The Lineup: Friday, August 9

Author:
Mike Bebernes
Publish date:
Aug 9, 2013

Rodger Mallison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images

If things aren't up to their usual standard, it's because I let the backup get some reps. (All times Eastern)

Starter

NFL Preseason Football: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7:30p.m. (NFL Network)

Two of the offseason's biggest stories collide. Riley Cooper will be glad to do something other than apologize. Aaron Hernandez, meanwhile, won't appear, as orange jumpsuits are a uniform violation.

Reserves

NFL Preseason Football: Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders, 10:00p.m. (NFL Network)

Matt Flynn was one of the major acquisitions of the 2012 offseason, but became expendable after being beaten out in camp by wunderkind Russell Wilson. Flynn can't be too happy to have another mobile backup breathing down his neck in Terrell Pryor.

Golf PGA Championship: Second Round, 1:00p.m. (TNT)

Thai national and spellcheck nightmare Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who is just three shots back of the lead, has emerged as one of the more charming characters on the tour. Known as the "Asian John Daly" for his go-for-broke style and rotund physique, Aphibarnrat turned to golf after quitting his first love, drift racing. He also changed his name in 2006 in an attempt to turn around his bad luck.

Tennis Rogers Cup Men's and Women's Quarterfinals, 12:00p.m. (ESPN2 & ESPN3)

Andy Murray may have started a trend by notching a big win in his home country. Two Canadians, Vasek Pospisil and Milos Raonic, have advanced to the final eight of this Montreal tourney. For the sake of 66th-ranked Denis Istomin, hopefully the tour adds a Kazakhstan Open.

Boxing Friday Night Fights: Rustam Nugaev vs. Jose Hernandez,10:00p.m. (ESPN2 & ESPN3)

Regarding his fighter having fought three times in four months, Nugaev's manager said "It's too much." Not a huge vote of confidence on the eve of what's predicted to be a war of attrition.

Soccer Sevilla vs. Manchester United, 2:25p.m. (ESPN3)

It might have behooved whoever spread rumors that Usain Bolt would play in this exhibition to check a calendar, since it's not likely Bolt would play soccer the day before the 100m heats of the World Championships. Disappointing, considering he has already shown talent on the hardwood.

Sailing Louis Vuitton Cup, 7:00p.m. (NBC Sports Network)

The America's Cup is weird. The previous winner gets the right to choose the location and model of the boats for the subsequent event. Billionaire Larry Eliison's Oracle team chose a new style boat that the racing community says is too fast to be safe and has been blamed by some for one death already. The winner of the LV Cup will face Oracle in the America's and have a chance to bring back tradition in 2016.