Masoli to the 49ers... as a RB?

The San Francisco 49ers are giving Jeremiah Masoli another chance, but not as a quarterback.





An undrafted rookie free agent, Masoli inked a deal with the 49ers, who plan to use the former Oregon and Ole Miss QB as a running back, according to the Modesto Bee on Wednesday.




“I’m anxious to show my versatility,” Masoli told the newspaper. “I really like coach (Jim) Harbaugh. We have a great relationship and we have some history in the Pac-10. I just thought it was a great fit for me.”



Harbaugh, who will enter his first year with the 49ers, coached at Stanford while Masoli played at Oregon. Masoli then transferred to Ole Miss for his senior year, which did not go as planned in the SEC.



The San Franciso native threw for 2,039 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and ran for 544 yards and six scores, but the Rebels finished 4-8 overall and won just one conference game in 2010.



For the Niners’ sake, hopefully Harbaugh has a better touch than Houston Nutt. Jeremiah Masoli profile

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Masoli drafted to UFL Nighthawks

It looks as though former Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has found a potential new home.

The Omaha Nighthawks drafted Masoli in the eighth round of the United Football League draft Monday night. The Nighthawks described Masoli as "a potential steal" who "has the potential to excite the Nighthawks faithful."

Masoli impressed Nighthawks coach Joe Moglia and general manager Rick Mueller at an all-star game in January.

“[Jeremiah] stood out to Joe and the entire staff at the Stars and Stripes all-star game," Mueller said. "He fits what we are doing and has a chance here to play the quarterback position.”

Masoli was at the center of a controversial transfer to Ole Miss after he was dismissed from Oregon in June 2010 following two run-ins with the police.

He first pleaded guilty to a second-degree burglary charge in March after an incident that included stolen laptops from a fraternity house in Eugene, Ore. In June, he was cited for driving with a suspended license and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Masoli transferred to Ole Miss in August 2010 and after being granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA in September he won the starting job over Nathan Stanley after the season-opening loss to Jacksonville State.

With the Rebels, Masoli orchestrated a very up-and-down season in Oxford, passing for 2,039 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 544 yards and six touchdowns during Ole Miss’ 4-8 season. In two seasons with Oregon (2008-09), Masoli threw for 3,891 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,386 yards and 23 touchdowns.

However, Masoli's future might not be with the Nighthawks. He's been working out with the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and is a part of the Eskimos' negotiation list.

Regardless, it looks like Masoli has a couple of options for where he wants to play football this fall.

Omaha also drafted two other former SEC players.

With the No. 2 overall pick, Omaha took former Florida cornerback Reynaldo Hill. Hill played for the Tennessee Titans from 2005 to 2008, appearing in 48 games with 26 starts. Hill recorded six interceptions (including one returned 52 yards for a touchdown as a rookie), 11 pass breakups, and 126 total tackles.

“A guy our scouting staff has liked since he came out of Florida in 2005," Moglia said. "Solid cover corner that should come in and compete.”

The Nighthawks later took Kentucky running back Derrick Locke in the ninth round. Locke rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns during his senior year with the Wildcats. He also caught 34 passes for 318 yards.

“Derrick is an extremely explosive player at the running back position,” Mueller said. “He is an electric runner, an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and would be a great addition to our football team.”

Masoli vs LSU 2010

Masoli says he'll pursue NFL, put UM graduate work on hold

Here is what Masoli recently posted on his site.

"I also wanted to update everyone on my plans for this spring. My advisors want me to devote all of my time to training and preparing for the NFL.

For that reason, I have postponed my studies at Ole Miss. I intend to return to school at a later date to earn my master’s degree.

I’m spending some time working with a noted quarterback coach, and look forward to the opportunity to test my skills for NFL scouts. Meanwhile, it’s good to be home in the Bay Area and close to my family.

This surprises precisely no one, I’m sure. It’s hard to fault a talented football player for wanting to play in the NFL.

But for Ole Miss, Masoli’s future — and whether he ultimately earns a master’s degree in park and recreation management from the school — will always be a point of interest. Remember the great lengths to which he and UM went last summer to obtain a graduate student waiver, and the image hit Ole Miss and coach Houston Nutt took in certain corners. In Masoli’s statement to the NCAA, obtained in September by The Clarion-Ledger, he said he hoped to pursue a career in parks once his athletic and academic career had ended.

Hopefully soon, we can wrap up all the ramifications of Masoli’s future into an all-encompassing print story in The C-L. Efforts to reach Masoli through UM and the public relations firm he used out of San Francisco last summer have been unsuccessful in recent weeks." 

Update on Tatupu and Obomanu

Linebacker Lofa Tatupu is not expected to participate in practice on Wednesday, but coach Pete Carroll indicated his middle linebacker is on track to return for Sunday's game.
Tatupu suffered a concussion in the second half of the playoff victory over New Orleans.
"He's going through the walk-throughs and stuff," Carroll said. "So far, his tests and everything have gone very well. It looks very favorable for Lofa to play in this game."
Carroll was also asked about the future of Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle's starting quarterback whose contract is expiring.
"Certainly, it's a big topic for us," Carroll said. "Of course, we love what Matt has done and we're going to do everything we can to keep him here. But we don't know what the timelines or how that's going to work out and all that kind of stuff, but it's a big issue for us that we're looking forward to. He has had a terrific run for us and we want to see what we can do to keep that going."
So does that mean Carroll wants Hasselbeck back?
"Yeah, we do want him back," Carroll said.
The whole thing about accuracy requires it to be pointed out that Carroll indicated after taking the Seahawks job he hoped to have both Nate Burleson and Cory Redding back. Each signed elsewhere as free agents.

Copyrighted (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawksblog/2013915425_updatesonlofatatupumatthasselbeck.html)

Polamalu's effect on Steelers - and NFL - evident

When Troy Polamalu was chosen by his teammates as the Steelers’ most valuable player, one of their defensive starters spoke out against the selection.




Troy Polamalu wasn’t happy with the vote. Polamalu doesn’t believe in such awards, saying they give too much attention to individual players when football is a team sport that requires every component to be functioning well.



“It’s just uncomfortable winning anything like this,” Polamalu said. “Football is such a perfect team sport, it’s hard to make anybody, especially our team and the way we play on defense, a most valuable player. I’ve never been a fan. If I was ever a coach, I probably wouldn’t ever have an award like this.”



He also won’t endorse Mike Tomlin for the coach of the year award, saying that should go to the Super Bowl-winning coach.



While Polamalu prefers to be just another face in the crowd, that’s hardly possible given the season he’s having. He is arguably the NFL’s most disruptive defensive player, one whose presence forces quarterbacks to deviate from their normal thinking and opposing coaches to alter their game plans.



Oddsmakers even adjust betting lines because of him, something few NFL defensive players force them to do. Call it the Polamalu effect.



“He makes a pretty big difference when he is in there,” former Browns coach Eric Mangini said before Pittsburgh’s 41-9 victory on Sunday. “If he is in there, he is hard to deal with in so many different ways, whether it’s the running game, blitzing, disguises or the threat he in terms of being able to create turnovers.”



While the Steelers (12-4) didn’t earn a bye for this weekend’s NFL wild-card games entirely because of Polamalu’s impact, they can point to a half-dozen plays he made that turned games and altered the AFC North race. If Polamalu didn’t force a fumble while sacking Joe Flacco late in the Steelers’ 13-10 win in Baltimore on Dec. 5, giving Pittsburgh the ball near the goal line and leading to Ben Roethlisberger’s decisive touchdown pass, the Ravens would have won the division. And the Steelers would be playing this weekend.



The week before, the Steelers dodged a major upset loss in Buffalo after Polamalu made an interception close to the goal line late in regulation. On a day the Steelers’ offense didn’t get into the end zone, Polamalu’s two interceptions led to a 23-7 victory over Cincinnati on Dec. 12.



“There are so many different parts that go into making plays,” Polamalu said. “The Buffalo play was actually made by Willie Gay; he broke up the pass. The Baltimore play was a good call; anybody could have made that play. Nobody was trying to block me. The Cincinnati play was made by Bryant McFadden.”



Polamalu’s interception Sunday on Cleveland’s first possession followed a two-week layoff with a right Achilles’ injury and led to a long Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace touchdown pass on the next play. No matter where the Steelers look, Polamalu’s fingerprints are all over a season in which they are one victory away from playing in their fifth AFC championship game in 10 seasons.



Las Vegas knows all about the Polamalu effect. When it became known he wouldn’t play Dec. 19 against the Jets, the Steelers immediately went from being 6-point favorites to 4-point favorites. According to Richard Gardner, the sports book manager for Bodog.com, only a few NFL defensive players of recent vintage — including the Jets’ Darrelle Revis and the Ravens’ Ed Reed — could move a line.



“His presence on the field not only affects the defense, but it seems to also affect how the Steelers offense plays — more poised and confident,” Gardner said. “Even though it is rare, a defender can move a line from time to time.”



Polamalu often moves an entire defense to play better.



When he missed 11 games last season because of two knee injuries, the Steelers made 12 interceptions. This season, Polamalu has seven of the Steelers’ 21 interceptions by himself; the most they’ve had since 1996. The Steelers are second in turnover differential at plus-17, with 35 takeaways and 18 turnovers. Only the Patriots, at plus-28, are better.



Going into the playoffs, the Steelers also are No. 2 in total defense and No. 1 against the run, allowing 28 yards rushing per game fewer than any other team.



“I don’t know if it’s been my best year, but it definitely has been the most challenging year given the circumstances that we’ve had on defense,” Polamalu said.



Polamalu was referring to defensive end Aaron Smith’s long layoff with a triceps injury, defensive end Brett Keisel’s lengthy midseason injury layoff, the furor over the multiple fines assessed linebacker James Harrison for some punishing hits and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension.



Having Polamalu for nearly a full season compensated for some of those setbacks.



“From a defensive standpoint, I think he’s the top guy,” McFadden said. “Time after time he makes plays, and a lot of people don’t realize the plays he’s been making for us. And he’s not even healthy. He’s been battling through some injuries and he’s been able to play at a high level still. That speaks a lot of him. He’s the MVP of our team and no question he should be MVP of the NFL.”


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Polamalu Questionable for Sunday's Game Against the Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers probably won’t know until Friday whether safety Troy Polamalu can play in Sunday’s final regular-season game at Cleveland.
Polamalu hasn’t played or practiced for two weeks because of an injured right Achilles’ tendon. Coach Mike Tomlin said he won’t practice Wednesday or Thursday.
“Troy is improving,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We’re going to look at him and watch him move. It’s not out of the realm of possibility he could play. If he’s healthy, he will.”

If Polamalu can’t go Friday, he won’t play against the Browns (5-10), who upset the Steelers 13-6 in Cleveland last season.
While the Steelers aren’t ruling out Polamalu, linebacker James Farrior said Monday it didn’t look good for Polamalu being ready by this weekend—despite what will be a 10-day break since Pittsburgh beat Carolina 27-3 on Thursday.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s broken nose isn’t considered a problem, even though it was bloodied by a hit in the Carolina game.
Tomlin also said running back Mewelde Moore is questionable because of a sprained right knee. Linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds have knee swelling, and cornerback Bryant McFadden  has a hip injury.
While last season’s loss in Cleveland to a one-win Browns team eventually prevented the Steelers from returning to the playoffs, they didn’t know it at the time. There will be no such uncertainty this year.
While the Steelers (11-4) have secured a playoff spot, they will win the AFC North, earn a first-round bye and ensure themselves of at least one home playoff game if they beat the Browns (5-10). Should they lose in Cleveland and Baltimore (10-5) beats Cincinnati (3-12), the Ravens would win the division and the Steelers would be forced to go on the road next week for a wild-card game.
If both the Steelers and Ravens lose, Pittsburgh would win the division based on a better divisional record.
Tomlin said last season’s loss won’t necessarily prove motivational when the Steelers resume practicing Wednesday. Pittsburgh has won 13 of its last 14 against Cleveland.
“What’s at stake right now and right here is enough motivation,” he said. “We’re trying to secure the AFC North title. In order to do that, we have to go into an AFC North city and do the job—and I’m sure they’re not for us doing it. So it’s going to make it interesting and exciting.”
Woodley said the Steelers haven’t forgotten last season’s loss in Cleveland, when Roethlisberger was sacked eight times for 60 yards in losses. That loss was the Steelers’ fifth in a row, but they bounced back to win their final three and have won 14 of 18 since.
“We have to take care of Cleveland,” Woodley said. “Last year, when we played Cleveland down there, they took care of business on us. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen this year.”

Louisville Basketball's Peyton Siva Named Big East Player of The Week

University of Louisville sophomore guard Peyton Siva has been named the Big East Conference Player of the Week.

Siva scored a career-high 29 points and had eight assists in a 114-82 victory at Western Kentucky in the Cardinals’ only game last week.
He hit 8-of-13 shots from the field, 4-of-7 three-pointers, 9-of-10 free throws and added two steals.
Siva was the first Louisville player of the week selected this season.

The Passion For The 7s Rugby

The most symbolic sporting moments of 2010 - perhaps the Superbowl winning New Orleans Saints as a metaphor of the rebirth of their city after Hurricane Katrina, the Ryder Cup as an emblem of European golf's rise, Rafael Nadal's three tennis Grand Slam wins as possibly the end of the Federer era - trip almost instantly off the tongue.

There are higher profile underdog stories such as Qatar's successful 2022 World Cup bid, Francesca Schiavone claiming the French Open as a 29-year-old 17th seed or Louis Oosthuizen winning the Open Championship at the home of golf by a mile, but perhaps the greatest against-the-odds triumph of 2010 was the miniscule Pacific island of Samoa being crowned champions of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.
Located halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, you could fit the 180,000 population of Samoa into Twickenham and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the adult male population of a sports-playing age wouldn't fill either one of the pitches.
Yet, on 30 May at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby, captain Lolo Lui scored a drop-goal penalty in the 14th energy-sapping minute of extra-time to win their Edinburgh Sevens Cup semi final against England and secure the title for Samoa.
Given the size of their nation, that in itself would be enough. Add in the fact that Samoa weren't using any of their legions of overseas-based professional rugby players and it becomes remarkable. Consider the fact that Samoa's entire delegation of athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics totalled six, that five of them didn't even get past the first phase in their events and in seven visits into the five-ring circus not one Samoan has returned with a medal, and it becomes exceptional.
Welcome home
"Before this year our greatest sporting triumph was winning the 2007 Hong Kong Sevens ... before that? I have no idea. I guess there hadn't been any major achievements," said Samoan coach Stephen Betham, who oversaw a remarkable transformation as his side won four of the season's last five events in Las Vegas, Adelaide, Hong Kong and, eventually, Edinburgh.
When they flew back from Scotland seemingly the entire population came out to greet them.
"It was unbelievable! When we arrived home we had to have a police escort from the airport into town. We were mobbed by people at the airport and for the 30-35 minutes drive into town there were people lined up on both sides of the road all the way into town. It was great to see; old people and young children lining the road waving and cheering the team," Betham recalls.
It almost goes without saying a national holiday was declared.
One of the primary factors in the triumph were the funding and the expertise that the IRB's high performance initiative has ploughed into the so-called Tier 2 and 3 rugby-playing nations, which as well as driving the development of the Game in the Pacific Island has also been helping the national teams in countries like Canada, Georgia, Namibia and Russia become more competitive.
Single greatest achievement?
"It is one of the great 'little-engine-that-could' stories in any sport anywhere in the world this year. It is proof that passion and planning, coupled with ability and opportunity, can help even the smallest of nations find their place in the sporting world.
"The fact that Samoa proved that emerging nations can not only compete but can also triumph against the traditional giants of the sport and the IRB's determination to give them every opportunity is one of the things that sealed our deal to sponsor the HSBC Sevens World Series," said Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship.
Mark Egan, the International Rugby Board's Head of Development and Performance, went one further, describing Samoa's triumph as a milestone for the sport.
"In terms of cup winning in global competition, it might be the single greatest achievement in the history of the sport," he said.
"You might think of Fiji, but they've about five times the Samoan population. No other country of such a small size and with such limited resources has achieved what they have done. With the right strategic investment small countries can compete, especially in Sevens."
Becoming a family
Repeating their success in the 2010/11 season will not be easy, however. Their star and IRB Sevens Player of the Year - 26-year-old winger Mikaele Pesamino - is bound for Sale Sharks in England's Aviva Premiership and may be lost to Samoan Sevens.
This follows hot on the heels of legend Uale Mai, the most capped player in Sevens history, whose move to Club de Rugby El Salvador in Valladolid, Spain, at the start of the year denied them another star player.
To make matters worse, captain Lolo Lui tore an anterior cruciate ligament in Dubai in the first event of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series and will be out for around six months.
Whatever happens, nothing can take away what the team achieved. In Samoa, they will be treated the way the bigger countries treat their Rugby World Cup or FIFA World Cup winning sides.
"We've become one family. After winning the World Series we've all become really close. This was our third year together and I knew they had all of the potential and the talent; it was about getting them a focus in their life and what their targets were and achieving their targets," Betham explained.

"We had an idea and we pulled in the senior players and convinced them of what needed to be done and they filtered it down to the younger players. They followed it through and we ended up at the top!" - IRB

Speed Thrills of Rugby Pacific Islanders

2009/2010 IRB Sevens World Series Player of the Year, Mikaele Pesamino is likely to lead a very powerful Samoan team to next month's Uprising International Sevens in Suva.

Uprising tournament organiser Randall Kamea said he had spoken to Samoan team officials and they had confirmed they would send their main team to the two-day tournament. "I have talked to the Samoa team coach and he has confirmed that all his top players will be coming and that includes the likes of Pesamino and others who have been playing for Samoa in the IRB series," Kamea said.
Kamea said Samoa's participation was going to make competition more interesting, especially with the Digicel Fiji team also in it.
"We will have the Iliesa Tanivula-coached side in the tournament, so fans surely can expect to see some top sevens action," Kamea said.
"I believe Tonga will also be sending a very powerful side." Kamea said they had confirmed 11 teams and the other five would be finalised within the next 24 hours. "At the moment we have Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand Maori, Samurai International, US Grizzlies, Les Bleu, Ponsonby and New Caledonia confirmed to participate," he said.
"We have also named the two local teams that will participate and that is the Uprising team as they are the hosts and Nadroga.
Kamea said the tournament would help Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and France to test themselves before they move to the Wellington Sevens. The Uprising International Sevens Tournament will be held at the tfl National Stadium on January 21-22, 2011.

The Day the Cleveland Browns Passed Haloti Ngata

I just read an article from Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun in which he detailed the 2006 draft and how two organizations that will forever be tied to each other function oh so differently. Obviously, the original Cleveland Browns were moved to Baltimore to form what we now know as the Ravens. The Cleveland Browns that exist today were created by the NFL as an expansion team in 1999 and the two franchises could not be more polar opposites.
The Ravens have enjoyed incredible success and are nearly a perennial playoff (if not SuperBowl) contender, while the Browns are a perennial bottom feeder in the NFL and AFC North. The story of the 2006 draft points out a bit of inside perspective as to why these organizations are what they are.
As Hensley details, in the 2006 NFL Draft which was headed up in Cleveland by Phil Savage (ironically a successful member of the Ravens' front office prior to his stint in Cleveland), the Browns held the 12th overall pick.
They were speaking with defensive monster, Haloti Ngata. According to the article, the Browns were on the phone with him advising him that unless a trade happened they would be selecting him at #12. Consistent with the Browns since their return, they just all of a sudden hung up. No explanation, nothing. They just hung up on the young man.
The Ravens immediately called and informed him that they traded a 6th round pick to move up to the Browns spot and they would be selecting the defensive tackle. The Browns selected Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State instead. Wimbley is just one of the multitude of 1st round picks that are no longer on the Browns roster including Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, Brady Quinn to name a few of the more recent disasters.
Ngata, on the other hand, has turned into a key component of the Ravens defense and has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL. Who can say what directly Ngata's career would have taken if he were selected by the Browns and what direction the Browns team may have taken.
Obviously, hindsight is always 20/20, but there have just been far too many occurrences like this to give the Browns the benefit of the doubt. Everyone misses once in a while, but the successful teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh hit far more often than they miss. The Browns had a Ravens-esque type draft last season hitting (or at least appearing to hit) on multiple starters and impact players in Colt McCoy, Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Shawn Lauvao when healthy and potentially Monterio Hardesty. If the Browns are able to duplicate this type of "hit rate" for another draft or two, they will be legitimate contenders in the AFC North.
Ngata is an incredible player, but I don't think he's that great of a player that he would've significantly altered the course of the Browns franchise. There have been far too many mistakes similar to this draft day blunder that one player simply cannot erase. No matter how great he may be.

Kawika Mitchell is The Newest New Orleans Saint

Kawika Mitchell, an 8-year NFL veteran who won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants, became the newest member of the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, December 8.
The team signed the linebacker to an undisclosed deal after he impressed in a workout and a roster spot became available because the Saints put running back Ladell Betts on injured reserve, ending his season. The Saints did not need another running back because Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush are back from injuries and both are expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
"He had a good workout the other day," Coach Sean Payton said. "With the injury to (Stanley) Arnoux, we were able to bring in (Ramon) Humber as a special teams player; Kawika is a player that has a lot of experience and will number one give us depth and we'll look to see as we move forward how we can work him into our various packages. But he's someone with a lot of experience and we felt like his workout was very good."
Mitchell, 31, a South Florida product, was greeted at practice with the traditional new guy's welcome: 40 up-downs while the rest of the defense milled around him hurling invective until, upon completion of the grueling initiation, the defenders transform into a congratulatory mob.
"That's the first time I've been a part of something like that but it's alright," Mitchell said. "They've been giving it up for 12 weeks so I figure I can give them 40 up-downs."
Mitchell said he's ready for anything.
"I'm fortunate to be given this opportunity and I'm ready to do whatever is needed to help defend the title," Mitchell said. He did not return to the Giants in the 2008 season after they won the Super Bowl, and he said it's been instructive to see how serious the Saints are about their business after claiming their first NFL championship.
"It's good to be around and see what it's like the year after winning a championship," he said. "They're serious about getting another one."
Payton said Mitchell's ability to be an immediate contributor in special teams was a big plus and he left little doubt that is where the Saints expect to see him first. At the same time, Payton said the Saints won't hesitate to mix Mitchell into the defense as they enter the season's critical final four games.
In other personnel moves on the practice squad, the franchise signed running back Chris Taylor and released quarterback Sean Canfield.

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Harvey Langi visits USC, down to five.

Harvey Langi (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham) took his final official visit to USC this past weekend. The talented running back had earlier visited UCLA and Utah and although he said five schools are still involved, this one looks more like a two-team race.
Langi is one of the most versatile players in the region and arguably the top power back in the West, but has the ability to play linebacker of even safety at the next level. "It was an unbelievable trip, I had a real good time," Langi told WeAreSC.com. "I talked to the running backs coach, coach [Kennedy] Pola the most. I was hosted by all the players that were still on campus. I was the only recruit there this weekend so I got to hang out with all of them. I am not taking any more visits. Now I am going to kick back with my family for the holidays and then make my announcement at the Army All-American Game."

Construction Begins On Samoa HP Centre

The construction of the Samoa Rugby Union’s (SRU) High Performance Facility will start today at Faleata with a special ground-breaking ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Samoa and SRU Chairman, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature a High Performance gym, recovery and rehabilitation centre, four new training pitches, accommodation for up to 90 athletes and a dedicated administration centre for SRU staff. Construction is expected to be completed well ahead of Samoa’s Rugby World Cup preparation camp in August 2011.

The start of construction represents an important milestone for the SRU High Performance Programme, which is underwritten by International Rugby Board funding through strategic investments aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the global Game.

The IRB has contributed over GBP £1million to the project, which has been made possible through the donation of 36 hectares of land at the Faleata Sports Complex by the Samoan Government.

“The construction of the High Performance Facility in Samoa continues an impressive 12 months for Samoan Rugby,” said IRB Head of Development and Performance Mark Egan.

“Samoa’s high performance progress has been significant over the past year with IRB Sevens World Series and ANZ Pacific Nations Cup titles achieved and an impressive set of results during the recent November Tests.”

“In that regard, it is fitting that the facility will be ready for the Manu Samoa’s Rugby World Cup 2011 preparation camp next August and we are delighted to be partnering with the Samoa Rugby Union on this important project which we hope will elevate the SRU High Performance Programme to a new level.”

“Of course, this project would not have been possible without the significant support of the Samoan Government, and on behalf of the IRB I would like to extend our gratitude to the Prime Minister and his Government for the donation of land on which this impressive facility is being constructed,” added Egan.

Rugby is the national sport in Samoa and as excitement builds with the start of the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series this month and Rugby World Cup 2011 less than nine months away, the SRU High Performance Facility is central to the Union’s Sevens and Rugby World Cup 2011 aspirations.

Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, the Hon. Tuilaepa is excited about the potential of the new facilities to enhance the capacity of Samoa’s rugby performance at the regional and international level.

“The contribution and support accorded by IRB towards the elite development of rugby in Samoa is acknowledged with deep gratitude,” said Tuilaepa ahead of the ceremony on Monday.

The special ceremony will commence at 17:00 (local time) on Monday, December 13 on the site at the Faleata Sports Complex.

Mark Sanchez, Meet My Friends Troy Polamalu and James Harrison

There are still questions about who will be defensive player MVP.  The only thing for sure is that in spite of the efforts of the commissioner, it should be a Steeler—maybe even two Steelers sharing the award. 

The Steelers defense is ranked fourth in the league.  The pass defense is ranked first, giving up a miserly 60.1 rushing yards per game.  Yes, the defense ranks 23 versus the pass, but the good news is the J-E-T-S are coming to town.  And it is time to pad the pass defense statistics.
This Sunday Heinz Field welcomes the swagger and bravado of the Jets, Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez. 

Sanchez, the California boy who has 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for 2010.  Sanchez, who last week against Miami had 44 attempts, 17 completions, 216 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 fumble lost, 1 interception and 6 sacks.  Mark Sanchez, who looked bewildered, bedazzled and beguiled the entire game—was he also continually fighting back tears? 

Mark Sanchez, let me introduce you to my little friends Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.  These two have a combined 11 sacks, 8 interceptions and 7 forced fumbles.  Troy Polamalu and James Harrison, who anchor a defense that gives up 60.1 rushing yards per game—a defense that will dare you to throw the ball and challenge Ike Taylor who currently can show you his impressive stats, holding his own with 56 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.
While I admit I am sometimes confused that this defense is 23rd against the pass, I must admit the vision of Mark Sanchez coming to Pittsburgh this week gives me glimpses of hope that this is the weekend that we will move up in the statistical column for pass defenses.  It is said that Sanchez plays worse in the cold being a warm weather California boy. 

But last year in the playoffs against Cincinnati, the temperature was 29 degrees, 9 degrees with the wind chill.  Sanchez amassed one touchdown, completing 12-of-15 passes with a passer rating of 139.4.  He led the Jets to a solid 24-14 victory against a team that (little did we know) was  giving the world a preview of the upcoming season, lackluster and underachieving.
Nevertheless, the Steelers are peaking, the Jets are flailing.  Santonio Holmes is coming back to town, Ike Taylor will be there to greet him.  LT is making his first round of the amazing LT comeback tour, Lamar Woodley and James Farrior have front row seats.

This is the game that springs the Steelers into the postseason.  This is the game that begins to dispel the nasty notions of fourth quarter meltdowns.  This is the game where we begin to believe again.