Pirate Galaxy » ry -- that California Chrome can be trained to

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- When Saints offensive lineman Andrus Peat talks about his NFL ambitions, hes humbled by how his first season went after New Orleans made him the 13th overall draft pick in 2015.Peat started four games at guard, three at tackle and one as an extra blocking tight end last season.It was definitely tough at first and just a lot of learning, being a rookie. But I felt like I improved throughout the season and Ive tried to carry that on through (offseason training), minicamp and this training camp, just continually getting better, Peat said after a recent practice at Saints training camp at the Greenbrier Resort. I feel more comfortable having a whole year of experience and kind of knowing what to expect.For now, signs point toward considerable improvement for Peat in Year 2. But the good reviews hes getting from coaches and teammates still have to translate during games that count. And Peats got more on his plate than the typical lineman because hes preparing to be a starter at either offensive tackle -- which is his natural position -- or offensive guard.Hes going to be fine, Saints coach Sean Payton said, noting that the 6-foot-7, 320-pound Peat is in better physical shape than he was a year ago. I like where hes at. Hes extremely talented.His versatility, athleticism, and size is really something that is a gift for him athletically, Payton added. It gives him some ability to move.When the Saints first drafted Peat, Payton said the club viewed him as a tackle, a position at which he thrived at Stanford, where he played until his junior season before turning pro. Peat also had the benefit of learning how to block from his father, Todd, who was an NFL offensive lineman for six seasons, playing mostly at guard.Payton said the Saints knew they were drafting Peat, if he was available.You rarely see that (combination of) size and athleticism. He was a junior coming out; we knew he was young. He was big, smart, played in a pro offense. His father played (in the NFL), said Payton, noting that he and Todd Peat both played high school football in Illinois and took recruiting visits at the same time to Northern Illinois, where the elder Peat wound up playing. (Payton wound up at Eastern Illinois)This vision for him when we selected him certainly was that of a tackle, yet to his credit, with his athleticism, he can play guard, Payton said. He may very well start for us at guard.Since training camp opened last week, Peat has been working in practice as a first-team left tackle because incumbent starter Terron Armstead is listed as physically-unable-to-perform with an undisclosed ailment that Payton has said is not expected to sideline Armstead more than a month. But Peat is also getting snaps at guard, often with reserve units.I dont think its difficult, Peat said. I like getting as many reps as I can and just being versatile and being able to help any way I can.Peat is aware that coaches and teammates have raved about his talent and complimented his improved fitness, but he said, I really dont think about that.His experience on the field, both in his eight starts last season and in practice now, is what he said gives any player confidence, just knowing you can go out and compete.Right tackle Zach Strief, entering his 11th NFL season, said Peats progress is evident.Its obviously a big jump for him from last year. Hes in good shape, Strief said. Theyre moving him around, but fortunately when you have a guy thats that talented, hes making those transitions pretty easily and thats a good sign.Itll certainly be fun to see how he develops as camp goes on. I think Andrus is going to be a really good player.Game notesWR Brandin Cooks missed practiced on Thursday, as did CB Damian Swann, who watched from the sideline. Meanwhile, FB Austin Johnson left practice early. Payton declined to discuss injuries. Also among those absent was CB Keenan Lewis, who practiced for the first time this training camp a day earlier. Payton said Lewis was just resting and there was no setback -- just the schedule, the way were operating right now.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLVapormax Damen Sale .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Vapormax Schwarz Herren Schweiz . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. http://www.vapormaxkaufenschweiz.com/vapormax-damen-schweiz.html . With Parker having a quiet game for once, Nicolas Batum and Boris Diaw provided the scoring as France won its first major basketball title by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday. It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005. Vapormax Herren Günstig Kaufen . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Air Max 200 Damen . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book.You could hear it throughout the stands Saturday at Del Mar. Gasps of Oh! as California Chrome took command of the Pacific Classic right from the start and dared anyone to run with him. Gee as he bounded along, oblivious to those in pursuit. Wow when he burst clear once and for all at the head of the stretch.Oh-gee-wow moments in horse racing are few and far between. They require a race of importance, preferably of some length, with a best-case scenario for unforgettable drama. When it happens, the grandchildren will be told the tale.Still, oh-gee-wow means very little without context, which is why those closest to California Chrome should be taken at their word for the joyous excess of their post-game comments.Art Sherman said Chrome should be heading straight to the Hall of Fame, and Sherman sat on Swaps, which is all the historical context anyone ever needs when it comes to judging horseflesh.Victor Espinoza, who rode War Emblem and a young version of Tiznow, already knew what a good one could do. When badgered by the press to choose between Chrome and American Pharoah, his winner of the Triple Crown, Espinoza relented and went for the horse he has ridden to more than $13 million in earnings, and counting.Context is a harsh mistress.As California Chrome churned past the finish post last Saturday, with Espinoza geared down and Beholder resigned to her admirable second ahead of Dortmund, certain memories began fighting their way through the cobwebs, of great horses challenged by great mares of the era.Here is Dr. Fager, 130 pounds up and his tail on fire, leaving good horses like Rising Market and Kissin George in the dust in the 1968 Californian at Hollywood Park, with only the stubborn mare Gamely in serious pursuit.Here is Spectacular Bid, making one, two, three moves, as usual, in the 1980 Amory L. Haskell Handicap at Monmouth, breaking all hearts except the one belonging to Glorious Song, less than two lengths back at the end.Here is John Henry, already a legend, icing the 1984 Arlington Million like he owned the place, but not before dealing with the filly Royal Heroine, who crushed the rest of the field.Having just witnessed Songbird climb another rung up historys ladder in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga, TV analyst and former rider Richard Migliore thought he was through being inspired for one Saturday. Then, as the 9 oclock hour arrived in New York, the California Chrome show filled the screen.That was an incredible performance, Migliore said. He stayed in the bridle much farther than most horses Ive ever seeen.ddddddddddddor those of us who do not speak fluent jockey, Migliore was describing the way California Chrome was attacking the race, teeth clenched and taking Espinoza for a ride. Ideally, a horse will come off the bit early in a race to conserve strength for the final run to the wire. To Migliores eye -- and Espinoza agreed -- California Chrome was ripping through a series of 12-second furlongs without dissipating energy or resolve.Gary Stevens can tell us what it looked like from aboard Beholder, who followed Chrome all the way around.Going into the far turn, Victor moved way outside trying to get me to go inside of him, Stevens said. I wouldnt do it, so he dropped back to about the 3 path, and Beholder swapped to her left lead. I thought, Ah, there we go. Just like last year.Last year, for those who need a refresher, Beholder made a move at that point that blew the Classic wide open, as she went on to win by 8-1/4 lengths.Then, all of a sudden, he opened up three lengths on me, said Stevens, who added an Oh of his own with another word attached.Victor took a peek under his arm, and it was almost like Usain Bolt with that Canadian guy in the qualifying the other night, Stevens said. Really, youre going to test me, and thats all youve got? Thats what Victor had. And believe me, he won with something in the tank.The thought is kind of scary -- that California Chrome can be trained to such a pitch that he would make a great mare like Beholder settle for second-best.The only other time I had that feeling of helplessness when I thought I was going to win was riding Rock Hard Ten in the Preakness, Stevens said. I was loaded at the quarter pole. I thought I had Smarty Jones any time I wanted. My colt dropped and went to running, and Smarty Jones just opened up on me. You feel like a little kid who thinks hes fast, and some guy comes galloping by. You never want to feel that again.Whats next? Whats left for California Chrome to accomplish? Art Sherman will let us know when to gear up for another day like Saturday. His immediate reaction to the race was, Wow. He said more, but you get the idea.In the meantime, the trainer was taking time out this week to have routine cataract surgery -- first one eye, then eventually the other -- so let the wisecracks begin.I do my best work in the dark, Sherman said with a laugh. Imagine how good Chrome would be if I could actually see him train.Oh. Gee. Wow. ' ' '