SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by Patrick Hayeshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2013-01-06T11:40:59-06:00https://chicago.sbnation.com/authors/patrick-hayes/rss2013-01-06T11:40:59-06:002013-01-06T11:40:59-06:00Kelly content at Notre Dame
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<figcaption>Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Brian Kelly already believes he has the best job in sports.</p> <p>With <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish" class="sbn-auto-link">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> coach Brian Kelly unexpectedly leading the Irish to the BCS National Championship Game this season, it's understandable that other college or pro teams would be interested in luring him away from Notre Dame. Kelly, however, doesn't want that.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls12/story/_/id/8816179/2013-discover-bcs-national-championship-brian-kelly-notre-dame-fighting-irish-nick-saban-alabama-crimson-tide-say-eyes-nfl-jobs">Kelly told ESPN.com this week</a> that leaving Notre Dame "isn't an option."</p>
<p>"I think from my perspective I've got the best job in the country, NFL, college, high school, whatever," Kelly told ESPN. "I just look at the place that I'm at and thankful for the opportunity that I have."</p>
<p>Kelly, who coached at Division II Grand Valley State, Central Michigan University and the University of Cincinnati prior to getting the Notre Dame job, did admit to finding the NFL intriguing. He noted that the time would have to be right for him to consider an NFL job.</p>
<p>Notre Dame plays Alabama in the National Championship game on Monday.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2013/1/6/3842754/bcs-national-championship-2013Patrick Hayes2012-12-30T10:12:32-06:002012-12-30T10:12:32-06:00Notre Dame's return to prominence
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<figcaption>Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Looking at Notre Dame's rise back to national relevance.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish" class="sbn-auto-link">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> entered the season with several questions, both on the field and off, chief among them whether or not an independent school not part of a power conference could be a nationally relevant program in this era.</p>
<p>By going undefeated and earning a spot in the BCS National Championship Game against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide" class="sbn-auto-link">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> on Jan. 7, the Irish more than answered those questions. <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls12/story/_/id/8789171/notre-dame-fighting-irish-success-helps-cement-football-team-independent-status-college-football">Matt Fortuna of ESPN.com recently wrote about</a> Notre Dame's return to relevance, including a quote from defensive coordinator Bob Diaco.</p>
<p>"A school with the magnitude of the following that we have, with an expectation of national championships and national dominance, to take over the program where Coach Kelly took it over, which was really -- as has been quoted many times by people -- almost nationally irrelevant, to turn that back into something that is relevant is really an awesome thing," Diaco told Fortuna. "The cheering never went away. Notre Dame Nation continued to cheer, when they really didn't have much to cheer about. Which is awesome. Now it's got to be a great feeling for the players in particular, that those people have something to cheer about. They put their interlocking ND on, and can proudly walk down the street and through the hallways of their workplaces. It's fun."</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/12/30/3817570/bcs-national-championship-2013Patrick Hayes2012-12-30T09:18:30-06:002012-12-30T09:18:30-06:00Do the Huskies have a chance?
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<figcaption>Dave Reginek</figcaption>
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<p>Despite some criticism of their spot in a BCS bowl, many experts think Northern Illinois belongs.</p> <p>When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/northern-illinois-huskies">Northern Illinois Huskies</a> were selected to compete against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2013 Orange Bowl, there were a few negative reactions, <a href="http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8703471" target="_blank">notably by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit</a>, to a MAC school being selected over power-conference schools.</p>
<p>But now that they're here, many at national media outlets think the Huskies could legitimately compete with Florida State on Jan. 1.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/features/writers/expert/picks" target="_blank">Among the six writers making picks for CBS Sports</a>, four -- Dennis Dodd, Bruce Feldman, Jerry Hinnen and Chip Patterson -- selected Northern Illinois to cover the spread against Florida State.</p>
<p><a href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/03/predictions-101-orange-bowl-2/" target="_blank">John Tamanaha of NBC Sports also believes</a> the game will be close, picking Florida State to win, 26-20. That's thanks in part to his belief that Northern Illinois will be desperate to prove doubters wrong while Florida State might be overlooking the Huskies.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20121229/orange-bowl-preview/" target="_blank">Sports Illustrated predicts a 31-11 final score</a> in favor of Florida State, noting that the Seminoles are capable of less-than-inspired performances but just have too much talent not to win.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/2012/12/30/3817386/orange-bowl-2013-florida-state-northern-illinois-predictions-picksPatrick Hayes2012-12-25T09:00:07-06:002012-12-25T09:00:07-06:00Asik returns to Chicago
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<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Omer Asik returns to Chicago for Christmas Day game between Bulls and Rockets.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> (15-11) host the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> (14-12) at 7 p.m. CT on Christmas Day, hoping to get back on track after losing to the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> on Saturday. The Bulls will also be trying to end Houston's three-game winning streak.</p>
<p>Minus Derrick Rose this season, the Bulls have been led by <span>Joakim Noah</span> and <span>Luol Deng</span>. Deng, one of the top perimeter defenders in the league, is averaging 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Noah is averaging 13.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.</p>
<p>Chicago will be getting a look at former Bulls center <span>Omer Asik</span>, who signed with the Rockets as a free agent in the offseason. Asik is averaging 10.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in an expanded role in Houston from the reserve role he played with the Bulls. Houston is led by <span>James Harden</span>, who at 25.6 points per game is the NBA's fourth leading scorer this season.</p>
<p><b>Game time</b>: 7 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: United Center, Chicago</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: ESPN</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/12/25/3798134/bulls-vs-rockets-nba-christmas-day-2012-game-previewPatrick Hayes2012-12-23T10:34:59-06:002012-12-23T10:34:59-06:00Should Bears rest Jennings, Melton?
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<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
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<p>The Bears are in the awkward position of needing a win to get into the postseason, but also needing to rest key players who are injured for a postseason run.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> need to win their next two games to assure themselves of a playoff spot. But the Bears also need to ensure that they have as healthy a roster as possible if they do qualify for the playoffs.</p>
<p>Defensive back <span>Tim Jennings</span>, the NFL leader in interceptions with eight, has missed two games with a separated shoulder, but he's expected to play Sunday against the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>. Defensive tackle <span>Henry Melton</span> sat out last week's game with an injured collarbone.</p>
<p>Both players are still not fully recovered from their injuries. Jennings and Melton both said, <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2012/12/tim_jennings_henry_melton_eage.html">via the Chicago Sun-Times</a>, the team has been cautious with their injuries and doesn't want to rush them back into the lineup, although both are also vital components of one of the league's best defenses.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4681405/coachs-big-decision-play-or-rest">Michael C. Wright of ESPN Chicago thinks</a> the Bears will play it safe with both if the Bears are able to build a big lead against the Cardinals early Sunday.</p>
<p>"However, if the Bears take control of the game early, they need to consider sitting Jennings and Melton as soon as possible for what should be a physical regular-season finale on Dec. 30 in Detroit," Wright writes. "Jennings and Melton are two of the club's best defensive players, and the Bears will need them in order to win at Detroit, and in the playoffs."</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bears/2012/12/23/3797880/chicago-bears-injuries-team-could-consider-resting-key-playersPatrick Hayes2012-12-23T09:47:04-06:002012-12-23T09:47:04-06:00Te'o has bright NFL future
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame's star linebacker is still focused on trying to win a national title.</p> <p>As one of the country's most dominant players and biggest stars, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish" class="sbn-auto-link">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84654/manti-te-o" class="sbn-auto-link">Manti Te'o</a> obviously has a bright future ahead of him playing football on Sundays. Although Te'o is reluctant to talk about his NFL future with the team preparing to face the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide" class="sbn-auto-link">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> for the BCS National Championship Jan. 7, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco has been willing to discuss Te'o's virtues as a player for him.</p>
<p>"He has no limitations," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/ncaa/notre-dame/irish-talk/Teo-not-yet-thinking-about-NFL?blockID=816483&feedID=661&awid=6098400752807115343-914">Diaco told Dan Hayes of Comcast Sports Net Chicago</a>. "He'd be, and is going to be, a productive player in any defensive system that he gets added to at the next level."</p>
<p>Te'o, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and won the Walter Camp award, Lott and Lombardi Trophies, and the Maxwell, Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski awards, <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/8734487/2013-nfl-mock-draft-where-top-qb-land">was projected to go 11th overall</a> in ESPN draft expert Todd McShay's first mock draft.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/notre-dame-football/2012/12/23/3797746/nfl-draft-2013-manti-teo-not-thinking-about-the-nfl-yetPatrick Hayes2012-12-23T08:34:56-06:002012-12-23T08:34:56-06:00Deng hurt, but still plays
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>Deng nearly sat out Saturday's game against the Hawks, but decided to play through an injured shoulder.</p> <p><span>Luol Deng</span> scored a season-high 29 points on Friday in a win over the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, but the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> forward also injured his shoulder during the game. In fact, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/basketball-chicago-bulls/bulls-talk/Deng-plays-through-injury-in-Bulls-loss?blockID=816567&feedID=10332&awid=6613698585451226990-914">according to Aggrey Sam of Comcast Sports Net</a>, the injury was severe enough that Deng considered skipping Saturday's game against the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>, although he decided to play through it.</p>
<p>"I played, so that's all that matters. I was worried about, even to start the game and I thought it took a little bit of my aggressiveness away," Deng told Sam, also noting that he was "a little shy of contact" Saturday. "It's not worse now than it was before, so that's a good sign. I'm not even trying to hide anything. I can't explain exactly what it is. It's more than a stinger. It's a sprained something. I don't know exactly."</p>
<p>Deng had 11 points and shot 5 for 14 in 34 minutes in the 92-75 loss to the Hawks. It is unclear how long it will take the injury to heal.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/12/23/3797554/luol-deng-injury-bulls-shoulderPatrick Hayes2012-12-23T08:16:08-06:002012-12-23T08:16:08-06:00Korver still at home in Chicago
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<p>Former Bulls reserve Kyle Korver has fond memories of Chicago.</p> <p><span>Kyle Korver</span>, who the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> traded to the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> for cash and a trade exception in the offseason, returned to Chicago as the Hawks beat the Bulls Saturday.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.csnchicago.com/basketball-chicago-bulls/bulls-talk/Korver-has-fond-memories-of-time-with-Bu?blockID=816573&feedID=10332&awid=6496540121569356549-914">Korver talked with Aggrey Sam of Comcast Sports Net Chicago</a> about how much he enjoyed his time with the Bulls and in Chicago.</p>
<p>"I miss the people, man. I miss the fans. Such a great sports town. I've got a lot of really good friends there, on the team, off the team. I was involved in a really great community there. I definitely miss the people," Korver told Sam. "I definitely don't miss driving in and out from the Berto to downtown. I use up like one tank of gas a month here and that's a beautiful thing for a lot of reasons. But other than that, I definitely miss a lot about Chicago."</p>
<p>Korver is averaging 10.7 points per game and making 44 percent of his three-pointers for the Hawks this season.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/12/23/3797516/kyle-korver-bulls-hawksPatrick Hayes2012-12-21T22:16:38-06:002012-12-21T22:16:38-06:00Bulls build big lead, hold on vs. Knicks
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> entered the fourth quarter of Friday's game against the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Knicks</a>, the best team in the Eastern Conference, with a 22-point lead. The Knicks played like the league's best team in the fourth quarter, out-scoring Chicago 45-27 to make the final scorer a much closer 110-106, but the Bulls managed to hold on for their second straight win.</p>
<p>Chicago built a 54-39 lead at halftime and the Knicks struggled much of the game. <span>Luol Deng</span> had 29 points and 13 rebounds, <span>Joakim Noah</span> had 15 points and 12 rebounds and <span>Marco Belinelli</span> scored 22 points to lead Chicago. The Bulls shot 45 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range.</p>
<p><span>J.R. Smith</span> led the Knicks with 26 points and 10 rebounds. <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> scored 29 points and <span>Raymond Felton</span> scored 21, but both struggled shooting. Anthony shot 10 for 25 and Felton made 9 for 21 shots and missed all four of his three-point attempts.</p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/12/21/3794256/bulls-vs-knicks-final-score-chicago-withstands-big-fourth-quarter-inPatrick Hayes2012-12-21T22:08:37-06:002012-12-21T22:08:37-06:00Deng dominates in win over Knicks
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<figcaption>Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Chicago Bulls (15-10) are pushing through a difficult portion of the schedule, but got off to a good start with a win against the New York Knicks Friday. They follow that with games against the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets, which might be the most difficult stretch yet. </p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-bulls/2012/12/21/3794252/nba-schedule-bulls-beat-knicks-clash-with-hawks-before-christmas-dayPatrick HayesSteve von Horn