Bangkok, Thailand Fireworks Eve - Happy New Year 2016
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants headlines for Thursday, December 31.
Good morning New York Giants fans, and Happy New Years Eve! Here are some headlines to follow for your holiday morning.
Co-owner Steve Tisch reportedly in favor of a head coaching change
After three straight losing seasons and four consecutive years without making the playoffs, the Giants are reportedly heavily considering firing 69-year-old head coach Tom Coughlin, who has guided New York to two improbable Super Bowl victories. After a blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football, it seems as though the writing is on the wall for Coughlin, as his job status has become the main storyline around the team and many Giants players have come to their coach"s defense. While Coughlin has yet to speak with co-owner John Mara, the team"s other co-owner,Steve Tisch, might be ready to move on.
One team source insisted no final decision has been made and that co-owner John Mara would still prefer not to fire Tom Coughlin.
But the source added there are plenty of people inside the front office who believe a coaching change is necessary. It"s also believed that co-owner Steve Tisch is in favor of a change. Most people believe that Mara will eventually agree, which is why this week has felt to so many like the End of an Era - moreso for Coughlin than ever before.
More Headlines
Jason Pierre-Paul said Wednesday that he willneed to undergo at least one more surgery on his right hand.
Will Tye isexpecting to break out even more next season after leading all rookie tight ends in receiving yards this year.
If Tom Coughlin is shown the door, what are the chancesJerry Reese goes with him?
Chris Snee voiced his support for Coughlin,putting more of the onus on the lack of personnel he"s had to work with.
David Shaw, Doug Marrone and Sean Payton could be the top coaching candidates for the Giants if Coughlin is canned.
In Case You Missed It
Odell Beckham, Jr.hopes to learn from his suspension.
Tom Coughlin"s solefocus is on beating the Eagles.
Check outthis week"s edition of Blue Data, which highlights the historically bad Giants defense.
Ed takes a look atthe five biggest holes on the Giants roster.
Around the NFL
Peyton Manning is set to be active for the Broncos on Sunday,but will be the backup to rising star Brock Osweiler.
Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.announced he would be returning in 2016, instead of retiring like he originally planned.
Bills owner Terry Pegula announced the teamwould be retaining GM Doug Whaley and head coach Rex Ryan next season.
Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson called Chip Kelly a "dictator."
Hall of Fame defensive end Doug Atkinspassed away. The former Bears, Browns and Saints star was 85.
Rams defensive end William Hayes truly believes dinosaurs did not exist.
Liên Khúc Nhạc Xuân 2016 - Nhạc Tết 2016 Chọn Lọc Hay Nhất|| Chào Xuân Bính Thân 2016
But Gibbs also said she expects at about 7 percent earnings growth on the S&P 500 in 2016 as the market approaches valuations near the top of a two-year range.
John Stoltzfus, managing director and chief market strategist at Oppenheimer & Co., added that an improvement next year would be consistent with historical trends. But he had a rosier view of the energy sector.
"We do think the energy patch is likely to improve somewhat," Stoltzfus said on "Squawk on the Street." "We think we"re over these down 65 percent in earnings per quarter that we"ve seen. We think the bottom probably was reached at around $34. That seems to be a marker for the price of oil, where people go, "My G*d, 34 bucks, this is too cheap." And that"s when they come back in to buy."
If volatility is likely to continue into 2016, so is the opportunity that comes along with it, said Paul Christopher, head global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. He"s especially looking for improvement in consumer discretionary, industrials and information technology sectors as the economy settles into what he sees as a "firmer path."
"There"s been so much negative sentiment, so much pessimism, that there might even be room here for a little bit of multiple expansion as well," Christopher said on "Squawk on the Street." "So we"re still looking for the S&P to finish next year 2,230 to 2,330, in that range. ... A decent year we"re looking for in the S&P next year, consistent with a steady, solid, but unspectacular year in the economy."
Read More2015: One great year for drivers at the pump
As the calendar turns to 2016, it"s time to pay extra special attention to the recruiting trail on the Plains as head coach Gus Malzahn tries to tie a bow on what is a critical class for the future of the Auburn football program.
Several Auburn commits and targets will be on the field participating in all-star games over the next two weekends during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl(Saturday, Jan. 9 at noon ET on NBC) and Under Armour All-America Game(Saturday, Jan. 2 at noon ET on ESPN2).
Who should Tiger fans keep an eye on during the annual events?
Woody Barrett, Dual-Threat QB, Under Armour All-America Game
The quarterback position has been a major point of contention on the Plains over the last three months, as Jeremy Johnson shed "future star" status in place of the more notorious "bust" label, was replaced by Sean White after just three games and was re-inserted down the stretch after White suffered multiple injuries.
Who"s the answer to Auburn"s quarterback blues? Junior college transfer John Franklin III could be the immediate fix, but the long-term solution is likely dual-threat quarterback Woody Barrett from West Orange High School in Orlando, Floridahome of the Under Armour All-America Game.
The 4-star prospect has been committed to the Tigers since June 3, andalong with Franklinserves as another sign that Malzahn recognizes that his push to prove that his offense works with pro-style quarterbacks as well as those who can run has been put on the back burner, and the head coach of the Tigers is reverting back to more mobile signal-callers.
Barrett is a perfect fit for that kind of Malzahn offense.
"There are a lot of people looking forward to me stepping up and being the guy," Barrett told AL.com"s Wesley Sinor earlier in December. "So I just humble myself and come in and do what I can... We run a similar offense back at West Orange so there"s nothing new. It"s just the signals. So once I get that down pat, I can be come and be the dual-threat and be me."
Tiger fans could get a glimpse of the future when Barrett steps on the field in Orlando.
Antwuan Jackson, Defensive Tackle, U.S. Army All-American Bowl
Games are won and lost in the trenches, and Antwuan Jackson is likely to be one of the guys setting the down up front for the Tigers for the next few seasons.
The 6"2", 285-pound commit from Ellenwood, Georgia, will take the field in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 9 looking to show off his versatility, strength and agility against the best in the class of 2016. The 4-star prospect was part of Auburn"s December surge on the recruiting trail despite the absence of a defensive coordinator.
He has the size and strength to play right away for the 2016 Tigers and the ability to move up and down the line based on situation and team need. The Tigers lose DaVonte Lambert to graduation and could see tackle Montravius Adams head to the NFL if he gets a favorable grade from the NFL.
Jackson could join forces with current freshman defensive end Byron Cowart and create the new identity for the Tiger front regardless of who takes the vacant coordinator position. As an early enrollee, Jackson will have the chance to come in right away and contend for playing time either as a starter or an ever-important rotational tackle.
Marlon Davidson, Defensive End, Under Armour All-America Game
Jackson is going to be part of the future of Auburn"s interior line, but only one part of it. Marlon Davidson, a 5-star defensive end commit from Montgomery, Alabama, will also be a big part of the future of the Tiger defense.
A commit since September, the 6"4", 260-pounder has the speed and quickness of a 4-3 edge-rusher but the size to drop down inside and play closer to the ball. Simply put, he"s as much of a Carl Lawson clone as there is in the class, and he will be following Lawson"s footsteps to the Plains.
He signed financial aid papers with the Tigers this month, and, like Jackson, will enroll in January with a chance to earn immediate playing time as a freshman after a full offseason learning the system.
A full nine months in a college strength and conditioning program for a player who"s already built like a veteran will work wonders for his development and give the new staff options on where and how they use him in 2016 and beyond.
Nate Craig-Myers, Wide Receiver, Under Armour All-America Game
Nate Craig-Myers, a former Auburn commit and 5-star wide receiver prospect from Tampa, has a recruiting story that"s all over the place. Whether it"s Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss or another school, the 6"2", 205-pounder is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing recruiting stories down the stretch in 2016.
He has tremendous hands, is physical at the line of scrimmage and will be a difference-maker from Day 1 wherever he signs.
His performance in the All-America game won"t matter in terms of where he lands, but it will be the nation"s first big glance at what the future superstar brings to the table.
Jayvaughn Myers, Cornerback/Athlete, Under Armour All-America Game
Does the landing spot for Craig-Myers depend on what his half-brother Jayvaughn Myers does?
That remains to be seen. At the very least, though, they will go through important aspects of the recruiting process together.
Myers, a 4-star cornerback/athlete from Dade City, Florida, will visit the Plains in mid-January once the recruiting dead period comes to a close with Craig-Myers.
Even if they aren"t a package deal, though, keep an eye on Myers.
The 6"1", 185-pounder has quick hips, great body control and tremendous recovery speed. A bigger corner, Myers is physical at the line of scrimmage and has the potential to play anywhere in the secondary thanks to his size and strength.
Auburn found a potential star in SEC All-Freshman cornerback Carlton Davis last recruiting cycle, and if it lands Myers, he could be one candidate to follow in Davis" footsteps.
John Broussard, Cornerback, Under Armour All-America Game
The departure of former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson shook the ground a little bit for 4-star cornerback commit John Broussard. In the end, though, he became part of Auburn"s December defensive surge when he signed financial aid papers in December to enroll early with the Tigers.
At 6"0", 164 pounds, Broussard is one of the best cornerbacks in the class of 2016 and a huge piece of the recruiting puzzle for Malzahn. He has elite cover skills, tremendous quickness, and the native of Phenix City, Alabama, could become an instant impact player on the Plains.
As Will Sammon of theOpelika-Auburn Newspointed out, Broussard doesn"t lack confidence. He issued a challenge to New York Giants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in August saying that the former LSU stud could only catch two of five passes one-on-one against him.
That"s the kind of confidence cornerbacks need. But before he goes up against the best the NFL has to offer, showing out against his peers in high school in Orlando will be his first major test.
Landon Dickerson, Offensive Tackle, Under Armour All-America Game
Auburn is in the market for some help at offensive tackle, and 4-star, Hudson, North Carolina, native Landon Dickerson might be the next in line on the Plains.
The 6"5", 293-pounder visited the program over Iron Bowl weekend, which seemed to make a big impact on him.
"It"s been a really busy season for us, so I thought coming to this game would probably be the best chance to witness what the atmosphere would be like," he told Wesley Sinor of AL.com. "I was very impressed with what I saw. Overall I know they didn"t win, but just seeing the fans and how they reacted the entire game was really great to see and a great thing to witness."
There are a lot of other teams after Dickerson, including Virginia Tech, Florida State and Tennessee, but Auburn appears to be making a late push.
On the field, Dickerson will get a chance to show off his quickness and strength against some of the best defensive ends in a class stacked with talent at that position. If he holds his own, that"s a great sign for a player who could become a star early in his college career.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy ofcfbstats.com, and recruiting information is courtesy of247Sports.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio onSiriusXM83. Follow Barrett on Twitter@BarrettSallee.
Fire at The Address, Downtown #Dubai 2016 Multi-story fire erupts at Dubai hotel
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Multi-story fire erupts at Dubai hotel
A massive, multi-storyfire broke out in 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai hotel late Thursday.
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Doug Stanglin and Donna Leinwand Leger, USA Today 4 p.m. EST December 31, 2015
A fire broke out in a residential building near Dubai"s massive New Year"s Eve fireworks display. (Dec. 31) AP
A fire runs up some 20 stories of a building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015.(Photo: AP)
A massive, multi-storyfire broke out in a 63-story hotel in downtown Dubai late Thursday, near where thousands of people had gathered to watch aNew Years Eve fireworks display.
Reuters reported that the fireworks were taking place as scheduled. Live video of the event, broadcast shortly after midnight local time, showed a massive fireworks display and cheering crowds.
The Government of Dubai Media Office reported 14 minor injuries, one moderate injury and aheart attack due to overcrowding and smoke at the site. The office tweeted that all of the injured got prompt medical assistance. Around 11 p.m. local time, it said firefighters expected to have the fire 90% contained within half an hour.
The Address Downtown Dubai is a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has 196 rooms, 626 residences and eight restaurants and bars. It is next door to Burj Khalifa, the world"s tallest towerat 2,722 feet. It is part of a mixed-use, large-scale development called Downtown Dubai. The hotel is also flanked by the Dubai Mall, the worlds largest shopping and entertainment center.
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The BBC reported that black smoke and burning debris could be seen as firefighters arrived at the scene.Crowds gathering to watch the New Year"s Eve display were asked to leave the area around the hotel.
Margaret Besheer, an American vacationing in Dubai, told MSNBC that she was dining on a nearby terrace when she looked up to see a fire on a lower balcony.
"It just spread very rapidly I"d say within six or seven minutes, the entire side of the building was just engulfed in flames," she said.
Another tourist, Michelle Duque, told the BBC: "All of a sudden we saw this huge black plume of black smoke coming" between the Khalifa Tower and the hotel."The flames burst out really big and before we knew it the whole of the Address Hotel was covered in orange flames."
Al Jazeera reported that oneside of the hotel was "completely gone."
The governmentmedia office confirmed the fire on its Twitter feed and said authorities are "on siteto address the incident swiftly and safely." The fire started on the 20th floor and was confined to an outside tower, the media office said. At least four fire department squads had responded to the scene.
Jaqueline Hurtado, a CNN en Espaol correspondent, reported that she was at a restaurant in the area when she heard an explosion, "like a loud pop," and thought the fireworks display may have started early."That fire was big. The fire was just going so fast," she said. "It just started burning real quick."
She and others were evacuated from the area.
Downtown Dubai had advertised an elaborate fireworks display that took six months to prepare.Up to two million people were expected in central Dubai for the fireworks, the BBC reported.
TCU senior quarterbackand West Mesquite High School graduateTrevone Boykin has been suspended and will not play in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Oregon, coach Gary Patterson announced Thursday morning.
Wide receiver Preston Miller was also suspended.
"We are disappointed in their actions and apologize to the TCU Horned Frogs Nation, Valero Alamo Bowl and the city of San Antonio," Patterson said in a statement.
UPDATE 2:
San Antonio Police chief William McManus updated the situation early Thursday:
-- There was some jaw-jacking going on in the bar between Mr. Boykin and patrons involving the game. He was being heckled regarding the game.His teammates tried to get him to go back to hotel. ... He came back. He was finally subdued after being threated with a (stun gun). Officer was treated for a swollen face and bruises. He receivedminor injuries.
-- The officer was struck in the face by Mr. Boykin. We don"t know if he was swinging at the officer or someone behind him.
-- He is also facing public intoxication and resisting charges (in addition to felony assault of a police officer).
-- "He was heckled and he responded to it unfortunately."
ORIGINAL STORY
SAN ANTONIO -- TCU quarterback and West Mesquite High School graduate Trevone Boykin has been charged with felony assault of a police officer after getting into a fight at a bar.
San Antonio Police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Salame said Boykin is being held on $5,000 bond. Bexar County Magistrate"s website showed Boykin was arrested at 1:45 a.m. Thursday.
A police report said the 22-year-old was fighting with employees at a bar. People whom Boykin was with told police they would take him back to the hotel.
Police said Boykin then charged at responding officers and swung at one officer before he was taken to the ground. The report also said Boykin resisted arrest until he was told they would use a stun gun on him.
TCU plays Oregon on Saturday in the Alamo Bowl.
The school said in a statement that they are aware of the situation and will "closely monitor" it and "evaluate additional details as they become available."
A news conference at 9 am is scheduled to update the incident.
Memphis cornerback Reggis Ball signed the stolen Auburn football and posted it on Instagram. (ballhead39/Instagram)
Memphis cornerback Reggis Ball is a proud man.
Ball had an altercation with a member of Auburn"s equipment staff, stole an Auburn football and ran off the field following Memphis" 31-10 loss in the Birmingham Bowl. Later on Wednesday, he signed the football and proudly posted a photo of his loot onInstagram.
Ball had two interceptions in the game, including a 53-yard return for a touchdown.
The photo includes the message "#RANOFFONDAPLUGTWICE."
Ball, a senior, has since been "removed" from the Memphis football program, according to the school.
"I want to personally apologize to Jay Jacobs, Gus Malzahn, the Auburn football team, its fans and the Birmingham Bowl for the highly-inappropriate actions of one of my student-athletes regarding a game ball at the end of Wednesday"s game," Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "This player"s actions are totally unacceptable. He has been immediately removed from the team and we will continue to move swiftly in addressing what occurred.
Watch Reggis Ball take football from Auburn equipment staffer
Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls - Full Game Highlights | December 28, 2015 | NBA 2015-16 Season
Theres been a lot of chatter lately about the talent in this years rookie class, but few have talked about Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis.
Thatsbecause hes only played in seven games for the Bulls so far this season because of the teams established depth in the frontcourt, but the rookie has looked the part when hes found time on the floor.
From setting screens to moving in the halfcourt without the ball to what he does when he has the ball in his hands, Portis is smart and makes the right play more often than not thanks to his varying skill set.
Standing at 6-foot-11, Portis has the size and length making hima factor on both ends of the floor. In the post Portis has a few moves down low thatmake him bothersome on the block but his strength is in stepping outside and knocking down a jumper from 15 feet and out.
Portis even has a three-point shot, connecting on 42.9 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc in his small sample size of play.
That wasnt a part of his game that was really on display in college, but most coaches these days such as Kentuckys John Calipari believe in building a big mans game from the inside out. Its not that a jump shot is devaluedin college but its important for a player with great size to understand how to get easy buckets in the post.
With that being said every player is different and some existto stretch the defense and knock down outside shots. Portis has the strength and physicality to play inside with the big boys so its not like he had to develop his mental and physical aspects of being a post player like Karl-Anthony Towns.
Bigs who are able to play inside and out as well as rebound arent common. Most stretch forwards live on the perimeter and thats it. They dont have the bodies or arent conditioned to thrive down low and be a presence on both ends of the floor.
Portis is different because he knows how to use his length to alter shots on defense and finish inside on offense. He hasnt been a shot blocker in the NBA yet, but that could change as he becomes more accustom to playing defense in the league.
I most enjoyed watching Portis on Christmas when the Bulls went up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC has a variety of great post players including the swat master Serge Ibaka and the offensive force who is Enes Kanter. Portis went up against the both of them and waseffective.
He didnt really make any mistakes against a proven title contender. He didnt force shots, rebounded against proven post players and did the little things to help the offense flow like move the ball where it hadto go and set a timely pick to get a man free from the defense.
Its tough to explain if you dont watch a ton of basketball, but some guys just pass the eye test so well that you know theyre going to make an impact regardless of what their numbers say about them now (7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game). Portis has that kind of potential and hes getting more playing time because of it.
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg hasnt shown negativity towards his young forward and has praised him for his efforts so far this season, particularly against the Thunder.
Hes not afraid of the moment thats for sure, Hoiberg told CSN Chicago. To be 20 years old and go out there, big minutes against Oklahoma City in a game on Christmas Day on ABC, it shows you what the kids makeup is all about. The kids got no concern, just thrives and has all kinds of confidence. You love to see that. Hes not gonna back down from anybody.
Even though there are enough guys in front of him on the depth chart, Portis isnt going anywhere. There have been enough rumors of late that Joakim Noah or Taj Gibson could be traded to make room for more Portis minutes, and I dont have a problem with those offers being thrown around. Both Noah and Gibson have been important pieces in the Bulls prior success, but this is turning into a different team focused more on ball movement and three-point shooting under Hoiberg.
Noah and Gibson cant shoot from three-point range. Gibson has a nice mid-range shot but both are more comfortable operating on the block as opposed to on the perimeter. Portis can produce from all areas of the floor making him the more valuable player in coming years.
If he can turn into a rim protector and be a better factor on the defensive end, Portis has a future as a star in the NBA. Chicago fans: beexcited for his future and what hes going to bring to the Bulls organization in time.
