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"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." ~ Benjamin Franklin, One of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a renowned Polymath and a Leading Author, Printer, Political Theorist, Politician, Freemason, Postmaster, Scientist, Inventor, Civic Activist, Statesman, and Diplomat.
TRENDING: Five reasons Mitch Trubisky should start right now ... and five reasons he shouldn't. (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
TRENDING: Blackhawks' young players brimming with confidence. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: Doug Collins returns to Bulls as senior advisor. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: Joe Maddon should have the last laugh on this Cubs season; White Sox draft guru Nick Hostetler willing to sacrifice position for player development. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
TRENDING: Tour Championship: Tee times, TV schedule, stats; Monahan, the man with the plan. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).
TRENDING: NASCAR Power Rankings: Predicting the playoffs. (Published 09/15/2017, 5 days ago). (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).
TRENDING: With playoff spot nearly secure, 'now it’s about how good' Fire can be. (See the soccer section for Fire news and worldwide soccer updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Five reasons Mitch Trubisky should start right now ... and five reasons he shouldn't.
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Five reasons Mitch Trubisky should start right now ... and five reasons he shouldn't.
By JJ Stankevitz and Vinnie Duber
(Photo/USA Today)
After Mike Glennon had three first-half turnovers in the Bears' blowout loss Sunday in Tampa, Bears fans are more adament than ever that the team should turn to rookie Mitch Trubisky as its new starting quarterback. There are good arguments to be made as for why Trubisky should get the keys to the car right now, as well as for why it would be prudent to wait a while. Let's take a look at those arguments.
Five reasons Mitch Trubisky should start right now ...
1. He gives the Bears a better chance to win
If you’re going to have a quarterback who may be prone to turning the ball over, why not go with the one who’s shown he can make more plays? That’s probably the biggest point in Trubisky’s favor right now, given what we’ve seen from him during training camp and preseason games. His accuracy, arm strength and mobility will translate to the NFL level no matter who he’s playing with or against, and he showed progress in the pre-snap operation of the Bears' offense throughout training camp. — JJ
2. The future has to start sometime
The Bears were obviously planning for the future when they selected Trubisky with the No. 2 pick in the draft, and that future has to start eventually. The Bears might not be ready to compete this season, but if you want that window to open as soon as 2018, you’ve got to give Trubisky the best chance to succeed in 2018 and that might mean getting him some experience in 2017. Think how much more ready Trubisky could be by opening day next season if he has nearly a whole season already under his belt. If it looks like games in which Glennon plays are going to be losses anyway, why not let Trubisky gain some valuable experience while the team is losing? — Vinnie
3. He can cover for defensive/special teams mistakes better than Glennon
It's true what Fox said in that Glennon was not the only guy making mistakes out there against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From Tarik Cohen's boneheaded muffed punt to the costly penalties by the defense, the Bears had plenty of problems on Sunday. But When those special teams and defensive mistakes were made, they were then compounded by Glennon's turnovers and inability to move the offense. Trubisky, should he play like fans believe he can, would theoretically take better care of the ball and sustain some drives, calming things down even following those bad plays in other phases. If the defense gets torched on a long drive and then Glennon goes three and out, that puts the defense in another bad position. If Trubisky follows that up with a long drive of his own, then the defense is much less likely to make the same mistakes again. — Vinnie
4. He can make the players around him better
As the NFL Combine began in Indianapolis in March, Fox talked about wanting a quarterback who can “raise all boats.” Trubisky flashed some of that boat-raising ability during the preseason, and elevating the play of guys like Kendall Wright, Deonte Thompson, Tarik Cohen, Jordan Howard and Adam Shaheen could quickly negate any concerns about the players around him. — JJ
5. He’ll give the Bears hope
If the Bears exit September 0-4 — meaning they lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers — this season could feel D.O.A. by the time the Minnesota Vikings come to Soldier Field for Monday Night Football on Oct. 9. If Glennon isn’t performing well and the Bears are winless, making a change at quarterback could energize the team. While the locker room seems firmly behind Glennon right now, those players know who should be starting — and if they believe, at some point, that should be Trubisky, playing him could provide a boost. — JJ
... and five reasons Mitch Trubisky shouldn't start right now
1. He doesn’t give the Bears a better chance to win
Bears fans don’t want to hear this, but is there a chance Glennon really does give the Bears a better chance to win than Trubisky? John Fox keeps insisting that’s the case, even if it’s a hard thing to believe after Glennon’s miserable performance against the Bucs. But maybe Trubisky hasn’t yet mastered the offense. Maybe he’s not impressing Fox and his staff in practice. Maybe the success he had during the preseason was a result of the defensive competition he was going against. Fox believes Glennon gives his team the better chance to win, and as hard as that might be to believe, maybe he’s right. — Vinnie
2. The current roster would hurt his development
Look no further than what happened to Jared Goff last year with the Los Angeles Rams: Jeff Fisher, feeling pressure to save his job, inserted Goff into the starting lineup in the 10th game of the season. The Goff-led Rams lost the final seven games of 2016, with the former No. 1 overall pick throwing seven interceptions against five touchdowns. Goff himself struggled, of course, but he didn’t have much help, as former Rams and current Bears running back Benny Cunningham pointed out to CSNChicago.com in August. Having a quarterback flail away with a flawed support system can be a confidence-ruiner with long-term negative effects. — JJ
3. The next two opponents
While it's possible that any and all starting NFL defenses are better than the ones Trubisky faced during the preseason, it's definite that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers will be difficult competition for the rookie. Why begin Trubisky's NFL career with two games where he's in an especially difficult position to succeed? Sure, one day, the hope is that Trubisky will be able to handle whatever an NFL defense throws at him. But to ask a guy whose last meaningful football came against North Carolina State to try and make crucial decisions against the Pittsburgh Steelers is somewhat questionable. — Vinnie
4. Are we sure Glennon is bad?
Fox caused a Twitter uproar when he said it’s “really hard to evaluate somebody” based on two games. For Glennon, that’s one game in which he executed the Bears’ offense the way the team wanted (Atlanta) and one in which he didn’t (Tampa Bay). Those are Glennon’s only two starts since the 2014 season, for what it’s worth. While there’s no sugarcoating what Glennon did in Tampa, if that game turns out to be an aberration and the rest of his season looks more like the Atlanta game, he’ll continue to be the Bears’ starting quarterback. Giving things time is risky in a short 16-game season, but the Bears aren't throwing away months of evaluation of Glennon because of a couple sub-optimal preseason games and one bad one in the regular season. — JJ
5. It's too early to deviate from the plan
Pace and Fox might not be Chicago fans' favorite people right now, but they do know football and made a preseason plan based on what they thought was best for the franchise's present and future. And no matter how much fans might decry that plan at the moment, it's hard to imagine that 120 minutes of football is enough to blow that plan up completely. When the season began, their belief was that the team is best served by Glennon playing and Trubisky being on the sideline. That belief still existing is completely understandable considering how early it is in the season. And with Fox potentially seeing his job on the line as the season progresses, sticking with that plan might help the Bears stick with him. — Vinnie
Bears Week 2 grades: The loss to Tampa Bay was as bad as you thought.
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
QUARTERBACK: F
The two interceptions and lost fumble charged to Glennon are impossible to get past. The first interception came on a quick gain play when Glennon locked into the stick route ran by tight end Dion Sims and failed to see linebacker Kwon Alexander, who jumped the route to pick the pass off (tight end Adam Shaheen was open on the play, too). Glennon said he could’ve got the ball out sooner or moved better in the pocket on the fumble he lost when his arm was hit. And on his final interception — a pick six — Glennon thought he saw Josh Bellamy beat cornerback Robert McClain, but the throw was still dangerous and he admitted he should've gone to another progression. Glennon’s decision-making simply has to be better.
RUNNING BACK: D-
Tarik Cohen (seven carries, 13 yards) and Jordan Howard (nine carries, seven yards) were ineffective on the ground, though Cohen caught eight passes for 55 yards and continues to be a factor in the passing game. Neither Howard — who declined to speak to reporters for the second consecutive game — nor Cohen got much help from the Bears’ offensive line, for what it’s worth, and credit should be given to a disruptive Tampa Bay front seven. But for the Bears’ offense to be at its best, it has to get more than 20 yards on 16 carries from its running backs.
WIDE RECEIVER: C+
While this was still a game, the Bears’ receivers did what was asked of them, consistently getting open and catching the ball over the middle. Kendall Wright in particular was involved early and often, which was a good sign after a quiet first half last week against Atlanta. Still, there will be a ceiling on how good this unit can be so long as they don’t have someone who can stretch the field — in other words, until Markus Wheaton plays. And for as solid as this unit was in the first half, it combined for four drops in the in the fourth quarter. That can’t happen even if a game is out of reach.
TIGHT END: C-
Some of the Bears’ ineffectiveness running the football falls on the tight ends, too. Zach Miller had six catches for 42 yards and was a reliable target for Glennon, though the only time Sims was targeted was on that pass Alexander picked off. Shaheen only played a handful of plays and wasn’t a factor, though it might've been nice to see him get an opportunity to catch some passes in the second half.
OL: D-
Gerald McCoy and the Buccaneers’ front seven gave the Bears’ offensive line fits, and even before Tom Compton’s game-ending hip injury, this unit was struggling to get a consistent push for Howard and Cohen. The Bears will have to hope Kyle Long — who didn’t travel to Tampa — can return to the lineup in Week 3 against Pittsburgh. But if there are concerns about playing Mitchell Trubisky behind this offensive line, it’s worth noting Glennon was only sacked once on Sunday.
DL: C-
Eddie Goldman recorded a sack, a hurry and a tackle for a loss while Akiem Hicks stuffed Charles Sims on third-and-one to force the punt Cohen fumbled. Mitch Unrein had a tackle for a loss and a hurry, too. This unit made the fewest mistakes of any on the Bears’ defense, but also didn’t get enough pressure on Jameis Winston, who was largely unbothered in the pocket.
LB: C-
Danny Trevathan was whistled for two holding penalties and Willie Young was flagged for another, all of which allowed the Buccaneers to convert third downs and keep scoring drives alive. Losing Nick Kwiatkoski to a pec injury hurt. Positives here: Willie Young recording his first sack of the year and Pernell McPhee forcing a fumble, which was recovered by Leonard Floyd for the Bears’ first takeaway of 2017.
DB: C-
Mike Evans got his against the secondary, catching seven passes for 93 yards with a touchdown (that touchdown came on a perfectly-placed back-shoulder throw, which gave Marcus Cooper no chance to make a play on it). The most egregious of those catches was a 17-yard gain on third-and-5 late in the second quarter that led to a Nick Folk field goal. The Bears were able to bottle up DeSean Jackson, who only caught three passes for 39 yards, while tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard combined for three catches and 41 yards.
For the defense as a whole, they were dealt sudden-change short fields and extended drives, which was made worse by the sweltering heat of Tampa. A C- grade across the board seems right.
“Just because the ball was in their hands doesn’t mean they have to score,” Hicks said. “I think collectively we can do a little bit better.”
SPECIAL TEAMS - F
Cohen’s ill-fated attempt to field a punt led to a predictable fumble and Buccaneers touchdown. It was the major rookie mistake, one he admitted was “dumb” after the game: “If I had to do it again I would just stay away from the ball,” Cohen said. Tanner Gentry committed an unnecessary roughness penalty on a kick return that backed the Bears up to their own 12-yard line at the end of the first quarter.
COACHING - F
The Bears were sloppy not only with those four turnovers, but with the eight penalties the team committed, and mental mistakes don't reflect well on a coaching staff. John Fox is now 0-8 in September as coach of the Bears, with those eight defeats coming by an average of 15.6 points. And too, this loss didn’t show any improvement from 2016’s 36-10 defeat in Tampa, a notable concern in Fox’s third year in Chicago.
Jordan Howard says his shoulder is 'good', remains confident in Bears’ offense.
By JJ Stankevitz
(Photo/USA TODAY Sports Images)
Jordan Howard was limited in practice last week with a shoulder injury and only gained seven yards on nine carries Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, representing the least productive game of his NFL career.
Howard said he didn’t speak to the media after the Bears’ first two games because he was getting treatment and X-Rays, but doesn’t believe being banged up has held him back.
“My shoulder, I’m good,” Howard said. “I’m good.”
Added Howard about the entire offense: “I don’t have any doubts about us putting it all together.”
The Bears’ offense needs Howard to be more productive than he’s been (21 carries, 59 yards), though tight end Zach Miller pointed out it was a collective team effort that led to Howard’s paltry numbers in Tampa.
“I just don’t think really any of us really played well. We didn’t give him much of an opportunity to put up numbers that you guys are used to seeing him do that. And that was across the league. There were a couple of other teams who had Pro Bowl players who had the same amount of carries and yards (Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott only gained eight yards on nine carries against Denver). So it’s not just us. But we’re all we care about. We’ve got to be better up front. That’s collectively so that we can start to get this thing rolling.”
Charles Tillman: FBI agent?
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Charles Tillman isn't wasting time on life after football.
The former Bears cornerback — one of the best defensive players in an illustrious franchise history — is reportedly training to be an FBI agent, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Tillman turns 37 in February and last played in the NFL in 2015 with the Carolina Panthers.
His age is an issue, as the Tribune notes, FBI guidelines stipulate a candidate cannot be 37 at time of appointment, meaning Tillman had to act fast if he wanted to become a special agent.
Tillman studied criminal justice at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
In his 12-year NFL career, Tillman appeared in 168 games, tallying 38 interceptions, 141 passes defensed and an incredible 44 forced fumbles. He jarred 10 balls loose in 2012 alone and earned his own wrestling move nickname for his ball-smacking prowess — the Peanut Punch.
Now Tillman apparently is taking his punching talents to Quantico, Virginia.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks' young players brimming with confidence.
By Tracey Myers
(By USA TODAY)
Ryan Hartman is entering this training camp with a much higher level of confidence. Having a spot on this roster, something he wasn’t sure he’d have entering last fall, helps. But the confidence is a byproduct of his entire rookie season and every experience it brought with it.
“You get a full season under your belt and you’re able to feel out the game, adjust your speed and your quickness to the pace of the NHL game,” he said. “Last year was a big step for all of us, coming in here this year knowing what to expect, knowing how to play their game right and thinking of what to do on the ice.”
As several of the Blackhawks embark on their second season in the NHL there’s more certainty in their approach, whether they’re already part of this roster (Hartman and Nick Schmaltz) or trying to get one of the few coveted spots remaining (John Hayden and Vinnie Hinostroza).
When Schmaltz entered camp last fall he was fresh out of college and admittedly apprehensive – “I was nervous coming in, didn’t know if it was going to work,” he said at the team’s convention in July. There has been none of that this past week. A stronger, more confident Schmaltz has emerged, one that’s approached coach Joel Quenneville enough to give him a shot at the second-line center role.
“Yeah, it’s just familiarity with the coaching and the players,” he said. “You just know what to expect, you kind of come in with a good mindset and start off on the right track right away.”
Much like 2016, Hinostroza is on the bubble again this fall. But unlike last September he’s not sweating what may or may not happen out of camp.
“This year I feel like I’m more mentally stronger, more mature,” he said. “I don’t feel pressure at all. Maybe a year ago I did, thinking, ‘what are these guys going to do?’ But this year… I’m trying to focus on myself and I’m confident where I’m at. I made some improvements. I’m just going to believe in myself and the rest will play out.”
Hayden, on the same bubble as Hinostroza, got a taste of the NHL late last spring following his senior season at Yale. It was a small sample size but Hayden nevertheless got a good idea of what to work on entering the fall – improving his speed was a big focus – and what to expect overall.
“It’s so fast at this level. So yeah, it definitely helped playing games at the end of the year. If anything, told myself I belong at this level. There are familiar faces at camp, and it’s my job to prove I deserve to be on the team,” he said. “No [pressure]; you just control what you can and that’s my play. I put the work in for the offseason and now I have to play my game.”
Hartman’s biggest adjustment came with the speed, too – “it’s a completely different level from Rockford to here, the pace of play and how quickly everything happens,” he said. That, and being confident enough to know when to hold the puck and when to give it up.
“Right away I was getting the puck and wanting to get it to someone else just so I didn’t make a mistake. Now I’m trying to make plays and trying to better the team,” Hartman said. “I definitely feel pretty good this year.”
For the Blackhawks who got their first taste here last season, the wide-eyed part of the NHL indoctrination is over. Now to keep building on the experience. And the confidence.
Blackhawks' Alexandre Fortin finding form again after offseason surgery.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Alexandre Fortin was grateful to be back on the ice this weekend, back in Chicago where he wowed the Blackhawks last fall and nearly found a spot on the regular-season roster.
His thoughts are on repeating that camp performance. What he has to keep his mind clear of, however, is the sports hernia and surgery that sidelined him for part of the summer.
“It’s normal. You don’t want to get hurt again,” he said. “When you’re starting in camp like that, everyone’s good so you just have to get to a high level quick. At the same time, you just have to [listen to] your body and do things right.”
When Fortin has been on the ice, however, he’s been impressive. Following Sunday’s outing coach Joel Quenneville talked of the young forward showing the abilities that made him such a pleasant camp surprise in 2016.
“He’s coming off that injury, missed a day and change but [Sunday] all of a sudden he had his legs, his stride back,” Quenneville said. “He’s a fast player who can back off defensemen and this year, this camp, at least we got him out there and captured that speed. He can be useful.”
Fortin had sports hernia surgery in late June; he was present at the Blackhawks’ prospect camp in July but, because of the recent surgery, was limited to off-ice workouts. He was back on ice at the team’s prospect tournament in Traverse City, Mich., where the Blackhawks claimed the tournament title. That helped Fortin feel more comfortable again as he returned for his second Blackhawks camp, but he’ll keep an eye on things to make sure he doesn’t re-aggravate his hernia.
“I’m in good hands here and they know what to do with me,” I just do what they ask me. Camp is long, so we’ll just keep improving every day.”
The good thing is the Blackhawks are again happy with what Fortin is doing, even in his limited work at camp. The problem is there probably won’t be room for him, at least in the early going. The Blackhawks’ depth signings in early July mean a lot of one-way contracts, and other young guys – Alex DeBrincat and John Hayden among them – are also vying for a roster spot.
Fortin will mind his injury but still wants to go through this camp the same way he did the last one, playing his strongest game and looking for an opportunity. Whether it happens now or later, he’s happy to get it.
“I mean, camp is long so you have to focus on what you can see,” Fortin said. “Like [general manager] Stan Bowman and Joel said at the beginning of camp, everybody’s here to make the team and just try to find a way to do that. That’s my plan and I’ll do what I can do and see after.”
BRIEFLY
As they usually do, the Blackhawks will send most of their young players to their first preseason game on Tuesday night in Columbus. Asked if he would send the Alex DeBrincat-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane combo that has been together the last few days at camp, Quenneville said, “maybe one of those three will go.”
The Blackhawks will start cutting their training camp roster either Wednesday or Thursday.
Blackhawks tidbits: Anisimov on the move, DeBrincat in the 'lottery spot'.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/USA TODAY)
There are very few things ever set in stone but entering this training camp, Artem Anisimov at second-line center was as solid a bet as you could make. But Nick Schmaltz’s strong camp has coach Joel Quenneville thinking, tinkering and considering the 21-year-old for that spot alongside Patrick Kane.
A bit of a surprise, for sure, but Quenneville likes the chemistry of Schmaltz and Kane, who have been skating together for part of the summer. As for Anisimov, if he’s the third-line center, he won’t sulk or change his game.
“I’m just going to go out and play and try to score goals and make plays,” he said following Sunday’s scrimmages.
Anisimov is back to 100 percent after admitting he wasn’t that when the Blackhawks entered the first-round series against the Nashville Predators last spring. The center had suffered a leg injury vs. Montreal in mid-March that sidelined him until Game 1 of the playoffs. He’s ready to go after the long offseason, although who his playing partners will be is now somewhat up in the air. On Sunday Anisimov centered Ryan Hartman and Patrick Sharp as Quenneville continues to look at options, not only for the top two lines, but to bolster bottom-six depth as well.
“I think every team needs good depth at center and have a strong three or four lines,” Anisimov said. “It’s helpful in a team game.”
DEBRINCAT’S CHANCE
Alex DeBrincat teamed with Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz during Sunday’s scrimmages, as Quenneville gave the 19-year-old a chance in what he’s calling this season’s “lottery spot.” It was just a first glance at the trio but Quenneville liked what he saw.
“The upside of that could be really big,” said Quenneville. “He’s one of those guys who his instincts are high and he’s playing with a couple of guys who have the same type of instincts. The reading and anticipation off plays, communicating without having to communicate, they know where it’s going to go next and that’s something that will only get better as they get accustomed to playing together.”
Quenneville added that, “we’ll have a couple of days to look at him a little more.” The Blackhawks’ first preseason game is Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
ROZSIVAL’S STATUS
General manager Stan Bowman said on Friday that defenseman Michal Rozsival did not pass his training-camp physical. Quenneville specified on Sunday that Rozsival has an upper-body injury. Asked if Rozsival could miss the season, Quenneville said, “we’ll see.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Doug Collins returns to Bulls as senior advisor.
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/USA TODAY)
In a surprise announcement, the Chicago Bulls have brought former coach Doug Collins back into the fold, naming him a senior advisor to Executive Vice President John Paxson.
Collins was a coach with the Bulls and regarded as one of the best basketball minds through his various stops through the NBA as well as his commentary for Turner Sports and ESPN. Collins held front office authority in Detroit after the Pistons drafted Grant Hill, so he's familiar with the inner workings of the NBA.
More importantly, he coached Paxson during his three-year tenure as head coach, from 1986-1989, so one can presume Paxson will value Collins' expertise and opinions. The two sides have been discussing a role for quite some time, so although the announcement is a surprise, the marriage didn't come together hastily.
Collins is expected to be an extra voice in the room, doing a lot of observing and one can assume, bridging the gap many believe exists between the front office and coaching staff. Collins has residence in Chicago, with his son (Chris) coaching the Northwestern Wildcats so it's also a matter of convenience as well.
“We are pleased to have Doug return to the Bulls and have him join our front office. As our organization transitions into this next phase, we feel like Doug will bring valuable perspective with his vast knowledge of the NBA and the game of basketball,” said Paxson. “His enthusiasm and expertise make this a great fit for the Bulls. As an advisor, he will regularly contribute observations, insights and suggestions, and he will be part of conversations throughout this building. I know from talking to Doug he is excited to join us at this time, and we look forward to tapping into his experience to help improve this team.”
One can liken it to the Golden State Warriors bringing in Jerry West as a senior advisor several years ago, and West's influence was felt at the executive level as the Warriors continued their climb to the top of the NBA. West is perhaps the NBA's most decorated executive in the modern era, having shaped the Magic Johnson-led Lakers of the 1980's to five championships.
West has since moved into the same role with the Los Angeles Clippers, as he'll assist them in reshaping their franchise after the trade of Chris Paul.
Clearly the Bulls are not at the stage of development the Warriors were when West joined, starting what could be a long and arduous rebuild. Needing more knowledgeable and trusted voices in the room is what they were looking for, and presumably they feel Collins has been around today's NBA long enough to provide insight on a changing league.
“Doug will be great in this capacity for our organization. The position of ‘senior advisor’ has proven to work well around the NBA in recent years, and I am confident the same will hold true with the Bulls,” said Chicago Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement. “The fact that our relationship goes back more than 30 years certainly helps, but he is especially qualified to assist our leadership in rebuilding the Bulls.”
What will Bulls do with Dwyane Wade? John Paxson addresses the buyout rumors.
By CSN StaffCollins was a coach with the Bulls and regarded as one of the best basketball minds through his various stops through the NBA as well as his commentary for Turner Sports and ESPN. Collins held front office authority in Detroit after the Pistons drafted Grant Hill, so he's familiar with the inner workings of the NBA.
More importantly, he coached Paxson during his three-year tenure as head coach, from 1986-1989, so one can presume Paxson will value Collins' expertise and opinions. The two sides have been discussing a role for quite some time, so although the announcement is a surprise, the marriage didn't come together hastily.
Collins is expected to be an extra voice in the room, doing a lot of observing and one can assume, bridging the gap many believe exists between the front office and coaching staff. Collins has residence in Chicago, with his son (Chris) coaching the Northwestern Wildcats so it's also a matter of convenience as well.
“We are pleased to have Doug return to the Bulls and have him join our front office. As our organization transitions into this next phase, we feel like Doug will bring valuable perspective with his vast knowledge of the NBA and the game of basketball,” said Paxson. “His enthusiasm and expertise make this a great fit for the Bulls. As an advisor, he will regularly contribute observations, insights and suggestions, and he will be part of conversations throughout this building. I know from talking to Doug he is excited to join us at this time, and we look forward to tapping into his experience to help improve this team.”
One can liken it to the Golden State Warriors bringing in Jerry West as a senior advisor several years ago, and West's influence was felt at the executive level as the Warriors continued their climb to the top of the NBA. West is perhaps the NBA's most decorated executive in the modern era, having shaped the Magic Johnson-led Lakers of the 1980's to five championships.
West has since moved into the same role with the Los Angeles Clippers, as he'll assist them in reshaping their franchise after the trade of Chris Paul.
Clearly the Bulls are not at the stage of development the Warriors were when West joined, starting what could be a long and arduous rebuild. Needing more knowledgeable and trusted voices in the room is what they were looking for, and presumably they feel Collins has been around today's NBA long enough to provide insight on a changing league.
“Doug will be great in this capacity for our organization. The position of ‘senior advisor’ has proven to work well around the NBA in recent years, and I am confident the same will hold true with the Bulls,” said Chicago Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement. “The fact that our relationship goes back more than 30 years certainly helps, but he is especially qualified to assist our leadership in rebuilding the Bulls.”
What will Bulls do with Dwyane Wade? John Paxson addresses the buyout rumors.
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
While there are many questions surrounding what the Bulls will look like moving forward, one of the main ones surrounds their most recognizable player.
How much longer will Dwyane Wade be a Bull? It's been a question floating around all offseason as numerous rumors have indicated the team could buy Wade out of his contract — and that Wade could even be pushing for that to happen — allowing him to move on to another team that has a better chance of winning a title.
That thinking makes sense considering Wade came to the Bulls to team up with Jimmy Butler and make a run at a championship. But the Bulls finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last season and shipped Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason, pointing the franchise in a drastically different direction.
What does John Paxson have to say about all that talk? The Bulls' president addressed those rumors in an exclusive interview with CSN's Mark Schanowski on Tuesday.
"We can't do anything about it," Paxson said of the rumors. "To be very honest, me and (general manager) Gar (Forman) sat down with Dwyane when the season ended. We were honest with him. We told him, 'We don't know what's going to happen.' At that time we were not shopping Jimmy. But we said all along that if a deal would come along that would allow us to rebuild, we'd have to look at it. We've said that to everybody. With that said, Dwyane's under contract. He has been a professional through and through. We want to talk to him when he comes into town, and we will. Until then, I read the same things you do. But Gar and I will sit down with Dwyane when he comes to town."
CUBS: Joe Maddon finally sees Cubs playing with the right 'mental energy'
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Joe Maddon looked back on the perfect baseball storm that hit the Tampa Bay Rays and played all the greatest hits for local reporters, waxing poetic about the banners hanging inside Tropicana Field, stumping for a new stadium on the other side of the Gandy Bridge, telling Don Zimmer stories, namedropping Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston and riffing on sabermetrics and information buckets.
But the moment of clarity came in the middle of a media session that lasted 20-plus minutes, Maddon sitting up on stage in what felt like the locker room at an old CYO gym: “We only got really good because the players got really good.”
There’s no doubt the Cubs have the talent to go along with all the other big-market advantages the Rays could only dream about as the have-nots in the American League East. Now it looks like the defending champs have finally got rid of the World Series hangover, playing with the urgency and pitch-to-pitch focus that had been lacking at times and will be needed again in October.
Maddon essentially admitted it after Tuesday’s 2-1 victory, watching his team beat Chris Archer and work together on a one-hitter that extended the winning streak to seven games and kept the Milwaukee Brewers 3.5 games back in the National League Central.
“You’re really seeing them try to execute in moments,” Maddon said. “When they come back and they don’t get it done, it’s not like they’re angry. But you can just see they’re disappointed in themselves.
“Their mental energy is probably at an all-season-high right now.”
Six days after the Cubs moved him to the bullpen, lefty swingman Mike Montgomery took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, when Tampa Bay’s No. 9 hitter (Brad Miller) drove a ball over the center-field wall. Maddon then went to the relievers he will trust in October – Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr., Wade Davis – with the All-Star closer striking out the side in the ninth inning and remaining perfect in save opportunities (32-for-32) as a Cub.
“We want to go out there and prove every day that we’re the best team in baseball,” said Kyle Schwarber, the designated hitter who launched Archer’s 96-mph fastball into the right-center field seats for his 28th home run in the second inning. “The way our guys are just going out there and competing, it’s really good to see, especially this time of year. It’s getting to crunch time, and we just got to keep this same pace that we’re going at.
“Don’t worry about things around us. Just keep our heads down, keep worrying about the game and go from there.”
In what’s been a season-long victory lap, Maddon couldn’t help looking back when the sound system started playing The Beach Boys and “Good Vibrations” echoed throughout the domed stadium, a tribute running on the video board and a crowd of 25,046 giving him a standing ovation.
“It was cool,” Maddon said. “I forgot about the bird, the cockatoo, I can’t remember the name. Really a cool bird. I told (my wife) Jaye I wanted one of those for a while. But then again, she gets stuck taking care of them.
“I was just thinking about all the things we did. You forget sometimes that snake. I think her name was Francine, like a 19-year-old, 20-footer. And then the penguin on my chair. You forget all the goofy stuff you did. But you can see how much fun everybody had.
“I appreciated it. They showed all my pertinent highlights. There’s none actually as a player. It’s primarily as a zookeeper.”
But within the last week, you can see the Cubs getting more serious, concentrating on their at-bats and nailing their pitches. There is internal competition for roster spots and playing time in the postseason, when Maddon becomes ruthless and doesn’t care at all about making friends. This just might be another perfect storm.
Montgomery – who notched the final out in the 10th inning of last year’s World Series Game 7 – put it this way: “I feel ready for anything after how this year’s gone.”
Joe Maddon should have the last laugh on this Cubs season.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/USA TODAY)
“There’s nothing I can really say to them that would make a difference right now,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said inside Wrigley Field’s underground interview room on Sept. 10, answering a broad postgame question about team meetings at the end of a lost weekend where the Milwaukee Brewers outscored the defending World Series champs 20-3.
“They just need to see consistency from me,” Maddon said after the division lead had shrunk to two games over the Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. “They just need to see me do what I always do. I’m having conversations with all of them daily. It’s more one-on-one for me, as opposed to group. One-on-one therapy as opposed to group therapy.”
Maddon chuckled at that one-liner – and he should have the last laugh on this Cubs season. Within one week – basically the time it took for the entire Bears season/Mike Glennon experiment to crater – the Cubs went from being on the ropes to landing a knockout punch against the Cardinals and doubling their lead over the Brewers in the National League Central.
What appeared to be weaknesses while this team couldn’t get rid of a World Series hangover – a laissez-faire attitude in the clubhouse, no real sense of urgency, the short attention span, too many off-the-field distractions – can be seen as strengths now that the Cubs are a season-high 17 games over .500 after sweeping the Cardinals out of Wrigleyville.
It’s too early to take a victory lap when Maddon returns to Tropicana Field on Tuesday and faces the Tampa Bay Rays. But by not overreacting and completely losing his players, and staying relentlessly positive and patient, and remembering there is life outside the stadium, and allowing all of this natural talent to finally take over, Maddon has the Cubs in position to make the playoffs for the third straight season, something that hasn’t happened for this franchise since player/manager Frank Chance won three NL pennants in a row and back-to-back World Series titles in 1907 and 1908.
“There’s only one time to really call a team meeting – if your best pitcher is pitching the next day against a really bad team,” Maddon said. “That’s when you could look good. Otherwise, try to refrain from that. Don’t pick the wrong day. In our game, sitting there, trying to rehash the obvious, there’s no motivational component to that whatsoever.
“When things tighten up like this, they need to see you be consistent, not inconsistent. If I were to do something like that – that’s something I never do – so that would send out all the wrong signals.
“I’ve been around managers that have done that in the past. I’ve been one in the minor leagues – and I hated me for it afterwards.
“For the group that’s always looking for the inspirational speech, I promise you, if in fact it had any impact at all, it might last 10 minutes by the time they got out to the field. And if the other team’s pitcher that night is better than yours, it’s not going to work.”
The Cubs have created huge advantages in terms of talent, payroll and experience. But Maddon has held it together while every member of the Opening Day rotation got injured at different points this season and an everyday catcher (Willson Contreras), a World Series MVP (Ben Zobrist), an All-Star shortstop (Addison Russell) and a Gold Glove outfielder (Jason Heyward) spent time on the disabled list.
“Honestly, it’s minor-league training, man,” Maddon said. “It happens all the time. You immediately start thinking about: ‘OK, what do I do now? What’s next? Who’s the replacement? How do we fix this? How do we plug the dike?’ That’s it. I don’t take a doomsday approach mentally ever.
“I reference it often – the minor-league training really matters a lot in these situations. You have to be creative sometimes. You have to utilize different people, different methods, possibly. But ‘How do you fix this?’ is your first thought.
“That’s the beauty of this game, man. It is an endurance test. And it is a test of depth a lot of times also. You have to have it. That’s where I go. I remember playing in the Texas League with eight position players and one of my pitchers had to be the DH. You just do it.”
Maddon is old enough to collect Social Security checks, but he remains an ideal modern manager. Not because he dyes his hair “Blue Steel” and organizes themed road trips that feel more about building his personal brand than any team-bonding concept.
It’s the way Maddon tames the media before and after every game, pumps The Geek Department for information, casually namedrops the assistant director of research and development (Jeremy Greenhouse) during his press briefings and sees the Cubs from 30,000 feet.
“This is an organization working as one,” Maddon said. “For years, I was a part of the other side where I thought nobody was listening and it’s really a tremendous disconnect. If I ever got a chance to be doing what I’m doing right now, I would absolutely listen to these folks, because I think it’s important.”
So when Theo Epstein’s front office pushes Jen-Ho Tseng to make his big-league debut in the middle of a pennant race, Maddon sells the decision. Even though Tseng wasn’t one of the 40 pitchers the Cubs put on their spring training roster, and Maddon had only seen him on video and just met him for about five minutes.
“I trust the people making these decisions,” Maddon said. “Having spent so much time in the minor leagues, I listen to minor-league people. I listen to front offices. I listen to people that get to see people play that I don’t get to see.
“So if your evaluators really believe strongly in this, and your minor-league people do, too, you listen to them. You believe. You trust. That’s part of how this thing works.”
If Maddon had emerged from obscurity to become a borderline Hall of Famer during that small-market miracle in Tampa – five seasons with at least 90 wins in nine years – then winning the World Series with the Cubs guaranteed his Cooperstown plaque.
Of course, Maddon got slammed for his Game 7 decisions and had to keep answering questions about it months and months later. The manager didn’t really lash out or second-guess himself – and once again his team seems to be peaking at the right time.
Since 2015, the Cubs have played 162 regular-season games in August, September and early October – and gone 109-53 plus winning five playoff rounds so far.
“It’s a mental thing, man,” Maddon said. “It’s competition. It’s the competing component of it. It goes so far beyond just looking at statistical information and lineups and where do they rank right now sabermetrically. It has nothing to do with (sabermetrics). I talked about the heartbeat last year. It’s going to show up over the next couple weeks again.”
Untouchable: Javier Baez showed why Cubs built around him during takeover at shortstop.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/AP)
Imagine Javier Baez wearing a New York Mets uniform or playing in an empty Tropicana Field and where the Cubs would be without their backup shortstop.
The trade speculation still lingered into this season, even after Baez blossomed into a National League Championship Series co-MVP and a World Series champion. Maybe it was just out of habit since Theo Epstein’s front office spent years collecting hitters and planning to deal for pitching, or a perception issue for a prospect who wasn’t drafted by this regime and has a “flashiness” to his game that recently got this unfair, narrow-minded label from a Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster: “A difficult player for me to root for.”
But the Cubs never traded Baez to the Tampa Bay Rays for one of those starters who usually seems to be on the rumor mill – Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore – and that decision continues to look better and better in hindsight.
Baez again showed why he is essentially untouchable while Addison Russell slowly recovered from a strained right foot and plantar fasciitis, starting 41 of 42 games at shortstop between Aug. 3 and Sept. 16 and hitting .282 with eight homers and 27 RBI during that stretch.
Deep down, Baez still views himself as a shortstop – “yeah, for sure, if I get the (chance)” – while deferring to Russell (who was activated over the weekend) and understanding that the Cubs can again have an elite defensive unit when he moves back to second base.
“When I play short every day, obviously, I’m going to be ready for it and making all the adjustments to be there,” Baez said. “I do my best to help the team. Addie’s a big part of the team.”
Remember how shaky the defense looked up the middle when Russell missed the 2015 NLCS with a hamstring injury and the Mets swept the Cubs out of the playoffs?
The Cubs created enough depth – and room to grow – to stash an All-Star shortstop on the disabled list on Aug. 4 and go from being a 57-50 team with a 1.5-game lead in the division to running a season-high 17 games over .500 heading into Tuesday night at The Trop.
Even though Joe Maddon lobbied for Baez to make the Opening Day roster during his first post-Rays spring training in 2015, the manager also made a point to say he didn’t run an entitlement program.
Maddon would not anoint Baez as an everyday player heading into this season, even after he started all 17 games at second base during last year’s playoffs and starred for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
“If you had done that with him two years ago, he would have buried himself,” Maddon said. “Absolutely. I don’t think he would have made the same adjustments at the plate. You would have seen a lot more mistakes on defense. You would have seen a lot more routine plays not handled routinely. You would not have seen the same base running. Even though he had it in his back pocket, I just think that he’s learned how to really pick his moments there, too. He wasn’t ready for all that.”
There is something to the idea of taking the good with the bad with Baez. Except there are no perfect players and so few have his mind-blowing combination of skills, love for the game and sixth sense for highlight-reel moments.
“You don’t teach those things – that’s just God-given talent,” catcher Alex Avila said. “He’s been able to put it together. You see those plays. But the work that goes into it – as far as being in the right spot, having the right first step, anticipating the ball, things like that – all that kind of gets you the result.
“(It’s not only) making sure he’s making the routine plays, but he has the athleticism and the wherewithal to be able to make the spectacular plays as well.”
Instead of focusing on the tattoos or the hairstyles or a swing that can get out of control at times, remember that this is someone who already has 22 homers and 70 RBI in the middle of September – and a .791 OPS in his age-24 season that represents a 54-point jump from the year before – for an iconic team with World Series expectations.
“You could see there was a lot of stuff for Javy to iron out,” Maddon said. “He’s worked them out. It’s a lot of repetition. It’s a lot of good coaching. But it’s about the player himself, being able to make those adjustments. I honestly think his path has been a good one. And I think the way we did it last year was perfect.
“Everything’s happened as it should organically for him."
WHITE SOX: Lucas Giolito puts together another strong outing in White Sox loss to Astros.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/USA TODAY)
He didn’t have his best stuff against baseball’s top offense on Tuesday night, but Lucas Giolito had his changeup.
The young White Sox pitcher showed once again that when he has confidence in an offspeed pitch he’s able to overcome situations where his fastball might not be as good as he’d prefer. Trust in the changeup and a good command of the fastball were more than enough to put together another strong performance.
While Giolito took the decision in a 3-1 White Sox loss to the Houston Astros, he once again earned plaudits for his pitching.
“He was really good,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. “His changeup's very good. He obviously can spin a couple different breaking balls. It looks like a heavy fastball. So, a really impressive young starter to be able to navigate the lineup in different ways and get guys out in different ways and really compete.”
Perhaps no one hitter better demonstrated Giolito’s ability to compete than his sixth-inning showdown with Astros No. 5 hitter Marwin Gonzalez. Having just issued his first walk down 2-1 with two outs and a man on second, Giolito threw both his two- and four-seam fastball, changeup and curveball during a lengthy at-bat. With the count full, Gonzalez fouled off six consecutive fastballs before Giolito threw a changeup in the dirt for the whiff on the 12th pitch of the at-bat.
It was one of 18 changeups Giolito threw, with 11 going for strikes.
“The changeup was a good pitch for me aside from a few I left up in the zone,” Giolito said. “I had a lot of confidence in it and that was probably the offspeed pitch I was most comfortable going to in situations.”
Given his fastball velo was an average of 92.2 mph, confidence and comfort were critical. Houston entered the game with a team slash line of .282/.345/.479 and averaging 5.47 runs per contest. The American League West champions offer few easy outs and were clearly the sternest test to date for Giolito, who has never pitched more innings in a season than his current 167 between Triple-A Charlotte and the majors.
Even though the velo isn’t where he’s wanted it in the past two outings, Giolito has pitched well enough. Giolito produced his fourth quality start in six outings in the big leagues as he limited the Astros to two earned runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out three.
“Felt pretty good about it,” Giolito said. “It was one of those days where I didn’t have my best stuff working. Had a lot of trouble getting the ball to the extension side. That’s something to work on this week going into the next start. But I felt good about how I pitched tonight for sure.”
The White Sox feel pretty good about the production they’ve received from Giolito, who struggled with consistency earlier this season at Triple-A and dropped down in the prospect rankings as a result. The right-hander said he’s pleased with how he’s learned to be more composed on the mound this season. He’s also clearly gained confidence and trust in his stuff.
“Based on everything we saw, the skill set that he would be able to manage his ability on the mound to attack the strike zone,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He’s throwing his breaking ball more effectively now, the changeup as well.”
“All in all he’s doing what he needs to do. He’s kept hitters off balance. His ball has some life. He has angle. We’re happy with how he’s continued to develop.”
Giolito’s offense didn’t do what it needed to earn him a victory despite another big night from Yoan Moncada. Moncada went 3-for-4 with three singles and shortstop Tim Anderson extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a ninth-inning single.
White Sox draft guru Nick Hostetler willing to sacrifice position for player development.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
As much as he longs to pick first next June, Nick Hostetler has learned to cope in the name of player development.
The White Sox amateur scouting director sees a deep draft class full of high school and college players awaiting. He’d love if the White Sox didn’t have to sweat out other teams’ decisions in what will be another critical moment in the team’s accumulation process.
But Hostetler said Tuesday he’s learned not to let his own feelings get in the way of what’s best for the franchise. Even if the White Sox end up picking third or fourth next June, Hostetler appreciates that the worse draft position is the result of a hot streak by any number of young players.
“It’s really exciting to see some of these young kids have success,” Hostetler said. “I really do like seeing Tim Anderson hit .400 and Lucas Giolito doing what he’s doing. All of these things are so great for the ultimate plan, which is us winning at the big-league level. I don’t ever want to get so selfish where I’m worrying about one pick or whether we’re three or whether we’re four or whatever it is and to use that than to take away from the greater good.”
There’s no question one pick can make all the difference. Colorado has received good production out of the third overall selection of the 2013 draft, Jon Gray, who has thus far given them 7.1 f-Wins Above Replacement in his brief career. But that pales in comparison to the 21.0 WAR produced by second pick Kris Bryant.
Entering Tuesday, the White Sox boasted the third-worst record in the majors. But their lead over the flailing Detroit Tigers, who are fourth, has slipped down to 1 1/2 games.
While a 100-loss season still appears to be in play for the White Sox, it seems far-fetched they would catch Philadelphia or San Francisco to finish with a top-two selection next June.
No matter where the White Sox pick, Hostetler is excited about the prospects of the class, which has a nice blend of hitters and pitchers from high school and college. Hostetler said earlier this month it’s the best class he can remember since 2010.
Still, Hostetler jokes that he’s conflicted when it comes to September scoreboard watching.
“It’s hard not to sit there and look but I’ve done a really good job,” Hostetler said with a laugh. “I’m proud of myself for this. I’ve kind of removed myself from this point. I root for our guys to succeed and to win, but at the same time knowing ultimately come June and three or four years after we’ll really know if picking third or fourth actually mattered.”
White Sox Talk Podcast: Bill Melton tells all about his life in baseball.
By CSN Staff
(Photo/AP)
Bill Melton's baseball career is the stuff of legend — some for what happened on the field, but also for what happened off of it.
On the latest White Sox Talk Podcast, the former White Sox slugger speaks with Chuck Garfien about winning the 1971 home run crown on the final day of the regular season after partying on Rush Street into the wee hours the night before. Melton also describes his huge public battle with then White Sox play-by-play announcer Harry Caray, partying at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club, hanging out with Frank Sinatra, fighting with former Angels manager Dick Williams.
Melton tells these stories and many more about the wild days of playing major league baseball in the 1970s. Plus, you'll hear a lost interview from 1971 when Brent Musburger interviewed Melton right after he became the home run king.
Listen to the latest episode here: White Sox Talk Podcast
Golf: I got a club for that..... Tour Championship: Tee times, TV schedule, stats.
The top 30 players in the FedExCup standings are back at East Lake for the Tour Championship. Here's the key info for the final event of the season.
Golf course: East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga., was opened in 1908 and designed by Tom Bendelow. East Lake was redesigned by Donald Ross in 1913, George Cobb in 1959, and Rees Jones in 1995 and 2008. The course will play as a par 70 at 7,385 yards.
Purse: $8.75 million
TV schedule (All times Eastern): Thursday, 1-6 p.m. on Golf Channel; Friday, 1-6 p.m. on Golf Channel; Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, 2:30-6:30 p.m. on NBC; Sunday, Noon-1:30 p.m. on Golf Channel, 1:30-6:30 p.m. on NBC
Live streaming: Thursday, 1-6 p.m. at golfchannel.com; Friday, 1-6 p.m. at golfchannel.com; Saturday, 12:30-6:30 p.m. at golfchannel.com; Sunday, Noon-6:30 p.m. at golfchannel.com.
Notable tee times (pairings adjusted after each round): Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose, 1:30 p.m.; Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, 1:40 p.m.; Dustin Johnson, Marc Leishman, 1:50 p.m.; Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, 2 p.m. Click here for full tee times.
Defending champion: Rory McIlroy defeated Ryan Moore with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole to win the Tour Championship and the FedExCup title. Both McIlroy and Moore failed to advance to the Tour Championship this year.
Notables in the field: The field has been cut to the top 30 in FedExCup points. The top five players in the FedExCup standings - Spieth, Thomas, Johnson, Leishman and Rahm - will win the season-long points race with a win at East Lake. Click here for the full points list.
Key stats:
• All 30 players in field have mathematical possibility of winning $10 million bonus
• Last five FedExCup champions were sixth or better entering Tour Championship
• Worst position entering Tour Championship by FedExCup champion: Bill Haas, 25th (2011)
• Spieth has made 64 birdies/eagles made at the Tour Championship since 2013 (most of any player)
• Spieth has the best cumulative score to par (40 under) and most birdies/eagles (60) in 2017 playoffs
• Thomas has 11 top-10 finishes this season (tied with Spieth for most on PGA Tour)
• Johnson has recorded a top-10 in each of the last four Tour Championship starts
• Leishman was one of two wire-to-wire winners this season (Thomas at Sony Open)
• Rahm has 11 top-5s on PGA Tour since turning pro (most of any player in that span)
• Matsuyama finished fifth at Tour Championship last year (best finish in event)
• Rose has finished sixth or better in each of his last four Tour Championship starts
(Stats and information provided by the Golf Channel editorial research unit)
Monahan, the man with the plan.
By Rex Hoggard
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
Jay Monahan settled into his chair with an easy smile and slight hunch, giving the commissioner’s annual State of the PGA Tour news conference a fantasy football draft feel.
Of the litany of things that have changed the last year since Monahan took over for Tim Finchem, however, friendly body language doesn’t begin to accurately portray the differences between the old and new bosses.
As metaphorical extremes go, maybe the easiest way to judge the gulf between current and former regimes was Monahan’s socks, a flowery pattern that fit playfully with the predictable loafers and blue blazer, which firmly announced there is new management now calling the shots in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Finchem didn’t own flowery socks. As best anyone can tell, he didn’t own flowers, just a stoic, B-to-B pragmatist who, in fairness, oversaw unprecedented growth during his tenure as commissioner.
A year ago at East Lake, Finchem gave his final State of the Tour less than two months before giving Monahan the keys to the kingdom. Finchem, as was normally the case, gave a lengthy explanation of the Tour’s reach across multiple media platforms and the coterminous, he actually used that one in 2006, of the circuit’s reach.
That’s not Monahan.
Instead, the commissioner spent his time talking fondly of Arnold Palmer, who passed away a year ago during the Tour Championship, and family.
“We all make a lot of sacrifices along the way where we're not home as much as we would like to be. That's a part of being dedicated to your craft and that's not lost on us,” he told the assembled scribes.
It wasn’t all warm and fuzzy with a side of flowery socks.
Monahan is currently in the process of the largest schedule makeover since the Tour introduced the postseason in 2007. The new dance card will include a post-Labor Day finish, the PGA Championship in May and The Players in March, to touch on just a few of the highlights.
But before Monahan and Co. can dig into that puzzle of a hundred moving parts, he must shore up next year’s schedule, a 49-event line up that looks largely the same as this year’s with a few concerning issues.
The Tour’s event in the Washington, D.C., area and Houston Open are both on the ropes and currently don’t have title sponsors. In the case of The National, which is run by the Tiger Woods Foundation, the event also doesn’t have a golf course since the Tour recently terminated its contract to hold the tournament at Congressional Country Club in 2018 and ’20.
“So we think that we'll be successful [in Houston] but obviously we haven't been yet and [Hurricane] Harvey is not an excuse,” he said. “I think that we'll continue to work our way through that and hopefully we'll have some positive news as we go forward.”
Monahan’s commitment to an event that has been a Tour staple since 1946 is admirable and understandable. The National, which debuted with much fanfare in ’07 thanks to Woods’ association, is another story.
The Jenga game that is the ’19 schedule and beyond is a factor here.
An indication of how profound those changes in ’19 will likely be could be gleaned from Jordan Spieth’s reaction to the 2017-18 schedule, which is virtually unchanged from this year’s line up.
“I'm not surprised that next year's similar and then after that we'll see what happens,” said Spieth, who has been involved with the ongoing schedule talks. “I wouldn't necessarily be quick to judge on how the Tour's saying that based on a short-term view of next year. Wait and see what happens after that.”
For Monahan, that means maintaining the status quo. If, for example, Quicken Loans, the title sponsor of The National since 2014, wanted to move the event to, say, Detroit, where the company is based, it would leave the Tour in a curious position.
“We’re focused on D.C. and we’re hopeful we can find a solution. There are a lot of markets that want to have a PGA Tour event, but that’s not where we are. It’s a matter of trying to be in a market that has been very good to us,” he said. “If we get to a place where we can’t accomplish that, then you’ve got to look at what those alternatives are and what fits best, but we’re not there yet.”
Perhaps, but if the Tour is going to end it’s season before the start of meaningful football, that means events will either have to be shifted to the fall portion of the schedule or removed, with the former the likely preferred outcome.
Although it’s become a popular topic in recent years, neither Monahan nor the Tour has any interest in an extended off-season. It was little surprise that the commissioner had a ready answer when the idea came up again on Tuesday, explaining that in 1967 the Tour had 47 events on its schedule, the same as this season.
Above all else, the Tour is a business and as a rule businesses don’t contract without a reason, which means whatever form the schedule takes in ’19 and beyond it will simply be rearranged, not reduced.
“If you get to that point and you're ending prior to the NFL and you're not going to the offseason, then you're ending at an earlier point and you're probably starting at an earlier point,” Monahan simply.
And that, more so than the flowery socks and easy smile, may be the biggest difference between the circuit’s old and new. Monahan may not have all the details of the new schedule, but he doesn’t need 10-dollar words and fancy business speak to explain the big picture.
After Further Review: New rules needed - and fast.
By Golf Channel Digital
Each week, GolfChannel.com takes a look back at the week in golf. Here's what's weighing on our writers' minds.
The six-month input period for the USGA and R&A’s modernization of the Rules of Golf recently ended, but after watching Sunday’s action at the BMW Championship, there was just a single message that needed to be sent to the rule-makers.
Hurry.
Nothing served as a better example of everything that’s wrong with the Rules of Golf than the ruling Sergio Garcia needed on the 72nd hole after hitting his second shot into a hazard.
It took nearly 20 minutes for the Spaniard to receive a ruling that was both overly complicated and wildly confusing. Whatever the rule-makers decide, they better do it fast. - Rex Hoggard
On the LPGA's major season of major controversy:
Mike Whan has accomplished many great things since taking over as LPGA commissioner in 2009, but this week he took one of his first major losses.
On Thursday, Whan and Co. decided not only to scrub first-round scores at the Evian but also to turn the final major of the year into a 54-hole affair. Remember, this move was made on Thursday, and it was made, in part, because of a poor Sunday forecast. At the time, it seemed woefully premature. (Let’s just see how the rest of the week goes, no?) By Sunday afternoon, it was indeed horribly miscalculated. Weather was not an issue Sunday, at least not until the raindrops (and hail) began to fall as the final group made its way up 18.
Here's what I would have done: Play until dark Friday and Saturday. And then play as many holes as possible on Sunday and, if necessary, Monday or Tuesday, since there is no tournament this week. It would have been messy, yes, but at least it'd be a 72-hole tournament.
Instead, Whan, three days too early, decided to make an LPGA major 54 holes for the just the second time in 20 years, diminishing the credibility of the event.
A major season that began with a rules controversy ended with poor decision-making from its top officials. Shame. – Ryan Lavner
On the rapid re-emergence of Patrick Cantlay:
We have spent much time this season lauding the accomplishments of Jon Rahm and his ability to adjust on the fly to life on Tour while seeing courses and playing against the toughest fields for the first time. That praise was all certainly legitimate, but it shouldn’t cause us to lose sight of the similarly impressive season compiled by Patrick Cantlay.
It was only seven months ago that Cantlay returned from more than two years away from the game. He was armed with a major medical extension and unsure as to whether he could even make it out on Tour. He cobbled together a schedule aimed at simply earning full-time status for 2018 and beyond.
Fast forward a few months, and Cantlay still has not missed a cut this year. He salted away his card with a runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship, challenged again at the RBC Heritage, and thanks to a T-9 finish this week at the BMW Championship, he’s headed to East Lake. There will be no scheduling concerns for Cantlay next year, when he’ll return to the Masters for the first time since 2012.
Each player creates a unique path, and some need more time to adjust than others. But Cantlay belongs in the same class as Rahm among rising stars who have demolished any notion of a learning curve – and will likely stick around for years to come. - Will Gray
NASCAR: Entry lists for Cup and Trucks (Loudon) and Xfinity (Kentucky) races.
(Photo/Getty Images)
NASCAR’s three top racing series will be split between two different tracks this weekend.
The NASCAR Cup Series moves on to the second race of its 10-race playoffs at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series opens its seven-race playoffs at New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will begin its seven-race playoffs Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway.
Here are the preliminary entry lists for each race:
Cup – ISM Connect 300
There are 39 cars entered for this race on the 1.058-mile paved track.
One change was announced Tuesday – Gray Gaulding will replace Derrike Cope in the No. 55 Premium Motorsports Toyota Camry.
One entry does not have a driver yet: the No. 51 Chevrolet of Rick Ware Racing.
In this race last year, Kevin Harvick led the final six laps to take the victory over Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch. Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps (141), but finished seventh.
Denny Hamlin won the July race there.
Also, this will be the last season that New Hampshire Motor Speedway will have two NASCAR Cup races in a season. The fall race moves to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next season.
Click here for the full entry list.
Xfinity – VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300
The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns for the second time this season to the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway.
There are 40 cars entered. Only one driver spot is unfilled as of now, the No. 172 Chevrolet owned by James Carter.
Because the Cup Series is in New Hampshire, there are no Cup regulars entered in this race.
Former IndyCar champ and Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. will once again make an Xfinity start for Team Penske, driving the No. 22 Ford.
Xfinity regular season champion Elliott Sadler won this race last season.
Kyle Busch won the July race
Click here for the full entry list.
Trucks – UNOH 175
There are 30 trucks entered.
One seat remains unfilled: the No. 183 Chevrolet of Copp Motorsports.
No NASCAR Cup drivers are entered.
Click here for the full entry list.
NASCAR Power Rankings: Predicting the playoffs. (Published 09/15/2017, 5 days ago).
By Nick Bromberg
Which of these 16 drivers will be the champion? (Photo/AP)
Welcome to the Chase. Sorry, welcome to the Cup Series playoffs.
In the three years since the elimination format’s introduction in what used to be known as the Chase, randomness has reigned. This year should be different, as drivers have the ability to carry over the bonus points they earned for race wins and stage wins (plus their position in the points standings).
That should give us some separation pretty quickly. The drivers who have been good through the first 26 races of the year will be rewarded in the second and third rounds and theoretically have an easier path to be a part of the final four racing for the title at Homestead. A massive crash at Talladega may not mean a win-and-in situation for four or five drivers at Kansas a week later.
Below is how we think the final standings will look like. Remember, playoff points can accumulate throughout the first nine races of the playoffs. Drivers get five points for a race win and one point for a stage win and remember, a win means automatic advancement into the next round. The final four drivers will race heads up for the title at Homestead on Nov. 19.
16. Austin Dillon
16. Austin Dillon
• 1 win, 3 top-five finishes, four top-10 finishes
• Begins playoffs with 2005 points
As you can see from the statistics above, Dillon hasn’t had much speed so far in 2017. If it wasn’t for his fuel-mileage gamble at Charlotte, he’s not in the playoffs to begin with.
Richard Childress Racing needs more speed at intermediate tracks and Dillon finished 13th at Dover and 15th at New Hampshire, the other two tracks in the first round. If a driver or two ahead of him is involved in a crash, Dillon could get out of the first round. But it’s hard to have much title optimism here.
““I love the underdog role,” Dillon said. “The pressure is on the guys that gained all the points to lose them and crumble. A lot of people have already put them in position to get to Homestead because of bonus points, but it can happen real quick where you have anything that can go wrong.”
• 2 wins, 4 top 5s, 7 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2010 points
If Stenhouse makes it through the first round of the playoffs, he’s going to be the favorite to win at Talladega and advance to the third round. If he can do that and win three of the series’ four restrictor plate races it’s a dream season.
Will he? He needs to hope Ford’s issues with right-front tires at Dover in June are rectified to get out of the first round.
“It was awesome watching Brad [Keselowski] win Talladega when he had to a couple years ago, but I would think for us as a team, making it through the first round and giving ourselves an opportunity to get to the third round would be a success,” Stenhouse Jr. said. “I would definitely have confidence going in, but I wouldn’t say I’d just feel like it’s a lock. It’s so unknown when you go there, but I would feel really happy about that.”
14. Kasey Kahne
• 1 win, 3 top 5s, 5 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2005 points
Kahne could end up a lot higher here if Hendrick Motorsports’ surge at the beginning of the 2016 playoffs repeats itself in 2017. But it’s not too easy to get optimistic about the chances of a lame-duck driver.
“Well, I think the thing that I kind of figured out a week ago is that it’s really what I want to do and it’s what I want to do with the group of guys that I have,” Kahne said. “They have put a lot into it, I’ve put a lot into it and we still can have a great season because of these final 10 races. So, I just feel like I talked to them and all of us agreed that we put everything that we have into it and if we finish first, fifth, eighth, wherever that is, as long as we all put it in the final 10 races we are going to feel good about it.”
13. Ryan Newman
• 1 win, 6 top 5s, 11 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2005 points
Until the last four weeks of the regular season Newman had been a non-factor after winning at Phoenix in the spring. He’s on a roll of four-straight top 10s, so it’s certainly possible he could end up finishing in the top 10. But if you’re expecting a repeat of his 2014 charge towards the title, we’re here to poke holes in the tires of your expectations.
“I think anybody who has experience at the Cup level at this point, after 26 races and is in the Playoffs, has just as good a shot as the other,” Newman said. “Experience is definitely nice to have, but it’s no guarantee.”
12. Kurt Busch
12. Kurt Busch
• 1 win, 5 top 5s, 13 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2005 points
Busch is hoping his 2017 is the opposite of his 2016. Busch was hot to begin the season a year ago and then wasn’t competitive in the playoffs. After winning the Daytona 500 to start 2017, Busch wasn’t great, though his performance has improved as the summer has gone on.
“So with Chicago, I think that’s the most important one,” Busch said. “If you win there, you can win at Charlotte. It’s a fast mile-and-a-half with high grip, but that’s that first race in that round and then you go to Martinsville. That’s the most important race, I think, in the final 10 other than Homestead if you want to win the championship is getting through Martinsville clean and if you win there, you get a free ride to Homestead.”
11. Ryan Blaney
• 1 win, 3 top 5s, 9 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2009 points
Blaney’s had speed throughout 2017 but he’s also had a ton of bad finishes. He’s finished outside the top 20 in 12 of the first 26 races of the season. If that rate continues, he’s going to have an incredibly difficult time making it out of the second round of the playoffs without a win.
“There are a lot of members on my team that it’s their first time ever competing for a championship, so we’re all just really excited,” Blaney said. “I don’t think there are any nerves just because we don’t know what to expect. If we can have the mindset that it’s just racing, because that’s all it is and it’s nothing different that what we’ve been doing, I think that will be pretty good. But I don’t really feel any pressure. I hate to use that word. I hate to hear that word, to be honest with you, but I’ve never really felt any of that, just good opportunities.”
10. Chase Elliott
• 6 top 5s, 14 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2006 points
Elliott winning his first title before winning his first race would be one heck of a storyline. But the odds of that happening aren’t very good. Based off Hendrick Motorsports’ performance this summer, his odds of winning a race aren’t very good either. Can the team repeat the speed it had at Chicago in 2016?
“Our game plan right now is to try to focus on ourselves,” Elliott said. “We need to be better as a whole. We need to improve, for sure. We need to be competing for race wins. We haven’t been doing that recently. I’ll be the first one to admit that.
“I think for us, we got to focus on ourselves first and foremost, try to be consistent. I think consistency will carry you a pretty good distance in this deal. I don’t think consistency will get you to Homestead alone, but I do think consistency will carry you a good ways.”
9. Jamie McMurray
• 2 top 5s, 13 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2003 points
McMurray starts the playoffs with the fewest bonus points of any driver. But he’s in the playoffs because he’s been maddeningly consistent and great at avoiding bad finishes. With bonus points carrying over, the ability to get a top 15 every week may be less important than it was. But McMurray could be the surprise guy in the third round of the playoffs with a real chance at Phoenix to make it to Homestead.
“When you look at the format and the way it’s laid out, it’s a race-by-race scenario,” McMurray said. “If we go to Chicago and three or four of those guys have bad races then it changes the outlook for the next races for the other guys. If you have somebody who has a bad race at Chicago… if it’s someone like [Martin Truex Jr.] who has won a few races this year then you know they are able to win one of the next two. You have to look at it race by race.”
8. Matt Kenseth
• 7 top 5s, 12 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2005 points
Perhaps Kenseth’s appearance in the playoffs after getting ambulanced at Richmond is the karma for what’s happened in the past two seasons of the playoffs. If Kenseth’s title hopes end with another crash while racing for the lead in 2017, we’re going to be shaking our head in amazement.
“So I think the first round, as good as we’ve run, if we don’t have any trouble, you should be able to get through the first round,” Kenseth said. “I feel like we’ve been a top five‑ish car every week pretty much the last few months. If you can do that for the first three weeks, you’ll move on to the next round, then kind of worry about that.
Just one race at a time, try to get the finishes this first go around, and hopefully you can be fortunate enough to win some stages or some races and gather some points.”
7. Kevin Harvick
• 1 win, 8 top 5s, 16 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2015 points
Like McMurray, Harvick has been maddeningly consistent. Does Stewart-Haas Racing have the speed to get him to the championship? Counting out the wily veteran and his crew chief Rodney Childers isn’t a good idea.
“Chicago the last two years hasn’t been a good start for us just because of self-inflicted circumstances and those are the types of things you don’t want to do this time around,” Harvick said. “So we’ve learned a lot and I think everybody has done a really good job of getting everything transitioned over. We’ve put two cars in the Playoffs and now we can go out and fight every week to get everything we can and see where it falls in the end.”
6. Brad Keselowski
• 2 wins, 11 top 5s, 14 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2019 points
Can Team Penske improve its performance at intermediate tracks enough to make Keselowski a contender? He’s going to be confident heading into Martinsville after winning there in April. And Keselowski is the best restrictor plate racer in the Cup Series, so he’s one of the safer bets in the two races considered to be the biggest playoff wild cards.
“At this moment, there’s really no reason for Toyota not to have all four spots going to Homestead, but all of that it’s dynamic – kind of like we just talked about with Jimmie [Johnson],” Keselowski said. “You never know what people are gonna show up with at Chicagoland in the first round and Charlotte and so forth in the second round. And then of course getting to the third round, which is a tough one in itself with Martinsville and so forth, it’s tough too.”
5. Kyle Busch
• 2 wins, 10 top 5s, 16 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2029 points
Busch has led laps in nine of the last 10 and 17 of the last 18 races. Yeah, he’s had some serious speed. But there’s going to be a stellar driver who misses out on the final four … and three Toyotas can’t make the championship race, can they?
“Everybody says Truex is an automatic lock for getting to Homestead,” Busch said. “If he has a bad race in that last round before Homestead, there’s three winners that move their way through, he’s not one of them, I overtake him in points because I have 20 less points than he does or whatever, then he’s out. So it’s obviously any man’s game still. So just kind of depends on what all happens.”
4. Kyle Larson
• 4 wins, 11 top 5s, 15 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2033 points
Larson’s win at Richmond Saturday night is a massive boost for his confidence. It was his first win at a non-2-mile track and there are no 2-mile tracks in the playoffs. While Larson likely knew his team was capable of winning most anywhere else, actually doing it is a big benefit.
“I didn’t really think of it at the time, but it’s cool to finally win somewhere that’s not two miles,” Larson said. “Obviously, I’ve been really fast at a lot of different styles of racetracks. I’ve ran second I feel like at every racetrack. I mean, I’ve been close to win. It’s not like I’m only good at two-mile tracks.
“Yeah, I could have a lot of mile-and-a-half wins. I could have won the Daytona 500 this year. But it was nice to win at a track where I would put it down there as Martinsville as being my worst tracks. Richmond and Martinsville would be my worst tracks. For me to win at Richmond was a huge confidence booster.”
3. Denny Hamlin
• 2 wins (1 counts), 11 top 5s, 15 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2013 points
We picked Hamlin as our pre-playoff favorite a year ago based off the run he was on entering the final 10 races of the season. He’s on a similar type of roll this year even if his victory at Darlington doesn’t count for the playoffs because of an inspection failure.
“It’s tough to go into the Chase, the Playoffs, the favorites,” Hamlin said. “We’ve been on both sides of it. When the expectations are high, you got a big lead like you see out there on that board, you tend to play defensive a little bit. I think the challenge is having the lead and keeping it.”
2. Martin Truex Jr.
• 4 wins, 10 top 5s, 17 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2053 points
Truex is by far the best bet to make the championship race because of the massive amount of points he accumulated through the regular season. He and crew chief Cole Pearn have been the best at stage racing in 2017. We’re likely going to see how good they are racing three other drivers heads up for a championship.
“Our focus, our goal is to not have to use any of those bonus points right now,” Truex said. “Obviously we want to get through there and have them in case something bad happens. If we perform at the level we can, and we’re capable of, I don’t think we’ll need them. But this is racing, a lot can happen. You never know. So definitely nice to have them in your pocket. How effective they’ll be, I guess nobody really knows yet.”
1. Jimmie Johnson
• 3 wins, 3 top 5s, 8 top 10s
• Begins playoffs with 2017 points
There are a lot of reasons to pick against Johnson, namely the team’s huge struggles over the summer. It’s staggering to think that NASCAR’s greatest driver hasn’t finished in the top five outside of any of his three wins this season.
But there were a lot of reasons to pick against Johnson a year ago and he ended up winning the title. He’s going to be the favorite at Dover and Texas and one of the favorites at Martinsville and Charlotte. To be the best you have to beat the best. We’re sticking with our preseason pick for the title.
““I think we all look at winning as the best way to advance,” Johnson said. “Last year I made it through being consistent in the first round, and then we were able to win. I think the first round is easy, but last year was the only year in this format that I made it to the final four. And winning made that happen. So, the goal, especially deeper in the rounds, is winning. If you can win in the round with Talladega, then that makes life easier and we had that luxury last year. So nice. If there is a round that I can pick a win in, it’s that one so I can take Talladega off the table and race at those three after it.”
SOCCER: With playoff spot nearly secure, 'now it’s about how good' Fire can be.
(Photo/USA TODAY)
Things have been on the upswing for the Fire for the past couple weeks, but the players recognize the sharpness of the team’s unbeaten run earlier in the season still eludes them.
The 3-0 win against D.C. United on Saturday wasn’t all-out domination, but was the only comfortable win in the past seven games. With five games remaining in the regular season, and a playoff spot virtually locked up, the Fire is hoping to reach its heights from earlier in the year.
“We can start mentally getting ready to treat I think these next five games like they are playoff games, mentally getting ready for it,” midfielder Dax McCarty said. “We haven’t clinched anything yet so I don’t think we can take any of that for granted, but obviously with a couple good results in a row now, we’re feeling pretty comfortable about making the playoffs. Now it’s about positioning. We want to get a first-round bye so, like I said, these last five games for us, from my perspective, are playoff games.”
New York City FC is three points ahead of the Fire for second place in the Eastern Conference. The two teams play at Toyota Park on Sept. 30.
They already met in Yankee Stadium on July 22. That game was the first in a stretch of seven games in which the Fire lost six. NYCFC suffered an early red card and still managed to beat the Fire. The Fire’s struggles to create and convert quality chances was evident in that game and continued for many of the next several games.
The three-goal outburst against D.C. was a sign that the Fire may be getting the attack back in gear. David Accam, whose six chances created were most in MLS this past weekend, said the attack is not quite back to its peak.
“At the moment we are creating more chances,” Accam said. “We’re not sharp in front of goal. Before we were. We were creating, we were sharp, but now we are only creating. We’re not sharp. We are still working in training at trying to be sharper in front of goal in games.”
Defensively, the Fire has allowed one goal in the past three matches. In the previous eight matches, the team allowed 19 goals. As Brandon Vincent and Matt Polster returned from injury, and Joao Meira is right behind after coming off the bench against D.C., the Fire’s defensive record seems to have improved.
That doesn’t mean the team has a clean bill of health. Both Bastian Schweinsteiger (calf) and Juninho (knee) were not at training on Tuesday. Luis Solignac (thigh) and Daniel Johnson (knee) were both limited to running. Even without Schweinsteiger and Juninho, the Fire produced in a convincing win against D.C.
McCarty wasn’t worried the team would turn things around, but he has noticed more confidence in the team after getting seven points from the last three games.
League Cup Weds. preview: Top teams mind the underdogs.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The giant killers aim their arrows at Premier League foes on Wednesday in the final five matches of the League Cup’s third round.
Arsenal vs. Doncaster Rovers
March 29, 1902 — Doncaster beat Arsenal 1-0. In the century-plus since, Arsenal has won five and drawn once with Doncaster.
Pretty safe to say the in-form Gunners’ and their back-ups will run through the Rovers, though as the old cliché goes, “That’s why they play the games.”
Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest
For a long time, this was a Premier League fixture each season. Now Chelsea welcomes the Championship’s Forest for the third time since 1999.
Everton vs. Sunderland
The Toffees could badly use a nice win after its Europa League beatdown in Italy and a series of tough results against Premier League giants.
Enter Bryan Oviedo, Darron Gibson, Aiden McGeady, Jack Rodwell, and James Vaughn in a Sunderland squad with plenty of experience playing at Goodison Park (The Black Cats have two further players, Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway, on loan from Everton). USMNT youngster Lynden Gooch could get a starting run versus PL opposition.
Manchester United vs. Burton Albion
The visitors surprised United by forcing an FA Cup replay in 2006, and the Red Devils repaid them with a 5-0 lashing. Burton was in the Conference then, and have risen dramatically in the last few seasons and surprised by surviving a Championship campaign in 2016-17. This one won’t be close, but it’ll be better than 5-0 for Nigel Clough’s Brewers.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City
Tony Pulis has been able to stymy a lot of teams, but Man City isn’t one of them. West Brom boasts 11-straight wins over the Baggies, the last of which have been by multiple goals. West Brom’s last draw vs. City was Boxing Day 2011. Its last win? Sept. 22, 2010 in the League Cup. Can the Hawthorns be the venue for a surprise?
League Cup: Foxes oust LFC; Stoke, Burnley upset.
By Nicholas Mendola
Leicester City turned to its favorite tactics to send Liverpool out of the League Cup, while Bristol City stunned struggling Stoke City as 11 matches dotted the English tournament landscape on Tuesday.
Leicester City 2-0 Liverpool
Both sides were decidedly second-string, and the Reds had plenty of control over the proceedings despite a lack of goals.
But substitute Shinji Okazaki scored in traffic after Vicente Iborra headed a corner kick his way, and the Foxes took a late lead.
And Okazaki cued up Islam Slimani for a wonderful 78th minute marker (see above) to ensure the result.
Bristol City 2-0 Stoke City
The Robins were flying at Ashton Gate, getting an opener in the 50th minute through Famara Diedhiou and a 60th minute insurance tally from Matt Taylor.
Stoke left some starters on the bench in Erik Pieters, Joe Allen, Jack Butland, and Jese, but had plenty of their best in the XI (Kurt Zouma, Eric Choupo-Moting, Darren Fletcher).
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Barnsley
Spurs had a hefty edge in shots and possession, but the visitors held firm against a decent side including Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele.
Fernando Llorente made his first Spurs start, but it was Dele who broke the Londoners through on the side’s 17th shot of the night.
Burnley 2-2 (3-5 PKs) Leeds United
Sean Dyche‘s Premier Leaguers were dismissed from the tournament by Thomas Christiansen’s high-flying Championship side.
It took penalty kicks, where Leeds GK Andy Lonergan stopped James Tarkowski to send the Clarets out of the Cup.
Hadi Sacko had an eye for the winner, assisted by Pablo Hernandez, but Chris Wood converted an 89th minute penalty to, seemingly, send the match to extra time.
Hernandez then scored a penalty of his own in stoppage time, only for Robbie Brady‘s free kick to equalize and again put the match on pace for extra time.
Elsewhere
Crystal Palace 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Aston Villa 0-2 Middlesbrough
Brentford 1-3 Norwich City
Bournemouth 1-0 (ET) Brighton
West Ham 3-0 Bolton
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 (ET) Bristol Rovers
Reading 0-2 Swansea City
Arsenal vs. Doncaster Rovers — Wednesday
Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest — Wednesday
Everton vs. Sunderland — Wednesday
Manchester United vs. Burton Albion — Wednesday
West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester City — Wednesday
James stars for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga win at Schalke.
By Associated Press
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
James Rodriguez starred on his first Bundesliga start for Bayern Munich, scoring one goal and playing a role in the others for a 3-0 win at Schalke on Tuesday.’
While the Colombian midfielder made his first league start for Bayern, American teenager Weston McKennie did likewise for the home team. Despite the efforts of the 19-year-old Texan midfielder – who covered more ground than any other player in the first half – Schalke had no answer to James’ individual brilliance.
“We created the goals very well, so we deserved to win,” said Bayern’s reserve goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, playing in place of Germany No. 1 Manuel Neuer. Neuer has been ruled out until January with another hairline fracture of the metatarsal in his left foot.
The home side was first to have the ball in the net, but Amine Harit’s goal was ruled out as Bastian Oczipka was offside. Ulreich had done well with two saves beforehand.
Bayern got the penalty after referee Marco Fritz consulted his video assistant to see if Naldo had handled the ball when James cut it back. The Brazilian defender was going to ground but had his arms raised when the ball struck.
Protests by Schalke players had no effect and Robert Lewandowski duly converted from the spot.
It got worse for the home side four minutes later, when Bayern scored after a Schalke throw-in. Thomas Mueller, Lewandowski and Corentin Tolisso worked the ball to the unmarked James, who wrong-footed Ralf Faehrmann to score his first Bundesliga goal.
Mueller hit the post with a header from a cross by James after the break, before substitute Yevhen Konoplyanka went close at the other end.
Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco brought on Swiss forward Breel Embolo for McKennie with just over half an hour remaining.
Any hopes of an equalizer ended when James eluded two defenders and delivered a perfect ball for Vidal to strike with a volley to the top corner.
“Altogether there’s no denying that Bayern had a very good day. Then it’s hard for any team,” Schalke general manager Christian Heidel said.
WOLFSBURG FRUSTRATION, AUGSBURG ELATION
Fin Bartels’ second-half header earned Werder Bremen a 1-1 draw at Wolfsburg and denied Martin Schmidt a winning start as coach. Schmidt was appointed Monday when Wolfsburg fired Andries Jonker after the team had claimed just four points in its opening four games.
Michael Gregoritsch’s fourth-minute strike was enough for Augsburg to beat visiting Leipzig 1-0 for its third win from five games.
Two goals from Brazilian midfielder Raffael gave Borussia Moenchengladbach a 2-0 win at home over promoted Stuttgart.
FIFA hopes for big increase in TV viewers at Women’s World Cup.
Associated Press
(Photo/Getty Images)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants the next edition of the Women’s World Cup to draw a billion TV viewers across the world.
Infantino, who attended the official launch of the tournament that will be organized in France in 2019, said on Tuesday that the previous edition in Canada in 2015 was watched by 750 million viewers.
Speaking alongside French federation president Noel Le Graet and French Sports Minister Laura Flessel, Infantino said “our goal is to reach one billion in France in 2019.”
The tournament, which will run from June 7 to July 7, will gather 24 teams in six groups.
France will kick off the event at Parc des Princes in Paris, with the semifinals and finals in Lyon.
“It will be magnificent,” Infantino said. “France is a great football nation for both men and women.”
NCAAFB: Heisman Trophy odds: Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield the new favorite to win the award.
Infantino, who attended the official launch of the tournament that will be organized in France in 2019, said on Tuesday that the previous edition in Canada in 2015 was watched by 750 million viewers.
Speaking alongside French federation president Noel Le Graet and French Sports Minister Laura Flessel, Infantino said “our goal is to reach one billion in France in 2019.”
The tournament, which will run from June 7 to July 7, will gather 24 teams in six groups.
France will kick off the event at Parc des Princes in Paris, with the semifinals and finals in Lyon.
“It will be magnificent,” Infantino said. “France is a great football nation for both men and women.”
NCAAFB: Heisman Trophy odds: Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield the new favorite to win the award.
By Tom Fornelli
Mayfield has passed last year's Heisman winner, Lamar Jackson.
Three weeks into the college football season, we have a new Heisman Trophy front-runner.
According to the latest odds from Bovada, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is now the favorite to win the award in 2017, passing last year's winner Lamar Jackson. While Mayfield was a finalist for the award in 2016, he was a distant third behind Jackson and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson.
Jackson went from 7/4 odds to 11/2 in the latest update, putting him in a tie for second with USC QB Sam Darnold.
Here are the top 10 favorites according to Bovada.
Heisman odds
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma: 7/4
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: 11/2
Sam Darnold, QB, USC: 11/2
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: 9/1
Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State: 9/1
Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon: 25/1
Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon: 25/1
Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama: 25/1
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: 25/1
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State: 40/1
Illinois adds UCF grad transfer QB Pete DiNovo.
By John Taylor
(Photo/Getty Images)
Illinois has an immediate addition to its quarterback room. Or its wide receivers room, depending on how things play out.
Pete DiNovo confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times Monday that he has decided to transfer to the Illini. The acknowledgment comes a month after DiNovo decided to transfer from Central Florida.
As a graduate transfer, DiNovo would be eligible to play immediately this season. Per the player, a former high school teammate and former high school coach currently at Illinois played a role in his decision.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way everything turned out,” DiNovo told the Times. “I can come up here and learn from Lovie (Smith) and everyone else on the coaching staff.”
DiNovo began his Knights career as a quarterback — he replaced Blake Bortles as UCF’s starter before being quickly replaced himself — before being moved to wide receiver before being moved back under center this offseason. How the Illini will use DiNovo, who has an eye on a career in coaching after his playing days are over, remains to be seen.
NCAABKB: Candid Coaches: Who is the most powerful person in all of college basketball?
By Gary Parrish
CBS Sports college basketball writers Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander and Reid Forgrave spent much of July on the road in cities across the country, covering the live recruiting periods. While there, and in the weeks since, they've surveyed coaches for our annual Candid Coaches series. They polled everyone from head coaches at elite programs to assistants at some of the smallest Division I schools. In exchange for complete anonymity, coaches provided unfiltered honesty about a number of topics in the sport. Over a two-week period, we are posting the results on several questions posed to more than 100 coaches.
Power in college basketball comes in many forms.
Sometimes it's held by people in an official capacity -- like college coaches and commissioners. Other times it's held by people with the most influence over prospects -- like grassroots coaches and shoe company representatives. Other times it's held by people who operate in the shadows -- like runners for agents and agents themselves. And sometimes, yes, even the media has power within the sport -- specifically the power to hold people accountable and create change. So, with all of that in mind, we asked more than 100 college basketball coaches the following question:
Who is the most powerful person in college basketball?
| Rank | Power player | Entity | Vote percentage |
| 1. | Mike Krzyzewski | Duke | 43.7 percent |
| 2. | John Calipari | Kentucky | 20.4 percent |
| 3. | Jim Delany | Big Ten | 8.7 percent |
| 4. | Bret Just | CAA | 6.8 percent |
| 5. | Jay Bilas | ESPN | 5.8 percent |
| T6. | Adam Silver | NBA | 1.9 percent |
| T6. | Dan Gavitt | NCAA | 1.9 percent |
| T6. | Rick Pitino | Louisville | 1.9 percent |
| T6. | William Wesley | CAA | 1.9 percent |
(Only those receiving multiple votes are listed.)
Quotes that stood out
- "It's K because of his USA Basketball influence. ... His thoughts have more weight than anybody else's. And I would think, probably with Nike, he has juice there too."
- "Coach K is the biggest deal in our sport. And the USA Basketball thing is what took it to another level. He gets [expletive] done. Who else could get that Marvin Bagley deal done like him? And he's bullet-proof too. Corey Maggette situation. Nothing comes of it. Lance Thomas situation. Nothing comes of it. Totally bullet-proof. Have to respect it."
- "He's coached the best in the world with USA Basketball, won all those gold medals and titles. He's got Nike influence. And did you see Kevin Durant at Peach Jam? Who's the coach KD went out of his way to stop and talk with? Coach K. Kids notice that."
On John Calipari ...
- "He's under 60, in the Hall of Fame and is recruiting the very, very best of the best. His name is floated for every NBA job out there. ... He's famous figure outside of just college basketball. People know him, and what really made it happen for him was the 30 for 30."
- "He's successful, a trendsetter, outspoken and polarizing. Even if you don't follow college basketball, you know Coach Cal."
- "He's changed how people do things. He's changed the mindset of parents and of players. He's made everyone up their game in terms of facilities and doing everything first class and trying to be big time. He by far has the most power in college basketball. Even Coach K has changed what he does because of what Calipari's doing."
On Jim Delaney ...
- "He's an older guy. But he always still has new ideas. I read where that Big Ten network he created is just a money machine. Totally changed the game."
- "He blew it open with the cable. Changed the structure with the league. And he's going to blow it open with the schedule too."
- "Nobody has more influence over officials. He's very, very powerful."
On Bret Just ...
- "He took Andy Enfield from Florida Gulf Coast to USC. Took Brad Underwood from Stephen F. Austin to Oklahoma State -- and then moved him to Illinois. Got that crazy Chris Beard deal done to Texas Tech. Got Mike Hopkins moved [from Syracuse] to Washington under the radar. His fingerprints are on almost everything."
- "He's involved in just about every coaching search. One of his guys doesn't get every job. But he usually has one of his guys in there deep."
- "He's pretty smart. That's all I'll say about that."
On Jay Bilas ...
- "No matter what he speaks on, coaches listen to him. Other media outlets listen to him. He's got credibility with the student-athlete because he supports them. I think administrators hear his voice. He touches every part of the spectrum when it comes to college basketball. I don't know if he has the most influence, but he's the most heard person in college basketball."
- "A guy like Jay Bilas might have some juice. When he says it, a good journalist listens. There's credibility there. And his answers are always well thought out."
- "Bilas isn't afraid to highlight the hypocrisy in college sports. He tells the truth. He calls people out. He can shape the narrative about a situation, and coaches are aware of that. He's way too smart to just be a basketball analyst. He should have an actual position of power in the sport."
Takeaways
Mike Krzyzewski is a Hall of Famer who doubles as the winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history. He's in possession of five national championships and three Olympic gold medals. He's set to coach the team that's ranked No. 1 in the CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 (and one) thanks to the enrollment of a recruiting class also ranked No. 1. He's in charge of the biggest brand in the nation's best basketball conference. His voice matters more than anybody else's voice. And those are just some the reasons he was the obvious answer to this question that will conclude our annual Candid Coaches series.
Coach K accounted for more than twice as many votes as any other person.
His influence over USA Basketball was repeatedly referenced.
"Anybody who doesn't think his role with USA Basketball has helped him on the recruiting trail is crazy," one source said. "He's literally had the power to decide who gets to represent the United States. He got Mason Plumlee on the team! That's power!"
John Calipari was a reasonable alternative answer.
"He got ESPN to turn a 30 for 30 into a recruiting commercial for him," said one source. "Not that he needed the help. But that definitely didn't hurt. ... And he's changed the sport with his approach. K is probably more powerful. But even K has had to adjust the way he does things because of the way Cal was doing things. And you know Cal loves that."
Krzyzewski and Calipari were the only people to get at least 9 percent of the vote -- but the next three names were interesting. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany finished third primarily because his creation of the Big Ten Network has produced so much money for member institutions that each Big Ten school can now easily afford to run its men's basketball program in a first-class way. Furthermore, Delany's philosophy as it relates to scheduling is also changing things in both the Big Ten and other leagues. And multiple coaches claimed Delany has more influence over officiating than any other person on the planet, for what it's worth.
Next on the list was Bret Just.
He's the CAA agent who represents Texas' Shaka Smart, South Carolina's Frank Martin, USC's Andy Enfield, Illinois' Brad Underwood, Texas Tech's Chris Beard, Washington's Mike Hopkins, Nebraska's Tim Miles, Oregon State's Wayne Tinkle, Houston's Kelvin Sampson and many others. Like one coach told us, Just is involved in most coaching searches these days -- and it's fair to suggest he's the only reason Illinois now employs Underwood because, if not for Just's behind-the-scenes work, Illinois officials probably wouldn't have ever even thought it was possible to lure Underwood away from Oklahoma State. Likewise, would Washington officials ever have known Hopkins was an option without Just being involved? Probably not.
So that's where his power lies.
He is dictating, on some level, who coaches where.
Jay Bilas was the only media member to get votes, which makes sense, because the ESPN analyst is universally respected and his voice resonates. He helps keep the NCAA in check on eligibility issues, helps keep coaches in check when they restrict transfers for petty reasons. He sides with the student-athlete, always. And it was interesting to hear some coaches acknowledge they wish Bilas actually had a larger role in the sport.
There is no such thing as a College Basketball Commissioner.
But, if there were, Bilas would make a good one.
That's what some coaches think. And I agree. But, for now, he'll just continue to use his presence on television and Twitter to throw around whatever power he might have while making whatever difference he can.
It’s like a boxing card that’s announced years ahead of time: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell vs. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, coming in 2021!
Goodell was close to getting a five-year extension this summer (which should happen as long as Jerry Jones doesn’t block it), which has to be rooted at least partially in the NFL wanting continuity leading up to the threatened work stoppage in 2021 when the current collective-bargaining agreement expires. Smith will be there as well into 2021, as his new terms was unanimously approved by the NFLPA selection committee.
DeMaurice Smith unanimously elected NFLPA executive director again.
By Frank Schwab
(Photo/AP)
Smith has seen many people threaten to take his post, but he keeps lasting in his job. He has said a strike or lockout seems like a “virtual certainty” in 2021, and he’ll presumably be there to fight for the union against the NFL.
The relationship between the two sides has grown as contentious as ever. A lot of the debates center around the NFLPA’s angst that Goodell has absolute power over player discipline. However, if and when there’s a work stoppage, the key issue will be money. It always is. The NFLPA didn’t win too many battles in the last work stoppage, but perhaps in a few years will fight harder for things like guaranteed contracts and the elimination of the franchise tag.
Smith has his detractors and challengers, but he hasn’t been ousted of his spot yet. He’ll be there another four years, too.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, September 20, 2017.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1876 - Candy Cummings (Hartford) pitched two complete games in one day. He won 14-4 and 8-4.
1902 - Jim Callaghan pitched the first no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history.
1927 - Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the season. He beat his own record of 59 that he set in 1921.
1955 - Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) set a major league record with his fifth grand slam of the year.
1968 - Denny McClain (Detroit Tigers) became the first player to achieve 31 wins in 37 years.
1973 - Willie Mays announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
1973 - In an exhibition tennis match, Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in three straight sets. The event is viewed as a milestone in women's sports.
1981 - Marcus Allen (USC) rushed for 274 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 21-0 victory over Indiana.
1982 - The NFL Players Association announced that a strike would begin at the completion of the Packers-Giants game on Monday night.
1984 - Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds) recorded his 100th hit of the season. It was the 22nd consecutive season he had recorded at least 100 hits in a season.
1985 - Tommy Kramer (Minnesota Vikings) threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings lost to the Chicago Bears 33-24.
1986 - Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres) stole five bases in one game against Houston.
1987 - Walter Payton scored his 107th touchdown to break the NFL record held by Jim Brown.
1993 - John Carney (San Diego Chargers) kicked six field goals to extend his consecutive field goal streak to 29 straight games. The Chargers beat the Houston Oilers 18-17.
1998 - Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore Orioles) ended his record streak of playing in 2,632 games. He had played in every game since May 30, 1982.
1902 - Jim Callaghan pitched the first no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history.
1927 - Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the season. He beat his own record of 59 that he set in 1921.
1955 - Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs) set a major league record with his fifth grand slam of the year.
1968 - Denny McClain (Detroit Tigers) became the first player to achieve 31 wins in 37 years.
1973 - Willie Mays announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
1973 - In an exhibition tennis match, Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in three straight sets. The event is viewed as a milestone in women's sports.
1981 - Marcus Allen (USC) rushed for 274 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 21-0 victory over Indiana.
1982 - The NFL Players Association announced that a strike would begin at the completion of the Packers-Giants game on Monday night.
1984 - Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds) recorded his 100th hit of the season. It was the 22nd consecutive season he had recorded at least 100 hits in a season.
1985 - Tommy Kramer (Minnesota Vikings) threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns. The Vikings lost to the Chicago Bears 33-24.
1986 - Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres) stole five bases in one game against Houston.
1987 - Walter Payton scored his 107th touchdown to break the NFL record held by Jim Brown.
1993 - John Carney (San Diego Chargers) kicked six field goals to extend his consecutive field goal streak to 29 straight games. The Chargers beat the Houston Oilers 18-17.
1998 - Cal Ripken, Jr. (Baltimore Orioles) ended his record streak of playing in 2,632 games. He had played in every game since May 30, 1982.
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