Steelers Have Only Themselves To Blame

Steelers Have Only Themselves To Blame

A famous coach once said you can’t turn the ball over and expect to win the game. And yet, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a shot to win Super Bowl XLV.

Down 6 points with two minutes to go from their own 13 yard line, Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers’ offense on the field against a Green Bay Packers defense that had come up with big plays all night. Unlike two years ago, however, Big Ben came up short this time. Pittsburgh would not win its 7th Super Bowl. Instead, Green Bay would win its 4th.

It was Roethlisberger’s first-half performance, however, that helped to undo the Steelers. He threw two key interceptions in the first half, both of which led to Packers touchdowns. One of those picks was returned for a touchdown, which led Fox to reveal the ominous stat that teams who returned interceptions for touchdowns in the Super Bowl were 10-0.

The Steelers got up off the mat, though, cutting Green Bay’s 21-3 lead to 21-17 and looking for all the world like they were going to turn the Super Bowl on its head. That’s when the Packers’ defense made its biggest play of the night. Clay Matthews forced Rashard Mendenhall to fumble the ball, which the Packers recovered. That lead to another Green Bay touchdown, giving them a 28-17 lead and all but sealing the game.

Green Bay’s 21 points of turnovers, however, would not have been possible without the ultimate failure of the Pittsburgh secondary. For most of this season, the Steelers have gotten away with having less-than-stellar cornerbacks, largely because their blitz had been so effective. That wasn’t the case in this Super Bowl. Green Bay picked up the blitz effectively all night, giving Aaron Rodgers the time he needed to tear the secondary apart with one big pass play after another. If Jordy Nelson hadn’t dropped as many key passes as he caught, this could have been a blowout.

The Packers certainly deserve credit for handling the Steelers’ blitz and forcing those turnovers. Aaron Rodgers deserved his MVP award as well. The Steelers, however, will walk away from this one thinking their mistakes, rather than Rodgers’ performance, ultimately cost them a 7th Lombardi Trophy. It’s awfully hard to argue otherwise. The offense didn’t take care of the ball, and the defense left receivers wide open. That’s not exactly a recipe for winning football.

Japan loses to Canada (again) in IFAF U-19 semi-final

Japan loses to Canada (again) in IFAF U-19 semi-final


In a game where the Japanese team bested Canada in yardage and time of possession, Canada still found a way to defeat Japan in the IFAF Under-19 championship semifinal, held this year in Austin Texxas, by a 33-24 score. A last minute touchdown won the game for Canada in the semifinal match in 2009- that game ended 38-35.


Japan recieved the opening kickoff and scored first, but Canada cam back and tied the score on the kickoff return for a TD. A pick-6 put Japan up 14-7.

Japan trailed 23-14 at halftime, as Japan was plagued by 4 interceptions in the first half.

Strangely, Japan also recieved the 2nd half kickoff, and its initial drive ended with a 31-yad Ariwa FG to pull within a touchdown.

Ikuma Mitsuwa came up with an interception on Canada's next drive. But Japan returned the favor.

Japan was able to bring it to within 2 when Kishimura scored on a keeper. But a 97 yard drive by Canada and a TD on a QB keepers by Hugo Richard put Canada back up
33-24.

Japan was able to cross midfield in the last two minutes, but the drive stalled there, and Canada ran out the clock.

Canada moves on to the Gold medal game saturday to face the winner of the USA-Austria matchup; Japan will be in the Bronze medal game to face the loser.

RUNNING BACK POSITION

RUNNING BACK POSITION

Running backs usually lines up behind the quarterback in an offensive formation, they specialize in rushing the football to gain yards. They can also catch passes from the quarterback, and on rare occasions can receive the snap from the center or even pass the football. When a team has an offensive formation that has two backs in the backfield, the lead back iscalled the fullback the other is called the tailback. The fullback usuallyblocks for the tailback helping him to gain yardage, but the fullback is also eligible to run or catch the football. Running backs must be in great mental and physical condition. A running back should know what he is supposed to do on every play. He also has to be able to carry the football between 20 to 30 times a game, catch passes out of the backfield, and block defensive players.

KEYS TO BEING A GREAT BACK.

1. Must be able to run the football, catch passes and block defenders. Coaches love running backs that can due all three.

2. Running backs must have mental and physical toughness; they need these two things to deal with the punishment they must endure.

3. Running backs must know the playbook; he has to know where to line up in the backfield and what to do on each play. The Running back is a key element on offense.

4. Must be able to run the ball hard for the duration of the game. great running backs get stronger running with the football in the fourth quarter.

QUARTERBACK

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This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0 License

The Quarterback is the player that runs and directs the offense. He usually gets the signal for the play from the coaching staff, and then he calls the play in the huddle. He usually lines up directly behind the center who hikes him the ball to start the play. The quarterback is involved in the majority of the offensive plays a team runs. He is either throwing it to a receiver, handing the ball off to a running back, or running it himself. In some situation a quarterback can call his own plays without getting a signal from the coach, one would be if a quarterback recognizes that the defense is running a certain play and then he calls an audible. Another rear situation is when the coaching staff allows the quarterback to call his own plays.

QUARTERBACK TIPS

1. Develop leadership skills, coaches loves for their starting quarterbacks to be leaders.

2. Get a lot of practice in the offseason. You need to work on arm strengh and footwork. Work on throwing football often and far, also work on various dropbacks espiciaaly the 5 step dropback.

3. Practice looking off safety to create space for the wide reciever, do not telegraph your throws.

4. Watch and learn what good quarterbacks do in certain situations, watchthem on films or television.

5. Mentaly visualize yourself coming to the line and facing certain defenses, come up with what you will do against it.

6. A quarterback needs to study the playbook, he should know what every offensive player is doing when the ball is hiked.

Luis Suarez commits future to Liverpool amid Manchester City talk

Luis Suarez commits future to Liverpool amid Manchester City talk

The Premier League champions had been linked with a £40 million January move for the Uruguayan striker, but he has now reaffirmed his desire to stay at Anfield

Nov 15, 2012 8:31:00 PM

By David Lynch

Getty Images

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has reiterated his desire to stay at the club, amid widely rumoured interest from Manchester City.

The Uruguayan has been in fine form so far this campaign, notching 11 goals in 16 appearances, despite Brendan Rodgers' men suffering a mixed start to the season.

Suarez's recent performances had led to suggestions that Roberto Mancini was set to test the Reds' resolve with £40-million January bid, but the forward has now underlined his commitment to the Anfield side.

He told the club's official website: "I have a very long contract here and it's a dream come true to be playing at a club like Liverpool because, as I've said, as a boy I dreamt of playing for a team like this.

"Now I'm here, it's all about enjoying myself and trying to be here for as many years as I can, because I'm at a club where I'm very happy, my family is happy, I've got fantastic teammates and a manager from whom I'm learning so much.

"As a player, it's vital to have the backing of your manager and so I think that the confidence Brendan is showing in myself and the team as a whole is very important and it's down to us to repay that trust out there on the pitch.

"Let's hope we can keep improving. I'm working well and I'm very happy at a club where I've always wanted to be. At a club to whom I'm very grateful for the trust everyone is showing in me - a club with amazing supporters and teammates who are all great people.

"The other important thing is that the squad is very united. In spite of not getting the results we would have liked, we have a great spirit of togetherness and let's hope we can continue to pick up points."

The 25-year-old has regularly been subjected to booing from opposition supporters, largely due to his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra last season.

But he insists that such things do not affect him and went on to hail the support he has received from Liverpool fans since joining the club.

"I think you need to really know a person before you criticise them or speak out about them," he continued.

"I think sometimes the opposition fans are more interested in booing Luis Suarez for the problems he had or because he's gone down for something than they are in their own team!

"I think that each set of supporters should just worry about their own team and leave their opponents well alone, just like the Liverpool fans do.

"I think our fans are the perfect example and always show how to help the team by wanting to get behind the side. It doesn't matter who the opposition are, the only thing they want is for their team to win by giving a lift to the players with their support.

"That's what the other clubs' fans need to do - get behind their own side and not just think about Suarez, because all that does is motivate me even more to do well."

The Salto-born forward scored the equaliser in the Reds' 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, but insists nothing but three points will do when Liverpool take on Wigan at Anfield next time round.

"Chelsea was a result that was neither good nor bad," he added. "I guess we really need to be picking up as many points as we can, given that we haven't got as many points on the board that a club like Liverpool would expect to have at this stage.

"Wigan is an absolute must-win fixture. It's a very important game for us to gain in confidence for the matches ahead and to get stronger here at Anfield, which is where we need to make the difference."

Sartori denies Andreolli to Inter rumours

Sartori denies Andreolli to Inter rumours

Chievo's sporting director has rejected speculation the centre-back will return to San Siro as his side look to kickstart their ailing Serie A season

Nov 8, 2012 12:22:00 AM

 

By Barney Cullum

Getty Images

Giovanni Sartori has denied claims that Marco Andreolli has been targeted by former clubInter.

The 26-year-old began his career at San Siro before moving first to Roma and then on loan to Vicenza and Sassuolo.

Having established himself at Chievo, rumours have circulated that the player could be set to depart for the Nerazzurri, with the defender set to become a free agent when his contract expires in June. 

“I’m continuing to hear the rumours and the whispers, but I have never heard from Inter,”Sartori told TMW.

“It is true that the two presidents of Chievo and Inter know each other well, they have an excellent relationship and speak often, but they have never discussed Andreolli."

The former Italy Under-21 international helped the Gialloblu to a top-10 finish last season, but the club are down in 16th place after 11 league games so far this season.

Chiellini: Conte's return will be a boost for Juventus

Chiellini: Conte's return will be a boost for Juventus

The defender has hailed the influence of the 43-year-old coach ahead his return next month, and also had his say on Antonio Cassano's recent comments about the Bianconeri

Nov 16, 2012 10:20:00 AM

 

By Stefan Coerts

AFP

Giorgio Chiellini believes that Antonio Conte's return to the Juventus bench next month will provide a huge boost to the reigning Serie A champions.

The 43-year-old is currently serving a touchline ban for failing to report an instance of match-fixing during his spell in charge of Siena, but will take charge of the Bianconeri again ahead of the match against Palermo on December 9.

"He is the person who has changed the team over the past year and a half. I initially thought his absence would be less problematic," Chiellini stated at a press conference.

"We work with him throughout the entire week and prepare for the games in the best possible way. But there are things that you cannot plan for and the coach is important in certain situations.

"His return to the bench will give the team a boost."

The defender also had his say about the war of words between Conte and Antonio Cassano, and is not impressed with the Inter forward's comments about his club.

"The coach’s morality cannot be called into question. Their paths have never crossed and we will try and beat him on the pitch.

"I think Cassano has missed the boat as far as Juventus are concerned. I don’t know if it is his choice or not, but at his age there aren't any more chances to play for Juventus."

The Turin giants are currently preparing for Saturday's Serie A match at home against Lazio.

Fernandinho: Shakhtar will bounce back

Fernandinho: Shakhtar will bounce back

The Brazilian midfielder believes the Miners have more mental toughness than in previous European campaigns and claims their dream of winning the competition remains alive

Nov 14, 2012 10:10:00 PM

 

By Barney Cullum

Getty Images

Fernandinho is bullish that Shakhtar can progress to the knock-out stages of the Champions League, even though the Ukrainian title-holders sit third in Group E with just two games to go.

A last-gasp Victor Moses goal denied Mircea Lucescu's side a valuable point against defending champions Chelsea in their last outing, leaving the Miners with ground to make up to reach the round of 16.

While he agreed that Shakhtar have reacted badly to defeat in Europe's elite competition in the past, Fernandinho stated that the team has grown and has the right mentality to overcome the obstacle.

"In 2007 we played Milan, who were champions at the time, and we lost in Italy and here. From there on the team lost their balance, our confidence vaporised," he said. 

"Today we're more mature as a team. I have always said that it is the strongest competition in the world, so we have to take it step by step if we are to achieve our objective.

"Our dream is to win the Champions League," admitted the player who left his home country for Ukraine seven years ago."

Shakhtar's next Champions League game sees them travel to Nordsjaelland on November 20.

Premier League round-up

Premier League round-up

Pressure mounts on Hughes; McDermott secures vital win

Last Updated: November 18, 2012 8:53am

Queens Park Rangers are still without a win after losing at home to Southampton, Reading secured a first Premier League victory of the season and Arsenal won the North London derby.

Manchester City were in rampant mood at home to Aston Villa to reclaim top spot in the table after rivals Manchester United suffered a surprise defeat at Norwich City, while Chelsea's domestic wobble continued after defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool enjoyed an ultimately convincing home win over Wigan Athletic as Newcastle United lost at home for the second time in a week after being beaten by Swansea City.

Southampton won the battle of the Premier League's bottom two after beating Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at Loftus Road to pile the pressure on Mark Hughes.

Woeful defending allowed Southampton to take the lead midway through the first half when Rickie Lambert headed home from about a yard out after QPR had wasted numerous chances to clear a corner.


PR were architects of their own downfall again on the stroke of half-time when failing to deal with the threat of Nathaniel Clyne, who fed Jason Puncheon to curl home left footed from the edge of the area.

The hosts needed a fast start to the second half and got what they wanted when Junior Hoilett glanced home Adel Taarabt's cross on 49 minutes.

QPR's defensive woe was summed up with seven minutes left when Adam Lallana fired in a low cross and Anton Ferdinand diverted the ball past goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Adam Le Fondre scored twice in the second half as Reading came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium to pick up a first three points of the season.

A comedy of errors saw Everton go in front on 10 minutes when Steven Naismith tucked the ball home from inside the six-yard box after Reading had fluffed several opportunities to clear a long ball forward.

Reading drew level six minutes into the second half when Nicky Shorey whipped in a cross which Adam Le Fondre headed into the top corner.

Le Fondre then decisively put Reading ahead with 11 minutes to go when he drilled home from the penalty spot after the striker had been barged over by Everton full-back Seamus Coleman.

Norwich stretched their unbeaten run to five games in the league after posting a shock 1-0 home success over previous leaders Manchester United.

A resolute defensive performance from the Canaries was rewarded on the hour mark when Anthony Pilkington's looping header helped to knock United off their perch.

Though United spent large parts of the game in Norwich's half, they rarely looked likely to conjure up an equaliser, with Sebastien Bassong's inadvertent header coming closest to beating John Ruddy.

Arsenal ruthlessly took advantage of former striker Emmanuel Adebayor's red card to beat North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 at Emirates Stadium.

Adebayor had given Spurs a dream start by scoring from close range on 10 minutes after Wojciech Szczesny had pushed out a shot, but the Arsenal old boy was sent off eight minutes later for a lunging challenge on Santi Cazorla.

The Gunners equalised on 24 minutes through Per Mertesacker's header and took the lead three minutes before half-time when Lukas Podolski's shot ricocheted off ex-Arsenal defender William Gallas.

There was still time for the home side to score again before the interval as Olivier Giroud finished low at the near post from Cazorla's cross.

Cazorla got the goal his performance deserved on the hour mark when slotting home at the far post, but Spurs gave themselves hope of an unlikely comeback when Gareth Bale scored with 20 minutes to go.

However, Arsenal put the seal on an emphatic victory in stoppage time when Theo Walcott scored to ensure Arsene Wenger's side jumped above their neighbours in the table.

Manchester City extended their unbeaten start to the season with a dominant second-half display securing a 5-0 victory over struggling Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.

The champions had produced a scrappy first-half performance before making the breakthrough two minutes before half-time when David Silva lifted the ball home from close range after Villa had failed to clear a corner.

City were then given a helping hand to forge clear as Andreas Weimann appeared to be harshly penalised for handball on 54 minutes and Aguero dispatched the spot-kick.

Just 11 minutes later, another handball decision went City's way as Barry Bannan was penalised and this time Carlos Tevez made no mistake from the spot.

Aguero helped himself to his second of the afternoon on 67 minutes as his low shot took a slight nick off a Villa defender and beat Brad Guzan at his near post.

Tevez then emulated his fellow Argentine on 74 minutes when he tapped home at the far post following an excellent low cross from Samir Nasri.

West Brom continued their excellent run of form at home after Steve Clarke masterminded a 2-1 victory over his former club Chelsea at The Hawthorns.

West Brom were quickly out of the blocks and took a 10th minute lead when Shane Long headed home at the far post from James Morrison's pinpoint cross.

Chelsea levelled on 39 minutes in similar circumstances as Cesar Azpilicueta's cross to the far post was met by Eden Hazard and the Belgian's header deflected in off Billy Jones.

The Baggies were back in front five minutes after half-time when Long turned provider to cross for Peter Odemwingie to glance home a header at the near post.

Luis Suarez helped himself to a brace as Liverpool perked up in the second half to overcome Wigan 3-0 at Anfield.

After a poor first half, Liverpool hit the front two minutes into the second period when Raheem Sterling burst down the right and pulled the ball back for Suarez to finish emphatically.

Suarez was similarly clinical on 58 minutes when he was played in by Jose Enrique before flicking the ball beyond the onrushing Ali Al Habsi.

Sterling then had a hand in Liverpool's third goal on 65 minutes as his low shot was palmed out by Al Habsi and Enrique reacted quickest to turn home the loose ball.

Swansea City climbed into the top half of the Premier League after holding on for a 2-1 triumph at Newcastle United.

Swansea took the lead on 58 minutes when Pablo Hernandez seized on Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul's poor clearance before crossing for his fellow Spaniard, Michu, to powerfully head home.

The points were made safe three minutes from time when Danny Graham's shot was parried by Krul into the path of Jonathan de Guzman, who fired high into the net.

Demba Ba gave Newcastle late hope when nodding home after Sylvain Marveaux had struck the crossbar, but there was no time to force an equaliser.