Second thoughts

Harbaugh can't seem to move on

Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh (right) hasn’t forgotten his exit from the San Francisco 49ers, which was evident in comments Harbaugh recently made about his former team.
Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh (right) hasn’t forgotten his exit from the San Francisco 49ers, which was evident in comments Harbaugh recently made about his former team.

Jim Harbaugh is a unique guy.

The former NFL quarterback and current University of Michigan head coach can be prickly, which is part of the reason why he was essentially forced out by the San Francisco 49ers despite three playoff appearances in four years.

And if you think he has forgotten how he was treated by the Niners, he hasn't.

During a recent news conference, Harbaugh took a swipe at the current 49ers coaches.

"We train our quarterbacks to throw to people that aren't covered, even if it's a running play," he said. "I was watching an NFL game where they didn't cover a receiver and the quarterback handed it off, and got maligned by scribes and pundits and so-called experts for not throwing it to him."

He wasn't specific, but it's not hard to figure out that Harbaugh was talking about San Francisco's Nov. 1 game in St. Louis, when quarterback Colin Kaepernick handed the ball off to Mike Davis instead of passing to Torrey Smith, who had been left uncovered by the Rams.

Smith was gesturing to Kaepernick, but the quarterback never saw him.

Kaepernick was benched after that game in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert.

Burger time

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton pulled down a Green Bay Packers sign at the Panthers' stadium before their victory over the Packers.

"You're not about to sit up here and sell a Whopper at a McDonald's," Newton said.

"In related news," wrote Reggie Hayes with The News-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind., "Burger King and McDonald's spokesmen said they always thought Newton was more of a hot dog."

No respect

The Ohio State Racing Commission is trying to figure out how a male horse named Leathers Slappin ran in place of 99-1 long shot Ruby Queen -- and won -- in a females-only race at Mahoning Valley Race Course last week.

Wrote Dwight Perry of The Seattle Times: "Investigators suspect it's the work of a huge Ladybugs fan."

Day by day

After collapsing in the second half of the 2015 season, the Washington Nationals are looking to a more hopeful future with new manager Dusty Baker, and what better way to symbolize turning over a new leaf than with a new 2016 calendar.

Unfortunately, fans who purchase one licensed calendar will get a shock when they see that Nationals Park now looks a whole like Fenway Park.

The calendar was made by Turner Licensing, whose website says it is "The leader in sports calendars," a claim which may soon be under investigation if it does not learn which teams play where.

From SI.com's Extra Mustard column: "In the company's defense, the two stadiums have a lot in common. They both host MLB teams, both have grass and seats and both of their names are a combination of consonants and vowels. It was a mistake anyone could have made."

Sports quiz

Jim Harbaugh dressed out for six games with this NFL team in 2001 but never saw any game action. Name the team.

Sports answer

The Carolina Panthers

Sports on 11/11/2015

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