gone through this World Cup with one great player and ten | Forum
miaowang123
Jul 25 '18
CLEVELAND -- Josh Gordon smiled as he walked off the field on an insufferably muggy day. Jalyn Holmes Jersey . Nothing, it seemed, was bothering him. He peeled off his jersey, sweat streaking his face. The star receiver soon posted a photo on Instagram of him catching a pass from rookie Johnny Manziel. "Only place I can find peace," Gordon captioned the picture. The football field is giving Gordon serenity. His time there be could be running out. Gordon is still awaiting word from the NFL on whether hell be suspended for all or part of the upcoming season. Gordon, who led the league with 1,646 yards receiving last season, recently had his appeal hearing to fight a possible yearlong suspension for again violating the leagues substance-abuse program. Hes been practicing and playing for weeks amid uncertainty about his career. The 23-year-old player has seemingly been in a fog, dropping passes during practices and preseason games. He hasnt spoken to reporters for months. "Its definitely weighing on him," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "He, like all of us, wants to know and wants to get on with it and move forward. Just kind of being in limbo for so long, it can be draining. He made the comment the other day that the football field is where he feels most at home." Gordon shattered the clubs single-season franchise record with 1,646 yards receiving last year despite being suspended for the first two games. In just his second season as a pro, Gordon emerged as one of the games top playmakers, capable of turning a 12-yard inside route into a breathtaking 95-yard touchdown. He was on the verge of superstardom, but may have stumbled. Gordon allegedly tested positive for marijuana during the off-season, violating the conditions required as a repeat offender under the leagues system. Last month, Gordon hired lawyer Maurice Suh to represent him at his appeal hearing before arbitrator Harold Henderson in New York. Suh argued Gordons positive test was the result of secondhand smoke, a person familiar with the defence told The Associated Press on July 29. Gordons troubles werent limited to his battle with the league. He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated on July 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina. In May, he was ticketed for speeding in Ohio and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Those issues compounded his problems and may influence whatever punishment Commissioner Roger Goodell hands down. Gordon played poorly in Monday nights exhibition loss at Washington, and Pettine met with Gordon to discuss his overall lack of effort. "Hes responded and has had some good practices for us," Pettine said. "I just think, like all of us, its only natural that hes frustrated." Like Gordon, the Browns have been anxious for a verdict. Losing the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder for any time cripple Clevelands offence, depriving it of its top playmaker and quarterback Brian Hoyers primary target. The Browns receiving corps has had an underwhelming training camp and preseason, to say the least. Theres no one of Gordons calibre. Without him, yards, points and wins could be scarce. Pettine is counting on Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, Travis Benjamin, Nate Burleson and others to step up in Saturdays home game against St. Louis, Hoyers first since he was picked over Manziel to start the opener. "Its a big night for them," Pettine said. "Well see who can step up and make some plays. The NFL is all about being productive and making plays. The third game is as close to the regular season as youre going to see." Gordon hasnt given up hope on being able to help the Browns this season or next. During a recent practice he told Burleson he intends to get in the best shape of his life. "Hes doing push-ups in the middle of a drill and I said, Whatcha doing?" Burleson said. "He said, Man, I want to lose some weight. I want to get down to where I was a couple years ago. Hes faster than everybody right now. So imagine whats going to happen when he tightens up even more. I like where hes at. I like where his head is at, too." And, as the Browns see it, the longer Gordons on the field, the better. Trevor Siemian Jersey . Philippe Desrosiers stopped 42 shots through overtime and three more in the shootout to pick up his third shutout of the season for Rimouski (31-15-7). Zachary Fucale made 28 saves for Halifax (34-17-3) in the loss. Randy Moss Vikings Jersey . Messis father, Jorge Horacio Messi, is apparently still under investigation for an alleged 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in unpaid taxes from Messis image rights from 2007-09. Messis public relations firm confirmed Spanish media reports that the state prosecutor has asked for Messi to be dropped from the investigation that began in June 2013.Day 23 in 100 words or less It was a day for central defenders and set-piece goals. Time to go through the motions and squeeze out a victory had passed. It was a day for the serious World Cup contenders to step up and show us what they had. Brazil and Germany, with eight World Cups between them, did just that and now meet each other in Tuesdays semifinal. Germany 1-0 France Twenty years ago next week Germany were almost there. Just after 1:30pm in the afternoon, inside the blistering heat of Giants Stadium, New Jersey, the Germans led 1-0 in a World Cup quarterfinal against Bulgaria with 15 minutes left in the match. The reigning World Champions were about to become the first ever country to reach four straight World Cup semifinals. Bulgaria suddenly scored two goals in three minutes and in a New York minute the Germans were going home. The football world was stunned. No one since has made the final four of the World Cup four times in a row. Until today. Fittingly, it was Germany again, playing on another hot afternoon, and up a goal on their opponents. This time, though, there was no meltdown in the heat. Joachim Lows team havent been near their best in Brazil since a blistering opening 30 minutes against Portugal but this was their best showing since that showing in Salvador 18 days ago. It was a statement of intent from Lows side. A statement that they can win games in such a manner. "You are not only the best side in the world, you are the best side I have ever seen." That is what Low said to Xavi after Spain had defeated his German team in the semifinal four years ago. Spain won 1-0 that day, through a headed goal, scored by a centre-back from a set-piece. Low, then, will surely have been thinking about that when his team beat France the same way. Goalscorer Mats Hummels had a wonderful match. He would have been man of the match even if Germanys goal had been scored by someone else. Behind him, Manuel Neuer, earning his 50th cap, was also impressive again, making two outstanding saves, with one denying Karim Benzema in the final moments. Philipp Lahm at right back wasnt anywhere near his best but his positioning made sense for the collective balance of the side. Thats because it allowed Sami Khedira to come into midfield and he made a big difference. The Real Madrid man is clearly still not at his peak after a long layoff through injury but his penetrating runs into space makes Germany more flexible in attack and, subsequently, harder to defend against. With Thomas Muller still a menace in attack, either on the right or central, all of this means Low is building a side with a strong spine. You do not need to have 11 players all at the top of their game to win a World Cup. This is good news for Mesut Ozil and whoever plays alongside him and Muller. Ozil is clearly struggling inside this system but with other players excelling it is not as vital. Lows mind will be full of exceptional memories of Ozil performing brilliantly at the last two major tournaments. He remains good at spatial awareness and in possession when given outlets close by. However, he is far from at his best and his reputation as a player who needs a lot of love shows he is incredibly low on confidence. He is, however, like all of his teammates, just two wins away from being a world champion. France go home with their heads held high and will be a force on home soil at Euro 2016. The Champions League has been a wonderful stage for many to show they can compete at a high level, while Ligue 1 continues to produce some sensational young players not even seen in Brazil. For those who were in Brazil, this tournament, unlike the past two, will have provided them a lot of good lessons in cohesion both on and off the field. Didier Deschamps deserves a lot of credit for turning Les Bleus into a team their nation loves once again, just nine months after many couldnt stand them anymore. Brazil 2-1 Colombia Where do we start? Here is what we DO know: Brazil scored two goals via set pieces and now have only scored two goals from open play in four games against Croatia, Mexico, Chile and Colombia at this World Cup. Games against Cameroon should not count when evaluating their attack. The ggame was very physical. Trevor Siemian Vikings Jersey. The ref was very average. If you followed the match on Twitter there is a good chance that you think Brazil were very, very fortunate. Colombia, however, did very little in the match until going down 2-0. Brazils intensity early in the match was unlike anything we have seen from the hosts so far and, James Rodriguez aside, Jose Pekermans team look like a side that is only good enough to reach the last eight. Thiago Silva was absolutely magnificent in defence. His suspension for the game against Germany is enormous. James Rodriguez got even better, despite the loss. He was a marked man and on a completely different level than his teammates yet he was still sensational, finding space and creating goal-scoring opportunities. He deserved his sixth goal of the World Cup. We bid farewell to Colombia. They played a wonderful part in making this a special World Cup and gave us the true star of this tournament. However, on this night, the rest of the team was shown to be what they are. Juan Cuadrado is very good and had a great tournament but the rest were just good. Good enough to take Colombia to the last eight for the first time. It appears as this column goes to press that Neymar is out of the World Cup. Here is what we do NOT know: How good are Brazil? This is the biggest question going forward. Despite getting by two good sides they look very average relying on Neymars pace and creativity in the final third. Without Neymar, they have no real plan B in attack. Even when they are scoring, he is the one creating them. Neymars speed again made a massive difference. You will remember David Luizs goal against Chile but moments earlier it was Neymar whose run got Brazil into that territory. They will miss many things without Neymar but his pace on counters is one the biggest things. Here is a shot of how Brazil lined up in that game. You will see the ball is on the right as #7 Hulk defends his flank. Already Neymar is anticipating a quick counter, wanting to go to the left…. Once that counter happens he is away to press…. Then he wins the ball and is behind the defender…. Here is the build up to the corner won by Brazil that led to their opening goal. Colombia in possession with Neymar lurking and Cristian Zapata deep to deal with his speed….. Brazil win it back and transition with Neymar immediately heading into that zone once again… Neymar is now in possession and Zapata is losing the race despite the head start… Zapata must force it into a corner – out of nothing and all because of the quick counter made by Neymar… Neymar has carried this team on his back so far and now that back can not carry the nation any more. Man of the day Nominees David Luiz – a sensational free kick gave Brazil the moment of the World Cup so far. Thiago Silva – opened the scoring with a key early goal and was magnificent in defence throughout. James Rodriguez – His name is James. James Rodriguez. No one should ever mispronounce his name ever again. A global star was born in Brazil. Manuel Neuer – the German goalkeeper was, once again, commanding in goal on the big occasion. Got his 50th cap against France and another 50 will be on their way. Mats Hummels – Germany needed a defensive hero very badly and the Borussia Dortmund man returned from the flu to win the game for Joachim Lows side. The winner… David Luiz – He may not have been the best player on the field but it was very special for a Brazilian to score a 35 yard free kick with the SIDE of his foot in such a monumental match. What comes next? Argentina vs Belgium (12pm/9am) and Netherlands vs Costa Rica (4pm/1pm) Burning question for tomorrow Argentina have gone through this World Cup with one great player and ten average ones. Can one player step up from average to good to help Lionel Messi and dispose of Belgium? Key stat of day 23 Mats Hummels scored the 30th headed goal at the World Cup. Nike NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys Throwback NFL Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys China Black China NFL Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys ' ' '
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