Jeff Backus

The Bears might have improved their pass protection in the NFL draft, but they might not have moved closer to winning the NFC North. The reason is each of their division rivals may have improved their pass rush. That's why the Bears' selection of Kyle...

So Manti T'eo goes in the first round, but USC's Matt Barkley doesn't? With less than three weeks to go before the NFL draft, that's a distinct possibility. The Times projects four safeties, two guards and the controversial Notre Dame linebacker to go...

TODAY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL State tourneys continue in Aberdeen (B), Rapid City (A) and Sioux Falls (AA). See results and pairings on front of sports. JUNIOR HOCKEY Aberdeen Wing at Bismarck, 7:15 p.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Presentation vs....

|TV SPORTS|  |SUNDAY| Women’s College Basketball--Georgetown at Penn State, 11 a.m. (Big 10 Network); South Dakota at Kansas State, 2 p.m. (FXSP) NFL Football--Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins, Noon (CBS); Chicago Bears at Minnesota...

|TV SPORTS| NFL Football--Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders, 7 p.m. (NFL Network) NBA Basketball--New York Knicks at Miami Heat, 7 p.m. (TNT); Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns, 9:30 p.m. (TNT) Men’s College Basketball--Long Beach State at...

|TV SPORTS| |THURSDAY|  Men’s College Basketball -- Old Spice Classic, first round, West Virginia vs. Marist, 11 a.m.; Vanderbilt vs. Davidson, 1 p.m.; Texas-El Paso vs. Oklahoma, 6 p.m.; Clemson vs. Gonzaga, 8 p.m. (ESPN2); DirecTV Classic,...

DETROIT -- Aaron Rodgers didn't feel the Green Bay offense played up to its usual lofty standards. It had to rely on the defense most of the way but Rodgers and his receivers got hot at the right time. Rodgers threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Randall...

Matchup microscope Seahawks DE Chris Clemons vs. Lions OT Jeff Backus: This might be putting the pass rush before the stopping-the-run aspect that leads to it – as well as the obvious, with all hands on deck needed to defense Pro Bowl receiver...

The Ravens would like to improve their offensive line during the offseason, but the best move they could make in free agency would be re-signing Ben Grubbs, who could soon be one of the top guards available. The Ravens recently said that they have already...