FOOTBALL
Peterson vents on Twitter
Adrian Peterson took to Twitter on Thursday to express his frustration over criticism he is receiving while staying away from the voluntary portion of Minnesota Vikings’ offseason. The former NFL MVP has come under scrutiny from fans after saying he wanted a long-term commitment from the team despite the fact that he missed most of last season while addressing child abuse charges. He has three years and about $46 million left on his deal, but none of that is guaranteed. “A [little] crazy how one side has so much power that they can do as they please when it comes to the contract!” Peterson tweeted. “But when the other-side [player’s] feels for whatever reason! Family, Change of scenery or simply - what they feels just might work best for them! Those same laws don’t apply!” Peterson skipped the first three-day set of optional practices this week. It was initially believed that Peterson was still upset with the Vikings for a perceived lack of support while he went through his legal problems last year that culminated in pleading guilty to a misdemeanor for striking his 4-year-old son with a switch. But Peterson tweeted Wednesday night that his absence was a contract matter and was “business, not personal.” Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday that Peterson had two choices: play for the Vikings or not play at all. Peterson, 30, who is the highest-paid running back in the league, will have his $12.75 million salary for 2015 guaranteed if he’s on the roster for Week 1. His rookie contract included $17 million in guaranteed money and the new six-year, $86 million deal that started in 2011 included $36 million in guaranteed money that has already been paid out. Peterson’s contract calls for $14.75 million in 2016 and $16.75 million in 2017, all of which is non-guaranteed. Peterson’s first required team function is a minicamp starting June 16.
The agent for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said in a radio interview that the sides have made progress in attempts to get a contract extension done, but there is no deadline for reaching an agreement. Agent Mark Rodgers told KIRO-AM in Seattle on Thursday morning that he remains optimistic that Wilson will remain Seattle’s quarterback for a long time. Wilson has one year remaining on his rookie contract, which will pay him $1.5 million, and the Seahawks could keep Wilson under control after next season by using the franchise tag. Rodgers said he believes about “95 percent” of what’s been reported about the negotiations thus far has been “off point,” and what Wilson is looking for is a deal that is fair and reasonable.
The Denver Broncos are searching for someone to watch Peyton Manning’s back after left tackle Ryan Clady tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and will likely be out for the season. Clady hurt his knee during a voluntary practice Wednesday, an injury that no one thought was really all that serious. Clady was setting up to pass block when his knee buckled, Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak said. He even took another snap before pulling himself out of practice. This isn’t the first time Clady has blown out his left knee. He hurt it during the offseason in April 2010, only to return and still start every game that season. Clady also injured his left foot in the second week of 2013 and missed the rest of the season, not long after signing a five-year, $52.5 million contract. He returned last season and started every game. He made his fourth Pro Bowl squad as he and his fellow linemen surrendered an NFL-low 17 sacks.
HORSE RACING
Belmont field up to 10
Oaklawn Park-raced The Truth or Else has been added to the mix for the June 6 Belmont Stakes, when American Pharoah will try to become horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. The Truth or Else, trained by Ken McPeek, ran second to Far Right in the Feb. 22 Southwest Stakes, fourth to American Pharoah in the March 14 Rebel and seventh to American Pharoah in the April 11 Arkansas Derby in Hot Springs. He finished fifth in the Pat Day Mile on May 2, Kentucky Derby Day, at Churchill Downs. McPeek trained 70-1 shot Sarava, who ended War Emblem’s Triple try in 2002. Trainer Mark Casse said Conquest Curlinate, another Oaklawn-raced horse, would not run in the Belmont. Other expected runners are Carpe Diem (10th in Derby), Frammento (11th in Derby), Frosted (fourth in Derby), Keen Ice (seventh in Derby), Madefromlucky, Materiality (sixth in Derby), Mubtaahij (eighth in Derby) and Tale of Verve (second in Preakness).
HOCKEY
Sabres hire Bylsma
A week after losing out on hiring Mike Babcock, the Sabres turned their attention to another former Stanley Cup-winner to take over after Ted Nolan was fired last month. The Sabres hired former Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma Thursday. Bylsma, 44, led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup title in 2009 in his rookie season as coach. He eventually spent five-plus seasons in Pittsburgh, where he won a franchise-best 252 games and was the NHL’s 2011 coach of the year, before being fired during a front-office shake up a year ago. Bylsma was hired by the Sabres after spending the past two days meeting with team owners Terry and Kim Pegula and General Manager Tim Murray. And his hiring was delayed briefly after the Sabres were required under NHL rules to give up a 2016 third-round draft pick as compensation because Bylsma’s contract with Pittsburgh ran through June 2016.
BASKETBALL
Bulls fire Thibodeau after five seasons
CHICAGO — In five seasons under Tom Thibodeau, the Chicago Bulls soared to heights they had not reached since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were collecting championships.
They never got to the top with him and now he is out.
The Bulls fired Thibodeau on Thursday, parting ways with the strong-willed coach who took the team to the playoffs in each of his five seasons only to have his success overshadowed by his strained relationship with the front office.
“It is our strong belief that there needs to be a culture of communication that builds a trust throughout this organization from the players to the coaches to the management and to the front office, a culture where everyone is pulling in the same direction,” General Manager Gar Forman said. “When that culture is sacrificed, it becomes extremely difficult to evolve and to grow.”
Thibodeau went 255-139, a .647 winning percentage that ranks seventh in NBA history among coaches with at least 200 games. He led the Bulls to the top seed in the playoffs his first two seasons and was the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2011, the same year Derrick Rose became the league’s youngest MVP.
Chicago advanced to the Eastern Conference finals that season, but it’s the only time the Bulls made it past the second round under Thibodeau, who had two years left on his contract. Iowa State Coach Fred Hoiberg, who has not returned to work full-time following open heart surgery in April, is widely viewed as a top candidate to replace him.
The move comes two weeks after the Bulls were eliminated by Cleveland with a listless effort in Game 6 of the East semifinals that came on the heels of an injury-filled 50-victory season.
Forman said the Bulls spent the past week or so conducting exit interviews with players and organizational meetings. He insisted management was not holding out for compensation for Thibodeau and would have granted teams permission to talk to him had they asked — but none did.