FOOTBALL
Lock returning to Missouri
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is returning to school for his senior season. Lock announced his decision Tuesday. He had been considering entering this year's NFL Draft. He said he is coming back in part because he felt a sense of "responsibility and loyalty" to his coaches and teammates. In 2017, Lock broke the school and SEC single-season records for touchdown passes with 44 while leading the Tigers to seven victories and their first bowl game since 2014.
FSU DL entering draft
Florida State's Jalen Wilkerson announced Tuesday that he is leaving early to enter the NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4, 283-pound defensive lineman had two years of eligibility remaining after completing his redshirt sophomore season. He started only one game this past season but played in all 13, logging 19 tackles, including 6 tackles for loss.
Giants interview Wilks
The New York Giants interviewed Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks for their vacant head coaching job. Wilks, 48, met with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, new General Manager Dave Gettleman and assistant general manager Kevin Abrams at the team's headquarters Tuesday, two days after the Panthers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by New Orleans. This was his sixth year with the Panthers and first as defensive coordinator.
Ravens promote Martindale
Baltimore Ravens Coach John Harbaugh has promoted linebackers coach Don Martindale to defensive coordinator, assuring a seamless transition in the wake of Dean Pees' retirement. Martindale, 54, has been coaching Baltimore's linebackers since 2012. After Pees ended his six-year run as the Ravens' defensive coordinator on Jan. 1, Harbaugh said he wanted to maintain continuity with his new hire.
Ryan misses Falcons practice
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan left team headquarters because of an undisclosed personal matter and did not practice with the team. Team spokesman Brian Cearns said Tuesday that the Falcons did not plan to give a reason for his absence, adding that Ryan would address the matter when he meets today with reporters "if he decides to do so." Atlanta visits Philadelphia in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday. Ryan's wife, Sarah, announced in November that the couple expects to become first-time parents in April with twins.
Chiefs name Bieniemy OC
The Kansas City Chiefs have promoted running backs coach Eric Bieniemy to offensive coordinator, filling the job that Matt Nagy left open when he was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Chiefs Coach Andy Reid announced the promotion in a statement Tuesday. Bieniemy has spent five seasons with the Chiefs. Bieniemy was a second-round pick of the Chargers in 1991, and played running back for nine seasons with San Diego, Cincinnati and Philadelphia.
Jets' Robinson arrested
New York Jets player Rashard Robinson has been accused of possessing marijuana-laced candy. Authorities say the 22-year-old NFL cornerback was pulled over in Morris County, N.J., in December and police found "THC infused Peanut Budda Buddah Candy" in Robinson's possession. Robinson was arrested and charged with drug possession and carelessly driving a 2018 Mercedes-Benz. Police say the car smelled like marijuana. A spokesman for the Jets said they won't comment on the pending legal matter.
BASKETBALL
LaVine set to make debut
The Chicago Bulls announced guard Zach LaVine will make his debut with his new team 11 months after having surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee. LaVine, who was acquired in a draft-day trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, is expected to start Saturday when the Bulls host the Pistons. John Paxson, Chicago's executive vice president of basketball operations, said Tuesday that the team intends to limit LaVine to 20 minutes per game to ease him back into the rotation. LaVine averaged 18.9 points per game for Minnesota last season. He hasn't played since he tore his ACL in a Feb. 3 game against Detroit.
Lynch facing expulsion
University of Minnesota basketball player Reggie Lynch has been recommended for expulsion following a newly public allegation of sexual assault. The Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press report the university's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office found Lynch responsible for sexual misconduct in an alleged assault April 7, 2016. Both newspapers say they obtained a Jan. 3 finding by the office. The school suspended Lynch from games last week but he has been allowed to keep practicing with the team. He is appealing his suspension.
TENNIS
Kerber downs Venus
Former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber won her sixth consecutive match of the new season, beating second-seeded Venus Williams 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 on Tuesday in a Sydney International match delayed for two hours by a thunderstorm. Kerber, who dropped to No. 22 following a poor 2017 season, needed to save two match points before beating Lucie Safarova in three sets Monday. Williams was playing her first match in Sydney since winning the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.
FOOTBALL
Rivera fires offensive coaches Shula, Dorsey
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera fired longtime offensive coordinator Mike Shula on Tuesday, saying the team's offense needs a "different perspective."
Along with Shula, the Panthers also cut ties with quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey two days after a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"I believe we need some different ideas going forward," Rivera said at a news conference.
Shula spent seven seasons with Carolina, working as the quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2013.
Carolina was 11-5 this season and finished 19th in total offense, but again struggled moving the ball through the air and was 28th in passing. The Panthers were 12th in scoring.
Rivera said the Panthers already have "a few" candidates in mind, and strongly hinted it will be someone with NFL experience, not a college coach, from outside the organization.
Among some of the potential candidates that make sense are Norv Turner, whose son Ron was hired as an offensive consultant by the Panthers last June, and Rob Chudzinski, who worked as the team's offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012 before taking over as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
Rivera was a defensive coach under Turner with the then-San Diego Chargers from 2007-10.
"It signals an opportunity that we are looking to get better and continue to grow," Rivera said.
"That is what the move was made for. Something different, something additional can give us the boost that I'm looking for that can help us get to the ultimate goal, and that is winning the Super Bowl."
Carolina has been one of the league's top running teams -- in large part because of quarterback Cam Newton's ability to run the ball -- over the past four seasons, averaging the league's fourth-highest total at 128.3 yards per game.
However, its passing game has sputtered.
Over that same span the Panthers averaged 229.5 passing yards per game, which is the third fewest in the league.
Sports on 01/10/2018