NFL: Rams say no to Rob Ryan
The Rams have decided not to hire Rob Ryan — brother of Jets coach Rex Ryan — as defensive coordinator and stepped in a new direction by hiring Frank Bush as linebackers coach.
Bush replaces Blake Williams, son of Gregg Williams, who was briefly defensive coordinator with the Rams last winter before being suspended indefinitely for his role in the Saints bounty scandal.
The Bills and Rogers Media announced a new agreement that will keep Toronto’s Rogers Centre as the team’s second home for one regular-season game for each of the next five years.
SOCCER: Dutch fans slur Altidore
American forward Jozy Altidore was the target of racist chants during AZ Alkmaar’s 5-0 win over second-tier Den Boscha in the quarterfinals of the Dutch Cup in The Hague, Netherlands.
Altidore, who is black, said he had never faced such serious abuse from the stands, described as “jungle sounds” by referee Reinold Wiedemeijer.
“All I can do is pray for them and hope they can become better people,” Altidore told Dutch television’s Eredivisie Live.
In Houston, the United States prepped for its opening game in the final round of World Cup qualifying with a dull 0-0 tie against Canada as defender Omar Gonzalez returned to the American lineup after a two-year absence.
AC Milan announced it has reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Italy striker Mario Balotelli from the English champions. Speaking after a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers, City coach Robert Mancini sounded resigned to losing the 22-year-old forward.
NBA: Cavaliers kick tires on Oden
The Cavaliers are exploring the possibility of signing Greg Oden, the former No. 1 overall pick and Ohio State star whose NBA career has been sabotaged by injuries, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. According to CBSSports.com, the Heat are also in pursuit of Oden.
In Los Angeles, Dwight Howard scored 24 points, Kobe Bryant had 14 points and 11 assists in another pass-first performance, and the 20-25 Lakers hung on to beat the Hornets 111-106 for their first three-game winning streak in five weeks.
NCAA HOOPS: Stony Brook stays hot
In Albany, Anthony Jackson led four players in double figures with 14 points and Jameel Warney posted a double-double in Stony Brook’s 65-49 win over America East foe Albany. The Seawolves (16-5, 7-1) are off to the program’s best 21-game start in their Division-I history.
In Columbus, Ohio, Deshaun Thomas scored 25 points to lead No. 11 Ohio State past Wisconsin 58-49.
In Wichita, Kansas, Manny Arop scored 17 points, including a celebratory slam in the final minute, to lead Indiana State to a 68-55 victory over No. 15 Wichita. … In Oxford, Miss., Kyle Wiltjer scored a career-high 26 points as Kentucky beat No. 16 Mississippi 87-74.
In Charlottesville, Va., Joe Harris scored 22 points, and Virginia beat No. 19 North Carolina State 58-55. … In Wichita, Kan., No. 15 Wichita State’s 19-game home winning streak was snapped in a 68-55 loss to Indiana State.
ETC.: Pujols wants to take field in WBC
Angels slugger Albert Pujols says he hopes to play for the Dominican Republic after the second round of the World Baseball Classic. The first baseman and three-time NL MVP had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in October. He would need special permission from the Angels to take part in the Classic.
Former Yankees right-hander Freddy Garcia and the Padres agreed to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.
Snowmobiler Caleb Moore was in critical condition in a Colorado hospital after a dramatic crash Thursday at the Winter X Games in Aspen, and a relative said the family wasn’t hopeful about the 25-year-old’s chances for survival.
Moore went to a hospital with a concussion after he landed face first into the snow and the snowmobile rolled over him. He later developed bleeding around his heart and had a complication involving his brain.