Second Thoughts

McIlroy says Ryder Cup pick'em faulty

Rory McIlroy is tired of waiting for the U.S. Ryder Cup team to be filled out and has suggested some changes.
Rory McIlroy is tired of waiting for the U.S. Ryder Cup team to be filled out and has suggested some changes.

Come Monday morning when U.S. captain Davis Love III gets around to naming three more picks to his Ryder Cup team, it will be two weeks since the European team was completed.

And then the Americans will need another two weeks before they round out their 12-man team.

Count Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy among those who consider that a bit much.

"Yeah, I find that a little strange, and I think people looking in from the outside feel that way, too," McIlroy said.

He agreed both teams should do their picks at the same time. Otherwise, McIlroy sees an opening for an advantage.

"We've shown them our cards, so America could [work] with a little more knowledge, [maybe] add a little length," he said.

Then again, McIlroy conceded the qualifying process changes so frequently that it's difficult to keep up with it. One solution, he said: "Ideal scenario, you take the 12 best European guys from the world ranking and go from there. Twelve best Europeans, 12 best Americans. Go play."

For fun, this week's Official World Golf Ranking would produce an American team that could possibly show up at Hazeltine: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker, Matt Kuchar, Brooks Koepka, J.B. Holmes, Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker.

The European team would have a different complexion because Matt Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan would be out.

Instead, the top 12 would be McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia, Russell Knox, Paul Casey, Alex Noren, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Chris Wood, Shane Lowry and Thomas Pieters.

McIlroy knows it will never come to just rankings, but give him an "A" for simplicity -- and for trying to spare everyone the U.S. passion for dragging out the hype.

Sideline flossing

Hygiene is always important, even in the middle of an NFL game.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was caught flossing on the sidelines during the third quarter of Thursday's contest between against the Denver Broncos.

The Panthers were winning 17-7 when the league's reigning MVP used a Denver offensive possession to take a stand against gingivitis.

After the 21-20 loss, Newton explained there was a simple reason for his sideline flossing: He ate oranges at halftime.

Cheering her on

Palo Cedro (Calif.) Foothill senior cheerleader Ashley Adamietz was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia last month. In a show of support, the school's football team presented Adamietz with orange roses as players walked onto the field before a recent game.

The color orange represents leukemia awareness.

"We took care of family business before we took care of business on the field," Coach Joey Brown said.

NFL humor

On Thursday, a group of NFL superstars were good sports and read their own superlatives on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Among the best ones were the Houston Texans' J.J. Watt's ("Most likely to say, 'Everything's bigger in Texas,' then look down and wink") and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees' ("Most likely to blow in your ear and whisper, 'You just got Breezed' ").

Sports on 09/10/2016

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