TEMPE, Ariz. JJ Redick Jersey . -- The Arizona Cardinals have placed first-round draft pick Jonathan Cooper on injured reserve, ending the left guards season after initially expressing hope he could be back for as many as the final six games. Cooper underwent surgery last Sunday after breaking his left leg the previous night in a preseason game against San Diego. Cooper, the seventh pick overall, had been slated to start on a rebuilt offensive line under new coach Bruce Arians. The team released 13 players on Friday, including nose tackle David Carter and wide receiver Mike Thomas. Others released are safety Jonathan Amaya, centre Adam Bice, wide receiver Dan Buckner, tight end Alex Gottlieb, wide receiver Charles Hawkins, guard Senio Kelemente, linebacker Zack Nash, linebacker Colin Parker, tight end Richard Quinn, guard Chilo Rachal and safety Curtis Taylor. The movers leave 61 players on the Arizona roster. It must be reduced to 53 by 6 p.m., EDT, on Saturday. One reduction will come when inside linebacker Daryl Washington serves his suspension for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Another could be created if tight end Jeff King, who underwent surgery on his ailing right knee, goes on injured reserve. Cooper is expected to be sidelined for at least 12 weeks, Arians said. The Cardinals could have used the rule that allows an injured player to return eight weeks into the season, but the coach said it was decided to save that option in case it could be used on someone else. "We dont feel its fair to our football team in case we get somebody who can come back sooner, if there is another injury," Arians said. "We felt we needed to keep that spot open. As much as we wanted to get Jon back, the chances of him coming back and then getting in football shape werent as realistic as wed hoped for." A question yet to be answered is whether the Cardinals will release Ryan Lindley and go with two quarterbacks. Arians said he was "90 per cent sure" what he would do with Lindley but wouldnt offer any hints what that might be. Carter, a sixth-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2011, appeared in all 16 games for the Cardinals the past two seasons, four last year as a starter. But he lost out in the competition, Arians said. "David was in a battle with Ronald Talley and Talleys strength at the point of attack, the ability to play nose stronger, was better," Arians said. "David has a lot of hustle and a lot of effort but was struggling to hold the point." Arians repeated his commitment, made after Arizonas 32-24 win at Denver Thursday night, to keep all five running backs on the 53-man roster. That means Ryan Williams, the 2011 second-round draft pick who missed much of training camp with a sore knee, will make the team. The other backs are starter Rashard Mendenhall, Alfonso Smith and rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington. "I like our running backs. Its one of the strengths of our whole football team, that position," Arians said, "so were not going to weaken it at all." Pending further roster moves, there are five wide receivers on the team -- Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Andre Roberts, ex-Arizona State player Kerry Taylor and undrafted rookie Jerome Brown. Thomas, a former University of Arizona standout, was brought in last week after being released by Detroit. "It was a decision that right now I like the guys we have a little bit more," Arians said. "The punt returning was an added feature but it wasnt a need." Kelemente was a fifth-round draft pick out of Washington in 2012. Amaya has played in 38 games over three seasons for Miami and New Orleans. Nash appeared in eight games for the Cardinals last year. Rachal has played in 64 games over five seasons, 46 as a starter. He started eight games for Chicago last year. Quinn had signed with the team earlier in the week. Parker signed as a free agent last year. Bice, Buckner, Gottlieb, Hawkins and Curtis Taylor were undrafted rookie free agents. Arians said he told the players remaining on the roster to take nothing for granted as the team looks at those released by other teams. "The entire group, I told them dont go buy a car yet," he said. "These next cuts are the tougher ones." Nikola Vucevic Jersey .A. Happ is coming off his first start of the year, a win at Philadelphia Monday. The former Phillie allowed three hits in five scoreless frames of a 3-0 triumph. Magic Jerseys 2021 . It is unclear how long Kallstrom, who was brought in to alleviate the teams midfield problems, will be sidelined. Arsenals communications director, Mark Gonnella, says the club decided to proceed with Kallstroms signing despite the injury.The Ottawa Senators jumped out to a strong start this season in large part because of defensive consistency and strong goaltending. There hasnt been as much of that lately, though tonights visit to the Florida Panthers could present the Senators with a decent opportunity to win consecutive games for the first time in three weeks. Viewers in the Senators region can watch the game live on TSN5 at 7:30pm et/8:30 at. You can also listen to the action on TSN Radio 1200 starting at 5:30pm ET. Ottawa (10-7-4) began the season 7-3-2 and allowed 2.17 goals per game in that span. Over a 3-4-2 stretch since, its giving up 3.11. The Senators are making their third stop on a five-game trip, which began with a loss in Detroit before Tuesdays 3-2 shootout win at St. Louis. Erik Condra and Alex Chiasson scored third-period goals to help Ottawa overcome a two-goal deficit in the final 12 minutes. Robin Lehner made 27 saves and stopped all three shootout chances as the team focused on returning to its disciplined form. This was a good win for our team, Lehner said. It was very important for our team to come back here and get two points. We played the right way, tried to get back to a structured game. Its something we needed. Lehner has played three of the teams last four and gone 2-1-0 with a 2.28 goals-against average, while Craig Anderson tries to work through a stretch of recent struggles after a stellar start to the season. Anderson has a 3.69 GAA and .894 save percentage over a 1-2-1 stretch after opening the season with a 1.72 GAA and league-best .952 save percentage while going 4-2-2. That start included a 1-0, 30-save victory in Florida on Octt. Tony Battie Jersey. 13. Should Anderson return to face the Panthers (8-6-6), hes got a 10-2-0 record and 1.67 GAA in his last 12 starts against them to fall back on. Clarke MacArthur scored in the latest win and has 11 points over an eight-game streak against Florida. The Senators have won 14 of the last 18 meetings and will also be facing an uncertain goaltending situation. Roberto Luongo left midway through Wednesdays 1-0 home win over Carolina, but Al Montoya concluded the shutout with 22 saves. (Luongos) been so good for us, its tough to see a guy go down with an injury like that, but hopefully its minor, Montoya told the teams official website. For me it was just about believing in my game. Ive been working hard with the goalie coach (Robb Tallas). Its just knowing what I can do and contributing when I get the chance. Luongo hasnt been ruled out, but the team did recall goalie Dan Ellis from AHL San Antonio on Thursday when Scottie Upshall landed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Should they elect to turn to Montoya, they could be in good hands. He has a 1.99 GAA in three starts and three relief efforts this season. Nick Bjugstad remained hot for the Panthers with the only goal against Carolina, his sixth in as many games to go along with three assists. The pucks just going in for me, said Bjugstad, who leads the team with eight goals. Its not going in much for anyone else. No other Panther has more than four, and the rest of the team has four goals in five games. Floridas 2.05 season scoring average ranks 28th. The power play has been barren in the last three (0 for 10) and gone 5 for 37 over 12 games. ' ' '
wxyan1123
Jan 8
Discussion
The most under-rated team in the FBS resides in the great state of Michigan. Leon Durham Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Head Coach Mark Dantonio leads a capable offence, and one of the best defences the Big 10 has ever seen. Outside of a loss to Notre Dame back in September, the Spartans have been perfect, working their way up the BCS rankings where they currently sit 16th. With Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota and potentially Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship game still on the schedule, Michigan State has a chance to crack the Top 10 and wind up in the Rose Bowl. For a team you have heard very little about, the upside for the Spartans is incredibly high. And its well deserved. In their nine games, eight wins and one loss, the Spartans have given up more than 17 points just once. In their last three games theyve combined to give up just nine points total. They have allowed 11.6 points per game which is third-best in the FBS. Now paired with their daunting defence is an offence that has provided capable of keeping pace. Sophomore Connor Cook has taken over as the starting quarterback and has tossed 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Jeremy Langford has done a respectable job replacing Leveon Bell with 11 total touchdowns out of the backfield. The fact of the matter is the Spartans have been dismissed because of all the talk that the Big 10 is "down" and the conference is well behind the likes of the SEC, Pac-12, ACC and Big 12. The truth is while the depth in the conference is down; the top end could compete with all of those other conferences. The three-headed monster of Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin is capable of hanging with the other powers. Currently Michigan State sits behind Northern Illinois, Fresno State, and two-loss teams in UCLA and South Carolina in the BCS standings. On a neutral field the Spartans would win games against all four of those teams - a few of them handily. Depending on how they perform the rest of the season, it may take until the bowl season for Michigan State to prove that their ranking has been a sham all along, and the Spartans should have been considered elite long ago. Teams dont need to score 60 points to be exciting or successful, and the Spartans are the number one team at proving that point. They have work left to be done, starting with the Cornhuskers this weekend, but keep an eye out for Michigan State as they take a run at the Big 10 Title and a berth in a BCS bowl game. Other notes from around the NCAA: -Michigan lost their first game at home under Brady Hoke, falling to Nebraska. Theyve combined for minus-69 rushing yards the last two games. -Tyler Gaffney ran the ball 45 times in Stanfords upset win over Oregon, good for the new Cardinal school record. -Auburn scored 55 points against Tennessee despite attempting only seven passes. Theyve won two straight games without attempting 10 passes in either contest. -92 points and 1,092 yards in the Texas A&M win over Mississippi State. In likely his last game at Kyle Field Johnny Manziel tossed five touchdowns and three interceptions. -Tyler Cameron completed five passes and threw three interceptions against FSU. Amazingly, he wasnt even the teams worst QB on the day – that title goes to Tanner Price who had three picks and only one completion. The six INTs by Florida State were a school record. -Pitt upset Notre Dame 28-21. In the fourth quarter Ray Vinopal had interceptions on back-to-back passes by Fighting Irish QB Tommy Rees. -The 38 points Alabama scored against LSU were the most since they put up 41 back in 1947. -UCF RB Storm Johnson had his third 100-yard rushing game of the year and the Knights are tops in the American Conference. The stat may not be that impressive, but the name Storm Johnson sure is. Kyle Schwarber Jersey . (January 11, 2014) – Once again Kevin Martin proved why he is the all-time TSN skins leader, winning $11,500 in prize money and a spot in the Travelers All-Star Curling Skins Game presented by Pintys final following a semifinal victory over Brad Jacobs earlier this evening at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre in Banff, Alta. Phil Cavarretta Jersey . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal.TORONTO -- Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers have been nominated as finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. The award is presented annually to the most valuable player in the NHL, as voted by fellow members of the National Hockey League Players Association. The three centres are also the finalists for the Hart Trophy, awarded by the NHL to the player considered most valuable to his team. Crosby scored 36 goals and led the league in assists (68) and points (104) to capture his second career Art Ross Trophy and lead the Penguins to their second consecutive division title. He registered points in 60 of the 80 games he played in (75 per cent), including 30 multi-point performances, and never went more than two consecutive games without registering a point. The 26-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native also reached the 100-point milestone for the fifth time hit 700 career points in his 497th game, the fastest among active players and sixth-fastest in NHL history. Crosby won the award in 2007 and 2013 and was a finalist in 2010. Jonathan Lucroy Jersey . Getzlaf scored a career-high 31 goals and ranked second in the league with 87 points to lead the Ducks to the top record in the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history. He posted a 14-game point streak from Nov. 15-Dec. 15 (six goals, 11 assists). Getzlaf, from Regina, also set a career high with seven game-winning goals and recorded a plus-28 defensive rating. Hes a first-time nominee and is looking to become the first Ducks player to receive the award. Giroux matched a career high with 28 goals and finished third in the NHL scoring race with 86 points to help the Flyers bounce back from a 3-9-0 start to the season. After being held pointless in his first five games and not scoring a goal until his 16th, Giroux totalled 28 goals and 51 assists in his final 67 games of the season. The 26-year-old Hearst, Ont., native also compiled a career-long, nine-game point streak Dec. 11-30, (six goals, 11 assists) and recorded his 100th NHL goal Dec. 19. Hes looking to become the first Flyer to receive the Award since Eric Lindros in 1995. ' ' '