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Dołączył: 28 Lis 2018 Posty: 779
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Wysłany: Czw Lut 14, 2019 06:33 Temat postu: blew. The crowd |
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BEREA, Ohio - On any given day, Josh Gordons size, speed and agility separates him from others on the field. Hes that rare talent, the player everyone notices. Hes standing out for another reason. Gordon is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test, a violation that could cost the Pro Bowl wide receiver a full season. But while his future remains cloudy, Clevelands young star is doing all he can to improve his dazzling skills. After gliding over the middle on Tuesday, Gordon leaped to snag a pass before tucking the ball away and sprinting from a defender. If hes burdened, Gordons hiding it well. "Hes showing up every day as the No. 1 receiver, hes not showing up as a guy whos uncertain about his future," said wide receiver Nate Burleson. "Thats all he can do right now, is go to work as if hes our No. 1 because he is." Arguably Clevelands best player, Gordon could be facing a lengthy suspension for marijuana use. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy and still led the league in yards receiving. The league has not commented on Gordons status. He complicated his situation last week when he was ticketed for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon is scheduled to appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday. Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine believes the uncertainty is weighing on Gordon. It has to be. "I cant imagine that it wouldnt," Pettine said. "It would be human nature." Gordon politely declined an interview request. He entered the league with a history of substance-abuse issues. Gordon is known to have failed at least three drug tests in college, but the Browns were willing to overlook his past when they selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012. His risky behaviour has jeopardized his career, but the Browns insist they will stick by him. Pettine acknowledged some frustration in not knowing Gordons status. "Until we hear from the league, were going to be business as usual," he said. "At this point, there is nothing to act on. Everyone can sense the frustration, and its a difficult thing. But until it happens, we have a plan in place for all eventualities but were still in a holding pattern." While the Browns wait, Pettine said Gordon has not let the uncertainty affect his performance. "He comes out and works hard, puts in a days work, solid in the classroom," Pettine said. "When hes in the building, hes been solid. Its not the first guy in the league to be like that where when hes in the building hes great and has some issues, for whatever reason due to circumstances, when hes out of the building. Im not a stranger to situations like that." The Browns signed Burleson, a 12-year veteran, as a free agent to provide leadership to Clevelands group of young receivers. Burleson hasnt spoken with Gordon specifically about his situation, but has been providing any support he can. "I just do the same thing I was doing before the news came out," Burleson said. "Help motivate him, him and the other guys. Im here as a guy who, one, can show young guys how to be a professional athlete on and off the field and two, try to motivate them in different ways. "Hes so gifted and so talented that its hard to coach greatness. Its hard to motivate greatness." Burleson played with Randy Moss in Minnesota and Calvin Johnson in Detroit. He knows what a superstar wide receiver looks like and believes Gordon has what it takes to be one of the best. Like everyone associated with the Browns, Burleson is eager for a positive outcome for Gordon. "That type of talent you want on the field, whether its at practice or game day," Burleson. "You only get so many guys every few years that redefine the position and hes one of those guys. Hes not your traditional receiver. Theres Calvin and theres Randy, these guys were hit with that special stick and God blessed them with attributes you can only create in video games. "For him to miss any time, its a loss for everybody in general, fans especially. The hope is that hes on the field." Pettine believes the Browns have a good support system in place to help Gordon, and the league has been proactive in helping troubled players. However, theres a shared responsibility. "There has to be a willingness on the other side," he said. "Sometimes they get the message and its too late. In all my time in the league, theres always going to be a handful of guys that just dont get it." ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Custom Utah Jazz Jerseys . He made that dream a reality Wednesday night. Olt, who grew up in Branford, Connecticut, attended UConn and made a nearly 2 1-2 hour trek to Boston a handful of times to watch the Red Sox, belted a two-run homer, one of four hit by Cubs in a 16-9 rout that completed a three-game interleague series sweep. Derrick Favors Jersey . - The Cleveland Indians will place centerfielder Michael Bourn on the disabled list before their opener at Oakland on March 31. http://www.officialjazzauthenticstore.com/kids-karl-malone-jazz-jersey/ . - Suspended Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has voluntarily checked into a treatment facility and seems to be doing well. Donovan Mitchell Jersey . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Dante Exum Jersey . The Red Sox maintained a share of the AL wild-card lead Tuesday night, using four home runs to beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 and set up a dramatic conclusion to the regular season. The skidding Red Sox were 6-19 this month before rebounding to edge the last-place Orioles.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry,Love the column and of course the hair! We here in Orange County obviously have a great admiration for Teemu Selanne and have been fortunate to see him play for the last many years and win a championship. With his impending retirement, do you have any good or funny stories you can share with the fans? We know the kind of player he is and what a nice guy he is off the ice, but few of us know what kind of person he is on the ice. Thanks for doing this column, always a great read. Chris from Laguna Niguel Chris:I can tell you first hand that Teemu Selanne is as nice a guy on the ice as he is off of it. While we didnt always agree (as you might expect) I never heard a curse word or disrespectful comment come out of the mouth of the "Finnish Flash"; either directed at me or anyone else. From the very first game that I saw Teemu as a rookie with the Winnipeg Jets, I knew this guy was a very special talent. The rest of the hockey world would quickly recognize just how skilled Teemu was while on his way to scoring 76 goals and winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in the 1992-93 season. (Teemus record remains intact for most goals for a rookie in the NHL.) Teemu always seemed to exude a "boyish" smile when he was on the ice; a signal to me as how much he loved to play the game. I also witnessed acts of kindness that he demonstrated off the ice to arena and parking attendants in the Honda Centre and other NHL cities. An off-ice official of the Calgary Flames once shared with me that Selanne was such a friendly and classy superstar that he could make people around him feel better about themselves; even in their relative insignificance! As nice a guy as Teemu is, I also saw a fierce competitiveness and desire to win. Like all champions he hated losing; but unlike some, Teemu did so with class and grace. The worst I ever got from him at the end of a close loss (when he thought I was less than perfect in my performance) was a saddened look of disappointment and perhaps a slight shake of his head as he exited the ice. If the game was on the line Selanne wanted the puck on his stick. He had pull-away speed and a rifle of a shot that made him a game changer. Teemu always made playyers around him better because he could finish the play.dddddddddddd We recently witnessed Selannes deep national pride as captain of the Finnish Olympic team in Sochi. The 43-year-old played with speed, youthful energy and determination in leading his team to a bronze medal for his home country. I first encountered that Finnish pride in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, an NHL-sponsored event as a prelude to the 98 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. I worked a game in Helsinki (Sweden vs. Finland) where the fan atmosphere was more like a U.S. college football game than a hockey game and was like nothing I had ever experienced before. An hour prior to game time fans jammed into the arena end zone, many with their shirt off and face and body painted in Finnish blue. They chanted and sang unceasingly. It also appeared that they consumed a considerable amount of alcohol. Drums were beaten and horns blew. The crowd never sat down in the end zone seats. Instead they stood throughout the whole game shoulder to shoulder and cheered for Teemu Selanne and their other heroes. They were a happy crowd; very loud but not boisterous or unruly. They were having fun watching the game they loved and went wild when Finland won the game. Back in the Officials dressing room I had showered and dressed as the party continued inside the arena. The dressing room door opened and a guy I thought to be Teemu Selanne said, "Hey Kerry do you have any beer in your room?" I thought it to be very unusual but invited Teemu in and told him to help himself. He sat down and we were having a great visit over a few beers when finally Teemu admitted that he really wasnt Teemu Selanne at all but his twin brother Paavo! Paavo Selanne was a real character and said that his brother Teemu told him there is always beer in the refs room. The next time I saw Teemu and told him of the case of mistaken identity his smile changed to a belly laugh over the joke his brother played on us. They are a fun-loving family. Congratulations to Teemu and his family on a tremendous NHL and international career. There is no doubt he will eventually enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. It couldnt happen to a more deserving candidate and nicer guy. When that day happens maybe I will be lucky enough to sit down and enjoy a beer with Teemu and his twin brother Paavo in celebration of this great players career. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' ' |
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