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Wednesday 9 december 2020
Eagles going with Jalen Hurts over Carson Wentz

By ROB MAADDI MVP voting that season,
AP Pro Football Writer and last year he became
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen the first quarterback in NFL
Hurts will start for the Phila- history to throw for more
delphia Eagles on Sunday, than 4,000 yards without
sending Carson Wentz to one wide receiver having
the bench. 500 yards receiving.
Eagles coach Doug Peder- But Wentz has a career-
son made the announce- low 72.8 passer rating this
ment Tuesday on the season and 19 turnovers,
team's website. including 15 interceptions.
"We're not where we want He hasn't had much help.
to be as an offense," Ped- The injury-depleted offen-
erson said. "I looked at the sive line has allowed 53
whole thing and decided sacks, and his young, inex-
that for this week to look perienced receivers often
for that spark again to try aren't open.
to get the team over the "Carson's been a big part
hump, to try to get every- of the success that we've
body playing better." had," Pederson said. "He
Pederson insisted Monday was on that championship
the decision was his, even team that got us to that
though Wentz's $128 mil- level. Even in '18 and '19
lion, four-year contract be- he led the team and got
gins in 2021. Hurts replaced us into the postseason and
Wentz in the third quarter I know we can get back
of a 30-16 loss to Green to that level. That's why I
Bay and completed 5 of 12 have so much confidence
passes for 109 yards, one in him."
touchdown, one intercep- Hurts was selected in the
tion and took three sacks. second round with the 53rd
"Carson is like all of us right Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the overall pick this year when
now, he's disappointed. Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 30-16. the Eagles had far more
He's frustrated," Pederson Associated Press pressing needs. Now the
said. "He's been a profes- 2019 Heisman Trophy run-
sional through it all. He sup- coach does. It's the good frustration lies a little bit, but title in 2017. Wentz was 11-2 ner-up gets his first opportu-
ports his teammates and with the bad. It's not about he's been a pro and would before a knee injury forced nity as an NFL starter.
that's what you want to see Carson Wentz. It's not about expect nothing less." him to watch Nick Foles "I just want to see develop-
from him, the leader of the one person. We know we Pederson and Wentz came lead the Eagles through ment. I think it's a great op-
team. I know sometimes have issues on offense and to Philadelphia in 2016. the playoffs and victory portunity for him, a great
the quarterback gets a lot it has been a struggle for us They led the Eagles to the over New England. opportunity for the team,"
of the blame like the head all season. That's where the franchise's only Super Bowl Wentz finished third in NFL Pederson said.q

Kenin voted WTA Player of Year; Azarenka gets Comeback honor

The 22-year-old from Flori- erzputowski, earned the That triumph made Kenin
da went 16-2 at the three Coach of the Year award. the youngest Australian
major tournaments played In two categories decided Open champion since
in 2020 — Wimbledon was by a players' vote, Marie 2008, when Maria Sharapo-
canceled for the first time Bouzkova was the recipi- va was 20.
since World War II be- ent of the Karen Krantzcke It also propelled Kenin into
cause of the coronavirus Sportsmanship Award, and the Top 10, making her the
pandemic — and ended the 10 members of the WTA youngest American to de-
the abbreviated season Players' Council shared the but so high in the rankings
with a career-best rank- Peachy Kellmeyer Player since Serena Williams did it
ing of No. 4.In other hon- Service Award. in 2002 at 20.
ors announced Tuesday Kenin entered this year Kenin went on to get to
and based on voting by with an 11-11 career mark the fourth round at the
international media mem- in Grand Slam tournaments U.S. Open, then the final at
bers, Victoria Azarenka and zero trips beyond the the pandemic-postponed
Sofia Kenin kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after de- was picked as Comeback fourth round at any of the French Open before losing
feating Spain's Garbine Muguruza in the women's singles final
at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Player of the Year, Iga Swi- sport's top four events. But to Swiatek for the title.
Australia, in this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, file photo. atek was named Most Im- she announced her arrival Swiatek, a 19-year-old
Associated Press proved Player, Nadia Pod- as an ascending star early from Poland, had never
oroska was the Newcomer in the season by beating won a tour-level trophy un-
By HOWARD FENDRICH winning the Australian of the Year and Kristina No. 1-ranked Ash Barty in til her magical two weeks
AP Tennis Writer Open in January for her first Mladenovic and Timea the semifinals and former at Roland Garros, where
Sofia Kenin collected the Grand Slam title and finish- Babos were the Doubles No. 1 Garbiñe Muguruza she didn't drop a set. She
WTA Player of the Year ing as the runner-up at the Team of the Year. in the final at Melbourne finished the year ranked
award on Tuesday after French Open in October. Swiatek's coach, Piotr Si- Park. 17th.q