Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Off the wire
FOOTBALL
Jones accused
The Associated Press has obtained a letter sent to Jerry Jones’ attorney accusing the Dallas Cowboys owner of “conduct detrimental to the league’s best interests” over his objection to a contract extension for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The letter accusing Jones of sabotaging the negotiations was sent to David Boies on Wednesday. Jones hired Boies and threatened to sue the NFL if Goodell’s contract extension was approved by the compensation committee, made up of six owners. All 32 owners voted unanimously in May to let the committee finalize a deal with Goodell. The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was written by outside counsel for the compensation committee and given to the AP by a person who requested anonymity because it was not intended to be made public. It’s the latest escalation of a feud between the NFL and one of its most powerful owners. Jones has denied that his objections to the extension are tied to Goodell’s decision to suspend star running back Ezekiel Elliott for six games over alleged domestic violence.
Rivers returns
Philip Rivers is practicing with the Los Angeles Chargers, and Coach Anthony Lynn is optimistic that the veteran quarterback will play Sunday against Buffalo. Rivers reported symptoms of a possible concussion Monday, but he participated in certain parts of a non-padded practice Wednesday. Rivers was hurt during an overtime loss in Jacksonville for Los Angeles (36). He has started 194 consecutive games for the Chargers since 2006, racking up the fourth-longest streak of consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history. If Rivers can’t play, Kellen Clemens is expected to make his first NFL start since 2013. Clemens has thrown only 10 passes in the last 31/2 years, but the veteran said he would be comfortable starting if needed.
Bills’ Taylor benched Tyrod Taylor has been benched and the Buffalo Bills are going with rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman to start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Coach Sean McDermott made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference. Though McDermott said he remains confident in Taylor, he decided to make the move to see if Peterman can make Buffalo a better team. That’s a significant change of heart for McDermott, who maintained Taylor was the team’s starter following a 47-10 loss to New Orleans last weekend and again on Monday. The decision comes after Taylor struggled against the Saints, going 9 of 15 for 56 yards and an interception. Peterman took over and went 7 of 19 for 79 yards and a touchdown over the final two drives. Peterman was selected in the fifth round of the draft after splitting his college career at Pittsburgh and Tennessee. Buffalo (5-4) has lost two consecutive.
Nagurski finalists Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver, Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell and North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb are the finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation’s top defensive player. The finalists were named Wednesday. The winner will be announced Dec. 4 at the Charlotte Touchdown Club awards banquet. Fitzpatrick is the versatile leader of Alabama’s stingy defense. He lines up at cornerback, safety and linebacker and has 44 tackles. Smith has 82 tackles to lead the Bulldogs and 2½ sacks. Oliver, the lone sophomore in the group, has 10 tackles for loss. Jewell is fourth in the country in tackles with 104. Chubb has 23½ tackles for loss, including 10 sacks.
Hoke to wear headset Tennessee interim head coach Brady Hoke said he plans to wear a headset during the Volunteers’ game Saturday with No. 20 LSU, a change from his usual routine during his Michigan tenure. Hoke took over as Tennessee’s interim coach after Butch Jones was fired Sunday. When Hoke didn’t use a headset at Michigan, it became an issue during his tenure there. Fans complained about the absence of a headset, and Hoke often bristled when reporters asked about it. Michigan fired Hoke after a 5-7 season in 2014. Hoke didn’t detail why he plans to wear a headset this week. Hoke also said offensive coordinator Larry Scott would leave the coaches’ box Saturday and instead work from the sideline. Tennessee athletic department spokesman Zach Stipe said Hoke will be receiving $50,000 in supplementary pay per month while working as Tennessee’s interim head coach. Hoke already was earning $500,000 annually as Tennessee’s defensive line coach.
BASKETBALL
Paul returns tonight Chris Paul is expected to return for the Houston Rockets tonight after missing all but one game this season with a bruised left knee. The point guard, who is in his first year with the Rockets after a trade from the Clippers, returned to practice on Wednesday. Coach Mike D’Antoni said the plan is for him to start tonight when Houston visits the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets have played well despite his absence, with James Harden leading the Rockets to an 11-4 record, second in the Western Conference behind the Warriors. Paul, 32, will play restricted minutes as he eases his way back, but D’Antoni wouldn’t say exactly how many minutes that would be.
TENNIS
Dimitrov advances
The coaching seemed to have helped, whether Grigor Dimitrov heard it or not. The sixth-seeded Bulgarian made his way into the semifinals at the ATP Finals in London on Wednesday by beating David Goffin 6-0, 6-2, but he was given a violation for coaching during the second set. A linesman informed the chair umpire of the infraction during the fifth game of the final set, and Dimitrov reacted by saying he didn’t hear anything. He probably didn’t need any extra advice anyway, not after the way he was playing, and the way Goffin was, too. Dimitrov ended up winning 34 of the 47 points he served and won 32 of the 57 points served by Goffin. In the first set, Dimitrov lost only two points on his serve and twice broke Goffin without even going to deuce. Goffin finally managed to hold serve in the second set, but Dimitrov still was able to break the Belgian’s serve two more times. The victory gives Dimitrov a 2-0 record and ensures he will play on the weekend in his debut at the season-ending tournament. Roger Federer also has already qualified for the semifinals.