ekansekans's blog: "df"

PHILADELPHIA -- Greg McElroy accomplished more in one half than Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow did in three games. Still, theres no quarterback controversy with the New York Jets. McElroy became the first quarterback to lead the Jets into the end zone this preseason in a 28-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. The Jets (0-4) were the first team in 35 years to go three preseason games without a touchdown, matching the 1977 Atlanta Falcons for offensive futility. McElroy ended that drought. His reward will be a seat on the bench. "Im glad we got it," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "Im not going to sit here and say I wish we (hadnt scored). I wouldve liked to have saved it and tack it on next week." The Jets open against Buffalo on Sept. 9. The Eagles will play at Cleveland. Sanchez, Tebow and most of the Jets starters didnt play in this battle between backups and guys fighting for roster spots. Michael Vick and all of Philadelphias starters watched from the sideline. Trent Edwards threw for 197 yards and two TDs to help the Eagles (4-0) finish unbeaten in the preseason for the first time since 1995. None of that will matter when the games count. Hours before kickoff, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie stopped just short of issuing a win-or-else ultimatum to coach Andy Reid. Lurie said the team must make a "substantial improvement" for Reid to return for his 15th season next year. He added another 8-8 record would be "unacceptable." "I dont have a level or anything like that," Lurie said. "I want to be clear about that. You try to make the best judgment you can after the season." Reids contract runs through 2013. "I dont care about that stuff," Reid said. "He has high expectations. I have high expectations. Lets go play. We surely wont be satisfied with 8-8. Were striving for better than that. Im not worried about it. I understand the business. I have a great relationship with Jeffrey." The Jets hadnt scored a TD in the 13 quarters before McElroy tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Terrance Ganaway midway through the second. Sanchez and Tebow failed to do that in 35 possessions. McElroy finished 12 of 17 for 90 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 33 yards. "Obviously we went out there with the intention and the hope to score some touchdowns, so we were able to get one," McElroy said. "The execution was great. I told the guys when we were out on the field, I said: Hey, lets just make the most of this opportunity, you dont get down here very often, lets not take it for granted, lets punch it in." A seventh-round draft pick out of Alabama last year, McElroy spent his rookie season on injured reserve after dislocating his right thumb while playing against Philadelphia last preseason. McElroy was best known for his critical comment in the off-season, saying there was a "corrupt mindset" in the Jets locker room last year. Now he can say he was the only Jets QB to produce a TD this summer. "That was obviously a point of emphasis for us, was just red-area execution, and we were able to do it for at least that one drive," McElroy said. Sanchez was 24 of 35 (68.6 per cent) for 203 yards with two interceptions and six sacks. Tebow completed 36.1 per cent (13 for 36) of his passes for 151 yards with two interceptions and seven sacks. Despite Tebowmania, theres no controversy in New York. Sanchez is the clear-cut starter, but the way the Jets use Tebow will be intensely scrutinized. McElroy guided the offence on a 14-play, 77-yard drive that consumed 8:04 to put the Jets up 7-0. He scrambled for a first down on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive going. Eagles rookie QB Nick Foles, who all but officially won the backup job with three impressive performances, was 4 of 6 for 46 yards before giving way to Edwards. On Edwards first drive, Bryce Brown ran in from the 2 to tie it at 7. Edwards threw a 31-yard TD pass to Mardy Gilyard late in the second quarter to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead. Nick Folk kicked a 58-yard field goal as the first half expired to cut it to 14-10. Edwards connected with Brett Brackett on a 7-yard TD pass in the fourth. Chris Polks 3-yard TD run made it 28-10. Edwards, a veteran and former starter in Buffalo, is competing for a roster spot with Mike Kafka, who began training camp as the backup to Vick. Hell surely land a home if he gets cut. "I want to be here," Edwards said. "This is the team I want to play for. I feel I can help these guys." The Eagles failed to live up to enormous expectations last year and needed a four-game winning streak to close out the season at .500. "You just got to make the best decisions you can after the season," Lurie said. "As I said, 8-8 was unacceptable. Yeah, I guess, if two-thirds of the team is not playing, theres always exceptions." Lurie spoke to reporters for nearly 40 minutes in his annual state of the team address. It was originally scheduled for Aug. 5, but was cancelled because Garrett Reid, oldest son of Andy, died that day. Notes: The Eagles beat the Jets 45-19 last December. Philadelphia entered that game at 5-8 while New York was 8-5. ... Jets DE Quinton Coples had a sack in each preseason game and finished with 4 1/2. ... Newly acquired RT Jason Smith entered the game for the Jets in the second quarter. Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, was acquired from St. Louis to back up Austin Howard. ... Eagles rookie DE Vinny Curry had two sacks. RG3 Jersey . Charles, who scored on an 80-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, got hurt on a 15-yard run in the second quarter. He got up and tugged at the bottom of his shoulder pads. Redskins Griffin III Jersey . The move will reunite Johnson with former manager Mark Hughes, who spent one season in charge at Craven Cottage, while also allowing him to link up with former strike partner Bobby Zamora. http://www.dancewithmeusa.com/new.html .Y. -- Canadian-owned Ill Have Another will go for the Triple Crown from post No.Talent parity among National Lacrosse League teams is so pronounced that there has not been a repeat champion since 2003. However, the Rochester Knighthawks could buck the trend in 2013. Rochester grabbed a lot of attention after winning the Champions Cup last spring by adding former league MVP forwards Dan Dawson, acquired in a huge December trade, and Casey Powell, who is making a comeback after a year off. The only team among the nine with a new head coach is the one that had the best regular-season record last year. The Calgary Roughnecks dumped Dave Pym and gave assistant Curt Malawsky the top job after being upset in the West semis. Heres a glance at the teams in the order in which they finished the last regular season: EAST 1. TORONTO, 9-7; lost division final at home 17-13 to Rochester. Last title: 2011 Season opener: Jan. 12 at Calgary GM: Terry Sanderson Head coach: Troy Cordingley Returning players: G Nick Rose, D Sandy Chapman, D Patrick Merrill, D Cam Woods, D Damon Edwards, D Jesse Gamble, D Bill Greer, D Mike Hobbins, D Stephen Hoar, D Rob Marshall, F Kasey Beirnes, F Garrett Billings, F Colin Doyle, F Rob Hellyer, F Stephan Leblanc, F Blaine Manning, F Josh Sanderson. In: G Zack Boychuk, D Chris White, T Kyle Belton, F Scott Evans, F Brandon Ivey, F Scott Johnston. Out: G Pat Campbell, D Bruce Codd, D Glen Bryan, F Jamie Rooney, F Dan Carey. Quote: "The way we exited from the playoffs last year, I cant see how any of the veterans cant come in with a little chip on their shoulder and be hungry." -- Cordingley Notes: Veteran D Phil Sanderson, who missed the last portion of the 2012 season and the playoffs due to a concussion, is on injured reserve. ... F Brenden Thenhaus, D Brad Kri and G Tyler Glebe are on the practice roster. ... Johnston wont be available for the Jan. 12 season opener in Calgary as hell be serving a one-game suspension for an illegal cross-check during a Dec. 8 Edmonton-Toronto scrimmage. ... Hellyer appeared in only one game last year before concussion symptoms wiped out his season. Hes back, and looking good on the attack. ... D Mike Lum-Walker, a second-round 2012 draft pick, is on the injured reserve list and is to undergo knee surgery this month. 2. ROCHESTER, 7-9, won Champions Cup with 9-6 home win over Edmonton. Last title: 2012 Season opener: Jan. 5 at Washington GM: Curt Styres Head coach: Mike Hasen Returning players: G Matt Vinc, G Jake Henhawk, D Sid Smith, D Mike Kirk, D Rory Glaves, D Scott Campbell, D Dylan Evans, D Jamie Batson, D Tyler Burton, T Brad Self, T Alex Kedoh Hill, F Mike Accursi, F Craig Point, F Stephen Keogh, F Cody Jamieson, F Joe Walters, F Cory Vitarelli, F Johnny Powless. In: D Paul Dawson, T Joel McCready, T Matt Hummel, F Dan Dawson, F Casey Powell. Out: D Pat McCready, T Jarrett Davis, T Jordan Hall, T Joel White. Quote: "We want to go out there and show teams that we were for real last year," says Vinc. "We will work hard every shift and are looking to defend our title. That all starts Game 1." Notes: It has been 3 1/2 years since Styres bought the `Hawks for $5,575,000, the highest price paid for a team in league history, and his work since has been nothing short of brilliant. ... Joel McCready returns after a year off learning to be a firefighter. His uncle Pat decided hed had enough of the travel and bruises. ... D Ian Llord, D Cody McLeod and T Tom Montour are on the practice roster . . . D Ryan Cousins is listed as physically unable to perform. ... Veteran D Kyle Laverty has yet to come to a contract agreement so is classified as a non-roster holdout. 3. BUFFALO, 7-9, lost division semi 7-6 in Toronto. Last title: 2008 Season opener: Jan. 11 at Philadelphia GM: Steve Dietrich Head coach: Darris Kilgour Returning players: G Anthony Cosmo, D Billy Dee Smith, D Scott Self, D Steve Priolo, T Jon Harasym, T Mark Steenhuis, T Jay Thorimbert, F John Tavares, F Tracey Kelusky, F Chad Culp, F Luke Wiles. In: G Kurtis Wager, D Derek Suddons, D Glen Bryan, D Michael McNamara, T David Brock, F Shawn Williams, T Hayden Smith, F Mike Hominuck, F Dhane Smith, F Aaron Wilson, F Nick Cottter, F Carter Bender. Out: G Mike Thompson, D Chris White, D Ian Llord, D Darryl Gibson, D Brandon Francis, T Tom Montour, T Jeremy Thompson, F Kevin Buchanan, F Roger Vyse. Quote: "Im looking forward to playing with all these new young players and seeing if we can get back to being a championship-calibre team like we had in the past." -- Tavares Notes: Its a complete Bandits makeover with a new GM, a multitude of lineup changes and new throwback uniforms. ... One thing remains the same: Tavares is at the heart of the offence. At age 44, the Mississauga high school math teacher begins his 22nd pro indoor season. ... F Derek Hopcroft, T Kevin Brownell and T Craig England are on the practice squad. ... F Mat Giles, F Jamie Rooney and T Jordan Critch are on injured reserve. ... D Jimmy Purves is physically unable to perform. 4. PHILADELPHIA, 7-9, lost division semi 14-13 in Rochester. Last title: 2001 Season opener: Jan. 11 at home vs. Buffalo GM-coach: Johnny Mouradian Returning players: G Brandon Miller, D Brett Manney, D Jeff Reynolds, D Pat Heim, D Steve Holmes, T Brodie Merrill, T Max Seibald, F Kevin Crowley, F Ned Crotty, F Drew Westervelt, F Brendan Mundorf. In: G Kevin Croswell, G Jake Lazore, D CJ Costabile, D Brian Teuber, D Chad Wiedmaier, D Michael Manley, T Kyle Hartzell, T Paul Rabil, T Jordan Hall, T Joel White, F Kevin Ross, F Kevin Buchanan, F Ethan Farrell, F Will Harrington. Out: G Kurtis Wagar, D Paul Dawson, D Tom Hajek, D Chris Schiller, D Taylor Wray, T David Brock, T Jordan Sealock, T Matt Danowski, F Dan Dawson, F Mike Hominuck. Quote: "We gave up Dan Dawson but we needed Paul Rabil in this league and were really excited to have him." -- Mouradian Notes: Mundorf, a 28-goal scorer last season, and D John McFadyen are classified as physically unable to perform so are not yet on the active roster. ... Easing the pain is the addition of Ross, who was a 28-goal man with Minnesota last season. ... D Dan Hardy and D Matt Alrich are on injured reserve. ... Mike French of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., has bought out longtime co-owners Chris Fritz and Russ Cline and now is majority owner as well as president of the Wings. WEST 1. CALGARY, 12-4, lost division semi 19-11 at home to Edmonton.dddddddddddd Last title: 2009 Season opener: Jan. 12 at home vs. Toronto GM: Mike Board Head coach: Curt Malawsky Returning players: G Mike Poulin, G Frank Scigliano, D Mike Carnegie, D Scott Carnegie, D Greg Harnett, D Jon Harnett, D Nolan Heavenor, D Curtis Manning, D Dan MacRae, D Andrew McBride, D Peter McFetridge, T Travis Cornwall, T Scott Ranger, T Jeff Shatler, T Geoff Snider, F Curtis Dickson, F Dane Dobbie, F Shawn Evans, F Daryl Veltman. In: D Matthew Dinsdale, D Brad Richardson, F Joe Resetarits, F Jackson Decker, F Aaron Pascas. Out: D Mike Kilby, F Kaleb Toth, F Cory Conway. Quote: "We still have a bad taste in our mouths over that playoff loss," Board says of last springs first-round playoff loss to Edmonton. "Everybody is fired up and ready to go." Notes: Former head coach Dave Pym now is Torontos Western Canada scout. ... With Malawsky promoted to head coach, Bruce Codd, who helped the `Necks win the title in 2009, gets the vacated assistants job. ... Dobbie is suspended for the season opener as a result of an incident late in his teams May 5 playoff loss to Edmonton. ... Dinsdale was the B.C. junior leagues scoring champion playing for the Coquitlam side that Malawsky coaches during the summer. 2. COLORADO, 11-5, lost division semi 14-10 at home to Minnesota. Last title: 2006 Season opener: Jan. 12 at home vs. Washington GM: Steve Govett Head coach: Bob Hamley Returning players: G Chris Levis, D John Gallant, D Rory Smith, D Jon Sullivan, D Dan Coates, D Mac Allen, D Creighton Reid, D Cam Holding, Mat MacLeod, T Ilija Gajic, T Joey Cupido, F John Grant Jr., F Gavin Prout, F Jordan McBride, F Adam Jones, F Sean Pollock, F Jamie Lincoln. In: G Matt Roik, T Rich Morgan, T Chet Koneczny, T Jaeden Gastaldo, F Brad Dalgarno, F Colton Clark. Out: D Ian Hawksbee, D Jed Prossner, T Scott Stewart, F Cory Conway, F Derek Hopcroft Quote: "Our team was solid last year and we think the new faces give us a great chance to be even better in 2013," says Hamley. Notes: Roik is eager to prove he can win in the NLL again after being unceremoniously dumped by Toronto 10 games into the 2012 season. ... To make room for Roik in the crease, Tye Belanger was designated as physically unable to perform. ... Six-foot-eight Morgan has been a terrifying D-man but Colorado aims to use him to set picks for league MVP John Grant Jr. ... Jarett Park is on injured reserve ... Dalgarno returns after a year off earning some seniority as a British Columbia firefighter. ... D Eric Martin and F Alex Demopoulos are on the practice squad. 3. MINNESOTA, 9-7, lost division final 15-3 at home to Edmonton. Last title: None Season opener: Jan. 12 at Buffalo Returning players: G Evan Kirk, G Tyler Carlson, D Dan Ball, D Mitch Belisle, D Nik Bilic, D Greg Downing, D Jeff Gilbert, T Andrew Suitor, T Andrew Watt, T David Earl, T Tyler Hass, T Jordan MacIntosh, F Ryan Benesch, F Jay Card, F Callum Crawford, F Joel Henry, F Pat Smith, F Corbyn Tao. In: D Alex Crepinsek, D Mike OBrien, T Kyle Matisz, F Matt Gibson, F Shayne Jackson. Out: D Joe Cinosky, D Brendan Doran, D Rich Morgan, F Kevin Ross, F Josh Gillam Quote: "When you can find speed and size in five or six new players, thats really exciting," says Sullivan. "Our fans are going to be thrilled with the tempo of our play." Notes: Suitor to sit out first two games serving league suspension. ... T Brock Sorensen, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 entry draft, is not on the active roster as hes still not fully recovered from a knee injury suffered playing NCAA field lacrosse at Ohio State last spring. ... T Tyler Tanguay, G Zach Higgins and G Ryan Masters are on the practice roster. ... The Swarm had four first-round 2012 draft picks and theyll have four more this year. 4. EDMONTON, 6-10, lost Champions Cup game 9-6 in Rochester. Last title: None Season opener: home Jan. 13 vs. Toronto Returning players: G Aaron Bold, G Brodie MacDonald, D Brett Mydske, D Kyle Rubisch, D Chris Corbeil, D Ryan Dilks, D Jarrett Toll, D Jeff Cornwall, D John Lintz, T Jim Quinlan, T John Lafontaine, F Zack Greer, F Tom Johnson, F Ryan Ward, F Cory Small. In: T Jeremy Thompson, T Jarrett Davis, F Mark Matthews, F Curtis Knight, F Cory Conway, F Mitchell Banister, F Michael Burke, F Alex Turner. Out: D Derek Suddons, D Tyler Codron, T Steve Toll, F Shawn Williams, F Aaron Wilson, F Scott Evans. Quote: "We have reached our objective of infusing youth, speed and athleticism in all areas while at the same time maintaining some veteran leadership," says Keenan. Notes: Codron has joined the Burnaby, B.C., fire department and due to an evaluation period is unable to commit to weekend games. ... Davis was a valuable contributor in Rochesters late-season run to the title and the Rush got him for a player, Paul Rabil, who had refused to suit up for them. ... Knight was Canadian junior player of the year in 2012. ... Knight, Matthews and returnee John LaFontaine were teammates on Whitby, Ont., junior teams Keenan coaches in the summer. 5. WASHINGTON, 4-12, missed playoffs. Last title: 2010 Season opener: Jan. 5 at home vs. Rochester GM: Doug Locker Head coach: Chris Hall Returning players: G Tyler Richards, D Kyle Sorensen, D Jeff Moleski, D Curtis Hodgson, D Matt Beers, D Mike Grimes, D Chris ODougherty, D Chris McElroy, T Bob Snider, F Rhys Duch, F Lewis Ratcliff, F Athan Iannucci, F Brett Bucktooth, F Dean Hill, F Cliff Smith. In: G Nick Patterson, D Tyler Garrison, D Justin Pychel, D Tim Henderson, D Pat OMeara, D Dave Joyce, T Mitch McMichael, F Kyle Buchanan. Out: G Kevin Croswell, D Kyle Hartzell, D Eric Martin, D Kyle Ross, T Jason Bloom, T Chet Koneczny, F Cam Sedgwick, F Jeff Zywicki. Quote: "Im very excited about this team," says Hall. "Our general lacrosse intelligence has improved a ton since last season. Were awfully happy with these kids. Were more energized. Were bigger, faster and stronger." Notes: Zywicki once scored 48 goals in a season but competition for jobs was so intense he couldnt hang onto one after being plagued by injuries in 2012. ... Sorensen takes over as captain from Bloom, who joins the coaching staff. ... F Brett Hickey, F Mike Mallory and T Justin Salt were placed on the practice roster. ... On injured reserve are rookies Billy Hostrawser and Drew Snider. ' ' '