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Miami Hurricanes should switch to Stephen Morris

Sep 182011

Jacory Harris hasn’t done enough to continue being the starting quarterback in the University of Miami.

It’s time to hand the growing season — the football and also the future — to sophomore Stephen Morris.

This isn’t simple to say now, as the actual Hurricanes and their enthusiasts rightly celebrate Saturday night’s well-won 24-6 home-opening triumph over No. 17 Kansas State. The first win with regard to new coach Al Golden was a large one — and a good emotional one — along with a needed salve for a course that has weathered it’s share of hurt recently.

“There ain’t no half-full cup here, ” as Gold said afterward, orange necktie ablaze on the soaked white shirt. “We simply beat the Ohio Condition Buckeyes 24-6. ”

The triumph helps amend to have an opening loss at Maryland inside a season shadowed by the actual Nevin Shapiro scandal as well as NCAA inquiry that experienced some mockingly call Saturday’s matchup the “Ineligi-Bowl” due to both teams’ off-field guidelines breaking and resulting suspensions.

All that made this a UM group, program and fan bottom that needed a feel-good evening, and, yes, the senior Harris played his role for the reason that. He was the successful quarterback, after all. He had a set of early 3-yard touchdown goes by.

The sense, though, is that UM prevailed regardless of Harris more than due to him. The Canes’ protection was superb, and Kansas State, also reeling through NCAA penalties, finds itself looking to get by with two truly inferior quarterbacks whose ineptitude was accentuated through the Canes’ amped-up D.

“Being persistent, ” is how Gold described that unit.

Without question a defense refortified through the return of three hanging starters won this evening, and offensively Miami’s cleverest light again was operating back Lamar Miller, who’s fast (literally) becoming a member of the UM greats in the position. Miller topped 100 back yards before halftime and finished with 184 Saturday.

Indeed, there are many items to like about this Canes team at this time.

Defense is one. Burns is one. I believe Golden is one. And thus is the “Hurricane Walk” custom he debuted Saturday, the team’s pregame walk via a corridor of cheering enthusiasts. (Ohio State buses happened to reach during the Walk, and UM fans stated welcome by briefly rocking among the buses).

Many items to like, yes.

But the actual quarterback position, as this stands, is not one of these.

Imagine if it had been?

Harris is fully created. We have seen enough of him to understand what he brings and doesn’t. What he brings, mainly, alas, is a large amount of interceptions.

The previous 2 seasons brought 32 interceptions, a lot more than any other college QB.

Both more interceptions he put Saturday — in their season debut after seated out the opening game one of the suspended players — provides his career total in order to 41. Forty-one. That is definitely an extraordinarily high total to have an NCAA career, primarily because most passers that mistake-prone aren’t given such repeated possibilities to err.

“There are some things we must fix, ” Golden stated of Harris.

I should say Personally i think a bit bad criticizing a collegian in ways I don’t when calling out an expert athlete. Then again major-college football is becoming such big business it seems disingenuous to consider these players as “kids. ”

I believe it is fair to say Harris offers invited what criticism he or she gets by his long-standing as well as continuing penchant to turnovers — the criticism reflected Saturday evening by scattered booing in the huge home crowd when he returned to begin the second half.

I also thought this telling that UM eschewed a timeout late within the first half, giving in the chance at one last pass to the end zone and settling for any field goal instead.

“We currently had two interceptions, ” Gold would explain later.

Miami had raced to some 14-0 lead on Miller’s thighs Saturday and had simply gotten the ball back with an interception when Harris put his first pick.

The voltage was sucked from the crowd of 66, 279, the actual high, joyous buzz changed by simmering quiet.

It had been one of Harris’ notorious “floaters, ” a pass which sauntered when it required to speed. Receiver LaRon Byrd had been open. He had time for any manicure while awaiting the actual ball that reached the Buckeye first.

Pickoff Absolutely no. 2 was a badly underthrown ball intended for a wide-open Allen Hurns.

Obvious interception No. 3 had been dropped in UM place by Ohio State’s Religious Bryant with nine min’s to play, the near-calamity sketching more scattered booing.

Harris doesn’t have a strong arm. Doesn’t make him a poor person. Just makes him or her a quarterback whose fragile arm causes interceptions.

Morris’ equip is stronger. Much. We saw many signs last season he has a bright long term. Saw more of individuals signs on Labor Day time in College Park, Maryland.; he played well within the opening loss in Harris’ stead.

An evaluation too close to phone maybe should tip towards the senior, but this comparison doesn’t seem too close in order to call.

Golden has viewed Harris perform live two times now. The first is at last season’s Sun Dish, when Jacory was benched following four interceptions. So Golden has right now watched Harris throw six interceptions in under two full games.

If perhaps this were an aberration rather than a career pattern.

Don’t allow Saturday’s large victory to obscure what is becoming apparent. The problem remains, even amid the slipping confetti.

The U needs to create a U-turn at quarterback.

It’s time to change instructions.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/18/2412705_p2/miami-hurricanes-should-switch.html#ixzz1YHSMsq1K.

Five key moments between the Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Aug 132011

Five key moments inside first half of tonight’s preseason game relating to the Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium. Tampa Bay leads 15-0.

1) Quinten Lawrence set the tone to the game when he made a bad decision to send back the opening kickoff from five yards deep eventually zone. He brought it out to your 8. The Chiefs couldn’t gain a 1st down, punted and Tampa Bay took property at their 42. The Bucs didn’t score for the possession but pinned the Chiefs deep yet again.

2) A bad snap exchange involving Matt Cassel and center Darryal Harris ended in a fumble on the Chiefs’ next play plus the Bucs recovered at the KC 9.

3) Jackie Battle fumbled for the next Kansas City possession and the Bucs saved at midfield.

4) Tyler Palko was sacked eventually zone near the end of the second quarter for the safety that gave the Bucs a 15-0 steer.

5) The Chiefs prevented more damage which has a goal-line atand late in the half. The Bucs ran four plays from inside the 5, but couldn’t score. Safety Reshard Langford busted up a pass eventually zone on fourth down.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Warren Sapp tries to get the crowd going in the third quarter

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Aug 132011

He said he never met coach Al Golden, whom he publicly criticized months earlier for not making an effort to meet Sapp when the former protecting tackle visited on Pro Day.

Sapp also despatched mean-spirited tweets when UM hired Golden throughout December.

A few moments after Sapp reached the field and stood for the sideline, however, Golden saw Sapp and both the bear-hugged with gusto — the slapping involving backs heard yards away.

It was a new Canes’ lovefest, with Sapp seeming to get changed his opinion of UM’s new instructor.

Sapp sparked the Hurricanes with a pep talk prior to heart of the practice session got underway.

Homogeneous update

UM recently noted that the Canes would only have two uniforms there is much surprise: orange jerseys and white pants for household games, and all-white for road games.

Seems that the road uniforms now will always be white jerseys and orange pants.

When Golden was asked regarding the back-to-basic uniforms with no other options, while originally relayed, he was surprised.

“I don’t think we’re a [Nike Pro] Combat team this coming year, so that’s out, ’’ Golden said.

“But regarding the other colors, I haven’t even talked to [equipment manager] Bobby [ Revilla] or the AD over it. I do have something to do by it. But I didn’t know we were gonna be all white and what’s the various other? We’ll get that tied down for anyone. ’’

UM later made the update, and did be aware that other color combinations could be used routinely.

Off-field talent

The Hurricanes are working on the talents away from the football field.

In Thursday night, the receivers gave a functionality.

“Coach Golden is doing a great employment keeping guys interested, talent shows and items like that, ” linebacker Sean Spence said.

“The receivers did a terrific job. They did a skit of your strength and conditioning coaches. It was comical.

“ LaRon Byrd was impersonating Andreu Swasey. It turned out classic. He imitated Swasey to the tee — just the gestures he makes then when he’s ticked off how he talks. My spouse and i can’t say that on camera. And that they made some lookalikes, comparing people to animated characters. They compared [tackle] Brandon Washington, [tackle] Ben Jones and [running back] Eduardo Clements to these characters for the TV show, The Proud Family. ’’

Spence said he didn’t know if your linebackers were performing, but he said he was intent on helping help it become a good show. “I’m trying to only outdo the receivers, so whoever comes up while using best idea, that’s who’s going to are the leader. ”

As far as on-the-field ability, Spence praised young linebackers Denzel Perryman, Gionni Paul and Eddie Johnson. “All the linebackers we made possible have been doing a tremendous job progressing to the ball and being disruptive. ”

Injury update

Golden said freshman defensive end Anthony Chickillo, constantly praised by teammates and coaches, is “a little banged up right this moment. He’s got a little neck thing. But he’s really obtained fast. He’s ready to go. ’’

SPORTS – Colts re-sign Manning to long-term deal (AP)

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Jul 312011

INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning has a new long-term deal in time to report to training camp.

He still hasn’t been cleared to practice.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was “thrilled” to sign the only four-time MVP in league history to a deal that will likely keep him in Indianapolis for the rest of his career. It’s a five-year contract for $90 million with $69 million of that paid in the first three years, Irsay posted on his Twitter account.

“Signing Peyton was a top priority for this organization and we are thrilled that the deal is complete,” Irsay said in a statement released by the team Saturday. “We feel that it is a salary cap friendly deal and it allows us more flexibility.”

Irsay and team president Bill Polian are scheduled to discuss the deal at a Sunday afternoon news conference.

The deal comes nearly five months after the team used the exclusive franchise tag to prevent Manning from negotiating with any other teams. Had Manning signed the one-year offer, he would have made $23.1 million this season.

By getting the long-term deal done, Manning’s salary cap number will be reduced this season to $16 million, Irsay wrote, allowing the team to sign more of its own free agents. The Colts have already re-signed two key veterans — safety Melvin Bullitt and kicker Adam Vinatieri — this week. They also lost linebacker Clint Session to Jacksonville in free agency.

They reportedly also signed running back Joseph Addai, shortly after Manning’s deal was announced. Addai would be a major help because he’s the best blocking back Indy has.

That leaves left tackle Charlie Johnson and defensive tackle Dan Muir as the next big ticket items. They still have not signed their first three draft picks, either, tackles Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana or defensive tackle Drake Nevis.

The Colts report to training camp Sunday at Anderson University, about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

“It’s a credit 2 Peyton;he put Coltfans,teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else,” Irsay wrote on Twitter.

The deal should ensure Manning arrives in camp on time.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Friday he expected Manning to be at camp if he was signed.

But Manning will not practice because he’s continuing to rehabilitate from neck surgery he had in May. It was the second since March 2010 that he had neck surgery.

Caldwell also said Friday he did not expect Manning to practice, and the team announced Saturday it will put Manning on the physically unable to perform list, preventing him from practicing until he is removed from the list. Because it is the preseason, he could be removed from the list at any time and return to practice.

“There is every medical indication that he is progressing steadily, team neurosurgeon Dr. Hank Feuer said in a statement. “While he looks fine, he still has some rehabilitation to go. Recovery from disc surgery is unpredictable and it is not a medical concern that he is not ready at this time.”

Manning has started all 227 regular-season and playoff games in his 14-year career, and the Colts have repeatedly said they expect Manning to be ready to start the regular-season opener against Houston.

Manning has completed 64.9 percent of his passes in his career, has thrown for nearly 55,000 yards and 399 touchdowns. He’s led the Colts to the playoffs 12 times, to two Super Bowls and one world championship.

But as the negotiations dragged on, Manning became more irritated with the pace.

On Friday night, he told The Indianapolis Star that he had instructed agent Tom Condon to complete the deal by Sunday at the latest.

And after months of Irsay promising to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, surpassing the annual average salary of $18 million that Tom Brady agreed to in September. Manning also said he didn’t have to have the title.

On Saturday, the two sides finally came to terms on a deal that will continue to make Manning the highest-paid player in franchise with a caveat — that the team can hopefully keep some of Manning’s teammates under contract, too.

SPORTS – NFL, NFLPA working on final details of new CBA (AP)

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Jul 312011

WASHINGTON – It’s on to the next step for the NFL and its players, who are getting closer to a full-fledged collective bargaining agreement.

“The NFL and NFLPA staffs have been working for the past few days on the final details of the new CBA,” league spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday.

A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed to the AP that the NFL Players Association already re-established itself as a union. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made by the NFLPA.

Re-establishing the union was a key step needed to finish a CBA after the main parts of the deal to end the NFL’s 4 1/2-month lockout were agreed to by owners on July 21 and by players on Monday. Only a union can negotiate items such as drug testing, player conduct policy and disability and pension programs.

For the lockout to remain lifted and the season to proceed, those issues must be resolved and a full CBA completed by Thursday, a deadline both sides are confident will be met.

In March, when federally mediated talks in Washington between owners and players broke down and the old CBA expired, the NFLPA said it was dissolving itself as a union and instead becoming a trade association. That move allowed the players to sue the league under antitrust law, and 10 did, including Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. That case was settled as part of the deal the sides have agreed to.

But by decertifying, the NFLPA gave up its right to bargain on behalf of all players under labor law. That’s why the union needed to form again in order to complete a CBA.

Once the CBA is fully squared away, veteran free agents who have signed new contracts in the past few days will be allowed to practice with their teams. Those players are currently allowed to attend team meetings, work out individually and watch — but not participate — in practice.

“It’s frustrating,” Buffalo Bills receiver/quarterback Brad Smith said after watching the team’s first walk-through of training camp in suburban Rochester on Saturday. “It’s good. I can sit here and watch the guys go through the plays and learn the system. It hurts a little bit. But it’s a positive opportunity.”

The former New York Jets multipurpose offensive star signed a four-year contract with the Bills on Friday.

In addition to the Bills, at least the following teams had voted in favor of re-certification as of Saturday: Patriots, Chiefs, Broncos, Bengals, Cowboys, Jaguars, Browns, Saints, Steelers, 49ers, Falcons, Giants, Titans, Buccaneers, Bears, Cardinals, Dolphins, Rams and Redskins.

Giants player rep Kareem McKenzie said of his team’s unanimous vote: “The guys really wanted to go ahead. Once they had an idea of what the deal encompassed and all we gained, the guys really wanted to get back to work.”

Said Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, a member of the NFLPA’s executive committee: “It was an easy sell.”

While noting that the final CBA is not yet done, Dawkins was confident the final issues will be settled.

“De and those guys will continue to hash those things out,” he said, referring to NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. “We have nothing but 100 percent trust in De. He knows what we want. He knows what, obviously, we need.”

___

AP Sports Writers John Wawrow, Tom Canavan and Teresa M. Walker, and AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed to this report.

___

Follow Howard Fendrich at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

SPORTS – Rockies RHP Jimenez confirms trade to Cleveland (AP)

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Jul 312011

SAN DIEGO – Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez said he was traded to the Cleveland Indians — shortly after he pitched one inning for Colorado at San Diego on Saturday night.

Jimenez said he was surprised. “Everybody knew it, even me,” he said outside the visitors clubhouse after his outing.

Jimenez, who allowed four runs on two hits with four walks and two strikeouts, said he was surprised he even pitched in the game.

Rockies spokesman Jay Alves said the deal with Cleveland wasn’t complete.

In a bizarre scene, Jimenez went to the mound to warm up after Troy Tulowitzki had hit a two-run homer in the top of the first. At the same time, Esmil Rogers began throwing in the Rockies’ bullpen.

The Indians, meanwhile, scratched top pitching prospect, Drew Pomeranz, from his scheduled start at Double-A Akron.

Jimenez had a rough first inning and said it was tough to concentrate.

“When I got to the mound, I couldn’t even throw a strike because I didn’t have my mind on the game,” he said.

After the right-hander came off the mound, he was greeted with hugs, handshakes and pats on the back from his teammates and coaches in the dugout.

When Jimenez was asked about going to Cleveland, he said: “That’s the fun part about being traded to a team like that because right now they’re in a good position. They’re fighting for first place.”

The Indians are 1 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. Colorado began its game 10 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the NL West.

Jimenez threw 45 pitches in the first inning, only 21 for strikes. He walked Cameron Maybin leading off the inning and after getting an out, walked Chase Headley. Ludwick followed with a two-run double down the left-field line.

Jimenez then walked Jesus Guzman. After striking out Chris Denorfia, Gonzalez lined a double into the left-field corner for two more runs. Jimenez walked Rob Johnson before retiring pitcher Aaron Harang on a line drive to right.

An All-Star in 2010 when he threw a no-hitter and went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA, Jimenez started the season 1-7 and was on the disabled list during April because of a cuticle cut on his right thumb.

Entering Saturday, he won three of his last four starts and was 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA.

SPORTS – Owen lifts Man United to 2-1 friendly win over Barca (AFP)

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Jul 312011

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Michael Owen scored in the 76th minute to lift Manchester United to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a friendly football match that reprised their clash in the Champions League final.

Nani on Saturday opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for English Premier League champions Manchester United, who were dominated 3-1 by the Spanish giants in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley in May.

Thanks to the stature of the clubs, FedEx Field in suburban Washington — home of the NFL’s Redskins — drew a crowd of 81,807, the largest ever for a football match in the Washington DC area.

Tom Cleverley set up Owen’s goal, intercepting Sergio Busquets’ pass intended for Seydou Keita and racing toward the goal before finding Owen, who lofted the ball over Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Six minutes earlier Thiago Alcantara had equalized, blasting into the top corner of the goal after winger Carlos Carmona had cut inside and slotted a pass through.

The victory completed a perfect US tour for Manchester United, who return to England after five victories in their five friendlies.

“Tonight wasn’t a do-or-die situation,” United assistant coach Mick Phelan stressed. “It was important that the players we put out on the pitch understand what it takes to play against an exceptional team.

“We have some very good young players out there and (they) proudly conducted themselves to a high standard.”

Barcelona, who are without two-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi as well as Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez for their US tour, travel to Miami on Sunday to face Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara in the second match of their North American pre-season tour.

“The confidence is huge,” Guardiola said of Barcelona’s outlook on the Spanish season, which begins in late August. “It’s impossible to have more confidence in these players.

“It’s impossible because they’ve shown me many, many times the quality they are.”

Even with the notable absentees, Barcelona controlled the ball for long stretches.

But it was Nani who broke through to open the scoring, after Danny Welbeck broke from the back to set up the goal, with Nani giving Valdes little chance to make a save.

Although Barcelona continued to control possession, United’s defence dealt ably with the constant pressure and Barcelona couldn’t find another equalizer.

Thiago came close with a mid-range shot in the 89th, and Owen had a chance to add another goal in the first minute of injury time after a cross from Gabriel Obertan, but fired over the bar.

Thousands of spectators arrived early and gave the match a festive feel.

Chants of “Barca! Barca! Barca!” rang out from before kickoff, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reckoned support was about equally divided.

Once again on this North American tour, Ferguson was impressed by the atmosphere.

“It’s quite possible it was 50-50 in terms of the fans for (Barcelona) and ourselves, and they’re all mixed together,” said Ferguson, whose side is now looking toward the Community Shield match on August 7 and their Premier League opener on August 14.

“It’s a fantastic sight to see that. It gives you hope that the game is bereft of some of the things that have happened in the past.”

SPORTS – Lochte leads 400 IM prelims at worlds (AP)

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Jul 312011

SHANGHAI – Ryan Lochte easily advanced with the fastest time in the preliminaries of the 400-meter individual medley at the world championships, putting the American in position to win his fifth gold medal Sunday.

Lochte led all the way in his heat and touched in 4 minutes, 11.89 seconds — 1.79 seconds ahead of Yuya Horihata of Japan, who finished in 4:13.68.

“It hurt — 400 IM is never an easy event,” said Lochte, who had Saturday off. “It’s one of the hardest events out there. I wanted to be in the middle of the pool somewhere and that’s what I did.”

He’s been the dominant swimmer of the eight-day meet, winning three individual events — including twice beating Michael Phelps — and breaking the only world record heading into the final night.

Phelps, the 2007 world champion in the 400 IM, didn’t swim the event here. He had the morning off and was to return at night for the 4×100 medley relay final.

The U.S. team of David Plummer, Eric Shanteau, Tyler McGill and Garrett Weber-Gale led the relay heats at 3:32.42. The Americans won the title two years ago after failing to make the final in 2007, when Ian Crocker took off early and they were disqualified in the heats.

“It’s safe but fast starts, and I think we did that,” Shanteau said.

Germany was second at 3:33.69, followed by Netherlands at 3:34.59.

Lochte, who earned medals on the other two relays, wasn’t sure if he would be joining Phelps for the last one.

“If anything I would be on backstroke, but I didn’t swim it individually,” he said. “The coaches are going to put the best guys they feel on the team, so whatever they choose, they choose.”

American Tyler Clary qualified fourth at 4:14.98 for the evening final. He finished third in the 200 back, a race won by Lochte.

“He’s the type of guy that really benefits from having someone there to push him and I think I’m that guy,” Clary said. “Hopefully we’ll put on a good show and whoever wins, wins.”

Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh, the 2005 champion and bronze medalist two years ago in Rome, finished 22nd and failed to make the eight-man final.

“I was watching his swim this morning and I was really, really surprised,” Clary said. “Hopefully, he’s not too sick or something like that.”

Cseh, who finished third behind Lochte and Phelps in the 200 IM three days ago, hurried past reporters saying he needed to get medicine.

There were surprises in the women’s 400 IM heats, too.

Defending champion Katinka Hosszu of Hungary finished 15th, while Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, the silver medalist in 2009, was 14th — both well out of making the eight-woman final.

American Elizabeth Beisel had the leading time at 4:34.95. Emerging Spanish talent Mireia Belmonte Garcia was second at 4:36.36.

Beisel’s teammate, Caitlin Leverenz, was third at 4:36.78. Olympic champion Stephanie Rice of Australia, bronze medalist in the last two world meets, advanced in fifth.

China got both of its swimmers, Li Xuanxu and Ye Shiwen, into the final, with the crowd saving its loudest cheers for them.

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