AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, August 21st 2024:
Vikings DC Flores says he was hurt by Tagovailoa's sharp criticism but wishes Dolphins QB well
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores acknowledged he was stung by the sharp criticism of his coaching style from Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's recent public assessment of their time together with the Dolphins. Flores responded to remarks Tagovailoa made in an interview that aired on the "Dan LeBatard Show." He wished his former player well and expressed pleasure in the success the fifth pick in the 2020 draft has had. Flores also said he has reflected on his time as head coach of the Dolphins and believes he has learned to improve as a leader.
Panthers QB Bryce Young says he's 'comfortable' in new offense even if he doesn't play in preseason
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young isn't concerned if he doesn't take a snap in the preseason. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 is coming off a tough rookie season. He went 2-14 as a starter and ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. And he enters Year 2 having had to learn a different offense under new coach Dave Canales. Despite all that, Canales held Young out of Carolina's first two preseason games. Young says he's comfortable enough in the offense and will be ready for the regular season even if he doesn't play in Saturday's final exhibition game at the Buffalo Bills.
Alabama gave a big contract to its GM. Why college football teams are operating more like pros
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has given one of Kalen DeBoer's key behind-the-scenes staffers, general manager Courtney Morgan, a new three-year contract worth nearly $2.5 million. The move is a notable investment from one of the top programs in the country at a time when colleges teams are increasingly operating like professional franchises. Plenty of major college teams now have general managers. They are increasingly valuable.
Guardians outlast Yankees 9-5 in 12 innings to win longest MLB game this season
NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Lane Thomas delivered a tiebreaking double to spark a six-run 12th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 in the longest major league game this season. Both teams began the night in first place, and the tense opener of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium had the feel of a potential playoff preview. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers in the first, but Cleveland came right back and the game was tied at 3 after four innings. Despite numerous chances on both sides, neither offense managed to score again until the 12th.
WNBA players would like more time off after the Olympics are over before league play resumes
WNBA players would like more of a break after the All-Star Game and Olympics before league play resumes. Here was a quick turnaround this year after the Paris Games. It could be a major topic of discussion when negotiations begin for the next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA ends next year. Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles all played three games in a four-day span to resume the the regular season. Fortunately, from the Olympics standpoint, the next Games are in Los Angeles, so travel will be less of an issue for the players.
Blues' offer sheets land Broberg, Holloway. NHLPA reviewing Flyers' decision to waive Ryan Johansen
The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway to two-year contracts after the Edmonton Oilers declined to match the offer sheets for the restricted free agents. Broberg signed for a total of $9.16 million and Holloway $4.58 million. The Blues sent second- and third-round picks to Edmonton. In Philadelphia, the NHL Players' Association is reviewing the Flyers decision to place forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach that was not disclosed.
Analysis: The FedEx Cup playoffs deliver. Just not always the best player with the title
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler says it's silly to call the FedEx Cup title a season-long competition when it comes down to one tournament at the end. He's not wrong. This also is nothing new. Scheffler has said it before. So have Jon Rahm and and Patrick Cantlay and even Tiger Woods some 15 years ago. It's a matter of the PGA Tour having to choose between the risk of someone wrapping up the title before the Tour Championship or making the season finale compelling. The FedEx Cup is an important title for players. It just doesn't always define the best season.
Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive for a steroid twice but will not be suspended
Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but will not be suspended because the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. The agency announced the case's resolution on Tuesday and said Sinner will lose the $325,000 in prize money and 400 rankings points he earned at the tournament in Indian Wells, California, where his first positive drug test happened. Sinner won the Cincinnati Open on Monday and will be among the favorites at the U.S. Open, which starts in New York next week.
Prospect of player pay another wrinkle for HBCU schools, where big NIL deals still taking root
Athletic programs at historically Black colleges and universities are facing another wrinkle. Few of them have NIL collectives to arrange endorsement deals with athletes, though the area has seen some growth in the past couple years. Now all schools are facing the prospect of being able to pay athletes directly via revenue sharing, perhaps as early as 2025. That is a daunting possibility for schools with modest resources, including HBCUs. Coaches and players say the HBCU appeal goes far beyond available money.
Who wins the Heisman Trophy? Can a veteran QB or 1st-year starter break through the transfer trend?
The Heisman Trophy race appears wide open this season. The top five players in last year's Heisman voting, won by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, and eight of the top 10 are currently in NFL training camps. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is the only player among 2023's top 10 vote-getters to appear on a long list of players with Heisman odds from BetMGM. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Georgia's Carson Beck lead that list.
AP-Scorecard
TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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INTERLEAGUE
Final Toronto 10 Cincinnati 3
Final Baltimore 9 N.Y. Mets 5
Final Pittsburgh 4 Texas 0
Final L.A. Dodgers 6 Seattle 3
Final Chicago Cubs 3 Detroit 1
Final San Francisco 4 Chicago White Sox 1
Final San Diego 7 Minnesota 5
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AMERICAN LEAGUE
Final Boston 6 Houston 5
Final L.A. Angels 9 Kansas City 5
Final Cleveland 9 N.Y. Yankees 5
Final Tampa Bay 1 Oakland 0
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NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Arizona 3 Miami 1
Final Colorado 3 Washington 1
Final Atlanta 3 Philadelphia 1
Final Milwaukee 3 St. Louis 2
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WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final New York 94 Dallas 74
Final Connecticut 69 Los Angeles 61
Final Seattle 83 Washington 77
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