yyys123
Joined: 08 Jul 2019
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 Posted: 22.02.2009 Post subject: to his 15 titles in Blackpool For me, o |
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HOUSTON - The first two times the Houston Texans had the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they chose quarterback David Carr and defensive end Mario Williams. Odds are that theyll use this years top choice on one of those two positions again. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is widely considered the best player available in this years draft. Pairing him with 2012 Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt could give the Texans the best 1-2 pass-rushing punch in the NFL. The problem is that while Houston could use another game-changing defensive player, the need at quarterback is more dire. The Texans traded Matt Schaub in the off-season after a terrible year in which he was benched after six games. The Texans signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the off-season, but he probably isnt the long-term solution to their quarterback woes. Several talented quarterbacks in this draft have questions attached to them concerning whether they are cant-miss prospects worthy of the No. 1 pick. Considered the best of the crop are Texas A&Ms Johnny Manziel, Louisvilles Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles of Central Florida. Some worry that Manziels size will be a detriment in the NFL. Bridgewater had a bad pro day. Bortles has taken criticism because of his limited mobility. Manziel is somewhat of a folk hero in Texas after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012. Billboards imploring the Texans to "Keep Johnny Football in Texas" dot the freeways around Houston, and Manziel, of course, has said hed love to play here. Though the team is under different management than in 2006, Houston is unlikely to let public sentiment about not letting the homegrown player get away sway its decision. The Texans passed on former Texas quarterback Vince Young, who grew up in Houston and led the Longhorns to a national title, in favour of Williams the last time they had the first pick. Houston general manager Rick Smith did say this week his team would consider trading out of the top spot. "If we take the first pick, we know who we want," Smith said. "(But) we are obviously open to moving out of the first pick, if in fact there is an opportunity for us to do so and if we think that is in the best interest of the organization." Five things to know about the Texans heading into the draft: LATE-ROUND QBs: If the Texans do use their first pick on Clowney, recent history has shown they could still pick up a solid (or better) starting quarterback later in the draft. San Franciscos Colin Kaepernick was chosen in the second round in 2011, and Seattles Russell Wilson was taken in the third round a year later. "I think theres an idea of a traditional quarterback that is successful in the NFL and I think those two examples are guys that dont necessarily fit the ideal mode. And I think theyve also given people some confidence that you dont necessarily need to have a traditional type of quarterback to be successful in our league," Smith said. CANT GET ENOUGH: Though Smith shied away from discussing specific needs of his team on draft day, he did acknowledge one thing. "There are two positions that I never think you can have too many of: corners and tackles," he said. NEW PROCESS: Smith is adjusting to new coach Bill OBrien after working on the draft with Gary Kubiak, who was fired in December, for the last seven seasons. "The opportunity to step outside of that comfort zone, and learn something, gives me a chance to grow personally and professionally," Smith said. "That was a fun part of it." NO LOVE FOR Defence: Williams was the last defensive player selected with the first overall pick when Houston chose him in 2006. Before that, the last player on that side of the ball to go first was Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown to the Browns in 2000. The Texans have overwhelmingly gone with defence in the early rounds, choosing defenders with 14 of their 17 first- and second-round picks since 2004. FINE WITH THE MOVE: This years draft was pushed back from its usual time in April to May because Radio City Music Hall was unavailable. Smith was perfectly happy with the change for at least this year. "To have the first pick, the extra time has been good," Smith said. "I think that I enjoyed the schedule and the rhythm of the draft in April and would probably want to see it moved back, but Im enjoying it the fact that its in May this year for our selfish purposes." Zack Wheeler Jersey .com) - Its fair to call Mike McCarthy one of the best coaches in the NFL but its also more than objective to point out that the veteran mentor bookended the Green Bay Packers season with two, truly awful game plans in Seattle. Darryl Strawberry Mets Jersey . He scored two highlight-reel goals in a three-minute span -- the second on a sideways bicycle kick in the 78th minute -- to give the Whitecaps a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers before a crowd of 20,303 at B. http://www.metsbaseballauthentic.com/dwight-gooden-mets-jersey/ . Im very excited about the playoffs, particularly in the Western Conference with amazing match-ups, as well as the wonderful local story in the Toronto Raptors. It should be a blast. Here are my predictions, but based upon my lousy prognostications during the NCAA Tournament, you might be better off going the other way on some of mine - particularly with the Raptors, who I hope and pray are able to win an incredibly difficult match-up. Tom Seaver Jersey .C. -- Kevin Harvick won his first career pole at Darlington Raceway on Friday as he looks to chase his first Southern 500. Brandon Nimmo Jersey . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish.Blackpools Winter Gardens is the iconic venue for one of darts three majors and four of the sports biggest names will all be bidding for the World Matchplay title. Phil Taylor has reigned supreme winning an incredible 15 titles, and remarkably claiming every final he has ever reached on the Lancashire coast.James Wade has reached six finals and won once, Adrian Lewis is yet to win while MVG has reached two finals winning his first title last year. Gary Anderson, winner of the World Championship heads to the seaside seeking a first matchplay title that would complete a memorable triple crown. So who has the best chance of victory and who could fall early, we turned to Hawaii 501 for the lowdown...... World Matchplay Draw Top Half Michael van Gerwen (1) v Jamie Cavan Vincent van der Voort (16) v Kyle Anderson Robert Thornton ( v Josh Payne Dave Chisnall (9) v Benito van de Pas Peter Wright (5) v Joe Cullen Ian White (12) v Daryl Gurney Adrian Lewis (4) v Mark Webster Kim Huybrechts (13) v Gerwyn Price Bottom Half Gary Anderson (2) v Alan Norris Terry Jenkins (15) v Justin Pipe Michael Smith (7) v Simon Whitlock Jelle Klaasen (10) v Steve Beaton James Wade (6) v Mervyn King Raymond van Barneveld (11) v Brendan Dolan Phil Taylor (3) v Robbie Green Stephen Bunting (14) v Mensur Suljovic Tough for Taylor? Phil Taylor will be looking to add to his 15 titles in Blackpool For me, of all the top four, Phil Taylor has the toughest draw.dddddddddddd Hes got Robbie Green, which he will be happy with, and I expect him to brush Kong aside. But then hes got the winner of either Stephen Bunting or Mensur Suljovic. I think that will be a tough game. I know Bunting has not made the charge up the rankings like we thought he would. But hes feeling good and you can only take the man on his word.After that, Phil would then have the winner of James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals. Thats going to be really tough. The likelihood is that he would have to beat Gary Anderson in the semis to reach the final. Thats probably the toughest hes ever had, because hes always been one and two seed and now hes No 3.Can MVG rule again? Michael van Gerwen will be defending the title he won for the first time last year Ive got to say, Michael van Gerwen drawing Jamie Caven is a nice opener for him. Then he will have Vincent van der Voort or Kyle Anderson in the second round. You have got to back him to win that as well and really Dave Chisnall, being the 8th seed - is the one hes got to stop. If he can, that puts him in the semi-finals, so Van Gerwen will be happy with his draw, I feel absolutely sure about that. Could Anderson or Lewis land the title? Gary Anderson has been in fantastic form this season I think Gary Anderson will be happy as well. The only thing for him is - hes the mentor for Michael Smith and hes in the same section. Alan Norris is first up and Im backing Gary to win that game. I dont think Adrian Lewis will be too disappointed with his draw. First round opponent Mark Webster is out of form. But Peter Wright is the danger man in Adrian Lewis quarter, because they are seeded four and five. Adrian Lewis is seeking a first Matchplay crown Will Wade reach another final? James Wade lost a fifth Matchplay final last year James Wade has a horrible draw. Mervyn King first, Barney second, maybe Taylor third, Anderson fourth game and Van Gerwen in the final. But never underestimate James Wade, especially at Blackpool, hes made the final six times. He didnt play well in last years final, but he played well up to it. He likes the place and the format seems to suit him, because he nicks the odd leg and hes hard to break. Hes a really tough competitor is James. Why not Wade? Rod Studd casts his Matchplay verdict You can follow all the action across our digital platforms and on Sky Sports with the action getting underway on Saturday from 7pm and every night through to the final on Sunday July 24 #LoveTheDarts Also See: WATCH: Freddie calls MVG nine-darter Studd: Why not Wade? Dellers darting shocks Matchplay draw/schedule ' ' ' |
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