Meister der Farbe » omething close to parity up

No matter what happens when the final cuts are made, Colin Kaepernick already had the best preseason of anyone in the NFL.He sparked vehement outrage.He drew steadfast support.He got us talking.That is America -- and its athletes -- at their very best.Were not putting Kaepernick in the same league as Muhammad Ali, whose decision to not fight in Vietnam cost him more than three years in the prime of his career. Or mentioning the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in the same breath with Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who were sent home in disgrace from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics for giving a black power salute on the medal stand.But Kaepernick is certainly following in the footsteps of those giants, who bravely protested this countrys injustices even when they knew it would come at enormous personal cost.For the past week, weve debated -- in coffee shops, at work, on talk radio shows, around the dinner table -- the merits of Kaepernicks decision not to stand for the national anthem before games, his way of protesting the centuries-long short end of the stick that people of color have been getting in America, especially at the hands of the so-called justice system.Maybe you dont like his tactics, feel he is being disrespectful to what this country stands for -- or, at least, is supposed to stand for.Thats fine.This is America. Youre free to express your opinions.So is Kaepernick, who, it should be noted, wasnt up in anyones face or being disruptive -- not that theres anything wrong with those tactics, either.The biracial quarterback simply refused to stand for The Star-Spangled Banner, a gesture that actually went unnoticed for a couple of preseason games before someone finally realized what was up.Kaepernick, to his credit, didnt back down when called out. He explained his motives thoughtfully, saying he wanted to draw attention to the discrimination that undeniably still exists in this country and continues to hold back so many of our fellow citizens.We have a lot of people that are oppressed, he said after Thursdays final preseason game in San Diego. We have a lot of people that arent treated equally, that arent given equal opportunities. Police brutality is a huge thing that needs to be addressed. There are a lot of issues that need to be talked about, that need to be brought to life, and we need to fix those things.Hes no longer alone, either.In San Diego, Kaepernick took a knee along with teammate Eric Reid, who decided this was a cause worth following. So did Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane, who sat on the bench while the anthem was played before another preseason game in Oakland.Once we get to the regular season, look for more and more players to follow Kaepernicks lead -- even if hes only there in spirit.You see, Kaepernicks future with the 49ers was still up in the air Friday. The once-dynamic quarterback who led San Francisco to the 2013 Super Bowl lost his starting job a year ago, and theres no guarantee that hell get it back.Or even make the team, for that matter.New 49ers coach Chip Kelly has been vague on his intentions, saying only that Kaepernick will be judged like everyone else when the 53-man roster is set Saturday. Of course, its foolish to think Kelly wont at least consider how much of a distraction it would be to keep a quarterback who has made it clear that he intends to keep pressing ahead with his off-the-field grievances.That, in a way, makes Kaepernicks stance even more admirable. He decided to take on a much greater cause than football with his professional future in doubt, fully aware that it might affect his chances of staying with the team or, should he be cut, catching on with someone else.What makes an act truly patriotic and not just lip-service is when it involves personal risk or sacrifice, basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote this week in The Washington Post.Now, it should be noted that Kaepernicks $11.9 million salary for this year is fully guaranteed, whether or not he makes the 49ers.But his future earnings could surely take a hit.Kaepernicks choice not to stand during the national anthem could create a public backlash that might cost him millions in future endorsements and affect his value as a player on his team, reducing salary earnings or even jeopardizing his job, Abdul-Jabbar wrote. If team ticket sales seriously dipped as a result, he would pay for his stance.Invoking those giants of the 1960s, Abdul-Jabbar got to the heart of the matter.What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernicks choice to remain seated during the national anthem, he wrote, but that nearly 50 years after Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carloss raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities. Failure to fix this problem is whats really un-American here.Thats what Kaepernick has been saying all along.He loves America. He just wants to make it a better place.Lets hope Kaepernick gets another chance to take a knee.If he does, we should all stand with him.---Paul Newberry is a national writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at pnewberry(at)ap.org or at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLNike Air Max 270 Dames Goedkoop . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Nike Air Max 720 Goedkoop . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. http://www.airmaxkopennederland.com/uitverkoop-air-max-1.html .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Nike Air Max 720 Heren Sale . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Nike Air Max 95 Goedkoop .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft.The All Blacks have a world record on the line, Ireland need to establish depth and Italy need a good fly-half. We take a look at the burning issues facing each nation ahead of their autumn internationals.Argentina A Rugby Championship that started off with so much promise ended in disappointment. They should have beaten South Africa in Nelspruit in the opening game, having led with 10 minutes remaining, but the victory in the return fixture showed the talent they possess.Their error count however, cost them dearly against Australia and the Boks, while the gulf in class was on show when they took on the All Blacks. But the improvements are there to be seen for a team that up until recently didnt have regular Tests at international level.They will continue to reap the rewards of participation in the Rugby Championship and the Jaguares introduction to Super Rugby. Fixtures against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England might provide a better indication of where they stand. If they manage to cut their unforced error count, it will be an interesting month. - Killian OConnorAustralia After a poor series with England and twin Bledisloe hammerings, Australia slowly started to turn things around towards the end of the Rugby Championship. But their best period of play came in the first 45 minutes of Bledisloe III in Auckland two weeks ago.While the final scoreline blew out significantly, the Wallabies had earlier made heavy inroads through the middle of the All Blacks defence and thus created space for their backs to work in.Fly-half Bernard Foley later told ESPN at the John Eales Medal he felt as though the Wallabies were finally starting to nail their shape and that their attack wasnt too far away from clicking. If Australia can make similar ground through the middle and execute out wide, then they may be able to end a horror year on a slightly rosier note. - Sam BruceEngland While Eddie Jones tenure saw England end their Grand Slam drought, one area he is yet to solve is the openside conundrum.When he took on the job, he said hed use short-term stop-gaps to fill the No.7 berth - a role James Haskell did so well in during their June tour of Australia - but the recent injury pandemic in the England side shows they are still yet to really work out what they are doing with the openside berth.Come Nov.12, they will be without five potential opensides. Haskell, Jack Clifford, Mike Williams and Sam Jones are all sidelined and Maro Itoje was suggested as an option for the No.7 shirt but he too is injured. Teimana Harrison and Tom Wood will vie for the openside spot but even if the above had all been fit, there is no clear second choice option behind Haskell.?One perspective would be to see this as depth but another could argue there are a lack of contenders hammering on the No.7 door trying to replace Haskell. It is something on Jones radar and he will be keeping a close eye on the spot throughout the November Tests. - Tom HamiltonFrance The same question which hangs over French clubs in Europe, hangs over their national team. The question of which team will decide to show up.Will it be the one which dominated and beat Argentina to nil towards the end of June or the one which looked lethargic in defeat to Argentina a week earlier? Guy Noves hasnt had the best of starts as French coach with defeats to Wales, Scotland and England preceding the summer defeat to Argentina.The immense talents of Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou and Maxime Medard have barely been seen at international level while the often erratic kicking of Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson and Baptiste Serin is an area that needs to be addressed.Noves will need to get his players to be consistent against Samoa, New Zealand and Australia to build towards the Six Nations. - KOCIreland The disappointment of a 2-1 series defeat to South Africa in the summer remains firmly in the mind of Joe Schmidt. A winnable series slipped away and ending a winless streak against the All Blacks that stretches back to 1905 is now on the horizon.With autumn Tests (New Zealand twice, Canada and Australia), for a team used to three, it could provide Schmidt with a chance to blood new players. Their vulnerability in key positions was evident in the Rugby World Cup and since, when injuries to the likes of Johnny Sexton left a void.The inability to drop players comes from the same problem, that there has been little competition for places, with the tried and tested given precedence over building competition in the squad.ddddddddddddhat said, the introduction of Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery at Test level is an exciting prospect. Sextons fitness will be once more crucial to their chances of upsetting the All Blacks and Australia. A start for Carbery against Canada could answer his ability to play at a higher level. - KOCItaly The fly-half question forever dogs Italy as they continue their annual search for Diego Dominguezs successor at No.10.Carlo Canna has the potential to step up but that Italy were looking at Alex Lozowski - now part of the England set up - suggests they are trying to establish a couple of options with Tommaso Allan another with eyes for the fly-half jersey.They have lacked consistency and class in that area and another box to tick on Conor OSheas to-do list will be to establish the next generation of leaders when Sergio Parisse eventually retires from Test duty. They need to build that experience in the younger group of players so they have a continuity plan building to the 2019 World Cup. - THNew Zealand With the all-time Tier One Test winning streak safely tucked away, its about staying perfect now for Steve Hansens all-conquering All Blacks. It looks an attainable mission, too, with the second Test against Ireland surely their toughest challenge on tour.They have a host of players capable of doing the job over the four Tests, but Hansen will also look to broaden his playing base - a task already underway with the selection of Scott Barrett for this weekends Test in Chicago - and get some further experience into those whove already made the step up this season.Hansen prepared for the transition post McCaw and Carter long before they departed, he has already begun the process to negotiate another changeover in a few years time. - SBScotland The Scottish Rugby Union may have avoided disaster in their dispute with Premiership Rugby - ensuring that their English-based players have been made available this autumn - but there remains a question mark over how the players involved in Vern Cotters squad will handle their coachs impending departure.Will knowing that the Kiwi is to be replaced with Gregor Townsend next summer liberate those in dark blue, or lead them to down tools? Cotters reign has not been a failure by any stretch - they have beaten Argentina, France and Japan and came within a questionable refereeing decision of the World Cup semifinal.However, it has not quite hit the heights that were expected when he was appointed amid much effort and expense. It would be a shame if the positive momentum generated around the World Cup was allowed to ebb away. - Martyn ThomasSouth Africa The problems within South African rugby extend well beyond how horribly the Springboks have performed this season, but it is up to the players and coaches now to at least inspire some positivity back in the Republic.After beginning his tenure with the brief to play attacking rugby, Allister Coetzee quickly discovered his personnel dont possess the skills to do so and was forced to revert back to the tried and tested bash-and-barge approach.If that is to be the plan going forward, then the Springboks require far more from a pack that has been outperformed on just about every occasion this season. Only once the Springboks have achieved something close to parity up front can they consider overhauling their attack, as that challenge will take far more time than the month they have up north. - SB.Wales Autumn has often been a time of frustration for Wales under Warren Gatland, but with their head coach away on British & Irish Lions duty, this month could provide a glimpse into what the future holds.Gatland is due to step down following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and succession planning will only become a bigger issue between now and Japan. Interim head coach Rob Howley will be one name in the frame, and will therefore be keen to stake his claim with a successful November.With senior players such as Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau currently sidelined, there is also an opportunity for younger members of the squad to cement their place on the road to Japan, and beyond. The Welsh Rugby Union has not made things easy in that regard, though, with Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa all visiting Cardiff this month. - MT ' ' '