Daily Jolt: Jan. 3
Thursday, January 3
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Jerry Jones wanted fans to know he is "very upset, very irritated" after an 8-8 finish and he promised change, though he would not elaborate. He refused to address two hot topics: Who will be the Cowboys' play-caller and the status of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "I'm going to spend a lot of time visiting with people outside of the organization ... that will help us evaluate how to do the things that I know what our fans want to do, and that's not be sitting here at .500," Jones said. "There are a lot of teams that haven't been at .500, but nobody hasn't been at .500 and spent as much cash as I'm spending." ... [Jones] didn't mince words on shaking things up: "I can tell you change is necessary at 8-8. We're going to have changes." (Star-Telegram)Comment
In coming years, the NCAA may complicate feelings Ducks football fans have for Chip Kelly, who takes his team to a fourth straight BCS game under Kelly. I suspect they'll beat Kansas State in a blowout, and maybe dump Gatorade on Kelly afterward in what feels like his final game (and maybe day) as Oregon's coach. But while we're pinning all that success on Kelly, and lauding him for his victories, let's not forget that he's the guy who warped the NCAA rulebook trying to win a national title. ... [The] sobering reality of big-time college athletics isn't that Kelly is likely to ditch Oregon in the coming days, rather that Kelly is going to walk free, just like Pete Carroll did at USC, while the program is hit with an NCAA-penalty phase hangover he created. (The Oregonian)Comment
Red Sox scouting Vazquez in Puerto Rico
A few days removed from having a look at Bobby Abreu, Boston may have its eye on another former Yankee. According to an industry source, the Red Sox are slated to scout right-hander Javier Vazquez when he pitches for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday. Vazquez is pitching against Santurce in the third game of the playoffs for Caguas as part of the 12-game round-robin postseason tournament on the island. News of the Sox' scouting undertaking was first reported by Victor Ramos in Puerto Rico (via twitter). The veteran has been showing fastball velocity of 92-93 mph in recent workouts. Vazquez, 36, last pitched in the big leagues in 2011, when he went 13-11 with a 3.69 ERA in 192 2/3 innings for the Marlins. (WEEI.com)Comment
Must-See Photo
Baylor superstar Brittney Griner dunks during a 74-35 whipping of TCU. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
Must-See Video
Tom Rinaldi and Tim Tebow from the Sugar Bowl, set to "Endless Love."
Fiesta Bowl
Oregon vs. Kansas State, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Oregon Ducks
- Kansas State Wildcats
SI Vault: Ohio State
This Day in Sports
- 2003 -- Ohio State beats Miami 31-24, controversially, in double overtime to win the Fiesta Bowl and the national championship.
- 1973 -- A group led by George Steinbrenner buys the Yankees for $10 million.
- 1993 -- Backup quarterback Frank Reich leads the Bills to the biggest comeback in NFL history, rallying from a 32-point deficit to beat Warren Moon's Oilers 41-38 in overtime in an AFC Wild Card playoff game.
