The Boston Globe - 20.09.2019

C6 Sports The Boston Globe FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

ASSOCIATED PRESS
JoshRosenwill replaceRy-
anFitzpatrickthis week as the
starting quarterback for the
Miami Dol-
phins and try
to jump-start a
team that has
been outscored, 102-10, in the
first two games.
A person familiar with the
decision confirmed the change
to the Associated Press on con-
dition of anonymity Thursday
because the team had not an-
nounced it.
Rosen, a second-year pro
considered a potential fran-
chise quarterback, will make
his first start for Miami at Dal-
las on Sunday.
Rosen was traded in April
after only one season with the
Arizona Cardinals, who took
him in the first round of the
2018 draft. The rebuilding Dol-
phins are eager to stop a revolv-
ing door at the position that is
on its 21st starter sinceDan
Marino’slast game 20 years
ago.
Regardless of how Rosen
plays, the Dolphins are expect-
ed to use one of their three
first-round picks in 2020 on a
quarterback.
Fitzpatrick, 36, was never
considered a long-term solu-
tion and had a passer rating of
39.9 in the first two games.

Ramseyfutureinair

In his first game since de-
manding a trade from the Jag-
uars, two-time Pro Bowl
cornerbackJalenRamsey
jogged out of the tunnel and
onto the field Thursday night to
a smattering of cheers at Jack-
sonville, Fla.
And then it started raining.
His future with the Jaguars
has never been more muddled,
especially with comments on
the Uninterrupted ‘‘17 Weeks’’
podcast withNateBurlesonin
which Ramsey said his trade re-
quest stemmed from ‘‘some dis-
respectful things said on their
end’’ after the Jaguars’ loss
Sunday to Houston.
The shouting match with
coachDougMarrone? Ramsey
wrote that off to passion and
emotion, which happens all
over the league.
He held his ground on want-
ing out of Jacksonville.
‘‘Requesting the trade... it’s
kind of been building over
time,’’ Ramsey said on the pod-
cast, which was taped Monday.
‘‘It has nothing to do with my
teammates here. It has nothing
to do with the city... But it’s
more so with the front office
and the organization.’’

Jets’Adamsappeals

Jets safetyJamalAdamsis
appealing his fine from the
NFL for roughing the passer
against Cleveland and said offi-
cials apologized after the game
for calling the penalty.
Adams ranted on Twitter
late Wednesday night, calling
the NFL a joke for fining him
$21,056 for his hit on Browns
quarterbackBakerMayfieldin
the first quarter of New York’s
23-3 loss Monday night. He
called the league ‘‘a damn joke.’’
On Thursday, Adams didn’t
back down from those com-
ments. He said the call both-
ered him because he believed it
to be legal, and adds that next
time, he might just tag a player
on the hip and say, ‘‘He’s it.’’ Ad-
ams also suggested the NFL put
quarterbacks in red no-contact
jerseys.
He adds that the officials
went to the Jets’ coaching staff
and said they made the incor-
rect call on that penalty.

Newtonsitsagain

Panthers quarterbackCam
Newtonmissed his third
straight day of practice with a
mid-foot sprain, but coachRon
Riveraisn’t ready to name his
starter.KyleAllenis Carolina’s
backup... The Raiders ac-
quired wide receiver and re-
turnerTrevorDavisin a trade
with the Packers for an undis-
closed 2020 draft pick. Raiders
receiver and returnerDwayne
Harrisis dealing with an ankle
injury.

Rosen

chosen

to start

Dolphinsbench

QBFitzpatrick

NFL

NOTEBOOK

After producing eight goals and

20 assists in 36 games as a freshman

at Ferris State, leading his team in

scoring and finishing 20th in the na-

tion in points per game among de-

fensemen, Zech chose the Bruins last

March over several AHL deals. He is

likely to start the year in Providence,

but if he develops as expected, his

size — 5-9, 170 — would be no short-

coming.

“I looked into how Boston plays,”

Zech said. “They love their small D-

men up here. Puck-moving D. Guys

that can make plays. It looked like a

perfect fit. I’m hoping the next few

years, this is where I can be.”

In Chara’s rookie year, 1997-98,

the entire league had 17 defensemen

under 6 feet, and none under 5-10.

One of the shortest was Don

Sweeney, now in his fifth season as

Bruins general manager.

Today, those in Zech’s shoes look

up to Krug, who could be among the

game’s highest-paid defensemen

when his current deal ($5.25 million

annually) runs out next July 1.

“For sure,” said Zech, who grew

up near Ann Arbor with an eye on

the former Michigan State captain.

“If I’m watching the Bruins, that’s

who I’m watching. I hope I can fol-

low in his footsteps.”

Minnesota is the only other team

with two 5-9ers on the back end: Jar-

ed Spurgeon and Brad Hunt. Spur-

geon, listed at 5-9 and just 167, pro-

duced a 14-29—43 line in 82 games,

logging a team-high 24:08 per game.

Last Sunday he signed a seven-year,

$53.025 million extension that will

pay him $9 million in salary and bo-

uBRUINS

Continued from Page C1

nuses in the first two seasons. Shorty

got paid.

Maybe that’s the future for Zech,

who saw 12 regular-season games

(four assists) and four in the playoffs

(two goals) after joining Providence.

He said it was “a blast” to be a pro,

since the books weren’t for him.

“When I was done for the day, I

could go home and think more

[about] hockey,” he said, “and treat

my body better than sitting in a chair

studying all day.”

He says he added 15 pounds since

the spring, though he’s not sure if

he’ll wind up as bulky as Krug (186

pounds). He plans to soak up all the

knowledge he can from coach Jay

Leach and his staff, “knowing I’m go-

ing to be here for a while,” he said.

“Taking in what the coaches say. I

know it’s going to be used for a long

time.”

He’s already showing Cassidy his

offense, even though defense was

first mentioned when Zech’s name

came up this week.

“He’s got good hockey instincts.

He breaks up plays using his head

and his stick, so yeah, in that re-

gard,” Cassidy said, when asked if

Zech impressed him. “He’s a small

guy who competes hard. He’s not

afraid to go into traffic, not afraid to

get hit.

“For him it’s a matter of, like a lot

of young guys, the practice habits.

We’ve got to get him started sooner.

And then the strength part... Some-

times he’s a bit slow-starting. We

went through that with Charlie McA-

voy, Brandon Carlo, Jake DeBrusk,

and a lot of them. I think it’s perfect-

ly normal.”

Follow Matt Porter on Twitter at

By Matt Porter

GLOBE STAFF

PHILADELPHIA — As he hones

his lineup options in advance of the

Oct. 3 opener in Dallas,Bruce

Cassidyprofessed

his reassurance with

KarsonKuhlmanas

a second-line right

wing — at least to start.

“I don’t think he’s going to drop

off. He may [plateau], we don’t

know, but I don’t think he’s going to

get worse,” Cassidy said of the 23-

year-old rookie, who settled in dur-

ing his 19-game run last spring with

left wingJakeDeBruskand center

DavidKrejci.

“To me, he’s too good a person —

his short career dictates, from col-

lege to Providence to here, he’ll

keep working on his craft, get more

comfortable.”

DavidBackes, who on Thursday

rode with centerSeanKuralyand

roster hopefulAntonBlidh, is not a

full-time solution. Offseason acqui-

sitionBrettRitchiewill get a shot

there at some point.

Cassidy also saidDantonHeinen

andAndersBjork, the wings for

centerCharlieCoylein Thursday’s

game, could be backup options.

Cassidy does not sound eager to use

them.

Not only are both left shots and

would be playing their off wing,

Cassidy wants to see what Bjork can

bring on his natural spot after con-

secutive left shoulder surgeries.

WithBradMarchandand DeBrusk

claiming the top two jobs, No. 3 LW

is a safe break-in spot.

“I’d never seen him play live,”

Coyle said of Bjork, the speedy

Notre Dame product who has

played in 50 games the last two

years.

“Just social media stuff and vid-

eo. He’s really smooth... I think we

could do pretty well as we get to

know each other off the ice.”

The line was strong Thursday.

Coyle’s puck protection and spin-

ning shot off the pads of Philadel-

phia goalieBrianElliottgave Hein-

en an easy rebound goal in the first

period. Bjork was attracting atten-

tion out front.

“I think it’s crazy how he’s come

back from that and handle it the

way he has,” Heinen said of Bjork.

“He looks like he’s right where

he was when he left off. He knows

he can play at this level. It’s a matter

of staying healthy and showing it.”

At some point, Cassidy said he

would try Coyle, whose size (6 feet 3

inches, 220 pounds) and skating is

similar to the wingers Krejci has

had in the past. But that’s “more for

down the road, playoff hockey,” in

Cassidy’s words.

“I think we know we can start on

opening night and Kuhly would be

there and we’d be fine,” he said.

“We’ll look to see if there’s a better

fit.”

Firstvictory

The Bruins topped an “A” squad

of Flyers, 3-1, to bring their pre-

season record to 1-0-1.PeterCe-

hlarikscored the go-ahead goal

fromBrendanGaunceat 4:16 of the

second. It’s varsity or bust for Ce-

hlarik, who has 10 points in 37

games since debuting with Boston

in 2016. Because of NHL rules, the

24-year-old would have to clear

waivers if shipped to Providence...

It was a busy night forConnorClif-

ton, who took two penalties and

scored the 3-1 goal on a breakaway

out of the penalty box. “I knew I was

going backhand,” Clifton said. “I

don’t know what to do on break-

aways.”... In his first preseason

start,JaroslavHalak(16 saves)

made the save of the game. On a

first-period power play, a shot

clanked off the right post and across

the crease to Philadelphia prospect

MorganFrost, who would have had

a left-side tap-in if not for Halak’s

spinning backhand stab. Frost skat-

ed away in disbelief. Halak’s only

goal allowed came from defense-

manMattNiskanen, who tied the

game at 1 midway through the first

with a far-side bullet through traf-

fic.MaximeLagacerelieved him to

begin the third and stopped all 10

shots he faced.

BergeronA-OK

PatriceBergeron(groin) report-

ed feeling A-OK after his first back-

to-back practices. He remains “very

confident” he’ll be ready for Oct. 3

opener... The Bruins finish their

preseason road trip Saturday in Chi-

cago (3 p.m.). They plan to make an

initial round of cuts Sunday, with

ProvidencecampopeningMonday

along with a game against the Fly-

ers at TD Garden. The ax swings

again after Wednesday’s tilt with

the Devils... Former Bruins gener-

al managerPeterChiarelli, who re-

cently signed on as a consultant

with the St. Louis Blues, chatted

amicably with the Bruins brass in

the Wells Fargo Center cafeteria be-

fore the game. Chiarelli, a Harvard

graduate, still lives in the Boston ar-

ea.

MATT SLOCUM/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Karson Kuhlman refuses to handle the Flyers’ Ivan Provorov with kid gloves in a chase for the loose puck.

Ottawa Senators defensemanThomas

Chabotagreed on Thursday to an eight-

year, $64 million contract extension. The

agreement enabled the rebuilding Sena-

tors, coming off a last-place finish, to lock

up another member of their young core af-

ter centerColinWhitesigned a six-year ex-

tension last month. The 22-year-old

Chabot had 14 goals and 55 points in his

first full NHL season in 2018-19. He was

drafted 18th overall in 2015. General man-

agerPierreDorioncalled Chabot an ‘‘ex-

ceptional talent and an outstanding team-

mate.’’ In the past couple of seasons, Otta-

wa tradedErikKarlsson,MarkStoneand

MattDucheneafter failing to settle on con-

tract terms... Buffalo Sabres defenseman

BrandonMontourwill miss the remainder

of training camp because of a hand injury

and it’s uncertain whether he’ll be ready

for the start of the season in two weeks. It’s

also unclear when Montour, a fourth-year

NHL player who was projected to play a

top-four role on Buffalo’s blue line, was

hurt after he logged more than 17 minutes

in a 4-1 preseason loss at Columbus on

Tuesday.

GOLF

McIlroyfaltersinEngland

RoryMcIlroymade six bogeys and a

double bogey in his last 11 holes to shoot 4-

over-par 76 at the BMW PGA Champion-

ship, leaving the world No. 2 already 11

strokes off the first-round lead held by

MattWallacein glorious conditions at

Wentworth in Virginia Water, England,

headquarters of the European Tour...

TomHogeshot an 8-under 64 for an early

one-shot lead overRobertStrebin the

Sanderson Farms Championship in Jack-

son, Miss., before thunderstorms suspend-

ed afternoon play.. .LukasMichelof Aus-

tralia twice rallied from 3-hole deficits and

won the US Mid-Amateur in Parker, Colo.,

to become the first international winner in

the event’s 39-year history and earn a spot

in the Masters.

BASEBALL

MarlinsextendMattingly

Miami Marlins managerDonMatting-

ly,whosecontractwasset toexpireafter

this season, agreed to a contract extension

and will return for a fifth season in 2020, a

person familiar with the negotiations said.

A news conference with CEODerekJeter

was scheduled for Friday. With the roster

depleted, the Marlins this season have the

worst record in the National League at 53-

99, and they’re set to exceed 100 losses for

the first time since 1998. Mattingly, whose

record in Miami is 272-364 (.428), will be

the first Marlins manager to start a fifth

season with the team... Yankees reliever

DellinBetancessaid his physicians told

him surgery was not necessary for the par-

tially torn Achilles’ in his left foot that end-

ed his season after eight pitches.

COLLEGES

Rutgers’Stringerreturns

C. VivianStringer,Rutgers’Hallof

Fame women’s basketball coach, returned

from a hiatus with a new outlook on life af-

ter having to step away at the end of last

season because of exhaustion. “Glad that I

was given an opportunity to take the break

that I needed and relax and come back,’’

said Stringer, 71, who returned to campus

in June and eased her way back with some

recruiting over the summer.

MISCELLANY

Sunprevail,take2-0lead

JonquelJonesscored 27 points and

CourtneyWilliamsadded 25 to help the

Connecticut Sun rout the Los Angeles

Sparks, 94-68, in Uncasville, Conn., and

take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA

semifinal series. Also,EmmaMeesseman

tied a career high with 30 points in her sec-

ond consecutive exceptional performance,

and the Mystics beat the Las Vegas Aces,

103-91, at Washington to take a 2-0 lead in

their semifinal series... The Detroit Pis-

tons signed 38-year-old swingmanJoe

Johnson, a 17-year NBA veteran who did

not play in the league last season... USA

Basketball kept its No. 1 spot in the FIBA

world men’s rankings, even after a disap-

pointing seventh-place showing in the

World Cup that ended earlier this week in

China... No. 3 seedSloaneStephens

was upset by unseeded ItalianCamilaGior-

gi, 6-0, 6-3, in the second round of the

Toray Pan Pacific Open in Osaka, Japan.

SportsLog

Chabot,Senators

agreeon$64m

ROSS KINNAIRD/GETTY IMAGES

Rory McIlroy was in a rough patch

after shooting a 4-over 76 in England.

Bruins’ Zech hoping for big jump

FILE/JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

Cooper Zech is 5 feet 9 inches and 170 pounds, small for an NHL

defenseman, but he hopes to fit right in with the Bruins organization.

Kuhlman:Secondchance

He’llplayonNo.2

linetostartseason

BRUINS

NOTEBOOK