NFL Draft 2013: Manchester"s Menelik Watson drafted by Oakland Raiders

Posted on April 27, 2013 by adminsports

Manchester's Watson lands dream NFL job after being drafted by the Oakland Raiders

PUBLISHED:

23:56 GMT, 26 April 2013

UPDATED:

23:58 GMT, 26 April 2013

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Manchester-born Menelik Watson was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Watson, who overcame an impoverished
childhood in Longsight before heading stateside via the Canary Islands,
was expected by many to be taken in the first round at New York's Radio
City Music Hall.

Second chance: Manchester-born Menelik Watson (right), seen here with Texas A&M prospect Luke Joeckel at a youth football clinic, is expected to find a club in the second round of the NFL draft tomorrow

Block: Watson (left) in action for Florida State Seminoles back in November

That did not happen, although the offensive tackle did not have to wait long to hear his name called on Friday evening; he was chosen with the 42nd overall pick.

Watson, from Florida State University, joins a team that finished with a 4-12 record last season and are widely tipped to struggle again this year.

For many, not being grabbed on day one when predicted is a disappointment, but that will not be the case with Watson.

Selective: Defensive End Dion Jordan from Oregon was selected third overall by the Miami Dolphins

Dion Jordan, from Oregon, speaks during a news conference after being selected third overall by the Miami Dolphins during the first round of the NFL football draft

Speaking prior to learning his fate, he said: 'I am not interested (in where I am drafted).

'Wherever I end up, I'll be happy.
Being talked about as a first-rounder is not a concern of mine. It's all
about going to the team and doing a job.

'The NFL is a totally new animal and a totally different level. Once I get somewhere, I have still got to do a job.'

While it took longer than expected
for Watson's name to come off the board, an early second-round berth is
still a considerable achievement for someone who did not know the
sport's rules two years ago.

Watson will now set his sights on impressing when training camp starts this summer, with a view to earning a starting place.

First pick: Central Michigan's Eric Fisher with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round

Chuck Pagano speech: Leukaemia coach talks to Indianapolis Colts

Posted on November 6, 2012 by adminsports

NFL coach suffering with leukaemia gives team emotional speech after returning from hospital

UPDATED:

18:35 GMT, 6 November 2012

American football coach Chuck Pagano gave the Indianapolis Colts an emotional and rousing post-match speech after attending his first game since being diagnosed with leukaemia.

The coach has been receiving chemotherapy treatment since September 26, when he discovered he had the cancer.

Scroll down for video

Emotional: Chuck Pagano raises his fist at the end of the speech he gave his side after their victory at the weekend

Emotional: Chuck Pagano raises his fist at the end of the speech he gave his side after their victory at the weekend

Get well soon: Pagano was diagnosed with leukaemia (pictured before undergoing chemotherapy)

Support: Fans and players alike are backing Pagano to come back and put up this #chuckstrong banner in support of him

But he turned up at the Lucas Oil Stadium
on November 4 and saw his side beat the Miami Dolphins 23-20 before
heading down to the locker room to deliver his moving team-talk.

Pagano spoke to his men about the
power of positive thinking and visualisation, how they visualised what
they wanted and achieved it in the game – the Colts came back from
behind.

He told them about how because he was visualising overcoming the cancer 'it was already beat'.

Pagano talked of seeing two more of
his daughters get married – he has three, Taylor, Tori and Tara who is
married with two children.

Backed to the hilt: The entire Indianapolis Colts team is behind their coach

Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne

A fan holds up a banner in support

Come on Chuck! Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne takes off his helmet while a fan holds up a message of support (right)

Pagano was released from the Indiana University Health Simon Cancer Centre two weeks beforehand.

Colts owner, Jim Irsay, announced Pagano would be watching two days before the game took place.

The game was notable itself for a
record breaking performance from quarterback Andrew Luck, in which he
threw for 433 passing yards – beating the previous record of 432 yards
set by Cam Newton.

Pagano's side are now 5-3 and will travel to Jacksonville in Week 10.

PAGANO'S SPEECH IN FULL

'I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in a vision and you weren't living in circumstances. Because you know where they had us in the beginning. Every last one of them.

'But you refused to live in circumstances and you decided consciously, as a team, and as a family, to live in a vision. And that's why you bring things home like you brought home today. That's why you're already champions, and well on your way.

'I got circumstances. You guys understand it. I understand it. It's already beat. It's already beat. My vision that I'm living, see two more daughters getting married, dancing at their weddings, and then hoisting that Lombardi several times and watch that confetti fall on this f****** group right here.

'Several times, we're going to hoist that baby. I'm dancing at two more weddings. And we're hoisting that trophy together man. Congratulations.'

Good news came with doctors saying his leukaemia is in 'remission', but treatment must continue over two years.

His form of the cancer is acute promyelocytic leukaemia which in over 80 per cent of cases can be cured.

When the news broke at the end of September the team were distraught.

Ryan Grigson took over as general
manager but hopes Pagano will be able to return and coach from the press
box later in the season.

Offensive co-ordinator Bruce Arians was nearly in tears when he heard the news.

Arians fought prostate cancer in 2007 and backed his colleague to emerge on top.

'I know him. He's a fighter. He's
survived tough times already in his life,' said Arians. 'As a cancer
survivor myself, I know that these first few days are really hard on you
but as he and I talked yesterday, it's just a matter of time.'

He spoke of a tribute to Pagano which is taking place.

Arians said: 'I asked Mr. Irsay if we
would leave the light on in his office permanently till he comes back
and we are going to do that.'

Watch the rousing speech here:

St Louis Rams cheerleaders visit Abbey Road

Posted on October 24, 2012 by adminsports

Abbey days as NFL cheerleaders Come Together to visit famous Beatles landmark

UPDATED:

14:07 GMT, 24 October 2012

Anyone walking down the world-famous Abbey Road on Wednesday morning would have been left in no doubt that the NFL is back in town.

The glamorous St Louis Rams cheerleaders were spotted, like many a good tourist before them, walking in the footsteps of The Beatles across that iconic zebra crossing.

The Rams and the Patriots will go head to head at Wembley on Sunday in a regular-season game – the fifth time two American Football sides have crossed the Atlantic to do battle in London.

Look familiar The St Louis Rams mascot and cheerleaders cross Abbey Road on Wednesday

World famous: The iconic album cover for the Beatles' 1969 album, Abbey Road

To celebrate their arrival on these
shores the Rams' cheerleaders were pictured aping the front cover of one
of the most celebrated albums of all time.

It was a fine way to Come Together
with their British cousins but were the girls heard exclaiming 'Here
Comes the Sun' In these grey October skies there's as much chance of
that as spotting an octopus in a garden.

Mystery tour: The St Louis Rams cheerleaders follow in the Beatles' footsteps

Look familiar The St Louis Rams mascot and cheerleaders cross Abbey Road on Wednesday

Meanwhile, the Rams' players were
spotted further north stepping up their preparations for the big game at
Arsenal's London Colney training base.

And they had one particularly
interested spectator overlooking their training in the form of Arsenal
and England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Football, but not as they know it: The Rams prepare for the game at Arsenal's training ground, London Colney

Since 2007, nine teams have played in London since the first annual game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.

And if the early signs are anything to go
by, London's NFL fans are guaranteed to enjoy a Fab Four quarters' worth
of rough and tumble, American style, on Sunday.

Star man: Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (second right) talks tactics with his team-mates

Catch it if you can: Running back Terrance Ganaway in action during training at London Colney

Interested observer: Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) watches the NFL stars train

Chelsea 0 AC Milan 1: Fernando Torres returns but Urby Emanuelson hits winner

Posted on July 29, 2012 by adminsports

Chelsea 0 AC Milan 1: Torres makes Blues return but Emanuelson has the last word

UPDATED:

07:41 GMT, 29 July 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Fernando Torres made his Chelsea return in Miami – but the 50million man could not stop the Blues from ending their US tour with a defeat.

The Spain international played 30 minutes of the clash against AC Milan in the Sun Life Stadium – home of the Miami Dolphins – his first appearance of the Blues' pre-season.

But Urby Emanuelson's second half-strike was enough to condemn the Blues to their second consecutive Stateside defeat ahead of their flight home.

Challenge: Frank Lampard is held up by match-winner Urby Emanuelson

Match facts

CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic (Hutchinson), Terry (Cahill), Luiz, Cole (Ferreira); Mikel, Lampard (Essien), Meireles (Marin); Hazard, Ramires (Malouda); Lukaku (Torres)

AC MILAN: Ameila; Antonini (Abate); Bonera; Yepes (Acerbi); Mesbah; Traore (Constant), Flamini (Montolivo), Ambrosini (Nocerino); El Shaarawy, Emanuelson; Boateng (Valoti)

ATT: 57,748.

The big Chelsea team-news came from
the bench, Fernando Torres making his first appearance on the Blues
team-sheet since helping Spain win Euro 2012.

Chelsea's final game of their US
pre-season tour got off to an uneventful start, with either side
struggling to gain the early advantage.

John Terry had the first real effort
of the encounter, firing a difficult half-volley from the edge of the
box from Branislav Ivanovic's header in the eighth minute.

Hazard showed a glimpse of his
32million worth in the 11th minute as he easily ghosted past Bakaye
Traore and Luca Antonini in the box before his fierce strike was
deflected wide for a corner.

On the run: Mario Yepes and Mathieu Flamini combine to stop Romelu Lukaku

On the run: Mario Yepes and Mathieu Flamini combine to thwart Romelu Lukaku

The searing Miami heat was not
conducive to a fast, free flowing game – and it certainly showed as both
sides seemed happy to merely go through the motions during the opening
25 minutes.

Traore sent a long range effort wide
of Petr Cech's post in the 27th minute as AC Milan upped the tempo of
their play ever so slightly before Urby Emanuelson nearly played former
Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini through.

Emanuelson missed the first real
chance of the match in the 34th minute, firing over from 12 yards after
being sent clear through by Kevin-Prince Boateng with just Cech to beat
as the first-half ended goalless.

Di Matteo made just one change at the
break, Marko Marin replacing Raul Meireles, allowing Hazard to take a
more central role in the second-half.

Hard-fought: Ramires goes shoulder-to-shoulder with Emanuelson

And the Italian manager's heart was in
his mouth just seconds after the restart as Daniele Bonera left the
Belgian holding his ankle in pain with a mistimed challenge.

Jon Mikel Obi then saw his long range
effort comfortably saved by Marco Amelia as the European champions
started the second period with much more zest.

But Milan responded, Cech being forced into a good low save from Emanuelson after the Dutchman was found by Flamini.

Romelu Lukaku and Hazard combined to
set-up Frank Lampard, whose 25 yard strike was again well held by Amelia
in the 54th minute.

Di Matteo made a treble substitution
in the 60th minute, bringing on Torres – whose introduction was greeted
with huge cheers – Paulo Ferreira and Gary Cahill.

Pain game: Branislav Ivanovic suffers in the heat

Milan coach Massimilano Allegri made
four changes of his own, with Antonio Nocerino, Francesco Acerbi,
Ricardo Montolivo and Ignacio Abate all came on.

David Luiz glanced a near post header
from Lampard's corner over in the 68th minute, but it was Milan who took
a deserved lead a minute later.

Emanuleson burst clear of the Chelsea defence before squaring to Stephan El Shaarawy, whose shot was well saved by Cech.

But the Holland international coolly stroked home the rebound from close range to put the Serie A side a goal up.

Substitute Mattia Valoti came close to
doubling Milan's lead in the 75th minute – but his clever effort from
deep inside the box was saved by Cech.

Hazard blasted a free-kick from the edge of the box high and wide in the 86th minute as Chelsea searched in vain for a leveller.

Chelsea 0 AC Milan 1: Fernando Torres starts but Urby Emanuelson hits winner in Miami heat

Posted on July 29, 2012 by adminsports

Chelsea 0 AC Milan 1: Torres starts but Emanuelson has the last word in Miami

UPDATED:

00:44 GMT, 29 July 2012