The Panthers ran a "deception" offense for the first half of 2012, basing their entire formula on shotgun plays and read-option. The offense took off in the second half when more base runs were incorporated, and Carolina won four of its final six games including a 30-20 victory over Atlanta in Week 14. "I can't wait," said Tolbert. "In the running back room, we rejoiced when (Shula) said we're going to run the ball. That's one thing we're gonna do."
Rotoworld: Headlines
NFL
FB Tolbert: Panthers will be run-heavy in '13
Mike Tolbert | CAR
(May 24, 2013 2:56 PM EDT)
Panthers FB Mike Tolbert promises the team will take a more run-heavy approach under new offensive playcaller Mike Shula.
Source:
panthers.com
Seahawks lose TE McCoy to Achilles' tear
Anthony McCoy | SEA
(May 24, 2013 12:59 PM EDT)
Seahawks TE Anthony McCoy underwent surgery for a partially torn Achilles' tendon Thursday, and will be sidelined a minimum of six months.
He went down with what was originally believed to be an ankle injury in Monday's practice. McCoy has served as Zach Miller's backup the past two seasons, catching 31 passes for 437 yards. It's an extremely ill-timed injury for McCoy, as the Seahawks used the No. 158 pick on freak-athlete TE Luke Willson. Willson generated buzz in both rookie minicamp and OTAs. While the partial tear -- as opposed to a complete tear like Michael Crabtree's -- could give McCoy a chance to return at midseason, it's unlikely that the Seahawks would go out of their way to save his spot. He could even be waived/injured in camp.
Source:
USA Today
MLB
Yankees officially place Granderson on DL
Curtis Granderson | NYY
(May 25, 2013 12:43 PM EDT)
Yankees placed OF Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured fifth metacarpal of his left hand.
Granderson suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning of Friday night’s game. It's a troubling development for the Yankees, who will now be forced to give extended playing time to Ichiro Suzuki and Brennan Boesch. Granderson is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.
Weaver (elbow) expected to return Wednesday
Jered Weaver | ANA
(May 25, 2013 10:17 AM EDT)
Jered Weaver (elbow) is expected to start Wednesday night against the Dodgers.
Weaver, on the disabled list since April 9, will throw a bullpen session Sunday before he's cleared to rejoin the Angels. The Los Angeles Times expects Joe Blanton to lose his rotation spot when Weaver returns.
Source:
Los Angeles Times
NBA
Nuggets, Ujiri were near deal before Raptors
Masai Ujiri | DEN
(May 25, 2013 9:33 AM EDT)
Nuggets president Josh Kroenke told the Denver Post he and Masai Ujiri were putting the finishing touches on a contract extension when the Raptors requested permission to speak to Ujiri.
Ujiri is reportedly weighing an offer to be Raptors GM that could pay as high as $3 million annually. The extremely high offer from Toronto likely blew up whatever offer the Nuggets had presented to Ujiri, who won the NBA's Executive of the Year award this season. Besides the money, Ujiri spent time in Toronto's front office before heading to Denver, which will likely weigh heavily in his decision process.
Source:
Denver Post
Report: Malone also a candidate for Clips job
Chris Paul | LAC
(May 25, 2013 9:17 AM EDT)
Warriors assistant Mike Malone is one of the primary candidates for the Clippers' head coach job, ESPN Los Angeles reports.
Malone has also been linked to the Warriors and 76ers jobs. Chris Paul knows Malone from New Orleans, where Malone was the lead assistant on Monty Williams' staff. Although Paul is very fond of Williams, it remains to be seen what Paul thinks of Malone. The Clippers are desperate to re-sign CP3, who is scheduled for free agency this summer, and he'll likely have a very big say in the coaching search if he wants to return to the L.A. According to the Orange County Register, the Clippers are also interested in Nate McMillan and Byron Scott.
Source:
ESPN Los Angeles
NHL
James Neal on fire
James Neal | PIT
(May 25, 2013 11:18 AM EDT)
The Penguins' James Neal is on fire at the moment.
In the Pens' last five periods of playoff hockey the talented winger has four goals and six points. Not that's production!
Source:
Dave Molinari Twitter
Brassard enjoys line switch
Derick Brassard | NYR
(May 25, 2013 10:06 AM EDT)
Ranger coach John Tortorella's line shuffle in the third period of Game 4 Thursday night was a boon to center Derick Brassard.
Tortorella moved Brassard between Carl Hagelin and Ryan Callahan while shifting Derek Stepan between Chris Kreider and Rick Nash. The effect of this shuffle was that Zdeno Chara played when the Stepan line was on the ice giving Brassard and his unit a little more room without the 6'7" defender in their way. It will be interesting to see if Tortorella can continue to ice this alignment without the last change in Boston Saturday night.
Source:
NY Post
PGA
Overton DQ from Colonial; putting violation
Jeff Overton | PGA
(May 25, 2013 3:04 PM EDT)
Jeff Overton was disqualified from the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial due to a rules violation at the turn during his third round.
Overton was stacked up at the turn and was offered the option to practice putting and chipping by a rules official. While doing so, he used a putting aid. That is a violation of rule 14-3/10.3. Overton took to Twitter to express his frustration in a series of tweets. He comments, "3 group back up at the turn. Rules official tells me we can practice chipping and putting. Disqualified for using my practice putting aid! Why do rules officials initiate that conversation to begin with. I wouldn't even have gone up there if I had know that. What a joke!" He was even par on his round at the time of the violation and 4-under for the tournament.
Source:
Jeff Overton on Twitter
Schwartzel misses first TOUR cut in 16 starts
Charl Schwartzel | PGA
(May 25, 2013 10:51 AM EDT)
At even-par 70-70=140, Charl Schwartzel missed the cut at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial on the number.
The South African hit just 23 greens in regulation and neutralized five birdies with five bogeys. He wasn't in danger of missing the weekend nearing the end of his second round, but he drifted with a bogey-bogey-par close. Schwartzel had a look at birdie from 19'8" at the par-4 ninth hole but it wouldn't drop. This ends his consecutive cuts made streak at 15. His last weekend off in a PGA TOUR event occurred at last year's Open Championship. He'll attempt to begin a new streak at next week's Memorial.
Source:
PGATOUR.com
NASCAR
Tanner Berryhill misses Charlotte field
Tanner Berryhill | 717
(May 25, 2013 1:23 PM EDT)
Tanner Berryhill’s qualifying speed was not good enough to make the field for the Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
He ran a lap of 163.255 mph in the No. 17 Chevrolet. It was 43rd quickest but not quick enough to make the field for the race.
Dibenedetto misses Charlotte Nationwide show
Matt DiBenedetto | 747
(May 25, 2013 1:16 PM EDT)
Matt Dibenedetto misses the show for the Nationwide Series History 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
He ran a 37th fastest qualifying lap in the No. 37. It was not quick enough to make the field for the race.