Day: January 17, 2017

Raines looks good to make Hall on last try

Based on ballots made public this week by American sports writer Ryan Thibodaux, former Montreal Expo Tim Raines could pull off a rare feat on Wednesday. Being named to the Baseball Hall of Fame is exclusive enough – only 217 players have done it – but being elected in his 10th and last year on the ballot is even more of a rarity.

Broncos promote Joe Woods to defensive co-ordinator

Broncos coach Vance Joseph has promoted secondary coach Joe Woods to defensive co-ordinator, replacing Wade Phillips, who left for the Los Aneles Rams. Woods, 46, was in charge of the Broncos’ “No Fly Zone” secondary that led the league in pass defence each of the last two years behind All-Pro cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr., safeties T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart and nickel back Bradley Roby.

Storm releases Gibson, adds Cook

Head coach and vice-president of player personnel Joe Salerno said the team had high expectations for Gibson, who had played for the University of Houston Cougars. “He just didn’t seem to be fitting the style we wanted to play and I didn’t think we were quite getting the amount of output that we were hoping for when we signed him,” Salerno said.

Ap Fact Check: Palin not blaming attack on ‘Mexican Muslims’

In a Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 file photo, Sarah Palin, political commentator and former governor of Alaska, walks on the sideline before an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, in Seattle. A story posted by Newslo on Jan. 6, 2017, claiming Palin blamed recent fatal shooting at a Florida airport on “Mexican Muslims” is false.

Chile amateur goes from no big victories to Masters

Justin Rose, of England, reacts to his final putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Sony Open golf tournament, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Honolulu. HONOLULU – Toto Gana hit what he described as the “best shot I’ve hit in my whole life,” a wedge to 3 feet for a birdie to win the Latin America Amateur Championship and earn a trip to the Masters in April.

Michigan State Recruiting: 5 needs to address by National Signing Day, ranked

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio looks on during warm-ups prior to the game Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Michigan State recruiting has major needs to address by National Signing Day for its 2017 football class and here they are, ranked.

Boxing: Frampton lands Fighter of the Year honour

The 29-year-old impressed in victories over Scott Quigg and the previously undefeated Leo Santa Cruz, a man he will face in a rematch this month. Frampton had stepped up a division after unifying the IBF and WBA super-bantamweight titles with his win over Quigg last February.

The Noon Number: Unlucky Seven

Capitals 101 provides 24/7 obsessive sports coverage of the Washington Capitals as a part of Sports Media 101 . For news, op/ed, game reviews, team updates and even rumors you will find all of it on Capitals 101.

More Than 50 Democratic Congress Members Planning to Skip Inauguration

The Cody Enterprise reported Monday that Wyoming Legacy Meats is work… We’ll have high school basketball coverage tonight on KNEB as Scottsbluff plays a girls and boys doubleheader at Chadron. Coverage will start on KNEB AM 960, 100.3 FM, and kne… — Clippers point guard Chris Paul was forced to leave Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder after spraining his left thumb.The injury occurred w… — More than 50 Democratic members of Congress have announced they will skip Donald Trump’s Friday inauguration.

Preview: Leafs, Sabres Renew Rivalry

Maple Leafs 101 provides 24/7 obsessive sports coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs as a part of Sports Media 101 . For news, op/ed, game reviews, team updates and even rumors you will find all of it on Maple Leafs 101.

Super Bowl 2017: Date, Schedule and Predicting Teams for NFL Championship Game

The participants who have earned entry to the NFC and AFC Championship Games that will take place on Sunday, January 22, have been decided, and it’s only natural to start predicting what the final combination of teams that will advance to Super Bowl LI will be. In the NFC, the red-hot Green Bay Packers will have to see if their momentum can carry them past the Atlanta Falcons, who had the highest-scoring offense in the league in the regular season with their 33.8 points per game.

Ivory Coast ready for repeat AFCON success, says Kalou

The ex-Chelsea forward is hoping to help his country defend a trophy that they claimed in dramatic fashion two years ago in a penalty shoot-out Salomon Kalou is hoping to see Ivory Coast stage another successful bid for Africa Cup of Nations honours two years on from their last success in Equatorial Guinea – where the ex-Chelsea man helped his team to take the title on penalties. The 31-year-old is an experienced head with 83 caps and 28 goals to his name for his country, but endured one of the most tense encounters of his career against Ghana in 2015.

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo Betting: Capable underdogs can contribute to a high-scoring game

Our tipster believes the visitors should be able to get on the scoresheet in what promises to be an entertaining end-to-end affair at the Bernabeu Real Madrid’s record-breaking 40-match unbeaten run came to an end in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening, with Zinedine Zidane’s men conceding twice in the last five minutes to lose 2-1 at Sevilla. The disappointment was palpable for Los Blancos’ players, although the good news for them is that they have a chance to bounce back on Wednesday night in the Copa Del Rey when Celta Vigo visit the Bernabeu in the first leg of their quarter final.

Buttner: I’m no Man Utd failure – I did what Steven Gerrard couldn’t

The left-back made 28 appearances for the English club over two years, but insists he did not fail there and is a better player for the experience Alexander Buttner has denied the idea that he failed at Manchester United and has vowed to show his strength upon his return to Vitesse. The left-back signed for the Arnhem club this week, signing a contract that keeps him in the Eredivisie until 2019.

NJ brewery honors Villanova University’s 175th anniversary

The co-owners of New Jersey’s Cape May Brewing Company are honoring the 175th anniversary of their alma mater with a uniquely named commemorative brew. KYW-TV reports the Jersey shore-based microbrewery is releasing its “Demisemiseptcentennial Ale” on Jan. 25 to celebrate the founding of Villanova University .

Man Utd trigger Valencia contract extension clause

The Ecuador international full-back has followed the lead of Marouane Fellaini by committing his future to the Red Devils until the summer of 2018 Manchester United have triggered the one-year extension clause in Antonio Valencia’s contract, which will tie him to the club until June 2018. Last week, the club announced that Marouane Fellaini had extended his stay at Old Trafford by a further 12 months, and on Tuesday Valencia followed suit.

Ronaldo returns to Real Madrid’s Copa squad

Zinedine Zidane allowed the Portugal international to rest in the last round of the Copa del Rey, but a scare versus Sevilla has prompted his recall Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey squad as the La Liga leaders prepare to face Celta Vigo in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo was absent from both legs in the previous round against Sevilla, as a 3-0 win and thrilling, last-gasp 3-3 draw took Zinedine Zidane’s side through.

TRINITARIAN (profanity alert):

Belichick’s diverse background may be rare among head coaches, but it’s common among his assistants. He gravitates toward staff members who possess similar flexibility, whether it comes from working with the offense and defense alike or from working in different parts of the organization.

Zidane backs Navas and defends Benzema as Madrid aim to bounce back

The pair were criticised for their performances at the weekend, but the Frenchman has said that it is impossible to be perfect for 90 minutes Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane dismissed speculation over Keylor Navas’ future as “rumours” after the goalkeeper’s performance in Sunday’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Sevilla came under scrutiny. Costa Rica international Navas was criticised for failing to keep out Stevan Jovetic’s dramatic winner, as Sevilla came from behind to end Madrid’s Spanish record unbeaten run in stoppage time.

Deportivo bring in Kakuta from Hebei after CSL rule changes

The former Chelsea youngster has secured a La Liga return, having previously represented Rayo and Sevilla in Spain’s top flight Gael Kakuta has left Hebei China Fortune to join Deportivo La Coruna’s La Liga relegation fight in the wake of new Chinese Super League regulations relating to how many overseas players teams can include. The 25-year-old French winger has agreed a switch on loan to the Riazor until the end of this season.

Rafael Nadal eases past Florian Mayer at Australian Open

Rafael Nadal had to apologise for his Mallorcan time-keeping but there was nothing sloppy about the Spaniard’s tennis as he swept aside Florian Mayer to reach the Australian Open second round. After defeating Mayer 6-3 6-4 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, Nadal came into his press conference staring at his watch.

Re: Morning Coffee – Tue, Jan 17

But traditional statistics don’t show the whole picture as Joseph does not look like the same player he was last season on the defensive end. What has traditionally been his calling card has been a clear area of struggle for him.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is booked for diving by referee Jon Moss

The Football Association has confirmed it is talking to the Scottish Football Association about the pros and cons of taking retrospective action against players who dive. Introduced in 2011, the SFA’s rule 201 gives a disciplinary panel the power to impose two-game bans for acts of simulation missed by the match officials or rescind yellow cards for players who were incorrectly adjudged to have dived.