| Kansas City Chiefs add a new CFO to executive roster The Kansas City Chiefs have hired Dan Crumb as their chief financial officer, the team reported Friday. feeds.bizjournals.com |
After tragedy, Cowboys' Jay Ratliff inspired to 'love hard' Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says nose tackle Jay Ratliff returned from burying his grandparents in Hahira, Ga., inspired by their tragic, ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Cardinals helping breast cancer patients Arizona Cardinals players and cheerleaders were at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center today as part of the National Football League’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. feeds.bizjournals.com |
England boosted by Smith's knowledge • Veteran Australian coach enlisted as performance adviser• Sam Tomkins fit to face New Zealand in WellingtonThe veteran Australian coach Brian Smith is hoping to make a difference as he lends a helping hand to England's Four Nations campaign. The 56-year-old former Hull and Bradford coach, who guided Sydney Roosters to this year's NRL grand final, has been enlisted by the England head coach, Steve McNamara, as performance adviser, starting with Saturday's opening game against New Zealand.Speaking before England's training session in Petone today, Smith said: "I've been able to give Steve a bit of specific knowledge about almost every player in the other teams. I've told him about the way referees tend to rule on various situations, trends in the game and little odds and ends about individual players, about what makes them good."I'm really enjoying just supporting Steve and doing whatever I can to offer the advice that he seeks occasionally but he's in charge and he knows exactly what he wants."Smith, the older brother of Warrington's former England coach Tony Smith, had his first hands-on involvement with the tourists during last Saturday's 18-18 draw against the New Zealand Maori.Although there was disappointment over the way England let slip an 18-0 half-time lead, Smith believes the exercise will prove to be invaluable in the buildup to Saturday's clash with the Kiwis at Wellington's Westpac Stadium."It was pretty evident that we had guys on different pages," he said. "We were going pretty well for a while but we lost it under pressure and I think that was good for the group to say 'oops, we need to fix this up'. The guys are really well coached but they use different systems, particularly around the ruck defence and tackle technique and adjustments with line speed."We've been able to work on that this week. We've a little bit more to do but the guys are locking in to playing the system that Steve wants them to now."Smith, who coached McNamara at both Hull and Bradford at the start of the Super League era, has been impressed with the calibre of player in the 24-man England squad. "I was a little taken aback to begin with as to how ego-less this group is and how responsive they are to each other and to Steve and the rest of the staff," he said. "I thought I might have had a few things to help in the background but there's been nothing there. They're committed and hopefully they're co-ordinated."Smith is excited at the prospect of once more seeing the Australian-based forwards Sam Burgess and Gareth Ellis in action for England and has backed the appointment of the new captain James Graham. "I can understand why Steve has selected James as captain," he said. "He's a businessman with footy."I like the way, in almost every meeting, he's had at least two or three important things to say that, from my point of view, have been right on the money."He's got leadership skills and is quite well spoken. He's a bit shy around you guys – I don't think he wants to sort of project himself that way – but in amongst the group he's a real leader. I've been impressed with him."Ellis and Burgess are ready to burst out this weekend with big games. Overall I just like the way they all work together and they seem to genuinely enjoy each other's company. Having said that, I think New Zealand have got a fantastic chance of winning this year."They've got an excellent crew of players and they have been under Stephen Kearney for three or four years. It's been about systems and organisation and they've got it down pretty well. It's going to be a big challenge on Saturday night."The Wigan half-back Sam Tomkins, who picked up a hip injury against the Maori, proved his fitness at training today. While Kearney was happy to show his hand early in the week by naming his team, McNamara may wait until Saturday to reveal his line-up, although he is expected to announce a 19-man squad tomorrow.The Warrington prop forward Garreth Carvell, a late call-up in place of the injured Adrian Morley, is unlikely to be included after sitting out training in order to recover from jet lag. Both the England and New Zealand squads swapped their tracksuits for shirts and ties when they met the prime minister John Key at a parliamentary reception in the New Zealand capital.Four NationsSteve McNamaraEngland rugby league teamRugby leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Broncos' Josh McDaniels says he's not focused on his job status Josh McDaniels says he's not worried that the Denver Broncos' embarrassing issues both on and off the field might cost him his job because the ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |