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Trending: Bears building blocks for 2016? Not necessarily who you think. (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Toews, Blackhawks close 2015 on high note with overtime win over Avs. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Bears HOF'er and character Doug Atkins dies at 85. (See the football section for details)
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Detroit Lions-Chicago Bears Preview.
By ALAN FERGUSON
While the Chicago Bears should have stability at the top of their coaching staff, Jim Caldwell's status with the Detroit Lions appears a little murkier heading into the season finale.
The Lions will seek to wrap up their losing campaign on a positive note by matching their longest win streak against their NFC North rivals on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Detroit has already switched team presidents with Rod Wood taking over for a fired Tom Lewand in November and the franchise is seeking a new general manager to replace Martin Mayhew. When that GM is hired, he's expected to decide Caldwell's fate with the Lions.
Detroit has already switched team presidents with Rod Wood taking over for a fired Tom Lewand in November and the franchise is seeking a new general manager to replace Martin Mayhew. When that GM is hired, he's expected to decide Caldwell's fate with the Lions.
Detroit finished 11-5 and reached the playoffs in his initial season but couldn't overcome a 1-7 start in this one. Caldwell might have aided his chances by winning five of the past seven games, including each of the past two, but the Lions (6-9) will finish with a losing record for the 13th time in 15 years.
"I approach it just like I do any other day that I've coached in my life, 1978, when I first started coaching," he said. "Any day could be my last day, so it's no different for me."
"I love him. Everybody in the locker room would probably say the same thing. He commands respect, but he doesn't have to do much, it's just his character guys gravitate toward," he said. "Guys see that he's a great person, he's a great coach and guys are going to fight for that. We didn't start like we wanted to, but we're going to do our best to finish the best that we can."
Chicago (6-9) wasn't consistent enough in coach John Fox's first season to seriously challenge for a playoff berth, and the Bears have some tough decisions to make while also seeking to fill holes in their roster in the offseason. Top running back Matt Forte and leading receiver Alshon Jeffery are among those who have expiring contracts.
"A lot of us want to stay together," said linebacker Sam Acho, who also has an expiring contract. "I think we all see that we're building toward something. Yeah, our record is 6-9 at this point. But we see the hope and we see that we're building toward something. We see the changes, especially guys that were on the team the past couple years."
Jeffery, limited to nine games by injuries, won't play in this one because of an ailing hamstring. Nose tackle and second-round draft pick Eddie Goldman is out with an injured right ankle.
The Bears also might have to see if offensive coordinator Adam Gase or defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are candidates for head coaching jobs. Gase's hiring appeared to play a role in an improved Jay Cutler, and the quarterback has a career-best 92.8 rating while throwing eight interceptions in 14 games, his lowest rate.
The Lions' Matthew Stafford had a season-high 405 yards and four touchdowns to outduel Cutler (353 yards, 1 TD) in a 37-34 overtime win Oct. 18. That was Detroit's lone victory in its horrendous start.
Stafford has 14 touchdowns and one interception over the past six games, and he needs 36 yards to reach 4,000 for a fifth consecutive season. He had 301 yards and a pair of scores in a 32-17 win over San Francisco last Sunday.
Stafford has averaged 299.8 yards while throwing 10 TDs and five interceptions in the Lions' five-game win streak against Chicago. Cutler has averaged 300 yards in his last four matchups, but has seven interceptions and six TDs.
The Lions have won six straight in the series just once, from 1968-1970.
Johnson had a season-high 166 yards and a touchdown on six catches in the latest victory against the Bears. He has totaled 498 yards and five touchdowns in Detroit's past four matchups.
Lance Moore also had a season-high 106 yards on five receptions.
The Lions have won their past two games in Chicago - by a combined eight points - to match their victory total from the previous 12 visits.
Bears building blocks for 2016? Not necessarily who you think.
By John Mullin
I had an interesting chat with the Comcast SportsNet Bears Pre/Postgame Live crew and the subject was “building blocks,” and whom the Bears have that fit that critical distinction. Because at 6-9, positives aren’t just lying around everywhere.
These are not simply players who will be Bears in 2016, but ones with both the impact talent and at the positions around which offenses and defenses are structured.
Meaning: The key is not simply who are the Bears’ best players, but where those players play. For example, Lovie Smith prioritized building blocks on defense as three-technique defensive lineman and weak-side linebacker. He had both in Chicago with Tommie Harris and Lance Briggs. Brian Urlacher was the bonus to form “elite,” and when you throw in an Alex Brown and Charles Tillman, now you’ve got something. But the building blocks at the pivotal positions are where it starts.
And so it is with the Bears. All clichéd talent-bashing notwithstanding, the Bears in fact DO have core pieces in-house. Most important, they in fact do sit in those key positions, and they are young, many from GM Ryan Pace’s first draft.
Not all are the obvious ones, though.
Defensive bedrock’ers
Eddie Goldman
Pernell McPhee
Willie Young
No slight of Jarvis Jenkins or Ego Ferguson or Will Sutton or anyone else, but the Bears now are a 3-4 team, which builds from a base at nose tackle. A question before this season, the one true building block emerging from this year, in that linchpin position, is Goldman. A dominant nose tackle is to a 3-4 what a disruptive three-tech is to a single-gap 4-3, and Goldman became a force who had pieces of five different sacks and 13 other quarterback hits.
The second spot of absolutes is pass rusher. The Bears have issues at inside linebacker, but that is less of a must-have building block than pass rushers in the John Fox/Vic Fangio scheme. McPhee was signed to be that signature sack guy, and his leadership character has emerged. He’ll have surgery to clean up a balky knee this offseason but McPhee was Pace’s biggest signing, at a bedrock position, and McPhee’s play before his knee betrayed him was building-block stuff.
But the third building block on defense is one that ironically didn’t see himself as one in this system when 2015 started.
Willie Young may not like being called or thought of as a linebacker, but if he’s playing like he has the second half of this season, Fangio can call him whatever he pleases. Someone who nets 6.5 sacks despite barely seeing the field the first half of the season is pure platinum, regardless of scheme, and Young is a core piece of the critically important nickel package.
And Young has emerged as a true leader, respected for performance, work ethic and personality.
“I think it goes to show you the kind of guys it takes to play in this league,” said Fox. “He came off a season-ending injury; that’s never easy, a lot of work that goes into rehabbing an Achilles injury just like any surgically repaired injury, learning a new defense, fitting into a completely different scheme – it’s not easy.”
Lamarr Houston, idle much of the early season, has come on with six sacks and established himself as an impact part of the Fox/Fangio defensive concept. But Houston has cap hits just short of $7 million in 2016 and 2017, and $8 million in 2018. The Bears have a decision to make on Houston and with McPhee and Young set, Houston is simply too expensive for a spot-player.
Adrian Amos at safety has been a steal as a fifth-round pick. But for safeties to be franchise building blocks, think Ronnie Lott, John Lynch, Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed. Not sure Amos is quite that. And Kyle Fuller did little to play up to his hoped-for standard as a foundation piece at cornerback. The building blocks are up in front of those guys.
Offense skill set’ers
Jay Cutler
Jeremy Langford
Kyle Long
Matt Slauson
Kevin White
Offensively the key building blocks are in place and obvious. Cutler became a different quarterback in 2015 under Adam Gase and Dowell Loggains. And Langford has a place at the grown-ups’ table. Now.
The offensive line has its questions but also has two set-it-and-forget-it’s. Unless a tackle drops into the Bears’ lap this offseason, Long will be a tackle with more than seven days to prepare for his next opening-day start. “I would take 10 of him if there were 10 available,” Fox said. “I would take 10 Kyle Longs.”
Matt Slauson is set, at either center or guard. A ruptured chest muscle cost Slauson most of 2014 but also gave the rest of him a year away from NFL abuse.
“I feel better this year than I’ve ever felt,” Slauson told CSNChicago.com. “I’m stronger, in better shape than I’ve ever been. It did give me extra time [to heal].”
He added with a smile: “But I would have much rather been on the field.”
And Slauson is the savviest all-around lineman on the roster. “If I’m called on to move over [to center], I’m happy to do it,” he said. “Now that I’ve gotten a lot of snaps there this year, I am a lot more comfortable with that move.”
Alshon Jeffery will be a marquee free agent and is expected to be in Chicago in 2016, possibly on a multi-year deal if the guaranteed money is palatable. But for a pivotal building block: White. He was drafted to be the centerpiece and a de facto hedge against losing Jeffery. He is the future.
Indeed, the prospect of pairing White with Jeffery won’t keep Gase from turning down a head-coaching job if one is offered. But having those two together should lessen a little of the sting if one isn’t, or if the ones offered are “no-way’s.”
“As far as our core guys that have been out there with us the entire time,” Gase said, “they have done a good job of progressing in the offense.”
Bears open to long-term deal for Alshon Jeffery.
By John Mullin
Conventional wisdom has tilted toward assuming Alshon Jeffery’s injuries will stop the Bears from risking a long-term contract on the player despite him already ranking eighth in receiving yards and 10th in receptions in franchise history.
But indications now are that the Bears are seriously interested in the possibilities of a long-term deal with the highly productive wide receiver who is squarely in his playing prime. If contract numbers cannot be mutually agreed upon, the Bears still can secure Jeffery for one year with their franchise tag, or at least extend their negotiating window without Jeffery going uncovered into free agency next March.
However, the 2016 franchise tag for wide receivers is expected to approach $14.5 million. That is slightly more than the per-year average for the five-year contracts the Dallas Cowboys signed with wide receiver Dez Bryant and the Denver Broncos did with Demaryius Thomas. For comparison purposes, Bryant totaled 185 catches for 2013-14 vs. Jeffery’s 174, with Jeffery totaling 2,554 yards to Bryant’s 2,553.
What the Bears are willing to guarantee – Bryant, Thomas and Calvin Johnson agreed to guaranteed money reported in excess of $43 million on their contracts – will be one tipping point in negotiations. The Bears have a history of balanced contracts that include protections for the team alongside incentives for the player.
The other, obvious factor, which wasn't for Bryant, Thomas and Johnson, will be the durability of Jeffery, whom then-GM Phil Emery traded up in the 2012 second round to grab. Jeffery’s injury litany began in training camp with a calf injury and has included two hamstring, a groin and a shoulder injury.
But Jeffery also had played 37 consecutive games, starting 35, before a hamstring strain idled him for the four games beginning with Arizona in week two. And one thought is that one injury cascaded into another as injuries sometime do when a player tries to work through the original problem and consciously or unconsciously puts added strain on another area while compensating for the initial problem.
“Obviously, first and foremost it’s probably very frustrating for him,” said coach John Fox. “Just kept kind of new things popping up. I think when he was out there he was very productive, much like he’s been earlier in his career. That’s how I’d assess it.”
Not to read too much into Fox’s comments, but “productive” and a reference to Jeffery’s track record are conspicuously short of anything evincing deep concern about Jeffery’s longer-term health.
“There’s obviously work to be done this offseason with everybody, not just Alshon,” Fox added, “We’ll kind of focus on Detroit right now and we’ll have plenty of time to worry about the offseason.”
Adam Gase-watch will escalate as head-coaching jobs open next week.
By John Mullin
With the extended clock for the 2015 season ticking inexorably toward “Black Monday” and its annual spate of coach firings, the efficacy of Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase as a head coach moves again to the forefront of what’s-next? discussions for the Bears and elsewhere.
The latest is Peter King’s “MMQB” and a piece by columnist Jenny Vrentas on why Gase will top head-coach wish lists for next offseason. If it’s all on Gase’s mind right now, he’s "not saying.”
“Right now, I’m focused on this week,” Gase said on Thursday. “I know that’s not the answer anybody wants. This is a big game for us. We feel like we’re headed in the right direction with what we’re trying to accomplish this year. We had a big win last week and we need to try to make it two in a row.”
But somehow the real underlying topic is a referendum on Jay Cutler.
Because by his role in making over the turnover machine that the Bears’ quarterback has been too often in his career, Gase has become to some a made man in NFL circles. And Cutler has left no doubt about his belief that Gase would succeed at the next coaching level.
“You never know until you get into that role, but I’m sure he’d be similar to what he is as an OC,” Cutler said. “I think he’s going to be good. If he gets that shot, I’m excited for him.
“I think he deserves it. He’s done some really good things in this league and they speak for themselves, whether it’s Tim Tebow or Peyton [Manning] or myself or Kyle Orton. Whoever he’s worked with he’s found ways to manage the system and make them successful.”
As was posited here back when Gase was hired, 2015 projected to be the only season Cutler and Gase would be together. If the year and Cutler went superbly well, Gase would be gone. If the season and quarterback went badly, Cutler would be gone.
What has played out, however, is something in between. Cutler has had the best season of his career but the Bears haven’t won enough. Meaning: A GM has to decide whether he believes in the success of the Cutler Project, and then decide how much of that success traces to Gase.
And is that GM looking only at Gase’s work with Cutler or at the offense as an entity, which is more likely.
The offense is averaging 13 more yards per game than it was at this point last season. Rushing yards are predictably up, given Marc Trestman’s scant use of the run game.
Passing yardage is actually down nine yards per game. But that in fact may be the single best testimonial to Gase, given the nightmare his receiver group has been due to injuries, from Kevin White before training camp on through to Alshon Jeffery joining Martellus Bennett on IR. Last year the offense had massive production from Bennett, Matt Forte, Jeffery and Brandon Marshall – none of whom have come close to their outputs a year ago. Marshall did, but as a New York Jet.
But Gase ascending to a top field job isn’t a given. Gase interviewed last offseason with Atlanta, Buffalo, San Francisco and the Bears. He’ll be just 38 next March and it will take just the right organization and management to want Gase and for Gase to want them, since the job is open because the previous coach was fired for poor team performance. And does Gase want to uproot his family again to go somewhere like Cleveland or Jacksonville.
Head-coaching vacancies already have occurred with firings in Miami and Philadelphia, with others to follow.
Bears HOF'er and character Doug Atkins dies at 85.
By John Mullin
In this August 6, 1982, file photo, Doug Atkins holds a bust of himself after being inducted into the National Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, August 6, 1982. Atkins, a defensive lineman who earned induction into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame, died Wednesday morning, December 30, 2015, of natural causes at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was 85. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Doug Atkins, one of greatest players and all-around characters in NFL history, died on Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn., at the age of 85.
Atkins, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, had his number 81 retired by both the Bears and New Orleans Saints, to whom Atkins was traded in 1967 and played the final three years of his career.
“Doug Atkins is an all-time great who will be remembered as one of the pillars of the 1963 championship Bears,” chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. “He had a freakish combination of size and athletic ability and was as tough as anyone who ever stepped on a football field.”
Over 17 NFL seasons, including 12 with the Bears (1955-66), Atkins was an eight-time Pro Bowler (1958-64, ’66), a two-time NFL Champion (1954 with Cleveland and 1963 with Chicago) and a 1960’s All-Decade team selection. During the Bears 1963 NFL Championship season he was a unanimous choice (AP, UPI and NEA) All-Pro selection.
Atkins’ athleticism was the stuff of legend. He went to Tennessee on a basketball scholarship and was a high-jump champion in track and field before switching to football and winning a national championship with the 1951 Volunteers. Atkins is one of the few Tennessee players, along with Reggie White, to have his number retired by the school.
In the NFL he revolutionized the pass-rush position of defensive right end. "One of his favorite tricks was to throw a blocker AT the quarterback,” Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas has been quoted saying.
Atkins also was a legend off the field, in no small measure for his tweaking of George Halas, things like: The Bears were out for a full, padded practice in one training camp. All except Atkins, who suddenly appeared, late, wearing a helmet, shorts and his cleats. Atkins jogged slowly around the field and back toward the locker room. When Halas yelled for Atkins to get over with the rest of the team, Atkins replied, “I’m breakin’ in a new helmet.”
Atkins and defensive tackle Fred Williams engaged in a martini-drinking contest. “I drank 21,” Williams said afterwards, “same as Atkins. But he beat me, I figured, because he drove me home and carried me in.”
Said McCaskey: “Doug wasn’t afraid to offer his opinion off the field as well and had a unique communication style when it came to interacting with Coach Halas. He embodied the spirit and commitment of what it means to be a Bear. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Sylvia, and their family.”
Atkins, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982, had his number 81 retired by both the Bears and New Orleans Saints, to whom Atkins was traded in 1967 and played the final three years of his career.
“Doug Atkins is an all-time great who will be remembered as one of the pillars of the 1963 championship Bears,” chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. “He had a freakish combination of size and athletic ability and was as tough as anyone who ever stepped on a football field.”
Over 17 NFL seasons, including 12 with the Bears (1955-66), Atkins was an eight-time Pro Bowler (1958-64, ’66), a two-time NFL Champion (1954 with Cleveland and 1963 with Chicago) and a 1960’s All-Decade team selection. During the Bears 1963 NFL Championship season he was a unanimous choice (AP, UPI and NEA) All-Pro selection.
Atkins’ athleticism was the stuff of legend. He went to Tennessee on a basketball scholarship and was a high-jump champion in track and field before switching to football and winning a national championship with the 1951 Volunteers. Atkins is one of the few Tennessee players, along with Reggie White, to have his number retired by the school.
In the NFL he revolutionized the pass-rush position of defensive right end. "One of his favorite tricks was to throw a blocker AT the quarterback,” Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas has been quoted saying.
Atkins also was a legend off the field, in no small measure for his tweaking of George Halas, things like: The Bears were out for a full, padded practice in one training camp. All except Atkins, who suddenly appeared, late, wearing a helmet, shorts and his cleats. Atkins jogged slowly around the field and back toward the locker room. When Halas yelled for Atkins to get over with the rest of the team, Atkins replied, “I’m breakin’ in a new helmet.”
Atkins and defensive tackle Fred Williams engaged in a martini-drinking contest. “I drank 21,” Williams said afterwards, “same as Atkins. But he beat me, I figured, because he drove me home and carried me in.”
Said McCaskey: “Doug wasn’t afraid to offer his opinion off the field as well and had a unique communication style when it came to interacting with Coach Halas. He embodied the spirit and commitment of what it means to be a Bear. Our prayers are with Doug’s wife, Sylvia, and their family.”
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Toews, Blackhawks close 2015 on high note with overtime win over Avs.
By Michael Kelly
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Center Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal at 3:29 of overtime, and the Blackhawks beat the Colorado Avalanche, 4-3, on Thursday night.
Patrick Kane also had a power-play goal and added two assists for Chicago, which snapped a four-game losing streak to the Avalanche.
Artem Anisimov and Andrew Desjardins also had goals and Scott Darling stopped 27 shots.
Toews got the game-winner when he took a pass from Kane in front of Semyon Varlamov and roofed a shot. It was his fourth overtime goal of the season and 13th overall.
The Blackhawks finally solved Varlamov, who was 8-0 in his last nine games against Chicago.
The Blackhawks had chances to expand their 3-2 lead early in the third but couldn’t capitalize. Varlamov made a diving save on Phillip Danault early in the period. The Avalanche also killed off two power plays in the frame.
Chicago finished 2-for-6 on the power play.
Colorado tied it after the second kill when defenseman Erik Johnson skated into the zone with the puck and beat Darling through the legs with a shot from the right circle.
The Blackhawks were swarming in the second, outshooting Colorado 17-5. They connected early when Desjardins tipped in a pass from Teuvo Teravainen at 2:07 for his fourth goal of the season. Kane gave Chicago a 3-1 lead with a power-play goal at 4:20 of the second. It was his team-leading 23rd of the season.
The Avalanche didn’t have many chances in the second but scored on one of them when Cody McLeod beat Darling with a shot from the slot at 11:32.
The start of the game had a familiar feel for the Blackhawks. Colorado took a 1-0 lead just 4:04 in when Carl Soderberg scored a power-play goal off a nice feed from Alex Tanguay.
The Blackhawks had chances but couldn’t solve Varlamov until late in the first. Anisimov tied it on a great pass from the slot by Kane at 18:32 and that seemed to energize Chicago.
Blackhawks' top prospects getting prime opportunities in NHL.
Patrick Kane also had a power-play goal and added two assists for Chicago, which snapped a four-game losing streak to the Avalanche.
Artem Anisimov and Andrew Desjardins also had goals and Scott Darling stopped 27 shots.
Toews got the game-winner when he took a pass from Kane in front of Semyon Varlamov and roofed a shot. It was his fourth overtime goal of the season and 13th overall.
The Blackhawks finally solved Varlamov, who was 8-0 in his last nine games against Chicago.
The Blackhawks had chances to expand their 3-2 lead early in the third but couldn’t capitalize. Varlamov made a diving save on Phillip Danault early in the period. The Avalanche also killed off two power plays in the frame.
Chicago finished 2-for-6 on the power play.
Colorado tied it after the second kill when defenseman Erik Johnson skated into the zone with the puck and beat Darling through the legs with a shot from the right circle.
The Blackhawks were swarming in the second, outshooting Colorado 17-5. They connected early when Desjardins tipped in a pass from Teuvo Teravainen at 2:07 for his fourth goal of the season. Kane gave Chicago a 3-1 lead with a power-play goal at 4:20 of the second. It was his team-leading 23rd of the season.
The Avalanche didn’t have many chances in the second but scored on one of them when Cody McLeod beat Darling with a shot from the slot at 11:32.
The start of the game had a familiar feel for the Blackhawks. Colorado took a 1-0 lead just 4:04 in when Carl Soderberg scored a power-play goal off a nice feed from Alex Tanguay.
The Blackhawks had chances but couldn’t solve Varlamov until late in the first. Anisimov tied it on a great pass from the slot by Kane at 18:32 and that seemed to energize Chicago.
Blackhawks' top prospects getting prime opportunities in NHL.
By Tracey Myers
Erik Gustafsson approached his latest time in Rockford as he had earlier in the season: play well for the team’s sake, naturally, but also for audition purposes.
“I was just getting game to game down there in Rockford, trying to show I could play here every game,” Gustafsson told the media on Monday. “I’m glad to be here.”
Whether it’s been due to injuries or to try and fill voids left by another salary-cap summer shakeup, the Blackhawks have looked to several prospects for help this season. Gustafsson is the latest to get an opportunity – again – as the Blackhawks continue to try and bolster their defensive depth. Dennis Rasmussen and Phillip Danault also being a part of the Blackhawks’ makeup these last few weeks. For the call-ups, the chance to add to the Blackhawks is tremendous.
“It means a lot of course; it’s a big opportunity for me to play here,” said Rasmussen, who’s now played 11 games here. “It’s something I really worked for and I just take it day by day here and try to stay as long as possible.”
Who gets called up depends on need, not just for the team but also the player. If there’s a vacancy on the Blackhawks’ roster, who best fills it? When Marcus Kruger suffered a wrist injury, bringing up Danault, whose game is in the Kruger mold, was the natural choice. On the other side there’s Marko Dano, who’s getting the minutes and opportunities with Rockford that he would not be getting in the Blackhawks’ lineup right now.
“The question is, is it better for them to come up here and play maybe a smaller role? And that might be the case. Or is it better for them to just really be the go-to guy in Rockford where they’re playing 18, 19, 20 minutes, all situations?” General manager Stan Bowman said of Dano and other prospects. “They’re developing very well. They're getting a lot of opportunities. I was very impressed with the progress on a lot of those young guys. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a number of guys filter in and out throughout the year, but as it is right now they’re in a good position and they’re getting better. They’re young. Twenty, 21 years old and they just need to play.”
For some, the wait can last a few years. The 22-year-old Danault was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2011 but didn’t get his first NHL opportunity until last season. It’s the tough part about being a prospect for a deep team, which the Blackhawks were at the forward position the past few seasons.
Looking back now, Danault is happy to have had the years to hone his game and get used to being a professional hockey player. At the time, however, it wasn’t so easy to think that way.
“I think it was more frustrating the first year,” Danault said. “You’re so young, you want to get drafted and go right away like every young kid. But you just have to stay patient and go through every process. Chicago’s the best team to know when a player’s ready or not. They knew I was ready, they called me up and I’m glad to have this opportunity.”
Gustafsson, 23, and Rasmussen, 25, didn’t wait nearly as long, at least in the Blackhawks’ system; Rasmussen signed with the Blackhawks in 2014 and Gustafsson signed in April. But they were the right guys at the right time for the Blackhawks, who have benefitted from Rasmussen’s size and points – three goals in 11 games – and hope to get Gustafsson as part of a more regular defensive rotation.
Prospects never know when their opportunity is going to come. They spend time playing, working, improving – and auditioning – in the minors. Whether the call comes immediately or takes some time, it’s all worth it.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here,” Gustafsson said. “I’m going to do all the things I can to help the team win.”
“I was just getting game to game down there in Rockford, trying to show I could play here every game,” Gustafsson told the media on Monday. “I’m glad to be here.”
Whether it’s been due to injuries or to try and fill voids left by another salary-cap summer shakeup, the Blackhawks have looked to several prospects for help this season. Gustafsson is the latest to get an opportunity – again – as the Blackhawks continue to try and bolster their defensive depth. Dennis Rasmussen and Phillip Danault also being a part of the Blackhawks’ makeup these last few weeks. For the call-ups, the chance to add to the Blackhawks is tremendous.
“It means a lot of course; it’s a big opportunity for me to play here,” said Rasmussen, who’s now played 11 games here. “It’s something I really worked for and I just take it day by day here and try to stay as long as possible.”
Who gets called up depends on need, not just for the team but also the player. If there’s a vacancy on the Blackhawks’ roster, who best fills it? When Marcus Kruger suffered a wrist injury, bringing up Danault, whose game is in the Kruger mold, was the natural choice. On the other side there’s Marko Dano, who’s getting the minutes and opportunities with Rockford that he would not be getting in the Blackhawks’ lineup right now.
“The question is, is it better for them to come up here and play maybe a smaller role? And that might be the case. Or is it better for them to just really be the go-to guy in Rockford where they’re playing 18, 19, 20 minutes, all situations?” General manager Stan Bowman said of Dano and other prospects. “They’re developing very well. They're getting a lot of opportunities. I was very impressed with the progress on a lot of those young guys. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a number of guys filter in and out throughout the year, but as it is right now they’re in a good position and they’re getting better. They’re young. Twenty, 21 years old and they just need to play.”
For some, the wait can last a few years. The 22-year-old Danault was drafted by the Blackhawks in 2011 but didn’t get his first NHL opportunity until last season. It’s the tough part about being a prospect for a deep team, which the Blackhawks were at the forward position the past few seasons.
Looking back now, Danault is happy to have had the years to hone his game and get used to being a professional hockey player. At the time, however, it wasn’t so easy to think that way.
“I think it was more frustrating the first year,” Danault said. “You’re so young, you want to get drafted and go right away like every young kid. But you just have to stay patient and go through every process. Chicago’s the best team to know when a player’s ready or not. They knew I was ready, they called me up and I’m glad to have this opportunity.”
Gustafsson, 23, and Rasmussen, 25, didn’t wait nearly as long, at least in the Blackhawks’ system; Rasmussen signed with the Blackhawks in 2014 and Gustafsson signed in April. But they were the right guys at the right time for the Blackhawks, who have benefitted from Rasmussen’s size and points – three goals in 11 games – and hope to get Gustafsson as part of a more regular defensive rotation.
Prospects never know when their opportunity is going to come. They spend time playing, working, improving – and auditioning – in the minors. Whether the call comes immediately or takes some time, it’s all worth it.
“It’s a great opportunity to be here,” Gustafsson said. “I’m going to do all the things I can to help the team win.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... New York Knicks-Chicago Bulls Preview.
By TAYLOR BECHTOLD
When they last faced one another two weeks ago, the Chicago Bulls appeared to be in turmoil while the New York Knicks were riding a season high-tying winning streak.
The tide has since turned for both teams heading into a New Year's Day rematch.
While Chicago's Derrick Rose uncertain to play, the Knicks hope to stay focused under difficult circumstances Friday night when they look to end a nine-game skid at the United Center.
Carmelo Anthony had 27 points on Dec. 19 when New York (15-18) cruised to a 107-91 home win over the Bulls that capped a four-game run in which the club averaged 108.3 points.
The Knicks dropped their next four while scoring just 93 per game, then improved to 11-2 when putting up at least 100 as they ended their skid in Tuesday's 108-96 home win over Detroit.
Anthony led six players in double figures with 24 points as New York shot 54.4 percent.
The mood changed early Wednesday when the Knicks learned Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg by masked robbers who demanded his ''gold'' as he left a strip club at 4:30 a.m.
Coach Derek Fisher said Early's injuries weren't life-threatening. The theft comes about 10 days after Derrick Williams was robbed of $617,000 in jewelry from his home.
The mood changed early Wednesday when the Knicks learned Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg by masked robbers who demanded his ''gold'' as he left a strip club at 4:30 a.m.
Coach Derek Fisher said Early's injuries weren't life-threatening. The theft comes about 10 days after Derrick Williams was robbed of $617,000 in jewelry from his home.
''We talked to our guys about the situation, just reminded them how serious this is and that there are certain things that come with being visible in terms of being a public figure,'' he said.
The Knicks will certainly have Early on their minds as they look to end their woes in Chicago. They've dropped 24 of their last 27 games there and haven't won there since November 2010.
After Chicago's 147-144 four-overtime home loss to Detroit on Dec. 18, Pau Gasol stayed home to rest the following night when the exhausted Bulls fell easily at Madison Square Garden.
Afterward, Jimmy Butler questioned whether first-year coach Fred Hoiberg was coaching hard enough or adequately holding players accountable. The Bulls then fell 105-102 back at home on Dec. 21 to a Brooklyn team that entered the contest just 1-12 on the road.
Chicago (18-12), however, has since turned things around with impressive victories over Oklahoma City, Toronto and Indiana. The club also enjoyed one of its best offensive showings of the season despite its only loss in the past four games, 118-111 at Dallas on Dec. 26.
The Bulls could be missing Rose after he couldn't play in Wednesday's 102-100 overtime home win over the Pacers due to hamstring tendinitis. Aaron Brooks filled in nicely with a season-high 29 points while hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range in 40 minutes off the bench.
After the victory over Indiana, all seemed better when Butler praised Hoiberg.
''I think that he's holding me accountable for everything,'' the All-Star guard said.
Butler bounced back with 28 points - including the winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds left - after totaling 22 on 6-of-18 shooting over his previous two games. Bobby Portis has stepped up with Joakim Noah (shoulder) out, totaling 28 points and 16 rebounds in his last two.
The rookie had season highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting with the Knicks.
New York's Arron Afflalo has averaged 20.1 points while making 15 of 26 (57.7 percent) from beyond the arc over his last eight games against the Bulls dating to his time with Denver.
Jimmy Butler saves the day as Bulls escape with OT win over Pacers. (Wednesday night's game, 12/30/2015).
By Vincent Goodwill
Taj Gibson sticks his tounge out at Indiana Pacers players after the Bulls' win. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
In need of a closer, the Bulls needed some luck, then some execution—and it all came in the form of the fingertips from one Jimmy Butler.
Pau Gasol’s pass to Butler on the broken play was right on time, as Butler elevated quick enough over Paul George to guide an alley-oop in with three fingertips with 1.2 seconds left in overtime, giving the Bulls a deciding 102-100 win at the United Center.
“That’s how I drew it up,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said sarcastically. “Jimmy slipped out of it and they made a great play. Jimmy made a great comeback.”
Butler was supposed to flash to the baseline to go one-on-one with George, but George jumped the route, leaving Gasol to flash to the top of the key, as he instructed Doug McDermott he would.
From there, it was a combination of skill, luck and chemistry as the duo who’ve completed many alley-oops this season combined to pull off their most unexpected connection ever.
“Pau put the ball on the money,” Butler said. “That’s on Pau. A smart player. A great player. He could’ve shot it but he made the pass. The basket should be given to him.”
Butler defended George on the ensuing inbounds pass, as the Pacers couldn’t convert an alley-oop of their own, as Pacers coach Frank Vogel was livid with the officials not calling a foul on Butler for contact made with George’s wrist after George caught it at the rim.
“I knew he was gonna get the ball, I didn’t know where,” Butler said. “Taj (Gibson) called it out, I heard Taj yell 'lob.'”
It was another key defensive play made by Gibson in overtime, as he blocked a shot and had a steal in the extra five minutes, as he playfully taunted his friend George with a Dikembe Mutombo-like finger wag, as the Bulls escaped with a win.
It was Butler’s emergence in the final minute of regulation that opened the door to a miracle, as the Bulls were without Derrick Rose, who was a late scratch with right hamstring tendinitis.
“He had a little soreness in his hamstring,” Hoiberg said. “When he got to the arena, the plan was to loosen it up and see how he did with some treatment. We took a cautious approach.”
With Rose showing signs of star-like play, it looked like the Bulls were in desperate need of a hero late after squandering a 14-point lead, and Butler was battling through a 4-for-14 night as the Pacers began pulling away in the final minute.
George hit a leaning jumper off-glass with 59.9 seconds left, giving the Pacers a 89-84 lead and a measure of revenge against Butler, who blocked his shot at the buzzer to seal a Bulls’ win in their first meeting.
“He’s a hell of a player. He can really go. He does everything really well,” Butler said.
Then Butler got a little luck, as his wing triple caught the lip of the rim before bouncing in to tie the game with 34.9 seconds left, a fortuitous bounce to be sure.
From that point on, it was on. He finished with 28, hitting the last four shots from the field and getting to the line 13 times.
“My teammates said stay aggressive, ‘attack the rim, get fouled’,” Butler said. “That was on them. I won’t say I was down and out, but I wasn’t gonna keep shooting the ball either.”
At that point, only Aaron Brooks seemed to have some offensive rhythm for the Bulls, as he came off the bench to score 29 in 40 minutes. Rookie Bobby Portis scored 16 with seven rebounds in 26 minutes, as his production was desperately needed with Nikola Mirotic going scoreless in 20 minutes and McDermott only scoring five in his return after missing Monday’s game against Toronto with right knee soreness.
“He’s a kid who’s not out there thinking,” Hoiberg said. “He reacts and plays and generally you re much better when you do that.”
But his magic appeared to run out to start the second half, as the Pacers started wearing down the Bulls in the second half, erasing a double-digit lead by going to the offensive glass relentlessly.
They grabbed seven offensive rebounds in the first six minutes of the third alone, and although the Bulls shut down that reservoir for most of the game thereafter, some final slippage allowed Monta Ellis to tie the game with a triple, as his heels were over the out-of-bounds line but his toes were still in play—literally tying the game by the skin of his chin.
George scored 19 but missed 13 of his 20 shots, and even Ellis, the chucker with very little conscience, missed 15 of his 19 attempts. But they stayed close by not turning the ball over and owning the offensive glass.
But with the Bulls in desperate need of a hero, the man who apparently started a crisis with his mouth ended the night and the 2015 calendar year with his play doing all the talking that was necessary.
Pau Gasol’s pass to Butler on the broken play was right on time, as Butler elevated quick enough over Paul George to guide an alley-oop in with three fingertips with 1.2 seconds left in overtime, giving the Bulls a deciding 102-100 win at the United Center.
“That’s how I drew it up,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said sarcastically. “Jimmy slipped out of it and they made a great play. Jimmy made a great comeback.”
Butler was supposed to flash to the baseline to go one-on-one with George, but George jumped the route, leaving Gasol to flash to the top of the key, as he instructed Doug McDermott he would.
From there, it was a combination of skill, luck and chemistry as the duo who’ve completed many alley-oops this season combined to pull off their most unexpected connection ever.
“Pau put the ball on the money,” Butler said. “That’s on Pau. A smart player. A great player. He could’ve shot it but he made the pass. The basket should be given to him.”
Butler defended George on the ensuing inbounds pass, as the Pacers couldn’t convert an alley-oop of their own, as Pacers coach Frank Vogel was livid with the officials not calling a foul on Butler for contact made with George’s wrist after George caught it at the rim.
“I knew he was gonna get the ball, I didn’t know where,” Butler said. “Taj (Gibson) called it out, I heard Taj yell 'lob.'”
It was another key defensive play made by Gibson in overtime, as he blocked a shot and had a steal in the extra five minutes, as he playfully taunted his friend George with a Dikembe Mutombo-like finger wag, as the Bulls escaped with a win.
It was Butler’s emergence in the final minute of regulation that opened the door to a miracle, as the Bulls were without Derrick Rose, who was a late scratch with right hamstring tendinitis.
“He had a little soreness in his hamstring,” Hoiberg said. “When he got to the arena, the plan was to loosen it up and see how he did with some treatment. We took a cautious approach.”
With Rose showing signs of star-like play, it looked like the Bulls were in desperate need of a hero late after squandering a 14-point lead, and Butler was battling through a 4-for-14 night as the Pacers began pulling away in the final minute.
George hit a leaning jumper off-glass with 59.9 seconds left, giving the Pacers a 89-84 lead and a measure of revenge against Butler, who blocked his shot at the buzzer to seal a Bulls’ win in their first meeting.
“He’s a hell of a player. He can really go. He does everything really well,” Butler said.
Then Butler got a little luck, as his wing triple caught the lip of the rim before bouncing in to tie the game with 34.9 seconds left, a fortuitous bounce to be sure.
From that point on, it was on. He finished with 28, hitting the last four shots from the field and getting to the line 13 times.
“My teammates said stay aggressive, ‘attack the rim, get fouled’,” Butler said. “That was on them. I won’t say I was down and out, but I wasn’t gonna keep shooting the ball either.”
At that point, only Aaron Brooks seemed to have some offensive rhythm for the Bulls, as he came off the bench to score 29 in 40 minutes. Rookie Bobby Portis scored 16 with seven rebounds in 26 minutes, as his production was desperately needed with Nikola Mirotic going scoreless in 20 minutes and McDermott only scoring five in his return after missing Monday’s game against Toronto with right knee soreness.
“He’s a kid who’s not out there thinking,” Hoiberg said. “He reacts and plays and generally you re much better when you do that.”
But his magic appeared to run out to start the second half, as the Pacers started wearing down the Bulls in the second half, erasing a double-digit lead by going to the offensive glass relentlessly.
They grabbed seven offensive rebounds in the first six minutes of the third alone, and although the Bulls shut down that reservoir for most of the game thereafter, some final slippage allowed Monta Ellis to tie the game with a triple, as his heels were over the out-of-bounds line but his toes were still in play—literally tying the game by the skin of his chin.
George scored 19 but missed 13 of his 20 shots, and even Ellis, the chucker with very little conscience, missed 15 of his 19 attempts. But they stayed close by not turning the ball over and owning the offensive glass.
But with the Bulls in desperate need of a hero, the man who apparently started a crisis with his mouth ended the night and the 2015 calendar year with his play doing all the talking that was necessary.
2016 spoiler alert: Cubs win the World Series! What's Your Take?
By JIM LITKE (Excerpt from 12/31/2015 article)
You read that headline right.
And while we hate draining the suspense from 2016 even before it begins, that will be the biggest story during the coming year in sports. The Cubs won't win it all easily. Nor, after going 0-for-the-last-107 seasons, should they.
But on a snowy November night, Kris Bryant turns around a 100-mph-plus fastball from Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7, drives it through a blizzard and over the left-field wall at Wrigley. Out of nowhere, a snow-plow driven by a guy in a hoodie who looks suspiciously like manager Joe Maddon arrives and clears the base paths in front of Bryant. Grown men everywhere weep.
At the victory parade, Theo Epstein, the Cubs president of baseball operations and former Red Sox wunderkind, announces he's quitting baseball to play rhythm guitar full time for pal Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam. Maddon, too, announces he's taking a year off to become a master sommelier.
Won't happen? Maybe, maybe not.
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: We believe it's gonna happen, The Chicago Cubs, 2016 World Series Champions. The Cubs have made several off season moves that have only strengthened their club. Young aggressive players with a mix of savvy veterans is a strict recipe for success. Not to mention the leadership of front office and on field management, it just doesn't get much better than that. It's been 107 years since the Cubs have won the World Series and we feel that is truly a record that will live in infamy forever. Now is the time because the time is now. It's been often said that, "Hell will freeze over when the Cubs win the World Series." Well get ready because something gonna freeze over this year. Everyone in the Cubs organization from the top to the very bottom have bought in. It's going to be a terrific season for the Northsiders in Chicago this year. We just can't wait for the season to start. Let's go Cubs!!!
Now that you know how we feel, we aren't bashful, are we right? We'd love to hear your thoughts and what's your take? Please go to the comment section at the bottom of this blog and share your thoughts with us. We love hearing from you whether you agree with us or not because we really value your opinion.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
IN '16, WHITE SOX Remain In Win-Now Mode. (Additions of Frazier, Lawrie, Avila and Navarro show commitment to contend).
By Scott Merkin
There was a little bit of doubt as to the direction of the White Sox when the offseason began.
There was a little bit of doubt as to the direction of the White Sox when the offseason began.
Would they rebuild, maybe even going as far as trading valuable core pieces such as Chris Sale or Jose Quintana? Or would they once again target upgrades on the improved path toward the postseason?
After adding catchers Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro through free agency, and reliever Tommy Kahnle, second baseman Brett Lawrie and third baseman Todd Frazier via trade, it's once again clear the White Sox are committed to winning now.
"The White Sox are still active, they want to win," said reliever Nate Jones, who agreed to a three-year, $8 million extension with the club the week before Christmas, which includes two club options and a mutual option. "You can tell we're hungry for that and that's always great to see.
"They're trying to add offense at second and third base with Frazier and Lawrie, and the more offense, the merrier, as we say. It's very exciting to see and very exciting that we're in the winning attitude and the winning mode."
Questions still exist even in that winning mode. Here's a look at five major ones heading into 2016.
1. What's next?
It's a fair question to ask, considering general manager Rick Hahn said the White Sox weren't done after the Frazier trade. There's been a great deal of buzz concerning the high-impact outfielders left via free agency, namely Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon, and the White Sox continue to look for upgrades on offense.
But the team is just as concerned with run prevention, so further deals in free agency or through trade could hit any area. They don't seem inclined to go after a player who will cost them Draft pick compensation or give up a core player such as Quintana or top prospect Tim Anderson.
2. Already in the mix?
If no other significant moves are made in the upcoming weeks, are the White Sox already positioned as playoff contenders? A recent Twitter poll showed fans who responded believe the answer is decidedly "no." Then again, those same fans simply might be encouraged by the moves already made and are wanting for more.
This team was in a similar position last offseason, and the predictions of grandeur were frankly a bit too much on all fronts for a team that won 63 and 73 games, respectively, in the previous two years. Getting off to a good start will be key for this revamped group, regardless of future moves, as will players who struggled last year coming back to their career norms.
3. Will Ventura manage beyond 2016?
Robin Ventura's first team at the helm in '12 stood atop the American League Central for 117 days, before a late-season fade dropped it out of contention. Since then, Ventura has been at the center of criticism for the White Sox shortcomings.
Those naysayers grew especially loud last season when the team fell well short of lofty expectations, spending only one day above .500. Ventura is in the final year of an extension, and with the team making moves to improve, the pressure will be on Ventura in his fifth season. He'll have one-time Cubs manager Rick Renteria as the newest addition to his staff as bench coach, but Ventura, as an individual, is ready to embrace the challenge.
4. Strong up the middle?
There will be a new shortstop on the South Side for the first time since Alexei Ramirez took over the position in '09. So, who is likely to take over this important infield spot?
Well, there's an outside shot it actually could be Ramirez, whose $10 million option was declined by the White Sox but still could come back on a lesser deal. Ultimately, this job belongs to Anderson, but he may not be ready at the outset of '16. Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez appear to be the leading candidates, with Saladino's defense giving him the advantage.
5. Don't call it a comeback … Not yet
Adam LaRoche couldn't have envisioned a worse White Sox debut than what he produced in '15. LaRoche spoke at the end of the season about his determination to figure out the designated hitter spot, and he'll be counted on for that turnaround.
Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton both had big comebacks within the '15 campaign after slow starts, so a more steady campaign from both will help the offense. The same holds true with Avisail Garcia, a five-tool talent who completed his first full season in the Majors but needs to show better plate discipline.
Bonus: You can put it on the board ... but who's next?
It was reported at the start of the offseason that Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, the White Sox iconic television play-by-play announcer, will only work road games in 2016. Nothing has been confirmed by the team since, and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to handle the 81 home games.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Jack Nicklaus offered Tiger Woods warm 40th birthday wishes.
"The White Sox are still active, they want to win," said reliever Nate Jones, who agreed to a three-year, $8 million extension with the club the week before Christmas, which includes two club options and a mutual option. "You can tell we're hungry for that and that's always great to see.
"They're trying to add offense at second and third base with Frazier and Lawrie, and the more offense, the merrier, as we say. It's very exciting to see and very exciting that we're in the winning attitude and the winning mode."
Questions still exist even in that winning mode. Here's a look at five major ones heading into 2016.
1. What's next?
It's a fair question to ask, considering general manager Rick Hahn said the White Sox weren't done after the Frazier trade. There's been a great deal of buzz concerning the high-impact outfielders left via free agency, namely Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and Alex Gordon, and the White Sox continue to look for upgrades on offense.
But the team is just as concerned with run prevention, so further deals in free agency or through trade could hit any area. They don't seem inclined to go after a player who will cost them Draft pick compensation or give up a core player such as Quintana or top prospect Tim Anderson.
2. Already in the mix?
If no other significant moves are made in the upcoming weeks, are the White Sox already positioned as playoff contenders? A recent Twitter poll showed fans who responded believe the answer is decidedly "no." Then again, those same fans simply might be encouraged by the moves already made and are wanting for more.
This team was in a similar position last offseason, and the predictions of grandeur were frankly a bit too much on all fronts for a team that won 63 and 73 games, respectively, in the previous two years. Getting off to a good start will be key for this revamped group, regardless of future moves, as will players who struggled last year coming back to their career norms.
3. Will Ventura manage beyond 2016?
Robin Ventura's first team at the helm in '12 stood atop the American League Central for 117 days, before a late-season fade dropped it out of contention. Since then, Ventura has been at the center of criticism for the White Sox shortcomings.
Those naysayers grew especially loud last season when the team fell well short of lofty expectations, spending only one day above .500. Ventura is in the final year of an extension, and with the team making moves to improve, the pressure will be on Ventura in his fifth season. He'll have one-time Cubs manager Rick Renteria as the newest addition to his staff as bench coach, but Ventura, as an individual, is ready to embrace the challenge.
4. Strong up the middle?
There will be a new shortstop on the South Side for the first time since Alexei Ramirez took over the position in '09. So, who is likely to take over this important infield spot?
Well, there's an outside shot it actually could be Ramirez, whose $10 million option was declined by the White Sox but still could come back on a lesser deal. Ultimately, this job belongs to Anderson, but he may not be ready at the outset of '16. Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez appear to be the leading candidates, with Saladino's defense giving him the advantage.
5. Don't call it a comeback … Not yet
Adam LaRoche couldn't have envisioned a worse White Sox debut than what he produced in '15. LaRoche spoke at the end of the season about his determination to figure out the designated hitter spot, and he'll be counted on for that turnaround.
Melky Cabrera and Adam Eaton both had big comebacks within the '15 campaign after slow starts, so a more steady campaign from both will help the offense. The same holds true with Avisail Garcia, a five-tool talent who completed his first full season in the Majors but needs to show better plate discipline.
Bonus: You can put it on the board ... but who's next?
It was reported at the start of the offseason that Ken "Hawk" Harrelson, the White Sox iconic television play-by-play announcer, will only work road games in 2016. Nothing has been confirmed by the team since, and it will be interesting to see who is brought in to handle the 81 home games.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Jack Nicklaus offered Tiger Woods warm 40th birthday wishes.
By Ryan Ballengee
Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods (Photo/Reuters)
Jack Nicklaus has been steadfast -- at least publicly -- in his belief that Tiger Woods can still someday surpass his major tally of 18.
On Woods' 40th birthday on Wednesday, Nicklaus offered his wishes to the 14-time major winner for not only on his special day but also for the remainder of his career.
Happy Birthday @tigerwoods! Just remember that 40 is the new 30. I had one of the greatest years of my life when I turned 40, and so I not only send you best wishes for a Happy Birthday but hope for a terrific year. You have heard me say it before that I know you have a lot of great golf left to play and success to enjoy, and I hope it all begins this year for you. Lastly, I wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Woods has been out of action since missing out on the FedEx Cup playoffs in August, then undergoing a pack of back surgeries in September and October that have him indefinitely sidelined. In December at his Hero World Challenge, Woods said there is no timetable for not only his return to competitive golf but also beginning more rigorous rehab.
Woods turns 40, still three wins shy of Snead's 82.
Reuters; By Andrew Both, Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes
Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the 2015 PGA Championship golf tournament at Whistling Straits. (Photo/Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)
As Tiger Woods celebrates his 40th birthday on Wednesday, he must be struck by the fact that time stands still for no one and he will face a different golfing landscape when, or if, he returns to competition in 2016.
Less than two years ago, and even as recently as last year, many Tiger fans still eagerly anticipated the day when, so they thought, he would match the record of 18 major championship victories held by Jack Nicklaus.
Woods had won five PGA Tour events in 2013 and, though major silverware had eluded him since 2008, there seemed no reason why he could not add to his haul of 14 majors as long as he stayed healthy.
NASCAR: 2015 Season in Review: Kevin Harvick.
Less than two years ago, and even as recently as last year, many Tiger fans still eagerly anticipated the day when, so they thought, he would match the record of 18 major championship victories held by Jack Nicklaus.
Woods had won five PGA Tour events in 2013 and, though major silverware had eluded him since 2008, there seemed no reason why he could not add to his haul of 14 majors as long as he stayed healthy.
But everything changed in 2014 when, crippled by back pain that forced him out of a tournament in Florida, he underwent back surgery in the form of a microdiscectomy. He has never been the same since.
Two further back surgeries later, expectations these days about the former world number one are much more muted.
Instead of discussion about whether Woods will win four or five more majors, talk has turned to whether he will even win another regular tournament, let alone one of the big four.
No longer is winning the 'be all and end all'. Having a healthy body is priority number one.
"Even if I don't come back and I don't play again, I still want to have a quality of life with my kids. I started to lose that with the other surgeries," Woods told Time magazine in early December.
"(Not being able to play again is) not what I want to have happen and it's not what I'm planning on having happen, but if it does, it does. I've reconciled myself to it."
Father Time catches up with everyone.
Dating back to 1965, players aged 40 or older have won only 18 of the 204 majors played, a winning rate of less than nine percent.
The reason is open for debate. Do the players' physical skills decline, or does mental baggage finally take a toll on their confidence? Is it a combination of both?
TOO MUCH STRENGTH TRAINING
Sports science expert Vern McMillan believes many golfers do not train appropriately, focusing too much on strength training instead of maintaining their fluid movement patterns.
"These guys get stuck on power and lifting weights and the body loses the ability to move because they don't spend the time on improving their body's ability to move," McMillan, who has worked with several leading golfers, told Reuters.
Woods is renowned for his love of weight training. But did that focus do him more harm than good?
Perhaps a more realistic target for Woods than adding to his major haul is the record number of 82 PGA Tour victories set by Sam Snead. Woods is three shy of that mark.
He showed in contending at the Wyndham Championship in August that he can still be competitive, but there is a huge difference between being competitive and dominating.
It is a matter of semantics to debate whether Woods or Nicklaus is the greatest player ever. Some people choose Woods, saying his best golf was superior to Nicklaus's, but the Golden Bear showed greater durability for the long haul.
Nicklaus clinched his 16th and 17th majors at the age of 40, before adding an 18th at the age of 46.
The only player other than Nicklaus to win multiple majors in his 40s since 1965 was Mark O'Meara, who won twice at the age of 41.
Nicklaus recently told Reuters he still thought Woods had a chance of matching his major record, but what else could he say? Had he written off Woods, he might have come across as arrogant.
It is too early to assign the moniker of "ceremonial golfer" on Woods, but that time may not be far away if his back does not properly heal.
In accepting a role as an assistant captain to Davis Love III on next year's United States Ryder Cup team, Woods may be ready to move onto a new phase of his life ... maybe.
Just a couple of weeks after saying he was "reconciled" to the possibility of not playing at a high level again, Woods struck a different tone.
"Physically, sometimes I feel old and sometimes I feel like a teenager," he wrote last week in a blog on the PGA Tour's website. "I don't like the polar opposites of the two. I'd like to be somewhere in the middle where I feel 40.
"Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 years? I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships."
Realistic comments, or a pipe dream laid out by somebody trying to come to terms with his physical limitations? Only time will tell.
NASCAR: 2015 Season in Review: Kevin Harvick.
By Daniel McFadin
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
CREW CHIEF: Rodney Childers
TEAM: Stewart-Haas Racing
POINTS: 2nd
WINS: Three ( Las Vegas, Phoenix I, Dover II)
Top 5s: 23 (career best)
TOP 10s: 28 (career best)
LAPS LED: 2,294 (career best)
POLES: 1 (Phoenix I)
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Harvick won two of the first four race of the year in consecutive weeks and led the points for the rest of the regular season … Topped most of his stat totals from 2014 when he won the championship … Finished in the top two in 10 of the first 15 races … Average finish of 8.7, equaling total from 2010 … Won a race in each of last six seasons.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Harvick’s bid to win consecutive championships ended on a late-race restart in Homestead when he couldn’t track down Kyle Busch … Though he led the point standings for most of the regular season, Harvick did not win for 25 races after his victory in the spring Phoenix race … His only DNF came in the first Pocono race after his engine blew on Lap 20 … Ran out of gas on the final turn of the final lap at Watkins Glen, giving Joey Logano the win … Ran out of gas again in the fall New Hampshire race, finishing 21st at Matt Kenseth won … Crashed in the opening Chase race at Chicagoland thanks to a shredded tire … Suspicion was cast on Harvick after the fall Talladega race, the final race of the second round of the Chase, when it appeared the defending champion may have intentionally caused a crash on the final restart attempt. The resulting accident helped ensure Harvick transferred to the third round.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Another year of Harvick being the man to beat in his third season with Stewart-Haas Racing. Will likely duel with Joey Logano and Kyle Busch for the championship.
Patrick’s father looking for next Danica.
By Dan Beaver
TEAM: Stewart-Haas Racing
POINTS: 2nd
WINS: Three ( Las Vegas, Phoenix I, Dover II)
Top 5s: 23 (career best)
TOP 10s: 28 (career best)
LAPS LED: 2,294 (career best)
POLES: 1 (Phoenix I)
WHAT WENT RIGHT: Harvick won two of the first four race of the year in consecutive weeks and led the points for the rest of the regular season … Topped most of his stat totals from 2014 when he won the championship … Finished in the top two in 10 of the first 15 races … Average finish of 8.7, equaling total from 2010 … Won a race in each of last six seasons.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Harvick’s bid to win consecutive championships ended on a late-race restart in Homestead when he couldn’t track down Kyle Busch … Though he led the point standings for most of the regular season, Harvick did not win for 25 races after his victory in the spring Phoenix race … His only DNF came in the first Pocono race after his engine blew on Lap 20 … Ran out of gas on the final turn of the final lap at Watkins Glen, giving Joey Logano the win … Ran out of gas again in the fall New Hampshire race, finishing 21st at Matt Kenseth won … Crashed in the opening Chase race at Chicagoland thanks to a shredded tire … Suspicion was cast on Harvick after the fall Talladega race, the final race of the second round of the Chase, when it appeared the defending champion may have intentionally caused a crash on the final restart attempt. The resulting accident helped ensure Harvick transferred to the third round.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2016: Another year of Harvick being the man to beat in his third season with Stewart-Haas Racing. Will likely duel with Joey Logano and Kyle Busch for the championship.
Patrick’s father looking for next Danica.
By Dan Beaver
(Photo/Getty Images)
TJ Patrick is looking for a replacement for his daughter.
Patrick is not actually looking to replace Danica Patrick as his blood relation, but would love to find NASCAR’s next big talent.
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick has started a new go-kart racing team with the purpose of discovering and nurturing new drivers. He is well acquainted with this path to prosperity because it is how he and his wife Bev brought Danica through the ranks.
“We just want to help kids and get them up to speed by showing the tricks we showed Danica,” Patrick told the News-Journal. “Hopefully it pans out in the long run for them.”
Patrick did not move directly into NASCAR. Her path led her through the IndyCar ranks where she won a race in Motegi, Japan in 2008.
The entry list for the event numbers well into the hundreds and is one of many paths to professional racing. The World Karting Association is also competing on a 3.56-mile road course for which drivers earn national points.
Patrick has entered a kart in the 0.75-mile infield sprint car course this week and will use the car to evaluate potential drivers.
He is not the only NASCAR connection that will participate in Daytona Kartweek. Chuck Gafrarar, who ran in the NASCAR’s Goody’s Dash series in the early 2000s has entered his 7-year-old son Caleb on the same 0.75-mile infield sprint course.
Patrick is not actually looking to replace Danica Patrick as his blood relation, but would love to find NASCAR’s next big talent.
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick has started a new go-kart racing team with the purpose of discovering and nurturing new drivers. He is well acquainted with this path to prosperity because it is how he and his wife Bev brought Danica through the ranks.
“We just want to help kids and get them up to speed by showing the tricks we showed Danica,” Patrick told the News-Journal. “Hopefully it pans out in the long run for them.”
Patrick did not move directly into NASCAR. Her path led her through the IndyCar ranks where she won a race in Motegi, Japan in 2008.
The entry list for the event numbers well into the hundreds and is one of many paths to professional racing. The World Karting Association is also competing on a 3.56-mile road course for which drivers earn national points.
Patrick has entered a kart in the 0.75-mile infield sprint car course this week and will use the car to evaluate potential drivers.
He is not the only NASCAR connection that will participate in Daytona Kartweek. Chuck Gafrarar, who ran in the NASCAR’s Goody’s Dash series in the early 2000s has entered his 7-year-old son Caleb on the same 0.75-mile infield sprint course.
SOCCER: Top 5 Fire offseason storylines to watch.
By Dan Santaromita
There are plenty of lists around this time of year, both recapping 2015 and looking ahead to 2016.
Fans of the Chicago Fire may not want to revisit 2015, but there also isn’t enough known about the 2016 version of the club to make a proper look ahead to the season.
However, things will take shape quickly since the Fire will report for entrance physicals on Jan. 24 and media day is a day later. Compare that to now when the club has just 15 players under contract and the only player additions the club have made so far are homegrown signings Joey Calistri and Drew Conner, who both seem more likely to go out on loan than regularly crack the starting 11.
All this means that January figures to be a very busy month for general manager Nelson Rodriguez and coach Veljko Paunovic in the front office. With that in mind, here’s a list of storylines for Fire fans to follow in next few weeks.
1. Will David Accam jump to Europe?
The Fire winger has been training with Premier League club Stoke City during the MLS offseason and rumors started to spread of a possible move for Accam. Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez shot down those rumors saying, “We’ve had no discussions at all with Stoke or any other team for the transfer of his services.”
Any move would have to wait until after the January transfer window opens in England, but of course that’s not far away now. After leading the Fire with 10 goals in 2015, keeping him at Toyota Park would be a big boost to the 2016 season.
2. What will the Fire do with the No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft?
One of the most important moves in the Fire’s offseason will be what they do with the top pick in the draft on Jan. 14. The Generation adidas class, which is comprised of college early-entrants, has still yet to take shape and a number of the top rated players in the draft are expected to be in that group. Clemson goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell was reportedly the first player to sign a Generation adidas contract, but the Fire likely won’t be looking at a goalkeeper at No. 1.
Georgetown defender Joshua Yaro is a more likely possibility and mock drafts from Ives Galarcep and Top Drawer Soccer have the Fire taking Yaro. The junior has received All-American honors in all three years of college, including being named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year as a sophomore. He has yet to sign with MLS and could even go abroad.
Rodriguez seemed to imply that the Fire are looking at underclassmen.
“There are several high quality players that we expect to be in the draft,” he said. “We say it that way because the league has not yet announced the signings of certain players, but if those signings occur as we expect than we think there are some really good players at the top end.”
3. Where’s the rest of the team?
After passing in the waiver draft and both stages of the re-entry draft, the only player additions the Fire have made are the two homegrown signings. The Fire are one of eight MLS teams that have yet to add a veteran player in the offseason and only the Philadelphia Union have fewer players under contract (13).
There are many openings to fill, but at least in regards to defenders it appears the team is looking abroad.
“We created a plan for ourselves and have been very disciplined in following that plan,” Rodriguez said. “Part of that plan has as a priority central defense. We did not feel that there were existing available solutions within the league that addressed that priority to the level that we feel we wanted to be satisfied. Our efforts in that regard have focused outside of the league.”
As for any personnel moves, Rodriguez said movement should start up soon after the New Year.
“We may tend to be more patient, or some might say slower, than other teams, but we accept that as the matter in which we want to conduct our business,” he said. “As we get into the New Year we’ll start to make public some of the transactions that we finalize.”
4. Do the Fire still have a chance to retain Mike Magee?
The 2013 MVP is arguably the prize of the league’s first-ever free agency class and there hasn’t been much news on his new destination. Sporting Kansas City CEO Robb Heineman opened the free agency period by tweeting a recruiting pitch to him and fellow free agent Justin Mapp. Mapp already signed with SKC. Since then, a Yahoo Sports report stated the Fire, SKC, Vancouver and the Los Angeles Galaxy are the four favorites to sign Magee.
5. Will Sean Johnson get another U.S. call-up?
The U.S. Men’s National Team is set for its annual January camp, with games against Iceland and Canada. With MLS in its offseason and most European clubs playing during this period, the team is expected to be largely domestically based. That means Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson should have a decent chance of being called in. In addition, a U-23 group will be called in to prep for that group’s Olympic qualifying playoff in March against Colombia. Fire midfielder Matt Polster figures to be included.
Pellegrini poised for title run, while Van Gaal wants to throw out December.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
There are plenty of lists around this time of year, both recapping 2015 and looking ahead to 2016.
Fans of the Chicago Fire may not want to revisit 2015, but there also isn’t enough known about the 2016 version of the club to make a proper look ahead to the season.
However, things will take shape quickly since the Fire will report for entrance physicals on Jan. 24 and media day is a day later. Compare that to now when the club has just 15 players under contract and the only player additions the club have made so far are homegrown signings Joey Calistri and Drew Conner, who both seem more likely to go out on loan than regularly crack the starting 11.
All this means that January figures to be a very busy month for general manager Nelson Rodriguez and coach Veljko Paunovic in the front office. With that in mind, here’s a list of storylines for Fire fans to follow in next few weeks.
1. Will David Accam jump to Europe?
The Fire winger has been training with Premier League club Stoke City during the MLS offseason and rumors started to spread of a possible move for Accam. Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez shot down those rumors saying, “We’ve had no discussions at all with Stoke or any other team for the transfer of his services.”
Any move would have to wait until after the January transfer window opens in England, but of course that’s not far away now. After leading the Fire with 10 goals in 2015, keeping him at Toyota Park would be a big boost to the 2016 season.
2. What will the Fire do with the No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft?
One of the most important moves in the Fire’s offseason will be what they do with the top pick in the draft on Jan. 14. The Generation adidas class, which is comprised of college early-entrants, has still yet to take shape and a number of the top rated players in the draft are expected to be in that group. Clemson goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell was reportedly the first player to sign a Generation adidas contract, but the Fire likely won’t be looking at a goalkeeper at No. 1.
Georgetown defender Joshua Yaro is a more likely possibility and mock drafts from Ives Galarcep and Top Drawer Soccer have the Fire taking Yaro. The junior has received All-American honors in all three years of college, including being named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year as a sophomore. He has yet to sign with MLS and could even go abroad.
Rodriguez seemed to imply that the Fire are looking at underclassmen.
“There are several high quality players that we expect to be in the draft,” he said. “We say it that way because the league has not yet announced the signings of certain players, but if those signings occur as we expect than we think there are some really good players at the top end.”
3. Where’s the rest of the team?
After passing in the waiver draft and both stages of the re-entry draft, the only player additions the Fire have made are the two homegrown signings. The Fire are one of eight MLS teams that have yet to add a veteran player in the offseason and only the Philadelphia Union have fewer players under contract (13).
There are many openings to fill, but at least in regards to defenders it appears the team is looking abroad.
“We created a plan for ourselves and have been very disciplined in following that plan,” Rodriguez said. “Part of that plan has as a priority central defense. We did not feel that there were existing available solutions within the league that addressed that priority to the level that we feel we wanted to be satisfied. Our efforts in that regard have focused outside of the league.”
As for any personnel moves, Rodriguez said movement should start up soon after the New Year.
“We may tend to be more patient, or some might say slower, than other teams, but we accept that as the matter in which we want to conduct our business,” he said. “As we get into the New Year we’ll start to make public some of the transactions that we finalize.”
4. Do the Fire still have a chance to retain Mike Magee?
The 2013 MVP is arguably the prize of the league’s first-ever free agency class and there hasn’t been much news on his new destination. Sporting Kansas City CEO Robb Heineman opened the free agency period by tweeting a recruiting pitch to him and fellow free agent Justin Mapp. Mapp already signed with SKC. Since then, a Yahoo Sports report stated the Fire, SKC, Vancouver and the Los Angeles Galaxy are the four favorites to sign Magee.
5. Will Sean Johnson get another U.S. call-up?
The U.S. Men’s National Team is set for its annual January camp, with games against Iceland and Canada. With MLS in its offseason and most European clubs playing during this period, the team is expected to be largely domestically based. That means Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson should have a decent chance of being called in. In addition, a U-23 group will be called in to prep for that group’s Olympic qualifying playoff in March against Colombia. Fire midfielder Matt Polster figures to be included.
Pellegrini poised for title run, while Van Gaal wants to throw out December.
By Kyle Bonn
(Photo/Getty Images)
The two Manchester clubs may be just six points apart in the table, but things appear vastly different on the red and blue sides of the city.
For Manuel Pellegrini and Manchester City, they sit just three points off the top of the table and have weathered injuries to key players as best as most fans could have asked. For Pellegrini, he believes the club is in prime position to make a play for the top spot, even if they have not performed up to the normal standards of the club at times.
“Yes of course we are in a good position,” Pellegrini said. “Of course the best position is to be at the top of the table, but I think this season is special in the Premier League. The amount of points we have in this moment is not good to try and fight for the title in a normal season, when you need 56, 55, 53 points to be in front. But now just three points behind the leaders I think that’s an expected position, and I think we will compete with a very good second part of the season.”
Pellegrini seems to be onto something. The 39 points for Arsenal and Leicester City atop the Premier League table is the second-lowest in Premier League history at the turn of the new year, behind the 38 for Manchester United in the 2010/11 season.
Unfortunately for United, with just 30 points, they are nine off the top even in this crazy season. Much of that had to do with their poor December, which saw the club pick up just two points and fail to win a single match, also falling out of the Champions League.
Louis Van Gaal, who has come under fire recently and has been asked multiple questions about his job security, believes things are still positive for Manchester United, so long as you forget about this past month.
“When you don’t assess December, it was a very good year, but of course you can’t do that,” Van Gaal said. He went on to assess the entire time he has taken charge of the club, likely in order to remind people while many begin to look elsewhere for a new boss.
“We have fulfilled the wish and our aim in the first season that ended halfway through 2015. After that we have managed to give balance to the team and that resulted in October and November in us being first in the Premier League. Then we are out of the Champions League and that gives us a big blow, and we are still in that period.”
NCAAFB: No. 1 Clemson dominates No. 4 Oklahoma in Orange Bowl to advance to CFB Playoff championship.
By Kevin McGuire
(AP Photo, Joe Skipper)
It was supposed to be an offensive shootout. It was supposed to go down to the wire. No. 1 Clemson (14-0) did not care for any of that. After going into halftime trailing by one point after having a pass intercepted in the end zone, the Tigers roared in the second half and buried No. 4 Oklahoma (11-2) with a 21-0 second half en route to a convincing 37-17 victory in the Orange Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoff. Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman each rushed for over 140 yards and combined for three rushing touchdowns as Clemson punched its ticket to Glendale, Arizona to play in the second College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 11, 2016.
The first half of the game saw Clemson missing opportunities to tack on points at times, but they made sure that did not come back to haunt them in the second half. It did not help Oklahoma’s cause that running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon each went down with injuries in the game. Perine was injured twice in the game, the second injury bringing an end to his evening in Miami. Oklahoma managed just 70 rushing yards, which never allowed for much chance to keep pace with Clemson. Clemson rushed for over 300 yards thanks in large part to the combination of Gallman and Watson. It was a rough evening for Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield too, who was under pressure essentially all game long and picked off twice despite 311 passing yards. Clemson’s quarterback also passed for 187 yards and a touchdown to keep the undefeated season continuing into the final game of the year. This was the second time Oklahoma has been outrushed by at least 250 yards by the opponent under Bob Stoops, who coached the Sooners to a second straight blowout loss at the hands of Dabo Swinney and Clemson.
Clemson’s defense got off to a sluggish start and ended the first half on a down note, but the second half the Tigers were on fire, even without Shaq Lawson (Lawson left the game in the first half with a leg injury and was ruled out for the second half; Lawson said he hopes to be able to play in the championship game). Clemson forced Oklahoma to punt, a turnover on downs, punt, an interception and a punt in the second half. It was quite the effort for Clemson, and it was a truly impressive bounce back after a sluggish first half at times.
Clemson will now await the winner of the Cotton Bowl semifinal game between SEC champion Alabama and Big Ten champion Michigan State. Alabama owns a 12-2 head-to-head record against Clemson, with the most recent meeting between the two programs coming in 2008 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Clemson’s last win against Alabama came in 1905, which followed a victory in 1904. Alabama has won 12 straight meetings since. Clemson has never faced Michigan State.
For Oklahoma, it will be back to the drawing board. The Sooners still rebounded from a relatively down season in 2014 by striking back and taking advantage of a couple of Big 12 contenders playing without their top quarterbacks (TCU, Baylor). The offense opened up under a new offensive coordinator and the Sooners should still be expected to be one of the top contenders in the Big 12 next season. The perception of the Big 12 will also continue to be a talking point. Two years into the College Football Playoff and the Big 12 has yet to win a game (we’ll see if the SEC can get on the board in a few hours). After being left out of the playoff last season, Oklahoma was a 20-point loser this season. Does that affect the image of the Big 12? One team’s performance should not be the only measuring stick for the strength of an entire conference, but that will what is magnified in Big 12 circles in the coming months and heading into the 2016 season.
Alabama steamrolls Michigan State 38-0 in Cotton Bowl.
By Nick Bromberg
(Photo/yahoosports.com)
The only team to make a repeat trip to the College Football Playoff is heading to the title game.
Alabama flattened Michigan State 38-0 Thursday night in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl to set up a showdown with Clemson for the national championship on Jan. 12. It's the first shutout in over 50 years at the Cotton Bowl. The last team to shut out another was when LSU beat Texas 13-0 in 1963.
Thanks to a late second-quarter interception from Michigan State QB Connor Cook, Alabama headed into the halftime locker room with a comfortable 10-0 lead. Comfortable turned to insurmountable over the third quarter, as the Tide scored 21 points to snuff out any Michigan State hopes of a comeback.
Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones made the lead 24-0 on a 57-yard punt return with 3:19 to go in the quarter. The Spartans responded with a three-and-out and rather than give the ball to Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, Alabama and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin went up and over the Michigan State defense on the first play.
It worked. QB Jacob Coker found WR Calvin Ridley for a 50-yard touchdown in single coverage to make the lead 31-0. The toss was the second time Coker and Ridley connected for a touchdown. Coker found him for a touchdown on the first drive of the third quarter, a pass originally ruled incomplete. Upon review, it was apparent Ridley got a foot down in the end zone as he had wrestled the ball away from the Michigan State defender.
Coker finished the game 25-30 passing for 286 yards. It was easily his best performance of the season. Michigan State was hellbent on stopping Henry on the ground. And, for the most part, it did just that as Henry had 20 carries for 75 yards. But Coker found his receivers outside and over the Alabama defense time after time.
That comfortable 10-0 lead could and should have been 10-3 or 10-7. After two great throws to put MSU to the Alabama 12 as the seconds wound down in the second quarter, Cook threw his next pass directly to Jones, who caught the ball at the Alabama 1 and returned it 21 yards. It soon became clear that the drive was Michigan State's chance to assert itself as a contender for the game.
Though there were still likely some fretful Alabama fans at halftime. During the Sugar Bowl in last season's College Football Playoff semifinal, the Tide saw a 21-6 lead evaporate against another Big Ten team. Ohio State came back to win the game 42-35 and prevented Alabama from a trip to AT&T Stadium, where Thursday's Cotton Bowl was played, for the title.
But the third quarter proved there would be no title game denial Thursday night. And the Tide's win sets up a matchup between the CFP's top two teams, and possibly the best two defensive lines in college football. Alabama's defense smothered Michigan State's rushing attack and didn't give Cook any time to throw while Clemson wreaked havoc with Oklahoma's offensive line earlier in the day in the Orange Bowl.
NCAABKB: No. 16 Villanova makes statement with blowout win over No. 6 Xavier.
By Rob Dauster
(AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
No. 6 Xavier went to No. 16 Villanova on New Year’s Eve as one of four undefeated teams remaining in the country and they left with a 95-64 loss and less than 48 hours to get ready to play at No. 9 Butler.
It was just one of those days for the Musketeers. Their most important player, point guard Edmond Sumner, was wheeled off the court on a stretcher less than three minutes into the game and Xavier never seemed to respond. They gave up an immediate 13-2 run to the Wildcats and eventually found themselves down by as much as 20 in the first half.
They simply had no answer, and with every three that Villanova hit — they made seven of their first nine and eight total in the first half — the Musketeers just looked more and more demoralized. This was a conference road game against the two-time conference champions where Xavier played poorly and lost their star before the first TV timeout. That’s how blowouts to top ten teams happen.
And give credit to Villanova.
The Wildcats had an edge on Thursday. Ryan Arcidiacono scored 17 of their first 25 points, hitting five straight threes to start the game, as Villanova busted out of a season-long slump to shoot 13-for-25 from beyond the arc. That first half performance gets all the more impressive when you factor in that Josh Hart, Villanova’s best player, managed just six scoreless minutes before heading to the bench with a pair of fouls.
There has been quite a bit of speculation that this Villanova may not be as good as the last two Villanova teams, that their reliance on the three-ball — more than half of their field goal attempts come from beyond the arc — and their inability to knock them down consistently would be their great downfall.
It still may be.
But this looked like a team that had a statement to make. With five minutes left and a 30 point lead, Villanova’s starters will still diving on the floor for loose balls.
The Wildcats wanted to let the conference, and the nation, know that the Big East title still runs through The Pavilion.
As far as Xavier is concerned, there are going to be a lot of people that hop off of this bandwagon if they end up losing at Butler on Saturday, which is something that seems fairly likely if Sumner can’t get healthy by then. The Musketeers have depth and weapons at every position … except for the point guard spot. They need Sumner to get healthy, and when — is? — he is able to get healthy and return to the floor is now the most important story line of Xavier’s season.
Because with Sumner, they can win the Big East and get to a Final Four.
I don’t know if they can without him.
No. 12 Providence’s win at No. 9 Butler validates status as contender.
By Rob Dauster
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kris Dunn scored 15 of his 20 points and handed out seven of his nine assists in the second half as No. 12 Providence erased an 11-point halftime deficit, knocking off No. 9 Butler in Hinkle Fieldhouse, 81-73, which means that it is now time to seriously start discussing Providence as a Final Four contender.
The Friars, at this point, may very well be the best story in all of college basketball. There were legitimate discussions during the preseason about whether or not these Friars would actually have the ability to make the NCAA tournament. With LaDontae Henton gone, Providence didn’t have a proven secondary scorer. Ben Bentil has more than adequately filled that role, and with Rodney Bullock playing the way he did on Thursday, the Friars look every bit the part of a top ten team and a Big East contender.
Think about this, for a second: As of today, you could reasonably argue that Dunn is the National Player of the Year, head coach Ed Cooley is the National Coach of the Year and Bentil is the nation’s Most Improved Player.
Dunn completely took the game over in the second half after struggling with foul trouble in the first 20 minutes. He picked up his second foul midway through the first 20 minutes, and with Bentil also in foul trouble, the Friars struggled to find a source of offense, digging themselves a 36-25 hole at the break.
Bentil finished with 19 points and five boards, as he had a couple of key buckets and one really important block down the stretch, but the hero of this game was Rodney Bullock. The 6-foot-8 sophomore entered the day having shot just 7-for-26 from beyond the arc on the season. He was 6-for-9 from three on Thursday, hitting finishing with 25 points. Drew Edwards also added 10 points off the bench, including threes on back-to-back possessions early in the second half that helped spark the Providence run.
The Friars are now 13-1 on the season, their lone loss coming to No. 1 Michigan State when Denzel Valentine was in the middle of playing like Magic Johnson.
As far as Butler is concerned, I don’t think it’s time to panic quite yet. In the same way that they matched up well against Purdue the Bulldogs matched up poorly with Providence. They’re going to struggle with dynamic back court playmakers, and there is no one in the country that fits that mold better than Dunn.
It doesn’t help matters that Kellen Dunham is in the midst of one of the worst slumps I’ve ever seen a really good shooter go through. He was 3-for-14 from the floor and 0-for-5 from three on Thursday, meaning he’s now missed 23 straight threes and, in his last five games, is 10-for-60 (16.7%) from the floor and 2-for-32 (6.3%) from three.
This is a team that thrives on their offensive potency, and Dunham plays a huge part in that. He’s not much of a defender, the kind of player that makes up for the points he gives up by outscoring the guy that’s guarding him. With Roosevelt Jones and Kelan Martin playing the way that they currently are, Butler is going to be fine once they get their best scorer back on track.
With 3 coaches already axed, plenty more on hot seats in NFL.
By TERESA M. WALKER
Tennessee interim coach Mike Mularkey wishes he had more time with the Titans.
Dan Campbell feel the same way in Miami.
The NFL has had seven coaches fired after each of the past two seasons, not counting a handful of general managers. After the Eagles on Tuesday made Kelly the third coach fired during the season, the league easily could match - or top - that next Monday. Owners are desperate for a quick fix and needing to create excitement around their struggling teams.
Some couldn't wait beyond the halfway mark of the season to make changes. Campbell took over as the Dolphins' interim coach when Joe Philbin was the first coach fired Oct. 5. Mularkey was promoted Nov. 3 when the Titans fired his friend, Ken Whisenhunt. No time to change personnel or schemes other than a few tweaks around the edges, and now both men could coach their final games Sunday.
''Time would be nice,'' Mularkey said this week. ''If you had an opportunity to have a year, an offseason, from start to finish, it certainly helps. I'm not sure that one year is enough.''
Here are some coaches and team executives whose time may be up very soon:
COLTS: Indianapolis' Super Bowl hopes look likely to be dashed short of the playoffs for the first time with quarterback Andrew Luck, costing both coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson. Pagano's contract is about to expire after turning down a one-year extension during the offseason, while Grigson has a year remaining. Owner Jim Irsay may not be able to stop himself from chasing a new coach to get him back to the Super Bowl.
GIANTS: Two Super Bowls are great. Missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season puts both 69-year-old Tom Coughlin, the NFL's oldest coach, and general manager Jerry Reese on the firing line. The Giants have lost five of six and are assured of their third consecutive losing season.
DOLPHINS: The youngest coach in the NFL at 39, Campbell brought only a momentary jolt of energy before the Dolphins reverted to their old ways. Eliminated from the playoffs with three weeks left, the Dolphins will be looking for their ninth coach since 2004 for a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since 2000. General manager Dennis Hickey also is on the ropes after two years.
TITANS: General manager Ruston Webster has worked with three different coaches and for three bosses in as many seasons, with Amy Adams Strunk, daughter of the late Bud Adams, taking over as controlling owner in March. This franchise hasn't been this bad since 1983-84 in Houston. Mularkey has the Titans playing better in some areas, including protecting rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota. In his favor? A new coach would be Mariota's third in less than a year, though a reunion with Kelly could ease that transition.
LIONS: Detroit also couldn't wait to make changes. Coach Jim Caldwell is 5-2 since Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford fired both team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew. Ford might keep Caldwell or finish cleaning house. Remember, this was a playoff team last season.
BROWNS: Coach Mike Pettine is 3-17 over his last 20 games, testing owner Jimmy Haslam's vow not to ''blow it up.'' General manager Ray Farmer's future is shaky as well considering his first-round picks and free-agent signings the past two years. The Browns have lost at least 12 games in eight seasons since 1999 and have had eight coaches since re-entering the league in 1999.
EAGLES: Owner Jeffrey Lurie gave Kelly all the personnel power last offseason and had him under contract for two more seasons. But the Eagles (6-9) missed on a shot at the NFC East title when routed on their own field last weekend by Washington, and have made the $40 million contract Kelly gave to running back DeMarco Murray look like wasted money.
FALCONS: First-year coach Dan Quinn appears safe after ending Carolina's quest for perfection. General manager Thomas Dimitroff's eight-year tenure is expected to end with the Falcons (8-7) trying to avoid a third straight non-winning season, done in by too many poor drafts and free agent signings.
CHARGERS: If they relocated to Los Angeles, the Spanos family might just want to make a splash by changing coaches. Mike McCoy has a year left on his contract, but the Chargers (4-11) have missed the playoffs two straight seasons and five of the past six.
49ERS: A puzzling choice to replace Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula has done little to impress aside from putting the 49ers in position for a high draft pick.
SAINTS: Coach Sean Payton and Drew Brees have a plan to rebuild the Saints again but need a win Sunday to avoid their first 10-loss season since arriving in New Orleans. A desperate owner could offer draft picks and lots of cash to tempt away Payton.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
0404 - The last gladiator competition was held in Rome.
1902 - The first Tournament of Roses (later the Rose Bowl) collegiate football game was played in Pasadena, CA.
1926 - The Rose Bowl was carried coast to coast on network radio for the first time.
1933 - The first Orange Bowl was played. Miami defeated Manhattan 7-0.
1935 - The first Sugar Bowl was played. Tulane defeated Temple 20-14.
1935 - The first Sun Bowl was played. Hardin Simmons and New Mexico State tied 14-14.
1937 - The First Cotton Bowl football game was played in Dallas, TX. Texas Christian University (T.C.U.) beat Marquette, 16-6.
1954 - The Rose Bowl and the Cotton Bowl were shown in color for the first time.
1961 - Briggs Stadium was renamed Tigers Stadium.
1968 - Evil Knievel, daredevil, lost control of his motorcycle midway through a jump of 141 feet over the ornamental fountains in front of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
1969 - Los Angeles Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke fined each of his players $100 for "not" arguing with the referee.
1992 - The ESPN Radio Network was officially launched.
2007 - In Denver, CO, Darrent Williams (Denver Broncos) was killed in a drive-by shooting outside a nightclub.
1902 - The first Tournament of Roses (later the Rose Bowl) collegiate football game was played in Pasadena, CA.
1926 - The Rose Bowl was carried coast to coast on network radio for the first time.
1933 - The first Orange Bowl was played. Miami defeated Manhattan 7-0.
1935 - The first Sugar Bowl was played. Tulane defeated Temple 20-14.
1935 - The first Sun Bowl was played. Hardin Simmons and New Mexico State tied 14-14.
1937 - The First Cotton Bowl football game was played in Dallas, TX. Texas Christian University (T.C.U.) beat Marquette, 16-6.
1954 - The Rose Bowl and the Cotton Bowl were shown in color for the first time.
1961 - Briggs Stadium was renamed Tigers Stadium.
1968 - Evil Knievel, daredevil, lost control of his motorcycle midway through a jump of 141 feet over the ornamental fountains in front of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
1969 - Los Angeles Kings owner Jack Kent Cooke fined each of his players $100 for "not" arguing with the referee.
1992 - The ESPN Radio Network was officially launched.
2007 - In Denver, CO, Darrent Williams (Denver Broncos) was killed in a drive-by shooting outside a nightclub.
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