Saturday, 7 November 2009
More of the Beta Blogger
No, I haven't forgotten about you all. I'm just, well, busy....ish. If you do need a shot of sporting satire each and every week - and for your sake I hope you don't share my addiction - then you can still read my dedications to the following site www.free-bets-uk.net/sports-betting-review.php
Sunday, 18 October 2009
NFL Weeks 6: Picks
Texans @ Bengals
Lions @ Packers
Rams @ Jaguars
Ravens @ Vikings
Giants @ Saints
Browns @ Steelers
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Chiefs @ Redskins
Eagles @ Raiders
Cardinals @ Seahawks
Titans @ Patriots
Bills @ Jets
Bear @ Falcons
Broncos @ Chargers
Season so far; 58-18
Lions @ Packers
Rams @ Jaguars
Ravens @ Vikings
Giants @ Saints
Browns @ Steelers
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Chiefs @ Redskins
Eagles @ Raiders
Cardinals @ Seahawks
Titans @ Patriots
Bills @ Jets
Bear @ Falcons
Broncos @ Chargers
Season so far; 58-18
Sunday, 11 October 2009
NFL Week 5: Picks
Browns @ Bills
Patriots @ Broncos
Steelers @ Lions
Colts @ Titans
Cowboys @ Chiefs
Vikings @ Rams
Raiders @ Giants
Buccaneers @ Eagles
Texans @ Cardinals
Falcons @ 49ers
Jaguars @ Seahawks
Redskins @ Panthers
Bengals @ Ravens
Jets @ Dolphins
Season so far; 47-15
Patriots @ Broncos
Steelers @ Lions
Colts @ Titans
Cowboys @ Chiefs
Vikings @ Rams
Raiders @ Giants
Buccaneers @ Eagles
Texans @ Cardinals
Falcons @ 49ers
Jaguars @ Seahawks
Redskins @ Panthers
Bengals @ Ravens
Jets @ Dolphins
Season so far; 47-15
Saturday, 3 October 2009
NFL Week 4: Picks
Lions @ Bears - I guess we now have to hold the Lions to the same standards as the rest of the league now that we know that they can win a game. They won one, they don't win this one, they will win another one.
Bengals @ Browns - Things worse than being a Browns fan: Godfather Part III, Hangovers that make you literally try and pull the alcohol out of your brain, reality TV, family holidays after the age of 13, text messages that use the number '8' as anything other than a number and the Jonas Brothers. That's it.
Raiders @ Texans - Things worse than being a Raiders fan: any sort of cheap, tasteless meat, people who claim to be from Persia (you might as well say Mordor), the end of the third Lord of the Rings film, overpriced nightclub beer, seeing your ex when you haven't made it home and look like sh*t and...being a Browns fan. That's it.
Seahawks @ Colts - I suppose Jim Mora will blame his punter, DB coach or dog walker for losing this one. Who do I blame? Why, thanks for asking. I blame Brett Favre...or Michael Crabtree...or...Al Davis? Come on. One of them surely.
Titans @ Jags - The Titans are the best 0-3 team in the league. The Jags are 1-2. So Jacksonville's better. Well, we'll know after Sunday won't we.
Giants @ Chiefs - Do you remember when Arrowhead was one of the hardest places to travel to in the NFL?
Ravens @ Patriots - Two good teams. Two good coaches. Two good QB's. Two reasons why the Pats will win; a. they're at home. b. I told you so. That's literally all I've got. Honestly.
Bucs @ Redskins - A playoff of the two most bizarre coaching hires since Mike Bassett became England's fictional manager. Low on points and quality and excitement and interest and...
Bills @ Dolphins - I won't rip T.O for his outfit; if you're actions don't do the talking and you're mouth won't then that's all the expression you've really got.
Jets @ Saints -Ok, so Mark 'The Sanchise' Sanchez has a better nickname than I could come up with for Drew 'The Master-Keys' Brees but that doesn't mean he'll be quite as cosy this week as he has been as of late. You're going down Sanchez...
Cowboys @ Broncos - So, if Denver is 3-0 behind Kyle Orton then they'd be at least 14-0 with Jay Cutler right?
Rams @ 49ers - Just. Don't. Really. Care.
Chargers @ Steelers - San Diego are 0-13 in Pittsburgh, have been slowly starters under Norv in both year's he has coached the team, have a less than 100% LT, couldn't run on the Steelers with Darren Sproles in the playoffs last year, have lost Jamal Williams for the year and have seen little from (former?) stars Merriman and Cromartie. Yet everybody is backing them. Mistake.
Packers @ Vikings - How exactly do you pronounce that guys name? Favor? Favrey? Faaaaaaaave? Doesn't really matter, can't imagine he'll get much face time.
Season so far; 36-12
Bengals @ Browns - Things worse than being a Browns fan: Godfather Part III, Hangovers that make you literally try and pull the alcohol out of your brain, reality TV, family holidays after the age of 13, text messages that use the number '8' as anything other than a number and the Jonas Brothers. That's it.
Raiders @ Texans - Things worse than being a Raiders fan: any sort of cheap, tasteless meat, people who claim to be from Persia (you might as well say Mordor), the end of the third Lord of the Rings film, overpriced nightclub beer, seeing your ex when you haven't made it home and look like sh*t and...being a Browns fan. That's it.
Seahawks @ Colts - I suppose Jim Mora will blame his punter, DB coach or dog walker for losing this one. Who do I blame? Why, thanks for asking. I blame Brett Favre...or Michael Crabtree...or...Al Davis? Come on. One of them surely.
Titans @ Jags - The Titans are the best 0-3 team in the league. The Jags are 1-2. So Jacksonville's better. Well, we'll know after Sunday won't we.
Giants @ Chiefs - Do you remember when Arrowhead was one of the hardest places to travel to in the NFL?
Ravens @ Patriots - Two good teams. Two good coaches. Two good QB's. Two reasons why the Pats will win; a. they're at home. b. I told you so. That's literally all I've got. Honestly.
Bucs @ Redskins - A playoff of the two most bizarre coaching hires since Mike Bassett became England's fictional manager. Low on points and quality and excitement and interest and...
Bills @ Dolphins - I won't rip T.O for his outfit; if you're actions don't do the talking and you're mouth won't then that's all the expression you've really got.
Jets @ Saints -Ok, so Mark 'The Sanchise' Sanchez has a better nickname than I could come up with for Drew 'The Master-Keys' Brees but that doesn't mean he'll be quite as cosy this week as he has been as of late. You're going down Sanchez...
Cowboys @ Broncos - So, if Denver is 3-0 behind Kyle Orton then they'd be at least 14-0 with Jay Cutler right?
Rams @ 49ers - Just. Don't. Really. Care.
Chargers @ Steelers - San Diego are 0-13 in Pittsburgh, have been slowly starters under Norv in both year's he has coached the team, have a less than 100% LT, couldn't run on the Steelers with Darren Sproles in the playoffs last year, have lost Jamal Williams for the year and have seen little from (former?) stars Merriman and Cromartie. Yet everybody is backing them. Mistake.
Packers @ Vikings - How exactly do you pronounce that guys name? Favor? Favrey? Faaaaaaaave? Doesn't really matter, can't imagine he'll get much face time.
Season so far; 36-12
NFL Week 3: Thoughts and Notes
The Brett Favre edition!
The current Minnesota Viking QB, almost 40-something, NFL legend, man’s man and undisputed champion script writer decided it was time to add to his legacy with some late-game heroics/antics in defeating the 49ers and leading the Vikings to a 3-0 record heading into the most hotly anticipated game of the season so far; Packers @ Vikings. Aaron Rodgers, the Packers 1st round draft pick back in the 2005 season (and don’t get me started on him falling to no.22, that’s 21 spots lower than Alex Smith and behind Troy Williamson and Mike Williams amongst others - terrible top-10 if you care to take a look but I digress…) will always be inextricably linked to his former mentor and fellow Packer Favre and this will be their first meeting. I could say more. I don’t need to. Everyone else has done it for me. Good, lets me get back to watching some College Football.
Randy Moss has 9 100+ yard receiving games in the last 20 games Tom Brady has started.
Tony Gonzalez was held to just 1 catch for 16 yards against the Pats, his lowest receiving totals since the start of the 2006 season.
Tampa Bay didn’t gain a 1st down until almost 40 minutes into their game with the Giants. Let’s throw out some stats from this ‘game;’ the Bucs QB’s went a combined 11 or 26 for 58 yards. The Giants had 28 1st downs to the Bucs 5. The Giants went 10/16 on 3rd down, the Bucs were 0/9. The Giants outgained the Bucs 397-86 in total offense, 226-28 on the ground and 43:38-16:22 in time of possession.
The Bucs still haven’t kicked a successful field goal thus far this year.
Mark Sanchez is the first QB since the 1970 merger to win his first 3 games. The Browns could have picked him at no.5 in the draft, instead they traded down twice and got Rookie C Alex Mack, DE Kenyon Coleman (0 sacks, 12 tackles), SS Abram Elam (0 INT’s, 1 sack, 26 tackles), RB James Davis (9 attempts, 15 yards) and QB Brett Ratliff (0 minutes but may get a chance soon the way things are headed) Ouch.
Kerry Collins didn’t complete any of his last 13 passes.
Ryan Mouton, the rookie Titans kick returner and DB, has 4 fumbles on just 7 kick and punt returns this year and helped the Jets get off to their fast start in Tennessee’s latest loss.
The Chiefs were penalised the same number of yards on offense (90) as Matt Cassel was able to throw for.
Brett Favre passed for 301 yards against the 49ers, after just 265 yards passing in their opening two games. He is the first quarterback in the Brad Childress era to throw for more than 300 yards. Greg Lewis, Favre’s dramatic late-game recipient, had not had a catch this season before the game winning catch with 2 seconds to go.
Big games for this week; Titans @ Jags (in an early win or bust matchup), Ravens @ Patriots, Cowboys @ Broncos, Chargers @ Steelers (huge game for Pittsburgh), Jets @ Saints and…Favrebowl - This time its personal. The return of the gunslinger. 2009: A Favre Odyssey. Mutiny on the Bay. Rebel without a cause. Wait, that’s an actual movie. Never seen James Dean and Brett Favre in the same place. Can’t imagine anybody has. Where was I? Packers @ Vikings…Monday Night Football.
Vernon Davis, the 4th year phenom TE, had 7 catches for 96 yards and his best game as a pro.
Pierre Thomas, who ran for 126 yards on just 14 carries against the Bills, has a 5.1 yard per carry career average. Team mate Reggie Bush has a 3.7 ypc average and still only has 1 100+ yard rushing game in his career, when he ran for 126 yards v the Giants in his rookie season.
The Cardinals had 21 1st downs against the Colts, 0 rushing the football and only 24 total yards on the ground. They have the least rushing attempts in the league (57) after 3 weeks and the most fumbles (9), that’s a fumble almost every 6 touches.
Cedric Benson leads the league in rushing attempts with 66 and has the 3rd most yards (293).
Willis McGahee has 6 total TD’s. That’s more than 10 teams.
Marc Bulger has 2 games with a 100+ passer rating since the start of the 2007 season.
Kyle Orton has a 137.5 QB rating in the 4th quarter, the best in the league.
Note to Jim Mora Jr: Olindo Mare kicked FG’s from 37, 39, 46 and 46 yards and provided 13 of your team’s 19 points. You didn’t lose because of your kicker. You lost because you couldn’t turn FG’s into TD’s.
The Lions won. Seriously.
Shaun Rogers, the colossal Browns DT, is a combined 35-96 on teams he’s played for since entering the league in 2001. Rough deal to get drafted by the Lions and then traded to the Browns. And people wonder why he doesn’t always appear to give 100%?
Best division in football? The NFC East and North are both 8-4 while the NFC West is only 4-8.
JaMarcus Russell Watch! He’s still really bad.
T ‘Eldorado’ O Watch! He is flat out pissed. ‘It’s really unfair. It’s my team. It’s my quarterback…’ Oh wait, wrong quote.
Is Brent Celek the new breakout TE? In his position, he’s 1st in receptions (22), 2nd in yards (245), joint 1st in TD’s (2) and joint 1st in 1st downs (12).
3 of the top 4 leaders in pass completion % Drew Brees, Chad Pennington, Peyton Manning. No.1 on the list? Big Ben Roethlisberger.
The Browns have one offensive TD since week 11 of last year. And that was in garbage time at the end of the game. That’s 1 score in 36 quarters and 60 points in 9 games.
The Broncos have only conceded 16 points, 644 total yards and 0 passing TD’s in 3 games. But, then again, they’ve only played the Bengals, Browns and Raiders…
Tom Brady’s QB rating by quarter; 50.8, 68.8, 82.2, 107.9.
DeSean Jackson has 60+ yard TD’s in each game so far this season.
Game of the week - Vikings 27 - 24 49ers. Brett Favre! Brett Favre! Brett Favre! Greg Lewis….doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
Stat of the week - Here’s how you win a starting job at QB. Apparently. Derek Anderson went 11 for 19 for 92 yards and 3 picks to oust Brady Quinn in Cleveland.
Winner of the week - Brett Favre. Still got it. In Week 3. At Home. In the Dome. In the warmth. Against the 49ers…
Loser of the week - The Skins going down to the team that’s gone down more times recently thanmother. In fact, she might do a better job than Jim Zorn right now.
Play of the week - Favre. Lewis. Yup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
Player of the week - Brett Favre? Don’t be silly. Peyton Manning? 24-35, 379 yards, 4 scores and 1 pick in a master class against the Cardinals. Since recovering from his knee injury last year (so let’s say week 6 of 2008 onwards) he has been supreme.
The current Minnesota Viking QB, almost 40-something, NFL legend, man’s man and undisputed champion script writer decided it was time to add to his legacy with some late-game heroics/antics in defeating the 49ers and leading the Vikings to a 3-0 record heading into the most hotly anticipated game of the season so far; Packers @ Vikings. Aaron Rodgers, the Packers 1st round draft pick back in the 2005 season (and don’t get me started on him falling to no.22, that’s 21 spots lower than Alex Smith and behind Troy Williamson and Mike Williams amongst others - terrible top-10 if you care to take a look but I digress…) will always be inextricably linked to his former mentor and fellow Packer Favre and this will be their first meeting. I could say more. I don’t need to. Everyone else has done it for me. Good, lets me get back to watching some College Football.
Randy Moss has 9 100+ yard receiving games in the last 20 games Tom Brady has started.
Tony Gonzalez was held to just 1 catch for 16 yards against the Pats, his lowest receiving totals since the start of the 2006 season.
Tampa Bay didn’t gain a 1st down until almost 40 minutes into their game with the Giants. Let’s throw out some stats from this ‘game;’ the Bucs QB’s went a combined 11 or 26 for 58 yards. The Giants had 28 1st downs to the Bucs 5. The Giants went 10/16 on 3rd down, the Bucs were 0/9. The Giants outgained the Bucs 397-86 in total offense, 226-28 on the ground and 43:38-16:22 in time of possession.
The Bucs still haven’t kicked a successful field goal thus far this year.
Mark Sanchez is the first QB since the 1970 merger to win his first 3 games. The Browns could have picked him at no.5 in the draft, instead they traded down twice and got Rookie C Alex Mack, DE Kenyon Coleman (0 sacks, 12 tackles), SS Abram Elam (0 INT’s, 1 sack, 26 tackles), RB James Davis (9 attempts, 15 yards) and QB Brett Ratliff (0 minutes but may get a chance soon the way things are headed) Ouch.
Kerry Collins didn’t complete any of his last 13 passes.
Ryan Mouton, the rookie Titans kick returner and DB, has 4 fumbles on just 7 kick and punt returns this year and helped the Jets get off to their fast start in Tennessee’s latest loss.
The Chiefs were penalised the same number of yards on offense (90) as Matt Cassel was able to throw for.
Brett Favre passed for 301 yards against the 49ers, after just 265 yards passing in their opening two games. He is the first quarterback in the Brad Childress era to throw for more than 300 yards. Greg Lewis, Favre’s dramatic late-game recipient, had not had a catch this season before the game winning catch with 2 seconds to go.
Big games for this week; Titans @ Jags (in an early win or bust matchup), Ravens @ Patriots, Cowboys @ Broncos, Chargers @ Steelers (huge game for Pittsburgh), Jets @ Saints and…Favrebowl - This time its personal. The return of the gunslinger. 2009: A Favre Odyssey. Mutiny on the Bay. Rebel without a cause. Wait, that’s an actual movie. Never seen James Dean and Brett Favre in the same place. Can’t imagine anybody has. Where was I? Packers @ Vikings…Monday Night Football.
Vernon Davis, the 4th year phenom TE, had 7 catches for 96 yards and his best game as a pro.
Pierre Thomas, who ran for 126 yards on just 14 carries against the Bills, has a 5.1 yard per carry career average. Team mate Reggie Bush has a 3.7 ypc average and still only has 1 100+ yard rushing game in his career, when he ran for 126 yards v the Giants in his rookie season.
The Cardinals had 21 1st downs against the Colts, 0 rushing the football and only 24 total yards on the ground. They have the least rushing attempts in the league (57) after 3 weeks and the most fumbles (9), that’s a fumble almost every 6 touches.
Cedric Benson leads the league in rushing attempts with 66 and has the 3rd most yards (293).
Willis McGahee has 6 total TD’s. That’s more than 10 teams.
Marc Bulger has 2 games with a 100+ passer rating since the start of the 2007 season.
Kyle Orton has a 137.5 QB rating in the 4th quarter, the best in the league.
Note to Jim Mora Jr: Olindo Mare kicked FG’s from 37, 39, 46 and 46 yards and provided 13 of your team’s 19 points. You didn’t lose because of your kicker. You lost because you couldn’t turn FG’s into TD’s.
The Lions won. Seriously.
Shaun Rogers, the colossal Browns DT, is a combined 35-96 on teams he’s played for since entering the league in 2001. Rough deal to get drafted by the Lions and then traded to the Browns. And people wonder why he doesn’t always appear to give 100%?
Best division in football? The NFC East and North are both 8-4 while the NFC West is only 4-8.
JaMarcus Russell Watch! He’s still really bad.
T ‘Eldorado’ O Watch! He is flat out pissed. ‘It’s really unfair. It’s my team. It’s my quarterback…’ Oh wait, wrong quote.
Is Brent Celek the new breakout TE? In his position, he’s 1st in receptions (22), 2nd in yards (245), joint 1st in TD’s (2) and joint 1st in 1st downs (12).
3 of the top 4 leaders in pass completion % Drew Brees, Chad Pennington, Peyton Manning. No.1 on the list? Big Ben Roethlisberger.
The Browns have one offensive TD since week 11 of last year. And that was in garbage time at the end of the game. That’s 1 score in 36 quarters and 60 points in 9 games.
The Broncos have only conceded 16 points, 644 total yards and 0 passing TD’s in 3 games. But, then again, they’ve only played the Bengals, Browns and Raiders…
Tom Brady’s QB rating by quarter; 50.8, 68.8, 82.2, 107.9.
DeSean Jackson has 60+ yard TD’s in each game so far this season.
Game of the week - Vikings 27 - 24 49ers. Brett Favre! Brett Favre! Brett Favre! Greg Lewis….doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
Stat of the week - Here’s how you win a starting job at QB. Apparently. Derek Anderson went 11 for 19 for 92 yards and 3 picks to oust Brady Quinn in Cleveland.
Winner of the week - Brett Favre. Still got it. In Week 3. At Home. In the Dome. In the warmth. Against the 49ers…
Loser of the week - The Skins going down to the team that’s gone down more times recently than
Play of the week - Favre. Lewis. Yup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
Player of the week - Brett Favre? Don’t be silly. Peyton Manning? 24-35, 379 yards, 4 scores and 1 pick in a master class against the Cardinals. Since recovering from his knee injury last year (so let’s say week 6 of 2008 onwards) he has been supreme.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Premiership Power Rankings
Finally, it was Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti's turn to taste defeat. Is the honeymoon over? Is 'Scolari syndrome' likely to kick in? Will they be ousted from the top of the Power Rankings? Stay tuned!
Oh, you're here. Um...well, here you go...
1. Chelsea (played 7, points 18, No Change) - Ok, so they lost, they didn't play well and they made Wigan look good. See Burnley v United a few weeks ago...
2. Man Utd (p 7, pts 18, NC) - As if being top of the actual table matters.
3. Man City (p 6, pts 15, NC) - Swept West Ham to the side on Monday night and with Carlos Tevez scoring, Craig Bellamy performing, Roque Santa Cruz back from injury and Emmanuel Adebayor back from suspension only a defeat to Aston Villa on Monday night can dampen the optimism at Eastlands.
4. Liverpool (p 7, pts 15, NC) - Defeat to Fiorentina means that every remaining Champions League group game bears real pressure. As does their visit to Chelsea this Sunday with another defeat severely denting any real title challenge.
5. Arsenal (p 6, pts 12, NC) - Some of the defensive inconsistencies seem to be ironed out and they can celebrate 13 years under Arsene Wenger's stewardship with victory over Blackburn this week. And by getting someone sent off.
6. Tottenham (p 7, pts 15, Up 1) - Rumours of Harry Redknapp's departure are flummoxing; Spurs are young and exciting with abundant creativity and potency in the final third. Although that Portsmouth job might come up again...
7. Aston Villa (p 6, pts 12, Dn 1) - The league's best defensive record will be tested over the coming weeks by home games against Man City and Chelsea, followed by trips to Wolves and Sunderland. I have simply no idea if this team is average, good or even better right now.
8. Sunderland (p 7, pts 12, NC) - Bent and Jones have 10 league goals between them already; Bent with 5 before half time, Jones with 3 after half time. Quite the partnership.
9. Everton (p 6, pts 9, NC) - The Merseysiders have won 5 straight in all competitions and push well into the top-10 with games against Stoke (h), Wolves (h) and Bolton (a).
10. Stoke (p 7, pts 8, NC) - Slumping a little as of late but have now played 3 of the big-4 and have James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller returning. They need them; the team has scored just 5 league goals and has less shots than any other Premiership side.
11. Burnley (p 7, pts 9, Up 1) - They move up the rankings in spite of a 5-0 thumping at White Hart Lane. No need to worry though, they're at home this week to Birmingham.
12. Blackburn (p 6, pts 7, Up 4) - Blackburn visit Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in their next three away games and are yet to get a point on the road. They host Burnley and Portsmouth in their next couple of home games with 7 points gained at Ewood Park so far. Business as usual then.
13. Wigan (p 7, pts 9, Up 4) - Yes, yes, so they beat Chelsea. Still don't trust them.
14. Fulham (p 6, pts 6, Dn 3) - Lost 4 of 5 but have been competitive and were unfortunate to not get anything out of their game with the Gunners. The Europa League is likely to strain the club's resources over the coming months.
15. West Ham (p 6, pts 4, Dn 2) - They were slow starters after Zola took over in the early stages of the last campaign but could be in trouble if they don't augment their enjoyable football into winning football.
16. Bolton (p 6, pts 7, Up 2) - Unbeaten in 3 league games, including priceless victories at Portsmouth and Birmingham. Problem is, their upcoming schedule; Spurs (h), Man Utd (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (h) and Villa (a). Tamir Cohen isn't bad. Just a thought.
17. Birmingham (p 7, pts 7, Dn 3) - Their only wins come against Hull and Portsmouth, easily the worst 2 teams to this point. And they're dull. And St. Andrews is hardly a fortress. And they've still not scored a goal before the 75th minute of the season which is my favourite stat of the season so far and pretty much the only reason I pay attention to their games.
18. Wolves (p 7, pts 7, Dn 3) - Don't look a whole lot more than a Championship side. Do we really need 20 teams in the Premier League?
19. Hull (p 7, pts 4, NC) - Mauled by Liverpool last weekend and have now conceded 15 goals in their last 4 games, all defeats. Thankfully, a pleasing looking schedule lies ahead; Wigan (h), Fulham (a), Portsmouth (h), Burnley (a), Stoke (h), West Ham (h).
20. Portsmouth (p 7, pts 0, NC) - No change. No arguments. Improving though...
Oh, you're here. Um...well, here you go...
1. Chelsea (played 7, points 18, No Change) - Ok, so they lost, they didn't play well and they made Wigan look good. See Burnley v United a few weeks ago...
2. Man Utd (p 7, pts 18, NC) - As if being top of the actual table matters.
3. Man City (p 6, pts 15, NC) - Swept West Ham to the side on Monday night and with Carlos Tevez scoring, Craig Bellamy performing, Roque Santa Cruz back from injury and Emmanuel Adebayor back from suspension only a defeat to Aston Villa on Monday night can dampen the optimism at Eastlands.
4. Liverpool (p 7, pts 15, NC) - Defeat to Fiorentina means that every remaining Champions League group game bears real pressure. As does their visit to Chelsea this Sunday with another defeat severely denting any real title challenge.
5. Arsenal (p 6, pts 12, NC) - Some of the defensive inconsistencies seem to be ironed out and they can celebrate 13 years under Arsene Wenger's stewardship with victory over Blackburn this week. And by getting someone sent off.
6. Tottenham (p 7, pts 15, Up 1) - Rumours of Harry Redknapp's departure are flummoxing; Spurs are young and exciting with abundant creativity and potency in the final third. Although that Portsmouth job might come up again...
7. Aston Villa (p 6, pts 12, Dn 1) - The league's best defensive record will be tested over the coming weeks by home games against Man City and Chelsea, followed by trips to Wolves and Sunderland. I have simply no idea if this team is average, good or even better right now.
8. Sunderland (p 7, pts 12, NC) - Bent and Jones have 10 league goals between them already; Bent with 5 before half time, Jones with 3 after half time. Quite the partnership.
9. Everton (p 6, pts 9, NC) - The Merseysiders have won 5 straight in all competitions and push well into the top-10 with games against Stoke (h), Wolves (h) and Bolton (a).
10. Stoke (p 7, pts 8, NC) - Slumping a little as of late but have now played 3 of the big-4 and have James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller returning. They need them; the team has scored just 5 league goals and has less shots than any other Premiership side.
11. Burnley (p 7, pts 9, Up 1) - They move up the rankings in spite of a 5-0 thumping at White Hart Lane. No need to worry though, they're at home this week to Birmingham.
12. Blackburn (p 6, pts 7, Up 4) - Blackburn visit Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in their next three away games and are yet to get a point on the road. They host Burnley and Portsmouth in their next couple of home games with 7 points gained at Ewood Park so far. Business as usual then.
13. Wigan (p 7, pts 9, Up 4) - Yes, yes, so they beat Chelsea. Still don't trust them.
14. Fulham (p 6, pts 6, Dn 3) - Lost 4 of 5 but have been competitive and were unfortunate to not get anything out of their game with the Gunners. The Europa League is likely to strain the club's resources over the coming months.
15. West Ham (p 6, pts 4, Dn 2) - They were slow starters after Zola took over in the early stages of the last campaign but could be in trouble if they don't augment their enjoyable football into winning football.
16. Bolton (p 6, pts 7, Up 2) - Unbeaten in 3 league games, including priceless victories at Portsmouth and Birmingham. Problem is, their upcoming schedule; Spurs (h), Man Utd (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (h) and Villa (a). Tamir Cohen isn't bad. Just a thought.
17. Birmingham (p 7, pts 7, Dn 3) - Their only wins come against Hull and Portsmouth, easily the worst 2 teams to this point. And they're dull. And St. Andrews is hardly a fortress. And they've still not scored a goal before the 75th minute of the season which is my favourite stat of the season so far and pretty much the only reason I pay attention to their games.
18. Wolves (p 7, pts 7, Dn 3) - Don't look a whole lot more than a Championship side. Do we really need 20 teams in the Premier League?
19. Hull (p 7, pts 4, NC) - Mauled by Liverpool last weekend and have now conceded 15 goals in their last 4 games, all defeats. Thankfully, a pleasing looking schedule lies ahead; Wigan (h), Fulham (a), Portsmouth (h), Burnley (a), Stoke (h), West Ham (h).
20. Portsmouth (p 7, pts 0, NC) - No change. No arguments. Improving though...
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Premiership Prop Bets
A few provocative thoughts that entered my mind and, seeing as I'm such a good guy, I figured I'd share with you all. Why don't we do this more often? I'll open some wine, put out a platter, dim the lights....
Who scores more goals this season, Darren Bent or Robbie Keane?
The former and current Spurs strikers both scored at the weekend and have begun the season in fine form. Bent has 6 goals to date and Keane has 5 after plundering 4 against hapless Burnley on the weekend.
Over the past 7 years, going back to his first season with Tottenham, Keane has 13, 14, 11, 16, 11, 15 and 10 league goals (the last including 5 goals during his ill-fated stay with Liverpool). Bent, during the same spell, has 12, 16, 20, 18, 13, 6 and 12 league goals (the first 3 taking place in the Championship for Ipswich). Both are consistent performers with Keane averaging a goal every 2.73 games during his Premiership career and Bent averaging a goal every 2.46 games.
Their current employers Spurs (17) and Sunderland (14) have been amongst the top scorers in the division this year although it seems likely the London club will score more over the course of the season. While Tottenham will probably rotate their forwards that much more, Keane is, in the absence of Ledley King, the team captain and will start the majority of games, as should Bent. Neither has struggled with long-term injury.
One point of note would seem to be the mildly different roles they play for their respective employers; Keane more of a creator, Bent as a finisher. The Sunderland man, in the vain of confidence he is currently in and considering the quick accord he has built with Kenwyne Jones, might be favourite to edge the Irishman.
Where do Burnley get their first goal and points away from Turf Moor?
0 goals, 14 conceded and 0 points in their 4 away fixtures so far this term. Their next 6 away fixtures; Blackburn, Man City, West Ham, Portsmouth, Wolves and Everton, their last before the turn of the year. Blackburn, despite a poor start, have only lost 1 of 4 at home and are a physical and experienced Premiership team, Man City should be too strong so...Portsmouth right? Maybe not. The South coast side will surely have lifted their form by them (they can't lose every game this year) and Fratton Park, historically, has been a site of strength.
What about West Ham. They have been vulnerable at home, having lost both their games at Upton Park this season, and have proven inconsistent under Zola - they've won 3 of their last 10 home league fixtures.
Who has more by Christmas; points for Portsmouth or goals for Louis Saha?
Saha scored his fifth goal of the season in toppling Pompey once again, leaving Portsmouth with no points yet from their 7 games played and 11 games before Christmas 2009. Saha, who has missed large chinks of the past 7 years due to groin, knee and hamstring injuries but, when fit and available, is a clinical finisher, as has been seen this season and in the last FA Cup final.
Saha might be expected to score at least another 3 or 4 before the festive period, even considering the return of Yakubu and the fact that he probably won't start every game. Pompey have games against Wolves, Stoke, Hull, Wigan, Blackburn and Burnley as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United and Spurs. Can they pick up 10 points from that schedule? Probably. Go on. Yes.
Which team will be the first to break into the top-4?
Man City and Spurs can claim to be the biggest threats in the early stages of this season. But what if Arsenal, Liverpool, United and Chelsea finish in at the summit once more? Then perhaps Everton or Aston Villa would be in the conversation too.
City, with their resources, would have to be favourites but Everton were the last team to break the monopoly, finishing 4th in the 2004/5 season and are coming off the back of successive 5th place finishes while Spurs and Villa might have the strongest young English nuclei in the division.
Despite their varying credentials, City are the standout prospect. Even if the squad isn't capable of it this season, they can buy those that will.
Will Ryan Giggs win 20 major domestic trophies?
The Welsh wing wizard has 18 - 11 Premier League trophies, 4 FA Cups and 3 League Cups. So, only needing 2 more, the question simply revolves around his longevity and whether United can retain their domestic dominance during his remaining years.
Giggs, now 35, was PFA Player of the Year last term and has shown little inclination to retire. His stamina cannot be questioned and, albeit in a more restricted role, Giggs is still a top player.
David James is 39, fellow Welshman Gary Speed was playing Premiership football at 38 and former United teammate Dwight Yorke was still a Sunderland player at 37 so there is precedent. However, Giggs will finish his career at Old Trafford and almost certainly would not want to remain at the club if he was not capable of performing to a high level. Could he be there for 2 more years? 3? 4? Would he retire if Ferguson retired? What if he won another Champions League? Here's hoping it's safe to pencil into United squads for another couple of seasons.
Well, then he has to be a lock for 20 trophies right? Probably, United have won 4 domestic trophies over the past 3 years, including 3 league titles but, without Ronaldo, with the golden generation heading towards retirement and some of the young players yet to flourish, the Reds might not be the prevalent force atop the mountain of English football in the immediate future.
Giggs should make it. Just.
Will Fernando Torres score more than 100 league goals for Liverpool?
The Spaniard has 46 goals in 64 appearances. Again, it's purely a matter of how long Torres hangs around. At his current rate, he would only need to play until the end of next season, although injuries might restrict him slightly.
What about 120 goals? That would mean playing with Liverpool until the end of the 2011/12 campaign. Will Benitez still be boss? At 27 or 28, would Torres consider leaving to return to Spain? Will Liverpool be in the financial position to reject a monumental offer from one of Europe's richest?
Here's a few more teasers:
Will Wayne Rooney (0) or Steven Gerrard (1) finish with more PFA Player of the Year awards?
Will Michael Owen (146) finish with more Premiership goals than Andy Cole (189) and be second only to Alan Shearer on the all-time list?
Will Frank Lampard (438), keen to play until he's 38, finish with more Premiership appearances than Ryan Giggs (currently 528)?
Will Leeds be a Premiership side again within 5 years?
Who will be the staring goalkeeper for Manchester United on opening day 2011/12?
I'll leave you to muse over those for a while...
NFL Week 3: Picks
Saints @ Bills - Don't expect a (Jeremy) Shockey here, The Saints should (Drew) Brees through this game and add one (Lance) Moore win or I'm a (Marques) Colston. Reggie Bush. Randall Gay. Ah, fun with words.
Steelers @ Bengals - Last week Ocho Cinco made the Lambeau Leap, will he take on the terrible towel if he scores a TD this week? Last time a Cincy receiver did so (T.J Houshmandzadeh after beating the Steelers in 2005), the Bengals got thrashed in the playoffs, lost their star QB to injury and watched the Steelers win the Superbowl. Think they'll try it again? Child please...of course! playoffs baby!
Redskins @ Lions - $100million of Albert Haynesworth and he can't even play on offense? What a rip off. Lions might win this. Not a typo. Lions might win this. Let me try that once more. Lions might win this.
Broncos @ Raiders -Likely to be about as ugly as Kyle Orton's finger. Or Brandon Marshall's attitude. Or JaMarcus Russel's QB rating, or Al Davis. Pick your favourite.
Packers @ Rams - Just let the Rams play the Browns now, the loser gets relegated to the realms of history and the WNBA.
49ers @ Vikings - Two unbeaten teams. Two in-form running backs. Two good defences. Only one Brett Favre. As far as we know. Maybe that's it, this could be Favre 6.0, greyer and more powerful than ever! Maybe not.
Falcons @ Patriots - Matt Ryan is no Tom Brady. Come on, I've never even heard of his girlfriend?
Titans @ Jets - Let's not get too excited about 'Broadway' Mark 'Dirty' Sanchez. You think Kellen Clemens wouldn't do ok with that defence? Ok, so he wouldn't make it look so good, nor would I now know what a 'filthy fernando' is. Go on, google it...
Chiefs @ Eagles - Kevin Kolb could throw for 500 yards, 10 TD's, cure cancer and save a drowning puppy and it still wouldn't matter; this is all about Mike Vick.
Colts @ Cardinals - Peyton Manning versus Kurt Warner versus the clock. If they even hand off to a tail back one time I'm gonna riot.
Dolphins @ Chargers - Last week the Fins held the ball for over 45 minutes and lost. The fact that ALL their games this season are set for 60 minutes is yet another example of the schedule makers conspiring against them.
Bears @ Seahawks - Cutler was terrible, Seattle were terrific. Cutler was great, Seattle were god-awful. So this week Cutler will be in Seattle and god will be terrifying? I'm confused...
Giants @ Buccaneers - Whats the key storyline here? Dunno, Giants win though. How dull.
Browns @ Ravens - This is already over and the game doesn't start for a few hours.
Jaguars @ Texans - This won't be over until one team manages to throw one final damming interception.
Panthers @ Cowboys - This should be over about 4 in the morning UK time. At least I hope so. Any later and I'll never get the image of Jerry Jones out of my head.
Season so far; 24-8
Steelers @ Bengals - Last week Ocho Cinco made the Lambeau Leap, will he take on the terrible towel if he scores a TD this week? Last time a Cincy receiver did so (T.J Houshmandzadeh after beating the Steelers in 2005), the Bengals got thrashed in the playoffs, lost their star QB to injury and watched the Steelers win the Superbowl. Think they'll try it again? Child please...of course! playoffs baby!
Redskins @ Lions - $100million of Albert Haynesworth and he can't even play on offense? What a rip off. Lions might win this. Not a typo. Lions might win this. Let me try that once more. Lions might win this.
Broncos @ Raiders -Likely to be about as ugly as Kyle Orton's finger. Or Brandon Marshall's attitude. Or JaMarcus Russel's QB rating, or Al Davis. Pick your favourite.
Packers @ Rams - Just let the Rams play the Browns now, the loser gets relegated to the realms of history and the WNBA.
49ers @ Vikings - Two unbeaten teams. Two in-form running backs. Two good defences. Only one Brett Favre. As far as we know. Maybe that's it, this could be Favre 6.0, greyer and more powerful than ever! Maybe not.
Falcons @ Patriots - Matt Ryan is no Tom Brady. Come on, I've never even heard of his girlfriend?
Titans @ Jets - Let's not get too excited about 'Broadway' Mark 'Dirty' Sanchez. You think Kellen Clemens wouldn't do ok with that defence? Ok, so he wouldn't make it look so good, nor would I now know what a 'filthy fernando' is. Go on, google it...
Chiefs @ Eagles - Kevin Kolb could throw for 500 yards, 10 TD's, cure cancer and save a drowning puppy and it still wouldn't matter; this is all about Mike Vick.
Colts @ Cardinals - Peyton Manning versus Kurt Warner versus the clock. If they even hand off to a tail back one time I'm gonna riot.
Dolphins @ Chargers - Last week the Fins held the ball for over 45 minutes and lost. The fact that ALL their games this season are set for 60 minutes is yet another example of the schedule makers conspiring against them.
Bears @ Seahawks - Cutler was terrible, Seattle were terrific. Cutler was great, Seattle were god-awful. So this week Cutler will be in Seattle and god will be terrifying? I'm confused...
Giants @ Buccaneers - Whats the key storyline here? Dunno, Giants win though. How dull.
Browns @ Ravens - This is already over and the game doesn't start for a few hours.
Jaguars @ Texans - This won't be over until one team manages to throw one final damming interception.
Panthers @ Cowboys - This should be over about 4 in the morning UK time. At least I hope so. Any later and I'll never get the image of Jerry Jones out of my head.
Season so far; 24-8
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Premiership Power Rankings
Last week's 10 games provided 34 goals and bags of entertainment. Pretty much guarantees that this round of games will be about as much fun as listening to David Platt commentate on Carling Cup tie, featuring, oh, say Man Utd and Wolves? Thrilling...
1. Chelsea (played 6, points 18, No Change) - Still winning. Still playing well. Still top. Probably the only team in the league without defensive concerns.
2. Man Utd (p 6, pts 15, NC) - The good: Wayne Rooney's form, Ryan Giggs' longevity, Michael Owen's timing. The bad: Edwin Van der Sar's injury, Rio Ferdinand's fitness, Dimitar Berbatov's profligacy. Yet to convince.
3. Man City (p 5, pts 12, NC) - Their first loss of the year came away from home, at the champions, without arguably their two best players, thanks to a 96th minute goal. No need to panic.
4. Liverpool (p 6, pts 12, NC) - Not making it easy for themselves and not as sturdy at the back as they were last year but, in Fernando Torres, they have the league's premier marksman.
5. Arsenal (p 5, pts 9, Up 1) - 26 goals scored and 11 conceded in their 9 games played so far this year. Can they finish higher than 3rd?
6. Aston Villa (p 5, pts 12, Up 1) - 6 straight wins and 4 straight clean sheets in all competitions. Gabi Agbonlahor has also hit the net in each of the last four - should he be in Capello's squad for the World Cup?
7. Tottenham (p 6, pts 12, Dn 2) - Consecutive defeats to big-four sides may have dented optimism at the lane a little but here's their next four fixtures; Burnley (h), Bolton (a), Portsmouth (a), Stoke (h). Plus, they've got the back-heeling, robot-dancing, sky-reaching Peter Crouch.
8. Sunderland (p 6, pts 9, NC) - Well, everyone loses at Turf Moor...
9. Everton (p 5, pts 6, Up 4) - Seemingly back on track with their comfortable victory over Blackburn. Seemingly prematurely rising these rankings but I'm in a good mood and Phil Jagielka just got robbed; he needs some good news.
10. Stoke (p 6, pts 8, Dn 1) - Survived Blackpool in the Carling Cup but will have to step up if they are to beat their next opponents; Manchester United.
11. Fulham (p 5, pts 6, Dn 1) - 26 goals in 139 games. That's Andrew Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland and Bobby Zamora's combined goal tally since joining the West Londoners.
12. Burnley (p 6, pts 9, Up 2) - Prediciton I; Burnley lose to Spurs by at least 2 goals this weekend.
13. West Ham (p 5, pts 4, Dn 2) - My favourite Carlton Cole chant (to the tune of 'Gold') Carlton Cole, goal, Always believe in your soul, You've got the power to know, Your indestructible, Always believe in, Carlton Cole, goal...
14. Birmingham (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Prediciton II; the Blues will never open Match of the Day this season.
15. Wolves (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Michael Kightly and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake are on the way back to lend some needed quality and potency. They go to Sunderland next.
16. Blackburn (p 5, pts 4, Dn 4) - El Hadji-Diouf can't stay out of trouble, Chris Samba can't be a forward and Sam Allardyce can't escape the fans ire.
17. Wigan (p 6, pts 6, Dn 2) - Totally abused by United and Arsenal this year. Let's see what Chelsea do with the lightweight Latics.
18. Bolton (p 5, pts 4, Up 1) - Prediction III; if Wanderers don't beat Birmingham this Saturday, they'll be in the bottom 3 come November.
19. Hull (p 6, pts 4, Dn 3) - I guess if your team plays in Amber and Black, and you're the devoted kind, then you have no choice but to look like a seedy strip club owner from the Costa Brava circa 1983. Not a great look there Phil.
20. Portsmouth (p 6, pts 0, NC) - Performed well at the Villa and earned a second straight Carling Cup victory in midweek. What? They could stay up...honestly...ok, they've gone...sorry about that...yeah...no chance...
1. Chelsea (played 6, points 18, No Change) - Still winning. Still playing well. Still top. Probably the only team in the league without defensive concerns.
2. Man Utd (p 6, pts 15, NC) - The good: Wayne Rooney's form, Ryan Giggs' longevity, Michael Owen's timing. The bad: Edwin Van der Sar's injury, Rio Ferdinand's fitness, Dimitar Berbatov's profligacy. Yet to convince.
3. Man City (p 5, pts 12, NC) - Their first loss of the year came away from home, at the champions, without arguably their two best players, thanks to a 96th minute goal. No need to panic.
4. Liverpool (p 6, pts 12, NC) - Not making it easy for themselves and not as sturdy at the back as they were last year but, in Fernando Torres, they have the league's premier marksman.
5. Arsenal (p 5, pts 9, Up 1) - 26 goals scored and 11 conceded in their 9 games played so far this year. Can they finish higher than 3rd?
6. Aston Villa (p 5, pts 12, Up 1) - 6 straight wins and 4 straight clean sheets in all competitions. Gabi Agbonlahor has also hit the net in each of the last four - should he be in Capello's squad for the World Cup?
7. Tottenham (p 6, pts 12, Dn 2) - Consecutive defeats to big-four sides may have dented optimism at the lane a little but here's their next four fixtures; Burnley (h), Bolton (a), Portsmouth (a), Stoke (h). Plus, they've got the back-heeling, robot-dancing, sky-reaching Peter Crouch.
8. Sunderland (p 6, pts 9, NC) - Well, everyone loses at Turf Moor...
9. Everton (p 5, pts 6, Up 4) - Seemingly back on track with their comfortable victory over Blackburn. Seemingly prematurely rising these rankings but I'm in a good mood and Phil Jagielka just got robbed; he needs some good news.
10. Stoke (p 6, pts 8, Dn 1) - Survived Blackpool in the Carling Cup but will have to step up if they are to beat their next opponents; Manchester United.
11. Fulham (p 5, pts 6, Dn 1) - 26 goals in 139 games. That's Andrew Johnson, Diomansy Kamara, Erik Nevland and Bobby Zamora's combined goal tally since joining the West Londoners.
12. Burnley (p 6, pts 9, Up 2) - Prediciton I; Burnley lose to Spurs by at least 2 goals this weekend.
13. West Ham (p 5, pts 4, Dn 2) - My favourite Carlton Cole chant (to the tune of 'Gold') Carlton Cole, goal, Always believe in your soul, You've got the power to know, Your indestructible, Always believe in, Carlton Cole, goal...
14. Birmingham (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Prediciton II; the Blues will never open Match of the Day this season.
15. Wolves (p 6, pts 7, Up 3) - Michael Kightly and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake are on the way back to lend some needed quality and potency. They go to Sunderland next.
16. Blackburn (p 5, pts 4, Dn 4) - El Hadji-Diouf can't stay out of trouble, Chris Samba can't be a forward and Sam Allardyce can't escape the fans ire.
17. Wigan (p 6, pts 6, Dn 2) - Totally abused by United and Arsenal this year. Let's see what Chelsea do with the lightweight Latics.
18. Bolton (p 5, pts 4, Up 1) - Prediction III; if Wanderers don't beat Birmingham this Saturday, they'll be in the bottom 3 come November.
19. Hull (p 6, pts 4, Dn 3) - I guess if your team plays in Amber and Black, and you're the devoted kind, then you have no choice but to look like a seedy strip club owner from the Costa Brava circa 1983. Not a great look there Phil.
20. Portsmouth (p 6, pts 0, NC) - Performed well at the Villa and earned a second straight Carling Cup victory in midweek. What? They could stay up...honestly...ok, they've gone...sorry about that...yeah...no chance...
NFL Week 2: Thoughts and Notes
Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and Jason Witten love him. Jessica Simpson, Drew Bledsoe and Tony Dorsett really don’t. Dorsett, the former Cowboys great, said “the thing is this: You have a guy who hasn't done much, and quarterbacks in the NFL, most of them go through this growing curve. He hasn't gone through that growing curve, but he was anointed this great player all of a sudden. Now he's having to live up to that. And obviously Tony has some deficiencies." Let’s not get to what Simpson or Bledsoe said…
The biggest slight against the anointed Dallas star is his ability to win the big game. A look back at probably the 5 most important games of his career certainly consolidate that theory:
NFC Divisional Game, Sunday, January 13th 2008 vs. New York Giants
18-36, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, lost 21-17.
Cowboys finish 13-3 and are the no.1 seeds in the NFC, fall at home to the Giants.
NFC Wildcard Game, Sunday January 6th 2007 vs. Seattle Seahawks
17-29, 189 yards, 1 TD, lost 21-20.
Romo fumbles the snap on the game-winning field goal attempt.
Week 17, Sunday December 28th 2008 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
21-39, 183 yards, 1 INT, lost 44-6
Cowboys get humiliated in an end of season playoff to make the postseason.
Week 2, Sunday September 20th, 2009 vs. Giants
13-29, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, lost 33-31
Romo underperforms as the Cowboys open their new stadium against their heated rivals.
Week 7, Monday October 23rd 2006 vs. New York Giants
14-25, 227 yards, 2 TD’s, 3 INT’s, lost 36-22.
Romo comes off the bench to replace Drew Bledsoe; his first pass is tipped for an Interception.
Tony Romo and about 105,000 disconcerted Cowboys fans can be seen this Monday night. In the spotlight. On the jumbo-mumbo-tron. In HD. Fortunately for all concerned, Jake Delhomme and the Panthers are in town to make Romo look good.
The Rams have 7 points after 2 games. They’re on pace for 56 total points.
What a catch by Andre Johnson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccGFLRMPwUo He caught 10 balls for 149 yards and 3 scores.
Has anyone gained 284 total yards in an easier fashion than Chris Johnson? Untouched on plays of 57, 69 and 91 yards, all for touchdowns. Johnson’s average rush on carries 1-10 is 11.8 yards but on carries 11-20 it is just 1.7 yards.
In his NFL Career, Felix Jones has rushed for 384 yards on 14 carries and carries a 8.93 average yard per carry.
Darren Sproles has 524 all-purpose yards. He’s on pace for 4,192 yards.
The Lions have lost their first 2 games for the past eight straight years. Hasn’t been their decade to be honest. The Matt Millen legacy endures.
Brett Favre’s longest pass play through 2 weeks is 21 yards, his only pass over 20 yards.
Antwan Odom had 5 sacks against the Packers and already has 7 this season. He had only 3 all last year and only 15.5 in his 5 year career coming into 2009.
Greg Jennings, who had 6 catches for 106 yards against the Bears, was held without a single catch against the Bengals. His team have a league-high 8 dropped passes to this point.
Charles Woodson had 2 picks versus the Bengals and now has 21 since 2006.
Kurt Warner completed 24 of 26 passes for 243 yards and 2 TD’s against the Jags to break the all-time single game record for pass completion percentage. Tom Brady holds the post season record for his performance in the 07’ playoffs, going 26 of 28 for 263 yards and 3 TD’s. The opponent? The Jags.
There were 9 fumbles shared between Arizona (5) and Jacksonville (4).
The Chiefs more than doubled the Raiders in yards (409-166) and almost did the same in time of possession (38:39-21:21). They lost 13-10.
The Bengals were 4/4 in the Red Zone.
JaMarcus Russell only went 7 of 24 but 6 were for first downs. He has just a 36.7% passing completion % in the 1st half. That’s excellent compared to his 2nd half performance; 33.3%. Despite this, he has the highest yard per completion average at 16.7%.
The Redskins went 0 for 5 in the Red Zone.
Darren Sharper has 3 INT’s, 176 yards return yards and a TD already this season. He is the active leader in Interceptions (57), Interceptions returned for TD’s (9) and Interception return yards (1,212).
The Bills went 0 for 4 in the Red Zone.
Last year, the Dolphins, Chargers and Vikings all began the season 0-2 and made the playoffs. Of the current crop, the Titans, Panthers, Jags and Dolphins have killer schedules and the Browns, Lions, Bucs and Rams are pretty terrible. That leaves the Chiefs with a new QB, new coach and 4 games coming up against the NFC East. Only 3 teams since 1990 have begun the year 0-3 and qualified for the postseason.
The Chargers went 0 for 5 in the Red Zone.
Frank Gore, a week after averaging 1.4 yards per carry, ran for 207 yards on 16 carries, 12.9 yards per carry. His 80 and 79 yard TD runs were the longest two runs of his career.
The Cowboys outrushed the Giants (251-97) and went 4/4 in the Red Zone in comparison to New York’s 0 for 5. And lost of course.
Mario Manningham and Steve Smith have combined for 20 catches and 284 yards. Where’s Plax? Starting his 2-year jail sentence.
Eli Manning’s 330 yards on 25 for 38 passing, plus 2 TD’s, were his fourth most in his career, all achieved away from home. Tony Romo threw for just 127 yards, 13 for 29, 1 TD and 3 INT’s, the second lowest total of his career.
Roy Williams, penned as the Cowboys go-to guy, has just 27 receptions in his last 13 games. No wide receiver had more than a single catch against the Giants.
Matt Forte has 84 yards on 38 carries and just 117 total yards. Steve Slaton has 51 yards on 26 carries and just 111 total yards. Slaton also has a league-leading 3 fumbles.
Johnny Knox, a 22 year old rookie drafted in the 5th round by the Bears, has 152 yards receiving.
Elvis Dumervil, who sacked Brady Quinn 4 times on Sunday, now has 30 career sacks and 7 career multi-sack games.
Miami gained 27 1st downs, were successful in converting 71% of their 3rd downs, 239 rushing yards, 84 total plays and had possession for 45:07 minutes…and lost.
Of all NFL starters, Brett Favre (265) has the least passing yards. Phillip Rivers (688), on the back of 436 yard performance against the Ravens, has the most.
Biggest names on Injured Reserve: Jamal Williams (DT, Chargers), Brad Butler (T, Bills), Shawn Andrews (G, Eagles), Stewart Bradley (LB, Eagles), Harry Douglas (WR, Falcons), Peria Jerry (DT, Falcons), Brian Urlacher (LB, Bears), Adam Carricker (DT, Rams), Walt Harris (CB, 49ers).
Oh, some guy called Mike Vick returns to the NFL this week.
Eli Manning (8) has the most 25+ yard passing plays after week 2. Kyle Orton is second (7) but his longest is just 37 yards, last in the AFC.
Tom Brady is on pace for 800 passing attempts. He has already hurled the rock 100 times and has been sacked only once. That’s the same amount as Antwaan Randle El. He wasn’t sacked against the Jets but was pressured and harried all day, resulting in a lack of rhythm, no touchdowns and his hair being all out of place as he threw his helmet to the floor.
Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 10 times in just 77 pass attempts and has now lost LT Chad Clifton for a couple of games. They will travel to the Vikes (and their dominating D-line) in week 4...
Drew Brees may have the highest pass completion % in the 4th quarter but has only thrown the ball 7 times (6 completions). Ben Roethlisberger is 21/26 in two tough games (including OT) against strong defences, an 80.8 pass completion %.
Mark Sanchez (70%, 7/10) has the highest completion % in the NFL on 3rd down with 8+ yards remaining. Marc Bulger is at the other end of the spectrum, 0 for 9 at 0%. A big reason why the Jets are 2-0 and the Rams are 0-2.
The QB you want on 3rd down in the NFC? Jason Campbell apparently. He has converted 55.6% of pass attempts into 1st downs to lead the conference. And who don’t you want? Kurt Warner so the stats say, only 27.8% of his passes have lead to 1st downs.
Drew Brees has a 146.0 QB rating in the 2nd half of games. Great stat but no surprise. So you want a surprise? Kyle Orton (152.1) and Tony Romo (141.4) lead their conferences in QB rating in the 4th quarter. Another one? Oh go on, I’ll spoil you. Peyton Manning, yes 3-time MVP Peyton Manning, has a 16.7 QB rating inside the Red Zone.
Drew Brees has a 155.6 QB rating from the shotgun. That’s simply ridiculous. Hear me Drew? Ridiculous!
Big games for this week; Falcons @ Patriots, Titans @ Jets, 49ers @ Vikings, Colts @ Cardinals and Panthers @ Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
The Broncos have conceded only 13 points. I thought Josh McDaniels was a defensive guru?
Adrian Peterson (8) has the most 10+ yard runs. Of the next 6 on the list, Chris Johnson (6) and DeAngelo Williams (6) were obvious, Marion Barber (7) and Ronnie Brown (6) were potentials but Cedric Benson (7) and Fred Jackson (6)? Wow.
It’s early in the season but Mike Bell (3/3 on 3rd down and <3 yards) may have helped solve the Saints running woes.
Only 9 backs have rushed more than 20 times in a game so far this season; all but 2 have averages under 4.4 yards on those carries. Fred Jackson has gained an impressive 6.6 yards per carry and Adrian Peterson, yes future MVP Adrian Peterson, has averaged a whopping 18.4 yards per carry. He also has the 2nd highest average on 1st and 10 (10.1) only trailing Frank Gore (13.0).
Terrell Owens; 1 year, $6.5million, 5 catches, 98 yards, 2 drops.
Laveraneus Coles; 4 years, $28million, 3 catches, 20 yards, 3 drops.
Steve Smith has been targeted a league-high 28 times. Unfortunately, and somewhat endemically of his team’s troubles, only has 11 catches.
Game of the week - Giants 33 - 31 Cowboys. Jerry, Jerry, Jerry; not how you wanted that to go now was it?
Stat of the week - only 7 of the winning teams from week 2 outgained their opponents. Numbers eh? What do they mean? Probably not the way to end this piece…
Winner of the week - Jay Cutler and da Bears. Knocking off the Superbowl champs and seeing their star QB look like a star QB.
Loser of the week - The Dolphins. How did they lost that game again?
Play of the week - Ray Lewis shooting the gap to stop Darren Sproles on 4th and 2. That’s a thing of beauty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldY2pInMyR4&feature=PlayList&p=EF225B6015730439&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7
Player of the week - 25-39, 357 yards, 4 TD’s @ the Titans. We’ve been fooled before but this could be seen as the coming out party for Matt Schaub and a Texans playoff team.
The biggest slight against the anointed Dallas star is his ability to win the big game. A look back at probably the 5 most important games of his career certainly consolidate that theory:
NFC Divisional Game, Sunday, January 13th 2008 vs. New York Giants
18-36, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, lost 21-17.
Cowboys finish 13-3 and are the no.1 seeds in the NFC, fall at home to the Giants.
NFC Wildcard Game, Sunday January 6th 2007 vs. Seattle Seahawks
17-29, 189 yards, 1 TD, lost 21-20.
Romo fumbles the snap on the game-winning field goal attempt.
Week 17, Sunday December 28th 2008 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
21-39, 183 yards, 1 INT, lost 44-6
Cowboys get humiliated in an end of season playoff to make the postseason.
Week 2, Sunday September 20th, 2009 vs. Giants
13-29, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, lost 33-31
Romo underperforms as the Cowboys open their new stadium against their heated rivals.
Week 7, Monday October 23rd 2006 vs. New York Giants
14-25, 227 yards, 2 TD’s, 3 INT’s, lost 36-22.
Romo comes off the bench to replace Drew Bledsoe; his first pass is tipped for an Interception.
Tony Romo and about 105,000 disconcerted Cowboys fans can be seen this Monday night. In the spotlight. On the jumbo-mumbo-tron. In HD. Fortunately for all concerned, Jake Delhomme and the Panthers are in town to make Romo look good.
The Rams have 7 points after 2 games. They’re on pace for 56 total points.
What a catch by Andre Johnson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccGFLRMPwUo He caught 10 balls for 149 yards and 3 scores.
Has anyone gained 284 total yards in an easier fashion than Chris Johnson? Untouched on plays of 57, 69 and 91 yards, all for touchdowns. Johnson’s average rush on carries 1-10 is 11.8 yards but on carries 11-20 it is just 1.7 yards.
In his NFL Career, Felix Jones has rushed for 384 yards on 14 carries and carries a 8.93 average yard per carry.
Darren Sproles has 524 all-purpose yards. He’s on pace for 4,192 yards.
The Lions have lost their first 2 games for the past eight straight years. Hasn’t been their decade to be honest. The Matt Millen legacy endures.
Brett Favre’s longest pass play through 2 weeks is 21 yards, his only pass over 20 yards.
Antwan Odom had 5 sacks against the Packers and already has 7 this season. He had only 3 all last year and only 15.5 in his 5 year career coming into 2009.
Greg Jennings, who had 6 catches for 106 yards against the Bears, was held without a single catch against the Bengals. His team have a league-high 8 dropped passes to this point.
Charles Woodson had 2 picks versus the Bengals and now has 21 since 2006.
Kurt Warner completed 24 of 26 passes for 243 yards and 2 TD’s against the Jags to break the all-time single game record for pass completion percentage. Tom Brady holds the post season record for his performance in the 07’ playoffs, going 26 of 28 for 263 yards and 3 TD’s. The opponent? The Jags.
There were 9 fumbles shared between Arizona (5) and Jacksonville (4).
The Chiefs more than doubled the Raiders in yards (409-166) and almost did the same in time of possession (38:39-21:21). They lost 13-10.
The Bengals were 4/4 in the Red Zone.
JaMarcus Russell only went 7 of 24 but 6 were for first downs. He has just a 36.7% passing completion % in the 1st half. That’s excellent compared to his 2nd half performance; 33.3%. Despite this, he has the highest yard per completion average at 16.7%.
The Redskins went 0 for 5 in the Red Zone.
Darren Sharper has 3 INT’s, 176 yards return yards and a TD already this season. He is the active leader in Interceptions (57), Interceptions returned for TD’s (9) and Interception return yards (1,212).
The Bills went 0 for 4 in the Red Zone.
Last year, the Dolphins, Chargers and Vikings all began the season 0-2 and made the playoffs. Of the current crop, the Titans, Panthers, Jags and Dolphins have killer schedules and the Browns, Lions, Bucs and Rams are pretty terrible. That leaves the Chiefs with a new QB, new coach and 4 games coming up against the NFC East. Only 3 teams since 1990 have begun the year 0-3 and qualified for the postseason.
The Chargers went 0 for 5 in the Red Zone.
Frank Gore, a week after averaging 1.4 yards per carry, ran for 207 yards on 16 carries, 12.9 yards per carry. His 80 and 79 yard TD runs were the longest two runs of his career.
The Cowboys outrushed the Giants (251-97) and went 4/4 in the Red Zone in comparison to New York’s 0 for 5. And lost of course.
Mario Manningham and Steve Smith have combined for 20 catches and 284 yards. Where’s Plax? Starting his 2-year jail sentence.
Eli Manning’s 330 yards on 25 for 38 passing, plus 2 TD’s, were his fourth most in his career, all achieved away from home. Tony Romo threw for just 127 yards, 13 for 29, 1 TD and 3 INT’s, the second lowest total of his career.
Roy Williams, penned as the Cowboys go-to guy, has just 27 receptions in his last 13 games. No wide receiver had more than a single catch against the Giants.
Matt Forte has 84 yards on 38 carries and just 117 total yards. Steve Slaton has 51 yards on 26 carries and just 111 total yards. Slaton also has a league-leading 3 fumbles.
Johnny Knox, a 22 year old rookie drafted in the 5th round by the Bears, has 152 yards receiving.
Elvis Dumervil, who sacked Brady Quinn 4 times on Sunday, now has 30 career sacks and 7 career multi-sack games.
Miami gained 27 1st downs, were successful in converting 71% of their 3rd downs, 239 rushing yards, 84 total plays and had possession for 45:07 minutes…and lost.
Of all NFL starters, Brett Favre (265) has the least passing yards. Phillip Rivers (688), on the back of 436 yard performance against the Ravens, has the most.
Biggest names on Injured Reserve: Jamal Williams (DT, Chargers), Brad Butler (T, Bills), Shawn Andrews (G, Eagles), Stewart Bradley (LB, Eagles), Harry Douglas (WR, Falcons), Peria Jerry (DT, Falcons), Brian Urlacher (LB, Bears), Adam Carricker (DT, Rams), Walt Harris (CB, 49ers).
Oh, some guy called Mike Vick returns to the NFL this week.
Eli Manning (8) has the most 25+ yard passing plays after week 2. Kyle Orton is second (7) but his longest is just 37 yards, last in the AFC.
Tom Brady is on pace for 800 passing attempts. He has already hurled the rock 100 times and has been sacked only once. That’s the same amount as Antwaan Randle El. He wasn’t sacked against the Jets but was pressured and harried all day, resulting in a lack of rhythm, no touchdowns and his hair being all out of place as he threw his helmet to the floor.
Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 10 times in just 77 pass attempts and has now lost LT Chad Clifton for a couple of games. They will travel to the Vikes (and their dominating D-line) in week 4...
Drew Brees may have the highest pass completion % in the 4th quarter but has only thrown the ball 7 times (6 completions). Ben Roethlisberger is 21/26 in two tough games (including OT) against strong defences, an 80.8 pass completion %.
Mark Sanchez (70%, 7/10) has the highest completion % in the NFL on 3rd down with 8+ yards remaining. Marc Bulger is at the other end of the spectrum, 0 for 9 at 0%. A big reason why the Jets are 2-0 and the Rams are 0-2.
The QB you want on 3rd down in the NFC? Jason Campbell apparently. He has converted 55.6% of pass attempts into 1st downs to lead the conference. And who don’t you want? Kurt Warner so the stats say, only 27.8% of his passes have lead to 1st downs.
Drew Brees has a 146.0 QB rating in the 2nd half of games. Great stat but no surprise. So you want a surprise? Kyle Orton (152.1) and Tony Romo (141.4) lead their conferences in QB rating in the 4th quarter. Another one? Oh go on, I’ll spoil you. Peyton Manning, yes 3-time MVP Peyton Manning, has a 16.7 QB rating inside the Red Zone.
Drew Brees has a 155.6 QB rating from the shotgun. That’s simply ridiculous. Hear me Drew? Ridiculous!
Big games for this week; Falcons @ Patriots, Titans @ Jets, 49ers @ Vikings, Colts @ Cardinals and Panthers @ Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
The Broncos have conceded only 13 points. I thought Josh McDaniels was a defensive guru?
Adrian Peterson (8) has the most 10+ yard runs. Of the next 6 on the list, Chris Johnson (6) and DeAngelo Williams (6) were obvious, Marion Barber (7) and Ronnie Brown (6) were potentials but Cedric Benson (7) and Fred Jackson (6)? Wow.
It’s early in the season but Mike Bell (3/3 on 3rd down and <3 yards) may have helped solve the Saints running woes.
Only 9 backs have rushed more than 20 times in a game so far this season; all but 2 have averages under 4.4 yards on those carries. Fred Jackson has gained an impressive 6.6 yards per carry and Adrian Peterson, yes future MVP Adrian Peterson, has averaged a whopping 18.4 yards per carry. He also has the 2nd highest average on 1st and 10 (10.1) only trailing Frank Gore (13.0).
Terrell Owens; 1 year, $6.5million, 5 catches, 98 yards, 2 drops.
Laveraneus Coles; 4 years, $28million, 3 catches, 20 yards, 3 drops.
Steve Smith has been targeted a league-high 28 times. Unfortunately, and somewhat endemically of his team’s troubles, only has 11 catches.
Game of the week - Giants 33 - 31 Cowboys. Jerry, Jerry, Jerry; not how you wanted that to go now was it?
Stat of the week - only 7 of the winning teams from week 2 outgained their opponents. Numbers eh? What do they mean? Probably not the way to end this piece…
Winner of the week - Jay Cutler and da Bears. Knocking off the Superbowl champs and seeing their star QB look like a star QB.
Loser of the week - The Dolphins. How did they lost that game again?
Play of the week - Ray Lewis shooting the gap to stop Darren Sproles on 4th and 2. That’s a thing of beauty. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldY2pInMyR4&feature=PlayList&p=EF225B6015730439&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=7
Player of the week - 25-39, 357 yards, 4 TD’s @ the Titans. We’ve been fooled before but this could be seen as the coming out party for Matt Schaub and a Texans playoff team.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Upset Alert!
Now, this may be hard to believe, but I'm not psychic. It's not for a lack of trying. No, in fact I have a psychic coach by the name of 'stargazing' Stella and she says I'm getting close. Real close. And don't you get all cynical on me, I was unsure too before I met her but, that first time we crossed paths, Stella told me that she knew that I'd be coming! Crazy huh?
Anyways, psychic or not, I do consider myself the footballing next-pert (I thought that was real clever, trademark beta blogger) so let's figure out where the upsets may lie in this week's Carling Cup ties. If nothing else, it will be good practice for when the real competitions begin.
A few games to pick at:
Arsenal v West Brom - Why it won't be an upset: Because the Gunners have yet another imperious crop of youngsters for Arsene Wenger to call upon. Because Arsenal have made at least the quarter-finals for the last 6 years and because West Brom, while they do play some delightful football, can't cope with the pace and ability of the Premiership outfit. Because Wilshere and Ramsey are excellent.
Chelsea v QPR - Why it won't be an upset: Because, although Rangers did manage to defeat Aston Villa at Villa Park in the third round last year and are performing well this season, Chelsea are very strong at home and have won every game under Ancelotti. Because Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov are set to play and, well, they're a bit good.
Leeds v Liverpool - Why it won't be an upset: Because Liverpool will play a strong team and will have the likes of Gerrard and Torres to call upon if needed. Because it will be on Sky Sports - the home of the un-unpsets. Because I started this late and Liverpool have already kicked off and look pretty decent.
Aston Villa v Cardiff - Why it might be an upset: Because, despite the fact that Villa have lost at home to Championship sides in each of the last two seasons, they have won their last 4 and have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets. Because Cardiff, unfortunately, are not in good form having lost 3 of their last 4 and have not beaten a top-flight team in over 20 years. Because, although they there's little reason to believe they can, Cardiff can claw onto the 'magic' of the (Carling) cup... Why isn't there a sarcasm font on here?
Nottingham Forest v Blackburn - Why it might be an upset: Because Blackburn are low on confidence and are struggling to score goals. Because, in spite of Forest's mediocre start, poor head to head record and recent lack of form in the Carling Cup, this seems prime upset material at the home that Cloughie (a 4-time League Cup winner) built.
Stoke v Blackpool - Why it might be an upset: Just because. Alright?
Preston v Tottenham - Why it will be an upset: Because Spurs are missing Woodgate, Dawson, King and Bassong at the back. Because Preston have begun the year well and have a physical front pairing of Parkin and Mellor. Because Tottenham are due a loss in the competition, having made the last two finals and because Stella thinks so. So there.
Anyways, psychic or not, I do consider myself the footballing next-pert (I thought that was real clever, trademark beta blogger) so let's figure out where the upsets may lie in this week's Carling Cup ties. If nothing else, it will be good practice for when the real competitions begin.
A few games to pick at:
Arsenal v West Brom - Why it won't be an upset: Because the Gunners have yet another imperious crop of youngsters for Arsene Wenger to call upon. Because Arsenal have made at least the quarter-finals for the last 6 years and because West Brom, while they do play some delightful football, can't cope with the pace and ability of the Premiership outfit. Because Wilshere and Ramsey are excellent.
Chelsea v QPR - Why it won't be an upset: Because, although Rangers did manage to defeat Aston Villa at Villa Park in the third round last year and are performing well this season, Chelsea are very strong at home and have won every game under Ancelotti. Because Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov are set to play and, well, they're a bit good.
Leeds v Liverpool - Why it won't be an upset: Because Liverpool will play a strong team and will have the likes of Gerrard and Torres to call upon if needed. Because it will be on Sky Sports - the home of the un-unpsets. Because I started this late and Liverpool have already kicked off and look pretty decent.
Aston Villa v Cardiff - Why it might be an upset: Because, despite the fact that Villa have lost at home to Championship sides in each of the last two seasons, they have won their last 4 and have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets. Because Cardiff, unfortunately, are not in good form having lost 3 of their last 4 and have not beaten a top-flight team in over 20 years. Because, although they there's little reason to believe they can, Cardiff can claw onto the 'magic' of the (Carling) cup... Why isn't there a sarcasm font on here?
Nottingham Forest v Blackburn - Why it might be an upset: Because Blackburn are low on confidence and are struggling to score goals. Because, in spite of Forest's mediocre start, poor head to head record and recent lack of form in the Carling Cup, this seems prime upset material at the home that Cloughie (a 4-time League Cup winner) built.
Stoke v Blackpool - Why it might be an upset: Just because. Alright?
Preston v Tottenham - Why it will be an upset: Because Spurs are missing Woodgate, Dawson, King and Bassong at the back. Because Preston have begun the year well and have a physical front pairing of Parkin and Mellor. Because Tottenham are due a loss in the competition, having made the last two finals and because Stella thinks so. So there.
Monday, 21 September 2009
Premiership Post Game
Thoughts from the latest round of Premiership fixtures;
Whatever Carlo Ancelotti may say, Didier Drogba’s calf injury could derail Chelsea’s strong start. The forward has been at his best for three years, leads the line and leads the league in shots. Presuming his injury is as bad as first feared, Nicolas Anelka will be the only natural striker and, without the Ivorian’s physicality, Lampard and Ballack may struggle for the space that has seen the pair, indeed the team, start so fast.
‘3 goals in 33 games for Portsmouth. 2 goals in 35 minutes for Burnley.’ The David Nugent story.
Thomas Vermaelen has 3 goals in 5 games. I thought they signed a centre back?
Burnley have 9 ever presents so far this campaign, more than any other team.
Robbie Keane was absolutely right; if it’s not a penalty - which it looked like it was - then he should be booked. Howard Webb, as so may refs do, took to the easy option. The FA needs to redefine the laws of the game in this regard and add some clarity to these decisions.
Ledley King, determined to work his way into England’s World Cup squad, is far too much of a liability. He can’t train, he is beyond injury prone and, despite his ability, could easily be unavailable for every game England play.
Louis Saha has 4 goals in 4 appearances, all at home. He has not played more than 24 games or scored more than 8 goals in 5 years.
Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Man City and Burnley are the only teams with 100% home records.
George Graham can’t be happy. 25 goals have been scored in games involving the Gunners this year, 5 per fixture.
Birmingham City have not scored before the 75th minute of a game this season and only hit the net 3 times in total.
Ok, so there were 6 minutes of injury time in the Manchester derby. Too much? Maybe, even considering the substitution and Craig Bellamy’s equaliser, but it always appears to happen at Old Trafford. It was easy to appreciate Mark Hughes’ anger and anguish but his attention should be turned towards his defence and in particular Micah Richards, out of position for United’s first and last goals.
Michael Owen. Meet the United faithful. Faithful. Meet Michael Owen, worth the manager’s faith with one well-placed, dramatic finish.
Craig Bellamy scored a screamer and earned an equaliser. Oh, and smacked a fan. If ever there was a 90-minute (ish) display of the man‘s talent and temperament, this was it. There’s a 3-match ban in the offing for his moment of madness.
Did anyone else think that Ben Foster, clearly to blame for the first goal, went to ground far too easily for the third? His form has not been as hoped for by his boss at both at either Domestic or International level.
Chelsea have outscored opponents 10-0 in the second half.
Manchester United have outscored opponents 11-2 in the second half.
Liverpool have conceded more goals than any other side in the 15 minutes before the break.
Here's why I think Bolton could be in real trouble; They have no clean sheets to date. Their only points have come from an 89th minute winner at Portmouth and an 89th minute equaliser at home to Stoke. They've already lost to Sunderland and Hull. Who scores the goals? Kevin Davies had a career best 12 league goals a year ago but has never broken into double digits in any other season. Top scorers this term? Matt Taylor and Tamir Cohen with 2. Who's impacting off the bench? The notable participants end after Ivan Klasnic and Ricardo Gardner. The Johan Elmander factor. And their next 6 fixtures? Birmingham (a), Tottenham (h), Man Utd (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (h) and Aston Villa (a). With me?
Portsmouth have not lead in a game this season.
Wigan, in two games against Arsenal and Man United, have been outscored 9-0.
Fulham’s European gamble failed to pay off; after resting 9 first team players in the draw at CSKA Sofia, they were beaten 2-1 by Wolves, their third defeat in four games.
Petr Cech has only had made 7 saves in 6 games this season. I’m not sure that’s good or bad. On that note…
Whatever Carlo Ancelotti may say, Didier Drogba’s calf injury could derail Chelsea’s strong start. The forward has been at his best for three years, leads the line and leads the league in shots. Presuming his injury is as bad as first feared, Nicolas Anelka will be the only natural striker and, without the Ivorian’s physicality, Lampard and Ballack may struggle for the space that has seen the pair, indeed the team, start so fast.
‘3 goals in 33 games for Portsmouth. 2 goals in 35 minutes for Burnley.’ The David Nugent story.
Thomas Vermaelen has 3 goals in 5 games. I thought they signed a centre back?
Burnley have 9 ever presents so far this campaign, more than any other team.
Robbie Keane was absolutely right; if it’s not a penalty - which it looked like it was - then he should be booked. Howard Webb, as so may refs do, took to the easy option. The FA needs to redefine the laws of the game in this regard and add some clarity to these decisions.
Ledley King, determined to work his way into England’s World Cup squad, is far too much of a liability. He can’t train, he is beyond injury prone and, despite his ability, could easily be unavailable for every game England play.
Louis Saha has 4 goals in 4 appearances, all at home. He has not played more than 24 games or scored more than 8 goals in 5 years.
Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Man City and Burnley are the only teams with 100% home records.
George Graham can’t be happy. 25 goals have been scored in games involving the Gunners this year, 5 per fixture.
Birmingham City have not scored before the 75th minute of a game this season and only hit the net 3 times in total.
Ok, so there were 6 minutes of injury time in the Manchester derby. Too much? Maybe, even considering the substitution and Craig Bellamy’s equaliser, but it always appears to happen at Old Trafford. It was easy to appreciate Mark Hughes’ anger and anguish but his attention should be turned towards his defence and in particular Micah Richards, out of position for United’s first and last goals.
Michael Owen. Meet the United faithful. Faithful. Meet Michael Owen, worth the manager’s faith with one well-placed, dramatic finish.
Craig Bellamy scored a screamer and earned an equaliser. Oh, and smacked a fan. If ever there was a 90-minute (ish) display of the man‘s talent and temperament, this was it. There’s a 3-match ban in the offing for his moment of madness.
Did anyone else think that Ben Foster, clearly to blame for the first goal, went to ground far too easily for the third? His form has not been as hoped for by his boss at both at either Domestic or International level.
Chelsea have outscored opponents 10-0 in the second half.
Manchester United have outscored opponents 11-2 in the second half.
Liverpool have conceded more goals than any other side in the 15 minutes before the break.
Here's why I think Bolton could be in real trouble; They have no clean sheets to date. Their only points have come from an 89th minute winner at Portmouth and an 89th minute equaliser at home to Stoke. They've already lost to Sunderland and Hull. Who scores the goals? Kevin Davies had a career best 12 league goals a year ago but has never broken into double digits in any other season. Top scorers this term? Matt Taylor and Tamir Cohen with 2. Who's impacting off the bench? The notable participants end after Ivan Klasnic and Ricardo Gardner. The Johan Elmander factor. And their next 6 fixtures? Birmingham (a), Tottenham (h), Man Utd (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (h) and Aston Villa (a). With me?
Portsmouth have not lead in a game this season.
Wigan, in two games against Arsenal and Man United, have been outscored 9-0.
Fulham’s European gamble failed to pay off; after resting 9 first team players in the draw at CSKA Sofia, they were beaten 2-1 by Wolves, their third defeat in four games.
Petr Cech has only had made 7 saves in 6 games this season. I’m not sure that’s good or bad. On that note…
Sunday, 20 September 2009
NFL Nicknames and Musings
In light of the Saints v Eagles game that's just kicked off, I began to focus on the 2006 NFL draft. New Orleans were considered to have stumbled on its birthday, Christmas and Hannukah gifts all in one when Houston selected Mario Williams from North Carolina State, leaving them to pick USC star and Barry Sanders impersonator, Reggie Bush.
In hindsight - and hopefully neither player is near finalising their legacy - the Texans may have made a masterstroke in avoiding the injury-prone and lightweight back in favour of Williams who, after a tough opening year due to injury and a pretty horrendous Texans team, has flourished into an elite DE and a Pro Bowler. Super Mario has 26 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 77 tackles in the last two seasons whilst starting every game. He is still just 24.
Bush, now essentially a specialist, averages 3.7 yards per carry in his career, has never started more than 10 games a year, never run for more than 581 yards a year, has seen his receptions dip every year and has 24 total touchdowns and 15 fumbles to date. He was one of the most dangerous punt/kick returners last season.
Indeed, the top-10 of what was considered a strong draft pool have struggled to deliver; Vince Young (3) is on the bench - and probably counselling - in Tennessee, D'Brickashaw Ferguson (4) has become a solid but not a star LT for the Jets, A.J Hawk (5) has just 7.5 sacks in three seasons although has played inside regularly and is a strong part of the Packer's linebacking corps, Vernon Davis (6) really hasn't translated his phenomenal athletic attributes to the 49ers or the NFL, Michael Huff (7) has just 1 career INT and has been benched in Oakland, Donte Whitner (8) and Ernie Sims (9), like Huff, have not made enough plays on defence for Buffalo and Detroit respectively and Matt Leinart is cleaning Kurt Warner's boots in Arizona.
The remainder of the first round has delivered some gems though; Jay Cutler (11) is the draft's premier QB, Haloti Ngata (12) is a fierce and destructive force in Baltimore and could be on the verge of being one of the game's dominant players, Antonio Cromartie (19), when healthy, has been a tremendous ball hawk and physical corner, Santonio Holmes (25) was last year's Superbowl MVP for the Steelers and Nick Mangold (29) is amongst the best Centers in the league and also the leader of the Jet's O-Line.
The second round gave us former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Demeco Ryans (33), Titans steamroller Lendale White (45), San Diego Left Tackle Marcus McNeill (50), Packers Wideout Greg Jennings (52), Bears returnman turned receiver, 'Anytime' Devin Hester (57) and Jaguars RB and all-around living legend, 'Pocket Hercules' Maurice Jones-Drew (60).
The steals of the draft? Round 4; Owen Daniels (98), Jahri Evans (108), Leon Washington (117), Brandon Marshall (119), Elvis Dumervil (126)
Special mention to two of the best at their position drafted in Round 7; the Titans Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan (215) and Saints WR Marques Colston (252).
Oh, and I came up with a bunch of hee-larious nicknames should any of the franchises be renamed today.
AFC East
New England Hoodies - Before Brady and after Brady, there will be Belichik.
New York Hand Me Downs - The Giant’s slow, sexually confused, insecure, little brother. And I don’t even like the Giants.
Miami PLC - What? You don’t own part of this team?
Buffalo Suicide Booths - Even before Leodis McKelvin there was wide right…
AFC North
Cincinnati ochoNFLcinco85 @Twitter.com - Pretty much the only reason to tune in.
Pittsburgh Smugness - Ok, so you’ve won a bunch of Superbowls, have a lengthy list of Hall of Famers, had 3 coaches in about 1,000 years, you’re perfect. Just shut up about it.
Baltimore Ex-Wives - Tough. As. Nails.
Cleveland Browns - Paul Brown, Jim Brown, kinda uninspiring to look at. Sums up the franchise perfectly.
AFC South
Indianapolis Guy’s behind the Guy’s - Peyton might get all the marketing deals but it’s Bill Polian that has built this team.
Jacksonville Blackouts - The future of the franchise. Think it was a mistake starting another team in Florida?
Houston <:attach>
Tennessee Toilers -Titans + Oilers = Toilers. God I hope nobody has thought of that before.
AFC West
San Diego Strippers - Looks great but doesn’t get the job done.
Denver Millenium Bugs - Ah, so Y2K was real. Things were going so well before 2000.
Kansas City Hangovers - Always better at home.
Oakland Anti -Christs - Catchy, but maybe not evil enough for Al Davis.
NFC East
New York Catch Against David Tyree’s Fu*&%ng Helmets - Get over it?! You get fu*&%ng over it!
Dallas Joneses - Write the theme tune, sing the theme tune…
Philadelphia Hoi Polloi - Inappropriately deemed as ‘elite’ and in fact merely the rabble, the masses, the hecklers. Meet the Philadelphia faithful.
Washington Umbrellas - So much money they could make it rain every week.
NFC North
Chicago Fuzzy Kittens - See. Not so scary now are they.
Green Bay No.4’s - In honour of the QB formally known as Brett Favre.
Minnesota Hobbits - Bear with me here. Their season’s so often tell a story reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings trilogy; great start, great middle, terrible ending.
Detroit‘s Other Sports Team - ‘So you play for the Lions huh?…cooooooool….’
NFC South
New Orleans Hurricanes - Too soon?
Atlanta Cat People - Yes. It’s a Mike Vick joke. Breathe. Breathe. Keep breathing…
Carolina Lost - Can’t seem to put good back-to-back seasons together.
Tampa Bay United - Would probably help the Glazers with their paperwork.
NFC West
Arizona Gooding Jr. Ok, so Larry Fitzgerald may be the most famous Wide Receiver in Arizona now…
San Francisco 89ers - They were really good then.
Seattle 5-yard penalties - I’ve checked the rules; having a 12th man is illegal. You’d think they’d try to hide it.
St. Louis Afterthoughts - A little unfair considering their ‘greatest show on turf’ credentials but, in a league of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately and as the last team on this list, it seems apt.
In hindsight - and hopefully neither player is near finalising their legacy - the Texans may have made a masterstroke in avoiding the injury-prone and lightweight back in favour of Williams who, after a tough opening year due to injury and a pretty horrendous Texans team, has flourished into an elite DE and a Pro Bowler. Super Mario has 26 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 77 tackles in the last two seasons whilst starting every game. He is still just 24.
Bush, now essentially a specialist, averages 3.7 yards per carry in his career, has never started more than 10 games a year, never run for more than 581 yards a year, has seen his receptions dip every year and has 24 total touchdowns and 15 fumbles to date. He was one of the most dangerous punt/kick returners last season.
Indeed, the top-10 of what was considered a strong draft pool have struggled to deliver; Vince Young (3) is on the bench - and probably counselling - in Tennessee, D'Brickashaw Ferguson (4) has become a solid but not a star LT for the Jets, A.J Hawk (5) has just 7.5 sacks in three seasons although has played inside regularly and is a strong part of the Packer's linebacking corps, Vernon Davis (6) really hasn't translated his phenomenal athletic attributes to the 49ers or the NFL, Michael Huff (7) has just 1 career INT and has been benched in Oakland, Donte Whitner (8) and Ernie Sims (9), like Huff, have not made enough plays on defence for Buffalo and Detroit respectively and Matt Leinart is cleaning Kurt Warner's boots in Arizona.
The remainder of the first round has delivered some gems though; Jay Cutler (11) is the draft's premier QB, Haloti Ngata (12) is a fierce and destructive force in Baltimore and could be on the verge of being one of the game's dominant players, Antonio Cromartie (19), when healthy, has been a tremendous ball hawk and physical corner, Santonio Holmes (25) was last year's Superbowl MVP for the Steelers and Nick Mangold (29) is amongst the best Centers in the league and also the leader of the Jet's O-Line.
The second round gave us former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Demeco Ryans (33), Titans steamroller Lendale White (45), San Diego Left Tackle Marcus McNeill (50), Packers Wideout Greg Jennings (52), Bears returnman turned receiver, 'Anytime' Devin Hester (57) and Jaguars RB and all-around living legend, 'Pocket Hercules' Maurice Jones-Drew (60).
The steals of the draft? Round 4; Owen Daniels (98), Jahri Evans (108), Leon Washington (117), Brandon Marshall (119), Elvis Dumervil (126)
Special mention to two of the best at their position drafted in Round 7; the Titans Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan (215) and Saints WR Marques Colston (252).
Oh, and I came up with a bunch of hee-larious nicknames should any of the franchises be renamed today.
AFC East
New England Hoodies - Before Brady and after Brady, there will be Belichik.
New York Hand Me Downs - The Giant’s slow, sexually confused, insecure, little brother. And I don’t even like the Giants.
Miami PLC - What? You don’t own part of this team?
Buffalo Suicide Booths - Even before Leodis McKelvin there was wide right…
AFC North
Cincinnati ochoNFLcinco85 @Twitter.com - Pretty much the only reason to tune in.
Pittsburgh Smugness - Ok, so you’ve won a bunch of Superbowls, have a lengthy list of Hall of Famers, had 3 coaches in about 1,000 years, you’re perfect. Just shut up about it.
Baltimore Ex-Wives - Tough. As. Nails.
Cleveland Browns - Paul Brown, Jim Brown, kinda uninspiring to look at. Sums up the franchise perfectly.
AFC South
Indianapolis Guy’s behind the Guy’s - Peyton might get all the marketing deals but it’s Bill Polian that has built this team.
Jacksonville Blackouts - The future of the franchise. Think it was a mistake starting another team in Florida?
Houston <:attach>
Tennessee Toilers -Titans + Oilers = Toilers. God I hope nobody has thought of that before.
AFC West
San Diego Strippers - Looks great but doesn’t get the job done.
Denver Millenium Bugs - Ah, so Y2K was real. Things were going so well before 2000.
Kansas City Hangovers - Always better at home.
Oakland Anti -Christs - Catchy, but maybe not evil enough for Al Davis.
NFC East
New York Catch Against David Tyree’s Fu*&%ng Helmets - Get over it?! You get fu*&%ng over it!
Dallas Joneses - Write the theme tune, sing the theme tune…
Philadelphia Hoi Polloi - Inappropriately deemed as ‘elite’ and in fact merely the rabble, the masses, the hecklers. Meet the Philadelphia faithful.
Washington Umbrellas - So much money they could make it rain every week.
NFC North
Chicago Fuzzy Kittens - See. Not so scary now are they.
Green Bay No.4’s - In honour of the QB formally known as Brett Favre.
Minnesota Hobbits - Bear with me here. Their season’s so often tell a story reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings trilogy; great start, great middle, terrible ending.
Detroit‘s Other Sports Team - ‘So you play for the Lions huh?…cooooooool….’
NFC South
New Orleans Hurricanes - Too soon?
Atlanta Cat People - Yes. It’s a Mike Vick joke. Breathe. Breathe. Keep breathing…
Carolina Lost - Can’t seem to put good back-to-back seasons together.
Tampa Bay United - Would probably help the Glazers with their paperwork.
NFC West
Arizona Gooding Jr. Ok, so Larry Fitzgerald may be the most famous Wide Receiver in Arizona now…
San Francisco 89ers - They were really good then.
Seattle 5-yard penalties - I’ve checked the rules; having a 12th man is illegal. You’d think they’d try to hide it.
St. Louis Afterthoughts - A little unfair considering their ‘greatest show on turf’ credentials but, in a league of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately and as the last team on this list, it seems apt.
Worth the Money
Floyd Mayweather has just defeated Juan Manuel Marquez on points. Such a statement does little to display the disparity between the pair. Marquez, a talented and durable fighter, was outclassed, dismantled and dispatched with style by the oh so pretty boy Floyd.
Mayweather was the artist, Marquez the canvas. The Mexican did well to endure 12 rounds and played his part in the absorbing and engaging spectacle but the focus was on the returning showman as he dotted his opponent with jabs, drew blood with a strike to the nose and brushed Marquez' shots aside.
21 months absence did little to dent his confidence, limit his precision, slow his electric hand speed or add uncertainty to his footwork. 'Money' Mayweather was at his hypnotic, ridiculous best.
Pacquiao. Cotto. Mosley. Three possible opponents. One probable result.
Mayweather was the artist, Marquez the canvas. The Mexican did well to endure 12 rounds and played his part in the absorbing and engaging spectacle but the focus was on the returning showman as he dotted his opponent with jabs, drew blood with a strike to the nose and brushed Marquez' shots aside.
21 months absence did little to dent his confidence, limit his precision, slow his electric hand speed or add uncertainty to his footwork. 'Money' Mayweather was at his hypnotic, ridiculous best.
Pacquiao. Cotto. Mosley. Three possible opponents. One probable result.
Friday, 18 September 2009
NFL Week 2: Picks
Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons - Note to Jake; watch Matty. Watch him. You might learn something. Actually, Jake isn't that bad and Carolina might steal this one.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions - For the sake of this game, please, please let Brett throw the ball.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers - What crazy way will the Bengals find to lose this one?
Arizona Cardinals @ Jacksonville Jaguars - Arizona were desperate on the East coast last year. The Jags are desperate for a passing game.
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs - The Matt Cassel Era is ready to burst out of KC. I see posters, mugs, action figures, lunch boxes...
New England Patriots @ New York Jets - So Kerry Rhodes 'called out' the Pats. Is that even news? While the league may have gone soft on the field, it certainly has gone soft off it. The player interviews are so manicured that not even a hard-hitting safety can get me, or his opponents Sunday, fired up. Where's the crazy eyes? Where's the random head bucking? Where's a freaking swear word? Get Rex Ryan on the phone...
New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles - If McNabb ain't playing, I ain't buying.
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans - Should be close. Should be good. Won't be on tv.
St. Louis Rams @ Washington Redskins - The Rams haven't won since Steven Jackson ran all over a Brad Johnson-lead Cowboys team back in week 7 of 2008 and have averaged 12.4 points a game in that span. Even the Skins can manage 13 points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Buffalo Bills - Won't be close. Won't be good. Will be on tv.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers - Early NFC West supremacy on the line in the division nobody really cares about.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears - Note to Jay; If you thought that Packers defence was good...
Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos - Last week Cincy, this week the Browns, next week the Raiders. Could Kyle and Josh go 3-0?
Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers - 'Air Flacco' comes to town in one of the week's most enticing ties. Will LT ever be fit again? Injuries have limited him the last couple of years and, now fit and on my fantasy team, he suffers an ankle injury and will miss the game.
And in the pansy powder blue corner, weighing in at a buck 81 dripping wet, the franchise, Darrrrrrrrrrren Sprolesssssssssss!
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys - Jamie Dukes asked the question 'do you trust Tony Romo?' Answer; no. Glad we got that one sorted. 50 years from now, they won't be calling it the house that Romo built. Or Jerry for that matter.
Indianapolis Colts @ Miami Dolphins - I can't wait to get to know Jim Caldwell...
Season so far; 14-2
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions - For the sake of this game, please, please let Brett throw the ball.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers - What crazy way will the Bengals find to lose this one?
Arizona Cardinals @ Jacksonville Jaguars - Arizona were desperate on the East coast last year. The Jags are desperate for a passing game.
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs - The Matt Cassel Era is ready to burst out of KC. I see posters, mugs, action figures, lunch boxes...
New England Patriots @ New York Jets - So Kerry Rhodes 'called out' the Pats. Is that even news? While the league may have gone soft on the field, it certainly has gone soft off it. The player interviews are so manicured that not even a hard-hitting safety can get me, or his opponents Sunday, fired up. Where's the crazy eyes? Where's the random head bucking? Where's a freaking swear word? Get Rex Ryan on the phone...
New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles - If McNabb ain't playing, I ain't buying.
Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans - Should be close. Should be good. Won't be on tv.
St. Louis Rams @ Washington Redskins - The Rams haven't won since Steven Jackson ran all over a Brad Johnson-lead Cowboys team back in week 7 of 2008 and have averaged 12.4 points a game in that span. Even the Skins can manage 13 points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Buffalo Bills - Won't be close. Won't be good. Will be on tv.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers - Early NFC West supremacy on the line in the division nobody really cares about.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears - Note to Jay; If you thought that Packers defence was good...
Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos - Last week Cincy, this week the Browns, next week the Raiders. Could Kyle and Josh go 3-0?
Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers - 'Air Flacco' comes to town in one of the week's most enticing ties. Will LT ever be fit again? Injuries have limited him the last couple of years and, now fit and on my fantasy team, he suffers an ankle injury and will miss the game.
And in the pansy powder blue corner, weighing in at a buck 81 dripping wet, the franchise, Darrrrrrrrrrren Sprolesssssssssss!
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys - Jamie Dukes asked the question 'do you trust Tony Romo?' Answer; no. Glad we got that one sorted. 50 years from now, they won't be calling it the house that Romo built. Or Jerry for that matter.
Indianapolis Colts @ Miami Dolphins - I can't wait to get to know Jim Caldwell...
Season so far; 14-2
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Mayweather v Marquez
The body of boxing is stacked between 135 and 147lbs; already this year we have seen 'Sugar' Shane Moseley reclaim his spot atop the welterweight division by dismantling Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez overpower Juan Diaz to confirm his dominance at Lightweight, Amir Khan rejuvenate his young career with victories over Marco Antonio Barrera and Andreas Kotelnick, Miguel Cotto outlast Joshua Clottey, and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao destroy Ricky Hatton inside two rounds.
Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a heavily anticipated bout in November, a contest confirmed after Floyd Mayweather injured his ribs in training and had to postpone his own compelling match-up with Marquez, originally scheduled for July 18th. The pair will finally meet this weekend at a catchweight of 144lbs.
Mayweather has been absent from the sport for nearly two years, his last fight ending in victory over -at the time - fellow undefeated multi-weight champion, Ricky Hatton. He retreated to develop his promotional company, citing a lack of competition and big fights on the horizon but the landscape is much altered; rivals De la Hoya and Baldomir have retired, Gatti is dead and Hatton is close to irrelevancy. Manny Pacquiao, who was fighting at 130lbs the last time Mayweather fought, has bounded to the peak of the pugilistic mountain, winning and winning well.
Mayweather, the former undisputed pound-for-pound champion, would desperately love that title returned to him, indeed it's a fight with Pacquiao that would seem to be driving his restoration. 'Money' Mayweather is flashy, brazen and driven by dollar signs but it's his public perception and legacy that motivate his competitive instinct - while he is happy to declare himself the best ever, he's less happy that he has to continue to remind us of the fact. A victory over either Pacquiao or Cotto - ideally Pacquiao - would cement his spot as the dominant fighter of his era and limit the critics.
But first, there's Marquez.
The Mexican has won his last two fights at 135lbs -against quality operators - and has developed into one of the better technicians in the game. His only defeats this decade have come against Chris John at Featherweight in 2006 and to Manny Pacquiao at Super Featherweight last year, both on points and both in controversial fashion. Marquez also drew with Pac-man back in 2004 and, in many people's minds, should have won both fights. A win for 36-year old, currently ranked no. 2 in The Ring magazine pound-for-pound rankings, would likely catapult him into another superfight in the spring, possibly in a continuation of his rivalry with the Phillipino.
Pacquiao, seemingly linked to this fight at every turn, has proven his ability to move up the weight divisions, defeating larger, stronger opponents whilst retaining his speed and mobility. That will be the challenge for Marquez. Despite fighting most of his 16-year career at Featherweight, he has looked commanding at both Super Featherweight (130lbs) and Lightweight (135lbs) but will be fighting a man who has long since outgrown such weight classes. Mayweather has beaten the best at 140 and 147lbs, outclassing the majority of his adversaries, and beat De la Hoya at 154lbs.
Marquez will have to overcome the size, reach and experience of Mayweather and, presuming there is no ring rust for the perma-fit 'Pretty Boy,' cannot match the speed and power of his assailant. Where Marquez can challenge is with his heart, his endurance and his perseverance. His biggest advantage may simply be that Mayweather hasn't been hit in almost two years.
For both men, this is a pivotal moment in their career; Marquez may seem to have nothing to lose but, if defeated, will probably never have the opportunity to either fight for the pound-for-pound title or battle nemesis Pacquiao again. The returning Mayweather may not be back in the ring for too long - three, possibly four fights - and needs to win on Saturday night to remain unbeaten and to remain in pole position for a fight with Pacquiao (or Cotto, and what a fight that should be).
Floyd has long felt unloved and under appreciated. He has capably played the 'bad guy' in the build up to recent fights but has been nothing but respectful for his opponent on this occasion, praising the tenacity and desire of Marquez
And there can be no disputing that. He has been floored, battered and survived, generally improving as his fights have endured. However, for all his indomitability and fight, it's Mayweather that has the motivation, not to mention the talent, to win. His legacy demands it.
Pacquiao and Cotto will meet in a heavily anticipated bout in November, a contest confirmed after Floyd Mayweather injured his ribs in training and had to postpone his own compelling match-up with Marquez, originally scheduled for July 18th. The pair will finally meet this weekend at a catchweight of 144lbs.
Mayweather has been absent from the sport for nearly two years, his last fight ending in victory over -at the time - fellow undefeated multi-weight champion, Ricky Hatton. He retreated to develop his promotional company, citing a lack of competition and big fights on the horizon but the landscape is much altered; rivals De la Hoya and Baldomir have retired, Gatti is dead and Hatton is close to irrelevancy. Manny Pacquiao, who was fighting at 130lbs the last time Mayweather fought, has bounded to the peak of the pugilistic mountain, winning and winning well.
Mayweather, the former undisputed pound-for-pound champion, would desperately love that title returned to him, indeed it's a fight with Pacquiao that would seem to be driving his restoration. 'Money' Mayweather is flashy, brazen and driven by dollar signs but it's his public perception and legacy that motivate his competitive instinct - while he is happy to declare himself the best ever, he's less happy that he has to continue to remind us of the fact. A victory over either Pacquiao or Cotto - ideally Pacquiao - would cement his spot as the dominant fighter of his era and limit the critics.
But first, there's Marquez.
The Mexican has won his last two fights at 135lbs -against quality operators - and has developed into one of the better technicians in the game. His only defeats this decade have come against Chris John at Featherweight in 2006 and to Manny Pacquiao at Super Featherweight last year, both on points and both in controversial fashion. Marquez also drew with Pac-man back in 2004 and, in many people's minds, should have won both fights. A win for 36-year old, currently ranked no. 2 in The Ring magazine pound-for-pound rankings, would likely catapult him into another superfight in the spring, possibly in a continuation of his rivalry with the Phillipino.
Pacquiao, seemingly linked to this fight at every turn, has proven his ability to move up the weight divisions, defeating larger, stronger opponents whilst retaining his speed and mobility. That will be the challenge for Marquez. Despite fighting most of his 16-year career at Featherweight, he has looked commanding at both Super Featherweight (130lbs) and Lightweight (135lbs) but will be fighting a man who has long since outgrown such weight classes. Mayweather has beaten the best at 140 and 147lbs, outclassing the majority of his adversaries, and beat De la Hoya at 154lbs.
Marquez will have to overcome the size, reach and experience of Mayweather and, presuming there is no ring rust for the perma-fit 'Pretty Boy,' cannot match the speed and power of his assailant. Where Marquez can challenge is with his heart, his endurance and his perseverance. His biggest advantage may simply be that Mayweather hasn't been hit in almost two years.
For both men, this is a pivotal moment in their career; Marquez may seem to have nothing to lose but, if defeated, will probably never have the opportunity to either fight for the pound-for-pound title or battle nemesis Pacquiao again. The returning Mayweather may not be back in the ring for too long - three, possibly four fights - and needs to win on Saturday night to remain unbeaten and to remain in pole position for a fight with Pacquiao (or Cotto, and what a fight that should be).
Floyd has long felt unloved and under appreciated. He has capably played the 'bad guy' in the build up to recent fights but has been nothing but respectful for his opponent on this occasion, praising the tenacity and desire of Marquez
And there can be no disputing that. He has been floored, battered and survived, generally improving as his fights have endured. However, for all his indomitability and fight, it's Mayweather that has the motivation, not to mention the talent, to win. His legacy demands it.
Champions League Gameday 1: Thoughts and Notes
What did we learn from the opening salvo’s in the champions league?
It is far more valuable to be a team from 'Pot 1' of the draw than a league champion. Teams from Pot 1 won 7 and drew 1 (Barcelona's draw with Inter in Milan, no shame there) of their opening fixtures while 1st place teams from last season won only 4, drew 5 and lost 9. Of course, now with the final qualifying stages split into a 'champions' and 'non-champions' path, more league winners should qualify ahead of placed teams from Europe's stronger nations. Teams from Pot 4 won 1, drew 1 and lost 6 with the only victory coming from German league champions, Wolfsburg.
Including his hat-trick Tuesday night, Grafite now has 41 goals in 54 games for Wolfsburg.
Over the last two seasons, teams that went on to qualify for the knockout stages won 16, drew 7 and lost 8 of their opening fixtures with all 16 teams from Pot 1 getting through. 11 teams from Pot 2, 3 teams from Pot 3 and 2 teams from Pot 4 have also made it through. The likely gatecrashers? The afforementioned Wolfsburg have a chance along with Standard Liege from Pot 4 while Stuttgart, Atletico Madrid, Bordeaux, Marseille and Olympiacos will fancy their chances out of Pot 3.
Maccabi Haifa, Debreceni and APOEL Nicosia have played 6 games to get this far and the Cypriots were rewarded with a point in Madrid. Ranked 190th in the UEFA Rankings, here are a bunch of teams ranked higher than APOEL; Cherno More Varna (179th), Aberdeen (134th), NEC Nijmegen (110th) and…Millwall (107th). In fact Millwall rank above 4 teams in the group stages.
Of the 54 European Cup Finals in history, 23 of them have involved Milan or Real Madrid, both featuring in Group C
Of the 17 Champions League Finals, 9 of them have involved Milan or Real Madrid.
Milan and Real Madrid have never met in a European Cup Final.
10 of the top 11 All-time Champions League scorers are still active, 9 are participating in this years competition and 2 (Pippo Inzaghi of Milan and Raul and Real Madrid) were on target this week.
Arsenal have kept 1 clean sheet in all competitions this season and have conceded 11 goals in 7 games. The pairing of Gallas and Vermaelen introduced themselves in imperious form but the defensive spine has shortcomings.
Cristiano Ronaldo had 10 shots (that’s more than 13 entire teams had), including successful 2 strikes from free-kicks, and now has 20 shots in less than 2 ½ games.
Would you rather have Zlatan Ibrahamovic or Samuel Etoo right now? Me too.
18 of 37 goals in midweek were scored after 70 minutes.
Luis Fabiano should be in the conversation with the likes of Torres, Drogba, Etoo and Ibrahimovic as the best striker in the competition.
Mathieu Flamini, born and bred in Marseille, should be suspended for his atrocious two-footed challenge on Mbia. If you haven’t seen it, it was very, very ugly.
Brazil have the best two right backs in the world currently; It's a loss that Maicon and Daniel Alves probably can't play in the same team.
And finally...the Besiktas fan's performance made a sluggish, routine game all that much more enjoyable. United were fortunate that the Turk's could not match the organisation and flair of their supporters.
It is far more valuable to be a team from 'Pot 1' of the draw than a league champion. Teams from Pot 1 won 7 and drew 1 (Barcelona's draw with Inter in Milan, no shame there) of their opening fixtures while 1st place teams from last season won only 4, drew 5 and lost 9. Of course, now with the final qualifying stages split into a 'champions' and 'non-champions' path, more league winners should qualify ahead of placed teams from Europe's stronger nations. Teams from Pot 4 won 1, drew 1 and lost 6 with the only victory coming from German league champions, Wolfsburg.
Including his hat-trick Tuesday night, Grafite now has 41 goals in 54 games for Wolfsburg.
Over the last two seasons, teams that went on to qualify for the knockout stages won 16, drew 7 and lost 8 of their opening fixtures with all 16 teams from Pot 1 getting through. 11 teams from Pot 2, 3 teams from Pot 3 and 2 teams from Pot 4 have also made it through. The likely gatecrashers? The afforementioned Wolfsburg have a chance along with Standard Liege from Pot 4 while Stuttgart, Atletico Madrid, Bordeaux, Marseille and Olympiacos will fancy their chances out of Pot 3.
Maccabi Haifa, Debreceni and APOEL Nicosia have played 6 games to get this far and the Cypriots were rewarded with a point in Madrid. Ranked 190th in the UEFA Rankings, here are a bunch of teams ranked higher than APOEL; Cherno More Varna (179th), Aberdeen (134th), NEC Nijmegen (110th) and…Millwall (107th). In fact Millwall rank above 4 teams in the group stages.
Of the 54 European Cup Finals in history, 23 of them have involved Milan or Real Madrid, both featuring in Group C
Of the 17 Champions League Finals, 9 of them have involved Milan or Real Madrid.
Milan and Real Madrid have never met in a European Cup Final.
10 of the top 11 All-time Champions League scorers are still active, 9 are participating in this years competition and 2 (Pippo Inzaghi of Milan and Raul and Real Madrid) were on target this week.
Arsenal have kept 1 clean sheet in all competitions this season and have conceded 11 goals in 7 games. The pairing of Gallas and Vermaelen introduced themselves in imperious form but the defensive spine has shortcomings.
Cristiano Ronaldo had 10 shots (that’s more than 13 entire teams had), including successful 2 strikes from free-kicks, and now has 20 shots in less than 2 ½ games.
Would you rather have Zlatan Ibrahamovic or Samuel Etoo right now? Me too.
18 of 37 goals in midweek were scored after 70 minutes.
Luis Fabiano should be in the conversation with the likes of Torres, Drogba, Etoo and Ibrahimovic as the best striker in the competition.
Mathieu Flamini, born and bred in Marseille, should be suspended for his atrocious two-footed challenge on Mbia. If you haven’t seen it, it was very, very ugly.
Brazil have the best two right backs in the world currently; It's a loss that Maicon and Daniel Alves probably can't play in the same team.
And finally...the Besiktas fan's performance made a sluggish, routine game all that much more enjoyable. United were fortunate that the Turk's could not match the organisation and flair of their supporters.
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