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"Concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger." ~ Arnold Palmer, Retired Professional Golfer Regarded As One Of The Greatest Players In Professional Golf History.
Trending: This Year’s U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team Is Giving Us All the Unity Feels. (See the last article on this blog for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team updates).
Trending: This Year’s U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team Is Giving Us All the Unity Feels. (See the last article on this blog for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team updates).
The 2016 U.S. women’s gymnastics Olympic team. (Photo: @Instagram)
Trending: For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Stories on #8, #7, #6 and #5 are in todays' edition. (See the football section for Bears and NFL updates).
(Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
Trending: Has Kentucky Basketball Finally Shown a Chink in the Armor? (See the collegiate basketball section for basketball updates).
Trending: Anthony Rizzo: Cubs 'have a sense of urgency' after recent slide. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
Trending: 2016 British Open: Expert picks, predictions before a tough test at Royal Troon. (See the golf section for British Open updates).
Trending: Cubs and White Sox road to the "World Series".
Cubs 2016 Record: 53-35
White Sox 2016 Record: 45-43
(See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Changes loom as Bears on final approach to training camp.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Much like the draft, the annual start of an NFL training is about possibilities, looking at what is and what could be rather than anything looking back at what the previous season was.
The only NFL constant is change, and the Bears will present one high-profile case study in that reality.
“Well, I think a lot's changed,” coach John Fox assessed as the pre-camp portion of the offseason was winding down last month. “We have different players, some different coaches. I kind of hope they have changed.
“We were 6-10 and in last place, so, I'm hoping to change that, too.”
Training camp, starting on July 27, is the principal crucible in which that change is forged. This year’s camp, or at least the Bourbonnais portion of it, will be one of the shortest on record, concluding on Aug. 9 before the initial preseason game, vs. the Denver Broncos.
And what happens in training camp typically will foreshadow something of significance moving forward into the season, good or bad.
During camp last year it was noted that Jay Cutler went the first 11 practices without throwing an interception. He and coaches had made ball security the absolute No. 1 priority for him and it carried over into the season.
Deficiencies in pass rush were apparent in drills, and it was not until Lamarr Houston and Willie Young recovered completely around midseason from their leg injuries of 2014 that the Bears had anyone other than Pernell McPhee capable of worrying pass protections. Not surprisingly, the Bears failed to record a sack in either of their first two games.
Irrespective of player additions (potentially eight new starters on defense) and subtractions (losing two players — Martellus Bennett, Matt Forte — who accounted for 30 percent of the total 2015 yardage and touchdowns despite missing a combined eight games, or one fourth of a season), the expectations are there.
The principal reason, quite simply, is Fox.
The Carolina Panthers improved from seven wins in their first year (2002) under Fox to 11 and a Super Bowl appearance in 2003. The Denver Broncos in Fox’s initial year won eight and a playoff game (with Tim Tebow), then jumped to 13 win’s in Fox’s second, although the jump likely had at least a little something to do with landing Peyton Manning as anything else.
But the changes under Fox involved exorcising the losing mentality that had taken root under Marc Trestman and Phil Emery. To that end, Fox began addressing that culture issue last training camp and before, even to the point of privately making winning preseason games a priority rather than simply part of orientation.
“So much of it is a culture: how you practice, how you compete, how you do your job every day,” Fox said. “I’ll give you an example: I went back and looked at OTAs from a year ago. It’s much more competitive, much more high speed. This game is about playing it fast and you have to practice it fast.”
That speed was evident during offseason sessions, particularly on defense as well as in the person of Kevin White on offense, a true deep threat unlike any the Bears have had since Bernard Berrian a decade ago.
The problem is that while Fox has dramatically upped win totals in the second seasons of his two previous billets, two of the last three Bears coaches won fewer games in their year-two’s than in the takeover year — Dick Jauron from six win’s in 1999 to five in 2000, the latter a record-setting year of offensive ineptitude (216 total points) behind Cade McNown and Shane Matthews; and Marc Trestman, from eight wins in 2013 to five in 2014, also a record-setting year for ineptitude in more ways than can be chronicled here.
The biggest single Bears move this offseason was one not entirely of their choosing: losing offensive coordinator Adam Gase to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins and elevating Dowell Loggains from quarterbacks coach to coordinator after a successful season of Cutler development.
Nowhere will the pressure through camp and beyond be greater than on Loggains and, by extension, Cutler.
“We’ve got to be better than last year, that’s for sure,” Cutler said. “We’ve got to be better from last year and that’s kind of what we tell the guys, even though we are in year two and we’ve got some new pieces out here.
“We didn’t turn this offense over. We have the same terminology, same stuff. We’ve got to improve in the direction we want to go.”
Cutler Fact of Fiction: Accuracy
The only NFL constant is change, and the Bears will present one high-profile case study in that reality.
“Well, I think a lot's changed,” coach John Fox assessed as the pre-camp portion of the offseason was winding down last month. “We have different players, some different coaches. I kind of hope they have changed.
“We were 6-10 and in last place, so, I'm hoping to change that, too.”
Training camp, starting on July 27, is the principal crucible in which that change is forged. This year’s camp, or at least the Bourbonnais portion of it, will be one of the shortest on record, concluding on Aug. 9 before the initial preseason game, vs. the Denver Broncos.
And what happens in training camp typically will foreshadow something of significance moving forward into the season, good or bad.
During camp last year it was noted that Jay Cutler went the first 11 practices without throwing an interception. He and coaches had made ball security the absolute No. 1 priority for him and it carried over into the season.
Deficiencies in pass rush were apparent in drills, and it was not until Lamarr Houston and Willie Young recovered completely around midseason from their leg injuries of 2014 that the Bears had anyone other than Pernell McPhee capable of worrying pass protections. Not surprisingly, the Bears failed to record a sack in either of their first two games.
Irrespective of player additions (potentially eight new starters on defense) and subtractions (losing two players — Martellus Bennett, Matt Forte — who accounted for 30 percent of the total 2015 yardage and touchdowns despite missing a combined eight games, or one fourth of a season), the expectations are there.
The principal reason, quite simply, is Fox.
The Carolina Panthers improved from seven wins in their first year (2002) under Fox to 11 and a Super Bowl appearance in 2003. The Denver Broncos in Fox’s initial year won eight and a playoff game (with Tim Tebow), then jumped to 13 win’s in Fox’s second, although the jump likely had at least a little something to do with landing Peyton Manning as anything else.
But the changes under Fox involved exorcising the losing mentality that had taken root under Marc Trestman and Phil Emery. To that end, Fox began addressing that culture issue last training camp and before, even to the point of privately making winning preseason games a priority rather than simply part of orientation.
“So much of it is a culture: how you practice, how you compete, how you do your job every day,” Fox said. “I’ll give you an example: I went back and looked at OTAs from a year ago. It’s much more competitive, much more high speed. This game is about playing it fast and you have to practice it fast.”
That speed was evident during offseason sessions, particularly on defense as well as in the person of Kevin White on offense, a true deep threat unlike any the Bears have had since Bernard Berrian a decade ago.
The problem is that while Fox has dramatically upped win totals in the second seasons of his two previous billets, two of the last three Bears coaches won fewer games in their year-two’s than in the takeover year — Dick Jauron from six win’s in 1999 to five in 2000, the latter a record-setting year of offensive ineptitude (216 total points) behind Cade McNown and Shane Matthews; and Marc Trestman, from eight wins in 2013 to five in 2014, also a record-setting year for ineptitude in more ways than can be chronicled here.
The biggest single Bears move this offseason was one not entirely of their choosing: losing offensive coordinator Adam Gase to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins and elevating Dowell Loggains from quarterbacks coach to coordinator after a successful season of Cutler development.
Nowhere will the pressure through camp and beyond be greater than on Loggains and, by extension, Cutler.
“We’ve got to be better than last year, that’s for sure,” Cutler said. “We’ve got to be better from last year and that’s kind of what we tell the guys, even though we are in year two and we’ve got some new pieces out here.
“We didn’t turn this offense over. We have the same terminology, same stuff. We’ve got to improve in the direction we want to go.”
Cutler Fact of Fiction: Accuracy
By Josh Sunderbruch
(Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
Sports fans are no strangers to exaggeration. However, in the third part of a series looking at the claims surrounding Jay Cutler, it's time to challenge a long-held belief about his accuracy.
After looking at Jay's injury history and red zone struggles, I wanted to tackle one of the biggest complaints made about Cutler. It is stated by casual fans, members of this community, and talking heads that all of the strength in Jay's arm has limited value because he just isn't that accurate with it. "He has a cannon," somehow becomes a putdown, suggesting that he's wild with his throws.
Before I dig too deeply, I have to admit that I go into this article with a lot of prior work to lean on. Dramatic long bombs are some of the most popular parts of the game, and lots of people have studied the subject thoroughly before me—as we'll see soon.
10 Most Important Bears of 2016: #8 Leonard Floyd must be a difference maker.
By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. At number 8 is the rookie that should bring a different element to the defensive side of the ball.
Last year the Chicago Bears had 35 sacks, which placed them 22nd in the NFL, which isn't that bad. Then when you consider they were 12th in sacks per pass attempt with 6.84%, you realize it wasn't as bleak as we initially thought. And when you look at hurries, which can be a tough stat to quantify, Sporting Charts had the Bears in 9th place at 110. Again not too shabby.
That's not to say it can't be better and that they don't need it to be better. You can never have enough pass rushers.
Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Coming in at #7 is Jay Cutler's blind side protector, Charles Leno Jr.
When the 2015 season ended, I thought Chicago Bears left tackle Charles Leno Jr. had done a good enough job to compete for the starting gig in 2016. I wasn't as down on him as some, but I would have been fine if general manager Ryan Pace brought in someone to legitimately push Leno for the left tackle spot.
After the season Pace said that Leno was a "real pleasant surprise," and that he "really exceeded expectations." Even with the seemingly glowing endorsement, I still thought the Bears would look for some competition for the 24 year old Leno.
As the offseason starting winding down, with free agency and the draft in the rear view mirror, it became apparent to me that the Bears trusted Leno. They added a right tackle in Bobby Massie and instead of flipping Kyle Long to the left side, they moved him back to right guard. They worked out a few guys and then added a veteran backup swing tackle/guard in Nate Chandler. They also ignored left tackle in the draft, all apparently because the coaching staff was confident in Leno moving forward.
By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Next up is a player who flashed some great traits last year, but the injury bug slowed him down, Pernell McPhee.
A little over a year ago the Chicago Bears signed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee to the centerpiece of their brand new 3-4 defense. He came in after being very productive in a rotational role with the Baltimore Ravens, and the question surrounding his game for the Bears was if he could thrive as a starter.
Even though he missed time in 2015 due to injury, I'd say his first year in Chicago was a success. As far as thriving as a starter, I think he'll need to prove he can stay on the field before we can make that statement. In 2014, while in Baltimore, he came off the bench in all 16 games, playing in 515 defensive snaps. Last year for the Bears he started 12 of the 14 games he appeared in, playing 594 defensive snaps.
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Kicking off my top 5 are the two big free agent acquisitions for this season, the brand new inside linebacker tandem.
Last year the inside linebacker position for the Chicago Bears was manned by a converted defensive end turned outside linebacker for 11 starts (Shea McClellin) and a converted outside linebacker for 13 starts (Christian Jones). Others getting 1st team nods at ILB were a couple rookie undrafted free agents for 3 starts apiece (John Timu and Jonathan Anderson) and an ex-Jaguar signed to bolster special teams with 1 start (LaRoy Reynolds).
They all did so well at the position last year that the Bears signed Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman to take over. These two were arguably the best inside linebackers on the market.
McClellin was allowed to leave via free agency, Jones was moved to outside linebacker and Reynolds was allowed to walk as well. Timu and Anderson are still around, but they're both low salaried players that will fight for a back up / special teams role.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Michal Kempny ready to chase NHL dream with Blackhawks.
After looking at Jay's injury history and red zone struggles, I wanted to tackle one of the biggest complaints made about Cutler. It is stated by casual fans, members of this community, and talking heads that all of the strength in Jay's arm has limited value because he just isn't that accurate with it. "He has a cannon," somehow becomes a putdown, suggesting that he's wild with his throws.
Before I dig too deeply, I have to admit that I go into this article with a lot of prior work to lean on. Dramatic long bombs are some of the most popular parts of the game, and lots of people have studied the subject thoroughly before me—as we'll see soon.
With that out of the way, it is very simple to answer the question of whether or not #6 is somehow a loose cannon in terms of overall accuracy. He's not. Since Cutler has been in Chicago, Sporting Charts has recorded 123,616 passes in the NFL. The average completion rate for all of these passes is 61.4%. This total includes balls thrown by All Pros and punters alike, with running backs targeting quarterbacks and any other combination coaches might think is fun or clever. When we eliminate the noise of trick plays and one-offs, looking only at passers with at least 100 attempts (a cutoff that for last year includes Kellen Moore at 104 but not Mark Sanchez at 91), the average completion percentage for quarterbacks in the NFL falls to 61.2%.
Over this same time, Cutler's completion rate is 61.9% (it goes up a hair if you give him his years in Denver). So, purely from a metric of "does Cutler spray more balls than the average quarterback?" the answer is decidedly "no." He's a sliver better than average, actually, but not in a way that would be all that meaningful to the bigger picture.
However, what about simply bad passes? Maybe Cutler connects well enough overall but he has more truly bad passes than others. Not in 2015, when he was 26th out of 35 ranked quarterbacks in terms of the percentage of his balls labeled uncatchable (15.1% of his passes were ‘bad throws', compared to a league average of 16.5%). 2015 wasn't a Gase-inspired fluke, though. In terms of what percentage his passes were wild, 27 quarterbacks were worse than he was in 2014 and 29 were worse in 2013. Perhaps people are focused on the stretch between 2012 and 2011, when he was 9thand 8th, respectively. However, in 2010 he was 23rd and in 2009 he was 16th. In other words, there were a couple of bad years in the middle, but in more years than not, he was more likely to throw a catchable than the typical quarterback.
Those two years (2011 and 2012) are the only points during his time in Chicago when the percentage of his passes that were labeled uncatchable were worse than the average in NFL. Again, the label of ‘inaccurate' just doesn't hold up. For the majority of his time in Chicago, Cutler was one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL in terms of avoiding ‘bad' or uncatchable passes.
Perhaps the problem is that he doesn't deliver on big plays? This is also a fiction. Again, when looking at raw numbers from Sporting Charts, he has a better-than-average number of big passing plays per season, as well, and for at least four of his seven years in Chicago, he's been ranked 11th through 13th by that metric.
So, when looking at completion percentage, avoidance of bad passes, and the ability to deliver big passing plays, Cutler is at least better-than-average. Most of the time, he's even better than that. With that sort of raw reporting out of the way, it's time to look at some of the other research I mentioned earlier on. Others with access to more specific charting data have looked at this, and they find little to support the idea that Cutler misses on deep balls.
In 2013, Dead Spin ran a piece looking at the most accurate deep passers of the time, using Pro Football Focus's data over 6 years to track who threw passes at least 20 yards down field the most often and with the most accuracy. Cutler came in 10th in terms of how many of his passes went deep, throwing it at least 20 yards downfield 13.7% of the time compared to a league-average 11.9%. He was "only" 20th in terms of accuracy at 40.5%, but this was still a hair above the league average of 39.9%, because of the big dropoff after #24 (Ryan). So this study found that Cutler took long shots more often than most of his peers and that his accuracy was no worse than theirs. It's worth noting that this data includes Cutler's dreadful 2009 season, one of the worst of his career.
In 2015, Mike Tanier looked at deep passes and set a threshold of 20 yards. Pulling data from Football Outsiders for just the two most recent years he had available (2013 and 2014), he tracked 4200 passes. He found that on average deep passes in the NFL had a completion percentage of 33.6%, with 11.6 yards per attempt. Across a 16-game season, a truly average passer would have 133 attempts with just over 11 touchdowns and a hair under 9 interceptions. Cutler had 137 attempts with 14 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, a 36.5% completion percentage, and 12.8 yards per attempt. For those who dislike math, that's better in every category. More attempts, more yards, more touchdowns, more completions, and fewer interceptions. The same article concludes that Cutler is the fifth-best deep passer in the NFL at the time: "Another controversial selection that should not be. It's not like this guy is in the league for his sparkling personality."
There you have it.
Fiction. Cutler does not have problems with accuracy. Even with all of the ups and downs of his receiving corps and his at-times shaky o-line, Cutler is at worst average in terms of accuracy, and on the deep balls he's actually one of the better quarterbacks around.
I do, however, have an explanation for why this myth is so persistent. In 2009, Cutler was third in the league in terms of his raw total number of bad throws (with 85, or more than 5 per game) even though he was still a bit better than average in terms of bad passes as a percentage of his total pass plays. After 2009, he never cracked the top ten again, and he was typically 15th through mid-20s. However, the first impression Cutler made on Chicago fans was that he made a lot of errant passes, and it doesn't seem as if fans or media types have let their perceptions catch up with the reality of his arm.
10 Most Important Bears of 2016: #8 Leonard Floyd must be a difference maker.
By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
(Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. At number 8 is the rookie that should bring a different element to the defensive side of the ball.
Last year the Chicago Bears had 35 sacks, which placed them 22nd in the NFL, which isn't that bad. Then when you consider they were 12th in sacks per pass attempt with 6.84%, you realize it wasn't as bleak as we initially thought. And when you look at hurries, which can be a tough stat to quantify, Sporting Charts had the Bears in 9th place at 110. Again not too shabby.
That's not to say it can't be better and that they don't need it to be better. You can never have enough pass rushers.
Turnovers are often the result of getting after the quarterback and the Bears were tied for 19th with a -4 turnover margin. Passer rating against is also usually higher when an opposing quarterback has time to go through his reads, and the Bears allowed QBs to compile a 99.3 rating against, which ranked 26th. Those two stats need to improve.
Overall the Bears' pass rush in 2015 was decent, and one would hope that with full healthy season's from outside linebackers Pernell McPhee, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young, that it will be even better. But the guy they traded up for in the 2016 NFL Draft brings an element to the pass rush that no one else on the roster has.
The Bears need Leonard Floyd to provide Vic Fangio's defense with speed. Not only speed off the edge, but also some speed in getting to his spots in pass coverage. McPhee and Houston are similar in how they get to the QB (with power, tenacity and technique) and Young has proven to be quick off the edge, but he's not 4.6 forty fast like Floyd.
Floyd will need to be a quick study and become better at dipping under blocks and quickly changing direction, but he's athletic enough to learn. He has a high football IQ as evidenced by the numerous ways he was used in college and he has good hands. The Bears may move him around a little eventually, but for the first time in a long time Floyd will be able to hone in on one position. He'll be lining up at outside linebacker with a #1 job of attacking the quarterback.
The Bears will probably employ Floyd in passing situations, but that means he'll have plenty of defensive snaps. The Bears can get creative with their nickle rush packages thanks to the versatility of McPhee and Houston, plus Floyd rushed inside through the A gaps while at Georgia.
Floyd may not lead the Bears in sacks as a rookie, but if he has his technique down, I guarantee you that opposing coaches will make sure to identify him on every play. Speed kills in the NFL and speed off the edge kills quarterbacks.
10 Most Important Bears of 2016: #7 Do you trust Charles Leno?Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
(Photo/Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Coming in at #7 is Jay Cutler's blind side protector, Charles Leno Jr.
When the 2015 season ended, I thought Chicago Bears left tackle Charles Leno Jr. had done a good enough job to compete for the starting gig in 2016. I wasn't as down on him as some, but I would have been fine if general manager Ryan Pace brought in someone to legitimately push Leno for the left tackle spot.
After the season Pace said that Leno was a "real pleasant surprise," and that he "really exceeded expectations." Even with the seemingly glowing endorsement, I still thought the Bears would look for some competition for the 24 year old Leno.
As the offseason starting winding down, with free agency and the draft in the rear view mirror, it became apparent to me that the Bears trusted Leno. They added a right tackle in Bobby Massie and instead of flipping Kyle Long to the left side, they moved him back to right guard. They worked out a few guys and then added a veteran backup swing tackle/guard in Nate Chandler. They also ignored left tackle in the draft, all apparently because the coaching staff was confident in Leno moving forward.
At Boise State Leno started all 26 games at left tackle his last two years, and during that time the Broncos only allowed 12 total sacks. Scouts liked his pass blocking coming out of college, but he needed to add some strength and tighten up his technique. He's improved since being a 7th round pick in 2013, and Bears' o-line coach Dave Magazu says Leno is bigger and stronger this offseason when compared to last year. The extra bulk will help him in the run game as long as he has his technique on point.
Another plus for Leno this year is his ability to focus on one position. If you remember, last year he was working as the swing tackle, taking reps at both sides. He was even given an extended look at right tackle in preseason as a possible starter. His struggles on the right side prompted the Bears to move Long from right guard to right tackle, but the Bears still believed in Leno as a prospect. When starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod went down, they inserted Leno and he went on to stay there even when Bushrod was healthy.
Leno taking a step up in play is important for the Bears' pass protection this year. With newly signed Bobbie Massie on the right side, the Bears know they are getting a player that is a plus run blocker, but will struggle at times in pass pro. The 26 year old Massie may have improved his footwork this offseason, but the 'will struggle in pass pro' been the book on Massie so far. If Leno can be trusted on the left side, that means the Bears only have to occasionally chip and slide protection to the right side.
Leno's importance is also magnified, because he's tasked with protecting Jay Cutler's blind side, which is kind of a big deal.
What is your confidence level in Charles Leno Jr.?
10 Most Important Bears of 2016: #6 Is a healthy Pernell McPhee a Pro Bowl player?By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
(Photo/Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports)
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Next up is a player who flashed some great traits last year, but the injury bug slowed him down, Pernell McPhee.
A little over a year ago the Chicago Bears signed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee to the centerpiece of their brand new 3-4 defense. He came in after being very productive in a rotational role with the Baltimore Ravens, and the question surrounding his game for the Bears was if he could thrive as a starter.
Even though he missed time in 2015 due to injury, I'd say his first year in Chicago was a success. As far as thriving as a starter, I think he'll need to prove he can stay on the field before we can make that statement. In 2014, while in Baltimore, he came off the bench in all 16 games, playing in 515 defensive snaps. Last year for the Bears he started 12 of the 14 games he appeared in, playing 594 defensive snaps.
The Bears would have rotated him with the other OLBs on the roster regardless of injury, but he would have been on the field more than the 42.4 snaps per game he had last year. Even with a balky knee slowing him down, he still finished the year with 53 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, 1 interception, 3 passes defended and a forced fumble.
Pro Football Focus graded his pass rush productivity as tops among all edge defenders in the NFL last year when they ranked him as the 66th best player in the league. They also had him at #41 in their Best Players In The NFL Right Now list. McPhee also was picked in the top 100 of CBSSports' Top Players of the 2016 Season list.
Pro Football Focus graded his pass rush productivity as tops among all edge defenders in the NFL last year when they ranked him as the 66th best player in the league. They also had him at #41 in their Best Players In The NFL Right Now list. McPhee also was picked in the top 100 of CBSSports' Top Players of the 2016 Season list.
If McPhee can accomplish all that on a bad wheel, imagine what he can do when he's healthy. If he's picking up postseason accolades playing on a defense devoid of playmakers, imagine what he can do with a revamped front seven. Last year he was The Guy on that D, whereas this year opposing offenses will have other concerns as well.
If McPhee can stay healthy this year, I think his versatility will have him pushing for a Pro Bowl spot. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio uses him as his rover, lining him up all over his front seven. McPhee is just as comfortable rushing the passer off the edge as he is standing up over the nose ready to shoot the A gaps.
So far I've only touched on his on field merits, but McPhee brought an attitude to Chicago's defense last year that was sorely lacking. He was voted a team captain in his first season in Chicago, partly because of his talent, but also because of the leadership he displayed from day one. He talked about playing violent and then he went out and did it.
His leadership, his swagger and his talent make him my 6th Most Important Bear for the 2016 season.
10 Most Important Bears of 2016: #5 How much will real NFL inside linebackers help their defense?
By Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.
(Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
For the 8th straight year, I'm bringing you who I believe will be the ten most important Chicago Bears for the upcoming season. Kicking off my top 5 are the two big free agent acquisitions for this season, the brand new inside linebacker tandem.
Last year the inside linebacker position for the Chicago Bears was manned by a converted defensive end turned outside linebacker for 11 starts (Shea McClellin) and a converted outside linebacker for 13 starts (Christian Jones). Others getting 1st team nods at ILB were a couple rookie undrafted free agents for 3 starts apiece (John Timu and Jonathan Anderson) and an ex-Jaguar signed to bolster special teams with 1 start (LaRoy Reynolds).
They all did so well at the position last year that the Bears signed Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman to take over. These two were arguably the best inside linebackers on the market.
McClellin was allowed to leave via free agency, Jones was moved to outside linebacker and Reynolds was allowed to walk as well. Timu and Anderson are still around, but they're both low salaried players that will fight for a back up / special teams role.
In Trevathan and Freeman the Bears have two legitimate professional linebackers. The emerging 26 year old Travathan had 32 starts the last three years for the Denver Broncos, including 15 at ILB last year in their Super Bowl winning 3-4 defense. The 30 year old Freeman had 57 ILB starts since 2012 with the Indianapolis Colts. Trevathan missed most of 2014 with an injury, but he had 129 tackles in 2013 and 109 in 2015. Freeman has missed 7 games the last two years, but he still averaged 119.5 tackles per year from 2012-2015.
These two have been highly productive players and both will provide leadership and playmaking ability in the middle of Vic Fangio's defense. The two should also be interchangeable with Fangio's Mike and Jack position, where the Mike is more the downhill run plugger while the Jack is the guy that is a bit more versatile in blitzing and coverage. Both Trevathan and Freeman can cover, blitz and play physical much like Fangio's duo in San Francisco, Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. The Bears twosome haven't received the kind of individual accolades like the 49ers' duo has, but if Chicago's defense improves that may be coming.
I'm grouping the two inside linebackers together on my Most Important list, because even though Trevathan was the "prize" free agent pick up, Freeman has proven to be just as good, if not a better, player. Bears' fans should get a kick out of these two running around making plays, especially after watching last year's tandem stumble around the field.
I'm expecting some really good football from Chicago's new front seven this year, what about you guys?
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Michal Kempny ready to chase NHL dream with Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Michal Kempny didn’t want to discuss what the Blackhawks have said his role will be this coming season, but he knows where he wants to be.
“I’m here to prove that I’m here to play in the NHL, because it was my dream for so long,” Kempny said through translator Igor Alfimov. “So I’m here to work myself to the A team.”
Kempny, a Czech defenseman who enters this season with much fanfare, participated in his first day of Blackhawks prospect camp on Tuesday. For Kempny, there will be plenty of adjustments. The 25-year-old speaks little English and will be adjusting to the North American game. Still, Kempny could be another Artemi Panarin, making the on-ice transition fast and helping the Blackhawks right away.
“I think Chicago likes defensemen who skate a lot and who are very creative, and I think that’s my style,” Alfimov said for Kempny. “I’m very glad I can contribute to that style.”
The Blackhawks are hoping that’s the case. The team bolstered its defense on July 1 when they welcomed back Brian Campbell on a one-year deal. The Blackhawks missed having that fourth veteran defenseman last season after Johnny Oduya signed with the Dallas Stars, and it showed. But the Blackhawks will still be looking for others to step up or break through, and that includes Kempny.
General manager Stan Bowman was complimentary of Kempny but knows everything is new to him and there might be an adjustment period. Having fellow Czech Michal Rozsival in the room should also help Kempny, who said he’s currently working with tutors to improve his English.
Now to see how quickly he adjusts on the ice. Kempny spent last season in the KHL, where he had five goals and 16 assists and was a plus-18 in 59 games with Avangard Omsk. Kempny has done well overseas but wanted to take the next step. Where better to do that than in the NHL and with the Blackhawks, who were one of several suitors vying for Kempny.
“There were some offers, but I was aware that I was followed by the Blackhawks for a while,” he said. “I kind of decided that if the offer would come I would definitely agree.”
Kempny is ready to see what he can do on this side of the pond. It will be an adjustment, for sure. But he’s with a team that has a strong top-four veteran defenseman presence once again so there won’t be a ton of pressure on him right away. But if he can make an impact immediately, all the better.
“I’m basically start thinking about hockey differently, working on myself a lot,” he said. “There’s a goal that you need to set for yourself, and you need to follow them. And without the hard work, there is no reward.”
Kris Bryant finally gets Chris Sale but AL prevails over NL in All-Star Game
By Dan Hayes
“I’m here to prove that I’m here to play in the NHL, because it was my dream for so long,” Kempny said through translator Igor Alfimov. “So I’m here to work myself to the A team.”
Kempny, a Czech defenseman who enters this season with much fanfare, participated in his first day of Blackhawks prospect camp on Tuesday. For Kempny, there will be plenty of adjustments. The 25-year-old speaks little English and will be adjusting to the North American game. Still, Kempny could be another Artemi Panarin, making the on-ice transition fast and helping the Blackhawks right away.
“I think Chicago likes defensemen who skate a lot and who are very creative, and I think that’s my style,” Alfimov said for Kempny. “I’m very glad I can contribute to that style.”
The Blackhawks are hoping that’s the case. The team bolstered its defense on July 1 when they welcomed back Brian Campbell on a one-year deal. The Blackhawks missed having that fourth veteran defenseman last season after Johnny Oduya signed with the Dallas Stars, and it showed. But the Blackhawks will still be looking for others to step up or break through, and that includes Kempny.
General manager Stan Bowman was complimentary of Kempny but knows everything is new to him and there might be an adjustment period. Having fellow Czech Michal Rozsival in the room should also help Kempny, who said he’s currently working with tutors to improve his English.
Now to see how quickly he adjusts on the ice. Kempny spent last season in the KHL, where he had five goals and 16 assists and was a plus-18 in 59 games with Avangard Omsk. Kempny has done well overseas but wanted to take the next step. Where better to do that than in the NHL and with the Blackhawks, who were one of several suitors vying for Kempny.
“There were some offers, but I was aware that I was followed by the Blackhawks for a while,” he said. “I kind of decided that if the offer would come I would definitely agree.”
Kempny is ready to see what he can do on this side of the pond. It will be an adjustment, for sure. But he’s with a team that has a strong top-four veteran defenseman presence once again so there won’t be a ton of pressure on him right away. But if he can make an impact immediately, all the better.
“I’m basically start thinking about hockey differently, working on myself a lot,” he said. “There’s a goal that you need to set for yourself, and you need to follow them. And without the hard work, there is no reward.”
Kris Bryant finally gets Chris Sale but AL prevails over NL in All-Star Game
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Kris got Chris on Tuesday night.
The American League, which featured two White Sox pitchers, rallied for a 4-2 victory over the Cubs-heavy National League squad in front of 42,386 at Petco Park. Bryant was one of seven Cubs represented on the team, including the entire starting infield for only the second time in All-Star history.
Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez both homered for the AL.
“It was special,” Bryant said. “Usually any time I do something in a game that’s good I don’t really notice it just because I’m lost in my own little world. But it’s always a different feeling when you’re in a game like this, an All-Star Game. It’s special. The best players in the world are here. I really made the most of the moment.”
Bryant became the first Cubs player to homer in an All-Star Game since Alfonso Soriano in 2007 at San Francisco. He also became the first Cubs batter to hit a round-tripper in the first inning since Ernie Banks in 1960. And, Bryant became the youngest player to homer in the exhibition since David Wright in 2006 at Pittsburgh.
After striking out in all six of their regular season meetings, Bryant wasted no time against Sale in the Midsummer Classic. The product from nearby University of San Diego ripped a first-pitch 96-mph fastball from Sale that was below the knees and on the inside corner off the facing of the second deck in left field for a solo homer and a 1-0 National League lead.
Sale wasn’t overly concerned about allowing the homer.
“You could hear it,” Sale said. “I think I felt it, too. He got a good piece of it.”
“It’s the third batter of the game. You throw him a first-pitch fastball inside. We didn’t do scouting reports, man. Nothing like that. He’s an unbelievable athlete and a good hitter, and he put a good swing on the pitch.”
According to MLB.com, Bryant’s homer had a 111-mph exit velocity and traveled 410 feet. In doing so, Bryant became only the eighth Cubs player to ever homer in an All-Star Game. He also matched Banks, who blasted a two-run homer off Boston’s Bill Monbouquette in the first inning of the first game of an All-Star Game doubleheader on July 11, 1960 at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.
Bryant followed the same approach employed by Cubs teammate Ben Zobrist and Washington’s Bryce Harper as all were aggressive early against Sale. Zobrist flew out on the second pitch of the game and Harper grounded Sale’s third pitch weakly to second base. Bryant credited his father, Mike, who told him he’d get a first-pitch fastball from Sale.
“I guess it’s just the plan in a game like this,” Bryant said. “Everybody wants to do good. Everybody wants to go out there and shake the nerves a little bit and I guess that leads to swinging early in the count. We know the pitchers are going to throw their fastball a little more in an All-Star Game. I think that’s just kind of what we were thinking up there.”
Sale, who was the first White Sox pitcher (and seventh overall) to start the All-Star Game since Mark Buehrle in 2005, finished his only inning with a strikeout of San Diego’s Wil Myers.
Sale threw only nine pitches and allowed a run and a hit.
Esteban Loaiza (2003), Early Wynn (1959) and Billy Pierce (1953, 1955 and 1956) are the other White Sox to have started an All-Star Game.
Sale said the moment wasn’t lost on him. He also received several action photos from his mother.
“I appreciate it and I tried to enjoy every moment,” Sale said. “Every warmup pitch, introductions, everything. It was fun, an experience I’ll never forget. I appreciate the honor of being able to start an All-Star Game. I gave up a run. It was a home run, whatever. But the experience in itself was worth every last minute.”
Anthony Rizzo: Cubs 'have a sense of urgency' after recent slide.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Though their massive lead isn’t what it once was, the Cubs remain a confident bunch.
They’re also ready to get back on track.
Still, it’d be hard not to have a little faith in the team’s fortunes seeing as — at seven games — the Cubs still have the biggest lead in the majors. Sure, they’ve played their share of poor baseball lately, losing 15 of 21.
But first baseman Anthony Rizzo said before Tuesday’s All-Star Game he thinks the Cubs are still well positioned in spite of their recent woes. He also thinks that big cushion, one that once sat at 12 1/2 games in the National League Central, may have played a role in the Cubs falling off after a 47-20 start.
“There’s a sense of urgency,” Rizzo said. “Not that there’s not every single day. But you build a big lead, and I don’t want to say we were coasting, but I guess we were. It’s good. You can’t be good all the time in this game. It’s impossible. We’ll be ready for the second half.”
The Cubs should get a boost from the eventual return of outfielder Dexter Fowler, who has been out with a hamstring injury since June 19. Fowler opted not to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in order to avoid re-injuring himself. But the outfielder — who is hitting .290/.398/.483 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs in 284 plate appearances — expects to participate in the club’s Thursday workout. He could be activated from the disabled list shortly thereafter.
“(Fowler would) just lengthen our lineup out again and have another professional at-bat,” Rizzo said. “Every single time he steps to the plate he’s going to work the count and give us a good at-bat.”
Rizzo isn’t alone in his confidence. During Monday’s pre-game media session, pitcher Jon Lester suggested the Cubs just need to slow down the roller coaster.
Rizzo agrees. He sees a simple solution as the remedy to a slide that has included series losses to the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“We’ve just got to go out and play,” Rizzo said.
Dexter Fowler chooses Cubs season over first All-Star Game appearance.
By Dan Hayes
They’re also ready to get back on track.
Still, it’d be hard not to have a little faith in the team’s fortunes seeing as — at seven games — the Cubs still have the biggest lead in the majors. Sure, they’ve played their share of poor baseball lately, losing 15 of 21.
But first baseman Anthony Rizzo said before Tuesday’s All-Star Game he thinks the Cubs are still well positioned in spite of their recent woes. He also thinks that big cushion, one that once sat at 12 1/2 games in the National League Central, may have played a role in the Cubs falling off after a 47-20 start.
“There’s a sense of urgency,” Rizzo said. “Not that there’s not every single day. But you build a big lead, and I don’t want to say we were coasting, but I guess we were. It’s good. You can’t be good all the time in this game. It’s impossible. We’ll be ready for the second half.”
The Cubs should get a boost from the eventual return of outfielder Dexter Fowler, who has been out with a hamstring injury since June 19. Fowler opted not to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star Game in order to avoid re-injuring himself. But the outfielder — who is hitting .290/.398/.483 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs in 284 plate appearances — expects to participate in the club’s Thursday workout. He could be activated from the disabled list shortly thereafter.
“(Fowler would) just lengthen our lineup out again and have another professional at-bat,” Rizzo said. “Every single time he steps to the plate he’s going to work the count and give us a good at-bat.”
Rizzo isn’t alone in his confidence. During Monday’s pre-game media session, pitcher Jon Lester suggested the Cubs just need to slow down the roller coaster.
Rizzo agrees. He sees a simple solution as the remedy to a slide that has included series losses to the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“We’ve just got to go out and play,” Rizzo said.
Dexter Fowler chooses Cubs season over first All-Star Game appearance.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Dexter Fowler said he had the big picture in mind when he opted not to play in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
A first-time selection, the Cubs outfielder said Monday he didn’t want to risk re-aggravating his hamstring injury. On the disabled list since June 19, Fowler would have had to have been activated after Sunday’s first-half finale to be eligible for Tuesday’s exhibition at Petco Park.
Fowler plans to attend Thursday’s workout with the Cubs and run the bases. He’s unsure if he’d be activated for Friday’s series-opener against the Rangers but expects to return soon.
“Say I went out there 80 percent and there’s a ball in the gap and I’m running for it and the ball drops, I feel like I let my team down,” Fowler said. “I felt like I was being selfish. It’s a long season, and I want to be back and not have anything to worry about.
“Better safe than sorry. On Friday I might be able to play, you never know. But that unknown right there was a lot for me just to play one game.”
Fowler said he hasn’t had any set backs. He also continues to make progress and wants to get back and help the Cubs, who have struggled recently.
“I think I’m more anxious than everybody,” Fowler said. “Watch the games on TV and I’ve got that itch.”
Even though he won’t play in the All-Star Game, Fowler is on hand for the experience. He and the rest of his Cubs teammates arrived in San Diego on Sunday night. After a tough, slow offseason full of uncertainty, Fowler feels pretty good to have been selected for the Midsummer Classic.
“It’s great,” Fowler said. “Just how frustrating the offseason was and to come back and represent your team here, it was just something to prove and a milestone I got here and I’m eager to get back.”
Chris Sale admits Tony Gwynn's death the reason he quit chewing tobacco.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Chris Sale paid tribute to "Mr. Padre" Tony Gwynn during Monday's All-Star Game press conference, admitting Gwynn's death from salivary gland cancer in 2014 was the reason he quit chewing tobacco.
Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher by manager Ned Yost, and made an emotional remark when asked about Gwynn's impact.
"He actually made a very big impact in my life. I remember, I chewed tobacco from 2007 until the day he passed away," Sale said. "And I remember seeing that, and just being so shocked. He was a larger-than-life person, he was an inspiration to the game for many, many people for a lot of different reasons. But I quit that day and haven't touched it since. So in a sense I owe him a huge thank you for not only myself but my family and hopefully I can maybe sway somebody in the right direction like he did for me."
Gwynn passed away in June 2014. The Hall of Famer spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres, amassing 3,141 hits and a career .338 batting average.
Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher by manager Ned Yost, and made an emotional remark when asked about Gwynn's impact.
"He actually made a very big impact in my life. I remember, I chewed tobacco from 2007 until the day he passed away," Sale said. "And I remember seeing that, and just being so shocked. He was a larger-than-life person, he was an inspiration to the game for many, many people for a lot of different reasons. But I quit that day and haven't touched it since. So in a sense I owe him a huge thank you for not only myself but my family and hopefully I can maybe sway somebody in the right direction like he did for me."
Gwynn passed away in June 2014. The Hall of Famer spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres, amassing 3,141 hits and a career .338 batting average.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... No longer the shy teenager, Dwyane Wade returns home to Chicago as the Prodigal Son.
By Mark Schanowski
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
I remember the first time I met Dwyane Wade, during his senior year at Richards high school in Oak Lawn. Wade had just burst onto the scene as the latest Chicago area prep sensation with a series of dominant performances in a holiday tournament, scoring 40 points in a couple games. His athletic ability and creative scoring skills were incredibly advanced for a player of that age.
At that time, I was working at Channel 5 and we did a weekly segment honoring prep athletes. I made the trip out to Oak Lawn to interview Dwyane and his coach Jack Fitzgerald following one of the team’s practices. Wade couldn’t have been more polite, but he was painfully shy and spoke softly and modestly about what he had been able to accomplish during the early part of his senior year.
Wade had already accepted a scholarship to Marquette, and told me only two other Division I schools had shown any serious interest because of academic concerns. Being a Milwaukee native, I shared a few stories with him about the city and what he could expect at a tradition-rich program like Marquette. I really enjoyed our conversation and decided on the spot I would pay a little extra attention to see how Dwyane Wade’s career developed.
As it turned out, Wade had to sit out his first year after failing to meet the standards for eligibility under the old Prop 48 academic guidelines. But once he hit the court with the Golden Eagles (I always want to type Warriors) in the fall of 2001, the fans of Milwaukee quickly realized they had a new star to enjoy. Wade averaged 17.8 points during his first season at Marquette, led Conference USA with almost 2.5 steals per game, and helped the Golden Eagles to a 26-7 record, their best since the 1993-94 season.
Wade was even better the following season, leading Marquette to a Final Four appearance, averaging 21.5 points and earning first team All-American honors from AP. After declaring for early entry in the NBA draft, Wade was projected as a mid-1st round pick. The Bulls held the No. 7 overall pick and fell in love with Wade after an individual workout. They had him in for a second visit just before draft night, and basically told Wade he would be their selection if he was still on the board.
Unfortunately, Miami Heat coach Pat Riley won a draft room argument with the front office to select Wade at No. 5 instead of their consensus choice, big man Chris Kaman, and the Bulls were left to think about what might have been after drafting Kirk Hinrich at 7.
Wade became an instant star in the NBA, and in his third season, teamed with Shaquille O’Neal to bring Miami its first NBA championship. Shaq gave him the nickname “Flash” and it definitely fit. Wade was named Finals MVP in 2006, averaging 34.7 points per game as the Heat blazed past Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks to win the title in six games. The former Richards high school star had made it big on the national stage and I was happy to see him achieve so much success.
Then came a series of mediocre seasons with the Heat that required Wade to carry the franchise on his back. He led the league in scoring in 2008-09, but the grind of doing everything just to earn a first round exit in the playoffs started to wear on Wade, and as he approached free agency in the summer of 2010, it appeared he was ready to move on to a better situation. Count me among the many Bulls fans hoping Wade would come back home to play a starring role with a Bulls’ team on the rise.
Unfortunately, we remember all too well what happened that summer. Wade had two separate meetings with the Bulls on the first day of free agency, giving the front office hope he was ready to come on board and bring either Chris Bosh or LeBron James with him. Wade told the Bulls he wanted to go back to Miami and take a few days to think things over, but at that point no one really knew the formation of the Super Heat was already in the works, with both James and Bosh coming to South Beach to team up with Wade.
And, that’s where the disconnect came with Wade and many of his hometown fans. Why did Wade take two meetings with the Bulls if he intended to team up with Bosh and LeBron all along? Was he disingenuous, or even worse, spying for Pat Riley on the Bulls' free agent strategy? The soft-spoken kid I met at Richards high school had suddenly become the villain.
The cheers Wade used to hear at the United Center turned to mostly boos, with the Heat becoming the Bulls’ unconquerable foe during the Big 3 era. Wade still came back to the Chicago area every summer to run a basketball camp, but the feeling just wasn’t the same when he talked about his love for his hometown.
I have to admit I was extremely skeptical when reports started to emerge about the Bulls expressing interest in signing Wade this time around. Surely, he would just use other teams’ interest as leverage to extract a better contract from Riley. What I didn’t know is the bond between Riley and Wade had been irreparably damaged over a perceived lack of respect shown to the 12-time All-Star during a series of difficult contract negotiations. Wade was looking for a new home and Chicago was at the top of his list.
Give credit to Bulls’ executives John Paxson and Gar Forman for acting quickly when Wade let them know he was serious about a homecoming. The Bulls were able to shed the contracts of two older veterans who no longer fit — Mike Dunleavy and Jose Calderon — allowing them to make a big enough financial offer to secure a deal with Wade.
The Prodigal Son is coming home, and I can’t help but think about how much Dwyane Wade has changed since I first met him over 16 years ago. He’s now a multi-platform celebrity, poised and confident in front of the camera. He talked about his decision to join the Bulls on the nationally-televised "Live with Kelly" last Thursday morning, saying he always imagined himself wearing a Bulls’ jersey and being announced to the home crowd at the United Center.
Well Dwyane, you’re finally getting that wish. The soft-spoken kid from Richards high school is coming home, and I can’t wait to see how the next chapter of his career unfolds.
Bulls sign guard Isaiah Canaan to two-year deal.
By #BULLSTALK
At that time, I was working at Channel 5 and we did a weekly segment honoring prep athletes. I made the trip out to Oak Lawn to interview Dwyane and his coach Jack Fitzgerald following one of the team’s practices. Wade couldn’t have been more polite, but he was painfully shy and spoke softly and modestly about what he had been able to accomplish during the early part of his senior year.
Wade had already accepted a scholarship to Marquette, and told me only two other Division I schools had shown any serious interest because of academic concerns. Being a Milwaukee native, I shared a few stories with him about the city and what he could expect at a tradition-rich program like Marquette. I really enjoyed our conversation and decided on the spot I would pay a little extra attention to see how Dwyane Wade’s career developed.
As it turned out, Wade had to sit out his first year after failing to meet the standards for eligibility under the old Prop 48 academic guidelines. But once he hit the court with the Golden Eagles (I always want to type Warriors) in the fall of 2001, the fans of Milwaukee quickly realized they had a new star to enjoy. Wade averaged 17.8 points during his first season at Marquette, led Conference USA with almost 2.5 steals per game, and helped the Golden Eagles to a 26-7 record, their best since the 1993-94 season.
Wade was even better the following season, leading Marquette to a Final Four appearance, averaging 21.5 points and earning first team All-American honors from AP. After declaring for early entry in the NBA draft, Wade was projected as a mid-1st round pick. The Bulls held the No. 7 overall pick and fell in love with Wade after an individual workout. They had him in for a second visit just before draft night, and basically told Wade he would be their selection if he was still on the board.
Unfortunately, Miami Heat coach Pat Riley won a draft room argument with the front office to select Wade at No. 5 instead of their consensus choice, big man Chris Kaman, and the Bulls were left to think about what might have been after drafting Kirk Hinrich at 7.
Wade became an instant star in the NBA, and in his third season, teamed with Shaquille O’Neal to bring Miami its first NBA championship. Shaq gave him the nickname “Flash” and it definitely fit. Wade was named Finals MVP in 2006, averaging 34.7 points per game as the Heat blazed past Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks to win the title in six games. The former Richards high school star had made it big on the national stage and I was happy to see him achieve so much success.
Then came a series of mediocre seasons with the Heat that required Wade to carry the franchise on his back. He led the league in scoring in 2008-09, but the grind of doing everything just to earn a first round exit in the playoffs started to wear on Wade, and as he approached free agency in the summer of 2010, it appeared he was ready to move on to a better situation. Count me among the many Bulls fans hoping Wade would come back home to play a starring role with a Bulls’ team on the rise.
Unfortunately, we remember all too well what happened that summer. Wade had two separate meetings with the Bulls on the first day of free agency, giving the front office hope he was ready to come on board and bring either Chris Bosh or LeBron James with him. Wade told the Bulls he wanted to go back to Miami and take a few days to think things over, but at that point no one really knew the formation of the Super Heat was already in the works, with both James and Bosh coming to South Beach to team up with Wade.
And, that’s where the disconnect came with Wade and many of his hometown fans. Why did Wade take two meetings with the Bulls if he intended to team up with Bosh and LeBron all along? Was he disingenuous, or even worse, spying for Pat Riley on the Bulls' free agent strategy? The soft-spoken kid I met at Richards high school had suddenly become the villain.
The cheers Wade used to hear at the United Center turned to mostly boos, with the Heat becoming the Bulls’ unconquerable foe during the Big 3 era. Wade still came back to the Chicago area every summer to run a basketball camp, but the feeling just wasn’t the same when he talked about his love for his hometown.
I have to admit I was extremely skeptical when reports started to emerge about the Bulls expressing interest in signing Wade this time around. Surely, he would just use other teams’ interest as leverage to extract a better contract from Riley. What I didn’t know is the bond between Riley and Wade had been irreparably damaged over a perceived lack of respect shown to the 12-time All-Star during a series of difficult contract negotiations. Wade was looking for a new home and Chicago was at the top of his list.
Give credit to Bulls’ executives John Paxson and Gar Forman for acting quickly when Wade let them know he was serious about a homecoming. The Bulls were able to shed the contracts of two older veterans who no longer fit — Mike Dunleavy and Jose Calderon — allowing them to make a big enough financial offer to secure a deal with Wade.
The Prodigal Son is coming home, and I can’t help but think about how much Dwyane Wade has changed since I first met him over 16 years ago. He’s now a multi-platform celebrity, poised and confident in front of the camera. He talked about his decision to join the Bulls on the nationally-televised "Live with Kelly" last Thursday morning, saying he always imagined himself wearing a Bulls’ jersey and being announced to the home crowd at the United Center.
Well Dwyane, you’re finally getting that wish. The soft-spoken kid from Richards high school is coming home, and I can’t wait to see how the next chapter of his career unfolds.
Bulls sign guard Isaiah Canaan to two-year deal.
By #BULLSTALK
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bulls added to their backcourt depth on Tuesday, signing Isaiah Canaan to a two-year deal worth $2.2 million, according to CSN Bulls Insider Vincent Goodwill. The second year is a team option, according to Goodwill.
Canaan, 25, spent parts of the last two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. The shoot-first point guard averaged 11.0 points and 2.3 3-pointers in 77 games (39 starts) for the Sixers last year. He'll likely begin the year on the depth chart behind free-agent acquisition Rajon Rondo and trade acquisition Jerian Grant, but his perimeter shooting will be important for a Bulls backcourt lacking it.
Last season Canaan made 176 3-pointers, more than the 133 Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler combined for a year ago.
He suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder in the final month of the season, and became a free agent when the rebuilding 76ers opted not to give him a qualifying offer.
Canaan was selected in the second round (34th overall) by the Houston Rockets in 2013. He's a career 36 percent 3-point shooter.
Canaan was selected in the second round (34th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. On Feb. 19, 2015, he was traded to the 76ers.
Golf: I got a club for that..... 2016 British Open: Expert picks, predictions before a tough test at Royal Troon.
Canaan, 25, spent parts of the last two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. The shoot-first point guard averaged 11.0 points and 2.3 3-pointers in 77 games (39 starts) for the Sixers last year. He'll likely begin the year on the depth chart behind free-agent acquisition Rajon Rondo and trade acquisition Jerian Grant, but his perimeter shooting will be important for a Bulls backcourt lacking it.
Last season Canaan made 176 3-pointers, more than the 133 Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler combined for a year ago.
He suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder in the final month of the season, and became a free agent when the rebuilding 76ers opted not to give him a qualifying offer.
Canaan was selected in the second round (34th overall) by the Houston Rockets in 2013. He's a career 36 percent 3-point shooter.
Canaan was selected in the second round (34th overall pick) of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. On Feb. 19, 2015, he was traded to the 76ers.
Golf: I got a club for that..... 2016 British Open: Expert picks, predictions before a tough test at Royal Troon.
Our golf writers give you their picks and predictions for what should be a terrific week of golf at Royal Troon in Scotland.
Who are you picking at Royal Troon? That's all anyone wants to know this week. And rarely has the decision been more difficult, though you wouldn't know that based on how the CBS Sports golf writers made their calls.
The 2016 British Open field is loaded with stars who have already played tremendous golf this season, including a few who have notched important wins leading up to the third major of an extended season.
Let's not delay any further. Here's our picks for the 145th Open Championship.
Kyle Porter, golf writer
Winner: Sergio Garcia. Seven of the last nine Open winners have been 35 or older. Each major winner this season has been a first-timer. Garcia finished runner-up two years ago and T6 last year. He has nine (!) top 10s at the British Open in his career. It's all adding up for either the greatest week of his life or the most outstanding heartbreak Garcia fans have ever known.
Top 10 lock: Jason Day. His last 12 months have been astonishing, including seven wins in 20 events. He finished runner-up at this tournament last year and has the best combination of mental prowess plus physical tools in the sport right now. I would be stunned if he finished outside the top 10 and downright flabbergasted if he was outside the top 25.
Sleeper: Scott Piercy (100-1). Why the long odds? He has finished runner-up at the last two events which, if you have not been paying attention, were a major and a World Golf Championship. If Dustin Johnson did not exist, Piercy could be going for three straight wins at Royal Troon. He probably won't win, but 100-1 is far too high for somebody hitting it like he is right now.
Top 5, in order: Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Jason Day, Shane Lowry, Adam Scott
Surprise prediction: There will be more golfers in the top 10 over age 35 than under age 30.
If the weather whips around, this could become an old man's game and course knowledge plus patience could reign. That's bad news for the Rory McIlroys and Justin Thomas's of the world.
Lowest round: 65 (6 under)
Winning score: 273 (9 under)
Winner's Sunday score: 70 (1 under)
Robby Kalland, golf writer
Winner: Sergio Garcia. It's time for to break through. The way Garcia has played recently, coupled with his performances in recent British Opens (T2 and T6 the last two tries), makes me think this is the year. He was close at the U.S. Open and just recently won the HP Byron Nelson. Let's make this is the year of ending years of major sadness with back-to-back wins by Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia.
Top-10 lock: Jason Day. I'm not stepping out on a limb here with Day, but the man's finished in the top 10 in four of his last five events and was T4 last year at St. Andrews. I'd be shocked if he's not in one of the final few pairings on Sunday.
Sleeper: Marc Leishman (80-1). He has finished in the top five at the last two British Opens. The links style courses fit his eye and he knows how to handle bad weather. Look for him to be in contention come Sunday as well.
Top five, in order: Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen
Surprise prediction: Ernie Els finishes higher than Dustin Johnson. The last time they played the British Open here, Els was in a playoff and lost to Todd Hamilton. He won a British as recently as 2012 and is playing excellent golf recently. Els has the ability to turn back the clock at the British Open, and I think he'll surprise with a strong showing, while Johnson will stumble a bit after back-to-back wins and finish below the Big Easy.
Lowest round: 66 (5 under)
Winning score: 274 (10 under)
Winner's Sunday score: 68 (3 under)
Adam Silverstein, golf editor
Winner: Jordan Spieth. Recency bias has Spieth ranked fourth in the odds entering Royal Troon. Here's why that's a joke: He's finished 4th or better in six of his last 10 majors and five of his last six. He was unimpressive at the U.S. Open but went T3 at WGC-Bridgestone two weeks ago and has all that early-season pressure off his shoulders. Enjoy your Spaniard; I'll take the American.
Top-10 lock: Jason Day. I did not want to make it a sweep here, but here's Day in the last six majors: T9, T4, 1, T10, T8. I'm not passing up those odds, even if Dustin Johnson is probably an equally good bet here.
Sleeper: Graeme McDowell (100-1). So I'm supposed to not take an Ulsterman who plays his best golf close to home? McDowell has two top-10s in the Open over the last four years and at 36 fits Kyle's older-man metric. And if I'm going to take a sleeper, he'll be 100-1 or better.
Top five, in order: Jordan Spieth, Danny Willett, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Justin Rose
Surprise predictions: I'm going to make two, because I'm feeling lucky and contrarian. First, Rickie Fowler will be in contention entering the weekend. That has not been the case for Fowler in a major since the 2015 Masters as he's been more likely to miss cuts than live up to the hot streak he pieced together in 2014. Second, Sergio Garcia will never be in serious contention. I'm not trying to be the ultimate hater here but literally -- and yes, I do mean literally -- everyone is taking Garcia to win at Royal Troon. (Cough, cough.) He's made 12 of his last 13 cuts at majors after missing one-third of major cuts from 2004-12. I'd go so far as to take him to miss the cut, but I feel that would be straight disrespectful considering how well he's played recently. Look, I'm not the guy who will play Don't Pass on a craps table, but I'm just not feeling it for Serge. Let me be wrong.
Lowest round: 65 (6 under)
Winning score: 275 (9 under)
Winner's Sunday score: 67 (4 under)
Spieth: Pulling Out of Olympics Hardest Choice He Ever Made.
By Doug Ferguson
Jordan Spieth said pulling out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics was the hardest decision he's ever made and it likely will haunt him when he watches golfers compete at the Olympics for the first time in 112 years.
He cited "health concerns" as his reason for withdrawing, though he said the Zika virus was only part of it. Asked what kept him out of the Olympics, the 22-year-old Texan would only say that it was personal and anyone in his shoes would have made the same choice.
"Why was it so hard? Because I'm a huge believer in Olympic golf," Spieth said Tuesday during a news conference that touched only briefly on his bid for the third leg of the career Grand Slam at the British Open.
"This year I just had to try and weigh a risk that doesn't present itself every year," he said. "And just at the time that I had to make the decision, I just felt this was the right move for me. Not everybody's going to understand. Nobody's going to understand what it's like in my shoes. ... Mine came down to just a very personal decision that, again, I don't expect anybody to understand, but trust that I believe I'm making the right decision for myself, for my future and for those around me."
Spieth's stock has risen sharply in the last year after he won the Masters and U.S. Open and made a spirited run at the Grand Slam. With 18 other players having withdrawn, he was looked upon as someone whose commitment might ease the backlash against golf for its perceived indifference about the sport returning to the Olympics.
That didn't stop him from following his instincts.
Spieth said he didn't make up his mind until Monday morning, and the decision was his alone.
"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion," Spieth said. "I'm not worrying about anybody else except myself, and again, I don't expect people to fully understand it. They don't know what I know about myself and my future and my goals. Therefore, there's nothing I can do about it except go on and try to again focus on this week."
Spieth's decision means none of the top four in the world ranking — they have won six of the last eight majors — will be in Rio when golf is part of the Olympic program for the first time since St. Louis in 1904.
Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy previously pulled out, all citing Zika and their plans to start a family or have more children. The mosquito-borne Zika virus has been linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological disorders in adults. International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson said Monday he thought there was an overreaction to Zika and that none of the workers on the new golf course have been affected.
Spieth is staying with Rickie Fowler this week in Troon, and he said he was standing next to him when Fowler tweeted Sunday night that he would be playing. Spieth had planned to room with Fowler in Rio, and he said he texted Fowler after informing the IGF that he wasn't going to play.
"He said, 'No worries. I know you had to make it just for you. You're just going to be jealous when I get that gold,'" Spieth said. "That's what he said. So that's how it went."
Either way, Spieth said he would be watching.
He is the defending champion at the John Deere Classic, which was moved to the week of the Olympics when the PGA Tour adjusted its schedule for the Rio Games. Even though he's out of the Olympics, Spieth said he won't go to the John Deere.
"I don't think it would be an appropriate move to play that week, so I will not be playing that week," he said. "I don't think it would be appropriate given our decision on the Olympics. ... We've won two out of the last three years. So I will be going back there, I just don't think it's appropriate this year."
Spieth joked after an introduction to his close call at St. Andrews last year that it would be the easiest question he received. And when it was over, as he pushed back from the table, he said quietly with a smile, "Do we have a tournament this week?"
He was ready to move on from Olympics to a claret jug. But even Spieth knows that won't happen. He said he would carry the decision with him through the Olympics and for a while.
"It will loom over me throughout the Olympic games, for sure," he said. "I will be, I'm sure, at times pretty upset that I'm not down there. I thought about all this ahead of time. When I watch the opening ceremonies, that's going to be a big bummer. Then when I watch these guys competing on the golf course. I'll be texting with Rickie, obviously, throughout as a good friend of mine. I thought about all of this ahead of time and still made the decision I did because it was the right move for me."
2016 British Open tee times, pairings for Thursday and Friday.
By Brendan Porath
We have the groupings for the Open Championship at Royal Troon, where world No. 1 Jason Day will play his first 36 holes with Rickie Fowler and Danny Willett.
Tee times and pairings for the 145th edition of The Open Championship are now out, and as you'd expect, there's an international flavor in all the marquee threesomes. The R&A opted not to slam all the big names into the same group, instead spreading them across the tee sheet. There will be no Jason Day-Rory McIlroy-Jordan Spieth power trio at Royal Troon.
World No. 1 Day will play with reigning Masters champion Danny Willett and USA patriot and Olympics commit Rickie Fowler. Day's been over in Scotland all weekend, getting in two full practice rounds at a Troon course he's never played in competition. We all remember Spieth just missing the playoff by a shot last year at St. Andrews, ending his long-shot run at the Grand Slam. But Day was right there with him, playing together in the Sunday final round and also finishing a couple revolutions short on the 18th green of the playoff. He will go at 4:25 a.m. ET on Thursday with Willett and Fowler.
Spieth draws Shane Lowry and Justin Rose for the first two rounds. It will be the first time this year that he will not start a major alongside Bryson DeChambeau, which is probably a relief for Spieth. Those two combined from some brutally slow rounds at both Augusta and Oakmont, with the problem becoming particularly acute last month at Oakmont. DeChambeau was not qualified for this Open -- he did originally have a spot via his U.S. Amateur win last summer, but forfeited that when he turned pro after the Masters. Spieth will start his championship at 4:03 a.m. ET on Thursday.
McIlroy will play in the same cluster of tee times as Day and Spieth, all within about a 30-minute window early on Thursday morning in the States. Hideki Matsuyama and Bubba Watson will play with the 2014 champion golfer of the year, who is "defending" in a way after missing last year's Open with that nasty ankle injury. Rory, Bubba and Hideki are a ball-striking show worth watching from start to finish.
The player most consider the favorite, last month's U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, is in the cluster opposite Day-Spieth-Rory. He'll start at 9:04 a.m. ET on Thursday and be the primary focus of the morning Golf Channel broadcast back in the U.S. DJ is with Martin Kaymer and Scotsman Russell Knox.
The unique perk of The Open tee sheet is that everyone always plays off No. 1 tee. The daylight hours this time of year in Scotland allow for play deep into the night, often past 10 p.m. local. It would be impossible for the U.S. Open and PGA Championship to send their 156-man fields all off one tee on Thursday and Friday before the cut is made, but it's tradition at The Open. So the tee sheet runs for almost 10 hours on No. 1, beginning at 1:35 a.m. ET (6:35 a.m. local). The last group off starts at 11:16 a.m. ET, or 4:16 p.m. in Scotland.
Colin Montgomerie, who earned a spot in the field during the qualifying rounds in Britain last month, will have the honor of hitting the first tee shot. Monty is a proud Scot and a Royal Troon member. He'll be in that first 1:35 a.m. group with Luke Donald and Marc Leishman.
Here's the full tee sheet for the first two rounds at Troon (ALL TIMES ET):
1:46 a.m. Steven Alker, Marcus Fraser, Sanghee Lee
1:57 a.m. Jeunghun Wang, Jon Rahm, Ryan Palmer
2:08 a.m. Sandy Lyle, Gregory Scott (a), David Duval
2:19 a.m. Richie Ramsay, Danny Lee, Harris English
2:30 a.m. Alex Noren, Steven Bowditch, Kevin Chappell
2:41 a.m. Darren Clarke, Thorbjorn Olesen, Jim Furyk
2:52 a.m. Justin Thomas, David Lingmerth, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
3:03 a.m. Branden Grace, Patrick Reed, Byeong Hun An
3:14 a.m. Paul Lawrie, Brandt Snedeker, Thongchai Jaidee
3:25 a.m. Padraig Harrington, Louis Oosthuizen, Jamie Donaldson
3:36 a.m. Scott Piercy, Paul Dunne, Jamie Lovemark
3:47 a.m. Victor Dubuisson, Jimmy Walker, Scott Hend
4:03 a.m. Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry
4:14 a.m. Ross Fisher, Steve Stricker, Vijay Singh
4:25 a.m. Danny Willett, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day
4:36 a.m. Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Bubba Watson
4:47 a.m. Gary Woodland, James Morrison, Soomin Lee
4:58 a.m. Smylie Kaufman, Chris Kirk, George Coetzee
5:09 a.m. Billy Horschel, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Hideto Tanihara
5:20 a.m. Matteo Manassero, Shugo Imahira, Russell Henley
5:31 a.m. Kodai Ichihara, Robert Rock, William McGirt
5:42 a.m. Brendan Steele, Richard Sterne, Matt Jones
5:53 a.m. Patton Kizzire, Nicolas Colsaerts, Rod Pampling
6:04 a.m. Dave Couplan, Nathan Holman, Phachara Khongwatmai
6:15 a.m. Scott Fernandez, Rikard Karlberg, Haydn Porteous
6:36 a.m. Greg Chalmers, Kristoffer Broberg, Clement Sordet
6:47 a.m. David Howell, Seung Yul Noh, Tony Finau
6:58 a.m. Jordan Niebrugge, Nick Cullen, Robert Streb
7:09 a.m. Ben Curtis, Stefano Mazzoli (a), John Daly
7:20 a.m. Francesco Molinari, Kevin Kisner, K.T. Kim
7:31 a.m. Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard, Mark Calcavecchia
7:42 a.m. Soren Kjeldsen, Lasse Jensen, Bill Haas
7:53 a.m. Paul Casey, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Na
8:04 a.m. Emiliano Grillo, Joost Luiten, Charley Hoffman
8:15 a.m. Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, Andrew Johnston
8:26 a.m. Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els
8:37 a.m. Satoshi Kodaira, James Hahn, Andy Sullivan
8:48 a.m. Ryan Moore, Bernd Wiesberger, Tommy Fleetwood
9:04 a.m. Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Russell Knox
9:15 a.m. Zach Johnson, Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson
9:26 a.m. Chris Wood, Yusaku Miyazoto, Mark O’Meara
9:37 a.m. Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jason Dufner, Marc Warren
9:48 a.m. Anirban Lahiri, Sergio Garcia, Keegan Bradley
9:59 a.m. Webb Simpson, Yuta Ikeda, Thomas Pieters
10:10 a.m. Rafael Cabrera-Bello, J.B. Holmes, Brandon Stone
10:21 a.m. Marco Dawson, Matthew Southgate, Yosuke Tsukada
10:32 a.m. Jack Senior, James Heath, Brian Gay
10:43 a.m. Jim Herman, Fabian Gomez, Anthony Wall
10:54 a.m. Paul Howard, Daniel Summerhays, Colt Knost
11:05 a.m. Oskar Arvidsson, Harold Varner III, Tyrell Hatton
11:16 a.m. Ryan Evans, Callum Shinkwin, Zander Lombard
NASCAR: Kenseth: Truex took advantage of rule that hasn’t been enforced.
By Daniel McFadin
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Matt Kenseth still hasn’t seen a replay of the pit road pass that NASCAR penalized Martin Truex Jr. for in last weekend’s race at Kentucky Speedway.
But Kenseth, who is connected to Truex through Joe Gibbs Racing’s alliance with Furniture Row Racing, knows why Truex would pass Kevin Harvick to Harvick’s left while entering his pit box.
“I’m sure if he passed to the left coming into the pits, it’s technically against the rules, but they haven’t called it in a long time,” Kenseth said Tuesday during a test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “If there’s something not being called and you’re trying to get every advantage you can and the cars are all incredibly so close to the same speed right now and the rules are so tight, pit road is as competitive as the race track is.
“You’re always going to try and get every advantage you can with speed lines or what have you.”
This was the first time the penalty has been issued this season in the Sprint Cup Series. The penalty led NASCAR on NBC analyst Jeff Burton to say it could open “Pandora’s Box” in the future. It’s a rule that Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said officials would “reiterate” to drivers.
That’s something Kenseth would appreciate.
“In a way it would be nice to say ‘Look, this is stuff we’re watching more, we’re going to call this, we need everybody to do it the same,’ ” he said.
The JGR driver also explained that when it comes to passing to the left on pit road: “The slower the pit road speed, the worse it is.
“There’s some places where there’s been some pretty questionable situations where you have really slow pit roads speed like Martinsville or something like that, where people will pull left and pass five cars coming to their pit stall.”
But when it comes to the passing rule, Kenseth said “I think everybody knows what the rules are there.”
That’s not the case for Paul Menard, who is also in Indianapolis for the test. Unlike Kenseth, the Richard Childress Racing driver has seen a replay of what Truex did and was “surprised” by NASCAR’s ruling.
“I had no idea what the penalty was for, but I saw him gas up at the timing line and make a pass,” Menard said. “He had a really good pit box where he could really accelerate hard and some of these tracks you can’t be as aggressive as at. I was surprised at the penalty, for sure.
“I always thought you couldn’t pull up to pass or pull up to pit on the access road before you get to the commitment line. That’s kind of what we’re always told every week. But as far as on pit road, if you’re within your timing lines and you’re not speeding, I always thought that was fair game. I guess we need some clarification.”
Dozen Sprint Cup teams testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
By Dustin Long
But Kenseth, who is connected to Truex through Joe Gibbs Racing’s alliance with Furniture Row Racing, knows why Truex would pass Kevin Harvick to Harvick’s left while entering his pit box.
“I’m sure if he passed to the left coming into the pits, it’s technically against the rules, but they haven’t called it in a long time,” Kenseth said Tuesday during a test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “If there’s something not being called and you’re trying to get every advantage you can and the cars are all incredibly so close to the same speed right now and the rules are so tight, pit road is as competitive as the race track is.
“You’re always going to try and get every advantage you can with speed lines or what have you.”
This was the first time the penalty has been issued this season in the Sprint Cup Series. The penalty led NASCAR on NBC analyst Jeff Burton to say it could open “Pandora’s Box” in the future. It’s a rule that Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said officials would “reiterate” to drivers.
That’s something Kenseth would appreciate.
“In a way it would be nice to say ‘Look, this is stuff we’re watching more, we’re going to call this, we need everybody to do it the same,’ ” he said.
The JGR driver also explained that when it comes to passing to the left on pit road: “The slower the pit road speed, the worse it is.
“There’s some places where there’s been some pretty questionable situations where you have really slow pit roads speed like Martinsville or something like that, where people will pull left and pass five cars coming to their pit stall.”
But when it comes to the passing rule, Kenseth said “I think everybody knows what the rules are there.”
That’s not the case for Paul Menard, who is also in Indianapolis for the test. Unlike Kenseth, the Richard Childress Racing driver has seen a replay of what Truex did and was “surprised” by NASCAR’s ruling.
“I had no idea what the penalty was for, but I saw him gas up at the timing line and make a pass,” Menard said. “He had a really good pit box where he could really accelerate hard and some of these tracks you can’t be as aggressive as at. I was surprised at the penalty, for sure.
“I always thought you couldn’t pull up to pass or pull up to pit on the access road before you get to the commitment line. That’s kind of what we’re always told every week. But as far as on pit road, if you’re within your timing lines and you’re not speeding, I always thought that was fair game. I guess we need some clarification.”
Dozen Sprint Cup teams testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
By Dustin Long
(Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Three former Brickyard 400 winners are among 12 Sprint Cup drivers scheduled to test Tuesday and Wednesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Each Sprint Cup organization is allowed to have one team at the test.
Four-time Brickyard winner Jimmie Johnson is scheduled to test. Joining him are 2003 race winner Kevin Harvick and 2011 winner Paul Menard.
The test session is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Temperatures are expected to be near 90 degrees each day with a low chance of rain.
The Brickyard 400 is July 24.
Scheduled to test are:
- Trevor Bayne (Roush Fenway Racing)
- Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing)
- Clint Bowyer (HScott Motorsports)
- Chris Buescher (Front Row Motorsports)
- Kevin Harvick (Stewart-Haas Racing)
- Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports)
- Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Kyle Larson (Chip Ganassi Racing)
- Joey Logano (Team Penske)
- Paul Menard (Richard Childress Racing)
- Brian Scott (Richard Petty Motorsports)
- Martin Truex Jr. (Furniture Row Racing)
NASCAR New Hampshire 301 Weekend Race Schedule.
By Staff Report; NASCAR.com
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series will gather for a doubleheader weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this week. Check out the full weekend schedule below.
Note: All times are ET
Friday, July 15, 2016:
-- 11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series first practice, NBCSN (Follow live)
-- 1-1:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series first practice, NBCSN (Follow live)
-- 3-4:25 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series second practice, NBCSN (Follow live)
-- 4:45 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Follow live)
GARAGECAM (Watch live)
-- 11 a.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
-- 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series
Saturday, July 16, 2016:
-- 10-10:55 a.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series second practice, CNBC (Follow live)
-- 11:15 a.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Follow live)
-- 12:30-1:25 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice, NBCSN (Follow live)
-- 4 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series AutoLotto 200 (200 laps, 211.6 miles), NBCSN (Follow live)
Sunday, July 17, 2016:
-- 1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 301 (301 laps, 318.46 miles), NBCSN (Follow live)
SOCCER: USWNT: Reigning champs release roster for 2016 Olympics in Rio.
By Joe Prince-Wright
(Photo/Getty Images)
The U.S. women’s national team have released its roster for the Olympics in Rio de Janiero this summer.
Head coach Jill Ellis has named 18 women to the squad with seven players who won Gold at London 2012 returning to represent Team USA.
14 of the 18 squad members were also part of the U.S. side which won the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada, while Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath will all be playing in their third Olympics, plus Solo also attended the 2004 Olympics as an alternate.
There are no real shocks in the roster but the fact that midfielder Megan Rapinoe has recovered so quickly from ACL surgery in December of last year to make this squad is quite remarkable.
The U.S. is the big favorite heading into this tournament in Brazil and has won four out of five gold medals at the Olympics, failing to win Gold only at the 2000 games in Sydney where it won silver after falling to Norway in the final.
Down in Brazil the U.S. have been placed in Group G and will face New Zealand on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET and France on Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. ET. Both of those opening group games will be in Belo Horizonte, while they finish group play against Colombia on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Amazonian city of Manaus.
Below is the roster in full, including the four alternates Ellis has named.
Full USWNT squad for 2016 Olympics
GOALKEEPERS (2): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (6): Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)
Alternates: Heather O’Reilly, Ashlyn Harris, Emily Sonnett and Samantha Mewis.
Premier League teams in preseason action in USA, across globe.
By Joe Prince-Wright
Head coach Jill Ellis has named 18 women to the squad with seven players who won Gold at London 2012 returning to represent Team USA.
14 of the 18 squad members were also part of the U.S. side which won the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada, while Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath will all be playing in their third Olympics, plus Solo also attended the 2004 Olympics as an alternate.
There are no real shocks in the roster but the fact that midfielder Megan Rapinoe has recovered so quickly from ACL surgery in December of last year to make this squad is quite remarkable.
The U.S. is the big favorite heading into this tournament in Brazil and has won four out of five gold medals at the Olympics, failing to win Gold only at the 2000 games in Sydney where it won silver after falling to Norway in the final.
Down in Brazil the U.S. have been placed in Group G and will face New Zealand on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET and France on Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. ET. Both of those opening group games will be in Belo Horizonte, while they finish group play against Colombia on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Amazonian city of Manaus.
Below is the roster in full, including the four alternates Ellis has named.
Full USWNT squad for 2016 Olympics
GOALKEEPERS (2): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (6): Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)
Alternates: Heather O’Reilly, Ashlyn Harris, Emily Sonnett and Samantha Mewis.
Premier League teams in preseason action in USA, across globe.
By Joe Prince-Wright
(Photo/Getty Images)
Believe it or not the new Premier League season begins in just under four weeks.
That’s right, on Aug. 12 the 2016-17 campaign arrives and every team is currently putting in the long miles and hard graft in preseason.
With running drills galore over the past 7-10 days, players will now be relieved that the preseason games will soon begin.
11 PL teams are in action this week, with West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Swansea City all in the USA on preseason tours.
Some teams have already had a few low-key games but with the majority of the PL’s star players still resting after their exertions in summer tournaments such as Copa America Centenario and EURO 2016, things will start to heat up from here on out during preseason.
This summer 11 PL teams will be heading to North America as Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Southampton, West Ham United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Stoke City, Bournemouth, Leicester City and Middlesbrough will send teams to the U.S. to play at least one game on various preseason tours.
We have the International Champions Cup coming up in North America, Australia, Europa and China, plus plenty more prestigious preseason tournaments which will get teams in tune before a huge new season.
Below are the preseason fixtures for PL teams up until the end of this week, Jul. 17.
Burnley
15 July v Stade Nyonnais (Stade de Colovray, Nyon)
Chelsea
16 July v Rapid Vienna (Allianz Stadion, Vienna)
Crystal Palace
13 July v Philadelphia Union (PPL Park, Philadelphia)
16 July v FC Cincinnati (Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati)
Hull City
15 July v Grimsby Town (Blundell Park)
16 July v North Ferriby United (Eon Visual Media Stadium)
Liverpool
8 July v Tranmere Rovers – Won 1-0
13 July v Fleetwood Town (Highbury Stadium)
17 July v Wigan Athletic (DW Stadium)
Middlesbrough
9 July v York City – Won 6-0
16 July v Doncaster Rovers (Keepmoat Stadium)
Stoke City
16 July v Burton Albion (Pirelli Stadium)
Swansea City
13 July v Charlotte Independence (Ramblewood Stadium, North Carolina)
16 July v Richmond Kickers (City Stadium, Virginia)
Watford
10 July v Woking – Drew 1-1
14 July v Stevenage (Lamex Stadium)
West Bromwich Albion
13 July v Paris Saint-Germain (Schladming Athletic Area, Austria)
16 July v Kidderminster Harriers (Aggborough)
West Ham United
5 July v Seattle Sounders – Lost 3-0
12 July v Carolina RailHawks (WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina)
NCAAFB: SEC struggles through offseason of investigations, arrests.
That’s right, on Aug. 12 the 2016-17 campaign arrives and every team is currently putting in the long miles and hard graft in preseason.
With running drills galore over the past 7-10 days, players will now be relieved that the preseason games will soon begin.
11 PL teams are in action this week, with West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Swansea City all in the USA on preseason tours.
Some teams have already had a few low-key games but with the majority of the PL’s star players still resting after their exertions in summer tournaments such as Copa America Centenario and EURO 2016, things will start to heat up from here on out during preseason.
This summer 11 PL teams will be heading to North America as Crystal Palace, Swansea City, Southampton, West Ham United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Stoke City, Bournemouth, Leicester City and Middlesbrough will send teams to the U.S. to play at least one game on various preseason tours.
We have the International Champions Cup coming up in North America, Australia, Europa and China, plus plenty more prestigious preseason tournaments which will get teams in tune before a huge new season.
Below are the preseason fixtures for PL teams up until the end of this week, Jul. 17.
Burnley
15 July v Stade Nyonnais (Stade de Colovray, Nyon)
Chelsea
16 July v Rapid Vienna (Allianz Stadion, Vienna)
Crystal Palace
13 July v Philadelphia Union (PPL Park, Philadelphia)
16 July v FC Cincinnati (Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati)
Hull City
15 July v Grimsby Town (Blundell Park)
16 July v North Ferriby United (Eon Visual Media Stadium)
Liverpool
8 July v Tranmere Rovers – Won 1-0
13 July v Fleetwood Town (Highbury Stadium)
17 July v Wigan Athletic (DW Stadium)
Middlesbrough
9 July v York City – Won 6-0
16 July v Doncaster Rovers (Keepmoat Stadium)
Stoke City
16 July v Burton Albion (Pirelli Stadium)
Swansea City
13 July v Charlotte Independence (Ramblewood Stadium, North Carolina)
16 July v Richmond Kickers (City Stadium, Virginia)
Watford
10 July v Woking – Drew 1-1
14 July v Stevenage (Lamex Stadium)
West Bromwich Albion
13 July v Paris Saint-Germain (Schladming Athletic Area, Austria)
16 July v Kidderminster Harriers (Aggborough)
West Ham United
5 July v Seattle Sounders – Lost 3-0
12 July v Carolina RailHawks (WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina)
NCAAFB: SEC struggles through offseason of investigations, arrests.
By David Brandt
For the Southeastern Conference, football season can't get here soon enough.
The league that's home to eight of the past 10 national titles has also been home to a large amount of offseason problems. There's been an ongoing NCAA investigation at Mississippi, a Title IX lawsuit at Tennessee and several legal issues that haven't painted the league as college football's best citizens.
Still, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey doesn't believe the league has an image problem.
''The body of work of this conference far outweighs those problems, yet we are attentive to those realities,'' Sankey said. ''We understand when the issues arise, we need to even be more attentive, be that on campus or as a collective group.''
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was one of the coaches at SEC Media Days who faced some pointed questions on Tuesday. The Bulldogs recently allowed prized recruit Jeffery Simmons to enroll in school and join the football team, even though he's still facing misdemeanor assault charges for striking a woman during a fight in March.
The school announced a one-game suspension for Simmons in June, a decision that was roundly criticized as being too lenient. The league already has guidelines for potential transfers who have serious misconduct in their past, but those rules don't apply to incoming recruits.
Mullen defended the decision, saying that he was ''thrilled that we're having Jeffery as part of our family.''
''Our university did a very, very thorough investigation into everything that happened within the situation there and came up with the conclusion that, you know, we felt that Jeffery deserved the opportunity to be part of our family,'' Mullen said.
Ole Miss - which won 10 games last season, including the Sugar Bowl - has been in the middle of a long-running NCAA investigation that involves the football, women's basketball and track and field programs.
The university has already self-imposed some penalties for football, including scholarship reductions and three years of probation. The NCAA can accept or add to those penalties.
The case could drag on for several more months. Ole Miss asked to delay a hearing before the Committee on Infractions while it looks into draft-night allegations involving former left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was picked in the first round by the Miami Dolphins.
Tunsil was the story of the draft after a bizarre 30-second video of him smoking from a gas mask-bong contraption was posted on his Twitter account just before the selections began. There was also a post on Tunsil's Instagram account showing an alleged text conversation with a football staff member about arranging payment for bills.
Tunsil said both accounts were hacked, but acknowledged following the draft that he accepted money from a coach while he was at Ole Miss.
At best, it was an embarrassing episode for the school and the league. At worst, it could add to Ole Miss' penalty from the NCAA. Coach Hugh Freeze and athletic director Ross Bjork have been mostly silent about the investigation over the past few months.
The Rebels come to SEC Media Days on Thursday.
''The central thought must be - must be - we never have a team return a championship trophy, never vacate any wins, and never have one of our teams precluded from postseason competition because we either can't follow the NCAA's rules or can't meet the expectations for academic success,'' Sankey said.
Other issues the leagues teams are facing:
ALABAMA: The Tide's star left tackle Cam Robinson and reserve defensive back Laurence ''Hootie'' Jones were arrested in Monroe, Louisiana, in May on drug and weapons charges, but the charges were later dropped after a sympathetic district attorney said he didn't want to ''ruin the lives'' of the two football players.
Coach Nick Saban has not announced if the players will face discipline. He will talk at SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
TENNESSEE: Tennessee recently reached a $2.48 million settlement of a Title IX lawsuit regarding its handling of assault complaints against athletes. The settlement included steps on how the school planned to improve the way it addresses incidents involving sexual misconduct.
The lawsuit was filed in Nashville by eight unidentified women who said the school had violated Title IX regulations and fostered a ''hostile sexual environment'' through a policy of indifference toward assaults by athletes.
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs have had eight arrests since Kirby Smart became the team's coach in December. Georgia defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter was arrested last weekend for the second time in five months on alcohol-related charges, including misdemeanor DUI and underage possession of alcohol. He'll miss at least two games per school policy.
VANDERBILT: Two former football players - Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey - were both convicted on rape charges for a second time. The two players were originally convicted last year following the 2013 incident, but the verdicts were tossed because a juror did not reveal he was a victim of statutory rape.
Two more players still await trial.
Texas A&M, Sumlin trying to reverse slow slide.
By David Brandt
The trajectory of Kevin Sumlin's tenure at Texas A&M has not been going in the right direction.
The fifth-year coach hopes a transfer quarterback and some talented defensive linemen can get the Aggies back into the conversation as a serious threat in the Southeastern Conference.
''I like where we are,'' Sumlin said Tuesday at SEC Media Days. ''I like the chemistry of this football team. I like where the locker room is. I like where their mind is.''
Senior Trevor Knight was named the team's starting quarterback in the spring after coming to Texas A&M as a graduate transfer just a few months before. Knight previously played at Oklahoma, where he started 15 games over three seasons and threw for more than 3,000 career yards.
The 6-foot-1 Knight was needed after Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray both transferred during a tumultuous stretch in December. He's thrilled to have another chance at leading a team after an up-and-down career with the Sooners.
''It's been a leap of faith in a lot of ways, but looking back on it, it has been perfect,'' Knight said. ''I did get to step in and the culture at A&M, specifically the team, wrapped their arms around me and let me know that I was a part of the family.''
Knight should have plenty of playmakers around him: Sophomore receiver Christian Kirk was the 2015 SEC Freshman of the Year after catching 80 passes for 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns, and Josh Reynolds (51 catches, 907 yards, five TDs) and Ricky Seals-Jones (45 catches, 560 yards, four TDs) also return.
Offense hasn't usually been a problem during Sumlin's time in College Station, and the Aggies put up enough points last year to go 8-5 overall. Instead, it's the defense that is a big reason they have an 11-13 SEC record over the past three seasons.
Sumlin hopes that will change this year because Texas A&M has two of the league's best pass rushers in junior Myles Garrett and senior Daeshon Hall.
The 6-foot-5, 262-pound Garrett led the SEC with 12 1/2 sacks, 19 1/2 tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles. Sumlin said one of the best things about Garrett is he's a rarity in college football: a low-maintenance star.
''All he wants is maybe his headphones and to know what time practice is, when to go to class, when meetings are and when game time is and where's the food,'' Sumlin said.
NCAABKB: Has Kentucky Basketball Finally Shown a Chink in the Armor?
By Chris McKee
(Photo/Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports)
Last year's early exit may be a sign of things to come.
Newton’s third law of motion states; "What goes up, must come down."
The Kentucky Wildcats have been on one of the more unprecedented runs in the history of college sports. They’ve reached the Final Four in four of the past five years and have supplied the NBA with an endless amount of talent during the John Calipari reign, and are widely regarded as the best program in college basketball.
Or as Rick Pitino coined it "the Roman Empire."
However, even the Roman Empire eventually had its fall, and this past season's early exit from the NCAA tournament could be the first sign of a chink in the armor for John Calipari’s Wildcats.
Despite having three NBA draft picks on the roster, the Wildcats still lost to an Indiana team that didn’t have a single player selected in this year’s NBA draft, and they seemed to lack a certain chutzpah and dominance of other Kentucky squads of the recent past.
History always repeats itself and that is especially true when it comes to college sports.
Take a look at some of the more memorable dynasties in recent college sports and what is the current state of their program. UCLA once won nine National Championships in eleven years but are now an above average Pac-12 team at best over the past decade.
The Florida Gators won back to back championships just a decade ago, but have been an after-thought in the SEC since. USC football reigned supreme in the 2000’s, churning out National championships and Heisman winners year after year, but have now become a program that can no longer even attract a "name" head coach (think about how many people turned down that job this year).
The Texas Longhorns, who once owned the state of Texas when it came to basketball and football recruiting, have since been leapfrogged by the once have-nots of the state in TCU, Baylor, Texas A&M and even Texas Tech in some cases.
Need I go on?
Chasing five-star recruits across the globe and having to reload so much of your roster year after year has to eventually take its toll on any coaching staff and may eventually lead to burn out or perhaps complacency when it comes to recruiting (see above listed schools).
Pursuing one and done players is no different than chasing supermodels in nightclubs, eventually you realize that it’s not worth the time and energy and you find yourself a nice girl to settle down with and have a family.
Calipari and his staff have once again reloaded with five of the top 25 players in the country, so any sense of a possible decline is still a few years away. However, relying on such a young core of players is always a risky proposition, because it’s never a guarantee that they will gel amongst each other and develop into the players they are supposed to be.
But with highly-touted recruits like Skal Labissierre, Charles Matthews, Marcus Lee and Alex Poythress not living up to their hype, that's led to considerably more struggles since that 2012 title team than before it. Those guys failing to live up to what everyone projected them to be at UK really cost the Wildcats a lot of wins, not to mention are gone with Alex being the lone to leave via graduation.
It also doesn't help that UK is now missing on guys like Harry Giles, Marques Bolden, Jayson Tatum, Stephen Zimmerman, Andrew Wiggins and other elite prospect going elsewhere, a trend that's slowly been growing and doesn't appear to be changing in 2017 with guys like Wendell Carter, Mohamed Bamba, DeAndre Ayton, Michael Porter, Kevin Knox and Trevon Duval not likely ending up Cats, at least as it appears now. That's almost all of the top 10 of every major ranking, and it's hard to see UK winning with just second and third-tier one-and-dones.
Tim McGraw sings the touching song lyrics to "Live Like You Were Dying" where he echoes the answers of his father upon the news of a doctor’s diagnosis. His father explains that once faced with his ultimate passing that he "loved deeper, and spoke sweeter and gave forgiveness I’ve been denying."
It may be time for the Big Blue Nation to start savoring these next few seasons and soak in the sights and sounds of the success and understand that every program in the country has to face their own mortality eventually.
Tour De France: Stage 10, Montpellier, the new sprinters' paradise.
Le Tour France
(Photo/ Le Tour France)
Besides Paris, Bordeaux used to be the sprinters' preferred hunting terrain but in recent years, Montpellier has taken over, especially in the past ten years since Robbie McEwen took one of his twelve Tour de France victories in the capital of the Languedoc back in 2005. Mark Cavendish claimed one of his first victories in Montpellier in 2008. As he remembers every single detail of each of his successes, he'll be inspired to make it four near the Yves-du Manoir rugby stadium where the last Tour de France winner was André Greipel in 2013. Cavendish is hungry for more but Greipel hasn't won yet. Marcel Kittel can't be satisfied with only one victory (stage 4). Neither Lotto-Soudal not Etixx-Quick Step have ridden to cancel the breakaway on stage 10. Katusha did it for a while for Alexander Kristoff who also hasn't won yet at the Tour de France this year but the Russian outfit gave up quickly. It means those three teams won't let another occasion go. The first part of stage 11 is suitable for a breakaway but two category 4 climbs won't disturb Thibaut Pinot in his quest for the polka dot jersey. The GC contenders have already set their focus on the Mont Ventoux on Bastille Day and the time trial of the day after.
This Year’s U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team Is Giving Us All the Unity Feels.
This Year’s U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team Is Giving Us All the Unity Feels.
By Jihan Forbes
The Olympics in Rio are fast approaching, and the members of the U.S. gymnastics team are among the top athletes to watch this year. Considered by some to be one of the best gymnastics teams to go to the Olympics, the team — made up of Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, and Madison Kocian — is shaping up to be a formidable force and is, as ESPN calls it, the “prohibitive favorite” in its event at this year’s Games.
The buzz around the team, led by coordinator Martha Karolyi, continues to build as we get closer to the Olympics; both Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles nabbed Teen Vogue covers, and Douglas’s likeness has been made into one of Barbie’s Shero dolls. Besides the fact that these young women are immensely talented, this year’s team also has people excited because its members represent a diverse sampling of what Americans look like. Three of the five gymnasts are women of color, and one is Jewish-American. At a time when racial tensions are high, seeing these young women work together to bring home some medals for the U.S. is exactly the example of unity we could all use right now.
It’s a great way to remind people that the U.S. is still the diverse cultural melting pot we like to see ourselves as being, and in the midst of a great deal of strife, we can still come together as Americans, regardless of our backgrounds — and root for some talented girls to take home the gold.
On
emoriesofhistory.com
1896 - Philadelphia’s Ed Delahanty became the second major league player to hit four home runs in a single game.
1930 - The first soccer World Cup competition began in Montevideo, Uruguay. Thirteen teams were in the competition.
1972 - Carroll Rosenbloom (owner of the Baltimore Colts) and Robert Irsay (owner of the Los Angeles Rams) traded teams.
1973 - David Bedford set a new world record in the 10,000-meter race in London. His time was 27 minutes, 31 seconds.
1982 - The All-Star Game was played outside the United States for the first time. They played in Montreal, Canada.
1984 - Sportscaster Howard Cosell asked to be released from his duties on "Monday Night Football." He said that he was "tired of being tied to the football mentality."
1995 - Geddy Lee (Rush) sang "Oh Canada" before the All-Star Game at Baltimore's Camden Yards.
1930 - The first soccer World Cup competition began in Montevideo, Uruguay. Thirteen teams were in the competition.
1972 - Carroll Rosenbloom (owner of the Baltimore Colts) and Robert Irsay (owner of the Los Angeles Rams) traded teams.
1973 - David Bedford set a new world record in the 10,000-meter race in London. His time was 27 minutes, 31 seconds.
1982 - The All-Star Game was played outside the United States for the first time. They played in Montreal, Canada.
1984 - Sportscaster Howard Cosell asked to be released from his duties on "Monday Night Football." He said that he was "tired of being tied to the football mentality."
1995 - Geddy Lee (Rush) sang "Oh Canada" before the All-Star Game at Baltimore's Camden Yards.
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