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EDITOR PICKS

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

NFL

New GM Chris Ballard's pedigree is exactly what Colts need

INDIANAPOLIS — New Colts general manager Chris Ballard arrives in Indianapolis with the type of knowledge in roster building that Colts owner Jim Irsay talked about last offseason.

Irsay, knowing the financial limitations the Colts were going to face after giving out new contracts to the likes of Andrew Luck, Dwayne Allen, Anthony Castonzo and T.Y. Hilton, said they were going to have to build their roster through the draft and develop those players.

Chris Ballard has been hired as the Colts’ new GM, replacing the fired Ryan Grigson. George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Ballard is coming from Kansas City where he was the team’s director of football operations and had success picking talented players.

Ballard, who worked his way up through the scouting ranks in the NFL, spent the past four years with the Kansas City Chiefs. And during that same span, all three of their first-round picks — offensive lineman Eric Fisher, linebacker Dee Ford and cornerback Marcus Peters — have played significant roles with the franchise. The Chiefs didn’t have a first-round pick in 2016. They also selected Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce in the third round of the 2013 draft and Pro Bowl return specialist Tyreek Hill in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

Former Chicago director of college scouting Greg Gabriel worked with Ballard with the Bears and had high praise for the Colts’ new general manager.

When I came to Chicago in 2001, Chris Ballard was the first scout I hired. I’m so happy and proud that he is the Colts new GM. THE right guy

— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) January 29, 2017

Within 3 years of hiring of Ballard I knew he was a future GM. “Got it” better than anyone I have ever been around. Unique talent

— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) January 29, 2017

“I am extremely excited about Chris coming on as our general manager,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said through the team’s Twitter account. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a ton of experience to the organization. I’m looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and going to work alongside of him.”

One of former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson’s biggest downfalls was his inability to draft well. His best draft was his first one in 2012 that featured Luck, Allan and Hilton. But things started to go downhill for him after that. The Colts didn’t have players from their 2013 draft on their active roster this past season.

Grigson traded away their 2014 first-round pick for running back Trent Richardson, who turned out to be a bust. Grigson skipped over the likes of defensive lineman Malcolm Brown and safety Landon Collins in 2015 to select receiver Phillip Dorsett, who hasn’t lived up to expectations so far. The Colts cut their third-round pick from 2015, cornerback D’Joun Smith, last season.

The Colts have to get younger on a defense that finished 30th in the NFL and had five starters who were 30 years old or older last season.

Ballard is a first-time general manager, but he has the knowledge of what it takes to build a roster. Now the Colts hope Ballard will do the same with theirs.

Soccer

Watch: Chapecoense scores emotional goal in 1st game since plane crash

As the whole world watches, Chapecoense continues to pick up the pieces and rebuild.

On Saturday, exactly 54 days after a plane crash killed most of Chapecoense’s squad, the Verdao played its first fixture since the tragedy, drawing Palmeiras 2-2 in a friendly at Arena Conda.

Of the 26 players named to Chapecoense’s squad, 22 were new faces, while the four others were footballers from last year’s squad who fortunately didn’t board LaMia Flight 2933. To fill the spots in the Verdao’s first team, footballers were brought in from other clubs and promoted from the youth team.

Before the friendly kicked off, the three players to survive the plane crash took the pitch and, in an emotional scene, lifted the Copa Sudamericana trophy. It was en route to the first leg of the final in Medellin, Colombia that the tragedy unfolded, and Atletico Nacional requested to CONMEBOL that Chapecoense be crowned champion of the tournament. South American football’s governing body obliged.

Neto is miraculously walking without crutches, Alan Ruschel required spine surgery, and Jackson Follman had part of his right leg amputated. The plane crash claimed the lives of 71 people, including 19 members of Chapecoense’s squad and 20 journalists joining the club for what was set to be the biggest match in its 43-year history.

Once the friendly got underway, Palmeiras, joined by a substantial number of travelling supporters, opened the scoring in the 11th minute. However, three minutes later, Chapecoense equalised, as Grolli scored the Verdao’s first goal since the plane crash, giving the club and its fans something to celebrate for the first time since Nov. 28.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLL DA CHAAAAAAAAAPEEEEEE!! GROLLI!!!!

— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) January 21, 2017

In the second half, it took Chapecoense all of 58 seconds to go ahead. Amaral, who coincidentally joined the Verdao on loan from Palmeiras, got his head to a cross and put another smile on the faces of supporters at Arena Conda.

Palmeiras produced an equaliser before the final whistle, but the most notable occurrence from the second half came in 71st minute, when the friendly was stopped so both teams and supporters could honour the 71 victims of the plane crash.

Chapecoense’s first competitive fixture is scheduled for Thursday, when the Verdao will take on Joinville in Santa Catarina, Brazil’s state championship.

NFL

Jets to hire Saints' Morton as OC, sources say

After a four-week search, the New York Jets are poised to hire Saints receivers coach John Morton as their new offensive coordinator, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Morton will replace Chan Gailey, who held the job for two years before announcing his retirement two days after the 2016 season ended.

Morton, 47, will be the Jets’ fifth coordinator in the past seven years, and the second under coach Todd Bowles. Morton and former Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey were the only known candidates.

Previously, Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville interviewed for the job, but he decided to remain in Denver.

John Morton is credited with developing young Saints receivers Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Michael Thomas, who formed the most prolific receiving trio in the league with a combined 242 catches and 3,205 yards in 2016. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bowles interviewed Morton before the Senior Bowl, where he met with Godsey. This was a difficult hire because of the circumstances. The Jets have no proven quarterback, only Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, and Bowles could be entering a make-or-break season.

The Jets finished 26th in total offense and 30th in scoring this season.

Morton has no coordinator experience at the NFL level, but has spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach with the Raiders, 49ers and Saints.

His biggest coaching influences are Saints coach Sean Payton and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who was the 49ers’ head coach while Morton worked as the receivers coach from 2011 to 2014.

Morton returned for a second stint with the Saints in 2015 and was credited with developing young receivers Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Michael Thomas.

Thomas, a second-round pick, finished with 92 catches, the second-most of any rookie receiver, behind only Anquan Boldin’s 101 in 2003 and just ahead of Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Eddie Royal (2008) with 91 each.

Thomas’ 1,137 yards ranked sixth among rookies in NFL history, and his nine touchdowns tied for 15th, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Thomas, Cooks and Snead formed the most prolific receiving trio in the league in 2016, combining for 242 catches and 3,205 yards.

Bowles still has two vacancies on his offensive staff, at quarterbacks and running backs coaches.

ESPN’s Mike Triplett contributed to this report.

Soccer

Toure rules out China move, hopes to play in Europe 'for a few years'

Inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Yaya Toure is eager to continue playing top-flight football for a few more years.

Evidence of this was Toure’s reported unwillingness to join the Chinese Super League after allegedly rejecting an offer earlier this month to relocate and earn £430,000 per week.

Instead of following the path so many footballers have taken of late, the Manchester City midfielder hopes to continue making an impact in Europe’s top leagues before considering a future elsewhere.

“I’m still looking young, right?” he jokingly said in an interview with Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News. “I want to play in Europe, especially in England. I want to continue doing that for a few years yet.

“I always say that if I went to China I would end up feeling angry there.”

Toure’s remarks would have been unimaginable to City supporters just two months ago, when his trophy-laden career at the club appeared to be on the verge of ending on a sour note after failing to convince manager Pep Guardiola he was worthy of a place on the team.

Despite a public spat between his agent and Guardiola, Toure was finally included in his first match in November. He has since gone on to play a prominent role at City – including a spot in the starting XI during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham – after scoring three goals in 11 Premier League appearances.

Now, the Ivorian is hoping to emulate the success Ibrahimovic – who is one back in the Premier League scoring race with 14 goals – is having down the road with city rivals Manchester United.

“Look at my friend Ibrahimovic. He’s 35 and he’s going to play for maybe … three more years?” Toure said. “He’s got the same mentality as me, he’s a big player, a champion who loves football. It’s football first.

“Anything after that is a bonus, you can be lucky to go and play for big clubs and still earn a lot of money. But those who go to China … I don’t think like that.”

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Soccer

  • Watch: Carvajal's header delivers killer blow for Madrid in UCL final

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • An introduction to Top Soccer News on theScore ??

  • Real Madrid beat Dortmund to win 15th European Cup

  • Police arrest dozens of ticket-less fans at Wembley final

  • Dortmund boss Terzic lauds 'brilliant' Sancho after UCL defeat

  • Modric, Kroos among Madrid stars to make history with latest UCL triumph

  • Madrid's inevitability is a superpower no rival can match

  • Transfer window preview: 50 players who could move this summer

  • Vinicius Jr. named Champions League Player of the Season

“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
-John Madden


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