Still all-square in European Tour Rookie of the Year race

Robert MacIntrye leads Kurt Kitayama by just 90.6 points in the rookie race as the final European Tour event of the season begins in Dubai.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – You’d think a guy who lives in Las Vegas would like the odd wager or six, but Kurt Kitayama has no side bet with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre on who wins the race to become European Tour Rookie of the Year for 2019.

Pity, because it’s one of the most exciting sprints for best newcomer in European Tour history. And it didn’t change one inch after the opening round of the $8 million DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, the final event of the 2019 season.

MacIntrye leads Kitayama by just 90.6 points in the rookie race. MacIntyre lies 11th on the Race to Dubai while Kitayama is 12th. They played together in the opening round and both shot 1-under 71s.

“We don’t have any bets,” Kitayama said. “We’re both just doing our own thing. I just want to play well this week and see what happens. There’s no point thinking about Rookie of the Year. This is a good chance for me to play well and hopefully move closer to the World Top 50.”

The pair chatted together a few times during the round, but not about the rookie race. “We’ve gotten to know each other a little bit,” Kitayama added. “This is the third time we’ve played together in the last month.”

The former UNLV player birdied the last to match MacIntyre’s score.

“I just couldn’t get anything going early on, so I was happy to shoot under par and now I’ll try to improve the next three rounds.”

Kitayama can become only the third American following Brooks Koepka (2014) and Peter Uihlein (2013) to win the rookie title

MacIntyre is bidding to become the first Scot since Marc Warren in 2006 to become Rookie of the Year. Like Kitayama, he’s hoping good golf takes care of business.

“I don’t even worry if I’m being honest,” said MacIntyre when asked if he would keep a close eye on how Kitayama is doing. “He does his thing. My job is to win my battle. If I win every battle that I set myself, then the outcome will be irrelevant, and it will be what it will be. I can’t control what he does. I can only control myself. I’ve set myself goals. I set goals and I battle through them.”

The 2017 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup player wouldn’t reveal what his goals are this week. But Rookie of the Year certainly has to be the reward that goes with achieving those goals.

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Listen: Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon joins the Detroit Lions Podcast

Breaking down Jeff Driskel, Matthew Stafford’s back, being in a suite at Ford Field, Patricia’s job security and more

Lions Wire managing editor Jeff Risdon joined the Detroit Lions Podcast as a co-host for this week’s episode.

Among the topics discussed between Risdon and regular host Chris:

  • Recapping the Cowboys game and the experience of being in a suite at Ford Field for a Lions game
  • Reacting to all the Cowboys fans outnumbering Lions fans in Detroit
  • Jeff Driskel’s long-term role with the Lions
  • Jarrad Davis and his recent uptick in PFF scores
  • Should the Lions shut down Matthew Stafford?
  • Just how bad are the Redskins?
  • Why Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn will get at least one more season in Detroit

You can also watch the episode on YouTube:

Steelers vs Bengals Wednesday practice update

The Steelers had several players absent from practice on Wednesday.

On Wednesday the Pittsburgh Steelers began formal preparation for their showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. The team put out a practice report and it is a mix of good news and bad news for the Steelers.

The bad news is wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster did not practice and it seems unlikely he plays on Sunday. He’s in the concussion protocol as well as dealing with a knee injury. Also, absent from practice was running back James Conner who continues to deal with a shoulder injury.

In the category of good news, running back Benny Snell Jr. was a full participant and could give the run game a boost this weekend. The Steelers also saw wide receiver Diontae Johnson as a full participant despite not formally being removed from the concussion protocol.

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‘TUF 28’ winner Juan Espino eager to return from second hand surgery: ‘It’s a personal matter’

Juan Espino is ready to make noise in the UFC heavyweight division just as soon as he’s fully recovered.

[autotag]Juan Espino[/autotag] is almost in the clear.

The winner of Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter” is preparing a return to the octagon after having undergone his second hand surgery in September. Although not close to being fully recovered, Espino is confident the darker days of his recuperation are behind him and can’t wait to fire on all cylinders.

“The toughest part is over. I’m close to getting my cast off and rehabilitation should start soon after (December),” Espino told MMA Junkie in Spanish on Wednesday. “The bone is basically back together. Now it’s just time to start the therapy to gain back all hand mobility and then maybe in January I can start to strike again.”

Espino hasn’t competed since his first-round submission of Justin Frazier to claim the “TUF 28” title back in November 2018. The Spanish fighter dealt with an injured right hand throughout the competition, including the final, but was only able to take care of the injury once the competition wrapped.

Being a “TUF” champion and riding a seven-fight winning streak, paired with an inability to compete, hasn’t been an easy situation to handle. Yet, the long layoff hasn’t discouraged the promising heavyweight.

“I spent many years wanting to get to where I am today – being a UFC fighter – and I had the luck of winning ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ something that for me was unthinkable, so it’s not just the time that I’ve been out now, but the desire I’ve had all these years,” Espino said. “This didn’t happen yesterday that I said, ‘Oh, I want to be an MMA fighter and tomorrow fight in the UFC.’ This has been in the works for years to get to this point.

“And now that I’m here, well, the patience that I developed through so many years getting to the UFC, that’s helped me. I’m in. I’m part of the company, and even though I’m injured, this won’t discourage me. It’s just now getting 100 percent healthy because I want to compete. I want to make noise. I don’t want my career to go by like any other. I want to win good fights and have people take note of me.”

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If all goes right, Espino, who’s already training but just not using his right hand, should start rehab in December. Once that’s over, he could very well be ready for a March or April return. Espino can’t wait for the day he’s able to step inside the UFC cage.

“I’m so eager to fight,” Espino said. “It’s not a necessity. It’s not an economic thing, nothing. It’s a personal matter. It’s something spiritual of wanting to fight and make my mark.”

Since joining the UFC roster, the heavyweight division has undergone a lot of changes. Not only has the belt switched hands, but several new contenders have risen. Espino is looking forward to his return and believes his presence will bring up a notch the revamping of the UFC’s heavyweight division.

“There are a lot of new names, most of them strikers,” Espino explained. “Interestingly enough, we’ve only seen one wrestler, who is Sergey Spivak. Most of the other guys don’t have great wrestling, and they’re not so good on the ground either.

“But I see a very lively division. It’s changing a lot. My rival in ‘TUF,’ Maurice Greene, has had a good run, three wins (and) one defeat. So that shows the kind of level that was in my season of ‘TUF’ and, yeah, things are changing, but I plan to change things even more.”

Ex-Giant Lawrence Tynes has nothing but love and respect for Eli Manning

Retired New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes backs Eli Manning against the mob, says there’s nothing but love and respect for No. 10.

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Retired New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes has become an exceptionally vocal and public figure after walking away from the game in 2014 following a lengthy battle with MRSA.

Unsurprisingly, Tynes has focused much of his attention on the Giants, proving daily commentary (and comedy), which has helped some fans ease the misery of constant losing.

On Wednesday, Tynes sat down with Ed Valentine of Big Blue View and discussed a number of topics, ranging from Sterling Shepard’s health to Aldrick Rosas’ struggles. He also addressed Eli Manning and the unceremonious end to his Big Blue career.

“It’s tough because of all the things he’s done for us and for the city and for the organization. I think it’s more strange than it is tough. Father Time is undefeated in football, and Eli had an unbelievable run in a really tough market for the greatest football franchise in the NFL,” Tynes said.

“I think it’s just strange to see him standing with a ball cap on and an earpiece and not playing, but I will give management and the coaching staff my full backing on that. It was the right thing to do. There’s clearly kind of a drop-off.”

While Tynes acknowledged a decline in Manning’s play, he stopped short of saying the two-time Super Bowl MVP was “washed,” as the cool kids like to say these days.

“I still think he could do it if he needed to, but I just think where we were as a franchise, you draft Daniel Jones sixth overall, you’ve got to play that kid,” Tynes added. “He just wants the best player to play, who right now is Daniel Jones . . . he’s the ultimate great teammate. He’s just the best.

“I have an enormous amount of respect and love for Eli Manning. Always will.”

The love and respect that Tynes expresses for Manning are a common theme among his former teammates, all of whom would go to war for him. Unfortunately, it’s in stark contrast to Manning’s current teammates, who were reportedly “demoralized” when learning Eli would return in 2019.

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Why is Texans QB Deshaun Watson so good in prime time?

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson tends to play his best football when in prime time. Why is that?

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When the lights get brighter, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson follows.

In his six prime time appearances, Watson is 4-2, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs (2017) and New Orleans Saints (2019). The third-year quarterback is 119-173 (68.7%) for 1,478 yards, 19 total touchdowns and two interceptions, good for a 121 passer rating, in those six games.

What makes Watson so good in prime time?

“For me, honestly it’s no different. I treat every game the same regardless if it’s primetime or not,” said Watson on Tuesday. “I just go out there and try to I guess play the best football I can each and every Sunday or each and every time we step on the field.”

The simple truth for Watson is that the only difference between prime time and a noon game is the start time. 46 players suit up, 11 play on each side of the ball, both coaches argue with referees, a pigskin is thrown; football, under the bright lights, is the same game.

Rory McIlroy hits shot of the year to contend for third Dubai win

Rory McIlroy shot an 8-under 64 during the opening round of the DP World Tour Championship to trial Mike Lorenzo-Vera by one shot.

Rory McIlroy probably thought his world had collapsed in July when he missed the cut in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in front of his home fans. Turns out it was the kick in the butt he needed to take his game up a notch.

Make that several notches.

McIlroy is in contention to win the $8 million DP World Tour Championship, Dubai for the third time after an opening 8-under-par 64 thanks to seven birdies, an eagle and just one dropped shot. He trails Mike Lorenzo-Vera by a shot after the Frenchman returned a 63. However, McIlroy looks far and away the man to beat, especially after his approach shot to the par-5 18th.

The World No. 2 punctuated his round with a 290-yard 3-wood that finished six feet from the flag. McIlroy rolled in the eagle putt and then said: “It’s possibly the best shot I’ve hit all year. I’m looking forward to seeing it on TV later.”

McIlroy has been hitting a lot of good shots since shooting 79, 65 at Royal Portrush to miss the cut by a shot.

“Obviously after the 21st of July, or whenever the Open Championship finished, there was only a few things that were right there,” McIlroy said. “The FedEx Cup was right there and I was able to do that, and winning another World Golf Championship (the WGC-HSBC Champions) was cool. Since then I’ve achieved a few goals I set for myself.

“That was a difficult period (after the Open Championship) and I had to regroup and restart almost. But the golf I’ve played since Portrush has been some of the best I’ve ever played.

“Sometimes these experiences can be a really good thing for you, and the catalyst to being more motivated or learning. I’ve tried to learn from every sort of setback that I’ve had. I feel like I’ve done a good job with that, not just this year, but every year throughout my career.”

Portrush was such a catalyst that McIlroy feels like he’s swinging the club as well as he’s ever done.

“I’m hitting the ball where I’m looking. I feel like my swing is in as good a spot as it has been in a long time. Michael Bannon (his coach) and I have worked hard on that. Somehow this year we’ve got it back to where we like it. It’s very repeatable. It’s as good as I’ve ever swung it, but then factor in the greens, the short game and I feel like I’ve got the whole package.”

The 30-year-old returned from China to find his wife, Erica, had installed a trophy cabinet in their new home. Hopefully it has lots of space, because McIlroy is odds on to lift a third DP World Tour Championship, Dubai trophy.

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NASCAR world honors ‘class act & true champion’ Jimmie Johnson following retirement news

The seven-time NASCAR champion will retire from full-time racing at the end of the 2020 season.

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will retire from full-time racing at the end of the 2020 season.

In a video posted to social media Wednesday, the No. 48 Chevrolet driver said he’s “so thankful for 18 incredible years” at NASCAR’s highest level, and he’s ready for one more, hoping to compete for what would be a record-breaking eighth Cup Series championship.

“I know what this team is capable of, and I hope 2020 is one of the best yet,” Johnson said in the video.

At 44 years old, Johnson’s final Cup Series season will be his 19th with a motto of “#Chasing8 one final time”. He won five consecutive championships between 2006 and 2010 — which we argued gives him the edge in the NASCAR GOAT debate — and two more in 2013 and 2016, tying the mark set by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. In addition to his seven titles, Johnson has 83 career wins, putting him in a tie at No. 6 all time with Cale Yarborough.

However, he’s been in a bit of a slump the last couple seasons. His last win was in June of 2017, and this season, he didn’t make the playoffs for the first time in his career.

Johnson is the latest star driver to leave the sport — although, he’s the most accomplished by far. In recent years, NASCAR has lost big names, like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick and Carl Edwards, and has struggled to fill the growing void with someone who can transcend the sport.

His departure, however, is not surprising. Johnson has been repeatedly pressed about his future plans, especially with his three-year contract extension being up at the end of 2020.

Here’s how the NASCAR world reacted to Johnson’s announcement.

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Jim Brown, Marion Motley finalists for RBs on NFL’s All-Time Team

12 RBs will be chosen among 24 finalists, and Jim Brown is an obvious choice

Jim Brown and Marion Motley are two of the finalists to earn running back spots on the NFL’s All-Time Team. The Browns legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers are prominent among the group chosen as part of the NFL’s 100th-season celebration.

There are 24 finalists nominated for the 12 spots on the final team. The running back choices will be revealed on Friday night on the NFL Network as part of the NFL 100 campaign.

Brown seems a no-brainer for inclusion. The NFL’s rushing leader when he retired in 1965, he remains the leader in rushing yards per game with 104.5. He won eight rushing titles in nine seasons.

Motley is an interesting candidate. He won two league rushing titles for the Browns, one in the All-America Football Conference and also the NFL rushing title in the team’s first season in the NFL (1950). He was honored on the All-Decade Team of the 1940s.