Forums » Off-Topic Discussions

• lw789 lw789

  

  • 315 posts
   

  July 11, 2018 5:32 AM EEST

  导出博客文章TORONTO -- Ask people who know Bradley Orr and the reviews of the veteran English fullback are glowing. DJ Moore Jersey . A great teammate. An experienced professional. A player to watch and learn from. "Hes a fabulous member of any squad," said Toronto FC captain Steven Caldwell, whos known the 31-year-old Orr for more than 15 years and shares an agent. "A real character, a real winner." That character, in part, was forged the hard way. As a young man, he made mistakes that led to jail. Then the Liverpool native learned from them. If Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is looking for someone to mentor 21-year-old Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas, charged this week with drunk driving, it probably need look no further than its sister soccer team and Orr. He made headlines in 2006 when he was one of three Bristol City players jailed for their part in a nightclub brawl. A fourth player was given community service. Orr and a teammate were sentenced to 28 days in jail. Wales international David Partridge was given two months behind bars. The players were also suspended and fined two weeks wages by their club. "Soccer Heroes in Prison Shame" was the headline in Englands Sun tabloid. It didnt help that just days before sentencing, Orr was sent off for attempting to head-butt a teammate during a nationally televised game. Some eight years later, Orr believes his biggest mistake was just being at the Romeo Browns nightclub. "Not a lot of people actually know the story and what happened," said Orr, who doesnt shy away from his past or his missteps. A teammate -- "not necessarily a friend" -- was thrown out of the nightclub and then became involved in a brawl with bouncers, two of whom were also charged later. "Things got out of hand. It was wrong place wrong time," said Orr. "He ended up getting a beating. I tried to stop it, got caught up in it and ended up finding myself in prison at the age of 23. "Not ideal but I probably wouldnt change it, because from that, a lot of thought and reflection went on. I decided there and then its either give it everything youve got and try to make the most of this amazing opportunity that Id been given. Or Im going to find myself like many other lads around the same age, and certainly from the same city, on the scrap heap where youve got a bit of ability, youve got the talent but you havent quite got the mentality or the maturity or the discipline to succeed." Orr said he made "little adjustments," worked on his weaknesses and "really knuckled down and gave it everything." "Its eight years down the line and Im still playing football for a living. Ive got an amazing family here with me. Ive got a lot of people who mean a lot to me." Many of those stuck by him during those "dark times." "I was a young lad, I was distraught. I thought my career was finished. You think the worst at that age and I had 23 hours a day to think about it in a cell." "Im just glad I learned from a mistake, in a positive way," he added. "The outcome since then has pretty good so far. I think Ive had a decent enough career and one I can look back (at) with pride. "Even though that was an isolated incident and Im not proud of it, I certainly wouldnt change it because its probably helped make me who I am." Orr pleaded guilty based on advice that he would get some kind of community service. His father and girlfriend came to court, expecting to drive him home. Instead he was taken directly below to the cells. Orrs soccer journey featured stints with Newcastle United, Burnley, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Blackpool before joining Toronto FC on loan in late January. He spent the bulk of his career with Bristol City, playing more than 225 games between 2004 and 2010. At 31, Orr is one of the grey beards on Toronto FCs squad. Only Dwayne De Rosario (35), Caldwell (33) and Jermain Defoe (by less than a month) are older. Orr showed his value Saturday in Columbus when injuries and suspension pressed him into service as centre back, alongside 21-year-old rookie Nick Hagglund. Toronto blanked the previously unbeaten Crew 2-0 with Orr one of three TFC players subsequently named to the MLS team of the week. The performance out of position is just why manager Ryan Nelsen acquired Orr. "For me, we needed just hardened guys who have kind of seen both sides of the tracks, if you know what I mean," Nelsen said. "Just so our young guys can learn what it takes to be a pro, to win away (games), to do the little things that it takes to be a good team. And you generally learn that from experience." Nelsen knows talent is not everything. Character plays a huge role in how far a player goes. "Our young guys have got to see that. Because its the best lesson to learn, that theyve got to do a lot of ugly stuff before they can kind of get to that top." Ask Orr about Hagglunds performance in Columbus and the veteran beams. "He was fantastic. I was delighted for Nick. His attitude towards his profession is absolutely (a) different class. He comes in every day really willing to learn and work hard. And theyre the type of lads who you want to see do well." One of the reasons Orr opted for MLS was he wanted to take himself out of his comfort zone and test himself. He has not regretted the move. Orr, who came to Canada with his wife and five-year-old twin boys, has marvelled at the passion of Torontos fans for sports. "Its really mind-blowing," said Orr. He is also blown away by Toronto FCs set-up "How can you not love this place?" he asked, pointing at the clubs well-appointed training centre. "The facilities are world-class. The citys fantastic." "So far Im loving it. Hopefully that can continue and I cant see no reason why not," he added. Orr has jumped right into Torontos sports community, taking in both Leafs and Raptors games. Hes also not afraid of getting out among the fans. A lifelong "big, big" Liverpool fan -- his 21-year-old nephew Jon Flanagan plays for the Reds -- Orr recently found out where the local supporters club was based. So he and Caldwell, with sons in tow, dropped in to see a recent Sunday game over breakfast. Ian Thomas Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Custom Panthers Jerseys . Completely. Two days after releasing Peyton Manning, the longtime face of the franchise, the Colts announced they were cutting four fan favourites: running back Joseph Addai, linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvin Bullitt and tight end Dallas Clark.With the NHL Draft coming up on June 27 and free agency opening on July 1, discussions between NHL general managers are already heating up towards a busy off-season. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Kane A Fit For Oilers? TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that the Winnipeg Jets WPG could be much more open to considering a trade for any player, including forward Evander Kane. That said, David Staples of The Edmonton Journal suggests that the Oilers could look into acquiring Kane for another winger who may benefit from a change in scenery. "Would a Nail Yakupov for Kane deal make sense?," he wrote. "A risk for a risk? Of course, having just lost Alexander Burmistrov to the KHL, the Jets might not be so keen on picking up another young Russian attacker. Of course, most Oilers fans would much rather see Sam Gagner and spare parts moved for Kane, but Winnipeg is OK at centre with Bryan Little and Mark Scheifele. A Winnipeg/Edmonton deal certainly doesnt seem out of the question here.  A bit of logic to it." Alfies Answer? Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press writes that the Red Wings are waiting to hear whether Daniel Alfredsson wants to play another season and want him back if he does. St. James also writes that the team are trying to trade forward Jordin Tootoo, who has one year left on a three-year, $5.7-million contract. Tootooo spent most of this season with Grand Rapids of the AHL. Ian Thomas Panthers Jersey. Washingtons Playbook As Chuck Gormley of csnwashington.com writes, new Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan would like to go with Braden Holtby as his No. 1 goalie next season and add a veteran backup either through trade or free agency so that Philipp Grubauer can develop further in the AHL. MacLellan adds that the Capitals are still in talks with pending UFA Mikhail Grabovski and would also like to explore Evgeny Kuznetsov as the the teams No. 2 center. "Were going to have to develop one of our young guys to play second-line centre," he said. "I think its hard to add in free agency." Also of note, MacLellan says its a priority to get defenceman Mike Green "on track" and that there were circumstances that hindered his performance last season. "I guess Im open to trading anybody," he told Gormley, "but as of right now I think wed like to bring Mike Green back." MacLellan also said he would try to land a top defenceman through a trade or free agency. Centre Of Attention Adrian Dater of The Denver Post tweeted that the Colorado Avalanche say they will continue to try and re-sign pending restricted free agent Ryan OReilly. OReillys agent added there is "nothing to report." Dater also wrote that the Avs may be thinking that OReilly is a $5 million player. He made $6.5 million this past season. Wholesale NFL Gear Wholesale Jerseys 2018 China NFL Jerseys White Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap ' ' '