LaRussa also dismissed the MLB jerseys notion that the 29-year-old left fielder is only a "National League player."
"I'd love to tell you he is, so half the teams would be out of the running," said LaRussa. "But there are no restrictions to his game."
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon just finished meeting with the media. He didn't address the Halladay talk (Doc is under contract after all), but says his team needs include, no surprise here, their bullpen. The affable Maddon also raved about Granderson being a real good fit with the Bronx Bombers. Tony LaRussa and Brad Mills are heading to podiums now. Going to go hear if St. Louis's skip will answer any questions related to Mr. Halladay.
A day after Terry Francona said he'd "back off" when it came to reaching out to Jason Bay as he goes through perhaps the most important and lucrative contract of his big league career, Tony LaRussa insinuated the same with one of the prized targets of these winter meetings -- Matt Holliday.
"It's a common sense thing," the veteran manager said, with a group of two dozen reporters around him at the Indianapolis Marriott, about 10 minutes ago. "The player will be looking for some input. Matt spent some time with us. He went through a pennant drive, played October baseball and has a real good feel of what we're about. He's talked to all of us and his teammates. It's less necessary (to have dialogue with him now) if he's been a teammate. It's different if he's not been with your club."
Just after 4 p.m.
(If there is a missing part to a three-way deal that may stop a deal, how does he approach it?) Tell me who I need to go out and get. Trying to get what you want and help the other team as well. Ideally not a three-way deal.
(The three team deal) won't change a whole lot.
We are specific in our wants and needs. What NY's are aren't the same as ours.
How does each passing day alter the dynamic?
Anthopoulos: We've talked about how landscape changes and how the value of a trade can alter the longer time passes. May move sooner rather than later. Certain players their value doesn't change. Our job is to be on top of market.
In some capacity you talk to 29 teams. There are a healthy number of teams that have had an interest in a certain player. We have five or six (Blue Jays players) who have repeated interest from other teams.
We've ranked different trade scenarios and asking what makes the most sense. There has been heated debate. You're trying to balance a lot of scenarios.
I've talked to Paul (Beeston) at end of each day. Cito (Gaston) arrived (Tuesday) and we spoke.
How have the conversations been with other teams?
Anthopoulos: With certain teams there is numerous dialogue. Offers have been thrown back and forth, but nothing close, nothing imminent. In theory there is (a trade offer), but not really.
When you get to this point, you're past talking concepts, you're talking players.
We're moving along at the right pace. Some dates are fast approaching that (change dynamic), like the tender.
Have you had a focus on free agents?
Anthopoulos: Tough to give percentage, but always aware of it. Behind the plate more than anything. The values don't line up with us with the market.
We have tried to sign certain free agents. We haven't been able to come to terms with them. No offers as of now because prior offers are off the table.
What percentage of teams are interested in the signature player (Halladay)?
Every team that I've talked with any team with about a trade hasn't said they're no longer interested.
I'm actively working on as many things as I can
Eastern a group of Toronto writers and I had a chance to visit with Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos for about 30 minutes in a downtown hotel room here in Indianapolis. The rookie GM is still battling a cold, not to mention 29 other general managers who are after baseball's top prize in these winter meetings – Roy Halladay. I took some notes on my Blackberry as he spoke and here are the critical points the native Montrealer had to offer in his chat:
On the three-team NY/Detroit/Arizona trade and how it may impact the Jays:
Anthopoulos: Every time you have dialogue things change. Structurally a lot of what we talked about is similar. Just some tweaks.
2010年5月15日星期六
2010年5月13日星期四
Look close
The Rays are providing the blue print of World Cup Soccer Jersey where the Blue Jays would like to be in the next three-to-five years. Here is a franchise that was at the bottom of the barrel for the first 10 years of their existence, never losing fewer than 91 games while playing in front of a dwindling fan base. Sound familiar except for losing part?
The only upside to all that losing was that the Rays were constantly drafting near the top of the first round in the June draft. That allowed them to stockpile their farm system with some players that are now prime-time players on their Major League roster. David Price, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Jeff Niemann have all arrived good to go and are major contributors.
They also drafted Delmon Young first overall in 2003 and when it became apparent that he couldn’t play for Joe Maddon, he was sent off to the Twins for Matt Garza, currently one of the top starters in the Majors, and shortstop Jason Bartlett, their lead-off hitter.
By adding talent of this depth and character, the Rays have been able to go from bad to very good in short order.
Now I realize that is two years away and, judging by the way that fans have turned their back on this team, it seems like a long time. But look at it this way: two years before the Jays won their first A.L. East title in 1985, the team made its first strides from an expansion squad to a bonafide contender. They finished above .500 for the first thanks to a core of players – George Bell, Jesse Barfield, Tony Fernandez, Dave Stieb and Lloyd Moseby – that grew up together. Veterans were brought in to finish off the product from outside the organization. I can’t help but think that they are trying to use the same blueprint this time around, with an eye on what the Rays did to become one of the top teams after a decade of bad baseball.
The Jays flew into the Tampa area after finishing their opening, 10-game homestand of the season. They went 4-6, splitting a four-game series with the White Sox, were swept by the perennial playoff contender Angels, and took two of three from the lowly Royals.
The pitching provided many of the highlights, while Vernon Wells, Alex Gonzalez and Adam Lind provided much of the production as the offence remains stuck in neutral.
Now, it’s off to St. Petersburg for the weekend, a place where they haven’t enjoyed much success. Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays took eight of nine from the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, and Toronto has won only three out of 20 going back to September of 2007. This will provide the first real test for a team that is still finding its’ way and trying to win back their apathetic fans.
This is exactly what the Blue Jays are hoping will happen as they try to rebuild their franchise. With 10 picks in the first 126 choices this June, and $16 million allotted to sign those picks, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and his army of scouts should be able to get their hands on some top notch talent to expedite the rebuild. Coupled with the prospects that they received in the Roy Halladay trade with the Phillies, it’s conceivable that they could jump into the playoff picture as early as 2012.
The only upside to all that losing was that the Rays were constantly drafting near the top of the first round in the June draft. That allowed them to stockpile their farm system with some players that are now prime-time players on their Major League roster. David Price, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Jeff Niemann have all arrived good to go and are major contributors.
They also drafted Delmon Young first overall in 2003 and when it became apparent that he couldn’t play for Joe Maddon, he was sent off to the Twins for Matt Garza, currently one of the top starters in the Majors, and shortstop Jason Bartlett, their lead-off hitter.
By adding talent of this depth and character, the Rays have been able to go from bad to very good in short order.
Now I realize that is two years away and, judging by the way that fans have turned their back on this team, it seems like a long time. But look at it this way: two years before the Jays won their first A.L. East title in 1985, the team made its first strides from an expansion squad to a bonafide contender. They finished above .500 for the first thanks to a core of players – George Bell, Jesse Barfield, Tony Fernandez, Dave Stieb and Lloyd Moseby – that grew up together. Veterans were brought in to finish off the product from outside the organization. I can’t help but think that they are trying to use the same blueprint this time around, with an eye on what the Rays did to become one of the top teams after a decade of bad baseball.
The Jays flew into the Tampa area after finishing their opening, 10-game homestand of the season. They went 4-6, splitting a four-game series with the White Sox, were swept by the perennial playoff contender Angels, and took two of three from the lowly Royals.
The pitching provided many of the highlights, while Vernon Wells, Alex Gonzalez and Adam Lind provided much of the production as the offence remains stuck in neutral.
Now, it’s off to St. Petersburg for the weekend, a place where they haven’t enjoyed much success. Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays took eight of nine from the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, and Toronto has won only three out of 20 going back to September of 2007. This will provide the first real test for a team that is still finding its’ way and trying to win back their apathetic fans.
This is exactly what the Blue Jays are hoping will happen as they try to rebuild their franchise. With 10 picks in the first 126 choices this June, and $16 million allotted to sign those picks, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos and his army of scouts should be able to get their hands on some top notch talent to expedite the rebuild. Coupled with the prospects that they received in the Roy Halladay trade with the Phillies, it’s conceivable that they could jump into the playoff picture as early as 2012.
2010年5月11日星期二
From shock to acceptance
We've been down this road so many times, that NFL jerseys all die-hard fans in places like Ottawa and Edmonton have pitchforks and torches at the ready. Pronger, Yashin, Comrie....and now Dany Heatley. We know the drill all too well.
But in case you've never had your favourite superstar leave town, here are the Ten Stages of Emotions you go through as a heartbroken fan. This is written from the perspective of a die-hard Senators fan, but these 10 stages are interchangeable to any city and any situation. Currently, most of the city of Ottawa is caught somewhere between stages 2 - 7.
Stage One: Shock
"I didn't see this coming at all. I'm still recovering from Joe Corvo wanting to leave town two years ago. This can't be true. This must be an E-1 on Hockeybuzz."
Stage Two: Anger
"You know what? Heatley is just a one-dimensional player. A fire hydrant could score 50 next to Spezza. I never really liked the guy from Day One"
You can raise our taxes, close our schools and force us into another federal election and we will react with barely a collective yawn.
But the minute a multi-million dollar athlete wants to leave town, you will see us turn into an angry and organized mob. Hell hath no fury like a small Canadian market scorned.
Stage Three: Shame
"I need to change my ring tone to something other than 'The Heat Is On'. Perhaps "heater--15--rules@yahoo.com" isn't the best e-mail address for me now. And can I delete any Internet posts I made back in October 2007 where I said this was the best signing in franchise history?"
Stage Four: Rumour Mongering
"Did you hear Heatley put his condo up for sale two weeks before the regular season ended? I heard he never actually got along with Jason Spezza. Someone told me they saw Heatley hanging with Joe Thornton last week in California. My friend's cousin is a security guy at Scotiabank Place and he's pretty sure he saw Heatley yelling at Cory Clouston one night after a game. But my cousin does work in the 400-level of the arena, so it might have just been two concession staffers fighting."
Stage Five: Overvaluing Your Star
"Heatley is a rare commodity. Lots of teams need a proven goal scorer. Murray should send Heatley to Vancouver for Luongo and Kesler. We can throw in a late-round pick to even it up....but we should totally make this trade. If not, maybe we can pry Malkin out of Pittsburgh."
You can raise our taxes, close our schools and force us into another federal election and we will react with barely a collective yawn.
But the minute a multi-million dollar athlete wants to leave town, you will see us turn into an angry and organized mob. Hell hath no fury like a small Canadian market scorned
Stage Six: Indifference
"You know what? I don't care what we get back. I just want him gone. Trade him to Vancouver for Jason Jaffrey. Just give me the cap space."
Stage Seven: Impatience
"Tell me when this soap opera ends. I need to start focusing on my fantasy football draft and I only have so much time to waste at work."
Stage Eight: Relief (The Trade Is Made)
"I still think we could have gotten Luongo and Kesler if we had waited an extra week. But I guess I'll wait and see what other moves Murray makes before I judge this trade."
Stage Nine: Anger
"When does Heatley come to town? Can't wait to boo him. Maybe we'll burn his jersey in a show of mass support. Let's all plan to turn our backs on him whenever he has the puck, while singing 'The Heat Is Gone.' (Hopefully, Sens fans have several months to plan something out, because clearly these are lame suggestions.)
Stage Ten: Acceptance and Moving On
"Yeah right. Like this stage ever happens
But in case you've never had your favourite superstar leave town, here are the Ten Stages of Emotions you go through as a heartbroken fan. This is written from the perspective of a die-hard Senators fan, but these 10 stages are interchangeable to any city and any situation. Currently, most of the city of Ottawa is caught somewhere between stages 2 - 7.
Stage One: Shock
"I didn't see this coming at all. I'm still recovering from Joe Corvo wanting to leave town two years ago. This can't be true. This must be an E-1 on Hockeybuzz."
Stage Two: Anger
"You know what? Heatley is just a one-dimensional player. A fire hydrant could score 50 next to Spezza. I never really liked the guy from Day One"
You can raise our taxes, close our schools and force us into another federal election and we will react with barely a collective yawn.
But the minute a multi-million dollar athlete wants to leave town, you will see us turn into an angry and organized mob. Hell hath no fury like a small Canadian market scorned.
Stage Three: Shame
"I need to change my ring tone to something other than 'The Heat Is On'. Perhaps "heater--15--rules@yahoo.com" isn't the best e-mail address for me now. And can I delete any Internet posts I made back in October 2007 where I said this was the best signing in franchise history?"
Stage Four: Rumour Mongering
"Did you hear Heatley put his condo up for sale two weeks before the regular season ended? I heard he never actually got along with Jason Spezza. Someone told me they saw Heatley hanging with Joe Thornton last week in California. My friend's cousin is a security guy at Scotiabank Place and he's pretty sure he saw Heatley yelling at Cory Clouston one night after a game. But my cousin does work in the 400-level of the arena, so it might have just been two concession staffers fighting."
Stage Five: Overvaluing Your Star
"Heatley is a rare commodity. Lots of teams need a proven goal scorer. Murray should send Heatley to Vancouver for Luongo and Kesler. We can throw in a late-round pick to even it up....but we should totally make this trade. If not, maybe we can pry Malkin out of Pittsburgh."
You can raise our taxes, close our schools and force us into another federal election and we will react with barely a collective yawn.
But the minute a multi-million dollar athlete wants to leave town, you will see us turn into an angry and organized mob. Hell hath no fury like a small Canadian market scorned
Stage Six: Indifference
"You know what? I don't care what we get back. I just want him gone. Trade him to Vancouver for Jason Jaffrey. Just give me the cap space."
Stage Seven: Impatience
"Tell me when this soap opera ends. I need to start focusing on my fantasy football draft and I only have so much time to waste at work."
Stage Eight: Relief (The Trade Is Made)
"I still think we could have gotten Luongo and Kesler if we had waited an extra week. But I guess I'll wait and see what other moves Murray makes before I judge this trade."
Stage Nine: Anger
"When does Heatley come to town? Can't wait to boo him. Maybe we'll burn his jersey in a show of mass support. Let's all plan to turn our backs on him whenever he has the puck, while singing 'The Heat Is Gone.' (Hopefully, Sens fans have several months to plan something out, because clearly these are lame suggestions.)
Stage Ten: Acceptance and Moving On
"Yeah right. Like this stage ever happens
Just Dany being Dany
It does seem far-fetched that an athlete would demand a trade and then come back to play for the team he wanted to leave. But it actually happens more frequently than you think. Here are 10 examples of players in recent history who have demanded trades - only to end up right back where they started.
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox: If you Google "Manny Ramirez Red Sox Trade Request", there's a very good chance your computer will seize up within seconds. The Ramirez soap opera seemed like an annual tradition in Boston every December. Ramirez would let it be known that he'd prefer to play elsewhere. But every year, Sox fans seemed to forgive the lovable leftfielder, because he put up big numbers and won World Series. Maybe that's the way we need to treat Heatley in Ottawa if he comes back and scores 50 goals here. Our new catch phrase could be, "That's just Dany being Dany."
Can Dany Heatley return to the Ottawa Senators this fall?
It's looking more and more like it might be the sniper's only legitimate option.
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers: Just two years ago, Bryant asked for a trade out of Los Angeles. He even said he'd rather play on Pluto, than return to the Lakers. Well guess what? Bryant never even left Planet Hollywood in the end. He won a ring last month, shot a documentary with Spike Lee and that trade request is as far back in the rear-view mirror as his night in a Colorado hotel.
Michael Young, Texas Rangers: Would you want a guy named Elvis stealing your job? I'd be pretty embarrassed myself. So when the Rangers informed Young that rookie Elvis Andrus would take his starting position at shortstop this year, he requested a trade in the off-season. Nothing could be worked out, so Young returned to the team this season to a new job at third base. And as of this writing, Young is batting .315 and the Rangers are competitive for the first time since a moustached Juan Gonzalez was patrolling the outfield.
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: Last summer, Anquan Boldin said he felt disrespected by the Cardinals organization and demanded a trade. He even stopped speaking to coach Ken Whisenhunt and made sure everybody in the world knew that he wanted out of Arizona. But cooler heads prevailed in the desert and Boldin ended up with 89 catches and the Cardinals almost won the Super Bowl.
Gary Sheffield, Los Angeles Dodgers: Gary Sheffield has the reputation of being the guy who purposely made errors so the Milwaukee Brewers would trade him. But almost a decade after that, Sheffield got the Dodgers upset by demanding they either give him a contract extension or trade him to the Mets, Yankees or Braves. In the end, the Dodgers did neither and Sheffield returned to the team for the 2001 season, where he batted .311 and hit 36 home runs. Of course, Sheffield did get his wish the following season when he was shipped to Atlanta.
Tony Gonzalez, KC Chiefs: Tony Gonzalez asked the Chiefs to trade him last fall, but the club didn't comply. They refused to move him at the trade deadline and the most productive tight end in NFL history was forced to play the final 10 weeks of the season for a team he didn't want to be a part of. But to Gonzalez's credit - he addressed the team and promised to play his heart out down the stretch. In typical Gonzalez fashion, he finished the season with 96 catches and over 1,000 yards.
Bobby Crosby, Oakland A's: You think only superstars demand trades? I'll bet you were completely unaware that A's shortstop Bobby Crosby asked for a trade a few months ago, after the team picked up Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra. Crosby didn't want to be a back-up shortstop. But the A's were unable to find him a new home, so Crosby returned in spring training. And thanks to injuries to the infield, he's already appeared in more than 60 games this season.
Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles: In a classic case of "I-was-partially-misquoted-in-a-Dominican-newspaper", Tejada asked for a trade out of Baltimore after the 2005 season. But after the Orioles front office got wind of this, Tejada changed his mind before the start of the following season. In hindsight, he probably wanted out of Baltimore because Rafael Palmeiro had just retired and Tejada wasn't sure who to buy his HGH from.
Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: His quote last spring: "I want to be traded before the draft and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible. I don't intend on reporting to anything." So what happened? Johnson changed his name and his mind - as he ended up arriving at training camp and appearing in 13 regular season games with the Bengals.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins: In late November 2000, Jaromir Jagr made it clear that he wanted out of Pittsburgh right away. He went twice to owner Mario Lemieux and asked him for a trade. And both times, Lemieux flatly refused. A few weeks later, Lemieux un-retired and suddenly, Jagr was re-born for the rest of the season and his trade request was completely forgotten. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer and the Pens reached the conference finals. However, the financially-strapped Pens were forced to trade Jagr that NFL jerseys summer to the Washington Capitals.
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox: If you Google "Manny Ramirez Red Sox Trade Request", there's a very good chance your computer will seize up within seconds. The Ramirez soap opera seemed like an annual tradition in Boston every December. Ramirez would let it be known that he'd prefer to play elsewhere. But every year, Sox fans seemed to forgive the lovable leftfielder, because he put up big numbers and won World Series. Maybe that's the way we need to treat Heatley in Ottawa if he comes back and scores 50 goals here. Our new catch phrase could be, "That's just Dany being Dany."
Can Dany Heatley return to the Ottawa Senators this fall?
It's looking more and more like it might be the sniper's only legitimate option.
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers: Just two years ago, Bryant asked for a trade out of Los Angeles. He even said he'd rather play on Pluto, than return to the Lakers. Well guess what? Bryant never even left Planet Hollywood in the end. He won a ring last month, shot a documentary with Spike Lee and that trade request is as far back in the rear-view mirror as his night in a Colorado hotel.
Michael Young, Texas Rangers: Would you want a guy named Elvis stealing your job? I'd be pretty embarrassed myself. So when the Rangers informed Young that rookie Elvis Andrus would take his starting position at shortstop this year, he requested a trade in the off-season. Nothing could be worked out, so Young returned to the team this season to a new job at third base. And as of this writing, Young is batting .315 and the Rangers are competitive for the first time since a moustached Juan Gonzalez was patrolling the outfield.
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: Last summer, Anquan Boldin said he felt disrespected by the Cardinals organization and demanded a trade. He even stopped speaking to coach Ken Whisenhunt and made sure everybody in the world knew that he wanted out of Arizona. But cooler heads prevailed in the desert and Boldin ended up with 89 catches and the Cardinals almost won the Super Bowl.
Gary Sheffield, Los Angeles Dodgers: Gary Sheffield has the reputation of being the guy who purposely made errors so the Milwaukee Brewers would trade him. But almost a decade after that, Sheffield got the Dodgers upset by demanding they either give him a contract extension or trade him to the Mets, Yankees or Braves. In the end, the Dodgers did neither and Sheffield returned to the team for the 2001 season, where he batted .311 and hit 36 home runs. Of course, Sheffield did get his wish the following season when he was shipped to Atlanta.
Tony Gonzalez, KC Chiefs: Tony Gonzalez asked the Chiefs to trade him last fall, but the club didn't comply. They refused to move him at the trade deadline and the most productive tight end in NFL history was forced to play the final 10 weeks of the season for a team he didn't want to be a part of. But to Gonzalez's credit - he addressed the team and promised to play his heart out down the stretch. In typical Gonzalez fashion, he finished the season with 96 catches and over 1,000 yards.
Bobby Crosby, Oakland A's: You think only superstars demand trades? I'll bet you were completely unaware that A's shortstop Bobby Crosby asked for a trade a few months ago, after the team picked up Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra. Crosby didn't want to be a back-up shortstop. But the A's were unable to find him a new home, so Crosby returned in spring training. And thanks to injuries to the infield, he's already appeared in more than 60 games this season.
Miguel Tejada, Baltimore Orioles: In a classic case of "I-was-partially-misquoted-in-a-Dominican-newspaper", Tejada asked for a trade out of Baltimore after the 2005 season. But after the Orioles front office got wind of this, Tejada changed his mind before the start of the following season. In hindsight, he probably wanted out of Baltimore because Rafael Palmeiro had just retired and Tejada wasn't sure who to buy his HGH from.
Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: His quote last spring: "I want to be traded before the draft and if that doesn't happen, I want to be traded as soon as possible. I don't intend on reporting to anything." So what happened? Johnson changed his name and his mind - as he ended up arriving at training camp and appearing in 13 regular season games with the Bengals.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins: In late November 2000, Jaromir Jagr made it clear that he wanted out of Pittsburgh right away. He went twice to owner Mario Lemieux and asked him for a trade. And both times, Lemieux flatly refused. A few weeks later, Lemieux un-retired and suddenly, Jagr was re-born for the rest of the season and his trade request was completely forgotten. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer and the Pens reached the conference finals. However, the financially-strapped Pens were forced to trade Jagr that NFL jerseys summer to the Washington Capitals.
2010年5月10日星期一
US troops killed in Afghanistan and Africa
At a memorial service, he was remembered as a humble son who didn't seek the spotlight and arranged to have flowers sent to 2010 World Cup Jerseys his mother on Mother's Day, even while he was away on duty.
"He didn't need any fame. He didn't need any glory. He didn't like to speak in front of people," said Robert Gardner, who was Aragon's bishop in his ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 2008, Aragon graduated from Mountain View High School in Orem and immediately enlisted in the Marine Reserves.
"He helped me to be a better man, a better husband, a better father and a better friend," Halliday said. "And he did it by example."
___
Navy Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown
Friends say Adam Brown was a devoted man of faith who had a "full-throttle" personality, worked hard and fought for the little guy.
Brown "poured his soul into getting the most out of life," said friend Heath Vance.
Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Buschmann said Brown was the toughest and most selfless person he'd ever met.
The 36-year-old from Hot Springs, Ark., died March 18 in Afghanistan while trying to protect his comrades, according to his team leader, Chief Special Warfare Operator John Faas.
Brown graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy, Ark., in 1992, enlisted in the Navy six years later and joined the SEALs in 2001. He was assigned to a team based in Virginia Beach, Va., and was starting his eighth deployment.
Brown's loss of one eye and the near-amputation of the fingers on one hand were among several injuries he overcame during a military career in which he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
"We miss your smile and your crazy eye," Faas said at Brown's memorial. "In the days to come, we will miss your tirelessness and fearlessness under fire."
Survivors include Brown's wife, Kelley; children, Nathan and Savannah; parents; and two siblings.
His family said he was passionate about skateboards, cars and guitars. He also liked to do things his own way.
"He didn't like going up the trail at Bridal Veil Falls" in Utah's Provo Canyon, said his stepfather, Brad Halliday. "He went straight up the mountain the hard way. That's the way he liked things."
Aragon, 19, of Orem, Utah, was killed in combat March 1 in Helmand province.
___
Marine Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni
When Rick J. Centanni was in high school, he had a sticker on his football helmet that was placed there to remember a former player who had died in Iraq.
Army Pfc. Joel Brattain was killed in 2004, and Centanni and other members of Esperanza High's Aztecs football team wore the stickers the season after he died. They did it to honor him.
Six years later, Centanni's death was announced over the intercom at the Anaheim, Calif., high school, where he graduated in 2008.
"With the volunteer military, I don't think the war has the same effect on young people today _ until something like this happens," said Jim Pendleton, an English teacher and assistant football coach for the Aztecs.
Centanni, 19, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and another Marine were killed by a roadside bomb March 24 in Helmand province. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton.
"It didn't surprise me when he went into the military because it was the ultimate expression of teamwork and camaraderie," his coach told the Los Angeles Times.
Pendleton said he could see from the start that Centanni had "great enthusiasm" for "being part of a team."
"He loved every part of it," Pendleton said.
___
Army Sgt. Joel D. Clarkson
"Thoughtful, fearless, and engaging, Sgt. Joel Clarkson possessed that intangible stuff we desire most in Ranger _ the stuff of which legends are made," said Col. Mark Odom.
Clarkson died March 16 _ three days after he was injured in combat in Helmand province.
After two surgeries in Afghanistan, his family said, he was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he died.
Joel D. Clarkson's uncle says the 23-year-old Army ranger's life came together when he joined the military and started a family.
"Everything just clicked," David Williams said. "His drive was to be a soldier."
Williams described his nephew as athletic and outgoing. Clarkson enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska, and his family said he had been deployed three times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
"He didn't need any fame. He didn't need any glory. He didn't like to speak in front of people," said Robert Gardner, who was Aragon's bishop in his ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In 2008, Aragon graduated from Mountain View High School in Orem and immediately enlisted in the Marine Reserves.
"He helped me to be a better man, a better husband, a better father and a better friend," Halliday said. "And he did it by example."
___
Navy Chief Petty Officer Adam Brown
Friends say Adam Brown was a devoted man of faith who had a "full-throttle" personality, worked hard and fought for the little guy.
Brown "poured his soul into getting the most out of life," said friend Heath Vance.
Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Buschmann said Brown was the toughest and most selfless person he'd ever met.
The 36-year-old from Hot Springs, Ark., died March 18 in Afghanistan while trying to protect his comrades, according to his team leader, Chief Special Warfare Operator John Faas.
Brown graduated from Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy, Ark., in 1992, enlisted in the Navy six years later and joined the SEALs in 2001. He was assigned to a team based in Virginia Beach, Va., and was starting his eighth deployment.
Brown's loss of one eye and the near-amputation of the fingers on one hand were among several injuries he overcame during a military career in which he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
"We miss your smile and your crazy eye," Faas said at Brown's memorial. "In the days to come, we will miss your tirelessness and fearlessness under fire."
Survivors include Brown's wife, Kelley; children, Nathan and Savannah; parents; and two siblings.
His family said he was passionate about skateboards, cars and guitars. He also liked to do things his own way.
"He didn't like going up the trail at Bridal Veil Falls" in Utah's Provo Canyon, said his stepfather, Brad Halliday. "He went straight up the mountain the hard way. That's the way he liked things."
Aragon, 19, of Orem, Utah, was killed in combat March 1 in Helmand province.
___
Marine Lance Cpl. Rick J. Centanni
When Rick J. Centanni was in high school, he had a sticker on his football helmet that was placed there to remember a former player who had died in Iraq.
Army Pfc. Joel Brattain was killed in 2004, and Centanni and other members of Esperanza High's Aztecs football team wore the stickers the season after he died. They did it to honor him.
Six years later, Centanni's death was announced over the intercom at the Anaheim, Calif., high school, where he graduated in 2008.
"With the volunteer military, I don't think the war has the same effect on young people today _ until something like this happens," said Jim Pendleton, an English teacher and assistant football coach for the Aztecs.
Centanni, 19, of Yorba Linda, Calif., and another Marine were killed by a roadside bomb March 24 in Helmand province. He was assigned to Camp Pendleton.
"It didn't surprise me when he went into the military because it was the ultimate expression of teamwork and camaraderie," his coach told the Los Angeles Times.
Pendleton said he could see from the start that Centanni had "great enthusiasm" for "being part of a team."
"He loved every part of it," Pendleton said.
___
Army Sgt. Joel D. Clarkson
"Thoughtful, fearless, and engaging, Sgt. Joel Clarkson possessed that intangible stuff we desire most in Ranger _ the stuff of which legends are made," said Col. Mark Odom.
Clarkson died March 16 _ three days after he was injured in combat in Helmand province.
After two surgeries in Afghanistan, his family said, he was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where he died.
Joel D. Clarkson's uncle says the 23-year-old Army ranger's life came together when he joined the military and started a family.
"Everything just clicked," David Williams said. "His drive was to be a soldier."
Williams described his nephew as athletic and outgoing. Clarkson enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska, and his family said he had been deployed three times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
2010年5月9日星期日
Young, hungry Capitals enter playoffs as top seed
It's enough to make an owner nervous, but 2010 World Cup Jerseys Ted Leonsis claims otherwise. In fact, he says he was more skittish when the team returned to the playoffs two years ago after a long drought.
After all, this isn't about winning the Stanley Cup once. It's about having a chance to win it many times over.
"I'm looking at it through a different lens," Leonsis told The Associated Press. "I promised that we would have a team that would be great for a generation. This is our third year of racking up a lot of points and making the playoffs and winning the division, and we've done better every single year. This year that culminated in the Presidents' Trophy, but our team still has upside. We've got young players who will be brought into the team next year, and our best players are our young players.
"So I don't approach this like it's our last gasp: 'We've got to win it this year or something's wrong!' That's when I will feel nervous. Because I think we're going to be this good or better for the next half-dozen years."
Now that might be Leonsis' savvy attempt at taking some of the pressure off his team, but the gist of it is true. The Capitals _ from two-time reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin (50 goals, 109 points) to Alexander Semin (40 goals) to Nicklas Backstrom (101 points) to Mike Green (76 points as a defenseman) to Brooks Laich (25 goals) to Jeff Schultz (league-leading plus-minus rating of plus-50) are young and eager and have miles to go before they call it a day. Their 121 standings points this season represented a total achieved by few teams in NHL history, but it's far from a last hurrah for this group.
That said, no one in the Capitals locker room is thinking about hoisting the Stanley Cup in, say, 2014. For the guys on the ice, this year is the only year that matters. After two years of playoff seasoning _ a first-round loss in 2008 and a second-round loss last year _ it's time to take the next step, starting with Thursday's Game 1 in the first-round series against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens.
"We're more hungry, we're more focused, and you can really sense that around the dressing room," Green said. "Guys really, really want this. And it's obviously a different game in the playoffs and we have to adjust, but sometimes when your will and want are set that high, good things happen."
Coaches are notorious for being cautious when it comes to bragging about their own team at playoff time, but coach Bruce Boudreau has been atypical from the start. Evaluating his players after Sunday's regular season finale, he blurted out: "There's a lot to like. I like it all. They're a great team."
"There's a lot to like about the character of this team and the ability of this team," he added. "Now we just have to go and prove it once again because there seems to be a lot of people who don't believe that we can do it in the playoffs."
If there's a reason not to bet the house on the Capitals, it's because of uncertainty at goaltender. Boudreau played cat-and-mouse with reporters again Monday _ the players had the day off _ and said he won't announce until Thursday whether Jose Theodore or Semyon Varlamov will start Game 1.
Ex-Montreal goalie Theodore would appear to be the favorite, having gone a club-record 23 games without a regulation loss since early January despite a pair of unsteady outings recently, but Boudreau doesn't want to tip off the Canadiens. The coach said he has made up his mind, but that he has yet to inform either player.
"You're going to be asking these guys," Boudreau said, almost playfully. "If they don't know, then how can they tell you?"
An average series in goal might suffice for Round 1 because the Capitals have the firepower to blow away the Canadiens, especially if Washington stays out of the penalty box. The series will match No. 1 vs. No. 30 in the NHL on 5-on-5 scoring, with Boudreau's team piling up 213 goals to Montreal's 132 with both teams at full strength.
As for dealing with the pressure of being the top seed, Boudreau pointed out there's hardly any greater burden than playing for the Canadiens come playoff time. The Capitals are more popular than ever but don't have the spotlight to themselves, even if all three of the city's other major pro sports teams currently have nothing but back-to-back last-place finishes to show for themselves.
"That's the only game in town," Boudreau said. "They don't have to split it up and have the Nationals on half the page and the Wizards on some of the pages, the Redskins and us. It's Montreal. It's the Canadiens. It wouldn't surprise me if there's a 10-page spread come Wednesday and Thursday. All the TV stations will lead with the stories about the Canadiens, so there is a lot of pressure.
"Everybody in the city knows who every player is. It's not just like in this city where you know where Alex and Mike and Nicky are and maybe guys like John Carlson can walk around unknown _ they know every single guy from Mathieu Darche to Brian Gionta."
Notes: Boudreau said he's not sequestering his players in a hotel. "Why? I think the focus is there. I think the players will arrive tomorrow knowing what they're here for." ... Boudreau is also confident he won't be overrun by the hoard of French-Canadian press on the way. "I don't speak French. I failed every year. Not that I don't like French people. I just can't speak the language."
ARLINGTON, Va. - The Washington Capitals are somewhere they've never been, at the top of the NHL heap going into the playoffs. Big targets on their backs. Even bigger expectations from the fans. The pain of enduring multiple last-place rebuilding seasons will be certainly worth it if the franchise wins its first Stanley Cup.
After all, this isn't about winning the Stanley Cup once. It's about having a chance to win it many times over.
"I'm looking at it through a different lens," Leonsis told The Associated Press. "I promised that we would have a team that would be great for a generation. This is our third year of racking up a lot of points and making the playoffs and winning the division, and we've done better every single year. This year that culminated in the Presidents' Trophy, but our team still has upside. We've got young players who will be brought into the team next year, and our best players are our young players.
"So I don't approach this like it's our last gasp: 'We've got to win it this year or something's wrong!' That's when I will feel nervous. Because I think we're going to be this good or better for the next half-dozen years."
Now that might be Leonsis' savvy attempt at taking some of the pressure off his team, but the gist of it is true. The Capitals _ from two-time reigning MVP Alex Ovechkin (50 goals, 109 points) to Alexander Semin (40 goals) to Nicklas Backstrom (101 points) to Mike Green (76 points as a defenseman) to Brooks Laich (25 goals) to Jeff Schultz (league-leading plus-minus rating of plus-50) are young and eager and have miles to go before they call it a day. Their 121 standings points this season represented a total achieved by few teams in NHL history, but it's far from a last hurrah for this group.
That said, no one in the Capitals locker room is thinking about hoisting the Stanley Cup in, say, 2014. For the guys on the ice, this year is the only year that matters. After two years of playoff seasoning _ a first-round loss in 2008 and a second-round loss last year _ it's time to take the next step, starting with Thursday's Game 1 in the first-round series against the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens.
"We're more hungry, we're more focused, and you can really sense that around the dressing room," Green said. "Guys really, really want this. And it's obviously a different game in the playoffs and we have to adjust, but sometimes when your will and want are set that high, good things happen."
Coaches are notorious for being cautious when it comes to bragging about their own team at playoff time, but coach Bruce Boudreau has been atypical from the start. Evaluating his players after Sunday's regular season finale, he blurted out: "There's a lot to like. I like it all. They're a great team."
"There's a lot to like about the character of this team and the ability of this team," he added. "Now we just have to go and prove it once again because there seems to be a lot of people who don't believe that we can do it in the playoffs."
If there's a reason not to bet the house on the Capitals, it's because of uncertainty at goaltender. Boudreau played cat-and-mouse with reporters again Monday _ the players had the day off _ and said he won't announce until Thursday whether Jose Theodore or Semyon Varlamov will start Game 1.
Ex-Montreal goalie Theodore would appear to be the favorite, having gone a club-record 23 games without a regulation loss since early January despite a pair of unsteady outings recently, but Boudreau doesn't want to tip off the Canadiens. The coach said he has made up his mind, but that he has yet to inform either player.
"You're going to be asking these guys," Boudreau said, almost playfully. "If they don't know, then how can they tell you?"
An average series in goal might suffice for Round 1 because the Capitals have the firepower to blow away the Canadiens, especially if Washington stays out of the penalty box. The series will match No. 1 vs. No. 30 in the NHL on 5-on-5 scoring, with Boudreau's team piling up 213 goals to Montreal's 132 with both teams at full strength.
As for dealing with the pressure of being the top seed, Boudreau pointed out there's hardly any greater burden than playing for the Canadiens come playoff time. The Capitals are more popular than ever but don't have the spotlight to themselves, even if all three of the city's other major pro sports teams currently have nothing but back-to-back last-place finishes to show for themselves.
"That's the only game in town," Boudreau said. "They don't have to split it up and have the Nationals on half the page and the Wizards on some of the pages, the Redskins and us. It's Montreal. It's the Canadiens. It wouldn't surprise me if there's a 10-page spread come Wednesday and Thursday. All the TV stations will lead with the stories about the Canadiens, so there is a lot of pressure.
"Everybody in the city knows who every player is. It's not just like in this city where you know where Alex and Mike and Nicky are and maybe guys like John Carlson can walk around unknown _ they know every single guy from Mathieu Darche to Brian Gionta."
Notes: Boudreau said he's not sequestering his players in a hotel. "Why? I think the focus is there. I think the players will arrive tomorrow knowing what they're here for." ... Boudreau is also confident he won't be overrun by the hoard of French-Canadian press on the way. "I don't speak French. I failed every year. Not that I don't like French people. I just can't speak the language."
ARLINGTON, Va. - The Washington Capitals are somewhere they've never been, at the top of the NHL heap going into the playoffs. Big targets on their backs. Even bigger expectations from the fans. The pain of enduring multiple last-place rebuilding seasons will be certainly worth it if the franchise wins its first Stanley Cup.
2010年5月8日星期六
Boudreau's future not in jeopardy after Caps loss
The Capitals had the 2010 World Cup Jerseys league's best record in the regular season, but they blew a 3-1 series lead and fell to the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in seven games.
The players took their season-ending physicals and held their final meetings with Boudreau on Friday. Several players said the team didn't step up its game enough for the postseason, but Boudreau and McPhee largely attributed the team's offensive struggles to good goaltending by the Canadiens.
ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has received the support of the team's management, two days after a stunning elimination in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
General manager George McPhee said Boudreau "is a really good coach" who will be with the Capitals "for a very long time."
The players took their season-ending physicals and held their final meetings with Boudreau on Friday. Several players said the team didn't step up its game enough for the postseason, but Boudreau and McPhee largely attributed the team's offensive struggles to good goaltending by the Canadiens.
ARLINGTON, Va. - Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has received the support of the team's management, two days after a stunning elimination in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
General manager George McPhee said Boudreau "is a really good coach" who will be with the Capitals "for a very long time."
2010年5月7日星期五
NHL players' union approves new head shot ban
NEW YORK (AP) - Blindside hits to the head are a thing of the past in the NHL.
The executive board of soccer jerseys the players' union voted Thursday to accept a new temporary rule that will ban hits to the head against unsuspecting players. The decision takes effect immediately, starting with the league's 11 games Thursday night.
"We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game."
The rule prohibits "lateral, back-pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact." The league will have the power to review such hits and apply further discipline.
The union's representatives on the competition committee signed off on the ban Wednesday. It was then left to the union's board to accept or reject the recommendation.
The rule is in effect through this year's playoffs. The competition committee is expected to meet during the summer to create a permanent rule that will also include an on-ice penalty instead of solely punishment after the fact.
"We are encouraged by the league's recent willingness to explore on-ice rule changes as a means of reducing player injuries and have no doubt that by working together, a safer working environment can be established for all NHLPA members," the union said in a statement.
After Wednesday's recommendation by the players' association members on the competition committee to accept the ban, the union said its executive board would vote within two days. It acted swiftly Thursday to agree to the new rule.
The NHL board of governors unanimously approved the proposed penalty Tuesday. The league's general managers first proposed it this month.
Florida forward David Booth missed 45 games this season after getting hit by Philadelphia captain Mike Richards _ a play that was legal at the time, but will no longer be tolerated under the new system.
An unpunished blindside hit by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke against Boston's Marc Savard on March 7 also increased pressure to enact a new rule. Savard sustained a concussion that will likely sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season.
The GM meetings began the day after Savard was hit.
The executive board of soccer jerseys the players' union voted Thursday to accept a new temporary rule that will ban hits to the head against unsuspecting players. The decision takes effect immediately, starting with the league's 11 games Thursday night.
"We believe this is the right thing to do for the game and for the safety of our players," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "The elimination of these types of hits should significantly reduce the number of injuries, including concussions, without adversely affecting the level of physicality in the game."
The rule prohibits "lateral, back-pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact." The league will have the power to review such hits and apply further discipline.
The union's representatives on the competition committee signed off on the ban Wednesday. It was then left to the union's board to accept or reject the recommendation.
The rule is in effect through this year's playoffs. The competition committee is expected to meet during the summer to create a permanent rule that will also include an on-ice penalty instead of solely punishment after the fact.
"We are encouraged by the league's recent willingness to explore on-ice rule changes as a means of reducing player injuries and have no doubt that by working together, a safer working environment can be established for all NHLPA members," the union said in a statement.
After Wednesday's recommendation by the players' association members on the competition committee to accept the ban, the union said its executive board would vote within two days. It acted swiftly Thursday to agree to the new rule.
The NHL board of governors unanimously approved the proposed penalty Tuesday. The league's general managers first proposed it this month.
Florida forward David Booth missed 45 games this season after getting hit by Philadelphia captain Mike Richards _ a play that was legal at the time, but will no longer be tolerated under the new system.
An unpunished blindside hit by Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke against Boston's Marc Savard on March 7 also increased pressure to enact a new rule. Savard sustained a concussion that will likely sideline him for at least the rest of the regular season.
The GM meetings began the day after Savard was hit.
2010年5月5日星期三
Satan's OT goal lifts Bruins over Maple Leafs 2-1
TORONTO (AP) - Miroslav Satan scored 3:25 into overtime and the Boston Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Saturday night to maintain their small cushion in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
Boston is seventh in the East, soccer jerseys two points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and the hard-charging New York Rangers. The Leafs, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to get within one point of Tampa Bay and Florida for 14th in the conference _ a position that remains important because Boston owns Toronto's first-round pick in this year's draft.
Satan had both goals for Boston (36-30-12), which has scored just five times in four games.
Colton Orr had the lone goal for the Maple Leafs (29-36-14).
On the winning goal, Satan fooled goalie Jonas Gustavsson by tipping defenseman Zdeno Chara's point shot with the shaft of his stick.
It was another frustrating game for Toronto's Phil Kessel, who failed to score against his former team for the sixth time this season. The winger finished with one assist and a minus-4 rating while facing the Bruins.
The Maple Leafs came out with plenty of jump in their second-to-last home game. They directed a couple quality chances at former Toronto draft pick Tuukka Rask and got the opening goal from an unlikely source.
Orr scored from the high slot at 5:10 of the first, roofing the puck after it had been blocked in front by a Bruins defenseman. It was a career-high fourth goal of the season for the Leafs' enforcer.
Boston tied it at 7:01 of the second period when Satan was left alone at the side of the net and batted a rebound behind Gustavsson for his seventh of the season.
The Leafs goalie was busy in the middle period and made a nice save on David Krejci's rush to keep it 1-1 heading into the third.
Rask stood tall during a third-period Toronto power play and did well to stop Dion Phaneuf's point shot. Gustavsson denied Blake Wheeler on a rush up the wing.
Satan managed to get the puck behind Gustavsson, but it was swept to safety by Phaneuf.
NOTES: D Andrew Bodnarchuk made his NHL debut for the Bruins. ... Jamie Lundmark, Wayne Primeau and Jeff Finger were healthy scratches for Toronto. ... Andrew Ference, Shawn Thornton, Trent Whitfield and Mark Stuart sat out for the Bruins. ... Boston D Dennis Seidenberg left the game in the first period with a cut on his left wrist and didn't return. ... Leafs rookie forward Tyler Bozak has 13 points in 13 games.
Boston is seventh in the East, soccer jerseys two points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and the hard-charging New York Rangers. The Leafs, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to get within one point of Tampa Bay and Florida for 14th in the conference _ a position that remains important because Boston owns Toronto's first-round pick in this year's draft.
Satan had both goals for Boston (36-30-12), which has scored just five times in four games.
Colton Orr had the lone goal for the Maple Leafs (29-36-14).
On the winning goal, Satan fooled goalie Jonas Gustavsson by tipping defenseman Zdeno Chara's point shot with the shaft of his stick.
It was another frustrating game for Toronto's Phil Kessel, who failed to score against his former team for the sixth time this season. The winger finished with one assist and a minus-4 rating while facing the Bruins.
The Maple Leafs came out with plenty of jump in their second-to-last home game. They directed a couple quality chances at former Toronto draft pick Tuukka Rask and got the opening goal from an unlikely source.
Orr scored from the high slot at 5:10 of the first, roofing the puck after it had been blocked in front by a Bruins defenseman. It was a career-high fourth goal of the season for the Leafs' enforcer.
Boston tied it at 7:01 of the second period when Satan was left alone at the side of the net and batted a rebound behind Gustavsson for his seventh of the season.
The Leafs goalie was busy in the middle period and made a nice save on David Krejci's rush to keep it 1-1 heading into the third.
Rask stood tall during a third-period Toronto power play and did well to stop Dion Phaneuf's point shot. Gustavsson denied Blake Wheeler on a rush up the wing.
Satan managed to get the puck behind Gustavsson, but it was swept to safety by Phaneuf.
NOTES: D Andrew Bodnarchuk made his NHL debut for the Bruins. ... Jamie Lundmark, Wayne Primeau and Jeff Finger were healthy scratches for Toronto. ... Andrew Ference, Shawn Thornton, Trent Whitfield and Mark Stuart sat out for the Bruins. ... Boston D Dennis Seidenberg left the game in the first period with a cut on his left wrist and didn't return. ... Leafs rookie forward Tyler Bozak has 13 points in 13 games.
South American Fate: The World Cup Draw
The World Cup 2010 draw is out and the lines are set in stone. Teams have been told of their starting spots, their rivals and their paths to the finals. So with battle lines now drawn out, teams will move towards finalizing their strategy and plans to making this world cup as successful as can be.
However, there can only be one winner and it is extremely likely that that team may be one from South America. Let's take a look at how they fared at the draw and what the future will hold for NFL jerseys them.
However, there can only be one winner and it is extremely likely that that team may be one from South America. Let's take a look at how they fared at the draw and what the future will hold for NFL jerseys them.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (0) v Portugal (1), Zenica
Portugal failed to NBA jerseys impress in Lisbon on the weekend, while Bosnia missed their chances to claim the advantage in the tie after hitting the woodwork on 3 occasions. Both sides know this tie is tight and there’s plenty of work to be done.
Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz, who will again be without injured Cristiano Ronaldo, ambitiously stated, "It's going to be close. We'll suffer till the final whistle. We'll have to be utterly determined and inspired. We can't just sit back and wait, we have to take control. We're going to Bosnia to win."
Bosnia boss Miroslav Blazevic, who has skipper Emir Spahic unavailable, acknowledged after the first-leg, "I think we could have, and should have, come away with more than we did.”
Blazevic may rue those misses, but he’ll be reassured by the knowledge Bosnia did score plenty of goals in the earlier qualifiers. And he’s promised ‘a new plan to surprise the Portuguese team’.
Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz, who will again be without injured Cristiano Ronaldo, ambitiously stated, "It's going to be close. We'll suffer till the final whistle. We'll have to be utterly determined and inspired. We can't just sit back and wait, we have to take control. We're going to Bosnia to win."
Bosnia boss Miroslav Blazevic, who has skipper Emir Spahic unavailable, acknowledged after the first-leg, "I think we could have, and should have, come away with more than we did.”
Blazevic may rue those misses, but he’ll be reassured by the knowledge Bosnia did score plenty of goals in the earlier qualifiers. And he’s promised ‘a new plan to surprise the Portuguese team’.
2010年5月4日星期二
Uruguay
Placed nicely in Group A, Uruguay have hosts South Africa, France and Mexico to accompany them. From the looks of things, the fight will be on for second place with France being guaranteed the top spot. However, if World Cups are anything to go by, then the 2002 results will tell us to pre-empt a team's performance at our own peril.
France do remain one of the top prospects and beating them will be quite hard. However, a one-off tie means that Uruguay can, if they organize themselves well, put up a good fight and gain a point against the French who are susceptible to fall to infighting & petty internal squables, rather than opponents.
Mexico have always been average at World Cups and therefore, cannot be underestimated when looking at the fortunes of Uruguay. They may not be the side of yesteryears but still thrive on their footballing culture to pull them through tough games. Uruguay will have their task cut out if they are to get three points here.
South Africa are probably going to be the toughest opponents in the group. The hosts will be looking at Mexico and Uruguay as possible 3-point games, with France being the tough ones. If the Confederations Cup performance is anything to go by, then South Africa are definitely a force to reckon with. Not Dark Horses though, Uruguay will have a tough time getting past the NFL jerseys pumped-up hosts.
France do remain one of the top prospects and beating them will be quite hard. However, a one-off tie means that Uruguay can, if they organize themselves well, put up a good fight and gain a point against the French who are susceptible to fall to infighting & petty internal squables, rather than opponents.
Mexico have always been average at World Cups and therefore, cannot be underestimated when looking at the fortunes of Uruguay. They may not be the side of yesteryears but still thrive on their footballing culture to pull them through tough games. Uruguay will have their task cut out if they are to get three points here.
South Africa are probably going to be the toughest opponents in the group. The hosts will be looking at Mexico and Uruguay as possible 3-point games, with France being the tough ones. If the Confederations Cup performance is anything to go by, then South Africa are definitely a force to reckon with. Not Dark Horses though, Uruguay will have a tough time getting past the NFL jerseys pumped-up hosts.
2010年5月2日星期日
Chelsea’s Recent Woes Offer Red Devils Hope
Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday meant they ended a four-match winless streak, effectively averting a mini-crisis.
But Wednesday’s victory over Pompey shouldn’t allow us to gloss over Chelsea failings and the fact that they could only narrowly defeat the Premier League’s bottom club must be acknowledged.
Prior to the Portsmouth win, Chelsea had drawn 3-3 with Everton, tied 2-2 with APOEL, lost 2-1 at Manchester City and lost on penalties in the Carling Cup after a 3-3 draw with Blackburn.
So the question must be, what has happened to Chelsea in the last few matches?
An obvious glaring stat there alone is the number of goals they’ve conceded recently and the side’s woes from set-pieces has been noted, with Petr Cech clearly susceptible.
Everton took full advantage of this chink in Chelsea’s armour, when they scored three times at Stamford Bridge from dead-ball situations.
To think the Blues had conceded just once at home during the league season until then reiterates the point Everton found a weakness.
Cech said after the Everton game, “We were very unlucky not to win because we played well, we controlled the game, we scored three brilliant goals and we were really unlucky to concede goals. So this is one of those days."
But Chelsea mustn’t ignore their obvious flaws considering the amount of uncertainty and panic which seemed to appear amongst their players every time their opponents had a set-piece.
Perhaps the Chelsea defence are losing confidence in Cech, who hasn’t been at his best since his horrific head injury sustained against Reading a few seasons ago.
Cech added, "I think it has been a long time since we conceded goals from set plays. Against Arsenal, and Man City, and if you count all the other games before, there were so many set plays and we dealt with all these.
“We were really unlucky (against Everton) because the first goal deflected off the post, goes back to me and it goes in. You know, this is something you can't control. This is something that can always happen.
"The second goal, we had three chances to clear it. And Didier's clearance is not an own goal, but what is the chance it hits the opponent standing a few yards in front of you and then goes over the goalkeeper and the defenders standing on the line? This is unlucky.
Beyond the set-piece blues, there is also the absence of Michael Essien in midfield which has hurt Chelsea. After scoring against APOEL, Essien picked up a hamstring injury which will see him out for some time.
In fact, Chelsea fans won’t see Essien in a blue shirt until February with the African Cup of Nations coming up. The inspirational, Ghanaian ball-winner leaves a hole which Chelsea is struggling to fill. John Obi Mikel continues to fail to convince.
Make no mistake, Essien is a superstar who Chelsea will miss and while he’s absent, Manchester United could just have a chance to push for the title.
Also the Portsmouth match showed Chelsea’s unhealthy reliance on Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba. They did, after all, require a late penalty for their winner.
But Drogba has been in stunning form this season with plenty of goals and he offers more to Chelsea with his flexibility up front. Others, such as Salomon Kalou, simply aren’t as dynamic.
And with Drogba (as well as Kalou for good measure) heading to Africa in January, Chelsea have a few headaches ahead.
Still Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti remains confident and believes the Portsmouth win was what the Blues needed.
“We did a good job, not a beautiful job,” Ancelotti stated.
"I'm happy because it was becoming a difficult game after they'd equalised. We had 15 minutes in the second half which were no good. We lost our composure. But, then, we had a very good reaction. We changed something on the pitch, put fresh players on, and had a very good reaction until the end of the game.
"We deserved to win, but that was the most important thing after four games without a victory. The first aim was always to win. The players are not suffering from nerves, no. They are not nervous. In this case, we can do better.”
And now skipper John Terry is setting goals, revealing; "We're still on target for 90 points this season and we are the only club which is. Saturday was the first time we have dropped points at home this term and I want it to be the last.''
Terry and Ancelotti’s confidence seems to not have wavered, but some just aren’t so sure. It hasn’t been a convincing period for Chelsea.
The problems which have arisen must not be glossed over and it appears no solutions really have been found for the set-piece problems or with Drogba and Essien’s absence to come.
It is a concern which must give Manchester United fans hope because over the busy Christmas period we will learn who is in pole position as the NBA Jerseys title race hots up.
But Wednesday’s victory over Pompey shouldn’t allow us to gloss over Chelsea failings and the fact that they could only narrowly defeat the Premier League’s bottom club must be acknowledged.
Prior to the Portsmouth win, Chelsea had drawn 3-3 with Everton, tied 2-2 with APOEL, lost 2-1 at Manchester City and lost on penalties in the Carling Cup after a 3-3 draw with Blackburn.
So the question must be, what has happened to Chelsea in the last few matches?
An obvious glaring stat there alone is the number of goals they’ve conceded recently and the side’s woes from set-pieces has been noted, with Petr Cech clearly susceptible.
Everton took full advantage of this chink in Chelsea’s armour, when they scored three times at Stamford Bridge from dead-ball situations.
To think the Blues had conceded just once at home during the league season until then reiterates the point Everton found a weakness.
Cech said after the Everton game, “We were very unlucky not to win because we played well, we controlled the game, we scored three brilliant goals and we were really unlucky to concede goals. So this is one of those days."
But Chelsea mustn’t ignore their obvious flaws considering the amount of uncertainty and panic which seemed to appear amongst their players every time their opponents had a set-piece.
Perhaps the Chelsea defence are losing confidence in Cech, who hasn’t been at his best since his horrific head injury sustained against Reading a few seasons ago.
Cech added, "I think it has been a long time since we conceded goals from set plays. Against Arsenal, and Man City, and if you count all the other games before, there were so many set plays and we dealt with all these.
“We were really unlucky (against Everton) because the first goal deflected off the post, goes back to me and it goes in. You know, this is something you can't control. This is something that can always happen.
"The second goal, we had three chances to clear it. And Didier's clearance is not an own goal, but what is the chance it hits the opponent standing a few yards in front of you and then goes over the goalkeeper and the defenders standing on the line? This is unlucky.
Beyond the set-piece blues, there is also the absence of Michael Essien in midfield which has hurt Chelsea. After scoring against APOEL, Essien picked up a hamstring injury which will see him out for some time.
In fact, Chelsea fans won’t see Essien in a blue shirt until February with the African Cup of Nations coming up. The inspirational, Ghanaian ball-winner leaves a hole which Chelsea is struggling to fill. John Obi Mikel continues to fail to convince.
Make no mistake, Essien is a superstar who Chelsea will miss and while he’s absent, Manchester United could just have a chance to push for the title.
Also the Portsmouth match showed Chelsea’s unhealthy reliance on Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba. They did, after all, require a late penalty for their winner.
But Drogba has been in stunning form this season with plenty of goals and he offers more to Chelsea with his flexibility up front. Others, such as Salomon Kalou, simply aren’t as dynamic.
And with Drogba (as well as Kalou for good measure) heading to Africa in January, Chelsea have a few headaches ahead.
Still Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti remains confident and believes the Portsmouth win was what the Blues needed.
“We did a good job, not a beautiful job,” Ancelotti stated.
"I'm happy because it was becoming a difficult game after they'd equalised. We had 15 minutes in the second half which were no good. We lost our composure. But, then, we had a very good reaction. We changed something on the pitch, put fresh players on, and had a very good reaction until the end of the game.
"We deserved to win, but that was the most important thing after four games without a victory. The first aim was always to win. The players are not suffering from nerves, no. They are not nervous. In this case, we can do better.”
And now skipper John Terry is setting goals, revealing; "We're still on target for 90 points this season and we are the only club which is. Saturday was the first time we have dropped points at home this term and I want it to be the last.''
Terry and Ancelotti’s confidence seems to not have wavered, but some just aren’t so sure. It hasn’t been a convincing period for Chelsea.
The problems which have arisen must not be glossed over and it appears no solutions really have been found for the set-piece problems or with Drogba and Essien’s absence to come.
It is a concern which must give Manchester United fans hope because over the busy Christmas period we will learn who is in pole position as the NBA Jerseys title race hots up.
RANDOM LEAGUE (NETHERLANDS)
Fred Rutten's PSV Eindhoven moved two points clear at the summit of the Eredivisie this weekend after a 3-0 win over NEC Nijmegen, while their closest rivals Twente could only draw 0-0 at Groningen.
Both sides are undefeated in the league this term so it is a genuine battle. PSV have won ten straight in the Eredivisie, while Twente have slipped since Christmas, drawing their last two. MLB jerseys
Elsewhere, Ajax remains a silly shot at the title with a 1-0 win over reigning champions AZ Alkmaar, who are really struggling to repeat last season's heroics.
Both sides are undefeated in the league this term so it is a genuine battle. PSV have won ten straight in the Eredivisie, while Twente have slipped since Christmas, drawing their last two. MLB jerseys
Elsewhere, Ajax remains a silly shot at the title with a 1-0 win over reigning champions AZ Alkmaar, who are really struggling to repeat last season's heroics.
2010年5月1日星期六
Consumers Help Drive U.S. Economy to 3.2% Growth Rate
The biggest contributors to consumer spending growth were purchases of durable goods like cars. In addition to consumer spending, nonresidential fixed investment also played a role in overall output growth. Businesses’ purchases of equipment and software, for example, grew at an annual rate of soccer jerseys 13.4 percent last quarter, after a 19 percent increase in the last quarter of 2009.
“This is very good news, since it indicates businesses are feeling more confident about the expansion to start spending some of their cash,” Mr. Gault said. “If businesses are spending more on equipment, usually that would go along with more hiring, too.”
Federal government spending, which includes remaining stimulus money, grew at an annualized rate of 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2010. But this was more than offset by continued cuts from state and local governments, whose spending decreased 3.8 percent. It was the third quarter in a row in which state and local spending fell.
In the meantime, companies have been enjoying their new customers.
Nate Evans, who owns a pottery-making business with his wife, Hallie, in New Albin, Iowa, said that their sales in 2009 were the worst ever but that they were just starting to see things pick up. The Evanses sell their pottery from their home workshop as well as in galleries in nearby states, and at craft shows in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
“I felt like the energy of the crowd was better,” Mr. Evans said of their first fair this year, in Minnesota. As did other craft sellers, he said. “Most of the people we talked to said it was better than last year. Hey, it’s not great, but it’s better than last year.”
The broadest measure of the overall economy grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2010, after gains of 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 2.2 percent in the third quarter.
While the expansion in output was welcome, it still has not brought the level of hiring growth needed to recover ground lost during the recession.
For the third quarter in a row, the United States economy showed strong economic growth, and increased consumer spending played a significant role, the Commerce Department reported on Friday.
“This is very good news, since it indicates businesses are feeling more confident about the expansion to start spending some of their cash,” Mr. Gault said. “If businesses are spending more on equipment, usually that would go along with more hiring, too.”
Federal government spending, which includes remaining stimulus money, grew at an annualized rate of 1.4 percent in the first quarter of 2010. But this was more than offset by continued cuts from state and local governments, whose spending decreased 3.8 percent. It was the third quarter in a row in which state and local spending fell.
In the meantime, companies have been enjoying their new customers.
Nate Evans, who owns a pottery-making business with his wife, Hallie, in New Albin, Iowa, said that their sales in 2009 were the worst ever but that they were just starting to see things pick up. The Evanses sell their pottery from their home workshop as well as in galleries in nearby states, and at craft shows in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.
“I felt like the energy of the crowd was better,” Mr. Evans said of their first fair this year, in Minnesota. As did other craft sellers, he said. “Most of the people we talked to said it was better than last year. Hey, it’s not great, but it’s better than last year.”
The broadest measure of the overall economy grew at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2010, after gains of 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 2.2 percent in the third quarter.
While the expansion in output was welcome, it still has not brought the level of hiring growth needed to recover ground lost during the recession.
For the third quarter in a row, the United States economy showed strong economic growth, and increased consumer spending played a significant role, the Commerce Department reported on Friday.
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