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01/08/2024

NFL Playoff Chaos...College Basketball Review...

Add-on posted early Tuesday morning.

College Football…the National Championship

And now we wait to see what NFL job Jim Harbaugh takes, after he led top-ranked Michigan to a dominating 34-13 win over 2 Washington (14-1) in Houston.  It is the Wolverines’ first national championship since 1997 and caps an eventful season that included a sign-stealing scandal and two suspensions for the head coach.

Michigan, who finished a perfect 15-0 season, totally dominated up front on both sides of the ball, applying endless pressure on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix, the Heisman runner-up, was 27/51, 255, 1-2, and aside from being pressured throughout, he just wasn’t sharp.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s running game would have made Bo Schembechler proud, 38 carries for 303 yards, an 8.0 average.

Donovan Edwards, who was not his usual self during the regular season, ripped off first-quarter touchdowns of 41- and 46-yards, Edwards with 104 yards on just six carries.

In the second half, it was Blake Corum, who carried it 21 times for 134 yards and two fourth-quarter TDs to nail it, after Washington had closed to 20-13 midway through the third quarter.

The Huskies had only 46 yards on the ground in 20 carries.

Harbaugh and Co. very deserving champs, if not particularly popular ones.

So it’s the end of an era, end of the Pac-12, college football changed forever, as next season we go to a 12-team playoff.

NFL Playoff Schedule

Saturday

5 Cleveland at 4 Houston, 4:30, NBC
6 Miami at 3 Kansas City, 8:00, Peacock…it is going to be bitterly cold in K.C.

Sunday

7 Pittsburgh at 2 Buffalo, 1:00, CBS…cold and perhaps some snow showers
7 Green Bay at 2 Dallas, 4:30, FOX
6 Los Angeles at 3 Detroit, 8:00, NBC

Monday

5 Philadelphia at 4 Tampa Bay, 8:15, ESPN

--Mike McCarthy faces his former team with the Packers-Cowboys game.  Matthew Stafford goes home to Detroit for the first time…fascinating.

And Philadelphia, inexplicably losers of five of six, is limping into Tampa Bay.  Jalen Hurts has an injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand so we’ll see how it impacts him.  It’s not broken.  Receiver A.J. Brown suffered a knee injury, but as I go to post, it does not appear to be serious.  That said, no idea on his status as yet.  Rookie DB Sydney Brown suffered a torn ACL.

Browns-Texans is a terrific game on paper.

--As for Peacock, it’s on NBC only if you are in Miami or Kansas City.  I keep wanting to get rid of my Peacock subscription, but then something comes up I need to see.

--Meanwhile, the Bills pulled out the AFC East crown and a home contest, while Miami has to go out to Kansas City and the cold weather, though the likes of Tyreek Hill are used to it.

Buffalo and Josh Allen rallied to beat the Dolphins 21-14 with two fourth quarter touchdowns in Miami, one a 96-yard punt return from Deonte Harty, and then Allen completed a 5-yard TD pass to Dawson Knox.

Allen completed 30 of 38 for 359 yards, while rushing for 67, but he did throw two interceptions.

--Green Bay captured a wild card berth in beating Chicago, 17-9, as once again, quarterback Jordan Love was outstanding, 27/32, 316, 2-0, 128.6.  Love now has 18 touchdown passes and one interception in his last eight games.

The Packers are also helped by veteran running Aaron Jones being back in top form, 22 carries for 111 yards, his third straight 100-yard game.

--The Giants handed the Eagles another defeat in Philadelphia, 27-10, New York finishing the season 6-11.

There was debate on local sports radio Monday morning as to whether or not this was a successful season, in some respects, for the Giants, who started out 2-10 and at least went 4-3 the rest of the way.

Coach Brian Daboll held the team together, and they played hard for him down the stretch, but they are missing a ton of pieces before they can think of making a run for a Super Bowl.  And they have to decide whether to draft a quarterback (they should) with the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft.

It’s another offseason where they also have to decide what to do with running back Saquon Barkley.  The soon-to-be 27-year-old completed his sixth season with the Giants, rushing for 962 yards, 3.9 average, in 14 games.  He plays hard, he’s popular, he certainly didn’t have a great supporting cast around him.

But the team is not going to give him a long-term deal, and the issue is whether to franchise tag him again, which could happen.  We’ll see.  I’m not sure Saquon can get a big 3-year deal somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Black Monday in New York was about the Giants jettisoning some assistant coaches, including the special teams coordinator, offensive line coach, linebacker coach, and then…defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.

Officially, it seems Martindale ‘resigned,’ but he has been feuding with Daboll (so reports have had it) during the season.

--Atlanta started early by firing head coach Arthur Smith Sunday night, not waiting for Black Monday.  Actually, it might have been 12:02 a.m.  Smith was 21-30, 7-10 this season…three consecutive 7-10s.

Ron Rivera was then fired in Washington after going 26-40-1 with the Commanders, 4-13 in his last campaign.

All eyes up in New England to see what happens with Bill Belichick.

And in Vegas, did Antonio Pierce do enough, going 5-4 as interim coach, to get the job full-time?

--Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua broke the all-time rookie receiving records on Sunday, finishing the year with 105 catches and 1,486 yards.

As a further example of just how many good receivers there are in college football, Nacua was just a fifth round out of BYU.

--NFL Draft Order….

1. Chicago (from CAR)
2. Washington
3. New England
4. Arizona
5. L.A. Chargers
6. N.Y. Giants
7. Tennessee
8. Atlanta
9. Chicago
10. N.Y. Jets…take Bo Nix!  [Of course the Jets won’t, but look how successful they’ve been doing their own thing…the longest non-playoff streak in the Big Four sports.]

College Basketball

--New AP Poll (records thru Sun.)

1. Purdue (54) 14-1
2. Houston (7) 14-0…only remaining undefeated team
3. Kansas (2) 13-1
4. UConn 13-2
5. Tennessee 11-3
6. Kentucky 11-2
7. North Carolina 11-3
8. Arizona 12-3
9. Oklahoma 13-1
10. Illinois 11-3
T-11. Marquette 11-4
T-11. Duke 11-3
13. Memphis 13-2
14. Baylor 12-2
15. Wisconsin 11-3
16. Auburn 12-2
17. Colorado State 13-2
18. BYU 12-2
19. San Diego State 13-2
20. Utah State 14-1…first time ranked since 2019-20
21. Clemson 11-3
22. Creighton 11-4
23. Gonzaga 11-4
24. Florida Atlantic 11-4…down 7, down 17 in two weeks
25. Texas 11-3

Wake Forest would be No. 32 if you carry out the votes, Seton Hall 34, St. John’s 37.

How good has Kelvin Sampson’s Houston program been?  Three years ago they went to the Final Four.  Two years ago the Elite Eight.  And last season Sweet Sixteen.

NBA

--Tyrese Haliburton was carted off the floor in Monday night’s game against the Celtics when he slipped while trying to drive the lane.  It was said after to be a left hamstring strain.  Indiana (21-15) beat Boston (28-8) 133-131.

--Ja Morant is out for the season, already, suffering a subluxation (dislocation) of his right shoulder “during a training session” on Saturday, the team announcing Monday night it would require surgery.  An MRI revealed an underlying labral tear.

Morant played in just nine games after returning from a league suspension.

But I’m wondering how this happened.  “Here, Ja.  Let’s move your arm into a position that is abnormal and let me know when it hurts….”  “It hurts, you freakin’ jerk!”

Golf Balls

--I watched the finish of The Sentry at Kapalua after posting Sunday and Chris Kirk picked up his sixth career win on the PGA Tour, a very solid career, taking it by one shot over Sahith Theegala, and Jordan Spieth solo third, an encouraging start to the season for him.

This was a signature event, with a signature pot of $20 million, of which Kirk took home $3.6 million.  Theegala $2,160,000, Spieth $1,360,000.

Those finishing 10th, in this case Jason Day and Xander Schauffele, each received $530,000.

Next week is a full-field event, the Sony Open at Waialae in Honolulu, so the rest of the tour will be looking to jumpstart their seasons, including Will Zalatoris.

Those bitching about the ‘elite’ receiving such massive purses need to shut up and play well so that one day they’ll be among the elite.

--Eamon Lynch / Golfweek

“The behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman has argued that people who are committed to a theory tend to dismiss inconvenient facts, preferring to believe that the facts are wrong rather than the theory.  The Nobel laureate doesn’t want for supporting data in an era when alternative realities are constructed and vigorously defended in every sphere of daily life, and golf is providing its own book of evidence.

“A comparatively inconsequential example came this week when Scottie Scheffler was voted the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. Tin foil hatters like to hint at ballot tampering in Tour headquarters, but if there was a tipping of the scale here it probably came in the locker room. Scheffler had an outstanding season, but with twice as many victories and a major championship, Jon Rahm’s was clearly superior. Then Rahm quenched a sudden thirst to grow the game and jumped to LIV halfway through the two-week voting period in December, leaving his peers sufficient time to will into existence a more palatable reality, honoring the amiable Texan rather than giving the Spaniard a going-away gift.

“Across town, LIV’s social media foot soldiers remain alert for opportunities to legitimize their folly.  Rory McIlroy’s conciliatory comments about players who went to the Saudi-funded league were seized upon by knuckle-draggers as tantamount to an endorsement after years of scorn.  McIlroy is conflict-averse and disarming by nature (traits not shared by all of his countrymen) and this wasn’t the first time he has lamented friendships that fractured in the past couple of years.  His praise of Rahm’s ‘smart business move’ was brandished as his blessing LIV when it was more of an inadvertent illustration of how elite stars see this issue – as a straightforward, yay-or-nay commercial opportunity – compared to the existentially threatened rank-and-file on the tours they are undermining for personal enrichment….

“Untroubled by this contest, Greg Norman promptly thanked McIlroy for “falling on his sword,” albeit not in the manner that Jamal Khashoggi fell on the sword of the flaxen-haired finger puppet’s employer.  To Norman, McIlroy’s placatory words represented proof that he has seen through the propaganda, that LIV’s ‘future of the game’ narrative is credible, that Norman isn’t helming a flailing exercise in sportswashing.

“Facts be damned on that too.  Regardless of what Norman and his band of bootlickers tell themselves, their Saudi overlords didn’t earn a spot at the negotiating table by dint of popular opinion or product quality, but by threats and profligacy.  Several billion dollars later, the Public Investment Fund still can’t boast a league that engages fans or sponsors, as evidenced by viewership too paltry to report and revenue barely sufficient to cover Patrick Reed’s legal bills.  All PIF has demonstrated is the ability to sabotage rivals by using LIV as a mechanism for taking willing, well-compensated hostages until the other tours are ready to negotiate terms.

“Reliance on theories over facts isn’t limited to the LIV ecosystem but rather is increasingly apparent on the PGA tour too.  There appears to be a growing sentiment among members that the Tour landed in its current predicament because its leadership was short-sighted and flat-footed, too arrogant to engage the Saudis at the outset and too complacent to meet the challenge posed.  There’s more than a kernel of truth in those charges, but the notion that the Tour ought to have quickly embraced the Saudis is specious….

“There’s ample blame to go around for the current debacle in professional golf, but it’s not being evenly assigned.  The Tour’s capitulation on June 6 provides convenient cover for those committed to the theory that matters could have been settled sensibly long ago if only leaders had actually led.  Monahan and his team deserve criticism but it’s a useful fiction to pretend that responsibility ends there.  The most inconvenient fact remains this: the PGA Tour is humbling itself before an abhorrent regime because of the disloyalty and greed of its own players.  No amount of self-serving theories will change that.”

--Tiger Woods is leaving Nike after 27 years, a move that was expected.

“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods wrote in a statement on X that included a photo of him and Nike founder Phil Knight.

“The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.  Phil Knight’s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I have had the pleasure of working with him along the way.  People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in L.A.” [Tiger meaning he plans to tee it up next at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational.]

Woods last signed a 10-year, $200 million contract with Nike in 2013 and is estimated to have been paid $500 million overall by the sneaker giant.

“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,” Nike said in a statement via ESPN.  “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us.  And most of all, yourself.  And for that challenge we’re grateful.”

Nike never abandoned Tiger, when others did during his various travails. 

MLB

--The Dodgers keep getting better, signing outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to a one-year, $23.5 million deal, Hernandez deferring $8.5 million of the money, a la Shohei Ohtani.

Hernandez slammed 26 home runs and drove in 93 for Seattle last season.  Prior to that, in the four ‘full’ seasons he had 22+ homers for Toronto.  Just another big power bat in an already formidable lineup.

--In College Baseball, Wake Forest made it to the College World Series last season and sold 500 season tickets.

For this season, there have already been more than 1,600 season tickets sold at an average of $150 for general admission ($175 for a reserved seat).  That will take care of some transportation costs.  That’s also good entertainment value, even if you just go to 10-20 of the 34 scheduled contests.

Stuff

--The great Franz Beckenbauer died. He was 78.  Beckenbauer won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany’s most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm.

The former Bayern Munich great, who became affectionately known as the “Kaiser” – or “Emperor” – had struggled with health problems in recent years.

Beckenbauer was one of German soccer’s central figures.  As a player, he reimagined the defender’s role in soccer and captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974 after it had lost to England in the 1966 final.  He was the coach when West Germany won the tournament again in 1990, a symbolic moment for a country in the midst of reunification, months after the Berlin Wall fell.

“The ‘Kaiser’ was one of the best players our sport has ever seen,” German soccer federation president Bernd Neuendorf said.  “With his lightness, his elegance and his vision, he set standards on the field.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on social media that Beckenbauer “inspired generations of enthusiasm for German soccer.  We will miss him.”

Beckenbauer’s death comes just two days after the announcement that Mario Zagallo, the Brazilian who became the first person to win the World Cup as a player and coach, died at the age of 92.  The only other person to achieve that feat is France’s Didier Deschamps.

--A first-of-its-kind cougar count has concluded that there are between 3,200 and 4,500 mountain lions in California, much lower than previously estimated – roughly 6,000 from a California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimate of decades ago.

The new census was conducted over seven years by state and university scientists, using GPS collar data and collecting genetic information from big-cat scat to model population densities in habitats across the state.

The coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino counties of Northwest California have the most mountain lions.

The problem is that California’s sprawling freeway network cuts off the big cats from being able to roam new areas and dissects the land into enclosed bits.  Many of the cougars then get killed by drivers.

Mountain lions as a species are not endangered, but experts say in Southern California, “vehicle strikes, rat poison, inbreeding, wildfires, poaching, urban encroachment and freeway systems are all contributing to what scientists call an ‘extinction vortex.’”  [Louis Sahagun / LA Times]

Next Bar Chat, Sunday p.m. 

-----

[Posted Sunday p.m., prior to late football games and golf finish…Add-on up top by noon, Tuesday…the playoff lineup…]

Detroit Lions Quiz: 1) Name the eight to have thrown for 10,000 yards in a Lions uniform.  2) Barry Sanders is the career rushing leader for Detroit at 15,269 yards.  Name the only other two backs with 5,000.  Answers below.

NFL

--Thirteen of the 16 games this weekend have playoff implications, but plenty of big names, including quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford and Joe Flacco are sitting out with their teams’ having locked in their playoff position.

--One of those who had locked up a playoff spot, a bye in the first round, was Baltimore (13-4), who took on Pittsburgh Saturday, the Steelers needing a ‘W’ to stay alive, and that they did, 17-10, as Lamar Jackson’s backup, Tyler Huntley, was no Lamar Jackson, while QB Mason Rudolph has now won three straight, 18/20, 152, 115.0, including a 71-yard TD pass to Diontae Johnson on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Najee Harris chipped in with 112 yards rushing on 26 carries and a touchdown for Pittsburgh, which finishes the regular season 10-7.

So the Steelers need either Jacksonville or Buffalo to lose to make the playoffs, but if they do make it, they will likely be without T.J. Watt, who had two sacks in the game to give him the NFL lead with 19, but then suffered a knee injury in the third quarter.

--Saturday night, we had a win-and-in matchup between Houston and Indianapolis in Indy, and the Texans completed their miracle season 10-7, clinching a playoff berth, 23-19, as C.J. Stroud was once again superb, 20/26, 264, 2-0, 134.1, Nico Collins catching nine for 195 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception from Stroud in the first quarter.

But the Colts had fourth-and-1 at the Houston 15, trailing 23-17 with less than a minute to go, when Indy took out Jonathan Taylor, who had rumbled for 188 yards on the ground, and called a pass to reserve running back Tyler Goodson.  Gardner Minshew’s throw was a little behind Goodson, but catchable, and Goodson couldn’t haul it in.  He was in tears afterwards.

Houston yielded a safety with 1 second left and the game ended 23-19.  Season over for Indianapolis.

Colts coach Shane Steichen defended the play-call after the game.

“Felt good about Goodson in that situation,” Steichen said.

Minshew was classy, saying, “I wish I’d put a better ball on him.”

But Houston survives to play next weekend.

--Before I talk about Jacksonville at Tennessee, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, a top NFL insider, had a story on Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“When the Jaguars won the Tank for Trevor sweepstakes three years ago, earning the right to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, it was easy to assume that by January of 2024 he would be poised to join the ranks of the wealthiest players in the NFL.

“In fact, many in the game viewed it as an unspoken rider in his rookie contract: Barring significant injury, a generational talent would be primed to spend the early part of 2024 chilling on a beach while his agents and the Jaguars hashed out a record contract once the window to do so opened.  However, with three regular seasons nearly complete – including two in Coach Doug Pederson’s very real NFL operation and not the atrocity that was Urban Meyer’s grim 2021 season coaching in Jacksonville – things are considerably murkier.  Lawrence had one pronounced stretch of superb play late last season, when he looked the part of franchise-changing savior, and several longer stretches in which his production has been frankly mundane.”

Has Lawrence shown enough “to warrant the type of massive second deal that generally results from a first-pick quarterback meeting his potential”?

“ ‘It’s easy for me to say, but that’s  no for me,’ said one NFL general manager, when asked whether he would extend Lawrence this year.  [He spoke on the condition of anonymity, prohibited by NFL rules from speaking on the contract status of players not on his roster.]  ‘I need to see another year from him.  He’s not the same guy he was a year ago.’”

Lawrence has a career passer rating of just 85.1, with 56 touchdown passes to 37 interceptions.  “This season he ranks 13th in completion percentage, 13th in yards per attempt, 17th in passing touchdowns and 19th in PR (89.1).”

So then in Sunday’s game in Nashville, the Jags just needing to beat the 5-11 Titans, Trevor Lawrence didn’t get it done.  Clearly, his injured shoulder was a factor, but that’s then on Doug Pederson for not subbing C.J. Beathard, who is more than capable.

It was 28-20 Tennessee, the Jags had it 4th-and-goal at the one-yard-line, and Lawrence lunged for the touchdown, but was stopped.  Jacksonville then had a shot to stuff the Titans for a safety, or get the ball back inside the 50, but the Jags immediately committed a stupid encroachment penalty, giving the Titans room, they got a few first downs, Jacksonville did get the ball back, and Lawrence came up small.

Both the Steelers and the Bills are thus in…Buffalo still playing for the AFC East title, and seeding, tonight in Miami.

--Tampa Bay was win-and-in for the NFC South title and they beat the 2-15 Panthers, 9-0, in what had to be one of the worst games of the season, the Bucs outgaining Carolina 228-199.  Eegads.

Baker Mayfield and Co. eliminated New Orleans and Atlanta for the division crown, those two playing in the Big Easy at the same time.  Mayfield was 20 of 32, but for only 137 yards.

But…New Orleans finishes 9-8, 48-17 winners over Atlanta (7-10), and if Green Bay loses to the Bears, and Seattle loses to the Cardinals, New Orleans still makes it. 

Derek Carr was 22/28, 264, 4-0, 145.5 for the Saints; former Wake Forest star A.T. Perry with two of the touchdown receptions, so he finishes his rookie season with just 12 catches, but for four touchdowns.  Not a bad percentage.  He no doubt has a job somewhere next season.

--The Jets played their last game up in New England, quarterback Zach Wilson remaining in concussion protocol, more than two weeks after he played through dizziness in the first half of a blowout loss at Miami.  Wilson has no doubt played his final game as a Jet.  But any good fan should be concerned for his long-term health.  He was totally beat up that day.

Meanwhile, what will Patriots owner Bob Kraft do with coach Bill Belichick?  He came into the game 29-38 (including playoffs) since Tom Brady left and hasn’t won a playoff game in five years.  After finishing 8-9 in 2022, Kraft apologized to fans and pledged that things would get better.  They didn’t.  Everyone seems to think The Hoodie is gone.

As for the game, it was fun watching from a warm home the snowy mess in Foxborough.  As Fox announcer Chris Myers said in the second half, “There are some folks in the desert who thought there would be 30 points in this game,” alluding to the over/under all week being at 30-30.5.  It actually closed to 28.5 at game time due to the forecast.

And if you had the ‘over,’ you were wrong!  Final score: Jets 17, Pats 3.

The Jets finally break a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots.  Breece Hall with a rather spectacular performance, given the conditions, 37 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown for New York.  Hall finishing just short of 1,000 yards at 994.

--The Jets and running back Dalvin Cook “mutually agreed to part ways” so he could try to find a spot with a playoff team

Cook had signed a one-year deal in the offseason and then the Jets never used him…Cook with 214 yards rushing and 15 receptions for 87.  He had rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his previous four season, including a career-high 1,557 yards in 2020.

So, Cook is now a Raven.  Good for him.  The guy didn’t bitch to the media after his lack of PT, and it’s a good gamble for Baltimore.

--The NFL fined Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for what it called “unacceptable conduct” during last Sunday’s game at Jacksonville.

A video posted to social media showed Tepper throwing a drink in the direction of fans in the stands in front of his suite at the Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium.

“All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL,” the league said in a statement Tuesday in which it announced the fine. It previously said it was aware of the video.

“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday,” Tepper said. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose.  I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.”

--San Francisco had nine selections to the NFL Pro Bowl, including Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Nick Bosa.  The Ravens and Cowboys tied for second-most with seven.

The quarterbacks for the AFC are Tua, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes.  For the NFC, Purdy, Dak Prescott, and Matthew Stafford.

Travis Kelce and Cleveland’s David Njoku are the tight ends for the AFC.

The Jets had DT Quinnen Williams and CB Sauce Gardner selected. The Giants only DT Dexter Lawrence.

Wake Forest’s Jesse Bates (Atlanta) made the NFC team at free safety.

--Aaron Rodgers can really be a bore, and I’m reminded of the Nancy Armour / USA TODAY piece I quoted in this space a few weeks ago…how Rodgers these days just craves attention of any kind.

And so this week late-night host Jimmy Kimmel threatened the Jets quarterback with legal action after Rodgers alleged on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Kimmel’s name would be included in the forthcoming Jeffrey Epstein files. Kimmel’s name has not been part of the files then released Wednesday through Friday.  The two have feuded before.

--We note the passing of former Browns quarterback Frank Ryan, 87.  His son told Cleveland.com that his father had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Ryan spent seven of his 12 NFL seasons with Cleveland, leading them to an NFL title in 1964 (the Browns’ last championship).  He earned a doctorate in mathematics from Rice University six months after that magical season.

This NFL title would be the city of Cleveland’s last championship until the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals in 2016.  [The Indians/Guardians haven’t won a World Series since 1948.]

Ryan had Jim Brown and Ernie Green in the backfield, and receivers Paul Warfield and Gary Collins; the latter two catching 17 of his 25 touchdown passes in ‘64.  Jim Brown rushed for 1,446 yards and a 5.2 average.

The Browns won the title game, 27-0, against Johnny Unitas and the Colts, with Ryan throwing three touchdown passes, all to Collins.  Brown ran for 114 yards.

Ryan had a sterling 52-22-2 record as a starter in Cleveland, throwing for 134 touchdowns and 13,361 yards.  He also spent years with the Rams and finished up his career in Washington. 

Growing up, Frank Ryan’s football card was a good one to have.  RIP.

--And former Green Bay center Ken Bowman died at the age of 81.  Bowman helped the Packers win Super Bowls I and II, but is best remembered for helping execute the “31 Wedge” block that sent Packers quarterback Bart Starr across the goal line with 13 seconds left in a 21-17 comeback win over Dallas in the NFL championship game in ’67…the “Ice Bowl.”

Bowman’s teammate, Jerry Kramer, often gets most of the credit for blocking Cowboys star Jethro Pugh out of the way and into the end zone, but it was a double team between him and Bowman.

Bowman played with Green Bay from 1964-73, having been drafted out of Wisconsin.  He was inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1981.

College Football

All about Washington and Michigan.  Just play the game, Monday night.  Could be a classic.

Reminder…the AP Preseason Top Ten….

1. Georgia
2. Michigan*
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama*
5. LSU
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Florida State
9. Clemson
10. Washington*

11. Texas*

*CFP entrants…not a bad forecast, back in August.

--Ohio State picked up transfer quarterback Will Howard, who had a solid career at Kansas State. He has one season of eligibility left.  He was reported to also have taken trips to Miami and Southern Cal.  Good move for the Buckeyes.

--Clemson running back Will Shipley is foregoing his remaining eligibility and will head to the 2024 NFL Draft.  Shipley is the No. 2 running back behind Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson according to CBS Sports.

Shipley played well in Clemson’s finale, a 38-35 win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, but he suffered an injury late.

He’s a terrific all-purpose back, who finished his college career with 2,748 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing, to go with more than 600 yards receiving, and he’s a big-time kick returner.

As for the injury to his right knee, which looked very scary at the time, an MRI revealed no structural damage and he doesn’t require surgery, so this shouldn’t impede his chances of being selected as one of the top 3 or 4 running backs, though no RB is expected to go in the first round.

But this is a huge loss for Clemson, which was looking forward to a backfield of Shipley and Phil Mafah for one more season.  Mafah, who led Clemson in rushing this fall has yet to make a decision on his future.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been hesitant to use the transfer portal in the past and he didn’t sign a running back in the 2024 recruiting class.  Only one rusher, Domonique Thomas, rushed for more than 100 yards that is currently on the roster with Mafah.

--Quarterback Malachi Nelson, who was the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class, announced Saturday he is going to Boise State, with four years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson had originally committed to Oklahoma, but when Lincoln Riley went to USC, Nelson followed.

However, last season he was sitting behind Caleb Williams and Miller Moss and threw just three passes.

Great opportunity for him now, with Boise State almost certain to hand him the keys.

--Johnny Mac reminded me that No. 17 Iowa, which lost in the Citrus Bowl to 12 Tennessee, 35-0, didn’t score a single point in all three games against ranked opponents, falling to Penn State 31-0 and Michigan 26-0.

College Basketball

--As the basketball schedule the rest of the way is virtually all conference related, few out of conference games remaining, it’s interesting that the ACC is 9-12 against top-25, non-conference opponents, while the Big 12 is 5-12, the SEC 4-19, Big Ten 9-13, the Pac-12 6-11, and Big East 7-11.

Little nuggets like this can help ACC bubble teams come March.

--Wednesday, Seton Hall (9-5) picked up a big road win at 23 Providence (11-3), 61-57.

Miami (11-2) beat 16 Clemson (11-2), 95-82.

--Friday, No. 1 Purdue moved to 14-1 with an 83-78 win over 9 Illinois (11-3).

--Lots of action Saturday….

No. 2 Kansas (13-1) survived a scare, 83-81 over TCU (11-3) in Lawrence, Hunter Dickinson with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

5 Tennessee (11-3) handed 22 Ole Miss its first loss (13-1), 90-74 in Knoxville.

6 Kentucky (11-2) had a nice road win, 87-85 at Florida (10-4).

8 North Carolina (11-3, 3-0) beat 16 Clemson (11-3, 1-2) on the road, 65-55.  I questioned the Tar Heels ranking the other day, but now it’s deserved, having also beaten a solid Pitt team on the road this week.

Cincinnati (12-2) upset 12 BYU (12-2) on the road, 71-60.

13 Colorado State (13-2) fell to Utah State (14-1) 77-72.

17 Florida Atlantic (11-4) suffered a terrible loss at Charlotte (7-7), 70-68.  As in how can FAU beat Arizona, but lose to Charlotte, Bryant and Florida Gulf Coast?

19 James Madison (14-1) was finally exposed, suffering its first loss at Southern Miss (8-7), 81-71.

--The Big East is going to be nuts this season and will be must-watch TV for hoops fans, especially in the Northeast.

Seton Hall is 10-5, 3-1, after a dramatic 78-75 win over 7 Marquette (11-4, 2-2), Saturday.

I was watching this one and it was 66-66 late, when the Pirates went on a 10-0 run to make it 76-66, game over, until it wasn’t.  Seton Hall then committed like four straight turnovers, awful plays, to allow Marquette back into it before the Golden Eagles fell short.

So the Pirates have beaten No. 7 Marquette, beat UConn by 15, and 23 Providence earlier in the week…three ranked teams, but fell, inexplicably, to a poor Xavier team by 20.  It’s going to be that kind of season.

Providence lost to Creighton, 69-60, both teams now 11-4, 2-2.

St. John’s is 11-4, 3-1, its best start since the 2010-11 season behind Rick Pitino, following an 81-71 win over Villanova (10-5, 3-1) on the road.  It was the Johnnies first win on the Villanova campus since 1993!

Thru Saturday, the Big East looks like this….

UConn 3-1
Seton Hall 3-1
St. John’s 3-1
Villanova 3-1
Marquette 2-2
Creighton 2-2
Providence 2-2

--And then there is my Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are now 11-3, 3-0 in the ACC, after a stirring win yesterday against Miami (11-3, 2-1) in Winston-Salem, 86-82 in overtime.  Recall, the Hurricanes have been to back-to-back Elite Eights.

The Deacs quickly fell behind in this one, 11-4, as Miami, with the best offense in the ACC, came out blazing, but Wake quickly came back and it was a nailbiter late in regulation, the Deacs surviving to get it into OT.

At which point Miami scored the first five points, I was depressed, but Wake showed its resilience and got clutch 3-pointers from Boopie Miller (a career-high 27 points) and Hunter Sallis (two late clutch buckets despite a 7-for-21 overall shooting effort).

Tuesday, the Deacs got the needed big road win at Boston College, 84-78, as Andrew Carr provided the dagger, a late 3-pointer, his only bucket of the game.

I told you a week ago, if we beat B.C., we’re for real, and Saturday then solidified it.  We will finally be getting some AP poll votes this week.  Well-deserved, nine in a row for Coach Forbes and Co.

It’s Wake, North Carolina, and N.C. State atop the ACC at 3-0.

--One more of local interest.  Rutgers’ season is already on the brink.  After an 86-77 road loss at Iowa (9-6, 1-3), the Scarlet Knights are 8-6, 0-3, and the future does not look good.

At least this season.  They do still have two of the top three recruits, in all the land, coming in next fall.

--In women’s basketball, Grambling State beat the College of Biblical Studies 159-18.  The 141-point win represents the largest margin of victory by a Division I women’s basketball team in history.

I think the CBS squad needs to spend a little less time on their studies…but that’s just me.

NBA

--The Knicks were 3-0 with OG Anunoby in the lineup following a stupendous 128-92 blowout of the 76ers (23-11) in Philly Friday night.

New York led by double digits for the final 30 minutes, and then a fourth-quarter onslaught included a 26-5 run.

More impressive, Julius Randle, who had been playing superbly, was just 1-for-11 from the field, 8 points.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 29, but it was the Knicks’ bench that was spectacular.  With the trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, more playing time has opened up for guards Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes and the two combined for 34 points, 8-of-15 from three, while Josh Hart was fantastic…10 points, 15 rebounds and six assists off the bench.

Wednesday, the Knicks (20-15) beat the Bulls, 116-100, as center Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks, one of just four Knicks in team history with a 10-20-5 game.

As for Anunoby, he doesn’t score much, but his presence is felt on defense, and he doesn’t need the ball (like Barrett and Quickley did).  Randle and Brunson already demand the ball and Anunoby knows this.  That’s why he’s a perfect complement for this team.  He knows his role. 

Well, last night, the Knicks had to play again, but this time it was against the lowly Wizards (6-29) in Washington, and New York is now 4-0 with OG, 121-105, Julius Randle rebounding to pour in 39 points, Brunson 32.  Isaiah Hartenstein had 19 rebounds.

So the Knicks are 21-15, fans feeling very positive for the future.

--Wednesday, Tyrese Haliburton recorded a game with 10+ assists and zero turnovers, specifically 31 points, 12 assists, 0 turnovers in a 142-130 win over the Bucks.  It was his sixth such game this season in his first 30 games, when the season record is nine by Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta, 1993-94.  [Wake fans, Muggsy Bogues is next with eight, and two seasons of seven.]

Friday, the Pacers walloped the Hawks 150-116, Haliburton with 10 points, 18 assists and two turnovers in just 25 minutes!  18 assists in 25 minutes.

But Saturday, Tyrese proved he’s human, Indiana (20-15) falling at home to the Celtics (28-7), 118-101, Haliburton with 17 points, 7 assists, and four turnovers.

--The Warriors, struggling at 17-18, lost guard Chris Paul for weeks, after he fractured his left hand Friday night in Golden State’s 113-109 win over the Pistons.  He’ll require surgery.

Paul had started the past four games but has also guided the reserves so far this season, averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

MLB

--The Mets signed outfielder Harrison Bader for one year, $10.5 million.  IF he can slough off his injury issues, he’s a Gold Glove outfielder with some pop.  We’ll see.

But then late Saturday they agreed to terms with lefty starter Sean Manaea, two years, $28 million, with an opt-out after 2024.

Manaea is 65-56, 4.10 ERA for his career…a serviceable pitcher who turns 32 on Feb. 1st.  But he’s strictly a 5-6 inning hurler.  In 2021, he led the league with 32 starts for Oakland but only threw 179 1/3 innings.

That said, I’ll take it.  The Mets on paper now have a starting rotation of Kodai Sengai, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Adrian Houser and Manaea.  Not great, but the last three are offseason acquisitions.  It also gives us more depth with experienced starters in Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson and Tylor Megill in reserve.  And the team has hinted it’s not finished.

--The Giants acquired 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from the Mariners for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclefani.

The Mariners also acquired outfielder Luke Raley from Tampa Bay for infielder Jose Caballero.

Ray made one start last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, so he should be ready early in the season for San Francisco.

Haniger hit 39 home runs and drove in 100 in 2021 for Seattle, but fell off sharply in 2022 and then signed as a free agent with the Giants and sucked last year.  So now he returns to Seattle.

Raley hit 19 home runs in 357 at-bats for the Rays last season, his first with regular playing time.

Caballero may help fill the gap in the infield with Wander Franco’s issues.

--Speaking of which, I’m tired of the Franco story, but for the record, the Tampa Bay star was freed from custody by a Dominican court Friday as details emerged about an investigation in which he is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paying her mother thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors had sought to keep Franco in custody, but after a closed-door hearing, Franco was released and allowed to leave the country.  He must, instead, present himself periodically to the court.

Golf Balls

--As we entered the first week of the new PGA Tour season with The Sentry at beautiful Kapalua, Hawaii, the Associated Press’s longtime golf writer, Doug Ferguson, reflected on the year ahead.

“Seven hours before the year ended, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan told players in a memo that there was no deal yet, only progress. Slow play strikes again.

“So the new year has the feel of the old one, except on Thursday. The Sentry has ditched the second part of its title name – Tournament of Champions – because the winners-only field now includes anyone who finished in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup.

“The only player missing is Rory McIlroy – and (Jon) Rahm, who has been suspended.

“What to expect for 2024?  Here are questions to contemplate: The Saudi Deal: Whatever defines progress was slowed by Commissioner Monahan taking a month away to cope with exhaustion, congressional inquiries and private equity groups wanting a piece of the title action.  The PGA Tour settled on Strategic Sports Group, and Monahan suggested a deal with SSG was farther along than anything with the Public Investment Fund

“Monahan also mentioned SSG, PIF and the European tour as minority co-investors.  Golf Digest reported any agreement ideally would be completed by The Players Championship in March. There is no hard deadline, and it turns out Dec. 31 was just a date on a piece of paper.

“Regardless of valuations and contributions by ‘minority co-investors,’ the biggest question is the future of LIV Golf and how and when – or if – the best players will be competing against each other outside the majors.

“Finding a fair way to integrate is one thing.  Rewarding the players who remained loyal to the tours would seem to be far more complicated. Who’s Next To Leave?:  Still to be confirmed whether Rahm gets his own LIV team, and there are still moving parts among the 12 existing teams.  Either way, the year starts high on speculation about who will be the next to defect to LIV. Brooks Koepka leaving in 2022 and Rahm leaving in December should make it clear that no departure should be a surprise.  Everyone has a number.  Who will be the next Adam Schenk?:  Schenk has never finished higher than No. 71 in the FedEx Cup in his five years on the PGA Tour.  He had played in only two majors.  He started the season at No. 176 in the world.

“That adage about playing better? That applies to Schenk.

“He was runner-up twice, including a playoff loss at Colonial. He played his way into three majors. He not only qualified for the Tour Championship, he was in contention going into the second round at East Lake.

“He finished the year just short of $5 million, more than his previous five seasons combined. He is in all the signature events this year, along with all the majors.

“For players who are not in the signature events, who feel as though there is now a separate tour for the elite, they should use Schenk as inspiration.  That could be them….

“Who makes it to Paris for the Olympics?  The toughest squad to make in golf is the U.S. Olympic team, even if it’s not a team event. Only four players from the top 15 in the world can go to Paris for the Summer Olympics.  Going into the year, eight Americans are among the top 15.”

--Rory McIlroy said on a podcast that he’s been too judgmental of players who have gone to LIV Golf and that the controversial league has “exposed the PGA Tour’s flaws.”

McIlroy told the “Stick to Football” podcast that he’s never received an offer from LIV Golf and that “I wouldn’t say that I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now.”

“I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of what golf has, because we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play,” he said.  “But I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is that you’re asking for millions of dollars to sponsor these events, and you’re not able to guarantee to the sponsors that the players are going to show up.  I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long.”

Part of the selling point of LIV Golf and its first iteration, the Premier Golf League, was to bring the top players together and guarantee the fields. That is also what the signature events on the PGA Tour are attempting to do.

But McIlroy laments the divided game that has been the result to this point with the sides working on an agreement that has yet to be finalized.

“It’s created a massive upheaval in professional golf which is sad to see,” McIlroy said.  “Some people have taken one side and some people have taken another, and golf is a small enough sport, it’s not like football where you’ve got billions of fans, so if you start dividing the eyeballs in professional golf, it’s not good for anyone.”

He added that Saudi Arabia is spending enormous sums of money in all sports and that “it put the PGA Tour in a position where they had to spend a lot of money that put them on a path that was unsustainable and now you’re seeing some sponsors are pulling out because the Tour is asking for so much money and the sponsors can’t afford it – they’re asking sponsors to pay $20-$25 million to sponsor an event but they’re not seeing the value in it as they can’t guarantee the top 50 guys will be playing, so they won’t give them the money.”

See Wells Fargo’s decision to step away from the Charlotte tournament after 2024.

While Rory doesn’t have an issue with anyone who has made the move to LIV, it’s bothersome to hear some of the negativity after they’ve left.

“I don’t begrudge anyone for going and taking the money and doing something different, but don’t try to burn the place down on your way out,” he said.  “That is my attitude towards it because some people are happy playing in the existing structure and that’s totally fine, too. But I think it’s just created this division that will hopefully stop soon because I think it’s the best thing for golf too.”

As for Rahm, Rory called his decision “a smart business move” and “I think he sees that things will come back together and he’s in a lucky position.”

As for the golf at Kapalua, going into the final round….

Chris Kirk -21
Akshay Bhatia -20
Xander Schauffele -19
Jordan Spieth -19
Byeong An -19

And Scottie Scheffler and Jason Day among the group at -18

Stuff

--Rafael Nadal’s comeback has come to a halt already.  The 37-year-old legend has withdrawn from the Australian Open after suffering a new muscle injury to his surgically repaired hip.

Nadal had just returned at the Brisbane International for his first tournament in a year.

--Not a great weekend for Mikaela Shiffrin in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia (where she has had problems before).  Shiffrin, suffering from a bad cold all week, finished ninth in the giant slalom on Saturday, and then failed to complete her first run of the slalom today.  After skiing out, she congratulated friend and rival, Petra Vlhova, who won the event, win No. 31 in her sterling career.

But America still had cause to celebrate.  Shiffrin’s teammate AJ Hurt earned her first career World Cup podium by finishing third in the slalom.

--This weekend saw FA Cup action in English football, perhaps the coolest competition in sports, and in a third-round battle of heavyweights, Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0.

Arsenal holds the record at 14 FA Cup titles.

--ESPN used its exclusive negotiating window to reach an eight-year, $920-million deal with the NCAA on Thursday, an arrangement that extends a relationship that began when ESPN was launched in 1979 and has proved lucrative for both parties since.

The new contract – worth $115 million a year – proves that even in a fragmented media landscape, content is king and college sports is a significant draw, with a growing audience on cable and through streaming.

A lot of the money is going towards promoting women’s basketball.  College baseball and softball will also be an increasing focus.

For the College Football Playoffs, ESPN will have to renew the rights, with the current deal ending in two years.

--TV star David Soul died at the age of 80.

The actor was best known for his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on the series “Starsky & Hutch.” 

The buddy cop drama aired from 1975 to 1979 alongside Paul Michael Glaser as David Michael Starsky.

Soul dabbled in the music business and recorded the #1 Billboard hit “Don’t Give Up on Us” in 1976 (topping the charts early ’77).  Kind of spooky, but that tune popped into my head and was on my internal play list days before his passing.  And now I can’t freakin’ get rid of it!  Geezuz.

Soul suffered from a number of health issues throughout his life, such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

--A fisherman survived treading water for 23 hours off the coast of New Zealand after falling off his boat, and was rescued after being spotted due to the reflection from his wristwatch.

Will Fransen was pulled overboard without a life jacket on Jan. 2 while attempting to reel in a marlin in waters off the country’s North Island.

He survived by treading water, while being briefly circled by a shark, before he used his watch to attract the attention of a passing boat.

Fransen incredibly suffered little more than wind burn and stiff joints from the ordeal.

Top 3 songs for the week 1/7/67: #1 “I’m A Believer” (The Monkees)  #2 “Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron” (The Royal Guardsmen)  #3 “Tell It Like It Is” (Aaron Neville)…and…#4 “Winchester Cathedral” (The New Vaudeville Band)  #5 “Sugar Town” (Nancy Sinatra)  #6 “That’s Life” (Frank Sinatra)  #7 “Good Thing” (Paul Revere & The Raiders)  #8 “Words Of Love” (The Mamas & The Papas)  #9 “Standing In The Shadows Of Love” (Four Top) #10 “Mellow Yellow” (Donovan…B+ week…)

Detroit Lions Quiz Answer: 1) Quarterbacks with 10,000 yards passing in Detroit….

Matthew Stafford, 45,109
Bobby Layne, 15,710 (1950-58)
Scott Mitchell, 12,647 (1994-98)
Greg Landry, 12,451 (1968-78)…he was fun to watch
Jared Goff, 11,938 (2021-23)
Gary Danielson, 11,885 (1976-84)
Eric Hipple, 10,711 (1980-89)
Joey Harrington, 10,242 (2002-05)

2) Only two to rush for 5,000 yards in a Lions uniform aside from Barry Sanders are Billy Sims, 5,106 (1980-84), and Dexter Bussey, 5,105 (1976-84).

Add-on up top, noon, Tuesday.

 



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01/08/2024

NFL Playoff Chaos...College Basketball Review...

Add-on posted early Tuesday morning.

College Football…the National Championship

And now we wait to see what NFL job Jim Harbaugh takes, after he led top-ranked Michigan to a dominating 34-13 win over 2 Washington (14-1) in Houston.  It is the Wolverines’ first national championship since 1997 and caps an eventful season that included a sign-stealing scandal and two suspensions for the head coach.

Michigan, who finished a perfect 15-0 season, totally dominated up front on both sides of the ball, applying endless pressure on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Penix, the Heisman runner-up, was 27/51, 255, 1-2, and aside from being pressured throughout, he just wasn’t sharp.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s running game would have made Bo Schembechler proud, 38 carries for 303 yards, an 8.0 average.

Donovan Edwards, who was not his usual self during the regular season, ripped off first-quarter touchdowns of 41- and 46-yards, Edwards with 104 yards on just six carries.

In the second half, it was Blake Corum, who carried it 21 times for 134 yards and two fourth-quarter TDs to nail it, after Washington had closed to 20-13 midway through the third quarter.

The Huskies had only 46 yards on the ground in 20 carries.

Harbaugh and Co. very deserving champs, if not particularly popular ones.

So it’s the end of an era, end of the Pac-12, college football changed forever, as next season we go to a 12-team playoff.

NFL Playoff Schedule

Saturday

5 Cleveland at 4 Houston, 4:30, NBC
6 Miami at 3 Kansas City, 8:00, Peacock…it is going to be bitterly cold in K.C.

Sunday

7 Pittsburgh at 2 Buffalo, 1:00, CBS…cold and perhaps some snow showers
7 Green Bay at 2 Dallas, 4:30, FOX
6 Los Angeles at 3 Detroit, 8:00, NBC

Monday

5 Philadelphia at 4 Tampa Bay, 8:15, ESPN

--Mike McCarthy faces his former team with the Packers-Cowboys game.  Matthew Stafford goes home to Detroit for the first time…fascinating.

And Philadelphia, inexplicably losers of five of six, is limping into Tampa Bay.  Jalen Hurts has an injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand so we’ll see how it impacts him.  It’s not broken.  Receiver A.J. Brown suffered a knee injury, but as I go to post, it does not appear to be serious.  That said, no idea on his status as yet.  Rookie DB Sydney Brown suffered a torn ACL.

Browns-Texans is a terrific game on paper.

--As for Peacock, it’s on NBC only if you are in Miami or Kansas City.  I keep wanting to get rid of my Peacock subscription, but then something comes up I need to see.

--Meanwhile, the Bills pulled out the AFC East crown and a home contest, while Miami has to go out to Kansas City and the cold weather, though the likes of Tyreek Hill are used to it.

Buffalo and Josh Allen rallied to beat the Dolphins 21-14 with two fourth quarter touchdowns in Miami, one a 96-yard punt return from Deonte Harty, and then Allen completed a 5-yard TD pass to Dawson Knox.

Allen completed 30 of 38 for 359 yards, while rushing for 67, but he did throw two interceptions.

--Green Bay captured a wild card berth in beating Chicago, 17-9, as once again, quarterback Jordan Love was outstanding, 27/32, 316, 2-0, 128.6.  Love now has 18 touchdown passes and one interception in his last eight games.

The Packers are also helped by veteran running Aaron Jones being back in top form, 22 carries for 111 yards, his third straight 100-yard game.

--The Giants handed the Eagles another defeat in Philadelphia, 27-10, New York finishing the season 6-11.

There was debate on local sports radio Monday morning as to whether or not this was a successful season, in some respects, for the Giants, who started out 2-10 and at least went 4-3 the rest of the way.

Coach Brian Daboll held the team together, and they played hard for him down the stretch, but they are missing a ton of pieces before they can think of making a run for a Super Bowl.  And they have to decide whether to draft a quarterback (they should) with the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft.

It’s another offseason where they also have to decide what to do with running back Saquon Barkley.  The soon-to-be 27-year-old completed his sixth season with the Giants, rushing for 962 yards, 3.9 average, in 14 games.  He plays hard, he’s popular, he certainly didn’t have a great supporting cast around him.

But the team is not going to give him a long-term deal, and the issue is whether to franchise tag him again, which could happen.  We’ll see.  I’m not sure Saquon can get a big 3-year deal somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Black Monday in New York was about the Giants jettisoning some assistant coaches, including the special teams coordinator, offensive line coach, linebacker coach, and then…defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale.

Officially, it seems Martindale ‘resigned,’ but he has been feuding with Daboll (so reports have had it) during the season.

--Atlanta started early by firing head coach Arthur Smith Sunday night, not waiting for Black Monday.  Actually, it might have been 12:02 a.m.  Smith was 21-30, 7-10 this season…three consecutive 7-10s.

Ron Rivera was then fired in Washington after going 26-40-1 with the Commanders, 4-13 in his last campaign.

All eyes up in New England to see what happens with Bill Belichick.

And in Vegas, did Antonio Pierce do enough, going 5-4 as interim coach, to get the job full-time?

--Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua broke the all-time rookie receiving records on Sunday, finishing the year with 105 catches and 1,486 yards.

As a further example of just how many good receivers there are in college football, Nacua was just a fifth round out of BYU.

--NFL Draft Order….

1. Chicago (from CAR)
2. Washington
3. New England
4. Arizona
5. L.A. Chargers
6. N.Y. Giants
7. Tennessee
8. Atlanta
9. Chicago
10. N.Y. Jets…take Bo Nix!  [Of course the Jets won’t, but look how successful they’ve been doing their own thing…the longest non-playoff streak in the Big Four sports.]

College Basketball

--New AP Poll (records thru Sun.)

1. Purdue (54) 14-1
2. Houston (7) 14-0…only remaining undefeated team
3. Kansas (2) 13-1
4. UConn 13-2
5. Tennessee 11-3
6. Kentucky 11-2
7. North Carolina 11-3
8. Arizona 12-3
9. Oklahoma 13-1
10. Illinois 11-3
T-11. Marquette 11-4
T-11. Duke 11-3
13. Memphis 13-2
14. Baylor 12-2
15. Wisconsin 11-3
16. Auburn 12-2
17. Colorado State 13-2
18. BYU 12-2
19. San Diego State 13-2
20. Utah State 14-1…first time ranked since 2019-20
21. Clemson 11-3
22. Creighton 11-4
23. Gonzaga 11-4
24. Florida Atlantic 11-4…down 7, down 17 in two weeks
25. Texas 11-3

Wake Forest would be No. 32 if you carry out the votes, Seton Hall 34, St. John’s 37.

How good has Kelvin Sampson’s Houston program been?  Three years ago they went to the Final Four.  Two years ago the Elite Eight.  And last season Sweet Sixteen.

NBA

--Tyrese Haliburton was carted off the floor in Monday night’s game against the Celtics when he slipped while trying to drive the lane.  It was said after to be a left hamstring strain.  Indiana (21-15) beat Boston (28-8) 133-131.

--Ja Morant is out for the season, already, suffering a subluxation (dislocation) of his right shoulder “during a training session” on Saturday, the team announcing Monday night it would require surgery.  An MRI revealed an underlying labral tear.

Morant played in just nine games after returning from a league suspension.

But I’m wondering how this happened.  “Here, Ja.  Let’s move your arm into a position that is abnormal and let me know when it hurts….”  “It hurts, you freakin’ jerk!”

Golf Balls

--I watched the finish of The Sentry at Kapalua after posting Sunday and Chris Kirk picked up his sixth career win on the PGA Tour, a very solid career, taking it by one shot over Sahith Theegala, and Jordan Spieth solo third, an encouraging start to the season for him.

This was a signature event, with a signature pot of $20 million, of which Kirk took home $3.6 million.  Theegala $2,160,000, Spieth $1,360,000.

Those finishing 10th, in this case Jason Day and Xander Schauffele, each received $530,000.

Next week is a full-field event, the Sony Open at Waialae in Honolulu, so the rest of the tour will be looking to jumpstart their seasons, including Will Zalatoris.

Those bitching about the ‘elite’ receiving such massive purses need to shut up and play well so that one day they’ll be among the elite.

--Eamon Lynch / Golfweek

“The behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman has argued that people who are committed to a theory tend to dismiss inconvenient facts, preferring to believe that the facts are wrong rather than the theory.  The Nobel laureate doesn’t want for supporting data in an era when alternative realities are constructed and vigorously defended in every sphere of daily life, and golf is providing its own book of evidence.

“A comparatively inconsequential example came this week when Scottie Scheffler was voted the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year. Tin foil hatters like to hint at ballot tampering in Tour headquarters, but if there was a tipping of the scale here it probably came in the locker room. Scheffler had an outstanding season, but with twice as many victories and a major championship, Jon Rahm’s was clearly superior. Then Rahm quenched a sudden thirst to grow the game and jumped to LIV halfway through the two-week voting period in December, leaving his peers sufficient time to will into existence a more palatable reality, honoring the amiable Texan rather than giving the Spaniard a going-away gift.

“Across town, LIV’s social media foot soldiers remain alert for opportunities to legitimize their folly.  Rory McIlroy’s conciliatory comments about players who went to the Saudi-funded league were seized upon by knuckle-draggers as tantamount to an endorsement after years of scorn.  McIlroy is conflict-averse and disarming by nature (traits not shared by all of his countrymen) and this wasn’t the first time he has lamented friendships that fractured in the past couple of years.  His praise of Rahm’s ‘smart business move’ was brandished as his blessing LIV when it was more of an inadvertent illustration of how elite stars see this issue – as a straightforward, yay-or-nay commercial opportunity – compared to the existentially threatened rank-and-file on the tours they are undermining for personal enrichment….

“Untroubled by this contest, Greg Norman promptly thanked McIlroy for “falling on his sword,” albeit not in the manner that Jamal Khashoggi fell on the sword of the flaxen-haired finger puppet’s employer.  To Norman, McIlroy’s placatory words represented proof that he has seen through the propaganda, that LIV’s ‘future of the game’ narrative is credible, that Norman isn’t helming a flailing exercise in sportswashing.

“Facts be damned on that too.  Regardless of what Norman and his band of bootlickers tell themselves, their Saudi overlords didn’t earn a spot at the negotiating table by dint of popular opinion or product quality, but by threats and profligacy.  Several billion dollars later, the Public Investment Fund still can’t boast a league that engages fans or sponsors, as evidenced by viewership too paltry to report and revenue barely sufficient to cover Patrick Reed’s legal bills.  All PIF has demonstrated is the ability to sabotage rivals by using LIV as a mechanism for taking willing, well-compensated hostages until the other tours are ready to negotiate terms.

“Reliance on theories over facts isn’t limited to the LIV ecosystem but rather is increasingly apparent on the PGA tour too.  There appears to be a growing sentiment among members that the Tour landed in its current predicament because its leadership was short-sighted and flat-footed, too arrogant to engage the Saudis at the outset and too complacent to meet the challenge posed.  There’s more than a kernel of truth in those charges, but the notion that the Tour ought to have quickly embraced the Saudis is specious….

“There’s ample blame to go around for the current debacle in professional golf, but it’s not being evenly assigned.  The Tour’s capitulation on June 6 provides convenient cover for those committed to the theory that matters could have been settled sensibly long ago if only leaders had actually led.  Monahan and his team deserve criticism but it’s a useful fiction to pretend that responsibility ends there.  The most inconvenient fact remains this: the PGA Tour is humbling itself before an abhorrent regime because of the disloyalty and greed of its own players.  No amount of self-serving theories will change that.”

--Tiger Woods is leaving Nike after 27 years, a move that was expected.

“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods wrote in a statement on X that included a photo of him and Nike founder Phil Knight.

“The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.  Phil Knight’s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I have had the pleasure of working with him along the way.  People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in L.A.” [Tiger meaning he plans to tee it up next at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational.]

Woods last signed a 10-year, $200 million contract with Nike in 2013 and is estimated to have been paid $500 million overall by the sneaker giant.

“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,” Nike said in a statement via ESPN.  “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us.  And most of all, yourself.  And for that challenge we’re grateful.”

Nike never abandoned Tiger, when others did during his various travails. 

MLB

--The Dodgers keep getting better, signing outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to a one-year, $23.5 million deal, Hernandez deferring $8.5 million of the money, a la Shohei Ohtani.

Hernandez slammed 26 home runs and drove in 93 for Seattle last season.  Prior to that, in the four ‘full’ seasons he had 22+ homers for Toronto.  Just another big power bat in an already formidable lineup.

--In College Baseball, Wake Forest made it to the College World Series last season and sold 500 season tickets.

For this season, there have already been more than 1,600 season tickets sold at an average of $150 for general admission ($175 for a reserved seat).  That will take care of some transportation costs.  That’s also good entertainment value, even if you just go to 10-20 of the 34 scheduled contests.

Stuff

--The great Franz Beckenbauer died. He was 78.  Beckenbauer won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany’s most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm.

The former Bayern Munich great, who became affectionately known as the “Kaiser” – or “Emperor” – had struggled with health problems in recent years.

Beckenbauer was one of German soccer’s central figures.  As a player, he reimagined the defender’s role in soccer and captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974 after it had lost to England in the 1966 final.  He was the coach when West Germany won the tournament again in 1990, a symbolic moment for a country in the midst of reunification, months after the Berlin Wall fell.

“The ‘Kaiser’ was one of the best players our sport has ever seen,” German soccer federation president Bernd Neuendorf said.  “With his lightness, his elegance and his vision, he set standards on the field.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on social media that Beckenbauer “inspired generations of enthusiasm for German soccer.  We will miss him.”

Beckenbauer’s death comes just two days after the announcement that Mario Zagallo, the Brazilian who became the first person to win the World Cup as a player and coach, died at the age of 92.  The only other person to achieve that feat is France’s Didier Deschamps.

--A first-of-its-kind cougar count has concluded that there are between 3,200 and 4,500 mountain lions in California, much lower than previously estimated – roughly 6,000 from a California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimate of decades ago.

The new census was conducted over seven years by state and university scientists, using GPS collar data and collecting genetic information from big-cat scat to model population densities in habitats across the state.

The coastal forests of Humboldt and Mendocino counties of Northwest California have the most mountain lions.

The problem is that California’s sprawling freeway network cuts off the big cats from being able to roam new areas and dissects the land into enclosed bits.  Many of the cougars then get killed by drivers.

Mountain lions as a species are not endangered, but experts say in Southern California, “vehicle strikes, rat poison, inbreeding, wildfires, poaching, urban encroachment and freeway systems are all contributing to what scientists call an ‘extinction vortex.’”  [Louis Sahagun / LA Times]

Next Bar Chat, Sunday p.m. 

-----

[Posted Sunday p.m., prior to late football games and golf finish…Add-on up top by noon, Tuesday…the playoff lineup…]

Detroit Lions Quiz: 1) Name the eight to have thrown for 10,000 yards in a Lions uniform.  2) Barry Sanders is the career rushing leader for Detroit at 15,269 yards.  Name the only other two backs with 5,000.  Answers below.

NFL

--Thirteen of the 16 games this weekend have playoff implications, but plenty of big names, including quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford and Joe Flacco are sitting out with their teams’ having locked in their playoff position.

--One of those who had locked up a playoff spot, a bye in the first round, was Baltimore (13-4), who took on Pittsburgh Saturday, the Steelers needing a ‘W’ to stay alive, and that they did, 17-10, as Lamar Jackson’s backup, Tyler Huntley, was no Lamar Jackson, while QB Mason Rudolph has now won three straight, 18/20, 152, 115.0, including a 71-yard TD pass to Diontae Johnson on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Najee Harris chipped in with 112 yards rushing on 26 carries and a touchdown for Pittsburgh, which finishes the regular season 10-7.

So the Steelers need either Jacksonville or Buffalo to lose to make the playoffs, but if they do make it, they will likely be without T.J. Watt, who had two sacks in the game to give him the NFL lead with 19, but then suffered a knee injury in the third quarter.

--Saturday night, we had a win-and-in matchup between Houston and Indianapolis in Indy, and the Texans completed their miracle season 10-7, clinching a playoff berth, 23-19, as C.J. Stroud was once again superb, 20/26, 264, 2-0, 134.1, Nico Collins catching nine for 195 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception from Stroud in the first quarter.

But the Colts had fourth-and-1 at the Houston 15, trailing 23-17 with less than a minute to go, when Indy took out Jonathan Taylor, who had rumbled for 188 yards on the ground, and called a pass to reserve running back Tyler Goodson.  Gardner Minshew’s throw was a little behind Goodson, but catchable, and Goodson couldn’t haul it in.  He was in tears afterwards.

Houston yielded a safety with 1 second left and the game ended 23-19.  Season over for Indianapolis.

Colts coach Shane Steichen defended the play-call after the game.

“Felt good about Goodson in that situation,” Steichen said.

Minshew was classy, saying, “I wish I’d put a better ball on him.”

But Houston survives to play next weekend.

--Before I talk about Jacksonville at Tennessee, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, a top NFL insider, had a story on Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“When the Jaguars won the Tank for Trevor sweepstakes three years ago, earning the right to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, it was easy to assume that by January of 2024 he would be poised to join the ranks of the wealthiest players in the NFL.

“In fact, many in the game viewed it as an unspoken rider in his rookie contract: Barring significant injury, a generational talent would be primed to spend the early part of 2024 chilling on a beach while his agents and the Jaguars hashed out a record contract once the window to do so opened.  However, with three regular seasons nearly complete – including two in Coach Doug Pederson’s very real NFL operation and not the atrocity that was Urban Meyer’s grim 2021 season coaching in Jacksonville – things are considerably murkier.  Lawrence had one pronounced stretch of superb play late last season, when he looked the part of franchise-changing savior, and several longer stretches in which his production has been frankly mundane.”

Has Lawrence shown enough “to warrant the type of massive second deal that generally results from a first-pick quarterback meeting his potential”?

“ ‘It’s easy for me to say, but that’s  no for me,’ said one NFL general manager, when asked whether he would extend Lawrence this year.  [He spoke on the condition of anonymity, prohibited by NFL rules from speaking on the contract status of players not on his roster.]  ‘I need to see another year from him.  He’s not the same guy he was a year ago.’”

Lawrence has a career passer rating of just 85.1, with 56 touchdown passes to 37 interceptions.  “This season he ranks 13th in completion percentage, 13th in yards per attempt, 17th in passing touchdowns and 19th in PR (89.1).”

So then in Sunday’s game in Nashville, the Jags just needing to beat the 5-11 Titans, Trevor Lawrence didn’t get it done.  Clearly, his injured shoulder was a factor, but that’s then on Doug Pederson for not subbing C.J. Beathard, who is more than capable.

It was 28-20 Tennessee, the Jags had it 4th-and-goal at the one-yard-line, and Lawrence lunged for the touchdown, but was stopped.  Jacksonville then had a shot to stuff the Titans for a safety, or get the ball back inside the 50, but the Jags immediately committed a stupid encroachment penalty, giving the Titans room, they got a few first downs, Jacksonville did get the ball back, and Lawrence came up small.

Both the Steelers and the Bills are thus in…Buffalo still playing for the AFC East title, and seeding, tonight in Miami.

--Tampa Bay was win-and-in for the NFC South title and they beat the 2-15 Panthers, 9-0, in what had to be one of the worst games of the season, the Bucs outgaining Carolina 228-199.  Eegads.

Baker Mayfield and Co. eliminated New Orleans and Atlanta for the division crown, those two playing in the Big Easy at the same time.  Mayfield was 20 of 32, but for only 137 yards.

But…New Orleans finishes 9-8, 48-17 winners over Atlanta (7-10), and if Green Bay loses to the Bears, and Seattle loses to the Cardinals, New Orleans still makes it. 

Derek Carr was 22/28, 264, 4-0, 145.5 for the Saints; former Wake Forest star A.T. Perry with two of the touchdown receptions, so he finishes his rookie season with just 12 catches, but for four touchdowns.  Not a bad percentage.  He no doubt has a job somewhere next season.

--The Jets played their last game up in New England, quarterback Zach Wilson remaining in concussion protocol, more than two weeks after he played through dizziness in the first half of a blowout loss at Miami.  Wilson has no doubt played his final game as a Jet.  But any good fan should be concerned for his long-term health.  He was totally beat up that day.

Meanwhile, what will Patriots owner Bob Kraft do with coach Bill Belichick?  He came into the game 29-38 (including playoffs) since Tom Brady left and hasn’t won a playoff game in five years.  After finishing 8-9 in 2022, Kraft apologized to fans and pledged that things would get better.  They didn’t.  Everyone seems to think The Hoodie is gone.

As for the game, it was fun watching from a warm home the snowy mess in Foxborough.  As Fox announcer Chris Myers said in the second half, “There are some folks in the desert who thought there would be 30 points in this game,” alluding to the over/under all week being at 30-30.5.  It actually closed to 28.5 at game time due to the forecast.

And if you had the ‘over,’ you were wrong!  Final score: Jets 17, Pats 3.

The Jets finally break a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots.  Breece Hall with a rather spectacular performance, given the conditions, 37 carries for 178 yards and a touchdown for New York.  Hall finishing just short of 1,000 yards at 994.

--The Jets and running back Dalvin Cook “mutually agreed to part ways” so he could try to find a spot with a playoff team

Cook had signed a one-year deal in the offseason and then the Jets never used him…Cook with 214 yards rushing and 15 receptions for 87.  He had rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his previous four season, including a career-high 1,557 yards in 2020.

So, Cook is now a Raven.  Good for him.  The guy didn’t bitch to the media after his lack of PT, and it’s a good gamble for Baltimore.

--The NFL fined Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for what it called “unacceptable conduct” during last Sunday’s game at Jacksonville.

A video posted to social media showed Tepper throwing a drink in the direction of fans in the stands in front of his suite at the Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium.

“All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways that respect our fans and favorably reflect on their team and the NFL,” the league said in a statement Tuesday in which it announced the fine. It previously said it was aware of the video.

“I am deeply passionate about this team and regret my behavior on Sunday,” Tepper said. “I should have let NFL stadium security handle any issues that arose.  I respect the NFL’s code of conduct and accept the League’s discipline for my behavior.”

--San Francisco had nine selections to the NFL Pro Bowl, including Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Nick Bosa.  The Ravens and Cowboys tied for second-most with seven.

The quarterbacks for the AFC are Tua, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes.  For the NFC, Purdy, Dak Prescott, and Matthew Stafford.

Travis Kelce and Cleveland’s David Njoku are the tight ends for the AFC.

The Jets had DT Quinnen Williams and CB Sauce Gardner selected. The Giants only DT Dexter Lawrence.

Wake Forest’s Jesse Bates (Atlanta) made the NFC team at free safety.

--Aaron Rodgers can really be a bore, and I’m reminded of the Nancy Armour / USA TODAY piece I quoted in this space a few weeks ago…how Rodgers these days just craves attention of any kind.

And so this week late-night host Jimmy Kimmel threatened the Jets quarterback with legal action after Rodgers alleged on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Kimmel’s name would be included in the forthcoming Jeffrey Epstein files. Kimmel’s name has not been part of the files then released Wednesday through Friday.  The two have feuded before.

--We note the passing of former Browns quarterback Frank Ryan, 87.  His son told Cleveland.com that his father had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Ryan spent seven of his 12 NFL seasons with Cleveland, leading them to an NFL title in 1964 (the Browns’ last championship).  He earned a doctorate in mathematics from Rice University six months after that magical season.

This NFL title would be the city of Cleveland’s last championship until the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals in 2016.  [The Indians/Guardians haven’t won a World Series since 1948.]

Ryan had Jim Brown and Ernie Green in the backfield, and receivers Paul Warfield and Gary Collins; the latter two catching 17 of his 25 touchdown passes in ‘64.  Jim Brown rushed for 1,446 yards and a 5.2 average.

The Browns won the title game, 27-0, against Johnny Unitas and the Colts, with Ryan throwing three touchdown passes, all to Collins.  Brown ran for 114 yards.

Ryan had a sterling 52-22-2 record as a starter in Cleveland, throwing for 134 touchdowns and 13,361 yards.  He also spent years with the Rams and finished up his career in Washington. 

Growing up, Frank Ryan’s football card was a good one to have.  RIP.

--And former Green Bay center Ken Bowman died at the age of 81.  Bowman helped the Packers win Super Bowls I and II, but is best remembered for helping execute the “31 Wedge” block that sent Packers quarterback Bart Starr across the goal line with 13 seconds left in a 21-17 comeback win over Dallas in the NFL championship game in ’67…the “Ice Bowl.”

Bowman’s teammate, Jerry Kramer, often gets most of the credit for blocking Cowboys star Jethro Pugh out of the way and into the end zone, but it was a double team between him and Bowman.

Bowman played with Green Bay from 1964-73, having been drafted out of Wisconsin.  He was inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 1981.

College Football

All about Washington and Michigan.  Just play the game, Monday night.  Could be a classic.

Reminder…the AP Preseason Top Ten….

1. Georgia
2. Michigan*
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama*
5. LSU
6. USC
7. Penn State
8. Florida State
9. Clemson
10. Washington*

11. Texas*

*CFP entrants…not a bad forecast, back in August.

--Ohio State picked up transfer quarterback Will Howard, who had a solid career at Kansas State. He has one season of eligibility left.  He was reported to also have taken trips to Miami and Southern Cal.  Good move for the Buckeyes.

--Clemson running back Will Shipley is foregoing his remaining eligibility and will head to the 2024 NFL Draft.  Shipley is the No. 2 running back behind Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson according to CBS Sports.

Shipley played well in Clemson’s finale, a 38-35 win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl, but he suffered an injury late.

He’s a terrific all-purpose back, who finished his college career with 2,748 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing, to go with more than 600 yards receiving, and he’s a big-time kick returner.

As for the injury to his right knee, which looked very scary at the time, an MRI revealed no structural damage and he doesn’t require surgery, so this shouldn’t impede his chances of being selected as one of the top 3 or 4 running backs, though no RB is expected to go in the first round.

But this is a huge loss for Clemson, which was looking forward to a backfield of Shipley and Phil Mafah for one more season.  Mafah, who led Clemson in rushing this fall has yet to make a decision on his future.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been hesitant to use the transfer portal in the past and he didn’t sign a running back in the 2024 recruiting class.  Only one rusher, Domonique Thomas, rushed for more than 100 yards that is currently on the roster with Mafah.

--Quarterback Malachi Nelson, who was the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class, announced Saturday he is going to Boise State, with four years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson had originally committed to Oklahoma, but when Lincoln Riley went to USC, Nelson followed.

However, last season he was sitting behind Caleb Williams and Miller Moss and threw just three passes.

Great opportunity for him now, with Boise State almost certain to hand him the keys.

--Johnny Mac reminded me that No. 17 Iowa, which lost in the Citrus Bowl to 12 Tennessee, 35-0, didn’t score a single point in all three games against ranked opponents, falling to Penn State 31-0 and Michigan 26-0.

College Basketball

--As the basketball schedule the rest of the way is virtually all conference related, few out of conference games remaining, it’s interesting that the ACC is 9-12 against top-25, non-conference opponents, while the Big 12 is 5-12, the SEC 4-19, Big Ten 9-13, the Pac-12 6-11, and Big East 7-11.

Little nuggets like this can help ACC bubble teams come March.

--Wednesday, Seton Hall (9-5) picked up a big road win at 23 Providence (11-3), 61-57.

Miami (11-2) beat 16 Clemson (11-2), 95-82.

--Friday, No. 1 Purdue moved to 14-1 with an 83-78 win over 9 Illinois (11-3).

--Lots of action Saturday….

No. 2 Kansas (13-1) survived a scare, 83-81 over TCU (11-3) in Lawrence, Hunter Dickinson with 30 points and 11 rebounds.

5 Tennessee (11-3) handed 22 Ole Miss its first loss (13-1), 90-74 in Knoxville.

6 Kentucky (11-2) had a nice road win, 87-85 at Florida (10-4).

8 North Carolina (11-3, 3-0) beat 16 Clemson (11-3, 1-2) on the road, 65-55.  I questioned the Tar Heels ranking the other day, but now it’s deserved, having also beaten a solid Pitt team on the road this week.

Cincinnati (12-2) upset 12 BYU (12-2) on the road, 71-60.

13 Colorado State (13-2) fell to Utah State (14-1) 77-72.

17 Florida Atlantic (11-4) suffered a terrible loss at Charlotte (7-7), 70-68.  As in how can FAU beat Arizona, but lose to Charlotte, Bryant and Florida Gulf Coast?

19 James Madison (14-1) was finally exposed, suffering its first loss at Southern Miss (8-7), 81-71.

--The Big East is going to be nuts this season and will be must-watch TV for hoops fans, especially in the Northeast.

Seton Hall is 10-5, 3-1, after a dramatic 78-75 win over 7 Marquette (11-4, 2-2), Saturday.

I was watching this one and it was 66-66 late, when the Pirates went on a 10-0 run to make it 76-66, game over, until it wasn’t.  Seton Hall then committed like four straight turnovers, awful plays, to allow Marquette back into it before the Golden Eagles fell short.

So the Pirates have beaten No. 7 Marquette, beat UConn by 15, and 23 Providence earlier in the week…three ranked teams, but fell, inexplicably, to a poor Xavier team by 20.  It’s going to be that kind of season.

Providence lost to Creighton, 69-60, both teams now 11-4, 2-2.

St. John’s is 11-4, 3-1, its best start since the 2010-11 season behind Rick Pitino, following an 81-71 win over Villanova (10-5, 3-1) on the road.  It was the Johnnies first win on the Villanova campus since 1993!

Thru Saturday, the Big East looks like this….

UConn 3-1
Seton Hall 3-1
St. John’s 3-1
Villanova 3-1
Marquette 2-2
Creighton 2-2
Providence 2-2

--And then there is my Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are now 11-3, 3-0 in the ACC, after a stirring win yesterday against Miami (11-3, 2-1) in Winston-Salem, 86-82 in overtime.  Recall, the Hurricanes have been to back-to-back Elite Eights.

The Deacs quickly fell behind in this one, 11-4, as Miami, with the best offense in the ACC, came out blazing, but Wake quickly came back and it was a nailbiter late in regulation, the Deacs surviving to get it into OT.

At which point Miami scored the first five points, I was depressed, but Wake showed its resilience and got clutch 3-pointers from Boopie Miller (a career-high 27 points) and Hunter Sallis (two late clutch buckets despite a 7-for-21 overall shooting effort).

Tuesday, the Deacs got the needed big road win at Boston College, 84-78, as Andrew Carr provided the dagger, a late 3-pointer, his only bucket of the game.

I told you a week ago, if we beat B.C., we’re for real, and Saturday then solidified it.  We will finally be getting some AP poll votes this week.  Well-deserved, nine in a row for Coach Forbes and Co.

It’s Wake, North Carolina, and N.C. State atop the ACC at 3-0.

--One more of local interest.  Rutgers’ season is already on the brink.  After an 86-77 road loss at Iowa (9-6, 1-3), the Scarlet Knights are 8-6, 0-3, and the future does not look good.

At least this season.  They do still have two of the top three recruits, in all the land, coming in next fall.

--In women’s basketball, Grambling State beat the College of Biblical Studies 159-18.  The 141-point win represents the largest margin of victory by a Division I women’s basketball team in history.

I think the CBS squad needs to spend a little less time on their studies…but that’s just me.

NBA

--The Knicks were 3-0 with OG Anunoby in the lineup following a stupendous 128-92 blowout of the 76ers (23-11) in Philly Friday night.

New York led by double digits for the final 30 minutes, and then a fourth-quarter onslaught included a 26-5 run.

More impressive, Julius Randle, who had been playing superbly, was just 1-for-11 from the field, 8 points.

Jalen Brunson led the way with 29, but it was the Knicks’ bench that was spectacular.  With the trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, more playing time has opened up for guards Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes and the two combined for 34 points, 8-of-15 from three, while Josh Hart was fantastic…10 points, 15 rebounds and six assists off the bench.

Wednesday, the Knicks (20-15) beat the Bulls, 116-100, as center Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks, one of just four Knicks in team history with a 10-20-5 game.

As for Anunoby, he doesn’t score much, but his presence is felt on defense, and he doesn’t need the ball (like Barrett and Quickley did).  Randle and Brunson already demand the ball and Anunoby knows this.  That’s why he’s a perfect complement for this team.  He knows his role. 

Well, last night, the Knicks had to play again, but this time it was against the lowly Wizards (6-29) in Washington, and New York is now 4-0 with OG, 121-105, Julius Randle rebounding to pour in 39 points, Brunson 32.  Isaiah Hartenstein had 19 rebounds.

So the Knicks are 21-15, fans feeling very positive for the future.

--Wednesday, Tyrese Haliburton recorded a game with 10+ assists and zero turnovers, specifically 31 points, 12 assists, 0 turnovers in a 142-130 win over the Bucks.  It was his sixth such game this season in his first 30 games, when the season record is nine by Mookie Blaylock, Atlanta, 1993-94.  [Wake fans, Muggsy Bogues is next with eight, and two seasons of seven.]

Friday, the Pacers walloped the Hawks 150-116, Haliburton with 10 points, 18 assists and two turnovers in just 25 minutes!  18 assists in 25 minutes.

But Saturday, Tyrese proved he’s human, Indiana (20-15) falling at home to the Celtics (28-7), 118-101, Haliburton with 17 points, 7 assists, and four turnovers.

--The Warriors, struggling at 17-18, lost guard Chris Paul for weeks, after he fractured his left hand Friday night in Golden State’s 113-109 win over the Pistons.  He’ll require surgery.

Paul had started the past four games but has also guided the reserves so far this season, averaging 9.0 points, 7.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

MLB

--The Mets signed outfielder Harrison Bader for one year, $10.5 million.  IF he can slough off his injury issues, he’s a Gold Glove outfielder with some pop.  We’ll see.

But then late Saturday they agreed to terms with lefty starter Sean Manaea, two years, $28 million, with an opt-out after 2024.

Manaea is 65-56, 4.10 ERA for his career…a serviceable pitcher who turns 32 on Feb. 1st.  But he’s strictly a 5-6 inning hurler.  In 2021, he led the league with 32 starts for Oakland but only threw 179 1/3 innings.

That said, I’ll take it.  The Mets on paper now have a starting rotation of Kodai Sengai, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, Adrian Houser and Manaea.  Not great, but the last three are offseason acquisitions.  It also gives us more depth with experienced starters in Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson and Tylor Megill in reserve.  And the team has hinted it’s not finished.

--The Giants acquired 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from the Mariners for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclefani.

The Mariners also acquired outfielder Luke Raley from Tampa Bay for infielder Jose Caballero.

Ray made one start last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, so he should be ready early in the season for San Francisco.

Haniger hit 39 home runs and drove in 100 in 2021 for Seattle, but fell off sharply in 2022 and then signed as a free agent with the Giants and sucked last year.  So now he returns to Seattle.

Raley hit 19 home runs in 357 at-bats for the Rays last season, his first with regular playing time.

Caballero may help fill the gap in the infield with Wander Franco’s issues.

--Speaking of which, I’m tired of the Franco story, but for the record, the Tampa Bay star was freed from custody by a Dominican court Friday as details emerged about an investigation in which he is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paying her mother thousands of dollars.

Prosecutors had sought to keep Franco in custody, but after a closed-door hearing, Franco was released and allowed to leave the country.  He must, instead, present himself periodically to the court.

Golf Balls

--As we entered the first week of the new PGA Tour season with The Sentry at beautiful Kapalua, Hawaii, the Associated Press’s longtime golf writer, Doug Ferguson, reflected on the year ahead.

“Seven hours before the year ended, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan told players in a memo that there was no deal yet, only progress. Slow play strikes again.

“So the new year has the feel of the old one, except on Thursday. The Sentry has ditched the second part of its title name – Tournament of Champions – because the winners-only field now includes anyone who finished in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup.

“The only player missing is Rory McIlroy – and (Jon) Rahm, who has been suspended.

“What to expect for 2024?  Here are questions to contemplate: The Saudi Deal: Whatever defines progress was slowed by Commissioner Monahan taking a month away to cope with exhaustion, congressional inquiries and private equity groups wanting a piece of the title action.  The PGA Tour settled on Strategic Sports Group, and Monahan suggested a deal with SSG was farther along than anything with the Public Investment Fund

“Monahan also mentioned SSG, PIF and the European tour as minority co-investors.  Golf Digest reported any agreement ideally would be completed by The Players Championship in March. There is no hard deadline, and it turns out Dec. 31 was just a date on a piece of paper.

“Regardless of valuations and contributions by ‘minority co-investors,’ the biggest question is the future of LIV Golf and how and when – or if – the best players will be competing against each other outside the majors.

“Finding a fair way to integrate is one thing.  Rewarding the players who remained loyal to the tours would seem to be far more complicated. Who’s Next To Leave?:  Still to be confirmed whether Rahm gets his own LIV team, and there are still moving parts among the 12 existing teams.  Either way, the year starts high on speculation about who will be the next to defect to LIV. Brooks Koepka leaving in 2022 and Rahm leaving in December should make it clear that no departure should be a surprise.  Everyone has a number.  Who will be the next Adam Schenk?:  Schenk has never finished higher than No. 71 in the FedEx Cup in his five years on the PGA Tour.  He had played in only two majors.  He started the season at No. 176 in the world.

“That adage about playing better? That applies to Schenk.

“He was runner-up twice, including a playoff loss at Colonial. He played his way into three majors. He not only qualified for the Tour Championship, he was in contention going into the second round at East Lake.

“He finished the year just short of $5 million, more than his previous five seasons combined. He is in all the signature events this year, along with all the majors.

“For players who are not in the signature events, who feel as though there is now a separate tour for the elite, they should use Schenk as inspiration.  That could be them….

“Who makes it to Paris for the Olympics?  The toughest squad to make in golf is the U.S. Olympic team, even if it’s not a team event. Only four players from the top 15 in the world can go to Paris for the Summer Olympics.  Going into the year, eight Americans are among the top 15.”

--Rory McIlroy said on a podcast that he’s been too judgmental of players who have gone to LIV Golf and that the controversial league has “exposed the PGA Tour’s flaws.”

McIlroy told the “Stick to Football” podcast that he’s never received an offer from LIV Golf and that “I wouldn’t say that I’ve lost the fight against LIV, but I’ve just accepted the fact that this is part of our sport now.”

“I think what LIV has done, it’s exposed the flaws in the system of what golf has, because we’re all supposed to be independent contractors and we can pick and choose what tournaments we want to play,” he said.  “But I think what LIV and the Saudis have exposed is that you’re asking for millions of dollars to sponsor these events, and you’re not able to guarantee to the sponsors that the players are going to show up.  I can’t believe the PGA Tour has done so well for so long.”

Part of the selling point of LIV Golf and its first iteration, the Premier Golf League, was to bring the top players together and guarantee the fields. That is also what the signature events on the PGA Tour are attempting to do.

But McIlroy laments the divided game that has been the result to this point with the sides working on an agreement that has yet to be finalized.

“It’s created a massive upheaval in professional golf which is sad to see,” McIlroy said.  “Some people have taken one side and some people have taken another, and golf is a small enough sport, it’s not like football where you’ve got billions of fans, so if you start dividing the eyeballs in professional golf, it’s not good for anyone.”

He added that Saudi Arabia is spending enormous sums of money in all sports and that “it put the PGA Tour in a position where they had to spend a lot of money that put them on a path that was unsustainable and now you’re seeing some sponsors are pulling out because the Tour is asking for so much money and the sponsors can’t afford it – they’re asking sponsors to pay $20-$25 million to sponsor an event but they’re not seeing the value in it as they can’t guarantee the top 50 guys will be playing, so they won’t give them the money.”

See Wells Fargo’s decision to step away from the Charlotte tournament after 2024.

While Rory doesn’t have an issue with anyone who has made the move to LIV, it’s bothersome to hear some of the negativity after they’ve left.

“I don’t begrudge anyone for going and taking the money and doing something different, but don’t try to burn the place down on your way out,” he said.  “That is my attitude towards it because some people are happy playing in the existing structure and that’s totally fine, too. But I think it’s just created this division that will hopefully stop soon because I think it’s the best thing for golf too.”

As for Rahm, Rory called his decision “a smart business move” and “I think he sees that things will come back together and he’s in a lucky position.”

As for the golf at Kapalua, going into the final round….

Chris Kirk -21
Akshay Bhatia -20
Xander Schauffele -19
Jordan Spieth -19
Byeong An -19

And Scottie Scheffler and Jason Day among the group at -18

Stuff

--Rafael Nadal’s comeback has come to a halt already.  The 37-year-old legend has withdrawn from the Australian Open after suffering a new muscle injury to his surgically repaired hip.

Nadal had just returned at the Brisbane International for his first tournament in a year.

--Not a great weekend for Mikaela Shiffrin in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia (where she has had problems before).  Shiffrin, suffering from a bad cold all week, finished ninth in the giant slalom on Saturday, and then failed to complete her first run of the slalom today.  After skiing out, she congratulated friend and rival, Petra Vlhova, who won the event, win No. 31 in her sterling career.

But America still had cause to celebrate.  Shiffrin’s teammate AJ Hurt earned her first career World Cup podium by finishing third in the slalom.

--This weekend saw FA Cup action in English football, perhaps the coolest competition in sports, and in a third-round battle of heavyweights, Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0.

Arsenal holds the record at 14 FA Cup titles.

--ESPN used its exclusive negotiating window to reach an eight-year, $920-million deal with the NCAA on Thursday, an arrangement that extends a relationship that began when ESPN was launched in 1979 and has proved lucrative for both parties since.

The new contract – worth $115 million a year – proves that even in a fragmented media landscape, content is king and college sports is a significant draw, with a growing audience on cable and through streaming.

A lot of the money is going towards promoting women’s basketball.  College baseball and softball will also be an increasing focus.

For the College Football Playoffs, ESPN will have to renew the rights, with the current deal ending in two years.

--TV star David Soul died at the age of 80.

The actor was best known for his role as Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson on the series “Starsky & Hutch.” 

The buddy cop drama aired from 1975 to 1979 alongside Paul Michael Glaser as David Michael Starsky.

Soul dabbled in the music business and recorded the #1 Billboard hit “Don’t Give Up on Us” in 1976 (topping the charts early ’77).  Kind of spooky, but that tune popped into my head and was on my internal play list days before his passing.  And now I can’t freakin’ get rid of it!  Geezuz.

Soul suffered from a number of health issues throughout his life, such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

--A fisherman survived treading water for 23 hours off the coast of New Zealand after falling off his boat, and was rescued after being spotted due to the reflection from his wristwatch.

Will Fransen was pulled overboard without a life jacket on Jan. 2 while attempting to reel in a marlin in waters off the country’s North Island.

He survived by treading water, while being briefly circled by a shark, before he used his watch to attract the attention of a passing boat.

Fransen incredibly suffered little more than wind burn and stiff joints from the ordeal.

Top 3 songs for the week 1/7/67: #1 “I’m A Believer” (The Monkees)  #2 “Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron” (The Royal Guardsmen)  #3 “Tell It Like It Is” (Aaron Neville)…and…#4 “Winchester Cathedral” (The New Vaudeville Band)  #5 “Sugar Town” (Nancy Sinatra)  #6 “That’s Life” (Frank Sinatra)  #7 “Good Thing” (Paul Revere & The Raiders)  #8 “Words Of Love” (The Mamas & The Papas)  #9 “Standing In The Shadows Of Love” (Four Top) #10 “Mellow Yellow” (Donovan…B+ week…)

Detroit Lions Quiz Answer: 1) Quarterbacks with 10,000 yards passing in Detroit….

Matthew Stafford, 45,109
Bobby Layne, 15,710 (1950-58)
Scott Mitchell, 12,647 (1994-98)
Greg Landry, 12,451 (1968-78)…he was fun to watch
Jared Goff, 11,938 (2021-23)
Gary Danielson, 11,885 (1976-84)
Eric Hipple, 10,711 (1980-89)
Joey Harrington, 10,242 (2002-05)

2) Only two to rush for 5,000 yards in a Lions uniform aside from Barry Sanders are Billy Sims, 5,106 (1980-84), and Dexter Bussey, 5,105 (1976-84).

Add-on up top, noon, Tuesday.