Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is sounding more and more like his angry boss as Spurs drop big games, perhaps none bigger than Thursday’s massive blown lead at Dinamo Zagreb to bow out of the Europe League. First, let’s go back to the weekend: Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said “ players were hiding ” in the North London derby and understandably those comments hit the headlines. [ MORE: Three things from Zagreb-Spurs ] But Spurs fans paying attention to the whole team would’ve noted that their captain said something similar, saying that every attacker other than Lucas Moura failed in their work at Arsenal. So come Thursday, Mourinho lambasted the effort, ambition, and intensity of players in blowing a 2-0 first leg lead via a 3-2 extra time loss in Croatia, saying the players failed at “ the basics of life — which is to respect our jobs and give everything .” What did Lloris have to say? In some way, it was worse. The captain used the word “disgrace” on three times … [Read more...] about Every word Lloris said in branding Spurs players effort ‘a disgrace’ (video)
Humming on amplifier
Jim Harbaugh backs Don Brown after Michigan’s loss to Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Michigan football team once again suffered a surprising loss, and it was once again largely at the hands of a woeful defensive effort. This time, the Wolverines allowed 38 points, 460 yards of offense and 28 first downs to No. 13 Indiana en route to a 38-21 loss. Throughout the game, Michigan fans continued to place blame on defensive coordinator Don Brown. Once viewed as among the best defensive coordinators in the game, Brown’s defense has surrendered 36.0 points per game over Michigan’s last five games, including four losses. After the game, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh backed Brown, however, stating that he still holds confidence in the veteran coach’s ability to change course. “Yes I do,” Harbaugh said. “Very much so. I love all of our coaches, every coach on this staff. They work extremely hard, their schemes are very good and they’re coaching good. Just keep forging ahead, stay after it to make that next step. Critical step.” Rather, when … [Read more...] about Jim Harbaugh backs Don Brown after Michigan’s loss to Indiana
Why commit Holden Geriner opens door to new QB era at Auburn
Now more than ever, teams with elite quarterbacks win national championships. Those with above average quarterbacks play well, and can make noise with better pieces around them on offense and defense, but they are no longer winning titles. Those days, for now, seem to have expired as the best of the best quarterbacks trump elite defenses year after year in the Playoff Era. The pursuit of the next big thing at quarterback can be treacherous. Signing such a quarterback is no sure-fire win, either. Coaches can overthink their position, forcing elite players to transfer across the country, where they later contend for a national title. In the SEC, the search is amplified by the conference's success and the deepest talent pool in the country. At one school, the search began in earnest with the arrival of Bryan Harsin as the head coach in December. Auburn is no pushover, and has signed some of the better quarterbacks of the last decade, but the Tigers have been anything but … [Read more...] about Why commit Holden Geriner opens door to new QB era at Auburn
Kevin Durant fined $50,000 for messages to Michael Rapaport
Nets star Kevin Durant sent homophobic and misogynistic private messages to actor Michael Rapaport NBA release: Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has been fined $50,000 for using offensive and derogatory language on social media, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. Durant has acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate. The league typically acts so strongly in these cases only when someone’s language becomes public and invites sufficient backlash . That happened with Durant when Rapaport posted screenshots. At that point, if any mitigating context existed, it became lost. Whatever Durant intended, his words amplified homophobia and misogyny to wider audiences. Durant said yesterday, “I’m sorry that people seen that language I used. That’s not really what I want people to hear and see from me.” More on the Brooklyn Nets Report: NBA players also criticizing buyout system, particularly LaMarcus... Three … [Read more...] about Kevin Durant fined $50,000 for messages to Michael Rapaport
Sai Mukkamalla and Skanda Sharma blaze away with memorable tons
DAY 2 USA NATIONAL U19 CHAMPIONSHIP by Smit Patel • Published on Share Tweet Mid Atlantic went to pole position in Group A courtesy of Sai Mukkamalla’s graceful 110 © USA Cricket Mid Atlantic went to pole position in Group A courtesy of Sai Mukkamalla's graceful 110 that saw them beat South Zone convincingly. Mid Atlantic posted 250 and in turn bundled out South Zone for 165. It is Mid Atlantic's second straight victory in as many games, as they look primed to topping the group with only a solitary game to go. After throwing away a rather good start to his innings against the Colts, Mukkamalla looked dead set to make it count against South Zone. He cantered to his fifty off 39 balls but took a slightly measured approach to the second half of his innings after wickets continued to tumble from the other end. "He is perennially hungry for batting and scoring runs, he takes failure seriously, he always likes being among the … [Read more...] about Sai Mukkamalla and Skanda Sharma blaze away with memorable tons