An Open Letter to Sean_Hef and Blake, or How the Sweet Science Soldiers On
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 this fight happens, it will be the most lucrative boxing match in history.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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...
Anchors Away!!
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.
Kid, Here’s the Keys to the Car: Bears Sign Cutler to 2013
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. ...
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.
A Look Back: Bears Over Lions
ChicagoBears.com featured this viedo recaping last weekend's win over the Lions.
Fabrice-Jean Picault Making an Impact Early in Italy
by Sean Heffernan
Young American, Fabrice-Jean "Fafà" Picault, has gotten off to successful start to the season with Cagliari in Italy's Primavera division. The Miami based striker is in his second year with the Sardinian club's youth system and has seen action in both of the squad's first two games. Picault was able to notch a goal in the first half of the club's season opener, but the Rossoblu fell 3-1 to Empoli.
Despite scoring in his first match of the year, Picault did not get the start the following game against Torino, but came on as a second half substitute with the game tied 1-1. The New York City born speedster made the most of his limited time on the field breaking away with the ball in the 67th minute and setting up team mate Mathias Gallon for the game winning goal.
Though U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen did not select Picault for the U-20 World Cup, the 18-year-old will be eligible to participate in the 2011 Youth World Cup for the United States.
"I will be eligible and it's always an honor to be able to represent my country on an international level. However, I will be about 20 years old by that time and God willing I am hoping to be at an even higher level with the national team, which depends on how soon I am inducted into the system" Picault told Soccer365.
The Miami native of Haitian decent speaks (in addition to English) some French, Spanish, and Italian. Picault is proud of his affinity for different languages saying, “My Italian is now better than my French in my opinion. I understand a lot of Spanish also. In my family many languages are comprehended and spoken due to our passion for different cultures.” Though his time in Europe his language skills the young footballer admits, “My brother is actually much better than me in all languages except for Italian.”
Cagliari is on the Italian island of Sardinia which is a major tourist attraction in the summer months. Growing up in New York City and Miami it took some time for Picault to adjust life in Cagliari, but he’s grown to enjoy his adopted home.
“I'm a city boy, but I am able to enjoy the calmness of this island. The people are very passionate about life and soccer of course. The food is also very good in Sardinia and I have been able to enjoy a few ‘home-sardo’ dishes”. Though he’s grown to enjoy his Italian surroundings Picault remains focused on his personal goals, “I am here on a mission and to accomplish my dreams so everything else comes after.”
On the pitch, Picault is typically used as one of two attacking forwards for Cagliari and is known for taking on defenders in 1-on-1 situations, using his speed on fast counter-attacks, and threatening opposing goalies as a target on corner kicks. Picault explains his role stating “When the game gets intense or it gets to be towards the end of a match, I usually try to take a bit more initiative and do anything in order to get a win.”
For his positive start to the season Picault credits the model set by one of the most successful American athletes of all time, Michael Jordan (who was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame last month), saying "I was recently inspired by Michael Jordan's acceptance speech and how great of a work ethic he had".
Fafà Picault hopes his hard work will continue to pay off in Italy this season and lead to bigger and brighter things for the American.
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