World Cup Preview

As I said earlier the REAL World Cup starts tomorrow. As I said earlier nobody wants to find themselves down 3 points when 28 other Nations have yet to take the pitch. Pretty much what I said earlier came true, four teams all on level terms after the first matchday. So here comes the preview since we actually start tomorrow.

Group A

Mexico - 5 points

South Africa - 5 points

France - 2 points

Uruguay - 2 points

I've had Mexico and South Africa through since Day 1. Today's matches did not and will not change anything. Except for points. I originally had Bafana Bafana tied at 4 with Les Bleus but the passion they played with today changed my mind. If Marquez is back and El Tri will start to finish, they will take 3 against France. Uruguay are a 1 man team, that will steal one more point likely from Mexico.

Group B

Argentina - 9 points

Nigeria - 6 points

South Korea - 1 points

Greece - 1 points

Argentina are my cup champs and it starts off with a perfect run in the group stage. Messi is that good. They struggled in qualifying but were drawn into a group that favors them. Greece play sit and wait football and if you sit and wait for Messi he will burn you. Nigeria will have the African crowd advantage and while they may not have a Drogba or an Eto'o the Super Eagles have the pieces to advance. If Korea and Greece do not play to a draw things could change significantly confidence wise.

Group C

USA - 7

England - 6

Slovenia - 2

Algeria - 1

Yes you are reading that right and if you are intuitive you can read into a little farther. But I'm going to keep it as subtle as possible. But do me a favor and count the points and do the math. Just don't say anything about tomorrow's result based on those points. I'm being as subtle as i possibly can here. Everyone has these two advancing, I've likely switched the order of it. I've toyed with the possibility of Slovenia grabbing 5 and The Three Lions only managing 4, but it just doesn't seem likely.

Group D

Germany - 9

Australia - 3

Serbia - 3

Ghana - 3

The Black Stars are not the same team without Michael Essien. German are not the same team without Ballack, but have players to replace him. The Socceroos on the other hand have their star healthy, in Tim Cahill, and a very good goalkeeper in Schwarzer. You don't always need a keeper that can win games for you, but you do need one who won't lose them. I'm a huge Branislav Ivanovic fan but I just don't see Serbia scoring goals. With three teams splitting, goal differential will make the difference and Australia have the right balance of offense and defense to move on.

Group E

Netherlands - 7

Cameroon - 5

Denmark - 3

Japan - 0

This could be the year Netherlands finally breaks through. The team they have are top notch, gone is Van Der Sar who some people consider a goalkeeper (there is not a typo there in case you weren't sure). The other three teams make me say "eh." There are not enough free kicks for Honda in the tournament to give Japan a chance. Cameroon have Eto'o, but his form and attitude are in the wrong place. Arguably the best striker in this group is Niklas Bendtner from Denmark. How it plays out will be decided in the first game. If Cameroon come to play against the Dutch give them their ticket to the Sweet 16 and call it a day.

Group F

Italy - 7

New Zealand - 4

Paraguay - 3

Slovakia - 3

Italy's decision to leave behind Rossi is going to be there downfall. But not in this group. None of the other three teams are good enough to beat Italy, but none are good enough to beat each other either. Skrtel might be intimidating but they don't have much else (props to Stanislav Sestak from VfL Bochum but there is a reason they went down to 2. Bundesliga) In another German themes pick Paraguay may still have Roque Santa Cruz but he no longer "Ich Roque"s. I have to go with New Zealand.

Group H

Brazil - 6 points

Ivory Coast - 6 points

Portugal - 4 points

North Korea - 1 point

Mark my word North Korea will keep a team out by stealing a point. I see the Big Three in this "Group of Death" (I've argued it since Day 1, but thats beside the point) splitting. Not sure who beats who though. I have North Korea screwing it up for Portugal. And here is why...

Scenario 1. Portugal and whatever color Vapors Cristiano is wearing will be coming off an important win against the Drogbas. They will be on 3 points each with Brazil. Looking forward to a game against Brazil for seeding they assume 3 against North Korea and get burned doing so.

Scenario 2. They are coming off a loss to the Elephants, and in order to boost goal differential assuming a 3 way tie at 6, they get beat on a counter attack. North Korea goes up 1, and ecstatic to take points from anyone in this group, then sits back with 8 guys.

When you have 3 high seeds and a nobody, you really don't want to play the nobody second.

Group H

Spain - 7

Honduras - 4

Switzerland - 2

Chile - 2

Spain are everyones team to beat, but not mine. I don't think all of their superstars are mentally tough. I can't say they aren't a good team they will win the group and probably advance to the semis but I do see a slip up along the way. Another group with no clear #2, I take Honduras because I love underdogs... see South Africa and New Zealand. But since no European team has ever won the World Cup on non European soil, my Anyone But UEFA theory might just come into play here. And of course to paraphrase the great soccer commentator, Charlize Theron, those teams will be able to talk to each other in the same language.

Check back tomorrow for the Knockout Round. Where nothing special happens to all those teams that you think I'm crazy for picking.

France vs Uruguay Review

First things first... If I never see another pair of orange and silver Nike Vapors it will be to soon.

I don't think there is a more ironic sight than Henry asking for a handball.

France 0 Uruguay 0

The Good
France Gourcuff's chance on the free kick was really the only shining moment in an otherwise dull game. For fans and players, if they keep playing like that they won't have to worry about Domenech leaving on a high note.
Uruguay They took a point which is what they were going for while employing 5 in back, 3 defensive mids, Suarez and Forlan. Forlan is as advertised, he creates for himself and others just doesn't have much else.

The Bad
France Ribery never found his position, Anelka was not (as I said he might be numerous times) the only times they looked good were when Sagna got forward. Not an impressive performance. I'm not a huge Malouda fan but he needs to be on the pitch if they want to advance
Uruguay Forlan and Suarez looked incapable of playing a ball to each other for much of the game. They've scored so many goals but have to play together. There just isn't enough on the squad for them to not be in sync. Lodeiro walking off the pitch in tears, have to feel for the kid but he deserved the second card.

The Ugly
Way to many cards from Chef Morimoto in the center.
Sagna's hair. It gives him the starting RB position on this years All-Bad Hair team.
When Abreu came on in the second half for Uruguay, the announcer described him as a possible spark and a "long-haired player.

South Africa vs Mexico Review

I'm due for a preview. and I'll put it out before the REAL World Cup starts, tomorrow. I was as excited as anyone else for today's first game and still excited for the next one in about an hour. However, the first day rarely brings anything to special. Teams don't want to be battling back from down 3 points with a goal differential in the minuses. When 28 other teams haven't taken to the pitch. Look at France in 2002, when they were shocked by Senegal in the opener. While South Africa gave us something special to cheer about for a while, it ended as it should be in a draw. Check back for my preview (nothing changes even after today's results, I put South Africa and Mexico through in every pick'em I've played).

South Africa 1 Mexico (even though they were wearing black) 1

The Good
South Africa: Though they were up 1-0 and probably could have earned 3 points, Bafana Bafana has to be happy with one. Nobody has given them any chance. The young 22 year old Khune in goal, made some great saves and his distribution from goal embodied my favorite line "last line of defense first line of offense." New favorite non-American keeper (right behind tim Howard and Ryan Miller).
Mexico: The offense created numerous chances, just weren't finishing. Good teams figure out how to finish, but creating chances is tough. Marquez is back on form. Mexico also has the world's best 12th man, in that for 11 minutes they can bring in Blanco but in the 12th he's already tired.

The Bad
South Africa: Their best player did not show up. They may have been better off with Matt Damon's "Pienaar" rather than Everton's. Also not good when the entire defensive line steps except for the one who should be calling out the step.
Mexico: The defense was extremely susceptible to anyone with speed and/or two feet. You have to assume that Uruguay and France will play a speedy striker in their matches. Going forward with Perez may be a mistake. He was certainly adventurous off is line on more than one occasion, but his save making ability is not as good as that of Ochoa IMO.

The Ugly
Besides Cuahtemoc Blanco's physique? I think it was Juarez, in a tournament where yellow cards add up, halting a quick restart 20 minutes in when your team has dominated in every aspect of the game is just a poor decision.

Proud Fan of the Most Hated Team in the Majors!

The Wall-Street Journal has declared the Cleveland Indians the MLB’s most hated team. Using an Internet algorithm built by the Nielsen Company that analyzes how people feel about certain things, the Indians… not the Yankees… not the Red Sox… the Indians… were determined to be the most hated team.

Thanks to the Nielsen Co. we’ve finally won something. This study was done on the internet, and posted on the internet, it must be true. When has Nielsen ever got something wrong? We are talking about the same company that got Sports Night and Arrested Development cancelled. The same company that gave us a few more seasons worth of well-developed ancillary characters that were vital to the Heroes storyline.

“The algorithm worked by scouring the web for mentions of any baseball team, and then looked for words that revealed emotion or opinion, such as “hate”, “love”, “sucks”, and so forth.” I apologize, I’m part at fault for this ranking because I’m always Google Searching things like “Famous Indian People + Gandhi Sucks” and “Indian Casinos are poopy.” I’m not sure if Facebook fan pages count because I just joined “When the Yankees beat the British in the Revolutionary War, I was soooo happy,” and “I <3 Clean White Socks"

This algorithm has FAIL written all over, so here are the Top 10 Things I Think About This Study.
1. Also said NBA’s most hated team – Celtics, NFL’s most hated team –Vikings, NHL’s most hated team – Canadiens … +1 point for Racism on the internet!
2. It’s easy to hate the Indians, every time your team plays them you have a chance to win and winning isn’t everything you know.
3. If it weren’t for Johnny Depp and Disney, the Pirates probably would have past us. Arrr, I hate pirates.
4. Did Joakim Noah get to vote twice?
5. We scored a .9, they must have been taking into account runs per game.
6. Is Eric Wedge really that bitter?
7. John Rocker was only here for a year, so all you queers with AIDS and kids with purple hair on the Subway need to chillax.
8. DOES ALL CAPS COUNT DOUBLE??? WHAT ABOUT NUMEROUS EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!
9. What? Dorn bought the team and brought in Jack Parkman?
10. Imagine the screams of the Yankees fans.. “Nobody hates the Indians. PEOPLE HATE US WAY MORE!!”

Believe the Hype or is it Too Untrue?

In Judaism the Talmud teaches of the Tzadikim Nistarim or the Lamed Vav Tzadikim. It is said that at all times there are 36 special people in the world, and that were it not for them, all of them, if even one of them was missing, the world would come to an end. (A quick lesson in Gematria; Lamed-Vav. Lamed = 30 and Vav = 6, hence Lamed Vav Tzadikim). It is said that these 36 people's role in life is to justify the purpose of mankind in the eyes of G-d. Tradition states that their identities may not be known to themselves or to others, and that if one of them were to realize this role, they would die and be replaced by another.

It's an extremely interesting concept, whether you are the religious type or not. But when I was re-visiting a sermon our Rabbi gave a few Yom Kippur or ago, it got me thinking. The idea of the Lamed Vavniks, as they are called in Yiddush, is a lesson that can be taught through sports as well.

I believe that at any given time there are 36 Superstars in ALL OF SPORTS. Not just in the US but worldwide. This group of 36 athletes are on earth to justify the purpose of sports in the eyes of the public. If one of them were to realize this role, they would die and be replaced by another... Vince Carter or Allen Iverson anyone?

They return to their anonymity as soon as their task is accomplished, 'concealing' themselves once again in a community wherein they are relatively unknown... pretty much any Olympian?

The lamed-vavniks do not themselves know that they are ones of the 36. In fact, tradition has it that should a person claim to be one of the 36, that is proof positive that he is certainly not one... Jose Mourinho!

These 36 have such "avanah" (humility) that it precludes against their self-proclamations of being among the special.They are all to humble to belive they are one of the 36... Phil Mickelson?

Very few Superstars are truly humble. However, in sports an athlete who day in and day out shows us that they are a superstar rather than saying it, THAT in itself is humbling. The mysticism of the Lamed Vavniks disappears if people know who they are, however there is nothing against conjecture. When Roger Federer makes a shot and you just stop and wonder how on earth it was possible. You can believe he is one of the 36.

As I debated who are the 36, fifteen were obvious. These players sell tickets and put people in the seats, when they are coming to your city it becomes an event you must see. These 14 make us wonder if what we just saw really happened.

1. LeBron James

2. Kobe Bryant

3. Shaun White

4. Lionel Messi

5. Roger Federer

6. Cristiano Ronaldo

7. Michael Phelps

8. Usain Bolt

9. Rafael Nadal

10. Kevin Durant

11. Sydney Crosby

12. Roy Halladay

13. Lance Armstrong

14. Alexander Ovechkin

15. Josh Cribbs

So who are the other 21? I believe the 36 Superstars can change at any given moment. During the NCAA Basketball Tournament, one buzzer-beater makes a player a superstar, but a weekend later that player can fade right back into oblivion. Could it be that player started to believe he was one of the 36? Something that is just not allowed.

Here is the shortlist for some that may or may not be part of this special group... Wayne Rooney, Kaka, David Beckham (undeservedly) Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Albert Pujols, Stephen Strasburg (moves up as soon as he makes an MLB Start), Jason Heyward (already on his way to being 16), Ryan Braun, A-Rod, Mariano Rivera, Johan Santana, Peyton Manning, Andy Roddick, Venus and Serena Williams, Tiger Woods (clearly on the list until about 6 months ago), Phil Mickelson, Ryan Miller (if only because of his US Olympic performance) Candace Parker, The UConn Women's Basketball team, The Penn State Women's Volleyball team, Apollo Anton Ohno, a NASCAR guy, John Wall, Evan Turner, Brad Stevens (Yeah, coaches can be there).

But then again maybe this list is truly reserved for people like Former Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, softball player carried around bases. For Rick and Dick Hoyt, who form Team Hoyt (must see video). For Maurice Cheeks helping a young girl sing the National Anthem. For Jason McElwain, the autistic high-school basketball player, or even for his coach Jim Johnson who gave him the chance to play.

The Lamed Vavniks are not necessarily the best. But they are those who come through for us in a time of need. Sports is about escape, when we are in need of healing.

So later this week when you are watching the NBA Playoffs, don't forget, the Lamed Vavniks emerge from their self-imposed concealment and, by the mystic powers, which they possess, they succeed in averting the threatened disasters of a people persecuted by the enemies that surround them... LeBron James anyone?

Your Starting QB #7 Ben Roethlisberger

The first three excuses I can think of from Browns fans on why not to bring in Roethlisberger are as follows.

1. He's a sworn enemy on and off the field.

2. He has off the field issues.

3. Because of 2, he is suspended for the first 6 games.

Guess What. I don't care. Before I even get started, let me dispell these excuses (because you know what they say about excuses).

1a. If 20 years ago Jon Elway said "I feel sorry for the Browns franchise, if it weren't for me they may have won a Super Bowl by now." Would you say "sorry we really like Brian Sipe?" If after the shot Jordan said "I got lucky on the shot, I have a better chance of becoming a superstar playing alongside Price and Daugherty than Pippen. I'm sure you'd say "no no please stay away, we like losing to you all the time. Imagine Roethlisberger being flipped with Phillip Rivers in 2004. We wouldn't even be making this excuse. The simple fact that he once wore Black and Yellow is not means for not having him on your team.

2. Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident in 2006 was not an off-field issue, people get in accidents. He got hit, albeit he should have had a helmet on, but he wasn't doing wheelies in a parking lot. Roethlisberger's off field issue have come since 2007. Mike Tomlin was hired to replace Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh in 2007. Maybe this is a coincidence, but I think not. Anyone who thinks Cowher and Tomlin run the same type of NFL Team doesn't know football. Different coaching styles, different demeanors. To me there is a reason Big Ben's issue off the field have been in the post-Cowher area. I'm not calling Tomlin soft, but personally I'd rather have Tomlin tell me off than Cowher. Mangini is a character guy, he may not be as mean as Cowher but he's more like Cowher than Tomlin. Not to mention Holmgren wouldn't allow it either.

3. The Browns are not going to contend this year. So does the fact that Roethlisberger will have to sit the first 6 games (maybe only 4 depending on how well he cooperates) really matter. Of course not.

Excuses dispelled, now onto the good stuff.

The draft is about getting better right? Bradford, Clausen, Tebow, LeFevour, Dan Whalen are not names of guys who have won Super Bowls, not names of guys who have gone to pro-bowls. Anytime you can get a proven NFL QB your team is going to get better. Look at Washington, look at Minnesota. 1st Round QBs make ridiculous amounts of money. Roethlisberger will make less money than Bradford, he will probably make less money than Clausen (if Clausen goes Top 10). His contract is actually attractive, despite the fact we just paid tons of money for Delhomme.

As I write, ESPN sources report that the Steelers would be willing to trade him for a Top 10 pick. Meanwhile the Pittsburgh Beat Writer is saying they aren't (of course he is, journalistic nightmare for him right now).

I do not want the Browns taking a QB in the draft, but if they trade for Roethlisberger they aren't really taking him in the draft. Say they flip the 7th pick and one of their 3rd for Roethlisberger and 18 (the Steelers first pick). Obviously Eric Berry is gone. But Earl Thomas and Taylor Mays are both likely still there. There is no guarantee that Berry would even be there at 7. Let's weigh this... Proven Top 10 NFL Starting QB and the second or third best free safety in the draft or the best safety in the draft. Hmm? A couple years ago Taylor Mays was being compared to Troy Polamalu he was a Top 10 pick before returning to school. Some draftniks are saying Thomas might be better than Berry. So if those three guys all end up having similar careers. How can you argue against getting a 28 year old 2x Super Bowl Winning Quarterback in his prime versus grabbing Tony Pike in the 3rd round?

You get Roethlisberger with a trade, Delhomme starts until he comes back. Then you have two NFL QBs in stead of two guys who might one day be NFL QBs.

Holmgren and Mangini can turn him around, he will come out of his suspension a better man, and with a renewed spirit. If you don't want him on your team because he played a couple hours East of here, you really don't want the Browns to get better.

Last time the Browns had a shot at Roethlisberger they took Kellen Winslow. Huge character guy in that pick right? In 2010 they have a chance to fix it. Do it!

The Obvious Upset

Wait a second... is that I'm a Believer on the radio...Is it the Monkees version... what about Smash Mouth...What do you mean who is Smash Mouth... where are we 1966?

Yeah, I know the former Texas Western is a 26-6 team. So what if the Miners went 15-1 in the Jon Calipari Commemorative Conference. Who wouldn't be impressed by their 1-3 record against AP Top 25. The 3-4 against other teams in the tournament (including 1-2 against C-USA Tourney Champs Houston) is the stuff of legend.

That Out of Conference schedule was ridiculous. I mean who would have thought to play New Mexico St. in a home and home series. I can't blame them for scheduling Arkansas Pine-Bluff, heck they are one of only 17 teams that will go 1-1 in this year's tournament. Not even the Big XII coaches knew that Oklahoma was going to be terrible this year, apparently Blake Griffin was that good. And who can fault them for playing Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T a couple of teams with huge potential to finish in the Top 10 of a historically great mid-major like the MEAC. Ever since that 60 point win against the worst league-affiliated D1 program in the country this year, Alcorn St., these guys have been a lock to get to the Sweet Sixteen even if they lost in the finals of the conference tourney.

Their first round competition is some overrated mid-major from a joke conference that only has a .472 winning percentage in the NCAA tournament.

Yeah, I know the former North Western Christian University is a 28-4 team. So what, the Bulldogs went 18-0 in the Todd Lickliter Memorial League. Nobody is impressed with their 1-3 against the AP Top 25. The 3-3 against other teams in the tourney (including 1-2 against teams seeded 7 or better) is far from legendary.

That Out of Conference schedule was a cakewalk. I mean who schedules an early season Midwest tour against Northwestern and Evansville and follows it up with Minnesota. You have to blame them for not playing any potential play-in game winners, it just shows a lack of RPI knowledge. Not even the Pac-10 coaches knew that UCLA was going to be terrible, it's not like Jrue Holliday and Darren Collison were that good. You have to fault the Athletic Office and Coach for putting teams that barely had Top 10 potential in historically terrible mid-majors like the Missouri Valley and the MAC. Ever since that one-point loss to Clemson, I crossed this team off the list as an at-large, they are lucky then won the conference tourney.

Luckily for the Miners, we didn't go back 11 years earlier, these games aren't going to be played at Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, because the hoops may be 10 feet tall there, but apparently they are taller in San Jose.