Steelers rule 1 out for KC Chiefs, list Ladarius Green (concussion) as doubtful

Broncos vs. Chiefs | NFL Week 16 Christmas Game Highlights

Ladarius Green Pittsburgh Steelers ankle

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) is doubtful for the Steelers" Sunday AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Cheifs.Here, he stretches during warm ups before his teammates played the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH -- After not practicing all week Ladarius Green (concussion) is listed as doubtful for the Pittsburgh Steelers" AFC divisional round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

He is in concussion protocol, Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

Backup outside linebacker Anthony Chickillo (ankle) was ruled out. He did not practice all week.

Defensive end Ricardo Matthews (high right ankle sprain), who said Thursday that Friday"s practice would be his test for playing in the game or not, was a limited participant in Friday"s session. Matthews would give Pittsburgh as many as four defensive ends on the game day roster, joining Stephon Tuitt, L.T. Walton and Johnny Maxey.

Matthews is listed as questionable for Kansas City along with reserve running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (concussion).

Toussaint is the off returner on kickoffs next to Sammie Coates. Mike Tomlin said Justin Gilbert is an option on kick returns. Demarcus Ayers and Artie Burns have both said they won"t be taking them.

Gilbert missed Pittsburgh"s 30-12 win over the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round after struggling with a shoulder injury during the week. Tomlin said it affected his preparation.

Cobi Hamilton has also fielded kick returns this year, when Sammie Coates was fighting a hamstring injury, which Coates said has since healed.

Joey Porter is back for the chiefs game

source: http://www.pennlive.com/steelers/index.ssf/2017/01/steelers_chiefs_ladarius_doubt.html

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Shelby Rogers Ousts Fourth Seed Simona Halep at Australian Open

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Photo Shelby Rogers serving in the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. Rogers defeated Simona Halep, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, 6-3, 6-1. Credit Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

MELBOURNE, Australia Shelby Rogers, who made one of last seasons most surprising surges, picked up where she left off by delivering the first major upset of the Australian Open on Monday.

The unseeded Rogers beat Simona Halep, the fourth seed, in routine fashion, 6-3, 6-1, in the opening match on center court at Rod Laver Arena. Rogers, of South Carolina, dominated the match with her serve, winning 71 percent of her first-serve points and 63 percent on her second serve. She faced only one break point, which she saved, and broke Haleps serve four times during a 75-minute match.

Rogers, 24, who is ranked No. 52 in the world, first made waves at the French Open last year, when she marched to the quarterfinals, losing to Garbie Muguruza, the eventual champion. Rogers was ranked No. 108 at the time.

The biggest thing I took away from that was just that I can compete with the top players in the world, and Im good enough, Rogers said. Little things here and there I need to work on, but Im here. I need to believe in myself.

Halep, ranked No. 4 in the world, took a medical timeout at the end of the first set as she struggled with her movement. She said after the match that she had painful tendinitis in her left knee. With Halep hampered, Rogers used her superior power to control rallies and overwhelm Haleps defenses.

I think I played great today, trying to be aggressive going out there, Rogers said. My game plan worked: Just move forward, hit your shots, be really aggressive. When Im doing that, Im playing well.

Halep, of Romania, beat Rogers easily in the third round of the 2015 United States Open, their only previous meeting.

A two-time quarterfinalist in Melbourne, Halep also lost in the first round of last years Australian Open, losing to the Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai.

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Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHNyEeDVZp5sBeKGk5UVj6QVIJvsw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779346041581&ei=C5l8WPi6CZLS3gGn5pjACw&url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/15/sports/tennis/australian-open-shelby-rogers-simona-halep.html

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Ask Terez: Q&A about the Chiefs" 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh

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In this weeks postgame mailbag, The Stars Terez A. Paylor answers postgame Twitter questions about the disappointing offense, offseason areas of improvement and whether this year will be remembered as a disappointment. Read on for all that, plus the number of the day.

1. No touchdowns for the Steelers, Terez. How is it possible to lose like that? @tjsimmons

Easy. The offense didnt pull its weight. period. its something chiefs fans have seen far too much this season. The defense stands tall and makes some plays, but the offense just doesnt execute. Its why fans were so frustrated after the Tennessee loss a month ago. This loss was similar to that, in a way. Andy Reids offense was supposed to take the next step this year. Instead, the offense will be remembered for its inconsistency, and for ultimately being the reason this season came to a close too soon.

2. What happened to the offense? O-line looked as bad in pass protection as Ive seen all year. @lukeeugenehealy

The Steelers defensive front has improved as the season has gone on, and it certainly took it to the Chiefs on Sunday, racking up a sack and five quarterback hits. At the end of the day, its hard to move the ball when you cant run the ball consistently and youre losing up front. Add in far too many drops, and the continuing execution lapses that have plagued this team all year, and you get this kind of performance against what is looking like a Super Bowl-caliber team.

3. Do you think Andy Reid and Alex Smith are getting too much blame? Fluke tipped ball INT, drops by WRs, lack of run game, bad penalties. @NBendian

No. The offense has been inconsistent all year, and the blame and the credit always goes to the coach and the quarterback. The offense is Reids responsibility, so the blame there is self-explanatory, while the Chiefs would certainly have more margin for error if Smith were more of a playmaker in the Rodgers, Brees and Brady mold. It is what it is. The belief here is that you can still win with Smith, but you better be able to stop the run (this team couldnt late in the year) and have a strong, powerful offensive line (theyre not there yet).

4. How do we improve? @asapswivel

The Chiefs interior run defense has to get better, for starters. That starts with the inside linebackers, who never found a way to adequately replace Derrick Johnson. The Chiefs also missed Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey up front, but all these guys need to get stronger and more stout vs. the run. The same goes for the offensive line, which is still young and should be better next year with a full offseason of weight lifting. The Chiefs lost this game in the trenches and need to get stronger there to win games in January.

5. Taking the playofff loss into account, can this be called a good season? @GunnNorman

Technically, yes. They posted the best record of Andy Reids tenure (12-4) and won the AFC West for the first time since 2010, all while ending Denvers five-year run of dominance. Thats nice, but ultimately unsatisfying. This team has been talking Super Bowl all year, and they didnt even advance further than they did last year. Thats going to stick in the craw of many players for a long time.

The number

5 The number of divisional-round games the Chiefs have lost in a row, dating back to the mid 90s.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/red-zone/article126786924.html

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Add Chiefs" loss to Steelers to list of playoff heartbreakers in Kansas City

Tyreek Hill || Half Man, Half Cheetah || 2016 Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Highlights

So, what do we call this one? The Field Goal Game?

For KC fans, Sunday nights 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers marked a sad continuation of the Chiefs inability to win an AFC Divisional playoff game at home.

They are now 0-5 all-time. The previous four of those playoff losses in Kansas City have names and live in infamy.

No-punt game

Jan. 11, 2004: Colts 38, Chiefs 31

The name of this game is self-explanatory as neither team punted, but the Chiefs had the only turnover. Priest Holmes lost fumble on the first drive of the third quarter followed a missed 31-yard field-goal attempt by Morten Andersen late in the first half. Both of those plays proved to be huge.

The only time the Colts were stopped was on a fourth-down play with 8 seconds left. A 13-3 season went to waste.

Elvis Grbac game

Jan. 4, 1998: Broncos 14, Chiefs 10

The 13-3 Chiefs won the AFC West in a hard-fought battle over the Broncos, who finished 12-4. That was thought to be a big key because it meant the Chiefs had home-field advantage should they end up facing John Elway and the Broncos. Elvis Grbac was 7-2 that season as a starter before being hurt, but Rich Gannon went 6-1 in his place and fans wanted Gannon to stay the starter.

However, Gbrac played the final regular-season game, then got the start against the Broncos. Grbac seemed poised to lead a late comeback from four points down in the playoff game after driving the chiefs from their own 36 to the Denver 28. But Grbacs final pass intended for Lake Dawson in the end zone was incomplete.

Lin Elliot game

Jan. 7, 1996: Colts 10, Chiefs 7

On a bitterly cold day at Arrowhead Stadium, fans saw a 13-3 season and No. 1 seed come to a bitter end. It started promisingly as Steve Bono and Dawson connected on a 20-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

But that was all the scoring for the Chiefs as kicker Lin Elliott missed three field goals, including a 42-yard attempt late in the game, and his name is mud among Chiefs fans.

But the thing is Bono threw three interceptions and the Chiefs lost a fumble. Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh threw for just 112 yards with a touchdown in the second quarter and an interception.

Christmas Day game

Dec. 25, 1971: Dolphins 27-24, 2OT

This was the only playoff game ever at Municipal Stadium, and it ruined Christmas for many fans because of the result and how long the game took. The Chiefs jumped to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter, and they never trailed until Garo Yepremian kicked a 37-yard field goal to win it in the second overtime.

Miami had tied the score at 10 by halftime, but Jim Otis 1-yard run in the third quarter put the Chiefs back ahead. KC was up 24-17 in the fourth quarter, but Miamis Marv Fleming caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Bob Griese that tied it.

Chiefs fans couldnt have known it at the time, but their team wouldnt return to the playoffs for another 15 years.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article126780124.html

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Ciara"s Exes Future and Bow Wow Sit on the Sidelines at Her Husband Russell Wilson"s NFL Game

CIARA KNOCKS ANKIT INTO HELL! | GTA 5 #8
Russell Wilson, Ciara and Future Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic / Prince Williams/WireImage

Awkward! Two of Ciara"s exes, Future and Bow Wow, showed up at her husband Russell Wilson"s NFL game in Atlanta on Saturday, January 14.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Feuds: The Biggest Ever!

As Wilson"s Seattle Seahawks faced off against the Atlanta Falcons, sports commentator Ryan Cameron shared a photo with Future, 33, on the sidelines. "Well well well look who"s here! @1future," he wrote on Twitter.

Shortly after, the Atlanta Falcons tweeted a video of Bow Wow, 29, at the Georgia Dome. "They don"t know it yet, we about to win this one!" the rapper, who dated Ciara in 2006, told the team"s followers.

PHOTOS: See Every Time Ciara Slayed the Maternity Style Game

It is unclear if Ciara, 31, was cheering on Wilson, 28, at the game, but she shared an Instagram photo of her growing baby bump while aboard an airplane with Seahawks playerDeShawn Shead"s pregnant wife, Jessica Shead, shortly before kickoff. "We Were Talking and Our Babies Were Talking Too," Ciara captioned the post.

PHOTOS: Celebrity Couples and How They First Met: Love Story Beginnings

As fans know, the "I Bet" singer and the NFL star tied the knot in England in July 2016 and are expecting their first child together. She also shares a 19-month-old son, Future Jr., with the "Low Life" rapper, who she separated from in August 2014.

Last January, Future made headlines when he claimed in a Twitter rant that Ciara had "control problems" and tried to prevent him from seeing their son. A month later, she sued him for slander and libel in a $15 million lawsuit, but reportedlydropped the case "without prejudice" earlier this month.

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Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/ciaras-exes-future-bow-wow-attend-russell-wilsons-nfl-game-w461168

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Video: Arthur Blank turns up with Falcons after win

Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Dancing In Locker Room After Falcons Win vs Seahawks

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is a national treasure.

Following the teams big win over the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday night, blank joined his players in the locker room for a dance party and was not afraid to show off his moves.

The 74 year old was holding court in the middle of the locker room as everyone turned up.

Check it out:

#InBrotherhood we break it down! pic.twitter.com/ZjudQC8Z65

Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 15, 2017

Aye, indeed!

Keep it flowy, Arthur.

The Falcons will now play the winner of tomorrows matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. If Dallas wins, the Falcons will travel to AT&T Stadium for the NFC Championship Game. If Green Bay pulls off the upset, Atlanta will host the Packers at the Georgia Dome.

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Josh studied journalism at Seton Hill University. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Campus Sports. Josh is currently a member of the FWAA and USBWA. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, FOXSports.com, CBSSports.com and many others.

Source: http://campussports.net/2017/01/14/video-arthur-blank-turns-up-with-falcons-in-locker-room-after-win/

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Bishop Eddie Long Dies: Statement From New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

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LITHONIA, GA- According to a statement released by New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Its long time pastor has died. The released statement reads as follows:New Birth Missionary Baptist Church celebrates the life and legacy of Bishop Eddie L. Long who is now spiritually healed and home with the Lord. Bishop Long, Senior Pastor of New Birth, transitioned from this life early Sunday morning after a gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer. As a man of G*d with unyielding faith, Bishop Long maintained his commitment to our Heavenly Father as he proclaimed that cancer would not kill his faith nor his spirit. First Lady Elder Vanessa Long, Bishop Longs wife of 27 years offered the following. I am confidant through my belief in G*d that my husband is now resting in a better place. Although, his transition leaves a void for those of us who loved him dearly, we can celebrate and be happy for him, knowing hes at peace.

Deeply committed to his church, even in his last days, Bishop Long delivered his final message to New Birth as we ushered in 2017. He told the church that G*d was already working in our favor and what we have been praying for was already manifested. In his departure, we receive that and as faithful members of New Birth, we praise G*d for the life of Bishop Long. Bishop Long was known as one of the most influential faith leaders in the world. He stood strong as a Kingdom Builder, pioneering leader, and revolutionary mind changer. Long was a family man and spiritual leader who was well respected and loved for his passion to unapologetically and courageously preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Long inspired thousands of believers around the world through his global ministry that literally changed lives. Through his earthly battle, Bishop Long believed that G*d was once again using him to help others see the power of the Holy Spirit through the love New Birth displayed to him and the countless prayers sent up by others from every corner of the earth.Bishop Eddie L. Long was 63 years old. He is survived by his beautiful wife, First Lady Elder Vanessa Long, 4 children Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor and 3 grandchildren.

Bishop Eddie Long exhibited signs of sudden weight loss in 2016. At the time Long said he was recovering from a health scare and attributed the weight loss to a new vegan diet regimen however, reports began to surface that he was suffering from cancer.

Long was at one time the leader of the largest mega church congregation in Atlanta. The number of followers declined when a scandal erupted in 2010 that involved allegations of coercion and sexual relationships with young male members of the church. Four complainants filed civillawsuits against Long which were settled out of court.

The date and other details surrounding the home going service for Bishop Long will be announced in the near future.

Source: http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2017/01/15/bishop-eddie-long-dies-statement-from-new-birth-missionary-baptist-church/

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