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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"In every aspect of life, have a game plan, and then do your best to achieve it." ~ Alan Kulwicki, NASCAR Winston Cup Series Driver
Trending: Blackhawks go for 10th consecutive win in Toronto. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Jimmy Butler's NBA-best 53 points lifts Bulls in OT thriller over Sixers. (See the basketball section for Bulls updates).
Trending: Cubs bringing back Ryne Sandberg as ambassador. (See the baseball section for Cubs updates).
Trending: Blackhawks go for 10th consecutive win in Toronto. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Cubs bringing back Ryne Sandberg as ambassador. (See the baseball section for Cubs updates).
Trending: Bulls roster at a crossroads, in need of real change. (See What's Your Take? in the basketball section for our opinion).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Chicago Blackhawks-Toronto Maple Leafs Preview.
1. TOUR DE FORCE
A day after a narrow 2-1 win in Montreal that gave Joel Quenneville sole possession of second place in the all-time NHL wins list, the Blackhawks arrive in Toronto in search of their 10th consecutive victory. They'll face the Maple Leafs, who were last in action on Wednesday when they dropped a 3-1 decision to the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets despite outshooting them 42-22. Toronto has scored just twice over a three-game losing streak, and in worse news, top-line winger James van Riemsdyk is slated to miss the next 6-8 weeks with a fractured foot, meaning the low-scoring Leafs will need to find a way to replace his 14 goals and 15 assists. Under new head coach Mike Babcock, Toronto has fared much better in the possession game, but uncertainties in goal earlier in the season—due to an injury to James Reimer and a poor stretch from Jonathan Bernier—have left them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
2. DOT COM BOOM
A season after posting 26 points in 62 games, forward Leo Komarov has already surpassed that total with 29 through the first half of the year, emerging as a pleasant surprise for the Leafs despite not being one of the more recognizable names on the roster. The 2006 sixth-round pick assisted on Toronto's only goal in Tuesday's loss while leading forwards with 21:21 of ice time and playing in all situations, and his steady contributions landed him an All-Star Game nod later this month in Nashville. In van Riemsdyk's absence, Komarov—along with linemates Nazem Kadri and Michael Grabner—will be counted upon heavily to shoulder the offensive burden, so look for Babcock to get that line out in favorable matchups on Friday.
3. CAPTAIN'S LOG
After a relatively slow start to the season, Jonathan Toews has been getting on the scoresheet on a regular basis since Dec. 17, accruing 16 points (8G, 8G) over his last 14 games. The captain opened the scoring against Montreal with his 16th goal of the season and passing former linemate Patrick Sharp on the franchise's all-time goals list with 240 as a Blackhawk. His line with Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa have been instrumental to the Blackhawks' nine-game win streak, combining for 10 goals and often dictating play against the opponents' top lines. In nearly 105 even-strength minutes together as a trio, they've posted a 57.3 shots for percentage, the best possession numbers among the four lines (stat ref). On Thursday against the Canadiens, they combined for 10 shots on goal and 15 attempts, and Chicago will need their top line to continue setting the pace if they are to extend their win streak to double digits.
4. RHYME AND REASON
Despite a record of 7-6-4, James Reimer has kept Toronto in games for the most part this season, when he's been healthy. He has yet to record a win since returning from injury in late December, but has made 58 saves on 62 shots in two starts. The 27-year-old currently sports a league-best .936 save percentage and an even better adjusted save percentage of .951 (which measures even-strength play while taking score effects into account). Astoundingly, he's allowed more than two goals in a game just once in his last 13 starts dating back to Nov. 4. A major strength for Reimer this season has been his ability to make stops on high-danger scoring chances: According to war-on-ice.com, he's seen nearly a 9 percent improvement on close-range shots from 2014-15 as well as a 5 percent improvement on medium-range shots. For the Blackhawks, getting a high quantity of shots off might not be enough to beat Reimer if he's playing at his best—they'll need to get traffic in front as well.
5. ON THE FLY
The Blackhawks have weathered some last-minute snaggles to prevail in their last two outings, but with that has come silver linings. On Tuesday against Nashville, Artem Anisimov was a late scratch due to illness, which resulted in Richard Panik's debut with the team. In Montreal, Panik remained, and the fourth line combined for the eventual game-winner midway late in the first period on a quick shot by Ryan Garbutt that gave Panik his first point with Chicago. There were also adjustments made on the blue line, as Erik Gustafsson—who has been somewhat of a revelation in his first NHL campaign—left Thursday's morning skate and remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. As a result, Rob Scuderi and Michal Rozsival (who notched the other assist on Garbutt's game-winner) could each play both games of the back-to-back, something the coaching staff will undoubtedly monitor as Friday's contest progresses.
THE FINAL WORD
Toronto certainly has played much better under Babcock's guidance this season, although the departure of Phil Kessel has left a scoring void that has only been exacerbated by van Riemsdyk's injury. Although no longer stacked, there's enough talent on the Leafs' top two lines to make life hard for opponents each night, but Chicago is one team that is fully capable of countering with depth scoring throughout the lineup. After another sparkling win by Corey Crawford, Scott Darling will likely get the start and try to claim his third straight win. Two more points against a struggling Eastern Conference team will allow the Blackhawks to maintain pressure on the Dallas Stars, who have stumbled just enough this month to loosen their grip on the division and conference lead.
Corey Crawford stops 39 as Blackhawks win ninth straight.
By Tracey Myers
Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks blocks the shot by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 14, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
Corey Crawford admits there’s something special about playing the hometown team.
Sure, this season Crawford’s been playing well regardless of the opponent. But playing against Montreal, especially in Montreal? That’s just special. And that’s a good way to describe Crawford’s performance against the Canadiens on Thursday night.
Crawford stopped 39 of 40 shots and coach Joel Quenneville become the second all-time winningest coach outright as the Blackhawks beat the Canadiens, 2-1. The Blackhawks have now won nine straight; while they have as many points as the Dallas Stars, the Stars remain in first place with two games in hand.
Ryan Garbutt scored the game-winning goal in the first period, when the Blackhawks got all of their offense. Jonathan Toews scored his 17th of the season earlier in the first. Richard Panik had the secondary assist on Garbutt’s goal for his first point in a Blackhawks jersey.
The fact that the Blackhawks have caught the Stars, who they lost 4-0 to just prior to Christmas, even has them pleasantly surprised.
“To get on a run like this, I didn’t think it was possible for a big stretch, but in a short amount of time things have worked out,” Quenneville said. “There’s a lot of hockey to be played, but we’ll enjoy it today.”
They can enjoy it in large part due to Crawford’s outing on Thursday. Crawford has been good in every game against the Canadiens, even those that he lost. His stops on Thursday ranged from standard to stellar, and in six career outings against Montreal he’s now 4-0-2 with a 1.32 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
“I grew up here, used to come watch games here, and it’s still kind of surreal to step here on the ice and actually play a game out there,” Crawford said. “I don’t think that’ll change any time soon.”
Crawford was at his best in the second and third periods, when the Canadiens had 29 of their 40 shots.
“Yeah there’s excitement in his game and in his demeanor going into the game,” Quenneville said of Crawford. “I thought he was really good at morning skate, (had a) very business-like approach. We’ve seen him progress here each and every year. He’s having a great stretch for us right now; it’s one of the reasons we’ve been winning.”
Crawford stopped 39 of 40 shots and coach Joel Quenneville become the second all-time winningest coach outright as the Blackhawks beat the Canadiens, 2-1. The Blackhawks have now won nine straight; while they have as many points as the Dallas Stars, the Stars remain in first place with two games in hand.
Ryan Garbutt scored the game-winning goal in the first period, when the Blackhawks got all of their offense. Jonathan Toews scored his 17th of the season earlier in the first. Richard Panik had the secondary assist on Garbutt’s goal for his first point in a Blackhawks jersey.
The fact that the Blackhawks have caught the Stars, who they lost 4-0 to just prior to Christmas, even has them pleasantly surprised.
“To get on a run like this, I didn’t think it was possible for a big stretch, but in a short amount of time things have worked out,” Quenneville said. “There’s a lot of hockey to be played, but we’ll enjoy it today.”
They can enjoy it in large part due to Crawford’s outing on Thursday. Crawford has been good in every game against the Canadiens, even those that he lost. His stops on Thursday ranged from standard to stellar, and in six career outings against Montreal he’s now 4-0-2 with a 1.32 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
“I grew up here, used to come watch games here, and it’s still kind of surreal to step here on the ice and actually play a game out there,” Crawford said. “I don’t think that’ll change any time soon.”
Crawford was at his best in the second and third periods, when the Canadiens had 29 of their 40 shots.
“Yeah there’s excitement in his game and in his demeanor going into the game,” Quenneville said of Crawford. “I thought he was really good at morning skate, (had a) very business-like approach. We’ve seen him progress here each and every year. He’s having a great stretch for us right now; it’s one of the reasons we’ve been winning.”
Toews gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead 8:26 into the game when Andrew Shaw found him open on Mike Condon’s glove side. While they couldn’t capitalize on other chances on Thursday, the top line continues to build momentum and collect points.
"I don’t think the three of us — Shawzy, and Hoss and myself — are putting any pressure on ourselves, the way maybe we were earlier,” Toews said. “I think a lot of that comes from just having the puck a lot more. I think we’re finally starting to know where the other guys are on our line, and we’re able to get pucks away from pressure and buy each other some time and space. And plays are just developing for us.”
About two minutes after Paul Byron tied it with a shot that went off his shin pad, Garbutt laced one past Condon for the 2-1 lead Crawford wouldn’t relinquish.
“I just had the puck bounce off the wall in a perfect spot for me, just picked my spot and let it rip,” Garbutt said.
Crawford did the rest. It’s been a very good stretch for the Blackhawks. It’s been a good one for Crawford, too, and he enjoyed continuing it back home.
“It seems like our team is just coming together and we’re not taking as many penalties. We’re playing a simple game with speed and skill,” Crawford said. "Everyone's chemistry throughout the lineup compared to where we were in the beginning of the year ... there’s a lot of things coming together for us.”
(Photo/Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In the endless local ruminations as to how close to or far from a Super Bowl are the Bears, in one area they at least have one box checked.
Jay Cutler was the 2006 No. 1 draft choice of the Denver Broncos, 11th overall (same as Ben Roethlisberger). Of the eight remaining playoff teams, six are there with quarterbacks who were No. 1 draft choices:
Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith (No. 1, 2005)
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers (No. 24, 2005)
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer (No. 1, 2003)
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton (No. 1, 2011)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Roethlisberger (No. 11, 2004)
Broncos: Peyton Manning (No. 1, 1998)
The number would be seven of eight had Blair Walsh converted a 27-yard field goal that would have put the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (No. 32, 2014) into the divisional round instead of Russell Wilson, Seattle’s third-round pick in the 2012 draft.
That’s strictly an FWIW. Obviously draft position is less than zero guarantee of landing a player capable of getting his team even close to a Super Bowl. And defense is obviously critical; six of the eight divisional teams rank in the top 10 in fewest points allowed. Cutler being a No. 1 simply puts him in the same general trivia question as Terry Baker, Tim Couch, Jeff George, JaMarcus Russell and other 1’s of history.
Is he potentially good enough? is more relevant given his 2015 season jump-starting his skills application.
Quarterback play is the common thread through teams advancing to the divisional-round level. Seven of the eight quarterbacks boast passer ratings better than Cutler’s 92.3 for 2015, with only Manning lower-rated than Cutler in what has been an injury nightmare of a season for Manning. So he’s statistically not really up to where the tall dogs run.
Is Cutler at a level capable of getting a team deep into playoffs? Quarterbacks with considerably less than his talent level have won rings (e.g., Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson, Mark Rypien). But for all of the importance on complimentary football and structuring a team and offense that don’t require Cutler to be a superstar, chances of your team playing more than 16 games in a season rise considerably if your quarterback is one.
Bears tackle Kyle Long named to third straight Pro Bowl.
By John Mullin
Jay Cutler was the 2006 No. 1 draft choice of the Denver Broncos, 11th overall (same as Ben Roethlisberger). Of the eight remaining playoff teams, six are there with quarterbacks who were No. 1 draft choices:
Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith (No. 1, 2005)
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers (No. 24, 2005)
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer (No. 1, 2003)
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton (No. 1, 2011)
Pittsburgh Steelers: Roethlisberger (No. 11, 2004)
Broncos: Peyton Manning (No. 1, 1998)
The number would be seven of eight had Blair Walsh converted a 27-yard field goal that would have put the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (No. 32, 2014) into the divisional round instead of Russell Wilson, Seattle’s third-round pick in the 2012 draft.
That’s strictly an FWIW. Obviously draft position is less than zero guarantee of landing a player capable of getting his team even close to a Super Bowl. And defense is obviously critical; six of the eight divisional teams rank in the top 10 in fewest points allowed. Cutler being a No. 1 simply puts him in the same general trivia question as Terry Baker, Tim Couch, Jeff George, JaMarcus Russell and other 1’s of history.
Is he potentially good enough? is more relevant given his 2015 season jump-starting his skills application.
Quarterback play is the common thread through teams advancing to the divisional-round level. Seven of the eight quarterbacks boast passer ratings better than Cutler’s 92.3 for 2015, with only Manning lower-rated than Cutler in what has been an injury nightmare of a season for Manning. So he’s statistically not really up to where the tall dogs run.
Is Cutler at a level capable of getting a team deep into playoffs? Quarterbacks with considerably less than his talent level have won rings (e.g., Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson, Mark Rypien). But for all of the importance on complimentary football and structuring a team and offense that don’t require Cutler to be a superstar, chances of your team playing more than 16 games in a season rise considerably if your quarterback is one.
Bears tackle Kyle Long named to third straight Pro Bowl.
By John Mullin
(Photo/The Sports Mockery)
In the days before the 2015 game one against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears decided two-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long would suddenly become a tackle. Later in the season coach John Fox was clear: Kyle Long is a tackle.
The NFL apparently agrees, naming Long to his third straight Pro Bowl, this time as a tackle and replacing Philadelphia’s Jason Peters, who is out because of injury.
Long, who becomes the Bears’ sole representative in the Pro Bowl at this point, was surprised when his cell phone rang on Thursday and it was Fox calling, leaving a message to call him and it was “urgent.”
Long returned Fox's call and was treated to the news that, for all of his struggles at times in his “rookie” year at tackle, he was a Pro Bowl’er again.
“It just makes me realize how great a fan base we have and appreciative of the voters week to week, the guys around me on the team,” Long said. “I can’t say enough about the guys on the team and the coaching.”
Long had said privately before the season that his personal goal was to be the first guard to be named to Pro Bowls in his first 10 seasons. The 2013 Bears No. 1 pick, 20th overall, is still on track for his 10-goal, but this one comes at a position he admits he wasn’t all that keen on before the change came.
After strong play early against the likes of Khalil Mack from Oakland and Justin Houston of Kansas City, Long had his difficult moments as well in the closing weeks. But the overall is what the Bears, and ultimately he, wanted in the way of performance.
“I think I made a big sacrifice in my career and I think this was, in a roundabout way, a reward for it,” Long said. “Unfortunately I dealt with a lot of growing pains and I’ve owned it. It’s been part of the learning process and I’ve tried to be positive every day.
“It’s been a fun process this year and there’ve been tough times, but Hawaii’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Long is the first Bears offensive lineman ever to receive Pro Bowl honors in his first three seasons. He also is the first since Brian Urlacher (2000-2002) to be named to Pro Bowls in his first three seasons, regardless of position, and the seventh Bear of all time to achieve that honor.
Three of the last four are in the Hall of Fame, and Urlacher will be eligible in 2018, part of a class that will include Ray Lewis.
Long started all 16 games for the Bears this season at right tackle and was a part of a Bears offense that ranked third in franchise single-season history in completion percentage (63.9) and interception percentage (2.3), fourth in gross passing yards (3,843) and third-down percentage (42.5), fifth in net passing yards (3,660) and sixth in passer rating (89.7) and total net yards (5,514). Long helped protect QB Jay Cutler who had a career-high 92.3 passer rating while blocking for Matt Fortè, who finished ninth in the NFL this season averaging 99 yards from scrimmage per game.
“I’m just really appreciative of this and it’s a blessing to be able to represent the Bears in the Pro Bowl again,” Long said. As far as assessing his season, “when you have some separation from the season and time off, you get a chance to dissect the things you want to improve on for next year.
“That’s been the biggest thing for me since the break.”
Bears named to Pro Bowls in each of their first three NFL seasons:
G/T Kyle Long, 2013-15
LB Brian Urlacher, 2000-02
RB Gale Sayers, 1965-67
LB Dick Butkus, 1965-67
TE Mike Ditka, 1961-63
RB Rick Casares, 1955-57
WR Harlon Hill, 1954-56
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Dallas Mavericks-Chicago Bulls Preview.
The NFL apparently agrees, naming Long to his third straight Pro Bowl, this time as a tackle and replacing Philadelphia’s Jason Peters, who is out because of injury.
Long, who becomes the Bears’ sole representative in the Pro Bowl at this point, was surprised when his cell phone rang on Thursday and it was Fox calling, leaving a message to call him and it was “urgent.”
Long returned Fox's call and was treated to the news that, for all of his struggles at times in his “rookie” year at tackle, he was a Pro Bowl’er again.
“It just makes me realize how great a fan base we have and appreciative of the voters week to week, the guys around me on the team,” Long said. “I can’t say enough about the guys on the team and the coaching.”
Long had said privately before the season that his personal goal was to be the first guard to be named to Pro Bowls in his first 10 seasons. The 2013 Bears No. 1 pick, 20th overall, is still on track for his 10-goal, but this one comes at a position he admits he wasn’t all that keen on before the change came.
After strong play early against the likes of Khalil Mack from Oakland and Justin Houston of Kansas City, Long had his difficult moments as well in the closing weeks. But the overall is what the Bears, and ultimately he, wanted in the way of performance.
“I think I made a big sacrifice in my career and I think this was, in a roundabout way, a reward for it,” Long said. “Unfortunately I dealt with a lot of growing pains and I’ve owned it. It’s been part of the learning process and I’ve tried to be positive every day.
“It’s been a fun process this year and there’ve been tough times, but Hawaii’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Long is the first Bears offensive lineman ever to receive Pro Bowl honors in his first three seasons. He also is the first since Brian Urlacher (2000-2002) to be named to Pro Bowls in his first three seasons, regardless of position, and the seventh Bear of all time to achieve that honor.
Three of the last four are in the Hall of Fame, and Urlacher will be eligible in 2018, part of a class that will include Ray Lewis.
Long started all 16 games for the Bears this season at right tackle and was a part of a Bears offense that ranked third in franchise single-season history in completion percentage (63.9) and interception percentage (2.3), fourth in gross passing yards (3,843) and third-down percentage (42.5), fifth in net passing yards (3,660) and sixth in passer rating (89.7) and total net yards (5,514). Long helped protect QB Jay Cutler who had a career-high 92.3 passer rating while blocking for Matt Fortè, who finished ninth in the NFL this season averaging 99 yards from scrimmage per game.
“I’m just really appreciative of this and it’s a blessing to be able to represent the Bears in the Pro Bowl again,” Long said. As far as assessing his season, “when you have some separation from the season and time off, you get a chance to dissect the things you want to improve on for next year.
“That’s been the biggest thing for me since the break.”
Bears named to Pro Bowls in each of their first three NFL seasons:
G/T Kyle Long, 2013-15
LB Brian Urlacher, 2000-02
RB Gale Sayers, 1965-67
LB Dick Butkus, 1965-67
TE Mike Ditka, 1961-63
RB Rick Casares, 1955-57
WR Harlon Hill, 1954-56
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Dallas Mavericks-Chicago Bulls Preview.
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
VS. 
Derrick Rose is supposed to be back from his latest injury, but Jimmy Butler's presence on the court is much more important to the Chicago Bulls.
Butler looks to build on the best performance of his career Friday night when the Bulls face the Dallas Mavericks.
Rose has missed six games this season due to various injuries, an improvement after he sat out 31 in 2014-15.
Chicago (23-15), though, is 5-1 without the former NBA MVP mostly because of Butler. The guard is averaging 34.3 points and 6.2 assists while hitting 51.9 percent from the floor in games without Rose.
Butler, who has started every game this season, willed the Bulls to Thursday's 115-111 overtime win at Philadelphia, erasing a 24-point deficit while Rose nursed a sprained knee. He had a career-high and NBA season high-tying 53 points with 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals while no other Bull scored more than 17.
"That's as good of a performance as I've seen," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "The guys hopped on his shoulders and he carried us home. Play after play, it was an unbelievable performance."
"That's as good of a performance as I've seen," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "The guys hopped on his shoulders and he carried us home. Play after play, it was an unbelievable performance."
Butler, however, struggled in a 118-111 loss at Dallas on Dec. 26, scoring 17 points with five turnovers while shooting 4 of 11. He totaled 43 points over the two previous matchups, which the teams split.
Rose had one of his best performances of the season against the Mavericks (22-18) in December, connecting on 12 of 20 shots to finish with 25 points.
Rose had one of his best performances of the season against the Mavericks (22-18) in December, connecting on 12 of 20 shots to finish with 25 points.
Pau Gasol chipped in 18 in that matchup, and he had 29 with 14 boards in a 132-129 double-OT loss in the most recent meeting at United Center. The forward should be fresh for this one since he was given the day off Thursday.
The Mavericks are on the cusp of matching their season-high three-game slide from Nov. 22-25, but having their full compliment of starters back should make a difference.
The Mavericks are on the cusp of matching their season-high three-game slide from Nov. 22-25, but having their full compliment of starters back should make a difference.
A day after falling 110-107 in overtime to Cleveland on Tuesday, coach Rick Carlisle rested all of his starters and Dallas shot 39.0 percent from the floor - 6 for 31 from beyond the arc - in a 108-89 loss at Oklahoma City.
Salah Mejri, however, may have earned more playing time after totaling 17 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. The center, a native of Tunisia, logged 19 minutes while collecting five boards over the first five games of his NBA career.
"He's been working hard with our developmental people," Carlisle said. "He's been practicing hard. The work paid off. He had a really good night offensively. He rebounded the ball. He showed that he's in shape and that he's ready. Very positive sign."
Carlisle is expected to have Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons, Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia back.
Carlisle is expected to have Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews, Chandler Parsons, Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia back.
Parsons and Pachulia keyed the Mavs against Chicago last month. Parsons had 20 points with five assists and five rebounds, while Pachulia scored 17 and pulled down 12 off the glass as Dallas outscored the Bulls 30-19 in second-chance points and 28-11 in points off turnovers.
Parsons has averaged 21.0 points over the last three meetings with the Bulls.
Nowitzki has 20.8 points per game over his last nine on the road, and he had 22 while grabbing 14 boards in the most recent visit to Chicago.
The forward's next game will tie him with Elvin Hayes for 15th on the NBA's all-time games played list at 1,303. Only 17 players have played in 1,300 or more NBA games.
Jimmy Butler's NBA-best 53 points lifts Bulls in OT thriller over Sixers.
By Vincent Goodwill
Joakim Noah loudly protested to the officials, followed by Kirk Hinrich doing it in a more diplomatic manner, in a demonstrative display of emotion after inexplicably fouling Jahlil Okafor taking a desperation 3-pointer with the shot clock headed toward expiration.
It was a rare show of emotion early as the Bulls fell behind by as many as 24 points before Jimmy Butler authored a career performance, keeping the Bulls in the game as he waited for his teammates to show a pulse.
It took overtime, and it took all of his career-high and NBA-season best 53 points but the Bulls survived their own lethargy and lack of fight to come up with enough to beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 115-111, at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night.
The 50-plus point night added his name to Bulls lore, joining Chet Walker, Jamal Crawford and yes, Michael Jordan to the lot of Bulls with that achievement.
“Michael’s the best player to ever play this game. I’m just playing my role on this team. And I wear his shoes (Jordan Brand),” Butler said. “He’s got a couple notches up on me. A lot of them, actually.”
Fred Hoiberg was in amazement on the sidelines as Butler carried the Bulls to win.
“I think so. They had a good defender on Jimmy,” Hoiberg said. “We used him as a ball screener and as a handler. Again, play after play. It was an unbelievable performance.”
By the time he beat Robert Covington for a backdoor layup and foul, which fouled out the 76ers’ biggest offensive threat (25 points), it became clear it was his night.
“I was just shooting the ball. I just kept being aggressive,” said Butler, who added another explosion to his January file, which includes a 42-point performance against Toronto. “Took some bad ones, some terrible ones. But luckily we pulled out the win.”
Another three-point play later was countered by Ish Smith, then finally he had some help in the way of E’Twaun Moore hitting a triple with 1:17 left to give the Bulls a 104-101 lead.
Smith hit one of his own and to overtime we went, where Moore gave the Bulls more.
Seven straight points gave the Bulls a 111-108 lead before Butler chased down a rebound for a layup with 1:20 left to give the Bulls a five-point lead. And he defended Smith’s driving layup with 25 seconds left, providing just enough length for it to bounce off the rim, preventing the 76ers from tying it again.
“Just play basketball. Take the shots the defense gives you,” Butler said. “Everybody sees 53 but that’s not the reason we won. E’Twaun made some big plays down the stretch. He stepped in. That guy gets a lot of credit for tonight.”
It was a defensive stop added to his 10 rebounds and six assists in 49 grueling minutes, which was punctuated by going to the line a career high 25 times, where he made 21 free throws.
Amazingly before the game, no one could be sure how effective Butler would be considering he sprained his ankle late against the Milwaukee Bucks two nights ago and didn’t go through shootaround.
“It was one of those looks, ‘if you take me out I’ll quit’,” Hoiberg said.
But 10 points into the first quarter, it was clear he was mentally and physically into the game, even through his lapses and the mistakes of the rest of the team.
The lead climbed from 12 to 15 to 22 midway through the second quarter, at 50-28, and things looked quite helpless.
It was a comedy of errors, until it suddenly didn’t become so funny—or until it became “laugh instead of cry” funny for the Bulls.
“Turnovers. Hanging heads and no urgency at all on defense,” Hoiberg said. “It couldn’t have been a worse start for us. Everything affected us, the way we handled it. At halftime we cut it to 16, it was manageable. They backed it up.”
Hoiberg unleashed holy hell on his team at halftime, according to the players, as the mild-mannered coach got on his team.
“We don’t gotta continually say we know what we’re doing wrong,” Butler said. “Fred came in here and got on our asses, said “turn this s*** around”, he knew it, we knew it. And we coached the s**t out of us. Made sure we ran these plays. Made sure we executed.”
It wasn’t a stormy comeback for the Bulls, who should’ve never found themselves in this position—even without Rose and Gasol, because despite the 76ers being better since inserting Jerry Colangelo at the top of the leadership board, they’re still a team that has six wins to its name.
And all it would take would be a few minutes of continuity because the 76ers clearly ran out of gas midway through the third quarter as Smith and Covington made miraculous shot after shot to hold the Bulls off for as long as they could.
Moore scored 14 for the Bulls and Doug McDermott 17 in 33 minutes, including a thunderous dunk in the final minutes of regulation that stunned an already stunned crowd.
They were equal parts stunned about Butler’s performance as they were about their team taking a huge lead.
But by the end of it, Butler’s scoring and a few heady plays proved to be just enough on a night where “just enough” should’ve been more than enough to beat a toothless bunch.
Bulls roster at a crossroads, in need of real change. What's Your Take?
By Vincent Goodwill
On paper, it appears the Bulls were in the midst of a somewhat usual three-game losing streak that occurs in the throes of an 82-game season.
But things could be much more critical, and the front office must consider the crossroads the franchise is in.
Last year is over, and when the Bulls failed to show up for the second half of Game 6 in the Eastern Conference semifinals at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers, their best chance with the core being constructed as such likely went up in smoke with it.
The theories and finger-pointing has been entertaining, if not fruitless in the time since, as the same participants have deflected attention or tacitly stated the issue lies in other directions.
But none of that matters now, as the Bulls are in the one space teams aspire to get to, but hate staying in beyond a short period of time: the no-man’s land of contention.
Good enough to be better than the also-rans, talented enough to be ensured of a playoff spot in an improved Eastern Conference but not good enough to be feared by the true championship contenders.
Many have asked if the Bulls are the scintillating bunch that can win six straight, showing offensive efficiency to Fred Hoiberg’s intended desire or if they’re the seemingly lifeless bunch that doesn’t look very happy to play with each other consistently, and can’t sustain the proper mental concentration over a 48-minute game.
The uncomfortable answer: They’re both, which makes things that much more difficult for Gar Forman and John Paxson leading to the trade deadline a little over a month away.
When you’re good enough to pull off wins against the best of the best, it’s seduces many into believing this momentum can be carried into June because when called upon, championship-style teams have fallen to your talent and continuity.
But there’s fewer games against the Spurs or the Cavaliers in the regular season and more against the likes of the Wizards or the Pistons or Bucks or Hawks, where consistency is formed.
Where a championship is forged, along with championship habits, which the Bulls don’t appear to have 37 games into the season.
Aside from Jimmy Butler and on occasion, a healthy Derrick Rose, there aren’t any other impact players on the roster, someone who can have a tangible effect on games consistently from a ball-handling position.
And how comfortable will the Bulls be with their swingmen headed into the playoffs being Tony Snell, Doug McDermott and presumably, Mike Dunleavy coming back off a back injury at his age, after the all-star break, which by proxy is after the trade deadline.
The team is built around Rose and Butler being stars for the Bulls to have a chance to overtake Cleveland, as long as LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving don’t get hurt.
James, Love and Irving are three impact players, with Tristan Thompson capable of winning a playoff game of his own with his offensive rebounding, and J.R. Smith capable of doing the same with a hot streak of shooting (although he can give one away, too).
By this count, that’s five potential impact players with your biggest rival, to one and a possible for the Bulls, assuming the two parties actually meet in the conference finals as-is.
And if you’ve played a game of spades, a guarantee of one book doesn’t leave you feeling very confident.
Which leaves the Bulls in a spot where change is necessary and seems likely to happen, deemed by the contract situations of Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol and even Taj Gibson.
Noah will be an unrestricted free agent and Gasol has already told CSNChicago.com a few weeks ago that opting out is likely, even though one would say it’s a near certainty Gasol goes for his last payday approaching at age 36 come July.
Their contracts just so happened to be up at the same time, so it wasn’t some oversight from the front office that the two centers could very well leave Chicago for another city after the season.
And they have acquired a surplus of bigs, particularly with Bobby Portis having earned more minutes with his play—except there aren’t any minutes to have, and one can see him rushing to produce because he knows there’s likely one stint in the game plan for him with things laid out as such.
If they can acquire a decent swingman or at worst a shot creator, maybe Trevor Ariza away from Houston, or even take a chance on the likes of Phoenix's Markieff Morris or even Memphis' Jeff Green, maybe things can tilt a bit toward the Bulls’ favor.
Identifying the need for change is the easy part. Knowing what parts to change is where the curiosity about the remainder of this Bulls season begins.
Winning is fragile, so for all the Bulls’ inconsistencies, there’s a belief the players will get it together and continuity and familiarity will win the day, especially over the course of an 82-game season.
Making personnel changes requires the acknowledgement that the assembled roster isn’t good enough for compete for a title, and that taking a temporary step backward for the greater good is best.
Anybody with a set of eyes can tell this roster isn’t tailor fit to Hoiberg’s preferences, but it likely will be over the next couple of years where the front office brings in players to switch gears of a different kind of roster, and a different kind of philosophy.
The change will likely happen sooner than later, but to what extent?
Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Take: First, as most of you are, we're a diehard Bulls fans, let's understand that. However, we don't understand some of the players on the Bulls' roster. They make terrific money but don't seem to have the desire and commitment to win. Granted, I was spoiled by the Michael Jordan era teams but I can't imagine any of the players on any of those teams sitting out or missing so many games. They say that they're injured, okay??? Even when sick or injured, the Jordan era players fought to get out and play. The Bulls players today state they're protecting and listening to their bodies, okay, I guess. Either their bodies are not conditioned or they're soft. It sounds cold, but there seem to be a lack of desire. They complained about Coach Thibodeau overworking them, he's gone. Now some of them don't like Coach Hoiberg and his system. The players are paid to play. If they aren't part of the solution, they're a major part of the problem. Again, they're paid extremely well and if they don't think they are, let them join us in the real world. Long hours and the pay, well that's another story. They would faint at our paychecks.
With their talent, skills and pride, I would think that they would be proud to represent Chicago and bring another championship trophy home. There's a rich basketball history here and phenomenal if not unprecedented fan support. They have one of the best owners, Jerry Reinsdorf, in professional sports so I'm very confused with what the problem is with this team. I feel they have a good core of players but their attitudes and egos need to be checked at the door. Commitment, preparation and follow through are needed to reach the next level. It's the players decision to make. Eventually, a group of contenders are going to be put together and a lot of talented guys are going to miss out and be touted as pretenders. Team first, all for one and one for all... Learn form the Blackhawks, "One city, one team." It's all about the team............
We've stated our observations for this week and 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 opinion with us. We love hearing from you and truly look forward to hearing what you really think and how you really feel.
The Chicago Sports & Travel, Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Staff.
Will Cubs make another splash this winter?
By Patrick Mooney
Will the Cubs make another splash this winter?
Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the idea of another big-name addition on Wednesday, while chairman Tom Ricketts told reporters not to expect a contract-extension announcement for team president Theo Epstein at this weekend’s Cubs Convention.
The Cubs sell themselves right now, as Epstein likes to say. So heading into the fifth and final season of his contract, there should be “no alarm bells to ring” (another Theo-ism before firing Dale Sveum). Epstein’s front office has methodically rebuilt a roster that FanGraphs projects will finish with the best record (95-67) in baseball this year.
The Cubs don’t need to change the subject this weekend by introducing a new mascot at the Sheraton Grand Chicago or waiting for Masahiro Tanaka or unveiling more Wrigley Field blueprints. The focus should actually shift back to the on-field product (and not rooftop turf battles or City Hall politicking).
Working with ownership and the business side, Epstein appears to have already stretched the baseball budget, trying to cram two winters of talent acquisition into one offseason.
After dropping $272 million on Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward, super-utility guy Ben Zobrist and big-game pitcher John Lackey, the Cubs are just about done reshaping a team that won 97 games last year and advanced to the National League Championship Series.
“Honestly, there’s a lot of talk,” Maddon said before his “Thanksmas” dinner at Catholic Charities on LaSalle Street. “But I’m working under the assumption – and I really mean this – that it’s going to look exactly like this when we go to camp.
“Do I anticipate anything? Not necessarily. I would imagine we’re pretty close to what we’re going to look like when we get there and into the first part of the season. But if that’s the case, I have nothing to complain about.”
At this time last year, it sounded crazy when All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo showed up at a similar event and predicted the Cubs would win the division. It sounded like Rizzo Being Rizzo.
The Cubs finished in third place behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, and then eliminated their Central rivals from the playoffs in what became a delirious run through October, at least until getting swept by the New York Mets.
The Cubs will be the hunted this year, playing with a target on their backs. No more stepping-stone seasons in Wrigleyville for this talented group. All the expectations will revolve around winning the franchise’s first World Series title since 1908.
“No guarantees,” Maddon said. “We have a chance to replicate what we did last year.
It’s up to us. Replicate in the sense you get to the playoffs and get deep into the playoffs and hopefully win at least eight more games.
“But I think everything’s in order. A big part of it is the guys that have never won learned how to win (last) year and that matters a lot. The guys that we brought in have known how to win.
“It’s a pretty good bedrock there.”
Cubs bringing back Ryne Sandberg as ambassador.
Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the idea of another big-name addition on Wednesday, while chairman Tom Ricketts told reporters not to expect a contract-extension announcement for team president Theo Epstein at this weekend’s Cubs Convention.
The Cubs sell themselves right now, as Epstein likes to say. So heading into the fifth and final season of his contract, there should be “no alarm bells to ring” (another Theo-ism before firing Dale Sveum). Epstein’s front office has methodically rebuilt a roster that FanGraphs projects will finish with the best record (95-67) in baseball this year.
The Cubs don’t need to change the subject this weekend by introducing a new mascot at the Sheraton Grand Chicago or waiting for Masahiro Tanaka or unveiling more Wrigley Field blueprints. The focus should actually shift back to the on-field product (and not rooftop turf battles or City Hall politicking).
Working with ownership and the business side, Epstein appears to have already stretched the baseball budget, trying to cram two winters of talent acquisition into one offseason.
After dropping $272 million on Gold Glove outfielder Jason Heyward, super-utility guy Ben Zobrist and big-game pitcher John Lackey, the Cubs are just about done reshaping a team that won 97 games last year and advanced to the National League Championship Series.
“Honestly, there’s a lot of talk,” Maddon said before his “Thanksmas” dinner at Catholic Charities on LaSalle Street. “But I’m working under the assumption – and I really mean this – that it’s going to look exactly like this when we go to camp.
“Do I anticipate anything? Not necessarily. I would imagine we’re pretty close to what we’re going to look like when we get there and into the first part of the season. But if that’s the case, I have nothing to complain about.”
At this time last year, it sounded crazy when All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo showed up at a similar event and predicted the Cubs would win the division. It sounded like Rizzo Being Rizzo.
The Cubs finished in third place behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates, and then eliminated their Central rivals from the playoffs in what became a delirious run through October, at least until getting swept by the New York Mets.
The Cubs will be the hunted this year, playing with a target on their backs. No more stepping-stone seasons in Wrigleyville for this talented group. All the expectations will revolve around winning the franchise’s first World Series title since 1908.
“No guarantees,” Maddon said. “We have a chance to replicate what we did last year.
It’s up to us. Replicate in the sense you get to the playoffs and get deep into the playoffs and hopefully win at least eight more games.
“But I think everything’s in order. A big part of it is the guys that have never won learned how to win (last) year and that matters a lot. The guys that we brought in have known how to win.
“It’s a pretty good bedrock there.”
Cubs bringing back Ryne Sandberg as ambassador.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
The Cubs are reuniting with Ryne Sandberg, sources confirmed Thursday, bringing the Hall of Famer back to the organization as an ambassador.
A formal announcement could come as soon as this weekend, when Sandberg is scheduled to appear at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
This sounds like a low-stress role for Sandberg, who walked away from the Philadelphia Phillies last summer, resigning as manager while that franchise underwent a sweeping overhaul.
Sandberg finished with a 119-159 record across parts of three seasons in Philadelphia. He had managed his way up the minor-league ladder with the Cubs between 2007 and 2010, but never got serious consideration for the big-league job.
Still a fan favorite in Chicago, “Ryno” had left the organization on good terms at the ownership level with the Ricketts family and threw out a first pitch before a playoff game at Wrigley Field last October.
Ricketts continue to scoop up Wrigley rooftops.
A formal announcement could come as soon as this weekend, when Sandberg is scheduled to appear at the Cubs Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
This sounds like a low-stress role for Sandberg, who walked away from the Philadelphia Phillies last summer, resigning as manager while that franchise underwent a sweeping overhaul.
Sandberg finished with a 119-159 record across parts of three seasons in Philadelphia. He had managed his way up the minor-league ladder with the Cubs between 2007 and 2010, but never got serious consideration for the big-league job.
Still a fan favorite in Chicago, “Ryno” had left the organization on good terms at the ownership level with the Ricketts family and threw out a first pitch before a playoff game at Wrigley Field last October.
Ricketts continue to scoop up Wrigley rooftops.
#CUBSTALK
The Ricketts family continue their game of real-life Monopoly in Wrigleyville.
Danny Ecker of Crain's Chicago Business reported Wednesday the Ricketts have purchased three more rooftop buildings across the street from Wrigley Field.
The Cubs owners now claim nine of the 16 rooftop venues on Sheffield and Waveland. A little over a year ago, the Ricketts owned zero rooftop properties.
The three recent Ricketts purchases include the Beyond the Ivy rooftop buildings at 1010 and 1038 W. Waveland Ave. and the Sky Lounge Wrigley Rooftop at 1048 W. Waveland.
Ecker did not have valuations for any of the three sales.
After a nasty dispute with the rooftop owners over an effort to install video boards at Wrigley was finally settled, the Ricketts have been aggressive over the last 13 months:
Danny Ecker of Crain's Chicago Business reported Wednesday the Ricketts have purchased three more rooftop buildings across the street from Wrigley Field.
The Cubs owners now claim nine of the 16 rooftop venues on Sheffield and Waveland. A little over a year ago, the Ricketts owned zero rooftop properties.
The three recent Ricketts purchases include the Beyond the Ivy rooftop buildings at 1010 and 1038 W. Waveland Ave. and the Sky Lounge Wrigley Rooftop at 1048 W. Waveland.
Ecker did not have valuations for any of the three sales.
After a nasty dispute with the rooftop owners over an effort to install video boards at Wrigley was finally settled, the Ricketts have been aggressive over the last 13 months:
It's interesting the Ricketts have not bought any of the buildings directly behind the video boards, as they essentially don't have much to offer right now with the structures now blocking the view.
White Sox name Jason Benetti new announcer, extend contracts of Harrelson, Stone.
By Dan Hayes
The White Sox named local product Jason Benetti to their TV broadcast team on Wednesday and extended the contracts of Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone.
Benetti, 32, is set to call 81 games next to Stone in 2016 as Harrelson starts a reduced schedule.
Harrelson, who is beginning his 32nd season in the team’s broadcast booth, will call 81 games, 78 of which come on the road. The longtime play-by-play man is also expected to be in the booth for the home opener and when the Cubs play two games at U.S. Cellular Field in July. Now in his ninth season with the White Sox, Stone’s schedule is expected to remain the same.
Benetti, who grew up a White Sox fan, has called college basketball, football, baseball and lacrosse at ESPN since 2011. He also previously served as the radio play-by-play man for the Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
“Jason is one of the top up-and-coming voices in sports television,” vice president of sales and marketing Brooks Boyer said in a release. “He is a homegrown talent who will mix a love for the game with a deep knowledge of the White Sox and an informative and entertaining style. We believe Sox fans will immediately connect with his humor, intellect and personality.”
A graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High, Benetti graduated in 2005 from Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism, economics and psychology. He also attended Wake Forest University’s school of law. Prior to joining ESPN, Benetti worked for Fox Sports 1, Westwood One Radio and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.
“Joining the White Sox television team of Ken Harrelson and Steve Stone — with the chance to work with Steve on home games — is truly a dream come true for a kid who grew up in the south suburbs watching Sox games during the 1990s,” Benetti said. “This is beyond exciting for me.”
Benetti was born with cerebral palsy and works with the “Just Say Hi’ campaign launched the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
“The way I look or walk is such a small part of who I am as a person,” Benetti said. “I like to joke that, fortunately, I chose a profession where all I needed was my voice, not my legs. I have always felt that if I can help one other person, or if I can help change one person’s attitude about how they perceive others, then I have made a positive difference.”
White Sox avoid arbitration, agree to deals with Lawrie, Jennings.
White Sox name Jason Benetti new announcer, extend contracts of Harrelson, Stone.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox named local product Jason Benetti to their TV broadcast team on Wednesday and extended the contracts of Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone.
Benetti, 32, is set to call 81 games next to Stone in 2016 as Harrelson starts a reduced schedule.
Harrelson, who is beginning his 32nd season in the team’s broadcast booth, will call 81 games, 78 of which come on the road. The longtime play-by-play man is also expected to be in the booth for the home opener and when the Cubs play two games at U.S. Cellular Field in July. Now in his ninth season with the White Sox, Stone’s schedule is expected to remain the same.
Benetti, who grew up a White Sox fan, has called college basketball, football, baseball and lacrosse at ESPN since 2011. He also previously served as the radio play-by-play man for the Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
“Jason is one of the top up-and-coming voices in sports television,” vice president of sales and marketing Brooks Boyer said in a release. “He is a homegrown talent who will mix a love for the game with a deep knowledge of the White Sox and an informative and entertaining style. We believe Sox fans will immediately connect with his humor, intellect and personality.”
A graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High, Benetti graduated in 2005 from Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism, economics and psychology. He also attended Wake Forest University’s school of law. Prior to joining ESPN, Benetti worked for Fox Sports 1, Westwood One Radio and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.
“Joining the White Sox television team of Ken Harrelson and Steve Stone — with the chance to work with Steve on home games — is truly a dream come true for a kid who grew up in the south suburbs watching Sox games during the 1990s,” Benetti said. “This is beyond exciting for me.”
Benetti was born with cerebral palsy and works with the “Just Say Hi’ campaign launched the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
“The way I look or walk is such a small part of who I am as a person,” Benetti said. “I like to joke that, fortunately, I chose a profession where all I needed was my voice, not my legs. I have always felt that if I can help one other person, or if I can help change one person’s attitude about how they perceive others, then I have made a positive difference.”
White Sox avoid arbitration, agree to deals with Lawrie, Jennings.
CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The White Sox avoided arbitration with a pair of players, including one of their big offseason acquisitions, the team announced Thursday.
The White Sox agreed to one-year deals with infielder Brett Lawrie, who was acquired in a winter trade with the Oakland A's, and relief pitcher Dan Jennings.
Lawrie will make $4.125 million in 2016, and Jennings will make $810,000.
Lawrie is expected to be the team's everyday second baseman this season. Last season in Oakland, Lawrie posted a .260/.299/.407 slash line with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Jennings pitched 56 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the South Siders last season after three seasons with the Miami Marlins. Jennings posted a 3.99 ERA with 46 strikeouts compared to 24 walks.
The White Sox have two remaining arbitration-eligible players.
The White Sox agreed to one-year deals with infielder Brett Lawrie, who was acquired in a winter trade with the Oakland A's, and relief pitcher Dan Jennings.
Lawrie will make $4.125 million in 2016, and Jennings will make $810,000.
Lawrie is expected to be the team's everyday second baseman this season. Last season in Oakland, Lawrie posted a .260/.299/.407 slash line with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Jennings pitched 56 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the South Siders last season after three seasons with the Miami Marlins. Jennings posted a 3.99 ERA with 46 strikeouts compared to 24 walks.
The White Sox have two remaining arbitration-eligible players.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Vijay Singh tied for early lead at Waialae.
By DOUG FERGUSON
Vijay Singh had his best opening round in more than three years, good enough for a five-way share of the lead Thursday in the Sony Open.
And it was just enough to beat players in his own age group.
Singh, who turns 53 next month and could be the oldest PGA Tour winner in history with a victory at Waialae, narrowly missed an 8-foot eagle putt on his final hole and still posted his best score in 19 years playing the Sony Open.
Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Kisner caught him in the afternoon. Snedeker holed out a long chip for eagle on the short par-4 10th and made two birdies late on the back nine. Kisner got up-and-down from a bunker for a birdie on the par-5 18th.
Ricky Barnes, winless in 205 starts on the PGA Tour as a pro, and Morgan Hoffmann also shot 63 in the morning.
Even so, it was difficult to ignore the performance of the seniors in the opening round.
Fred Funk, who turns 60 this summer, made a late bid for the lead until a bogey on the 16th hole. He wound up with a 65. Davis Love III, who won the Wyndham Champion last August at age 51, birdied the last hole for a 66.
Singh, Funk and Love are sticking around next week for the Champions Tour season opener on the Big Island. It will be three straight weeks in paradise for Love, who opened his new year on Kapalua in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Jerry Kelly is nearly in that group at age 49. He shot 65 in the morning and saw Funk headed to the first tee in the afternoon.
''He says, 'Hey, for the old guys, play good.' I go, 'What did you shoot?' He said 5 (under),'' Funk said.
Kelly told him that was two shots behind Singh.
''Yeah, the old guys are showing they can do it,'' Funk said.
So can the younger set.
Snedeker started his year at Kapalua with a new golf ball and a new driver, found something in his setup over the weekend and closed with 65-67 to tie for third. Kisner played in the final group on Saturday, found a slight glitch in his swing caused by wind and figured it out over the last two days.
Kisner won the final PGA Tour event of 2015 and finished ninth at Kapalua despite his 71-71 weekend. And he's right back in the mix.
''I really didn't work on much on offseason,'' Kisner said. ''We stayed with our plan, and the game has been great. I was striping it today, and that's what you need to do at this place.''
Snedeker wouldn't know. He hasn't been to Waialae in eight years and left with a bad taste in his mouth. That was in 2008, when the PGA Tour started a policy that when more than 78 players made the cut, the cut would be closest number of players to 70. It later was changed to a Saturday cut to help trim the field.
''I'm glad I came back,'' he said. ''It's a good golf course for me.''
Singh won the Sony Open in 2005 when he was No. 1 in the world, a year after the former Masters and PGA champion turned in a nine-win season on the PGA Tour. But he hasn't won since the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2008, which effectively wrapped up the FedEx Cup.
The big Fijian has been around long enough to realize that a good start is nothing more than that.
''I've been playing really well,'' he said. ''I just haven't produced the scores. I feel I'm playing well, and see what the next three days bring.''
It helped to hole some long putts, and Singh knocked in a 50-footer for birdie on his third hole. He added a pair of 20-foot birdie putts and a 30-foot birdie putt. More than a good day on the greens, and some solid scrambling at the start, was a book.
He said his body feels better than it has in years, which certainly helps. But he found a book that he has carried with him for the last 20 years that he began reading.
''I haven't read it for the last 10 years,'' he said. ''So I picked it up yesterday and started reading a few things that I've been doing, and it's just a different mindset. Golf swing has been the same (so) become a lot more aggressive this year. That's the plan, to attack the golf course instead of just trying to put it in the fairway and trying to make a good swing.''
The name of the book?
''I can't tell you,'' he said. ''I'd have to kill you.''
Yes, he laughed.
Jimmy Walker opened with a 69 in his bid to win the Sony Open for the third straight year.
Justin Walters leads Joburg Open by 1 shot.
Fred Funk, who turns 60 this summer, made a late bid for the lead until a bogey on the 16th hole. He wound up with a 65. Davis Love III, who won the Wyndham Champion last August at age 51, birdied the last hole for a 66.
Singh, Funk and Love are sticking around next week for the Champions Tour season opener on the Big Island. It will be three straight weeks in paradise for Love, who opened his new year on Kapalua in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Jerry Kelly is nearly in that group at age 49. He shot 65 in the morning and saw Funk headed to the first tee in the afternoon.
''He says, 'Hey, for the old guys, play good.' I go, 'What did you shoot?' He said 5 (under),'' Funk said.
Kelly told him that was two shots behind Singh.
''Yeah, the old guys are showing they can do it,'' Funk said.
So can the younger set.
Snedeker started his year at Kapalua with a new golf ball and a new driver, found something in his setup over the weekend and closed with 65-67 to tie for third. Kisner played in the final group on Saturday, found a slight glitch in his swing caused by wind and figured it out over the last two days.
Kisner won the final PGA Tour event of 2015 and finished ninth at Kapalua despite his 71-71 weekend. And he's right back in the mix.
''I really didn't work on much on offseason,'' Kisner said. ''We stayed with our plan, and the game has been great. I was striping it today, and that's what you need to do at this place.''
Snedeker wouldn't know. He hasn't been to Waialae in eight years and left with a bad taste in his mouth. That was in 2008, when the PGA Tour started a policy that when more than 78 players made the cut, the cut would be closest number of players to 70. It later was changed to a Saturday cut to help trim the field.
''I'm glad I came back,'' he said. ''It's a good golf course for me.''
Singh won the Sony Open in 2005 when he was No. 1 in the world, a year after the former Masters and PGA champion turned in a nine-win season on the PGA Tour. But he hasn't won since the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2008, which effectively wrapped up the FedEx Cup.
The big Fijian has been around long enough to realize that a good start is nothing more than that.
''I've been playing really well,'' he said. ''I just haven't produced the scores. I feel I'm playing well, and see what the next three days bring.''
It helped to hole some long putts, and Singh knocked in a 50-footer for birdie on his third hole. He added a pair of 20-foot birdie putts and a 30-foot birdie putt. More than a good day on the greens, and some solid scrambling at the start, was a book.
He said his body feels better than it has in years, which certainly helps. But he found a book that he has carried with him for the last 20 years that he began reading.
''I haven't read it for the last 10 years,'' he said. ''So I picked it up yesterday and started reading a few things that I've been doing, and it's just a different mindset. Golf swing has been the same (so) become a lot more aggressive this year. That's the plan, to attack the golf course instead of just trying to put it in the fairway and trying to make a good swing.''
The name of the book?
''I can't tell you,'' he said. ''I'd have to kill you.''
Yes, he laughed.
Jimmy Walker opened with a 69 in his bid to win the Sony Open for the third straight year.
Justin Walters leads Joburg Open by 1 shot.
AP - Sports
Justin Walters made birdie on the last hole to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the European Tour's Joburg Open on Thursday.
The South African made his sixth birdie of the day on No. 18 for a 7-under 65 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington. That gave Walters a narrow advantage over six men tied for second on 6 under.
That tie includes English pair Anthony Wall and David Howell, and Zimbabwe's Mark Williams, who all carded 65s on the easier par-71 West Course.
After missing the cut at the South African Open last week, Ernie Els opened with a 1-under 70 on the West to be tied for 69th.
NASCAR: Kyle Busch to compete in first race since offseason surgery.
By Jerry Bonkowski
(Photo/NASCAR.com)
Defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch will go for a fourth SpeedFest championship Jan. 31 at Crisp Motorsports Park in Cordele, Georgia.
It will be Busch’s first foray in a race car since undergoing off-season surgery last month to remove two metal plates in his left foot and a metal rod and screws in his right leg after his crash at Daytona in last year’s Xfinity Series opener.
Busch has won the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Model event in 2009 and 2010 at the event’s former site, Lanier Speedway in Braselton, Georgia.
His third SpeedFest win came in 2012 when the event moved to its present location. He’ll be joined in this year’s 200-lap race by Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate, William Byron, the 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at SpeedFest, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to go back this year,” Busch said in a release from the team. “Everything went well with my latest surgery and I feel really good. Without an opportunity to get in a Sprint Cup Series car before we get to Daytona, running this race will be a good tune-up prior to Speedweeks.”
Busch, who will sign autographs before the race, will drive the No. 51 Toyota Camry, while Byron will drive the No. 9 Camry.
Danica Patrick moves in a new direction with sponsors.
By Nate Ryan
It will be Busch’s first foray in a race car since undergoing off-season surgery last month to remove two metal plates in his left foot and a metal rod and screws in his right leg after his crash at Daytona in last year’s Xfinity Series opener.
Busch has won the ARCA/CRA Super Series Late Model event in 2009 and 2010 at the event’s former site, Lanier Speedway in Braselton, Georgia.
His third SpeedFest win came in 2012 when the event moved to its present location. He’ll be joined in this year’s 200-lap race by Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate, William Byron, the 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at SpeedFest, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to go back this year,” Busch said in a release from the team. “Everything went well with my latest surgery and I feel really good. Without an opportunity to get in a Sprint Cup Series car before we get to Daytona, running this race will be a good tune-up prior to Speedweeks.”
Busch, who will sign autographs before the race, will drive the No. 51 Toyota Camry, while Byron will drive the No. 9 Camry.
Danica Patrick moves in a new direction with sponsors.
By Nate Ryan
(Photo/carhigh.com)
The probing questions about her personal life were being hurled with the alacrity of a gossip-hungry paparazzi but the innocence of a cub reporter for People.
What’s your favorite ice cream, topping and tropical fruit? Who are your friends? What do you like doing the most?
Danica Patrick didn’t mind.
Many of the everyday details of auto racing’s most famous female driver are being promoted and provided by design these days.
And such inquisitions are much easier when being conducted by a group of a few dozen grade-school children, who comprise the Rookie Racers Club at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“These events are always great when it’s just the kids, because they don’t really want anything other than to ask what your favorite color is,” Patrick told NASCAR Talk with a laugh last Saturday. “Those are not the most common questions that I get, so as simple as the questions are …. I just feel like they’re real pure.”
Simple and pure is part of the direction that Patrick is hoping to go this year with her appealing and popular brand, which benefited from the exposure of a record 13 Super Bowl commercials with Go Daddy, her primary sponsor in IndyCar and NASCAR for several years.
While the advertising elevated Patrick’s profile, it was commissioned through the prism of an Internet domain provider that made pushing the envelope into an art form. As a spokeswoman, Patrick was the (oft-unwitting) featured hook in campaigns that reveled in the risqué and controversial. The last Super Bowl commercial scheduled with Patrick was scrubbed after drawing the ire of animal rights activists for a storyline involving a puppy sold on the Internet and shipped away.
It’s a discernible contrast with a new approach (and new primary sponsor) in 2016 for Patrick, whose dogs frequently are the stars of her social media postings.
The public’s exposure to the Stewart-Haas Racing driver will be driven less by corporate marketing and more by just Danica basking in the unglamorous glory of everyday existence – which Patrick sees as the natural endgame to star-driven advertising in the 21st century.
“With the amount of media and social media, people are learning to read through and see what’s real and not real,” she said. “We post things on social media. We’re on TV a lot. They can film us anywhere we go with their phones. They know what we’re really like and really doing in our activities and what we consume and enjoy.
“Everything we do is going to be a collaboration to highlight that and bring out the best in me to authenticate the relationship.”
It’s evident in the redesign of her website that launched last week in the blue and white colors of Nature’s Bakery, whose fig bar brand will adorn Patrick’s No. 10 Chevrolet in 28 of 36 races this season.
The DanicaPatrick.com home page features several lifestyle photos of Patrick that range from hiking a mountain to cooking with a professional chef to attending a Chicago Blackhawks game. Her racing career seems ancillary, echoing the message of her Twitter bio: “If you want to get to know me away from the track, you’re in the right place.”
That seems to be the overall mission statement for Patrick’s brand – and even if the tradeoff is the exposure of a Super Bowl spot, she appreciates the more personalized focus that her sponsors are offering.
“It fits really well,” she said. “I feel like my partners are doing a great job of seeing what I’m into (and) using me in ways that are really authentic.
“It always resonates really well when people know that those are all things that are just what I’m like, and the things that I do.”
The most recent example was a commercial by sponsor TaxAct (a primary sponsor for four races this year) that features Patrick doing yoga and playing with her dogs, Dallas and Ella.
After making a successful debut during the New Year’s Day bowl games, TaxAct (which is pushing a Race to Your Refund Sweepstakes geared toward the April 15 filing deadline) purchased three more slots during the Seahawks-Vikings NFL playoff game last Sunday.
Patrick realized the commercial was gaining traction while on the deck of a boat in the Bahamas on vacation. A friend emerged from inside to ask, ‘Was that your commercial on TV just now?’
“I was really excited to hear they were running it during bowl games,” she said. “That’s awesome. I love when a partner jumps in with both feet like that. Last year was more of a tester and they were just involved on a very small level, but it worked so well they did more last year than they were going to do, and obviously they were committed for this year and had big plans.”
Patrick has grand aspirations, too. A former winner on Chopped, she recently met with the Food Network about becoming a regular guest on the channel.
“I told them I want to go dip my toe into a bunch of different ways and different shows,” she said. “I’d love to have a show some day, but I want to make sure I do it really well.”
SOCCER: Chicago Fire draft day wrap: Jones, No. 1 pick traded for 3 rookies, allocation money.
Dan Santaromita
The Chicago Fire were one of the most active teams on draft day, trading more than just the No. 1 overall pick.
The Fire made three trades during the MLS SuperDraft and wound up dealing away left back Joevin Jones, the top pick in the draft and the top spot in the player allocation order. In return the Fire ended up with allocation money from two different teams and three draft picks: Stanford left back Brandon Vincent (No. 4 pick), North Carolina center back Jonathan Campbell (No. 12) and North Florida midfielder Alex Morrell (No. 22).
Here’s a breakdown of the three trades:
Fire trade No. 1 pick Jack Harrison to New York City FC for the No. 4 pick and allocation money.
The Fire kicked off the day in seemingly normal fashion by selecting Wake Forest winger Jack Harrison No. 1. He stepped up to the podium in a Fire scarf while on national TV and spoke briefly. Just minutes later the traded was announced, but instead of naming Harrison, it was just a player to be named later. The Fire then selected Vincent at No. 4.
Vincent wasn’t in attendance in Baltimore because he was in camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team to train as part of the U-23 group ahead of the Olympic qualifying playoff in March. That camp includes new Fire teammates Sean Johnson and Matt Polster. Vincent already seemed to have a grasp of the club, mentioning honor and tradition and Section 8 without being prompted.
He spoke with general manager Nelson Rodriguez and coach Veljko Paunovic on his only day at the MLS Combine before being called into the national team camp.
“It seemed like we had a good back and forth and some good conversation that we both liked what each other were saying and had similar views going forward with the organization and how I could impact that,” Vincent said. “They had the mindset that they wanted to completely change the whole way the organization worked and change it to a winning culture. I was a part of that at Stanford and I want to do the same thing here.”
Eventually it was revealed that Harrison was in fact headed to New York.
“The scenario that unfolded today was one that we foresaw, discussed and in essence tried to create alongside with NYCFC and we feel very, very good about it,” Rodriguez said. “We informed Jack Harrison and we informed his agent prior to the start of the draft that we saw a scenario where we would select Jack No. 1 and we might not retain him. In that instance we would move him only to NYCFC. We tried to be sensitive to a young man and his family.”
Fire trade Joevin Jones to Seattle for the No. 15 pick and allocation money.
While trading the top pick was not a surprise, this move was. Initially Jones wasn’t announced as part of the deal because the Fire wanted to contact Jones before announcing the trade. Soon after the draft Rodriguez confirmed the move, saying the team had been able to get in touch with Jones’ representation, but not the player himself yet.
While it is hard to evaluate the trade without knowing the amount of allocation money sent to the Fire, it does make sense that Jones was thought to be expendable after the Fire took Vincent, another left back.
“Joevin Jones is a player that was coveted by many teams around the league and over the course of the entire offseason there have been steady offers being made for his services,” Rodriguez said. “Through the combine and as we got closer to the draft those offers increased. It got to the point where the scenario that we thought could be viable. Securing Brandon Vincent would enable us to move Joevin’s services and in return get a draft pick that we felt we could convert into a player, which we did and again add more money to our allocation war chest. For us it was a natural flow of events, and part of things and part of scenarios that we had outlined prior to walking into the draft room today.”
Jones, 24, was one of three players on the Fire roster taking up an international slot. General manager Nelson Rodriguez had previously indicated that he expected the team’s eight slots to fill up this season, so that extra flexibility is another benefit of the trade for the Fire.
The Trinidad & Tobago international made 28 appearances, 26 of which were starts, in MLS play last season.
Fire trade the No. 15 pick, the No. 33 pick and the No. 1 spot in the player allocation order to Colorado for the No. 12 pick, the No. 22 pick and the No. 2 spot in the player allocation order.
This trade appears to be simply the Fire getting something out of nothing. The allocation order is only useful if you’re interested in the player that first becomes available. Colorado likely has a player in mind that the Fire may not have been interested in.
The Fire then drafted Campbell at No. 12 and Morrell at No. 22. Rodriguez asserted that he expects both players to compete for time and not be simply roster depth.
“We think Jonathan is a good player who could become a really good player,” Rodriguez said. “This is part of building a championship program when you can start to build succession planning. We believe that Jonathan gives us the opportunity to contribute right away, but at the same time learn from some of the players that we will bring in and learn from Pauno himself such that we’ll be very deep in that position for several years.”
Morrell is only 5-foot-7, but is known for his speed and athletic ability.
“Alex Morrell is a dynamite athlete and a very intelligent soccer player,” Rodriguez said. “He can play multiple positions. That versatility is very important to us as we build our adaptable style of play.”
Top PL storylines — Liverpool vs. United, Stoke host Arsenal.
What’s your favorite ice cream, topping and tropical fruit? Who are your friends? What do you like doing the most?
Danica Patrick didn’t mind.
Many of the everyday details of auto racing’s most famous female driver are being promoted and provided by design these days.
And such inquisitions are much easier when being conducted by a group of a few dozen grade-school children, who comprise the Rookie Racers Club at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
“These events are always great when it’s just the kids, because they don’t really want anything other than to ask what your favorite color is,” Patrick told NASCAR Talk with a laugh last Saturday. “Those are not the most common questions that I get, so as simple as the questions are …. I just feel like they’re real pure.”
Simple and pure is part of the direction that Patrick is hoping to go this year with her appealing and popular brand, which benefited from the exposure of a record 13 Super Bowl commercials with Go Daddy, her primary sponsor in IndyCar and NASCAR for several years.
While the advertising elevated Patrick’s profile, it was commissioned through the prism of an Internet domain provider that made pushing the envelope into an art form. As a spokeswoman, Patrick was the (oft-unwitting) featured hook in campaigns that reveled in the risqué and controversial. The last Super Bowl commercial scheduled with Patrick was scrubbed after drawing the ire of animal rights activists for a storyline involving a puppy sold on the Internet and shipped away.
It’s a discernible contrast with a new approach (and new primary sponsor) in 2016 for Patrick, whose dogs frequently are the stars of her social media postings.
The public’s exposure to the Stewart-Haas Racing driver will be driven less by corporate marketing and more by just Danica basking in the unglamorous glory of everyday existence – which Patrick sees as the natural endgame to star-driven advertising in the 21st century.
“With the amount of media and social media, people are learning to read through and see what’s real and not real,” she said. “We post things on social media. We’re on TV a lot. They can film us anywhere we go with their phones. They know what we’re really like and really doing in our activities and what we consume and enjoy.
“Everything we do is going to be a collaboration to highlight that and bring out the best in me to authenticate the relationship.”
It’s evident in the redesign of her website that launched last week in the blue and white colors of Nature’s Bakery, whose fig bar brand will adorn Patrick’s No. 10 Chevrolet in 28 of 36 races this season.
The DanicaPatrick.com home page features several lifestyle photos of Patrick that range from hiking a mountain to cooking with a professional chef to attending a Chicago Blackhawks game. Her racing career seems ancillary, echoing the message of her Twitter bio: “If you want to get to know me away from the track, you’re in the right place.”
That seems to be the overall mission statement for Patrick’s brand – and even if the tradeoff is the exposure of a Super Bowl spot, she appreciates the more personalized focus that her sponsors are offering.
“It fits really well,” she said. “I feel like my partners are doing a great job of seeing what I’m into (and) using me in ways that are really authentic.
“It always resonates really well when people know that those are all things that are just what I’m like, and the things that I do.”
The most recent example was a commercial by sponsor TaxAct (a primary sponsor for four races this year) that features Patrick doing yoga and playing with her dogs, Dallas and Ella.
After making a successful debut during the New Year’s Day bowl games, TaxAct (which is pushing a Race to Your Refund Sweepstakes geared toward the April 15 filing deadline) purchased three more slots during the Seahawks-Vikings NFL playoff game last Sunday.
Patrick realized the commercial was gaining traction while on the deck of a boat in the Bahamas on vacation. A friend emerged from inside to ask, ‘Was that your commercial on TV just now?’
“I was really excited to hear they were running it during bowl games,” she said. “That’s awesome. I love when a partner jumps in with both feet like that. Last year was more of a tester and they were just involved on a very small level, but it worked so well they did more last year than they were going to do, and obviously they were committed for this year and had big plans.”
Patrick has grand aspirations, too. A former winner on Chopped, she recently met with the Food Network about becoming a regular guest on the channel.
“I told them I want to go dip my toe into a bunch of different ways and different shows,” she said. “I’d love to have a show some day, but I want to make sure I do it really well.”
SOCCER: Chicago Fire draft day wrap: Jones, No. 1 pick traded for 3 rookies, allocation money.
Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Fire made three trades during the MLS SuperDraft and wound up dealing away left back Joevin Jones, the top pick in the draft and the top spot in the player allocation order. In return the Fire ended up with allocation money from two different teams and three draft picks: Stanford left back Brandon Vincent (No. 4 pick), North Carolina center back Jonathan Campbell (No. 12) and North Florida midfielder Alex Morrell (No. 22).
Here’s a breakdown of the three trades:
Fire trade No. 1 pick Jack Harrison to New York City FC for the No. 4 pick and allocation money.
The Fire kicked off the day in seemingly normal fashion by selecting Wake Forest winger Jack Harrison No. 1. He stepped up to the podium in a Fire scarf while on national TV and spoke briefly. Just minutes later the traded was announced, but instead of naming Harrison, it was just a player to be named later. The Fire then selected Vincent at No. 4.
Vincent wasn’t in attendance in Baltimore because he was in camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team to train as part of the U-23 group ahead of the Olympic qualifying playoff in March. That camp includes new Fire teammates Sean Johnson and Matt Polster. Vincent already seemed to have a grasp of the club, mentioning honor and tradition and Section 8 without being prompted.
He spoke with general manager Nelson Rodriguez and coach Veljko Paunovic on his only day at the MLS Combine before being called into the national team camp.
“It seemed like we had a good back and forth and some good conversation that we both liked what each other were saying and had similar views going forward with the organization and how I could impact that,” Vincent said. “They had the mindset that they wanted to completely change the whole way the organization worked and change it to a winning culture. I was a part of that at Stanford and I want to do the same thing here.”
Eventually it was revealed that Harrison was in fact headed to New York.
“The scenario that unfolded today was one that we foresaw, discussed and in essence tried to create alongside with NYCFC and we feel very, very good about it,” Rodriguez said. “We informed Jack Harrison and we informed his agent prior to the start of the draft that we saw a scenario where we would select Jack No. 1 and we might not retain him. In that instance we would move him only to NYCFC. We tried to be sensitive to a young man and his family.”
Fire trade Joevin Jones to Seattle for the No. 15 pick and allocation money.
While trading the top pick was not a surprise, this move was. Initially Jones wasn’t announced as part of the deal because the Fire wanted to contact Jones before announcing the trade. Soon after the draft Rodriguez confirmed the move, saying the team had been able to get in touch with Jones’ representation, but not the player himself yet.
While it is hard to evaluate the trade without knowing the amount of allocation money sent to the Fire, it does make sense that Jones was thought to be expendable after the Fire took Vincent, another left back.
“Joevin Jones is a player that was coveted by many teams around the league and over the course of the entire offseason there have been steady offers being made for his services,” Rodriguez said. “Through the combine and as we got closer to the draft those offers increased. It got to the point where the scenario that we thought could be viable. Securing Brandon Vincent would enable us to move Joevin’s services and in return get a draft pick that we felt we could convert into a player, which we did and again add more money to our allocation war chest. For us it was a natural flow of events, and part of things and part of scenarios that we had outlined prior to walking into the draft room today.”
Jones, 24, was one of three players on the Fire roster taking up an international slot. General manager Nelson Rodriguez had previously indicated that he expected the team’s eight slots to fill up this season, so that extra flexibility is another benefit of the trade for the Fire.
The Trinidad & Tobago international made 28 appearances, 26 of which were starts, in MLS play last season.
Fire trade the No. 15 pick, the No. 33 pick and the No. 1 spot in the player allocation order to Colorado for the No. 12 pick, the No. 22 pick and the No. 2 spot in the player allocation order.
This trade appears to be simply the Fire getting something out of nothing. The allocation order is only useful if you’re interested in the player that first becomes available. Colorado likely has a player in mind that the Fire may not have been interested in.
The Fire then drafted Campbell at No. 12 and Morrell at No. 22. Rodriguez asserted that he expects both players to compete for time and not be simply roster depth.
“We think Jonathan is a good player who could become a really good player,” Rodriguez said. “This is part of building a championship program when you can start to build succession planning. We believe that Jonathan gives us the opportunity to contribute right away, but at the same time learn from some of the players that we will bring in and learn from Pauno himself such that we’ll be very deep in that position for several years.”
Morrell is only 5-foot-7, but is known for his speed and athletic ability.
“Alex Morrell is a dynamite athlete and a very intelligent soccer player,” Rodriguez said. “He can play multiple positions. That versatility is very important to us as we build our adaptable style of play.”
Top PL storylines — Liverpool vs. United, Stoke host Arsenal.
By Kyle Lynch
Week 22 of the Premier League season kicks off this weekend, with Liverpool and Manchester United’s clash at Anfield headlining the action.
With teams still in the midst of a hectic winter schedule, points are at a premium in what has been a wild and unpredictable Premier League season.
Liverpool vs. Manchester United
The first time these two teams met this season, Anthony Martial scored on his debut as Manchester United rolled to a 3-1 win at Old Trafford. Sunday’s clash at Anfield will be Jurgen Klopp‘s first taste of the rivalry, and more than just bragging rights are one the line.
Liverpool sit three points behind United on the table, as both sides look to find some momentum for a top-four push. Neither team has lived up to expectations this year, but a win on Sunday will certainly give some life for a winter run. Wayne Rooney has four goals in his last three appearances, while Roberto Firmino will hope to build on a two-goal performance against Arsenal.
Stoke pushes for the top-five against Arsenal
The Britannia hosts a huge matchup on Sunday as Stoke City hosts Arsenal. Arsenal sits atop the table while Stoke is seventh and trending upwards. The Potters have won three of four in the Premier League, and the duo of Bojan and Marko Arnautovic has been a handful for defenses. Arsenal will feel they let points slip away in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday, and with co-leaders Leicester facing last-place Villa, a win for the Gunners is crucial.
Manchester City must keep pace with the leaders
Manchester City currently sits third on the table, three points behind Arsenal and Leicester City. Pellegrini’s men were held scoreless at home for the first time in a year against Everton, so Aguero & Co. will be looking to get back on the scoresheet against Crystal Palace this weekend. Palace haven’t scored a goal in four Premier League matches as Alan Pardew‘s side has hit a bit of a rut, so three points is a must for City if they want to keep pace towards the top of the table.
Can Aston Villa win two in a row?
Aston Villa won just their second game of the season midweek, and the Villans will look to make it a miraculous two wins on the spin on Saturday. Unfortunately, they host joint-leaders Leicester City who are coming off of a big win at Tottenham. Leicester will be the heavy favorites, but if Villa could somehow pull out a result, their slim hopes of survival would get a big boost.
Red-hot Defoe looks to keep scoring for Sunderland
Sunderland have won two straight matches to climb just a point below safety, with 33-year-old striker Jermain Defoe leading the way. The reigning Premier League Player of the Week, Defoe has five goals in those wins, and with a hat-trick against Swansea over the weekend, Sunderland supporters will be expecting another big performance on Saturday. However, a tough trip to Tottenham awaits, as Defoe must try and break down the Premier League’s stingiest defense.
NCAAFB: Texas Tech's Hocutt named College Football Playoff chairman.
AP - Sports
Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt has been named chairman of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, replacing Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long.
Long is rotating out of the chairman's role after the playoff's first two years.
Executive Director Bill Hancock announced Hocutt's appointment on Thursday. Hocutt served on the committee this past season, and Hancock cited his background as a former college athlete and his experience as an administrator.
Hocutt was an All-Big Eight linebacker at Kansas State and has been athletic director at Ohio University and Miami.
Hancock called Hocutt a ''natural leader.'' He also praised Long for the job he did running the committee as the playoff launched. Alabama beat Clemson Monday night in the final to claim the national championship.
Long is rotating out of the chairman's role after the playoff's first two years.
Executive Director Bill Hancock announced Hocutt's appointment on Thursday. Hocutt served on the committee this past season, and Hancock cited his background as a former college athlete and his experience as an administrator.
Hocutt was an All-Big Eight linebacker at Kansas State and has been athletic director at Ohio University and Miami.
Hancock called Hocutt a ''natural leader.'' He also praised Long for the job he did running the committee as the playoff launched. Alabama beat Clemson Monday night in the final to claim the national championship.
Condoleezza Rice says leave playoff at 4 teams.
AP - Sports
College Football Playoff selection committee member Condoleezza Rice said she likes the four-team format and doesn't want to expand to eight.
Speaking Thursday at the NCAA's annual convention, the former U.S. Secretary of State and Stanford provost said she doesn't want to extend the competition calendar.
Young athletes haven't yet matured physically and may not be ready for more of the physical pounding of another game, she said, noting a potential academic impact as well.
Rice said the current format keeps the bowl system relevant and keeps late-season rivalries meaningful.
And she dismissed criticism that five major conferences are fighting for just four playoff spots.
Rice said that keeps the regular season ''more competitive.''
NCAA votes to allow Big 12 to hold football title game.
By JIM VERTUNO
The Big 12 Conference got what it wanted and showed the smallest power conference in major college football still has some muscle.
A rule change approved Wednesday at the NCAA annual convention will allow the Big 12 to hold a championship game as early as next season if it wants to.
The change scraps the requirement that leagues have 12 members and play in two divisions in order to hold a title game. The new rule lets a smaller league - one with 12 teams in its name but only 10 on the playing field, for example - to play a title game pitting its top two teams, provided it plays a round-robin regular season schedule as the Big 12 does now.
The vote by the NCAA Division I Council passed 7-2. The Southeastern Conference and the American Athletic Conference voted against it. The Pac-12 didn't vote but later said it supported the change.
The Big 12 is the only major conference that doesn't play a football title game. League Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said he doesn't know if the change will guarantee the league plays one, but it was determined to have the right to do so.
The decision to play a championship game rests with Big 12 member schools, whose next meetings are in early February, Bowlsby said. If approved this year, a title game could be played as early as next season, but 2017 would be more likely.
''I could not forecast how the school athletic directors, presidents and chancellors will vote,'' Bowlsby said. ''(But) we accommodated for it in our schedule as early as next (season).''
''I could not forecast how the school athletic directors, presidents and chancellors will vote,'' Bowlsby said. ''(But) we accommodated for it in our schedule as early as next (season).''
Although the Big Ten initially wanted to keep divisions as a requirement, it ultimately accepted the Big 12's position.
''Instead of complete deregulation there was a consensus we should have some parameters ... without the need to go expand conferences and go through some of the past experiences we've seen,'' Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said.
How the Big 12 would decide who plays the game would still have to be determined. Bowlsby said the new rule only requires the ''top two'' teams.
Selling the idea to each Big 12 school may not be a slam dunk. Football coaches may not like the guaranteed rematch of a regular-season game.
For example, this past season, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, the top two teams at the end of the regular season, could have played in a title game just a week or two after the Sooners beat the Cowboys in the Bedlam rivalry showdown.
''That's hard to swallow to say now you gotta go beat them again to be the conference champion. What if they split?'' Bowlsby said. ''There will be some years we'd be glad to not have a championship game, and some years when we wish we had a 13th game.''
At Texas, one of the league's traditional powers hasn't won a title since 2009, President Greg Fenves and new athletic director Mike Perrin issued a joint statement saying the change ''opens up a lot of possibilities that we need to look at closely.''
Being the only major conference without a championship game hurt the Big 12 when Baylor and TCU were left out of the 2014 College Football Playoff when both programs had strong resumes to make the final four. Many pointed to the lack of a title game on the final weekend of the season as the reason why.
The Sooners got in the playoff this year as the No. 4 seed while the Pac-12 was left out.
The right to hold a title game with 10 schools likely eases the pressure to expand, something a majority of Big 12 schools haven't wanted to do in recent years.
However, Bowlsby wouldn't rule out expansion.
''We are constantly monitoring the landscape,'' Bowlsby said. ''What it does is keep us from being forced to expand.''
Larry Teis, athletic director of Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference, said his league's membership has fluctuated in recent years and, like the Big 12, wanted to control its own championship mechanism.
''You've got to give us all the flexibility to be able to have a championship game, no matter the numbers,'' Teis said. ''Every league should have the right to do their own thing. Let us manage our own league.''
NCAABKB: No. 16 Iowa routs No. 4 Michigan State 76-59, sweeps series.
''Instead of complete deregulation there was a consensus we should have some parameters ... without the need to go expand conferences and go through some of the past experiences we've seen,'' Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said.
How the Big 12 would decide who plays the game would still have to be determined. Bowlsby said the new rule only requires the ''top two'' teams.
Selling the idea to each Big 12 school may not be a slam dunk. Football coaches may not like the guaranteed rematch of a regular-season game.
For example, this past season, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, the top two teams at the end of the regular season, could have played in a title game just a week or two after the Sooners beat the Cowboys in the Bedlam rivalry showdown.
''That's hard to swallow to say now you gotta go beat them again to be the conference champion. What if they split?'' Bowlsby said. ''There will be some years we'd be glad to not have a championship game, and some years when we wish we had a 13th game.''
At Texas, one of the league's traditional powers hasn't won a title since 2009, President Greg Fenves and new athletic director Mike Perrin issued a joint statement saying the change ''opens up a lot of possibilities that we need to look at closely.''
Being the only major conference without a championship game hurt the Big 12 when Baylor and TCU were left out of the 2014 College Football Playoff when both programs had strong resumes to make the final four. Many pointed to the lack of a title game on the final weekend of the season as the reason why.
The Sooners got in the playoff this year as the No. 4 seed while the Pac-12 was left out.
The right to hold a title game with 10 schools likely eases the pressure to expand, something a majority of Big 12 schools haven't wanted to do in recent years.
However, Bowlsby wouldn't rule out expansion.
''We are constantly monitoring the landscape,'' Bowlsby said. ''What it does is keep us from being forced to expand.''
Larry Teis, athletic director of Texas State in the Sun Belt Conference, said his league's membership has fluctuated in recent years and, like the Big 12, wanted to control its own championship mechanism.
''You've got to give us all the flexibility to be able to have a championship game, no matter the numbers,'' Teis said. ''Every league should have the right to do their own thing. Let us manage our own league.''
NCAABKB: No. 16 Iowa routs No. 4 Michigan State 76-59, sweeps series.
By LARRY LAGE
Iowa proved it could beat, dominate in fact, Michigan State even with Denzel Valentine on the court.
Peter Jok scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half to help the 16th-ranked Hawkeyes build a huge lead that helped them rout the fourth-ranked Spartans 76-59 on Thursday night.
''Pete has that ability to get going,'' Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said. ''We found him early and we kept going to him.''
Iowa (13-3, 4-0 Big Ten) humbled the Spartans for the second time in two weeks and defeated them on the road for the first time since 1993, ending an 18-game losing streak.
''To beat one of the best teams in the Big Ten on their home court is big,'' Jarrod Uthoff said. ''It doesn't matter what happened 23 years ago.''
Valentine had a relatively lackluster game with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds. He played in his second straight game since returning from a four-game absence while recovering from knee surgery.
''He's not back to normal,'' Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
Valentine watched from the bench on Dec. 29 when the Hawkeyes beat the then-top ranked Spartans 83-70.
McCaffery insisted it didn't make much of a difference to have Valentine on the court.
That was clear.
With or without Valentine, the Hawkeyes have shot better and hustled more than Michigan State.
''They made shots and they got every loose ball,'' Izzo lamented. ''It hurts me to admit it, but they did it twice. We're going to have to regroup.''
Michigan State (16-2, 3-2) was down by 22 points at halftime, its largest deficit at home since at least the 1996-97 season and its biggest anywhere in the regular season since trailing at Michigan by 23 points at halftime in 1997, according to STATS.
Michigan State (16-2, 3-2) was down by 22 points at halftime, its largest deficit at home since at least the 1996-97 season and its biggest anywhere in the regular season since trailing at Michigan by 23 points at halftime in 1997, according to STATS.
Jok made three of his team's nine 3-pointers in the first half and Anthony Clemmons connected on two shots beyond the arc, where he was making less than 30 percent of his attempts.
''I think Fran hit a 3 in the first half,'' Izzo joked without smiling.
McCaffery wasn't sure how his team would perform because it hadn't played since Jan. 5, when it beat Nebraska 77-66.
''I did not see it coming,'' he acknowledged.
Uthoff finished with 15 points after scoring his first points midway through the first half and grabbed 10 rebounds. Clemmons scored 13 points and reserve Dom Uhl had 10 for the Hawkeyes.
Uthoff finished with 15 points after scoring his first points midway through the first half and grabbed 10 rebounds. Clemmons scored 13 points and reserve Dom Uhl had 10 for the Hawkeyes.
Clemmons, playing near his hometown, had eight points in the first half to help the Hawkeyes run their offense well even though point guard Mike Gesell played just 2 minutes before halftime because he had two fouls.
''His ability to play the point for (16) minutes with Gesell out was amazing,'' McCaffery said. ''I almost didn't take him out.''
Matt Costello had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Spartans, who failed to make much of a run in the second half to potentially make the game competitive.
TIP-INS:
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have won six straight this season since losing at Iowa State and 10 conference games in a row, dating to last year, for the first time since the 1969-70 season.
Michigan State: Bryn Forbes got in foul trouble and couldn't overcome it, missing all five of his shots and making two free throws for a season-low two points. He entered the game averaging 14.4 points for the Spartans. Forbes scored just three points in the previous meeting at Iowa. ''Bryn struggles when people are physical,'' Izzo said.
TIP-INS:
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have won six straight this season since losing at Iowa State and 10 conference games in a row, dating to last year, for the first time since the 1969-70 season.
Michigan State: Bryn Forbes got in foul trouble and couldn't overcome it, missing all five of his shots and making two free throws for a season-low two points. He entered the game averaging 14.4 points for the Spartans. Forbes scored just three points in the previous meeting at Iowa. ''Bryn struggles when people are physical,'' Izzo said.
UP NEXT:
Iowa hosts Michigan on Sunday.
Michigan State plays at Wisconsin on Sunday.
REUNION:
Clemmons, Valentine and Forbes, all of whom are seniors, helped Lansing Sexton High School win back-to-back state championships. McCaffery said he appreciates that Izzo welcomes Clemmons to work out at Michigan State's basketball facility with the Spartans in the summer.
Alabama upsets No. 19 South Carolina leaving SMU as lone unbeaten.
By Kyle Ringo
The good times are rolling at Alabama.
Not so much in the state of South Carolina.
Two nights after the Crimson Tide won a fourth national title on the football field in seven years beating Clemson, the basketball team absolutely clobbered previously undefeated but lethargic South Carolina 73-50. What a way for first-year coach Avery Johnson to get his first victory in the SEC, beating one of two remaining undefeated teams in the nation.
The Gamecocks scored a season-low 22 points in the first half, turned the ball over 12 times in the opening 20 minutes and went 1-for-10 behind the 3-point line. It got worse to start the second half. South Carolina didn’t score its first points of the half until there were 11 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the game.
Iowa hosts Michigan on Sunday.
Michigan State plays at Wisconsin on Sunday.
REUNION:
Clemmons, Valentine and Forbes, all of whom are seniors, helped Lansing Sexton High School win back-to-back state championships. McCaffery said he appreciates that Izzo welcomes Clemmons to work out at Michigan State's basketball facility with the Spartans in the summer.
Alabama upsets No. 19 South Carolina leaving SMU as lone unbeaten.
By Kyle Ringo
The good times are rolling at Alabama.
Not so much in the state of South Carolina.
Two nights after the Crimson Tide won a fourth national title on the football field in seven years beating Clemson, the basketball team absolutely clobbered previously undefeated but lethargic South Carolina 73-50. What a way for first-year coach Avery Johnson to get his first victory in the SEC, beating one of two remaining undefeated teams in the nation.
The Gamecocks scored a season-low 22 points in the first half, turned the ball over 12 times in the opening 20 minutes and went 1-for-10 behind the 3-point line. It got worse to start the second half. South Carolina didn’t score its first points of the half until there were 11 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the game.
South Carolina was trying to improve to 16-0 and keep pace with Southern Methodist, the only other Division I team that went into Wednesday’s action undefeated. SMU won easily against East Carolina, but the Mustangs won’t be eligible for the postseason because of NCAA infractions.
While Alabama obviously deserves credit for taking it to the Gamecocks, coach Frank Martin’s team just wasn’t operating at the level at which is has played most of this season. The Gamecocks were sloppy and seemed to be sleepwalking through the outing at times. Leading scorer Sindarius Thornwell went 1-for-6 and scored just two points.
Sophomore guard Marcus Stroman had to leave the game midway through the second half when he was inadvertently elbowed in the face.
The victory over South Carolina is another positive step in the improvement of the Alabama program under Johnson. The Crimson Tide has endured some confounding losses halfway through Johnson’s first season, not unusual for a team adapting to a new system and coaching staff, but it also has some quality wins. Johnson’s team already could boast of victories over Wichita State, Notre Dame and Clemson prior to beating the Gamecocks.
Sophomore forward Riley Norris tied his career high with 18 points in the first half and then moved past it to finish with 27 points and seven rebounds to lead Alabama in his first start of the season. The Tide made seven of 15 3-pointers in the first half and went on to a 13-for-28 performance behind the arc in the game. Norris made eight of those 3-pointers to tie a school record.
Blossomgame scores 17 to lead Clemson past No. 9 Duke 68-63.
By PETE IACOBELLI
Clemson has nearly beaten a Final Four of national champions in the past eight days. Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame doesn't see why that can't continue.
Blossomgame scored 17 points, including the clinching dunk with 13.5 seconds left, to lift Clemson to a 68-63 victory over No. 9 Duke on Wednesday night. The victory was the fourth straight for the Tigers (11-6, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) and the third in a row over an NCAA champion in the past eight days following wins at Syracuse and No. 21 Louisville.
''We're trying to build something special right now,'' Blossomgame said.
And perhaps, given Clemson's trip to the college football national championship game, bringing Tiger fans another contender to back.
''It was another big win for us,'' Tigers coach Brad Brownell said. ''Exciting in some ways because we had so many guys make plays at the end of the game to get it done.''
Coupled with the Louisville win, it marked the first time the Tigers had defeated ranked opponents back to back since topping Duke and Georgia Tech at the end of the 1989 regular season. Clemson gets another ranked opponent, No. 8 Miami, at home on Saturday in its next game.
This one started like a typical Blue Devils blowout, with Duke taking a 28-16 lead midway through the opening half. Instead, the Tigers hung tough to beat Duke (14-3, 3-1) for the second time in three seasons.
After Blossomgame's jam, Matt Jones missed a 3-pointer from the left corner that could've tied the game. Clemson's Avry Holmes got the rebound and hit two foul shots with 1.8 seconds left to put things out of reach.
Grayson Allen led Duke with 17 points, three off his season average.
Freshman Brandon Ingram scored 16 points for the Blue Devils, all but one in the first half.
The key to the game, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thought, came near the end of the opening half when Derryck Thornton missed a 3-pointer and Ingram picked up his third foul scrambling for the rebound.
Blossomgame hit both foul shots to cut the lead to 35-33 at the break.
Krzyzewski thought his team's aggressiveness, including Ingram's, slackened because of the foul problems.
''If there's only so much lead in your pencil, you have to be careful how many words you write,'' Krzyzewski said. ''But that's the game and you've got to be really smart. It's tough for a young team to be really smart.''
Donte Grantham scored 16 points and Landry Nnoko had 12 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Tigers. It was his second double-double in the past three games.
Grantham's 3-pointer tied the game 50-50 before Blossomgame hit a long-range basket to put Clemson ahead for good, 53-50 with 7:24 left.
Jones was fouled while making a layup that pulled Duke within 62-61 with 1:44 left, but he couldn't complete the three-point play to tie it.
TIP-INS
Duke: It was just the third time this season the Blue Devils were held to 35 points or fewer in the opening half. They lost two of the other three times, first to Kentucky and then Utah. ... Duke entered leading the ACC with almost six blocks a game. It had just one against the Tigers.
Clemson: Blossomgame surpassed the 800-point mark for his career with his 17 points in the win over Louisville last Sunday. ... The victory over the Cardinals was the 100th for coach Brad Brownell with the Tigers.
JEFFERSON'S RETTURN?
Duke got positive news on Amile Jefferson's foot injury, but Krzyzewski still cautioned it will be some time before he returns to the lineup. The coach said Jefferson's right foot fracture was healing well and he could soon get out of the walking boot. ''But he can't play basketball. So it's a while,'' Krzyzewski said.
CLEMSON TURAROUND
The Tigers looked lost last month when they fell to three Southeastern Conference teams in Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia and seemed like they'd struggle in ACC play. But Nnoko called a player's only meeting before the holiday break that seems to have galvanized Clemson. ''Landry Nnoko's been a big part of our voice,'' Brownell said. ''He's a voice of reason and a voice of consistency.''
UP NEXT
Duke faces Notre Dame at home on Saturday.
Clemson hosts No. 8 Miami on Saturday.
Clemson: Blossomgame surpassed the 800-point mark for his career with his 17 points in the win over Louisville last Sunday. ... The victory over the Cardinals was the 100th for coach Brad Brownell with the Tigers.
JEFFERSON'S RETTURN?
Duke got positive news on Amile Jefferson's foot injury, but Krzyzewski still cautioned it will be some time before he returns to the lineup. The coach said Jefferson's right foot fracture was healing well and he could soon get out of the walking boot. ''But he can't play basketball. So it's a while,'' Krzyzewski said.
CLEMSON TURAROUND
The Tigers looked lost last month when they fell to three Southeastern Conference teams in Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia and seemed like they'd struggle in ACC play. But Nnoko called a player's only meeting before the holiday break that seems to have galvanized Clemson. ''Landry Nnoko's been a big part of our voice,'' Brownell said. ''He's a voice of reason and a voice of consistency.''
UP NEXT
Duke faces Notre Dame at home on Saturday.
Clemson hosts No. 8 Miami on Saturday.
Richardson rewarded for patience with Panthers' Ron Rivera.
By STEVE REED
While Ron Rivera is a coach of the year candidate for the second time in three seasons after leading the Panthers to an NFL-best 15-1 record, his footing in Carolina wasn't always solid.
Rivera has survived - and succeeded - while other NFL head coaches who struggled with early losses met abrupt termination.
Six games into Rivera's second season in Carolina, team owner Jerry Richardson fired longtime general manager Marty Hurney after a 1-5 start and called Rivera into his office. He told him the Panthers need to be ''trending upward,'' but assured Rivera he wouldn't make any decisions on his future until they met after the season.
The Panthers went 6-4 the rest of the way in 2012, including four straight wins to close the season and finished with a 7-9 record.
Even after the Panthers started 1-3 in 2013, Richardson remained patient.
Rivera eventually found his groove, coaching more aggressively and earning the nickname ''Riverboat Ron'' for his penchant for taking risks on fourth down.
The Panthers would finish 12-4 in 2013, Rivera's third season, winning the first of three straight NFC South championships.
This year they started 14-0 and will host Seattle on Sunday as the NFC's No. 1 seed.
''Nobody wants to be on the hot seat -and I'm not a big fan of that term,'' Rivera told The Associated Press. ''But I will say this: What gave me confidence more than anything else is Mr. Richardson telling me, 'I will never make a decision in the middle of the season. This is too important.'''
Richardson didn't want Rivera feeling any pressure.
He told Rivera, ''I don't want you looking over your shoulder. I want you looking forward. I want you looking at the team and I want to see you trending up.''
And while he would still spend most of the 2012 season - and some of early 2013 - answering questions about his job security, Rivera knew in the back of his mind that he had time to find a solution.
''For him to tell me not to worry, just to work - man, that took a lot of pressure off,'' Rivera said.
Rivera is 33-10-1 in his last 44 regular season games and nobody is talking about his long-term future anymore. He got a three-year contract extension in 2014.
Not every NFL owner has been so patient.
Three of the seven NFL coaches hired in 2014 have already been fired. Hue Jackson became the Cleveland Browns' ninth coach in 18 seasons after parting ways with Mike Pettine after just two seasons.
The San Francisco 49ers didn't wait that long, firing Jim Tomsula after one season.
In today's win-now world it's almost unfathomable how Tom Landry survived as long as he did. The Hall of Fame coach started his tenure in Dallas with six straight losing seasons before taking the Cowboys to the playoffs 17 of the next 18 seasons.
Rivera said with Richardson, the owner offered more than just patience.
They would meet regularly to discuss some of the things he needed to do to improve on as a coach. He even set Rivera up to meet with longtime friend, coach John Madden.
''I think he felt the responsibility because he OK'd my hiring and he wanted to see me succeed,'' Rivera said.
Rivera said picking Madden's brain was a huge help.
He's also spoken with and learned from other successful coaches as well. On Saturday, he met with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after watching the Blue Devils play at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After their conversation, Rivera stepped outside the room and began writing down everything he could remember Krzyzewski telling him.
Rivera said based on what he now knows, his biggest advice to first-time NFL coaches is to hire a former head coach as a consultant.
''It's funny, you think you're ready to be a head coach - you really do - and you have a book, and all of this stuff that is there to help you, but the truth of the matter is until you have done it and sat in that chair you don't realize how hard it is,'' Rivera said. ''Some crazy things come up.''
Rivera has turned to his military roots to help deal with various scenarios.
He's brought in admirals, colonels and sergeant majors to speak to his players and staff. He said they told him about a study the military conducted in which it takes five to seven years to change a culture.
''It doesn't happen overnight,'' Rivera said. ''Whether it's fair or not that a coach gets two years or not, the thing that we all need to do is take a step back and look.''
Rivera has benefited from working for an owner who looked beyond where his team was at, and believed in where it was going.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1934 - Babe Ruth signed a 1934 contract for $35,000.
1942 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave baseball the approval to play despite World War II. He encouraged night games so that war workers could attend.
1958 - The New York Yankees announced that they would televise 140 games in the 1958 season.
1967 - The first National Football League Super Bowl was played. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs (of the American Football League) with a final score of 35-10. The game was televised by both CBS and NBC and was not a sell out.
1968 - Bill Masterson (Minnesota North Stars) died of a brain injury that he had suffered two days earlier in a game against the Oakland Seals. He was the first casualty in the NHL.
1978 - The Super Bowl was played indoors for the first time. The game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10.
1990 - Don Nelson became the second man in NBA history to appear in 1,000 games as a head coach and as a player. Lenny Wilkins was the first to achieve the record.
1997 - Dennis Rodman (Chicago Bulls) kicked cameraman Eugene Amosin in the groin.
1997 - The Seattle Supersonics set an NBA record with 27 steals against the Toronto Raptors.
2001 - An anonymous bidder paid just over $3 million for a baseball. The ball was the 70th home run ball hit by Mark McGwire.
2002 - Seven minority players took part in an NHL game between the St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers. The record number of minority skaters included Edmonton's Anson Carter, Georges Laraque, Sean Brown and Mike Grier and St. Louis' Jamal Mayers, Fred Brathwaite and Bryce Salvador.
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