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''I've seen a lot of things as far as mentally just throughout a game, just understanding that if I'm going to make a play happen, I'm going to have to make that play,'' Lamb said. ''I know my guys are going to make the play ... but when it comes to my opportunity, I have to step up.''
''It's just been an awesome, steady climb,'' offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said. ''He's made some big plays and I think he's just become so steady and consistent the back part of the season as we build this thing.''
''CeeDee Lamb has always had such expectations from everyone, the fans, most of all, himself,'' owner Jerry Jones said on his radio show Friday. ''It's great to see that come to fruition. He is an extremely hard worker. He's highly intelligent. And he does have unique after-catch skills.''
The Cowboys forced two more turnovers to push their NFL-leading total to 32. Dallas has a chance to be the first team to lead the league in takeaway in consecutive seasons since Pittsburgh did it three straight years in the ''Steel Curtain'' era of the early 1970s. | 2022-12-30T20:18:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | WR Lamb looks like leading man as playoffs loom for Cowboys | https://sports.yahoo.com/wr-lamb-looks-leading-man-194127571.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wr-lamb-looks-leading-man-194127571.html?src=rss |
Date: Jan. 2 (5 p.m. ET)
Line: Utah -2.5
Utah (10-3): Utah had a rather winding route to this stage. The Utes had preseason playoff hype, but they lost a heartbreaker on the road to Florida to open the season. From there, Utah rebounded with four straight blowout wins before dropping another road game, this time to UCLA. Though their CFP hopes were greatly diminished by a second loss, the Utes kept fighting in an effort to repeat as Pac-12 champions.
After the UCLA loss, Utah handed USC its first loss of the year with a game-winning two-point conversion in the final minute. That would start a four-game winning streak for the Utes, even as star players like Cameron Rising and Dalton Kincaid were limited by injuries. A clearly hobbled Rising threw three interceptions in a road loss to Oregon. It was a loss that seemed to doom Utah’s conference title chances, but the Utes won their final two games and had multiple other pieces fall into place in the final weekend of the season to send Utah back to the Pac-12 title game.
The Pac-12 title game was a rematch with USC. Utah fell behind 17-3 early, but stormed back as Heisman winner Caleb Williams was hobbled by a hamstring injury for the Trojans. Utah turned that 17-3 deficit into a 47-24 win, giving the Utes another Pac-12 title and trip to the Rose Bowl.
Cameron Rising has Utah in the Rose Bowl for a second consecutive season. The Utes lost to Ohio State last season. In 2023, they will take on Penn State. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Penn State (10-2): On the heels of a combined 11-11 record in 2020 and 2021, Penn State is back on a big stage to cap off the 2022 season. The Nittany Lions have reached double-digit victories for the fourth time in the past seven seasons. It’s also the program’s fourth major bowl game during that span.
PSU won all 10 games in which it was the favorite this season, but lost twice as an underdog to the Big Ten’s two College Football Playoff participants — Michigan and Ohio State. Those two losses came in a three-week span and by a combined 37 points. When PSU played inferior competition, it dominated. All but one of PSU’s 10 wins came by a double-digit margin.
After PSU fell to 7-2 with a 44-31 home loss to Ohio State, the Nittany Lions won their final four games by a combined margin of 165-40.
Utah: TE Dalton Kincaid, CB Clark Phillips, RB Tavion Thomas
Penn State: CB Joey Porter Jr., WR Parker Washington
Utah QB Cameron Rising: He has been the heart and soul of the Utah offense since he took over as starter early last season. Rising has led the Utes to consecutive Pac-12 titles and is eager to get another shot at winning a Rose Bowl. This season, Rising has thrown for 2,939 yards and 25 touchdowns and also has rushed for 409 yards and six scores. Rising was knocked out of last season’s Rose Bowl vs. Ohio State, which culminated in a heartbreaking 48-45 loss. Rising has been banged up for much of the season and even missed the Washington State game. His ability to run was a big part of the win over USC in October, but he has been rather limited in that area in the weeks since. After having a few weeks off, will Rising’s legs be unleashed in this game?
Penn State LB Abdul Carter: Penn State had an array of young players emerge over the course of the 2022 season. Included in that bunch are true freshmen running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Those two have combined to rush for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns on the year, but linebacker Abdul Carter is going to need to have a big game if PSU wants to get the win in Pasadena. Carter has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons, and it’s not just because he also wears No. 11. Carter has been that good. He has the sideline-to-sideline speed needed to track down ball-carriers, and the burst to close quickly when in pursuit of the quarterback. He enters the bowl game with 55 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, and he didn’t become a starter until midseason.
Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter leads the Nittany Lions with 6.5 sacks this season. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Utah: Before playing in the Rose Bowl last season, Utah had played in just two major bowl games — wins in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl and the 2008 Sugar Bowl. Kyle Whittingham has been Utah’s head coach since 2005 and guided the program’s ascendance from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. In 2008, the Utes went undefeated but were ranked No. 6 in the final BCS rankings. Utah then went on to beat Alabama handily in the Sugar Bowl.
Utah moved into the Pac-12 in 2011 and didn’t reach the conference championship game until the 2019 season. The Utes lost to Oregon that year with a possible playoff berth on the line. In the past two seasons, the Utes got over the hump and won the Pac-12. With a win, Utah would win the Rose Bowl for the first time in program history.
Penn State: This is the fifth Rose Bowl appearance in Penn State history. The Nittany Lions lost their last two trips to Pasadena, falling to USC in 2008 and 2016. PSU is 1-3 all-time in the Rose Bowl with the program’s lone win coming back in 1994, the season when PSU went 12-0 under Joe Paterno. The 2016 Rose Bowl was the first New Year’s Six bowl trip for PSU under James Franklin. Since then, PSU beat Washington in the Fiesta Bowl in 2017 and Memphis in the Cotton Bowl in 2019. With a win, PSU can reach the 11-win mark for the fourth time under Franklin and create a springboard into next season. PSU has a lot of young talent, and a Rose Bowl win would bring the Nittany Lions only more hype entering the offseason.
Sam Cooper: There are some really impressive athletes on Penn State’s defense and I think that’s going to pose a tough matchup for the Utah offense — especially without Dalton Kincaid. Rising’s ability to run is going to be a key for the Utes, who really want to win a Rose Bowl after losing the heartbreaker to Ohio State last January. But I think PSU is the better team overall. I don’t think Utah’s defense is as good as it has been in recent seasons and Penn State’s offensive line is much healthier after the layoff. PSU should be able to run the ball and has the better defense. I’ll take the points. Pick: Penn State +2.5
Nick Bromberg: I’m not sure how the Utah offense is going to function without Dalton Kincaid. We may find out that he was even more integral than we realized he was to Utah’s offensive success. I lean Penn State on the moneyline, especially with better than even money odds. So give me the Nittany Lions with the points and the under is also a tantalizing play. Pick: Penn State +2.5 | 2022-12-30T20:20:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | No. 6 Utah vs. No. 11 Penn State: Rose Bowl preview, best bets | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-utah-vs-no-11-penn-state-rose-bowl-preview-best-bets-171307681.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-utah-vs-no-11-penn-state-rose-bowl-preview-best-bets-171307681.html?src=rss |
The Padres appear to have a surplus of infielders after signing ex-Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts in free agency. Ha-Seong Kim, who was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop last season and would have to shift to second base if he stayed in San Diego, seems like a prime trade candidate, and The Athletic's Dennis Lin reports the Padres are "open to discussing" deals for both Kim and outfielder Trent Grisham.
How Red Sox' lineup, rotation and bullpen could look in 2023
The 27-year-old South Korea native slashed .251/.325/.383 last season with 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, 12 steals and 100 strikeouts in 150 games played. Those numbers aren't stellar, but they're a vast improvement from Kim's first season in Major League Baseball after coming over from the Korea Baseball Organization in 2021.
Kim hit .294 with 133 homers over seven seasons in the KBO, so the offensive potential is there. He's also an excellent defensive shortstop who would allow Trevor Story to remain at second base, where he thrived as a fielder in 2022.
Kim, who's on a favorable four-year, $28 million contract that runs through 2024, has also been on Boston's radar before: The Red Sox reportedly were among six teams interested in Kim when he came out of the KBO late in 2020.
While Kim wouldn't move the needle significantly in Boston, he'd still be a solid pickup for the Red Sox as a low-cost middle infielder to pair with Story.
New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins - Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from New Jersey Devils vs. Boston Bruins, 12/28/2022
Dick Flavin, beloved Fenway Park announcer and poet laureate, has passed away
Dick Flavin, the beloved voice of Fenway Park and poet laureate of the Boston Red Sox, has passed away.
ABC 10News Pinpoint Weather with Weather Anchor Vanessa Paz
Brent Venables talks about Oklahoma football's loss in the Cheez-It Bowl
Watch Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables talk about the Cheez-It Bowl after the Sooners fell to Florida State, 35-32. | 2022-12-30T20:20:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Padres reportedly open to trading Ha-Seong Kim; should Red Sox have interest? | https://sports.yahoo.com/padres-reportedly-open-trading-seong-185500226.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/padres-reportedly-open-trading-seong-185500226.html?src=rss |
Pittsburgh forward Blake Hinson (2) shoots over North Carolina forward Armando Bacot (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh guard Nike Sibande (22) celebrates after a 76-74 win over North Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh guard Jamarius Burton, center, controls the ball as time runs out in a 76-74 win over North Carolina in an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. At left is North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (0). (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH (AP) Jamarius Burton scored a career-high 31 points, Blake Hinson had seven points in the final minute and a half and Pittsburgh knocked off No. 25 North Carolina 76-74 on Friday.
''Jamarius was unbelievable through the whole game,'' Pitt coach Jeff Capel said. ''We rode him. He carried us. He made big plays. He defended. Just an unbelievable performance.''
''Nobody on our team could guard him,'' he said. ''(Pitt) stepped up and made plays down the stretch. Whether you're at home or on the road, you have to step up and make those plays, and we just didn't do it to win the game.''
Hinson put the Tar Heels away, making a 3-pointer from the right wing to give Pitt the lead for good 70-67 with 1:28 remaining, then extending the Panthers' lead by making two free throws with 36 seconds left and two more with 28 seconds to go to make it 74-69.
''I'm really proud of my team,'' Capel said. ''We fought for 40 minutes. We knew (North Carolina was) playing really, really well. They're as talented as any team in the country, but we fought. We got down early, we stayed together and we stayed fighting.''
Pitt won despite going just 5 of 25 on 3-point attempts after making at least 10 shots from beyond the arc in five of its last seven games. However, the Panthers scored 46 points in the paint in large part because of Burton's drives to the basket.
''We just tried to stay even-keeled, stayed locked in and realized there are other ways to win a basketball game besides knocking down threes,'' Burton said. ''We just followed the scouting report and continued to fight for one another.''
''I'm upset. I'm frustrated. I'm not happy at all,'' Davis said. ''I was really encouraged by the way we were playing over the last four games. This was a great opportunity to build on that. It still is. I just wish that we would have been better.'' | 2022-12-30T21:34:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | Burton scores 31, Pitt beats No. 25 North Carolina 76-74 | https://sports.yahoo.com/burton-scores-31-pitt-beats-193127145.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/burton-scores-31-pitt-beats-193127145.html?src=rss |
The Florida Gators will host one of the top recruits in the class of 2024, Kokomo (Indiana) five-star center Flory Bidunga, over New Year’s weekend, according to 247Sports.
Bidunga, who stands at 6-feet-9-inches tall and weighs 215 pounds, is the No. 4 overall prospect on 247Sports’ individual ranking system and holds the same spot on the 247Sports composite rankings. He moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2021 and quickly shot up the charts.
The Gators offered him a scholarship back in September, and Bidunga claimed that Florida was one of the top schools he was considering. He also holds offers from Auburn, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and Wake Forest.
“Florida is one of the top schools in the United States not only for basketball but for education, too,” Bidunga said. “If I go there, I will play but I will get a good education, too.”
He could be a candidate for reclassification as well. Rumors have suggested as much, but Bidunga says that he has not made a decision yet. He’s focused on high school right now and developing a strong relationship with college staffs.
His main point of contact with the Orange and Blue is associate head coach Carlin Hartman, who visited him in Indiana before the start of the season.
Lakeland middle linebacker Rolijah Hardy is the big school defensive player of the year. | 2022-12-30T21:34:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida basketball hosting No. 4 prospect in 2024 class on official visit | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-basketball-hosting-no-4-203823212.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-basketball-hosting-no-4-203823212.html?src=rss |
Draymond reflects on GP2's journey, 'honored' to present ring originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Payton's 10-day contract was coming to an end, thinking the same would be said for his time with the Warriors. Two of the team's biggest stars made sure that didn't happen. Green and Steph Curry pushed for Payton to stay with the team the rest of the season. Little did they know that Payton would end up being a key piece to bringing a Warriors championship back to The Bay.
The way Payton did so wasn't an easy road, though. It never has been for his NBA career.
"It wasn't quite done," Green said Friday to reporters after Warriors shootaround, hours before the Warriors take on Payton's Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center. "He did that, played well and then had to come back and go through summer league and do all of that just to make the team.
"Spent all of training camp hurt. Plays one game and makes the team. And the rest is history."
There's defying expectations, and then there's doing what Payton did for the Warriors last season. The career journeyman ended up playing 71 regular-season games for the Warriors, and started 16. He was a defensive menace who immediately made an impact on that side of the ball when his number was called. What made him even more reliable was the way his offense grew.
In his one full season with the Warriors, Payton set a career high in points (7.1) while also shooting 61.6 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. He's 6-foot-3 but played the dunker spot for the Warriors, and also could stretch the floor when called upon. Over 12 playoff games, Payton, as he guarded some of the top scorers in the game, 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 65.9 percent overall and 53.3 percent from deep.
But over the offseason, Payton found a new home. Though a handful of players and coaches pushed for Payton's return, he was able to sign a life-changing contract with the Blazers worth more than $26 million -- a figure the Warriors weren't willing to match.
On Friday night, Payton will receive his championship ring in his return to Chase Center. Unfortunately for him, he'll be in street clothes. Payton still hasn't played a game for his new team as he recovers from abdominal surgery and getting into game shape. That won't stop Green and other former teammates from showing Payton a whole lot of love.
"To understand all of that and to understand GP's journey, to see him go and get his money, but most importantly to see what he was able to contribute to a championship -- I'm extremely excited and honored to be the person that's presenting him something that will matter and that nobody can take for the rest of your life."
The Warriors against the Blazers will be looking for their first four-game win streak of the season to close out the 2022 calendar year. At 18-18, Golden State's record isn't where many predicted them to be at this point. One of the bigger problems has been trying to replace Payton's production.
He's a special player in more ways than one. Beloved in the locker room, there aren't many, if any, who share his exact skill set. There are a handful of players around the league who can come off the bench and score points in bunches. What Payton did was different.
"Making it in the NBA is hard," Green said. "It took GP until age 29, 28 to figure that role out and star in that role. Quite frankly, we're comparing a 28-year, 29-year-old to a 19 or 20-year-old. Eight years of life in general does something to us all, let alone eight years of playing basketball.
"You're essentially talking about the growth of a 12-year-old to a 20-year-old, to put it into perspective."
Payton being back on the Warriors' home court to shine in diamond will be both a remembrance and a reminder. It can serve as the greatest example of what hard work and perseverance brings, as well as the importance of players like Payton for a championship team.
Former Boston Celtics big man Shaquille O’Neal on being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame | 2022-12-30T21:51:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Draymond Green 'honored' to give Gary Payton II Warriors championship ring | https://sports.yahoo.com/draymond-green-honored-gary-payton-211044085.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/draymond-green-honored-gary-payton-211044085.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears released their final injury report ahead of their Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions on Friday. A few key changes from Thursday’s report could have a significant impact on their chances of securing their fourth win of the season in the divisional showdown.
Especially at the wide receiver position, the Bears made strides to get back on the field, with Chase Claypool, Dante Pettis, and Equanimeous St. Brown all improving their status over the course of the week. Claypool was limited on Friday along with Pettis, and St. Brown was listed as a full participant and will play against Detroit.
Along with Claypool and Pettis, tight end Trevon Wesco was the Bears’ final player listed as questionable after having a limited designation all week with a calf injury.
Among those who were listed as definitively out for the matchup against the Lions were linebacker Sterling Weatherford and offensive lineman Ja’Tyre Carter. After not practicing on Thursday, Weatherford was a limited participant, but his illness did not improve enough for the Bears to consider playing him on Sunday. Carter suffered a back injury earlier in the week and did not practice on Thursday or Friday.
Defensive linemen Andrew Brown and Justin Jones and offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair are expected to play against Detroit. The linemen on both sides of the ball were all listed as full participants, and will not carry an injury designation.
While it is less than ideal to have so many players listed as questionable and out, Chicago is heading into this game with enough playmakers to put up a serious fight against the 7-8 Lions. Quarterback Justin Fields and the offense should still be able to run the ball effectively, and on defense, the Bears will still have most of their top talent available to hassle Jared Goff and the Detroit air attack. | 2022-12-30T21:58:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears release Friday injury report ahead of matchup vs. Lions | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-release-friday-injury-report-205016003.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-release-friday-injury-report-205016003.html?src=rss |
BEREA, Ohio (AP) Myles Garrett blamed himself for being benched.
Garrett was kept off the field for the first three plays on Dec. 24 against New Orleans - the coldest regular-season game in Browns history - after Stefanski punished him for ''a team thing.''
''That was coach's decision based off of what happened during the week and I respect his decision,'' Garrett said. ''I was sick and I didn't communicate well enough.''
''It's just a bad look for a starter just in general,'' he said after the Browns wrapped up preparations to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday. ''So just don't put myself in that situation again.''
''I think it was a misunderstanding at the end of the day,'' he said. ''But I mean that's how it went down and got to respect how he feels about the situation and his judgment.''
''No,'' he said. ''He has done a nice job. Been good.''
Garrett said he's moved on: ''Yeah, that's behind us. ... Nobody's in here worried about it.''
''It's a frustrating thing,'' he said. ''Visibly frustrated, get home and just that kind of energy you've brought throughout the season, you have to try to hold onto that. Energy, it's got to move. It's got to be in an environment or at leaves. It continues to move and display itself in different manners.
''But know when you lose like that and then you feel like you have a disappointing season, you missed the playoffs, when you feel like you should've made it or you should've done better - that's when you move the energy in the building, lose the positivity and things start to go into disarray.''
''We're trying to figure it out all together and right now we don't really have the recipe to get wins consistently as we'd like,'' he said. ''But I think most of the pieces are here and we just have to tight a couple of screws.'' | 2022-12-30T21:58:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Browns star Garrett respects decision to bench him 3 plays | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-star-garrett-respects-decision-200557835.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-star-garrett-respects-decision-200557835.html?src=rss |
Reaching twelve wins in an NFL season isn’t easy. It had happened to quarterback Dak Prescott only twice since being drafted by Dallas. Head coach Mike McCarthy achieved it just three times in his 12-plus seasons in Green Bay.
Getting there Thursday night sure wasn’t pretty, and that’s perfectly fine with the 2022 Cowboys.
After notching a 12th win for the second straight year- the first time the franchise has done that since the dynasty days of the 1990s- neither McCarthy nor Prescott were interested in entertaining talk about whether they won by enough.
“We came here for the win,” McCarthy told reporters from the podium after beating a depleted Tennessee squad that rested many of its star players. “We’re not going to get into what it’s supposed to be and things like that, because that’s how you get yourself in trouble.”
The 27-13 final score doesn’t look as close as the game felt for most of the night, with Dallas holding just a four-point lead as the fourth quarter began. The Titans, even without superstar running back Derrick Henry, outgained the Cowboys on the ground, and quarterback Josh Dobbs- with the playbook for just eight days- finished just 50 yards behind Prescott in passing.
But despite three turnovers and an offense that looked lackluster at times, the Cowboys prevailed. And that’s the important part to the players in the locker room.
“A thousand percent,” Prescott said in his press conference from Nissan Stadium. “A win’s a win. Obviously, there’s things to clean up, but they’re much easier and feel much better to clean up when you got the win. This is the NFL, and I say it time and time again: give these other guys credit. These guys get paid to do their job whether their starters are out or not.
“A win’s a win, and we’re going to take it and get better from the mistakes, and we’re going to make sure that we’re improving. But a road win on a short week? You’ve got to take them all. And the style points and all that? That’s for y’all that think games are won on paper.”
The league’s schedule-makers certainly did the team no favors. Dallas was faced with a brutal three-games-in-12-days stretch (with two games in each span coming on the road) on two separate occasions this season, all in the last seven weeks.
“This was a hard stretch,” McCarthy admitted Thursday night after giving his players the next three days off. “We knew this was going to be a hard stretch when the schedule came out, and that really held true. I’m happy these guys have got a couple days to catch their breath, because this has been a tough fourth quarter [of the season] so far.”
November and December have been especially tough for Prescott’s personal stats. The two-time Pro Bowler has been criticized for throwing 12 interceptions over the past two months, even though several of them have been either the fault of his receivers or pure bad luck. He now has 14 picks in 2022, the most he’s thrown in any season as a pro.
The only game in that stretch Prescott didn’t throw an interception was the 40-3 shellacking of Minnesota in Week 11, a day when just three of his tosses even hit the ground. But the passer bristled at the expectation that such an outing can be dialed up and put on repeat every week against every opponent.
“That’s all external and outside of our locker room,” he told media members. “All that talk, that’s for y’all, and we’re going to let y’all talk. What we’ve got is a culture and a brotherhood that knows what they have, what we have, what we’re capable of doing.”
Prescott pointed out that, apart from the three drives that ended via self-inflicted turnovers, the Cowboys scored points on five of their eight other possessions.
“We came out with a win,” he continued. “On a Thursday night, after a short week, against a team that was playing their ass off. A win’s a win at the end of the day. Whether they’re ugly, whether there are style points, you’ve got to take them however you can get them. And there’s a lot of confidence and things that you can take from that to move forward.”
Dallas also appeared to have cleaned up their penalty problem in recent weeks. In their five contests since Thanksgiving, they’re averaging just three flags per game. Against Tennessee, they didn’t incur any penalties at all until the second half.
But anyone who watched Thursday’s game saw a Cowboys team that, while maddeningly sloppy at times, is still talented enough to win even when they’re not at their best.
“It wasn’t clean. This wasn’t a clean performance. We recognize that; I’m not disputing that at all,” McCarthy admitted. “But I do know my football team. I know they came out of a hard victory [in Week 16], and it took them a little longer to get their bodies back, but that’s what Thursday Night Football is. It’s a tough challenge when you have to go on the road and all those things. But the most important thing is we answered the bell and we got it done.
“This was a game we needed to get, and we got it done. Whether we don’t get any style points, that’s okay. We’re still at 12 wins.”
Southwest Airlines approaches near-normal operations after major cancellations
After over a week with thousands of cancellations, Southwest Airlines is slowly returning to normal operations. | 2022-12-30T21:59:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys dismiss lack of style points in notching 12th win: ‘That’s for y’all’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-dismiss-lack-style-points-200353059.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-dismiss-lack-style-points-200353059.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers special teams unit went through some ups and downs through the early to middle portions of the season, but this is a group that, across the board, has been trending upward as of late. The kick coverage unit, however, is very much going to be tested by the Minnesota Vikings and Kene Nwangwu.
Nwangwu has been one of the more dynamic kick returners in the NFL this season. His 30 attempts are tied for the most with Keisean Nixon, and he trails only Nixon in total return yards. Nwangwu is also ninth in average, and he’s one of just two players with a kick return touchdown in 2022.
“He’s got great size and he’s got great speed and obviously he’s put on tape he has the ability to finish,” said special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia via Packers.com. “I think that (TD vs. New England)’s his third one in the National Football League, if I’m not mistaken. So, he’s hard to tackle, he’s a slippery player. We only had to cover him really one time the last time we played ’em up there, at their facility. So it will be a good challenge in this weather, he’s certainly going to get some returns against us. So hopefully, we’ll tackle.”
As Bisaccia mentions, because of Green Bay’s inability to put points on the board in Week 1, Nwangwu had just one return attempt against the Packers earlier in the season and totaled 25 yards.
Nwangwu is likely going to get several return opportunities against the Packers. While Mason Crosby remains steady as a field goal kicker, where his age continues to show is on kickoffs. With Crosby rarely getting the ball to the end zone, the 50 return attempts that opponents have against Green Bay is the most in football by seven, and Crosby’s return rate of 80.6%, according to PFF, is the second most in the NFL.
However, even with the kick return unit continuously having to make plays, they’ve held up well, allowing just 22.3 yards per return with opposing offenses’ average starting field position beginning at the 26-yard line–not bad, considering the Packers have had very few touchbacks. Since Week 12, Green Bay has been giving up only 20.6 yards per kick return, which is the eighth-best rate in the NFL during that span.
Both new faces, including Dallin Leavitt and Eric Wilson, along with the development of the young players, some of which include Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter, and Tyler Davis, have helped turn this unit around.
With the emergence of Nixon, Packers fans have seen firsthand how a dynamic return man can alter a game by giving the offense a shorter field to work with. In what is likely to be a close game – since those are the only types of games that both of these teams play – Nwangwu breaking a big return and giving an already dynamic Vikings’ offense a short field to work with could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Green Bay may also not have the opportunity to go blow-for-blow with Minnesota on kick returns with Nixon’s status for Sunday’s game up in the air at this time.
Overall, this is a Vikings’ special teams unit that ranks 31st by DVOA and 26th by PFF’s grading system, perhaps actually giving the Packers the upper hand in this matchup, although containing Nwangwu and Nixon’s availability will go a long way in determining that. | 2022-12-30T22:00:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers surging special teams unit must limit Vikings KR Kene Nwangwu | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-surging-special-teams-unit-211339077.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-surging-special-teams-unit-211339077.html?src=rss |
This week’s game-status report for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a mix of good news and bad news. The good news is safety Terrell Edmunds isn’t listed and is good to go against the Baltimore Ravens.
However, starting linebacker Myles Jack and starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi are both listed as questionable. Jack has been trying to get past a groin injury and Ogunjobi has been on the injury report for weeks with a toe injury he continues to play through.
One player who is out for this week’s game is backup safety Tre Norwood. Norwood suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s game and hasn’t practiced all week.
Pittsburgh is looking to avenge a 16-14 loss from earlier in the season when the Ravens just ran all over the Pittsburgh defense. We look for Ogunjobi to continue to play through his injury as he has for more than a month. If Jack is limited, Robert Spillane will continue to see an increased role. Spillane has been the team’s best inside linebacker all season so there will be no dropoff here.
U.S. military plane in evasive maneuvers after Chinese jet flies near
The U.S. military said a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to an American plane over the South China Sea, forcing it to take evasive maneuvers. | 2022-12-30T22:00:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steelers vs Ravens: 2 starters listed as questionable for Sunday | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-vs-ravens-2-starters-212413392.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steelers-vs-ravens-2-starters-212413392.html?src=rss |
Will Sunday be last Patriots home game for McCourty and Slater? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
This Sunday could mark the end of an era at Gillette Stadium.
Longtime New England Patriots captains Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater haven't mentioned retirement, but there's a chance the Week 17 matchup vs. the Miami Dolphins will mark their last time taking the field in Foxboro. It's the final Patriots home game of the season and at this point in their respective careers, both players are assessing their NFL futures on a year-to-year basis.
McCourty, 35, mulled his uncertain future last offseason before signing a one-year contract to stay in New England. Prior to re-signing, he opened up about his thought process as he weighed his options.
“Hanging out with the fam, getting an opportunity to not think about football for at least a month or two. I think even at this age, I’m going to continue to do the offseason stuff that I usually do, just to give myself that option of what you want to do next," McCourty told his brother Jason, who retired in July.
“I still feel great," the veteran safety added. "Going over all of the tests and all the things that we do during the season with our sports performance guy Johan, I haven’t had a dropoff in athletic ability and the physical traits to play the game. So it all really comes down to mentally and being ready and being able to tap back in and go through a full season. I think those are the things you have to think about.
“But I’m definitely going to take my time and see what happens for the future. I try not to say, ‘I’ll never do this’ or ‘I’m only going to do that’ and just kind of let it play itself out and see how it goes.”
Like McCourty, Slater re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year contract last offseason in free agency. The 37-year-old special teams ace acknowledged last January that he's "closer to the end" of his playing career. Earlier this week, the retirement topic came up again in a press conference.
McCourty enters Sunday with 964 tackles, 34 interceptions, two touchdowns, 108 passes defensed, and 11 forced fumbles in 204 career games (13 seasons), all with the Patriots. He has two Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl titles on his résumé.
Slater, also a Patriot for his entire 15-year NFL career, has two First-team All-Pro and three Second-team All-Pro nods to go with 10 Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowls. He is considered one of the greatest gunners in NFL history.
If this indeed is the end, they'll look to finish their time at Gillette Stadium on a high note with a win that could help them sneak into the postseason. The Patriots will clinch a playoff berth if they win Sunday's game against the Dolphins and the regular-season finale vs. the Buffalo Bills. A loss this week will eliminate them from postseason contention. | 2022-12-30T22:00:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Will Sunday be last Patriots home game for Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater? | https://sports.yahoo.com/sunday-last-patriots-home-game-210000341.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sunday-last-patriots-home-game-210000341.html?src=rss |
McGill making name for himself in stacked 49ers D-line originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — Veteran defensive tackle T.Y. McGill signed with the 49ers’ practice squad in mid-October.
It did not take him long to learn the defense, get on the field and have his name called often as part of the 49ers’ rotation along the defensive line.
On the subject of his name ...
“I’ve been T.Y. since I came out of the womb,” said McGill, whose given name is Torrone McGill Jr.
His dad, of course, is Torrone. But people in the small town of Jessup, Ga., took to calling him Tyrone. Over time, those who know him shortened his name to Ty.
“Then I come along and my grandmother was, ‘Well, we’re not going to call him Ty, we’re going to call him T.Y.’ Nobody ever calls me Torrone.”
McGill certainly has answered the call for the 49ers as one of the team’s key reserves during the club's eight-game winning streak. He has played a key role for a team that lost defensive tackles Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens and Hassan Ridgeway for large portions of the season. McGill and others stepped in, and the 49ers' defense has kept rolling.
McGill said he is pleased how he has played in seven games, but he knows he can be even better in defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryan’s system.
“I’m happy because I came in and was able to learn the system and help the guys,” he said. “I just want the guys behind me, beside me, to know they can count on me.
“DeMeco said the other night, as a player, you should count on your teammates counting on you. That stood out to me, and that has a lot to do with knowing where to be and knowing what to do when you get there.”
McGill played a key role in a goal-line stand in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders in Week 16. The 49ers thwarted running attempts from the 1-yard line on third and fourth down, and McGill was in the middle of it.
“T.Y. played awesome,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He's had a few good games for us here in the last month. He was in the backfield a ton.”
McGill only has six tackles in seven games. But he and the other defensive tackles have done the dirty work that enables linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner to rack up huge tackle numbers. McGill thrives on tying up blockers, allowing the linebackers to clean up.
“When we’re free and making plays, it’s a good thing for the whole team,” Greenlaw said. “He does a really good job of penetrating and being stout, and it allows us to make plays.”
Said McGill, “I love lining up down there and getting off the ball and wreaking havoc and making it so everybody can make plays.”
RELATED: Does McGlinchey receive enough credit for 49ers' success?
McGill, 30, is an NFL journeyman who has appeared in 54 games since originally signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 as an undrafted rookie from North Carolina State after a tryout.
His NFL journey has also included stops in Indianapolis, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Kansas City, the L.A. Chargers, Washington, New Orleans and Minnesota before coming to the 49ers. | 2022-12-30T22:01:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | T.Y. McGill making name for himself among stacked 49ers defensive line | https://sports.yahoo.com/t-y-mcgill-making-name-203014588.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/t-y-mcgill-making-name-203014588.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans released their final injury report ahead of their Week 17 encounter with the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.
Tight end Teagan Quitoriano (thigh) and center-guard Jimmy Morrissey (concussion) were ruled out for the game. Neither player practiced Friday.
Running back Dare Ogunbowale (knee) was listed as questionable, and was a limited participant in practice.
Guards Kenyon Green (ankle) and Justin McCray (hamstring) were upgraded to full participants in practice. Guard-tackle Tytus Howard (concussion) and safety M.J. Stewart (concussion) were also full participants in practice. None of the four players had an injury designation for Sunday.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (toe) was listed as questionable. | 2022-12-30T22:01:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans vs. Jaguars injury report: TE Teagan Quitoriano out | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-vs-jaguars-injury-report-211546606.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-vs-jaguars-injury-report-211546606.html?src=rss |
Too bad James isn't likely to be gone before he breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record. That date won't give Lakers fans much to cheer about.
The Lakers should just trade LeBron James. It is a team sport, and he is crying about everything. For a guy who doesn't play defense and stands around and doesn't move, he doesn't have room to talk about everyone else and their lack of play. He whines on every foul on the court. All he wants to do is take the ball up the court to get more personal stats.
I have my own business and do not want any employee who does not want to work for me. They do not put forth maximum effort, are defeated and negatively influence the morale as well as others' performances. It is time to call LeBron’s bluff and let him go elsewhere. The organization needs to understand they own the team and call the shots. Not LeBron.
LeBron James said, "I don't want to finish my career playing at this level from a team aspect." Such amazing leadership skills! And one more thing: Your career IS finished.
What a stark contrast of character displayed on the front page of Thursday's Sports section. On one side a moving tribute to Roberto Clemente, a great ballplayer and greater humanitarian who always thought of others before himself. One column over, a whining LeBron James, speaking to reporters about himself and his own greatness.
If history has taught us anything, there's only one team who would sign Trevor Bauer.
By highlighting Stanley and other great players from City Section schools, hopefully kids and parents will see that you can play in their neighborhood schools with friends and still win accolades and get scholarships. They don't have to drive two hours across town to a new district just for the chance of maybe advancing. With the transfer portal wide open all a kid needs to do is get on a college team. If you have what it takes, the big schools will find you. | 2022-12-30T23:24:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Letters to Sports: Readers agree, LeBron James can leave the Lakers | https://sports.yahoo.com/letters-sports-readers-agree-lebron-215410585.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/letters-sports-readers-agree-lebron-215410585.html?src=rss |
Somehow, there's only two weeks of regular-season football remaining.
Week 17 of the NFL season got underway on Thursday night with the Dallas Cowboys earning a victory over the Tennessee Titans and pushing as a 14-point favorite. The week continues on Sunday with 14 games before the week is capped off on Monday night. Today, we're taking a look at three pairs of games on this weekend's schedule with similar point spreads and deciding which side we'd rather take if we were forced to make a choice.
Detroit Lions or New York Giants?
The Detroit Lions were in decent shape in the NFC entering last week before losing to the Carolina Panthers. Now, the Lions need to win out and get some help if they want to make the playoffs. This week, Detroit is a 6-point home favorite against the Chicago Bears. Elsewhere, the New York Giants can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Giants are 6-point home favorites. Which home favorite fighting for the playoffs would you rather back?
Greg: Detroit’s defense was playing well until it traveled down to Carolina and got tuned up for 320 yards on the ground. Was that embarrassing performance an aberration or is that who they really are and what we witnessed was them coming back down to earth? Maybe they just ate too much Bojangle’s before the game. We already saw Chicago hang with the Lions earlier this season when they ran for 258 yards but ended up blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Bears lead the NFL in rushing yards per game (179.7) and that’s how they’ll keep it close.
If Nick Foles couldn’t handle constant pressure at home from a Chargers defense that gets the seventh-lowest pressure rate on quarterbacks (18.6%), how is he going to handle it on the road against a Giants defense that leads the league in QB pressure rate (24.7%) and blitz percentage (40.1%)? Indy’s offensive line ranks 32nd in pass block win rate. This is an awful matchup for a Colts team that I’m not convinced is even trying to win games at this point. New York’s defense blasts them harder than Jim Irsay blasts cigs and the Giants clinch a playoff berth while Indianapolis improves their draft position. Give me Big Blue.
Pete: The Lions-Bears total is set at 52 points, which makes it the highest total of the week by a wide margin. It wouldn't be all that surprising to see the Bears hang with the Lions in a back-and-forth shootout. We already saw that play out earlier this season when the Lions squeaked out a 31-30 win in Chicago. We thought the Lions fixed their defense, but last week showed that might have been a premature declaration. I wouldn't feel comfortable laying six points with this defense at all, especially with Chicago being more than capable of running the ball just like Carolina did.
The Giants have a chance to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday in front of their home fans against a Colts team that seemingly gets more pathetic every week. Giants fans won't see a home playoff game so their fans can treat this game like one. Nick Foles doesn't look like he belongs starting NFL games in 2023 based on what we saw last week. Giants win comfortably and turn MetLife Stadium into a party on Sunday. I'm with Greg, give me the Giants.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Green Bay Packers?
Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers enter the week with losing records, but both are still alive in the playoff race. The Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South with a victory over Carolina on Sunday. Tampa Bay is a 4-point favorite. Elsewhere, the Packers have won three straight games and need to continue that run. Green Bay needs to win out and get some help from Cleveland this week or Dallas next week against Washington. The Packers are 3.5-point favorites at home over the Minnesota Vikings. Which legendary quarterback would you rather lay over a field goal with in a big game?
Greg: I’d be willing to give my 2024 presidential vote to any person who can ensure the unpalatable Bucs don’t make the playoffs. This single-issue voter is looking at you, Steve Wilks. Tampa’s offensive line continues to struggle, granting Tom Brady just 1.88 seconds to throw the ball last week. Carolina’s front seven has some bad hombres who can swing the outcome of this game. I wish Jaycee Horn wasn’t out for this one, but the Panthers beat the Bucs 21-3 without him in Week 7.
Jaire Alexander calling Justin Jefferson’s 9/184/2 annihilation of the Packers a “fluke” is an all-time sour grapes moment. Green Bay’s offense has started to click in the second half of the season and should put up a lot of points against a Vikings defense that ranks 26th in dropback EPA. The Packers are terrible against the run, but Minnesota has been equally awful at running the ball, posting the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (94.5). Aaron Rodgers and the Pack pull it out at home to keep their playoff hopes alive. I’ll take Green Bay.
Pete: At this point, if you're still betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I think we need to consider donating your brain to science. The Buccaneers haven't covered a betting spread on North American soil since Week 2. Their only cover since then came against Seattle in Germany. The Buccaneers are 3-11-1 against the spread on the season. I was guilty of it to a point as well thinking that Tom Brady would magically snap them out of this and the Buccaneers would figure things out. I think we have to stop that. You couldn't pay me to lay over a field goal with a team that needed overtime to beat Trace McSorley last week. Carolina plays hard.
It just feels like Green Bay is going to do this thing. That's the vibe I'm getting at least. Aaron Rodgers and the offense have been much better over the last month. We've talked all year about Minnesota being a bit fraudulent, and I don't love a dome team going to Lambeau in January. Green Bay keeps this thing going at least another week with a home win over the Vikings.
Can Tom Brady and the Buccaneers clinch the NFC South in Week 17 of the NFL season? (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills or New York Jets?
The Buffalo Bills could go a long way in reaching their goal of the top seed in the AFC with a win on Monday night over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills are 1-point road favorites in Cincinnati. Elsewhere, the New York Jets look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a road victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Jets are 1.5-point road favorites. Which road favorite would you rather back?
Greg: Jets fans are only happy when they’re miserable, so the return of Mike White puts them in a tough spot. Geno Smith, meanwhile, is writing back like a homesick soldier as his team trends downward harder than Tesla stock. If Seattle’s offense isn’t grooving, they’re dead in the water, and I don’t see them scoring much against a Jets defense allowing the fourth-fewest points per drive. I heart New York in this one.
I have this unshakeable feeling that the Bengals are headed back to the Super Bowl. Their offensive weapons aren’t going to let them down and that defense is no joke. This will be a great test for both of these teams. An MVP-level performance from Josh Allen may be the Bills’ only route to victory here, and we haven’t seen much of that recently. I think the Bengals get the win, but I’m not quite dumb enough to bet against Allen. I’m flying with the Jets.
Pete: I hate it when we agree on all three games, but that looks to be the case this week. Imagine a year and a half ago someone would have told you that Mike White gave the Jets a much better chance of winning a football game than Zach Wilson. Well, that's certainly the case. New York has given up one defensive touchdown in each of their last two games and somehow lost both. If the offense improves from dreadful to below average, that'll be huge for them. On the other side, it seems like the Seahawks have run out of steam. They've lost three straight and five of six. The Jets have had similar struggles, but Mike White's health gives us some hope.
The Bengals-Bills game is a true toss up. The Bengals have been an ATM for NFL bettors as they've covered in 20 of their last 23 games dating back to least season. It's just not a team I'm interested in betting against right now. I'm not convinced the Bengals are any worse than the Bills, and with Cincinnati at home in a primetime spot, I think they have a very good chance or earning this win. Give me the Jets. | 2022-12-30T23:24:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL Would You Rather? Breaking down Week 17 betting lines | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-would-you-rather-breaking-down-week-17-betting-lines-223124465.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-would-you-rather-breaking-down-week-17-betting-lines-223124465.html?src=rss |
Call it the Time Lord Effect. Williams III is unlike any other player on the Celtics roster -- or the NBA as a whole, really. He infuses an undeniable energy every second he’s on the court and his impact goes far beyond his loud alley-oop finishes and volleyball blocks.
"I feel like I'm trying to win, you know what I'm saying?” said Williams III. "If [starting] happens, it happens. But we winners over here. We pride ourselves on putting team first, you know what I'm saying? I can impact off the bench, starting. I like being able to see where I need to add the energy coming off of the bench. But, like I said, it's in the air, I'm gonna rock with these guys regardless.”
Williams III can analyze what the game needs and then make it a priority when he hits the floor. It’s also nice for a Celtics team that struggled with consistent bench play last season to be able to throw in a guy who's capable of putting up a double-double in 21 minutes (like Williams III did Tuesday versus Houston).
"Being able to watch the game, not starting, you can kind of break the game up a little bit, see where the energy is needed,” said Williams III. "You know, I feel like [Clippers center Ivica] Zubac got his hand on every rebound [Thursday], so when I’m sitting on the bench, we just needed more energy. Nine times out of 10, the person boxing out the big man is the person that's getting the ball, so just trying to get in there and get a lot of tip outs."
Rebounding, pace, defense -- they're just part of what Williams III brings to the floor. And here are the numbers that prove it:
It’s a staggering 12 percent higher than the team's season average. Boston’s total rebound rate pops to a team-best 57.3 percent, or 7.5 percent above the team’s season average, with Williams III on the court. Both marks would easily lead the league if maintained over the course of the season.
Williams III's superpower isn’t just using his size and leaping ability to get rebounds, it’s keeping plays alive. Or, to be more specific, keeping plays alive and creating scoring opportunities. Like the other night against Houston when he no-look tipped an offensive rebound directly to Marcus Smart for a 3-pointer.
Rob knowing Smart would still be there 🤯 pic.twitter.com/qJU8zYCwe1
The Celtics were on a historic offensive pace even while lingering near the bottom of the league in offensive rebounds. Now, Williams III has supercharged that area during his floor time and is helping stabilize Boston’s offense even as the team isn't shooting at quite the same clip as it was to start the season.
The Rob Effect. pic.twitter.com/N1XkTndSc9
The Celtics will go as far as Tatum and Jaylen Brown can lead them, but the superstars' load is lightened when high-level role players make everything easier. Williams III makes good things happen with his energy alone and the Celtics simply cannot replicate his impact when he’s not out there.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum each scored 29 in the win. | 2022-12-30T23:24:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Robert Williams is back and more dangerous than ever for surging Celtics | https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-williams-back-more-dangerous-193500314.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/robert-williams-back-more-dangerous-193500314.html?src=rss |
Chicago has won four-straight games against the Lions when playing on the road, and this Week 17 tilt would be a perfect time for the Bears to show some signs of life as the season draws to a close. Even though they’re eliminated from the playoffs, Chicago could spoil their divisional rival’s postseason hopes if they can secure victory in this matchup.
Though their past record at Ford Field will be a good omen for the Bears, they are still likely to be underdogs heading into the game. The resurgent Lions have played some excellent football over the last several weeks, and seem to have turned a corner since their 2-6 start to the season.
It will take an excellent gameplan on both sides of the ball for Chicago to eke out a win this week, and second-year quarterback Justin Fields needs to put together one of his best performances of the season to put the Bears in a position to put up enough points to keep pace with the Lions’ offense. His exceptional running should help mitigate the threat posed by Detroit’s pass rush and, with some luck, he could keep the defense guessing by finding his receivers deep downfield on passing plays.
Though they are likely to be outmatched in some aspects of their game against this Lions team, the Bears will be able to play with reckless abandon in this game, which should lead to some entertaining football on Sunday afternoon.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) continue to weaken, with a number of them hitting new 12-month lows. These reflect the negative effects on the market of the higher interest rates that the Federal Reserve is pursuing. Other factors are at work, but this is a rate-sensitive group and they’re feeling the pain. Here are three New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-traded REITs making the new lows lists lately: Clipper Realty Inc. (NYSE: CLPR) is a diversified real estate investment trust focused entir | 2022-12-30T23:40:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears look to extend road win streak vs. Lions in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-look-extend-road-win-222702053.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-look-extend-road-win-222702053.html?src=rss |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman experienced a setback in practice this week and will not play in Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, leaving his status for the remainder of the season in question.
''I'm not worried about it,'' Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday. ''I think as long as he's progressing and trying to work to get better here, we'll be OK. If he can't, then he can't. Then we go move on and keep going with the guys we got.''
''He just had some pain,'' Reid said after final preparations for Sunday's game against Denver, ''and it was almost like a tweak up in the groin area, and so we just backed him off. I don't want to take steps back. I don't want to do that.'' | 2022-12-30T23:41:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs to be without WR Hardman vs. Broncos after setback | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-without-wr-hardman-vs-223913149.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-without-wr-hardman-vs-223913149.html?src=rss |
New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty is defending his coach, following comments made by a former teammate.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kyle Van Noy told media members on Wednesday that Chargers head coach Brandon Staley builds relationships with every player on the team, while also indicating Belichick did not do that.
McCourty appeared on WEEI Friday morning and came to the defense of his coach. The former Rutgers product has spent 13 seasons in New England. If nothing else, he’s become familiar with Bill Belichick’s mannerisms and the way he does things.
McCourty has been a constant in what has been a changing Patriots roster over the years. With two Pro Bowl appearances and multiple Super Bowl rings, the safety has become a mainstay on the Patriots defense. He also recognizes that Belichick may differ a bit from Staley.
“You gotta realize, Van Noy’s a very ‘make-me-feel-good’ kind of guy,” said McCourty. “So, he’ll love for a coach to text him like happy birthday on his birthday in March. So when his birthday shows up in March, I’m sure Staley might shoot him a text.
“If he needs that kind of communication, no, we’re not getting that from Bill. You’re not going to get like a reminder text about your anniversary that’s coming up. But as far as communicating with the team, like what you need to do, as a player football-wise, we get that. Like, that’s what it is here. I think each coach is different.”
McCourty helps lead a veteran defense that has been a bright spot this season for New England. The Patriots are currently ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense. McCourty is having a solid season in his own right, as he has three interceptions on the year.
He might not always get texts from Belichick, but he did get three Super Bowl rings, while contributing to the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Surely, that counts for something, right?
The White House has announced President Biden has granted full pardons to six individuals who he believes have served their sentences and demonstrated a commitment to improving their communities. NBC's Mike Memoli has details on those receiving pardons. | 2022-12-30T23:41:49Z | sports.yahoo.com | Devin McCourty responded to Kyle Van Noy’s Bill Belichick comments | https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-mccourty-responded-kyle-van-220611143.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-mccourty-responded-kyle-van-220611143.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears will face the Detroit Lions in Week 17 at Ford Field in a game that could come to define their 2022 campaign as the season grinds to a halt. Detroit is still in contention for a spot in the NFC playoff picture, and if Chicago can come out with a gritty road win against their divisional rival in this matchup, it would prove that the Bears are continuing to develop despite their less-than-stellar results this season.
Head coach Matt Eberflus addressed the media on Friday and told reporters what he expects to see in this matchup. Despite being underdogs, he made it clear that he is emphasizing fundamentals heading into the game, and wants his players to execute his coaching staff’s game plan in all four quarters.
“It’s like we said all along, [in] these last four games, we’re looking [for] sharp execution,” Eberflus said. “We have two [games] left against two divisional opponents. The Lions are this week, and we’re excited about getting the execution going, especially in the critical moments. You talk about third down, goal [to go], red zone, a sudden change, two minute, all those situational areas that we do have to do a good job with, but we’ve been working hard at that.”
Against such a capable and motivated opponent, Eberflus’ team certainly won’t have much room for error in this game, and he is wise to stress discipline ahead of this matchup. Especially for Justin Fields and the Chicago offense, execution and conversion of key opportunities will play a major factor in their chances of success against Detroit, as they will need to score enough to keep pace with the Lions’ air attack led by Jared Goff.
The odds may be stacked against them, but the Bears could turn heads around the league if they are able to come out on top against Detroit in this matchup. | 2022-12-30T23:42:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Matt Eberflus expects ‘sharp execution’ vs. Lions in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-expects-sharp-execution-224418255.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-expects-sharp-execution-224418255.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans knew what they were getting in their fourth-round running back from Florida.
Dameon Pierce had demonstrated at Florida and throughout the draft process that he was a physical runner and would finish off runs.
According to running backs coach Danny Barrett, while Houston knew they were adding a “talented football player” to the stable, they didn’t know what else Pierce would be able to offer.
“You knew he was a physical runner, able to finish runs,” said Barrett. “But just his ability to keep those legs moving and moving, pounce like that, adapting to the speed of the game, he probably surprised himself somewhat as well.”
Pierce was tied with Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery for the third-lowest yards before contact per carry in the NFL at 2.0, indicating the the offensive line wasn’t opening enough holes for running backs. However, Pierce was able to finish off runs with his 2.3 yards after contact, still tied for the fourth-most in the NFL despite Pierce not having played a down since Week 14.
The rookie started in 13 games for Houston, and the attitude Pierce brought inside NRG Stadium buoyed a team that struggled to win throughout the year.
“Because of the type of work ethic he has and his attitude every day, it’s infectious,” Barrett said. “He comes to work every day trying to get better, and that’s really what he built on week in and week out. How can I get better? How can I improve?”
Pierce finished the season with 939 rushing yards, which are the 13th-most in the NFL entering Week 17. No other rookie has more yards than Pierce, despite his season ending with an ankle injury in Week 14.
The Texans’ rookie was voted an alternate to the Pro Bowl, but will not be able to be an official Pro Bowler until a running back from the AFC drops out.
Said Barrett: “I’m happy for him that his peers recognized him as well to be voted as an alternate to the Pro Bowl. That says a lot for a first-year player and not being able to finish off the year.”
Pierce’s 939 rushing yards rank as the third-best for a rookie running back in Texans history.
The Tennessee Titans effectively ended veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s season by placing him and two others on injured reserve Thursday. | 2022-12-30T23:42:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | RB Dameon Pierce surprised Texans with his ability to keep his legs moving | https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-dameon-pierce-surprised-texans-224335999.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-dameon-pierce-surprised-texans-224335999.html?src=rss |
That’s what the Warriors miss, and it’s why several influential people within the organization -- players, coaches and front office -- advocated for the return of GP2 when he became a free agent last summer.
“No surprise to us that if these guys got ... like Gary Payton had a good year and if he got a big offer, it was going to be very unlikely we were going to re-sign him, no matter how much we love him -- and we like him a lot," Lacob, referring also to Otto Porter Jr., told Tim Kawakami of The Athletic last July.
“He got a much bigger offer, in fact, than we thought he would get. Way beyond. And I'm not saying he's not worth it or is worth it. But it is a lot. And it's not something we really could entertain doing.”
Whereas Payton, who turned 30 years old Dec. 1, was a relatively finished product, Golden State’s young players -- James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins -- are still in the process of development.
“I have no doubt these young guys will do what they have to do to create a career that they and their families will be proud of ... that they themselves can be proud of. But it takes time.”
There is no timeline for GP2’s return -- he underwent abdominal surgery in September -- but he is said to be close to returning. The game against the Warriors will be Portland’s 35th of the season.
He’ll have to settle for being in street clothes for his reunion and celebration with his former teammates -- those with whom he belatedly discovered his true value within the NBA.
Controversial internet personality Andrew Tate will be detained in Romania for 30 days on charges of human trafficking and rape, officials said. Tate, his brother Tristan Tate and two Romanian women were put in 30-day, pre-trial detention in Bucharest on Friday, according to Ramona Bolla, a spokesperson for Romania's Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, or DIICOT. | 2022-12-31T00:52:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Warriors still miss Gary Payton II after discovering his true NBA value | https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-still-miss-gary-payton-232549042.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-still-miss-gary-payton-232549042.html?src=rss |
Second-year linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has a bit of time on the sideline for the Cleveland Browns over his career. When he is on the field, and he is on the field the majority of the time, missing three games as a rookie and playing through 11 before hitting Injured Reserve this season, Owusu-Koramoah is a dynamic playmaker defensively.
He has now been tasked by his position coach Jason Tarver to get his body in a position to withstand the grind of a full 17-game season. Speaking to the media today, Tarver praised Owusu-Koramoah, saying “I do like where he went by football progression…” but went on to state “In the offseason this year, it is going to be building his body to handle the 17 weeks.”
The Browns are counting on Owusu-Koramoah, who has lived up to the billing of a second round pick. Can he stay on the field for them, however? | 2022-12-31T01:20:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah must focus on ‘building his body to handle 17 weeks’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/jeremiah-owusu-koramoah-must-focus-000330607.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jeremiah-owusu-koramoah-must-focus-000330607.html?src=rss |
This weekend, the New Orleans Saints will travel to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in an environment they have not been able to steal a win in back-to-back seasons.
In order to avoid a third-straight loss in the City of Brotherly Love, containing the Eagles run game and putting pressure on the passer (whether quarterback Jalen Hurts or backup Gardner Minshew is the signal-caller) will be key for defensive end Cameron Jordan and the Saints defense. Those elements of the game may have not been the easiest to achieve for any NFL team facing Philadelphia, but one key absence looms large and could open the door for the Saints defense to have the impact they want going into this one: all-star right tackle Lane Johnson.
Johnson has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a groin injury. Johnson is a huge part of the Eagles’ success in both the passing and run game. Per Pro Football Focus, the former Oklahoma Sooner has taken 551 pass blocking snaps this season and has allowed just 9 total pressures without surrendering a single sack or even a hit on his quarterback.
That incredible production is not limited to just the passing game either. The Eagles have gained 22.7% of their 2,306 rushing yards this season running the ball to Johnson’s side of the line. They have also gained an additional 286 rushing yards outside the end of his side as well.
Johnson is such a pivotal part of Philadelphia’s success that the Eagles are 12-21 in the 33 games he has missed since 2013. That includes going 3-10 since 2020. While this could be more correlation than causation and does not guarantee the Saints any kind of victory on Sunday, the star right tackle’s absence should not be taken lightly.
“He is the best tackle in the NFL,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said of Johnson recently. “I didn’t say ‘right tackle.’ I said ‘tackle.'”
Some Saints fans would make the argument that New Orleans right tackle Ryan Ramczyk challenges for that title. But one thing is for sure, the Eagles’ best option in place of Johnson, backup tackle Jack Driscoll, is a big-time drop off. Driscoll has played 98 snaps in pass protection this season, per PFF and has allowed 13 pressures including a sack and hit on the quarterback.
This is a matchup that Jordan must take advantage of. He primarily rushes off the left side of the Saints defensive line against opposing right tackles, putting him on a collision course with Driscoll. A big day would not only help Jordan’s team win the game, but it would go a long way towards helping him claim Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson’s franchise sacks record. Jordan has bagged 112.5 sacks in his Saints career, trailing Jackson’s official total of 115. Let’s see if Jordan can step up in a mismatch on Sunday.
Juwan Johnson, Kaden Elliss headline the list of the Saints' top 2023 free agents to re-sign: | 2022-12-31T01:21:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lane Johnson’s absence has a huge impact on the Eagles with the Saints up next | https://sports.yahoo.com/lane-johnson-absence-huge-impact-234429434.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lane-johnson-absence-huge-impact-234429434.html?src=rss |
Mike McCarthy doesn’t have any concern about Dak Prescott’s injury originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
STORY: Footage provided by the North’s official news agency KCNA, which Reuters cannot independently verify, showed hundreds of men and women in suits and traditional dresses as well as winter jumpers braving the cold weather and dancing in front of Pyongyang Stadium.KCNA said that similar dance celebrations were held at several locations to celebrate the anniversary.Kim was officially appointed as the supreme commander of North Korea’s military at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party on December 30, 2011. | 2022-12-31T01:21:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike McCarthy doesn’t have any concern about Dak Prescott’s injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mccarthy-doesn-t-concern-000015684.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mccarthy-doesn-t-concern-000015684.html?src=rss |
The Cleveland Browns were not able to pull out a win against the New Orleans Saints on Christmas Eve, and one of the biggest storylines was the absence of Pro Bowl pass rusher Myles Garrett on the opening drive of the game. It came out later in the week that Garrett missed the drive due to an incident earlier in the week where he missed practice due to an illness, but did not communicate his absence to the team.
Asked about the situation today, Garrett stated:
“I respect [head coach Kevin Stefanski’s] decision… I think it was a misunderstanding at the end of the day. That is how it went down. Have to respect how he feels about the situation and his judgment… It was the first time with something like this. I don’t foresee anything like this happening again.”
a Goal from Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators
(Nashville Predators) with a Goal from Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators, 12/30/2022 | 2022-12-31T01:21:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Myles Garrett opens up on missing first drive vs. Saints | https://sports.yahoo.com/myles-garrett-opens-missing-first-004110814.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/myles-garrett-opens-missing-first-004110814.html?src=rss |
Bosa ranks himself, Raiders' Crosby as NFL's two top rushers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA -- Nick Bosa knows an outstanding pass rusher when he sees one, and in his estimation, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is about as good as it gets.
“I think he’s great,” Bosa said on Friday at his locker inside of Levi’s Stadium. “Yeah, he’s a top rusher in the league, for sure. One of the top.
“I think me and him are the best this year, in my opinion.”
Bosa appears to be the leading candidate for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The 49ers' edge rusher leads the league with 17.5 sacks for the league's top-ranked defense. Crosby has 11.5 sacks, 10th most in the league.
Bosa (24) and Crosby (20) rank first and second in quarterback hits, per Pro Football Focus.
Dallas’ Micah Parsons is receiving a lot of attention as a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as he has 13 sacks and a league-best 57 quarterback pressures, per PFF.
But 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan singled out Crosby as the player he has identified as deserving to be mentioned in Bosa’s class.
“Their defensive end, Crosby, is playing as probably the second-best defense player in the league — at least that I've seen this year,” Shanahan said. “I think he's been unbelievable.”
The 49ers (11-4) take an eight-game win streak into their matchup Raiders (6-9) on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. | 2022-12-31T01:21:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Nick Bosa ranks himself, Maxx Crosby as top two 2022 NFL pass-rushers | https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-bosa-ranks-himself-maxx-224035081.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nick-bosa-ranks-himself-maxx-224035081.html?src=rss |
Aaron Jones: What has the injury report missed, and what can we reliably depend on?
For the millionth week in a row, Aaron Jones was cleared from the final injury report, relaying information to us that he is supposed to be playing. How much he is supposed to be playing is something that's very up for grabs. He's a Matthew Berry "hate list" member this week. He has, as Berry noted, only played between 38 and 56 percent of the snaps over the last three weeks. And had AJ Dillon not hit concussion protocol against the Rams in Week 15, it's likely that Jones would not have played much. It would be too much of a copout to call this a bad or a rough situation: this is a DeAndre Swifting in plain daylight.
Jones spoke to reporters on Friday and mostly deferred to the coaching staff when asked if he'd handle a full load. He also said that he's okay with whatever they decide because he knows they're protecting him from himself:
I'd love to tell you I know the exact split we're about to see, but Matt LaFleur doesn't really talk about these sorts of things, and there aren't many overt signs to pick up on. LaFleur would only say that it's a "balance" about keeping him healthy versus playing him. It's very easy to tell you if I think someone is going to play or not, but after that, well, it's kind of a black box.
The other thing I found compelling was this article that The Athletic's Matt Schneidman wrote and dropped on Friday. Jones got his ankle re-taped last week, and the quotes coming off this sound like Jones should not be playing at all. Matt LaFleur called him a "warrior." Jones himself is quoted as saying: "That's the part of the game that you're signing up for, but just pushing through it and being out there for my teammates that are depending on me. If I'm able to go, I'm out there. Unless something that comes up where I can't — broken or things like that — that's the only time you won't see me out there, but I'll push through anything to be out there with my guys and even though some things may hurt, still pushing through it and give it the best that I can while I'm out there."
What I find much more telling is that Jones has only received three carries and one target in goal-to-go situations over the last three weeks, and the Packers had plenty of opportunities in all three games. Dillon has seven carries over that same span despite -- notably -- the Packers not having any red zone appearances with him on the field in Week 13. If you paired the two of them, I can't see starting Dillon over Jones in this current state. I'm not saying Jones can't score and deliver you a touchdown, but I think we need to look at this trend for what it is. It's a pronounced trend of a player playing less to nurse his way through injuries.
So if you have alternate options to Jones that make sense I'd break ties against him this week. If you've got to play him, I understand, and he very well may break a big play and score against a rough Vikings defense. But, I agree with Berry, the trend lines and the press clips line up in a pretty compelling way this week.
Chris Olave: Is he trending up or trending out?
After missing all of last week's practices and, obviously, Week 16 with it, Chris Olave comes into Week 17 with three limited sessions and a questionable tag. While he didn't talk to reporters, we do have this Katherine Terrell note that she thinks he'll play:
Dennis Allen is almost completely useless on injury updates beyond the report, so he gave nothing. But I think as a main indicator, most of the New Orleans beat seems to believe that he'll play. The New Orleans Football guys think Olave is in.
Olave has some appeal this week as a contrarian play for DFS purposes. He stacks well with the idea that Eagles-Saints will be a fast-paced game that breaks the over. I don't subscribe to this personally because a) the Saints don't really try to create that game unless they have no choice and b) the Eagles actually have a good defense in the event that they try. Nothing specifically on the injury report gives me much pause about Olave, and it's not like Rashid Shaheed is a multi-dimensional player in the shape of Olave. I'm not scared of him losing production to new players. It's just all about the actual script.
Olave may or may not have problems staying on the field on Sunday -- there's no way we'd be able to tell from the stoic reports. But based on what we've heard he's safe enough to plug in, in my opinion, as a FLEX or WR3 in matchups where you need to rely on him. I'm just pessimistic that he's going to have a lot of upside.
DeAndre Hopkins: Why would he or the Cardinals want him to play on Sunday?
Out of nowhere on Friday, DeAndre Hopkins landed on the report as questionable with "knee issues" and a big Friday downgrade to a DNP. We got, as usual, little of substance out of Kliff Kingsbury about it:
The Cardinals have managed to become quite the little clown show over the last few weeks. Marquise Brown caught a "groin" injury in practice last Thursday that turned out to be more of a self-admitted punishment for being late to a team meeting. Kingsbury noted that he was "trying to survive to that point" when asked if he had a New Year's Resolution.
So let's ask ourselves some tough questions here. I wouldn't say that Trace McSorley looked "good" on Sunday night, but the Cardinals were able to take the Buccaneers to overtime and McSorley avoided most negative plays. He threw just one pick. (He could have thrown a couple if he were less lucky.) He took just one sack, and fumbled just once. He didn't spark major issues for the run defense with his legs, but he looked like a fine scrambler if not some physical specimen who has to have the ball in his hands. He's also been Arizona's third-stringer all season.
So why now, with McSorley not on the injury report at all, would you switch to David Blough -- who has been here for weeks -- unless you didn't want to win the football game? And that's kind of what it comes down to when I look at this. The Cardinals currently have the fourth pick in the draft. A win for the Falcons would keep them out of Arizona's range. It is also still possible -- though unlikely -- that Arizona could climb in the order. The Colts and Texans play each other in Week 18. The Bears have, if not easy opponents, beatable opponents. The Broncos are now in interim coach land and sometimes, as we've seen with the Panthers, that can create some new and interesting ideas. Denver also doesn't get their pick anyway and has no incentive to tank.
Now the excuse that Kingsbury used when asked about playing Blough was that they "needed to evaluate him." You need to evaluate a 27-year-old quarterback?
So the scope of all of that -- what are two games of DeAndre Hopkins in a lost season worth? If this knee injury is serious in any way, why would you play him? And even if it wasn't serious, when you're starting David Blough at quarterback out of nowhere (no offense to Mr. Blough's family), are you actually trying to win anyway?
Weird vibes around this team and this situation. I would stay away from Hopkins even if he's cleared if I had any kind of reasonable pivot. And I don't mean a WR2 pivot -- give me a WR3 or maybe even a FLEX guy. I'll start Olave over Hopkins. I'll start Brandin Cooks over Hopkins. This situation just feels too fishy to trust. | 2022-12-31T01:21:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Press Coverage: Aaron Jones, Olave, Hopkins | https://sports.yahoo.com/press-coverage-aaron-jones-olave-005306923.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/press-coverage-aaron-jones-olave-005306923.html?src=rss |
Dameon Pierce was hard to bring down.
Pierce, who has not played a down since the fourth quarter of Week 14 as his season ended with an ankle injury, is still tied for the fourth-most yards per carry after contact at 2.3.
While the production was impressive for a rookie, it may be unsustainable for the Houston Texans’ fourth-rounder throughout the entirety of his four-year contract.
According to running backs coach Danny Barrett, the coaching staff is aware of Pierce’s bruising style in his rookie year and believe they can tinker with it to incorporate more elusive elements and keep Pierce fresh.
“We’ve already talked about it,” Barrett said. “Go look at every rep that we had last year for himself and then look at what could have we done different with the finish, whether we’re going to run through people, which you’re going to have to do sometimes, or do we try to make a move at the second level and just make them miss. I think he has that ability to do that, and I think that’s what you’re going to see more so from him in the future.”
There is evidence to suggest that Pierce can add an elusive element to his game. The Florida product had the third-most broken tackles in the league at 27, and had the third-most broken tackles per attempt at 8.1.
“He won’t be just running over people,” said Barrett. “He’ll make guys miss in space, sort of like the long touchdown run earlier in the year. He made a guy miss in space. He used his speed to get into the end zone as opposed to running through it. Those are the things we’ll look at collectively, and he’ll get better from that.”
Pierce’s 939 rushing yards were the third-best by a rookie runner in Texans history, and are still 13th in the NFL going into Week 17. No other rookie running back has more yards than Pierce in 2022. | 2022-12-31T01:22:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans must help RB Dameon Pierce take care of himself to have longer career | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-must-help-rb-dameon-234813862.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-must-help-rb-dameon-234813862.html?src=rss |
North Carolina State played Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday.
Radio announcer Gary Hahn was indefinitely suspended after the Wolfpack’s loss to the Terps for a comment he made during the broadcast.
While referencing the UCLA-Pitt game, Hahn said, “down among all the illegal aliens in El Paso it’s UCLA 14 and Pittsburgh 6.”
Per Newsobserver.com:
Hahn is an employee of Learfield Communications, the N.C. State broadcast rightsholder, and was disciplined by that company. N.C. State athletic director Boo Corrigan deferred comment to Learfield.
“Learfield has suspended Wolfpack Sports Network play-by-play announcer Gary Hahn from his agreement indefinitely following comments made during today’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl radio broadcast,” Wolfpack Sports Properties general manager Kyle Winchester said in a statement.
Hahn, the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year in 2011 and 2020, has been the voice of N.C. State football and men’s basketball since 1991.
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Sgt. Amar Gandhi talks about holiday baggage thefts at Sacramento International Airport.
Luggage missing as Southwest travelers finally reach destinations
Some Southwest Airlines customers traveled hours to be reunited with their luggage after waiting days due to flight cancellations. Meanwhile, others told 11 News the airline has no idea where their bags are, so they came to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to demand answers. Southwest canceled thousands of flights in the days after Christmas due to last week's winter weather and a computer system that desperately needs updating. | 2022-12-31T01:24:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | North Carolina State announcer Gary Hahn suspended after ‘illegal aliens’ comment during bowl broadcast | https://sports.yahoo.com/north-carolina-state-announcer-gary-004457563.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/north-carolina-state-announcer-gary-004457563.html?src=rss |
Louisville head coach Kenny Payne instructs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Lipscomb in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Lipscomb won 75-67. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Obviously, No. 19 Kentucky or Louisville will be pleased with winning their showdown if only because feel-good moments have been scarce this season for the in-state archrivals.
''I know I've got a good team,'' coach John Calipari said Friday. ''We're not there yet, we're not playing that way. But the mentality of this is as big as all the other stuff.
''We've got to be physically on tune, but just as important, mentally. You've got guys that should be playing better that aren't. So, that's my responsibility to figure out why aren't they playing better. ... For them and for us.''
''Neither fan base is excited at all,'' longtime Lexington broadcaster Dick Gabriel said. ''In the past, generally, at least one fan base has been fired up. For a while there it was Louisville and for a while there it was Kentucky. And it's always been at its best when they both have things to be happy about.
''But, neither fan base has anything to be cheerful about right now. So there's just kind of a dark cloud over this game.''
''I was fortunate enough to be going to school here when they said no matter what happened in the regular season, you beat Kentucky, you made your season,'' Payne said.
''The culture that I came from, before we play games, a group of players got together and talked (and said), `If you don't play well, you're not eating the pregame meal,''' he recalled. ''Pervis (Ellison, the 1986 Final Four MVP) would go and take the plate and throw it in the trash. That's the environment that I grew up here with Louisville basketball. There's the care factor that I grew up with.''
''I expect it to be an absolute war,'' Calipari said. ''They're coming in with the mentality (that) they're going to win the game. Don't expect it to be something easy.''
The Bradley men's basketball team is expecting the arrival of 7-foot-1, 260-pound center Ahmet Jonovic from Serbia to fill an open scholarship and roster spot.
The first-year Cardinals coach learned early on that facing the Wildcats isn't just another game. He wants his players to understand it too. | 2022-12-31T01:24:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Stumbles by No. 19 Kentucky, Louisville dull rivalry meeting | https://sports.yahoo.com/stumbles-no-19-kentucky-louisville-232149154.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/stumbles-no-19-kentucky-louisville-232149154.html?src=rss |
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Hunter Tyson scored 26 of his career-high 31 points in the second half and Clemson used a late run to hold off North Carolina State 78-64 on Friday.
The Wolfpack got within five on Morsell's 3-pointer with 2:48 to go but that was N.C. State's last field goal until Smith hit one with 17 seconds left. In between, the Tigers went on a 12-0 run, including four free throws after Morsell was called for a foul and a technical while vying for the ball with Hunter.
N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts picked up a technical early in the second half after D.J. Burns, the leading scorer in the Wolfpack's previous two games, picked up his fourth foul. Tyson made the resulting free throws then added a 3-pointer in scoring eight straight points in 41 seconds for a 13-point lead. Burns fouled out with five points and six rebounds in 19 minutes. | 2022-12-31T01:24:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tyson's career game leads Clemson over N.C. State 78-64 | https://sports.yahoo.com/tysons-career-game-leads-clemson-234030339.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tysons-career-game-leads-clemson-234030339.html?src=rss |
5 reasons why Utah will beat Penn State
Penn State takes on Utah in the Rose Bowl in a game where both teams saw minimal opt outs. Both teams saw opt outs on both sides of the ball, but were still able retain key players on both sides.
Penn State tight end Brenton Strange announced his intention to declare for the draft. But, he is still playing in the Rose Bowl, which is huge for the Nittany Lions offense. Utah’s biggest losses are tight end Dalton Kincaid and defensive back Clark Phillips III.
As for Penn State, their biggest losses are wide receiver Parker Washington and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. However, both teams still have the talent to make this a good matchup.
The Utes were in the Rose Bowl game last year, losing 48-45 to Ohio State. However, that won’t be the case this year for the Utes.
Here are the top five reasons why Utah will beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl game.
Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) throws against the USC Trojans in the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
When Sean Clifford is on his game, it is certainly fun to watch, and it would be great to see him end his Penn State career on a high note. However, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising has been quite an underrated quarterback this season. He didn’t lose a ton of talent on offense, and he threw for nearly 3,000 passing yards this season, 25 touchdowns and a top 10 quarterback rating (83.0) for the Utes. Rising has done a nice job putting up numbers while having less talent around him, and that is what he will do against Penn State in the Rose Bowl.
Utah Passing Game
Oct 1, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) runs past Oregon State Beavers linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (55) in the third quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
If there is one thing to know about Utah’s passing game, it’s that they bring a lot of experience to the table. Two of their three starting receivers are seniors — Solomon Enis and Jaylen Dixon. Rising will not have tight end Dalton Kincaid for this game, but he still has a good amount of talent to work with. On top of that, Penn State will also be without star cornerback Joey Porter Jr, as he opted out and declared for the draft. The Nittany Lions will have their work cut out for them, and the Utes can take advantage of them not having Porter Jr. for this game.
Utah Offensive Line
Nov 26, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Utah Utes offensive lineman Paul Maile (54) lines up across from the Colorado Buffaloes in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Rising has been sacked eight times this season, while Sean Clifford has been sacked 14 times. Utah’s offensive line has kept their consistency for much of this season, and they have the talent to prevent any sort of pressure from Penn State’s defense. The Nittany Lions certainly have players like Abdul Carter and Chop Robinson to watch out for. However, the Utes front five has the talent to prevent any momentum from the Nittany Lions defense in the Rose Bowl game.
Utah has plenty of momentum right now
Dec 2, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts after being doused with Gatorade in the second half of the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
There are two things to this point. First, the Utes are coming off an impressive 47-24 victory in the Pac-12 championship game over USC, knocking them out of the College Football Playoff. Sure, Utah did it with some of their top players, including Kincaid. However, Kincaid wasn’t a top pass-catcher in that game. Much of that was because Kincaid had been dealing with an injury, resulting in him to opt out of the Rose Bowl game. The second point is that the Utes allowed a large comeback to Ohio State in last year’s Rose Bowl matchup. You can imagine the Utes will be coming into this game with a big chip on their shoulder. Utah has plenty of momentum their way, and despite losing some key players on both sides of the ball, they are looking for revenge, and they have the talent to take down the Nittany Lions in this Rose Bowl matchup.
Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Utah’s defense has a combined 38 sacks this season. Their sack leader is defensive end and Stanford transfer Gabe Reid, who has had quite an impressive season with the Utes, recording 34 total tackles and a career-high 5.5 sacks. Another area where the Utes have excelled in is their linebacker core, led by senior and Florida transfer Mohamoud Diabete. He finished this season with 52 total tackles and a career-high 5 sacks for the Utes. Utah’s defense lost one key player in defensive back Clark Phillips III, who opted out of this game and declared for the draft. However, they still have the talent to get to the quarterback and grab momentum early in this game.
Want to play devil’s advocate? Here are the top five reasons why Penn State will beat Utah in the Rose Bowl.
Tyler Warren started playing at Penn State in 2020. “Really, like my first year of college football, it’s more like 2021 from a normality perspective,” the Nittany Lions’ third-year sophomore tight end said. With ninth-ranked Penn State preparing to face seventh-ranked Utah in the Rose Bowl on Monday, the presence of both teams in a New Year’s Six game reflects just how strange the 2020 season was for two of the more steady programs in the sport. | 2022-12-31T02:00:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | 5 reasons why Utah will beat Penn State | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-reasons-why-utah-beat-210754874.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/5-reasons-why-utah-beat-210754874.html?src=rss |
Georgia (13-0): There was no let up from Georgia after winning its first national championship since the 1980 season. The Bulldogs lost a ton of talent to the NFL yet still cruised to another undefeated regular season. Georgia’s defense has not displayed the same level of dominance as it did last year, but it still finished among the national leaders in most major categories, including No. 1 in rush defense. Offensively, Stetson Bennett turned in another strong season at quarterback and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.
Ohio State (11-1): The Buckeyes' season has once again been defined by its loss to Michigan. OSU had owned its rivalry with the Wolverines for years, but Michigan dominated the Buckeyes along the lines of scrimmage last fall and then did it again this season. The Buckeyes were on cruise control most of this season before that loss, building up an 11-0 record. Would a win over a hyped Georgia team expel some demons? Or would it take a title rematch with Michigan to do so?
Ohio State: This is Ohio State's fifth appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes won the inaugural CFP in the 2014-15 season but have not won a national title since. Ohio State is 45-5 under Ryan Day. Two of those losses came in the playoff and two others came to Michigan. It's a program where winning the Big Ten and competing for national championships is the expectation. On the heels of the most recent loss to the Wolverines, there's a lot of pressure on Day's Buckeyes to deliver in a big moment.
Jack Hughes with a Goal vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) with a Goal vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 12/30/2022 | 2022-12-31T02:01:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | College Football Playoff scores, updates: Ohio State vs. Georgia | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-scores-updates-ohio-state-vs-georgia-190737406.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football-playoff-scores-updates-ohio-state-vs-georgia-190737406.html?src=rss |
Ohio State has a formidable challenge in front of it. It has to play with — and beat — the No. 1 ranked team in the country when it plays against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl as one of the semifinals of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.
But Georgia head coach Kirby Smart knows his team will have to play well against an OSU team that is talented and upset-minded as well. In fact, he has been very complimentary of the coaching, skill, and pedigree Ohio State will come into Mercedes-Benz Stadium with.
Smart and Ryan Day both met with reporters in a joint press conference on the eve of all the fun to provide one last opportunity to size things up and answer questions from reports. Here’s everything the duo said about the matchup, the opposition, and where things stand one day prior to kickoff.
Opening remarks from Ryan Day on the bowl experience so far
RYAN DAY: It’s been great week for our guys. Got down here Christmas night and had a great week. I think everything has been very convenient for our players, staying at the Omni, and making the quick trip over to Mercedes Benz Stadium right around the corner.
A lot of times when you’re at a bowl trip, you spend a lot of time on buses moving around. Didn’t happen this week. We were able to kind of get in and out of places very fast. Our guys have enjoyed their time here in Atlanta, but had a great week of practice and certainly looking forward to this game.
Kirby Smart on his bowl game experience so far this week
KIRBY SMART: Tremendous honor to be in this bowl game. I’ve been part of this bowl game multiple times as a player and coach. I think Gary Stokan and his staff do a tremendous job, first class in every phase of it. Our players have enjoyed Atlanta, a lot of them from this area. Very convenient, like Ryan said. I could remember bowl games where it’s 30-minute rides, 20-minute rides from location to location. You never deal with that here. So the
efficiency of things has been tremendous.
I think the players have enjoyed some of the events they get to go to. I think that’s key from an experience standpoint and get their mind off the game some as well, especially early in the week. We’ve had a good week of practice and excited and ready to go.
On what the term physicality means for both when talking about the SEC matching up with the Big Ten
KIRBY SMART: I think physicality is part of this game. It’s a major part of every football game. When you look across the board and you do studies on these semifinals and final playoff games since the playoff started, physicality at the line of scrimmage has been really critical.
I’ve got a lot of respect for both conferences because, when you play in a bowl game, you get to watch the other conference all the way through. You get to see all these teams they play, and you have a lot of respect for the conference that you’re playing. They have great physicality in that conference, always have, and we respect that.
RYAN DAY: I agree with everything Kirby said. That’s the way the game is played. It’s football, and you have to play physical. When you’re playing in the CFP, certainly it’s going to be the most physical game you’ve played all
season. The SEC and the Big Ten coming together, like you said, for years, two of the most physical conferences there are out there.
So it’s everybody on the field. It’s like you got the perimeter game out there. You’ve got special teams. You have the game in the trenches. You have to win your one-on-one battles. That’s what this game is all about. It’s about running around hitting people. That’s to be expected in a game like this.
Ryan Day on if he feels his team has to prove something physically
RYAN DAY: Again, playing in the CFP, you’re going to be playing football at the highest level, and this is going to be an unbelievable environment and electric atmosphere and playing in Mercedes Benz. Again, playing in the CFP, it’s going to be that type of atmosphere.
Our guys know that and understand that, and that’s what you’re going to get in a game like this. So our guys have been practicing that way and preparing that way so that we can play our best football. But we know that that’s the type of game it’s going to be.
On whether he read Paris Johnson's story and what he made of it
RYAN DAY: Paris Johnson is just a tremendous young man. I did read his letter. I think that’s why we get into coaching. I think in today’s day and age, there’s a lot of things that happen. There’s a lot that goes into it, but to
spend time recruiting Paris during that, like he said in his letter, Urban started recruiting him. Then I came in and kind of took it over.
Paris and his mom went on that whole journey to go see a lot of different schools, but ended up back at Ohio State. Then to see his growth and what he’s done on the field, off the field and has impacted Ohio State has been
That’s the reason you get into coaching is to have an impact on young people, and winning just allows you the opportunity to do that more and more.
On what it means to have both historical and current titans matching up for the first time in a long while
KIRBY SMART: I’m excited for our kids and our opportunity. The two brands of both programs speak for themselves. I think everybody in the country knows the kind of football they’ve played and we’ve played here recently. It’s really about them. It’s not about us as coaches. It’s about the opportunity for the players to go out and play in what’s going to be an incredible environment, and that’s what you choose to go to Ohio State or Georgia for is to play in games like this. So I’m excited and happy for them.
RYAN DAY: And I have so much respect for what Kirby’s done and what he’s built. Winning the National Championship last year and certainly his team has played unbelievably this season.
On what concerns Day about Georgia's defense
RYAN DAY: Any time you get to this level of football, you’re going to be playing against complete teams. Georgia’s defense is complete. They have really good players in the back end, very, very talented, highly recruited, and been developed at a high level with tremendous scheme.
Then when you go into the front, athletic linebacker who can run sideline to sideline and their front is powerful. So you see the statistics. You see the way they played all year. So they’re a complete defense.
When you get to this level of the CFP, that’s what you’re going to get, and that’s the biggest challenge. So we have to execute at a high level.
On the pressure of the standards set at each program for both coaches
KIRBY SMART: There’s always been pressure, so I don’t know that there’s an adjustment to pressure. There’s just as much pressure from year 1 to year 7. The expectations don’t change. We embrace that.
The standards that are created are created through the players that play there, and we’ve had a really good leadership kind of over the last six, seven years, and they’ve created a standard for the younger players to emulate, and that’s going on now.
I talk every day to our guys about, if you’re a freshman or sophomore, find the guy you think works hardest and does it the right way and emulate him, and this success will continue. There’s no entitlement, and you work really hard at what you do. But the standard doesn’t change. Players change. Each year maybe your identity changes, but the standard doesn’t change.
RYAN DAY: Yeah, same thing. The expectations at Ohio State and Georgia are the highest level, and we embrace that. Our players embrace that. That’s why you come to Ohio State is to be in situations like this and play in games
like this and go compete for a National Championship.
We talk about that in recruiting. We identify those who look to achieve that and want to be elite. Then like Kirby said, in your team, you build that culture of passing down a legacy to the younger guys so that that continues, and that’s been going on here for a long time at Ohio State.
On Georgia doing Yoga and the benefits of it
KIRBY SMART: Yeah. We’ve done that every Thursday the entire season, and we didn’t want to change that tradition. The players have embraced it. We’ve cut practice on Thursday throughout the year to go down in our
GPS numbers.
So Caroline Ward, her husband is one of our team physicians, she does the yoga. The players really like it. It makes them feel better, a little more refreshed. So I think it’s important from a recovery standpoint.
Ryan Day on Miyan Williams being back at practice Thursday
RYAN DAY: Yeah, back to practice yesterday, so he’ll be ready to go.
On what Kirby Smart sees from the players that have been through this before
KIRBY SMART: The guys that came into this season as leaders that have played quite a bit, they’ve been that way throughout. I don’t know that it’s been any different from the 28 days since our last game. They certainly have a lot of experience.
I don’t know that there’s an Ohio State player or Georgia player right now that doesn’t have experience that’s played in 12 or 13 games. The season is your experience.
Coming into the season against Oregon, I would have said we’re an inexperienced team, but we have experience now and so do they. So you draw on those experiences in playing your interconference rivals, and both teams have done that.
On what Ryan Day thinks it means for the Big Ten to have two teams in the CFP
RYAN DAY: I think it’s very important for the conference to have two teams in the CFP, and I think the level of play in the Big Ten has improved over my time as the head coach.
Week in and week out, you have to bring it, and the challenge is that you play nine conference games in the Big Ten. There’s very good coaches, very good players. They’re a very physical conference. So you have to be able to sustain throughout November because of the nine conference games, and for some teams, they play a nonconference. That’s really ten conference games that
you play.
With the physicality of the conference, I think, it’s deserving to have two teams in the CFP.
On what each coach has learned and admire about each program bumping into them in recruiting
KIRBY SMART: That’s a tough question. When you’re recruiting against someone, you don’t take much from them in terms of style of play or anything else. Respect would be the number one thing that I have for people that we recruit against and play against.
You mentioned C.J. Stroud, what a tremendous young man. I was so upset in my assistant when I had to fly all the way out to California to go out there. I was like are you sure we’re going to have a chance? It wasn’t my favorite
travel trip when you have to go all the way to Cali, but it was worth it when you got to sit down with that young man and his mom. He was very impressive.
But as far as what you learned about the other team and other programs we’re recruiting, I don’t think there’s a lot there.
RYAN DAY: I would just say I think Kirby and his staff do a great job of working at it. I think, when you have such great players in the state of Georgia, the easy thing to do would be just to assume you’re going to get those guys. They don’t do that. They work really hard at it. They grind
at it. No stone’s unturned.
So when you’re recruiting against Georgia, you’ve got to bring it, and they do a great job of that.
On any advice each coach would give a kid trying to get recruited to play college football
KIRBY SMART: Play hard, get seen. It’s important that you understand what it takes to play at this level. I wouldn’t kid you and tell you that it’s going to be all intangibles because there’s a physical nature of these two teams that some high school student-athletes aren’t blessed with. They can do everything right, and they may never play at Georgia or Ohio State, but they can play somewhere.
There’s enough football out there that everybody has an opportunity if they present themselves the right way and they work hard enough and persist. Nobody thought Stetson Bennett would be where he is today when he was
coming out of high school.
RYAN DAY: Agreed. I think in the recruiting process, sometimes we call it Disneyland recruiting, like everything’s going to be great when you go to school. The truth is there’s twists and turns along the way, and everybody has
their own journey.
A big part of going through the process of college is working through adversity in tough times. So I think a big part of going through the process is choosing the school that’s going to develop you at a high level in all areas of
your life.
Certainly there’s the football part of it, and that’s a big part of the experience, but there’s a lot more to it than that. In today’s day and age, there’s a lot of new changes and things going on, but to focus on the things that matter, I
think is critical.
Smart on injury updates and others getting time
KIRBY SMART: They’ve been great for those two guys. Amarius has gotten to play a ton this year. He’s been a rotational player. If you remember, Jamaree had the situation some last year at the end of the year and even in the championship game where he had to move positions and play with some injuries and do some things to help us out. We’re still hopeful to get Ladd and Warren back.
On what attributes Smart saw in C.J. Stroud and how he compares to Stetson Bennett
KIRBY SMART: He’s a tremendous leader, and I think, when you play that position, you’d better be a leader. He was very quiet then, very humble, but very talented. He has great vision down the field, and he has great athleticism to take off and run. That’s something he and Stetson both share.
They had two different kind of paths. C.J. was highly recruited. C.J. got to play relatively early in his career, and they both had success. I have a lot of respect for the way that both of them treat their teammates and make it more
about their teammates than themselves.
On both coaches dealing with injuries and others stepping up
RYAN DAY: I don’t think it changes. When you’re into this part of the season, you certainly have a month to get some guys healed up, but that’s college football. You can’t pick up somebody on waivers. You’ve got to develop young players and bring them along.
This time of year, there’s always those opportunities for
players to do that, so it doesn’t change.
KIRBY SMART: Yeah, I don’t think it changes.
On both coaches' thoughts on compensating players for playing in the College Football Playoff
KIRBY SMART: I don’t think you can put a number on that. I don’t think it’s fair for me to sit here and assess that number without studies and values. I think the NIL opportunities our players have gotten have been tremendous for them in terms of creating a lot of opportunity for themselves and a chance to help their families.
I think the CFP does a tremendous job, who gives a really handsome check to the families to travel to these locations that are tremendously hard to get to. You’re talking about two-night minimums, and you’re talking about New Year’s Eve, and those are things that I know when I was a player, the parents weren’t afforded.
So it’s come quite a ways, but to put a number on that, I’d be remiss to try to answer that right now.
RYAN DAY: Same thing. To try to wrap my mind around how much that is or what that should be. I mean, I do think there should be something for them for sure. I do think what they’re doing now is great, but I know moving down
the road, there should be more. It’s just how could I possibly say a number? I would be speaking ignorantly.
On what both coaches are doing on the even of the game to prepare their teams
RYAN DAY: We’ll keep our routine the same. We tried to keep this week like a game week and less like a bowl week.
So we try to do the best we can at keeping the routine the same, and that’s meetings, walkthrough over at the stadium, and we come together for dinner, movies, watch some football, and then get to bed.
KIRBY SMART: Very similar. We keep the same routine. We keep it home and treat it like a road game in terms of we would be arriving today. We want them to have a mindset of they arrived today. That’s one of the hardest things psychologically to prepare your team for from being in the same place for six, seven days, sometimes in the same room.
On Smart's biggest concern about the Ohio State offense and if it's the best Georgia has faced all year
KIRBY SMART: That’s hard to answer that in terms of is it the best that we faced to date because we haven’t faced them. When you look at them on tape, you certainly see the talent. It kind of oozes off the tape, especially the wideout, quarterback position. Two really good protectors. They’ve got talented players across the board.
A tight end, who I have a lot of respect for, I think is one of the best tight ends we’ve faced all year. They’ve got a guy that can distribute the ball and get it to them. So it’s a very, very talented team.
When you talk about concerns, it’s a trite expression, but it’s the same concerns every game we play. How are we going to play? What are we going to do in terms of execution, playing the ball in the air. There’s going to be one-on-one matchups all over the field. You’ve got to win those one-on-one matchups.
When you’re playing Ohio State, you’ve got to be disruptive. You’ve got to affect the quarterback some kind of way. Because, if you don’t, he’s very accurate. He’s a very accurate passer who knows where he’s going with the
ball. When you give them free access with a quarterback like that, they can wear you out.
But most games come down to the same thing, turnovers, explosive, red area, third downs. That’s what the greatest indicators are of winning.
Thoughts regarding balancing the NIL and transfer portal while still playing in this game
KIRBY SMART: Yeah, it’s sustainable. I don’t think there’s any question is it sustainable? There’s nobody that’s going to weep and cry for the teams that are playing in the playoff because they’re playing in the playoff. There’s nobody that feels sorry for us. We get advertisement galore on ESPN. We get opportunities like this. Our kids get to play in front of the largest viewership.
The value you get in that in terms of recruiting or transfer portal, if that’s what you choose to do, then you get plenty of time to do that. Everybody has time demands that plays in bowl games. And if you’re not playing in a bowl game, you’ve probably got other problems that you’re concerned with too.
The model is what it is. I think we can all complain about it and say there’s things I wish were different, but it is what it is. I don’t have the answer or solution that says what’s better.
RYAN DAY: Agree with everything Kirby said. The best recruiting is winning. So I think that’s one of the best things about being in this situation is you get all the exposure for recruits and their families to see you come to Georgia, you come to Ohio State to go play in the CFP. Well, here we are.
I think, when you make decisions on changing things or moving things, the ripple effects don’t get recognized for at least a couple years down the road. So early signing day, portal, NIL, all these types of things, you don’t see them
shake out for a couple years down the road. So I always caution about changing again and keep continually making all these changes because it just disrupts how things are being done.
So, as we move forward, we have to make sure we’re really smart about the decisions that are made and the changes that we make.
On the difference in preparing for a normal game week and the long lead time for a bowl game
RYAN DAY: For the bowl structure that we use, we spend the first part of the bowl month working on fundamentals and just good-on-good and really don’t dive into the game plan until we start to get a little bit closer towards the game and then try to treat it like a game week.
You obviously have more time to look at your opponent and get organized and look at the things that they do, but then you can also get to the point where you can overdo it. It gets similar to the first game of the season, but at the end of the day, it’s going to come down to fundamentals and who’s going to play hard, who’s going to execute at the highest level.
We try not to start the game planning too early because then you start to get too much involved with the scouts, and you don’t get good-on-good work because it will come down to fundamentals.
KIRBY SMART: Very similar to Ryan. A lot of it hinges on where Christmas falls and where your bowl game falls or your playoff game in that situation because you’re going to have a time there that you’d like to get a little break.
I think the psychology of the players after 13 games, 14 weeks, you’ve got to be careful. They’ve got to want to play, and I think it’s assumed that kids just want to play in bowl games or CFP, and you can wear kids down. They’re not professional athletes. They have more burdens on them in terms of academic requirements, and they’re younger.
Kirby Smart on what he's most proud of with the development of Stetson Bennett
KIRBY SMART: I’m most proud of the fact that he was persistent and he stayed the course and didn’t jump ship when he was two or when he was three. He stayed the course and stayed with us. I’m very grateful for that
persistence and resiliency he showed and his belief in himself that he showed.
I don’t think any of those qualities had to do with myself or Coach Monken or anybody else involved with him. They were traits in himself that he loved Georgia and he wanted to prove that he could play at Georgia, and he created his own story by doing that.
Kirby Smart on how Bennett has looked in practices leading up to the game
KIRBY SMART: He’s been very consistent in his practices. You worry sometimes when guys go off to events and award shows, the walk-on award, the Heisman finalist, and doing all those things, but they don’t affect the guys 25 years old probably the same way they do a kid that’s 18 or 19.
He’s very grounded in what he does. He’s got a great work ethic. I think the quarterback position is easily the most critical factor in a game because the way offenses are now, they put so much decision-making on the quarterback
presnap, post snap. I mean, everything is on the quarterback.
So both these teams got really experienced, really proven guys who make good decisions. So when you have that, you’re right more than you’re wrong, and that creates — usually creates scoring. I’m very grateful and thankful that
we have a guy like Stetson who’s played in games.
Ryan Day on the benefits of getting a second chance and if there's a benefit to it after losing to Michigan
I’m really pleased with the way we’ve practiced, how our guys have gone at it. We’ve had really physical practices. When you have something taken away from you, it does give you a little bit more appreciation for what it is. We’ll
see how we play, but it has been a great month.
Ryan Day on the team putting too much pressure on itself for the Michigan game and managing that for this one
RYAN DAY: I just think you go back to your training. You can’t focus on things like that. What it comes down to is just playing hard in practice and then going back on your training once you get out there and playing physical with your teammates.
There’s going to be good plays. There’s going to be bad plays, but just going out there and looking up at the scoreboard at the end of the game. That’s what we’re going to do in the game. We’re going to play as hard as we possibly can. There will be ups. There will be downs and twists and turns in this game, but play as hard as we can. You can’t worry about things like that in a
game like this.
Ryan Day on how practicing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium can help Ohio State get acclimated
RYAN DAY: It’s a great stadium. It’s a great venue, beautiful stadium. Being there for the week is — what you try to do is you try to make it your own. You say, okay, this is the Woody right here. This is where we come out, and
we run out of the Woody every day.
You try to make it a game week. You try to make it a home as much as possible. You’re practicing indoors for the whole month and then you go there, just throwing and catching, the punts, things like that, the contrast against the ceiling. So it takes a couple days.
On what each coach is hoping their teams do to appeal to recruits on the field Saturday night
KIRBY SMART: I don’t really think of it as the recruiting appeal. I think of it as a service to the kids who are with us. The guys that are with us and have given so much, and I look at guys across the board, whether it’s Sedrick Van Pran or all these leaders, Kenny McIntosh who waited his turn behind all these phenomenal backs. I look at it as an opportunity to go out and play well for them.
Most of the recruiting for this season is done. I know you’re always looking to the next year. What those kids see in one game, there will be a small window. I do think it’s important that we do this for the guys on our team, not
necessarily for the recruits.
Ryan Day on the team getting to this point and what it has taught him about his players
RYAN DAY: I think you know who the leaders are and you know who the guys are that we turn to, and I think those guys have done a great job. They’ve had a voice.
I won’t point one or two guys out because we’ve got a great group of guys. Again, at this point, there’s not much more to talk about. We’ve had a great month. The guys have done a really great job. So now it’s time to go play the
On what Kirby Smart sees from Marvin Harrison Jr. and the wide receiver group at Ohio State
KIRBY SMART: Elite ball skills, play making ability. Those guys grew up under a system of wideouts that were just tremendous. You look at it and say, if I get to play behind some of guys they’ve had, you know the training they’ve had, you know who they’ve been able to watch.
Across the board, they’ve got size, physicality, ball skills, vertical speed, all the qualities you want in wideouts. They recruit wideouts at a high level, and you see why when you see the guys they’re playing with now.
On whether Kirby Smart reached out to other coaches that have won titles in other sports to gain an understanding of how to manage this season
KIRBY SMART: No. We have a couple in-house sports psychologists that we talked about how the mighty fall and some business structures, the Blockbuster model, and some different models where ego got the best of organizations in the business world to corporate world, but didn’t reach out to many coaches.
I had experiences at Alabama, and I knew the kind of year it would be. It’s always a little tougher to bring everybody back to home base. It was much easier for us this year because we had so many players leave, and we had a
hungrier young team.
Auburn has offered more linebackers in the 2024 class than any other position.
North Carolina State closed the year on a sour note, failing to score a touchdown in a 16-12 loss to Maryland in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. | 2022-12-31T02:01:19Z | sports.yahoo.com | Everything Kirby Smart and Ryan Day said on the eve of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-kirby-smart-ryan-day-215948672.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-kirby-smart-ryan-day-215948672.html?src=rss |
Former Florida offensive tackle Michael Tarquin is headed to the West Coast, according to a social media post he sent out on Friday.
Tarquin announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 22 and has found a home just over a week later with the USC Trojans. He started the season as Florida’s first-string right tackle and ended up serving in that role for seven of his eight appearances with Florida this year. An injury forced him to sit for four games early in the season, earning Austin Barber some significant playing time.
Pro Football Focus gave Tarquin a season pass-blocking grade of 76.4, with his strongest performance (81.6) coming against Texas A&M in Week 10. He struggled against South Carolina (56.8), but made up for it with one of his best run-blocking games of the season (73.6). He committed just four penalties during the season and allowed just six hurries on the quarterback while not allowing a single sack.
I greatly appreciate every coach that has given me another opportunity to play football at their respective school. This being said, I am very excited to announce that I will be furthering my career at The University Of Southern California. Cannot wait to get to work! Fight on! pic.twitter.com/PCJT1Crc4r
USC’s gain here is a major loss for Florida. The Gators are down four starting offensive linemen this offseason and need to replace what was considered the best line in the SEC this year. Tarquin was the expected starting right tackle in 2023, but now he’ll likely take over that spot for the Trojans.
There’s a chance that he shifts over to left tackle, having played some of the position during his time in Gainesville. Tarquin received a four-star grade from 247Sports as a transfer prospect and has two years of eligibility remaining. | 2022-12-31T02:01:32Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Gators OT Michael Tarquin commits to USC | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-gators-ot-michael-tarquin-233122137.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-gators-ot-michael-tarquin-233122137.html?src=rss |
Florida will host Memphis defensive lineman CamRon Jackson on Jan. 4 for an official visit, according to Gators Online.
Jackson entered his name into the transfer portal on Thursday and Florida quickly began recruiting him. The Gators need to restock its defensive line corps despite adding a handful of prep players at the position during the early signing period and securing a commitment from Louisville transfer Caleb Banks.
A three-star prospect from the class of 2020, Jackson originally committed to the LSU Tigers before signing with Memphis. Florida, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and Mississippi State were some of the programs that offered him out of high school, and now the Gators are back in the fold.
Desmond Watson is expected to start on the line next year, and Jackson could easily join him as a starter. During his three years with Memphis, Jackson totaled 51 tackles (25 solo) and recorded five tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks for 13 yards. He earned Third-Team All-ACC honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and played in all 13 of the Tigers’ games.
Miami should get him on campus in January and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more Power Five programs take interest in Jackson. Florida getting him on campus so quickly could give the Gators a head start in this recruitment. | 2022-12-31T02:01:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gators hosting Memphis transfer DL on official visit | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-hosting-memphis-transfer-dl-224028617.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gators-hosting-memphis-transfer-dl-224028617.html?src=rss |
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams said he is ready to play in the Cotton Bowl on Monday, which will be exactly one month after the Southern California quarterback suffered a significant hamstring injury in the Pac-12 championship game.
''I feel good,'' Williams said Friday. ''We're obviously all being smart about it because it did just happen a couple of weeks ago. But I've been feeling good.''
''As soon as it happened, I actually tried to wave off coach (Lincoln) Riley for the next play,'' Williams said. ''So I felt it as soon as it happened.''
After practice at AT&T Stadium, the home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys where the game will be played, Williams it has felt ''like normal prep'' for him since the Trojans got to North Texas earlier this week. While not elaborating on what he has done, he said he anticipates playing the entire game after the extended time since the Pac-12 title game.
''If it was still the same as if I just injured it, i wouldn't go out there because I don't think I'd be as good of a help,'' Williams said. ''During that game, I was already in the game, I was already in the flow of everything. But starting off with an injury like that, it'd be a little different.''
Asked if he felt he was capable of doing everything he will need to do in the Cotton Bowl, Williams responded, ''we'll see when I get out there. But I think I'm capable.''
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Playing his first match since his World Cup hopes were dashed by an injury, Karim Benzema came the rescue of Real Madrid with a pair of late goals to snatch a 2-0 victory at 10-man Valladolid on Friday. Benzema had a subdued showing in his first competitive match since Nov. 2 following injuries that had limited his availability for his club and finally sidelined him for his France at soccer's elite competition. Madrid also relied on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to keep the score deadlocked as it struggled to create chances in its first game since the league paused for seven weeks for the tournament in Qatar.
Lakers' Anthony Davis says foot injury is trending in right direction | 2022-12-31T02:02:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Heisman winner Williams ready to play for USC in Cotton Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/heisman-winner-williams-ready-play-235426026.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/heisman-winner-williams-ready-play-235426026.html?src=rss |
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The biggest test for Michigan football on Saturday when it takes on TCU in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl will likely be TCU’s vaunted passing offense against the Wolverines secondary.
The Horned Frogs have a variety of options at receiver — led by standout Quentin Johnston and slot receiver Taye Barber — but overall just has speed, explosiveness, and a penchant for making big plays. There’s no team in college football that has as many explosive plays — especially for touchdown — than TCU.
On Thursday, we spoke with Michigan safeties coach Jay Harbaugh about what he’s expecting from the Horned Frog passing attack, and he broke down why they’re such a daunting challenge.
“They’re all explosive, very, very well-balanced, they can all make big plays, and the quarterback in this scheme, it’s just a great match between the two of them to be able to put those guys in position to make plays,” Harbaugh told WolverinesWire. “They create a lot of space, you’ve got to be great at tackling. I think that’s gonna be a huge, a huge part of it. They do great breaking tackles after the catch. The running backs are phenomenal players. So I think tackling — you’ve got to cover them, but an offense like that is going to complete balls. There’s gonna be times when they get the ball in space. If you can’t tackle you’re gonna have real problems. Gonna be a key.”
What’s more, TCU is more than capable of running the football. While the passing attack is what gets the most attention, ranked No. 25 in the country, the run game is also ranked 25th overall.
Given that it is capable on both fronts, defenses can’t simply lock in hoping to stop one element without expecting the other.
Harbaugh says that Michigan understands the balance that TCU strives for, and what he feels the Wolverines need to do to slow or stall the Horned Frog passing attack.
“It really takes everybody,” Harbaugh said. “They’re just like any other good offense, like there’s balance. They spread you out. And they have a lot of speed and a great quarterback. They’re a team that loves to run the ball. So you’ve got to understand the situation, understand what they’re trying to get accomplished.
“And then really the whole DB group in the back — anyone involved in coverage is going to have to be on point just because of the fact that (they have a lot of speed and targets and) guys that can hurt you. (The defensive backs will) actually to work in conjunction with the coverage. There’s gonna be a group effort if we’re going to have success.”
Mike Elston describes the challenge Michigan football will have with TCU's run game
Even so, Michigan’s defense has been solid all year long, no matter the opponent.
While TCU doesn’t have an offense that exactly resembles any team that Michigan has seen, it is some combination of Maryland and Ohio State — as well with some elements that Purdue’s offense runs.
Harbaugh notes that having seen all these different elements, albeit at different times against different teams, it helps the Wolverines, because nothing they’ll see will be entirely unfamiliar.
“Yeah, that’s a great point. I think just playing in our conference, you get a little bit of everything,” Harbaugh said. “We might not be a conference that airs it out as much as the Big 12. But you do get a little bit of everything. And so I think it’s at this point, it’s hard for us to really see anything that we haven’t had at least some exposure to, like you mentioned. So I think our schedule prepares us well, at least just to give us a base familiarity for okay, this was a lot like this team or that team. So I think it’s a good thing for us and we’ll soon find out.”
Alabama men's basketball program traveled to Starkville to take on Mississippi State and left with a win.
Alabama basketball survives a slow start to open SEC play with a top-25 win over Mississippi State. Brandon Miller had 19 points and 11 rebounds. | 2022-12-31T02:02:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jay Harbaugh breaks down the challenge of Michigan football’s secondary vs. TCU’s passing game | https://sports.yahoo.com/jay-harbaugh-breaks-down-challenge-011448587.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jay-harbaugh-breaks-down-challenge-011448587.html?src=rss |
Many thought Jayden Reed had a shot to leave for the NFL last year, but instead chose to return for one more season with Michigan State football. Now, the Spartans’ star wide receiver will finally test the draft, and on Friday, he was formally invited to the 2023 NFL draft combine.
Reed transferred to MSU after spending his freshman season with Western Michigan in 2018. After sitting out in 2019 due to the old transfer rules, Reed exploded onto the scene for the Spartans. In 2021, he had 1,026 yards and 11 total touchdowns.
2022 was not as big of a success for Reed, who was banged up throughout the year. But with his versatile skills, especially his prowess in the punt return game, Reed will definitely get a long look from NFL scouts. | 2022-12-31T02:02:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan State football WR Jayden Reed earns invite to NFL draft combine | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-wr-jayden-004944784.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-wr-jayden-004944784.html?src=rss |
Notre Dame scored a touchdown on a pass from Tyler Buchner to Mitchell Evans with less than two minutes left on Friday and captured a 45-38 victory over South Carolina in a wild Gator Bowl.
The Fighting Irish appeared poised to take a two-score lead but Buchner threw a pick-six.
O’Donnell Fortune plucked the pass and took it 100 yards to tie the game at 38 after the PAT.
Buchner didn’t flinch, however, and led a 12-play drive that ate up 6:04 on the clock and 80 yards.
He connected with Evans, who had not caught a pass in the regular season but had three receptions in the Gator Bowl.
GAMECOCKS 100-YARD PICK-SIX 😱 pic.twitter.com/SSAYn7fTfz
Notre Dame erupted for 559 yards of total offense. The Irish had three turnovers but managed to hold off the Gamecocks’ last hope, which died on a fourth-and-36 that went incomplete. | 2022-12-31T02:02:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Notre Dame outlasts South Carolina in frenzied Gator Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-outlasts-south-carolina-003126961.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-outlasts-south-carolina-003126961.html?src=rss |
If you’re someone who can’t let themselves enjoy college football’s non-playoff bowl games then you missed a ton of fun on Friday afternoon. Notre Dame and South Carolina dueled in a thriller in the Gator Bowl as the game featured just about everything one could imagine.
South Carolina jumped out to 21-7 and 24-10 leads before Notre Dame stormed back to take a 38-31 lead in the fourth quarter. Leading by seven and seemingly about to head in to end the contest for all intents and purposes, Tommy Rees inexplicably decided to pass the ball which resulted in an all-time backfire.
Instead of a two-score lead, a pick-six made the score was 38-38 late in the fourth quarter. The running game was relied heavily on by Notre Dame to get down field before Rees again went to the air with Tyler Buchner, who played his first game since September, and he found Mitchell Evans on a throwback to give the Irish a 45-38 lead.
It might not win any awards for being the best played bowl game you’ll ever see but it was certainly one of the most entertaining games one will ever witness.
The 45-38 win gives Notre Dame a 9-4 final overall record while South Carolina finishes 8-5.
What a way to end Marcus Freeman’s first season as head coach as the game had as many ups and downs as the past four months. Stay tuned to Fighting Irish Wire as we’ll have tons of reaction all evening long.
Twitter reacts to Logan Diggs' go-ahead touchdown in Gator Bowl | 2022-12-31T02:02:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Notre Dame wins thrilling Gator Bowl over South Carolina | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-wins-thrilling-gator-002843574.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-wins-thrilling-gator-002843574.html?src=rss |
ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum joined ‘First Take’ to discuss Georgia versus Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl.
Finebaum was asked what a back-to-back national title would mean for the Bulldogs.
Coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs won’t concern themselves with hypotheticals.
There’s a target on Georgia’s back and Ohio State will try to knock the Bulldogs off the top of college football on Saturday night. | 2022-12-31T02:03:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Paul Finebaum asked what another championship for UGA would mean: ‘There’s a new king in college football’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/paul-finebaum-asked-another-championship-013027740.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/paul-finebaum-asked-another-championship-013027740.html?src=rss |
Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich instructs the offense during practice ahead of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Utah, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES (AP) Tyler Warren started playing at Penn State in 2020. Nothing about that COVID-19-hindered season made sense to him.
''Really, like my first year of college football, it's more like 2021 from a normality perspective,'' the Nittany Lions' third-year sophomore tight end said. ''It was really its own thing.''
With ninth-ranked Penn State preparing to face seventh-ranked Utah in the Rose Bowl on Monday, the presence of both teams in a New Year's Six game reflects just how strange the 2020 season was for two of the more steady programs in the sport.
The Nittany Lions went 4-5 that year, the only losing record in coach James Franklin's nine seasons in charge.
''That season did provide some adversity in the sense that we're a man coverage team, and a lot of prep for that season, just because of COVID rules and regulations, we couldn't press. We couldn't do some things in practice that you normally do,'' Scalley said.
''We learned a lot about what we liked about zone coverage, and so you take kind of what you were forced to do and you take the best of both worlds, who we are and kind of things that we liked from that season,'' he said.
''It's just hard to really install how you got to over Zoom,'' Scruggs said. ''It was just really hard to, like, get the chemistry and everything together off of a Zoom call. It's just not the same as in-person.''
''I think the hard part when you're doing virtual (coaching) is evaluating how efficient the teaching is and how they're grabbing the material,'' Yurcich said. ''Now, there's ways to try to grab it and ask and make sure that they can spit it back. But to get on the field and see how it translates was the difficult part.''
Some can pick up concepts from hearing a coach's instructions. Others need to see it diagrammed on the board or from video clips. And then there are those who figure things out by doing them on the practice field.
''You couldn't touch it and feel it,'' he said.
There were other limitations. Warren didn't have free use of the weight room as a freshman, so he focused on nutrition to develop his body. The typical adjustments to social life and the college classroom had to be delayed.
''Coming in, it was definitely weird,'' Warren said. ''It was different, so we got through that, but it's good now.''
The “name, image and likeness” rules have been in effect since 2021, allowing college athletes to get paid to endorse products. | 2022-12-31T02:03:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rose Bowl teams remember lessons of 2020's COVID-19 season | https://sports.yahoo.com/rose-bowl-teams-remember-lessons-234149888.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rose-bowl-teams-remember-lessons-234149888.html?src=rss |
In the summer, I began counting down the top 101 players in the history of LSU Football.
We now have just 10 players to go
But before the final 10 is revealed, it’s worth taking a look at who could join the list in the future. It can be a fool’s game to predict who is going to be an all-time great and who isn’t.
There’s only 101 spots on that list. Just by math alone, when looking at if a player will join the list or not, the smart bet is always no. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with it.
There’s plenty of talent on LSU’s roster and the expectations will be high entering 2023. All it takes is one great year paired with team success to become a program great. Here are some current players who have a chance to become some of the best to ever do it at LSU.
Daniels is here because he’s a quarterback. He already has one solid year under his belt and has a chance to move LSU to 10 wins on Monday. He’s already top 20 in program history when it comes to quarterback total yardage.
If he puts up the same numbers next year that he did in 2022, Daniels would rank third all-time in program history in total yards, with only [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Tommy Hodson[/autotag] ahead of him.
He’ll also have an opportunity to quarterback LSU to back-to-back 10-win seasons pending the result of Monday’s bowl game. Daniels also helped stabilize a chaotic period at LSU. That combined with numbers and wins is the type of thing that gets you on the list.
Daniels has the easiest path of any current player.
[autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag] would have been on this list had he opted to return, but instead, [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] projects to be LSU’s top receiver again in 2023. Nabers has had a productive first two years as a Tiger, giving him the chance to rocket up the all-time receiving yardage list next year. A 1,000-yard season would put him in the top 10.
Everyone in the top 10 made the cut for the top 101 list.
If he catches 60 passes, he’ll be in the top 10 on the receptions list, too. Nabers has caught just six touchdowns in his time at LSU and likely needs to beef up that number next year.
If Nabers is the top playmaker on a good LSU team after being LSU’s top receiver in 2022, he’ll have a good case.
Perkins is just a true-freshmen but is on a record setting pace at LSU.
Listing numbers doesn’t do it justice, you have to watch Perkins to really grasp his talent, but Perkins was one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the country this year.
The only P5 LBs with more pressures were NC State’s Drake Thomas and Arkansas’ Drew Sanders. PFF gave Perkins the top pass-rush grade in the P5 among LBs.
Perkins has a chance to be one of college football’s top players in the next couple of years. If he continues this emergence, he’s well on his way to being one of the best to ever do it at LSU.
With Perkins, it’s not so much projecting, either. He could play at the same level as this year for the rest of his LSU career and still make the list.
Wingo was a portal addition last year. After a strong freshman year at Missouri, Wingo had a breakout campaign and received All-American honors.
I gave significant weight to All-American recognition when putting the list together, and if Wingo was to do it again next year, he’d be a serious contender.
Among SEC defensive tackles, Wingo was top-10 in stops and pressures.
Wingo has two years of eligibility left but could leave after next year. He has a long way to go before being up there with the greats, but it can’t be ruled out after a productive first year.
Maason Smith
I think if Smith was healthy this year, he’d be well on his way. Few defensive tackles in the country were projected to perform at the level Smith was, but an ACL tear on the opening drive of the season took away his sophomore year.
Smith’s talent level is off the charts and if recovery goes as planned, and it sounds like it is, there’s no reason for Smith not to be a star next year. He’s a good candidate to declare early, which could make it tough for him to produce at the level needed to join previous greats LSU has had on the defensive front, but one monster year could be enough.
Josh Williams or John Emery
At this point, these are longshots. One of them would have to emerge as LSU’s feature back next year, which would come at the expense of the other. Even if that did happen, they’d have to have a monster year to be near the top of any of LSU’s all-time rushing lists.
Considering LSU will be solid in the passing game with Daniels and a few receivers returning, along with how divided LSU’s rushing production is, it’s hard to see a scenario where an LSU rusher has over 1,400 yards, or something in that neighborhood of production.
But both will have the chance to stake their claim, though, so it’s worth mentioning.
Like Perkins, Campbell was just a true freshman, but the early returns couldn’t have been better. LSU doesn’t have a ton of great left tackles in its history. Because of that, I gave more weight to good offensive linemen when putting the list togother.
If Campbell progresses at the level expected and is a three-year starter, he could end up as one of the best OL in LSU’s history, making him an easy candidate for the top 101 list. He already looks on his way to being one of the SEC’s top linemen next year.
Jones was the true-freshman starting opposite of Campbell. He took over the right tackle job against Mississippi State and didn’t look back. Jones had his struggles, but the fact he started in the SEC at tackle as a true freshmen says enough.
The same that can be said for Campbell can be said for Jones. If he turns into one of the SEC’s best tackles for a multi-year span, he’s an easy candidate. He’ll have to take a few steps forward next year and there are a few more growing pains to get through, but LSU has to like what it has in Jones.
Mason Taylor
Taylor is yet another true freshman that excelled in 2022.
There’s a lack of great tight ends in LSU’s history. [autotag]David LaFleur[/autotag] was the only tight end in the modern era to make the top 101 list. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] raves about Taylor and thinks he can be a star.
His legacy has already been boosted by his two-point conversion catch to beat Alabama. If he can emerge as a true weapon in the passing game to go along with his ability as a blocker, he’ll be one of the best tight ends in LSU history.
Does BJ Ojulari have a case?
[autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] is off to the NFL after a productive three years at LSU. According to PFF, he has 127 career pressures and 21 sacks. He was named All-SEC first-team this fall and could be a first-rounder in the NFL draft.
Considering the defenders I put in the 90s, Ojulari is up there, but it’s a tough call.
Eric Reid began the list at No. 101. Is Ojulari better than a safety who got some All-American recognition and helped lead some of the best defenses in LSU history? Probably not.
But Ojulari has some things working in his favor. He had three defensive coordinators in his three years at LSU and continued to be one of LSU’s top players in one of the program’s most chaotic periods.
He wore No. 18 and was a team captain, too.
We’ll see how his career ages at LSU, but there’s certainly a case to be made for Ojulari.
Top 101 all-time players so far
NHS celebrated in new 2023 coins bearing King Charles portrait
LSU football wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has declared for the NFL Draft after announcing earlier in December that he was returning to LSU in 2023. | 2022-12-31T02:03:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Top 101 LSU football players of all time: What current players could make the list? | https://sports.yahoo.com/top-101-lsu-football-players-190022900.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/top-101-lsu-football-players-190022900.html?src=rss |
Longoria will join his third MLB team in 16 seasons. He played 477 games over the last five years with the Giants, batting .250/.312/.438 with 70 home runs while locking down the hot corner with stellar defense.
In 2022, Longoria batted .244/.315/.451 with 14 dingers and 42 RBI in 89 games with San Francisco.
The Giants declined Longoria's $13 million contract option for the 2023 MLB season in November, paying him a $5 million buyout instead. That roster move opened up opportunities at third base for David Villar, Wilmer Flores and up-and-coming prospect Casey Schmitt.
As a result of the move, Longoria packed his bags and entered free agency for the first time in his career.
Josh Rojas, a 28-year-old left-handed batter, was the Diamondbacks' primary third baseman last season. In Arizona, Longoria likely will see time in the hot corner and as the designated hitter for what could be his final MLB season.
Longoria will get a chance to reunite with his old Giants teammates when San Francisco visits Chase Field for a four-game series, from May 11-14.
Chasten Buttigieg defended his husband, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Friday on social media over his response to Southwest Airlines cancelations. | 2022-12-31T02:26:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | MLB rumors: Evan Longoria, Diamondbacks agree to one-year contract | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-rumors-evan-longoria-diamondbacks-224318335.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-rumors-evan-longoria-diamondbacks-224318335.html?src=rss |
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick clearly wasn’t in the mood for questions relating to the controversial low hit Mac Jones put on Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in Week 16.
Belichick is a master at sidestepping questions he personally deems unworthy of a response, and that’s usually anything that doesn’t have to do with the game currently on the team’s schedule.
So it was no surprise that the legendary coach wanted to put everything that happened against the Bengals in the rearview when heading into the biggest game of the season on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan asked multiple questions relating to Jones being called and perceived as a “dirty player.” However, the invisible wall between Belichick and the media was impenetrable.
Callahan asked Belichick if he thought he’s risking “alienating” Jones by refusing to lean one way or the other in his perception of the controversy.
“Yeah, I have a good relationship with all the players. I talk to all the players. I talk to the team every day. I talk to players individually on an as-needed basis or anything that’s relevant,” said Belichick. “So, I feel comfortable with my relationship with every player, every coach, every staff member — if that’s what you’re asking. I feel very comfortable with every one of them.
“So, that’s what I base it on, not what somebody else thinks or what somebody else says. I base my relationships on my direct relationship with that person. That’s what I feel like’s important.”
Belichick’s response is pretty typical considering he rarely yields any insight into his personal feelings about anything. And at 70 years old, it’s hard to envision him ever changing regardless of how anyone feels about it. | 2022-12-31T02:56:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bill Belichick snaps back at questions surrounding Mac Jones controversy | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-snaps-back-questions-012953728.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-snaps-back-questions-012953728.html?src=rss |
Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey puts a big hit on Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey, who has since been traded to the San Francisco 49ers. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) tackles Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in November. James can't play this week against the Rams because of a concussion. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
“He’s got some bigger things down the line, so I want him to take care of himself for sure,” Ramsey said. He jokingly added: “And then, obviously, I'm still a competitor. If he ain't playing, then I think that's in our advantage too, so we’ll see.”
“Maybe … it just ain't meant to be that me and Derwin play against each other,” Ramsey said.
“Maybe one day we'll play with each other,” he said, “but maybe it's not meant for us to play against each other.” | 2022-12-31T02:56:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Brandon Staley turned Chargers' Derwin James Jr. into Rams' Jalen Ramsey | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-staley-turned-chargers-derwin-022243216.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-staley-turned-chargers-derwin-022243216.html?src=rss |
UCLA defensive back Mo Osling III reacts after dropping a potential interception during the second half of the Bruins' 37-35 loss to Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl on Friday. UCLA took the lead in the final minute before losing on a field goal with four seconds left in regulation. (Sam Wasson / Getty Images)
“That was what the plan was,” Kelly said, “but obviously we didn't come out on the right side of that.”
Nick Patti, Pittsburgh’s backup quarterback, found holes even with all the extra defensive backs dropping into coverage with the hope of protecting the Bruins' 35-34 lead. He completed one pass for 18 yards. Another for 17 yards. Finally, not seeing anything to his liking, he tucked the ball in his arm and took off running, gaining 11 more yards to the UCLA 29 with 10 seconds left.
Pittsburgh's Ben Sauls kicks a 47-yard field goal to lift the Panthers to victory over UCLA in the Sun Bowl. (Andres Leighton / Associated Press)
Pittsburgh wide receiver Jake McConnachie celebrates after the Panthers' win. (Andres Leighton / Associated Press)
“You feel for him,” Kelly said. “He's just such a warrior, and if he couldn't go, then you know he gave everything. He's just done that for five years here.”
WATCH: The best of J.J. Watt "Mic'd Up" on the field | 2022-12-31T02:56:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | An old nemesis dooms Dorian Thompson-Robinson and UCLA in Sun Bowl loss | https://sports.yahoo.com/old-nemesis-dooms-dorian-thompson-020053415.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/old-nemesis-dooms-dorian-thompson-020053415.html?src=rss |
The 49ers will have to wait at least one more week for wide receiver Deebo Samuel to return. He was among the players ruled out for San Francisco ahead of their showdown with the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday.
This will be the third game in a row Samuel has missed since hurting his knee and ankle on an awkward tackle in Week 14 against the Buccaneers. While his absence isn’t good news in a vacuum, there’s optimism about his availability for Week 18. He returned to practice Thursday and got limited sessions in both Thursday and Friday.
Even if Samuel doesn’t suit up again in the regular season, he appears to be on track to return for the postseason.
Here’s the 49ers’ Week 17 injury report:
It sounds like Givens is on track to be back for the postseason. Garoppolo’s return is a long shot still, but Samuel could be back as early as next week.
Hyder played in Week 15 at Seattle despite getting hurt in Week 14, but he wound up missing last week’s game against the Commanders. He was limited all week in practice. Thomas was limited Wednesday and Friday, but missed Thursday’s session due to an illness.
This group all showed up on the practice report at various points during the week. None of them landed on the injury report though which means they’ll be good to go Sunday,
Memphis Hustle vs. South Bay Lakers - Game Highlights
Watch the Game Highlights from Memphis Hustle vs. South Bay Lakers, 12/30/2022 | 2022-12-31T04:36:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers Week 17 injury report: WR Deebo Samuel out vs. Raiders | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-week-17-injury-report-040142462.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-week-17-injury-report-040142462.html?src=rss |
Jayden Reed has been a star wide receiver in the Michigan State offense for almost three seasons, and now, the star wideout is looking to make a name for himself in the National Football League.
The first step towards getting drafted in the NFL Draft is a strong performance at the NFL scouting combine, which Reed just received an invite to.
WATCH: Some of the best highlights from Michigan State's 2022 nonconference slate | 2022-12-31T04:37:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan State football WR Jayden Reed receives NFL Draft combine invite | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-wr-jayden-035015353.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-wr-jayden-035015353.html?src=rss |
Chris Moore was there when the Houston Texans needed him.
The former Baltimore Ravens 2016 fourth-round receiver had big games when the Texans were down two of their top wideouts in Weeks 9, 14, and 15 when Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins missed with injuries. Moore delivered with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown, 10 catches for 124 yards, and four grabs for 42 yards respectively.
Moore may have burst onto the scene for even the most observant Clutch City sports fan, but receivers coach and pass game coordinator Ben McDaniels knows the real reason why the seven-year pro has had such success.
“I’d probably say consistency,” McDaniels said. “It’s not a sexy answer but, consistency. I think he’s smart. He’s versatile. He’s been able to play in different spots for us whenever that is we needed him. We’ve needed him more recently than previous. He’s stepped into those roles and done a great job and made the most of his opportunities, which is what I expect from him.”
By far Moore is having the best year of his career with 43 catches for 505 yards and two touchdowns. The only season where Moore had more touchdown catches was in 2017 when he hauled in three scoring grabs for the Ravens. Moore’s five starts through 14 games are also a new career high.
“He’s smart and he’s tough,” said McDaniels. “He’s got a lot of football player to him, and in his opportunities recently, he’s shown that.”
Cooks returned to the lineup in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, and the Texans prevailed 19-14 at Nissan Stadium to improve their record to 2-12-1. Collins remains on injured reserve with a foot injury, which means Moore will have another opportunity to make a start against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 at NRG Stadium.
A quick look at the final injury reports for the Packers and Vikings ahead of the Week 17 showdown at Lambeau Field.
Top plays from Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
Top plays from Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons, 12/30/2022
The Jaguars listed six players as questionable, but most are expected to play. | 2022-12-31T04:37:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans WR coach Ben McDaniels offers explanation for the rise of Chris Moore | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-wr-coach-ben-mcdaniels-030011398.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-wr-coach-ben-mcdaniels-030011398.html?src=rss |
Michigan State defeated Buffalo on Friday evening, ending the Spartans nonconference schedule for the 2022-23 season. The Spartans defeated the Bulls 89-68 in a game that they handled from start to finish.
Of note, Michigan State got Malik Hall back in the lineup, and it showed. The Spartans went back to looking like their early season form, just in time for the true start of Big Ten conference play.
Check out some of the best quotes from Tom Izzo following Michigan State’s win over Buffalo:
Tom Izzo speaking to the media following the win over Buffalo.
He says that Michigan State wasn’t “smooth” tonight and that he was disappointed in the defense.
“We look like a team out of sorts…that falls on the coach.”
Tom Izzo said Malik Hall is fine. Taking him out midway though the second half and keeping him out was minutes-restriction-based. Says he could have put him back in if needed. https://t.co/CZdOfesZND
Izzo says that A.J. Hoggard “has to be more of a jerk” and demand more from his teammates.
Izzo was “very pleased” with the play of freshman guard Tre Holloman, who “really guards.” | 2022-12-31T04:50:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Best quotes from Tom Izzo following MSU’s win over Buffalo | https://sports.yahoo.com/best-quotes-tom-izzo-following-041652650.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/best-quotes-tom-izzo-following-041652650.html?src=rss |
SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers likely will find out Sunday night when their Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals will be held.
The league informed teams this week that the Week 18 game schedule featuring NFC teams likely will be determined Sunday night because no NFC teams play Sunday night or Monday. The 49ers play at the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 on Sunday afternoon.
The NFL will consider playoff implications in determining the dates and times of next week’s games. The 49ers-Cardinals game, which will be played at Levi's Stadium, could have playoff seeding implications.
The 49ers (11-4) have qualified for the playoffs as NFC West champions, and currently are in the No. 3 spot but remain in strong contention with the Minnesota Vikings (12-3) for the No. 2 seed. The Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) are in the No. 1 slot, but they have yet to clinch the NFC East over the playoff-bound Dallas Cowboys (12-4).
The two games on Saturday, Jan. 7, are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT and 5:15 p.m. PT. There will be 13 games scheduled for the 10 a.m. PT and 1:25 p.m. PT time slots on Sunday, Jan. 8, and there also will be a game Sunday night at 5:20 p.m. PT.
RELATED: Bosa ranks himself, Raiders' Crosby as NFL's two top rushers
The first round of the NFL playoffs will take place Jan. 14-16. There will be two games on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 1:30 p.m. PT and 5:15 p.m. PT; three games on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 10 a.m. PT, 1:30 p.m. PT and 5:15 p.m. PT; and one game on Monday, Jan. 16 at 5:15 p.m. PT.
Most community rinks are weather-dependent. | 2022-12-31T06:10:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | When 49ers-Cardinals Week 18 date, game time will be revealed by NFL | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-cardinals-week-18-date-043406448.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-cardinals-week-18-date-043406448.html?src=rss |
Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson made a key 3-pointer with 1:36 left and added 31, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 on Friday night to improve the league’s best home record to 16-2. Damian Lillard did his best to rally the Trail Blazers after halftime and finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Poole notched his second 40-point game in the past 15 contests. | 2022-12-31T06:10:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL Insider says Adoree Jackson and Xavier McKinney remain out but Giants should still 'take care of business' on Sunday | Connor Hughes | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-insider-says-adoree-jackson-024259126.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-insider-says-adoree-jackson-024259126.html?src=rss |
"Hell yeah, especially the last game of 2022," Bobby Portis said of the good feeling of breaking the losing skid. "Close it out nicely and get a chance to relax and things like that and reflect on the year and then right back to every other day."
"Obviously with Jrue and Khris and George (Hill) and those guys out, there was a bit more opportunity to play some pick-and-roll and get some actions and I think going into halftime you could see, I thought, it looked like Giannis was trying to put us on his back like he has for a lot of games this year and it was on – not just me, but a lot of us – to try and pick it up and help him," Ingles said.
"It's awesome – I'm not gonna lie, just having Joe out there, a guy that can make plays, make big shots, you know a guy that can basically put us in our spots and talk to us and kind of organize us (is big)," Antetokounmpo said. "He's had a lot of experience. Played in the NBA a decade now. Played in a lot of FIBA tournaments, which is way, way more set plays and system (oriented). He's a guy that knows the game of basketball and just having him out there just as a guy that can make plays for us is amazing. Love that guy.
"Being able to come down and make shots and get to his spots and take control of the game, it speaks a lot of the experience he has and I'm not gonna lie – I'm just happy that he's on our team."
"I would have gone home very happy tonight if we had won," Ingles said. "Especially after the last few games. But just to feel a bit more like myself and getting my minutes up a little bit from what I've been playing, just helping these guys out to win a game. That's what I'm here to do, to help create and playmake for these guys and make shots when I can and be annoying on defense. Tonight was probably the most natural I've felt out there."
"His force, his determination, his will, attacking, attacking, attacking, finding teammates for open looks, just his competitive nature, it's just what we're built for, what he's built for," Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said.
"It's nice to be running to the corner in transition where I can shoot a three instead of looking at him in the eye and getting run over," Ingles said with a grin. "I mean, he carries such a load for us, which for us I think as a team we need to help him with that.
"I think tonight was a little bit kind of forward progress of helping him and us trusting him when he's got the ball and vice versa, him trusting us when he's got the ball for us to make shots and plays. But yeah, it's much nicer being on this side and in this locker room than him train wrecking us down the other end."
"It's a great compliment to be around those guys and it's always a great feeling to be able to go out there, help the team in any way possible try to get a win," Antetokounmpo said. "We're missing our two best players and it's kind of hard. But at the end of the day we gotta keep building good habits together, keep on playing together and the team has done that.
"In the game against Chicago we didn't make enough shots to win the game. We were up 11. Today we were down 11 and we were able to come back and respond great in the second half and play some defense.
"I'm proud of this team. As a leader, I just try to go out there and do whatever I can, try to push myself to the limit and I just want to win games. Feels way better when you win and you're able to go home and sleep."
"If I touch the ball that's what I try to do," Portis said. "It's what I'm good at, is trying to put the ball in the hole and try to pass the ball to the rim. That's what my coach used to say as a kid: Bobby don't pass, he passes it to the rim."
Friday marked the seventh straight game Khris Middleton has missed with what has been listed as right knee soreness, and it marked just over two weeks since he played last on Dec. 15 against Memphis. Middleton told the Journal Sentinel on Dec. 25 that a "couple little minor things" occurred in the knee after he returned from offseason wrist surgery on Dec. 2, and that he did experience swelling in his knee. But after being upgraded to doubtful on the injury report on Christmas Day in Boston he has been ruled out since.
"So, he's catching it from every direction possible," Budenholzer said before the game against Minnesota. "He's definitely slower than anticipated, a little different timeline than anticipated, but still, I think we're hopeful that it's short term."
Play of the game is Joe Ingles' lob to Giannis
Ingles and Antetokounmpo ran a pick-and-roll early in the second quarter, with Ingles finding Antetokounmpo with a nice lob dunk. And while the play is a staple for the Bucks with Antetokounmpo rolling to the rim – it's a play requiring feel and timing and Ingles is still working his way into the rotation. He spoke about how he didn't get a lob off in time to Antetokounmpo in Chicago, so if anything it's a sign of increasing comfort for Ingles.
Slammin' start to the second quarter! 💥#FearTheDeer | #NBA pic.twitter.com/Hobfs4GGhI
Video of the game is Anthony Edwards' block on Giannis
Late in the second quarter, the Timberwolves were up 50-42 when Anthony Edwards drew an offensive foul on Antetokounmpo at around the three-point line with some physical defense. Antetokounmpo objected, getting a technical foul – which was followed by a technical foul on Budenholzer. D'Angelo Russell made both free throws to make it 52-42, and set up the following play. Antetokounmpo drove the lane and put up a layup, but Edwards closed and flew in for a blocked shot. Russell corralled the loose ball and pushed the ball up the court before pulling up for a three and a 55-42 lead.
THIS SEQUENCE>>>>>> 🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/8wscvo9ipZ
— 🐺 NEW ERA (16-19) (@WolvesGotNext) December 31, 2022
Jaylen Nowell with a dunk vs the Milwaukee Bucks
Jaylen Nowell (Minnesota Timberwolves) with a dunk vs the Milwaukee Bucks, 12/30/2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 43 points and 20 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 123-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Antetokounmpo finished two points off his season high and also had five assists to join Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with back-to-back games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. Chamberlain did it five times and Baylor once, with Chamberlain the last to do it Jan. 6-7, 1966. | 2022-12-31T07:00:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | A historic night for Giannis Antetokounmpo and breakout for Joe Ingles key 123-114 win over Minnesota | https://sports.yahoo.com/milwaukee-bucks-seek-end-four-181115460.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/milwaukee-bucks-seek-end-four-181115460.html?src=rss |
Kerr calls Jerome, Lamb earning Dubs roster spots 'possible' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Speaking with 95.7 The Game's John Dickinson and Allen Stiles on Thursday, Kerr shared his thoughts on potentially keeping both Jerome and Lamb with the squad full time.
"I mean I would love to have both those guys on our roster," the Warriors coach said. "Right now, it's not conceivable."
Nevertheless, while Kerr is keeping the door open for both Jerome and Lamb to potentially remain on the team, he understands it's all a waiting game for the time being.
"But we just have to see how it plays out," Kerr continued. "I know both of them are worthy of spots for sure."
Jerome and Lamb have been the subject of Kerr's praises, with the former called a "godsend" and the latter considered a crucial rotational piece with his experience.
"They've been great contributors for us dealing with the injuries now," Kerr said. "We're really keying on them and counting on them."
As the season reaches the halfway mark, Kerr and Warriors general manager Bob Myers must figure out a way to return Golden State to its winning ways. However, those winning ways might come at the expense of one of the Warriors' two-way players.
Ty Jerome with a last basket of the period vs the Portland Trail Blazers
Ty Jerome (Golden State Warriors) with a last basket of the period vs the Portland Trail Blazers, 12/30/2022
Injury Report: Warriors’ James Wiseman (ankle) out vs. Trail Blazers on Friday
The former No. 2 overall pick has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Trail Blazers.
Kings benefited from two missed calls in win vs. Nuggets, NBA reveals
Sacramento was the beneficiary of a couple of key missed calls late in its come-from-behind 127-126 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Ever since Rian Johnson’s acclaimed “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion” debuted on Netflix shortly before Christmas, social media users have spent a lot of time debating the Elon Musk of it all. Google “Glass Onion” and “Elon Musk” and you’ll get dozens of articles about how the “Knives Out” sequel is a “veiled dig” at […] | 2022-12-31T07:00:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ty Jerome, Anthony Lamb could earn Warriors roster spots, Steve Kerr says | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jerome-anthony-lamb-could-003433704.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jerome-anthony-lamb-could-003433704.html?src=rss |
The Queen guitarist was honored for his contributions to "music and charity." Sir Brian May: Queen Guitarist Knighted by King of England Alex Young
Sean Astin’s performance as Samwise Gamgee represents the beating heart of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It’s an iconic performance for many fans, capped off by Astin’s powerful Mount Doom speech in which Samwise tells Frodo, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” Suffice to say, Jackson’s “Rings” […] | 2022-12-31T08:09:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | No. 11 UCLA avoids upset at Washington State with incredible late-game finish | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-11-ucla-avoids-upset-063100430.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-11-ucla-avoids-upset-063100430.html?src=rss |
Sabonis had 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the Kings concluded a six-game homestand with a wild 126-125 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night before a sellout crowd of 17,946 at Golden 1 Center.
“Man, what a win,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “I tell you what, the fans here in Sacramento, they’re unbelievable. The energy that they bring to the building every night, you can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoff games just because of the energy they bring to the building. … Just to feel the energy is something special.”
Kevin Huerter scored a career-high 30 points and made the game-winning 3-pointer for the Kings (19-15), who moved into a tie for fifth in the Western Conference. They will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and the Jazz on Tuesday before returning to Sacramento for five more games at home.
De’Aaron Fox had 24 points and 10 assists. He scored 11 points in the fourth quarter with an emphatic dunk over Kelly Olynyk, the fourth consecutive game Fox has reached double figures in the fourth.
Lauri Markkanen scored 36 points for the Jazz (19-19). Jordan Clarkson had 25 points and nine assists.
Sabonis went 12 of 12 from the field with two 3-pointers, posting his 12th consecutive double-double and his NBA-leading 25th of the season.
“The guy’s got a broken thumb and he didn’t miss a shot,” Huerter said. “He’s playing All-NBA level basketball.”
Fox agreed.
“For me, it’s (Nikola) Jokic, (Joel) Embiid and (Sabonis),” Fox said. “Those are the top three centers in the league.”
Brown returned to the bench after missing two games against the Denver Nuggets due to NBA health and safety protocols. Brown entered the league’s protocol system Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19.
Brown said two different hand specialists determined Sabonis could play without causing further injury. The biggest question is pain tolerance.
Sabonis was seen clutching and shaking his right hand after taking contact on a couple of occasions, but he said he’s trying not to let it bother him.
“I definitely noticed it when Kevin high-fived me on my right hand when he was mad,” Sabonis joked. “… I try not to think about it.”
Kevin Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds left and the Sacramento Kings held off Utah 126-125 on Friday night when Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen missed a jumper in the final seconds. “You can mistake some of these regular-season games for playoffs just with the energy they bring," Kings coach Mike Brown said after the game. Huerter scored a career-high 30 points to help Sacramento improve to 19-15, with Brown returning after missing the past two games because of COVID-19.
Domantas Sabonis with a first basket of the game vs the Utah Jazz
Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) with a first basket of the game vs the Utah Jazz, 12/30/2022
Dolphins try to overcome Tagovailoa’s injury with chance to clinch playoff spot vs. Patriots
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, normally loquacious, was uncharacteristically brief Wednesday when describing his emotions surrounding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s second diagnosed concussion this season.
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Argentina has tattoo fever. Argentina’s victory in the soccer World Cup tournament in Qatar has suddenly meant that many tattoo artists across the country are fully booked. The phenomenon is particularly pronounced among those who are younger than 30 and had never seen the national squad win a World Cup. | 2022-12-31T08:30:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | ‘What a win’: Sabonis, Fox, Huerter lead Sacramento Kings to wild victory over Utah Jazz | https://sports.yahoo.com/domantas-sabonis-aaron-fox-kevin-053914747.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/domantas-sabonis-aaron-fox-kevin-053914747.html?src=rss |
The Ohio State football program is playing in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for the first time in its illustrious history. As such, many Buckeye fans may not know a whole lot about the bowl and all that comes with playing in Atlanta. Because of that, we are here to give you more information on the culture, festivities, and pageantry of the bowl and city as many in scarlet and gray descend upon one of the jewels of the American South.
And what better way to do it than to talk to Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl CEO and President, Gary Stokan? As one of the most influential figures in college football, Stokan was kind enough to spend some time talking with us here at Buckeyes Wire. We touched on a wide range of topics including having Ohio State in the game for the first time, its fans, the state of college football, and much more.
Here is a condensed version of the Q&A session with Stokan so that you can be a little smarter when it comes to important facts surrounding the game on Saturday. Feel free to drop some of this info on whatever audience you are around for the College Football Playoff semifinal on Saturday night.
On having Ohio State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl for the first time
GARY STOKAN (GS): We have a huge contingent of Ohio State people living in Atlanta. I know there’s gonna be a lot of fans driving that I-75 and flying in as well and you know, driving in from around Georgia and the Southeast. In 25 years of doing this, I know Ohio State has one of the great fan bases in college football, so I expect to see at least 13,000 Because they sold their tickets out in two days. And a lot more of the Ohio State people in addition to that too.
On what he expects the mix of fans to look like. Will there be a lot more Georgia fans than Ohio State?
GS: Well, Georgia sold their tickets out in one day. Both athletic directors need more tickets which unfortunately we don’t have. Two thousand Standing room only tickets so the secondary market is alive and well. I think there’ll be pretty close to evem and I really believe Ohio State people want to come down because they have a lot to play for they got the opportunity to get into the playoffs number one.
Number two is they’re gonna get healthy. I know TreVeyon (Henderson) is out and the other guys are gonna get healthy. Number three is they know if they win this game, they get a chance to potentially avenge the loss against the team up north. And then if they did that they’d win the national championship. So Ohio State has everything in the world to play for.
On what fans can expect from if they visit the College Football Hall of Fame when visiting Atlanta
GS: Well, it’s a must-see if you’re a college football fan. It is truly an ‘edutansium’ is what I called it when we were building it, which is very educational. It’s very entertaining, and it’s very much a museum. It’s a lot of activation and a lot of interactivity. A lot of history, and certainly the opportunity if you’re a college football fan, a must-do, and I must say when it comes to Atlanta, especially as close as a lot of people will be near — whether area or downtown hotels which we have 13,000 hotel rooms downtown — all within close walking distance to the College Football Hall of Fame.
On how important it was to get a sponsor like Chick-fil-A with shared values when it comes to charity work
STOKAN: What’s very important to us to give back as part of our mission when we were created back in 1968 by the Lions Lighthouse to give back to the community. Most bowl games are constructed to provide tourism during the holiday season. Like the Rose the Sugar, the Orange, the Cotton, we do that as well.
We’ll have close to $100 million of economic impact between our Chick fil-A Peach Bowl, and our to Chick fil-A Kickoff games that we had earlier this year. But we were built as a charity bowl and we’ve maintained that mission where we’ve given $60.9 million back since 2000 to charities and foundations which is just a lot more than any other bowl game.
And this year will give $6 million back to charity and foundations. So it’s something very very important to us and something that we take great pride in to use college football to positively impact other people’s lives in a meaningful and significant manner.
On the bowl's journey to becoming a really good bowl game to now a part of the New Year's Six and College Football Playoff
STOKAN: Yeah, it was interesting. One of the things I told my board when I took this job is that my job is to get us into the BCS back in 1998 when I first started and I failed. We didn’t get into the BCS but then 2014 when the CFP started we were the first New Year’s Xix game in the CFP, and now we’re hosting our third semifinals No. 1 vs. No. 4.
And back in 1998 when I took the job, we had Georgiavs. Virginia as our first game and the local newspaper here, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a headline saying Georgia is heading to the third-tier Peach Bowl. So we’ve come a long way and it’s been you know, fantastic. Bringing the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta, creating the the Kickoff game format which has changed the face of college football on the front side of the season. And now being a part of the New Year’sXsix CFP.
So, yeah, it’s been very rewarding. Been a lot of hard work by a lot of people. Our board and our staff are the best in the business of volunteers — the corporate support we have in Atlanta, as well. As well as all the fans who have lots of tickets.
On what Ohio State fans can expect from the folks at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and city of Atlanta
STOKAN: Yeah, definitely have a good time. We love Southern hospitality and the nice thing about hosting the CFP now, is we’ve seen teams from Washington and Michigan, and Michigan State, Ohio State, and TCU. All come through Atlanta. It’s also been Oklahoma. It’s great to host these big brands of college football that are from really throughout the country now to bring them into Atlanta. You know, they walk away with a great taste in their mouth not only the Chick-fil-A, but also some great fan experiences.
On what college football means to him and the state of the game today
STOKAN: Well, college football is the second most favorite sport in this country. And I’m afraid we’re doing some things that probably are not in the best interests of the game. And that concerns me a little bit. You know, I really believe we need a Csar of college football. But I also believe a Commissioner of college basketball, women’s and men’s commissioner of Olympic sports commissioners, college baseball, and then their boards.
It would be comprised of two athletic directors to commissioners, to coaches to student-athletes, and let that board create a vision for the sport that would move the sport forward with respect to scheduling a playoff, transfer portal and NIL, all the things that come into play because they know the sport and they know how it can positively or negatively impact the sport based on the decisions that are made.
So we need that kind of focus now because the sport has grown to a point where we’re starting to lose our way because there is no vision of what has been created. And you know, it’s gotten out of hand with the transfer portal, and what we need is basically some structure and some vision to the sport because the sport can trickle down to positively impact everybody in a win win win.
But we got to handle it the right way because we are the second most favorite sport in the country. So there are some concerns I have and hopefully, we can alleviate some of those through the future, getting more of a control on the sport itself. And one of the major things we need to do is make sure that we’re staying at college enterprise that we are getting kids degrees number one.
And then getting them jobs afterward. So all these collectives that are paying these kids to come to school, all these collectives, alumni money, and donors, they need to be there after 98% of the kids who don’t go pro need a job as a graduate and get their degree. And that’s where I think the focus needs to be instead of on the other side.
So I’m all for kids getting opportunities, want to get the opportunity to get a scholarship to get owe money that makes sense. But when we start free agency, and we start paying kids just like pro athletes to come to school, and they’re transferring left and right and not getting degrees, then I think we’ve lost our way and that’s not the mission of college athletics.
On his thoughts regarding playoff expansion
STOKAN: Yeah, I’m all for it. First of all, a 12 team playoff will allow more teams to be in the mix a lot longer, you know in October November, so the fan support will be there. More interest level, it’ll grow the sport bringing on new media partners. ESPN has been a great partner of ours and done a great job but when you start to bring in what the Big Ten is bringing in with NBC and CBS and Fox, all of a sudden they’ll start promoting the game.
When teams like the Pac-12, The Big Ten, the SEC, Big Twelve, and ACC, will all have schools playing in Playoff. There’ll be more interest in those areas of the nation. And therefore, young kids will be able to see those teams that are vying for a national championship and get interested in college football.
So I think for all those reasons you know. I think the 12-team Playoff will be good. I just want to make sure that we’ve got a vision and we’ve got someone focused on what the needs are of college football, which there are a lot of needs right now. And I don’t think we’re handling them very well when you’ve got a signing date, coaches changing jobs, ball games, transfer portal, and recruiting all happening at one time. It’s not a very smart way to do things and I think we could clean up a lot of that.
At the end of the day, college football is so strong. It’s so important to this country, that if we get it right, it can just do amazing things. As I said for universities, for student-athletes, for fans, for media — everybody would win out. But we’ve got to really have a focused approach to the future.
On who his team is and where is rooting interest lies
STOKAN: Yeah, North Carolina State is my alma mater, and that’s who I root for. Obviously, I have to be neutral though in my position. And I found that over 25 years, you root for friends more than you root for universities or schools, so I’ve been able to make a lot of friends and relationships. I want them to succeed and do well. So yeah, most weekends I watch every game that I can, and mainly the ones with my friends, and obviously root for them.
On what's next for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
STOKAN: Well, the good thing is we have our schedule for 2023, 2024, and 2025 now that the CFP has agreed to move forward with the playoffs. We have our Kickoff games scheduled. In 2023 we’ll start the season with Georgia Tech and Louisville, and then we’ll end the season with two top ten teams in our Chick fil-A Peach Bowl New Year’s Six game. Then, in 2024, we’ll start the season with Georgia vs. Clemson which will be a blockbuster game to start the season.
We’ll host the quarterfinals with either No. 1, 2, 3, or 4 against another team, in the quarterfinal of the CFP in the first year of the 12-team Playoff, and then at the end of that year in January of 2025 will host the national championship game in Atlanta. That’s an exciting run.
For the 2025 season and 2026 season, we’ll host Virginia Tech versus South Carolina and Tennessee versus Syracuse in our Kickoff games to start the year. And then we’ll host the national semifinal again at the end of the year, so some great college football coming through over the next three years.
We’d like to think Gary Stokan for taking time out of a very, very busy schedule to talk Ohio State football, the state of the college game, and what OSU fans can expect when they visit Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The representatives and volunteers do an amazing job with hosting and providing a first-class experience, but they do it the right way by also making charity a big part of what the game is all about. You can read more about that, in another interview from years ago with Stokan. Believe me when I say you will come away impressed. | 2022-12-31T08:56:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Exclusive: Buckeyes Wire goes 1:1 with Chick-fil-A CEO and President Gary Stokan to discuss hosting Ohio State for the first time and more | https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-buckeyes-wire-goes-1-015604785.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/exclusive-buckeyes-wire-goes-1-015604785.html?src=rss |
Former Memphis defensive lineman CamRon Jackson didn’t need to wait until his Jan. 4 official visit to pull the trigger on committing to the University of Florida. He took to Twitter to pledge his services to the Orange and Blue around 9 p.m. EST Friday night.
Jackson is the second defensive lineman Billy Napier has brought in, replacing the departing duo of Chris Thomas and Jalen Lee. Louisville’s Caleb Banks will join Jackson in Florida’s defensive line room along with returners Desmond Watson and Chris McClellan, The Gators also have five incoming defensive linemen, but there’s no guarantee that a true freshman could step into a major role right away.
Jackson totaled 51 tackles (25 solo) and recorded five tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks for 13 yards, in his three years with the Tigers. He earned Third-Team All-ACC honors from Pro Football Focus in 2022 and played in all 13 of the Tigers’ games in 2022.
Im Coming Home 🐊🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/FO8rAGPdH9
Jackson’s January visit will now be a celebration rather than a recruiting pitch. He knows he’s filling a major need for one of the premiere SEC programs and chose Florida over Miami, the other major contender in his recruitment. Defensive line coach Sean Spencer and defensive analyst Jamar Chaney were Jackson’s major points of contact during the process, according to 247Sports.
He joins the Gators with two years of eligibility left and should play on the interior of the offensive line.
Justin Hardee gently brushed the snow from his mother's gravestone, enough so he could see the image of her face etched into the marble. The New York Jets' special teams ace needed to share his good news with Estella Perryman. “Mom, I did it,” Hardee told her. | 2022-12-31T08:56:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Florida adds former Memphis defensive lineman through transfer portal | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-adds-former-memphis-defensive-030748471.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-adds-former-memphis-defensive-030748471.html?src=rss |
No. 1 Georgia (13-0) versus Ohio State (11-1) in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Saturday night.
Bulldog great and ESPN analyst, David Pollack, commented on the Buckeyes firepower, citing quarterback C.J. Stroud and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. as ‘the best in college football’.
"C.J. Stroud, he's the best passer in college football when he knows the answer and he can get the ball out quick. … Marvin Harrison Jr., he's the best receiver in football."
👀 @davidpollack47 on Ohio State's key playmakers in the CFP pic.twitter.com/3FSYz9DXRH
Stroud and Harrison have been dynamic this season, connecting for 72 passes for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs were able to shutdown some of the top passing offenses in college football this season in wins over Oregon and Tennessee.
LSU, playing from behind, was able to fine passing lanes against Georgia in the SEC Championship putting up 502 yards passing.
UGA’s secondary will have to execute to stop the Buckeye’s passing offense, which sits at No. 14 in the country averaging 294 yards per game. | 2022-12-31T08:56:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Georgia Bulldog David Pollack comments on Ohio States firepower ahead of Peach Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-georgia-bulldog-david-pollack-020005806.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-georgia-bulldog-david-pollack-020005806.html?src=rss |
Notre Dame football started the 2022 calendar year by getting a commitment from safety Peyton Bowen in the 2023 class. A few hours later the Irish jumped out to a 28-7 first half lead over Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl.
We all remember how that game ended. And mega-recruit Peyton Bowen’s recruitment which ultimately wound up with him signing at Oklahoma won’t soon be forgotten by anyone.
363 days later it’s safe to say Marcus Freeman has experienced quite a bit after leading the Irish as their head coach. Huge ups and massive lows were just some of the stories of 2022.
After Notre Dame’s incredibly entertaining 45-38 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, Freeman met the media to recap the game and season. Here are some of the key things he had to say.
Great Feeling a Bowl Victory Brings
What a great feeling. As I told these guys in locker room, the opportunity to finish as a champion, there is no greater feeling. And I’m so proud of the way they continued to battle today, which is a great representation of what they’ve done all season long.
I know I’ve said this before, but when we’re on that bumpy road and they continue to trust the coaches, to trust their leaders. And this is a great way to finish off this 2022 season. I told them…this is what real life’s about, their ability to respond to some of those situations that happened to you.
Recruiting boost to win in Florida?
Yeah, for us, listen, the best recruiting we can do is to go out there and play well and win. And we’ll find the right guys no matter where they’re at, because this university attracts the right people. And that can be in Florida, that can be East Coast, West Coast, it can be a kid in Germany.
And so, we recruit, obviously, nationally. But for these guys go out there and play the game the right way, and to beat a really good South Carolina team, that’s the best recruiting we can do.
On the late pick-six play call
We were looking for a specific look. We thought we had it. We didn’t have the exactly what we were looking for. And the guy made a great play. Obviously, at that moment, we were running the ball really well. Again, ultimately we probably honestly shouldn’t have threw it, shouldn’t have called it.
But the greatest thing about it was to be able to, again, use that situation as another example for the future, the ability of that offense to have that happen, look at him on the sideline and say, ‘In about five minutes or two minutes, you’re going to go right back out there and you’re going to march down the field and score.’
Role reversal compared to Fiesta Bowl last season
Yeah. I remember saying this before after the Clemson game, it’s never how you foresee it on the front end. Right? And all the days you can sit here before this game and daydream about how you think this game will go, it wasn’t like that. But the ending was, right? And that’s what we’ll remember. But again, to send these guys off the right of way, no matter how we could achieve it, that’s what matters. And so, I’m happy we got it done.
Tyler Buchner's Big Game
He’s special, man. And I told him on the sideline and told him after the game that there’s many different examples we use him, [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] as an example of a guy that had a bumpy road. And the way he finished off this season, his first year in having a chance to start, you know, and the ability to just really tune out all the noise and focus on his job. And that’s within bowl practice, within a season, that’s within a game. That’s why I’m proud of him.
Did he realize right after how great of a game it was?
Now it does because we won. (Laughs). You expected to play a tough game because you knew that opponent was really good and that quarterback is special. And we knew that coming in. And you know what? Take your hats off to them, it’s a well-coached program. It was the first time I got the chance to meet Shane Beamer. He’s first class. And he runs a really good program.
On the successful fake punt
We ran a punt earlier in the game, we wanted to see a look we would get. And after we ran the punt, [autotag]Brian Mason[/autotag] said, ‘It’s there if you want it.’ And right before we went out there, he said, ‘It’s there.’ So, let’s do it. And we’ve been practicing that fake all year long. And there’s no more games left. And I wanted to run it.
I knew going into the game that if the opportunity presented itself I wanted to run it. Makes sense, let’s do it here. He said, ‘Let’s go.’ And we executed and it was beautiful when we executed.
Defensive Adjustments Key
As I told the guys at halftime, I don’t know what the score was, but it should have been 17 to 10. The defense had given up 10 points. The field goal fake is the field goal fake. That’s not the defensive coordinator’s job.
And as I told them, they played really well to give up 10 points in the first half on defense. And so, all I told them (was to) stop beating Notre Dame, right? And they were able to go out and put it all together in that second half, and I think they only gave up seven points in the second half.
Offensive Line's Performance
I’ve always said this, when you have the ability to run the ball and the other team knows you’re going to run it, that’s when you know things are rolling. And they knew we were going to run ball. Except the last steps when they thought we were going to run the ball and we didn’t. But that’s why we do those inside runs drills. That’s why you challenge those guys up front.
I say this all the time. We’re an O-Line and D-Line-driven program. I said that at halftime. This game will come down to our offensive line and defensive line, and they want that. They want the pressure on them. They want to run the ball in those critical moments. And hats off to them. They’re an excellent group and they’ve done an excellent job all season.
What bowl win means heading into 2023
Well, I don’t want to take away from how we finished for the seniors. That’s the most important thing, it’s now. Right? It’s right now because if you continue to just think about the future, you lose this opportunity to send these guys out the right way.
But once you get through that, then he said, ‘Okay, let’s look at the young guys that have a chance to play. Let’s look at the ability to for about 10 practices really develop that middle part of your roster,’ knowing we didn’t get into South Carolina until probably two practices before we came down here.
And so, the ability to really improve your roster, those guys that are coming back next year and the ability to send these guys off the right way by winning a bowl game.
On Braden Lenzy's big night
I remember saying it after the Navy game when he had that big catch for a touchdown. You don’t know when your number’s going to be called. And for a guy like Braden, just continue to do his job and run as hard as he can, and runs his routes to perfection, that’s an unselfish position. It’s just great to see him get the opportunity to go make a play and make them pay.
On the Mitchell Evans game-winning touchdown reception
Yeah, that was meant for Mitch. It went beautifully. Again, it’s a credit to how we were running the ball. You know, run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, and then a short-yardage situation…it’s a tough play for that defense, especially when you’re able to run the ball. But it was great execution by these guys.
Offensive aggression in second half
Yeah, that played into a lot of my thoughts. And I think early in the game, I was probably a little bit more vocal on running the ball. But in the second half, I wanted to be aggressive. Let’s not be cautious. Let’s be smart, but be aggressive.
And getting the interception was a chance for us to to be aggressive, but it also wasn’t smart. (Laughs). So, we can’t play keep away. I sit there and I challenge these guys every day to be relentless and aggressive and go after them and let loose.
With eight minutes on the clock, I can’t see us playing keep away. And I wanted them to be aggressive, and other than that one interception, they did a really good job.
On South Carolina's fake punt for a touchdown
(I didn’t call a time out) because the communication was, ‘Do we have everybody covered?’ ‘Yep.’ Because I mean, we’ve repped so many different fakes on field goal and punt. It was just a miscommunication.
‘Are we good. Do we need to call time out? No, we’re good. We’ve got everybody covered.’ It was miscommunication between two guys, we’re talking about two guys covering one guy, meaning somebody’s open. | 2022-12-31T08:57:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Marcus Freeman recaps Notre Dame’s incredible Gator Bowl win | https://sports.yahoo.com/marcus-freeman-recaps-notre-dame-064057860.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/marcus-freeman-recaps-notre-dame-064057860.html?src=rss |
Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) celebrates his touchdown against Clemson during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, left, hugs a member of the coaching staff after the team's win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, early Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, center, in white, poses with the team and the Orange Bowl mascot after the team's win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, early Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Tennessee won 31-14. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, left, and quarterback Joe Milton III (7) stand behind the trophy after the team's win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) The only thing that stopped Tennessee fans from singing ''Rocky Top'' as time was expiring Friday night was the need to serenade Joe Milton with something else.
''M-V-P!'' they chanted, over and over. With good reason.
Milton - who regained the starting job only after his close friend Hendon Hooker got hurt late in the year - led Tennessee to one of its finest moments in the last couple decades. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 6 Tennessee never trailed on its way to a 31-14 victory over No. 10 Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
''I trust myself, I trust my coaching and I just let it happen,'' Milton said.
The Volunteers finished 11-2 for the first time since 2001, and capped a year when they beat Alabama, LSU and Clemson - programs that combined to win six of the seven most recent College Football Playoff national titles.
''All the adversity this group's faced during their careers, what they've done the last 23 months, I couldn't be prouder of a group of individuals,'' said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, who won a national title as an Oklahoma player in the Orange Bowl.
''You don't get any points for yards,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. ''The name of the game's points. ... You have to finish and execute and we did not do that.''
''Wish we could have sent out these seniors with a win,'' Klubnik said. ''I think we gave it all we had until the last play.''
''Blood can't make us closer,'' Milton said. ''That's my brother 'til the end.''
Milton opened the scoring with a 16-yard pass to McCoy, and Small's 2-yard rush pushed the lead to 14-0 with 9:03 left in the half. The nation's most prolific offense wasn't at its best - Tennessee led the nation this year in yards and points per game - but it didn't have to be.
The other six possessions: a stuffed fake field-goal run by Drew Swinney, the son of the Clemson coach; a punt; three missed field goals by B.T. Potter - the most prolific kicker in school history - and a brutal final drive when Klubnik was tackled on a keeper with 6 seconds left. Clemson was out of timeouts, couldn't get the field-goal unit on the field and went into halftime trailing 14-3.
''Lot of missed opportunities,'' Dabo Swinney said.
Potter opened the second half with a 40-yarder - the 73rd field goal of his career, a school record for the Tigers. But White caught a 14-yard pass with 5 seconds left in the third, giving the Vols a 21-6 lead going into the fourth.
''It's been a fun climb,'' Heupel said. ''The best is yet to come.''
Clemson had bad moments all around in the Tigers/ 31-14 loss to Tennessee in Friday night's Orange Bowl. | 2022-12-31T08:57:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | No. 6 Tennessee tops No. 10 Clemson 31-14 in Orange Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-tennessee-tops-no-045706771.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-6-tennessee-tops-no-045706771.html?src=rss |
Tennessee's Jaylen McCollough (left) and Roman Harrison tackle Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik in the Orange Bowl on Friday. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Tennessee's best season in 20 years
Tennessee is 18-8 in Heupel's two seasons and has won 13 of its past 16 games. UT climbed as high as No. 1 during the regular season and was in the College Football Playoff picture well into November.
Though Hooker and several other top players will move on to the NFL, there's still a bevy of talent returning in 2023. That includes Milton, who will compete for the starting job with five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava, who is already on campus as an early enrollee.
It's hard not to be bullish about the future of Tennessee's program, especially with the playoff expanding in a few years. Being in the same division as Georgia is a massive challenge, but there will be much more access to a national championship once the playoff field expands to 12 in 2024.
What's next for Clemson?
On the Clemson side, it was a disappointing finish to another up-and-down season. The Tigers struggled mightily on offense in 2021 and saw their six-year ACC championship streak snapped. Despite continued underwhelming performances on offense, Clemson (11-3) got back to the top of the ACC this season, but it’s hard not to wonder about the program's overall trajectory.
Head coach Dabo Swinney appears to have a promising young quarterback in his program, but it's fair to wonder if his entire offensive approach is in need of a fresh set of eyes.
It’s the night before New Year’s Eve 2022, and my phone is blowing up with sad emojis. “Devastated?” “I’m so sorry.” “Oh no, Barbara!” Oh no, is right. If Barbara Walters — who died at 93 after a career that changed TV and journalism in a way that no one else has or ever will […] | 2022-12-31T11:35:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Clemson offense sputters yet again in 31-14 Orange Bowl loss to Tennessee | https://sports.yahoo.com/clemsons-offense-sputters-yet-again-in-31-14-orange-bowl-loss-to-tennessee-045708651.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/clemsons-offense-sputters-yet-again-in-31-14-orange-bowl-loss-to-tennessee-045708651.html?src=rss |
Sunday will mark the most important outing for the Carolina Panthers in quite some time. Heck, it’s essentially a playoff game.
So, as we head into this weighty NFC South battle, let’s go through the biggest storylines for Week 17’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Born Identity
After almost three seasons without a discernible direction on offense, these Panthers have finally spawned an identity. Keep grounding and keep pounding, baby!
Carolina has lived and died by the run, which couldn’t be more evident over the past four weeks of play. In their three wins, they averaged 242.7 yards over 45 attempts—with their record-breaking masterpiece coming just last Saturday against the Detroit Lions. In their loss, at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they were stuffed for 21 yards on 16 carries—a performance where the offense ran around like a chicken with its head cut off.
If the Panthers are to win this game—or any other one, for that matter—they’ll need to succeed on the ground. And luckily, the Buccaneers defense isn’t as stingy against opposing rushers as they’ve usually been—ranking 17th in total run defense (120.3 yards allowed per game) while allowing the seventh-highest average of yards per carry (4.5).
But if Carolina can’t establish the run, can quarterback Sam Darnold continue to move his men? His 104.3 passer rating is the fifth-best in the league since he took over in Week 12 and he, amazingly enough, has not committed a single turnover.
Horn Supremacy
There’s no doubt the Carolina defense is on another level of legitimacy when Jaycee Horn is on the field. But, unfortunately for the unit, he won’t be on the field Sunday.
Before entering Week 16, where he exited with a broken right wrist, Horn had had allowed the fewest receptions (23), the fewest receiving yards (216) and the lowest passer rating (39.4) amongst all starting corners. Now, they’ll have to face a Tom Brady-led offense with CJ Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr., safety Sam Franklin and a little bit of Josh Norman filling in the blanks on coverage.
Luckily for that defense, though, this is not the typical Tom Brady-led offense. Tampa Bay has been riding the struggle bus almost all season, as they haven’t hit the 24-point mark since Week 4.
So even without one of their best defenders, can the Panthers keep these Bucs down—similarly to how they did in Week 7?
Forlorn Ultimatum
For all intents and purposes, this is a playoff game for the Panthers. Because if they lose, it’s all over.
A loss clinches the NFC South for Tampa Bay—plain and simple. A win would move Carolina into a tie record-wise at 7-9, but push them past the Bucs with a tie-breaking 4-1 division mark.
After that, the Panthers would simply have to win their Week 18 meeting with the New Orleans Saints or get an Atlanta Falcons win over these Bucs to capture the crown.
But, as interim head coach Steve Wilks has preached, it’s all about winning the day—so no need to look past this one just yet. | 2022-12-31T12:21:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Buccaneers in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/biggest-storylines-panthers-vs-buccaneers-120006478.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/biggest-storylines-panthers-vs-buccaneers-120006478.html?src=rss |
Kelly (6-2, 216 pounds) was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Ole Miss. He spent his rookie season on reserve before beginning the 2018 season as a backup, appearing in one game for a kneel-down.
Kelly was arrested on suspension of criminal trespassing in October 2018 and he was promptly cut by the Broncos. After that, he spent time with the Indianapolis Colts on their practice squad from 2019-2020. Kelly now plays for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. | 2022-12-31T12:22:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chad Kelly suggests he is the solution to Broncos’ quarterback problems | https://sports.yahoo.com/chad-kelly-suggests-solution-broncos-120005746.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chad-kelly-suggests-solution-broncos-120005746.html?src=rss |
Thus far into Saquon Barkley’s career, he has yet to play meaningful football this late into the season, let alone have a clinching scenario to punch his ticket to the postseason.
On Sunday, the New York Giants will have an opportunity to do just that.
With a win over the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium, the Giants would clinch a playoff spot in the first year under Brian Daboll and the new regime — an impressive feat for a Giants team with low expectations entering the season.
Barkley wants no part of backing into the playoffs.
“You don’t want to leave it to chance. The way you do that is by doing what you got to do this week. That’s really it. You just got to treat it like another week,” Barkley told reporters this week. “One game at a time, it’s the most important game because it’s the next game on the schedule and try to do the little things, take care of the football, and go out there and try to win the football game.”
Although the Giants claim to be treating Sunday like any other game, that didn’t stop Barkley and the rest of the team captains from asking the fans to show up and be loud on Sunday.
Barkley sees the playoffs as something he has been envisioning for a long time.
“It would mean a lot. It’s stuff you dream about as a kid, playing playoff football in the National Football League. That’s something that you dream about when you get drafted to the New York Giants,” he said. “Obviously, the first four years that didn’t happen and now there’s a chance, a possibility.
“It’s a beautiful thing when you look at it. All the ups and downs, whether it’s in my personal career or whether it’s the organization- what we’ve been through the last couple of years. It will be special, and we have a chance to do it. At the end of the day, we just got to take care of what we can take care of and that’s on Sunday.”
Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, Barkley has been a catalyst for the Giants’ success this season. In fact, Barkley’s campaign during the first half of the season had him as a front-runner for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
A playoff berth this season would also be the first one for the franchise since 2016, and a step forward that proves the Giants are headed in the right direction.
Maxim Group analyst Tate Sullivan maintained Euroseas Ltd (NASDAQ: ESEA) with a Buy and lowered the price target from $42 to $36. ESEA announced the sale of the 2001-built containership Akinada Bridge for $14.2 million. The vessel ended its previous contract at the end of 3Q22 and was undergoing drydock repairs. ESEA bought the Akinada Bridge vessel in 2017 for $11 million. Based on depreciation since that purchase and potential asset impairments on other vessels amid lower containership rates, | 2022-12-31T12:22:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants’ Saquon Barkley: Making playoffs is ‘stuff you dream about as a kid’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-saquon-barkley-making-playoffs-115521876.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-saquon-barkley-making-playoffs-115521876.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Denver Broncos in Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season on New Year’s Day. Check out NFL.com’s preview of the AFC West showdown in the above video.
After playing in Kansas City, Denver will return home to host the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 18. | 2022-12-31T12:22:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | WATCH: NFL.com previews Broncos vs. Chiefs game | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-nfl-com-previews-broncos-110051170.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-nfl-com-previews-broncos-110051170.html?src=rss |
2022 has been quite the year for the Chicago Bears. It began with sweeping changes to the front office in January, leading to a mass exodus of veterans in March, and ultimately resulting in a team that’s battling for the No. 1 overall draft pick by the end of December.
But while the Bears entered into a rebuild in 2022, they also saw the growth of quarterback Justin Fields, who became one of the most electric players in the league.
From free agency drama to training camp holdouts, here are the 20 moments that defined the Bears in chronological order.
Robert Quinn sets the team record for most sacks in a season
Just two days into the new year, history was made in Chicago. Defensive end Robert Quinn broke Hall of Famer Richard Dent’s franchise record for most sacks in a season with 18, which came at the expense of former Bears quarterback Mike Glennon when he was with the New York Giants. Quinn finished the year with 18.5 sacks.
Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are fired
The Bears wasted no time when the 2021-2022 season concluded, firing general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy in January after their disastrous 5-12 season. Pace was out after seven seasons and Nagy was out after four.
Bears hire Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus
The Bears welcomed in a new regime, hiring Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Ryan Poles to be the new general manager. Poles then brought on Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to be the new head coach in January.
Devin Hester not getting elected to the Hall of Fame
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
In his first year of eligibility, Bears legendary returner Devin Hester was named a finalist for the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he narrowly missed the mark and wasn’t elected, to the dismay of Bears fans and NFL fans everywhere. Hester is once again a semifinalist for the 2023 class.
Bears trade Khalil Mack
Poles’ first major move as general manager was saying goodbye to Khalil Mack, one of the cornerstones of the defense over the last four years. Mack was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in mid-March for a second and sixth-round draft pick. It would be the first of many departures for longtime veterans of the team.
The exodus of team veterans
While Mack was the first and biggest departure from the previous regime, a number of other longtime Bears were either released or not brought back when free agency began. Those players include Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, James Daniels, and Allen Robinson II.
Larry Ogunjobi's failed physical
Poles appeared to make a big splash when free agency opened when it was announced the Bears and former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million deal. A few days later, however, the deal was not completed due to a failed physical and the Bears went in a different direction, signing Justin Jones instead. It wasn’t the start Poles wanted and Ogunjobi went on to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Drafting Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker
In his first NFL Draft as general manager, Ryan Poles focused on the secondary with the Bears’ top draft picks, selecting cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker. The decision to focus on defense with both picks was questioned by many, but Gordon and Brisker have had solid rookie seasons and the picks look to be paying off.
Bears unveil their orange helmets
In 2022, the NFL relaxed their uniform policies by allowing alternate helmets. The Bears took advantage of the change by introducing an orange helmet with a blue wishbone that was worn in two games this season. The alternate helmet elicited strong reactions from fans, both positive and negative.
Roquan Smith's training camp holdout
Bears training camp got off to a rocky start in Poles and Eberflus’ first season due to Roquan Smith’s contract holdout. Smith decided to holdout from camp as he desired a new deal from the Bears. He was entering the final season of his rookie contract. Public trade requests, impromptu press conferences, and mysterious calls from a man named Saint Omni all followed this saga. Smith would eventually return to the Bears in late August, but it wouldn’t be for long…
Teven Jenkins' training camp saga
Another player who had himself an interesting training camp was Teven Jenkins. The second-year player was relegated to swing tackle when camp began, missed a significant period of time due to a mysterious injury, had his name pop up in trade talks, and eventually became the team’s starting right guard. All of which took place over the course a month. Jenkins has found a home at right guard this season, but it took many twists and turns to get there.
Ted Phillips announces plans to retire
Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips decided to call it a career this summer, announcing his intention to retire at some point in 2023. Phillips has been with the organization for nearly 40 years, 23 of which were spent as president and CEO. The search for his replacement has been ongoing but his announcement has Bears fans excited for the team’s future.
Preliminary plans unveiled for Arlington Heights
AP Photo/Brian Kersey
The Bears front office unveiled preliminary plans for a new stadium site and entertainment district at Arlington Park, nearly a year after they entered into an agreement to purchase the 326 acres of land. While no stadium renderings were presented, the Bears brass released concepts of the mixed-use site that showed their vision for the land. Renderings showed walking paths, ponds, residential and commercial properties, and the location for the desired stadium.
Slip and slide at Soldier Field
The 2022 regular season got off to a wet start for the Bears at Soldier Field. They played their Week 1 game in a monsoon against the San Francisco 49ers. But it was memorable thanks to a big comeback, led by Justin Fields, getting the Bears a victory and creating one of the best photos of the year when he and his teammates slid on the soaked turf into the end zone.
The mini bye week magic
After sputtering on offense for six weeks, the Bears entered a mini bye week in between their Thursday night matchup with the Washington Commanders and the following Monday night tilt with the New England Patriots. The time off allowed the team to regroup and came out with a reimagined offensive scheme that pummeled the Patriots 33-14. It was the start of a strong offensive stretch with Fields as the catalyst.
Bears trade Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith
Near the trade deadline, the Bears said goodbye to two more defensive veterans when they dealt Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles and Smith to the Baltimore Ravens. Quinn’s departure wasn’t terribly surprising, given his age and the team’s desire to rebuild. Smith’s departure on the other hand came out of nowhere as the Ravens sent back a second and fifth-round pick for him. Smith has been a solid player for the Ravens in their postseason quest, while Quinn hasn’t been healthy for the Eagles.
Bears acquire Chase Claypool
Shortly after the Bears sent Smith to the Ravens, they turned around and became buyers at the NFL trade deadline by acquiring wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Claypool has been slow to get going, in part due to injury, but has another year under contract and will continue to build chemistry with Fields.
Justin Fields breaks single-game QB rushing record
Fields officially took the NFL by storm in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, where he ran for 178 yards, the most every by a quarterback in a single game in the 35-32 loss. His top highlight was an incredible 61-yard tuck and run for a touchdown in which he wasn’t touched. It was Fields’ coming out party as he became the talk of the league following the game.
Justin Fields breaks 1,000 yards rushing
Fields’ strong season on the ground continued all season long and became just the third quarterback in NFL history to break 1,000 yards rushing, coming in Week 15 against the Eagles. He joins Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson as the only quarterbacks to achieve the milestone.
Bears tie franchise record with 8 straight losses
The 2022 Bears have shown growth in multiple areas as the season has progressed, but that hasn’t prevented a historic losing streak. They will end 2022 with eight losses in a row, which ties a franchise record. With their next game coming on New Year’s Day against the Detroit Lions, they could set a new record to open 2023. | 2022-12-31T13:52:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | 20 most memorable moments that defined the Bears in 2022 | https://sports.yahoo.com/20-most-memorable-moments-defined-130007844.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/20-most-memorable-moments-defined-130007844.html?src=rss |
With just over a week left in the NFL regular season, we will soon find out who the Associated Press has named All-Pro for the 2022 season. It could be that two of this year’s All-Pro edge rushers will be playing on opposite sides of the field on Sunday.
At least that’s what Nick Bosa believes.
Nick Bosa on #Raiders Maxx Crosby: `I think he’s great. One of the top rushers in the league. Me and him are the best this year in my opinion.' #49ers
In fact, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the same of Crosby this week.
Bosa is a three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher and a frontrunner for being named All-Pro for the first time in his career. He and Crosby entered the league in the same 2019 draft. Though quite a few picks apart from each other. Bosa was the 2nd overall pick and Crosby was selected in the 4th round.
Yet, the two find themselves on similar footing atop the league with two games remaining.
Bosa leads the league with 17.5 sacks. That’s usually a recipe for being named an All-Pro at his position.
Meanwhile, Crosby leads the league in several other categories that can often go unnoticed considering the importance placed on sacks (of which he has 11.5 this season)
Crosby’s 19 tackles for loss leads the league, while his 81 combined tackles leads all defensive linemen. And his 33 QB hits are second behind only Bosa (42). | 2022-12-31T13:52:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers Nick Bosa says he and Maxx Crosby are best edge rushers in NFL | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-says-maxx-133645118.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-nick-bosa-says-maxx-133645118.html?src=rss |
Notre Dame's DaVaris Daniels, left, is brought down by Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix during the 2013 BCS National Championship game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on Monday, January 7, 2013. SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix joining Alabama football staff for Nick Saban
She spoke out against a law that discriminated against Muslims. A bulldozer leveled her family's home. | 2022-12-31T13:52:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, two-time Alabama football national champion, to join Nick Saban's staff | https://sports.yahoo.com/clinton-dix-two-time-alabama-130115237.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/clinton-dix-two-time-alabama-130115237.html?src=rss |
The Bears 2022 season isn’t over yet, but as the new year approaches, it’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL draft.
Chicago has plenty of roster holes and luckily has eight picks (perhaps nine with a projected compensatory seventh-round pick), giving them plenty of opportunity to fill gaps with young, cheap players, making them highly valuable.
In preparation for the upcoming draft, we put together a seven-round mock draft. In this version, the Bears draft a generational talent with the No. 2 pick that isn’t named Will Anderson Jr.. In addition, they continue to fill gaps at OL, WR, LB, CB, RB, and EDGE.
Round 1, Pick 2: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia
If the engine for the Bears defense is three-technique, then Carter is the perfect pick at No. 2. Very few teams in the NFL can generate pressure and disrupt the pocket from the inside, making players like Chris Jones, Aaron Donald, and Fletcher Cox, highly valuable.
By drafting Carter, the Bears would get a defensive tackle with elite run-stopping and pass-rushing ability from the inside. With a player like Carter, defensive ends, Domonique Robinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad will get to the quarterback easier as offenses focus on the star rookie on the interior.
Round 2, Pick 57: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
Wright is a perfect size for a left tackle at 6-foot-5, 347 pounds, and with 33.7″ arms, but he did his best work in 2022 at right tackle. In the game against Alabama, the All-SEC First Team right tackle held superstar prospect Will Anderson to three tackles, zero sacks, and only half a tackle for loss.
As a member of the Volunteers, Wright played in 46 games, starting 41 (26 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle, and two at right guard). He went 18 straight games as a right tackle without allowing a sack. Wright was also a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award – given to college football’s best offensive lineman.
Round 3, Pick 66: WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Assuming the LSU wide receiver stays in the NFL draft, Boutte can play inside and outside. At 6-feet, 185 pounds, he’s not large, but he is well-built and plays with strength and toughness. With the ball in his hands, Boutte always fights for extra yardage and can be a game-breaker.
Boutte was initially projected to be a first-round pick but after a drama-filled 2022 season. In addition, after an ankle injury ended his 2021 season, there will be concerns about durability, and it’s uncertain where he’ll get drafted.
Round 4, Pick 104: LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
A converted safety, Overshown has the skill set to defend the run and the pass. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, he’s a modern “box safety,” aka linebacker, with the size and speed to run sideline to sideline and deliver violent hits to ballcarriers.
Head coach Matt Eberflus has shown a preference for more undersized, quicker linebackers and with Overshown rumored to run 4.5 or better, he should fit the Bears attacking scheme.
Round 4, Pick 134: CB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
The Maryland cornerback has worn many hats for the Terps’ defense. Bennett has played cornerback, safety, and nickel, giving him the versatility to find playing time immediately on the Bears.
The two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten corner can also be set to the field and hold his own due to his tremendous speed and quickness. By adding Bennett to the secondary, the Bears can find a third corner who can play alongside Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
Round 5, Pick 138: RB Eric Gray, Oklahoma
Gray is a prototypical zone scheme running back. He has excellent vision and knows how to create running lanes. He finished his senior year with 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
The former Oklahoma running back is also a receiving threat out of the backfield, with 99 receptions and 827 yards in his college career.
Round 5, Pick 153: OT Ryan Hayes, Michigan
A converted tight end, Hayes is a developmental prospect that could become a starting NFL left tackle. He’s 6-foot-6, 307 pounds with long arms, and has mauler tendencies that GM Ryan Poles and fans love to see on film.
Hayes played in 39 games for the Wolverines, with 28 starts at left tackle. He’s a two-time All-Big Ten selection and was a member of two Joe Moore (best OL) winning offensive lines, the first back-to-back winners in history.
Round 7, Pick 220: EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU
Gaye is a great developmental player for the Bears. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, he’s a stout edge player with a great bull rush. In addition, his size and strength against the run would make Gaye a great situational run-stopper.
The LSU prospect hasn’t had much production as a pass rusher (6.5 career sacks), but he has the size and athleticism to become a contributor on the defensive line.
Round 7, Pick 259*: WR Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas
Haselwood was a top recruit in high school, but with limited opportunities at Oklahoma, he transferred to Arkansas and had his best season with 59 receptions, 702 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. However, with a torn ACL in 2020 and only one season of more than 40 receptions and 400+ yards, Haselwood is worth taking a late flier on. | 2022-12-31T13:52:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Full 7-round Bears 2023 mock draft: New Year’s edition! | https://sports.yahoo.com/full-7-round-bears-2023-133011319.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/full-7-round-bears-2023-133011319.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants (8-6-1) host the Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey at 1:00 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day.
Here are five storylines to follow in Week 17.
Playoffs on the line
A victory would put the Giants in the postseason for the first time since 2016. In head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen’s first season on the job, this would the Giants’ rebuilding/recovery plan ahead of schedule.
The Giants could also back into the postseason this week even with a loss and a combination of losses and/or ties by Washington, Detroit, Green Bay, and Seattle.
A rare matchup
It was 64 years ago this week that the Giants and Colts faced off in the “Greatest Game Ever Played” — the 1958 NFL Championship at Yankee Stadium.
The Colts won, 23-17, but the game is widely known as the advent of the NFL as a national television event. The game featured 17 future Hall of Famers and put the NFL on the country’s ‘must-watch’ list from then on in.
The two teams met in the 1959 NFL Championship, with the Colts winning again, 31-16, but would only meet five more times in the 30 years.
The Giants hold a 10-6 edge in the 16 regular season meetings but have lost the past four.
Teams heading in different directions
While the Giants are on the doorstep of the playoffs, the Colts are nose-diving. They began the season 3-2-1 and were high on many experts’ lists to win the AFC South.
But since then, the Colts have lost eight of their last nine games, fired head coach Frank Reich and replaced him with the uncredited Jeff Saturday, abandoned the Matt Ryan experiment at quarterback, and basically played without their star running back Jonathan Taylor for most of the season.
Hence their 4-10-1 record.
The Giants are favored to win
This will be just the fourth game this season that the Giants are favored to win and the 5.5-point spread is the largest they’ve been favored by in a game in the last two seasons.
The Giants are 11-4 against the spread overall this year and 1-2 as a favorite.
Indianapolis is 6-9 ATS this season. Over their last nine games, they’ve averaged 16 points per game on offense while allowing 26 points per game on defense.
Giants are coming off their best offensive game
The Giants amassed a season-high 445 yards of offense last week. Granted it came against a very porous Minnesota defense but the Giants did take advantage.
Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 30 of 42 attempts for 334 yards and a touchdown. Running back Saquon Barkley had a season-high eight receptions and a total of 133 scrimmage yards (84 rushing, 49 receiving) to go along with his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.
Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins had career highs in catches (eight) and receiving yards (89), and had his third touchdown of the year. | 2022-12-31T13:52:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants vs. Colts: 5 biggest storylines for Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-5-biggest-125518310.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-5-biggest-125518310.html?src=rss |
Mike McCarthy loves schedules. He loves knowing what’s going to happen when, down to the minute if he’s able to pinpoint it.
But right now, the coach’s entire first week of 2023 is up in the air, and he’s even unsure if his team will have six days or seven days of prep before their regular-season finale versus the Commanders.
“The last communication I was given was that we’ll probably know Sunday night. I don’t know whether we play Saturday or Sunday,” McCarthy told reporters Friday, the day after a 27-13 win over the Titans to keep their division-title hopes mathematically alive. “I think you know me well enough; I have two schedules sitting here right on my desk as far a six-day or a seven-day [version] going into the Washington game. Hopefully, we’ll get that information by Sunday night.”
But not even that is guaranteed.
When the NFL released the season slate back in May, Week 18 was listed as a question mark for all 32 teams. Two games will be played on Saturday- at 4:30 p.m. ET and 8:15 p.m. ET. Everyone else plays on Sunday- either in one of the two normal afternoon timeslots, or in the Sunday Night Football regular-season finale at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
The league, of course, wants to ensure that the matchups with the biggest playoff implications get the most TV exposure.
If the Eagles beat the Saints in Week 17, the Cowboys are locked in to the NFC’s No. 5 seed, and their Week 18 trip to FedEx Field becomes just a formality, at least to Dallas. The Commanders could still have a wild-card spot to play for (assuming they beat Cleveland in Week 17), but it’s hard to imagine that alone would make it one of the premier contests of the weekend, especially since the Cowboys would likely hold most of their star players out.
Joe Ferreira, a former league employee who has worked on scheduling and playoff scenarios since the 1990s, tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that the NFL prefers to announce the final week’s schedule during the second half of the Sunday night broadcast. But this year, since playoff scenarios may change with the Monday night result, the league may announce Week 18’s two Saturday games and Sunday’s primetime matchup first, and wait until Monday Night Football to divvy up Sunday’s early- and late-afternoon slates.
“That way, at least fans know if they’re going to a game on Sunday afternoon vs. Sunday night vs. Saturday,” Ferreira told the paper.
It’s believed that if the Eagles lose to the Saints in Week 17, the NFL would schedule Week 18’s Cowboys-Commanders and Giants-Eagles games to be played simultaneously on Sunday afternoon.
For now, McCarthy says his coaching staff will have their prep work for Washington finished by Monday, when the players return to the facility after their long weekend off.
He hopes to also know by then which of the two schedules on his desk he’ll be using.
Miles Sanders has proven he's fit to go the distance this season, but he's keeping his sights set on this Sunday's matchup against the Saints.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema could have thrown up her hands at the opposition. Instead, she worked to find compromise and passed the Respect for Marriage Act.
WWE Holiday Tour From Miami, FL Results (12/29): Bray Wyatt, Ronda Rousey, And More
On December 29, WWE continued its Holiday Tour with a […] | 2022-12-31T13:52:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | McCarthy, Cowboys wait to learn when they’ll play in Week 18 | https://sports.yahoo.com/mccarthy-cowboys-wait-learn-ll-124413667.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mccarthy-cowboys-wait-learn-ll-124413667.html?src=rss |
Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter waste and excess fluids from the blood effectively. It is a serious condition that can lead to a number of serious health complications if left untreated. "The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes, toxins and extra water from the body; balancing important salts and minerals in the blood; and releasing hormones to help control blood pressure, manage anemia and help maintain strong
Louise Mitchell led on Bristol Beacon's name change away from that of slave trader Edward Colston. | 2022-12-31T13:52:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Referee Tra Blake’s crew assigned to work Chiefs-Broncos game | https://sports.yahoo.com/referee-tra-blake-crew-assigned-124545185.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/referee-tra-blake-crew-assigned-124545185.html?src=rss |
In many ways, the Jets have been the AFC’s version of the Seahawks. A team that finished in last place in their division a year ago started the 2022 campaign surprisingly strong. Both the Seahawks and the Jets cruised their way to a 6-3 record, making the case they would be playoff contenders. However, both teams have cratered a bit in the second half of the year, each losing five of their last six games.
For Seattle and New York, the problems have been polar opposites. Seattle’s defensive collapse has been costing them wins left and right. Meanwhile, New York’s defense has remained strong. The issue has been an anemic offense led by second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who has made the case for being one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory.
However, the Seahawks will not be fortunate enough to play against Wilson. Instead they will play backup-turned-starter Mike White at quarterback, who is returning from injury. With White under center, the Jets offense has life and can be quite frisky. Seattle’s defense has turned it around in the last two weeks, playing reasonably well against the likes of San Francisco and Kansas City, so there’s reason for optimism they can keep the Jets in check.
The real challenge will be if Seattle’s offense can move against head coach Robert Salah’s defense. Geno Smith and Co. have struggled mightily in the last three games, finding it hard to get into any sense of a rhythm, and when they do, it’s been far too late in the game. If the Seahawks offense can get back to the efficient machine they were early in the season they have a chance.
Both the Jets and Seahawks are struggling, but the vibes around these teams feel different. For New York, a sense of frustration as a potential playoff team has been undone by a quarterback they felt was the franchise’s savior. For Seattle, optimism they can still right the ship. I trust a desperate Pete Carroll team to find a way to grind out a low scoring win.
Prediction: Seahawks over Jets 20-17. | 2022-12-31T13:53:01Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seahawks vs. Jets: Week 17 preview and prediction | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-vs-jets-week-17-125014644.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-vs-jets-week-17-125014644.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears (3-12) will battle the Detroit Lions (7-8) on Sunday, where they’re looking to snap an eight-game losing streak. But they’ll have to get past a motivated Lions team.
While the Bears are trending toward a top-two draft pick, Detroit is fighting for a wild card spot in the playoffs. And with two games left on the schedule, Chicago will have two opportunities to end the season on a positive note.
If you live in the green area of the map, you’ll be able to watch Bears-Lions locally at Noon CT on FOX (via 506sports.com).
The rest of the country will get Panthers-Buccaneers (red), Saints-Eagles (blue), Browns-Commanders (orange) and Cardinals-Falcons (pink) as part of FOX’s early slate of games.
Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma will be on the Bears-Lions call for FOX.
The Bears and Lions kick things off Sunday at Noon CT on FOX.
Bears at Lions: Who wins Week 17? - Powered By PickUp
"I had no idea what they were hearing when I gave clear, concise instructions..." | 2022-12-31T13:53:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | TV broadcast map for Bears vs. Lions in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-broadcast-map-bears-vs-123543007.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tv-broadcast-map-bears-vs-123543007.html?src=rss |
With his Basketball Hall of Famer father watching from a courtside seat, Gary Payton II received his 2021-22 NBA championship ring in a ceremony before the Warriors' Friday night game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Payton, who signed a three-year free-agent contract with the Blazers over the summer, was an integral part of the Warriors' NBA title run last season and played his way into a deal that was too rich for Golden State to match.
The 30-year-old guard has yet to play this season as he recovers from surgery for a core injury, although the Blazers have physically cleared him to return to action. Now it's just about becoming mentally ready to play in an NBA game.
"It will be a great moment," Kerr told reporters. "I thought Gary was one of the big stories from last year's team, you know, to go from a guy who bounced around the league to, we release him before training camp, fingers crossed he clears waivers. And then to become such a key guy for us. And we don't win the championship without him.
"So, thrilled to see Gary tonight, and we kept in touch a little bit. And I've always got a soft spot for him, for what he's overcome to achieve in his career. So, great to see him tonight, and I know our crowd will give him an ovation. He was such a fan favorite."
"To understand all of that and to understand GP's journey, to see him go and get his money, but most importantly to see what he was able to contribute to a championship -- I'm extremely excited and honored to be the person that's presenting him something that will matter and that nobody can take for the rest of your life," Green told reporters at shoot-around Friday.
RELATED: GP2's journey from 'sorry-ass' basketball player to NBA champion | 2022-12-31T14:43:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Gary Payton II given Warriors NBA championship ring by Draymond Green | https://sports.yahoo.com/gary-payton-ii-receives-warriors-031518258.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gary-payton-ii-receives-warriors-031518258.html?src=rss |
The 2022 season will come to end on Saturday when Nick Saban leads his Alabama Crimson Tide football team on the field in New Orleans to battle Kansas State for the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
What are Kansas State’s chances against Alabama in Sugar Bowl? A SportsBeat KC podcast
Kansas State takes on storied Alabama in the Sugar Bowl Saturday at 11 a.m. Can the Wildcats pull off the upset? | 2022-12-31T14:46:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alabama vs. Kansas State: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for Allstate Sugar Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-vs-kansas-state-stream-110032852.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-vs-kansas-state-stream-110032852.html?src=rss |
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising throws a pass against USC during the Utes' win in the Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 2. Rising is hoping to lead Utah to victory Monday against Penn State in the Rose Bowl. (Steve Marcus / Associated Press)
Every year he'd sit down to watch his favorite bowl game and imagine what it might feel like to hoist that historic trophy.
"I just hope to find out what it feels like," the Utah quarterback said.
The Ventura County native, who played at Newbury Park High School as a four-star recruit, recalled one of his earliest and favorite memories of watching "The Granddaddy of Them All."
"Vince Young running that touchdown in against USC — that's one moment that stuck out to me," Rising said.
Last year, the Utes blew a fourth-quarter lead during a 48-45 loss to Ohio State. While Utah couldn't secure the result it wanted, Rising shined.
"I remember seeing [Ohio State] celebrate and have the ceremony right after and seeing that after I walked off the field. ... That's been engraved in my head ever since," he said.
"I like to meditate and really just take time to breathe and just relax to make sure I remind myself I gotta be where my feet are and just take it in and not really think about all the extra stuff and just focus on being where I'm at," the 23-year-old said.
Rising's dual-threat talents on the field certainly help, but it's that reflective and collected mindset that has helped him stand out.
As a junior at Newbury Park, in the chaos of a tense game, Rising exhibited that tranquility when he turned to his frazzled offensive coordinator Keith Smith and suggested he take in the full moon because it was a "beautiful sight, a perfect picture," Smith told The Times in 2016.
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising carries the ball during a win over Oregon State on Oct. 1. (Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)
A few years later, Rising's slow-going early college experiences required patience and resolve.
After being denied immediate eligibility by the NCAA when transferring, Rising sat out the 2019 season. He then suffered a season-ending injury in his only start of 2020. The following year, he lost the preseason quarterback battle, but eventually won the job three games into the season and hasn't looked back — securing first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2021 and an honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022.
"This guy just battles," said Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "He's a great leader, great vocal but very positive voice. There's not a negative tone or anything about that in his approach. ... he's got great confidence and the entire unit draws from that confidence."
Utah running back Micah Bernard noted Rising's relaxed demeanor elevates the team.
"He livens up the mood. He can be very serious at times, but the way he comes off is passive," Bernard said. "... When he talks, you listen, and that's the type of leader that everybody wants. If you could find a guy that when he talks, when he opens his mouth, and everybody just looks at him and listens, then you have a great one and that's what he can do."
The praise for Rising's tenacity and poise goes beyond his team.
ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who will call Monday's game, celebrated Rising's coolness, grittiness and versatility.
"I think what makes him a threat is his competitive spirit. And its ability to create when there's pressure," Herbstreit said. "People get to him and yet he's slippery and he's able to keep his eyes downfield — sometimes scrambles for first down with his legs and other times he's able to find time and keep his vision downfield and find an open receiver."
"So you just got to put your head down and go and at the end of the day, you'll get there,” he said. “And if you don't, and that's just the way it is."
An atmospheric river is bringing heavy snow to parts of the mountainous West and that will likely lead to increased avalanche danger this weekend. | 2022-12-31T14:47:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | With a mix of grit and California cool, Cameron Rising seeks Rose Bowl glory | https://sports.yahoo.com/mix-grit-california-cool-cameron-120056922.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mix-grit-california-cool-cameron-120056922.html?src=rss |
USC offensive lineman Justin Dedich lines up during a win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 19. Dedich probably will be one of only two returning offensive line starters for the Trojans next season. (Ric Tapia / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
How harsh that reality winds up for USC depends in large part on Dedich, who’s likely to return for a sixth season as the anchor and leader of the Trojans' offensive line. He and Monheim would be the only returning full-time starters on the line next year, making major change inevitable.
Redshirt senior Bobby Haskins has been the Trojans' starting left tackle for most of the season, after beating out Courtland Ford for the job. But on Friday, offensive line coach Josh Henson hinted that “you’ll see a lot of [Ford] in the Cotton Bowl.”
“I usually grab him, like, Rainbow Unicorn, but I grabbed him, like, Strawberry Blast, and he lost it on me,” Dedich said with a laugh. “He was like, ‘Dude, if we lose this game, it’s because of this.' ”
The Trojans didn't allow a field goal in a nearly 9-minute stretch late in the game. That and 27 Boogie Ellis points were enough to win. USC is 3-0 in #Pac12 play. | 2022-12-31T14:47:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | USC's offensive line bracing for the 'harsh reality' that awaits in 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/uscs-offensive-line-bracing-harsh-130045872.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/uscs-offensive-line-bracing-harsh-130045872.html?src=rss |
With the 2022 NFL regular season soon coming to a close, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster finds himself hoping that it won’t be his only season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith-Schuster signed a one-year deal with the team last March with the hopes of reigniting his career after a down year in Pittsburgh. With two games left to go, Smith-Schuster already has the most receptions he’s had in a single season since 2020 and the third-most yards in a single season of his career.
This isn’t the first time that he’s expressed the desire to stay in Kansas City long-term and it’s about more than his on-field production.
“Yeah, I just feel welcomed here,” Smith-Schuster told reporters on Friday. “I think the fanbase is unbelievable. Everyone here in the office as far as the staff, the people, you guys (media). You guys have been unbelievable to me and just been super nice. For myself it’s just more so – I want to be in a place where I can play ball, show my personality and just win man, so yeah.
Between the fanbase, community, winning and on-field production, it’s a no-brainer for Smith-Schuster to want to stay in Kansas City. It’s still hard to tell what the future will hold for the 26-year-old wide receiver, though.
The team restructured Smith-Schuster’s contract to give him a bit of an in-season raise in 2022, which could play into negotiations moving forward. With the wide receiver market exploding a season ago, Smith-Schuster’s market valuation could land anywhere from $10-18 million annually. That’s before considering what TV deals might do to the league’s salary cap. It’s also before considering what Smith-Schuster and the team might accomplish in the postseason.
Expect negotiations between K.C. and Smith-Schuster’s representation to pick up after the dust of the 2022 NFL postseason settles. | 2022-12-31T15:27:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster reiterates desire to stay in Kansas City | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-wr-juju-smith-schuster-134500685.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-wr-juju-smith-schuster-134500685.html?src=rss |
The Washington Commanders have one of the NFL’s best defensive lines. Having spent four consecutive first-round picks on the defensive line, you should have a dominant group.
But it wasn’t until the 2022 season that Washington’s defensive line seemingly put it all together to become one dominant unit. A big reason for Washington’s defensive surge this season is fifth-year defensive tackle Daron Payne.
Through 15 games, Payne has already established career-highs in tackles for loss and sacks. Payne has 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, which is tied for No. 3 in the NFL — with teammate Jonathan Allen.
The bad news for Washington is Payne is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March. While there was talk last offseason that Washington would let Payne walk, head coach Ron Rivera has said at every turn how much the Commanders want and need Payne back.
If the season were to end today, where would Payne rank among potential free agents?
According to Pro Football Focus, which ranked the top 25 prospective free agents for 2023, Payne comes in at No. 12. This, of course, is before teams use the franchise tag to keep players off the market.
Payne showed early in his NFL career that he could be a stout run-defender from the nose tackle position, with his 86 defensive stops against the run the most in the NFL from 2018-20. And he has now continued to build on his pass-rush arsenal to the point where he’s now a problem for interior offensive linemen trying to keep their quarterback upright. Payne has 80 quarterback pressures since the start of 2021, 10th-most among interior defenders, with his 11.9% pass rush win rate a very respectable figure on the inside.
Payne still needs to put all his tools together for a complete season where he’s a positive factor in both facets, and he’s shown he has the talent to do just that.
What Washington fans do not want to hear is the franchise tag. However, with Payne this close to free agency, it’s difficult to believe he and the Commanders will agree to a new contract, making the tag an option.
It should be another interesting offseason for Washington. | 2022-12-31T15:27:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Daron Payne is one the NFL’s top free agents in 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/daron-payne-one-nfl-top-150147605.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/daron-payne-one-nfl-top-150147605.html?src=rss |
Not so much. It’s actually close to 50/50 in fact, which this game feels like at this point, a coin flip. 44% of the experts at the site are taking the Jets to keep their season alive, while 56% believe the Seahawks will officially eliminate the Jets.
It’s not quite the closest margin among all the matchup. That belongs to the 55/45 split between the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills on Monday night. The largest gap is a near-unanimous vote (99%) for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos.
41% of the votes are taking the Jets to cover a 1.5-point spread.
By the way, 66% of the picks are favoring the New England Patriots over the Miami Dolphins, a result the Jets hope is the reverse. A Patriots loss Sunday means the Jets just need to win their last two games to make the playoffs. They would still make the playoffs if they win their last two and the Patriots lose to the Bills in Week 18. | 2022-12-31T15:27:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | How the experts are seeing Jets vs. Seahawks in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/experts-seeing-jets-vs-seahawks-145959314.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/experts-seeing-jets-vs-seahawks-145959314.html?src=rss |
There are two games left in the 2022-2023 season. This Sunday, the New York Giants host the Indianapolis Colts in a must-win contest to cement a post-season run.
The Giants’ season has been a pleasant surprise to fans everywhere — no one thought they would be where they are this year after their front office overhaul. But here we are, and the Giants have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.
To keep those hopes alive, there are six keys to a Giants’ victory on Sunday.
Protect Daniel Jones
The Colts’ season hasn’t been what they wanted, but they have done one thing well: They get to the quarterback at a high rate.
This season, the Colts are sixth in sacks with 43, and 10th in passing yards allowed. The Giants’ pass protection has been shaky at best in recent weeks, and that has to change on Sunday.
Keeping Daniel Jones protected and upright is a major factor in who wins this game.
The Colts are turnover-prone with 13 fumbles lost and 17 interceptions recorded this season. However, the Giants have just four interceptions on the season (tied for worst in the NFL with the Raiders) and have dropped a least three potential interceptions.
However, the Giants are second in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. So, however the turnovers come, they need to create them and then the offense needs to do something with the extra opportunities.
Play better on special teams
The Giants’ special teams have not performed well in recent weeks, giving up big returns, having punts blocked, losing on last-second field goals, and other mishaps.
Earlier this year, Richie James fumbled a couple of punt returns as well.
These things cannot happen on Sunday. This is a must-win game and even though the Colts are having a rough season, they are capable of winning if the Giants make too many mistakes.
Tighten up on special teams and avoid those mistakes and a win will be that much easier.
Inside linebackers must step up
The inside linebacking corps has been a weakness on the defensive side of the ball because they give up so many rushing yards. With Tae Crowder gone and Jaylon Smith wearing down, Landon Collins is likely to play some on the inside.
Jarrad Davis was added to the practice squad this week and will likely be elevated for this game.
Whoever is on the field on the inside, though, must play error-free defense and tackle well.
Get tricky
The Colts are a struggling team, so there’s no better time for the Giants to bring out their bag of tricks. There’s only one game left after this, so they’re not getting anything back after this game. Time to let whatever’s in their back pockets run rampant.
This will not only create momentum for the next game but provide confidence to the players when those plays are successful.
Tee off on Nick Foles
Nick Foles has spent the better part of his career as a backup quarterback, and this season was no different. He’s stepping in for Matt Ryan, who was demoted to the bench.
Foles played last week, his first game of the 2022 season, and he threw for a meager 143 yards and three interceptions. No touchdowns.
All the Giants have to do is throw Foles off his game, pressure him, knock him down, and force him to make a mistake. When they do that, the secondary will reap the benefits of interceptions and get the defense off the field.
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There's Been No Shortage Of Growth Recently For Addentax Group's (NASDAQ:ATXG) Returns On Capital | 2022-12-31T15:27:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants vs. Colts: 6 keys to victory in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-6-keys-135554330.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-6-keys-135554330.html?src=rss |
The Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) are gearing up to face the Denver Broncos (4-11) in Week 17.
Just as we have over the past six seasons, the Chiefs Wire staff will offer its weekly predictions for each Chiefs game. Below you’ll find all of our picks for Kansas City’s Week 17 matchup against the Broncos on Sunday, Jan. 1 at Noon CT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
I don’t tend to believe that the Broncos will get any sort of “boost” from having an interim head coach — especially one that was brought in midseason by the coach they just fired. We’ve heard all about how Russell Wilson had his best practice week of the season, but I just don’t buy it. Nathaniel Hackett’s scheme certainly didn’t do Wilson any favors, but there’s only so much a coach can do to help on-field performance.
Kansas City isn’t going to be caught with their pants down against some reinvigorated team because they already felt like Denver got the drop on them at the end of the second quarter in Week 14. Instead of racking their brains on what the Broncos might change this week, the Chiefs will work on correcting some of the mistakes they made in the first matchup. They’ll also look to keep the defense rolling after a really good game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16.
There’s also the fact that Kansas City has a significant home-field advantage in this game. Wilson and the Denver offense have enough trouble without 70,000 members of the Chiefs Kingdom screaming at the top of their lungs. They’ll have to contend with that atmosphere on New Year’s Day, which will hardly be an easy task.
The Kansas City Chiefs can begin their sweep of the AFC West his Sunday against the Denver Broncos as they finish the season with sights still set on a first-round bye in the postseason. A Broncos team with an uncertain future following the firing of head coach Nathaniel Hackett could be a tougher out than expected.
The group game led by Isiah Pacheco will need to do more damage since the Broncos’ secondary has proven to be able to get takeaways. Mahomes will need to be great as usual and make sure not to turn the ball over, as Denver will take chances with little to play for this year. This is another excellent opportunity for Kadarius Toney to be used in special packages, and Jerick McKinnon can add to his touchdowns streak.
The defense will look to replicate the effective pressure and coverage they applied on the Seattle Seahawks a week ago. Frank Clark and Chris Jones have garnered attention from offensive lines over the years, but George Karlaftis will continue to make plays. If the Chiefs play turnover-free football and take advantage of the Broncos’ issues, they should complete the season sweep and wrap up the entire division in Las Vegas next week.
I know the Chiefs inexplicably let the Broncos back in the game after going up 27-0 on them in Week 14, but that’s the exact reason why I think the Chiefs win in a blowout this time around. Coach Reid stated this week he wants to see his team play a complete game in all three phases as they head toward the playoffs.
The Broncos are limping into this game with multiple injuries and having just fired their head coach. I think the Chiefs will carry over their high-energy defensive performance from last week and the offense will do its thing per usual.
Dropped passes and lack of commitment to the running game are still a bit concerning, but I think those issues are at the forefront of everyone’s minds and can be corrected.
I predicted a Chiefs blowout in their last matchup with the Broncos, and we all know how that turned out. I should probably learn my lesson, but I’m going to run it back and predict a blowout this time around.
Why? Well, the Chiefs were on track for a blowout in the first game after going up 27-0, but they did what they always do and let the opponent back into the game. I don’t think they make that mistake this time. They’re more healthy and more focused (especially the defense) compared to a few weeks ago. Denver, right now, is the complete opposite after firing its coach. The Broncos are done. They’re looking forward more to the NFL draft than this game.
K.C. should be able to control this game and dominate. They’ll go into Monday night hoping for a Bengals win over the Bills.
Legends of diverse musical genres — from country and gospel to jazz and rock — died this year after leaving their marks on Music City. | 2022-12-31T15:28:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | Predictions for Chiefs vs. Broncos, Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/predictions-chiefs-vs-broncos-week-144545601.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/predictions-chiefs-vs-broncos-week-144545601.html?src=rss |
Cameron Norrie celebrates his three-set victory over Rafael Nadal - Andy Cheung/Getty Images
Cameron Norrie capped a phenomenal 2022 on New Year's Eve by securing a seismic "career-best win" over Rafael Nadal – his first in five attempts.
Norrie continued Great Britain's impressive run in the United Cup by securing the first of two rubber victories against Spain – putting the team one win away from qualifying for the tournament finals. He also overcame a massive personal hurdle in doing so.
But with just hours left of the year and in front of a packed-out crowd at Sydney's 10,500-seater Ken Rosewall Arena, Norrie proved why he is now a contender at the very top of the sport. He found his way back from a set down to better Nadal, clinching his third win of the year against a top 5 opponent.
"I think it was, [my best ever win]. Especially on ranking and beating a guy like Rafa as the competitor that he is, I know it's his first match of the year, but it was a sick win," Norrie, 27, said afterwards. "He absolutely chopped me the last four times I played him. Nice to get him once now. I really played well and held my nerve throughout the match. Huge to get through that one and finally beat him. Great way to end the year for me."
Norrie's 2022 highlights included two titles, four finals and reaching the Wimbledon semi-final for the first time. With the 2023 season barely underway, he can already tick off a win against one of the sport's greats – a massive confidence boost ahead of the Australian Open which begins on January 16.
With the help of British team captain Tim Henman in his corner, as well as his coach Facundo Lugones, Norrie took his opportunities to break the Spaniard's serve twice and nabbed the win 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Team captain Tim Henman fires up Cameron Norrie - David Gray/AFP
The win would not have been possible without the inaugural United Cup, which is being held across three cities in Australia. While the usual ATP 250 and 500 events will be available to players ahead of the Australian Open, going head-to-head with a player of Nadal's calibre at this stage of the season would usually be unlikely for Norrie. But with the United Cup, a mixed-team tournament which pits tennis nations against each other, he was guaranteed a go up against the top male player from each team Britain was drawn against.
As well as the win over Nadal, he also beat Australia's Alex de Minaur – a former top 20 player – in Britain's first match win of the United Cup earlier in the week. If the team qualifies for next week's finals, Norrie will face more top talents in what would serve as perfect preparation for the first major of the year.
He partly credited playing exhibition matches during the brief tennis off-season – including a controversial appearance in Saudi Arabia where he beat both Nick Kyrgios and world No 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas – for his on-court sharpness. "I’ve had a really good off-season, played a lot of matches, and I felt like I was finding good depth in my shots and dictating the play.
"The biggest thing with these guys [is] you have to have the belief to beat them. Tim was telling me the whole match, 'Look, you're playing better than him, you're looking good in the rallies. You can do it, you can beat this guy'. Tim has won a lot of big matches, he's actually played Rafa a couple times. It was obviously huge to have him and the rest of the team behind me."
Rafael Nadal congratulates Cameron Norrie on his superb win - Mark Baker/AP
Though the United Cup got off to a shaky start earlier this week, when home favourite Kyrgios pulled out through injury at the last minute, tennis legend Nadal's arrival on Saturday saw the atmosphere at the Olympic Park crank up a gear.
While the loss to Norrie will sting, it was still only Nadal's first match of the Australian swing where he will attempt to defend his title in Melbourne later this month.
He appeared upbeat post-match on Saturday and said the loss "was not a disaster at all", adding: "I think there is a way to improve, but I have time before the Australian Open starts in two weeks."
The match could well be over by then though, as Britain are one win away from victory thanks to Norrie's result and 145th-ranked Katie Swan's unlikely win over Spain's Nuria Parrizas Diaz on Saturday.
Rafael Nadal has ended an up-and-down 2022 with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Britain’s Cameron Norrie at the United Cup mixed teams tournament on Saturday. Nadal won the Australian Open and French Open to take his career Grand Slam singles total to a leading 22. “It was not a disaster at all,” Nadal said.
When Jazston Turnetine suffered a leg injury in the fourth quarter of Florida State’s bowl game, a few Seminoles gathered around him. “Brotherhood,” safety Jammie Robinson said. A few of FSU's injured players, Fabien Lovett and Jarrian Jones, were also among those to come over and comfort Turnetine. | 2022-12-31T15:53:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Great Britain's Cameron Norrie defeats Rafael Nadal in United Cup to claim 'career-best win' | https://sports.yahoo.com/great-britains-cameron-norrie-hits-084111853.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/great-britains-cameron-norrie-hits-084111853.html?src=rss |
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed to death in a London park.Officers found the 29-year-old in Straker’s Road, Peckham Rye Park at around 8:30pm on Friday after reports of the attack.Despite the efforts of London ambulance service and London’s air ambulance, he was pronounced dead at the scene half an hour later.“The man’s next of kin have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers. A crime scene is in place and inquiries are ongoing," Scotland Yard said.“No arrests have been made at this early stage." | 2022-12-31T16:36:25Z | sports.yahoo.com | Kentucky will host Louisville in a men’s basketball rivalry game that doesn’t pack the same punch as in years past | https://sports.yahoo.com/athlete-century-mma-fighters-mourn-215550258.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/athlete-century-mma-fighters-mourn-215550258.html?src=rss |
USC will need to get turnovers under control if it wants to make the NCAA Tournament
The USC Trojans keep winning. The Men of Troy have won seven straight games to turn a dreary 4-3 start into an 11-3 record with no blemishes in the Pac-12 through three games. The outlook for the season has brightened considerably. The Trojans are getting closer to where they want to be. Their season isn’t quite “on schedule,” but if they can win at Washington State on Sunday and sweep a two-game road trip, they will have done a lot to negate the effects of their bad loss to Florida Gulf Coast. They will not be “underwater” in terms of their resume. They won’t be in great position for an NCAA Tournament berth, but they also won’t be behind the eight-ball.
If they are going to win at Washington State, and if they are going to follow the right path to an NCAA berth, they simply have to cut down on turnovers.
This is not an original observation by any means; Andy Enfield USC teams have struggled to protect the ball in recent years. The Trojans typically overcome turnovers with their late-game defense, just as they did against Washington in Seattle on Friday night. USC held Washington without a made field goal for nearly nine minutes. That overcame 16 USC turnovers … but the USC turnovers are why the Trojans fell behind 58-55 midway through the second half and faced a much tougher night than they needed to. If the defense doesn’t stand on its head, 16 turnovers in a game will matter. 22 turnovers in a game — which USC coughed up against Colorado State on December 21 — will matter.
We have come to expect lots of turnovers in Enfield-era USC games, at least as long as the Trojans have lacked an elite point guard. Jordan McLaughlin was a rock of dependability at point guard, and the Trojans haven’t had a floor general with his level of command since his time. This is what Isaiah Collier will bring to the party next season, and it’s why USC is in position to have a great season one year from now. In the meantime, this team still doesn’t have a true classic point guard, which is why turnovers are still likely to be a problem.
If USC can address this one problem, the Trojans’ March odds will increase. It’s really important to go to Pullman and deliver a clean display with a lot more added possessions against the Cougars. | 2022-12-31T16:36:31Z | sports.yahoo.com | USC will need to get turnovers under control if it wants to make the NCAA Tournament | https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-turnovers-under-control-wants-154753806.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-turnovers-under-control-wants-154753806.html?src=rss |
The Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) and New York Giants (8-6-1) are set for a Week 17 matchup at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Though the Colts have nothing to play for outside of their pride, the Giants will be bringing the heat as they look to capture their first playoff berth since 2016.
Vegas has the Colts sitting as 5.5-point underdogs to the Giants while almost all of the experts around the league are siding with New York to come away with a win.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff views this game:
The Giants are rightfully favored in this game. While their talent on paper may not be light years ahead of the Colts, they are far better coached and all-around tougher. Wink Martindale’s defense should be salivating at the chance of disrupting the Colts offense with exotic blitzes. The Giants get better as the game progresses where the Colts have a -81 point differential in the fourth quarter under Jeff Saturday. That said, the Giants love playing in one-score games, and this one could come down to a final drive. But I expect the Giants to win with the playoffs on the line as the Colts struggle to stop Saquon Barkley and Big Blue’s rushing attack.
Cody Manning: Giants 24, Colts 21
The Indianapolis Colts are headed to New York to face the Giants to end their five-game losing streak under Jeff Saturday. The offense continues to struggle under Nick Foles as they turnover the ball a couple times but take advantage of some great field position from defense for three touchdowns. The defense does its job as they have but it’s Daniel Jones who leads the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter to give the G-Men a 24-21 win over the Colts.
John Alfieri: Giants 20, Colts 10
This game is pretty simple. The Giants, while not having an insane amount of talent, are a playoff team. They have done just enough to consistently win this year, and are in the beginning stages of a successful rebuild. The Colts on the other hand are in the opposite situation.
The Giants should be able to move the ball well on Sunday, with Saquon Barkley posied for a big afternoon. Expect Daniel Jones to add some rushing yards as well. The matchup of the day will be the Giants offensive line versus the Colts front 7.
On the other side, the Giants defensive line will have a field day getting after Nick Foles. This talented group will be too much for the Colts struggling offensive line to handle, leading to another lackluster performance from Indianapolis.
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Jerash Holdings (US), Inc. ( NASDAQ:JRSH ), is not the largest company out there, but it received a lot of attention... | 2022-12-31T16:58:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts vs. Giants: Staff picks and predictions for Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-giants-staff-picks-163102768.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-vs-giants-staff-picks-163102768.html?src=rss |
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was a late addition to the injury report Friday ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants.
Though Ngakoue was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice, he’s listed as questionable due to a throat injury for Sunday’s road matchup against the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
It’s an odd situation and one that suggests he likely suffered the injury during practice. It’s difficult to gauge how severe the injury is though, considering he was listed as a full participant.
We’ll see what happens over the course of the weekend as the Colts already ruled out three players.
The inactives for the game will be released around 11:30 a.m. ET (an hour and a half before the game) so we’ll know if he’s playing around that time.
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The new year is made for a clean slate. Save up to $130. | 2022-12-31T16:58:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Colts’ Yannick Ngakoue a late addition to injury report | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-yannick-nagkoue-addition-injury-154523208.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-yannick-nagkoue-addition-injury-154523208.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants (8-6-1) will take on the Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) this Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in a game with significant playoff ramifications.
Experts are leaning entirely toward New York this week — 10:0 — with some even expecting a two-score victory.
Dan Benton: Giants 24, Colts 17
The Giants have gone 1-4-1 over their last six games, but a win against the Colts punches their first ticket to the playoffs since 2016. MetLife Stadium will undoubtedly be rocking. Indy won’t be a pushover, but the Giants will do more than enough to win.
John Fennelly: Giants 27, Colts 13
Yes, a Giants victory for once. This doesn’t mean the Giants are any good. It’s more of a testament to how bad the Colts are right now. Indy has lost eight of their last nine, do not have their best offensive player — running back Jonathan Taylor — and appear to be lost under interim head coach Jeff Saturday.
The Giants won’t blow them out, however, but they should win this one handily. If they lose this one, then they don’t belong in the postseason anyway, so don’t sweat it.
Tyler Henry: Giants 27, Colts 16
Because the Giants exceeded their expectations heading into the season, the crowd at MetLife Stadium has been a pleasant surprise as well. In the Giants’ home finale, I expect the fans to show up in a big way.
The Giants will clinch a playoff berth with a win and I certainly expect them to do so. They have an extra two days of rest and the Colts did not look good on Monday Night Football.
The Giants must not overlook them, however, as Indianapolis showed flashes, especially in the pass rush.
Not expecting a blowout but this is one the Giants should be able to win.
Jeevan Kirkland: Giants 24, Colts 13
Former Super Bowl MVP, Nick Foles, will take a trip to MetLife Stadium on Sunday. However, fortunately for New York, Foles is nowhere near the player he once was.
This is a win and advance game for Big Blue and is one they should certainly win if they want to be a playoff team. The Colts have one of the worst offenses in the NFL and are facing a Giants team that is getting healthier on the defensive end.
This is a perfect advantage for Big Blue to build on its promising play over the last two weeks and secure their first playoff trip since 2016.
Serena Burks: Giants 28, Colts 10
The Giants are in a must-win situation if they want to make the playoffs. The Colts are in flux, they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention and their season ends next week.
The Giants have more talent and more reasons to play hard and finish the regular season strong. At home, the Giants get the win. | 2022-12-31T16:59:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants vs. Colts: Week 17 staff picks and predictions | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-week-17-155510629.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-vs-colts-week-17-155510629.html?src=rss |
Sixers vs. Thunder: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Saturday
The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.
The Thunder (15-20) returns home after a quick road loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday for their annual New Year’s Eve game. This year, it’ll be against the Sixers (20-14), who are on the second night of a road back-to-back. On Friday, the Sixers dropped their game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In terms of standings, the Thunder are 2.5 games back from the 10th seed while the Sixers are one game back for the fourth seed.
Sixers at Thunder notable injuries
Thunder: Chet Holmgren is out due to foot surgery. Aleksej Pokusevski is out due to a tibial fracture. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is out due to an ankle sprain. Ousmane Dieng is out due to a wrist fracture
Sixers: None
Joel Embiid with a dunk vs the New Orleans Pelicans
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) with a dunk vs the New Orleans Pelicans, 12/30/2022 | 2022-12-31T17:21:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Sixers vs. Thunder: Lineups, injury reports and broadcast info for Saturday | https://sports.yahoo.com/sixers-vs-thunder-lineups-injury-150052505.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/sixers-vs-thunder-lineups-injury-150052505.html?src=rss |
NHL rumors: Latest update on Pastrnak extension talks with Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Which Boston Bruins fact would have been harder to believe before the 2022-23 NHL season -- David Pastrnak not having a contract extension by Christmas or the team starting out 28-4-3?
It's probably the latter, but the fact that Pastrnak remains unsigned beyond the current campaign is still surprising.
Pastrnak was asked in September if he was optimistic something would get done with the Bruins, and said, "Yeah, of course." The Bruins have made it known on several occasions throughout 2022 that they want to re-sign the 26-year-old right wing.
Best goalie in NHL? Ullmark's stats are absurdly good entering Winter Classic
So where are we in negotiations between the two sides?
"There’s been ongoing dialogue, but my sense is the gap in positions is real," The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun wrote Thursday. He also noted, "The good news is that talks haven’t broken off."
Pastrnak's agent, J.P. Barry, told LeBrun on Wednesday, "I’ve been in regular discussions with (general manager) Don (Sweeney) about our respective positions for a few months. We remain apart at this juncture. We will continue to negotiate.”
Pastrnak is having a tremendous season and leads the Bruins in goals with 24, assists with 24 and points with 48. He has tallied at least one point in 30 of the team's 35 games. Pastrnak ranks tied for sixth in points and tied for fourth in goals scored among all players.
The Bruins must find a way to come to terms with Pastrnak before free agency begins in early July. Losing a player of Pastrnak's caliber for nothing would be a massive setback, especially for a franchise like the Bruins that has one of the league's worst prospect pools and lacks young stars at the NHL level.
There's still plenty of time for both sides to find common ground, but the longer they go without an extension, the more likely it is for this situation to become a distraction.
Alex Ovechkin goal tracker: Chasing Wayne Gretzky, highlights, video
Alex Ovechkin is on his way to immortalizing himself as the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. Track his impressive path to Wayne Gretzky.
Idaho student murders, man charged
Authorities in Pennsylvania have arrested a suspect in the killings of four slain Idaho students, who were found stabbed to death in their beds. | 2022-12-31T17:46:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | NHL rumors: Latest update on David Pastrnak extension talks with Bruins | https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl-rumors-latest-david-pastrnak-194030378.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl-rumors-latest-david-pastrnak-194030378.html?src=rss |
How Jerome secretly sparked Warriors' comeback win vs. Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jordan Poole scored 41 points, Klay Thompson added 31 and Donte DiVincenzo had some of the most impressive 16 seconds we've seen this season in the Warriors' 118-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at Chase Center. How Golden State ended the third quarter might have been the secret sauce to the Warriors' ruthless fourth quarter en route to their first four-game win streak of the season.
Draymond Green said the play "turned the game for us" in a moment the Warriors "could feed off of." Did they ever.
Jerome went chest-to-chest with Simons with 10 seconds to go. Three seconds later, he swiped him clean. Jerome then raced down the other side of the court, settled himself for a 3-pointer but was too strong right before the buzzer. The miss didn't matter, the Warriors had life again.
"I just knew he was going to dribble out the clock," Jerome said to NBC Sports Bay Area in the Warriors' locker room after the win. "We didn't have any fouls to give, but when someone's dribbling out the clock I never want him to feel comfortable, so that's why I picked him so high at the half, because I know he has to dribble out 14 seconds. I don't want to just let him sit there and dribble comfortably.
"I want to try to push up, not let him get a head of steam. And then I just saw him do that half spin earlier in the game. So as soon as he turned his back, I just thought, 'Oh, half spin's coming.' I just slid there, and I'm still mad I missed that pull-up 3.
"That was supposed to go in, that was supposed to go in."
Watch the defensive masterclass again and again. Now watch the Warriors' bench.
As Jerome went back to the Warriors' bench at the end of the quarter, a hyped Curry was the first to meet him on the court. Following the biggest star in the building, coach Steve Kerr was smiling ear-to-ear despite his team being down by eight points. He couldn't have known what would happen next, though it was clear how much momentum Jerome might have just created.
"I was walking back to the huddle and I just saw Steph going crazy," Jerome said. "He was like, 'I don't care you missed it! I don't care you missed it!' But in my head, I was just so mad I missed the shot."
Led by Poole's 11 points in the final frame, the Warriors nearly doubled the Blazers' point total for the quarter. Watching the play unravel from the bench, he felt Jerome's defense was a motivator for both sides of the ball.
"That was just really good defense right there," Poole said. "End of the third quarter, we're getting the ball going into the fourth quarter out of the break and we're just feeding off the energy. We know that's Ant's a really good shot creator and he's really big part of their offense, so being able to have Ty just come in and lock in and locked down on that last possession gave us a really good boost going into the fourth.
"Little small things like that, especially later in the game, we find ways to maybe give you some sense of motivation and run with it and find ways to close the game out."
Really, though, the fourth quarter was all about the Warriors' defense. They had just allowed 40 points the previous quarter. But the third did end on an extremely high note defensively.
Unprompted, Green was the first to mention Jerome's defense. In the eyes of one of the all-time great defenders, everything changed for the Warriors right then and there.
"You see a guy who just puts it all on the line, locks in on the defensive end and gets a stop -- especially when we were reeling -- that's something that you can build off of on that end, and we were able to do that," he said.
RELATED: GP2 amazingly knew Klay's dagger 3-pointer was going in
"And then the 16 points in the fourth, we just found ways to win," Jerome said. "We didn't play amazing, but we found a way to win. That's great for us right now."
And then to end the year, the Warriors again overcame a double-digit hole -- doing so with elbow grease and a gritty win behind a determined defense. Not too long ago, the Warriors seemed to have forgotten that side of the ball existed. Lately, they are beginning to show flashes of their championship defense a season ago.
All that's waiting is Curry and Andrew Wiggins. One was playing like the best player in the planet before sustaining a left shoulder injury and the other was on his way to his second straight All-Star Game before going down to a right adductor strain and an illness.
"That's huge," Jerome said. "To have our longest win streak of the year without the best player in the world and another All-Star and Klay not playing one of the games, it just speaks to everybody on the team stepping up.
"Every night it's been someone different. Jordan was unreal tonight, Klay was great. Draymond's been great on defense. Donte has been huge. JK vs. Charlotte won it for us down the stretch. Tonight he was great. Every single game it's been a new person.
"That's a really fun way to play basketball, when you have someone new stepping up every single night."
Top plays from Golden State Warriors vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 12/30/2022 | 2022-12-31T17:47:07Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Ty Jerome's defense keyed Warriors' comeback win vs. Trail Blazers | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jeromes-defense-keyed-warriors-162005253.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ty-jeromes-defense-keyed-warriors-162005253.html?src=rss |
The New England Patriots have some fight left in them. With the most important matchup of the season coming on New Years Day, the Patriots are in a position where they control their own destiny.
If they lose, they will be eliminated from playoff contention, but if they win, they’ll still have an opportunity to sneak in through the backdoor of the playoffs.
To do so, they’ll have to beat the same Dolphins team that handed them a 20-7 loss in the regular season opener. Will things play out differently at Gillette Stadium?
Let’s take a look at the key positional matchups that could determine if the Patriots are playoff-bound for another year, or if they fall short for the second time in three seasons.
Matthew Judon vs Brandon Shell
Matthew Judon needs to have a monster game in this one, particularly with the Dolphins starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, sidelined.
He has mentioned just how hungry he is to break the single-season franchise sack record in the last two games, which is held by legendary Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett. Judon is only three sacks away, and he could cut into that deficit with a big performance on Sunday.
In our keys to the game, we mentioned that the Patriots pass rush needs to make life difficult for backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Dolphins’ offensive line, if they want to give their secondary a chance at stopping a supremely talented wideout group.
Jonathan Jones vs Tyreek Hill
Jon Jones has been the Patriots’ best corner all season, and he just so happens to also be the one most built to cover guys like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, as he has great speed and anticipation.
Jalen Mills will try to test out his injured groin, but even healthy, he isn’t as fast as Jones.
So the matchup between Jones and Hill should be a fun one this Sunday. The Patriots will have to hope Jones has one of his best games in coverage against one of the league’s best receivers. If Hill gets going in this matchup, he could wreck the game for the Patriots.
Kendrick Bourne vs Xavien Howard
Kendrick Bourne had one of his best games of the season last week and will need to pop off again against Xavien Howard, one of the league’s better corners. Bourne has had an unfortunate second year with the Patriots, which saw him essentially treated as a healthy scratch for most of the season.
However, when he was finally unleashed by the team in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he showed why he was one of the Patriots’ most explosive weapons in 2021—and why he and Mac Jones had immediate chemistry.
If Bourne gets playing time and continues to get open, it should create more opportunities for others like Hunter Henry and Jakobi Meyers underneath. | 2022-12-31T18:30:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | 3 positional matchups to watch in Patriots-Dolphins game | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-positional-matchups-watch-patriots-173822587.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/3-positional-matchups-watch-patriots-173822587.html?src=rss |
The Miami Dolphins’ Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium is limited to a portion of viewers in the United States this weekend.
Miami has just two weeks to confirm their spot in the postseason dance, and they may have to do so without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater will step in, for now, and try to lead a high-powered offense against a strong defensive unit this week.
While the Patriots’ defense has been great this season, they’re dealing with injuries of their own. All of their top four cornerbacks are either out or questionable for the matchup. Considering how poor the offense has played facing pressure, they could be under duress against a Dolphins front that loves to blitz.
Here’s where you can catch this week’s action:
The Dolphins kick off against the Patriots at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday on CBS. Ian Eagle will have the call with Charles Davis providing color commentary and Evan Washburn on the sideline.
Here's a look at some potential bargains for daily fantasy from the New York Giants-Indianapolis Colts Week 17 game on Sunday afternoon. | 2022-12-31T18:30:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s the broadcast map for Dolphins vs. Patriots in Week 17 | https://sports.yahoo.com/broadcast-map-dolphins-vs-patriots-180016621.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/broadcast-map-dolphins-vs-patriots-180016621.html?src=rss |
The New York Giants (8-6-1) host the Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Here is a quick fantasy outlook for the Week 17 matchup.
The Colts have not been very good over their last nine games, averaging only 16 points per game while losing eight of those games.
They will be playing their first outdoor game since getting crushed by the Patriots, 26-6, in Week 9. They have allowed 37.7 points per game over their last three. To say they have one foot on the bus with two weeks remaining in the season is not off base.
Even though it won’t be bitterly cold in New Jersey this weekend, it will be chilly enough to perhaps deter the Colts from playing spoiler.
The Giants, on the other hand, need a victory to clinch a playoff spot and are getting healthier by the minute. The Giants are 5.5-point favorites in this game but it probably should be more.
The best fantasy options in this game are from the Giants’ side. Quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley are both coming off season-high performances.
Barkley could be considered a ‘must-play’ and Jones could provide significant value if they turn him loose again.
The Colts will be without star running back Jonathan Taylor and will go with a mix of Deon Jackson and Zack Moss. Both are low-end plays but the Giants have been lax against the run this season so you can get lucky here, but with which one is the question.
The only Colts players I would put chips on are tight end Jelani Woods and wide receiver Michael Pittman. The issue here is that Nick Foles is under center now and he was just sad last week against the Chargers. He had little time to throw and when he did, he didn’t have his usual accuracy.
The Colts offensive line has not been allowing them to do much on offense. Last week they rushed for only 69 yards and Foles was sacked seven times.
The Giants’ defense has been banged up but have been able to make some big plays. They will likely hold the Colts down point-wise in this game and force a few turnovers, so they are worth a look.
Which Giants receivers?
The Colts have been allowing 268 yards through the air over their last three games while the Giants are finally starting to feel good about their passing game again.
Jones has been spreading the ball around between three wideouts lately — Richie James Jr., Darius Slayton, and Isaiah Hodgins.
They all appear to be in good spots this week. That is the two who aren’t being covered by All-World cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
All three have been playing respectfully and are value pick in DFS. Of the three, Hodgins has the most upside as he has scored 15 or more FFPS on DraftKings in three of his last four games. | 2022-12-31T18:30:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Fantasy Football: Potential bargains, must-plays from Giants-Colts game | https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-potential-bargains-must-175552997.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-potential-bargains-must-175552997.html?src=rss |
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