Body found at Giants CB Jenkins' home; police investigating homicide

Police are investigating the discovery of a dead body found at the New Jersey home of New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

The body was later identified as 25-year-old Roosevelt Rene, who is a family friend of Jenkins, according to police. Rene had reportedly been living at the house of late.

The police did not reveal a cause of death.


According to multiple reports, police are treating the investigation as a homicide. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports police are investigating "a possible strangulation/suffocation as the cause of death," citing law enforcement sources.

Multiple reports say Jenkins is not in New Jersey and has been staying in Florida.

According to ESPN's Dianna Russini, Jenkins has been in Florida since the Giants broke from their offseason practices, which ended June 14. 

That report adds that Jenkins had family staying in the New Jersey home and he had plans to return to New Jersey today "to deal with this situation" but might stay in Florida.

TMZ reports the body was found in the basement by a person who was working on the house.

Authorities received a 911 call at 10:22 a.m., Fair Lawn Police Sgt. Brian Metzler said. The body was removed from the property just before 8 p.m.

Jenkins, 29, is entering his third year with the Giants. The Pahokee, Fla., native played for Florida in college before finishing his career at North Alabama.

A Giants spokesperson confirmed the team is "aware of and monitoring the situation."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Giants bench QB Manning after 210 straight starts

NEW YORK -- Eli Manning's run of 210 straight regular-season starts for the New York Giants will end Sunday when the struggling NFL team starts Geno Smith at quarterback against the Oakland Raiders.

"Geno will start this week," Giants coach Ben McAdoo said Tuesday, adding that over the final five games of the season the team would also give rookie quarterback Davis Webb a try.

"It's hard, hard day to handle this," the 36-year-old Manning admitted in comments to reporters.

  
His 210 straight starts date back to 2004, when he was traded to the Giants after his selection as the top overall pick by the San Diego Chargers.

Manning said he never considered an abbreviated start just to keep the streak going.

"Coach McAdoo told me I could continue to start while Geno and Davis are given an opportunity to play," said the two-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. "My feeling is that if you are going to play the other guys, play them," Manning said.

"Starting just to keep the streak going and knowing you won't finish the game and have a chance to win it is pointless to me, and it tarnishes the streak. Like I always have, I will be ready to play if and when I am needed. I will help Geno and Davis prepare to play as well as they possibly can."

The Giants started the season with a five-game losing streak and head into December at 2-9.

"This is not a statement about anything other than we are 2-9, and we have to do what is best for the organization moving forward, and that means evaluating every position," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said.

"I told Eli (Tuesday) morning that an organization could not ask for any more in a franchise quarterback. He has been that and more. Nobody knows what the future holds, but right now, this is what we think is best for the franchise."

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Giants' Beckham out for the season: coach

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will undergo season-ending surgery this week to repair the left ankle he injured during the team's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, coach Ben McAdoo said.

After a Chargers defender landed on his ankle following a short passing route in the fourth quarter of the game, Beckham covered his face with one hand and held his leg with the other as he was taken off the field.

The 24-year-old had previously sprained his ankle during the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in August.

"I spoke to Odell after the game. It's a sad situation. It's fair to say his season is over," McAdoo said in quotes posted on the team's Twitter feed.

Beckham has reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous receivers.

The injury is a heartbreaking one for the American, who was looking to use a huge season to negotiate a contract that would make him one of the highest paid players in the league.

It is also a significant setback for the Giants, who are 0-5 this season after Sunday's 27-22 loss to the previously winless Chargers.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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Elliott shines on the field despite threat of suspension

It was just another 100-yard game for Ezekiel Elliott who ran like a carefree Dallas Cowboys rusher on Sunday and not the polarising player who is facing potential suspension from the NFL.

Elliott suited up for the Cowboys' season-opening 19-3 win over the New York Giants after a court injunction froze a six-game ban from the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

The second-year player rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries and was a dominant force throughout the night against the Giants.

Elliott was banned by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month after a 13-month investigation into allegations of assaulting his former girlfriend.

"It just feels good to be out here with these boys," Elliott told reporters after the contest.

"It’s definitely been a tough last 14 months.

"Your name is getting dragged through the mud. Being associated with (the accusations), that’s tough."

Elliott, who also made five catches for 36 yards against the Giants, has maintained his innocence and was neither arrested nor charged over the allegations.

The NFL Players Association filed a restraining order seeking to block any suspension for Elliott, and a Texas judge ruled the player didn't receive a fair hearing during his appeal against the ban.

"I’m relieved that I’ll finally get a fair trial and a chance to prove my innocence,” said Elliott, who won the NFL's rushing crown as rookie in 2016.

"I’m glad I’m able to be with these guys for as long as it’s permitted, and not having to miss time and be away from them."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty / Ian Ransom)

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Cowboys control Giants in 19-3 win

Ezekiel Elliott made his presence felt, but the Dallas Cowboys' defense made a greater impact as it shut down the New York Giants in the season opener on Sunday night.

The Cowboys limited the Giants to 233 total yards, paving the way for Dallas' 19-3 victory on Sunday night at AT&T Stadium.

Elliott, playing after an injunction filed against the NFL allowed him to start the season despite a six-game suspension, rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries.

The Cowboys didn't score in the second half until 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dan Bailey booted his fourth field goal, from 36 yards, for the game's final points.

The lack of second-half offense didn't matter after Dallas controlled the first half on the way to a 16-0 halftime lead.

The Giants opened the second half with a 68-yard drive that more than doubled their total yards to that point. New York reached the Dallas 4-yard line before Charles Tapper sacked Eli Manning for a 9-yard loss, causing the Giants to settle for Aldrick Rosas' 25-yard field goal.

That ended up being New York's most successful drive of the game.

Anthony Brown intercepted a Manning pass at the Cowboys 48-yard line midway through the fourth quarter to set up Dallas' final scoring drive.

Jason Witten had a productive first half as the Cowboys tight end became the team's career receiving yards leader and scored Dallas' first touchdown of the season.

Quarterback Dak Prescott tossed to Witten for an 11-yard gain in the second quarter that brought Witten's career total to 11,890 receiving yards, passing Michael Irvin's previous team record of 11,888.

Witten then capped a touchdown drive late in the first half. Prescott hit the tight end on a slant pass for a 12-yard score that put Dallas ahead 13-0 with 1:41 left in the second quarter.

Witten finished the first half with six receptions for 49 yards, and he ended the game with seven catches for 59 yards.

The Dallas defense dominated the first half, holding New York to 50 yards of total offense and just two first downs.

Without Odell Beckham Jr., who sustained a left ankle injury in the preseason and missed the Sunday game, Manning passed for 33 yards in the first half.

Dallas forced one final three-and-out before the break that allowed the Cowboys' offense to move in for Bailey's third field goal, this one from 42 yards. Bailey also made kicks from 21 and 48 yards in the half.

Prescott completed 24 of 39 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Manning was 29 of 38 for 220 yards and one interception.

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Cowboys, Yankees top Man United as world's most valued teams

NEW YORK -- With the NFL's top sponsorship and premium seating revenues, the Dallas Cowboys were named the world's most valuable sports team Wednesday by Forbes magazine in its annual top-50 ranking.

The Cowboys, who have not won a Super Bowl since 1996, jumped five percent in value to $4.2 billion (3.68 billion euros) to defend their 2016 position. Last year they unseated Spanish football powerhouse Real Madrid atop the global list.

The 32-team NFL is the world's richest league, with an average operating profit of $91 million and no club turning less than a $26 million profit. A major reason for that was the latest NFL television package bringing annual revenues of $7 billion.

The Cowboys also boast a $1.5 billion team practice facility and headquarters that will become a retail and entertainment complex with hotels, medical center and convention center. An exclusive club offers members the chance to watch Cowboys workouts.

Only three NFL clubs missed the 50-team Forbes richest roll call -- the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.

Major League Baseball's New York Yankees ranked second on $3.7 billion, a nine percent boost from last year. They boast $120 million in sponsorships and $130 million in premium seat revenues, tops in the major leagues. In all, eight major league clubs made the Forbes list.

Manchester United ranked a close third on $3.69 billion, hurdling Spanish rivals Barcelona ($3.64 billion) and Real Madrid ($3.58 billion). Barca was up two percent to stand fourth, Real off by the same amount in fifth overall.

In all, seven global football clubs made the list, the others being Bayern Munich, 15th on $2.71 billion; Manchester City, 35th on $2.083 billion; Arsenal, 43rd on $1.93 billion and Chelsea, 46th on $1.845 billion.

The reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots were sixth on the list at $3.4 billion, jumping six percent with their run to the NFL title.

Knicks seventh

Topping NBA clubs in seventh overall were the New York Knicks on $3.3 billion, up 10 percent in value but still weaklings on the court at 31-51. They have not had a playoff berth or winning season since 2013 and have won only one playoff series since 2000.

The NFL's New York Giants were eighth on $3.1 billion with the NFL San Francisco 49ers and NBA Los Angeles Lakers sharing ninth at $3 billion.

In all, there were seven NBA clubs on the list. The reigning champion Golden State Warriors shared 20th with the NFL Houston Texans on $2.6 billion, leaping 37 percent in value.

Last year's NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers didn't make the list but the NBA-worst Brooklyn Nets at 20-62 shared 47th on $1.8 billion, just ahead of a 50th-place deadlock between the NFL New Orleans Saints and baseball's Los Angeles Angels on $1.75 billion.

The biggest gainer was the NFL Los Angeles Rams, doubling in value after a move from St. Louis to land in 12th overall with a new stadium owned by Rams owner Stan Kroenke set to open in 2020.

Kroenke is also the biggest shareholder in Arsenal, which suffered the list's worst plunge, tumbling 20 spots and off four percent due to a decline in the British pound after Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Two teams from last year fell off the list, the NBA's Houston Rockets and English football side Liverpool. No NHL or auto racing teams made the list.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Eli Manning denies providing fake memorabilia

LOS ANGELES - New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning angrily denied accusations that he knowingly provided fake game-used memorabilia to collectors.

"I've done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide," Manning told reporters on Thursday in his first public comments on the matter.

The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback turned over a potentially incriminating email earlier this month in connection with a lawsuit that alleges Manning, the Giants and a team equipment manager knowingly provided memorabilia that was not worn in games.

Manning, 36, claims that the emails were "taken out of context" and that he's "more angry than anything" that his character is being called into question.

He said the pending litigation barred him from going into specifics.

"I will say that I've never done what I've been accused of doing," Manning said. "I have no reason, nor have I ever had any reason, to do anything of that nature. ... And I know that when this is all done, everybody will see it the same way."

The lawsuit, first filed in Bergen County Superior Court in New Jersey by collectors Eric Inselberg, Michael Jakab and Sean Godown three years ago, is to go to trial on September 25.

The lawsuit alleges an elaborate scheme to produce, pass off and sell memorabilia as game-used that was not.

bb/gph

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Raiders lose Carr as Falcons, Giants reach playoffs

WASHINGTON -- Oakland Raiders star Derek Carr suffered a broken leg Saturday and will miss the NFL playoffs while Atlanta and the New York Giants qualified for the post-season title chase.

Green Bay set up a showdown with Detroit next weekend to decide a division crown while Cleveland avoided a winless season and San Francisco snapped a 13-game skid on a wild day of 12 contests.

Dallas, Seattle, New England and Oakland had already secured playoff berths and New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 31-24 to ensure the New York Giants a wildcard spot and Atlanta the NFC South division crown.

But while Oakland (12-3) stayed on the heels of New England (13-2) for a home playoff edge by downing Indianapolis 33-25, the Raiders were undone when quarterback Carr suffered a broken right leg when sacked early in the fourth quarter by Colts linebacker Trent Cole.

"A good win but a tough setback to have our QB go down like that," said Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, who said Carr will have surgery Sunday on his fractured right fibula.

Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett and Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota also suffered broken right legs, dimming the title hopes for their squads.

Aaron Rodgers completed 28-of-38 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns to power the Green Bay Packers over visiting Minnesota 38-25 for their fifth win in a row.

The victory means the Packers (9-6) will play for the NFC North title at Detroit on January 1 no matter how the Lions (9-5) fare at Dallas on Monday.

"We had some adversity and we stuck together," Rodgers said. "I'm really proud of the character of the football team. We talk a lot about identity and character and how it's been one of those trying seasons where it hasn't quite come together at the right time.

"But over the last five weeks, we've shown a lot of mental toughness, a lot of grit, and guys sticking together when there could have been some fracturing."

The Vikings, who opened the season with five consecutive wins, fell to 7-8 and out of playoff contention. The loss came after the team's plane skidded off a runway at a nearby airport after landing safely in a snowstorm, standing players and coaches on the plane for more than four hours.

"I don't think the plane ride had anything to do with it or anything else. There are no excuses," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.


- Dolphins on playoff brink -

Atlanta's Matt Ryan threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns while Matt Bryant kicked four field goals as the Falcons (10-5) beat host Carolina 33-16.

Miami's Jay Ajayi ran for 206 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins' 34-31 victory at Buffalo. Andrew Franks kicked the winning 27-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining in overtime. The Dolphins (10-5) would claim their first playoff berth since 2008 if Kansas City beats Denver on Sunday.

New England routed the New York Jets 41-3 and can clinch a home-field playoff edge by beating Miami next week. The Patriots, on a six-game win streak, gave coach Bill Belichick his 200th career victory as Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, LeGarrette Blount ran for two touchdowns and Stephen Gostkowski kicked his 300th career NFL field goal.

Tennessee's playoff hopes stumbled in a 38-17 loss at Jacksonville in which Mariota was injured.

"I hate it for him," Titans running back DeMarco Murray said. "He's a great player, a great competitor. He will bounce back."

Washington sustained wildcard playoff hopes with a 41-21 victory at Chicago. Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as Washington (8-6) enters next week's finale against the Giants with a chance to advance.

- Browns won't go winless -

The Browns avoided a winless campaign with a 20-17 home victory over San Diego, ensuring they will not match the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history.

San Diego's Josh Lambo missed a 45-yard field goal attempt on the final play to preserve Cleveland's long-awaited victory.

San Francisco snapped a 13-game losing streak by edging Los Angeles 22-21 as Colin Kaepernick flipped a touchdown pass to Rod Streater with 31 seconds remaining then ran in a game-winning two-point conversion. The 49ers had not won since beating Los Angeles in the season opener.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

NFL: Giants corral Cowboys, Broncos in peril

NEW YORK -- The New York Giants rallied to sneak past Dallas 10-7 in a defensive battle on Sunday, snapping the Cowboys' 11-game win streak and giving the Giants' playoff hopes a boost.

Not only did the Giants sweep the season series by handing the Cowboys just their second loss of the campaign but they also prevented Dallas from clinching the NFC West.

"At some point you got to wake up," said Giants receiver Odell Beckham. "We all knew what was on the line. We just weren't doing enough in the first half but the defence is really what held us together."

Beckham said the Cowboys had a celebration all planned with commemorative hats and shirts to put on if they clinched the division title on Sunday night at the Giants MetLife Stadium.

"The coach talked about it all week. Them having their box of goods, the hats the shirts and he said it is not going to happen on this field. Sure enough it didn't happen. We came out and did what we had to do," Beckham said.


The win follows a 20-19 New York win in September as the Giants swept the Cowboys for the first time in five years.

The Giants overcame a 7-0 halftime deficit by scoring 10 unanswered points in the second half.

Dallas was sloppy with their ball handling as receiver Dez Bryant fumbled on his first catch of the game which came in the fourth quarter. Moments later Giants Leon Hall intercepted a pass intended for Bryant and New York was off to the races.

Elsewhere Sunday, Aaron Rodgers threw for three touchdowns to reignite the Green Bay Packers postseason push in a 38-10 rout of the Seattle Seahawks.

Rodgers made 18 of 23 for 246 yards as the Seahawks were sent spinning to their heaviest defeat of the season at a frigid Lambeau Field where everything went wrong for quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson was picked off five times as the Seahawks fell to 8-4-1, dealing Pete Carroll's team a stinging reality check as they head for the playoffs.

The Packers meanwhile improved to 7-6, leaving them with renewed hope of making the postseason after their third consecutive victory following a four-game losing streak.

Seattle meanwhile will get the chance to bounce back rapidly when they host a Los Angeles Rams team on Thursday who are mired in crisis.

The Rams, struggling to find reasons for optimism after a difficult first season back in Los Angeles, were humiliated 42-14 at home by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

- Broncos in peril -

In Tennessee, reigning Super Bowl champions Denver suffered a blow to their hopes of a playoff berth after slumping to a 13-10 defeat at Tennessee.

An ill-tempered game marred by a brawl involving Denver cornerback Aqib Talib saw the Titans hang on for a gritty victory at the Nissan Stadium.

The contest was settled in Tennessee's favour with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter when Avery Williamson stripped A.J. Derby to force a fumble and hand possession to the Titans.

The Titans had taken a 13-0 lead into the fourth quarter following an early DeMarco Murray touchdown and two field goals from Ryan Succop.

The main talking point of the first half was a protracted melee triggered shortly after Titans receiver Harry Douglas flew into Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr with a wild block below the knee.

Broncos enforcer Talib sought out Douglas in the next play, triggering an ugly scuffle.

"It was a dirty play by a sorry player," Talib told reporters. "He tried to do something dirty, so that's why I'm going to beat his ass."

Harris later wrote on Twitter that he felt Douglas had tried to "end my career" with the tackle, calling for the Titans player to be fined.

The Broncos are now languishing in third spot in the AFC West on 8-5 behind Kansas City and Oakland who are 10-3.

They face a daunting final three games of the regular season -- against both the Chiefs and the Raiders as well as the New England Patriots.

If the Broncos fail to snaffle a wild card place they will become the latest team to fall victim to the so-called "Super Bowl curse" which has seen various franchises suffer in the seasons following their respective triumphs.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

WORLD SPORTS: Packers' Rodgers well after knee surgery: reports

Packers' Rodgers well after knee surgery - reports

Agence France-Presse

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers underwent left knee surgery after the team's NFL playoff run, according to reports Saturday that said he is recovering well and probable for off-season workouts.

The NFL's website and ESPN reported unnamed sources as saying Rodgers underwent a minor operation on the knee, the same one he underwent reconstructive surgery on in 2004 for a torn ligament.

Rodgers, an 11-year NFL veteran, played all but 10 snaps for the Packers this season. He struggled late in the campaign and had career lows of 238.8 passing yards a game and a 60.7 completion percentage. His eight intercepted passes were his most since 2012.

Rodgers, 32, told ESPN he was "doing well" and "recovering on schedule" but he pulled out of Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl all-star game in Hawaii as a result of the surgery.

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Giants defender Bromley accused of rape attempt - reports

Agence France-Presse

Police are reportedly investigating an attempted rape accusation against New York Giants defensive tackle Jay Bromley stemming from an incident early Saturday morning.

The New York Daily News and New York Post said Bromley, a 23-year-old defensive tackle who made 36 tackles in 16 games for the Giants this past season, is accused of trying to rape a 26-year-old woman and hitting her with his car while fleeing a hotel room.

Reports said the two met online and Bromley picked up the woman at her home and took her to a Manhattan hotel, where Bromley is accused of trying to rape her when she did not want to have sex.

The Giants said they were monitoring the case and had reported it to NFL officials.

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NFL: Concussions remain common even as awareness improves

Andrew Both, Reuters

Two decades after the NFL brushed off concussion concerns as being of interest only to journalists, the issue is at the forefront of any discussion about player safety and unlikely to go away anytime soon.

From the 2015 film "Concussion" about a doctor who fought the NFL's campaign to conceal his research on the brain damage suffered by players, to a lawsuit over brain injuries that could cost America's most popular sports league $1 billion, it is an issue that has the league playing defense.

And while some experts say there has been a sea change in the league's attitude over the past few years, concussions still occur with alarming regularity.

There were 182 concussions reported in the 2015 regular season, up sharply from 115 in 2014, according to figures released by the league, and reversing a downward trend from the previous three years.

Dr. Thom Mayer, the medical director of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), warned not to jump to conclusions about the 2015 number, saying it did not necessarily mean there were more concussions but rather could reflect better expertise at diagnosing the condition.

Under the NFL's concussion protocol started in 2013, each team is assigned an independent neurotrauma specialist who is not on the team's payroll. There is also a "spotter" who can stop a game if they see a player showing concussion-like symptoms.

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Zou Shiming recaptures WBO International Flyweight Championship

Agence France-Presse

Former WBO International Flyweight Champion Zou Shiming recaptured the title by defeating Brazilian Natan Santana Coutinho by TKO in the eighth round in front of a raucous Shanghai Oriental Sports Center crowd.

A three-time Olympic medallist who won China’s first ever boxing gold medal in 2008, Zou was fighting his first professional match in Mainland China after his seven previous matches were held in Macau.

“The homecoming was great,” he said. “I really fed off the energy of the crowd.”

The fight marked Zou’s return to the ring since losing an IBF Flyweight title match to Thailand's Amnat Ruenroeng last March.

“I’ve taken ten months off to rest, spend time with my family and even found a little reality TV fame, but my heart never left the ring,” Zou said after the fight.

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South Korea's Choi clings to share of PGA lead

Agence France-Presse

KJ Choi, chasing his first US PGA victory in nearly five years, closed with a birdie to share the lead after Saturday's third round of the $6.5 million Farmers Insurance Open.

The 45-year-old South Korean shot an even par 72 to match American Scott Brown on nine-under 207 after 54 holes at Torrey Pines near San Diego.

Choi, the most successful Asian male golfer in PGA history, has won eight titles on the US tour, the most recent of them at the 2011 Players Championship when he won a playoff over David Toms.

Jimmy Walker fired a 68 to share third with fellow American Gary Woodland on 208 to pace 21 rivals with four strokes of the co-leaders entering the final round, when wet and windy conditions are predicted.

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Spluttering Spieth three off the pace in Singapore

Patrick Johnston, Reuters

World number one Jordan Spieth struggled again with his putting as he ended a long 28-hole Saturday three shots off the pace at the Singapore Open.

The American was on the course at 07:30 (2330 GMT) to finish 12 holes of his weather-delayed second round, signing for a one-under-par 71 before returning in the afternoon to shoot one-under for 16 holes of his third round before dusk fell.

The six-under-total left him tied fifth, three shots behind overnight leader Song Young-han of South Korea who was level through 13 holes of his third round before play was called off.

Spieth, the headline act of the Asian and Japan Golf Tour's season opening event, had begun Saturday five adrift of Song but felt the gap should have been closed further.

"I made all my putts inside six feet yesterday but missed five or six today. I've just got to get comfortable on the shorter length putts," the American said after his second round.

FINA 'temporarily suspends' Mexico federation

Agence France-Presse

Swimming's world governing body FINA announced on Saturday at its bureau meeting in Budapest that it had temporarily suspended the Mexican federation over Guadalajara's withdrawal as host of the 2017 World Championships.

It was not immediately clear how FINA's action would affect Mexican swimmers' hopes of competing in the Rio Olympics this year.

"In accordance with FINA Rule C 12.1.1, FINA temporarily suspended the Mexican Swimming Federation for not fulfilling contractual obligations concerning the cancellation of the 2017 FINA World Championships in Guadalajara," the governing body said in a statement.

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Los Angeles named site for 2017 All-Star Game

Agence France-Presse

Los Angeles was named Saturday as the host city for the 2017 National Hockey League All-Star Game, with two days of events set to be staged at the Staples Center next January.

The home arena of the Los Angeles Kings, winners of the Stanley Cup twice in the past four years, will host a skills contest on January 28 on the eve of the NHL's 62nd mid-season showcase of elite talent.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Giants stifle Cam Newton with prolific pass rush in Panthers 36-7 loss

CHARLOTTE – Chin up, Cam Newton. You aren’t the first quarterback to be defeated and deflated by the New York Giants’ front-four pass rush.

With all due respect to Newton, who said it “was nothing the Giants did” that led to his Carolina Panthers’ offensive nightmare in Thursday’s 36-7 home loss, the Giants had a lot to do with frustrating last season’s offensive rookie of the year.

This was supposed to be Newton’s big breakout, his first career prime-time game against a depleted, reeling New York secondary. Instead, it was a reminder of the main reason why the Giants are reigning Super Bowl champions.

While the injuries are piling up on the back end, there’s nothing wrong with their strongest, now trademark position, defensive end.

— Giants backups deliver in absence of Bradshaw, Nicks
 
The trio of Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora were greatly involved in producing the worst game of Newton’s short career. In addition to his single-game low 40.6 passer rating, he was held to just six yards rushing on six carries.

“At the end spot, you want to set the edge and make sure he doesn’t have a way outside,” Tuck said of the Giants’ successful game plan vs. Newton. "At the tackles, you definitely want to get pressure up in his face.”
That combination is what makes New York’s defensive line so tough for passers to handle, and most quarterbacks it faces don’t have the athletic gifts of Newton – see the Patriots’ Tom Brady in two Super Bowls. In the base set, there is Tuck and the freakishly explosive Pierre-Paul flying off the edge. They then have the luxury of having Umenyiora coming in with fresh legs.

Through the course of the game, the Giants then look to get the right individual mismatches for that trio, taking their versatility to be effective from the tackles.

“We have a very athletic d-line,” Tuck said. “Our mentality every game is to stop the run, take that weapon away from them, and get the game in situations where we can kind of control the sticks and get them in obvious third-down, second-and-long passing situations.

“That is when we can do what we do as far as rushing the passer.”

 What the Giants do is relentlessly, aggressively go after the passer, with the goal of consistently racking up hits on him, even if they don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Tuck didn’t have a sack on Thursday but Pierre-Paul and Umenyiora provided 1 1/2 of the two drops of Newton. Although Newton didn’t offer much insight on what the Giants did to thwart him, his tight end, Greg Olsen, had a good assessment.

“They can rotate a lot of guys in and out,” Olsen said. “Even when they don’t have pressure, they have some guys with long arms that can bat the ball down.”

Newton is just one big, strong athlete. The Giants have them in abundance up front to compensate for their familiar, growing issues in the secondary, especially at cornerback.

Terrell Thomas is lost for another season with a knee injury. Prince Amukamara is playing his way back from a high ankle sprain. Michael Coe became hamstrung in Week 1.

On Thursday, Corey Webster had to leave the game for a while with what was revealed to be a broken hand. Safety Antrel Rolle wasn’t immune, suffering a scary knee laceration late against the Panthers.

But with the Giants’ front four doing its job upfield, it didn’t matter. Consider that unheralded defensive backs Stevie Brown and Jayron Hosley had two of Newton’s three interceptions from mistakes under pressure.

The Giants had trouble coming together defensively until late last season because of injuries to Umenyiora (knee, ankle) and Tuck (neck). They missed a combined 11 games, and Pierre-Paul also needed to play through a head injury.

Unfortunately for Brady in Super Bowl XLVI, he felt the Giants’ pressure at full tilt with all three ends at full health. That was Brady. This was Newton, who is a very talented, but still a very green passer in the face of pressure.

Knowing just how dejected his quarterback was after the game, Panthers coach Ron Rivera knew that the Giants’ defensive front was most responsible.

“They did a nice job of mixing it up and moving things around,” Rivera said. “Unless you slow them down some, bad things are going to happen.”

As long as Pierre-Paul, Tuck and Umenyiora stay healthy at the same time, the Giants can overcome anything adverse that happens behind them in their defense.

source: aol.sportingnews.com

NFL: Giants' tight end Ballard questionable with knee swelling

EAST RUTHERFORD—New York Giants tight end Jake Ballard missed practice for Sunday's NFC title game because of swelling in his knee, and several other Giants were limited in training but listed as probable for the showdown in San Francisco against the 49ers.

Ballard was listed as questionable for the clash that will produce the NFC representative in the Super Bowl, while center David Baas (illness), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (ankle) and running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) were considered probable for the game.

"They did a little procedure yesterday and he's got a little swelling," Giants coach Tom Coughlin told reporters about Ballard, declining to divulge anything more other than to say it did not involve surgery.

"He's very important, as they all are. He's had an outstanding year," Coughlin said. "He gives us a big strong body blocking and also has done a very good job of getting open and catching the ball."

Nicks, who caught four touchdown passes in New York's playoff wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, turned his ankle during Thursday's practice but it was not considered a serious problem.

"He's got a little basketball ankle that from time to time he rolls, and he did it to a certain extent this afternoon," the coach said. "He doesn't think it's going to be too bad."

Baas missed practice because of a stomach bug. Quarterback Eli Manning quit during practice Wednesday because of a similar complaint, but returned to his regular work routine Thursday.

Coughlin was asked if the team was taking any precautions to keep the sick bug from racing through the team.

"Everybody's wearing masks, everybody's washing their hands, everybody's doing everything they can. Like when your sister came home with whatever and you got it. So there's where we are," joked Coughlin.

Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe was unconcerned about his line-mate.

"The good thing is Eli bounced back quickly. Dave is already starting to feel better so he'll be fine," Boothe said.

Bradshaw's foot problem has been a lingering issue for the Giants, who have routinely limited him in practice to ensure he is ready to go by game time.

The possible loss of Ballard was of greater concern and could have an impact on the Giants' attack, both on the ground and in the air.

"They are vital," Boothe said about the tight ends. "In the run game they're an extra lineman and in the pass game they're an extra receiver. Often the big runs result from their blocks that seal the edge or cut off a man off the edge."

Travis Beckham, who along with Bear Pascoe serve as back-ups to Ballard, said the tight end could be a factor in Sunday's game and that he was ready if needed.

"I think I did a good job when he was out earlier," Beckham said. "I'm sure he'll be back tomorrow, but I'm ready to step in."

"I think there's some holes, some gaps in the defense we saw from the last time we played them" that could be exploited by a pass-receiving tight end, he said. — Reuters

source:gmanetwork.com

Giants fans cheer San Francisco's first Series win

SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of orange and black-clad Giants fans hugged and high-fived one other Monday night as the club clinched its first World Series title since moving west more than a half century ago.

As the final out of the 3-1 win was recorded, the thousands watching on a big-screen TV at San Francisco's Civic Center plaza leapt for joy as City Hall glowed bright orange in the background.

"I have a permanent smile on my face," said Valerie Nicklas of Berkeley, who celebrated at another large street gathering near the Giants' AT&T Park. "This makes all the years of suffering worth it."

Fans waving Giants flags and rally towels danced in the downtown streets near the Civic Center as car horns blared. A lone accordion player played a tune as fans swirled around him. Others surrounded a drum corps as it pounded out a rhythm.

Amy Anderson Giugliano shot a bottle of champagne into the air, dousing those nearby.

"I never thought this would happen!" the 42-year-old from San Carlos said. "I'm going to celebrate all night!"

The club last won the Series in 1954 when they were the New York Giants. They moved west four years later, but suffered World Series losses in 1962, 1989 and 2002.

That last defeat to the Los Angeles Angels has been fresh in Jun Lee's mind, but he still chose to drive in from Benicia with his wife so that their 16-month-old son could witness the celebration from his stroller.

"We came out here in 2002 for the same thing, and with six outs left they blew it," he said. "This is unreal."

Almost an hour after the win, fans were jumping up and down in unison and screaming "ooooh-REE-BAY" — a popular chant at games to honor third baseman Juan Uribe.

Traffic was slowed in the city's Castro district as people flooded out of bars, restaurants and homes. The neighboring Mission district was also jammed.

Fans also blocked traffic near the Giants' ballpark as they made their way toward Willie Mays Plaza, where a statue of the legendary outfielder stands prominently outside the stadium's gates.

"This is a long time coming," said Jason Scully of San Francisco. "They're a great team — all the castoffs and misfits truly represent this city."

Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the public viewing at the Civic Center after the Giants' 4-0 shutout victory over the Texas Rangers Sunday put them on the verge of clinching the championship.

With an autumn sun beaming, hundreds of fans laid out blankets and folding chairs on the lawn a full two hours before Monday's first pitch. Fans roared as the screen showed black-suited, bow-tied starting pitcher Tim Lincecum entering the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas.

Officials quickly scheduled a ticker-tape parade for Wednesday at 11 a.m. through the city's financial district. In a statement, Newsom congratulated the club and thanked them for bringing the city together.

"San Francisco eagerly awaits your return," he said. — AP

source : gmanews.tv