Top Sports Stories (Jan 31, 2014)

5 things to know from Thursday’s Super Bowl scene The players on the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks can now focus fully on football after they completed their Super Bowl media availability requirements Thursday. Yes, even the not-so-chatty Marshawn Lynch. Last up: the coaches. Denver’s John Fox a… Washington Post • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

Washington Post

Super Bowl-Capped, Trial-Laden Season Should Get John Fox Respect He Deserves Denver Broncos head coach John Fox is one of the best head coaches in the NFL. While he doesn’t have that aura surrounding him among fans and media, he does in league circles, where he is widely respected and dearly loved. It isn’t as if he is derided Bleacher Report • January 30, 2014, 10:45 PM (PST)

Bleacher Report

Earl Thomas key to stopping Peyton JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has talked so much — and so continually — this week that many people have ignored some of the more interesting subplots of Super Bowl XLVIII. One is that it’s highly unlikely that Denve… ESPN • January 30, 2014, 11:21 PM (PST)

ESPN

Chicharito to reassess Manchester United future after World Cup Manchester United striker Chicharito will not leave Old Trafford in January but could be set for a summer exit, according to the player’s agent. The Mexico international has struggled for form and fitness under David Moyes this season – scoring just tw… Goal.com • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

Goal.com

Mickelson’s back better than game in Phoenix Open SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Phil Mickelson worked a lot harder on his ailing back than his game in the last week. It showed in the first round of the Phoenix Open. “I did what I needed to do last week and gave it a few days to rest up and get fixed,” Mick… Washington Times • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

Washington Times

Anthony passes 19,000 points in win Carmelo Anthony passed 19,000 career points as the New York Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-86. Anthony scored 29 points to become the 50th NBA player to reach the milestone, while Tim Hardaway Jr matched him on the night with 29 and JR Smith a… sport.uk.msn.com • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

sport.uk.msn.com

Small teams say new rules will widen gap in F1 JEREZ, Spain — Formula One’s sweeping rule changes may be contributing to defending champion Red Bull’s dismal start to the preseason. The smaller teams just don’t see his troubles transferring into a major shift in the balance of power this season. F1… MyrtleBeachOnline • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

MyrtleBeachOnline

Budaj stops streaking Bruins Peter Budaj made 34 saves to help the Montreal Canadiens halt free-scoring Boston with a 4-1 win, their fifth straight over the Bruins. Alexei Emelin, Max Pacioretty, Brian Gionta and Daniel Briere got the goals for Montreal as Boston, who had scored s… sport.uk.msn.com • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

sport.uk.msn.com

Last Call: Golden State Warriors 111, Los Angeles Clippers 92 MVP: David Lee. He wasn’t selected to join the All-Stars from out West, but he put on a show on Thursday night against the conference’s announced starter. Lee dropped 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the Dubs’ dominant 19-point win over Blake… clipperblog.com • January 31, 2014, 12:27 AM (PST)

clipperblog.com

Brrrr! How will fans weather first cold-weather Super Bowl? NEW YORK – Don’t tell Sam Champion that a cold-weather Super Bowl was a bad idea. As a former longtime, upbeat weatherman for ABC’s Good Morning America — who became a managing editor at The Weather Channel in December — Champion makes his living off w… seattletimes.com • January 31, 2014, 12:19 AM (PST)

seattletimes.com