30
Nov/09
0

Laugh Out Loud Monday

dabears 

Some of us may be moving a little slow today after all that turkey over the weekend so I thought it would be a good idea to throw up a few laughs on the site. There should never be a day where you don't get at least one or two chuckles in. Enjoy...

Filed under: Intro
20
Nov/09
3

Five Thoughts on the Beautiful Game: France Cheats Ireland, USMNT Woes, and Becks’ Quest for MLS Cup

by Sean Heffernan

Its certainly very exciting times in the world of soccer as qualification for World Cup 2010 concluded with high drama. David Beckham and Landon Donovan look to capture their first MLS Cup and the US Men's National Team suffered two disappointing defeats in Europe. There's certainly plenty to think about in this edition of Five Thoughts on the Beautiful Game.

16
Nov/09
0

An Open Letter to Sean_Hef and Blake, or How the Sweet Science Soldiers On

manny-pacquiao-miguel-cotto-wire-52a183e18670b5a9_large

To My Esteemed Co-Editors:

Who is your guys' dealer? I want to try whatever it is you're smoking. Pacquiao/Mayweather on a major network? If and when that happens, it will be the most lucrative fight in history.  

15
Nov/09
2

How Do You Spell Obscurity?? P-A-Y. P-E-R. V-I-E-W.

Did you add $50 to your cable bill to see these two go at it?  Me neither.

Did you add $50 to your cable bill to see these two go at it? Me neither.

Boxing is so irrelevant on today's sports landscape that its pulse barely registers. Saturday night's Pacquiao-Cotto fight generated more than 1 million pay-per-view orders and, yet, more people than not are waiting for HBO to re-run the fight on November 21st.

13
Nov/09
0

Edgar Castillo: Is He The Answer At Left Back For USMNT?

by Sean Heffernan

A large percentage of US soccer fans have heralded 23 year old Edgar Castillo as the next left back for the national team without the Mexican-American ever making a appearance for the Stars & Stripes. FIFA recently approved Castillo's request to play for the United States instead of Mexico (for who he appeared four times in international friendlies) making him available to play in next summer's World Cup for the USA.

11
Nov/09
3

Haters Can Hate, Give Me Big Ten Football

by Sean Heffernan

One of the most common tangents every college football analyst has had in their arsenal the past few years has been a longwinded tirade about the downfall of the Big Ten Conference. Ohio State inflated ranking and inability to win big games against non-conference opponents gave fuel to a fire that had brewing for years.

This year has been no different with the Buckeyes failing to overtake a vulnerable USC team in their second game of the year, Michigan still in the dark ages with Rich Rodriguez at the helm, and Wisconsin, Iowa, and Penn State are all unready to become the conference's second national power.
 
I understand while people are dumping on the Big Ten, but the truth is I just don't care. I don't care if the conference isn't what it use to be. I honestly don't care about BCS rankings or speed of the SEC.
 
I love the way the game is played in the Midwest, the cradle of American football. Take for example Northwestern's 17-10 upset over the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes last weekend. It didn't matter that the game only featured two touchdowns or that neither team had a true breakout offensive star because the game was played the way the sport's creators intended it to be played.
 
Northwestern scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone, a goal line touchdown pass to a tight end, and a field goal. Not exactly thrilling plays, but it was the way that every yard mattered in the game. Those kids were playing the type of football that truly is "a game of inches". There's beauty in a defense gang tackling a sweeping running back or a offensive tackle opening enough running room for a first down.

It's not overly complicated. It just comes down to who wants it more, who has more grit, and who's more willing to sacrifice their body for the good of the team. Haters can hate, give me Big Ten football.

9
Nov/09
0

MLS Playoff Winners Lose Out on US National Team

by Sean Heffernan 

The US have two friendlies scheduled in Europe against Slovakia (Nov. 14) and Denmark (Nov. 18) making those MLS players who's clubs advanced this weekend unavailable for national team duty. Time with the national team is precious to those players fighting to earn their spot on the roster heading to South Africa next summer for the World Cup. Success with their MLS teams won't be ignored by USMNT head coach Bob Bradley, but those American players will miss out on making an impression in person. Below is a breakdown of the players who might have been had been called up for the friendlies in Europe, but were unavailable because of the MLS Cup Conference Finals...

8
Nov/09
3

Anchors Away!!

Jimmy Clausen Dropping Back... out of the Top 25.  Again.

Jimmy Clausen Dropping Back... out of the Top 25. Again.

Notre Dame did it again...

The Fighting Irish went 10 games before the smoke and mirror show was exposed like Peter Bretter in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Everybody in blue jerseys on Saturday evening were looking to cover their collective dongs when the final score showed Navy 23 - Notre Dame 21.

21
Oct/09
0

Kid, Here’s the Keys to the Car: Bears Sign Cutler to 2013

Jay Cutler will be a Bear for the next five years

Jay Cutler will be a Bear for the next five years

 By Sean Heffernan

Jay Cutler has signed a two year contract extension with the Chicago Bears putting the future of the historic franchise directly on the 26-year-old quarterback's shoulders for the immediate future. With a possible lock out looming on the horizon in the NFL in 2011 Cutler and agent, Bus Cook, were looking to make a deal this season. Over the next five seasons with the Bears, Cutler will make $50 million dollars with $20 million guaranteed in the agreed contract. ...

13
Oct/09
0

USMNT Charlie Davies Injured in Car Accident

by Sean Heffernan

American soccer star, Charlie Davies, is  undergoing surgery following a car accident that took place in the Washington DC area and is in stable condition. A female passenger died at the scene while Davies and another male were injuried. It was reported by the Washington Post's Steven Goff that the injuries could be career threatening for the 23 year old Davies according to a US Soccer Federation official.

"Charlie Davies" is currently one of the 'Trending Topics' on twitter as the outpouring of support for the USMNT player has flooded Internet waves. Earlier this year Davies was kind enough to answer some of my questions for Soccer365. Since we spoke he's earned his way from a fringe player on the national team to a full fledged starter.

After proving his worth at the Confederations Cup this summer with the USMNT, Davies made a move professionally from his club Hammarby in Sweden to Ligue One club Sochaux in France. My prayers go out to Davies and his family as well the families of those afflicted in the accident.