http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports Daily News Sports en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601037&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Bob_Cooney__Sixerville__Sixers_rookie_Holiday_still_adjusting_to_NBA_life.html HE IS ALL of 19 years old, the youngest player in the NBA. He is making an ungodly amount of money for someone his age - $1,514,280 - yet he is still required to stop and pick up doughnuts for his teammates. He is lonely at times, bored, too, and missing many things he loved on the other side of the country. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 58758e2ff8675a67123ec5a0fdf97163 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=190287&44=70600967&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Paul_Domowitch__Avant_cares_most_about_the_final_scoree.html Jason Avant doesn't know what Sunday night in his hometown of Chicago will bring. It might bring another 100-yard game, like the one he had last week against the Chargers. Or it might bring a goose egg like the ones he had in Weeks 6 and 7 against the Raiders and the Redskins. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT e33211f597677565af6e7922b8075f8d 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=190287&44=70600977&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Sam_Donnellon__Eagles__red-zone_woes_have_become_running_joke.html HIS ANGST came and went Sunday, but for a quarterback known for saying nothing, Donovan MacNabb's actions spoke a thousand words. The Eagles had just flubbed a third-and-1 from the San Diego 7-yard line, this time on a well-covered rollout incompletion into the end zone, and their quarterback, who has seen this sort of thing so often over 11 years on the job, had enough. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 1facf6aadd5a67715f2fbc585b1dbf4b 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601107&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_For_Phillies__expect_few_fireworks_in_free_agency.html SEVEN YEARS AGO, the Phillies publicly pursued free-agent slugger Jim Thome. At the stroke of midnight on the deadline that teams could make formal offers, then-general manager Ed Wade fired off an e-mail and followed it up with a long, from-the-heart letter. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 6289a8487a80a7279f9a771e6096dbcd 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601032&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Bill_Conlin__A_massacre_of_baseball_s_records.html THERE IS A SCENE in "The Godfather" where Vito Corleone has just called in the favor owed him by Amerigo Bonasero, the undertaker. He is to use all his powers to make the ambushed Sonny presentable for a traditional "family" viewing. He draws back the sheet covering his son and sobs for the only time in the film. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 9c30939d15b7c3bfac509bcdf5b2daf8 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70259077&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091117_Bill_Conlin__No_award_for_Phillies__Happ__just_a_stellar_season.html GENE MAUCH used to say, "Close only counts in dancing and grenades, podnah." Marlins hitting machine Chris Coghlan edged J.A. Happ, Charlie Manuel's Musical Chairs lefthander, by less daylight than you can see in one of those steamy "Dancing With The Stars" tangos. He won 2009 National League Rookie of the Year Award by a point total of 105-94. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT ac2e64a76835fc1f72a200323b5b27ef 2009-11-17T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70601007&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_Eagles-Bears__Watch_we_re_watching.html Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week's game: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 23cab9d263e9ae380f88ea4e1fe10423 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=564377&44=70600982&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Feagles%2F20091120_Eagles_Notebook__Reid_says_Eagles__penalty_situation_has_gotten__ridiculous_.html Andy Reid doesn't throw around words like "ridiculous" every day. So when the coach, asked about being fourth in the league in penalty yardage assessed, reached deep into his bag of press conference responses, right past "I have to do a better job putting the players in position to make plays," and "everyone has a little piece of the pie," to "It's ridiculous" - well, you could tell Big Red was a mite peeved. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 59e480519f96c5b1377cdfbe60cf3b61 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601092&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Don_t_blink__here_comes_Penn_State_s_Drake.html THERE IS SPEED, and there is quickness. The characteristics are similar, but not identical. The main commonality is that each trait can be beneficial on the football field. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 20e05a516f02c87ffbc975a9ea2b80e1 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601127&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Ursinus_football__field_hockey_set_for_playoff_weekend.html It is a playoff weekend for Ursinus College. The Bears football team will play at Kean University tomorrow in the ECAS Southeast Bowl Championship. Ursinus is 6-4, with a 6-2 record in the Centennial Conference. Kean is 8-2. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT ac1c37ef1b6a81f7c9e8bcff9f4a1620 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601012&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Temple_dominates_Dartmouth.html Jasmine Stone had 11 points and 13 rebounds to lead visiting Temple to a 64-38 victory over Dartmouth. Kristen McCarthy (10 points) was the only other played in double figures for the Owls (3-0), who forced 31 turnovers. LaKeisha Eaddy added nine points and eight steals. Brittney Smith and Jalea Moses had had seven points to lead Dartmouth (1-1). The Owls led, 32-10, at halftime. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 6afff9af4d62b1527b804e921f6375e5 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601047&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Flyers__defense_a_net_asset.html SAN JOSE - For the second game in a row, the Flyers will face a high-powered offense when they take on the Sharks tonight in San Jose. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT bb681ae274cfdf1756cd00f697990cbc 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601042&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Irish_AD_mulling_Weis__future.html Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick plans to make a decision on the future of coach Charlie Weis within days of the season's end. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT aba83d4469ed6c268a5dfd7731a95c51 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601102&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Going_into_Cornell_game__Penn_wants_to_Wynn_Ivy_title_outright.html Chris Wynn came to Penn to win rings. As in plural. And why not? Under football coach Al Bagnoli, the Quakers had won six Ivy League titles in 11 seasons, beginning in 1993. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 415f5d5011dcb6ebbfb840e267c7dad6 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601022&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Jardine_helps_Syracuse_upset_No__13_California.html Scoop Jardine scored a career-high 22 points, Wes Johnson had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Syracuse raced past No. 13 California, 95-73, last night in the semifinals of the 2K Sports Classic in New York. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 0c9bcb1073273cb01e03b57bc2444978 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601117&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Gamecocks_wear_down_La_Salle_in_second_half.html CHARLESTON, S.C. - La Salle looked every bit the equal of South Carolina, but an early second-half surge by the Gamecocks proved too much for the Explorers to overcome. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 8e39cb838c4ae3edd5c7e618da9a3b25 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601097&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Who_but_George_Mason_would_give__Nova_such_a_scare_.html SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Villanova freshman Isaiah Armwood will never forget his first college points. Armwood hit a three-pointer with 17 seconds left as the fifth-ranked Wildcats escaped with a 69-68 victory over George Mason in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off yesterday. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 339eb7a4a4f4b41870aecd29fa8097d7 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601052&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_At_Philadelphia_University__half_a_century_of_Herb_Magee.html HERB MAGEE arrived on the Philadelphia Textile campus in 1959 and never left. "That's a long time," Magee allowed. Tomorrow afternoon, he will be honored at Philadelphia University in recognition of his 50 years at the school, a place that has changed so much that a name change was necessary in 1999. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT a68e5441670eeebcf9dbe8b3a8720f94 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601057&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_J-love_coming_to_town.html HE'S GOT THE BEST name in college basketball. Heck, he may have the best name in all of sports. He's Just-in'love Smith and he'll be in town tomorrow night when Siena takes on Temple at the Liacouras Center. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 795db42d0eb6f8ae41bbed469a97e1c9 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601112&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Phillies_say_Gillick_not_returning_to_Toronto.html The Phillies strongly deny a pair of stories in the Toronto Star indicating that Pat Gillick, who became their general manager before the 2006 season and helped the franchise win only its second world championship 3 years later, could be heading back to the organization where he first made his reputation as a top executive. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT effbdc048d7b5babb500fb31c0741179 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=564382&44=70600987&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Feagles%2Fnfl%2F20091120_Looking_to_overhaul_team__Bills_owner_says___it_s_about_winning_.html Firing coach Dick Jauron was merely the start of a major overhaul Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is prepared to conduct this offseason to make his team a contender again. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 38fc346e8f6b0f53ee733fab84453307 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70601002&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_Look_for_Eagles_to_blow_through_Bears_in_Chicago.html Eagles (-3) over BEARS National spotlight. Back in his hometown. What more could Donovan McNabb ask for? Maybe another run for him and his mom with a Campbell's Soup commercial? Or, a stinkin' win. At 5-4, the Birds could really use a W. It's not panic time because the NFC East Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT da718b8c5a8046f7b0ffe84cf17f3e1a 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601027&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Doctor_develops_absorbing_system_to_help_prevent_concussions.html IT DID NOT occur to Dr. Todd Aaron to delve into the problem of athletic concussions until he found himself standing in a hospital emergency room in 2002. There because his then-9-year old daughter Arianna had been tossed from a horse during an equestrian event, the worried father soon gave way to a curious scientist as he pondered the problem. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT bc6dcfcb976d323e074f0f3f9dafe785 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601122&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Resurgent_Williams_leads_Dolphins_to_win_over_Panthers.html CHARLOTTE - He's 32, but Ricky Williams is far from done. And even without Ronnie Brown, the once written-off Dolphins are back in the playoff picture. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 068f0784646b8e06acfbd5194b49c32a 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70600992&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_Eagles_vs__Bears__The_pick.html I'VE SEEN the Eagles lose games to the Bears they should have won each of the past two seasons, and here I am, taking the Eagles again. Even though they are 0-7 on Sunday nights since these little NBC deadline-busters first appeared. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 50b58fa8a3cd85c3aacd017fcac426d1 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70600997&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_Eagles-Bears_scouting_report.html Recent history: The Eagles lost to the Bears, 24-20, on Sept. 28, 2008. Chicago lead the series, 28-11-1. OFFENSE Eagles: 352.2 yards per game (12th) Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT bbcabf03b0b0219a29012ca792b91316 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=190287&44=70600952&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Ed_Barkowitz__Bears_still_searching_for_their_offensive_Forte.html JUST BECAUSE BEARS coach Lovie Smith seems intent on beating his head against the wall, it doesn't mean fantasy leaguers have to do the same. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 748d6bbd04b96934ddc8a5d3d9b23cb2 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=190287&44=70600957&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Les_Bowen__Mays_might_be_man_in_middle_as_Eagles_shift_defense_again.html THE SAN DIEGO game was the first time all season the Eagles' defense was unable to force a turnover, a situation that had something to do with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and maybe even more to do with all the guys playing unfamiliar roles, filling injury gaps. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 6229da000e7bb00c802d1368df817577 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601087&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Sens_chase_Fleury__take_down_Pens.html Chris Phillips waited a long time to reveal his offensive skills. Phillips scored twice in his 800th regular-season game, and Pascal Leclaire had 25 saves, leading Ottawa to a 6-2 victory over host Pittsburgh last night. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 2bcb7052c0dffbdd0cfada90c7970052 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601077&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_For_Ortiz__it_s_a_redemption_mission_at_UFC_106.html Winning is its own performance-enhancing drug. Tito Ortiz knows the feeling. Between 2000 and '02, Ortiz felt the high as the most feared light heavyweight, not only within the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but in all of mixed-martial arts. The klieg and strobe lights of the UFC cast th Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 11c8cbcb50e808cefd7e8f5e67601fd7 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=564392&44=70600877&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fflyers%2F20091120_Computer_delays_U_S__flights.html ATLANTA - For the second time in a little more than a year, a glitch at one of the two centers that handle flight plans for the nation's air-travel system set off delays and cancellations for passengers around the country. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT fe6003f33a7b6926cc32df8f8dac9af3 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601017&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_With_15_wins__Lincecum_earns_second_Cy_Young.html Talk about a freak - Tim Lincecum needed just 15 wins to bag another NL Cy Young Award. Yup, throw out those old baseball cards. Wins and losses don't mean much anymore when it comes time for voters to pick baseball's best pitchers. It's all about WHIP, FIP, BABIP and other lines of alphabet soup. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT e18140afaf4fd8199359f9e7ef00edb9 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=564437&44=70601132&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fphillies%2F20091120_The_Bullpen.html NEEDS Their biggest needs, in order, appear to be a back-of-the- bullpen arm with the stuff to pitch the eighth and ninth innings, a multiple-innings arm, and a dependable situational lefty. The Phillies are hoping to re-sign Chan Ho Park, which would fill the multi-innings void and also give them another pitcher for l Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 6d0daafa9214f20417682f9bccd3e778 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601082&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_Source__Plea_deal_reached_in_Williams_case.html Retired NBA star Jayson Williams has agreed to a plea deal that would send him to prison for up to three years for accidentally shooting a driver at his New Jersey estate in 2002, a source told the Associated Press. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT a7cdb36ce54e29b28e9254f85eb68641 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601062&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_TODAY_S_GAMES.html Who: Villanova (3-0) vs. Dayton (2-0) What: Puerto Rico Tip-Off Where: Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan When: 3 o'clock Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 38d778e0ad9e52b415a5486087319a85 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601067&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_N_J__man_ready_for_Philadelphia_Marathon.html Bob Cannon doesn't use his lunch break like a normal employee. Instead of eating, Cannon, a 26-year-old chemist who works in Monmouth County, N.J., and resides in Haddonfield, stows away his lab coat, pants and shoes and throws on his T-shirt, shorts and cross trainers to go for a run. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 4dec579479774b18d76a07ab26aa45e9 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70601072&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091120_AGENDA.html What: 16th Philadelphia Marathon When: Sunday, 7 a.m. What else: Half-marathon and Rothman 8K run simultaneous with the marathon Where: Start and finish near Eakins Oval, on Ben Franklin Parkway Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 40ef6cba48b12da911dd713b844426f3 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70600972&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_THUMB_THINGS_TO_PONDER.html Thumbs down To the NFL for the harsh fine it handed Titans owner Bud Adams for giving a single-digit salute - with both hands - to the Bills sideline during his team's 41-17 victory Sunday. Adams was fined $250,000 for his actions. That's as much as the Patriots were fined last year for Spygate (Patriots coach Bill Belichick received a separate $500,000 fine for that). Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 71e11c7775fda41181299cb5435665eb 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=266811&44=70600962&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2Fplaybook%2F20091120_Taking_responsibility_for_parlay_bets.html I'VE GOT to do a better job of putting my picks in better position to win a parlay. Some picks I'd like to have back. Working on recognizing trends earlier. Cincy is for real, Denver is not. Roy Williams is not T.O., T.O. is not T.O. And will someone tell Rex Ryan there's no crying in football, unless you've bet on the Jets. The time is yours. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 3d972eb80daa7c653f0a720bf087a439 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70444982&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Bill_Fleischman__Johnson_on_verge_of_NASCAR_history.html ONE RACE to go ... 267 more laps ... To become the first NASCAR Cup series racer to win four consecutive championships, all Jimmie Johnson has to do Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway is finish 25th or better. Johnson's consistency and the high-level efficiency of his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet team make it likely that Johnson will four-peat. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 7393e44cebbdb5c16e06af12403ff5cc 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70350517&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091118_Hopkins_looks_ready_to_execute_against_Ornelas.html It might not be exactly true that Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, like fine wine, is improving with age. But regardless of what Hopkins' birth certificate says, it is apparent that boxing's ageless wonder - he turns 45 on Jan. 15 - is more vibrant and full-bodied than other athletes of similar vintage. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT e10e794410061fd4679a6ba5f30fd9d3 2009-11-18T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70445067&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_High_Schools_-_Betancourt__St__Joseph_s_Prep_pumped_for_meeting_with_La_Salle_for_Catholic_League_Class_AAAA_title.html THE ENTHUSIASM shown by Seth Betancourt for St. Joseph's Prep's football program knew no bounds as early as 3 years ago. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT aaaf813491f71b534d44d66d8cd8ee7f 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70445002&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Rich_Hofmann__Eagles_QB_McNabb_calls_for_must_vs__Bears.html DONOVAN McNabb played the "must-win" card yesterday. Fascinating, that is. He talks a lot these days about how young this Eagles team is, about how veteran leadership is lacking, and now a quarterback whose tendency is to say nothing (in as many words as possible) has chosen this moment to draw a bright line in the shifting sands. To repeat, fascinating. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 4fceb342320c1cd80550df2cb3944a6b 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70444952&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Sam_Donnellon__Retired_Flyer_Primeau_on_concussions__Westbrook.html KEITH PRIMEAU feels good, speaks clearly, shows less and less of the symptoms that have plagued other professional athletes who have suffered the number of severe concussions that he did as the Flyers captain earlier this decade. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 99d8d39a50f4d5108f72c968505e465c 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70445047&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Pens__Crosby_runs_with_Olympic_torch.html Five months after lifting the Stanley Cup, Sidney Crosby carried the Olympic torch as thousands of people lined a downtown street. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 7995031dca81f672ef15e148a36ce5dd 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70444992&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Boucher_bounces_back_for_Flyers_in_win_over_Kings.html LOS ANGELES - The cliché says it's not how you start, but how you finish. That's a good thing for Brian Boucher. Boucher, making just his second start of the season and his first since Oct. 25, had a rough first period but rallied to make 37 saves and lead the Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings last night in the first game of a five-game road trip. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 7e7bb6dc379c1749ea481db22b802aa5 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70444957&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Eagles__Westbrook_hears_encouraging_news_on_concussion.html If Brian Westbrook relies on the advice of the two Pittsburgh concussion experts he saw yesterday, the Eagles' franchise running back seems likely to return to the field, quite possibly this season. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:10:07 GMT 963638c4646ee71488a692c53bace2ea 2009-11-19T13:10:07Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70350532&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091118_A_star_is_born_as_Saint_Joseph_s_prevails_over_Holy_Cross.html FOR A DECADE, Saint Joseph's basketball has been an unstated star system. The names are familiar - Marvin O'Connor, Jameer Nelson. Delonte West, Pat Carroll, Pat Calathes and Ahmad Nivins. It was a universe of players with a star or stars at its center. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 246073095422a1d5a9d4dbb258594b4a 2009-11-18T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70350497&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091118_No_excuses_for_Drexel_in_early_morning_loss_to_Niagara.html LEWISTON, N.Y. - John Chaney, the former Temple coach, surely would have bristled at the notion of an 8 a.m. tipoff as an obstacle, an inconvenience, a gimmick destined to produce substandard basketball. Why, by that time of the morning many of Chaney's practices already had concluded. In his world, the early bird got the layup. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT be2d12f280d17b3ef66e677e5d470d35 2009-11-18T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=167786&44=70445017&32=3796&7=195222&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fdailynews%2Fsports%2F20091119_Mike_Kern__Buzz_has_been_cut_out_of_BCS_hype.html WHERE'S THE BEEF? For the most part, it's been that kind of season. Things obviously could change in the closing weeks, but right now it looks sort of like 2005, when Texas and Southern Cal seemed destined to face each other from the jump. Only this time it's Texas and whoever gets out of the SEC. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 1b99fa977e3e97b9d615d83baa214407 2009-11-19T08:01:00Z