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Editor's Note: We will be taking a Spring sabbatical for the week of March 10th through March 17th. Our next publication will be Monday, March 20, 2017. We will have all of the updates from the 2017 NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament and all other pertinent sports news. Thanks for your patronage.
Marion P. Jelks, Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Director
"Sports Quote of the Day"
Marion P. Jelks, Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Editorial Director
"Sports Quote of the Day"
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." ~ Seneca, Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, and Dramatist
TRENDING: Bears entering free agency No. 3 under GM Ryan Pace with targets but also caution. Bears expected to target Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency. Is Mike Glennon really the answer for the Bears? Bears want Brian Hoyer back. Bears make expected roster moves. (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).
(Photo/Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
TRENDING: NHL Power Rankings: Blackhawks clicking on all cylinders. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).
TRENDING: WHITE SOX pitchers excited as they head out to pitch for their countries in World Baseball Classic. (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).
TRENDING: Chicago Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic Preview, 03/08/2017. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: Chicago Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic Preview, 03/08/2017. (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).
TRENDING: NASCAR needs some rivalries to spice up the action. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Tomas Jurco finding his place with the Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Tomas Jurco knew the trade was coming. At least he thought he knew the trade was coming.
Jurco was enjoying his bye break with his girlfriend in New York when his agent told him to expect a call around noon on Feb. 24. But noon, as well as an afternoon of sightseeing, came and went. By 4 p.m. that day, there was still no call.
"So I took a nap," Jurco said with a laugh. "After 30 minutes my phone was blowing up."
The rest of that day and the next are a blur to Jurco, who flew back to Detroit, packed, flew into Chicago early on Feb. 25 and practiced with his new teammates. Yeah, a lot of quick adjustments those two days. But to get a fresh start with the Blackhawks, to get a chance to show a new team what he can do, is worth it.
Jurco's been "a work in progress," to quote Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. It's not a big surprise to hear that. Jurco, who struggled to find a place in the Detroit Red Wings' regular lineup, is getting that right now with the Blackhawks. After playing fewer than 10 minutes a game when he did play for the Wings, he's played 11-13 minutes in three games for the Blackhawks.
"He's trying to get established, getting comfortable, whether on a regular line or side," Quenneville said. "We've tried him in different spots. He's been fine. I think he's still getting acclimated to the systems. Offensively we want him to trust his instincts and getting more comfortable with the puck."
Jurco has played in a few different spots, from the third line with Marian Hossa to the fourth line to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik midway through the Blackhawks' 5-3 victory over Nashville on Saturday. Jurco is trying to learn quickly but knows it may not all click immediately.
"Everything is great around there. The city's great. Of course the team has a great year and another great chance to go for a Cup so for me that's a really good thing. But I'm still getting used to all the stuff, different systems, different teammates," he said. "I like everything about the team but I need time to get used to it."
General manager Stan Bowman, when he acquired Jurco, said the 24-year-old should be given time to adjust.
"He's been an accomplished player at a lot of different levels. He's shown flashes in the NHL, not as consistently as he or the Wings would like, but you can see the talent and potential," Bowman said. "You have to have some patience with these guys. It doesn't always come together right away. We're not expecting him to carry our team but I think he can contribute. There has to be a measure of patience but the potential is great."
Everybody adjusts at a different rate. Fellow countryman Panik came in last season and fit in relatively fast, although Panik was playing regularly before he got here. Jurco doesn't know how long it will take but he's determined to fit in and help the Blackhawks down the stretch.
"I think it'll take time for me to actually fit in and play really well. Of course, the first few games, I'm finding my spot where to go. But I'm thankful for the chance," he said. "I'm trying to show them that, once I get used to it, I can be a good player for this team."
Jurco was enjoying his bye break with his girlfriend in New York when his agent told him to expect a call around noon on Feb. 24. But noon, as well as an afternoon of sightseeing, came and went. By 4 p.m. that day, there was still no call.
"So I took a nap," Jurco said with a laugh. "After 30 minutes my phone was blowing up."
The rest of that day and the next are a blur to Jurco, who flew back to Detroit, packed, flew into Chicago early on Feb. 25 and practiced with his new teammates. Yeah, a lot of quick adjustments those two days. But to get a fresh start with the Blackhawks, to get a chance to show a new team what he can do, is worth it.
Jurco's been "a work in progress," to quote Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. It's not a big surprise to hear that. Jurco, who struggled to find a place in the Detroit Red Wings' regular lineup, is getting that right now with the Blackhawks. After playing fewer than 10 minutes a game when he did play for the Wings, he's played 11-13 minutes in three games for the Blackhawks.
"He's trying to get established, getting comfortable, whether on a regular line or side," Quenneville said. "We've tried him in different spots. He's been fine. I think he's still getting acclimated to the systems. Offensively we want him to trust his instincts and getting more comfortable with the puck."
Jurco has played in a few different spots, from the third line with Marian Hossa to the fourth line to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik midway through the Blackhawks' 5-3 victory over Nashville on Saturday. Jurco is trying to learn quickly but knows it may not all click immediately.
"Everything is great around there. The city's great. Of course the team has a great year and another great chance to go for a Cup so for me that's a really good thing. But I'm still getting used to all the stuff, different systems, different teammates," he said. "I like everything about the team but I need time to get used to it."
General manager Stan Bowman, when he acquired Jurco, said the 24-year-old should be given time to adjust.
"He's been an accomplished player at a lot of different levels. He's shown flashes in the NHL, not as consistently as he or the Wings would like, but you can see the talent and potential," Bowman said. "You have to have some patience with these guys. It doesn't always come together right away. We're not expecting him to carry our team but I think he can contribute. There has to be a measure of patience but the potential is great."
Everybody adjusts at a different rate. Fellow countryman Panik came in last season and fit in relatively fast, although Panik was playing regularly before he got here. Jurco doesn't know how long it will take but he's determined to fit in and help the Blackhawks down the stretch.
"I think it'll take time for me to actually fit in and play really well. Of course, the first few games, I'm finding my spot where to go. But I'm thankful for the chance," he said. "I'm trying to show them that, once I get used to it, I can be a good player for this team."
Niklas Hjalmarsson could return Thursday for Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Niklas Hjalmarsson isn't used to this.
The Blackhawks defenseman has had the "warrior" moniker associated with his name for his seemingly impervious-to-pain threshold. Sitting out, waiting to heal, this hasn't been easy.
"It was a long time ago I missed this many games in a row," said Hjalmarsson. "So, I don't like watching the games when you're not playing. You kind of feel like you should be out there."
Good news is, Hjalmarsson should be out there again soon.
Hjalmarsson skated again on Monday, and as long as all keeps going well he should return on Thursday when the Blackhawks face the Anaheim Ducks. Hjalmarsson (upper body) skated over the weekend with Johnny Oduya, who could also play on Thursday; the two are probably going to be paired when they return, working off the chemistry they had a few seasons ago.
Hjalmarsson has been out the last four games, the most he's missed due to injury since February/March 2012 (six games with another upper-body injury). If there was any consolation it was that the Blackhawks played well in his absence, winning all four contests. That, and this current break, gave Hjalmarsson more time to get ready.
"For him, he does play a lot, takes a lot of shots, takes a lot of hits and he gets beat up a little bit. But you never hear or see him complain. He finds a way to fight through it all," coach Joel Quenneville said of Hjalmarsson. "This one kept him off the ice a little bit but let's make sure he's more than ready to come back. You always have his competitiveness down the stretch."
Hjalmarsson and Oduya were paired together at Monday's practice. Considering their success during Oduya's first stint here, Hjalmarsson was ready to see what they could do on this go-around.
"We know what kind of guy he is and we know what type of game he brings to the team and leadership," Hjalmarsson said. "Yeah, we all got really happy about it and we've definitely got a great D-corps now. I think we're just excited for the last 17 or 18 games, or whatever's left here of the season, and just try to get us as good a position as possible for playoffs."
The Blackhawks' latest break benefits a few of their injured/ill players. For Hjalmarsson, the wait has been that much longer but it's just about done.
"The guys obviously did a great job. I didn't feel like they needed me; they've been playing unbelievable," Hjalmarsson said. "So, hopefully I can just come in and play my game, and contribute defensively and playing well on the PK, and just keep the team rolling here."
BRIEFLY
• Nick Schmaltz returned to practice on Monday. He's expected to play on Thursday.
• Quenneville reiterated that several players will take some time off during this extended break. The Blackhawks had an optional practice on Monday. "We gave some guys some options this week, whether they want to stay away for three days, four days. We'll leave it up to them if they want to skate on Wednesday or not."
The Blackhawks defenseman has had the "warrior" moniker associated with his name for his seemingly impervious-to-pain threshold. Sitting out, waiting to heal, this hasn't been easy.
"It was a long time ago I missed this many games in a row," said Hjalmarsson. "So, I don't like watching the games when you're not playing. You kind of feel like you should be out there."
Good news is, Hjalmarsson should be out there again soon.
Hjalmarsson skated again on Monday, and as long as all keeps going well he should return on Thursday when the Blackhawks face the Anaheim Ducks. Hjalmarsson (upper body) skated over the weekend with Johnny Oduya, who could also play on Thursday; the two are probably going to be paired when they return, working off the chemistry they had a few seasons ago.
Hjalmarsson has been out the last four games, the most he's missed due to injury since February/March 2012 (six games with another upper-body injury). If there was any consolation it was that the Blackhawks played well in his absence, winning all four contests. That, and this current break, gave Hjalmarsson more time to get ready.
"For him, he does play a lot, takes a lot of shots, takes a lot of hits and he gets beat up a little bit. But you never hear or see him complain. He finds a way to fight through it all," coach Joel Quenneville said of Hjalmarsson. "This one kept him off the ice a little bit but let's make sure he's more than ready to come back. You always have his competitiveness down the stretch."
Hjalmarsson and Oduya were paired together at Monday's practice. Considering their success during Oduya's first stint here, Hjalmarsson was ready to see what they could do on this go-around.
"We know what kind of guy he is and we know what type of game he brings to the team and leadership," Hjalmarsson said. "Yeah, we all got really happy about it and we've definitely got a great D-corps now. I think we're just excited for the last 17 or 18 games, or whatever's left here of the season, and just try to get us as good a position as possible for playoffs."
The Blackhawks' latest break benefits a few of their injured/ill players. For Hjalmarsson, the wait has been that much longer but it's just about done.
"The guys obviously did a great job. I didn't feel like they needed me; they've been playing unbelievable," Hjalmarsson said. "So, hopefully I can just come in and play my game, and contribute defensively and playing well on the PK, and just keep the team rolling here."
BRIEFLY
• Nick Schmaltz returned to practice on Monday. He's expected to play on Thursday.
• Quenneville reiterated that several players will take some time off during this extended break. The Blackhawks had an optional practice on Monday. "We gave some guys some options this week, whether they want to stay away for three days, four days. We'll leave it up to them if they want to skate on Wednesday or not."
NHL Power Rankings: Blackhawks clicking on all cylinders.
By Charlie Roumeliotis (Excerpt taken from NHL Power Rankings, csnchicago.com)
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
2. Chicago Blackhawks (42-18-5, 89 Points)
Despite being plagued by injuries as of late, the Blackhawks have won 12 of their last 13 games, including seven straight, led by Jonathan Toews, who has the most points (26) in the league since Jan. 22, and Patrick Kane, who is tied for second with 23 points during that span. And Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya and Nick Schmaltz are all expected to join the lineup this week. (Last week: 4, 02/28/2017)
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Bears entering free agency No. 3 under GM Ryan Pace with targets but also caution.
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
What's past is often prologue, and the past of Ryan Pace gives hints of how the Bears will behave in his third offseason as Bears general manager. But not necessarily clear hints.
Pace has moved quickly with starter-grade signings in his first two off-seasons. He does come from a background primarily on the pro-personnel side of football operations, meaning he's spent much of his career scouting players already in the NFL. And arguably meaning that he should have more hits than misses with free agents.
"I think coming from New Orleans, my background had always been more in pro scouting," Pace said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. "So I've always been very comfortable in free agency and kind of understanding, ‘hey, free agency is dangerous. You're stepping through land mines, and you've got to be careful you don't step on the wrong one.'
"A lot of times, these guys are available for a reason, so you have to sort through that. But I'm comfortable in free agency because that's more of my background."
In that cautionary vein, Pace placed the requisite emphasis on responsible spending last week, noting that it is possible to recover from a player not signed but not always so with one signed at a wrong price, or one that simply cannot play not that he is no longer with a coach, team or system in which he'd flourished.
On whom, which positions and when will Pace and the organization spend first and most this offseason? Pace has never drafted a quarterback or signed a starting one, for instance; how will he navigate his first time in the most critical position in the sport?
The Bears have money to spend, some $52 million not including another $14 million once Jay Cutler's contract is terminated. But hosing down the NFL with money is not a viable course for a GM and coach seeking a dramatic reversal of a 9-23 first two years – even though the objective beginning with the start of the open-negotiating period on Tuesday and leading to the start of the signing period Thursday is to go hard after positions of need – quarterback, cornerback, safety, receiver – right away in free agency.
"Ideally with free agency we're addressing most of our needs, to allow the draft to be best player available, which increases your odds," Pace said. "We have [price] parameters set up for each guy, what we expect it's going to get to, and we have to know when we're going north of that number and when we might need to back away.
"Which can be hard, being honest, because you're competitive and you visualize certain guys being on your team. But once it goes north of the number, you've also got to be responsible and disciplined. It can be a challenge."
Pace's past
Under Pace the Bears have not been market-makers on the high end. Pace has gone after starters from winning teams, the Bears have paid them, and Pace's pattern is to make multiple moves early rather than sitting out the first wave of free agency.
His history:
"Win now" mindset
The Bears under Pace have committed to the draft, with solid results from the 2016 class (Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair, Jordan Howard) and, injuries notwithstanding, apparent promise in 2015 (Kevin White, Eddie Goldman, Hroniss Grasu).
But they signed solid veteran Brian Hoyer as Cutler's backup last season and drafted no quarterbacks for development for the second straight year, pointing to a strong belief that the team was expected to win sooner rather than later.
The strategy this week is expected to be adding a veteran starter at the top of the depth chart and commit to developing a young quarterback, presumably in the person of re-signed Connor Shaw and/or a draft pick. Whether that "veteran" turns out to be Hoyer, Jimmy Garoppolo, Mike Glennon, Kirk Cousins or a player to be discovered later will play out in the next few days.
Pace and the Bears also face a major financial decision with Alshon Jeffery, having opted against a second franchise tag and effectively letting market forces decide whether the veteran wide receiver is worth what he thinks he is, or what the Bears think. The two sides were some $5 million per year apart last year when the tag was applied. Jeffery is expected to command in the range $10 million per year this year after missing 11 games over the past two seasons.
Jeffery will be one of those situations Pace alluded to, with the Bears expected to drop out of any bidding once the price gets "north" of what they have set as his money parameters.
"Alshon is a fluid process as well," Pace said, "but whatever happens there, whether it's Alshon or whatever it is, we're going to be improving at that position."
Report: Bears expected to target Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency.
By Scott Krinch
Pace has moved quickly with starter-grade signings in his first two off-seasons. He does come from a background primarily on the pro-personnel side of football operations, meaning he's spent much of his career scouting players already in the NFL. And arguably meaning that he should have more hits than misses with free agents.
"I think coming from New Orleans, my background had always been more in pro scouting," Pace said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. "So I've always been very comfortable in free agency and kind of understanding, ‘hey, free agency is dangerous. You're stepping through land mines, and you've got to be careful you don't step on the wrong one.'
"A lot of times, these guys are available for a reason, so you have to sort through that. But I'm comfortable in free agency because that's more of my background."
In that cautionary vein, Pace placed the requisite emphasis on responsible spending last week, noting that it is possible to recover from a player not signed but not always so with one signed at a wrong price, or one that simply cannot play not that he is no longer with a coach, team or system in which he'd flourished.
On whom, which positions and when will Pace and the organization spend first and most this offseason? Pace has never drafted a quarterback or signed a starting one, for instance; how will he navigate his first time in the most critical position in the sport?
The Bears have money to spend, some $52 million not including another $14 million once Jay Cutler's contract is terminated. But hosing down the NFL with money is not a viable course for a GM and coach seeking a dramatic reversal of a 9-23 first two years – even though the objective beginning with the start of the open-negotiating period on Tuesday and leading to the start of the signing period Thursday is to go hard after positions of need – quarterback, cornerback, safety, receiver – right away in free agency.
"Ideally with free agency we're addressing most of our needs, to allow the draft to be best player available, which increases your odds," Pace said. "We have [price] parameters set up for each guy, what we expect it's going to get to, and we have to know when we're going north of that number and when we might need to back away.
"Which can be hard, being honest, because you're competitive and you visualize certain guys being on your team. But once it goes north of the number, you've also got to be responsible and disciplined. It can be a challenge."
Pace's past
Under Pace the Bears have not been market-makers on the high end. Pace has gone after starters from winning teams, the Bears have paid them, and Pace's pattern is to make multiple moves early rather than sitting out the first wave of free agency.
His history:
| 2015 | March 10 start |
| March 11 | Sign LB Pernell McPhee, S Antrel Rolle, WR Eddie Royal |
| March 16 | Sign G Vlad Ducasse |
| March 24 | Sign DL Jarvis Jenkins, Ray McDonald |
| 2016 | March 9 start |
| March 9 | Sign T Bobbie Massie, re-sign CB Tracy Porter, sign LB Danny Trevathan |
| March 12 | Sign LB Jerrell Freeman |
| March 13 | Sign DL Akiem Hicks |
| March 22 | Sign TE Josh Hill to offer sheet (matched by Saints) |
"Win now" mindset
The Bears under Pace have committed to the draft, with solid results from the 2016 class (Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair, Jordan Howard) and, injuries notwithstanding, apparent promise in 2015 (Kevin White, Eddie Goldman, Hroniss Grasu).
But they signed solid veteran Brian Hoyer as Cutler's backup last season and drafted no quarterbacks for development for the second straight year, pointing to a strong belief that the team was expected to win sooner rather than later.
The strategy this week is expected to be adding a veteran starter at the top of the depth chart and commit to developing a young quarterback, presumably in the person of re-signed Connor Shaw and/or a draft pick. Whether that "veteran" turns out to be Hoyer, Jimmy Garoppolo, Mike Glennon, Kirk Cousins or a player to be discovered later will play out in the next few days.
Pace and the Bears also face a major financial decision with Alshon Jeffery, having opted against a second franchise tag and effectively letting market forces decide whether the veteran wide receiver is worth what he thinks he is, or what the Bears think. The two sides were some $5 million per year apart last year when the tag was applied. Jeffery is expected to command in the range $10 million per year this year after missing 11 games over the past two seasons.
Jeffery will be one of those situations Pace alluded to, with the Bears expected to drop out of any bidding once the price gets "north" of what they have set as his money parameters.
"Alshon is a fluid process as well," Pace said, "but whatever happens there, whether it's Alshon or whatever it is, we're going to be improving at that position."
Report: Bears expected to target Cordarrelle Patterson in free agency.
By Scott Krinch
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The NFL's free agency 'tampering period' is underway and reports have surfaced regarding which players could be on the Bears' radar.
In addition to interest in free agent quarterback Mike Glennon, the Bears are expected to pursue one of the league's most explosive kick returners.
According to SiriusXM NFL Radio's Alex Marvez, the Bears will make a push to sign former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
The 25-year-old Patterson was a first-round pick out of Tennessee in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Vikings, but never quite lived up to his pre-draft billing after an impressive rookie season.
Patterson, a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First-Team All Pro returner, has brought back 134 kicks for 4,075 yards with a 30.4 average and five touchdowns.
In four seasons with the Vikings, Patterson has registered 132 receptions for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns. Patterson also has 31 carries for 333 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears can officially begin signing unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins on Thursday, March 9 at 3 p.m.
In addition to interest in free agent quarterback Mike Glennon, the Bears are expected to pursue one of the league's most explosive kick returners.
According to SiriusXM NFL Radio's Alex Marvez, the Bears will make a push to sign former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
The 25-year-old Patterson was a first-round pick out of Tennessee in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Vikings, but never quite lived up to his pre-draft billing after an impressive rookie season.
Patterson, a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First-Team All Pro returner, has brought back 134 kicks for 4,075 yards with a 30.4 average and five touchdowns.
In four seasons with the Vikings, Patterson has registered 132 receptions for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns. Patterson also has 31 carries for 333 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears can officially begin signing unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins on Thursday, March 9 at 3 p.m.
Is Mike Glennon really the answer for the Bears?
By Jacob Infante
(Photo/Cover 32)
Chicago Bears fans are a difficult bunch to please. I’ve discovered this firsthand; some of you guys can be a tough crowd – especially on Yahoo! Sports. They rarely agree on anything that their favorite team may do. However, it appears that they are all on board with one thing: Mike Glennon should not be their franchise quarterback.
And they’re completely justified in believing so. Everything about the rumored signing just screams the opposite of what Ryan Pace has done as general manager of the Bears.
Pace has the tendency to sign young, talented free agents that come at a cheap price. Glennon, 27, certainly fits that first criterion. His talent nowhere near matches up to the potential deal he might get this offseason, though.
Sure, the talent is there – he was solid in his rookie year – but why would the Bears (or any team, for that matter) pay $15 million per year for a quarterback who hasn’t started in a game since 2014? Just two years after drafting Glennon with a third-round pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Jameis Winston. That should speak volumes about what they think about the NC State alum.
The Bears also have a lot of other needs that they need to fill. Cornerback, safety, tight end, offensive tackle and wide receiver are all still big holes on their roster. Signing Glennon would make it tougher for them to fill those needs.
This situation is very similar to that of Brock Osweiler’s situation last offseason. Osweiler only started seven games in a span of four years with the Denver Broncos. The Houston Texans, a team longing for an answer at quarterback, gave up everything but the kitchen sink to sign him in free agency. A year later, they have just as many quarterback issues as they did last year.
I’m a firm believer that, unless a proven starter becomes available through trade, a team should always use the draft to find a long-term solution at quarterback. It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it works more often than signing one in free agency.
Chicago should strongly reconsider signing Glennon if they’ve decided on doing so. It’s too big of a risk for a team as bad as they are to make.
Bears' competition for QB Mike Glennon disappearing?
By John Mullin
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
In the fluid hours leading up to the official opening of the period when teams can begin negotiating contracts with free agents, the way abruptly appeared to be clearing for the Bears in their push for quarterback Mike Glennon, to the point where they might be bidding just against themselves.
The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers have indicated that they have removed themselves from contract competition for Glennon, an NFL source with information from those organizations told CSNChicago.com.
At the same time, teams are believed to be preparing a run at Brian Hoyer, whose brief time with the Bears appeared to have effectively ended with no sign of a contract in sight.
Whether teams have soured on Glennon because of preferred alternatives, second thoughts or guesstimates of his eventual cost (between $14 million and $15 million by some accounts), the result might be the same: a price break for the Bears. A question has been why or whether Glennon would be worth a multiple of the expected $4 million to $5 million price for Hoyer. If bidders have gone elsewhere, the Glennon price for the Bears drops significantly below what Glennon has hoped for as part of a chance to secure a starting job.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told Sirius XM radio last week during the NFL Scouting Combine that Glennon had declined an offer of an extension some time ago. The offer, first reported by the Tampa Bay Times, would have eclipsed the $7 million the Philadelphia Eagles gave Chase Daniel and would have made Glennon the highest-paid NFL backup.
The 49ers have entertained hopes of a trade with Washington for quarterback Kirk Cousins, currently under an exclusive franchise tag, though Cousins had yet to sign the tag as of early Tuesday. The 49ers hold the No. 2-overall pick, one ahead of the Bears in this year's draft.
Report: Bears want Brian Hoyer back.
By CSN Staff
The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers have indicated that they have removed themselves from contract competition for Glennon, an NFL source with information from those organizations told CSNChicago.com.
At the same time, teams are believed to be preparing a run at Brian Hoyer, whose brief time with the Bears appeared to have effectively ended with no sign of a contract in sight.
Whether teams have soured on Glennon because of preferred alternatives, second thoughts or guesstimates of his eventual cost (between $14 million and $15 million by some accounts), the result might be the same: a price break for the Bears. A question has been why or whether Glennon would be worth a multiple of the expected $4 million to $5 million price for Hoyer. If bidders have gone elsewhere, the Glennon price for the Bears drops significantly below what Glennon has hoped for as part of a chance to secure a starting job.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told Sirius XM radio last week during the NFL Scouting Combine that Glennon had declined an offer of an extension some time ago. The offer, first reported by the Tampa Bay Times, would have eclipsed the $7 million the Philadelphia Eagles gave Chase Daniel and would have made Glennon the highest-paid NFL backup.
The 49ers have entertained hopes of a trade with Washington for quarterback Kirk Cousins, currently under an exclusive franchise tag, though Cousins had yet to sign the tag as of early Tuesday. The 49ers hold the No. 2-overall pick, one ahead of the Bears in this year's draft.
Report: Bears want Brian Hoyer back.
By CSN Staff
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Bears reportedly want Brian Hoyer back.
According to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, the Bears have made it known to Hoyer that they want him to return to the team for the 2017 season after he played in six games for them last season.
Hoyer filled in when Jay Cutler was injured last season, only to sustain a season-ending injury himself.
The Michigan State product and eight-year NFL veteran completed 67 percent of his passes last season, throwing for 1,445 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Hoyer has been mentioned as one of several potential veteran quarterback targets the Bears could bring in to succeed Cutler as the starting signal-caller. Free-agent quarterback Mike Glennon, who La Canfora mentioned in the same tweet, and Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo are also possibilities.
So too would be selecting a quarterback with the team's No. 3 pick in this spring's draft. North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky, Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer and Clemson's Deshaun Watson have all been mentioned as quarterbacks that could be selected early in the first round.
According to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, the Bears have made it known to Hoyer that they want him to return to the team for the 2017 season after he played in six games for them last season.
Hoyer filled in when Jay Cutler was injured last season, only to sustain a season-ending injury himself.
The Michigan State product and eight-year NFL veteran completed 67 percent of his passes last season, throwing for 1,445 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions.
Hoyer has been mentioned as one of several potential veteran quarterback targets the Bears could bring in to succeed Cutler as the starting signal-caller. Free-agent quarterback Mike Glennon, who La Canfora mentioned in the same tweet, and Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo are also possibilities.
So too would be selecting a quarterback with the team's No. 3 pick in this spring's draft. North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky, Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer and Clemson's Deshaun Watson have all been mentioned as quarterbacks that could be selected early in the first round.
Bears make expected roster moves.
By Rich Campbell
The Bears re-signed tight end Daniel Brown to a one-year contract on March 6, 2017. (Photo/Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
The Bears made three expected roster moves Monday, re-signing tight end Daniel Brown to a one-year contract and tendering exclusive rights free agents Bryce Callahan and Josh Bellamy.
Callahan was forced to play outside last season, his second in the NFL, because No. 2 cornerback Kyle Fuller missed the regular season with a knee problem. Callahan himself was hampered by knee and hamstring injuries all season. He missed five games, and his top traits--his ability to change directions and his toughness as a tackler--were showcased less frequently as a result.
Bellamy's most memorable moment last season was his drop of a potential game-winning touchdown in a loss to the Titans on Nov. 27. However, coach John Fox likes the high energy Bellamy consistently adds to the team's processes. He has developed into one of the Bears' best special teamers, particularly on coverage. That will be his main role, but he also provides depth at receiver.
Brown had 16 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in six games after being claimed off waivers from the Ravens. He played receiver in college at FBS school James Madison, and that's why the Bears believe in him as a pass catcher. They like his hands and how he runs refined routes. However, he's still fairly raw as a blocker.
NFL free agency begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, but teams can begin negotiating with other clubs' pending free agents at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Chicago Bulls Vs. Orlando Magic Preview, 03/08/2017.
Associated Press
The Orlando Magic host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, hoping to erase the memories of Monday's loss.
The Magic entered the fourth quarter of that game against the New York Knicks in control. D.J. Augustin's 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer gave the team a seven-point lead and momentum heading into the final quarter.
The Knicks stormed to the front behind the energetic and aggressive play of their bench players. Kyle O'Quinn scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the fourth quarter to lead the charge. Courtney Lee dropped in 20 points for the game.
In all, the Knicks went on a 22-4 run to take the lead and send the Magic reeling, frustrated with their own play once again. Orlando lost 113-105 at the Amway Center on Monday, marking the second consecutive game where the Magic lost a double-digit lead in the second half.
"It's tough, but we deserve it," Evan Fournier said after the game. "They just played more aggressive. I thought the problem from the last five minutes was definitely defense. They played with more energy. Their execution was better. On our end, offensively, it was not bad, but it wasn't good enough to close the game. That's the difference tonight."
The Magic have had a fourth-quarter problem for a while.
According to NBA.com, the Magic have the worst net rating in the league in the fourth quarter this season. The Magic are outscored by 7.3 points per 100 possessions in the fourth quarter. The team scores a league-worst 98.2 points per 100 possessions in the fourth quarter.
To say the least, the Magic struggle to finish games. That is certainly a part of the team's difficulties and frustrations in this disappointing season for the franchise. Orlando led in three of the team's four losses since the All-Star Break.
The Magic's opponent for Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls, is another team that has struggled late in games. Despite having a superstar closer in Jimmy Butler, the Bulls have a net rating of -5.7 points per 100 possessions in the final quarter.
That problem reared its ugly head in Monday's 109-95 loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons and Bulls entered the fourth quarter tied before Detroit outscored Chicago 30-16 in the final quarter.
The struggle in the fourth quarter -- even with Dwyane Wade sitting out Monday and likely to miss Wednesday's game too -- is a cause for concern for the Bulls as they fight to stay in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and fend off the Detroit Pistons and others trying to get in.
"Average. Mediocre," Butler told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, describing the state of the Bulls. "Now's the time to make that push so we can find ourselves in the playoffs. We've got to figure it out now."
With Butler and Wade in the fold, the Bulls probably figured they had enough clutch players to finish these games. And indeed, Chicago is a solid 18-14 in games that are within five points in the final five minutes. Getting there or extending their fourth-quarter leads has been the issue. And that has left the Bulls fighting to stay in the playoff conversation.
It is much like the Magic, who are 13-17 in those situations.
It is not about winning close games for either team. It is about running the final leg of the race. Neither the Magic nor the Bulls are where they want to be this season. And those final 12 minutes are clearly part of the team's issues.
Bulls last visit to Auburn Hills a bitter one. (Monday night's game, 03/06/2017).
By Vincent Goodwill
(Photo/AP)
The Palace of Auburn Hills used to be the setting for some strange Bulls occurrences when the building first opened in 1988, and for the Bulls' final visit they turned back the clock in the worst way.
In a statement that will be full of painful nostalgia from the days of yesteryear, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said the Pistons "punched us in the mouth" — a little surprising considering Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn were in the building but not in uniform as they were reminiscing about the Pistons-Bulls rivalry of the late 1980's and early 1990's.
Be it lack of toughness or lack of creativity offensively, the Bulls mustered just 16 points in the fourth as Jimmy Butler was taken out of the game with swarming double teams — with Butler actually hearing Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy yell for his team to keep coming to Butler on pick-and-rolls.
The Bulls had no counter aside from hoping guys would make open shots or take advantage of the opportunities on the back side of the defense. It resulted in 30 percent shooting in the fourth.
"We got some wide open looks," Hoiberg said. "When teams blitz like Detroit did tonight, like teams are gonna do to Jimmy, those shots are gonna be open and we have to knock them down."
Taking what the defense gives you can only survive for so long, as you wonder if the Bulls will be satisfied with Butler being negated late in games, especially with no Dwyane Wade as a safety valve or Rajon Rondo as a secondary playmaker.
"I think everybody knows who's gonna get the ball in the fourth now that D-Wade's out, Rondo's out," Butler said. "I could hear (Stan Van Gundy) yelling it on the other end. I want the young guys being aggressive, shooting the ball when you're open, attacking when you can. It's only gonna make us better."
Jackson, who was on the trade block before the Pistons failed to make a deal, began to look like the fourth-quarter monster he was last season as the Pistons made their charge past the Bulls and into the eighth seed.
He scored 24 of his team-high 26 in the second half, exploiting the Bulls' lack of interior defense and made his first eight shots after the half. The Pistons torched the Bulls for 65 points in the second and third quarter after building a sizeable lead early.
"We all know that kid can really play. Passing, shooting, attacking the rim," said Butler of Jackson. "He does so many things well and when you focus on him, he's finding open guys or finding (Andre) Drummond for a dunk."
In the fourth, the Bulls fell behind by a 23-9 margin after playing with so much pace and speed throughout. Jimmy Butler vowed to be more aggressive and it worked to a degree, as he scored 27, and equaling his seven shot attempts from the Clippers loss early in the second quarter.
"They were really aggressive on our pick and rolls," Butler said. "It's easy, actually. I try to beat a double team here and there but I gotta pass it. Maybe a force it here and there but you gotta pass the ball to the open guy. You make it, great, you miss it, great."
That shoot-first mentality carried over to Cameron Payne and Nikola Mirotic, as Mirotic took five shots with the first five times he touched the ball and Payne taking nine 3-pointers and 13 shots overall in 22 minutes.
Payne received more time with Rajon Rondo out with an ankle injury and Dwyane Wade nursing an injured thigh he sustained over the weekend. Jerian Grant stepped forward with a career-high eight assists and Robin Lopez took advantage of a sagging defense with 18 points on 17 shots.
"I missed the majority of them but they were open shots," Payne said. "I wouldn't say they were all bad shots but some were bad shots. I gotta get better with shot selection but I gotta knock them down."
Payne did score 14, but Denzel Valentine went scoreless on his return home in 15 minutes, Mirotic went just two for seven and Bobby Portis couldn't sustain a strong first half performance, scoring just two points with one rebound after halftime.
The Bulls tried a little bit of everything to stop the surging Pistons, going to the "Hack-a-Drummond" strategy with Pistons center Andre Drummond, and they continued the strategy in the third quarter even after he made three of his first four free-throws.
Drummond didn't have a dominant game like he usually does against the Bulls, scoring just 12 with eight rebounds but four starters scored in double figures and the Pistons methodically worked themselves back into the game after a 13-point deficit.
On the Pistons bench, Stan Van Gundy has Tobias Harris and Aron Baynes, dependable reserves who can play starting roles for other franchises.
For Fred Hoiberg, he's forced to rely on young players whose showings differ on a nightly basis, and it showed itself again to be a frustrating finish.
For these great rivals, their ending at the Palace was much like their beginning — a point guard dominating down the stretch and leaving the Bulls' young star frustrated at his lack of help.
CUBS: Jake Arrieta tuning out all the contract noise — and butterflies — in Cubs camp.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jake Arrieta may be a Cy Young winner, he may have the best career ERA in a Cubs uniform since World War I and he may have given us the best second half performance the game of baseball has ever seen, but the dude still gets nervous just like everybody else.
For his first start in more than four months, Arrieta admitted as much in his spring debut on his 31st birthday Monday as he enters the final year of his contract with the Cubs.
"When you have a break like that, the first one's always a little jittery," Arrieta said. "It's good to get back out there in that environment with umpires, the opposition, fans.
"Butterflies, for me, is just an indicator that you care. It's something you're invested in. It's a first time being out there in a while. There's a little unknown, but you prepare for that and move forward. But I think it's a good thing to kinda have those nervous butterflies before a game like that."
It took Arrieta only a couple pitches before the butterflies fluttered away.
"It was like, 'OK, I've done this before. It's nothing new,' he said. "But the time off is something that plays a part in that. I like it. It's something you get before every game, regardless of the circumstances."
Arrieta said he felt just fine physically, but had a couple things mechanically he will work to address in between Cactus League appearances.
The toughest pitcher to hit in the league last year, Arrieta allowed five hits to the Los Angeles Angels across two innings, including a long homer to Jefry Marte.
He was more concerned with not overthrowing or acting like it was the middle of the season.
He also insists he doesn't feel any differently in spring training at age 31 as he did in his early 20s.
"You hear age is just a number, and I believe it is," Arrieta said. "I take care of myself pretty well. Thirty-one doesn't sound great, but I still feel great and that's all I'm worried about."
Even though he's nearing the end of his standard prime years, Arrieta doesn't have much mileage on his arm as pitchers go, with less than 1,000 career big-league innings due to bouncing between the majors and minors earlier in his career.
He also is a supreme physical specimen and in such control over his diet/nutrition that eating pizza Sunday night as part of a birthday celebration made him feel "terrible."
As for his contract status, Arrieta is still determined not to let his impending free agency become an issue in the Cubs clubhouse.
"I think it has to [be ignored]," he said. "Not only because it's my mindset, but the 24-30 other guys in the clubhouse don't need to hear about my contract. It's just a distraction.
"You're aware of it. I don't really harp on it. It's not something I sit down and think about at length. I just take it for what it is. It's a situation that many players have been in in the past and they've dealt with it just the same way that I will.
"It might not always be something fun to talk about, but I understand it's just a circumstance of where I'm at in my career and the time's coming to a point where it's either a deal gets done or I go to free agency and that's OK.
"It's kind of the business of the game, but really, I think the focus needs to be — for the next 8 months — being a Chicago Cub and trying to do the best job I can individually and help my guys be the best I can be."
What to make of Jeimer Candelario, the breakout star of Cubs camp so far.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The Cubs have won the World Series.
Sprinkle in a few veterans and the Cubs' big-league roster is already overflowing with talent, to the point where everybody's favorite barroom game right now is trying to figure out how everybody plays.
So why don't we throw another name in there?
Jeimer Candelario is enjoying a breakout spring for the Cubs, leading the team in hits, (8), runs (5), games played (9) and at-bats (24) through the first week-and-a-half of game action.
The 23-year-old infielder has five hits in six at-bats in the Cubs' last two games before leaving Sunday's game after getting hit on the ankle with a pitch against the Texas Rangers. He was a homer shy of the cycle on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"He's just different this year," Joe Maddon said. "He's more comfortable. ... He watches, he listens, he's quiet, but he's engaged. He's engaged really well. He's gonna be a nice player."
This is actually Candelario's second big-league camp with the Cubs and he made his major-league debut — and appeared in five games — as an injury call-up during the first week of July last year.
Maddon sees a guy that's more comfortable in his "major-league skin," an assessment Candelario agreed with. He said he feels more comfortable in the clubhouse, surrounded by players and coaches he already knows in a situation he's already been through.
"The way they take care of you — the teammates, how they treat you, how they respect you and how they go about your business," Candelario said, "it really gives you confidence and good rhythm here in big-league camp.
"When you don't know everybody well, you are kinda quiet and in your own spot. But right now, I know everybody here and I feel confidence and I feel blessed to be here with these great teammates and great people and great talent."
Candelario exploded in spring training last year, too, hitting .350 with a 1.056 OPS and seven extra-base hits (four doubles, three homers).
But then he was sent back down to the minors — Double-A Tennessee, to be exact — where he struggled to the tune of a .219 average and .690 OPS in 56 games. He finished the year on a tear after being called up to Triple-A Iowa in June, hitting .333 with a .959 OPS in 76 games.
"Love the guy," Maddon said. "He showed it to us last spring. I think he went out at the beginning of last season and might've applied a little bit too much pressure to himself. Finally, the numbers righted themselves by the end of the year.
"... I think part of it was, he did so well here and then goes back. These are kids. The expectations they fill themselves with, sometimes, are unrealistic, like 'Oh, I did well in spring training, it should be easy.' Then all of a sudden, it's not and then you start to panic.
"I have a lot of faith in this kid. ... For me, the maturation for him is he feels good in his own skin. When that happens, heads up. It's like finding your voice; he's not quite there yet, but he's approaching that Stage 3: I belong here, I can do this.
"He's getting real close to that, from what I can gather. And once he really arrives there, heads up, 'cause he's got some big-boy tools."
Candelario's Triple-A explosion last season netted him spots on Baseball America's Top 10 Cubs prospects (7th) and Baseball Prospectus (5th). He did not appear on BP's 2016 list and came in at 10th on BA's rankings.
Candelario has been almost exclusively a third baseman as he climbed the ranks in the Cubs system, but he played 12 games at first base last year and started there in the place of Anthony Rizzo (tight back) Saturday and Sunday in Cactus League play.
Which brings us to where he fits in the big picture with the Cubs.
When you start rattling off the names of guys who can play third base (Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, Tommy La Stella, even Ben Zobrist and Munenori Kawasaki), it seems like a really tough spot for Candelario to crack, even if Maddon loves his defense at the hot corner.
But if Rizzo went down for an extended period of time, Candelario figures to be toward the top of the list as a first base replacement if the Cubs deem his bat ready.
Maddon already confirmed Bryant and Baez are the backup first basemen at the big-league level right now, but if Candelario keeps hitting the way he has, he may force his way into the lineup if a need arises.
Even in the outfield, though he's never played there in the six seasons he's been in the Cubs system.
"He's the kinda guy you could put in the outfield if you wanted to, but he's so good on the dirt, you'd probably like to leave him there," Maddon said. "However, if the bat comes and these spots are taken, then you do something else."
Can the World Baseball Classic improve? Joe Maddon isn't sure that's possible.
By Tony Andracki
(Photo/AP)
Joe Maddon is a huge proponent of selling the game of baseball worldwide and clearly sees the place the World Baseball Classic has in that endeavor.
Does playing it in the first few weeks of March really help? The schedule limits some of Major League Baseball's best players from participating given they are not yet in midseason form and still in the process of getting back into the swing of things.
But when would be better?
When the Olympics and other international hockey competitions are going on, the NHL shuts down for a few weeks and the game's best players head overseas to play for their home country.
Could you imagine that in baseball? The entirety of MLB shuts down for all of July, the All-Star Game is canceled or rescheduled, the 162-game season is shortened and pitchers may endure extra stress pitching in high-intensity games that don't count toward their MLB team's ultimate goal of winning the World Series.
It'd be a mess.
And with the season already extending into November with the playoffs, after the MLB slate is out, too.
Which is why Maddon — who spoke at length on the matter Tuesday morning before his team took on Team Italy in an exhibition game at Sloan Park — isn't sure a better idea exists:
"I think it's as good as it can be under the circumstances. The time of the year really inhibits a lot of the best players playing more en masse. There's probably not an adequate or a proper time to do it other than this, so that makes it more difficult.
"I don't blame some guys for not wanting to play. I understand why guys do want to play and support their country and participate. It's just an imperfect situation. I think we're doing the best that we can under the circumstances. It would be kinda neat if everybody's best could actually participate.
"But the way our season is played and the length of it and what happens at the end of it, guys have just had enough. So when is the right time? At the beginning when you're fresh? At the end when you're tired? The middle like they did in hockey where they just shut it down, but nobody wants to shut it down.
"I think we're doing the best under the circumstances and I think the number of guys participating is probably as much as you're gonna see. It's true: To get guys to get up to that mental and physical level this early can have an impact. It just depends on the player, but it can. I think the greater concern a lot of times is the physical impact, that somebody may get injured.
"But for me, it's also like turning the dial up quickly, too. You saw Javy [Baez]. Javy noticeably did that and did it well, I thought. His role this season, it's not every day, so it meshes pretty well with Javy. Like if Lester went or if Arrieta went, especially after the World Series, that would be a little bit of a concern trying to push it so quickly after playing so long."But Maddon also understands the bigger purpose of the WBC beyond just winning: to promote the game of baseball and get kids more interested.
Of course, there's the matter of national pride, too, as teams like the Netherlands and Israel get to show the world what they're made of in countries where baseball isn't as prominent.
That being said, Maddon has always been in favor of his Cubs team carrying worldwide appeal — especially to the younger crowd — with guys like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber.
"Our group should appeal anywhere that baseball's played," Maddon said. "We do — and baseball does — a great job with us. It's about our players. I think we're authentic, we're charismatic players that are good and are young.
"So there should be a positive impact for the attempt to sell the game to a more wide-ranging group. Why wouldn't you showcase that group of players?"
WHITE SOX pitchers excited as they head out to pitch for their countries in World Baseball Classic.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
Jose Quintana's family is coming to him to watch the World Baseball Classic. Miguel Gonzalez is going to his.
Gonzalez is playing for Mexico, which is playing in Pool D in Guadalajara, Mexico. Soto is playing for Puerto Rico, also in Pool D, while Robertson, Jones and Quintana are traveling to Miami to join Team USA and Colombia, which are in Pool C. Quintana has been named the starter for Colombia when it faces the United States in both teams' WBC opener on Friday.
"It's a different feeling because you have your whole country behind you," Quintana said. "It's an honor for me, and I'm really excited for this huge tournament. It's my pleasure to be there for my country. I can't wait."
Gonzalez, who went to high school in Southern California, was born in Guadalajara. Most of his family lives about an hour from Estadio Charros de Jalisco, the venue hosting Pool D, which also includes Italy and Venezuela. The right-hander expects upwards of triple-digit support when he takes the mound for Mexico, which hosts Italy in its first game on Thursday. Gonzalez was tentatively scheduled to pitch in Saturday's game against Puerto Rico.
"Can't tell you exactly, but probably more than 100 for sure," Gonzalez said. "My dad's side of the family, there's 16 brothers and sisters, and my mom's side there's seven. There's definitely going to be cousins, friends and family there for sure.
"I’ve never played there. Never been to the stadium, this will be the first time. When I played winter ball they didn't have it.
"It's going to be fun."
Quintana's family is traveling to Miami to see him pitch for his country.
"They're excited," Quintana said. "They ask me every day how I feel.
"They're excited for this tournament. We have a lot of friends going to Miami to watch the games. Good time."
Danny Hayes embraces big opportunity in White Sox camp.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
White Sox minor leaguer Danny Hayes has thoroughly enjoyed his first trip to big league camp. He's hoping it affords him a nice springboard in 2017 after he missed more than 2 1/2 months of last season with an injury.
"I'm just out here having a good time and embracing it," Hayes said. "It's kind of a dream come true to be in a big league locker room for the first time. I'm just trying to have fun and enjoy it while it lasts."
Hayes, 26, is hitting .357/.438/.643 with a three-run double and a two-run homer in 14 at-bats. Though he had a plan how would attack pitchers, Hayes didn't know what to expect. After injuring a core muscle last June, Hayes had been limited to 59 plate appearances in the Arizona Fall League in which he produced a .464 OPS.
But Hayes has been hitting the ball hard ever since he returned to Arizona.
The success includes several big hits against left-handed pitchers. Hayes' three-run double last Thursday came at the expense of San Francisco Giants lefty Matt Moore and he blasted a two-run homer off Los Angeles Angels southpaw Nate Smith on Saturday.
"He has been swinging the bat pretty well," manager Rick Renteria said. "That was a big home run he hit for us the other night against the Angels. Playing well defensively. Just in general putting on a good show for us here in camp."
Hayes also enjoys that his best performances have come in front of several family members, who drove 13 hours from Sacramento, Calif.-area to see him play. His grandparents were in town for Saturday's homer before leaving on Monday.
Though he's in awe of being in the big league camp, Hayes has tried to not let it affect his approach. He also won't allow himself to look at the big picture and potentially distract himself.
"I kind of look at it all as the same," Hayes said. "If you swing at the pitches you're supposed to, you hope the barrel goes up and hopefully the results come from that, being in the right position and hitting the pitches that you're supposed to.
"I really don't worry about the front office's decisions. Whatever this club needs me to do what I'm here to do. If they need me in the big leagues or if they need me in Triple-A or if they need me wherever, I'm going to go there. I'm here to help win a championship and bring a championship back here. I'll do whatever I'm asked to do."
Scouting reports knock his defense, but Zack Collins working hard to become White Sox catcher of the future.
By Dan Hayes
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
The goal of being a catcher dates back to Little League, when Zack Collins told his father he just wanted to throw people out. While he's since made considerable progress and has a top collegiate catching award on his mantle, Collins' desire to be a major league backstop has remained steadfast.
"What I look for is hands, how the hands work, and his hands (are) great," White Sox minor league catching coordinator John Orton said. "He catches the ball nice, strong, good hands. He moves well back there as far as athletically and you go from there. Then the all other stuff is kind of how to handle a pitching staff, how to call a game and everything there. From the first time I saw him, I thought this guy could catch in the big leagues some day."
Scouts are high on Collins' offense. The word when he was drafted with the 10th overall pick out of the University of Miami last June is that Collins possesses a bat and plate approach that was almost major league ready.
The same group isn't as certain about Collins' catching prowess. Some believe the 2016 Johnny Bench Award winner (awarded to the nation's top collegiate catcher) would eventually wind up as a first baseman. MLBPipeline.com's scouting report on Collins points out his lack of fluidity behind the plate and "spotty" receiving and blocking skills.
But BaseballAmerica.com notes the improvement Collins made as a junior, his soft hands and ability to help umpires' view of the strike zone.
The White Sox also believe Collins is comfortable behind the plate and sets a good, quiet target for pitchers that yields umpires the best possible look at each pitch. They like how Collins doesn't distract his pitchers or the umpires by moving himself or his glove around in anticipation of every pitch and how he lets the ball travel rather than move to it.
"He is very quiet," manager Rick Renteria said. "His hands seem to show very soft. He can catch the ball when he needs to deep in the pocket. We've actually seen him stick some pitches that for us are very important. Gotten some calls. So all the things he needs to do to improve and have the skillset back there behind the dish is working. He's a diligent worker, very conscientious, a great kid, very aware of everything that's going on."
Collins said he's found it easier to be quieter behind the plate in the pros. He learned as much last October and November when he attended the Arizona Fall League and caught some of baseball's top prospects. Though he mostly worked in the bullpen, Collins discovered just how good pro pitchers are compared with collegiate arms.
"At this level pretty much anybody can stick the pitch," Collins said. "The more movement you have, the more it looks like a ball to the umpire. But in college you kind of have to move like that because a lot of pitchers (aren't as consistent)."
Much of Collins' work this spring has been focused on establishing a relationship with his pitchers, working on his setup and learning how to better call a game.
He and Orton have also put an emphasis on improving footwork. The transfer and throw is still an area where Collins needs to improve. But Orton — who ranks throwing as the fourth most important aspect of Collins' game behind offense, blocking and receiving and game calling — has seen improvement. Still, Collins' "footwork is what holds him back from being an average defender," according to Baseball America.
Orton believes those doubts only add fuel to an already driven player.
"There obviously is some fire in there," Orton said. "I don't know if it's wanting to prove people wrong, maybe a little bit because I'm sure he's heard that. I just think he believes he's a big league player and he wants to be the total player, not just the hitter."
The drive has always been there, according to Collins' father, Patrick. He was the best pitcher and shortstop on his Little League team when requested the switch to catcher. Not wanting to deter his son from playing, Patrick Collins OK'd the switch. He's since seen his son work tirelessly in workouts with then-Hurricanes catcher Yasmani Grandal and Miami coach Norberto Lopez in an effort to improve his craft.
"The kid would come back soaking wet," Patrick Collins said. "He proved to me he really wanted it."
While the focus is on fine-tuning and one day reaching the majors, Zack Collins admits he's somewhat driven by his doubters. He's also pleased with the foundation he and Orton have created since he signed last June.
"Definitely gets me to continue to work hard every day and prove to those guys who don't believe I can catch wrong," Collins said. "I think I'm well on my way, and it couldn't be a better situation for me than to be here with the White Sox and him.
"I've been learning a lot every day."
Golf: I got a club for that..... Power rankings: Valspar Championship.
By Ryan Ballengee
The PGA Tour comes back to the United States this week, resuming the Florida Swing after a trip to Mexico for the first World Golf Championships event of the year. The Innisbrook Resort near Tampa will again host the Valspar Championship, with the Copperhead Course and its Snake Pit stretch testing a good chunk of the top 50 in the world, including defending champion Charl Schwartzel.
Here are our top five players for this week:
1. Justin Thomas — J.T. faded hard on Sunday in Mexico, but he’s clearly the class player in the field. Good finish here last year, though it’s easy to forget he hasn’t seen a lot of places more than twice.
2. Henrik Stenson — Stenson got food poisoning in Mexico City, so that’s why he’s No. 2 this week. Otherwise, he would be No. 1 as he has a good record and comes here often.
3. Matt Kuchar — Kuchar has been pretty effective since kicking off 2017, with T-22 and T-20 in his last two starts. His putting weakness isn’t a big liability.
4. Patrick Reed — Since the calendar turned to February, Reed has been a dud. A total dud. However, he’s a great ball-striker on a course that separates players by that skill.
5. Bill Haas — Haas was outclassed in Mexico, but he’s otherwise been great this season. This is a good track for him, and he should have won here last year.
Sleepers: Valspar Championship.
By Rob Bolton
Nick Watney ranks T4 in par-3 scoring on TOUR this season. (Photo/Stanley Chou/Getty Images)
Nick Watney … Not everyone can hit the ground running like Pat Perez after a significant injury. Unlike Perez, who won in his third start in the fall after returning from shoulder surgery, Watney has been slow to round into form since sitting out more than eight months last year due to a herniated disc in his back. However, he survived his last three cuts, two of which resulting in a T14. The latter occurred when he polished off his week at PGA National with a 65, his lowest aggregate since August of 2015. Ranks T4 in par-3 scoring.
Scott Brown … Didn't really threaten reaching pay-dirt at Riviera three weeks ago, but a share of second place (five strokes back) was a fine literal consolation. It's his only top-40 finish of the season, but he arrived at Copperhead having survived eight consecutive cuts and ranking 24th in strokes gained: putting. Now in his sixth straight appearance, he looks to build on last year's T7 when he led the field in strokes gained: putting.
Lucas Glover … With five missed cuts in his career here, he hasn't necessarily charmed Copperhead, but he's making his 14th consecutive appearance. That says something for his affinity for the track and the test. Half of his eight cuts made have gone for top 25s and he's connected seven straight since opening this season with a missed cut at Silverado. Tied for 21st in his last start at PGA National where he ranked 18th in strokes gained: putting. Currently fifth on TOUR In total driving (including 30th in fairways hit) and third in greens in regulation, so he's still his old self tee to green.
Jason Kokrak … The top-25 machine is at it again this season with four top 25s among six cuts made in nine starts, including in his last two (T23, Pebble Beach; T22, Genesis). Since 2013-14, 31 of his 52 paydays have gone for a top 25, two of which at Copperhead (T14, 2014; T7, 2015).
Jimmy Stanger … It wasn't all that long ago that we'd automatically rule out amateurs from contending in any PGA TOUR event. Sure, you'd see the occasional hot start or rare lurker at a halfway point, but there's been a steady stream of precocious talents who have made honest-to-goodness climbs up leaderboards. Jon Rahm started the parade with a T5 at the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open. He was followed by Jordan Niebrugge, who earned the Silver Medal at St. Andrews with a T6 in the 2015 Open Championship where another amateur, Paul Dunne, famously co-led after 54 holes. Yet, that same week, Robby Shelton recorded the best finish of the bunch with a T3 at the Barbasol Championship. The latest notable result occurred at last year's Valspar Championship when Lee McCoy placed fourth. So, Stanger is worthy to watch at Copperhead, which is within an hour from where he was born and raised. And like McCoy, he knows the course well. Stanger currently ranks 21st in the world, a position earned in part by his victory at the 2016 Southern Amateur.
Scott Brown … Didn't really threaten reaching pay-dirt at Riviera three weeks ago, but a share of second place (five strokes back) was a fine literal consolation. It's his only top-40 finish of the season, but he arrived at Copperhead having survived eight consecutive cuts and ranking 24th in strokes gained: putting. Now in his sixth straight appearance, he looks to build on last year's T7 when he led the field in strokes gained: putting.
Lucas Glover … With five missed cuts in his career here, he hasn't necessarily charmed Copperhead, but he's making his 14th consecutive appearance. That says something for his affinity for the track and the test. Half of his eight cuts made have gone for top 25s and he's connected seven straight since opening this season with a missed cut at Silverado. Tied for 21st in his last start at PGA National where he ranked 18th in strokes gained: putting. Currently fifth on TOUR In total driving (including 30th in fairways hit) and third in greens in regulation, so he's still his old self tee to green.
Jason Kokrak … The top-25 machine is at it again this season with four top 25s among six cuts made in nine starts, including in his last two (T23, Pebble Beach; T22, Genesis). Since 2013-14, 31 of his 52 paydays have gone for a top 25, two of which at Copperhead (T14, 2014; T7, 2015).
Jimmy Stanger … It wasn't all that long ago that we'd automatically rule out amateurs from contending in any PGA TOUR event. Sure, you'd see the occasional hot start or rare lurker at a halfway point, but there's been a steady stream of precocious talents who have made honest-to-goodness climbs up leaderboards. Jon Rahm started the parade with a T5 at the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open. He was followed by Jordan Niebrugge, who earned the Silver Medal at St. Andrews with a T6 in the 2015 Open Championship where another amateur, Paul Dunne, famously co-led after 54 holes. Yet, that same week, Robby Shelton recorded the best finish of the bunch with a T3 at the Barbasol Championship. The latest notable result occurred at last year's Valspar Championship when Lee McCoy placed fourth. So, Stanger is worthy to watch at Copperhead, which is within an hour from where he was born and raised. And like McCoy, he knows the course well. Stanger currently ranks 21st in the world, a position earned in part by his victory at the 2016 Southern Amateur.
Nicklaus: WGC-Mexico ruined the Florida Swing.
By Ryan Ballengee
The Golden Bear didn’t like the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing schedule this year. (Photo/Getty Images)
The Florida Swing had been pretty solid for a decade, with PGA National, Trump Doral, Innisbrook and Bay Hill hosting a four-week stretch through the Sunshine State which setup the final weeks before the Masters.
However, with the PGA Tour moving away from Doral and toward Mexico City for the first World Golf Championships of the year, the schedule had an awkward flow from the West Coast. The Genesis Open was at Riviera near Los Angeles. Then, instead of going to Mexico City for the WGC, the Tour schedule went to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and PGA National for The Honda Classic. Consequently, the Honda field slightly suffered in terms of top-10 players in the field, although Rory McIlroy didn’t play out of volition but because of injury.
Nevertheless, Jack Nicklaus, who is effectively host of the tournament because it benefits his Children’s Health Care Foundation, says the Tour bungled the schedule’s geographic flow — the jet stream, if you will.
“I don’t think going from LA, here, to Mexico City is very good; should be going from LA, Mexico City, here. Actually, that destroyed the Florida Swing as we knew it, and I think they realize that,” Nicklaus told Global Golf Post. “I hope they’ll switch it back, go to LA, Mexico, here and then they’ve got a Florida Swing again. It hurts all the Florida events.”
For at least next season, the schedule will remain the same. Then it’s up for discussion.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is also in a tough scheduling spot because it is the week before the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. A number of top players, including Jordan Spieth, will not be at Bay Hill, choosing instead to compete in Austin for the 64-player event.
Horschel: Lack of stars playing API 'disappointing'.
By Will Gray
(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)
As the field for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational begins to come into focus, hope that many top names would come to Orlando to honor The King appears to be dwindling.
The purse was increased significantly prior to Palmer’s death, from $6.3 million to $8.7 million, with hopes of bringing top-ranked talent to the event. But several top names are still expected to stay home, including Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Justin Thomas and former API champion Phil Mickelson.
Although players are at liberty to craft their own schedule, Billy Horschel tweeted Tuesday that the projected field strength was “disappointing”:
Billy Horschel ✔@BillyHo_Golf
Disappointing. Totally understand schedule issues. But 1st year without AP. Honor an icon! Without him wouldn't be in position we are today.
“I think it’s a great way to say thank you to Mr. Palmer for everything he’s done in golf,” Oosthuizen said. “I love the golf course, and I wanted to work it back in. I just think it’s a tournament that, if you can, you should play it every year. And I’m going to try to do that from now on.”
Henrik Stenson is an Orlando resident and finished second last year at Bay Hill. While he’s skipping the WGC-Match Play Championship later this month, he plans to tee it up next week and believes there may be an extra onus on top-ranked players to pay tribute to Palmer this year.
“Absolutely, you can definitely argue for that,” Stenson said. “There’s going to be some special tributes to his life and honor. We’re putting some umbrellas on our bags and things like that. So I’m sure it’s going to be a great week, and we’re going to do our best to honor him throughout the week.”
NASCAR: Power Rankings: Kurt Busch hangs on to the top spot with a top 10.
By Nick Bromberg
(Photo/nascar.com)
1. Kurt Busch (LW: 1): Busch was a relative non-factor throughout Sunday’s race at Atlanta but ended up finishing seventh.
“ We were really loose in, really tight in the center and loose off,” Busch said. “We just had a lack of grip. The pit crew got us toward the top-five and we hung on to seventh. Nothing spectacular today, just need to fix what we have going wrong.”
Busch made a great habit out of scrounging out top 10s in the first part of 2016. Doing that in 2017 is great and it’ll be even better if he can do that in the playoffs as his performance slipped as the season went on last year.
2. Brad Keselowski (LW: 9): While he didn’t dominate Sunday’s race like the driver below him, we’re moving Keselowski ahead thanks to his win. That’s the right thing to do. Right?
Harvick’s penalty was huge for two reasons for Keselowski. One, it removed the dominant car from the front of the field and left Keselowski with two easier cars to overtake in the race’s final 10 laps. Secon, and perhaps even more important, Harvick’s penalty moved Keselowski from fourth to third on the race’s final restart.
That meant Keselowski started on the inside line instead of an outside lane that struggled to get good acceleration all day. Keselowski was able to take advantage of the situation, immediately rocket to second and then pass Kyle Larson for the win.
But damn, Keselowski sure had a roller coaster ride to get into position to capitalize on Harvick’s miscue. He had to climb his way through the field twice; once after a loose wheel and once after a tire issue. It’s better to have your problems early than late.
“You have to put yourself in position,” Keselowski said. “I wouldn’t say a lot of things fell our way. I don’t know if I would call it that way. But I would say we’ve had races where we’ve led a bunch of laps and things fall apart at the end. That’s just part of how this sport works. You take advantage of the opportunities when they come, and we certainly call it an opportunity, but I don’t know if I would call it a break.”
3. Kevin Harvick (LW: 4): There are a variety of karmic ways to look at Harvick’s loss on Sunday. First, you can look at it in the light that he’ll probably win a race at some point that he didn’t dominate, like Keselowski mentions above. There will be a time where Harvick capitalizes on someone’s else’s misfortune and wins a race.
Or you can be a tad more sadistic and look at it as a bit of comeuppance for the way Harvick handled the 2015 race at Talladega where he intentionally caused a caution to keep his Chase hopes alive.
We don’t fault Harvick for what he did at Talladega. You gotta do what you need to do. But if we’re not going to fault Harvick, you can’t fault Austin Dillon and the No. 3 team for doing what they did to cause the caution that led to Harvick’s pit road speeding penalty. While Dillon should have ultimately come to pit road — hindsight being 20/20 and all that — the team was hoping the car would refire and not stall in turns 1 and 2 after bypassing pit road.
If anything, it’s fair to note that the issue is a bit bigger because of Harvick’s past history with the Dillons and Richard Childress Racing. There’s a lot less spiciness if it was, say, Jeffrey Earnhardt who had caused the final caution for stopping on track.
4. Joey Logano (LW: 2): The save Logano had on lap one off turn 2 was incredible. He hit the car that was on the outside of him and got tagged in the left rear. A lesser driver spins out and potentially slams into the inside wall on the backstretch.
Instead, Logano kept the car pointed straight and ended up in sixth at the end of the day with a busted up right-front fender. Oh, and he also had more issues with loose wheels. Imagine if he had a flawless race?
“We just kept battling and had a pit road speeding penalty, a loose wheel again and another loose wheel,” Logano said. “Man, we were two [laps] down and before you know it we were back on the lead lap and had a shot there at the end, 13th to 6th the last 10 laps or so. Man, as fast as that thing was at the end, I wish we were toward the front.”
5. Kyle Larson (LW: 6): The biggest question from the final laps at Atlanta comes down to Larson’s usage of the high line as Keselowski passed him for the lead. Should he have stayed low?
Larson’s car was fast on the bottom lane at the beginning of tire runs throughout the race. But it’s fair to say that he’d be questioned for going low if Keselowski swept by on the high side and took the lead that way. The guy who gets passed for the lead late usually faces second-guessing for whatever he does or doesn’t do.
6. Chase Elliott (LW: 5): Elliott had a top-three car but sped on pit road late in the race. He bounced back to finish fifth. It’s a respectable finish in any context, of course, but it’s hard not to wonder if Elliott would have been the guy to take advantage of Harvick’s miscue if he didn’t have a miscue of his own.
“We rebounded from that,” Elliott said. “We got right back to where we were which was a big gain. Our car was really good. I don’t think Kevin’s car was any better than ours. I think he was just doing a little better job driving than I was and being consistent and doing a good job around the bottom and conserving his tires and still running fast. Something for me to try to improve on coming back.”
7. Kasey Kahne (LW: 11): Kahne’s out here with the best average finish of any Hendrick driver through the first two races. His performance throughout races hasn’t been the greatest, but he’s gotten into position at the end and has two top 10s. If Kahne keeps it up, he’s not going to be on the outside of the playoffs.
But there are still 24 races to go.
8. Martin Truex Jr. (LW: 8): Crazy eights for Truex, who stays in eighth in Power Rankings after finishing eighth at Atlanta. He’s a spot above eighth in the points standings; 23 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.
9. Ryan Blaney (LW: 3): Blaney finished ahead of Jimmie Johnson for the second-straight race. But this time Blaney was 18th and Johnson was 19th. So it’s not exactly a glowing statement from Sunday.
10. Matt Kenseth (LW: NR): Kenseth is another guy who rebounded from a lot of stuff. At one point during Sunday’s race he was two laps down after pit road problems. But thanks to the way the cautions fell over the last half of the race, Kenseth got himself on the lead lap and ended up finishing third.
That’s far better than last year at Atlanta where he stopped being scored for failing to serve a penalty.
11. Trevor Bayne (LW: NR): It’s ridiculously early, but it looks like the Roush turnaround is real. How real is still largely unknown, but the Roush cars had speed at both Atlanta and Daytona. Improvement is vital this season after downsizing to two cars. We’ll see how much improvement there is as the season goes on.
12. Clint Bowyer (LW: NR): Bowyer finished 11th after cutting a tire and hitting the wall. The cut tire likely came from contact with Erik Jones, who put Bowyer three-wide after a restart. Bowyer showed his displeasure with Jones by making contact with Jones down the backstretch.
Not long after that episode, Bowyer was in the wall.
Lucky Dog: The highest-finishing driver at Atlanta who isn’t on this list is Jamie McMurray. He was 10th on Sunday. You go, McMurray.
The DNF: Ryan Newman was heading for a top 10 before a loss of power meant a 35th-place finish.
Dropped Out: Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, AJ Allmendinger
Column: NASCAR needs some rivalries to spice up the action.
By Jenna Fryer
A car driven by Kevin Harvick comes out of Turn 4 during a NASCAR Monster Cup series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., Sunday, March 5, 2017. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Rivalries are the lifeblood of sports, and NASCAR sorely needs a few to spice up the action.
The discourse among drivers has been tame for several years, in part because wives and children have seemed to mellow the competitors. They live inches away from each other in the same motorhome lot every weekend, share the playground, the basketball court and the gym.
It's kind of hard to slide a side eye at someone you share a neighborhood with 38 weekends a year.
So there was much delight Sunday night when DeLana Harvick, wife of known agitator Kevin Harvick, took a swipe on social media at Austin Dillon. Mrs. Harvick was upset that Dillon seemed to lose power in the waning laps at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where his decision to stay on the track caused a race-altering caution.
Because Dillon didn't pull off, NASCAR brought out the yellow flag and the field headed to pit road for a final stop. Harvick, who had the win in control prior to Dillon's action , was flagged for speeding on pit road and the penalty cost him a victory.
Harvick had led 292 of the 325 laps - the most ever for a driver at Atlanta who did not win the race - and he finished ninth.
His wife used an expletive on Twitter to express her displeasure with Dillon, and many fans rejoiced because it was the most exciting thing to come out of the second race of the season.
Harvick didn't point the finger at Dillon. After all, it's hard to cast blame on someone when you were the one caught speeding. But that entire sequence and the volley from DeLana Harvick were the best parts of an otherwise uninspiring race.
Perhaps something else would have changed the course of the event in the final minutes, but without that caution, Harvick drives to an easy win. Instead, Brad Keselowski proved his team can overcome adversity by coming back from a pit road error to take the checkered flag.
Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott again showed they will contend for victories many times this season. Atlanta officials conceded that overwhelming driver pressure has them reconsidering a planned repave to the track, and Ford with its beefed up lineup has gone 2-for-2 to start the Cup season.
Those are your highlights, folks.
NASCAR no longer wants to see fisticuffs from its drivers, who also have sponsors that prefer they be family-friendly brand ambassadors. But everything is built around excitement, and NASCAR needs more of it, immediately.
LARSON LOSES
Chip Ganassi has taken the ''I like winners'' slogan to new heights with his social media use of the tag when talking anything from politics to team performance. The owner must be getting a little anxious about star driver Kyle Larson.
Larson finished second to Keselowski on Sunday after choosing to run the slower high line at Atlanta while leading the race in the final moments. Keselowski got by Larson on the bottom, and Larson has now been passed for the lead late in a race in the last three Cup races dating to the November season finale.
The season-opener at Daytona wasn't his fault because Larson ran out of gas. But Larson could be accused of either overthinking or being too nice. Either way, he's got just one win in his Cup career and that's not enough for the victory-charged Ganassi.
BUILT FORD TOUGH
Ford wasn't kidding when it said it wanted improved performance from its Cup program. The manufacturer signed Stewart-Haas Racing for this season and parlayed it into a Daytona 500 victory with Kurt Busch.
The race Sunday at Atlanta was going to SHR driver Kevin Harvick until his late speeding penalty, so the win went instead to Ford driver Brad Keselowski of Team Penske. Ford, which won a total of eight Cup races last season, has two wins in two races this year.
''They said they were going to bring on Stewart-Haas, and we said 'That's great,' because we really get some teammates, we've got benchmark,'' said team owner Roger Penske. ''For Ford, it's terrific that we kick off the season certainly with Kurt's win last week and the win this week for us.''
VIVA LAS VEGAS
Leading into race day, much of the talk at Atlanta was about a potential second Cup race going to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's board of directors scheduled a special meeting Wednesday to discuss a race sponsorship agreement with the track. The deal would be for $2.5 million a year for seven years with the option of extending the deal three years.
Current Cup tracks are in the second year of five-year sanctioning agreements with NASCAR, but Speedway Motorsports Inc. can cut any deal it wants to move a race. It could move an event from its current collection of tracks, or could try to deal with a property outside of its portfolio.
SMI owns Las Vegas, Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Kentucky, Texas, New Hampshire and Sonoma. International Speedway Corp. owns 12 tracks that host Cup races, while Dover, Pocono and Indianapolis are separately owned.
Las Vegas has hosted one Cup race a year since 1998, but SMI CEO Marcus Smith didn't shy away from a potential addition.
''When we see that the community is supportive of racing there, it's definitely encouraging to us,'' he said.
That could be a shot at North Carolina leaders who have not given the Smith family the financial support it desires for its Charlotte properties, and the Smiths aren't thrilled with similar setbacks in New Hampshire.
NASCAR has said only that the 2018 schedule is a work in progress.
''We are constantly working with promoters to discuss and develop NASCAR schedules,'' said Jim Cassidy, senior vice president of racing operations.
Report: Fall Charlotte race won't be on road course in 2017.
By Nick Bromberg
The fall Charlotte race won't be any different than the one Jimmie Johnson won in 2016.
The fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway isn’t changing. For 2017, at least.
According to NBC Sports, NASCAR and CMS is leaving the 500-mile race at the track alone and it will be run on the 1.5-mile oval as usual on Oct. 7. The possibility of a road course race at the track was raised when AJ Allmendinger tested on the infield road course at the beginning of the season.
Per the report, the road course race is “likely” to happen in 2018. That makes sense, as it gives Charlotte ample time to prepare for the road course race and would make the addition of Las Vegas to the playoffs much more palatable. Vegas has set an announcement for Wednesday and it’s been reported that the speedway will get a second Cup Series race in 2018.
It stands to reason that New Hampshire would be the odd track out in the playoffs if Charlotte has a road course race in the fall of 2018 and Vegas is added. Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns Las Vegas and Charlotte, also owns New Hampshire and Texas Motor Speedway, another track with a playoff date. And it seems highly doubtful that Texas would lose a race, especially after the track announced its intentions to repave and reconfigure for the 2017 season.
SOCCER: USMNT learns Gold Cup draw.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The U.S. will face Panama, Martinique, and either Nicaragua or Haiti depending on the playoff between the Caribbean zone and Central American zone sides.
The U.S. plays Panama on July 8 in Nashville, Martinique on July 12 in Tampa, and closes off the group stage on July 15 in Cleveland.
The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, with the two top third place teams also moving onto the knockout rounds. The 2017 Gold Cup winner qualifies for the 2019 CONCACAF Cup, and advances to the 2021 Confederations Cup if it wins the 2019 Gold Cup.
Mexico is in Group C and Costa Rica in Group A. Mexico can avoid the U.S. and Costa Rica until at least the final by winning Group C.
Last summer saw the Yanks miss the proverbial podium for the first time since 2000 and just the third time in history, finishing fourth in a tournament that helped spell doom for Jurgen Klinsmann as USMNT boss.
Arena will be cautious with players for World Cup qualifying.
Associated Press
(Photo/Getty Images)
Bruce Arena is preparing for a pair of critical World Cup qualifiers this month uncertain about the availabilities of forward Clint Dempsey, defender Geoff Cameron and goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Arena spoke Monday with Cameron, who told him he was a bit sore after playing a full match for Stoke on Saturday for the first time since injuring a knee in October. While Arena is thrilled Dempsey has returned to the field for Seattle after dealing with an irregular heartbeat, the U.S. coach will be “very cautious” in determining Dempsey’s national team status before the March 24 qualifier against Honduras at the San Jose Earthquakes’ Avaya Stadium.
After losing their first two games in the final round of World Cup qualifying, the Americans fired Jurgen Klinsmann and brought back Arena, their coach from 1998-2006. His first competitive match is against the Catrachos, and the U.S. plays four days later at Panama.
“Well, I don’t think we’re hanging on by a fingernail yet, but we’re getting close,” Arena said Monday. “I don’t think we’re there yet, but I think they’re getting a plier out.”Arena might lean toward using more players who have been abroad and are deeper into their seasons than those in Major League Soccer, whose seasons began last weekend, though the roster might be close to an even split of players from abroad and MLS.
“I’ve always felt the team would qualify for the next World Cup,” said Arena, the Bay Area for CONCACAF’s announcement Tuesday of Gold Cup groups. “Now, it’s obviously a little bit more challenging, but it can be done.”
Howard is still recovering from leg surgery in November and missed Colorado’s opener last weekend.
“I’ll follow their lead,” Arena said of the Rapids, “as well as following the lead of Seattle with Clint.”
“Between now and when the players report, there’s going to be a lot of issues, so we have a Plan A, a B and a C, and in a lot of cases we’re probably going to go to Plan C,” Arena said. “Two players, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, may not be available. It may be the case with Geoff. They’ve all been good players for the U.S. team. We’d like to have them all. The reality of the situation is that that’s not likely.”
The Americans will be without Timmy Chandler and Jermaine Jones for the Honduras match, both suspended because of yellow-card accumulation. In the November qualifiers, the Americans lost to Mexico 2-1 at home and 4-0 at Costa Rica.
“If they got a result against Mexico and lost to Costa Rica, then you’d believe everything’s not so tense? That’s the way it is,” Arena said. “There are eight games left. If there were two games left, I’d really be concerned. But I think we can close the gap real quick, or we can continue to, I guess then, start hanging on by our fingernails.”
Fabian Johnson scored two goals Saturday for Borussia Moenchengladbach and has been playing midfield, yet Arena is unsure whether he will be better suited at there or left back for the qualifiers.
Arena has been traveling regularly to get to know almost everyone from a pool of about 40 players from which the U.S. will build its roster. The roster announcement is likely March 15.
“I’ve visited all the countries you can visit,” he said before specifying Germany, England, Mexico and parts of the U.S.
Arena expects the Americans to have no issues once they reconvene – focused on one goal and not whether they are U.S.-born.
“All I know is they have that U.S. passport,” he said, while noting in the current political climate “today, everything’s crazy, what are you going to do?”
Howard raised concern in January about the national pride of American players born elsewhere.
“Those are the little games we don’t get involved in. We get together as a team and we’re a team when we show up,” Arena said. “Inside teams it’s a lot different than you think. I don’t think they’re having little verbal wars with each other. They’re going to be a team. They want to win. They’re going to all do their job and play for each other and represent our country in the right way. That’s what I’m anticipating.”
NOTES: The U.S. Soccer Federation announced last weekend that its membership adopted a limit of three four-year terms for president and vice president and four four-year terms for directors, with the provision current officers can run one more time. Arena figures Sunil Gulati, elected to a third four-year term in 2014, will seek one more. “I would think that he’ll give it strong consideration. I think he loves his job, I think he loves the responsibility,” Arena said. “The federation has grown tremendously under the leadership of Sunil and (secretary general) Dan Flynn. I don’t see any reason why it’ll change.”
UCL: Arsenal embarrassed, loses 10-2 on aggregate.
By Nicholas Mendola
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski eliminated all Arsenal hope when he won and converted a penalty kick in a 5-1 win in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match-up at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Arsenal had gone ahead 1-0 through Theo Walcott, but still trailed 5-2 on aggregate, when Laurent Koscielny tripped up Lewandowski in the box. Koscielny was shown red.
The final score was 10-2 on aggregate, and the 5-1 home loss was the worst home blowout in Arsenal’s European history.
A couple of chances went by the wayside before Arsenal went in front through Walcott. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer was prepared for a low shot, and Walcott ripped a high attempt that Neuer could only parry into the goal.
Arturo Vidal fouled Hector Bellerin in nodding a cross at David Ospina, as Bayern looked for a quick answer.
Walcott had a very similar chance from a tighter angle, and blasted the contested shot off the outside of the net.
Robert Lewandowski missed a 38th minute chance to put the tie to bed when he mishit Arjen Robben’s looped pass wide of Ospina’s goal.
For as lopsided a score line as it was, Arsenal had plenty of chances to narrow it. Olivier Giroud nearly headed an Aaron Ramsey cross past Neuer in the 48th minute, putting it just over the bar.
Bayern came close to leveling the leg when Mats Hummels raced onto a free kick to redirect the ball past Ospina, but replays showed he was correctly ruled offside.
Lewandowski then worked Nacho Monreal to get free on goal, and was taken down by Laurent Koscielny. It began as a yellow card but was upgraded to a red for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
Arsenal would be down a man before it went down 6-2, which it did when Lewandowski bested Ospina.
Robben then looked to work a 1-2 with Lewandowski before beating Alexis Sanchez to the business end. Ospina couldn’t stop Robben’s shot, and it was 7-2.
It certainly could’ve gotten worse. Costa roasted Bellerin and squared the ball into the six where Lewandowski’s sliding effort spun off the far post.
Costa got his goal in the 78th minute when he cut around Montreal to beat a flying Ospina. And the goalkeeper was faced with a 2-on-0 when Lewandowski deferred to Vidal for a chipped finish. It wasn’t the last 2-on-0. Costa fed Vidal in the 85th minute to complete the bloodbath.
Arsenal had gone ahead 1-0 through Theo Walcott, but still trailed 5-2 on aggregate, when Laurent Koscielny tripped up Lewandowski in the box. Koscielny was shown red.
The final score was 10-2 on aggregate, and the 5-1 home loss was the worst home blowout in Arsenal’s European history.
A couple of chances went by the wayside before Arsenal went in front through Walcott. Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer was prepared for a low shot, and Walcott ripped a high attempt that Neuer could only parry into the goal.
Arturo Vidal fouled Hector Bellerin in nodding a cross at David Ospina, as Bayern looked for a quick answer.
Walcott had a very similar chance from a tighter angle, and blasted the contested shot off the outside of the net.
Robert Lewandowski missed a 38th minute chance to put the tie to bed when he mishit Arjen Robben’s looped pass wide of Ospina’s goal.
For as lopsided a score line as it was, Arsenal had plenty of chances to narrow it. Olivier Giroud nearly headed an Aaron Ramsey cross past Neuer in the 48th minute, putting it just over the bar.
Bayern came close to leveling the leg when Mats Hummels raced onto a free kick to redirect the ball past Ospina, but replays showed he was correctly ruled offside.
Lewandowski then worked Nacho Monreal to get free on goal, and was taken down by Laurent Koscielny. It began as a yellow card but was upgraded to a red for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
Arsenal would be down a man before it went down 6-2, which it did when Lewandowski bested Ospina.
Robben then looked to work a 1-2 with Lewandowski before beating Alexis Sanchez to the business end. Ospina couldn’t stop Robben’s shot, and it was 7-2.
It certainly could’ve gotten worse. Costa roasted Bellerin and squared the ball into the six where Lewandowski’s sliding effort spun off the far post.
Costa got his goal in the 78th minute when he cut around Montreal to beat a flying Ospina. And the goalkeeper was faced with a 2-on-0 when Lewandowski deferred to Vidal for a chipped finish. It wasn’t the last 2-on-0. Costa fed Vidal in the 85th minute to complete the bloodbath.
UCL: Real Madrid survives early scare thanks to Ramos.
By Nicholas Mendola
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichin)
Sergio Ramos scored a pair of second half headers to help overcome Napoli’s early comeback effort and lead reigning champions Real Madrid into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Stadio San Paolo.
Dries Mertens had given Napoli a 1-0 lead to bring the Serie A side to within a goal of advancing, but Ramos’ double restored order as Real won the leg 3-1 and the tie 6-2.
Alvaro Morata scored the third Real Madrid goal.
Mertens’ terrific run was met in class by Marek Hamsik’s deft pass, and Napoli had edged to within one on aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost had an immediate answer for the visitors, but he slammed a shot off the post.
Mertens hit a post himself before the end of the half.
Ramos then did what he tends to do in seemingly every big game, coming up from the back to bury a goal. The soon-to-be 31-year-old headed Toni Kroos’ cross home to make it 4-2 on aggregate in the 51st minute.
Ramos added another with a header off a corner six minutes later to put it away.
Dries Mertens had given Napoli a 1-0 lead to bring the Serie A side to within a goal of advancing, but Ramos’ double restored order as Real won the leg 3-1 and the tie 6-2.
Alvaro Morata scored the third Real Madrid goal.
Mertens’ terrific run was met in class by Marek Hamsik’s deft pass, and Napoli had edged to within one on aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost had an immediate answer for the visitors, but he slammed a shot off the post.
Mertens hit a post himself before the end of the half.
Ramos then did what he tends to do in seemingly every big game, coming up from the back to bury a goal. The soon-to-be 31-year-old headed Toni Kroos’ cross home to make it 4-2 on aggregate in the 51st minute.
Ramos added another with a header off a corner six minutes later to put it away.
NCAABKB: 2017 Men's NCAA Associated Press Basketball Rankings, 03/06/2017.
RANK
|
SCHOOL
|
RECORD
|
POINTS
|
PREVIOUS
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas (59) | 28-3 | 1,619 | 1 | |
| 2 | Villanova (2) | 28-3 | 1,517 | 2 | |
| 3 | UCLA (3) | 28-3 | 1,487 | 3 | |
| 4 | Gonzaga (1) | 30-1 | 1,430 | 4 | |
| 5 | Oregon | 27-4 | 1,364 | 6 | |
| 6 | North Carolina | 26-6 | 1,291 | 5 | |
| 7 | Arizona | 27-4 | 1,252 | 7 | |
| 8 | Kentucky | 26-5 | 1,182 | 9 | |
| 9 | Baylor | 25-6 | 1,084 | 11 | |
| 10 | Louisville | 24-7 | 1,047 | 8 | |
| 11 | West Virginia | 24-7 | 958 | 10 | |
| 12 | SMU | 27-4 | 849 | 14 | |
| 13 | Purdue | 25-6 | 839 | 16 | |
| 14 | Duke | 23-8 | 667 | 17 | |
| 15 | Cincinnati | 27-4 | 634 | 18 | |
| 16 | Florida State | 24-7 | 631 | 15 | |
| 17 | Florida | 24-7 | 617 | 12 | |
| 18 | Butler | 23-7 | 538 | 13 | |
| 19 | Saint Mary's (Calif.) | 27-3 | 456 | 20 | |
| 20 | Wichita State | 30-4 | 401 | 21 | |
| 21 | Virginia | 21-9 | 400 | 23 | |
| 22 | Notre Dame | 23-8 | 394 | 19 | |
| 23 | Iowa State | 20-10 | 147 | 24 | |
| 24 | Wisconsin | 23-8 | 139 | 22 | |
| 25 | Maryland | 24-7 | 47 | NR |
Others receiving votes: Middle Tennessee 28, Oklahoma State 23, Minnesota 22, Michigan 16, Dayton 11, Seton Hall 9, Southern Cal 6, Providence 5, Vermont 3, Arkansas 2, Miami 2, VCU 2, Wake Forest 2, Creighton 1, Michigan State 1, Princeton 1, UNC Wilmington 1.
NCAABKB: 2017 Women's NCAA Associated Press Basketball Rankings, 03/06/2017.
AP
RANK
|
SCHOOL
|
RECORD
|
POINTS
|
PREVIOUS
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn (33) | 31-0 | 825 | 1 | ||
| 2 | Baylor | 30-2 | 782 | 2 | ||
| 3 | Notre Dame | 30-3 | 763 | 3 | ||
| 4 | South Carolina | 27-4 | 711 | 5 | ||
| 5 | Maryland | 30-2 | 708 | 4 | ||
| 6 | Stanford | 28-5 | 639 | 10 | ||
| 7 | Mississippi State | 29-4 | 621 | 6-T | ||
| 8 | Oregon State | 29-4 | 595 | 6-T | ||
| 9 | Duke | 27-5 | 512 | 13 | ||
| 10 | Florida State | 25-6 | 508 | 8 | ||
| 11 | Ohio State | 26-6 | 487 | 9 | ||
| 12 | Washington | 27-5 | 470 | 11 | ||
| 13 | Louisville | 27-7 | 438 | 14 | ||
| 14 | Texas | 23-8 | 417 | 12 | ||
| 15 | UCLA | 23-8 | 361 | 15 | ||
| 16 | Miami (Fla.) | 23-8 | 354 | 16 | ||
| 17 | DePaul | 25-6 | 275 | 18 | ||
| 18 | NC State | 22-8 | 261 | 17 | ||
| 19 | Kentucky | 21-10 | 211 | 20 | ||
| 20 | Drake | 25-4 | 169 | 22 | ||
| 21 | Syracuse | 21-10 | 158 | 21 | ||
| 22 | Oklahoma | 22-9 | 128 | 19 | ||
| 23 | Creighton | 23-6 | 77 | NR | ||
| 24 | Kansas State | 22-10 | 54 | 24 | ||
| 25 | Missouri | 21-10 | 42 | 23 | ||
Others Receiving Votes: South Florida 35, Temple 31, West Virginia 31, Belmont 29, Texas A&M 8, Green Bay 5, Michigan 4, Tennessee 4, Purdue 4, Arkansas Little Rock 3, Dayton 3, Western Kentucky 1, Arizona State 1.
UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson busted out the Michael Jordan shrug in the middle of one of the best shooting nights in NCAA history.
By Emmett Knowlton
Katie Lou Samuelson (Photo/yahoosports.com/ESPN)
The University of Connecticut women's basketball team — winners of 107 consecutive games — steam-rolled USF on Monday night to win the AAC Tournament Championship and clinch yet another AAC crown.
In all, the performance was rather ho-hum for the top-ranked Huskies. The team opened on a 12-0 run and cruised to an eye-popping, if routine, 100-44 victory.
But what the forgettable final score does not show is the record-setting shooting night from UConn sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson.
Samuelson, who is 6-foot-3, went 10 for 10 from beyond the 3-point line. This marked a new NCAA record for women's basketball, and tied an NCAA record.
Most impressively, Samuelson achieved this in three quarters.
"Actually, the past couple games, I was kind of worried about my shot a little bit," Samuelson said after the game. "Coach just told me to calm down, that everyone goes through it. So just focus and shoot it."
She continued: "I didn’t even know I made all my three’s today. I really am convinced I missed one."
Well, Katie, you didn't!
The most impressive trey of the Samuelson's night came on a broken play during the second half, when she heaved one up from NBA range and found nothing but net. Fittingly, she busted out a little shrug on her way back down the court.
It was reminiscent of the Michael Jordan shrug from the 1992 Finals when Jordan hit six three-pointers in the first half of Game 1. In fact, both players did the shrug after their sixth three-pointer.
Samuelson did miss two shots from within the three-point arc, and finished with a cool 40.
For reference, USF reached 40 points as a team with 3:41 remaining in the game.
Northern Kentucky reaches NCAA tournament in first year of eligibility.
By Jeff Eisenberg
Northern Kentucky forward Drew McDonald (34) celebrates a basket Tuesday night. (Photo/AP)
There are a handful of original Division I college basketball programs who have gone more than seven decades without reaching the NCAA tournament.
Northern Kentucky only had to wait a single year.
In its first year of postseason eligibility after transitioning to Division I, Northern Kentucky edged Milwaukee 59-53 in the Horizon League title game to claimed an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Point guard Lavone Holland II scored a game-high 20 points and forward Drew McDonald added 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Norse never let the Panthers get any close than within three the entire second half.
Northern Kentucky’s surprising title run was aided by a rash of upsets throughout the Horizon League tournament. Regular season co-champs Oakland and Valparaiso and third-seeded Green Bay all suffered quarterfinal upsets, leaving the fourth-seeded Norse (24-10, 12-6) as the highest-seeded team left in the tournament.
Credit Northern Kentucky for taking advantage of the good fortune, beating fifth-seeded Illinois Chicago in the quarterfinals and ninth-seeded Youngstown State in the semis before running into the ultimate Cinderella story in Tuesday’s title game. Milwaukee (11-24) finished last in the league in the regular season and lost nine straight entering the tournament, yet the Panthers were one win away from becoming the first team with 20 or more losses to ever secure an NCAA bid.
There were a few scary moments for Northern Kentucky, none more nerve-wracking than when Milwaukee twice cut its deficit to three in the final minute. But McDonald answered with a basket in the lane the first time and Holland sank two free throws the second time, enabling Northern Kentucky to close out the win.
Northern Kentucky’s successful season is validation for the school’s decision to tab former Alabama assistant John Brannen as the man to lead the Norse through the transition into Division I. Brannen, a native of Covington, Ky., has engineered an impressive turnaround, going from 9-21 his first year to the NCAA tournament in year two.
What’s especially remarkable about the Norse is they don’t have a player taller than 6-foot-7, nor do they have a senior in their rotation. McDonald is a sophomore and Holland is a junior, which suggests Northern Kentucky could be a Horizon League contender for many years to come.
Northern Kentucky is likely to receive a 14 or 15 seed in the NCAA tournament, which means the Norse could easily come up against in-state juggernauts Louisville or Kentucky in the opening round.
Could the team that made the NCAA tournament in its first year of eligibility also win the first NCAA tournament game it has ever played? It’s a long shot, but the way things have gone in the postseason so far, luck seems to be on Northern Kentucky’s side.
NCAAFB: What new Power Five coaches will be watching this spring.
By Adam Gorney
Eight coaches are spending their first spring in charge of a Power Five program. We look at what each coach needs most this spring, with comments from our local experts in the Rivals.com network.
BAYLOR (Matt Rhule)
“Putting the program's troubled past in its context is a process that Matt Rhule will govern day by day. But the business of football has to move forward. Baylor isn't especially deep at QB between Zach Smith, the presumed starter, Arizona transfer QB Anu Solomon, who has a history of injuries and mid-semester enrollee Charlie Brewer. But the core issues remain along both the offensive and defensive lines. On the offensive line, Dominic Desouza left the program and Sean Muir (concussion) had to retire from the game. So that leaves this program looking for help and depth. On the defensive line, 2016 issues forced Baylor to change from the 4-2-5 to the 3-4. Under Rhule, the Bears are going back to the 4-3.” – Kevin Lonnquist, SicEmSports.com
CAL (Justin Wilcox)
“The revamping of a defense that struggled to stop most things presents the biggest challenge for Justin Wilcox and his new staff. During his introductory press conference, Wilcox noted that his experience was based in running a base 3-4 and 4-2-5 nickel, and he hired a 3-4 defensive coordinator in Tim DeRuyter. The challenge for the two of them is making the pieces fit, as the Bears don’t have a true nose tackle type and the depth at linebacker is spotty at best. There will be some defensive ends converted to fill the outside linebacker/rush end role that DeRuyter used Von Miller in at Texas A&M, but there will be growing pains. Luckily, the Bears return eight defensive starters from a season ago, and plenty of others with game experience.” – Trace Travers, GoldenBearReport.com
INDIANA (Tom Allen)
“For the first time in six years, Indiana’s offense will look different. The Hoosiers enter spring practices with their offensive staff completely turned over. New head coach Tom Allen, promoted from defensive coordinator, said he wants to use a “tempo spread” for his offensive scheme. Developing that vision alongside a brand new offensive staff is Indiana’s biggest need this spring, especially with the new offensive coaches arriving in Bloomington at different times over the last two months and the amount of time players will need to learn a new offense.” – Stu Jackson, TheHoosier.com
LSU (Ed Orgeron)
“LSU this spring has many questions to be answered but none bigger than moving forward with the new offense under new coordinator Matt Canada. It's Canada's job to make Danny Etling a better quarterback and to develop a strong No. 2 behind him. With Brandon Harris transferring out, Lindsey Scott Jr. or even true freshman Lowell Narcisse must be brought along.” – Mike Scarborough, TigerBait.com
MINNESOTA (P.J. Fleck)
“Quarterback is the biggest need that Fleck will try to fill. Mitch Leidner had a less-than-spectacular senior season, and either Conor Rhoda, Seth Green, Demry Croft or Tanner Morgan will take over. Rhoda was the No. 2 quarterback last season and played OK when Leidner went down and he had to fill in against Maryland. Green will be a redshirt freshman next season and is considered by most to be the slight favorite. Croft redshirted this past season but was the No. 2 in 2015. Morgan is an early enrollee freshman that's probably more ready than most incoming freshman quarterbacks. I think the whole fan base is looking forward to watching the quarterbacks in spring practices.” – Matt Jessen-Howard, TheGopherReport.com
OREGON (Willie Taggart)
“Willie Taggart is known for his ability to rebuild programs. With the Ducks, the rebuild is steeper in some ways and less so in others. The offense was very good a season ago and returns five starting linemen, the starting QB, Royce Freeman and several playmakers on the edge. The biggest obstacle he will face on the field this spring, however, is rebuilding a defense, which went from adequate to abysmal in the course of three seasons. The defensive staff he hired should help him accomplish that goal – but it is definitely the area which most observers should pay the closest attention.” – Scott Reed, DuckSportsAuthority.com
PURDUE (Jeff Brohm)
“The appeal of Jeff Brohm's offense and Nick Holt's defense is versatility. They can — and want to — cater scheme toward personnel. But before they can design much, Brohm and Holt need to know what kind of talent is at their disposal, which is where spring ball comes in. The 15 practices will be crucial in identifying playmakers and evaluating what players can and can't do in order to structure the offense and defense in the fall to get those players involved and into positions in which they can make plays.” Stacy Clardie, GoldandBlack.com
TEXAS (Tom Herman)
CAL (Justin Wilcox)
“The revamping of a defense that struggled to stop most things presents the biggest challenge for Justin Wilcox and his new staff. During his introductory press conference, Wilcox noted that his experience was based in running a base 3-4 and 4-2-5 nickel, and he hired a 3-4 defensive coordinator in Tim DeRuyter. The challenge for the two of them is making the pieces fit, as the Bears don’t have a true nose tackle type and the depth at linebacker is spotty at best. There will be some defensive ends converted to fill the outside linebacker/rush end role that DeRuyter used Von Miller in at Texas A&M, but there will be growing pains. Luckily, the Bears return eight defensive starters from a season ago, and plenty of others with game experience.” – Trace Travers, GoldenBearReport.com
INDIANA (Tom Allen)
“For the first time in six years, Indiana’s offense will look different. The Hoosiers enter spring practices with their offensive staff completely turned over. New head coach Tom Allen, promoted from defensive coordinator, said he wants to use a “tempo spread” for his offensive scheme. Developing that vision alongside a brand new offensive staff is Indiana’s biggest need this spring, especially with the new offensive coaches arriving in Bloomington at different times over the last two months and the amount of time players will need to learn a new offense.” – Stu Jackson, TheHoosier.com
LSU (Ed Orgeron)
“LSU this spring has many questions to be answered but none bigger than moving forward with the new offense under new coordinator Matt Canada. It's Canada's job to make Danny Etling a better quarterback and to develop a strong No. 2 behind him. With Brandon Harris transferring out, Lindsey Scott Jr. or even true freshman Lowell Narcisse must be brought along.” – Mike Scarborough, TigerBait.com
MINNESOTA (P.J. Fleck)
“Quarterback is the biggest need that Fleck will try to fill. Mitch Leidner had a less-than-spectacular senior season, and either Conor Rhoda, Seth Green, Demry Croft or Tanner Morgan will take over. Rhoda was the No. 2 quarterback last season and played OK when Leidner went down and he had to fill in against Maryland. Green will be a redshirt freshman next season and is considered by most to be the slight favorite. Croft redshirted this past season but was the No. 2 in 2015. Morgan is an early enrollee freshman that's probably more ready than most incoming freshman quarterbacks. I think the whole fan base is looking forward to watching the quarterbacks in spring practices.” – Matt Jessen-Howard, TheGopherReport.com
OREGON (Willie Taggart)
“Willie Taggart is known for his ability to rebuild programs. With the Ducks, the rebuild is steeper in some ways and less so in others. The offense was very good a season ago and returns five starting linemen, the starting QB, Royce Freeman and several playmakers on the edge. The biggest obstacle he will face on the field this spring, however, is rebuilding a defense, which went from adequate to abysmal in the course of three seasons. The defensive staff he hired should help him accomplish that goal – but it is definitely the area which most observers should pay the closest attention.” – Scott Reed, DuckSportsAuthority.com
PURDUE (Jeff Brohm)
“The appeal of Jeff Brohm's offense and Nick Holt's defense is versatility. They can — and want to — cater scheme toward personnel. But before they can design much, Brohm and Holt need to know what kind of talent is at their disposal, which is where spring ball comes in. The 15 practices will be crucial in identifying playmakers and evaluating what players can and can't do in order to structure the offense and defense in the fall to get those players involved and into positions in which they can make plays.” Stacy Clardie, GoldandBlack.com
TEXAS (Tom Herman)
“There will be a few challenges for the new Texas coaching staff, from installing new schemes on both sides of the ball to figuring out the quarterback position, but the biggest issue for this team is something that’s not really tangible. As much as Texas needs to find some talented playmakers on both sides of the ball, the bigger challenge is making the players tougher mentally and getting over what has kind of turned into a losing culture the past few years. Tom Herman said when he was hired he’s going to have the toughest team in the country from both a mental and physical standpoint. The offseason workouts have been part one of that building process, and now the coaches will need to instill some confidence during spring practices.” – Jason Suchomel, Orangebloods.com
Serena Williams withdraws from Indian Wells with knee injury
Associated Press
(Photo/Getty Images)
Serena Williams withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open that begins Wednesday because of a left knee injury, leaving the desert tournament without the world’s top-ranked women’s player.
The withdrawal also cost Williams a chance to retain her top ranking.
Angelique Kerber, a two-time semifinalist and now the highest-seeded woman in the event, will supplant Williams at No. 1 after Indian Wells. Williams needed to reach the semifinals to retain the top spot.
Williams said Tuesday in a statement released through the tournament that she also won’t play the Miami Open, which begins March 21 and isn’t far from her Florida base.
She has been idle since beating sister Venus Williams for the Australian Open title on Jan. 29. Her only other tournament this year was in Auckland, New Zealand, where she lost in the round of 16.
“Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open,” Williams said. “I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”
Williams is a two-time winner at Indian Wells, where she returned in 2015 after a lengthy boycott. She withdrew before her semifinal match that year with a sprained right knee, and lost to Victoria Azarenka in straight sets in last year’s final.
Venus Williams, seeded 12th, returns for the second straight year, having ended her own boycott of the event last year.
Also missing on the women’s side is Azarenka, who gave birth to a son in December; two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova after being attacked in a home invasion late last year; and Maria Sharapova, who is set to return in late April after serving a 15-month doping ban.
The withdrawal also cost Williams a chance to retain her top ranking.
Angelique Kerber, a two-time semifinalist and now the highest-seeded woman in the event, will supplant Williams at No. 1 after Indian Wells. Williams needed to reach the semifinals to retain the top spot.
Williams said Tuesday in a statement released through the tournament that she also won’t play the Miami Open, which begins March 21 and isn’t far from her Florida base.
She has been idle since beating sister Venus Williams for the Australian Open title on Jan. 29. Her only other tournament this year was in Auckland, New Zealand, where she lost in the round of 16.
“Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open,” Williams said. “I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”
Williams is a two-time winner at Indian Wells, where she returned in 2015 after a lengthy boycott. She withdrew before her semifinal match that year with a sprained right knee, and lost to Victoria Azarenka in straight sets in last year’s final.
Venus Williams, seeded 12th, returns for the second straight year, having ended her own boycott of the event last year.
Also missing on the women’s side is Azarenka, who gave birth to a son in December; two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova after being attacked in a home invasion late last year; and Maria Sharapova, who is set to return in late April after serving a 15-month doping ban.
On This Date in Sports History: Today is Wednesday, March 08, 2017.
emoriesofhistory.com
1930 - The New York Yankees signed Babe Ruth to a two-year contract worth $160,000.
1954 - Herb McKenley set a world record for the quarter mile when he ran the distance in 46.8 seconds.
1954 - The Milwaukee Hawks and the Baltimore Bullets played the first double header in NBA history.
1957 - The International Boxing Club was ruled a monopoly putting it in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law.
1971 - Joe Frazier retained his world heavyweight championship by defeating Muhammad Ali in a 15-round decision. It was Ali's first loss in 32 professional fights.
1986 - Martina Navratilova became the first woman tennis player to win more than $10 million in her career.
2004 - Todd Bertuzzi (Vancouver Canucks) hit Steve Moore (Colorado Avalanche) in the side of the head from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first with Bertuzzi on top of him. Moore suffered a broken neck, a concussion and deep cuts on his face. On March 11, the NHL suspended Bertuzzi for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs and announced that his eligibility would be assessed the following season and would take into account Moore's health and the progression of his recovery.
2006 - NFL owners and the players' union agreed on a union proposal which extended the collective bargaining agreement for six years.
1954 - Herb McKenley set a world record for the quarter mile when he ran the distance in 46.8 seconds.
1954 - The Milwaukee Hawks and the Baltimore Bullets played the first double header in NBA history.
1957 - The International Boxing Club was ruled a monopoly putting it in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law.
1971 - Joe Frazier retained his world heavyweight championship by defeating Muhammad Ali in a 15-round decision. It was Ali's first loss in 32 professional fights.
1986 - Martina Navratilova became the first woman tennis player to win more than $10 million in her career.
2004 - Todd Bertuzzi (Vancouver Canucks) hit Steve Moore (Colorado Avalanche) in the side of the head from behind and drove his head into the ice. Moore landed face-first with Bertuzzi on top of him. Moore suffered a broken neck, a concussion and deep cuts on his face. On March 11, the NHL suspended Bertuzzi for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs and announced that his eligibility would be assessed the following season and would take into account Moore's health and the progression of his recovery.
2006 - NFL owners and the players' union agreed on a union proposal which extended the collective bargaining agreement for six years.
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