Daily Jolt, December 30: Vikings players plead to keep Frazier
Monday, December 30
Today's must-see content delivered straight to you.
Vikings players plead to keep Frazier
At the very least, if Sunday was embattled coach Leslie Frazier's final game, he went out with a win. Like a number of Vikings players, the reigning NFL MVP was using his Sunday postgame interview to make a public pitch for management to keep [Frazier] amid rampant expectations that the team will fire him Monday. "Like I've been saying all year," said running back Adrian Peterson, "we're a total of six minutes from being in the playoffs and having a chance." ... [Defensive tackle Kevin Williams] also was among those asking for Frazier to be given a chance to at least finish out his contract, which runs through 2014. "He's done a great job with us," Williams said. "When he stepped in [during the 2010 season], he got us a couple of wins in that bad season, and then he had the playoff season last year."(Star Tribune)Comment
Bynum's time in Cleveland over
If you can believe it, frustration is on the rise in Brooklyn. Following [the Nets'] embarrassing 95-78 Christmas Day loss to the Chicago Bulls, an exasperated Jason Kidd called his players out in the locker room, according to multiple league sources. Tired and upset with a lack of effort, Kidd's outburst came after the Nets dropped their fourth straight game, sources say. The first-year head coach said Monday after a 103-86 loss to Indiana that the Nets were becoming too comfortable with losing. ... Following the Brooklyn Nets' embarrassing 95-78 Christmas Day loss to the Chicago Bulls, an exasperated Jason Kidd called his players out in the locker room, according to multiple league sources. Tired and upset with a lack of effort, Kidd's outburst came after the Nets dropped their fourth straight game, sources say.(The Plain Dealer)Comment
Report: Briles would take Texas job
The Texas coaching search heads into its third week Sunday as new men's athletic director Steve Patterson operates in methodical fashion. A high-ranking UT source said Patterson is spearheading the search alone with help from Jed Hughes, an executive with the search firm Korn/Ferry International. Hughes has vetted about six to eight coaching candidates, the source said. Four names believed to be on that list are Baylor's Art Briles, Florida State's Jimbo Fisher, Louisville's Charlie Strong and Vanderbilt's James Franklin. UT's level of interest in any of those candidates is unknown at this point. Two UT sources have told the American-Statesman previously that nothing may happen until after the bowl season is complete. Two sources, including one connected to Briles, said Briles would take the Texas job if offered. Briles recently signed a new, 10-year contract at Baylor that includes a $4 million buyout, which one high-ranking UT source called "a little daunting." It's believed the new contract pays Briles approximately $4.5 million annually. As a private school, Baylor does not have to disclose financial information. Briles and the Baylor Bears finish their season against Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday.(Austin American-Statesman)Comment
Must-See Photo
The 2003 Hummer H2 driven by LeBron James during high school is going up for auction on eBay. The customized vehicle was up to $41,100 as of Monday morning. (Autos Direct Online)
Must-See Video
Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones made an incredible catch on this 16-yard touchdown to help the Bengals down the Ravens in Week 17.
Game To Watch
Alamo Bowl: No. 10 Oregon vs. Texas, 6:45 p.m. ET
- Oregon Ducks
- Texas Longhorns
SI Vault: Ohio State Buckeyes
This Day in Sports
- 1975 -- Tiger Woods was born in Cypress, California.
- 1978 -- Ohio State fired legendary football coach Woody Hayes after he punched a Clemson player during a bowl game the previous day.
- 1990 -- Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic dished out an NBA-record 30 assists in a 155-116 win over the Denver Nuggets.
