OAKLAND, Calif.
Corey Linsley Packers Jersey . - After spending much of the off-season dealing away stars, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane added one for a change.The As acquired versatile two-time All-Star infielder Ben Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for catcher John Jaso and two minor leaguers in a trade between teams that have been real busy this off-season.Hes really kind of a perfect fit with his skill set, Beane said of Zobrist. You could probably say that about 29 other clubs. Hes a pretty unique player.The 33-year-old Zobrist helped the Rays make the playoffs four of the past seven seasons, including an improbable run to the World Series in 2008. He hit .272 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs last season, and made starts at second base, shortstop, all three outfield spots and designated hitter.Zobrist gives the As a switch-hitter with power and patience who can be used at a variety of positions on a team that prizes versatility. He will start off at second base in Oakland.Zobrist became expendable after the budget-minded Rays finalized a one-year, $7.5 million contract with former Cleveland infielder Astrubal Cabrera, who will either play shortstop or second base, with another recent arrival — Nick Franklin — getting an opportunity to earn the other spot.These trades are difficult, but theyre a necessary part of how we operate, Rays president of baseball operations Matt Silverman said of moving Zobrist, a fan favourite whos entering the final year of a contract that pays him $7.5 million in 2015.The Rays obtained Franklin from Seattle last July in the multi-team trade that sent pitcher David Price to Detroit.The left-handed hitting Jaso returns to his original team. He played parts of three seasons with the Rays in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Silverman envisions him contributing mostly as a designated hitter, while also adding depth as a catcher.Hes the kind of (offensive) player our lineup has been missing against right-handed pitching, Silverman said, adding another key to the deal was an opportunity to acquire Robertson, a 20-year-old prospect the Rays believe has a chance to develop into an everyday player.Jaso hit .264 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. The 31-year-old went on the disabled list on Aug. 25 because of a concussion and missed the rest of the season.Tampa Bay also got infielder Daniel Robertson, outfielder Boog Powell and cash in this trade. The deal was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.Escobar batted .258. The 32-year-old shortstop had seven homers and 39 RBIs and has been a target of the As for many years.Despite making the playoffs for a third straight season, the As have overhauled their team this off-season. They have traded five of their seven All-Stars from last year, including an in-season deal that sent popular outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to Boston.The dealt away third baseman Josh Donaldson, starter Jeff Samardzija, first baseman Brandon Moss and catcher Derek Norris and lost Jon Lester, Jason Hammel, Jed Lowrie and Luke Gregerson in free agency.The acquisitions of Zobrist and Escobar will move second baseman Eric Sogard to the bench as the As will likely have new starters at all four infield spots. Brett Lawrie, acquired in the Donaldson trade, is slated to start at third base, and new acquisitions Billy Butler and Ike Davis will likely share duties at first.The deal also could allow Oakland to use Marcus Semien, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a deal for Samardzija, as a versatile substitute at numerous positions.What we dont want to do is get in a situation where we waited too long, Beane said. Weve always had to be somewhat aggressive in our marketplace and proactive, because if we wait too long its not so easy to turn it around. We felt like it was necessary.The Rays have been busy, too, reshaping the roster in the wake of finishing below .500 for the first time since 2007 and losing manager Joe Maddon to the Chicago Cubs and former executive vice-president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman to the Los Angeles Dodgers.Last month the Rays, Padres and Nationals pulled off an 11-player trade that sent 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers from Tampa Bay to San Diego and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. from Washington to the Rays.Tampa Bay also received catcher Rene Rivera, pitcher Burch Smith and minor leaguers Jake Bauers and Travis Ott in the deal.___AP Sports Writer Fred Goodall contributed to this report.
Richard Rodgers Packers Jersey . The Tournament of Champions, which starts Friday, is his first event since a freak accident in Shanghai two months ago. Snedeker was on a Segway scooter during a corporate outing at Sheshan International when he took a tumble and injured his left knee.
Reggie White Packers Jersey . Sizemore, who turned 29 on Jan. 4, has been limited to six games over the past two seasons because of an injured left knee that twice required surgery. He originally got hurt on Feb. 25, 2012, during a fielding drill in Oaklands first full-squad spring training workout and had surgery that March 21 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.Durham, NH (SportsNetwork.com) - New Hampshire has the nations top ranking and No. 1 playoff seed to motivate opponents, but the Wildcats announced they feel ready for the challenge after dispatching Fordham, 44-19, in the second round of the FCS postseason Saturday. UNH (11-1) extended its school-record winning streak to 11 games as its began its 11th straight appearance in the playoffs. The Wildcats will host eighth- seeded Chattanooga (10-3) in the national quarterfinals next weekend. The CAA Football champions had terrific offensive balance with 274 passing yards and 270 rushing yards. Nico Steriti rushed for 110 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries to fuel the win, while quarterback Sean Goldrich passed for 240 yards and had 48 yards and a touchdown on the ground. If it wasnt for Fordham freshman sensation Chase Edmonds (208 rushing yards, 385 all-purpose yards, one touchdown), the score could have been worse for the Rams (11-3), the Patriot League champions who were coming off a first-round win over Sacred Heart. New Hampshire had six sacks of Fordham quarterback Mike Nebrich in the games first nine minutes and threatened to swamp the Rams. Jimmy Owens scored on a 51-yard run on the Wildcats first offensive play and Goldrich capped their second drive with an 8-yard scoring run on 4th-and-2 as they built a 14-0 lead in the games first 6 1/2 minutes. But two turnovers by New Hampshire kept the Rams in the game and they pulled within 14-12 in the second quarter on Edmonds 91-touchdown run and two Michael Marando field goals. The Wildcats then regained firm control of the game by halftime. Steriti scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with 3:07 left in the second quarter and Brad Prasky kicked a 30-yard field goal to end the half, pushing their lead to 24-12. Steriti scored on two more runs (1 and 7 yards) in the third quarter to sandwich around a Fordham score that was set up Edmonds 65-yard kickoff return and New Hampshire led 37-19 after three quarters. Steriti added his fourth touchdown on a 24-yard touchdown with 4:48 to play. Nebrich, averaging 312.5 passing yards per game, was held to 161 yards on 12- of-30 passes with one touchdown and one interception. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 35, Indiana State 14 Chattanooga, TN - The Southern Conference had a subpar season after the departure of its traditional FCS playoff teams, but new power Chattanooga clearly is as good as ever The Mocs followed the lead of junior quarterback Jacob Huesman as they gained their first playoff win with a 35-14 triumph over Indiana State in the second round. Huesman accounted for 394 yards and three touchdowns as No. 8 Chattanooga advanced to the national quarterfinals. The Mocs (10-3) will visit top-ranked and top-seeded New Hampshire (11-1) next weekend. Chattanooga has won the last two SoCon titles. Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, who won a combined nine national titles in the FCS, have left the conference for the FBS level. Huesman rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries, and completed 15-of-24 pass attempts for 241 yards and one touchdown. Keon Williams rushed for another 70 yards and a touchdown as the Mocs kept a balanced attack and outgained Indiana State (8-6) 503 yards to 178 while holding the ball for 42 minutes, 57 seconds. Chattanooga had lost its only other playoff game in 1984, but the Mocs grabbed control of the game in the first quarter. On the games third play from scrimmage, Mocs safety Semaje Kendall intercepted Indiana State quarterback Mike Perish at the Sycamores 30-yard line and returned the ball to the 3. One play later, Williams scored just one minute into the game. The Mocs balanced out the short possession with a long scoring drive, going 90 yards on 14 plays, with Huesmans 1-yard run pushing the lead to 14-0 at the 5:03 mark. Indiana State, a Missouri Valley Football Conference member coming off a playoff win against Eastern Kwentucky, cut its deficit in half on Perishs 75- yard touchdown pass to A.J. Johnson with 51 seconds left in the first quarter. But Huesmans 29-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Hudson with two minutes left in the first half pushed Chattanoogas lead to 21-7 by halftime. Huesman then capped the opening drive of the second half with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Mocs ahead, 28-7. The drive went 84 yards over 11 plays. Chattanooga won despite place-kicker Henrique Ribeiro missing all three of his first-goal attempts. The Mocs forced three turnovers, including two interception of Perish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coastal Carolina 36, Richmond 15 Conway, SC - Coastal Carolina could have stewed for the last two weeks over a blocked field goal attempt on the final play of the regular season, which spoiled its perfect record.
T.J. Lang Packers Jersey. Instead, the Chanticleers went out and did something about. Seventh-seeded Coastal took its frustration out on Richmond with a 36-15 rout in the second round. Coastal (12-1) next meets Saturdays survivor between South Dakota State and second-seeded North Dakota State in the national quarterfinals next weekend. This is the second straight season in which the Chanticleers have reached the round of eight. The only blemish on Coastals record was the 15-14 loss to Liberty to end the regular season on Nov. 22. The Chanticleers had a 24-yard chip shot blocked to end that game and were forced to share the Big South Conference title with Liberty. But coach Joe Moglias squad, coming off a first-round bye, played with focus in ending Richmonds season one week after the visiting Spiders (9-5) eliminated Morgan State from the playoffs. The Chanticleers rushed for 316 yards to overcome Richmond quarterback Michael Strauss 402 passing yards. Coastal Carolina clung to a 6-0 lead late in the second quarter until they capped an 11-play, 58-yard drive with Alex Ross 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Craig Weick with 33 seconds left in the first half. Austin Cain ran in the two-point conversion and the Chanticleers had a 14-0 halftime lead. It got much worse for Richmond in the third quarter. Andre Johnson scored on a 9-yard run to give Coastal a 21-0 lead at the 12:13 mark. The Spiders answered with Strauss 76-yard touchdown pass to Brian Brown to pull within 21-7. But Henderson broke off a 50-yard touchdown run on the Chanticleers ensuing drive and Ross scored from 1 yard out just before the end of the quarter to push the lead to 36-8. Henderson finished with 134 yards on 19 carries and Ross was 22-for-41 for 171 yards and a touchdown, adding 52 yards on the ground. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Illinois State 41, Northern Iowa 21 Normal, IL - Illinois State enacted revenge for its only loss of the regular season by pounding Northern Iowa, 41-21, in a matchup of Missouri Valley Football Conference teams in the second round of the FCS playoffs. The result was surprisingly one-sided after Northern Iowa won the regular- season meeting, 42-28, at home, but fifth-seeded Illinois State (11-1) kept its two-season home winning streak intact while powering into the national quarterfinals next weekend. They will face Saturdays second-round survivor between Montana and fourth-seeded Eastern Washington. Illinois State, which has won 13 straight games at Hancock Stadium, built a 24-0 halftime lead to dispatch of UNI (9-5). Quarterback Tre Roberson finished with 382 yards and four touchdowns through the air and running back Marshaun Coprich had 148 yards and a score on the ground. Illinois State scored on its first three drives to take a commanding 21-0 lead. Roberson connected on a 6-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Meredith to cap the games opening drive and then Coprichs 29-yard run on the Redbirds second possession set up his 1-yard score to make it 14-0 with 8:16 left in the first quarter. The Redbirds third drive began midway through the first quarter and ended in the first minute of the second quarter after they went 87 yards in 15 plays with Roberson and Meredith connected on a 2-yard touchdown pass. Nick Aussiekers 45-yard field goal to end the first half pushed Illinois States lead to 24-0. The Redbirds had a 345-52 advantage in offensive yards and a 16-3 advantage in first downs in the half while holding the ball nearly twice as long as the Panthers. James OShaughnessy (four receptions, 115 yards) caught two touchdowns in the second half and joined Meredith (seven receptions, 105 yards) with over 100 receiving yards. Northern Iowa All-American David Johnson had only 48 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, but he finished with 108 yards on four kickoff returns and another 30 yards on five receptions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FCS Playoff Second Round All Times ET Sam Houston State (9-4) at No. 3 seed Jacksonville State (10-1), 2 p.m. South Dakota State (9-4) at No. 2 seed North Dakota State (11-1), 3:30 p.m. Montana (9-4) at No. 4 seed Eastern Washington (10-2), 4:30 p.m. Liberty (9-4) at No. 6 seed Villanova (10-2), 4:30 p.m.
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