Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NFL: Vikings at Cardinals, 8:25 p.m. (NFL Network; WEEI-FM)
NBA: Clippers at Bulls, 8 p.m. (TNT)
NBA: Knicks at Kings, 10:30 p.m. (TNT)
College basketball: Iowa at Iowa State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Troy at Seton Hall, 8 p.m. (FS1)
College hockey: Notre Dame at Boston College, 7 p.m. (WEEI-AM)
Soccer: UEFA Europa, Liverpool at FC Sion, 1 p.m. (FS1)
Soccer: UEFA Europa, AS Monaco at Ottenham Hotspur, 3 p.m. (FS1)
Soccer: Women’s exhibition, Trinidad & Tobago at United States, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
AROUND THE WEB:
— A day after appearing to soften his stance toward Eagles coach Chip Kelly, Bills running back LeSean McCoy said he won’t shake Kelly’s hand when their teams meet Sunday in Philadelphia.
Kelly, coming off Sunday’s win over the Patriots, had said he would like to shake hands with McCoy, whom he traded for what he said was salary-related reasons in the offseason after McCoy became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher during his six seasons in Philadelphia.
Responded McCoy: “Chip can’t shake [expletive]. He can’t call me. He can’t shake my hand. There’s nothing he can do with me. He can’t say [expletive] to me. It’s as simple as that.”
McCoy initially implied Kelly’s decisions were racially motivated, but he has backtracked on that. He also insists he has nothing against Kelly, saying, “No hatred. We’re not enemies.” But he won’t talk to the coach.
“I’m sure there are people you don’t hate or have an issue with that you don’t speak to,” he said. “I’m with the Bills. He’s with the Eagles. We never had any great relationship, best friends. So there’s nothing to really talk about.”
McCoy’s comments are not sitting well with ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, who during a memorable rant Wednesday said selfish players like McCoy are the reason he no longer wants to coach in the NFL.
— Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis returned to practice Wednesday, back with his teammates for the first time since suffering a concussion in a Nov. 22 loss to the Texans, although he did not participate in any drills.
“He ran a little bit on the side,” coach Todd Bowles said. “So, that was encouraging.”
The former Patriot, who is in the league’s concussion protocol, attended meetings last Friday for the first time since the injury. He has missed two games, and it’s not clear whether he has a chance to be ready for Sunday’s game against the Titans.
“I’ve got to see him run and he’s got to do more practice in order for me to have little more confidence,” Bowles said.
Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey said his team is preparing for Revis to be in the defensive backfield.
“We’re planning on him playing, that’s what we’re doing,” Mularkey said. “The plan is he’s playing and we’re prepping for that. [We have to] understand his ability and what he brings to that defense. He brings a lot more than just his talent outside there. We’re planning on having him lining up out there.”
— Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning threw a football for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks, completing a side session and doing some drill work during Wednesday’s practice as he works his way back from a torn plantar fascia, bruised ribs and a sore throwing shoulder.
Coach Gary Kubiak said Manning threw for about a half-hour, with the coach watching.
“Yeah, I am definitely involved with them, whether it’s film or personally [going] over there depending on what’s going on that part of the day,” he said. “We’ve got a good little process going on right now. We’ll stick to it throughout the course of the week.”
Brock Osweiler will look to go 4-0 as a starter when he leads the Broncos into Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
ON THIS DAY TRIVIA (answer below): On Dec. 10, 1980, the Red Sox sent the left side of their infield — shortstop Rick Burleson and third baseman Butch Hobson — to the Angels for which three players?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Feel good, fresh as lettuce.” — Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, on being hit 32 times in the last three games
STAT OF THE DAY: 36 — Rebounds for Jared Sullinger in the Celtics‘ last two games, as he collected 16 in Wednesday’s 105-100 victory over the Bulls
‘NET RESULTS (mobile users, check the website to see the videos): Matt Barnes drains a 3-pointer from halfcourt with a second remaining to give the Grizzlies a 93-92 victory over the Pistons.
Kings guard Rajon Rondo does his one-handed pass-fake/behind-the-back move on a fast break then hits Rudy Gay for a layup against the Jazz.
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan literally throws down a dunk against the Bucks, firing the ball through the net after being fouled.
A high school player hits a full-court shot at the buzzer to win a game.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Third baseman Carney Lansford, outfielder Rick Miller and pitcher Mark Clear
SOOTHING SOUNDS: Chad Stuart of Chad & Jeremy was born on this day in 1940.