NBA lockout talks conclude for the night, bring more optimism

There was no need to stay for 15 hours. Optimism continued to flood the room in a comparatively short seven-hour negotiating session between NBA players and owners Thursday in New York.

No less an authority than Billy Hunter, the executive director of the players' union, sounded the most hopeful that the 119-day lockout would end soon.

"I think we're within striking distance of getting a deal," Hunter said at a news conference. "It's just a question of how receptive the NBA is and whether or not they want to do a deal."

The sides continued to peck away at peripheral items such as the luxury tax, the midlevel exception and the length of player contracts. The big talk, the split of basketball-related income, probably will be discussed Friday.

Stern was smiling as he sat down for a news conference, saying there was an element of "continuity, familiarity" between the sides.

"There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot" Friday, he said.

The second consecutive day of talks was short for a reason.

"I think everybody's pretty wiped out after last night," Hunter said, referring to talks that ended after 3 a.m. EDT Thursday morning.

RELATED:

Shortened NBA season would be good for the young at heart

In NBA talks, a flicker of hope

Where NBA owners stand on the lockout

-- Mike Bresnahan in Los Angeles

Photo: NBA Commissioner David Stern speaks to reporters in New York on Oct. 10. Credit: David Karp / Associated Press

World Series notes: La Russa never kissed off season

The Cardinals opened spring training eight months ago by sending their ace pitcher, Adam Wainwright, off to have season-ending surgery. So, Manager Tony La Russa was asked Thursday, if someone had told him then that his team would be in the World Series, playing Game 6 at home, how would he have reacted?

“I would have kissed your butt at home plate opening day,” he said to laughter.

“We’ve mugged a couple of chances to be in a better position. But … we’ve had a lot of fun. We’ve popped champagne three times.

“Postseason never disappoints, even just getting in and playing the division series and losing. You get to the World Series, this is the most enjoyment you can have. I’m enjoying it more than ever.

“I don’t know if this makes a difference, but I always enjoy this part.”

Relaxed Nick Diaz soaks up atmosphere at UFC 137

RELAXED NICK DIAZ SOAKS UP ATMOSPHERE AT UFC 137

From Las Vegas:

Perhaps holding the main news conference for UFC 137 on the scaled model of the Brooklyn Bridge on Las Vegas Boulevard was a hint to New York that the UFC is moving on one of the last States in the US not to have sanctioned the sport.

It was a breezy affair – open air – with a few hundred fans crammed against the railings. First things first. Nick Diaz, main event fighter, and welterweight title contender, was there. Not only that. Asked by The Telegraph if he’d been held under lock and key last night, Diaz went with the blow, laughing as he revealed he had been escorted to the news conference an hour early by UFC officials.

For those who have been living under rocks for the last few months, Diaz failed to show at two major news conferences and was removed from a title shot against GSP. The Canadian has since suffered an injury, and Diaz was re-scheduled to fight BJ Penn in the main event.

Diaz admitted that it was “yes, the most important fight of my career”. The Californian admitted that UFC officials had “brought him down an hour early” to the news conference. There was plenty of banter all around. Diaz was relaxed, and it was good to see.

“People tended to see me as someone who does not want to talk to the media. I’m fine with that. What bothers me is when some random dude from a B grade website comes down and films me training. I’m happy to talk to anybody. I;m just here to do my job.”

BJ Penn, relishing this contest, and being a main event again, explained: “We are both in a must win position. I love to do this love MMA, want to continue doing this, love fighting in the UFC, and of course Nick wants to prove he has come to stay in the UFC.”

Dana White, UFC President, explained: “The best always go up against the best in this sport and it’s almost three years undefeated for Nick. These two guys have great similarities. They are both crazy; both warriors.

On the dais Roy Nelson was sporting a snappy suit to go with his Grizzly Adams – or was it Willie Nelson – look. Mirko Cro Cop revealed it may be his last contest in the UFC, and Matt Mitrione showed his normal flair for humour. Check Kongo barely said a word. It has the feel of heading towards a special event on Saturday night. It is sold out.

“If we had been a boxing event and we have lost the main fight, we would have had to scrap the event. We have not had a single request for a ticket to be returned,” explained White.

JON ANIK, ESPN MMA LIVE ANCHOR JOINS UFC AS PRESENTER AND COMMENTATOR

It was also announced at the news conference that Jon Anik, well known in the MMA world for his excellent anchorage of ground breaking show MMA Live on ESPN, joins the UFC as a play by play commentator on the FX shows from January. Anik will also anchor a newly-revamped version of The Ultimate Fighter, and present a weekly show for the fight organization.

“It was a great opportunity and it is the only place I would have left ESPN for. The sport is on the up and up and it will be great to be a part of it.”

UFC President Dana White joked: “We needed extra talent for the roles Jon will take on. Our schedule over the next few years is going to be so busy let me tell you now, Jon’s going to wonder whether he should be back at ESPN.”

NBA labor negotiations still going

NBA owners and players logged more than 15 hours in their previous negotiating session and apparently were on their way to another long one Thursday in New York.

Whatever it takes to try to save the season.

The sides are trying to beat the clock after guarded optimism emerged from a robust session Wednesday that stretched until early Thursday.

Reporters were not invited into the latest round of discussions, which began Thursday at 2 p.m. EDT, but it wasn't hard to imagine what was happening, especially after Commissioner David Stern's comments at a news conference Thursday morning.

He said Wednesday's meeting was productive ... and arduous. Then he said he was hopeful that Thursday's meeting would be equally productive ... and that it probably would be arduous.

RELAXED NICK DIAZ SOAKS UP ATMOSPHERE AT UFC 137

Gareth A Davies in Las Vegas

Perhaps holding the main news conference for UFC 137 on the scaled model of the Brooklyn Bridge on Las Vegas Boulevard was a hint to New York that the UFC is moving on one of the last States in the US not to have sanctioned the sport.

It was a breezy affair – open air – with a few hundred fans crammed against the railings. First things first. Nick Diaz, main event fighter, and welterweight title contender, was there. Not only that. Asked by The Telegraph if he’d been held under lock and key last night, Diaz went with the blow, laughing as he revealed he had been escorted to the news conference an hour early by UFC officials.

For those who have been living under rocks for the last few months, Diaz failed to show at two major news conferences and was removed from a title shot against GSP. The Canadian has since suffered an injury, and Diaz was re-scheduled to fight BJ Penn in the main event.

Diaz admitted that it was “yes, the most important fight of my career”. The Californian admitted that UFC officials had “brought him down an hour early” to the news conference. There was plenty of banter all around. Diaz was relaxed, and it was good to see.

“People tended to see me as someone who does not want to talk to the media. I’m fine with that. What bothers me is when some random dude from a B grade website comes down and films me training. I’m happy to talk to anybody. I;m just here to do my job.”

BJ Penn, relishing this contest, and being a main event again, explained: “We are both in a must win position. I love to do this love MMA, want to continue doing this, love fighting in the UFC, and of course Nick wants to prove he has come to stay in the UFC.”

Dana White, UFC President, explained: “The best always go up against the best in this sport and it’s almost three years undefeated for Nick. These two guys have great similarities. They are both crazy; both warriors.

On the dais Roy Nelson was sporting a snappy suit to go with his Grizzly Adams – or was it Willie Nelson – look. Mirko Cro Cop revealed it may be his last contest in the UFC, and Matt Mitrione showed his normal flair for humour. Check Kongo barely said a word. It has the feel of heading towards a special event on Saturday night. It is sold out.

“If we had been a boxing event and we have lost the main fight, we would have had to scrap the event. We have not had a single request for a ticket to be returned,” explained White.

JON ANIK, ESPN MMA LIVE ANCHOR JOINS UFC AS PRESENTER AND COMMENTATOR

It was also announced at the news conference that Jon Anik, well known in the MMA world for his excellent anchorage of ground breaking show MMA Live on ESPN, joins the UFC as a play by play commentator on the FX shows from January. Anik will also anchor a newly-revamped version of The Ultimate Fighter, and present a weekly show for the fight organization.

“It was a great opportunity and it is the only place I would have left ESPN for. The sport is on the up and up and it will be great to be a part of it.”

UFC President Dana White joked: “We needed extra talent for the roles Jon will take on. Our schedule over the next few years is going to be so busy let me tell you now, Jon’s going to wonder whether he should be back at ESPN.”

How can USC stop Andrew Luck and Stanford? [video]

Times USC reporter Gary Klein discusses how the Trojans can stop Andrew Luck and Stanford ahead of Saturday's meeting in the Coliseum.

 

 

Week 8 in Fantasy Football: Favorable and Unfavorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

DeMarco Murray (vs. Philadelphia) was listed here last week and all he did was break Emmitt Smith’s team record of 237 rushing yards, so we think he earned another mention. Felix Jones will not be active and Tashard Choice is banged up with a shoulder injury, making Murray the starter yet again against an Eagles team allowing almost 5 yards a carry this season. He’s among our favorable matchup picks for Week 8.

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) vs. New England – Big Ben is starting to hit a groove with his second game with at least three touchdowns over the last three weeks, and his 361 passing yards against Arizona was tops among all quarterbacks in Week 7. Last season against New England, he actually beat that mark, throwing for 387 yards. The Patriots are allowing 24 fantasy points a game to quarterback, good enough for the fourth best quarterback matchup this season.

Philip Rivers (SD) vs. Kansas City – With his 11 interceptions on the year, something is clearly off with one of the most accurate gunslingers in the game. But we can blame a stingy Jets secondary for some of his struggles last week, despite what Randy McMichael thinks. The Chiefs held Rivers to 6 fantasy points in Week 3, but they still rank as a middle of the road opponent yielding close to 20 fantasy points a game to the position.

Joe Flacco (ATL) vs. Arizona – Flacco’s up-and-down season reached a low last week with his worst outing this year (137 yards, 3.6 yards/attempt). He has twice topped 300 yards passing after dismal performances in 2011. If that trend continues, we could expect a solid outing against fantasy’s sixth best quarterback matchup (22 FPPG).

Eli Manning (NYG)  vs. Miami – Fantasy’s 10th ranked quarterback (127 points) heading into Week 8 will have a great chance to add to those totals against the winless Dolphins, who are allowing opposing quarterbacks 24.7 fantasy points a game (top QB matchup).

Unfavorable

Tim Tebow (DEN) vs. Detroit – Tebow and his owners were sitting on an ugly 4 for 14, 40-yard stat line for three and a half quarters before a dramatic 121-yard, 2-touchdown, fourth-quarter turnaround saved the day. He may need another miracle against the Lions, who have allowed just one 20-point fantasy game to the position this season (Romo, Week 4). There are safer QB starts this week.

Tony Romo (DAL) vs. Philadelphia — Season lows in the attempts (24) and yardage category (166) certainly were not what most people expected Sunday against the lowly Rams defense, but when your running back runs for 253 yards, you won’t be asked to do much throwing. This week he will be up against a Philadelphia defense that has held QBs to a 12-point fantasy average over the last two Sundays.

Kevin Kolb (ARZ) vs. Baltimore — There’s no good reason to mess around with Kolb this week, seeing how the Ravens are coughing up just 8 fantasy points a game to opposing QBs so far this season.

Tom Brady (NE) vs. Pittsburgh — This is a tough matchup on paper (fourth toughest), but Brady has had a lot of success against the Steelers over the course of career, having thrown for at least 350 yards and 7 TDs in his last three meetings with them. Keep him active unless you have a Drew Brees sitting on your bench, and if you do, that’s just not fair.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Chris Johnson (TEN) vs. Indianapolis – According to John McClain of The Houston Chronicle, ”There’s an imposter wearing Chris Johnson’s uniform” this season, referring to the running back’s squeamishness for contact. Did the lockout and the big payday really change this guy that much? One thing is for certain, with a $30 million salary to account for, he isn’t going to be benched any time soon. Nobody allows more fantasy points to running backs than the Colts, so find a spot for him in your lineup and hope for the best.

Pierre Thomas (NO) vs. St. Louis – Fresh off a season high in touches (15) and yards (125), Thomas could see another solid dose of work against the league’s worst run defense with Mark Ingram dealing with a heel injury.

Ryan Torain/Roy Helu (WAS) vs. Buffalo – Our condolences to Torain owners who were erring on the side of logic by expecting him to get the bulk of the load last week. On the bright side, Tim Hightower’s season-ending injury will make it harder for the notoriously devious Coach Mike Shanahan to mess with our heads. Logic would suggest that Torain will be the featured back this weekend, with Helu handling third-down duties, and the matchup is another great one with Buffalo allowing the third most rushing yards in the league. It would still be best to consider Torain a low-end RB2 or flex option, just to be safe.

Unfavorable

Maurice Morris (DET) vs. Denver – Morris and the backup Keiland Williams will take turns trying to run on a suddenly stout Denver run defense that is now considered the fourth toughest matchup for the position.

Peyton Hillis/Montario Hardesty (CLE) vs. San Francisco – Hillis is expected to return to his starting role this week, leaving Hardesty to again pick up the scraps. Both backs will have a hard time finding running lanes on the 49ers, who are allowing just 74 yards a game on the ground and have yet to give up a rushing score.

Bernard Scott (CIN) vs. Seattle – Scott will see plenty of touches this week as the Bengals aren’t expected to deviate from their run-heavy ways despite Cedric Benson’s absence. The problem is, the Seahawks are more than adequate at stopping opposing ground attacks. No running back has reached the century mark against them this season.

Knowshon Moreno (DEN)  vs. Detroit – He’s ready for an expanded role thanks to a McGahee injury and would appear to be a decent start, as the Lions have faltered against the run over the last few weeks. They have fared well against pass-catching backs, however, yielding just 74 yards on 11 receptions over that time span and have yet to give up a TD to an RB through the air this season. Moreno has conceded that he is still not fully healed from a hamstring injury and will have to share the load with Lance Ball so keep expectations in check.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

Anquan Boldin (BAL) vs. Arizona – No. 1 receivers have averaged 15 fantasy points a game against this unit, with the only sore spot being a 2-point dud from Percy Harvin. Then again, is Harvin really considered a No. 1 option anymore with the season he has had?

Nate Washington (TEN) vs. Indianapolis – The Colts are coming off a video-game-like beatdown from the Saints in which Marques Colston turned in a 98-yard, 2-touchdown performance, making him the fifth No. 1 receiver to reach double digits against this secondary this season.

A.J. Green (CIN) vs. Seattle – Greg Little failed to capitalize on a reeling Seattle secondary in Week 7, but  much of the blame can be put on his quarterback, Colt McCoy, who was highly inaccurate in the first half, not to mention completely terrified of throwing a pass for more than 10 yards. The Bengals’ emerging duo of Andy Dalton and Green will pose a much more formidable challenge.

Jabar Gaffney (WAS) vs. Buffalo – You can’t expect more than spotty WR3 production from this guy, but he will be Washington’s No. 1 wideout for the next five to seven weeks with the loss of Santana Moss, and Buffalo does surrender 24 fantasy points a game to opposing receivers, meaning you can do worse if you’re in need of some bye-week help.

Unfavorable

Michael Crabtree (SF) vs. Cleveland – Joe Haden returned last week to continue his dominance over the position, limiting Sidney Rice to just two catches for 38 yards. This week he figures to shut down Crabtree, unless Braylon Edwards can return to the field and make enough noise to justify Haden’s attention.

Sidney Rice (SEA) vs. Cincinnati – Speaking of Rice, things won’t get much easier for him this week against Leon Hall and the Bengals, who have limited opposing No. 1 threats to a 5-point fantasy average over the last three weeks.

Reggie Wayne (IND) vs. Tennessee – Wayne hasn’t had a good fantasy day since Week 1 and that has many owners debating whether to cut him loose to the wire. After this week, that decision may get easier as the Titans come into this one ranked as the 7th toughest on opposing wideouts.

Miles Austin (DAL) vs. Philadelphia – Make that two straight weeks in which Miles has failed to capitalize against a weak secondary  (NE, STL). Things take a turn for the worst as the Cowboys visit Philadelphia, where a No. 1 receiver has yet to post more than 8 fantasy points in a game (Roddy White, Week 2).

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Jake Ballard (NYG) vs. Miami – Does Jermichael Finley or Tony Gonzalez have you in a bye-week fix? You might want to give the Giants’ emerging tight end a shot. He has been flying under the radar in the Giants’ passing game and Manning has been taking advantage of it to the tune of 11 catches for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns this October. The Dolphins are yielding 11 fantasy points a game to guys like Ballard, making them the second best matchup a tight end can have.

Unfavorable

Heath Miller (PIT) vs. New England –  The Patriots are allowing just 6 points a game to tight ends, and despite hitting paydirt in two of his last three games, Miller will spend most of his time trying to block.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

San Francisco vs. Cleveland, New Orleans vs. St. Louis, Cinncinnati vs. Seattle, Buffalo vs. Washington, Detroit vs. Denver.

Unfavorable

Pittsburgh vs. New England, Dallas vs. Philadelphia, Philadelphia vs. Dallas, Jacksonville vs. Houston, Minnesota vs. Carolina.

Greatest sports figures in L.A. history, No. 9: Fernando Valenzuela

Continuing our countdown of the 20 greatest figures in L.A. sports history, as chosen in voting by our online readers, with No. 9, Fernando Valenzuela.

No. 9 Fernando Valenzuela (53 first-place votes, 1,783 points)

Fernandomania. That's all you have to say to Dodgers fans to bring a smile to their face as they remember the glory days of Fernando Valenzuela.

Fernandomania was born in 1981, when Valenzuela started the season 8-0 with five shutouts and an earned-run average of 0.50. He became a sensation with the fans, drawing sellout crowds at Dodger Stadium, with ticket sales increasing whenever he pitched in other stadiums too, as fans wanted a glimpse of his unusual delivery, with his eyes looking skyward before delivering the ball to the plate. Valenzuela finished 1981 with a 13-7 record and a 2.48 ERA, leading all pitchers in complete games (11), shutouts (eight), innings pitched (192.1) and strikeouts (180). Valenzuela pitched a complete Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees and helped the Dodgers win their first World Series title since 1965. After the season, he was named rookie of the year and won the Cy Young Award, still the only person to accomplish win both in the same year.

Valenzuela was the ace of the Dodgers staff from 1981 to 1987, with his best season coming in 1986, when he finished 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA and led the league in wins, complete games and innings pitched, finishing second in Cy Young Award voting to Mike Scott of the Houston Astros.

At the 1986 All-Star Game, Valenzuela made history by striking out five consecutive American League batters, tying a record set by Carl Hubbell in 1934.

In 1988, Valenzuela won just five games and missed much of the season. He went 10-13 in 1989 and 13-13 in 1990, which was the season of his last great moment, when on June 29, 1990, he threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Valenzuela was released by the Dodgers just before the 1991 season. He played part of that season with the Angels and bounced around baseball until retiring after the 1997 season with a career mark of 173-153.

He is currently a member of the Dodgers' Spanish-language broadcast team.

RELATED:

No. 10: Jackie Robinson

No. 11: Tommy Lasorda

No. 12: Wayne Gretzky

No. 13: Walter O'Malley

No. 14: Don Drysdale

No. 15: Merlin Olsen

No. 16: Jerry Buss

No. 17: Elgin Baylor

No. 18: Marcus Allen

No. 19: Jim Murray

No. 20: Wilt Chamberlain

Your votes are in: The 20 greatest sports figures in L.A. history

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Fernando Valenzuela with the Dodgers in 1981. Credit: Los Angeles Times

 

How UCLA can fix its defense [video]

Times UCLA reporter Chris Foster discusses if UCLA's defense is fixable, and what the offense plans to do against Cal on Saturday.

 

 

NBA owners, players begin another round of lockout talks

And they're off...

Again.

Thirty hours over three days didn't lead to a new NBA deal last week. Fifteen hours wasn't enough in a negotiating session that started Wednesday and bled into the wee hours of Thursday morning.

How long will NBA negotiators spend in the same room this time? They started another session Thursday at 2 p.m. EDT in New York.

There was conservative optimism coming out of Wednesday's negotiations, which actually ended after 3 a.m. Thursday.

After an acrimonious breakup last week, the sides reconvened because owners dropped their take-it-or-leave-it demand for a 50-50 split of basketball-related income. The players made 57% of BRI last season.

The sides cobbled together discussions on smaller issues Wednesday, specifically what the luxury tax should look like in the next collective-bargaining agreement. The short explanation: small-market owners want to increase the tax to keep deep-pocketed owners from spending freely; players think that's a bad idea because they want lots of money spent without penalty.

"We can't say there was major progress in any way but there was some progress on some of our system issues, obviously enough for us to come back [later Thursday]," players union president Derek Fisher said at an early morning news conference.

Other peripheral or "system" concepts were also discussed, but neither side broached the big item, the BRI.

"There are still some very big issues left," NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver said at about 4 a.m. EDT.

MORE:

Would a shortened season benefit the Lakers?

Owners, players focus on fixing system issues

Lakers will be more competitive in shortened season

-- Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Derek Fisher. Credit: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press.

Kevin Durant praises Blake Griffin

They both transformed their teams. They both put up monster numbers in their NBA debuts. And they both won the rookie of the year award.

But what would have happened if Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant had entered the league at the same time? Who would have been most deserving of the honor?

Durant says that's a no-brainer. "[Griffin] would have been rookie of the year."

Said Griffin: "I dont know about that. We were kind of in two different positions as rookies. We both did come in and we got to play a lot of minutes. You know, it's hard to say."

After being selected as the top draft pick by the Clippers in 2009, Griffin averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds in his rookie debut last season. (He suffered a broken left knee cap during the final preseason game in 2009 that kept him sidelined that year.) Durant, who was selected second by the Seattle Supersonics in 2007, averaged 20.3 points and 4.4 rebounds.

"I'm just fortunate enough that I didn't play the same rookie year as he did," Durant said. But it feels good to say I was rookie of the year and be in the same class as a great player like Blake."

Trying to choose which one of Griffin's dunks last season was the most spectacular is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child -- for most people, it's an awfully difficult prospect.

So we threw the question at Griffin.

Even he stumbled a bit.

Griffin talked about how there was a nine-game home stretch last season during which the Clippers were undefeated. When prodded a bit more, he mentioned the game against the Indiana Pacers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in which he scored a career-high 47 points, shot 19 for 24 from the field and nine for 11 from the free-throw line. (He had only one dunk that game.)

After winning, 114-107, he told The Times' Lisa Dillman, "As a kid, you always dream of having big games like you see guys do all the time. I watched guys like Michael Jordan. I don't know how many 40-point games he had. You think about it and you dream about it.

"But it doesn't really hit you. I don't think twice about it to be honest. It's one of those things. You have games where shots are falling."

MORE:

Blake Griffin talks Kevin Love, 'The Body Issue'

Kevin Love and Blake Griffin on the NBA lockout

-- Melissa Rohlin

UFC 137: Excl video Dana White on Nick Diaz; ESPN UFC Podcast and picks

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S ESPN UFC PODCAST

Understanding Nick Diaz… CLICK HERE TO READ STORY

TELEGRAPH UFC 137 PICKS: Diaz, Kongo, Nelson, Jorgensen, Hioki, Cerrone, Griffin

N.F.L. Week 8 Game Probabilities (Intangibles Are Baked In)

Brian Burke, a former Navy pilot who has taken up the less dangerous hobby of N.F.L. statistical analysis, operates Advanced NFL Stats, a blog about football, math and human behavior.

It’s a common criticism of statistics: Stats don’t measure the intangibles. You know — the drive, character, heart, discipline, leadership, teamwork, and all the other desirable qualities in athletes. Except that they do. Stats measure the effects of what we call intangibles, and always have.

Although there is no exercise at the scouting combine that can directly gauge a player’s will to win, it still manifests in his performance on the field. And as long as the stats reflect what actually transpires between the sidelines, they capture the effects of the competitors’ intangible qualities. And if the intangibles don’t show up in the numbers, then they didn’t matter in the first place.

What statistics can’t do is separate the physical-material tangible qualities, such as speed, strength and skill, from the intangible ones. They are captured together. But that’s no different than trying to separate the effect of an athlete’s speed from the effect of his strength. All qualities, whether tangible or intangible, are inseparable using statistics alone.

If a great player is also a great leader who inspires his teammates to play better, then that will be reflected in his team’s statistics. It may not be captured in his personal stats, but that has always been true of the effects of teammates on one another’s performance, whether tangible or intangible.

There are exceptions, usually temporary. If a team is one win from the playoffs, and its opponents have been eliminated from contention for weeks, then the team stats to-date won’t fully reflect the relative motivation of each team. But once the game is done, the contest’s statistics will reflect the difference in motivation, assuming that it mattered.

Don’t get me wrong. I recognize that numbers are not the only way to look at a sport, and I’m in favor of good character and the will to win as much as the next guy. But to the extent that these qualities influence play on the field, the numbers will capture their effect.

Here are your game probabilities for Week 8, with all the intangibles included.

 

For more on the prediction model and its accuracy, see this post.

By Not Fining Coaches, N.F.L. Leaves Itself Open to Charges of Hypocrisy

It’s hard to argue with this line of reasoning by Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports:

The NFL fined Packers linebacker Clay Matthews $5,000 for wearing yellow cleats with his nasty throwback uniform.

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu got docked twice that amount for borrowing a team doctor’s cell phone on the sidelines – to assure his wife he was OK after suffering an apparent head injury.

And the Jousting Jims, Harbaugh and Schwartz? After a contentious postgame handshake and bumping incident involving the 49ers’ and Lions’ charged-up coaches turned into a full-fledged spectacle at Ford Field two Sundays ago, the NFL took swift and decisive action. Get this: The league reportedly sent out a memo to all 32 teams, reminding everyone to behave at game’s end.

The decision not to fine Harbaugh and Schwartz was so puzzling that Mike Holmgren, the Browns’ president, called the league office,  according to Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports:

“Even if we’re only talking about $5,000 or $10,000, there should have been some fine,” Holmgren said. “That’s not good for our league and if my guy [Pat Shurmur] had done it, I’d say the same thing. You have tough, intense games, but afterward, you conduct yourself a certain way. [Bill] Parcells and I had plenty of tough games, but we always were gentlemen to each other after the game.”

Extra point Does Roger Goodell risk the appearance of two standards of justice in his league, one for coaches and one for players?

London 2012 Olympics diary: Locog hit back in Steve Ovett tickets row

Missing: Steve Ovett (Photo: AFP)

London Olympics organisers say they are mystified by claims by Steve Ovett that they turned down his request for a couple of tickets for the Olympic 1500m final in exchange for taking part in a photo-call at the official ticket launch in March.

Ovett, Lord Coe’s great rival on the track in the 1970s and ‘80s, was invited to fly to London from his home in Australia to join fellow Olympic gold medallists Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Rebecca Adlington for the promotional event.

But, as reported in last week’s Olympic Diary, he says he pulled out after his ticket request was rejected. However, the London organising committee (Locog) has painted a very different picture of the negotiations with Ovett’s management company over the terms of his appearance in London and says the former runner may not be aware of the scale of its demands.

Locog has correspondence to prove that it agreed to pay Ovett £10,000 for his single day of promotional work (Locog’s original, smaller cash offer was turned down by Ovett’s team), plus business-class travel and accommodation.

The reply from Ovett’s management company was that he would also require four tickets for his children for all nine days of the track and field competition in the Olympic Stadium, at which point Locog decided to pull the plug.

******

Russian plans to turn London’s Marble Arch into a £10 million party venue, dubbed ‘Marble Archski’, during next summer’s Olympics are set to be turned down by Westminster City Council.

Council offers have recommended that planning permission be refused for the ‘Sochi World’ project, which was meant to showcase the 2014 Winter Olympics with a 700-capacity ice rink as well as an exhibition centre, bars and restaurants.

The plans ran into huge opposition from local residents angry at the disruption and overcrowding that would result, and there were also strong objections from transport chiefs, the Metropolitan Police and English Heritage.

The Russian organisers now have the headache of finding an alternative venue with many of the capital’s prime sites having already been booked by other countries.

******

Dame Kelly Holmes believes former world champion Caster Semenya has made a smart move in hiring 800 metres great Maria Mutola as her new coach as the South African runner begins her countdown to 2012.

Holmes credits the time she spent training with Mutola in South Africa in 2003 as a key factor in her double triumph at the Athens Olympics the following year.

“She’s the most focused athlete I’ve ever known,” says Holmes. “I thought I was focused, but she is really scary. She’s just so blinkered. I don’t know what her coaching ability is, but for Caster to have that energy around her and to be working with someone who beat everyone that was thrown at her and achieved so much, it has to be the perfect move for her.”

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Londoners hoping to make a few extra quid next summer by renting out their homes to Olympic visitors face a confusing postcode lottery when it comes to council rules on short-term lets.

Research carried out by Holiday Lettings, the UK’s leading holiday lets website, has revealed a huge disparity in regulations, with some councils levying hefty charges for short-let planning permission while others imposing no charge at all.

The strictest rules appear to be in Westminster, where the council is charging £335 for planning permission with the threat of a £20,000 fine for non-compliance.

By contrast, host boroughs Tower Hamlets and Hackney say residents require no permission to rent their  homes.

A Holiday Lettings spokeswoman said: “This is a huge opportunity for Londoners to support the Olympic effort and we must question why some councils are objecting to this.”

JaMarcus Russell talks about his issues while with the Raiders

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell revealed to Sports Illustrated that many factors contributed to his underachieving performance with the team, including the deaths of 11  friends and family members, and sleep apnea.

After being selected by the Raiders as the top pick in the 2007 draft, Russell won just seven of 25 starts, completed 52.1% of his passes and made only 18 touchdowns in his three seasons with the team. The Raiders let him go in 2010.

Here are some excerpts from the interview.

On the deaths of 11 family members or friends: “I went through so much no one knew about. Go to a funeral on Saturday, fly into the game on Sunday. Then I hear, ‘He doesn’t lead by example.’ Really?”

On Russell's relationship with then-coach Tom Cable: “I stuck my neck out for him. Didn’t complain when he benched me as the starter. Didn’t complain when he called the same plays five damn times. Didn’t [badmouth] him to other coaches. When the [media] asks me, I say, ‘He’s a good coach, a good guy.’ Then I hear he says I was the worst thing ever happened to the Raiders, 'if it weren’t for him we’d be in the playoffs'? ...  It just got to where the game wasn’t fun for me.”

On reports that he slept during team meetings: “In the NFL, my first year, I had to be there at 6:30 [a.m.] before practice and be on the treadmill for an hour. Then meetings come, I sit down, eat my fruit. We watch film, and maybe I got tired. Coach Flip [quarterback coach John DeFilippo] pulled me aside and said, ‘What are you doing for night life?’ I said, ‘Coach, I’m just chilling.’ He said, ‘I need to get you checked out.’ I did the sleep test, and they said I had apnea.”

On rumors that he’s broke: “Football isn’t paying me now. You make $1 million a game and you can do whatever. It’s not like that anymore; I need to put myself in a place where those zeros in the bank last for a long time. But I’m not broke. Far from it.”

MORE:

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Jaguars' Blaine Gabbert does just enough against Ravens

-- Melissa Rohlin

Photo: JaMarcus Russell. Credit: Nick Laham / Getty Images

WTA Championships Diary: Caroline Wozniacki secures year end No 1 ranking as Maria Sharapova heads home

Caroline Wozniacki with the year-end No 1 ranking trophy

Double world No 1

All credit to Caroline Wozniacki, who secured the year end world No 1 ranking for the second successive year, the first female player to do so since Justine Henin in 2007, and the first Dane to ever do so. Despite the slightly ironic fact that she secured the year end top spot while losing a match, Ms Woz was all smiles as she received the year-end trophy from WTA mother hen Stacey Allaster, who had some glowing things to say about the bubbly blonde.

In a particularly nice touch, Wozniacki handed over her bouquet of flowers to her mother, Anna who missed out on celebrating her daughter’s year-end No 1 ranking last year. Father Piotr was chuckling profusely at the back of the room, even more so when no one seemed to want to ask Caro any questions.

“No English questions?” Wozniacki said. “This is the best press conference ever.”

So Wozniacki becomes the first Slam-less female to grab the top spot two years in a row, but, let’s not forget, she has plenty of time on her side. Let's just leave her to get on with it.

Nick wants to help

As Victoria Azarenka revealed that she couldn’t stop grunting even if she had to, Nick Bollettieri announced that he wants to help the WTA tackle grunting at an early stage, before it becomes embedded in a player’s game. Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, Bollettieri said he and his team are looking into ways for players to expel air, in the manner for which he is so famous, but without making a noise, or at least not such a high-pitched one.

After all, as Sam Stosur, pointed out, she grunts too, but it’s not a screech so it doesn’t bother anyone.

Too much for Maria

Maria Sharapova withdrew from the WTA Championships last night, citing the same troublesome ankle that has been bothering her since she injured it in Tokyo last month. Credit to her for making the effort to come and play here in the first place despite clearly not being physically fit.

Quote of the day

"Tennis is easy. You don't need to think about it too much. Just black and white"

Li Na saying it like it is.

Things I’ve learned in Turkey

Stray cats are a thing. They’re everywhere.

Coming up today…

Victoria Azarenka v Li Na

The Belarusian was on scary form during her 6-2, 6-2 demolition of Sam Stosur yesterday, and her reaction, an emphatic fist pump, said it all. Can she bring it again today against Li for her fifth win in six meetings over China’s heroine? Something tells me yes. Li Na was lovely to watch during her defeat of Sharapova, 6-1, 7-5, but she was helped by the Russian’s lack of mobility. And, let’s face it, it’s been a little while since she’s strung a couple of wins together. Azarenka is through to the semis if she wins.

Caroline Wozniacki v Petra Kvitova

Three matches in a row for the world No 1, who faces probably her toughest test against the rather green Czech. Kvitova is still working her way into this whole being at the top of the tree thing, and admitted how nervous she was during a rather shaky win over Vera Zvonareva on Tuesday. Still, if she’s on full flow in the power department, which she wasn’t on Monday, Wozniacki will have to be at her scrambling best to keep with her and get a fourth win in five meetings. She may be just too tired though.

If Kvitova wins, she’s through to the semi-finals. If Wozniacki wins in straight sets, she’s through. I think.

Vera Zvonareva v Agniezska Radwanska

Probably not the top billing of the evening, this will be a veritable scrapfest. Radwanska was very unlucky to lose out to Wozniacki the other day, while Zvonareva beat the Dane, so perhaps the confidence is with her. Having said that, Radwanska leads their head to head 3-2, and won the most recent bout, in the Tokyo final, so perhaps that will make a difference. Knocks and niggles might play a part too. Whoever loses is going home.

The daily click

The WTA's second daily diary…watch out for Vika's air kiss

London 2012 Olympics: Team GB could prove lucrative for Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and the BOA

Brothers in arms: Rooney and Giggs could be a big attraction for Team GB at London 2012

There are three men who are genuine considerations for the over-23 spots in the Team GB football side at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

David Beckham is a shoe-in if only for the publicity and ticket sales he will generate.

But the other two names will convert the Team GB ‘Dream Team’ into a Team GB ‘Redeem Team’. They are Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.

Both have appeared in the newspapers for the wrong reasons in recent years, with front page exposure about their private pursuits not nearly as welcome as the back page coverage of their sporting heroics.

What these players do in their personal lives may ultimately be of little relevance to their football skills, but competing in the London 2012 Olympics will surely give them an opportunity to present to the world a different side to their tabloid personas.

The London Olympic organisers need to shift a million football tickets and having such high profile personalities as part of the home football side is crucial to generating publicity- good or bad.

They certainly will guide the structure of play on the pitch. The degree of influence in helping to mould a cohesive national team – welcoming Welsh players Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey for instance – could enhance their leadership credentials.

Commercially the role is also a winner for the players. Technically they aren't paid for their time in the Olympic team, but some players have sponsor bonuses in their contracts that could be quite lucrative. Just being able to call themselves “an Olympian'” is a motivating factor.

The BOA is also in an interesting position if these players are selected for Team GB.

The bosses have already set lofty moral standards. We have seen them remain strong in the rejection of any athlete who has served a drug suspension, but the BOA's claim that competing for Team GB is a privilege and bears with it higher ethical responsibilities could be questioned by the over-23 player nominations.

Not that the Olympic athletes village is entirely clear of sordid speculation. Inaccessible to the media and the prying eyes of inconvenient spouses, it is fuelled with reports of record condom usage – something that may even shock a professional footballer.

Five ways Graham Henry would change English rugby

So, World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has told The Telegraph that's he'd be happy to get a call from the Rugby Football Union (once his fishing trip is over). He's made it clear he does not want Martin Johnson's job, but has said he's possibly interested in playing a role in developing English coaches and players. But where would  this Great Redeemer start? Here's five things Henry could bring to English rugby.

1. Precisely what England need and want most - a winning mentality. Henry has no interest in being a gallant or brave loser. Even when the All Blacks play well and win convincingly, it's not often that you'll see him relaxed, because he's always aiming to stay those extra yards ahead of the opposition. He expects the very best from himself, his team and his players all the time.

2. Lack of sentimentality. Whereas England have clung on to ageing players well past their best, Henry has shown himself to be a ruthless operator – even to his most loyal servants. Consider Mils Muliaina, who would have been left stranded on 99 caps had Israel Dagg not been injured for the quarter-final at the recent World Cup. Henry would never have taken an unfit Andrew Sheridan or half-speed Mike Tindall to the World Cup – no matter how well they'd played in the past. Henry picks on form, full stop.

3. Tough but in-house discipline. You'll hardly ever hear Henry defending errant players or spilling the beans on punishment meted out.  And Lord knows, he's had his fair share of problem children. Late nights, boozy nights, that kind of thing. But Henry is known for quietly taking the offenders aside, working with them on any problems, then saying to them, 'now prove I did the right thing by not cutting you loose'. Consider the brilliant performances from Cory Jane and Dagg against Australia after they'd been seen at 3am in an Auckland bar a week earlier. Henry hasn't forgotten what he learned as a headmaster in Auckland. He's used to dealing with naughty boys – another plus for England.

4. An incredible eye for talent.Henry is the master at spotting a potential World Cup winner. That player may come from some lowly league, but if Henry thinks he has something special to offer, he'll hook up the player with the right coaches and to see if promise can be turned into genuine performance. England's midfield might just become a thing of beauty again under his tutelage.

5. A master planner. Henry leaves nothing to chance – be it the game plan, the fine detail, the well-being of his players, the rehab when things go wrong. Have a read of the redhead-bluehead distinction in Mark Reason's interview. Fascinating. And very reminiscent of Sir Clive Woodward  in that regard. And then he puts the right people in place to look after many of those aspects to ensure the team focuses on training and playing well. Henry openly admitted he got many things wrong in 2007. But he went away, wiped the slate clean, identified the weaknesses and strengths, and started planning for 2011. The Webb Ellis Cup in his hands speaks for itself.