Now I remember why at 30 years old with a kid I don't drink on weeknights. Wow I feel like crap today. Fortunately when I feel like crap I can''t focus on work - instead, I spend my whole day thinking about when I can go home and of course, sports. With everything to talk about in the world of sports, let's focus primarily on the NFL Draft.
As mentioned yesterday, last night's draft was bound to be like none other. With the free agency period coming after the draft for the first time and of course the speculation on whether their would actually be a season, no one really knew what to expect. I will hold off on my biggest surprise for a few and instead mention some things that I found really interesting:
1. Most people assumed the Bills would go with Blaine Gabbert to 'solidify' the QB position. Other thought they would go with LB stud Von Miller. I'm not sure anyone saw Alabam DT Marcell Dareous slipping to them. When he did, it was too good to pass up. The Bills were run all over last year and already have a serviceable QB in Ryan Fitzpatrick so they were doing cart-wheels up to the podium.
2. I am shocked that Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara fell to the Giants at 19. I got to watch him twice this year and he was easily the best player on the field. This is a great pick to help solidify their secondary.
3. Christian Ponder to the Vikes is a surprising move. Reports are that they wanted a QB in the second round, but got scared that no one would be available in Round 2 after Locker and Gabbert were taken at 8 and 10. Adam Schefter suggested that he might go high on the BS Report yesterday, saying that he was getting a lot of positive buzz around him. With Andy Dalton now slipping to Round 2, you have to wonder if it was the right move.
4. I am intrigued by the Rams' selection of Robert Quinn. Quinn is a guy who was at one point projected to be a top-2 pick but slipped to 14 in large part because of his year long suspension for accepting improper benefits from an agent. 'Character issues' aside, he is an athletic freak and really makes this defense scary.
OK, so now on the main subject of this post: Jake Locker. I pleaded with the Seahawks not to take him at 25 and they didn't, not because they didn't want him but because he was lonnngg gone. Locker was selected 8th overall by a team with glaring QB needs, the Tennessee Titans. I was originally worried that he would be selected by a team like Buffalo, Arizona or Minnesota where he would be expected to start on day 1. Locker needs to develop his accuracy and work on his footwork and shouldn't be starting this year. Normally teams pick high in the draft because they have bad records -most of the time, it's because they have QB issues. At first glance, going to the Titans might not seem like a good situation, but I actually think it could be a blessing in disguise.
The Titans are finally ending the Vince Young era so they need a QB of the future. What makes them different than other teams is that they have a very capable veteran QB in Kerry Collins who has shown that he can lead the team to the postseason. He is not the long term solution, but can certainly handle the reins until Locker is ready. The situation might remind some of when VY entered the league in 2006. Collins was the opening day starter and VY was glued to the bench to develop behind him. Unfortunately, Collins played poorly and VY was starting by Week 3.
The precedence to be impatient is there, but I think this is a different situation. First off, Locker has the advantage of following the Vince Young Disaster. While the organization loves Locker's leadership abilities, I don't think they will be silly enough to rush him after what happened last time around. Second, Locker is coming off a subpar senior season at UW while Young had outplayed Matt Leinart and beaten mighty USC for the National Title. The fans wanted Young. I doubt they will want Locker in the same way (at first). Third, even if he does get thrown in early, he will have Chris Johnson and the run first offense to help him with the transition. He would certainly be able to hide some of worts and just the threat of him and Johnson running some kind of wildcat formation would be worth it. Finally, he will be able to learn from a great coorindator, Chris Palmer, who has experience with rookie QB's (Eli Manning and Tony Romo to name a few).
I'm sure their are some people in Seattle who are bummed this morning. I totally understand but do also realize that leaving Seattle and going to Nashville is not the worst thing. He is able to avoid the 'hometown savior' label. He is able to avoid being swallowed up by big-time, East Coast markets. He is going to develop and hopefully become that QB that we all know he can be.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Don't Do It, Seahawks
There are three things I know going into tonight's NFL Draft.
1. It is really weird to have the draft on a Thursday Night. Add in the ongoing labor uncertainty and this should be a draft like none other in the past.
2. I am glad that I am an NFL Atheist because I do not like Cam Newton. I am glad that I don't have to talk myself into liking him when (if) Carolina takes him first.
3. If the Seahawks select Jake Locker, I will become a Seahawks fan. You heard it right here.
With that being said, I would like to plead with the Seahawks not to select him. My reasons for saying this are simple. I love Jake Locker. I love what he did for the University of Washington football team. I love how he put his education over millions of dollars. I love watching him on the field. With that love comes the knowledge that he is not ready yet. He is athletic as all hell and he is a leader like few others are. But he has some worts like his accuracy that need to be fixed before he can become a franchise QB.
Most people have killed Jake for staying in school an extra year. After all, he lost out on being the #1 pick and millions of dollars. I on the other hand think he made a good decision. His subpar Senior year at UW may have been a blessing in disguise as it essentially guaranteed himself a late 1st or early 2nd round selection. If he goes late in the 1st, he will be going to a team that is coming off a playoff birth and most likely a team with an established QB in place. He can learn from that QB, work with the QB coach and become the QB of the future. It worked for Aaron Rodgers (not the best comparison) and Steve McNair (slightly better comparison) and it could work for Jake. My worry is if he goes to Buffalo or Cincy or San Fran - someplace where he will be expected to step in immediately. I think that has failure written all over it. He simply isn't ready to lead a team at this point.
So that brings me to the 7-9 Seahawks. They are drafted 25th thanks to their playoff win over New Orleans and have some serious QB questions. The fan base seems to be split on Matt Hasselbeck and most don't have any confidence in Charlie Whitehurst. An obvious choice would be to select the homegrown Locker and make him the face of the franchise. I think the choice would be a bad one, not just for the reasons I listed above, but because of the current status of Seattle sports. Seattle needs something to hold on to. Seattlites want something to have hope about. Jake Locker would be hope personified. But my question is what happens if he can't handle it? Even if he sits behind Hasselbeck, the fans are going to want him. They are going to call for him. They are going to beg for him. And when he comes in and can't hack it because of his accuracy issues, then what? Where do you turn to? How do you handle learning that he isn't what we all thought he was. The only way this works is if Carroll 'red-shirts' Locker and sticks with Hasselback for at least an entire year. Make it known that Jake is the future, but not the present. Let him develop and then be the hometown savior. Somehow I just don't think that is going to happen. The city is going to want him early and Carroll will roll the dice with him. It is inevitable.
So my request is this: Seattle, let Locker go someplace else. Don't put the weight of a city on his shoulders. Don't make him your savior. Let him be the Jake we all love -just in another city.
1. It is really weird to have the draft on a Thursday Night. Add in the ongoing labor uncertainty and this should be a draft like none other in the past.
2. I am glad that I am an NFL Atheist because I do not like Cam Newton. I am glad that I don't have to talk myself into liking him when (if) Carolina takes him first.
3. If the Seahawks select Jake Locker, I will become a Seahawks fan. You heard it right here.
With that being said, I would like to plead with the Seahawks not to select him. My reasons for saying this are simple. I love Jake Locker. I love what he did for the University of Washington football team. I love how he put his education over millions of dollars. I love watching him on the field. With that love comes the knowledge that he is not ready yet. He is athletic as all hell and he is a leader like few others are. But he has some worts like his accuracy that need to be fixed before he can become a franchise QB.
Most people have killed Jake for staying in school an extra year. After all, he lost out on being the #1 pick and millions of dollars. I on the other hand think he made a good decision. His subpar Senior year at UW may have been a blessing in disguise as it essentially guaranteed himself a late 1st or early 2nd round selection. If he goes late in the 1st, he will be going to a team that is coming off a playoff birth and most likely a team with an established QB in place. He can learn from that QB, work with the QB coach and become the QB of the future. It worked for Aaron Rodgers (not the best comparison) and Steve McNair (slightly better comparison) and it could work for Jake. My worry is if he goes to Buffalo or Cincy or San Fran - someplace where he will be expected to step in immediately. I think that has failure written all over it. He simply isn't ready to lead a team at this point.
So that brings me to the 7-9 Seahawks. They are drafted 25th thanks to their playoff win over New Orleans and have some serious QB questions. The fan base seems to be split on Matt Hasselbeck and most don't have any confidence in Charlie Whitehurst. An obvious choice would be to select the homegrown Locker and make him the face of the franchise. I think the choice would be a bad one, not just for the reasons I listed above, but because of the current status of Seattle sports. Seattle needs something to hold on to. Seattlites want something to have hope about. Jake Locker would be hope personified. But my question is what happens if he can't handle it? Even if he sits behind Hasselbeck, the fans are going to want him. They are going to call for him. They are going to beg for him. And when he comes in and can't hack it because of his accuracy issues, then what? Where do you turn to? How do you handle learning that he isn't what we all thought he was. The only way this works is if Carroll 'red-shirts' Locker and sticks with Hasselback for at least an entire year. Make it known that Jake is the future, but not the present. Let him develop and then be the hometown savior. Somehow I just don't think that is going to happen. The city is going to want him early and Carroll will roll the dice with him. It is inevitable.
So my request is this: Seattle, let Locker go someplace else. Don't put the weight of a city on his shoulders. Don't make him your savior. Let him be the Jake we all love -just in another city.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Canucks Exorcise their Demons
Thanks to CBC, last night I was able to watch Game 7 of the Vancouver-Chicago series. Going into the game, it had all the makings of being a classic. Vancouver was the best team in the league during the regular season. Chicago was the defending Stanley Cup Champions. If that wasn't enough, it was the 19th playoff game between the two sides over the past 3 years. It doesn't get any better than that.
Now this wasn't just any game 7. This was a game 7 that came about after Vancouver blew a 3-0 series lead. They had been eliminated by the Blackhawks in each of the final two years so it was natural if they had come out and laid an egg. The fans were obviously nervous. It would have only been natural for the team to be too.
It only took two minutes for any butterflies to disappear as Ryan Kesler set up Alex Burrows for the first goal of the game. The Canucks were now up 1-0 at home in Game 7. Normally this would spell defeat for the opponent, but not Chicago. Not against Vancouver.
I turned on the game in the 2nd period. The Canucks appeared to be on a power play as they were swarming around Hawks goalie Cory Crawford for what seemed to be 3 minutes. The play was intense. The drama was high. I could feel it and I was in my living room.
The third period started with the score still 1-0 Canucks. Alex Burros got brought down from behind 30 seconds into the period. He had a chance to put the game away but missed the rare postseason Penalty Shot. Later in the period the Sedin's missed several opportunities - they just couldn't get the second goal. Luongo was playing so well thought that I was sure he would keep the Hawks off the scoreboard. He looked possessed out there and after being benched in game 6 you figured someone of his demeanor would use it as fuel. With 3 minutes left Duncan Keith got called for hooking and the Canucks went on the power play.
What happened next would be unexplainable if we weren't talking about Vancouver-Chicago. Hawks Captain Johnathan Toews stole the puck at center ice. He took on two defenders, got a shot off and then on his stomach put the rebound into the back of the net. Chicago had just scored a short-handed goal. The arena was in shock. Chicago had tied the game with 2 minutes left. Surely the Canucks were going to blow it again.
It was high drama heading into OT. Less than 30 seconds into the extra frame, Vancouver took a penalty and were down a man. I am convinced that their is no situation more exciting (or more nerve-racking depending on your side of things) than power plays in playoff hockey. I never feel right during those 2 minutes. I can only imagine what the Vancouver fans were feeling. Luckily the Canucks killed it off.
Then it happened. A singular play won the game and the series. Alex Burrows knocked down the puck off a clearing attempt in his offensive zone and rifled a slapshot past Crawford for the series winning goal. The play itself was amazing. The celebration that followed was equally as amazing.
Anyone who didn't think this was a big deal in vancouver need look no further than the reaction of both the owners as well as the team. Overtime Game 7 goals are huge by nature. This one meant a little more. Chicago was the team theysimply couldn't get by. The media was ready to crush the organization if they lost. The fans were ready to cry. It was a HUGE (capitalizing words gets your point across better) win.
In a vacuum I would have rooted for either team. while I try to support Vancouver and Calgary come playoff time, Chicago was a hell of a fun team to watch. I would have been fine with seeing them move on. BUt given the circumstances, there is no way I was rooting against the Canucks. Vancouver is a great city. I was in town last May during the second round match-up between the two teams and never have I been in love with a city and its sports culture more than I was with Vancouver at the time. Maybe it's because no one remotely cares about hockey in Seattle. I don't know the reason, I just loved being on the streets as they celebrated a game 1 victory. They deserve a series win. And they got one. It is moments like that that remind me why I love the sport so much (even if the stupid Sabres blew the series against the effing Flyers).
The Canucks have less than two days to turn things around and focus on Nashville. If the hockey gods have any say, they will not allow a HOCKEY team from Nashville, Tennessee, USA beat a team from Vancouver, BC, Canada. It just can't happen. And you know what? It's not going to happen. By exorcising their demons, the Canucks are now ready to win the Cup. I know they still would have Detroit or San Jose waiting in the Western Finals, but they will have home ice advantage and we need to remember that they got by Chicago with subpar performances from the Sedin's. I think the twins step it up. I think Luongo plays like he did in the Olympics. I think Vancouver will win the Cup.
Now this wasn't just any game 7. This was a game 7 that came about after Vancouver blew a 3-0 series lead. They had been eliminated by the Blackhawks in each of the final two years so it was natural if they had come out and laid an egg. The fans were obviously nervous. It would have only been natural for the team to be too.
It only took two minutes for any butterflies to disappear as Ryan Kesler set up Alex Burrows for the first goal of the game. The Canucks were now up 1-0 at home in Game 7. Normally this would spell defeat for the opponent, but not Chicago. Not against Vancouver.
I turned on the game in the 2nd period. The Canucks appeared to be on a power play as they were swarming around Hawks goalie Cory Crawford for what seemed to be 3 minutes. The play was intense. The drama was high. I could feel it and I was in my living room.
The third period started with the score still 1-0 Canucks. Alex Burros got brought down from behind 30 seconds into the period. He had a chance to put the game away but missed the rare postseason Penalty Shot. Later in the period the Sedin's missed several opportunities - they just couldn't get the second goal. Luongo was playing so well thought that I was sure he would keep the Hawks off the scoreboard. He looked possessed out there and after being benched in game 6 you figured someone of his demeanor would use it as fuel. With 3 minutes left Duncan Keith got called for hooking and the Canucks went on the power play.
What happened next would be unexplainable if we weren't talking about Vancouver-Chicago. Hawks Captain Johnathan Toews stole the puck at center ice. He took on two defenders, got a shot off and then on his stomach put the rebound into the back of the net. Chicago had just scored a short-handed goal. The arena was in shock. Chicago had tied the game with 2 minutes left. Surely the Canucks were going to blow it again.
It was high drama heading into OT. Less than 30 seconds into the extra frame, Vancouver took a penalty and were down a man. I am convinced that their is no situation more exciting (or more nerve-racking depending on your side of things) than power plays in playoff hockey. I never feel right during those 2 minutes. I can only imagine what the Vancouver fans were feeling. Luckily the Canucks killed it off.
Then it happened. A singular play won the game and the series. Alex Burrows knocked down the puck off a clearing attempt in his offensive zone and rifled a slapshot past Crawford for the series winning goal. The play itself was amazing. The celebration that followed was equally as amazing.
Anyone who didn't think this was a big deal in vancouver need look no further than the reaction of both the owners as well as the team. Overtime Game 7 goals are huge by nature. This one meant a little more. Chicago was the team theysimply couldn't get by. The media was ready to crush the organization if they lost. The fans were ready to cry. It was a HUGE (capitalizing words gets your point across better) win.
In a vacuum I would have rooted for either team. while I try to support Vancouver and Calgary come playoff time, Chicago was a hell of a fun team to watch. I would have been fine with seeing them move on. BUt given the circumstances, there is no way I was rooting against the Canucks. Vancouver is a great city. I was in town last May during the second round match-up between the two teams and never have I been in love with a city and its sports culture more than I was with Vancouver at the time. Maybe it's because no one remotely cares about hockey in Seattle. I don't know the reason, I just loved being on the streets as they celebrated a game 1 victory. They deserve a series win. And they got one. It is moments like that that remind me why I love the sport so much (even if the stupid Sabres blew the series against the effing Flyers).
The Canucks have less than two days to turn things around and focus on Nashville. If the hockey gods have any say, they will not allow a HOCKEY team from Nashville, Tennessee, USA beat a team from Vancouver, BC, Canada. It just can't happen. And you know what? It's not going to happen. By exorcising their demons, the Canucks are now ready to win the Cup. I know they still would have Detroit or San Jose waiting in the Western Finals, but they will have home ice advantage and we need to remember that they got by Chicago with subpar performances from the Sedin's. I think the twins step it up. I think Luongo plays like he did in the Olympics. I think Vancouver will win the Cup.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Surprising NBA Playoffs
I think we all anticipated that the 2011 NBA Playoffs would be the best we have seen in a decade. With all the star power concentrated in a few markets, the playoffs were bound to have the higher level of competition than in the regular season. In the East, we all anticipated second round match-ups of Chicago-Orlando and Miami-Boston. In the West, we anticipated Spurs-OKC and Lakers-Dallas. That was really where this whole thing was going to get good. Not saying that the first round series were not going to be good, but I'm pretty sure we only ever though 1-2 teams could pull upsets. And yet here we sit, with two favorites down 3-1 and the defending champs at 2-2. Here is what I am surprised by:
I am surprised that the Knicks didn't give Boston more competition. Obviously looking back at the series, 4-0 was a fair result considering Billups only played in 1 game and Amare was basically ineffective due to injury. I think going into the series I expected it to be 6 games, but in the end, the Knicks showed that it wasn't their time....yet.
I am surprised that the Bulls were at risk of being down 3-1. A lot of people said they were too young to win the title. They would easily get by the Pacers, but no way could they handle getting past Orlando and either Boston or Miami to make it to the NBA Finals. They are good, but young. So I am starting to wonder if their subpar play is actually a good thing...I mean, I know they should have swept the series, but I feel like they are getting on the job training of how to win in the playoffs. It might only be the Pacers, but winning close games in the playoffs is invaluable.
I am surprised that the Magic are down 3-1 to the Hawks. Well, I guess I'm not really that surprised. I really do not like how this team was built (or should I say restructured) after the midseason trade. I thought they were a fluke, yet they came into the playoffs highly favored over the Hawks because well...the Hawks just have something missing. They are a good perimeter team, but are classic underachievers. I am surprised they are up.
Speaking of favorites being down 3-1, can someone explain to me what is happening with the Spurs? I know that they are older. I know that they went 2-2 against the Grizz in the regular season. What I also know is that the Grizz straight-up threw there final games of the regular season so that they were assured a first round series against San Antonio. I respect Memphis for believing they had a good match-up, but it you're the Spurs, how do you not come out and destroy them? What a slap in the face that is. You're the Spurs...you've four titles in the past decade. You have the best record in the league. And you are essentially getting called out by Memphis??? I don't care that you are old. You have to have enough to get by them.
Finally, I am surprised by how mortal the Lakers look. Now I'm sure they will win games 5 and 6. Making us doubt them is what they do. And I am not sold on New Orleans. I know that the Lakers have no defensive match for Chris Paul, but if we had to rank the best players in the series, he would certainly be the only Hornets player in the top 5. Simply put, the Lakers are the better team. They will find a way to win...I think. But then again, Kobe is getting older, Odom is distracted, Bynum is starting to think he is the Alpha Dog, Phil is annoyed at reporters (oh wait, he always is...my bad), Pau has terrible hair and Ron-Ron is crazy. Maybe this is the year they lose?
What I am not surprised by is the drama that the playoffs are creating. It's a good thing, because as you all know, 2011 has been a pretty crappy sports year for me. I need the NBA Playoffs to help me get over the failures of the Devils, Nets, Mets and of course Stevie Z's broken leg.
I am surprised that the Knicks didn't give Boston more competition. Obviously looking back at the series, 4-0 was a fair result considering Billups only played in 1 game and Amare was basically ineffective due to injury. I think going into the series I expected it to be 6 games, but in the end, the Knicks showed that it wasn't their time....yet.
I am surprised that the Bulls were at risk of being down 3-1. A lot of people said they were too young to win the title. They would easily get by the Pacers, but no way could they handle getting past Orlando and either Boston or Miami to make it to the NBA Finals. They are good, but young. So I am starting to wonder if their subpar play is actually a good thing...I mean, I know they should have swept the series, but I feel like they are getting on the job training of how to win in the playoffs. It might only be the Pacers, but winning close games in the playoffs is invaluable.
I am surprised that the Magic are down 3-1 to the Hawks. Well, I guess I'm not really that surprised. I really do not like how this team was built (or should I say restructured) after the midseason trade. I thought they were a fluke, yet they came into the playoffs highly favored over the Hawks because well...the Hawks just have something missing. They are a good perimeter team, but are classic underachievers. I am surprised they are up.
Speaking of favorites being down 3-1, can someone explain to me what is happening with the Spurs? I know that they are older. I know that they went 2-2 against the Grizz in the regular season. What I also know is that the Grizz straight-up threw there final games of the regular season so that they were assured a first round series against San Antonio. I respect Memphis for believing they had a good match-up, but it you're the Spurs, how do you not come out and destroy them? What a slap in the face that is. You're the Spurs...you've four titles in the past decade. You have the best record in the league. And you are essentially getting called out by Memphis??? I don't care that you are old. You have to have enough to get by them.
Finally, I am surprised by how mortal the Lakers look. Now I'm sure they will win games 5 and 6. Making us doubt them is what they do. And I am not sold on New Orleans. I know that the Lakers have no defensive match for Chris Paul, but if we had to rank the best players in the series, he would certainly be the only Hornets player in the top 5. Simply put, the Lakers are the better team. They will find a way to win...I think. But then again, Kobe is getting older, Odom is distracted, Bynum is starting to think he is the Alpha Dog, Phil is annoyed at reporters (oh wait, he always is...my bad), Pau has terrible hair and Ron-Ron is crazy. Maybe this is the year they lose?
What I am not surprised by is the drama that the playoffs are creating. It's a good thing, because as you all know, 2011 has been a pretty crappy sports year for me. I need the NBA Playoffs to help me get over the failures of the Devils, Nets, Mets and of course Stevie Z's broken leg.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Bay For MVP
I wish I had was a voting member of the baseball writers association as I would cast my 2011 MVP vote for Jason Bay. Seriously, Jason Bay would get my vote. You see, I consider MVP to be a vote of the person who means the most to their team - the player who is most valuable. It shouldn't be based purely off of stats. It shouldn't be given to the best player on the best team. No, it should be given to the player who means the most to the success of the team.
Using this definition, it is obvious to me that Bay deserves the award. Here are the stats: without Bay the Mets are 5-13. With Bay the Mets are 4-0. Read that again: the Mets are undefeated with Bay in the lineup. While he is hitting a healthy .333 with 1 home run and 3 RBI in 4 games, he has also helped David Wright and Ike Davis. Since his return, Wright snapped out of a 0 for 20 snap, going 6-14 with 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 2 sb. During the same time, Davis is also 6-14 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.
I'm not sure what it is, but Bay has brought out the most in this team and will lead them to the playoffs.
(Ok, who am I kidding? That is all a lie. I'm stoked that the team has won 4 in a row, but we can't overlook the stats. Regardless of how well the offense does (3rd in the league with 99 runs scored), their success will fall on their arms. A 4.55 team ERA (including 4.80 by the starters) just won't get it done. This is a bad, bad team and one that only the most hardcore of Mets fans still thinks has a shot at the playoffs. I hope Bay does well. I hope that the Mets win some more games. I just don't think it is going to happen. I will enjoy it while it lasts though.)
Using this definition, it is obvious to me that Bay deserves the award. Here are the stats: without Bay the Mets are 5-13. With Bay the Mets are 4-0. Read that again: the Mets are undefeated with Bay in the lineup. While he is hitting a healthy .333 with 1 home run and 3 RBI in 4 games, he has also helped David Wright and Ike Davis. Since his return, Wright snapped out of a 0 for 20 snap, going 6-14 with 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 2 sb. During the same time, Davis is also 6-14 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.
I'm not sure what it is, but Bay has brought out the most in this team and will lead them to the playoffs.
(Ok, who am I kidding? That is all a lie. I'm stoked that the team has won 4 in a row, but we can't overlook the stats. Regardless of how well the offense does (3rd in the league with 99 runs scored), their success will fall on their arms. A 4.55 team ERA (including 4.80 by the starters) just won't get it done. This is a bad, bad team and one that only the most hardcore of Mets fans still thinks has a shot at the playoffs. I hope Bay does well. I hope that the Mets win some more games. I just don't think it is going to happen. I will enjoy it while it lasts though.)
Instant (Over)Reaction: Rapids
I had some of my boys over on Friday night to play some cards. It was shaping up to be a good night: Tons of beer, Crack chips, Little Caesar's pizza (they now have meat lovers as a Hot'n Ready option), Sounders game.
I was outside talking to T-Gasp about the deck that The Wife wants me to build when I heard some groans from inside. I figured it was either a Colorado goal or terrible Sounders miss. Sadly neither was correct. Regardless of whether you are a soccer fan or not, if you live in Seattle you know what happened. It was pictured on the front of the Seattle Times sports section: Steve Zakuani had his tibia and fibula broken on an amazingly clumsy and aggressive tackle. It was a gruesome injury- one that I wish I had not seen replay of.
This post is not to condemn Brian Mullan for his tackle. He has always struck me as a hard nosed but not dirty player (in fact, most of the post game interviews confirmed this) so I am prone to think that it was more 'clumsy' than it was intentional. Most Sounders fans are calling for a suspension of a minimum 10 games with a maximum suspension matching the length that Zakuani misses. They are well within their right to feel this way. I on the other hand know that Mullan won't get more than 5 games. I mean, the precedent has been set in both MLS and overseas: you will get banned for a few games, but the punishment never will match the crime. For the Sounders that sucks. For Mullan, it is not as simple as that. I am in no way siding with the guilty party, but it's not like Mullan is getting away easy - his 'legacy'(not that someone who his stature really will ever have a legacy, but I just can't think of another word) is tarnished. No longer will he be thought of as the hard-working Midfielder who won 2 MLS Cups with Houston. No, now he will forever be known as a leg-breaker; as a career killer. I am not suggesting that this is not warranted. I am not suggesting that it equals the pain that Zakuani will feel, but hopefully Zakuani will be back on the field, running at people. Mullan is done.
So what does this mean for the Sounders? My first instinct was to be contrarian and suggest that we still had a shot at winning the title. Losing Zakuani was a big blow, but finally the team that has appeared to be sleepwalking at times had something to play for. They could rally around their follow teammate and vow to bring home the title. Right when things started to go south, Steve could show up at training and give the team an emotional lift. I was all ready to say that.
And then it hit me. By typing that I would be undervaluing what Steve meant to this team. His loss is HUGE because there is no one else in the league like him. Sure, there are speedsters all over the place, but none of them had his skills. None of them made defenders crap their pants when he was running at them and they were backpeddling. For all the little things he didn't do (win headers, play defense), Zakuani was arguably one of the two most irreplaceable Sounders (Keller being the other). He simply added another element to this team and it will be sorely missed. His loss certainly helps clear up the midfield logjam a little - now we can have Friberg and Rosales on the field at the same time (or of course El Flaco if you believe he is out of Sigi's doghouse) - but we are one more injury away from being amazingly thin.
What might not be stated is the effect of Steve's injury on on Fredy Montero. Anyone who has watched this team knows that Fredy plays the best when he is the only option; when he feels like he is the man. Towards the end of last year, the case could be made that Zakuani was the Alpha-Dog on the team. I don't think it was a coincidence that Fredy finally got on the scoreboard once Zakuani was out of the game. I think that Fredy will play with more purpose and more confidence. That is a good thing...until of course he starts to play with too much confidence. Then things could go south and we wouldn't have Steve to pick things up.
I think the team is certainly going to take a step back. I know that they were playing the defending champs on the road. I know that had just witnessed their teammate suffer a horrific injury. I know that. I understand that. I just don't feel overly good about a 1-0 win in which we played a man up for 85 minutes. AND it was at altitude, meaning that we should have worn them down. I know they are used to playing a mile above sea level, but come on...not with 10 players. We should have been able to pick them apart after being up that long.
The bottom line is that his loss may have killed our chances at MLS Cup. The boys in rave green are still a quality team, but if they can't replace Steve, they will be sitting home again this October, wondering how they were eliminated so early in the playoffs.
I was outside talking to T-Gasp about the deck that The Wife wants me to build when I heard some groans from inside. I figured it was either a Colorado goal or terrible Sounders miss. Sadly neither was correct. Regardless of whether you are a soccer fan or not, if you live in Seattle you know what happened. It was pictured on the front of the Seattle Times sports section: Steve Zakuani had his tibia and fibula broken on an amazingly clumsy and aggressive tackle. It was a gruesome injury- one that I wish I had not seen replay of.
This post is not to condemn Brian Mullan for his tackle. He has always struck me as a hard nosed but not dirty player (in fact, most of the post game interviews confirmed this) so I am prone to think that it was more 'clumsy' than it was intentional. Most Sounders fans are calling for a suspension of a minimum 10 games with a maximum suspension matching the length that Zakuani misses. They are well within their right to feel this way. I on the other hand know that Mullan won't get more than 5 games. I mean, the precedent has been set in both MLS and overseas: you will get banned for a few games, but the punishment never will match the crime. For the Sounders that sucks. For Mullan, it is not as simple as that. I am in no way siding with the guilty party, but it's not like Mullan is getting away easy - his 'legacy'(not that someone who his stature really will ever have a legacy, but I just can't think of another word) is tarnished. No longer will he be thought of as the hard-working Midfielder who won 2 MLS Cups with Houston. No, now he will forever be known as a leg-breaker; as a career killer. I am not suggesting that this is not warranted. I am not suggesting that it equals the pain that Zakuani will feel, but hopefully Zakuani will be back on the field, running at people. Mullan is done.
So what does this mean for the Sounders? My first instinct was to be contrarian and suggest that we still had a shot at winning the title. Losing Zakuani was a big blow, but finally the team that has appeared to be sleepwalking at times had something to play for. They could rally around their follow teammate and vow to bring home the title. Right when things started to go south, Steve could show up at training and give the team an emotional lift. I was all ready to say that.
And then it hit me. By typing that I would be undervaluing what Steve meant to this team. His loss is HUGE because there is no one else in the league like him. Sure, there are speedsters all over the place, but none of them had his skills. None of them made defenders crap their pants when he was running at them and they were backpeddling. For all the little things he didn't do (win headers, play defense), Zakuani was arguably one of the two most irreplaceable Sounders (Keller being the other). He simply added another element to this team and it will be sorely missed. His loss certainly helps clear up the midfield logjam a little - now we can have Friberg and Rosales on the field at the same time (or of course El Flaco if you believe he is out of Sigi's doghouse) - but we are one more injury away from being amazingly thin.
What might not be stated is the effect of Steve's injury on on Fredy Montero. Anyone who has watched this team knows that Fredy plays the best when he is the only option; when he feels like he is the man. Towards the end of last year, the case could be made that Zakuani was the Alpha-Dog on the team. I don't think it was a coincidence that Fredy finally got on the scoreboard once Zakuani was out of the game. I think that Fredy will play with more purpose and more confidence. That is a good thing...until of course he starts to play with too much confidence. Then things could go south and we wouldn't have Steve to pick things up.
I think the team is certainly going to take a step back. I know that they were playing the defending champs on the road. I know that had just witnessed their teammate suffer a horrific injury. I know that. I understand that. I just don't feel overly good about a 1-0 win in which we played a man up for 85 minutes. AND it was at altitude, meaning that we should have worn them down. I know they are used to playing a mile above sea level, but come on...not with 10 players. We should have been able to pick them apart after being up that long.
The bottom line is that his loss may have killed our chances at MLS Cup. The boys in rave green are still a quality team, but if they can't replace Steve, they will be sitting home again this October, wondering how they were eliminated so early in the playoffs.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
RSL in Control
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how RSL's success in Champions League was good for MLS. I know that Colorado fans would not share my opinion, but I believe that any person who cares about this league should be rooting for Salt Lake. This is a league that gets no respect around the world, let alone in North America. We are still in our infancy and a win by RSL would bring the league some notoriety. The winner advances to the Club World Cup in July where they will face off against teams from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania. Having RSL on the same field as Manchester United, in a actual competition, would do wonders for the profile of the league. Now maybe I will feel differently in 20 years after the league has won 5+ Champions Leagues, but for now, I am in their corner.
When Nat Borchers scored the first goal against Monterrey, I opened yelled. I was really pulling for them. At 1-1, they were in good shape. But then in an uncharacteristic move, they stared to play tight. They sat back and bunkered in. A handball call in the box and suddenly they were down 2-1. I was not so much worried by the score. After all, a 2-1 loss would mean RSL could advance with a 1-0 win at home next week. The unsettling this was that they still had about 20 minutes to go and Monterrey was buzzing.
They weathered the storm and in the 90th minute, Javier Morales scored on a thing of beauty to tie the game 2-2. It was an individual goal. Sure, the pass from Arturo Alvarez (who btw came off the bench to make me wonder out loud, wtf man? How are they so deep?) was nice, but the cutback from Morales and the shot to the far post, beating both the keeper and 4 defenders was amazing. At 2-2, all that is needed is a win, a scoreless tie or a 1-1 tie at home next week. They are firmly in control and have an amazing opportunity ahead of them.
Some people are saying that this is the best team in MLS history. Having watched the league since it's inception in 1996, I would be hard pressed not to agree. Yes, the DC United team's of the early years were stacked, but I contend that the competition was not as high. RSL continues to dominate every week in a much tougher league.
If you relive history, you realize just how amazing this all is. In their expansion year, they went 5-22-2. The following two years they finished 10-13-9 and 6-15-9. They were the laughing stock of the league. Grant Wahl has a must-read article on how RSL changed their fortunes. I will encourage you to read it rather than summarize for you. What is amazing though is how they have become such a dominant force without the presence of a designated player. I know, I know, Alvario Saborio is considered one, but as Wahl mentions, he is DP because of his transfer fee only (a situation that is similar to that of Sounders' M Alvaro Fernandez). RSL values the team above individuals - so much that management sat down with the rest of the team to make sure they understood.
In a league where NY, LA and Seattle continue to stock-pile DP's, the best team in the league is rolling along without one. It is certainly an ironic twist. I mean, DP's are supposed to be the best players in the league. The best players normally play on the best teams. but what we are finding in MLS is that high paid players actually can be a distraction. Look no further than Toronto, where the signing of national team captain Julian DeGuzman from Spain actually had a negative effect on the team. Dwayne DeRosario, a 4 time MLS champion and arguably top-5 talent in the league was suddenly getting paid less than a player who had yet to accomplish anything in the league. The story was similar for David Beckham when he first came into the league. It wasn't just Landon Donovan that resented his salary, but all of his teammates. In a league with a strict salary cap where some players are earning less than what they could had they been a teacher, millionaires who don't commit fully to the league can easily be resented.
Looking at how Salt Lake allocates their money, you have Kyle Beckerman ($250k), Jamison Olave ($225k), Javier Morales ($200k) as the highest earners (plus Saborio who is reportedly earning ~$220k). The next tier is Nat Borchers ($140k), Nick Rimando and Chris Wingert ($120k) and Robbie Russell ($114k). It is an exercise in excellence. Pay your most important players the most money. Keep them happy. Then fill in around them with players who earn less. It is a perfect lesson in how to build a team in MLS.
Being a Sounders fan, I am already accustomed to the team spending money on DP's. I am spoiled, but that doesn't mean my view is tainted. The fact is that I respect teams like RSL, Houston and Colorado who have avoided buying into the DP hype. The fact that RSL is one result away from being the kings of the region is made all that more remarkable considering they don't have a Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel or David Beckham on their team. They should give every fan base hope of what could be.
When Nat Borchers scored the first goal against Monterrey, I opened yelled. I was really pulling for them. At 1-1, they were in good shape. But then in an uncharacteristic move, they stared to play tight. They sat back and bunkered in. A handball call in the box and suddenly they were down 2-1. I was not so much worried by the score. After all, a 2-1 loss would mean RSL could advance with a 1-0 win at home next week. The unsettling this was that they still had about 20 minutes to go and Monterrey was buzzing.
They weathered the storm and in the 90th minute, Javier Morales scored on a thing of beauty to tie the game 2-2. It was an individual goal. Sure, the pass from Arturo Alvarez (who btw came off the bench to make me wonder out loud, wtf man? How are they so deep?) was nice, but the cutback from Morales and the shot to the far post, beating both the keeper and 4 defenders was amazing. At 2-2, all that is needed is a win, a scoreless tie or a 1-1 tie at home next week. They are firmly in control and have an amazing opportunity ahead of them.
Some people are saying that this is the best team in MLS history. Having watched the league since it's inception in 1996, I would be hard pressed not to agree. Yes, the DC United team's of the early years were stacked, but I contend that the competition was not as high. RSL continues to dominate every week in a much tougher league.
If you relive history, you realize just how amazing this all is. In their expansion year, they went 5-22-2. The following two years they finished 10-13-9 and 6-15-9. They were the laughing stock of the league. Grant Wahl has a must-read article on how RSL changed their fortunes. I will encourage you to read it rather than summarize for you. What is amazing though is how they have become such a dominant force without the presence of a designated player. I know, I know, Alvario Saborio is considered one, but as Wahl mentions, he is DP because of his transfer fee only (a situation that is similar to that of Sounders' M Alvaro Fernandez). RSL values the team above individuals - so much that management sat down with the rest of the team to make sure they understood.
In a league where NY, LA and Seattle continue to stock-pile DP's, the best team in the league is rolling along without one. It is certainly an ironic twist. I mean, DP's are supposed to be the best players in the league. The best players normally play on the best teams. but what we are finding in MLS is that high paid players actually can be a distraction. Look no further than Toronto, where the signing of national team captain Julian DeGuzman from Spain actually had a negative effect on the team. Dwayne DeRosario, a 4 time MLS champion and arguably top-5 talent in the league was suddenly getting paid less than a player who had yet to accomplish anything in the league. The story was similar for David Beckham when he first came into the league. It wasn't just Landon Donovan that resented his salary, but all of his teammates. In a league with a strict salary cap where some players are earning less than what they could had they been a teacher, millionaires who don't commit fully to the league can easily be resented.
Looking at how Salt Lake allocates their money, you have Kyle Beckerman ($250k), Jamison Olave ($225k), Javier Morales ($200k) as the highest earners (plus Saborio who is reportedly earning ~$220k). The next tier is Nat Borchers ($140k), Nick Rimando and Chris Wingert ($120k) and Robbie Russell ($114k). It is an exercise in excellence. Pay your most important players the most money. Keep them happy. Then fill in around them with players who earn less. It is a perfect lesson in how to build a team in MLS.
Being a Sounders fan, I am already accustomed to the team spending money on DP's. I am spoiled, but that doesn't mean my view is tainted. The fact is that I respect teams like RSL, Houston and Colorado who have avoided buying into the DP hype. The fact that RSL is one result away from being the kings of the region is made all that more remarkable considering they don't have a Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel or David Beckham on their team. They should give every fan base hope of what could be.
One Year Anniversary
Today is the one year anniversary of JerseySounder. I want to start off by thanking everyone who has ever read or commented on what I have written. I started the blog because I had something to say. I didn't know exactly where it would take me, but I had these grand ideas that people not only would want to read what I had to say, but that this could be a community to express their thoughts and feelings. I had hoped to make it to a year, but I honestly didn't know if I would last even a few months.
So here we are, 12 months later. Readership is not exactly what I had envisioned, but at the same time, it's not as bad as it could be. I have fought often as to whether I want to continue. I mean, if only a few people consistently read, is it worth it? The answer: Of course it is. The fact is that JS is a huge part of my life. Every night after The Incident goes to bed, I work out, blog and then go to bed. There are so many things I could be doing with the only free hour of my day and yet I write. I'm not sure what it is, but I just enjoy doing this.
So once again, thanks to all my readers. Thanks to the guys I hear from the most - Irish Mike, J-Will, The C'rappy One and D-Lib. I hope you guys continue reading and letting me know when you think I'm an idiot. And major thanks to The Crappy One for adding some amazing Devils content to the site. More than anything I am happy that I get to read about my favorite hockey team in ways that other sites simply can't provide.
So where to now? Well, one year ago I was writing on the possibility of the Mets promoting Ike Davis. I said that I wanted him to be brought up only if he was ready; that if he was brought up early and didn't have the moxie to succeed in NY then we would be ruining him. Of course it was a catch-22 since we would never know if he was ready if he wasn't brought up. Fast forward one year and Ike is now one of the foundation's of this team. I don't think I was necessarily wrong. I just had been burned too many times before and I was speaking from my heart. That is what I will continue to do.
I know that no other single person likes the teams I support. I know that Irish Mike, D-Lib and J-Will don't care about the Mets or Devils. I know The Crappy One or my BU boys don't care about the Sounders or soccer. But I do know that they all care about sports. And I know that you all feel the same way when your teams losing in a heartbreaking fashion.
So I'm gonna keep on going until it gets old. Hopefully you keep on reading. As always, let me know if their is anything you would like to see done differently.
Before I go, here is my Year 1 Man Crush List.
1. Osvaldo Alonso
2. David Wright
3. Clint Dempsey
4. Mike Muscala
5. RA Dickey
Others in contention are Ike Davis, Fredy Montero, Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, Brook Lopez and Blake Griffin.
So here we are, 12 months later. Readership is not exactly what I had envisioned, but at the same time, it's not as bad as it could be. I have fought often as to whether I want to continue. I mean, if only a few people consistently read, is it worth it? The answer: Of course it is. The fact is that JS is a huge part of my life. Every night after The Incident goes to bed, I work out, blog and then go to bed. There are so many things I could be doing with the only free hour of my day and yet I write. I'm not sure what it is, but I just enjoy doing this.
So once again, thanks to all my readers. Thanks to the guys I hear from the most - Irish Mike, J-Will, The C'rappy One and D-Lib. I hope you guys continue reading and letting me know when you think I'm an idiot. And major thanks to The Crappy One for adding some amazing Devils content to the site. More than anything I am happy that I get to read about my favorite hockey team in ways that other sites simply can't provide.
So where to now? Well, one year ago I was writing on the possibility of the Mets promoting Ike Davis. I said that I wanted him to be brought up only if he was ready; that if he was brought up early and didn't have the moxie to succeed in NY then we would be ruining him. Of course it was a catch-22 since we would never know if he was ready if he wasn't brought up. Fast forward one year and Ike is now one of the foundation's of this team. I don't think I was necessarily wrong. I just had been burned too many times before and I was speaking from my heart. That is what I will continue to do.
I know that no other single person likes the teams I support. I know that Irish Mike, D-Lib and J-Will don't care about the Mets or Devils. I know The Crappy One or my BU boys don't care about the Sounders or soccer. But I do know that they all care about sports. And I know that you all feel the same way when your teams losing in a heartbreaking fashion.
So I'm gonna keep on going until it gets old. Hopefully you keep on reading. As always, let me know if their is anything you would like to see done differently.
Before I go, here is my Year 1 Man Crush List.
1. Osvaldo Alonso
2. David Wright
3. Clint Dempsey
4. Mike Muscala
5. RA Dickey
Others in contention are Ike Davis, Fredy Montero, Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, Brook Lopez and Blake Griffin.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Obscure Sports Friday, Vol 1
Tomorrow morning I head for San Fran for a few days so I'm not sure if I will be able to post anything until I return. To keep you interested while I'm gone, I decided to start a new segment that pays homage to my roots, called Obscure Sports Friday. Every so often I plan on taking the opportunity to fill you in on some of the sports you might not be following. So without further adieu, let's get to it.
-The Arena Football League is five weeks into their 2011 season. Since coming back last year after a years hiatus, the AFL is as strong as ever. This year they have added one new team - the Pittsburgh Power and have brought back four former franchises - the Philly Soul, New Orleans VooDoo, San Jose Sabercats and Kansas City Brigade. Last year I started the process of picking an AFL team to support, but I never finished that search. It is something I hope to finally do this year. As for an update, the Cleveland Gladiators (led by QB Aaron Garcia and the bastard stepchild of the New Jersey Red Dogs) and the Arizona Rattlers are the only two undefeated teams. The reigning champion Spokane Shock are in last place at 1-3.
-The Bucknell men's lacrosse team is ranked 12th in the nation and undefeated in the Patriot League. After rallying past Lehigh tonight (down 7-1, won 12-11), they have set up the match of the year against 16th ranked Colgate, who are also undefeated in the league. If we can get past the Red Raiders, I think an at-large big to the NCAA Championship has to be a given, even if they don't win the league tournament. I mean, I don't know much, but at 13-3, how can they stay home?
-Adding to the list of sucky Seattle sports teams, the Seattle Thunderbirds finished in last place in the Western division of the Western Hockey League. The rival Everett Silvertips finished in 8th place and promptly got swept by the Portland Winterhawks in the first round of the playoffs. The state of Washington will be represented in the Western Conference, however, as the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans face off in the semi-finals.
-Northampton Town FC have now gone 15 league games without a win. The Cobblers sit only two points out of the relegation zone in League Two, a league they have never been lower than. All is not lost though as they do have a fixture against the last place team before the end of the season. With only 5 games left though they need some results to stay safe.
-The WNBA Draft occurred this week. Courtney Vandersloot of Kentwood High School and Gonzaga University was selected third overall to the Chicago Sky. She is said to be the best point guard to enter the league since Sue Bird. Liz Cambage, the 18 year old Aussie sensation went one spot ahead of her at #2. Cambage and newly signed 40-year old Sheryl Swoops certainly make an interesting pair.
-Did you know that the National Lacrosse League has a tv deal with versus? Did you also know that the Washington Stealth are the defending champs? Finally, did you know that they are the most exciting team in the league? They have scored the most goals in the league and have the two two leading scorers. They have also given up the second most goals in the league, meaning that there games are going to be high-scoring affairs. The Stealth roster is made up of mostly Canadians, but they do have a 24 year old from Kinnalon, NJ, a town 5 minutes from my grandparents.
-The North Sound SeaWolves are entering their first season in the USL Premier Development League. They are playing their home games in Everett and recently released their jerseys. Last year I was into the Kitsap Pumas because I didn't like the Seattle Wolves or Tacoma Tide (and I thought taking a ferry to Bremerton to watch a game was cool), but I'm glad to have a team in my immediate backyard. They won't have an easy go at it however, as they in the same division as the defending champs Portland Timbers U-23 and the Pumas (who won the division in 2009). You can get season tickets (8 games) for $50.
-The Tacoma Rainiers opened up newly renovated Cheney Stadium tonight. The original stadium was built in 1950. That's all I got.
-Finally, the United Football League is currently conducting off-season training camps. The league currently has 5 teams and is quietly hoping that an NFL lockout will have a positive effect on their league. Let's quickly review the teams. The Hartford Colonials are coached by former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville and have Josh McCown at QB. The Sacramento Mountain Lions are coached by Dennis Green and led by Daunte Culpeper under center. The Las Vegas Locomotives and Virginia Destroyers don't have many players of note, but are coached by Jim Fassel and Marty Schottenheimer. And finally, the Omaha Nighthawks have Maurice Clarett and former Georgia QB DJ Shockley on their roster. In the most intriguing development, former Heisman Winner Eric Crouch was seen at try-outs. The season starts in September.
If you have any sports you would like me to follow, please let me know about it. I am happy to feature it on Obscure Sports Friday.
-The Arena Football League is five weeks into their 2011 season. Since coming back last year after a years hiatus, the AFL is as strong as ever. This year they have added one new team - the Pittsburgh Power and have brought back four former franchises - the Philly Soul, New Orleans VooDoo, San Jose Sabercats and Kansas City Brigade. Last year I started the process of picking an AFL team to support, but I never finished that search. It is something I hope to finally do this year. As for an update, the Cleveland Gladiators (led by QB Aaron Garcia and the bastard stepchild of the New Jersey Red Dogs) and the Arizona Rattlers are the only two undefeated teams. The reigning champion Spokane Shock are in last place at 1-3.
-The Bucknell men's lacrosse team is ranked 12th in the nation and undefeated in the Patriot League. After rallying past Lehigh tonight (down 7-1, won 12-11), they have set up the match of the year against 16th ranked Colgate, who are also undefeated in the league. If we can get past the Red Raiders, I think an at-large big to the NCAA Championship has to be a given, even if they don't win the league tournament. I mean, I don't know much, but at 13-3, how can they stay home?
-Adding to the list of sucky Seattle sports teams, the Seattle Thunderbirds finished in last place in the Western division of the Western Hockey League. The rival Everett Silvertips finished in 8th place and promptly got swept by the Portland Winterhawks in the first round of the playoffs. The state of Washington will be represented in the Western Conference, however, as the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans face off in the semi-finals.
-Northampton Town FC have now gone 15 league games without a win. The Cobblers sit only two points out of the relegation zone in League Two, a league they have never been lower than. All is not lost though as they do have a fixture against the last place team before the end of the season. With only 5 games left though they need some results to stay safe.
-The WNBA Draft occurred this week. Courtney Vandersloot of Kentwood High School and Gonzaga University was selected third overall to the Chicago Sky. She is said to be the best point guard to enter the league since Sue Bird. Liz Cambage, the 18 year old Aussie sensation went one spot ahead of her at #2. Cambage and newly signed 40-year old Sheryl Swoops certainly make an interesting pair.
-Did you know that the National Lacrosse League has a tv deal with versus? Did you also know that the Washington Stealth are the defending champs? Finally, did you know that they are the most exciting team in the league? They have scored the most goals in the league and have the two two leading scorers. They have also given up the second most goals in the league, meaning that there games are going to be high-scoring affairs. The Stealth roster is made up of mostly Canadians, but they do have a 24 year old from Kinnalon, NJ, a town 5 minutes from my grandparents.
-The North Sound SeaWolves are entering their first season in the USL Premier Development League. They are playing their home games in Everett and recently released their jerseys. Last year I was into the Kitsap Pumas because I didn't like the Seattle Wolves or Tacoma Tide (and I thought taking a ferry to Bremerton to watch a game was cool), but I'm glad to have a team in my immediate backyard. They won't have an easy go at it however, as they in the same division as the defending champs Portland Timbers U-23 and the Pumas (who won the division in 2009). You can get season tickets (8 games) for $50.
-The Tacoma Rainiers opened up newly renovated Cheney Stadium tonight. The original stadium was built in 1950. That's all I got.
-Finally, the United Football League is currently conducting off-season training camps. The league currently has 5 teams and is quietly hoping that an NFL lockout will have a positive effect on their league. Let's quickly review the teams. The Hartford Colonials are coached by former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville and have Josh McCown at QB. The Sacramento Mountain Lions are coached by Dennis Green and led by Daunte Culpeper under center. The Las Vegas Locomotives and Virginia Destroyers don't have many players of note, but are coached by Jim Fassel and Marty Schottenheimer. And finally, the Omaha Nighthawks have Maurice Clarett and former Georgia QB DJ Shockley on their roster. In the most intriguing development, former Heisman Winner Eric Crouch was seen at try-outs. The season starts in September.
If you have any sports you would like me to follow, please let me know about it. I am happy to feature it on Obscure Sports Friday.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday Brain Dump
I got a lot of small things on my mind - none enough to write an entire blog post on. So I am going to dump them on you all at once. Call it a 5-Pack Lite
- The TNT cameras caught Kobe Bryant using a homophobic slur to a referee. As you can imagine, it is a big story...and it should be. Look,you are naive to think that professional athletes don't use terms like this on a daily basis. It is what alpha-males do. But that in no way makes its acceptable. If we ever want to exterminate hate from our culture we need to start small and work our way up. Kids idolize Kobe. If such a word is ok for him, then it must be ok for them. It might be a small thing but it has legs. It will spread.
- The tragedy at Dodgers Stadium last week is completely unacceptable and frankly a little scary. I have seen fights at many games but never have I felt scared that one of the combatants was going to be seriously hurt. We can all hope this is simply an isolated incident and not the start of something worse.T
- he NBA announced that LeBron's jersey was the top seller for the 2010-11 year. How interesting is that? Seriously. I thought everyone was supposed to hate him? Is he actually becoming trendy?
- I watched Sports Show with Norm MacDonald on Tuesday night. Unlike Sports Soup or Sportsdome, this was actually funny. I also heard Norm on the BS Report and was laughing the whole time. Many say he is an acquired taste - luckily he satisfies my tastebuds
- Thanks to two easy quarterfinal wins, Barcelona and Real Madrid are scheduled to meet four times in the next 18 days. First its league play. Then Copa del Rey. And finally two Champions League tilts. The thought of it all has every soccer fan salivating.
- I heard someone call the 76ers 'America's Team' because they play the Heat in the 1st Round. Let me be clear: never ever ever should a Philly team be embraced. Period. On top of that, why would anyone want them to win? I know there is a lot of hatred towards the Heat, but don't we want to see Heat-Celtics in the second round??
- The Portland Timbers play their MLS home opener tonight. If you go to there website and check out the virtual tour of the stadium, you will be treated to an interesting site: a picture of the scoreboard with the Timbers beating the Sounders 4-0. I mean, wow. I think we should be honored that beating us means that much to them.
- Here's a secret not many know. I know a lot about the WNBA. In going to Minnesota, Maya Moore has suddenly made the Lynx a title contender. Combined with Lindsey Whalen, Simone Augustus and Candace Wiggins they are going to be damn good. Watch out Storm.
- This season's final episodes of The Office are quietly upon us. As we know, Michael Scott is leaving and NBC is doing a fine job of ramping up speculation as to his replacement by bringing in Will Farrell, Will Arnett, Ricky Gervais, James Spader and Ray Romano for guest appearances. I wonder though if the best choice is to promote Jim. It probably won't happen since they previously put him in charge for a few days, but I think this would continue the Jim-Dwight rivalry as Jim would be Dwight's boss but Dwight would own the building. It might not be sexy as bringing someone else in, but it might work.
- I said I wouldn't watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs and I lied. I am totally intrigued by this Vancouver-Chicago series. I watched the third period last night and absolutely loved the intensity.
- The Mets are straight up bad right now. I promised my friends that I was not going to jump ship so early, but their play is soooo reminiscent of the past two year. It is hard not to be down on them (hey, at least Reyes is playing well and Beltran is playing!).
- So far so good with my fantasy team. Jared Weaver and Troy Tulowitski have been absolute studs. I hope they can keep it up.
- I just can't stand John Tortorella. He is the perfect coach for the highly unlikeable Rangers.
- An all-time low attendance of 12,40 for the Mariners game yesterday. I hate to say it, but I think that is only the start. Look, this team is bad. The only things they have going for them are Felix Hernandez and Ichiro. The MLB season is way to long and in a poor economy, an underachieving team is going to struggle to draw. Add in that this is Seattle and their are going to be a lot of empty seats.
- Look for a new weekly segment I call Obscure Sports Weekly in the next few days. It is dedicated to my boy Gorman and should help me get back to my roots.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Getting Izzy With It
My plan for the morning was to come in early, sit down and write how awesome it was to have one of my favorite Mets, Jason Isringhausen back in Flushing. This current Mets team is in all likelihood already done challenging for first place. In a place like New York, that is not a good thing. Mets fans need something to help keep our spirits up. Enter Izzy, the one-time Mets phenom to help with a stroll down memory lane.
I intended to talk about how great it is that he is back and then I remembered something: I am the same guy who killed the M's for bringing back Ken Griffey Jr. To be clear, I thought bringing him back in 2009 was perfectly fine. The M's weren't good and Griffey would sell tickets. It would also help mend some wounds over how he left the city ten years earlier. When he got carried off the field in his last game, that should have been it. Yet the M's decided to re-sign him for another year rather than giving that spot to the M's. They had they Griffey retirement tour once- they need to cut bait and give the spot to someone younger who could have helped them in the future.
We all know how it ended - Griffey caught in controversy about sleeping in the dugout and openly feuding with manager Don Wakamtsu he retired without warning in June. It was definitely a sad ending, but one that was needed.
So how then is this situation any different? What is Izzy bringing to this team that Griffey didn't? My initial reaction: Not much. I truly believe that both players came back to their original teams because they wanted another shot at playing baseball. While Griffey had played in 140+ games the year before signing with the M's, he clearly was not the same player he once was. It was highly unlikely that any other team would have given him a shot. Izzy on the other hand had been out of baseball since arm surgery in 2009. It was also unlikely that any other team would have given him a shot.
Ok, so if they both bring the same thing to the table, what makes these situations different? It's a good question. Ultimately I think it comes down to this: while neither team is going anywhere, Izzy has the chance to actually help the Mets win some games. If Izzy pitches 2/3 inning every three days then he is having a larger impact on the team than Griffey did pinch-hitting every other day. The fact is that a washed up veteran can have some impact in the bullpen. Whereas Griffey might get 1 punch hit every 5 at bats, which in real life may equate to one hit every week. Meanwhile, Izzy will be pitching 3 times a week, most often in close ball games.
Izzy probably can't go longer than an inning at a time. He is old and totally injury prone. I doubt he will last the entire season. But he is experienced and not only can help win a game here and there with his arm, but he can hopefully help the likes of Bobby Parnell, a hard-throwing reliever who could definitely use some mentoring.
So there you go. I just defended how this situation is different than Griffey's. I am impressed because it was a quick turnaround.
Fact is, Izzy has always meant a lot to me. I'm a Mets fan. I bleed blue and orange. I normally don't follow one time Mets after they leave the team. I mean, if you're not with us, you're against us. Yet Izzy was always one guy I openly rooted (Piazza the other) for when he was in Oakland and St Louis. Maybe it was because I was 15 at the time, but his 9-2 record and 2.81 ERA in 1995 was the start of something amazing. Combined with Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson, Generation K (who appeared the front of all NY newspapers and magazines), was bound to lead the Mets revival. It never happened in large part to Izzy's arm injury in 1997 and the general suckiness of Wilson and Pulsipher, but I still feel the same way about him today as I did back then. I simply love the guy. In a year that is bound to be full of lowlights, I personally am glad to have him back in Flushing.
I intended to talk about how great it is that he is back and then I remembered something: I am the same guy who killed the M's for bringing back Ken Griffey Jr. To be clear, I thought bringing him back in 2009 was perfectly fine. The M's weren't good and Griffey would sell tickets. It would also help mend some wounds over how he left the city ten years earlier. When he got carried off the field in his last game, that should have been it. Yet the M's decided to re-sign him for another year rather than giving that spot to the M's. They had they Griffey retirement tour once- they need to cut bait and give the spot to someone younger who could have helped them in the future.
We all know how it ended - Griffey caught in controversy about sleeping in the dugout and openly feuding with manager Don Wakamtsu he retired without warning in June. It was definitely a sad ending, but one that was needed.
So how then is this situation any different? What is Izzy bringing to this team that Griffey didn't? My initial reaction: Not much. I truly believe that both players came back to their original teams because they wanted another shot at playing baseball. While Griffey had played in 140+ games the year before signing with the M's, he clearly was not the same player he once was. It was highly unlikely that any other team would have given him a shot. Izzy on the other hand had been out of baseball since arm surgery in 2009. It was also unlikely that any other team would have given him a shot.
Ok, so if they both bring the same thing to the table, what makes these situations different? It's a good question. Ultimately I think it comes down to this: while neither team is going anywhere, Izzy has the chance to actually help the Mets win some games. If Izzy pitches 2/3 inning every three days then he is having a larger impact on the team than Griffey did pinch-hitting every other day. The fact is that a washed up veteran can have some impact in the bullpen. Whereas Griffey might get 1 punch hit every 5 at bats, which in real life may equate to one hit every week. Meanwhile, Izzy will be pitching 3 times a week, most often in close ball games.
Izzy probably can't go longer than an inning at a time. He is old and totally injury prone. I doubt he will last the entire season. But he is experienced and not only can help win a game here and there with his arm, but he can hopefully help the likes of Bobby Parnell, a hard-throwing reliever who could definitely use some mentoring.
So there you go. I just defended how this situation is different than Griffey's. I am impressed because it was a quick turnaround.
Fact is, Izzy has always meant a lot to me. I'm a Mets fan. I bleed blue and orange. I normally don't follow one time Mets after they leave the team. I mean, if you're not with us, you're against us. Yet Izzy was always one guy I openly rooted (Piazza the other) for when he was in Oakland and St Louis. Maybe it was because I was 15 at the time, but his 9-2 record and 2.81 ERA in 1995 was the start of something amazing. Combined with Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson, Generation K (who appeared the front of all NY newspapers and magazines), was bound to lead the Mets revival. It never happened in large part to Izzy's arm injury in 1997 and the general suckiness of Wilson and Pulsipher, but I still feel the same way about him today as I did back then. I simply love the guy. In a year that is bound to be full of lowlights, I personally am glad to have him back in Flushing.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Will the Real Brookie Monster Please Stand Up
Wait, so let me get this straight. The Nets traded for one of the 15 best players in the NBA and suddenly are worse than they were last year. It seems crazy to think that the team that started last night against the Bobcats might actually be worthy of being called the worst in the NBA. You see, after the Nets traded for Deron Williams, they found out that he had just injured his wrist. Even though he gave them 12 games, he clearly was not himself. Yes he averaged a career high 12.8 assists/game, but he couldn't shoot worth a damn. Realizing they had nothing to gain by playing him down the stretch, the shut him down and he had wrist surgery. A few days later the injury bug started to hit the rest of the team. Kris Humphries. Anthony Morrow. Damion James. Sundiata Gaines.
So that left us with the atrocity that we saw last night - Brooke Lopez, Dan Gadzuric, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Stephen Graham. On the bench were Brandon Wright (not really sure why - I mean, isn't this the perfect time for an underachieving guy once thought good enough to be the 8th pick to get some playing time? Avery, what do you have to lose?), Travis Outlaw (Avery, thank you for finally realizing how terrible this guy is...), Johan Petro (another terrible signing) and rookie Ben Uzoh.
Naturally they lost. Funny thing is that again Brook Lopez had a monster game. Reason I say it's funny is because he was a zombie the first half of the season (19.5 points, 5.8 boards), a slightly better version of his past self once D-Will came over (20.1 points, 6.2 boards including 4 double-doubles) and an absolute stud (32.4 points, 7 boards) once everyone else was gone. It is definitely something that needs to be addressed in the off-season. Was it that Lopez was still recovering from the off-season mono in the early part of the season? Was it that it took him half a season to come to grips with Avery as his coach? Or did he simply hate playing with Devin Harris? And what about once D-Will got injured? Was it that Lopez was awaken from his slumber or did not having Humphries on the floor free him up? People talk about his lack of rebounding this year and some have suggested that he is actually afraid of the borderline out of control Humphries. Could he be a great player on a bad team and not a good player on a decent team? What is up with the Brookie monster?
Personally, I think it might be a combo of everything. I think early season he may have still been sick. I think the 12 win season of a year ago was rock bottom, but when presented with playing for Avery and with Harris for another year, it depressed him. I don't think he hated Harris, but the effect D-Will had on him and the terrible play of Harris after the trade are definitely noticeable. And I think having Humphries on the floor was an adjustment. I think he didn't know how to play with him, which is a shame because a rebounding presence like Humphries theoretically should have freed Lopez up more.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the off-season. are we going to re-sign Humphries? are we going to look elsewhere? Will D-Will decide to stay in Jersey/Brooklyn. Can Isaiah come back with the Knicks and be tricked into taking Outlaw and/or Morrow? Whatever happens, the Nets need to know that D-Will AND Lopez are their current and possible future foundation. They need to make sure Lopez is on board with the plan for the team. They need to make sure he is the player we once thought would be a top-2 center in this league rather than the worse of the two twins. Come on, Brook. We need you next year.
So that left us with the atrocity that we saw last night - Brooke Lopez, Dan Gadzuric, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Stephen Graham. On the bench were Brandon Wright (not really sure why - I mean, isn't this the perfect time for an underachieving guy once thought good enough to be the 8th pick to get some playing time? Avery, what do you have to lose?), Travis Outlaw (Avery, thank you for finally realizing how terrible this guy is...), Johan Petro (another terrible signing) and rookie Ben Uzoh.
Naturally they lost. Funny thing is that again Brook Lopez had a monster game. Reason I say it's funny is because he was a zombie the first half of the season (19.5 points, 5.8 boards), a slightly better version of his past self once D-Will came over (20.1 points, 6.2 boards including 4 double-doubles) and an absolute stud (32.4 points, 7 boards) once everyone else was gone. It is definitely something that needs to be addressed in the off-season. Was it that Lopez was still recovering from the off-season mono in the early part of the season? Was it that it took him half a season to come to grips with Avery as his coach? Or did he simply hate playing with Devin Harris? And what about once D-Will got injured? Was it that Lopez was awaken from his slumber or did not having Humphries on the floor free him up? People talk about his lack of rebounding this year and some have suggested that he is actually afraid of the borderline out of control Humphries. Could he be a great player on a bad team and not a good player on a decent team? What is up with the Brookie monster?
Personally, I think it might be a combo of everything. I think early season he may have still been sick. I think the 12 win season of a year ago was rock bottom, but when presented with playing for Avery and with Harris for another year, it depressed him. I don't think he hated Harris, but the effect D-Will had on him and the terrible play of Harris after the trade are definitely noticeable. And I think having Humphries on the floor was an adjustment. I think he didn't know how to play with him, which is a shame because a rebounding presence like Humphries theoretically should have freed Lopez up more.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the off-season. are we going to re-sign Humphries? are we going to look elsewhere? Will D-Will decide to stay in Jersey/Brooklyn. Can Isaiah come back with the Knicks and be tricked into taking Outlaw and/or Morrow? Whatever happens, the Nets need to know that D-Will AND Lopez are their current and possible future foundation. They need to make sure Lopez is on board with the plan for the team. They need to make sure he is the player we once thought would be a top-2 center in this league rather than the worse of the two twins. Come on, Brook. We need you next year.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Hate the Rangers
A season of unexpected twists and turns is almost at an end. The Devils are not making the playoffs for the first time since 1996. On the second to last day of the season they had the opportunity to put a little misery on the Rangers - all they needed was to beat NY at MSG and hope that Carolina beat Tampa Bay. The Bluseshirts would then be joining the Devils on the outside looking in. It wouldn't replace the feeling of not making the playoffs, but damn it would have been a nice consolation prize. Well, Ilya Kovalchuk scored two goals in the first and the Devs led 2-1 with 40 minutes left. Then the shit hit the fan. John Tortorella must have really had an amazing intermission speech...the Rangers came out and scored 4 goals and won 5-2.
It was a fitting way to end the regular season of ups and downs. I won't be watching any playoff hockey unless the Flyers and Rangers both lose. I can handle nontraditional markets like Carolina or Tampa Bay. I can handle those stupid Penguins. But come on, in a crappy season there is no way Philly or New York can win. I mean it can't happen, right? Right? Ugggh. I hate the Rangers.
It was a fitting way to end the regular season of ups and downs. I won't be watching any playoff hockey unless the Flyers and Rangers both lose. I can handle nontraditional markets like Carolina or Tampa Bay. I can handle those stupid Penguins. But come on, in a crappy season there is no way Philly or New York can win. I mean it can't happen, right? Right? Ugggh. I hate the Rangers.
Instant (Over)Reaction: Chicago
So this is what winning feels like, huh? I gotta say that I am a big fan of it. Add in the beautiful weather and a few beers and it was a good day at Qwest on Saturday. Let's get to my thoughts on the game.
- First, let's discuss O'Brien White. The guy continues to underwhelm at times (come on OB, don't get pushed of the ball so easily), but he has 2 goals and 2 assists in the past two games. I feel like he is quickly becoming Nate Jaqua v2 - you know, a guy who can get you 6-10 goals a year but who the fans are always on to do more. I've been trying to watch him closely and I think I like what I see but will give him a few more games to really sway my opinion of him.
- Two guys who I am not reserving judgement on are Mauro Rosales and Erik Friberg. I really like these guys and think it will be interesting to see how the are used once Montero comes back. There are naturally those fans who will say that the Sounders are better off without him but they are crazy. The hard part will be how to mesh all the parts together - someone will have to go to the bench (and join El Flaco). Anyways, Rosales really is earning the #10 jersey and has some great crosses. Friberg is ubercalm on the ball and is the yin to Morales yang. I'm just enjoying them.
- There is something wrong with the defense right now. Every week there is a Keystone Kops moment - this week when Parke and Riley ran into each other on the Fire goal. I'm not overly concerned at the moment as I think they are simply suffering from some growing pains. Last year Ianni and Parke formed a great partnership and with the introduction of Hurtado back into the fray. I think they will work it out - or at least hope they will.
- Kasey Keller was simply amazing tonight. I was starting to think that he was on the decline, but wow...amazing tonight. Now he won't be able to sustain that every night, but every once in a while he can steal a game.
- For the second straight game they gave up a quick goal after scoring one of their own. In San Jose it was within 5 minutes - today it was less than a minute. It is certaintly a troubling trend and one that shows how mentally fragile the team is. Maybe it's the slow start. Maybe it's the new faces. Or maybe they are all headcases...I don't know. But what I do know is that we have get better in this area if we want to compete.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Three Crazy Goals
Continuing my I Love Soccer theme, I wanted to pass along the following three links, each which show an unusual goal.
1. Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan blasts a volley from midfield in the opening minute against Schalke. The goal is spectacular (I would go as far as to say one of the best five I have ever seen) and it occurs in the UEFA Champions league Quarterfinals, which makes it even more impressive.
2. Some dude named Joonas Jokinen scored a PK that would earn him a spikes-up tackle if he ever did this to my team.
3. Eric Hassli of Vancouver scores on a PK and then is immediately sent off. Why? Well, he forgot that taking off your shirt after scoring a goal is an automatic yellow card - and he was already sitting on a yellow from earlier in the match. He claims he didn't know it was a rule even though a teammate was carded for the same offense earlier in the season. My take - one of the stupidest rules in sports, but a rule none the less. He is getting paid DP money and needs to stay on the field. He has to know the rules. It was simply a stupid decision on his part (also, why wear two jerseys if this wasn't planned?). Oh, did I mention Vancouver already was down to 10 men?
1. Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan blasts a volley from midfield in the opening minute against Schalke. The goal is spectacular (I would go as far as to say one of the best five I have ever seen) and it occurs in the UEFA Champions league Quarterfinals, which makes it even more impressive.
2. Some dude named Joonas Jokinen scored a PK that would earn him a spikes-up tackle if he ever did this to my team.
3. Eric Hassli of Vancouver scores on a PK and then is immediately sent off. Why? Well, he forgot that taking off your shirt after scoring a goal is an automatic yellow card - and he was already sitting on a yellow from earlier in the match. He claims he didn't know it was a rule even though a teammate was carded for the same offense earlier in the season. My take - one of the stupidest rules in sports, but a rule none the less. He is getting paid DP money and needs to stay on the field. He has to know the rules. It was simply a stupid decision on his part (also, why wear two jerseys if this wasn't planned?). Oh, did I mention Vancouver already was down to 10 men?
RSL is Good for MLS
This past Tuesday, Real Salt Lake lost 2-1 to Costa Rican powerhouse Saprissa in a CONCACAF Champions League match. However, because of their 2-0 win at home the week before, they took the two-leg series 3-2 on aggregate. As a result, they qualified for the CCL final against Monterrey of Mexico. For those unfamiliar with Champions League and club soccer in general, professional soccer teams just don't compete in one league like all American sports do. They not only play in their domestic league, but they simultaneously compete in domestic knockout tournaments as well as international competitions like Champions League (which includes the best teams from the region). For European teams, winning domestic leagues is nice, but winning the UEFA Champions League is the ultimate goal because it means you are the best team on your continent (which for all you geography majors is indeed bigger than a country).
Even though it is less prestigious than the UEFA version, the CONCACAF region (North America, Central America, Caribbean) has their own Champions League. The competition has been ongoing in one form or another since 1962 and in that time only two American teams - DC United in 1998 and LA in 2000 - have ever won. By virtue of their win over Saprissa, Real Salt Lake now has the opportunity to be the third American team to win the competition.
Leaving it at just that would be a huge disservice to RSL though. The fact is that while the CCL has been around since 1962, all the former tournaments included 8 or fewer teams and were played under knockout rules. It wasn't until 2008 that CONCACAF adopted a group stage and expanded to 24 teams. Under this format 2 US teams are guaranteed spots in the Final 16, while 2 additional teams have to earn their way in through a play-in game (Seattle earned their birth by winning a home and home series against Isidro Metapan of El Salvador). In the first two years of play, MLS teams advanced no further than the 1st round of the knockout phase...in fact, 3 of the 4 teams that had play-in games lost (and lost to inferior competition from Trinidad & Tobago and Panama). Of the five teams to make it to the group stage, only two made it out of their group -in all American MLS teams had a pedestrian 9-9-12 record in the group stage. To make things worse, in 2008-09 Puerto Rico, a USL team actually made it to the Semi's.
The profile and reputation of MLS continues to grow every year, but it has yet to reach the level where we can compete with the region's best. It always annoys me when EuroSnobs put down MLS and compare it to lower level English leagues, but the fact is that they can. MLS has not shown that it can compete with European leagues, let alone the Mexican League. Now I have no doubt that in a vacuum we can compete with Mexican teams - the problem I see right now is one of logistics. The MLS season runs March-October while the Mexican league runs August-May meaning that when pitted against each other, the teams are never both at their best. This may seem like an excuse, but I think it is a viable one when it comes to friendlies.
Now Champions League is a little different in that the group stage actually runs from July-October meaning that MLS has no excuse when it comes to their form. They are mid-season and should have no problem advancing - and yet we don't have the best success of getting out of the group stage. I think this is a result of small rosters and a general lack of respect for the competition itself. Simply put, MLS teams care about winning MLS Cup and not some international competition that its fans don't understand.
In the 2010-2011 competition, both Columbus and Salt Lake advanced out of the group stage (Seattle was woeful in finishing 0-5-1) and by virtue of playing each other in the knockout phase, one was assured of making it to the Semi's. That game was played in February, right before training camp started. To say that MLS was lucky would be fair - after all, the Mexican teams would be mid-season and in form. We probably would not have gotten pass them. Salt Lake beat Columbus and then took down the Purple Dragons of Saprissa. They may not have won at Saprissa Stadium, but they got the result they needed. They showed poise that other MLS teams have been unable to sustain in the past.
Now they have a shot at gaining MLS some respect. Beating powerhouse Monterrey, a club that is undefeated in CCL, would be a HUGE win for MLS. Their is this stigma that American teams can't win in Mexico. It starts at the National Team level (where the US is 0-22-1 lifetime) and goes all down the ranks. If RSL can get a result it might just be the tipping point. Future teams might not be afraid of Mexico...they finally might be willing to stand up and take down the bully.
I will be openly rooting for Salt Lake. They are not my team but for one competition I will support them for the good of the league. Simply put, if RSL wins, MLS wins. Dave Clark at SounderatHeart recently asked if we were RSL fans for one night. I think the answer is an overwhelming Yes unless you are a Colorado Rapids supporter. I originally thought I would ask my cousin Jason at View From the Couch if he was in agreement, but I realized that it would be a silly exercise. There is no way he would root for Fake Salt Lake (as he and many other Rapids' supporters call them), the same way that there is no way I would root for Portland if they were in the CCL Final. In that situation, having an MLS team win CCL would be a bad thing - I mean, do you really want Portland as the face of MLS??? Uggh. Makes me want to vomit.
Ok, I quickly got off topic there. Bottom line is this: I have no problem with RSL so I am supporting them in the CCL Final. If they can pull off the win, it would be a huge accomplishment and one that really should be hailed. Beating Monterrey won't be easy though - they have a major obstacle in their way.
Even though it is less prestigious than the UEFA version, the CONCACAF region (North America, Central America, Caribbean) has their own Champions League. The competition has been ongoing in one form or another since 1962 and in that time only two American teams - DC United in 1998 and LA in 2000 - have ever won. By virtue of their win over Saprissa, Real Salt Lake now has the opportunity to be the third American team to win the competition.
Leaving it at just that would be a huge disservice to RSL though. The fact is that while the CCL has been around since 1962, all the former tournaments included 8 or fewer teams and were played under knockout rules. It wasn't until 2008 that CONCACAF adopted a group stage and expanded to 24 teams. Under this format 2 US teams are guaranteed spots in the Final 16, while 2 additional teams have to earn their way in through a play-in game (Seattle earned their birth by winning a home and home series against Isidro Metapan of El Salvador). In the first two years of play, MLS teams advanced no further than the 1st round of the knockout phase...in fact, 3 of the 4 teams that had play-in games lost (and lost to inferior competition from Trinidad & Tobago and Panama). Of the five teams to make it to the group stage, only two made it out of their group -in all American MLS teams had a pedestrian 9-9-12 record in the group stage. To make things worse, in 2008-09 Puerto Rico, a USL team actually made it to the Semi's.
The profile and reputation of MLS continues to grow every year, but it has yet to reach the level where we can compete with the region's best. It always annoys me when EuroSnobs put down MLS and compare it to lower level English leagues, but the fact is that they can. MLS has not shown that it can compete with European leagues, let alone the Mexican League. Now I have no doubt that in a vacuum we can compete with Mexican teams - the problem I see right now is one of logistics. The MLS season runs March-October while the Mexican league runs August-May meaning that when pitted against each other, the teams are never both at their best. This may seem like an excuse, but I think it is a viable one when it comes to friendlies.
Now Champions League is a little different in that the group stage actually runs from July-October meaning that MLS has no excuse when it comes to their form. They are mid-season and should have no problem advancing - and yet we don't have the best success of getting out of the group stage. I think this is a result of small rosters and a general lack of respect for the competition itself. Simply put, MLS teams care about winning MLS Cup and not some international competition that its fans don't understand.
In the 2010-2011 competition, both Columbus and Salt Lake advanced out of the group stage (Seattle was woeful in finishing 0-5-1) and by virtue of playing each other in the knockout phase, one was assured of making it to the Semi's. That game was played in February, right before training camp started. To say that MLS was lucky would be fair - after all, the Mexican teams would be mid-season and in form. We probably would not have gotten pass them. Salt Lake beat Columbus and then took down the Purple Dragons of Saprissa. They may not have won at Saprissa Stadium, but they got the result they needed. They showed poise that other MLS teams have been unable to sustain in the past.
Now they have a shot at gaining MLS some respect. Beating powerhouse Monterrey, a club that is undefeated in CCL, would be a HUGE win for MLS. Their is this stigma that American teams can't win in Mexico. It starts at the National Team level (where the US is 0-22-1 lifetime) and goes all down the ranks. If RSL can get a result it might just be the tipping point. Future teams might not be afraid of Mexico...they finally might be willing to stand up and take down the bully.
I will be openly rooting for Salt Lake. They are not my team but for one competition I will support them for the good of the league. Simply put, if RSL wins, MLS wins. Dave Clark at SounderatHeart recently asked if we were RSL fans for one night. I think the answer is an overwhelming Yes unless you are a Colorado Rapids supporter. I originally thought I would ask my cousin Jason at View From the Couch if he was in agreement, but I realized that it would be a silly exercise. There is no way he would root for Fake Salt Lake (as he and many other Rapids' supporters call them), the same way that there is no way I would root for Portland if they were in the CCL Final. In that situation, having an MLS team win CCL would be a bad thing - I mean, do you really want Portland as the face of MLS??? Uggh. Makes me want to vomit.
Ok, I quickly got off topic there. Bottom line is this: I have no problem with RSL so I am supporting them in the CCL Final. If they can pull off the win, it would be a huge accomplishment and one that really should be hailed. Beating Monterrey won't be easy though - they have a major obstacle in their way.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Egg on Cashman's Face
In day old news, Yankees GM Brian Cashman had some interesting comments directed at the Mets in relation to former Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano. "He was abused," Cashman said. "It's a thin market when you're looking for lefties, and he's one of the better ones out there. But you don't typically go after a guy whose been used like that. The pattern was abusive."
Here's my take: 1. Using the word abusive is a little over the top. To me, 'abusive' is used to describe physical, mental or psychological harm directed at another human being with with bad intentions and no regard for consequences. If anything, the Mets overworked him, but for millions of dollars, there was no abuse. 2. It's not the Mets fault that the Yankees didn't catch this before signing him. I mean, don't they have team doctors and scouts who should know this stuff? I read Casman's quote as trying to place the blame on the Mets which clearly it is not. 3. Why are the Yankes piling on the Mets? What do they have to gain by making fun of their crosstown 'rivals?' They have nothing to gain. We are no threat to them. If anything it makes them look petty and vindictive.
Of course, the story doesn't end there. In response, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthem said, "he volunteered for the baseball every day, he was asked if he was able to pitch and he said yes every day and wanted to pitch more than we even pitched him." He also chimed in with what we are all thinking, "They didn't know that when they signed him?"
When asked about Cashman's comments Feliciano back away from the abuse saying, "I think at some points they just left me there with no reason. But I want to pitch. I want to be in there. That's what I like to do. And I think I was fine always. I never felt sore or anything. I always felt good." Clearly though he was bitter about the break-up with the Mets adding, "I feel hurt a little by that. I didn't sign with them because they offered me one year. But me and my agent, we wanted a multiyear. Two or more years and they just gave me one. That's why I'm not a Met right now...They said they didn't sign me because [they knew] I'm going to blow up this year."
While I don't understand what Cashman is trying to achieve, I don't have any problem with Feliciano saying what he did. The guy was always a professional and gave the Mets parts of 8 great years. Since becoming a mainstay on their roster in 2006, he averaged 60 innings a year over 82 games and had a 3.09 ERA. He was really one of the steadiest guys we had. And at 33 I'm sure he was hoping for a sign of appreciation for the work he put in. He was asking for a 2-year deal from the only team he had ever pitched for, a team that he had very important to. At the end of the day, the Mets made a business decision and let him walk. I would have liked to have him back as I'm sure most Mets fans would. However, this isn't about what our heart tells us - we need to make the right decision for the franchise.
Players robotically move from team to team all the time. They decide to take the big money rather than to take a discount to stay in a city where they are loved. It happens and as fans we get numb. So personally I am happy to see that Feliciano was hurt. Not that I wish him an ill will, but I like knowing that he cared. I like knowing that he is human and has feelings. So yeah, good for you Pedro....
Ok, so that is where my appreciation for him ends. A day after he was placed on the 15-day DL, Feliciano further added, "I will come out from this injury and I will be telling him there is still a lot of Feliciano to go...I will show him in the Subway Series when I strike out Ike Davis, and when I jump up and down on the mound I'll be like, 'That's for you.'" My issue is why he had to bring Ike into the conversation. What did Ike ever do to him? If he was looking to make a statement, why not go after the leader of the team, David Wright? That would have carried more weight.
Maybe he mentioned Ike's name because he knows Ike is a young player who is not as media-savvy as Wright. Maybe he was trying to start of a war of words. Well if that is the case, Ike didn't give him any satisfaction, saying that he would try not to strike out, but added that he did strike out 138 times last year so "it's not that tough of a feat." That's all -nothing more than that. (Although it would have been awesome if he furthered the joke by asking, "What about striking out Wright? He does it more than I do...")
Somehow I have to think that the Yankees got the worse of this. The Mets might be a joke, but we don't blame bad signings on other teams for how they used players. If we mess up, we mess up. There is no reason to blame others because fans don't care. We really don't. Just do your job and put a winning team out on the field. If you don't, then you failed...regardless of the reason. Cashman is simply trying to save face for a poor signing. He needs to get over it.
Here's my take: 1. Using the word abusive is a little over the top. To me, 'abusive' is used to describe physical, mental or psychological harm directed at another human being with with bad intentions and no regard for consequences. If anything, the Mets overworked him, but for millions of dollars, there was no abuse. 2. It's not the Mets fault that the Yankees didn't catch this before signing him. I mean, don't they have team doctors and scouts who should know this stuff? I read Casman's quote as trying to place the blame on the Mets which clearly it is not. 3. Why are the Yankes piling on the Mets? What do they have to gain by making fun of their crosstown 'rivals?' They have nothing to gain. We are no threat to them. If anything it makes them look petty and vindictive.
Of course, the story doesn't end there. In response, Mets pitching coach Dan Warthem said, "he volunteered for the baseball every day, he was asked if he was able to pitch and he said yes every day and wanted to pitch more than we even pitched him." He also chimed in with what we are all thinking, "They didn't know that when they signed him?"
When asked about Cashman's comments Feliciano back away from the abuse saying, "I think at some points they just left me there with no reason. But I want to pitch. I want to be in there. That's what I like to do. And I think I was fine always. I never felt sore or anything. I always felt good." Clearly though he was bitter about the break-up with the Mets adding, "I feel hurt a little by that. I didn't sign with them because they offered me one year. But me and my agent, we wanted a multiyear. Two or more years and they just gave me one. That's why I'm not a Met right now...They said they didn't sign me because [they knew] I'm going to blow up this year."
While I don't understand what Cashman is trying to achieve, I don't have any problem with Feliciano saying what he did. The guy was always a professional and gave the Mets parts of 8 great years. Since becoming a mainstay on their roster in 2006, he averaged 60 innings a year over 82 games and had a 3.09 ERA. He was really one of the steadiest guys we had. And at 33 I'm sure he was hoping for a sign of appreciation for the work he put in. He was asking for a 2-year deal from the only team he had ever pitched for, a team that he had very important to. At the end of the day, the Mets made a business decision and let him walk. I would have liked to have him back as I'm sure most Mets fans would. However, this isn't about what our heart tells us - we need to make the right decision for the franchise.
Players robotically move from team to team all the time. They decide to take the big money rather than to take a discount to stay in a city where they are loved. It happens and as fans we get numb. So personally I am happy to see that Feliciano was hurt. Not that I wish him an ill will, but I like knowing that he cared. I like knowing that he is human and has feelings. So yeah, good for you Pedro....
Ok, so that is where my appreciation for him ends. A day after he was placed on the 15-day DL, Feliciano further added, "I will come out from this injury and I will be telling him there is still a lot of Feliciano to go...I will show him in the Subway Series when I strike out Ike Davis, and when I jump up and down on the mound I'll be like, 'That's for you.'" My issue is why he had to bring Ike into the conversation. What did Ike ever do to him? If he was looking to make a statement, why not go after the leader of the team, David Wright? That would have carried more weight.
Maybe he mentioned Ike's name because he knows Ike is a young player who is not as media-savvy as Wright. Maybe he was trying to start of a war of words. Well if that is the case, Ike didn't give him any satisfaction, saying that he would try not to strike out, but added that he did strike out 138 times last year so "it's not that tough of a feat." That's all -nothing more than that. (Although it would have been awesome if he furthered the joke by asking, "What about striking out Wright? He does it more than I do...")
Somehow I have to think that the Yankees got the worse of this. The Mets might be a joke, but we don't blame bad signings on other teams for how they used players. If we mess up, we mess up. There is no reason to blame others because fans don't care. We really don't. Just do your job and put a winning team out on the field. If you don't, then you failed...regardless of the reason. Cashman is simply trying to save face for a poor signing. He needs to get over it.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I Love Soccer
So my boy Mike said I forgot to talk about the EPL since this was "squeaky bum" time. Well, little did he know, I actually was planning to write a little something. I don't have any in depth analysis of the EPL race or Champions League Quarterfinals, but I do know that I love soccer. It's not just that I love playing and watching the sport - on top of all of that, the sport has the best stories. I cannot make some of these up.
- First, let's talk Wayne Rooney. His formed dipped at the end of last season and he was totally ineffective at the World Cup. Why? Well, he was having some off the field problems in that he was caught with a lady of the night. Like all English controversies it eventually blew over, but he just wasn't himself at the start of this season. Slowly he worked himself back into the squad. He scored a wonder-goal against Man City and on Saturday scored a hat trick to help United come back for a 4-2 victory against West Ham. Then after celebrating his third goal, he looked into a camera and dropped the F bomb. He has since been suspended for 2 league games. I mean, where does this happen besides England?
- Next came the story that Arsenal, unhappy with their current keeper situation, decided to bring retired 41-year old keeper Jans Lehmann back to the team. After one week with the team it was reported that Lehmann is suing a German keeper 17k pounds (sorry, don't know how to get the English pound symbol) for saying that he belonged on the Muppet Show. I don't know what is crazier...that he is suing him for calling him a name on tv or the fact that it is for 17k pounds . I know that it is more appropraite than some of the million dollar libel suits you here about, but it just seems like a joke.
- Back to sex scandals, I'm sure you have all heard the story of how England captain and all around good guy, John Terry was stripped of the armband because he had sex with teammate Wayne Bridge's girlfriend. You simply don't do that to teammates - there is no way to ever gain their trust again. England skipper Fabio Capello did the corret thing in stripping him of the captaincy, but when Reo Ferdinand went down with an injury Capello gave Terry the armband back. He could have gone Wayne Rooney or maybe Lampard, but no. He went back to Terry. How does that?
- In news that is not scandalous, I looked at the EPL table yesterday and was mildly surpirsed that Liverpool and Everton were in 6th and 7th. I mean, Liverpool was down and out at the beginning of the year. Some talked about them being relegated (which at the time I said was flat out ridiculous and still feel that way) and yet here they are, one spot out of Europe. Everton has also struggled mightily this year, yet they are also in the top half of the table. I can't remember more than 4 wins for them and yet they here they are again. It goes to show that even in down years, experienced teams know how to stay afloat when times are bad. Where is Blackpool now? Yeah, it hasn't been going well after there hot start.
- In another bizarre story, Fulham FC (aka - America's team) recently unveiled a Michael Jackson statue outside of Craven Cottage. It's kind of hideous and a real head-scratcher. I mean, Jackson had nothing to do with soccer, Fulham especially. He just happened to be a good friend of Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed. Now Al Fayed is allowed to do whatever he wants, but thinking that this status is going to be a tourist attraction is definitely short sighted. People go to Craven Cottage to watch a match...not to look at Michael Jackson. Could you imagine if the Mets unveiled a statue of Elton John? Ok, maybe not the best example a I could see the Wilpon's doing something like this...how about the Orioles? Could you imagine the Orioles embracing an Elton John statue? Ummm....no.
- Finally, how about a story from a few months ago? In October a group of footballers pretended to be the Togo national team in a game against Bahrain. In a world where information is at the push of a button they somehow got away with it. Neither the officials nor the Bahrain sqaud noticed that something was fishy. It wasn't until afterwards that we realized what the story was - the Chairman of the Togo soccer federation stated that they couldn't travel without FIFA approval...of which they had not received. So somehow they got into the country, faked their identity, played without jerseys and lost 3-0 with no suspicision. Again, only in the soccer world.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Worst Game of Their Lives
Every year, one underdog plays the game of their life and knocks off a highly rated team in the first round of the NCAA tournament. If you were to play the game 20 times, the favorite would surely win 19 of them. Yet if the underdog can catch them on that one magical day, they cna pull off an upset.
What made tonight's NCAA title game so amazing is not that the favorite won. No, what was amazing is how bad Butler was. Some teams wait their whole lives for that one game when they rise up and shock the world. But what happens when the opposite occurs? What happens when they play absolutely worst game of their lives? It happens to everyone, but on the biggest stage? That is just excruciating. I know a lot of people will kill Butler for how poorly they played (18.8% FG%, 57.1% FT%, 17 turnovers). "It was a fluke. They didn't deserve to be there" they will say. I am not one of them. This team belonged, but they collectively played the worst game of their life. I can only imagine that there was a lot teary eyes after the game. That might have been their last shot.
What made tonight's NCAA title game so amazing is not that the favorite won. No, what was amazing is how bad Butler was. Some teams wait their whole lives for that one game when they rise up and shock the world. But what happens when the opposite occurs? What happens when they play absolutely worst game of their lives? It happens to everyone, but on the biggest stage? That is just excruciating. I know a lot of people will kill Butler for how poorly they played (18.8% FG%, 57.1% FT%, 17 turnovers). "It was a fluke. They didn't deserve to be there" they will say. I am not one of them. This team belonged, but they collectively played the worst game of their life. I can only imagine that there was a lot teary eyes after the game. That might have been their last shot.
Monday Morning Five-Pack
Another Monday, another brain-dump. Hope this helps your week get off to a good start
- The Sounders traveled to San Jose without Fredy Montero and actually scored two goals. Unfortunately they also gave up two goals and had to settle for a tie. Of their first four games this season, I consider this one to have been their worst...and of course we got on the scoreboard twice. Sometimes it just happens like that. So now after four games we have two ties and two losses. Some people might be ready to sound the alarm, but consider this. if we beat Chicago at home next week, we will be undefeated (1-0-2) in our last three after starting the season with two losses. Obviously if we lose then our winless streak is at 5 games, but again, it's not time to panic. I don't like to make excuses, but it's not like MLS gave us Vancouver, Portland and Chivas to start the year like they did for Toronto. We will be fine.
- So what exactly did I like about the same on saturday night? Simple answer - Mauro Rosales. I am quickly becoming a bug fan of the guy. Last week he didn't contribute a goal or an assist, but his work rate was really high. This week he was making making passes and runs that no one else on the team can make. The only problem was that he was on the ground all the time - it wasn't that he was rolling around, he just got knocked off the ball a lot. I also really like Eric Friberg and Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans - hell, the entire midfield (don't need to mention my man crush Alonso who again was all over the place). I feel like something is a bit off with the defense - could it be that the depth at center back is actualy weighing on the guys? I don't know, but I just didn't feel comfortable with Ianni or Parke this weekend. I swore I felt a PK coming late in the game. Luckily it didn't happen and we escaped San Jose with a tie.
- I want to take a second to talk about Butler, specifically their 34-year old coach coach Brad Stevens. Now I don't want to take anything away from them - what they did last year was impressive. What they have done this year is simply amazing. They lost their best player to the NBA and after struggling a little during the regular season, they had to win their conference tournament to make the NCAA's. They had to play the #1 seed in the second round and NO ONE expected them to make it back to the final. No one. In making it this far, Stevens is going to get major attendance from other schools. It will be up to him to decide whether he wants to move to greener pastures or stay at Butler where he is already the most beloved person on campus. My advice to him - if you want to move on, do it now. Classes like this come along once every few decades. This isn't UNC, Duke or Kentucky where the classes reload every year. Butler has no HS All-Americans and they won't have any coming in. It takes a special bunch of kids to make it back to back. I don't compare Bucknell to Butler, but after their magical two year stretch in 2004-2006, they sucked. It wasn't until this year that they made it back to the tournament. Bottom line is that while certain mid-majors can be competitive (Gonzaga, Xavier) year in year out, the Radford's, Norther Iowa's, George Mason's of the world are going to have ups and downs. If people expect Butler to make it back next year they are sorely mistaken.
- The Notre Dame women's bball coaches name is Muffet McGraw. She was wearing a leopard skin skirt against UConn. Are you kidding me? Muffet? That is terrible.
- The Mets started off 2011 by being no-hit through 6 innings. It was obviously only one game, but given the recent state of the team, I know it had all Mets fans ready to jump. I mean, what an ominous sign of things to come, right? Well, two games later and here we sit at 2-1 in what is hopefully not the only time we have a winning record this year. On Saturday they fought back and won in extra innings and then on Sunday, they rolled the Marlins thanks to the offense and Nashville's favorite son RA Dickey. This is what we all had in mind when we told ourselves that we could compete. A balanced offense led by Wright and Davis, small contributions from the likes of Willie Harris and Josh Thole and some stellar pitching form underrated starters Niese and Dickey. Now if Beltran, Reyes, Bay and Pagan can get on a roll, we can win some games....right? Their is no such thing as a must win series in April, but we will certainly see what kind of fight we have in us when we travel to Philly on Tuesday.
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