Sports News

King of the Mountain: Avs name Patrick Roy head coach

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:13:43 -0500

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Colorado Avalanche on Friday agreed in principle to name Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy the club's new head coach and vice president of hockey operations.

"This is a very exciting day for our fans and a significant moment in our organization's history," said Avalanche team president Josh Kroenke. "Patrick's passion for the game of hockey both as a player and as a coach defines who he is as a person. He is a winner and is coming back to Denver where he created numerous special moments on and off the ice while helping lead us to two Stanley Cup championships."

The 47-year-old Roy starred for the Avalanche from 1995 through 2003 and backstopped the team to a pair of Stanley Cup titles. He also won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986 and 1993.

"This is an unbelievable day for me," said Roy. "It's a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me. Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am."

After retiring following a disappointing first-round exit in the spring of 2003, Roy took a break from the game before becoming the GM, coach and co- owner of his hometown Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2005, leading the franchise to a Memorial Cup title in his first season at the helm.

Roy made his NHL debut during the 1984-85 season, then led Montreal to the Stanley Cup as a rookie the following year. He remained with the Canadiens until demanding a trade following an ugly spat with head coach Mario Tremblay.

The Avalanche acquired Roy and forward Mike Keane in exchange for Andrei Kovalenko, Martin Rucinsky and Jocelyn Thibault in a blockbuster deal in December of 1995, then went on to win their first Stanley Cup in June of '96. Colorado added a second title in 2001, when he was also named the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP for a third time. His first two Conn Smythe wins came with the Canadiens.

Roy finished his brilliant career with a record of 551-315-160 with 66 shutouts and a 2.54 goals-against average. He was a three-time Vezina Trophy winner -- all with Montreal -- and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sakic, a 2012 Hall inductee and the captain of the Avalanche championship teams, is the current Colorado executive vice president of hockey operations.

"All along, Patrick was our top candidate and we are thrilled that he has decided to accept this offer," said Sakic. "Patrick has a great hockey mind, is a tremendous coach and there is no one more passionate about this game. He will bring that winning attitude to our dressing room to help this young team grow."

The Avalanche needed a new coach after Joe Sacco was fired at the conclusion of the shortened 2013 campaign. Colorado finished with a 16-25-7 record, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Only the Florida Panthers (36) had fewer points the Colorado's 39.

Ravens sign second-round pick Brown

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:09:33 -0500

Owings Mills, MD (Sports Network) - The Baltimore Ravens signed linebacker Arthur Brown to a four-year contract on Thursday.

The Ravens selected Brown in the second round of last month's draft.

On Wednesday, Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said that Brown had sports hernia surgery earlier this month.

"It's a four-to-six week deal, and he should be fine soon enough," Harbaugh said.

The middle linebacker out of Kansas State is expected to compete for one of the two starting inside linebacker spots that opened up with the departures of Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe this offseason.

First-round safety Matt Elam and third-round defensive tackle Brandon Williams are the only ones left unsigned for the Ravens.

Cardinals sign third-round pick Mathieu

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:50:22 -0500

Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - The Arizona Cardinals signed defensive back Tyrann Mathieu to a four-year contract on Thursday.

Details of the contract were not released, but NFL.com says it's a $3.052 million deal that comes with an initial signing bonus of $265,000. The balance of the $662,500 bonus is spread over years 2-4.

The only way Mathieu doesn't get the full payment is if he's dismissed from the team for drug use.

The former LSU standout was kicked off the school's football team prior to the 2012 season due to drug-related issues, but the Cardinals selected the talented defensive back in the third round of last month's draft.

In two seasons at LSU, Mathieu had eight fumble recoveries, 11 forced fumbles, four interceptions, 133 tackles, 16 passes defensed and six sacks. He also returned 27 punts for 421 yards and two touchdowns.

As a sophomore in 2011, Mathieu started all 13 games and collected 76 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two interceptions. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, recipient of the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player and unanimous first-team All-American.

The 21-year-old Mathieu becomes the sixth member of Arizona's nine-player 2013 draft class to sign.

Tee to Green: This time, Sergio can blame only himself

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:42:51 -0500

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - A mentor once told me that at the start of his career, he stressed over his ability to generate column content on a weekly, deadline-driven basis.

He assured me, though, that his anxieties quickly quelled with experience. He found there was always a story. Every week, someone would do something worth editorializing: something great, something historic, something altogether baffling.

And, boy, was he right.

This week's case in point: the always reliable Sergio Garcia.

A repeat offender, Garcia rarely fails to disappoint when it comes to generating a divisive story. And he outdid himself Tuesday at the European Tour awards dinner when he told emcee Steve Sands that he would serve hypothetical dinner guest Tiger Woods fried chicken.

Fried chicken? Really?

Garcia went full, despicable, Fuzzy Zoeller on us. He took the distinctly unprofessional bait offered by Sands and did what Sergio does: insert adiZero directly in mouth.

To be fair, Zoeller's comments at the 1997 Masters were worse. He called Tiger "that little boy" and added the meal could include "collard greens or whatever the hell they serve." He also made the comment from a position of authority, as an established tour professional commenting on the rise of a burgeoning 21- year-old, who was about to become the first African-American golfer to win a major.

Garcia has no such authority. He's always been in Tiger's shadow.

But the parallels between Zoeller and Garcia don't end with their initial fried chicken comments. They extend to their subsequent backtracking.

Here's Zoeller's apology:

"My comments were not intended to be racially derogatory, and I apologize for the fact that they were misconstrued in that fashion."

And here's Sergio's:

"I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner."

Guess what, they're both wrong.

Both statements were undeniably racist. Sergio didn't choose fried chicken as a hypothetical meal because he assumed Tiger really enjoyed the flavor. He chose it because he doesn't like the man, wanted to take a verbal jab, and did so by calling attention to Tiger's race through an established stereotypical devise (fried chicken), using that distinction as a slight, or a lazy, unfunny joke. Either way, it was definitely racist.

The thing is, when trying to get a laugh, people frequently fall back on unoriginal stereotypes. But most do so in private, around friends. And when those same people are in public, around strangers, they keep the lazy attempts at humor to themselves. It doesn't make said people right, but it does make them pretty typical.

But Sergio's not that self-aware. He's too awkward and clumsy. This is the guy who said, "I barely remember; Alzheimer's" when asked about a poor Ryder Cup performance. He called himself a victim after the Players two weeks ago. He shouldn't be attempting jokes.

It reminds of a scene from "Seinfeld," when Tim Whatley, played by Bryan Cranston, now of "Breaking Bad" fame, converted to Judaism:

Jerry: I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Whatley. I have a suspicion that he's converted to Judaism purely for the jokes.

Priest: And this offends you as a Jewish person?

Jerry: No, it offends me as a comedian.

Sergio is no more a comedian than Whatley, or the painfully unfunny Zoeller, for that matter.

Tiger's response echoed that sentiment:

"The comment that was made wasn't silly. It was wrong, hurtful and clearly inappropriate. I'm confident that there is real regret that the remark was made. The Players ended nearly two weeks ago and it's long past time to move on and talk about golf."

Tiger's right, it is time to talk about golf. And some are arguing the best way to change the conversation is for Tiger to accept Sergio's public apology; to do what he didn't do for Zoeller and save the unfunny dolt from himself.

Publicly forgiving Garcia will certainly help put an end to this lackluster feud, but Tiger has no personal or professional obligation to do so.

After the Players, people were split over who was at fault when Tiger pulled a club and elicited a distracting crowd reaction when Garcia was about to hit a shot during the third round. Some thought Tiger was to blame for his questionable timing, others argued Sergio was using the incident as an excuse.

Now the narrative has shifted, Garcia is the antagonist and Woods the victim. Only the unwavering Tiger haters disagree. But they don't count. They are zealots.

Tiger didn't come to Zoeller's aid in 1997 and the guy got what he deserved. His reputation as the tour's likeable jokester suffered. He lost sponsorships with K-Mart and Dunlop.

So here's another fool insulting Tiger in a very similar manner. Tiger can throw him a line if he wants, but maybe we'd all be better off if he let the unfunny, slow-witted whiner sink.

CAA Football could return to divisions

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:13:40 -0500

Richmond, VA (Sports Network) - The addition of Elon University in the 2014 season creates the possibility of CAA Football returning to divisional alignment, commissioner Tom Yeager said Thursday.

Elon, which announced on Thursday it will join the CAA upon leaving the Southern Conference, will give the CAA 12 schools for football.

The CAA has undergone significant change in recent years and James Madison remains a candidate to move up to the FBS ranks.

This season, CAA Football will be one division of 11 teams.

The conference used two-divisional alignments for the 1993-98 and 2004-09 seasons.

"That's going to be the big topic of our discussions when we get to our meetings in 10 days or so. We're going to be very regionally, I'll put it that way," Yeager said.

"But we play eight conference games, which means you don't play everybody every year any how. We're going to come to a decision about what makes the most sense for everybody. And because of the costs involved, that usually (involves) playing people that are closest to you and that are of greatest interest to your fans both home and on the road."

Should the eastern seaboard conference remain 12 teams in 2014, the six northern-most schools will be Albany, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Stony Brook and Villanova, and the six southern-most schools will be Delaware, Elon, James Madison, Richmond, Towson and William & Mary.

"We're going to be creative to make the best kind of scheduling decisions for our schools," Yeager said. "It might be something that's a lot better than just dividing it right down the middle and going six and six."

In the FCS Huddle: Is the FCS watching out for itself?

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:51:57 -0500

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - You've been tuning into some of your favorite programs this month, expecting a season finale with a fun cliff- hanger.

The story line is supposed to be continued next season.

Only you realize there won't be another season. You got the message wrong, the season finale was actually a series finale.

Good night and good-bye, thanks for tuning in.

Make no mistake, conference realignment is still the worst reality show going these days, which is saying a lot when "Splash" has been an option.

There is no loyalty on this runaway train. An entire conference like the Big East has imploded before our eyes on the major college level. Is it possible an entire division - like the Football Championship Subdivision - will lose its relevance because of conference realignment?

Ten FCS programs have or will depart the FCS for the Football Bowl Subdivision within roughly a three-year period starting in 2011, with national powers Appalachian State and Georgia Southern the most notable programs that will head out the door next year.

And then there's the cannibalizing within the ranks, the latest being Elon University's announcement on Thursday that it will depart the Southern Conference for the Colonial Athletic Association in the 2014-15 school year.

You can't blame Elon, it's going to do what's best for itself. You can't blame, the CAA, either, it wants to be as a strong as possible while it loses a program and gains a program, loses a program and gains a program ...

But who says somebody has to be wrong before the individual schools and conferences take responsibility for the greater whole?

There will be 126 schools playing in the FCS this year, so the division won't be going away in the future. It's here to stay.

But who is really guarding against a watered-down product in that same future?

Yes, those were crickets chirping.

The CAA was supposed to be the FCS conference that would get picked to shreds in these tumultuous, money-grabbing times - as much for basketball as football - but it's been retooling and will get back to 12 members for football when Elon arrives on July 1, 2014.

Instead, it's the once-great Southern Conference, which used to be the shining example of FCS football, that is going to be a mere shell of itself next year with the losses of Appalachian State, Georgia Southern - and their combined nine national titles - and Elon (the College of Charleston, which is leaving this year, doesn't have a football program, while Davidson, bound for the Atlantic 10 next year, plays in the non-scholarship Pioneer Football League).

If you want to look at possible instability within the other power conferences in the FCS, consider that people are often pushing for the two-time defending national champions at North Dakota State to make the move from the Missouri Valley Football Championship up to the FBS.

And others out west want the Big Sky Conference to move everybody up and become an entirely new FBS conference. That doesn't sound so crazy if the FCS keeps tossing the football near end zones filled with quicksand.

It wasn't that long ago - January 2011 - when 134 stakeholders in the FCS, including conference commissioners athletic directors, coaches, even NCAA President Mark Emmert, came together in Frisco, Texas, for the first FCS Summit, a terrific endeavor led by the Southland Conference and a chance for member schools to come together and discuss major issues affecting the division.

The gathering was supposed to be the first step toward improving the FCS, with a "to be continued" story line that would lead toward action in future years. At the forefront of talks was conference realignment.

You want action? While everybody shared their concerns for the FCS, once an opportunity to move on came to some of the attendees, well, so much for the greater good.

The NCAA can't really stop realignment because the schools have the authority over conference configuration, and almost surely always will.

But FCS schools better start taking their future more seriously.

Sweeps Month? How about the FCS being swept from relevance if its schools aren't careful.

RG3's goal is to 'be ready for training camp'

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:48:37 -0500

Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is still recovering from knee surgery and said Thursday his goal is to be ready for training camp in July.

Griffin underwent surgery in January to repair both the lateral collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee. He suffered the LCL injury in a Week 14 win over Baltimore and missed one game, then was hurt again during Washington's wild card playoff loss to Seattle.

Reports throughout the winter and spring indicated that Griffin was progressing well and he was throwing Thursday during Redskins' OTAs.

"We're hoping he's ready for training camp," said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. "He's working really hard. He's been throwing, his arm's in good shape."

It's Griffin's knee, though, that needs to be healthy.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick of the 2012 draft said doctors are monitoring his rehab activities. He has yet to sprint and cut on the injured knee.

"Explosive sprinting is in the next couple weeks and cutting is a few weeks after that," Griffin said Thursday. "Goal is to be ready for training camp."

Griffin was named the NFL's top offensive rookie last year when he led the Redskins to the NFC East title. He completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games while also rushing for 815 yards and seven scores.

Giants re-sign Barden

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:40:16 -0500

East Rutherford, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Giants re-signed wide receiver Ramses Barden on Thursday.

Barden caught 14 passes for 220 yards in 12 games last season. He made his only career start in a victory at Carolina on Sept. 20, making nine catches for 138 yards.

Originally a third-round draft pick in 2009, Barden has caught 29 passes for 394 yards in 29 career games with the Giants.

Former Penn State quarterback Bench transfers to South Florida

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:22:46 -0500

(Sports Network) - Former Penn State quarterback Stephen Bench has decided to transfer to South Florida.

"I've decided to attend the University of South Florida and become a Bull!!" Bench wrote on his Twitter account,

Due to the NCAA sanctions against Penn State, Bench will be eligible for the 2013 season at USF. He will be competing for the starter's role after B.J. Daniels completed his eligibility.

In his lone season at Penn State, Bench attempted only eight passes and completed just two.

Elon to join CAA

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:22:45 -0500

Elon, NC (Sports Network) - Elon University announced on Thursday that it will move to a full-time member of the Colonial Athletic Association beginning in the 2014-15 season.

Elon, currently in the Southern Conference, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports. Women's lacrosse is the only sport that competes outside of the Southern Conference, playing in the Atlantic Sun Conference, but they too will join the CAA.

"The Colonial Athletic Association will provide the next great challenge in the growth of Elon athletics," said Dave Blank, Elon's director of athletics. "By emphasizing continuous improvement with our student-athletes and coaches, Elon has risen to a position of strength in SoCon competition. We are equally proud of the leadership Elon has provided in academic excellence in the conference. The CAA is a great fit at an exciting time in sports at Elon."

The CAA has been actively seeking members after losing Georgia State, VCU, George Mason and Old Dominion in the last 13 months. It has added College of Charleston for all sports, and Albany and Stony Brook for football for next year.

"In a time of great change in the collegiate athletics landscape, the Colonial Athletic Association offers a great match with our strategic plans for Elon's future," said University President Leo M. Lambert. "The CAA will allow our student-athletes to compete with peers at many excellent universities on the Eastern seaboard. We will have the opportunity to continue competition with fine schools in the Carolinas and Virginia while raising Elon's profile in the large metropolitan areas of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast - areas where many of our students, alumni and prospective students call home."

Elon competed in the Big South Conference upon its move to Division I in 1999 and joined the Southern Conference in 2003. Prior to its Division I membership, Elon was an NCAA Division II member for eight years and was previously a member of the NAIA.