NBA
George Karl trades the sideline for the studio
NEW YORK – George Karl is joining ESPN as a studio analyst.
Karl won the Coach of the Year award last season but lost his job in Denver. He will debut Friday night on “SportsCenter” and also appear on other NBA programming on the network as part of a multiyear deal. He previously worked for ESPN as a studio analyst during the 2003-04 season.
Karl led the Nuggets to a 57-25 record last season. But Denver, unwilling to give him a contract extension, instead fired him with a year left on his contract. He said it will be difficult not being in a training camp this week. But Karl said he enjoyed his previous work in TV and hopes he can “maybe give some insights that coaches are really important in this game.”
MLB
Looking to the future, Cubs part ways with Sveum
CHICAGO – The Cubs fired manager Dale Sveum on Monday after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years, ending a two-year run that produced more losses than any other stretch in the team’s cursed history.
Chicago went 61-101 in Sveum’s first season, then stumbled down the stretch in 2013 while some of its best players were traded away for prospects. The Cubs dropped 41 of their final 59 games, including six of their final seven, finishing with a 66-96 record.
But it looks as if wins and losses were not a major factor in Sveum’s dismissal. Shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, two key young players who have long-term contracts, each took a step back this year. Pitcher Jeff Samardzija also had an uneven season.
Talented prospects such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and Kris Bryant are on the way, and Theo Epstein made it clear that providing the right atmosphere for those players was a key issue when it came to Sveum’s dismissal.
NFL
Locker out indefinitely with hip injury, to receive MRI
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker is out with a hip injury, and coach Mike Munchak doesn’t know for how long.
One thing is certain. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Titans or Locker.
The coach said Monday that Locker will have another MRI exam Tuesday to diagnose the extent of the injury he suffered Sunday against the New York Jets. The test will give the Titans a better idea of when he can return.
Tennessee (3-1) is off to a surprising start after going 6-10 last year behind Locker, who is playing the best football of his career.
Munchak remained optimistic Locker will be back this season and said any reports on how much time Locker will miss simply are guessing now because the Titans haven’t discussed the possibilities with the quarterback yet.
Munchak said Locker also sprained his right knee on the hit.
New England’s Wilfork likely out for the season
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Vince Wilfork was pursuing a play when he planted his right foot, dropped to the ground and probably ended his season.
“It doesn’t look too good for Vince,” New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday on WEEI radio. “I think he’s got a pretty serious injury, and it’s probably unlikely that he’ll be able to play again this year.”
The Boston Globe reported that the star defensive tackle tore his right Achilles tendon in Sunday’s 30-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Belichick did not specify the injury.
At his news conference earlier Monday, Belichick said he didn’t know much about Wilfork’s injury or whether he would miss most or all of the remaining games. He said he hadn’t met yet with medical personnel.
Wilfork was blocked lightly by Atlanta’s Justin Blalock, who then ran to his left to block on a pass to Julio Jones. Wilfork changed direction to run toward the action when his right leg gave way.
Associated Press
