| Miller behind lens for NHL photo shoot Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller donned the photographer’s vest on Wednesday afternoon, snapping photos of several fellow National Hockey League players for a pictorial that will appear on VanityFair.com. feeds.bizjournals.com |
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Ryder Cup 2010: Europe and USA player ratings Lawrence Donegan rates the European and American players after the final-day drama at Celtic ManorEuropeLee WestwoodThe Englishman arrived in Wales insisting he was fully recovered from a long term injury and he proved he was. For the opening two sessions, he carried his partner Martin Kaymer to one and a half points. He lost his singles yesterday but that had more to do with Stricker's brilliance than anything else. BRory McIlroyThe man who suggested the Ryder Cup was an "exhibition" knows better now. Missed a tiddler in the opening fourballs that precipitated a European loss but came back strongly after that. Or at least he did until an awful bunker shot on the 18th almost gave Stewart Cink a point in the singles. C+Luke DonaldEurope's best player. The Celtic Manor golf course suits Donald's accurate iron-play and he came to Wales intent on finally burying his undeserved reputation as a bit of a softie. He succeeded, winning a crucial single contest against Jim Furyk. AMartin KaymerBy far the worst performer on the European side. He left Wales with one and a half points on his Ryder Cup record but that can be considered an early Christmas present from Westwood. Got hammered in the singles by Dustin Johnson. DIan PoulterAnother strong Ryder Cup performance from Poulter, winning three points from a possible four. Fancies himself as the beating heart of the European team and who can blame him after performance like his 5&4 defeat of Matt Kuchar? BRoss FisherA solid player and a solid effort on his Ryder Cup debut. Helped restore Padraig Harrington's spirits when the two were paired together on Saturday and Sunday. Bad luck to be drawn in the singles against the surprisingly brilliant Jeff Overton. CFrancesco MolinariA greater swinger of the golf club, but they don't award style points at the Ryder Cup. This is a tournament where great putters thrive, and unfortunately for the Italian, and his captain, he is not a great putter. Ran into the "old" Tiger Woods in the singles and did not have a chance. CEdoardo MolinariAnother rookie, another solid performance. His swing might not be as pretty as his brother's but he can putt better than just about anyone. A passionate man, he came up with a passionate – and a brilliant – performance to win a point in the singles against Rickie Fowler. BMiguel Angel JiménezA much underrated player who, not for the first time in his life, did better than many people expected him to. A quiet couple of days to begin with but won a crucial point in the middle of the singles line-up yesterday over Bubba Watson. It did not win the Cup but it all but made a European victory certain. BPeter HansonThe Swede celebrated his birthday yesterday but not out on the golf course, alas. Paired in the singles against Phil Mickelson, he had the chance to record a Hallmark victory against the American. Instead, he ran up two double bogeys on his way to defeat. CPadraig HarringtonThe most controversial of Montgomerie's three picks and at times it looked as if this might turn into an embarrassment for the Irishman and his captain. But an unlikely partnership with Ross Fisher revived his spirits. Hammered by Zach Johnson in the singles but most people would have been. The American was seven-under for their match. CGraeme McDowellConfirmed his place alongside the likes of Westwood and Donald as one of the leaders on the European team. He did a particularly good job in helping McIlroy through his nervous start to the week. Placed 12th in the singles by Montgomerie just in case. Just as well. A Team USASteve StrickerA great effort from a highly underrated player, not least because he formed a perfect partnership with Tiger Woods. Or at least he did until they were hammered by Westwood and Donald in Sunday's foursomes. Got his revenge against Westwood in the singles. BStewart CinkOne of Pavin's four captain's picks and did more than enough to justify his selection. He and Matt Kuchar won an unlikely point against McIlroy and McDowell early on, in large part because Cink holed every putt he looked at. The wand was a little wonky in the singles, which allowed McIlroy to win a vital half point. BJim FurykArrived in Wales having just won $11.3m (£7.1m) on one day on the PGA Tour. Might have been exhausted and/or guilty but somehow managed to keep his focus. A gritty competitor with a surprisingly poor Ryder Cup record over the years. No change this year. D+Dustin JohnsonThe American rookie whose debut was most keenly anticipated. A big-hitter with an even bigger reputation, he had the misfortune to be paired alongside Mickelson early on – a partnership truly made in Pavin's nightmares. His good fortune was to meet Kaymer in the singles although, in fairness, he played very well to win 6&4. CMatt KucharThe most consistent player on the PGA Tour this year but it is one thing racking up top-10 finishes in the States, quite another to turn up at the Ryder Cup and make a real impact. Kuchar is a nice player but nice guys don't win Ryder Cup singles matches, especially if they have to play Ian Poulter. DJeff OvertonIdentified before the event by former US captain Paul Azinger as "the player to watch – a great putter with a competitive streak". Azinger was not wrong. Will probably be remembered for his "boom baby" celebration on Sunday but there were plenty of other highlights. ABubba WatsonThe jittery Bubba was a worry for the American camp, with some justification as it turned out. Had the good fortune to be paired with Overton early on but had no one to help him in the singles. Was expected to lose to Jiménez and he did. DTiger WoodsThe great conundrum was simply great yesterday, steam-rollering Francesco Molinari in the singles. He was nine-under par for 15 holes – a stunning performance which suggested he really has found some form under his new swing coach, Sean Foley. B+Rickie FowlerAnother captain's pick who justified his selection, although only just. Won a half-point alongside Furyk in the foursomes, but then had the misfortune to be lumped with Mickelson on Sunday. Started yesterday's single match against Edoardo Molinari with a double bogey but deserves great credit for coming back from four down on the back nine to earn a half on the 18th hole. B+Phil MickelsonAnother poor Ryder Cup performance from the world No2, although he did manage to win a point for his team with a singles victory over. That was preceded by a lot of bad drives, plenty of missed putts and three successive losses. DZach JohnsonMany suspected Johnson would be one of the stronger players on the US team – he putts brilliantly under pressure and is feistier than a sack of rattlesnakes – and so it proved. Birdied seven of the first 15 holes to open up a five-hole advantage on Harrington. The Irishman didn't have a chance. BHunter MahanA stalwart of the American victory in 2008, he was surprisingly left out of the opening series of foursomes. Presumably Pavin was saving him for bigger things, like the anchor role in the single series - a big job on the biggest day of all. Mahan has a well-earned reputation for playing well under pressure. Unfortunately for him and the USA, so does McDowell. C+Ryder CupGolfLawrence Doneganguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Kolb will start against Falcons By 2010-10-15T17:37:03ZPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Kevin Kolb will make his second straight start in place of the injured Michael Vick when the Philadelphia Eagles host Atlanta on Sunday.... hosted.ap.org |
Anderson on track for first Ashes Test • Anderson cracked rib during England training camp• 'He's already bowling at 75% so he should be fine'The England team director, Andy Flower, is confident James Anderson will be fit for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on 25 November. Anderson cracked a rib during the side's training camp in Germany but the seamer is bowling again and could be involved in two of the warm-up games in Australia."He's already bowling at 75% so he should be fine for the first Test," Flower said. "More than likely, he'll be OK for two of those warm-up games."Anderson was injured in Bavaria this month while boxing against an unnamed team-mate – reportedly Chris Tremlett. Despite the setback, Flower has no regrets over the controversial camp."No, none at all," he said. "It was an excellent camp, actually, and I think the players and management that were involved in it did things they might never have done before and might never do again, and it was a very healthy experience."Flower is unconcerned about Kevin Pietersen, who has not scored a Test century since March 2009 and was forced to apologise for a rant on Twitter after being dropped from England's one-day side. Pietersen joined the South African side Kwazulu Natal Dolphins in a bid to rediscover his form but made 36 and a second-ball duck in his two first-class innings.Flower said: "He's very well, he enjoyed his trip to South Africa and he's in a very good state of mind ready for the tour. He didn't get many opportunities [for Natal]. Unfortunately, the way the games panned out, he only got one innings in each game."But he did some really good work with the Natal side and I think it would've stood him in good stead. He feels good about his cricket; he feels confident going into Australia."England cricket teamAndy FlowerCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |