I Dig Sports
Zamboni driver turned goalie now has own Hurricanes shirt for sale
The story of Dave Ayres just keeps getting better and better!
Surely by now you've heard all about Ayres -- the 42-year-old Zamboni driver suddenly called into action by the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Not only did he make eight saves and help lead the Hurricanes to a 6-3 victory in Toronto, but he's also become an international inspiration. He will be honored in Raleigh on Tuesday, and now you can even purchase Dave Ayres gear!
Dave will be getting royalties, but we are also working with him to identify a kidney foundation that will receive a portion of the proceeds https://t.co/RwSNg12DA4
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
The reason a portion of the proceeds will go to a kidney foundation is that Ayres received a kidney transplant in 2004 -- from his mother, no less.
Fifteen years ago, David Ayres, the Zamboni driver who recently played in an NHL game, needed a kidney transplant and received the kidney from his mother.
We surprised him with a call from his mom this morning! pic.twitter.com/wU9CFkzbdC
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 24, 2020
Good luck not crying after watching that.
NHL trade deadline live updates: Tracking all trades for the 2019-20 season
With the NHL's 2019-20 trade deadline on Feb. 24, stay up to date with all the moves around the league, from the blockbusters down to the moves involving minor-league players and picks. This page will be continuously updated throughout the day, including links to grades for all of the biggest moves.
Feb. 24: Calgary Flames-Chicago Blackhawks
Flames get: D Erik Gustafsson
Blackhawks get: 2020 third-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Arizona Coyotes-Columbus Blue Jackets
Coyotes get: F Markus Hannikainen
Blue Jackets get: 2020 seventh-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Anaheim Ducks-Nashville Predators
Ducks get: D Matt Irwin
Predators get: D Korbinian Holzer
Feb. 24: Philadelphia Flyers-Chicago Blackhawks
Flyers get: F Nathan Noel
Blackhawks get: D TJ Brennan
Feb. 24: Anaheim Ducks-Washington Capitals
Ducks get: D Christian Djoos
Capitals get: F Daniel Sprong
Feb. 24: Vegas Golden Knights-Chicago Blackhawks
Knights get: G Robin Lehner
Blackhawks get: G Malcolm Subban, D Slava Demin, second-round pick
Feb. 24: Columbus Blue Jackets-Anaheim Ducks
Blue Jackets get: F Devin Shore
Ducks get: F Sonny Milano
Feb. 24: Tampa Bay Lightning-San Jose Sharks
Lightning get: F Barclay Goodrow, 2020 third-round pick (Philadelphia)
Sharks get: F Anthony Greco, 2020 first-round pick
Feb. 24: Vancouver Canucks-New Jersey Devils
Canucks get: G Louis Domingue
Devils get: G Zane McIntyre
Feb. 24: Carolina Hurricanes-New Jersey Devils
Hurricanes get: D Sami Vatanen
Devils get: F Janne Kuokkanen, D Fredrik Claesson, fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Calgary Flames-Los Angeles Kings
Flames get: D Derek Forbort
Kings get: 2021 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Florida Panthers-Dallas Stars
Panthers get: D Emil Djuse
Stars get: 2020 sixth-round pick (originally from Buffalo)
Feb. 24: Pittsburgh Penguins-Buffalo Sabres
Penguins get: F Evan Rodriques, F Conor Sheary
Sabres get: F Dominik Kahun
Feb. 24: Edmonton Oilers-Ottawa Senators
Oilers get: F Tyler Ennis
Senators get: 2021 fifth-round pick
Feb. 24: Edmonton Oilers-Detroit Red Wings
Oilers get: F Andreas Athanasiou, F Ryan Kuffner
Red Wings get: F Sam Gagner, 2020 second-round pick, 2021 second-round pick
Feb. 24: Montreal Canadiens-Ottawa Senators
Canadiens get: F Aaron Luchuk, 2022 seventh-round pick
Senators get: F Matthew Peca
Feb. 24: Boston Bruins-Anaheim Ducks
Bruins get: F Nick Ritchie
Ducks get: F Danton Heinen
Feb. 24: Buffalo Sabres-New Jersey Devils
Sabres get: F Wayne Simmonds
Devils get: 2021 fifth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Philadelphia Flyers-Anaheim Ducks
Flyers get: F Derek Grant
Ducks get: F Kyle Criscuolo, fourth-round pick
Feb. 24: Colorado Avalanche-Toronto Maple Leafs
Avalanche get: G Michael Hutchinson
Leafs get: D Calle Rosen
Feb. 24: Pittsburgh Penguins-San Jose Sharks
Penguins get: F Patrick Marleau
Sharks get: 2021 third-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Philadelphia Flyers-Montreal Canadiens
Flyers get: F Nate Thompson
Canadiens get: 2021 fifth-round pick
Feb. 24: Carolina Hurricanes-Florida Panthers
Hurricanes get: F Vincent Trocheck
Panthers get: F Erik Haula, F Lucas Wallmark, D Chase Priskie, and F Eetu Luostarinen
Feb. 24: New York Islanders-Ottawa Senators
Islanders get: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Senators get: 2020 first-round pick (conditional), 2020 second-round pick, 2022 third-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 24: Colorado Avalanche-Ottawa Senators
Avalanche get: F Vladislav Namestnikov
Senators get: 2021 fourth-round pick
Feb. 23: Edmonton Oilers-Detroit Red Wings
Oilers get: D Mike Green
Red Wings get: F Kyle Brodziak, 2020 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 23: Washington Capitals-Montreal Canadiens
Capitals get: F Ilya Kovalchuk
Canadiens get: 2020 third-round pick
Feb. 22: Toronto Maple Leafs-Nashville Predators
Leafs get: F Miikka Salomaki
Predators get: D Ben Harpur
Feb. 21: Winnipeg Jets-Vegas Golden Knights
Jets get: F Cody Eakin
Knights get: 2021 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb.21: Boston Bruins-Anaheim Ducks
Bruins get: F Ondrej Kase
Ducks get: F David Backes, D Axel Andersson, 2020 first-round pick
Feb. 20: Florida Panthers-Tampa Bay Lightning
Panthers get: F Danick Martel
Lightning get: F Anthony Greco
Feb. 20: Montreal Canadiens-Pittsburgh Penguins
Canadiens get: F Jake Lucchini, F Joseph Blandisi
Penguins get: F Phil Varone, F Riley Barber
Feb. 19: Toronto Maple Leafs-Ottawa Senators
Leafs get: F Max Veronneau
Senators get: F Aaron Luchuk, 2021 sixth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 19: New York Rangers-Philadelphia Flyers
Rangers get: G Jean-Francois Berube
Flyers get: Future considerations
Feb. 19: Vegas Golden Knights-Los Angeles Kings
Knights get: D Alec Martinez
Kings get: 2020 second-round pick, 2021 second-round pick (St. Louis)
Feb. 19: Toronto Maple Leafs-Florida Panthers
Leafs get: F Denis Malgin
Panthers get: F Mason Marchment
Feb. 18: St. Louis Blues-Montreal Canadiens
Blues get: D Marco Scandella
Canadiens get: 2020 second-round pick, 2021 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 18: Washington Capitals-San Jose Sharks
Capitals get: D Brenden Dillon
Sharks get: 2020 second-round pick, 2021 third-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 18: Winnipeg Jets-Ottawa Senators
Jets get: D Dylan DeMelo
Senators get: 2020 third-round pick
Feb. 18: Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers
Hurricanes get: D Joey Keane
Rangers get: F Julien Gauthier
Feb. 17: Vancouver Canucks-Los Angeles Kings
Canucks get: F Tyler Toffoli
Kings get: F Tim Schaller, F Tyler Madden, 2020 second-round pick, 2022 fourth-round pick (conditional)
Feb. 16: Tampa Bay Lightning-New Jersey Devils
Lightning get: F Blake Coleman
Devils get: F Nolan Foote, 2020 first-round pick (Vancouver, conditional)
Feb. 16: New York Islanders-New Jersey Devils
Islanders get: D Andy Greene
Devils get: D David Quenneville, 2021 second-round pick
Feb. 10: Pittsburgh Penguins-Minnesota Wild
Penguins get: F Jason Zucker
Wild get: F Alex Galchenyuk, D Calen Addison, 2020 conditional first-round pick
Feb. 5: Toronto Maple Leafs-Los Angeles Kings
Leafs get: G Jack Campbell, F Kyle Clifford
Kings get: F Trevor Moore, 2020 third-round pick, 2021 conditional third-round pick
Jan. 17: Pittsburgh Penguins-Dallas Stars
Penguins get: D John Nyberg
Stars get: F Oula Palve
Jan. 7: Montreal Canadiens-Nashville Predators
Canadiens get: F Laurent Dauphin
Predators get: F Michael McCarron
Jan. 2: Buffalo Sabres-Calgary Flames
Sabres get: F Michael Frolik
Flames get: 2020 fourth-round pick
Jan. 2: Montreal Canadiens-Buffalo Sabres
Canadiens get: D Marco Scandella
Sabres get: 2020 fourth-round pick
Jan. 2: Montreal Canadiens-Ottawa Senators
Canadiens get: F Andrew Sturtz
Senators get: D Mike Reilly
Dec. 17: Pittsburgh Penguins-Florida Panthers
Penguins get: F Kevin Roy
Panthers get: F Ryan Haggerty
Dec. 16: Arizona Coyotes-New Jersey Devils
Coyotes get: F Taylor Hall, F Blake Speers
Devils get: F Nate Schnarr, F Nick Merkley, D Kevin Bahl, 2020 first-round pick, 2021 third-round pick
Dec. 12: Detroit Red Wings-Carolina Hurricanes
Red Wings get: D Kyle Wood
Hurricanes get: D Oliwer Kaski
Dec. 2: Washington Capitals-Vegas Golden Knights
Capitals get: 2021 fifth-round pick
Knights get: F Chandler Stephenson
Nov. 30: Detroit Red Wings-Arizona Coyotes
Red Wings get: G Eric Comrie
Coyotes get: D Vili Saarijarvi
Nov. 24: Tampa Bay Lightning-Buffalo Sabres
Lightning get: D Devante Stephens
Sabres get: D Matt Spencer
Nov. 20: Chicago Blackhawks-Pittsburgh Penguins
Blackhawks get: F Joseph Cramarossa
Penguins get: F Graham Knott
Nov. 6: Detroit Red Wings-St. Louis Blues
Red Wings get: F Robby Fabbri
Blues get: F Jacob de la Rose
Nov. 1: New Jersey Devils-Tampa Bay Lightning
Devils get: G Louis Domingue
Lightning get: 2021 seventh-round pick (conditional)
Oct. 28: Detroit Red Wings-Chicago Blackhawks
Red Wings get: F Brendan Perlini
Blackhawks get: D Alec Regula
Oct. 26: Ottawa Senators-Florida Panthers
Senators get: F Jack Rodewald
Panthers get: F Chris Wilkie
Oct. 25: Anaheim Ducks-Pittsburgh Penguins
Ducks get: D Erik Gudbranson
Penguins get: F Andreas Martinsen, 2021 seventh-round pick
Oct. 22: Chicago Blackhawks-Florida Panthers
Blackhawks get: D Ian McCoshen
Panthers get: F Aleksi Saarela
Oct. 7: Ottawa Senators-New York Rangers
Senators get: F Vladislav Namestnikov
Rangers get: D Nick Ebert, 2021 fourth-round pick
Oct. 7: Vancouver Canucks-Detroit Red Wings
Canucks get: F David Pope
Red Wings get: D Alex Biega
Sept. 27: Colorado Avalanche-San Jose Sharks
Avalanche get: G Antoine Bibeau
Sharks get: D Nicolas Meloche
Sept. 24: St. Louis Blues-Carolina Hurricanes
Blues get: D Justin Faulk, 2020 fifth-round pick
Hurricanes get: D Joel Edmundson, F Dominik Bokk, 2021 seventh-round pick
R&A moves Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship to October
The R&A announced last Friday that it has rescheduled the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship for Oct. 7-10 at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand.
The event was originally scheduled Feb. 12-15 but postponed as a result of the continued outbreak of coronavirus.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the authorities to ensure we can stage the championship safely in October. We are looking forward to a successful week of golf and crowning the 2020 champion,” Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said in a statement.
The event, founded in 2018, awards its champion exemptions into the AIG Women’s British Open and the Evian Championship as well as an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Although there will be no WAAP representative for those events this year, the R&A's release started that both the 2020 and 2021 WAAP winners will be in the field at the 2021 Women's British at Royal Porthcawl.
This week in golf (Feb. 24-30): TV schedules, tee times, info
Here's a look at what's happening in professional golf this week, and how you can watch it:
PGA Tour
Honda Classic
Thursday-Sunday, PGA National Resort and Spa (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Course specs: Par 70, 7,125 yards, designed by Tom Fazio and George Fazio (1981), redesigned by Jack Nicklaus (1990, 2002, 2006)
Purse: $7 million
Defending champion: Keith Mitchell
Notables in the field: Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Lucas Bjerregaard
Tee times: TBD
TV schedule: Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Friday, 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), Saturday-Sunday, 1-3 p.m. (Golf Channel), 3-6 p.m. (NBC)
PGA Tour Live: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday, 7:15 a.m.-6 p.m. ET
European Tour
Oman Open
Thursday-Sunday, Al Mouj GC, Muscat, Oman
Course specs: Par 72, 7,452 yards, designed by Greg Norman (2012)
Purse: $1.75 million
Defending champion: Kurt Kitayama
Notables in the field: Martin Kaymer, Min Woo Lee, Haotong Li, Pablo Larrazabal, Benjamin Hebert, Justin Suh, Thomas Detry
Tee times: TBD
TV schedule: Thursday-Friday, 1:30-3:30 a.m. and 5:30-8:30 a.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 3-7:30 a.m. (Golf Channel)
PGA Tour Champions
Cologuard Classic
Friday-Sunday, Omni Tucson National (Catalina), Tucson, Arizona
Course specs: Par 73, 7,218 yards, designed by Robert Bruce Harris (1961), redesigned by Tom Lehman (2005)
Purse: $1.7 million
Defending champion: Mark O'Meara
Notables in the field: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Scott McCarron, Steve Stricker, John Smoltz, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie, Billy Mayfair
Tee times: TBD
TV schedule: Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday, 4:30-7 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Korn Ferry Tour
El Bosque Mexico Championship
Thursday-Sunday, El Bosque CC, Leon, Mexico
Course specs: designed by Steve Newgent (2009)
Purse: $650,000
Defending champion: Martin Trainer
Notables in the field: Davis Riley, Braden Thornberry, Marty Dou, Nick Hardy, Vince India, Byron Meth, Andy Pope, Tyrone Van Aswegen
Tee times: TBD
Asian Tour/PGA Tour of Australasia
New Zealand Open
Thursday-Sunday, Millbrook Resort/The Hills GC, Arrowtown, New Zealand
Course specs: Millbrook – designed by Bob Charles (1993), redesigned by Greg Turner (2010); The Hills – designed by John Darby (2007)
Purse: $886,743
Defending champion: Zach Murray
Notables in the field: K.J. Choi, Geoff Ogilvy, Pernilla Lindberg, Daniel Chopra, Richard T. Lee, Zach Bauchou
Tee times: TBD
Streaming schedule: Wednesday-Thursday, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. ET; Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.-midnight ET
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has said that he understands if his side are labelled as "underdogs" when they face Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday.
Bayern had a tough start to the season, replacing manager Niko Kovac with Hansi Flick in November, but have since seen a resurgence and lead the Bundesliga. The German side won all six of their Champions League group games earlier this season, including an emphatic 7-2 away win over Tottenham Hotspur in October.
Tuesday's match is the first time that the teams face each other since the memorable 2012 Champions League final in Munich, which saw Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties.
Lampard, who captained the Blues in that 2012 final, said that Chelsea can be benefit from an underdog status in Tuesday's clash.
"I understand if people do call us the underdog because they [Bayern] are so strong. Being the underdog, it's there for us to turn it around," Lampard said.
"I think the underdog talk is better to come from outside, from people looking from out to in. When you look at their team -- the talent they are already have, the medals they already have -- maybe we don't have that experience.
"Being the underdog, if so, then it's for us to turn it around. Those are the best stories in sport."
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic did not echo his manager's comments, saying that Chelsea enter the game on an even level with the Bundesliga champions.
"It's always better to be the underdog but I don't think we are," Kovacic said. "We are similar, there is not much difference between us and Bayern."
Chelsea will be tasked with finding a way to contain Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored his 38th goal of the season in all competitions during a 3-2 win over Paderborn on Friday.
"Lewandowski is in form of his life," Flick said. "He is full of confidence. As a leader up front he is very important for us.
"He is absolutely brilliant. I don't even know how many goals he has scored this season but I know that he is way up there."
Lewandowski is the joint-top scorer in the Champions League this season with 10 goals in five games, alongside Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who began the campaign with Austrian side FC Salzburg.
Chelsea's Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and N'Golo Kante have been ruled out for Tuesday's match through injury.
Liverpool took another step toward their long awaited Premier League crown with a dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham United on Monday.
- When can Liverpool win the Premier League title?
The win at home put them 22 points clear of second-place Manchester City. Liverpool now need 12 points from 11 games, with the quickest way to clinch the crown is with four victories.
Liverpool's 21st straight victory at Anfield broke the record for most consecutive home league wins in English top-flight history, set by themselves in 1972. The win also equalled City's record for 18th consecutive Premier League victories.
Liverpool and West Ham exchanged early header goals with Georginio Wijnaldum giving the hosts a brief lead off Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner-kick in the 12th minute, only to see Issa Diop equalise three minutes later.
West Ham then gave the Anfield crowd another shock when Pablo Fornals' shot to the far post went just beyond the reach of Alisson for the go-ahead goal in the 54th minute.
Lukasz Fabianski had his own goalkeeper mishap when Mohamed Salah's close-range shot squirmed through his hands and legs for the 68th minute equaliser.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead for good in the 81st minute when he flicked the ball into an empty net after Alexander-Arnold hooked a cross toward the back post.
The waning moments did provide some heartstopping moments with VAR ruling Mane offside on a would-be goal and Alisson making a game-clinching save on Jarrod Bowen's counter-attack effort.
Liverpool's upcoming schedule include matches vs. Watford (a), Bournemouth (h), Everton (a), Crystal Palace (h). If both Liverpool and Man City win all their upcoming fixtures then the Reds will be champions on March 21 against Palace.
The guard of honour would then come at reigning champions City on April 5.
However, March 21 is reserved for FA Cup quarterfinal ties, so the Palace game may be postponed to a later date. If that is the case, they could win the title with a draw at Man City, then the guard of honour would come at home to Aston Villa.
Reports: Vegas lands goalie Lehner from Chicago
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired veteran goaltender Robin Lehner from the Chicago Blackhawks in the final hour before the NHL trade deadline on Monday, according to multiple reports.
As the deadline hit at 3 p.m. ET, Chicago's return for Lehner was not immediately clear.
Though the teams had yet to confirm the trade, Lehner thanked Blackhawks fans on Twitter and wrote that he was really excited to join Vegas.
Thank you Chicago. What a great city. Fans were unbelievable and I'm not going to forget the short time there. I believe in this team and still do. Great teammates! gonna miss all of you. The city and guys deserve the best. ?was born in Chicago.
— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020
Really exited to join Vegas. Going to be a ride. Can't wait to get there but please no drums at the airport I'm shy...
— Robin Lehner (@RobinLehner) February 24, 2020
Lehner has been a bright spot for the Blackhawks this season, going 16-10-5 with a 3.01 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. But when combined with teammate Corey Crawford's 11-17-3 record (2.80 GAA, .915 save percentage), Chicago is in last place in the Central Division and facing a third straight season without playoff hockey.
Lehner, 28, signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Blackhawks during the offseason, after a career-resurrecting campaign with the New York Islanders in 2018-19, when he was a Vezina Trophy finalist.
He also won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication; he has spoken about seeking treatment for his mental health and substance abuse after his issues came to a head during his last season in Buffalo, 2017-18.
Lehner will pair up with Vegas starter Marc-Andre Fleury as the Golden Knights gear up for a third straight postseason appearance. With 76 points, Vegas is in first place in the Pacific Division.
Also Monday, the Knights acquired forward Nick Cousins from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Cowboys prefer deal over franchise tag with Dak
INDIANAPOLIS -- Time might be running out, but Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones remains confident a long-term deal can be worked out with quarterback Dak Prescott before the organization will need to use the franchise tag.
Jones said there are no talks scheduled with Prescott's agent Todd France, but the team intends to meet with him at some point this week during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
Jones said there is no scenario in which the Cowboys would move on from Prescott in 2020.
"I mean, Dak's our quarterback. He's our quarterback for the future and we have nothing but the greatest respect for him," Jones said. "He's a competitor. He's won a lot of football games for us. Obviously, he, like us, we all want to take that next step and get into a championship game and get to the big game and ultimately win a championship. So there's no thoughts like that."
Jones acknowledged the sides have not spoken since September when the Cowboys thought they were closing in on an agreement that would have made Prescott among the top-five paid quarterbacks in the NFL.
"It just kind of stopped. We kind of left it where it was," Jones said. "I wouldn't say there was anything acrimonious. They felt they were done where they were. We felt like we were kind of where we were and we never really got going again."
Despite the inactivity, Jones believes a deal can be consummated before March 12, the final date in which the club can use the franchise tag. That is two days later than the original deadline because of the ongoing discussions with the NFL and the NFL Players Association on a new collective bargaining agreement. Jones said there are "a lot of moving parts," that go into negotiations when it is the final year of the CBA. With a new CBA, the Cowboys would lose the chance to use the franchise and transition tag but it would ease up some of the issues in getting a long-term deal completed.
Jones would not get into whether the Cowboys would use the non-exclusive franchise tag, which would cost $27 million but allow Prescott to shop the market, or exclusive tag, which would cost $33 million and prevent teams from signing him.
"I just don't think we've had our hands around what the next steps are," Jones said. "Obviously we didn't end up getting it done because they were pretty entrenched with their thoughts and we were pretty entrenched with our thoughts. I think really that's the facts of the world we work. Certainly we've done a lot of thinking about it and looking at it and we'll see where it ends up."
Prescott is not the only high-profile free agent the Cowboys want to re-sign. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones and defensive end Robert Quinn are also set to be free agents. Without a CBA extension, the Cowboys could theoretically use the franchise tag on Prescott and transition tag on Cooper. If there's a new CBA, then they would only be able to use one tag, thus making it more likely Cooper, Jones or Quinn could hit the market.
"We haven't gone into any details with players since the end of the season. We are really wanting to see where the CBA is," Jones said. "The way I look at these contracts, the two we are talking about (Prescott and Cooper), when things get momentum they can happen in 24 hours. It's a just a matter of can you get some traction and headed in the right direction."
Pacers G Lamb done for season with knee injury
Indiana Pacers guard Jeremy Lamb needs surgery on his injured knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
The Pacers announced Monday that Lamb has a torn ACL, a torn lateral meniscus and a fracture in his left knee.
Lamb suffered the injury in Sunday's loss to the Toronto Raptors. Initial X-rays on his knee were negative, and Lamb told reporters after the game that he hoped the injury wasn't "too serious."
The Pacers have not determined a specific date for Lamb's surgery.
Lamb, 27, averaged 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 46 games this season, his first with the Pacers.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks knew Madison Bumgarner lives on a ranch but were unaware of his recently revealed side career as a rodeo participant.
Bumgarner has been competing in rodeo events under the alias "Mason Saunders" and won $26,560 in a team-roping competition in December, he confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Monday he was aware Bumgarner was "a very strong horseman," and added that even though he didn't know about the rodeos, that knowledge wouldn't have affected the team's decision to sign the left-hander to an $85 million, five-year contract.
The GM said he wouldn't comment on what the team will allow the 2014 World Series MVP to do in his spare time or any specifics of the contract or guarantee language.
"Madison's a grown man and we know he's committed to helping us achieve our goals as a team," Hazen said. "Those have been the conversations that we've had from the time we first talked to him until very recently."
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo called Bumgarner's past rodeos "a non-issue" and said his new pitcher is a great teammate. The manager said he wants players to have outside lives but also remember what it takes to win.
Bumgarner, 30, told The Athletic that he had been competing in rodeo events for a while, including last March, two days before pitching for San Francisco in a spring training game.
"I want him to be safe, I want him to be healthy, I want him to come out and pitch every fifth day," Lovullo said. "Those will be the types of things we talk about."
Bumgarner injured his shoulder in 2017 in a dirt bike accident and missed three months of the season. He apologized at the time and called it a "stupid" decision that likely violated his contract. The Giants are not believed to have pressed the issue with the four-time All-Star.
Lovullo acknowledged that even though he wants Bumgarner to be safe, his star pitcher's side hustle was interesting.
"I don't know Mason Saunders yet but he's a pretty impressive guy, I'll say that," Lovullo said with a grin. "I've seen pictures of him doing some pretty amazing things. That's not easy."