South Americans pressing for a second | Forum
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Feb 26 '18
NAPA, Calif. Erik Walden Jersey . -- The Oakland Raiders sustained a significant blow Wednesday with the news that starting left tackle Jared Veldheer will need surgery on his torn left triceps and will miss a significant portion of the upcoming season. Veldheer has been bothered by the triceps throughout training camp and had a second MRI performed on Tuesday when it did not feel any better. After consulting with doctors and the team, Veldheer decided to have the surgery. "Its a disappointment for all of us," coach Dennis Allen said. "But again were going to play 16 games this year. The teams that are able to push through those things mentally, those are the teams that have success. Everybody has injuries. Thats one well just have to deal with." Allen said Veldheer would miss a significant amount of time but hoped he would be back at some point this season. Allen said Veldheer would be a candidate to be placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, which would require him to miss at least the first eight weeks. The Raiders can place Veldheer on that list starting Sept. 3. He would be required to sit for six weeks and then could practice for two more before being eligible to be activated in time for the teams eighth game on Nov. 3 against Philadelphia. Teams can only use that designation on one player and Allen said he wouldnt know for sure whether that would be an option for Veldheer until after the surgery. The injury to Veldheer gives a shot at a starting role to Alex Barron, a former first-round pick by the St. Louis Rams who has not played a game in the NFL since 2010. "Of course its an opportunity," Barron said. "First and foremost its an opportunity to be here, period. Its another opportunity obviously to go up on the chart and help the team as best I can. My whole thing is Im going to continue to work and try to help the team as best I can." Barron was drafted 19th overall in 2005 out of Florida State but struggled for almost his entire five seasons in St. Louis. He started 74 games and played both left and right tackle but was plagued by penalties and poor blocking. He committed 43 false start penalties -- including 13 in 2006 -- and 13 holding penalties while allowing 33 sacks, according to game tracking from STATS LLC. He was traded to Dallas in 2010 and played 11 games with the Cowboys. But Barron hasnt played since, spending a little time with New Orleans and Seattle without ever getting into a game. "I think Alex has been playing very well," quarterback Matt Flynn said. "I was with him in camp last year in Seattle. He seems like a different guy here. Hes playing well, playing aggressive and really coming into his own." Veldheer was perhaps Oaklands most indispensable player, given his talent and the importance of the position he plays. He had started the past 42 games at left tackle, missing only one offensive snap in that entire time. A third-round pick out of Hillsdale College in 2010, Veldheer was an emerging left tackle in the NFL who was counted on as a major piece of the Raiders rebuilding project. Veldheer was rated by Pro Football Focus as the eighth best pass-blocking left tackle in the NFL last season. He has been responsible for just four sacks in each of the past two seasons, according to STATS LLC. "Its a real big blow," right tackle Khalif Barnes said. "Jareds a big part of our line. Hes a big guy. He comes to work every day, you never hear him complaining, just tries to go in, get the job done, he just tries to perfect his craft every day at practice. Hes a good part of our team, a good leader for our team." The Raiders have been hampered by injuries on the line throughout camp. Right guard Mike Brisiel has been out all week as he struggles to recover from off-season ankle surgery. Lucas Nix, who is batting with Tony Bergstrom for the left guard spot, has also missed significant time in camp with an undisclosed injury. Second-round pick Menelik Watson has not practiced all camp with a calf injury. With Oakland changing blocking schemes from a zone system last year to more power blocking this season, the lack of continuity on the line is concerning. "It definitely hurts," centre Stefen Wisniewski said. "Weve had a couple of left guards in there, a couple of right guards in there, and now were working with a new left tackle. But I think were all communicating really well. I think its just a matter of getting your footwork right, and getting some of those combination blocks right." Logan Ryan Jersey . -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. DaQuan Jones Jersey . Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season.Day three was another outstanding day of football in Brazil. The goals kept pouring in – 13 on the day and now 28 goals scored in just eight matches – the most goals scored in that span in the World Cup since 1954. In comparison, there were only 25 goals scored after every team played one match at 2010 South Africa. Thats 16 games. Three and a half goals per game is a staggering statistic, especially considering most are the product of stellar play rather than poor defending. Its also quickly becoming the World Cup of the counter-attack, where speed and finish on the rush is proving decisive. Day three was also a day of standout individual performances. Specifically, the play of the young, a veteran and a guardian of the goal stole the show. These four players from different teams, representing different confederations and playing different positions, all coming up with memorable performances on a memorable day. Young Toulouse right-back Serge Aurier was a dominant force throughout for Cote dIvoire, helping turn around the nightcap of the Super Saturday quadruple-header. The Ivorian wingback was a constant threat down the wing all night, particularly in attack. A tactical change brought on Didier Drogba for Serey Die in the 62nd minute. The change caused immediate havoc in the Japanese back four, opening up more gaps inside the 18-yard box. Aurier went to work. It took just two minutes for Aurier to provide pinpoint service on crosses to Wilfried Bony, and then two minutes later to Gervinho. The attacking players did their part on the finish but it was the crosses that stood out. Both whipped in by Aurier with pace and precision, finding the open man rather than just hitting and hoping. There was composure about each ball, not usually seen from such a young player. His relentless energy bursting forward with strength and purpose was a difference-maker. The game shifted because of the goals, where Drogba and company were able to separate and seal the victory. The final scoreline read 2-1 with two assists for Aurier. The performance by the right back is the best weve seen so far from the position. One year his elder, James Rodriguez is a star in the making. The 22-year-old put in arguably the top display over 90 minutes of the tournament in Colombias 3-0 win over Greece. He played a part in all three goals, scoring the third of the game. His most impressive intervention wasnt on his goal – a poised finish after receiving a back-heal from the likewise impressive Cuadrado in the 90th minute. The opening goal was of the Monaco-mans doing. Hell never get the credit Cuadrado will get, but he should. Rodriguez started the move from his own end, playing a forty-yard ball over the top with a bend to a on-running Cuadrado. As his teammate pulled the moves out wide, Rodriguez ran the full length of the field showing in the attacking area. Cuadrado played near post to Rodriguez who dummied the ball to an awaiting Pablo Amero who provided the finish. Five minutes in and the tone had been set by the centre-midfielder. The pass, the run, and the wherewithal to leave the ball signaled his class. All afternoon, Rodriguez ran wild, covering an incredible amount of ground and setting the tone. Rodriguez also took the corner leading to the second goal, a near-post service that was flicked before Teo Gutierrez tapped home. It was a day Colombia was able to sit back and picck their spots. Taywan Taylor Jersey. Rodriguez dictated the pace for Colombia. He was the maestro. Even if Falcao were available, it would be the young star that would prove most influential. Watch him as the tournament progresses. Rodriguez is special. Special and/or influential are a couple of apt superlatives used to describe the incomparable Andrea Pirlo. The 35-year-old Italian veteran had himself another match to remember in Italys 2-1 win over England. The intelligence by which he plays was another level to his competition. Composure is a theme here, and Pirlo was never rattled in the heat of Manaus. Pirlo completed 108 passes at a success rate of 95 per cent. Most the completed passes in the first half were without pressure. The passing out of the back in the second half under high pressure was a thing of beauty. England had no player who could limit his effectiveness. Pundits correctly point out to stop Italy you must stop Pirlo. Easier said than done. The savvy by which he plays is another level. The dummy he laid on Claudio Marchisios 35th minute strike gave his teammates ample time and space to pick his spot. England players were left without a hope. And the moment that will provided the GIF of the night was Pirlos free kick from 25 yards out, hit dead on by the midfielder with the ball floating and bending outwards before going off the crossbar. The floating ball completely fooled goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was entirely fooled and was left going the other way. Embarrassing for Hart, masterful from Pirlo. It was another near perfect night from one of the most influential players in the World Cup. Moments can define matches. No moment Saturday proved bigger than the 44th minute of Uruguay and Costa Rica. The highly favoured Uruguay was up 1-0 late in the first half, with the South Americans pressing for a second. What happens just before the half can have a distinct affect on what happens after play resumes. Case and point, Robin van Persies 44th minute wonder goal and equalizer Friday, helping turn the tides against Spain. Saturday, a second goal before halftime would have buried the Ticos. Queue goalkeeper Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican backstop had an outstanding year at Levante. His prowess was on full display in that decisive 44th minute. Diego Forlan had found space on the back post. His strike took a massive deflection off a defender and had eyes for the top right corner. Navas, caught off his line, lunged back and punched the ball out before it crossed the line. It was an incredible save to make, and a save of the tournament contender. The balance and co-ordination was outstanding at a difficult moment. Im comfortable saying if Navas doesnt make the save, Costa Rica loses the match. Navas remained a rock amidst pressure in the second half. He even guessed right on Edinson Cavanis penalty. Navas was in the zone and gives further reason to believe Costa Rica can remain competitive in Group D. These were four different contexts and four specials performances on an extraordinary Saturday at the World Cup. The high level of overall attacking play is making for a distinctive tournament. But its these kinds of special moments and exceptional performances that will live for the ages. No matter age, position, or method, Aurier, Rodriguez, Pirlo and Navas have already left their mark in Brazil. And to think, the best may be still to come. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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