Allgemeines » Lionel Messi – Who else?

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan and Michael Vick might need to huddle up. While Ryan insisted Wednesday theres "no doubt" the New York Jets have an open competition at quarterback, Vick continued to differ. So, heres where we are: Its a controversy over a competition that could become a controversy at some point in training camp. "I think there is competition, theres no doubt," Ryan said after the Jets completed the second day of organized team activities. "As a coach, you love it." But, shortly after Ryans news conference, Vick reiterated his comments from last week, and has said since he signed with New York in March, that Geno Smith is the teams starting quarterback. "Nah," Vick said. "Its not an open competition." Ryan and general manager John Idzik have preached competition at all positions. While Ryan acknowledged that some competition has to be "manufactured" -- for instance, centre Nick Mangold, left tackle DBrickashaw Ferguson and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson are in no danger of losing their jobs -- players pushing each other on the field improves everyone. That was the thought when the Jets signed Vick in March; he would give Smith a serious run for the job. But last week, Vick made it clear he thinks this is Smiths job to lose and its not an open competition, at least not like last year when he and Nick Foles went against each other in Philadelphia. "Weve got two guys who are really pushing to be the starting quarterback," Ryan said, when asked about Vicks comments from last week. Vick and Smith split snaps with the starting offence Wednesday. "Ive said from Day 1 that I think Geno will be hard to beat out," Ryan said. "But Ive also said Mike will have an opportunity to compete, and he definitely will." The coach added he didnt know why Vick thinks its not a true competition, but was noncommittal when asked if Vick could be the starter if he outperforms Smith in camp. "I think well let it play out a little bit," Ryan said. "Its the second day of OTAs, so its not a closed competition." Thats news to Vick, though. He at first danced around questions regarding the quarterback situation and Ryans comments. "Im here to compete every day to help this team win football games," Vick said, later repeating that line a few times before appearing to grow frustrated. "I dont know how to answer this question," Vick said. "This is the third time around." Smith, who has repeatedly said hes taking nothing for granted, was not made available to the media. Vick doesnt appear disgruntled about his situation, and hasnt indicated he was misled when he signed a one-year, $4 million deal and was reunited with offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "I knew what I was getting into when I got here," he said. "Its everything I expected. Im having fun with the guys. Everything is team oriented. Were just having a good time. We just have to keep everything rolling. Thats the most important thing." One things for sure: Whoever wins the job will have a proven receiver in Eric Decker to throw to. But the former Broncos star is going from Peyton Manning to an unsettled quarterback situation. Arguably the top wide receiver available when free agency opened, Decker visited the Jets first and never left. Now, hes expected to give New York a No. 1-type target. "Ive been telling people I feel like a rookie all over again, which is nice," Decker said. "Ive got to prove myself, in a way." Decker broke out in a big way the last two seasons, catching a combined 172 passes for 2,352 yards and 24 touchdowns. "The two years I got to spend with (Manning), he made me a better professional," Decker said. "But, again, I see a lot of talent in this quarterback room, and Im excited about growing with them." NOTES: S Calvin Pryor, the teams first-round pick, sat out because he needs three wisdom teeth pulled and his mouth is swollen. "I cant put my helmet on," he said. "So (the trainers) dont want me out there with contact right now." He expects to practice next week. ... RB Chris Johnson caused a stir Tuesday night when he tweeted that the Jets should pursue disgruntled Texans WR Andre Johnson. "Anytime youve got another friend in the league, you always want to play with him," Chris Johnson said. ... WRs David Nelson (illness) and Shaq Evans (finishing school) and RB Mike Goodson (knee) were among those not at the voluntary sessions Wednesday. ... The Jets signed CB Brandon Dixon, a sixth-round pick, to a four-year deal. That leaves Pryor and CB Dexter McDougle, a third-rounder, as the only unsigned players of the Jets 12 selections. Jim Bouton Braves Jersey . The star receiver certainly isnt celebrating it with the Texans mired in a franchise-record 13-game skid. Rico Carty Jersey . "Last year we were in a ton of situations, late-game situations we couldnt pull out. Wed kind of fold under the pressure, get frustrated or let a big shot frustrate us," guard DeMar DeRozan said. https://www.cheapbraves.com/1113o-anthon...sey-braves.html. I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Tyler Flowers Braves Jersey . The Oilers will try to get back in the win column on Monday when they continue a four-game road trip with a battle against the Buffalo Sabres. Edmonton won its third straight game last Wednesday against visiting San Jose, beating the Sharks 3-0 as Scrivens stopped 59 shots to set an NHL record for saves in a regular-season shutout. Ronald Acuna Jr. Braves Jersey .The Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive back always has the required receipt. But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana.Day 14 in 100 words or less We are told that over 90 per cent of the population is naturally right-footed. Brazil 2014 has only been alive for two weeks and it has already laughed in the faces of many trends and on Day 14, it added another one. A tournament that has seen left-footed geniuses like Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez rise above the rest, added two more left-footed playmakers to the list of stars at this World Cup on Wednesday. Xherdan Shaqiri, who patiently waited for his showcase to get out of Bayern Munich, netted a hat-trick, while Lionel Messi delivered a complete performance for the first time. Argentina 3-2 Nigeria Lionel Messi was very good at the World Cup in 2010, but he didnt score a goal and Argentina went home early. For the next four years, we were told he wasnt good at all in South Africa. For the first two games in Brazil, Messi scored two brilliant goals that proved to be the difference. We were told he was finally delivering on the biggest stage. Except he wasnt. He was, in fact, average for long periods of the game and wasnt as good as he was in South Africa. And then came game number three. Unlike Brazil, still sputtering along in third-gear, Argentina upped their game on Wednesday, delivering a far better performance than their previous efforts at this World Cup. This was helped, of course, by a complete performance from Messi. He scored early, dragging three men towards him, allowing space for Angel Di Maria to run into, before following up and smashing the ball into the roof of the net. It was far from game over, though. Argentina have flaws, more of which we will look at soon. Nigeria fought back to 1-1 and then Messi delivered the best free kick of the World Cup so far, looping the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net. Four goals in three games. At 3-2, he was removed for a rest and it was a break he deserved. Argentina were the real winners of the December draw; their group was perfect for them, full of close but winnable games and that theme continues for them going forward. A date with Switzerland follows and then, likely, Belgium, Ghana or USA in the quarterfinals and, possibly, Netherlands in the last four. All of their South American cousins are in the opposite half, as are Germany, should they win their group. It is quite possible that Argentina will line up inside the Maracana on July 13 without being seriously tested by a legitimate contender at this World Cup. That gives them an opportunity to continue to roll, but will they be good enough by then to cover for their weaknesses? The cohesion of their front three was a mild improvement from games one and two, though Sergio Aguero left the game injured and that might help them going forward because he and Gonzalo Higuain havent been at their best alongside Messi. Although a concern, that isnt the biggest issue for Argentina. Their back four are very unreliable, happy to play deep to stop any pace coming behind them. This, though, is an issue to be exploited by top teams. The midfield three of Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano and Di Maria desperately need to connect with the front three for the system to work. Gagos movement created Messis first goal in Brazil and Di Marias combinations with Messi were much better on Wednesday. This means the midfield three push forward and leave space in behind. On the first goal conceded, scored by Ahmed Musa, midfielder Michael Babatunde sprinted into space between the lines… Once Musa got into the danger zone, the centre-backs had been split and he was one-on-one with the full back Pablo Zabaleta, before curling the ball into the net. At 2-1, the same thing happened again in the second half. Look at the space in between the lines…. The ball is played into Emmanuel Emenike, both centre-backs are dragged towards him and Musa sprints into the space between the lines. It is an imperfect storm for Argentinas two greatest weaknesses If we look at how they conceded their other goal in this tournament, again from open play, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is a familiar story. When the team has to defend, there is a tremendous pressuure on seven players to defend properly.dddddddddddd Once again, they didnt do that properly. Here, you can see a back four with the midfield three and, the eventual goalscorer Vedab Ibisevic, operating between the lines… Ibisevic makes an intelligent run and, like Musa, allows his teammate to run into the space in between the lines, which forced a centre-back out once again…. Once hes in, he scores easily. Argentina should be the favourites to win the World Cup at this stage. Their best player is on form and the draw has opened up for them but, when not in possession, they look like a broken team and one that could be exposed. It just might be later, rather than sooner, at this World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Iran Both teams saw their World Cups officially end in another excellent game in Brazil. Not much will be remembered from the game, except for another fine left-footed strike by Edin Dzeko, a man who clearly deserved to be a goal-scorer in this tournament after harshly having one ruled out for offside against Nigeria. Switzerland 3-0 Honduras Honduras achieved something quite remarkable as their World Cup ended. They beat Cameroon for being the worst team in this tournament with another poor performance. Switzerland, however, did exactly what they needed to do, winning a game by a margin that would have forced Ecuador to win by more than just a goal. Xherdan Shaqiri was the star but he owes a toast to Josip Drmic, who was magnificent playing just ahead of him. Shaqiris goals were exquisite, but Drmics movement and vision contributed to two and the pairs relationship will delight Ottmar Hitzfeld as they head into their next game against Argentina. If any pair can exploit the space in between the lines, it might be these two. The great coach, who retires after this tournament, said he didnt even think it could have been his last game. Honduras will do that to you. Argentina will be a different foe, for sure, but what a glorious challenge it will be for the veteran leader. France 0-0 Ecuador Ecuador became the only South American team to not make the last 16 after a goalless draw in Rio. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was excellent, captain Antonio Valencia was sent off and striker Enner Valencia was a menace once again. However, it seemed the moment they conceded the late winner to Switzerland that it would cost them qualification and so it proved the case for Reinaldo Ruedas side. France, meanwhile, should have scored at least three but didnt get any. Didier Deschamps made a number of changes heading into the match and, much like Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia, it was tough to analyze much from a team already (virtually) through to the next round through two games. What we do know is France have a deep squad, with an in-form star striker, and will be big favourites against Nigeria. How they respond when they go behind in a game may be their biggest test going forward. Man of the Day Nominees Lionel Messi – It feels right when one of the worlds finest players performs like that at a World Cup. Angel Di Maria – A player who is so important to their system, the Real Madrid man was much better today than in the past two matches. Ahmed Musa – Two brilliantly taken goals made the game closer than some thought it would be. Xherdan Shaqiri – It has been the tournament of left-footed wizards and the Bayern Munich man delivered when his country needed him most. Alexander Dominguez – Many Ecuadorian players leave Brazil with their heads held high, including their goalkeeper who put on a clinic at the Maracana. The winner… Lionel Messi – Who else? Again... What comes next? USA vs. Germany and Portugal vs. Ghana (12pm et /9am pt), South Korea vs. Belgium and Algeria vs Russia (4pm et/1pm pt) Burning question for tomorrow Will Fabio Capello let go of the handbrake and allow his creative players to attempt to take his team into the next round? Key stat of Day 14 Lionel Messi scored in all three group games for Argentina. The first player to do that since Omar Corbatta in 1958. ' ' '