2010年9月30日星期四

Boxing News Why write?

When I have the chance to be a great interest in all sports, I saw a lot of my time in boxing. Now I wonder what happened with the boxing. Previously I had read or research for any of the information that I feel I need (which is really necessary for me).
I saw my Eurosprt boxing on television, and with the football jersey
sports news is always updated. Now I'm always reading my information and updated special reports Boxing News, to stay. I do not know if this is common worldwide, but has disappeared in boxing Norway. I know this is not the absence of Norwegian boxers because they do not participate in the summit to do anyway, but I wonder if it something with the Eastern European countries that dominate the sport has to be done.
I must say I am the type of person who pretty much what happened in the world of sports is not too much time for each niche. I mostly get information from my home, as already mentioned, the news. I do not have time to read every website and magazine for 49ers jersey
details.
Back to boxing. I think that speaker more or less disappeared from the regular press, when the Russians took the heavyweight title. I remember when we master the Western countries and the accumulation of struggles headline in the world were covered. Now I'm lucky if I can know the outcome of a match for the heavyweight title.
To be honest, you will learn more about Mike Tyson as me about the Russian monster Klitsko Valujev or siblings. What happened? Western countries lose interest in sports? Do we need a new Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield again awaken to the journalists?
I remember the days when all the news underlined the tension before a fight and it was as if I was to the game, was seen to get the result as soon as possible. I could not wait to stay up all night on the event, which took in another time zone. Well, not even the Saints jersey
result mentioned in the Morning News more.
All I have to say is that I'm back in the boxing spotlight. I know there are sports to compete with the huge media coverage, but at least a few sentences. Maybe Don King behind the hype, but I think we need it to keep people from boxing again.

2010年9月28日星期二

Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Wants Lukasz Fabianski To 'Grab The Chance' To 'Show How Good He Is' Against Partizan Belgrade

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski can step into the shoes of the injured Manuel Almunia as the Gunners prepare for the trip to Serbia to face Partizan Belgrade in the Champions League.
The opportunity for Fabianski comes after Almunia injured his elbow in Saturday’s defeat to West Bromwich Albion, and the Pole will be looking to put past mistakes behind him and take his chance.
"For Fabianski, it is another big chance - but you want a cheap nfl jerseys
goalkeeper or any player to grab the chance when you get it," Wenger told reporters.
"As a manager you can give a chance to a player who is good enough and I believe in his talent. He gets another opportunity to show how good he is. I want him to show how good he is.Cowboys jersey

"There is only one way to show confidence in a player and that is to put him on the pitch and give him his chance."
The trip to Belgrade will be a tough one for the Gunners who haven’t won away in the competition since last September, and Partizan will be hoping to keep that run going with a home victory.
The Serbians, though, have something of a chequered history of crowd trouble and were thrown out of the 2007-08 Uefa Cup for clashes in a qualifying tie against Zrinjski Mostar - while in September last year, a Toulouse fan died in hospital after being injured following violence in a bar ahead of the two sides' Europa League tie.
The Serbian champions have issued a plea for calm to their fans on their website, declaring that: "This is our chance to wipe out ugly traces of the recent past and we shouldn't miss this opportunity."
However, despite Arsenal’s poor away form and the undoubted hostile atmosphere, Saints jersey
Wenger is confident the game can pass without incident.
"We are always inside the stadium, so I do not know what is happening outside, I leave that to Uefa and to the Serbian authorities. I am sure they will do that very well," he continued.
"Serbia is a traditional football country, which has produced many fantastic players.
"They know sport, they know football and I believe it will be very passionate because they are very passionate football people."
And the Gunners boss knows that his side will face a tough task if they are to earn all three points at Stadion FK Partizan.
"What I expect is for Partizan to play a highly passionate game and to try to catch us on the break," he added.
"They have the traditional strengths of Serbian teams - they are intelligent, with a good technique and in the final third, if you give them room they are always dangerous.
"I believe the collective drive that they have going forward could be San Diego Chargers jersey
dangerous for us."
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2010年9月27日星期一

Vick accounts for 4 TDs as Eagles rout Jags 28-3

Colts jersey
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars should have watched more video of Michael Vick(notes). Or at the very least paid closer attention to the clips they did see.
Either way, they clearly missed something last week.
“Vick did a better job throwing than we expected,” defensive tackle Terrance Knighton(notes) said.
Really? Vick only had 459 yards passing and three touchdowns in football jersey
six quarters this season. He was even better against the Jaguars.
Vick made Andy Reid’s quarterback decision look like the right one, throwing three TD passes and running for another score to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 28-3 victory over the Jaguars on Sunday.
“He played his heart out today, so it’s more about him than me or anybody else,” Reid said. “It’s a tribute to what he’s done and how he’s handled things.”
Vick completed 17 of 31 passes for 291 yards, mostly staying in the pocket and overwhelming Jacksonville’s beleaguered secondary. One of the few times he did run, he broke a tackle, juked another defender and scored from 17 yards.
Vick found DeSean Jackson(notes) for a 61-yard touchdown and hooked up with Jeremy Maclin(notes) for two scores. Jackson finished with five catches for 153 yards, Maclin had four receptions for 83 yards, and the Eagles (2-1) improved to 2-0 with Vick as their starter.
“I understand the circumstances and the reason for all the talk,” Vick said. “It is a sigh of relief to move on and not talk about it anymore.”
Vick became the latest in a growing list of quarterbacks to handle the Jaguars (1-2). Denver’s Kyle Orton(notes) and San Diego’s Philip Rivers(notes) hurt them repeatedly for big gains the past two weeks.
Jacksonville had hoped to bounce back from a lopsided loss against the Chargers. Instead, they have consecutive 25-point losses for the first time in franchise history.
Fans headed to the exits early in the fourth quarter, having seen enough of Bills jersey
David Garrard(notes).
Benched last week after throwing four interceptions, Garrard was even worse against Philadelphia. Yes, worse. Although Garrard threw just one interception, he tossed up at least four more balls that could have been picked.
“He was ineffective today,” coach Jack Del Rio said.
Garrard finished 13 of 30 for 105 yards and was sacked six times. Trent Cole(notes) and his defensive teammates handled Jaguars offensive tackles Eugene Monroe(notes) and Eben Britton(notes) early and often, getting the kind of steady pressure that gives Garrard trouble.
“We could never get a rhythm going, we could never get anything going really in the pass game,” Garrard said.
Garrard finished with a passer rating of 38.9, even lower than last week’s 62.7 mark.
“We have to figure out something ASAP,” said Maurice Jones-Drew(notes), who ran for 88 yards. “We’re not doing anything right.”
Vick is doing everything right these days.
Reid had insisted Kevin Kolb(notes) would start when he returned from a concussion. But Vick’s play prompted Reid to call a reverse last week and stick with Vick, saying the left-hander gives Philadelphia a better chance to win.
He sure did against Jacksonville.
“We gave Vick so much time and he torched us,” Knighton said.
Vick now gets to spend a week hearing about Washington quarterback Donovan 49ers jersey
McNabb(notes), Philadelphia’s longtime starter whose offseason departure helped pave the way for Vick’s return to No. 1 on the depth chart.
“I’m not getting involved in that,” Vick said. “I’m not getting involved in Donovan McNabb-Mike Vick controversy.”

2010年9月26日星期日

State Title Eastman: Hey Cowboys . . . . . Your New Rivals Are Waiting

IRVING, Texas - Without question, the Cowboys and Redskins are a rivalry, one of the best in the history of sports.
Cowboys and Eagles? Undoubtedly so. In fact, some nfl jerseys
might argue it has surpassed Dallas-Washington. What about Cowboys and Giants? It's been pretty strong here of late.
And there have been times throughout the years where teams like the 49ers, Packers and Steelers have jumped in there as rivals.
So what about the Houston Texans? For years, Houston has always treated this game as one, but that passion has never really been matched by the Cowboys. Since they really only play every four seasons, can this game really be a rivalry?
Well, for the Cowboys' sake, it damn sure better be.
We've said this for years and years about this game, mostly played for the Governor's Cup during the preseason, but over and over it's been rather clear about these two teams. For the Cowboys, it's always been another opponent that just happens to be down the interstate. For the Texans, it always been treated like a Super Bowl.
Guess what Cowboys? This is your Super Bowl right here. Forget the game played in February, this is the ultimate game right here and right now. Any dreams or maybe they're delusions right now, of somehow making it to the playoffs, much less the Super Bowl, must be met this weekend in Houston.
So the Texans are an upstart team with no history to speak of.
So the Texans have absolutely no playoff wins, not to mention appearances.
So the Texans have always put more stock in beating the Cowboys than any other team.
So the next big victory the city of Houston will have will be its first.
So what to all of that because all of that is completely irrelevant this week.
We've said it before in football - the next game is always the biggest. Never has that been a truer statement for a team than right now for the Cowboys.
This is your rival game. This is your Super Bowl. And why is that? Because it's Houston? No, because it's the one right here in front of them.
A 0-3 start with two weeks that will feel more like two months, is staring this team in Cowboys jersey
the face if they don't take care of business in Houston.
You won't find a game in September that means more than this one for a team. I mean, let's be honest. After two games, a 2-0 start wouldn't have even been good enough to please everyone. That's how much pressure is on the Cowboys. And don't get me wrong, I'm not making an excuse for them. Just saying, with so much pressure on them, winning both games wouldn't have been 100 percent satisfying to everyone.
So just imagine what's going on now that they've lost them both. It's been just short of a nightmare. But trust me, if the Cowboys lose to Houston, we'll be sitting here on Elm Street real fast!
Don't mistake my tone for downplaying what the Texans have done after two games. I know Houston is a franchise that is excited about what's going on down there. And they should be.
But you don't need me to point out that they haven't won anything down there. That's why beating the Cowboys, even if its preseason, is a big deal.
People in Houston despise the Cowboys. In fact, there's never been any love lost between the cities of Houston and Dallas. Two huge cities on a national scale with residents from both places that somewhat look down at the other. It's the way it is in a lot of aspects, from the weather, the accents, the traffic, the nightlife, the pretty faces and, of course, the football. Steelers jersey

And that's definitely what matters the most on this occasion.
Now anytime the Cowboys go to another stadium, there seems to be a different level of excitement. Fans get a little more aped to beat the Cowboys. No surprise that's the case. Every other team in the NFL is in America. Wouldn't you get upset if there was an America's Team out there when you all share a nation with this team?
So imagine sharing a state. It's an obvious rivalry from Houston's standpoint, but it's just never been the case with the Cowboys.
Now I've said this many times before, if the NFL ever adopted an 18-game schedule, I think teams should pair up with an inter-conference opponent to create more rivalries. One of the two added games should be a Cowboys-Texans match up every year. Then, maybe the rivalry would be reciprocated a little more.
Still, forget the overview. No matter what has been the case in the past or what it will be in a year or two, the fact of the matter remains clear right now - the Cowboys have never played a more meaningful game down in Houston.
So call it a rivalry. Call it a big game. Call it a battle for the state championship. Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
It doesn't really matter.
But for the first time maybe ever, both teams should have the same intensity. If this is Houston's Super Bowl, then it better is matched by the Cowboys, if not exceeded.
There's no room for excuses. The Texans shouldn't want this game any more than the Cowboys. At least not this time.

2010年9月25日星期六

Tice still confident in 28th-ranked run

Indianapolis Colts jersey

Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice is confident the run offense will come around, but he's not making any apologies for the slow start.
''As we get going, we'll get the run going,'' Tice said. ''There's been times where we've started out slow with the pass, and you pick it up as you get going. But the main thing is winning games. Whatever it takes.''
The Bears' offense is ranked fifth in the NFL, and the Jay Cutler-led passing nfl jersey
game is third behind the Colts and Cowboys. But the Bears' run offense is tied for 28th, and they are averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
Tice said he was encouraged in training camp when they focused on certain run packages: ''The run game is timing.''
ESPN analyst Ron Gasworks has concerns about the Bears' offensive line (''If they get better, it could be a hell of a team,'' he said) but added that running back Matt Forte is going to be a key to the Mike Martz offense.
''Mike has always been a master at creating matches,'' Gasworks said. ''They'll be a good screen team.''
Borrowing a phrase from ESPN broadcast partner Jon Gurdon, Colts jersey
Gasworks said, ''Forte is the joker, the moving part of the offense,'' adding that Forte is especially dangerous when he's split out wide as a receiver.
WRIGHT SIDELINED
Rookie Major Wright is expected out three to four weeks with what is believed to be a second-degree hamstring strain.
On a punt return against the Cowboys on Sunday, Wright hustled from the middle of the field toward the left sideline, attempting to prevent Dees Bryant's 62-yard touchdown. But he pulled up and struggled to walk back to the sideline.
Meanwhile, left tackle Chris Williams did not practice because of a hamstring injury, but the Bears are hopeful he can recover and play Monday night against the Packers.
If he's unable to play, the Bears would start the way they finished Sunday's win against the Cowboys: with Frank Moyle at left tackle and Kevin Shaffer at right tackle.
''We'll evaluate as the week progresses, to make sure we have the right guys, as best we can, in the spots, and ... keep the quarterback clean,'' Tice said.
Linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) did not practice. Defensive end Israel Iodine and linebackers Nick Roach and Brian With were limited.
HELPING HAND
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is thankful that Cutler has Cowboys jersey
helped his younger brother Jordan at Vanderbilt, where Cutler starred. Jordan transferred there after leading Butte Junior College to a national title.
''He's a guy who has been great to my little brother,'' Rodgers said. ''As a big brother, that's much appreciated the way he's made my little brother feel comfortable down there and helped him kind of get the lay of the land down there in Nashville. That's only helped to strengthen our friendship.''

2010年9月24日星期五

24 sep 10 AccuScore: Flacco hurting Ravens

The Bears had only a 20 percent chance of starting the season 2-0 and they had only a 30 percent chance of beating the Cowboys on the road. With the victory, the Bears essentially won 0.7 more wins than expected, a huge improvement in a 16-game season. They are up 26.6 percent this nfl jerseys
week. The Bears’ gain was the Vikings’ loss. AccuScore recommended the Vikings pay the price for Vincent Jackson(notes) because he improved their playoff chances by nearly 10 percentage points if he were ready to play in Week 5. Without him the Vikings are now behind the 2-0 Packers, who saw a nice 10.8 percentage point bump largely because of the Vikings’ struggles. The Lions have some dynamic talent, but their playoff chances have dropped to under 1 percent.
How did the 49ers lose, start 0-2 and still improve their playoff chances by nearly 17 points? They had a “good” loss in Week 2 while the Seahawks, Cardinals and Rams all suffered bad ones. All of the NFC West teams are averaging under eight wins per simulation. The 49ers are down only 0-1 in their division, QB Alex Smith was impressive in a loss and the defense looked great against the Saints. AccuScore says future on-field performance will help San Francisco ultimately take the division, despite the 0-2 start. Seattle’s defense was destroyed by New Orleans Saints jersey
Denver and the offense is still struggling with turnovers. Arizona is not expected to get the job done with Kurt Warner(notes) dancing and not playing football.
The Eagles improved 14 percentage points thanks to the losses by the rest of the NFC East teams. With the statistical performance we have in simulations, AccuScore shows Philly is better with Michael Vick(notes) starting at least for now. The Giants defense is looking as bad as it did the second half of last season, but they are still clinging to a slight lead in the division (32.1 percent chance of winning NFC East) over the Eagles (28.9) and Dallas (29.9). The slow starts by the NFC East teams combined with wild-card competition from the NFC North and NFC South has hurt all NFC East teams.Pittsburgh Steelers jersey

New Orleans’ offense is not clicking but the Saints are still 2-0, and even with the injury to Reggie Bush(notes) they are the heavy 86 percent favorite to repeat as NFC South champs. The Falcons were very impressive against the Cardinals but Matt Ryan(notes) needs to show he can put up big numbers Colts jersey
against top teams in the league, something he has not done in his career. If the Falcons can upset the Saints in Week 3 then they could easily flip-flop with the Saints. Tampa Bay had only an 18 percent chance of starting 2-0 this season but the competition gets much tougher, starting in Week 3 against the Steelers. The Buccaneers are clearly improved but they have only a 17 percent chance of making the playoffs.

24 sep 10 NFL developing workplace conduct program for teams

The league is in the process of developing a workplace conduct program in the wake of a locker room incident in which the New York Jets were recently found to have acted unprofessionally toward a female television reporter.
“It is a workplace conduct issue, so cheap nfl jerseys
that all teams understand what that means in terms of professional conduct in the workplace,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “It’s not just dealing with female reporters. We’re trying to educate the teams—not just the players, but also the staffs—on what it means to have professional conduct in the workplace, including what the legal ramifications are.”
Aiello said the program is being led by Robert Gulliver, the league’s executive vice president of human resources. The NFL hopes to implement it within the next few weeks. The program, underwritten by Jets owner Woody Johnson, could include verbal, video and online presentations.
“We’re looking at different ways to do it so we can make it as effective as possible, and simple to implement,” Aiello said. “It might not be 32 different people going to the teams. We’re looking at the most effective way to structure this and haven’t made any decisions yet.”
Aiello said the NFL will also be consulting with the Association for Women in Sports Media.
“AWSM is happy for the opportunity to work with the NFL on ensuring that the locker room is a workable environment for the media during times of access,” said Amy Moritz, the organization’s president. “Part of our mission is to advocate for women in sports media and to help ensure positive workplace environments and access to equal opportunities. We welcome the chance to help the NFL with this teachable moment.”
The Jets will also have a representative from AWSM conduct an educational and awareness session with the team aside from the NFL’s program. Moritz said both the Jets and AWSM are still working out details for that meeting.
The NFL’s program is the result of its investigation into how the Jets treated TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz at practice and in the locker room on Sept. 11. Commissioner Roger Goodell chastised the team for unprofessional conduct, but said Johnson and his staff acted promptly to correct the situation.
The Jets rebounded in an enormous way to the tune of a 38-percent rise. Whenever you beat the predicted division leader, you are going to see a sizable 15-25 percent boost. When Mark Sanchez(notes) actually shows an NFL-caliber arm and LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) looks like he did four years ago, you get the Steelers jersey
added bump that the Jets showed.
But the big story in the AFC East is actually the Dolphins who were forecasted for a solid 8-8 season. Their high quality road win against the Vikings didn’t drastically impact their playoff chances, but they are still winning the AFC East more than the Jets and Patriots in simulations. New England lost 17.5 points because they had a division loss and its defense has major issues. Buffalo is a non-factor.
Like the Jets, the Bengals also showed a solid improvement (12.2 points) thanks to a stellar defensive effort fueling a key division win. Their improvement was not as vast as the Jets’ because the offense struggled and did not show the spark that many anticipated this season. The Steelers have taken the overall lead in the division with a 60.6 percent chance of winning the AFC North. Their defense has been spectacular and if they end up winning at least three of the four games that Ben Roethlisberger(notes) is suspended they are in a great position to make the playoffs. The Ravens dropped more than 23 percentage points. Unlike the Jets, they lost a division game and their quarterback, Joe Flacco(notes), has thrown five interceptions in two games. His poor start has had major negative impact in simulations in Weeks 3-17.Pittsburgh Steelers jersey

The big loser this week was the Titans. A loss at home against the undermanned Steelers hurts, but the real reason the Titans plummeted this week was the resounding victories that the Colts and Texans had. The Titans cannot improve without solid QB play from Vince Young(notes) and he has not taken major strides this year. The Titans also are getting hammered because so many wild-card competitors did well this past week. The Texans got a nice bump up this week and are now at a 59 percent chance of making the playoffs and the Colts are still leading the division. The Jaguars were hammered by the Chargers and their secondary does not seem equipped to compete with the prolific offenses in their own division.
The Chiefs had only a 15.3 percent chance of starting the season 2-0, but Bears jersey
despite the win in Cleveland, they still lost 4.3 percentage points this week. They have two wins, but their offense has not scored many points and they are not expected to finish better than 8-8. The Chargers lost to the Chiefs but are still the heavy 82 percent favorite in the AFC West. The Broncos more than doubled their playoff chances after an impressive win over the Seahawks. They are still relative long shots to make the playoffs, but they are expected to be competitive all season long.

2010年9月22日星期三

Inter Striker Diego Milito's Agent: He Misses Jose Mourinho & Has Problems With Rafael Benitez

Dallas Cowboys jersey
Inter striker Diego Milito has become grumpy and distracted according to his agent Fernando Hidalgo, who has voiced his opinion against Rafael Benitez.
The mood is sombre with Milito. And he seems upset with nfl jerseys
Inter, who replaced the departed Jose Mourinho with Rafael Benitez in the summer.
Now the saga is having profound consequences, claims Hidalgo.
"Diego doesn't feel the trust from his new coach," the agent told Il Corriere dello Sport.
"The Portuguese made him feel indispensable. He made Indianapolis Colts jersey
him feel secure and he would transmit tranquility.
"These things don't happen now. In fact he is always under scrutiny. And when it's time for a player to come off it's always Milito."
Things have changed fast since Mourinho's departure, but the momentum is not with Milito as the agent continued with his catastrophic comments. For his part, Milito has looked pale this term, unable to break away from the Mourinhoisms.
"Diego is not tranquil, but being a professional he knows these things can happen," added the agent.
"He wants to come out of this fast even though he doesn't feel the Dallas Cowboys jersey
trust he had last season.
"Someone like Milito needs the support from his coach to be at his best."

Calcio Debate: Francesco Totti And Co. Need To Mirror Claudio Ranieri's Passion For Roma To Challenge Again

Dallas Cowboys jersey
“We’re starting with a handicap, just as we did last season, and just as we got back then we will get back now. I tell you this and I underline it. Goodbye and thank you.”
Those were Claudio Ranieri’s final words in what was a dramatic rant in front of cheap nfl jerseys
Italy’s press when what they’d actually been expecting was a run of the mill question and answer session in Saturday’s pre-match press conference.
In the game itself the following day there was an equally dramatic ending, with Marco Di Vaio snatching a late point for a Bologna side who had trailed 2-0. The difference came in that this was a far less surprising turn of events than what had gone on in the press room, for the Giallorossi look a shadow of the side which finished second in the standings in May. All of which means the Tinkerman’s final four words may be repeated all too soon… “Goodbye and thank you.”
But is that what Roma really need right now? Another rescue job turned title challenge which might lead people to believe that all is actually well with the club? The Lupi’s double runners-up crown last year was not quite enough to cover up the fact that the organisation was carrying a dramatically unmanageable debt, which should really have been addressed a year before and had led former coach Luciano Spalletti to forego the pay-off he was entitled to after getting the bullet two games into the campaign.
Though they are now in the hands of the Unicredit bank, they are far from rescued. A buyer still needs to be found, and in the meantime there is little room for manoeuvre in the bid to remain a competitive club. Meanwhile on the field a shake-up is desperately needed. The two do not mix well.
Much of the talk over the past week, and much of the fuel behind Ranieri’s weekend fire, was to do with talismanic skipper Francesco Totti. While this editorial is not about to claim that this will be the season when ‘Er Pupone’s catalogue of setbacks – or ‘a thousand injuries’, as Ranieri put it – will catch up with him, surely that time can’t be far off now.
And beyond Totti, what is left? Up front Mirko Vucinic needs to kick on majorly this season from his very good showing last time around in order to become a forward player of real prime stock. He may well end up vying for time and space with Marco Borriello, who was only brought in after the club finally woke up Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
to the fact that Adriano will take a lot longer than a few training sessions to become a sprightly forward again. Even Joey Tribbiani would have worked that one out quicker.
Across midfield Ranieri has a multitude of issues beginning to rear their heads. David Pizarro cannot do everything alone and Jeremy Menez is too inconsistent to be a true saviour, while Julio Baptista needs to raise his game a few levels before he could be described as being at a stage even close to inconsistent. Simone Perrotta and Rodrigo Taddei haven’t been at their best for at least three years, Fabio Simplicio will take time to bed in once he’s fully fit and Matteo Brighi never gets a chance to show whether he can fill the anchor role as capably as Daniele De Rossi. On the subject of which, ‘Il Capitan Futuro’ is suffering a very major slump which might have been avoided if he’d left for pastures new two summers ago… There we go, I said it
At the back it isn’t much better news for poor Claudio. Though he does have one of last season’s stand-out keepers in Julio Sergio, the protection he gets this term may not be of a similar ilk to 12 months ago. Nicolas Burdisso was a stellar loan signing, but he can equally be a liability (see Cagliari 10 days ago and the Coppa Italia final for examples), while Philippe Mexes needs to spend more time on his defending and less time on his hair. Juan is a tough prospect but is slowing noticeably, and the latter can also be said of Marco Cassetti. Aleandro Rosi is a good addition though, and John Arne Riise remains amongst the best left-backs in the league.
Looking at such evidence, not all of the blame can be put on the perennial runner-up ‘in panchina’, as he has had to work as best he can with what he’s got. And he’ll have to go on doing so. No matter what formation he’s tried them in – and there have been a few – they have not produced quite what has been necessary to be No. 1. Snide remarks from Totti about ‘catenaccio’ every time he turns in a poor performance will help neither his coach’s public veneer nor his team’s chances of success. It’s time for Roma to be a committed whole. A united front is needed. And whilst some might liken their boss’ recent outburst to that of Rafa Benitez at Liverpool two seasons back, maybe this should be seen more in the light of Jose Mourinho’s ‘zero tituli’ broadcast.
A new coach will have no greater leeway and nowhere near as much Minnesota Vikings jersey
passion as Ranieri, so the Tinkerman should not be tinkered with. If his players can now show the same passion he did on Saturday then they might be able to still make something of this season. Their boss promised that his charges will start to prove they have balls. The time to show it has arrived, because they’re the ones underperforming.

Report: Roma Show Fist Of Faith In Claudio Ranieri; Francesco Totti & Daniele De Rossi To Miss Brescia Trip

Dallas Cowboys jersey
Roma president Rosella Sensi's view of Claudio Ranieri and his place at the club has grown stronger, despite increasing difficulty.
Ranieri and his side have encountered problems across Serie A and the Champions League thus far.
Turbulent results have left the coach in danger according to the football jersey
press and there were calls for him to go, with former Italy coach Marcello Lippi being linked with the club.
But Il Corriere dello Sport claims his future at the club is well gilded and covered with faith.
Sensi was present at Trigoria on Monday for the team's official photo.
And it wasn't just smiles in front of the cameras. There was also a pat on the back for Raneri as the outgoing president confirmed his leadership.
The notion of ruling, steering and stability are present at Roma, and just some intricate details need to be refined.
"We hope to overcome this moment and I hope everyone stays united," Sensi said.
The coach responded: "I am convinced that we will be able to."
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Argentine first division sides Huracan and Colon on Tuesday followed Independiente’s lead by changing their coach seven games into the season.
Miguel Angel Brindisi agreed to take over at Huracan, after Hector Colts jersey
Rivoira quit on Monday, having helped them win their only league title as a player before becoming coach from 2001-2003.
“Miguel will calm the waters,” Huracan president Carlos Babington told reporters. “With him as coach and me as president let’s hope we can bring back the good times.”
Former Argentina team mates Brindisi and Babington were midfield partners in Huracan’s greatest side that won the title under Cesar Luis Menotti in 1973.
Another ex-Argentina player, Antonio Mohamed, resigned at Colon after just one win in their last 13 matches, including six games without a victory at the end of last season, amid constant demand for quick results in a short, 19-match championship.
Independiente said on Monday that coach Daniel Garnero was leaving by mutual consent but a change was imperative with the team bottom of the Apertura championship standings.
The die was cast for Garnero after Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Banfiel, with his only win in their last nine matches against Argentinos Juniors in a first-round, first-leg Copa Sudamericana tie—the region’s equaivalent of the Europa League.
Menotti also resigned as Independiente’s general manager. He had recommended the appointment of Garnero after the club opted against retaining last season’s coach Americo Gallego.
Media reports said Independiente president Julio Comparada was keen to bring back Gallego, having taken the decision to dispense with him even though he narrowly missed out on the Clausura championship title with the club in May.
Colon, who lost 3-1 at Boca Juniors on Sunday, are 15th in Cowboys jersey
the 20-team standings with six points while Huracan are 14th with eight points after a 3-0 loss at Gimnasia on Friday.
The Argentine campaign, which runs from August to June, is divided into two championships—Apertura (opening) in the second part of the year and Clausura (closing) in the first part of the next year. There is no overall champion in a season.

2010年9月21日星期二

Gradkowski steps in, leads Raiders past Rams 16-14

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Even though Jason Campbell was brought to Oakland to be the team's new franchise quarterback, Raiders fans made it clear they prefer Bruce Gradkowski.
The question after Gradkowski sparked a comeback win in the home opener for Oakland is whether coach Tom Cable and the organization agree.
Gradkowski replaced an ineffective Campbell after halftime and led nfl jerseys
Oakland to three scoring drives and a 16-14 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
The fans began calling for Gradkowski in the first half and chants of ''Bruuuuce!'' echoed throughout the Coliseum for most of the second half.
''They called my number and I just said I'm just going to do my thing, go out and have fun,'' Gradkowski said. ''We did that the second half. ... It was exciting to get a win.''
The fact that Cable was willing to pull his starting quarterback just six quarters into the season is a sign of how desperate the Raiders (1-1) were for a win.
But Cable is not yet ready to anoint Gradkowski as the starter going ahead.
''I'll worry about all that tomorrow, really,'' Cable said. ''I want to go look at it. But today was about winning this game, what did it take to do that, that was the right choice, obviously, and it worked out, and Bruce came in and gave us a lift.''
Gradkowski threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy, Darren McFadden ran for 145 yards on a career-high 30 carries and Sebastian Janikowski kicked three field goals to give Oakland its first win in a home opener since 2004.
Sam Bradford threw two touchdown passes to Mark Clayton but was unable to get the offense moving for much of the second half as the Rams (0-2) lost for the 27th time in 28 games.
''In this football league, you have to play a full game,'' Bradford said. ''You can't come out and New Orleans Saints jersey
play a half and expect to win.''
Gradkowski breathed life into Oakland's inept offense a year ago, leading the team to victories over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh before being sidelined by a knee injury.
Gradkowski never got the chance to win the job this season as Oakland traded for Campbell and made him the starter. Gradkowski tore a pectoral muscle in the offseason and injured his groin early in training camp.
He played well in two exhibition games but Campbell opened the season as the starter, even drawing comparisons to two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Jim Plunkett from owner Al Davis.
Campbell struggled in a 38-13 season-opening loss at Tennessee and was pulled at halftime of this game. He was 8 for 15 for 87 yards and an interception on his final pass as Oakland trailed 7-3.
''I was surprised,'' Campbell said. ''We were down 7-3. We had been moving the ball. We just stalled when we got to the red zone. But at the same time, it was a decision that they made.''
Taking the field to elongated chants of his name, Gradkowski completed his first three passes. His 26-yard completion to Murphy set up a 41-yard field goal by Janikowski that made it 7-6.
After the Raiders stopped the Rams on a three-and-out the next possession, Gradkowski drove Oakland 83 yards to a score on the floater to Murphy.
The offensive success appeared to give a boost to a defense that struggled to slow down Steven Jackson in the first half. St. Louis gained only 17 yards and one first down - on a personal foul by Tommy Kelly - in the first 26 minutes of the second half.
Bradford finally got the Rams moving after Jerome Murphy intercepted a pass with just over San Francisco 49ers jersey
4 minutes remaining and the Rams trailing 16-7. Just 47 seconds later, Bradford hit Clayton on a 17-yard TD pass to make it 16-14.
A personal foul on Fred Robbins, the fourth of the game by the Rams, and a 13-yard pass from Gradkowski to Murphy on third-and-7 helped Oakland run out the clock.
''You have to play a little bit smarter,'' Robbins said. ''We were killing ourselves. We had a few penalties on a few big drives, and it hurt us.''

Jacobs in trouble for helmet toss

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New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is facing a possible sanction from the NFL for flinging his helmet into the stands during Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, NBC Sports reported.
Jacobs reacted angrily to being pulled from the game cheap nfl jerseys
in the third quarter, having run for just 8 yards on four carries.
He apologized for the incident and said he was aiming for the ground, San Diego Chargers jersey
but the helmet got stuck in his fingers and ended up 10 rows deep in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"I was frustrated and went to throw it down on the ground, and it got caught on my finger and went into [the stands]," he said. "I apologize for that. It was frustration on my part."
Nobody was hurt but fans started yelling abuse at Jacobs, and security had to struggle to Chicago Bears jersey
get the helmet back.
Jacobs was chastised on the sideline by Coach Tom Coughlin over the incident and did not return for the rest of the game.

Vick sharp as Eagles fend off late rally from Lions

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On the bus ride to his first start at quarterback since 2006, Michael Vick thought of everything that has happened the last several years.
Then he went out and took full advantage of the opportunity. Vick looked like football jersey
the Pro Bowler he used to be by effortlessly flicking the football down the field and avoiding sacks with slick steps.
Vick's second touchdown pass put the Philadelphia Eagles ahead just before halftime and they had to hold on to beat the Detroit Lions 35-32 Sunday.
He didn't take the first snap in a game the past three seasons because he served an 18-month prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting operation and spent last year as a backup.
Vick said he reflects ''all the time'' on his journey back onto an NFL field.
''It's been a long road for me,'' he said softly. ''It's been tough. Throughout it all, I had to be resilient and overcome a lot of adversity and self-inflicted wounds.''
The electrifying athlete was 21 of 34, connecting with nine teammates, for 284 yards with two TDs, ran for 37 yards and escaped losses with the spin moves of a dancer and speed of a sprinter.
''A lot of people doubted him and said he wasn't able to do this,'' said DeSean Jackson, who caught four of Vick's passes for 135 yards and a TD. ''He's been able to prove everybody wrong.''
LeSean McCoy gave the Eagles (1-1) an 18-point lead on his third score with 6:17 left, but they gave Detroit comeback hopes.
The Lions (0-2) rallied to pull within three points and recovered an onside kick with 1:48 left, but turned the ball over on downs without gaining a yard.
''I'm proud to stand among the players,'' Coach Jim Schwartz said. ''This is a tough team, a team that's resilient, that fights through a lot of situations.''
Detroit has had to deal with a lot of tough times, winning just twice last year after enduring the league's first 0-16 season. The franchise is a league-worst 33-113 since 2001.
The Lions lost their franchise QB, Matthew Stafford, in the season-opening loss at Chicago with an injured right shoulder and had to turn to Shaun Hill. He was 25 of 45 for 335 yards with two TDs, including one to Calvin Johnson late in the game, and had two interceptions.
''The losses are tough, but you can only worry about them for a day,'' Hill 49ers jersey
said. ''You can't dwell on mistakes.''

The Eagles didn't dwell on Vick's, giving him a shot to revive his career last year.
He was more than ready to take the first snap in place of Kevin Kolb, who missed the game because of a concussion.
Eagles coach Andy Reid insisted before the game he didn't need to reassure Kolb he was still the team's starting QB. Even though Vick seemed to do enough to make it tough to put him back on the bench, Reid said it won't be difficult to turn him back into a part-time player.
''We've got more plays for him than we did a year ago, so he'll be on the field,'' Reid said. ''It isn't going to be five or six plays this year.''
Vick passed his first test, rolling left and throwing back across the field against pressure to convert a third down on his opening drive to set up a 45-yard TD pass to Jackson.
After rookie Jahvid Best turned a short pass into a 75-yard reception to put Detroit ahead 17-7 midway through the second quarter, Vick ran and threw for first downs to set up McCoy's 14-yard run for his first TD.
Vick easily lofted a 53-yard pass that perfectly hit Jackson in stride before connecting with Jeremy Maclin on a 9-yard pass that put Philadelphia ahead 21-17 with 13 seconds left in the first half.
''You should have seen him before the game,'' Reid said. ''He was like a kid in a candy store. He was so excited about getting a second chance at being a starter in this league.''
The Lions, meanwhile, didn't have much to be proud about.
Best was an exception, catching nine passes for 154 yards and a score and running 17 times for 78 yards and two TDs.
He created a buzz at Ford Field, but by the time he scored for a third time against the Saints jersey
Eagles — and fifth time in two games — most of the fans had left after growing tired of seeing the Lions lose again.
Detroit didn't give up, but it also couldn't come close enough to attempt a field goal that could've sent the game into overtime.
''We can't wait until the end of the game,'' Lions center Dominic Raiola lamented.

2010年9月20日星期一

Mourinho says Portugal coach offer up to Madrid

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MADRID (AP)—Jose Mourinho said Friday a decision over whether he takes temporary charge of the Portugal team for two European qualifying games is up to his Real Madrid club.
Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail met with football jersey
Mourinho late Thursday to discuss the matter and Mourinho made it clear any deal would have to be worked out between the Spanish club and his home federation.
“I can’t say yes to the national team because I owe Real Madrid,” Mourinho said. “But I can’t obviously say no because I want Portugal to win.”
Portugal took just one point from its first two 2012 San Francisco 49ers jersey
European Championship qualifying games. It plays Denmark and Iceland in October and remains without a coach after firing Carlos Queiroz.
Madrid had not commented on the proposal.
Mourinho said coaching Portugal was a long-term, rather than short-term, goal.
“My help would be limited. The ideal situation would be to lead the team with full dedication,” Mourinho said. “I won’t say no, but I’m Real Madrid coach and I have a contract for the next four years.”
Madrid signed Mourinho soon after the Portuguese Buffalo Bills jersey
coach led Inter Milan to the Champions League trophy in May. Mourinho is one of three coaches to have won Europe’s top competition with two different clubs after leading FC Porto to the title in 2004.
“Real Madrid has all the right, all the right to put up an obstacle,” the former Chelsea manager said.

Roberto Mancini Keen To See Jo's Good Form Continue For Manchester City

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Manchester City striker Jo has been urged to continue his good form by manager Roberto Mancini after scoring in the 2-0 Europa League win over Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday night.
The game was the Brazilian's first competitive start for City since nfl jerseys
December 2008, and his first goal for the club since the previous September. But Mancini now wants to see more of such quality from the striker, who joined City for a reported €20 million from CSKA Moscow two years ago.
"To me, my players are the best in the world," the City boss told reporters.
"But I know for all strikers it is important to score goals. Jo Chicago Bears jersey
has scored one important goal for us. Now I hope he continues to play in the same way."
Jo also had a hand in David Silva's opener for the Mancunians, and Mancini was also pleased that Silva found the net has perhaps started to answer some of the doubters who have been concerned that the Spaniard would struggle in England.
"David is a fantastic player," the Italian asserted.
"But he is in a different situation now playing different football.
"After one month he is ready to go 100 per cent for the team. He will also be an important player for the future. He knows how to play football. Arsenal have two or three players like David and they play very well.
"He is a strong player who can play in New Orleans Saints jersey
every position. He has played for Valencia in the Champions League for many years.
"But the Premier League is different and every player needs one or two months to understand English football."

Portsmouth told to pay Spurs Begovic compensation

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LONDON (AP)—The Premier League says Portsmouth must pay Tottenham 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) following the aborted transfer of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
When the clubs agreed a fee for defender Younes Kaboul to nfl jersey
join Spurs in January, they also agreed that Portsmouth would have to pay Tottenham compensation if Begovic—whose planned move to White Hart Lane later collapsed — left Pompey for another team.
Begovic eventually moved to Stoke but Portsmouth then went into administration and has since disputed whether it still owes Tottenham compensation.
The Premier League says Portsmouth, which is now in the League Championship, is obliged to pay 1 million pounds.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)—New Serbia coach Vladimir Petrovic says he will keep most of the key players used by his predecessor, Radomir Antic, although he also plans to introduce a few new ones.
Petrovic was presented on Friday, two days after Antic was fired.
Petrovic’s first game in charge is the European Championship qualifier against Estonia on Oct. 8. Four days later Serbia plays in Italy.
Serbia has four points from its first two qualifying matches.
BERLIN, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Freiburg’s Jan Rosenthal scored in the 89th minute to earn a 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt and lift his side to third spot in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Freiburg, enjoying their best ever start with three straight wins Saints jersey
from four games, have moved on to nine points with leaders Hoffenheim and Mainz, who have a better goal difference.
The visitors missed an early chance through Papiss Cisse and remained a threat with their swift counter-attacks although substitute goalkeeper Oliver Baumann had to come to the rescue to deny Frankfurt’s Patrick Ochs and Caio in the second half.
Freiburg snatched the winner a minute from time, with the hosts complaining Maximilian Nicu was off side when he set up new signing Rosenthal, who slotted home from inside the box.
Hoffenheim visit Kaiserslautern and Mainz play at Werder Bremen on Saturday when champions Bayern Munich, in 11th place with four points from three games, host Cologne.
SAO PAULO (AP)—Brazil coach Mano Menezes says there is reason to worry about the recent problems of young striker Neymar.
Neymar was fined and issued a public apology on Thursday after cursing and offending his teammates and his Santos coach after not being allowed to take a penalty kick in a Brazilian league match a day earlier.
Menezes has told Globo TV that his first reaction to what happened is of “preoccupation.”
The coach says it isn’t the first time Neymar has been San Diego Chargers jersey
behaving badly on the field and that he needs to start changing his attitude.
The 18-year-old Neymar played his first match for Brazil last month, scoring in a 2-0 win in a friendly against the United States in New Jersey.

2010年9月18日星期六

Dallas linemen Colombo, Kosier back at practice

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IRVING, Texas (AP)—For the first time in a month, Tony Romo(notes) took snaps behind the guys he’s counting on to be the front wall of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense.
He may get to do it Sunday, too.
Right tackle Marc Colombo(notes) and left guard Kyle Kosier(notes) returned to practice Wednesday for the cheap nfl jerseys
first time being lost to knee injuries during training camp. Barring any setbacks, they’ll be in the lineup for the home opener against the Chicago Bears.
“They’ve both had injuries before, so they know how you come back from them,” line coach Hudson Houck said. “Many times, you’re a little cautious if it’s your first injury. I think they’ll be fine.”
Just as important, their return would send fill-ins Alex Barron(notes) and Montrae Holland(notes) to the bench.
Barron had three holding penalties against the Redskins—including the final play, wiping out a potential game-winning touchdown catch and costing Dallas the game. Holland wasn’t as much of a liability, but the presence of two backups sure seemed to affect Dallas’ play-calling.
With Romo mostly taking quick drop-backs and throwing short passes, the Cowboys racked up 380 yards but scored just one touchdown in a 13-7 loss.
“Certainly having Kosier and Colombo, guys who have been starters for us for the last three years, back in the lineup will help,” offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said. “We’ll see how they do in practice, but the other guys have to be ready to go.”
Indeed, Barron and Holland took some snaps with the first team just in case.
Barron also worked on cleaning up his technique. Sloppy form is what led to him to keep grabbing at Redskins to try keeping them off Romo.
“We’ve identified the issue,” Houck said. “I think that’s the important thing. We know how to correct it. … It’s all technique. It’s not athletic ability, it’s not want-to, it’s not preparation. Some of the issues are how he sets and what he does. We’ll address it; we’ve got the answer. We’ve just got to get it now where it’s a habit.”
The St. Louis Rams gave up on Barron this offseason, sending him to Dallas for a backup linebacker they ended up cutting. Penalties were part of the reason they dumped Barron.
He was flagged for holding seven times last season, tied for the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
most in the league. They were accepted five times for 50 yards, both of which were also tied for most in the league. He was penalized five more times for false starts.
He’s leading the pack in holding penalties this season. Nobody else even had two, much less three.
“You never want to have a game or plays like that, being that the game could have been won,” Barron said. “It was one of those things you got to deal with and look at the tape and talk about a couple of things to work on and work on those things and get better.”
Colombo practiced with braces on both his knees, the left one that was torn up early in his career and the right one, which was operated on last month. Doctors removed several fragments that had become troublesome, some likely floating around for years.
He initially was expected to be back by the opener, but wasn’t even cleared to practice until this week.
“The guy is as mentally tough as any guy I’ve ever been around,” said Houck, whose NFL coaching career dates to 1983. “I anticipate that he’ll be better than ever. All these loose parts he had in his knee, he’s had in there for quite some time, so it’s been bothering him. Now, it’s clean out there. The only thing now is the incision. That’s sealed up and ready to go.”
The Cowboys like running behind Colombo’s bulldozing blocks. They also like the attitude he brings. They’ve been missing him for eight straight regular-season games as he missed seven last year because of a broken leg and a high ankle sprain. (His replacement then, Doug Free(notes), now starts at left tackle.)
“Marc Colombo has been a consistent player for us,” coach Wade Phillips said. “I think you get the same thing, day in, day out all the time and that same thing is very good. He
Kosier sprained his knee two days after Colombo was hurt. He Dallas Cowboys jersey
was expected to miss up to three games, so he’s actually back a little early.
His value is best judged by Dallas’ record when he plays (36-15) and when he doesn’t (6-8).

I felt like I battled, I fought, I had that instinct and desire to win

Cowboys jersey
It was a tough start to the season for the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.
After both teams saw their starting quarterbacks knocked out of football jersey
action in Week 1 losses, the Eagles visit the Lions on Sunday.
Philadelphia lost Kevin Kolb(notes) to a concussion during its 27-20 home defeat to Green Bay last Sunday, and the Lions will be without Matthew Stafford(notes) as he recovers from an injured shoulder suffered in their controversial 19-14 loss at Chicago.
Kolb remains a possibility for Sunday but hasn’t passed a necessary concussion test, and coach Andy Reid is unsure as to when his quarterback will return to action.
“Listen, I’m going to listen to the experts and I’m going to follow what the protocol is here and that’s how I’m going about it,” Reid told the Eagles’ official website.
With Kolb on the sidelines, Michael Vick(notes) stepped in with a performance reminiscent of his days with Atlanta. He was 16 of 24 for 175 yards with a touchdown and added 103 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
“I felt like I battled, I fought, I had that instinct and desire to win. I had that old feel,” Vick said. “… I feel like if I had been out there for four quarters, maybe we would’ve had a chance to win the game.”
He connected on a 17-yard score to Jeremy Maclin(notes) in the fourth quarter.
“I thought Michael was phenomenal,” Reid said. “He brought the team back, he kept his poise.”
Philadelphia sustained three other significant injures to middle linebacker Stewart Bradley(notes), center Jamaal Jackson(notes) and fullback Leonard Weaver(notes). Bradley’s status is unknown after suffering a concussion, while Jackson and Weaver were placed on injured reserve.
“Those are two good football players,” Reid said regarding Jackson and Weaver. “… It breaks your heart to see either one of them (go down).”
While Stafford doesn’t need surgery, his unavailability comes as another huge blow for the Lions, who Minnesota Vikings jersey
thought they had beaten the Bears last Sunday.
With Detroit trailing 19-14 and 31 seconds left in the game, Shaun Hill(notes) threw the ball up to Calvin Johnson(notes), who grabbed it and got two feet down in the end zone for what seemed to be the winning touchdown.
However, it was ruled that Johnson failed to maintain possession of the ball throughout the entire process of the catch.
“I found out after I sprinted halfway across the field that it didn’t count,” Johnson said. “It is what it is, and now it’s over.”
Despite the loss, the Lions are confident with Hill under center. He went 9 for 19 for 88 yards with an interception last weekend.
“He’s a veteran quarterback - he’s been around a long time, he knows how to prepare, he knows how to be ready for those situations, he’s been in that role before,” coach Jim Schwartz said.
Hill was 10-6 as a starter for San Fransisco from 2007-2009 and is eager to show that he can get the job done.
“Everybody plays this game to actually play it, not just to practice,” Hill said. “So I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
Jahvid Best(notes) made his NFL debut last week after the Lions selected him with the Indianapolis Colts jersey
No. 30 overall pick in April. He carried the ball 14 times for 20 yards with two touchdowns and caught five passes for 16 yards.
Including playoffs, the Eagles have won five straight against the Lions, with four of the meetings coming in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 30-13 in their last visit to Detroit in 2004.

2010年9月17日星期五

Bruce delighted by Gyan-Bent strike partnership

Indianapolis Colts jersey

The pair played their first 45 minutes together at Wigan on Saturday as Bruce sent on his £13 million-plus latest acquisition as a second-half substitute alongside the man who plundered 25 goals in his first season on Wearside.
The Ghana international marked his debut with a 66th-minute strike which might have proved the winner, only for Antolin Alcaraz to snatch a point at the death.
Gyan could get his first start at home to Arsenal this weekend, and football jersey
Bruce is delighted to have got his hands on a man he believes can prove the perfect foil for Bent.
The manager freely admits the club relied too heavily on the former Tottenham frontman, for whom he paid an initial £10 million last summer, during his first campaign at the Stadium of Light, and has now invested heavily to provide him with support.
"We have brought in another guy to give him a hand," Bruce said. "It looks a very fruitful partnership, I hope, but certainly Darren has contributed massively over the last 12 months.
"Since he walked through the door, he has scored goal after goal. We have had the privilege of watching him now over 12 months and he is a natural goalscorer.''
Bent spent much of Indianapolis Colts jersey
last season playing alongside Kenwyne Jones, although when Stoke came calling with an £8 million bid this summer, Bruce decided the time was right to sell the Trinidad and Tobago international.
There was growing disquiet around the city as the transfer window entered its final few days with no replacement having arrived, and concern mounted when Fraizer Campbell, who had started the season alongside the former Ipswich and Charlton man, succumbed to a serious knee injury.
However, Bruce finally pushed home his long-term interest in Gyan, a player he had followed since his time as Birmingham boss, just minutes ahead of the deadline.
But while the newcomer has understandably attracted much of the attention since, Bent has quietly gone about the business of enhancing his reputation further.
Four goals in as many games at the start of the new campaign won the 26-year-old a place in the England squad for the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
He got his chance as a 70th-minute replacement for the injured Jermain Defoe in Basel and 18 minutes later, fired home a first senior goal for his country in a 3-1 victory.
Bruce was delighted for a player whose international claims he backed all last season, and with Defoe facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with damaged ankle ligaments, he is urging him to stake his claim after being left out of the squad for the ill-fated World Cup campaign in Dallas Cowboys jersey
South Africa.
"Darren could easily have sulked and gone away and moped, but he has come back and made sure he has given himself every opportunity again, which is terrific," Bruce said. "Now with Jermain Defoe missing, maybe it might be his chance.''

Bolton appeal over Cahill dismissal rejected

Indianapolis Colts jersey

Bolton defender Gary Cahill's appeal for wrongful dismissal following his sending off during the 4-1 defeat by Arsenal on September 11 has been rejected, the Football Association have confirmed.
Cahill, 24, challenged his dismissal by referee Stuart Attwell nfl jersey
for a 64th-minute challenge from behind on striker Marouane Chamakh, but the appeal has been thrown out.
A statement on the FA website read: ''At a Minnesota Vikings jersey
Regulatory Commission hearing today, a claim for wrongful dismissal from Bolton Wanderers' defender Gary Cahill was dismissed. As a result, Cahill's three match suspension will remain and will be served with immediate effect.''
As a result, Cahill will be forced to sit out of Dallas Cowboys jersey
the upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Burnley and Manchester United.

Delap credits Pulis for Stoke fightback

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Pulis travelled back from south Wales after spending the day with family following the death of his mother earlier in the day, arriving just after kick-off.
However, he did not take his place on the touchline until the second half, when his nfl jerseys
side were already losing, but witnessed a character-filled comeback with goals inside the last 10 minutes from home debutant Kenwyne Jones and Robert Huth.
"I thought he'd have to come and have his say," Delap told Radio Five Live. "I don't think anyone was too surprised he turned up because everyone knows the character of the man.
"We should be able to do without him but great credit to him for Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
turning up. I think the half-time talk was what we needed.
"That's why these people are successful managers. He knows when to say the right things and what to say and that was the case last night. I think it showed he proved his point in the way we played in the second half.''
"He's not the first to give the lads a lashing at half-time and he won't be the last. Sometimes it's the kick up the backside you need. He swore a lot but he always does - and he's not called me anything I've not heard before.''
The victory gave Stoke their first points of Dallas Cowboys jersey
the season and former Republic of Ireland international Delap believes the result was significant.
"It was a must-win game - I think that's probably a big reason why he (Pulis) turned up and came into the dressing room at half-time," Delap said. "I think in the end we deserved the win - it should kick our season off now.''

2010年9月15日星期三

La Liga: Malaga beat Zaragoza in eight-goal thriller

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Malaga stunned Real Zaragoza with a five-goal blitz in the opening 34 minutes of Sunday's game at La Romareda before withstanding a spirited fightback to claim their first win of the season.

Malaga looked to be underdogs heading into football jersey
the match having lost 3-1 at home to Valencia in their opening fixture and missing eight players through injury, but they could hardly have had a better start.
Fernando Fernandez and Juanmi put the Andalusian side 2-0 up in the opening seven minutes, before the same two players then notched their second goals inside 60 seconds of each other to make it 4-0 with just 28 minutes on the clock.
Former Arsenal player Owusu-Abeyie then made it 5-0 himself six minutes later, capitalising on an error from Jiri Jarosik on the halfway line to race away and slot home.
But to their credit hosts Zaragoza did not give up and they pulled a goal back before the break through Brazilian World Cup winner Edmilson, who curled a low 25-yard shot just inside the corner
Zaragoza then caused some consternation in the visiting side's ranks by netting twice more in the second half through Marco Perez and Ander Herrera, but they could make no further in-roads in the closing stages as Malaga held on to give new coach Jesualdo Ferreira his first victory.
Giuseppe Rossi bagged a brace as Villarreal thrashed sorry Espanyol 4-0 at El Madrigal.
Rossi gave the Yellow Submarine the lead midway through the first Minnesota Vikings jersey
half and added his second 10 minutes into the second period from the penalty spot. By that time, Villarreal were already two up thanks to Borja Valero's strike after 31 minutes.
Nilmar, restored to the starting line-up after starting on the bench on the opening weekend, added a fourth late on and hit the post in the last minute as Villarreal overwhelmed their Catalan visitors.
Goalkeeper Manu played a starring role as Deportivo La Coruna somehow held firm for a goalless draw with Sevilla.
The 24-year-old prevailed in a running battle with striker Alvaro Negredo and also made brilliant saves to deny Martin Caceres and Diego Perotti.
And the away team could even have pinched all three points had Alberto Lopo not missed the best chance of the game in the second half.
Sporting Gijon beat Real Mallorca 2-0 at El Molinon on Sunday evening to seal their first win of the new Primera Division campaign.
Having began the season with a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, the Asturians showed they are a completely different side at home, running out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Alberto Botia and Diego Castro.
Getafe bounced back from their defeat to Espanyol by comfortably winning 4-1 against troubled Levante.
The home side needed just five minutes to take the lead Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
when Jaime Gavilan headed in Dani Parejo's cross, and it was 2-0 in the 11th minute when Adrian Colunga drilled in a low left-footed shot.
Raja Jorda pulled a goal back but Getafe struck twice in injury time at the end of the game through Gavilan and Javier Arizmendi.

Herculean feats

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Lots of stuff is improbable, but never forget that it's possible. The last time Barcelona met Hercules in the Camp Nou was during the Alicante side's last one-season stay in the top flight in 1996, and the visitors pulled off a 3-2 win. Pep Guardiola was playing that evening, and scored an own goal. Bad karma, it would seem. But the only people who put this Saturday's encounter down as a '2' on the quiniela were either Hercules fans or anonymous grannies having a flutter.
But let's not be granny-ist. Someone is laughing all the way to the bank this Monday, but it's unlikely to be a Catalan or ESPNsoccernet's own Eduardo Alvarez. The shock 2-0 result on Saturday night at the Camp Nou has come as something of nfl jerseys
a boon to those who saw this season as an inevitable romp of the big two. Then again, Real Madrid's draw in their opening game at Mallorca a fortnight ago had the media promising doom and gloom for them too, and don't forget that Barcelona kicked off their incredible trophy-laden season in 2008-09 with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the mighty Numancia. In short, it might not mean very much at all, just as long as the Champions league fixture at home to Panathinaikos on Tuesday night goes to plan. Should things go awry at that game, the rumblings may begin. What would they consist of?
Well, Pep Guardiola's caution at only signing a one-year deal was a clear vote of suspicion towards his new president, Sandro Rosell. The gesture was Guardiola's prerogative, but it may have unsettled some of the players, who were hoping to see a settled horizon for themselves at the club. The old guard need not fear under any circumstances, but there are plenty of younger players at the Camp Nou who might not fit a new system and a new philosophy. Some of the less loved have already departed, and two of them, Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will definitely not be missed. But the very purchase of the latter last summer points to a weakness in the great man's thinking, which he readily admitted last Friday when baring all to the press. Guardiola has developed a habit recently of admitting he's wrong, of making no excuses and of coming over as Mr Honesty, instead of Mr Bluff-it-out, the usual pose of many Spanish managers. But it's beginning to wear a bit thin. As my mate once said to his annoying 14 year-old son, who had just thwacked his brother and then apologised, "Look - why don't you just try to do things properly, and then you wouldn't need to apologise?"
This fits the Hercules game rather well, because it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the defeated manager underestimated the opposition. Xavi, Pedro, Dani Alves, Sergio Busquets and Carles Puyol were all left on the bench, most of them presumably being rested for the Panathinaikos game. This decision might have been welcomed had they won the game, since eight of Barcelona's players were involved in Spain's recent friendly in Argentina - a long haul at this stage of the season. However, with the home side a goal down at half-time, the surprise debutant Javi Mascherano and the fitful Bojan were substituted for Xavi and Pedro, a decision that can only eat at the discarded players' confidence. Mascherano will probably understand the switch, but since he'd only trained four times with his new mates up to that point, his original inclusion was rather questionable, particularly considering that his virtues reside in his defensive characteristics. With Seydou Keita in the middle for company, the normally frisky midfield was reduced to something of a splutter. Hercules did everything right, the pitch surface was terrible, and in the second half Barcelona actually played worse, escaping a heavier defeat.
Hercules are from Alicante, and have been around since 1914. They were given their rather curious name from the start, as if the association might rub off - but it rarely has. Their best finish was fifth in the top flight in 1975, but since then they have spent most of their time in the second division. They are not entirely of minnow status, however, to which their 19 accumulated seasons in the first division attest, but neither are they entirely welcome guests this season at the banqueting table of the elite.
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a telephone call last season which seems to point to a €100,000 pay-off to Cordoba's goalie, Raul Navas, to throw the game against them (Hercules won 4-0) so that the Alicante outfit could be assured of promotion, finishing in second place to champions Real Sociedad. Hercules' main shareholder, Enrique Ortiz, actually says in the phone call: ''I paid him a hundred grand''. Ah - many things are improbable, but all things are possible. Maybe Enrique had a dream, or was being poetic, metaphorical even. Who knows? Anyway, let's not spoil his weekend. His team has just pulled off a Herculazo, the Madrid press's newly-minted phrase for what they hope will be a confidence-killer for the Catalans.
Hercules' two goals were scored by Nelson Valdez, who put them both past Victor Valdes. That's a good one for trivia merchants, almost as good as 'Forfar 5, East Fife 4'. Try saying that one after half a bottle of Rioja. Incidentally, my wife commented during the Spain v Paraguay World Cup match: ''Who's that guy who looks like Patrick Swayze?'' Step forward Nelson Valdez. Not quite Dirty Dancing, but his little two-step on Saturday night looks full of a season's promise.
Betis, who finished fourth in last season's second division race, and who have themselves been accused in the past of dodgy behaviour similar to that of Hercules, are now frothing with (un)righteous indignation whilst, at the coal-face, the miners continue to dig. Life goes on, and the case will probably end up like all the previous ones, buried under a mound of legal injunctions and impossible bureaucracy, until everyone decides to forget about it. It's the Spanish way, and we've come to expect nothing less.
Real Madrid almost failed to take advantage of their rivals' slip-up, beating an inoffensive Osasuna side managed by the formerly very offensive Jose Antonio Camacho. The old warhorse and Mourinho lieutenant Ricardo Carvalho showed the stuttering Madrid forwards the way, scoring a home debut winner in the second half with a pass from his Portuguese team-mate CR7. Ronaldo seemed weighed down by hair-gel and early-season expectation, and had it not been for the excellent Mesut Ozil (who needs Kaka?), the whistles of impatience might have been more voluminous from the Bernabeu faithful. In short, a team still in transition - or is that a permanent state of affairs at Real Madrid these days? Let's talk about them next week. They don't quite merit analysis just yet. They also host Ajax on Wednesday, which might have some bearing on the state of Bernabeu affairs by next weekend.
Over on the other side of Madrid, however, all is euphoria. Atletico can seem to do no wrong at the moment. Diego Forlan is in the zone, several players have come out publicly to praise Doctor House Quique Sanchez Flores, with Forlan himself coming out with the season's understatement so far. ''Things were a bit of a mess until Quique arrived,'' he announced last week, with something approaching diplomacy. Now they sit top of the pile, six out of six, level on points with Valencia and rubbing their hands in anticipation at next weekend's humdinger in the Calderon - at home to Barcelona. This fixture usually produces great matches, and next weekend's little clash could hardly have come at a more propitious moment, depending on which side of the fence you sit, of course.
With Real Madrid facing a tricky one away to newly-promoted Real Sociedad (exclusive in-the-stadium report coming your way next week), the two pace-setters could see themselves pulling away at this ridiculously early stage. However, it should be noted that Valencia played appallingly at home to Racing Santander, and the fact that they still managed to win (1-0) might say more about the visitors than them, but they also have to face a midweek Champions League game - with a trip to Turkey - and their Herculean hosts next weekend should be ready to carry on the good work.
Last but not least, the pride of the weekend's place goes to Malaga, who were 5-0 to the good after 34 minutes of their away fixture at Zaragoza. The home side made a game of it in the second half, with three goals of their own, but it looks as if Malaga might surprise a few Dallas Cowboys jersey
people this season, particularly with the financial whack of the Qatari royal family behind them. If they can keep their new owner impressed until the Christmas sales, Mr Al-Thani may open his wallet further and bring them some interesting reinforcements in the New Year. Spain's new Man City? Watch this space.

2010年9月13日星期一

Jaguars place WR Dillard on I.R.

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The Jaguars placed WR Jarett Dillard(notes) on injured reserve Saturday, ending the season for the second-year player before it even began.
Dillard hurt his foot in training camp, and it was identified as nfl jersey
a stress fracture. He was expected to miss Indianapolis Colts jersey
only the early part of the regular season, but the injury was slow to heal and the team decided to place him on I.R.
Taken in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, Dillard played in seven games a year ago, catching six passes for 106 yards. As a colligate player at Rice, Dillard was an Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2008.
To fill the roster spot, Jacksonville signed Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
WR John Matthews(notes) from its practice squad. During the preseason, the undrafted rookie from the University of San Diego had eight receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Vernon Davis cashes in with 49ers

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Vernon Davis(notes) was next in line for a new contract with the San Francisco 49ers after linebacker Patrick Willis(notes) cashed in.
Davis does not have to wait any longer. The nfl throwback jerseys
Pro Bowl tight end was rewarded on the eve of the start of the Niners’ season at Sunday in Seattle as he received a five-year contract extension.
The new deal will make Davis the highest-paid Minnesota Vikings jersey
tight end in the NFL, vaulting him just ahead of Antonio Gates(notes) of the San Diego Chargers, according to NFL.com.
Gates’ deal is worth $37 million and he will receive $23 million guaranteed, the number that really matter. This is the final year of the rookie contract Davis received and now he is under contract through 2015.
Davis had a breakout season as Alex Smith’s Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
favorite target last season when he caught 78 passes for 965 yards to go with 13 touchdowns.

Jaguars continue building foundation for O-line

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The Jaguars' decision to reward ORG Uche Nwaneri(notes) with a five-year, $24 million contract extension last week came as a surprise to some around the league. The versatile Nwaneri can play both guard and center, and has the ability to overpower defenders at times, but he's football jerseys
still developing, the way we hear it. The deal, Indianapolis Colts jersey
which includes $8 million to $9 million in guaranteed money, is far greater than the typical amount the Jaguars typically pay guards, but the club thinks that Nwaneri will continue to build on a strong 2009 campaign. It also helps secure three-fifths of its offensive line — '09 first- and second-rounders OLT Eugene Monroe(notes) and Eben Britton(notes) are signed through 2013 and ’12, respectively. Daily team Dallas Cowboys jersey
observers tell PFW that both young tackles appear poised for greatness — Monroe, in particular, having shed 30 pounds from his rookie season, appears much quicker and looks to have a better understanding of the offense.

2010年9月11日星期六

Milan were favourites in Istanbul too, goads Benitez

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MILAN, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez has hit back at speculation big-spending AC Milan may now be stronger than last season’s treble winners, reminding the Rossoneri about his hand in one of their darkest ever days.
Benitez was Liverpool boss in the 2005 European Cup final when the Premier League side came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 and win the Istanbul final on penalties.
“Football has changed a bit. This week I have heard it said football jerseys
that the Rossoneri are favourites to win everything,” a smirking Benitez, who succeeded new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho at Inter in the close season, told a news conference.
“They said the same in Istanbul when I faced the Rossoneri with Liverpool. They said it until the end of the first half of that match, but then something changed.”
A lacklustre Inter drew 0-0 at Bologna in the first game of their Serie A title defence before the international break robbed Benitez of time to work with his players.
The European champions, who decided not to buy in the transfer Minnesota Vikings jersey
window against Benitez’s wishes, host Udinese in Serie A on Saturday when right back Maicon is again an injury doubt.
Milan also play on Saturday because of next week’s Champions League commitments but coach Massimiliano Allegri doubted he would play both new forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho from the start at promoted Cesena.
“Ibrahimovic is fit and will play from the first minute,” he said of Indianapolis Colts jersey
the Swede who will lead his three-man attack. “Robinho could be a substitute for Ronaldinho or Alexandre Pato.”
Both coaches were trying to get on with business as normal despite Serie A players announcing a strike on Friday for a fortnight’s time in a collective contract dispute.

Houllier’s start date with Villa delaye

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LONDON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Gerard Houllier will have to wait two weeks before officially taking charge at Aston Villa because he is still to agree a release date from his role with the French Football Federation.
The 63-year-old former Liverpool manager met the media for nfl jerseys
the first time since being named as Martin O’Neill’s replacement on Friday but will not be in charge for Monday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City, Villa’s website said.
Houllier’s first match in charge is likely to be the League Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers on Sept 22.
Kevin MacDonald, who has been managing team affairs since Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
O’Neill’s shock resignation on the eve of the new season, will remain in charge until Houllier begins his duties.
MacDonald has ruled out becoming Houllier’s assistant and is expected to revert to his former post as reserve team coach.
“I am working on naming an assistant manager,” Houllier told a news conference on Friday.
“Joint management doesn’t work, but in some capacity as assistant manager he would have been helpful. He could also have maybe learnt the trade and, who knows, taken over from me.
“But I understand his decision, he’s a nice bloke so Indianapolis Colts jersey
I won’t hurt him—I told him I’d like him to stay at the club.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Justin Palmer;

Painful memories, high security for Rangers in Manchester

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MANCHESTER, England, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Police will beef up security for next week’s Champions League match between Manchester United and Rangers with some residents fearing a repeat of the violence that shook the English city in 2008.
The UEFA Cup final between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg in cheap nfl jerseys
Manchester two years ago is best remembered for the scenes of rioting and mounds of rubbish in the city centre.
“That still does evoke some very painful memories for people in Greater Manchester and for genuine Rangers fans,” assistant chief constable Ian Hopkins told Reuters on Friday outside the Greater Manchester Police headquarters near Old Trafford.
“This is a very different set of circumstances, a Champions League group stage match, it’s the first one, it is not a European cup final. There were estimates of up to 150,000 here (in 2008), we are not looking at anything like those numbers.”
He said there would be an extra 250 officers on duty on Tuesday and that police were hoping to encourage off-licenses to close at midday to try to stop fans drinking excessively.
Rangers fans with tickets will be taken to Wigan Athletic’s ground before the game and will only be given their match tickets on the bus from there to Old Trafford.
Police said the measures were aimed at reassuring locals and fans but some residents were not convinced there would not be more trouble, which in 2008 followed the power failure of a big screen in the city centre shortly after kickoff.
“I expect the place will get trashed,” said Micah Purnell, who Dallas Cowboys jersey
works in a restaurant overlooking Piccadilly Gardens, where the lush grass became a sea of bottles and cans two years ago.
“It smelled of urine and beer for three days, everywhere within 500 metres of Piccadilly Gardens.”
Colleague Natalie Fox agreed, saying: “I’m hoping I’m not working. Last time there was nearly a fight in the restaurant. People came in like zombies, they were so drunk. I came in at 5pm and an hour later I was out the building, it was that bad.”
Rangers supporters clubs, who see the match as a chance to put the events of 2008 behind them, have advised ticketless fans to stay at home since there will be no big screens to watch the game on but also warned against police heavy-handedness.
“I think it’s a bit draconian,” John Macmillan, general secretary of Indianapolis Colts jersey
the Rangers Supporters Association, said of the policing plans. “It’s unfortunate that this has to happen but I have sympathy for both points of view.
“If there is any trouble here again then Rangers could be in serious danger of being heavily punished by UEFA and that is something the club just cannot afford to happen.”