8.27.2010

2010 NFL Predictions

I just like this picture.  Now onto my predictions...
-------------------------------------------------------------
Even though soccer is #1 in my favorite sports rankings, I still love me some pigskin. More specifically, I still love me some Cleveland Browns. I am pretty darn optimistic about how the “Holmgren Era” has started and what it may mean for the Dawg Pound faithful in the near-ish future. Hopefully that walrus-mustached genius will help the Browns cancel out the following little factoid: The only statistic that the Browns have led the NFL since rejoining the league in 1999 has been #1 draft pick flops (see: Couch, Tim; Brown, Courtney; Warren, Gerrard; Quinn, Brady; etc…). But, I digress…


We’re only approaching the third week of the preseason and there are many injuries that could still occur, but I say- why wait? It’s not like prognostications work out very often anyway, right? So without much further ado, I give you my 2010 NFL predictions (ode to Late Night with Conan O’Brien).

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- T.O. and Ochocinco will have over 1000 receiving yards…apiece.

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- Commissioner Roger Goodell will (hopefully) realize that the 18 game schedule he and the owners are planning is a HORRIBLE IDEA FOR THE GAME.

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- Tony Romo will strike up a heated romance with Snooki. They both will make an appearance at Super Bowl XLV in Cowboys Stadium…as spectators.

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- Jay Cutler will improve upon his 26 interception total from 2009, but regardless the Bears will finish last in the NFC North.

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- Redskins DT, Albert Haynesworth will finish the season on the IR due to exhaustion from getting run too much by his coach, Mike Shanahan.

In the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….
- The Jets will gradually implode throughout the season (causing multiple outbursts from head coach, Rex Ryan), but edge out the Ravens for the final AFC playoff spot.

And finally, in the year two thousaaaaaaannnnnnndddddddddddd and ten….

- My predicted order of finish (* denotes playoff team):

AFC East- Patriots*, Jets*, Dolphins, Bills
AFC North- Bengals*, Ravens, Steelers, Browns
AFC South- Colts*, Texans*, Titans, Jaguars
AFC West- Chargers*, Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs
AFC Champion- Colts

NFC East- Cowboys*, Redskins, Giants, Eagles
NFC North- Packers*, Vikings*, Lions, Bears
NFC South- Saints*, Falcons*, Panthers, Tampa Bay
NFC West- 49ers*, Cardinals, Seahawks, Rams
NFC Champion- Packers

SUPER BOWL XLV- Colts 31, Packers 27

What do you think? How crazy am I? Does anyone actually read this blog? Why did I not mention Brett “Will he or won’t he” Favre in this preview? Oh- that’s because I’m over that flip flopper.

8.10.2010

EPL 2010-2011 preview and more

The biggest football league in the world starts its season this weekend.  For those of you that think I'm talking about NFL preseason games, you may want to wait a month for my post on that upcoming season.  Nay, I'm talking about the English Premier League.  There are a slew of previews being posted all over the World Wide Web, but I have a few thoughts to share as well. 

First off, one of my favorite bloggers, Mr. MatchFitUSA (or @mfusa on Twitter) posted a piece commenting on how not excited he was for the start of the EPL season.  Jason focused more on US-based EPL fans being "annoying" in terms of their level of excitement with a tinge of longing for the same excitement be poured out for our beloved domestic league, MLS.  As much as I wish that the MLS was at the level of the EPL in terms of quality, it just isn't there yet and that's ok.  I love MLS.  I am a Sounders season ticket holder and avid supporter.  However, one of the great things that puts soccer above any of my other favorite sports is that there is essentially no offseason for me as a fan.  The MLS schedule basically goes from April through November.  The EPL season (I'm a Liverpool supporter as well) goes from August to May.  Then one can sprinkle in some La Liga and USMNT friendlies and it is hard not to have your soccer fix satiated.  What I do not understand are US-based soccer fans that consider MLS soccer to be "beneath" their liking.  That's all fair and well, but Euro-snobs are missing out on getting to watch quality soccer year round.

Secondly, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Reds season.  The addition of Joe Cole has seemingly been the tipping point in morale for the Liverpool club and faithful supporter base.  New manager, Roy Hodgson has done the best job he could be asked (up to this point) of distancing the club's upcoming season from the ownership sale debacle.  That being said, if Liverpool can't fight their way back into Champions League soccer for the 2011 campaign, I feel that Fernando Torres is going to run out on the team next summer.  I think his "pledge" of loyalty to the club was half-hearted...although I'll take all the goals he is willing to score this season!

Lastly, here are my quickshot predictions for the EPL and other UEFA competitions:

EPL Top 4 (in order of finish): Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool
EPL relegation: Blackpool, Wolves, West Brom
Carling Cup: Manchester City
FA Cup: Manchester United
Europa League: Liverpool
Champions League: Barcelona
Player of the Year: Wayne Rooney

8.01.2010

The maturation of Fredy Montero and some thank yous.

It's been awhile since my last post.  A super-fun-filled summer will do that to a guy...

Needless to say, a few things have been on my mind- especially as of late.  First, the Sounders have been on FIRE (pardon the Ljungberg-inspired pun) during their last 8 matches in all competitions.  It is no coincidence that this hot streak (6-1-1 record) has coincided with Fredy Montero scoring or assisting on a goal in each of those games.  He has been a revelation during this stretch filling in as role of play maker in the absence of the now former member of the Rave Green, Freddie Ljungberg.  His stellar play has been praised continuously, however, I want to touch on something that has not received any attention (yet).

Montero took MLS by storm last season while leading the league in shots fired and winning the MLS Newcomer of the Year award for his efforts.  However, towards the end of last season, his play deteriorated and became extremely inconsistent.  I feel (and am not alone in this assumption) that whispers of Euro-based admiration for the youngster went to his head and became a distraction.

The first two months of this season followed on much of the same path.  Montero was frustratingly inconsistent.  His lack of hustle and effort (especially while getting back on defense) drew ire from the uber-loyal Sounders fan base.  However, someone (I'd bet Sigi Schmid) has lit an intense fire under Fredy.  Along with that fire being lit, Montero has began to mature as a player and as a leader for the Sounders.  He has been more open in the media and on the field as a leader amongst his peers.  This, above all else, I believe is why the Sounders have been on this great run of play as of late.

Couple Montero's new competitive fire and maturation with the Sounders new Designated Players, Blaise N'kufo and Alvaro Fernandez and the Sounders will continue to thrive.
---------------------------------
Secondly, I am not sure I enjoyed a sporting event more than World Cup 2010.  Along with millions of others, I was captivated by the USMNT's run into the round of 16.  Kudos to Bob Bradley, Landon Donovan and the rest of the boys on a tremendous run.  I know I'm not alone when I say that I wish the ride would have never ended...especially against Ghana (again).  Regardless, the three weeks in which the run occurred were (quite possibly) the best time in our country's history to be a soccer fan.  Thank you Yanks, thank you.
---------------------------------
Lastly (for now), I want to thank Mr. FBM from the Free Beer Movement for the American Outlaws scarf.  I was selected as the second best entry in their "How Did I Get Here?" contest explaining how I became a soccer fan in this country.

Until next time....