CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Monday Sports News Update, 08/07/2017.

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"Sports Quote of the Day"

"Americans' addiction to sports, with the NFL at the top, is based on the excitement generated by the potential for the unexpected great play which can only happen with honest competition from great athletes." ~ Arlen Specter, Lawyer and Politician

TRENDING: Glennon perfect, Trubisky solid: Six takeaways from Bears scrimmage; Report: Former Bears QB Jay Cutler comes out of retirement to reunite with Adam Gase in Miami. (See the football section for Bears news and NFL updates).

TRENDING: How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? What will the revamped Blackhawks look like on opening night? (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates and NHL news).

TRENDING: Bulls offseason grades are in, and it’s ‘F’s all around. (Taken from SBNation.com Fanpost). (See the basketball section for Bulls news and NBA updates).

TRENDING: No days off: The Cubs absolutely cannot keep Willson Contreras out of the lineup right now; Fresh off best series of season, Yoan Moncada remains confident despite slow start.  (See the baseball section for Cubs and White Sox updates).

TRENDING: No faking it: Matsuyama torches Firestone for 61; I.K. Kim wins first major title at Women's British Open; 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Tee times for Charlotte's first golf major. (See the golf section for PGA news and tournament updates).

TRENDING: Martin Truex Jr. has just enough gas to beat Matt Kenseth to win at Watkins Glen; Kyle Busch spins and wins at Watkins Glen. (See the NASCAR section for NASCAR news and racing updates).

TRENDING: After waiting a year and a half, Patrick Doody takes advantage of his chance; Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea: Gunners win Community Shield on penalties. (See the soccer section for Fire news and worldwide soccer updates).

TRENDING: Pro Football NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2017; LaDainian Tomlinson's stirring Hall of Fame speech on unity is one America needs to hear. (See the last article on this blog for NFL Hall of Fame news and Pro Football updates).

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Glennon perfect, Trubisky solid: Six takeaways from Bears scrimmage.

By Chris Boden

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

1. What you missed: We understand the dilemma on a beautiful Saturday: Should I come downtown, battle Cubs and Lollapalooza traffic to see a 3-13 team try to win me over? Understandable. Roughly 15,000 did and they got a good show, from performance on the field to some giveaways, interactive stuff around Soldier Field, and a good 20-25 minutes of players ringing the field signing autographs before the practice. Several came out afterwards, too, for those who lingered before departing. Most notably, it was Kevin White, signing, posing, taking selfies in full uniform.

2. "8" was great: Mike Glennon and the No. 1 offense (minus guards Kyle Long and Eric Kush) came out against the twos on defense and scored a touchdown on a nine-play, 60-yard drive. Glennon was 5-of-5 for 57 yards, connecting with White, Cam Meredith (18 yards on 3rd-and-8), Tarik Cohen (14 yards), and Dion Sims twice (12 yards, and an 8-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-3). His day was done. Next: a good Broncos defense.

3. Mitch-apalooza: The kid started out with four straight passes, with three completions for 45 yards. Then he had a ball tipped at the line of scrimmage before four straight runs. On third and goal from the 4, Victor Cruz was well-covered and out of real estate on an incompletion that set up a field goal. Hroniss Grasu was also called for a false start during that possession. Cruz said afterwards he was impressed by Trubisky in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.

4. Cruz Control: Cruz caught a 14-yarder from Trubisky, but prior to that, he split safeties Quintin Demps and Adrian Amos (uh-oh?) for a 48-yard TD from Mark Sanchez, who might have been sacked if this were a real game. Cruz then looked like he was going to start doing a salsa, but decided to save it for an opponent, with discouragement from ex-Giants teammate Prince Amukamara, who sensed what was about to come.

5. Sleek Tarik: Cohen's game translated in this much-more-live scenario, getting lost behind linemen before picking a hole or speeding to the outside. Six carries, 31 yards, and that 14-yard catch-and-run. Leonard Floyd chased him down from behind for just a two-yard gain after he was slowed a bit in traffic.

6. Cohen's fellow-fourth rounder: On Cohen's first carry, he actually suffered a three-yard loss. The guy who put him down? Eddie Jackson.

Showing physicality and throwing a thousand balls: Where does the Bears' safety battle stand?

By JJ Stankevitz

(Photo/AP)

For Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos, the things they need to show during training camp to win a starting job in Week 1 are different and clear. 

Jackson needs to prove he can be a physical tackler, a common ding to his game coming out of Alabama. And Amos needs to prove his ball skills have improved after not recording a single interception his first two years in the NFL. 

The Bears’ competition to start alongside Quintin Demps at safety isn’t limited to just Jackson and Amos, of course. Also part of that battle: Deon Bush, Harold Jones-Quartey, Chris Prosinski, Deandre Houston-Carson and Deiondre’ Hall. But Jackson (the rangy fourth-round pick who played with Pro Bowlers Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix and Landon Collins in Tuscaloosa) and Amos (the third-year pro with 30 career starts) are the headliners of the competition so far. 

“You’ve got to earn your spot, earn your keep,” Amos said. “There’s so many good players. It’s probably better that this year there’s a lot more competition. That just shows we’ll have a lot of depth coming forward this year.”

Jackson has flashed early in camp, picking off a handful of passes and showing the strong ball skills that led to nine interceptions during his four years at Alabama. Those have been promising for the 6-foot, 174 pound Jackson, given that his senior year ended last October when he fractured his leg against Tennessee. 

“Battling back and seeing, all right, I come back out, I still make plays on the ball — It’s just something fun,” Jackson said. “And just to see the guys, how they react to it and how the coaches react to a turnover here is just big.”

But similar to the Bears’ other fourth-round pick — running back Tarik Cohen — the bigger test for Jackson will come when the Bears begin preseason play on Thursday against the Denver Broncos. That’ll be Jackson’s first chance to truly let loose and show that he can be more physical than he was in college.  

“We’ll just have to see him tackle,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “We can’t afford to have anyone out there that can’t tackle, so tackling will be a determinant factor for him.”

“I just got to come here, be real physical and that’s something I can say I’ve really been working day in and day-out at practice, especially since pads come on,” Jackson said. “Everyone’s been taking notice.” 

Amos, on the other hand, has been a serviceable starter but hasn’t shown good ball skills. To put his interception drought another way: He’s played over 1,800 snaps with the Bears and hasn’t picked off a pass. 

For a defense that only had 11 takeaways, Amos’ lack of interceptions and ball skills is a glaring problem. So what can Bears coaches do?

“Just throw him a thousand balls,” Fangio said. “Throw him a thousand balls that are realistic, not just playing catch. Breaking off the deep zone and breaking to the sideline and catching the ball. Breaking on an inside cut. Just trying to throw him as many balls as possible that are realistic. Playing catch isn’t going to get it done. You’ve got to make it football like during the game.”

Bears draftees going fo(u)rth in punt return competition. 

By Chris Boden

(Photo/USA TODAY)

The current Bears roster features two players who returned six punts between them in 2016. Bryce Callahan and Cre'Von LeBlanc are still getting opportunities in practice, along with Daniel Braverman. But a pair of fourth-round rookies likely have the inside track.

Both safety Eddie Jackson (112th overall) and running back Tarik Cohen (119th overall) may be the front-runners to take over the job, but their workload at their respective positions could be a factor as well.

That will all play out in a preseason that calls for rare four-quarter attention this August because of numerous position battles to watch. This important special teams area, where the Bears have been less-than-special since the magical Devin Hester's departure, is one to watch, especially if it's thrown into the hands of inexperience, yet explosive potential.

Cohen was "saved" from being exposed in the return game at North Carolina A&T because of his value on offense. He had just one career punt and kick return each, but his short-area electricity is easy to notice. Jackson wasn't given the gig until his senior year at Alabama, when he averaged 23 yards, and had two returns for touchdowns in 11 attempts for the Crimson Tide before breaking his leg in November. These two, who met in the backfield in Saturday's Soldier Field scrimmage when the safety tackled the back for a three-yard loss, will be an interesting watch in exhibitions.

"Both of them have demonstrated good ball skills. They're athletic, but totally different in physical traits," said special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers Friday. "Tarik is a little more explosive, Eddie is a little more smooth, a little bigger. It'll be interesting to see them do this in the preseason and kind of adapt to that NFL speed and schematically, the things we're asking them to and what they're gonna face from opposing teams."

The 5-foot-6 Cohen is small in stature, but big in his thirst to create an immediate impact, somehow, some way.

"He's got a big personality. He's into it," Rodgers said. "I think I've heard (running backs coach Curtis) Modkins describe him as 'hungry' and I feel the same thing. Guys like him have a chip on their shoulder. They're out to prove they belong and can be effective in this league. If practice is any indication, he's probably right — that he's ready to start doing this stuff. But again, it's game reps and proving it in the preseason.

"When it comes to practice, you earn opportunities to increase your reps. You do well in practice, you get more playing time in the preseason, and that accelerates into the regular season.

"We're excited to see where he's at. Obviously his level of competition now is a little different than where he's been in the past. So far, he's done some good things in camp."

But would Rodgers dare put Cohen in a position in which he's rarely been, at the highest level?

"Tarik says, 'I did it every day at practice in college,' and is now doing it every day out here (in training camp)," he said. "There's not a lot of evidence on tape of him doing it in games. The thing I've learned over time, especially with young returners, is the college punt game is totally different. From the spread alignments, the rugby punts, the hang times are, like, four seconds. Every year, there might be one rookie punter in this league.

"And punters are just so good, the ball's in the air, the coverage is gonna be a little bit closer, guys chasing you are a little bit faster. So yeah, that game stuff is a little more important for us."

Just as it in the Bears' secondary, wide receiver, and tight end positions. What were exhibitions that hardly seemed important will shape key positions on these 2017 Bears. Like punt returner, as well.

Report: Former Bears QB Jay Cutler comes out of retirement to reunite with Adam Gase in Miami.

By Chris Boden

(Photo/USA TODAY)

It took some persistence from his offensive coordinator two years ago here in Chicago, but Jay Cutler finally decided Sunday morning to end his short-lived retirement.

The quarterback who set new Bears records in most individual passing categories during his eight seasons here will come to Adam Gase's rescue by agreeing to a one-year contract with the Dolphins, days after losing starter Ryan Tannehill to a second left knee injury since December.

That means Cutler, who was scheduled to make his game broadcast debut for FOX in the third preseason game August 27th in Tennessee, then return to Soldier Field Sept. 10th for the regular season opener, will be busy, back on the field.

It remains to be seen how quickly Cutler can get into football shape, especially an arm that had labrum surgery last December to cap his Bears career. Until then, Matt Moore will run the offense, but the timing should allow Cutler to be ready for Miami's regular season opener.

As a matter of fact, Gase and company, who were a playoff team a year ago, have an opportunity for a strong start, based on their schedule. After hosting Tampa Bay to open the season, they have road games in Los Angeles against the relocated Chargers, then in New York against the Jets before traveling London to take on the Saints.

The familiarity between Gase and Cutler made him a better fit in Miami over Colin Kaepernick, who remains out of work.

But Cutler reportedly was hesitant on whether he wanted to come out of retirement, his broadcasting agent saying late Saturday afternoon that his client still hadn't finalized a decision, and criticizing reports citing anonymous sources that a deal was already done. Gase himself indicated as much later Saturday, stating simply that the two had spoken, Cutler was interested, and was not demanding the starting job.

Now it's a done deal, and the 34-year-old will get busy getting into shape, embarking on a 12th NFL season, and reuniting with Jermon Bushrod, David Fales, and Gase. And he'll probably see some Chicago media greet him upon his arrival to Dolphins camp, as well.

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? What will the revamped Blackhawks look like on opening night?

By Mark Lazerus

Hockey has gone into hibernation for the summer, but let’s wrap up a wild offseason with one last mailbag:

Hawks Win! (@Taser0105)

#HeyLaz Give us your 12F 6D to start the year and what will SB do with the 5+M cap space from Hossa’s LTIR during the yr?

It’s hard to remember a time when the Blackhawks lineup was so unsettled entering a season. Wait. No, it isn’t. It was just as unsettled last fall, when six or seven rookies were in and out of the lineup on a regular basis. What makes this season’s lineup so hard to forecast is how many fourth-liners and bottom-pairing defenders the Hawks have been stockpiling. But here’s the lineup I would start with (not necessarily the one Joel Quenneville will go with):

FORWARDS:

Brandon Saad-Jonathan Toews-Richard Panik
Patrick Sharp-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Artem Anisimov-John Hayden
Vinnie Hinostroza-Tanner Kero-Tommy Wingels

Extras: Jordin Tootoo, Tomas Jurco, Lance Bouma

Notes: It’s probably a long shot that Schmaltz bumps Anisimov, at least at the start. But Schmaltz prefers to play center, and had great chemistry with Kane in limited action as his center late last season. Schmaltz’s faceoffs are a concern, but Sharp is a career 49.6 percent at the dot and can alleviate some of those issues. If Schmaltz takes the next step and Anisimov slots in at 3C, suddenly the Hawks look pretty solid down the middle (Kero is the new Marcus Kruger, a reliable fixture at 4C). Bouma is making $1 million this season, so I doubt the Hawks want him in civilian clothes most nights. So he could bump Hinostroza from the lineup, especially against more physical opponents such as St. Louis. But I like Hinostroza’s speed and ceiling a bit more.

DEFENSE:

Duncan Keith-Connor Murphy
Michal Kempny-Brent Seabrook
Gustav Forsling-Michal Rozsival

Extras: Jan Rutta, Jordan Oesterle, Ville Pokka, Erik Gustafsson

Notes: Yikes. The Hawks will still score goals. And Corey Crawford is still one of the best goaltenders in the game. But the blue line is the flashing red light on this roster. The Hawks like Murphy a lot, and as a 24-year-old who has spent his whole career on a bad team, he deserves a chance to prove himself on a better team with better structure. But he was under water in terms of possession in all three of his full seasons with Arizona, and he has shown little offensive upside so far. Keith tends to bring out the best in his partners, though, and Murphy being a right-handed shot should help out Keith offensively (left-handed Niklas Hjalmarsson preferred to play his off-side, but for defense, not offense).

Patrick Kane (left) and Nick Schmaltz enjoyed good chemistry during a brief stint together last season. (Photo/Getty Images)

Forsling’s ceiling remains high, and the Hawks are counting on him becoming an everyday NHL player sooner than later. After that, who knows? Rutta is a total unknown, and he’s coming from the Czech league, not the KHL, so it’s hard to know if he’s NHL ready. Rozsival is a perfectly adequate third-pairing guy in the meantime, but needs to be playing 25-35 games, not 50-60 games. Oesterle is a left-handed shot, which will make it tough for him to crack the lineup on a regular basis. Pokka has yet to break through, and Gustafsson (who is a lefty but can play both sides) is trying to climb back up the depth chart after spending all of last season in Rockford. The good news is, the Hawks have a lot of options on the back end. The bad news is, it remains to be seen which, if any, are good options.

Just Another Chicago Bulls Session..... Bulls offseason grades are in, and it’s ‘F’s all around. (Taken from SBNation.com Fanpost). 

By Your Friendly BullsBlogger

(Photo/David Banks/USA TODAY)

The Bulls had an offseason that was awful in execution and will set the franchise back for years, compounded in awfulness in that the same guys who made these calls will keep getting chances to make things worse. You could be charitable in giving credit for at least the design of the offseason being not-awful, that is if you’re a ‘PATH’ sympathizer and not really thinking about said path’s, well, path.

We do have more critical thinkers out there who are hunting for offseason content (and in a symbiotic relationship we’re doing the same) in reminding everyone the Bulls had a really terrible summer.

Kevin Pelton of ESPN gives them an F, and it doesn’t stand for ‘folks, at least they found a direction’

With two years remaining on Jimmy Butler's contract, the Bulls could have held out for a better offer...Dunn will have to improve dramatically from a disappointing rookie season to become an NBA contributor, and LaVine's poor defense limits his value.

Indeed, Pelton in another piece cites his lack of belief in LaVine, with RPM projecting him ‘below replacement-level’. There is gives acknowledgement to the Justin Holiday contract but refers to Felicio as ‘above-market’. That’s an interesting thought, as the Bulls did re-sign Felicio immediately in free agency and we’ve since seen the center market dry up (and the free agent market in general, with Nikola Mirotic still un-signed).

Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux, in their Eastern Conference offseason grades episode, led off with: “oh, god...”

Duncan did give them some credit for picking a direction, giving the Bulls a mere flat ‘F’ instead of ‘F-minus’. Duncan figures the Bulls fascination with Kris Dunn is a real problem, as he doesn’t project Dunn as a long-term starting PG, and it also kept the Bulls from drafting Dennis Smith and instead taking Lauri Markkanen, who Duncan says has a defensive game not fitting with the modern NBA.

Leroux also called the Felicio contract a ‘misreading of the market’, and figures the Bulls offseason a total disaster unless ‘we’re really wrong about several of these guys, which is possible just not likely’. I agree: the only way the Bulls get retroactive credit for this PATH is if it turns out they unearthed gems in their scouting, particularly with Markkanen and Dunn. Seemingly nobody else thinks these guys will be great, so if they are the Bulls truly projected something others didn’t.

Both Duncan and Leroux went on to say that if this was truly the best offer, then just hold on to Butler (I’ll jump in to say this offer ‘works’ on draft night only in that they moved up 9 friggin’ slots, they didn’t even get an extra pick!). As it stands now, they both see the Bulls not getting back in the playoffs for another 4 or 5 years, a time where I expect to keep being furious that GarPax still have these jobs.

Chicago Sports & Travel Inc./AllsportsAmerica Observation: We aren't going to beat up the Bulls management up anymore. We just want the season to start and hopefully we'll see some progress. One thing is for sure right now, "The Chicago Bulls fans are very frustrated and totally unhappy." Let's all pray that there are better days ahead.

CUBS: Joe Maddon explains bullpen decisions after another late meltdown by Cubs. 

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

The Cubs may be currently embarking on an "Easy Rider" themed road trip, but it certainly has not been an easy ride for Joe Maddon lately.

The Cubs bullpen melted down again Sunday, sending the team out to the West Coast after a 2-4 homestand against NL contenders in the Diamondbacks and Nationals.

Carl Edwards Jr. had a particularly rough stay at Wrigley, allowing six runs while recording only five outs over three appearances.

The biggest blow came Sunday afternoon when Edwards entered with the Cubs up one, Bryce Harper on first and one out. Edwards proceeded to give up a double to Ryan Zimmerman, intentionally walked Daniel Murphy and hit Anthony Rendon to force home a run.

Matt Wieters then stepped to the plate and deposited Edwards' offering into the bushes in center field and just like that, the Cubs were staring up at an 8-4 deficit.

"CJ right there, I liked him on those two guys," Maddon said. "We just gotta get him back to being normal because he's a really big part of our success.

"...We had another bad eighth inning, which we gotta get away from that. Even though we did not play well prior to that, we still did have the lead, we had the right guys on the mound and it just did not play out."

Maddon spent a lot of time this weekend talking about his bullpen arms, particularly Edwards. Managing his relievers takes up most of his daily focus, Maddon has said before and Sunday was part of the reason why with closer Wade Davis down after throwing 30 pitches in a rocky save Saturday.

Hector Rondon would've been the Cubs closer Sunday had the game gotten to that point.

Maddon wants his relievers to get better at throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count.

On the six-game homestand, Cubs relievers walked 12 batters in 19.1 innings. They also gave up 14 runs (12 earned) in that span, good for a 5.59 ERA.

Maddon believes Edwards is trying too hard to guide the baseball right now instead of letting it go. The dynamic 25-year-old reliever came into the day allowing only 3.9 hits per nine innings. Opponents were hitting .132 off him, the lowest mark off any big-league reliever with at least 40 innings.

But Edwards has also walked 30 batters in 44.2 innings this season.

"It looks like he's kinda battling himself a little bit," said Sunday's starter Jon Lester. "This game is all built around confidence. He may be doubting himself a little bit right now. Nobody in that clubhouse is doubting him in that role or anything else. Obviously, our manager and our team is right behind him, otherwise we wouldn't keep running him out there.

"He's the guy in the right situation and he'll get back to being himself. It's just a matter of pitching. Especially as a reliever, it kinda gets magnified, because you come in in dirty innings and wheels can start spinning a little bit and it can speed up on you. You can rush through some pitches.

"When he got the bases cleared, it was just kinda like back to old CJ. Just a matter of getting him out there, getting him pitching and getting that confidence back."

Maddon's goal Sunday was to use Edwards in a high-leverage spot and try to get that confidence built back up. Ideally, Mike Montgomery would've gotten Harper out, then Edwards comes in just for Zimmerman, gets him out and the Cubs head to the ninth with the lead intact.

When Harper reached, Maddon still envisioned a good scenario for Edwards, hoping the right-hander would get Zimmerman to roll over on one for a double play, allowing Edwards to walk off the mound feeling good about himself.

Of course, it didn't play out that way.

As for any other guys in that spot, Maddon was keeping Rondon back to close and Koji Uehara was up in the bullpen, but he's struggled to find consistency this season and Maddon also was protecting against the possibility of extra innings with a limited relief corps.

The end result is a pair of series losses to rival contenders, Maddon talking for six minutes about his bullpen decisions and the Cubs searching for answers.

"We can play with anybody, we just gotta finish it off," Maddon said. "We're still like the second ranked bullpen in the National League. We're still really good and our guys nailed it in the first half.

"For whatever reason, in the second half, our starters have come on and the bullpen guys have taken a little bit of a hit. But I like the names. They're not too tired - I think they're in good shape - we have really good matchups, we've added Justin Wilson to the mix. I like it.

"It's just one of those unfortunate moments today, but I wanna keep their confidence going. Like I said with a guy like CJ, get him in, get him out with some success and then eventually get back to who they are."

What's the issue with Wade Davis right now?

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/USA TODAY)

Wade Davis is still having a perfect season.

Let's get that out of the way right now. 

The Cubs closer is 23-for-23 in save chances and despite some hiccups lately, has always found a way to get the job done.

But he's also shown he's mortal, giving up eight runs over his last 16.2 innings dating back to June 11. In that time, Davis is also allowing nearly two baserunners an inning on average, surrendering 18 hits and an alarming 12 walks.

Davis suffered the loss Thursday in The Willson Contreras Game when he gave up a pair of homers to Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez in the top of the ninth. Two days later, Davis walked a pair of batters before striking out Bryce Harper on his 30th pitch to end the game and halting a three-game losing streak.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes a 30-minute rain delay might've contributed to Davis' problem Thursday, when he gave up two homers in a relief outing for the first time in his career.

But even apart from that outing, Davis has looked off over the past couple months after boasting an 0.84 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in his first 22 appearances.

"I just think he's trying to be too fine early in the count," Maddon said. "He can throw a strike whenever he wants to. I've always felt that way about him. And you can see it. His stuff's the same.

"He's just a little bit off with the relief point. You can constantly see him trying to figure out at the end of his delivery. But I've always seen that. This is nothing new for me with him. I have a lot of faith in him."

Maddon has known Davis since the lanky right-hander came into the league in 2009 as a staring pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays. Maddon thinks maybe Davis is reverting back to that starter's mentality and trying to be too perfect early, subsequently falling behind 1-0 or 2-0 consistently.

Davis, however, scoffed at that notion.

"No. Not even close. There's never any time where I'm trying to be too fine with anything," Davis said. "Sometimes you just go through slumps, I guess.

"I'm never trying to be too fine. I'm always trying to pitch aggressively in the zone. Sometimes it just doesn't go there."

Davis is a cerebral guy who is always thinking and adapting along with the game. He compared his issues right now with a hitter going through a slump at the plate — just the natural ebb and flow of baseball.

"Just different timing," he said. "Earlier in the year, my stuff wasn't as good, but my timing was really good. Now, my arm feels strong and better, but my timing is off from time to time."

Davis said he's had this kind of issue every year of his career, but also typically gets stronger as the season goes along and his arm feels better now than it did even in April and May when he had a 0.00 ERA.

But all along, whether he's going good or bad, Davis is the exact same guy. Same temperament, same body language, same mood. 

"He's mellow, man," Maddon said. "That's who he is. You talk to him as he's coming off the field after the game's over and he's barely breathing. That's just who he is.

"He's a very calm player. He's always been that guy from spring trainings to the middle of the season to shooting a black bear in Toronto."

That calm demeanor has helped Davis become one of the elite closers in the game. Even if the tying run is 90 feet way, he has the same level of confidence in his stuff and abilities.

He also doesn't pump his fist after big outs or nailing down clutch saves. He maintains an even keel in the middle of the road.

"I try to," he said. "As soon as you think you're good, then you get your ass kicked. And when you're going bad, you're not nearly as bad as you think you are.

"You wanna be in your own shoes, stay in your own lane."

No days off: The Cubs absolutely cannot keep Willson Contreras out of the lineup right now. 

By Tony Andracki

(Photo/AP)

Joe Maddon didn't channel Bill Belichick with some "no days off!" chant before Saturday's 7-3 win over the Washington Nationals, but it's clear Willson Contreras will get no rest right now.

As Maddon wrote out the lineup against former Cub Edwin Jackson and the Washington Nationals, he wanted to get newly-acquired veteran catcher Alex Avila behind the plate, but knew he couldn't take the red-hot Contreras out of the lineup.

So Contreras started in left field for only the third time this season and hit in his now-usual cleanup spot in the lineup behind Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo as the Cubs look to snap a three-game skid.

The plan worked out perfectly as Contreras drove in a run in the first on a swinging bunt before Avila hit a two-run shot. Contreras later added a two-run blast of his own in the sixth inning to give the Cubs some much-needed insurance.

The 25-year-old rising star has been an absolute monster since the All-Star Break, hitting .370 with a 1.141 OPS, eight homers and 27 RBI in 21 second-half games. 

Contreras woke up on the morning of June 18 hitting only .244 with a .708 OPS, five homers and 28 RBI. After another big game Saturday, he's now hitting .279 with an .861 OPS, 19 homers and 68 RBI.

He's driven in 40 runs and crushed 14 homers in a stretch of only 39 games. That's a next-level hot streak, especially for a catcher.

"You can't deny what he's doing right now," Maddon said, admitting Contreras has joined the ranks of the elite catchers in the game. "I don't want him to be impacted and start thinking differently, but he is playing at that level. Who's playing better than that at that position?

"A combination of everything considered, it's not just the hitting — controlling the running game, the blocking, the energy that he provides every day. ... Yep, he's one of the best right now."

Any talk of Contreras joining the NL MVP race is premature, though "The Willson Contreras Game" Thursday helped put him on the map nationally, even if the Cubs wound up losing that contest.

Contreras is the "f--king Energizer Bunny" and said he has no issues bringing that intensity and energy level to the field on a daily basis.

But the Cubs are also focused on making sure he doesn't run himself into the ground, acquiring Avila in part to save Contreras from himself.

Just last week, Maddon was asked if he would ever give Contreras a start in left field to keep his bat in the lineup while still giving him a breather from the demanding physical tolls of catcher. 

At the time, the Cubs field general didn't dismiss it, but he admitted it would be a tricky spot to tell guys like Kyle Schwarber, Jon Jay or Albert Almora Jr. they won't get a chance to play because the team needs to move their catcher out to the outfield.

But Saturday became that situation for Maddon and the Cubs as Schwarber takes a seat on the bench despite hitting .261 with a .911 OPS over the last month since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

Almora also remains on the bench, having not drawn a start since Tuesday against Arizona. But his splits are pretty jarring (.343 AVG, .961 OPS vs. LHPs compared to .235/.582 vs. RHPs) and the young outfielder figures to get plenty of playing time during the upcoming week in San Francisco as the Cubs are slated to face a trio of southpaws in Matt Moore, Ty Blach and Madison Bumgarner.

With the Cubs facing something of a "must-win" game Saturday, there was simply no Way Contreras could be out of the lineup, even if it means he won't get another day off until later next week if everything plays right. 

"He's swinging the bat way too well," Maddon said. "I gotta get Alex in there. You look at what's happening: Jonny Lester's going [Sunday] — that's Willson — and then there comes a bunch of lefties in San Francisco — that's Willson.

"So we needed to get Alex some at-bats and have him play and so with that, it's really difficult to take Willson Contreras' bat out of the lineup right now."

WHITE SOX: Fresh off best series of season, Yoan Moncada remains confident despite slow start. 

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/USA TODAY)

They’ve started to fall his way, but Yoan Moncada insists he’s staying focused on the process rather than worrying about the results.

The prized White Sox rookie singled twice more in four at-bats in Sunday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox to cap off a strong series in his return to Fenway Park. Moncada posted his first two multi-hit games of the season and reached base in eight of 17 plate appearances over the four-game series.

“I understand that I’m trying to keep my focus on hitting the ball hard, put the barrel on the ball and try to get a good connection,” Moncada said through an interpreter. “The results are going to come either way, but that’s something I can’t control, just to make contact with the ball.”

Moncada picked up his first hit in the third inning on Sunday when he singled through the shift and into left field. Two innings later, he ripped a line drive single through the right side off Doug Fister. The exit velocity off Moncada’s bat was 106 mph.

It was yet another good sign for the rookie, who has gotten off to a slow start. Moncada is hitting .173/.288/.317 with three extra-base hits and six RBIs in 63 plate appearances. The second baseman has struck out 21 times but also walked nine.

“He started putting the bat on the ball a little bit more,” manager Rick Renteria said. “They tried to attack him to finish him with breaking balls out of the zone, down. I think he started to make some adjustments. I truly believe as I’m watching more and more, by the time we get to the end of this season, hopefully sooner than later, he’s going to start spitting on some of those pitches and going to be able start doing some more damage. They went into the shift, he ended up hitting against the shift. He handles the bat. He’s showing some ability, obviously, both physically defending on the field and with the stick. He’s going to be a pretty good player.”

Moncada believes it, too. He also knows if that maintaining consistency with his approach will ultimately generate results. Though his production hasn’t been what he’d like, Moncada has been happy with his process.

“Just keep working -- keep working on my defense and now I’m working harder on my offense because things haven’t gone as well as I wanted,” Moncada said. “Just keeping my routine. Try to work harder in the cage and in my approach and I think that’s the only thing that I have to keep doing. Keeping up with my routine and keep working hard to get the results that I know I can get on the field.”

Where does Avisail Garcia fit in the White Sox rebuild?

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/USA TODAY)

He’s about to come off the disabled list, but Avisail Garcia wants to be here a lot longer than just the end of the season.

The White Sox outfielder was good in spirits on Saturday afternoon after he took batting practice for the first time a day earlier. The two fingers on his right hand that had bothered him have improved enough for Garcia to have fun during a pregame media session. On the DL retroactive to July 26, Garcia is eager to resume a breakout season in which he’s hitting .303/.347/.485 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 363 plate appearances.

Given how he’s played and the two years of team control he has left, Garcia could be another trade candidate this offseason for the rebuilding White Sox. But the 26-year-old Garcia would like to stay with the White Sox when things turn around.

“I mean, yeah, why not?” Garcia said. “I feel part of it. But you know this is baseball. You don’t know what’s going to happen. I want to stay here. I want my career here. So, if I can play 15 or 20 years or 10 years or five more years, it’s going to be great. Let’s see what happens. I want to stay here for sure.”

The White Sox have hoped for Garcia to live up to his top-75 prospect potential since they acquired him in July 2013 in a three-team deal that sent Jake Peavy to Boston. Garcia performed well as a rookie with the White Sox in 2013, but produced at a .250/.308/.380 clip and averaged 11 homers and 46 RBIs in 105 games between 2014-16.

There’s a chance Garcia could have been finished with the White Sox had they gone the other direction this season and tried to contend. Instead, the team went full steam ahead into a rebuild and has traded nine players off the 25-man roster since December. Garcia has taken advantage of the opportunity and last month was named to the American League All-Star team. One of the reason Garcia would like to stay with the White Sox is to reward them for their patience.

“For sure,” Garcia said. “I appreciate that. That’s why I came here early and do my work every time and be professional play hard and try to give the White Sox everything I got every day. Hustle every day and that’s part of the game, part of me. Just trying to do my best for the team.”

What Garcia’s future holds with the White Sox could be determined this offseason. Garcia, who’s earning $3 million this season, has two years of arbitration eligibility left.

If he were to finish the season strong, Garcia could potentially have trade value for a front office that has been looking to wheel and deal for eight months. The White Sox also may consider trying to extend Garcia and keep him around for the future. Or, the White Sox could simply re-sign Garcia and see if he can backup his 2017 performance before making a determination on his future.

Rick Hahn's not-so-subtle hint that a Reynaldo Lopez call-up is coming. 

By Dan Hayes

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

Rick Hahn didn’t confirm that Reynaldo Lopez would start for the White Sox on Friday night, but he pretty much said as much.

Hours after he suggested at the Saber Seminar that the White Sox prospect would be promoted after one more start at Triple-A Charlotte, Hahn all but confirmed that the team’s plan calls for Lopez to arrive in the majors late next week.

The organization’s minor league pitcher of the month for July, Lopez is scheduled to start Sunday after which the White Sox will determine his options. At the charity event, Hahn told a fan who asked when the team’s pitching prospects might arrive that he should look into buying tickets for Friday’s home game against the Kansas City Royals.

“Reynaldo is going to start (Sunday) for Charlotte and after that start we’ll make an evaluation about what’s best in terms of his next steps,” Hahn said. “He is certainly forcing the issue and seems to be ready for that next step. Right now, our plan is for him to start for Charlotte tomorrow and then you can ask me on Tuesday.”

Ranked the No. 59 prospect in baseball by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline, Lopez is 6-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 21 starts at Charlotte. He has 122 strikeouts in 116 innings pitched. Lopez went 0-1 with a 2.10 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 30 innings in July, which earned him the award.

Lopez has already pitched in the majors, twirling 44 innings for the Washington Nationals last season. The right-hander said on Friday that he thinks he’s ready for his second chance and has had a little difficulty waiting, though he’s trying to show the club he can be patient.

When Lopez would be promoted has been a hot topic with fans recently, many not understanding why the White Sox haven’t already made the move. Hahn suggested at the Boston University event that many factors come into play, including the schedule. The White Sox are in the middle of a four-game series at the Boston Red Sox and then face the Houston Astros at home next.

“It’s part of the equation,” Hahn said. “The conversation at this charity event was about some of the decision-making, some of the factors that go into a promotion of a young player. We talked about them answering all of the questions we have for them at the minor league level from a mechanical standpoint, a mental preparation standpoint, a performance standpoint and then finding them the opportunity to contribute at the big league level and ideally the best matchups going forward to give them an opportunity for success.”

Hahn also suggested once again that Lucas Giolito could soon arrive in the majors. Giolito is 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 21 starts at Charlotte.

“He’s had a nice run of success of down there and think he would benefit from having the opportunity to pitch in Chicago at some point here in the future,” Hahn said.

Golf: I got a club for that..... No faking it: Matsuyama torches Firestone for 61.

By Will Gray

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

Hideki Matsuyama is the king of post-shot misdirection.

Watch a look of disgust creep across his face after a 7-iron from the fairway, and you might expect the ball to end up in a greenside bunker. But watch it enough times and you’ll know to look for it about 15 feet from the hole.

The Japanese phenom sets a high bar for himself, and he has already been able to match or exceed expectations several times during a brief career. But the performance Matsuyama authored Sunday at Firestone Country Club en route to torching the field at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational was his biggest head-fake ever.

As anyone who watched his warm-up session can attest, Matsuyama was entirely out of sorts just minutes before heading to his final-round tee time. Iron shots were sprayed, and drives sailed wildly off-target.

“Last night after the round, I went to the range and hit it really well and had a lot of confidence. Then I came to the golf course this morning and I don’t know where it went,” Matsuyama said through an interpreter. “It was probably the worst warm-up I’ve ever had on a tournament that I’ve won. I was shocked.”

That uneasy feeling extended to the opening tee shot, which he pulled well left. But after that, according to Matsuyama, “something clicked.”

Four hours later, he was putting the finishing touches on a bogey-free 61 that tied the course record, gave him his second WGC win of the season and left him five shots clear of his nearest competitor.

“I did hit some good shots, but I was nervous all the way around because I really wasn’t sure of my swing today,” Matsuyama said.

Uncertainty in mid-motion is a familiar fear among Tour pros, but during a seemingly flawless 61? Those are moves that would make Barry Sanders blush.

Matsuyama started the day two shots off the lead, a deficit he quickly erased with a chip-in eagle on the second hole. Another birdie followed on the next hole, and by the time Matsuyama made the turn in 5-under 30 he had one hand wrapped around the trophy.
Granted, it was hardly a done deal given Matsuyama’s recent summer stretch. He was clearly the top player in the world to close 2016, winning four times worldwide including a seven-shot romp against an elite field in Shanghai. He successfully defended his title in Phoenix in February, but since then he has piled up close calls.

Matsuyama couldn’t chase down Brooks Koepka at Erin Hills, and his chances of winning The Open abruptly ended when he blasted his tee shot out of bounds on the opening hole of the final round.

“It’s tough to be able to putt well and hit good golf shots all at the same time,” Matsuyama said. “Even after that good run, I hoped I could continue on but it didn’t happen and I was hoping to do better.”

Given another crack on a big stage, Matsuyama barely broke a sweat while vanquishing an elite field and adding his name to the storied history at Firestone that includes the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.

“Once he gets going, he just keeps the hammer down and keeps it going. It’s very impressive,” said Rory McIlroy, who won here in 2014 and tied for fifth this week. “I mean, he’s won one WGC in China, he’s probably going to win another one here. That’s sort of the caliber of player he is. I expect him to be right up there next week as well.”

If there’s ever a blueprint for shooting a course record, Matsuyama happened to have one in his back pocket. He had a front-row seat four years ago when Woods shot a 61 on the South Course, a performance that seemed equally effortless and led to a seven-shot win.

“I just couldn’t believe it that anyone could shoot a 61 on this golf course,” Matsuyama said. “And then from that point, to work hard and to be able to do it today is a dream come true.”

True to his nature, though, Matsuyama said he downplayed expectations entering the week. He returned home to Japan after his disappointing final round at Royal Birkdale, and he has logged hours and hours on the range this week in Northeast Ohio trying to groove his swing.

The product of those efforts reinforced the notion that Matsuyama’s best can be matched by few – poor warm-up be damned.

“I worked hard early in the week, and every day I seemed to get closer and closer to where I wanted to be,” Matsuyama said.

The victory vaults Matsuyama back into the Player of the Year discussion, and it instantly makes him one of the favorites for the season’s final major next week at Quail Hollow.

It’s a course where he’s expected to thrive, but perhaps the thing that should strike the most fear into his competition would be another batch of one-armed finishes, mid-shot grimaces and haphazard range sessions.

I.K. Kim wins first major title at Women's British Open.

By Associated Press

(Photo/Golf Channel Digital)

I.K. Kim banished the haunting memory of missing a 14-inch putt to win a major and replaced it with the sweetest sensation.

Finally, she can call herself a major champion.

Staked to a six-shot lead in the Women's British Open, Kim never led anyone get closer than two shots at Kingsbarns Links and sealed victory with a bold hybrid over the burn to the 17th green. She made nine pars on the back nine and closed with a 1-under 71 for a two-shot victory.

''I cannot describe my feelings,'' Kim said. ''I just tried to have some fun, but it wasn't fun on the back nine.''

Jodi Ewart Shadoff made her work for it by charging home with a 64 to put pressure on the 29-year-old South Korean. Kim didn't falter over an increasingly soggy course, however. She finished at 18-under 270 to capture the $487,500 prize.

Michelle Wie went out in 30 to give Kim something to think about, but the 27-year-old from Hawaii stalled and closed with a 66 to tie for third with Caroline Masson (67) and Georgia Hall (70).

Kim now has won three times, the most by anyone on the LPGA Tour this year, all in the last two months.

But this was the biggest by far.

She was no more than 14 inches away from winning the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship for her first major when she clasped her hand over her mouth in disbelief when it spun out of the hole. She lost in a playoff, and it was a tough memory to shake.

Until Sunday.

''I almost cried when I won. Winning is great,'' Kim said. ''It's a long process to get over 2012. A lot of people helped me. Now I enjoy playing golf again. What it did teach me is to give the same effort to every shot, even the shortest of putts.''

Armed with a six-shot overnight advantage, Kim was rarely threatened throughout a four-and-a-half hour round in which she crucially made only one bogey.

Ewart Shadoff matched the course record - reached earlier this week by Wie and Olympic gold medalist Inbee Park - and got within two shots of Kim with her eighth birdie of the round that put her at 16 under.

''I didn't think starting the day that I would have a shot,'' she said. ''I had a great stretch in the middle of the round to get me going. My plan at the start was just to take the opportunities when I got them and that's what I did.''

Wie was the only other player to get closer than five shots of Kim.

Seemingly impervious to the pressure of leading, Kim sailed along in the damp, overcast conditions, her steady play offering little encouragement to a chasing pack that also included the likes of Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Park and Moriya Jutanugarn.

A birdie at the par-3 opening hole, where her tee-shot nearly found the bottom of the cup, set Kim on her way. She made birdie on the par-5 eighth, and then had her first bogey in 44 holes with a three-putt at the turn.

Kim's clinching shot, however, came as late as the penultimate hole, when a beautifully struck hybrid from the fairway sailed over the burn fronting the green and finished 15 feet from the flag. A routine par at the last completed her five-year journey between missing and making.

2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Tee times for Charlotte's first golf major.

By Associated Press

Here are the tee times for the first two rounds of the 99th playing of the PGA Championship, set for Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte from Aug. 10-13.

At Quail Hollow Club

Charlotte, N.C.

Purse: TBA

Yardage: 7,600; Par: 71

All Times EDT

Thursday-Friday

First hole-10th hole

7:20 a.m.-12:30 p.m. _ Grayson Murray, United States; Rich Berberian Jr., United States; Peter Uihlein, United States.

7:30 a.m.-12:40 p.m. _ Adam Rainaud, United States; Tony Finau, United States; Fabrizio Zanotti, Paraguay.

7:40 a.m.-12:50 p.m. _ Younghan Song, South Korea; Dave McNabb, United States; Charles Howell III, United States.

7:50 a.m.-1 p.m. _ Sung Kang, South Korea; Wesley Bryan, United States; Dylan Frittelli, South Africa.

8 a.m.-1:10 p.m. _ William McGirt, United States; Francesco Molinari, Italy; Jim Herman, United States.

8:10 a.m.-1:20 p.m. _ Gary Woodland, United States; Andy Sullivan, England; Kyle Stanley, United States.

8:20 a.m.-1:30 p.m. _ Rich Beem, United States; Vijay Singh, Fiji; John Daly, United States.

8:30 a.m.-1:40 p.m. _ Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa; Danny Willett, England; J.B. Holmes, United States.

8:40 a.m.-1:50 p.m. _ Thomas Pieters, Belgium; Xander Schauffele, United States; Rod Pampling, Australia.

8:50 a.m.-2 p.m. _ Thorbjorn Olesen, Denmark; Brendan Steele, United States; Hudson Swafford, United States.

9 a.m.-2:10 p.m. _ Cameron Smith, Australia; Bernd Wiesberger, Austria; Brandon Stone, South Africa.

9:10 a.m.-2:20 p.m. _ K.T. Kim, South Korea; Greg Gregory, United States; James Hahn, United States.

9:20 a.m.-2:30 p.m. _ Richard Sterne, South Africa; Ryan Vermeer, United States; TBD-Barracuda Championship winner.

12:35 p.m.-7:25 a.m. _ Lucas Glover, United States; Matt Dobyns, United States; Hideto Tanihara, Japan.

12:45 p.m.-7:35 a.m. _ Mike Small, United States; Jason Kokrak, United States; Satoshi Kodaira, Japan.

12:55 p.m.-7:45 a.m. _ Thomas Bjorn, Denmark; Branden Grace, South Africa; Pat Perez, United States.

1:05 p.m.-7:55 a.m. _ Adam Scott, Australia; Luke Donald, England; Webb Simpson, United States.

1:15 p.m.-8:05 a.m. _ Billy Horschel, United States; Matt Fitzpatrick, England; Si Woo Kim, United States.

1:25 p.m.-8:15 a.m. _ Jimmy Walker, United States; Phil Mickelson, United States; Jason Dufner, United States.

1:35 p.m.-8:25 a.m. _ Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Jon Rahm, Spain; Rickie Fowler, United States.

1:45 p.m.-8:35 a.m. _ Matt Kuchar, United States; Justin Rose, England; Brandt Snedeker, United States.

1:55 p.m.-8:45 a.m. _ Daniel Berger, United States; Jim Furyk, United States; Kevin Kisner, United States.

2:05 p.m.-8:55 a.m. _ Ross Fisher, England; Rafa Cabrera Bello, Spain; Ryan Moore, United States.

2:15 p.m.-9:05 a.m. _ Jhonattan Vegas, Venezuela; Bryson DeChambeau, United States; Jordan Smith, England.

2:25 p.m.-9:15 a.m. _ Alex Beach, United States; Sean O’Hair, United States; Kevin Na, United States.

2:35 p.m.-9:25 a.m. _ Chris Moody, United States; Luke List, United States; Jamie Lovemark, United States.

Thursday-Friday

10th hole-First hole 

7:25 a.m.-12:35 p.m. _ Shane Lowry, Ireland; Stuart Deane, United States; Pablo Larrazabal, United States.

7:35 a.m.-12:45 p.m. _ Alex Noren, Sweden; Scott Hebert, United States; Russell Knox, Scotland.

7:45 a.m.-12:55 p.m. _ Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Ernie Els, South Africa; Ian Poulter, England.

7:55 a.m.-1:05 p.m. _ Daniel Summerhays, United States; Robert Streb, United States; Chris Wood, England.

8:05 a.m.-1:15 p.m. _ Tommy Fleetwood, England; Justin Thomas, United States; Patrick Reed, United States.

8:15 a.m.-1:25 p.m. _ Bubba Watson, United States; Charl Schwartzel, South Africa; Paul Casey, England.

8:25 a.m.-1:35 p.m. _Sergio Garcia, Spain; Brooks Koepka, United States; Jordan Spieth, United States.

8:35 a.m.-1:45 p.m. _ Jason Day, Australia; Dustin Johnson, United States; Henrik Stenson, Sweden.

8:45 a.m.-1:55 p.m. _ Padraig Harrington, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, United States; Davis Love III, United States.

8:55 a.m.-2:05 p.m. _ Zach Johnson, United States; Lee Westwood, England; Charley Hoffman, United States.

9:05 a.m.-2:15 p.m. _ David Lingmerth, Sweden; Scott Brown, United States; Nicolas Colsaerts, Belgium.

9:15 a.m.-2:25 p.m. _ Scott Hend, Australia; Kenny Pigman, United States; Andrew Johnston, England.

9:25 a.m.-2:35 p.m. _ Kelly Kraft, United States; Brian Smock, United States; Patrick Rodgers, United States.

12:30 p.m.-7:20 a.m. _ David Muttitt, United States; Bud Cauley, United States; Graham DeLaet, Canada.

12:40 p.m.-7:30 a.m. _ Rod Perry, United States; Yuta Ikeda, Japan; Emiliano Grillo, Argentina.

12:50 p.m.-7:40 a.m. _ Joost Luiten, Netherlands; Paul Claxton, United States; Russell Henley, United States.

1 p.m.-7:50 a.m. _ Patrick Cantlay, United States; Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand; Soren Kjeldsen, Denmark.

1:10 p.m.-8 a.m. _ Omar Uresti, United States; Y.E. Yang, South Korea; Shaun Micheel, United States.

1:20 p.m.-8:10 a.m. _ Danny Lee, New Zealand; Marc Leishman, Australia; Anirban Lahiri, India.

1:30 p.m.-8:20 a.m. _ Beyong Hun An, South Korea; Kevin Chappell, United States; Mackenzie Hughes, Canada.

1:40 p.m.-8:30 a.m. _ Jonas Blixt, Sweden; Steve Stricker, United States; Brian Harman, United States.

1:50 p.m.-8:40 a.m. _ D.A. Points, United States; Tyrrell Hatton, England; Adam Hadwin, Canada.

2 p.m.-8:50 a.m. _ Martin Laird, Scotland; Bill Haas, United States; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland.

2:10 p.m.-9 a.m. _ Jeunghan Wang, South Korea; Alexander Levy, France; Jamie Broce, United States.

2:20 p.m.-9:10 a.m. _ J.J. Wood, United States; Ryan Fox, New Zealand; Li Haotong, China.

2:30 p.m.-9:20 a.m. _ Jaysen Hansen, United States; Cody Gribble, United States; TBD-Bridgestone Invitational winner.

PGA Championship odds 2017: Rory McIlroy edges Jordan Spieth as favorite at Quail Hollow.

By Brendan Porath

Rory and Jordan will dominate the headlines at the start of this week. (Photo/Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Whether it was a little gamesmanship or an earnest opinion (probably the latter), Jordan Spieth said on Sunday that Rory McIlroy is "probably the guy to beat" at the PGA Championship. So much of the hype will be surrounding Spieth, who has a chance at becoming the youngest ever to complete the career grand slam, which immediately took over as the topic of discussion after he hoisted the Claret Jug two weeks ago. Quail Hollow may favor the biggest hitters on Tour, but given Spieth's form and what we just watched at The Open, it's hard to envision him not getting in the mix in Charlotte.

But Spieth was correct in his prediction, if you count the oddsmakers as corroboration. Rory McIlroy is the very slight favorite to win his fifth major championship, coming in at 7/1 at the top of PGA Championship week. Spieth, who was a co-favorite with Rory right after the British Open, is right behind him at 8/1.

So why Rory and not the guy who just won and is on the verge of history? Rory has owned this course over the course of his career. Quail Hollow is an annual stop on the PGA Tour's regular season for the Wells Fargo Championship. Rory has won that event twice, lost once in a playoff, finished in the top 10 a bunch, and holds the course record. The PGA of America bringing a major to the venue has had Rory licking his chops all year and it's a natural fit that he's the favorite. You'll hear all about his track record at Quail this week and his attempt to block Spieth from achieving the career slam before he can get his own chance again at Augusta next April.

Spieth is not exactly chopped liver though, and he and McIlroy have separated themselves a bit from the rest of the pack. By Thursday morning, he may be back to a co-favorite. Either way, this week leading into the first round will have a Rory vs. Jordan dynamic with the career slam in play and the personal history here for McIlroy.

After Spieth and McIlroy comes world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, who is 12/1 to win his second career major. DJ hasn't been the same player since his tumble at the Masters, struggling to find the form that made him so dominant throughout the first quarter of the year and put him firmly in that spot atop the world rankings. But as noted above, this is an enormous setup with multiple par-4s over 500 yards and big par-5s that will accentuate the advantage the biggest hitters have off the tee. DJ, as maybe the best driver in the world, obviously has that advantage along with McIlroy. So maybe this is a week where he's back among the top five on the leaderboard and contending at the finish on Sunday.

The PGA often gets poked as the "fourth major" and the least prestigious in men's golf. It may not have the instantly recognizable identity of the other three, but it's been a great event in recent years (save for last year's Baltusrol bore). This may be one of the most hyped PGAs we've ever had. Here are your odds to win at the start of the week (via GolfOdds.com):

2017 PGA Championship Odds (golfodds.com)

Player                                                         Odds

Jordan Spieth	8/1
Rory McIlroy	7/1
Dustin Johnson	12/1
Jason Day	25/1
Rickie Fowler	15/1
Hideki Matsuyama	12/1
Jon Rahm	20/1
Brooks Koepka	25/1
Justin Rose	30/1
Henrik Stenson	35/1
Sergio Garcia	35/1
Adam Scott	35/1
Justin Thomas	35/1
Phil Mickelson	50/1
Matt Kuchar	50/1
Tommy Fleetwood	50/1
Paul Casey	40/1
Alex Noren	60/1
Branden Grace	50/1
Thomas Pieters	40/1
Patrick Reed	60/1
Louis Oosthuizen	60/1
Brandt Snedeker	125/1
Marc Leishman	60/1
Rafael Cabrera Bello	80/1
Martin Kaymer	WD
Charl Schwartzel	80/1
Bubba Watson	60/1
Daniel Berger	60/1
Kevin Kisner	80/1
Zach Johnson	60/1
Jason Dufner	80/1
Jimmy Walker	100/1
Lee Westwood	125/1
Ian Poulter	80/1
J.B. Holmes	80/1
Brian Harman	100/1
Shane Lowry	150/1
Francesco Molinari	125/1
Tyrrell Hatton	200/1
Kevin Chappell	80/1
Matthew Fitzpatrick	125/1
Tony Finau	100/1
Charley Hoffman	50/1
Bill Haas	125/1
Ryan Moore	150/1
Si Woo Kim	150/1
Keegan Bradley	150/1
Patrick Cantlay	150/1
Haotong Li	150/1
Xander Schauffele	100/1
Bryson DeChambeau	200/1
Byeong Hun An	200/1
Chris Wood	200/1
Russell Henley	125/1
Emiliano Grillo	200/1
Jim Furyk	200/1
Steve Stricker	150/1
David Lingmerth	200/1
Gary Woodland	100/1
Webb Simpson	125/1
Adam Hadwin	125/1
Andy Sullivan	200/1
Ross Fisher	150/1
Bernd Wiesberger	150/1
Kyle Stanley	150/1
Pat Perez	200/1
Jamie Lovemark	150/1
Billy Horschel	200/1
Russell Knox	150/1
Brendan Steele	150/1
Ollie Schniederjans	XX
Wesley Bryan	200/1
Danny Lee	200/1
Peter Uihlein	150/1
Patrick Rodgers	200/1
Cameron Smith	250/1
Kevin Streelman	XX
Graeme McDowell	250/1
Padraig Harrington	250/1
William McGirt	200/1
Kevin Na	200/1
Hideto Tanihara	250/1
Daniel Summerhays	250/1
Charles Howell III	200/1
Sung Kang	250/1
Hudson Swafford	250/1
Bud Cauley	200/1
Lucas Glover	200/1
Sean O'Hair	200/1
Martin Laird	250/1
Danny Willett	500/1
James Hahn	200/1
Robert Streb	250/1
Anirban Lahiri	250/1
Jonas Blixt	250/1
Scott Piercy	XX
Luke List	250/1
Kevin Tway	XX
Curtis Luck	XX
Andrew Johnston	250/1
Harris English	XX
Soren Kjeldsen	250/1
Luke Donald	250/1
Ryan Palmer	XX
Mackenzie Hughes	300/1
Cody Gribble	500/1
Kelly Kraft	300/1
Scott Brown	300/1
Chez Reavie	300/1
Rod Pampling	500/1
D.A. Points	500/1
Davis Love III	500/1
Vijay Singh	500/1
David Toms	WD
Bernhard Langer	WD
Y.E. Yang	500/1
Matt Dobyns	1000/1
John Daly	1000/1
Rich Beem	2000/1
Shaun Micheel	2000/1
Stuart Deane	2000/1
Rod Perry	2000/1
Rich Berberian, Jr	2000/1
Omar Uresti	2000/1
Paul Claxton	1000/1
David Muttitt	2000/1
Adam Rainaud	2000/1
Jamie Broce	2000/1
Dave McNabb	2000/1
Mike Small	2000/1
Jaysen Hansen	2000/1
Chris Moody	2000/1
J.J. Wood	2000/1
Alex Beach	2000/1
Scott Hebert	2000/1
Brian Smock	2000/1
Kenny Pigman	2000/1
Greg Gregory	2000/1
Ryan Vermeer	2000/1
Grayson Murray	200/1
Jhonattan Vegas	150/1
Thorbjorn Olesen	200/1
Alexander Levy	250/1
Ryan Fox	250/1
Jordan Smith	250/1
Jason Kokrak	250/1
Nicolas Colsaerts	250/1
Graham DeLaet	250/1
Dylan Frittelli	300/1
Ernie Els	300/1
Pablo Larrazabal	300/1
Jeunghun Wang	300/1
Joost Luiten	300/1
Brandon Stone	500/1
Thongchai Jaidee	500/1
Richar Sterne	500/1
Scott Hend	250/1
Younghan Song	500/1
Kyung-Tae Kim	500/1
Satoshi Kodaira	500/1
Yuta Ikeda	500/1
Fabrizio Zanotti	500/1
Jim Herman	500/1
Thomas Bjorn	500/1
Chris Stroud	300/1

NASCAR: Martin Truex Jr. has just enough gas to beat Matt Kenseth to win at Watkins Glen.

By Jerry Bonkowski

(Photo/Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

While Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch ran out of fuel or made late pit stops, Martin Truex Jr. saved just enough gas to win Sunday’s I Love New York 355 at Watkins Glen International.

Truex had saved fuel for the final 20 laps and had just enough to hold off Matt Kenseth‘s charge on the final lap to earn his fourth win of the season.

It was Truex’s 11th career Cup win and his first at The Glen.

“I’m a little bit lost for words, I’ve been thinking about this one a long time, all weekend, all day,” Truex told NBCSN. “Man, it’s so hard to let guys pass you for the lead, you just have to listen to your crew chief (Cole Pearn), and luckily for me, I have the best one in the business.”

Kenseth finished second, followed by Daniel Suarez, Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer.

“Overall it was a good day, good finish, but hate to be that close and not get it,” Kenseth told NBCSN.

Sixth through 10th were Kurt Busch, pole sitter Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, A.J. Allmendinger and Erik Jones. All four Joe Gibbs Racing cars made finished in the top 10.

Several incidents of note occurred early in the final stage, including:

• On Lap 45, pole-sitter Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski spun in the bus stop but continued.
• On Lap 53, Kevin Harvick suffered significant left front damage after contact with Brett Moffitt. Harvick was leaving his pit stall and slammed into the right rear of Moffitt’s car.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s day ended after 22 laps due to a broken valve train. Earnhardt finished last in the 37-car field in the final Cup race of his career on a roadcourse.

It was an emotional win for the entire team. Not only was  Truex’s girlfriend, Sherry Pollex, on hand to watch him win, crew chief Cole Pearn dedicated the win to one of his best friends who passed away earlier this week.

STAGE WINNERS: Kyle Busch won Stage 1 (his ninth of the season).  Daniel Suarez captured Stage 2, his first stage win of 2017

WHO ELSE HAD A GOOD RACE: Matt Kenseth came close to earning his first win of the season. … Daniel Suarez led 14 laps and finished a career-best third place. … Clint Bowyer appeared in contention, but settled a fifth-place finish, his fifth top-10 finish in the last seven races.

WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. had his ninth finish of 30th or worse this season (40.9 percent). … Kevin Harvick had a decent day going until he slammed into Brett Moffitt on pit road. Harvick finished 17th.

NOTABLE: Sunday was Boris Said’s final race of his long and successful racing career. He finished 30th.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This is a dream come true. I used to walk around the garage here as a kid, dreaming of racing here. We’ve been coming here a long time, us Truex’s, and we finally got us one (a win).”

WHAT’S NEXT: Pure 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Sunday, August 13, 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Martin Truex Jr. continues to pad points lead with Watkins Glen win.

By Daniel McFadin

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

With his win Sunday in the I Love New York 355, Martin Truex Jr. extended his points lead over Kyle Busch to 116 points while increasing his playoff point total to 34.

Completing the top five is Kyle Larson (-122), Kevin Harvick (-135) and Denny Hamlin (-194).

There are still three spots left to be filled on the playoff grid with four races left until the regular season finale.

Click here for the points standings.

Kyle Busch spins and wins at Watkins Glen.

By Dustin Long

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Kyle Busch overcame an early spin, pit road penalty and late restart to win Saturday’s Xfinity race at Watkins Glen International for his record-extending 90th series victory.

Busch’s win came only a few days after NASCAR announced further reductions on Cup drivers in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series next season.

Busch spun in Turn 1 while leading on Lap 17 of the 82-lap race. He was penalized on Lap 21 for driving through too many pit boxes. A caution after Casey Mears ran out of fuel created the final restart with three laps to go.

Still, those setbacks weren’t enough to keep him from winning at Watkins Glen for the first time in an Xfinity Series race.

“We had to go to the back and put on a show for all of the fans here today and slicing our way through traffic,” Busch said.

Joey Logano, who had won this event the past two years, finished second. Brad Keselowski placed third and was followed by Justin Allgaier and Paul Menard.

“We were racing for kind of first of class, Joey and I were,” Keselowski told NBCSN. “The Toyotas in all three series just have so much power and aero than everybody else that it’s like two different races. I was going to need a lot more than a yellow, I was going to need parity in the series.”

STAGE 1 WINNER: Brad Keselowski

STAGE 2 WINNER: Paul Menard

HOW DID KYLE BUSCH WIN: He had the best car and showed it on the final restart with three laps to go when he pulled well ahead of the field and went on to cruise to the victory.

WHO HAD A GOOD RACE: Justin Allgaier finished fourth, the top-finishing Xfinity regular. This marked his 11th consecutive top-10 finish in a road course event. … William Byron finished 10th for his eighth consecutive top-10 finish. After the race, Byron’s car was found to be too low in the rear in inspection. 

WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Kyle Larson had engine problems early and exited the race, finishing last in the 40-car field. … Spencer Gallagher had contact that cut a tire and caused him to spin. After repairs, he finished 32nd, marking the fourth consecutive race he’s placed 28th or worse.

NOTABLE: Kyle Busch gave Joe Gibbs Racing its 139th victory, breaking a tie with Roush Fenway Racing for most wins by an organization in the Xfinity Series.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “(Kyle Busch) had such a good restart. He just gets through the gears better than us,’’ runner-up Joey Logano told NBCSN.

NEXT RACE: The series races Aug. 12 at Mid-Ohio Sports Course (3:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN)

Brendan Gaughan extends his advantage for final Xfinity playoff spot.

By Dustin Long

(Photo/nbcsports.com)

Brendan Gaughan‘s ninth-place finish helped him strengthen his hold on the 12th and final playoff spot with six races left in the regular season.

Gaughan entered Saturday’s Xfinity race with a 14-point lead on JJ Yeley for the final playoff spot. Yeley finished 39th after an engine failure. Ryan Sieg, who finished 27th, passed Yeley in the standings. Gaughan leads Sieg by 36 points for the final playoff spot.

Elliott Sadler remains the points leader. He leads JR Motorsports teammate William Byron by 52 points. JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier is third in the standings, 124 points behind Sadler.

Xfinity Series points report.

SOCCER: David Accam admits there are 'a lot of offers' for him, but doesn't give a hint about his future. 

By Dan Santaromita

(Photo/USA TODAY)

The drama surrounding David Accam may not be going away anytime soon, but while getting grilled by reporters about his future after Saturday's win against New England, he made it sound more likely that he could stay at least through the end of the season with the Fire.

After coming off the bench, and scoring, in each of the past two matches, Accam started and played 65 minutes in the 4-1 win against the Revolution. He admitted to some frustration over not starting those matches, but was happy to be back in the lineup again.

“You want to play every game,” Accam said. “For me, I’m just happy I came back today and helped the team.”

The Fire winger has created some drama in recent weeks with comments about how he was upset about being left off the MLS All-Star team by coach Veljko Paunovic, who selected 11 of the players on the roster. The story continued when his request to be sold abroad was reported.

When he also came off the bench last weekend in Kansas City that only fanned the flames of the rumors. The latest report comes out of Germany, where kicker is reporting Bundesliga club Hannover have made an offer for Accam.

On Saturday though, Accam returned to the starting lineup and helped the Fire snap a three-match winless streak. When asked about what changed with Accam since he came off the bench the last two weeks, Paunovic didn’t directly respond.

“We believe that the guys who are ready to perform and to give us performance obviously, but give us what we need in order to win the games,” Paunovic said. “We choose these guys to play. It’s always about the team. It’s always about trying to do our best to win.”

Accam said that the Fire have picked up his contract option for the 2018 season. That was largely a formality at this point because the Fire weren’t about to let him go for free and having him under contract for another year will give the team more leverage in any negotiations with a club outside MLS.

“It shows their commitment to me, that they really want me to be here,” Accam said. “For me, I’m happy they’re taking my option for next year. Just concentrate on the team and help the team win MLS Cup.”

Accam also admitted that there are offers for him. While he wouldn’t say if he wanted to leave, Accam’s words after Saturday’s game make it sound more possible than before that he will at least finish this season with the Fire.

“I’ll be honest there’s a lot of offers from teams,” Accam said. “For me it shows that I’m doing really well. I’m playing well. I’m playing on a good team and that’s just a testament of what we’re doing here. My performance is showing and we’re winning games so for me my head is still here and the rumors will always be there.”

After waiting a year and a half, Patrick Doody takes advantage of his chance. 

By Dan Santaromita

(Photo/csnchicago.com)

For a season and a half Patrick Doody waited for his chance under coach Veljko Paunovic.

He finally got it last weekend against Sporting Kansas City, playing for the first time since his rookie season in 2015. He got another start, and three assists, in Saturday’s 4-1 win against New England.

“He still has a lot of things to improve, keep working, stay on the ground, but he did well,” Paunovic said. “Obviously we’re happy with his performance. In the second half he was kind of more relaxed because he was further from me on the other side of the sideline. It was a good performance from him and it’s great to have depth in that position. Obviously that was his second start this year and he’s adjusting very well. He's giving the team what the team needs, solidness in defense and in attack he’s determined and has that great curveball and great crosses like the one that he served when Michael de Leeuw scored. That’s what we expect from him and he delivered that, so that’s great.”

Doody assisted David Accam’s goal in the 3-2 loss in Kansas City last week. Against New England he assisted Juninho’s first Fire goal, with some help from a Bastian Schweinsteiger dummy, and sent in a pearl of a cross to de Leeuw, who headed in the Fire’s third goal.

After setting up de Leeuw’s goal, Doody’s teammates piled on him in celebration of his standout play.

“I tell a lot of guys, if you’re not playing, one of the key things that you need to do is get the respect of your teammates,” Doody said. “Sometimes that’s all you can do is be a good teammate. Knowing that the guys in the locker room trust me and have confidence in me, that goes a long way. It’s a really good locker room and I’m really lucky to have these guys with me.”

Doody, who is a homegrown player from Naperville, capped off his standout night by dribbling into the corner in added time, but finding room to cross into the box. From there, Luis Solignac collected the ball and scored to give Doody a hat trick of assists.

Doody’s playing time came with Brandon Vincent, the starting left back since the start of last season, going down with a quad injury in warmups before a match in Portland on July 5. On that day, Michael Harrington was the last minute replacement, but he labored to finish the match.

Doody has since stepped in as the start and, while he was burned for a goal in Kansas City, has produced on the attacking end.

“It’s all about just trying to be ready,” Doody said. “Brandon has had a great year, an outstanding year, and it’s unfortunate what happened to him. Through this whole time I’ve just been trying to be ready and grateful that coach gave me an opportunity. I’m trying to keep staying out there, that’s how it is.”

Doody is in his third year in the league and has made nine appearances and eight starts with the Fire. He has spent much of his time with the Fire on loan, most of which has been with Saint Louis FC. Doody had another stint in Missouri earlier this summer.

His man of the match performance on Saturday will help make the case that he can stick in MLS.

“Everyone in here has something to prove,” Doody said. “This is my third year with the team. Obviously being a homegrown guy, it means a lot to me being on this team. I knew this year was going to have to be a big one, especially after how last year didn’t necessarily go my way. I’m really grateful for the opportunity. I have a lot that I really want to get better at, but tonight was a special night.”

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea: Gunners win Community Shield on penalties.

By Kyle Bonn

(Photo/Getty Images)

Victor Moses scored 47 seconds into the second half to put Chelsea in front, but Arsenal new boy Sead Kolasinac hit back with nine minutes remaining to even things up and send the game into a penalty shootout which the Gunners won 4-2 to take home the silverware.

The first chance fell to Arsenal in the 6th minute, as Alex Iwobi dribbled to the byline and fed the middle for Alexandre Lacazette, but his cutback was too pacey and the Frenchman couldn’t direct it on net from point-blank range. The Gunners continued to threaten minutes later as Hector Bellerin chipped the back line with Danny Welbeck in on goal, but his header was right at Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal continued to take advantage of uncharacteristic spaces in Chelsea’s defense. Lacazette looked to bend a shot into the corner in the 23rd minute but struck the post.

There was a break in play on the half-hour mark as Per Mertesacker took an elbow straight to the nose from Gary Cahill while battling for a 50/50 ball in the air. The big German had to come off with his face bleeding profusely, and as Arsenal was without a true central defender on the bench, they were forced to bring in Sead Kolasinac in Mertesacker’s place.

With the Gunners the better team in the first half, Chelsea struck within seconds of the halftime restart. Off a corner, a poor clearance by Xhaka led Gary Cahill to head back into the box, and Moses got free behind the defense to poke home for a 1-0 lead in the 46th minute.

With Chelsea in front, Arsenal looked to break the Blues down. Arsene Wenger brought on Olivier Giroud in the 66th minute for Lacazette, while Antonio Conte countered with new signing Alvaro Morata. Xhaka had a go on net from distance with 15 minutes to go, and forced a fabulous save by Courtois with the ball destined for the top corner.

With 11 minutes to go, Pedro was given a straight red card for a nasty tackle down the back of Elneny’s ankle, and Arsenal wasted no time pulling back level with the man advantage, scoring on the ensuing free-kick. Xhaka sent in a pinpoint delivery to the far post from deep in the midfield, and Kolasinac was there unmarked to head home.

With no extra time, penalties ensued at the full-time whistle, with the new A-B-B-A format. Conte sent goalkeeper Courtois up second, and he skied the penalty over the bar. That was followed up by a save from Cech on Morata’s spot-kick, and Arsenal secured the trophy on Olivier Giroud’s strike from the spot.

NCAAFB: Greg Schiano thinks Ohio State defensive line is better than one he had in NFL.

By Bryan Fischer

(Photo/Getty Images)

It’s only early August which means every team is still undefeated and every player has all the potential in the world. As a result, coaches can be a bit prone to hyperbole at times when discussing their squad and the latest example of that may have come this weekend in Columbus.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano jumped on BTN on Saturday and was not surprisingly asked about the Buckeyes’ fearsome defensive line. While there’s little doubt that it should be one of the best in college football in 2017, the former NFL head coach also thinks it’s better than what he had back with the Buccaneers.

“It is, and that’s not a joke,” said Schiano. “We had a great player in Tampa in Gerald McCoy. Tremendous player, but that was one guy. I go back to my days in Miami in ’99 and 2000 and this is clearly a better group.”

Schiano’s Bucs went 7-9 and 4-12 during his tenure but did have their moments, including the NFL’s best run defense in 2012 and a solid pass defense the next year. In addition to McCoy anchoring the defensive line, former 1st rounder Adrian Clayborn recorded several sacks and, perhaps most notably in Schiano’s first season, Michael Bennett found the quarterback nine times with the team.

Where Schiano might have a point is when it comes to depth given that he has B1G Defensive lineman of the Year Tyquan Lewis back next to Sam Hubbard, Michael Lewis, Nick Bosa and several others. Make no mistake, the Buckeyes are very, very good in the trenches this year but they are not quite to the level of being an NFL-caliber defensive line just yet. Heck, given what Clemson returns in 2017, they may not even be the best group in the country all things considered.

Harbaugh picks Charles Woodson as Michigan’s honorary captain for Ohio State game.

By Bryan Fischer

(Photo/Getty Images)

We’re right in the middle of preseason camps around the country but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t time for Jim Harbaugh to take care of a little business for down the road.

In the latest series of YouTube videos posted to his new channel, the Michigan coach filmed a series of phone calls informing three of the Wolverines’ honorary captains for this year of the honor they were receiving. One of the first (somewhat awkward) calls went to former Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, whom Harbaugh asked if he would serve as captain for the team’s biggest rival in Ohio State.

“You had me at hello,” Woodson said.

We’re still not sure what the deal is with Harbaugh’s Maytag repairman shirt that he is wearing but a nice honor for Woodson to fire up the team when the Buckeyes come to Ann Arbor this season. Other famous honorary captains announced include Fossil Group founder Tom Kartsotis for the Florida game and ESPN’s Adam Schefter for a home game against Cincinnati.

NCAABKB: UCLA, Notre Dame will revive series, play home-and-home in 2018 and 2019.

By Matt Norlander

(Photo/www.flickr.com)

Notre Dame and UCLA, who have five combined Sweet 16 appearances since 2014, have agreed to a home-and-home series. The Bruins and Fighting Irish will play in 2018 and 2019, with UCLA hosting first, on Dec. 18, 2018. 

These two schools have a history; Notre Dame famously ended UCLA's record 88-game winning streak on Jan. 19, 1974, at the height of the Bruins' dominance under Hall of Famer John Wooden. 

"The Notre Dame-UCLA basketball series is synonymous with college basketball," Irish coach Mike Brey said. "We will get to play in front of our great southern California fan base, take Rex Pflueger back to the Mater Dei area during his senior year with us and bring a historic rival back onto our schedule."

The series puts two prominent programs in position for their 50th meeting. Game No. 49 will be when UCLA hosts, then No. 50 comes in 2019. UCLA holds a 28-20 edge. From 1966-84, the Irish and Bruins met every year. Per Notre Dame's communication department, "Only twice in that 30-game run was neither team ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll."

Entering this season, UCLA and Notre Dame are ranked in the CBS Sport Top 25 (and one). UCLA has 1,849 wins in program history. Notre Dame sits at 1,845. 

"We're excited to add a big-time home-and-home series with Notre Dame to our future schedules," UCLA coach Steve Alford said. "These schools have been playing each other for decades, so it's always great to match up with Notre Dame. I have a ton of respect for Mike Brey and the fantastic job that he's done with the Fighting Irish, and I know that one year from now, this is certainly a game our fans will be excited to watch. It's great for our sport to have two tradition-rich programs taking center stage."

The schools last met on Dec. 19, 2009. Notre Dame won at home 84-73.

Chris Holtmann, Ohio State having ‘conversations’ about igniting in-state rivalries.

By Rob Dauster

(Photo/Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The era of Ohio State avoiding regular season, non-conference games against intra-state rivals may be coming to an close with Chris Holtmann at the helm of the program.

Ohio State has not played Cincinnati in a non-conference game since 2006. They have not faced off with Dayton for nearly 30 years, since 1988, and Xavier has not gotten a regular season game against the Buckeyes since 1935, but a change to that philosophy is at least under consideration.

“We’ve engaged in some of those conversations,” Holtmann told reporters this week, adding later that “part of our job is to provide a game that’s exciting for our fans. We’re working on some things. It’s probably, in terms of a final decision, a ways off, but I’m certainly open to it.”

Holtmann was formerly the head coach at Butler, who participated in the Crossroads Classic, an annual doubleheader featuring the four best programs in Indiana — Indiana, Purdue, Butler and Notre Dame — squaring off against each other. Something like that in the state of Ohio would be awesome for everyone … except the OSU head coach if and when he loses to “little brother”.

Holtmann understands that, and if he’s OK with risking it in the name of an awesome event that should get those rivalries going, then Ohio State should back him.

LaDainian Tomlinson's stirring Hall of Fame speech on unity is one America needs to hear. 

By Jarrett Bell

LaDainian Tomlinson pulls back the cloth on his bust with Lorenzo Neal (right) during the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Photo/Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)

More than 20 minutes into his induction speech on a marathon of a night at the podium, LaDainian Tomlinson paused and collected himself.

As fans chanted, “L.T., L.T.,” Tomlinson urged the crowd to stay with him.

“I’m almost finished,” he said.

And I’m thinking: Rats.

Tomlinson kept his speech to 26 minutes, but I could have listened to him for twice as long. That’s how inspiring the message was from the former running back, who not only revealed the depth of his heart but also challenged America to develop a unified soul.

He segued into his closing theme by sharing his family’s roots, traced back to his great-great-great grandfather, George Tomlinson, who came to America on a slave ship 170 years ago from West Africa. Tomlinson reminded fellow Americans that unless they are Native Americans, their ancestors came here from somewhere else.

Obviously, the divisions in this nation – by race, class, religion, political leanings, economics – have moved Tomlinson.

Kudos to him speaking out with a spirit to make a difference.

“On America’s team, let’s not choose to be against one another,” he said. “Let’s choose to be for one another. My great-great-great grandfather had no choice. We have one. I pray we dedicate ourselves to being the best team we can be, working and living together, representing the highest ideals of mankind. Leading the way for all nations to follow.”

Quick, elect Tomlinson and send him to Washington.

Simply put, his Obama-esque speech was one of – if not the absolute best – the most stirring messages ever delivered upon induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Too often, when football players or other athletes speak out about social issues, they are chastised by some with the classic stick-to-sports retort.

Yet Tomlinson, an NFL MVP and record-breaker during his hey day with the San Diego Chargers, showed another type of greatness. He reflected the human spirit that extends beyond the field. In a sense, I’m not surprised that this message came from him. During his playing career, Tomlinson struck me as one of the most passionate players in the league – one who took losing big games hard.

Now, at a time when Colin Kaepernick is essentially being blackballed from playing in the NFL – becoming a polarizing figure after he protested social inequalities and police brutality affecting African-Americans by taking a knee during the national anthem – it is refreshing that Tomlinson opted to use his grand moment to make a statement of his own.

“Football is a microcosm of America – all races, religions and creeds living, playing, competing side by side,” Tomlinson said.

Much was said during the weekend about football representing American values. To an extent, that notion sells. Yet it falls short when considering Kaepernick, roadblocked and demonized by some for essentially exercising a basic American right.

Tomlinson wasn’t the only speaker to touch a social nerve. Kenny Easley, the former Seattle Seahawks safety who was the first one inducted at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, set a tone that Tomlinson ultimately added layers to.

“Black lives do matter and all lives matter, too,” Easley said. “But the carnage affecting young black men today from random violence to police shootings across this nation has to stop.”

Like Tomlinson, Easley challenged the nation as a whole.

“We’ve got to stand up as a country, as black Americans and fight the good fight to protect our youth and our American constitutional right not to die while driving or walking the streets black in America,” Easley said. “It has to stop, and we can do it, and the lessons we learn in sports can help.”

This is the message that, of course, you’ll never hear from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

But some of the new Hall of Famers will, with all of the soul and purpose that made them great on the field. Tomlinson paraphrased a message that Obama gave during his farewell address, when he urged Americans to “try harder, show up, dive in and stay at it.”

“I’m asking you to believe in your ability to bring about change,” Tomlinson added, “to hold fast to the faith and the idea whispered by slaves: Yes, we can.”

And like that, Canton heard a speech for the ages.

Pro Football NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2017. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame

L to R, Kurt Warner, Jason Taylor, Jerry Jones, LaDainianTomlinson, Kenny Easley, Terrell Davis and Morten Andersen.  (Photo/Pro Football Hall of Fame)

MORTEN ANDERSEN

Kicker … 6-2, 218 … Michigan State … 1982-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-2000, 2006-07 Atlanta Falcons, 2001 New York Giants, 2002-03 Kansas City Chiefs, 2004 Minnesota Vikings … 25 seasons, 382 games … Selected by Saints in 4th round (86th player overall) of 1982 draft … Began career in strike-shortened 1982 season … Scored more than 90 points in 22 seasons … Topped 100-point total 14 times in career … First 100-plus season, 1985, connected on 31 of 35 field goals, 27 extra point conversions, for 120 points, earning first of seven Pro Bowl selections … Also named All-Pro five times … After 13 years with Saints and ranking as team’s all-time leading scorer, joined the Falcons in 1995 … Became Falcons career scoring leader … Spectacular 1995 season, scored a career-high 122 points, including then NFL-record for most 50-yard field goals in season (8) … Dec. 10, 1995, became first kicker to convert three field goals of 50 yards or longer in single game … Set NFL records for career points (2,544), most field goals (565), games played (382) … His 40 field goals of 50-plus yards most in NFL history at retirement … Named to two NFL All-Decade Teams (1980s and 1990s) ... Converted 565 of 709 field goal attempts, 849 of 859 point-after-attempts … Led NFL in field goals, 1987 … Led NFC in scoring, 1992 and topped all conference kickers in most field goals in 1985, 1987, and 1995 … Born August 19, 1960 in Struer, Denmark.

TERRELL DAVIS

Running Back … 5-11, 206 … Long Beach State, Georgia … 1995-2001 Denver Broncos … 7 seasons, 78 games … Selected by Broncos in the sixth round, (196th player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft … Made big splash when he earned starting tailback position as rookie … Despite missing final two games of rookie campaign with hamstring tear, eclipsed 1,000-yard mark and added career-high 49 receptions for 367 yards ... In second year, gained 1,538 yards rushing, named Offensive Player of the Year ... Rushed for 1,750 yards and league-high 15 TDs in 1997 … In 1998 became fourth runner in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in season (2,008) and led NFL with 21 rushing TDs en route to Denver’s second straight Super Bowl title ... Set NFL playoff record seven straight 100-yard performances spanning 1997-98 postseasons ... Earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XXXII after rushing 157 yards, 3 TDs in victory over Packers ... Scored 8 rushing touchdowns in ’97 playoff run ... In 1998 playoffs, rushed for franchise postseason-record 199 yards against Dolphins in divisional playoff, 167 yards vs. Jets in the championship and 102 yards in Super Bowl XXXIII victory over Falcons … Devastating knee injury limited him to just 17 games over his final three seasons … Three-time All-Pro selection … Rushed for 7,607 yards, 60 TDs in just 78 career games … Added additional 1,280 yards on 169 career catches and five TD receptions … Selected to three Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s … Born October 28, 1972 in San Diego California.

KENNY EASLEY

Safety … 6-3, 206 … UCLA … 1981-87 Seattle Seahawks … 7 seasons, 89 games …  Drafted as fourth player overall by Seahawks in 1981 NFL Draft … Three-time consensus All-America at UCLA … Made immediate impact in Seattle with his intimidating style on defense … Developed reputation as punishing tackler … Picked as Defensive Rookie of the Year after sensational first season in which he recorded 3 interceptions for 155 yards and 1 TD (82-yarder vs. Browns), 1981 … Defensive leader of Seahawks team that advanced to franchise’s first-ever AFC championship game, 1983 … Registered 7 interceptions for 106 yards to earn AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors, 1983 … Named Defensive Player of the Year in 1984 after recording league-high and career-best 10 interceptions including pair of pick-sixes (25 yards vs. Patriots; 58 yards vs. Chiefs) … All-Pro four straight seasons, 1982-85 … Named to five Pro Bowls (1983-86, 1988) … Member of NFL’s All-Decade Team of 1980s … Intercepted multiple passes in each of seven NFL seasons … Led team in interceptions four times (1982, 1983, 1984, 1987) … Career stats: 32 interceptions, 538 yards and 3 TDs … Also had 8 career sacks and returned 26 punts for 302 yards … Born January 15, 1959 in Chesapeake, Virginia.

JERRY JONES

Owner, President & General Manager … Arkansas … 1989-Present Dallas Cowboys … Purchased Cowboys in 1989 and quickly restored winning tradition to franchise … Has led Cowboys to unprecedented success on and off the field … Leadership in sports marketing and promotion has influenced landscape of NFL and America’s sports culture … Became first owner in league history to win three Super Bowls in first seven years of ownership … Cowboys made seven playoff appearances, six division titles and wins in Super Bowls XXVII, XVIII and XXX in Jones’ first decade of owning team … Dallas has advanced to postseason 13 times under Jones … Cowboys have posted 10 wins in a season 12 times during Jones era … Led franchise to NFC Eastern Division titles five straight seasons, 1992-96 ... Also won division crowns in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2016 … Vision was driving influence in the creation and development of AT&T stadium, “crown jewel” of all sports venues … Continues to provide leadership for NFL in areas of marketing, sponsorship, television, stadium management, labor negotiations and television … Leadership has shaped and enhanced NFL’s standing as world’s premiere sports league … Co-captain of national champion Arkansas Razorbacks, 1964 … Born October 13, 1942 in Los Angeles, California.

JASON TAYLOR

Defensive End … 6-6, 260 … Akron … 1997-2007, 2009, 2011 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Washington Redskins, 2010 New York Jets … 15 seasons, 233 games … Drafted in 3rd round (73rd overall) by Dolphins in 1997 NFL Draft … Registered double-digit sack total in a season six times over an eight-year span (2000-07) … Earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Honors in 2006 after recording 13.5 sacks, two interceptions returned for TDs (20 yards vs. Bears and 51 yards vs. Vikings), 11 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 62 tackles … Returned fumble career-long and team-record 85 yards for TD vs. Broncos, Sept. 11, 2005 … Led NFL with career-high 18.5 sacks, 2002 … Recorded more sacks than any player in NFL from 2000-2011 … Career statistics: 139.5 sacks; 8 interceptions for 110 yards and 3 TDs; league record-tying 29 opponents’ fumbles recovered; NFL record 6 TDs on fumble recoveries; and 3 safeties (two with Dolphins, one as a member of Jets) … Voted to six Pro Bowls … Named first-team All-Pro in 2000, 2002 and 2006 … All-AFC four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006)… Picked as Dolphins Most Valuable Player four times … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born September 1, 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

LADAINIAN TOMLINSON

Running Back … 5-10, 221 … Texas Christian … 2001-09 San Diego Chargers, 2010-11 New York Jets … 11 seasons, 170 games … Selected by Chargers in 1st round (5th player overall) of 2001 NFL Draft … Sensational rookie season with 1,236 yards and 10 TD rushing plus 59 receptions for 367 yards … Eclipsed 1,600-yard mark in back-to-back seasons, 2002-03 … Rushed for 1,000 yards in each of first eight NFL seasons … Scored 10 or more rushing TDs each of nine seasons with Chargers … Captured back-to-back rushing titles, 2006-07 … Named NFL’s 2006 Most Valuable Player with leading-leading and career-high 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns rushing in addition to 56 catches for 508 yards and 3 TDs to set NFL record with 31 touchdowns and 186 points in a season … Hauled in 100 receptions in 2003 … Set NFL record with rushing touchdown in 18 straight games (2004-05) … All-Pro four straight seasons (2004-07) … Named Chargers Most Valuable Player five times … Voted to five Pro Bowls over six-season span … Rushed for 13,684 career yards on 3,174 carries and scored 145 rushing touchdowns … Added 4,772 yards on 624 catches and 17 TD receptions … Also threw 7 TD passes … Named to NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s … Born June 23, 1979 in Rosebud, Texas.

KURT WARNER

Quarterback … 6-2, 220 … Northern Iowa … 1998-2003 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New York Giants, 2005-09 Arizona Cardinals … 12 seasons, 124 games … Not drafted in the NFL … Originally signed by and then released by Green Bay Packers in 1994 … Went on to play in Arena Football League with Iowa Barnstormers (1995-97) … Returned to NFL with Rams as free agent and allocated to NFL Europe’s Amsterdam Admirals … Returned to Rams in 1998 … Went on to become a two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001) and named Super Bowl XXXIV MVP after leading Rams to victory 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans … Set Super Bowl record with 414 passing yards … He recorded another MVP season two years later when he guided Rams back to the Super Bowl ... His season totals included a league-leading and career-high 4,830 yards and 36 touchdowns to post a 101.4 passer rating … Warner made a third trek to the Super Bowl in 2008 season when he led Arizona Cardinals to franchise’s first division title since 1975 and first-ever Super Bowl appearance … Only quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three Super Bowls … A four-time Pro Bowl choice, led NFL in average gain per attempt, three times … Had highest passer rating and led NFL in TD passes twice … Born June 22, 1971 in Burlington, Iowa.

On This Date in Sports History: Today is Monday, August 7, 2017.

Memoriesofhistory.com

1907 - Senator pitcher Walter Johnson won his first major league game by defeating the Indians, 7-2.

1965 - Britain's Jim Clark won his fifth consecutive Grand Prix.

1968 - In his major league debut, Joe Keough (A's) hit a home run in his first at-bat.

1985 - A five-year agreement between the major league baseball players union and team owners ended a two-day mid-season players’ strike. The season resumed the next day.

1987 - Bill Mazeroski's uniform jersey #9 was officially retired from active service by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1999 - Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres) got his 3,000th hit. 

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