Neues » Wins 1 2 Super Bowl MVPs

On a Premier League Wednesday with nine games played simultaneously, spectacular goals and the top five teams each victorious, it was another home loss for Manchester United taking the headlines. Whenever United loses, its crisis. When other top teams slip up, its the quirky nature of the Premier League. The predictable reaction speaks to the sky-high expectations for a team proven perennial contender and 13 times Premier League champion. While its premature to suggest United have abdicated their throne, retaining their title this term has become improbable. Setting the bar lower to Champions League qualification even seems an uphill climb for a team reflecting United only in colours and crest. The mighty have fallen. But how far? After Wednesdays 1-0 loss to Everton, Manchester United sits 9th: Uniteds lowest ever position after 14 games. The home form is most disconcerting. David Moyes side has already been shut out twice at Old Trafford this campaign. Their eight home goals for is equal to the likes of West Ham, who have no true striker and one less than last place Sunderland. In comparison, Manchester City has scored 29 at home in the same number of games. Thats a Grand Canyon sized difference between supposed rivals on the field. The gap, incredible considering United finished 11 points ahead of City a season ago. Wednesdays loss is merely salt in the wound. The Everton away support mocked Moyes throughout. United support most likely felt like doing the same, if it were not the previous instructions by his predecessor, "your job now is to stand by our new manager." Wariness persists about the new man. While the players and staff all say the right things, belief amongst even the most ardent supporter wavers. Patience is preached. That narrative is difficult to swallow for supporters who have grown accustomed to winning trophies at a club with the bankroll to support ambition. Perhaps Sir Alex saw this coming. Perhaps he had got everything he could out of this group of players. Perhaps he knew the team needed an overhaul. And perhaps that was a little bit too much for a 71-year-old manager with nothing to prove to start over and rebuild. And perhaps banking on ownership to actually use the clubs financial might to address the issues in the side was something Ferguson could no longer stomach. This argument is less about the man in charge, rather than the team on the field. The goals United would score a year ago are now finding the woodwork. The challenges are sloppy. The shape leaves much to desire. Its striking the team couldnt rise up to the challenge of Everton; a fixture that was always going to be circled on the calendar, no matter where Everton and Manchester United sat in the table. The fact Moyes former team sat above his current gave added urgency. The Reds didnt respond. Yes, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck hit post and crossbar respectively. But the chances for Everton were as good, or better than what United could muster. The irony, plain to see, with a United transfer targets injury replacement Bryan Oviedo scoring the match winner. The Everton midfield, which was plucked of Marouane Fellaini at the transfer window, was dominant throughout, with Fellainis replacements James McCarthy and Gareth Barry keeping the shape United only wished they could have. And Fellaini, fortunate to have stayed on the field after an ugly challenge, and looking a shell of the influential player he was while wearing blue. "We never felt inferior," remarked a jubilant Everton manager, Roberto Martinez. A Martinez managed team had never scored a goal at Old Trafford, let alone win. His Everton team in one try did what Moyes Everton couldnt accomplish in over a decade – win at Old Trafford. It was a measured, calculated and composed approach by the visitors. Time after time, they exposed the weakness in Uniteds midfield. United can still maintain possession of the ball in the middle of the park. But the east-west ball movement lack cutting edge and fluidity. The end result is a stale, predictable product. Most noticeably, Uniteds inability to put high pressure on the ball, and subsequent lack of numbers in attack on the counter left United at the mercy of a superior Everton midfield. Vintage United teams over the last two decades were deadly at forcing mistakes through putting pressure on the ball and forcing teams out of their element. It was always near textbook counter-attacking football. That was the Manchester United way. When in possession, Sir Alex Fergusons United would attack in waves. It would be relentless and it would break you down. This new United sits back. And when on the ball, there are very few options in support. Everton were vastly superior at both pressing the ball and attacking in numbers, just as West Brom were in a shock away victory at the Theatre of Dreams earlier this season. Fluid movement on and off the ball and purposeful possession broke down United. These were no fluky, lucky away victories. They were well earned. We should fall short of calling United a bad team. They are still a good team with a collection of players able to compete. But they have simply fallen back to the pack. Hanging in and grinding out points is where the team is. Thats not a bad thing. Its just not typical United. Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have match changing, game winner abilities. Outside f the two, the squad falls short on top talent. So system, discipline, and effort need be relied upon. No matter what happens in January, Moyes number one job is to get his midfield right. He would likely trade his entire midfield roster for the likes of one of Eden Hazard, Yaya Toure, or Mesut Ozil – all top players for title contending teams. Likewise for Juan Mata, Oscar Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla – you get the picture. In the midfield, Manchester United is playing from a deficit. The discourse coming from Old Trafford has to change. It cannot be about moral victories. Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward saying United will remain strong financially without winning trophies sends the wrong message. The expectation is winning, not profit. The league is becoming clearer: Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea are clear title threats. Liverpool, Everton, and Spurs are in the second tier. Is United better than the aforementioned three? Certainly not based upon form. This is the challenge for United and their new manager. These may be early days, but its gut-check time. A suspended Wayne Rooney Saturday doesnt make matters any easier. The team has responded before. Will they respond this time around, for this manager? Other Musings - Luis Suarez is on a run for the ages, scoring 13 goals in nine games this season. The bite seen around the world and the summer of discontent seems to be a distant memory. But this is Suarez were talking about. Dependability is not his middle name. One has to wonder what is his value now? Liverpool famously rejected Arsenals audacious bid of just over £40 million. What is Barcelona or Real Madrid offer £80 million? Can Liverpool afford to lose him, no matter the price? Qualifying for Champions League is massive for the short-term future of the club. And could very well determine if Suarez continues on at Anfield. - After just 90 seconds Wednesday, Niklas Bendtner scored his first Arsenal goal in 1,005 days. In very Bendtner like fashion, he later missed an absolute sitter. Can Arsene Wenger afford not going into Januarys transfer window to buy another striker? Or can Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski be decent enough options, providing cover for Olivier Giroud? The decision could be the difference between winning the league. - Andre Villas-Boas outburst at the press doesnt bode well for the Spurs manager. The Portuguese manager has bigger fish to fry than petty public spats with those who cover the team. Finding requisite width and appropriate attacking formation tops his to-do list. The lack of influence through the wing positions despite worlds of talent is troubling. Two late goals at Craven Cottage spared his blushes. Maintaining focus is paramount. AVB has the players. Time to bring it all together. - Southamptons dream run has been derailed for the time being. A difficult stretch has seen the team lose their top goalkeeper and concede eight times in their last three after giving up just five in their previous 11. It doesnt get any easier, with games against top teams Manchester City, Newcastle and Spurs in their next three Twitter - @WheelerTSNEmail - gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca. Kellen Winslow Chargers Jersey . The Detroit Tigers star had microfracture surgery Friday to repair the medial and lateral meniscus in his left knee. "I dont want to say it was a surprise," team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. Derwin James Chargers Jersey .com) - The surprising Calgary Flames host the winless New Jersey Devils at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday. http://www.chargersauthenticofficialonli...ams-jersey.html. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Joey Bosa Womens Jersey .J. Ellis have avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year contract. Nasir Adderley Youth Jersey . Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane came up big when it counted, tallying two goals and an assist. He scored the game-winner with 4:45 remaining in the third period, stopping on the right hashmarks, carrying the puck up through the top of the Kings zone, then firing a wrist shot from the top of the circles past Jonathan Quick, who had his view obstructed by Andrew Shaw.Whether its on the field or on the sidelines, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson have very little in common. When it comes to their pasts, however, the two are extremely similar. The quarterbacks were both underwhelming prospects coming out of college and sat well outside the conversation of first-round picks when draft day rolled around. Brady wasnt viewed as an athletic quarterback, running a 5.2 second 40-yard dash time coming out of Michigan, and while Wilsons athleticism was never questioned, his ability so succeed was. Listed generously at 5-foot-11, the former baseball player was viewed as too small to see over an NFL offensive line and therefore have success at the pro level. The Seahawks took Wilson with 75th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, five picks after punter Bryan Anger was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson was seen largely as a depth pick for the Seahawks, who had just signed former Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million contract in the free agency. Yet, when given his opportunity to compete against Flynn in training camp and the preseason, Wilson outplayed the veteran – who struggled with a shoulder injury – and won the Week 1 start. The numbers werent always amazing – he was held under 200 yards passing in nine games – but Wilson did enough for the Seahawks to make the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round, he outdueled injured second-overall pick Robert Griffin III as the Seahawks advanced. One week later, Wilson put together the finest performance of his young career with 385 passing yards and three total touchdowns as the Seahawks narrowly fell 30-28 to the Atlanta Falcons. In his second NFL season, Wilson quarterbacked the Seahawks to a 13-3 record and eventually a Super Bowl title. He became the first of the 11 quarterbacks selected in the 2012 draft – including the five picked before him - to win a championship and the only one to win more than one playoff game. In 2014, Wilson put together another strong campaign in a 12-4 season and led a fourth-quarter 12-point comeback to overcome four interceptions and top the Green Bay Packers in the championship round. Now, Wilson is looking to become the first quarterback in league history to win two Super Bowls in his first three seasons. Brady, selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, won three Super Bowls in his first five seasons, but unlike Wilson he began his pro career as a fourth-string quarterback and made no meaningful appearances in his rookie year. In fact, Bradys opportunity start came when quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured in the second week of the 2001 season. In his first and second starts, Brady threw for a combined 254 yards and no touchdowns before exploding for 364 yards and two touchdowns in a 29-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Week 5. The Tuck Rule play. Brady reeled off nine more wins – though without another 300-yard game - as the Patriots reached the playoffs as the AFCs second seed. Led by Brady, and with help from the Tuck Rule, the Patriots went on to defeat the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI for their first league title. Brady, picked 199th overall in the draft just two years earlier, was named Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots missed the playoffs in 2002 with a 9-7 record before reeling off Super Bowl-winning seasons in both 2003 and 2004 – Brady was again named MVP of XXXVIII in 03. This season, Brady and Wilson again played major roles in leading their teams back to the big game, though their approach could not have been more different. Those differences extend to playing styles and beyond. Brady consistently shows an exceptional ability to negotiate the pocket to buy time to find an open receiver, but rarely takes off from the tackle box. Wilson poses a risk to opposing defences as both a passer and a rusher, and is seemingly never afraid to take off with the football. Wilson represents a new breed of quarterback in the NFL, the dual-threat passer. Wilsons classmates in that regard - Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton - all largely struggled as defences adjusted to limit their abilities in 2014. But Wilson flourished again. On the ground this season, Wilson was again able to preesent constant difficulties for opponents and rushed for a career-high 849 yards with six touchdowns.ddddddddddddThe third-year pro also threw for 20 touchdowns to seven interceptions in the regular season. His dual-threat abilities allowed him to extend plays and gain yards as the pocket around him broke down. Its also worth noting that Wilson lost none of his five rushing fumbles on the season. He doesnt fit the mould of anything I thought previously would be a franchise quarterback, wide receiver Doug Baldwin said prior to the NFC Championship against Green Bay. I think he still gets a lot of hate and discredit because we dont throw the ball that often. However, what hes asked to do in this offence he does it extremely well. Brady, the prototypical franchise quarterback, put together an MVP-worthy campaign in 2014 with 4,109 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions during a 12-4 campaign. On the ground, he rushed for just 57 yards on 36 attempts – in 13 seasons as a starter, Brady has rushed for 823 total yards. The 37-year-old also put together a passer rating of 99.3 or higher in each of the Patriots two playoff games. One similarity both quarterbacks shared this season, however, was excelling without having a true star in their wide receiver corps. Wilsons leading receivers, Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, were both undrafted free agents out of college and Bradys leading receivers, Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell, were drafted in the seventh and third round, respectively. Brady does, however, hold the advantage of throwing to star tight end Rob Gronkowski. On the sidelines, the differences between the two are perhaps equally apparent as on the field. Brady, the truest of competitors, has had no shortage of profanity-laced tirades on the sidelines throughout his career to inspire - or express his disappointment to – his teammates. Oppositely, the seemingly always positive and composed Wilson refuses to show anger or get in the face of his teammates during trying times. Wilsons demeanor was tested throughout the season, such as when Baldwin challenged him during a loss to the Dallas Cowboys, or as his team was minutes away from elimination after he threw four interceptions in the NFC Championship game – two which came off the hands of Kearse. Yet, Wilson consistently persevered and led his team to the verge of a Super Bowl once again. Its often argued that in order to reach - and win - a Super Bowl, teams need a star quarterback. Though some have disproven this theory, i.e. Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson, the sentiment largely rings true. The past 11 Super Bowls, with the exception and Joe Flacco and Wilson (as of now), have all been won by quarterbacks with a spot waiting for them in Canton. With a win on Sunday, Wilson can likely add his name to that list. Despite their differences, Brady and Wilson find themselves pitted against each other on the NFLs biggest stage and both will be out to extend their legacies on Sunday. Russell and Tom Brady are both great winners, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll explained earlier this week. Tom has had a long time to prove that. Russell is at the early stages of proving that to the world. But hes got a chance to be similar. And, perhaps, a chance to be better. Tom Brady vs. Russell Wilson Entering Super Bowl XLIX Brady (199th pick, 2000 NFL Draft) Wilson (75th pick, 2012 NFL Draft) 5 Super Bowl Appearances 1 3 Super Bowl Wins 1 2 Super Bowl MVPs 0 12-4 2014 Record 12-4 4,109 2014 Pass Yards 3,475 33 2014 Pass TDs 20 9 2014 Pass INTs 7 57 2014 Rush Yards 849 0 2014 Rush TDs 6 53,258 Career Pass Yards 9,950 392 Career Pass TDs 72 143 Career Pass INTs 26 823 Career Rush Yards 1,877 14 Career Rush TDs 11 160 Career Wins 36 20 Career Playoff Wins 6 47 Career Losses 12 8 Career Playoff Losses 1 ' ' '