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as hard as it was for me to hear that
Topic Started: Jan 9 2013, 01:43 AM (47 Views)
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ST. Youth Clay Matthews Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams are dropping plans to play home games in London in 2013 and 2014, citing a need to focus on negotiations on their lease and ease fan discontent. The Rams said Monday that they will play the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 28 while withdrawing their commitment for home games in London the following two seasons. "We want to grow globally, but we need to make sure were on solid footing first here in St. Louis," said Kevin Demoff, chief operating officer, at a news conference. "While this was something that we believe in and we continue to believe in, this was just not the right timing for the organization and for our fans." Demoff said season ticket sales have not suffered during an impasse with the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau. But he said the decision should ease worries they might move after the 2014 season. "I think the general perception is that if youre playing in London, youre not looking right now for an absolute solution, youre giving yourself an out," Demoff said. "We dont want that perception out there whatsoever." The dome is owned by the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau and leased to the Rams for home games. The lease agreement signed when the team moved to St. Louis in 1994 allows for periodic evaluations of whether it is among the top 25 per cent of all the NFLs 31 stadiums (the New York Jets and Giants share a stadium). The bureau and the Rams have been negotiating over improvements since at least January. Unless a deal is worked out, the Rams could break the lease and potentially leave St. Louis after the 2014 season. "Were committed to working with the city to find a first-tier solution," Demoff said. "We have said we need our actions to speak louder than our words, and this action today should show St. Louis we care about getting this right." The Rams said they worked closely with the NFL in deciding to drop the London games. NFL Vice-President of International Chris Parsons said the league was working to add another game for 2013 "in response to the growth in popularity of our sport. We hope to finalize these plans in the months ahead." NFL owners have agreed to play regular-season games in the United Kingdom for the next five seasons and Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly spoken of the possibility of a full-time franchise there one day. The NFL first played at Wembley in 2007, with the New York Giants beating the Miami Dolphins 13-10. Since then, seven other teams have visited, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers making the trip twice. The Rams and the bureau are at odds about what needs to be done, and how much it would cost to get the 18-year-old dome that was built with taxpayer money to first-tier status. The agreement to play "home" games in London each of the next three seasons had been met with some scorn in St. Louis since that would have provided for just seven regular-season games in St. Louis each of those seasons. The CVC privately proposed to the Rams a modest $48 million plan in January that would have been publicly funded. When that was rejected, the CVC in February announced a plan for $124 million in improvements that included better amenities and a massive new scoreboard. It would have required to Rams to pay for $64 million of the cost. Voter approval in St. Louis city and St. Louis County would have been required for the rest. The Rams countered with a much more elaborate plan calling for a new roof with a sliding panel, replacing much of the brick exterior with a glass front, even re-routing a nearby street. The Rams did not provide a cost estimate but mayoral aide Jeff Rainford said the teams plan would cost about $700 million and the dome, which also hosts conventions, would have to be closed for renovation for up to three years, potentially costing the city $500 million in revenue. The Rams were 2-14 last season, tied for the worst in the NFL with Indianapolis, and are 15-65 over the past five seasons. They lost their preseason opener to the Colts 38-3 on Sunday in the debut of coach Jeff Fisher. John Kuhn Jersey . With Calgary trailing Edmonton by eight points late in their CFL pre-season clash, McDaniel caught a 15-yard pass from Sinopoli and then a five-yard pass for a two-point convert as the Stampeders rallied to tie the Eskimos 17-17 at 13:54 of the fourth quarter. Youth Randall Cobb Jersey . Van Leur, 24, went 3-1 with a 3.78 ERA in 39 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pheasants this season and held opposing left-handed hitters to a .154 batting average. The second-year rookie played in 18 games with the Brockton Sox of the Can-Am League last season. http://www.shopnflpackersgear.com/aaron-rodgers-jersey/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Sabres team that has the talent to be a playoff contender. Will they be willing to chalk up their disappointment in 2011-2012 to bad luck or bad seasons and re-set with much the same group next season? The Sabres did go 19-5-5 on a stretch from late January to late March, which got them back into the playoff discussion, but the early hole they put themselves in was too much to overcome. Black Matthews Jersey . -- Kenny Cooper scored twice, and Thierry Henry added a goal to lift the New York Red Bulls over the Philadelphia Union 3-0 on Saturday. Morgan Burnett Jersey . He didnt even get to meet him. Yes, the job is already Walshs, barring training camp trouble or the sudden availability of a too-good-to-pass-up alternative. NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans arent waiting any longer: Jake Locker is their starting quarterback. Titans coach Mike Munchak said Monday that Locker will start this season over veteran Matt Hasselbeck, choosing to go with the passer Tennessee hopes to build around after drafting Locker out of Washington in April 2011. Munchak announced the decision after practice, saying Locker gives the Titans their best chance to win the AFC South as their quarterback this season and hopefully for many seasons to come. "By no means has this job been given to him," Munchak said. "Hes earned it." The Titans (No. 21 in the AP Pro32) had let the quarterbacks compete through the off-season, with each starting a game this preseason and splitting snaps in practice. Munchak says Hasselbeck was way ahead of Locker last season, but Locker caught up and won the job with his ability to move the team and score points. The eighth pick overall in 2011, Locker will play 40 to 50 snaps Thursday night against Arizona (No. 23) with three weeks to prep for the opener Sept. 9 against New England. "Its really cool," Locker said of the decision. "Its something Im proud of, but its not going to change my approach on how I practice or my preparation for a game. That will still all be the same, but it is cool to be given this opportunity." Locker also said the competition with Hasselbeck allowed both to push each other in a positive way. "It forced you to come back and try to rebound or build on what you had done before," Locker said. Munchak said giving Hasselbeck the news was a tough conversation. Munchak helped talk the veteran into signing a three-year deal with the Titans last July after the NFL lockout ended, and Hasselbeck turned in the fourth-best season in yardds passing in franchise history. Black Cobb Jersey. Only Hall of Famer Warren Moon had thrown for more. Hasselbeck also helped Munchak go 9-7 in his debut season as head coach, just missing a playoff berth on a tiebreaker. Munchak said Hasselbeck was exactly what they needed with his leadership and experience. The veteran said hes been in Lockers shoes and knows its an exciting move for the young quarterback. "I had the chance to help lead a franchise and help build a program, and I had a chance to be the guy under centre, and hes got that chance right now," Hasselbeck said. "As hard as it was, Munch made his decision, and as hard as it was for me to hear that, Im also excited for Jake. Ill help and support him any way I can, and Ill be happy to do it." Locker has the mobility Hasselbeck is lacking going into his 14th season. Combined with his toughness and strong arm, Locker started 40 games for the Huskies, throwing for 7,639 yards with 53 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. With the Titans, Locker threw for 542 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions coming off the bench in five games as a rookie. "When Jake did get a chance to play last year, he was ready to go," Munchak said. "He played well and handled situations. He moved the team. He brought excitement and energy, and when the season ended, we thought we had something special, like we did when we drafted him." In his NFL debut as a starter last week -- a 30-7 win at Tampa Bay -- Locker struggled and was intercepted on his second pass. He was just 4 of 11 for 21 yards but also ran twice for 24 yards, including a long scramble of 21 yards. Its that mobility paired with a revived Chris Johnson that the Titans hope will rev up an offence that was next to last in rushing last season. ' ' '
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