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| All Blacks captain Richie McCaw | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 18 2014, 01:37 AM (87 Views) | |
| xubb | Jan 18 2014, 01:37 AM Post #1 |
Club DJ
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will take a six-month break from rugby after New Zealands end-of-year tour to Europe in a move designed to prolong his career to the 2015 World Cup. Todd Blackadder, coach of McCaws Super 15 team the Canterbury Crusaders, told New Zealand media on Sunday the 31-year-old flanker will invoke a clause in his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union that allows him to take a "sabbatical." The decision means McCaw will miss a three-test series against France in June and the majority of the 2013 Super 15. He is unlikely to be available for the Crusaders before July. Blackadder told the Sunday Star-Times "it is definitely going to happen. Richie is going to take a sabbatical. He wont be available for the tests or Super rugby so hes going to get a good break." Luke Joeckel Jersey For Sale . 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It was Ronaldos third hat trick this season and the 18th of his Madrid career, but his opening goal in the third minute was the pick of the three. NFL Connor Barwin Eagles Jersey .C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reasons To Believe 1. Defensive Dominance - Returning all but two starters, the Steelers defence is once again primed to be one of the most feared units in football. Despite playing only 21 of 32 regular season games, defensive standouts James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley still combined for 18 sacks. A full from season from their rush linebackers, combined with strong seasons from their core performers, Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and Brett Keisel will leave AFC offenses battered and bruised after games with the black and gold. 2. Pass Catchers - Antonio Browns breakout 2011 season gives the Steelers two dynamic weapons who line up outside the hash marks. Establishing himself late in the year as Roethlisbergers go-to target, the third-year receivers emergence will soften the blow left by the training camp holdout of Pro Bowler Mike Wallace. Wallace finally reported to the team less than two weeks before the start of the season but until he gets caught up to pace with new coordinator Todd Haleys offence, Roethlisberger will rely heavily on Brown, reliable tight end Heath Miller and third receiver, Emmanuel Sanders. Once Wallace gets up to speed, Pittsburghs passing game has the potential to be one of the most prolific in the AFC. 3. Smart Coaching - Since Mike Tomlins arrival on the scene in 2007, the Steelers have posted a 55-25 regular season record and reached two Super Bowls. Tomlins hard-nosed, defence-first approach has been consistent since his first day on the job. With the help of long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Tomlin has gotten the entire roster to buy into his philosophy and the veteran leaders within the Pittsburgh locker room – whom Tomlin has built a solid relationship with -- are there to make sure that continues. Reasons To Doubt 1. Runaway - After struggling to run the ball on a consistent basis, the Steelers decided it was time for a change. Bruce Arians was fired and former Kansas City Chiefs run-first head coach, Haley was brought in with the hope Pittsburgh would return to the smashmouth-style of footbball favoured by president, Art Rooney II.dddddddddddd That task may prove difficult with the Steelers backfield looking like a MASH unit. Last years starter, Rashard Mendenhall is expected to miss the seasons first month after surgery and his replacement, Isaac Redman has battled injuries throughout training camp. If the team is forced to start third string back, Jonathan Dwyer – who has also struggled to stay healthy in camp – the offence will again lack balance and will be hard-pressed to score points against the better defences in the AFC. 2. Downright Offensive Line - Using their first two draft picks to provide Roethlisberger some protection was a necessity after the Steelers star quarterback endured another injury-plagued season. The unit has the potential to be solid with full seasons from the likes of Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, and Willie Colon, but after a season in which Pittsburgh went through a league-high 25 different line combinations, that may be an unrealistic expectation. If the Steelers fail to keep Big Ben healthy, playoff success will be difficult to achieve. 3. Making Adjustments - Initially, the transition from Arians to Haley was not received well by Roethlisberger, who wasnt shy in hiding his unhappiness for the move. He has softened his stance in camp, but said he is not yet fully comfortable with Haleys complicated terminology and thick playbook. If it takes time for Roethlisberger and the sometimes volatile Haley to get on the same page, the Steelers may again start off the regular season slowly and then face the challenge of climbing an uphill battle to get back in the AFC playoff race. What to Expect Barring a series of devastating injuries to their core players, its hard to envision Tomlins squad not posting their sixth straight winning season. The defensive core remains largely intact and the offence is young and should only get better. If the Steelers are clicking on all cylinders come playoff time, they should be one of the favourites to appear in their fourth Super Bowl in eight seasons. |
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1:38 AM Jul 11