ekansekans's blog: "df"

Training Camp is done and the pre-season games have begun. Some quick Raptors thoughts for a Wednesday. 1. JOHN LUCAS: Solid pickup as a third point. Did a respectable job last year in Chicago. Scoring-minded guard. Not a bit shy about getting his shots up. He plays with good energy. Very aware/alert player with a commanding presence. Hell give the team a lift when he gets his opportunities. Upbeat personality that is a good fit. 2. AARON GRAY: This guy gets it. Plays his role well.  Rugged and physical. Hes an ideal fifth big and can really help some nights when the matchups are right. He sets terrific screens and will fight on the glass. When I look at the improvement of this team its nice to have the luxury of a defensive minded rebounding big like this that will do his job in an effective fashion. 3. JONAS VALANCIUNAS: Will debut on Wednesday in Detroit. Love the idea that he plays his first game on the road, away from the hype to get his feet on the ground. It will help him get settled quicker this way. From what Ive seen of this young man so far in brief glimpses - he has a chance to be good to very good. I caution - chance. Hell have his ups and downs as a rookie and will struggle many nights. Be patient - if folks are realistic hell be fun to watch. It wont be instant. Big learning curve but hes willing and in time, quite able. 4. TERRENCE ROSS: Smooth. Got some gitty-up in his game. Like him. Nice shooting stroke and some burst in his game. Plays with poise. Competes hard on both ends. Ready to play major minutes? Probably not, but what Ive seen from him in past week at camp andin the pre-season game - hes going to grow/mature into a good player. Another guy to be patient with but hes got good raw ability that has to be developed and it will come out in time. 5. FOULS: Lots of them versus Real Madrid. As each game goes on that will get cleaned up. No reason to panic. Guys are still getting into game shape and are a step slow as well in learning the schemes. In addition, the referees are calling it tight, setting the tone early on. This will get cleaned up-I hope so! Cant stand the free throws and long games. Cheap NFL Jerseys China .ca is helping you catch up and what you might have missed over the summer. Find out which big names have changed kits and what might become the biggest storylines of the upcoming campaign. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale . "The set of circumstances that exist here at the University of Alberta is what is really appealing to me," said Morris. "There really is a wealth of talent in Northern Alberta, and a tremendous opportunity to develop the sport of football in the city and province with the Golden Bears program. http://www.bwjerseys.com/ . Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Washington stayed alive in dramatic fashion on Thursday, as Jayson Werth belted a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Nationals to a dramatic 2-1 victory. "Its what you play all season for and what you work out all winter for and what you get to spring training early for," said Werth of the winner-take-all showdown. ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams signalled their commitment to building a winner right before the start of training camp, agreeing to terms with defensive end Chris Long on a four-year contract extension through the 2016 season. Getting the deal done before training camp was a priority for Long. "Its huge for me," Long said after a two-hour workout ended early Sunday night. "You like to know where you stand and I feel really good about obviously their commitment to me. When it turns around, I want to be a part of it." Getting other core players locked up is a priority for the new regime led by coach Jeff Fisher. Middle linebacker James Laurinaitis could be next on the list given that like Long hes entering the final year of his contract. The Rams have had preliminary talks with running back Steven Jackson, coming off his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season and signed for two more years. The Rams were 2-14 last year, tied for the worst record in the NFL, and have averaged just three victories the last five seasons. Under Fisher, back in coaching after a year away from the NFL, theyre spending like winners. "Hes not the only one were working on," Fisher said about Long. "Were just happy. Hes had a great start to his career and we want to give him a chance to really settle in here and be one the mainstays on our defence." Jackson, who reported to camp with 5 per cent body fat, said he gave Long "a big hug" when he learned of the new deal. "I think he was one of the pillars of our defence last year and hes very deserving of what he just signed," Jackson said. "Its actually nice to see some guys drafted and not move. Actually, we keep them around, so I was really stoked for him." As for his future with the Rams, Jackson referenced his career achievements and said he wasnt worried about it, adding "Im here ready to work." Quarterback Sam Bradford, signed through 2015, said Long was not just a team leader but one of his best friends on the squad. "So Im extremely excited hes going to be around here for five more years," Bradford said. "And hopefully I will, too."; The Fisher factor seems to have energized fans.dddddddddddd An estimated 1,602 attending the opening workout and cheered a few breakaway runs by Jackson. Chief operating officer Kevin Demoff did his part to drum up excitement. Demoff confirmed the Long deal while clad in a Rams jersey minus facemask and a jersey with his name on the back, before heading outside for a half-hour stint in the dunk tank. The 27-year-old Long was seventh in the NFL with 13 sacks last year, topping his previous best of 8 1/2 sacks, and had a three-sack game against the Saints. He had been entering the final year of a six-year, $56.5 million contract he signed after the Rams drafted him No. 2 overall in 2008 out of Virginia. The sixth year of the deal was voided after Long met certain incentives. Although the Rams have plenty of salary cap space, Longs cap number for 2012 was $18.3 million. "Its good to talk about because Im excited to be here for five more years," Long said. "Thats why I like talking about because Im excited about the future. "Weve got a bunch of guys working really hard out here for the same goals, to win a championship." Longs sack total has increased every season. Last year he had a six-game sack streak and totalled 10 in a nine-game stretch despite nursing a high left ankle sprain that limited him in practice. He also led the Rams with 15 quarterback pressures and 16 quarterback hits. Longs play was one of the highlights for a 2-14 team. His sack total tied the NFL season best by his Hall of Fame father, Howie Long, who played defensive tackle for the Raiders. Howie Long, an analyst with Fox Sports, had three straight years in double-digit sacks from 1983-85. "He was doing it from a lot of different spots on the line and hes him, Im me," Long said. "It was nice to get the same number, but winning would have been everything. "Were all super excited to be a part of something like this and were going to be able to turn this thing around." Fisher is energized, too. "I feel like this is my first one all over again," Fisher said. "Every training camp felt like my first one. Im very excited." ' ' '