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"Sports Quote of the Day"
"I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude." ~ Colin Powell, Former U.S. Secretary of State and Retired Four Star General
Trending: Bear up? Bear down? For 2016, just bear with these
guys. (See the football section for Bears and NFL updates).
(Photo/chicagobears.com)
Trending: Kane named league's best player by NHL Network. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks and NHL updates).
Trending: Get ready for the Week 2 hangover: Five games to watch this week. (See the college football section for NCAA football news updates).
Trending: Serena Williams Makes History With Most Grand Slam Wins for Any Player. (See the last article on this blog for details and U.S. Open Tennis Tournament updates).
Trending: Cubs and White Sox road to the "World Series".
Trending: Cubs and White Sox road to the "World Series".
Cubs 2016 Record: 89-49
White Sox 2016 Record: 66-72
(See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bear up? Bear down? For 2016, just bear with these guys.
By Chris Boden
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Undersell. Overperform.
That’s the John Fox Way, publicly. Here with the Bears, in Denver, and in Carolina. But no matter the reality of his state of personnel, don’t believe for one second that’s the attitude he conveys to his players. He connects, builds them up, and expects them to do things like they did last Thanksgiving night in Green Bay.
But this is still a roster, in year two working with general manager Ryan Pace, that remains under construction to find more players who can make games like that more common. The revolving door was certainly spinning at high speed Sunday, with the franchise’s all-time leading scorer going out and desperately-needed help on the offensive line arriving. Overall, it’s younger and better, and a better fit for the schemes this coaching staff wants to use, than it was a year ago. But it’s still in the process of being built, trying to add pieces that will be factors in making this team a playoff contender again, whether it’s a year, or two, from now. Judging by the fan turnout in Bourbonnais, Bears fans aren’t expecting much this season. They probably shouldn’t either, unless that “over-performing” reaches near-miraculous levels this fall, and if injuries have taken the worst bite from this team in the preseason. So with that in mind, if your expectations are indeed low, at least enjoy the process of this 2016 season.
Keep an eye out for players who’ll grow into being difference-makers down the road. See if Pace has correctly rolled the dice with his Kevin White and Leonard Floyd picks in the top ten of his two drafts. And see if he’s hitting consistently with those college selections, and his free agency shopping. As much of a good face and spin he’ll try to put on mistakes or adversity (and no doubt there has been), keep in mind he’s steering a ship this way for the first time. Whether it’s the quick disposal of Matt Slauson, or the handling of injuries, he’s learning on the job too, and may not necessarily get everything right all the time. Not to rush to his defense, he – like the players he selects and signs – is growing and trying to get better at this too. So far, it seems he’s done a mostly-impressive job of targeting and filling needs through free agency at reasonable contract terms.
This team’s strength right now? The coaching staff as a whole. You should see these players get better as the season goes along, provided they can keep most of their key hands on deck. You saw that last year, and there were games right there to be won a year ago that got away. See if they’re better at taking that next step now. See if some of the players they’re relying on Sunday at Houston are the same ones entering the final month, or whether they’re beaten out, or whether others are added to the mix. See if Fox’s running back committee puts together something comparable to what Matt Forte provided for eight seasons, or if Jeremy Langford lets that happen. How many more turnovers can they get from their defensive backs from the expected improvement in the front seven? And when they walk off the field New Year’s Day in Minnesota, can we notice a significant step back towards being the Monsters this city craves them to be again?
Every team should go into a season aiming to win a championship. I’m not saying the Bears shouldn’t do that, and they won’t. But from a simply realistic standpoint, we should probably just enjoy what steps can be taken towards what should be even bigger expectations this time next year. That’s how I’ll be watching and studying, beginning next Sunday.
And it’s my pleasure to start doing so on Comcast SportsNet with the start of our 2016 Bears programming Monday night with a special prime-time, 7 p.m. edition of “Bears Recap” at Halas Hall, as Dan Jiggetts and I look back on the off-season, Sunday’s whirlwind activity, and ahead to Texans week. “Recap” will normally air at 4:30 p.m. the day after Bears games. Jiggs and I will also bring you along through the week of practice at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays (“Bears Huddle”) and Thursdays (“Bears Blitz”). Finally, our gameday programming continues with “Bears Pregame Live” an hour before kickoff, joined this year by Alex Brown along with Jim Miller and Lance Briggs. Jim and I will be live on CSNChicago.com and ChicagoBears.com at halftime with “Bears Halftime Live.” Then, as soon as the game ends, we invite you to flip back to Comcast SportsNet, where Jim, Lance, Alex and I will provide 90 minutes of analysis and live press conferences and interviews on “Bears Postgame Live.”
Bears begin OL shuffle early, as they did this time a year ago.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Coaches typically dislike making two changes to fill one position, but Josh Sitton is not the typical free-agent pickup. Accordingly, the Bears are making a second major shift in their offensive line since the start of training camp.
As expected, former Green Bay Packer All-Pro Josh Sitton settled in Monday at left guard, where he played the last three years in Green Bay and “automatically upgrades our offensive line,” GM Ryan Pace said Monday.
The domino effect is expected to bump ascending rookie Cody Whitehair to center – “Center is his best position,” coach John Fox said Monday – where he would supplant Ted Larsen, who went to center when Hroniss Grasu was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Right guard Kyle Long is dealing with a shoulder injury and Larsen potentially give the Bears the most versatility in reserve on game day.
So while the shuffle projects the Bears facing off with the Houston Texans next Sunday with two faces in new places inside, the planned effect is to upgrade significantly not just at left guard with Sitton, but also at center with Whitehair, who had edged out veteran Larsen before training camp for the left-guard job.
“Cody Whitehair’s got an extremely positive future for us moving forward,” Fox said.
Maybe it’s a first-week thing with the John Fox staff.
Last year at precisely this time, coaches felt the need to move Pro Bowl guard Long to right tackle when it was apparent that neither Charles Leno Jr. nor Jordan Mills was adequate for the Green Bay Packers looming a week away to start the regular season. Vlad Ducasse was inserted at right guard, considered a better option at guard than either Leno or Mills was at tackle.
Now Whitehair, who played 10 snaps at center in the Bears preseason opener vs. Denver, becomes this year’s “Long” – hopefully, for the Bears, with the same result, that being Long still receiving his third Pro Bowl selection despite the position change.
Fox, however, suggested tapping the brakes over any possible change, given Whitehair’s limited time at center at the NFL level.
“Everybody in the league knows things pick up in the regular season,” Fox said.
Adding ex-Packer G Josh Sitton gives Bears myriad options.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
he addition of guard Josh Sitton, one of those extremely rare cases of a quality offensive or defensive lineman actually reaching the market, upgraded the offensive line. But exactly how?
Sitton gives the Bears multiple offensive-line options, all of them seemingly good:
Sitton to left guard, Cody Whitehair to center — Coaches dislike changing two positions to fill one, and Whitehair has limited experience at center. But positioning a clearly talented rookie with huge upside between two Pro Bowl guards Sitton and Kyle Long helps the rookie’s learning curve besides assembling three very physical interior players.
Sitton to center, Whitehair at left guard — Sitton can play center. "He's played that spot before," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said in Aug. 2014 when the Packers needed a replacement for injured JC Tetter. He reached Pro Bowls playing both left and right guard, underscoring versatility. Whitehair, like Long, has established as a rookie that he is a starter-quality NFL lineman.
Sitton to left guard, Ted Larsen at center — Whitehair effectively beat out Larsen at left guard through the offseason. Larsen is right now arguably a better center if only based on experience, so requiring Whitehair to establish via practice that he is a better center than Larsen is consistent with the “best five will start” mantra of offensive line coach Dave Magazu.
Bears In-Foe: Offseason investments on O support Texans' D.
By Chris Boden
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The defense was fine. The offense had key holes to plug.
So with that, Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith rolled up his sleeves and went to work this offseason after an embarrassing 30-0 home playoff loss that included four interceptions from now-Bears backup Brian Hoyer. There were plenty of other issues at hand, but more than an offensive head coach like Bill O'Brien could fix with the personnel he had, even if they'd rallied from a 2-5 start to win the AFC South with a 9-7 record.
Texans offense
Due to Arian Foster missing the equivalent of two of the previous four seasons with injuries (after rushing for at least 1,200 yards four of the previous five), the only elite weapon the Texans had on that side of the ball was wideout DeAndre Hopkins, whom some argued was the NFL's most improved player in 2015 (111/1,521/11).
So Smith and O'Brien struck quickly and blew any competition for Brock Osweiler out of the water by signing the Broncos free agent quarterback to a four-year, $72 million contract ($37 million guaranteed). This despite the fact the only seven starts of his NFL career came last season, capably filling in for the injured Peyton Manning. He went 5-2, throwing 10 touchdowns with six interceptions. The 6-foot-8 25-year-old has the physical tools, is sturdy in and moves well out of the pocket, but there's that experience factor.
Nevertheless, he looked sharp during the Texans' 4-0 preseason, especially in the third exhibition against Arizona, going 11-of-13 for 143 yards and a touchdown. O'Brien's been thrilled with how he's absorbed command of the playbook. He's backed up by Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden.
Then Smith forked over $23 million over three years for underrated (and underused) Dolphins free agent running back Lamar Miller, who tore up the Texans for 185 yards in Week 7 last year. He's explosive, multi-dimensional, and despite a Miami line in flux, averaged 4.6 yards during his career with the Fins, even though he averaged just a dozen carries a game. Houston's ground game averaged just 3.7 yards per carry last season, and brings back backup Alfred Blue, who's more suited for short-yardage situations, and adds Tyler Ervin. The fast, quick-twitch fourth-round pick out of San Jose State was very impressive throughout training camp.
Now for the additions to the cast around Hopkins. He alone will be a tough test for whomever's defending him, with his moves, hands, body control, and ability to win jump balls despite not being among the trend of bigger wideouts so prevalent these days. Tracy Porter told reporters Monday he'll play Week 1, so it very well could be on him.
But in addition to the signings of Osweiler and Miller, Houston selected for offense with its first four draft picks. That included first-round burner Will Fuller from Notre Dame and third-rounder Braxton Miller - the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year at quarterback. Miller's raw in his second year at his new position but continues flashing what he did at the Senior Bowl: shiftiness, quickness, elusiveness.
Fuller got behind the Cardinals' impressive defensive backfield several times, but also continued showing his hands need work (10 drops at Notre Dame last season). Throw in 2015 third-round pick Jaelen Strong, who's expected to jump from just 14 receptions in his rookie campaign, and it's a solid, impressive group for Osweiler to grow with, so much so that steady veteran Cecil Shorts III was let go over the weekend. At tight end, former third-rounder C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin have size and can block, but shown inconsistent hands.
As for the guys up front, the Bears might be able to take advantage off the edge, with three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown not yet ready to return from the torn quad he suffered in last year's regular season finale. Chris Clark was signed from the Broncos as insurance. And while right tackle Derek Newton returned to practice Monday (hamstring), Kendall Lamm is on standby. Second-round pick Nick Martin, who followed in big brother Zack's footsteps at Notre Dame, was going to start immediately at center before suffering a high ankle sprain a couple of weeks ago, meaning Greg Mancz now slides in. After guard Brandon Brooks joined center Ben Jones in departing via free agency, the Texans signed former King High School and Illinois guard Jeff Allen away from Kansas City. 2014 second-rounder Xavier Su'a-Filo is the left guard.
Texans defense
J.J. Watt is back after recent surgery on his back. So much for the Injury Gods giving the Bears a break. Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is the only other player in NFL history to be named Defensive Player of the Year three times. He's the nightmare Dowell Loggains will wake up to every night this week, with the combination of his freak athleticism, versatility, and motor that busts up gameplans. If you were hoping the fact he might not totally be in game shape might help the Bears, consider this: He had 17.5 sacks, 29 TFL's and 50 quarterback hits last season while playing at varying times with a broken hand, a groin tear, and a herniated disc.
But what makes Watt even greater are the other assets he has around him in Romeo Crennel's defense. And that was before Jadaveon Clowney's impressive preseason following two injury-plagued campaigns for the 2014 top overall pick. Vince Wilfork can still clog entering his 14th season, even if he might be slowing down a bit.
Then there's a five-deep linebacking corps in the 3-4. Besides Clowney, former Illini Whitney Mercilus racked up a dozen sacks last year, then added three more in the playoff loss to the Chiefs. Veteran Brian Cushing played an entire season for the first time in five years and led the team with 110 tackles. Bernardrick McKinney continues to elevate after a slow start to the second-round pick's rookie season. And if you saw John Simon's athletic pick-six against Carson Palmer and the Cardinals a couple of weeks ago, the strong-side force showed another aspect of his game after collecting five sacks a year ago.
The Texans have three cornerbacks whom they've selected in the first-round. 32-year-old Jonathan Joseph recovered from a slow start last year and can still run. Kareem Jackson (2010) and Kevin Johnson (2015) battled it out on the other side last year. The latter had to deal with foot and wrist surgeries, but is an impressive hitter and open-field tackler who's been prone to bite on fakes and double-moves. Free safety Andre Hal is a converted corner who had four interceptions a year ago while Quentin Demps is arguably coming off the best of his eight pro seasons. A.J. Bouye was competing for nickel back.
Texans special teams
Houston had an awful return game last season and it's unlikely second-year wideout Keith Mumphrey will be called upon for those duties. The main reason is the spark that rookie Ervin showed in the preseason. Fellow rookie Miller has also been given a chance.
Kicker Nick Novak was 18-for-18 last year inside the 50, though new Coordinator Larry Izzo is hoping to see more touchbacks from him. 40-year-old Shane Lechler returns for his 17th NFL season after grossing 47.3 yards a punt last season (38.8 net).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Kane named league's best player by NHL Network.
Second City Hockey
(Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)
The reigning MVP also tops NHL Network's list of the league's best players entering 2016-17.
Patrick Kane already has three Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy and a Conn Smythe. Now he can add the title of "best player in the league" according to NHL Network experts to his resume after the final section of the Top 50 was unveiled over the holiday weekend.
Coming off an MVP-winning season for the Blackhawks, Kane's place atop NHL Network's rankings isn't terribly surprising. Last season, he led the NHL with 106 points -- the most by any player since 2011-12 -- and set records with a 26-game point streak that showed the 27-year-old at the height of his powers.
Kane may not be the elite two-way player that some others in the top-10 are, but he's clearly the best offensive player in the game right now. And while defense isn't his calling card, Kane has always been responsible enough on that end to earn the confidence of Joel Quenneville even in tough situations. You'll occasionally see Q double-shifting Kane when the team really needs a boost, which says a lot about what the coach thinks of his all-around game.
Five other members of the Blackhawks made NHL Network's Top 50. Captain Jonathan Toews (No. 9) joined Kane in the top 10, while Duncan Keith (No. 14), Corey Crawford (No. 31), Artemi Panarin (No. 39) and Brent Seabrook (No. 43) round out Chicago's contingent.
CUBS: Jason Hammel rocked by rebuilding Brewers as Cubs fall in Milwaukee.
By Patrick Mooney
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
This sure looked like Joe Maddon proving a point, leaving Jason Hammel out there in the middle of Miller Park, the subtext screaming: You want to pitch deep into games? OK, fine, here’s your chance.
Maddon didn’t exactly manage this one like the Cubs were playing Game 7 of the World Series, refusing to give Hammel the quick hook during Tuesday night’s 12-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Hammel surrendered six hits and a walk to the first seven Brewers he faced — a sequence that included Jonathan Villar’s leadoff homer and two wild pitches — and didn’t get his first out until Martin Maldonado’s sacrifice fly gave Milwaukee a 5-1 lead in the first inning.
That’s usually enough for Maddon, especially with an expanded September bullpen and given his awkward history with Hammel, which dates back to their time with the Tampa Bay Rays. Hammel (14-8, 3.50 ERA) is no longer that unproven pitcher, now a respected veteran teammate and a major reason why the Cubs are on the verge of going back to the playoffs for the second straight year.
But Hammel didn’t have it against the rebuilding Brewers (61-77), and he might not have a spot on the postseason roster, depending on how everything shakes out across the next month.
With a division lead over the St. Louis Cardinals that’s now 15 1/2 games — and a magic number to clinch the National League Central stuck at 10 — the Cubs can afford to rest the All-Star left side of their infield (like they did with Kris Bryant and Addison Russell), experiment with their pitching staff (lefty Mike Montgomery will start Wednesday night in Milwaukee) and hold auditions for the playoffs.
Maddon kept Hammel out there with two outs in the sixth inning, when Ryan Braun hammered a 92-mph fastball into the picnic area beyond the right-field fence for a two-out, three-run homer that made it a 9-2 game.
Maddon didn’t exactly manage this one like the Cubs were playing Game 7 of the World Series, refusing to give Hammel the quick hook during Tuesday night’s 12-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Hammel surrendered six hits and a walk to the first seven Brewers he faced — a sequence that included Jonathan Villar’s leadoff homer and two wild pitches — and didn’t get his first out until Martin Maldonado’s sacrifice fly gave Milwaukee a 5-1 lead in the first inning.
That’s usually enough for Maddon, especially with an expanded September bullpen and given his awkward history with Hammel, which dates back to their time with the Tampa Bay Rays. Hammel (14-8, 3.50 ERA) is no longer that unproven pitcher, now a respected veteran teammate and a major reason why the Cubs are on the verge of going back to the playoffs for the second straight year.
But Hammel didn’t have it against the rebuilding Brewers (61-77), and he might not have a spot on the postseason roster, depending on how everything shakes out across the next month.
With a division lead over the St. Louis Cardinals that’s now 15 1/2 games — and a magic number to clinch the National League Central stuck at 10 — the Cubs can afford to rest the All-Star left side of their infield (like they did with Kris Bryant and Addison Russell), experiment with their pitching staff (lefty Mike Montgomery will start Wednesday night in Milwaukee) and hold auditions for the playoffs.
Maddon kept Hammel out there with two outs in the sixth inning, when Ryan Braun hammered a 92-mph fastball into the picnic area beyond the right-field fence for a two-out, three-run homer that made it a 9-2 game.
Cubs keep showing that 'believability' with another late comeback victory.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Maybe it was the early holiday start (12:10 p.m.)?
Could it have been the 13-inning marathon against the Giants that ended Sunday evening?
Or maybe the credit goes to Brewers starter Zach Davies.
Whatever the reason, the Cubs got out to a slow start offensively on Labor Day Monday, but turned it on late to coast to a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 43,662 (mostly Cubs) fans at Miller Park.
The Cubs didn't score until the sixth when Jorge Soler lifted a broken-bat single into shallow left-center to bring home Tommy La Stella.
In the seventh, Chris Coghlan notched a two-out RBI hit and then came around to score when La Stella's single bounced out of Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett's glove and into shallow right field.
The Cubs really broke the game open in the eighth inning with Heyward driving in a run on a fielder's choice (and another Brewers error), Javy Baez scoring Addison Russell with a perfectly-executed bunt and then Coghlan's two-run single.
"Everybody was contributing," Joe Maddon said. "There were a lot of good at-bats. Their guy's good. Davies, I have a lot of respect for him, He's a good, young pitcher.
"... One of our goals is to score first, but we've been able to overcome early deficits and we've got that strong believability that we can. That's a bit part of our recent success."
Coghlan - who was 2-for-2 with three RBI off the bench - echoed his manager's thoughts about the Cubs' late comebacks.
"That's the belief," Coghlan said. "If we don't do it right out of the game, then our belief is always that we'll do it before it's over. That's why it's tough to shut us out and to keep us down.
"Lately, it seems like we've been doing it later in games, which I mean that's what you gotta do to win. You gotta do it in the beginning - punch them in the mouth - and if you don't, then you gotta do it late and steal one from 'em.
"That's what we've done and I think that's a reason why we win so many games."
Kyle Hendricks did what he does best - saved the bullpen after a crazy game the day before.
For the fourth straight time in such situations, Hendricks picked up a victory, surrendering only one run in six innings to lower his MLB-leading ERA to 2.07.
"After really awkward games, he has really picked us up," Maddon said. "That's just who he is. He normally gets you deeply into the game.
"... You pretty much have an idea what you're gonna get when he goes out there - strike-throwing, they gotta put the ball in play, they gotta move it. He normally does not get himself into trouble."
Hendricks' only real mistake was a homer by Chris Carter to lead off the second inning and the Cubs' potential Cy Young candidate improved to 14-7 on the season.
"I don't think there's any doubt [Hendricks is a Cy Young candidate]," catcher Miguel Montero said. "Is there anybody having a better year so far as him? I mean, he probably doesn't have as many innings as other guys, but that's not his fault, put it that way.
"He gives you his best every time he goes out there. The way he's been pitching, I don't see anybody that's been pitching as good.
"He's a complete pitcher. He knows he needs to pitch in order for him to get away with stuff, he needs to be smart about it and he needs to locate his pitches."
For his part, Hendricks shrugged off any talk of individual awards, deflecting to talk about his teammates.
"Personal accolades are something that just comes along with playing well," Hendricks said. "We're all here for staying healthy in September, getting ready for October and do it as a team."
Could it have been the 13-inning marathon against the Giants that ended Sunday evening?
Or maybe the credit goes to Brewers starter Zach Davies.
Whatever the reason, the Cubs got out to a slow start offensively on Labor Day Monday, but turned it on late to coast to a 7-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in front of 43,662 (mostly Cubs) fans at Miller Park.
The Cubs didn't score until the sixth when Jorge Soler lifted a broken-bat single into shallow left-center to bring home Tommy La Stella.
In the seventh, Chris Coghlan notched a two-out RBI hit and then came around to score when La Stella's single bounced out of Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett's glove and into shallow right field.
The Cubs really broke the game open in the eighth inning with Heyward driving in a run on a fielder's choice (and another Brewers error), Javy Baez scoring Addison Russell with a perfectly-executed bunt and then Coghlan's two-run single.
"Everybody was contributing," Joe Maddon said. "There were a lot of good at-bats. Their guy's good. Davies, I have a lot of respect for him, He's a good, young pitcher.
"... One of our goals is to score first, but we've been able to overcome early deficits and we've got that strong believability that we can. That's a bit part of our recent success."
Coghlan - who was 2-for-2 with three RBI off the bench - echoed his manager's thoughts about the Cubs' late comebacks.
"That's the belief," Coghlan said. "If we don't do it right out of the game, then our belief is always that we'll do it before it's over. That's why it's tough to shut us out and to keep us down.
"Lately, it seems like we've been doing it later in games, which I mean that's what you gotta do to win. You gotta do it in the beginning - punch them in the mouth - and if you don't, then you gotta do it late and steal one from 'em.
"That's what we've done and I think that's a reason why we win so many games."
Kyle Hendricks did what he does best - saved the bullpen after a crazy game the day before.
For the fourth straight time in such situations, Hendricks picked up a victory, surrendering only one run in six innings to lower his MLB-leading ERA to 2.07.
"After really awkward games, he has really picked us up," Maddon said. "That's just who he is. He normally gets you deeply into the game.
"... You pretty much have an idea what you're gonna get when he goes out there - strike-throwing, they gotta put the ball in play, they gotta move it. He normally does not get himself into trouble."
Hendricks' only real mistake was a homer by Chris Carter to lead off the second inning and the Cubs' potential Cy Young candidate improved to 14-7 on the season.
"I don't think there's any doubt [Hendricks is a Cy Young candidate]," catcher Miguel Montero said. "Is there anybody having a better year so far as him? I mean, he probably doesn't have as many innings as other guys, but that's not his fault, put it that way.
"He gives you his best every time he goes out there. The way he's been pitching, I don't see anybody that's been pitching as good.
"He's a complete pitcher. He knows he needs to pitch in order for him to get away with stuff, he needs to be smart about it and he needs to locate his pitches."
For his part, Hendricks shrugged off any talk of individual awards, deflecting to talk about his teammates.
"Personal accolades are something that just comes along with playing well," Hendricks said. "We're all here for staying healthy in September, getting ready for October and do it as a team."
WHITE SOX: Miguel Gonzalez sharp in return as White Sox shut out Tigers.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
You wouldn’t have known Miguel Gonzalez missed nearly a month the way he pitched on Tuesday night.
Activated off the disabled list prior to the game, the right-hander kept the Detroit Tigers under wraps as the White Sox evened a three-game series with a 2-0 victory in front of 15,155 at U.S. Cellular Field. Jose Abreu continued his onslaught with two more hits, including a solo home run and Gonzalez allowed six hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the White Sox.
A few bullpen sessions and a start at Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday aside, Gonzalez hadn’t pitched since he suffered a strained right groin in the second inning of an Aug. 11 start at the Kansas City Royals. Yet the rust didn’t show against the Tigers, a team that had scored 30 earned runs off Gonzalez in 30 innings in his career.
He quickly got through the top of Detroit’s lineup with three grounders in the first and retired the first five men he faced. After pitching around jams in the third and fourth inning — he put two men on base in each — Gonzalez retired nine in a row. He struck out J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton with two aboard in the fourth and got Casey McGehee to fly out to end the inning. Gonzalez then retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth innings.
The White Sox brought Gonzalez back in the seventh inning but pulled him after McGehee hit the second single of the inning. Dan Jennings then recorded one out and walked another before Nate Jones struck out Cameron Maybin to strand the bases loaded.
Jones pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. David Robertson pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to convert the save.
Abreu gave Gonzalez a little breathing room in the second inning when he crushed a 2-2 slider from Matt Boyd — the ninth pitch of the at-bat — for a solo homer. The drive traveled an estimated 419 feet.
Boyd kept Detroit within striking distance with seven strong innings. The White Sox’ only other run came in the fifth inning when Omar Narvaez followed Jason Coats’ one-out double with an RBI single to make it a two-run game. Narvaez also walked.
Jose Abreu is White Sox Roberto Clemente Award nominee.
By Dan Hayes
Activated off the disabled list prior to the game, the right-hander kept the Detroit Tigers under wraps as the White Sox evened a three-game series with a 2-0 victory in front of 15,155 at U.S. Cellular Field. Jose Abreu continued his onslaught with two more hits, including a solo home run and Gonzalez allowed six hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the White Sox.
A few bullpen sessions and a start at Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday aside, Gonzalez hadn’t pitched since he suffered a strained right groin in the second inning of an Aug. 11 start at the Kansas City Royals. Yet the rust didn’t show against the Tigers, a team that had scored 30 earned runs off Gonzalez in 30 innings in his career.
He quickly got through the top of Detroit’s lineup with three grounders in the first and retired the first five men he faced. After pitching around jams in the third and fourth inning — he put two men on base in each — Gonzalez retired nine in a row. He struck out J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton with two aboard in the fourth and got Casey McGehee to fly out to end the inning. Gonzalez then retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth innings.
The White Sox brought Gonzalez back in the seventh inning but pulled him after McGehee hit the second single of the inning. Dan Jennings then recorded one out and walked another before Nate Jones struck out Cameron Maybin to strand the bases loaded.
Jones pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. David Robertson pitched around a single and a walk in the ninth to convert the save.
Abreu gave Gonzalez a little breathing room in the second inning when he crushed a 2-2 slider from Matt Boyd — the ninth pitch of the at-bat — for a solo homer. The drive traveled an estimated 419 feet.
Boyd kept Detroit within striking distance with seven strong innings. The White Sox’ only other run came in the fifth inning when Omar Narvaez followed Jason Coats’ one-out double with an RBI single to make it a two-run game. Narvaez also walked.
Jose Abreu is White Sox Roberto Clemente Award nominee.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jose Abreu has been named the White Sox’ nominee for the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award.
The award is given to players who best demonstrates “sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” Now in his third season with the White Sox, Abreu gives all the credit to his mother, Daisy.
“All of this comes from the education I get from my mom,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “She was the one who always told me how to help people to help the needy. Once I signed the contract here with the Chicago White Sox, that was always one of my first thoughts, try to help people, no matter if it was in this country or in Cuba.
"Once I was here, my priority was to help people here, to give something back for all of the things I’ve been given.”
The award is given to players who best demonstrates “sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.” Now in his third season with the White Sox, Abreu gives all the credit to his mother, Daisy.
“All of this comes from the education I get from my mom,” Abreu said through an interpreter. “She was the one who always told me how to help people to help the needy. Once I signed the contract here with the Chicago White Sox, that was always one of my first thoughts, try to help people, no matter if it was in this country or in Cuba.
"Once I was here, my priority was to help people here, to give something back for all of the things I’ve been given.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... How will Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler coexist?
By Kurt Helin
(Photo/Associated Press)
Usually, when a team adds a player the caliber of Dwyane Wade — three titles, Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star — the first thought is “good move.” This is a guy who averaged 19 points a game last season, is dangerous with the ball in his hands, cuts well off the ball, and showed in the playoffs that he can still dial it up for a stretch and take over games.
But when the Bulls brought him in, along with Rajon Rondo, the reaction around the league looked more like Seth and Amy saying “Really!?!”
The Bulls had finally made the right move — they traded Derrick Rose, let Joakim Noah walk, and moved on from the teams crafted for the Tom Thibodeau era. The Bulls were Jimmy Butler’s team, and they could go out and get players that fit the up-tempo, selflessly share-the-ball style Fred Hoiberg wants to play.
Which is why Wade and Rondo had people saying “really?”
How is this anything but treading water? Given the chance to rebuild and think strategically, the Bulls front office went for a quick fix move that isn’t really a fix.
It’s fair to ask how Rondo, Wade, and Butler can coexist on a playoff team?
Butler, Wade, and Rondo are three guys who work best with the ball in their hands slashing to the rim. Three guys doing the same thing is defendable. Plus, NBA rules still allow just one ball on the court at a time.
Even more concerning, in a league where every team is clamoring for more shooting, more floor spacing, the Bulls core guys now are not dangerous threats from three.
Rondo, Wade, and Butler combined to make 133 three-pointers last season — an aging Kobe Bryant made that many by himself (in just 66 games). C.J. Miles made more by himself. Rondo was the most accurate of the three at 36.5 percent, and if he lines up beyond the arc this season, opponents will give him the shot.
It’s not hard to imagine a defensive strategy against the Bulls: Pack the paint, clog driving lanes, go under picks, and if anyone except Nikola Mirotic wants to shoot the three don’t run them off the line.
And we haven’t even gotten to the defensive end of the court. Rondo and Wade are not near their vintage selves on that end, key contributors like Mirotic and Doug McDermott struggle to get stops, and Robin Lopez is solid as a backstop but can only clean up so many messes.
All that said, we may be overestimating the issues with the Bulls. Somewhat. Maybe.
If the Bulls can do what Fred Hoiberg wants and get out and run — get offense before the defense sets — the slashing skills of Wade/Butler/Rondo can be put to good use. Have them slash, have Moritic and McDermott run to the arc, and you have a fairly dangerous offense.
The problem is last year’s Bulls were not built for that, and in this “rebuild” I’m not sure the Gar/Pax front office solved that problem. The Bulls didn’t get much more athletic.
The Bulls have talent on the roster — Butler spent his summer winning a gold medal in Rio, Wade can still get a team buckets, and there is depth with Lopez, Mirotic (who should have a big season), Taj Gibson (unless he’s traded), Tony Snell, McDermott, Bobby Portis, and rookie Denzel Valentine (maybe the player most ready to step in and contribute in the last draft).
The good news for the Bulls is in the NBA, talent wins out most nights.
If Hoiberg can stagger the minutes of his three big names and get more shooting on the floor, if he can find some balanced lineups, the Bulls are going to put up points. We also forget, Wade is a crafty player off the ball who makes smart cuts and will get some buckets that way. There is potential.
There are also many questions. Can player-friendly Hoiberg get enough buy in with his system? Is there a system that Rondo hasn’t pushed back against? Will Rondo stat hunt at the expense of the team? Will the ball move, or will it stick when Wade or Rondo get it and decide to pound it and survey the floor for five-plus seconds? Will set defenses just play back, take away driving lanes, and force the Bulls’ three big names to shoot jumpers? How healthy will Wade’s knees stay, and how what will the Bulls’ Wade maintenance program look like? If the Bulls are scoring, can they get enough stops for it to matter?
Rondo, Wade, and Butler can coexist — these are three competitive guys, two of whom have rings and one who is willing to learn — but not in a “this team can put a scare in the Cavaliers” kind of way. More in a “with those three guys the Bulls could beat out enough of the Miami/Atlanta/Charlotte/Washington kind of teams to make the playoffs” kind of way. Maybe. If the Bulls come together for Hoiberg.
But is that the way that Gar/Pax wanted to rebuild around Butler? Really!?!
But when the Bulls brought him in, along with Rajon Rondo, the reaction around the league looked more like Seth and Amy saying “Really!?!”
The Bulls had finally made the right move — they traded Derrick Rose, let Joakim Noah walk, and moved on from the teams crafted for the Tom Thibodeau era. The Bulls were Jimmy Butler’s team, and they could go out and get players that fit the up-tempo, selflessly share-the-ball style Fred Hoiberg wants to play.
Which is why Wade and Rondo had people saying “really?”
How is this anything but treading water? Given the chance to rebuild and think strategically, the Bulls front office went for a quick fix move that isn’t really a fix.
It’s fair to ask how Rondo, Wade, and Butler can coexist on a playoff team?
Butler, Wade, and Rondo are three guys who work best with the ball in their hands slashing to the rim. Three guys doing the same thing is defendable. Plus, NBA rules still allow just one ball on the court at a time.
Even more concerning, in a league where every team is clamoring for more shooting, more floor spacing, the Bulls core guys now are not dangerous threats from three.
Rondo, Wade, and Butler combined to make 133 three-pointers last season — an aging Kobe Bryant made that many by himself (in just 66 games). C.J. Miles made more by himself. Rondo was the most accurate of the three at 36.5 percent, and if he lines up beyond the arc this season, opponents will give him the shot.
It’s not hard to imagine a defensive strategy against the Bulls: Pack the paint, clog driving lanes, go under picks, and if anyone except Nikola Mirotic wants to shoot the three don’t run them off the line.
And we haven’t even gotten to the defensive end of the court. Rondo and Wade are not near their vintage selves on that end, key contributors like Mirotic and Doug McDermott struggle to get stops, and Robin Lopez is solid as a backstop but can only clean up so many messes.
All that said, we may be overestimating the issues with the Bulls. Somewhat. Maybe.
If the Bulls can do what Fred Hoiberg wants and get out and run — get offense before the defense sets — the slashing skills of Wade/Butler/Rondo can be put to good use. Have them slash, have Moritic and McDermott run to the arc, and you have a fairly dangerous offense.
The problem is last year’s Bulls were not built for that, and in this “rebuild” I’m not sure the Gar/Pax front office solved that problem. The Bulls didn’t get much more athletic.
The Bulls have talent on the roster — Butler spent his summer winning a gold medal in Rio, Wade can still get a team buckets, and there is depth with Lopez, Mirotic (who should have a big season), Taj Gibson (unless he’s traded), Tony Snell, McDermott, Bobby Portis, and rookie Denzel Valentine (maybe the player most ready to step in and contribute in the last draft).
The good news for the Bulls is in the NBA, talent wins out most nights.
If Hoiberg can stagger the minutes of his three big names and get more shooting on the floor, if he can find some balanced lineups, the Bulls are going to put up points. We also forget, Wade is a crafty player off the ball who makes smart cuts and will get some buckets that way. There is potential.
There are also many questions. Can player-friendly Hoiberg get enough buy in with his system? Is there a system that Rondo hasn’t pushed back against? Will Rondo stat hunt at the expense of the team? Will the ball move, or will it stick when Wade or Rondo get it and decide to pound it and survey the floor for five-plus seconds? Will set defenses just play back, take away driving lanes, and force the Bulls’ three big names to shoot jumpers? How healthy will Wade’s knees stay, and how what will the Bulls’ Wade maintenance program look like? If the Bulls are scoring, can they get enough stops for it to matter?
Rondo, Wade, and Butler can coexist — these are three competitive guys, two of whom have rings and one who is willing to learn — but not in a “this team can put a scare in the Cavaliers” kind of way. More in a “with those three guys the Bulls could beat out enough of the Miami/Atlanta/Charlotte/Washington kind of teams to make the playoffs” kind of way. Maybe. If the Bulls come together for Hoiberg.
But is that the way that Gar/Pax wanted to rebuild around Butler? Really!?!
Golf: I got a club for that..... McIlroy rallies to win Deutsche Bank Championship.
(Photo/Golf Channel)
After weeks of frustration on the greens, Rory McIlroy broke out in a big way during the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Here's how things ended up at TPC Boston, where McIlroy rallied to win this event for the second time:
Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy (-15), Paul Casey (-13), Jimmy Walker (-12), Adam Scott (-11), Patrick Reed (-10)
What it means: McIlroy started the day six shots behind Casey, who was seemingly in control of the tournament. But as the Englishman began to falter, McIlroy birdied five of his first nine holes to storm up the standings. His previously balky putter cooperated throughout the final 36 holes in Boston, as McIlroy now has his second worldwide victory of an otherwise disappointing season and his first PGA Tour title since the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship.
Round of the day: McIlroy won this event back in 2012, and he displayed his form of old during a final-round 65 that at times seemed effortless. The Ulsterman bombed his way around TPC Boston, leading the field in driving distance for the week, and surging past Casey with four birdies in a six-hole stretch from Nos. 7-12. While a bogey on No. 17 trimmed his lead to only a shot, he steadied himself in time to make a closing birdie that proved to be the difference.
Best of the rest: Scott earned his first career PGA Tour win at this event back in 2003, and he felt clearly comfortable once again during a back-nine 29 that netted his second straight top-5 finish. Scott birdied three in a row on Nos. 10-12, then closed with three more birdies on Nos. 16-18 that gave him a closing 65 and kept him inside the all-important top five in the FedEx Cup standings.
Biggest disappointment: Casey appeared to have one hand on the trophy after three straight rounds of 5-under 66, but the veteran never really got going during a final-round 72. Casey made four bogeys on the day, including two over his first five holes to bring the field back into the mix. It's a disappointing result for a player whose decorated European Tour career has still translated into just one PGA Tour victory, that coming at the 2009 Shell Houston Open.
Shot of the day: McIlroy faced a crucial up-and-down on the 72nd hole, but his greenside bunker shot nearly went in before settling less than 2 feet away. The subsequent birdie gave him a two-shot lead over Casey, who still had two holes to play at the time.
Leaderboard: Rory McIlroy (-15), Paul Casey (-13), Jimmy Walker (-12), Adam Scott (-11), Patrick Reed (-10)
What it means: McIlroy started the day six shots behind Casey, who was seemingly in control of the tournament. But as the Englishman began to falter, McIlroy birdied five of his first nine holes to storm up the standings. His previously balky putter cooperated throughout the final 36 holes in Boston, as McIlroy now has his second worldwide victory of an otherwise disappointing season and his first PGA Tour title since the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship.
Round of the day: McIlroy won this event back in 2012, and he displayed his form of old during a final-round 65 that at times seemed effortless. The Ulsterman bombed his way around TPC Boston, leading the field in driving distance for the week, and surging past Casey with four birdies in a six-hole stretch from Nos. 7-12. While a bogey on No. 17 trimmed his lead to only a shot, he steadied himself in time to make a closing birdie that proved to be the difference.
Best of the rest: Scott earned his first career PGA Tour win at this event back in 2003, and he felt clearly comfortable once again during a back-nine 29 that netted his second straight top-5 finish. Scott birdied three in a row on Nos. 10-12, then closed with three more birdies on Nos. 16-18 that gave him a closing 65 and kept him inside the all-important top five in the FedEx Cup standings.
Biggest disappointment: Casey appeared to have one hand on the trophy after three straight rounds of 5-under 66, but the veteran never really got going during a final-round 72. Casey made four bogeys on the day, including two over his first five holes to bring the field back into the mix. It's a disappointing result for a player whose decorated European Tour career has still translated into just one PGA Tour victory, that coming at the 2009 Shell Houston Open.
Shot of the day: McIlroy faced a crucial up-and-down on the 72nd hole, but his greenside bunker shot nearly went in before settling less than 2 feet away. The subsequent birdie gave him a two-shot lead over Casey, who still had two holes to play at the time.
How 'obvious' are U.S. Ryder Cup captain's picks?
By Doug Ferguson
(Photo/Golf Channel)
One week into the Ryder Cup auditions for the captain's picks, Davis Love III should have no trouble identifying the hot player.
Trouble is, Rory McIlroy plays for the other team.
The Deutsche Bank Championship, where McIlroy rediscovered his putting stroke, was the first of two big tournaments that essentially allow Love and the Americans to buy time so they can decide how to use three captain's picks that will be announced Monday.
Love will get a fourth pick after the FedEx Cup ends on Sept. 25, presumably before the boarding door closes on the flight to Hazeltine.
But is this really an audition?
Not according to Phil Mickelson, the senior member of the U.S. team who serves on the Ryder Cup task force.
''I think the picks are fairly obvious,'' Mickelson said before the first shot was struck at the TPC Boston. ''If they're not, or if we get a guy like Billy Horschel who just gets a hot hand and we need that hot hand to give us the best chance to win, then we have that option. For the most part, I think it's fairly obvious who the picks would be without even naming them.''
Maybe it's obvious to Mickelson, and perhaps to Love.
But not to everyone.
''I can't name them, either,'' said Steve Stricker, an assistant captain and task force member. ''I don't know who they are, I swear. I could put five guys down that are obvious. I don't think I could do three.''
Matt Kuchar would seem logical. He finished 12th in the standings, has the right game for match play because he is rarely out of position, and he likely played his way onto the team with that 63 on the final day to win the bronze medal at the Olympics.
Rickie Fowler makes sense, even though he has never won a match in two Ryder Cup appearances. Fowler is well-liked, he paired nicely with PGA champion Jimmy Walker at Gleneagles and tied for seventh at The Barclays in the final qualifying event. Then again, he squandered a chance to play his way onto the team at Bethpage Black by making a mess of the last four holes. He wound up 11th in points.
After that, the obvious becomes opinions.
Bubba Watson finished at No. 9 in the standings and he is No. 7 in the world.
However, the two-time Masters champion hasn't had a top 10 on the PGA Tour in six months. Jim Furyk is under consideration, mainly because he finished at No. 15 in the standings despite missing four months at the start of the year to recover from wrist surgery. He also shot 58. But he didn't make it beyond the second stage of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
J.B. Holmes was No. 10 in the standings. Holmes is a power player and one of the few active Americans to have never been on a losing Ryder Cup team. His only appearance was in 2008 at Valhalla. He went 2-0-1.
That's five options, and there might be more.
But let's say the initial three captain's picks really are obvious.
Why wait?
Europe filled out its team with three captain's picks last Tuesday, two days after qualifying ended. Too soon? It might look that way with Alex Noren winning in Switzerland and moving up to No. 27 in the world. At least it has a team of 12 for a month leading to the opening shot on Sept. 30.
The Americans won't have a full team until they arrive at Hazeltine.
They were giddy about their trip to Gillette Stadium last week, even though only two-thirds of the team was there. It led to one awkward moment when someone asked Kuchar how he liked the home of the New England Patriots and the speech from 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey captain Mike Eruzione. Kuchar wasn't there. Neither was Fowler. Or the other ''obvious'' pick.
As for the final pick, Love is thrilled with the idea that someone could get hot and reach the Tour Championship and have a shot at winning the FedEx Cup ''and I get to pick him on Sunday night.''
That sounds great, as long as it's the right guy who wins.
Of the 70 players moving on to Indiana for the third playoff event, eight are Americans who have never won a PGA Tour event and, according to Love, still on his radar.
Love was asked a question in New York last week that he couldn't answer, and neither can anyone else.
''Is it easier for that guy to stay hot - or for that other guy to get hot?'' he said.
The Americans are looking for any edge they can find. It's hard to blame them since they have only won the Ryder Cup twice since 1995. But would it take anything away from the Ryder Cup if both teams had the same qualifying system? Start it one year out, take 11 players and give the captains one wild-card pick.
And then go play.
Because golf is supposed to be a sport that rewards a good score, not a good relationship.
NASCAR Power Rankings: Kevin Harvick loses the race but keeps the top spot here.
By Nick Bromberg
Kevin Harvick still leads the pack (Photo/Getty).
2. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 10): After all the things that have derailed potential great performances this year for Truex, it was fitting that his second win came when he clearly didn’t have the best car. And also fitting that it came via pit road performance. Like Harvick’s struggles Sunday, there have been numerous times where pit road has bitten Truex. Is it a sign that pit crews are way too important in the scheme of NASCAR when we’re talking about their performances in the top two entries of Power Rankings this week?
3. Denny Hamlin (LW: 3): Hamlin led 13 laps and finished fourth. It was an appropriate finish, as Hamlin had a top-five car, though it certainly didn’t feel at any time that he had a winning car. Of course, that feeling will be prevalent when a driver leads 214 laps like Harvick did. Hamlin knows that feeling pretty well, especially at Richmond. Remember when he lost the race because of a flat tire after leading 95 percent of it?
4. Brad Keselowski (LW: 2): Make that three entries about pit crews in the top four this week. Keselowski ended up finishing ninth because of two loose wheel problems with his left wheel. Both times the wheel wasn’t fastened properly onto the hub, causing a vibration in the car. And rather than risk it (which given Keselowski’s points position is really, really stupid), the team had Keselowski come in to get the wheels fastened. Keselowski finished ninth.
5. Kyle Busch (LW: 3): Will Busch and Keselowski enter the Chase tied atop the points standings? Both drivers lead the series with four wins and both have had recent success at Richmond. Busch was punted out of the lead at Richmond this spring, though we’re guessing the track will be significantly different at night on Saturday than it was during the day in April. Busch finished 11th at Darlington.
6. Kyle Larson (LW: 8): It sure looked like Larson could get a second-straight victory late in Sunday’s race, didn’t it? Instead Larson ended up finishing third as he didn’t have enough car to compete with Harvick and Truex. Larson led 45 laps and they all came from lap 285-329 until he conceded the lead because two cars stayed out during a caution flag.
7. Joey Logano (LW: 6): Logano’s Tony Stewart throwback car looked sweet, even though it didn’t fit the 1970s and 1980s theme that was set for the race. Stewart isn’t that old. He drove that Shell car in the Busch Series in 1998, which means Logano was 8 years old at that time. Doesn’t that make you feel old?
Regarding Darlington, Logano finished fifth and he sure wished that the final two caution flags could have been avoided. After the race he said he felt his team had the best car over the course of a long run. Had the race gone green for the final 44 laps, Logano might have finished higher than fifth.
8. Jimmie Johnson (LW: 4): Johnson had one of the best-looking throwback cars with the blue-and-yellow Lowe’s paint scheme, so it was a shame to see it crumpled up when Johnson hit the wall. He crashed as he got loose underneath Carl Edwards and hit the inside wall after spinning around.
Johnson spun as he was in a scrambling position because of an unapproved modifications penalty on pit road. NBC’s cameras captured a member of Johnson’s team pushing down on the right-rear decklid of the car during a pit stop. And, if we’re being honest, the push didn’t look that forceful or impactful. We understand why a lower right-rear would be beneficial, but there’s not much tolerance to move the car in that area because of the clearance between the car and the tire. But we’re not engineers so what do we know?
9. Chase Elliott (LW: 11): If, before the season, you told someone that Elliott would be the highest-ranked Hendrick Motorsports driver in the points standings through 25 races, you’d have been laughed at. Yet here we are in a place where Elliott leads the Hendrick brigade while in 10th in the standings.
The laughing is not an indictment of Elliott in the slightest. It’s become very clear why he already gets some of the most raucous cheers in pre-race intros and why he’s 10th in the points standings. It’s just that no one would have guessed a rookie would have been ahead of Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and/or Kasey Kahne. But with Junior’s concussion issues, Johnson’s relative struggles and Kahne’s less-than-relative struggles, Elliott is atop HMS Mountain.
10. Jamie McMurray (LW: 7): McMurray had to pit again late in the race because his team didn’t get all four wheels tight. And while McMurray could have risked racing to the finish with less than 20 lug nuts fastened, was it worth a potential suspension of crew chief Matt McCall at Richmond with a Chase berth on the line? Probably not.
The decision to fasten all the lug nuts looks even better now as Ryan Newman is facing a points penalty for a laser inspection failure after the race. The gap between McMurray and Newman for the final spot in the Chase is currently seven points and could go up to as many as 17 or 22 when the penalty is announced.
11. Kurt Busch (LW: 9): Maybe Busch is getting his swoon out of the way before the Chase begins. Busch’s car ended up in a crumpled heap after a vicious hit with the wall thanks to Paul Menard’s flat left-rear tire. Menard’s car slid up the track when the tire went down and clipped Busch, sending him careening into the inside wall.
It’s becoming incredibly obvious throughout this season that teams need to get their cars to pit road as soon as a driver reports a tire going down. Menard’s team waited on Sunday and Busch paid the price.
12. Matt Kenseth (LW: NR): Kenseth finished sixth on Sunday. We really want to be with him watching the Truck Series race this fall if and when Cole Custer goes after John Hunter Nemechek on track for his revenge. Will Kenseth, in ultimate Matt Kenseth fashion, be emotionless and make a wisecrack? Will he feel proud? Angry? Ashamed. We need to know these things.
Lucky Dog: There really aren’t any good candidates this week. Should we really be complimenting Kasey Kahne on finishing seventh?
The DNF: Brian Scott and Trevor Bayne brought up the rear. Scott because he was crashed by Tony Stewart and Bayne because of an engine problem.
Dropped Out: Tony Stewart
Chase Grid: Three spots remain available after Southern 500.
By Dustin Long
(Photo/Getty Images)
Three Chase spots remain available for drivers without a win as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Richmond International Raceway this weekend.
The 16-driver playoff field will be set after that race.
Twelve drivers who have won a race this year have clinched a Chase spot. Chris Buescher is eligible for the Chase based on his Pocono win and that he’s 30th in the points standings. As long as he remains in the top 30 in points, he’ll make the Chase. He enters Richmond with an 11-point lead on David Ragan, who is 31st in the standings. Should Buescher not finish in the top 30 in points, it would leave a Chase spot for a driver without a win.
The three drivers without a win and in a Chase spot heading to Richmond are Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Jamie McMurray.
Ryan Newman is the first driver outside a Chase transfer spot. Elliott leads Newman by 24 points, Dillon leads Newman by 16 points, and McMurray leads Newman by seven points.
Those totals could change this week. Newman’s car failed inspection after the race on the Laser Inspection Station. A points penalty would drop Newman further behind those drivers. Any penalties are expected to be announced later this week.
SOCCER: Three Fire on Team of the Week, David Accam and David Arshakyan play internationals.
The 16-driver playoff field will be set after that race.
Twelve drivers who have won a race this year have clinched a Chase spot. Chris Buescher is eligible for the Chase based on his Pocono win and that he’s 30th in the points standings. As long as he remains in the top 30 in points, he’ll make the Chase. He enters Richmond with an 11-point lead on David Ragan, who is 31st in the standings. Should Buescher not finish in the top 30 in points, it would leave a Chase spot for a driver without a win.
The three drivers without a win and in a Chase spot heading to Richmond are Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Jamie McMurray.
Ryan Newman is the first driver outside a Chase transfer spot. Elliott leads Newman by 24 points, Dillon leads Newman by 16 points, and McMurray leads Newman by seven points.
Those totals could change this week. Newman’s car failed inspection after the race on the Laser Inspection Station. A points penalty would drop Newman further behind those drivers. Any penalties are expected to be announced later this week.
By Dan Santaromita
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
When you win a game 3-0, weekly individual awards are likely going to follow.
Three Chicago Fire players, Michael de Leeuw, Sean Johnson and Joao Meira, made the MLS Team of the Week after the team’s win against the Philadelphia Union. Arturo Alvarez was named to the bench.
Johnson had a standout game with five saves, including an impressive full-reach stop on a Chris Pontius shot in the first half. De Leeuw factored in all three Fire goals. He was the intended target of the pass that resulted in the opening own goal, scored the second and assisted the third. Joao Meira had seven clearances, three interceptions and 88 percent passing accuracy in the Fire’s shutout.
Meira was in and out of the lineup in the first half of the season, but has become more of a regular lately. With 21-year-old Brazilian Rodrigo Ramos being moved out of the lineup for the past six MLS matches, Johan Kappelhof has moved to Ramos’ spot at right back and Meira has started at centerback.
“He had a very good comeback after the injury,” coach Veljko Paunovic said of Meira in a conference call on Tuesday. “I think we always have to know that before that he was playing at a good level and helping the team.”
As for Ramos’ place in the team, Paunovic wouldn’t say much about his possible return to game action.
“We believe that Rodrigo was tired or overwhelmed with the overall demand of the league and being in a foreign country, being a rookie in this league, so we believe that he needed a break, but it’s not only that,” Paunovic said. “The other guys are doing well and they are pushing hard.”
Alvarez’s third goal in the Philadelphia win was also nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. The 31-year-old has largely split time with John Goossens as an attacking midfielder, but both started on Saturday.
“I think Arturo is having one of the best seasons so far in his career,” Paunovic said. “We are very happy with that. I think we were able to manage together the load for the veteran players and his experience that he brings to our team is very important.”
After one of the best offensive and overall performances of the season, Paunovic will have some tough decisions to make with the lineup once David Accam and David Arshakyan return from international duty later this week.
Accam played in both of Ghana’s matches during this international window. He started and played 73 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Rwanda, an African Cup of Nations qualifier, on Saturday. Ghana had already clinched qualification. Accam also played Tuesday in a friendly in Russia. He subbed on in the 78th minute of the 1-0 Russian win.
Arshakyan started and played 70 minutes for Armenia in a 1-0 loss at Denmark on Sunday. It was the first World Cup qualifier for the Armenians. Arshakyan earned his first senior national team cap.
USMNT 4-0 Trinidad and Tobago: U.S. grabs Group C behind Pulisic, Altidore.
By Nicholas Mendola
(AP Photo/John Raoux)
If it sounds like a repeat from Friday’s win over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, forgive us, but Jozy Altidore, Christian Pulisic, and Sacha Kljestan helped the United States to the Group C title with a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in Jacksonville on Tuesday.
Kljestan opened the scoring, Altidore added a pair, and Paul Arriola nabbed a goal as well.
Altidore set a U.S. World Cup qualifying record with his first goal, No. 15 in his career. He is now 20 goals back of Landon Donovan for the all-time U.S. record.
Star man-kid Christian Pulisic broke Altidore’s record for the youngest player to start a match for the United States men’s national team, and Tim Howard set a new standard for World Cup qualifiers played by a U.S. goalkeeper with his 32nd appearance.
Be giddy, U.S. fan.
The unfamiliar lineup had its early struggles, including a 7th minute opportunity when Omar Gonzalez gave Joevin Jones plenty of room to test a wise Tim Howard.
At the other end, Pulisic ripped a deflected shot that earned the Yanks a corner. Michael Bradley’s offering was cleared away.
The crowd lifted nearly every time Pulisic touched the ball, and deservedly so. The 17-year-old hit both posts after Bobby Wood just failed to latch onto Jozy Altidore’s cross off a hard-working run.
Both posts, I said!
But Kljestan put the Yanks ahead on a ping-pong goal just before halftime, when he lunged to poke a loose ball beyond the reach of T&T goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
The 44th minute goal sent us into the break with the Americans leading 1-0.
Phillip came up big on the first strong U.S. chance of the second half, as Pulisic dribbled across the 18 before finding Altidore. The big striker turned at fired, but Phillip parried the shot.
Howard found himself under second half duress after a first half in which a nap could’ve been possible for the American backstop.
That’s when Altidore struck. Fabian Johnson took the ball on the left, and played it square for Altidore. Phillip had to bet that the striker would lay it off to Bedoya, and was caught in the midst of that wager when Altidore opted to last a low shot near post.
Altidore was at the back door minutes later to slide a goal home when Pulisic cut in from the left and sent a delightful ball through the six.
Arriola made it 4-0 in the 71st minute, as Pulisic sprung another break — seriously, he was that %^#&$%^ dynamic — and the Yanks passed it around and then through the 18. Altidore found Pulisic, who was stopped by Phillip. Arriola passed it in for his second goal as a USMNT player.
FIFA president Infantino open to 40-team World Cup, Mexico-USA as co-hosts.
Associated Press
Kljestan opened the scoring, Altidore added a pair, and Paul Arriola nabbed a goal as well.
Altidore set a U.S. World Cup qualifying record with his first goal, No. 15 in his career. He is now 20 goals back of Landon Donovan for the all-time U.S. record.
Star man-kid Christian Pulisic broke Altidore’s record for the youngest player to start a match for the United States men’s national team, and Tim Howard set a new standard for World Cup qualifiers played by a U.S. goalkeeper with his 32nd appearance.
Be giddy, U.S. fan.
The unfamiliar lineup had its early struggles, including a 7th minute opportunity when Omar Gonzalez gave Joevin Jones plenty of room to test a wise Tim Howard.
At the other end, Pulisic ripped a deflected shot that earned the Yanks a corner. Michael Bradley’s offering was cleared away.
The crowd lifted nearly every time Pulisic touched the ball, and deservedly so. The 17-year-old hit both posts after Bobby Wood just failed to latch onto Jozy Altidore’s cross off a hard-working run.
Both posts, I said!
But Kljestan put the Yanks ahead on a ping-pong goal just before halftime, when he lunged to poke a loose ball beyond the reach of T&T goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.
The 44th minute goal sent us into the break with the Americans leading 1-0.
Phillip came up big on the first strong U.S. chance of the second half, as Pulisic dribbled across the 18 before finding Altidore. The big striker turned at fired, but Phillip parried the shot.
Howard found himself under second half duress after a first half in which a nap could’ve been possible for the American backstop.
That’s when Altidore struck. Fabian Johnson took the ball on the left, and played it square for Altidore. Phillip had to bet that the striker would lay it off to Bedoya, and was caught in the midst of that wager when Altidore opted to last a low shot near post.
Altidore was at the back door minutes later to slide a goal home when Pulisic cut in from the left and sent a delightful ball through the six.
Arriola made it 4-0 in the 71st minute, as Pulisic sprung another break — seriously, he was that %^#&$%^ dynamic — and the Yanks passed it around and then through the 18. Altidore found Pulisic, who was stopped by Phillip. Arriola passed it in for his second goal as a USMNT player.
FIFA president Infantino open to 40-team World Cup, Mexico-USA as co-hosts.
Associated Press
(Photo/Getty Images)
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is open to a 40-team World Cup in 2026, with several countries serving as co-hosts.
His comments show that FIFA will consider co-hosting by the United States, Canada and Mexico. They are expected bidders for 2026, with the CONCACAF region favored to win.
Infantino says “these two topics will certainly be on the table for discussion” when the FIFA Council meets Oct. 13-14 in Zurich.
In his presidential election campaign, Infantino supported expanding the tournament and hosting across a region.
Asked about a potential U.S.-Canada-Mexico project, Infantino says: “There is, I would say, no limit to whatever is good for football.”
The hosting vote by FIFA member federations is set for 2020.
NCAAFB: Was Week 1 a step toward an eight-team playoff?
By Kevin McGuire
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Ask anyone associated with the College Football Playoff and they undoubtedly tell you the playoff field will remain four teams for the duration of the current contract, which expires at the end of the 2025 season. It is up to you to decide whether you accept that statement at face value or remain skeptical. The precedent for changing the stance from the playoff has already been made after just two years with the decision to alter its scheduling to be more accommodating for fans and, more importantly, their television partner ESPN. So what is it going to take for the College Football Playoff to expand the playoff beyond four teams before the culmination of the inaugural contract?
There are a couple scenarios that are likely to lead to the playoff to fell the pressure to expand on an accelerated timeline. The first would be one conference getting two teams into the College Football Playoff, thus ensuring two power conferences are left out entirely, as opposed to the one guaranteed to be left out as currently structured. The Pac-12 missed out last season while it was the Big 12 left locked out in the first year. Another worst-case scenario would involve Notre Dame or a Group of Five conference champion making the playoff, again presenting the scenario in which a second power conference loses out on the playoff.
One development from this past weekend was the emergence of Houston. The Cougars of the American Athletic Conference pulled away from Big 12 favorite Oklahoma, presenting quite an interesting debate down the line if the season plays out as Houston fans expect. If the committee is faced with deciding on a playoff spot between an undefeated Houston (including wins vs. Oklahoma and Louisville) and a one-loss Big 12 champion, Houston has to get the nod, no? Well, that depends. Is it a one-loss Texas or a one-loss Oklahoma? If it is a one-loss Oklahoma, the value of a head-to-head win will be weighed heavily by the selection committee, and it should favor Houston. But a one-loss Texas? That’s a different story. Did Texas lose to Oklahoma? If yes, then give the nod to the Cougars. If not, do the Longhorns get the benefit of playing in power conference where Houston does not?
One variable that may have already been wiped out by the Longhorns is the Notre Dame scenario. The Irish are independent so will never have a conference championship to put on their playoff application. This gives Notre Dame a small margin for error compared to most others. An 11-1 Notre Dame is hard to overlook though, and a 12-0 Irish team brings a pot of gold to the postseason tournament. Despite losing to Texas in the opener, Notre Dame can still cause a problem for the College Football Playoff’s foundation. An 11-1 Notre Dame would likely take the Pac-12 out once again as it would mean having wins against Stanford and USC. Don’t count out the Irish just yet, although they have some concerns to sort through (getting Brian Kelly to stick with Deshone Kizer, for starters, as well as defense).
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on Tuesday he believes it is “probably inevitable” the playoff is expanded to eight teams while making a guest appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, although he says it will happen at the end of the current contract.
“As you know, money drives this whole thing,” Herbstreit said. “At some point somebody’s going to say ‘You know it would be really nice if we opened this thing up to more teams and give more teams a chance.’ I like four. I think it still gives us that urgency.”
That’s fair. With only four spots available, the weekly mission to impress the selection committee is real. The argument against expansion suggests moving to an eight-team model eliminates such a possibility. Herbstreit suggests the urgency would still be there with an eight-team playoff model, and that may very well be true depending upon how the playoff system is then constructed. Would eight spots be up for grabs? If so, then the wide-open race would likely keep the games most interesting. One possibility for an eight-team playoff would reserve one spot for each power conference championship game. What to do with the three remaining spots is up for debate.
For the record, my eight-team playoff model is as follows;
- One guaranteed spot for conference champion from ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC.
- One guaranteed spot for highest-ranked champion from AAC, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West and Sun Belt
- Two at-large bids to be determined by selection committee
- Selection committee ranks all eight playoff teams from 1 through 8.
- Top four teams host first round of playoff on campus.
- Second round continues to be played in New Years Six rotation, championship game continues to be up for bid by cities.
- Houston goes undefeated (13-0), Oklahoma goes 11-1 and wins the Big 12. Big 12 misses playoff for second time.
- Notre Dame goes 11-1, knocking out the Pac-12 champion along the way if possible (Stanford?). Pac-12 champ goes 11-2 to miss playoff for second straight season
- Someone other than Alabama goes 12-1 and wins the SEC, handing Alabama their only loss of the season. Both teams get in the playoff.
- Boise State or San Diego State goes undefeated (13-0) and gets left out (Sorry Boise State fans, you know I love you)
- BYU goes undefeated, or 11-1 perhaps (BYU plays Boise State).
- The selection committee is dared to leave out a one-loss Ohio State (for a second season in a row) or a one-loss Michigan. One of them is guaranteed to lose, of course.
Welcome to Team Chaos.
2016 NCAA Associated Press Football Rankings, 09/06/2016.
Associated Press
| RANK | SCHOOL | POINTS | PREVIOUS | RECORD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama (54) | 1518 | 1 | 1-0 |
| 2 | Clemson (2) | 1416 | 2 | 1-0 |
| 3 | Florida State (4) | 1413 | 4 | 1-0 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 1324 | 6 | 1-0 |
| 5 | Michigan (1) | 1261 | 7 | 1-0 |
| 6 | Houston | 1243 | 15 | 1-0 |
| 7 | Stanford | 1140 | 8 | 1-0 |
| 8 | Washington | 884 | 14 | 1-0 |
| 9 | Georgia | 877 | 18 | 1-0 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 759 | NR | 1-0 |
| 11 | Texas | 743 | NR | 1-0 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 722 | 12 | 1-0 |
| 13 | Louisville | 686 | 19 | 1-0 |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 664 | 3 | 0-1 |
| 15 | TCU | 635 | 13 | 1-0 |
| 16 | Iowa | 588 | 17 | 1-0 |
| 17 | Tennessee | 573 | 9 | 1-0 |
| 18 | Notre Dame | 528 | 10 | 0-1 |
| 19 | Ole Miss | 493 | 11 | 0-1 |
| 20 | Texas A&M | 477 | NR | 1-0 |
| 21 | LSU | 423 | 5 | 0-1 |
| 22 | Oklahoma State | 409 | 21 | 1-0 |
| 23 | Baylor | 296 | 23 | 1-0 |
| 24 | Oregon | 242 | 24 | 1-0 |
| 25 | Miami (Fla.) | 137 | NR | 1-0 |
Dropped from rankings: No. 16 UCLA, No. 19 North Carolina, No. 20 USC, No. 25 Florida
Receiving votes: Florida 117, UCLA 62, Boise State 50, Utah 43, San Diego St. 37, North Carolina 23, Auburn 13, Nebraska 13, Pittsburgh 7, BYU 5, Navy 2, Colorado 1, West Virginia 1
Get ready for the Week 2 hangover: Five games to watch this week.
By Kevin McGuire
(AP Photo/The Bristol Herald-Courier, David Crigger)
After Florida State and Texas helped close out the greatest opening weekend in college football history the past two nights, all eyes have now shifted to what’s ahead for an encore in Week 2. Unfortunately for fans, the college football scheduling gods have not been as kind to us in the second week of the season, which is to be expected when we have been so spoiled out of the gate this fall.
The five most intriguing games of Week 2 to follow are listed below:
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech: The Battle at Bristol will pit Tennessee against Virginia Tech on the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway. The Vols escaped an upset bid by Appalachian State on Thursday night, while the Justin Fuente Era in Blacksburg got off to decent start by pulling away from Liberty. The Vols must play a sharper game on offense, because the Hokies will be feeding off the film they got from Thursday night’s game.
TCU vs. Arkansas: Both the Horned Frogs and Razorbacks opened the season with a win this past weekend, but neither did so in a fashion that inspires a tremendous amount of confidence. Were they each saving a little something for this matchup between the Big 12 and SEC, or are there some concerns that need to be addressed by Gary Patterson and Bret Bielema. This matchup in Fort Worth should provide some energy.
Pittsburgh vs. Penn State: For the first time in 16 years, these in-state rivals are set to renew their rivalry. It is difficult to comprehend the idea that a generation of college football fans in Pennsylvania have yet to experience a game between the Panthers and Nittany Lions, but they finally get their first taste of it this Saturday in western PA. It is the first of a four-game scheduling arrangement over the next four seasons. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi has shut his team off from the media to avoid distractions this week.
Florida vs. Kentucky: The Gators were sluggish on offense in their opener before starting to pull away from UMass. Kentucky let one slip away at home last week against Southern Miss. The Gators have won 29 straight in this series dating back to 1987 and have lost just once to the Wildcats since 1980. Kentucky has not won in The Swamp since 1979. With this being the SEC opener for each, getting a jump on the division race is key, and Kentucky is already on thin ice for making postseason play after dropping last week’s game.
Utah vs. BYU: The Holy War always is worth watching because these two schools hate each other with a wild passion. Both teams enter with 1-0 records after Utah handled Southern Utah and BYU clipped Arizona in the opener. Can the Cougars go 2-0 against the Pac-12 out of the gates?
OTHER GAMES ON THE RADAR
Baylor vs. SMU: SMU still has a long way to go but could put up some offense against Baylor.
Texas vs. UTEP: After a thriller against the Irish, can Charlie Strong’s team avoid a letdown?
Boise State vs. Washington State: The Broncos were impressive last week while Mike Leach’s Cougars took a home loss against Eastern Washington.
South Florida vs. NIU: With NIU taking a loss on the road last week at Wyoming, the Huskies need a win to remain in the Group of Five hunt before it pulls away from them entirely.
Oregon vs. Virginia: The Cavaliers were trounced at home by Richmond in Bronco Mendenhall’s Virginia debut. Now they fly to Oregon? Uh-oh.
Arizona State vs. Texas Tech: Offense on offense on offense.
Illinois vs. UNC: Lovie Smith’s Illini played well in its opener and they host UNC coming off a loss.
THE TEAM YOU DON’T WANT TO BE THIS WEEK
Wofford: The FCS program travels to Ole Miss this week. You think the Rebels will be ready to unload some pent-up frustration after losing to Florida State Monday night?
FCS USET ALERT OF THE WEEK
Illinois State vs. Northwestern: Though one should logically assume Northwestern bounces back at home this week after dropping one to Western Michigan, Illinois State is coming in as one of the top FCS programs there is. Don’t be surprised if No. 9 Illinois State hangs around longer than Northwestern fans would be comfortable seeing.
Also, No. 5 Jacksonville State is visiting LSU, who lost last week in Green Bay. The Jaguars pushed Auburn to the limit last season and we know LSU’s passing game is a concern. You just never know!
The five most intriguing games of Week 2 to follow are listed below:
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech: The Battle at Bristol will pit Tennessee against Virginia Tech on the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway. The Vols escaped an upset bid by Appalachian State on Thursday night, while the Justin Fuente Era in Blacksburg got off to decent start by pulling away from Liberty. The Vols must play a sharper game on offense, because the Hokies will be feeding off the film they got from Thursday night’s game.
TCU vs. Arkansas: Both the Horned Frogs and Razorbacks opened the season with a win this past weekend, but neither did so in a fashion that inspires a tremendous amount of confidence. Were they each saving a little something for this matchup between the Big 12 and SEC, or are there some concerns that need to be addressed by Gary Patterson and Bret Bielema. This matchup in Fort Worth should provide some energy.
Pittsburgh vs. Penn State: For the first time in 16 years, these in-state rivals are set to renew their rivalry. It is difficult to comprehend the idea that a generation of college football fans in Pennsylvania have yet to experience a game between the Panthers and Nittany Lions, but they finally get their first taste of it this Saturday in western PA. It is the first of a four-game scheduling arrangement over the next four seasons. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi has shut his team off from the media to avoid distractions this week.
Florida vs. Kentucky: The Gators were sluggish on offense in their opener before starting to pull away from UMass. Kentucky let one slip away at home last week against Southern Miss. The Gators have won 29 straight in this series dating back to 1987 and have lost just once to the Wildcats since 1980. Kentucky has not won in The Swamp since 1979. With this being the SEC opener for each, getting a jump on the division race is key, and Kentucky is already on thin ice for making postseason play after dropping last week’s game.
Utah vs. BYU: The Holy War always is worth watching because these two schools hate each other with a wild passion. Both teams enter with 1-0 records after Utah handled Southern Utah and BYU clipped Arizona in the opener. Can the Cougars go 2-0 against the Pac-12 out of the gates?
OTHER GAMES ON THE RADAR
Baylor vs. SMU: SMU still has a long way to go but could put up some offense against Baylor.
Texas vs. UTEP: After a thriller against the Irish, can Charlie Strong’s team avoid a letdown?
Boise State vs. Washington State: The Broncos were impressive last week while Mike Leach’s Cougars took a home loss against Eastern Washington.
South Florida vs. NIU: With NIU taking a loss on the road last week at Wyoming, the Huskies need a win to remain in the Group of Five hunt before it pulls away from them entirely.
Oregon vs. Virginia: The Cavaliers were trounced at home by Richmond in Bronco Mendenhall’s Virginia debut. Now they fly to Oregon? Uh-oh.
Arizona State vs. Texas Tech: Offense on offense on offense.
Illinois vs. UNC: Lovie Smith’s Illini played well in its opener and they host UNC coming off a loss.
THE TEAM YOU DON’T WANT TO BE THIS WEEK
Wofford: The FCS program travels to Ole Miss this week. You think the Rebels will be ready to unload some pent-up frustration after losing to Florida State Monday night?
FCS USET ALERT OF THE WEEK
Illinois State vs. Northwestern: Though one should logically assume Northwestern bounces back at home this week after dropping one to Western Michigan, Illinois State is coming in as one of the top FCS programs there is. Don’t be surprised if No. 9 Illinois State hangs around longer than Northwestern fans would be comfortable seeing.
Also, No. 5 Jacksonville State is visiting LSU, who lost last week in Green Bay. The Jaguars pushed Auburn to the limit last season and we know LSU’s passing game is a concern. You just never know!
NCAABKB: Arkansas lands 2018 forward to secure commitments from entire starting five of local AAU team.
By Scott Phillips
(Photo/nbcsports.com)
Arkansas has protected its home territory well with younger players as the Razorbacks landed another quality pledge on Monday.
Four-star forward Ethan Henderson decided to commit to Arkansas as he announced his decision on Twitter.
Not only is Henderson a top-100 player in the Class of 2018, but he gives Arkansas four commitments in the Class of 2018 — and commitments from the entire starting five of the Arkansas Hawks 16U team.
Henderson is joined in the Class of 2018 by four-star forward Reggie Perry, three-star guard Desi Sills and three-star guard Isaiah Joe. Class of 2019 in-state guard Justice Hill, the other starter on that Arkansas Hawks team, is also pledged to the Razorbacks. Having commitments from five starters from the same AAU program is unprecedented in recruiting — especially when most college programs don’t have four commitments from the Class of 2017 yet.
Regarded as the No. 85 overall prospect in the Class of 2018, according to Rivals, Henderson is a nice fit for what head coach Mike Anderson wants to do as he moves well and rebounds at a high level.
With Anderson sitting on the hot seat due to a lack of NCAA tournament appearances, it’ll be interesting to see if this jump in recruiting helps with his job security. Obviously, winning and making postseason appearances is vital to Anderson retaining his job, but it will make the Arkansas athletic department think a little bit harder if they need to make a decision. Henderson and Perry are legitimate top-100 prospects and the Hawks have been one of the most successful AAU teams at that age group in the country the last few years so owning commitments from all of them certainly doesn’t hurt.
Four-star forward Ethan Henderson decided to commit to Arkansas as he announced his decision on Twitter.
Not only is Henderson a top-100 player in the Class of 2018, but he gives Arkansas four commitments in the Class of 2018 — and commitments from the entire starting five of the Arkansas Hawks 16U team.
Henderson is joined in the Class of 2018 by four-star forward Reggie Perry, three-star guard Desi Sills and three-star guard Isaiah Joe. Class of 2019 in-state guard Justice Hill, the other starter on that Arkansas Hawks team, is also pledged to the Razorbacks. Having commitments from five starters from the same AAU program is unprecedented in recruiting — especially when most college programs don’t have four commitments from the Class of 2017 yet.
Regarded as the No. 85 overall prospect in the Class of 2018, according to Rivals, Henderson is a nice fit for what head coach Mike Anderson wants to do as he moves well and rebounds at a high level.
With Anderson sitting on the hot seat due to a lack of NCAA tournament appearances, it’ll be interesting to see if this jump in recruiting helps with his job security. Obviously, winning and making postseason appearances is vital to Anderson retaining his job, but it will make the Arkansas athletic department think a little bit harder if they need to make a decision. Henderson and Perry are legitimate top-100 prospects and the Hawks have been one of the most successful AAU teams at that age group in the country the last few years so owning commitments from all of them certainly doesn’t hurt.
Serena Williams Makes History With Most Grand Slam Wins for Any Player.
By Morgan Winsor
Serena Williams Makes History With Most Grand Slam Wins for Any Player (Photo/ABC News)
Serena Williams, the world’s top woman tennis player, now has the most Grand Slam match victories for any man or woman in the Open era.
Williams collected Grand Slam win No. 308 today after defeating Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. The seeded No. 1 player crushed Shvedova 6-2, 6-3 in a little over an hour.
The historic milestone moves Williams past Switzerland’s Roger Federer, who previously held the title with 307 major match victories.
The 34-year-old now heads to the quarterfinals, and she's one step closer to claiming her seventh U.S. Open title and her 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
If she wins the New York tournament, the tennis star will surpass Chris Evert for the most U.S. Open titles and Steffi Graf for the most championships since the introduction of the Open era in 1968, when the Grand Slam tournaments agreed to permit professional players to compete with amateurs.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, September 07, 2016.
The 34-year-old now heads to the quarterfinals, and she's one step closer to claiming her seventh U.S. Open title and her 23rd Grand Slam singles title.
If she wins the New York tournament, the tennis star will surpass Chris Evert for the most U.S. Open titles and Steffi Graf for the most championships since the introduction of the Open era in 1968, when the Grand Slam tournaments agreed to permit professional players to compete with amateurs.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, September 07, 2016.
emoriesofhistory.com
1896 - A.H. Whiting won the first automobile race held on a racetrack. The race was held in Cranston, RI.
1963 - The National Professional Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, OH.
1979 - ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, made its debut on cable TV.
1986 - Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins threw his 100th career touchdown pass, in only his 44th NFL game, which set a NFL record.
1998 - Mark McGwire set a new major league baseball record for most homeruns hit in a single season. The previous record was 61 set in 1961.
1963 - The National Professional Football Hall of Fame was dedicated in Canton, OH.
1979 - ESPN, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, made its debut on cable TV.
1986 - Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins threw his 100th career touchdown pass, in only his 44th NFL game, which set a NFL record.
1998 - Mark McGwire set a new major league baseball record for most homeruns hit in a single season. The previous record was 61 set in 1961.
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