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"Failures, repeated failures, are finger posts on the road to achievement. One fails forward toward success." ~ C. S. Lewis, Novelist, Poet, Literary Critic, Broadcaster, Lecturer and Theologian
TRENDING: Blackhawks fall into 3-0 hole with overtime loss to Predators. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: Bulls are halfway to history after taking an unlikely 2-0 series lead on Celtics. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: Avisail Garcia's three-run homer helps White Sox snap Yankees' eight-game win streak. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
TRENDING: With road trip looming, Fire hope to buck league-wide trend. (See the soccer section for Fire news and worldwide soccer league updates).
TRENDING: Why these five drivers could break through at Bristol with first NASCAR win of season. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? XXX . "It ain't over until it's over, ya gotta believe. Let's go Hawks." CS&T/AA. Blackhawks 'decompress,' refocus for necessary Game 4.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Sometimes you just have to go off the grid. Clear your head, get your mind off issues or work, take a breath, reset, pick up and go again.
Such was the Blackhawks' plan on Tuesday: with two days in between Monday's crushing 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators and Thursday's must-win Game 4, they got away from hockey for the day.
"Take a day here to just decompress and rest up and be ready for tomorrow," Brent Seabrook said. "Go back to work tomorrow and try and find that energy and be rolling for Thursday."
As tough as this series has been physically it's been really trying mentally. As strong and confident as the Blackhawks have looked in recent seasons, they sounded decidedly (and understandably) down and reserved when they met the media on Tuesday. So coach Joel Quenneville wanted players to do whatever was necessary to be ready.
"Today we'll give them a day to take a breath and stay away from each other, and then tomorrow we're looking to get a practice. For us to just to try to come in here and look at that focus and try to win one game, we had a great opportunity I felt we had a lot to do with letting go," Quenneville said. "There's some things we've got to be better at for sure, be harder to play against with the puck, puck management, decisions with it, protecting it, putting it into good areas. But I think as the game progressed, we got worse in that area."
The Blackhawks were going through the expected emotions on Tuesday: anger, frustration, maybe even a little bewilderment. The schedule is what it is, and even before Game 3, Tuesday was likely going to be an off-the-ice day. Getting away from the rink is one thing. Getting away from hockey, not thinking about it at all, isn't easy.
"Right after the game you just want to play again. You just want to get back at it because you're angry and you just want to get the game back," Dennis Rasmussen said. "At the same time it's nice to get a day off. We can talk a little more, get together and prepare ourselves for the next game."
Getting on the ice on Tuesday wasn't going to be the big solution to the Blackhawks' problems. This was not a situation where they were going to draw the magic right formula on the dry-erase board. This was not a situation where a bag skate was going to benefit anyone. The Blackhawks know what they have to do, they just haven't done it yet.
The Blackhawks just have to deal with where they are right now. Going over and over things in their heads isn't going to solve anything. They've got one more opportunity to stay in this series, one chance to send it back to Chicago. Their game has to be in the right place on Thursday. So do their heads.
"Obviously looking back it's easy to say we could have, shoulda, coulda, woulda done things differently. But it wasn't good enough," Duncan Keith said. "Going forward, we just know we have to have our best game. That's the bottom line."
History may not be on the side of the Blackhawks this time around.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
History teaches us plenty. It's a great guide to show us what worked, what didn't in the past.
For the Blackhawks, recent playoff history has been good. Even when they've been down in a series, the Blackhawks have shown great resolve. They've come back from 0-2 and 3-1 deficits to win series against St. Louis and Detroit, respectively, rallied from 0-3 against Vancouver in 2011 to force a Game 7, which they lost in overtime.
With each deficit the Blackhawks have faced in this series against the Nashville Predators, we've looked back on their history, looked for some instance in which they've been here, done this before and can do it again.
But in this case, there may not really be a good comparison.
The last time the Blackhawks trailed 3-0 in a series was that first-round tilt against Vancouver in 2011. But as coach Joel Quenneville said about that on Monday night, "that was a long time ago. Different group here."
That team was coming off its first Stanley Cup in decades and the salary-cap purge that followed. Even going down 3-0, there were more positives to take from those three games. There were a few more contributions across the board offensively. The Blackhawks were shut out in that first game vs. Vancouver but scored six goals over the next two contests.
And while the Blackhawks were pared down to the core that's still relatively intact today, that core was six years younger with a lot less mileage on it. Stanley Cup runs, Olympics, World Cup, whether players or coaches want to admit it, it all has to take its toll.
If there is any similarity between then and now it's the Blackhawks' mantra, which is the one any team takes when it's down 3-0 in a series.
"Obviously, it's not the situation or position we want to be in, being down 3-0, but take it one game at a time, one shift at a time, one period at a time," Duncan Keith said. "Anything can happen. We've got to stay positive in here and try to win that first shift and go from there."
Do you rule a comeback completely out? Of course not. It's the Blackhawks and it's the postseason, so anything is possible. Four teams in NHL history have come back to win a series after being down 3-0, two from a while back (1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders) and two recently (2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings). Quenneville referenced the last two on Tuesday.
"We played Philly in the finals in 2010. They were down 3-0 and they go to the finals. L.A., down 3-0 first round to San Jose, and win a Cup. So, I know it's a gigantic hole we've put ourselves in here, but those are two pretty good examples of being around to see," he said.
Again, anything is possible. But the Blackhawks' performances are going to have to get a lot better at lot quicker. In the first three games they've played one really good period, and that was the second on Monday night.
The Blackhawks face a Herculean task starting with Thursday night's game. It can be done. History has shown us it can be. But considering how the Blackhawks have played so far this series, this history will be even that much tougher to make.
For the Blackhawks, recent playoff history has been good. Even when they've been down in a series, the Blackhawks have shown great resolve. They've come back from 0-2 and 3-1 deficits to win series against St. Louis and Detroit, respectively, rallied from 0-3 against Vancouver in 2011 to force a Game 7, which they lost in overtime.
With each deficit the Blackhawks have faced in this series against the Nashville Predators, we've looked back on their history, looked for some instance in which they've been here, done this before and can do it again.
But in this case, there may not really be a good comparison.
The last time the Blackhawks trailed 3-0 in a series was that first-round tilt against Vancouver in 2011. But as coach Joel Quenneville said about that on Monday night, "that was a long time ago. Different group here."
That team was coming off its first Stanley Cup in decades and the salary-cap purge that followed. Even going down 3-0, there were more positives to take from those three games. There were a few more contributions across the board offensively. The Blackhawks were shut out in that first game vs. Vancouver but scored six goals over the next two contests.
And while the Blackhawks were pared down to the core that's still relatively intact today, that core was six years younger with a lot less mileage on it. Stanley Cup runs, Olympics, World Cup, whether players or coaches want to admit it, it all has to take its toll.
If there is any similarity between then and now it's the Blackhawks' mantra, which is the one any team takes when it's down 3-0 in a series.
"Obviously, it's not the situation or position we want to be in, being down 3-0, but take it one game at a time, one shift at a time, one period at a time," Duncan Keith said. "Anything can happen. We've got to stay positive in here and try to win that first shift and go from there."
Do you rule a comeback completely out? Of course not. It's the Blackhawks and it's the postseason, so anything is possible. Four teams in NHL history have come back to win a series after being down 3-0, two from a while back (1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders) and two recently (2010 Philadelphia Flyers and 2014 Los Angeles Kings). Quenneville referenced the last two on Tuesday.
"We played Philly in the finals in 2010. They were down 3-0 and they go to the finals. L.A., down 3-0 first round to San Jose, and win a Cup. So, I know it's a gigantic hole we've put ourselves in here, but those are two pretty good examples of being around to see," he said.
Again, anything is possible. But the Blackhawks' performances are going to have to get a lot better at lot quicker. In the first three games they've played one really good period, and that was the second on Monday night.
The Blackhawks face a Herculean task starting with Thursday night's game. It can be done. History has shown us it can be. But considering how the Blackhawks have played so far this series, this history will be even that much tougher to make.
Blackhawks fall into 3-0 hole with overtime loss to Predators. (Monday night's game, 04/17/2017).
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/USA TODAY)
The Blackhawks had finally broken through Pekka Rinne. Twice. They had their first goals of the series. They had their first lead of the series.
Now the Blackhawks are on the brink of elimination.
Patrick Kane scored his 50th career postseason goal but the Predators came back, with Kevin Fiala getting the overtime winner to beat the Blackhawks 3-2 on Monday night. The Predators take a commanding 3-0 series lead; they’ll have their first chance to eliminate the Blackhawks in Game 4 on Thursday night.
The Blackhawks were subdued after this one. Save a period or so, the Predators have outplayed the Blackhawks in these three games. Now the desperation is at an all-time high.
“Yeah, it’s not easy. It’s not easy. It’s a good team and they want it. They’re pushing themselves to the limit. But we have no choice. We’ve got to find a way to put pressure on them,” Jonathan Toews said. “We’ve got to make them realize that winning that fourth game is the toughest for any team in any series. We can be that team to try and frustrate them and put pressure on them, especially in their own building in the next game. You never know what can happen, so we’ll just focus on winning the next one.”
The Blackhawks had a 2-0 lead after two, thanks to goals from Kane and Dennis Rasmussen, whose first career postseason goal snapped the Blackhawks’ postseason scoreless streak at 177 minutes, 45 seconds. The 2-0 lead after two is edge that usually meant a victory for the Blackhawks in recent years. But nothing about this Blackhawks postseason has been typical, and just over 14 minutes into the third period, thanks to two Filip Forsberg goals, they were tied 2-2.
“We got that 2-0 lead that was nice to have and even worse to give up,” Kane said. “They kind of took over in the third, we kind of sat back. They had way more chances than we did in overtime. It would’ve been nice to have a little pushback there, especially after it was tied up.”
Coach Joel Quenneville saw it a bit different, although he still saw a big shortcoming with the Blackhawks.
“I think even parts of the first two periods, our puck management tonight wasn’t as good as it had to be. It got us in trouble on a couple of plays but all three [Nashville goals] were pretty innocent how they materialized and turned into goals,” he said. “We didn’t give up many chances over 60 minutes and overtime but we didn’t generate much at the end because we didn’t keep the puck, put it in good areas or win enough puck battles. It might have come down to that.”
Playoff goals can be different, and the Predators’ third-period ones were. The puck caromed high off the glass behind the net and bounced in front, where Filip Forsberg punched it in. Ten minutes later it was Forsberg again, tying it 2-2. The Blackhawks challenged for goaltender interference but video review ruled it a good goal.
Crawford, who stopped 46 of 49 in the loss, didn’t have much to say about the wonky first goal or the challenged second one.
“I don’t know. The game is over,” he said to both. He was more vocal regarding the Blackhawks’ current state.
“I felt pretty good but there were some tough breaks on the goals. I think everyone is a little pissed off and a little angry. We should be,” he said. “We haven’t played our best hockey yet so it’s time.”
It has to be time. The Blackhawks haven’t put together a 60-minute game yet this postseason. They really haven’t come close. Maybe you can compare this to deficits in the past but, at the same time, times change. Personnel changes. Situations change. Can the Blackhawks come back from this?
“We’re going to have to,” Quenneville said.
Quick Hits from Blackhawks-Predators Game 3: No late push.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Well, that all ended poorly, didn’t it? For the Blackhawks, anyway. The Predators have given the Blackhawks several opportunities to see they mean business this postseason, that they’re not going away quietly, even if they’re trailing in a game. The Blackhawks haven’t heeded those lessons, and now they’re on the brink of elimination.
What worked: Corey Crawford. We’ll say this for the Blackhawks: they blocked 30 shots in front of their goaltender, a very nice number, indeed. But Crawford was nevertheless busy, stopping 46 of 49 shots. His stop on Kevin Fiala in overtime kept the Blackhawks in it. Unfortunately, they weren’t doing much on the other end. It was a great performance wasted.
What Didn’t Work: The Blackhawks’ third period. They finally got goals, finally got a lead, and then they went into the prevent defense. We all know this never works, regardless of sport. Patrick Kane cited it as the reason the Blackhawks didn’t win this one. Tough to argue. Sure, the Predators’ goals were wonky, maybe you could kind of/sort of argue the second one – although even coach Joel Quenneville made it sound like he challenged just to see what would happen. But the Blackhawks’ inability to keep pushing the pace was costly.
Star of the game: Kevin Fiala. We could’ve thrown Crawford in here but since we touched on him above, let’s go with Fiala. The forward actually had three chances to end this one in overtime. His first attempt, off a Blackhawks turnover, sailed high. His second was thwarted by a great Crawford stop. He didn’t miss on the third. Give the guy credit: he didn’t freeze after two failures and was rewarded.
He Said It: “It’s pretty disappointing to give up three games the way we have. But we’ll have to take the good from this game and improve upon it and be even better in the next one. Obviously there’s still life. We’ve said this a lot already — we’ve been here before in the past, being down three games to none to make it all the way back to Game 7 and lose in overtime [against Vancouver]. We know it’s possible. Like we were saying going into tonight, we just gotta win the next one. Obviously every game you got to ratchet it up. You gotta find a way to find a new level. That’s what we have to focus on for the next one.” Jonathan Toews after the Blackhawks fell to 0-3 in this series.
By the Numbers:
10:55 – Amount of time the Blackhawks went without a shot in the first period (Marcus Kruger at 8:09 and then Artemi Panarin at 19:04).
177:45 – Time, in minutes and seconds, of the Blackhawks’ postseason scoreless streak. Dennis Rasmussen ended it with his first career postseason goal, at 1:05 of the second period.
141:05 – Pekka Rinne’s shutout streak in this series, which ended with Rasmussen’s goal.
50 – Career postseason goals for Patrick Kane, who recorded his in the second period (power-play goal) on Monday. It was also Kane’s first postseason goal since Game 5 against the St. Louis Blues last spring.
30 – Shots blocked by the Blackhawks on Monday. Brian Campbell led with six.
9 – Shots on goal for Patrick Kane, the most of anyone in Game 3.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears NFL Draft preview: Linebacker core set, but edge rushers always in demand
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Bears pre-draft situation
From his arrival in Chicago, general manager Ryan Pace has placed a premium on staffing the 3-4 defensive scheme of coach John Fox and coordinator Vic Fangio with impact linebackers. It began with the signing of rush linebacker Pernell McPhee and carried through the 2016 offseason with the signings of inside linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, then augmented by a trade up in the 2016 draft for edge rusher Leonard Floyd and the fourth-round pick of Nick Kwiatkoski.
The result has been a steadily upgrading defensive core. But none of the Bears' top five true linebackers (Willie Young's request to be dubbed a defensive end is here honored) was on the field for 16 games last season. McPhee started and finished the season sidelined with injuries (knee, then labrum), Trevathan was lost to knee surgery, Freeman was suspended four games, Floyd lost time to a calf injury and to concussions, and Kwiatkoski missed the preseason and the first two regular-season games with a hamstring pull early in training camp.
Trevathan tore his right patellar tendon against Tennessee on Nov. 27, and his recovery in time for training camp is problematic. Kwiatkoski, who performed well in place of both Freeman and Trevathan, figures prominently in the overall.
A core ostensibly is in place, though the stated operating premise is that pass rushers always will be added if possible. And the organization is expecting a next-level move by Floyd after seven sacks as a rookie.
"Obviously he's naturally going to continue to get stronger, and more durability I think will come with added strength," Pace said of Floyd. "I think he's going to continue to refine his pass-rush technique. Right now that first year is just kinda raw speed and raw talent. I think as he gets better with his pass-rush moves, using his hands and developing counters, I think the sky's the limit, because he's got everything you need physically and he's got the work ethic to learn all that. So I think dialing in some of his pass-rush traits are going to help a lot."
Rush linebacker Lamarr Houston is under contract and was the Bears' sack leader with eight in 2015. But he spent the 2014 and 2016 seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries, has a starting base-plus-workout price of $6 million for 2017 and turns 30 in June, making him a longshot to be on the roster come opening day.
Projected pre-draft starters
OLB: Pernell McPhee
OLB: Leonard Floyd
ILB: Jerrell Freeman
ILB: Danny Trevathan/Nick Kwiatkoski
Reserves: Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston, Christian Jones, Willie Young
Bears draft priority: Low/moderate
The Bears will always look to grab a pass-rush threat, and various scenarios could somehow conspire to leave Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, until now the consensus No. 1-overall pick, on the board at No. 3. The Bears have arranged a private get-together with Garrett, cast either as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 linebacker, and also had a private meeting with Alabama inside linebacker Reuben Foster. Trevathan's injury history — including during his time in Denver — has to be a concern, and Freeman turns 31 on May 1, making a selection of an elite inside linebacker a distinct possibility if the draft unfolds to leave one on the board for them, though not until Days 2 or 3.
Because of teams scheming to keep the Bears in nickel more than half the time, a hybrid edge rusher in the Floyd/McPhee mold will always be a priority.
Keep an eye on ...
Dylan Donahue, OLB/DE, West Georgia. At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, he's an impact mid-round prospect with special-teams potential. He got a post-combine invitation to meet with Fox: "At the formal meetings they don't really tell you a lot because they want you to feel awkward and uncomfortable," Donahue told the Billings (MT) Gazette. "The meeting with the Bears was really cool."
Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama. He was sent home from the Combine after a spat with staff but was Butkus Award winner in 2016. He had rotator cuff surgery that has dropped him on some boards, as have some character concerns.
Myles Garrett, DE/OLB, Texas A&M. With 31 sacks over three college seasons, Garrett is a 3-4 outside fit who would factor into rush packages immediately. The Bears would need the Browns and the 49ers to think quarterback at Nos. 1 and 2. Fox grabbed Von Miller at No. 2 in his first draft as the Broncos' head coach in 2011, so he knows what A&M rushers can do. "(Miller) probably has a little bit more skill than me," Garrett said during the Combine. "He's been doing it for a little bit longer. But I feel like I'm a little bit bigger, little bit stronger, and I'll catch up in that regard to skill."
James Onwualu, OLB, Notre Dame. He's a later-round prospect with special-teams capabilities. He had an excellent bench press (24) and vertical (38) at Notre Dame's pro day, but he's not an every-down candidate at 230 pounds.
How many draft trades did Bears make?
By Larry Mayer
How many trades did the Bears make during last year’s draft?
Jerry G.
Forest Park, Illinois
General manager Ryan Pace and his crew made four trades while on the clock in last year’s draft:
1) The Bears dealt the No. 11 pick in the first round and a fourth-round selection (106th overall) to the Buccaneers in exchange for the No. 9 pick in the first round. The Bears selected outside linebacker
2) The Bears moved down twice in the second round before choosing offensive lineman
3) The Bears traded the No. 49 pick to the Seahawks—who took defensive tackle Jarran Reed—in exchange for the No., 56 pick the Bears spent on Whitehair and a fourth-round selection (124th) that the Bears used to take safety
4) The Bears moved up four spots in the fourth round, trading the No. 117 pick and the No. 206 pick in the sixth round to the Rams for the No. 113 pick that they spent on linebacker
What are the chances the Bears trade up to pick Myles Garrett?
Dave
I don’t have any inside information, but I would be very surprised if the Bears moved up in the first round from the No. 3 spot. This draft is considered very deep and therefore I believe they would rather add picks than subtract them—especially in the first three or four rounds—even if it means moving up to take a very good player. (The price to land Myles Garrett figures to be especially high.) For those reasons I believe that most teams in the top 10 will probably be more motivated to move down than up.
All the really good quarterbacks seem to have a really good tight end. Would it be too much of a stretch for the Bears to consider O.J. Howard at No. 3? He seems like he could be a huge plus to the offense.
Jim C.
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Bears have drafted only two tight ends in the first round—Mike Ditka fifth in 1961 and Greg Olsen 31st in 2007. But if the Bears feel that Howard can be a perennial Pro Bowl-type player capable of making a major impact, I’d imagine they’d consider him among other prospects at No. 3. In other words, I don’t think the fact that he plays tight end is reason enough to exclude him from the list of possibilities if they feel he can be a difference-maker.
Is the ‘not a winner’ label fair to DeShone Kizer?
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
DeShone Kizer has plenty of the traits desired by NFL scouts, like a strong arm and a 6-foot-4, 230 pound frame. What he doesn't have, though, is the label of being a "winner." It's the opposite for Kizer, who quarterbacked Notre Dame to a 4-8 record in 2016, the program's worst since that embarrassing 3-9 year under Charlie Weis a decade ago.
Both Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox have touted a quarterback's ability to elevate everyone around him, with Pace at the Combine specifically pointing to Drew Brees' success at Purdue. Kizer, then, doesn't check off that box.
But it's worth noting Kizer was a "winner" two years ago, when he was thrown into action seven quarters into the 2015 season and led Notre Dame within six points of a berth in the College Football Playoff. Kizer threw a last-second game-winning touchdown to Will Fuller at Virginia, led a furious comeback (that fell short on a failed two-point conversion) on the road in a rainstorm against national runner-up Clemson and scored what should've been a game-winning touchdown late against Stanford (only to have Brian VanGorder's defense blow it with under 40 seconds left).
So how did Kizer go from being a "winner" one year to losing that label the next?
A point to note here is that 2015 Irish team had a bunch of players drafted in the first two days of the 2016 NFL Draft: Fuller and left tackle Ronnie Stanley were first-round picks, while center Nick Martin was a second-rounder and running back C.J. Prosise went in the third round. Kizer not only had less talent surrounding him in 2016, but most of those players he had to rely on were now inexperienced underclassmen.
Notre Dame's offensive line and running game both regressed without the likes of Stanley, Martin and Prosise. That put more offensive responsibility on the passing game and Kizer, who was without six of his top seven targets from a year ago (the only returning one, Torii Hunter Jr., was sidelined for four games with various injuries).
But Notre Dame's plummet wasn't just due to that talent drain on offense. Fired were VanGorder (four games into the season) and special teams coordinator Scott Booker (after the season) as both those units struggled do much of anything well. Two games in September were particularly egregious, with Kizer playing well in both but the Irish still conspiring to lose.
In Week 1, Kizer threw for five touchdowns, ran for another and didn't turn the ball over in Notre Dame's 50-47 double-overtime loss at Texas. Kizer had a few chances to do more later in the game, but it's worth noting he was without Hunter, who left the game in the third quarter due to a concussion. Is it fair to assign "fault" to the guy who had to sub in and out with Malik Zaire in the first half and still had six total touchdowns and no turnovers?
Twenty days later, Kizer threw for 381 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and one rushing score in Notre Dame's 38-35 home loss to Duke. After earning a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Notre Dame allowed Duke's backup returner to run a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Duke ripped off touchdown plays of 25, 32 and 64 yards against a feeble Irish defense, with that 64-yarder coming less than a minute after Kizer pulled Notre Dame ahead midway through the fourth quarter.
In those two games, though, had Notre Dame's defense and special teams merely been below average instead of a complete disaster, Kizer would've done more than enough to earn his team the two wins it needed to reach a bowl game. A 6-6 record hardly is good -- or acceptable in South Bend -- but it probably would've been more forgivable than the ugly stain of 4-8.
Consider the records of the other four top quarterbacks' teams:
Clemson (DeShaun Watson): 13-1, national champs
North Carolina (Mitchell Trubisky): 8-5, lost Sun Bowl
Texas Tech (Patrick Mahomes): 5-7
Cal (Davis Webb): 5-7
The other side to this, though, is that Kizer and Notre Dame had a chance to win or tie late in the fourth quarter in seven games, with six losses (Texas, Michigan State, Duke, N.C. State, Stanford, Virginia Tech) and one win (Miami). No matter how little help Kizer had, he still had a chance to convert those opportunities and for the most part did not.
Kizer never wavered in accepting responsibility for those losses during the season, and that message didn't change at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month. And it's one that should play well in draft rooms as teams decide whether or not Kizer, after a 4-8 season, is worth the investment of a first-round pick.
"I just didn't make enough plays," Kizer said. "The ball's in my hand every play. It's my job at Notre Dame to put us in position to win games, to trust in the guys around me and develop the guys around me to make those plays with me."
Both Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox have touted a quarterback's ability to elevate everyone around him, with Pace at the Combine specifically pointing to Drew Brees' success at Purdue. Kizer, then, doesn't check off that box.
But it's worth noting Kizer was a "winner" two years ago, when he was thrown into action seven quarters into the 2015 season and led Notre Dame within six points of a berth in the College Football Playoff. Kizer threw a last-second game-winning touchdown to Will Fuller at Virginia, led a furious comeback (that fell short on a failed two-point conversion) on the road in a rainstorm against national runner-up Clemson and scored what should've been a game-winning touchdown late against Stanford (only to have Brian VanGorder's defense blow it with under 40 seconds left).
So how did Kizer go from being a "winner" one year to losing that label the next?
A point to note here is that 2015 Irish team had a bunch of players drafted in the first two days of the 2016 NFL Draft: Fuller and left tackle Ronnie Stanley were first-round picks, while center Nick Martin was a second-rounder and running back C.J. Prosise went in the third round. Kizer not only had less talent surrounding him in 2016, but most of those players he had to rely on were now inexperienced underclassmen.
Notre Dame's offensive line and running game both regressed without the likes of Stanley, Martin and Prosise. That put more offensive responsibility on the passing game and Kizer, who was without six of his top seven targets from a year ago (the only returning one, Torii Hunter Jr., was sidelined for four games with various injuries).
But Notre Dame's plummet wasn't just due to that talent drain on offense. Fired were VanGorder (four games into the season) and special teams coordinator Scott Booker (after the season) as both those units struggled do much of anything well. Two games in September were particularly egregious, with Kizer playing well in both but the Irish still conspiring to lose.
In Week 1, Kizer threw for five touchdowns, ran for another and didn't turn the ball over in Notre Dame's 50-47 double-overtime loss at Texas. Kizer had a few chances to do more later in the game, but it's worth noting he was without Hunter, who left the game in the third quarter due to a concussion. Is it fair to assign "fault" to the guy who had to sub in and out with Malik Zaire in the first half and still had six total touchdowns and no turnovers?
Twenty days later, Kizer threw for 381 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and one rushing score in Notre Dame's 38-35 home loss to Duke. After earning a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, Notre Dame allowed Duke's backup returner to run a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Duke ripped off touchdown plays of 25, 32 and 64 yards against a feeble Irish defense, with that 64-yarder coming less than a minute after Kizer pulled Notre Dame ahead midway through the fourth quarter.
In those two games, though, had Notre Dame's defense and special teams merely been below average instead of a complete disaster, Kizer would've done more than enough to earn his team the two wins it needed to reach a bowl game. A 6-6 record hardly is good -- or acceptable in South Bend -- but it probably would've been more forgivable than the ugly stain of 4-8.
Consider the records of the other four top quarterbacks' teams:
Clemson (DeShaun Watson): 13-1, national champs
North Carolina (Mitchell Trubisky): 8-5, lost Sun Bowl
Texas Tech (Patrick Mahomes): 5-7
Cal (Davis Webb): 5-7
The other side to this, though, is that Kizer and Notre Dame had a chance to win or tie late in the fourth quarter in seven games, with six losses (Texas, Michigan State, Duke, N.C. State, Stanford, Virginia Tech) and one win (Miami). No matter how little help Kizer had, he still had a chance to convert those opportunities and for the most part did not.
Kizer never wavered in accepting responsibility for those losses during the season, and that message didn't change at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month. And it's one that should play well in draft rooms as teams decide whether or not Kizer, after a 4-8 season, is worth the investment of a first-round pick.
"I just didn't make enough plays," Kizer said. "The ball's in my hand every play. It's my job at Notre Dame to put us in position to win games, to trust in the guys around me and develop the guys around me to make those plays with me."
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls are halfway to history after taking an unlikely 2-0 series lead on Celtics.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/USA TODAY)
The stunned silence of the Garden was only matched by cheers of a team that seems to be growing with every big game, a team unfazed by being the eighth seed.
Because this eighth seed is halfway to making history after another victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden Tuesday night, outmuscling and outhustling them on the way to a 111-97 win.
The series is now 2-0 in favor of the Bulls with two games in Chicago this weekend, and if the Bulls have their way, it’ll be the last time they see green T-shirts, the last time they see the 17 championship banners and countless retired numbers in the rafters this season.
For all the Celtics’ history, it can’t help them against the Bulls, and the Bulls have stood toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. In fact, it was a member of Celtics’ past wearing a black Bulls jersey, aggressively stalking, swaggering and absorbing boos like after-school candy.
It also helps that the Bulls are bigger than the Celtics, tougher than their opponents and now, possesses a confidence that swallows any adjustment the Celtics can make with their personnel.
The Bulls have shut off their scoring valves, holding Isaiah Thomas to just 20 points and no other Celtic seems up for the challenge, as they shot 30 percent from three and 46 percent overall, but they trailed for double figures for most of the night.
Rajon Rondo played like a man possessed, intent on putting a stake into the hearts of a team he never wanted to leave. Grabbing defensive rebounds to lead the fast break, smacking loose balls away, he contributed to the chaos as the Bulls took a 25-15 lead and never looked back.
“One thing we know about our point guard is he likes everybody to go,” Dwyane Wade said of Rondo. “He had nine rebounds and when he gets the ball, he’s like, ‘Go, go.’
“We need easy baskets. This is a great defensive team. If we see their halfcourt set up every play, it’s going to be hard to score. So our mentality is try to get out and get some easy ones and put some pressure on them.”
A frenetic pace was just the way he liked it, controlling it enough early to withstand a Celtics storm and then being able to cede space to Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade to close the night and send the Celtics faithful to the exits with a little over four minutes left.
Butler scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half, while Wade scored 16 of his 22 after the half, including hitting all three of his 3-pointers in the face of decent defense.
“Rajon, I thought, did a terrific job once we got the ball off the glass,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “When we inserted him back into the starting lineup, how key he’s been to our recent successes. He’s a confident kid and that rubs off on all the other guys.”
Rondo was too fast, too smart, too manipulative with his eyes, like the time he set up Butler for a transition triple in the third quarter. Or the time he put the coup de gras on the night, an alley-oop feed to Cristiano Felicio with 6:01 left to give the Bulls a 102-86 lead, capping off his night where he scored 11 points with 14 assists, nine rebounds and five steals.
“Playoff Rondo”, the guy who put up games where he suddenly turned into a 3-point marksman and triple-double machine, certainly looks to be real this time around, as he’s averaging 11 points, 10 assists and 8.5 rebounds in the first two games this series.
“I don’t know what it is,” Rondo said. “I try to lock in and do what I can for my team. I wouldn’t be in this position unless my teammates did what those guys did last game---Bobby Portis made some big plays, (Jerian) Grant made big plays. Fred Hoiberg is doing a helluva job of putting us in the right situations to get some wins.”
Rondo was the whirling dervish while Robin Lopez provided the strength inside, grabbing offensive rebounds like Pac-Man, swallowing them with his awkward approach, keeping Al Horford from even pinching the ball.
And when the Celtics doubled Butler and Wade on pick-and-pops, Lopez popped jumper after jumper on his way to 18 points and eight rebounds. And if the Celtics didn’t prepare for Portis’ emergence, they certainly weren’t on the lookout for Paul Zipser, who scored 16 on six of eight shooting.
“I got to give our role players a lot of credit tonight,” Hoiberg said. “Zipser was huge for us. Cris made some huge plays on the defensive end. Then in the end it was good to see Dwyane get it going a little bit and obviously Jimmy is going to have the ball in his hands a lot in the 4th quarter.”
The Bulls led 89-75 in the opening minute of the fourth, their biggest lead of the game, when Butler found Felicio for a layup off a double team. Butler again did his part in helping hound Thomas, who will depart to Seattle after Tuesday’s game to be with his family following the unexpected death of his sister last weekend.
Thomas scored 20 but couldn’t weave his way around Butler, Rondo and Wade.
“Isaiah is a crafty guy and I just wanted to go out and play as hard as I could,” Rondo said. “I tried to stay aggressive last game, but I got myself into some foul trouble.”
Butler and Wade weren’t even necessary, not in the way of giving superhuman efforts because the Bulls’ offense ran to perfection as they shot 51 percent from the field and again controlled the offensive glass.
The Bulls scored 44 points in the paint and had 14 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds, but considering they shot so well, they didn’t need a high number.
They just needed to win, and they’ve instilled more than a little doubt in the Celtics’ mind.
And now, the Bulls hope they’ve said goodbye to the TD Garden this season, with the unlikely possibility of closing the series out at the United Center.
Because this eighth seed is halfway to making history after another victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden Tuesday night, outmuscling and outhustling them on the way to a 111-97 win.
The series is now 2-0 in favor of the Bulls with two games in Chicago this weekend, and if the Bulls have their way, it’ll be the last time they see green T-shirts, the last time they see the 17 championship banners and countless retired numbers in the rafters this season.
For all the Celtics’ history, it can’t help them against the Bulls, and the Bulls have stood toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference. In fact, it was a member of Celtics’ past wearing a black Bulls jersey, aggressively stalking, swaggering and absorbing boos like after-school candy.
It also helps that the Bulls are bigger than the Celtics, tougher than their opponents and now, possesses a confidence that swallows any adjustment the Celtics can make with their personnel.
The Bulls have shut off their scoring valves, holding Isaiah Thomas to just 20 points and no other Celtic seems up for the challenge, as they shot 30 percent from three and 46 percent overall, but they trailed for double figures for most of the night.
Rajon Rondo played like a man possessed, intent on putting a stake into the hearts of a team he never wanted to leave. Grabbing defensive rebounds to lead the fast break, smacking loose balls away, he contributed to the chaos as the Bulls took a 25-15 lead and never looked back.
“One thing we know about our point guard is he likes everybody to go,” Dwyane Wade said of Rondo. “He had nine rebounds and when he gets the ball, he’s like, ‘Go, go.’
“We need easy baskets. This is a great defensive team. If we see their halfcourt set up every play, it’s going to be hard to score. So our mentality is try to get out and get some easy ones and put some pressure on them.”
A frenetic pace was just the way he liked it, controlling it enough early to withstand a Celtics storm and then being able to cede space to Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade to close the night and send the Celtics faithful to the exits with a little over four minutes left.
Butler scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half, while Wade scored 16 of his 22 after the half, including hitting all three of his 3-pointers in the face of decent defense.
“Rajon, I thought, did a terrific job once we got the ball off the glass,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “When we inserted him back into the starting lineup, how key he’s been to our recent successes. He’s a confident kid and that rubs off on all the other guys.”
Rondo was too fast, too smart, too manipulative with his eyes, like the time he set up Butler for a transition triple in the third quarter. Or the time he put the coup de gras on the night, an alley-oop feed to Cristiano Felicio with 6:01 left to give the Bulls a 102-86 lead, capping off his night where he scored 11 points with 14 assists, nine rebounds and five steals.
“Playoff Rondo”, the guy who put up games where he suddenly turned into a 3-point marksman and triple-double machine, certainly looks to be real this time around, as he’s averaging 11 points, 10 assists and 8.5 rebounds in the first two games this series.
“I don’t know what it is,” Rondo said. “I try to lock in and do what I can for my team. I wouldn’t be in this position unless my teammates did what those guys did last game---Bobby Portis made some big plays, (Jerian) Grant made big plays. Fred Hoiberg is doing a helluva job of putting us in the right situations to get some wins.”
Rondo was the whirling dervish while Robin Lopez provided the strength inside, grabbing offensive rebounds like Pac-Man, swallowing them with his awkward approach, keeping Al Horford from even pinching the ball.
And when the Celtics doubled Butler and Wade on pick-and-pops, Lopez popped jumper after jumper on his way to 18 points and eight rebounds. And if the Celtics didn’t prepare for Portis’ emergence, they certainly weren’t on the lookout for Paul Zipser, who scored 16 on six of eight shooting.
“I got to give our role players a lot of credit tonight,” Hoiberg said. “Zipser was huge for us. Cris made some huge plays on the defensive end. Then in the end it was good to see Dwyane get it going a little bit and obviously Jimmy is going to have the ball in his hands a lot in the 4th quarter.”
The Bulls led 89-75 in the opening minute of the fourth, their biggest lead of the game, when Butler found Felicio for a layup off a double team. Butler again did his part in helping hound Thomas, who will depart to Seattle after Tuesday’s game to be with his family following the unexpected death of his sister last weekend.
Thomas scored 20 but couldn’t weave his way around Butler, Rondo and Wade.
“Isaiah is a crafty guy and I just wanted to go out and play as hard as I could,” Rondo said. “I tried to stay aggressive last game, but I got myself into some foul trouble.”
Butler and Wade weren’t even necessary, not in the way of giving superhuman efforts because the Bulls’ offense ran to perfection as they shot 51 percent from the field and again controlled the offensive glass.
The Bulls scored 44 points in the paint and had 14 second-chance points off 11 offensive rebounds, but considering they shot so well, they didn’t need a high number.
They just needed to win, and they’ve instilled more than a little doubt in the Celtics’ mind.
And now, the Bulls hope they’ve said goodbye to the TD Garden this season, with the unlikely possibility of closing the series out at the United Center.
RoLo Doesn't Play Low - Offensive Rebounds Are His Specialty.
By Sam Smith
(Photo/chicagobulls.com)
“He does what you ask him to do, goes out there and hustles, shoots the ball when he’s open, rebounds, guards, and he never complains".
Once upon a time in a league far, far away in the memory of many, when something happened to the Boston Celtics the way they were crushed on the boards in their 106-102 Game 1 playoff loss to the Bulls, you know what would be next.
If it were the Detroit Pistons, their goon squad would show up. Rick Mahorn or Dennis Rodman taking you out of the air on a drive, Bill Laimbeer tripping you going down the steps to the locker room. Or maybe if it were the Knicks, Anthony Mason or John Starks with a push in the back, a kick in the groin. OK, maybe Draymond Green, too. Yes, there still are some good ‘ol days.
Of course, that’s the exception, and that sort of stuff isn’t tolerated in the NBA anymore.
But when the Bulls play the Celtics Tuesday in Game 2 in suddenly a backs-to-the-wall game for Boston, perhaps the Bulls better be watching their backs. Yes, Jimmy Butler’s 30 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, were crucial in the Game 1 win. And Bobby Portis’ 19 points and nine rebounds were welcome. But it was Robin Lopez with 14 points and 11 rebounds, nine offensive, that most frustrated the Celtics.
Around the concern for grieving teammate Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics after Game 1 all were talking about the Bulls’ 53-36 rebounding lead and how that much change in Game 2.
It’s on? Will the gloves come off?
They’re not supposed to in the NBA; of course, the only Bull this season who did get into a fist fight—of sorts--was Lopez, suspended a game for his wild roundhouse right against Serge Ibaka. Lopez, of course, is known as a fighter, though primarily with team mascots. Though he is fascinated with comic books and action heroes. A modern era NBA avenger?
Lopez in Game 1 was the hulk that angered the Celtics. They’re committed to changing that and saving their series in Game 2. After all, they’re the guys who are green.
Will they? Can they?
“For sure (they’ll focus on rebounding),” Lopez acknowledged at Bulls practice Monday. “They have a lot of really physical players, a lot of really smart players and they are so good at playing as a unit. I know they are all going to be focused in on creating some kind of…making it more difficult for us to get those offensive rebounds.”
Some kind of what? Mayhem?
You’re not likely to see it in the NBA anymore, and it’s difficult to imagine with this Celtics team that features—while they are good—probably the smallest and lightest backcourt in the league. Thomas is listed at 5-9 (sure) and 185 pounds and Avery Bradley at 6-3 and 180. Not sure about that, either. Of course, Rajon Rondo isn’t playing fullback for anyone, either.
Rebounding, as Pat Riley famously said, is rings. It’s doubtful either of these teams is quite playing for that yet. But it’s also hard work, effort, physical play and perhaps a little intimidation.
The Celtics compete seriously, but they are a small team.
In fact, the Celtics starters average about 6-5 compared to 6-7 for the Bulls starters. The Celtics so called big men are perimeter oriented Al Horford and slender Amir Johnson.
The Bulls dominated them on the boards the first three games the teams played this season, averaging 16 more rebounds per game. The Bulls even got 10 more in the game they lost in Boston in November. Then after the Taj Gibson trade, the Bulls had a huge meltdown and 26 first half points in being blown out by the Celtics March 12. That was the team’s big turnaround moment with Rondo and Nikola Mirotic back in the lineup and the rotation tightened. The Celtics outrebounded the Bulls by 11 in that game.
But with Butler and Rondo hitting the boards and Portis coming hard off the bench, the Bulls saved the game Sunday with their rebounding. It was especially true in the first quarter with the emotion rippling through the building and Thomas scoring 13 points. It was Lopez with five offensive rebounds and 10 points that kept the Bulls within five points after one quarter. He saved what could have been another blowout.
“Rolo is huge,” said Butler, using Lopez’ team nickname. “He does what you ask him to do, goes out there and hustles, shoots the ball when he’s open, rebounds, guards, and he never complains; stays in as many games as he can until he gets suspended in Toronto for swinging at people. If we are outrebounding teams like that we are always going to give ourselves a chance to win.
Of course, Butler is the Bulls main scorer. And the Celtics likely won’t leave Portis available so often. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he expects Nikola Mirotic to bounce back after shooting one of nine in Game 1 and zero for five on threes.
“I know Niko is going to come back and battle,” said Hoiberg, who added he’ll leave the lineup the same. “I know he had some really good defensive possessions for us. Just little things that may not show up in the stat sheet, but being in the right spot, forcing the team to make extra passes. I thought Niko did battle on the defensive end and did make contributions even though his offense wasn’t going; everybody has confidence in Niko, including Niko. Just a matter of knocking down the shots when they come.”
But Hoiberg also stayed with the hot shooter in Portis over Mirotic late in the game. The Bulls were loose with the ball again for 19 turnovers, which usually is fatal against Boston. The Bulls were eight of 25 on threes after missing their first 11 straight. And the Bulls almost gave away a nine-point lead in the last 50 seconds being trapped. They’ll have to watch for that.
Though Butler says no one among the Bulls is satisfied to have just wrested away technical home court advantage with the win.
“You have to keep the (offensive rebounding) mentality,” said Lopez. “Sometimes the ball is not going to bounce your way. Just by going to the bucket like that, putting it on the line for your teammates, maybe it bounces to them. My thought process doesn’t change from game to game. I go out there and try to help my teammates. I try to (have) some effect on the defensive end positively and let everything else flow from there.
“A lot of offensive rebounding is a lot of desire,” explains Lopez, “a little bit positioning. Obviously, picking and choosing when to go (to the boards) with a team as great in transition as Boston.”
If it were the Detroit Pistons, their goon squad would show up. Rick Mahorn or Dennis Rodman taking you out of the air on a drive, Bill Laimbeer tripping you going down the steps to the locker room. Or maybe if it were the Knicks, Anthony Mason or John Starks with a push in the back, a kick in the groin. OK, maybe Draymond Green, too. Yes, there still are some good ‘ol days.
Of course, that’s the exception, and that sort of stuff isn’t tolerated in the NBA anymore.
But when the Bulls play the Celtics Tuesday in Game 2 in suddenly a backs-to-the-wall game for Boston, perhaps the Bulls better be watching their backs. Yes, Jimmy Butler’s 30 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, were crucial in the Game 1 win. And Bobby Portis’ 19 points and nine rebounds were welcome. But it was Robin Lopez with 14 points and 11 rebounds, nine offensive, that most frustrated the Celtics.
Around the concern for grieving teammate Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics after Game 1 all were talking about the Bulls’ 53-36 rebounding lead and how that much change in Game 2.
It’s on? Will the gloves come off?
They’re not supposed to in the NBA; of course, the only Bull this season who did get into a fist fight—of sorts--was Lopez, suspended a game for his wild roundhouse right against Serge Ibaka. Lopez, of course, is known as a fighter, though primarily with team mascots. Though he is fascinated with comic books and action heroes. A modern era NBA avenger?
Lopez in Game 1 was the hulk that angered the Celtics. They’re committed to changing that and saving their series in Game 2. After all, they’re the guys who are green.
Will they? Can they?
“For sure (they’ll focus on rebounding),” Lopez acknowledged at Bulls practice Monday. “They have a lot of really physical players, a lot of really smart players and they are so good at playing as a unit. I know they are all going to be focused in on creating some kind of…making it more difficult for us to get those offensive rebounds.”
Some kind of what? Mayhem?
You’re not likely to see it in the NBA anymore, and it’s difficult to imagine with this Celtics team that features—while they are good—probably the smallest and lightest backcourt in the league. Thomas is listed at 5-9 (sure) and 185 pounds and Avery Bradley at 6-3 and 180. Not sure about that, either. Of course, Rajon Rondo isn’t playing fullback for anyone, either.
Rebounding, as Pat Riley famously said, is rings. It’s doubtful either of these teams is quite playing for that yet. But it’s also hard work, effort, physical play and perhaps a little intimidation.
The Celtics compete seriously, but they are a small team.
In fact, the Celtics starters average about 6-5 compared to 6-7 for the Bulls starters. The Celtics so called big men are perimeter oriented Al Horford and slender Amir Johnson.
The Bulls dominated them on the boards the first three games the teams played this season, averaging 16 more rebounds per game. The Bulls even got 10 more in the game they lost in Boston in November. Then after the Taj Gibson trade, the Bulls had a huge meltdown and 26 first half points in being blown out by the Celtics March 12. That was the team’s big turnaround moment with Rondo and Nikola Mirotic back in the lineup and the rotation tightened. The Celtics outrebounded the Bulls by 11 in that game.
But with Butler and Rondo hitting the boards and Portis coming hard off the bench, the Bulls saved the game Sunday with their rebounding. It was especially true in the first quarter with the emotion rippling through the building and Thomas scoring 13 points. It was Lopez with five offensive rebounds and 10 points that kept the Bulls within five points after one quarter. He saved what could have been another blowout.
“Rolo is huge,” said Butler, using Lopez’ team nickname. “He does what you ask him to do, goes out there and hustles, shoots the ball when he’s open, rebounds, guards, and he never complains; stays in as many games as he can until he gets suspended in Toronto for swinging at people. If we are outrebounding teams like that we are always going to give ourselves a chance to win.
“He doesn't get all the credit that I would get, or D-Wade, or Rondo, anybody else like that. And he doesn't care, to tell you the truth. We love him for that. He comes in, does his job, doesn't ask anything. Does anything you want him to do. It's critical to these young guys to see that. Put your hard hat on and go to work."
Jimmy ButlerIt figures Lopez is going to have plenty of work to do Tuesday with likely the largest target on his back.
Of course, Butler is the Bulls main scorer. And the Celtics likely won’t leave Portis available so often. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he expects Nikola Mirotic to bounce back after shooting one of nine in Game 1 and zero for five on threes.
“I know Niko is going to come back and battle,” said Hoiberg, who added he’ll leave the lineup the same. “I know he had some really good defensive possessions for us. Just little things that may not show up in the stat sheet, but being in the right spot, forcing the team to make extra passes. I thought Niko did battle on the defensive end and did make contributions even though his offense wasn’t going; everybody has confidence in Niko, including Niko. Just a matter of knocking down the shots when they come.”
But Hoiberg also stayed with the hot shooter in Portis over Mirotic late in the game. The Bulls were loose with the ball again for 19 turnovers, which usually is fatal against Boston. The Bulls were eight of 25 on threes after missing their first 11 straight. And the Bulls almost gave away a nine-point lead in the last 50 seconds being trapped. They’ll have to watch for that.
Though Butler says no one among the Bulls is satisfied to have just wrested away technical home court advantage with the win.
“We didn't come here just to win one game. We came here to win, period. That means winning this one we've got coming up. We're not satisfied with one win. We want to win. And I think we're capable of that. But we've got to get better. We can't get satisfied with the one win we got last night. That's why we're here today, to learn, get better, watch this film, and go out there again tomorrow."
Jimmy ButlerWhen they do they may well be greeted by Celtics with primitive intentions. The Bulls have someone with a primitive hair style who’ll be ready.
“You have to keep the (offensive rebounding) mentality,” said Lopez. “Sometimes the ball is not going to bounce your way. Just by going to the bucket like that, putting it on the line for your teammates, maybe it bounces to them. My thought process doesn’t change from game to game. I go out there and try to help my teammates. I try to (have) some effect on the defensive end positively and let everything else flow from there.
“A lot of offensive rebounding is a lot of desire,” explains Lopez, “a little bit positioning. Obviously, picking and choosing when to go (to the boards) with a team as great in transition as Boston.”
Look, this isn’t Rodman rebounding or Bill Russell, Wes Unseld or even Johnny Kerr. Lopez averaged 6.4 rebounds this season, though almost half on the offensive boards. He’s not exceptionally quick to the ball, but he’s forceful and relentless. His composed off court demeanor belies the heart of a fierce defensive competitor.
“I don’t know if I ever said I’m going to get a lot of offensive rebounds,” said Lopez. “As far as I can remember that’s been something I’ve done. I’m not sure how that happened. That’s a way to help my teammates, so I’m happy doing it.”
Brook shot; Robin got the ball so he could shoot again.
“Since we lost Taj we haven’t rebounded as well,” Lopez admitted about his favored front court mate. “But I think we did a great job (Sunday) of rebounding as a team. That’s something we need to continue with. There’s going to be a response from Boston, so it’s something we need to be consistent with and very detailed with. Go out there and try to play with a level head whether good or bad happens; obviously it’s an emotional, physical game; it’s a fun game. There are times when things start rolling you are going to start feeling a kind of way.”
So what way?
“’Swept up’ is the perfect phrase to summarize how I feel,” Lopez said.
Sweeping up the floor with someone? Swept up in the mayhem? No, no one said sweep. This projects as a long series. Lopez knows he, especially, better be aware and prepared Tuesday. They’re coming. By land; to see. To land that metaphorical punch. The Bulls expect to see it coming. Round two?
Bobby Portis - Confidence, Swagger, Effort and Tenacity.
By Sam Smith
(Photo/chicagobulls.com)
BP came up huge for the Bulls in his first ever NBA Playoff game.
Bobby Portis never lost confidence, never doubted. And as a result, the Bulls suddenly are in position with a 1-0 series lead to shock the Boston Celtics in their first round playoff series.
Bobby Portis never lost confidence, never doubted. And as a result, the Bulls suddenly are in position with a 1-0 series lead to shock the Boston Celtics in their first round playoff series.
Sure, Jimmy Butler was clutch with 15 fourth quarter points and the clinching free throws and Robin Lopez was dominant with 11 rebounds, eight offensive in the Bulls 53-36 rebounding advantage. But it was a Bulls 35-22 bench edge led by Portis’ eight for 10 shooting and 19 points that proved decisive.
“I’ve always been confident. It helps at the same time I knew the circumstances of what my team needed from me. I went out there and played my basketball game; I took the shots that came to me tonight.”
Bobby PortisPortis’ poise was enviable, if also unlikely given what he’s endured in a season of rarely playing, 18 DNP-coach decisions, including the home opener against Boston, another 15 games of so called garbage time, playing fewer than 10 minutes in mop up, late game situations. Yet, the humble 6-11 forward who still says, “Sir” when answering questions from media, worked and worked, competed and competed, was a model of effort despite the disappointment and frustration.
Dwyane Wade even credited the reserves for such a tough practice Friday that it got the attention of the starters and proved crucial in their preparation for Game 1.
“Tonight was Bobby’s night,” Wade noted. “Give credit to our team, our second unit. The first day of practice after we made the playoffs, we came in on Friday and they tore our butts off. They came out and gave us a taste of what we were going to see tonight from a defensive pressure standpoint. That’s how you win games, when it’s a whole team involved.
“It was a great sign,” said Wade. “They got to the gym before us. The coaches got the plays down from Boston, knew what to run. When we got there (they) were able to help us talking about the plays and how we were going to defend it and when we started scrimmaging they tore us up. Like playoff atmosphere. The coaches had the crowd (noise) on loud in there. we were competing; it was good. It let us know this was not the regular season; it’s not going to be easy. I (also credit) Denzel (Valentine), Cam (Payne), (Paul) Zipser, Cris (Felicio); all those guys on the second unit were out there and get a lot of credit for this win, too.”
Portis and the reserves have been making those statements, often behind closed doors, all season. They haven’t always been effective or efficient, but they don’t back down. Perhaps this Bulls team isn’t as close as it might be, but the level of respect is there. It may have begun that gloomy night after the January blown lead loss to Atlanta, the season’s low point. There were accusations about who was competing at the proper level. Wade, Butler and Rajon Rondo crossed verbal and social media swords. But it was the reserves, especially Portis, who personified the competitiveness.
That subsequent team meeting was fiery. Portis was among several reserves who spoke sharply. Criticize our games if you like, was the message, but don’t tell us we don’t work. We’re here at midnight and we’re not even playing. The barbs were intense, but the message resonated. These guys will be there.
“He was the one of our new young guys who hasn’t had any playoff experience (who) I wasn’t worried about,” Hoiberg said about Portis. “He’s going to go out there and play with unbelievable confidence. He’s going to play with swagger."
"He’s a kid who is going to lay it on the line. He plays with such effort and tenacity. He was hitting his shots; that was huge. We needed every one of them. He stepped up big for us and hit clutch shots in the fourth quarter as well.”
Hoiberg, on BPThere were big shots all game from Portis, a three early in the second quarter to give the Bulls a five-point lead; earlier handling the ball on the break for an assist to Cristiano Felicio. Key jumpers in the third quarter after Boston regained the lead and then a tip-in on a Wade miss in the fourth before a three and a huge 18 footer with 1:18 left that gave the Bulls a nine-point lead, and thus just enough to hold off the desperate Celtics.
And, of yeah, the huge block on Jae Crowder with 2:49 left and the Bulls hanging onto a 97-92 lead. Portis raised his arms in a pantomime of showing off his muscles to the delight of teammates.
“I feel that is going to be my little signature thing,” Portis said with a laugh. “Me and Ligs (equipment chief John Ligmanowski), every day I come in he always does that. We’ve been doing that since the summer league. That was big (block), helping the team. Just trying to do whatever I can, give great energy off the bench; just go out there and work as hard as I can.”
It’s a credit to Portis not only that he continues to do so, but that with all the disappointment in his second season of being eased out of a role to accommodate others that he never wavered, never hesitated, never backed off, even when there was implied criticism. He worked at it, and had one of the biggest first playoff games in franchise history.
“I’m a very confident basketball player, but I credit the guys who passed me the ball and had confidence in me to shoot the ball,” said Portis. “I prepared the whole season even through the ups and downs. Just talking to guys, believing in God, listening to my mom, listening to guys telling me to stay ready; that helped me out a lot. At the same time, I still put the work in to stay ready and I felt that’s what I put in my hard work for.”
It would have been easy to give up. Or give in.
In 11 of the first 17 games, Portis played 11 minutes or fewer. Then in December in 17 games, he had 10 DNPs and four games of 10 minutes or fewer. It continued into January with seven DNP’s, and it wasn’t until February that he began to enjoy a regular role. When Nikola Mirotic’s aim was off Sunday with one of nine shooting, Hoiberg came back with Portis in Mirotic’s usual spot, a key late adjustment that trumped Boston coach Brad Stevens’ late moves. Portis had eight fourth quarter points; the entire Boston bench had nine.
“I feel like not just offense, my defense is coming along tremendously,” said Portis. “It’s one thing I really work on and I feel it helps me as an all around basketball player. Just staying in the gym and working hard and talking to (assistant) coach Pete (Myers) a lot. He helped me through this process. He’s been big for me; he’s been like a father of the team for me. It’s been fun to play.”
And then not a moment of hesitation on that jumper with 1:18 left that sent fans to the exits, though the Celtics scared the Bulls with some frantic late game play.
“I was going to take (that shot) regardless because Kelly Olynyk helped (off) a lot and I was open,” Portis said evenly. “So I was going to shoot it when Dwyane passed it to me. I shot the ball and it felt good when it went down seeing everybody happy, jumping up and down and happy for me and the team. I had fun out there.”
So did the Bulls thanks in large part to Bobby Portis never losing faith.
“I’m a very confident basketball player, but I credit the guys who passed me the ball and had confidence in me to shoot the ball,” said Portis. “I prepared the whole season even through the ups and downs. Just talking to guys, believing in God, listening to my mom, listening to guys telling me to stay ready; that helped me out a lot. At the same time, I still put the work in to stay ready and I felt that’s what I put in my hard work for.”
It would have been easy to give up. Or give in.
In 11 of the first 17 games, Portis played 11 minutes or fewer. Then in December in 17 games, he had 10 DNPs and four games of 10 minutes or fewer. It continued into January with seven DNP’s, and it wasn’t until February that he began to enjoy a regular role. When Nikola Mirotic’s aim was off Sunday with one of nine shooting, Hoiberg came back with Portis in Mirotic’s usual spot, a key late adjustment that trumped Boston coach Brad Stevens’ late moves. Portis had eight fourth quarter points; the entire Boston bench had nine.
“I feel like not just offense, my defense is coming along tremendously,” said Portis. “It’s one thing I really work on and I feel it helps me as an all around basketball player. Just staying in the gym and working hard and talking to (assistant) coach Pete (Myers) a lot. He helped me through this process. He’s been big for me; he’s been like a father of the team for me. It’s been fun to play.”
And then not a moment of hesitation on that jumper with 1:18 left that sent fans to the exits, though the Celtics scared the Bulls with some frantic late game play.
“I was going to take (that shot) regardless because Kelly Olynyk helped (off) a lot and I was open,” Portis said evenly. “So I was going to shoot it when Dwyane passed it to me. I shot the ball and it felt good when it went down seeing everybody happy, jumping up and down and happy for me and the team. I had fun out there.”
So did the Bulls thanks in large part to Bobby Portis never losing faith.
Cubs look more like themselves in snapping four-game losing streak with comeback win over Brewers.
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs are back…to being a .500 team. Not that anyone in this clubhouse would ever show the signs of frustration this early into a World Series title defense, but this comeback win felt more like something out of that unforgettable 2016 season.
"Some days you win, some days you lose, and some days the offense picks your sorry ass up!" Brett Anderson posted on his Twitter account after Tuesday's 9-7 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers snapped a four-game losing streak and reenergized Wrigley Field.
Except for a bad Anderson start – and the scattered boos heard from the crowd of 39,026 – this looked more like the Cubs team you expected to see.
"Tonight was a perfect example," new Cub Jon Jay said. "Guys didn't get down and kept on fighting, kept on fighting. The guys out here, they play all nine. They play hard."
A relentless lineup erased a 5-0 deficit, scored in bunches with two two-run homers from Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero and ultimately wore out the Brewers (8-7) with role players like Jay and Albert Almora Jr.
A bullpen still trying to define roles got its act together, with five relievers combining to limit the Brewers to one run across the final five-plus innings and slow down Korea Baseball Organization sensation Eric Thames (3-for-5, two doubles off Anderson).
It didn't feel exactly like the playoffs, but the press box did shake a little bit in the sixth inning, when Almora smashed a pinch-hit, two-run single off third baseman Travis Shaw's glove to make it a 7-6 game. The crowd roared again when Jay hammered a Jared Hughes fastball off the right-center field wall for a game-tying triple – and then scored the go-ahead run on a Hughes wild pitch.
"It's early in the season," Jay said. "We got guys with track records and guys who've had big years, so it's all about staying in that routine and continuing to play."
The contributions from all over the roster bailed out Anderson, who had the reporters in the interview room cracking up after the Brewers hit him hard and knocked the injury-prone pitcher out in the fourth inning, though not because of the ball that drilled him "right in the fat part of my fat hamstring."
"Yeah, it didn't feel great, but it didn't really effect me," Anderson said. "I tweaked a groin last start and got hit in the hamstring this start, so it wouldn't be a Brett Anderson start without some sort of athletic play.
"I'd like to have a start where I don't have to deal with something, but it comes with the territory of being super-athletic."
"Not many people can," Anderson said in his deadpan voice.
The 2016 Cubs didn't lose their seventh game until May 11, but this is still a new group trying to create a different identity, even if most of the names and faces are the same.
"We set the bar really high last year," Montero said. "We had a really good start last year. Whatever we're at right now, that doesn't mean that it's a really slow start. We're playing .500 now. We just got to worry about one series at a time, one game at a time."
A World Series ring controversy and a Hall of Fame dispute? That's Cub.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
A ring controversy and a petty dispute with the Hall of Fame? That's Cub.
This is the franchise of the 108-year drought, a place where almost anything can go viral, from the constant turf battles with City Hall and neighborhood businesses, to the 400-pound "Cake Boss" creation for the Wrigley Field centennial that wound up in the garbage, to the Opening Night bathroom fiasco in 2015.
But after finally winning the World Series, are you surprised this is still where the Cubs — and the media covering the team — are at now?
"Um, can I get hit by a foul ball?" general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday, laughing during batting practice before a 9-7 comeback win over the Milwaukee Brewers. "I think it's just the nature (of it). There's a lot of focus and attention on us."
To be honest, this isn't really Hoyer's fight. It's not like his job description involves formulating IRS defense strategies or authenticating Kris Bryant's Adidas cleats or shipping Anthony Rizzo's game-worn gear to upstate New York.
But Hoyer is a good soldier and a good talker, a counterweight to baseball boss Theo Epstein and someone who can bring his two World Series rings from the Boston Red Sox into the conversation.
Hoyer disputed one key element to a Chicago Sun-Times report that said all employees — in order to receive their championship bling — must sign a document that gives the Cubs the right to buy back the ring for $1 if they ever decide to sell the jewelry. Players are exempted from signing that agreement, Hoyer said, and the Cubs are willing to find ways to pay down the taxes on the gifts.
"I signed that thing willingly," Hoyer said. "I know Theo did. Everyone except for the players signed it. I look at it like the Ricketts were so unbelievably generous in the cost of the ring and then the number (1,908) they gave out.
"When you're paying for the ring for a lot of people — and helping out with the taxes along with that — it just seems appropriate to say: 'I don't expect you to take the gift I'm giving you and run out to the market with it.' And I do think there's something a little bit different with the Cubs' 2016 ring, given how valuable it is and how long people waited."
Why would ownership even care when the franchise value has soared from $845 million after the 2009 purchase — including a stake in CSN Chicago and assorted Wrigleyville developments — to $2.68 billion in the latest Forbes rankings?
"I do think you devalue the ring for everyone if all of a sudden people are going to race to the market to see who can make some money off it," Hoyer said. "If you get a Heisman Trophy, they put that stipulation on it. If you win an Oscar, they put that stipulation on it. It's not a rare thing to be given a gift of something like that and also put those kind of stipulations on it."
But it's not like Ben Zobrist would feel any differently about his World Series MVP performance if a few behind-the-scenes employees eventually sold rings under pressure, responding to a medical emergency or dealing with a financial crisis or trying to send their kids to college.
It can be hard to square those worst-case scenarios and this altruistic spirit with some of the Ricketts family's right-wing politics and support of Republican hard-liners out to shred the social safety net. (Board member Todd Ricketts has yet to be confirmed as Donald Trump's deputy commerce secretary, while Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is listed as one of the team's limited partners.)
Credit chairman Tom Ricketts for hiring the right people to run baseball operations, having the patience and long-range vision to build a serial contender and securing the future of Wrigley Field. Estimates on the tiers of rings have ranged from $20,000 to $70,000.
"I certainly think in terms of the number of rings — and the cost of the rings — I'd be shocked if any professional sports team has ever spent more to take care of their employees," Hoyer said.
"Disparaging that, I feel like you're kind of taking a shot at what was really unprecedented generosity by the Ricketts. I think they went way above and beyond what other teams have done."
Maybe it's just a coincidence, but these two April 13 headlines from USA Today and The New York Times sure appeared to be sending a calculated message to 1060 W. Addison St. and Crane Kenney's business-operations department: "Baseball Hall of Fame Sorely Lacking Artifacts from Cubs' World Series Run" and "Cubs Fans Waited 108 Years. Cooperstown is Still Waiting."
"Honestly, I think the (delay's) been administrative, making sure you log everything," Hoyer said. "Certainly, there's no reason to hold out on Cooperstown. I think that's the biggest honor — to have a little display in Cooperstown about the team — so it's not a desire to not have it there.
"I just think it's cataloguing it and deciding what to send, but we'll be well-represented. It's kind of too bad that became a story, because obviously it's not about a lack of respect for Cooperstown, that's for sure."
After ToiletGate, Hoyer did another media scrum and talked about some of the growing pains while rebuilding an iconic ballpark: "Hopefully, we get all that stuff behind us and just focus on the players. And hopefully our team is what you want to talk about — not bathroom lines or porta-potties."
Two years later, that's still the organization's greatest asset, a spectacular collection of young talent and battle-tested veterans who won't be signing those promissory notes.
"Everyone knows the carriage of our guys and the quality of our team," Hoyer said. "In general, the stories are probably not going to be about controversies within that clubhouse, because I think we have a good group.
"Everyone knows they work hard and they're good guys, (but) there's always going to be little things that pop up."
This is the franchise of the 108-year drought, a place where almost anything can go viral, from the constant turf battles with City Hall and neighborhood businesses, to the 400-pound "Cake Boss" creation for the Wrigley Field centennial that wound up in the garbage, to the Opening Night bathroom fiasco in 2015.
But after finally winning the World Series, are you surprised this is still where the Cubs — and the media covering the team — are at now?
"Um, can I get hit by a foul ball?" general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday, laughing during batting practice before a 9-7 comeback win over the Milwaukee Brewers. "I think it's just the nature (of it). There's a lot of focus and attention on us."
To be honest, this isn't really Hoyer's fight. It's not like his job description involves formulating IRS defense strategies or authenticating Kris Bryant's Adidas cleats or shipping Anthony Rizzo's game-worn gear to upstate New York.
But Hoyer is a good soldier and a good talker, a counterweight to baseball boss Theo Epstein and someone who can bring his two World Series rings from the Boston Red Sox into the conversation.
Hoyer disputed one key element to a Chicago Sun-Times report that said all employees — in order to receive their championship bling — must sign a document that gives the Cubs the right to buy back the ring for $1 if they ever decide to sell the jewelry. Players are exempted from signing that agreement, Hoyer said, and the Cubs are willing to find ways to pay down the taxes on the gifts.
"I signed that thing willingly," Hoyer said. "I know Theo did. Everyone except for the players signed it. I look at it like the Ricketts were so unbelievably generous in the cost of the ring and then the number (1,908) they gave out.
"When you're paying for the ring for a lot of people — and helping out with the taxes along with that — it just seems appropriate to say: 'I don't expect you to take the gift I'm giving you and run out to the market with it.' And I do think there's something a little bit different with the Cubs' 2016 ring, given how valuable it is and how long people waited."
Why would ownership even care when the franchise value has soared from $845 million after the 2009 purchase — including a stake in CSN Chicago and assorted Wrigleyville developments — to $2.68 billion in the latest Forbes rankings?
"I do think you devalue the ring for everyone if all of a sudden people are going to race to the market to see who can make some money off it," Hoyer said. "If you get a Heisman Trophy, they put that stipulation on it. If you win an Oscar, they put that stipulation on it. It's not a rare thing to be given a gift of something like that and also put those kind of stipulations on it."
But it's not like Ben Zobrist would feel any differently about his World Series MVP performance if a few behind-the-scenes employees eventually sold rings under pressure, responding to a medical emergency or dealing with a financial crisis or trying to send their kids to college.
It can be hard to square those worst-case scenarios and this altruistic spirit with some of the Ricketts family's right-wing politics and support of Republican hard-liners out to shred the social safety net. (Board member Todd Ricketts has yet to be confirmed as Donald Trump's deputy commerce secretary, while Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is listed as one of the team's limited partners.)
Credit chairman Tom Ricketts for hiring the right people to run baseball operations, having the patience and long-range vision to build a serial contender and securing the future of Wrigley Field. Estimates on the tiers of rings have ranged from $20,000 to $70,000.
"I certainly think in terms of the number of rings — and the cost of the rings — I'd be shocked if any professional sports team has ever spent more to take care of their employees," Hoyer said.
"Disparaging that, I feel like you're kind of taking a shot at what was really unprecedented generosity by the Ricketts. I think they went way above and beyond what other teams have done."
Maybe it's just a coincidence, but these two April 13 headlines from USA Today and The New York Times sure appeared to be sending a calculated message to 1060 W. Addison St. and Crane Kenney's business-operations department: "Baseball Hall of Fame Sorely Lacking Artifacts from Cubs' World Series Run" and "Cubs Fans Waited 108 Years. Cooperstown is Still Waiting."
"Honestly, I think the (delay's) been administrative, making sure you log everything," Hoyer said. "Certainly, there's no reason to hold out on Cooperstown. I think that's the biggest honor — to have a little display in Cooperstown about the team — so it's not a desire to not have it there.
"I just think it's cataloguing it and deciding what to send, but we'll be well-represented. It's kind of too bad that became a story, because obviously it's not about a lack of respect for Cooperstown, that's for sure."
After ToiletGate, Hoyer did another media scrum and talked about some of the growing pains while rebuilding an iconic ballpark: "Hopefully, we get all that stuff behind us and just focus on the players. And hopefully our team is what you want to talk about — not bathroom lines or porta-potties."
Two years later, that's still the organization's greatest asset, a spectacular collection of young talent and battle-tested veterans who won't be signing those promissory notes.
"Everyone knows the carriage of our guys and the quality of our team," Hoyer said. "In general, the stories are probably not going to be about controversies within that clubhouse, because I think we have a good group.
"Everyone knows they work hard and they're good guys, (but) there's always going to be little things that pop up."
WHITE SOX: Avisail Garcia's three-run homer helps White Sox snap Yankees' eight-game win streak.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/AP)
Avisail Garcia had seen so many sliders from Luis Severino in their previous encounter the White Sox outfielder looked for it exclusively in a hitter's count the next time up.
When Severino acquiesced and left his 2-0 slider in the zone, Garcia pounced on it. The outfielder's three-run home run to left in the seventh inning made all the difference as the White Sox snapped the New York Yankees' winning streak at eight with a 4-1 victory in front of 30,075 at Yankee Stadium. The blast made a winner of Miguel Gonzalez, who dominated into the ninth inning and combined on a four-hitter with David Robertson. Leury Garcia also homered for the White Sox, who clinched a winning road trip.
"I haven't seen (Garcia) like this," infielder Tyler Saladino said. "This is pretty impressive. Really impressive. Every single at-bat he's had a really good at-bat. Without talking to him or asking him what he's doing, because you let him keep going, it just seems like he's seeing the ball really well and he's on what they're throwing."
"I'm sure he's seeing the ball really well, but also locked in on what they're trying to do to him and taking advantage."
So far Garcia has made the most of what could be his last chance with the White Sox. He entered Tuesday with an American League-leading .447 average while also leading the AL in hits (21), OPS (1.128) and batting average on balls in play (.543).
Among the tear has been several big moments, including Sunday's go-ahead homer that clinched a 10-inning victory over Minnesota.
Garcia added another one to the highlight reel with the White Sox leading 1-0 against Severino, who to that point had been extremely sharp. Tim Anderson singled to start the seventh — only the second White Sox hit of the night. Yankees shortstop Pete Kozma then committed an error on Melky Cabrera's potential double play ball.
After Jose Abreu popped out bunting on his own, Garcia took two fastballs and got ahead 2-0 in the count. He suspected Severino might throw next him a slider after their fifth-inning showdown. In that at-bat, Severino threw five sliders among eight pitches.
What he found was a fat pitch high and inside and Garcia turned on it, driving it an estimated 429 feet to put the White Sox ahead by four runs.
"He throws really, really, really hard," Garcia said. "He throws everything for a strike so you've got to be careful and don't try and do too much with that guy. My second at-bat he threw me a lot of sliders. My third at-bat he threw a couple of fastballs and I was looking for what he threw me a lot.
"Was looking for the slider he threw me and I put a good swing on it."
Garcia's homer was his third, which ties him with Matt Davidson for the team lead. Garcia also leads the White Sox with 13 runs driven in.
"He's been good for a while now, but I think he's still just trying to make good contact," manager Rick Renteria said. "Now he seems to be driving the ball a little bit more, which is good to see. But he's a strong young man that if he puts the bat on the ball and he does it well, he's got a chance to drive the ball."
Gonzalez was sharp with four pitches and New York took an aggressive approach. That led to a number of quick outs, a bunch of weak contact and few Yankees hits. Gonzalez retired the first 12 hitters he faced. Starlin Castro was the first to reach against Gonzalez on an infield single but was immediately erased on a double play. Gonzalez needed only three pitches to get through the seventh and headed into the ninth having thrown 72.
The Yankees got another infield single — their fourth off Gonzalez — as Chase Headley opened the ninth with a pinch-hit. Gonzalez, who allowed a run and four hits in 8 1/3 innings, was removed after four-pitch walk off Brett Gardner with one out. Robertson took over and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve the win for Gonzalez.
Afterward, Gonzalez was far more eager to talk about Garcia than his own success — the win was the right-hander's first on the road since July 5, 2015 at the White Sox.
"We understand last year (Garcia) was struggling a little bit," Gonzalez said. "This year he is just trying to stay inside the ball. He has power. He doesn't have to try to hit the ball out every time. He's been doing a really good job staying inside the ball and taking it the other way. Today that slider he hit was up, and his approach is definitely showing."
When Severino acquiesced and left his 2-0 slider in the zone, Garcia pounced on it. The outfielder's three-run home run to left in the seventh inning made all the difference as the White Sox snapped the New York Yankees' winning streak at eight with a 4-1 victory in front of 30,075 at Yankee Stadium. The blast made a winner of Miguel Gonzalez, who dominated into the ninth inning and combined on a four-hitter with David Robertson. Leury Garcia also homered for the White Sox, who clinched a winning road trip.
"I haven't seen (Garcia) like this," infielder Tyler Saladino said. "This is pretty impressive. Really impressive. Every single at-bat he's had a really good at-bat. Without talking to him or asking him what he's doing, because you let him keep going, it just seems like he's seeing the ball really well and he's on what they're throwing."
"I'm sure he's seeing the ball really well, but also locked in on what they're trying to do to him and taking advantage."
So far Garcia has made the most of what could be his last chance with the White Sox. He entered Tuesday with an American League-leading .447 average while also leading the AL in hits (21), OPS (1.128) and batting average on balls in play (.543).
Among the tear has been several big moments, including Sunday's go-ahead homer that clinched a 10-inning victory over Minnesota.
Garcia added another one to the highlight reel with the White Sox leading 1-0 against Severino, who to that point had been extremely sharp. Tim Anderson singled to start the seventh — only the second White Sox hit of the night. Yankees shortstop Pete Kozma then committed an error on Melky Cabrera's potential double play ball.
After Jose Abreu popped out bunting on his own, Garcia took two fastballs and got ahead 2-0 in the count. He suspected Severino might throw next him a slider after their fifth-inning showdown. In that at-bat, Severino threw five sliders among eight pitches.
What he found was a fat pitch high and inside and Garcia turned on it, driving it an estimated 429 feet to put the White Sox ahead by four runs.
"He throws really, really, really hard," Garcia said. "He throws everything for a strike so you've got to be careful and don't try and do too much with that guy. My second at-bat he threw me a lot of sliders. My third at-bat he threw a couple of fastballs and I was looking for what he threw me a lot.
"Was looking for the slider he threw me and I put a good swing on it."
Garcia's homer was his third, which ties him with Matt Davidson for the team lead. Garcia also leads the White Sox with 13 runs driven in.
"He's been good for a while now, but I think he's still just trying to make good contact," manager Rick Renteria said. "Now he seems to be driving the ball a little bit more, which is good to see. But he's a strong young man that if he puts the bat on the ball and he does it well, he's got a chance to drive the ball."
Gonzalez was sharp with four pitches and New York took an aggressive approach. That led to a number of quick outs, a bunch of weak contact and few Yankees hits. Gonzalez retired the first 12 hitters he faced. Starlin Castro was the first to reach against Gonzalez on an infield single but was immediately erased on a double play. Gonzalez needed only three pitches to get through the seventh and headed into the ninth having thrown 72.
The Yankees got another infield single — their fourth off Gonzalez — as Chase Headley opened the ninth with a pinch-hit. Gonzalez, who allowed a run and four hits in 8 1/3 innings, was removed after four-pitch walk off Brett Gardner with one out. Robertson took over and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam to preserve the win for Gonzalez.
Afterward, Gonzalez was far more eager to talk about Garcia than his own success — the win was the right-hander's first on the road since July 5, 2015 at the White Sox.
"We understand last year (Garcia) was struggling a little bit," Gonzalez said. "This year he is just trying to stay inside the ball. He has power. He doesn't have to try to hit the ball out every time. He's been doing a really good job staying inside the ball and taking it the other way. Today that slider he hit was up, and his approach is definitely showing."
White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana addresses the trade rumors yet again.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
About the only thing Jose Quintana wasn't asked on Monday by the New York media is whether or not he's a fan of pinstripes.
Addressing the topic generally the same way he has since January, Quintana said his slow start isn't a byproduct of distractions.
"That happens, so now I have my mind on doing a better job to help my team," Quintana said. "I know I have a lot of responsibility, but I try not to put that on my shoulders. I don't want any pressure for me. I just do my thing and do a better job. That happens sometimes, and learned from the last two starts. I watched a couple of videos, and it was a couple of bad locations. "That's going to happen sometimes, so I just try to get better."
Quintana is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts. In reality, the left-hander has had two horrendous innings this season. He has allowed 10 earned runs in those two frames and three earned runs in the other 15 1/3.
Those innings also came against teams Quintana has always struggled with, the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins. Quintana said the performance isn't anything to do with distractions and he'll get back to work when he throws his next bullpen session Wednesday.
In the meantime, the former Yankees farmhand answered every question imaginable during a 10-minute session.
Yes, he heard the rumors. He has determined to treat them as rumors because he doesn't have any control over the decision. Were the decision his, Quintana would stay with the White Sox. He doesn't like to address the rumors and answers questions the same way every time. He does like the direction the White Sox are headed and all the new talent. Quintana's focus in on the White Sox. He likes hearing that another team's fans might be interested, but it's out of his control.
As he walked away from the session, Quintana smiled and said, "Oh, baby."
Sloppy White Sox fall to Yankees in the Bronx. (Monday night's game, 04/17/2018)
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
In winning six of their first 11 games, the White Sox pitched well, played great defense and received an appropriate amount of offense.
"I have to make the adjustments," Holland said. "I wasn't getting the calls inside. I have to adjust to that. Overall I didn't do a good job of executing the way I wanted to. My stuff was great.
"When you have to live in one area, that makes it easier for them to hit the ball. I just have to make a better adjustment.
"It was a good game except for that one inning. You take that away and it's a different game. What it all comes down to, no matter what, is I have to make those adjustments."
The defense forced Holland — who allowed seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings — to make several additional pitches early on. Holland pitched out of a jam in the second inning after Tim Anderson made a throwing error. But he didn't have the same luck in the third.
With one out and a man on first, Jose Abreu bobbled Jacoby Ellsbury's slow roller to the right side and didn't get the ball to Tyler Saladino in time for the out at first. While the official scorer ruled it a hit, the play easily could have resulted in Abreu's third error.
"I rushed it a little bit, and once you rush the play, things usually happen," Abreu said through an interpreter. "I wasn't paying attention to (Ellsbury's) speed. I just wanted to make the play quickly, and once I tried to rush it, I messed up."
Aaron Hicks then grounded into a fielder's choice for what would have been the final out. But Matt Holliday made the most of the extra out as he hammered a high 2-2 fastball for a three-run homer, a 459-foot shot to left. Starlin Castro and Chase Headley then hit consecutive doubles to put the Yankees ahead 4-0 and Headley advanced to third when Melky Cabrera booted the ball. Aaron Judge's two-out single gave New York a 5-0 lead.
Two innings later, Castro singled and Judge crushed a 2-1 curveball for a two-run homer to put the Yankees ahead by seven.
Holland and manager Rick Renteria both referred to the left-hander's gameplan to attack right-handed hitters inside. Holland threw as many as seven borderline pitches that didn't result in a called strike, according to brooksbaseball.net.
"He went out and tried to attack these guys a certain way, they got us a little bit, and we still managed to get the potential tying run to the plate in the ninth," Renteria said.
The White Sox offense continued to sputter until they trailed by seven runs. Abreu and Avisail Garcia both stranded runners in scoring position in the first inning. The White Sox hit into double plays in the second and fourth innings against New York pitcher Jordan Montgomery and Cabrera and Abreu stranded a pair in the sixth.
Sanchez followed singles by Garcia and Matt Davidson to open the seventh inning with a three-run blast off Montgomery, who went six-plus innings. Sanchez also singled twice and scored on an RBI double by Kevan Smith in the ninth inning. Smith's double meant the Yankees had to call upon Chapman, who yielded a first-pitch single to pinch-hitter Leury Garcia before he induced a game-ending double play off Tyler Saladino's bat.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Fantasy golf rankings: 2017 Valero Texas Open.
By Rob Schumacher
After a week in the South Carolina lowcountry, the PGA Tour trades Harbour Town, where precision is key, for TPC San Antonio’s AT&T Oaks Course, which tops out at 7,435 yards.
Long-hitters will do well, but putting will also be key on this course’s large, challenging greens. And like we’ve seen before at this event, weather can be a big factor. (Remember 2015?) This year’s forecast does, however, look good.
Here are my top 25 players for this week’s Valero Texas Open:
1. Charley Hoffman: Nothing worse than T-13 in seven starts since 2010 Texas Open. That run includes his win last year and two other top-3 finishes, in 2011 (T-2) and 2013 (T-3). Faded late at Masters and missed the cut at Harbour Town, a course where he’s had success, so pick with slight caution.
2. Matt Kuchar: Hasn’t missed a cut at TPC San Antonio with three top-15 finishes in five starts since 2012. Was T-4 in 2014. Posted strong finishes at Augusta and Harbour Town, and enters this week coming off finishes of T-4 and T-11 in those events, respectively.
3. Jimmy Walker: Won here in 2015, but also has three MCs in seven starts since his T-3 finish in 2010. T-18 at Masters was best finish since T-11 at Riviera.
4. Branden Grace: Love his game on this course. Has gone T-30, T-9 the last two years here. T-11 in Harbour Town further proves that his slump is over.
5. Brooks Koepka: Missed the cut last year after T-36 in Valero debut in 2014, but his length is an asset here. Enters this week coming off a T-11 at the Masters and a Round-of-16 appearance at the Match Play.
6. Kevin Chappell: T-4 last year at Valero and has made four of six cuts in the event, including a runner-up showing in 2011. Also coming off his best finish of the season, a T-7 at Augusta.
7. Brendan Steele: 2011 Texas Open champ has two other top 10s here, plus a T-13 last year. Has yet to miss a cut this season and is coming off a T-27 at Augusta.
8. Ryan Palmer: Seems to have really figured out TPC San Antonio with finishes of T-4, T-6 the last two years. Has three top 10s and has missed just one cut in seven Valero starts since 2010. Game is coming around, too, as he was T-11 at Harbour Town.
9. Daniel Summerhays: His last four starts here look like this – T-7, T-2, T-4, T-13 (last year). Made cuts at Masters and RBC Heritage.
10. Ryan Moore: T-8 in 2012 is his only start here other than 2005. Played nicely at Masters with a T-9.
11. Billy Horschel: Feels comfortable here with three top-4 finishes in last four trips. Missed the cut at Harbour Town, but remember his wife gave birth to their second child last Tuesday, and you can’t argue he’s a course horse in San Antonio.
12. Ollie Schniederjans: Nearly won in Harbour Town, but his game is probably better suited for TPC San Antonio.
13. Soren Kjeldsen: Bombers do well here but so do guys with deft short games. Kjeldsen falls into the latter category. First-timer here, but T-36 at Masters was his worst start in last four worldwide starts.
14. Adam Hadwin: Missed cut in 2015, his only Texas Open start. But he’s a different player now. Has a win and no finishes worse than T-39 in his last seven Tour starts.
15. Luke Donald: T-13 in Valero debut last year and is coming off a runner-up finish at Harbour Town, arguably his best course on Tour.
16. Patrick Reed: Game fits this course well and he proved it with his runner-up finish in his Valero debut last year. Highest-ranked player in this year’s field, but also coming off two straight MCs. Hasn’t had a top 10 since Kapalua.
17. Tony Finau: T-68 in only Valero start, in 2015, but has the length to compete here. Well rested as he hasn’t played since T-34 in Houston.
18. Ben An: First visit to TPC San Antonio, but his game fits this course. T-33 at Masters and still hasn’t missed a cut since he was disqualified from last year’s Italian Open.
19. Zach Johnson: Won this event in the two years right before it moved from LaCantera to TPC San Antonio. T-6, T-20, T-29 (2016) the last three years here. Hasn’t had his best season but seemed to be gaining some momentum before MC at Masters.
20. Sung Kang: T-42 in Texas Open debut last year. Playing well right now – T-2, T-11 in last two starts. Ride the heat wave.
21. Chris Kirk: The last two years here he’s gone T-8, T-13 (last year). Current form is a worry – he’s missed three of his last four cuts worldwide.
22. Kevin Na: T-20 here in 2015 after T-11 the previous year. Followed MC at Masters with T-39 at Harbour Town.
23. J.J. Spaun: T-6 in Hilton Head came after his fourth straight cut made.
24. Jhonattan Vegas: Not great record here – T-68, MC the last two years – but one would think his length will be a nice asset. Had four top 17s in five starts before MC at Augusta.
25. Jamie Lovemark: T-36 in Valero debut, in 2014. Not great form coming in, but has made five of last six cuts on Tour.
Long-hitters will do well, but putting will also be key on this course’s large, challenging greens. And like we’ve seen before at this event, weather can be a big factor. (Remember 2015?) This year’s forecast does, however, look good.
Here are my top 25 players for this week’s Valero Texas Open:
1. Charley Hoffman: Nothing worse than T-13 in seven starts since 2010 Texas Open. That run includes his win last year and two other top-3 finishes, in 2011 (T-2) and 2013 (T-3). Faded late at Masters and missed the cut at Harbour Town, a course where he’s had success, so pick with slight caution.
2. Matt Kuchar: Hasn’t missed a cut at TPC San Antonio with three top-15 finishes in five starts since 2012. Was T-4 in 2014. Posted strong finishes at Augusta and Harbour Town, and enters this week coming off finishes of T-4 and T-11 in those events, respectively.
3. Jimmy Walker: Won here in 2015, but also has three MCs in seven starts since his T-3 finish in 2010. T-18 at Masters was best finish since T-11 at Riviera.
4. Branden Grace: Love his game on this course. Has gone T-30, T-9 the last two years here. T-11 in Harbour Town further proves that his slump is over.
5. Brooks Koepka: Missed the cut last year after T-36 in Valero debut in 2014, but his length is an asset here. Enters this week coming off a T-11 at the Masters and a Round-of-16 appearance at the Match Play.
6. Kevin Chappell: T-4 last year at Valero and has made four of six cuts in the event, including a runner-up showing in 2011. Also coming off his best finish of the season, a T-7 at Augusta.
7. Brendan Steele: 2011 Texas Open champ has two other top 10s here, plus a T-13 last year. Has yet to miss a cut this season and is coming off a T-27 at Augusta.
8. Ryan Palmer: Seems to have really figured out TPC San Antonio with finishes of T-4, T-6 the last two years. Has three top 10s and has missed just one cut in seven Valero starts since 2010. Game is coming around, too, as he was T-11 at Harbour Town.
9. Daniel Summerhays: His last four starts here look like this – T-7, T-2, T-4, T-13 (last year). Made cuts at Masters and RBC Heritage.
10. Ryan Moore: T-8 in 2012 is his only start here other than 2005. Played nicely at Masters with a T-9.
11. Billy Horschel: Feels comfortable here with three top-4 finishes in last four trips. Missed the cut at Harbour Town, but remember his wife gave birth to their second child last Tuesday, and you can’t argue he’s a course horse in San Antonio.
12. Ollie Schniederjans: Nearly won in Harbour Town, but his game is probably better suited for TPC San Antonio.
13. Soren Kjeldsen: Bombers do well here but so do guys with deft short games. Kjeldsen falls into the latter category. First-timer here, but T-36 at Masters was his worst start in last four worldwide starts.
14. Adam Hadwin: Missed cut in 2015, his only Texas Open start. But he’s a different player now. Has a win and no finishes worse than T-39 in his last seven Tour starts.
15. Luke Donald: T-13 in Valero debut last year and is coming off a runner-up finish at Harbour Town, arguably his best course on Tour.
16. Patrick Reed: Game fits this course well and he proved it with his runner-up finish in his Valero debut last year. Highest-ranked player in this year’s field, but also coming off two straight MCs. Hasn’t had a top 10 since Kapalua.
17. Tony Finau: T-68 in only Valero start, in 2015, but has the length to compete here. Well rested as he hasn’t played since T-34 in Houston.
18. Ben An: First visit to TPC San Antonio, but his game fits this course. T-33 at Masters and still hasn’t missed a cut since he was disqualified from last year’s Italian Open.
19. Zach Johnson: Won this event in the two years right before it moved from LaCantera to TPC San Antonio. T-6, T-20, T-29 (2016) the last three years here. Hasn’t had his best season but seemed to be gaining some momentum before MC at Masters.
20. Sung Kang: T-42 in Texas Open debut last year. Playing well right now – T-2, T-11 in last two starts. Ride the heat wave.
21. Chris Kirk: The last two years here he’s gone T-8, T-13 (last year). Current form is a worry – he’s missed three of his last four cuts worldwide.
22. Kevin Na: T-20 here in 2015 after T-11 the previous year. Followed MC at Masters with T-39 at Harbour Town.
23. J.J. Spaun: T-6 in Hilton Head came after his fourth straight cut made.
24. Jhonattan Vegas: Not great record here – T-68, MC the last two years – but one would think his length will be a nice asset. Had four top 17s in five starts before MC at Augusta.
25. Jamie Lovemark: T-36 in Valero debut, in 2014. Not great form coming in, but has made five of last six cuts on Tour.
NASCAR: Why these five drivers could break through at Bristol with first NASCAR win of season.
By Brant James
Denny Hamlin hasn't won since the September race at Richmond International Raceway.(Photo/Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
Jimmie Johnson took himself out of the when’s-he-going-to-finally-win conversation when he found victory lane April 9 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Coming off the first idle week of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule, most everyone else remains in that unwanted company heading to Bristol Motor Speedway.
Fortunes can be undone in moments on the high-banked short track, but a select group of drivers – several of whom have made the playoffs - have hope to finally bank the first victory of the season, and in two cases, in their careers.
USA TODAY Sports' Brant James selects five drivers who could break through Sunday (2 p.m. ET, Fox):
Denny Hamlin: His middling campaign has been in keeping with Joe Gibbs Racing’s sluggish follow-up to a dominating 2016 effort in which it helped Toyota win a first manufacturer’s title in Cup. He is 15th in points with an average finish of 20th and is coming off a 25th-place result at Texas. Hamlin can be encouraged entering the Bristol bullring, though. He won there in 2012 and has finished third twice since then. Full disclosure: all of those came in the fall race, held at night.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: The Roush Fenway Racing driver has four top-10s in eight Cup starts at the .533-mile track, finishing second for the second time last fall. He also was second in the spring race three years ago. After a long slog through the Cup hinterland, both he and the organization have shown glimmers of hope on smaller tracks this season, with Stenhouse finishing fourth at Phoenix and 10th at Martinsville. A first Cup win could be close.
Jamie McMurray: The Ganassi Racing teammate of current points leader Kyle Larson is wielding cars being produced by arguably Chevrolet’s most consistent team right now. With 11 top-10s in 28 starts - including an eighth-place finish last fall – McMurray has been a steady producer at Bristol in recent seasons.
Clint Bowyer: He’s been generally eager for another chance at any track in his first season with Stewart-Haas Racing, but Bowyer could be angling for his first victory since 2012. He has six top-5s in 22 starts at Bristol and was eighth last spring in his stop-gap season with HScott Motorsports. That finish marked his second-best result of the year. Now ninth in points and a weekly competitor, Bowyer might be ready for that bottled-up celebration.
Austin Dillon: The Richard Childress Racing driver has made just six starts at Bristol, but has two top-10s – and finishes of 11th and 13th – and was fourth last fall. A fifth-place result at Martinsville began his spring southern short track campaign. It could continue with a first Cup victory.
NASCAR stage points are making the standings less close.
By Nick Tylwalk
Stage racing has been a hit so far in NASCAR, but it is having at least one negative side effect.
Unless you’re one of the most die-hard traditionalists around, you’d have to admit that stage racing has made earlier portions of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races more interesting. The extra points given out at the end of stages also seem like fair compensation for drivers who run up front for big chunks of the race only to be bitten by bad luck down the stretch.
But it’s rare when even a beneficial rules change doesn’t have some kind of unintended consequence, and Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports has pointed one out in the From The Marbles blog. Stage points are quite possibly ruining the points race.
Granted, since we live in the playoff era, it’s not as much of a concern. If recent history has shown us everything, it’s that most of the playoff field will be made up of race winners, with only the last two or three spots likely to be determined by points.
Still, the stage points may make the race for those spots uneventful. That’s because Bromberg notes that the gaps between drivers in the standings are larger at this point in the season than they normally would be.
Coming off the first idle week of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule, most everyone else remains in that unwanted company heading to Bristol Motor Speedway.
Fortunes can be undone in moments on the high-banked short track, but a select group of drivers – several of whom have made the playoffs - have hope to finally bank the first victory of the season, and in two cases, in their careers.
USA TODAY Sports' Brant James selects five drivers who could break through Sunday (2 p.m. ET, Fox):
Denny Hamlin: His middling campaign has been in keeping with Joe Gibbs Racing’s sluggish follow-up to a dominating 2016 effort in which it helped Toyota win a first manufacturer’s title in Cup. He is 15th in points with an average finish of 20th and is coming off a 25th-place result at Texas. Hamlin can be encouraged entering the Bristol bullring, though. He won there in 2012 and has finished third twice since then. Full disclosure: all of those came in the fall race, held at night.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: The Roush Fenway Racing driver has four top-10s in eight Cup starts at the .533-mile track, finishing second for the second time last fall. He also was second in the spring race three years ago. After a long slog through the Cup hinterland, both he and the organization have shown glimmers of hope on smaller tracks this season, with Stenhouse finishing fourth at Phoenix and 10th at Martinsville. A first Cup win could be close.
Jamie McMurray: The Ganassi Racing teammate of current points leader Kyle Larson is wielding cars being produced by arguably Chevrolet’s most consistent team right now. With 11 top-10s in 28 starts - including an eighth-place finish last fall – McMurray has been a steady producer at Bristol in recent seasons.
Clint Bowyer: He’s been generally eager for another chance at any track in his first season with Stewart-Haas Racing, but Bowyer could be angling for his first victory since 2012. He has six top-5s in 22 starts at Bristol and was eighth last spring in his stop-gap season with HScott Motorsports. That finish marked his second-best result of the year. Now ninth in points and a weekly competitor, Bowyer might be ready for that bottled-up celebration.
Austin Dillon: The Richard Childress Racing driver has made just six starts at Bristol, but has two top-10s – and finishes of 11th and 13th – and was fourth last fall. A fifth-place result at Martinsville began his spring southern short track campaign. It could continue with a first Cup victory.
NASCAR stage points are making the standings less close.
By Nick Tylwalk
Stage racing has been a hit so far in NASCAR, but it is having at least one negative side effect.
Unless you’re one of the most die-hard traditionalists around, you’d have to admit that stage racing has made earlier portions of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races more interesting. The extra points given out at the end of stages also seem like fair compensation for drivers who run up front for big chunks of the race only to be bitten by bad luck down the stretch.
But it’s rare when even a beneficial rules change doesn’t have some kind of unintended consequence, and Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports has pointed one out in the From The Marbles blog. Stage points are quite possibly ruining the points race.
Granted, since we live in the playoff era, it’s not as much of a concern. If recent history has shown us everything, it’s that most of the playoff field will be made up of race winners, with only the last two or three spots likely to be determined by points.
Still, the stage points may make the race for those spots uneventful. That’s because Bromberg notes that the gaps between drivers in the standings are larger at this point in the season than they normally would be.
While 23 drivers have scored stage points in 2017, eight drivers have finished in the top 10 in at least nine of the 14 stages that have awarded points so far. Since many of the same guys in the top 10 at the conclusion of stages every week it’s why the gaps between drivers are so large compared to a year ago.
After race No. 7 in 2016, Kyle Busch had 259 points. 10th-place Austin Dillon was 61 points back and Ryan Blaney was 115 points behind Busch in 20th. This year, points leader Kyle Larson has 315 points. Kevin Harvick, the driver in 10th, is 117 points behind Larson; a gap larger than the one Blaney was facing a year ago. And only four drivers are within 61 points like Dillon was at this point a year ago.
In other words, it’s a matter of the rich getting richer, and the drivers running in the top 10 at the end of stages generally are the same ones near the front when things wind down (the Daytona 500, with its field shaken up by numerous wrecks, was a notable exception). So while drivers could use stage points to make up for poor finishes and stay in the hunt for the playoffs, they generally aren’t so far.
Again, if the NASCAR Cup Series championship was decided solely by points like back in the day, this would be hand-wringing stuff. As it stands, unless you’re the fan of someone who runs well but doesn’t win that often (like, say, Jamie McMurray), it’s not likely to affect all that much. At the very least, it does provide a possible area for NASCAR to tinker with things again next season, and in a way that won’t likely cause much controversy.
Facts to know after the first 7 races of the Cup Series season.
By Nick Bromberg
Just because NASCAR took the Easter weekend off doesn’t mean we have to go a weekend without writing about the Cup Series. Next Sunday’s race at Bristol is the eighth of the season; meaning that the 2017 schedule is almost a quarter complete. Here are a few things to know after the first seven races of the season.
• The introduction of stage points is creating large intervals in the points standings. The most points a driver could earn in a Cup race in 2016 was 45: 40 points for first, three bonus points for winning the race and then a bonus point for leading a lap and a bonus point for leading the most laps.
In 2017, a driver can earn up to 60 points if he wins the first two stages of the race and then the race itself. And that’s not counting bonus points; a driver can get seven bonus points (one for each stage and five for a win) for the playoffs; up from three a year ago.
Those extra points for stages are being hogged by the same drivers too. While 23 drivers have scored stage points in 2017, eight drivers have finished in the top 10 in at least nine of the 14 stages that have awarded points so far. Since many of the same guys in the top 10 at the conclusion of stages every week it’s why the gaps between drivers are so large compared to a year ago.
After race No. 7 in 2016, Kyle Busch had 259 points. 10th-place Austin Dillon was 61 points back and Ryan Blaney was 115 points behind Busch in 20th. This year, points leader Kyle Larson has 315 points. Kevin Harvick, the driver in 10th, is 117 points behind Larson; a gap larger than the one Blaney was facing a year ago. And only four drivers are within 61 points like Dillon was at this point a year ago.
• The two best drivers overall in 2017 have the most stage top-10s. Larson and Brad Keselowski have each finished in the top 10 in 13 of 14 stages this season. Larson only missed out on the top 10 at the end of stage 2 at Martinsville while Keselowski was outside the top 10 in stage 1 at Auto Club Speedway. Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney each have 11 stage top 10s.
• Larson’s average finish of 5.4 is better than Busch’s average finish of 5.9 at this point a year ago.
• The highest-ranking driver in the points standings who hasn’t scored a stage point is Aric Almirola in 18th. The lone Richard Petty Motorsports driver this season has only finished outside the top 20 once this season and is 13 points ahead of 20th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr., a driver who has six stage top-10 finishes.
• Almirola has the 14th-best average finish in the Cup Series. A year ago he’d probably be in 14th in the standings. Denny Hamlin, meanwhile, is tied for 15th in the points and his average finish is just 22nd among full-time drivers. Like Junior, Hamlin has six top 10 stage finishes. If you’re a geek about stage points and how drivers have performed in stages so far, Reddit user xfile345 is doing a heck of a job compiling the statistics in a much easier-to-read format than NASCAR itself is producing.
• Kurt Busch is 15th in the points standings. It’s the lowest a Daytona 500 winner has been in the points after the first seven races since Trevor Bayne in 2011.
• Danica Patrick’s average finish of 25.9 is down nearly four positions from her average finish in 2016.
• Matt DiBenedetto is statistically the worst driver to score a top-10 finish in 2017. His average finish is 26.7 and he finished ninth at, you guessed it, Daytona.
• Jeffrey Earnhardt has run all seven races in 2017 and has scored 24 points. Michael Waltrip, who ran the Daytona 500 and called it a career, has 29 points. Waltrip is also ahead of Gray Gaulding (six races) and Derrike Cope (five races) in the standings.
SOCCER: With road trip looming, Fire hope to buck league-wide trend.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
You don't have to tell the Chicago Fire that it's tough to play on the road in Major League Soccer.
The Fire went winless on the road in 2015 and had a 1-14-2 road record last year. In the first two games away from Toyota Park this season, the Fire played to a 1-1 draw at Columbus and got thumped 4-0 in Atlanta.
With that in mind, the Fire start a three-game road trip Friday at Toronto.
"It's just an hour flight to Toronto. I see just a normal thing," coach Veljko Paunovic said. "Everyone around the world is playing and traveling. I know it's hard and I know it's a long season, but we just started the season actually and we just have to prepare well."
The Fire's recent track record on the road isn't that much of an anomaly around MLS. Road teams are 11-38-18 to start the 2017 MLS season. Both the win percentage (16.4 percent) and the points per game (0.76) are down from last year (18.8 league-wide road win percentage, 0.88 points per game in 2016). Compare that to the top four European leagues (Germany, Spain, England, Italy) where in the current season road teams have a win percentage ranging from 27 percent to 31 percent.
There are plenty of factors that go into why teams struggle away from home in MLS, some of which are not unique to the league or the sport. Obviously, there's the fan support when playing at home, something that has become more prevalent as more teams draw big crowds and have their own stadiums. There's also the travel. MLS teams are traveling bigger distances than many other leagues around the world due to the size of the U.S. and don't have regular chartered flights like other top tier American professional sports leagues. Then there's the parity within MLS. The gap between the top and bottom teams is smaller than in the top European leagues so a factor like playing at home carries more weight.
"There's lots of different things you can say," defender Michael Harrington said. "Obviously the fans give the other team a boost, but I try to look at it as just another game. It's 11 players against 11 players inside the white lines and there's no reason we can't go there and win a game, especially the way that we're playing."
The Fire are coming off a three-game homestand. During that run of games they picked up two wins and a draw and moved into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Given the numbers and the Fire's recent road record, getting seven points out of a possible nine on the road trip, which also features games at the New York Red Bulls and the LA Galaxy, seems highly unlikely. If the Fire can get three or four points though, that would be a better than average return. If it's less than that, they would be among the majority of MLS teams, which have a good home record and a bad road record.
Associated Press
(Photo/Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The United States, Canada and Mexico bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup is supported by the 11-nation Oceania soccer confederation.
Oceania says it also agrees the bid should have “an exclusive period of negotiation” with FIFA for the next year.
The 211 FIFA member federations can decide on May 11 to give the North American neighbors a March 2018 deadline without rivals to show their bid is technically sound.
The bid launched this month is currently FIFA’s only realistic option for the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026. FIFA rules bar European and Asian members from bidding.
Oceania’s FIFA vice president, David Chung, says “it makes sense on a rotational basis” for the 2026 edition to return to North America for the first time since the U.S.-hosted 1994 tournament.
USMNT to host Venezuela in friendly ahead of WCQ vs. T&T, Mexico.
Associated Press
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The United States will play Venezuela in an exhibition on June 3 at Sandy, Utah, as the Americans prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico.
U.S. coach Bruce Arena wants his players to prepare at altitude ahead of their match at Mexico City.
The team is set to start training on May 28 in the Denver area. Utah’s Rio Tinto Stadium is about 4,500 feet above sea level, and the June 8 qualifier against Trinidad at Commerce City, Colorado, will be at about 5,200 feet altitude.
Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, where the Americans play June 11, is at 7,820 feet.
Mexico leads the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region with 10 points, followed by Costa Rica (seven), Panama (five), the United States and Honduras (four each) and T&T (three). The top three nations qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia, and the No. 4 finisher plays Asia’s fifth-place team in a playoff for another berth.
NCAABKB: After HB2 ‘repeal’, NCAA awards North Carolina with NCAA tournament games as early as 2018.
By Rob Dauster
The NCAA’s ban on events in the state of North Carolina has come to an end.
North Carolina will be getting the NCAA tournament back as soon as next season.
On Tuesday, the NCAA sent out an official release with the locations for all NCAA tournament sites for 2018-2022, and in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the NCAA will be playing first weekend games in North Carolina. In 2018, the games will be held in Charlotte, in 2020 they will be in Greensboro and in 2021 Raleigh will host the first weekend. In 2019 and 2022, the NCAA will have first weekend games hosted in South Carolina.
The NCAA had pulled first and second round games from Greensboro for this year’s tournament because of the controversial HB2 law, known as the Bathroom Bill, that was enacted in the state, instead allowing Greenville, South Carolina, to host the games. That’s significant because the NCAA, in 2002, pulled all events from that state because they flew the confederate flag on the statehouse grounds. The flag came down in 2015, and the NCAA rewarded the state with games; it’s hard not to see that as a statement to North Carolina.
In this year’s tournament, No. 2 seed Duke lost a game to No. 7 seed South Carolina in a game that was played in South Carolina instead of in North Carolina. The location wasn’t the only reason Duke lost that game, but you’ll have trouble convincing me that quasi-home court environment didn’t play a role.
North Carolina will be getting the NCAA tournament back as soon as next season.
On Tuesday, the NCAA sent out an official release with the locations for all NCAA tournament sites for 2018-2022, and in 2018, 2020 and 2021, the NCAA will be playing first weekend games in North Carolina. In 2018, the games will be held in Charlotte, in 2020 they will be in Greensboro and in 2021 Raleigh will host the first weekend. In 2019 and 2022, the NCAA will have first weekend games hosted in South Carolina.
The NCAA had pulled first and second round games from Greensboro for this year’s tournament because of the controversial HB2 law, known as the Bathroom Bill, that was enacted in the state, instead allowing Greenville, South Carolina, to host the games. That’s significant because the NCAA, in 2002, pulled all events from that state because they flew the confederate flag on the statehouse grounds. The flag came down in 2015, and the NCAA rewarded the state with games; it’s hard not to see that as a statement to North Carolina.
In this year’s tournament, No. 2 seed Duke lost a game to No. 7 seed South Carolina in a game that was played in South Carolina instead of in North Carolina. The location wasn’t the only reason Duke lost that game, but you’ll have trouble convincing me that quasi-home court environment didn’t play a role.
The day before reaching a deadline that the NCAA imposed, North Carolina repealed HB2 and instituted HB142, which critics say does not actually repeal the discriminatory aspects of HB2.
Joe Ovies
@joeovies
From Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC:
Matt NorlanderVerified account
The @ACLU goes after the NCAA in light of today’s announcement that the org will again sanction postseason events in North Carolina.
Last summer, the NCAA sent out a questionnaire to all cities that were considering putting up a bid to host NCAA championship events. It included these questions:
- Has your city, county/parish, and/or state passed anti-discrimination laws that are applicable to all persons?
- Does your city, county/parish and/or state regulate choice of bathrooms or locker rooms that may affect student-athletes, coaches, administrators, or game officials during the Event?
- Does your city, county/parish and/or state regulate choice of bathrooms that may affect fans attending the event?
- Does your city, county/parish and/or state have provisions that allow for refusal of accommodations or service to any person?
That was clearly targeted at North Carolina, and replacing HB2 with HB142 only solves the problem of the bathrooms.
“What distinguished North Carolina,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in March of the repeal and replacement of HB2, “there were four distinct problems that the board had with that bill, and they removed some of them but not all of them. If you removed two or three of them, is that enough?”
Clearly, for the NCAA, it was enough, even if North Carolina didn’t actually satisfy the requirements that the NCAA had laid out for them.
“What distinguished North Carolina,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in March of the repeal and replacement of HB2, “there were four distinct problems that the board had with that bill, and they removed some of them but not all of them. If you removed two or three of them, is that enough?”
Clearly, for the NCAA, it was enough, even if North Carolina didn’t actually satisfy the requirements that the NCAA had laid out for them.
NCAAFB: NCAA creates Division I Transfer Working Group to review transfer rules.
By Matt Fortuna
A new Division I group has been formed to review transfer rules. (Photo/Getty)
In light of an increasing number of student-athletes switching schools in recent years, a new NCAA group has been formed to study Division I transfer rules and consider improvements.
South Dakota State athletic director Justin Sell will chair the Division I Transfer Working Group, which the NCAA says will focus on supporting academic success of students as its primary goal. Jane Miller, Virginia’s faculty athletics representative, will be the vice chair.
“Transfer issues can be very complex. This group is comprised of experienced leaders who will examine the issue with the best interest of student-athletes in mind,” Sell said. “We look forward to collaborating on this issue with the more than 50 presidents and chancellors who serve on both the DI Board of Directors and the Presidential Forum, who will offer their top-level perspective.”
The 19-person group includes familiar names such as Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher, Iowa AD Gary Barta, Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork, Colorado AD Rick George and USF AD Mark Harlan.
Boise State’s Bryan Harsin and St. Joseph’s Phil Martelli are the only head football and men’s basketball coaches in the group. Coastal Carolina defensive back Nicholas Clark and Western Illinois basketball guard Garret Covington are the only student-athletes in the group.
This is third group formed since 2012 to examine transfers, and the latest group will, according to the release, “aim for a uniform experience for all student-athletes, unless data justify a different standard for certain groups.”
Legislative recommendations are expected to be finalized before the June 2018 Council meeting.
Marine who lost leg in Afghanistan runs Boston Marathon with American flag.
Veteran who lost leg in Afghanistan carries friend across Boston Marathon finish line (Photo/ABC News)
Inspiring footage of an army veteran with a prosthetic leg carrying his friend over the Boston Marathon finish line was captured during Monday's race.
"My goal was to do it in six-and-a-half, seven hours," Earl Granville told ABC News today. "We were 50 feet away and I told Andi, 'I'm going to carry you.'"
Granville, 33, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, lost his left leg through the knee in 2008 after his vehicle hit a roadside bomb while he was on patrol in Afghanistan. His comrades, Spc. Derek Holland of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, and Maj. Scott Hagerty of Stillwater, Oklahoma, were killed in the blast.
Since then, Granville has competed in the Detroit, Chicago, New York and Marine Corps Marathons. This is the fourth year Granville has participated in the Boston Marathon, but it was his first time running it without a handbike, he said.
In the midst of this year's excitement, Granville said he made it to the end before lifting up his friend and marathon guide, Andi Piscopo, 38, of Attleboro, Massachusetts.
"I'm a public figure for mental health awareness in society and I always say, 'You never have to carry that weight alone yourself,'" Granville said.
Granville is also a Combat Infantryman Badge and Purple Heart recipient. He speaks publicly about the importance of veterans seeking help for mental distress since the death of his twin brother, Staff Sgt. Joseph Granville, who took his own life in December 2010.
Footage from yesterday's race showed Granville holding Piscopo over his shoulders while she gripped a large, American flag.
The video, posted by ABC affiliate WCVB-TV in Boston, has been viewed over 7 million times on Facebook.
"It was a spur of the moment kind of thing," Andi Piscopo told ABC News. "There's electricity in the crowd throughout the entire 26 miles but when you make those last two turns, you just get goosebumps. It is surreal. It's such a feel-good moment. It was an awesome moment, an awesome experience. I had said this morning that this was my favorite Boston Marathon."
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1897 - The first annual Boston Marathon was held. It was the first of its type in the U.S.
1960 - Baseball uniforms began displaying player's names on their backs.
1966 - California opened Anaheim Stadium against the Chicago White Sox.
1968 - In Chicago, the National League approved expansion to Montreal and San Diego. Dallas-Fort Worth failed in its bid for an NL franchise.
1988 - The Philadelphia 76ers retired Julius Erving's #6 before a home game. A Dr. J statue was also unveiled.
1992 - Michael Jordan won his sixth consecutive NBA scoring title with an average of 30.1.
1999 - Cal Ripken Jr. (Baltimore Orioles) was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 19 year career. He was suffering from a back problem.
1960 - Baseball uniforms began displaying player's names on their backs.
1966 - California opened Anaheim Stadium against the Chicago White Sox.
1968 - In Chicago, the National League approved expansion to Montreal and San Diego. Dallas-Fort Worth failed in its bid for an NL franchise.
1988 - The Philadelphia 76ers retired Julius Erving's #6 before a home game. A Dr. J statue was also unveiled.
1992 - Michael Jordan won his sixth consecutive NBA scoring title with an average of 30.1.
1999 - Cal Ripken Jr. (Baltimore Orioles) was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 19 year career. He was suffering from a back problem.
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