (Buffalo Sabres) 5-2.
1981 - NFL owners adopted a disaster plan for re-stocking a team should a club be involved in a fatal accident.
1989 - It was announced that Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose was under investigation.
1990 - The Los Angeles Lakers retired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's #33.
1992 - Kenny Bernstein became the first drag racer to break the 300mph barrier. He averaged 301.7mph in a qualifying run at the National Hot Rod Association's Gatornationals.
2004 - Wade Belak (Toronto Maple Leafs) slashed Ossi Vaananen (Colorado Avalanche) in the face. Belak was later suspended by the NHL for 8 games for attempt to injure.
2005 - LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) became the youngest, at age 20 years and 80 days, NBA player to score 50 points in a game (56). The Cavaliers lost the game to the Toronto Raptors 105-98. The 56-point performance by James was a franchise record.
2005 - Major league baseball players and owners agreed to remove fines a possible discipline for positive testing of steroids. This left suspensions as the only punishment.
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