Posted: 06 Sep 2010 12:36 AM PDT

Adam Johnson believes the approaches of Fabio Capello and Roberto Mancini give him extra licence to thrill for England and Manchester City.

The winger celebrated his competitive debut for England by scoring his first goal for his country in Friday's 4-0 win over Bulgaria in a Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley.

It was a big boost for the former Middlesbrough player after he failed to make the final 23 for the World Cup.

But Johnson can see similarities between the approach of fellow Italians Capello and Mancini in providing a solid defensive basis which gives attacking plyers like himself more freedom.

Johnson said: "Capello and Mancini are pretty similar in their approach. I think in some ways the Italian mentality is different to the English attitude when it comes to management.

"There is an emphasis on the tactical side and the shape of the team.

"Obviously, every manager has things to do differently, but overall I think Mancini and Capello are pretty similar.

"I think if you can get a team to defend the right way, then there is more freedom for the forwards to attack.

"Obviously I like to do that and, when the defence is right, then it gives you a solid base to go forward - and both managers I play for like to do that.

"It gives me freedom in the final third to try things, to score goals and try to play attractive football. The defence gives you the confidence to do those things."

Johnson took consolation from missing out on the World Cup in Capello naming him as one of the bright hopes for England's future as he looks to rebuild.

He said: "I watched all the games at the World Cup. I am an England fan and, obviously got a lot of mates who were out there playing, so I was supporting them as well.

"It was difficult to watch in a way, knowing I was so close, but I wanted England to go all the way and I was as disappointed as anyone to see how it went.

"But it was fantastic hearing good things about me from the England manager (about the future).

"It's exciting for me when someone like him is saying good things about me.

"My aim is to get a few more caps and play as many games for England as I can.

"I'm sure it's the same for the other young lads but playing for my country is all I've ever wanted to do. It's exciting."

Johnson has also settled in with England with the help of his City team-mates who have also been involved.

He says it definitely helps with people Gareth Barry, Joe Hart and James Milner being in squad.

"When you come away with England, to have so many team-mates there is a big help."

Johnson is as excited as anyone about what the future may hold for City but he is refusing to get carried away.

He said: "They are exciting times at City. Yes, absolutely. But I think we've just got to take each game as it comes.

"A lot of people are saying we are going to do this and that but we are focused on ourselves.

"We've started reasonably well and we've just got to carry that on, keep winning and see where it takes us.

"Like I said, these are exciting times but we are not getting too carried away with ourselves."

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BaldwinCountyNow.com Launches Community First

Posted: 05 Sep 2010 10:25 PM PDT

As part of our guiding philosophy of "Community First," Gulf Coast Newspapers introduces what no other news media outlet can offer ... a network of community based newspapers positioned throughout Baldwin County with editorial staffs, local writers and history. "Garnering this strength, we intend to build a network of participation by inviting chambers of commerce, non-profit groups, museums, parks and preservations, service organizations, public and private schools, schools of instruction, and churches to become Community First partners. These groups will have uncensored access to www.BaldwinCountyNOW.com to post stories and announcements important to them ... at will and 100 percent free," said Bill Atkinson, Director of Online Media and Audience Development.

"If a chamber has a ribbon cutting, they can promote that member business immediately on the web, in detail, with multiple photos of not only the ambassadors' group, but also the owners. They can use this to encourage memberships. Churches can post sermons, church events and announcements. Non-profit groups can post information that will help further their efforts, recognize their volunteers or just about anything," Atkinson added. "We're going to give them an open channel of communication to their communities through their newspaper online. Something they've never had before because of 'white [paper] space' limitations."

What Makes A Community First Partner? Your Organization Does!

Chambers of Commerce will post chamber related news in their respective categories found under the main heading, News From Our Chambers. There are sub-categories specifically setup for the five respective chambers in Baldwin County.

Schools and Churches: Public and Private Schools and Churches can post news under their "community newspapers" categories for School News and Church News.

Chambers, schools and churches may also post stories in the Baldwin Living and Baldwin People sections of the website.

Non-Profit Organizations and Service Organizations: The two sections of the site where these groups can post stories and events are Baldwin Living and Baldwin People. There are a myriad of categories to choose from, again, depending on the subject matter.

Gulf Coast Newspapers publishes The Daphne Bulletin, The Fairhope Courier, The Independent (Robertsdale), Spanish Fort Sun, Elberta-Lillian Ledger, The Foley Onlooker, The Baldwin Times (Bay Minette) and The Islander (Gulf Shores and Orange Beach) as well as a host of VISITOR publications.

If your organization is interested in becoming a Community First Partner, click the link below and complete the form.

Click Here To Be A Community First Partner

Oakland linebacker keeps play simple

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 02:01 AM PDT

OAKLAND, Calif. — Quentin Groves, the Oakland Raiders' likely Week 1 starter at weakside linebacker, rose to the top of the depth chart with an elemental philosophy.

"See ball, get ball," Groves said Sunday after the Raiders wrapped up a padded practice in preparation for their season opener at the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Regarding whether Groves would start in the opener, Raiders coach Tom Cable would only say "we're working on some things" and that the issue would be cleared up Wednesday.

What the Raiders have been working on lately has included Trevor Scott, the weakside linebacker for the last six games last year and through training camp, returning to his old position of defensive end.

Groves, a 4-3 defensive end with the Jacksonville Jaguars acquired for a fifth-round draft pick, has been working with the first team at the weakside spot along with strongside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and middle linebacker Rolando McClain.

Barring opening in a 3-4 formation or a big nickel that would include Wimbley, McClain and possibly safety Mike Mitchell, Groves looks to be the starter.

"You've just got to tune in and see, right?" Groves said. "One game I might be the starter, the next I could be the third-string guy. I just have to come in and prepare myself to be the starter."

The Raiders seemed optimistic about Scott's conversion to linebacker until late in training camp. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, it appears Scott is so much better at rushing the passer than defending the pass that the coaching staff decided to return him to end.

In the Raiders' 27-24 win over Seattle to close out the exhibition season, Scott played both left and right end and said he is currently playing in a three-man rotation with rookie left end Lamarr Thomas and right end Matt Shaughnessy.

Cable said Groves' ability to defend the pass has improved in recent weeks.

"There were some things that we asked him to do, and one of them was to play in pass defense with a little more instinct and a little more break on the ball and keeping the ball in front of him," Cable said.

(2 of 2)

Groves said he improved simply by letting go and playing football but conceded it's been an ongoing process.

"I tend to stare at the quarterback, and it's an old saying, 'You see 'em throw it and you're going to see 'em catch it,' so I just have to get with the coaches and learn about that stuff," Groves said.

— Stanford Routt has officially beaten out Chris Johnson for the starting job at left cornerback, Cable said.

Johnson started the last 22 games in which he's played (missing two to injury) over the past two years since taking over for DeAngelo Hall at midseason in 2008.

Routt, tendered at a first- and third-round level that pays him $3,268,000 this season, validated the faith placed in him by owner Al Davis and the coaching staff with a strong second half of training camp and solid play during exhibition games.

Johnson looked as if he would retain his starting job early in camp but was hampered by a hamstring issue in recent weeks and struggled in the exhibition win over Seattle, giving up four receptions for 120 yards.

— Jared Veldheer will be the fourth different starting center in the last four openers, preceded by Chris Morris (2009), Jake Grove (2008) and Jeremy Newberry (2007).

Veldheer, who won the job from Samson Satele, was putting in overtime after practice with offensive line coach Jim Michalczik, working on shotgun snaps.

— Seven players returned to the roster as members of the practice squad — safety Stevie Brown, defensive lineman Kellen Heard, offensive lineman Alex Parsons, fullback Manase Tonga, wide receiver Shaun Bodiford, cornerback Joey Thomas and linebacker Slade Norris.

The Raiders can add one more player, and Cable said they are looking at players they released as well as checking the league wire for practice squad eligible players released by other teams.

He said it was unfortunate the decision to cut Brown came after the seventh-round pick out of Michigan had spoken to the media, believing he had made the 53-man roster.

"That's on us to get those decisions made," Cable said. "It was tough for the kid, definitely."

— Players who weren't present at practice were linebacker Travis Goethel (undisclosed injury) and wide receiver Chaz Schilens (knee). Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant (elbow) was on the field but did not practice, nor did running back Michael Bush (fractured thumb).

Bush went through some agility drills with his left hand protected by either a cast or heavy wrap.

Cable said he would update injury status on Wednesday, the day the league requires teams to file official reports.

Philosophy

Monday, September 6, 2010

“Italian philosophy inspires Johnson” plus 2 more

“Italian philosophy inspires Johnson” plus 2 more

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