NFL

Chargers to hire Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator

McDaniel, following his dismissal as Dolphins head coach, fielded interest from other teams for that same post. However, due to either rejection from those clubs or McDaniel himself, the 42-year-old is set to call plays for the Chargers. This will probably be a short-term arrangement — McDaniel is a good bet to be a head coach again — but it’s a great fit.

Los Angeles’ previous offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, is notably different from McDaniel, particularly in overall philosophy. Roman, for the most part, wanted to establish the run and was reportedly staunch in his ideas. Conversely, McDaniel is lauded for his creativity. An offensive savant, the former Dolphins head coach is full of ideas, some of which should propel Justin Herbert forward as a quarterback.

Of course, the Chargers need to get healthy. Returning Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt at tackle should literally move mountains for Herbert, positioning the passer to benefit from McDaniel’s calls. Los Angeles also needs personnel upgrades on the scoring side of the ball, and Joe Hortiz has surely been enlisted to do just that this offseason.

The Chargers surely beat out numerous other suitors — probably the Lions, among them — for McDaniel, so this is a big win for the franchise. There was a time when the Chargers were viewed as a downtrodden organization, but Jim Harbaugh, Herbert and several others prior changed that view. The next step, obviously, is a playoff victory for Los Angeles.

Grade: A+

NBA

Suns 116, 76ers 110

On dreary wintry evenings like last night, my main attention normally is directed to college basketball. I love the NBA, but there are 82 regular season games per franchise — as there should be! — and I can still catch meaning action in April through June. I don’t have that same luxury with college basketball, which offers just 31 regular season games per team, and ends in early April. Thus, I prioritize.

The short story here is that it’s hard for me to follow a ton of live action for January NBA contests. The results still matter, however, and I still want to provide analysis and insight.

How good of a story have the Suns been? Phoenix wasn’t as discredited prior to this season as it was before the 2014 campaign, when it shockingly won 48 games, but this squad gives off similar vibes. Devin Booker has been a Goran Dragic-like engine, and he tallied 27 points , three rebounds and four assists in this win. (The Dragic comparison might feel disrespectful, but the guard made third-team All-NBA that season.) How quickly we forget!

Phoenix’s bench totaled 58 points last night.

This was normally a game you would’ve preferred to see the 76ers win, but they played on Monday night — a win over the Pacers. Consequently, a loss in this case is forgivable. Heck, even a decent night from Tyrese Maxey would’ve likely reversed the final score.

Maxey went 7-of-25 for 20 points. Curiously, the guard played 43 minutes in this tilt, a non-overtime affair.

MLB

Mets receive:
CF Luis Robert

White Sox receive:
2B Luisangel Acuna
SP Truman Pauley

At last, Luis Robert has found a (new) home.

The White Sox have been listening to calls on the centerfielder for years. Robert’s value peaked two seasons ago, when he was coming off his only All-Star selection. Since then, he’s regressed into a speedy, light-hitting outfielder. It’s unreasonable to expect Robert to replicate the 38 home runs he mashed in 2023 again, but the skeleton of a good regular is still there. After all, the newest Met is still just 28.

New York won’t have long to find out what it has in Robert, though. The centerfielder is due to be a free agent after this season, and while an extension is possible, the Mets will likely wait to assess his performance before doling out additional dollars.

The package for the White Sox has, interestingly, seen its value fluctuate in ways similar to Robert. Acuna was once viewed as a great prospect, but has lost some luster due to struggles versus big-league pitching. Last season, he hit just .234 with zero home runs across 175 at-bats. Perhaps the 23-year-old will receive more low-stakes plate appearances with Chicago.

Pauley was a 12th-round selection by the Mets in last year’s draft. At 22, his ceiling might be capped, but he offers versatility as both a starter and reliever.

Mets Grade: B+

White Sox Grade: A-