News sport : Greg Cosell's Look Ahead: The Pittsburgh Steelers' potent offense

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense is really potent, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing a different way. It’s working for him.


Roethlisberger has been almost exclusively a pocket passer over the last month or so. And he has been very efficient. You might not see him on the highlights as often because he doesn’t make those “Roethlisberger plays” where he buys time and makes a throw downfield. But I can’t recall a time where he has played this well from the pocket for this long. He’s just a big oak tree in the pocket going through progressions.


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A 19-yard throw to Antonio Brown last week against the Kansas City Chiefs is a good example of his patience and command in the pocket. Even with a muddied pocket around him, he stood in for a long time, never left the pocket and delivered the ball effectively. It’s not a spectacular play, but it’s a very good one.



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The other tweak the Steelers have made is they’ve used more empty sets than any other team in the NFL. There are multiple benefits for Pittsburgh with empty sets. It helps get more talented and explosive receivers on the field; the Steelers are deep there. Also, I know Roethlisberger has to love the empty sets because it defines the defense before the snap. If you’re going to blitz you have to show it before the snap, because you can’t bring a guy from too far away on a blitz.


We know the talent the Steelers have on offense. Le’Veon Bell might be the best back in the NFL, although the Steelers haven’t run the ball that well the last two weeks (which is a combination of Bell and the offensive line). Antonio Brown is a great receiver, he might be the best route runner in the NFL with outstanding quickness in and out of breaks. And Roethlisberger is playing well from the pocket. The Steelers offense is capable of beating a defense in many ways, because they’re personnel and formation diverse with power run elements and explosive pass elements.


How will the Bengals defend them on Sunday night? One thing they did on Monday night against Peyton Manning and the Broncos was run a lot of dime with six defensive backs. They had run only 32 snaps of dime all season before the Broncos game, then ran 18 snaps of it against Denver, with safety Taylor Mays as the dime defender. That gave Manning a new look he hadn’t really seen on film, and the Bengals played well against him. The Bengals also had a lot of late movement just before the snap to try to throw off Manning. Will the Bengals continue to use that dime look against a deep Steelers team? It’s hard to say for sure but it’s something to watch.


Panthers' diverse running game


The Carolina Panthers have gotten back in the NFC South race, and will play for the division title on Sunday at Atlanta, by doing many of the same things that make the Seattle Seahawks successful.


The Seahawks have a lot of multiple options within their run plays, and the Panthers have done that lately too. That makes sense for them because running the ball is what quarterback Cam Newton does best now. You’re not trying to teach him to be a pocket quarterback at this point in the season; you’re trying to win football games.


Here’s an example of the type of concept Carolina is using. Early in the fourth quarter against Atlanta in Week 11, the Panthers combined a running-back sweep and quarterback power run within the same play. Newton gained 15 yards. It’s a really cool concept.



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The Panthers need to win to make the playoffs, so expect to see them use a lot of creative options in the running game on Sunday.


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NFL analyst and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches as much NFL game film as anyone. Throughout the season, Cosell will join Shutdown Corner to share his observations on the teams, schemes and personnel from around the league.






from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-look-ahead--the-pittsburgh-steelers--potent-offense-185154163.html
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News sport : Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon suspended by team for finale

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Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon said all the right things after he was suspended for 10 games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, so at least he has figure out how to help his image that way.


But following through with his claims that he wants to change his image? Well, maybe not so much.


Gordon was suspended for the team's regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens for violating team rules, the Browns announced. It's a really bad way for Gordon to go into the offseason, although the details of why he was suspended weren't immediately clear. The Associated Press reported Gordon "was late getting onto the practice field Friday and emerged from the team's facility for the outdoor workout wearing teammate Travis Benjamin's jersey," but it's not clear if any of that had to do with the suspension.


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The news is good for the Ravens, who have to win Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Already the Browns were going to be shorthanded, as it appears rookie Connor Shaw will start at quarterback due to the Browns' top two quarterbacks being injured. But the Gordon news is way more important for Cleveland than just losing their top receiver for a Week 17 game.


Talent has never been an issue with Gordon, an All-Pro receiver in 2013. But he just can't stay out of trouble. Gordon missed the first two games of the 2013 season due to a league suspension, then missed the first 10 games this year due to a suspension. He bookends that with his suspension for Week 17.


It wouldn't be a surprise if the Browns tried to move Gordon this offseason. And some team would likely take a chance on him, though not at a positive return on investment for the Browns. Gordon had 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games last season. His production this year was down, with just 303 yards and no touchdowns in five games, though the Browns' quarterback issues had some part in that.


Gordon is a fantastic talent and should be a centerpiece of the Browns' rebuilding efforts. But can they trust him going forward?


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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!






from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/cleveland-browns-wr-josh-gordon-suspended-by-team-for-finale-192508526.html
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United bandwagon gathering pace

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Louis van Gaal's Old Trafford revolution is gathering ever more momentum in the red half of Manchester.


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London - While Chelsea and Manchester City slug it out at the top of the Premier League, Louis van Gaal's Old Trafford revolution gathers ever more momentum in the red half of Manchester.


The Dutchman endured a tricky start to his reign but seven wins in eight league games have put United hot on the heels of the pacesetters.


If the current United side can emulate the teams of Alex Ferguson who were renowned for a strong second half of the season, Van Gaal's men could yet have their say in the destiny of the title.


United visit Tottenham Hotspur in a lunchtime kickoff on Sunday as the games continue to flow thick and fast over the festive period.


“The signs have been good in recent weeks,” midfielder Michael Carrick told the club website (ManUtd.com).


“We were bitterly disappointed not to win last week (at Aston Villa) but we beat Newcastle and now have two big away games. They will be a good test for us to see where we are at.”


After the trip to Spurs, United - seven points behind City and 10 adrift of Chelsea - are away at Stoke on New Year's Day.


“We're continuing to look up and will continue to try to catch them (City and Chelsea),” Carrick said.


“We're not satisfied with third - it's obviously an improvement and we're getting better, but we want to keep looking up.”


Seventh-placed Spurs have won three on the bounce with striker Harry Kane emerging as one of the stars of the season, his first-minute strike in the 2-1 victory over Leicester on Friday taking his tally to 15 in all competitions.


“We've built up some momentum now with some wins,” he said.


“United have picked up form. It's going to be a tough game but we are confident at the minute. We're ready for it.”


Chelsea make the trip south to face a fourth-placed Southampton side who appear to have got over their blip following a flying start to the campaign.


“We have found the belief again,” said Southampton manager Ronald Koeman after Saints followed up a 3-0 drubbing of Everton with a 3-1 success at Crystal Palace on Friday.


“We know Chelsea are strong. It will be a challenge.”


Manuel Pellegrini's City will set a club record of 10 wins in succession in all competitions if they can take three points at home to Burnley.


Reuters






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News sport : Rex Ryan has cleaned out his office

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Black Monday has come early to New York.


According to NJ Advance Media, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has cleaned out his office at the team's headquarters. The Jets will be playing in Miami on Sunday, and it appears Ryan doesn't anticipate his tenure with the team will last much longer than the final horn.


Jets owner Woody Johnson has reportedly solicited the assistance of Charley Casserly in seeking out new candidates to replace Ryan and general manager John Idzik, and Casserly has apparently begun that search in earnest. When word got back to Ryan, he began packing up, according to NJ.com.


Ryan had faced a similar fate in 2013, NJ.com's Dom Cosentino notes, when it became apparent that Idzik was seeking out potential replacements for the coach. But a strong finish helped Ryan hold onto his job for another year. No such reprieve appears in the offing this year, not with the Jets stuck at 3-12.


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There will be much more to discuss about Ryan once his apparent firing becomes official. For now, this should make Sunday's game against Miami interesting from both an emotional and an effort perspective.


____

Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.



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Warnock sacked by Crystal Palace

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Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace ended manager Neil Warnock's brief second spell in charge.


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London - Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace ended manager Neil Warnock's brief second spell in charge on Saturday following a dismal run of one win in 12 games, the club said in a statement.


A 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on Friday left Palace in the relegation zone, third from bottom on 15 points from 18 games. Warnock, appointed in August, is the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.


“Crystal Palace Football Club can today confirm that Neil Warnock has been relieved of his duties and is no longer first-team manager,” Palace said on their website (www.cpfc.co.uk).


“The club would like to put on record its thanks to Neil for all his hard work and energy over the past four months.”


The London club have lost three and drawn three of their last six games, their last win coming against Liverpool on Nov. 23. Palace make the trip across London to face Queens Park Rangers on Sunday with Keith Millen taking charge as caretaker manager.


Warnock, 66, returned to Selhurst Park after Tony Pulis, who had steered them to an 11th-place finish against the odds last season, departed two days before the start of the current campaign.


Warnock left Palace in 2010 after they went into administration, joining Queens Park Rangers and taking them into the Premier League before being sacked eight months later, in January 2012.


The following month he was appointed manager of Leeds United, only to be fired just over a year later.


Warnock has managed 13 clubs, starting in non-League football almost 35 years ago.


Reuters






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Ghana squad emphasises threat to SA

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The release of a provisional Ghanaian squad emphasises the enormity of the task Bafana will face at Afcon.


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Johannesburg - The release of a formidable provisional Ghanaian squad emphasises the enormity of the task Bafana Bafana will face in their “group of death” at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea next month.


Twenty of the 31 nominated players, named by newly installed Ghana coach Avram Grant, ply their footballing trade in Europe. Even without stars Sulley Muntari of AC Milan and Schalke's Kevin-Prince Boateng - out of favour after being sent home from this year's World Cup in Brazil for disciplinary reasons - the Black Stars will take some beating.


Algeria, another of the five African nations who qualified for this year's World Cup, along with strong-running Senegal make up Group C with Ghana and South Africa.


The top two sides will go forward to the quarterfinals.


Prominent in the Ghana line-up is striker Asamoah Gyan, who made a striking impression at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and is now playing for the big-spending United Arab Emirates club Al Ain.


Also included in the squad were Olympique Marseille midfielder Andre Ayew and Lorient FC striker Jordan Ayew, the French-based sons of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele.


However, the experienced Grant, who has coached Chelsea among other teams in a long and varied career, has not chosen another renowned Ghanaian legend in former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, who now plays for AC Milan in Italy.


Interestingly, the Ghana squad includes three players presently based in South Africa, namely defenders Kwabenia Adusei and Gyimah Edwin from Black Aces and Maritzburg United's Awal Mohammad.


Along with Cameroon, the Ghanaians are placed second behind Egypt's seven as previous Afcon Cup winners with four titles, but they have not won Africa's most prestigious soccer event since 1982.


Sapa






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Wenger facing up to Giroud blow

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Arsene Wenger admits losing Olivier Giroud once again is a body blow to Arsenal's Champions League push.


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London - Arsene Wenger admits losing Olivier Giroud once again is a body blow to Arsenal's Champions League push.


Giroud is facing three games out after his red card in the 2-1 Boxing Day win against QPR.


The Frenchman was sent off for a headbutt on Nedum Onuoha and his lack of discipline will see him first sit out Sunday's London derby at West Ham.


Having made a major impact since his return from ankle surgery that sidelined him for three months, Giroud's absence is the last thing the Arsenal manager needs at this pivotal stage of the season.


“Olivier touched him (Onuoha) and he should not have done it,” said Wenger.


“He knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again.


“He told me he was pushed in the back and projected against the 'keeper. Maybe the injury he had played on his mind and he was scared to be injured again. Usually he is a guy in control of his response.


“You never need that - that's for sure. In my job you have to deal with it with the strengths and sometimes the mistakes of people.”


Wenger might have celebrated his 400th Premier League win in charge of Arsenal but he won't be raising a glass to Giroud.


The striker's physicality will be missed at Upton Park, especially with the aerial bombardment West Ham put teams under with Andy Carroll in their ranks.


Much will rest on the shoulders of Alexis Sanchez, who scored and then created Tomas Rosicky's goal in another man-of-the-match showing.


“Sanchez has shown his ability to create chances and his commitment to the side, which has made such a difference for us this season,” said Wenger.


“He is a guy full of confidence and playing with some real style.”


Despite the win, Arsenal are still 15 points behind leaders Chelsea and Wenger added: “We find ourselves detached from the teams above us at the moment, with a bit of ground to make up.


“We can't get too carried away with trying to make up that ground at the moment, just to concentrate on what we're doing.


“I don't give importance to the table at the moment. There's 20 games to go. It's very tight and it's down to consistency now. We know every game now is down to consistency and reproducing the performances.”


After a record-equalling nine straight away defeats in the Premier League, QPR will be thankful to return to home soil when they face another London derby in Crystal Palace on Sunday.


Harry Redknapp will go head-to-head with Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, the man who helped QPR win promotion in 2011 but was sacked just months later.


“He did a great job, didn't he, at QPR?,” said Redknapp. “You can only do with what you have got.


“If you can go out and buy the best players you will have the best teams. If you have a small budget it's a different game.


“But I think Palace are a good side and he is doing a good job now.”


Sapa-AFP






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Ronaldo looking to improve on 2014

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Not content with four titles in 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to make next year an even bigger success.


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Madrid - Not content with four titles in 2014, including his second Champions League, prolific Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to make next year an even bigger success.


Ronaldo netted 51 goals in 47 appearances last season, setting a record of 17 goals for one edition of Europe's elite club competition, as Real secured a record-extending 10th continental crown and the King's Cup.


The Portugal captain continued where he left off in 2014-15 as the world's richest club by income claimed the European Super Cup and Club World Cup and he has amassed an incredible 32 goals in 25 games in all competitions.


His haul of 25 in 14 La Liga matches is a Spanish record and he looks set to smash the biggest total for a season in Spain's top flight of 50 scored by Lionel Messi in 2011-12.


“It would be a dream if 2015 was like 2014 or even better,” Ronaldo said in an interview published in sports daily As on Saturday.


“It is possible to do it because Madrid is always a candidate to win the competitions it is playing in,” added the 29-year-old.


“We have a team spirit that can help us win the most titles possible and we will fight to the death to get them.”


Ronaldo attributed much of Real's recent success to the arrival of coach Carlo Ancelotti, who replaced the divisive Jose Mourinho at the end of the 2012-13 season.


Italian Ancelotti immediately ended Real's 12-year wait for their 10th European title and using the club's millions has built a formidable side that is top of La Liga and one of the favourites to repeat their Champions League success this term.


“The coach has a lot of importance,” Ronaldo told As.


“He is a great trainer and a great person and we are all delighted with him.


“Together we are a united family which will try to improve on the successes of 2014.”


Ronaldo will find out whether he has won a third FIFA World Player of the Year award, and his second in a row, on Jan. 12 when he is up against Argentina captain Messi and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.


Reuters






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Rooney: we can still catch top two

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Wayne Rooney believes Man United can hunt down rivals City and Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.


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London - Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United can hunt down rivals City and Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.


Rooney turned in a man-of-the-match performance from central midfield at Old Trafford yesterday as United strolled past Newcastle 3-1.


The United skipper scored two and made one from his new position and said: ‘We’ve chased leads down before but we’ve lost leads as well, and a big number of points before, so anything can happen - especially over the next week or two with all the games.


‘There’s a long way to go, we know that. If we can come out of these games with the right results we’ll be in a good position.’


United trail second-placed City by seven points and Chelsea by 10. Rooney added: ‘It’s a busy period for us over Christmas and we were able to start that out with a win.


‘We were disappointed at the end to concede the goal but we’ve got to be pleased with the points.’


Rooney received glowing praise from former team-mate and Old Trafford midfield legend Paul Scholes, who said on TV last night he could have a future in central midfield.


‘He is definitely capable of playing there,’ said Scholes.


United manager Louis van Gaal agreed, saying: ‘He has the lung capacity to play there and he scores goals.


‘In the last game he was too defensive. I told him to be more attacking. He can be a centre forward too but at the moment it’s best for the team he plays in midfield.


‘I was extremely pleased with the team today. We are making progress every game. We dominated the game for 90 minutes. Newcastle were defensive but we scored fantastic goals and created chances.’


Van Gaal criticised the Premier League programming that sees United play again, against Tottenham, on Sunday.


‘In Uefa and Fifa it is forbidden to play within 48 hours but in England it seems to be OK,’ he said.


United will be without Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj at Tottenham as both are unwell. It also seems unlikely that winger Angel di Maria will be fit after suffering a pelvis injury in training on Christmas Eve.


‘He was injured in a warm up,’ said Van Gaal.


‘It is not a heavy injury, but you don’t take risks.


‘It is to do with the way his pelvis attaches to his leg.’


Newcastle could have had an early penalty yesterday but were eventually beaten by two Rooney goals in the first half and a header from Robin van Persie early in the second half. Substitute Papa Cisse grabbed an 85th-minute consolation penalty.


Daily Mail






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Rodgers encouraged by battling Liverpool

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Brendan Rodgers believes his side proved they have the guts to rescue their spluttering season after beating Burnley.


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Burnley - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes his side proved they have the guts to rescue their spluttering season after grinding out a 1-0 win over Burnley.


After a miserable run which included their exit from the Champions League, Rodgers' side have now lost once in their last nine games in all competitions.


Their victory at Turf Moor on Friday was their first win in four Premier League games and the result, secured by a Raheem Sterling's well-taken goal in the 62nd-minute, lifted Liverpool up to ninth place.


Rodgers believes a top-four finish is still a possibility and with a home game to come against Swansea on Monday ahead of a trip to bottom club Leicester on New Year's Day, the Reds will be confident of adding to their points tally over the festive period.


They may well have to play better than they did against a Burnley side which was unfortunate to lose for the first time in five home games after dominating the first half.


But Rodgers believes the manner of the performance bodes well for his team.


“In terms of our character and resilience in the game, we showed outstanding qualities when needed,” Rodgers said.


“I was really pleased with that. We had to show a different side to us, different types of qualities to what we showed against Arsenal and Bournemouth.


“We didn't play too well in the first half but we defended well, got our blocks in, stopped crosses and it didn't come into the box.


“We needed to show more composure in the second half. We made a change with Emre (Can) coming on.


“He showed real good athleticism and power and good footballing ability in that position and what we had to do in defending, we did well. The players deserve huge credit.”


As well as bringing on Can in place of Kolo Toure at half-time, Liverpool were also forced into a change of goalkeepers after just 15 minutes when a thigh injury forced Brad Jones to come off.


That meant a return for Simon Mignolet, who had lost his place after a poor run of games culminating in Liverpool's Champions League exit in early December.


“I thought he did well,” Rodgers added. “He came for a couple of crosses really well; caught one and punched one. He didn't have a great deal to do, and his kicking was good.


“He's worked hard since he came out of the team and he came on, kept a clean sheet and that was important for us.”


If Jones is ruled out of Monday's game, Rodgers confirmed that 21-year-old Danny Ward will come on to the bench.


Burnley's defeat leaves them in the relegation places ahead of Sunday's trip to face champions Manchester City.


Clarets manager Sean Dyche was disappointed not to have any reward from what he considered to be his team's best performance under his charge during the first 45 minutes.


But he insisted: “I'm encouraged. Sometimes you prefer an ugly one that you win but there's no future in that, there's a future in how we're operating.


“I think it's as well as we've played, considering the opposition, probably since I've been at the club.


“This is Liverpool Football Club and I thought we were if not totally dominant, we were very dominant and we were on all levels. But the game doesn't last for one half obviously.”


Burnley were also lifted by the return of striker Sam Vokes, who scored 21 goals in their promotion success last season, as a substitute after being out since March with a knee injury.


And Rodgers believes Dyche's squad has enough about them to stay up.


“He (Dyche) is a doing a brilliant job with the resources he has. He has got the team super-organised with a lot of hungry players who came up from the Championship, British players that know the league,” Rodgers added.


Sapa-AFP






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Pellegrini wants points, not milestones

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Man City's Boxing Day success at West Brom left them on the verge of history ahead of Burnley' visit.


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West Bromwich - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has downplayed the significance of his side standing on the brink of a club-record 10-game winning run ahead of Sunday's game against Burnley.


City's 3-1 Boxing Day success at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League stretched their streak of victories to nine in a row in all competitions, leaving them on the verge of history ahead of Burnley' visit.


Pellegrini conceded that the statistic was news to him, but said that it was points, rather than records, that are his primary focus as his second-placed side look to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea.


“I wasn't aware of that. I don't worry about records,” the Chilean said. “I just continue trying to add points, because it'll be a close fight for the title this year.


“And we want to keep the title. Burnley have good players, but if you think that this is an easy game, then we'll have problems. We'll play against them as we would any other team.”


The gap between City and Jose Mourinho's Chelsea remains three points after both sides claimed victories on Friday.


Fernando, Yaya Toure - from the penalty spot - and David Silva were on the score-sheet as Pellegrini's side provided an emphatic response to Chelsea's 2-0 victory over West Ham earlier in the day.


They had been gifted the initiative early on by a poor West Brom side and, such was their dominance, they already had the game won by the time heavy snow made for hazardous playing conditions in the second half.


What has been particularly impressive about City of late is that they are sweeping aside all before them without a recognised striker.


Midfielder James Milner again led City's front-line in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, with the fit-again Stevan Jovetic only ready to be named among the substitutes.


Pellegrini added: “We scored three goals again, even though we never had a striker. That's not easy.


“When it was 3-0 it was important to avoid injuries. David Silva has a lot of skill inside the box, so we have options with him and other players, too.


“I'm not thinking about Chelsea at the moment. We need to win our games, we have to play against Burnley at home and there are 20 games to finish the title.


“The title is never finished in December. I am sure the race for the title is not just between two teams; there'll be others involved also.


“How many other teams? I don't know. (Manchester) United carry on winning. Anyone who can reach 86 points can win the title.


“It's a very important month, and a key week. We have to play for nine points.


“It's not the week that'll decide the Premier League, but it's important to be top of the table as soon as we can. That'll be an advantage for the second half of the season.”


Alan Irvine's West Brom, who scored a late consolation via Brown Ideye, have won only one of their last eight games, leaving the club just two points above the relegation zone.


Asked if he feared for his future, Irvine replied: “The chairman will make a decision as far as that's concerned. I can't control it.


“Can I be confident about it? No, not necessarily, because I don't know what the thinking is. All I can do is keep working hard.”


Sapa-AFP






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News sport : Josh Smith's debut is a success in Rockets win

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The Houston Rockets' decision to add Josh Smith earlier this week earned mixed reviews. While Smith has had an impressive career as a whole, his tendency to take ill-advised three-pointers and eschew his strengths in the paint — a particular problem prior to his release from the Detroit Pistons — has made him significantly less valuable than the player who should have made at least one All-Star team as an Atlanta Hawk. The Rockets could use a high-quality power forward, but they also don't need one who is going to shoot 39.1 percent from the field and 24.3 percent from deep.


A single game can't alleviate all doubt, but Smith's Rockets debut on Friday night vs. the Memphis Grizzlies should help ease some minds. Coming off the bench for 32 minutes in a 117-111 overtime win, Smith didn't shoot especially well (9-of-21 FG, 0-of-2 3FG). However, he attacked the basket with regularity and helped give the offense another interior option on a night when big men Dwight Howard and Donatas Motiejunas managed just eight field goal attempts against the vaunted Memphis defense. Smith finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, but the highlights help explain his activity and presence more fully:





It's entirely possible that Smith will fall deeper into his worst habits on a team that encourages its players to take three-pointers. At his best, though, he's an ideal offensive x-factor with defensive versatility that any team would crave. The Rockets might not know which version of the player they'll get from night to night, but the potential is there for big-time success.


- - - - - - -


Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at efreeman_ysports@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : N.C. State holds on to beat UCF 34-27

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There will be no 10-win season for Central Florida.


N.C. State scored twice in the third quarter to turn a 17-10 halftime lead into a 31-13 margin at the beginning of the fourth and held on for a 34-27 win in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl.


Had UCF won, the Knights would have had at least 10 wins in each of the last three seasons. Instead, N.C. State got its eighth win of the season, the most the program has had since 2011.


The Wolfpack piled up 486 yards of offense on UCF's defense, which entered the game third in the country in total defense at 283 yards per game. The Knights couldn't stop N.C. State's passing attack, which picked up huge chunks of yardage. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett finished 15-26 for 262 yards and a touchdown.


However, Brissett wasn't the only one who did damage throwing the ball. The Wolfpack's first score of the game came on a pass from running back Shadrach Thornton to receiver Jaylen Samuels for an 18-yard touchdown. And in the second half, Brissett caught a 20-yard pass from receiver Bo Hines.


Thornton finished with 96 yards rushing and Matt Dayes had 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns.


UCF QB Justin Holman threw 53 passes and completed just 23 of them. He was forced to go almost exclusively to the air when UCF went down three scores in the second half and kept chucking. He hit Josh Reese for Reese's third touchdown of the game with 1:44 left to cut N.C. State's lead to a touchdown, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Wolfpack and three kneeldowns ended the game.


N.C. State finishes 8-5 while UCF ends the year 9-4.


For more N.C. State news, visit TheWolfpacker.com


For more UCF news, visit UCFSports.com.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/n-c--state-ucf-044116522.html
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News sport : Michigan officials reportedly in San Francisco area to meet with Jim Harbaugh

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As San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's future remains clouded and Michigan doesn't have a coach for 2015, the Wolverines are reportedly scheduled to speak with him over the weekend.


Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman reported Friday night that Michigan officials would be in the Bay area and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Michigan officials will meet with Harbaugh. Per The Wolverine, Michigan officials are there "with the intention of closing the deal" after San Francisco plays Arizona on Sunday.





The longer that Michigan's coaching search has gone and the more that Harbaugh's tenure in San Francisco looks like it will end after the game against the Cardinals, the two parties have seemed like a natural fit. Harbaugh is a former Michigan quarterback.


And the interest in Harbaugh is, of course, not new. Rapoport reported previously that there was a six-year $49 million contract offer made to Harbaugh by the Wolverines. The contract would be the most for any football coach in either the NFL or college ranks.


Any contact with Harbaugh by the Raiders would need to be cleared to avoid any tampering possibilities as long as he's under contract with the 49ers.


Before moving to the 49ers, where he's finishing his fourth season, Harbaugh was the coach at Stanford for four seasons.


For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/michigan-officials-reportedly-in-san-francisco-area-to-meet-with-jim-harbaugh-042153675.html
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News sport : Howard RB Terrence Tusan killed during suspected robbery attempt

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Howard running back Terrence Tusan was killed at a Denton, Texas, apartment complex on Sunday night.


He was shot along with 18-year-old Jakobi Dmon Gipson. According to the Denton Record-Chronicle, the two, along with a third person, are identified as suspects by police in a home invasion robbery at the apartment complex.


From the Record-Chronicle:



Denton police said officers received a 911 call reporting gunshots at 5:38 p.m. Sunday. Officers arrived minutes later to find two victims with with non-life-threatening injuries and two of the suspects — Tusan and Gipson — dead.



Gipson was shot inside the apartment and Tusan was shot outside. Two other people, the residents of the apartment, had non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released from a local hospital. They have also moved out of the apartment. Per the Record-Chronicle, police haven't identified who shot whom.


On December 23, Howard University released a brief statement.


"Today, the Howard University family mourns the loss of student-athlete Terrence Tusan , a senior from Arlington, Texas, who was majoring in Leisure Studies. Terrence played as a running back on the Howard University Football team for three seasons. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Tusan family at this difficult time."


Tusan, a redshirt junior, finished 2014 with 354 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown came in a game against Rutgers.


“He was a good kid,” Clarence Nevels, a mentor and former coach of Tusan's told the Record-Chronicle. “He had good grades and was just down at AT&T Stadium for Thanksgiving Day Madness Youth Football speaking to students about believing in themselves.”


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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







from Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/howard-rb-terrence-tusan-killed-during-suspected-robbery-attempt-035629720.html
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