lingzi
Age: 34
Joined: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 105
Location: 南极洲
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There is having the ability to create success, and then there is having that ability to sustain success. Patrick Willis Youth Jersey . There is no argument that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the best team after the first eight games of the 2011 season, with a 7-1 record. But they finished the season at 10-8, which means over the last 10 games they went 3-7. That is Bomber football reality. So, can you be critical of a team that made it to the Grey Cup and did have an opportunity to win? Not really. But you can say with conviction that if the Bombers are to make it back they will have to improve in key areas. And here is the most significant. Last year the Bombers were dead last in the CFL on offence in two-and-outs. No team took the field on offence, ran two plays, and punted more than Winnipeg. It gives opposition punter returners extra opportunities to make a great return, and frustrates a defence as they have little time to discuss, regroup, and catch their breath. An amazing 43 per cent of the time, the Bombers went two-and-out over the season. Thats 116 times, averaging almost seven times per game. In all aspects of football that is the No. 1 improvement point of priority. That is the negative, now here is the positive: the best defence in the CFL. Winnipeg without the ball was at their best in 2011. They were first overall in: fewest yards allowed, fewest pass yards allowed, quarterback sacks, fewest second-to-first downs for the opposition, takeaways, and interceptions. They were also third in fewest points allowed and in rushing yards allowed. And - this is the best part - they have the same defensive coordinator back in Tim Burke. They really dont have to fix much, just maintain the engine which revolves around youth and speed. For the Bombers to represent the East, there are some key battles and individuals to watch. First, Gary Crowton as the new offensive coordinator, with no CFL experience but a resume of coaching experience second to nobody. How he adapts to CFL football, and how his players adapt to him will be interesting to watch. At middle linebacker, will it be Henoc Muamba or Pierre-Luc Labbe? Both were excellent CIS players that have to effectively play in a high profile position. Saskatchewan is trying to play a Canadian middle linebacker with three to choose from: Shomari Williams, Sam Hurl from the University of Calgary, or Mike McCullough, the incumbent. The best Canadian middle linebacker I ever played against was Mike OShea in Toronto. Winnipeg needs to find their Mike OShea to win a Grey Cup. And a third issue will be Buck Pierce. Not so much his playing ability, but his protection. Buck took about five hits last year, in which any of the five could have ended a career. Some were his fault, others had nothing to do with him, but there is an immense difference between being tackled and taking a shot of the violent intensity that Pierce experienced. That has to change. The Blue Bombers are a good team, but they are not a great team...yet. They have to play better in the first quarter and in some cases the first half, because last year it seemed they were constantly playing "catch-up" football. But with excellent attendance each and every game and a really "good looking" stadium in the future, it is fun to be a Bomber fan right now. The truth is the East is a better division this year than last. Both Toronto and in some ways Hamilton have improved and Montreal will not be as injury-devastated in the secondary again for two years in a row. Tough division with the other three quarterbacks in the prime of experience and proven results with Calvillo, Ray and Burris. All have won relatively recent Grey Cups. Winnipeg hasnt for over 10 years and counting. The Bombers must improve to repeat as the East representative at the Grey Cup - thats reality. Frank Gore Jersey . The NBA commissioner and the leagues competition committee met Monday and had a discussion about players deceiving referees into calling fouls by falling down, or flopping. Colin Kaepernick Game Jersey . The Toronto Blue Jays acquired pitchers J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter in a 10-player deal with the Houston Astros. http://www.teamshopsanfrancisco49ers.com/frank-gore-jersey ." But the Toronto Blue Jays are banking heavily on R.A. Dickeys dancing knuckleball leading them back to the baseball playoffs. Frank Gore Pink Jersey . -- The Memphis Grizzlies had their new chairman and boss sitting at midcourt for the home opener along with a nice big crowd. Donte Whitner Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings have placed running back Adrian Peterson on the active physically unable to perform list to start training camp. NEW YORK -- Kevin Youkilis is about to get a different look at the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. The hard-nosed Youkilis, who helped personify Bostons championship teams over the past decade, on Tuesday became the latest former Red Sox star to switch sides and land in Bronx. The free agent reached a deal that filled New Yorks immediate need for a third baseman to fill in for injured Alex Rodriguez. The one-year contract for $12 million is pending a physical. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press about the agreement under condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. Youkilis, who turns 34 in March, is expected to play third base while Rodriguez recovers from hip surgery. A-Rod plans to have the operation in mid-January and could be sidelined until the All-Star break or beyond. A three-time All-Star, Youkilis will get an early look at his old club. The Red Sox are set to open next season at Yankee Stadium on April 1. Johnny Damon, Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs are among the Boston stars who wound up in pinstripes in recent times. Of course, the most famous player to make that move was Babe Ruth. For years, Youkilis was among the more popular players at Fenway Park -- scruffy and intense, Boston fans loved how he battled the Yankees. Youkilis and Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain had their own feud that exemplified the ill will between the clubs -- the inside fastballs that caused the trouble between them tapered off in recent seasons and now theyre set to become teammates. Minus Rodriguez for several months, the Yankees tried to find a fill-in. They made the offer to Youkilis last week at the baseball winter meetings. Andy Lee Jersey. The agreement was first reported by Fox Sports. Eric Chavez, A-Rods backup for most of last season, joined Arizona last week. The Yankees considered several options as a stopgap at third, including Jeff Keppinger and Mark Reynolds, but both accepted deals with other teams. Youkilis played third base and first base last season for the Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. He was traded to the White Sox last June as Bostons new management reshaped the Red Sox roster. There was friction from the start of the season, when first-year manager Bobby Valentine questioned Youkilis commitment -- Dustin Pedroia publicly stood up for his longtime teammate, yet it seemed clear Youkilis days in Boston were numbered. With the White Sox, Youkilis got off to a nice start before tailing off. He combined to hit a career-low .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs. An All-Star in 2008, 2009 and 2011, Youkilis won a Gold Glove at first base in 2007. He is a .283 hitter with 148 home runs in nine seasons, and was on Boston teams that won the World Series in 2004 and 2007. With the Yankees, Youkilis also could play first base to give Mark Teixeira a break and could serve as the designated hitter on occasion. There is still uncertainty about when Rodriguez will return. He is a 14-time All-Star and baseballs priciest player, with his current overall contract worth $275 million. Rodriguez hit .272 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs last season, and is fifth on the career homers list with 647. He slumped to .120 with zero RBIs in the playoffs, and was benched and replaced by a pinch hitter in key situations. ' ' '
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