Sabtu, 31 Agustus 2019
UFC Shenzhen: Post-fight Press Conference - UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogrQ_VvbfHo
2019-08-31 14:49:59Z
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Zhang wins China's first UFC title in stunning style - CNA
SHENZHEN: Zhang Weili thrilled a Chinese home crowd with an upset knockout of UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade that took just 41 seconds Saturday (Aug 31), making her China's first champion in the world's biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.
The experienced Andrade, who came into the fight tied for the most wins by a woman in UFC history with 11, charged the underdog Zhang from the start.
But the Brazilian ran into a barrage of punches and knee kicks from Zhang that sent her staggering to the canvas as the referee waved the fight over.
"Last year in Beijing I vowed to become the first Chinese champion, and I did it!" Zhang, 30, declared afterwards at the UFC Fight Night event in a sports arena in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.
Zhang was the first Chinese fighter to even get a title shot from the UFC, which is pushing hard into a Chinese market where interest in MMA is growing rapidly.
The decision had raised some eyebrows as Zhang was only the sixth-ranked strawweight in the world, and given Andrade's reputation for brutally seeing off opponents.
Andrade has six years' experience in the UFC and was coming off a crushing first-round title victory in May over then-champ Rose "Thug" Namajunas of the United States.
But Zhang, who is known for her ferocious buzzsaw attacking style, never allowed Andrade to get going.
"As a Chinese person, I feel so proud," she said.
"Today, I want to dedicate this victory to the 70th anniversary of the motherland," she added, referring to the approaching anniversary on October 1 of the founding of Communist-ruled China.
Zhang has now won all four of her UFC fights, and has a 20-fight winning streak in all competitions.
She moves to 20-1, with that single loss coming in her first MMA bout in 2013.
Zhang trained in martial arts as a child but was inspired to enter MMA by the success of pioneering former women's world champion Ronda Rousey, who dominated the sport for years.
The Zhang-Andrade bout was the third time this year that female fighters had topped the card at an event staged by the UFC, with one more on the horizon before the end of 2019.
Earlier this year, the UFC opened what it bills as the world's largest MMA training and development base in Shanghai.
The center is aimed at building the UFC brand in China and at nurturing the next generation of Chinese mixed martial arts fighters, who can now draw inspiration from Zhang's victory.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/zhang-wins-china-s-first-ufc-title-in-stunning-style-11860500
2019-08-31 14:26:22Z
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Bills cut six-time Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy, per reports - USA TODAY
LeSean McCoy is out in Buffalo.
In a surprising twist, the Bills cut McCoy while whittling down their roster Saturday, according to multiple reports.
ESPN first reported that McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowl running back, was being released.
Originally a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, McCoy was traded to Buffalo in a blockbuster deal prior to the 2015 season. He started 56 games over the past four seasons with the Bills and amassed more than 3,800 rushing yards and 30 total rushing touchdowns — though his production took a significant dip last year.
McCoy, 31, also reached the Pro Bowl in three of his four seasons in Buffalo.
McCoy was expected to have a significant role in the Bills' offense in 2019, but he a member of an increasingly crowded backfield alongside fellow veterans Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon, as well as rookie Devin Singletary.
NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bills/2019/08/31/lesean-mccoy-cut-buffalo-bills-surprise-move-nfl-cutdown-day/2177776001/
2019-08-31 13:58:00Z
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UFC Shenzhen: Post-fight Press Conference - UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogrQ_VvbfHo
2019-08-31 13:32:58Z
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UFC Shenzhen: Weili Zhang and Jessica Andrade Octagon Interviews - UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt-kYGr85rE
2019-08-31 13:09:34Z
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UFC Shenzhen: Andrade vs. Zhang live results, discussion, play by play - Bloody Elbow
Join us today (Saturday, August 31st) on Bloody Elbow for live results, discussion, round scoring, and play-by-play as UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang takes place at the Shenzhen Universade Sports Centre Arena in Shenzhen, China.
Headlining the card is a women’s strawweight championship fight, where champion Jessica Andrade defends her title for the first time against number six-ranked contender Weili Zhang.
The co-main event features a welterweight scrap between Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, who battles the streaking Li Jingliang.
The event kicks off on ESPN at approximately 3 AM EST with five fights. The main card then moves to ESPN+ at 6 AM EST.
The full line-up and schedule follows:
Main Card
Wu Yanan vs. Mizuki Inoue - Women’s Flyweight
Round 1 - Both women feel each other out, Mizuki later engages the clinch, to no avail. Mizuki moves forward as Wu back pedals. Mizuki continues to throw short combinations. Wu is the much bigger, but more tentative fighter. Mizuki continues to march forward as Wu backs up towards the fence. 10-9 Mizuki
Round 2 - Mizuki lands big and moves forward, but Wu starts to show some offense. Mizuki engages the takedown, but Wu uses her size advantage and gets front headlock. She attempts a standing guillotine, but Mizuki escapes. Wu lands an elbow from the clinch, as the fights gets back to the center of the cage. Mizuki continues to move forward and landing her combinations. She attempts another foot sweep, but was effectively defended by Wu. 10-9 Mizuki
Round 3 - Wu is engaging more now, moving forward and attempting takedowns, but Mizuki continues with her offense. Mizuki is landing jabs, but Wu is starting to connect, as well. Wu drops down and shoots for a double-leg, but Mizuki defends it well. Mizuki continues to move forward, but Wu neutralizes the attack by clinching. Wu lands knees from the clinch. Both ladies trade heavy shots, aiming to finish strong. 10-9 Mizuki
Official result: Mizuki defeats Wu Yanan via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Song Kenan vs. Derrick Krantz - Welterweight
Round 1 - Krantz unloads with a heavy jab to begin the attack. Kenan throws a slapping head kick attempt which almost lands. Kenan comfortably switches from low leg kicks to head kicks. Krantz engages the clinch, but Kenan gets the dominant holds. Both men get separated. Krantz is throwing heavy shots, but Kenan remains unbothered. Both fighters trade heavy punches Kenan lands a heavy head kick in the last ten seconds of the round. 10-9 Kenan
Round 2 - Krantz continues with his heavy punches off the lead leg. He slips the jab and shoots for the takedown. He finishes and lands on side control. Kenan holds onto the guillotine choke attempt as Krantz tries for a Von Flue choke. Krantz pops his head out and remains on top control. He tries to move to full mount, but gets countered. Kenan holds onto a Kimura grip from half-guard bottom. Kenan reverses and gets back control. Krantz scrambles out and shoots for a double-leg from the fence. He tries for a standing guillotine, but Kenan escapes. Kenan attempts a triangle choke, but Krants counters and passes to half-guard. 10-9 Krantz
Round 3 - Both fighters throw heavy shots but Kenan gets the better of the exchanges. Krantz brings the fight to the fence and finishes a takedown. The two trade heavy punches and takedowns but seemingly expended too much energy. Sloppy exchanges between Krantz and Kenan during the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Kenan
Official result: Song Kenan def. Derrick Krantz via unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Kai Kara-France vs. Mark De La Rosa - Flyweight
Round 1 - Kara-France lands a stiff jab. De La Rosa shoots a perfect double-leg before getting back control. De La Rosa keeps control as Kara-France seems helpless. Kara-France answers with a slam, but De La Rosa gets back up. De La Rosa throws a flurry and lands some clean punches. Kara-France lands a head kick from a fake. De La Rosa attempts a double-leg, but is countered once again. 10-9 Kara-France
Round 2 - Kara-France opens up with a couple of jabs. He drops De La Rosa with a right hand but De La Rosa gets back up. Kara-France kicks low that drops De La Rosa. He continues to throw the same calf kicks. Kara-France lands snappy leg kicks. De La Rosa seems to have no answers. Kara-France lands a heavy head kick. 10-9 Kara-France
Li Jing Liang vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos - Welterweight
Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang - Womens’ Strawweight Championship
Prelims
Anthony Hernandez def. Jun Yong Park via second round submission (anaconda choke)
Su Mudaerji def. Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
Da Un Jung def. Khadis Ibragimov via third round submission (standing guillotine choke)
Damir Ismagulov def. Thiago Moises via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Alateng Heili def. Danaa Batgerel via unanimous decision (29-27 on all cards)
Karol Rosa def. Lara Procopio via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2019/8/31/20841853/ufc-shenzhen-andrade-vs-zhang-live-results-discussion-play-by-play
2019-08-31 06:13:07Z
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Sources -- Rockets, Gordon reach $54.5M deal - ESPN
Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a three-year, $54.5 million contract extension that will take him through the 2022-23 season, league sources told ESPN on Friday night.
Gordon's deal -- which starts with the 2020-21 season -- includes a $20.9 million season in 2023-24 that would become guaranteed if Gordon makes an All-Star team or if the Rockets win an NBA championship during the course of the deal, league sources said.
The Houston Chronicle first reported an extension had been reached.
Gordon, 30, was entering the final year of his contract in 2019-20, which is worth $14 million.
Gordon has averaged nearly 17 points in his three seasons with the Rockets, including an NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
Gordon is part of a nucleus that includes James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela that's expected to compete with the elite in the Western Conference.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27503241/sources-rockets-gordon-reach-545m-deal
2019-08-31 04:47:21Z
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Jumat, 30 Agustus 2019
Flores: 'There's no trade in place' for Tunsil - NFL.com
As we press towards the start of the regular season, rumors surrounding Jadeveon Clowney continue to spin.
The latest iterations of the Clowney-to-Miami rumors include Dolphins starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, high draft picks and perhaps more.
After Thursday's preseason game versus the New Orleans Saints, coach Brian Flores brushed aside the gossip.
"There's no trade in place for him," Flores said following the game regarding the Tunsil trade rumors, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Flores' response isn't exactly an emphatic 'Not a chance.'
One of the best young left tackles in football, it's not a surprise that the Houston Texans would try to pry Tunsil from the Dolphins in any potential trade for Clowney. How the Dolphins would cope by trading away its most talented player remains a question without a good answer.
The Dolphins' offensive line is already a disaster. Take away the best player, and it collapses onto itself like a baby star that never got to blast light into the cold darkness of space.
Trading Tunsil would also further signal to the locker room that the Dolphins are in full-on rebuild mode and are playing out the string in 2019. Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald went so far as to cite an unnamed player who said Dolphins players "would revolt" if Tunsil were traded.
Brace for a potential uprising in South Beach.
The Dolphins have the 25-year-old under contract for the next two seasons at a bargain rate. With the dearth of left tackles throughout the NFL, would Miami be willing to part with one of the rising young studs? Trade Tunsil and they could find themselves in the exact same situation Houston sits in a couple years. Also, how would the Dolphins expect to evaluate their quarterback situation behind a Tunsil-less offensive line?
Even if there is "no trade in place," as Flores said, and none ever materializes, it can't be good for the relationship between Miami's brass and its best young player that the team's willingness to consider moving on has become public.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001045733/article/flores-theres-no-trade-in-place-for-laremy-tunsil
2019-08-30 12:34:00Z
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US Open 28th seed Suarez Navarro fined $40G after quitting - Fox News
Carla Suarez Navarro, of Spain, reacts after losing a point to Timea Babos, of Hungary, during the first round of the US Open tennis tournament Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
In the latest example of a player fined thousands of dollars at a Grand Slam tournament for what tennis officials deem a lack of effort, 28th-seeded Carla Suárez Navarro of Spain was docked $40,000 at the U.S. Open on Thursday, two days after retiring from her first-round match with a lower-back injury.
She was due to collect $58,000 as a first-round loser in singles at Flushing Meadows.
But tournament referee Soeren Friemel said Suárez Navarro, who can appeal the decision, "did not perform to the required professional standards" and so was punished for violating the first-round performance rule. She stopped playing after losing the first set of her match against Timea Babos by a 6-2 score.
The Grand Slam Board introduced the rule before the 2018 season to deter players who enter tournaments while injured from retiring during first-round matches.
Suárez Navarro also retired from a match at the hard-court tournament in Toronto earlier this month.
"Not the easiest weeks for me dealing with some back pain," she tweeted Thursday. "We made our best effort to be ready and play our heart out, but it got really worse during my opening match in New York."
In July, American player Anna Tatishvili was awarded her French Open prize money when the Grand Slam Board reversed her fine of about $50,000 for a 6-0, 6-1 loss at the French Open. That was her first tournament since October 2017.
Bernard Tomic was fined his full prize money of about $55,000 at Wimbledon last month after a three-set loss in the first round that lasted only 58 minutes.
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DOUBLE TROUBLE
Naomi Osaka would be happy to play mixed doubles with Kei Nishikori for Japan at the 2020 Toyko Olympics.
Just one problem: The reigning U.S. Open singles champion apparently isn't much of a doubles player.
After Osaka's victory in singles Thursday — with Colin Kaepernick and Kobe Bryant watching from her courtside box — she said that "anyone that knows my doubles track record" knows she's not exactly an expert.
She hasn't played a tour-level women's doubles match since 2017 ... and she went 0-5 that season.
Nishikori said last week he was planning to play singles and men's doubles in Tokyo but wasn't sure about mixed, because it might mean too much tennis in the hot and humid weather. But, he added he would talk to Osaka at some point.
They are friends, and Osaka said their pairing in Tokyo would be "historic."
"I would definitely play with him," Osaka said. "I just would actually need to practice doubles for the first time in my life. Because you cannot play mixed doubles with Kei Nishikori and lose in the first round of the Olympics in Tokyo. That would be the biggest — like, I would cry. I would actually cry for losing a doubles match."
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SET-DOWN SERENA
That Serena Williams came back to beat 17-year-old Caty McNally at the U.S. Open after dropping their opening set shouldn't have come as a surprise: No one in the history of professional tennis has been as good as Williams at that sort of turnaround.
Turns out Williams actually wins more Grand Slam matches than she loses after trailing by a set.
Her 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory over McNally in the second round at Flushing Meadows improved Williams' career record at major tournaments to 42-40 after being down a set — the only woman in the 50-year Open era who can boast of a winning record in such situations, according to the WTA.
The only other active player with more than 25 such victories is her older sister, Venus, who has 28.
In all tour-level main-draw matches, Williams is 97-107 after ceding the opening set, a .475 winning percentage that leads active players. Next on the list? Maria Sharapova at .390, 83-130.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/us-open-28th-seed-suarez-navarro-fined-40g-after-quitting
2019-08-30 10:03:48Z
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Coco Gauff shakes off Naomi Osaka preview, appreciative of fan support | 2019 US Open - ESPN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x2T8jqKhH8
2019-08-30 05:41:27Z
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Kamis, 29 Agustus 2019
Jerry Jones Covers Many Possibilities With Ezekiel Elliott Comments - Inside The Star
The Dallas Cowboys will be making a lot of decisions this week as they cut down the 2019 roster before Saturday's deadline. But as they form their 53-man group for the upcoming season, they may also have an eye on their high number of free agents in 2020. How could this potential mass exodus of talent next year impact their roster decisions now?
Based on the players either guaranteed to or with a solid chance of making the 2019 roster, Dallas stands to have anywhere from 25-30 free agents in the following offseason. This is due to a mix of expiring contracts from veterans, the draft class of 2016, and players signed to one-year deals this past spring.
Here is a brief summary of the potential 2020 free agents:
Veterans: QB Cooper Rush, WR Amari Cooper, TE Blake Jarwin, OT La'el Collins, G Xavier Su'a-Filo, G/C Adam Redmond, DE Robert Quinn, DT Antwaun Woods, LB Sean Lee, LB Joe Thomas, CB Byron Jones, CB C.J. Goodwin, K Brett Maher
Class of 2016: QB Dak Prescott, DT Maliek Collins, CB Anthony Brown, CB Kavon Frazier, RB Darius Jackson
1-Year Contracts: RB Alfred Morris, WR Randall Cobb, WR Tavon Austin, TE Jason Witten, DE Kerry Hyder, DT Christian Covington, LB Justin March, S George Iloka, S Darian Thompson, LS L.P. Ladouceur
See what I mean?
True, not all of these 28 players will make the team this year. Dallas will likely be making cut-down decisions between Morris and Jackson at running back, Su'a-Filo and Redmond on offensive line, or Iloka and Thompson at safety, rather than keeping both.
Also, we fully expect players like Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, and Antwaun Woods to be re-signed before 2020 free agency begins. We hope the same for La'el Collins, Byron Jones, and Maliek Collins, but that will depend on salary cap space.
All that said, there is currently a major chunk of talent not under contract for 2020. So how might that impact the Cowboys' roster decisions this week?
Dallas Cowboys QB Mike White (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
A great example is whether or not the Cowboys keep a third quarterback this year. They haven't had just two passers on the roster since 2014, but Dallas may revert to that this season to save a roster spot somewhere else.
We can debate whether or not Dallas even wants to keep Mike White after his rough preseason. But even if they still have interest, they may value players at other positions far more.
Consider the defensive line. A player like rookie Joe Jackson might not make the squad if Dallas had a bunch of long-term players locked up ahead of him. But if there's a mass exodus of talent in 2020, Jackson could wind up being a primary reserve in his sophomore season.
The same goes for cornerback. Anthony Brown's likely exit in 2020 free agency, coupled with the possibility that Byron Jones isn't re-signed, creates some concern. Rather than choosing between Donovan Olumba and rookie Michael Jackson and keeping only five CBs this year, Dallas has added incentive to keep both as security for next year.
Going long at these positions means going short somewhere else. We already mentioned quarterback as a possibility, but running back and offensive line are two other spots where the Cowboys could utilize their versatile talent and help their roster math.
Dallas could potentially just keep eight total offensive linemen. Cam Fleming, Joe Looney, and Connor McGovern have position flex as reserves, while Connor Williams and La'el Collins can also swap roles. They should be able to get through a game with just those guys and keep additional depth on the practice squad.
At running back, the Cowboys will already be struggling to find enough touches for both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. They could utilize fullback Jamize Olawale or receiver Tavon Austin as emergency running backs and then keep someone like Mike Weber or Jordan Chunn on the practice squad.
~ ~ ~
A lot of these decisions will also come down to who the Cowboys believe they can get to and keep on the practice squad without fear of poaching from the rest of the NFL. Players like Joe Jackson or Donovan Olumba, who have stood out this preseason, may be on other teams' radars far more than others.
But because of the contract situations for 2020, Dallas may be pushed to go long at certain positions more than they normally would. Someone like Olumba, who didn't make the team last year, may be kept this season because of the changing dynamics at cornerback and the potential exits of his current superiors.
In just three more days, after final cuts, we'll be able to see more clearly how the Cowboys are thinking as they build their 2019 roster.
https://insidethestar.com/jerry-jones-covers-many-possibilities-with-ezekiel-elliott-comments/
2019-08-29 14:00:17Z
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Which NFL Teams Should Consider Trading for Jadeveon Clowney? - Bleacher Report NFL
As rumors of a potential Jadeveon Clowney trade swirl, potential suitors for the Pro Bowl defensive end are trying to answer the important questions. Can Clowney help our organization? Can we afford to trade for him? Which of the Texans general-managers-by-committee are we supposed to call? Does that person have the authority to make a deal, or must everyone wait until coach Bill O'Brien is in a good mood? Wait, why is our call going straight to voicemail? No, we don't know our party's extension!
From waiting past the July 15 deadline to sign or trade franchise players (eliminating the sign-and-trade option, which would have made a trade easier and more lucrative for the Texans) to turning their org chart into one of those webs spun by spiders given LSD in a laboratory, O'Brien (who wields the real power in the organization; the electoral college of other executives are just functionaries) and the Texans have irrevocably screwed up the Clowney situation. But their loss is some trade partner's gain: The Texans lack the leverage to ask for much compensation for one of the league's best defenders, and while Clowney must play for the $15.97 million franchise tender this season, his new employer may be able to secure a longer commitment come January.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle listed three potential suitors for Clowney. Let's break down the pluses and minuses of a Clowney trade for each of these teams. Then, let's look at three other teams that should be in the trade conversation.
The likely destinations...
Seattle Seahawks
The upside: The Seahawks defense is now a shadow of its Legion of Boom glory. Clowney would provide both an immediate upgrade and a jolt of personality.
The downside: Trading for Clowney runs counter to the Seahawks' organizational philosophy.
Compensation situation (Texans): The Seahawks have two second-round picks next year as a result of the Frank Clark trade, giving them flexibility when assembling a package for Clowney.
Compensation situation (Clowney): The Seahawks have the future cap space to sign Clowney to a long-term deal. They freed up that future cap space by parting with lots of big-name defensive veterans, which goes back to the "downside" of a Texans-Seahawks deal.
Bottom line: Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune recently detailed the issues that stand in the way of a Texans-Seahawks deal at length. To summarize: The Seahawks helped the Texans out of a similar situation when they traded for franchise-tagged tackle Duane Brown in 2017 but then felt they gave up too many picks in subsequent drafts. Meanwhile, the Seahawks judiciously avoided their own Clowney situation by signing and trading Clark to the Chiefs. Trading for Clowney would run counter to much of what the Seahawks are trying to do.
That said, the Seahawks released defender Jay-Tee Tiuli on Wednesday, freeing a roster spot, and Clowney could really help make the Seahawks more than a fringe playoff team this year. Clowney could well be in Seattle for opening day but only if the price is right.
Miami Dolphins
The upside: Clowney would give a rebuilding team an important 26-year-old building block and instantly become the Dolphins' best player. (Sorry, Xavien Howard).
The downside: Per Wilson, Clowney would prefer to play for other teams.
Compensation situation (Texans): The Dolphins are a lock to finish the year with one of the league's worst records. A likely top-five pick would be far too much for a needy team to part with, but a high second-rounder might sway the Texans. The Dolphins also lack the talent to package players in a trade.
Compensation situation (Clowney): The Dolphins have plenty of future cap space available, perhaps enough to overcome Clowney's reluctance to play for them.
Bottom line: Clowney is useless to the Dolphins as a one-year rental, so all three parties must agree to a one-year agreement on paper, which is really a nod-wink long-term deal. That makes negotiations touchy on all three sides, especially now that Clowney is working without an agent. Don't be surprised if everyone decides they are better off letting this bus pass and waiting for the next one.
Philadelphia Eagles
The upside: Clowney's arrival would turn the Eagles from mere contenders into prohibitive favorites to at least reach the Super Bowl.
The downside: Clowney is more of a luxury than a necessity for a team that is scraping the ceiling of the salary cap for the next few years.
Compensation situation (Texans): The Eagles have players on their bench and the roster bubble that could help the Texans immediately, like offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai or running back Corey Clement. With all of the assets the Eagles have, they could pry Clowney away with a mix of immediate help and a mid-round draft pick.
Compensation situation (Clowney): The Eagles lack the long-term cap space to easily fit Clowney into their budget. But general manager Howie Roseman is a contract ninja, and both sides may be amenable to a one-year lease while trying to win a Super Bowl.
Bottom line: If this deal doesn't happen, it will be because a) careful long-range planning has paid dividends for the Eagles, making them reluctant to make big, sudden moves or b) the Texans realize how weak they will look if they trade Clowney for another team's spare parts and quash the deal for face-saving reasons.
The Long Shots...
Buffalo Bills
The upside: Clowney could be the Bills' Khalil Mack, transforming a team with a good defense and a boom-or-bust young quarterback into a team with an outstanding defense that can win with (or despite) a boom-or-bust young quarterback.
The downside: Buffalo may not be an appealing landing spot for Clowney, and the Bills wouldn't benefit from a one-year rental. At least Miami has great weather and low taxes.
Compensation situation (Texans): In addition to picks, the Bills could ship running back LeSean McCoy to the Texans. McCoy is in the final year of his contract and is now part of a crowded backfield featuring fellow old-timer Frank Gore, rookie Devin Singletary and others.
Compensation situation (Clowney): The Bills have plenty of future cap space.
Bottom line: Clowney-to-Bills speculation has circulated since deposed Texans general manager Brian Gaine joined Brandon Beane's staff in Buffalo, and Clowney for Shady and picks makes for an easy game of connect the dots in the wake of Lamar Miller's injury. Don't rule anything out, but if Gaine had some back-channel way to cut to the front of the line for Clowney, he probably would have done it by now.
Indianapolis Colts
The upside: The Colts get another impact defender along the defensive front and an instant narrative changer, two things they really need.
The downside: All sides would be highly reluctant to make this deal.
Compensation situation (Texans): The Colts, like the Seahawks, have an extra second-round pick next year, making it easier for them to assemble a package if they choose to.
Compensation situation (Clowney): The Colts have a league-high $85 million in cap space to shower some lucky player(s) with next year.
Bottom line: The Colts are unlikely to lurch in a sudden new direction just days after Andrew Luck's retirement, the Texans won't want to strengthen a division rival that's on the ropes, and Clowney might not be gung-ho about joining an organization with an uncertain future. Otherwise, from a needs-and-dollars standpoint, this makes sense.
Houston Texans
The upside: The Texans are a playoff team that could use an All-Pro-caliber defender like Clowney.
The downside: O'Brien would have to swallow his pride and delegate some meaningful authority to make it happen.
Compensation situation (Texans and Clowney): The Texans have more than $79 million in cap space for next year; that was the most 2020 cap space of any team in the NFL before Luck's retirement yielded a big chunk of space for the Colts. That's right, folks: The team with the most money to pay Clowney and one of the most pressing needs for Clowney is the one that is now trying to get rid of Clowney.
Bottom line: Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Clowney was about to sign the franchise tender and return to the Texans until he discovered the Texans were preparing to trade him; he then decided to continue his holdout so he had some leverage to select his own destination.
In other words, the Texans are now so dysfunctional that they even get in the way when their problems try to solve themselves. Whatever they decide to do, it will leave them both without a potential All-Pro and the type of trade compensation they should get in exchange for an All-Pro. The next time the Texans fire a general manager, they may want to aim for the one who actually makes the decisions.
Mike Tanier covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter:@MikeTanier.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2851444-which-nfl-teams-should-consider-trading-for-jadeveon-clowney
2019-08-29 13:08:47Z
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Serena Williams, on the Way to a Tough Win, Gets a Look at Tennis’s Future - The New York Times
It has been quite a Grand Slam season for American teenagers on the women’s tennis tour, and though autumn is on the horizon, they continue to make a deep impression.
After the 15-year-old Coco Gauff defeated Venus Williams in her first match at Wimbledon last month, Gauff’s doubles partner, the 17-year-old Caty McNally, made a run at an even bigger upset in her first United States Open.
McNally won the opening set in style against Serena Williams before Williams rallied to prevail, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round on Wednesday night.
“I think the young American girls are inspiring each other,” said Kathy Rinaldi, the United States Fed Cup captain who has known McNally’s mother, Lynn, since they played junior tennis against each other. “When one of the girls has a good result it kind of lifts the other. It’s a healthy competition.”
The Williams sisters have of course provided no shortage of inspiration themselves. The American youngsters emerging now were all born after the Williamses turned professional. They include the 17-year-old Amanda Anisimova, who reached the semifinals of the French Open in June, and the 20-year-old Sofia Kenin, who beat Serena Williams on her way to the quarterfinals of the same tournament and is up to No. 20 in the rankings.
A Williams-infused women’s tennis world is all the new arrivals have ever known.
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“I’ve watched her so many times,” McNally said of Serena, whom she had never faced. “I know how well she can play. I was just really impressed with the way she was serving towards the end of the match, how well she was returning. Hats off to her.”
Hats off to McNally, too, for bear-hugging the moment in her first match of this magnitude and pushing the greatest player of the era to three sets.
Williams is a more formidable opponent now than when Kenin toppled her in Paris. She is in better shape and form, and her movement and serving have improved considerably since she resolved the persistent knee pain that spoiled much of her early season.
But after the 37-year-old Williams overwhelmed Maria Sharapova, her longtime punching bag, in the first round on Tuesday, she had to solve a much less familiar tennis riddle on Thursday.
McNally, who comes from the Cincinnati suburb of Madeira, has a taste for old-school tennis. And in only her second US Open singles match she marched onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for the final duel of the night session with a big grin on her face.
She made it clear very quickly that Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, was in for a serious challenge.
“I felt really good out there on the big stage; I wasn’t too nervous,” McNally said. “For me, I just try to take it as another match and not really worry about who’s across the net. I know if I did that it might affect the way I play, and I might become more emotionally attached to the match. That’s not good for me.”
McNally’s tennis role model has long been the most successful men’s player of this era: Roger Federer. Rinaldi teasingly calls her “Mrs. Fed,” and McNally has tried to mimic not only Federer’s cool on-court demeanor but his attacking style and versatility as well.
“I really like the way he plays, mixes in the slice, the drop shot, volleys really well,” McNally said. “There’s so many things I like from his game. Hopefully I can keep working on those and become just like him.”
That is, of course, a tall order, but McNally showed plenty of poise and potential under the closed roof in Ashe Stadium after reaching the semifinals at the WTA event in Washington this summer.
A powerful athlete, McNally likes to serve and volley: a tactic now rare enough to elicit gasps from a savvy tennis crowd. Like Federer, she has a particularly crisp one-handed slice backhand and unlike Federer, she also can drive her backhand with two hands. She used that two-hander to try another rare ploy on Wednesday: attacking Williams’s second serve immediately after the bounce and following the return to net.
The results were mixed but the approach was destabilizing.
“It was definitely something to get used to,” Williams said of McNally’s style. “You don’t play players like her who have such full games. I just think she overall played really well.”
Mixing speeds and spins and coming up with big serves when she needed them, McNally applied and absorbed pressure and was able to convert her only break point of the match to take a 6-5 lead in the first set.
She won it by rallying from 0-40 to hold serve, waving her arms to pump up the crowd as she arrived at her seat with a swagger in her step.
Seemingly rattled by McNally’s shifting tactics and forays to net, Williams was far from her sharpest in the opening set: making 15 unforced errors.
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But though she shouted and winced in frustration as her groundstrokes smacked into the net, she did not let the frustration seep into her game for long on a court where she has won six United States Open singles titles but has also experienced meltdowns and demoralizing defeats.
“I just had to stop making errors,” Williams said. “I just made so many errors in the first two sets, and I mean it was just too many. You can’t win tournaments making that many errors, so I knew I had to play better, and I knew I could.”
She broke McNally’s serve for the first time in the sixth game of the second set, hitting a forehand return winner as McNally tried again to serve and volley.
After winning the set on her fifth set point, Williams hit the accelerator pedal in the third, attacking returns with intimidating precision and losing only five points in total: none on her serve.
It was a classic Williams performance. She has turned so many tricky matches her way through the decades: first against her elders and now against new arrivals not even half her age.
“Serena is the best in the world at turning a match around,” her coach Patrick Mouratoglou said.
“I definitely treasure it,” Williams said of that ability. “I’ve won so many Grand Slams because of it. I also won a lot of Grand Slams not having to use it.”
Her next challenge if she wants to win this one again is a third-round match against either the crafty Hsieh Su-wei or Karolina Muchová, another attack-minded newcomer who will face Hsieh on Thursday.
As for the American teenagers, Gauff is into the second round in singles and ready to team up with McNally in the doubles.
Unlike Williams, their Grand Slam days are just beginning, and they are off to a fine start.
The next generation in women’s tennis
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/29/sports/tennis/serena-williams-caty-mcnally-us-open.html
2019-08-29 06:07:00Z
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5 possible cuts the Dallas Cowboys could regret - The Landry Hat
The Dallas Cowboys will trim down their 90-man roster to just 53 players in the coming days. Here are five possible cuts they could end up regretting.
The Dallas Cowboys face the difficult task of reducing their 90-man roster to just 53 players by this Saturday afternoon. Many of the league required cuts will take place immediately following the Cowboys’ preseason matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
There are several promising players who appear to be on the roster bubble in Dallas. Below, we’ve included five potential cuts the Cowboys might regret making if these players are allowed to hit the waiver wire.
Jalen Jelks, DE
The talent at defensive end is massive this year. There are so many promising defenders on the defensive line that Jelks, a drafted rookie that recorded a sack in his preseason debut and four tackles versus the Houston Texans, is now a likely roster cut. There is hope he makes it through waivers and to the practice squad.
It’s not unusual for a seventh-rounder not to make the final-53, but Jelks was touted as a possible instant impact player by DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Eatman early on. If the long-time Cowboys’ staff writer is correct, Dallas might regret putting him on the waiver wire for another team to develop.
Mike Jackson, CB
It seems illogical that the Cowboys would part ways with a fifth-round selection before the regular season has even started. But like the defensive end group, the cornerback position in Dallas is highly-competitive. And I believe most would agree that second-year defensive back Donovan Olumba has outperformed Jackson.
Still, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound corner prospect out of Florida possessed traits the Cowboys coveted to make him one of their two fifth rounders in April. Allowing Jackson to get away could be costly as Dallas has several veteran cornerbacks scheduled to hit free agency within the next two years.
Daniel Wise, DT
The undrafted rookie out of Kansas has shown promise throughout the offseason, training camp, and into the preseason. And that would have probably been enough in most years. Unfortunately, the Cowboys will likely be forced to go heavier at other areas along their final roster with equally intriguing prospects. That leaves a solid prospect with good tape like Wise up for grabs.
Ricky Walker, DT
No one was talking about Walker prior to the start of the preseason. But a breakout performance against the San Francisco 49ers in the Cowboys’ preseason opener made him a hot name to watch. There’s no doubt the undrafted defensive tackle out of Virginia Tech’s momentum has slowed since then, but the 23-year has shown enough to earn consideration elsewhere.
Justin Phillips, LB
The most-talked about linebacker not named Leighton, Jaylon or Sean in the offseason was Luke Gifford, an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska. But a significant ankle injury sidelined Gifford after a terrific showing against the Niners. And it’s been fellow rookie Justin Phillips that has taken his place in the spotlight. Racking up 17 total tackles, a pass defend, and one spectacular interception in three preseason games; the undrafted linebacker out of Oklahoma State deserves to find a place on someone’s final-53.
https://thelandryhat.com/2019/08/29/dallas-cowboys-5-cuts-might-regret/
2019-08-29 11:00:00Z
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Rabu, 28 Agustus 2019
Brett McMurphy's College Football Playoff & Bowl Predictions - Stadium
Since the inception of the College Football Playoff, there has been one constant when deciphering the selection committee’s rankings: Forget power ratings, strengths of schedules, wins against AP Top 25 opponents, success in road games and margin of victory.
It’s all noise and nonsense. Choosing the College Football Playoff field is very simple and always has been: It’s a beauty pageant. Nothing more, nothing less.
One committee member may emphasize an explosive offense, another a stifling defense. The TV talking heads scream that it’s about the “eye” test. The “eye” test, that’s what’s really important. The so-called “eye” test can be simplified like this: who do “I” think are the best four teams?
Well, here’s my “I” test. Who do “I” like to advance to this year’s College Football Playoff? Glad you asked. With Week Zero in our rear-view mirror – like you, I’m still trying to forget the combined 40 penalties and 13 turnovers in those two games – it’s onto a five-day stretch of games, starting Thursday, as college football’s regular season fully gets underway.
[RELATED: Brett McMurphy’s College Football Preseason Top 25]
My college football playoff field:
Clemson. Alabama. Georgia.
Those three are shoo-ins – or at least should be shoo-ins. The Tigers, Tide and Bulldogs are projected to be prohibitive favorites in every regular-season game and are clearly the most talented teams in 2019. College football is notorious for providing incredible upsets, but these three seem to be a cut above and should survive unscathed through the regular season.
My fourth team? In each of the past four years, at least one team that started outside the AP preseason top 10 ended up the playoff. I’ll look for that streak to continue as Utah is my fourth pick to make the playoff. Yes, the Pac (12) is back in the playoff for the first time since 2016!
My predictions (surely to be wrong):
College Football Playoff:
Peach Bowl: 1-Clemson vs. 4-Utah
Fiesta Bowl: 2-Georgia vs. 3-Alabama
National Championship:
Clemson defeats Georgia
New Year’s 6 Bowls:
Rose: Bowl: Michigan vs. Washington
Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma vs. LSU
Orange Bowl: Virginia vs. Ohio State
Cotton Bowl: Iowa State vs. Memphis
Conference Champions:
AAC: Memphis
With QB Brady White, the Tigers have proven they can score a ton of points, and this year will be no different. Can they make enough stops? Saturday’s home opener vs. Ole Miss is huge for the conference. Memphis won’t be tested in-league until November when it visits Houston and USF in consecutive weeks. They close the regular season at home vs. Cincinnati.
ACC: Clemson
I liked a different brand of Tigers in the AAC, I lovvvve these Tigers in the ACC. The defense lost a load of talent to the NFL from the nation’s No. 1 scoring defense, but any regression by the defense will be offset by potentially the nation’s best offense, featuring QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne and WRs Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins.
Big Ten: Michigan
This is finally the year that Jim Harbaugh delivers in Ann Arbor … right? The Wolverines return eight starters on offense – including QB Shea Patterson – and have an updated offensive philosophy with new OC Josh Gattis. In what should determine the Big Ten East representative in the Big Ten title game, Michigan gets rival Ohio State in Ann Arbor, looking to end a seven-game losing streak to the Buckeyes.
Big 12: Oklahoma
In Norman, it’s another transfer quarterback, another Heisman winner and another Big 12 title. Well, two out of three ain’t bad. QB Jalen Hurts won’t win the Heisman, but he should guide the Sooners to another Big 12 championship. While Hurts’ transfer from Alabama grabbed all the headlines, the biggest key will be OU’s defense, where the Sooners should make massive improvements under new DC Alex Grinch.
C-USA: North Texas
After consecutive nine-win seasons, coach Seth Littrell had opportunities to move to the Power 5 level last season but decided to remain in Denton for another year. A big reason was the talent returning, most notably QB Mason Fine. The Mean Green have improved their offensive numbers in each of Littrell’s three seasons and should do so again this year, winning their first C-USA title.
Mid-American: Ohio
Each year, Ohio coach Frank Solich just keeps piling up wins. However, this season will be different. Solich will still pile up the wins – he hasn’t had a losing record in 10 consecutive seasons – but this season Solich will finally capture his elusive first MAC crown. Led by QB Nathan Rourke, the Bobcats get Solich his first MAC title (he’s 0-4 in the title game) in 15 years in Athens.
Mountain West: Utah State
Gary Andersen is back. The former Utah State coach (from 2009-12) is the current Utah State coach. He said this was the “only place” he would resume his head coaching career. Andersen replaces Matt Wells, who went to Texas Tech after last year’s school-record-tying 11-win season – the Aggies’ other 11-win season was with Andersen in 2012. QB Jordan Love is the league’s best, but must operate behind an inexperienced offensive line. The defense returns seven starters.
Pac-12: Utah
The last time the Utes won a conference championship, they went 13-0 in 2008, winning the Mountain West. An undefeated season this year is a long shot for Utah, but it’s not a long shot for the Utes to win the Pac-12. QB Tyler Huntley and RB Zack Moss are back healthy and should prosper under new OC Andy Ludwig. The defense is stocked with six linemen with starting experience.
SEC: Georgia
Despite an 0-2 record against Alabama the past two years, the Bulldogs have actually won as many SEC championships as Alabama during that time. This fall, Georgia will make it two SEC titles in three years behind an offensive line that is among the nation’s best paving the way for RB D’Andre Swift and QB Jake Fromm. The defense is solid as well, returning six starters from the SEC’s No. 2 unit last year.
Sun Belt: Appalachian State
Different head coach this fall, but same result for the Mountaineers. Eliah Drinkwitz takes over for Scott Satterfield, who won three consecutive Sun Belt titles but departed, leaving an abundance of talent in Boone. QB Zac Thomas is among 16 returning starters, 10 of which are on offense. In the past three seasons, ASU nearly knocked off Penn State (45-38), Wake Forest (20-19) and Tennessee (20-13). ASU will get shots to upend UNC and South Carolina this year. Whether or not it’s successful, ASU will win a fourth straight Sun Belt title.
MORE: Examining the College Football Recruiting Investment by Group of Five Schools
https://watchstadium.com/news/brett-mcmurphys-college-football-playoff-bowl-predictions-08-28-2019/
2019-08-28 19:49:10Z
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BJ Penn Knocked Out In Hawaii Street Fight, New Video Shows - TMZ
Exclusive
12:17 PM PT -- We spoke with someone very close to Penn who tells us BJ felt the other guy had been following him around and trying to bait him into a fight ... saying, "This guy is notorious for taunting BJ."
Our Penn source says ... after getting knocked to the ground, BJ was disoriented and his response was to go after the guy. And, that's what you saw in the original video.
11:48 AM PT -- TMZ Sports has obtained new footage showing BJ Penn getting knocked out when the fight spilled into the street.
You can see Penn egging the other guy on -- the same guy from our first video -- and when BJ's opponent throws a left hook, it connects flush with Penn's chin, sending him crumpling to the ground, arms sprawled.
BJ's friends immediately help him back to his feet -- and a screaming match ensues between all of the bystanders.
We're told the knockout in the street came FIRST. And, later on, BJ reengaged, tackling the guy from behind and knocking him down.
We spoke to the other combatant who tells us he was hit with a "cheap shot" and that's why Penn was able to mount him. But, when they squared up face to face, BJ went down.
UFC legend BJ Penn was involved in another bar fight in Hawaii -- this time, the 40-year-old was sprawled out on top of another man raining down punches, and TMZ Sports has the video.
Penn was at the Lava Shack on the Big Island on Tuesday when he got into it with another dude -- and in classic Penn fashion, the fight ended up on the ground. We have a pic of Penn at the bar earlier in the night. You can see the clothing is the same.
TMZSports
Penn had his opponent mounted -- and his legs were hooked in -- and he threw at least 4 ferocious shots to the other man's head ... and it looks like all of the shots landed pretty clean.
You can see several men in red "Security" shirts move in and try to break the whole thing up.
Unclear what started the fight -- but we're told law enforcement responded to the scene. It does NOT appear Penn was arrested and cops say they have no record so far.
The situation is similar to a fight Penn got into back in June on Oahu -- where he pummeled a man outside of a strip club while a group of people looked on.
JUNE 2019
Cops were called to that incident as well -- but again, Penn was NOT arrested or charged with a crime.
We reached out to Penn's camp for comment -- so far, no word back.
Penn is slated to fight Nik Lentz in the near future but no date has been set. Dana White has said the fight will be the last of Penn's legendary career.
Penn is a UFC Hall of Famer with victories over legends like Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.
Originally Published -- 7:05 AM PT
https://www.tmz.com/2019/08/28/bj-penn-bar-fight-hawaii-video/
2019-08-28 19:17:00Z
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Capt. Andrew Luck bids farewell on Twitter - ESPN
Much like his NFL counterpart, Capt. Andrew Luck has said farewell.
In a letter posted to SI.com on Wednesday, the Twitter parody account wrote an open address to the Indianapolis Colts, saying, "life on the family farm is just as I remembered," and reminiscing on his days with his fellow soldiers.
Dearest friends -
A heartfelt thank you. And a fond farewell.
- Andrew https://t.co/vReoCytpJw
— Capt. Andrew Luck (@CaptAndrewLuck) August 28, 2019
"Oh, the times we had out on our campaigns through the years. I feel as though I was just a youth who hardly had two neckbeard whiskers to rub together when I first unholstered my sidearm," the letter reads in part. "How we have all grown one hard-fought battle after another. From that frozen tundra to face the Horned Barbarians (I recall sleeping in a deer carcass to keep warm) to combating those painted Pirate Ruffians in their land without light. Then there were the Steel Men, who battled in a Pitt. And who could forget the orange Horsemen? Good thing we packed extra air since their land had so little."
Though it was called a farewell, it was not stated whether the account, which has more than 540,000 followers, will continue.
The Luck parody account was started in December 2015, with the writer developing the character off the now-retired quarterback's resemblance to a 19th-century soldier. The tweets linked upcoming Colts games and relevant news from the perspective of a Civil War battlefield as letters to his mother back home.
Luck announced his retirement Saturday, saying the challenge of rehabbing numerous injuries over the years had taken away his passion for football.
The Capt. Luck account has tweeted one other time, on Sunday morning, since Luck's announcement.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27483097/capt-andrew-luck-bids-farewell-twitter
2019-08-28 14:31:19Z
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Kansas City Royals ownership open to selling franchise, sources say - Omaha World-Herald
[unable to retrieve full-text content]
- Kansas City Royals ownership open to selling franchise, sources say Omaha World-Herald
- The Royals Are Being Sold, And Their Fans Should Be Cautiously Thrilled Deadspin
- Sources -- Royals owner negotiating sale for $1B ESPN
- Kansas City Royals: 3 impacts selling of team would have on future Kings of Kauffman
- The Royals are for sale, and here’s why that’s a good thing for Kansas City Kansas City Star
- View full coverage on Google News
https://www.omaha.com/sports/kansas-city-royals-ownership-open-to-selling-franchise-sources-say/article_66b3a0f0-9794-5446-a999-3af0f66a7673.html
2019-08-28 12:47:00Z
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Senin, 26 Agustus 2019
Tim Benz: Steelers tempt fate, escape unscathed in Tennessee - Tribune-Review
About an hour ago
The Pittsburgh Steelers played Russian roulette with their veteran starters and won.
For the most part. Let’s see how bad safety Sean Davis’ ankle injury is. And linebacker Bud Dupree’s thumb. At least Mike Tomlin didn’t give a dire diagnosis about either player after the Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans 18-6 in a preseason game Sunday night.
Teams such as the Houston Texans (running back Lamar Miller, ACL) and the New York Jets (linebacker Avery Williamson, ACL) haven’t been as lucky.
Ben Roethlisberger and most of the Steelers offensive regulars absorbed three series, scoring a touchdown on the third try.
Just like coach drew it up. @TeamJuJu@steelers
: #PITvsTEN on NBC pic.twitter.com/EepBYwXjyi
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2019
Meanwhile, many of the front-line defensive regulars stayed on the field well into the second quarter.
Or at least I think they did. Based on that horrid NBC camera angle, “Mean” Joe Greene and Mel Blount could’ve been playing and I wouldn’t have been able to tell.
Even if the network didn’t utilize that abomination, I wouldn’t have had a very good view of the game anyway. I was watching it through my fingers because I was covering my eyes on every snap, holding my breath to see if every player survived unscathed.
So is that all it took? Did they do enough to “knock off the rust”?
I doubt it.
I always laugh at that excuse to use starters in the preseason: “Knocking off the rust.” We talk about teams being rusty coming off bye weeks or after a week of rest in advance of the playoffs.
So if rust can build up after 13 days to the point that can affect four quarters of midseason football, how can three preseason series erase eight months of inactivity?
That’s old school rah-rah hyperbole. There’s no intellectual connection to make there. The risk of one play ending a star’s season isn’t worth the reward of “knocking the rust off” for one quarter of meaningless action.
Based on that bye-week comparison, much of the rust may come back anyway before the game against the New England Patriots to open the season a week from Sunday.
If ever there was a year that there was reason for the Steelers to have used the starters a lot in the preseason, this was it. The wide receivers are reconfigured, the team should want to see how Jaylen Samuels and Benny Snell run behind first-team offensive linemen, and the evolving nickel and dime looks on defense would be best served to get lots of reps in advance of facing Tom Brady in the opener.
But it appears the Steelers starters will wind up with roughly the same amount of time in the preseason as any other year.
Also, don’t coaches and general managers usually cringe at the idea of trimming the preseason because they so desperately crave live reps from lesser-known players to evaluate the bottom of the roster?
Then why absorb any time for the starters in the first place if the “real” reason for having four preseason games is evaluating depth and getting young players experience?
Here’s the problem: If a perceived advantage exists, players and coaches will be swayed to take it.
Every time. Because what if they don’t, somebody else will.
And God help us if Team X gets three series for its starting quarterback in August and your team doesn’t. Then what? If those two teams should match up in December, I mean, clearly that difference four months earlier will make or break the game.
Please.
If the opportunity is present to make the good players better, coaches will eventually give in to that temptation. And players with a competitive streak will want to get on the field any time they can to sharpen their skills.
That’s why the league would be wise to take the option off the table for the coaches and starters. Get rid of the preseason entirely and just play the games for real as the college kids do. Or trim the preseason to two games, so that the coaches feel inclined to evaluate the bottom-of-the-roster guys above all.
Or come up with a roster-restriction system for the preseason as is done in the regular season and force coaches to prioritize what they want out of this exercise.
The Steelers are fortunate. It appears they got the benefit of both worlds last night. Good reps and good health.
I hope they don’t bother tempting fate at all in 2020.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
https://triblive.com/sports/tim-benz-steelers-tempt-fate-escape-unscathed-in-tennessee/
2019-08-26 10:13:50Z
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Andrew Luck retires: Colts' personnel moves forward with Jacoby Brissett - Sports Illustrated
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https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/26/andrew-luck-retires-colts-jason-witten-cowboys-josh-allen-bills
2019-08-26 06:35:26Z
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