Grange on Devils: Keep it light in Jersey
Newark, NJ - They were, on the whole, a light-hearted bunch. Relieved to be playing hockey rather than clearing out their lockers and explaining how they suffered the indignity of being swept from the Stanley Cup Final.
So the New Jersey Devils ended practice with a shooting game - miss the net and you're out - kind of like their season at this point - and they talked later about why some of the players had opted to trim their playoff beards or go mustache only.
And their head coach found time to joke about being able to maintain focus in Game 4 facing both the pressure of an elimination game and the pressure not to face the cleavage displayed behind the Devils bench by Taylor Stevens, a porn star, hockey fan and in possession of seats that put her to the left of Peter DeBoer's head all game long.
It was that kind of day.
"You saw my 100 per cent focus on the game," DeBoer joked on Friday about his eyes straight ahead approach in Game 4. "That's discipline, I tell you."
It had the mood of a group of men spared the executioner thanks to their 3-1 win on Saturday night. No longer were Brian Orakpo Jerseys
the Devils a team trailing in the series 3-0 and trying to be the first NHL team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to comeback from that margin in the Stanley Cup Final.
With Game 5 on tap, they were a team with a win in their pocket believing that anything was possible and the puck was finally starting to roll their way. The Kings might be 10-0 on the road in the post-season, but the Devils are 9-1 in Games 4-7 so far in the playoffs.
It's gives them reason to believe.
"You know it's going to happen again," said DeBoer of a potential comeback from 3-0 for just the second time in 70 years. "So why not us? I think that's the approach. You're not going to go 200 years without someone else doing it. So it's been long enough. It might as well be us. "
It won't just happen by a twist of fate. No one is that lucky. The Devils goal will be to create some creeping doubt in the minds of the Kings, but the first step is to believe themselves.
They've done the hardest part. Their win on Wednesday not only extended their season but lent some credence to the story they've been telling themselves all series-that it's been a battle of two equal teams, except that one has had some puck find the back of the net.
"There's no doubt a win changes your mindset and relieves that pressure that you're finally getting rewarded for honest work," said DeBoer.
It's not an unfounded view. Considering the Kings decisive edge in the series and their 4-0 win in Game 3, the only game that wasn't close on the scoreboard, the series has been tight. Through four games the shot totals are 100 -96 in favour of the Kings, while the physical game has been essentially even, with the Kings having recorded 155 hits to the Devils 154. Los Angeles does seem to be managing an edge in faceoffs won, 128-115, but there's enough there that New Jersey can look at the odds of a comeback and shrug.
The Kings, surprisingly, look at things the same way.
As their playoff wave has continued to grow in breadth and power, to the point that a humble No. 8 seed was drawing comparisons to the 1988 Edmonton Oilers - the last team to win a Stanley Cup with just two losses on their record - the Kings, now 15-3 in the post-season, have been trying to maintain perspective.
To that end they don't dispute the notion that the series has been closer than it looks, they embrace it.
The Kings may be leading, but so far they've kind of sucked. At least that's what they're telling themselves:
"We could easily be down in this series, we haven't played our best hockey and we know that," said Justin Williams, who has been one of the Kings steadiest performers on the their top line playing alongside Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. "That's obviously an advantage for us. We know that we can be better in all facets of the game, not one little thing. We can be a lot better. We haven't shown them what we're all about. That's disheartening for us, but the encouraging thiing is we're up 3-1. "
If the chance to win the Stanley Cup is the prize the Kings are trying to focus on, the Devils hope to present themselves as a distraction as difficult to ignore as those that were looming behind DeBoer on Saturday night.
Their techniques will be time-worn: traffic in front of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick who has been so good these playoffs that Kings forward Simon Gagne was saying that it's almost like he's creating a new style, a hybrid of the butterfly coupled with the more spontaneous play of Dominik Hasek.
More shots, some quicker breakouts, but no wholesale changes. "We're not a team that throws things out because they're not working." Said DeBoer.
Instead it will be winning each shift, perhaps an early goal. The aim is not to win the series but to win a game and feed off their opponent's uncertainty.
"As the series keeps going it starts to put doubt in the other team's mind," said Devils rookie Adam Henrique, who has scored three game-winners for New Jersey in the playoffs and who was part of a Windsor Spitfires team that came back from 3-0 in the OHL playoffs in 2010. "Tomorrow night is going to be huge for us to be able to that."
That's the plan: the Devils are trying to find reasons to believe, and none could be better than earning the benefit of the LA Kings' doubt
Babe Ruth jersey sells for $ 4.4M at auction
A baseball jersey worn by The Bambino sold for more than US $ 4.4 million Sunday, a record for any item of sports memorabilia, according to the buyer and seller.
SCP Auctions, based in California, said the circa 1920 New York Yankees uniform top is the earliest known jersey worn by Ruth and it fetched $ 4,415,658 at the company's April auction, which ended Sunday. That price broke the previous record of $ 4,338,500 set in 2010 for James Naismith's founding rules of basketball.
Lelands.com said it submitted the winning bid for the jersey, which had been displayed for years at The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore. The road top has "New York" written across the Brian Orakpo Jerseys front and the Hall of Fame slugger wore it shortly after he was sold to the Yankees by the Boston Red Sox for $ 100,000 following the 1919 season.
Suzan French, a spokeswoman for Lelands.com, said the company plans to sell the jersey privately rather than re-auction it.
"Such a spectacular piece will find a home with one of our private clients who truly appreciates its historic significance," Lelands.com president Michael Heffner said in a statement.
Ruth retired in 1935 with 714 home runs, the major league record for nearly 40 years. Hank Aaron broke that mark and then was passed by Barry Bonds, who finished with 762.
In addition, Ruth's 1934 New York Yankees cap that was owned by former major league pitcher David Wells sold for $ 537,278 at auction. The colorful Wells bought the cap for about $ 30,000 from a collector and famously paid homage to his idol by wearing it on the mound with the Yankees during a game on June 28, 1997.
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor's New York Giants Super Bowl ring from the 1990 season went for $ 230,401.
Those items also set records, for a baseball cap and a Super Bowl ring, SCP Auctions said.
"This proves again that Babe Ruth is 'king' in the sports memorabilia world," SCP Auctions president David Kohler said in a statement.
Also included in the auction was the high-end baseball card collection belonging to former big league All-Star Dmitri Young. Top prices were a 1954 Hank Aaron rookie card ($ 537,954) and a 1955 Roberto Clemente rookie card ($ 432,690). The proceeds will help Young begin a foundation to help kids and student athletes near his home in Ventura County, Calif., SCP Auctions said.
A baseball jersey worn by The Bambino sold for more than US $ 4.4 million Sunday, a record for any item of sports memorabilia, according to the buyer and seller.
SCP Auctions, based in California, said the circa 1920 New York Yankees uniform top is the earliest known jersey worn by Ruth and it fetched $ 4,415,658 at the company's April auction, which ended Sunday. That price broke the previous record of $ 4,338,500 set in 2010 for James Naismith's founding rules of basketball.
Lelands.com said it submitted the winning bid for the jersey, which had been displayed for years at The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum in Baltimore. The road top has "New York" written across the Brian Orakpo Jerseys front and the Hall of Fame slugger wore it shortly after he was sold to the Yankees by the Boston Red Sox for $ 100,000 following the 1919 season.
Suzan French, a spokeswoman for Lelands.com, said the company plans to sell the jersey privately rather than re-auction it.
"Such a spectacular piece will find a home with one of our private clients who truly appreciates its historic significance," Lelands.com president Michael Heffner said in a statement.
Ruth retired in 1935 with 714 home runs, the major league record for nearly 40 years. Hank Aaron broke that mark and then was passed by Barry Bonds, who finished with 762.
In addition, Ruth's 1934 New York Yankees cap that was owned by former major league pitcher David Wells sold for $ 537,278 at auction. The colorful Wells bought the cap for about $ 30,000 from a collector and famously paid homage to his idol by wearing it on the mound with the Yankees during a game on June 28, 1997.
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor's New York Giants Super Bowl ring from the 1990 season went for $ 230,401.
Those items also set records, for a baseball cap and a Super Bowl ring, SCP Auctions said.
"This proves again that Babe Ruth is 'king' in the sports memorabilia world," SCP Auctions president David Kohler said in a statement.
Also included in the auction was the high-end baseball card collection belonging to former big league All-Star Dmitri Young. Top prices were a 1954 Hank Aaron rookie card ($ 537,954) and a 1955 Roberto Clemente rookie card ($ 432,690). The proceeds will help Young begin a foundation to help kids and student athletes near his home in Ventura County, Calif., SCP Auctions said.
UFC on Fox making home in New Jersey
Let New York have skyscrapers, pinstripes, and Wall Street.
The UFC will again stage its latest big show off-Broadway - six miles away across the river at the Izod Center in New Jersey.
The day may come when New York will legalize MMA and the octagon will land in Madison Square Garden. Until then, New Jersey will continue to tease its Tri-State rival on the action it's missing with the first of two cards scheduled over the next two months.
New York remains a dream.
"New York will happen," UFC President Dana White said. "When New York happens, we'll put on a fight that will be huge. We'll do the Garden and it will be a huge blowout."
That can wait, and indeed it may have to. Regardless, White is too pumped for the mixed martial arts league's third network broadcast on Fox to dwell on the issue. He's hoping UFC's latest show will serve as an enticing appetizer for a loaded night of fights, headlined by Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto on a pay-per-view boxing bout later Saturday.
After showcasing UFC on Fox with two big bouts that featured Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez and Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, none of the fighters on the latest card are huge names known to a wide network audience.
Nate Diaz (15-7) fights Jim Miller (21-3) in the main event. Diaz, the former "Ultimate Fighter" winner coming off a huge win over Donald Cerrone, would earn a shot at the lightweight crown later this year with a victory.
just been on a tear," White said.">"He's just been on a tear," White said.
Even with a victory, Miller may be a fight or two away from a title match.
Johny Hendricks Brian Orakpo Jerseys (12-1) takes on Josh Koscheck (17-5) in another Fox headline bout. Hendricks becomes the No. 1 contender for the welterweight title with a win.
UFC has three hours of preliminary action being broadcast on FUEL TV beginning at 5:00 pm
Miller is a New Jersey native and his only three losses have come against a trio of the UFC's elite fighters.
"I don't really care where I'm fighting," Miller said. "I'm still fighting a tough, world-class opponent. So it really doesn't matter if we're fighting here in Jersey or in his home town. It is a little bit of an advantage not having to travel. "
He wouldn't mind eventually packing his bags for New York.
Earlier this year, Evans and Jon Jones personally lobbied lawmakers to make New York the 46th state to legalize and regulate MMA. The bill passed the Senate last year but died in the Assembly, where some legislators said the sport is too violent and sets a bad example for children.
An MMA measure won approval from the Senate again last month, but just like 2011 it is stalled in the Assembly, where Speaker Sheldon Silver said he doesn't think there's "a groundswell of support" for the bill. "I have mixed feelings about it, "he said in April.
While UFC waits, White has no problem running shows in New Jersey.
New Jersey was one of the first states that embraced UFC, and White credits cards at the Trump Taj Mahal for helping the company grow into a heavyweight in the sports world.
"Jersey is where it all started for us, meaning the Zuffa-owned UFC," White said. "Donald Trump, man. Back in the day when nobody wanted us, he got this thing before anybody did."
The organization moved up from casinos to holding UFC 32 in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ UFC returns to Atlantic City on June 22 for a card headlined by Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida.
UFC is always planning for the next big thing. Running shows on Fox was a big boost toward proving UFC deserved a place among the stick-and-ball sports on the TV dial.
White called the collaboration with Fox a "work in progress." White said the business relationship has been a perfect fit ("we have a seven-year deal with these guys and I wish it was 17") but the TV presentation still needs some fine tuning.
"We're putting more fights on so we'll see what happens," White said.
But the mainstream acceptance comes with a price. More of a spotlight is shown on the company's missteps.
UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem was recently denied a license to fight in Nevada after failing a drug test and pulling out of a championship bout this month. Overeem blamed a doctor-prescribed anti-inflammatory for failing the test. Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his Feb. 4 loss to Carlos Condit in Las Vegas. Diaz has since filed a lawsuit against the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Nate Diaz said his brother has no interest in fighting and may stay retired.
While White would certainly choose other ways for his fighters to make headlines, he said the incidents are just minor problems compared to the obstacles UFC had to overcome to get to this point.
"This is just the stuff you guys have seen in the news and what's public," White said. "So much stuff happens here every day. We battle every single day. It's just part of doing business."
Anheuser-Busch, which forged an advertising alliance with UFC four years ago, recently warned there could be consequences for the relationship because of its unhappiness with various offensive remarks made by fighters in social media outlets and at press conferences.
"The problem we have with Anheuser-Busch is something that all the sports have," White said. "There are definitely things that need to be addressed in our company and we are addressing them."
White touched on a wide range of subjects during a phone interview with The Associated Press:
- On former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar's return to the WWE after an eight-year absence: "I knew Brock wasn't going to stick around and fight forever. But the time that Brock was here in the UFC, it was a great time . He brought a lot of excitement to the heavyweight division. At the end, he said it was time to move on. He jumped back to the WWE and I'm happy for him. People love to smash that guy .... What he was able to do was amazing. "
- On the overall health of UFC: "The next two years are more important than the last 10. We've got a lot of work to do. We've got to dial in all these programs from Fuel to FX to Fox. We've got to make the format perfect for Fox. We've got to make all the tweaks and fixing all the things on 'The Ultimate Fighter' on FX. "
- On the next big location: "We're going to do a soccer stadium in Brazil with the right fight."
Let New York have skyscrapers, pinstripes, and Wall Street.
The UFC will again stage its latest big show off-Broadway - six miles away across the river at the Izod Center in New Jersey.
The day may come when New York will legalize MMA and the octagon will land in Madison Square Garden. Until then, New Jersey will continue to tease its Tri-State rival on the action it's missing with the first of two cards scheduled over the next two months.
New York remains a dream.
"New York will happen," UFC President Dana White said. "When New York happens, we'll put on a fight that will be huge. We'll do the Garden and it will be a huge blowout."
That can wait, and indeed it may have to. Regardless, White is too pumped for the mixed martial arts league's third network broadcast on Fox to dwell on the issue. He's hoping UFC's latest show will serve as an enticing appetizer for a loaded night of fights, headlined by Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto on a pay-per-view boxing bout later Saturday.
After showcasing UFC on Fox with two big bouts that featured Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez and Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, none of the fighters on the latest card are huge names known to a wide network audience.
Nate Diaz (15-7) fights Jim Miller (21-3) in the main event. Diaz, the former "Ultimate Fighter" winner coming off a huge win over Donald Cerrone, would earn a shot at the lightweight crown later this year with a victory.
just been on a tear," White said.">"He's just been on a tear," White said.
Even with a victory, Miller may be a fight or two away from a title match.
Johny Hendricks Brian Orakpo Jerseys (12-1) takes on Josh Koscheck (17-5) in another Fox headline bout. Hendricks becomes the No. 1 contender for the welterweight title with a win.
UFC has three hours of preliminary action being broadcast on FUEL TV beginning at 5:00 pm
Miller is a New Jersey native and his only three losses have come against a trio of the UFC's elite fighters.
"I don't really care where I'm fighting," Miller said. "I'm still fighting a tough, world-class opponent. So it really doesn't matter if we're fighting here in Jersey or in his home town. It is a little bit of an advantage not having to travel. "
He wouldn't mind eventually packing his bags for New York.
Earlier this year, Evans and Jon Jones personally lobbied lawmakers to make New York the 46th state to legalize and regulate MMA. The bill passed the Senate last year but died in the Assembly, where some legislators said the sport is too violent and sets a bad example for children.
An MMA measure won approval from the Senate again last month, but just like 2011 it is stalled in the Assembly, where Speaker Sheldon Silver said he doesn't think there's "a groundswell of support" for the bill. "I have mixed feelings about it, "he said in April.
While UFC waits, White has no problem running shows in New Jersey.
New Jersey was one of the first states that embraced UFC, and White credits cards at the Trump Taj Mahal for helping the company grow into a heavyweight in the sports world.
"Jersey is where it all started for us, meaning the Zuffa-owned UFC," White said. "Donald Trump, man. Back in the day when nobody wanted us, he got this thing before anybody did."
The organization moved up from casinos to holding UFC 32 in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ UFC returns to Atlantic City on June 22 for a card headlined by Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida.
UFC is always planning for the next big thing. Running shows on Fox was a big boost toward proving UFC deserved a place among the stick-and-ball sports on the TV dial.
White called the collaboration with Fox a "work in progress." White said the business relationship has been a perfect fit ("we have a seven-year deal with these guys and I wish it was 17") but the TV presentation still needs some fine tuning.
"We're putting more fights on so we'll see what happens," White said.
But the mainstream acceptance comes with a price. More of a spotlight is shown on the company's missteps.
UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem was recently denied a license to fight in Nevada after failing a drug test and pulling out of a championship bout this month. Overeem blamed a doctor-prescribed anti-inflammatory for failing the test. Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his Feb. 4 loss to Carlos Condit in Las Vegas. Diaz has since filed a lawsuit against the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Nate Diaz said his brother has no interest in fighting and may stay retired.
While White would certainly choose other ways for his fighters to make headlines, he said the incidents are just minor problems compared to the obstacles UFC had to overcome to get to this point.
"This is just the stuff you guys have seen in the news and what's public," White said. "So much stuff happens here every day. We battle every single day. It's just part of doing business."
Anheuser-Busch, which forged an advertising alliance with UFC four years ago, recently warned there could be consequences for the relationship because of its unhappiness with various offensive remarks made by fighters in social media outlets and at press conferences.
"The problem we have with Anheuser-Busch is something that all the sports have," White said. "There are definitely things that need to be addressed in our company and we are addressing them."
White touched on a wide range of subjects during a phone interview with The Associated Press:
- On former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar's return to the WWE after an eight-year absence: "I knew Brock wasn't going to stick around and fight forever. But the time that Brock was here in the UFC, it was a great time . He brought a lot of excitement to the heavyweight division. At the end, he said it was time to move on. He jumped back to the WWE and I'm happy for him. People love to smash that guy .... What he was able to do was amazing. "
- On the overall health of UFC: "The next two years are more important than the last 10. We've got a lot of work to do. We've got to dial in all these programs from Fuel to FX to Fox. We've got to make the format perfect for Fox. We've got to make all the tweaks and fixing all the things on 'The Ultimate Fighter' on FX. "
- On the next big location: "We're going to do a soccer stadium in Brazil with the right fight."
Jays' Canada Day jersey now for sale
The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled their Canada Day jersey and they are ready for purchase through the club's online store.
The jersey is a red version of the team's alternate blue jerseys.
Instead Brian Orakpo Jerseys of the player names, "CANADA" will be displayed on the backs of the jerseys and a Canadian flag patch will be worn on the sleeves.
The Jays will host the Los Angeles Angels on Canada Day
The Toronto Blue Jays have unveiled their Canada Day jersey and they are ready for purchase through the club's online store.
The jersey is a red version of the team's alternate blue jerseys.
Instead Brian Orakpo Jerseys of the player names, "CANADA" will be displayed on the backs of the jerseys and a Canadian flag patch will be worn on the sleeves.
The Jays will host the Los Angeles Angels on Canada Day
New Jersey to host NHL draft in 2013
PITTSBURGH - The NHL draft is sticking close to the league's headquarters in New York.
The league announced Friday the 2013 draft will be held at the Prudential Center, the home of the New Jersey Devils in Newark, NJ The 2014 edition will be at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers. It Brian Orakpo Jerseys will be the first time hosting the draft for both franchises, and next year's draft will be the first held in the New York area.
The NHL made the announcement shortly before the 2012 draft began at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, where 10,000 fans scooped up tickets to the event.
PITTSBURGH - The NHL draft is sticking close to the league's headquarters in New York.
The league announced Friday the 2013 draft will be held at the Prudential Center, the home of the New Jersey Devils in Newark, NJ The 2014 edition will be at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the Philadelphia Flyers. It Brian Orakpo Jerseys will be the first time hosting the draft for both franchises, and next year's draft will be the first held in the New York area.
The NHL made the announcement shortly before the 2012 draft began at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, where 10,000 fans scooped up tickets to the event.
Les Giants sauvent leur saison
Les Giants de New York (7-4) ont peut être fait bien plus que de sauver leur saison dimanche après-midi contre les Jaguars de Jacksonville (6-5). Grâce à un drive offensif parfait et à une défense à nouveau opportuniste en fin de match, les hommes de Tm Coughlin s'évitent peut être à nouveau une deuxième partie de saison fort difficile. Certes la saison n'est pas encore terminée mais les new-yorkais reviennent à égalité avec les Eagles. La première place dans la NFC Est reste très ouverte.
Les new-yorkais étaient pourtant menés 17-6 à la pause mais se sont bien repris en deuxième mi-temps. Les Jaguars n'ont marqué que seulement trois points et l'escouade offensive des Géants à fait l'essentiel pour assurer ce précieux succès.
Les Giants ont engrangés 361 yards sur le match en 25 minutes contre 328 yards pour les Brian Orakpo Jerseys Jaguars en 35 minutes. La différence est que l'équipe de Jacksonville a perdu deux fois le cuir.
Du côté new-yorkais, Eli Manning a joué un de ses rares matchs sans commettre de turnover (14/24, 226 yards, 2 touchés). Il faut noter que Manning ne s'est pas fait applatir une fois de la journée par un défenseur adverse. Au sol Brandon Jacobs a bien assurer même si il n'a pas marqué de la journée (14 courses, 87 yards). Côté receveur, Kevin Boss (3 réceptions, 74 yards, 1 TD) et Mario Manningham (3 réceptions, 61 yards, 1 touché) ont constitué les cibles favorites d'Eli.
Pour Jacksonville, le quarterbackQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. David Garrard a encore connu une journée sans (20/35, 162 yards, 1 interceptions; 6 courses, 41 yards, 1 essai, 1 fumbleFumble
quand le porteur du ballon laisse échapper celui-ci par maladresse ou suite à un choc. Le ballon est alors à terre mais vivant et c'est la 1ère équipe qui le ramasse qui en prend la possession. Avec les interceptions, le fumble est la seconde façon de rendre le ballon à l'adversaire. Ensemble, ils constituent des Turnovers (pertes de balle). C'est souvent cette stat. qui décide de l'issue de la rencontre.). Il mène encore dans la catégorie "ballon perdu" avec deux turnovers à son actif. Cela dit il a connu une pression d'enfer toute la journée. Il s'est fait applatir à quatres reprises. Le seul point vraiment positif pour les Jaguars fut Maurice Jones-Drew qui a encore réalisé un gros match (21 courses, 113 yards; 4 réceptions, 9 yards).
Les Ravens sans trembler et sans suspens
Ce week-end Baltimore accueillait une équipe qu’il connaisse assez peu : Tampa Bay. En effet, la dernière rencontre entre les deux équipes remontait a il y a 4 ans, soit avant l’arrivée de John Harbaugh aux manettes, ou de Joe Flacco aux commandes de l’attaque des Ravens. Mais cela n’a guère perturbé les corbeaux qui après avoir navigué loin de l’embut adverse durant une période, se sont rapprochés et ont pris d’assaut le bateau pirate de Tampa Bay à deux reprises en 3 minutes : c’est une première fois le tight-end Todd Heap qui a fait parler la poudre sur 65 yards, puis c’est le vétéran Derrick Mason qui a capté le cuir dans l’embut adverse. Ces deux réceptions ont un goût particulier pour Joe Flacco car ce sont ses 52 et 53éme touchdownsTouchdown (TD)
c'est l'essai qui vaut 6 points et qui peut être transformé au choix à 1 ou 2 points. Il suffit que Brian Orakpo Jerseys
le ballon pénètre dans la endzone. (pas besoin d'aplatir) soit 1 et 2 de plus que le précédent meilleur marqueur des Ravens : Vinny Testaverde.
Au retour des vestiaires, les Ravens ont globalement contrôlés le match mais ils n’ont guère brillés (à part sur une passe longue de Flacco captée par Rice pour un touchdown de 76 yards qui a été annulée pour une faute d’Anquan Boldin) au point que l’on se demandait s’ils n’avaient pas la tête tournée vers le prochain adversaire : les Steelers.
La défense des Ravens termine le match sans un seul sackSack
terme employé quand le QB se fait plaquer. et sans interceptionInterception
passe du QBQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. rattrapée par un défenseur (un adversaire)., mais elle a sans cesse perturbé le pauvre Josh Freeman qui rend une fiche décevante malgré un touchdown en fin de match. Le résumé du match pourrait tenir entier dans cette déclaration de Flacco à la presse : « Je pense qu’on a contrôlé de bout en bout. On n’a jamais été menacé par l’adversaire. On avait un job à faire pour mettre ce match derrière nous et on l’a fait ».
Coté Tampa Bay c’est une nouvelle défaite qui fait mal car s’ils restent dans la course aux playoffs, ils n’ont toujours pas accroché la moindre victoire contre une équipe disposant d’une fiche positive… et ca c’est mauvais signe.
Une victoire qui tient a un coup de pied
Dans une ligue ou il y a tant a voir en haut de l’affiche, ce match entre les Panthers et les Browns passait presque inaperçu : et pour cause les playoffs sont hors de portée pour les deux équipes et le niveau de jeu des Panthers est proche de zéro alors que celui des Browns va de l’agréable surprise (contre les Patriots) à la médiocrité la plus totale. Reste que Peyton Hillis est un coureur intéressant à voir évoluer et que le match était forcément de niveau faible, mais équilibré donc pas si inintéressant que cela.
On pourrait dire que chaque début de mi-temps a été 100% Panthers, mais ensuite a chaque fois les Browns ont mis la surmultipliée. En effet, tout a commencé par un touchdownTouchdown (TD)
c'est l'essai qui vaut 6 points et qui peut être transformé au choix à 1 ou 2 points. Il suffit que Brian Orakpo Jerseys
le ballon pénètre dans la endzone. (pas besoin d'aplatir) de Goodson qui perfore la défense des Browns et marque au sol sur plus de 20 yards. Mais ensuite ce fut le festival Peyton Hillis : 3 touchdown et déjà 100 yards a la mi-temps. Avec quelques réceptions en plus, Hillis termine le match à 131 yards au sol et 63 yards sur jeu aérien ! De quoi s’ouvrir les portes du probowl même s’il a dit lui-même qu’il était « un nobody a coté des stars qui évoluent au poste de coureur dans la NFL ».
Avec 21 à 13 à la mi-temps rien n’est fait mais les hommes d’Eric Mangini ont les cartes en main… sauf que Delhomme (qui a été mis au chômage par les Panthers à l’intersaison) retombe dans ses travers et lance 2 interceptionsInterception
passe du QBQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. rattrapée par un défenseur (un adversaire). sur ses 2 premières passes au retour des vestiaires. L’une des deux est retourné dans l’embut par Captain Munnerlyn et c’est amplement mérité car Jake Delhomme lance sur une double cover et largement en retrait de son receveur. Heureusement pour les Browns, l’attaque des Panthers n’est pas aussi inspirée que sa défense et chaque fois qu’elle récupère le cuir c’est pour mieux punter. Malgré tout à 21-20 la dernière période s’annonce aussi passionnante qu’un match de poids lourd (entre deux boxeurs de seconde catégorie il est vrai).
Les premiers coups échangés ne sont pas décisifs puisque chaque équipe marque un field-goal et l’écart se maintien donc à 1 points en faveur de Cleveland à l’entrée la derniére minutes. Les Panthers, qui ont la dernière possession du match, réussissent d’entrée un bon coup lorsque Clausen trouve Goodson pour un gain de 11 yards. S’en suit 2 ballons qui ne trouvent pas preneur avant que sur une 3éme et 10 Goodson (encore lui) capte le cuir le long de la ligne puis repique au centre, évite 2-3 tacles un peu haut pour grignoter plus de 30 yards et amené son équipe dans la moitié de terrain adverse. Sur l’action suivante LaFell capte le cuir au raz du sol et permet a son équipe de gagner encore une vingtaine de yards soit la distance nécessaire a un field-goal qui donnerait la victoire à Carolina. John Kasey s’avance pour botter sur 42 yards, Jake Delhomme sur le banc se cache les yeux et attend la réaction de la foule ; lorsque celle-ci hurle de joie, il comprend que Kasey a mis le cuir a coté des poteaux et que les Browns signent une 4éme victoire cette saison à l’issue d’un match a suspens, mais de niveau très moyen.
Ko sec pour les Eagles
Les Eagles (7-4) se vantaient d'être inarrétable depuis quelques semaines. Nul doute qu'ils redescendront sur terre après ce cinglant échec. Ca fait même souvent du bien dans ces cas la. Les Bears (8-3) ont bien profité des 9 jours dont ils disposaient pour mettre un plan pour limiter Vick. Dimanche Vick n'a pas été aussi efficace. Comme on pouvait le penser, les Bears ont utiliser la même stratégie que les Giants. Il y a fort à parier que les autres équipes tenteront les mêmes choses.
Maintenant si les Eagles veulent démontrer qu'ils sont un véritable prétendant au titre, ils devront relever le défi et trouver d'autres façon de mettre Vick en valeur. On peut faire confiance à Andy Reid pour cela. Le match n'a jamais été serré en fait. Si l'attaque des Eagles n'a réalisé qu'un piteux 1/5 dans la zone rouge c'est surtout la défense qui a fait perdre ce match aux Brian Orakpo Jerseys visiteurs. En seconde mi-temps, Chicago a dominé mais le tournant du match est arrivé en fin de première mi-temps. L'interception de Vick dans l'end zone des Bears a rendu le momentul à Chicago. Ils ne le perdont plus par la suite. L'équipe locale a même inscrit un essai juste avant la pause. La messe était dite et les visiteurs ont été incapable de sortir la tête de l'eau. Cette fois les Eagles n'ont pas su rester dans le match et faire la différence.A la fin du troisième quart, Chicago menait 31-13. Le dernier quart ne permettra aux Eagles qu'a revenir pour sauver l'honneur. A la suite de cette débâcle, Andy Reid en est allé de sa crise contre son équipe dans les vestiaires. Fait rarissime pour un entraîneur pourtant très calme depuis 11 ans.
Les stats sont également trompeuses: les Eagles ont accumulé 398 yards (mais beaucoup dans le dernier quart d'heure) contre 349 yards pour les Bears. Il n'y à eu qu'un seul turnover dans le match. C'est la fameuse interceptionInterception
passe du QBQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. rattrapée par un défenseur (un adversaire). de Vick qui a vraiment été le tournant du match.
Pour les Eagles, Vick n'a pas été aussi impressionnant que ces dernières semaines (29/44, 333 yards, 2 touchés, 1 interception; 9 courses, 44 yards). C'est surtout son manque d'impact au sol qui fait le plus défaut. LeSean McCoy n'a pas été assez utilisé (10 courses, 53 yards). Il aurait pu faire la différence. A chaque fois qu'il a porté le ballon il a pu contrer les blitzBlitz
tactique défensive où les défenseurs sont chargés d'aller sacker le QB ou de plaquer le running backRunning Back (RB)
terme générique qui en globe les HB et les FBFullback (FB)
coureur puissant et polyvalent. Il joue le rôle de bloqueur, de receveur et de bulldozer balle en main. Constitue avec les halfbacks (HB), les running backs (RB).. le plus tôt possible afin d'infliger une perte de terrain à l'attaque. Mais il y a un risque : la défense doit être rapide car sinon elle s'expose à une passe longue. adverses. Pourquoi ne pas l'avoir utlisé dans la zone rouge? On peut questionner le playcalling sur le coup. Peut être que les Eagle ont voulu le l'épargner suite au gros choc qu'il a pris en première mi-temps. A la passe, on est étonné de retrouver Jason Avant (8 réceptions, 83 yards) et McCoy en tête (8 réceptions, 67 yards). La encore les Eagles devront trouver des solutions pour isoler Jackson (1 réception, 4 yards) et Maclin (4 réceptions, 47 yards, 1 essai) qui ont été spuerbement contenu dimanche après-midi.
Pour les Bears, Jay Cutler a sans doute réalisé son meileur match sous le maillot bleu (14/21, 247 yards, 4 essais). En voila un qui était motivé de jouer contre Vick. Au sol, Matt Forte a fait un carton plein (14 courses, 117 yards; 2 réceptions, 22 yards). C'est la plus grosse performance réalisée par un coureur contre les Eagles cette saison. A la réception, Devin Hester s'est enfin reveillé (3 réceptions, 86 yards) et Earl Bennett a marqué a volonté (4 réceptions, 56 yards, 2 TDs).
Les Vikings s'imposent à Washington
Que dire de ce match? Pas grand chose sinon que les Vikings ont enfin pu jouer une rencontre sans commettre une multitude d'erreurs. Pour une fois les Vikings ne se sont pas auto-détruits. Cela fait déja un premier succès pour le coach intérimaire Frazier. La saison n'est pas terminée mais il semble que les mouvements à Dallas et Minnesota soient déja positif. A confirmer bien sur. En attendant, les Vikings (4-7) n'ont pas beaucoup de chance d'aller en playoffs mais ils peuvent encore sauver leur saison. Quand aux Redskins (5-6) et bien ils ont toujours du mal à faire la différence en fin de match et c'est ce qui leur a si souvent été fatal cette saison. La probabilité qu'ils jouent les phases finales paraît de plus en plus suspecte.
Les Vikings ont dominé les stats: 299 yards en 33 minutes contre 216 yards et 1 tournver pour les peaux rouges en 27 minutes.
Brett Favre n'a pas Brian Orakpo Jerseys connu un match de folie mais au moins il n'a pas fait perdre son équipe (15/23, 172 yards; 5 courses, 9 yards). On retiendra surtout sa course de 10 yards en fin de match pour permettre à son club d'obtenir un précieux 1st down. Au sol, c'est Tony Gerhart qui a porté le jeu au sol suite à la blessure de Peterson. Il ne s'en est pas mal sorti (22 courses, 76 yards, 1 essai). A la réception, les passes de Favre se sont bien réparties entre 8 WR différents.
Pour Washington, le QBQuarterback
c'est le stratège de l'équipe. Il décide des tactiques avec ses coachs. Il est chargé de transmettre la balle à ses coureurs et de distiller les passes à ses receveurs. Mc Nabb a encore rendu une feuille de stat correcte (21/35, 211 yards, 1 touché, 1 interceptionInterception
passe du QB rattrapée par un défenseur (un adversaire).) mais son incapacité à faire la différence en fin de match fait très mal à son équipe. Preuve en est qu'Andy Reid savait ce qu'il faisait en tradant Mc Nabb aux Redskins. Le jeu au sol de l'équipe locale a été inexistant. Le pauvre James Davis, qui sort tout droit des réservistes, n'a pas été capable de jouer au niveau de ses coéquipiers blessés (6 courses, 11 yards).