Blazers officially sign G Matthews
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07/21/2010 -
Portland, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Portland Trail Blazers have
officially signed restricted free-agent guard Wesley Matthews.
As per club policy, no terms of the deal were announced. However, a report in
the Oregonian last week placed the pact at five years and $34 million.
The Blazers signed Matthews to an offer sheet on July 10 which his former
team, the Utah Jazz, declined to match.
Matthews was relied on right away as a rookie last season, averaging 9.4
points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. He played in
all 82 games, making 48 starts.
Undrafted after his four-year career at Marquette, Matthews proved himself
further by posting 13.2 points, 4.4 boards, 1.7 assists and 1.8 steals in
starting all 10 of Utah's playoff games in 2009-10.
"Wesley is a great fit for our team both on and off the court," said new
Portland general manager Rich Cho. "As only a first-year player last season,
he demonstrated a lot of maturity and ability. He's already one of the best
young defenders in the league and offensively he's an emerging threat. He's
going to add a lot of versatility to our roster."
<< Rachel to face six in Lady's Secret
Oceanport, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rachel Alexandra, 2009 Horse of the Year,
will take on six challengers in Saturday's $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at
Monmouth Park. The 1 1/8-mile race will be the champion filly's second career
start a
<< Tigers bring up Sizemore
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Detroit Tigers recalled infielder Scott
Sizemore from Triple-A Toledo and optioned pitcher Casey Fien to the Mud Hens.
Sizemore was batting .329 with six homers, 13 doubles and 19 RBI in 41 games
with
<< Reds option Owings, recall Fisher
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cincinnati Reds optioned Micah Owings to
Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and recalled pitcher Carlos Fisher from the
same club.
Owings, in his second season with the Reds, is 3-2 with a 5.40 earn
<< Spurs officially re-sign F Jefferson
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs officially re-signed
Richard Jefferson on Wednesday, reportedly to a contract at least three-years
in length according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Jefferson opted out of the f
<< Warriors sign undrafted free agent Jeremy Lin
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -The Golden State Warriors have signed undrafted free agent guard Jeremy Lin.The team announced the deal with the former Harvard star and Bay Area native on Wednesday.The 21-year-old Lin averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.4
Szczur, Thomas headline All-CAA team >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Villanova and Richmond, the last two FCS
champions, lead the way on the Preseason All-CAA Football Team with eight and
seven selections, respectively.
Villanova senior Matt Szczur was named in two spots, a
Liriano and Twins shut down Tribe and their win streak >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Francisco Liriano pitched seven shutout
innings, and the Minnesota Twins avoided their first home sweep of the season
with a 6-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Liriano (8-7) allowed six hits and walk
Longoria, Rays edge O's to take series >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Evan Longoria homered, doubled and drove
in the game-winning run with a walk, as the Tampa Bay Rays held on for 5-4
win over the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set at
Camden
Padres place Eckstein on DL; reinstate Venable >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres placed infielder David
Eckstein on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday and reinstated outfielder
Will Venable from the DL.
Eckstein suffered a right calf strain and is on the
Bears sign former BYU star Unga >>
Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears on Tuesday signed
running back Harvey Unga, who the team selected in the seventh round of the
supplemental draft last week.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Chica
Problem with Bears?
Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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