Sonstiges » class of 2017.Point guard Ronnie

CHICAGO -- Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went on the attack before his team began second-half play on Friday against the Texas Rangers.His target? The media, which he says has been too negative about the Cubs struggles before the All-Star break, when a double-digit lead in the National League Central dropped to seven games.The only people panicking about this is the media, Rizzo said Friday morning to a throng of reporters. No offense to you guys. Its been pretty negative. All the comments coming out of everyones mouth except in this clubhouse. We feel great. We feel great to be back together and were ready to go.The Cubs went 2-9 in their final 11 games and 7-14 in their final 21 before the break, with numbers in pitching, hitting and fielding all down. Most attributed the slide to a grueling schedule in which the Cubs played 23 of 33 games on the road and played on 24 consecutive days.Its July and you need stories to write about, and what better story to write about than why are the Cubs struggling? Rizzo said. The only people worried about it are outsiders.Cubs manager Joe Maddon had a softer stance. The noise coming from outside is necessary, he said. It can serve as motivation and its also just fans being fans. Its about how you channel all that.Maddon was quick to defend his team, citing the tough schedule. I probably have not been as tired as I was at this break, ever, he said. If I felt the need to rest, Im certain our guys felt the same way.Theo Epstein, the Cubs president of baseball operations, also addressed the tone of the conversation surrounding his team. It went from talk of breaking records at the beginning of the season to talk of a possible epic collapse heading into the break.When we were 25-6, the media was asking questions about, How do we balance getting our players rest with going for the all-time wins record? Epstein said. I attached zero meaning to that. I called bulls--- on that question. The same way, if I think people are getting too down on us for not playing well, Ill call bulls--- on that, too. I just think all that matters is how we respond to adversity and how we handle success.Itll help the Cubs to get some injured bodies back in the lineup as two key position players, outfielders?Dexter Fowler and Jorge Soler, continue to rehab hamstring injuries.Fowler is getting tested by trainers this weekend before beginning a new rehab assignment. Maddon said he is hoping Fowler will be available by the end of next week.Soler is further away from returning but is also making progress. Hes doing well, Maddon said. Hes getting better but dont have a finish line there.The Cubs got catcher?David Ross back after a stint on the seven-day concussion list, but pitcher?Trevor Cahill was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right knee.The Cubs still have a need for a lefty reliever. Clayton Richard, who was in the minors rehabbing from a blister, was called up from Triple-A Iowa. Richard was struggling with a 7.30 ERA in 22 relief outings before being sidelined June 21.Velocity was up, Maddon said of Richard. Strike throwing was better. Everything was good.The Cubs will know soon if fatigue was to blame for their pre-break slump -- especially on the mound, where Maddon says it showed the most. ?Either way, the team isnt concerned with the narrative outside the clubhouse.Its undeniable that we didnt play well for a long stretch of time, Epstein said. Once you go through that as a club, then you know its possible. You get to the edge of the abyss and you stare right in. You go, Hey, were not going to just rack up the wins. You have to go out and earn it. That can be a good thing for our team.Jordan Bernstine Jersey Retro . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Stan Olejniczak Jersey Retro . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/brandon-weeden-jersey-retro/ . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Jim Ritcher Jersey Retro . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Buzz Sawyer Jersey Retro . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007.Each week, Ill write about the sport I love: college basketball:Arizona coach Sean Miller strikes gold in recruiting. He landed big man DeAndre Ayton, ranked No. 1 in ESPNs recruiting rankings for the class of 2017.Point guard Ronnie Johnson started his college career at Purdue. The he went to play at Houston. Now he has landed at Auburn as a graduate transfer. The Tigers had an edge in landing him -- assistant coach Chuck Person is his cousin.Congratulations to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. It is well deserved, my friend.Speaking of the Spartans, their season-opening test vs.dddddddddddd Arizona, part of a great doubleheader which also includes Kansas vs. Indiana, has been moved. It went from Pearl Harbor to the University of Hawaiis Sheriff Center.Big 5 fans will be happy at the start of this season. La Salle is at Temple for the season opener on Nov. 11.Mark down Feb. 25 on your calendar. That will be interesting as guard Spike Albrecht and Purdue visit Michigan. Albrecht is a former Wolverine who played well in the national championship game a few years back. ' ' '