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• cowboysyi dai

  • 7 posts
  Posted in the topic Miami Dolphins in Week 5 in the forum Supplements

  July 22, 2014 12:54 AM MDT

   

  Who's picking the Baltimore Ravens to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 5

  MDS take: Perhaps it premature, four weeks into the season, to say this about the defending Super Bowl champion. But I just don think the Ravens are a very good team. The Dolphins defense had plenty of flaws on display in Monday night loss to the Saints, but the Ravens suspect offensive line is going to make it easy for the Dolphins to get to Joe Flacco. MDS pick: Dolphins 31, Ravens 17.

  Florio take: In 2007, the Dolphins got their only win of the season against the Ravens. This year, it will be one of a lot more than one. While it too early to write off Baltimore, it too late to consider them a viable candidate to knock off the improved Dolphins in Miami. Florio pick: Dolphins 27, Ravens 20.

  The Dolphins are playing on a short week after getting blown out by the Saints. The Ravens are a tough team to try and regroup against. The Ravens are playing consecutive road games, and didn't play well last week at Buffalo. I think Miami will bounce back here at home to get to 4 1, but it will be close. His score prediction is 22 17.

  Both teams looked shaky in losing on the road last week, but at least the Dolphins had the excuse of running into the undefeated Saints in the Superdome on a Monday night. The locals in New Orleans tend to get up for such affairs, after they've had all day to, um, prepare for the festivities. Apropos Cheap NFL Jerseys of nothing, a friend of mine made the observation the other day that Miami's new stylized dolphin helmet logo reminded him of the USFL's long gone Boston Breakers' logo, with the cresting wave. I looked it up to refresh my memory and I can see where he's coming from.

  ESPN's Mike Golic, Ron Jaworski, Mark Schlereth and Seth Wickersham pick the Ravens, but the rest of the analysts take the Dolphins. As of this posting, Mike Ditka hasn't made a choice.

  Yahoo Sports' Les Carpenter and Frank Schwab both predict a loss for the Ravens.

  John Breech of CBS Sports thinks the Ravens will lose by a touchdown.

  Three out of seven USA Today analysts believe the Ravens will win. Jarrett Bell, Jim Corbett and Nate Davis pick the Ravens.

  Jason La Canfora, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg of CBS Sports all pick the Ravens to win, but the other five analysts choose the Dolphins.

  The Huffington Post's Barbara Bruno takes the Ravens.

  Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco completed only 50 percent of his passes in Week 4, on his way to completing five passes to the opposing team. Flacco and Tom Brady should form their own support group: "Star quarterbacks missing their favorite slot receiver." Though the INT's are out of character, the shocker of the day was that the Ravens attempted only nine rushes in the entire game. Nine. Seriously? They must do better than that on the ground or the Miami D is going to have Flacco doing a repeat performance even if the new OT (Eugene Monroe from Jacksonville) can improve on the protection.

  Defensively, the Ravens need to figure out how to rush the passer. They used to know. They won a Super Bowl knowing. It cannot be simply the lack Wholesale NFL Jerseys of Ray Lewis.

  Miami defensive end Cameron Wake is out due to injury, which was probably the only smile Flacco had all week. The 'Fins defenders were roundly thrashed by the Saints' insanely varied offense on Monday night. They should fare better against a Ravens' attack that has yet to find their feet in 2013. The teams match up evenly across almost all statistics, but the Ravens' defense should find a way to manhandle a Miami O line that was thoroughly exposed by Rob Ryan's new/old look New Orleans' D.

• cowboysyi dai

  • 7 posts
  Posted in the topic many defenders at line in the forum Supplements

  July 22, 2014 12:54 AM MDT

  TooYes, for those who still want to fret over the 49ers' offense, there could be reason for worry, despite the return of wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Kaepernick vastly improved play (he posted a passer rating over 110.0 in back to back games for the first time in his career).

  While the once inert passing game has taken off in wins over Washington and St. Louis, Gore has been grounded since early November. In his past three games, Gore is averaging 3.0 yards a carry and has 121 rushing yards, his lowest three game total since he was a backup as a rookie in 2005.

  A 30 year old running back slowing down in the second half of the season? Of course, that will trigger the usual it's time for the retirement home chatter.

  But I don't think Gore, who averaged 4.3 yards a carry in the season's first eight games, has been slowed because of his age.

  The 49ers' past three opponents New Orleans, Washington and St. Louis have used a make the kid quarterback beat us game plan.

  The Saints often employed three defensive linemen, www.49er

• cowboysyi dai

  • 7 posts
  Posted in the topic many defenders at line in the forum Supplements

  July 22, 2014 12:54 AM MDT

  TooYes, for those who still want to fret over the 49ers' offense, there could be reason for worry, despite the return of wide receiver Michael Crabtree and Kaepernick vastly improved play (he posted a passer rating over 110.0 in back to back games for the first time in his career).

  While the once inert passing game has taken off in wins over Washington and St. Louis, Gore has been grounded since early November. In his past three games, Gore is averaging 3.0 yards a carry and has 121 rushing yards, his lowest three game total since he was a backup as a rookie in 2005.

  A 30 year old running back slowing down in the second half of the season? Of course, that will trigger the usual it's time for the retirement home chatter.

  But I don't think Gore, who averaged 4.3 yards a carry in the season's first eight games, has been slowed because of his age.

  The 49ers' past three opponents New Orleans, Washington and St. Louis have used a make the kid quarterback beat us game plan.

  The Saints often employed three defensive linemen, www.49ersofficialnflauthentic.com/authentic-jimmie-ward-jersey.html five linebackers and three defensive backs to thwart San Francisco's running game. Gore had 13 carries for 48 yards against New Orleans.

  "We've been doing great on the running game, so everybody's going to try to stop the run, Gore said after the loss to the Saints. "That what's been happening."

  No doubt emboldened by Kaepernick's inability to make New Orleans pay he had 127 passing yards on 31 attempts Washington and St. Louis adopted a similar strategy. With lesser results: Kaepernick has completed 34 of 52 passes for 510 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions (123.1 passer rating) in his past two games.

  Said Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis on Sunday after Gore had 42 yards on 15 carries: "We had a goal to come in here and Jimmie Ward Youth Jersey stop the run, and I think we did that today. When you dare somebody to put it in Kaepernick hand, you got to make plays. And he made more plays than we didtoday."

  Gore has spent much of the past three games running behind a not intact offensive line: Left guard Mike Iupati (sprained MCL), whose strength is run blocking, has been sidelined for the past nine quarters while left tackle Joe Staley (sprained MCL), who is in the midst of his best season, missed the final 56 minutes against the Rams.

  Iupati and Staley are Pro Bowlers. The fill ins, Adam Snyder and Joe Looney, are not.

  Gore isn't the only 49ers running back with less than inspiring recent stats.

  Kendall Hunter, who averaged 4.7 yards on 46 carries in the first eight games, has 20 yards on 15 carries www.49ersofficialnflauthentic.com/authentic-carlos-hyde-jersey.html in the past three games.

  Hunter, it should be noted, is Carlos Hyde Youth Jersey 25 years old.

  Looking ahead, Crabtree return should make opponents rethink a load the box strategy against the 49ers. For the majority of the season, Anquan Boldin has been their only viable wide receiver.

• cowboysyi dai

  • 7 posts
  Posted in the topic Doomsday in Staritsa in the forum Supplements

  July 22, 2014 12:53 AM MDT

  Doomsday in Staritsa

  Last Saturday could have become the last day of our civilization as foreseen by an American prophet. "What if it's true?" I thought and decided to take a trip to the Tver Region.

  It looks like doomsday came to Staritsa long ago: the roads are not just worn down they are almost non existent; there are many abandoned houses and churches. I've never seen so many abandoned buildings before.

  Almost at the beginning of the trip our equipment failed. After having routed the first part of our trip up to Volokolamsk, the GPS navigator decided that roads connecting the villages of the Tver Region are as good as in Belarus and made a shortcut to Staritsa it was not via the Lotoshino village with at least some kind of roads, it instead lead us via tiny settlements. At first everything was fine and we enjoyed the scenery. Here is a 250 year old church in Oshkurovo village.

  A 250 year old church in Oshkurovo village (click to enlarge)

  At first the road was fine and I even recalled our recent trip to Lukashenko. But once I thought of it, I saw a Belarusian flag on a fence near the road. And that's exactly where the good road ended.

  A Belarusian flag on www.officialbuccaneersnflauthentic.com/authentic-kevin-pamphile-jersey.html a fence near the road (click to enlarge)

  It's only 40 kilometers from here to Staritsa, but will our Ford Focus survive the distance? We decided not to risk it (a team on a Russian cross over UAZ made their way along another road), and we returned to the M9 highway (driving another 35 kilometers), then we reached Zuntsovo (another 20 kilometers) and only then after another 30 kilometers, did we get to Staritsy.

  It's only 40 kilometers from here to Staritsa (click to enlarge)

  Cows produced lots of smoke and screamed 'moo'. That explains a lot.

  Cows produced lots of smoke (click to enlarge)

  It's astonishingly beautiful n Staritsa. Almost like in Suzdal, but without tourists.

  It's astonishingly beautiful n Staritsa (click to enlarge)

  The two parts of the town are connected by a huge bridge over the Volga River (not as big as in Samara or Kostroma though). On the one bank, you can find a deserted, old part of the town, on the other almost everything is restored and there is life there.

  The two parts of the town are connected by a huge bridge over the Volga River (click to enlarge)

  But it's Saturday, and the last day before the predicted doomsday. So we were more interested in the old part. The most interesting thing here is the Church of Paraskevi of Iconium.

  The Church of Paraskevi of Iconium (click to enlarge)

  The church has Keith McGill Youth Jersey been here for 250 years, and nobody knows how long it has been abandoned. But some wall painting is still well preserved.

  The church has been Kevin Pamphile Youth Jersey here for 250 years (click to enlarge)

  Some wall painting is still well preserved (click to enlarge)

  Nobody knows how long the Church of Paraskevi of Iconium has been abandoned (click to enlarge)

  If you climb up the hill, you'll find another abandoned church with a belfry not far from it.

  The Saints Boris and Gleb Cathedral (click to enlarge)

  It's the Saints Boris and Gleb Cathedral. The cathedral is less than 200 years old. It's deserted too, but you can't get inside because of the bars and padlocks.

  the Saints Boris and Gleb Cathedral is less than 200 years old (click to enlarge)

  If you walk to the left from the Church of Paraskevi of Iconium along the Volga River embankment you will see the www.raidersnflofficialauthentic.com/authentic-keith-mcgill-jersey.html building of a shopping arcade. It's old and abandoned too.

  The building of a shopping arcade (click to enlarge)

  The building is unusual because merchants both ran their business and lived here in the second floor.

• cowboysyi dai

  • 7 posts
  Posted in the topic Seahawks QB Outplays in the forum Supplements

  July 22, 2014 12:52 AM MDT

   

  Seahawks QB Outplays Drew Brees In NFC Showdown VIDEO

  Seattle is the first team bound for the postseason. They need to go 2 2 in their final four games to wrap up home field advantage and make the NFC playoffs go through Seattle.

  Wilson finished with 310 yards passing and attempted only three passes in the fourth quarter for 13 yards. His first three quarters were so good he could have become a spectator in the fourth. He threw touchdown passes of 2 yards to Zach Miller and 4 yards to Doug Baldwin in the first half as Seattle built a 27 7 lead. Wilson added a pinball 8 yard TD pass to Derrick Coleman in the third quarter.

  Wilson completed 22 of 30 passes and finished with a quarterback rating of 139.6. He is 14 0 at home and has 22 regular season wins in his first two seasons, tied for the most ever by a second year QB.

  "They definitely played the run well tonight, we didn't run the ball as well as we'd like," Carroll said. "It allowed us to hit a bunch of other stuff."

  New Orleans (9 3) again failed to earn a signature road victory to prove it can win outdoors on the road late in the season. Drew Brees finished 23 of 38 for 147 yards. Jimmy Graham had three catches for 42 yards. Darren Sproles led New Orleans with seven catches, many of them on check downs. The seven points matched the fewest scored by the Saints since Sean Payton became coach in 2006 and the 188 total yards were the fewest in his coaching tenure.

  The Saints were just as flustered by their defense and the inability to slow Wilson.

  "I don't even know what to tell you. I don't even know what happened out there," Saints linebacker Junior Galette said. "We better watch the films and see what we can adjust."

  BAFFLED BREES: It's rare to see Brees confused and unsure of where to go with his passes. But he was regularly double clutching his throws and being forced to move around the pocket. Seattle used unusual coverages with its linebackers to try and make Brees hesitate with his timing, and the Seahawks pass rush was able to make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

  "They put it all together and they play very, very well together within their scheme," Brees said. "Obviously, they play very well at home because they can thrive on that crowd noise and typically an offense's inability to communicate as well in snap count and all those things. But listen, they deserve a lot of credit."

  NO DROP OFF: All those concerns about Seattle being without cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond appeared unfounded. Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane both played well filing in for Browner and Thurmond. Maxwell got the majority of the playing time on the outside, with Lane coming in as the nickel cornerback. Maxwell was credited with two passes defensed.

  "It's impressive for those guys to step up and make those kind of plays, but we expect that from them. Maxwell and Lane, at practice, they don't let people catch balls. Hats off to Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond for keeping that Legion of Boom the way it is," Seattle defensive lineman Michael Bennett said.

  BEAT THE BLITZ: Seattle noticed on film a certain alignment of the Saints defense that tipped them a blitz was coming and there would be a chance to get a big play downfield. One time Seattle made the right checks resulted in a 52 yard pass from Wilson to Doug Baldwin. The Seahawks' offensive line also did its part handling the Saints pressure with Wilson being sacked only once and hit four times.

  "We like the sense of pressure because there is a lot of green grass behind it," Wilson said.

  THREE AND OUT: The Saints were among the best in the NFL at avoiding three and out possessions. They had just 26 in 11 games coming into Monday night, but the Seahawks forced the Saints into five three and out drives including two of their first three possessions.

  FEEL THE NOISE: Seattle's noise factor is real. Its fans set another Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium on Monday night, a noise level of 137.6 decibels recorded in the second quarter. But the kind of impact the noise can have was evident on the first play of the game when the Saints were unable to communicate a blocking change and Pierre Thomas was dropped for a 4 yard loss.

  "They said it was so loud that they had trouble getting off on the cadence," Carroll said. "Without question, it was a factor tonight."

  Russell WilsonSeattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, center, drops back as Seahawks' Robert Turbin, left, runs a pattern in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) officialbuccaneersnflauthentic.com/authentic-akeem-spence-jersey.html

  Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril, left, causes New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) to fumble in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett recovered the fumble and ran for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Derrick ColemanOfficials, including line judge John Hussey , center, react after Seattle Seahawks' Derrick Coleman came down with the football in the end zone against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. The play was ruled a Seahawks touchdown. Wright (50) gestures after a play against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Drew BreesNew Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees gestures in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Derrick ColemanNew Orleans Saints' Kenny Vaccaro, left, signals incomplete, but Seattle Seahawks' Derrick Coleman's (40) possession of the football at right was ruled a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Derrick ColemanSeattle Seahawks' Derrick Coleman is greeted as he leaves the field after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

  Marshawn LynchSeattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) pushes off New Orleans Saints' Rafael Bush, left, in the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

  Seattle Seahawks fans celebrate after Seahawks' Michael Charles Sims Womens Jersey Bennett recovered a New Orleans Saints fumble and scored a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

  Sean PaytonNew Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, second from right, watches from the sidelin in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  New Orleans Saints fans react after a play in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Doug officialbuccaneersnflauthentic.com/authentic-charles-sims-jersey.html BaldwinSeattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) celebrates after he scored a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)

  Zach Miller, Curtis Lofton, Parys HaralsonSeattle Seahawks' Zach Miller (86) is brought down by New Orleans Austin Seferian-Jenkins Womens Jersey Saints' Curtis Lofton as Parys Haralson (98) moves in in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)