Offtopic/fun » game, noting Ohio States succes

Veteran Brisbane Lions defender Daniel Merrett says he can understand why supporters of the embattled AFL club are staying away in droves.Just 10,195 people watched Brisbanes 79-point thumping against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, the clubs worst-ever crowd at the Gabba.While there were mitigating factors - such as rain and the low levels of support for the Giants in Brisbane - Merrett said players were getting the message.I suppose youre not going to watch your team get beaten every week, are you? Merrett told reporters on Wednesday.All we can do is stick together as a group, train hard and build for the future.If you get caught up in that you can let it affect you.The only way to raise those crowd numbers is by playing good footy.Merrett missed the Giants match due to illness, but is expected to return to the Lions side for Sundays likely wooden spoon playoff against Essendon at Etihad Stadium.The Lions say they wont sack coach Justin Leppitsch if they lose, but a 13th straight defeat, to the suspension-ravaged Bombers would seriously ramp up the pressure on him.Merrett said Brisbane wont be handling the match any differently despite the stakes at hand.Its a way to build the game up this weekend, he said.(But) its no good putting extra emphasis on it.Well prepare the way we always prepare, well train well this week, stick together and be united.Merrett said he felt the scrutiny on Leppitsch, who is contracted to the end of 2017, was unfair.A lot of the performance comes down to the players, and as senior players, we take responsibility for that, he said.The best way the senior players can support our coach is by putting on a good performance this weekend.There is a lot of external noise, and thats all it is.Internally, were still tight, were united.Jim McMahon Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Anthony Miller Bears Jersey . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. https://www.bearssportsgoods.com/Womens-Mike-Ditka-Inverted-Jersey/ .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Mitchell Trubisky Bears Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Gale Sayers Womens Jersey . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Now that the suspense is over and Ohio State has secured a spot in the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes have some time to address their biggest weakness -- throwing the ball down the field.Star quarterback J.T. Barrett is the linchpin of Ohio States offense for his ability to run and improvise, and his candidacy for Big Ten player of the year is a testament to that.But too often this season, the Buckeyes receivers have struggled to get open, or Barretts passes have been off target. So even with one of the nations most dynamic quarterbacks, Ohio State hasnt had much in the way of a downfield passing game -- something that may need to change to beat Clemson on New Years Eve.Against Michigan -- the countrys top defense -- Barrett picked up more yards rushing (125) than throwing (124) in a 30-27 overtime victory. Noah Brown led all Ohio State receivers with three catches for 40 yards, and Barrett was sacked eight times.Brown looked promising early in the season but hasnt developed into the reliable deep threat the Buckeyes sought.Neither has anyone else.We have a lot of work to do in certain areas, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Sunday.The mantra around the Ohio State program is nine units strong, meaning that all position groups -- quarterback, running back, receivers, tight ends, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties -- must be up to the task. Meyer acknowledged that hasnt been the case, and the next few weeks wiill give the team valuable time to work on it.ddddddddddddWere so young and theres so much improvement (needed) -- everybody in this room knows what it is -- we have to get much better, Meyer said. So the challenge has already been laid across the table in the last week with the players and coaches, that for us to compete at this level, we have to be nine strong, and at times were not nine strong. And that has to happen.Barrett has deflected criticism of the passing game, noting Ohio States success is partly linked to its ability to take what defenses provide.When pressed, though, Barrett acknowledged he needs to be better at getting the ball in his receivers hands.You get in these tight ballgames, and youre going against great DBs, he said, (receivers are) going to be open, but its not going to be by much. I think I can do a better job of ball placement to make it easier on them. Theyre getting open but theres not breakaway, which is fine. They did their job to get open, and I have to do a better job getting them the ball.Because they didnt play in the Big Ten championship this past Saturday -- Ohio State was shut out in favor of Penn State due to a tiebreaker -- the Buckeyes will have five weeks between games.I think with the time we have, Barrett said, were going to be in a good place.---Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy ' ' '