Let it not be said that the United States Soccer Federation strives for greatness. Let it not be said any longer that the goal of the U.S. Men's National Team is to become World Champions. The USSF sent a statement loud and clear this week when they decided to retain Bob Bradley as the head coach through the 2014 World Cup: U.S. soccer is okay with being mediocre.
Bradley coached a team that virtually played from behind the entire World Cup this summer. The team was gassed by the end of the Round of 16 match with Ghana from having to press so hard for so long each game. Even reaching the Round of 16 this year was incredible, considering it took a miracle goal from Dempsey versus England (can anyone still believe 'Calamity James' let that in?) and another heart-stopping final second goal from Donovan in the final group stage game to advance.
Bradley was unwise with his selections for the national team, and deserves all of the criticism in the world for his use of Robbie Findley in the World Cup.
Bradley gets credit for the U.S.'s appearance in the 2009 Confederations Cup Final (another ridiculous miracle in and of itself considering what it took in the final group stage games to reach the semifinals). You know what else he needs to get credit for? Getting absolutely EMBARRASSED by Mexico in the last Gold Cup Final. It doesn't matter if it wasn't the starting squad, getting smashed into pieces like that by any country, much less Mexico should be grounds for being fired on the spot.
What has Bradley done to earn his keep another four years? How has he shown himself to be the man to take the U.S. over the top and really, truly compete for a World Championship in 2014? He hasn't. And that's the problem: the USSF is just fine accepting mediocrity.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Tuesday Grab Bag
Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren finalized their divorce on Monday. The two will split custody of their children, and Elin will get a substantial amount of money from Woods. It's a good thing Tiger went through that embarrassing sexual therapy. Considering there was never a point where it seemed like he and Elin would work things out, it makes you wonder why he would put himself through the public embarrassment. Hopefully this all means the 'real' Tiger will be back contending for titles in the grand slams next year...
...Albert Haynesworth is still complaining about playing time in D.C. The defensive lineman did not participate in any of the Redskin's practices last week and played with the second string defense in Saturday night's pre-season tilt against Baltimore. Haynesworth only participated in five of the team's practices during the duration of training camp. It's funny, Albert can find the time and energy to complain about his playing time, but can't get himself into shape or hydrate himself enough during the summer heat to compete in the same practices all of his teammates having been practicing hard in for the past month...
...Kwame Brown has been reunited with Michael Jordan. The former first overall draft pick signed a one-year contract for the veteran minimum with Charlotte on Monday. Brown is now back with the man who he was originally teamed with in Washington. Remember? The same MJ that made Kwame cry in the locker room one season when he was telling him how worthless he was. Well, besides that, apparently teams have finally wised up. No longer is Kwame Brown fetching ridiculous trades (thanks for Caron Butler in that trade L.A.!) because of his "potential upside". Now he's just a veteran who never panned out but someone hopes for a decent price he can be some kind of contributor off of the bench. And so Mr. Brown lands in Charlotte, North Carolina for the minimum salary...
...Albert Haynesworth is still complaining about playing time in D.C. The defensive lineman did not participate in any of the Redskin's practices last week and played with the second string defense in Saturday night's pre-season tilt against Baltimore. Haynesworth only participated in five of the team's practices during the duration of training camp. It's funny, Albert can find the time and energy to complain about his playing time, but can't get himself into shape or hydrate himself enough during the summer heat to compete in the same practices all of his teammates having been practicing hard in for the past month...
...Kwame Brown has been reunited with Michael Jordan. The former first overall draft pick signed a one-year contract for the veteran minimum with Charlotte on Monday. Brown is now back with the man who he was originally teamed with in Washington. Remember? The same MJ that made Kwame cry in the locker room one season when he was telling him how worthless he was. Well, besides that, apparently teams have finally wised up. No longer is Kwame Brown fetching ridiculous trades (thanks for Caron Butler in that trade L.A.!) because of his "potential upside". Now he's just a veteran who never panned out but someone hopes for a decent price he can be some kind of contributor off of the bench. And so Mr. Brown lands in Charlotte, North Carolina for the minimum salary...
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Watching Baseball in August Is Fun Again
When was the last time an Orioles fan uttered these words? 1997? That's the last time I can remember being excited to turn on an O's game on an August night and be enthusiastic watching the game.
This Orioles team has no chance at making the playoffs, yet last night I was yelling at my television. I had some kind of comment to make after every pitch. I winced with every Orioles swing of the bat.
In the eighth inning Koji Uehara was pitching with runners on the corners and no outs. After an eleven pitch battle, he struck out the first batter and I screamed at the top of my lungs. He got the second batter with another strikeout and I literally jumped out of my seat and threw a fist pump in the air. A team something like 25 games under .500 and I'm going nuts. Apparently I wasn't the only one as Buck Showalter came sprinting out of the dugout to Uehara, clearly jacked up. When did you ever see Trembley run to the mound? Showalter brought on Gonzalez who struckout another batter. Runners on the corners. No outs. No runs scored.
After giving up a homerun in the top of the tenth, the O's battled their way back to get the bases loaded and forced the pitcher to walk a run in, which of course brought me from the couch to my knees in joy. Brian Roberts nearly beat out an infield hit to win it then, but if we're all being honest, we know the ump robbed Felix Pie of a bunt basehit earlier in the inning that would have ended the game even if Roberts was out.
The rest is history. Markakis leads off the eleventh with a double, advances to third, and with a 1-0 count, Mr. Adam Jones fools everyone in the stadium and lays down a bunt that gets Markakis home and yet another Orioles walk-off win under Showalter is complete. And I'm running around my apartment like a twelve year old.
I'm not sure what Showalter has said to these guys, or what he's put in the water at Oriole Park. These are the same players that couldn't do anything right under Trembley and Samuel this same season. The Orioles are playing as a team and doing the little things right, which is going to make them a pain to team's making a playoff run in September that have to face this squad. One thing is certain though: watching baseball in August is fun again.
...If you missed it earlier this morning or are getting in to work a little late, today's Breakfast Buddy is the post just below this one...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Breakfast Buddy -- 8/17
Monday through Friday, each day I will post twice, the first being some interesting articles or videos -- anything to keep your mind off of what we all should be doing -- to look through as you begin your work day at your desk.
Sending it home:
Monday, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 3-0 to open up the EPL season...the Orioles signed first-round draft pick Manny Machado...and the Nationals signed first round draft pick Bryce Harper.
Cool Links:
1. The O's rally past the Mariners 5-4 in 11 innings [Baltimore Sun]
2. The O's placed Jason Berken on the 15 day DL [CSN Baltimore]
3. Terps Torrey Smith was named to the best WR watch list [CSN Baltimore]
4. Brian Westbrook signed a one-year deal with the 49ers [ESPN]
5. Matt McFarland ponders if it's time to forgive Haynesworth [Redskins Tailgate Zone]
6. Nats agree to terms with Robbie Ray [CSN Washington]
7. Malcolm Kelly will continue to miss practice [CSN Washington]
8. John Eisenberg focuses on Ray Rice in the Ravens' offense [CSN Baltimore]
Your voice:
"Breakfast Buddy is ***, Coffee Comrade sounds like something from the Cold War. Cool idea for morning posts though. I vote CC" --mpatrik on twitter, certain that Comrade was the right choice, but all other responses proved otherwise.
Quotable:
"As he's putting I'm thinking, 'I could be going up to the PGA champion to tell him he's not really the champion.' He missed the putt, which didn't make it any better, but I immediately went up to talk to him." --David Price, head golf professional at Bent Tree Country Club on how he felt approaching Dustin Johnson to tell him he was not going to have a chance to win the PGA Championship based on a club grounding rule on the final hole.
Question of the day (I will re-publish favorite responses in a blog post):
What are your thoughts on this Saturday's Redskins-Ravens pre-season game?
Video of the day:
ESPN Fantasy Football Commercial -- Chris Johnson
Send me any cool stories, links, photos, videos, you tubes, links, e-mails, tweets, or even random thoughts. Anything cool will be published in the blog and I will credit you with giving it to me. All ways to reach me are: cschoenbauer@gmail.com, twitter.com/mrschoenbauer and One Game at a Time on Facebook.
Sending it home:
Monday, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 3-0 to open up the EPL season...the Orioles signed first-round draft pick Manny Machado...and the Nationals signed first round draft pick Bryce Harper.
Cool Links:
1. The O's rally past the Mariners 5-4 in 11 innings [Baltimore Sun]
2. The O's placed Jason Berken on the 15 day DL [CSN Baltimore]
3. Terps Torrey Smith was named to the best WR watch list [CSN Baltimore]
4. Brian Westbrook signed a one-year deal with the 49ers [ESPN]
5. Matt McFarland ponders if it's time to forgive Haynesworth [Redskins Tailgate Zone]
6. Nats agree to terms with Robbie Ray [CSN Washington]
7. Malcolm Kelly will continue to miss practice [CSN Washington]
8. John Eisenberg focuses on Ray Rice in the Ravens' offense [CSN Baltimore]
Your voice:
"Breakfast Buddy is ***, Coffee Comrade sounds like something from the Cold War. Cool idea for morning posts though. I vote CC" --mpatrik on twitter, certain that Comrade was the right choice, but all other responses proved otherwise.
Quotable:
"As he's putting I'm thinking, 'I could be going up to the PGA champion to tell him he's not really the champion.' He missed the putt, which didn't make it any better, but I immediately went up to talk to him." --David Price, head golf professional at Bent Tree Country Club on how he felt approaching Dustin Johnson to tell him he was not going to have a chance to win the PGA Championship based on a club grounding rule on the final hole.
Question of the day (I will re-publish favorite responses in a blog post):
What are your thoughts on this Saturday's Redskins-Ravens pre-season game?
Video of the day:
ESPN Fantasy Football Commercial -- Chris Johnson
Send me any cool stories, links, photos, videos, you tubes, links, e-mails, tweets, or even random thoughts. Anything cool will be published in the blog and I will credit you with giving it to me. All ways to reach me are: cschoenbauer@gmail.com, twitter.com/mrschoenbauer and One Game at a Time on Facebook.
A Reason for Cautious Optimism
There is almost never a time when any stock should be put into a pre-season game. No reason for excitement; no reason to think your team is suddenly going to make a run at the Super Bowl; no reason to watch more than a half of the worst product any of the major sports leagues in the world puts out. Anyone who does watch entire pre-season games, well, less just say they may be a little sports "quirky".
However, occasionally, once in a great while, there may be one aspect of your team that was so horrific the season before that for just a blip in the game, suddenly there is a reason for hope - all be it slim hope.
In 2009 the Redskins offensive line was terrible. Injuries decimated the trenches. Men stepped in who had no business being on a starting NFL team's offensive line. Jason Campbell was murdered, and Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts struggled to find running room.
Saturday night for two series, the offensive line allowed Donovan McNabb to be touched once...on a roughing the passer call. Portis and Torrain found room to run with the first string. A unit that allows the quarterback time to go through his progression and provides lanes for the back to run through? Say it ain't so!
On Saturday at Fed Ex Field, there was one more small aspect that stood out as a "Thank God" moment. If you are not a Redskins fan you may not have noticed it. If you are a Redskins fan, then it sure as heck was not just a small aspect. Towards the end of the first string defense's time on the field, Deangelo Hall did something Redskins fans long to see. He caught a pass. A Redskin's defensive back actually intercepted a pass. Redskins fans know that the DB's usually can find the right spot, it's the catching the ball part that always seems to elude them.
If the offensive line and defensive backs can make these improvements count in real games and do it for more than just one quarter, maybe there is a reason for cautious optimism in D.C. this fall...
...Starting tomorrow I will be making two blog posts per day, Monday through Friday. The early morning post these days will just feature links to some reading material on either local teams or something important or funny in sports. It's a way for you to kick start your work day at your desk with your coffee or breakfast. Hey, everyone struggles those first couple minutes...or hours at work. This post will even get its own special name (cue the "wow's" and "omg's"). I've narrowed it to either Coffee Comrade or Breakfast Buddy, but I want reader's input. E-mail or Gchat me your thoughts at cschoenbauer@gmail.com. Or tweet me your opinion @mrschoenbauer. You could even leave it at the One Game at a Time Facebook page! Or, as always feel free to comment and start discussion right here. Don't worry, my own post will follow very shortly after, and maybe you'll have double posts and reading material to start your day!...
However, occasionally, once in a great while, there may be one aspect of your team that was so horrific the season before that for just a blip in the game, suddenly there is a reason for hope - all be it slim hope.
In 2009 the Redskins offensive line was terrible. Injuries decimated the trenches. Men stepped in who had no business being on a starting NFL team's offensive line. Jason Campbell was murdered, and Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts struggled to find running room.
Saturday night for two series, the offensive line allowed Donovan McNabb to be touched once...on a roughing the passer call. Portis and Torrain found room to run with the first string. A unit that allows the quarterback time to go through his progression and provides lanes for the back to run through? Say it ain't so!
On Saturday at Fed Ex Field, there was one more small aspect that stood out as a "Thank God" moment. If you are not a Redskins fan you may not have noticed it. If you are a Redskins fan, then it sure as heck was not just a small aspect. Towards the end of the first string defense's time on the field, Deangelo Hall did something Redskins fans long to see. He caught a pass. A Redskin's defensive back actually intercepted a pass. Redskins fans know that the DB's usually can find the right spot, it's the catching the ball part that always seems to elude them.
If the offensive line and defensive backs can make these improvements count in real games and do it for more than just one quarter, maybe there is a reason for cautious optimism in D.C. this fall...
...Starting tomorrow I will be making two blog posts per day, Monday through Friday. The early morning post these days will just feature links to some reading material on either local teams or something important or funny in sports. It's a way for you to kick start your work day at your desk with your coffee or breakfast. Hey, everyone struggles those first couple minutes...or hours at work. This post will even get its own special name (cue the "wow's" and "omg's"). I've narrowed it to either Coffee Comrade or Breakfast Buddy, but I want reader's input. E-mail or Gchat me your thoughts at cschoenbauer@gmail.com. Or tweet me your opinion @mrschoenbauer. You could even leave it at the One Game at a Time Facebook page! Or, as always feel free to comment and start discussion right here. Don't worry, my own post will follow very shortly after, and maybe you'll have double posts and reading material to start your day!...
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
EPL 2010-11 Season Preview
A new season in the Barclay's English Premier League gets underway this coming weekend as teams will begin to find out if they did enough this off-season to crack the top four and ultimately win the league title.
Fresh off of their first Premier League title in four seasons, Chelsea looks to regain it's footing atop of the league and capture another title. While it's a game that does not count toward the final standings, Chelsea did not look good in their Community Shield match against Manchester United on Sunday as they took a 3-1 thrashing from the Red Devils.
While Chelsea will almost certainly be in the race for the title all season long, what other clubs will push them for the league along with the FA Cup and the coveted top four spots for Champions League?
Every year we hear 'This is Arsenal's year!' It seems the always youthful side constantly wants us to believe that one of these years they will finally rise up and compete for the league title all the way to the end of the season. For Arsenal, they must manage now the effects of the Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona courtings. It is clear that Barcelona wants Fabregas and Fabregas likewise. However, Cesc has made it clear that he is focused at Arsenal. Will that remain the same throughout the 2010-11 campaign?
Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, it's another season where the club just has not done enough to fill in the gaps. Gallas and Silvestre have both departed leaving question marks in the back line, evidenced in their recent friendly. This team will need to have a killer offense. Wenger continues to refuse to sign big names over his youth, and once again Arsenal will not be playing for the title this season...
...After failing to win last season's league title on the final day of the season, Manchester United will look to get back to their winning ways that captured the three previous championships. United did not make a big splash in the summer market, but the addition of Javier Hernandez looked good in their pre-season campaign and he should be able to step in when needed. United also had one of the best defenses in the league last season despite being riddled with injuries. With the backs returning to the field, if the team can stay relatively healthy it will go a long way to their race back to the top of the table...
...After being knocked out of the top four Liverpool are determined to get back into their spot near the top. One step in the right direction for Liverpool was hanging on to Fernando Torres who seemed certain to leave. Torres decided to stay with the club. Unfortunately for Liverpool Torres had an awful World Cup which ended with a terrible injury.
Roy Hodgson has stepped in as the new manager for the club and he can't do any worse than Benitez did last season. Hodgson will count on Torres and Gerrard to continue to produce while Ryan Babel and newly acquired Joe Cole will be asked to step up and help propel the team forward...
...After all these years, Tottenham finally gave some reason to be taken seriously at the end of last season. The Spurs went on an unreal tear through league play toward the end of last season to eject Liverpool from the top four and hold Manchester City off to finally earn a chance to play in Champions League this year.
Tottenham still have not made any big signings in the transfer window and are looking to continue to rely on their youth this season. Last season was impressive for the Spurs, but the lack of adding any players to bolster the squad thus far shows the club is not thinking long term. If they don't add something now or possibly during the winter window, Tottenham could be looking at one and done in the top four...
...If you only listened to Manchester City fans you may actually believe that City has a legitimate shot to win the title this year. City has gone berserk in the off-season, sparing no expense in improving their club to reach the top four and stay in the race for a title. The additions have been impressive to say the least. The question of whether Mancini can actually manage that talent and deliver is yet to be seen. While finishing in a Champions League spot at the end of this season would be nice, after all of these moves and the improvement last season, there would be no good excuses in Manchester for City not to be competing for the league title at the end of the month...
2010-11 Campaign Predictions
EPL Champion: Manchester United
Runner-Up: Chelsea
3rd: Liverpool
4th: Arsenal
FA Cup: Manchester United
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney
Fresh off of their first Premier League title in four seasons, Chelsea looks to regain it's footing atop of the league and capture another title. While it's a game that does not count toward the final standings, Chelsea did not look good in their Community Shield match against Manchester United on Sunday as they took a 3-1 thrashing from the Red Devils.
While Chelsea will almost certainly be in the race for the title all season long, what other clubs will push them for the league along with the FA Cup and the coveted top four spots for Champions League?
Every year we hear 'This is Arsenal's year!' It seems the always youthful side constantly wants us to believe that one of these years they will finally rise up and compete for the league title all the way to the end of the season. For Arsenal, they must manage now the effects of the Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona courtings. It is clear that Barcelona wants Fabregas and Fabregas likewise. However, Cesc has made it clear that he is focused at Arsenal. Will that remain the same throughout the 2010-11 campaign?
Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, it's another season where the club just has not done enough to fill in the gaps. Gallas and Silvestre have both departed leaving question marks in the back line, evidenced in their recent friendly. This team will need to have a killer offense. Wenger continues to refuse to sign big names over his youth, and once again Arsenal will not be playing for the title this season...
...After failing to win last season's league title on the final day of the season, Manchester United will look to get back to their winning ways that captured the three previous championships. United did not make a big splash in the summer market, but the addition of Javier Hernandez looked good in their pre-season campaign and he should be able to step in when needed. United also had one of the best defenses in the league last season despite being riddled with injuries. With the backs returning to the field, if the team can stay relatively healthy it will go a long way to their race back to the top of the table...
...After being knocked out of the top four Liverpool are determined to get back into their spot near the top. One step in the right direction for Liverpool was hanging on to Fernando Torres who seemed certain to leave. Torres decided to stay with the club. Unfortunately for Liverpool Torres had an awful World Cup which ended with a terrible injury.
Roy Hodgson has stepped in as the new manager for the club and he can't do any worse than Benitez did last season. Hodgson will count on Torres and Gerrard to continue to produce while Ryan Babel and newly acquired Joe Cole will be asked to step up and help propel the team forward...
...After all these years, Tottenham finally gave some reason to be taken seriously at the end of last season. The Spurs went on an unreal tear through league play toward the end of last season to eject Liverpool from the top four and hold Manchester City off to finally earn a chance to play in Champions League this year.
Tottenham still have not made any big signings in the transfer window and are looking to continue to rely on their youth this season. Last season was impressive for the Spurs, but the lack of adding any players to bolster the squad thus far shows the club is not thinking long term. If they don't add something now or possibly during the winter window, Tottenham could be looking at one and done in the top four...
...If you only listened to Manchester City fans you may actually believe that City has a legitimate shot to win the title this year. City has gone berserk in the off-season, sparing no expense in improving their club to reach the top four and stay in the race for a title. The additions have been impressive to say the least. The question of whether Mancini can actually manage that talent and deliver is yet to be seen. While finishing in a Champions League spot at the end of this season would be nice, after all of these moves and the improvement last season, there would be no good excuses in Manchester for City not to be competing for the league title at the end of the month...
2010-11 Campaign Predictions
EPL Champion: Manchester United
Runner-Up: Chelsea
3rd: Liverpool
4th: Arsenal
FA Cup: Manchester United
Carling Cup: Manchester City
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ready for The Comeback
Freshmen football players reported for the first time last night to University of Maryland to prepare for the upcoming season. Fall camp opens tomorrow for the Terps, the last team in the ACC to begin practice.
Maryland is coming off of a putrid 2-10 season; a season where everything that could go wrong seemed to. A combination of youth and injuries lead to a long season. A season of awful losses, terrible excuses and even worse execution on the field.
While there isn't much to look back on last season to build off of, one of Maryland's two wins came against Clemson, the ACC's Atlantic Division Champions. An offense that answered when Clemson scored, an explosive special teams performance and a defense that showed up when it mattered most all lead to the third upset of Clemson in four seasons. In a bad year, beating a team of that caliber gives a reason for hope.
Coach Friedgen has had no qualms in his belief that this season will be one of his better teams during his tenure at Maryland. While admitting the team is still young, Fridge says they are an experienced youth. This is a good statement and a reason this team will be dangerous for the next two seasons. This Terps team features many young players who were forced to step in and play in 2009 and will be much better for it on the field this fall.
With Jamarr Robinson stepping in full time at quarterback after an invaluable learning experience last season, the quarterback position may be one of the most dangerous spots on the field. Robinson cannot only throw the ball down field but can also tuck and run and provides a legitimate threat in the option attack. Torrey Smith and a slew of speedy receivers return and will change games in league play. The Terps have a stable of running backs and an offensive line that, while still youthful, won't be surprised by anyone this year.
Alex Wuijack will lead a strong team of linebackers on a defense that promises to wreak havoc on offenses around the ACC. While the defensive backs don't have as much experience as is usual for a Terps squad, Cameron Chism, Antwine Perez and Kenny Tate should lead the way.
The Terps have a September schedule that really favors them. After a match-up with Navy in Baltimore to kick off the season on Labor Day, the Terps will return home to take on Morgan State before traveling to West Virginia against a WVU squad that will not be nearly as good as they have been in the recent past. The Terps finish the non-conference slate at home against Florida International. There is a legitimate shot the Terps could turn some heads and exit September with a 3-1 record as they head in to league play.
After Maryland opens with Duke in ACC play, they head to Clemson where they have owned the Tigers the last two times they have met in Death Valley, and have controlled the series over the past four seasons. If the Terps get it done down south and start 2-0 in the ACC, the Atlantic Division title is not out of the question.
There's reason to be cautiously optimistic in College Park this season. One thing is certain: these Terps won't go down against any team this season without a fight.
Maryland is coming off of a putrid 2-10 season; a season where everything that could go wrong seemed to. A combination of youth and injuries lead to a long season. A season of awful losses, terrible excuses and even worse execution on the field.
While there isn't much to look back on last season to build off of, one of Maryland's two wins came against Clemson, the ACC's Atlantic Division Champions. An offense that answered when Clemson scored, an explosive special teams performance and a defense that showed up when it mattered most all lead to the third upset of Clemson in four seasons. In a bad year, beating a team of that caliber gives a reason for hope.
Coach Friedgen has had no qualms in his belief that this season will be one of his better teams during his tenure at Maryland. While admitting the team is still young, Fridge says they are an experienced youth. This is a good statement and a reason this team will be dangerous for the next two seasons. This Terps team features many young players who were forced to step in and play in 2009 and will be much better for it on the field this fall.
With Jamarr Robinson stepping in full time at quarterback after an invaluable learning experience last season, the quarterback position may be one of the most dangerous spots on the field. Robinson cannot only throw the ball down field but can also tuck and run and provides a legitimate threat in the option attack. Torrey Smith and a slew of speedy receivers return and will change games in league play. The Terps have a stable of running backs and an offensive line that, while still youthful, won't be surprised by anyone this year.
Alex Wuijack will lead a strong team of linebackers on a defense that promises to wreak havoc on offenses around the ACC. While the defensive backs don't have as much experience as is usual for a Terps squad, Cameron Chism, Antwine Perez and Kenny Tate should lead the way.
The Terps have a September schedule that really favors them. After a match-up with Navy in Baltimore to kick off the season on Labor Day, the Terps will return home to take on Morgan State before traveling to West Virginia against a WVU squad that will not be nearly as good as they have been in the recent past. The Terps finish the non-conference slate at home against Florida International. There is a legitimate shot the Terps could turn some heads and exit September with a 3-1 record as they head in to league play.
After Maryland opens with Duke in ACC play, they head to Clemson where they have owned the Tigers the last two times they have met in Death Valley, and have controlled the series over the past four seasons. If the Terps get it done down south and start 2-0 in the ACC, the Atlantic Division title is not out of the question.
There's reason to be cautiously optimistic in College Park this season. One thing is certain: these Terps won't go down against any team this season without a fight.
Friday, August 6, 2010
NCAA Should Have Loosened Rules for Boise State
Back in July a terrible tragedy struck a family out in Hemet, California. 18-year old Emil Smith and one of his friends were hit head on and killed in a two car collision. Smith played linebacker and was going into his senior year of high school. He had already verbally committed to play at Boise State next fall but could not sign a letter of intent until signing day in February.
I was not aware of the outrageous part of this story until it was brought to my attention yesterday courtesy of the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio. The next bit of information was heard directly from Van Pelt's program.
Because of NCAA bylaws, Boise State could do nothing to reach out to Smith's family. They could not call. They could not send flowers. They could not attend the funeral. They could not even mention the recruit by his name because of NCAA rules. These rules point to illegal contact and such, rules that obviously are not meant for a recruit that dies.
I would not fault Boise State for not doing performing any of these gestures. The great coaching staff in Boise surely wanted to call, or attend the funeral, or send flowers. The organization to fault for this, which we should not be surprised by, is the NCAA.
The NCAA should have called Boise's coaching staff or Athletic Director and told them that in this instance, the rule could be bent. In this instance, go ahead and call the grieving parents. In this instance, send flowers to the family. And in this one instance, go ahead, take your staff, take your team if you want to, and attend the young man's funeral out in California. It doesn't seem like that difficult of a concept to put into action.
What did the NCAA do? Well, nothing, of course. The NCAA simply sat there and let the rules stay the same. Don't worry about the family of the son who had just committed four years of his life to the men in Boise. Don't worry about the mother who had given her trust to the men in Boise to take care of her son and look out for what's best for him, football or otherwise, for the next four years. They don't matter. The NCAA has laws to stick to, and by God, they are going to stick to them whether we like it or not.
There is not much that the NCAA does nowadays that doesn't anger many collegiate athletic fans. This was a chance for the NCAA to finally do something right. A chance to even look good in the public for doing something so simple it would be callous not to do so. But this is the NCAA we are talking about. And as in most cases, the NCAA got it wrong...again.
I was not aware of the outrageous part of this story until it was brought to my attention yesterday courtesy of the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio. The next bit of information was heard directly from Van Pelt's program.
Because of NCAA bylaws, Boise State could do nothing to reach out to Smith's family. They could not call. They could not send flowers. They could not attend the funeral. They could not even mention the recruit by his name because of NCAA rules. These rules point to illegal contact and such, rules that obviously are not meant for a recruit that dies.
I would not fault Boise State for not doing performing any of these gestures. The great coaching staff in Boise surely wanted to call, or attend the funeral, or send flowers. The organization to fault for this, which we should not be surprised by, is the NCAA.
The NCAA should have called Boise's coaching staff or Athletic Director and told them that in this instance, the rule could be bent. In this instance, go ahead and call the grieving parents. In this instance, send flowers to the family. And in this one instance, go ahead, take your staff, take your team if you want to, and attend the young man's funeral out in California. It doesn't seem like that difficult of a concept to put into action.
What did the NCAA do? Well, nothing, of course. The NCAA simply sat there and let the rules stay the same. Don't worry about the family of the son who had just committed four years of his life to the men in Boise. Don't worry about the mother who had given her trust to the men in Boise to take care of her son and look out for what's best for him, football or otherwise, for the next four years. They don't matter. The NCAA has laws to stick to, and by God, they are going to stick to them whether we like it or not.
There is not much that the NCAA does nowadays that doesn't anger many collegiate athletic fans. This was a chance for the NCAA to finally do something right. A chance to even look good in the public for doing something so simple it would be callous not to do so. But this is the NCAA we are talking about. And as in most cases, the NCAA got it wrong...again.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
New Coach Is Not the Solution for United
Head Coach Curt Onalfo was fired by D.C. United this morning, being relieved of his duties during what has become an awful season for the black and red. Onalfo has been replaced for the remainder of the season by the former United megastar, Ben Olsen.
When a team is 3-12-3 on a season in the beginning of August something has to change. Usually by that point the easiest thing for a team to do, and the "right" answer, is to swap out the coach for someone new. Usually the hope is that a new energy or a new vibe will spark things around the locker room and the team will be rejuvenated and ready to turn things around.
That will not be the case for this D.C. United team.
United have scored twelve goals this season. Twelve. In eighteen games a professional soccer team has only managed twelve goals while opponents have throttled them with 31 goals. That is not coaching. The simple answer, and the correct answer, is that DC does not have the players to compete at this level.
United's leading scorer in league play has three goals. But United is not losing solely because of offense (although it sure seems like it). The defense has been putrid. The back line for the black and red usually looks lost and can't keep up with even mediocre players. And while the defense has been shaky at best, Troy Perkins has to be better in goal. No team is going to compete for a playoff spot when the keeper has a save percentage of 66. Since coming in Perkins has only won one game. Not exactly what the team is looking for.
While a coaching change is a move that may look good on the surface, showing that management are trying to change something to win, in reality, it is a shallow move. The real answer will come this off-season. If the black and red want to compete in 2011 they will need to add or bring up players ready to make an impact.
When a team is 3-12-3 on a season in the beginning of August something has to change. Usually by that point the easiest thing for a team to do, and the "right" answer, is to swap out the coach for someone new. Usually the hope is that a new energy or a new vibe will spark things around the locker room and the team will be rejuvenated and ready to turn things around.
That will not be the case for this D.C. United team.
United have scored twelve goals this season. Twelve. In eighteen games a professional soccer team has only managed twelve goals while opponents have throttled them with 31 goals. That is not coaching. The simple answer, and the correct answer, is that DC does not have the players to compete at this level.
United's leading scorer in league play has three goals. But United is not losing solely because of offense (although it sure seems like it). The defense has been putrid. The back line for the black and red usually looks lost and can't keep up with even mediocre players. And while the defense has been shaky at best, Troy Perkins has to be better in goal. No team is going to compete for a playoff spot when the keeper has a save percentage of 66. Since coming in Perkins has only won one game. Not exactly what the team is looking for.
While a coaching change is a move that may look good on the surface, showing that management are trying to change something to win, in reality, it is a shallow move. The real answer will come this off-season. If the black and red want to compete in 2011 they will need to add or bring up players ready to make an impact.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The John Beck Files
Yesterday the Redskins and Ravens completed a trade that brought quarterback John Beck to DC and shipped cornerback Doug Dutch to Baltimore.
Almost immediately after the trade was announced Redskin's head coach Mike Shanahan released quarterback Colt Brennan. The move clearly shows that Shanahan is not happy with the backup situation behind Donovan McNabb and should serve notice that no one's job besides McNabb's is secure.
Many fans were probably saddened by the departure of Colt Brennan on Monday. Brennan had to have the most jerseys sold for a quarterback who never started an NFL game. Brennan, who has had multiple surgeries since entering the league without even playing a game, was having a bad camp this year. While Brennan was an exceptional college QB, he wasn't cutting it at this level. Even if it's third string, the third string QB is only two snaps away from playing meaningful snaps for the team and there has to be someone behind center that can at least manage the game.
So what does John Beck bring to the Redskins that interested Shanahan in making this trade? Beck hasn't played meaningful minutes since he was with the Dolphins in 2007. It may not be worth looking at stats from that far back, especially considering that Beck was a rookie that year and started only four games. But in those four games Beck completed 56% of his passes and threw for a touchdown. Unfortunately his longest completion was only 22 yards and he threw three interceptions.
Still, Beck wasn't a second round pick for nothing. He had a stellar career at BYU, and while his numbers weren't great in his short stint in Miami, he was still a rookie who wasn't supposed to be starting at all. He's had three years since to learn from other great QB's and will now get to learn from Donovan McNabb. At 28 he's not the youngest QB out there to bring up, but if he can fill in off the bench then that's all the Redskins are looking for at this point.
The oddity of this trade though is that Shanahan typically only carries two quarterbacks. One has to wonder if he will now carry three with this trade or if Rex Grossman is performing that badly in camp that there are questions of whether he could fill in if McNabb goes down. Either way Grossman should be looking over his shoulder at John Beck coming up from the rear.
Almost immediately after the trade was announced Redskin's head coach Mike Shanahan released quarterback Colt Brennan. The move clearly shows that Shanahan is not happy with the backup situation behind Donovan McNabb and should serve notice that no one's job besides McNabb's is secure.
Many fans were probably saddened by the departure of Colt Brennan on Monday. Brennan had to have the most jerseys sold for a quarterback who never started an NFL game. Brennan, who has had multiple surgeries since entering the league without even playing a game, was having a bad camp this year. While Brennan was an exceptional college QB, he wasn't cutting it at this level. Even if it's third string, the third string QB is only two snaps away from playing meaningful snaps for the team and there has to be someone behind center that can at least manage the game.
So what does John Beck bring to the Redskins that interested Shanahan in making this trade? Beck hasn't played meaningful minutes since he was with the Dolphins in 2007. It may not be worth looking at stats from that far back, especially considering that Beck was a rookie that year and started only four games. But in those four games Beck completed 56% of his passes and threw for a touchdown. Unfortunately his longest completion was only 22 yards and he threw three interceptions.
Still, Beck wasn't a second round pick for nothing. He had a stellar career at BYU, and while his numbers weren't great in his short stint in Miami, he was still a rookie who wasn't supposed to be starting at all. He's had three years since to learn from other great QB's and will now get to learn from Donovan McNabb. At 28 he's not the youngest QB out there to bring up, but if he can fill in off the bench then that's all the Redskins are looking for at this point.
The oddity of this trade though is that Shanahan typically only carries two quarterbacks. One has to wonder if he will now carry three with this trade or if Rex Grossman is performing that badly in camp that there are questions of whether he could fill in if McNabb goes down. Either way Grossman should be looking over his shoulder at John Beck coming up from the rear.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Querrey Tries to Show He Is Ready to Step Up
American Sam Querrey defeated Andy Murray on Sunday to win the Farmer's Classic in Los Angeles, his fourth title of the year. Only Rafael Nadal has more with five.
Murray, ranked fourth in the world, is the highest ranked player Querrey has ever beaten. After playing some consistent tennis and winning four titles this season so far, Querrey is beginning to step it up as the U.S. Open looms. The problem for Querrey has always been the same: he isn't even a second thought in the grand slam tournaments.
Querrey did defeat Murray on Sunday which should not be ignored. Murray is a great competitor and has established himself as one of the best players in the game right now. However, Murray also said he was tired from the recent tennis gearing up for the U.S. Open. Murray also had a match point in the second set.
While winning the Farmer's Classic is great for the young American, perspective cannot be lost on how the tournament played out. The tournament is played in Los Angeles, Querrey's hometown. Other than Murray the tournament lacked any real star power. Every one of Querrey's matches went three sets. He also not only fended off a match point in the second set against Murray, but also had to fend off a match point in the semifinals as well against Janko Tipsarevic.
Every grand slam the same story plays out. Querrey will have a win or two, but by the third round he will flame out and head back home to LA. It won't necessarily be against a better player than him either.
When the U.S. Open begins in late August, the Americans will trot out Roddick, Blake, Fish, Isner and Querrey as their main hopes to keep the title on American soil for the first time since Roddick won in 2003. If Querrey wants to be considered as a real threat along with Roddick, he'll need to finally produce when it counts.
Murray, ranked fourth in the world, is the highest ranked player Querrey has ever beaten. After playing some consistent tennis and winning four titles this season so far, Querrey is beginning to step it up as the U.S. Open looms. The problem for Querrey has always been the same: he isn't even a second thought in the grand slam tournaments.
Querrey did defeat Murray on Sunday which should not be ignored. Murray is a great competitor and has established himself as one of the best players in the game right now. However, Murray also said he was tired from the recent tennis gearing up for the U.S. Open. Murray also had a match point in the second set.
While winning the Farmer's Classic is great for the young American, perspective cannot be lost on how the tournament played out. The tournament is played in Los Angeles, Querrey's hometown. Other than Murray the tournament lacked any real star power. Every one of Querrey's matches went three sets. He also not only fended off a match point in the second set against Murray, but also had to fend off a match point in the semifinals as well against Janko Tipsarevic.
Every grand slam the same story plays out. Querrey will have a win or two, but by the third round he will flame out and head back home to LA. It won't necessarily be against a better player than him either.
When the U.S. Open begins in late August, the Americans will trot out Roddick, Blake, Fish, Isner and Querrey as their main hopes to keep the title on American soil for the first time since Roddick won in 2003. If Querrey wants to be considered as a real threat along with Roddick, he'll need to finally produce when it counts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)