TOP 100 SPORT SITES
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| Florida's Meyer resigns amid health concerns GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- While his coaching successes mounted and his tough-as-nails reputation grew, Urban Meyer admits there was one thing he didn't pay much attention to - his health.... hosted.ap.org |
Brendan Venter makes case for defence as Saracens prepare to face Leicester • South African says 'we are building for rest of the season'• Harry Ellis out after reaction on return from injuryBrendan Venter, the Saracens director of rugby, believes his team will benefit from their first Premiership defeat of the season, at London Irish last weekend, when they face Leicester at Vicarage Road tomorrow afternoon.Saracens entered 2010 at the top of the table after winning nine and drawing one of their first 11 matches. With the Premiership at the halfway stage, a gap has opened up between the top five and the rest and victory over the Tigers would strengthen the leaders' grip on a play-off place. The teams in second and third, Northampton and Irish, meet at Franklin's Gardens."It is inevitable that you will lose games in sport," Venter said. "The test of a good team is how you react and I am sure we will be a better team for last week's defeat. We will learn from it and we are looking forward to meeting the champions in what we know will be a very hard game."Saracens have based their game this season on defence. Irish became the first team to score more than one try against them in the Premiership and Venter's men have conceded seven tries in their 11 matches. They have only scored 14 tries, however, and they have managed only one in their last three league games."We are building for the rest of the season," Venter said. "The reality is that you do not win anything in December and January. You do not get any extra marks for being at the top of the Premiership and we are in the process of learning a lot about ourselves. We are happy to be where we are but we want to win the Premiership. We don't want to be happy at the end finishing in the top four and qualifying for Europe. That's not our goal. We are looking at what we need to do to win this thing in the end, which is to play really well against Leicester and the likes of London Irish, Wasps and Northampton."The reality is the top five sides are moving away and the bottom teams are under pressure. I think the sixth side are 16 points behind at this stage and it will be difficult for them to catch everyone up. But Leicester will be up there and we always knew they would be at the end."Leicester have found tries hard to create this season, especially away from home, where they have managed only three in six Premiership matches. Saracens have scored four in four games at home.Leicester will be without their England scrum-half, Harry Ellis, who suffered a reaction after returning from three months out with a knee injury when he played 20 minutes against Sale last weekend."It is a concern because Harry is a very important player for us," Richard Cockerill, the Leicester head coach, said. "The injury has not settled as we would have liked and he has not been able to train this week. We need to get the balance right in terms of how hard he trains. We are trying to manage the problem to see what makes it react and what doesn't."England will announce their revised Elite Player squad on 13 January – Ellis was chosen in the original 32 last July, but he was replaced in November by Richard Wigglesworth because of his knee injury.Northampton's England centre Shane Geraghty is on the bench for the visit of his former club, London Irish, to Franklin's Gardens. Geraghty has struggled since returning to the Saints after the autumn internationals and Stephen Myler makes his third consecutive start at N010, with James Downey and Jon Clarke outside him. The England lock Courtney Lawes is at No6 for Saints, who have not lost at home this season or anywhere since October. The England scrum-half Paul Hodgson returns for Irish.Guinness PremiershipSaracensLeicester TigersNorthampton SaintsRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Athletic Republic franchise drafts football players Native Houstonian and former National Football League running back Derrick Blaylock is teaming up with New York Jets player James Dearth to open a performance sports training center in Humble. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Wembley to host 49ers-Broncos game • 49ers and Broncos in regular-season date on 31 October• Hosting two top NFL teams is coup for WembleyThe San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos will meet at Wembley Stadium in October, the NFL teams have confirmed. The contest on 31 October will be the fourth time the NFL has hosted a regular-season game in the United Kingdom, with the previous three contests played before sell-out crowds.The league has held one regular-season game in London each season beginning in 2007. Including regular-season games played in London (three), Toronto (two) and Mexico City (one), the Broncos-49ers contest represents the seventh international regular-season game in NFL history.The 49ers took part in the first international regular-season game in NFL history in 2005, when they met the Arizona Cardinals in Mexico City in front of 103,467 fans at Azteca Stadium.The game marks the 10th time the 49ers will play on the international stage, but just their second regular-season game and first as the home team.It will be San Francisco's third game at Wembley Stadium, as the team have previously played two pre-season contests at the venue.Jed York, the 49ers president and chief executive, said: "The 49ers organisation is excited to be part of the NFL's 2010 international schedule."London is a wonderful venue for two of the most storied franchises in NFL history to square off. The international games have been so well received in recent years that it will surely be an exciting experience for our players, coaches, staff and fans."We support the league's initiative to bring NFL games to the international stage, and are looking forward to playing in front of our fans in England."Denver's game against the 49ers was set to be an away game, so the club will continue to host eight regular-season games at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium during the 2010 season.For Wembley to host the contest is something of a coup. The 49ers and Broncos are two of the most vaunted NFL franchises in history.San Francisco have a 100% record from five Super Bowl appearances, while Denver have won two of their six appearances in the sport's showpiece event.The Broncos president and chief executive, Pat Bowlen, said: "The Denver Broncos are honoured to play in London against the 49ers as part of the NFL's international series."Our organisation has been fortunate to play in several American Bowls in previous years, including one in London, but to play a regular-season game overseas is truly special. It's a wonderful, historic opportunity for our franchise and will be an unforgettable experience for our players, coaches and fans."I'm excited for the game in London and am thrilled that the Broncos will be part of the NFL's continued international growth."The Broncos head coach, Josh McDaniels, also welcomed the contest. He said: "Playing in London in front of so many passionate and new football fans is a privilege and will be a great experience for our team. I'm excited for the opportunity, and I am certain that our players and coaches will share my enthusiasm."The previous games in London have had a playoff-like atmosphere to them, so it's always a good thing to play in that type of an environment. We'll be ready for the challenge."The first Wembley NFL regular-season game was held in October 2007 between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants, who went on to claim the Super Bowl.The New Orleans Saints met the San Diego Chargers in 2008, while earlier this season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the New England Patriots.NFLWembley stadiumguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
By staring down Kong, Andy Murray can be king This is not a monkey, it is a gorilla. A huge, unsightly ape. King Kong after 70 years gorging on KFC. That is what Andy Murray has his sights set on after a conquest of Rafael Nadal that left spectators breathless with admiration. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |