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Trending: Cubs' ace Jake Arrieta becomes first 20-game winner with shutout. (See baseball section for details).
Trending: Blackhawks shake off rust in preseason win over Red Wings. (See hockey section for details).
Trending: Patrick Kane accuser's lawyer to hold news conference. (See hockey section for details).
Trending: Patrick Kane accuser's lawyer to hold news conference. (See hockey section for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! After losses to Packers and Cardinals, Bears are … what, exactly?
Trying to make sense out of what unfolded Sunday in Soldier Field, because some of it really doesn’t make sense...
The great misfortune of the Marc Trestman era was that in part because of coaching, the whole was so much less than the sum of the parts; a team good enough to win eight games in 2013 despite an avalanche of injuries on defense degenerated into whatever the 2014 Bears were by the end.
There is no such thing as an overachiever but the whole point of coaching is to sports-wise enable and draw the absolute best from a group of players. That’s why John Fox was hired, as well as Vic Fangio and the rest.
Perhaps then the disturbing aspect of the Bears’ 48-23 loss Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, apart from specific instances of incompetence, was that so much of the damage done to the Bears was self-destruction, which was directly opposite the general expectation of an accomplished coaching staff like Fox’s.
“What killed us were self-inflicted wounds,” said left tackle Jermon Bushrod.
Those fell into more than one classification, unfortunately. And fair or not, coaches typically are blamed for a team as bereft of discipline as the Bears were Sunday, although Jimmy Clausen, in his first 2015 declaration as presumptive Bears starting quarterback, took the back of his mates.
“We’re not undisciplined,” Clausen stated post-game. “I don’t agree with that statement at all. The biggest thing is we’ve got to get everyone on the same page so we don’t have those same mistakes and we can keep letting drives go. ... I have to do a better job of communicating with those guys, just moving the chains down the field.”
The problem is that the Bears help so much. Despite playing two of the more reputable offenses in the NFC, the Bears outgained both, by a combined 737-622.
Except for the giveaway yards. The undisciplined ones.
The Bears incurred 170 yards in penalties, tying a franchise record set 71 years ago, 14 misdeeds in all. Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer, who ran his winning streak to eight games dating back through last season, passed for 185 total yards; the Bears gave the Cardinals 80 passing yards on pass-interference calls and another 15 on a roughing-the-passer infraction.
The Bears were penalized six times in the first half; with time to reorganize and collect themselves at halftime, they drew 11 penalties over the final 30 minutes.
The reality, as evidenced by the Green Bay game, is that too many of the mistakes lay beyond the reach of the coaches and lay in dismal execution. Of Arizona’s 42 points through three quarters, 35 of them were the direct result of catastrophe misplays and mistakes by the Bears.
Arizona’s first and second touchdown drives covered a combined 145 yards; the Bears gave the Cardinals 80 of those yards on pass-interference penalties by cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Alan Ball.
But it was far worse than just those two plays. Far worse.
The Cardinals returned the opening kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, which could be ascribed to superior scheme and execution except that it was clear that Bears coverage personnel almost to a man was incapable of getting off blocks.
Fuller committed an obvious pass-interference penalty after failing to get any initial jam of receiver John Brown. That flag cost the Bears 42 yards and put the football at the Chicago 11-yard line.
The deadlies
Bears quarterbacks threw two interceptions, giving the ball to Arizona once in the end zone (the pick-six of Cutler) and once at the Chicago 32-yard line, both turnovers turning into touchdowns.
Clausen’s third-quarter interception by Patrick Peterson left the Cardinals at the Chicago 32, and two plays later the Cardinals were in the end zone.
Bad teams do the kinds of things the Bears do. That’s why they’re bad. And maybe the Bears, being without expected critical components (Jeremiah Ratliff, Kevin White, Ray McDonald, Alshon Jeffery), are. And maybe it’s not really that simple.
“The difference between 5-11 and 11-5 is this much,” said defensive end Jared Allen, holding two fingers nearly together. “I hate to break it to the fans and [media]. It’s not a big difference. It’s not a whole lot of changes you need to make. It’s execution at this level. It’s execution and guys making a play here or there to change the tide of the game.
“Very rarely are you going to see pure domination. And that’s the difference. We’re going to keep plugging away. I know everybody on the outside looks at the score. We look at the details. If you fix the details, everything else corrects itself.”
That will be worth watching. Because right now, on a John Fox-coached team, some things aren’t making sense.
ESPN gives Bears best odds to earn NFL's No. 1 draft pick.
By Tony Andracki
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(Photo/csnchicago.com)
When the NFL Draft comes back to Chicago next spring, will the Bears have the No. 1 overall pick?
According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Bears have the best odds to finish with the worst record in the league, sitting above the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars:
Highest % chance to have the No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft according to FPI:
Bears (22%)
Raiders (15%)
Bucs (13%)
Browns (11%)
Jags (7%)
Can you imagine the Bears going up against Lovie Smith and the Bucs in a battle for the No. 1 pick Week 16?
Bears Promote David Fales to 53-man Roster.
By Brad Biggs
David Fales warms up before a game against the Green Bay Packers. (Photo/Nam Y. Huh / AP)
With Jay Cutler expected to miss time with a hamstring injury, the Chicago Bears promoted David Fales to the 53-man roster and brought in two quarterbacks for a tryout.
Fales was bumped up from the practice squad to be the backup to Jimmy Clausen while Cutler is injured. According to an NFL source, Alex Tanney and Justin Worley worked out for the team at Halas Hall.
Tanney, the younger brother of the team’s former analytics director Mitch Tanney, worked out for the Bears in late August last year and played at Division III Monmouth College. Tanney was on the Buffalo Bills practice squad earlier this season.
Worley is an undrafted rookie free agent from Tennessee and was the Gatorade national high school player of the year in 2010 at Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern.
The tryout also included a pair of wide receivers, Deonte Thompson and DeVier Posey. Thompson, from Florida, was signed to the practice squad. Thompson has appeared in 14 career games since 2012 with the Baltimore Ravens and Bills and has 15 catches for 147 yards. He was released by the Bills with an injury settlement earlier this month. Bills coach Rex Ryan said during preseason that the team received trade inquiries about Thompson, who has ability as a returner and could be considered in that role for the Bears. Posey was drafted in the third round by the Texans in 2012 and has also spent time with the Jets, who waived him in August.
The Bears placed rookie cornerback Bryce Callahan on waivers. Callahan had six snaps on defense in the loss to the Cardinals on Sunday at Soldier Field but was one of the players to blame for David Johnson’s 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play. Callahan vacated his lane and created a big hole up the left side for Johnson.
Defensive back Demontre Hurst was re-signed to the practice squad, as expected, and the Bears released wide receiver Ify Umodu from the practice squad.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Blackhawks shake off rust in preseason win over Red Wings.
By C. Roumeliotis
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Trevor Daley's welcome to Chicago moment came in his Blackhawks debut — albeit preseason — after he registered the game-winning goal in a 5-4 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at the United Center.
"It was pretty special," Daley said after the game. "I've never had an exhibition game like this before. Even last night was a little overwhelming too. These fans are awesome. It's a fun atmosphere to be in."
It's the first time the Blackhawks experienced a 3-on-3 overtime situation, which was implemented to help reduce the amount of games ending in a shootout.
And it ended up in their favor on Tuesday.
"I think it's great," Jonathan Toews, who scored registered a goal and assist in the win, said of the new overtime format. "It gives us a chance to finish it with the players on the ice. ... It's a new element of the game that we're gonna have to get used to, but it was a lot of fun for sure."
The Blackhawks picked up right where they left off the last time they played a game on home ice jumping out to a three-goal lead.
Kyle Baun opened the scoring 7:16 into the game, showing impressive concentration by swatting the puck from mid-air while falling down near the top of the crease.
Less than a minute later, Toews, who already looks to be in regular-season form, gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead with a wrister that beat Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard short side.
Teuvo Teravainen added to the scoring early in the second, but the Red Wings went on to score four of the next five goals, sending the game to overtime, which the Blackhawks went on to win.
Ryan Garbutt registered his first goal in a Blackhawks uniform early in the third, while Anthony Mantha, Riley Sheahan, Teemu Pulkkinen, and Luke Glendening each scored for the Red Wings.
Scott Darling showed no signs of rust, stopping all 22 shots he faced in nearly 30 minutes of action.
"A little shaky at first, but the more the shots came, I felt a little bit better," Darling said. "Slowly but surely getting back into it. Those scrimmages down at Notre Dame were nice to shake the rust off and get used to real hockey plays, not just goalie training."
Many of the Red Wings' top players — including former Blackhawks center Brad Richards — did not play and will likely do so Wednesday night when the Blackhawks travel to Joe Louis Arena.
Patrick Kane accuser's lawyer to hold news conference.
By John Wawrow
The lawyer representing the woman who has made an allegation of being sexually assaulted by Chicago Blackhawks star forward Patrick Kane has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas Eoannou confirmed in a text to The Associated Press on Tuesday that he will address reporters at his law office in downtown Buffalo. Eoannou did not provide any further details.
It will be the first time he has spoken publicly about the case since Hamburg police launched an investigation against Kane in early August.
Kane is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s at his offseason home in suburban Buffalo on Aug. 2.
Kane has not been charged.
Kane's lawyer, Paul Cambria, declined comment to The AP when asked about Eoannou's decision to hold a news conference.
Last week, Kane broke his silence regarding the investigation when reporting for the start of Blackhawks training camp at Notre Dame University.
Kane said he did nothing wrong and expected to be absolved. He also apologized for the distraction he has caused his family, teammates, the Blackhawks organization and fans.
Kane then declined to answer questions about the investigation, including how he would deal with playing for the Blackhawks when issues arose in the investigation.
"I can't answer that right now," said Kane, who in June helped Chicago win its third Stanley Cup title in six years. "I really do appreciate your question and know where you're coming from, but at this point in time to speculate about certain things that are going to happen just wouldn't be right."
On Tuesday night, Kane had an assist in the Blackhawks' preseason-opening 5-4 win over Detroit at Chicago. The two teams play again at Detroit on Wednesday night.
Officials have provided few updates on the investigation since it was first launched.
In his only public statement, Hamburg Police Chief Gregory Wickett said last month that the investigation involved something that may have happened at Kane's home overlooking Lake Erie. Wickett said police were gathering information and awaiting results of forensic tests.
Two weeks ago, Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita postponed presenting evidence from the investigation to a grand jury, a person familiar with the proceedings told The AP. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the grand jury proceedings were not made public.
The person said, the grand jury proceedings have not yet been rescheduled.
Veteran Tomas Kopecky trying to latch on - again - with Blackhawks.
By Chris Kuc
So when it came to choosing the team with which he would sign a tryout agreement in the hopes of extending his NHL career, the veteran forward came back to the Blackhawks.
At 33, Kopecky is in training camp trying to latch on with the franchise he helped win the 2010 Stanley Cup and a season later set career highs in goals and points. Following the 2010-11 season, during which he had 15 goals and 27 assists, the Hawks traded the rights to the soon-to-be free agent to the Panthers, with whom Kopecky signed and spent the last four seasons.
While South Florida was nice, leaving the bulk of the group that brought the Hawks their first championship in 49 years was difficult.
"I wanted to stay here in Chicago, but it's a business," said Kopecky, who has 68 goals and 106 assist in 578 career games. "I've kind of learned that along the way. I chose to come back here because this is one of the top organizations and it's a winning organization. That's what I want to do. I want to win.
"It's awesome to see all the familiar faces and a couple of young kids too. I'm really appreciative for getting a tryout. We'll see what happens."
With the roster in flux after an offseason of radical change, Kopecky is vying for a spot on a Hawks team that could have use for a hard-nosed, experienced player who can slot into any forward position and provide net-front presence on the power play and kill penalties.
The two-time Cup winner — he won his first with the 2008 Red Wings — described his game as "kind of gritty, get in front of the net and get into people's faces and agitating — whatever it takes."
Helping Kopecky's bid is the familiarity he shares with Joel Quenneville and his coaching staff.
"They obviously know what I do and what I did when we were successful," said Kopecky, who was in contact with several other teams before settling on the Hawks. "They know what kind of player I am and that helps a lot. ... I kind of know what their expectations are. That makes my job a little easier. And I'm familiar with the city, the people playing here and the style they play."
Said Quenneville: "Certainly, we know Kopy. He's one of those experienced guys that you can play him in multiple positions. He can do a number of different things. He can be a net-front guy on your power play, he can kill penalties. He can take face-offs, he can play wing. But his experience is part of it."
Kopecky did not play in Tuesday night's exhibition opener against the Red Wings at the United Center but is expected to see plenty of action during the preseason as the coaching staff determines if he can contribute in a 10th NHL season.
If the Hawks decide they don't have a roster spot for Kopecky, he has no plans to retire but doesn't want to play with Rockford of the AHL.
"I probably would try a different option, either another (NHL) team or Europe," Kopecky said. He added that he wants to play "at least a couple of more years. Hopefully, it works out here."
Goon-less: In the past, Quenneville has gone out of his way to make sure the Hawks had an enforcer on the roster, but that no longer appears to be the case.
"Certainly, (that) changed to almost a whole different level last year," Quenneville said. "It looked like the need for that type of player wasn't there. When you saw a couple of fights in our schedule up at Notre Dame (last weekend), it was like, 'I can't remember the last time I saw a fight live.' So, I don't know if that's the way the game is now, whether the need is there. It's almost to a different level where you don't need that one-dimensional tough guy."
World view: Quenneville's name has been mentioned as a possible candidate to coach Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey next year.
"It would be a great honor," he said. "It's a great environment. It would competitive as heck. It'd definitely be a privilege and it'll be a great event."
Trevor Daley adjusting to changes with Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
Trevor Daley picked up his pace as he chased Patrick Kane on a breakaway attempt in Sunday’s scrimmage. He got his stick on the puck at the last minute, poking it away from Kane and denying the scoring chance.
“Good thing I don’t have to worry about that anymore. He’s on my side,” Daley said with a laugh afterward.
After facing the Blackhawks for his entire NHL career, Daley is now one of them. It’s been a fairly smooth transition so far for the defenseman, who played 11 seasons in Dallas before coming here in the trade that sent Patrick Sharp to the Stars. The adjustments continued on Monday night, when Daley participated in the Blackhawks’ training camp festival at the United Center.
Still, there are changes, and that’s to be expected.
“It’s a bit of a difference,” said Daley. “I’ve known one way my whole career. Just coming in, it’s a new environment, all new people, new ways. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Daley talked over the summer about knowing a trade could happen at some point. And even though he was joining the Blackhawks, who had just won their third Stanley Cup in the last six seasons, it wasn’t easy saying goodbye to the only pro organization he’s known. Daley said he talked with Jason Spezza, who spent his entire career with the Ottawa Senators before he was traded to Dallas in the summer of 2014.
“When the trade happened, he was one of the first guys I talked to. [He told me] what to expect and how it is,” Daley said. “The transition’s been easy. Showing up and not knowing what to expect, with the group of guys that’s up here it’s been real easy.”
Coach Joel Quenneville said Daley had a solid start at Notre Dame.
“He's around a new setting and new guys. Who knows exactly who's going to be his partner, but I think he gives us another dimension on the back end with some involvement on the attack,” he said. “Defending… we want to make sure that we're all strong in that area and I think he can help us.”
Daley worked with Brent Seabrook in the Notre Dame scrimmages. As Quenneville said, who knows who Daley’s partner will be once the season starts; but Daley said Seabrook was a huge help last weekend.
“It’s been great to have a guy who’s been here for a long time,” Daley said. “He’s talked to me a ton. He’s telling me a lot of things, what the coaches expect from us as defensemen. It’s been good to have a guy like that. No matter how many games you’ve played in this league, when you go to a new team, it’s a different atmosphere. Teams play different ways. So to have a guy like that, there couldn’t be a much better one to learn from.”
BRIEFLY
- Artemi Panarin, originally set to play in Monday’s scrimmage, has an upper-body injury and will be out a few days. Quenneville said Panarin will sit more for maintenance; the injury isn’t serious.
- Most of the Blackhawks’ top players, including Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Kane, Seabrook, Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson, did not play on Monday. Quenneville said a lot of the top players – asked specifically about Kane, he said, “likely” – should play against Detroit on Tuesday.
- Quenneville said Marcus Kruger, who is still at home due to a visa issue, should join the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
Marko Dano takes Advantage of 'lottery' line opportunity..
By Tracey Myers
Marko Dano got a big smile on his face when talking about his linemates. The new kid in town drew Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews.
“I was thinking this is going to be fun,” Dano said with a laugh. “They’re great players and there’s a lot I can learn from them, so I’m real excited about being on a line with them.”
It was a pretty nice start for Dano, whose weekend included three goals in one scrimmage.
As one of the players acquired from Columbus for Brandon Saad, it’s fitting that, at least for now, Dano is taking Saad’s place on the top line. As coach Joel Quenneville quipped, “that’s the lottery spot when you get to play on that line.” Dano’s usually a right wing but he doesn’t mind playing on the left, and Quenneville said Dano’s skills are evident.
“Watching him in practice prior to getting on the ice I noticed his quickness, I know he had a little pace to him,” Quenneville said. “He’s definitely got some size. He doesn’t look like he’s that big but he’s powerful. He may be low in stature but he’s thick and he’s big and he’s got some strength in the puck area.”
For Dano, the chance to learn from Toews and Hossa, especially Hossa – Dano’s father played with Hossa many years ago, and the two live in the same city in Slovakia – is gratifying. Nevertheless, there is a daunting quality joining two of the best players in the league.
“It’s a little bit hard from the beginning, but with every practice, with every scrimmage it’s coming easier,” Dano said on Saturday. “We started today like yesterday [we] were a little bit struggling with looking at each other on the ice. We were trying to find ourselves. But today we saw each other a little bit better and we had a couple points out there.”
So this combination could work?
“I don’t see why not,” Toews said. “He’s a good young player, big and strong, and he has a good shot. Obviously there’s a lot of potential there. You make sure he’s comfortable so he doesn’t have to think too much. I can imagine what it’s like to come in and play with a couple of top-line guys. My mentality, if I were in that position, would be to think about getting the two players the puck all the time; got to reassure him to just keep thinking about making the right play and if he does that, he’ll be fine. Combinations can change, but it’s exciting to see what can happen in that regard.”
Dano got off to a great start, getting a chance on the top line and getting a few goals. Sure, those goals were early training camp goals. But for a player trying to adjust to a new team, systems and linemates, you take every positive.
“With every goal that we score on the ice, it doesn’t matter if it’s a scrimmage or preseason game, the confidence is going higher and also the chemistry,” Dano said. “It’s a good thing we can score goals from the beginning of the season and [we’ve] just got to work hard and keep going.”
“I was thinking this is going to be fun,” Dano said with a laugh. “They’re great players and there’s a lot I can learn from them, so I’m real excited about being on a line with them.”
It was a pretty nice start for Dano, whose weekend included three goals in one scrimmage.
As one of the players acquired from Columbus for Brandon Saad, it’s fitting that, at least for now, Dano is taking Saad’s place on the top line. As coach Joel Quenneville quipped, “that’s the lottery spot when you get to play on that line.” Dano’s usually a right wing but he doesn’t mind playing on the left, and Quenneville said Dano’s skills are evident.
“Watching him in practice prior to getting on the ice I noticed his quickness, I know he had a little pace to him,” Quenneville said. “He’s definitely got some size. He doesn’t look like he’s that big but he’s powerful. He may be low in stature but he’s thick and he’s big and he’s got some strength in the puck area.”
For Dano, the chance to learn from Toews and Hossa, especially Hossa – Dano’s father played with Hossa many years ago, and the two live in the same city in Slovakia – is gratifying. Nevertheless, there is a daunting quality joining two of the best players in the league.
“It’s a little bit hard from the beginning, but with every practice, with every scrimmage it’s coming easier,” Dano said on Saturday. “We started today like yesterday [we] were a little bit struggling with looking at each other on the ice. We were trying to find ourselves. But today we saw each other a little bit better and we had a couple points out there.”
So this combination could work?
“I don’t see why not,” Toews said. “He’s a good young player, big and strong, and he has a good shot. Obviously there’s a lot of potential there. You make sure he’s comfortable so he doesn’t have to think too much. I can imagine what it’s like to come in and play with a couple of top-line guys. My mentality, if I were in that position, would be to think about getting the two players the puck all the time; got to reassure him to just keep thinking about making the right play and if he does that, he’ll be fine. Combinations can change, but it’s exciting to see what can happen in that regard.”
Dano got off to a great start, getting a chance on the top line and getting a few goals. Sure, those goals were early training camp goals. But for a player trying to adjust to a new team, systems and linemates, you take every positive.
“With every goal that we score on the ice, it doesn’t matter if it’s a scrimmage or preseason game, the confidence is going higher and also the chemistry,” Dano said. “It’s a good thing we can score goals from the beginning of the season and [we’ve] just got to work hard and keep going.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Is coach Fred Hoiberg the answer in Chicago?
(Photo/Pro Basketball Talk)
In the minds of a lot of fans and experts, the Chicago Bulls are the team best positioned to challenge to Cleveland for supremacy in the East.
You can credit Steve Kerr for that.
Or maybe you should blame him.
Last season, Kerr came into Golden State with no head coaching experience, following a respected coach who had won 51 games, put in a more up-tempo and motion-based offense, broke up the traditional starting lineup, kept the focus on the defensive end, and won a title.
This season, Fred Hoiberg comes into Chicago with no NBA head coaching experience, following a respected but headstrong coach who won 50 games, will install an up-tempo and more motion based offense, likely will change around the traditional front-court lineup, and is talking about keeping a defensive focus.
There are plenty of similarities.
Will that be enough to make the Chicago Bulls contenders?
Probably not. Because beyond the similarities, the Bulls have far more questions to answer than those Warriors did — specifically ones about age and what their key players have left in the tank. Plus, the Warriors were incredibly lucky on the injury front last season — is anyone willing to bet that happens with the Bulls?
Health of the players — specifically running them into the ground until they were tired and more injury prone — was the biggest sticking point between Tom Thibodeau and John Paxon, Gar Forman and the rest of Bulls management. In this case management was right. In an era where more and more studies are showing players perform better and their injury risk goes down with increased rest, Thibodeau coached from an old-school “if they’re healthy they can play” mentality. The result was Jimmy Butler playing a league-leading 38.7 minutes per game, followed by Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose all playing at least 30 minutes a game (and Mike Dunleavy was at 29.2.). We’d seen this Bulls movie before — they broke down physically and never fully recovered from their injuries. By the time the playoffs rolled around, they didn’t have the legs and health to truly threaten a banged-up Cavaliers squad.
We know this for sure — Hoiberg is going to rest guys. Minutes per game will go down, and there will be more nights off for guys who need it. Bulls players should be fresher come the playoffs.
The question is will that be enough to bring key guys back to near their peak form? Noah, Gasol, Taj Gibson, Kirk Heinrich, and Mike Dunleavy are all 30 or older, and while Rose is 27 there is some heavy mileage on those legs. Even with more rest, at the age of these players injuries are more likely. The bigger question becomes, is a little more rest going to return Rose and Noah close to the level of a former MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively?
That is the one key difference between Kerr’s and Hoiberg’s situations — Kerr took over a young team with guys like Klay Thomson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes and others. Those players are early in their career, relatively healthy, and still taking big steps forward in levels of play each year. Kerr had a team primed to improve, to grow, if the right coach came along.
Hoiberg takes over a Bulls squad that has been a borderline contender for five years now. Even rested, how much more are Rose, Noah, Gasol or Gibson are going to improve? We know who and what they are.
That said, Hoiberg should be able to put guys in better positions to succeed. The Bulls are going to play faster — Hoiberg’s Iowa State teams loved to push the tempo then run drag or double drag screens early in the clock — and that can get guys in better matchup before the defense sets. Gasol and Noah can set a double-drag for Rose, with Noah rolling to the rim and Gasol popping out for a jumper, and you can imagine how that is hard to defend if Rose is his old self. His half court sets have a lot of weakside movement, which is a needed change. Younger players such as Tony Snell, Butler, promising rookie Bobby Portis, and even Nikola Mirotic could thrive off the bench in this system.
The one interesting fit will be Gasol. As we saw at EuroBasket this summer, he operates best in the post or the elbow, where thanks to his fundamentals he can score or beat teams who collapse on him with great passing. But Hoiberg’s system doesn’t run a lot of post ups. If Gasol is relegated more to the perimeter, does this become a situation more like Mike D’Antoni’s Lakers where they struggled to find a fit for Gasol? Probably not, Hoiberg will be flexible, and expect them to try at times to get Gasol the ball deep in the post early in the clock when he beats his defender down court. Still, Gasol’s fit is something to watch.
One thing to expect — Hoiberg to shake up the Noah-Gasol combo, pairing one with Mirotic and one with Gibson in the rotation (then trying to find a spot for Portis). That alone has the potential make the Bulls front court more dynamic. The Gasol/Noah pairing is a little too slow for what Hoiberg wants to run.
As for defense, I don’t expect a big drop off — as much as scheme, Thibodeau’s defense was built around out-working the other team, and that kind of mentality doesn’t instantly fade away. Hoiberg may tweak the system, but the Bulls defense should still be top 10.
Hoiberg is going to bring needed changes to Chicago — ones Thibodeau was too stubborn to implement (in part because of his feud with the front office).
Will it make the Bulls better? Maybe, Thibs is a good coach and Hoiberg is unproven; we’ll have to wait and see.
Will it have them fresher come the playoffs? Almost certainly.
In that sense, Hoiberg is the answer the Bulls have been looking for.
But that answer doesn’t automatically lead to contention for a title. This is still an aging Bulls roster with some Thibodeau-level miles on the key players, and no matter what Hoiberg does it’s hard to imagine him lifting this team up past a healthy Cavaliers team.
It’s going to be interesting to watch them try, however.
NBA preseason primer: MVP candidates .
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Mark Strotman: I feel as though I was in the minority last year - the voting said so - but James Harden was my choice for MVP. His numbers were certainly worthy (27.4/5.7/7.0) and he was magnificent holding down the fort for the Rockets when Dwight Howard missed half the year. It seemingly went unnoticed by many, but Houston was the No. 2 seed in the West. Yes, a full 11 games behind Stephen Curry and the Warriors, but impressive nonetheless when considering the nightly task Harden was given. All the while Curry had the rest of his star-studded cast with him every time out (Thompson, Green and Barnes missed a combined eight games).
But I understand Curry getting the nod. Because there's always got to be a storyline with MVPs. After voter fatigue set in on LeBron James, Kevin Durant's historic shooting season vaulted him to the trophy. Then it was Curry, whose Dubs won 67 games with first-year head coach Steve Kerr on their way to a championship. A narrative works, and I actually agree with that being the case.
It's why I'm pegging Anthony Davis as my MVP favorite this season. After he willed the Pelicans to a playoff spot in the final week of the season over the Oklahoma City Westbrooks, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that he's going to make that jump toward super-stardom this season, where it's not a question that he's a top-5 player in the league. He's got one more tier to climb, and he's going to reach it this season. The Pelicans bring everyone back and bring in head coach Alvin Gentry, who should only help in Davis' offensive progression. If the Unibrow can have New Orleans sniff even a top-4 or 5 finish in the West, it'll be his trophy to lose.
Vincent Goodwill: Man, Anthony Davis is downright scary. In the last 20 years, there’s two No. 1 picks who can be placed before Davis. Tim Duncan (1997) and LeBron James (2003). That’s the list. Not Allen Iverson. Not Derrick Rose. Not Dwight Howard or even Andrew Wiggins, a future superstar in his own right. Nobody should be surprised a player with a Player Efficiency Rating over 30 in Year 3 is on the verge of embarrassing the league. And for the history buffs, Wilt Chamberlain is the only other NBA player to have a PER north of 30 in his first three years.
And despite all that, this year is earmarked as the Kevin Durant revenge tour. Certain years, you can tell before the season begins that a player is on a mission. In 1987, the Lakers turned the team over to Magic Johnson and relegated Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to a supporting player. MVP. In 1991, Michael Jordan was sick and tired of having the Detroit Pistons sic themselves on him physically and tiring him mentally. MVP. In 2000, Phil Jackson took over the Lakers and challenged Shaquille O’Neal to be better on both ends, get in shape and dedicate himself to the triangle. MVP.
That’s Durant. He already owns the 2013-14 MVP and is nearing free agency, but is coming off an injury-filled season that caused him to miss 55 games. If he’s healthy, small forwards beware. The most dangerous player in the league will be back to reclaim his throne and at 27 (come Media Day), should be back in line for another scoring title, a deep run in the playoffs and a run like we haven’t often seen in the NBA. He and Russell Westbrook will learn a new system with a new coach, and the Thunder could very well be the favorites to make it to June. A 50-40-90 year is possible but what’s more likely is a Durant rampage to make up for lost time. And I’m here for it.
MS: Count me in for a season of Durant reminding everyone who the league's most dominant scorer is. One of my favorite moments from his MVP season was the back-and-forth duel between Durant and LeBron in January; it almost felt like a passing of the torch (Durant had finished second three times to James) for the MVP that season. Durant was just a young pup in 2012 when the two met in the Finals, and I'd love to see another showdown with a matured Westbrook, a hungry Durant and a healthy Cavaliers team. Now, that being said, the game's best player still resides in your favorite town, Cleveland.
There's something to be said for James having a "down year" averaging 25.3/6.0/7.4 and holding a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals. I've watched his Game 3 performance against the Warriors a half dozen times this offseason, and come away more impressed each time. All things considered, it was the best Finals performance I've ever witnessed, and that series as a whole gives me the feeling that James is going to be on that same mission to remind people who's top dog this year. I remember reading Brian Windhorst, who wrote that James was secretly annoyed at the lack of attention he was getting for MVP last season. Some of that was justified. All of it will be used as fuel for the upcoming season, much like Durant.
Now he's in Year 2 under David Blatt, Kyrie Irving may miss time with his knee injury (which would only boost James' individual numbers) and, in terms of a storyline, the Cavs have ground to make up from last year's 53-win, second-place finish in the East. If James gets back to his (more) efficient ways, Cleveland runs away with the East like they should and everyone in the West beats up on each other James could be in line for MVP No. 5. Voter fatigue may have worn off after two seasons, and as cliche as it is, James will be determined as ever to bring a championship to Cleveland. If he plays 75+ games it'll be hard not to consider him the league's most valuable player.
VG: Unfortunately, James has entered the Jordan segment of his career where winning a fifth MVP will become dangerously hard because he’ll be judged against his own lofty standards. But there’s precedent. Jordan’s final MVP in 1998 was the worst of his five in terms of every major statistical category.
However, he was robbed of one in 1997 when voters got tired of awarding it to him every year so they closed their eyes and picked Karl Malone out of a hat. Not to mention he had a case in 1993 but Charles Barkley made the move to Phoenix so he was a popular, if not sentimental, selection.
I’m going to say this about LeBron and duck for cover: We’ve seen the best of him athletically, which could mean the best of him individually. Now, that’s not to say he isn’t the best player in the league by a longshot. He is.
But his numbers and efficiency have dropped to its lowest point since his second year, when he was a young and tender 20-year old. I don’t disagree with the premise that he was annoyed with not receiving MVP consideration last year, not dissimilar from his first season in Miami where voters all but eliminated him in July when he left Cleveland to join “Dwyane Wade’s team.”
While it’s understood James may have to do more until Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving get up to speed, he knows his body well enough to know after 35,000 regular-season minutes and 7,500 playoff minutes, he can’t go full throttle for 82 games anymore. Which is what it will require to win this year’s MVP.
How about last year’s top two vote-getters, winner Stephen Curry and runner-up James Harden? Curry still has that chip on his shoulder from being overlooked and let’s be honest, that God-given jumper isn’t going away. Never forget, his stats were deflated because Golden State had so many games tucked away before the end of three quarters. More teams coming for the champs means more competitive games means more opportunities for Steph to be Steph.
The case for Harden? Well, he averaged 27, seven assists and six boards. And he’s just 26. So if he’s truly peeved about not winning it last year, he could come harder this go round.
MS: I think it says a lot about where the NBA is that it took us 1,000+ words in to mention the guy who won it last season as a potential candidate. Curry's historic shooting numbers were a sight to behold, but it's probably too quick to say it's something we'll never see again, because, well....he could do the same this season. Harden is going to get his numbers, but after last season's performance it'll probably take a top seed in the West to get over the hump. Not sure that can happen, but an MVP makes the impossible reality.
Cubs' ace Jake Arrieta becomes first 20-game winner with shutout.
By Kyle Ringo
(Photo/Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta authored another chapter in a memorable season Tuesday night by throwing a complete game shutout to become the first 20-game winner this season in Major League Baseball.
Arrieta struck out 11 and allowed just three hits to the Milwaukee Brewers as he reached the 20-win milestone coveted by every starting pitcher and continuing to make a case for the National League Cy Young Award.
He was already well over 100 pitches when he stepped out of the home team's dugout at Wrigley Field to head to the mound in the top of the ninth inning. The 36,270 in attendance showered him with applause and he responded by striking out two of the three batters he faced to complete the 4-0 victory.
Arrieta became the first Cubs' pitcher to win 20 games in a season since Jon Lieber did so in 2001. It was the 18th consecutive quality start Arrieta has produced. He retired 14 straight at one point before giving up an infield hit in the fifth to Hernan Perez.
It was also a memorable night for rookie third baseman Kris Bryant who hit his 26th home run of the season to set a new Cubs' rookie record. Bryant drove in three of the team's four runs with fellow rookie Kyle Schwarber knocking in the other.
Arrieta threw 123 pitches and 85 went for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 1.88 and led the Cubs to their 89th win of the season. His primary competition for the Cy Young comes from the Los Angeles Dodgers tandem of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. It is making for one of the most interesting Cy Young decisions in recent memory.
Chicago has leaned heavily on Arrieta and he has come through consistently all season, going 9-1 in starts following a Cubs' loss.
Arrieta struck out 11 and allowed just three hits to the Milwaukee Brewers as he reached the 20-win milestone coveted by every starting pitcher and continuing to make a case for the National League Cy Young Award.
He was already well over 100 pitches when he stepped out of the home team's dugout at Wrigley Field to head to the mound in the top of the ninth inning. The 36,270 in attendance showered him with applause and he responded by striking out two of the three batters he faced to complete the 4-0 victory.
Arrieta became the first Cubs' pitcher to win 20 games in a season since Jon Lieber did so in 2001. It was the 18th consecutive quality start Arrieta has produced. He retired 14 straight at one point before giving up an infield hit in the fifth to Hernan Perez.
It was also a memorable night for rookie third baseman Kris Bryant who hit his 26th home run of the season to set a new Cubs' rookie record. Bryant drove in three of the team's four runs with fellow rookie Kyle Schwarber knocking in the other.
Arrieta threw 123 pitches and 85 went for strikes. He lowered his ERA to 1.88 and led the Cubs to their 89th win of the season. His primary competition for the Cy Young comes from the Los Angeles Dodgers tandem of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw. It is making for one of the most interesting Cy Young decisions in recent memory.
Chicago has leaned heavily on Arrieta and he has come through consistently all season, going 9-1 in starts following a Cubs' loss.
Jose Quintana strong again but White Sox lose in extras to Tigers.
By Dan Hayes
Another great season by Jose Quintana continues to go largely unrewarded.
While the White Sox avoided a combined no-hitter with a ninth-inning rally on Tuesday night, they failed yet again to deliver offense for Quintana in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Tyler Saladino tripled with one out in the ninth off Neftali Feliz to break up the Tigers’ no-hit bid and scored on Adam Eaton’s RBI single to take Quintana off the hook for what would have been another difficult loss. But Quintana earned his 12th no decision of the season and major-league leading 51st since 2012 despite only allowing a run in seven innings. Detroit won in the 10th on a two-out RBI triple by Rajai Davis off Zach Duke.
“It’s a shame,” catcher Tyler Flowers said. “Thank goodness (Quintana) didn’t take the loss today with how well he did and how deep he went into the game, again against a lineup that gives him a hard time.”
The White Sox offense has been notoriously bad with Quintana on the mound this season, producing two runs or fewer of support in 19 of his 31 starts. Those totals include seven total runs scored in Quintana’s 10 losses.
They were even worse on Tuesday.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris -- who worked on a strict pitch count -- retired all 15 batters he faced with ease. Reliever Buck Farmer struck out two in the sixth to keep a perfect bid alive for the Tigers, who never before had a combined no-hitter in club history. Ian Krol ended the perfect game when he hit Eaton with the second pitch of the seventh inning but retired the next three batters and passed the baton to Drew VerHagen, who delivered a perfect eighth inning.
“It’s kind of the same for (Quintana) -- there’s nothing there as far as getting scraps,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
Another great season by Jose Quintana continues to go largely unrewarded.
While the White Sox avoided a combined no-hitter with a ninth-inning rally on Tuesday night, they failed yet again to deliver offense for Quintana in a 2-1 loss in 10 innings to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Tyler Saladino tripled with one out in the ninth off Neftali Feliz to break up the Tigers’ no-hit bid and scored on Adam Eaton’s RBI single to take Quintana off the hook for what would have been another difficult loss. But Quintana earned his 12th no decision of the season and major-league leading 51st since 2012 despite only allowing a run in seven innings. Detroit won in the 10th on a two-out RBI triple by Rajai Davis off Zach Duke.
“It’s a shame,” catcher Tyler Flowers said. “Thank goodness (Quintana) didn’t take the loss today with how well he did and how deep he went into the game, again against a lineup that gives him a hard time.”
The White Sox offense has been notoriously bad with Quintana on the mound this season, producing two runs or fewer of support in 19 of his 31 starts. Those totals include seven total runs scored in Quintana’s 10 losses.
They were even worse on Tuesday.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris -- who worked on a strict pitch count -- retired all 15 batters he faced with ease. Reliever Buck Farmer struck out two in the sixth to keep a perfect bid alive for the Tigers, who never before had a combined no-hitter in club history. Ian Krol ended the perfect game when he hit Eaton with the second pitch of the seventh inning but retired the next three batters and passed the baton to Drew VerHagen, who delivered a perfect eighth inning.
“It’s kind of the same for (Quintana) -- there’s nothing there as far as getting scraps,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said.
Saladino broke up the no-hitter in the ninth inning with a one-out triple to left center off Neftali Feliz and Eaton singled past a drawn-in infield.
But the production arrived long after the departure of Quintana, who easily maneuvered his way through Tigers lineup for six innings. Quintana induced three double plays through five innings and faced only three over the minimum through six.
J.D. Martinez, Nick Castellanos and James McCann all singled with one out in the seventh inning to end the scoreless tie. But Quintana struck out Anthony Gose to strand two runners to end the inning.
He allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out five with strikes on 71 of 110 pitches.
“I knew (about the no-hitter) because I had the scoreboard right in front of me,” Quintana said. “That’s part of the game. The other starter threw five perfect innings. Every time when I go out I try to be focused on what I have control over.”
In his last 4 starts, Quintana is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings. He has allowed four runs (three earned) and 23 hits with five walks and 21 strikeouts.
Quintana -- who needs to record eight outs for his third straight season of at least 200 innings -- lowered his earned-run average to 3.38 and his Fielding Independent Pitching to 3.11, which is 16th lowest in the majors, according to fangraphs.com.
Despite a career ERA-plus of 115, Quintana never has received notoriety, not that he minds. Still, he’s never sniffed an All-Star roster spot nor do you ever hear his name mentioned among the American League’s top pitchers and it may stem from his career record, which sits at 33-34 through 121 games (118 starts).
Even so, Flowers said Quintana has the ability to focus every time out and never complains, which is why he believes he has been as successful as he has.
“I would guess (the record is) part of it,” Flowers said. “You look up at the end of the day and you see a guy, whatever his record is, it doesn’t stand out as someone to really take notice of but he definitely is. He’s definitely one of our horses here and continues to prove that every time he’s out there. Unfortunately we don’t seem to come up with that many runs for him.”
But the production arrived long after the departure of Quintana, who easily maneuvered his way through Tigers lineup for six innings. Quintana induced three double plays through five innings and faced only three over the minimum through six.
J.D. Martinez, Nick Castellanos and James McCann all singled with one out in the seventh inning to end the scoreless tie. But Quintana struck out Anthony Gose to strand two runners to end the inning.
He allowed eight hits, walked one and struck out five with strikes on 71 of 110 pitches.
“I knew (about the no-hitter) because I had the scoreboard right in front of me,” Quintana said. “That’s part of the game. The other starter threw five perfect innings. Every time when I go out I try to be focused on what I have control over.”
In his last 4 starts, Quintana is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings. He has allowed four runs (three earned) and 23 hits with five walks and 21 strikeouts.
Quintana -- who needs to record eight outs for his third straight season of at least 200 innings -- lowered his earned-run average to 3.38 and his Fielding Independent Pitching to 3.11, which is 16th lowest in the majors, according to fangraphs.com.
Despite a career ERA-plus of 115, Quintana never has received notoriety, not that he minds. Still, he’s never sniffed an All-Star roster spot nor do you ever hear his name mentioned among the American League’s top pitchers and it may stem from his career record, which sits at 33-34 through 121 games (118 starts).
Even so, Flowers said Quintana has the ability to focus every time out and never complains, which is why he believes he has been as successful as he has.
“I would guess (the record is) part of it,” Flowers said. “You look up at the end of the day and you see a guy, whatever his record is, it doesn’t stand out as someone to really take notice of but he definitely is. He’s definitely one of our horses here and continues to prove that every time he’s out there. Unfortunately we don’t seem to come up with that many runs for him.”
Golf: I got a club for that..... Power rankings: Tour Championship.
By Ryan Ballengee
The FedEx Cup playoff and PGA Tour season finale is here, with the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta. There are just 30 players in the field, with each having a mathematical chance of winning the FedEx Cup and its $10 million first-place prize.
As you might guess, with so many elite players in the field, we like them this week. And you won't be surprised who we like the most.
Here's our top five for this week:
1. Jason Day -- Four out of six. Jason Day has won four out of six. He's the new No. 1 in the world. He's aggressive and putting brilliantly.
2. Jordan Spieth -- Spieth was much better at the BMW Championship, finishing T-13. Short game is big at East Lake, so you've got to like a great putter, even if he's a bit down. Was T-2 here in 2013.
3. Rory McIlroy -- McIlroy finished T-4 at Conway Farms despite some iffy putting, though the flatstick was much better than it looked at the Deutsche Bank. The rust is off. Was T-2 here last year.
4. Rickie Fowler -- Fowler backed up the Deutsche Bank Championship win by tying for fourth along with McIlroy at the BMW. He's making a lot of putts from distance and isn't missing the big ones inside of 10 feet.
5. Justin Rose -- Rose hasn't been winning, but he's been playing good golf overall this summer, save for a missed cut at The Barclays. We like him here because he has a good East Lake record. In the last three years, he hasn't finished outside the top six.
Henrik Stenson in good shape to win FedEx Cup without a single season title.
By Ryan Ballengee
Prior to the 2015 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, Henrik Stenson talks about missing the TOUR Championship in 2014 after winning in 2013 and the reasons around that. (Photo/Devil Ball Golf)
In each of the last five seasons, the winner of the FedEx Cup has won the Tour Championship to do it, and in all eight prior seasons of the FedEx Cup, the winner has won at least one tournament in that season.
Henrik Stenson could be the player to end both of those streaks this week in Atlanta.
Stenson hasn't won on the PGA Tour this season, but enters the 30-player season and playoff finale ranked fourth in the standings on the back of two runner-up finishes in the three playoff events contested so far. With the points standings reset heading into this week in East Lake, Stenson can conceivably win the FedEx Cup without winning the Tour Championship. He has to finish in at least a tie for third to have a mathematical chance of taking the FedEx Cup and its $10 million prize, but winning isn't necessary.
Naturally, the 2013 FedEx Cup winner is fine with that scenario.
"If I finish second or third and win the overall," said Stenson on Tuesday, "you won’t see me leaving here crying, not out of sadness anyway."
Of course, Stenson could also do what he did two years ago and win the Tour Championship to lock up a second FedEx Cup title, joining Tiger Woods (2007, '09) as the only multi-time winner of the season-long race.
NASCAR; Power Rankings: After a Chase reset, Denny Hamlin is No. 1.
As you might guess, with so many elite players in the field, we like them this week. And you won't be surprised who we like the most.
Here's our top five for this week:
1. Jason Day -- Four out of six. Jason Day has won four out of six. He's the new No. 1 in the world. He's aggressive and putting brilliantly.
2. Jordan Spieth -- Spieth was much better at the BMW Championship, finishing T-13. Short game is big at East Lake, so you've got to like a great putter, even if he's a bit down. Was T-2 here in 2013.
3. Rory McIlroy -- McIlroy finished T-4 at Conway Farms despite some iffy putting, though the flatstick was much better than it looked at the Deutsche Bank. The rust is off. Was T-2 here last year.
4. Rickie Fowler -- Fowler backed up the Deutsche Bank Championship win by tying for fourth along with McIlroy at the BMW. He's making a lot of putts from distance and isn't missing the big ones inside of 10 feet.
5. Justin Rose -- Rose hasn't been winning, but he's been playing good golf overall this summer, save for a missed cut at The Barclays. We like him here because he has a good East Lake record. In the last three years, he hasn't finished outside the top six.
Henrik Stenson in good shape to win FedEx Cup without a single season title.
By Ryan Ballengee
In each of the last five seasons, the winner of the FedEx Cup has won the Tour Championship to do it, and in all eight prior seasons of the FedEx Cup, the winner has won at least one tournament in that season.
Henrik Stenson could be the player to end both of those streaks this week in Atlanta.
Stenson hasn't won on the PGA Tour this season, but enters the 30-player season and playoff finale ranked fourth in the standings on the back of two runner-up finishes in the three playoff events contested so far. With the points standings reset heading into this week in East Lake, Stenson can conceivably win the FedEx Cup without winning the Tour Championship. He has to finish in at least a tie for third to have a mathematical chance of taking the FedEx Cup and its $10 million prize, but winning isn't necessary.
Naturally, the 2013 FedEx Cup winner is fine with that scenario.
"If I finish second or third and win the overall," said Stenson on Tuesday, "you won’t see me leaving here crying, not out of sadness anyway."
Of course, Stenson could also do what he did two years ago and win the Tour Championship to lock up a second FedEx Cup title, joining Tiger Woods (2007, '09) as the only multi-time winner of the season-long race.
NASCAR; Power Rankings: After a Chase reset, Denny Hamlin is No. 1.
By Nick Bromberg
1. Denny Hamlin: We might as well reset our Power Rankings after attempting to predict the field heading into the Chase. So that means Denny Hamlin gets the top spot because he won. His win was the third-straight win for Joe Gibbs Racing, a team that's won four races in a row already this season. Can they do it again? The odds seem in their favor. The team has won three of the last six races at New Hampshire. And the last New Hampshire winner...
3. Kurt Busch: Another race where Kurt Busch leads late and another late-race caution. No we're not alleging conspiracy here, but Busch had to wonder what the heck was going on as it looked like he was going to be the guy who was automatically advancing into the second round. He questioned the call to not take tires for the final restart. But the call ended up working out; just not in Busch's favor. He finished third. Simply avoiding disaster over the next two races should be good enough to move on.
4. Jimmie Johnson: While Johnson received the chest-punch wrath of Kevin Harvick after the race for the move he made on a mid-race restart, it's important to note two incidents of conservative and careful driving by Johnson. First, after he went three-wide with Harvick after the restart, he backed off instead of driving three-wide into turn one. If he was truly trying to screw with Harvick, wouldn't he have pressed the issue more? Second, on the final restart, he could have stayed in the gas while coming off turn two and forced Jeff Gordon into an untenable situation. Instead, he let off the gas and lost a bunch of spots. While Harvick may not think so, Johnson was being pragmatic.
5. Carl Edwards: Edwards finished second, the first driver on fresh tires at the end of the race. But he lost any chance of trying to get to his teammate for the lead when he struggled getting past Kurt Busch for second place. By the time he had disposed of Busch, he had run out of time. It was a heck of a comeback for Edwards too after he was tagged with a speeding penalty early in the race. Edwards and Hamlin were the poster boys for how early issues can be overcome with smart strategies. The No. 4 team should be taking note.
6. Ryan Newman: Newman finished fourth on Sunday. Check his tires! OK, NASCAR probably did. And we're joking anyway. But it's going to be fun if Newman is faster in the Chase again this year. The driver that is most likely to pull a Newman in 2015 is Newman himself. If he keeps finishing fourth, there's not going to be any way of preventing him from making the final four again.
7. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth led a solitary lap and finished fifth on Sunday. What a drop-off from Richmond. Should we be concerned about Kenseth moving forward? He finished four spots worse and led 99.72 percent fewer laps on Sunday than he did at Richmond. Commence the not-real-at-all panic time, especially if he doesn't win at New Hampshire on Sunday.
8. Joey Logano: Logano wanted nothing to do with the kerfuffle between Johnson and Harvick. After the race he said "“I had nothing to do with that. The 48 went three-wide bottom and I was just sitting there. I was no part of it.” Well, while Logano didn't have anything to do with Johnson forcing his way back on to the track, he helped Johnson get down to the apron when he pushed him on the restart.
9. Brad Keselowski: Keselowski mounted a charge on the race's final restart but couldn't really get going. He had fresh tires and made them briefly work but ended up finishing eighth, one spot ahead of Kyle Busch. How fun is it going to be if Busch, Keselowski and Harvick are battling for the race win again at New Hampshire? If NASCAR could fast-forward the race to the turning point of the summer one and see if things would play out differently it probably would.
10. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior finished 12th and is now 10th in the standings. How crazy is that? It's what happens when you're the 10th Chase driver in the race standings. It also means that Junior is 14 points back of the lead. The top six in the standings are separated by four points and the gap from first to 12th is smaller than the gap from 12th to 16th. If someone in that top tier has a bad finish at New Hampshire, it's going to be ugly.
11. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex ran near the front of the field for most of the day and led 39 laps. He restarted fourth and also didn't take tires on the final restart. Like Jeff Gordon, he fell back into the teeth of the drivers who did have fresh tires. He finished 13th. That's about where he'll finished (based on past results) at New Hampshire too. He's finished anywhere from 8th-17th in the last nine New Hampshire races including three-straight 12th-place finishes.
12. Jeff Gordon: The dominant theme of the day for Gordon? What else but restarts. The first notable restart was "close" per NASCAR, but was deemed legal after Gordon got a good jump and the lead. Gordon didn't get a good jump on the last restart and was passed by Hamlin heading into turn one. Gordon couldn't keep his car stuck to the track in the middle and started sliding up the track and back through the field. He finished 14th.
The DNF: We're moving this slot up this week so we can talk about Kevin Harvick. Though Harvick finished 42nd, he didn't DNF as he got back out on track. But it might as well have been a DNF. If Harvick doesn't win at New Hampshire or Dover and can't wriggle his way into the top 12, being out of the Chase is not Jimmie Johnson's fault. It's the team's. Especially at this stage in the Chase it's absolutely imperative to minimize risk and damage and the No. 4 team should have immediately pitted for the post-restart tire rub. Had Harvick finished 20th instead of 42nd, he's tied with Jeff Gordon for 12th in the standings.
Lucky Dog: Congratulations to Kyle Larson for winning the "Not in the Chase" class of the race on Sunday. He finished second. He was joined on the podium by Aric Almirola and David Ragan.
Kevin Harvick's mettle will be tested next 2 races.
By Jenna Fryer
Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson are not enemies. They have known each other since the early days of their careers, which began in California before the two crossed the country to North Carolina to take a crack at making it in NASCAR.
Broke and chasing big dreams, the two drivers born less than three months and 250 miles apart spent many a night crashing on a couch at Ron Hornaday Jr.'s house as they scratched and clawed for a break. They made it to Cup racing, becoming two of the biggest names in NASCAR along the way.
They always recognized the crossed paths in their careers.
When Johnson, eliminated from contention last November from winning a seventh championship, had a chance to help Harvick win his first Sprint Cup title, he opened up his notebook and turned into one of Harvick's most important weapons. After Harvick hoisted that championship trophy at the end of last season, he took time to credit the help he and crew chief Rodney Childers received from Johnson the entire weekend leading into the title-deciding final race.
''I felt like I was racing - practicing a little more amped than I probably needed to be, and Jimmie Johnson was a huge help,'' Harvick said after his win. ''He'd show up in the trailer after every practice and called and texted to Rodney and myself. You pull the data up, and I was making some pretty huge mistakes. So that eased my mind going into the day.''
Fast forward to this week, when Harvick's chances at winning a second consecutive title are shaky and his relationship with Johnson is suddenly strained. He shoved Johnson in the chest with a closed fist and had to be restrained from going after him again following a devastating performance Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway.
It was all so Kevin Harvick.
The instigator of the Sprint Cup Series, the driver who has never backed down from anyone or any situation dating all the way back to his rollercoaster 2001 debut season, will not go down quietly.
Johnson knew this the moment their cars touched around the midway point of the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. They were third and fourth on a restart, and a push from Joey Logano had shoved Johnson to the apron of the track. He had to get back onto the racing surface, and when he tried, Harvick's car was right there.
A full day later, both drivers likely think they could have done something differently.
But that's not how it played out, and the contact crumpled some sheet metal and pushed it against Harvick's left rear wheel. For two laps, the tire smoking from the friction, Harvick tried to get that sheet metal to give.
He should have pitted.
He didn't and the decision cost him dearly.
The tire exploded, Harvick crashed into the wall and he finished 42nd out of 43 cars, dropping him to last in the 16-driver Chase field.
As Johnson explained his version after the race, he had an idea that Harvick was going to be upset. Yet he chose to approach Harvick's motorhome to attempt a conversation he wasn't sure would happen.
''Hopefully he'll want to talk. There's no telling what he'll want to do,'' said the six-time champion.
It was the right thing for Johnson to do. He's known Harvick long enough to understand this dust-up needs to be repaired because Harvick could spend the next nine weeks making Johnson's life difficult on the race track.
Harvick was too hot to do it Sunday. The conversation didn't happen immediately. But it will. Harvick drives for Stewart-Haas Racing, a customer/partner of Hendrick Motorsports. If anybody knows how to diffuse a situation, it's Rick Hendrick, who will intervene if needed.
Harvick will arrive in New Hampshire with a much cooler head. He has no choice. He's got to either win of the next two races, or be as close to perfect as possible to continue his Chase. The field will be whittled to 12 after the Oct. 4 race at Dover, and Harvick needs to find a way into the second round.
He's the one driver no one should doubt can do this.
Against the ropes last November, needing to win at Phoenix to advance to the title race, he led 264 laps and routed the field.
Then, with help from Johnson, he won the next week to claim his first title.
He and his No. 4 SHR team have had a far stronger season this year - they've finished second an eye-popping 10 times - and they've been waiting since March to turn it up a notch for a run at the title.
Childers talked Sunday of another gear that Harvick has, of the confidence he has in his team to raise their game over the next nine weeks.
Right now, they only have to do it for the next two weeks, a stretch in which we'll see what Harvick is truly made of, and if his bark and his bite can keep his Chase alive.
SOCCER: Chicago Fire - Montreal Impact Preview.
By SCOTT GARBARINI
An in-season coaching change has paid off so far for the Montreal Impact. The Chicago Fire are hoping for similar results when Brian Bliss makes his debut as interim coach in Wednesday's match with an Impact club riding a four-game unbeaten streak under Mauro Biello.
Last in MLS with 27 points and headed toward a third consecutive playoff absence, Chicago (7-16-6) announced sweeping organizational changes after Saturday's 1-0 loss to Orlando City. Frank Yallop was sacked with technical director Bliss handling coaching duties for the final five games, with Nelson Rodriguez to lead the search for a new coach after being named general manager.
"I share our fans' frustration and while we've enjoyed success off the pitch, I'm obviously not happy with the results on it," Fire owner Andrew Hauptman said in a statement. "I felt the need to make changes now in order to better position ourselves for the offseason and beyond."
Bliss went 4-4-0 as Columbus' interim coach to end the 2013 season.
The Fire have suffered three straight one-goal losses, the same scenario Montreal (10-11-6) encountered when it replaced Frank Klopas with Biello Aug. 29. The Impact are 2-0-2 since the switch to move into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
"We have a new energy and focus. Tactically we've been sharp," goalkeeper Evan Bush told the Impact's official website.
Montreal's run began with a 4-3 home victory over Chicago Sept. 5 and was extended with Saturday's 3-0 triumph over previously surging New England, with Didier Drogba having a big hand in both wins.
The former Chelsea star became the first player to record a hat trick in his first MLS start against the Fire, and scored twice within a four-minute span in the second half to rally the Impact from a 3-2 deficit. Drogba had a goal and an assist Saturday as Montreal halted the Revolution's six-game win streak.
Drogba had yet to join the team when the Impact were dealt a 3-0 loss at Chicago May 30. The Fire are 0-3-2 all-time at Saputo Stadium, however, and 0-10-5 on the road across all competitions this season.
Chicago also announced Tuesday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson (torn labrum) and defender Eric Gehrig (stress fracture, ankle) will miss the remainder of the season.
The Impact won't have midfielder Marco Donadel after he was red-carded against New England, but defenseman Ambroise Oyongo is eligible after sitting Saturday's match on suspension.
Chicago's Kennedy Igboananike has two goals and two assists in the two season meetings and defenseman Jeff Larentowicz has a goal in each.
Five-star Lewandowski shoots Bayern to top of Bundesliga.
"I share our fans' frustration and while we've enjoyed success off the pitch, I'm obviously not happy with the results on it," Fire owner Andrew Hauptman said in a statement. "I felt the need to make changes now in order to better position ourselves for the offseason and beyond."
Bliss went 4-4-0 as Columbus' interim coach to end the 2013 season.
The Fire have suffered three straight one-goal losses, the same scenario Montreal (10-11-6) encountered when it replaced Frank Klopas with Biello Aug. 29. The Impact are 2-0-2 since the switch to move into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
"We have a new energy and focus. Tactically we've been sharp," goalkeeper Evan Bush told the Impact's official website.
Montreal's run began with a 4-3 home victory over Chicago Sept. 5 and was extended with Saturday's 3-0 triumph over previously surging New England, with Didier Drogba having a big hand in both wins.
The former Chelsea star became the first player to record a hat trick in his first MLS start against the Fire, and scored twice within a four-minute span in the second half to rally the Impact from a 3-2 deficit. Drogba had a goal and an assist Saturday as Montreal halted the Revolution's six-game win streak.
Drogba had yet to join the team when the Impact were dealt a 3-0 loss at Chicago May 30. The Fire are 0-3-2 all-time at Saputo Stadium, however, and 0-10-5 on the road across all competitions this season.
Chicago also announced Tuesday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson (torn labrum) and defender Eric Gehrig (stress fracture, ankle) will miss the remainder of the season.
The Impact won't have midfielder Marco Donadel after he was red-carded against New England, but defenseman Ambroise Oyongo is eligible after sitting Saturday's match on suspension.
Chicago's Kennedy Igboananike has two goals and two assists in the two season meetings and defenseman Jeff Larentowicz has a goal in each.
Five-star Lewandowski shoots Bayern to top of Bundesliga.
By CIARAN FAHEY
Substitute Robert Lewandowski made Bundesliga history on Tuesday after scoring five goals in the space of nine minutes as Bayern Munich came from behind to rout Wolfsburg 5-1 and move top of the standings.
"I'm very satisfied. It was a crazy few minutes," said Lewandowski, who scored the league's quickest ever hat trick and five goals. "Five goals is incredible. I'm very happy."
His feelings of amazement were shared by Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.
"I don't think I'll see it again," Guardiola said. "Football is crazy sometimes."
Daniel Caligiuri fired the visitors ahead in the 27th, controlling Julian Draxler's cross with his first touch and then blasting the ball into the corner of the net with his next.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer almost paid the price for a midfield foray in the 39th, when he lost the ball to Caligiuri and Josuha Guilavogui tried his luck from distance. The stranded keeper was relieved to see Guilavogui's punt saved by the left post.
Bayern was 1-0 down at the break for the third time in six games this season.
But then Lewandowski came on for the second half and changed everything. He equalized in the 51st, put Bayern ahead a minute later, and completed his hat trick when he hit the post, then the goalkeeper and kept going till he scored. Three goals in three minutes, 22 seconds.
It was the Bundesliga's fastest hat trick ever, bettering Michael Toennies' five-minute feat against Karlsruher SC goalkeeper Oliver Kahn on Aug. 27, 1991 for Duisburg.
"I had this record for 24 years," Toennies, now a Duisburg official, was quoted as saying on the club's Facebook page. "Of course it's a bit of a pity it's gone now. But what Robert Lewandowski conjured was simply sensational. You deserve it Robert! Congratulations!"
Still Lewandowski wasn't done.
The Poland striker scored again in the 57th and claimed another goal three minutes after that, when he met Mario Goetze's cross with a scissor kick into the top corner.
He might have claimed a sixth - only for Ricardo Rodriguez to block his effort on the line in the 69th.
"When we all look at each other and see how stunned we are, there's no need for words," Wolfsburg substitute Maximilian Arnold said.
Lewandowski is the first substitute in the history of the Bundesliga to score five goals in one game and they were the quickest scored by anybody.
"I had a little knock last week but I'm OK now," Lewandowski said. "It was a great evening for me. But it was the sixth game. There are many more to come. I know it won't be so easy."
Dieter Mueller's record of six goals in a single game, for Cologne against Werder Bremen on Aug. 17, 1977, still stands.
Bayern moved three points ahead of Borussia Dortmund with its sixth win from six games. Dortmund can reclaim the lead if it wins by three goals or more at Hoffenheim on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Michael Gregoritsch scored in the 87th for Hamburger SV to win 1-0 at promoted Ingolstadt, Vedad Ibisevic scored twice for Hertha Berlin to beat Cologne 2-0 and Sandro Wagner scored twice against his former side as promoted Darmstadt defeated Werder Bremen 2-1.
At Berlin's Olympiastadion, Ibisevic claimed his first Bundesliga goal since January 2014 when he scored with a glancing header inside the far post in the 43rd. The Bosnia striker scored his second in injury time to lift Hertha provisionally to fifth place.
In Darmstadt, Aron Johannsson put Bremen ahead in the 19th, only for Wagner to equalize with a penalty in the 31st and seal the win with a header in the 84th. Fin Bartels was sent off for Bremen with a second yellow card minutes later.
It was Darmstadt's second win on the club's return to the Bundesliga after 33 years. Only Bayern has beaten the promoted side so far.
NCAAFB: Loss exposes holes in Illinois defense.
By DAVID MERCER
North Carolina tailback Elijah Hood (34) breaks into the open field for a 39 yard gain in the first half of an NCAA football game against Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. (Photo/Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP)
For the first two games of this season, the Illinois defense provided something that had been missing for a while in Champaign: a wall that kept the opposition off the scoreboard.
At North Carolina, playing against a Power Five school for the first time this fall, that defense looked more familiar.
The Tar Heels rolled up 471 yards on the way to a 48-14 win over Illinois (2-1) that is a concern with high-scoring Middle Tennessee State coming to town Saturday.
A big part of the problem, according to Illinois coach Bill Cubit, was the leap in competition Illinois made from Kent State and Western Illinois over the season's first two weeks to the Tar Heels. And part of it, he said, was pure deja vu.
''Everything you kind of saw the last couple of years kind of creeped right back,'' said the interim head coach, who took over when Tim Beckman was fired late last month.
Bad tackling was a problem. Illinois also forced just one turnover after forcing six the first two weeks. And North Carolina, already leading 20-7, was able to score four touchdowns without even a hint of being stopped over a nine-minute span.
The last of those Tar Heel touchdowns came on an 85-yard punt return, but the other three were all on drives of at least 59 yards and none of them longer than six plays. North Carolina averaged 13.6 yards a play on those drives.
As Cubit pointed out before North Carolina game, blowouts over the first two opponents let the Illini play their bench early. But against the Tar Heels' hurry-up offense, those defensive starters had to stay on the field much longer - on a humid, 82-degree day.
''Some of our first-team starters only got like 25 snaps (over the first two games), and now all the sudden you're playing (63) snaps against a Power Five team,'' Cubit said.
The fatigue, he said, made his defense less sharp, enough to miss tackles or let Tar Heels run through them.
''You're an inch off, you might as well be about 3 yards off because you're not going to make the play,'' he said.
Middle Tennessee (2-1) is averaging 51 points a game, and has rolled to 70 or more twice. The only exception was a 37-10 loss to Alabama.
Cubit says his defense should be just a little deeper this week, which he hopes will help.
Senior defensive lineman Joe Fotu will play his first game after missing the first three due to an unspecified team-rules violation, strengthening a thin rotation of defensive linemen. And in the secondary, safeties Clayton Fejedelem and Taylor Barton should get a little more relief with the return of Caleb Day from his own three-game suspension.
Northwestern is 3-0, Fitzgerald is looking to add polish.
By ERIC OLSON
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald applauds his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
At North Carolina, playing against a Power Five school for the first time this fall, that defense looked more familiar.
The Tar Heels rolled up 471 yards on the way to a 48-14 win over Illinois (2-1) that is a concern with high-scoring Middle Tennessee State coming to town Saturday.
A big part of the problem, according to Illinois coach Bill Cubit, was the leap in competition Illinois made from Kent State and Western Illinois over the season's first two weeks to the Tar Heels. And part of it, he said, was pure deja vu.
''Everything you kind of saw the last couple of years kind of creeped right back,'' said the interim head coach, who took over when Tim Beckman was fired late last month.
Bad tackling was a problem. Illinois also forced just one turnover after forcing six the first two weeks. And North Carolina, already leading 20-7, was able to score four touchdowns without even a hint of being stopped over a nine-minute span.
The last of those Tar Heel touchdowns came on an 85-yard punt return, but the other three were all on drives of at least 59 yards and none of them longer than six plays. North Carolina averaged 13.6 yards a play on those drives.
As Cubit pointed out before North Carolina game, blowouts over the first two opponents let the Illini play their bench early. But against the Tar Heels' hurry-up offense, those defensive starters had to stay on the field much longer - on a humid, 82-degree day.
''Some of our first-team starters only got like 25 snaps (over the first two games), and now all the sudden you're playing (63) snaps against a Power Five team,'' Cubit said.
The fatigue, he said, made his defense less sharp, enough to miss tackles or let Tar Heels run through them.
''You're an inch off, you might as well be about 3 yards off because you're not going to make the play,'' he said.
Middle Tennessee (2-1) is averaging 51 points a game, and has rolled to 70 or more twice. The only exception was a 37-10 loss to Alabama.
Cubit says his defense should be just a little deeper this week, which he hopes will help.
Senior defensive lineman Joe Fotu will play his first game after missing the first three due to an unspecified team-rules violation, strengthening a thin rotation of defensive linemen. And in the secondary, safeties Clayton Fejedelem and Taylor Barton should get a little more relief with the return of Caleb Day from his own three-game suspension.
Northwestern is 3-0, Fitzgerald is looking to add polish.
By ERIC OLSON
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is happy to be 3-0, though he sees no cause for celebration yet.
The Wildcats are ranked No. 17 entering Saturday's home game against Ball State. Their 16-6 win over then-No. 21 Stanford to open the season looks even better after the Cardinal beat a sixth-ranked Southern California last week, and the Wildcats are coming off a 19-10 road victory over a Duke team known for its offense.
Fitzgerald can't be blamed for keeping his emotions in check. It was just two years ago the Wildcats started 4-0 and led Ohio State by 10 points in the second half of their Big Ten opener before the season went off the rails. The Wildcats lost seven straight and ended up 5-7.
Fitzgerald said Tuesday he hasn't used the 2013 freefall as a cautionary tale.
''The guys who lived through it in the locker room understand why that happened,'' Fitzgerald said. ''We lost our focus and had things happen to us - the Hail Mary (at Nebraska). The guys who are older understand why that happened. Right now at this point, with the maturity and leadership to this point, I haven't had to go back there.''
First-year starting quarterback Clayton Thorson has been solid, and Justin Jackson looks as if he'll go over 1,000 yards a second straight season. But the story of this team is a defense that has allowed a nation-low total of 16 points.
''I think we're a team that's working hard to improve,'' Fitzgerald said. ''We haven't played three phases of clean football in our first three games. We've been fortunate enough to find a way to win. I think we're far from the team we're capable of.''
STAR SPARTAN
It seems the nation is just starting to notice Michigan State senior receiver Aaron Burbridge, who had his third straight 100-yard game and caught three touchdown passes against Air Force. Coach Mark Dantonio knew it was a matter of time.
''He's always been a very, very good player,'' Dantonio said. ''Sometimes it takes opportunity. People expected him to be that his sophomore year, be that guy. But other guys have good years. Three are in the NFL now. So we've had playmakers at that position, and we've gone with six guys. He's getting more opportunities now.''
Other Big Ten notes:
The Wildcats are ranked No. 17 entering Saturday's home game against Ball State. Their 16-6 win over then-No. 21 Stanford to open the season looks even better after the Cardinal beat a sixth-ranked Southern California last week, and the Wildcats are coming off a 19-10 road victory over a Duke team known for its offense.
Fitzgerald can't be blamed for keeping his emotions in check. It was just two years ago the Wildcats started 4-0 and led Ohio State by 10 points in the second half of their Big Ten opener before the season went off the rails. The Wildcats lost seven straight and ended up 5-7.
Fitzgerald said Tuesday he hasn't used the 2013 freefall as a cautionary tale.
''The guys who lived through it in the locker room understand why that happened,'' Fitzgerald said. ''We lost our focus and had things happen to us - the Hail Mary (at Nebraska). The guys who are older understand why that happened. Right now at this point, with the maturity and leadership to this point, I haven't had to go back there.''
First-year starting quarterback Clayton Thorson has been solid, and Justin Jackson looks as if he'll go over 1,000 yards a second straight season. But the story of this team is a defense that has allowed a nation-low total of 16 points.
''I think we're a team that's working hard to improve,'' Fitzgerald said. ''We haven't played three phases of clean football in our first three games. We've been fortunate enough to find a way to win. I think we're far from the team we're capable of.''
STAR SPARTAN
It seems the nation is just starting to notice Michigan State senior receiver Aaron Burbridge, who had his third straight 100-yard game and caught three touchdown passes against Air Force. Coach Mark Dantonio knew it was a matter of time.
''He's always been a very, very good player,'' Dantonio said. ''Sometimes it takes opportunity. People expected him to be that his sophomore year, be that guy. But other guys have good years. Three are in the NFL now. So we've had playmakers at that position, and we've gone with six guys. He's getting more opportunities now.''
Other Big Ten notes:
- Redshirt freshman David Blough is replacing junior Austin Appleby as Purdue's starting quarterback. Appleby threw six interceptions and lost a fumble the first three games. ''The No. 1 goal for our football team is to not turn the ball over,'' coach Darrell Hazell said. ''We've done that too many times in the first three weeks so we felt we needed to make a change right there.''
- Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis said this week he and his mates could be the best secondary in the country. Coach Jim Harbaugh didn't tamp down Lewis' enthusiasm. ''It's an ascending group for our team,'' he said.
- Wisconsin's Paul Chryst said running back Corey Clement's status for Saturday night's game against Hawaii remains uncertain. Clement has been battling a groin injury since the week of the opener.
- Rutgers hosts a Kansas team that's lost 30 straight road games, and interim head coach Norries Wilson said his linemen must play better than they did last week at Penn State. ''We've been emphasizing the line of scrimmage,'' he said, ''to make sure they don't tee off on us.''
- Illinois QB Wes Lunt's 61-percent completion rate doesn't reflect how well he's playing, coach Bill Cubit said. ''Without the drops, he's throwing for like 72 percent.''
NCAABKB: Big 12 commish discusses possibility of player boycott.
- Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis said this week he and his mates could be the best secondary in the country. Coach Jim Harbaugh didn't tamp down Lewis' enthusiasm. ''It's an ascending group for our team,'' he said.
- Wisconsin's Paul Chryst said running back Corey Clement's status for Saturday night's game against Hawaii remains uncertain. Clement has been battling a groin injury since the week of the opener.
- Rutgers hosts a Kansas team that's lost 30 straight road games, and interim head coach Norries Wilson said his linemen must play better than they did last week at Penn State. ''We've been emphasizing the line of scrimmage,'' he said, ''to make sure they don't tee off on us.''
- Illinois QB Wes Lunt's 61-percent completion rate doesn't reflect how well he's playing, coach Bill Cubit said. ''Without the drops, he's throwing for like 72 percent.''
NCAABKB: Big 12 commish discusses possibility of player boycott.
By Raphielle Johnson
Bob Bowlsby (Photo/Associated Press)
With college athletics undergoing a period of change, from ongoing litigation regarding the use of athletes’ names, images and likenesses to the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC being granted autonomy, it’s a good time to address the current climate and how schools are preparing for the future.
Monday afternoon Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby spoke at a National Press Club event (“The Current Environment of College Athletics”), and he made some noteworthy statements. One of those statements according to USA Today focused on the possibility of athletes one day deciding to boycott a game in protest of the system.
“I’m glad the unionization process has cooled for right now,” Bowlsby said. “But the fact is — and it probably will be in the sport of men’s basketball — there will be a day in the future when the popcorn is popped, the TV cameras are there, the fans are in the stands and the team decides they’re not going to play. Mark my words. We will see that in the years ahead. We saw some of it for other reasons in the ’70s, but I really believe that we aren’t finished with the compensation issue or with the employee-vs.-student issue.”
Bowlsby later said he doesn’t think such an action is close to happening, “but the tension in the system isn’t going to go away anytime soon.”While this hasn’t happened in college sports when it comes to the relationship between student-athletes, their schools and the value of scholarships, Bowlsby did note that in the 1970s that there were instances of athletes sitting out games for reasons unrelated to this topic. And there’s also the question of the 1991 Final Four, with their being multiple stories floating around that a team considered sitting out the championship game in protest of the NCAA.
In a Wall Street Journal story written in 2013, the question of whether or not a UNLV team that entered the tournament undefeated had plans of boycotting the national title game (or delaying the start of it) had they managed to beat Duke was addressed. No answer to this question has even been provided, and Duke beating the Runnin’ Rebels in the semifinals eliminated any possibility of this occurring, but it is a situation worth discussing in regards to the future of college sports.
As television contracts skyrocketed and schools moved from one league to another in search of increased revenue, there were more discussions about the net worth of student-athletes and whether or not their scholarships hit that mark. Thanks in large part to ongoing lawsuits this is something the NCAA and its membership has to address with an eye towards the future.
Memoriesofhistory.com
1845 - The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York was formed by Alexander Joy Cartwright. It was the first baseball team in America.
2001 - Barry Bonds hit his 65th and 66th home run of the season to tie Sammy Sosa for the second most home runs in a season.
2001 - Barry Bonds hit his 65th and 66th home run of the season to tie Sammy Sosa for the second most home runs in a season.
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