Baltimore Ravens: Offensively, the big news is the arrival of Willis McGahee from Buffalo. Everyone thinks he will be the savior of the offense. I think he makes them a bit better than Jamal Lewis. In Buffalo, he averaged 4, 3.8, and 3.8 yards a carry for the past three years and his two biggest games last year were against the Jets. I agree with most people in thinking that with the arguably better O-Line in Baltimore will help Mcgahee’s numbers, but I do not see him getting to a 100 yard a game average. McNair holds this offense in his hands. He needs to find a way to make an average receiving corp better this year. Derrick Mason is reliable, and Todd Heap is an All Pro. The both of them will be constant targets for McNair. Two questions are, who is the downfield threat and can the O-Line get better from last year so to allow McGahee lanes to run? Demitrius Williams must become the deep threat. As for the offensive line, I think they will be shaky this year. Hopefully they can gel as the season progresses. Defense will once again be the reason why the Ravens win. Depth and talent throughout the defense, barring injury, the Ravens will rank in the top five in total defense this year.
Cincinnati Bengals: Levi Jones (LT) and Willie Anderson (RT) anchor a very good Offensive Line that got better as the season wore on last year. Cincinnati lost G Eric Steinbeck to Cleveland, but have faith in two young players, Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews to pick up the slack. The O-Line will succeed in giving Rudi Johnson more lanes to run and improve on his 3.8 yards per carry last year. Carson Palmer leads a very potent air attack. Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh are torture for any defense to contain. The question here is who will play the slot and will they get any production from their tight end? Reggie Kelly is the veteran ,incumbent TE and will look to make a bigger contribution than his 21 catches in ’06. Last season, the defense ranked 30th overall, giving up 238 yards a game through the air. The D-line is held together by defensive ends Robert Geathers and Justin Smith. The Bengals need better production from their aging and underproductive DTs. Second year player Domata Peko needs to make an impact. To help the linebackers, Cincinnati signed Edgerton Hartwell. He will play alongside an underrated and year-after- year improving Landon Johnson. The Bengals used their first round pick on a CB for a second strait year (Johnathan Joseph in 2006) by selecting Leon Hall out of Michigan. This is an improving defensive unit that will help Cincinnati win the division this year.
Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn will be starting by week 3. He has the talent and from pre-season work, looks to have the poise. A talented Braylon Edwards needs to improve his mental approach and Kellen Winslow can be an All Pro at TE. Where the Browns progressed most was in addressing the offensive line. The addition of LG Eric Steinbach (7 yrs, 49 mill) and drafting of LT Joe Thomas with the third overall pick will give the Browns needed stability (assuming the rookie Thomas adapts well) on the left side. Veteran Hank Fraley will start the season at C, but let’s hope LeCharles Bentley comes back this season after serious complications after knee surgery last season. The right side has questions at guard but if RT Ryan Tucker can put his personal problems in the past, he can help this unit become a second tier type of offensive line. Never a juke and burn type of back, the O-line play will directly impact the year Jamal Lewis has. He needs a hole to get through and then get 4-5 yards a carry. Although he will not duplicate his 2003 totals, I can see him reaching 1200 yards this year. The Browns used 4 of their 7 draft picks on the defensive side, 2 on defensive ends and two in the secondary. The D-line is old and unreliable and the secondary is a work in progress. Crennel needs to scheme so his very good linebackers can make plays. Kameron Wimbly is coming off an impressive rookie season, Andra Davis is reliable, Willie McGinest is old now, but can still make plays. The Browns could have a gem in LB Leon Williams. He seems to be in on every tackle and should see more snaps this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger should have been no where near a football field last year and it showed. After a head injury of the nature he suffered, it was ill advised for him to take hits to the head as is administered every week in the NFL. This is a win now league and teams suck out as much juice from the players until they are no longer useful. The long term effects will be seen in his play this year. The Steelers can not compete without a 100% Ben Roethlisberger and he will get hurt again this year because of his head trauma a year ago. A saving grace for Ben may be in a changing, yet still more than adequate O-line to protect him and open up holes for Willlie Parker. Parker should have another1400+ yard year. Santonio Holmes will grow better this year, provide a deep threat and allow Hines Ward to do his work underneath as a premium possession receiver. Heath Miller is a better than average TE and 3rd round pick TE Matt Spaeth will come in on single back and big sets. Troy Polamalu is a very reckless, but extremely productive leader of the defense. The DB’s are young but should mature as the season goes on. Casey Hampton leads the D-Line and is a perennial All-Pro. The linebackers, always strong on the Steelers may be slipping in stature. Joey Porter left for Miami, and although still effective, James Farrior is getting older and slower. The Steelers drafted LBs with their first two picks in this years draft. Lawerence Timmons (1st round) and LaMarr Woodley (2nd round, also plays DE) will help give depth at LB. It will be interesting to see how 1st year head coach Mike Tomlin handles his first year as a head coach. His demeanor is calm and I like what I see so far, but when the real games begin, sprinkle in some adversity when the pressure is on to win in a football crazy Pittsburgh, things can turn ugly quickly.
Predictions:
1) Bengals 2) Ravens 3) Browns 4) Steelers
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
AFC East Preview
Buffalo Bills: Offensively very young. JP Losman had a decent second half and should grow this year. He has come out publicly and stated that he will have a good year, but what QB in the NFL would say the opposite. The offensive line was a major concern last year and was addressed with the additions of Derrick Dockery, Langston Walker and Jason Whittle. Protecting Losman will let him hit some very talented, but very young wide outs in Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish. Peerless Price will probably start the season as the #2 option. He needs to refocus himself and get back to his 2002 form if that is possible. He caught 94 passes for over 1200 yards but that was with Eric Moulds getting double teamed on the other side of him. 1st round draft choice Marshawn Lynch will be the clear cut starter by week 4 replacing a departed Willis McGahee and should see some running lanes behind the new O-Line. A fast but inexperienced defensive corp will have an up and down season. The losses of Tikeo Spikes and Nate Clements will hurt but 2nd round pick Paul Posluszny, DE Aaron Schobel and an underrated CB Terrence McGee, should pick up the slack and need to have excellent years to help the Bills win games.
Miami Dolphins: Cam Cameron has a tough job. The Offensive line is an absolute mess. No significant upgrade at any O-line position will make it difficult to find a statuesque Trent Green any time to throw. Ronnie Brown is a gifted runner. Averaging 4.2 yards a carry, he did most of the work after getting hit. Trent Green needs to get a talented and physically awesome Chris Chambers the ball a lot more than the 59 catches he had last year. Miami fans will be clamoring for Ted Ginn Jr. to do more than return kicks and punts. Most fans feel that Brady Quinn would have been the best choice and now hope that the Dolphin brain-trust knows more than they do. The loss of McMichael will not hurt too much since he was used mostly as a blocking lineman last season. Cory Schlesinger will add excellent blocking from the FB position. Defensively, not much has changed, except that they have all gotten one year older. If that does not translate into one step slower, then the Dolphins have a chance to win 6 games this year. Joey Porter is a very good addition and will cause havoc if Dom Capers can use him the right way.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady is always the main attraction. Most people are thinking that the additions of Moss, Stallworth and Wes Welker will be beneficial. I disagree. New England, under Belichick, has always been a team first organization. Randy Moss has stated in past interviews that he plays only when he feels like. Will the Patriots be able to motivate Moss? What happens the first or second time only two or three balls are thrown his way in a game? I can not see Moss being happy in New England for very long. Dante Stallworth is very talented, exceptionally fast and will be a deep threat for Brady. However, with a quality QB in McNabb, and then Garcia when McNabb injured his knee last year, he had 38 catches for 725 yards in 12 games. He is not a possecion receiver and his route running is suspect. The Patriots gave Stallworth about 3.5 million in guaranteed money because they are aware of his injury history as well. Wes Welker needs to prove himself on a team that has pressure to win. He may be the possession receiver that the Patriots expect, or a one year wonder. I have not seen enough of him to say he will be a bust or not. It will be interesting to see if Laurence Maroney can be an everydown back. He was impressive last season, but that was in a two running back rotation with Cory Dillon. Look for an experienced back up in Sammy Morris to take 15-20% of the carries this year. The defense is strong up front and in the linebacker corp, and then they get Adalius Thomas. One knock is at cornerback. The lack of depth will try to be masked by schemes Belichick creates, but good offenses will be able to throw against the Pats.
New York Jets: Mangini has the Jets playing inspired, team oriented, goal-oriented football. A major distraction is the Pete Kendall situation. Veteran of the line, he could have been mentor for the young, but potentially best in the league O-line. Now that he is gone to Washington, who will play gaurd. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold are going to be special. The line needs to give Thomas Jones and Leon Washington room to run, work the clock a bit and help the defense not be on the field as much as they were last year. An excellent acquisition, Thomas Jones will show work ethic and professionalism needed in every clubhouse. The line will need to give injury prone Pennington time to get the ball to a talented trio of receivers in Laveranues coles, Jerricho Cotchery and Justin McCareins. Defensively the Jets need to improve their rush defense. The group wore out towards the end of the season last year, in part to being on the field too long most games. Shaun Ellis is an All-Pro at End and Von Oelhoffen is an underrated player on the D-line. Veterans Kenyon Coleman and David Bowens give depth. ILB Vilma will be an All-pro this season and 2nd round pick David Harris will fit in the 3-4 set the Jets run. 1st round pick Darrelle Revis compliments a secondary that will be better this year anchored by opportunistic safeties Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman.
Predictions: The Pats will lose some games they are not accustomed to losing and the young,talented and motivated Jets will win the division. I figure New England getting the wild card. Most pundits will have the Pats and Jets finishing 1-2 in the division, but I am probably in the minority in terms of who finishes 1 and who finishes 2.
1) Jets 2) Patriots 3) Bills 4) Dolphins
Miami Dolphins: Cam Cameron has a tough job. The Offensive line is an absolute mess. No significant upgrade at any O-line position will make it difficult to find a statuesque Trent Green any time to throw. Ronnie Brown is a gifted runner. Averaging 4.2 yards a carry, he did most of the work after getting hit. Trent Green needs to get a talented and physically awesome Chris Chambers the ball a lot more than the 59 catches he had last year. Miami fans will be clamoring for Ted Ginn Jr. to do more than return kicks and punts. Most fans feel that Brady Quinn would have been the best choice and now hope that the Dolphin brain-trust knows more than they do. The loss of McMichael will not hurt too much since he was used mostly as a blocking lineman last season. Cory Schlesinger will add excellent blocking from the FB position. Defensively, not much has changed, except that they have all gotten one year older. If that does not translate into one step slower, then the Dolphins have a chance to win 6 games this year. Joey Porter is a very good addition and will cause havoc if Dom Capers can use him the right way.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady is always the main attraction. Most people are thinking that the additions of Moss, Stallworth and Wes Welker will be beneficial. I disagree. New England, under Belichick, has always been a team first organization. Randy Moss has stated in past interviews that he plays only when he feels like. Will the Patriots be able to motivate Moss? What happens the first or second time only two or three balls are thrown his way in a game? I can not see Moss being happy in New England for very long. Dante Stallworth is very talented, exceptionally fast and will be a deep threat for Brady. However, with a quality QB in McNabb, and then Garcia when McNabb injured his knee last year, he had 38 catches for 725 yards in 12 games. He is not a possecion receiver and his route running is suspect. The Patriots gave Stallworth about 3.5 million in guaranteed money because they are aware of his injury history as well. Wes Welker needs to prove himself on a team that has pressure to win. He may be the possession receiver that the Patriots expect, or a one year wonder. I have not seen enough of him to say he will be a bust or not. It will be interesting to see if Laurence Maroney can be an everydown back. He was impressive last season, but that was in a two running back rotation with Cory Dillon. Look for an experienced back up in Sammy Morris to take 15-20% of the carries this year. The defense is strong up front and in the linebacker corp, and then they get Adalius Thomas. One knock is at cornerback. The lack of depth will try to be masked by schemes Belichick creates, but good offenses will be able to throw against the Pats.
New York Jets: Mangini has the Jets playing inspired, team oriented, goal-oriented football. A major distraction is the Pete Kendall situation. Veteran of the line, he could have been mentor for the young, but potentially best in the league O-line. Now that he is gone to Washington, who will play gaurd. LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold are going to be special. The line needs to give Thomas Jones and Leon Washington room to run, work the clock a bit and help the defense not be on the field as much as they were last year. An excellent acquisition, Thomas Jones will show work ethic and professionalism needed in every clubhouse. The line will need to give injury prone Pennington time to get the ball to a talented trio of receivers in Laveranues coles, Jerricho Cotchery and Justin McCareins. Defensively the Jets need to improve their rush defense. The group wore out towards the end of the season last year, in part to being on the field too long most games. Shaun Ellis is an All-Pro at End and Von Oelhoffen is an underrated player on the D-line. Veterans Kenyon Coleman and David Bowens give depth. ILB Vilma will be an All-pro this season and 2nd round pick David Harris will fit in the 3-4 set the Jets run. 1st round pick Darrelle Revis compliments a secondary that will be better this year anchored by opportunistic safeties Kerry Rhodes and Erik Coleman.
Predictions: The Pats will lose some games they are not accustomed to losing and the young,talented and motivated Jets will win the division. I figure New England getting the wild card. Most pundits will have the Pats and Jets finishing 1-2 in the division, but I am probably in the minority in terms of who finishes 1 and who finishes 2.
1) Jets 2) Patriots 3) Bills 4) Dolphins
NFL Preview
In the next week or so leading up to opening kickoff, I will give my take on each division in the NFL, give a prediction on who will win the divisions and after that, give my Super Bowl picks. Enjoy. I will start off with the AFC East.
Friday, August 17, 2007
A look at my predicted top 6
6- Newcastle - Love the Viduka pick up. A very consistent scorer who moves from Middlesbrough to a better team at Newcastle. The fitness of Owen is always a question. Anything he can give is a plus, and talent never goes away. I wish him luck in getting back to his former level of play. A very capable scorer in Martins will be asked to pick up the scoring if Owen misses extended time. The midfield is a held strong by Duff, Solano, Barton and veteran Emre. Led by GK Shay Given, the defense is what will propel Newcastle to European football next season. Cacapa, Carr, Rampage, Taylor, Babayano and Geremi form an experienced and strong back line.
5- Arsenal - After the losses of Baptista, Henry, Ljungberg, Muamba and Reyes, the question of depth and experience will follow Arsenal throughout the year. Who is going to score? Will DaSilva, the Cro-zilian keep up his scoring touch displayed At Dinamo Zagreb and Euro 2008 qualifying for Croatia. Adebayor is growing up and should contribute, but how about Walcott. Immense talent but yet unproven at this level. Rosicky and Hleb need to solidify the midfield, become leaders and take the pressure of Fabregas. The Spaniard is blossoming into a World XI type of player and will need to score consistently this season for the Gunners to make a run for Champion’s league position next year. The defense is not a question. Gk Lehman has the luxury of having veterans Eboue, Toure, Senderos and Gallas in front of him. As always, Wenger will find a way to win, just how much will the long season take a toll on his youth.
4- Chelsea- This is the year they falter, if one finds a fourth place finish in the EPL faltering; however given Mourinho’s incredible success and amount of money Abramovic has spent, two pieces of silverware are mandatory. They should advance to the final eight of the Champion’s league, but I feel that they will drop some points to lesser quality teams this season. The African Nation’s Cup is a potentially tough stretch. Losing their best two players in Drogba and Essien, along with Kalou and Mikel for about 3 weeks, a minimum of 3 games. The tournament final is on February 10th. Chelsea is home for Liverpool on the February 9th. The defense is held together by the best GK, central defense in the EPL with Peter Chech, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. The addition of Ben Haim adds depth. I am not impressed with Lampard. He is on the descent of a notable career, but more concerning is that he tends to disappear in the big games. Malouda adds toughness that was lacking in Robben. Joe Cole needs to become a better leader and better decision maker on the pitch. Drogba is world class and Sheva needs to show up this year.
3- Tottenham- All out offense is what I want to see. How about a 4-1-2-3 formation? They certainly have the pieces in Berbatov, Jenas, keane, Defoe and Bent. The questions for Spurs success is how well they can defend, and if their defense can stay healthy. King is the best defender, he starts the season less than 100% fit. Aside from him, Spurs lack class in the back line. Paul Robinson needs to bounce back from a subpar campaign last season. One also needs to ask if Jol continues to have respect from his players. Another slow start and the masses will be wanting his head. Winning cures all ills and I feel that Tottenham will find enough defense to go with what is on paper a quality attack.
2- Manchester United - Have depth and class throughout the squad. Vidic is overrated but his shortcomings are masked by the defenders by his side. Ronaldo is the fastest man on the planet with a ball at his feet. It would be interesting to see how he would do behind the strikers in a more central midfield role. Scholes, Giggs , Carrick and Hargreaves are all world class players in the mid field. Tevez only makes Rooney better and they should feed off each other when Rooney returns in a few months. Only multiple injuries will keep Man U from a semi final berth in the Champions league and a top 2 finish in the EPL.
1- Liverpool- My money is on Liverpool winning the Champion’s league and EPL. Gerrard in the best English International player and a true leader who shows up every game ready to win with supreme effort and class. Torres and Kuyt form an impressive striker tandem. Voronin adds to an already powerful midfield. Benayoun was a fabulous pick up. He is the leader of the Israel National team , plays any position and his value will be apparent as the year progresses. Incredible depth and talent at every position.
5- Arsenal - After the losses of Baptista, Henry, Ljungberg, Muamba and Reyes, the question of depth and experience will follow Arsenal throughout the year. Who is going to score? Will DaSilva, the Cro-zilian keep up his scoring touch displayed At Dinamo Zagreb and Euro 2008 qualifying for Croatia. Adebayor is growing up and should contribute, but how about Walcott. Immense talent but yet unproven at this level. Rosicky and Hleb need to solidify the midfield, become leaders and take the pressure of Fabregas. The Spaniard is blossoming into a World XI type of player and will need to score consistently this season for the Gunners to make a run for Champion’s league position next year. The defense is not a question. Gk Lehman has the luxury of having veterans Eboue, Toure, Senderos and Gallas in front of him. As always, Wenger will find a way to win, just how much will the long season take a toll on his youth.
4- Chelsea- This is the year they falter, if one finds a fourth place finish in the EPL faltering; however given Mourinho’s incredible success and amount of money Abramovic has spent, two pieces of silverware are mandatory. They should advance to the final eight of the Champion’s league, but I feel that they will drop some points to lesser quality teams this season. The African Nation’s Cup is a potentially tough stretch. Losing their best two players in Drogba and Essien, along with Kalou and Mikel for about 3 weeks, a minimum of 3 games. The tournament final is on February 10th. Chelsea is home for Liverpool on the February 9th. The defense is held together by the best GK, central defense in the EPL with Peter Chech, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. The addition of Ben Haim adds depth. I am not impressed with Lampard. He is on the descent of a notable career, but more concerning is that he tends to disappear in the big games. Malouda adds toughness that was lacking in Robben. Joe Cole needs to become a better leader and better decision maker on the pitch. Drogba is world class and Sheva needs to show up this year.
3- Tottenham- All out offense is what I want to see. How about a 4-1-2-3 formation? They certainly have the pieces in Berbatov, Jenas, keane, Defoe and Bent. The questions for Spurs success is how well they can defend, and if their defense can stay healthy. King is the best defender, he starts the season less than 100% fit. Aside from him, Spurs lack class in the back line. Paul Robinson needs to bounce back from a subpar campaign last season. One also needs to ask if Jol continues to have respect from his players. Another slow start and the masses will be wanting his head. Winning cures all ills and I feel that Tottenham will find enough defense to go with what is on paper a quality attack.
2- Manchester United - Have depth and class throughout the squad. Vidic is overrated but his shortcomings are masked by the defenders by his side. Ronaldo is the fastest man on the planet with a ball at his feet. It would be interesting to see how he would do behind the strikers in a more central midfield role. Scholes, Giggs , Carrick and Hargreaves are all world class players in the mid field. Tevez only makes Rooney better and they should feed off each other when Rooney returns in a few months. Only multiple injuries will keep Man U from a semi final berth in the Champions league and a top 2 finish in the EPL.
1- Liverpool- My money is on Liverpool winning the Champion’s league and EPL. Gerrard in the best English International player and a true leader who shows up every game ready to win with supreme effort and class. Torres and Kuyt form an impressive striker tandem. Voronin adds to an already powerful midfield. Benayoun was a fabulous pick up. He is the leader of the Israel National team , plays any position and his value will be apparent as the year progresses. Incredible depth and talent at every position.
Friday, August 10, 2007
English Premier League Top Six Prediction
Here is the order of finish to this year's English Premier League. A description of why I have these teams in this order will be posted in a few days. I wanted to get the picks on my blog before the start of the season tomorrow.
1- Liverpool
2- Manchester United
3- Tottenham
4- Chelsea
5- Arsenal
6- Newcastle
1- Liverpool
2- Manchester United
3- Tottenham
4- Chelsea
5- Arsenal
6- Newcastle
Thursday, August 9, 2007
FA Community Shield Recap
I tracked this game and will give you my thoughts. The number you see is the minute that the play occurred .
1- Malouda makes a nice hard tackle on Rooney. Aside from Carvalho, Terry and Essien, Chelsea needs some toughness to go with all their talent. Mouluda can hopefully do this for them.
6- Ronaldo tracking back deep into the defensive zone to defend Ashly Cole. Let’s see how long this will last. Not that Ronaldo can’t play defense, but do you really want him running around too much. It’s a long season and you do not want him wearing out like he did at the end of last year’s campaign.
10- The pace of Ronaldo is extreme. How many in the world are as fast as him with the ball at his feet. I would like to see him and Giggs switch positions in the 4-4-1-1 formation. Let Ronaldo play right behind Rooney and have Giggs stay on the outside. That’s assuming Tevez is not in the lineup. With Tevez in there, a standard 4-4-2 with Ronaldo on the right side is best.
30- Great pass from Rooney on the top left of the penalty box to a streaking Ronaldo. These two are a fantastic duo whose skills complement each other tremendously. Rooney a pittbull, Ronaldo being a greyhound.
35- Great goal. Class at every level. Beautifull pass from Ronaldo to Evra, good look from Evra to Giggs, and then a cool, calm finish from Giggs. Nearly two decades with United and Giggs remains vital to their success this season.
45- Malouda showing a strength and determination that Robben has continually failed to show with Chelsea. Ferdinand getting beat again in a big spot.
61- Ronaldo getting a Michael Jordan type call on Joe Cole. Why does Ronaldo always seem to whine after any foul, even in this case when he is getting the call? It’s a foul, part of the game.
70- Nani enters the game and his first two touches are awfull. On his second touch, with four Chelsea players around him, he simply pushes the ball forward a few yards into the middle of the four Chelsea players. He putts his head down and on replay, seems to say something to himself. Whatever he said worked because he played a quality 20 minutes the rest of the way. Did some damage on the left wing.
78- Sidwell comes in for Chelsea. Hope he gets some playing time for Chelsea this year.
84- Ronaldo gets a bit greedy coming down the left side. Seemed that he may have passed it off instead of going to goal on his own. Numbers were in United’s favor.
Great game to start the season off.
1- Malouda makes a nice hard tackle on Rooney. Aside from Carvalho, Terry and Essien, Chelsea needs some toughness to go with all their talent. Mouluda can hopefully do this for them.
6- Ronaldo tracking back deep into the defensive zone to defend Ashly Cole. Let’s see how long this will last. Not that Ronaldo can’t play defense, but do you really want him running around too much. It’s a long season and you do not want him wearing out like he did at the end of last year’s campaign.
10- The pace of Ronaldo is extreme. How many in the world are as fast as him with the ball at his feet. I would like to see him and Giggs switch positions in the 4-4-1-1 formation. Let Ronaldo play right behind Rooney and have Giggs stay on the outside. That’s assuming Tevez is not in the lineup. With Tevez in there, a standard 4-4-2 with Ronaldo on the right side is best.
30- Great pass from Rooney on the top left of the penalty box to a streaking Ronaldo. These two are a fantastic duo whose skills complement each other tremendously. Rooney a pittbull, Ronaldo being a greyhound.
35- Great goal. Class at every level. Beautifull pass from Ronaldo to Evra, good look from Evra to Giggs, and then a cool, calm finish from Giggs. Nearly two decades with United and Giggs remains vital to their success this season.
45- Malouda showing a strength and determination that Robben has continually failed to show with Chelsea. Ferdinand getting beat again in a big spot.
61- Ronaldo getting a Michael Jordan type call on Joe Cole. Why does Ronaldo always seem to whine after any foul, even in this case when he is getting the call? It’s a foul, part of the game.
70- Nani enters the game and his first two touches are awfull. On his second touch, with four Chelsea players around him, he simply pushes the ball forward a few yards into the middle of the four Chelsea players. He putts his head down and on replay, seems to say something to himself. Whatever he said worked because he played a quality 20 minutes the rest of the way. Did some damage on the left wing.
78- Sidwell comes in for Chelsea. Hope he gets some playing time for Chelsea this year.
84- Ronaldo gets a bit greedy coming down the left side. Seemed that he may have passed it off instead of going to goal on his own. Numbers were in United’s favor.
Great game to start the season off.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Football season is here!!
Hello all. This site will be dedicated to all things relating to the game of football. The world game known to Americans as soccer, and the NFL, American football to the rest of the world. I implore those that dismiss either sport as foolish or boring to give it a chance. They are both wonderful sports, requiring extreme athleticism, courage, dedication and passion. Enjoy, and I look forward to your comments.
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