ALAMEDA, Calif.
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. - Derek Carrs demeanour has stayed remarkably the same even as the
losses keep piling up for the winless Oakland Raiders.If the pressure
and strain of an 0-9 start is wearing on the rookie quarterback, Carr
isnt showing it.Hes a mature guy, a mature player, wide receiver James
Jones said Wednesday. He understands at a young age that there are going
to be times like this, in your career and in your life. You take it and
run with it, you dont put your head down. You look at it in the face
and you fight it.The Raiders are riding a 15-game losing streak that
predates the arrival of Carr, Oaklands second-round draft pick this
year. They are the only winless team in the NFL and are trying to avoid
becoming just the second in to go 0-16 in a season.Carr played fairly
well during the first two months but has regressed the past two weeks.
He has thrown four interceptions in the previous two games and has
completed only one pass longer than 25 yards in that time.That has
raised concerns whether Carr is capable of being the franchise
quarterback, though interim coach Tony Sparano has been quick to defend
him.Not that he needs it.The 23-year-old Carr has a poise that many
veterans lack. He insists his confidence is high and that he isnt
feeling the heat from critics or fans.To be honest, if you were to come
and just hang out in our locker room or hang out in our meetings, guys
are driven to get better, Carr said. When the effort goes down, thats
bad. The energy level is honestly like were 9-0. Guys are running around
still striving to do what they can to make this thing right.Hopefully
it will be sooner than later, but its going to happen one of these
days.With little support from the running game to keep defences honest,
the Raiders have been unsuccessful in trying to stretch the field with
the passing game.Carr completed only 58.5 per cent of his throws and was
picked off twice against the Seattle Seahawks. He followed that with
two more interceptions last week against the Denver Broncos.He came back
to throw a late touchdown in the loss to Denver and was thankful
Sparano left him in the game despite the lopsided score.I should be out
there no matter what, good, bad or ugly, Carr said. And for a long time
it was ugly. For me it was important to continue to finish. I wanted to
go out there and compete one last time and try to correct the things wed
been trying to correct all game. We got to do that.Carr had his best
game of the season in Week 6 when he passed for 282 yards and four
touchdowns in a 31-28 loss to San Diego.The Raiders play the Chargers
again this Sunday in what Carr says is his first time facing the same
team twice in one season.One thing for me is you know their personnel,
Carr said. For me as a rookie, thats always something thats unknown. You
can see something on film, but until youre really out there playing
against somebody and you see him for the first time, you dont really
know. So thats something thats really helpful.NOTES: Right tackle
Menelik Watson was held out of practice but did conditioning work on the
side. Watson sustained a concussion in the loss to Denver. Second-year
player Matt McCants took reps with the first-team offence in Watsons
absence. ... Defensive end Justin Tuck woke up with a sore neck and
didnt practice, though Sparano didnt think it was serious. ...
Cornerbacks DJ Hayden (groin) and Carlos Rogers (knee) were also held
out. ... Spencer Hadley, a rookie linebacker on the practice squad, took
reps at fullback. Jamize Olawale (shoulder/hamstring) rested.
Wholesale Bulls Jerseys .Y. -- The Detroit Red Wings had just enough time to salvage a point.
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.
Of all the names out there who could realistically be dealt by
Wednesdays deadline, Ryan Kesler remains No. 1 on the most desired list.
And while were not sure if theyre any closer to a deal, we now have a
defined price.Gianluigi Buffon admits the prospect of losing his status
as Italys undisputed No 1 has been brought closer by the arrival of
Spain ahead of the sides 2018 World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
Italy coach Giampiero Ventura handed teenage AC Milan goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma his international debut during the second half of a
3-1 friendly defeat to France last month.And Iker Casillass omission
from the Spain squad by newly-appointed coach Julen Lopetegui has made
Buffon realise he cannot go on forever.
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contract. The fact hes not here
is very strange, but its also a signal for me, Buffon told reporters of
Casillas.Were running out of time, but thats normal. Im fine with that.
Inside of me I know my sporting career has to come to an end. Until that
happens, Ill enjoy every moment.
Iker Casillas is not included in Spains squad to face the
2006 World Cup winners Set to earn his 164th cap,
Buffon will edge one closer to former Real Madrid goalkeeper
Casillas 167-cap record for a European footballer, which he shares with
retired Latvian Vitalijs Astafyevs.After opening their World Cup
qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win against Israel in Haifa last month,
Italy host Spain at Juventus Stadium fully aware the result will be key
in deciding which team clinches top spot in a Group G that also includes
Albania, Israel, Liechtensteein and Macedonia.
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This is an important match that will have consequences in terms of who
qualifies for the World Cup, said Ventura, who succeeded Antonio Conte
after he became manager of Chelsea in the summer.But we wont win this
game if we play at 60 percent of our capacity.As well as dropping
Casillas, Lopetegui has instigated a number of other changes to a Spain
squad that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in
2008 and 2012 but has disappointed at the last two major tournaments.
Diego Costa is
expected to lead the line for Spain against Italy
Spain put eight unanswered goals past Liechtenstein in their opening
qualifier in Leon, where Chelsea forward Diego Costa was one of three
players to hit a brace.Ventura was quick to underline the qualities of
his own, new-look squad but warned: I believe that, tactically, Spain
have taken a step forward. But what most worries me is how mentally
ready they look.Costa is expected to be given the nod to play up front
ahead of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata after Lopetegui said: Costa
will play. This will be a key game for us and should fully test our
ability to impose our game. But were here for a result.You can watch
Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan
Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half
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Also See:
Thursdays international preview
Internationals: 10 questions
Messi worried over injury
Rooney key for England
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