THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Fun Stuff => CHATTER => Topic started by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 09:49

Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 09:49
FUCKING EXTRA TIME.
FUCKING BACONFACE.
>:-0
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 09:52
(http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/345/fergiewiley.jpg)

FFS!
>:-0
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: StaedlerMars on 20 Sep 2009, 10:01
I feel like with Man U. it's always in extra time.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 10:05
4 minutes of extra time and they score half way through the 95th.
Then Sir Cunt has a right good laugh with the 4th official.
Rugby's starting to look less and less corrupt.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: snalin on 20 Sep 2009, 10:42
Foosball?
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: schimmy on 20 Sep 2009, 12:50
Awesome, Tommy, I have only moved to Leeds today and I already have something I can pull out in conversation if anyone is silly enough to try to talk sport with me.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Ozymandias on 20 Sep 2009, 13:44
PEOPLE GONNA DIE

I wanna watch. I wonder if there's anyway I can stream it here.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: StaedlerMars on 20 Sep 2009, 13:47
That looks like it might be an awesome match.

I might watch that.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 14:07
I give Leeds a good shot to beat Liverpool in that game.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 15:50
My most memorable football memory was also at the old wembley.
Division Two playoff final, one match for all the marbles (the marbles being promotion into division 1).
If City lost they could possibly sink into obscurity as players lose faith.
Gillingham score in the 81st minute and then again in 85th.
Bloody hell!
Dispondant fans begin to trapse out grumbling things like "typical city".
City score in the 88th minute, a few people caught on the stairs return to their seats, this could be interesting.
5 minutes of injury time on the board, Blue Moon starts to get louder as a few fans start to believe that tying this thing up isn't impossible.
90+3 and big boot football never looked so good, from the long ball the Mighty Goat lays it neatly in the path of Dickov who scores an amazing finish, 2-2.
Extra time was innocous so here comes the lottery of the penalty shootout
City score their first, Weaver saves!
City hit both posts with their second, Gillingham blast it over the bar
The next two are both comfortably scored, 2-1
Edgehill scores his penalty setting it up for some heroics for the young Nicky Weaver
He palms the Gillingham penalty around the post and sets of running.
YOU BEAUTY!
What a game.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Rudi Voller on 20 Sep 2009, 16:05
I suppose I should preface this by stating that I am a Crewe Alexandra fan. As a Crewe fan growing up in Glasgow, opportunities for making it to matches are few and far between. When I was 13 or 14 my parents graciously decided to take a detour on the drive back home from holiday so that a family friend could take me to see a game. It was an FA Cup 3rd round tie. I didn't care that it was only against Telford United (a non-league non-entity), I was going to see My Team. I would have watched them play anyone.

We kicked off, and passed the ball about for the first couple of minutes, looking pretty comfortable until out centre back gave the ball away. Telfrod broke and won a corner. Our defence proceeded to stand still as a 5 foot 6 winger nodded the ball in at the near post. It didn't really seem like it mattered, they were only non-league. We'd comfortably win it regardless.

We played them off the park for the remaining 87 minutes, but every chance seemed to fall to our back-up centre forward, Michael Higdon. Every single chance seemed to end up a dozen yards over the bar. I have never forgiven Higdon for making that 90 minutes one of the least enjoyable of my sporting life.

That is my most memorable sporting memory. Sometimes I wish I'd taken the easy way out and just become an Auld Firm fan.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Sep 2009, 16:09
Why're you a Crewe fan in Glasgow?
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Rudi Voller on 20 Sep 2009, 16:25
Well, my parents both hate football, so I first got into it when a family friend who lives in Crewe took me to a game while we were visiting. I was only 5 or 6, and I just got the bug I guess. I don't think they were expecting me to get into things quite so much and still seem bewildered whenever I visit and they find I still follow them.

That first game I saw them play, they lost 2-0 to Swindon. No idea why I thought supporting them would be a good idea.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Sep 2009, 20:27
Could genuinely go either way.

Because soccer is a ridiculous sport where one or two lucky goals or unfortunate fuck-ups- things that happen in a matter of seconds-  can be the difference in the entire 90+ minute match?
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: amok on 20 Sep 2009, 20:39
No, soccer is some american thing. Football on the other hand, is a ridiculous sport where one or two lucky goals or unfortunate fuck-ups- things that happen in a matter of seconds-  can be the difference in the entire 90+ minute match?

(http://i38.tinypic.com/2d0zblt.jpg)

(Chelsea will still win the league at this rate.)
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: StaedlerMars on 21 Sep 2009, 01:33
Can we make this a general sports thread and now talk about how the Jets beat the Pats?

Yeah, I want to talk about that.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Ptommydski on 21 Sep 2009, 02:02
It will be really quite interesting to see if Chelsea can win the league considering the fact that they aren't allowed to sign any new players, including I think loan players, for violating the rules during an attempt to sign a young player from Lens. If Didier Drogba is in fact injured, they might have to adjust a bit. With Joe Cole coming back and Yuri Zhirkov nearing fitness, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. My guess is they will play Joe Cole off Nicolas Anelka or utilise Salomon Kalou. I hope they win the league, I like Carlo Ancelotti.

Quote from: Rudi Voller
I suppose I should preface this by stating that I am a Crewe Alexandra fan.

I remember last season I saw Leeds versus Crewe at Elland Road. The game was pretty much even aside from Leeds scoring three improbably long range efforts (http://vimeo.com/3082752) in the first half. It ended up being 5-2, which flattered Leeds somewhat given the performance. Later in the season, Crewe almost recovered from another first half three goal deficit (http://vimeo.com/4414859) at Gresty Road, the game ending 2-3 to Leeds. Here's hoping Crewe are back in League One next year anyway.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: David_Dovey on 21 Sep 2009, 02:33
Can we make this a general sports thread and now talk about how the Jets beat the Pats?

Yeah, I want to talk about that.

No, because I remember what happened last time we had a sports thread.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Hat on 21 Sep 2009, 02:34
everyone had a great time and nothing bad happened?
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: est on 21 Sep 2009, 02:48
This is possibly the first time I've ever enjoyed Man U winning.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Reed on 21 Sep 2009, 06:25
Can we make this a general sports thread and now talk about how the Niners beat the Seahawks?

Yeah, I want to talk about that.

FYP
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Sep 2009, 07:13
UNIIIIIITED! UNIIIIIITED! UNIIIIIITED!


(psst, America. You now show EPL games on ESPN and Fox Soccer, how was this game not on?)
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: amok on 21 Sep 2009, 10:33
It will be really quite interesting to see if Chelsea can win the league considering the fact that they aren't allowed to sign any new players, including I think loan players, for violating the rules during an attempt to sign a young player from Lens. If Didier Drogba is in fact injured, they might have to adjust a bit. With Joe Cole coming back and Yuri Zhirkov nearing fitness, it shouldn't be too much of an issue. My guess is they will play Joe Cole off Nicolas Anelka or utilise Salomon Kalou. I hope they win the league, I like Carlo Ancelotti.

They played an 18-year old Italian from the Academy whose name I can't remember recently in Europe, and they have Sturridge is it, from Man City.  Assuming the transfer ban holds, and they have to operate as if it will until proven otherwise, I think they're going to be a bit more adventurous than most EPL clubs at blooding youngsters all of a sudden. They've got plenty of options up front, as do all the big teams, just most are largely unproven.   As you said though their default plan B will almost certainly be a 4-4-2 with Anelka and Kalou up top.

The crunch time for Chelsea is going to be the ACN. At the moment they look casual and they've got enough of a squad to get by without signing anyone in January, so the only major factors for them regarding this season are losing their African players for 4-5 games, and any long term injuries. Agreed about Carlo too; I never thought I'd say this but if anyone wins the league this year that isn't us, I'd like it to be Chelsea.

Next season is another situation altogether.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Yayniall on 21 Sep 2009, 16:31
Sturridge is nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.
He needs somebody to take them under his wing and tell him to shut up. Terry or Lampard could do the trick I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 16:56
SPORTS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnI4RObVzVI)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 17:34
It depresses me that none of the Americans on the forum really give a crap about tackle football. I mean, normally, such a thing wouldn't really bother me, but my local NFL team (the Minnesota Vikings) has a man who can be referred to as Purple Jesus on national television without anyone really feeling put out. He's pretty good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 21 Sep 2009, 17:43
Also Jared Allen's mullet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 17:52
Any time your team can trade for a guy with three DUIs and a mullet, you have to do it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 19:14
It depresses me that none of the Americans on the forum really give a crap about tackle football. I mean, normally, such a thing wouldn't really bother me, but my local NFL team (the Minnesota Vikings) has a man who can be referred to as Purple Jesus on national television without anyone really feeling put out. He's pretty good.

Hey, my best friend of 5 years is a hardcore Vikings fan (actually, her whole family is). I myself, being originally from Chicago, am a diehard Bear. High-five for both our teams having awesome quarterbacks (Favre, Cutler) and halfbacks (Peterson, Forte) for once.

Also we should get wasted and beat up some cheeseheads
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 21 Sep 2009, 19:33
Can't nobody touch Frank Gore.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 21 Sep 2009, 19:37
Frank Gore is the Inonvenient Truth.
I'm a Bengals fan, go running game and beating up on the Packers' offensive line.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Tyler on 21 Sep 2009, 19:49
Mark Sanchez is pretty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 19:53
I love how Bears and Vikings fans can come together in mutual distaste for cheeseheads. That's why I thought it was kinda funny when when some idiot writer at ESPN said that the only thing that could have been worse than Favre going to the Vikings would have been if Favre went to the Bears. Clearly, he doesn't understand the midwest. I know that Bears-Packers is the oldest rivalry in football and all, but at the same time, at least the Packers fans tend to have a grudging respect for Chicago due to their shared history. I think if Favre had gone to the Bears somehow, Packers fans would have been super depressed and secretly worried about how the season would play out.

But Favre going to the Vikings? I know Packer fans who reacted like they found out their mom just hooked up with Ron Jeremy. It's just disgust and horror.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 19:59
You know, it's telling that I have no problem implying that the Minnesota Vikings are the sleazy washed up pornstar of the NFL. But between Randy Moss, the Love Boat, StarCaps, Brad Childress's pedo-stache, the Whizzinator incident, and the 1998 season all happening within my lifetime, I feel like it's justified.


Consider that our continued NFL success hinges in part on this man remaining sober:
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jf4jdkNITPs/SVr0zA2VTMI/AAAAAAAABw8/bNpx-DbOlSk/s720/DSC_0106.jpg)



That picture was taken for an interview.
Title: Re: WE WOZ ROBBED
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2009, 20:16
Can we make this a general sports thread and now talk about how the Niners beat the Seahawks?

Yeah, I want to talk about that.

FYP

Hell yeah, 2-0. Both against division teams, too. And we're playing the Rams twice, so that's two automatic wins at the very least. Minnesota next week will be a tough game though, Adrian Peterson is a fucking monster.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2009, 20:19
Also Alex, I think the Bengals still have the Vikings beat for sleaziest team in the NFL, just when you consider the cumulative number of felons they've employed for the past decade.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 21 Sep 2009, 20:21
My roommate is a really big seahawks fan, so I gave him so much shit for it on sunday.

It was great.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2009, 20:27
It wasn't even fucking close, either. Seattle had one decent drive the entire game, capped off by that lame little 1-yard TD flip. I fucking love Patrick Willis, hands-down the best thing to come out of the Nolan era. Not that he had a whole lot of competition, but hey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 20:47
Seattle needs to revamp themselves, seriously. They've got no one anymore, especially since Hasselbeck has what, a fractured rib now? I live here, and I can't wait to wear my Bears colors around next weekend when Cutler/Forte/Knox come to town and destroy babies.

I love how Bears and Vikings fans can come together in mutual distaste for cheeseheads. That's why I thought it was kinda funny when when some idiot writer at ESPN said that the only thing that could have been worse than Favre going to the Vikings would have been if Favre went to the Bears. Clearly, he doesn't understand the midwest. I know that Bears-Packers is the oldest rivalry in football and all, but at the same time, at least the Packers fans tend to have a grudging respect for Chicago due to their shared history. I think if Favre had gone to the Bears somehow, Packers fans would have been super depressed and secretly worried about how the season would play out.

But Favre going to the Vikings? I know Packer fans who reacted like they found out their mom just hooked up with Ron Jeremy. It's just disgust and horror.

That's true. The rivalries are very different, between all the teams in our division really. Packers-Bears are two of the oldest teams in the league and have an epic, heartbreaking, riot-enducing rivalry to match. The Bears/Vikings rivalry is more like two brothers duking it out for funsies. Ffrom what I know, whereas Bears fans respect the Packers, Vikings fans just outright hate them. And I think that sparks a lot of mutual bad feelings between both those teams, and could lead to more ill-feeling about their ex-star QB going over to them.

That being said, when I was watching the Bears-Packers season opener last weekend, I saw a helluva lot of cheese heads wearing the number "4," so who knows. It could be a very vocal minority that is horrified by the purple Favre is wearing, and the rest of the fans could just not care / had been desensitized by the Jets thing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 21 Sep 2009, 20:50
I don't care about sports at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 20:52
Also Alex, I think the Bengals still have the Vikings beat for sleaziest team in the NFL, just when you consider the cumulative number of felons they've employed for the past decade.

It's a tough call, really. To me, the Vikings-Ron Jeremy comparison still seems a bit more apt. They're both fairly harmless and rather embarrassing as opposed to being criminals and both are technically successful in their fields (the Vikings are top 10 by win percentage) yet have never actually accomplished a damned thing worth mentioning. Whereas the Bengals are just kind of well, the Bengals.

From what I know, whereas Bears fans respect the Packers, Vikings fans just outright hate them. And I think that sparks a lot of mutual bad feelings between both those teams, and could lead to more ill-feeling about their ex-star QB going over to them.

Oh, definitely. Vikings fans love to antagonize the Packers. Plus, remember that I compared the Packers to someone who found out their mom is sleeping with Ron Jeremy, not to say, a betrayed spouse. Most Packer fans I know still love Brett Favre and aren't about to disown him. They just realize that they will never, ever hear the end of this if the Vikings continue to do well under Favre and there's no real comeback because Vikings fans are completely shameless. Also consider that I mostly know Packer fans who have the misfortune of living in Minnesota right now. There is no escape.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 21 Sep 2009, 20:57
on a side note I think it would be great if there was a team called the aristocrats.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 20:58
It's a tough call, really. To me, the Vikings-Ron Jeremy comparison still seems a bit more apt. They're both just rather embarrassing rather than criminals and both are technically successful in their fields (the Vikings are top 10 by win percentage) yet have never actually accomplished a damned thing worth mentioning. Whereas the Bengals are just kind of well, the Bengals.

I think the Vikings are the only team that could pull off having Daunte Culpepper (pre-injury), Cris Carter, and Randy Moss all starting and not win any championship game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 21 Sep 2009, 21:06
So, I grew up near DC.  That's right, I had the Orioles, the Bullets (now the Wizards), the Capitals, United and the Redskins.  Now I have the Nationals.  I thought it would be tough to improve on the Orioles, but I was wrong.  But the Redskins...  Jason Campbell is not playing well, despite the fact that we now have an offensive line (not a great one, but we actually have people playing the positions they are supposed to play).  Jim Zorn is not calling plays well, despite the fact that he insists nothing is wrong with the play calling.  Also, what the fuck happened to my goddamned awesome secondary?  I have a good team, I just need a quarterback and a head coach.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Sep 2009, 21:09
I like how we lost to the Falcons due to Gary Anderson's only miss of the year. That was when we had Cunningham instead of Daunte, granted, but people forget how good he was.


And we're playing the Rams twice, so that's two automatic wins at the very least.

In a related story, when I did my fantasy draft I skipped wasting a pick on a defense. Instead, I've been scooping up whoever plays against the Rams off the waiver wire. Not a great sign for the good people of St. Louis.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Sep 2009, 21:35
The Rams are so fucking terrible. They make the goddamn Raiders look competent by comparison, and the Raiders beat the Chiefs by a last minute field goal in a game that I have nicknamed the Futility Bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 22:23
That game wasn't nearly as bad as the UW - WSU failbowl last year.

I'll give you a hint: they were both 0-10
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 21 Sep 2009, 23:39
Dear internet.

I am an Australian. Therefore there is only one kind of football (take a guess which one, it'll be fun). However, the new free sports channel is screening a few NFL games each week now and it's kind of interesting, in a tourist fascination-y kind of way. Therefore, I need advice; which team should I support this year? I have never been to America, so I have no allegiances one way or another.

Sincerely,
Ninjas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Sep 2009, 23:45
The only team worth supporting in the NFL, ever, is the Chicago Bears.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Sep 2009, 00:06
Disagree strongly.

But then I decide who I support based on whose team colours I like best that week. It's nice watching US football from Europe. No ties, I can just enjoy the games.

Anybody else feel sorry for the cowboys? You built a big, modern, expensive stadium, you throw a party for 100.000 of your closest friends and a bunch of new yorkers led by the ugliest man in football come in and shut the festivities down ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Sep 2009, 00:40
When I was a kid I went by that logic. I still really like the Atlanta Falcons because of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 22 Sep 2009, 00:46
I'm a Tampa Bay fan through and through. We're doing shit and I love it. Because I know in about five years we'll be doing good again. Thats what I love about American Football.

I am also about to start playing left guard for this team (http://www.sussex-thunder.co.uk/). Either that or fullback. They made it into England's top division last year.

Then they got knocked out this year.

ROCK ON.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Sep 2009, 00:47
Falcons are by definition cool. I mean ... they're Falcons!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 22 Sep 2009, 05:56
remember it is traditional to laugh at leeds so fuck leeds

and fernando torres is so dreamy

Everyone watch Arsenal remind West Brom why they're not sharing a league with us with a bunch of French teenagers instead (no disrespect to West Brom though, that Middlesborough result was quite something)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Sep 2009, 06:11
Later in the day links to streams of the Leeds Vs. Liverpool match will appear here (http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=48854&part=sports).

Remember it is traditional for neutrals to cheer for the underdog so I expect everyone to be supporting Leeds tonight!

Not if you gave me a million dollars.

Thanks for Cantona, Smith, Ferdinand, etc., however!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Sep 2009, 06:56
Thanks for...Smith!

Really? Alan Smith?

You paid a million pounds for every goal he scored for you.

The man was a hairstyle legend! No one in history has since rocked a fauxhawk held up with ONE'S OWN BLOOD.

(http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00172/Alan_Smith_172033a.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 22 Sep 2009, 07:45
Wait?
You're not a Bradford City fan?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 22 Sep 2009, 08:26
The Rams are so fucking terrible.

Yeah, and the 'Skins beat them 9-7 at home.  Good God.  I wish my team had an offense.  I really do.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Sep 2009, 08:51
Wait?
You're not a Bradford City fan?

Oh, no, not really. "Valley Parade" is the name of my noise/drone metal project, taken from my love of soccer and wanting to have a cool sounding name that was steeped in tragedy and death and whatever. Originally, I was going to call it Unit 731 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731), but that seemed too oi! band namey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: supersheep on 22 Sep 2009, 12:49
Later in the day links to streams of the Leeds Vs. Liverpool match will appear here (http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=48854&part=sports).

Remember it is traditional for neutrals to cheer for the underdog so I expect everyone to be supporting Leeds tonight!

Not if you gave me a million dollars.

Thanks for Cantona, Smith, Ferdinand, etc., however!
It is also traditional for United fans to hate Liverpool fans. I think.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 22 Sep 2009, 12:50
Who is it I support again? Something to do with ports or something... the logo is a sheep with a flag? Shane knows. Anyway, how are they doing?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 22 Sep 2009, 13:42
Who is it I support again? Something to do with ports or something... the logo is a sheep with a flag? Shane knows. Anyway, how are they doing?

A sheep with a flag is the logo of Preston North End. Does that ring a bell? If that is the team in question, they've started the season pretty well, sitting in 4th place in the 2nd tier after 8 games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 22 Sep 2009, 13:47
That's the one! Awesome.

(What does that mean?)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 22 Sep 2009, 14:18
I'm not entirely sure what it is your asking me to explain, but I'll assume it's "sitting in 4th place in the 2nd tier after 8 games". If not, my apologies. What that means is that Preston are in the second strongest league in England, the one immediately below the Premier League. In this league they have played 8 games so far this season, and are doing the 4th best.

In effect, you've ended up supporting (on current form) the 24th best football team in England.


Later in the day links to streams of the Leeds Vs. Liverpool match will appear here (http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=48854&part=sports).


By all accounts pretty unlucky night for Leeds. I couldn't get any of the streams to work, so everything I heard is second hand, but it would seem that Leeds more than held their own against a pretty strong looking Liverpool line-up. Shame they couldn't convert a chance. I had Bradley Johnson down to score as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 22 Sep 2009, 14:31
Disagree strongly.

But then I decide who I support based on whose team colours I like best that week. It's nice watching US football from Europe. No ties, I can just enjoy the games.

Anybody else feel sorry for the cowboys? You built a big, modern, expensive stadium, you throw a party for 100.000 of your closest friends and a bunch of new yorkers led by the ugliest man in football come in and shut the festivities down ...

49ers-Cowboys is a big American football rivalry, so I'm actually reveling in it. Watching Tony Romo go into full-on self-destruct mode is entertaining every time. Also, fuck Jerry Jones and his gaudy piece of shit stadium.

Ryan, I didn't know that you were a Bucs fan. Are you gonna go to the game at Wembley this year? The Patriots aren't looking so hot after going 1-1 and almost losing the first game to the Bills.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Sep 2009, 14:37
Well it's typically hard for the Patriots to win without their normal dose of cheating
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 22 Sep 2009, 14:37
Also, the Bills aren't looking as bad as they could be this year.

49ers-Cowboys is a big American football rivalry

As is Cowboys-Skins (bigger, I'd say).  I'm pretty happy, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 22 Sep 2009, 14:54
Also, the Bills aren't looking as bad as they could be this year.

That's definitely true. Too bad Trent Edwards is a Stanford grad, or I'd feel better about him succeeding.

And yeah, Cowboys-Skins and Cowboys-Giants are definitely bigger, because you guys are in the same division and all. The Niners-Cowboys rivalry didn't really start until the late 70s and through the 80s, when they were both constantly in the playoffs and thus matched up a lot. Since the early 90s, one team or the other has usually sucked so it hasn't been as big of a deal.

But basically, I think we can all agree that the Cowboys can go fuck themselves because they're arrogant shitheads. America's Team my ass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 22 Sep 2009, 14:56
Yeah.  Do you remember last year when everyone was all OMG COWBOYS!  And they always had that "History of the Dallas Cowboys" DVD adverts?  Then there was the first Redskins/Cowboys game of the season and we won, and after that they were all advertising "History of the Washington Redskins" DVDs.  Then the Redskins promptly started losing because Jim Zorn can't recognize that sometimes he does things wrong, and ESPN had no clue what team to advertise, so they stopped.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 22 Sep 2009, 14:59
Watching the Cowboys fall apart at the end of last season was one of the purest moments of schadenfreude I've ever had in watching sports. If I had access to a television last Saturday when Washington beat USC, that may have been up there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 22 Sep 2009, 15:13
Ryan, I didn't know that you were a Bucs fan. Are you gonna go to the game at Wembley this year? The Patriots aren't looking so hot after going 1-1 and almost losing the first game to the Bills.

I will be at the Wembley game, along with my dad (a poor Rams fan). I've been at the last two games so far, and even participated in the London Victoria flash mob we held last year. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkmpyBeWY4A) You can just make me out at about the 45 second mark, halway up the video on the very left edge. I'm in a big black coat. That was a fun day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 22 Sep 2009, 15:25
Any time the Bills do OK I feel pretty good about it. They opened the '90s by rolling off 4 consecutive Super Bowl losses. Considering that, Bills fans handle themselves with a fair bit of dignity. Well, either that, or a large portion of the fanbase is still catatonic. In either case, I still like them better than Dallas fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 22 Sep 2009, 16:17
Well, the good thing about the Bills sucking is that everybody who is a Bills fan is a Buffalo Bills fan.  The Cowboys have attracted a lot of fans who aren't Dallas fans, if that makes any sense.

p.s.  Living in Western New York, I get a lot of info on the Bills.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Sep 2009, 21:56
Watching the Cowboys fall apart at the end of last season was one of the purest moments of schadenfreude I've ever had in watching sports. If I had access to a television last Saturday when Washington beat USC, that may have been up there.

If I understand correctly they fall apart at the end of every season. Is Romo unable to win play-off games?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 23 Sep 2009, 16:12
Watching the Cowboys fall apart at the end of last season was one of the purest moments of schadenfreude I've ever had in watching sports. If I had access to a television last Saturday when Washington beat USC, that may have been up there.

If I understand correctly they fall apart at the end of every season. Is Romo unable to win play-off games?

So far, yes. Last year was especially sweet because they were 8-4 before losing 3 of their final 4 games to miss the playoffs entirely, including a last-week blowout where Romo completely melted down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Sep 2009, 07:16
Who is it I support again? Something to do with ports or something... the logo is a sheep with a flag? Shane knows. Anyway, how are they doing?

Preston, but I thought you'd switched to Atletico Madrid, May? They have a bear climbing an apple tree as a club crest.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 26 Sep 2009, 13:43
More importantly you beat the Franchise at their place with a last minute goal. I have no real investment in League One at all this year, but that made me smile.

Looking good for Leeds this year though. You don't seem quite as reliant on Beckford this year, which can only be a good thing. Will you manage to hold onto him after January though? Can't really see you struggling if you keep the squad you've got, but I seem to say that every year about Leeds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Sep 2009, 14:24
I have no idea what's going to happen against San Fran this week. None at all. The Vikings have played shoddy teams and yet they still let Brett Favre get knocked around. I hate Brad Childress. Adrian Peterson is nicked up. I don't think the Vikings are as good as people seem to think they are. Giving up 100 rushing yards to the Lions the week before hosting Frank Gore doesn't inspire confidence. EJ Henderson is a fast mlb, but he's also a knucklehead.

On the flip side, Frank Gore is nicked up. The Niners have only played NFC West games so far. But overall, I still think they're better than people give them credit for and they have some legit football players on defense.

Honestly, it's like a mirror match. I wouldn't be surprised if either QB shat the bed. Shaun Hill has hardly ever faced a decent defense, so it's hard to tell how good he is. On the other hand, he actually knows the Vikings D pretty well since he was one of our backups. Brett Favre is really fuckin' old and likes to throw interceptions. It'll probably just come down to whether Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson is feeling healthier.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 26 Sep 2009, 14:32
Also, more than most people in the NFL, Favre can run completely hot or completely cold (Romo's another one, but recently he's been cold a lot).  I still can't believe I'm scared about the Lions.  I think our defense will hold pretty well, but we just don't have an offense.  We've got all the pieces, but we can't put them together correctly.

p.s.  Farvre's daughter goes to my old college.  One of my buddies got fired from his job a couple of years ago due to a bet involving her.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Sep 2009, 14:47
Hell, Adrian Peterson is like that too. Sometimes he's pretty ordinary and other times he outright breaks teams. San Francisco took him out of the game completely last time they played though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 26 Sep 2009, 16:17
Given all the football banter going on, I think I'll chip in.

Celtic - Top of the league, 4 points clear. Rangers are shite.  :-D

And before anyone rips on the quality of Scottish football, I am fully aware that it is complete garbage.  :roll:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 26 Sep 2009, 22:42
I have no idea what's going to happen against San Fran this week. None at all. The Vikings have played shoddy teams and yet they still let Brett Favre get knocked around. I hate Brad Childress. Adrian Peterson is nicked up. I don't think the Vikings are as good as people seem to think they are. Giving up 100 rushing yards to the Lions the week before hosting Frank Gore doesn't inspire confidence. EJ Henderson is a fast mlb, but he's also a knucklehead.

On the flip side, Frank Gore is nicked up. The Niners have only played NFC West games so far. But overall, I still think they're better than people give them credit for and they have some legit football players on defense.

Honestly, it's like a mirror match. I wouldn't be surprised if either QB shat the bed. Shaun Hill has hardly ever faced a decent defense, so it's hard to tell how good he is. On the other hand, he actually knows the Vikings D pretty well since he was one of our backups. Brett Favre is really fuckin' old and likes to throw interceptions. It'll probably just come down to whether Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson is feeling healthier.

Yeah, both teams are running-heavy with good defenses, and they're both kind of unknown quantities at this point since the Vikings have won games against two of the worst teams in the NFL and the Niners have only played division opponents and it looks like the Cardinals have seriously fallen off from last year. I'm hoping that the Niners can put pressure on Favre like we did with Warner in Week 1. If that happens and we can contain Peterson like we did last time, then I think it won't matter how badly our offense sucks, although I think in general Shaun Hill is better than people give him credit for. Basically, if the Niners can win in Minnesota I think people will finally start taking us seriously, but I'm not really expecting it. I hope they keep it close, at least. It's refreshing to see the team actually look energized again now that Singletary's taken over.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 00:03
Yeah, I actually like Shaun Hill a fair bit. He's stupidly accurate, particularly on routine plays. I don't mean that as any sort of backhanded compliment either, since Daunte Culpepper used to blow routine plays all the time, which is why us Vikings fans were so quick to turn on him once he got injured and couldn't make up for it with big plays anymore. Culpepper had a unique talent for underthrowing players via putting too much onto the ball, which is frankly amazing when you think about it. He'd literally wing the ball straight into the ground at a bazillion miles per hour sometimes. Not really a concern with Shaun.

But to put things in perspective, Hill's got an 87 or so QB rating going on his career right now. That's really good. Better than McNabb, Garcia, Favre, Marino or Hasselbeck good. If he maintained it for the rest of his career it'd put him just outside of the all-time top 10 passer rating list. A bit of skepticism comes naturally when you pair that kind of results with that kind of sample size, particularly since the NFC West isn't exactly a murderer's row of passing defenses. I know he's competent and I'd take him over the majority of starters in the league in a heartbeat. But right now he worries me a bit rather than scares me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 27 Sep 2009, 07:43
It's not as bad as people make out. I think most of those accusations are just snobbery. I live in Scotland now and I've seen my fair share of great games up here.

I agree with this sentiment but i find it depends a lot on the division in English football that your team is in (this probably sounds a bit snobby as well but there is reason behind it). The top division in English football is the best as there is the most money there and the best players from around the world are attracted to its clubs, whether they are big or small whereas the lower divisions cannot afford to pay these wages and, as such, the quality suffers a bit. That is not to say that the excitement in these games is higher or lower but simply that better players have more ability and therefore play better football.

However, the Scottish top division contains clubs that would be likely to span the top 3 divisions of English football and this is what makes the quality of the games suffer. Celtic and Rangers have the potential to be as good as some of the English top division teams (although this is debatable) but the smaller teams like Kilmarnock and St. Mirren would likely find it a struggle to play in the 2nd tier of English football, maybe even the third. It is a shame that this is the case as Scottish football fans are very passionate about their teams and with Scottish teams having done well in European competition in the past it is difficult to let go of past glories.

Now, to put this in perspective, i am a lifelong Liverpool FC fan, a team that is one of the top 2 most successful teams in English football and one of the most successful in European competition also, so the way i look at lower league football is with the eyes of someone who is fortunate enough to watch a team that contains some of the world's best players week in, week out therefore the quality is always a bit lacking.

To move onto something a little different, this weekend's game against Hull (a 6-1 victory) showed the class of our best striker, a certain Fernando Torres (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enmPMEy0Jns&feature=related) with another hat-trick (first this season) to take him to 5 goals for the season in 7 games. Hat-trick goals here (http://www.livefootball.net/2009/09/25/liverpool-v-hull-live/).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 27 Sep 2009, 08:34
It's not as bad as people make out. I think most of those accusations are just snobbery. I live in Scotland now and I've seen my fair share of great games up here.

I hope Celtic win the league this year, they were unlucky to fall at the final hurdle last year.
Celtic weren't that unlucky - we fucked it up big-style in the second half of the season.

Anyway, exiting self-flagellatory mode now.

Even though I prefer United to Liverpool, I have to admit that Torres is arguably the best striker in Europe. If the Scouse could get another world-class striker alongside him as well as some stronger back-ups to the players they already have (Kyrgiakos  :laugh:) then they could go that extra inch where they faltered last season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 10:27
Not exactly a good first quarter for the 49ers. A pair of 30 yard plays for AD and Favre, Frank Gore has limped off the field and the special teams guys have picked up a case of the jitters. It'd be nice if this could turn into a full-fledged ass kicking, but it's early.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 11:40
I still don't understand how the Vikings special teams manage to make at least two bad plays per game. Particularly on returns.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 27 Sep 2009, 11:51
Worst thing about living on the East Coast: having to follow Niners games over ESPN fucking Gamecast because it's not on TV over here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 13:20
Man. Holy shit.


I liked Vernon Davis better when he was still a bit of a head case.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 27 Sep 2009, 13:41
Worst thing about living on the East Coast: having to follow Niners games over ESPN fucking Gamecast because it's not on TV over here.

Sports bars.  Also, no mention will be made of the Redskins/Lions game.  :cry:

I am slightly devastated.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 27 Sep 2009, 13:44
C'mon it had to happen sometime
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 27 Sep 2009, 14:00
Yeah, but we're supposed to have a good team.  Hell, we're in the NFC East, and that means something for three teams.  I will put it all down to the Lions' first possession, too.  Our defense had every opportunity to step up and make those plays, and we never did.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 14:07
I'm kinda annoyed by it too; as per my "Always bet against the Rams and Lions" strategy, I had the Skins defense on my fantasy team this weak. Honestly guys, you face a human interception machine like Stafford and you can't force a single turnover? Really? If I wasn't absolutely destroying my opponents so far I'd be angry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 27 Sep 2009, 14:09
The worst part is, there were times when our offense managed to step up.  Our defense never seemed to manage this feat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 27 Sep 2009, 14:15
I'm not sure I would call 14 points stepping up
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 27 Sep 2009, 14:17
I'm not saying for the entire second half, just for parts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Sep 2009, 15:51
Man. Holy shit.


I liked Vernon Davis better when he was still a bit of a head case.

It's about time he started pulling his weight. It looks like Singletary was finally able to smack some sense into him so he could show why we drafted him.

I could say something bitter here, but honestly this was more or less the result I expected. I didn't expect to be leading with half a minute left in the game, though. Hopefully nearly pulling off the upset will get us some respect, at least.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 27 Sep 2009, 16:10
Hey well now I feel better about losing to the Bengals last week
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2009, 16:12
It was a weird game, with both teams dodging some bullets. Things like the kick off return td and blocked field goals are hard to account for. Had the Vikings converted that 2nd quarter field goal the whole complexion of the game would have been different, since that was effectively a 10 point swing, but then again, that sort of thing does happen when you've got a rookie performing the crucial blocking assignment on the play, so it's hard to call it a complete fluke. I don't really feel like I learned anything about either team, to be honest, but that's easy for me to say since I already figured the 49ers were good enough to threaten the Vikings at home and I don't really believe in our special teams or coaching staff.

One thing that I thought was a bit annoying was how the announcers did their usual "Let's talk up the quarterback!" routine (in this case, Shaun Hill) when really it was Vernon Davis making a few circus catches that bailed out the offense. It's not every day you see a 250 pound man run straight down the field that fast, leap that high and then maintain possession despite defenders getting their helmets on the ball as he's coming down. The same thing happened to a lesser extent with Brett Favre and the game ending touchdown; the announcers just gushed about the throw but the catch was at least as impressive. I dunno, maybe I just notice these things because I'm a Minnesota fan, which essentially means I've been watching Cris Carter and Randy Moss bail out a new quarterback every year since I was 8 years old.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 28 Sep 2009, 03:32
I didn't see the lion's game (it wasn't broadcasted here) but I honestly believed that the Redskins were a better team than this. Colour me surprised ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 28 Sep 2009, 05:17
I think the Redskins have all the parts to make a better team than they are it's just the parts aren't meshing properly.
Or something.
I'm still depressed. I'll be in my room.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 28 Sep 2009, 07:52
Well, we have one part that's making all the parts fall apart, and his name is Jim Zorn.  I actually thought Campbell looked pretty good yesterday, though he still has no awareness of the pocket and no idea where he's supposed to stand.  Jim Zorn is just not getting much out of his team, and I also have no idea why our defense couldn't stop anything.  They couldn't even put pressure on Stafford.  What the fuck?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 28 Sep 2009, 07:55
Especially considering how terrible everyone says Detroit's O-line is
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 28 Sep 2009, 11:03
Hey, Tampa Bay Bucs.

What the fuck guys?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Sep 2009, 14:04
Daaaaa Bears.

That is all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Sep 2009, 09:32
Damn, Tommy. Nice haul!

My baseball team is currently limping its ass into the playoffs and playing like they don't want to actually play baseball. I'm honestly a little worried.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 29 Sep 2009, 12:04
Yeah, having two of your better starting pitchers our for a few games certainly doesn't help. That hit Lester took on the leg looked ridiculously painful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 29 Sep 2009, 12:27
At least your team is in the playoffs
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 29 Sep 2009, 23:53
[...] and I also have no idea why our defense couldn't stop anything.  They couldn't even put pressure on Stafford.  What the fuck?

Didn't Washington invest $100 mill into that face stomper to get a better defence? Not working or not working yet?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 30 Sep 2009, 00:08
HEY ERIC.

FIGHT YOU! (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009100407/2009/REG4/buccaneers@redskins)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 30 Sep 2009, 01:46
That game is actually going to be on TV? zzzzz
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 30 Sep 2009, 03:31
Hey! Of course that game is going to be on TV!
Mainly as an example of How Not To Play Football.
Alternatively it can be used to threaten recalcitrant players on other teams.
"Watch this! If you don't straighten up we will trade you to one of these teams!"
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"

Ryan,
 I bet my team sucks marginally less than yours!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2009, 06:54
Hey, now that I have football minded people on the line, so to speak, I have a question.

It seems to me, from my over-seas perspective, that there are more coloured men in the NFL than there are white ones. Is that true and if so ... how come?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pen on 30 Sep 2009, 06:57
Because they're good? 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Sep 2009, 07:08
Yeah, having two of your better starting pitchers our for a few games certainly doesn't help. That hit Lester took on the leg looked ridiculously painful.

Some reporter had asked him how big the bruise was. Lester supposedly told the guy "it's the size of a baseball".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2009, 07:47
Because they're good? 

Okay ... are you saying that black men make better athletes?

'cause that'd be weird.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pen on 30 Sep 2009, 07:49
No, I'm saying that the ones that are there are there because they're good.  The white men are there because they're good.  I don't think it has anything to do with race at all for them to be in the positions they hold. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2009, 07:58
No, I'm saying that the ones that are there are there because they're good.  The white men are there because they're good.  I don't think it has anything to do with race at all for them to be in the positions they hold. 

Okay, they're good. But it seems to me that there is a difference between the ration of black to white men within the NFL and within society as a whole. And that is odd. I would think that the percentages would be equal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 30 Sep 2009, 08:05
It wouldn't say those things required private school, but funding for schools in poor areas is crap in the US so you're unlikely to get a decent education if you live in one. Training your body on the other hand can be done with minimal resources. Then you have getting into college, which is expensive but I understand US universities offer a lot of sports scholarships.

Are there any cultural differences? You're vastly more likely to see Asian athletes playing professional cricket than football in the UK, partly because of a cultural heritage of playing cricket since it was exported there in the colonial period and partly I think because football fans have an unfortunate reputation for harbouring some seriously unpleasant racist factions within their ranks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 30 Sep 2009, 09:36
I also think it has to do with role models.  Black people tend to be more aggressive playing sports than other pursuits because they have more people to imitate.  This is also why I think there are so few female racing drivers.  I honestly can't think of a single reason that women shouldn't do as well as men in that sport, but there are no females in F1 (though, I hear one of the new teams next year is bringing in a woman), there are only a few in Indy Car, I don't really follow WRC and I actively avoid learning anything about NASCAR.

Didn't Washington invest $100 mill into that face stomper to get a better defence? Not working or not working yet?

He's doing great, but nobody else seemed to be able to do anything.  He also left the game for a bit due to an injury.

HEY ERIC.

FIGHT YOU! (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009100407/2009/REG4/buccaneers@redskins)

You guys are going down!

I really hope you guys are going down.

The Redskins will not win another game this season  :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 30 Sep 2009, 09:39
I think Jens is absolutely correct, it's mostly an issue of the socio-economic divide between races in this country.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 30 Sep 2009, 12:01
Yeah, sports are believed by many to be an area where blacks have an advantage, if anything, (white men can't jump, anyone?) and obviously it's easier to get involved in sports than it is to go to the best schools, so socioeconomic circumstances are probably the biggest factor. Opportunity breeds players; just look at the baseball factory that is the Dominican Republic. If you're a coordinated young man from the Dominican Republic, someone's going to want to put a bat in your hand and so you end up with a surprising number of the world's pro ball players. There's also the fact that if you're the slightest bit black or even look kind of black, people tend to think of you as black, which is sort of funny considering how many athletes are actually of mixed heritages. I bet your average person off the street will always at least know "black" when asked about Tiger Wood's background, but the guy is also Thai and Chinese in equal measure, with a dollop of Dutch and Native American thrown in for variety. So you have to consider that the way we tend to categorize people skews things from the outset.

Which leads me to another point: there is probably a bit of a genetics involved, but that's different from saying blacks are better at sports in general. After all, the highest tier athletes are almost statistical outliers by definition. Michael Jordan was Michael Jordan in part because he had some physical gifts that are atypical of any group. But that said, Africans and people of recent African descent come from a population that features a much higher degree of genetic diversity than the populations the rest of us come from. After all, other ethnic groups are essentially just relatively small sub-samples of some original African population. So, if there is some magical confluence of traits out there that can result in say, a Shaquille O'Neal, then it's likely to be present in the African American population even if they are in the minority. That still leaves most blacks muddling around in mediocrity land with the rest of us, however, so skin color is still a horrible way of predicting success in well, anything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 30 Sep 2009, 23:56
According to a 1997 study (which is the latest I've been bothered to find) 65% of players in the NFL are black. But to be honest, I don't see why what a players race has to do with anything. Whoopdy doo. It's about skill, not about ancestory.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2009, 23:58
I noticed. I was interested.

I have to say that all of you bring up good points and I thank you for your answers. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 01 Oct 2009, 06:51
Jesus guys can we go five minutes without having a sociology debate in this forum
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 01 Oct 2009, 06:53
... sorry.

How 'bout that local sportsteam?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Oct 2009, 08:14
Local hockey team kicks off its' season tonight against the Washington Capitals. I am effing PUMPED.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Oct 2009, 08:29
Only 'til Ovy takes you down a peg.  :wink:

So folks, it's hockey season again and the Flyers are going for a run at the cup this year (hopefully). Should be a fairly simple start at Carolina tonight then on to greater things.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 01 Oct 2009, 10:18
CAPITALS!  *crosses fingers*

Sorry, I'm not used to having a team in my home city that's decent.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Oct 2009, 10:21
Any time you want to send Michael Nylander back to Boston, I'll gladly accept him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Oct 2009, 13:41
Man, does someone in the NFL have a grudge against Denver? Their next 5 games are against the Cowboys, the Patriots, the Chargers, the Ravens and then the Steelers. I guess the 1972 Dolphins weren't available.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 01 Oct 2009, 14:38
The Cowboys could end up being a pretty nice victory for you guys (depending on how Romo's feeling that day) and the Seelers are not doing well at all this season.  Philip Rivers is my dad's boy, though.  Went to NC State, see.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Oct 2009, 15:13
Eh, well, I'm a Vikings fan, not a Broncos fan; I just try and take notice of things like that when looking at the big picture. It's not every day that a team has a stretch like that. If they can keep the games competitive it's entirely possible that they could end up 4-4 and still be one of the better teams in the league.

As for the Steelers, that could still end up a very tough game, since they suffered a rash of injuries early and the game is 6 weeks away. I actually think the Bengals are pretty good this year, so losing by a combined 6 points in road games to them and Chicago doesn't hit me as really too big of a disaster, particularly since they had some key players banged up. After all, Pittsburgh could feasibly have Polamalu back and their running back situation sorted out better by week 6. They're a talented team with decent depth and they're well-coached. I could see them going on a bit of a run midway through the season as other teams get nicked up. A lot of the teams that have good records right now are paper thin in some areas. For example, the Bengals are going to be in sorry shape if their defensive backs get any more beat up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Oct 2009, 01:13
And I personally don't think that the pats look great this year, so maybe there's something there too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 02 Oct 2009, 01:16
The Chargers are falling apart at the seams. Maybe they'll get their act together by the time Denver gets to 'em, but somehow I doubt it. Norv Turner needs to be gone for that team to get anywhere.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Oct 2009, 06:41
Bruins, what the hellllllllllll
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 02 Oct 2009, 08:06
Norv Turner needs to be gone for that team to get anywhere.

I know what you mean (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norv_Turner#Washington_Redskins).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 02 Oct 2009, 12:04
We'll take him back as offensive coordinator, if you don't mind...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Oct 2009, 12:16
The only thing I really like about the Chargers is Rivers. He is probably even better than people give him credit for. That offense he's in calls for three types of plays: Hand it to the running back, dump it off to the running back or make a ridiculously high difficulty long pass. Over ten percent of his pass attempts went for over 20 yards last year, which is ridiculous. I'm still not all that terribly sure he's really worse than Drew Brees; the situations are too different for me to feel comfortable trying to make a comparison.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 02 Oct 2009, 12:26
And I personally don't think that the pats look great this year, so maybe there's something there too.

They don't look dominant, but they've actually looked better with each game. A lot of people seem to be forgetting that Brady's only played three full games in the last year and a half (Of the three teams they've faced, they looked best against the Falcons, who I think are most likely to make the playoffs). He's been the weak link and it's highly unlikely that will linger. The defensive line's been a bit shaky, though they've looked better and better each game, but their offensive line, particularly their running game, is about the best it's been in years. Once the defense gets some more experience under their belts (The talent's there, but most of them are young) and Brady starts utilizing that extra pocket time he's getting and making those big plays he's known for, they'll probably get on a roll.

The most dangerous thing teams could do right now is underestimate the Pats.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 02 Oct 2009, 18:03
The only thing I really like about the Chargers is Rivers. He is probably even better than people give him credit for. That offense he's in calls for three types of plays: Hand it to the running back, dump it off to the running back or make a ridiculously high difficulty long pass. Over ten percent of his pass attempts went for over 20 yards last year, which is ridiculous. I'm still not all that terribly sure he's really worse than Drew Brees; the situations are too different for me to feel comfortable trying to make a comparison.

Yeah, the thing is, as great as Drew Brees unquestionably is, San Diego had invested enough money and time in Rivers that they kind of had to give him a shot. There was no way they could afford to keep both of them. And frankly, I think they made the right decision letting Brees go in free agency.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2009, 18:29
Man, I can't decide who to start on my fantasy team this week (normally, I just roll out Steve Smith, but he's on a bye), Devin Hester vs. the Lions or slightly banged up Kevin Walter vs. the Raiders. Two talented guys vs. two putrid teams. I know it's the definition of a good problem to have, but it's not making the decision any easier.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 03 Oct 2009, 21:04
Local footy finishes tonight, with the Mighty and Dashingly Handsome Double Blues opposing the boring tyranny of the pathetic and boring Bulldogs. Go the Double Blues!

(and Booo! to Port Adelaide, just for good measure)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 04 Oct 2009, 13:26
So, why can't the Redskins have the team we had in the second half of the past two games all the time?  What the fuck guys?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 04 Oct 2009, 13:54
So, why can't the Buccaneers have the team we had in the first half of our last game all the time? What the fuck guys?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 04 Oct 2009, 14:00
Woo the Redskins won TWO games!
TWO!
God help us when we play Dallas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Oct 2009, 14:06
So, why can't the Buccaneers have the team we had in the first half of our last game all the time? What the fuck guys?

Your coaching staff is too incompetent and reactionary to make adjustments from week to week. Thus the Buccaneers need an entire half to get their heads out of their asses and figure out the plan that they should have been using to begin with. Among current coaches with talented teams, Brad Childress is probably the gold standard in this area.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 04 Oct 2009, 14:58
Um...  The Bucs want the team they had in the first half (which wasn't that great this game, to be honest).  The Redskins want the team we had in the second half (which also wasn't that great, but wasn't completely fucking useless).

Woo the Redskins won TWO games!
TWO!
God help us when we play Dallas.

Dallas?  I can't even think that far ahead.  God help us when we play Carolina.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Oct 2009, 16:17
I picked up the 49ers defense this week on my fantasy team; frankly, I had no idea why they were still available, but I wasn't going to question it. After all, the 49ers stuff the run and running is the only area that the Rams are even remotely competent. But as optimistic as I was about their prospects against the Rams, I still wasn't prepared for that level of epic beat down. Someone needs to figure out a way to get Steven Jackson off that team; he deserves better.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 04 Oct 2009, 18:05
They're probably the worst team in football.

Also, for anyone who cares, let's discuss Jensen Button.  Do you think he can step it up to win?  I really want either he or Barrichello to win.  Maybe it can come down to between a Briton or a Brazilian in the last race again.  Except that it won't be in Brazil.

Also, how about Casey Stoner?  Back on the podium after resting to recover from his still mysterious illness.  I'm a fan of Ducati, so I'm pretty happy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 04 Oct 2009, 21:22
I think we should discuss the San Diego Pittsburg game. That must have been one of the most ridiculous 4th quarters so far this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 05 Oct 2009, 00:07
The lack of any sort of defensive production on either team's behalf was just upsetting to witness.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Oct 2009, 11:30
I picked up the 49ers defense this week on my fantasy team; frankly, I had no idea why they were still available, but I wasn't going to question it. After all, the 49ers stuff the run and running is the only area that the Rams are even remotely competent. But as optimistic as I was about their prospects against the Rams, I still wasn't prepared for that level of epic beat down. Someone needs to figure out a way to get Steven Jackson off that team; he deserves better.

A shutout, an INT return, and a fumble return? In my old league, that would have been good for at least 40 points.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 Oct 2009, 13:11
Yeah, my friends and I are using the ESPN site and their standard scoring method so unfortunately it was "only" 31. Either way, it's saved my ass this week because I've had a few other players slump.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 05 Oct 2009, 22:24
The fact that the Vikings allowed the Packers to get up to 23, even though their lead seemed insurmountable, is depressing. That shit will not fly in the playoffs, guys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 06 Oct 2009, 01:27
I didn't get to see that game due to sleep ... were the Packers and the Vikings nice to eachother or was it a bit ... rough for Favre?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2009, 01:46
Aaron Rodgers got sacked 7 times. Favre was untouched the entire game - at one point he had 7.34 full seconds in the pocket before he threw. No pressure at all.

The Pack stuffed Adrian Peterson though, he averaged less than 3 yards per carry. They just couldn't get the reins on their ex, mainly because he was never, ever under pressure, whereas Rodgers was constantly scrambling out of the pocket.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 06 Oct 2009, 02:42
Thanks ...

I feel like I missed a classic. Accursčd time-zones.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2009, 02:44
The first half was pretty entertaining but the second half was a series of 3-and-outs until the final four minutes, where the Vikes defense gave up 10 points (almost 17).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2009, 02:46
I guess what I am trying to say is don't feel too bad about it, also Favre still has to go to Lambeau later this season, when he's not still fresh from the offseason, so he still has a chance to fark it all up. Minus their pass rush the Packers looked like a much more solid team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 06 Oct 2009, 02:51
That actually makes me feel better, thanks!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 06:48
Minus their pass rush the Packers looked like a much more solid team.

bwaahahahahahasha
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 06:55
Okay, look, you can't just say "Minus the pass rush". This is like saying "Except for the Eastern Front, Germany could have won WW2," or "The Hindenburg had a pretty good safety record except for the time it burst into flames." It's technically true, but ultimately you're just whistling pass the graveyard. The Packers have turnstiles for an offensive line right now and the defensive line is the Viking's one indisputable strength. Oh, the Packers have talent, don't get me wrong; it's just not on the offensive line. I love Aaron Rodgers as a football player, but he had to pull miracles out of his ass all night just to keep them in the game. I have him and Greg Jennings on my fantasy team for a reason; I figured if the offensive line held up they would tear the league up. That's because they looked solid last year too... right up until they gave up a sack or forced Grant to break tackles in his own backfield. That's why they went 6-10 instead of the other way around.

The Packers are already done if Clifton can't bounce back after the bye week. Lord knows they'll still probably manage to split the series, because that's just how the division works, but you're out of your mind if you think they looked like a more solid team sans an offensive line. That they managed to crawl back into it a bit after the Vikings prematurely went into garbage time mode says more about the Minnesota's lack of discipline than anything (I still hold that the Vikings are overrated; they can't defend tight ends/WRs that split their safeties, Favre's stamina is a question and Childress is still Childress). But that said, the Packers are the team with bigger problems. Teams with bad offensive lines don't make playoff runs. It just doesn't happen.

Also, I thought it was kind of funny how Gruden did everything but fellate Favre on national television. It must have really annoying for the Favre haters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 06 Oct 2009, 09:11
The Packers are already done if Clifton can't bounce back after the bye week.

Well I wouldn't exactly say that.  I give the Packers an excellent chance to beat both detroit and cleveland without Mr Clifton
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 10:27
Well I wouldn't exactly say that.  I give the Packers an excellent chance to beat both detroit and cleveland without Mr Clifton

Where I come from that's called damning with faint praise.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 06 Oct 2009, 10:30
Hey man!  The Lions are decent!



No they're not.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 10:40
Anyway, I'm not trying to be a blatant Vikings homer here; there's a really good chance that Clifton comes back no problem, and Rodgers is so good I'm sure he can compete even with C- offensive line. Unfortunately, a C- minus is probably their ceiling. That the Vikings give up big plays in the slot and seams is problematic, but as Achilles' Heels go I'll take that over a perilously thin line any day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 06 Oct 2009, 18:40
Holy fuck, Alex, will your team just choose whether they want to win or lose already? This is getting ridiculous.

Edit: About fucking time!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 18:50
It's a good week for Minny.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2009, 19:39
I'd still rather hedge my bets with a team that can win playoff games

ouch
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2009, 19:46
That doesn't really make sense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 06 Oct 2009, 22:27
On the one hand, my Niners are 3-1. On the other, all three of those wins have come against division opponents and the NFC West is pretty awful. On the other other hand, the one game they did lose they lost at the last second to an unbeaten team on the road. I really don't know how to figure the Niners yet except that we'll probably get to the playoffs just because the rest of the division is so awful. Playing Atlanta next week at home will be an interesting game. I'll be curious to see how the oddsmakers peg that game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 06 Oct 2009, 23:00
Yeah, I know what you mean. A friend posted this (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/04/SPJB1A1288.DTL&type=sports) article on facebook the other day, and I thought it was pretty interesting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Oct 2009, 08:12
Yeah, the 49ers have about as favorable a schedule as you can ask for.

In regards to the offensive line play, one thing that probably isn't helping is the stodgy and rather traditional run 'n' pass rhythm the play caller gets into. Dedication to the run is admirable, but when even the Rams seem to know when to stay in the gaps and when to just run wild, I'd say there's a problem. Are you guys sure that your coordinator has heard of screen passes, draws, or delayed handoffs?

That said, it was a fuckin' blow out; of course they're going to run. But I think this sorta thing was sort of an issue in the Vikings game too, and you guys only lost that by a hair.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 07 Oct 2009, 08:15
Redskins hired an "offensive consultant."  Maybe someone telling Jim Zorn that he's being a fucking moron will snap him out of his "I don't have to worry about my job" delusions.  Now if they would just hire a quarterback consultant and an owner's consultant we might have a good team...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 08 Oct 2009, 19:32
I recently just found out Jared Allen has a Facebook fan page that appears to actually be him? The first post is "Jared Allen=God".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Oct 2009, 19:41
There needs to be more Thursday night football, I'm suffering from withdrawal already.
Title: Re: WE DON'T LIKE C.B. BUCKNOR
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Oct 2009, 06:36
I think the title says it all. *grumble*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 09 Oct 2009, 09:34
Lost in the kerfuffle over how terrible Bucknor is at his job is how absolutely revolting of a job Joe West did.

I can deal with a wide strike zone, I can deal with a tight one, but no two ways about it: West was wildly inconsistent all night and while I generally don't like to blame an ump, West and Bucknor combined to cost the Sox even a shot at that game. Lackey was getting both the low pitch and the outside pitch, both of which Lester was squeezed on. The pitch tracker on TBS made it even more egregious. There was one at bat in particular where Ortiz went to a full count on five pitches, all out of the strike zone, none of which he offered at. While yes, his terrible work went against the Angels a handful of times (There were a few pitches the Sox took that I'd say were strikes and that interference call was absolutely bogus), the majority of his calls tended to involve squeezing Lester while giving Lackey a strike zone bigger than my big, fat Irish head.

Never, in all my years of watching baseball, have I seen a game with more egregiously bad calls, most of which were in one team's favor.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Oct 2009, 15:05
Yeah, there was some NBA level bullshit going on there. I was honest to god confused by the interference call; I was on the treadmill with my headphones on and chugging some water at the time it happened, so between commercials and no commentary explaining the stupidity going on I felt rather out of the loop.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 11 Oct 2009, 12:25
if there's one thing this thread is lacking it is classic Sports stories. So, to start:

How to turn a brand-new NHL franchise into 3-time Stanley Cup champs in less than 10 years (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126003/1/index.htm)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 11 Oct 2009, 14:01
Goddamnit Jim Zorn.  If you don't need to go for it on fourth down, DON'T GO FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN!  It's calls like that which cost us the damned game.  And that ridiculousness with a punt, but that's just crazy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2009, 14:16
I honestly think going for it on fourth down is a good decision more often than not, but I haven't seen that game and Jim Zorn is an idiot, so I'm torn about what I should think of that post.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 11 Oct 2009, 14:23
I think he goes for it on fourth more often than not, and it's not even fourth and one, or even two!  It's like fourth and four or five.  We're ahead in the fourth quarter.  We need to just pin them deep.  The kicker is, there are times when going for it on fourth is definitely the right decision, and it's during these times that he doesn't actually go for it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2009, 14:37
Jim Zorn isn't gonna see another W on his record this season.

That said, did anyone see the Dallas-KC game? It went into overtime. The Cowboys are effed in the butt.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 11 Oct 2009, 14:39
The only thing that made me sad about that game is that they ended up winning.  I wouldn't actually be surprised if Zorn isn't around next week.  At least as head coach.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2009, 14:40
WAS could use some offensive coordination

hint hint
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2009, 15:35
God dammit 49ers, my opponent has Roddy White on his fantasy team this week. I could have stolen the win despite having 4 starters on byes, but now I'm behind by 5 points because of this shit.


You're dead to me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 11 Oct 2009, 16:41
Taunting? Taunting?! Kiss my dick you fucking twat. What the fuck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Oct 2009, 12:05
Looks like the Packers went ahead and resigned Tauscher. Things could get interesting if he can still play, since their schedule isn't too scary. That's still a perilously thin line though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 12 Oct 2009, 14:27
Taunting? Taunting?! Kiss my dick you fucking twat. What the fuck.

This.

The taunting, such as it was, happened after the flag was thrown. You have to respect a rev who can see into the future and/or into a player's mind.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 12 Oct 2009, 14:50
It was disgusting. The theory my dad and I are running on is that the ref wanted to call pass interference, realized he there was none and then decided to call taunting rather than make himself look stupid. That play could very well have been the difference in the game. What should've been third and two (I think) ended up as first and goal. Not to mention the blown call on what should've been a fumble at the very beginning of the drive.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Oct 2009, 14:01
Tough string of games coming up, and I have faith in Childress blowing at least one of them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 15 Oct 2009, 14:11
He's saving that for the playoffs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Oct 2009, 20:06
Nah, I have us penciled in for a blown special teams play followed by the team just completely rolling over, like in the 2000 NFC Championship game, thus never giving Childress a real chance to do something stupid in the first place. Losing the big game due to coaching mishaps isn't really that common in Vikings history, after all. Besides, what you're saying implies that he could go that long without driving me insane.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 16 Oct 2009, 12:29
Sad realization: the Jaguars lost 41-0 last week but if someone put a gun to my head they'd still be my pick in the upcoming Jags-Rams game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 16 Oct 2009, 15:02
But the Rams are a tool of the Socialist Left, paragon examples of Barack Obama's America on full display! (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/10/15/limbaugh.ap/index.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Oct 2009, 08:33
Heading into week 3 of my "the Broncos have a nasty stretch in their schedule" theory. They won the last two games by a combined 10 points and needed an OT to do it, and I'd hold that the next 3 games might be trickier. The Chargers, Steelers and Ravens all have talent on their rosters, they all need wins (especially the Chargers), and they're all going to be fresh from coming off their bye weeks when Denver comes calling. Granted, the Steelers are out of sorts and Norv is capable of scuttling his team at any time, but both of them have defenses that play rather hard and Kyle Orton's 97 passer rating is due for a fall.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Oct 2009, 08:40
I actually liked those throwbacks the Broncos wore last week. Even with Jabar Gaffney fucking up the socks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 17 Oct 2009, 09:02
They won the last two games by a combined 10 points and needed an OT and a bullshit taunting call to do it
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Oct 2009, 10:51
What he said!

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Oct 2009, 07:13
Hey Rob, I know you're feeling down about Liverpool losing yesterday, so I bought you a gift.

(http://images.meredith.com/ab/images/2006/04/ss_w39BeachBall.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Oct 2009, 08:04
Every year for the past few years, Ciddy were considered a huge threat to United, and they've done fuck all.

It's a lot like how everyone heaps praise on the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training, forgetting that they play in a division with the Red Sox and Yankees.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Oct 2009, 08:51
I agree, the goal should stand, it is not the first time something like this has happened and it would be highly hypocritical of anybody to say that this one shouldn't stand when others did. The whole truth of the matter is that we simply weren't good enough; a team missing Torres and Gerrard this season is going to be much more devastated than ever before with the loss of Alonso to run the game in their absence.

One thing i will never understand though is the need to take crappy little objects like that to games. Whether they are on the pitch or being smacked around in the crowd they are a nuisance to everyone; almost as bad as those huge flags that cover everyone so that you can no longer see the game. Sadly, there are people who derive pleasure from this kind of thing as if being at a game watching your favourite team is not entertaining enough and so incidents like this happen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Oct 2009, 12:33
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/livbarrob/jensonbutton2.gif)

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa219/livbarrob/f1jb2.gif)

Everything is better in sparkly text.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: supersheep on 18 Oct 2009, 12:55
Actually, I would have thought the goal shouldn't stand. According to page 60 of this (http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/81/42/36/lawsofthegameen.pdf), when an extra ball interferes with play inside the goal area, there should be a drop ball on the edge of the goal area. While it doesn't specify what happens if other things interfere with play, the rules on players and balls interfering with play seem to imply that the game should be stopped and restarted with a drop ball.

Of course, I'm not a ref, so there might be some interpretation that means that the goal should have stood.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Oct 2009, 13:17
Yeah, i heard they were talking about that but a beach ball is hardly part of the game as a football would be and it was thrown on by a Liverpool fan so i can't blame them for allowing the goal to stand.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 13:20
It's better to be lucky than to be good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 18 Oct 2009, 15:42
So, who was pissed when the Patriots game got yanked off the air for being too awesome?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 18 Oct 2009, 15:50
I think you have it backwards. They yanked the Titans game for being too depressing.

Seriously, though, we've still got the game up here in Boston. This is just the single most pathetic display of football I have EVER seen. Brady had more touchdown passes in a single quarter than Kerry Collins had completions in the entire game.

As I say this, Vince Young gets picked. Wow. I mean, yeah, Brady looked absolutely phenomenal on his own, but the Titans are just fucking awful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 18 Oct 2009, 16:10
JENSON BUTTON - FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPION 2009

I am so sad that I missed what was apparently an awesome race.

So, Jason Campbell got benched, and Todd Collins doesn't really know what he's doing in the west coast system (people seem to forget that when he came in and rocked it, it was under a system similar to what he did in Michigan).  Why don't we have three quarterbacks again?  Oh, right, because we needed four fucking running backs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Oct 2009, 17:00
GO BEARS

and, Vikings: way to go! You barely beat one of the most underachieving teams in the league!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 17:09
I think you have it backwards. They yanked the Titans game for being too depressing.

Seriously, though, we've still got the game up here in Boston. This is just the single most pathetic display of football I have EVER seen. Brady had more touchdown passes in a single quarter than Kerry Collins had completions in the entire game.

As I say this, Vince Young gets picked. Wow. I mean, yeah, Brady looked absolutely phenomenal on his own, but the Titans are just fucking awful.

Yeah, it's hard to get too excited about picking on the Titans right now. I didn't expect them to repeat that record again this year or anything, since they lost Haynesworth and their defensive line is getting older and all that jazz, but who in the hell could of seen this season coming? They made the playoffs last season and a bunch of their star defensive players are in the final year of their contracts! You'd think they'd be at least be playing hard and aiming for the next payday. Instead they're rolling over every game, even against the Patriots, a team that's quite happy to score on you every possession if you let them. I've never seen anything like this before; I'm honestly curious how many players on the team really give a crap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 17:16
You barely beat one of the most underachieving teams in the league!

Might want to check your glass house for damage; last I checked you needed two missed field goals to get away from a Polamalu-less Steelers team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 18 Oct 2009, 17:21
So, who was pissed when the Patriots game got yanked off the air for being too awesome?
At least you guys got to see it in the first place - we in the UK got Arizona-Seattle.

On the plus side, I'll definitely be able to see the NE-Tampa game next week.  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 18 Oct 2009, 17:26
You going?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 18 Oct 2009, 18:57
Instead they're rolling over every game, even against the Patriots, a team that's quite happy to score on you every possession if you let them. I've never seen anything like this before; I'm honestly curious how many players on the team really give a crap.

I don't know who to give more credit to. While yes, the Titans were terrible, Brady actually looked really fantastic on his own. His passes were spot on, he was moving around well without really excessive time and he just looked absolutely locked in. On the other hand, one cannot express enough how absolutely fucking TERRIBLE the Titans looked. I mean, yeah, Brady got the ball in the air quickly, but I'm reasonably sure he probably could've stood there for about three minutes and then connect with Vince Wilfork for a TD, the Titans looked so bad. The Pats defense has, in my opinion, been steadily improving (Barring last week's second half, they looked pretty awful), but they didn't even have to work, the Titans offense was just utterly incompetent.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 18 Oct 2009, 19:02
At least you guys got to see it in the first place - we in the UK got Arizona-Seattle.

On the plus side, I'll definitely be able to see the NE-Tampa game next week.  :-D

I have to go to a bar to see pretty much every game, because nobody here gives a shit about the Redskins (seriously, I am one of only three people in the bar who watch the Redskins games, and this is the bar where I've found the largest group of Redskins fans).  Though, we do play two Monday nights and one Sunday night (though, I expect that one to get flexed).

BIG NEWS GUYS!  Jim Zorn will not be the play caller any more!  They're going to announce who is going to call the plays tomorrow.  I'm really hoping that this will do something to make our team suck less.  Maybe Campbell will step up after being benched and we'll actually have a quarterback.  I'm hoping Chris Samuels is back next week, because our offensive line neeeeeeeeds him so badly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 19:36
I don't know who to give more credit to. While yes, the Titans were terrible, Brady actually looked really fantastic on his own. His passes were spot on, he was moving around well without really excessive time and he just looked absolutely locked in. On the other hand, one cannot express enough how absolutely fucking TERRIBLE the Titans looked. I mean, yeah, Brady got the ball in the air quickly, but I'm reasonably sure he probably could've stood there for about three minutes and then connect with Vince Wilfork for a TD, the Titans looked so bad. The Pats defense has, in my opinion, been steadily improving (Barring last week's second half, they looked pretty awful), but they didn't even have to work, the Titans offense was just utterly incompetent.

Yeah, I didn't mean my comment to be denigrating of the Patriots in any way and I'm on the record as thinking of them as a dangerous team even if they're not as loaded defensively as they once were. It's just that I think a team would want to show up for a game like this and I'm not really sure the Titans did. After all, the Patriots have a bit of a rep for running up the score against inferior teams, (I actually admire this a bit; it beats the shit out of the Viking's "Hey, we're up by 10; Where's my iphone? I need to Twitter," routine) and most NFL players want to avoid that kind of treatment just as a matter of pride if nothing else. The Titans do have some talent on the roster, after all, and even the Lions at least try hard and often make a couple plays even if they lack the talent to play a full game without making some crippling mistakes. But the Titans just got plain annihilated this week; I think they gave up the season after losing their first 3 games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 18 Oct 2009, 20:12
My theory is that spending the week with people calling this a trap game resulted in the Titans getting a case of "oh yeah? we'll show you!"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 20:16
It's almost like they want Kerry Collins to start drinking again.

Actually, if he already has it sure would explain a lot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 18 Oct 2009, 21:35
I still think for my money that the Saints are the best team in the NFL right now. Drew Brees is a fucking machine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 18 Oct 2009, 21:47
A note to everybody.  Purdue fans have a lot to be happy about.  Drew Brees destroying the Giants' defense and Purdue beating OSU (which is awesome, by the way).  One of my friends is a Purdue alumna.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 18 Oct 2009, 21:58
You and everyone else watching the NFL this season, Bryan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Oct 2009, 22:36
Might want to check your glass house for damage; last I checked you needed two missed field goals to get away from a Polamalu-less Steelers team.

Yeah, I wasn't happy about that, but hey - a win's a win, and if it helped get them back on tra--

OH WAIT. I JUST WATCHED THE BEARS-FALCONS GAME.

Not as sloppy as our season opener against GB, but jesus fucking christ

/wrists
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Oct 2009, 23:10
I think the Vikings will take the division but honestly I don't trust any of the NFC North teams to do much in the playoffs. The Vikings can't seem to be bothered to stay focused for a whole game, the Bears can't catch a break and the Packers have line issues casting a shadow over everything they do. Green Bay does have a Charmin soft schedule going for them, but even if they do make it to the playoffs, I kind of envision their run ending with a NY Giants defensive lineman ripping Aaron Rodgers' heart out Temple of Doom style.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Oct 2009, 23:11
That mental image is the most insanely epic thing ever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 19 Oct 2009, 01:08
Aaron Rodgers is a Cal graduate, I'd really like him to keep his heart. He's the first guy who proved that the "Jeff Tedford quarterbacks can't succeed in the NFL" claim was bullshit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 19 Oct 2009, 07:11
You going?
Unfortunately not. Was skint when tickets went on sale (on top of which they were a bloody rip-off).   :cry:

However, it's one of only two games during the season to be on terrestrial TV - the other being the Super Bowl - so I'll be able to watch it even if my Sky subscription runs out.  :-D

Will probably head down to the uni bar if they have it on for cheap beer and (hopefully) good football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Oct 2009, 09:59
Aaron Rodgers is a Cal graduate, I'd really like him to keep his heart. He's the first guy who proved that the "Jeff Tedford quarterbacks can't succeed in the NFL" claim was bullshit.

I'd prefer he stay healthy too; I have him on my fantasy team. But that's in the offensive line's hands and so far they seem bound and determined to let other teams treat the dude like a human pinata. Even in that drubbing of the Lions they gave up 5 sacks, and Clifton reinjured his ankle, so we're really heading into pyrrhic victory territory.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Oct 2009, 12:08
5 hours until Denver starts to go 6 - 0.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 19 Oct 2009, 15:56
Sherm Lewis?  Really guys?  Was Dion Sanders not available this season?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Oct 2009, 13:11
Did anybody see Dante Wesley give what might end up being the dirtiest hit this season against the Bucs? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cAyhCTaz2Y)

As of today, he's only got a 1 game suspension.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 20 Oct 2009, 17:59
I didn't see it live, but I've seen it about five times since.  All I want to know is "what the fuck?"  I'm too lazy to look for it, so does anybody know what he's saying about that?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Oct 2009, 19:23
I just don't understand why he hit him so high.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 20 Oct 2009, 19:25
Yeah, it almost looked like he was aiming for helmet-helmet contact. If he was, he should have been suspended for a lot more than 1 game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 20 Oct 2009, 20:18
I just don't understand why he hit him so high.

The general gist I got was because the Jags and Bucs don't much like each other. I dunno, I'm still getting the hang of watching football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Oct 2009, 20:31
Yeah, it's just jarring when competitiveness crosses the line into just plain taking a shot at someone. It's kinda like the difference between brushing one past the batter to get him to quit crowding the plate and trying to wing one right into the guy's ear. I more or less understand how it gets to that point, but it's not something I really want to see either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 20 Oct 2009, 20:47
Oh, I definitely agree. I hate bean wars (Unless someone's just lobbing a curve at someone's ass, that's fine), but it seemed you were legitimately inquiring, so I gave the straight answer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 20 Oct 2009, 21:00
So....how about those Yankees?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 20 Oct 2009, 21:07
Not a huge fan (I'm not one of those people who hates the Yankees because it's cool.  I hate them because I'm an Orioles fan), but they do seem to be better than the Angels.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 20 Oct 2009, 21:15
Your response was actually a little more mild than I was expecting.

Mainly I wanted to point out to Shane that the Red Sox are out and the Yankees are up 3-1 in the ALCS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 20 Oct 2009, 21:26
Well, my baseball teams are the Orioles and (more recently) the Nationals.  It's hard to generate anything approximating enthusiasm for baseball after so many frustrating years.  I can't really remember the last time we were in the playoffs.

Wait, I can remember that bullshit fan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Maier) catch vs. the Yankees one year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 20 Oct 2009, 22:26
Let me get this straight.

Your favorite teams are the Redskins for football, and the Orioles and Nationals for baseball?

So.......do you just choose whichever teams suck the hardest?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 21 Oct 2009, 03:29
Hey, hey, hey it's not been proven that the Redskins suck the hardest!!!
Yet.
I mean they've managed to win two games. TWO! Two horrible horrible games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Oct 2009, 06:55
Your response was actually a little more mild than I was expecting.

Mainly I wanted to point out to Shane that the Red Sox are out and the Yankees are up 3-1 in the ALCS.

Oh dude, it's hockey season, and we're in the middle of the EPL and the Champions League group stage. I've got plenty to keep my mind off the suckfest that was the Red Sox in the ALDS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 21 Oct 2009, 07:15
If your team keeps winning in League One and my team keeps being in 10th place in the Championship, maybe next year they'll get to play each other!

Tommy, have you seen (or read) the Damned United ? If so, what did you think?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 21 Oct 2009, 08:45
Let me get this straight.

Your favorite teams are the Redskins for football, and the Orioles and Nationals for baseball?

So.......do you just choose whichever teams suck the hardest?

I also support the Wizards.  I think it's the other way around, since I just choose teams based on geography.  Which means I also support the Capitals, who don't suck the worst in hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 21 Oct 2009, 09:09
Your response was actually a little more mild than I was expecting.

Mainly I wanted to point out to Shane that the Red Sox are out and the Yankees are up 3-1 in the ALCS.

Dropping half a billion dollars in one offseason will get you pretty far, apparently. Not normally one to say it, but the Yanks straight up bought a set of rings this year. Without the combined $350 million they dropped on Sabathia and Teixeira, the Yanks don't even make the playoffs this season, the Burnett acquisition just made it ridiculous.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Oct 2009, 09:46
Anderson, PAY FUCKING ATTENTION, THEY'RE TRYING TO PASS THE BALL TO YOU. Jesus.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Oct 2009, 13:27
I don't really think the Vikings have a chance in hell against the Steelers if Winfield can't play.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 21 Oct 2009, 14:12
Nothing will surprise me and I'm rooting for the vikings.

I mean ... they're Vikings!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 21 Oct 2009, 15:25
I might cheer on the Vikings if they didn't employ Brett Favre. I've gotten so sick of him that I just cannot root for a team he's on at this point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Oct 2009, 15:36
Yeah, it's a real shame about the media circus that comes attached to Favre, because the Vikings are actually a really fun team to watch right now if you just mute the announcers (Gruden did everything but propose on that Monday night game). They make a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball but they're not so much better than other competent teams that the game turns into a snoozer. By any estimation they're lucky as hell not to be 4-2 right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 21 Oct 2009, 17:58
I like playing racquet ball (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJVWRkiRXHM&feature=related) havnt playing in 6 years but im looking to pick it back up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 21 Oct 2009, 18:28
The film was woeful. I implore people to skip it and read the book if they have a passing interest in football.

I enjoyed the film, but I do find it amusing that it's going to potentially create quite a large new audience for the book, seeing as how emotionally the two are pretty much polar opposites. The thought of legions of cinema-goers marching into their local bookshops and picking up a copy of the Damned Utd. and taking it home and reading it at bed-time only to discover it's not so much a feel-good depiction of a bygone era as it is a highly modernist depiction of a man consumed by his own obsession and loathing tickles me no end.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 25 Oct 2009, 10:35
I don't really think the Vikings have a chance in hell against the Steelers if Winfield can't play.

Hey, remember when I said that?


They say he won't be back until late November at the earliest. Unless the backup plays a fuckin' hell of a lot better than he did against Atlanta, the Vikings are pretty boned against competent teams, since corner is basically the one area with no depth that I'm aware of. I would have been happier with literally any other player getting injured just because we have a lot of depth on the team everywhere but in the defensive backfield. Favre getting hurt? Would suck, and Packers fans would say "I TOLD YOU!" (Which, is patently ridiculous, since Brett Favre's corpse is a better football player than Tarvaris Jackson looked like last year), but I think we could limp through some games that way with Rosenfels or maybe even a slightly improved Jackson. Adrian Peterson? Love the guy, but he's overrated and Chester Taylor is pretty good and actually more versatile. We'd be fine. Jared Allen, Ray Edwards or one of the Williamses? We have tons of depth there, so I wouldn't be worried. Even our backup tackles are good. Best line rotation in the league, if not the best individual linemen. Losing another offensive linemen would hurt, but it'd be no worse than Green Bay's situation. Linebackers? Already went a year without E.J. and we lived. But Winfield? Once he left the field Atlanta quickly responded by passing for roughly 8,000 yards in the second half. His ankle is the turd in my 6 and 0 team's punch bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 25 Oct 2009, 10:43
You know who's team is definitely not going to lose today?  Mine.  The Redskins will, in fact, avoid tacking on losses at least two Sundays in a row.



We're totally fucking boned tomorrow, though.  We play our second competent team of the season, and the first team we'll encounter that has wins on their record before we play them.  Good luck everyone else today.  If you guys could just try to send a little bit of luck in the direction of DC tomorrow, that would be great.  Who doesn't want Philly to lose?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Oct 2009, 10:56
Pats are starting to run away with it again..
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 25 Oct 2009, 10:59
Did anyone expect them to have even a slightly hard time of it against Tampa Bay?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 25 Oct 2009, 13:17
Vikings did pretty alright. Still don't like how jittery the secondary looks against the long ball though. Wouldn't be surprised to lose at Green Bay.

In regards to New England-Tampa: Ahahahahaha, the Bucs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 25 Oct 2009, 13:41
Also, man, ESPN has some shitty writers. I know they like to just grab a box score and pull a story out of their ass sometimes, but they wrote that a defender stepped in front of a pass intended for Chester Taylor and made a pick, which really isn't what happened at all. Favre threw it ever so slightly high and Taylor plain botched the catch. It skimmed off his hands and a defender caught the deflection as it went further down the field. It's really hard to put that one on the QB, in all honesty, and Taylor is a good receiver so it's not like that kind of thing happens all the time. It was just the kind of goofy play that happens to even good players once or twice over the course of the season. It was a heartbreaker and sealed the game for the Steelers, but it wasn't exactly a boneheaded epic fail type play.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 25 Oct 2009, 14:43
City managed to snatch a draw from their 2 nil lead, hopefully the Bengals can do better.
=)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 25 Oct 2009, 15:47
Damn.  Who dey?

Also, how about the Saints with Drew Brees to thank for four turnovers so far?  They're doing a great job of trying to come back, and it's easily within their reach, as long as Brees doesn't continue fucking it up every chance he gets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 25 Oct 2009, 16:06
I just hate how with standard ESPN fantasy scoring being what it is, Brees will probably end up being worth a bunch of points anyway despite all those turnovers provided that he merely makes a few td pass or two to even it out. And my opponent this week has him. Blech.


On the bright side, at least I have Aaron Rodgers, who completely owned the Browns, completing 75% of his passes and posting a 155.4 passing rating. But he "only" put up 248 yards due to being rested on the bench for the 4th, so like I said, I wouldn't be surprised if Brees ends up somehow nearly matching him in points. fml
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 25 Oct 2009, 18:02
Did we expect the pats to have a hard time ... no.

Did we look forward to english people trying to make US football understandable to their audience ... yes.

There is something fundamentally wrong and funny about watching a US football game with RP english commentary.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 25 Oct 2009, 18:15
Oh hey, apparently QPR are into 6th place in the Championship now, only four points off the pace and with a game in hand over everyone else. Cool!

Shame about who's in the boardroom these days, but hey, could be worse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_Shinawatra#Purchase_of_Manchester_City_Football_Club).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Oct 2009, 21:39
45 - 10, Bears? Really? Really? Ugh. It wasn't broadcast in my area but I caught gamebreaks occasionally and after the fourth or fifth one I stopped screaming and just took the standard Chicago sports fan pose of shaking my head in shame.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Oct 2009, 02:58
Yeah, that one surprised me a bit. I'd sort of expected the bears to knock off the bengals.

Bit of a shame that. I don't like those Tiggrs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 27 Oct 2009, 08:02
I'm going to say something that will surprise most of you.  Last night's Skins/Eagles game actually gave me a little bit of hope.  Aside from some really huge fuck-ups (monumentally huge), we actually looked pretty damned good.  He just missed snaps, threw a stupid pass, decided that we didn't like holding onto the football while running and muffed a punt.  All you have to do is remove a couple of those plays and it would have been a football game.  Going into a bye week, I'm actually fairly confident that we can get something going, as long as Daniel Snyder doesn't get antsy and start firing people.  Also, Cooley being out is big, because our backup is completely and totally unable to block.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 27 Oct 2009, 18:58
Ugh. The Celtics could not be doing a better job of shitting this game away.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Oct 2009, 09:55
They won, though!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 29 Oct 2009, 03:08
Yeah! City beat the Iron and Johnno got a goal, hopefully that'll be good for his confidence and he'll lose that weight he put on.
re: Beckford; very nice goal and he looks like a talent for sure, just hope he doesn't get swooped up by a Premiership team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 29 Oct 2009, 13:26
So I assume that the clippers are a pretty bad basketball team (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fatal_staples_center_collapse).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Oct 2009, 21:23
Oh, man, the Clippers are depressing. Their owner sucks, but put that aside for a second. They keep drafting guys who are pretty promising right? High draft picks that come in and tear it up in summer leagues and have all the physical talent needed to succed. Then their knees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Livingston) explode. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_Griffin)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Oct 2009, 21:30
Man, now I'm bummed just thinking about it. Shaun Livingston has never been the same since his injury. Not even close. I've seen soccer injuries that looked as bad or worse, but none that were actually as catastrophic damage wise as his. Basically, everything in his knee became disconnected from the other parts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Oct 2009, 02:46
The image you just conjured forth turned my stomach. How do you even get back from that?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 30 Oct 2009, 03:23
It's no Nathan Brown (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX2yxGK5ZZw) injury.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Oct 2009, 03:31
And there goes lunch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 30 Oct 2009, 04:39
How can anybody forget about Eduardo's injury!

(http://www.jutarnji.hr/EPHResources/Images/2008/02/23/dud4.jpg)

The craziest thing is, this was only like a year or so ago and he's playing again, and playing pretty damn well!

EDIT: In case you can't fully comprehend what has happened there, his foot was hanging on by tendons and skin.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Oct 2009, 04:48
As a diet program, this thread is really starting to work for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Oct 2009, 06:15
So I assume that the clippers are a pretty bad basketball team (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/fatal_staples_center_collapse).

The Lakers play there too, though. And they're defending champs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 30 Oct 2009, 08:12
EDIT: In case you can't fully comprehend what has happened there, his foot was hanging on by tendons and skin.

Dude, bone injuries heal way better than soft tissue injuries.  I'd say broken bones are no problem as far as playing again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 30 Oct 2009, 08:43
As long as we're talking about knees exploding, here is most likely the worst injury in american football history (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8yOie0BY8&feature=PlayList&p=2F169B06E12BB27D&index=5)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 0bsessions on 30 Oct 2009, 09:22
I've always been partial to this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcqVloclNNI&feature=player_embedded).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 30 Oct 2009, 10:39
And there's always this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCXNt4P8Xg&feature=related)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 30 Oct 2009, 10:54
maybe im doing it wrong but this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3G4CfQEno0 was the nastiest id ever seen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 30 Oct 2009, 11:05
Yeah you're doin it rite (but also wrong that is nasty)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 30 Oct 2009, 13:03
Dude, bone injuries heal way better than soft tissue injuries.

Yeah, and unfortunately for Shaun Livingston, he tore his ACL, PCL, plus had severe MCL sprain. That's 3 out of 4 major knee ligaments, for those counting at home. That his kneecap came loose and was quickly followed by his tibia is sadly almost an afterthought.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 31 Oct 2009, 01:56
ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyy gooooodddddddd
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 31 Oct 2009, 07:45
Brilliant game in North London. Gunners defeat the Yid Army 3-0. If Arsenal keeps up this pace they might actually come away with some silverware.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Oct 2009, 08:07
Yeah, the Carling Cup's always an option for you guys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Nov 2009, 08:05
All those injuries ... brrr ...

It just affirms my belief that I should stick to martial arts. Much safer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 02 Nov 2009, 08:35
Do you want people to start posting youtube clips of all of the martial arts injuries from the past years?  Because that's what it sounds like you want us to do...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Nov 2009, 08:43
I have a couple of cousins who have cross trained a bit in wrestling and kick boxing together, and all I hear now when someone says "martial arts" is "dislocated fingers."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Nov 2009, 08:50
Also, muay thai fighters seem to break/dislocate elbows pretty much all the time. Usually by bashing them into the other guy's head repeatedly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 05 Nov 2009, 02:18
Well, I have a preferance for the arts coming out of Japan, so, Karate, JuiJitsui and Aikido. not much elbow smashing there.

Well, maybe a little.

Anyway, I never had anything serious happen to me and here's hoping that will stay that way.

So, how about that local sport's team? Are the baseball fans happy with the outcome of the worldseries?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: onewheelwizzard on 05 Nov 2009, 08:06
Man, fuck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 05 Nov 2009, 08:28
I am happy every time Philly loses.  I'm happy every time the Yankees lose, but they're from my division, so I kind of want them to win the world series just a tiny little bit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 05 Nov 2009, 09:41
BMX is a sport, and I had to share this:

 War Torn BMX   (http://rideukbmx.com/news/rideukbmx-iraq-war-torn-bmx.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jhocking on 05 Nov 2009, 10:24
Well, I have a preferance for the arts coming out of Japan, so, Karate, JuiJitsui and Aikido. not much elbow smashing there.

Ironically, the original purpose of ju jitsu was to break the other guy's arms and legs. The moves are not about punching or kicking, it's literally a set of moves designed to break bones. Obviously that doesn't make it unsafe for modern competition (rather than breaking each other's bones, modern competitors are wrestling) but in the context of this discussion the history of this martial art is still ironic.

Incidentally, I'm assuming you are talking about the Japanese martial art ju jitsu; when I googled that exact spelling ("juijitsui") the results were about a Brazilian martial art. Derived from Japanese arts, yes, but apparently more like judo than the closer sounding ju jitsu.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 05 Nov 2009, 22:01
I still don't know how to spell it. And if people tell me I forget.

It's just one of those words.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Nov 2009, 10:06
I hate fantasy football sometimes. I'm probably going to slowly lose the league due to attrition and bye weeks, mostly because the team I drafted was too good. My team rolled off 6 straight wins; I have the top scoring running back, the top scoring QB, 3 of the top 20 wide outs, the number 3 tight end. I even have the number 1 kicker and the number 5 defense despite the fact that I didn't even draft either position; I knew damn well that nobody would get those positions right so I simply waited 'till I could them up on the cheap. Unfortunately, all this early success means that I couldn't get anyone off the waiver wire while everyone else happily gutted their disappointing rosters and nabbed all the surprise breakout players while some of my backup players have stumbled. Even worse, I've lost a couple of matchups now, which has hurt my standings but not enough to let me get any relief in the waiver order. It's really annoying because I'm now tied with a guy whose team that has scored 100 less total points than mine but has had abysmally sad opponents whereas 5 out of 8 of my opponents would have led the league in scoring that week if I hadn't of beaten them. And now the lucky bastard faces my team just as my best player (who also plays my thinnest position!) goes on a bye week. Oh, and my starting quarterback has injured both feet. FML.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 08 Nov 2009, 12:24
Despite being sick, I went to the bar to watch the game, making sure to keep away from everyone.  My Redskins were mocking the way football was supposed to be played.  It was truly horrific.  So, I go home and try to get better.  Now they've completely come alive scoring 14 unanswered points.  Maybe I should avoid watching these guys every week.

edit:  Okay.  I was worried that we had actually become a good team.  All better now that they broke a damned run for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 08 Nov 2009, 13:17
Tampa Bay are winning 31-28, have possession, are on 4th and 1 at Green Bay's 31 yard line and the clock is at 01:48.... So close to winning their first game, but so far...


EDIT: Greenbay were 4th and 12 on their 11, they went to throw it, Tampa Bay intercepts and gets the TD! Games in the bag, Tampa Bay break their losing streak!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Nov 2009, 15:05
The idea that the Lions have a chance to be the only team in the division to win a game this week is delicious. Any week where the Vikings can get ahead in the standings by not playing is a good week.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 08 Nov 2009, 15:07
I'm secretly hoping that the Lions win so that I can give my friend a hard time about liking such a shitty team.

Of course this all depends on whether or not the Niners can avoid sucking enough to not blow this game against the Titans.

Well, it seems the Niners are in fact doing their best to blow this game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Nov 2009, 15:12
You know what I'm excited about? New Orleans (+119 point differential) vs. St. Louis (-144 point differential). It could end up like the Patriots-Titans debacle, except sadder, since St. Louis's terrible play is the product of genuine effort.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Nov 2009, 17:06
Great to see the Wallabies win a game of rugby for a change. It'd be awesome if they could somehow manage the grand slam. At half-time in the match against England I honestly thought they were probably going to lose it, but their second half dominance was unbelievable. They've still got a nasty habit of bombing certain tries by not throwing the last pass to an unmarked player, and their discipline is still a worry, but hopefully they're getting better. It was a really entertaining game, the most entertaining I can remember seeing in a long time, with tactical kicking kept more or less to a minimum and both teams looking to run the ball (though with mixed results). And holy shit, I still can't believe Adam Ashley-Cooper managed to drag three defenders ten metres to score that try. Footage here, from 0:50: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2s_B4O41yU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2s_B4O41yU).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Nov 2009, 22:03
I knew the Bears-Cards game was gonna go nowhere, but jeeeeeeez
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 06:25
(http://i37.tinypic.com/11jxcsz.jpg)

My favorite part: Drogba got booked for flapping around on the ground for five minutes afterwards, like a complete fucking idiot.

btw Ryan, the only reason Tampa won is because of those idiotic "creamsicle" throwbacks. Then again, when they wore them on a regular basis, they were TERRIBLE.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 09 Nov 2009, 06:48
Yeah, back in the founding days, the Buccaneers didn't even win a game till near the end of the second season of existence.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 07:08
My favourite part is that Manchester United lost the game and probably the league too. Awesome.

At this point last year, we were six points behind Chelsea, and still won the league. We're only five back this time around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 09 Nov 2009, 07:24
My favourite part is that Manchester United lost the game and probably the league too. Awesome.

But how can you enjoy Manchester United losing, when Chelsea end up winning?

I grew up during the 90s when Man United were winning everything. Even as a 7 year old I found myself hating them for this. My opinions on them have not changed one bit over the past decade. Very few men can irritate my simply by being on TV the way Gary Neville can.

But at the same time, fuck Chelsea. I have spent the last few years trying to decide who to dislike the least. I change my mind seemingly every week. These two teams sum up everything I don't like about modern football. The constant hounding of referees; the diving; the persecution complexes; the huge discrepancies between their budgets and everybody elses; Frank Fucking Lampard. Why do they have to win everything?

At least they don't have Phil Brown in charge I suppose.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 09 Nov 2009, 07:29
Football should be more like the NFL. Having salary caps would be a huge plus to the game I reckon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 07:31
But how can you enjoy Manchester United losing, when Chelsea end up winning?

A) Tommy's a Leeds United supporter

B) DROGBA GOT BOOKED FOR GETTING A BOOT TO THE CHEST! What a fuck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 09 Nov 2009, 07:36
He got booked for rolling around like a fucking pussy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 09:51
Tommy, I think Eric Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba-Djemba was only signed for two dollars. They paid Diego Forlan and Alan Smith in hair product, and Dong Fangzhou..well..did he ever actually play for United? They signed him for a case of Snickers.

(Maybe I am mixing up "worth" and "market price", though.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 09 Nov 2009, 10:56
Given the same money, I think virtually everyone with even a passing knowledge of football could have easily emulated his success given the same kind of budget.

I reckon Kevin Keegan would have done a worse job than Ferguson did. And Berbatov was a better Ł30m than Veron was. And both were better value than Kleberson.

I think my biggest problem with Chelsea is that they went from being Gianfranco Zola to what they are now. A thoroughly likeable guy, playing for a pretty likeable team. Then they got all the cash, no longer likeable and they completely screwed over Adrian Mutu. I struggle to name one Chelsea player I do not mind. At least Man United have always had Giggs and Solskjaer, whereas the nicest thing I can say about Chelsea is that they aren't Rangers.

I certaintly won't celebrate should either of them win, but I think I'd be less annoyed at Man U winning than at Chelsea. If John Terry would cry again, then that would be pretty much ideal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 11:00
Don't ever say Kleberson's name again. He and David Bellion were two of the dumbest signings I've ever seen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 09 Nov 2009, 11:04
How dare you speak ill of King Kev, architecht of one of the greatest seasons of championship football ever in 01-02
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 09 Nov 2009, 11:27
I thought it was a reasonable comparison, as Keegan was given a great deal of cash at Newcastle in the 90s, and still failed to bring the title home. Even at Fulham and Man City, he had a fair amount of money for non-Premiership teams.

Don't ever say Kleberson's name again. He and David Bellion were two of the dumbest signings I've ever seen.

How about Liam Miller then? What was the point in signing him? How about Park Ji-Sung still getting a game? Nani and Valencia costing Ł30million between them?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Nov 2009, 11:38
I love Park. Park off the bench, especially.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Nov 2009, 13:35
Sometimes it's not about good or bad but market value. Even as a English football outsider, I have an inkling of what Tommy is talking about, since managers routinely overpaying somewhat expendable players is a frustrating situation that can happen in any professional team sport you care to name. Some teams essentially end up bidding against themselves when pursuing players and it can really end up throwing everything out of whack in the long run. Paying a fairly average 27 year old premiership player 2.5 million when you could have replaced him for half that doesn't sound like a gigantic misstep by sport standards, but it can really hurt you in the end when a rising young star's agent sees that salary and says "Well, my man is worth at least twice as much as that shmuck." It reminds me of how the local NBA team here in Minnesota operated for many years; they routinely overpaid veteran backups by two to three million each a year as opposed to cycling in untested youngsters on the cheap. That doesn't sound like much money by NBA standards, but when you add up the sum total you'll find that many teams could afford another useful roleplayer if they could just avoid such missteps.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Nov 2009, 22:28
A post in which I defend a Brett Favre interception.

I can't get over this whole Favre-is-a-Viking thing. I know everyone else on the planet is sick of hearing it, but to me, it's still sinking in it. This is some bizarro world shit going on. I realized today that I've been actively defending his play for a while now. If you had told me this would happen in 1996 I would have looked at you like you were a god damned space alien.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Nov 2009, 13:27
A very sad story from the world of International football today as German Goalkeeper Robert Enke died:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8353733.stm

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1110/enke.html

The reports say he was hit by a train and suspicion is that he committed suicide after the death of his daughter from a rare heart condition in 2006 when she was 2 years old.

He had recently been confirmed as the number 1 Goalkeeper for the German national side and would in all likelihood have been the Goalkeeper at the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

Update: It has been confirmed as a suicide

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11112009/58/bundesliga-enke-death-confirmed-suicide.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Nov 2009, 14:04
The Bears are on Thursday night Football but  NFL Network is the only place that's airing it. FFFFUUUU
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Nov 2009, 14:04
... probably gonna lose anyway. Our defense is falling apart.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Nov 2009, 19:09
uggggggggghhhhhhhh
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 14 Nov 2009, 13:13
Did you know the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by Williams Shatner is about LCD too?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 14 Nov 2009, 13:27
OH SHIT

edit:
Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto, anybody bothered?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 14 Nov 2009, 14:05
I am interested but I don't know whether I will watch it live with it being broadcast at around 3:30am GMT. It's going to be a very difficult fight for Pacquiao with Cotto only losing one bout in his career but I think he will just about win it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 15 Nov 2009, 17:17
You know who's team is definitely not going to lose today?  Mine.  The Redskins will, in fact, avoid tacking on losses at least two Sundays in a row.

Congratulations!

Also, are the cowboys collapsing ahead of schedule this year?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 15 Nov 2009, 17:21
I hope.  Maybe we can stretch it to two wins in a row.  The Skins usually keep it pretty close for NFC East games, no matter how bad they are, so if the Cowboys are falling apart, we could end up winning that game.  Hell, we might end up at .500 (we won't).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 Nov 2009, 17:33
So I ended up staying up to watch the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight and wow, was that a one-sided fight or what? Right from the off Pacquiao was all over him with completely unmatched speed and movement while Cotto tried to pick a one-punch KO from pretty much nowhere. Mid-fight Cotto tried to change his tactics a little by doing more legwork and making Pacquiao chase him around the ring to hit him but by the time he tried this the fight was already over as he had been knocked down (commentary claimed twice but I still maintain that the first time he fell to the mat was more of a slip than from being hit).

Now a champion across 7 different weight divisions, there is surely nothing that anyone can say that would prevent him from being recognised as an all-time great boxer and at only 30 years old there is still time to add some more belts to his collection.

My personal opinion is that it would take an awful lot for him to make it 8 divisions as that would mean straying from his optimum weight by much more than is really possible for maintaining a boxing style that he is used to; too much weight would prevent his movement around the ring from being as spry and difficult to watch as it usually is and too little weight would remove some of the power in his punches that he optimises well. However, a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. (bringing him out of retirement once again) to try to prove the best fighter of the last decade is a possibility with only one weight division the difference between them (Pacquiao classed at Light Welterweight and Mayweather Jr. classed as a Welterweight), a fight that anyone with even a remote interest in professional boxing would be drooling to see.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 15 Nov 2009, 17:36
Pacquiao performed a concert afterwards, what a man.
In sports today: WOOOOO BENGALS WOO.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Nov 2009, 18:16
I dunno, all things considered, the Cowboys loss was bad, but doesn't necessarily say much about their odds in other games due to the fumbles. Even if you put the ball on the ground, there's still a chance the other team won't come up with it, and they're an easy thing for the refs to get involved with, so you never really know which way they will go. Obviously it's not a good sign that they happen, but I'd still take Dallas over a lot of teams.

Well, in the regular season, at least.


I'm bummed out that the Pack won though. If they had lost, I would have started campaigning that the Vikings bench Favre so he could just show up to games with a newspaper, slippers and a smoking jacket until playoff time rolls around. Sadly, he probably cares about his consecutive start record and I suppose it'd be nice to at least stay in theoretical contention for the number 1 seed, although I don't really think the Vikings have a realistic chance of overtaking New Orleans. Still, I can't see anyone else in the NFC North making a run at this point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 15 Nov 2009, 19:13
That Bungles win over the Pittsburghs was pretty impressive. The defense gets all the credit there.

Also, anyone surprised that the Colts are down 24 - 14 to the Pats at halftime? I mean, they're definitely still in it, but they're not really playing with much intensity and I think that's what's given the Pats the edge (that, and the pass rush, Peyton doesn't look comfortable in the pocket yet).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Nov 2009, 19:28
The only thing that could really surprise me about that game would be a truly one sided blowout, which just isn't happening. There's a lot to like about the Patriots and Indy is really good but has some holes here and there, particularly in the secondary. This is kind of an issue, since, you know, Randy Moss still plays football.

I'm still kind of pissed that we traded him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 15 Nov 2009, 19:40
He is a total dingbat though. He was T.O. before it was the new hip thang.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Nov 2009, 19:52
You realize that Terrell Owens got into deep shit a couple times before Randy even was in the league, right?'

Randy Moss had maturity issues, it's true. He's a dingbat and a distraction at times. He wasn't anywhere near as bad as Owens though. Owens actively antagonized his teammates. A few players like Culpepper and Robert Smith didn't get along with Randy, but if you lived in the Minneapolis area, you'd find that people not getting along with Culpepper was a pretty damned common issue and Robert Smith was frankly pretty sick of football before Randy even came on board. Randy Moss doesn't necessarily always care about football, but he did actually care about his teammates so he wasn't as bad of an internal issue as T.O. often was even if he was commonly a media target; he was a wreck over Korey Stringer's death, for example.

Also, it's not covered in the media very often, but basically, Daunte is kind of an ass and I suspect that the team wouldn't have kept him around if he weren't a highly drafted QB with a nice arm. There's a reason nobody was exactly dying to scoop him off the scrapheap once his knee went, and it's not all just because he probably couldn't run anymore.  I'll say it again: that he didn't get along with Randy isn't very surprising; Daunte wasn't really known to get along with anybody.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Nov 2009, 20:09
I can't stress this enough, btw: Minnesota is one of the few states where the local media still really protects their players more often than not. That's why you hear about things like Randy Moss's legal issues but not about the some of the wonderful Daunte urban legends floating around; if it's public record, the national media picks up on it pretty quick. But things like Kevin Garnett routinely punching out his teammates (yes, that's a plural; he'd punch out guys in summer league games) gets quashed quicker than you can imagine.

Hell, ESPN hired a Minneapolis based writer to cover their NFC North blog and it is now the most blatantly homer section of the site short of a Bill Simmons Larry Bird column.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Nov 2009, 02:34
Ugh.

Pats.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 16 Nov 2009, 02:57
As much as I've kept my grudge against the Colts from the BearColt Super Bowl, it's always a happy day when the Pats lose. At least Bill & Brady waited till time expired to jog off the field (without so much as a "good game"). When they left with 30 seconds to go in the Super Bowl, well, that was just hilarious(ly unsportsmanlike).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Nov 2009, 07:27
I could have sworn I saw Brady go and shake Manning's hand after the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 16 Nov 2009, 07:59
NEEDZ MOAR ICE HOCKEY

So now that the season is around 1/5 to 1/4 of the way through the league is starting to shape up and we can see what teams are going to have a chance of finishing where. To all you Tronno and Carolina people out there i'm sorry but your season is over already; all other teams still stand a chance of making the playoffs but I am going to go ahead and discount St. Louis and Florida too as they don't seem to have strong enough rosters to stand a chance of turning it around later in the season.

For teams supported on the forum: the Flyers are distinctly average right now relying heavily on Richards, Carter and Pronger though with Emery in goal this season there are many less issues in that respect but it doesn't mean the rest of the team can slack off like they are doing; The Bruins are sucking out loud and really need to get into focus over the next 10 games or so otherwise they will see themselves slipping away from the playoff bubble and having what would amount to a disastrous season; someone supports the Capitals, i believe, who are moving along steadily at the top end of the table although with Ovechkin out injured are struggling a little (as would be expected when you lose arguably the world's best player). I don't think that there are any more supported teams here but a shout out to the Islanders is deserved after their great turnaround from the first 10 games when they were losing in OT every game to their progression into the playoff bubble with a great chance of making it provided they keep key players injury free.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 16 Nov 2009, 08:50
Who needs Ovechkin when you've got Varlamov ensuring that nobody scores a goal, ever?  Also, I am happy that Bill apparently screwed the Patriots by making a poor decision (what I heard?), because I fucking hate that man.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 16 Nov 2009, 15:18
Actually, the Caps have conceded more goals than almost all of the other teams sitting in the playoff spots right now (Columbus Blue Jackets and LA Kings the only exceptions) and more than a couple of the non-playoff sitting teams too.

Varlamov does indeed have better than average stats but he is by no means preventing the other teams from scoring (22 GA in 9 games, 0 shutouts) though he looks certain to become the #1 Caps goalie any time soon with Theodore struggling so badly (3.08GAA). Regular high-scoring wins are what has kept the Caps up at the top with the last 5 results being: 2-5L; 1-3W; 4-5W; 4-7W; 4-1W (21GF, 15GA).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 16 Nov 2009, 19:07
Dear Players of Grimsby Town FC: An Ode to Long-Suffering Sports Supporters everywhere (http://www.thefishy.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1257631840/s-0/)

Quote
Dear Players of Grimsby Town FC

I am writing with regard to my absolute astonishment and disbelief as to the sheer magnitude of your complete lack of talent and failure to carry out the job for which you are paid to do. I am not aware of any swear word or other derogatory phrase in my current vocabulary which comes close to a description of your ‘performance’ (and I use that term loosely) this afternoon, but let me just say that you have collectively reached a level of inadequacy and ineptitude that neither I nor modern science had previously considered possible.

In fact I recall a time, in my youth, when I decided to call in sick at work and instead spent the entire day in my one bedroom flat wearing nothing but my underpants, eating toast and wánking furiously over second-rate Scandinavian porn. Yet somehow, I still managed to contribute more to my employer in that one Andrex-filled day than you complete bunch of toss-baskets have contributed to this club in your entire time here.

I would genuinely like to know how you pathetic little píssflaps sleep at night, knowing full well that you have taken my money and that of several thousand others and delivered precisely fúck all in return. I run a business myself, and I believe I could take any 4,000 of my customers at random; burn down their houses, impregnate their wives and then dismember their children before systematically sending them back in the post, limb-by-limb, and still ensure a level of customer satisfaction which exceeds that which I have experienced at Blundell Park at any time so far this season.

You are a total disgrace, not only to your profession, not only to the human race, but to nature itself. This may sound like an exaggeration, but believe me when I say that I have passed kidney stones which have brought me a greater level of pleasure and entertainment than watching each of you worthless excuses for professional footballers attempt to play a game you are clearly incapable of playing, week-in, week-out.

I considered, for a second, that I was perhaps being a little too harsh. But then I recalled that I have blindly given you all the benefit of the doubt for too long now. Yes, for too long you have failed to earn the air you’ve been breathing by offering any kind of tangible quality either as footballers or as people in general. As such, I feel it’s only fair that your supply runs out forthwith.

I trust, at this precise moment in time, that Mr Fenty is in his office tapping away on the Easyjet web site booking you all one-way flights to Zurich, complete with an overnight stay with our cheese eating friends at Dignitas. Don’t bother packing your toothbrush – you won’t need it.

In the event that our beloved chairman can’t afford the expense (understandable given that he’s soon going to have to assemble a new squad from scratch), then I am prepared to sell my family (including my unborn child) to a dubious consortium of Middle Eastern businessmen in order to pay for the flights. Christ, I’ll drive you there myself, one-by one, without sleep, if I have to.

Failing that, understanding that most dubious Middle Eastern businessmen are tied-up purchasing Premier League football clubs, I ask you to please take matters into your hands. Use your imagination, guys – strangle yourselves or cover yourself in tinfoil and take a fork to a nearby plug socket, or something. Just put yourselves and us fans out of our collective misery.

So, in summary, you pack of repugnant, sputum-filled, invertebrate bástards; leave this club now and don’t you fúcking dare look back. You’ve consistently demonstrated less passion and desire than can commonly be found within the contents of a sloth’s scrótum, so frankly you can just all fúck off – don’t pass go, don’t collect your wages, don’t ever come back to this town again.

I look forward to you serving me at my local McDonald’s drive-thru in the near future.

Yours sincerely


A very disillusioned Mariner

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 16 Nov 2009, 19:17
hah @ the fishy men.
Magic of the FA Cup.
Go Bath City!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 16 Nov 2009, 19:22
That is a fantastic rant that long-suffering fans everywhere can likely relate to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 16 Nov 2009, 19:40
Quote
Forward With Negouai

Say what you like about Kevin Keegan. But, when he described Christian Negouai as "the most exciting player" he'd ever signed, he could scarcely be accused of over-egging the pudding. Agreed, 'exciting' is not how all fans expressed Christian's arrival. But, subsequent events have proved KK right. Of course, one makes these extravagant claims during moments of excitement - KK made a career out of it. And, let's be honest, he's hardly a man given to understatement. On this occasion though, our former manager could possibly have gone further. Because, with the best will in the world, 'exciting' doesn't even begin to describe Christian Negouai. It doesn't come close. Would it be immodest to claim that he's the most exciting player of all time? Sure, there have been 'great' players. 'All Time Greats', even. But you will search in vain for anyone who's generated as much God-knows-what-this-guy's-going-to-do-next exhilaration with such little effort? Who else has crammed so much breathtaking lunacy into so few minutes of football? For sheer amusement, you'd have to go a long, long way to find a player with a career as wincingly magnetic as our No. 30.

My own curiosity in Christian Negouai was kick-started by what remains the most blatant 'hand of God' moment connected with the club since Bobby MacDonald punched one in against Peterborough United in the 1980-81 FA Cup run. It would be difficult to exaggerate how badly Christian played during his home debut versus Rotherham. There was, for some, a question mark against his passing. Frankly, it wasn't all it could have been. Realising immediately that passing (long or short range) was not within his field of reference, those present wondered if crunching tackles might be his thing instead. An 'Enforcer', perhaps? Sadly not. The spirit seemed willing enough. The body less so. Stricken by indecision, little came off for our hero as he failed to adjust to Maine Road's wide open spaces. He had the air of having just jumped up from a heavy meal. The game seemed to pass him by. Incredibly, he went on to 'score' by palming the ball over the line (a skill in itself) from a corner.

All right so far then? Off to a nice start.

Of course, it couldn't last. And, after a long run (by Christian's standards) of uninterrupted football, the boom finally fell (three days later!) away at Blackburn in the Worthington Cup. Remember, by this point, Christian had already amassed around two hours in a City shirt (he'd made his actual debut the week before at Portsmouth). As anyone will tell you, that kind of punishing schedule can only be maintained for so long. And so it proved. Following two of his, now trademark, lunges he was sent off for two bookable offences. Harsh.

There followed the first of Christian's notorious - and numerous - 'quiet' periods. Little is known of the artist's movements during these mysterious absences. But they have become a feature of his time with the club. Suffice it to say that, after the success of his 'early work', not much was seen of the 'leggy' midfielder for a while as he got down to the serious business of skiving. Cruelly, injury deprived him of any further cameos during the remainder of his debut season. Even in extremis though, Christian has always retained the happy knack of being able to let things go from bad to worse, to even worse, to all time low. For, where Christian leads, controversy follows - even into the Treatment Room. Operations on both knees were soon diagnosed. A devastating blow. Rest and relaxation prescribed. Christian knew better, of course, and ignored the club's medical advice.

Needless to say, his recovery took longer than expected. KK went berserk. And, by the time he finally re-emerged (for the Reserves in the Senior Cup Final - during the last game of the second year of his contract) he'd fallen way down the midfield batting order. Difficult times. If there was a thin shard of sunlight poking through that gloomy period though, it was the news that Christian intended to apply for Belgian citizenship in an effort to advance his international aspirations - modestly, he accepted that Zidane had got a stranglehold on his coveted French No. 10 shirt. His hopes were boosted when he netted (again!) on his return to the first team. Astonishingly, this time it was in Europe. The UEFA Cup, no less!

Dizzy with expectation, by now, many of us had persuaded ourselves we had a real cult hero in our midst. If anything, his credentials were enhanced even further when he unwittingly became embroiled in a 'doping' scandal that later became tangled up in the FA's president-setting treatment of forgetful Rio Ferdinand. The fact that Christian's failure to be tested (he claimed he had to nip to the airport to pick his mum up) was met with a mere slap on the wrists - Ferdinand went on to receive a high-profile six-month ban - only increased his share price amongst Blues. But if his stock was rising off the pitch, he was no closer to securing regular football on it. Frustration.

Another quiet period followed - this time in, of all places, Austria, where he set up camp on loan to Sturm Graz. Ahead of schedule though, Christian was back at his beloved City. His self exile over, Christian continued his purposeful slide into degradation by turning out for the Reserves. That he ended up opening the bowling for Asa Hartford's young side, operating as Centre Forward was hardly a matter of choice. One has the impression the club's coaches felt they'd tried him everywhere else (midfield, in 'the hole', central defence). Why not up front? Feed off his flick-ons. Could work.

With bewildering speed he was back in a first team shirt again. There are times when the occasion seems to demand Christian Negouai. And a meaningless October Carling Cup tie at home to an under-strength Champions Select XI appeared a perfect arena for another comeback. Those of us, who, by now, were hooked on Negouai, could have been forgiven for expecting things to go wrong. But not quite to the extent they did. Let's just say the result was not altogether the success we had anticipated. Clearly, he was rusty and couldn't be risked for the full 90. The plan was to hold the Champions for as long as possible. And then unleash Christian, late on, to exploit Arsenal's tired legs. He came on with 20 minutes to go.

Within minutes though, 13 to be precise, he was back on more familiar territory - the bench. The sub had been subbed! To be fair, he'd been involved in a horrible injury. Taking his courage in both hands, our no. 30 had charged after a loose ball. Stretching for it (in the midst of a cold snap, remember) he found he'd arrived at the touchline without changing down the requisite number of gears. And, having failed to make provision for a pitch-side puddle, he crumpled to the ground - in stages. I swear the wind died for a moment or two, before, with his dignity in motion, Christian signalled for the physio. And that was that.

His next soon-to-be-abandoned match featured another run out as sub. Boxing Day, 2004. Away at Everton. And the slapstick continued. This time he only lasted 3 minutes. A record? Intent on more mayhem, Christian ran straight into problems - more accurately, Marcus Bent. Straight red. Unbelievable. He stood around being devastated for what seemed the appropriate length of time. And then folded his bat. That capped it. Something snapped within KK. And Christian was, literally, sent to Coventry - with largely disappointing results. To no-one's surprise, injury (a recurring theme) cut short his stay in the Midlands. And Christian was back in the stands by the time Keegan gave way to Pearce and the proverbial slate was wiped clean.

How our hearts danced when Christian was named as a sub for the Liverpool game. I shudder to think what he'd have cooked up for us if he'd been let off the leash that day. But it wasn't to be. No yellow cards. No straight red. No controversy. No nothing really. A huge disappointment - and what is known, in Negouai terms, as a 'collector's item'. Certainly a sad way to bow out.

It seems unlikely we will ever see his like again. At the time of writing he appears to have been confined to barracks - once again, held hostage by his past. Cut adrift. After a series of failures, each more dismal than the last, a recall now looks unlikely. And yet, many Blues maintain that Keegan has been more or less exonerated - and I would suggest more rather than less.

In an age of rush and hurry, Christian always did things his own way. Utterly unsuited to the task of playing football, I maintain that Christian Negouai is still the 'most exciting player' I have ever seen.

To end with this. When researching this piece, I looked up Christian's career stats on the club's official site. My jaw dropped when I saw he wasn't listed under 'midfielders' in the official squad run-down. Panic. Then I noticed our midfield had been sub-divided into 'defensive' and 'attacking' midfielders. I scanned the 'attacking' nominees. Not there either. Momentarily flustered, I began casting around amongst other hiding places. Central defence? Striker? Nothing. On the brink of giving up, I scrolled down. And there he was. Filed simply under 'Midfielder, Christian Negouai.' Alone. In a class of his own. To the last, utterly unique.

Forward with Negouai!

Durutti City, May 2005
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 16 Nov 2009, 23:39
Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

Man, I know a guy who is still insisting that Cotto could have/should have won that fight if it weren't for the 4th round. I mean, I get that cognitive dissonance is a bitch and that he doesn't like Pacquiao, but c'mon! You can't say "Except for the round where he nearly got reduced to a small bloody pile, changing the complexion of the fight, he was winning," with a straight face and expect me to take you seriously.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 16 Nov 2009, 23:44
You can't say "Except for the round where he nearly got reduced to a small bloody pile, changing the complexion of the fight, he was winning," with a straight face and expect me to take you seriously.

The funniest thing about this is that there was only 1, maybe 1 1/2 rounds where Cotto didn't almost get reduced to a small, bloody pile.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Nov 2009, 00:04
Yeah, I've seen a tape of the fight although I didn't see it live. Cotto was game for a few rounds, but then Manny hurt him bad and it turned into a one sided but leisurely paced beatdown for the rest of the night. Sometimes boxing is just that simple.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 18 Nov 2009, 16:35
NEEDZ MOAR ICE HOCKEY

Thanks for getting me back into hockey Rob.

So guys, I'm following the Buffalo Sabres. Half my family is from there and I am moving there so I'll be able to go and watch games. I'm pleased to see that they aren't doing terribly. Also, FUCK YES I LOVE HOCKEY.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Nov 2009, 11:45
hint of handball

Fucking hint? Henry himself said it was a definite handball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Nov 2009, 12:03
To be fair, it's unclear as to whether or not he was actually using telekinesis.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Nov 2009, 15:11
Also the hand may have been possessed, so it's possible it wasn't even Henry's fault when he handled the ball and then extended his arm so that the ball rolled in down it towards his foot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: chowburger on 19 Nov 2009, 15:23
Quote
Arriving at a summit meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, Brian Cowen [head of the Irish government] said he agreed with calls for a replay since, 'fair play is a fundamental part of the game.'

He said he would be discussing the matter with the French President Nicholas Sarkozy on the margins of the summit although he did not want 'to raise it to high diplomatic status.'

Srs business, you guys. (http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/1119/ireland.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: supersheep on 19 Nov 2009, 16:56
fucking hell that is ridiculous

i mean i was as pissed off as anyone but it's all over and done with now. we can claim the moral high ground "sure we won it really apart from that cheating bastard". also why the FUCK is our government boohooing to the french government about this, shouldn't he be busy dealing with the NAMA and the recession and all that other malarkey? don't we have a minister for sports to deal with this?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Nov 2009, 17:39
If they were really serious about the result of a football match they'd go to war over it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Nov 2009, 03:54
Happened. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Nov 2009, 03:57
Yes, indeed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 20 Nov 2009, 03:58
[...]
FUCK YES I LOVE HOCKEY.

What I like about hockey is that when pictures are taken of teams and the team is asked to smile you see an overwhelming number of holes where teeth ought to be. Like a dentist commercial in reverse.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Nov 2009, 15:17
I do love the fact that Ovechkin proudly rocks the missing teeth. You've got this dude who's pretty much the face of the league, talent pouring out the ass, and he looks like shit all the time. All scruffy and missing a front tooth.

(http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/magazine/specials/sportsman/2008/11/24/price.ovechkin/alexander-Ovechkin.e-.jpg)

edit: Can you give me some shots vodka, please? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK1yeT1f2jg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 22 Nov 2009, 15:50
Why did we have to play a better game and get stuck with 7-6?  Fuck you Suisham.  Fuck you in your stupid, kicker ass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 22 Nov 2009, 15:55
I seriously expected we'd get our asses kicked. Actually getting so close to winning almost made it worst.
Why did they try a 50 yd FG? WHY?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 22 Nov 2009, 17:26
I woke up today totally expecting the Vikings to win, because they are very good and the Seahawks are pretty bad. So that was pretty cool; I haven't truly been in "I am confident my team will take care of business and defeat a clearly inferior opponent," territory for quite a while. Midway through the second quarter I turned the game off as it became obvious the Vikings were going to completely destroy the Seahawks and went to go help a lady friend I hadn't seen in a long time pick up some furniture from her parents' house. I've known her family for years, since she went to high school with my sister and they're card carrying born-in-Wisconsin Packer fans. This meant I got to cheerfully heckle her dad while moving stuff out to her car, which eventually led to a good natured but occasionally heated argument in which the lady explained to her dad that she felt more loyalty to Favre than to the Packers. It was delicious. Plus, to paraphrase Zombieland and keep the sports analogies going, I got intentionally walked to 1st pretty much the second we got to her place. This season has been surreal and frankly I don't even care how the playoffs turn out anymore.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 23 Nov 2009, 11:41
Bloody Bengals and Bloody City.
=(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Nov 2009, 14:13
The Bears-Eagles game was ugly all over, but when Donovan McNabb took Jay Cutler aside after the game and talked to him for a full two minutes, it made my heart swell. You just never see that kind of thing in the league anymore - a veteran player giving advice to a younger player, telling him not to worry about the media, not to listen to the boos from the crowd, just keep your head up, go back to practice and do better next week. Fans are fickle and all you can do is do your best and learn from your mistakes. What a class act. So much respect for Donovan McNabb right now.

In other news, the whole "do better next week" thing probably won't work out because we're playing the Vikings. ffffuuuuu
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 23 Nov 2009, 14:40
I liked seeing that too.
Who knows more about being unnecessarily booed than Donovan?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 23 Nov 2009, 14:44
In other news, the whole "do better next week" thing probably won't work out because we're playing the Vikings. ffffuuuuu

We're up against the Lions coming off their close call against the Cleveland Browns.  I am terribly worried about next week.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Nov 2009, 14:51
I liked seeing that too.
Who knows more about being unnecessarily booed than Donovan?

Srsly. I think I'm the only Bears fan I know who's not flip-flopped on the Cutler issue, and has been supporting him from the beginning. Everybody likes him when he plays well, and hates him when he doesn't. He's like the Boston Red Sox of Chicago. People need to realize that a young QB in a new system with the youngest receiver set in the league isn't going to take us to the Super Bowl just yet. Granted, he could be playing better, but there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account. Lovie Smith / Ron Turner haven't ever coached a QB of his caliber, for one thing, and the playbook isn't built for him - on another note, he's used to throwing to Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, not inexperienced rookies and Devin "I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up" Hester. The fact that our O-line is about as strong as a rotten picket fence doesn't help anything, either, and they're the main reason our running game can't get off the ground. On top of this, the defense has been suffering from a plague of injuries, though in the past couple of games it looks like they've finally gelled a bit.


Simply put, the Bears as a team are a mess this year and Cutler's less-than-superstar playing is a minor issue that's being trotted out as the reason for all our woes when it's just not the case.

/ends rant.

Ugh fans are stupid and make me raeg.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Nov 2009, 14:54

In other news, the whole "do better next week" thing probably won't work out because we're playing the Vikings.

The Bears just about always play us tough, but yeah, with that o-line I suspect the post game reports will look something like this:

(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a207/Xyljin/Allenwithbear.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Nov 2009, 15:16
The best part is I'm probably going to be watching that game in a household of Vikings fans.

Wait, did I say best? I meant I will take my own life.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 23 Nov 2009, 15:33
Bears offense doesn't consist of nearly enough passes to Forte.
Or that mighty pair of tight ends.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Nov 2009, 16:20
Bears offense doesn't consist of nearly enough passes to Forte. good passing plays

And the reasons. (http://www.bearshistory.com/lore/chicagobearsquarterbacks.aspx)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 25 Nov 2009, 13:51
I have never seen Gradel play before. Does he do that on a regular basis? There can't be many teams in League 1 who can afford to put someone capable of that on the bench. The only way this Leeds side weren't going to go up was if they imploded again. You seem to have got a managed able to avoid this, from what I've seen of him so far.

And Man U lost. Always nice to see, but I'm not sure quite what difference it makes as they've already qualified and it wasn't a full strength team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 25 Nov 2009, 15:27
Considering he almost fell over the ball and his own feet I can't imagine he does that kind of thing a lot.

However, after recent events I am not exactly happy with football. Liverpool are having their worst season for a few years having finished 3rd in their group in the Champion's League and are now in the Europa League which is basically a souvenir trophy that we shouldn't be touching with a barge pole. Also, league form is not exactly great, being around 15 points behind the leaders and not even in the top 4. What the fuck is going on?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 25 Nov 2009, 16:05
Considering he almost fell over the ball and his own feet I can't imagine he does that kind of thing a lot.

You must be watching different footage from what I'm watching.

QPR lost to Derby 2-0 but they're still in sixth place which I'm given to understand is a "play-off" position or something when it comes to potential promotion at the end of the season. I have to admit it kind of defeats the purpose of supporting a perennially under-achieving team when they suddenly become the wealthiest club in England or some such.

Oh and Australia lost to Scotland in the Rugby. To Scotland. And they lost to themselves, really. Hey, Quade Cooper, how do you bomb a certain try when you've got a 3-on-2 overlap? Oh that's right, you throw a stupid long cut-out pass that goes forward and actually makes the winger's job harder instead of just passing to your outside centre, letting him draw the opposite winger and then pass to his winger who would've been unmarked on his outside.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 25 Nov 2009, 18:26
AHHHH C'MON FUCKIN BUFFALO WHY CANT YOU WIN A GODDAMN GAME?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 25 Nov 2009, 21:27
Because they are Buffalo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 26 Nov 2009, 02:44
It seems an oddly simple answer, really.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 Nov 2009, 02:51
I mean, this is the franchise that went to the Super Bowl four times in a row and lost each one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 26 Nov 2009, 03:35
Talkin about hockey. Sorry for the confusion. The Sabres are the only good thing to come out of Buffalo and they are sucking when I watch them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Christophe on 26 Nov 2009, 03:37
Then what is it that you should stop doing
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 Nov 2009, 04:00
Talkin about hockey. Sorry for the confusion.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UhK6Ss-YgAI/Rcm9s1xXMcI/AAAAAAAAAEg/suzlZGA1scQ/s400/al-hakim-shaking-fist.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 26 Nov 2009, 06:10
You must be watching different footage from what I'm watching.

In the first second or two he gets the ball trapped under his feet, swivels his head and luckily finds where it is. In that situation it often tends to confuse not only the player with the ball but also the defenders so I presume that is why they all rushed out at him. From this he is able to get through them and he then finishes the move very well.

There's obviously been a lot of uncertainty regarding the owners and that has filtered down into the staff. A couple of great players went out of the door and the ones that came in haven't filled the void. Half the first team is out injured right now and there clearly isn't enough money on the horizon to bring in suitable replacements. I feel sorry for Benitez right now, he's playing against a marked deck.

I would love to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the owners (and some of it they definitely deserve) but Benitez as a manager is incredibly defensive even with a full-strength squad. Last season we drew 11 games, at least 8 of which we should have won (Stoke and Hull to name a couple) and even lost a couple we shouldn't have. At the same time we had the best results against teams in the top 4 and still finished 4 points behind eventual winners Manchester United.

This season we have already lost 5 games, more than double the amount we lost in the whole of last season, although we have beaten Manchester United again. The blame also has to be shouldered by some of the players but so far this season Benayoun has turned into the player he was at West Ham, Insua has become the first-choice left back although only 20 and done a great job and Gerrard and Torres have played brilliantly although injured. The players I would lay some blame on are Lucas, who is just not good enough, Mascherano, who for some reason doesn't seem to want to be there and Carragher, who seems to have completely lost his touch though isn't helped by being played at right back when his complete lack of pace suggests to a sensible manager that he cannot be played there.

In the season we won the Champion's League (2004-05) we finished 5th in the league, an effort most fans would deem unacceptable even with winning the European competition and almost couldn't enter to defend the trophy. That year we lost 14 games and finished behind city rivals Everton which made it even worse but we had a squad that was much worse then. With the addition of Torres the idea was to mount a real challenge for the title, something that can only be done if you play attacking football to try to win as many games as possible. This is Benitez' fault; that we do not attack lesser teams in order to win comfortably and this is why we are again out of the title race before Christmas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 26 Nov 2009, 10:43
Lucas and Mascherano are players who I don't expect to see in side ostensibly competing for the title.

Lucas yes but Mascherano is a player who could be the perfect partner to Gerrard if he wanted to be. A defensive minded midfielder who could prevent attacks from happening before they become problematic but sadly not of the same ilk as Alonso who could also have started a move at the same time. Losing Alonso is a major part of this season's problems.

Also, the striker situation continues to be weird.

This is where I blame Benitez most as he refuses to play 2 strikers as strikers. Either one is out on the wing, in front of the midfielders or who knows where but he never plays 2 strikers on the shoulders of the defence and, as such, the opposition defenders can push forward further.

Glen Johnson is another problem. He's a great player on his day but he's spent his entire career at Anfield thus far out of position. Great, he's scored a couple of goals already but that's not actually his main role at the club. I'd argue that him being forward so often is stretching an already brittle defence.

This I agree with in part. Johnson not being a great defender does cause problems but calling a defence of Agger, Skrtel and Carragher brittle is not really accurate (unless talking about their bones but thats another matter).

It's mostly the injuries though. Half the team has been out for most of the year. It's no coincidence.

The main problem with this argument is that it seems to me that you are saying it is acceptable for bench players to not live up to expectations. At a top 4 club in the Premier League I would argue that any bench player should be able to fit comfortably into any relevant vacant position that needs filling. For example, Babel should be able to fit into the striker's role easily as he cost Ł11.5 million and was expected to be as good as Torres (we know that this isn't true but slightly beside the point) but he hasn't lived up to those expectations at all and I would blame the players on the bench just as much for not wanting to be as good as the starting 11 as I think that if they did then they would get a chance to play (god knows he rotates the team enough for this to be true).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 Nov 2009, 18:00
Whoa... Matt Stafford might be a franchise QB. (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8147c551/Sound-FX-Matthew-Stafford-mic-d-up)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Nov 2009, 20:48
It's kind of insane that the Lions can be so bad that Stafford can throw this many picks and still have people like his play. The craziest part is that I might even be one of those people-- Stafford shows flashes of potential, he really does. The Lions typically have a couple of really good looking plays every game and when the line actually holds up so it's just on him and Calvin Johnson, you can expect some yardage. I don't know if he'll be good or not, but at least he's showing something, which is more than JaMarcus Russell can say. Maybe he only produces against weak teams, but that's better than having nothing to build on at all. That said, the Lions are still the Lions; any points Stafford and co. puts on the board is quickly given up by either the special teams or defensive unit anyway, and the o-line still sucks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Nov 2009, 00:14
So ... how about them Giants?

It made me smile.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Nov 2009, 00:18
Both of those teams needed that win, especially since the Giants just snapped their 4-game losing streak last week. I'm kind of glad Eli didn't get it though, as much as I hate Neckbeard.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Nov 2009, 00:33
Both Mannings annoy me, for some reason. Must be those endless comercials Peyton had on Nasn a year ago;

"When people stopped calling me Archie's boy and started calling me Peyton, that was a big moment for me."

I hope he never wins another game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Nov 2009, 00:38
I know a lot of people that hate the Super Manning Bros., oddly enough. I agree that they're funny-looking but Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger are both way more douchebaggy.

Although there was this. (http://deadspin.com/5373855/eli-manning-signed-his-work-in-dallas)

And Peyton beat my Bears in the Super Bowl.

y'know what, FUCK THE MANNINGS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Nov 2009, 00:41
Well, I'm not a big fan of the Cowboys or the Steelers either, so I'm 4-0 in hating douchy QB's.

And that signing thing and spitting thing is just awful and stupid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Nov 2009, 00:43
It's definitely a far cry from Matt Stafford saying "Solid hit, man" and patting a defensive lineman on the helmet while the guy was on top of him on the turf.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Nov 2009, 00:58
Then again, that might have been the concussion speaking.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Nov 2009, 14:04
It's kind of insane that the Lions can be so bad that Stafford can throw this many picks and still have people like his play. The craziest part is that I might even be one of those people-- Stafford shows flashes of potential, he really does. The Lions typically have a couple of really good looking plays every game and when the line actually holds up so it's just on him and Calvin Johnson, you can expect some yardage. I don't know if he'll be good or not, but at least he's showing something, which is more than JaMarcus Russell can say. Maybe he only produces against weak teams, but that's better than having nothing to build on at all. That said, the Lions are still the Lions; any points Stafford and co. puts on the board is quickly given up by either the special teams or defensive unit anyway, and the o-line still sucks.

Honestly, he's not even playing that badly by rookie standards. If he gets some line support and another couple years to develop, I think he could be the real thing. But yeah, Russell is a complete fucking joke. Between him and Hayward-Bey, I hope Al Davis never dies.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Nov 2009, 16:29
Someone needs to tell Russell that you can't wait for the easy completion every down at the NFL level. The cliche "Take what the defense gives you," isn't exactly a crock of shit, but it definitely needs some qualifiers; sometimes "taking what the defense gives you" means throwing the ball when you only have a 50% chance of making the completion at best. Russell just ends up taking the sack or waiting so long that he gets stuck taking an even worse throw.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Nov 2009, 16:31
Russell's problem, from what I've seen, is that he just hucks the ball every time. I've never seen a QB overthrow receivers as much as Jamarcus Russell does.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Nov 2009, 17:24
(http://cdn.ksk.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/blogger/x/blogger/2664/2061/320/958959/grossmanwk14.jpg)

UNLEASH THE DAGRON (http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2006/11/f-k-it-im-throwing-it-downfield.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Nov 2009, 14:57
My all-time favorite footballer, Ryan Giggs, scored his 100th Premier League goal today.

I missed the game because I had to work, and it wasn't on television. Fox Soccer Channel was too busy showing utterly important games like Burnley v. West Ham.

 :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 28 Nov 2009, 15:19
I have spent my entire life hating Giggs and I've no plans to stop any time soon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Nov 2009, 15:25
Unless you're a 10 year old Arsenal fan, I dunno how that's possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 28 Nov 2009, 15:32
How can someone hate Ryan Giggs? I'm not a United fan, nor am I Welsh, but Giggs is one of my favourite footballers ever. Absolutely fantastic player, and a total class act to boot. Was great today when he stumbled inside the box then had a joke with the ref when he didn't award another penalty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 28 Nov 2009, 15:47
I'm a city fan.
I don't need any more clarification.
Fuck Ryan Giggs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 28 Nov 2009, 15:57
I'm a Liverpool fan.
I don't need any more clarification.
Fuck Ryan Giggs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 29 Nov 2009, 01:33
I'm a Leeds fan.
I don't need any more clarification.
Fuck Ryan Giggs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 29 Nov 2009, 01:35
Fuck Giant Figs
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 29 Nov 2009, 01:37
Okay, he's an absolutely brilliant footballer.

On a lighter note, did anyone see Jimmy Bullard's celebration after netting against Manchester City yesterday? What a class act he is. I can almost forgive him for single handedly keeping Phil 'Cunt' Brown in his job.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 29 Nov 2009, 05:42
Whatever one thinks of Ryan Giggs, I think everyone can agree that he should never be allowed to take off his shirt ever again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quI_LkMj4HI).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 29 Nov 2009, 08:48
The draw for the FA Cup 3rd round has either Leeds or Kettering going to Old Trafford. I am not entirely sure which possibly sounds better. On one hand Kettering are non-league nonentities, going to the biggest ground in the country. Could be spectacular.

On the other hand, Leeds United at Man United. Damn, that could be good. And when Leeds inevitably lose, it allows them to concentrate on the league, which can only be a good thing.

In other news, this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/nov/27/joy-of-six-great-goals-decade) is a fantastic piece with links to the best goals of the decade.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 29 Nov 2009, 08:58
Unless you're a 10 29 year old Arsenal fan, I dunno how that's possible.

Speaking of Gunners. I know you have massive injuries of late but please beat Chelsea. Without RvP, Bendtner and most of your starting back i know its gonna be hard, hell id be happy with a draw even. Just please don't let the Spurs be ahead of you in the standings...ever.  

*edit* ok i guess asking for a tie was a little much but at least a goal would've been nice. yes i know you got robbed by a bad call but hey it happens. Im sure Arsene is going to bitch about it for the next month or so but you've got to move on. Champions League still looks good and the Premiership has a ways to go so no worries.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Nov 2009, 09:37
Whatever one thinks of Ryan Giggs, I think everyone can agree that he should never be allowed to take off his shirt ever again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quI_LkMj4HI).

Very true, Harry. Very true.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 29 Nov 2009, 09:41
My favourite goal celebration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwuhgnKK-3o#t=5m10s)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Nov 2009, 09:43
Dear Mr. Dski,

Make sure Leeds beat Kettering in the FA Cup, please. Man United drew the winner at Old Trafford and it's been quite a while since we've played you. Would much like to give you crap after we beat Leeds.

Signed,
Me
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 29 Nov 2009, 10:07
I think it depends a lot on what sort of line-up Man U put out. I coujld see it being tight if he rests some folks, but with a full strength line-up I can't see a league 1 team beating them, however good a league 1 side they are. If you'd been playing at Elland Road it would have given you a better chance, as the atmosphere there could have intimidated some of the younger Man U players.

This is, of course, assuming that you don't lose to Kettering.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Nov 2009, 10:17
However, we're talking about the FA Cup, where "full squad" for Fergie means that Danny Welbeck's starting up front.. :?

Nothing against Welbeck, I absolutely love him, but starting him in a cup semi? Really? That was a game we were destined to lose.

edit: Speaking of United, we're apparently going after a Palermo striker named "Kjaer". Is there a centre-forward named "Sols" anywhere that we could team him up with?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 29 Nov 2009, 15:51
Maybe, but then you'd have to play them both of the bench 90% of the time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 29 Nov 2009, 17:44
I think it's a bad sign when the Bears lose 36 to 10 and I come away from the game thinking our offense played OK.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 29 Nov 2009, 17:53
That might be a bad sign, but I'm okay with how my defense played except for the one play where DeSean Jackson had to kill time in the end zone while waiting for the pass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Nov 2009, 06:45
Maybe, but then you'd have to play them both of the bench 90% of the time.

Nevermind, then. We already have one of those, 'cept he's called Berbatov.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Nov 2009, 17:28
I think it's a bad sign when the Bears lose 36 to 10 and I come away from the game thinking our offense played OK.

How do you figure they played okay? I watched the came and I was thinking ... well, 'something else' might sum it up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 30 Nov 2009, 22:15
Jay Cutler only threw one real INT.

That's a good game in my book.


(Ron Turner: stop running up the middle every farking play, I'm going to kill you)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 30 Nov 2009, 23:56
Uh, actually, the official NFL stats credits him with 2 interceptions and taking 4 sacks. He was pretty damn accurate though, for the most part; it's hard to say much more then that about his performance with that playcalling. I honestly thought it seemed even worse on defense. It's nice that they managed to keep Peterson looking mortal for the day by stacking the box like that, but honestly, who gives a shit when your cute li'l soft zone D lets the QB throw for a hojillion yards. I don't really care how good your opponent is; 24 points in a quarter shouldn't happen, ever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Dec 2009, 00:06
Jay Cutler only threw one real INT.

There's a difference between looking at numbers and actually watching the game. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u19sWftlFg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Dec 2009, 01:47
The implication here is that it still counts.

And seriously, if you don't think there's anything wrong with where he decided to go with it, I don't know what to tell you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Dec 2009, 02:14
The pass was good, the route decent, and linebacker made a nice jump on the ball. In any other game it would've been an incomplete pass, but Cutler is having terrible luck this season and it bounced off someone's helmet and got intercepted. Much like how against Green Bay Week 1, he tried to throw it away at his feet and a defensive lineman falling on the ground managed to catch it. Not smart throws, but not definitively stupid ones either.

And sure, they still count statistically, but what I was trying to convey was the fact that his percentage of fault in this situation is minimal. Hence the "real" part of the statement I repeated.

Anyway, arguing gets us nowhere. How about the Saints? They knocked off the Pats with relative ease, making them 11 - 0 with a schedule that doesn't offer any more real opponents for the rest of the regular season:

Dec 06        @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS   
Dec 13        @ ATLANTA FALCONS   
Dec 19        vs. DALLAS COWBOYS   
Dec 27        vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS   
Jan 03        @ CAROLINA PANTHERS

With Matt Ryan out next week (probably questionable for the 13th) and Tony Romo's track record in December, I think they've got a real shot to go the distance.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 01 Dec 2009, 03:51
The Saints scare me. Teams shouldn't be able to just breeze past the Patriots like that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Dec 2009, 06:52
It was pretty frightening. I don't see anyone beating them, now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 01 Dec 2009, 07:04
The Saints scare me. Teams shouldn't be able to just brees past the Patriots like that.

FYP

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 01 Dec 2009, 07:14
picardfacepalm.jpg
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 01 Dec 2009, 10:26
Dec 06        @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS   

This will be their first loss of the season.  Mark my words.


Actually, this will be the first game of the season during which I will cry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Dec 2009, 21:58
The Saints scare me. Teams shouldn't be able to just breeze past the Patriots like that.

The Saints make me sad. This isn't a good year for the Vikes to peak.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 02 Dec 2009, 08:40
The Saints scare me. Teams shouldn't be able to just bree bree bree bree past the Patriots like that.
FYP

Crunk Pig'd Yr Post

(http://www.gifninja.com/Workspace/05416e4e-20c3-4719-8281-a7f05aa52ec2/output.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 02 Dec 2009, 15:43
Mayweather - Pacquaio bout all but confirmed (http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-floydpac120109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns).

Yes, boxing fans, it hasn't taken long but it was really the only meaningful fight left for either pugilist before retirement and it should be a great one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Dec 2009, 16:43
I dunno, I still have a hard time getting into boxing. Either it's a blood bath, which is kinda hard to watch, or one guy gets on his bike and it drags on for a while. I would have to imagine this one could turn into the latter; Mayweather tends to do that anyway and why shouldn't he? He often has a reach advantage against guys his own height or taller, and Manny is neither.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Dec 2009, 08:55
I can completely understand why some people can't get into boxing but when these big fights happen it is supposed to fall into a tactical style whereby each boxer is as good as the other and you get a great fight.

Examples: Thrilla in Manila (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_y7FiCryb8)
An older bout which had the 15 round limit and is widely regarded as the greatest fight of all time, lasting 14 of the 15 rounds until Muhammad Ali finally comes out on top.

Sugar Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns (1st meeting) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUn60FzzoxY&feature=PlayList&p=DACDE75A0AC2D45C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50)
Another great bout whereby Leonard was behind on points going into the 13th round of 15 but found a second wind and ended up stopping the fight in the 14th.

There are a lot of matches where the result is completely uneven although it shouldn't be, the recent Pacquaio - Cotto one a definite example, but you can't always set things up so that everything goes perfectly and sometimes fights just don't live up to expectation.
I would say though that somebody fleeing punches if they are receiving regular barrages is a good tactic (not that you were saying otherwise) but while it conserves energy for a possible comeback for the boxer it does make the bout less interesting for a while for the crowd and viewers.

Just to note: the newest generation of boxing fans (you, me, anybody younger than us) has not had the opportunity to watch a great fight yet. The most recent bout that is considered within the top 100 of all time [by Ring Magazine] is a bout from 1995 although it is possible that the Pacquiao - Cotto match might be entered in there just for the dominance that was unexpected by a lot of people.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Dec 2009, 09:00
D-Double P-Post

On a different topic today is the day of the FIFA World Cup Draw for South Africa 2010. Starts at around 5:30pm GMT and likely there is coverage of it on a TV channel near you.

List of countries who have qualified:

Pot Four: France, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, Greece, Serbia, Denmark, Slovakia.
Pot Three: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay.
Pot Two: Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States, Mexico, Honduras.
Pot One: South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England.

For British viewers (or anybody who can get BBC) there is live video a text coverage on the BBC Sport website here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8391833.stm).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 04 Dec 2009, 10:47
Yeah I am pretty pleased at how the U.S. drew.  I mean England will be a tough match, but Algeria and Slovenia are really nothing to worry about so our chances of advancing are pretty dang good.

Man Group G is pretty nasty though huh (Also Group D)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 04 Dec 2009, 10:51
Ivory Coast have now been drawn in the hardest group two world cups in a row after getting Argentina and Netherlands last time around. Some real rough luck right there.

I think Italy will now be a reasonable bet to win the whole tournament. They are in an easy group, and then face the runner up in group H which is just as poor. That get's them to the quarter finals pretty easily, and Italy are well-known for being slow starters but very good once they get going. So them or Spain for me I reckon.

Considering this tournament is stil 7 months away I am far too excited.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Dec 2009, 11:00
I think the only team that is going to win it (bar lots of injuries) is Spain. They just look far too good for anyone else.

Don't discount Germany to make a fight of it though. It seems that every team that suffers an adversity seems to make a good run of it, e.g. Italy almost not being allowed to play last time (in my opinion they shouldn't have played) and with the tragic passing of Robert Enke they will be fighting even harder to progress as far as possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 04 Dec 2009, 11:04
I think that the Netherlands will play some astonishing football until they reach the quarter finals and implode, as they are prone to doing. I hope the Spaniards win it as it means that there are more games to watch them play well.

I haven't seen Brazil play since the last world cup I don't think, so I can't really comment. Always up there with the favourites though.

Germany have a very tough group, facing both Ghana and Serbia. They could quite conceivably finish second and end up facing England in the next round. That would be a fantastic match, but a difficult one to win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 04 Dec 2009, 11:13
I had no idea North Korea had a football team.

And that they were any good.

Go them I guess?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 04 Dec 2009, 12:13
I had no idea North Korea had a football team.

Well there is generally a team for all countries
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 04 Dec 2009, 16:02
I want Australia to win. That'd be funny.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Dec 2009, 19:21
That's a pretty good draw for Australia. They should be able to make it through to the second round. It's certainly a lot better than being lumped in with Croatia, Japan, and Brazil, like they were last time around.

There seems to be plenty of scope for England to underperform in their group, too. I mean I hope not, England's my second team (first in previous World Cups, when Australia wasn't involved), but really. Let's not get our hopes up. They're sharing their group with teams they could easily underestimate and take it easy against and end up getting surprised by.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Dec 2009, 20:03
This is true but that seems to be the England of old. Sure I don't think they're going to win it but ,under the tutelage of Capello, England have become a real force, scoring goals for fun and almost coming through with a perfect record. I don't really see any of those teams causing a problem and it is likely that the USA will progress aswell.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Dec 2009, 07:36
We got this shit. And we can beat Spain.

Hell, we did it earlier this year!

*cough*USA! USA! USA!*cough*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 05 Dec 2009, 08:02
USA also came agonisingly close to beating Brazil. They were two goals up at half-time and it suddenly crumbled in the second half.

However, if England have anything like their first team out then I expect to be celebrating three points on my birthday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Dec 2009, 08:15
Don't remind me, that game was absolutely crushing to watch.

Oh well. I suppose it's what happens when you're becoming a great soccer nation, though. You're gonna have those tough losses in big games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 05 Dec 2009, 10:00
I actually loved that game, as I had money on USA being up at half time and Brazil coming back to win. I can't imagine it would have been as enjoyable as an American.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Dec 2009, 10:04
I'd imagine it's just about how Bayern fans felt during the 99 Champions League final.

On the other hand, I loved that game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 06 Dec 2009, 14:13
GODDAMNIT!  We should not have lost that game.  Shaun Suisham screwed us so hard by missing that 23 yard kick.  Also, there were a couple of bad reviews from the booth about down by contact.  And the end of the half was crazy lucky for them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 06 Dec 2009, 14:18
No offence to the Americans, but England should be able to walk that group. An absolute scoosh compared to what they could have had (i.e. Germany's group). I still want the US to do a repeat of 1950 though.  :-)

Plus the Pats lost late again...  :-(

At least Celtic won. Still top of the league... :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Dec 2009, 14:42
GODDAMNIT!  We should not have lost that game.  Shaun Suisham screwed us so hard by missing that 23 yard kick.  Also, there were a couple of bad reviews from the booth about down by contact.  And the end of the half was crazy lucky for them.

Yeh, that missed FG did you guys in, big time. Good lord, was that game entertaining though.

Also, Pats lost to Miami, Pitt lost to Oakland, and the Bears didn't choke on the Rams (although there were a couple bogus play calls anyway - the botched fake FG was atrocious). This weekend is a success so far.

Now it's down to Minnesota V. Cardinals.

(Vikes are gonna blow 'em out of the water.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Dec 2009, 15:10
God, I hope the Packers don't grab a wildcard spot. Beating them for a third time would be delicious, but I don't even want to think about how the media would promote the matchup. And good god, the commentating...

Plus, you know, a chance injury here and there over the next couple of weeks and it's not inconceivable that the Vikings could you know, lose such a game. That possibility isn't really something I'm prepared to talk about rationally.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Dec 2009, 15:15
Vikings fans have been so brutally stampeded since, well, the franchise's inception, that I have to root for the Vikes on principle, just because I hate to see so many people get their hearts broken so many times.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Dec 2009, 17:21
Yeah, I'm pretty much incapable of being completely confident in the Vikings for any appreciable length of time because of that. I just can't do it. I'm not particularly bitter or malicious about it nor am I one of those guys who regularly shits on the team whenever they lose a game. You won't hear me bitch about "the same ol' Vikings," after a tough loss like that one against Pittsburgh, for example. Shit can go wrong when you go up against the defending champs on their own field. It doesn't mean we have a bad team.

But that said, I remember the '98 and '00 NFC Championship games rather well, thank you very much. It is not lost on me that the Vikings are peaking in a season in which two teams are sitting on 12-0 records. I mean, shit, I couldn't even properly post that picture of Jared Allen posing with a bear carcass without hedging my bets as to how the game would turn out, and the Bears aren't exactly tearing it up this year. So, yeah, my guard is up; I've been here before and it didn't turn out so hot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 06 Dec 2009, 17:59
At least Celtic won. Still top of the league... :-D

Hail hail.  :-D Hopefully we can keep it up, 'specially since we can now focus solely on domestic football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Dec 2009, 20:38
(Vikes are gonna blow 'em out of the water.)

Clearly I know nothing about football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 06 Dec 2009, 21:13
It's alright man there were a few "unexpecteds" this week (yeah what the fuck Patriots and Steelers)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 06 Dec 2009, 22:01
Fucking Seahawks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 07 Dec 2009, 07:39
The Steelers are so hilarious this year. Way to forget how to be a good team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Dec 2009, 08:51
(Vikes are gonna blow 'em out of the water.)

Clearly I know nothing about football.

I was a bit worried about this game, but didn't expect it to go down that badly either. I guess this just shows how hard it is to evaluate a team when they have a schedule as easy as that of the Vikings. I'm pretty sure their opponents had a combined win total under 40 going into last week, which is pretty sad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 07 Dec 2009, 09:43
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgYrYaLDs9o

I was watching the cricket on tv yesterday afternoon and saw this. At that moment I felt proud to be an Australian.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 07 Dec 2009, 20:38
Clearly im a little late for the WC draw discussion but to chime i think USA did ok with their group. Like to see them come out on top of England in the 1st game.  I also was kinda astonished N. Korea had a team and were any good(what, no S. Korea?). I agree with the Italy prediction but guess we will have to see.  Also in also late American Football news. Did anyone see this play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf_LvK9ADRM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf_LvK9ADRM) laugh every time i see it. Also please Tebow stop crying you got your ass handed to you suck it up like a man and play on. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Dec 2009, 06:23
South Korea are in the World Cup. They were put into group B.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 08 Dec 2009, 06:46
I also was kinda astonished N. Korea had a team and were any good

They're not any good. The WC qualification isn't the best teams in the world, it's the best teams from each qualifying group. North Korea's qualifying group just isn't very good. They are scarcely in the best one hundred teams in the world.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Dec 2009, 06:52
Yeah Asia has teams like Bahrain and Qatar in it. In fact most of the teams in Asia are like Bahrain and Qatar. Off the top of my head the only teams in Asia that could conceivably worry other major nations around the world on a regular basis are Japan, South Korea, Australia, and maybe China one day - and none of them are among the best teams in the world by any sensible reckoning. By way of comparison, try naming off the top of your head the genuinely dangerous and talented national teams in Europe, South America, and Africa. You're going to have many more than three or four such teams in each of those continents.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Dec 2009, 06:53
Iran and Iraq pop up and play spectacular football on occasion (didn't Iraq win Olympic gold last year?), but never seem to be consistently good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Dec 2009, 06:55
Oh yeah, I forgot about them. I wouldn't count Iraq (sure they won the Asian Cup - but Greece won the European Cup not so long ago) but Iran are definitely a regional powerhouse. Saudi Arabia now and then, too. But if you consider that Iran is one of the more consistently succesful teams in Asia - well, let's just say they're no Brazil or Argentina or Italy or Germany.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 08 Dec 2009, 07:00
Iran and Iraq pop up and play spectacular football on occasion (didn't Iraq win Olympic gold last year?), but never seem to be consistently good.

Nah, Argentina have won Olympic Gold the last 2 times. Iran are consistently one of the best footballing countries in Asia though, this will be their 5th time at the World Cup, 4th consecutive.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Dec 2009, 07:07
I kinda wish FIFA had made it so we'd been drawn into a group with North Korea and Iran.

Then again, Bush isn't in office anymore, so it'd kinda just be another football match.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 08 Dec 2009, 14:47
Fuck me that was tense, I was starting to think penalties would be deciding things and then Mike Grella turned up. Thank fuck for that.

Next up the scum.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 08 Dec 2009, 15:09
City goals from this weekend. (http://videos.sapo.pt/IjNZwUp5ETDpoORbdQMb)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Dec 2009, 15:11
Here is Grella's second goal for the Yanks who won't see it otherwise -

That Leeds player on the far right of the screen seems kind of distraught after the goal is scored. I see he stuck up his hand for a cross at the beginning of the play - maybe he wishes he'd scored the goal? Maybe he'd promised his mum he'd scroe a goal? Maybe he was hoping to impress a girl after the game with tales of his footballing heroics?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 08 Dec 2009, 15:18
That Leeds player on the far right of the screen seems kind of distraught after the goal is scored.

I noticed this too. What you don't see is that part of the move beforehand was simply Beckford (with his hand up) beating 3 players and having his shot saved so maybe he was hoping that Grella would give him the chance to right his wrong. Fantastic tricks and finish by Grella though, he did come on and completely change the game just when Leeds needed it.

Also, Beckford did score but was at least a yard offside when doing so although it would have made no difference to the game if it was disallowed as it was the last goal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Dec 2009, 15:24
Actually holy shit both the players on the right look less than pleased with the goal. There's the guy on the far right who puts his hands on his head and the other guy below him on the screen who kind of rolls his head like he's rolling his eyes and then starts walking away. Maybe Grella's an insufferable bragger in the dressing-rooms and the other player is imagining it in his head. Or maybe he just doesn't like Americans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 08 Dec 2009, 15:34
I like Mike Grella. He did well in the first leg. He's scored some good goals this season. I think the Yanks should take him to South Africa next year.

It was harsh on Lee Harper because his team played so well over two legs. He played like a superhuman in both games and the revenue from a match at Old Trafford would have bankrolled the club for a season.

Indeed, Harper fully deserved man of the match and I know if I'd been a neutral I would've been rooting for them. As it is though, I'm more than happy to see us going to Old Trafford.

And agreed on Grella. His second goal was lovely.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 13 Dec 2009, 15:00
At least Celtic won. Still top of the league... :-D

Hail hail.  :-D Hopefully we can keep it up, 'specially since we can now focus solely on domestic football.
Nearly made an arse of it again yesterday though...  :|
Luckily Fortuné came and pulled it out the bag.  :-)
Just hoping that Dundee Utd can get a result against 'The Others' :wink: in midweek as a nice wee sweetner to our lead at the top.

P.S. - N.E. won against Carolina. Woo! :lol:
P.P.S. - Anyone see Rodallega's goal for Wigan against Stoke yesterday?  :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Dec 2009, 15:09
Another Bears loss that I don't feel so bad about. Cutler needs an offseason with his receivers. And we need to lose Ron Turner. Bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 13 Dec 2009, 15:10
P.P.S. - Anyone see Rodallega's goal for Wigan against Stoke yesterday?  :-o
Rodalegga didn't score yesterday. Are you maybe thinking of Figueroa, who scored this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaMpc-uFPp0) totally ridiculous free kick?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 13 Dec 2009, 19:56
P.P.S. - Anyone see Rodallega's goal for Wigan against Stoke yesterday?  :-o
Rodalegga didn't score yesterday. Are you maybe thinking of Figueroa, who scored this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaMpc-uFPp0) totally ridiculous free kick?
That is the one, yes.

Don't know why I thought it was Rodallega...  :? :oops:

Cracking goal nonetheless...  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Dec 2009, 07:39
Here is Grella's second goal for the Yanks who won't see it otherwise -

Ronaldo-esque.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Dec 2009, 11:07
Actually, I'm wrong. Ronaldo would have done those nifty stepovers and then fell on his face instead of scoring.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 14 Dec 2009, 11:54
P.P.S. - Anyone see Rodallega's goal for Wigan against Stoke yesterday?  :-o
Rodalegga didn't score yesterday. Are you maybe thinking of Figueroa, who scored this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaMpc-uFPp0) totally ridiculous free kick?
That is the one, yes.

Don't know why I thought it was Rodallega...  :? :oops:

Cracking goal nonetheless...  :-D

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rotherham_utd/8412091.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rotherham_utd/8412091.stm)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: RallyMonkey on 14 Dec 2009, 13:18
I don't have much to add to this topic, as I don't watch football/soccer, but I did see the movie The Damned United, about Brian Clouth, the other night. And I thought it was quite good, and that anyone interested in football might find the movie fairly good as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: RallyMonkey on 14 Dec 2009, 19:06
It definitely had it's flaws. But I thought that Michael Sheen and the cinematography made it worth seeing. Of course, I knew nothing about the story nor football in genre before seeing the film.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 15 Dec 2009, 09:00
Woooooo, the Niners beat the Cards!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Dec 2009, 09:04
Wooo, Jeremy Hermidia Ramon A. Ramirez Boof Bonser Mike Cameron Marco Scutaro Max Ramirez Scott Atchison Tug Hulett John Lackey!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 15 Dec 2009, 17:36
Just found this thread here.

Good to see another Leeds fan!

Did you go to the Kettering replay Ptommydski?
I was sat just where Grella came to celebrate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Dec 2009, 05:12
Woooooo, the Niners beat the Cards!
Didn't see that one coming at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 16 Dec 2009, 07:48
Alas, I live in Aberdeen so I don't get to see as many games as I once did. I saw it on television though, it was a frustrating game.

Massive game on Saturday. Make or break time for our title hopes.

You reckon?

I'm not so sure.
We're on a bit of a wobbly patch (always happens round christmas), and Southampton are in form. I'm expecting us to drop points, but even if we do, we have a game in hand.

Charlton will slip up and Norwich wont catch up.
To be honest I'm not bothered about winning it, so long as we go up!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 16 Dec 2009, 08:36
I think we have to bank on losing to teams like Southampton, Norwich, Huddersfield and Charlton away from home but I'd expect a side competing for automatic promotion to take at least a point from each team at home. That's fine as long as we keep getting results against the rest of the table, especially away from home. However, that's in itself quite a challenge. We're in the position we're in currently by simply not losing games (aside from that solitary trip to Millwall, which was unlucky) and we need to keep that up. I still feel like Charlton are the natural Champions this year, having already been through their run of bad form and Norwich are unquestionably capable of winning every game for the rest of the season if their momentum continues. However, the transfer window is crucial to both teams. If they are facing financial problems as some reports suggest, they might have to unload a couple of their best players to make ends meet. To Charlton this might not be such a problem but Norwich are essentially Holt & Hoolahan FC. If they lose one or both of those two, their hopes of automatic promotion are dust. We could stand to lose any two of our players and it wouldn't particularly matter.

I'm worried about moral more than anything at this point. A bad result at home to Saints and it's inevitably going to be seen as a dangerous run of poor form, which isn't likely to be improved by the looming presence of an away game at Old Trafford in the near future. Especially given the fixtures we have coming up. I'm not overly bothered about being Champions this year but now we're up here it seems like we could do it given a bit of resilience. With the transfer window beckoning and considering we haven't actually spent any money this year (aside from the wages and a trivial sum for Bromby) one could be forgiven for hoping Uncle Ken will allow Larry a little bit of spending money to finish the job. Especially since we probably got somewhere between four and six million for Fabian Delph pre-season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 16 Dec 2009, 14:09
I know what you mean about losing to Sotuhampton.

They are essentially a play off team, and as you say the only team we've lost to is Millwall. The Den's always a tough place to go to.

I'm so pessimistic when it comes to Leeds, thanks to the last 5/6 years. But I genuinely think we're on the up now.
What am I talking about? Of course we're gonna beat Southampton! haha!

You on Waccoe?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 16 Dec 2009, 14:22
I read but I don't post. It's a pretty insane forum. Not very welcoming considering everyone is basically there for the same reason. Too much needless chest-beating and all that "you can't be a Leeds fan if you don't go to every game" attitude. We can't all live next to Elland Road as much as I'm sure we'd all like to. I get down when I can and that's all I can do. If that makes me a part-timer, I can't be arsed arguing.

I was born in Leeds, I attended my first game when I was five months old. Everyone in my family was born in Leeds and supports them. I've been to hundreds of Leeds games all around the country and in Europe. I can name every team since 1984 and I have every home shirt since the same year. I've been to Wembley with Leeds five times. I was at the game in Bournemouth that promoted us to the First Division and I was one of the first people (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/1524778325_13c7f07c4a.jpg) on that pitch before the Police dispersed us with tear gas canisters. I was at Elland Road when we won the title the following year too. My week is literally made or destroyed by what happens to Leeds United. It's a big deal to me but it's hard to argue with someone lucky enough to have a season ticket.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 16 Dec 2009, 15:26
That's impressive.
I'm from Doncaster myself, so I'm also considered part-time. My Dad brought me up on Leeds from being very young though. Going up to Carlisle play off semi final without a ticket and ending up sitting in their end negates any "part time" argument.

The play off defeat to Doncaster was particularly hard to stomach.

But yeah Waccoe is pretty much a boys club. Good source of information though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 16 Dec 2009, 21:30
Didn't see that one coming at all.

Neither did the Cardinals, apparently.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 16 Dec 2009, 22:50
Yeah, they must have been high on their Vikings performance and came in overconfident. Not really a smart move against the 49ers; if you look at their schedule they're right up there with the Falcons when it comes to defensible losses. Probably the best "bad" team in the league.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Dec 2009, 00:00
I did enjoy it a lot, I have to say. For some reason I have decided that Kurt Warner is a dick. Don't know why.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Dec 2009, 00:05
I feel the same way about Billy Slater (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Slater). Actually pretty much the entire Melbourne Storm N.R.L. organisation.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 17 Dec 2009, 04:26
QPR appointed Paul Hart as their manager (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/17/paul-hart-manager-qpr-jim-magilton), as I'm sure you've heard by now Harry.

You might not think it now but that's a really good appointment. Hart has been unlucky with his managerial jobs thus far but he's an excellent coach. In the 90s he was the Leeds youth team manager and they won borderline everything. Practically all of that team of young lads is playing in the Premiership now. He's got a good footballing mind and the right mentality. If they give him a decent run (as unlikely as that seems given the track record of the QPR board) he'll have the club in good standing for the future.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Dec 2009, 05:59
Actually I hadn't heard, I follow the results but I don't tend to pay much attention to the comings and goings of managers and players because the names mean nothing to me. The results have been pretty dreadful recently (three losses and a draw from their last four games, and the losses were heavy ones, too) so it's not surprising they've gone and got themselves a new manager, boards being prone to knee-jerk reactions like that. Thanks for the heads up!

In other news, holy shit the Super 14 rugby comp starts in, like, two months. I'm really looking forward to watching the A.C.T. Brumbies run around this season, it looks like they've got a hell of a team! Matt Giteau back home where he belongs, plus some amazing recruiting in the forwards (Stephen Hoiles, Rocky Elsom and George Smith are going to be a phenomenal back row, and Justin Harrison will bring some much needed experience and lineout skill to the team and should be welcomed back with open arms by the home crowd after his dalliance with New South Wales). Can't wait!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 17 Dec 2009, 06:17
Matt Giteau back home where he belongs

You're welcome to the prick
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Dec 2009, 06:24
I can't really blame him for chasing the money over to Western Australia because when you're a professional sports person you've got ten years, fifteen tops, to make as much money as you can before you retire and then you've got another forty, fifty, or sixty years of life to live with chronic joint problems and no skills to speak of other than playing sport; with that in mind I can't blame Giteau for getting pissed off when the money he was promised didn't come through because the Western Force decided to make shady third-party deals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_International#Western_Force) (that they weren't supposed to be entering into under A.R.U. guidelines) with a snake-oil salesman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firepower_International#Demise).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Dec 2009, 06:59
Going up to Carlisle play off semi final without a ticket and ending up sitting in their end negates any "part time" argument.

Are you guys trying to have a Leeds pissing contest or something?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 17 Dec 2009, 07:31
American Footbal News (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4750615)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 17 Dec 2009, 09:46
I'm actually gutted at Chris Henry's death, he was finally getting his career and life back on track and then poof.
=(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 17 Dec 2009, 10:32
Going up to Carlisle play off semi final without a ticket and ending up sitting in their end negates any "part time" argument.

Are you guys trying to have a Leeds pissing contest or something?

Not particularly.
I'm not old enough to have been to the games the other guy had, just wanted to show I was a serious fan.

A lot of Leeds fans these days are stay away - armchair fans.

Sorry like.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 17 Dec 2009, 10:33
He's a scum fan, don't pay any attention to him.  :wink:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 17 Dec 2009, 10:35
Ahh, now it makes sense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 17 Dec 2009, 18:50
A lot of Leeds fans these days are stay away - armchair fans.

Like me! Though football only started to pique my interest a few years ago and I didn't start following with any attention until this season, so I think I can be forgiven for still being at the armchair stage.

I really hope we don't lose this weekend though, partly just for selfish reasons since I'm currently staying with a Southampton fan. His grin would not be pleasant.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 18 Dec 2009, 03:59
Aye, must admit, Yeovil on a cold, windy Tuesday evening isn't the most pleasant experience.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Dec 2009, 06:46
Ahh, now it makes sense.

Once again, thank you for Eric Cantona.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 19 Dec 2009, 06:43
Aye Cheers for Gordon Strachan.

I'm a bit confused though, why do you have a Bradford city related name?

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Dec 2009, 07:14
It's the name of my old harshnoise project.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Dec 2009, 09:54
Don't remind me. I'm really starting to think Fergie's losing it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Dec 2009, 10:19
Apparently the Wild's equipment van went up in flames (http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/79697757.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUBP7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr) last night after a practice in Ottawa. They're somehow playing tonight's game against the Senators, but I can't imagine it'll go all that well. Niklas Backstrom's gear was completely destroyed, and well..lets just say goalies are REALLY superstitious about their gear.

This probably isn't a good sign for the rest of his season:

(http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/209669/goalie_mask_large.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 19 Dec 2009, 20:45
God damn it, Dallas.

Once that field goal rattled off the upright I was sure the Saints were going to make the comeback. It was all so perfect. :(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 19 Dec 2009, 23:48
God damn it, Dallas.

I say this every day.  They continue to not fall in a well and die.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Dec 2009, 00:47
An interesting wrinkle here is that if the Saints lose another game the Vikings could still end up with the number one seed due to the conference record tiebreaker. I haven't really set my hopes on it, however, since the Saints don't have anyone tough left on their schedule whereas the Vikings-Giants game may very well determine whether NY makes the playoffs or not. Home field sure would be nice though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Dec 2009, 18:24
You guys have no idea how happy that Steelers-Packers game made me. I wanted the Packers to lose, of course, but I also have Rodgers and Jennings on my fantasy team and it happens to be fantasy playoffs time. Last second Packers loss AND the Rodgers-Jenning hookup netted me 54 points. It's like an early Christmas!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Dec 2009, 20:50
I was down by 5 points with DW and Fred Davis to play.
DW got one, need Fred to pick up the rest.
It's so tense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Bastardous Bassist on 20 Dec 2009, 20:52
Don't worry, man.  Jason Campbell is loving him some Fred Davis.  Plus the Giants' secondary has kind of fallen apart.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Dec 2009, 21:58
man, everybody lost this weekend. Bears (no surprise, but I was hoping they'd, you know, put up a fight), hometown Hawks (uggghhhhh), Vikings... just embarrassing. Nobody showed up to play.

Except for the Cowboys. lolwot?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 20 Dec 2009, 23:11
What the fuck, niners? You actually had a good chance against the Eagles. Instead you have 659999 fucking turnovers and blow the god damn game!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Dec 2009, 01:37
man, everybody lost this weekend. Bears (no surprise, but I was hoping they'd, you know, put up a fight), hometown Hawks (uggghhhhh), Vikings... just embarrassing. Nobody showed up to play.

Except for the Cowboys. lolwot?

Well, now ... Chargers won. Pats won. Falcons won. Ravens won. Eagles won.

Basically, a lot of the teams I sort of like won.

And yeah, Vikings were bad. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Dec 2009, 06:10
Yeah but the Chargers always lose in the playoffs sooo... no big. Falcons.. meh.

But man the Eagles. Always a late surprise. They're so "meh" through the middle of the reg. season and then Andy Reid is like "oh yeah coaching" and does that till they reach the playoffs. Then he gives up again.

lol Eagles
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Dec 2009, 06:47
What was up with Washington faking a field goal and dropping into a pseudo-Wildcat?

I meant, the Giants were all "wtf is this shit" and called a time out, THEN THEY TRIED IT AGAIN. The kicker threw the worlds dumbest interception..

You're terrible, Washington. How the hell did you manage to beat Oakland?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 22 Dec 2009, 09:33
I think that there was a clown convention in DC and some of the clowns sneaked in and put on Redskins uniforms and played.
Or something.
I don't know.
I just don't know.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 27 Dec 2009, 13:30
Pats secure the AFC East.  :-D

Also, anyone see Janikowski's 61 yard FG for the Raiders against Cleveland?  :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Dec 2009, 00:15
No, but I did see Brandon Stokley get ejected for striking an umpire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0vlRkdlpSU). It's not as cool as it sounds, but still. Gives me some levity to fall back on after my Bears get clobbered by the Vikes tomorrow night.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 28 Dec 2009, 05:23
Next week is going to be tense. Something like 11 teams still have (slim) mathematical chances of getting into the play-offs. Quite thankful I don't care about any of them, or the uncertainty would probably kill me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Dec 2009, 12:50
It's more like 7, and they're all in the AFC.

(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/phyrexianmeatdog/nfcsucks.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 28 Dec 2009, 14:36
So, two wins in two with two clean sheets.
Huzzah for Mancini.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 28 Dec 2009, 20:41
This football game is killing me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Dec 2009, 22:59
DAAAA BEARS

Granted, this win is mostly a benefit from Viking mistakes, but I'll take anything at this point.

Also: Jay Cutler, 20/35, 273 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT

These are numbers I can get behind. Where the fuck has our offensive line been all season?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Dec 2009, 00:05
I dunno, I rather feel like they got an assist from some mediocre defensive line play-- the Vikings offensive and defensive lines just got plain pushed around by the Cardinals and they haven't been the same since. It didn't help that Pat Williams was out either. Without him clogging up the middle the ends just can't get away with freelancing like they're used to, and god knows Jared Allen always rushes the passer first and checks for running backs second, if at all. The whole "We only play one half during any given game" thing definitely came back with vengeance too. We've had a good season, so I suppose I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but this isn't really the best way to head into the playoffs. I mean, c'mon, we curbstomped the Bears last time, so what the hell guys?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 29 Dec 2009, 16:31
You're also going to be fighting a thoroughly pissed Giants team next week too. Not that that really means anything though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Dec 2009, 19:32
Their defense couldn't stop my chihuahua at this point though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 29 Dec 2009, 20:03
Yeah but Chihuahuas are vicious little bastards.

So, cricket. I was briefly considering going to the last day of the Boxing Day Test here in Melbourne, but I didn't have any money and it's stinking hot today so I decided to cower in my house and watch it on the T.V. instead. Good thing, too: Pakistan completely capitulated, going from three wickets down at the start of the day's play to all out just a few minutes after the lunch break. Shame, but at least they've shown that they can put up something of a fight and at least the Test matches this summer are going to five days instead of two-and-a-half days like they used to when the Australian team was basically untouchable. Shane Watson was named man of the match, deservedly I guess, but after he made a complete tool of himself in the last Test against the West Indies I can't stand the sight of the man.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Dec 2009, 20:05
That low center of gravity makes 'em tough to tackle too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Dec 2009, 02:15
True. But I think their ball carrying abilities are rather limited.

Anybody else here think that it's nice that the Giants are out? Anybody else here think that it's retribution for signing a wall in some stadium?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 30 Dec 2009, 07:40
meh. I'd care about that more if I respected the Cowboys as a franchise. And any hope of that that hadn't been squandered by Wade Philips, T.O., and Romo was ruined by the ugly-ass, pointlessly retarded screen that hangs over their field. I hope it falls and kills them all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 30 Dec 2009, 07:42
HOW IS THIS NECESSARY?

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Cowboys_stadium_television_screen.JPG/800px-Cowboys_stadium_television_screen.JPG)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Reed on 30 Dec 2009, 07:46
Because all Texas football fans clearly want to know what is going on in the world of international soccer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Dec 2009, 09:51
It does remind one of that Xzibit meme we had on the internet a while ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 30 Dec 2009, 22:22
I dunno if anyone watches basketball, but I find it a li'l depressing that pretty much nobody in the league seems to feel the need to double Tim Duncan anymore. It's a very quiet end of an era.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 30 Dec 2009, 23:27
Basketball is a bad game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Jan 2010, 01:21
See, I find players interesting as opposed to the games themselves. Basketball has small teams and it becomes pretty easy to get a feel for the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Much like with hockey, it's one of the few sports where at any given second a player can get isolated and left to sink or swim with little to no warning. Football has moments like that, but the size of the pitch and teams can dull the impact a bit and make it a bit easier to protect a weaker player-- guys get beat bad all the time, of course, but usually the ball's going to get bogged down again anyway, so you can sorta live with it. But with basketball you'll end up with games where a guy will just get demolished by the same person repeatedly, and it becomes pretty interesting to find out how the guy will handle it, because if he doesn't figure it out, other teams will do it too. It's the least anonymous sport that way, really-- if you have a weakness, it will be found. The league is too small for it not to happen, and even shmucks like me will see it. And players respond to this pressure in as many ways as you can imagine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 05:59
Leeds are winning against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Quote from: BBC News
"Leeds fans singing 'Stand up if you're top of the League'. None of them have sat down yet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 03 Jan 2010, 06:37
Sigh. I hate to sound like a paranoid Celtic fan, but when you get a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed and then a stone-wall red card for the opposing team ignored, it really does make you wonder...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 07:08
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IT ALL TOGETHER

AND WE'VE HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS

UP AND DOWNS

STAND UP AND SING FOR LEEDS UNITED

WE ARE THE GREATEST IN THE LAND
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 07:08
MARCHING ON TOGETHER

WE'RE GONNA SEE YOU WIN

LA LA LA LA LA LA

WE ARE SO PROUD

WE SHOUT IT OUT LOUD

WE LOVE YOU LEEDS

LEEDS

LEEDS


Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 03 Jan 2010, 07:10
Yeah... apparently they won a game against some guys, or something?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 07:21
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01552/jermaine_beckford_1552386c.jpg)

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2010/1/3/1262525510367/Jermaine-Beckford--001.jpg)

(http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00958/05_280x390_958884a.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 07:39
(http://www.leedsunited.com/javaImages/7/94/0,,10273~8098823,00.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 08:07
Quote from: BBC News
Manchester United v Leeds United line-ups:
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Neville, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Welbeck, Gibson, Anderson, Obertan, Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs: Amos, Brown, Owen, Giggs, Tosic, Carrick, Rafael Da Silva.
Leeds: Ankergren, Crowe, Naylor, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Howson, Kilkenny, Doyle, Johnson, Beckford, Becchio.
Subs: David Martin, Prutton, Grella, Michalik, Snodgrass, Capaldi, White.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Leeds boss Simon Grayson: "We won't change how we go about our business for anyone, as they wouldn't. We're here to win the game and we'll give it a go. The rivalry is there for everyone to know about, not so long ago it was a Premier League fixture, but hopefully it'll be a cracking game and atmosphere."

1319: GOAL Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United
Leeds goal: No, I'm not joking. Johnny Howson launches a fabulous 50-yard pass over the top of Wes Brown to Jermaine Beckford, and suddenly he's in behind. His touch is a little strong, but he gets to the ball before Brown and the onrushing Tomasz Kuszczak and rolls it into the net. This would be a Cupset to rival any other.

1326: Jason Crowe stands up a cross from the right to the back post, and Bradley Johnson heads wide. I knew League One once, and it wasn't like this. Leeds are on fire.

From Bobleponge, Eance, via text - "Stevo, watching this on telly at home in France. When Rooney had his shot cleared off the line, the Leeds fans sang a little ditty about his weight and his parentage. Two French commentators repeated it word for word, thinking it was the Manc fans encouraging him. Brilliant."

1347: Half-time Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United
If United weren't sure about their opponents before this one, they will know they are in a game now. It's everything the FA Cup should be.

From Missinaldo on 606: "There's only one team playing the football at OT today. Excellent passing, compact defending, and when attacking move forward in waves. It's Leeds.

From TaiSx via Twitter: "Are we playing Leeds or Real Madrid??

1454: Full-time Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United
Forget Leeds' past - they are a League One club, and they have just dumped Man United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. It's one of the great upsets in this competition's magnificent history.

1457: After everything Leeds' fans have been through in the last few years, you can feel nothing but delight for them as they start what is sure to be a massive party. That was a truly stunning performance.

Leeds boss Simon Grayson: "It was a good ball from Johnny Howson and nine out of 10 times Jermaine Beckford finishes them off. Full credit to the players, who were outstanding. They have been like that all season. Beckford is the new hero now."

Leeds United captain Richard Naylor: "It is unbelievable, a tremendous result that has been a long time coming. I am really proud of the lads. I thought we had a few chances to make it 2-0 late on. We dug in when we needed to but we also played some good football."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 08:11
Quote from: BBC News
Man Utd had never before lost in the third round of the Cup - or been knocked out of it by a lower-division side - during Sir Alex Ferguson's 23-year reign as manager.

"Leeds fans singing 'Stand up if you're top of the League'. None of them have sat down yet."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Coward on 03 Jan 2010, 08:46
A Leeds fan, perchance?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 03 Jan 2010, 08:49
Sigh. I hate to sound like a paranoid Celtic fan, but when you get a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed and then a stone-wall red card for the opposing team ignored, it really does make you wonder...
Wonder what?

That the SFA - of the likes of Jim Farry, Gordon Smith, Darryl Broadfoot, Mike McCurry et al - have it in for Celtic?

Never! And yes, I am being sarcastic.

Not that the fact that we couldn't last for two minutes with the bloody lead against a team we'd dominated helped a great deal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 03 Jan 2010, 10:02
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ALL LOVE LEEDS AND LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS LEEDS AND LEEDS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 10:24
It's pretty much incredible whichever way you look at this.

1. We beat Manchester United.
2. We beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.
3. We beat Manchester United and kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
4. We beat near-enough Manchester United's first team and kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford.
4. We beat near-enough Manchester United's first team and kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford despite having four of our first team players out (Higgs, Parker, Bromby, Snodgrass).

Remember there's forty two places and two divisions between the two teams and their monthly wage bill is worth roughly the same as our whole team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 03 Jan 2010, 10:53
I have to say it really was quite an impressive defeat. Business as usual for the Arsenal though! Stoke shouldn't be too difficult though. Now all I can do is hope Leeds keep up their performance against Spurs!

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Jan 2010, 13:10
It was nice of the Giants D to come through for me like that. I knew they had it in 'em.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 03 Jan 2010, 13:29
Sigh. I hate to sound like a paranoid Celtic fan, but when you get a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed and then a stone-wall red card for the opposing team ignored, it really does make you wonder...
Wonder what?

That the SFA - of the likes of Jim Farry, Gordon Smith, Darryl Broadfoot, Mike McCurry et al - have it in for Celtic?

Never! And yes, I am being sarcastic.

Not that the fact that we couldn't last for two minutes with the bloody lead against a team we'd dominated helped a great deal.

Don't get me wrong, the strikers are to blame for their inability to finish, no doubt. However, it doesn't help that when they do finally manage to put one in the net it gets chopped off for no bloody reason.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 13:37
This doesn't capture Johnny Howson's fifty yard pass in all its glory but this is the Beckford goal from today.

(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/8043/beckford320.gif)

He had about twelve inches of space between the keeper and the last defender and in his normal casual manner slotted it perfectly between the two.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 03 Jan 2010, 14:34
How is this Leeds team only in League 1? The fact that they aren't winning it at an absolute canter is ridiculous. Them, Norwich and Chartlon are all far too good for the division. The fact that only 2 of them will go up automatically is pretty unfair.

That tie did not feel like a Man Utd home game. My favourite moment was when Gary Neville first gets the ball and gets pantomime booed. How often does he get booed at Old Trafford?

I recorded the match while at work today and I'm currently watching it through for the second time. Wes Brown somehow seems to have an even worse match second time around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 14:46
Considering the fact that right after being booked Wes Brown committed two fouls which were easily worthy of a red (including an off the ball incident with a Leeds player who was lying on the ground at the time), I have decided that the referee had merely observed that it was more of an advantage to Leeds to keep him on the pitch since he was having such a bad game.

We've only lost two games this whole season (Milwall and Liverpool) and they were both unlucky results. I think Norwich will win the league but as long as we finish second I don't mind. For obvious reasons, I'm now completely sick of the play-offs. A trip to Wembley in the JPT would be nice too. Don't fancy our chances away at Spurs in the next round of the FA Cup though. Still, the gate revenue and TV money all goes in the kitty, which must be pretty hefty by this stage.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 03 Jan 2010, 14:58
I think that you probably have the edge on Charlton, but Norwich  (or Holt and Hoolahan if you prefer) look pretty much unstoppable at present. Leeds' main problem seems to be that they still have to travel to most of their rivals, so their run in is as hard as it could be. It'll come down to you against Norwich I reckon. Both would have won at a canter in any other year.

Think losing at Spurs is the best that could happen to Leeds. Get another payday, which is always helpful, and you don't run the risk of an extended cup run tiring your team.

I really enjoyed watching Leeds play today, and definitely hope they go up now, so best of luck. Still don't think you'll need too much of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 15:05
Essentially, the gap between us and Norwich is academic because I don't see any points from these upcoming fixtures -

Swindon (A)
Huddersfield (A)
Southampton (A)
Norwich (A)
Charlton (A)

Probably a few draws on the road to come, maybe a loss or two as well. If Norwich drop any points at all I'll be amazed. Maybe someone will swoop in for Holt and/or Hoolahan. If so, I hope it's Leeds!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jan 2010, 15:12
I just don't want this day to end -

(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs222.snc3/20945_244297506864_534451864_3299762_613487_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Jan 2010, 15:54
It was nice of the Giants D to come through for me like that. I knew they had it in 'em.

good lord that game was hilarious
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Jan 2010, 16:08
The sad thing is that Eli really played his ass off this year once you factor in the nagging injury. Overall, they had a decent year offensively, but that defense hasn't stopped anyone but the 'Skins in weeks now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Jan 2010, 16:12
Seems like there are more blowouts this week than usual - Buffalo reamed Indy 30-7, Dallas is up on Philly 24-0, and the Pack pounded Arizona 33-7. Hell, even the Chiefs are rompin' the Broncos 44-24. It's like half the league didn't even show up. Which would be understandable, if most of the teams getting creamed weren't fighting for playoff spots.

Well, except for the Colts, but whatever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Jan 2010, 16:27
Packers-Cardinals needs to be taken with a grain of salt though, what with Warner's concussion and Cromartie getting banged up early. Arizona was sitting an awful lot of starters for a big chunk of the game. I guess we'll have to wait and see if it pays off.

I will say that the Packers are a pretty scary team now that that their young offensive line has figured out how to run block pretty well as opposed to straight being incompetent in all phases of the game. I always liked Rodgers and their receivers (Hell, I built my championship fantasy team around them) but I was deathly afraid that the o-line wouldn't figure things out by the end of the season at one point. They were historically bad for a solid month.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Jan 2010, 16:40
Ah, that's true. Over here they're just airing the Titans-Hawks, so I'm missing all the little details like that. And I only watched until Johnson broke 2,000 anyway. Probably like most of the football fans out here.

Packers might be the surprise wild card team this year, like the Giants were when they went to the Bowl. And the Saints have lost three straight against less-than-mediocre teams. Given Dallas' history, it seems like the only other real NFC contenders are a battered Arizona team and the hot-and-cold Eagles. And if Green Bay ends up against the Minnesota for a third time, they'll be out for blood. 0-3 against one team in one season is just plain ugly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Jan 2010, 17:02
Charles Woodson tweaked his shoulder too; I don't like the Packers chances in the playoffs at all if it turns out that he can't play, since there really isn't any true "grind it out" defensively minded teams in the NFC playoffs this year, so you can't really sneak through a round or two thanks to lucky matchups on that end. Absolutely everyone is capable of doing some real damage through the air. Hell, you could argue that Dallas is the least passing oriented team in the playoffs right now, but even that's only just because they have a balls out ridiculous running back committee.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Jan 2010, 17:06
If the conference championship for the NFC turns into an arena football game I will enjoy it so much. More so than Eagles v. Giants, 45-38.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 03 Jan 2010, 17:55
I have to admit I had a little bit higher hopes going into this season than ending up 8-8, but there are some positives to take out of it. Most notably, Vernon Davis going from overpriced and underperforming to one of the best tight ends in the league. But also: Alex Smith rising from the grave and showing signs that he might just be a legitimate NFL starting quarterback, Frank Gore getting a fourth consecutive 1000-yard season despite mediocre blocking and missing three games, and the defense forcing absolute tons of turnovers in crucial games. Patrick Willis is still the best damn linebacker in the NFL, maybe the best overall defensive player.

But this is the offseason that will make or break Scott McLaughlin's career in San Francisco, as far as I'm concerned. The Niners will have two picks in the middle of the first round, so if he can't do something with this draft then I think he has to go. We need help on both lines (but who doesn't, really?), and we could use one more good defensive back. They have a core group to build on, but Smith needs to keep improving and the offensive line needs to get better at the very least for this team to be a contender again. Still, snapping the losing season streak is a start and Singletary has the team playing harder than they have in years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 04 Jan 2010, 06:33
I have decided that the referee had merely observed that it was more of an advantage to Leeds to keep him on the pitch since he was having such a bad game.

He was our best player.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 04 Jan 2010, 07:02
The whole build up to the goal can be seen here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owpnrxCXZJ4). Naylor (Leeds born, Captain) battles it away from the Scum players and knocks it to Howson (Leeds born, Vice-Captain) who plays that wonderful fifty yard pass through to Beckford.

I can't emphasise how happy this made me, I woke up laughing in my sleep this morning. Incredible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Radical AC on 04 Jan 2010, 21:36
HEY!  LISTEN!  My uni just won the Fiesta Bowl ('Merican Football)

This is pretty nifty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 05 Jan 2010, 16:33
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i318/tommydski/p0is2.gif)

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i318/tommydski/2b1rtv.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 05 Jan 2010, 18:13
hahah, gary chuckle.
quality.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 06 Jan 2010, 01:07
This one is even better. Leeds skipper Richard Naylor (also a lifelong Leeds fan) on Wayne Rooney -

(http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1149/naylorishardasfooku.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Jan 2010, 01:19
Subtle!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Jan 2010, 18:12
96 points scored in the Packers-Cardinals game. what
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Jan 2010, 19:02
I'm not really surprised, tbh. Like I said earlier, every offense in the NFC playoffs has some serious firepower available, and none of 'em have a defense that particularly impresses me. You can run on the Saints, for example, and the Vikings are good at forcing 3 and outs and getting sacks but they're curiously vulnerable to big plays. Like Scarred said, this could end up like Arena Football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 10 Jan 2010, 19:05
Or maybe even LFL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Jan 2010, 19:53
As long as it doesn't end up the XFL.

(http://images.chron.com/blogs/fanblogtexans/xfl_hehateme.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 10 Jan 2010, 20:30
Typical. Green Bay's defense has been rock solid all season long. Comes play-off time they all decide to take the night off. <_<
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2010, 11:40
God, I hate Brad Childress. He makes me crazy. Even up 14 to 3, with seconds to go in the half and the ball in our possession, he manages to scare the hell out of me. We didn't get burned, but really, why the hell would you give Dallas the ball back like that? There was no god damn reason to do what he did! It was just a silly risk! He really is the turd floating in the punch bowl of this Vikings' season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Jan 2010, 11:49
On the other hand, the vikings are up 14 points so, you know, he must be doing something right ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2010, 13:06
He is like Andy Reid 2.0-- he is good at teaching an offense and he apparently works well with the front office when it comes to picking young players who should be able to fit into his offensive system. It is clear that he understands a lot about football. But with that said, he sucks at clock management and he also might as well light his challenge flags on fire before every game for all the good they do him. His teams always seem to be slow to make adjustments as well, since it's very rare that the Vikings play better in the second half of a game than in the first. Plus, you have to keep in mind that Leslie Frazier basically runs that defense from the ground up, so it's hard to give Childress much credit on that end, since Frazier is pretty likely to be a head coach himself at some point.

Basically, what I'm saying here is that Brad Childress sometimes randomly takes things away from the table, and when he does so it tends to be an inexplicable and dramatic fashion. For all his virtues as a teacher, once game day rolls around I never feel safe.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Jan 2010, 13:10
Still, congratulations, your team won in spectacular fashion.

I enjoyed this game. Good football and seeing Romo in trouble again and again really made my weekend. It might be trivial but I really think he's a bit of a pratt. Anyway ... Jets - Bolts next.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2010, 13:15
I was actually pretty confident in this game for two closely intertwined reasons:

1. Vegas set this game to be close.

2. Everyone I knew seemed to be all over the Cowboys since they looked good last week and because they finished the season strong.

And as we all know, Vegas routinely fleeces the hell out of people. The public is often wrong and it often seems that the popular favorite just about always ends up going down in flames in this situation and Vegas ends up making eighty kajillion dollars. Was that a really well thought out logical reason to be down on the Cowboys? Nah. But sports isn't really about logic anyway, so I felt pretty good. Honestly, I feel a bit like order has been upheld in the universe-- it's too early for the Vikes to really choke yet anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Jan 2010, 14:46
Hey tommy, I had a dream last night in which Leeds beat Manchester United, 2-1 (Man U scored a late consolation goal after being 2 down for much of the match). In the dream my dream-self even thought "tommy's going to be so happy with this result".

I thought you'd like to know.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: johnny5 on 17 Jan 2010, 15:45
AAAAAAAAAAAHHH GOD FUCKING YANKEE CAPITALIST COWBOYS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 17 Jan 2010, 15:59
So since my last NHL-based post my team has completely imploded and instead of looking for a top 8 finish and home advantage in the playoffs they are now looking to just scrape their way into the playoffs at all. However, each other supported team here is doing fairly well; Bruins are in the playoff places and results look to be going their way enough to stay there; Capitals are still top 3 in the NHL, 1st in the Eastern Conference and Buffalo Sabres are comfortably within the playoffs too.

Now that it is coming up to trade time and the Olympics we will see what this does to the rosters for the teams on the bubble such as Flyers, Canadiens, Stars, Kings, Rangers and maybe surprisingly the Red Wings although with the shocking performances of Chris Osgood in net it has been up to rookie keeper Jimmy Howard to take the reins and he is doing fairly well, if not amazingly. However, at the bottom we can safely add Columbus and Edmonton to Carolina and Toronto for being completely out of the running for a playoff place and it is likely that they will lose players in order to gain draft picks next year.

Some better news (for me anyway) is that I am still well within touching distance of winning my fantasy hockey league so I guess that is some consolation, even though it is pretty small.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Jan 2010, 17:10
Totally called Jets over Chargers. AND it was the only truly entertaining game of the weekend. Nice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2010, 17:23
Yeah, that was a good match up for the Jets. I think I'm on record as thinking the Rivers-Jackson hook up is borderline unfair, but Revis is probably the only corner in the league that can practically cancel that advantage out single handedly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Jan 2010, 18:19
I thought that was a most boring game. Must be me.

Halfway through, I went to do my WoW dailies.

Also: fat coaches ... why do they annoy me so?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Jan 2010, 18:23
I love Rex Ryan though. A week after he said his team would never make the playoffs he was declaring they'd win the super bowl. Plus, he gets animated on the sideline, and not in a creepy way like Andy Reid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jan 2010, 07:50
Oh hey we beat Burnley for our first win in...is it a month? All competitions?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 19 Jan 2010, 09:12
I saw this thread and thought "Woo! A sports thread where I can admit to being a Glasgow Rangers fan without being hated on." Then I read through the thread and saw that Rangers get hate here too. I suppose it's better than the Aberdeen Music Board where the hatred is pretty vitriolic. Anyway...

Delighted that we're currently 9 points clear at the top considering that Celtic have a game in hand. The string of games in December where we couldn't stop scoring was magic, but I can't see that continuing since a lot of our best players are injured at the moment, and I think the 0-1 result at Hamilton was indicative of this. If we win tonight I reckon it'll be the home advantage that swings it for us, but I can see Hamilton maybe pushing it to penalties. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jan 2010, 09:17
See, I heard Rangers fans booed a minute of silence in the 60s after JFK was assassinated.

So yeah, pretty much fuck Rangers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 19 Jan 2010, 09:39
Yeah, Rangers on the whole are let down by some of their fans. See UEFA cup final 2008.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 19 Jan 2010, 09:49
Growing up in Scotland I've met a number of intelligent, knowledgable Rangers fans. Unfortunately, they aren't the ones who everybody hears on matchdays. The problem is the folk nailing a bottle of Buckfast on the way to the match then chanting. Certainly doesn't reflect well on the club, which is probably the reason a lot of folk hate them.

That and the fact that they are the club of the establishment and win all the time, of course. If it makes you feel better I don't like either of the Auld Firm, and would happily see the back of the both of them. Can't imagine you'd miss going to places like Kilmarnock anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 19 Jan 2010, 10:06
You're spot on about Rangers fans. The drink fuelled sectarianism and traditional unionism doesn't win a lot of fans.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 19 Jan 2010, 10:15
This is very true. Walk down Union Street wearing a Celtic top and you're fairly safe. In a Rangers top? I've never worn my Rangers top in town without wearing a jumper over it. You'd think being a girl would make folk think twice but after almost getting lamped in a bar for just cheering when they won a game (against Fiorentina) I've decided to exhibit some common sense.

Seeing a lot of Leeds utd. love here though which is nice. My girlfriend got me watching them last season before the playoffs so it's been good to see them improve a lot under Grayson. She's mental about Leeds, being from there. I watched the Man Utd. v Leeds game down at her folks and it was brilliant, although the ball seemed to take forever to cross the line!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jan 2010, 10:23
Don't remind me. I thought the planet stopped spinning for a second or something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 19 Jan 2010, 14:46
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4020/4223734006_90f7a3dc99.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 19 Jan 2010, 15:01
Fucking Carlisle.

But yaaay for Rangers scraping a 2-0 win over Hamilton in extra time even though it looks like another first-team player is now injured. Hopefully Miller's hamstring isn't too bad and he'll be back in time for the game against Hearts. He may have the first touch of a baby elephant but he's what we need in front of goal. Knowing my luck he'll be out against Hearts, we'll start Novo and some bastard will go through him as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Jan 2010, 15:24
Fucking Carlisle.

Never mind, there's an away fixture too. I'm not bothered about the cup competitions. I expect we'll get thumped by Spurs over the weekend. As long as we finish second this year I'm happy. Beating Manchester United at Old Trafford was good enough for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2010, 15:51
I prefer Celtic to Rangers simply because in situations where I'm neutral, I always cheer the team with the better uniform.

The test cricket season's finished here with Australia scoring an utterly predictable 3-0 series whitewash against Pakistan. There was a lot of carry-on about Australia's supposed "great escape" in Sydney when they came back to win after having only scored 127 runs in the first innings - but the media coverage almost universally ignored the fact that Australia only won because Pakistan had a massive choking fit and set an appallingly defensive field at the end of Australia's second innings, which allowed Michael Hussey to score the runs that ended up making the difference. Make no mistake: Australia didn't win that match, Pakistan lost it (a point made fairly emphatically by Michael Slater in an otherwise embarassingly partisan Channel 9 commentary team). Ricky Ponting is now the most succesful captain in Australian history, in terms of number of wins, which of course is impressive especially given that he's had to see the side through a huge transitional phase (losing Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath alone would've crippled most teams) - but it's hard to escape the feeling that under his captaincy the Australian cricket team has become ever less gracious in victory and in defeat, less likeable even than they were before. Sometimes, frankly, it's embarassing to watch them and think that these are the men who are representing Australia to the rest of the cricket-playing world.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 19 Jan 2010, 16:36
I hate to break away from Scottish football but the Winter Olympics are starting soon, so I hope you'll all be watching on February 13th when Canada pound Slovakia (just a guess, but highly likely).

Also if Rob is around anywhere, we'll be playing in Sheffield at some point this year (BUIHA div III nationals, I think, but I can't find anything on the web about it).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 19 Jan 2010, 16:40
having only scored 127 runs in the first innings

Yr sport is insane.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2010, 16:58
It's not like they actually have to run all the way round the field every time. They get six "runs" just for hitting it over the fence and they don't even have to take a stride!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 19 Jan 2010, 17:26
it's hard to escape the feeling that under his captaincy the Australian cricket team has become ever less gracious in victory and in defeat

The Australian team come across a hell of a lot less childish and petulant than the England. England's constant persecution complex about umpiring decisions is frankly embarrassing, and Stuart Broad really needs to grow up at some point. Going to the bother of officially complaining about the umpire after South Africa had let the ball tampering thing slide was just about the opposite of gracious.

And I feel Ponting gets a fairly hard rep a lot of the time. I don't think the team is any less sportsmanlike than it was under Waugh. If anything it's friendlier than it used to be. Or it might just seem that way now that they are no longer give the same impression of invulnerability.

Michael Slater is surprisingly good in the commentary booth. I expected him to be biased the same way most of them are, but he's remarkably knowledgable. Him and Atherton are probably the best I feel. No idea if you get Atherton down under, but he's superb. I talk about cricket far too much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2010, 18:03
Actually I almost never listen to the T.V. commentary; if Channel 9's not actively cheering on Australia then they're trying to sell you some cheap piece of "memorabilia" or touting their latest crappy show. I prefer to listen to the ABC radio commentary.

As for the Australian team, I don't really follow cricket apart from the domestic test season so I couldn't say how they compare to other teams, but this ridiculously petulant display (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-CHR_o8l4c) by Shane Watson upon his dismissal of Chris Gayle a couple of months ago (apparently all because Gayle had the temerity to say he was looking forward to scoring a few runs) seems indicative of the team's attitude at the moment: sore losers, and sore winners. Under Steve Waugh's captaincy they weren't exactly likeable, but you at least got the impression they were fair. Under Ponting the team seems more willing to try anything to get an angle, even (last summer) claiming as catches balls that the batsmen had blatantly missed - something I can never remember happening under Waugh or Mark Taylor.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 19 Jan 2010, 18:55
I haven't seen much of the Australian team since the Ashes, where I thought they handled themselves quite well, though that clip of Watson is pretty laughable. I think the biggest difference from the days of Waugh and Taylor (though I was pretty young at the time and could be misremembering) is that the teamused to carry a genuine air of menace. The current team just seem a bit childish, like a young kid trying to act the part that isn't really in them. The fast bowlers especially seem a bit too keen to play the part of a panto villain, snarling and glaring everywhere. I'm hoping they'll grow out of it.

As to the dishonesty, I think that's pretty much across the board. Everybody now claims bump balls as catches and the like, or excessively appealing. My particular favourite is England's New Great Hope appealing for LBW when the ball hit nothing but bat (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB42L0-O-xc). Pretty embarrassing, and indicative of the direction the game seems to be taking.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2010, 20:19
That's why I think there was a huge missed opportunity for Australia, who were so dominant for so long, to set the tone for the rest of the cricket-playing world. Because they were the team everybody wanted to emulate they were in a unique position to demonstrate how the game ought to be played, and really I think that's the only thing they had left to achieve - if they'd wanted to - when they were at their peak. It's not like they didn't have senior players of genuine integrity in the team - Adam Gilchrist, a famous walker, springs to mind - but of course the issue never even came up and as ever in professional sport the win-at-all-costs mentality has proven to be the dominant one.

EDIT: also that clip of Shane Watson doesn't show the whole thing: after screaming in Gayle's face he then proceeded to jump up and down on the spot three or four times laughing and shouting at Gayle, almost exactly like a spoilt child.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 20 Jan 2010, 00:05
I hate to break away from Scottish football but the Winter Olympics are starting soon, so I hope you'll all be watching on February 13th when Canada pound Slovakia (just a guess, but highly likely).
[...]
Don't skip the speed skating either. You know ... fast dutch people! Yay!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 20 Jan 2010, 01:07
Hopefully every other competitor will fuck up completely and Australia will come out with a medal again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 20 Jan 2010, 02:46
I prefer Celtic to Rangers simply because in situations where I'm neutral, I always cheer the team with the better uniform.

I was about to say Rangers generally have the better strip...but I'm horribly bias. However, the Celtic Away kit makes them look like fluorescent bumble-bees. Why they don't have the all-white third kit as their away strip just bamboozles me. Then again...Partick Thistle's away kit...

(http://www.ptfc.co.uk/img/news/strip2.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Jan 2010, 04:33
Holy . . . I didn't realise the military had special "attacking a rave in a snowy field" camouflage.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 20 Jan 2010, 05:24
However, the Celtic Away kit makes them look like fluorescent bumble-bees.

Perhaps why we call it the "Bumblebee strip", then. ^_^

Away strips are allowed to be a bit daft, though. Let us not forget Rangers'... *cough* "tangerine" kit from a few years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Jan 2010, 10:07
cripsyneck

We don't win anymore. It just doesn't happen. Burnley was a complete fluke.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 20 Jan 2010, 11:13
As I mentioned previously in this thread (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,23909.msg878889.html#msg878889), Tevez is a very literal example of Ferguson's incompetence which has in no small way contributed to their current debt (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8470595.stm) of $1.17 billion. With Giggs on the verge of retiring they are one Rooney away from being a nothing club.

The thing is about Ferguson is he genuinely doesn't give a shit about Manchester United. He's in it for Alex Ferguson and to hell with everything else. If he cared an iota about Scum he'd have left at the top of his game a few years back, when he was still roughly par for the course considering his expenditure. The fact that he didn't suggests it's all about him, not about the club he ostensibly serves. His stupid selfish pride has contributed to unmanageable spiraling debt of over Ł700m, the sale of their prize assets and very soon most likely two cup exits to their two most bitter rivals due to the unremarkable, negative team he has created.

In his mind, he is Manchester United and so he feels as if he is absolutely entitled to destroy them, which is absolutely fine by me. If any of the prawn sandwich brigade had a clue they'd stone him to death during the next home fixture but they're too thick to realise that he's busy playing Nero as Rome burns all around him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 20 Jan 2010, 14:02
However, the Celtic Away kit makes them look like fluorescent bumble-bees.

Perhaps why we call it the "Bumblebee strip", then. ^_^

Away strips are allowed to be a bit daft, though. Let us not forget Rangers'... *cough* "tangerine" kit from a few years ago.

Yes, well. Quite. I was hoping most folk had forgotten about that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Jan 2010, 11:38
I kinda liked the orange one, actually.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 21 Jan 2010, 17:22
The problem with that strip wasn't how it looked; rather the very negative, sectarian connotations it carried.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 22 Jan 2010, 00:33
moving to american football for a second.... prince wrote a song about the vikings (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/01/prince-pens-purple-and-gold-fight-song-to-support-vikings/1). um. it.... um. i am sorry prince, i'm very very sorry (though i do appreciate the oddity of it)

(((((i still love you prince, always)))))

[edit: actually, the more i listen to it, the more i like it. seems like the music the girl in the record store is listening to in a clockwork orange)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 22 Jan 2010, 02:35
The problem with that strip wasn't how it looked; rather the very negative, sectarian connotations it carried.

Yup, and, as if our own orange strip wasn't enough, some Rangers fans took to wearing the Holland national side's strip as well...

On the transfer window, I am not loving these reports about Boyd and his agents talking to Aston Villa. Don't get me wrong, it'd be a fantastic move for him and it would bring some much needed money into the club, but I'm not so keen on losing our most prolific striker when we have a real chance at the domestic treble this year. In addition to this I don't think we can afford to lose another striker be it to injury or a transfer. Thankfully Mendes seems to be talking down any rumors of him moving, and is almost back to match-fitness. Could do with him for the Hearts game at the weekend as we'll be luck if Novo or Lafferty are fit. Also, I don't like Lafferty. Lanky diving git.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 22 Jan 2010, 09:53
I'm looking to come up to Scotland at some point next year to get to the Auld Firm Derby.

What are the chances of me getting tickets for this?
I also want to catch a Partick Thistle home game too.

I was thinking of coming up for a weekend, Thistle on Saturday, Celtic/Rangers Sunday.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 23 Jan 2010, 11:29
Well I wasn't expecting that. By the last ten minutes I was just hoping Leeds wouldn't concede another then all of a sudden Leeds have a penalty, Beckford puts it away and we've got a replay with Tottenham at Elland Road.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 23 Jan 2010, 12:08
Oh man. When the ref pointed at the spot I about fell off my seat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 23 Jan 2010, 17:30
So, NFL predictions?

Personally I can't see the Jets beating Indy (even though I said the same about them beating the Chargers), but Saints/Vikings I just cannot call. The part of me that loves a beautiful sport story would really like to see Favre win the Superbowl, but the Saints deserve to be there more than anyone based on this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 23 Jan 2010, 17:46
I'm only a casual American Football follower at best, but it seems to me that "Team representing the most fucked-over city in recent American history wins Superbowl" would be a much more beautiful sports story than "Old guy comes out of retirement, plays surprisingly well, and wins Superbowl."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Jan 2010, 18:59
Yes, but then I wouldn't get to bathe in Wisconsin's tears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Jan 2010, 19:26
I  really, really want the Jets to beat the Colts. I have this beautiful mental image of Rex Ryan going right up to Peyton Manning at the end of the game and yelling "POW! Right in the kisser!" and then eating an entire pig.

Saints-Vikings? Good family friends of mine are purple and gold, so they're who I'm rooting for, but I have no freaking clue how that game is going to turn out. Just gonna sit back and gorge myself, and probably cry into my food that Manning's in the Super Bowl again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Jan 2010, 19:40
I'm just amazed that either the Saints or the Vikings are going to have a chance to win the Superbowl. I mean, it's the Saints and the Vikings.

I'm not really all that fond of the Vikings chances right about now though because it sounds like our defensive line is all nicked up again. They're the Viking's real weapon, not Favre, and I give the Vikes even odds against anyone if they're healthy. But right now? I dunno. Kevin Williams and Ray Edwards are missing practices and Pat Williams played kinda bad during the second half slump due to age and that nagging elbow injury. If those guys aren't able to cover for the rest of the defense it'll be a disappointing game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 23 Jan 2010, 23:42
Yeah if the Vikings can't get pressure on Brees then they'll be pretty fucked. Unless they can score 50 points to New Orleans's 45.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 24 Jan 2010, 00:50
Well I wasn't expecting that. By the last ten minutes I was just hoping Leeds wouldn't concede another then all of a sudden Leeds have a penalty, Beckford puts it away and we've got a replay with Tottenham at Elland Road.

I am kind of following Leeds from afar at the moment.  I figure they're gonna go up into the Championship next year, and deservedly so if their current form is anything to go by.  I am very much enjoying their run in the FA cup, and particularly as an Arsenal supporter I would also very much enjoy Tottenham being knocked out :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 24 Jan 2010, 09:32
Oh how Fortuné infuriates me. Give him the ball five yards out in front of an empty net and he'll put it over the bar; well outisde the box at a totally absurd angle and he buries it in the top corner.

Still, we won in a very convincing manner which is excellent. Let's hope we can keep it up and start to close down on Rangers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2010, 18:55
Shit like this is why I don't trust Childress. I mean, hey, why run to the left and get the kicker square with the uprights when you can try to fake out the other team, get called for a dumb penalty so you have to throw it to have a prayer of making the kick?

I don't even want to talk about Favre's decision making behind that throw either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 24 Jan 2010, 18:58
Oh cool! I went out and was like, 'damn I hope it went into overtime'. Yeah!

What did I miss guys?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2010, 18:58
It shouldn't have. That was some colossally stupid decision making to get it to overtime.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 24 Jan 2010, 19:20
And it looks like the Saints are going to the Superbowl.

TAKE THAT BRETT FAVRE! YOU CUNT!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2010, 19:23
He played awful well until that last pass though, which is rather a shame. The Vikings offensive line should collectively feel rather guilty the next time the collect a paycheck, because they did not play well at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 24 Jan 2010, 19:35
The stars must have aligned over New Orleans tonight, because there was no way that they earned that victory.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 24 Jan 2010, 19:54
Musta been some voodoo that greased the ball but only when Adrian Peterson touched it. Basically, the Saints played less badly than the Vikings. I'll certainly be rooting for the Saints in two weeks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2010, 20:00
It wasn't just Peterson by a long shot-- there was a ridiculous number of fumbles. Bottom line is, they tried to get fancy and fake out the other team when they should have just ran it or dumped it off in the middle and take a shot at the field goal. Why try to get the other team to commit a penalty when you're on the road in one of the loudest domes in the league and cannot afford a penalty yourself? That's just dumb and the worst possible time to take a 5 yard penalty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: I Am Not Amused on 24 Jan 2010, 20:40
The stars must have aligned over New Orleans tonight, because there was no way that they earned that victory.



This is karma for Favre butt-raping every Packer fan and refusing to acknowledge, must less feel remorseful, about it. It feels somehow justifiably appropriate as a Packer fan to see him end this Viking season with a stupid, ill-timed interception.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Jan 2010, 21:20
I am going prematurely grey because of that fucking game, good lord
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2010, 21:36
He still ended up making millions of dollars in endorsements anyway, so he'll probably just make himself a plaster cast made of money.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 24 Jan 2010, 23:46
Will he finally stay retired this time? I really lost my patience for Favre around the time of the third un-retirement and just wanted him to go away. It's great that he's still playing well at 40, but Jesus.

I have no idea what the Vikings are going to do without him, though. Not that he's the only good player on the team or anything, far from it, but having to go back to Tavaris Jackson isn't going to get them another chance at the Super Bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2010, 00:17
He was nearly destroyed at the end of that game, and he looked about 85 during the postgame press conference. If he comes back next year, he won't last the regular season.

If I were his wife, I'd forbid him to do it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Jan 2010, 00:31
I am just kinda annoyed that this Super Bowl isn't gonna be a Jets v. Vikings game. Because I was seriously hoping there'd be some decent gameplay this year. Instead it's probably just gonna be another Halftime-only game for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 25 Jan 2010, 04:20
I had a small window, of about 2 quarters, in which I was thinking:'yeah ... why NOT The Jets?' Would have liked to see no Manning in the Superbowl. Alas ...

I just finished watching the Vikings-Saints game. I actually thought that the Vikings deserved it more but that the Saints won thanks to fumbles and some questionable decisions. Still, good game. Enjoyed that.

Personally I hope that Fvre adds another year to his career. Whatever you think of him, his playing is never boring at least.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2010, 08:12
TAKE THAT BRETT FAVRE! YOU CUNT!

qft.

edit: I must talk about how great the Spurs-Leeds game was Saturday. I watched with three of my friends, one of which is a big Spurs supporter. It was easily one of the five best games I've ever seen, and GODDAMN YOU, JERMAINE BECKFORD.

Adding insult to injury, we decided to replay the game in FIFA10, and I was stuck playing as Leeds. The lowest moment of my entire life came when I scored with Beckford in the 86th minute to win 3-2, jumped up and started celebrating, only to stop and realize what just happened.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 25 Jan 2010, 12:36
Everytime I play as Leeds on FIFA10 I lose. But then that's because I always play my brother who is ten times better than me, and also Beckford's constantly offside.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kill.kenada on 25 Jan 2010, 14:29
What did you guys think about Robert Snodgrass the other day?

I'm in man-love with him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 25 Jan 2010, 15:41
I hope Craig Levein is keeping an eye on him...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 25 Jan 2010, 15:59
I played about 8 hours straight on fifa at new year.
Low lights include my netherlands losing 4-2 to Sheffield Wednesday.
High lights include my 15-0 in the Manchester Derby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 25 Jan 2010, 18:33
edit: I must talk about how great the Spurs-Leeds game was Saturday. I watched with three of my friends, one of which is a big Spurs supporter. It was easily one of the five best games I've ever seen, and GODDAMN YOU, JERMAINE BECKFORD.

It was pretty damn great. Beckford bringing pain to others is a heartening thing.

To go to a non-partisan perspective, anyone else see the Ivory Coast vs Algeria game? Kader Keita's goal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw63OWkSyMw) to put Ivory Cast ahead just before full time was completely stunning, but then Algeria equalize about a minute later and end up winning in extra time. Kind of a shame to see Ivory Coast go out and a pity they fell apart a bit in extra time, but great for Algeria and they did deserve it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Jan 2010, 14:24
ROOOOOOONEYYYYYYYYYY!!!

That's 5 goals in two games, now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 27 Jan 2010, 15:03
That was a good second half of football. As a neutral I'm glad it went to the wire like that, but I'll be cheering Villa in the final.

In the SPL, Hibs pinch a last-minute goal to win at Celtic Park whereas Rangers beat St. Mirren 2-0 and go ten points clear at the top! Yay!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 27 Jan 2010, 15:35
That's 5 goals in two games, now.

Which coincidentally is the same number of goals QPR let in in their last game.

Somebody forgot to tell them that you're meant to get promoted before you start falling apart because you were over-ambitious.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 28 Jan 2010, 14:28
In the SPL, Hibs pinch a last-minute goal to win at Celtic Park whereas Rangers beat St. Mirren 2-0 and go ten points clear at the top! Yay!

We still have a game in hand! There's no worry at all! [/misplaced optimism]
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 29 Jan 2010, 18:44
OH SHIT HULU JUST PUT UP NFL NETWORK'S GAME OF THE WEEK SERIES WHAT

http://www.hulu.com/nfl/game-of-the-week
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 29 Jan 2010, 22:05
I'm still upset about the fucking vikings
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 30 Jan 2010, 01:44
Man, I just watched a few highlights of the Ghana-Nigeria and Egypt-Algeria games and I feel kind of torn about the whole thing.  On the one hand it's great to see the Ghana players getting really stoked about getting into the ACN final, but on the other hand we've got to play them, Germany and Serbia in the World Cup group stage, so fucking hell.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 30 Jan 2010, 13:53
I'm still upset about the fucking vikings

Did you see the compilation of Viking fan reactions when Favre threw that last interception? It was a trainwreck of pain and comedy. I literally held my head in my hands for five minutes after that happened.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 30 Jan 2010, 18:30
I think it's fair to say as a fan base, we're not exactly equipped to handle these things very well. The fun part is the border line self-loathing you feel for being dumb enough to think they might win of these things. There's a sports writer who noted that once every 10 years or so the Vikings like to eviscerate their fans, and it's sadly pretty accurate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 01 Feb 2010, 15:45
Ahh, transfer deadline day. Always fun. Now, if you'll give me a moment... *ahem*

Keeeaaaaanoooooo!  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 01 Feb 2010, 16:10
No doubt about it. A friend of mine thinks he could rack up at least 20 before the season is over, and I find it hard to disagree.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Feb 2010, 16:43
My friend is absolutely pissed right now. He just got into foot, loves Spurs, and Keane is one of his favorite footballers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Rudi Voller on 04 Feb 2010, 09:52
Chelsea have had their transfer ban lifted. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/8499169.stm)

Article says that Lens agreed with Chelsea that Kakuta's contract with them was "not valid". Sounds to me like Chelsea have payed them off. Wankers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Feb 2010, 17:13
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/phyrexianmeatdog/lolwtf.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 07 Feb 2010, 04:00
Euro 2012 groups have been drawn:

http://www.uefa.com/live/draw/euro/2012.qr/index.html

Of course Belgium gets shafted again. Scotland's group is pretty bad as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 07 Feb 2010, 04:34
Yeah, we'll be very lucky to beat the Czech Republic, and let's not even talk about Spain. I am far from hopeful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 07 Feb 2010, 11:38
The Czechs are a team in decline, so we could well snatch something away and get a result at Hampden.

Spain are frightening. Torres & Villa vs McManus & Caldwell is almost nightmarish.

In other news, it's Super Bowl Sunday today.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Feb 2010, 11:39
Geaux Saints!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BrittanyMarie on 07 Feb 2010, 12:24
The Saints, other than being from a city that deserves something good to happen to it more than anything, also have that dreamhunk Scott Fujita on the team. He is so smart and awesome and hot and smart and pro-gay rights and choice and freedom and his teammates call him a pinko communist fag from berkeley which makes me like him more. I feel like I'm gonna be doodling his name with like hearts and squiggles all over everything soon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 07 Feb 2010, 15:14
Go Sainnnnts. I am a Bucs fan so NFC South REPRESENT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 07 Feb 2010, 15:21
That Caps-Pens game today was a doosie.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: syrupykeyboard on 07 Feb 2010, 16:12
"I do believe that tonight, not only will Football win, the American People shall persevere. The strong spirit of Sportsmanship and Brotherhood will shine forth and guide us all to a higher Understanding."

EDIT: Also; the Colts. \m/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 07 Feb 2010, 17:23
Great start to the second half.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 07 Feb 2010, 17:40
Yes, it's already made me forget how awful the Who were in the half-time show.

Oh wait, I just remembered.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 07 Feb 2010, 17:47
That Caps-Pens game today was a doosie.

You mean the cry-baby cheat versus Comrade hi-sticking game?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Feb 2010, 18:32
Not a chance in fuck the Colts are gonna recover from this 4th quarter. GRABBED that ball from the Colts and he was fucking GONE.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 07 Feb 2010, 18:51
That was so awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dimmukane on 07 Feb 2010, 18:58
Haha, Ovechkin scored so hard he broke the goal camera.


Also, that one commentator kept saying 'orlee-ins'
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 07 Feb 2010, 19:00
RAGE

also, say what you want about the actual performance, that lightshow was fantastic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dimmukane on 07 Feb 2010, 19:09
Yeah, best part about it, easily.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 07 Feb 2010, 19:13
great game, and happy for the saints! :laugh:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 07 Feb 2010, 19:41
Great game, the right team won and Manning did not.

Happy!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Feb 2010, 20:56
Yeah really happy about the Saints, That Drew Brees seems like a really nice guy as well. His press conference made me happy (until he started up the god talk).

Also pretty blown away that a) Peyton Manning did a Favre in the most improtant part of the game, considering he's ice-cold most of the time b) he managed to get showered an into a suit between leaving the field and his press conference. If I'd just been responsible for my team fucking up the Superbowl I'd wanna sit in the locker room and wallow for a while.

Also, was the audio and visual of The Who's set, like, unbelievably out-of-sync for anyone else? Like, 5 seconds out of sync or something? I ended up leaving the room because it was too shitty to watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: negative creep on 07 Feb 2010, 21:03
Yeah, we got that out-of-sync-thing here too, that sucked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Feb 2010, 21:23
Man that was a fun game. I called my lady (who's in nola) after it was over and she was on her way to Bourbon Street and I could barely hear her over the din. Ridiculous.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Feb 2010, 21:27
Oh yeah lil Brees was so cute
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Feb 2010, 21:27
Also can this thread be sad Peyton Manning pictures from now on?

(http://news.sportsinteraction.com/files/2009/12/peyton-manning-sad-face.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Feb 2010, 21:31
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2730/4339717312_55919cd525_o.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: sean on 07 Feb 2010, 21:43
you know i watched that and i dont have a goddamned idea of what actually happened inthat game.

i had drugs instead!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Feb 2010, 08:02
I hit one of the pools I was in at half-time and won $250.

Go go gadget Saints kicker!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Feb 2010, 09:27
(http://cdn.ksk.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/manning-face.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Feb 2010, 13:50
Drew Brees is Mufasa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHe9Pcv-Zl4)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2010, 02:53
Drew Brees is Mufasa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHe9Pcv-Zl4)

Drew Brees is on the right, Mufasa is the Indianapolis Colts
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 09 Feb 2010, 07:02
<3 you so much Dovey
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Feb 2010, 05:22
So uh now that the Super Bowl is over, sports do still exist, right? I heard there's this thing people are doing right now called the Olympics I guess it's a biggish thing

Sucks about that dude from the Republic of Georgia who got killed in luge practice. Apparently he left the track at 88 miles an hour and slammed his head into a steel beam. What a shitty thing, all hoping to maybe win recognition for an accomplishment that you and your country can be proud of, and instead you get a faceful of cold, hard steel.

Insensitive quips aside, it really does suck. Winter Olympics are more badass than summer Olympics 'cause they are more deadly in my opinion.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 14 Feb 2010, 07:41
The only important sport for the Winter Olympics is hockey.
What the fuck is curling. That is bullshit compared to hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 14 Feb 2010, 08:54
Curling is what the Scots do because they have no other entertainment. What kind of sport involves brooms and a bedpan?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 14 Feb 2010, 10:31
Man, I am not sure what to make of Olympic Ice Hockey. I watched the Canadian women's team beat Slovakia 18-0 last night. That is just not Olympic standard by any means.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 14 Feb 2010, 12:52
Good weekend for Rangers! Celtic held to a 4 all draw by Aberdeen and today we beat Hibs 3-0 whilst playing the most attractive football I've seen us play in a while. Good stuff. Keeps us 10 points clear!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Feb 2010, 13:29
Curling makes me horny

I feel you, bud.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 14 Feb 2010, 13:47
The only important sport for the Winter Olympics is hockey.
What the fuck is curling. That is bullshit compared to hockey.

Dude. Biathlon. They ski around and then they fire rifles before they ski some more. Totally friggin' badass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pilsner on 14 Feb 2010, 13:57
That's what Finnish people call "Saturday.  And alternate Sundays."  And they don't even get medals for doing it.  Best case scenario, they get herring.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Feb 2010, 15:05
Good weekend for Rangers! Celtic held to a 4 all draw by Aberdeen

Yeah but it wasn't a defeat for Celtic. Wait for it, we'll stomp you yet :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 15 Feb 2010, 04:04
What the fuck there is Olympic women's hockey
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 15 Feb 2010, 04:50
WHY IS THIS A SURPRISE WOMEN'S HOCKEY IS A SPORT IT IS THE BEST SPORT.

Slovakia got creamed, but they were up against Canada. It was hardly a fair match.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 15 Feb 2010, 05:13
Curling is what the Scots do because they have no other entertainment. [...]

You do know where scotch whiskey comes from, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 15 Feb 2010, 05:18
Right. They drink themselves into a stupor to forget the drudgery of their existence.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 15 Feb 2010, 05:34
I mean I knew ladies played hockey thanks to you May I just did not realise it was in the Olympics
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 15 Feb 2010, 06:53
I didn't really have any awareness of the Winter Olympics until I started playing hockey so fair enough.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Feb 2010, 10:01
Women's ice hockey kinda bums me out though due to the lack of body checking. My hockey instincts are always say that the quickest way to the puck is through violence. Of course, that turned kinda problematic for me when I topped out at 5'8" and had few other appreciable skills, but I still find the no checking thing puzzling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 15 Feb 2010, 10:31
There's no checking, but there's certainly a level of violence. I spent the whole of my last shift on Friday face down on the ice - every time I got up someone slammed me again. Maybe I'm a bit biased but I prefer watching women's ice hockey since there seems to be more skill involved. The men's teams tend to be better but women have to be more tactical.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 Feb 2010, 12:30
As much as I complained about the Canada 18 - 0 Slovakia drubbing and I will proceed to complain about the USA 12 - 1 China mauling there was some good to come out of it, namely this stunning goal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/vancouver_2010/ice_hockey/8515634.stm) (may be UK only video). However, the commentator claims it will not happen in the men's games which I doubt. Unless he means that there will be better goals just not that move which would make sense because there are amazing goals pretty much every night in the NHL anyway.

In terms of tactics for hits I understand where May is coming from because there is a lot of jostling and pushing even though there is no checking but I'm not so sure about tactics in general as the attack and defense setups seem quite uncoordinated in the women's games that I have watched so far.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 15 Feb 2010, 22:40
Thog: Here stadium, where our women basketball teams play.

Kug: We no can dunk, but good fundamentals.

Ornik: That more fun to watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 16 Feb 2010, 13:50
Bloody City.
I should be happy that we've gone 4th but they had to do it in a gawd awful way.
=/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 01:42
USA vs. Norway men's curling is so intense right now oh god they're in an 11th end and each country only has two rocks left augh
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 01:51
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 17 Feb 2010, 02:45
It'd sure be nice if we had coverage of the games.

Yes, I know that technically channel 9 is covering it but god damn is this the worst coverage I've ever seen. Three hours of highlights in the morning and then those same highlights again in the late evening. I wish SBS still got to show what the commercial network that picked up the rights doesn't.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 17 Feb 2010, 03:10
To be fair, showing the Olympic Winter Games in Australia is basically ratings suicide.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 17 Feb 2010, 04:49
USA vs. Norway men's curling is so intense right now oh god they're in an 11th end and each country only has two rocks left augh

How awesome was that last throw from the Canadian dude?

(I have access to the Foxtel coverage which is 24hrs a day accross like 3 or 4 channels. Hooray for Canadian girlfriend)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 17 Feb 2010, 05:11
I really really enjoyed the mens snowboard cross, we watched the entire thing from the heats right into the final and wow, that thing got exciting. I don't like the womens so much though, cos the men raced 4 at a time so there was chance of collision and it was more like a race, but the womens is all time trial bullshit.

Over in the UK the BBC have pretty much round the clock coverage of several different events at once through the interactive service. Its pretty neat and makes me not mind paying the ridiculous license fee so much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 17 Feb 2010, 05:12
But dude how can you qualify first and then crash out? Fuck you sports.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 17 Feb 2010, 05:47
Ok never mind so it turns out the women do race in the final stages. And these final stages happened to be more awesome than the mens! Wooo the British woman got 8th cos she hurt her foot but its always nice to see the host side win stuff and Canada pretty much took this event by storm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 17 Feb 2010, 06:58
Over in the UK the BBC have pretty much round the clock coverage of several different events at once through the interactive service. It's pretty neat and makes me not mind paying the ridiculous license fee so much.

I went over to my captain's boyfriend's flat last night to watch the ice hockey with some of the team on their enormous plasma screen TV (so much better than a laptop screen) and there was about ten minutes of hockey followed by four hours of women's luge. Why is that even a sport? I wanted to watch HD ice hockey :(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 17 Feb 2010, 09:14
That is exactly my problem with the BBC's coverage. Ice Hockey is the only thing I care about at the Winter Olympics (the snowboard cross was pretty cool though) and they show very little of it. I haven't seen any of the men's games and other than the first couple of women's games I haven't seen any of those either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Feb 2010, 10:54
I really really enjoyed the mens snowboard cross

Can someone explain to me why the US snowboard cross team (both mens' and womens') WORE JEANS?

I would think jeans are not a very snowboard-friendly item of clothing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 13:21
How awesome was that last throw from the Canadian dude?

(I have access to the Foxtel coverage which is 24hrs a day accross like 3 or 4 channels. Hooray for Canadian girlfriend)

I missed it, but I did hear the crowd effin' explode since they were all in the same arena. Team USA literally had to huddle up because they couldn't hear each other.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 17 Feb 2010, 15:14
Can someone explain to me why the US snowboard cross team (both mens' and womens') WORE JEANS?

I would think jeans are not a very snowboard-friendly item of clothing.

They mentioned this on the BBC coverage. They're not actually jeans, just styled to look that way.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Feb 2010, 15:21
Their official team uniform plaid jumpers are also styled to look that way.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 15:24
John Shuster needs to stop being terrible at curling god dammit
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Feb 2010, 17:04
Fuck yes double luge.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 17:06
TWO EXTRA ENDS IN TWO DAYS?

At least we have the hammer in end 11...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Feb 2010, 17:07
Dude why the fuck are you still watching curling when there's double luge on??
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 17:08
Because I'm clinging to the vain hope that USA might actually win a match someday
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 17:08
Gonna switch to double luge after they lose though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Feb 2010, 17:22
GOD

DAMMIT

SHUSTER
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 17 Feb 2010, 18:48
I am getting really annoyed at the BBC's lack of Ice Hockey coverage. On their website there are 6 options of events while the Sweden v Germany men's game is on and not one of them is this game. Instead, we get Czech Republic v Slovakia at 5am just because nothing else is on. Not only is this the most bullshit game of the day but it is because Luge and Curling take up 2 of the free slots which the hockey game could use (the others are snowboard halfpipe and alpine skiing which are at least respectable events).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Feb 2010, 20:02
Oh, man, that's horrible, particularly since international hockey kicks so much ass with the small rinks and the lack of a red line. Even the games that aren't between hockey powers are exciting as hell just because momentum can change so damn fast under international rules.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 17 Feb 2010, 20:07
There's the silver lining I was looking for! Once I've finished this essay, it will be time for the 5am match to start! No point in trying to sleep tonight, I might as well watch some hockey!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Feb 2010, 08:30
Not only is this the most bullshit game of the day

Rob, I dare you to say that to Zdeno Chara's face. I'll even give you a step-ladder so you can do so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Feb 2010, 09:23
Well, actually, in this case I will admit that I may have been wrong (not being able to see the other 2 games which were fairly close I may still have been right) but I am glad I stayed up to watch it. Both Vokoun and Halak were brilliant and kept their teams in with a chance all through the game, just a shame that Slovakia couldn't capitalise on any of the power plays and seemed to lack an offensive leader.

Just a mention for the BBC again though, his name is ZDENO NOT ZDENKO. Also, it is MARIAN Gaborik NOT MARTIN Gaborik. I swear, they seem to hate Ice Hockey so much and I just don't understand.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 18 Feb 2010, 10:00
Ice hockey? That's the game with the diamond shaped running circuit and wooden bats that has touchdowns and House Runs, yeah?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Feb 2010, 10:02
>:(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Feb 2010, 18:53
Canada v. Switzerland just went through OT into a shootout, oh man!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Feb 2010, 19:48
Jonas Hiller had the goalkeeping performance of the tournament there. So unlucky not to have won the game for Switzerland. 44/46 saves in standard time and no goals in OT. Even with 14 power play minutes in 60 minutes of standard time Canada only scored once.

Crosby once again tried to cheat it in though, almost succeeding in kicking it in towards the end of the 60.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 18 Feb 2010, 20:42
So some chick from Cooma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooma,_New_South_Wales) with a funny name and big teeth just won a medal or something in for jumping up in the air with a plank strapped to her feet. I dunno, something like that. I'm a bit vague because people here haven't been talking about it every five minutes at all. Not even slightly. Total media blackout. I mean Australia wins so many medals at the winter olympics these days that I guess it's not really a big deal any more, ya know?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 Feb 2010, 21:47
Wanna know who broadcast the first televised Olympics coverage?

HITLER

Quit yr bitchin' about poor coverage it could totally be worse
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 18 Feb 2010, 22:27
Harry she's adorable quit hating on Our Torah.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 18 Feb 2010, 22:39
I'm not hating on her! I'm hating on the Australian media in general and Channel 9 in particular's relentless jingoism! I preferred it when Australia didn't win any medals in the winter olympics and we could just enjoy it for what it is: a festival of weird and bizarre sports played by people who live on the other side of the world.

Plus you've got to admit, she does have big teeth and Torah's an awfully funny name for a Mormon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ImRonBurgundy? on 19 Feb 2010, 00:09
"That was a little wobbly, it was... woop-woop-woop-woop-woop-woop-woop-woop! And then, reeeewwrrr!! Like a cat!" -Scott Hamilton
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Feb 2010, 00:17
EVAN LYSACEK BEAT YEVGENY PLUSHENKO IN FIGURE SKATING! FUCK YES TAKE THAT YOU RUSSIAN DOUCHEBAG!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Feb 2010, 00:21
Even when you win at figure skating you still lose
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Feb 2010, 00:22
(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs396.snc3/24084_1149208582166_1586130718_30782310_6992630_n.jpg)

You want it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Feb 2010, 00:23
Dutch ladies win silver and bronze at speed skating. Canada wins gold.

Nice for Canada. Nice for dutchieland.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Feb 2010, 00:25
You want it.

Do the judges add or subtract points based on the presentation of costume? Because that dude must've been REALLY good to have won in a black unitard with some tinsel superglued on
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ImRonBurgundy? on 19 Feb 2010, 01:24
EVAN LYSACEK BEAT YEVGENY PLUSHENKO IN FIGURE SKATING! FUCK YES TAKE THAT YOU RUSSIAN DOUCHEBAG!

For some reason NBC held this really long shot on Plushenko during the medal ceremony where you could just see the bitterness bubbling inside him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 19 Feb 2010, 05:45
[img]http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs396.snc3/24084_1149208582166_1586130718_30782310_6992630_n.jpg[img]

You want it.

I'd hit it. Repeatedly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Feb 2010, 05:48
Actually the dude is a pretty decent ringer for Australian singer/songwriter Paul Dempsey

(http://www.homebake.com.au/2007/bands/PaulDempsey.jpg)

yootoob (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zaiy_ZxCGyE)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Feb 2010, 06:27
For some reason NBC held this really long shot on Plushenko during the medal ceremony where you could just see the bitterness bubbling inside him.

Multiple times. It was beautiful. They also showed Plushenko walking away alone with a trainer in an empty hallway after they announced his score, and then cut to Lysacek celebrating with his cadre of coaches/family/fans/reporters/stadium staff.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 19 Feb 2010, 07:21
How did that Johnny Wier guy do? I saw one of his routines and he looked like he was having a ball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Feb 2010, 09:33
5th, IIRC.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Scarychips on 19 Feb 2010, 10:02
Nope. Patrick Chan finished 5th.  Weir finished 6th.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Feb 2010, 13:18
Torah's an awfully funny name for a Mormon.

You just destroyed my crush on her, Harry.

Someday you will wake up to find your head separated from the rest of your body, yet you will still be living. I will take credit.

(It'll be like Futurama, except it WON'T be cool.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Feb 2010, 21:15
Take comfort in the fact that your crush was pointless anyway: she's engaged.

To another Mormon snowboarder.

They live in Salt Lake City.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Feb 2010, 22:07
oh god
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Feb 2010, 23:45
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201002/r518010_2849940.jpg)

I mean I'm sure she's a very nice Mormon but look at that mouth, it's like fuckin' Alien.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Feb 2010, 00:00
what has been seen
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 20 Feb 2010, 11:52
I wasn't aware Australians even had Mormons, I thought they were a uniquely American problem.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 20 Feb 2010, 16:40
Mormons, not morons.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Feb 2010, 19:37
Now, now, everyone knows Australia has a moron problem too:

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sbr07vVCXe0/SwD-MurqvcI/AAAAAAAAGzg/Tmml4qjsesY/s400/michael-atkinson-mugshot.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Feb 2010, 00:25
At least one of the U.S. curling teams managed to scrape up a few victories. I can't wait till John Shuster retires forever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KvP on 21 Feb 2010, 21:12
I wasn't aware Australians even had Mormons, I thought they were a uniquely American problem.
As mormon problems go, America's are pretty minor. You know the formal-wear'd fuckos who troll neighborhoods to no success in the US? They're far more effective in the third world.

Anyway, the lady in the US ice dancing pair? I'd ice dance with her.


























horizontally
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Feb 2010, 21:37
Actually back in Tirana there were these two Mormon missionary dudes who I occasionally went drinking with

The Jehovah's Witnesses were the ones who were really fucking terrifying though, they straight up bought the former dictator's house and turned it into a temple what the fuck kind of message does that send
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Feb 2010, 21:56
I'm trying so hard not to post about how we beat Canada at hockey

I think that's the funniest fucking thing in the world
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 21 Feb 2010, 22:09
i know its been around forever but the sport where they ski and then shoot targets(biathlon?) makes zero sense to me. What is the correlation between the two. Yes i know it must be hard but still no idea why this is considered a sport. They are sports by themselves why combine them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 21 Feb 2010, 22:11
Hey now I have a friend that is competing in biathlon, you just shut up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 21 Feb 2010, 22:13
It is because like a shark high fiving a gorilla, it need not have a reason beyond being badass
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Feb 2010, 22:29
i know its been around forever but the sport where they ski and then shoot targets(biathlon?) makes zero sense to me. What is the correlation between the two. Yes i know it must be hard but still no idea why this is considered a sport. They are sports by themselves why combine them.

Why combine them? 'Cause if you're Finnish you gotta worry 'bout fighting off them pesky Soviets, might as well see who can do it best.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 21 Feb 2010, 22:42
Biathlon is one of the winter sports that does make sense. As in, you can see where it came from at least. It's the physical hunting and trekking skills refined and standardised into a competitive event. It's also straight up badass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KvP on 22 Feb 2010, 00:45
Actually I'm pretty sure it originated as a drill for the Norwegian army. It does look fuckin' hard though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 22 Feb 2010, 00:58
I'm trying so hard not to post about how we beat Canada at hockey

I think that's the funniest fucking thing in the world

FUCK YEAH AMERICA! FUCK YOU CANADA!

AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!!!
AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!!!
AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ladybug on 22 Feb 2010, 03:42
Nordic combined has always made less sense to me than biathlon does. I mean, I can see how they would think of putting skiing and shooting together,  but cross-country skiing and ski jumping in the same sport… Well, I like watching it if we've got people in it who can do well, but it still doesn't make much sense.

But then again, there are a lot of Olympic sports that don't make much sense. Like skeleton. Sure, let's throw ourselves down an icy track, head-first, because it looks way more scary than going feet-first or, say, sitting inside of a bobsleigh, so of course it should be an Olympic event.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Feb 2010, 04:11
Which is funny 'cause wasn't it luge what killed a dude and all

Also it's not fun to watch unless it's potentially lethal, why do you think NASCAR is so huge in some places
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 22 Feb 2010, 04:15
I always figured that was because there was a sizable community of dickheads in those places.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ladybug on 22 Feb 2010, 04:15
Well, yes, it was luge, but then they made the track a whole bunch shorter and added extra walls and padding before doing the actual races. Though I think the skeleton riders probably use a shorter track anyways, as I read somewhere that they don't get the same speed as the luge people do? I dunno, throwing yourself head-first down an icy track sounds like a really bad idea anyways.

Not that ski jumping doesn't sound like a bad idea either, but yeah. Ski jumping, and especially ski flying, is awesome.

(http://gfx.dagbladet.no/labrador/105/105312/10531207/jpg/active/503x.jpg)
…during practice last night. But it doesn't happen very often, and this guy ended up being relatively fine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Scarychips on 22 Feb 2010, 04:28
Fuck You Jace. Just, Fuck You.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 22 Feb 2010, 04:49
It is because like a shark high fiving a gorilla, it need not have a reason beyond being badass

If  only they gave out Gold medals for best analogy ever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 22 Feb 2010, 05:00
Canada look like one of the poorer hockey teams in the Olympics although they have a squad chock-full of supposed superstars. They'll probably beat Germany in the playoff round but any of USA, Sweden, Finland or Russia is likely to be a very tricky game and each of them could trip them up easily if they don't get their act together very quickly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 23 Feb 2010, 03:23
If  only they gave out Gold medals for best analogy ever.

To be fair I got the idea from a fairly well-known t-shirt (http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=RB-HIGHFIVE&Category_Code=RB)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 23 Feb 2010, 06:22
A fairly well known t-shirt that I own and have worn, getting me some fantastic compliments on my clothing choices. That and {TERROR} were what made people look forward to what I was going to wear next week when I saw them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Feb 2010, 03:49
Holy shit Korea is gonna be piiiiiiisssed they got DQ'd from their gold in the short track relay.

plus side: US bronze by default! wee
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Feb 2010, 08:39
Just proving that barely showing up to a race can sometimes end well.

Short-track relays are the weirdest thing I've ever seen. It almost seems like you would need to be on drugs to understand it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Feb 2010, 08:47
They're still not as hilarious as cross-country skiing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Feb 2010, 11:46
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/25/olympics.bobsled.driver.quits/index.html?hpt=C1

So first off, you have helmets, dude. And second off, it's not like your coach is going to tell you to go the wrong way or something.

(zing, Sven Kramer. ZING.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 25 Feb 2010, 11:50
Fuck You Jace. Just, Fuck You.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 25 Feb 2010, 11:59
Canada look like one of the poorer hockey teams in the Olympics although they have a squad chock-full of supposed superstars. They'll probably beat Germany in the playoff round but any of USA, Sweden, Finland or Russia is likely to be a very tricky game and each of them could trip them up easily if they don't get their act together very quickly.

Well we beat russia and finland and sweden got knocked out(I think)

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 25 Feb 2010, 12:12
Yeah, big upset for Sweden there but Finland beat Czech Republic 2-0 so they're through to face USA.

Canada were pretty great in front of goal and really did get their act together but i wasn't too amazed by their defensive play. The defensemen were great at supporting the attacks but the Russian goals were soft. However, they shouldn't have a problem with Slovakia unless something really goes belly-up and USA should have no problem with Finland either so a USA v Canada rematch looks to be on the cards for the final.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 26 Feb 2010, 15:11
Canadians beat the Americans, Ha!

(In female hockey that is)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 Feb 2010, 15:48
The Americans were so pissed too. There was a little kid running around the American team before the medal-presentation ceremony and nobody even smiled at him except his mom.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Melodic on 28 Feb 2010, 17:07
SPEAKING OF PISSED-OFF AMERICANS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 28 Feb 2010, 17:38
Finally fixed that torch eh?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Mar 2010, 04:11
Nickelback is still Canadian
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Mar 2010, 04:14
They should've had Rush play, or at least somebody else who is actually talented
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 01 Mar 2010, 04:49
The fact that Canada won almost makes up for the fact that my team lost our match on the same day.

I mean, it wasn't on the same scale, but still. It mattered.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Chesire Cat on 01 Mar 2010, 04:55
I liked the Rocky-ish moment of getting Canada getting their asses kicked by the US in the first matchup only to turn around meet them at the final game and win in OT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Mar 2010, 05:13
I keep trying to feel happy for Canada after they once again almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory but then I remember that Sidney fucking Crosby scored the winner and I realise that I will always see the victory as tainted all over again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 01 Mar 2010, 05:42
Oh, so his name's Sidney? Cause I swear to god it sounded like the commentator was saying Cyndi and I was thinking "Man, that can't be right - not even in Canada."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pilsner on 01 Mar 2010, 08:48
I'm about as sports ignorant as you can get without actually living in a spiderhole, so can someone explain the rampant Crosby hatred please? 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2010, 09:02
He's the proclaimed "next Great One". I mean in all fairness he's a pretty great hockey player, but he's just SO fucking hyped that it isn't even funny.


(Anyway, Ovechkin's miles better than Crosby)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Mar 2010, 09:37
It's because people routinely write shit like this: With one goal Crosby puts the Ovechkin argument to rest. (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/354105-with-one-goal-crosby-puts-the-ovechkin-arguement-to-rest)

It makes a lot of us crazy. I'm completely unaligned in the Ovechkin-Crosby debate and even I threw up in my mouth a li'l when I read that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2010, 10:02
I liked the Rocky-ish moment of getting Canada getting their asses kicked by the US in the first matchup only to turn around meet them at the final game and win in OT

You're saying Rafalski and Niedermayer should have thrown down, with NBC cutting the broadcast right as the first punches were being thrown?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Chesire Cat on 01 Mar 2010, 10:12
I don't give fuck about the individual players. I just think they should have played Eye of th Tiger during the entire OT period
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 01 Mar 2010, 10:36
Man what was with all the Mormon hate in this thread. Like, the worst thing I can say about any Mormon I've ever met is that she was too nice and happy. And I have met a goddamn whole lot of Mormons. Big damn Mormon community where I went to high school.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Mar 2010, 10:39
Yeah, I've met nice Mormons too. It probably helps that I consider most religions to be roughly equally crazy to begin with.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2010, 10:43
My best friend in high school dated a Mormon girl for a while. She had him practically brainwashed at one point.

Fuckin' creepy. I'm sure most of them are pretty nice people, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Mar 2010, 11:05
This must be one of those vestigially religious people vs. devoutly religious people things I don't understand. So many of the "Mormons are creepy!" and "Jehovah's Witnesses" are creepy statements I hear usually end up boiling down to "Wait, these people actually practice their religions and that makes me profoundly uncomfortable."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Chesire Cat on 01 Mar 2010, 12:37
Wait, that's why people don't like Sydney Croaby? I'm new to this thread but jeez, only Mormon I've ever met made Epek drum kits and is a totally nice guy. I'm fairly immune to advertisements religeous or not so it never really affected me much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Mar 2010, 12:57
What? You obviously didn't read the whole thread. The mormon comment was about the Australian snowboarder who won a gold medal maybe on the last page. The Sidney Crosby hatred is just a general thing because he is supposedly some kind of God but really he was only a bit-part player in the Olympic win and pretty much any attacking player on the Canadian team would've put that shot away with just as much ease as he did.

To talk about the goal a bit Jarome Iginla made the pass and was superb in every game Canada played, quite possibly the best player in the tournament but you won't hear a lot about that because Crosby won the gold medal. Also, Jonathan Toews had 9 assists going into the final and went on to score the opening goal making him much more useful than Crosby too but Crosby scored the goal. Not even mentioning that a distinctly out-of-form Roberto Luongo in net still managed to concede no more than 3 goals in any game he played making the job of winning the games much easier for the forwards.

This is why people hate Crosby so much. I am loathe to admit that he is a very good player but it is true. However, it is the sycophantic nature of the journalists and the constant whoring of Crosby by everyone he is involved with while overlooking players who are as good as he is that makes me despise him so much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Mar 2010, 15:05
Yeah, see, if someone wanted to write an article stating that Crosby is a remarkably complete player and passer even before age is taken into account, that'd be one thing. Instead, we get articles where the writers just vigorously spitshine his knob. It's annoying.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 02 Mar 2010, 04:36
Man what was with all the Mormon hate in this thread. Like, the worst thing I can say about any Mormon I've ever met is that she was too nice and happy. And I have met a goddamn whole lot of Mormons. Big damn Mormon community where I went to high school.

I went back and read the thread and I am not quite seeing where there is actually any "hate"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Mar 2010, 08:22
Also, Jonathan Toews had 9 assists going into the final

Let's...let's just stop this thread.

Let's take a second and talk about how amazing Jonathan Toews is. Seriously. Every time I watch him play, I always mind myself mouth agape, mumbling "....wow.".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Mar 2010, 11:49
So apparently the Red Sox are currently walloping Northeastern University so bad that one of their assistant coaches just batted in David Ortiz's spot (and wore his jersey?).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 03 Mar 2010, 12:27
Eeeeelimiiiiiinatedededed
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Mar 2010, 23:12
Somebody talk to me about rugby

I really have no way to stay current on any kind of rugby shit other than a friend here in town who gets Setanta on his cable box and he is too busy working 3 jobs to do any socializing so I am very much without my newfound addiction, and my Google-fu is failing me

I don't even damn a give if it's sevens or any of that as long as there's some fuckin' rugby up in this thang somewhere
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 04 Mar 2010, 01:13
Man what was with all the Mormon hate in this thread. Like, the worst thing I can say about any Mormon I've ever met is that she was too nice and happy. And I have met a goddamn whole lot of Mormons. Big damn Mormon community where I went to high school.

I've met plenty of nice individual Mormons, but the church itself is an extremely hate-filled, right wing institution. We're talking about a group that less than 40 years ago, still preached that being black was the Mark of Cain.They are one of the most actively homophobic groups in America and that takes a lot of dedication. So I'm not going to apologize for disparaging the Mormon church.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Mar 2010, 04:22
Somebody talk to me about rugby

Well, in the southern hemisphere the Super 14's just about to start its 4th round, while up in the north they're in the middle of the Six Nations tournament.

I don't really have much idea of what's happening in the Six Nations, but I think Scotland are continuing to suck and Italy just won their first Six Nations match ever or something.

In the Super 14 it's looking much the same as usual: the Bulls (defending champions, from Northern Transvaal in South Africa I think) are sitting on a maximum 15 points from their first three games - but I'm pretty sure all those games have been at home so far. South African teams traditionally don't do too well on their Australian and New Zealand tours.  Two Australian teams, New South Wales (Waratahs) and the A.C.T. (Brumbies, my team) have finished their South African tours early in the season and now face a long string of home games, which should put them in a good position.  New South Wales beat Queensland, away. in the first round, in what's always a tough game - though by all accounts Queensland deserved to win (New South Wales scored a last-second try under the posts). Queensland are trying to rebuild after having been bled dry in terms of player drain in recent seasons, and their new coach Ewan Mackenzie has apparently got them playing a very entertaining, running game - completely the opposite of how New South Wales played under him. New South Wales appear to be showing signs of trying to break out of their typical unimaginative tight-five game, but at this stage of the season it's too early to tell if they're going to run the ball (as they always promise to do) or continue to disappoint their supporters. The A.C.T. are still trying to get their combinations going, but the signs are there that if they can get everything going smoothly they could be unstoppable. Banner signings Matt Giteau (a local boy) and Rocky Elsom should start clicking soon - in fact Elsom already has, it seems, which is very exciting. As for the team with the worst name in Rugby, the Western Force (from Perth), you can basically write off their season already: their big signing, South African fly-half Andre Pretorius, got a season-ending injury before the season even started, and since then it's all been down-hill for the team, injury-wise. It seems like every week there's another two first-team players being ruled out for the season.

I don't know what's going on with the South African or New Zealandish teams. The Canterbury Crusaders are typically strong, I think, and on the other end of the scale the Otago Highlanders continue to suck and the Wellington Hurricanes continue to show good early-season form which almost certainly won't last. I think the Auckland Blues are pretty crap this season, too - a big turnaround from when they were the unbeatable team in the first years of the Super 12.

This season, in an attempt to make Rugby more entertaining, the referees in the Super 14 have been instructed to interpret the laws of the game differently - actually to the letter of the law, to be precise - to benefit the attacking team, instead of the defending team which has had the benefit of interpretations in recent seasons (resulting in some pretty dire rugby). As ever, some experts in the northern hemisphere continue to lambast these efforts, claiming that there's nothing wrong with Rugby that a good 80-minute rolling-maul in the mud decided by whichever team has the best goal-kicker won't fix.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Mar 2010, 11:42
a friend here in town who gets Setanta on his cable box

Does...he need a roommate?

Quote
sevens

edit: BAH NEVERFUCKING MIND. They moved the IRB Sevens US leg from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (http://www.usasevens.com/), and it already happened this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 04 Mar 2010, 11:45
Man I need to watch me some goddamn rugby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 04 Mar 2010, 14:18
Yeah rugby is pretty ace
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 04 Mar 2010, 22:12
This is actually the first time I've paid attention to free agency but it's actually pretty exciting! Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor, both talking to Chicago. The Jets picked up Cromartie, and now have arguably the best two corners in the league. Thomas Jones, Brian Westbrook, and the rotting husks of LT and Jake Delhomme are all released. weeee
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 05 Mar 2010, 01:20
a friend here in town who gets Setanta on his cable box

Does...he need a roommate?

Quote
sevens

edit: BAH NEVERFUCKING MIND. They moved the IRB Sevens US leg from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (http://www.usasevens.com/), and it already happened this year.

Oh man I watched some of the buildup to that. It was just last month, too, it was hella recent. I'm sorry we both missed it. I enjoyed seeing Fiji and Samoa go at it in sevens (I think that's what they were working on) and it was the Raddest Shit. These two countries have their own styles of rugby playing that fit fucking beautifully in sevens and it was epic to watch them go at it. Samoa got pwned in the final quarter of the match though, but it was such a close battle for most of the game. Also if I recall there was a fun little ref call where he asked for video playback confirmation on a call he'd made regarding whether the ball was getting forced to the ground when some dude went for a try.

Or maybe that was Scotland v. this one French team and it was reg'lur old rugby I can't remember
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 Mar 2010, 12:43
This is actually the first time I've paid attention to free agency but it's actually pretty exciting! Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor, both talking to Chicago. The Jets picked up Cromartie, and now have arguably the best two corners in the league. Thomas Jones, Brian Westbrook, and the rotting husks of LT and Jake Delhomme are all released. weeee

Too bad you picked one of the goofiest years to get interested in it. There's weird issues with the collective bargaining agreement, so a bunch of guys who would normally qualify for unrestricted free agent status are instead restricted free agents, which means most of the best young talent is effectively off limits this year. Boo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 05 Mar 2010, 12:47
Both of my teams have byes this week and it suuuuuuucks. My old Pretoria team the Bulls and my relatively new Perth team the Force are both not playing. Sport sucks this weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 Mar 2010, 12:59
Also, the Panthers are really, really lucky they can ditch Delhomme during an uncapped year. His contract would have been an anchor around their necks for the next few years otherwise.


That said, I find the Delhomme thing a li'l depressing. I'm not really a fan of seeing people fail, and it's kinda sad because everything seems to indicate that he's a pretty nice guy, so it kinda sucks to see his career go down in flames like that-- Nobody really gets a spotlight put on 'em like a struggling QB. At least he's well compensated, I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 05 Mar 2010, 13:18
Yeah, I feel a little bad for him, mostly because no matter how serious the injury it always takes a while to bounce back from one, and he did use to be a good QB. Then again, he is still making millions of dollars, so... meh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 05 Mar 2010, 17:40
YEAH WE GOT PEPPERS! Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be a dud like the corpse of Orlando Pace.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 Mar 2010, 19:43
His injury was pretty damn serious too-- Tommy John surgery isn't common in football at all. Pitchers have given people the impression that guys come back from the surgery all the time, but it's really a shit terrible comparison. Baseball is a marathon season, after all, and between the minors and starting rotation you can hide a lot of struggles. An aging starting QB, on the other hand, just gets thrown to the wolves.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 05 Mar 2010, 19:53
An aging starting QB, on the other hand, just gets thrown to the Lions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Mar 2010, 00:12
As for the team with the worst name in Rugby, the Western Force (from Perth)

Until the Melbourne Rebels show up, at least
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 07 Mar 2010, 00:23
No way, Western Force is much worse! For starters, where are they from? The West? The West of where? Secondly - force? What's that? Force of nature? Is that something they have a lot of in the West? Do people often go to the West and say "Look! A force!"?

I mean Melbourne Rebels is a pretty generic name (supposedly it ties into the whole bushranger thing that was a big deal in Victoria in the 19th century, blah blah blah) but at least it's not just some random assembly of vague descriptors.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Mar 2010, 00:28
The West of Australia and you are really stretching here, Harry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 07 Mar 2010, 01:06
Yeah but see the way I see it is a good sporting team name should be able to be instantly and strongly identified with a specific place by anyone who sees it. So for instance you've got the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL and anyone anywhere in the world knows straight away they come from some place called Fremantle. But unless you know specifically about the Super 14 all you get out of the Western Force is a compass point.

As for the rest of it, in that other thread we've been talking about how sports team nicknames should identify the team in question with the place they come from. The ACT Brumbies is a really good example of this: brumbies are strongly identified in Australian folklore and cultural tradition with the southern highlands of New South Wales, which is precisely the region the team represents (seriously, go to anywhere in the Southern Tablelands and ask anyone you meet there which team they support: the Brumbies or the New South Wales Waratahs; nine times out of ten they're going to say Brumbies, guaranteed). The South Sydney Rabbitohs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Sydney_Rabbitohs#Emblem) are another good example. But as far as aware there are plenty of places in the world that have force. Whatever that even is. I mean if they were from Tatooine then sure, maybe, but they're from Perth. I mean I'm sure you've got lots of awesome stuff in Perth that you could name a team after. Like expatriates. There: your Rugby team is now called the Perth Expatriates. It's kind of like the London Irish (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Irish).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 07 Mar 2010, 01:37
So why does no-one ever complain about the Western Bulldogs? They're far worse, considering they're from the eastern states. At least the Force are from as far west as an Australian team is ever gonna be. Give it time and no-one will care anymore or we'll pick up a nickname.

Or, hell, Port Power! That's a one hundred percent awful name.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 07 Mar 2010, 02:01
They're not called Port Power.

And plenty of people complain about Footscray, but the name change was somewhat necessary. They were trying to broaden their demographic from just one small suburb to encompass a much larger area. Sure, it's kind of ambiguous, but chances are they would have gone under already or have gotten moved onto the Gold Coast or Western Sydney if they hadn't made the changes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 07 Mar 2010, 13:46
I'm surprised that Arizona got so little for trading Boldin, but anything that makes them weaker is good for my Niners. Between that and Warner, Arizona's going to have a really weird season this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Mar 2010, 14:01
You mean they'll be back to normal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Mar 2010, 17:16
I'm not really sure how much losing Boldin actually hurts them. Fitzgerald's numbers go up when he's a bigger part of the offense and Steve Breaston broke a thousand yards last year. Boldin's obviously an asset, but it's not like they were ever really likely to repeat the 1,000 yards to 3 receivers thing even with Warner, much less a new starter. I could still see imagine them hitting 9 or 10 wins with a more traditional offense and a healthy Beanie Wells.

You know, unless Leinart shits the bed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Mar 2010, 13:59
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 10 Mar 2010, 14:17
Aye, that was some game. I know AC Milan don't consist of up and coming players, but they are 2nd in Serie A and Man Utd. succeeded in making them look really, really average. That first goal (peach of a pass from Neville..) just knocked all the wind out their sails and from there on in it was plain sailing for Man Utd.

Nice to see Beckham getting a bit teary-eyed when he came on the pitch, lovely reception as well. Y'know, befor ethey started booing him everytime he got on the ball.

Also, LOL @ Real Madrid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Mar 2010, 17:17
Ya know, for the record, I don't really have a problem with what Derek Anderson said about Browns fans. Perhaps it's a bit hasty to equate all of the fanbase with those people who cheered when his knee got blown out, but frankly, the people who DID cheer about it earned some disparagement and they know who they are.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 13 Mar 2010, 06:20
Back on the rugby front, the RBS 6 Nations is in its penultimate week and France are leading the pack with England, Ireland, Wales, Italy and Scotland behind them in that order.

Ireland are about to play Wales at home in what is usually one of the most exciting fixtures of the tournament, not to mention a fortnight ago John Hayes got his 100th cap and today Brian O'Driscoll celebrates his! That is a long time to play international rugby. I'll update later with the result!

EDIT: So, Ireland beat Wales with a convincing score of 27-12, mainly through lack of organization in the defense from Wales and Ireland using that through their set pieces. Some poor discipline on either side, Ireland had several warnings from the ref who appeared to be a stickler for tacklers not rolling away in the break down, but it was mainly the Welsh failure to make any of their massive possession and territory advantages count, and the 12 points they got were from penalties. Ireland could have chalked up at least another 10 points but for Johnathan Sextons failure to convert any of the tries and missing more than one penalty himself, IMO its too early to be benching O'Gara to give Sexton test match experience when he fails to kick so many points.

England drew with Scotland 15 all, which is yet another disappointing result for them against a team who were heading well on their way to picking up the wooden spoon this year, I can't really give much detail on the game because I actually only watched the first half, suffice to say it was essentially a penalty shoot out and if England carry on this way their World Cup hopes are looking to be dash against the rocks.

Italy v France today, a match that at the beginning of the championship would have been a forgone conclusion until Italy decided to make some radical changes to the rugby they play, coming very close on the heels of England 3 weeks ago then beating Scotland a fortnight ago.

Hope that I've provided a bit of insight for anybody interested in rugby union without just rambling on!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Mar 2010, 14:33
Wooden spoon?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 16 Mar 2010, 14:39
Traditionally you get a wooden spoon for finishing dead last.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Mar 2010, 15:06
Wow, they really know how to rub it in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 18 Mar 2010, 13:51
Man if the NCAA tournament keeps goin like this I'm gonna be watchin it the whole weekend

A 2 seed almost lost and went to overtime, a 13 and an 11 seed won, and there was a 20T game already

Crazy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 18 Mar 2010, 14:28
I made a bracket with no knowledge of teams, because a friend of mine wanted me to. So far I am 5/5 on my picks.

woot
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 18 Mar 2010, 21:57
My bracket is currently doing better than Barry Obama's bracket

This clearly means I am better suited to be president
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 20 Mar 2010, 06:47
Yeah, as Tommy said, the wooden spoon is dead last ie. not winning a single game in the entire tournament.

Today is the final day of the 6 Nations and I am excited! They've packed all 3 games into one day so its looking to be a long one. Wales play Italy first, then Ireland have their chance at the Triple Crown (beating the 3 other home nations) playing Scotland. And then, the one that looks to be the most talked about pairing today, is France against England, although I honestly don't think there's much to talk about considering England are playing at the bottom of their capability and France are completely on form. If you understand anything about the way the table works, understand that it speaks in volumes that France are not only leading on points in terms on matches won, but the points scored difference sees France with something like +64 and Ireland trailing with about +12!

Rambling over, let me know if you guys want an update at the end of the day, I do love to write about rugby!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 20 Mar 2010, 16:55
I don't care if my bracket just got ruined this is the best tournament ever
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 20 Mar 2010, 19:22
Mine is still okay, Villanova losing hurt a bit but otherwise I'm not doing too badly. Hooray random choices!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 20 Mar 2010, 19:29
Well Kansas was the big blow to most people's brackets.  Although I only had them in the final four but pretty much everyone else had them winning everything
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 20 Mar 2010, 19:55
Yeah, I only had them winning one more game so it doesn't do much to mine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Mar 2010, 22:55
I have absolutely no idea what you people are talking about.

Except I think someone said Kansas blows, which seems to be in accordance with most things I've heard about that particular state.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 21 Mar 2010, 11:23
it's basketball

kansas was favored to win

they lost

that's pretty much it
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 21 Mar 2010, 11:56
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47511000/jpg/_47511599_celebrations_466b.jpg)

UNBELIEVABLE JEFF!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 22 Mar 2010, 11:12
Boourns.  :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 23 Mar 2010, 04:04
We'll probably get knocked out of the other cup by Dundee United tomorrow night. That said, if we can win against St. Mirren with 9 men I don't see why we can't beat Dundee United with 11.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 23 Mar 2010, 05:27
Hoping for another big storm on Saturday to save the Force getting demolished by the Bulls.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 23 Mar 2010, 13:11
Also, I've decided to start following baseball as the season starts in 12 days and I've been kind of interested in it since before ESPN started charging for it's televisual services. My Pittsburgh Pirates following friend suggested them, but I've gone for the Milwaukee Brewers since I like beer and also when they play each other we can have good natured sporting banter.


I'd like to point out that I have, at best, a rudimentary understanding of the rules of baseball but figured that if I can pick up test cricket watching the Ashes then I can pick up baseball. Amirite?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Mar 2010, 13:28
Yaaaaay, playoff OT rules changed! Sorta.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 23 Mar 2010, 15:38
Let's just put this whole best ever thing to bed right now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN6zTox-hhk), eh?

Jesus H fucking Messi.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 23 Mar 2010, 16:49
Pep Guardiola's face is priceless. "Eh, I knew that was going to happen".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 23 Mar 2010, 16:53
He's 22.

I assume for an encore he will actually walk on water.

Hail the Messiah.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 23 Mar 2010, 18:17
Watching Messi makes me feel like such a useless human being. I can't tie my shoelaces with that much grace.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 07 Apr 2010, 13:38
I can finally go pee. Damn these last 20 minutes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 22 Apr 2010, 01:17
Well, Rugby League has pretty much sealed its fate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 22 Apr 2010, 02:00
I dunno, this will probably make the Storm more popular than ever. They've always thrived on a bunker mentality down here in Melbourne: the Melbourne "Us" vs. Sydney "Them" has long been the mentality of the team and of its fans. This will just give them all a nice persecution complex to go along with that.

I've got mixed feelings about this; obviously, we're talking about massive breaches of the salary cap which disadvantages all those teams in the competition which are trying to play by the rules; on the other hand, I do think that the salary cap unfairly punishes teams that habitually develop their own playing talent, such as Melbourne. I think the NRL should be encouraging every team to develop their own playing ranks from juniors right through to first grade, but the salary cap system only discourages that. What I think they should do is introduce a kind of salary cap "discount" system: players that a club has developed in-house should only have half of their actual salary count towards the salary cap.

(For those of you outside Australia: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/22/2880349.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/22/2880349.htm).)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 22 Apr 2010, 02:26
I expect that most of the core supporter group will probably continue supporting them, but that's not what I think will do them in. Their already low attendances are probably going to drop even further due to the fact that they cannot take the points from any game, even if they win meaning that for the first time in their existence they will not be playing finals. On top of that they will (likely) lose several million dollars in sponsorships and 2.3 million in fines, and they will probably lose several players due to either not being able to fit them into the salary cap  or having the players walk after being dragged into the scandal. Consider also that the new Union franchise starting up in Melbourne that was going to steal members from the Storm anyway, and they've got trouble on their hands.

I fully expect this to have long lasting repercussions for the club, and eventually kill off the Melbourne Storm. The Carlton FC nearly died out after a similar incident, and they are a much, much stronger and powerful club who suffered much smaller fines for their rorting of the cap - eventually it took Dick Pratt funneling millions of dollars into the club to keep it afloat, and the Storm don't have any kind of powerful connections like Pratt or VISY.

And if League lose their already tenuous foothold in Melbourne then it's hard to see a strong future for the game, with the AFLs increasingly aggressive expansion into Rugby heartlands and the increased popularity of soccer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 22 Apr 2010, 02:31
Hmm, those are all good points.

Lucky for me I think the Storm are a bunch of arrogant arseholes who play an incredibly boring style of rugby league and have been the main proponents in the NRL in recent years of a particularly ugly "whatever it takes" mentality akin to the attitude of the Australian cricket team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 22 Apr 2010, 22:07
Crap news of the week. I just found out im going to be in the field for the whole month of the World Cup. My Sgt has a satellite radio so i might be able to at least listen to the games. Won't be the same but at least its something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 22 Apr 2010, 23:19
the Storm don't have any kind of powerful connections like Pratt or VISY.

Aren't they owned by News Corp?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Apr 2010, 20:14
Denver took Tim Tebow. Still kind of lolling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 24 Apr 2010, 17:33
Tebow hasn't thrown a ball in a regular season game and I'm already completely in hate with the smug bastard. Don't really know why but he annoys me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 24 Apr 2010, 18:04
But he's the best college ball player ever or something. At least that's what a couple of overenthusiastic casters were saying in the one game I saw of his last year over on this side of the ditch. (i think it must've been his last one)

In other news, CARN THE PAAAA AND THE DEES. Way to beat the two undefeated teams on nothing but hard work and spit. And the fact that the Lions pretty much collapsed and relied on one player all night. But CARN THE PAAAA!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Apr 2010, 18:25
Tebow hasn't thrown a ball in a regular season game and I'm already completely in hate with the smug bastard. Don't really know why but he annoys me.

if he wasn't such an outrageously preachy bible-thumping pro-lifer... well, actually, he'd still be a just-barely-mediocre ball player.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Apr 2010, 18:30
Ahaha, Tim Tebow.

Look, let's get something straight right off the bat here: I don't give two shits about college football. I could not care less. I do not hate Tim Tebow. In fact, if anything, I'm inclined to feel charitable about him due to my reflexive rejection of bandwagon backlash-- You'll never see me hating on Peyton Manning for beating my teams and making too many commercials, for example. Hell, if Tim Tebow were a better player I'd probably just have quoted BeoPuppy and thrown up the "Haters gonna hate" fat kid gif.

There's just one problem: He throws the ball wrong. Uh, that's going to be a problem.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Apr 2010, 18:37
If nothing else, I love Tim Tebow for the fact that he gives me the chance to tell Tim Tebow fans that he throws the ball wrong. Try it some time! It's fun.


Also, it's even better when people point out that he has a new throwing motion so it shouldn't be a problem anymore. You know, because when you can spend a first round pick on a guy who had to change how he throws the ball, you have to do it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Apr 2010, 18:41
The Tim Tebow Draft Pick In Photos (http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2010/04/the-tim-tebow-draft-pick-in-photos.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Apr 2010, 07:15
I have never wanted to punch a person so much while knowing so little about them in my life.

(also my football team won, and now they are 5-1 and this is amazing because they have now won one less than they did all year last season and they are playing in the complete opposite way to what they have in their entire history and I am really fucking excited!)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 25 Apr 2010, 09:44
RAAANGERS ARE CHAMPIOOOOOOOOOOOONESS!!

With three games to spare. Hopefully we can beat Celtic in the last old-firm game of the season and really rub their noses in it.

What I find quite exciting is that Rangers and Celtic are going to play each other in Boston in July. If I have the time off work I might try and get across for that. If not hopefully Rangers will play the Ny Red Bull team from the MLS and I can see that instead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 25 Apr 2010, 17:00
if he wasn't such an outrageously preachy bible-thumping pro-lifer... well, actually, he'd still be a just-barely-mediocre ball player.

... now I know why I hate him. Thanks!

Also: he throws the ball wrong.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Apr 2010, 19:37
RAAANGERS ARE CHAMPIOOOOOOOOOOOONESS!!

I got a bit excited there because I thought you were talking about the NY Rangers in the NHL but then I was jerked back to the Real World, in which the Rangers suck suck suck and can't even make the fucking playoffs
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 25 Apr 2010, 20:07
Its cool because Buffalo just needs to win 2 games to fuck you boston
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 26 Apr 2010, 01:27
And all the while I sit here grinning while the Flyers are already through to round 2 after routing the Devils and reflecting that they only got here by putting out the Rangers in the first place.
 :lol:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 26 Apr 2010, 01:53
Aw man I was hoping that series would be a little more competitive than 4-1.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 06 May 2010, 04:28
I really hope the Sharks complete the sweep tomorrow just so I can watch all the sportscasters and their fucking East Coast bias eat their words when every single one of them was calling for the upset.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 08 May 2010, 04:13
Watching the Brumbies vs Highlanders game has reminded me how much I miss the game of a year or two ago that revolved around backs kicking back and forth trying to make territory.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 May 2010, 07:20
I refuse to concede the title yet. Wigan have already beat Chelsea this season. Can they do it at Stamford Bridge? I....hope so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 08 May 2010, 11:48
Leeds were promoted to the Championship after beating Bristol Rovers today.

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47803000/jpg/_47803906_jb466getty.jpg)

Goals from Beckford (left) and Howson (right).

It's been a hell of a season and I can't find the right words yet. However, I am absolutely elated that we're one promotion away from the Premiership again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 08 May 2010, 12:21
I am not sure how Bradley Johnson (shirtless) was able to produce a bottle of Bud so quickly so I assume he had it the whole game -

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47804000/jpg/_47804832_leeds466.jpg)

Incidentally, as you can tell from his choice of beverage, he's half-American and available for selection in the World Cup Finals along with Mike Grella and Davide Somma. Not to mention Patrick Kisnorbo, Neil Kilkenny and Shane Lowry (all Australian) and Max Gradel (Ivory Coast).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 09 May 2010, 10:12
In other promotion news, Bath City beat Woking 1-0 in the Blue Square South playoff final and so are now in the Conference proper (one promotion away from the football league). Good news for such a rugby dominated city.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Leinad on 09 May 2010, 14:52
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS HERE WE COME OMG!!!! TAKE THAT FUCKING DETROIT!

Oh, and the Niners are winning their pennant this year. You heard it here first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: a pack of wolves on 10 May 2010, 12:22
It's been a hell of a season and I can't find the right words yet. However, I am absolutely elated that we're one promotion away from the Premiership again.

They didn't make it easy on us, did they? Job done now though, and the Championship should be interesting next year.

Speaking of going up, I'm hoping Huddersfield can at least make it to the final of the League One play-offs. Millwall are going to have a tough job taking them on at home on Saturday given Huddersfield's excellent home form this season. It'll be nice to see another Yorkshire team go up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 May 2010, 11:31
I am not sure how Bradley Johnson (shirtless) was able to produce a bottle of Bud so quickly so I assume he had it the whole game -

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47804000/jpg/_47804832_leeds466.jpg)

Incidentally, as you can tell from his choice of beverage, he's half-American and available for selection in the World Cup Finals along with Mike Grella and Davide Somma. Not to mention Patrick Kisnorbo, Neil Kilkenny and Shane Lowry (all Australian) and Max Gradel (Ivory Coast).

Johnson's on the US preliminary squad, along with Herculez Gomez, who's been destroying the Mexican league this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: maxusy3k on 11 May 2010, 16:02
My home team just made it to the Championship play-off final.

It is a pretty good day to live in Blackpool (even if it is a shithole).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 12 May 2010, 03:48
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS HERE WE COME OMG!!!! TAKE THAT FUCKING DETROIT!

Oh, and the Niners are winning their pennant this year. You heard it here first.

I like you, even if I don't quite share your optimism.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 May 2010, 18:32
I doubt anyone else here gives a crap about basketball, but there's a pretty good chance that a franchise will have its heart ripped out Temple of Doom style this Thursday. I'm not even joking; the Cleveland sports scene isn't exactly the cheeriest to begin with, and a LeBron James choke job followed by him fleeing in free agency would be an even bigger catastrophe than if Joe Mauer had left Minnesota. When you consider that Joe Mauer leaving would probably have led to my uncle hurling himself into the Mississippi along with the rest of St. Paul, that's pretty impressive.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 May 2010, 03:53
Oh come on you had to have known it was coming sooner or later
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 14 May 2010, 10:38
That doesn't make it any less interesting, particularly since Cleveland fans had more or less talked themselves into the hope that if they win there's no way LeBron could leave a defending champ without hurting his rep historically (Besides, he'd make bazillion dollars as the champ no matter who he's with). Besides, just because you know a bad thing is extremely likely doesn't make it any less painful when it rears up and bites you in the ass. Trust me, I'm a Vikings fan. I know all about getting suckered into this shit year after year. It adds an extra layer of "How was I stupid enough to hope again?" self-loathing to the whole proceedings. Cleveland fans are going through that right now and LeBron hasn't even left yet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 May 2010, 23:26
LeBron is a tremendous douche and emblematic of everything wrong with the NBA so I have trouble feeling sympathy for anyone in that equation.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 May 2010, 04:34
Bahahahahaha Bruins. Seriously, 3-0 up until Simon Gagne comes back and then single-handedly destroys you in the next 4 games, that's pretty embarrassing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Scarychips on 15 May 2010, 06:52
I agree with the previous statement. Seriously, man, leading 3-0 and then losing? This is really, fucking sad.

In other news, the Habs are gonna play against the Flyers. Woo?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 May 2010, 08:07
It's weird because I wanted the Canadiens to beat the Capitals and the Penguins and they did but now I obviously want them to lose so I feel kind of bad. If Carter and Cote finally shake off their injuries I think the Flyers have enough to make the final but if the unbeatable Halak keeps up his outstanding form it will definitely be a slog.

The Western final is pretty exciting too, Sharks vs Blackhawks. The Sharks have the best offensive line in the league this season in Marleau, Thornton and Heatley and several other great players but Nabokov is shaky at the best of times and against Toews, Sharp and Patrick Kane he will be tested. Antti Niemi is a very solid goaltender too so we'll see what happens.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 15 May 2010, 08:49
Leeds were promoted to the Championship after beating Bristol Rovers today.

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47803000/jpg/_47803906_jb466getty.jpg)

Goals from Beckford (left) and Howson (right).

It's been a hell of a season and I can't find the right words yet. However, I am absolutely elated that we're one promotion away from the Premiership again.

Magnificent. I was biting my nails after his goal. Gradel was a complete twat and I thought it was all over at 1-0 down, but NO!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 May 2010, 14:37
I hope LeBron doesn't sign with the Knicks. You see, I'm always somewhat annoyed by how sports news always gets clogged up by this assumption that athletes are willing to go to New York for chump change when the reality of it is that athletes go where they're being offered the most money.

And the Knicks are the absolute worst NY franchise in this regard because they suck so bad that they've been grasping at straws for over a decade. Every year or two writers act like the Knicks will get an all-star free agent to play for the mid-level exception because New York is the center of the universe. But this time, they actually have the cap space to at least match just about anyone else in the bidding. That means they'll feel justified in their "Everyone wants to play here," routine if LeBron goes there, even if past history shows that it's wrong 90% of the time. I know it's petty, but I'm sorta hoping they'll just get their hopes crushed and languish in obscurity for a while like losing teams are supposed to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 15 May 2010, 14:41
I'm really fucking sick of the East Coast sports media bias. Everyone on ESPN picked the Red Wings to win in 7 since they were on the hot streak pre-playoffs, and to a degree I understand that, but the Sharks dispatch them handily in 5. So what happens the next round? They all predict Blackhawks in six. I know the Sharks have a shaky playoff reputation, but give me a fucking break.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 May 2010, 15:06
I think being a Vikings fan conditions me towards the opposite. I usually pick the teams I'm most familiar with apart and end up talking myself into thinking they're worse than they actually are. E.g. last year's Packers. Loved Rodgers. Took him in my fantasy league. But within a couple weeks his o-line damn near had me convinced he'd be dead by the end of the season. So your team has to be pretty awful before I'm willing to completely write them off against any midwest franchise.

I have no idea what'll happen with Sharks-Hawks though. Late in the playoffs, nearly identical records; eh, no thanks. Besides, I hate guessing what'll happen in hockey since sudden death overtime is brutal. One team can look like they're outplaying the other and suddenly they go down in flames over a garbage goal. Fuck, I love hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 22 May 2010, 09:34
Congratulations to Blackpool FC. 39 years since they were last in the top flight of English football.

(http://i48.tinypic.com/5aooox.jpg)

(http://i49.tinypic.com/1z721dz.jpg)

A well-deserved 3-2 win over Cardiff City sealed their promotion from a team made up of young stars on loan and cast-offs from other clubs.

They probably won't last more than the 1 season in the Premier League but I'm sure they don't really care.
(Yes, they do play in tangerine orange and white)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: maxusy3k on 22 May 2010, 10:37
That final was amazing, was lucky to find a space in a pub showing it here. Stats said literally 1/3 of the town population were at Wembley, which figures since pretty much everybody I know was there. I spent the entire second half waiting for Cardiff to snatch it away from us and have my heart broken but we really pulled through!

Now have to wonder if we can even host our matches here next season - the stadium is pretty much always under construction, and the FA have expressed concern over capacity and access.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 26 May 2010, 03:31
Luckily, there's important NFL news as well. (http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/05/25/end-of-an-era-in-minnesota-allen-cuts-his-mullet/)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 26 May 2010, 04:27
FLYERS IN THE STANLEY CUP FINAL FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1997!!!!!!!

I am really excited about this because even if we don't win it is the first time that I have seen the Philadelphia Flyers play in a Stanley Cup final since I started watching hockey and became a Flyers fan in 2000. We stand a decent chance as long as no more injuries are picked up but the Hawks are also on fire so it won't be easy by any means.

So excited!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 May 2010, 10:26
Luckily, there's important NFL news as well. (http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/05/25/end-of-an-era-in-minnesota-allen-cuts-his-mullet/)


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

R.I.P. Jared Allen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkI9axajmT8)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 May 2010, 19:30
 :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 27 May 2010, 06:42
Apparently my American football team is gonna' be beta testing an online stream of our first home game in a week or so. If you're interested in watching the British equivalent of the Detroit Lions, then I'll post a link up on here when it's given out.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 May 2010, 06:51
Oh, come now.


You guys can't be that bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 May 2010, 06:52
Well, actually, wait, did you recruit JaMarcus Russell? Then you might be that bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 May 2010, 11:07
The name JeMarcus Russell needs to become synonymous with failure, if it hasn't already.

He's the first player to literally eat himself out of the NFL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 May 2010, 11:36
Considering this is the same league that continues to employ Big Pat Williams, that's saying something. I mean, look at 'im!
(http://www.vikingsgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/pat-williams.jpg)


There's a reason why some people actually gave him some benefit of the doubt over the starcaps thing, and it's not all just blatant homerism. It's just easier to believe that a guy has a problem cutting weight when he looks so big that you suspect that gravy would come out if he cut himself shaving.


BONUS ROUND: Vince Wilfork!
(http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/d000429c25_vince10032007.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 May 2010, 11:54
BTW, if I seem especially vicious about NFL and weights, it's because I personally suspect that the NFL needs weight limits of some sort if they ever expect subconcussive trauma and heart disease to quit cutting the lives of NFL linemen short. Rugby isn't even played with helmets, yet they have less people dying young due in large part because their rules don't allow NFL style blocking and because every player is actually expected to be able to get down field. That means there's no need for 350+ pound specialists who exist only to ram into each other over and over again until they're drummed out of the league by injury and drop dead by 53.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 May 2010, 11:55
While that's a fair point, Russell isn't a lineman, he's (allegedly ;D) a QB.

Though I'm sure you knew that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 May 2010, 11:56
I couldn't tell!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 27 May 2010, 16:26
Leeds were promoted to the Championship after beating Bristol Rovers today.

I hear that your boys have signed Kasper Schmeichel now.  Pretty good buy, I reckon.

This business with Cesc maybe going to Barca maybe not is really frustrating.  Barca have always been a bunch of assholes when it comes to how they act during a transfer period, but this season is especially bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 27 May 2010, 16:42
It's not really just Barca acting like dicks but the way the media goes into a frenzy any time a transfer is even remotely possible and when it's basically a free for all between seasons they can't get enough. Barca have a lot of money and a great reputation with being one of the world's best club teams so there's always going to be stories surrounding them and considering Fabregas was brought up in their youth system and Arsenal are looking shaky without him once more it's really not surprising that this story has happened once again.

At least Barca don't act like Real Madrid though, buying any player they like then throwing them out like pieces of shit when they don't win anything because they have a dismal defence and won't buy any defenders to shore it up. Seeing as Mourinho is pretty much there though they will likely have to buy a couple after the world cup.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 29 May 2010, 01:29
YELLOW AND BLACK
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 01 Jun 2010, 03:03
World Cup, World Cup, World Cup, World Cup.

I'm excited.

Looking forward to hearing Capello's 23 man squad at some point today and I'll be backing England during the tournament but think either Brazil or Spain will win it.

Is anyone else excited about the WORLD CUP?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 01 Jun 2010, 03:32
Hells yes. I've always liked Spain since I was a wee boy and thought their strips looked cool, so I'll be supporting them. Win or lose I'm sure they'll play some damn nice football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 01 Jun 2010, 05:19
Spain were my team during the Euro 2008 cup when Scotland failed to qualify. I only wish I'd put more than Ł5 on them to win! Bought their strip yesterday as I'm also a fan of their kit.

I'll be cheering England, and to a lesser extent Spain although if they play each other I will back England to the hilt.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Jun 2010, 06:04
I am completely cynical and will not be supporting England because why would I support a team that contains players that I hate during the regular season?

But other than that WORLD CUP, WORLD CUP, WORLD CUP!!!

I am excited for it because regardless of support who doesn't like watching the best players in the world playing on the same pitch?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 01 Jun 2010, 06:36
That is a very good point about the best players in the World. I am expecting cracking goals, amazing saves and lots of nail biting!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 01 Jun 2010, 06:42
I'm expecting lots of skied shots and corners going way over everybody's heads because the designers of the Official Ball of the World Cup have sprinkled the balls with fairy dust to make them do magical corkscrews in flight like no other ball has ever done before it or some other dickery just like at the last World Cup.

Also Australia was the first team to South Africa! If this was the Amazing Race we'd already be world champions!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 01 Jun 2010, 18:50
It's not really just Barca acting like dicks but the way the media goes into a frenzy any time a transfer is even remotely possible and when it's basically a free for all between seasons they can't get enough. Barca have a lot of money and a great reputation with being one of the world's best club teams so there's always going to be stories surrounding them and considering Fabregas was brought up in their youth system and Arsenal are looking shaky without him once more it's really not surprising that this story has happened once again.

Yeah I can agree with all of that, but it is like a constant barrage of the club managers being dipshits because the club president is embarrassed over letting him go, their players being dipshits coming out and saying things like "oh, he is here for sure" or "he would fit in really well here" or "oh man, I can't wait to give him that first post-game handjob" or somesuch and the team manager saying "oh, we're not gonna pay too much for him".  And then there's Arsenal on the other end saying "hey uh, we don't even have a fucking bid for him yet, what's going on?"

It's all bullshit mind games to drive his price down by trying to make it a done deal before the bid is even in.  The problem is that it's so goddamned blatant that everyone involved can see that that is what they are doing, and people are getting the shits to the point where maybe Wenger's gonna stamp his foot and say "no, this isn't gonna happen", and if that's the case he may as well just use Cesc as a waterboy or a benchwarmer or someshit next season for all the good he'll do us in the state he'll be in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Jun 2010, 00:32
The worst call in the history of baseball. (http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300602106) Heartbreaking.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 03 Jun 2010, 11:48
Fabregas is worth Ł60m minimum and I'd probably say a fairer fee would be Ł70-80m.

If they pay less than that, it's literally the deal of a lifetime. Practically theft considering the age and form of the playing they would be getting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 03 Jun 2010, 23:58
Word on the street (blogs) is that they offered Ł29 mil maybe plus someone, but not sure what to make of that.  The response from Arsenal was pretty great.

Quote from: Arsenal.com
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contract with the Club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly-valued member of the team and part of our future plans.

We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move away from the Club but as there has never been any official approach for him, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clear that we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained from publicly passing comment. However, yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.

To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word.

Whether this is a flat "NO" or a very strong bargaining position is up for debate, but it is definitely The Way To Do It.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 06 Jun 2010, 01:33
Live stream of Sussex Thunder versus Farnham Knights (maybe if it works) (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sussex-thunder-vs-farnham-knights)

Stream should start at 1:30PM(GMT), game kicks off at 2:30PM.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Jun 2010, 06:31
Ryan it would have helped if I knew which number you wore.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 06 Jun 2010, 06:44
Numbers wouldn't even help, they're all so leetle.

EDIT: He's #55 if you still want it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Jun 2010, 19:01
Holy shit, Ray Allen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Jun 2010, 20:40
yay blackhawks
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 11 Jun 2010, 05:22
It is WORLD CUP DAY! :D

Man I love a World Cup. Can't wait to see Spain in action again as they play truly wonderful football, and I'm very eager to see if Argentina can actually gel as a team, because if they do they could be unstoppable.

Also I will never stop laughing if the USA beat England tomorrow. Make it happen, America.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 11 Jun 2010, 07:05
http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24833.0.html (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24833.0.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Jun 2010, 17:30
I want the Celtics to beat the Lakers so bad. Mostly because I have a friend who's an LA fan who insists that the Lakers shoulda/woulda/coulda won in 2008 if it weren't for Andrew Bynum being injured. There should be a law that says you can't play the "Everyone knows they were the best team that year," card when said team rolled over in a game 6 clincher and lost by 39 points.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 15 Jun 2010, 17:49
fuck the lakers
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jun 2010, 21:50
Another ring for Bryant, yet he crapped the bed so thoroughly that hopefully he set back those "No, really, he had just as good a career as Jordan!!" idiots another 5 years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 17 Jun 2010, 23:05
fuuuuuuuuuck the lakersssss
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 18 Jun 2010, 00:46
... so, what's wrong with the Lakers? Undeserved victory or something?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Jun 2010, 10:30
Well, Kobe Bryant calls himself the Black Mamba, for one thing. I hate it when people try to nickname themselves.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Jun 2010, 16:48
they're all insanely douchey and their fans are annoying to excess.

they're essentially the new england patriots of basketball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 18 Jun 2010, 19:39
This is stating the obvious but they basically encapsulate everything about L.A. that makes it the sweaty choad of the universe
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 19 Jun 2010, 11:01
USA was robbed... Plain and simple. There was no one offside and if anything the American players were being fouled. No idea what the ref saw and by him being completely silent about the call i'm sure he doesn't know either. Yes we should have never even let them score 2 goals and have the game decided by a bad call but it did and it sucks. If we don't make it out of the group stages im gonna be pissed. Granted England is playing like crap so it looks good we will advance. i still hate it being so close.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 19 Jun 2010, 11:51
football

Sup bro (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24833.0.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 19 Jun 2010, 16:35
Manute Bol (http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/19/manute-bol-dies-acute-kidney-failure/) passed away at 47.  :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Jun 2010, 17:08
I always thought it was kinda shitty how so many people would make fun of the guy for some of the ridiculous events he's been a part of, considering the fact that he always funneled that money back to charities. It really shouldn't take a 7'7" guy who's never ridden a horse to start jockeying as a stunt just to get people to donate peanuts to Darfur.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 20 Jun 2010, 06:14
football

Sup bro (http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,24833.0.html)

whoops
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 20 Jun 2010, 18:09
they're all insanely douchey and their fans are annoying to excess.

they're essentially the new england patriots of basketball.

... I like the Pats ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Jun 2010, 18:50
WELL YOU AND ALL YR PETS SHOULD DIE

but srsly, one of my best friends is a pats fan, so there's obvsly exceptions. it's broad stereotyping. for instance i am a bears fan, and we put up with this:

(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4500/dabears.jpg)

it's all in good fun.

but yeah as a pats fan you should probably be aware that the only team anybody hates more than you is the cowboys. just sayin'
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Jun 2010, 20:21
DAH BEARZ
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Jun 2010, 05:21
Well, being in the Netherlands makes it easier to dodge the scorn of irate football fans. So, that helps.

Also, as a Bears fan, you haven't had the best couple of seasons recently so, you know ... /hug.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Jun 2010, 08:58
thanks. i'm kind of excited for this year actually, because unless we make a playoff run (we won't) lovie won't come back. it'd be nice to not have keanu reeves as our head coach...

(http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5808/loviesucks.jpg)


fuck i'll be happy if martz can train jay cutler into completing passes to our team for a change. our defense is in a rebuilding year, too - even with urlacher back and the addition of julius peppers, we have shit and/or rookie corners and lovie's "cover who" strategy. zzzz

if it's not obvious, i want it to be football season very badly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 22 Jun 2010, 13:28
Seconded.

And I hope Urlacher stays healthy for a bit. Last year's injury was just ... sad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Jun 2010, 14:10
and/or upsettingly ordinary.

if brian urlacher's gonna be out for the whole season he'd better be an amputee or something, fer srs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 22 Jun 2010, 15:23
Sometimes I think he's just too rangy to be as fast as he is and remain healthy the way at middle line backer-- he's like 5 inches taller than Ray Lewis but has always been listed as maybe 5 or 10 pounds heavier, tops. I mean, it's cool that he could play sideline-to-sideline as well as he did, due to being so goddam fast, but I always kinda thought he was secretly mediocre at just filling in gaps without getting clobbered by a 300 pounder. So now he's got a ton of running back type injuries from running around like a maniac and an arthritic back from getting murdered by guards. And I always sorta liked Julian Peterson better anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Jun 2010, 22:59
Urlacher's definitely not the tank he used to be, and in recent years Urlacher's definitely let many ballcarriers out of his grasp. Hopefully Peppers will make our defense a little less reliant on Urlacher's less-than-stellar hole-filling ability, but Lance Briggs was always better at that anyway. Now that he can go back to his original position and we don't have to rely on the flimsy, green Nick Roach to fill the gaps, I think our secondary will be a lot stronger.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 24 Jun 2010, 09:17
While everyone's been distracted by the World Cup, Wimbledon has just hosted the most ridiculous game of tennis ever played. John Isner has just defeated Nicolas Mahut in five sets. The final scoreline: 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68. 70-68. SEVENTY-SIXTY-EIGHT. The game went for a shade over eleven hours, spread over two days.

Unbelievable.

(Incidentally, the Guardian Online has, as ever, a highly amusing live blog of the match, if you can summon the energy to read the entire thing. The match went for so long that it had to be live blogged in two parts: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live) & http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/24/wimbledon-2010-isner-mahut-live (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/24/wimbledon-2010-isner-mahut-live).)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 24 Jun 2010, 11:54
The last set alone was significantly longer than every single match in Williams' title-winning Wimbledon last year put together.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: evilbobthebob on 24 Jun 2010, 11:57
My favourite moment from that match was the scoreboards all breaking when they passed 50 games apiece, because IBM didn't think that would ever happen
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Jul 2010, 18:09
I still can't believe LeBron James has a timeslot set up to announce which team he's going with. I think the universe must hate Cleveland fans or something. It's the only way any of this makes sense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 08 Jul 2010, 21:58
Cleveland should just give up on sport altogether.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 07 Aug 2010, 03:33
Ah, thank fuck. New football season at last. I hope everybody is excited as I am.

Leeds had a decent preseason, despite a fairly pointless trek to Slovakia and being buried at Bury (ahem) we bounced back to thrash Hartlepool and Wolves (including this strike (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBAA1P62Qvs) by the ever mercurial Max Gradel). I know preseason doesn't count for much but we've also  made some decent, if inexpensive, acquisitions and the new team has both width and pace, something we were usually lacking in League One. The defence is still a little bit shaky despite having been replaced entirely but that's sort of becoming a Leeds tradition. I don't think we'll go down and realistically I can see us finishing around the top of the bottom half of the table, which would be a decent outcome for any newly promoted side.

Out - Beckford, Ankergren, Kandol, Marques.
In - Paynter, Sam, Collins, Bruce, Connolly, Schmeichal, Bessone, Watt (season long loan from Arsenal), Clayton (month long loan from Man City).

First game of the season is today at 5.15pm against Derby County. Lots of links to watch the game online will appear here (http://myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=82381&part=sports) later in the day. Should be entertaining!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 07 Aug 2010, 08:19
And yet the real season starts next week.  :-P

The new regulations on squad sizes and home-grown players in the Premiership can only be a good thing, hopefully with plenty of young players being given the chance to play some games and impress as only young players can. A few teams have been caught out by these regulations, a surprising one being Blackburn Rovers, just showing the fragility of the Premiership teams and how the league needs these kinds of changes to bring it, and I guess the national team, more credulity.

As for Liverpool, this season is already starting on an iffy note, with the many speculative takeover attempts and whether there will actually be any transfer funds available even if they happen and some not very impressive pre-season performances. However, youngsters Dani Pacheco, Martin Kelly, Stephen Darby, Nathan Ecclestone, David Amoo, Thomas Ince (son of Paul), Lauri Dalla Valle and new young signings Danny Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey should all get some first team game time under "Uncle" Roy Hodgson and maybe a 4th place finish will be possible although top 6 is more likely.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Aug 2010, 09:10
Yeah Rob, Liverpool are going to be dreadfully mediocre again this year, deal with it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 07 Aug 2010, 10:44
Hey, at least we bring our own players through rather than buying them all at extortionate rates and claiming that we raise them as our own.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Aug 2010, 11:05
Joe Cole much?  :wink:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 07 Aug 2010, 20:16
Joe Cole on a free transfer or Anderson for Ł18 million?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Aug 2010, 09:52
United should just not ever sign South Americans. Forlan wasn't that great, Veron didn't pan out, and um...yeah. Anderson.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Aug 2010, 10:15
Don't forget Kleberson.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 10 Aug 2010, 10:18
woo, time for another year of no good goalkeeper and van persie injury news

I think I prefer the transfer window
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Aug 2010, 10:23
First Bears game loss of the preseason on Saturday!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Aug 2010, 10:34
Don't forget Kleberson.

I'd purged my memory of him you asshole.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 11 Aug 2010, 07:35
First Bears game loss of the preseason on Saturday!

From your lips to god's ears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Aug 2010, 12:16
I can't wait for our entire coaching staff to be axed this postseason.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 13 Aug 2010, 02:18
(http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/11/2010/08/340x_custom_1281647234808_urlacher.jpg)

I believe that the a replacement coach has already been found.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Aug 2010, 10:47
are you talking about urlacher or the duck? because urlacher's nearing the end of his run but I think he'd make a great LB coach and maybe even Defensive Coordinator someday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 13 Aug 2010, 10:49
... the duck, obviously.

But I guess your Urlacher point is valid too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Aug 2010, 10:50
He can't be as bad as Norv Turner.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Aug 2010, 10:51
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f7/mjoven1975/chargers1.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 13 Aug 2010, 10:56
Painful ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Aug 2010, 14:42
Even worse. (http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2008/1/tomlinson-inaction-figure-includes-kung.html)



I know he's a Jet now, but still.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Aug 2010, 21:11
Only down 14-10 at half (the only part of preseason games that matter) and Cutler was only on the field for one drive... ugggggh still wish I could've watched it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 16 Aug 2010, 20:39
Ah, thank fuck. New football season at last.

Man there are, like, only three months between seasons. That's nowhere near long enough to start getting sport withdrawals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Aug 2010, 10:11
Ryan. Goddamned. Giggs. Woo!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 17 Aug 2010, 13:33
Giggs was awesome before some of our players were even born. Ridiculous.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Aug 2010, 13:40
So ... Mr. Alex C. .... excited?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Aug 2010, 14:18
A li'l bit, yeah. As long as the Vikings have a talented team it should be fun to watch. Still, I always thought the Packers were going to be pretty damn good last year and other than their offensive line, they were. I even felt kinda dirty since Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings and Donald Driver were starters on my fantasy team for most of the year. I don't see much reason why they should be worse this year, so it's not like I think the Vikings are an automatic lock for a high seed again since splitting the series with Green Bay hits me as pretty plausible.

As far as the Favre saga goes, I'm not as annoyed by it as a lot of people are, but as a huge football nerd it kinda sucks since there's been pretty much no news out of the camps other than "We really hope he will be back."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Aug 2010, 18:30
I just hope his ankle doesn't give out. The vikes have their bye real early, and that's before they fight the Packers twice, Dallas, New England, and NYG. Not to mention the fact that since GB's looking so strong, they'll be fighting tooth and nail to get out of a wild card spot. That's a lot of consecutive weeks on a flimsy ankle, so unless they can protect him really well (he was sacked 34 times last year) I'd be more than a little anxious.

If he does stay healthy though I'll be rooting for ya'll the entire way, if any fandom deserves a Super Bowl it's the vikes.

At the same time, this means the Bears are for sure in 3rd again, damn it. I would've liked to see a winning record at least, but 8-8 and the firing of Lovie Smith might have to do in terms of healthy optimism.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Aug 2010, 18:52
I'd feel a helluva lot more comfortable coming into the season if everyone was talking about how healthy the Vikings are but that's pretty much the opposite of what has happened. When Chad Clifton got healthy the Packers o-line went from shit terrible to sorta OK and they grabbed a guy who can play both guard and tackle in the draft. And the Vikings wouldn't have beat them twice last year if Jared Allen and Ray Edwards weren't basically stealing Aaron Rodger's lunch money. I guess we'll see.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Aug 2010, 18:55
On the bright, I did a li'l fist pump just now while typing "Ray Edwards." It's a ridiculous luxury having a guy like that as your least accomplished starting defensive linemen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Aug 2010, 09:57
Clearly, when you get a penalty, up 2-1, this is the mindset you should have:

"Well who should take it? Owen and Berbatov are both on the field."
"Yeah, good point. NANI, YOU TAKE IT!"

Fucking IDIOT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Aug 2010, 12:35
Cutler sacked five times against the Raiders. This is going to be a long season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 22 Aug 2010, 19:27
The Raiders defense is secretly pretty OK because of their linebackers and dbacks, but yeah, um, 5 sacks is bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Aug 2010, 13:27
Sometimes when I feel like being self-righteous I go read the ESPN comment sections on any decision a player makes that's remotely controversial. It kills me how pro-ownership and pro-team the average ESPN poster is and how li'l they give a shit about the rights of any individual that makes more money than they do. For example, Sidney Rice is going to be out due to some hip surgery many people believe he should have gotten months ago. So the scholars on the ESPN comment boards are talking about how he's a moron and that teams should be able to withhold pay from players for games missed if they choose not to get surgeries advised by team doctors within the time frame advised by team doctors. You know, because there is no conflict of interests there or anything with team doctors and they totally have the player's best long term interests at heart. Sidney's decision to go with a doctor his agent recommended wasn't a great idea either, but finding someone who doesn't have a stake in your performance one way or the other is kinda tough as an NFL player, so I'm not about to start casting stones.

Another fun wrinkle: I know a respected orthopedist from the Mayo clinic (he's a friend of my mom) who says that his entrenched private practice colleagues would rather not work with NFL players and teams at all. They have unrealistic expectations on both sides and your average practice wouldn't survive a ruling based on a top player's lost projected earnings, so it's really only a good idea to work with them if you can use the name recognition to attract more clients.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 28 Aug 2010, 08:12
What the fuck, South Africa?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 28 Aug 2010, 09:48
What hell where did that come from you magnificent bastards.

(We conceded two tries in the first seven minutes, but came back to win 44-31.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 28 Aug 2010, 19:05
The Raiders lineup is secretly pretty OK because of their Janikowski, but yeah, um, everything that ever happened to them after Madden is bad.

ftfy
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 28 Aug 2010, 19:12
Nah, they've got a good corner and I expect a couple of their linebackers to find success someday. Just not with the Raiders.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: johnny5 on 29 Aug 2010, 00:12
so the Cowboys really sucked. silver boot is staying in houston i guess
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Sep 2010, 22:19
Stupid Vikings being stupid unhealthy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Sep 2010, 22:55
You know, I'm pretty drunk right now, and it occurs to me that I think if I was offered Ndamgahagablablah Suh from the Lions over any two Bears players, I'd take Suh without a moment's hesitation. I mean, I hate to say this, but I count being willing to just crush a guy for no god damned reason while playing an exhibition game for the fuckin' Lions as a plus. Wrecking somebody's shit over a football is kind of a shitty thing to do but for a defensive lineman that's pretty much the job description.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Sep 2010, 23:24
i see him getting ejected from the league after brutally decapitating brent favre
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 03 Sep 2010, 06:12
CANBERRA RAIDERS!

They're into the National Rugby League finals for the first time since 2008 and they're going in with some great momentum and confidence: they've won five games in a row and eight of their last nine. They're almost certainly going to be playing against the minor premiers the St. George-Illawarra Dragons next week in the opening week of the finals, and that might normally be a concerning prospect but in fact they've got an unbelievably good record against the Dragons (they've beaten them ten times out of the last eleven games against them, or something crazy like that, and they've beaten them both times the two teams have played this year). Five weeks ago the Raiders were faced with having to win every single one of their remaining games to get into the finals, which nobody really gave them a chance of doing, and the fact that they've now done it is an incredible achievement, especially given that consistency has so often been a problem for the team in recent years (and in the first part of this year). The most exciting thing about the team is that they've done this all with what's probably the youngest team in the competition: they've got so many young players who are still improving and who look set to be genuinely great players in years to come. The Raiders have always been a development team, finding and nurturing their own players, and after being the best team in the competition for a long time fifteen or twenty years ago it's been a long, lean period. The prospect of another "dynasty" just around the corner is so exciting! Even if they lose next week and get knocked out of this year's finals, the future's looking brighter than it's looked for a long time.

Also, they've got Josh Dugan at fullback and he's only twenty years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jla5TzfYUE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jla5TzfYUE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz5cbGAdqys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz5cbGAdqys)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SonofZ3 on 03 Sep 2010, 07:23
Oh Steelers, I had such high hopes for you, until seeing your pre-season games. Now I get to fall back on my second favorite team, the Colts, and watch Manning have a phenomenal regular season and choke in the playoffs...AGAIN.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 03 Sep 2010, 11:07
You're changing bandwagons after pre-season matches?
Get out.
There is no place in the sports thread for your kind.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Sep 2010, 11:15
woooo 0-4 wooooo
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Sep 2010, 08:56
Holy shit, the Wallabies (the Australian national Rugby Union team) are counter-attacking! From deep! That's something that hasn't been seen in, ohh, 15 years or so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 04 Sep 2010, 21:22
0 from 5 games.

Wooo Sydney FC, way to defend your Premiership+Championship double titles.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Sep 2010, 17:54
God, why am I even watching this Vikings-Saints game? Banged up team with no corners vs. the offensively minded NFL champions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 09 Sep 2010, 19:06
God, why am I even watching this Vikings-Saints game? Banged up team with no corners vs. the offensively minded NFL champions.

hurp
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Sep 2010, 20:27
They stopped throwing on the Vikes and somehow that only made things worse.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 09 Sep 2010, 20:41
Honestly, I don't know why Minnesota stopped using Peterson in the second half. They had no genuine receiving options and yet they persisted in trying to get a passing game going when their strongest plays of the whole game had been through run.

The Saints have questions over their run defence, and the Vikings have the best running back in the league, it doesn't take a genius to put 2+2 together.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Sep 2010, 20:47
On the one hand, I'm tempted to say that you can't win against top teams in the NFL with just the run. Running Peterson ragged early in the season in a game that I don't really think was as close as the score indicated-- if the Saints had persisted in making it a shoot out, there's no way the Vikes would have kept up-- doesn't really make sense to me. On the other, I have never liked Childress so let's go with him being an idiot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 09 Sep 2010, 21:11
It'd help if Favre had receivers. When the top receiver on your team is the tight end you need to fix something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 10 Sep 2010, 08:40
Yeah, game was a bit of a let down. However:

-It was the first game I watched with my son (10 days old).
-Yay! Football is back!

Other than that ... disappointing opener.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Sep 2010, 11:15
I wouldn't bet on it. He had 19 carries, a few catches, and without Taylor around there's less motivation to swap him out on 3rd downs. Even Chris Johnson didn't average out to more than 25 carries last year and he broke 2k yards. Until the Vikings start sniffing the end zone again you're probably boned.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Sep 2010, 11:45
Additionally the only other game really worth watching this week is Jets/Ravens, and even that's kind of meh. I'll watch Bears/Lions of course, but man.

Also I'm not excited to lose to the Lions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Sep 2010, 12:13
The funniest thing about the Lions is that I can say I'm optimistic about their odds of doubling that win total without sounding completely insane. After all, that's still only 4 wins.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 10 Sep 2010, 21:40
I'm super excited for football season this year, partially because this is going the best team the Niners have had in years. Our draft looked great on paper and has turned out even better in preseason: a lot of the late round picks have turned out really well too. Glen Coffee abruptly retired to do God's work or whatever, but it looks like we found an even better backup for Gore in Anthony Davis. Seriously, look at this fucking stiffarm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IboUlX9Bdw).

Alex Smith was playing a lot better by the end of last season, and more importantly he'll have much better blocking now. Between the upgrades to the O-line, having Crabtree for the full season, and a healthy Gore ready to go, the offense should play much better. I think this team needs one more good draft (preferably a corner and DE) before they're serious Super Bowl contenders, but they have an absurdly soft schedule this year and should walk away with the division.

Also Alex, I bet you're happy that the Vikes aren't playing the Niners in the regular season after this:

(http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9144/u6io5.gif)

That's just how Patrick Willis rolls, motherfuckers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 11 Sep 2010, 15:34
That's just nasty ... I'll be watching the niners with slightly less disdain from now on.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Sep 2010, 16:45
Where the fuck were the Giants today

I mean shit we had bases loaded and bam, double play.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 11 Sep 2010, 17:50
Wasting great starting pitching and grounding into double plays?

Yeah, that sounds like the Giants alright.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Sep 2010, 20:04
Speaking of sacks, I'm a bit curious/worried to see how the Lion's defensive line will be this year. Even if Suh doesn't make an immediate splash they still added Vanden Bosch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 12 Sep 2010, 07:46
i see him getting ejected from the league after brutally decapitating brent favre

worth it

QUICK QUIZ: Justify to me why the fuck the NFL season is only 16 fucking games long, every team doesn't even play every other team, why is yr sport such a bunch of weak shit. What is the deal with that
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Sep 2010, 11:53
That was a textbook sack by Peppers, gotta hand it to him. My respect for that guy has always been kinda grudging though since I've seen both too many games where he's clearly the best guy out there and too many games where he doesn't really seem to give a crap.

Anyway, we'd run out of linemen if we had seasons that were as long as that of many other sports. Rugby is also very physical and has just as impressive tackles, but the blocking rules are a saving grace that keep it from being quite so bad, since the players are smaller in general and face less double and triple teams and less gang tackles (tackles are rather overrated as a source of injury in the NFL). In rugby, pretty much everyone is treated as a potential ball carrier and runs with the play until its eventual completion but gridiron doesn't really work like that. Hell, there's outright restrictions on who can pass the neutral zone after a forward pass-- the big guys would be stuck watching the play even if they were theoretically fast enough to keep up with it. That's why there is hyper specialization in the NFL with guys who weigh 270+ pounds and can't run a 40 yard dash in under 5 seconds are considered standard equipment on every team.  And all they do is slam into each other and cut block every down. Autopsies have shown that several football players who died young (again, typically lineman, since they are very heavy men who are also very active) had brain damage on par with Alzheimer's patients, which probably explains why a few of them were homeless or considered unemployable despite being in their 40s or 50s. If anything the seasons should be a game or two shorter and practices should become more restricted. As it is the quality of play already suffers a fair bit due to the injury rates even if you toss out the ethical concerns.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 12 Sep 2010, 12:33
Yeah, if the NFL season was any longer than it is, the playoffs wouldn't depend on who was the best team, just who had the fewest players on IR. As for why every team doesn't play every other team, there are 32 teams in the NFL, there's no way they could make that work on a weekly schedule.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Sep 2010, 12:40
Lovie Smith cracks me up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Sep 2010, 13:14
Congratulations on the moral loss Bears fans!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Sep 2010, 14:03
Ha, I'd hardly consider myself boned with Peterson.

Missed that earlier. I just meant you were probably boned if you genuinely expected to see him get that many more touches. He didn't really have THAT many touches last year either, but it didn't matter since the offense was so good that he got to finish off a lot of drives. Maybe they will feed him more often, but I suspect that will only happen of the offense continues to suck. That probably just means an extra 10 or 20 yards a game but considerably less touchdowns, like back in '08.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Sep 2010, 15:56
Congratulations on the moral loss Bears fans!

Dear lord that was the worst call I've seen since the Seahawks-Steelers Super Bowl. What the everloving fuck. I was in a sports bar when it happened and literally everyone, even the other Bears fans, were like "Really? Did that just fucking happen?"

If anyone deserved to lose that game it's us. The saddest part is that it was one of J-Cutty's better games with the franchise. This is gonna be a long damn year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Sep 2010, 16:35
I would feel better about it if that call hadn't happened to the Lions. It's like seeing someone kick a three legged puppy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 12 Sep 2010, 16:37
Yes ... poor lion puppy ...

However, happy news? How about them Colts? That made me giggle.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Sep 2010, 16:46
Yeah that was awesome. Fuck the Colts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 13 Sep 2010, 16:01
Imma watch my first NFL game properly tonight, with a football fan explaining it to me. I've had my boss tell me all about the Tennessee Volunteers in college football and I'm slowly getting into it.

Also, Rangers are going to be absolutely and comprehensively destroyed by Manchester United tomorrow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 14 Sep 2010, 02:54
Jets lose, Ravens won.

All-in-all .... I'm happy with week one.

Bengals lose, eventhough they have two amazing reality TV stars on their team. Colts lose. Always fun to see a Manning lose. Jets lose. I was getting tired of that hype ... Cowboys lose! No idea why people see them as such a good team if they can't even decide to take a knee at the right time ... now,if only the giants could have tanked ... but nothing is ever perfect.

Pats win! (I like 'em). Ravens win! (though, frankly ... not by much). Redskins win! (Though frankly ... not by much).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Sep 2010, 09:45
Taking a break from the struggles of being a Manchester United fan for a moment. I got tickets to the Patriots-Ravens game on October 17th. Should be a fun time!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Sep 2010, 12:18
everybody loses

You forgot that Kansas City beat San Diego. That made me so fucking happy. Fuck the Chargers. Phillip Rivers can't get drained of blood fast enough for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 14 Sep 2010, 13:06
Really? Why?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 14 Sep 2010, 13:51
Also, Rangers are going to be absolutely and comprehensively destroyed by Manchester United tomorrow.

Nope, ended goalless.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 14 Sep 2010, 14:14
Have to say, while I fully expected Rangers' gameplan to consist of nothing beyond 'put so many men between Man U and the goal that they cannot see the goal and they forget there is a goal and eventually just kinda wander off,' I didn't expect it to work.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 14 Sep 2010, 14:21
Lest we forget Old Trafford last year -

(http://i45.tinypic.com/p0is2.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 14 Sep 2010, 14:22
Never, that game was fucking awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 15 Sep 2010, 12:38
Arsenal are bossing SC Braga and Chelsea are strolling it as usual. Dunno what all the fuss was about last night, this Champions League lark is easy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Sep 2010, 10:31
Have to say, while I fully expected Rangers' gameplan to consist of nothing beyond 'put so many men between Man U and the goal that they cannot see the goal and they forget there is a goal and eventually just kinda wander off,' I didn't expect it to work.

Sunderland nearly pulled that off against us a year or two ago, as well. But in that case, Vidic managed to head one in with about 5 minutes left.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 16 Sep 2010, 11:47
Didn't Barnsley tonk you lot the other day? In Football Logic I'm sure that makes Barnsley objectively 5x better than Manchester United.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 16 Sep 2010, 16:20
At this point I'd like to announce that it's come to my attention that QPR are currently clear on top in the Championship, having won five of their six games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 16 Sep 2010, 23:42
If Chelsea and QPR don't win their respective leagues at a canter I'll be extremely surprised.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 16 Sep 2010, 23:48
oh god please not collingwood
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 17 Sep 2010, 03:44
If Chelsea and QPR don't win their respective leagues at a canter I'll be extremely surprised.

Yeah, Chelsea should do it again. They cut out some of the deadwood, received the (temporary) boon of a fully fit Michael Essien and added that lad Ramires (who will be excellent once he's acclimatised). Even with injuries and setbacks, their squad is very good. When you've got players like Kalou, Benayoun, Zhirkov, Ivanovic, Bosingwa etc ready to come in, not to mention the handful of gifted youngsters they used in Europe the other night, you should be looking at least a domestic double.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 17 Sep 2010, 09:50
Exactly. Their firepower is terrifying; Drogba is a rare example of a striker hitting his peak form at an age when most strikers are either permacrocked or on a steady decline, and even if he loses a few weeks, Anelka and Sturridge are plenty capable of stepping up to the plate. That squad must be the envy of managers worldwide.

Still don't think they'll win the chumps league for some reason.

Far more exciting in EPL terms is the battle for 2nd between Arsenal and Man Utd, and (by far the least predictable) the hoedown for the remaining European spots between Spurs, Villa, Man City, Everton, Blackpool* and Liverpool (listed in decreasing order of likelihood to qualify). Should be a crackin' season.

*okay the table as it stands might not last but if the thought of Ian Holloway tearing through the European elite with a team of rugged journeymen on 50p a week doesn't fill you with glee, you have no soul
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 17 Sep 2010, 12:57
Far more exciting in EPL terms is the battle for 2nd between Arsenal and Man Utd, and (by far the least predictable) the hoedown for the remaining European spots between Spurs, Villa, Man City, Everton, and Liverpool (listed in decreasing order of likelihood to qualify). Should be a crackin' season.

Really? Aston Villa and Everton better placed to finish above Liverpool this season? I know the squad is not the best by far but Villa are on a downward spiral and Everton can never* keep it up for a whole season.

*Ok, just that once.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 17 Sep 2010, 13:02
Villa I think can turn it around now that the managerial situation's sorted. Everton really depends on how quickly they arrest the traditional early-season slump and push on. They really should do better this season with Arteta fit from the start but that's just on paper, they always start mysteriously slow.

Reckon it'll be real close 'round those spots anyway.

(also have to admit that's not taking 'pool's new signings into account as I hadn't really seen much of Meireles or Joey C in a red shirt; by all accounts both have started impressively so could be a marked improvement there if Torres stays fit and N'gog keeps chipping in with the odd goal)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Sep 2010, 20:00
And in the "Good News" department: NHL Training Camps started this week. Season starts in three weeks.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Sep 2010, 07:25
Indeed! NESN ran a two-hour special opening up the Bruins training camp the other night. I'm pretty excited about this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Sep 2010, 14:34
bears cowboys tomorrow

no way am i gonna be drunk enough for this
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 18 Sep 2010, 15:42
I'm going to continue my tradition of trolling everyone with Flyers for the Cup. Hell, it almost worked last season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Sep 2010, 02:48
bears cowboys tomorrow

no way am i gonna be drunk enough for this
That much incompetence on one field should be hilarious to watch ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 19 Sep 2010, 09:33
any Jaguar fans? probably not since our own town doesn't even seem to be fans. Jacksonville's unofficial motto lately seems to be "well at least we have the Gators". Its sad and if it doesn't change I'm sure we will losing the franchise very soon. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Sep 2010, 10:53
That Harvin red zone interception nearly gave me a seizure.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Sep 2010, 11:03
I mean, being a Vikings fan has given me a pretty good tolerance for flukey, bullshit plays going against my team, but I still have limits. That ball had more time to bobble than Favre took to decide where to pass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Sep 2010, 18:26
any Jaguar fans? probably not since our own town doesn't even seem to be fans. Jacksonville's unofficial motto lately seems to be "well at least we have the Gators". Its sad and if it doesn't change I'm sure we will losing the franchise very soon. 
(peeks behind me at this funny black helmet with a spotted cat on it)
(peeks over at my BRUNELL 8 jersey hanging in my closet)

...Nah. I'm not a Jags fan. Just because I've heard "Uh-oh Jaguars" (and hated it because of the hubris). Just because Fred Taylor, Keenan McCardell, Brunell and Jimmy Smith were regularly on my fantasy football teams. Just because I've considered drafting Maurice Jones-Drew several times over the last few years.

And just because I know the first joke ever told about the franchise: "Two minutes after the team's first schedule was announced, wags in Florida put them as a one-point favorite over Tampa in their first matchup."

Nope. I'm a Packers fan. Sorry.

(Oh, and ignore the USFL Bulls helmet on my desk.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Sep 2010, 20:35
holy shit

the bears looked... good

cutler was still on the ground more than i'd like, but i feel like if he actually had more time to throw he'd make more mistakes. when he goes with his gut he's great, he has a tendency to overthink.

2-0 woooooooooooooooo
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Sep 2010, 21:30
It's kinda too bad that the Packers are still the elephant in the room though. They could have just stood pat with a nice leisurely home win against the Bills but instead they decided to destroy an inferior team just in case anyone got ideas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Sep 2010, 21:36
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I wish the Vikings played in the NFC West instead of a real division.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 20 Sep 2010, 05:55
Go Juddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Brownlows and shots of Rebecca Twigley's bottom for all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Sep 2010, 05:59
Sounds like one and the same to me!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 20 Sep 2010, 06:01
jwhouk: its ok to be a closet Jags fan most people are. It's embarrassing especially when you have games like yesterday. The names you mentioned aside from MJD were from a golden era of Jags football that they have never even gotten close to replicating. Brunell went on to backup QB and actually get a ring for it. Coughlin got a ring after leaving the Jags as well. So are we just cursed? Who knows but I'll keep supporting them till we find out.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 20 Sep 2010, 06:14
The Brownlow debacle is just another in the huge pile of reasons that the majority of AFL umpires need to be replaced. Judd shouldn't have polled any more than half the votes he actually got.

The only redeeming feature of the whole night was the look on Eddie's face.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 20 Sep 2010, 06:28
It' the same as with Goodse's wins, they absolutely carried their team and there isn't anybody in the team that comes close, so they get the votes. Swan probably should have won but the talent in Collingwood is just that much better on average and you get 'stolen' votes.

Nice to see Eddie suffer though, always a plus.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Sep 2010, 14:31
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that I wish the Vikings played in the NFC West instead of a real division.

it literally just became a real division again though, so i guess there's that?

it hurt me to see the vikings lose to miami, even more so when i looked at the game recap. woof.

and the niners are gonna get murdered tonight, so, yay?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Sep 2010, 14:40
It was a brutal one for a lot of the fair weather vikings fans I hang out with, yeah. For some reason, they just don't seem to understand that the Vikings are traditionally not a poor football team but rather that they are frontrunners and choke artists. That's a subtle but crucial difference. It meant that when the Vikings climbed back into it I wasn't really surprised-- In terms of yardage our offense was actually doing pretty well, so it's not like it was a shock to see them get back in the red zone-- but neither was I really surprised when they failed to seal the deal AGAIN. My brother-in-law though? I think by the end of the game he was ready to set himself on fire.

Anyway, I don't really expect the Vikings to be cover your eyes awful like a lot of people will whine, but I do think this is a REALLY bad year to spot the Packers and Bears 2 games. Neither of you guys exactly have a murderous schedule.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Sep 2010, 18:44
speaking of which, i just found out that this coming monday is Packers-Bears.

ffffffuuuuuuuuuu

we look good but not that good. jesus
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Sep 2010, 19:59
Yeah, Clay Matthews has been playing like he's secretly Thor's ugly little brother. Good luck with that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Sep 2010, 09:36
I'm going to continue my tradition of trolling everyone with Flyers for the Cup. Hell, it almost worked last season.

Hey, hey Rob.

Psst.


Berbatov. :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 21 Sep 2010, 11:50
Hey, hey Rob.

Psst.


Berbatov. :-D

Hey, hey Shane.

Hey, shut up.  :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 24 Sep 2010, 17:41
just boarding up my windows and doors for when the tides of Collingwood supporters hit the streets

[edit]

what

what
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 25 Sep 2010, 01:58
Oh wow.

Australia: least decisive nation '010.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 25 Sep 2010, 02:18
How good was Maxwell's 'few words' to the crowd? And how at the siren they all just sort of lay down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 25 Sep 2010, 02:29
Mainly I liked how at the end of the game none of the commentators bothered to explain what would happen next. I was sitting with a bunch of friends and none of us knew whether there was going to be extra time or not, and we were waiting for the commentators - you know, those people who are paid to know everything about the game and explain it to the peopel watching - to tell us, and there was just silence. Thanks Bruce McAveney, I'd temporarily forgotten how useless you are.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lunchbox on 25 Sep 2010, 17:09
I watched sport last night! I've never watched a whole game before, or payed much attention.
Our local rugby league team (GO TIGERS) was playing the finals qualifier so we went to the pub up the road which was completely packed and drank delicious local pale ale and cheered and booed and stuff.
We lost by one point due to a field goal by the other team, and were within about two metres of scoring a try in the last minute, which would have made us win, which was pretty nailbiting.

Also: Rugby League is fucked up, you guys.


SPORTS
CAN BE INTERESTING
WHO KNEW
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 25 Sep 2010, 18:52
Mainly I liked how at the end of the game none of the commentators bothered to explain what would happen next. I was sitting with a bunch of friends and none of us knew whether there was going to be extra time or not, and we were waiting for the commentators - you know, those people who are paid to know everything about the game and explain it to the peopel watching - to tell us, and there was just silence. Thanks Bruce McAveney, I'd temporarily forgotten how useless you are.

Surely anybody who didn't know what was going to happen was tipped off by Maxwell's hissy fit.

It was very interesting to see the differing reactions of the two teams, with the Saints very positive and the Pies (or at least the skipper) very negative, especially when you consider that if it had gone into extra time St Kilda would almost certainly have come out as winners.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 25 Sep 2010, 19:31
fuck yes manchester city.
=)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 26 Sep 2010, 11:23
no guys it's fine we don't need a keeper we have a spanish paedophile *loses to west brom at home* fuck
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Sep 2010, 15:54
jwhouk: its ok to be a closet Jags fan most people are. It's embarrassing especially when you have games like yesterday. The names you mentioned aside from MJD were from a golden era of Jags football that they have never even gotten close to replicating. Brunell went on to backup QB and actually get a ring for it. Coughlin got a ring after leaving the Jags as well. So are we just cursed? Who knows but I'll keep supporting them till we find out.
I blame that stupid "Uh-oh Jaguars" rap they did before the AFC title game.

And Vikings fans should have known what they were getting when The Diva From Kiln chose to wear purple. One TD up, two INT's back.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Sep 2010, 16:04
It doesn't help that Jacksonville is both sprawling and relatively unpopulated. I mean, it's half the size of the Minneapolis-St.Paul metro area and has a quarter of the population-- and the Twin Cities are considered "small market" and as major metro areas go it's not very crowded. Jacksonville seems like a nice enough place to live and all but frankly I have no idea why they thought it was a good idea to put a team there. I just don't see how that works unless you've got a team that's won a hojillion NFL championships like the Packers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 26 Sep 2010, 19:51
speaking of whom, i'm pretty terrified of what tomorrow will bring. i'm expecting no less than cutler's decapitation.

at least the chargers managed to bengal bungle their way into a seahawks victory. that game was messy, but those two kickoff TDs were great. plus: philip rivers pissed = priceless.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Sep 2010, 19:55
I'd personally like a 51-48 win. Only because I've got Aaron as my QB in fantasyland, while my opponent (and the league commisioner) has the Packer D.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 26 Sep 2010, 19:58
Jacksonville had a huge stadium already in place for the Fl GA game so it prolly seemed an easy fit. We had the Super Bowl and everyone doubted us but we pulled it off very well actually. Problem is a huge majority of Jacksonville's population is transient because they are all Navy. So they really don't have any loyalty to the jaguars. It also sucks that we have a losing season every year. Fun Fact: Duval County is the largest county by area in the United States but your right our population is sprawled out badly because of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Sep 2010, 21:25
No offense, but that's not what I heard at all from the people I know who went. They'd say something like "Everyone was nice but..." and then it'd segue into a story about hotels being overbooked, not enough cab service and ATMs that capped transactions at $100 and then gouged you per withdrawal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 26 Sep 2010, 22:23
Really? Seemed in the news people were pleasantly surprised at how well we did. I went to the parties leading up to the game and everything was great. Granted i lived locally so I didn't have to worry about hotels or anything. I get the taxi complaint since we don't have many and they take forever to pick you up. ATM surcharges and withdrawal limits i don't get since I was able to take 300 out no problem and paying 1.50-2.00 is normal. Anyway I love Jacksonville even with all its problems just too bad our team sucks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2010, 15:24
It's weird wanting the Bears to win since Cutler is kinda fun to root against.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Sep 2010, 16:02
(http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/LOL-FIRST-SULK.jpg)

but in all seriousness i am wearing my cutler jersey right goddamn meow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2010, 17:03
In a fucked up way, I love having unlikeable players on my teams, especially when they do well. It makes defiantly waving your junk at other fanbases all the sweeter. Even so, Cutler might be a bit much. If I had my pick of douchey QBs, I'd take Rivers. Less sulking, more just being a dick.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2010, 17:48
I had just about talked myself into the Bears really having a chance and then they showed Lovie on the sideline.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2010, 20:48
The Packers lost 150+ yards on penalties. Nice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Sep 2010, 21:12
So basically that was the Bears and the Packers vs. Aaron Rodgers.

3-0. I'm ok with this, if our receivers stop dropping TD passes and our defense can actually cover a receiver for a change.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Sep 2010, 21:13
I am pretty convinced Rodgers is the best QB in the NFL. I've at least suspected that for a while now since I took him for my fantasy team last year. It pains me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Sep 2010, 21:56
There is only one team that can beat the Green Bay Packers right now.


...The Green Bay Packers.

(mumblemumbleEIGHTTEENfrigginPENALTIESmumblemumble)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Sep 2010, 22:15
Most penalties by GB in a single game in 55 years.

And yeah, Rodgers has been the best QB in the league since last year. As the years progress he's only going to get better. Which is a little scary.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Sep 2010, 23:26
bears-chiefs superbowl. book it. done
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Sep 2010, 10:15
So wait a minute. According to ESPNews this morning, the AFL title game ended in a tie?

Wooohoo, shrimp on the barbie and participation trophies for everyone!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 28 Sep 2010, 11:01
Yeah. They're gonna try again this weekend though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 28 Sep 2010, 17:17
The A.F.L. still does things the old-fashioned way, because it's so unlikely that a game will end in a draw. Apparently in 102 years of competition there have only ever been 3 drawn Grand Finals. Though they hastily created a new rule on Monday allowing for extra time time in the Grand Final replay if that should end in a draw, too. Incidentally, the last (and only, I think) time St. Kilda won a Grand Final, it was also agaisnt Collingwood - and they only won it by one point.

Meanwhile Melbourne's kind of been thrown into chaos by this whole rematch thing. The Grand Final is such an unimaginably huge day in the Melbourne calendar that basically nothing happens on the Saturday on which it's held - which means that a lot of things are planned for the Saturday after. Now all those events - hundreds of auctions, weddings, anything else you can imagine - have been postponed because everyone will be watching the rematch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Sep 2010, 07:32
Weddings schmeddings. When my uncle got married during the 08 ALCS, we just moved the TV outside.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 30 Sep 2010, 23:33
I've been a fan of Rodgers since he played for Cal. All you chumps are johnny come latelys.

In all seriousness, with the sweep of the Diamondbacks tonight (despite a surprisingly shaky outing from Bumgarner) and the Padres' shutout against the Cubs, the Giants have clinched at least a tie for the division title. They only need one win in the final 3 game series against the Padres to win outright and clinch our first playoff berth since 2003. With Cain on the mound tomorrow, I feel pretty good about our chances. I do feel kind of bad for the Pads though, they played shockingly good baseball for about 80% of the season when nobody had any expectations for them whatsoever. For them to miss the postseason entirely after all that kinda sucks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Oct 2010, 01:24
I'd be a million times more talkative and enthusiastic about baseball if the Mauer-Morneau combo were healthier.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 01 Oct 2010, 01:45
I don't watch a lot of AL baseball but it sounds like the Twins rotation is totally gassed at this point too. Shame, since it looks like they'll be playing the Yankees first round and I always like seeing 250 million dollars get them a quick exit from the postseason.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 02 Oct 2010, 00:36
Finally Pies fans can shut up about 1990.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 02 Oct 2010, 18:50
Finally Pies fans can shut up about 1990.
Do Pies fans (or any other Aussie Drools tragics) ever shut up?  :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 02 Oct 2010, 18:54
Aussie Drools

Did you really just say that?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 02 Oct 2010, 21:29
Finally Pies fans can shut up about 1990.
Do Pies fans ever shut up?

When they're hung over the Sunday after, yes they do.

(I seem to have moved into an area with an extremely high density of Collingwood supporters. It's blissfully quiet today.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 03 Oct 2010, 03:01
Also, bastard Centrals win their tenth SANFL premiership in 11 years. I don't want to live on this planet any more.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2010, 12:48
If the Lions somehow pull out a win against the Packers I'll be so excited I could play a trumpet with my cock.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 03 Oct 2010, 16:02
Hey ... Michael Vick got injured and can't continue. Let's take him out back and shoot him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2010, 16:14
Kinda sucks. I was hoping he'd stay healthy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2010, 16:17
I mean, the deep irony here is that a lot of people really don't care about the health of athletes, so while I kinda know what you're getting at, I still find the subject depressing all around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 03 Oct 2010, 17:16
Any other player I'd be right there with you. Injuries are just ... scary, to see, to have and in the NFL, let's face it, to play with.

However, in this specific case my sentiments are a definite 'meh, whatevs'.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2010, 17:28
I just didn't like the way the Vick thing went down in a lot of ways. I believe it was right to prosecute him criminally but I think a lot of the subtext around the whole thing was pretty ugly. I can't help but think that the animal cruelty=automatically evil person thing is ignoring a whole mess of social variables here. I get that there's a correlation between animal abuse and sociopathic behavior but at the same time a lot of the animal abuse people are talking about in that context isn't socially sanctioned-- guys like Jeffrey Dahmer collect roadkill despite their environment whereas with Vick dogfighting happened in part because of his environment. That doesn't excuse his behavior, of course, but the ferocity with which a lot of people speak about the situation has alienated an awful lot of people and probably has done as much harm as it has good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 03 Oct 2010, 18:44
woooooooooooooo playoff basebaaaaaaaaall

We're gonna get our asses kicked by Philly even if we do manage to beat the Braves, but it's the first time in seven years so I don't give a shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 03 Oct 2010, 20:52
ugh

just, ugh
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 03 Oct 2010, 22:07
Between this and the Lions game I'm pretty convinced that that any 4-3 team with a pulse can drink Jay Cutler's milkshake. He holds the ball too long and if there's two bodies on Kreutz suddenly you guys don't have an o-line anymore.

Anyway, I never really thought McNabb was the problem in Philly, so I thoroughly enjoyed the epic fashion in which Andy Reid shit the bed today. I'm sure the guy's a great teacher since the Eagles never really seem to lack for talent, but with his clock management skills I wouldn't let that guy microwave leftover pizza much less coach a football team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 04 Oct 2010, 04:29
Oh man test cricket I have missed you so much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Oct 2010, 12:59
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Ryder Cup!

Suck it Amurrka!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Oct 2010, 13:43
No gloating, guy who likes a team currently in a relegation spot.

The US couldn't even bring rain gear that was waterproof. You expected them to play decent golf?


(Seriously. Halfway through the first day they had to buy new rain gear from the clubhouse shop)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Oct 2010, 14:03
 :-(

Thing is though, they chose to play that big money event in the USA before playing the Ryder Cup so they should have known that the UK in October means torrential rain around 50% of the time and in Wales it's more like 60%.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Oct 2010, 06:11
woooooooooooooo playoff basebaaaaaaaaall

We're gonna get our asses kicked by Philly even if we do manage to beat the Braves, but it's the first time in seven years so I don't give a shit.

Giants fan, I take it?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Oct 2010, 09:32
Fuck that, the Giants are taking everything in site.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Oct 2010, 12:07
woooooooooooooo playoff basebaaaaaaaaall

We're gonna get our asses kicked by Philly even if we do manage to beat the Braves, but it's the first time in seven years so I don't give a shit.

Giants fan, I take it?

Yup. I've been up and down a lot this season but I love this goddamn team, I was ready to give up on them about half a dozen times this season but they pulled it out. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, because the Giants have been a very schizophrenic team all year. Unless we get absurdly lucky we're not getting past the NLCS, but if Cincy can knock off the Phillies in a short series then who knows?

Also Alex, it looks like Morneau's concussion might be serious enough to force him into retirement. It's a shame, but way too many athletes play through concussions and end up paying for it later in life, if the diagnosis is as bad as it sounds he's making the right choice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Oct 2010, 15:14
Yeah, better to opt for health over money.

It's too bad if he does retire, though. Morneau's so fun to watch play.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 Oct 2010, 16:25
Yeah, that whole thing is pretty big news here so I've mostly been trying not to think about it. Shitty part is there's always the offchance it's already permanent. And from a purely selfish point of view, yeah, the guy really was fun to watch. He was really killing the ball this year too. He seemed like a mortal lock to crank out 50 doubles and 30 homers at times. God damn it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 10:59
Randy Moss again? Wait, what?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 12:51
Cutler is on the practice field! Hooray, he's not dead!

Well, yet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 06 Oct 2010, 16:23
Roy Halladay is insane. The Phillies really are that good, I just hope that the Yankees or Rangers don't win the AL or I'll have no motivation to watch the World Series.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 19:14
Randy Moss again? Wait, what?

I had no idea what this post was about until now, and I'm still confused. Talk about random.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 19:49
I had first heard rumors yesterday, but I was pretty damn skeptical. The only reason it makes an iota of sense is that different people are running the franchise now. Even that's a bit undermined by the widely believed rumor that ditching Randy's baggage was part of the housecleaning intended to make the team more attractive to buyers.

I like having Randy though. I get that tons of people hate him, but I've never been one of them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 20:37
Out of all the egocentric receivers in the league, he was always one of the least hateable. He definitely takes a backseat to T.O. and Ochocinco.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 22:20
It helps that at his best he was as good as they thought they were.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 22:33
And he's still not too shabby. (http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/rap_sheet/index.php/2010/09/21/how-rare-was-patriots-wr-randy-moss-one-handed-catch-not-very/) If he and Favre can work up a rhythm you guys have a wild card slot for sure.

(Ok, ok, I know you already did. Wishful thinking...)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 23:12
I'm not sure if everyone has seen them or not, particularly since like, half the forums was like 12 years old during these games, but the absolute best were his Thanksgiving Day eviscerations of the Dallas Cowboys. With Randy, it's always been about motivation, but he's got a well-publicized grudge against them. People always talk up his one handed catches, but for my money, I'd take this play from his rookie season Thanksgiving game. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d5jyfNzgsg&feature=related) Note how that says part 3. That's because he made 3 catches that day. 3 catches for 156 yards yards and 3 touchdowns. I just picked the craziest looking one. The '00 game wasn't really any prettier for the 'boys. This one might be my favorite Randy play ever. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6vS6kgedJY&feature=related) I like to think that game is what convinced Phillippi Sparks to immediately retire once the season ended. Randy Moss is basically my favorite NFL player even if it is against my better judgement. I can't help it. I mean, I was 16 when he entered the league. If anyone was eventually willing to overlook a lack of professionalism it was a drunken early 20s version of Alex C.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 23:22
Those are some great plays. Too bad I was 8 ;-;

I think the thing I realized most from those clips is how much I miss John Madden as a commentator.

Seeing a bummed out Troy Aikman was pretty awesome too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 23:28
My favorite part is how he draws astonished praise from Pat "Hasn't been excited since the Korean War ended" Summerall.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 06 Oct 2010, 23:30
I don't mean that as a dig though; if anything, I miss Pat more than I miss Madden.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Oct 2010, 23:35
I miss 'em both, definitely, but Madden's random espousal of complete gibberish near the end of his career is too endearing for me not to let him take the cake. I started really watching football a year or two before Summerall retired, so most of my formative football years were spent with Al Michaels and John Madden in the booth. And Cris Collinsworth just isn't nearly as entertaining.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Oct 2010, 06:04
Randy Moss again? Wait, what?

I had no idea what this post was about until now, and I'm still confused. Talk about random.
This would be like Beckham returning to ManU. Except, of course, that Beckham has actually won something in his career. And he hasn't mooned fans at Old Trafford.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Oct 2010, 06:33
Oh, by the way, I was at his "coming out" party @ Lambeau his rookie year.

I hated it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Oct 2010, 12:23
well, shit. (http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7160)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Oct 2010, 13:29
I consider the faux mooning incident to be a net plus. Mostly because the way Joe Buck took it. I understand why people think it's more evidence for the "Randy Moss Is A Git" pile, but if you don't even have a dog in this fight and you're going to get as upset as Joe Buck did, then well, I worry for your health. You might accidentally channel flip over to Jersey Shore and have an aneurysm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 07 Oct 2010, 13:40
I thought the mooning thing was hilarious. I miss the ridiculous TD dances of the early 00s.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 07 Oct 2010, 20:41
The case of the counterfeit football (soccer) team. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703384204575509830139498188.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 08 Oct 2010, 01:53
I love you so much Tim Lincecum. I just wish our offense wouldn't hit into so fucking many double plays.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Oct 2010, 02:16
Real or imaginary?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Oct 2010, 07:19
Randy Moss again? Wait, what?

I had no idea what this post was about until now, and I'm still confused. Talk about random.
This would be like Beckham returning to ManU. Except, of course, that Beckham has actually won something in his career. And he hasn't mooned fans at Old Trafford.

On the contrary. When United played AC Milan at OT last year, there was a picture of Beckham picking up a green & gold scarf and wearing it around after the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2010, 18:47
It's HOCKEY NIGHT in North America!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Oct 2010, 12:13
Pretty sure HOCKEY NIGHT was Thursday when the season started and the next one will be when the Flyers win the Stanley Cup in June.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Oct 2010, 18:56
Packers, Cowboys, Chargers, Saints lose. Bears win, with Matt Forte turning in his strongest performance in a year. Despite 4 interceptions by Todd "I Can't Believe I'm Playing In This Game, What Am I Doing I Am So Old And Awful At Life" Collins. Hate that guy.

Rooting for the 49ers right now just because, despite my respect for Philly, I hate to see any team as talented as SF go 0-5.

Good weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Oct 2010, 19:16
I can't really think of anything nice to say about the Panthers. I wonder what it is about football teams named after cats and failure.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Oct 2010, 06:35
I'm slowly seeing my fantasy football team's season go up in flames.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2010, 10:55
I'm just glad that I didn't really have the opportunity to draft any Packers this year. Injuries everywhere.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2010, 20:33
Fucking Vikings and fucking Childress. The man and his play calling makes me insane. I swear to god we just spent 3/4s of the game going 3 and out series with 2 runs and a pass on 3rd down, the most predictable offensive philosophy going. I hate that. The NFL is a passing league. It's been a passing league for decades now. The last time it wasn't a passing league was a brief period in the '70s. The one time they mix things up and start passing on 1st and 2nd a bit the Vikings did some good stuff and then topped it off with a patented Randy bomb. Too bad our special teams still suck. hargabahbuablagrable


It would be a million times easier for me if I didn't feel like I was the only one in the state who realizes that Peterson isn't so good that we can hand the fucking ball off to him every down. He is not a god, dammit. I love him, but he's not 6 yards all down hill Terrell Davis, and even he needed Elway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 11 Oct 2010, 21:15
wooooooo giants

we're gonna get destroyed by philly but i am so happy right now i don't give a shit
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2010, 22:41
Man I'm glad I'm not a Vikings fan. Watching it with a family of them was hard enough.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2010, 22:41
On the other hand, Jon Gruden thinks Brett Favre throws rainbows.

hehehe
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2010, 22:52
Hearing Gruden gush about Favre is perhaps the worst part of being a Vikings fan right now. The roller coaster losses are slowly taking years off my life, but Gruden actively makes me feel embarrassed for everyone involved.

Anyway...

VIKINGS!! COWBOYS!! DESPERATION BOWL 2010!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2010, 22:57
It helps that play-to-play Gruden flip-flops from decrying everything about Minnesota's tactics to expounding how amazingly talented each of their players are.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Oct 2010, 23:29
God, I've been watching bits of the game I missed on DVR and now I keep fantasizing about taking one of our offensive linemen's paychecks and cashing it out into silver dollars. That way I could stuff a bunch of them into a sack and use it to bludgeon them to death. It's ridiculous how badly they're failing to live up to their credentials. And you know what? Adrian Peterson too. It's year 4 and he is still a liability in 3rd down pass protection.

I just read what I wrote and I think maybe I should quit watching football for a while. And drinking whiskey. Probably both. At least not at the same time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Oct 2010, 23:59
I don't think I'd be able to do either, much less at the same time. Then again, if it meant we got rid of Todd Collins and nabbed some linemen, I might reconsider.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 12 Oct 2010, 01:39
God, I've been watching bits of the game I missed on DVR and now I keep fantasizing about taking one of our offensive linemen's paychecks and cashing it out into silver dollars. That way I could stuff a bunch of them into a sack and use it to bludgeon them to death. It's ridiculous how badly they're failing to live up to their credentials. And you know what? Adrian Peterson too. It's year 4 and he is still a liability in 3rd down pass protection.

I just read what I wrote and I think maybe I should quit watching football for a while. And drinking whiskey. Probably both. At least not at the same time.

Hey man, you could be 0-5. There's a reason why I'm completely focused on baseball right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 12 Oct 2010, 02:23
I am not sure if I'd be any unhappier if the Vikings were 0-5, to be honest. The 49ers commitment to failure this season has been impressive, but the Vikings are better at stringing you along to the end of the game and then punching you right in the dick. Really not sure which is worse. It's really like comparing a debacle to a disaster.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Oct 2010, 10:23
I don't know if bringing back Deion Branch in an attempt to replace Randy Moss is going to work for the Pats, but we shall see.

And more importantly, I will see in person on Sunday. Fun shit!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Oct 2010, 13:04
Dear Minnesota,

You've been FAVRED.

Ha ha,
Cheesehead Nation.

P.S. Moss? Srsly?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Oct 2010, 13:23
The one highlight they showed from Branch's career in Seattle was one where he dropped a TD pass. Great job, Pats.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Oct 2010, 13:43
I doubt he'll be as good at pulling defenders off Welker/Hernandez/Gronkowski/Dustin Pedroia's Little Brother* as Moss was this season.



*honestly, who the hell is Danny Woodhead?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Oct 2010, 15:36
By the way, can we talk about how the holding company that owns the Red Sox is buying Liverpool and I pretty much want to cry and burn all of my Red Sox shirts and hats?

Really. What do I do? My favorite baseball team is buying my favorite football team's biggest rival. DOES NOT COMPUTE.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Oct 2010, 22:39
Yankees in four, Phillies in six.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 13 Oct 2010, 05:50
By the way, can we talk about how the holding company that owns the Red Sox is buying Liverpool and I pretty much want to cry and burn all of my Red Sox shirts and hats?

Really. What do I do? My favorite baseball team is buying my favorite football team's biggest rival. DOES NOT COMPUTE.

Owner buddies woo! o/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Oct 2010, 06:00
I'll punch your teeth in, Rob.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 13 Oct 2010, 08:10
Well, now that's not a very nice introduction, is it?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Oct 2010, 08:16
It'd bad enough that you like Liverpool, but you like the Flyers, and you know precisely why I hate the Flyers and that girlfriend fucking forward they have.

(Rob, we're still bros and stuff. I'm just taking out frustrations)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Oct 2010, 17:26
Oh, geez, what's up with you EPL types getting so upset that American sports owners want in on your teams? Look, in America, sports franchises are generally a losing proposition. With the EPL, you guys print money with your game tickets (or whatever you call them). ANY sane person would want in on that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Oct 2010, 17:52
Counterpoint: Donald Sterling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Oct 2010, 01:25
Aw, c'mon. Stirling and that idiot with the Pirates don't count. They're playing the system.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Oct 2010, 01:56
Oh, geez, what's up with you EPL types getting so upset that American sports owners want in on your teams? Look, in America, sports franchises are generally a losing proposition. With the EPL, you guys print money with your game tickets (or whatever you call them). ANY sane person would want in on that.

Uh, what? Aside from small-market baseball teams, the majority of American sports franchises make a lot of money. Just about every NFL team is profitable, and I think most NBA teams are too. If you're talking about stuff like the NHL or MLS, then that's different, but those aren't as big in America as ECL is in the UK so it's not a valid comparison.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Oct 2010, 02:13
You can and usually do lose money in MLB. There are only a handful of teams that are making $ hand over fist, and one of them is the team that you're talking about buying L'pool.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Oct 2010, 05:50
Oh, geez, what's up with you EPL types getting so upset that American sports owners want in on your teams? Look, in America, sports franchises are generally a losing proposition. With the EPL, you guys print money with your game tickets (or whatever you call them). ANY sane person would want in on that.

Because under Malcolm Glazer, United posted an 85 million pound loss last year and are in buttloads of debt?

That said, I mean..Randy Lerner's doing a hell of a job with Aston Villa, aside from the KMac/Houllier nonsense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 14 Oct 2010, 07:15
To jwhouk: The problem is that in football the transfer system is markedly different to any of the sports in the USA. Teams are not franchises that move on a whim when the money from the fans isn't coming in and there is no college system that brings new talent through in a draft to keep the costs down so players can transfer between clubs for millions of pounds/euros/dollars etc. and then expect to be paid a hefty sum each week on top (example being that Liverpool paid Ł26.5 million for Fernando Torres and his wages are around Ł120,000 a week). With no salary cap it is important to have stable finances to keep these kinds of players as they are the ones who win you trophies and titles and bringing in debt to start with then siphoning off cash to line your own pockets while the club struggles to repay just the interest on these debts is not a done thing.

Shane: Randy Lerner is the (almost) perfect example of what an American should be doing with a football club. He went to Villa, paid off their debts and now runs the club with stable finances and still is able to give them money for transfers (although not as much as some delusional fans would apparently like). The O'Neill/Houllier saga was coming for a while really because Villa haven't really been going anywhere after failing to really capitalise on Liverpool's awful season last year and with the crapload of bids they get for Ashley Young whenever the transfer windows come around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 Oct 2010, 13:39
Finally the Liverpool saga seems to be over (barring another Texas Court injunction though it's unlikely as they have no jurisdiction here and the High Court has made its decision) and NESV have taken over.

Owner buddies for realz now Shane! o/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Oct 2010, 16:44
Okay, Ugly American here asking a question I don't understand: How in the world do EPL and other top Euro clubs find new talent to help them win all those trophies, make money, keep from being demoted, etc.?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 15 Oct 2010, 17:26
By throwing money at them...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 Oct 2010, 17:28
All clubs run their own programs, often called Academies that are designed to bring through the next players for the first team squad but for a team to get to the top and stay there it's generally a case of who buys the best young players from the best Academy systems. One notable exception being Barcelona who have possibly the best Academy system in all of football.

You might ask, why don't clubs just use their own young players, surely it would be better that way?
It's a good question but with money so ingrained into all ways of football now the better teams are the ones that generally cost the most.

As an NHL fan aswell, I really do admire the draft system and salary caps and the way young talent can be nurtured in American sports but with having promotion/relegation so that teams change divisions every season you could end up with a young star (#1 draft pick for example) going to the team that finishes bottom of the league and then doesn't get a chance to play in the top division unless they're bought by a big club which kind of defeats the object.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Oct 2010, 21:15
I just wanted to mention that I'm terrified for Colt McCoy. I understand that he'll have to play the Steelers sometime, but I still think it should be a law that you can't start rookie QBs against a team prominently featuring an All-Pro linebacker nicknamed Deebo. The sick part is that he isn't even their best defensive player.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 15 Oct 2010, 22:12
The Rangers just gave that game away, Jesus Christ. It's a good thing I hate both teams I'd be pretty pissed right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 16 Oct 2010, 03:23
Okay, Ugly American here asking a question I don't understand: How in the world do EPL and other top Euro clubs find new talent to help them win all those trophies, make money, keep from being demoted, etc.?

Do you mean where does the talent come from? Or how do they find it? They have talent scouts and academies which train players from childhood for the latter, not to mention the fact that every few years there are useful tournaments such as the World Cup or the European Championships or the African Championships which among other things are opportunities for players to demonstrate their skills to perspective employers.

As for the former, well - you do realise how many people in how many countries play soccer, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 16 Oct 2010, 21:59
We beat Halladay wooooooooo

I love baseball so much right now guys, you don't even know
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Oct 2010, 06:25
Do you mean where does the talent come from? Or how do they find it? They have talent scouts and academies which train players from childhood for the latter, not to mention the fact that every few years there are useful tournaments such as the World Cup or the European Championships or the African Championships which among other things are opportunities for players to demonstrate their skills to perspective employers.

As for the former, well - you do realise how many people in how many countries play soccer, right?
I was essentially asking both, but more towards the latter.

And YES I realize that the rest of the world plays association football more than we do in the US. I mean, the only way soccer gets billing on SportsCenter's top plays is if a.) there's nothing else going on in sports that night, and b.) something weird happens, like the goaltender scoring a goal on a free kick.  (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/goalkeeper-william-hesmer-scores-dramatic-goal)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Oct 2010, 13:18
Jay Cutler is getting knocked around so much that I can't even enjoy it anymore.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Oct 2010, 15:49
Yeah. He just looks frustrated, and he's not the only one. There was more than one play where I saw one of our offensive linemen completely ignore his blocking assignment and just hang out. Ugh.

This was awesome though. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WcAxbxx9yo) Especially for the insane block at 0:55.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Oct 2010, 16:16
I must say, I like the NFC North standings much better today than I did last week. I thought the Seattle game was going to be a gimme.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Oct 2010, 23:03
It was supposed to be. We play the 'skins next week, which I'm not optimistic about because they've been surprisingly formidable so far this year, but at least after that promising debacle there's the sanctuary of Buffalo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 18 Oct 2010, 05:34
(http://www.gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=1236605)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Hairy Joe Bob on 18 Oct 2010, 06:24
As a lifelong Everton fan I have to say that since yesterday afternoon I've been walking on air.`
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Oct 2010, 08:35
That's one more game than United won this weekend.

I think we're trying to draw as many games as possible. What the fuck. You get a free kick from 10 yards because of a backpass and can't score?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Oct 2010, 09:08
Don't forget his greatest signing ever: Anderson.

He's played about 105 games for United, and has scored exactly one goal. Compare to another United signing that never panned out, David Bellion.

At Bellion's rate, he'd have 16 goals in 105 games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 18 Oct 2010, 21:20
Cliff Lee is good at throwing baseballs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ErrantVenture on 18 Oct 2010, 21:21
Cliff Lee is good at throwing baseballs.

Josh Hamilton is better at hitting them ^___^
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Aurjay on 18 Oct 2010, 23:49
What the hell Jags. You had your chance to show the nation that you can be a good football team and you failed miserably. Tonight was your only game in prime-time and you completely blew it. Not by a little but by an embarrassing amount. 3-3 isnt a bad a record to have right now but when those 3 losses points equal to over 70 points you have got to seriously ask yourself some questions. I hope with Gerrard being "injured" Edwards will get to step up. Gerrard has been an inconsistent bum for years and we need to move on. Hopefully Del Rio believes so as well. Sorry for the rant but that game was just painful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 19 Oct 2010, 00:00
Guys, I don't want to talk about sports but this is amusing me too much:

UNM, the closest college football team to me, is currently 0-6 this season with a total of 279 points scored on them. That's an average of 46.5 points per game. The first game of the season was a 72-0 loss.

It is hilarious because fuck the Lobos.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 19 Oct 2010, 02:53
Just saw the highlights for the Colts game that was an incredible catch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Oct 2010, 09:28
Jesus christ Rooney drama. Aggggggggh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 19 Oct 2010, 10:47
He left his beloved childhood club for money, you can't really expect too much from him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Oct 2010, 15:23
He left his beloved childhood club for money, you can't really expect too much from him.

I get a bit tired of this argument being levelled against professional sports-people. What's the career span of a professional sports-person? Ten, fifteen years? If they're lucky and don't suffer any career-ending injury, which could happen at any time? They spend their whole life learning skills for a career that's going to be over by the time they're in their late thirties. After that, assuming they live a full life, they're going to have to live another forty to fifty years not being able to ply their trade and having to deal with an unusually decrepit body as a consequence of all the injuries they've sustained playing a game for our amusement. Okay, granted, if the sports-person in question is a professional footballer in Europe then he's being paid way too much - but given the brevity and risk of a professional sports-person's career, I have absolutely no problem with them trying to make as much money as they possibly can in those few brief years available to them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: october1983 on 19 Oct 2010, 15:41
The general expectation that a player should be limited by his childhood choice of team is endlessly ridiculous even if you discount the financial side of things. Part of Rooney's official line when he left Everton was to do with the fact that it wasn't a club with much chance of contending in Europe - should some bizarre sense of club loyalty really mean that a promising young player should miss out on the opportunity to play at the highest level of European club football, and thus have the chance to reach his full potential?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Oct 2010, 15:49
So dude, you won the Champions League AND the Club World Cup.

It's not like if you go to Madrid or City, you get to play in some wicked exclusive intergalactic club championship or anything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Oct 2010, 17:31
And then you go to America where you can walk down Main Street of Peoria, Illinois, and no one would know or care who you are.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Oct 2010, 22:10
The Texas Rangers are likely less than 24 hours away from becoming the next American League Champions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Oct 2010, 07:16
And then you go to America where you can walk down Main Street of Peoria, Illinois, and no one would know or care who you are.

Rooney's 24. He's not even eligible to play in MLS for another 8-10 years.


PSHOOOOO BIG WIN OVER THE CAPS LAST NIGHT, BRUINS!

I also got to see some dude from Vancouver be a total douchehole and try to attack a Minnesota fan for cheering for his team. Wicked classy, Canucks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Oct 2010, 11:36
Looks like Rooney's off to Liverpool, was at Anfield before and overhead Hodgson say "looks like Wayne's coming"
Didn't stay long after though because it started pissing it down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 20 Oct 2010, 21:12
oh my god that game nearly killed me but we are one win away from the world series

i love baseball so much right now you guys don't even know
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Oct 2010, 22:06
I watched some of a game of baseball on T.V. last night. I couldn't really tell what was going on. There seemed to be two teams of guys in drab uniforms swinging and missing the ball a lot. Though I guess I can't really talk seeing as how I enjoy watching test cricket which is basically just five days of guys not even playing shots at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Oct 2010, 22:43
Baseball is a lot closer to Twenty20 cricket than anything else. Except we talk about cutters and curveballs instead of googlies and slow pitches.

Josh Hamilton, however, would probably do well in Twenty20. Knocking it out for six every time would be a hoot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Oct 2010, 22:44
oh my god that game nearly killed me but we are one win away from the world series

i love baseball so much right now you guys don't even know

Giants fan, hm? You realize you guys haven't won the World Series since the Truman administration?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Oct 2010, 23:14
a Giants-Rangers WS would make me so happy
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Oct 2010, 03:32
oh my god that game nearly killed me but we are one win away from the world series

i love baseball so much right now you guys don't even know

Giants fan, hm? You realize you guys haven't won the World Series since the Truman administration?

Every streak's gotta end sometime. My dad will probably completely lose it if we can pull it off this year, he's been waiting his whole life.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Oct 2010, 05:45
Aw man, I (and many people I know) know that feeling, Bryan.

The joys of being a Sox fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 21 Oct 2010, 07:38
Looks like Rooney's off to Liverpool, was at Anfield before and overhead Hodgson say "looks like Wayne's coming"
Didn't stay long after though because it started pissing it down.

Three times after initially hearing it and I am still not sick of this joke.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 21 Oct 2010, 19:06
I hate how there's armchair football players around the country agreeing with James Harrison and calling NFL players soft for saying that maybe a guy shouldn't spear with his helmet. I don't think James Harrison is a dirty player, per se, since that's really not the point or the problem. The problem is football culture has a long history of negligence.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Oct 2010, 20:05
Until it happens to Tom Brady, no one is safe.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Oct 2010, 06:14
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=834922&sec=england&cc=5901

Wait, what?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 22 Oct 2010, 21:25
I guess maybe his agent was trying to inflate his market value? In Australia at the moment it's not uncommon for rugby league players who are coming to the end of their contract to talk big about how they want to go and play rugby union in Europe for gazillions of dollars before miraculously resigning with their current team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Oct 2010, 13:19
Until it happens to Tom Brady, no one is safe.

That's the one thing I agree with guys like Chris Harris about. There's a definite double standard in place, especially if the offensive player is a star. I remember in one of Adrian Peterson's first preseason games he went out of his way at the end of a running play to make contact with his helmet when a guy was coming in to force him out of bounds. It was one of those plays where you could hear their helmets crash loud and clear, but Peterson's a running back so the announcers responded by furiously masturbating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Oct 2010, 19:58
Waking up early tomorrow to catch the Bears Jay Cutler getting flattened by the Redskins. Why do I do this to myself.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 23 Oct 2010, 21:43
THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT

THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Oct 2010, 02:57
Giants vs. Rangers in the World Series.

Rangers already established as favorites, but Giants have just found ways to win this post-season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 12:55
I'm starting to get bummed out now because the Bears have a million turnovers but are still in the game. The Mike Martz pouty face is maybe even more delightful than Cutler's though, so I guess I can live with any outcome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 13:01
Oh wait, nevermind, another pick.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Oct 2010, 15:24
Slept through my alarm in apathy, wore my Cutler jersey around town but I'm scared to watch the recap.

Stoked for Vikings-Packers tonight, though. And what the hell happened to Drew Brees? Is the Cutler Curse spreading?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 16:12
Just skip the recap. You had 5 possessions that ended in turnovers in a row.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 16:19
I just looked at the boxscores and the Oakland Raiders have 59 points. Wut?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 24 Oct 2010, 16:37
Since when do the raiders win anything? Ever? Or at all?

...

And what the hell happened to that Saints?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Oct 2010, 16:52
Raiders bead San Diego, too. But that one was close. 59-14, even in today's league, is still a little  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 19:50
If we lose by 4 points after Shiancoe got robbed I'm going to end up killing an official.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Oct 2010, 20:32
hahahaha oh god Favre isn't going to be alive in a few weeks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 20:34
Eh, the way things are going I almost expect Cutler's career to end first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Oct 2010, 20:54
hey now, Cutler found his strategy to avoid immediate death: just pitch it to the other team. Favre tried his best but you can't beat J-Cutty when it comes to awesome pickerceptions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 21:09
It's just a body language issue, I guess. He looks like he's going to snap one of these days (Mentally or physically, take your pick.) I don't even really blame him. If he was Rich Gannon or Jake Plummer the screaming in the huddle would have started a couple weeks ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Oct 2010, 21:11
Well, given our schedule, which turns a little nightmarish after Buffalo, I wouldn't be surprised.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Oct 2010, 21:20
Fah-vruh's last toss at Lambeau = INCOMPLETE.

Now the big question: does he get sat by Childress or by Roger Goodell?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 24 Oct 2010, 21:27
Seriously though DeAngelo Hall was Cutler's 2nd leading receiver for the game. That's laughably awful even for a Bears QB.

I'm a bit worried by how the Pats almost threw away an easy win today though, game was about 10000x closer than it should have been given the ridiculous turnovers San Diego handed us in the first half.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Oct 2010, 21:43
Fah-vruh's last toss at Lambeau = INCOMPLETE.

Now the big question: does he get sat by Childress or by Roger Goodell?

Neither, probably? Sterger keeps refusing to comment and the alternative is Tarvaris Jackson.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Oct 2010, 06:34
Oh! Daddy! PLEEEEASSSEEEEE?

(Drools at the thought of Tavaris Jackson throwing INT's and INC's...)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 25 Oct 2010, 07:17
[...]
I'm a bit worried by how the Pats almost threw away an easy win today though, game was about 10000x closer than it should have been given the ridiculous turnovers San Diego handed us in the first half.

The Chargers really were surprisingly creative in finding new ways to lose the football. Really, objectively speaking, it was amazing. That game should have ended 40-20 instead of 23-20.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Oct 2010, 08:49
THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT

THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT

And sadly enough, Bobby Thomson died earlier this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Oct 2010, 15:24
Even sadder, the Giants lost the World Series after that win. (Why DID Dressen bring in Branca, anyways?)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Oct 2010, 16:42
Today is one of those rare days when I'm rooting for the New York Giants. Seeing the Cowboys fall to 1-5 is too delicious an opportunity to pass up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Oct 2010, 20:53
It couldn't have happened to a more mediocre player.

I mean, seriously. For all the press/glowing endorsements Romo gets, you'd think he'd at least have won a playoff game in his career.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 25 Oct 2010, 21:28
And then the next game he got picked once and fumbled 3 times. The dude is seriously not anywhere close to the top-flight quarterback he's often talked about as. I'd take someone like Chad Henne or Matt Schaub over him any day of the week, and especially on Sunday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 25 Oct 2010, 23:27
I wish Tarvaris Jackson was good. I've met him before and he seems like a nice guy and the whole way he's been jerked around with the ongoing Brett Favre saga is one of the more underrated shitty subplots going in football. Having to prepare like you're going to be the starter for two seasons in a row while answering media questions about how your teammates flew down to Mississippi to beg a 40 year old to come back is sort of a raw deal. On the bright side, I guess he's still getting paid and unlike half the other QBs in the NFL he may not end up getting horribly maimed by the Giants this year, so he's got that going for him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2010, 01:29
I can think of a few people who can relate to what Tavarius is going through.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Oct 2010, 07:39
List.

I think some those guys can relate to an extent, but the media circus that comes with Favre territory makes this one a li'l worse than usual. There were local media guys who basically asked questions like "So, clearly your teammates want Favre and the fan base is terrified of the idea of you starting. How does that affect your preparation as the first man on the depth chart?". It sucks that a guy like Pederson never really got a legit chance as a starter, but he never really had an openly hostile fan base to deal with after having once been groomed as the starter either. Rodgers has the most obvious connection with the whole thing, but he at least looks like he'll be good enough to take it out on the rest of the league for the next 8 or 9 years. Besides, in a way this may have rather ended up helping out Rodger's relationship with the fans a bit, since he put up with a lot of bullshit on his way to starting and people seem to appreciate that. Remember that he could have ended up more like Steve "Will Never Be Joe Montana" Young.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 26 Oct 2010, 08:10
I'd have taken a healthy Tony Romo over them any day of the week.

this has become funny after yesterday's events
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2010, 08:47
In case you didn't notice, Alex, that list was the one of pretty much every backup QB that ended up having to go elsewhere to start or get any significant playing time.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Oct 2010, 11:54
I dunno if you'd call Pederson's truly significant. That was a straight up "You're here to take a season's worth of hits before we throw Donovan to the wolves," situation. Anyway, I'm just saying I generally feel bad for that kinda player and Jackson's situation has been more of a roller coaster ride than most.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Oct 2010, 14:12
I'm calling it. Chicharito Hernandez is the new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2010, 19:39
 :? :? :?

<--- Clueless American, sorry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Oct 2010, 05:53
Just because you're American doesn't mean you can't like soccer.

I do! and I'm from here!


(Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to play for Man United, and was basically a super substitute/savior. Chicharito came over from Mexico this summer and is doing the same thing)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 27 Oct 2010, 06:09
"Chicharito" is way more fun to say than "Ole Gunnar", though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Oct 2010, 06:15
Plus the English announcers just CANNOT say it right. It's not "Cheek-a-rito", guys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 27 Oct 2010, 06:47
Speaking of commentary fuck-ups: the other night I was watching briefly a Bundesliga game and somewhere in T.V. land someone had fucked up because the commentary was from a completely different Bundesliga game. Pretty damn disconcerting, especially when there was simultaneous goal-mouth action in both games, and the attacking team in the "audio" game scored a goal about which the commentator got particularly excited, while the attacking team in the "video" game only won a corner that didn't come to anything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 27 Oct 2010, 08:03
Plus the English announcers just CANNOT say it right. It's not "Cheek-a-rito", guys.

Don't even get me started on the English commentators. For some reason, it seems to be acceptable to sound like a moron when commentating and spectacularly fucking up the pronunciation of all of the foreign players.

David Pleat, I am looking at you especially. I wish I could meet you so that I could smack you every time you mispronounced a name and then maybe you would learn.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Oct 2010, 08:40
The one I really don't get (and EVERYONE does this) is "Sir Alec Ferguson".

He's been around for...well..since before I was born, do you guys just not have the ability to pronounce the letter x?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 27 Oct 2010, 15:57
Alec is an actual name... but not his.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 27 Oct 2010, 16:16
I would hazard a guess as it being because Alec is often what Scottish people call those named Alex, a sort of variation in the same way that Eoin, Sean and Ian are all variations of John.

It is another mistake but frankly, with it being that scumbag, I would be happy for them to do it if it annoys him more.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Oct 2010, 16:28
Might be a nickname of sorts - you know, like "Sir Alec Guinness".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Gemmwah on 27 Oct 2010, 16:42
I have a family friend who is scottish called Alex and although he signs everything Alex, everyone calls him Alec. Nicknames, yo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Oct 2010, 18:57
Had an exchange student who called me that. Really annoying. Anyway, the Packers injury situation is getting pretty surreal. The 10 guys on injured reserve (and I think they had one guy they just let go who was out for the year too) was impressive enough, but I forgot that they had 3 guys on the PUP list too. I pay quite a bit of attention to this stuff, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going to have to print out the roster like it was a play program before games at this rate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Oct 2010, 18:58
8-2 Giants, top of the 6th. That last half inning was ridiculous.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Oct 2010, 23:34
8-2 Giants, top of the 6th. That last half inning was ridiculous.

Cliff who? :smug:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Oct 2010, 23:49
(http://www.mocksession.com/30fps//2010%20October%2027%2022%2048%2026.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Oct 2010, 02:32
(photo: Ian Kinsler can't believe it)

Ian Kinsler, meet Fred Merkle.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 28 Oct 2010, 02:34
I prefer this version:

(http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9464/hatersgonnahuff.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Oct 2010, 05:56
lawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Oct 2010, 11:51
best haters gonna hate ever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Oct 2010, 11:59
To be fair, NEVER ROUND FIRST ON AN INFIELD SINGLE YOU IDIOT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Oct 2010, 14:11
No, it's more like KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL AND NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING DOOFUS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 28 Oct 2010, 15:00
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2edoy7q.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 28 Oct 2010, 20:29
I swear to god the Timberwolves somehow managed to get worse after dumping McHale.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 28 Oct 2010, 21:25
(http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4585/immattcainandyourefucki.jpg)

I literally could not stop laughing during that 8th inning. Good lord, what an utter meltdown.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Oct 2010, 06:23
I would have felt bad if it was any other team. But I'm rooting for the Giants/have a bet with my dad.

It was an Ankeilian meltdown, man.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Oct 2010, 09:05
It was like a train wreck. You didn't want to watch, but you couldn't help but stare.

Four walks, three straight hits - all with two outs.

We now know who the winner of the 2010 Grady Little Award is...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Oct 2010, 10:24
You shut your goddamn mouth and never mention that name around here again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 30 Oct 2010, 00:29
I've seen surprisingly few good gifs to come out of yesterday's game, outside of Kinsler's double bouncing off the top of the center field wall. No good camera angle to catch Kinsler saying 'fuck' really obviously after it bounced back in play, unfortunately. Walk 'Em, Texas Ranger was a pretty good Twitter meme though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Oct 2010, 15:01
I thought a perfect hat trick was a power-play goal, even-strength goal and a short-handed goal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 31 Oct 2010, 15:48
I thought a perfect hat trick was a power-play goal, even-strength goal and a short-handed goal.

You know, I didn't know that there was a perfect hat-trick in hockey but that does make a lot of sense.

Of course, the Gordie Howe hat-trick is much more fun (goal, assist, fight).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 31 Oct 2010, 16:23
Haha yessss crash and burn Brett Favre CRASH AND BURNNN.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 31 Oct 2010, 17:54
Fantastic game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies in Hong Kong on Saturday night. Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO4dC9EEuew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO4dC9EEuew)

Adam Ashley-Cooper's try in particular was outstanding, I still wish he was a bit faster but as he showed here once again he can beat a defender with strength and with skill just as easily. Quade Cooper really needs to do a lot of work on his defence, he falls off far too many tackles, but in attack he's the most exciting thing to happen to Australian Rugby in years. The Wallabies still have a lot of problems, but they're a pretty young team and given that coach Robbie Williams basically had to turn around a decade's worth of entrenched kick-heavy, attack-shy mentality, I think things are starting to look really good. And holy shit, just when you think George Smith was the best number 7 Australia would ever see along comes David Pocock!

EDIT: But international referees really, really need to start cracking down on the All Black's work around the breakdown. The way they suddenly started lying all around the base of the ruck, getting in Will Genia's way every time the Wallabies started to get a roll on, was unbelievably blatant and yet they get away with it time and time again. Given that next year's World Cup is going to be in New Zealand, this is rather worrying.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Oct 2010, 20:07
I thought a perfect hat trick was a power-play goal, even-strength goal and a short-handed goal.

You know, I didn't know that there was a perfect hat-trick in hockey but that does make a lot of sense.

Of course, the Gordie Howe hat-trick is much more fun (goal, assist, fight).
There's also the natural hat-trick, which is three straight goals scored by the same person without any intervening goals by others.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 31 Oct 2010, 20:52
Three wickets in three consecutive balls?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Oct 2010, 23:53
Wait, isn't that called something else? (My cricket's rusty.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 01 Nov 2010, 00:02
Nope, that's a hat-trick.

Interesting thing about a cricket hat-trick is that it can be stretched out over an unusually long time: as long as it's three wickets on three consecutive deliveries by the one bowler it's a hat-trick. So if a bowler gets two wickets from the last two balls of an over (six balls per over), then the other bowler bowls his (or her) over from the other end - when the original bowler comes back to bowl his next over, if he gets a wicket on the first delivery of that over it's a hat-trick. This can even carry over from one session to another: so a bowler can get two (or one) wickets before, say, the lunch break, and come back and finish off his hat-trick with the first delivery of the first over after the lunch break.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 01 Nov 2010, 01:34
Over innings even. Which can in some cases be two days.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Nov 2010, 02:26
giants 3-1

yeaaaah
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Nov 2010, 08:48
I thought a perfect hat trick was a power-play goal, even-strength goal and a short-handed goal.

You know, I didn't know that there was a perfect hat-trick in hockey but that does make a lot of sense.

Of course, the Gordie Howe hat-trick is much more fun (goal, assist, fight).

I believe the term you guys are looking for is "natural hat trick".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Nov 2010, 09:26
I thought a perfect hat trick was a power-play goal, even-strength goal and a short-handed goal.

You know, I didn't know that there was a perfect hat-trick in hockey but that does make a lot of sense.

Of course, the Gordie Howe hat-trick is much more fun (goal, assist, fight).
There's also the natural hat-trick, which is three straight goals scored by the same person without any intervening goals by others.

Dude, too slow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Nov 2010, 09:32
Man frigging whatever. I'm still confused by Nani's goal on Saturday.

Mostly by this: Did the ref play advantage for the handball when Nani went down? Because then it makes perfect sense and Gomes is just a big nosed idiot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 01 Nov 2010, 10:33
I forgot to watch that until you mentioned it actually but now that I have it's scandalous. The ref is obviously waving Gomes to take the free-kick so I have no idea how it was allowed.

On the other hand, it was 2-0 not 1-0 so Tottenham can't complain too much because they would have lost anyway (disregarding all the psychological mumbo-jumbo that they might have played better if it was only 1-0 at the time).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Darke on 01 Nov 2010, 11:51
The referee played advantage, since Gomes having a hold of the ball with United commited to an attack is a better situation for them than a free kick. The whistle was never blown, and Gomes is an absolute idiot for thinking a free kick had been given. Someone so experienced should know better.

I don't particularly approve of Nani exploiting the situation, but other than poor sportsmanship he's not in the wrong.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Nov 2010, 14:22
Vikings already waived Randy.

lol

Maybe they can get rid of Childress next. That'd be sweet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Nov 2010, 14:24
By the way, the fact that the Vikings had a clean shot at hiring Tomlin years ago is something that goes through my mind at least once a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 01 Nov 2010, 14:37
I kinda really hope the patriots bring randy back. That would be fucking beautiful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Nov 2010, 14:48
The way waivers work that's impossible unless practically every other team passed on him first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Nov 2010, 14:52
I kinda really hope the patriots bring randy back. That would be fucking beautiful.

Bill Simmons was saying that, just for the headline "Patriots trade Moss to Vikings for Moss & draft pick".

That said, Deion Branch has done a pretty good job filling his shoes.



And Danny Woodhead. Jesus fucking christ Danny Woodhead. It seems like every year, there's one guy on the Pats that becomes my favorite player. Two years ago it was Mayo, then I bought a Mayo jersey last year and got a mancrush on Vollmer, and now Ninkovich and Woodhead are replacing Vollmer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Nov 2010, 15:23
lol
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Nov 2010, 15:33
btw, I brought this up while watching the game yesterday: Is there a worse job in sports than Tavaris Jackson?

You're the starting quarterback all summer, until some old-ass motherfucker rolls out of bed and decides he's going to take your job not once, but twice. And then gets a media frenzy around him all season, meanwhile you're just...there. The backup quarterback. People would forget you if not for Myron Pryor.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 01 Nov 2010, 15:45
Agreed.

Anyway, this is a weird mental situation for me. I'm not really surprised about the waiving, since it's Childress, and I'm on the record as not being a Chilly fan. But still, it's Randy Moss, so I feel like I should be surprised at this turn of events. You shouldn't go trade for him in the first place if you're not going to be able to handle it and immediately decide to bail when he continues to be Randy Moss. This is like buying a python and then getting rid of it when it turns out that hey, it expects to be fed live rodents. I can understand why you decided to bail, but you're still stupid for buying the python in the first place.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Nov 2010, 15:47
I realize now that should read "rolls out of bed, sends pictures of his junk to people, and decides to take your job".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 01 Nov 2010, 19:40
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Nov 2010, 20:17
Yeah Giants.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 01 Nov 2010, 21:55
I realize now that should read "rolls out of bed, sends pictures of his junk to people, and decides to take your job".

Man, I'm two-thirds of the way from being Brett Favre.

Go go go!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Nov 2010, 01:46
So ... Pro Bowl voting has commenced ...

... anyone else busily voting Randy Moss into the pro Bowl for the Vikings?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Nov 2010, 09:30
Glad to see my other team winning something.

Yo dad, you owe me dinner!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 02 Nov 2010, 13:27
Now that the euphoria has passed, possibly my favorite image of the 2010 Giants season:

(http://imgur.com/o41OY.gif)

I might look up some more later, there were a bunch of really awesome ones.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 03 Nov 2010, 04:41
Well that was the most fantastic game of cricket I've seen in a long time. How the hell can the ninth wicket partnership make up a 130 run deficit, it's absurd. :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 03 Nov 2010, 05:57
How long a losing streak do you think it will take to stop the Australian cricket team from being such smug obnoxious arseholes?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Nov 2010, 06:03
Now that the euphoria has passed, possibly my favorite image of the 2010 Giants season:

I was expecting Lincecum's MLB Network interview after the game where his only answer was "Oh my god, I can't believe this shit."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 03 Nov 2010, 16:07
How long a losing streak do you think it will take to stop the Australian cricket team from being such smug obnoxious arseholes?
I honestly don't think it's possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 03 Nov 2010, 17:48
Anyway while the Sri Lankan cricket team's in Australia let's just take a moment to admire Malinga's bowling action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3CZB2zNo9g (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3CZB2zNo9g)

I mean what the fuck is that. What the fuck is that?! I love it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 03 Nov 2010, 18:31
It's brilliant, and it's really hard to play if you're fresh at the crease.

Malinga is pretty much the only person that can pull it off though, it's the kind of stuff they try and beat out of you in primary school cricket. So hard to get anything near consistent out of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Nov 2010, 18:39
Nice hair.

I thought sidearm/three-quarter delivery wasn't legal in cricket?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 03 Nov 2010, 19:35
What's illegal in cricket is a bowler throwing the ball. As long as your elbow remains straight throughout the delivery - as Malinga's clearly does - it's fine.

Malinga is pretty much the only person that can pull it off though, it's the kind of stuff they try and beat out of you in primary school cricket. So hard to get anything near consistent out of it.

That's one of the reasons I love it so much. With professional sports these days there's so much orthodoxy, with sportspeople being taught the "correct" way to do things from an increasingly early age, that I just think it's fantastic whenever someone comes along who clearly has their own way of doing things, and is succesful with it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Nov 2010, 04:27
I still think that Malinga's action is illegal, for the reason of sidearm delivery. I mean, I was always taught that you were allowed a certain degree of sidearm depending on how you bowled, e.g. Fast bowlers should have a straighter delivery than Spin bowlers because of how the arm needs to move to bowl that way and there is always leeway involved but these numbers were between 5 and 25 degrees, not 80-90 like Malinga's action.

To put it in certain terms, it's just not cricket.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Nov 2010, 04:34
Sidearm's illegal? That's lame. Batsmen should just suck it up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Nov 2010, 05:53
What are you guys throwing such a fit about? Nevermind three-quarter or sidearm, baseball has submarine guys that pretty much throw underhand. And have for a LONG time.

(http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/photos/2009/07/090720_NS_20RangersT.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 04 Nov 2010, 05:56
Australians, hang your heads in shame. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhHu5yWoCm0)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 04 Nov 2010, 06:00
Sidearm's illegal? That's lame. Batsmen should just suck it up.
Like that technique that cropped up in the twenty20 world cup where the batsman would change their stance as the ball was being bowled, if the player is good enough to pull it off they should be allowed to do it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 04 Nov 2010, 06:02
Australians, hang your heads in shame. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhHu5yWoCm0)
I thought our government apologised for that a while ago.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Nov 2010, 06:12
Yeah but we could do more. We should get our Queen to apologise to their Queen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Nov 2010, 16:11
Okay, now you REALLY have me confused. Why did the batsman just tip it to the... (hold on a second... returns from consulting his Cricket Explained book) "silly mid off" side and not try to run or anything?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 04 Nov 2010, 16:12
They needed a boundary to win. Last ball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Nov 2010, 16:19
More specifically, they needed a 6 to win, which means it has to travel in the air all of the way from hitting the bat to flying over the boundary rope (think home run but there is a rope on the floor to get over rather than a wall) and it is almost impossible to hit a rolling ball for a 6.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 04 Nov 2010, 17:00
What are you guys throwing such a fit about? Nevermind three-quarter or sidearm, baseball has submarine guys that pretty much throw underhand. And have for a LONG time.

And Sandoval gets underneath them and fucks that ball up all the way into the stands for a three-run homer. I'm pretty sure that was the exact pitch where that happened, too. Bad example, shows just how pussy a maneuver an underhand ball is.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Nov 2010, 17:11
More specifically, they needed a 6 to win, which means it has to travel in the air all of the way from hitting the bat to flying over the boundary rope (think home run but there is a rope on the floor to get over rather than a wall) and it is almost impossible to hit a rolling ball for a 6.

I'm quite familiar with "hitting for six" is. I wasn't aware that it was a limited overs match. Unfortunately, that would make a ton of sense in that situation, just as an intentional walk of a big hitter with first base open does in baseball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Nov 2010, 18:34
If they're wearing colours instead of all white it's a limited overs match.

There is, inevitably, a wikipedia page all about it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underarm_bowling_incident_of_1981).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 04 Nov 2010, 22:00
And the Australian selectors once again missed the last game due to their heads being firmly lodged in their arses, because they haven't included Doherty, who was the only decent thing about the Australian team on Wednesday.

Also, for some reason I can't find any mention of Ferguson on the cricinfo page, which supposedly has a full team listing. He was supposed to be playing today. EDIT: Oh fuck off he's twelfth man. What the fuck is he doing there?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 04 Nov 2010, 22:36
R.I.P. Sparky Anderson (http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/11/04/sparky-anderson-dies-at-76-hall-of-fame-manager-led-big-red-mac/). Manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers, he was the first to win a World Series in each league, and was the 3rd winningest manager in history when he retired. Everything you heard about him from those around him was positive.

I was surprised to learn he was only 76, since he looked "old" 30 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Nov 2010, 06:36
And Sandoval gets underneath them and fucks that ball up all the way into the stands for a three-run homer. I'm pretty sure that was the exact pitch where that happened, too. Bad example, shows just how pussy a maneuver an underhand ball is.

When I come out there next summer, we'll play wiffleball and you see if you can hit me throwing submarine and/or knuckleballs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 05 Nov 2010, 09:41
Shane I thought you're supposed to hit the ball with the bat, not other players. You've been rooting for Boston too long.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Nov 2010, 09:43
(http://baseballislife.mlblogs.com/JuanMarichalGoneWild.jpg)

Juan Marichal was a Giant, dude. Never pitched for the Sox.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Nov 2010, 14:52
Juan Marichal ruled, haters gonna hate.

Now that I'm finally done with midterms I might dig through all the various blogs and forums and do a giant image/video dump from the playoffs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Nov 2010, 19:02
And Sandoval gets underneath them and #### that ball up all the way into the stands for a three-run homer. I'm pretty sure that was the exact pitch where that happened, too. Bad example, shows just how ##### a maneuver an underhand ball is.

When I come out there next summer, we'll play wiffleball and you see if you can hit me throwing submarine and/or knuckleballs.

Throwing knucklers with a wiffleball is nigh impossible. Submarine, OTOH... I could probably hit off you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Nov 2010, 06:35
Not only is it possible, it's actually not too hard.

Bryan, from all accounts that I've heard, Juan Marichal was an amazing pitcher who had one moment of insanity. I'm not hating, it's just what came to mind when Patrick mentioned hitting someone with a bat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Nov 2010, 17:19
Oh, no.

NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOO. (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=543059)

 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Nov 2010, 17:37
The Vikings-Bears game is actually playing in my area on Sunday. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that I don't have to go to a sports bar to watch this one. On the other, it'll be equally depressing at home.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 10 Nov 2010, 17:40
Quote from: NHL.com's article on the all-star game
"It's an entertaining, fun game and fans like to be entertained by the players, showing their competitive spirit with a big smile on their face," said Shanahan. "It's a matter of us trying to find ways to capture that. The game, it's still going to be three 20-minute periods with two teams and everyone is wearing equipment and using the puck. In some ways it's going to look very much like it was. We know what it is. It's a fun event."

It's probably at this point that the article most resembled something from The Onion. This idea is dumb. So dumb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Nov 2010, 17:58
Oh, no.

NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOO. (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=543059)

 :psyduck:

What

The

Fuck?
 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Nov 2010, 18:38
This is one of those rare times where I'm thinking WTF NHL?

This cannot end well.

The ONLY way this could even come CLOSE to working would be if the group was playing some other entity, like the defending champion Blackhawks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 10 Nov 2010, 18:53
The Vikings-Bears game is actually playing in my area on Sunday. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that I don't have to go to a sports bar to watch this one. On the other, it'll be equally depressing at home.

I have no idea what to make of this game.

On the one hand, I have absolutely no faith in the Bears. They could win the Super Bowl this year and this would still be how I remember their season:
(http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/cutler-ko-bc.jpg)

On the other, thinking the Vikings can beat the Bears would require me believing that the players will decide that continuing to go in to work with Brad Childress is less odious than just rolling over like Dallas. I could see that working for a week or two, but not for long. So while I could see them beating the Bears, I don't really expect that to translate into any kind of playoff run.

I dunno. I'm probably just being a homer. The Bears have a winning record and the Vikings do not. I would consider this a foregone conclusion if the Giants hadn't hit Cutler so hard that I almost thought of him as a human being for a second.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 10 Nov 2010, 19:21
Yeah, he's only been sacked 28 times this season, man up ya pussy!

This is basically a crapshoot of the NFC North. The Bears should be tied for last place with the Vikes and the Lions should be somewhere around 4-4.

Both teams also have coaching staffs on the brink of annihilation. But I think some of the Bears actually have faith in Lovie, who's brought them to a Super Bowl before, so part of me (beyond my bias) wants to say the Bears will come out on top.

Add to that the fact that Favre is starting to look like more of a china doll than Matthew Stafford, and that he has almost no targets in the passing game, and I see this game being a repeat of the Green Bay/New York game that ended up being 9-0.

Bleh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Nov 2010, 19:35
Fred Besana can relate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Nov 2010, 06:35
Joey Barton punched someone again?

How do they even let him play professional soccer? Jesus.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 11 Nov 2010, 10:12
Football is a contact sport, Shane. Ask Rio Ferdinand.

(http://our.pix.free.fr/dfb/tevezferdinand.jpg)

Dr Tevez will see you now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Nov 2010, 10:17
Frig, ask Kieron Dyer, man.

Next on FOX: When Teammates Attack!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 11 Nov 2010, 14:53
(http://www.7amkickoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/barton-punch.gif)

what a twat
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 12 Nov 2010, 02:59
Which one, the one who punched the guy in the chest or the guy who was like "ooh I should pretend to be dying"?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Nov 2010, 05:58
The one who punched a guy/punched a teammate so hard his face broke/snuffed out a lit cigar in his teammate's eye.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 12 Nov 2010, 06:26
yeah...that one
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Nov 2010, 06:48
Yeah. The guy who got punched (Morten Gamst Pedersen) is a pretty decent footballer and outstanding citizen.

Though I think the Premier League made him stop wearing "GAMST" on his jersey? Kinda lame. Javier Hernandez gets his nickname on his.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 12 Nov 2010, 07:32
Soccer is so full of schwalbes I don't take anyone falling down on a pitch seriously. They're all faking it and it makes the sport very unattractive.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Nov 2010, 08:14
Tell that to Antonio Valencia's dislocated and broken ankle.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 Nov 2010, 13:08
(http://cdn2.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/158508/191053005.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Nov 2010, 13:15
hahahaha fail
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 13 Nov 2010, 14:06
"Man, I gotta get this to tie it up. Ok, you can do it Kovy, you got this, you the man. Go go go ... aww crap."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 15:42
Yeah, to say "all players" is a gross misrepresentation of what goes on. It's like with basketball. Do players try to work the officials? Sure. Do people still get hurt? You bet your ass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 15:55
It's one of those things that I don't see a good way around. Tripping injuries and the like are just way too nasty to go changing the rules too much just to stop people from being a bit douchey about it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 13 Nov 2010, 17:59
It's probably not practical for most cases of play-acting, but in the Australian A-League this season they've introduced retroactive suspensions for any player deemed after a match to have been guilty of diving.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 18:47
Scarred, you confuse me. I don't understand how the only Bears fan I know who is actually realistic about the Bears' strengths and weaknesses is some dude from the internet. That's kinda the opposite of what I've learned to expect from life. Weird. Maybe it's harder to drink the Kool-Aid from Seattle. Then again, I suppose we're so busy hating the Packers here in Minnesota that Bears fans have to resort to saying really dumb crap just to get a good-natured argument going, so maybe I'm just overthinking this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Nov 2010, 20:11
I'd blame it on not being surrounded by screaming fans who distract from actually watching the game, added onto the intense aura of defeatism that comes with living in Seattle and Enjoying Sports.

I dunno, it doesn't seem like it's that hard to see the Bears' faults, especially this year. We barely beat the freakin' Bills last week. The only thing you really need to appreciate the shitter where this franchise lives is a pulse.



Typing that last sentence sort of hurt me inside.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 Nov 2010, 20:16
The moral is, sucks to be you if you're from Buffalo  :mrgreen:

(the Sabres blow too wooooooo)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Nov 2010, 20:31
My only experience with Buffalo as a city, beyond their atrocious track record with sports, was an episode of Cops. It was horrifying.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 20:36
Seattle is an underrated miserable sports city. The Sonics had a 60 win season the same year that Jordan's Bulls went 72-10.  :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 20:38
Really, I imagine there must be Sonics fans that feel like MJ unretired just to personally put a cigarette out on their asses. That's just awful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Nov 2010, 20:56
I think you mean the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Nov 2010, 21:22
Thunder is such a terrible name too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Nov 2010, 01:28
At least they have the Sounders.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 14 Nov 2010, 11:09
I bet that Harvin touchdown is going to cause Lovie Smith to say some colorful things in the film room.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Nov 2010, 13:58
For as sloppy as we played, I'm surprised we pulled that win out with such a large margin on the scoreboard.

At least the Jets beat the Browns, if they'd had the same record as the Bears I don't know how I would react.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 14 Nov 2010, 14:25
For as sloppy as we played, I'm surprised we pulled that win out with such a large margin on the scoreboard.


It says a lot about how terrible the Vikings have been offensively. The Bears had good field position all day and like I hinted at earlier, that one Viking's touchdown was a gimme off of broken coverage. The Cover 2 is a great defense right up until a safety randomly lets someone get behind him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Nov 2010, 14:31
The absence of Sidney Rice and the containment of Adrian Peterson are certainly not helping things.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Nov 2010, 19:04
...and that old geezer standing in the middle of the field that keeps thinking he can play football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Nov 2010, 20:01
Pats-Steelers game is sucking balls.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 14 Nov 2010, 21:16
More like pats-steelers game is AWESOME fuck the steelers.

Also, good for Rob Gronkowski, way to follow up the worst game possible with the best game possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Nov 2010, 21:36
I hate 'em both but I think I hate the Pats more. Which, living in Seattle, doesn't really make sense. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Super-Bowl-XL-head-official-admits-to-blown-call?urn=nfl-260901)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 14 Nov 2010, 21:44
But why? I didn't think anyone could hate anyone more than the steelers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Nov 2010, 21:54
I dunno. But my enmity towards the Steelers is easily outmatched by the same towards New England (and Dallas).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 16 Nov 2010, 00:59
Every rational football fan hates the Dallas Cowboys.

Why does the baseball offseason have to be so goddamn long?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 16 Nov 2010, 01:04
No idea but MNF tonight was appalling. I don't know how any defense lets a team score 28 in the first quarter.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Nov 2010, 02:02
Philadelphia State University beat Andover Tech, 59-28. Personally, I think the PSU head coach ran up the score to try to impress the BCS voters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Nov 2010, 10:35
Every rational football fan hates the Dallas Cowboys.

Why does the baseball offseason have to be so goddamn long?

February 13th, Bry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 16 Nov 2010, 11:17
So, by "so goddamn long", you mean four fucking months?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 16 Nov 2010, 11:21
It wasn't so bad this year because of the World Cup but honestly, ordinarily between football seasons I find myself idly contemplating suicide every few minutes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Nov 2010, 11:58
So, by "so goddamn long", you mean four fucking months?

And that's just until pitchers and catchers show up for spring training (aka the best day of the year). Season doesn't start until March 31st.

Bryan, if you have MLB Network, they show some Arizona Fall League games, as well as the Caribbean Series during the winter. They just started showing Ken Burns' Baseball on Thursday nights, as well. Highly recommended if you're into old-timey baseball and the soothing tones of Bob Costas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 16 Nov 2010, 23:13
I caught the Rising Stars game when it was on a couple weeks ago, Brandon Belt (top Giants prospect, will probably get called up at some point next season) drew 3 walks and would have gotten a double if the center fielder hadn't made a crazy running catch. Beyond that there just isn't a whole lot going on. Winter meetings are at the beginning of December but I don't know how much the Giants will do this offseason. The last thing I want is for Sabean to tie up a bunch of money in Carl Crawford. He's good, but he's going to be vastly overpaid because the free agent market is terrible and I don't want the Giants to be that team. I want them to get Huff and Uribe back and maybe deal Sanchez if they can get a good return for him. If they lose Uribe to the Cardinals (who apparently want him bad) then maybe they could look into bidding on Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who's coming over from Japan this offseason. The ownership is supposedly raising the salary room Sabean has to work with, but there's just not much out there for the Giants needs if they're really not interested in Jayson Werth (which makes me angry but whatever).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Nov 2010, 04:52
Every rational football fan hates the Dallas Cowboys.
True, but with Romo side-lined and that incredibly fat coach fired I actually enjoyed the cowboys' performance last week.

Of course it did help that I hate the team they played against with a fervent passion ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Nov 2010, 05:47
Stay the fuck off Jayson Werth. He's ours.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 17 Nov 2010, 12:55
Fuck you, I want him so bad. He actually works counts and hits for extra bases, and those are the two things the Giants need so, so badly right now. But Sabean apparently has no interest in him, so yeah he's probably going to be on the Red Sox.

Basically what I'm saying is that the Giants should have firsties on all free agents with beards. It just makes sense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Nov 2010, 05:52
Johnny Damon and his weak-ass throwing arm are available. Pretty sure you could talk him into growing back the beard.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Nov 2010, 13:55
Bears-Dolphins tonight. Even with their immense QB issues, I don't know how much I like our chances. Cutler tends to suck dicks on primetime.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Nov 2010, 08:55
LUCIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Nov 2010, 14:57
yay, we're the worst 7-3 team in the league!

Rest of year:

Philly
@Lions
Pats
@Vikes
Jets
@Pack

Maybe 2 wins out of that schedule.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Nov 2010, 17:26
Thrashers beating the Capitals 3-0 at the end of the 1st period. What the fuck is going on here?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2010, 17:29
Weird things happen over the course of a season that you don't expect.

Sometimes, the cellar dwellers put a beatdown on the best team in the league.

It's called the Law of Competitive Balance.

EDIT: For those of you who don't know what that is:

Quote
"There develop over time separate and unequal strategies adopted by winners and losers; the balance of those strategies favors the losers, and thus serves constantly to narrow the difference between the two."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 19 Nov 2010, 18:28
Speaking of what the fuck...

What the fuck was this (http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020271&navid=sb:recap) crazy as balls game last night?

And how did the Flyers lose it?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Nov 2010, 18:35
Quote
PHILADELPHIA -- Steven Stamkos said Tampa Bay's wild win at Wells Fargo Center reminded him of what hockey looked like in the 1980s.

One problem: He was born in 1990.

 :psyduck: Oh God I am so old

Also: ATL-WSH is now 4-0  :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2010, 18:39
Oh, I remember the Gretzky Age of Hockey.

I LOVED IT.

A close game was a 5-4 nail-biter.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 19 Nov 2010, 21:31
Speaking of which, someone pointed out that now that injuries have probably forced Jamie Moyer to finally retire, Omar Vizquel is the only remaining active player to have his first major league at-bat in the 1980s.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Nov 2010, 07:28
Last I heard, he was saying he was going to have Tommy John and try to come back in 2012.

At 48? Maybe if he became a knuckleballer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Nov 2010, 13:01
To summarise: The entire NHL has gone batshit insane? The Wild beats the Red Wings, Sabres beat the Kings, Atlanta shut Washington out, and the fucking FLAMES beat the Hawks 2-7. What the hell is going on here?

Also the Rangers lost which isn't really a surprise but it still bums me out so I'm including it here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Nov 2010, 09:09
Sometimes the not-so-good teams win, Dovey. No one's ever gone 0-82.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 22 Nov 2010, 10:30
Just weird that it all seemed to happen on the same day.

That being said, with a goal like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxiJRx7F_5I), I think the Thrashers deserved the win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 22 Nov 2010, 11:06
The great thing about the NHL is that no matter what team you support there are always a couple of great players in the roster. Just using for example the bottom 3 teams right now
Oilers have Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner;
Devils have Patrick Elias, Ilya Kovalchuk and Martin Brodeur
Islanders have John Tavares, Matt Moulson and Mark Streit (ok, this is by far the weakest roster of any NHL team out there right now but I think I made my point)

The Thrashers on the other hand have Kane, Ladd, Bogosian, Enstrom, Peverley, Antropov, Pavelec etc. so they're not that bad a team altogether and being a Rangers fan you know all about quality players underperforming of course.  :evil:

The great hope in the Thrashers roster has to be Pavelec though. I always draft high on my fantasy hockey keepers so this time I took Halak and Rinne over him but I had him last year and when he gets a run in the #1 spot his numbers can be phenomenal; just inconsistency with young goalies is always an issue and the fact that most of the Thrashers defense sucks so they take around 35-40 shots per game on average.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 22 Nov 2010, 11:23
I really like Andrew Ladd myself. The Blackhawks were fucking batshits to get rid of him in my opinion, and it's absolutely no surprise they handed him the captaincy. Dude's always there in the big games, and his hustle is extremely commendable. Note he got the assist on that goal I posted.

Also, Brodeur's definitely in sharp decline but I see yr point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 22 Nov 2010, 11:51
Yeah, Ladd is a quality player but the one disadvantage to the balancing of the teams approach is that the top teams eventually have to get knocked down a peg themselves and after the Stanley Cup the Blackhawks were probably pushing the salary cap right to the limit so some players had to go.

On the other hand, Ladd is now one of the stars of the roster in Atlanta and is starting to shine in a way he never could behind players like Toews, Kane and Sharp. He already has 7G 14A in 21 games so he's likely to have a banner season and could surpass both his 17G last season and his 34A the season before.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 22 Nov 2010, 13:23
Well, that wasn't 11 weeks too late. (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Brad-Childress-fired-Minnesota-Vikings-112210)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Nov 2010, 14:12
So it'll only take another 9 months, one retirement, 5 player visits, some pictures of male genetalia, an unretirement, more Tavaris Jackson disappointment, and like another 5 weeks to get rid of the quarterback, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 22 Nov 2010, 14:31
Weird things happen over the course of a season that you don't expect.
So true. My local football (NRL Rugby League) team was the North Sydney Bears, perennial losers and wooden-spooners who last won league championship in 1922*, but in their local derby matches against the hated** Manly Sea Eagles, the Bears were transformed, and often defeated their much-higher-rated North Shore rivals. Of course they'd put half the team on the injured list doing it, and then lose their next five games, but at least they beat Manly, right?

*   For American readers, barracking (http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html#B) for the Bears was kind of like supporting the Chicago Cubs.
** Everybody hates Manly. I think the American equivalent is "Everybody hates the Yankees"?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Nov 2010, 22:45
Well, that wasn't 11 weeks too late. (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Brad-Childress-fired-Minnesota-Vikings-112210)

Hee hee hee heeeeee...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 23 Nov 2010, 09:41
Okay, let's recap from earlier...

To summarise: The entire NHL has gone batshit insane?

Then this (http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020299&navid=sb:recap) happens.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Nov 2010, 13:27
And Bayern just shat away a 2-1 lead to Roma. 3-2 down with about 4 minutes left.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 23 Nov 2010, 16:24
Noooooooo victor martinez NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUUUUUCK
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 23 Nov 2010, 17:32
Okay, let's recap from earlier...

To summarise: The entire NHL has gone batshit insane?

Then this (http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020299&navid=sb:recap) happens.  :psyduck:

Holy buttshits! The thing is, watching these games, they're not upsets, the Caps are playing like bitches. No hustle, no desire. Hedberg fuckin' earned that shut-out though, Brodeur better watch his old ass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Nov 2010, 06:24
Noooooooo victor martinez NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUUUUUCK
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 24 Nov 2010, 11:12
To be fair, at this point Martinez is a complete butcher behind the plate. He's only really good as a DH now, and last time I checked Boston has one of those already.

Giants got Huff back, which was probably the biggest offseason concern to me. It's a lot of money, but it's only for two years and they were matching the contract of another team so whatever. Now we just need a shortstop.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Nov 2010, 07:07
Since my friend Ryan is probably still asleep from last night's shenanigans, I'll do it for him:


DIIIIIIMIIIIITARRRRRRRRRR


Edit: He's now got FIVE goals and United are up 7-0. Holy FUCKKKKKK.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Nov 2010, 13:42
Ah, fantasy sports. Better at completely infuriating you than perhaps anything else.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Nov 2010, 19:38
And my Warhawks just keep rolling... Coppage with 300 yards and UW-W rolls into the D3 quarterfinals.


Oh, and Bucky had a pretty good day, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 28 Nov 2010, 20:07
So Australia can now only take eleven wickets in a test match. Time to fire everybody and start recruiting South Africans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 28 Nov 2010, 21:04
Depressing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 29 Nov 2010, 09:15
Cutler throws 4 TDs, Manning throws 4 INTs, and parity strikes again!

 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 29 Nov 2010, 20:15
Fuck the Dodgers.

Also, it sounds like the Rockies are on the verge of signing Troy Tulowitzki to a ten year extension. Tulo's an awesome player, and shortstop is the new second base in terms of average offensive production which makes him even more valuable, but considering his injury problems Colorado's rolling the dice on this one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Nov 2010, 09:28
Seven years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 30 Nov 2010, 11:35
Yeah, they effectively picked up the option on his existing contract and then tacked 6 new years on top of that. They're basically making him into the next Todd Helton with this contract. Hopefully for them he doesn't end up like the original during the last few years of the contract, let alone get severely injured.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Nov 2010, 12:13
Oh neat. United's down 1-0 to West Ham.

 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Nov 2010, 13:33
I am frankly embarassed to be a United supporter right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Nov 2010, 17:01
So Australia can now only take eleven wickets in a test match. Time to fire everybody and start recruiting South Africans.
Sounds like they need some better bowlers.

Unfortunately, they don't exactly grow on trees. We have the same problem in America with baseball and pitching.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Dec 2010, 04:00
And here we are, December 2, 2010 - or, as it will likely be known, "LeBronageddon."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 06:41
Or "the day when FIFA announce the 2018 and 2022 World Cups".

ESPN seem to think that the American bid for 2022 isn't all that strong. I shouldn't take it personally, but I kinda want to cry if they end up being right. I was only 7 in '94, and my parents wouldn't bring me to a game in Foxboro. Having another chance to see a World Cup match in person would be amazing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 02 Dec 2010, 07:45
And it's Russia, much to the chagrin of my largely UK based facebook feed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 07:47
And Qatar in 2022.

113th ranked Qatar. You thought FRANCE were bad this year, just wait.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 02 Dec 2010, 07:48
I am happy about this though because there is no way that the country can afford to fund both and Olympics and a World Cup in the same decade with the finances in this state. There is already money being siphoned from grassroots sports and education to help pay for the Olympics in 2012 and I can't even imagine what would happen to them if there was a World Cup being hosted in the UK in 2018 too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 07:53
I wanted this to work out well. I wanted to travel.

I was hoping either England or Spain/Portugal in '18, and a three-hour drive to Boston in '22.

I don't want to go to Russia. Or Qatar.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nobo on 02 Dec 2010, 07:57
And Qatar in 2022.

113th ranked Qatar. You thought FRANCE were bad this year, just wait.

Qatar

Average temperature in:
June - 105 F
July - 115 F
August 111 F

I predict first winner from an African nation coming in 2022 WC.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 07:59
First ever shirts v. skins World Cup? Jesus.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 02 Dec 2010, 08:38
Supposedly, all 10 statdiums in Qatar will be air conditioned
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 09:57
Yet another reason I will not go to Qatar.

Don't get me wrong. I hate when it's super hot, but AC doesn't feel right to me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 02 Dec 2010, 10:01
Yeah I heard there are secret nanomachines in air conditioning that turn your blood into diamonds
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 02 Dec 2010, 10:16
Gutted Spain/Portugal didn't get 2018 but this is more than offset by the sheer hilarity of a world cup in fucking Qatar.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Dec 2010, 10:30
What I've come to gather about Qatar:

-They're not very good at soccer
-The country itself is about the size of Connecticut, with the population of Orlando..or the Orlando metropolitan area or something like that
- It's hot.
Quote from: Jason Sklar as Keith Jackson
It's so hot, the sweat from my undercarriage could irrigate a small radish farm.
-Apparently they don't serve beer there*
-*They will serve beer in stadiums and fan parks, but only FIFA sponsored beer (Budweiser as of current)
-You can pronounce it either kuh-tar or cutter?
-They are hosting next year's Asian Cup, a tournament in which their best finish was in the quarterfinals.
-Has only been a country since 1971.
-They rich, biotch. Either the 1st or second highest per capita GDP in the world, depending on who you ask
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 02 Dec 2010, 16:17
I don't know how it's even possible to hold the World Cup in a country where it's illegal to be drunk in public.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 02 Dec 2010, 17:00
I saw something on the news last night about how after the tournament Qatar was going to dismantle all the specially built stadia and donate them to impoverished countries or something? Sounds kind of crazy-cool. Everyone here's bummed out that Australia didn't get 2022 but I'm pretty happy with whoever won as long as they haven't had it before.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 03 Dec 2010, 09:16
As was pointed out elsewhere; Press Freedom Index (http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html) of the respective vote winners

    1 Netherlands
    14 Belgium
    19 United Kingdom
    39 Spain
    40 Portugal
    140 Russia

    11 Japan
    18 Australia
    20 United States
    42 South Korea
    121 Qatar

Guess Panorama touched a nerve (did anyone see that by the way? hilarious)

And on the subject of Qatar, not only can you basically not drink anywhere, wear revealing clothes or have fun, ever, it's also outright illegal to be gay and women are subservient to men by law. What a splendid country to host the festival celebrating the diversity of world football etc etc

Their stadium porn is terrific though, they must've had a fair whack of oil money left over after the bribes
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WestEnder67 on 03 Dec 2010, 19:45
I for one can't wait for the 2022 World Cup, if only for the comedy value of a beer-swilling, kilt-lifting army of my countrymen (provided they qualify) descending on the tee-total sharia state that is Qatar.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 03 Dec 2010, 22:34
I like how their solution to the average 115F summer temperatures was "Oh, we'll just air condition the outdoors."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 04 Dec 2010, 03:47
Australians - Please account for your shoddy fielding thus far in the Ashes. You've all caught balls before, I've seen it many times. This year every time a ball goes near one of you, you act like it's a cannonball made of hot lava and AIDS.

At this rate, England will be retaining the Ashes and then you'll have a right job getting them back in blighty. I'm not sure I'm ready for a world where England retains the Ashes for three years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 04 Dec 2010, 05:09
Padres and Red Sox are apparently very, very close to a deal that would send Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. I am pretty happy about this because it gets him the hell out of the NL West.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 04 Dec 2010, 05:38
Yeah I have no idea where our fielding skills went. At the moment I'm counting on Strauss getting greedy and waiting too long to declare so the Australians can just block and slow play long enough for it to rain out (http://www.bom.gov.au/sa/forecasts/adelaide.shtml) and end up a draw.

We had a draw in the election and a draw in the footy and we'd damn well prefer another draw to where this looks like it's going.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Dec 2010, 06:53
Not quite official, but almost official:

Adrian Gonzales to the Red Sox.

Definitely official:

Kevin Youkilis wins the AL gold glove at third base in 2011.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 04 Dec 2010, 10:03
We had a draw in the election and a draw in the footy and we'd damn well prefer another draw to where this looks like it's going.

I think the Ashes have draw written all over them this year, which of course would be a coup for the Tourists.

Here is the forecast for tonight: Kevin Pietersen getting his ton early on and then staying in bat with Cook forever and ever and ever. He'll go into brick wall mode after a few overs, just watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 04 Dec 2010, 10:19
Man, they aren't having to give up Buchholz, Bard, or Ellsbury for Gonzalez.

That is pretty awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 04 Dec 2010, 14:04
Man, they aren't having to give up Buchholz, Bard, or Ellsbury for Gonzalez.

That is pretty awesome.

Ellsbury isn't very good, so San Diego probably got more potential without him since there's no major league player in the deal. I'm a little surprised the Padres didn't demand Buchholz, he overperformed his peripherals last year but he's still under club control for 4 years and that's exactly what the Padres need.

Either way the Pads got completely fleeced. They were going to lose Gonzalez next offseason anyway, but I have to think they could have gotten a better deal than this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 04 Dec 2010, 14:19
Ellsbury can be very good, and I think at some point he will be very good if he stays healthy. He got hurt early last year and for whatever reason never came back, but in 2009 he did hit .301, steal 70 bases, and scored almost 100 runs while playing very solid defense. He's really quite good when he's on, my only qualms are health and that iirc he hired the Great Satan to represent him at some point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Dec 2010, 14:35
while playing very solid defense for a Red Sox outfielder.

FTFY
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 04 Dec 2010, 15:36
Hah. Well played, I suppose, but Manny and Jason Bay aside, the Sox outfield is generally pretty decent in the field. For all his faults, J.D. Drew is a solid fielder, Ellsbury catches everything he gets to which is everything, and makes freakishly athletic plays with some regularity, and whichever minor leaguer is replacing our injured left fielder is at least ok.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Dec 2010, 16:05
My problem with Ellsbury is that I get the impression sometimes that he wouldn't need to make a circus catch at all if he didn't sit back so deep and had better instincts. You really can't get away with that without having a Vlad type cannon that lets you get away with taking an extra second or two on a catch. I don't watch enough Red Sox games to really say definitively though. He certainly is fast though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 04 Dec 2010, 16:40
Australians - Please account for your shoddy fielding thus far in the Ashes. You've all caught balls before, I've seen it many times.

I have no idea what the deal is with the Australian cricket team is behind the scenes but the brilliant fielding they were known for until so recently was obviously a result of endless training, because frankly that's the only way to build up that kind of uniform skill level. So I can only assume that the training regime had changed dramatically, and catastrophically. The fielding's actually been declining for several seasons now.

It's kind of hilarious watching the Australians being so inept, not least because one-eyed Australian cricket fans are so obnoxious and give the rest of the country such a bad name and almost single-handedly allow the English in particular to perpetuate myopic and outdated national stereotypes and so seeing them suffer is a rare delight for those of us with a less jingoistic understanding of what it means to be an Australian.

As far as the decline of the Australian cricket team goes, was it ever really going to be any other way? You had, in quick succession, the retirement of the greatest spin bowler ever to play the game, one of the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era, one of the greatest wicket keeper-batsmen the game's seen, a pair of openers who in their heyday were simply brutal and could by themselves crush an opposition, etc. Basically half a team's worth of players who'll be talked about for generations to come. Those kind of players, and the skill-set they brought to the team, are irreplaceable.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Dec 2010, 03:44
Ellsbury can be very good, and I think at some point he will be very good if he stays healthy. He got hurt early last year and for whatever reason never came back, but in 2009 he did hit .301, steal 70 bases, and scored almost 100 runs while playing very solid defense. He's really quite good when he's on, my only qualms are health and that iirc he hired the Great Satan to represent him at some point.

Even in 2009 he only OPS'd .770, though. The vast majority of his hits are singles, and he doesn't draw walks well either. He is really fast, I'll grant that. Buchholz would have been more valuable to the Padres, but it doesn't matter because they didn't get either of them. Three prospects for one of the best players in baseball is pretty absurd, I'm not sure if the trade would have been fair even if the Sox had thrown in Buchholz.

Still, he's not going to play the Giants 18 times a year now, so it could be worse.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Dec 2010, 07:52
Man, they aren't having to give up Buchholz, Bard, or Ellsbury for Gonzalez.

That is pretty awesome.

The fact that the Sox keeping Bard makes me so, so very happy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 05 Dec 2010, 11:26
OPS is a misleading stat for someone like Ellsbury though, because he's such a prolific base-stealer. All those singles he gets? Half the time those turn into doubles and triples within a few pitches. The dude is a very good baseball player.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Dec 2010, 13:52
Interesting thread - go from discussion of the Ashes in one post to a commentary on the Red Sox lineup in the next.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Dec 2010, 14:40
OPS is a misleading stat for someone like Ellsbury though, because he's such a prolific base-stealer. All those singles he gets? Half the time those turn into doubles and triples within a few pitches. The dude is a very good baseball player.

Except for the 15% of the time he gets caught stealing and those singles become outs? He's a legitimate big league centerfielder, which has value, but is massively overrated. (And that's even using his 2009 percentage, his career number is lower)

Back on the original subject, the deal has apparently fallen through because A-Gon and the Sox couldn't work out a contract extension, and on top of that Jayson Werth just signed a comically oversized contract with the Nationals. Ouch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 05 Dec 2010, 14:45
ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Dec 2010, 17:21
Aaaaaaaaaaaand now the deal's apparently back on, supposedly it will be announced tomorrow morning. Werth's still off the table for Boston though, and the Angels are going to go all in for Crawford so I don't know if they're going to get anybody else. I suppose they could resign Beltre but then where would they play Youk?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 05 Dec 2010, 17:57
Left field! He's totally played left field before. It can still happen! Maybe...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Dec 2010, 08:44
Interesting thread - go from discussion of the Ashes in one post to a commentary on the Red Sox lineup in the next.

Tiny little miniscule sports trophies, who cares.

I mean seriously. I've seen highlights of the Ashes. I could put that fucker in my pocket.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Dec 2010, 08:48
Is it really any better than a trophy which is nearly as tall as me?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Dec 2010, 08:51
Dude, it's all about big flashy trophies.

I stood near the Stanley Cup once. Not only is it big, it is EXTREMELY shiny.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 06 Dec 2010, 09:11
Man it's got nothing to do with the trophy at all.

It's all about sticking it to the poms.











 :-(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Dec 2010, 09:12
Dude, it's all about big flashy trophies.

I stood near the Stanley Cup once. Not only is it big, it is EXTREMELY shiny.

Yo

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs713.snc4/63303_452972407528_741252528_5450258_2194396_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Dec 2010, 09:16
Pictures do not do the shinyness justice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Dec 2010, 11:23
Well there was the other photo we took with the flash, but I'm trying not to blind the entire forum.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Dec 2010, 11:24
It's like they polished it, and then polished the top layer of polish.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 06 Dec 2010, 22:21
Hahaha oh man that was glorious. Suck it, Mark Sanchez. Suck it long, suck it hard.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Dec 2010, 06:47
Pictures do not do the shinyness justice.
No they do not.

When you're in its presence... you get shivers.

Not bad for a 117-year old 42-guinea silver cup.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Dec 2010, 09:40
Hahaha oh man that was glorious. Suck it, Mark Sanchez. Suck it long, suck it hard.

I actually got tired of trash-talking my friend that likes the Jets in the third. It was getting too embarrassing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Dec 2010, 15:56
Manchester United topped their Champions League group with a 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Worth noting because infamous waste of money Anderson scored his second goal for the club. It's only taken him 108 games to score that many.

Also worth noting because United would have been the first team to ever go through the group stages without conceding a goal, but Sir Alex started 20-year-old Ben Amos in net.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Dec 2010, 05:45
Triple postin' cos did we forget about this thread OR DID THE RED SOX JUST SIGN CARL CRAWFORD?!?!?!?!?!??!??!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 09 Dec 2010, 05:46
The main thing is the lakers almost lost to the fuccin clippers last night, which is just not okay.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2010, 06:29
Okay, I'm serious about this now: Selig needs to realign the American League into four divisions:

AL East: Baltimore, Toronto, Tampa, Cleveland
AL Central: Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, Kansas City
AL West: LA-Anaheim, Oakland, Texas, Seattle
AL North: Yankees, Red Sox.

That way, they can slug each other out for their division title.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Dec 2010, 07:13
Your new AL East is the most weak-ass baseball division in history. If only you could put the Pirates in there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 09 Dec 2010, 07:31
Hey now its no NL West. Or Central.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KickThatBathProf on 09 Dec 2010, 08:31
Your new AL East is the most weak-ass baseball division in history. If only you could put the Pirates in there.

Or switch tampa with kansas city
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 09 Dec 2010, 14:24
Hey now its no NL West. Or Central.

The NL West was the best division in baseball besides the AL East last season, though. It was the only division where 3 teams were viable playoff contenders at the beginning of September, not to mention being the division of the team that ended up winning the World Series. Even though the Padres have been full-on dismantled over the offseason it's still better than either Central division and probably the AL West as well. Doesn't change the fact that the current divisional setup really fucks over Tampa and especially Toronto. One of them should probably get moved to the West, maybe the Blue Jays?

Also, Carl Crawford is good but definitely not good enough to become the highest paid outfielder ever, and that contract is going to be really bad by the end of it when he's in his mid-30s, or at least it would be if Boston didn't have more money than everyone except the Yankees. The Sox will be really really good this upcoming season though, even if some of their pitchers regress which their peripherals indicate they probably will.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2010, 15:15
1. It would give the other 12 teams in the AL a better chance at actually making the playoffs.
2. It would mean that, in a three-round playoff (DS, CS, WS) ONE of those two teams would not make the playoffs every year.
3. It would give Fox, ESPN and any other national broadcaster of MLB ratings GOLD by guaranteeing three times the number of Yankees-Red Sox games every year.
4. It would give MLB justification to go to four divisions in the NL as well.

Yes, I've already thought that one out, too:
NL South: Atlanta, Florida, Washington, Houston
NL North: Colorado, Chicago, Milwaukee, Saint Louis
NL East: New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
NL West: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Arizona
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 09 Dec 2010, 17:59
It doesn't help that the Red Sox now have competent management for a change, though. With the spiraling increase of MLB free agent contracts (after Lee signs this week, there will be 3 120+ million contracts this offseason alone, all on players with substantial risks to their future performance), even the luxury tax isn't really enforcing competitive balance very well. The draft pick compensation system is also really easy to abuse, and some teams (including the Red Sox, coincidentally) have figured that out more quickly than others.

The only real losers in the current alignment are Tampa and Toronto, Baltimore is so bad they'd be bottom feeders in any division. Tampa isn't going to have lightning strike twice like they did from 2008 until last year, they're hemorrhaging players and they don't have the same volume of minor league talent they did to set up this run in the first place. However, that doesn't mean creating a 2-team division is in any way a good idea. I still think the best way to 'fix' the AL East is to swap Texas and Toronto. Texas is big enough under Ryan and Greenberg that they could meaningfully compete and the AL West is weak enough that putting the Blue Jays there could give any team in that division a reasonable chance of reaching the postseason within the next few seasons except for maybe the Mariners. Tampa still gets screwed but I don't see where they could be moved that wouldn't be terrible for them. Maybe if they swapped with the White Sox in the Central but even that's kinda sketchy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2010, 05:43
All the money in NY and BOS just mean that if they make a mistake, they don't feel it as much as the other 28 teams would.

For example: say the Rangers sign Cliff Lee to a long five-year, Umpteen Million dollar deal - and then, in year two, he blows his arm out. That's going to hurt them in years three through five, to where they probably won't be able to compete. And THAT is going to hurt them in the long run.

Now, say the Sawx sign Cliffy to that same deal, and the same injury happens. Henry and company shrug, write it off as "operating expenses", and go after the next big FA to compensate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Dec 2010, 05:50
Still, Tampa Bay won their division for the second time in three years. There's arguably more of a spread between the teams than any other sport I can immediately think of.

The Tampa of 2011 will be nowhere as good as the Tampa of the past 4 years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 10 Dec 2010, 06:31
Except the point is there are rarely valleys for teams like the sawwwx and the yaaaanks because they are the ones causing the valleys for the teams like Tampa and Oakland, by signing away all of their talent as soon as their contracts are up. Smaller organizations can still draft and develop talent, they just have a limited capacity to keep it because they don't all have a bajillion dollars to spend to keep Carl Crawford or Jason Giambi (once upon a time) or Mark Texeira etc etc.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2010, 07:14
It would be like Man U and Chelsea signing talent on other EPL squads as soon as they did something good, like win the UEFA Champions League
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Dec 2010, 07:45
Not to mention everyone United's picked up from Leeds. Cantona, Ferdinand, Alan Smith's hair..
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 10 Dec 2010, 08:36
Salary caps are a pretty good idea, guys
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Dec 2010, 08:53
Spare a thought for say, Southampton FC or West Ham United FC, both of whom have brought through an astonishing number of great British footballers over the last twenty years and have won absolutely nothing.

Imagining Gareth Bale wallowing away in the Championship is a frightening thought.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Dec 2010, 09:17
Even worse!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2010, 14:34
Salary caps are a pretty good idea, guys

...that don't work because of one overriding theme in professional sports:

There's no honor among thieves.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 10 Dec 2010, 23:49
If you're going to have a salary cap then you also need to build in allowances for teams that put years into developing star players who they then can't keep because those playes' market worth becomes too high to allow them to be kept under the salary cap. This was the major problem that the Melbourne Storm had this season in the National Rugby League (for those outside Australia, the Storm have been the best team for the last five years or so, but this year it was discovered that for much of that time they'd been massively exceeding the salary cap and cooking the books to disguise the excess player payments; they were stripped of the two premierships they've won in the last three years and were effectively kicked out of the competition for the 2010 season). The Storm's main problem was that were trying to hold onto too many superstar players - but the majority of them, such as Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, and Greg Inglis, were all Storm career-long Storm players who became too expensive for the Storm to keep under the salary cap, because the Storm had made them into such good players. The team I follow, the Canberra Raiders, has a long and proud history of player development and the competition is filled with excellent players who were developed by Canberra. Canberra now has the best young team in the competition (the oldest player in their backline is in his mid-twenties) and it's easy to see them struggling to hold onto the full team in a few years - even though they were all discovered and developed by the Raiders. The salary cap has good intentions but its implementation is rarely fair.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 11 Dec 2010, 00:26
If you're going to have a salary cap then you also need to build in allowances for teams that put years into developing star players who they then can't keep because those playes' market worth becomes too high to allow them to be kept under the salary cap.

That's really only important if you consider letting teams amass talent unfettered to be a goal. I don't. I'd rather have a system that occasionally shortchanges a team that has developed plenty of talent-- if you have so much talent, you should be fine after losing a player or two, after all, unless you are egregiously overpaying them due to incompetent scouts-- than set up a system that rewards teams for raiding what little talent small market teams already have. For example, the combination of market forces and a cheapskate owner once led to the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise unceremoniously ditching anyone on the team who made over a million dollars a season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 11 Dec 2010, 02:40
Could someone please explain the whole College Football Thing to me ... because I don't get it. There's a bowl selection thing going on behind me and they're talking about computers and rankings and provisional places and ... I don't know, don't the teams with the most points at the end of a season play each other in some sort of super sugar bowl thing? Why the difficulties?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 11 Dec 2010, 03:54
That's really only important if you consider letting teams amass talent unfettered to be a goal. I don't. I'd rather have a system that occasionally shortchanges a team that has developed plenty of talent-- if you have so much talent, you should be fine after losing a player or two, after all, unless you are egregiously overpaying them due to incompetent scouts-- than set up a system that rewards teams for raiding what little talent small market teams already have. For example, the combination of market forces and a cheapskate owner once led to the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise unceremoniously ditching anyone on the team who made over a million dollars a season.

I don't know how it is in the US, but in Australia there's basically zero incentive to develop talent. I don't really follow the Australian Football League so I don't know how the salary cap works in that competition, but the clubs in the National Rugby League that do develop talent do so pretty much purely because of an entrenched culture - certainly not because it's the best way to build a succesful team. Consequently the National Rugby League is divided very starkly between "development" teams, and teams which identify talent in other clubs and poach it. Rugby League is a sport with such specalised positions that having an abundance of talent doesn't really come into it - the loss of a star half-back or five-eighth or prop is going to cripple a team regardless of how many other good players it has in other positions. Furthermore, Australia just doesn't have the population that the US has - so the player base is massively smaller, and there just isn't as much talent around, so it's much more difficult for teams to cover the loss of talented players - and yet that loss is forced on teams because of the salary cap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Dec 2010, 05:41
Could someone please explain the whole College Football Thing to me ... because I don't get it. There's a bowl selection thing going on behind me and they're talking about computers and rankings and provisional places and ... I don't know, don't the teams with the most points at the end of a season play each other in some sort of super sugar bowl thing? Why the difficulties?
The BCS division is a result of evolution, ennui and money.

Every other Division of NCAA Men's football features a championship (I-FCS, II, and III) that involves brackets and seedings.

The BCS (what was formerly known as Division I-A) decided to make agreements with a series of bowl committees to host games. These games were more-or-less post-season "exhibition" games; however, as the years went on, these games become cash cows - especially for cable networks like ESPN (who, by the way, will be broadcasting about three-fourths of all the bowl games this season). Money begat sponsorships, which begat more money, which begat jockeying for position for better teams and better games.

Unfortunately, prior to the BCS system, there rarely was a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2. This was because a handful of the bowl committees had agreements between two conferences to have their champions play each other in their bowl game. For example, the Pac Ten and the Big Ten sent their champions to Pasadena every January for the Rose Bowl.

Then, after a great deal of cajoling, begging, pleading (and some would argue bribery), the four main bowls of the BCS (Rose, Orange, Sugar and Fiesta) agreed to host a national championship game between the teams adjudged to be #1 and #2 under the BCS ranking system.

The system has been tweaked, overhauled and derided over the years, but it has (arguably) done its job of producing a number 1 vs. number 2 matchup.

The only problem is, teams like TCU, Boise State, Hawaii and Utah have been on the outside looking in for the championship game. And it is they and their conferences (the "non-automatic-qualifiers" in the WAC, Mid-American, Conference USA, Mountain West and Sun Belt) that are crying long and hard for a playoff.

This has caused congressional hearings, long and loud arguments, and everything else. However, no one wants to change the bowl system as it stands because - wait for it - there's too much money involved.

Personally, I don't see a problem with a formal playoff, and I think just about any college football fan wants a playoff. The thing is that such a playoff would be taken out of the hands of the BCS people and given to the NCAA itself (due to NCAA rules governing sports played under its auspices) - and guess who would get the lion's share of the money from that?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Dec 2010, 07:10
super sugar bowl thing

If college football had one bowl game instead of like 35, and this was it, I'd watch more college football.

But only if it is the "Super Sugar Bowl Thing".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 11 Dec 2010, 17:13
Bears - Patriots tomorrow.

This is gonna be ugly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 11 Dec 2010, 18:46
I hope so! I need something to cheer me up after the funeral, watching Jay Cutler throw 30 interceptions should do it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Dec 2010, 19:23
"Only" 30?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 12 Dec 2010, 01:19
Could someone please explain the whole College Football Thing to me ... because I don't get it. There's a bowl selection thing going on behind me and they're talking about computers and rankings and provisional places and ... I don't know, don't the teams with the most points at the end of a season play each other in some sort of super sugar bowl thing? Why the difficulties?
The BCS division is a result of evolution, ennui and money.

[...]

Well done, sir! I thought for a moment of replying to the question, but I was sure I'd have at least a 5-page essay by the time I was done, so I didn't.

What I like is their excuse that it would be to rough on the "student athletes" to play the extra playoff games. But of course, that's exactly what they do in division II and III football, where the players really are primarily students first.

If they seeded 16 teams, you'd definitely have all the legitimate contenders for a title included, and you'd also have 15 games that really did mean something rather than 1 game that does, and 29+ games that don't. This also wouldn't preclude having invitational bowl games for the rest of the schools to potentially go to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 12 Dec 2010, 01:27
Thank you for the explanation. It definitely helps me understand what's going on there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Dec 2010, 15:16
Yeah, the "student athlete" thing doesn't quite fly when my UW-Whitewater Warhawks played FIVE playoff games (including one this weekend, during the middle of finals) to get to the Stagg Bowl.

By the way: the Division III championship is the only one of the three title games to be known as a "Bowl". The I-FBS and II games are simply Championship games.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Dec 2010, 15:18
Oh, and did anyone catch the video of the Metrodome's collapse? I agree with the Fox announcers' statement: James Cameron couldn't have done better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh5iE5FA84g&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Dec 2010, 15:59
Cutler: 12 of 26, 152 yards, 2 sacks, no touches, two picks and a fumble lost.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Dec 2010, 16:11
At least the Lions beat the Packers!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Dec 2010, 17:02
At least the Lions beat the Packers!

Thhbbbpht.  :-P
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 12 Dec 2010, 18:09
Man that was awesome. This is sort of worrying me though, because it's starting to feel like the '07 Pats again, so I'm refusing to be too optimistic. Kinda hard to keep that up when they're consistently beating good teams by 30 points though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Dec 2010, 23:45
OK, I'm a die-hard Chicago fan and all, but if you're under the impression that we're a good team, you're very mistaken.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 12 Dec 2010, 23:49
Better than most other NFL teams!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 12 Dec 2010, 23:55
Have you seen our schedule this year?

And half of those games we've won because the other team were incapacitated with injuries (Miami, Philadelphia), self-destructed with penalties (Green Bay), or the officials blew calls (Detroit 2x).

Take those out and who else have we won against? Dallas, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota.

 :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2010, 06:36
Last team to lose in the Central wins the division?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Dec 2010, 13:25
Have you seen our schedule this year?

And half of those games we've won because the other team were incapacitated with injuries (Miami, Philadelphia), self-destructed with penalties (Green Bay), or the officials blew calls (Detroit 2x).

Take those out and who else have we won against? Dallas, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota.

 :|

Yeah, it's more accurate to say that the Bears are better than a lot of NFC teams, which isn't really the same thing as being particularly good. Everything is breaking Chicago's way this year, since the Vikings and Cowboys are a couple of really talented teams that blatantly quit on their coaches after a bad off-season and are only now somewhat frisky now that their coaches were fired-- that's two division winners up in smoke right there. But more than anything, the big thing is that the NFC West is pretty much the turd in the NFL's punch bowl. This means that someone from the Giants/Packers/Saints group (Probably the Packers, and they are very likely a top 3 team in the conference and have given up the least points in the NFL) will end up missing the playoffs despite the fact that I wouldn't trust the Bears in a showdown with any of them. Basically, I'd say that the Bears are probably better than a bit over half of the teams in the league. Once you factor in the schedules I'm not even sure that they're better than the Dolphins, since they caught Miami just as they were stuck starting Tyler Thigpen at QB. It's been that kind of year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 13 Dec 2010, 14:11
Have you seen our schedule this year?

And half of those games we've won because the other team were incapacitated with injuries (Miami, Philadelphia), self-destructed with penalties (Green Bay), or the officials blew calls (Detroit 2x).

Take those out and who else have we won against? Dallas, Buffalo, Carolina, Minnesota.

 :|

Meh, isn't that true for every team? Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get screwed by an official?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2010, 18:25
The streak is over.

The Favrepocalypse has ended.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Dec 2010, 20:28
Meh, isn't that true for every team? Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get screwed by an official?

It sounds nice, but in practice you'll still end up with some teams getting the short end of the stick. The season is simply too short and the margin of error too small in football to really claim that these things always even out from year to year or that all penalties are created equal. It's pretty fair to say that officiating helped the Bears to a win against the Lions and a no call on face masking helped the Packers lose to the Cardinals in overtime. That's effectively a 3 game swing given the way division and conference records are factored into tiebreakers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2010, 21:20
Good teams overcome bad officiating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Dec 2010, 21:22
You're a Steelers fan, aren't you? (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5444048)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2010, 21:55
No. I'm a Milwaukee Admirals fan. The Head Coach of our team when we won the Calder Cup in 2004 made that comment frequently during our championship run.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 13 Dec 2010, 23:23
Fuck the Phillies. They are officially the Yankees of the National League now, Jesus Christ.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2010, 23:46
I dunno... I'd rather lose to the Phillies than the Yankees, Red Sox or Cubs, personally.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Dec 2010, 04:11
...I don't think the Cubs are going to be gunning for a championship any time soon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Dec 2010, 06:09
...I don't think the Cubs are going to be gunning for a championship any time soon.

We can only hope.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Dec 2010, 06:50
...I don't think the Cubs are going to be gunning for a championship any time soon.

But they just spent all that money on a first baseman that can't even hit .200! Of course they'll win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 14 Dec 2010, 09:49
Good teams overcome bad officiating.

That always hit me as one of the most brainless platitudes ever. Good teams will tend to come out on top over bad teams all things being equal. That's really, really obvious. But to act like referees can't swing games is just non-sensical. Just ask the Sacramento Kings or the Suns.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Dec 2010, 14:38
It's more or less a way for a coach to keep his team calm and focused on the task at hand, instead of on things they can't control.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 14 Dec 2010, 20:33
Which is fine, but completely irrelevant because we've already established that bad officiating can turn games (and seasons) around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Dec 2010, 22:17
I have two words to say regarding bad officiating and its meaningful impact on sports:

Tuck rule.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Dec 2010, 05:52
I bought a Chicharito jersey today!

(because this site had Mexican away shirts for like half off and I can't afford a United shirt right now..)

Oh, yeah. Actual sports. United gave Anderson a four-year extension, which makes no sense to me.

By the time this contract expires in 2015, maybe he'll have scored 4 goals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 15 Dec 2010, 12:35
So the Flyers put an end to the Penguins 12 game winning streak during which the strongest team they beat was the Lightning yet of course you'd think that they beat the top 6 teams twice from all the adulation they got and yet the main stories are still all about the fucking Penguins.

In summary: Fuck you Penguins. Fuck you NHL. Sidney Crosby can suck a dick.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Dec 2010, 12:52
Tuck rule.


It was almost like the NFL felt so bad about how the MLB handled Knoblauch's Phantom Tag that they needed to intervene lest the people of Massachusetts' started flinging themselves into the ocean.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 15 Dec 2010, 19:32
In summary: Fuck you Penguins. Fuck you NHL. Sidney Crosby can suck a dick.

YESSSSSSSSS

And they got beat by my Rangers tonight, 4-1.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Armadillo on 15 Dec 2010, 23:01
News update: Our stadium imploded from an overload of white, solid water, and the local team's going to play their next game outside.  At night.  In Minnesota.  In December.

Since I'm a Minnesotan, and therefore clinically insane, I'm actually trying to get tickets to that!  Parkas (and flasks) for all!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Dec 2010, 05:09
I hope they show that game over here! I love snow games. Enjoyed the latest patriot outing no end!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 16 Dec 2010, 12:39
It's just too bad that the Vikings will be starting either a rookie or a free agent at QB. I love the concept, but it doesn't look to be much of a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 16 Dec 2010, 14:08
But it might very well be our last win of the season! Woo!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Dec 2010, 15:30
What could be better than see grown men slipping and sliding and drowning in snow, ice and sleet during a football game whilst consuming ridiculous amounts of scotch?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2010, 16:04
...I'm pretty sure that's not what they put in the Gatorade jugs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Dec 2010, 00:50
It was, I concede, a poorly worded sentence. I shall be drinking the scotch whilst watching the football on TV.

Though your remark kinda makes me wish that it was them who, you know, got drunk. It won't really impact the Viking's season anymore anyway ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Dec 2010, 07:17
I know, it was just that you set it up so perfectly, I had to take the shot. ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 17 Dec 2010, 20:13
Hey Tommy, Leeds vs. QPR today! QPR still clear on top of the table but coming off the back of their first loss for the season. As someone who actually gets a chance to watch these games, do you have any thoughts?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Dec 2010, 07:12
I know they're prone to collapse in weather like this, but hey England, domes?

If the only game I watch this weekend is Bolton v. Sunderland, I will be thoroughly disappointed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Dec 2010, 17:00
Dear Auburn and Oregon:

That glass football's nice, but we've got a REAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY!

GO WHITEWATER WARHAWKS! TWO THREE-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! (http://www.centredaily.com/2010/12/18/2410534/coppage-leads-wis-whitewater-to.html)

(http://media.jsonline.com/images/600*361/ap-division-iii-championship-football.jpg)

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 19 Dec 2010, 16:16
Zack Greinke traded to... Milwaukee?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2010, 16:31
Zack Greinke traded to... Milwaukee?

Sorry, what? I'm still in shock.

EDIT: This is about the biggest trade in team history since... well, the Fingers/Simmons trade back in 1981.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 19 Dec 2010, 16:41
Quote
The Warhawks completed their second straight 15-0 season, and won their third national championship in four years. They are 57-3 in Lance Leipold's four seasons as coach.

jesus fuck
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2010, 17:22
No, sorry, he didn't make the team ;)

This was the sixth straight time we played Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl, which is a record in and of itself (no other team had even appeared in the D3 Championship by itself six times in a row). We've split with the Purple Raiders, though we've obviously won the last two of three and three out of the last four.

Oh, and Lance and I were classmates back in the mid-1980's. :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 19 Dec 2010, 18:05
I started No Show Moreno instead of Ray Rice in my fantasy football playoff game.
 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 19 Dec 2010, 18:15
Vikings punter thinks that the condition of TCF field is so bad that he expects a real train wreck. I dunno what to say about that since I don't know how much more (if any) thawing of the field can be done between now and monday night, but I do find it funny/sad how many internet tough guys have already committed to the "YOU'RE A PUNTER SO SHUT UP" retort.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2010, 18:20
I shoulda started Woodhead as my WR instead of Welker... I think.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Dec 2010, 08:49
Always go with Woodhead, always.

Never doubt Woodhead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Dec 2010, 14:01
That poor, poor family.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2010, 17:20
I'm up nine points going into tonight's game at TCFB. She has Cutler and Hester going for her; I have Ryan Longwell. I'd feel better about this game if it was indoors.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 20 Dec 2010, 17:39
I'm 2 points behind in mine with only my Longwell playing.=/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Dec 2010, 21:35
Division champs! Bears-Pats super bowl, book it, done.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Dec 2010, 21:41
I really do hope they make the superbowl. I wouldn't be able to wager against them fast enough.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Dec 2010, 21:57
Is it bad that I've got my hopes up now? But really, the NFC is so balls-awful that I can actually see it plausibly happening.

We'll get slaughtered in the 'Bowl, no matter who the AFC sends after us, but really, if we can grab home field advantage, the road there should be relatively cake.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Dec 2010, 22:10
also

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs032.snc6/166286_10150108382851613_664321612_7551835_5500528_n.jpg)

he's like a kid out there!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Dec 2010, 01:42
The Eagles could put up a pretty good fight considering that Vick can actually throw the ball now.

Kinda weird that it took going to prison to fix that aspect of his game, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 21 Dec 2010, 01:42
Also the Falcons are pretty good, forgot about them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 21 Dec 2010, 01:53
Yeah, but none of the teams in the NFC playoff race are intimidatingly unbeatable. We dispatched the Eagles, somehow with relative ease, and the Falcons are good but not incredible.

Then again, Seattle's in the hunt and we lost to them earlier this year.

Parity strikes again!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Dec 2010, 16:41
I doubt the Bears will make it out of the first round or past the first game.

If they win the SB, I'll eat my hat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Dec 2010, 16:47
Yeah, but none of the teams in the NFC playoff race are intimidatingly unbeatable. We dispatched the Eagles, somehow with relative ease, and the Falcons are good but not incredible.

Then again, Seattle's in the hunt and we lost to them earlier this year.

Parity strikes again!

A point to consider: what if the refs had called that TD in the first game vs. Lions correctly?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 23 Dec 2010, 23:57
Yo fuck the Spurs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Dec 2010, 03:17
As an aside from ball related sports, here's a video of the National Trophy cyclocross race in Bradford (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXRuptx0Mm8) this year, which shows some of the carnage that took place. I'm one of the people stood on the hill pointing and laughing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Dec 2010, 03:39
Dear Santa,

Thanks for the early Christmas present. Now, can we do something about good health for 2011 and Prince Fielder's contract situation?

Sincerely,
True Blue Brew Crew Fans
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 25 Dec 2010, 22:21
God dammit bulls lose, lakers lose, at least the thunder pulled it out, ilu so much Durant!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Dec 2010, 17:22
It's too bad for the Lakers that the West is so loaded. If they could pull a Boston and just roll over for a while without really hurting their standings it'd probably do them a world of good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Dec 2010, 03:02
Speaking of which, I need to adopt a basketball team because I'm playing NBA Jam and the Warriors suck. All I do is play Stephen Curry and steal/shoot 3 pointers. Who's good but isn't the Lakers or Heat? Right now I'm leaning towards the Celtics or Magic because they're the hardest teams I've faced so far except the Heat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Dec 2010, 06:26
Bears top the Jets, and now we're one win away from sweeping the division. This is getting nuts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Dec 2010, 07:01
Don't hold your breath.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 27 Dec 2010, 12:47
It's too bad for the Lakers that the West is so loaded. If they could pull a Boston and just roll over for a while without really hurting their standings it'd probably do them a world of good.

I'd agree with that except they haven't played most of the really strong teams in the west and lost to the fucking BUCKS by 19 the other night.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 27 Dec 2010, 13:54
Don't hold your breath.

My expectations are so low they may as well be a carpet.


That being said, we made it to the Bowl with Rex Grossman.

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs213.ash2/47587_1227440177907_1586130718_31003208_1296469_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 27 Dec 2010, 16:35
Patriots unstoppable, that and more tonight on 60 minutes!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Dec 2010, 18:17
I'd agree with that except they haven't played most of the really strong teams in the west and lost to the fucking BUCKS by 19 the other night.

Kobe clearly isn't the kind of player who would cope well with putting the team on autopilot for a while anyway. I can't imagine him putting up with a few weeks of "How much has Kobe has slipped?" or "Resting Kobe is killing the Lakers" stories without going ballistic and trying to put up 50 on everyone. And I mean that as a compliment.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Dec 2010, 13:50
Fuck the whole city of Birmingham. Villa basically bow down and let Ciddy take the top of the table, and now BCFC get a late equalizer to steal 2 points from United.

FUCK EM.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 28 Dec 2010, 15:45
(http://i.imgur.com/PQPM5.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Dec 2010, 17:57
Don't hold your breath.

My expectations are so low they may as well be a carpet.


That being said, we made it to the Bowl with Rex Grossman.

(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs213.ash2/47587_1227440177907_1586130718_31003208_1296469_n.jpg)

I have to hate. It's required of me as a member of Cheesehead Nation.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: squawk on 28 Dec 2010, 20:19
Ah, Spurs. Destroyed Kobe and the Lakers tonight. DEFENSE! OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS! AWESOME TEAM BASKETBALL! Spurs had all of this, the Lakers had none.

Today is a good day

27-4!!!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 28 Dec 2010, 21:22
I really just do not understand what is going on with LA right now. Like this is 3 terrible games in a row. What the fuck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: squawk on 28 Dec 2010, 21:34
Yeah it's definitely out of character, but I like it anyway :PPPPP
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 28 Dec 2010, 23:33
England retained the Ashes, though I suspect it will be through a draw.

You mean a drawn series? I honestly don't know what you're basing that on. Both the tests England have won so far have been won by an innings and a shitload of runs. A healthy proportion of their batsmen have been in terrific form all tour - by contrast even the one match that Australia have won so far was marked by the persistent failure of their top order. The only test remaining in the series is being played at the traditionally spin-friendly SCG and Australia have so far shown an extraordinary reluctance to pick Nathan Hauritz, who has plenty of experience at test level and who is arguably the best spinner in the country; meanwhile Graeme Swann has been one of the form bowlers of the series so far for England.

I can see a draw maybe because a draw's always a possibility in test cricket but an Australian win must be incredibly long odds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 29 Dec 2010, 15:42
Playing for pride still requires a modicum of intelligence about the game, though, which is something this Australian side has conspicuously lacked.

Plus I think the English team will really want to win the Ashes. England have such a poor record here in recent years and to go down in history as the team that beat Australia 3-1 or 2-1 on their home turf after a quarter of a century of disappointment will be a pretty strong motivator, I think.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 29 Dec 2010, 15:52
The English captain said exactly that in a radio interview I heard.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Dec 2010, 07:27
Plus I think the English team will really want to win the Ashes.

Quote from: that one American football coach a few years ago
You play to WIN the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Dec 2010, 17:34
That would be the great Herm Edwards - he of the Original Miracle at the Meadowlands.

Meanwhile, can we all agree this was the Year of the Officiating Mistake? That stupid ref flagging the K-State receiver for "excessive celebration" for saluting the fans in the stands essentially cost them the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 04 Jan 2011, 09:36
So the votes are in for the six fan-voted players for the NHL All-Stars game: Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Marc Fleury, Toews and Duncan Keith. Four Penguins and two Blackhawks. Snooooooooze. Why the fuck would you pick guys like Crosby and Toews who are gonna be in the game no matter what?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Jan 2011, 09:52
Yeah, I've given up on expecting anything reasonable at all from the NHL. However, this year the NHL have really outdone themselves in terms of stupidity with a Winter Classic with expected horrible weather conditions still going ahead, featuring the same 2 teams that they shove down everybody's throat at all opportunity; the new NHL Guardians (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=259644&id=61652252465) which is some utter dogshit and the ridiculous new voting system for the All-Star game which has now churned out the same tired crap that they've been peddling since crybaby Cindy joined the NHL.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 2 PLAYERS IN THE NHL, WHAT THE FUCK GUYS? ARGHHHHHHH
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Jan 2011, 10:05
I think ESPN finally realized that there are NHL teams besides the Pens and Caps last night. I saw highlights of the Bruins-Leafs and Sharks-Canucks games on SportsCenter!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Jan 2011, 10:25
Holy crap! Good for ESPN. Shame there were no highlights of the Sabres - Bruins game though, that was insane.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Jan 2011, 13:55
Woo, Chicharito scores again!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Jan 2011, 15:46
I, for one, welcome our new Guardian hockey overlords.  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 05 Jan 2011, 16:08
It's only one hour into day 3 of the fifth test in the Ashes but it's obvious that it's either going to be a draw or an English win. God, this Australian team is hopeless - you think they're batting's crap and then they start bowling. In fact this is like watching an Ashes match from about ten years ago with the roles reversed. Anyway congratulations to the English team, it would have been an absolute farce if Australia had managed to somehow get a tied series because the English team has been so clearly superior in every aspect of the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 05 Jan 2011, 17:14
Woo, Chicharito scores again!

I can’t believe Man Utd a still unbeaten, haven´t exactly been playing like champions. I guess you don´t have to when Chelsea are playing like they are.
Meanwhile Liverpool keep on sinking, it used to make me depressed for a day or two when they lost but now it seems i´m hoping that they loose so we can get rid of that twat who´s in charge.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 05 Jan 2011, 19:10
Look at them spurs, losin two in a row. Really okay with this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 05 Jan 2011, 19:30
It's only one hour into day 3 of the fifth test in the Ashes

Oops, day 4. Still, everything else I said still applies - even more so now that England have set their highest score ever in Australia and Watson has again been involved in a ridiculous run-out. Maybe he should just stick to hitting boundaries so he doesn't have to run between the wickets? At least this time he had the good manners to run himself out instead of his partner.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 05 Jan 2011, 22:48
Bowling statistics are far too arcane for me to go into, but one simple batting stat speaks volumes about the gulf between the two teams throughout the series: Australia's batsmen have scored 3 centuries in the series, 2 of which were scored by Hussey, while England's batsmen have scored 9, including double centuries to Cook and to Pietersen.

EDIT: and there's no doubt that England are going to win this match. Australia are seven wickets down in their second innings at the moment and still behind by 188, all the specialist batsmen are out (unless you include Smith, but I don't think anybody would), the umpires have offered the English an extra half hour's play today because the match is so close to finished, and there's still a full day's play to go with the only rain forecast being "isolated showers". And if there's one thing that's obvious from the series so far, it's that Australia's batsmen have neither the skill nor the temprament to block out a whole day's play to salvage a draw.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 06 Jan 2011, 00:35
Baseball Hall of Fame votes were revealed today: Alomar and Blyleven in, Jack Morris stays out.

Congratulations, sportswriters, you are spared my wrath this once. Bagwell only getting 40% is pushing it though, that had better be fixed next year before all the really good candidates come up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Jan 2011, 05:52
Bagwell should be in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Jan 2011, 12:14
(http://cdn.ksk.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/hasselbeckchamps-600x337.jpg)

Fuck yeah, Goldeen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Jan 2011, 12:39
USA, rewarding mediocrity to the very end.

(http://i51.tinypic.com/mimdeg.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 06 Jan 2011, 13:59
Bagwell should be in.

Of course he should. I'm saving all of my righteous fury until Bonds is on the ballot though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 07 Jan 2011, 04:19
Well lookee there, we won the Ashes again. I didn't think that was actually possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Jan 2011, 05:09
Bonds should be first ballot, frankly. Leaving him out won't make PEDs go away and whitewashing the history of the sport just ensures the Hall is some subject that makes sports fans argue once a year rather than some place that'd actually be interesting to visit in its own right.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Jan 2011, 05:50
Woo, Chicharito scores again!

I can’t believe Man Utd a still unbeaten, haven´t exactly been playing like champions.

According to a blog, that chant I couldn't quite make out was "we're shit and we're top of the league". Mwahahahahahahahaha.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Jan 2011, 10:52
I will force you to have babies so I can kill them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 07 Jan 2011, 13:51
Bonds should be first ballot, frankly. Leaving him out won't make PEDs go away and whitewashing the history of the sport just ensures the Hall is some subject that makes sports fans argue once a year rather than some place that'd actually be interesting to visit in its own right.

I said this in a conversation I had with my dad about the Hall of Fame couple days ago: If you don't think Barry Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame you might as well close it now and get it over with. Joe Jackson and Pete Rose are one thing but Barry Bonds is one of the top three players in baseball history and if he doesn't deserve to be in then you can't reasonably induct anybody who retired after 1990.

I realize I'm not entirely unbiased in this matter but there are a ton of reasons why the arguments regarding PED use and the Hall of Fame are a load of BS and not internally consistent. I'd go into them all but I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in this thread who cares.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 07 Jan 2011, 15:52

Here's ten reasons (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/reasons-why-poms-wont-win/story-e6frey50-1225955985591) why England won't win (like we just did).


So you've been reading the Guardian's OBO coverage as well, Tommy? Or has the Daily Telegraph's trademark lunacy and jingoism become reached wider infamy in England now? Tabloids, we got 'em.

Here's a nice piece from the reliably excellent Caught by the River website: http://caughtbytheriver.net/2011/01/makes-you-wonder-if-it%E2%80%99s-worth-winning-it%E2%80%A6/ (http://caughtbytheriver.net/2011/01/makes-you-wonder-if-it%E2%80%99s-worth-winning-it%E2%80%A6/)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Jan 2011, 17:36
I realize I'm not entirely unbiased in this matter but there are a ton of reasons why the arguments regarding PED use and the Hall of Fame are a load of BS and not internally consistent.

Agreed. You pretty much have to call bullshit on the "Museum" claim if you're going to leave out a man who shattered the record books en route to becoming one of the most divisive figures in the history of North American sports.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 04:55
I was sad for a moment because I couldn't find it on FoxSports, but then I realised it was on one of our Free to Air stations (I think), so hopefully all is good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:01
Ok maybe not, because we're 15 mins in apparently, and this thing hasn't started. Fuck you, Australian TV
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Hairy Joe Bob on 08 Jan 2011, 05:07
Arsenal just don't seem to be clicking just yet. I maybe sense an upset! Though now I've said it...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Hairy Joe Bob on 08 Jan 2011, 05:15
Although Arsenal now seem to have stepped up a gear. Playing some lovely stuff. Leeds are making a good account of himselves so far though. And Alex Bruce is the spit of his dad. Same lumbering run, arms pointing out like stubby chicken wings.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:18
Got a stream working.  Huzzah!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:19
Arsenal's defenders really have to stop doing dodgy passes at the back.  I've lost count of how many I've seen this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Jan 2011, 05:27
Ok maybe not, because we're 15 mins in apparently, and this thing hasn't started. Fuck you, Australian TV

Channel 1 (Channel 10's digital sports channel) shows a lot of Arsenal and Liverpool games, however usually two or three days after the fact. Pretty sure Fox Sports has the rights to live Premier League games wrapped up in perpetuity.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:27
What the fuck is Bendtner doing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:30
Wenger please swap Rosicky out for someone who isn't a million years past his due date and also maybe Bendtner for someone who isn't shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:35
Can we please put some robot legs onto Vermaelen or maybe buy a centre back that isn't as inept as he is french?

I mean, Djourou is looking good, but neither Squillaci or Koscielny inspire confidence.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:39
Channel 1 (Channel 10's digital sports channel) shows a lot of Arsenal and Liverpool games, however usually two or three days after the fact.

Yeah, and at least the Arsenal one is wrapped up in an official "Arsenal TV" package of team news to spread it out to 2 hrs.  But, other than the news (which you'd prob already have heard anyway if you were a fan) I don't know why you'd want to watch a game you would almost definintely already know the outcome of.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Gemmwah on 08 Jan 2011, 05:42
Fffffffffffffuuuuuu

I only just tuned in. I hope this is a good match because the score is embarrassing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 08 Jan 2011, 05:45
Couple of heart in mouth moments there. Arshavin royally fluffed up his chance on goal. Leeds are still in this, but with the amount of pressure Arsenal were putting on at the end of the half I'm thinking it's just a matter of time until they score.

Will be gutted if Bruce ends up having to come off as he's been solid at the back so far, but he didn't look good after taking that knock.

1-1, replay at Fortress Elland Road where Leeds will win 1-0.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 08 Jan 2011, 05:49
In other FA cup news, Birmingham have just scored against Millwall. Yay.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:53
Yeah, I really don't understand that either, Tommy.  Bendtner and Chamakh have a lot of the same qualities, they're both tall target men who aren't much chop when they're not directly in front of goals.  I'd probably prefer Vela over Bendtner, especially if we're loaning him out soon.  Got to get some mileage out of him before he goes.

Also: yeah, Leeds are a pretty good unit, I'm definitely not taking this game for granted at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:54
STOP DOING BACKPASSES YOU TWATS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Gemmwah on 08 Jan 2011, 05:57
Okay it's not embarrassing really, but I was expecting either side to have a goal by the end of half time so I'm just calling both teams lazy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 05:57
Things Arsenal should stop doing so much, both in this game and every game:
1. backpasses when the opposition are RIGHT THERE IN THE BOX, JESUS CHRIST
2. Koscielny is not a CDM, and doesn't know how to distribute a ball from midfield
3. playing Rosicky
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 08 Jan 2011, 05:58
 :psyduck:

can't...watch
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Gemmwah on 08 Jan 2011, 05:59
Stupid tackle.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Gemmwah on 08 Jan 2011, 06:01
He didn't even try, it was stupid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:02
He shouldn't have been allowed the space in the first place
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:03
If we look at the replay I bet one of two things (or both!) were happening.  Song was too far upfield to get back to defend 'cos he thinks he's a box to box midfielder instead of a holding.  Squillaci was off doing something really dumb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:05
Ok, so who's our holding midfielder now?  Denilson?  Fuck off.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:09
I am not so sure about Denilson, I would feel a lot more comfortable with Song in his right place, Rosicky off for Fab and Denilson up there with him

and yeah, I was amused when I said Bendtner was crap and he almost scored
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:10
That was a great save.  This guy is very young, already great.  We need him to get more experience asap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:15
I think that so far it's pretty obvious that Wenger did not play the right team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:17
Case in point re: Squillaci and also stupid back passes
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:25
That is one of the reasons why Denilson is not a good holding midfielder.  He doesn't have the right physical presence, so he throws himself into tackles stupidly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:32
Not sure who we are passing to
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:33
Your guys looking very dangerous on the break, over and over again
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:36
Oh thank god
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:39
Great save from Denilson's shot.

I will honestly take a draw & replay at Leeds after this.  We played shockingly and your guys did great in the second half.  I really think Wenger underestimated Leeds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 08 Jan 2011, 06:42

1-1, replay at Fortress Elland Road where Leeds will win 1-0.



Called it. I'm sticking a tenner on Leeds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:46
If a team could win a game 1-1 then Leeds would be laughing right now.  We looked good in the first half, but the second half was pretty much all Leeds until right at the end :(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 06:51
Was an entertaining game, even if the result wasn't what I'd have liked.  Now it's bedtime!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Jan 2011, 08:50
This forum is the new Skype, it seems!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Jan 2011, 09:46
See...uh..

I watched Aston Villa v. Sheffield United.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 08 Jan 2011, 12:38
I don't know why you'd want to watch a game you would almost definintely already know the outcome of.

I do this all the time!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Jan 2011, 17:48
Ha, we all got a bit carried away there.

Ahem,

We're also at the top of the Championship

You sure did!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Jan 2011, 18:23
Sure but given that during my lifetime QPR has been a team of mediocrity and disappointment I'm going to reserve the right to gloat just a little while they're still on top of the league.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Jan 2011, 19:43
Fun fact: when I was living with my grandparents in Surrey in 2003 I went to see QPR play a game at Loftus Road. It was the 2002/03 season and QPR was in the second division, and when I went to see them play they were in the middle of an incredible run of results which saw them go on the the play-off game against Cardiff (which they lost 1-0 - with Cardiff enjoying the possibly not inconsiderable advantage of the game being played at Millenium Stadium, as Wembley was being redeveloped at that time). In the space of 14 games QPR won 10, lost 1, and drew 3 - including one 0-0 all draw at home against Crewe Alexandria in which they had two players sent off.

Which do you think was the game I saw?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Jan 2011, 19:58
Re: the Theo thing, the man isn't the brightest spark.  Waiting for this to come back and bite him now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Jan 2011, 20:30
(http://l14.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc6/hs044.snc6/167424_1232400701917_1586130718_31017028_5073802_n.jpg)

how the hell did this happen?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 08 Jan 2011, 22:17
I didn't bother getting up for that game because I figured it'd be a blowout. What the hell.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Jan 2011, 22:28
Not a clue. I'd like to say something like "Well, they're better at home so..." but that'd be glossing over how they went 7-9 with a -97 regular season point differential. When you suck that bad, you can't really be called a frisky home team. It's really more like they're extra hopeless when on the road.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 09 Jan 2011, 01:07
The 7-9 was strategy to come in under the radar?

Whatever. This game should never have been played at the Seahawks' home field. They just don't deserve the advantage.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 09 Jan 2011, 01:25
Marshawn Lynch confirmed for superman's secret identity
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Jan 2011, 06:06
Meanwhile, the Seattle Freakin' Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints in the AFC Wild Card game.

The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS. They of the losing record division-winning team.

Defeating the DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 09 Jan 2011, 07:31
Ah, I cannot wait for the Jets to come back to Foxborough. This will be a glorious game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 09 Jan 2011, 08:37
Some truly beautiful photos from yesterday in this Guardian slideshow (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery/2011/jan/08/fa-cup-arsenal-leeds-united#/?picture=370410783&index=0).

Howson with Fabregas' shirt after the game -

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i318/tommydski/Howson.jpg)

Lucky to get away with a draw in this one, I thought it was gonna be karmic revenge for laughing so hard at Man Utd last year but I'll take the replay. Should be a crackin' game.

Don't understand why Vela doesn't get more chances, Niklas Bendtner makes Pascal Cygan look like Zidane and should be shot into the centre of the sun.

FA Cup 3rd round weekend is one of the high points of the season, even if most of the 'big' games are shit, it's worth it for comedy results and Steven Gerrard red cards.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 09 Jan 2011, 09:26
Fucking robbed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 09 Jan 2011, 10:35
penalty was ridiculous, red car was harsh but perhaps understandable
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Jan 2011, 00:52
A stunning display of racing in the Cyclocross National Championships in Derby yesterday. Owing to laziness and a gravity/ice related matter I only made it for the last race and a half but well worth it. In the Elites race Paul Oldham got off to a dodgy start and was behind the favourite Ian Field whilst being dogged by Field's team mate Jody Crawforth for the first lap of a tough and complicated course. Oldham managed to find his form in the second lap and soon overhauled Field to develop a lead that he retained to the finish. Field managed to bit of a crash towards the end of the race and ended up cedeing a podium position to Crawforth in second and rising start Liam Killeen. Further back, Veteran Nick Craig, who had a pass to the Elites on the back of winning on Saturday delivered a respectable fifth place against racers who are mostly many years younger. Absolute legend.

All the action was commentated by the dulcet tones of Hugh Porter. You don't get a better Sunday afternoon than that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Jan 2011, 08:48
Fucking robbed.

*whistle*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 10 Jan 2011, 11:14
Bit nervy about the cup tie with Killie tonight. With Miller on the way out we're going to be looking to Lafferty and Beattie to get the goals tonight. To be fair, I thought we'd be guff after Boyd left and it turned out we played better as a team. HOWEVER, I have a bad feeling about tonight. I'm hoping we'll win but I can see it going Kilmarnock's way by a goal. My heart says 2-0 Rangers, my head says 1-2 to Kilmarnock.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 10 Jan 2011, 13:28
Reading you guys' commentary was as close as I got to watching the Arsenal game, although I did manage to foolishly place myself in the London transport network about three hours before kick-off, going the opposite way to the absolute floods. I was literally the only person on the up escaltor, sailing past the down escaltor jammed three people to a step. It was surreal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Jan 2011, 21:37
And the "vacated National Championship" talk begins in three, two, one...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Jan 2011, 06:03
Rob, Rob, Rob! Hey, Rob!

I'm sorry that you lost to Blackpool yesterday, but I will be absolutely giddy when the Bruins beat the Flyers tonight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 Jan 2011, 06:09
Your confidence is commendable, dogg. (Actually the Bruins have been going gangbusters lately so who the fuck knows what's gonna happen)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Jan 2011, 06:12
I hate the Flyers with a personal passion (it is a long story), Dovey.

Even more so since they came from 0-3 down to beat the Bruins in the playoffs last year. That was devastating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 13 Jan 2011, 12:18
Thomas has a great record against the Flyers throughout his career so I'm sure he'll be trying to keep that up but the Flyers have a scoring average of comfortably more than 3 per game so any defense/Goalie are/is going to have trouble keeping them out this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Jan 2011, 12:45
Begeron has a record of scoring 3 in every game*.


*and by that I mean he got his first career hat trick on Tuesday
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Jan 2011, 15:09
The fact that a Bears-Packers NFC Championship game is a possibility is blowing my mind right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 13 Jan 2011, 15:28
Not much of one. I'll be surprised if either of them win this weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 13 Jan 2011, 15:55
Both previous matches were won be a margin of 3 points and the Bears are not the same team they were in the first half of the season. Take out Michael Turner and the Falcons offense falls flat on its face. The Seahawks are an awful (albeit young) team that caught a break against a glitchy Saints offense and a completely injured defense. Both will probably be close games, but I don't think I'll be surprised either way the wins roll.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 13 Jan 2011, 18:10
The thing that annoys me about the Packers is knowing that they're as good as they are despite having 14 people on injured reserve. And that's not counting a couple guys they outright waived. Meanwhile the Bears have largely avoided injuries this year. Hope Cutler doesn't get too attached to that division title.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 13 Jan 2011, 21:52
Apparently the Packers are on the short list of likely suitors for Asomugha too. Getting Aso plus all of their injured guys back would make them pretty fucking tough. I am rooting for the Packers at this point because I'm fucking sick of the Patriots and Jets, I hate Pete Carroll (although I did mildly enjoy the Hawks beating the Saints just because everyone was so convinced NO would stomp them), and because Aaron Rodgers played for Cal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Jan 2011, 05:47
I will be absolutely giddy when the Bruins beat the Flyers tonight.

7-5, boyos (and girlos)!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 14 Jan 2011, 06:00
Australia finally win some cricket.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 14 Jan 2011, 06:24
anyone here interested in the handball world championship? not the most popular sport in the world but my country is one of the best in the world so it´s a very popular sport here
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 14 Jan 2011, 06:28
Not one that i've got into although I've watched some bits and pieces before. I think it's featured on things like Transworld Sport.

Hard to imagine it taking off in these parts, handball is a bit of a dirty word to most sports enthusiasts (enthusiasm oft limited to football).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Jan 2011, 06:31
Hmmm..where's Mari? I seem to remember her being quite the handball fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 14 Jan 2011, 08:12
There was a thread about this on another forum I frequent. I've always tried to catch the coverage of it during the Olympics (I think) because I just wanted to know but I never managed to.

Apparently Australia has a team!
Apparently we have no chance whatsoever of getting anywhere at all, but good on the Australian handball community for stepping up.

EDIT: Man if someone somewhere along the line just misread 'Austria' this is gonna be real embarrassing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 14 Jan 2011, 08:41
I will be absolutely giddy when the Bruins beat the Flyers tonight.

7-5, boyos (and girlos)!

FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKK YOU SHANE
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Jan 2011, 08:43
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, son.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 15 Jan 2011, 06:59
Arsenal losing to Ipswich sure took the shine off our draw at the Emirates. Especially since they were fielding a better team than against Leeds.

I suspect both us and Ipswich will be crushed in the second leg fixtures but I also suspect that Arsenal will be pulverised by Barcelona again.

Nah it's Arsenal mate we'll cock up one of the ties in embarrassing fashion and stroll the other.  Although it's impossible to predict which of the matches will have either outcome so just hope you draw the former.

And Barca is going to be a nightmare yep.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: IrrationalPie on 15 Jan 2011, 07:35
Go Packers!

On a side note :
Living in Wisconsin sucks.  I hate you, snow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Jan 2011, 18:01
 :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck:

Looks like the last team to score tonight in Atlanta will win.

 :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 15 Jan 2011, 20:03
It's fun watching Packers-Falcons and thinking about how Rodgers only made the Pro-bowl as an alternate. Funniest part? He did really well in the fan voting, so it's actually the coaches and his peers that are apparently fuckin' morons.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Blue Kitty on 15 Jan 2011, 20:04
Wings won in over time.  Damn that game was close, and pretty fun to be at.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 15 Jan 2011, 20:05
Both will probably be close games

wat
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 15 Jan 2011, 23:18
Aaron Rodgers rules, I am officially on the Packers bandwagon since they're basically the only tolerable team left since the Steelers won.

I guess I don't care one way or another about the Bears but they don't have ex-Cal guys so that is what is swaying my decision right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 16 Jan 2011, 05:54
I'm pretty much against the Bears right now. It's not really personal, since from a viewing standpoint I much prefer the division be competitive, but they've gotten pretty much every conceivable break they could have this season, which is kind of annoying. Basically, my dream scenario is the Packers making it to the Super Bowl (I care more about being right about teams than about the Pack losing. Barely) only to be absolutely crushed by an AFC team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Jan 2011, 05:59
If the Bears win over Seattle today, new Governor Scott Walker may need to call out the National Guard to protect Wisconsinites at the Illinois border.

Bears vs. Packers for the right to go to the Super Bowl = WAR. Not for the players - for the fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Professor Snuggles on 16 Jan 2011, 08:36
Man trying to find a bar to watch the bulls play the heat last night was miserable with all the drunk football fans threatening violence if their TV;s were changed.

In better news, Bulls won, Bosh and James are both injured, and the Lakers made a decision to stop sucking, apparently. Really stoked for the Lakers/Thunder game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 16 Jan 2011, 11:34
That is some intense snow in Chicago.


Edit: Yesssssss. Jets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jace on 16 Jan 2011, 16:46
Oh hey looks like the Jets beat the Pats.
Take that, shane.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 16 Jan 2011, 17:43
Fuck it all in the eyes ears and mouth.

Go Packers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Jan 2011, 19:39
As much as we appreciate you joining us on the bandwagon, could you have possibly come on board a bit earlier? ;)

Packers vs. Bears. These two teams have faced off 181 times since 1921 (the year the Packers joined the NFL).

The Bears lead the all-time series, 92-83-6. However, the Packers have won three of the last four.

The only year they did not face each other was 1982, when the NFL players' strike canceled both games that season.

They've only met once before in the playoffs - a Western Division championship playoff, December 14, 1941 (the weekend after Pearl Harbor). Bears won 33-14.


Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 16 Jan 2011, 20:12
I can't believe it, but I was rooting for the Jets today and will also be rooting for them next week. That should tell you something about how strongly I dislike New England and Pittsburgh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 16 Jan 2011, 20:13
Football is silly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Jan 2011, 22:28
Got to watch a bit of an impromptu Telemark skiing race yesterday. It has to be one of the most beautiful and graceful forms of racing ever. This should be an olympic event.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Jan 2011, 05:03
So, uh, remember when I was talking about a Bears-Packers NFC Championship game? Whoa.

AND it's at Soldier Field.

The butterflies are literally fucking each other in my stomach.



Bonus: Fuck the Pats. That made me so happy. Now if only Pittsburgh can manage to lose horribly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2011, 07:12
It's going to be nauseating reading about how Bears-Packers is a rivalry for the next week. If it's a rivalry, it's the sort of rivalry the players appear to not give even a single iota of crap about. Which pretty much means it's not really a rivalry at all. Which, hey, is fine. Just quit telling me about the rivalry then, since nobody outside of Illinois or Wisconsin cares. It's a fan vs. fan thing which by definition makes it boring as shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Jan 2011, 10:04
Oh hey looks like the Jets beat the Pats.
Take that, shane.

Fuck yourself in the face, Jace (woo rhyme)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SonofZ3 on 17 Jan 2011, 10:14
I'm pretty happy the Ravens lost. Fuck the Ravens.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 17 Jan 2011, 11:11
ITT nobody likes any NFL team, ever.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE NFL THEN WHY THE FUCK WON'T YOU SHUT UP ABOUT IT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Jan 2011, 13:44
It's going to be nauseating reading about how Bears-Packers is a rivalry for the next week. If it's a rivalry, it's the sort of rivalry the players appear to not give even a single iota of crap about. Which pretty much means it's not really a rivalry at all. Which, hey, is fine. Just quit telling me about the rivalry then, since nobody outside of Illinois or Wisconsin cares. It's a fan vs. fan thing which by definition makes it boring as shit.

I guess that makes all those silly games between the Yankees and Red Sox yawn-inducing, hm? :P

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Jan 2011, 13:55
They do average 3 weeks per game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2011, 14:10
Media bullshit≠the games.

Will I watch the games? Yes. I like football.

Do I give a shit about a rivalry that only really exists between fan bases I'm not a part of? No, not really. It's not particularly interesting and it doesn't even really reflect the attitude of the teams involved in this case. This isn't like Ravens-Steelers or Jets-Pats where the players and coaching staff involved are verbally sniping at each other or having to forbid their players from publicly making more foot fetish jokes. You have players saying things like "Yeah, we hate them... for this week," "It'll be competitive but respectful" or "Well, I know these franchises have a lot of history." Translation: It's the playoffs now so we can't really keep using the "We're trying not to look ahead" cliche to answer every question anymore and our fans will get pissy if they realize that after the game we'll happily text eachother about the best night spots. It's not even good theater like those old Pistons-Celtics games on ESPN Classic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2011, 20:35
19-24 w/ 14 rebounds is a ridiculous stat line.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 17 Jan 2011, 20:43
I like some NFL teams, Dovey. It's just that whenever I say that I like a team they lose in the playoffs so I'm keeping my mouth shut.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2011, 20:45
I figure I have a mild affection/appreciation for 6 or 7 NFL teams, give or take. Most of the others I'm pretty ambivalent about. This year my opinions are rather skewed because two of the teams I can follow the easiest but normally root against are both still in the playoffs. One has had good players get knocked out left and right while the other has consistently gotten breaks like playing against 3rd string QBs or hosting first 7-9 division winner at home despite being the 2nd seed while the 1st seed plays against a winning team. It irks me a li'l. With that said, I could see the Bears winning. They played Green Bay and the Jets pretty well in the last couple weeks of the season, so it's not like they're pushovers who got their completely on luck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 17 Jan 2011, 21:34
I have a legitimate feeling that this game will make my hair gray. I may also lose my voice and/or soil myself, possibly at the same time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2011, 21:38
Pretty stoked about both games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Jan 2011, 06:11
"But Marten, you don't understand! My dad bought me a share of the team when I was a little girl! He has a replica Lombardi trophy in his lab on the station!"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SonofZ3 on 18 Jan 2011, 08:08
I have no illusions about the actual team members harboring any sort of serious grudge against one another. These guys change teams all the time, and picking up the theatrics of "grudge matches" when they move to a particular team is good for business. That being said, the rivalries make watching the game more enjoyable for me. I watch the playoff games that my team isn't in to see who will be continuing on, and its just an objective study of two teams, and thats boring as all get out. The willing suspension of disbelief is as important in franchise sports as any other form of entertainment, and I let myself get psyched about my team beating other teams that they "hate".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 18 Jan 2011, 11:12
Mike Singletary looks like he could end up as the Viking's linebacker coach. I kinda like the idea. I find him immensely entertaining and struggling as a head coach just might mean that being an assistant is the best place for his particular skill set. Some people are just much better motivators and teachers than organizer, after all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 18 Jan 2011, 13:09
Yeah, Singletary's one of those cases where I could easily see him being a great minor coach or even defensive coordinator someday, but as a head coach he was just simply not good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: IrrationalPie on 18 Jan 2011, 13:24
Niners are my favorite team, and I'm quite happy that Singletary is gone.  If only we could get rid of Alex Smith and get a lucky draft pick . . .

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 18 Jan 2011, 15:53
Smith is almost certainly gone after this year, but there isn't really an obvious replacement for him and this QB draft class kinda blows. If Denver really wants to take their chances with the Tim Tebow Experience, then the Niners should take a very good look at Kyle Orton. He's got flaws, but there aren't a whole lot of other decent options. I wouldn't want the Niners to spend the 7th overall pick on one of several underwhelming college QBs when there are other holes that need filling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Jan 2011, 05:04
I like some NFL teams, Dovey. It's just that whenever I say that I like a team they lose in the playoffs so I'm keeping my mouth shut.

I agree. There is now exactly no team left in the play-offs that I actually like. I should've kept my mouth shut.

On the other hand, I did predict a superbowl win for the Jets in september, and, much to my dismay, this might still come to pass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2011, 05:33
Not if they end up playing the Sharks.

Wait, does Puerto Rico even have a team in the NFL??
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jan 2011, 05:48
Sorry, they only allow locations within the continental United States (and, technically, Canada) to have NFL football teams.

And the Sharks are a hockey team, last I looked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Jan 2011, 06:30
... which conveniently leads into a question I always wanted to ask ...

... how is the Superbowl a world championship? I keep hearing it refered to as such and it irks me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jan 2011, 07:02
Sorry, they only allow locations within the continental United States (and, technically, Canada) to have NFL football teams.

And the Sharks are a hockey team, last I looked.

West Side Story joke, dogg.

Also, I think it's kinda de facto world championship now that NFL Europe folded. Unless...hey Ryan, do you guys want to play the Saints or something?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: IrrationalPie on 19 Jan 2011, 07:33
Smith is almost certainly gone after this year, but there isn't really an obvious replacement for him and this QB draft class kinda blows. If Denver really wants to take their chances with the Tim Tebow Experience, then the Niners should take a very good look at Kyle Orton. He's got flaws, but there aren't a whole lot of other decent options. I wouldn't want the Niners to spend the 7th overall pick on one of several underwhelming college QBs when there are other holes that need filling.

I kind of wish Alex Smith would hold on another year so the Niners could grab Andrew Luck in 2012 draft.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 19 Jan 2011, 09:04
Having said that, so are Arsenal by all accounts.

Please go easy on our defence, we haven't really got one you see
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jan 2011, 11:20
Giant who cares.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 19 Jan 2011, 13:36
Yeah Arshavin is a waste of space atm. Has been for far too long for my liking. The sad thing is it's the one time Wenger's spent loads for an older player and now he'll probably never do so again.

Becchio not playing was a definite bonus yeah.

B52 with an inch perfect cross for van Persie, might be too soon to say the tie's over but it's comfortable now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jan 2011, 16:48
I just don't think it really means anything until ManU takes on the Colorado Rapids for the REAL World's Championship.








...What?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Jan 2011, 18:09
i know they had a similar intra-league club championship world cup thing in basketball at least once in the mid-90s, when basketball was at the height of it's world fame. I remember this because the Perth Wildcats played the Houston Rockets.

Ah, Wikipedia of course has the goods. It was called the McDonald's championship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald%27s_Championship), ran nine times and was won by an NBA team each time.

Also, is anyone here a Maple Leafs fan, because I'm in a mood to gloat. (14:00 left in the 3rd, TOR 0-7 NYR)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Jan 2011, 19:42
The Rugby season is only a few weeks away! Seems kind of weird given that the spring tour only just finished in November but anyway in February the brand new shiny Super 15 is starting and that's awesome because finally there's a team from Melbourne! They played a trial match against Tonga (really the Tonga B-team) last weekend and while they were understandably a bit shaky in their first ever game the tries they scored were all absolutely top-shelf. I'm getting excited.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jan 2011, 20:50
Sorry, I think I'd rather jump off the CN Tower than ever be a Leafs fan. I mean, they've never won a Cup in my lifetime.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 20 Jan 2011, 00:32
Smith is almost certainly gone after this year, but there isn't really an obvious replacement for him and this QB draft class kinda blows. If Denver really wants to take their chances with the Tim Tebow Experience, then the Niners should take a very good look at Kyle Orton. He's got flaws, but there aren't a whole lot of other decent options. I wouldn't want the Niners to spend the 7th overall pick on one of several underwhelming college QBs when there are other holes that need filling.

I kind of wish Alex Smith would hold on another year so the Niners could grab Andrew Luck in 2012 draft.

I think even if the QB slot remains a massive black hole (which is definitely possible), the Niners are unlikely to be bad enough to go first overall in the draft. Unless Luck gets hurt or has an absolutely miserable season next year, he's almost certain to go first overall since he's the most hyped, can't-miss QB prospect in years and good quarterbacks are more valuable than ever in the NFL right now. Every team likely to be bad enough to go first overall in 2012 (off the top of my head: Bills, Browns, Panthers, Redskins) also has a QB problem. In other words, I think there's roughly a snowball's chance in hell of Luck being in a Niner uniform on draft day next year. Then again, I thought the Niners would be a playoff team this year... and it didn't quite go that well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Jan 2011, 01:55
I'd scratch the Browns off that list, as they're pretty heavily invested in Colt McCoy (for good reason).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 20 Jan 2011, 02:24
Harry I'm also pretty excited for the Super 15s season to start. It's pretty good timing too because it's not long after the NFL wraps up for the year.

It'll be interesting to see how the new conference system pans out. I think I'll end up having to take more notice of Australian teams that aren't the Force and completely ignoring the New Zealand conference until finals time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Jan 2011, 06:09
Sorry, I think I'd rather jump off the CN Tower than ever be a Leafs fan. I mean, they've never won a Cup in my lifetime.

Jesus christ, if that's how you base your fandom, you must have excellent bandwagon jumping skills. My Bruins haven't won a cup in my lifetime (or for that fact, since my parents were in high school), and I'm still rabid about them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Jan 2011, 06:26
Absolutely. It's a measure of character that you support a team through thick and thin. It was a rather weird feeling being in Calgary for the start of the season when the Flames cranked out some extremely disappointing performances, and hearing the media and fans basically lockstep in their opinion that nobody should be going to games until they win some. What fickle bullshit.

(to be fair, the Leafs haven't won the Cup within most people's lifetime. Also the guy is a Preds fan and they've never ever won a Cup)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Jan 2011, 06:42
(still, it's bad fanning)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 20 Jan 2011, 10:15
I'd scratch the Browns off that list, as they're pretty heavily invested in Colt McCoy (for good reason).

I think they'd still feel forced to either trade down or keep him as an asset though. The upcoming labor dispute will almost certainly result in a much flatter rookie pay scale, so they wouldn't necessarily be bleeding money the same way the Chargers were when they had to make their Brees-Rivers decision.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 20 Jan 2011, 13:07
The Brees-Rivers situation is the precedent that leads me to think that Denver might cut Orton loose, but even so Tebow doesn't have the obvious upside of Rivers. Then again, Orton isn't as good as Brees either, so maybe Denver will think they have nothing to lose since they're not in contention with things the way they are.

Mostly I just really dislike Tebow and hope he crashes and burns in the NFL, and Orton would be better for the Niners than just about any QB option they're likely to have, so it would be the best of both worlds for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 20 Jan 2011, 14:23
Orton is basically the best quarterback to have if you're rebuilding your franchise. He makes smart decisions and moves the ball well. He's certainly not playoff-caliber, but he's a good placeholder if you're having a couple of really off seasons. I think if Denver wants to turn Tebow into the franchise QB they want, they have to make him sit the bench for a season or two. Of course, it always helps to have an actually great QB to learn from while you're doing that, instead of someone perfectly average like Orton.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Jan 2011, 19:38
Sorry, I think I'd rather jump off the CN Tower than ever be a Leafs fan. I mean, they've never won a Cup in my lifetime.

Jesus christ, if that's how you base your fandom, you must have excellent bandwagon jumping skills. My Bruins haven't won a cup in my lifetime (or for that fact, since my parents were in high school), and I'm still rabid about them.

No, no - see, I'm a Predators fan. And, before that, I was a Blackhawks fan (before WWW lost me forever with the crap he spread after the Chelios trade). I hate TO, SO, ANYTHING "O".

Leafs fans tend to be the most arrogant bunch in all of hockey. They're like a mixture of Yankee fans with the failure level of Cub fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 20 Jan 2011, 21:27
Orton is basically the best quarterback to have if you're rebuilding your franchise. He makes smart decisions and moves the ball well. He's certainly not playoff-caliber, but he's a good placeholder if you're having a couple of really off seasons. I think if Denver wants to turn Tebow into the franchise QB they want, they have to make him sit the bench for a season or two. Of course, it always helps to have an actually great QB to learn from while you're doing that, instead of someone perfectly average like Orton.

I agree whole-heartedly that the best thing for Denver to do would be to keep Tebow on the bench and stick with Orton for at least another year. The problem is that I think Tebow starting for the last few games of the season while Orton was hurt is going to end up forcing the issue. Whoever the new coach is, he'll be under tremendous pressure from the fanbase and local sports media to start Tebow based on the performance in those games (especially the one against Houston), whether or not it's representative of anything. And if they do cave and start Tebow then Orton suddenly becomes an extremely expensive player to have riding the bench. That being said, for their part ownership doesn't seem to be sold at all on Tebow being the full-time starter. If I had to guess I'd say Orton stays in Denver, but it would be better for the Niners (presuming they could land him once he hits the free agent market) and worse for Tebow if they cut him, so I'm hoping for short-sighted sports fans to pressure them into doing something dumb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 20 Jan 2011, 21:55
Update from the handball world championship if anyone is interested. The first group stages are over, these are the results:

Group A
France  9 p
Spain 9 p
Germany 6 p
Tunisia 2 p
Egypt 2 p
Bahrain 2 p

Group B
Iceland 10 p
Hungary 8 p
Norway 6 p
Japan 4 p
Austria 2 p
Brazil 0 p

Group C
Denmark 10 p
Croatia 7 p
Serbia 5 p
Romania 4 p
Algeria 4 p
Australia 0 p

Group D
Sweden 8 p
Poland 8 p
Argentina 7 p
S. Korea 5 p
Slovakia 1 p
Chila 1 p

Top 3 teams from each group progress to the next group stages,  carrying points with them depending on they‘re results in the first group stages. Teams that were together in the first group stages will not play each other again so for example Iceland will only play france, germany and spain in the second group stages. Top two teams from each group qualify to the semi finals

A
Iceland 4 p
France 3 p
Spain 3 p
Hungary 2 p
Germany 0 p
Norway 0 p

B
Denmark 4 p
Sweden 2 p
Poland 2 p
Croatia 2 p
Argentina 1 p
Serbia 1 p
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 20 Jan 2011, 22:06
Hmm, I mistakenly thought that Britain fielded a team who were of a reasonable talent.

Nevermind, only a couple of days to the start of the Tour of Langkawi, which looks to be on good form. Just hoping that I can track down some TV coverage or stream some footage off the internet easily.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 20 Jan 2011, 22:14
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8268596/London-2012-Olympics-Britain-to-field-handball-teams-in-first-Olympics-after-BOA-criteria-to-accept-hosts-place-met.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/8268596/London-2012-Olympics-Britain-to-field-handball-teams-in-first-Olympics-after-BOA-criteria-to-accept-hosts-place-met.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 21 Jan 2011, 04:16
'Twas Fight (http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/101176) Night (http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/101177) in Philly (http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/101178) as the Senators came to town once again. For those who remember the original Punchout in Philly (http://www.flyersfancentral.com/2006/10/flyers-senators-brawl/) it's not really on that level but who doesn't love a good hockey fight? Also, gotta love the fan at the end of the 3rd vid (showing fights 3-5 from last night) flashing his "Old School Hockey" sign.

Oh yeah, Flyers won 6-2 and continue to sit top of the NHL too.  :-D


No, no - see, I'm a Predators fan. And, before that, I was a Blackhawks fan (before WWW lost me forever with the crap he spread after the Chelios trade). I hate TO, SO, ANYTHING "O".

Leafs fans tend to be the most arrogant bunch in all of hockey. They're like a mixture of Yankee fans with the failure level of Cub fans.

Dude, you changed teams?  :?

I don't understand how people can do that? Unless it was in 1998 when the new Nashville franchise started up and it was closer to home, maybe.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Jan 2011, 05:53
Rob, if you get a chance (it should be on Amazon), there's a documentary ESPN did last year about the Colts leaving Baltimore for Indianapolis. Part of their 30 For 30 series.

It might shed a little more light on fans switching teams, or just holding on for dear life.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jan 2011, 06:48
Dude, you changed teams?  :?

I don't understand how people can do that? Unless it was in 1998 when the new Nashville franchise started up and it was closer to home, maybe.

I changed teams for a very, very good reason.

I live in Milwaukee. We don't have an NHL hockey team here. The Predators, however, signed up with the local (then IHL) minor league affiliate here (the Admirals), and we've been their feeder team since '98.

And that gave me the chance to get in on the ground floor with the Preds. Literally. I loved being able to see guys like Suter, Weber, Erat, Hornqvist, Franson and Rinne work their way up the ladder.

Heck, right now I've got three Gnash dolls sitting on my desk next to my comptuer, along with two Preds mini-jerseys of Traitorov (oops, sorry, spellchecker automatically does that when I spell out R-A-D-U-L-O-V), a Preds puck and my mini-SC that I got for attending the first game back after the lockout in Nashville.

Oh, and Valley_Parade? You're welcome for Harts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Jan 2011, 07:20
Ahhhh, that makes a lot of sense. Growing up, I had a slight fondness for the Devils, because my local hockey team was their AHL affiliate (then the River Rats, now just the Albany Devils).

I love the AHL, to be honest. It was so cool seeing guys coming up through the system and making it into the NHL. Parise, Clarkson, Janssen (though he's with the Blues now), Madden, etc. Also psyched that when the Rats switched affilation to Carolina for a few years, I got to see Johnny Boychuk make his way through the system, and eventually end up partnering Chara with the Bruins.

One downside of the AHL: yr girlfriend living in upstate New York and sleeping with a now-Flyer behind your back. :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 21 Jan 2011, 08:00
I see, that makes a lot more sense to me now. I guess the problem I have with understanding these things is that the UK is literally littered with teams of all sports and the debate is more about supporting your local team through thick and thin instead of just supporting the best team at the time whereas there are obviously only a certain number of elite level teams in the USA and it's much more difficult to mirror this behaviour (although Red Wings and fucking Penguins fans certainly do).

Unfortunately, that scumbag might be around for a while. He has very good numbers this season for a #4-line winger although he is in the way of Eric Wellwood's Flyers career and only has this year left on his contract so maybe he'll be off in a trade for a top D-man we sorely need.

As for Nashville, Pekka Rinne this season has become one of the best Goalies in the league. Nashville's lacking lower D-lines usually prevent him from picking up as many Shutouts as he should get but he hasn't given up more than 2 goals in 8 straight games now or something and his numbers this season are incredible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Jan 2011, 08:21
Trade him out west so I never have to see his fucking Austrian ass again, please.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jan 2011, 17:44
...Okay, so who are you talking about , VP? I'm talking about (our former 1st round draft pick) Scott Hartnell, whom, last I looked, was Canadian as poutine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Jan 2011, 07:03
Nodl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Jan 2011, 13:30
Sorry, we only take Finns and Czechs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 23 Jan 2011, 08:09
That really was an excellent decision. Heard about the Sky blokes today, shameful really. Sepp would be proud.

Good to see Becchio back for your lot, was he expected back so soon after missing the Arsenal game? Seems a bit strange that he's unfit mid-week then back scoring at the weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 23 Jan 2011, 10:52
Mr Gray, a former Scottish international footballer, replied: ‘Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule.’
Mr Keys replied: ‘Course they don’t

I just I don't what but oh for fuck's
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Jan 2011, 13:59
I want the packers to hurry up and blow chicago out already.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lunchbox on 23 Jan 2011, 14:09
Why do I keep clicking on this thread
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 23 Jan 2011, 14:18
Oh hey, speaking of awful things in football games, in the Australian A-League local derby this weekend between the Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Heart (god, those names), the Victory's infamously thuggish captain Kevin Muscat completely outdid himself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHzCtRa2SE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHzCtRa2SE)

It was initially feared that the guy he tackled, Adrian Zahra, who's only 20 years old, would be out for 12 months or possibly even have his career ended by the injury he recieved in the tackle, but apparently now the injury isn't as bad as first feared and he's expected to be fit for the start of the next season and possibly won't even require a knee reconstruction. The reaction to the tackle from the public and from the football fraternity, even people such as Mark Bosnich who consider themselves Muscat's friends, has been universal outrage and disgust, so it's very possible that Muscat, who's 37, has played his last game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 23 Jan 2011, 14:24
Did he cross himself as he lost the field?

EDIT: I enjoy the fact that Sean Avery's name was invoked in the video's comments i.e; in a discussion about Australian sport, Avery is still the go-to guy when it comes to reckless thuggery.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 23 Jan 2011, 15:40
BJ Raji was pretty much the only thing entertaining about Bears-Packers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 23 Jan 2011, 15:42
I dunno, I enjoyed the Chicago touchdown immediately after that quite a lot too, mainly because oh my god something's actually happening quickly in a game of American football.

EDIT: Also:

Quote from: Wikipedia
The Packers are the only non-profit, community-owned franchise in American professional sports major leagues.

I did not know that! I like that a lot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 23 Jan 2011, 15:44
I am disappoint.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Jan 2011, 16:13
BJ Raji was pretty much the only thing entertaining about Bears-Packers.

No, I think the best thing about the game was the Victory Formation. :D :D :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 23 Jan 2011, 20:19
There's no way both teams can lose the Super Bowl is there?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 23 Jan 2011, 21:44
I am disappoint.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: IrrationalPie on 23 Jan 2011, 22:41
Some questionable content going on in the Steelers game on both sides.

http://instntrply.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/MendenhallHump.gif

and of course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_JpoyM7-cc
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 24 Jan 2011, 00:17
I did not know that! I like that a lot.

Yep! They're the only publicly owned franchise in all of the North American major leagues, to my knowledge. Furthermore, Aaron Rodgers is a Cal graduate and Ben Rothlisberger is a rapist, so go Packers.

Also, if I was going to be culturally insensitive I would point out that unlike soccer, things actually happen in American football that are enjoyable to watch. But I also like baseball so perhaps my perspective's a little skewed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Jan 2011, 06:31
112,015 owners. (http://www.packers.com/community/shareholders.html)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jan 2011, 08:40
I did not know that! I like that a lot.

Yep! They're the only publicly owned franchise in all of the North American major leagues, to my knowledge.

Seattle Sounders of the MLS are fan owned.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Jan 2011, 08:53
Woo Haa, stunning win from Ben Swift on the final stage of the Tour Down Under. I've not been able to keep up with this race due to being on holiday in Austria. May have to spend some time catching up on the highlights tonight. Interested to know why Cavendish managed a dismal DFL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 24 Jan 2011, 10:38
Also, if I was going to be culturally insensitive I would point out that unlike soccer, things actually happen in American football that are enjoyable to watch.

Whut?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Jan 2011, 10:47
I totally support that statement actually. Futbol is about 60% passing the ball and 40% faking injuries.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2011, 10:50
Both sports tend to have roughly the same amount of memorable moments per game, as far as I can tell. American football has more opportunities for bathroom breaks though, which I appreciate.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jan 2011, 11:02
Also, if I was going to be culturally insensitive I would point out that unlike soccer, things actually happen in American football that are enjoyable to watch. But I also like baseball so perhaps my perspective's a little skewed.

A good whipped in cross > one yard rush up the middle.

I do have a question which might sway it to Football>Futbol: Do soccer fans tailgate? I went to a Patriots game this year, and the tailgating was more fun than the game itself (though that was pretty fun).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Jan 2011, 11:32
I'm not sure about other nations that play Football, but in the UK, tailgating is more about driving like an arrogant, self-centred twat. From experience I would have to say yes, football fans tailgate but it's not a party like it is in North America. However, I don't think that reflects on them as either football fans or even people, cars are just Faraday Cages for most common sense and decency. As for the US definition of tailgating, no. There are sometimes some additional events put on by hosting clubs and sponsors but for the most part it's turn up, enjoy and then a dodgy pie and pint on the way to the pub.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2011, 11:34
We use the term tailgating for both meanings, actually.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 24 Jan 2011, 12:12
Ok, question for, Amurrkans: What is tailgating when not referring to driving?

Both sports tend to have roughly the same amount of memorable moments per game, as far as I can tell. American football has more opportunities for bathroom breaks though, which I appreciate.

This is a fair statement that I could agree with but there are slight differences, I would say. American football and Baseball seem to be geared towards that big moment to please the fans i.e. Hail Mary (this is a bit of a guess as I don't know a lot about Am Foot) or Grand Slam whereas the big moments in Football (Soccer) can come from anywhere at any time as the continuous play delivers an opportunity for more chances from both teams.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jan 2011, 12:16
Hanging out in the parking lot of the stadium pre-game, grilling food and drinking beer and generally just having a good time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ozymandias on 24 Jan 2011, 12:20
So named because you are generally sitting on someone's tailgate, shooting the shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jan 2011, 12:22
Somehow I forgot that part, but yes, what Jordan said.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Jan 2011, 13:40

This is a fair statement that I could agree with but there are slight differences, I would say. American football and Baseball seem to be geared towards that big moment to please the fans i.e. Hail Mary (this is a bit of a guess as I don't know a lot about Am Foot) or Grand Slam whereas the big moments in Football (Soccer) can come from anywhere at any time as the continuous play delivers an opportunity for more chances from both teams.

Yeah, we have hockey and basketball to fill that niche. Sudden-death playoff hockey is pretty damn nerve wracking. I would also say that excellent basketball plays often get an unfair shake due to the sport being so high scoring. All but the most otherworldly performances tend to get lost in the shuffle from a casual fan perspective. Unless you're Blake Griffin and practically have fire shooting out of your ass like an NBA Jam character odds are your best plays will probably get overlooked if you don't have a crazy gaudy stat line to back them up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 24 Jan 2011, 18:26
Quote from: Stephen Colbert's Twitter
Congratulations to the Packers and the Steelers!  You're both a credit to the defunct industries that are your namesakes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Jan 2011, 18:29
Tailgating, when used as an adjectival phrase for an event and not an action on the roadway, is when people hold a party around their car/van/truck/RV/whatever in the parking lot of an event (usually a sporting event).

Usually, said event is held using vehicle that has a physical tail gate - like that of a truck or station wagon or hatchback. The food and drink is usually kept inside the vehicle while the participants sit in lawn chairs outside of the back of the car.

Many tailgate events involve grilling and/or cooking food. In the US, this involves burgers and hot dogs/franks and a portable grill, like a Weber kettle-style grill or a hibachi.

Tailgating is frequently done before (American) football games, since the eating and drinking are perceived as helping individuals keep warm before the game begins. It also may be because most football games begin around noon on Saturdays or Sundays, when many people are eating lunch.

There is reason to believe that the general concept of a "tailgate" may have evolved from "picnicking". One of the first references to what we would now call "tailgating" may have actually come from - of all things - the Civil War (The First Battle of Bull Run):

Quote from: Wikipedia
The wealthy elite of nearby Washington, including congressmen and their families, expecting an easy Union victory, had come to picnic and watch the battle. When the Union army was driven back in a running disorder, the roads back to Washington were blocked by panicked civilians attempting to flee in their carriages.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 24 Jan 2011, 20:58
I did not know that! I like that a lot.

Yep! They're the only publicly owned franchise in all of the North American major leagues, to my knowledge.

Seattle Sounders of the MLS are fan owned.

Didn't the Sounders get moved recently?

Oh wait, that was the Sonics, nevermind. That's cool then, community owned franchises are awesome. Then again, I'm pretty happy with the Giants ownership for actually building AT&T on their own dime rather than trying to extort it out of the SF taxpayers and then threatening to move if they don't get their way *coughA'scough*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 10:03
The Sounders got created recently, Bryan. I think this is going to be their 4th season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2011, 11:26
They were formed in '07 but they didn't play their first match until '09. 2011 will be their 3rd season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 11:29
Like I pay attention to MLS? The only reason I know the Red Bulls exist is because we had to buy tickets to see them play Man City when we went to see Spurs this summer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2011, 11:32
I don't either but the fervor that the Sounders inspire here in Seattle is pretty formidable.

I hate their stupid uniforms though. Everybody in the city seems to have one, so it's like seeing a bunch of walking advertisements go by. Nothing like a massive "XBOX 360" logo on the front of your jersey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Jan 2011, 12:04
Welcome to professional sports anywhere not in N. America.

It's always been strange to me that most of the major N. American sports have managed to keep sponsor's logos off of their uniforms (the most you'll see is the company that makes the jersey putting their logo really small somewhere below the collar). It's not like N.A. sport is any less corporatised than anywhere else, so how have they managed to hold onto that?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 25 Jan 2011, 12:21
By having every stoppage in the game sponsored. For example, NHL Hockey has the PECO Power Play or maybe that all of those stoppages allow an incredible number of adverts throughout a game too.

To be honest, I am much happier seeing a sponsor's logo on my football shirt than having the game stop and sponsors vomited onto me every couple of minutes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 12:23
Dear Mr. Dski,

Easy game, you said. Strong lineup, you said. Well it's halftime, and United are DOWN 2-0. I hope your stupid fantasy team crumbles to bits.

Respectfully (if not agitatedly) yours,

Shane
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 12:28
WE ARE LOSING TO BLACKPOOL, THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 12:30
I don't either but the fervor that the Sounders inspire here in Seattle is pretty formidable.

I hate their stupid uniforms though. Everybody in the city seems to have one, so it's like seeing a bunch of walking advertisements go by. Nothing like a massive "XBOX 360" logo on the front of your jersey.

I take offense to their shirts, but it has nothing to do with sponsorship. The third jersey kit they came out with last season made my eyes hurt when they wore it. Whatever is more intense than day-glo yellow, they made the shirt and shorts that color.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 12:33
From what I've seen, Gibson thinks that you have to shoot the ball if you get within, say, 32 yards of goal. He just whips in shots wildly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 25 Jan 2011, 12:43
Welcome to professional sports anywhere not in N. America.

It's always been strange to me that most of the major N. American sports have managed to keep sponsor's logos off of their uniforms (the most you'll see is the company that makes the jersey putting their logo really small somewhere below the collar). It's not like N.A. sport is any less corporatised than anywhere else, so how have they managed to hold onto that?

They make up for it by having advertisements just about everywhere else. The Giants play in AT&T Park, which features an enormous Coca-Cola bottle behind the left-centerfield seats and a right field wall called Levi's Landing. Their TV and radio broadcasts feature in-game namedrops for Coors, Dodge, Ford, Allstate, Speedee, and probably a few others I can't remember off the top of my head. Like you said, it's not any less corporate than anywhere else, they just structure it in a different way so that it doesn't extend to the players on the field. Which is nice, because I really like the way (most) MLB jerseys look.

Also, even though it is really blatant advertising, the Coke bottle at AT&T does look kind of cool.

(http://img526.imageshack.us/i/attpark1.jpg/)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2011, 12:55
Yeah I'd rather have the Sprint Halftime Show and a bunch of billboards than my favorite team being a bunch of walking adverts. I find it hard to cheer for a corporate logo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2011, 12:56
Although the teams are businesses so I guess I am anyway.

But seriously, the Sounders jerseys make them look like they should be called the Seattle Microsofts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Jan 2011, 12:57
(http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6871/seattlesounders.jpg)

ew
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 12:58
Their TV and radio broadcasts feature in-game namedrops for Coors, Dodge, Ford, Allstate, Speedee, and probably a few others I can't remember off the top of my head.

The Red Sox coverage is the worst offender. We have "Olympia Sports presents the Boston Globe Pre-Game Show".

Pre-game coverage, sponsored by a newspaper, and presented by a sporting goods store. I wish I was making that up.

edit: the worst bit of the whole thing is that Amalie Benjamin doesn't really cover the Sox for the Globe anymore. It's not worth watching, now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Jan 2011, 13:06
i think there's a balance you can strike. Australian Football League guernseys typically feature a major sponsor logo on the right breast, directly across from the league logo, a banner logo on the back (below the number), and usually secondary sponsors on the shorts. Like so:

(http://www.teamcolours.com.au/images/big/Fremantle_Dockers_Home_Guernsey_Front_Large.JPG)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Jan 2011, 13:07
Also, can anybody here imagine a Liverpool jersey without a Carlsberg logo? Weird. It's become iconic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 13:09
Right? My friend's got the new home shirt, just looks wrong with a different sponsor.

That said, they have some sharp kits this year, especially the away one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 13:11
CHICHARITOOOOOOOOO, MY BOY.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 25 Jan 2011, 13:12
Considering the new sponsor is Standard Chartered ...

(http://i51.tinypic.com/dnzinl.jpg)

(Only changed this year though)

EDIT: Better pic
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 25 Jan 2011, 13:12
Though to be honest probably the most iconic sponsor was Crown Paints.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 13:13
That looks like the shirt of a 12th place team, Rob..

edit: edited
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Jan 2011, 13:18
Considering the new sponsor is Standard Chartered ..
(Only changed this year though)

That's what I meant! It's incongruous!

I was trying to think of similar examples which don't feature sponsors, but honestly it really does seem that nothing is completely sacred re: team uniforms, right down to my beloved Fremantle Dockers ditching the above guernsey that they've had since the team's inception for an anchorless model in 2011. The best thing I can come up with is if the Yankees ditched the NY monogram.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 13:21
Berbatov once again scores in chunks. 3-2 United.

I hope FSC's replaying the match this evening. Seems like United put in a hell of a comeback.

Dovey, I think another example would have been Newcastle United, when they dropped Newcastle Brown Ale as a sponsor. I seem to remember hearing there was a lot of uproar from the fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 25 Jan 2011, 13:34
god i hate that team, with a passion
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 13:43
Supposedly we tried to sign Bale when he was 16 and obviously didn't get him.

It was on Soccernet the week of the Spurs game.

The one thing I think we need badly is someone who can replace Giggs and Scholes up the middle. As you pointed out, it's clearly NOT Darron Gibson. I've read a few rumors linking Schweinsteiger to United, and, not saying this because he's my favorite footballer, he'd fit that role brilliantly. Make it happen, um...you guys in the boardroom. As far as out on the right wing, I think Evra's overlapping runs can be absolutely devistating, and once Valencia comes back (late February apparently! Hell of a recovery, sir), that'll solve the same problems.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 25 Jan 2011, 13:44
Thanks Man U for winning me money and Arsenal for (eventually) not fucking up. That was exhausting to watch. Arshavin played like a league 2 failure and still got two assists, what the hell.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Jan 2011, 15:10
Me thinking out loud:

Tommy pointed out earlier that United need something new in the midfield to replace the aging Giggs, and I suggested that a right-side attack of Evra and a healthy Valencia should take care of it. The problem I had pointed out was up the middle. Scholes is also aging, Gibson's..meh, and Darren Fletcher just doesn't do it for me.

You know what though? Everyone's bashing on Rooney for not having a ton of goals this year. You know what he does have a ton of? Assists. 9, actually (and currently). Leads the EPL in assists.

I feel like the coaching staff is well enough trained..instead of going out and buying someone like a Schweinsteiger (which I still would love)..why not just convert Wazza into a proper midfielder?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jan 2011, 18:49
1. Ads on uniforms in the US are somewhat taboo (except in the minors, for some reason). There's a lot of theories about it, but I think the primary one is that they are negatively associated with "lesser" sports - namely, NASCAR. The idea is, you put advertisements on your uniforms if you don't have enough money to pay your bills. It's considered something akin to "selling out".

2. I've heard that the Yankees radio broadcast is a MAJOR offender when it comes to ads; John Stirling essentially reads off ads in between pitches. Example: "Verizon has a deal for Yankee fans. I'll tell you more after this pitch to Jeter... ball one, outside. Verizon is offering a new unlimited plan..." You know, I can understand ads for the team and their events ("Baby Beluga Bobblehead Day!" and whatnot) between batters, but sponsor ads BETWEEN PITCHES? Ugh.

3. All that being said - I honestly think it's only a matter of time that ads will start showing up on uniforms. All it will take is a company willing to spend a lot of money on a league basis.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 26 Jan 2011, 11:13
stupid goalkeeper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZhyi9-Lew&feature=player_embedded#! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQZhyi9-Lew&feature=player_embedded#!)

edit: Liverpool playing Fulham tonight, I fully expect them to build on their win against wolves, especially with Stevie G returning from suspension
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 26 Jan 2011, 11:26
Hope Stephen 'Stevie 'I fall down' G' Gerrard doesn't take over from Meireles in the 'hole' behind Torres because the pair of them were lethal at the weekend. Hope baldy keeps scoring goals like that, I love the guy.

Fulham despite the Mark Hughes bonus to their defence are woeful away from home so this should be about as easy a three points as Liverpool will pick up all year. Is Johnson still their only fit striker? Poor bastards.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 26 Jan 2011, 14:07
1-0 to liverpool, by no means a comfortable win. Moussa Dembele is their other fit striker, don´t know much about him though, didn´t reall impress in this game. Meireles didn´t score again but came verry close. Liverpool have looked nervous at times at the back both agains Fulham and Wolves, might get away with it against those teams but probably wont against teams with better attacking players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 27 Jan 2011, 09:11
Dembele is actually pretty cool but I think he's coming back from a fairly nasty injury so might not be 100% yet. Still gutted that Fulham lost Zamora because without him they can look pretty pedestrian, although Clint is a helluva player.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Jan 2011, 09:35
I always wonder how he got the nickname Deuce. I have a poster of him up in my cubicle, and it kinda looks like he's about to drop one.

Great player, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 27 Jan 2011, 09:37
Good player. Shit rapper.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 27 Jan 2011, 12:40
I feel like Fulham should be doing better in the league, they may not have any world class players but players like Schwarzer, Hangeland, Sidwell, Johnson, Gera, Murphy, Duff, Dempsey, Zamora are all fine footballers on a good day
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Jan 2011, 16:30
Too bad they don't play soccer on paper. :D

Meanwhile, back in 'merica, Jeff Fisher has been relieved of his duties as TN Titans head coach.

So Bud Adams threw out the baby, the bath water, AND the basin.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Jan 2011, 09:25
I'm sure it was a typo on the BBC's site, but apparently Liverpool just bought Luis "Hand Of God II: Electric Boogaloo" Suarez for 23 quid.

Deal of the century!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 28 Jan 2011, 10:26
They intend to if the stories about their turning down a £35m+ bid from Chelsea are true. They also need a second striker (as in numerically, another one, not the tactical position) who isn't a shower of shit.

Dutch league transplants are inevitably risky but I think Suarez has the class to succeed over here. He's a horrible little shit too so won't be too unsettled by the likes of Blackburn/Stoke.

I wonder what odds paddypower will give me on Suarez handballing off the line vs. Sunderland and Gyan shanking the resultant penalty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 28 Jan 2011, 10:37
Feel free to quote this and laugh forever when he moves for £37m tomorrow but I don't see it happening this window. That 'bloody quickly' is the key - Liverpool's new owners can't possibly be stupid enough to sell their only reliable striker with one working day left to replace him. Even if they do a Villa and spunk money up the wall on an okay-ish goal poacher, the selling club can effectively force them to hand over 100% of whatever fee they get for Torres 'cos they know they won't have time to shop elsewhere. It'd be completely pointless.

This is all of course assuming that the Liverpool hierarchy has a level of common sense roughly equal to yer average bloke dahn the pub.

In the summer, maybe, depending on how the respective clubs fare in '11. Incredibly, 'pool could yet finish above Chelsea this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 28 Jan 2011, 13:01
Suarez bit me =(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 28 Jan 2011, 23:09
Up until about 5 minutes ago Fernando Torres was my hero, my blood is boiling at the moment.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Jan 2011, 07:36
I'm still unhappy with Rooney.

It's not the performance they're questioning, Tommy. It's the wanting to leave.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 29 Jan 2011, 10:12
always a pleasure to be offered insights into the beautiful game by ITV's crack punditry team, Some Failed Middlesborough Managers And Adrian Chiles
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 29 Jan 2011, 10:36
That and his transfer policy. No, see, they're good in Scotland so they'll definitely be up to playing in a league where there are at least 15 teams equal to or better than us.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 29 Jan 2011, 11:27
The cupset I predicted between Saints and Man Utd is in full flight now.

This is what happens when you use terrible portmanteux.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 30 Jan 2011, 11:06
Handball world cup is over, no real surprises there. France > everybody else.
Final standings:
1. France
2. Denmark
3. Spain
4. Sweden
5. Croatia
6. Iceland
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 30 Jan 2011, 11:20
I've watched a few games of handball when Eurosport has bothered to show it and it seems pretty interesting but it also seems that the scores just rocket because the Goalie seems to have little chance of stopping the ball. Is there a rule for where to shoot from or maybe a number of passes before you can shoot or something like that? I am interested but I just can't seem to fathom out the actual rules.

In Hockey news, All-Star Game tonight! I really enjoyed the Superskills Challenge last night and it turned out to be a huge surprise to me in all honesty, I didn't think that Team Lidstrom would get creamed like that or that the Goalies would own the skaters in the Shoot Out Elimination but it was all great fun. I think Team Lidstrom will get their own back tonight though but only by a couple of goals. Prediction: 11-9.

On the football front, this Torres transfer request has come at a bad time but it's not wholly surprising. He's a player who should be playing at the highest level whenever possible and Liverpool can sadly no longer guarantee him Champion's League Football on a regular basis. However, if he leaves it should definitely only be on our terms, i.e. he leaves the country to play for his next club and we get a whopping mega huge amount of cash for him (possibly plus another striker too) or he stays and plays out his contract.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 30 Jan 2011, 11:44
(re: leaving the country) Sadly it looks like Chelsea are really the only suitors here. I still don't see it happening in this window but may just be being naive.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 30 Jan 2011, 11:47
You have to shoot outside the penalty area, there is no rule for the number of passes. Some rules are kind of strange, like there is no actual time limit for how long an attack can last, it´s just up the referee each time, but if the players are just throwing the ball around and not trying to score the referees will give them maybe 30-45 seconds before they raise their hands and then the team has to shoot or loose the ball. With the regards to the goalkeepers, the best ones usually save around 40-50% of the shots but rarely more than that, Daouda Karaboue from France was the best keeper in the this tournament with 47,5%.

The thing that bothers me the most about this Torres situation is his timing, if he wants to leave thats to bad but life goes on, but why do it now, why not earlier in January or next summer?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 30 Jan 2011, 12:05
Well, the timing I would imagine comes down to the fact that now the Suarez deal has been tied up there is a chance he may be allowed to leave. Before this there was no other viable option up front and no other really viable regular goalscorer so Torres would not have even been allowed to think about leaving but I feel that we should force him to stay until summer, as then there will be other clubs (i.e. foreign clubs) with the cash to put in a bid for him and maybe extra strikers to boot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 30 Jan 2011, 12:18
Assuming Liverpool stick to that asking price of £50m+, the only club I can think of outside the UK with the inclination to buy him and a reasonable chance of getting him would be Real. Outside of the comedy leagues like Uzbekistan that are owned by petrobillionaire mafia types, there aren't that many non-UK teams with 50 mil to throw around that aren't already sorted for strikers of a roughly similar age/ability/value/etc to 'Nando.

Otherwise it'll be the usual English transfer rumour line-up of Chelsea, Man City, United and comedy Arsenal option (we will trade you this Carlos Vela and a fiver for your spare Fernando Torres, thanks)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Jan 2011, 08:49
Typical deadline day. United loan out all their reserve players, but don't sign anyone, and if someone gets hurt we use Darron Gibson.

Top of the league, baby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 31 Jan 2011, 10:25
Adam and Suárez were players that pretty much everyone wanted but Ł35m for Andy Carroll is ludicrous. This is a man who finds it acceptable to drunkenly beat up women and has no qualms about being dragged into court a la Jody Barton. I just have a bad feeling about this signing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Jan 2011, 10:53
If Manchester United land Adam instead, that's the deal of the transfer window. Terrific player, would bolster them tremendously.

United loan out all their reserve players, but don't sign anyone
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 31 Jan 2011, 12:28
True, he is both injured and very probably due for a spell in jail but once he's out, Kenny will hopefully beat the Barton out of him.

And this is how he got injured: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Newcastle-s-Andy-Carroll-injured-in-six-hour-30-Jagerbomb-bender-Exclusive-article666569.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Newcastle-s-Andy-Carroll-injured-in-six-hour-30-Jagerbomb-bender-Exclusive-article666569.html)

Although i don´t know if the mirror is the most reliable place to look for news
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 31 Jan 2011, 14:39
Isn't the deal now in excess of Ł35m plus add-ons? The whole world has gone cuckoo crazy.

Oh, then Rangers went and signed the biggest arsehole twatface in the EPL. El Hadji Diouf. Seriously. Pretty much everyone in Scotland who isn't a Rangers fan already hates us and signing the biggest knob ever is hardly going to help. People are already talking about him becoming the next Fernando Ricksen. That said, he's not bad at football so as long as he scores goals I'll only hate him a little bit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 31 Jan 2011, 15:11
And we've got Kyle Bartelby on loan from Arsenal til the end of the season. Central defender/right back which is good. With Weir's legs going we need cover there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Feb 2011, 14:32
Awwww, Wayne. Finally found where that net was! 3-1 win for United, 2 goals for Rooney, and I forgot to record the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Feb 2011, 18:05
(ignorant American raises hand)

When exactly does the EPL/UEFA "fixture" end? (Or, as we call them, "seasons")
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 01 Feb 2011, 19:42
I think I’m correct in saying that the Champions League final is the end of the football season in Europe, takes place in the end of May.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Feb 2011, 19:59
Okay, so when do the various leagues begin? In the fall, around September?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 01 Feb 2011, 20:06
The English league begins in the second or third week of August, Italian and Spanish maybe a week or two later, not sure about other leagues.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Feb 2011, 20:34
Good Lord... a nine and a half month season?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 01 Feb 2011, 21:09
Something like that yes, but I’m pretty sure there aren´t as many games in a football season as in basketball or baseball.
See Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant for example. In the 09/10 season Messi played 53 games in all competitions (not including internationals) where as Kobe played 73 games in the regular season and a further 23 in the playoffs. And Google tells me that there are 162 games in a baseball season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 01 Feb 2011, 21:25
i see your point but it's situational. games played ≠ season length. i mean baseball series' are usually played back to back days, which is why the team has 3-4 starting pitchers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2011, 01:25
(Snerk) "Three to four?" Yeah, maybe ones who start exclusively. You're talking to a fan of a team that hasn't carried less than 12 pitchers on their roster at any one time in the last decade or so.

I've never really understood why baseball season has so many games as compared to other sports, other than simple historical reasons and a lack of "recovery time" needed between games. Basketball could legitimately play more games a year, but they come up against scheduling issues - mostly around holidays and the fact that many teams share facilities with other sports teams, like college squads and hockey clubs.

Hockey, I really couldn't see teams playing more than four (scheduled) games in a week, without at least three or more days off.

American football may have developed the "once a week" thing from the college game - you go to class Monday through Friday, and you play sports on Saturday. That kinda got ingrained into the sport, and I doubt that the idea of playing more than once a week would take hold.

So that would leave us with Futball. 38 games in league, and about seven "non-league" games, roughly two a week. Looking over a couple of "fixtures", it appears that there are very few times where teams play more than three times in a one-week period - and definitely not all against league opponents.

I wonder if this schedule is essentially due to the physical exertion (90 minutes is a long while to be running up and down the pitch, after all) or some other reason?

-----
"Don't mind the dumb questions, just trying to gain some knowledge about all this footy stuff..."

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 02 Feb 2011, 05:48
I wonder if this schedule is essentially due to the physical exertion (90 minutes is a long while to be running up and down the pitch, after all) or some other reason?


Not a football expert, but I would guess not.

If you look at cycle racing, schedules can be very tightly packed, especially around the classics and the 6-days. Domestiques and riders in the Blue Train could expect very long periods without a break and enduring more exertion than a 90 minute game.

I suspect that the football schedule more likely stems from it's roots as a working men's sport. Matches would be held at the weekends with training sessions on weekday evenings so as not to . Also the spectator base would have largely been expected to be from the same demographic. The same would apply to the other two main British sporting seasons of cricket and rugby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 02 Feb 2011, 06:35
I wonder if this schedule is essentially due to the physical exertion (90 minutes is a long while to be running up and down the pitch, after all) or some other reason?

You've pretty much hit the nail right on the head here. I mean, have you ever tried playing a full-length game of competitive football? It's 2 halves of 45 minutes where you're running around for about 35 of those minutes, there's very little rest time during the game other than the 15 minute break. The top footballers should be athletic enough to be expected to play 2 games a week regularly but seeing as they train every day too it's a very draining regime.

Compare that to baseball where the most strain in a game is running between bases and there is a lot of rest time during the game and you can see why they can play more than 4 times the number of games in a season.

Not a football expert, but I would guess not.

If you look at cycle racing, schedules can be very tightly packed, especially around the classics and the 6-days. Domestiques and riders in the Blue Train could expect very long periods without a break and enduring more exertion than a 90 minute game.

Cycling is a whole different kind of sport though. Cyclists are expected to be athletes and nothing more, their skill set is how to get the most out of their cycling over whatever distance they cover and there is nothing more than them and their bicycle. Also, taking nothing away from their athletic nature though, they don't tend to stop and start unless something goes wrong so they can get a steady motion and keep the momentum up for long distances and there is no slipstream for footballers the way there is in a cycling train.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 02 Feb 2011, 06:55
There is a very strong tactical element to cycling as well. You have to know your opponents well and there's as much physical contact in the peleton in 90 minutes as you'll see in a premiership match.

As for steady motion and momentum, that really doesn't apply in things like mountain biking, cyclo-cross and some of the track disciplines. As for slipstream, it's a massive part of road racing but not so much in other disciplines and to be fair there's not really a lot of slip stream to be had on a mountain stage, either up or down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Feb 2011, 07:31
Seven non-league games? Take into example a team like..well..my team, Manchester United. Not only are they playing their 38 league games, they, like other Premier League teams, come into the FA Cup in the third round proper. To get to the Cup final from there is at least 7 or 8 games. The group stage for the Champions League alone is 6 matches, not to mention getting into the knockout stages, which are two games per round up until the final.

And there's the League Cup as well..but West Ham kicked our asses in that one and knocked us out early. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 02 Feb 2011, 07:54
And then you can add international games to that for some players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Feb 2011, 12:39
Or no games, if you're Gary Neville: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/874957/man-utd-defender-neville-announces-retirement?cc=5901

Hell of a career, Gaz.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 02 Feb 2011, 19:57
HOLY SHIT GOALIE FIGHT

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hdpid=49&id=95819

I was just thinking yesterday that it'd be pretty rad to see two goalies drop the gloves
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 03 Feb 2011, 02:57
Cycling is a whole different kind of sport though. Cyclists are expected to be athletes and nothing more, their skill set is how to get the most out of their cycling over whatever distance they cover and there is nothing more than them and their bicycle. Also, taking nothing away from their athletic nature though, they don't tend to stop and start unless something goes wrong so they can get a steady motion and keep the momentum up for long distances and there is no slipstream for footballers the way there is in a cycling train.
Cycling is not a single sport, but a whole family of sports with widely varying physical and mental demands. BMX racing, cyclocross, time-trialling, stage-racing, and velodrome sprinting don't have a lot in common beyond involving bicycles. About the only discipline in which "there is nothing more than them and their bicycle" is an individual time-trial, in which there is no paceline and drafting is illegal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Feb 2011, 06:24
HOLY SHIT GOALIE FIGHT

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hdpid=49&id=95819

I was just thinking yesterday that it'd be pretty rad to see two goalies drop the gloves

Meh. I've seen MUCH better ones. Fleury and DP weren't fighting as much as they were play dancing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Feb 2011, 07:17
For good goalie fights, please search for Patrick Roy in games against the Red Wings. The ones against Vernon and Osgood were epic.

Actually, that rivalry lead to some amazing fights, mostly in the late-90s, after Claude Lemieux had ripped Kris Draper a new facehole in the playoffs. It's really calmed down since about 2003 or so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Feb 2011, 10:24
Oh, I've SEEN some great goalie fights.

There will always be respectful tones reserved for the Ads/Blades match two days after the 2000 elections. Chris Mason kicked some ass and took some names in that one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Feb 2011, 11:58
Speaking of soccer jerseys and sponsors on uniforms and American sports and so on:

This is pretty neat (http://imgur.com/a/I7b32)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Feb 2011, 18:05
Speaking of soccer jerseys and sponsors on uniforms and American sports and so on:

This is pretty neat (http://imgur.com/a/I7b32)

NO.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 03 Feb 2011, 20:27
Some of those are really cool.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 03 Feb 2011, 20:34
NO.

what's wrong with you
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Feb 2011, 20:52
The Second Commandment of Lambeau:

THOU SHALT NOT DESECRATE THY FOOTBALL TEAM'S JERSEY WITH ADVERTS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Feb 2011, 23:18
They didn't?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Feb 2011, 23:21
Like I'm a fan of hyperbole as much as the next guy but they're not desecrating anything doggo, these are imaginary things, they're not slapping sponsors on existing jerseys and also who fucking cares
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Feb 2011, 23:21
NOW THAT'S HOW YOU DO HYPERBOLE
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Feb 2011, 05:10
Individual Pursuit 4k Record Broken (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/9384819.stm)

Very impressive, and by quite a large margin by track cycling standards. It'll be interesting to see the reaction to this at the Manchester World Cup event later this month. Really wish I really wish I'd managed to pick up tickets for this but never mind. I shall have to suffer watching it on telly instead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 04 Feb 2011, 13:54
Speaking of soccer jerseys and sponsors on uniforms and American sports and so on:

This is pretty neat (http://imgur.com/a/I7b32)

NO.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Feb 2011, 17:52
Besides... the Packers already have a naming sponsor. It's not our fault they went out of business 90 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Feb 2011, 04:52
Packers 24, Steelers 17.

You heard it here first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 06 Feb 2011, 05:46
I hope so.

It seems like the Steelers are the Collingwood of the NFL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Feb 2011, 11:22
I agree that Dalglish has really lifted the team and his decision to switch Johnson (to left) and bring in Kelly (on the right) has been an absolute masterstroke. However, his best decision has been this new 3-5-2 system with Kelly and Johnson as wing backs. It works so well because Kelly can play freely without having to worry about mistakes as there are 3 defenders behind him and because nobody has any faith in Johnson's defensive abilities so the 3 other defenders behind him can help mop up.

Chelsea really presented very little threat at all and the one real chance that they had was ultimately scuffed by Torres although the sliding block by Carragher was excellent defending. Maxi should have scored before half-time and that may have worked against us in the end but it was still a horrific miss. A great win and moving into 6th place is fantastic after the torrid start to the season so hopefully this run of form keeps on going.

I'm going to have to disagree with your ratings of Johnson and Kalou though. Johnson is a great wing back because his defending is so poor but is in no way mercurial and Kalou is rated as highly as he should be i.e. very little as that is what he brings to the Chelsea team.
I agree that Malouda should have started, that was a poor decision by Ancelotti.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Feb 2011, 13:36
So for all these footy people on here who presume so much about their sport </light_sarcasm_mode>, what EPL/UEFA teams would you compare the two Super Bowl combatants to?

EDIT: By the way, for those of you who might not have gotten it from my Avatar - Hannelore is wearing an Aaron Rodgers jersey and a Packers "Wisconsin Heisman" logo hat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 06 Feb 2011, 13:47
Right, I am here looking for some advice from you football (the real kind) fans. What does a manager do? And how does it affect the results of the match? I would have thought the trainer was more relevant to that, am I wrong?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Feb 2011, 14:36
Well, that's a difficult point to make because there are so many coaches but let's start with the Manager. The Manager (el jefe, the gaffer, the boss) is the person who makes all of the final decisions. They decide which formation to play, which players will be playing in the game; they make all of the in-game decisions i.e. who to change if a substitution is warranted, what to change if things are going wrong; they also have to deal with the press and the higher-ups but in this role they ultimately get the final say on which players the club buys (unless there is a Director of Football but we won't go into that abyss).

Next there is the first team coach/assistant manager. This is the person who puts into action everything that the manager wants on the training ground but also generally sets up the training sessions and keeps an eye on any possible fitness drops/injuries that could be occurring and reports them to the manager so that maybe a player is rested for the next game.

Under him there are a multitude of other coaches; fitness coach, physiotherapist, attacking/defending coaches, goalkeeping coaches etc. who run the training sessions that the first team coach has set up.

So in the end the Manager is the top decision maker. At all times they watch every aspect of the game from the sidelines and relay instructions to their players on the pitch to make changes to hopefully benefit their team and to win matches or even just to shut the other team down for a while. Some people might argue that a Captain can do this kind of thing but ultimately the Captain is a player and has their own job to do on the pitch so there is no way to have the kind of scope that a manager has during a game (plus most footballers really are kind of dumb).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 06 Feb 2011, 14:46
Oh right I thought the coach did all the decision-making relating to the playing and the players, and the manager was just the business admin side of it. So I was confused why managers kept getting sacked and the coaches were still around.

Thanks!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Feb 2011, 15:21
Actually, a fair portion of the time the assistant manager is linked to the Manager and will also leave the club at the same time as the new Manager will want to bring in their own assistant. This sometimes applies to lower staff too but as they are not Mr. Big Shot Numero Uno it isn't really reported.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Feb 2011, 15:29
Ugh, I'm really starting to feel the Fox in this Superbowl coverage. "This is so much bigger than just a football game." No it's not!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Feb 2011, 15:55
So for all these footy people on here who presume so much about their sport </light_sarcasm_mode>, what EPL/UEFA teams would you compare the two Super Bowl combatants to?

Which soccer teams have the most rapists?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Feb 2011, 17:25
Amazingly, the Black Eyed Peas halftime show was even more awful than I'd anticipated.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 06 Feb 2011, 17:52
Yeah, a group of non-musicians with no talent performing a musical act which I despise managed to disappoint me.

That took some doing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Feb 2011, 18:06
You've got to admire them for it, in a way.

A hate-filled, loathing way.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Feb 2011, 18:47
I've had the game in the background on mute while I go about my day and I've gotta say, without the sound, half-time show was pretty cool. You guys are doin' it wrong.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: imagist42 on 06 Feb 2011, 19:17
Usher was the best part. That and the look on Slash's face when Fergie tried to rub up against him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Feb 2011, 19:21
Those are the parts I missed because I was in the toilet.

Also since when can you see Slash's face?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Feb 2011, 20:21
Usher was the best part. That and the look on Slash's face when Fergie tried to rub up against him.

"get off me woman, I'm tryin' to noodle!"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Feb 2011, 21:06
It was a sloppy game, but the Pack Prevailed. :) And that is all that matters.

13 NFL titles in 92 years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Feb 2011, 22:37
Yeah, that was not a very well-played game, but still entertaining.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 06 Feb 2011, 22:43
Having watched an unusually large amount of American Football this season thanks to the fact that there are several games a week now screened on free-to-air TV in Australia, it seems to me that this Superbowl was a perfectly entertaining, everyday game of football, rather than an actual Event game, such as last season's. Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but not one that's going to be remembered by anyone who's not a Packers or a Steelers fan for very long and nothing really to distinguish it from any other game of the season other than a lot of fireworks and a half-time "extravaganza" and people who kept saying "Superbowl" a lot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 06 Feb 2011, 23:17
You basically hit it right on the nose, there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: johnny5 on 06 Feb 2011, 23:54
i was pretty pleased with this game, won multiple bets

won on who actually won
won on the over/under (took the over)
won on over/under on how long the singing of the national anthem took

350$ earned!

but yeah, not an "instant classic" because of the turnovers  and the comeback drive fizzling out
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 07 Feb 2011, 02:48
Ugh, I'm really starting to feel the Fox in this Superbowl coverage. "This is so much bigger than just a football game." No it's not!
Yes Michael Douglas. An annual sporting competition is comparable to getting out of the great depression, the civil rights movement, the space race, and the fall of the USSR.

Because AMERICA! or something. I dunno, I had stopped paying attention.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Feb 2011, 02:51
Who the shit was in charge of volume levels for the halftime show performers

Like, seriously, how the fuck did that person ever get a job doing anything ever
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 07 Feb 2011, 13:02
Amazingly, the Black Eyed Peas halftime show was even more awful than I'd anticipated.

It certainly was the worst since ... well, last year's really.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 07 Feb 2011, 13:10
Who the shit was in charge of volume levels for the halftime show performers

Like, seriously, how the fuck did that person ever get a job doing anything ever

Yeah seriously I'm calling that someone had better have been fired over that, because jesus they managed to somehow make the Black Eyed Peas sound worse than when they're properly mixed. I didn't need to hear Fergie try to sing in the first place, but having her cut in and out repeatedly in too loud vocals over the barely audible music for the first 3 minutes and I'm pretty sure the bass was completely non-existant.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dimmukane on 07 Feb 2011, 16:00
I also love that one of the giant letters completely malfunctioned, spelling 'LOE' on the middle of the field.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Feb 2011, 16:14
I also love that one of the giant letters completely malfunctioned, spelling 'LOE' on the middle of the field.


Dudes and lady are fans of Kameron Loe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kameron_Loe), what is is there to say?



edit: pagebreakkkkk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Feb 2011, 16:33
I also love that one of the giant letters completely malfunctioned, spelling 'LOE' on the middle of the field.
You noticed that, too. Good. That helped make it worse than even I thought.

I'm thinking next year, they'd be better served to ask Up With People to do a retro-themed show.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dimmukane on 07 Feb 2011, 17:33
Nah, they should just use their voodoo powers to bring back Frank Sinatra from the dead.  And then have his junk hit a camera.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 07 Feb 2011, 22:09
Having watched an unusually large amount of American Football this season thanks to the fact that there are several games a week now screened on free-to-air TV in Australia, it seems to me that this Superbowl was a perfectly entertaining, everyday game of football, rather than an actual Event game, such as last season's. Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but not one that's going to be remembered by anyone who's not a Packers or a Steelers fan for very long and nothing really to distinguish it from any other game of the season other than a lot of fireworks and a half-time "extravaganza" and people who kept saying "Superbowl" a lot.

I'm pretty much with you on that one. I'm just happy Aaron Rodgers has a ring, because I used to watch him play in college all the time and also he's not a rapist. Go Bears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Feb 2011, 04:22
You were doing good until that last word.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Feb 2011, 11:57
nah dude. He's 115% in the right
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 08 Feb 2011, 12:06
You were doing good until that last word.

No, I meant these Bears:

(http://i.imgur.com/yAOz6.jpg)

Watching him and DeSean Jackson torch defenses for a couple years was pretty awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Feb 2011, 14:07
Upon reflection I think a large part of the reason why the game felt just ordinary was the two teams playing. Even a casual NFL watcher like me knows that it's not exactly unheard of for the Packers and the Steelers to be vying for a championship, so instead of the excitement of last year's first-time ever victory for the Saints, this year we just had "Oh hey, it's these guys again."

I mean obviously last year's game was just a more exciting game, too, but I think it's a factor.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Feb 2011, 14:30
I was going to recommend a last place game, winner getting first pick in the draft, but does anyone really want to watch Browns v. Panthers?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 08 Feb 2011, 15:37
... two teams so steeped in incompetence? Hell, yes, I'd watch. Make it a drinking game: drink on interceptions, fumbles and drops.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 08 Feb 2011, 16:10
Sign me up, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Feb 2011, 16:36
I feel like the Browns would blow the Panthers out with Colt McCoy starting. As bad teams go, they were pretty frisky-- they weren't a last place team this year at all, actually-- and they beat the Panthers despite having to start the interception machine that is Jake Delhomme.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Feb 2011, 19:13
Actually, the NFL did have an "exhibition bowl" at the end of every season in the 1960's. The runners-up in each division (back in the two-division NFL days) played in what was officially known as the Bert Bell Memorial Playoff Bowl. In 1967, when the NFL moved to a four-division setup, the losers of the league semi-finals played in the game. The game was set for the week after the Championship game, and the week before the Super Bowl.

That game was called, in the most "polite" terms, the Toilet Bowl. The Detroit Lions won three of the 10 contests.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 08 Feb 2011, 21:08
Okay America, I want to know something.

Why bowls?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Feb 2011, 21:53
It's because of the shape of the stadiums. We didn't always have big massive stadiums just for football and obviously the biggest games were held in the biggest venues.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 09 Feb 2011, 01:07
I'm going to guess at the etymology without consulting Wikipedia or whatever, but I think it has to do with the fact that The Rose Bowl the post-season college game is played in The Rose Bowl the stadium. I believe it was also one of the first post-season invitational games, pitting the winner of the (then) Pac-8 against the winner of the Big 10. The "Bowl" part got detached and used as an appendage to other games in the same way that "gate" got detached from Watergate (simply the name of the hotel broken into) and used as the general suffix for scandals in American politics. There were other college stadiums also named "-bowls" of course (Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl), and some of them also hosted eponymous post-season games which probably gave a boost to the phenomenon.

And that's enough work put into a post that can probably be shot down with a simple Google search.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 09 Feb 2011, 09:23
Alternate explanation: English sports tend to have 'cups' as prizes. American Sports roughly tend to be just bigger, stupider versions of english sports. ('foot'ball/rugby, baseball/rounders, etc.). 'Bowls' are just big, stupid 'cups' without handles. Q.E.D.

 :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Feb 2011, 09:26
I'm sure you already know, Tommy, but Aston Villa loaned out Eric Lichaj to Leeds for a month. Good young player. American as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Feb 2011, 09:41
I know the Britons have been doing things longer than Americans jokes give some people huge stiffies, but they genuinely make me feel insulted.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 09 Feb 2011, 12:15
Also putting quotation marks around football might be the most insufferable thing I've ever seen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 09 Feb 2011, 12:17
They're just bitter because a bunch of farmers and Frenchmen managed to defeat the Queen's army.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 09 Feb 2011, 12:22
And the Dutch!

Everyone always forgets the Dutch...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 09 Feb 2011, 16:29
Do people still use the word 'gridiron?'
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 09 Feb 2011, 16:54
I do within the context of this thread when comparing one to another. Otherwise I just go with NFL or whatever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2011, 17:13
THEY BARELY EVEN USE THEIR FEET
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 09 Feb 2011, 17:44
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_%28word%29#Etymology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_%28word%29#Etymology)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2011, 18:46
BUT THAT MAKES PRETTY MUCH EVERY BALL-SPORT "FOOTBALL"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 09 Feb 2011, 19:05
Not polo though, you pleb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Feb 2011, 19:10
polo? what's that? do you mean horseball?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Feb 2011, 03:41
Or perhaps splashball?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CardinalFang on 10 Feb 2011, 04:35
polo? what's that? do you mean horseball?
I think you'll find it's referred to as Hoofball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Feb 2011, 04:58
Not polo though, you pleb.

But horses have feet, therefore still played on foot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Feb 2011, 05:54
Also putting quotation marks around football might be the most insufferable thing I've ever seen.

Entirely appropriate to distinguish it from actual football though, unless you prefer the equally nauseating prefix "American" to be used every time.

Tell the band that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 10 Feb 2011, 06:33
Not polo though, you pleb.

But horses have feet, therefore still played on foot.

Naturally I wouldn't expect any of the riff-raff around here to be familiar with hovercraft polo.

Men, on horses, on cushions of air. The very height of modern decadent sporting sophistication.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Feb 2011, 07:19
Old time hockey at the Garden last night (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/photos?gameId=310209001&photoId=1112126#photo_1112130). The Bruins won a goal-filled, fight filled game against the Canadiens last night, featuring a score that jumped from 3-3 to 5-4 in under two minutes, a goalie fight (well, kinda), and a brawl in the last minute of the third that resulted in a total of 93 penalty minutes.

Interesting facts, thank you ESPN: It was the first time a Montreal goalie got in a fight and gave up 8+ goals since Patrick Roy in 1986 and 1995, respectively. That is the only time someone will ever compare Carey Price to Patrick Roy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Feb 2011, 08:19
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2r7pqj7.jpg)

Gotta love it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Feb 2011, 07:16
Jesus fucking christ, Rooney's back on form.


(http://i52.tinypic.com/29ylcn.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 12 Feb 2011, 10:50
I like the celebration is soccer some dudes do where they just run as hard as they can in a direction. Nothing else, except they might wave their hands around like a dunce, but principally they're just bolting, usually with the rest of the team bolting behind him trying to congratulate him. But nope, dude just keeps running.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 12 Feb 2011, 11:17
The derby was more interesting than I was expecting (had money on <1.5 goals, oops). Although I wasn't sure what was going on at times because I was watching on some crappy Greek internet stream and the commentator kept mistaking every Man City player (especially Yaya Toure) for Pablo Zabaleta which is just  :?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Feb 2011, 19:53
Wait, wait... ManU is UNDEFEATED? In EPL Play????
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 13 Feb 2011, 14:55
Pitchers and catchers reported today.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 13 Feb 2011, 20:24
Pitchers and catchers reported today.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Now begins the stretch until March 31st, which will somehow feel even longer than the last three months.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 14 Feb 2011, 07:15
Wait, wait... ManU is UNDEFEATED? In EPL Play????

no, lost one
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Feb 2011, 08:48
Pitchers and catchers reported today.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Now begins the stretch until March 31st, which will somehow feel even longer than the last three months.

Does CSN not broadcast most of the Giants spring training games? Seems like NESN's got three games a week in March for the Red Sox.

edit: RE: Goal Celebrations.

My favorite ever (and why isn't this on Youtube?!) was from the end of last season, when Chelsea hammered Wigan 7-1 to win the championship. Didier Drogba ended up grabbing the corner flag and playing it like a guitar, while Florent Malouda played air drums in the background.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Feb 2011, 12:59
Spring training isn't the same thing. Although I'm sure Belt will get a lot of playing time during ST and that will be fun to watch just to see if he lives up to the hype.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Feb 2011, 14:48
He looked pretty decent from the one Fall League game I saw.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Feb 2011, 21:26
He'll probably start the season in AAA but that will mostly be to game service time so he's not Super 2 eligible down the line.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 15 Feb 2011, 02:13
Fuckity, Rebecca Romero is out of the World Track Champs this weekend.

Not that the rest of the the GB aren't really good but Romero is really exciting to watch and I was looking forward to that.

Still, there's a possibility that Wiggins is going to have a crack at the individual pursuit world record.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Feb 2011, 09:21
He'll probably start the season in AAA but that will mostly be to game service time so he's not Super 2 eligible down the line.

And when you think you know everything about baseball, Bryan invents the term "Super 2 eligible".  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 15 Feb 2011, 12:33
Sorry, Super 2 refers to the two years of salary arbitration a player gets at the end of their 6 years of service time before they hit free agency for the first time. If a team leaves a player in the minors for a certain amount of time before calling him up to the 40-man roster, they can game it a bit so that the 4th year of service time occurs partway through a season so they can defer salary arbitration to the following year. For instance, the Giants had to pay Tim Lincecum 13 million dollars last year in his fourth year of service time because he started opening day in 2006 on the 40-man roster even though he wasn't in the rotation. They could have avoided paying that until this season if they had left him in AAA until June. It's more common with position players than pitchers. I'm not sure if Buster Posey will qualify down the line or not, since he started in AAA but was called up in mid-May so I don't know if that's before or after the cutoff.

Either way, that decision will probably not be made concerning Belt until near the end of spring training. If he completely rakes in Arizona then they might bite the bullet and just give him the starting first base job and pay extra for it in a few years' time. If he struggles or Bochy is comfortable with the opening day lineup as-is after spring training, Belt will get some extra practice in AAA and the team will save some money in the process. It's an important thing for front offices to consider since baseball has no salary cap so teams that aren't the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, or Phillies have to watch their margins so they can still compete in free agency.

Baseball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Feb 2011, 12:43
Oh okay, so it's a bit like the whole 10 & 5 thing? Or is that for no-trade clauses?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Feb 2011, 13:31
Even with Inter winning the Champions League last spring, I think the best team in Milan this season is Tottenham Hotspur.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 15 Feb 2011, 13:55
10 and 5 is for no-trade clauses, yeah. That doesn't come up as much because most players who have been around that long and have a deal with a team for that length of time have NTCs built into their contracts anyway. That's what's making Michael Young such a headache for the Rangers right now, he's demanding a trade but has a NTC that has to be waived and nobody wants to take on his awful contract even if the Rangers could get anything of value for him. The 6-year service time with 2 years arbitration for drafted players/amateur FAs is a standard set by the CBA, as far as I know. I certainly haven't heard of any cases where younger players hit free agency before then, at least.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 16 Feb 2011, 07:35
Ronaldo isn´t the only one retiring, Kevin Muscat just retired, don´t think he´ll be missed though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHzCtRa2SE&feature=player_embedded#at=68 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHzCtRa2SE&feature=player_embedded#at=68)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Feb 2011, 08:39
Grumble grumble. Won't be home until about 4:10. Will miss most of the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 16 Feb 2011, 13:43
We might see Arsenal surprise Barcelona tonight too, they actually have most of their best players fit again.

Barely needed 'em, Laurent Koscielny owned everyone. Sweet goals tho.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Feb 2011, 15:03
StormRider - that was one of the reasons why the Nats didn't bring up Strasburg until June last year. They didn't want the clock ticking on arbitration until the last possible second. That and they didn't want another David Clyde meltdown, of course.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 16 Feb 2011, 17:17
Barcelona got what they deserved for taking Villa off and bringing on Keita.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 18 Feb 2011, 10:46
Yeah, decent result. Barcelona must be unhappy, they could have killed the game several times over in the first half. Just goes to show that Wenger knows what he's doing for the most part. Although they rode their luck a lot, they got a result against inarguably the best team in the world. In the first half I was screaming at Eboue but I guess that kind of physical player was needed in the end, just to disrupt play like a big comedy drunk. Quiet game for basically everybody I expected to shine and a few of Arsenal's lesser players were very good overall. Fabs and Nasri couldn't really get in the game much but Wilshere was impressive again. I can't think how he's not going to be absolutely brilliant.

Wish I'd thought to put money on the last couple of nights. I guessed the right score for this and the Spurs match and almost the right goalscorers too (had Nasri to score tonight, not Arshavin - who is incidentally having the best worst season ever?!).

One thing I was impressed by was that as you say Barca essentially dominated the first half bar the odd Walcott sprint, and one could only assume that it'd be more of the same after the break - but Arsenal totally bossed the second half despite taking ages to score. It was an incredibly even game and I would've been chuffed with the performance even if it'd finished 1-3 or so.

Eboue was fantastic given his past form at RB. Incredible to think that a guy who was subbed back off for being so goddamn terrible that a whole stadium turned on him could be reborn as such a fantastic utility player. He's now our John O'Shea-style go-to guy for filling gaps anywhere up the right hand side of the pitch, and he always puts in noticeably mature, composed and confident performances given that he's openly deployed as an emergency fill-in player. Used to cry every time I saw him on the teamsheet but he's a great asset.

Joint men-of-the-match were easily Koschielny, Woj and Wilshere though. Hell of a team. And that goal will do Arshavin's confidence a world of good, here's hoping he gets his shit together and finishes the season with a few key goals. Love that he had a t-shirt of himself celebrating to show off when he scored :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Feb 2011, 13:17
Oh yes, a sea level record dished out by the Women's Team Pursiut team to take the gold at the Manchester World Cup. Stunning riding, very smooth and very clean. Quite surprised at the US taking bronze as they looked quite sloppy in the change overs. Perhaps not as comfortable with the steep track as they could be.

Qualifiers for the team sprint a bit dissapointing for Britain, but I think that says a lot about how other countries have responded since the Beijing whitewash rather than any decline in our own quality. I still think we stand a very good chance of a bronze though. Pendleton looks a bit pissed at missing out but there you have it. At least Varnish opened with a sub 19, which bodes well for London 2012.

Now to see whether Geraint Thomas can deliver in the Individual Pursuit. Looks comfortable and on home surf so hopefully.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Feb 2011, 13:21
Fuck 1.4 on the splits. Brutal.

Cock, good effort but not balanced enough. A creditable second though.

Just watched the awards ceremony. No offence intended to the Aussies here but is your national anthem a remix of How much is the doggie in the window?

Chris Hoy in the sprint for bronze, of the front in round one and from the back in round two, brilliant tactician. Kenny opened the gold fight with a hard half wheel off the front and now pushes long but held off. Into a third round to decide.

OK, Jason Kenny up for the final sprint against Sireau. One race a piece and Kenny to face down out the back where he lost by a half wheel last time. Holding a better line though and Sireau is running different tactics, not wanting to get pushed long again. Alas Kenny held off.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Feb 2011, 21:07
This whole "push draft" thing at Daytona is going to be either captivating racing, or a disaster waiting to happen.

And, sadly, I'm starting to get tired of all the Earnhardt memorial stuff.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 19 Feb 2011, 23:15
Only Baseball could engender an app this obsessive (http://www.pennant.cc/index.php).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Feb 2011, 15:47
Oh QPR, drawing their way to the Premier League.

Also, the Super 12 14 15 Rugby season started this weekend and there's a brand new shiny Melbourne team and everyone here who isn't from Victoria or one of the other AFL states is really excited! And . . . in their first competitive game on Friday night they lost horribly, 43-0 against the New South Wales Waratahs. Oh my.

Next Friday they're playing the ACT Brumbies and I'm going to be really torn because that's my team, that's been my team since they were formed in 1996 and I was still living in Canberra. I think I'd still prefer the Brumbies to win, but I don't want the Melbourne Rebels to get flogged again.

What's nice about having a Rugby team in Melbourne, though, is that Melbourne has such a large ex-pat community: aside from all the people here from New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT (traditionally the Rugby playing parts of Australia), at the Melbourne Rebels games so far (apart from last Friday's match there have been a few trials) you hear English accents, Irish accents, New Zealand accents, South African accents, you see masses of Islanders - basically there's a huge population of people in Melbourne who are hungry for real, proper Rugby Union who now have a full-time professional team to support. Which is nice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Feb 2011, 18:07
I never expected the Western Force (what is up with dumb Super Rugby expansion teams with horribly dumb names? I feel like we may have discussed this before...) to be as popular as they were either, but your explanation makes a lot of sense, Perth being full of Saffas and Poms and Kiwis etc
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Feb 2011, 18:40
Wait a minute - WHO won the Daytona 500? (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=6142487)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 20 Feb 2011, 19:24
Wait a minute - WHO cares about the Daytona 500?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 20 Feb 2011, 20:37
Don't worry Rebels, the Force only won one game in out inaugural season and we're pretty alright now.

Also we really should have beaten the Reds on Sunday. I'm still not even sure what that last yellow card was for because I was watching it on some low res stream with some awful, awful commentators.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Feb 2011, 22:37
Perth being full of Saffas and Poms

That's why it's so hilarious/stupid whenever the ARU insists on playing a test match against England or South Africa in Perth. They don't do it with England so much any more because ever since the 2003 World Cup final matches against England are sure-fire stadium-fillers on the East Coast, but they seem to have the Wallabies playing the Springboks in Perth every year now, and judging from the crowd noise coming across on the TV half the spectators are cheering for South Africa. A classic case of a modern-day professional sporting administrative body putting profit first: who cares if they sacrifice home-ground advantage if they sell a ton of tickets?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 20 Feb 2011, 23:01
Also, let's all sit back and enjoy the sight of the Brumbies' 20-year-old rookie Robbie Coleman completely wrongfooting All Blacks/Chiefs fullback Mils Muliaina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWlQ5yFRdY#t=0m25s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWlQ5yFRdY#t=0m25s)

Man, I could watch that all day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 20 Feb 2011, 23:27
Sevens players play the most spectacular rugby.

Also as a Springboks supporter living in Perth I am totally OK with the Wallabies playing the Bokke in Perth regularly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 21 Feb 2011, 06:41
Wait a minute - WHO won the Daytona 500? (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/cup/news/story?id=6142487)

Was really disappointed when WHO didn't turn out to be the World Health Organisation.

Also,
Quote from: that linked article
"I think the world's going to like him a lot."

Hahahahaha, "the world." Nobody outside the southern USA is going to know or care who he is.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 21 Feb 2011, 07:33
Nah if it was Marcus Ambrose some Australians will.

I didn't read the linked article.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Feb 2011, 17:32
Also, let's all sit back and enjoy the sight of the Brumbies' 20-year-old rookie Robbie Coleman completely wrongfooting All Blacks/Chiefs fullback Mils Muliaina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWlQ5yFRdY#t=0m25s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRWlQ5yFRdY#t=0m25s)

Man, I could watch that all day.

20-year-old rookies do make mistakes. Like this Trevor Bayne kid. He missed the turn into Victory Lane at Daytona.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Feb 2011, 09:20
Sevens players play the most spectacular rugby.

Also as a Springboks supporter living in Perth I am totally OK with the Wallabies playing the Bokke in Perth regularly.

I did randomly stumble upon the Australia v England match from the US leg of the World Sevens Thingy this past week. Fun stuff.


edit:

Tottenham 1-0 AC Milan
Blackpool 3-0 Tottenham

Ergo, Blackpool > AC Milan?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Feb 2011, 16:51
That it would be, if this was the BCS and not UEFA.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Feb 2011, 05:53
I just don't get how a team can play such inspiring football in the Champions League and then play miserable against very beatable teams at home.

I guess they are the "typical cup team".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Feb 2011, 07:13
Oh. yeah.

Tom Huddlestone, hey?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Feb 2011, 08:53
I mentioned Huddlestone speficially because when we saw Spurs this past summer, I remember him being an absolute beast of a man. I think it was Bill Simmons that said he looked like an NFL linebacker, and I can't disagree.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Feb 2011, 05:59
This is a friend of mine celebrating a silver in the Evandale Penny Farthing Road Race.

(http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy155/sandyvigar/Tasmania%20Feb%202011/Picture183.jpg)

Apparently the first three ladies were in a bit of a penny-peleton, which sounds pretty frightening.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Feb 2011, 11:22
Well travelled, .....lady-chap.

Where are her top hat and monocle, though?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 24 Feb 2011, 11:25
I find it very comforting to know that someone out there things that kind of a race is a good idea. Gives me hope for the human species.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Feb 2011, 11:59
She also won the Knutsford Great Race team prize with her partner who came third in the above race.

Yeah, I really like the of beat and fringe sporting activities as well.

I kind of posted this in response to Khar's We Hate Sports thread. All he really does is rant about high profile, well funded, heavily advertised team sports. Sport is about so much more than that but I think he just doesn't get it. Pity really, sports can be such a great outlet for creativity.

see also: Smithfield Noctunes
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 25 Feb 2011, 05:16
Being in a crowd of 14,000 people who've been waiting years for a professional rugby team to call their own witness their new team's first win against all expectations and literally in the last minute of the game after the team had lost its only other competetive match 43-0 the previous week is a pretty special experience.

(Awesome game between the Melbourne Rebels and the ACT Brumbies in the Super 15 tonight.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2011, 13:31
CMON UNITED. COME. ON.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2011, 13:37
And now it's desperate frustration. 2-1 down in stoppage time, Giggs booked and Vidic sent off.

However, congrats to Giggs for tying Bobby Charlton's record for league appearances. 606!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Mar 2011, 13:39
So, depending on how big my paycheck is tomorrow, I think I've finally got enough spare cash floating around in my account to justify dropping some bank on a Rangers jersey.

The questions I ask you, knowledgeable Internet types, are as follows:

1) Which player? I'm currently going and back and forth between Mats Zucarello and Henrik Lundqvist. I really like the way Zucarello plays but he's still young and a lot can happen, including him getting traded away. Lundqvist seems fairly entrenched at the Rangers and is fairly popular but also kind of an obvious choice and I definitely prefer Zucarello. But being not especially flush with money means the approx. $200 this is gonna cost me is a fairly significant expenditure and I don't wanna drop it on something I regret. Other player suggestions are welcome, given good reasons why.

2) Do I go for the regular home jersey or the new 3rd jersey with the darker blue and "New York" in place of the usual "Rangers"?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 03 Mar 2011, 16:22
Go for the home jersey but personally, I wouldn't get any name put on it. Or maybe get your own name on it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 Mar 2011, 19:01
I dunno man, I feel like that's corny
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 03 Mar 2011, 19:09
Yeah putting your own name on a replica professional sports team jersey is a desperately sad-sack move.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Mar 2011, 19:16
I don't know about that - if you're a fan of the team and not of a player, putting your own name and number on the jersey is a statement that you're there for the team through thick and thin.

And, you don't end up with what happened to me: I purchased the jersey of one of my favorite players on the Preds - and 24 hours later, he was traded to Colorado. :/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 03 Mar 2011, 22:57
I thought that putting your own name on a jersey meant that you aren't prepared to admit that you lack pro sporting skills and are deluded that you are part of the team.

Still, at least wearing jerseys of stadium sports isn't as widely scorned as wearing the kit of your favourite cycling team. That's just writing a cheque that your legs can't cash (unless you support team Astana when you'll just be regarded as one of their clean riders).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 03 Mar 2011, 23:33
Do not get your own name on a sports jersey, it's lame as hell.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 04 Mar 2011, 05:15
Oh.

Ooops.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Mar 2011, 05:58
Blah blah blah I'm a Rangers fan

a) Get Lunqvist. Or Callahan.

b) The third jersey is amazing, GET THAT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 04 Mar 2011, 06:13
SNOOKER

counts, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Mar 2011, 09:45
And, you don't end up with what happened to me: I purchased the jersey of one of my favorite players on the Preds - and 24 hours later, he was traded to Colorado. :/

I have the worst t-shirt/jersey luck. For example:

-I got my Patrice Bergeron jersey about two months before his concussion a few years back. He missed the rest of the season.
-My first Manchester United jersey, I had David Beckham's name put on it. I got it in February and he darted for Real Madrid that June.
-I got my friend a Blake Wheeler t-shirt for xmas two years ago, and the Bruins shipped him out to Atlanta at the deadline this season.
-Most of my Red Sox player t-shirts are players that aren't with the team anymore. Alex Cora, Doug Mirabelli, Sean Casey. The only current one I have is Hideki Okajima.

I've learned my lesson. National team jerseys. It's unlikely (and pretty much impossible) that Bastien Schweinsteiger will defect from Germany.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Mar 2011, 09:57
The rule for having your name on a replica jersey is the same as bringing a glove to a baseball game: If you're older than 9 there is just no god damn excuse.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 04 Mar 2011, 11:35
Then we're ok, because my jersey is original.

Also lost.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 04 Mar 2011, 11:44
I have a Lincecum jersey so I have at least another three years with it before he can leave. Hopefully they'll get an extension done soon and I won't even have to worry about that. If I get the job I'm competing for right now I'm thinking about buying a Posey road jersey with the extra money.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Mar 2011, 12:05
See, I've never actually done it but I didn't know what the opinion was in north america about it. In the UK/Europe it seems to be an accepted practice as it is more to do with the fact that you want to show your support for the team rather than pretending that you are good enough to play professionally. Also, with the number of transfers players make between teams it's never completely known if a player is going to stay at a team and then you end up with a jersey of a player now playing for someone else i.e. Torres on a Liverpool shirt (which is what my brother has and now refuses to wear it).

EDIT: What is the accepted practice of wearing older shirts in north america? Because like Shane said all of his jerseys now have players who no longer play for the team so surely it makes more sense to either have a blank shirt or your own otherwise you end up paying out for new jerseys constantly and plenty of people still wear shirts that the team stopped using 5-10 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 04 Mar 2011, 12:39
Actually I'd totally get a jersey of a player who didn't play for the team anymore (Mike Richter or Gretzky, f'rinstance), or even the old discontinued Rangers 3rd (http://jerseys-fs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hockey%20Jerseys%20for-sale-3286932707075357490.jpg), if that sort of stuff wasn't actually more expensive than the already ridiculously expensive regular jerseys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Mar 2011, 12:53
Yeah, it's situational. It kinda depends on the player and the condition of the jersey. My uncle's old pristine Puckett jersey is fine but a ratty old Pierzynski Twins jersey is basically just admitting you're cheap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Mar 2011, 13:02
Actually I'd totally get a jersey of a player who didn't play for the team anymore (Mike Richter or Gretzky, f'rinstance), or even the old discontinued Rangers 3rd (http://jerseys-fs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Hockey%20Jerseys%20for-sale-3286932707075357490.jpg), if that sort of stuff wasn't actually more expensive than the already ridiculously expensive regular jerseys.

Well, a legend of the club is acceptable at pretty much any time because who's going to argue with that?

Yeah, it's situational. It kinda depends on the player and the condition of the jersey. My uncle's old pristine Puckett jersey is fine but a ratty old Pierzynski Twins jersey is basically just admitting you're cheap.

Does this not bring into question that your support of your favourite team is based on the amount of money you spend to support them then? Personally, I am loathe to pass judgement on those who wear the older jerseys, no matter whose name is on them, and to call someone cheap for wearing an old jersey seems ridiculous because I would not connect value of support with value of merchandise you have bought related to your club.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 04 Mar 2011, 13:42
Are we talking about what is morally acceptable or how not to have other people think you're dressed like an idiot? Because those are often really two different things, unfortunately.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 04 Mar 2011, 14:14
Well, sport is not a fashion show but yeah, there are such things as humility and self-respect.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 04 Mar 2011, 14:28
Yeah, it's situational. It kinda depends on the player and the condition of the jersey. My uncle's old pristine Puckett jersey is fine but a ratty old Pierzynski Twins jersey is basically just admitting you're cheap.

Also, fuck AJ Pierzynski forever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Mar 2011, 07:20
EDIT: What is the accepted practice of wearing older shirts in north america? Because like Shane said all of his jerseys now have players who no longer play for the team so surely it makes more sense to either have a blank shirt or your own otherwise you end up paying out for new jerseys constantly and plenty of people still wear shirts that the team stopped using 5-10 years ago.

To be honest, it's double-edged. Wearing a throwback with a team legend on it is always kosher. And if you've got a blank jersey...teams in North America usually don't change uniform designs....much, ever. Aside from about a 8 year run in the 1970s, the Red Sox have worn the same home uniform since the 1930s.

Also, Dovey, if you go old school like Richter or Gretz, cool. And like I mentioned above..you could get it on a recent jersey because the Rangers never change, either.
But people who get a legend on a NEW jersey, I hate that so much. It's embarassing how many Bobby Orrs you see on the new Bruins jersey when you go to the Garden. Bobby Orr played in the 70s. The Bruins have changed styles 3 times since then.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Hairy Joe Bob on 05 Mar 2011, 09:12
Apparently there is a strong case that an offside call on Arshavin was wrong AND he may have been deliberately pushed in the penalty area. Cue typical Wenger Blinker-VisionTM in the post-match interviews.

We just managed to beat Newcastle after going a goal down we were pretty much all over them from the 20th minute to the end. Rather pleasing after all our injuries and THAT F.A. Cup exit.

Leeds rattled in 5, Tommy! Starting to give Leicester (who a few weeks ago I was sure was going to sneak in and qualify through the play-offs) the slip.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 05 Mar 2011, 09:48
Also, Dovey, if you go old school like Richter or Gretz, cool. And like I mentioned above..you could get it on a recent jersey because the Rangers never change, either.
But people who get a legend on a NEW jersey, I hate that so much. It's embarassing how many Bobby Orrs you see on the new Bruins jersey when you go to the Garden. Bobby Orr played in the 70s. The Bruins have changed styles 3 times since then.

It's not like it's even hard to locate Bruins throwbacks. I see them all the time, even here in Alberta.

I'd totally love to get one but unfortunately the only way I could do so would be a) pay something like $220 for an official throwback (even if it's not an old jersey design, this is literally how much it seems to cost to get a retired legend's name on a jersey. The local sports shop has a Gretzky Oilers sweater and a few others for this much) or b) Buy a knockoff, which I don't actually have an ethical problem with or anything, just more that I can't seem to find any place that sells them that doesn't have a major reputation for sending the wrong items or just not sending anything at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 05 Mar 2011, 18:04
Meanwhile QPR are finally starting to string some wins together and are now eight points clear on top!

I bought my dad a replica jersey when I went to see QPR play in 2003, if they continue like this I might have to buy one for myself too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 05 Mar 2011, 21:23
Arsenal, what was that all about?

I would get rid of fully half that team. Not good enough.

Yeah, tell me about it.  Ref's decisions aside our side just isn't good enough once we lose a couple of key players.  Granted five of our first-team players are injured, but shit happens at that level and you need to be prepared for it with a decent bench.  If I were in charge Denilson, Rosicky, Diaby, Eboue & Squillaci would all the out on their asses, or sitting on them forever, or playing for other teams on loan, or in the reserves, whatever.  Bendtner and Chamakh are also patchy, unfortunately for us.  If we're gonna maintain pretensions that we're a top side we need another striker of Van Persie's calibre, a good replacement/fill in defensive midfielder for when Song's tired or injured, another decent back because Squillaci isn't working out and a couple more decent utility midfielders who look like they actually give a shit whether they win a game or not.

I am really sick to fucking death of Wenger's excuse of "if I bring in more players then when/where will they play" or "but our young talent will have nowhere to grow into."  I don't care.  The players won't care either if they are winning shit.  If we had a fit, decent  midfielder calling the shots against Birmingham instead of Rosicky being there maybe we would have come out of it a bit better.  Maybe if we had a captain that was able to motivate the team and actually fucking took charge we'd lift our heads when things get rough.  Fabregas isn't a talker, he leads by example.  That's not a captain, that's vice-captain at best.  We need someone who has a presence on the field and will get up the team when they're slacking off.  We lack that at the moment, and it really shows.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Mar 2011, 05:57
And there are still hundreds of millions of people in the United States who have NFC what you guys are talking about.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nufan on 06 Mar 2011, 06:58
When Ramsey, Vela, Lansbury, Simpson, Watt, Frimpong, Emmanuel-Thomas, Henderson, Gibbs, Eastmond etc reach maturity and are ready to go into the first team at last, are they really going to play either of the Manchester Teams off the park, let alone the other London clubs?

Ramsey is a tough one - he was looking like something special (on a par with Wilshere) until that horrible tackle, and it's always unknown how a player recovers from something that bad. Eduardo wasn't the same since his similar injury.

Also, I keep forgetting Vermaelen is out - he's one of the best defenders in the country and I'm slightly shocked Arsenal are where they are having had their best defender out since September.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Mar 2011, 08:19
Fantastic game today, slightly let down by the switch off 5 minutes from the end which let the scum manage to score an undeserved consolation. Luis Suarez was the stuff of defender's nightmares in this game and finally playing 2 up front showed the defensive frailties of a Manchester United team who aren't really a whole lot better than other teams but generally manage to grind out results through a couple of good moves each game. There is a fear of them turning into an AC Milan-style side, having to rely on elder statesmen to do all of the work rather than their younger players actually being able to play the roles they should be able to e.g. Smalling and Rafael who were very poor.

Most hilarious moment of the game was how Nani seemed to injure himself by not staying on the floor after Carragher's challenge. Jumping up and falling down again seems to have caused a stretching of the already (presumably) bruised muscle and striking out at a paramedic is not going to win him any favours.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Mar 2011, 12:44
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a55/ddovey/Screenshot2011-03-06at11725PM.png)

Feeling slightly better about the prospects of the Rangers meeting Philly in the first round of the playoffs!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 06 Mar 2011, 15:54
If we don't turn this around quick sharp you might be getting the Penguins or the Lightning.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Mar 2011, 16:31
We've got a decent record against the Pens too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Mar 2011, 08:51
They should have another one to replace him, same as they should have another decent striker and a decent holding midfielder apart from Song.

Was this the shortest hattrick ever? Kuyt scored three goals from 1 yard, 3 yards and 2 yards collectively. I can't immediately think of a hattrick which was scored from six yards in total. Fair play to him, you have to be there to score them.

I had one last summer that were all goal-line tap ins.

re yesterday's game:

Didn't seem like United ever had a chance, especially after Nani's antics and then Rafael losing his cool (and I agree Tommy, Rafa's pretty good. Much better than his brother). They played like they were frustrated, and Chicharito's goal wasn't much of a consolation, though it does push the little guy past 10 league goals for the season.

I feel like they've been losing hold of the league in the past few weeks. Hopefully next Wednesday turns out much better than the dreadful performance we put down in Marseille. Yikes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 07 Mar 2011, 12:13
My ice hockey team lost their Varsity match :( However, it doesn't sound like they lost toooo badly, which is good. Damn Oxford and their easy access to their own ice rink.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 07 Mar 2011, 13:23
Can I just say, Helen Clitheroe, 3000m gold medal in the European indoor Championships at the age of 37 and after her lottery funding was withdrawn. Absolutely fantastic. Beating people half her age, genuine proper sports stuff that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 07 Mar 2011, 14:09
I find it very comforting to know that someone out there things that kind of a race is a good idea. Gives me hope for the human species.

For those interested in odd sports that don't require twenty or so ill-coiffed prima-donnas with good acting skills then it looks like there's going to be a penny-farthing race in Matlock on Sept 11th. Matlock is also a fine source of spectatorialy beneficial ales.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Mar 2011, 14:36
You know, I was expecting you to make some note of Paris-Nice, which I think kicked off yesterday. I saw a bit of the first stage on Versus, but not the end of it.

My boy* Ryder Hesjedal has switched over to the new Garmin-Cervelo team, and is supposedly a favorite in this one. Also, the founder of Cervelo's last name is "Vroomen". What a fantastic name for someone involved in bicycle racing. Maybe only second to Jeremy Pedalfast**. Or...yknow. Ryder Hesjedal. Ryder.




*Well..co-boy. I'm also a big Andy Schleck fan.
**not a real person
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Mar 2011, 15:35
The West is going to be a crapshoot in the SCPO this year. When you've got that much bunching from fourth to 11th, you're going to have a lot of potential for upsets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 Mar 2011, 21:17
Yeah the West is insane. I just hope the Flames make it, they really deserve it. (also I'd hopefully get to make it to some playoff games)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 07 Mar 2011, 21:47
Personally speaking, I'm enjoying the hell out of the Miami Heat's collective meltdown. Schadenfreude wheeeeeeee.

Also the Red Sox will win 162 games this year, you heard it here first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 07 Mar 2011, 22:54
valley - I've been a bit slow on picking up a feed for that one as I'm spending most evenings looking for work. Going to try and see stages four and five as these should be the deciders for the top of the GC. Might be a good showing for Vinokourov though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Mar 2011, 09:15
Personally speaking, I'm enjoying the hell out of the Miami Heat's collective meltdown. Schadenfreude wheeeeeeee.

Also the Red Sox will win 162 games this year, you heard it here first.

I'm saying 97.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 08 Mar 2011, 09:47
Personally speaking, I'm enjoying the hell out of the Miami Heat's collective meltdown. Schadenfreude wheeeeeeee.

My favorite thing about the Heat is the way some commentators keep acting like they'd be unbeatable if Udonis Haslem had never been injured.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 08 Mar 2011, 11:26
Just looked at the profile for tomorrow's stage of the Paris-Nice. I reckon this should give us a good shake up of the GC as well as the main battle for the KOM going down as well.

As far as the GC is concerned I reckon the people to keep an eye on will be Wiggins, Vinokourov, Chavanel and Schleck. Not sure about Hesjedal, it'll be interesting to see how he goes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 08 Mar 2011, 11:38
Arsenal Vs Barcelona tonight.

RVP and Fabs both in but Rosicky in for Arshavin?

 :psyduck:


RVP will be subbed off within 20 mins and Fabregas will do some retarded heroic shit like score a hat trick with no legs 'cos that's just how he rolls in the CL (penalty with a broken leg wasn't it, last year?)

Then Arsenal's season will collapse due to key players' injuries being worsened by being rushed back again.

Also Thomas Rosicky will Literally Never Score A Goal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Mar 2011, 12:23
I am watching a liveblog of the game and holy shit, is it as fucked as the blog is making out?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nufan on 08 Mar 2011, 12:40
45 minutes of good defending, then Fabregas goes and throws it all away.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 08 Mar 2011, 12:42
I am watching a liveblog of the game and holy shit, is it as fucked as the blog is making out?

It's a fantastic exhibition of everything that people cite as being wrong with football. Every 50-50 challenge leads to a Barce player rolling around clutching a totally diff. part of their body to that involved in the tackle and an Arsenal yellow card.

The ref is either part-owned by the state of Qatar or a coward. I'd've been more'n happy to lose 10-0 to the Barcelona team who occasionally show up and play fantastic football 'cos hey, everyone loves a good game, but tonight the embarrassing, used-to-Spanish-league-refs, 10x Sergio Busquets Barca showed up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 08 Mar 2011, 12:53
pff only if Wenger can spend the £75m at half time and buy all of the Inter team who humiliated these cheating cunts last year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 08 Mar 2011, 13:25
If he was bent you would've thought they would've thrown in a performance-related bonus for not making it quite so obvious. I honestly don't know what to make of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nufan on 08 Mar 2011, 13:28
That was truly the worst decision ever. Only need one though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nufan on 08 Mar 2011, 13:40
I really have to wonder what Bendtner has to do to be dropped for good. Aside from disemboweling Wenger's children I can't think of anything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 08 Mar 2011, 13:46
Nah B52's alright, he was never gonna save the day as the front man of a demoralised, knackered 10. Good pressure from Mascherano and admittedly a poor touch on that occasion but if I had to choose I'd much rather have him in the squad than Chamakh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: est on 08 Mar 2011, 15:03
The Alves tackle on Nasri was woeful, and the RVP red card was ridiculous.  I just want to forget about it now, but I'm expecting an announcement tomorrow about half the fucking team being knackered by the constant, unpunished fouling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Mar 2011, 20:53
And the "Chara's hit was DIRTY" cries will be heard in 3, 2, 1...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 08 Mar 2011, 21:46
Well, uh, yeah? I mean, the puck was long disposed-of, there was absolutely no reason for the hit to have happened. I don't think you can blame him for the way he ran into the glass like that, but it was definitely outside of the rules.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 08 Mar 2011, 21:55
Personally speaking, I'm enjoying the hell out of the Miami Heat's collective meltdown. Schadenfreude wheeeeeeee.

Also the Red Sox will win 162 games this year, you heard it here first.

I'm saying 97.

95. But that will be enough to win the East.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Mar 2011, 00:11
The naysayers are already saying the Brewers are doomed this year since Greinke broke a rib in a pickup basketball game. It's like we can never do anything right, even when we have everything seemingly go our way.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Mar 2011, 05:56
And the "Chara's hit was DIRTY" cries will be heard in 3, 2, 1...

Going back a period:

Johnny Boychuk attempted to hit PK Subban in the first period. It looked like it would have been a clean, open-ice hip check. He missed COMPLETELY, and Montreal immediately send a goon out to fight him. That was complete bullshit.

Chara's hit was clean, but not well-timed or placed. He definitely deserved an interference call, as it was off the puck, but not a major or a misconduct. In good news though, about 20 minutes later, NESN announced that they had word from the Canadiens front office that Max Pacioretty was in the hospital, concious, and had full movement.

Alls I know is that Montreal's back in Boston at the end of the month, and I'm anticipating some very bad blood. Also a Bruins win. We suck ass in Montreal, always.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 09 Mar 2011, 06:17
A bit off side from my predictions, Voeckler is really grinding an axe on today's stage. Hope he keeps this up, he can be a really exciting rider.

Currently in the front group running 4m 15s ahead of the peleton with 80k to go. Typically the reel in rate is 1m in every 10k. However in the next 40ish kilometres, there are two big ascents followed by a largely downhill run in to the the finish. Perfect conditions to hold the break, especially if the leaders can put in a good effort on the climbs.

Grimpeurs FTW.

Also expecting the GC contenders to push the button on the last climb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 09 Mar 2011, 08:28
Called it. Voeckler = legend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 09 Mar 2011, 21:11
The naysayers are already saying the Brewers are doomed this year since Greinke broke a rib in a pickup basketball game. It's like we can never do anything right, even when we have everything seemingly go our way.

It depends. The Cardinals are more doomed, so the Brewers' only real competition are the Reds. If Greinke really only misses 3 starts like the team claims, then they'll probably still have a good shot at it. If it becomes a persistent problem then who knows. For what it's worth, Shaun Marcum is consistently underrated and if Greinke is back to 2009 form once he's healthy I'd argue that Milwaukee's 1-2-3 matches up with just about anybody except Philly. They will really need Braun to play better this year, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Mar 2011, 22:37
Braunie's aware of that. This is gonna be his team for the long term, regardless of what Prince does. (My bet: Prince does a LBJ move and books for NYY or LAA.)

The problem is, those #### Cubs like to ruin plans at times. Especially when their fans decide to turn Miller Park into Wrigley Freakin' Field North.

There are times I just wish we had a four-division setup in the NL, and didn't have to worry about five other teams in our division.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 10 Mar 2011, 02:24
The Yankees aren't in the market for dropping a huge contract on a first baseman while they still have Teixiera taking that position for several years going forward. The Angels will definitely be in the market though, probably Texas too if their new owners are as deep-pocketed as they are expected to be. My personal nightmare is Prince or Pujols signing with the Dodgers, I can only hope their ownership clusterfuck will prevent that from happening.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 10 Mar 2011, 06:22
God damn it.

It's difficult enough supporting a team which is suddenly owned by a small group of obscenely wealthy individuals without them also resorting to dubious financial chicanery to secure prized players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Mar 2011, 06:47
Uhm, okay.

Can someone explain to the Ugly American here why this is so dang important?

I mean, he signed a contract with another team in another league, but that's where my understanding disappears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Mar 2011, 07:06
No.

The Carlos Tevez thing still confuses me to no end.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 10 Mar 2011, 12:22
I´m still waiting for a Europa League game with Liverpool that´s actually fun to watch. They have been terribly boring in Europe this season, maybe has something to do with the fact that squad players have been given chances in that competition and they seriously lack quality in depth. Lot´s of work to be done in the summer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Mar 2011, 12:28
Perhaps you should support a non-terrible team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Mar 2011, 12:41
Excellent result for Kloden today in the Paris-Nice and as predicted this stage really sorted out the GC contenders.

The order will change around quite a bit tomorrow though in the TT. Very interested to see what Wiggins does here. He's a very good time trialist and over 27k should be able to put quite a lot of time into the current leader Kloden who leads him by 29 seconds. He could very well put himself into a winning position with two days left to go.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 10 Mar 2011, 15:31
I´m still waiting for a Europa League game with Liverpool that´s actually fun to watch. They have been terribly boring in Europe this season, maybe has something to do with the fact that squad players have been given chances in that competition and they seriously lack quality in depth. Lot´s of work to be done in the summer.

There are all of those rules about squad composition for the European competitions and how you can only play for one team each year and how many home grown players you have to have in the squad etc. which really isn't helping us this year because there is absolutely no strength in depth. The first team is about all we have and even then, without Gerrard and Suarez it's a tough ask because the players are so bad. Today's team included 3 defensive midfielders of questionable quality and precisely one player on the whole pitch (2 when Carroll was brought on) in Raul Meireles who had any inkling of how to actually score without being 2 yards out and having the whole goal to shoot at. It is painful to watch most of the time.

Perhaps you should support a non-terrible team.

FUCK YOU SHANE
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Mar 2011, 18:38
So... no response because I'm the stupid Ugly American, or no response because no one else has a clue about it, either?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Mar 2011, 05:48
FUCK YOU SHANE

Rob I swear to god you're stalking me. There's a dude at trivia the past two weeks..last week he had a Liverpool jersey, and last night a Flyers t-shirt.

JUST FESS UP IF IT'S YOU, I FEEL BAD FOR GIVING HIM DIRTY LOOKS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 11 Mar 2011, 07:23
As expected, Wiggins the first to go under 17 minutes at the mid point (15k) of the 27k individual time trial. At this point he has already overhauled his minute man Hesjedal and put another 15 seconds into him.

The likes of Vinokourov, Liephiemer and Chavanel not doing as well as expected.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 11 Mar 2011, 08:17
Wiggins beaten by Tony Martin and two seconds shy of enough time to overhaul Kloden. Still, he leaps into a creditable third place which puts him in good contention for the win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Mar 2011, 08:31
As expected, Wiggins the first to go under 17 minutes at the mid point (15k) of the 27k individual time trial. At this point he has already overhauled his minute man Hesjedal and put another 15 seconds into him.

RIDE FASTER, CANUCK.  :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 11 Mar 2011, 08:36
As a fellow Canadian, I'd be very happy to see Hesjedal winning but he's just not cut out for this kind of event.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 11 Mar 2011, 12:05
Rob I swear to god you're stalking me. There's a dude at trivia the past two weeks..last week he had a Liverpool jersey, and last night a Flyers t-shirt.

JUST FESS UP IF IT'S YOU, I FEEL BAD FOR GIVING HIM DIRTY LOOKS.

Oh man, you weren't supposed to know. I pay that guy to make you uncomfortable so that you don't win the quiz. Must get him to try harder next time. Maybe a Yankees jersey is in order?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 12 Mar 2011, 21:57
Dear Calgary Flames:

LEARN TO POWER-PLAY FFFF GEEZ
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Mar 2011, 07:00
Rob I swear to god you're stalking me. There's a dude at trivia the past two weeks..last week he had a Liverpool jersey, and last night a Flyers t-shirt.

JUST FESS UP IF IT'S YOU, I FEEL BAD FOR GIVING HIM DIRTY LOOKS.

Oh man, you weren't supposed to know. I pay that guy to make you uncomfortable so that you don't win the quiz. Must get him to try harder next time. Maybe a Yankees jersey is in order?

Your plan didn't work. We totally won. $50, sucka.


Um guys by the way, two notes:

1) WHAT THE HELL BRUINS, ARE YOU TRYING TO NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?

2) Antonio Valencia played his first game since breaking and dislocating his ankle yesterday, and played a pretty big role in setting up Rooney's goal. Welcome back, dogg!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Mar 2011, 13:39
UNITED! CMON!

Up 1-0 in this game and on aggregate. Cannot afford to give up a goal now.


edit: CAN AFFORD TO SCORE ONE THOUGH. Two today for Chicharito!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Mar 2011, 14:30
Wes Brown. Me and you behind the supermarket. My fist, your TEETH.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Mar 2011, 14:54
I don't understand Wes Brown, in the same way that I don't understand how Paul Scholes has been a professional footballer for like 15 years and CAN'T MAKE A CHALLENGE WITHOUT GETTING BOOKED.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Mar 2011, 06:18
So here's the thing. MLS kicked off last night with Los Angeles away to Seattle. MLS has been around since 1996, and I've never fully embraced it, BUT I WANT TO THIS SEASON. The only thing is, I need a team to support. Help me out here. I've created a small guide.

Teams I cannot support:
Kansas City - They beat United last summer.
Vancouver - Tommy's team, too many Leeds connections.
Seattle - Neon green? No.
Columbus - Same. Yellow.
Houston - Same. Orange.
Los Angeles - I was a Beckham fanboy when he played for United. Not anymore.
Chivas USA - I would if they hadn't sold Sacha Klejstan to Anderlecht.
Portland - They have a cool kit, but Portland is too hip of a town for me.
Philadelphia - Also a cool kit, but I hate Philadelphia.
Real Salt Lake - Stupid name.

Teams I could support:
Chicago - This is my gut instinct. They've had some fantastic players in the past, like Hristo Stoitchkov and Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
New England - My local team. Perhaps the sole inhabitants of Gillette Stadium this year. Have a habit of making cup finals and tanking, and I get that from the Red Sox. Only team in my area that has every game on TV.
New York - The only MLS team I've ever openly cheered for, when I saw them play Manchester City last summer. I also have a Thierry Henry t-shirt, but THEY ARE A NEW YORK CITY TEAM.
Colorado - Defending champs. Don't really know anything about them.
DC United - They kinda seem like a Liverpool/United sort of team, won a lot of titles in the first 10 years of the league. As a plus though, they have two of the best fan groups in the league (Screaming Eagles and Barras Bravas), and Charlie Davies just signed with them.
Toronto - Insane fan base. Canadian, though.
FC Dallas - Red and white hoops. That's all I know about them.
San Jose - The original San Jose team moved to Houston about 10 years ago. This is like a new Cleveland Browns sort of team. Downside: They play on the West Coast, so even if they had local broadcast rights, they'd play at like 11 PM.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Mar 2011, 14:58
Represent the home colors, dude. Join the Revolution.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: J-cob9000 on 16 Mar 2011, 15:25
I've never really been in to any kind of sports, but I love to watch soccer (or football, whatever) in real life. I don't have cable or any kind of television programming at all or else I'd probably watch it.
Point is: how would you guys recommend I watch soccer on the internet? also, what teams should I like and why? should I call it football or soccer? ETC ETC ETC
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 16 Mar 2011, 15:44
Point is: how would you guys recommend I watch soccer on the internet? also, what teams should I like and why? should I call it football or soccer? ETC ETC ETC

http://myp2p.eu/

call it whatever you want to call it.

support the team from where you're from.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Mar 2011, 05:46
I've never really been in to any kind of sports, but I love to watch soccer (or football, whatever) in real life. I don't have cable or any kind of television programming at all or else I'd probably watch it.
Point is: how would you guys recommend I watch soccer on the internet? also, what teams should I like and why? should I call it football or soccer? ETC ETC ETC

My go to streaming site is atdhe.ws. As for who to like, try watching a few games from different leagues + teams. Every team has their own style.

To be perfectly honest, if I weren't a United fan...I'd probably be an Arsenal supporter. They way they played about 5 years ago when they had Pires and Henry et al was fantastic to watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Mar 2011, 15:59
Happy National Lack Of Worker Productivity Day!

And, for all of you in the Continental US: "How's your bracket doing?"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: J-cob9000 on 17 Mar 2011, 20:33
atdhe.ws

"NOTICE: ATDHE.NET was shut down yesterday."
Well, shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 17 Mar 2011, 22:34
atdhenet.tv
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Mar 2011, 05:45
Happy National Lack Of Worker Productivity Day!

And, for all of you in the Continental US: "How's your bracket doing?"

*shrug* Holding things up nicely, I guess?


Chelsea in the quarterfinals. Why couldn't WE get Shaktar Donetsk. Or Schalke? =(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Mar 2011, 06:18
12-4 on day one, and only one of my sweet sixteen is gone. And my Final Four is still intact.

Day two is usually when I start screwing up. And Sunday night is when I'm found crumpling my brackets in disdain.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Mar 2011, 13:45
Aaaannnd true to form: 10-6 on day two.

At least my Elite 8 are intact.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Mar 2011, 13:48
Vancouver Whitecaps better beat Toronto FC tonight or I am basically done with football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 19 Mar 2011, 14:13
does that mean you'll finally shut up about it
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Mar 2011, 15:02
I'll either become a raging pederast, pee on the homeless or - if it gets really bad and I no longer care what society thinks about me - a hockey fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Mar 2011, 15:03
I don't know if I should be offended or just nod my head.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: tania on 19 Mar 2011, 16:30
weirdly, everybody i know here in vancouver who keeps up with sports - and i'm talking everybody here, not just the americans who moved up north for school - is really into american football. it's the only sport i ever hear about. i never hear a single word about anything else, not even hockey. everyone's just fucking apeshit about american football to the point where i don't even bother ever trying to make plans with anyone on sundays because it's football night and like 95% of people i know truly won't leave their house. american football! it's really terrible and also this isn't even america! what is this city
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Mar 2011, 17:36
Whitecaps won their first game in the MLS 4-2 against a frankly awful Toronto FC. On the plus side, the pace of the game is decent and the makeshift stadium had twenty thousand people watching, which is half of the battle for a new club. On the down side, Whitecaps have a long way to go before they can compete against the American teams in the MLS. They have some decent flair players but I'm worried about their strikers, who seem more than a little nervous at this level. I assume that will change with time, hopefully before the new stadium is finished in September.

Confusingly, the referee didn't seem entirely sure of the rules at certain points throughout, which made the game a little bit comical at times. I guess the MLS officials are still getting used to the big stage too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Mar 2011, 18:31
The Melbourne Rebels got absolutely hammered by the Queensland Reds in the Super 15 Rugby on Friday night.

Also on Friday night the Canberra Raiders played really badly and really disappointingly and suffered a shock loss to the Brisbane Broncos at home.

And overnight QPR got beaten 0-1 by Doncaster Rovers. I don't even know who the hell Doncaster Rovers are.

Fuckin' weekend, what else have you got for me?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ptommydski on 19 Mar 2011, 18:41
QPR actually beat Doncaster today.

 :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 19 Mar 2011, 20:03
Oh really? Someone's made a mistake on the Guardian website, then.

A mistake! At the Guardian ! Can you believe it?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Mar 2011, 07:12
blah blah blah new team

On the flipside, I saw Portland Timbers make their MLS debut against defending champs Colorado, and they looked horrid. Great crowd in Denver, though, and a 3-1 win for the Rapids.

And speaking of MLS debuts, Charlie Davies, back from France, scored two goals for DC United.



AND SPEAKING OF MLS, I picked my team. I will be a Revs fan, since they are my local team, and I'll be able to watch all of their games. They kick off the season tonight at Los Angeles.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Mar 2011, 08:24
Yeah, but it seems like they've been lacking in scoring presence since Clint Dempsey left for England a few years back.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Mar 2011, 08:49
That's cool. Former Liverpool legend Steve Nicol is their manager and former Leeds defender Didier Domi is in their defence too. Should do alright.

You also forgot former Man City player Ousmane Dabo. Who didn't play last night. Nor did Domi. They managed a 1-1 draw in a driving rainstorm in LA.


ETA: In other news, Jonny Evans' pretty shitty tackle on Stu Holden Saturday morning has him out for 6 months. Which is a bit of a blow for the US, not having Holden for the Gold Cup this summer. He's been playing really well in the Premier League this season, and is probably one of my favorite players
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Mar 2011, 11:38
Yeah, it was definitely wrong place, wrong time. I use "shitty" because I really like Holden and it's a shame to see him off the field until next season, as well as missing the Gold Cup.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Mar 2011, 11:55
http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2011/03/18/man_u_and_spain_have_foxborough_plans/


Quote
Manchester United is slated to begin its summer tour with a match against the Revolution July 14.

Quote
against the Revolution

Quote from: me at work 5 minutes ago
omigodomigodomiGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Mar 2011, 09:28
Alls I know is that Montreal's back in Boston at the end of the month, and I'm anticipating some very bad blood.

This is tonight, hockeyfolk. It's gonna be interesting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Mar 2011, 05:43
SEVEN-NIL BOSTON.

SEVEN. Including an ultra rare 5-on-3 shorthanded goal from Greg Campbell.


SEVEN TO ZERO.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Mar 2011, 09:19
Thanks Bruins! That result puts the Rangers two points shy of Montreal. Of course, it could've been one point had NYR not got done by fuckin' Ottawa in the shootout. Fuckin' Ottawa!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Mar 2011, 09:39
And the Rangers are in Boston tomorrow, not to do you guys any favors or anything..
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 25 Mar 2011, 09:47
fffff
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Mar 2011, 18:46
Welp, I guess I can forget about that "Pekka for Vezina" campaign.

Geez. You know it's bad when one of your two Olympic-hero defensemen kicks the puck into his own net.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 25 Mar 2011, 22:22
Last night's Melbourne Rebels vs. Wellington Hurricanes Super 15 match was one of the most amazing games of Rugby I've ever been to in my life. The Rebels had been absolutely hammered by Queensland last week, 53-3, and last night when they were down 17-0 to the Hurricanes after only 17 minutes, having been absolutely abysmal in defence, it looked like it was going to be more of the same. But then . . . they started to get some ball. They started to get territory. They started to get a bit of continuity. Their forwards started to assert themselves. They scored a try. And another. And another - and amazingly, at half-time, their English flyhalf Danny Cipriani kicked a penatly goal from near the halfway line to make tie the score up, 20-20.

The half-time break didn't slow them down at all, and they scored three more tries in the second half, never looking back and never taking their foot off the throttle until they had the game well and truly, and unbelievably, won. The Hurricanes scored the last try of the match for a consolation but the final score was 42-25 and nobody could quite believe what had just happened.

Oh, and also? Five years ago when the Super 12 competition expanded to become the Super 14, the Australian Rugby Union showed abject cowardice in rewarding the fourth Australian team to Perth instead of Melbourne, because they were scared of taking on the Australian Football League in Melbourne, its native ground. Since the Super 15 season started a month and a half ago the Rebels have attracted consistenly good crowds - 25,000 for the first game, and then a more representative 15,000 at each subsequent home game. These crowds show what anyone who's lived in Melbourne for any length of time knows: there are thousands of people in this city from places in Australia and overseas where Rugby is the dominant game, and those people want to watch Rugby. They couldn't give a stuff about Australian Football. This weekend is the first weekend of the new Australian Football League season, which is major event, in fact one of the major events, in the Melbourne calendar, there was an AFL game being played at the same time as the Rugby, and at a stadium right next door - and what was the crowd figure at the Rugby? 17,000 - the second-highest of the season.

Magic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 26 Mar 2011, 19:48
I hope Shane is watching the Revolution tonight, they are giving Champions DC United a hiding right now.

Maybe he's too busy watching the Bruins get beat aw yeaaahhhh
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Mar 2011, 15:21
I wanna meet whoever had Butler, VCU and UConn in their Final Four brackets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Mar 2011, 23:26
I know several people who were very high on UConn, although maybe not Final Four high. I have very little knowledge of college basketball so I don't bother with brackets myself.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Mar 2011, 08:42
I hope Shane is watching the Revolution tonight, they are giving Champions DC United a hiding right now.

Maybe he's too busy watching the Bruins get beat aw yeaaahhhh

Nope, totes forgot about the Bruins. Caught the whole Revs game, as well as a bit of Mexico v. Paraguay. I did see the Bs take down Philly last night, though. Ha, Rob. Ha.

I DVRed the US-Argentina game because I went out Saturday night and haven't watched it yet, so don't tell me who won.


I wanna meet whoever had Butler, VCU and UConn in their Final Four brackets.

According to ESPNews this morning, TWO people had the Final Four. Two.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 28 Mar 2011, 10:12
I did see the Bs take down Philly last night, though. Ha, Rob. Ha.

Hey, Philly wrapped up a playoff place a couple weeks ago, no need to over-exert.

EDIT: 'Nucks going to wrap up the Presidents Trophy this week though.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Mar 2011, 10:13
Always worth gloating when we beat Philly and that stupidass pretty-boy Austrian.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 28 Mar 2011, 23:05
Opening Day is Thursday awwwwww yeah.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Mar 2011, 13:22
Opening Day is Thursday awwwwww yeah.

Quote from: Brian Wilson, via Twitter
Opening Day is almost here. I can smell the RAGE in SF waiting to be unleashed.

The Sox open up in Texas on Friday. I'm going to their game against the Jays on the 16th...BASEBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Mar 2011, 16:58
And all we have here in MKE is a new scoreboard. Sigh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 30 Mar 2011, 03:09
For the record Shane, thanks for getting Gonzalez the fuck out of the NL West. Dude is going to hit like crazy in Fenway considering he was already putting up ridiculous numbers in arguably the most pitcher friendly park in the country.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Mar 2011, 05:53
We got a new videoboard at Fenway. And a revamped concourse.

Bryan, o/. Any time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Mar 2011, 07:51
OPENING DAY, LADIES AND GENTS!

I celebrated by buying a new hat.

Since I love my old wool Sox 5950 (they don't make them in wool-blend anymore and it's annoying because you can't break/shrink the sizing when you need to) to death and won't give it up until it falls apart, I bought a Giants hat. I fell in love with the Bay Area when I was there in 08, and adopted the Giants as my NL team at the same time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Mar 2011, 14:58
The Curse of Rollie Fingers Strikes Again!  :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 01 Apr 2011, 23:07
Losing two one-run games to the Dodgers is not exactly how I had hoped the title defense would start.

On the other hand, Brandon Belt's pretty cool.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 02 Apr 2011, 05:50
no thanks, i´d rather watch west ham beat man utd, although it would be very typical of united to win this 3-2
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 02 Apr 2011, 06:52
Oh well. I really like this West Ham team, it would be a shame if they were to be relegated. On to the Liverpool game, usually I dont care much about games against West Brom but with Hodgson in charge I really hope they destroy them. Fingers crossed for a 3+-0 victory
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Apr 2011, 08:17
no thanks, i´d rather watch west ham beat man utd, although it would be very typical of united to win this 3-2

Even more likely 4-2. What a show by Rooney in the second half.

Darron Gibson though..I don't get it. What's his purpose?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Apr 2011, 08:36
what is his strength?

Missing from 25 yards every time he touches the ball. He's probably the best in the world at that.

You know what's funny? I don't think Rooney would be my man of the match. Sure, they had 864 corners in the first half, but nothing seemed to come together until Berbatov was subbed on. He brought a much-needed boost to the team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Apr 2011, 08:39
The Sox are still on pace for my guessed 97 wins. They just have to finish the season 97-62.

Which means START WINNING.

edit: Dski, Revs in Vancouver Wednesday night! We're coming off a draw against Portland over the weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 04 Apr 2011, 09:46
Yeah, I'm not too sure what's going on with the Red Sox.  They've been predicted to have a really great season because of some of their new grabs from the draft, but for some reason, they can not beat the Rangers for the life of them.  Interestingly enough though, the Dodgers are starting out really well in opening week, which is something I hoped for but definitely didn't expect.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Apr 2011, 09:49
A) Eff the Giants.

B) Bobby Valentine kept cracking fat jokes about Jon Broxton during last night's game and it made me sad because I'm pretty much the same size as that dude.

But then again, Valentine + Hershiser are a TERRIBLE commentary team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 04 Apr 2011, 09:57
I love them!  They are just big fat floppy dicks!  I think it's really funny to hear them bicker.  I do know what you mean, though.  They don't really shut up and let the game take you in like a lot of good announcers, and have a tendency to step away from the game while its in fucking progress to talk about some hall of famer from a decade ago.  It gets a little unbearable sometimes.

Dan Shulman is ace, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Apr 2011, 09:58
The fact that they were too busy talking about skiing to notice a balk...I mean, when the Sox announcers get off and just giggle for 10 minutes..at least Donny O can mumble something about the count or what's going on mid-giggle.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Apr 2011, 19:32
Meanwhile, we're eying the panic button in Brewtown. Last time we lost four straight at the start of the season, we finished dead last in the division.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Apr 2011, 04:38
A) Eff the Giants.

No, fuck you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Apr 2011, 11:38
Oh jesus christ, mind slip. I meant the Dodgers, Bryan!

Actually, my Giants cap came in the mail today. It's strange looking in the mirror and not seeing a B on my cap, but hey, they're my NL team, I'll learn to love it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 05 Apr 2011, 12:16
Hey, fuck you pal.  Just because your team has a Series hangover don't start ragging on a legitimate team, bro.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Apr 2011, 12:58
Having a great announcer doesn't make a team legit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 05 Apr 2011, 13:02
A 3-1 series opening week against heated rivals who've just won a series does, however!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 05 Apr 2011, 13:03
But hey wait, are you a Boston fan as well?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Apr 2011, 13:17
I'm a Boston fan first and foremost. I went to a wedding in the Bay Area a few years back, fell in love with SF, and adopted the Giants as my NL team.

edit: It also helps that they've now got a few former Red Sox. Freddy Sanchez, Guillermo Mota, Javy Lopez and one of our old Ramon Ramirezes (there were two at one point last year..)

In soccer news, Madrid just went up 2-0 on Spurs. I'm afraid my friend Joe might be suicidal tonight as a result.


double edit: At one point in time, the Sox had on their 25-man roster both Javier Lopez the catcher, and Javier Lopez the pitcher. Sadly, they were never an in-game battery. That would have been amazing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 05 Apr 2011, 14:29
Goal of the season from Dejan Stankovic?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wCiTym6FS0&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wCiTym6FS0&feature=player_embedded)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Apr 2011, 14:51
I'm biased towards both Rooney and Berbatov...but that's incredible. On the volley from THAT far out?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 05 Apr 2011, 16:00
Well, that's good.  I myself like the Red Sox a good deal.  They're my team in that league.  It just so happens that our picks in the other league are heated rivals.  So Go Sox and also fuck you, I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Apr 2011, 21:35
A 3-1 series opening week against heated rivals who've just won a series does, however!

Sample size, my friend. The Orioles aren't going to be leading the AL East all season either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2011, 21:46
Tell that to all of us Brewers fans who are about ready to cut bait over our 1-4 start.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 05 Apr 2011, 22:04
Sample size, my friend. The Orioles aren't going to be leading the AL East all season either.

All I'm saying is that the Dodgers are a legitimately good team.  They have a solid game, and are ready for a new season.  I was impressed by their opening week series, so I'm hoping they keep on going like they have been and at least perform admirably for the rest of the season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2011, 23:52
And they've got a pair of owners who a.) hate each other's guts, and b.) are rather bat-guano insane at the moment.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Apr 2011, 11:12
Park and Valencia can be a very dangerous duo. I hope it works.

edit: what. fucking what.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Apr 2011, 05:40
Tommydski: better MLS reporting than ESPN and Comcast Sportsnet combined.

(I went to bed after the first half. Too tired to stay up until midnight.)

Also, just to one up you: I saw the first MLS game. Evers. San Jose (which is now Houston Dynamo) beat DC United 1-0 on a lovely little strike from Eric Wynalda.



ediiiiiiiiit:

Hey Rob, looks like you've got a new owner buddy: Lebron James.

http://www.nesn.com/2011/04/lebron-james-teaming-up-with-fenway-sports-management-to-expand-sports-marketing-opportunities.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: the_pied_piper on 07 Apr 2011, 13:54
Ummm...

Recently I have seen a spate of really bizarre articles from the money men at Liverpool FC now and I'm really not sure why it's going on. Why does LeBron James need a stake in LFC? I know it's probably just because we're part of NESV now but why even mention it? Nobody cares.

It's like the Red Sox/NESV/LFC thing where few fans of each club have any idea what's going on with the other and don't even care just a fucking jot because all that matters is that money is coming from NESV. If you ask an LFC fan who Carl Crawford is or a Red Sox fan who Steven Gerrard is the answer you get from most of both will probably be "who?" and that is just fine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 07 Apr 2011, 20:46
Speaking of the Red Sox holy shit Shane what is happening I am like flipping a coin to decide whether or not to start walking over to the Tobin bridge to line up with the rest of the jumpers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Apr 2011, 05:45
Dude I dunno! I really have no clue.

 :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 09 Apr 2011, 19:49
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/215447_10150150891874858_19064794857_6652025_5244682_n.jpg)

WOOOOOOO
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Apr 2011, 21:09
Quack.

BOOM!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Apr 2011, 14:09
The Revolution staff had been saying they were in talks to bring in a big international name to bolster their somewhat dismal attack.

So they've brought in Rajko Lekic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgY3Vwyjta4). I've never heard of him, but he's scored 76 goals for Silkeborg (what/wherever that is) in 126 games, which seems pretty badass.

Speaking of MLS and it's sheer ridiculousness, DC United's Charlie Davies has come up with a new celebration (http://deadspin.com/#!5790882). Try that, Icelanders.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Apr 2011, 14:44
I'm pretty sure Davies invented the whole "Stanky Leg" thing, too.

(http://www.gifsoup.com/view/447268/charlie-davies-stanky-leg-o.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Apr 2011, 11:54
Speaking of the Red Sox holy shit Shane what is happening I am like flipping a coin to decide whether or not to start walking over to the Tobin bridge to line up with the rest of the jumpers.

If they lose Saturday, I might end up on that bridge with you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 14 Apr 2011, 02:10
Meanwhile the Giants are back to .500. I'm glad they're managing to win games with all the minor injuries and slumps going on. Once Posey and Huff start hitting better I'm sure the team will take off, but it'd help if the Rockies actually started losing games soon.

I guess the hockey playoffs just started, I have friends who I think might kill themselves if the Sharks get eliminated in the first two rounds again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Apr 2011, 05:47
Cut all ties, Bryan. The Sharks never make it past the second round. Hell, they usually never get out of the first.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 14 Apr 2011, 18:56
They'll probably beat LAK (it's beyond me how those dudes ended up in the playoffs at all) but would they play in the second round? Detroit, probably? No dice, son.

EDIT: Whoa, barring any seriously last-minute shenanigans, it looks like Buffalo's gonna take game 1 against the Flyers, 1-0. Dangggg
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 15 Apr 2011, 15:12
MLS dudes, has anyone been paying attention to the Portland Timbers? It would seem that every time they score a goal a burly dude with a chainsaw cuts a slice off a big log and hands it to the goalscorer? THAT IS SO FUCKING SWEET
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: StaedlerMars on 18 Apr 2011, 02:40
That is awesome.

In news, the bears are going to be playing in London against the buccaneers next year. I think I am going to buy tickets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 18 Apr 2011, 04:20
As an Englishman who generally dislikes football, can I ask if anyone will be watching the World Snooker Championship tonight? Or am I just very, very lame?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 18 Apr 2011, 06:13
I enjoy watching snooker, but my wife hates it.  Tonight is her night away this week, so I may get a chance.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Apr 2011, 09:50
I um...

I guess Jed Lowrie's making a case for starting at shortstop for the Sox. 2 home runs and a mountain of RBIs over the past few days. HOLY CHRIST.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 18 Apr 2011, 09:53
Yeah I wonder if he can play left field.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Apr 2011, 10:03
Maybe we could clone him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 18 Apr 2011, 10:41
Man thank god for the fucking blue jays. The Sox seriously needed this series to turn things around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 18 Apr 2011, 11:49
I enjoy watching snooker, but my wife hates it.  Tonight is her night away this week, so I may get a chance.

Hendry was pretty sloppy, I've never seen so many fouls in so few frames as I did with the Hendry-Perry game tonight. He only just scraped a win after drawing 9 frames each...it seems to be impressive at this game, you've got to be young and hungry for it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Apr 2011, 12:00
The only thing I know about snooker is that there's apparently a player with the nickname "Interesting"?

Also, I guess there's more balls than standard 8-ball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 Apr 2011, 20:14
8-1 against the Rockies, fuck yeah! How's that "Best team in the NL standings" bullshit working out for you now?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 18 Apr 2011, 23:03
Tim Lincecum is pretty good at throwing baseballs. Don't know if you guys noticed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 24 Apr 2011, 16:40
Go Blackhawks! Stay alive!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 24 Apr 2011, 16:41
OK I feel better about baseball now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 25 Apr 2011, 01:31
The only thing I know about snooker is that there's apparently a player with the nickname "Interesting"?

Also, I guess there's more balls than standard 8-ball.

15 reds
Yellow
Green
Brown
Blue
Pink
Black ("8 ball")

Hendry bowed out yesterday, a miserable 4 frames to 12. That was his last appearance at The Crucible! But he does have 7 World Championship Titles under his belt.

I think O'Sullivan is looking likely to get #1 again this year.

I WILL turn this into a sports thread where I know what's going on!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 25 Apr 2011, 01:39
Lupercal, hate to break it to you (pun not intended) but the black is worth seven points, not eight.

Glad to help you on your way to knowing what is going on.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 25 Apr 2011, 01:50
Lupercal, hate to break it to you (pun not intended) but the black is worth seven points, not eight.

Glad to help you on your way to knowing what is going on.

I know, but in pool the black is the 8-ball, so y'know, familiarity and stuff.

The balls are listed in point order, rather than table-ascension. I thought actually writing their points value would be overkill to basically everyone else in the thread who likes their balls thrown, kicked, or swung at.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Spluff on 25 Apr 2011, 01:53
football media were alleging today that the north melbourne team all went out and got a tattoo on their chest as some sort of internal group commitment to return to their glory days

turns out that there were no tattoos, it was just an imprint of dustin martin's hand
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 25 Apr 2011, 02:20
... overkill to basically everyone else in the thread who likes their balls thrown, kicked, or swung at.

Or for my preference, on the button.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Apr 2011, 19:30
It is a good time to be a Predators fan! :)

Now, if the Hawks decide to surprise the 'Nucks, it'll make for a FUN second round.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: scarred on 25 Apr 2011, 21:28
3 wins in a row, Chicago's got its swag on.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Apr 2011, 11:42
Just because I've been watching more MLB Tonight this season, I've come to a conclusion.

I'm glad I am not a WHITE Sox fan, because Hawk Harrelson is the single most annoying baseball announcer EVER. Even worse than Tim McCarver.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Apr 2011, 13:20
Please don't ever retire, Giggsy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: beat mouse on 26 Apr 2011, 13:25
God I hate Luongo. Vancouver's playoff kryptonite problem needs to sort its shit out, I'm getting really tired of cheering for these guys. If I didn't love da Hawks I'd be in an uproar over the Nucks series right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 26 Apr 2011, 14:15
So, I learned today that it's 2011 and I still can't talk about the '98-'99 NFC championships without being kind of bitter for the rest of the day. Fucking Vikings.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Apr 2011, 14:53
Oddly enough, that was a sub-plot for an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

"Who was the kicker?" "Rashad...Tarkenton?"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 26 Apr 2011, 15:52
I like sports.

Just ordered a shit load of tickets to the OLYMPIC GAMESSSSS.

Quite excited, even if the BBC told everyone not to buy cheap tickets. Fuck Ł2012 for a seat to the Opening Ceremony.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 27 Apr 2011, 00:46
Just because I've been watching more MLB Tonight this season, I've come to a conclusion.

I'm glad I am not a WHITE Sox fan, because Hawk Harrelson is the single most annoying baseball announcer EVER. Even worse than Tim McCarver.

YOU GOTTA BE

BLEEPIN' ME
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: KaosPilot on 27 Apr 2011, 11:35
Giggs was fucking awesome last night, and just generally in the CL this season.

Tonight had better be awesome. Arguably the best manager in the world versus the best team in the world. Real v Barca. Pep v Jose. This is super exciting even for neutrals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 27 Apr 2011, 12:19
Oddly enough, that was a sub-plot for an episode of How I Met Your Mother.

"Who was the kicker?" "Rashad...Tarkenton?"

It's not really that odd when you consider the Vikings get to a big game and kick their fans directly in the balls at least once every ten years or so. The damn '98 season was so bad that I was numb and completely unresponsive when they lost 42 to 0 in the NFC championship game two seasons later. I didn't have any reasonable expectation of actually making the Super Bowl before kick-off anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Apr 2011, 18:26
Preds/Nucks in the second round. There Will Be Blood.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 27 Apr 2011, 18:53
Nucks??

(http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/HDS_Overflow/Boardwalk-Empire-Steve-Bu-007.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Apr 2011, 05:47
YOU GOTTA BE

BLEEPIN' ME

HIGAWNNNNNNNNNNNNN


Anyway, HOLY FUCK WE WON GAME 7. Flyers in the next round!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Apr 2011, 11:47
You mean "unless Chicharito being Chicharito".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 28 Apr 2011, 17:31
As sad as I am about the Rangers and the Blackhawks and a little bit about the Ducks lemme just say FUCK YEAHHHH THE PENGUINS GOT BEAT AWOOOOOOO

(It doesn't hurt that the Lightning are a fucking fantastic team stocked by non-assholes, too.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Apr 2011, 05:42
He's a decent enough striker, especially for that kind of money but I'd take a glance at the Barcelona team before making any wagers against the Spanish Champions.

shaggy haired guy, tiny Argentinian guy who admittedly has a SHITTON of goals, that one guy we sold to them, the short haired guy, is Henrik Larsson still there?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 30 Apr 2011, 01:44
shaggy haired guy, tiny Argentinian guy who admittedly has a SHITTON of goals, that one guy we sold to them, the short haired guy, is Henrik Larsson still there?

He's retired dogg. Couple years ago. Only guy who ever played for Celtic who I followed on a more personal level, despite fervent (admittedly blind) support for the team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 30 Apr 2011, 09:14
All the teams in various codes of football that I follow have been playing like absolute shit this year, so I couldn't be more excited about QPR going up. It's 2am here and I'm sitting in my chair cheering silently and pumping my fists in the air. I can't wait to ring my dad tomorrow and tell him, the only reason I follow QPR is because they were the team he followed when he was living in London in the 70s - and you follow your dad's team, through thick and thin. That's just how it is.

Of course it would be devastating if an FA punishment causes them to miss out on promotion. But how likely is that to happen? It's hard to follow what's going on from Australia, but every football administrative body I've ever observed has seemed to be utterly craven and gutless - are the FA really willing to deny a team promotion to the Premier League?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 01 May 2011, 11:14
Barcelona Versus Manchester United final seems like a no-brainer again.

The former should absolutely destroy the latter unless Fergie comes up with some astounding gamesmanship (didn't work for his successor to be though). They're a weaker side than they were a couple of years ago and I predict a fairly one-sided final from a footballing perspective, unless Barcelona pick up massive injuries and/or suspensions in the Real Madrid second leg.

It's deffo a no-brainer; the ref for the 2nd leg of Barca/Real is the same gutless gobshite who sent off Motta in the Inter game last year apparently, so I'd imagine Pep's team talk before the game will consist largely of his best Brian Blessed impression (Hawkmen! Diiiiiiiive!)

Schalke might hilariously sodomise Man U 5-0 though.

Barring that, it'll be an easy Barce win as you say. Sepp himself will probably ref the final.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 01 May 2011, 17:05
Here's an interesting article regarding Bernie Ecclestone's and Lakshmi Mittal's possible response, spending-wise, should QPR be in the Premier League next season:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/01/neil-warnock-qpr-premier-league (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/01/neil-warnock-qpr-premier-league)

Sounds like the owners and Neil Warnock have their heads screwed on right. Meaningful buys rather than spending for spending's sake. Makes me feel much more comfortable about supporting a club with obscenely wealthy owners.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 May 2011, 10:10
So, my 401k is partially invested in a fund which has shares in the New York Times.

We are talking about the New York Times that partially own the Red Sox. THAT IS AWESOME.


Then again, ew, I own part of Liverpool.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 02 May 2011, 17:11
When you're starting from a base level of "oh god I don't want to think about it" any tiny improvement can be considered "much more comfortable".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 03 May 2011, 21:46
We are talking about the New York Times that partially own the Red Sox

wait what
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 May 2011, 06:25
Yeah, they're a minority shareholder in Fenway Sports Group. I don't understand it either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 04 May 2011, 10:21
My guess is spite and/or malice
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 May 2011, 10:22
Schalke might hilariously sodomise Man U 5-0 though.

Um.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 May 2011, 12:37
Oh yes. I've got the pan ready for flying bacon.

 :psyduck:

DOUBLE DUCK, PAGE BREAK.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 04 May 2011, 14:38
Yeah they should never have got so far. Kinda chuffed that they did though, gotta love a comedy underdog, and the Inter result was quite something.

Final predictions: 3-1 Barce with a red card, >8 yellows and at least two questionable penalty decisions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 May 2011, 05:59
The Flyers main issue right now, at least to me, is their coach.

He seems to have absolutely ZERO confidence in Boucher as a goalie. If you're just going to pull him every game, bench him to begin with and start Bobrovsky. Though at this point, with the Bruins up 3-0, it's a bit of a moot point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 05 May 2011, 14:55
That's a good point Shane. The papers have been making a really big deal about how hard it is, confidence-wise for goalies in the playoffs. The Flyers coach hasn't exactly picked the best time to lose all confidence in all three of his goalies.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 05 May 2011, 16:22
Yeah, goalie is one of those positions where it seems like the good ones tend to be the kind of people have that have a level of confidence bordering upon the irrational. It's both an acquired trait and a job requirement, I think, since there's so much that happens that's outside of their control.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 May 2011, 08:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV3jqNItXbg

Ronaldinho, what.

What. How? :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 06 May 2011, 16:26
HOW'S THAT EXPENSIVE NEW OUTFIELDER WORKING OUT, SOX FANS?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 06 May 2011, 16:49
Less good than hoped! Thanks for asking.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 06 May 2011, 16:50
However our other expensive, useless outfielder just hit a home run! C'mon JD! Breakout season, let's do it homie.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 06 May 2011, 19:52
Truth be told, as a Rays fan, I'd rather see you guys be one of the division's two playoff teams than New York. Good luck getting Crawford to be worth the cash that was shelled out for him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 07 May 2011, 08:59
Sorry Leeds didn't make it through, Tommy. Like many Australians I have a soft spot for them dating back to the Kewell/Viduka days.

I haven't seen anything more than highlights of QPR this season but what you're saying accords with pretty much everything I've read online about the team - but I think it's expected that teams going into the Premiership will have to overhaul their squad, no?

Anyway, the major news today was off the field: after months and months of waiting, the FA finally delivered its verdict and gave QPR a fine but no points deduction (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/07/qpr-championship). Given all the league politics that would have come into play, not to mention law suits, if QPR had been denied promotion due to a points deduction, this is probably not surprising news, but it is a massive relief.

Anyway QPR have flattered to deceive so many times in the past that, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to come over all Loftus Road for just a moment:

COME ON YOU RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 07 May 2011, 10:02
*polite applause*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 May 2011, 19:24
Whew. That was a long losing streak there. Nice job with the one-hitter, Yo G.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 07 May 2011, 20:07
Yankees lose and the Rays tie for first place in the division after starting 1-8. It is a good day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 May 2011, 20:17
Joel Ward is my hero. :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SilentJ on 09 May 2011, 01:19
You know, baseball is my favorite sport by a long way.  Head and shoulders above the rest.  That said, as a lifelong Yankees fan, god DAMN do I hate trying to talk baseball most of the time.  The vigor with which people will ignore my attempts at normal conversation to tell me about how much they hate the Yanks (all the more irritating the LESS OF A REASON YOU HAVE TO DO SO DAMMIT) is kind of shocking.  Please do not start with the "evil empire" conversation and try to tell me my favorite team is "buying championships and ruining the sport" or any of the other bullshit I constantly hear during baseball season.

On a lighter note, I thought he was being overly optimistic, but man did my brother call it, and I'm gonna back him on this one.  After how close he came last season when he finally broke out, I think Robbie Cano can finally do it.  Bring home an AL MVP, my good man.  Do it to it.

EDIT: upon further inspection, I feel it necessary to add that I'm not trying to call out anybody in this thread with that first part of my post, it just has a way of coming around every time I really don't want it to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 May 2011, 02:27
I don't particularly care about any kind of 'evil empire' thing. Tell me about an evil empire, I'll sooner assume you're talking about Rage Against The Machine. I just genuinely hate about 99% of Yankees fans I meet (on their own merit alone, I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that they are Yankees fans).

I also realize that I'm probably something of a minority in this respect.

This here is my obligatory FUCK YOU, GO GIANTS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 May 2011, 09:17
This was a fun weekend. The Sox put in a comeback win yesterday, the Bruins swept the Flyers, and United are on the cusp of winning a record-setting 19th league title.


And I got kinda drunk on Friday night.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 09 May 2011, 10:41
First Stoke completely outplay Arsenal

0-0 on horrible career-threatening injuries, this is literally the only score that matters against Stoke City

(it was a fairly embarrassing performance, mind)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 09 May 2011, 23:20
The only era in baseball where financial resources were not a significant factor in team performance was also the only era where the Yankees were consistently bad. I'm not saying, I'm just sayin'.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 10 May 2011, 10:10
Arsenal were the dirtier team in that game, just sayin'.

Fairly even tbh, one coulda-been-a-red apiece and general thuggishness and tomfoolery all round.

That loan spell at Bolton has turned Jack Wilshere into a proper nasty little shit. The little scamp.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 May 2011, 11:20
I'm probably jumping to conclusions, but isn't it pretty obvious that the IRA are trying to kill Neil Lennon?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 13 May 2011, 01:57
First place, bitches  8-)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2011, 06:14
Not the IRA, no.

So someone else is mailing the Northern Irish manager of Celtic letterbombs and attacking him on the sidelines during games.

I dunno. It smells fishy to me.

Bryan, what's with Ramirez stealing Wilson's crossed arms thingy?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2011, 06:51
The ETA, then.

Or Hamas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 May 2011, 09:13
or JSFI

(just some fucking idiots)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2011, 09:25
Probably those guys.

Sox-Yankees this weekend. Get ready for three days of four-hour baseball games!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 13 May 2011, 09:35
Is... is that a lot?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2011, 09:37
Yeah, most normal 9 inning Major League games are 2:30-3:00 long.

Sox v Yankees drag on. They are always long games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 13 May 2011, 13:03
What're you sports fans up to tomorrow?
I'm going to Wembley.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 May 2011, 19:17
Yeah, most normal 9 inning Major League games are 2:30-3:00 long.

Sox v Yankees drag on. They are always long games.

Average is only 3:29 over last 4 1/2 years, according to baseballreference.com's game-by-game accounts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 13 May 2011, 23:15
or JSFI

(just some fucking idiots)

I believe they refer to themselves as the Real JSFI.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 15 May 2011, 07:57
Soo that FA cup final. Pretty bad huh.

Grats Man U on winning a thing more times than anyone else has won a thing by drawing at Blackburn.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 15 May 2011, 17:26
I was at a gig and I thought "Oh damn, I'm going to miss the first half of the FA Cup final." But then I realised "Actually, when was the last FA Cup final that was actually any good to watch?" I got home in time for the second half, saw the only goal of the game, and heard the pundits talk about how Stoke had played like shit all first half.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 16 May 2011, 01:38
Bryan, what's with Ramirez stealing Wilson's crossed arms thingy?

That was Lopez, I think, unless Ramirez did it in a different game and I didn't see. Wilson had that game off because he had pitched in the previous five games in a row, so Lopez did it (apparently) as a sign of respect because Wilson's the closer and therefore the 'leader' of the bullpen. Wilson seemed to approve of it when asked about it, so I guess he didn't mind. Who knows, maybe it'll become a Giants closer tradition even if/when Wilson leaves the team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 May 2011, 08:41
Grats Man U on winning a thing more times than anyone else has won a thing by drawing at Blackburn.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure we also set the Premier League record for "most consecutive minutes spent kicking a ball around in your own half". It was either 6 or 7 to end the game. I kept yelling "Ole!" at the TV but it got old.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 16 May 2011, 10:41
My hometown club.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6553128 (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6553128)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 May 2011, 13:57
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13418295.stm

I feel like Darron Gibson would do this during a parade. We must not let him touch the trophy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 May 2011, 13:21
http://www.ifaf.info/pages/competition/senior

So there's a world championship for American Football?

Ryan, why doesn't Britian play in this thing?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 May 2011, 07:17
Okay, so I like throwback uniforms. They're cool. And I think paying respect to the history of the team is always fun (hell, the Twins are wearing 1960s style jerseys the rest of the year to honor Harmon Killebrew).

But, tomorrow, the Sox are playing the Cubs, and wearing 1918-era uniforms. Here's what they look like:

-White hat
-White jersey
-White undershirts
-White pants
-White socks with a single red stripe

Just thinking about that makes me want to take a nap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Liz on 21 May 2011, 11:31
Oh man now I want to watch that game. That is amazing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 21 May 2011, 12:08
Pardon me if I'm off by a year or seven (I'm geographically challenged as I moved out from the US in '90), but wouldn't the Sox of that era need to wear BLACK socks?

Besides the Cubs are forever so luvable, says...

a 'loyal' supporter from Finland still hearing Harry Caray (R.I.P.) lead the crowd in sing-along of "Take me out to the ballpark..."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 May 2011, 21:39
Pardon me if I'm off by a year or seven (I'm geographically challenged as I moved out from the US in '90), but wouldn't the Sox of that era need to wear BLACK socks?

This is what the White Sox wore in '18. (http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=al_1918_chicago.gif&Entryid=285)

This is what the Cubs wore that same year. (http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=nl_1918_chicago.gif&Entryid=284)


EDIT: This is what the Red Sox wore that year, too. (http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=al_1918_boston.gif&Entryid=281)



Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 22 May 2011, 01:29
Had to google it. Black sox were in '19. My bad. "Say it ain't so, Joe."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 May 2011, 11:12
It ain't so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 22 May 2011, 11:20
Uh Shane was talking about the Red Sox anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 22 May 2011, 15:24
 :?

In early 1930 some of my fellow countrymen had the bright idea that a single red stripe in your shirt was sufficient grounds to suspect you to be a commie. Are you saying that in 1918 a single red stripe in a sock turned a baseball player into a New Englander?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 May 2011, 08:40
Oh man now I want to watch that game. That is amazing.

(http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2011/05/21/1__1306028718_2475.jpg)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Re4oo9qU4I/Tdip-qmgwoI/AAAAAAAAM74/v02JLGnC0Y0/s320/C24_cubs_throwbacks.jpg)

I didn't get to see it. Because my Fox station is out of Albany, we were stuck with Mets v Yankees.

edit: and btw, the Sox had the wrong socks. They were supposed to be striped, like the Ubs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 May 2011, 11:35
Quote from: manutd.com
19:09 I've just been handed the team-sheet for tonight's game and it's some team for the Reds. Kuszczak; G.Neville (c), Brown, O'Shea, P.Neville; Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Giggs; Rooney, Owen.

I am at work, but thankfully Fox Soccer are broadcasting the game live and I have DVR.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 31 May 2011, 12:30
Anybody excited about the European U21 Championship?

I am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu44--NCHuk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu44--NCHuk)

A lot of promising players in the Icelandic team, might actually do good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 May 2011, 13:32
I'm taking a football break until I go to see United-New England in July.

Saturday was too embarassing. Barca totally and completely outclassed United. Though, I did watch yesterday's promotion final, which was rather exciting. A great game to watch, and congrats to Swansea.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Jun 2011, 05:42
Ladies and gents, the Stanley Cup Finals start tonight!

CMON BRUINS!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: philharmonic on 01 Jun 2011, 07:41
It's Game Day bitches! Here's to crushing the Boston Bruinkakes!
GO CANUCKS GO !!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Jun 2011, 08:13
DROP THE GLOVES, HOSER.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Jun 2011, 11:52
Normally I would love to join in a hockey chat, but the world championships are over, and my appetite for fancy goals  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRROpiNAvPw)and gritty hockey battles is
 temporarily sated. (http://www.iihf.com/channels-11/iihf-world-championship-wc11/homeiihf.html)

The fact that the NHL teams with my hometown heros on their rosters are out of contention has nothing whatsoever to do with it! :roll:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 01 Jun 2011, 12:13
Just caught up on the weekend's action, Geraint Thomas wins the tour of Bavaria and Wiggins put 30 seconds into Cancellara over 26k in a time trial. Methinks Team Sky are planning on making a mark on the Tour de France.

Dauphine is going to be very telling.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Jun 2011, 12:27
Normally I would love to join in a hockey chat, but the world championships are over, and my appetite for fancy goals  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRROpiNAvPw)and gritty hockey battles is
 temporarily sated. (http://www.iihf.com/channels-11/iihf-world-championship-wc11/homeiihf.html)

I was so glad I saw that live (cheers, Versus). What a ballsy move.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: philharmonic on 01 Jun 2011, 20:07
Nice. Torres put it in and whaddayaknow game winner.
No need to drop the gloves yet....stick to face seems to be working.

maybe next game we'll crush you Bostonian Brukakkes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Jun 2011, 23:59
Round #1 to Canucks. Wonder whether they will miss Hamhuis further down the road though? Salo has a long history of being injury prone, so if the Bruins knock him out, the Canucks' defence will be on the thin side. Leave it to Luongo?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Jun 2011, 05:45
3 observations:

1) From a non-neutral standpoint, are the Cup Finals ALWAYS that intense? I'll have a heart attack if this goes 7.

2) Dick Dastardley did not deserve to lose that game. What a show in net.

3) Burroughs better get at least a hefty fine if not suspended for biting Bergeron. You asshat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: philharmonic on 02 Jun 2011, 06:35
Burrows vs Bergeron hmmm.....well grapes did say he was "hungry". Are they not both frenchmen? ( '^.~)  how do they settle things in la belle province? Oh ya torte law! give em both some pork pie and call it even, tabernac!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Jun 2011, 21:45
Dirk Nowitzki just basically took a gigantic dump on Derrick Rose's MVP trophy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 03 Jun 2011, 03:24

1) From a non-neutral standpoint, are the Cup Finals ALWAYS that intense? I'll have a heart attack if this goes 7.


I can only speak for myself, but at some point I had to stop watching the 3rd periods of Finland's critical games at World Championships, Olympics and/or Canada Cup. I made the decision after I realized that I was coming close to shoving my then 3-year old kid out of the way in frustration. I was so ashamed of myself even though I never touched the kid. I may have grown up a bit during the 15+ years since...

The antics of the commentator make a huge difference. The dude who's been commentating the games of our team is downright mad (everybody loves him!!!), so unless things go well for us, I may have to leave the room. Go for a walk or something. When he is on a roll... it is nailbiting squared, and too much for the old blood pressure.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Jun 2011, 05:48
See, I like the NBC/Vs broadcaster. He goes totally apeshit when something cool happens, much like the NESN announcer that does most of the Bruins non-playoff games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Jun 2011, 18:35
He's always like that. Doc needs to take some valium at times.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Storm Rider on 05 Jun 2011, 23:40
I don't think I've posted in this thread since Posey got hurt but imagine this (http://youtu.be/xP1-oquwoL8?t=1m20s) as my general reaction at the time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: philharmonic on 06 Jun 2011, 06:26
Game 3 Today. I wonder what team is going to show up today. I hope it's not going to be repeat of the last series.(echo from facebook)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Jun 2011, 22:13
Well, welcome, Boston, to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 07 Jun 2011, 05:42
Well, game #3 didn't gave anyone a heart attack.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Jun 2011, 11:26
I just hope they have four or five left in the tank for tomorrow night.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/2jflqug.jpg)

Watch out, Sedins!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 08 Jun 2011, 20:21
Eagerly awaiting a Tim Thomas meme a la C. Norris et al
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Jun 2011, 05:45
Those started popping up on Boston sports-talk radio during the Tampa series.

To be honest, I had a friend that was appaled by his actions last night, and I can see why. He took a stick to the back of Canuckula's knee. I'm all for him beating the piss out of that little twat, but the knee's a dangerous place to swing a giant stick. A good crosscheck to the back would have solved the problem more efficiently (and more awesome..ly).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: philharmonic on 15 Jun 2011, 20:57
Well looks like you Boston folk have something to celebrate. Gratz. Next year I'll be all Go Leafs Go again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JD on 15 Jun 2011, 23:26
so many riots in vancouver

so many
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Jun 2011, 06:42
From another forum whence I frequent:

The difference between the U.S.ofA. and Canada...

We riot when we win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 16 Jun 2011, 13:07
Shamelessly stolen from twitter:

Canada: "DAMMIT THEY TOOK THE ONLY THING WE'RE REALLY GOOD AT" (meanwhile, US citizens go broke from medical expenses)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Jun 2011, 15:42
I kept telling them at 501 Broadway: DON'T USE FEDEX.

They didn't listen, and now the NHLPA is up in arms.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 03 Jul 2011, 22:50
Great opening weekend to the Tour de France. A bit of drama, the defending champion forced into a chasing position, amazing TTT riding, the god of thunder in yellow. Some interesting things are going to happen on the forthcoming flat days.

Also, if America annexes the Isle of Man in the next few hours you can have the winner on 4th July.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2011, 22:25
Well I got that completely wrong. Well done to Tyler Farrar for an excellent job of negotiating the chaos for the win.

Cat 3 climb to the finish today so a puncheurs stage. Hard to make a prediction at the moment but I'm hoping for Geraint Thomas to make a move on the yellow jersey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Jul 2011, 11:44
Awesome ride by Hushovd to keep up with Contador's group and stay in yellow today.

And hey, it seems like Jereme Roy from FDJ is in the breakaway almost every other day. Weird stuff.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 05 Jul 2011, 12:39
Yeah, Hushovd's got a lot more than people give him credit for. Still uncertain where he's planning on going with this year's tour. He's most suited to green jersey work but seems not be be putting in a fight for the new style points comp.

Not at all convinced by the comi's decision to strip Cav and Thor of yeserday's points. Seems a little petty and contrived for what was a harmless bit of rubbing.

Roy? Well there's an interesting rider. A brilliant breakaway rider at time but I think it's not along before we see him hit form as a Super Dom.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Jul 2011, 12:43
I was really confused by them having points stripped. Versus must have showed the replay in slow-mo 100 times, there wasn't a headbutt or anything besides leaning.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 05 Jul 2011, 22:20
I think, and this is pure speculation, that because the two of them have form for aggressive lining in the sprint then the commi's are basically firing a warning shot early on while the points comp is still wide open.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Jul 2011, 07:03
Your customer service is rad shit, Garmin-Cervelo.

I've got this coming to me:

(http://www.shopslipstreamsports.com/media/catalog/product/t/h/thor.yellow.blck.tee.v3b.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 06 Jul 2011, 11:32
Tasty.

Looks like this is obligatory carnage day. Nice bit of cyclocross for the second break and oh, look, Roy is on it with Voeckler. Wonder if Hinault threatened violence if a Frenchman didn't pick it on his home territory.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Jul 2011, 15:33
One reason why I don't follow the Tour is that eternal question - what exactly are the rules of the event?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: David_Dovey on 06 Jul 2011, 20:42
1- You ride a bike as fast as you can
2- It's the bike race!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: McTaggart on 06 Jul 2011, 21:27
1- You watch it while hungover
2- Check out all those cool estates
3- Someone wins!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 06 Jul 2011, 23:13
21 stages of racing. Stages are point to point rather than circuit races.

Time is cumulative. The time the rider spends on each stage is added to their total. The rider with the lowest time wears the yellow jersey until the end of the next stage. The rider who has the lowest time at the end of the tour wins.

Other Jerseys:
White - awarded by the same means to riders aged 25 and under.
Green - awarded to the rider with the most cumulative points (points are awarded at three places; intermediate sprint (a point roughly halfway along the stage course where riders are encouraged to take the lead)), hills (depending on length and gradient there are five classifications of hill with increasing amounts of points for the first people over the top) and the end of the stage. Mainly contended for by sprinters and puncheurs (aggressive all rounders).
Polka Dot - This is solely for points earned on hills thus recognising the best climbers.

The most combative rider of the previous day is recognised with a race number of white numbers on red rather than the usual black on white.

Other basic rules, don't take drugs, avoid unneccesary contact, don't interfere with the racing line of another rider.

Best thing to do is watch a few stages and ask questions. I can recommend the ITV4 feed as the presenters are good at explaining stuff fairly clearly and keep covering points throughout the tour for any newcomers to watching it. While I'd like to watch the live feed, the 1hr highlights show covers the main action of the day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Jul 2011, 05:47
For those in America, Versus handles all the coverage. And there is a ton of it. They show each stage live in the morning, followed by 2 hour highlight shows at like..noon and 2:30. They also have a big three-hour "expanded coverage" show at 8PM, which is some good stuff.

What you need to realize when watching cycling, especially the Tour de France, is that while it may seem very individual, it is most definitely a team sport.


Edit: It appears that Norwgian Boss Hogg won today's stage. Hushovd finished in the lead pack, so stays in yellow.

double edit: Timing, for newcomers: At the end of the stage, if there is a big group crossing the finish line, they all get credit for the time of the first man across in the group.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 14 Jul 2011, 14:28
Green jersey largely resolve so now we're into the proper racing. I reckon we're going to see a lot of tag team attacking from the Brother's Schleck. Surprised by the human mosquito that is Evans and not so much that Contador fell off.

Desperately wish Wiggins was still here as I reckon he could make a difference to the methods and the standings.

Also Hoogerland is the greatest sportsperson in the world ever TRUFAX.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Jul 2011, 04:15
It's the end of the world as we know it: it's the middle of July and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place.

For those of you on the other side of the pond: this is the equivalent of Aston Villa leading the table of the EPL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Jul 2011, 08:42
Also Hoogerland is the greatest sportsperson in the world ever TRUFAX.

Dovey talked me out of buying a "WELCOME TO HOOGERLAND" t-shirt in Meebo and I still think I made a stupid decision by listening to him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Jul 2011, 23:13
Dovey is a lackwit. Get one now, your life will be infinitely better because of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 19 Jul 2011, 03:10
Desperately wish Wiggins was still here as I reckon he could make a difference to the methods and the standings.

Just like he did in Battle School?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jul 2011, 11:09
That was a good ride today, Hesjedal. Very good ride.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 19 Jul 2011, 12:16
Desperately wish Wiggins was still here as I reckon he could make a difference to the methods and the standings.

Just like he did in Battle School?

In all fairness, Bradley is far more combative than Ender ever was, even during the Battle School era.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jul 2011, 12:41
Dovey is a lackwit. Get one now, your life will be infinitely better because of it.

I dunno. My Hushovd t-shirt came in yesterday and it looks pretty ace. I might go back to G-C and get a Zabriskie/Captain America shirt, as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 20 Jul 2011, 23:13
So close to throwing a sickie and watching live. Today will pretty much the decider for the race. If the top ten doesn't see a massive split I will be very surprised.

Alas I'm a temp and broke so off to work I go. Unplugging the phone at 6.59 and arming the claymore underneath the doormat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Jul 2011, 05:44
Kinda debating doing that tomorrow for Alp D'Huez.

Also because I walk to/from work and it's supposed to be like 92 with a heat index of 105.


edit: Andy Schleck won today's stage, Frank second, but Voeckler's now pretty much just Alp D'Huez and holding off Evans in the TT away from winning the race. I don't see it as very likely, but it'd be cool if he did.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 21 Jul 2011, 12:30
I'd never have put him as a contender, but if Voeckler does hold on then he may become my favourite Tour winner yet. Alas the look on his face five metres from the finish leads me to believe that his lead will probably end tomorow shortly after the Col du Telegraphe.

Surprised to see Contador crack today, I really thought he was putting himself back in the game. Even more surprised that the person to make him crack was Evans.

Andy Schleck is in an awkward position though. Having undone the damage of two days that haven't favoured him, he still needs to attack one more time tomorrow. The bad news for him is that Voeckler, Contador, Evans, Cunego and Basso can all descend better than him. Unless he gets ahead on the Galibier and then makes a good move on Alpe D'Huez he may not be able to gain enough time. I think that over a 42k time trial Evans can put at least a minute and a half into him and he doesn't have that right now. Going to be very exciting viewing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 22 Jul 2011, 02:18
Being a cautiously optimistic Aussie, I'm still prone to remembering Evans in 2008 when he by all accounts should've won in the time trial but was so wrecked because he was doing more work than he should've and didn't make enough time on Contador.

If he has to chase tonight like he did last night I'm worried he won't have it in him, but Shleck has shown his hand now and this stage should be less demanding. BMC had better pull something together though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Jul 2011, 06:35
At the moment, Andy's virtual leader and King of the Mountains. COME ON, SCHLEEEEEEEECK!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Jul 2011, 09:07
At the end of the stage, Andy Schleck is now in yellow, with Frank in second, and Evans at 0:57 going into the time trial.

I know Andy's not a great time trial rider (edit: he's the defending Luxembourg TT champion, but..), but I think he can hold up 57 seconds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 22 Jul 2011, 22:02
Depends on his and Evans's reserves. I could see Evans trying quite a bit last night when he dropped back, but he also had a decent stretch surrounded by his team while Schleck was being towed by Contador. Who was quite impressive from somebody who had conceded defeat less than a day before.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 23 Jul 2011, 08:51
And...
 :mrgreen:


Wooooooooooooooo!!!'
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 23 Jul 2011, 09:06
Bloody hell. I knew Evans was a good time trialist, and I'd heard Andy Schleck wasn't, but . . .

. . . Bloody hell. I wasn't expecting that much of a demolition.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 23 Jul 2011, 17:07
I think Shleck was spent from the previous few days, whereas Evans clearly still had something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jul 2011, 10:06
WORDS: EATEN  :mrgreen:

edit: So, Dave Zabriskie crashed out on stage 9 and is back in the States recovering.. but Garmin-Cervelo didn't forget him (or at least Cardboard Dave) on the podium:

(http://www.bicycling.com/sites/default/files/images/tdf-stg21_zabriskie_tdf2011.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Jul 2011, 14:26
Disappointed, Cuddles is an annoying grub and I wish there were better than him. I knew it didn't look good on the last day in the mountains. However am now revelling in the best ever result for a British rider. First brit to win green, sixth in overall stage wins and first ever person to take three wins in Paris.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Inlander on 24 Jul 2011, 18:06
Off the bike I think Evans is pretty unfairly maligned. It's okay Cadel, you just want to be left alone with your bike and your dog and your woman! I understand!

I think a lot of his reputation for being prickly and difficult was made on the back of behaviour from when he was clearly in an uncomfortable and unhappy environment. If you read or watch any of the interviews with him from this year's Tour it's remarkable how much more relaxed and friendly he is.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Aug 2011, 05:40
I have an important announcement:

22.

That is all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 25 Aug 2011, 10:01
Bayern, Napoli and Villareal.
 :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Aug 2011, 05:50
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Meanwhile, we've got the likes of..Otelul Galati?  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Aug 2011, 13:23
19 and counting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Aug 2011, 20:40
Eighteen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 29 Aug 2011, 02:38
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14692916.stm

Just lost 8-2 and have precisely zero full-backs who aren't either banned or injured (no, Armand Traore doesn't count, ever) so let's invest the Clichy/Eboue money in yet another budget forward.

Can't wait to break the league and win by 20pts with a revolutionary 1-2-7 formation (the 1 is Emmanuel Frimpong and the 7 are children with broken legs).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Aug 2011, 08:38
So according to ESPN, Arsenal are offering a free ticket as an apology to anyone who went to yesterday's game.

Here, come watch us lose again, we certainly are playing like a 16th place team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 31 Aug 2011, 10:58
@jwhouk: You managed to pique my curiosity. What are you counting down? The number of wins your favorite team needs to win the conference title/world series?Stolen bases/HRs somebody needs to make a record? Days to the kick off of the NCAA season?... :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Aug 2011, 12:00
NCAA "foot"ball starts like..tomorrow.

NHL training camp is my best guest. I'm going to a Bruins-Islanders game on the 23rd, and that's their like..second or third game.

edit: Or maybe it's the Brewers' magic number to clinch the Central.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Sep 2011, 05:33
Your last suggestion makes most sense given that jwhouk gave two updates on Aug 28th. Too lazy to check the scores for that date, but if his team won and the closest chasing team lost, then that would explain it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Sep 2011, 05:41
I forgot that the Central fell to shit and the Brewers were running away with it.

But I think it does oddly coincide with the start of the NHL preseason as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Sep 2011, 22:00
@jwhouk: You managed to pique my curiosity. What are you counting down? The number of wins your favorite team needs to win the conference title/world series?Stolen bases/HRs somebody needs to make a record? Days to the kick off of the NCAA season?... :psyduck:

Milwaukee Brewers Magic Number.

Unfortunately, it hasn't moved much since the Saint Louis Cardinals swept us - at home.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Sep 2011, 05:41
And yet they're STILL 7.5 games ahead, did the Cards and Pirates just fall off the earth since the trade deadline?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Sep 2011, 15:50
The Pirates are just the Pirates. The Cardinals have had injury problems, and not the good kind (pitching issues).

The Brewers just have this history of not making things easy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Sep 2011, 17:36
(http://www.jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/7/3/7360.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 05 Sep 2011, 11:11
So NCAA football season started. At least I don't have to spend the rest of the year hoping that may be Notre Dame might be a factor again.


Sigh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Sep 2011, 15:54
(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/15/5/15512.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Sep 2011, 07:22
http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2011/09/07/khl-club-yaroslavl-lokomotiv-wiped-out-by-plane-crash/

Terrifying.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 07 Sep 2011, 07:57
Brings back memories of the similar deaths of the Busby Babes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_air_disaster).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Sep 2011, 08:19
Yeah, exactly.

I still need to order a '58 United shirt from TOFFS when I get a little more spare cash.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Sep 2011, 12:18
I just learned that one of the dead players was Alexander Vasyunov, who I saw play in several games for the Albany Devils last season. He also notched his first and only NHL goal during a brief stint in New Jersey.

I'm not even a fan of Lokomotiv (the only KHL team I vaguely pay attention to is Kazan), but I'm really, really bummed out on this. I could use a good cry right now.

If there's any good news, I suppose it would be that one of the players on the flight (Alexander Galimov) actually survived the crash.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Sep 2011, 14:28
...

Karlis Skrastins, one of the Lokomotiv players, was my favorite player.

He was drafted by the Preds in '98, and played for the Admirals in Milwaukee for a year and a half before joining the NHL.

My heart goes out to his wife and two daughters.

This summer sucks, hockey-wise.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Sep 2011, 05:54
Karlis Skrastins was an absolutely outstanding hockey player. He was with Colorado for a while back when I still liked them, and played for Dallas, who is one of my friends' favorite teams.

Oddly enough, in 2007, he was traded to the Panthers for Ruslan Salei, who was also a member of Lokomotiv and died yesterday.

Another name most NHL fans should recognize is Pavol Demitra, who played for Ottawa, Los Angeles, St Louis, Minnesota, and Vancouver. He was also the captain of the Slovakian national team and played in 3 Olympics.

And sadly for jwhouk, another former Pred was in the crash as well. Josef Vasicek, who spent 7 years in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with Carolina.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 08 Sep 2011, 11:32
Karlis Skrastins also played for my hometown team in the Finnish hockey league before he joined the NHL. His fans and former teammates are overwhelmed with grief.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Sep 2011, 18:54
Karlis had the nickname "Iron Man" for his consecutive games played streak as a defenseman in the NHL.

I feel for his two daughters, who were suddenly on a trip to Europe, not realizing that they weren't going to see daddy play hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Sep 2011, 16:07
Whew!

10.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Sep 2011, 08:32
One last sad hockey death update:

Alexander Galimov (scroll up a few posts) died in the hospital. Entire team officially dead.

Now, onwards with pure crap: The Red Sox think it's April again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 12 Sep 2011, 10:15
Galimov had severe burns on over 80 per cent of his skin, so I wasn't optimistic to begin with. I vaguely recall somebody coming back to life from 92 per cent burn - a few decades back, so my source may be outdated. But the same source says that normally losing 80 per cent of your skin is fatal. May well be that Galimov also had other trauma on top of the burns. A technician/mechanic seems to be the sole survivor on board that flight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Sep 2011, 10:59
He might not be long for this world, either, since he apparently had the same level of burns and was also in an induced coma.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Sep 2011, 11:53
I guess several teams in the KHL had offered players to Yaroslavl for this season, but they decided not to play this year.

And that got me thinking about what provisions are in place for these sorts of freak accidents. Luckily, punk rock podcasts answered that for me:

http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2011/9/7/2410452/nhl-emergency-draft-khl-plane-crash


edit, via wiki:

Quote
The club will instead participate in the 2011–12 season of the Russian Major League (VHL), the second top ice hockey league in Russia after the KHL, in December 2011 and will automatically be qualified for the VHL playoffs.[3] Also, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's squad for the 2012–13 KHL season will automatically be qualified for the KHL playoffs that season, and the club may request allowance to use more than six non-Russian players in the KHL squad.[4]
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Sep 2011, 22:04
From what I understand, that rule has actually been on the books in the league bylaws for decades - perhaps even close to a century. I think the league, after the 1919 Influenza epidemic, came up with some contingency plans should one of its teams lose most of their players to illness or accident. They may have just updated it after things like the ManU plane crash and the Marshall stuff happened.

Oh, and:

(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/7/3/7377.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Sep 2011, 07:31
I thought the 1919 contingency plan was "fuck it, cancel the Stanley Cup".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Sep 2011, 11:32
I think it was after that when they decided to draw up rules about allowing teams to replenish their rosters if a club lost a significant number of players. It was also about that time that they developed drafts so weaker teams (read: Chicago Black Hawks) could improve themselves so competition wasn't so one-sided.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Sep 2011, 21:02
(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/15/5/15522.png)

And how appropriate is that? :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 13 Sep 2011, 21:10
You also have an image of a jersey with number zero on it? What about negative numbers? Or where you planning on moving to "better not be sober" thread for that day?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Sep 2011, 21:22
No, I plan on just posting one word. One that I have yet to post on any message board ever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Sep 2011, 06:01
Pimhole?

You can have your magic number all you want, according to the email I got from the Sox, I'm going to a playoff game.

If they make it, at least.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Sep 2011, 06:28
At the rate they're going, I may not need a number "0" jersey.

And I don't know what color Sox sent you that email, but it's about as likely to happen as Prince Fielder staying with Milwaukee through the end of his career.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Sep 2011, 08:26
Red, buddy. The only color Sox you ever need to pay attention to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Sep 2011, 20:59
I've seen more White Sox games live than I have Red Sox games.

(Not by much, though)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Sep 2011, 09:17
Got a pair for the first home game. Standing room only, up on the right field deck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Sep 2011, 13:10
7
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Sep 2011, 19:30
(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/15/5/15516.png)

Oh, and congrats to the Phillies for clinching the NL East.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Sep 2011, 16:42
Sorry, but I can't help myself.

(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/7/3/7391.png)

And it's been almost as long as when this jersey was worn by a Brewer that I had the chance to count down a REAL, Honest-to-God Magic Number. :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Sep 2011, 08:25
Paul Molitor?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Sep 2011, 13:16
Magic Number :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Sep 2011, 13:28
1.5 games up in the Wild Card, NY plays Tampa this week and then we play NY this weekend.

I'm pretty much going to get my playoff ticket money back.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 19 Sep 2011, 16:06
Im reserving a spot on the Tobin tomorrow, want me to save you one Shane?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Sep 2011, 07:20
I'll be in town this weekend, you may need to.

(dude James PM me if you want to grab a beer or something Saturday)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Sep 2011, 13:43
Why on EARTH did Dimitar Berbatov replace whatever an "Ezekiel Fryers" is at center-half?

Ferguson's losing his mind, I think. All these 3+ goal games are driving him mad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 21 Sep 2011, 12:10
What art thou doing in Bostonia on saturday dude? The way this week is going I might need a hell of a drink.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Sep 2011, 12:21
I shalst PM thee, though part of the day does involve "watching soccerball"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Sep 2011, 13:45
I'd feel better about only having to go 3-3 over the final homestand of the year - if it wasn't that we were facing the Pirates those final three games.

We need to sweep the Fish.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 22 Sep 2011, 16:11
Why must you torment me, (Devil) Rays? I had written off the season at the start of this month, and then you got better just as Boston started tanking. Now you're on the edge of flubbing this up again after losing the first three of four to the Yankees. D: I mean, sure Boston doesn't seem like it's pulling out of that rut right now, but now the Angels are tied for the Wild Card. X|

*sigh*

The commissioner clearly planned this out to sell more tickets at the last minute, didn't he?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Sep 2011, 17:14
(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/15/5/15518.png)

Chance of Cardinals winning the division: 49 to 1.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2011, 19:44
(http://jerseydatabase.com/jerseys/backs/7/3/7387.png)

And this is the only time you will hear me say this:

GO CUBS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2011, 20:07
(http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3316/nlc11.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Sep 2011, 21:19
Good god, the Bruins game was insane. I can't wait for the regular season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Sep 2011, 13:25
Joining the Red Sox in "This Isn't Happening 2011":

Manchester United 2
FC Basel 3
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 27 Sep 2011, 20:28
hey the red sox won a game

maybe if Jacoby ellsbury hits 7 home runs a game from now until the end of october they can do well in the playoffs that they aren't going to make it into.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Sep 2011, 05:46
Two wild card races deadlocked on the last day of the season - and the potential for two playoff tiebreaker games.


All are simple: Win and the worst that happens is a playoff game. Lose and you have to have help to force a playoff.

And, in addition, four more games that might have some implications on the post-season:

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Sep 2011, 06:45
Will have at least 3 heart attacks tonight.

Also wearing old Sean Casey t-shirt for luck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 28 Sep 2011, 19:02
The Red Sox: Saved by a Yale philosophy student.  :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 28 Sep 2011, 20:29
You know what Luis Ayala? Fuck you too!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 28 Sep 2011, 21:07
Well that was utterly fucking pathetic. Disgusted by this team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 28 Sep 2011, 21:18
And the collapse is complete. All hail the Rays!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Sep 2011, 21:29
I feel like I shouldn't believe in love or anything of that sort anymore.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Sep 2011, 02:53
Well. We didn't see this one coming, did we?

Yankees vs. Tigers (My prediction: Yanks sweep.)
Rangers vs. Rays (This will be a good one to watch, but Rangers will take it in four.)
Phillies vs. Cardinals (Phillies won't sweep, but they'll take it in four, too.)
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks (It'll take five games, but I'll take the Crew in this one.)




Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Sep 2011, 04:52
Yankees in four, account yourself one brilliant Justin Verlander start.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Sep 2011, 06:26
It would all depend on which game he starts.

Also, the Tigers are 0-2 this year when he faces the Yankees.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 29 Sep 2011, 16:00
Yankees vs. Tigers (I'll say Yankees sweep.)
Rangers vs. Rays (Rays in 4. I think they can out-starting-pitch the Rangers well enough to get the upper hand.)
Phillies vs. Cardinals (Phillies in 4, I think.)
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks (Brewers in 5.)

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Sep 2011, 16:16
Thing about the Brewers-D'backs NLDS: you'll have to pay attention if you want to remember where they're playing. Chase Field and Miller Park share a lot of similarities in layout and game play (except, of course, the Brewers don't have a swimming pool beyond the RF fence).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Theriandros on 02 Oct 2011, 21:21
Looking like the Brewers might take this one fairly early, and the Yanks blew that sweep chance.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Oct 2011, 06:04
This just in: the Milwaukee Brewers have won more playoff games in their franchise history than the Chicago Cubs have since 1969. :-D :-D  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Oct 2011, 06:24
Yankees in four, account yourself one brilliant Max Scherzer start.

fmp
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SilentJ on 05 Oct 2011, 16:36
AJ Burnett stepped up in an elimination game?  What universe am I in?

Not that I'm complaining at all.  And with Nova going against Fister tomorrow night, I'd say the Yanks have a pretty good shot at the ALCS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Oct 2011, 05:51
Not only are we raising the Stanley Cup banner tonight, but we invited Philadelphia to the ceremonies to rub it into their faces!

(and I guess to play them at hockey as well)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Oct 2011, 12:54
Pretty much no one in Philly is going to be paying attention, though. They're going to be watching the Phils instead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Oct 2011, 13:01
Philly as a whole is generally a liquid cheese-soaked pile of crap anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Oct 2011, 13:27
Amen to that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Oct 2011, 18:19
Beast mode ACTIVATED! (http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_10_07_arimlb_milmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=mil)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: akronnick on 09 Oct 2011, 15:11
That was a hell of a fifth inning.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2011, 16:17
 :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2011, 16:43
Seven to go. :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 09 Oct 2011, 23:49
Now that the Irish are rebounding, I dare to take a peek at this thread again. Glad to see that jwhouk is enjoying life.

My fandom for NCAA football is likely to go up in the future now that the Alma Mater sent me the link to web broadcast from NBC. ND-AFA was the first game I had a chance to watch in many a year. Our offence looked good, but defending that no-huddle triple option attack was painful. Come on D! At the point when I had to go to bed (like 2a.m.ish) the bad guys were 5 for 5 in 4th down conversions.

BUT. This was the first time I saw the action cam at work. Neat! How do they do it? Has it been around for many season's now?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2011, 23:58
It is a very good time to be a Wisconsin sports fan, that is for certain. :D

And what exactly do you mean by "action cam"? The overhead shot? They have cables suspended over the playing field to provide those.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 10 Oct 2011, 00:33
It is a very good time to be a Wisconsin sports fan, that is for certain. :D

Enjoy! Occasionally I get these regrets about not accepting the offer from UW and happened to pick ND instead for grad school. Don't remember what the point spread was?

And what exactly do you mean by "action cam"? The overhead shot? They have cables suspended over the playing field to provide those.

That's probably it. It was called Action Cam in the web-broadcast. Google hits with that buzzword were mostly for video games.
 
I figured out that they have to use cables for support (and remote control the camera). I just wonder whether a punt or a long bomb has ever hit the cable and ruined a play? IIRC something like that happened once at the (Atlanta?) olympic games, when the TV crew couldn't quite anticipate how high the athletes could throw some objects.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Oct 2011, 13:28
It's a bit like the huge scoreboard at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. They try to hang it high enough that it won't interfere with the play, or they "retract" the cables so it won't interfere with the play.

That camera shot happens to be one of the few legacies of the old XFL. Vince McMahon's failed football league used that camera for every game, and despite the fact that no one watched the games after the first few weeks, the camera shot was too good for other networks to pass up. Once the NFL was convinced that it could be used without interfering with the game itself, it got to be a regular part of the broadcast - along with the first down line and the line of scrimmage line that's superimposed on the field.

EDIT: The actual name of the camera is the "SkyCam" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skycam), and it has fallen onto the field once during a game - back in October of 2007, in an NBC Sunday Night game in Seattle.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Oct 2011, 14:41
Say you went out last night and met a girl at a bar, found out she liked (insert your favorite sport, but one that not a lot of people in this country like)

But say you kinda definitely dig her, and you find out she digs your team's mortal enemies (say, I dunno, Liverpool).

How does this work, sports/now relationship thread?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Oct 2011, 15:08
Oh, hey, you're a hockey fan, too? What's your favorite team?

The Chicago Blackhawks?

....

Check, please.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Oct 2011, 15:32
I always had set a rule: No dating Yankees/Canadiens/Flyers/Liverpool/City/Arsenal fans.

So far I've dated a girl who cheated on me with a now-Flyer, and I have a thing for a Liverpool fan.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 11 Oct 2011, 20:13
Just hatefuck whenever Liverpool and Man U play each other
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 11 Oct 2011, 23:20
I mean, it's just sport.


Is this the part where everyone turns round and looks at me with a slightly menacing look of perplexion?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Oct 2011, 05:43
Just hatefuck whenever Liverpool and Man U play each other

aka Saturday, and I was planning on dropping by the bar she tends at on Sunday. *facedesk* You are a BITCH, scheduling.

And yeah May, it is just sport, but it is an embarassingly important part of my life. I think I need to try and focus less on the fact that she likes Liverpool and more she's kinda cute!!.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Oct 2011, 17:27
Well. That Sucked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 17 Oct 2011, 18:32
the first time I get to watch a Vikings game on the tv over here in prison island and I get that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Oct 2011, 07:21
City 6-1 United.

Talk me off the ledge, someone.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 23 Oct 2011, 11:41
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2cn8ett.jpg)

 :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Oct 2011, 11:48
Well mostly because he's a grade-A cunt who tried to blow up his bathroom the other day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 23 Oct 2011, 14:44
Is this the part where everyone turns round and looks at me with a slightly menacing look of perplexion?
Only the guys, Barmy. Only the guys...  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 23 Oct 2011, 16:37
THE FRENCH LOST!   :-D

Well, admittedly it was only by one point, but

THE WILLIAM WEBB ELLIS TROPY IS OURS AGAIN!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Oct 2011, 17:06
Oh, hey, the Packers won!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 23 Oct 2011, 17:32
I just fell off my chair in shock
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: FIXDIX on 23 Oct 2011, 18:11
The French won but that was a shit of a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Oct 2011, 18:38
I see the Colts are still keeping up with their new season policy: "Suck For Luck".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 24 Oct 2011, 10:37
THE FRENCH LOST!   :-D

Well, admittedly it was only by one point, but

THE WILLIAM WEBB ELLIS TROPY IS OURS AGAIN!!!!

Your avatar has to dance the haka or it didn't happen :-) 

Congrats to All Blacks and their supporters!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Oct 2011, 13:50
Difference between European Football and American Football:

In Europe, if you lose all your games, you get relegated to a lesser league.

In America, if you lose all your games, you get the first pick in next year's draft!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 24 Oct 2011, 16:06
THE FRENCH LOST!   :-D

Well, admittedly it was only by one point, but

THE WILLIAM WEBB ELLIS TROPY IS OURS AGAIN!!!!

Your avatar has to dance the haka or it didn't happen :-) 

Congrats to All Blacks and their supporters!


Kapa o Pango (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Si_W26kRI0&feature=related)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 24 Oct 2011, 23:07
Difference between European Football and American Football:

In Europe, if you lose all your games, you get relegated to a lesser league.

In America, if you lose all your games, you get the first pick in next year's draft!

This (=no relegation/promotion) is something that has always bothered me a bit about American sports. But the draft has some appeal over the European system in which the wealthiest club (=often but not always the defending champion) essentially gets the first ten picks. Ok, it's not so simple, because a team cannot really fit ten prima donnas on its roster.

I guess this is yet another thing were the weight of history is overwhelming. The Euro leagues have their roots in amateur sports, where municipal clubs would rise and fall all depending on how good a group of players with enough spare time the town would muster up. In the US the market was bigger, so enough resources to support a pro league could be found a couple decades earlier, and the rules for the leagues were designed with the interests of the club owners also in mind. But, yeah, my sympathy is with a farm team fan. No matter how good the team, they will never get to play for all the marbles. To some extent the NCAA seems to take the role of a second tier league - catering for the needs of the more local fanbase.

And, of course, I won't truly believe in the draft as the great equalizer unless the Cubs win the world series one of these years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Oct 2011, 06:05
<snip>
And, of course, I won't truly believe in the draft as the great equalizer unless the Cubs win the world series one of these centuries.

FYP. :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Oct 2011, 09:46
Promotion and relgation wouldn't work because the lower divisions here are all feeder clubs/minor league affiliates for the top division.

So that's baseball, hockey, and basketball out. MLS doesn't do it because Don Garber's an asshole.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Oct 2011, 19:34
The differences come out because of how the games developed in the US:

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 25 Oct 2011, 21:28
Thanks for the bit of history!

Another thing explaining the differences may be the size of the country. There are only so many weekends to a season, so the number of teams in a league can't be higher than 30 (leaving out NCAA with its multiple conferences, and also endless discussion about the difficulty of ranking the teams that only play a tiny fraction of the other contenders). And this doesn't scale linearly with the size of the country. So in Europe large countries (England, Germany) have 20+ teams in the top tier leagues, smaller ones may be only 12 teams. In the US the number is close to 30. But still that is only one team per 10 million people or so. That is enough to support a pro team (after all, the money comes from the fans - one way or another). In comparison, Finland's population of 5 million cannot really support a pro hockey league of 14 teams, so the salaries pale in comparison to the NHL. Even Canada, ardent fans that they are, would struggle to support the high end salaries of 10+ NHL teams.

Of course, in the country the size of US logistics of the league become more of a problem than it would be in a country, where you can get anhywhere else by sitting, say, six hours on a bus. When geography forces the teams to go on tours lasting a couple of weeks, the players can't really hang on to regular jobs on the side, right?

Edit: Rats, I really just ended up stating the obvious. The point I was trying to get at was that the size of the country may lead to  there being no pro team in your vicinity. I find that a downer. TV is an adequate substitute for many but not all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 26 Oct 2011, 03:28
You're leaving out Australian Rules football, where half the teams in the top competition are from the one city in a loose-ish neighbourhood-type arrangement, then one a little on up the road, then two from each other participating state (the little island down the bottom gets left out because of corporate greed). Basically the national league came into existence in 1990 when the Victorian (the second largest state, the size of Conneticut, say) comp took in a few other sides from cities in other states. Then there are smaller 'local' leagues in each state.
There's a draft system where the losing-est team gets the number one draft pick, except when one team does rubbish for a few years in a row and then they get the number one draft pick. Unless, as has just happened twice, a new team joins the league and they get heaps of early draft picks plus additional allowances to the salary cap so they can recruit a couple of veterans - the beginning of the season just past saw the new team buy one of the last year's best players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2011, 05:47
Minor League teams  have essentially taken away the "town team" concept in most places. Cities in the US have essentially either become pro sports hotbeds, usually emphasizing one sport/team over another, or have embraced a college team or sport.

Examples: Las Vegas is huge on UNLV basketball; Salt Lake City is an NBA town with the Jazz (except when they're all rooting for BYU or the University of Utah); Boise has Boise State football; Grand Forks, ND has the UND Fighting Sioux (and an arena that's arguably better than some NHL rinks); Durham, NC has their AAA baseball Bulls.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Oct 2011, 07:26
Just sayin', I think Durham is more of a basketball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Blue_Devils_men%27s_basketball) town than a baseball town.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 26 Oct 2011, 08:12
I believe both of you. IIRC in South Bend, IN, many townies who loathed Notre Dame were supporters of (single-A) SB White Sox. May be it's the same way in Durham (not forgetting the fans who support both)?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2011, 12:45
Well, that's the other thing: in Europe, league play in basketball is in the summer, which is the reverse of how it is in the US. Soccer is the exact opposite (MLS plays in the summer, while Europe plays in the winter).

A city with a baseball team and a winter sports team can (theoretically) support both; however, in places like, say, Milwaukee, the "winter" team (Packers) takes over before the "summer" team (Brewers) finish their season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Oct 2011, 18:10
MLS sorta has to play in the summer. This is Dick's Sporting Good Park, where the Rapids play, earlier TODAY:

(http://www.kckrs.com/wp-content/uploads/DSGP.png)

Playing soccer in New England in February? No thank you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Oct 2011, 18:58
That's always what floored me about football: it's okay for the NFL to play in the middle of December when temps are low and chance of snow is high - despite the conditions having a huge effect on the game itself.

Anyways: sports in North America are drastically affected by the weather. That's why MLB holds its "pre-season" games in Arizona and Florida. However, MLB has not yet gotten to the realization that maybe it needs to have certain teams/cities host games at the beginning of the season so that games are played, not rained/snowed out (like in Denver, perhaps).

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 26 Oct 2011, 22:42
I was about to point out that the Nordic countries and Ireland make an exception to the European rule that the soccer leagues are run in the winter. Remarkably the British try to run their league in the winter, but occasionally they need to cancel a game.

But, yeah, the wimpy USC team only plays at Notre Dame in October, but the Irish are always scheduled to make their visit to Cal in December.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Oct 2011, 00:05
There's a reason why all the (long-running) Bowl games in college football are played in the Southern US.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 27 Oct 2011, 02:22
But I really want to see a Super Bowl on Soldier Field  :-(

Playing soccer in New England in February? No thank you.
Finland's contribution to international extreme soccer is the annual  Swamp Soccer World Championship Tournament. (http://www.ukkohalla.fi/en/events/swamp+soccer/)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Oct 2011, 07:55
Difference between European Football and American Football:

In Europe, if you lose all your games, you get relegated to a lesser league.

In America, if you lose all your games, you get the first pick in next year's draft!
I like the NFL system better. Fairer and more chance for drama!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Oct 2011, 08:52
There is nothing more dramatic than when you have 4-5 teams all near the relegation zone with 2-3 games left.

See also: last season's promotion final between Swansea and Reading. That was an incredibly fun game to watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 27 Oct 2011, 11:23
That is a side benefit. More teams have something at stake in the late regular season games => less meaningless matches. Of course my viewpoint may be colored by the fact that I have lost a couple of NHL pools partly to the following: my goalie had been compiling impressive numbers (GAA, SV%) except for lack of wins. So his team is eliminated from the play off hunt early. Suddenly all the other players lose interest in defence, all because they only want to score points to secure a contract extension, and my guy starts allowing 4-5 goals per game on average.... I did learn to pay attention at the time of the virtual draft in the end.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Oct 2011, 22:26
I only vaguely remember Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. That game was called by many who witnessed it in its entirety the Greatest Baseball Game Ever Played.

Game 6 of the 2011 World Series has beaten it.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Oct 2011, 04:34
As a Red Sox fan who gets out of work early this afternoon, expect me at your door tonight to punch you for that comment NOTHING IS BETTER THAN FISK I WASN'T EVEN CLOSE TO ALIVE AND IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER.

Fuck, I had a dream about getting a tattoo of Carlton Fisk waving the ball fair once. I kinda still want to get that tattoo.


sidenote: The call killed it, as always. Joe Buck used "We will see you...tomorrow night." I don't know how many times during the 2004 ALCS. I won't remember that for David Freese. What I will always remember is "If it stays fair......HOME RUN."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 28 Oct 2011, 05:19
eh, it's no Australia v England, second test, 2006/07 series.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Oct 2011, 07:14
Which was no Bayern 1-0 Manchester United in the 89th minute of the '99 Champions League final.

(aka the game that really got me hooked)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 28 Oct 2011, 16:00
yeah that one was very impressive and despite not following soccer at all and living in Australia I still know what you're talking about, but that one only went for ninety minutes and scoring two goals in under ten minutes isn't all that improbable.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 29 Oct 2011, 10:25
Guys, I watched my first half of a rugby league match today! It was rather fun. I'd have liked to have watched the whole game but I had to go to work. It makes so much more sense than union, I could never figure that out - it was like a boxing match with more people. And unsurprisingly England won.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 02 Nov 2011, 18:27
I have found the .gif that encapsulates everything there is to know about hockey.

 (http://i.imgur.com/SOoe4.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Nov 2011, 22:11
You left out the part where they shake hands later anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Nov 2011, 20:32
The BCS could be in chaos shortly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Nov 2011, 20:35
Uhm, wow.

77 seconds to a possible major upset in the BCS rankings...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Nov 2011, 20:58
Check that - we have a major upset in the BCS standings. Undefeated Oklahoma State loses to Iowa State - on the same day that OSU lost its women's basketball coach and assistant coach in a plane crash.

Ouch.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2011, 06:24
The BCS committee is probably praying right now that Southern Methodist University plays this weekend like it was 30 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 19 Nov 2011, 10:54
You really think that Houston would be a serious candidate for the title game?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2011, 13:47
There'd be complaints from here to the Gulf Coast that they deserve a shot - especially if LSU blows it against Arkansas.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2011, 13:50
Meanwhile, the tragedy hasn't stopped hitting college sports yet:

Driver kills one, injures two (http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news;_ylt=Ak5orlTGjQTfHJ3eF.NwUCccvrYF?slug=ap-yale-harvard-tailgateaccident) in parking lot at Harvard-Yale game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 19 Nov 2011, 14:53
There'd be complaints from here to the Gulf Coast that they deserve a shot - especially if LSU blows it against Arkansas.

Wasn't it the goal of the BCS formula to get rid of exactly that kind of problems? "Everybody" loves an undefeated team, sure, but it is a condition of the contest that if you schedule UCLA and ten push-overs, you pay the price in that the computers won't appreciate your team. Some pollsters love any undefeated team, many more will hit a team more severely for a late season loss as opposed to an early season loss, but together they bring enough of the psychological factors into the equation IMHO.

If you ask me, the big remaining problem with the BCS are the automatic bids to certain conference champs.  :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2011, 15:07
See, that's the problem. Teams outside the "power" conferences (Pac-12, Big 10, SEC, Big XII, and "technically" the Big East and ACC) aren't ranked very high because they don't play any top-ranked teams. However, top ranked teams don't schedule them because of the Appalachian State Syndrome (you don't want to lose to a team from the WAC, MAC, Sun Belt, Conference USA or Mountain West - especially not at home).

So the only option for teams like Utah, Boise State and TCU is to bolt from their conferences and join a "Big" conference. In a way, it actually creates a sub-division of the BCS sub-division: The "Big Six" and the "Little Five". This explains why Conference USA is seeking to "merge" with the Big East (at least, in football).

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2011, 15:17
You really think that Houston would be a serious candidate for the title game?

Right now, no. The problem is that while the computers don't take it into account, the voters in the Harris and the USA Today Coaches polls do see the outrageous scores being tallied by UH, and automatically assume "they're not playing anyone of consequence."

Truth of this - of the four computer rankings that post strength-of-schedule ratings, here's where Houston ranks:

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Nov 2011, 02:22
And before this becomes TOO much of my own thread to post in, I'll go out on a limb and say this is what the Top 5 in the BCS will look like:

1. LSU
2. Bama
3. Arkansas
4. Stanford
5. Virginia Tech

Houston will be sitting at number 6, most likely.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 20 Nov 2011, 03:17
I see your point about it being difficult for those schools to schedule other strong teams. That is something I never thought about. My excuse is, of course, that I'm looking at this with shamrock-shaped glasses. May be the system should give more weight to the quality of out-of-conference opponents?

So the complaint is that the current system has built-in mechanisms maintaining the strong position of the traditionally strong conferences (and ND)? For newcomers the conference as a whole needs to gain respect in order for their best teams to get a shot? Something like that is there, but I'm not quite sure that I fully buy that. For example Boise State has been steadily building up a reputation as a strong program. They are relative newcomers to top ten, but at least the voters now all take them into reckoning (which IIRC was not the case, when they were first emerging). A Cinderella team coming out of a weak conference will have a hard time getting to play in the title game, but I don't see that as a major problem. A quality NCAA football team does not just come out of nowhere. Only a quarter of the roster (may be one half of the starters?) graduates every year, so a good team must have been decent a year before, right?

Or are you in favor of a play-off, a la NCAA hoops? I think the season is long enough as it is. These kids are supposed to study, too!

And before this becomes TOO much of my own thread to post in, I'll go out on a limb and say this is what the Top 5 in the BCS will look like:

1. LSU
2. Bama
3. Arkansas
4. Stanford
5. Virginia Tech

Houston will be sitting at number 6, most likely.
Officially I *have to* challenge that list because Stanford has yet to play Notre Dame. Judging from what I saw last night, this is unfortunately quite close to the mark...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Nov 2011, 03:48
Truth be told, those five teams are the only ones who won in the top 10 this week, so it would follow.

Even though I am a fan of a team in the Big Ten, I am a huge advocate of a playoff. There were a couple of times during the Alvarez years that I thought the Badgers could have won a playoff if they had been allowed to do so. And, of course, my REAL alma mater has won three straight "playoffs" in Division III, so there you go.

Prediction: Notre Dame will be in a conference for football before the end of the decade. And Army and Navy will drop to DI-FCS before that time as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 20 Nov 2011, 04:59
Depends. If Kelly can bring back the old glory, and NBC money (consequently) will not dry out, there will be very little incentive for ND to join in any conference. Too many 'ifs' to my liking.

And what conference might it be? Geographically Big Ten makes the most sense, but would they welcome Notre Dame? Ok, so there is this marquee value thingy, but in that scenario that stock would be on its way down. Also, how large can a conference be before they start splitting it into groups?

I do realize that you cannot live on tradition alone. The same applies to service academies.

On second thought, the weight of tradition among the powers-that-be at ND is a religion. Reason has very little to do with it.

Gotta go watch some cross-country together with my son.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Nov 2011, 06:12
I'm betting on the CUSA-Big East Conglomeration that's being talked about. That would be the "mid-major" conference, and Notre Dame would add cachet to it.

And NBC Universal might decide to use their deal with UND to MAKE a superconference like Big East Conference USA.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 21 Nov 2011, 20:50
Or are you in favor of a play-off, a la NCAA hoops? I think the season is long enough as it is. These kids are supposed to study, too!

This point is invalidated by the fact that Div II and III football DOES have playoffs (16 teams), and those are real student athletes who are playing without scholarships or chance to join the pros.

In local NBA news, the Sacramento King's arena, which for years went under the moniker Arco Arena, but sold naming rights to the makers of "Power Balance" bands (scammy magnetic wrist bands that supposedly increase athletic performance) last March to Power Balance Pavillion, has had irony slap them upside the head. The Power Balance company has just declared bankruptcy because they lost a lawsuit where any customer who ever bought one of their products may return it for a full refund because of fraudulent advertising claims.

Not like we'll ever see the Kings play there again given the combination of the lock-out and the owner's attempt to move the team to Anaheim.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 21 Nov 2011, 21:39
Or are you in favor of a play-off, a la NCAA hoops? I think the season is long enough as it is. These kids are supposed to study, too!

This point is invalidated by the fact that Div II and III football DOES have playoffs (16 teams), and those are real student athletes who are playing without scholarships or chance to join the pros.
Didn't know that! A bit surprising actually. Where are the college sport reformers, when we need them the most?

Playoffs are kind of fun, when the nature of the game is such that the teams can play 4 games in a week, but that's not the case with football (might be interesting to see, though?). Otherwise it has the air of prolonging the agony. I also feel that the "best team of the year" means something else than "a decent team that just got its act together in January". But that is just me...

In local NBA news, the Sacramento King's arena, which for years went under the moniker Arco Arena, but sold naming rights to the makers of "Power Balance" bands (scammy magnetic wrist bands that supposedly increase athletic performance) last March to Power Balance Pavillion, has had irony slap them upside the head. The Power Balance company has just declared bankruptcy because they lost a lawsuit where any customer who ever bought one of their products may return it for a full refund because of fraudulent advertising claims.

Not like we'll ever see the Kings play there again given the combination of the lock-out and the owner's attempt to move the team to Anaheim.

Ouch. What do they call the stadium now? "The no name pavillion"? "A balancing act"? Or is it still PBP simply because nobody can pay the maintenance guys to take down the neon lights, banners and whatnot?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 21 Nov 2011, 23:13
Or are you in favor of a play-off, a la NCAA hoops? I think the season is long enough as it is. These kids are supposed to study, too!

This point is invalidated by the fact that Div II and III football DOES have playoffs (16 teams), and those are real student athletes who are playing without scholarships or chance to join the pros.
Didn't know that! A bit surprising actually. Where are the college sport reformers, when we need them the most?

Playoffs are kind of fun, when the nature of the game is such that the teams can play 4 games in a week, but that's not the case with football (might be interesting to see, though?). Otherwise it has the air of prolonging the agony. I also feel that the "best team of the year" means something else than "a decent team that just got its act together in January". But that is just me...

One point in favor of playoffs is that right now, you have a championship game, and 29 bowl games that nobody gives a crap about. With a 16-team playoff, you definitely are going to include the top contenders along with some other worthy teams, you'll have 15 games that mean everything to the schools involved and will get great ratings top to bottom, and you'd still have room for enough traditional invite bowls for those who like them.

As far as I'm concerned, when the Rose Bowl finally whored themselves out to the BCS nonsense, any argument based on the "tradition" of the bowl games became moot (not that this is your argument, but you hear it a lot among BCS supporters).

Quote
In local NBA news, the Sacramento King's arena, which for years went under the moniker Arco Arena, but sold naming rights to the makers of "Power Balance" bands (scammy magnetic wrist bands that supposedly increase athletic performance) last March to Power Balance Pavillion, has had irony slap them upside the head. The Power Balance company has just declared bankruptcy because they lost a lawsuit where any customer who ever bought one of their products may return it for a full refund because of fraudulent advertising claims.

Not like we'll ever see the Kings play there again given the combination of the lock-out and the owner's attempt to move the team to Anaheim.

Ouch. What do they call the stadium now? "The no name pavillion"? "A balancing act"? Or is it still PBP simply because nobody can pay the maintenance guys to take down the neon lights, banners and whatnot?

The thing about a company declaring bankruptcy is that basically, all current agreements are frozen in place until the court makes a ruling about them, so even if the payments have stopped and the arena wanted to drop the name and seek somebody with the ability to pay, they can't void the contract. Right now the owners are saying publicly that they're happy with the arrangement and see no reason to change it.

Most people still reflexively say Arco Arena however. Which carries its own irony considering that when it was first named, stadium/arena naming rights were a fairly rare thing and a lot of people and news organizations refused to use it so as to not give away free advertising.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Nov 2011, 04:21
'Tis the day after thanksgiving. The Green Bay Packers are still undefeated, the Cowboys managed to win one, John Harbaugh beat his brother Jim in something more than a backyard family football game, and the 'Horns beat the Aggies in a rivalry game soon to end due to stupidity.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 25 Nov 2011, 15:12
Don't forget Suh
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Nov 2011, 16:52
"Ndomankong Suh" - is that Samoan for "Doesn't think when on the field"?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 26 Nov 2011, 16:39
(http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/THE-MORTIFIED-PUNTER1.gif)

I am in tears right now, this may be the most beautifully perfect image ever seen by man.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Nov 2011, 16:23
The consensus Top Five in BCS Football:

1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. Virginia Tech

...which is essentially the same as it was at this time last month. :|
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Nov 2011, 17:23
I love the look of absolute horror on that guy's face.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 30 Nov 2011, 21:44
I know right, it's beautiful
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 30 Nov 2011, 22:08
 :-)

I would hate it, if every time I make a hilarious mistake at work, footage of that would spread all over the internet.

OTOH this guy gets paid better.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Dec 2011, 07:20
He's a college athlete. He doesn't get paid.





There. I actually said it with a straight face.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Dec 2011, 13:27
Arrggh. A wolverine? I should've recognized that uniform  :x

A college player getting paid? The horror.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nobo on 01 Dec 2011, 14:59
Arrggh. A wolverine?


UM grad here. Are we going to have to battle?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Dec 2011, 19:33
Arrggh. A wolverine?


UM grad here. Are we going to have to battle?

Yes. UW sympathizer here. GO BIG RED. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Dec 2011, 23:43
Arrggh. A wolverine?


UM grad here. Are we going to have to battle?

Yes. Let me first get some dirt from Knute Rockne's grave. I will sprinkle it over you to jinx you. And then we fight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nobo on 02 Dec 2011, 03:47
A badger and a fighting irish fan? I'll save some time and take you both on at once.

That said, I hope Wisconsin blows MSU out of the water.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Dec 2011, 08:43
So do I. Then YOU can hail the REAL victors.  :-D :-D :-D

We haven't been to Pasadena for a while. I hear it's nice over New Year's.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nobo on 02 Dec 2011, 08:45
My wife's co-worker's husband has a few Wisconsin Rose Bowl rings that he earned himself. Very nice guy despite being a cheese curd fed badger.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Dec 2011, 22:25
The SEC has taken over the BCS.

LSU-Bama rematch for the title.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Dec 2011, 07:49
So what would you do with $260,000,000?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Dec 2011, 08:13
So what would you do with $260,000,000?
I wouldn't play in Los Angeles for the next 10 years, that's for sure.

Even if it did mean working right next door to Disneyland.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 08 Dec 2011, 13:10
Well, since $1,000,000 is two chicks at the same time, mathematically speaking, I'm gonna have to go with 520 chicks at the same time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Dec 2011, 14:43
Rugby: Oxford Uni beat Cambridge Uni at Twickenham 28-10 today; I guess I think that's good!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 08 Dec 2011, 16:42
I guess that's rapiers at dawn then.



Edit for Akima-appeasement purposes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 08 Dec 2011, 19:42
Tsk! Such crudity from representatives of such ancient institutions. Guns have no style at all.

Edit: Much better.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2011, 14:05
Meanwhile, the "En-Bee-Aye" apparently is starting up again, and a lot of people have their undies in a bundle because some guy named "Chris Paul" is not playing for Los Angeles.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2011, 19:43
...

Something is NOT right in the state of Wisconsin right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Dec 2011, 20:48
Are you talking about the Hebrew Syringe?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2011, 22:02
 :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 11 Dec 2011, 11:46
Re: The New Zealand Cricket Teams performance against Aussie.

@#$%@#@@^!!!!

That is all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Dec 2011, 17:20
That bad?

(peeks, courtesy of Google)

Yeesh. 226 All out?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 11 Dec 2011, 19:54
*Mutter Mumble Mumble Mutter*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 11 Dec 2011, 21:38
yeah, it was pretty amazing wasn't it

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 12 Dec 2011, 10:24
Well, we won - but in all honesty it was a win that occurred because Aussie just about self destructed in the batting just as bad as we did.  Let's be honest, if they hadn't we would have been looking at a 'Down Trou' for the entire series.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Dec 2011, 14:17
Thanks for beating Ciddy, Chelsea.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Dec 2011, 17:28
Okay, let us review:

The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl is the championship game for NCAA's Division III men's football.

The results of the last six games:

2005 - Mount Union College 35, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 28.
2006 - Mount Union College 35, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 16.
2007 - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 31, Mount Union College 21.
2008 - Mount Union College 31, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 26.
2009 - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 38, Mount Union College 28.
2010 - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 31, Mount Union College 21.

On Saturday, the 2011 edition of the game (Stagg Bowl XXXIX) will be played once again at Salem, Virginia.

Would you care to guess which two teams are playing in said championship game?

Hint: One of them is my alma mater; the other is the Purple Raiders.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 15 Dec 2011, 20:57
 :-D

In Europe they would have both been promoted to NCAA Division II ages ago. Of course, they might have gotten relegated back down again (for some reason that is called a 'French visit' to the upper division over here).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2011, 11:35
There is no such thing as promotion/relegation in the US, though.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 16 Dec 2011, 12:07
Don't you think that your alma mater has earned the right to play in a higher division?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2011, 15:05
No, because it wouldn't be a good thing for UWW to "move up" a class.

See, schools don't "move up" or "move down" in the NCAA's divisions because they want a challenge or play better; it's because they want to do so, usually out of financial reasons. And, it generally doesn't happen in the lower divisions of the NCAA (unless the lower division no longer operates in the sport in question -see D3 Hockey).

This isn't like Appalachian State deciding to "move up" to Division I-FBS from I-FCS, or anything like that. Teams are assigned to divisions based (generally) on the size of the institution. Yes, UWW is a larger school because of where it is located, but it is much smaller than the three Division I schools that they are located between (Wisconsin, Marquette, UW-Milwaukee).

Whitewater would have issues trying to play a Division II squad like Winston-Salem State. They'd definitely have issues against a team like The Citadel or Prairie View A&M. And Florida Atlantic would probably be ahead 35-10 at the half (and they're the ones who lost 44-0 to Michigan State).

Remember: Divisions in the NCAA (and the NAIA) aren't there for movement of a school; they're there to keep schools of the same size playing each other.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Dec 2011, 15:10
So I'm guessing Williams aren't playing in this game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2011, 16:24
Didn't know they switched the Stagg Bowl to a Friday Night game. Not complaining.

GO WARHAWKS!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Dec 2011, 17:11
Meanwhile, I'm watching the FCS semifinal because one of my best friends on the planet recently graduated from Sam Houston State. Go whatever they're called!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Dec 2011, 08:08

WARHAWKS! WE'RE THE WARHAWKS!  
Shouting out our battle cry  
So beat the drums and let the trumpets blow  
On to victory, Go! Go!  
WARHAWKS! We're the WARHAWKS!  
Proud to bear that name  
So take the ball and let's GO WHITEWATER  
WIN THIS GAME!


THREE-PEAT, BABY!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 17 Dec 2011, 23:11
*Sound of Crickets chirping*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Dec 2011, 05:44
Oh, that's what I forgot to do last night. ESPN3 had the Pakistan-Bangladesh test on.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Dec 2011, 07:38
Don't you judge me YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO JUDGE ME
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 18 Dec 2011, 11:45
Fuck Tebow

Hail Satan
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 18 Dec 2011, 14:01
Now I don't feel so bad about leaving this here:

I hate Tim Tebow. Yuck.

He combines all the fiery passion and leadership of Ray Lewis with the throwing ability of Ray Lewis.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Dec 2011, 12:55
And over in footballland, Ryan Giggs has just continued his streak of scoring a league goal in EVERY Premier League season, ever. Twenty seasons.

Going pre-Premier League, he has scored in every single league season since 1990-91.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 22 Dec 2011, 23:27
Cavendish SPOTY at last.

No better recipient for the past three years for achieving the highest accolades for a Brit in the thoughest single discipline sport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 23 Dec 2011, 19:45
Adelaide lost to Sydney-A last night, at the oddly shaped ex-olympic stadium. Chris Gayle hit eleven sixes on his way to a ton, which is just ridiculous. Nice that the Windies are coming back in at least some form though, they may be a rubbish test side now but just physically they make a good short-form side.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 23 Dec 2011, 19:54
FLOG THE BLACK CAPS!!!!



@#@$%^$!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Jan 2012, 12:28
Great low-risk move of the offseason:

The Marlins aquiring Carlos Zambrano, with Chicago covering all but $2million of his 2012 contract.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Jan 2012, 18:17
316 yards.

Three. Sixteen. Yards.

Tim Tebow, Three Sixteen yards.

No, you can NOT make stuff like that up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Jan 2012, 16:07
And not that I can complain because it was a HORRIBLE hit, but a five game suspension for Brad Marchand, sigh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Jan 2012, 05:44
You win your conference championship, and yet the second place team in your own division wins the national championship out from under you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 10 Jan 2012, 07:20
Congrats to Tide and their fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 14 Jan 2012, 21:07
Now that was satisfying.

 :evil: :evil: :evil: Hail Satan  :evil: :evil: :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Jan 2012, 22:00
Well, now we know how the "tuck rule" really came about.

Deal with the devil.  :roll: :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 14 Jan 2012, 22:25
where is your god now, tebow?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Jan 2012, 15:08
where is your god now, tebow?

Too busy trying to figure out if he wants ManU to win the EPL fixture.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Jan 2012, 07:13
"[...] and one was a brutal playground beatdown delivered by the bully who's had enough of the new kid hogging the class's attention. As Ben Greenman tweeted during the game: "What if Brady dedicates the victory to Christopher Hitchens?"

(http://deadspin.com/5876420/why-oh-why-did-the-packers-have-to-lose)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Jan 2012, 17:37
Seriously - 108.8 miles per hour???  :|

What in the name of Blake Geoffrion's granddaddy does Shea Weber have to do to win the Hardest Shot competition?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 29 Jan 2012, 19:54
where is your god now, tebow?

Having a bet with the Devil about Kim Kardashian's chances.

And The Black Caps have redeemed themselves.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: look out! Ninjas! on 29 Jan 2012, 21:03
Generally it doesn't count if its Zimbabwe
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 30 Jan 2012, 00:13
Seriously - 108.8 miles per hour???  :|

What in the name of Blake Geoffrion's granddaddy does Shea Weber have to do to win the Hardest Shot competition?

I was actually a bit surprised to hear about the record. I know that 90 mph is already pretty good, but I also remember a tv clip from the 70s, where they claimed that Bobby Hull can fire at about 200 km/h (or 125 mph). This was before the era of composite sticks IIRC. May be somebody made a mistake converting miles to kilometers back then?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Jan 2012, 06:35
The theory is that composites can shoot the puck faster because of the torque-to-weight ratio.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 30 Jan 2012, 07:09
Don't know if this is a reliable source (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_fastest_speed_ever_clocked_on_a_hockey_puck) or not? They say that Bobby Hull has been clocked with a 119 mph slap shot. Not quite the 200 km/h mark, but close. With a wooden stick, too. Chara's record is the best ever effort at NHL all star skill contests (they didn't have a slap shot contest in Hull senior's time). The corresponding KHL record is slightly higher than Chara's figure.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Jan 2012, 11:38
The distance was different in the KHL contest. A little shorter, IIRC.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 30 Jan 2012, 12:20
That would explain it. May be also Hull's old numbers?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 30 Jan 2012, 16:28
5 hours and 57 minutes


Not that's a Tennis match!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Jan 2012, 12:46
Any hockey fans? I love the Red Wings, I always have. i think it started from playing Blades of Steel for the NES!

Dead Things Suck.

Go Preds.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 Jan 2012, 14:53
Hey thanks for not missing for once in your life, Darron Gibson. About time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: nobo on 31 Jan 2012, 19:16
Blades of Steel for the NES!

Wow. You went super old school there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Jan 2012, 19:37
Oh.
My.
GOD.

Down 3-0 at one point, then 4-2 with a handful to go in the third...

AND WE COME BACK TO WIN, 5-4.

I like it, I love it, I WANT SOME MORE OF IT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Feb 2012, 09:41
April 20, 2012 100th Birthday of Fenway Park
    Will commemorate 100 years of history at Fenway Park with a large-scale pre-game ceremony. The Red Sox will play the New York Yankees, same team (then the New York Highlanders) they played on April 20, 1912. Both teams will wear 1912 throwback uniforms


Hey guess who got tickets for this game, FUCKIN' I DID.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2012, 16:08
Spring has officially arrived in North America.

How can that be, you may ask, considering it is still snowy and cold in many parts of the country?

Tis very simple.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS HAVE REPORTED.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Feb 2012, 22:34
Well, they have if you're a Mariners fan. Everyone else reports this weekend.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2012, 06:31
It matters not. It means spring is here.

Of course, for me, it won't "officially" be until Sunday. But still. :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2012, 06:32
Only thing that could be a damper on all this would be finding out Friday that our MVP is out for 50 games...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Feb 2012, 07:37
For a Red Sox fan, the official start is when the equipment truck leaves Fenway, aka last Saturday.

And anyway, if the Twitters are to be believed, half of our pitchers are down there already, enjoying Florida's finest fried chicken..I mean uh, getting an early start.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2012, 07:52
Would it shock you if the Sawx finished dead last in the East this year?

Just wondering.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Feb 2012, 07:56
Never going to happen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2012, 13:27
Never going to happen.

Never say never.

Yankees are the Yankees. Rays, Jays and O's have all improved over the winter. What have the Sawx done?

What if they start eating chicken and drinking beer in May?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Feb 2012, 18:45
Blues lose, Preds leading CBH 2-1 after 40.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Feb 2012, 06:18
Never going to happen.

Never say never.

Yankees are the Yankees. Rays, Jays and O's have all improved over the winter. What have the Sawx done?

What if they start eating chicken and drinking beer in May?

You, like everyone on ESPN, is buying into the same "oh the Jays and O's bought a few decent players, they'll be AMAZING this year" hype that they do EVERY single year, and the Jays and O's will underperform, like always.

I think we upgraded our closer, and finally have legitimate rotation depth at 4-5. The outfield will be a little shaky, especially with Crawford injured, but I think Sweeney and Ross can step up, and having both Youkilis and Buchholz healthy will be HUGE this season. Aside from right field, the only real question right now is at shortstop. And I think a platoon of Nick Punto and Mike Aviles can cover that until Jose Iglesias is ready to come up.

That Scutaro trade WAS really baffling, though.

The best move the Jays have made was updating their unis. Even if they finish 5th, they're one of the best looking teams in the league, now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 15 Feb 2012, 13:22
Would it shock you if the Sawx finished dead last in the East this year?

Just wondering.

Yes, because this is literally impossible as long as Angelos runs the Orioles. That and the fact that Showalter basically instituted a loser's mentality in the team from the beginning of last season; his whining about the payrolls in the AL East trickled down to his players throughout the year, how many times did you hear an Oriole complaining about how much money the Sawwxx and Yanks spend? It basically gives them a built in excuse to lose, it's fine because holy shit look how much less money we spent, that's the only reason we lost so it's ok.

The Orioles are a horrible organization that will never get better under current management.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Feb 2012, 15:28
I'm aware that under the current three-division setup Boston's never finished lower than third, but who's to say they couldn't finish fourth in that division?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 15 Feb 2012, 16:10
The Orioles and Jays.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Feb 2012, 16:58
Toronto has finished higher than third more recently than the AngelO's. They could surprise and finish third or higher (depending on the Rays, of course).

Doesn't really matter, because the winner of the AL West is going to be the odds-on favorite to win the pennant.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Feb 2012, 04:45
Wait what?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Feb 2012, 07:57
I will predict the following:

Albert Pujols will be the first player to hit five home runs in a single game. He will do so on his first visit to Fenway Park.
Prince Fielder may come close to being the second.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 16 Feb 2012, 08:40
Don't you think they would intentionally walk him after he homered on his first four at bats (facing at least two different pitchers)?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Feb 2012, 10:29
At Fenway? By the time he came up for the fourth time, the score could be tied.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Feb 2012, 10:55
I will predict the following:

Albert Pujols will be the first player to hit five home runs in a single game. He will do so on his first visit to Fenway Park.
Prince Fielder may come close to being the second.


Wait what?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 16 Feb 2012, 11:00
ITT Brewers fans finally can't take it anymore and go utterly insane.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Feb 2012, 17:20
Too late.

 :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Feb 2012, 14:43
How in the fuck did Ryan Braun just win an appeal on a 50 game suspension?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Feb 2012, 19:28
Suspicious circumstances regarding the sample. The sample was essentially unaccounted for long enough to question the validity.

Which is the reason why I think WADA is full of it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Feb 2012, 20:24
By the way: Dino Laurenzi is probably going to want to sell his home in the greater Milwaukee area.

Oh, and consider getting a smartphone with a FedEx Locator app on it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Feb 2012, 20:45
Meanwhile, over at SportsClubStats (http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Central/Nashville.html), this little nugget:

Nashville Predators Title Chances
Beat San Jose 6-2, playoff odds up 0.3 to 99.7%
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Feb 2012, 10:40
Dear Fenway Park,

STOP BEING ON FIRE (http://www.necn.com/02/27/12/Crews-respond-to-fire-at-Fenway-Park/landing_newengland.html?blockID=658912&feedID=4206).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Feb 2012, 08:19
Scott Parker captaining England today, apparently. Wasn't expecting that, good for him!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 01 Mar 2012, 05:56
Quote
The Red Sox will have some actual competition on Thursday, when they make the short trip to Hammond Stadium to play the Twins in a "B" game.

Quote
Thursday, when they make the short trip to Hammond Stadium to play the Twins in a "B" game.

Quote
play the Twins

Quote
THURSDAY



TODAY
 :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Mar 2012, 16:03
So - given the number of College types we have on here, wouldst there be anyone interested in an NCAA tournament "pool" (free, of course)?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Mar 2012, 08:43
Guess not.

Oh well - Happy National Lack Of Productivity At Work Day!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Mar 2012, 12:07
Fuck Athletic Bilbao, fuck Fernando Llorente, fuck how terrible Manchester United are doing in a second-rate competition for has beens, fuck Colorado State University (you were my cinderellas, you assholes), and fuck the USPS.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: amok on 15 Mar 2012, 12:45
It's almost as if SAF feels the Europa League is beneath them and is concentrating on winning his billionth league title.

Either that or the whole "no midfield whatsoever" thing doesn't work against teams that aren't psychologically conditioned to roll over against them. Either/or.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Apr 2012, 18:49
I feel dirty rooting for the Blues.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Apr 2012, 19:23
Somehow, in the space of just a few minutes, my hatred for the Saint Louis Blues, Detroit Red Wings, AND Todd Bleepin' Bertuzzi ALL went up - EXPONENTIALLY - tonight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Apr 2012, 21:43
I have my red socks prepared for opening day, and my lucky Yaz jersey ready at work.

We need some damn luck. Drippy Aceves is taking the closing role, since Bailey is out for 5-6 months.  :psyduck: Why you can't just put Aceves in the rotation and platoon Bard and Melancon in the 8 & 9 role I dunno.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2012, 12:41
Just avoid the chicken and beer in the clubhouse.  :-D :angel:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2012, 14:14
Cubs on their way to 0-162, I see.  :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Apr 2012, 12:19
'Tis opening day in Brew Town.

Let's do this thing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 07 Apr 2012, 07:06
Good gawwwwd, Chad Billingsley last night. That was impressive.


You Brewer type people better cut the shit. I've got both Gallardo and Grienke on my fantasy team.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Apr 2012, 09:05
Gallardo is great against 28 of the other 29 teams.

Unfortunately, the 29th team is the Saint Louis Cardinals.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 09 Apr 2012, 03:14
For anyone who missed the Masers, history was made yesterday as Louis Oothuizen made a 260 yard drive on a par-five hole and landed a fuckin' ALBATROSS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OePDwqO96Cs&feature=related) from his second swing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 09 Apr 2012, 07:21
ok so maybe the sox just have to go 159-3 this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Apr 2012, 07:34
They didn't get their first win until the first game I went to last year.

...I've got tickets for next Friday. Hopefully we don't suck for that long. But seriously, I know I am, but how is Sandwich Man not second guessing this whole Bard/Aceves nightmare?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 09 Apr 2012, 11:03
Yeah. Oosthuizen's albatross was really something.

And I hope Tiger will get his act together. It would be really sad, if he cannot bounce back from his personal problems.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 09 Apr 2012, 14:12
Hmm. He ended up well over par, 41st. McIlroy, another favourite to win, tied with him. Thing is, perhaps Tiger's had his day? It may be a shame, but there is no shortage of able players out there who are making their own history year on year. Tiger last won the Masters in 2005...its been a while.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Apr 2012, 05:02
Apparently the answers my life needed were Felix Doubront and Barry Zito, who knew?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Apr 2012, 07:29
Don't start planning the World Series victory parade just yet, bucko.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 10 Apr 2012, 12:12
We've got another Stanley Cup parade in the works first, anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Apr 2012, 16:40
Seriously?

SERIOUSLY?

 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


...Blues in five.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Apr 2012, 06:57
Me during Sox game last night: So, this season already.

Conveniently wearing suit, grabs tie and pulls upward: AGGGGKKK
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Apr 2012, 07:24
The REAL season starts tonight.

Stanley Cup playoffs. Game 1. Tonight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: blanktom on 11 Apr 2012, 07:50
I had a good weekend in soccer!

Arsenal clenched a pretty good if not massively convincing win over Man City (You're welcome, Shane).

Then Norwich managed to get a win against Tottenham Hotspurs, AT TOTTENHAM, which is awesome because not only does it help Arsenals dash for 3rd place, but I live in Norwich!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Apr 2012, 09:22
Ah yes, thank you Thom!

Shitty actual baseball aside, my fantasy team is leading the league in total points.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Apr 2012, 11:39
I'm stoked to see Zito deliver a good game, but he clearly has some rough edges to smooth out before I'm willing to rely on him. Like, several years' worth. ESPN MVP of the day be damned.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Apr 2012, 20:51
I do NOT want to hear any Wing Whining about the incident at the end of game one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Apr 2012, 07:59
Three days left in the opening matchup, and I am on track for well over 1,000 points. I should win a trophy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Apr 2012, 20:39
Half the Penguins' bench was empty today from all the ejections because they were sore about sucking fat dicks at hockey. I lol'd
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Apr 2012, 20:46
Someone tell the Penguins that the Hanson brothers called; they're giving their act a bad name.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Apr 2012, 21:43
If Torres isn't suspended for the rest of the series, the rest of the players in these playoffs better make sure their life insurance policies are paid up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Apr 2012, 05:59
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGfhbGEqLIQ/Ta8SVCopV1I/AAAAAAAAGS8/FlDstiqLCKg/s1600/fenway100.jpg)

I still can't believe I'm going today.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 21 Apr 2012, 14:40
No gripes about them Preds advancing. Rinne's never been too hot for our national team. Ok, may be a concern is that with the Red Wings out the Swedes can ice a more formidable team at WCs. ;-)

The NHL play offs have left me sorta meh. Dunno why? May be because there are no home town heros in the hunt? May be because this was the first season in many a year, when we didn't have an NHL pool running at work. Anyway I have no emotional investment on any of the teams. The sooner the Devils are eliminated the better, though. Lost too many of those pools because I didn't draft Brodeur.

If Torres isn't suspended for the rest of the series, the rest of the players in these playoffs better make sure their life insurance policies are paid up.

A 25 game suspension should be enough.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Apr 2012, 07:10
AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Apr 2012, 16:14
AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

That's funny, I didn't think you were a Pens fan.

I'm going Kings for the second handshake line of the night.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Apr 2012, 21:36
Oh, no, you missed the absurdity of the Red Sox collapse on Saturday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Apr 2012, 22:26
Oh, yeah, that.

Well, if you're not careful, that same thing could happen Wednesday at the Garden, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Apr 2012, 08:10
I dunno, it seems like the Bs are finally figuring out Holtby.

Though if they lose, I can't blame them. Kid's been nigh Roy-like in net.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Apr 2012, 14:26
BAYERN VOOOOOOOOOOR! BAYERN VOOOOOOOR!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 25 Apr 2012, 22:00
=/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Apr 2012, 04:35
For some reason, I would absolutely LOVE to see Ottawa pull the upset tonight.


...Okay, I know the reason. It would guarantee NO Original Six team in the SC semis for the first time since '67.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Apr 2012, 08:45
I cannot make a prediction on that series. I find it bizarre that Ottawa even pushed it to 7.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Apr 2012, 22:31
Allllll rightythen.

Rangers-Capitals: Teams split the four-game series during the regular season. I'm thinking this one will be close. Capitals in 7. (I'll go with at least two OT games - with one making Lundqvist looking silly.)

Flyers-Devils: Teams split the six-game series during the regular season. I think the Flyers will have the momentum, though - and Brodeur looked beatable tonight. Flyers in 6. (One OT here.)

Blues-Kings: Kings went 3-1 over the Blues in the regular season; one of those wins was in the shootout - in a double-shootout between Quick and Elliott. The Moose will be the factor in this series, especially if Halak can't play. Kings in 6. (Two OT here, I'm thinking.)

Coyotes-Predators: Oh boy. We won both times we went out to the desert (though the last one was a shootout win back in March), but they beat us both times at the Bridge. If we jump out to a two-nothing lead coming back home, all we gotta do is hold them in game three or four. I'm thinking Preds in 6. (I don't think my heart could take an OT game, but with these two teams it might just happen. I'll be conservative and say two will be in OT, including the series clincher in the desert.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Apr 2012, 10:21
We're still in last place, BUT. But. But. It's only 2.5 games, and we're at .500.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 14 May 2012, 01:11
I made this thread 3 years ago to complain about a goal in extra time.
Now I can post to cheer a goal in extra time that won us the title
Here goes.

     Hooray
     /
 :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2012, 18:32
Not a ManCity fan, I take it? ;)


Welp, my personal attachment to the NHL playoffs is done. Phoenix-LA and Rags-Devils in the semis. I'm wondering if we're going to see a Marty Party as part of Brodeur's swan song in the NHL. Would be a heckuva way to go out - win the Cup when no one thought you'd even be the starting goalie at the start of the season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 16 May 2012, 03:46
In that case you may consider watching Hockey WCs. U.S.A. vs Finland quarterfinal coming up. In the preliminary round US beat us 5-0. There was only one team on the ice. Scott Gordon has managed to summon a hungry bunch of youngsters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 May 2012, 10:00
Yeah, I've been paying attention to the World Championships since the Bruins went out.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 17 May 2012, 10:45
Finland advancing 3-2. Gamewinner scored with 8 seconds to go. I'm not sure that we deserved this in view of the earlier blowout. Palmieri and Ryan scored for team USA. Joensuu(twice) and Koivu for team Finland.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 May 2012, 18:47
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings have won their 12th game since April 1st, against only one loss in regulation, one in OT and one in the shootout. For those of you keeping track at home, that means their record over the last month and a half is 12-1-2.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 May 2012, 18:48
Oh, and ESPN had major FAIL by not switching to the ninth inning of Verlander's no-no bid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 May 2012, 22:11
He lost it at 8.1 anyway, sadly.

What a freaking beast. I need to start watching him more, now that I have mlbtv.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 19 May 2012, 11:57
Hockey WC semifinals:
Russia beats Finland 6-2. No surprise there. Malkin with a hat-trick.
Slovakia beats Czech republic 3-1. This was a surprise to me.

I would say Russia is the favorite to win this. It would have been
interesting to see how the skilled Russians would have handled
the very aggressive forechecking by team USA that gave us a
headache. Hopefully one of these years.

===========================

Russia beats Slovakia 6-2 in the final. Congrats to both teams and their fans! Team Russia won every single game in this WCs. Czech Republic hangs on to their early lead over Finland to win the bronze medal match 3-2. The host nation curse continues.
 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Jun 2012, 06:30
Steve Smith. Marty McSorley. Steve Bernier.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 13 Jun 2012, 09:44
Andy Schleck is out of the Tour de France. Wiggins has already won Criterium de Dauphine and the Paris-Nice this year, a feat only ever achieved by riders that went on to win Le Tour. Cuddles doesn't look to make a good defending champion. I reckon this should mean the most exciting sporting event of the year starts in a few weeks and a long overdue British win is going to happen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Jun 2012, 11:14
And yet I'll still watch, I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Jun 2012, 22:05
MATT CAAAAAAAIN!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jul 2012, 19:06
...Jordin Tootoo signs with DETROIT.

He HAD to sign with DETROY-IT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 02 Jul 2012, 00:29
Spain won the Euro 2012 championship 4-0 against Italy. Their style of football is unbelievable and it is not surprising that they haven't conceded a goal since 2006. Not in SIX YEARS have this team let one in. It is fantastic to watch them play, it's like they're from another planet! They broke the record for the final score in a Finals game, and for the team that has won (in succession) the most championships (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012).

Even if England hadn't lost out on penalties to Italy, and maybe could've beaten Germany (very unlikely), there is no team that I've seen in the championship that could best Spain.

Although I hope that Rooney is dropped from the squad for our next international championship. He is supposedly our "best player", but has scored something like four goals in the last four years - and he did not score at all in the World Cup in 2010, and scored one goal at Euro 2012. It is shameful, and he needs to be substituted so that someone like Caroll can play more often.

Lastly - what the fuck is up with David Beckham not being able to play for the British Olympic team?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 02 Jul 2012, 04:21
Spain won the Euro 2012 championship 4-0 against Italy. Their style of football is unbelievable and it is not surprising that they haven't conceded a goal since 2006. Not in SIX YEARS have this team let one in.
Given that in the preliminary round Spain vs. Italy ended in a 1-1 draw this is somewhat of an overstatement. I guess you meant to include only the KO matches of the major tournaments or something?

But yeah, Spain gave a strong impression the matches that I happened to see. The final was a walkover. They could have just shaken hands after about 75 minutes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 02 Jul 2012, 11:45
Wayne Rooney is claimed to be England's best football striker and scored one goal over four matches in the biggest international event of the season. He achieved this with the full support of his team of 10 other players.
Mark Cavendish is claimed to be England's best cycling sprinter and has won a sprint finish out of two stages of the Tour de France, the biggest international event of the season. He achieved this with what amounts to no help from any of his team.
Rooney is paid basically 10 times the amount that Cavendish is for a performance that is currently half as good. Football fans, there is a slight possibility that you aren't getting your money' worth.

Mind you, I'd be very interested to see what happened if Dave Brailsford was put in charge of England for the World Cup. After all, how much worse could he possibly make it compared to last time?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 02 Jul 2012, 15:13
Isn't David Beckham kind of too old to be playing for the Olympics these days?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Lupercal on 02 Jul 2012, 15:57
Spain won the Euro 2012 championship 4-0 against Italy. Their style of football is unbelievable and it is not surprising that they haven't conceded a goal since 2006. Not in SIX YEARS have this team let one in.
Given that in the preliminary round Spain vs. Italy ended in a 1-1 draw this is somewhat of an overstatement. I guess you meant to include only the KO matches of the major tournaments or something?

But yeah, Spain gave a strong impression the matches that I happened to see. The final was a walkover. They could have just shaken hands after about 75 minutes.

Ah. Well, I was repeating what Shearer was saying in the commentary, so perhaps they meant the KO matches.

Italy weren't that great. Hell, they had to beat England on penalties after having so many chances in the match...

I re-watched some 1998 World Cup footage (where we went out against Argentina) and just thought how brilliant Michael Owen was for a footballer, yet he didn't seem to get the "Rooney syndrome" and play awfully for his country while enjoying the spoils of a successful club position. There is no reason for these guys to perform well internationally, so they don't. At least, that's what it seems like.

And David Beckham is in his late 30s - he is too old to be playing for England, but the amount of campaigning he did for London 2012 in the first place...as I understand it he was using his international fame and recognition in a positive way to advertise the idea that London was a great place to host the olympics, and even said that he'd be gutted if he wasn't picked - and he wasn't. I don't know, it just seems odd to just ignore Beckham, given the people available.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Jul 2012, 10:03
Spain won the Euro 2012 championship 4-0 against Italy. Their style of football is unbelievable and it is not surprising that they haven't conceded a goal since 2006.

FACT CHECKING TIME! Check out some of these major tournaments Spain has been in the last three years. Here are selected results.

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup:
USA 2-0 Spain (semifinal)
Spain 3-2 South Africa (3rd place)

2010 World Cup Qualifying:
Spain 2-1 Belgium
Spain 2-1 Turkey
Spain 2-1 Armenia
Spain 5-2 Bosnia

2010 FIFA World Cup:
Spain 2-1 Chile

Euro 2012 qualifying:
Spain 3-1 Lithuania
Spain 3-2 Scotland
Spain 2-1 Czech Republic
Spain 3-1 Lithuania
Spain 3-1 Scotland

Euro 2012:
Spain 1-1 Italy (group stage)

There's 17 goals conceded.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2012, 10:33
And David Beckham is in his late 30s - he is too old to be playing for England

I don't see what that would be the case. For instance, Jens Voigt is 40 and currently competing in the Tour de France, an event arguably harder than anything in the Olympics. He's not just there for the ride either, he's a major contributor to the action, especially in the tougher mountain stages. There's a chance he may crop up in the German Olympic Team as well.
Other older athletes include Jeannie Longo who won the Olympic Road Race at the age of 38 and still competes at the top level at the age of 53. Chrissie Wellington has set Ironman records at the age of 35. Haile Gebrselassie last won a Marathon two years ago, at the same age that Beckham is now and is hoping to compete in London.

Playing football matches, even in a tournament event isn't going to be as physically demanding as those sports. On top of that, football is more balanced in favour of skill and experience than simple physical output. Beckham didn't get to be considered the country's best player purely on strength and speed and skill is far easier to maintain as you get older. In theory, there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to play effectively in a team. It all comes down to whether he has kept himself in shape and kept his eye in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Jul 2012, 10:37
Stop the complaining, Ryan Giggs made team GB and that's all that really matters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2012, 10:45
To be fair, it doesn't really matter who's in the squad, England hasn't placed in a major tournament in the past decade or more and no signs of them breaking that abysmal streak any time soon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Jul 2012, 17:01
It's Favre, all over again, in Minnesota.

Prediction: After one, maybe two, good years of challenging for the Cup in Saint Paul, injuries decimate the Wild and Craig Leipold - realizing how big a mistake he made giving two players ridiculous long-term contracts, decides to sell the team.

And they end up moving to Quebec. (Or Las Vegas, if Quebec already manages to steal a team by that time.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skaltura on 06 Jul 2012, 11:20
Alright you guys, for the first time in 74 fucking years a Brit has the chance to win The Championships, which would also make him the first Brit since 1936 to win a men's singles Grad Slam title. I predict that if Murray wins, the UK will annihilate itself in a wave of repressed joy and split open the very depths of hell to rain sunshine and puppies upon Satan's domain.

Or you know, cake could be an option.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 06 Jul 2012, 11:39
This year's special: rain.  Just rain.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 08 Jul 2012, 04:29
A Scot in the final of Wimbledon, a Brit in the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France at the end of the first week, a decent British prospect in the F1 at Silverstone. All in all a good day for British sport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Jul 2012, 11:38
Well, Murray lost; but he's still achieved a lot, and he's young enough to keep coming.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skaltura on 08 Jul 2012, 18:17
Yeah, it feels weird because I'm an Anglophile and was so rooting for Murray, yet I'm usually a Federer fan and nobody can deny that he clearly played much better than Murray after the first set.

Conflicted loyalties hoo. :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Jul 2012, 06:48
10 years later, and I'm STILL waiting for the 12th inning to start.  :x
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jul 2012, 12:02
MATCH IT ALREADY, POILE. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jul 2012, 13:20
MATCH IT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 19 Jul 2012, 23:36
My theory is that Nashville tries to turn Weber into the ultimate villan (because motherfucking FUCK the Flyers), and they do so with the following matching offer:

14 years, $103,000,000, and a puppy.

Because really, if you shuck the hometown discount AND say no to a puppy?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jul 2012, 23:39
That's the problem - they can only match. They can't "top".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 20 Jul 2012, 08:43
Philly offered 104m. This is 103 and a Million Dollar Puppy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 Jul 2012, 12:58
And Nashville gave him the puppy!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 24 Jul 2012, 14:23
So all's well in Nashville. Unless the Preds are uncomfortably close to the luxury tax limit on spending?

Meanwhile, I've been enjoying the show of professional darts from Blackpool. I'm not sure that each and every link of the chain giving me my viewing pleasure is legal, but thanks to whoever is streaming this at lshunter.tv.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Jul 2012, 14:56
We are just barely over the floor, even after matching.


Oh - does anyone out there have a Snoopy happy dance GIF I can use? :)


EDIT: Found one!

(http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/snoopy-happy-dance.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 30 Jul 2012, 22:50
Fuck. Scott. Hairston.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 04 Aug 2012, 00:47
I know nothing of baseball culture, but really? (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/02/derek-dye-intern-ejected-by-umpire-for-playing-three-blind-mice/)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 04 Aug 2012, 01:36
Baseball's serious bizniz!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 04 Aug 2012, 04:49
I dunno. What I picked up about Americans and baseball during my years there is perhaps best summarized by:

Quote from: Annie Savoy
I believe in the church of baseball.
Quote from: Yogi Berra
Ninety per cent of baseball is half mental.
Quote from: Harry Carey
Take me out to the ball parkgame. <- Thanks, jwhouk. As ashamed as a(n ex-)Cubs fan can be. IOW - not at all.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Aug 2012, 06:26
I know nothing of baseball culture, but really? (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/02/derek-dye-intern-ejected-by-umpire-for-playing-three-blind-mice/)

Goes back a long ways. Used to be there were only 3 umps in a MLB game, and that song got to be taboo.

And Skewbrow - it's "Take me out to the ball game."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Aug 2012, 18:34
The Boston Red Sox just dumped enough salary to pay for the entire budget of Lynn, Massachusetts for FY2012-13.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Aug 2012, 12:52
Watch FSG now fuck over the Sox and appeal to the uncultured, uneducated masses in Jolly Olde by buying new players for Liverpool.

I fucking dare you, Lucchino.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 06 Sep 2012, 07:28
Currently leading the National League in batting:

Melky Cabrera - .346
Andrew McCutchen - .345

Heh. I wish I could write something serious about this, but the fact that a currently suspended player could win the batting title just gives me the giggles.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Sep 2012, 15:30
Well. It's nice to see the Packers defense is the same as it was last year.  :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 09 Sep 2012, 23:09
Woo! Notre Dame is undefeated!

But why do I have a similar feeling as in '89 (?), when the sportscaster said: "The Cubs are on top of the division... but it is April" ???
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Sep 2012, 15:37
My alma mater is no longer undefeated.  :cry:

I'm going to try to figure out why the score was so low - 7 to 6? REALLY? - because there really doesn't appear to be a reason on the surface.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Sep 2012, 14:01
http://smokinjaycutler.tumblr.com/

Seems accurate.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Sep 2012, 14:56
Jay Cutler IS the anti-Tim Tebow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2012, 19:02
Three of the six NL playoff spots have been clinched: Washington, Cincinnati and San Francisco.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Sep 2012, 19:36
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552040_10151055659211828_1571108128_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 24 Sep 2012, 21:25
My reaction to Packers-Seahawks:


(http://picturepoetry.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/achewood-beef-hee-hee.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Sep 2012, 05:50
#### you.

#### Goodell. #### Bettman.  #### Scott Walker.

#### ANYONE who actually thinks that people who are professionals and in a collective bargaining organization are scum of the earth.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Oct 2012, 10:09
THE SANDWICH MAN IS GONE, LONG LIVE THE SANDWICH MAN
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 05 Oct 2012, 21:11
I'm glad the NL Wildcard Game was a Kerfuffle.  Now everyone else will hate singe-game playoffs in baseball as much as I do.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Oct 2012, 22:27
I have a friend who's suggested making the wild card matchups a best of 3 series. Doubleheader one night, and a game the next evening.

It would be pretty damn amazing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 06 Oct 2012, 10:38
I guess I'm a few days late, but I think the only way I could be more satisfied with Bobby Valentine being run out of town is if he was hit by a bus on his way to the airport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Oct 2012, 14:30
And then there's Terry Francona, who apparently didn't get Bobby Bragan's memo:

"A three-time loser is a manager driving into Cleveland in an Edsel."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Oct 2012, 14:22
My reaction to Packers-Seahawks anyone:


(http://picturepoetry.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/achewood-beef-hee-hee.jpg)

Still relevant after a minor tweak!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Oct 2012, 14:46
PHHhhbbbttt  :P :P :P
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 07 Oct 2012, 14:52
The fact that the team is actually good makes it all the more delicious.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Oct 2012, 08:53
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEEEEEEEEEEEE FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVEEEEEEEEE
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Oct 2012, 18:46
There has been movement.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Oct 2012, 03:40
10 yard penalty, still first down?
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Oct 2012, 07:56
:p

NHL proposes 50/50 split.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 17 Oct 2012, 13:44
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.97.398.398/p403x403/375905_10151122109352946_1713288586_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Oct 2012, 10:02
John Farrell, John Farrell, JOHN FARRELL!!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Oct 2012, 21:00
THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Oct 2012, 23:03
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Dazed on 24 Oct 2012, 05:22
John Farrell, John Farrell, JOHN FARRELL!!!!!

A glimmer of hope.

Well, that and millions and millions and millions of dollars, thanks dodgers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Nov 2012, 07:07
http://elimanninglookingatthings.tumblr.com/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Alex C on 02 Nov 2012, 12:45
The NFL second half schedule is pretty interesting; the vikings' mini-resurgence was fun while it lasted.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 03 Nov 2012, 15:51
Luck of the Irish just ran out. Pitt deserved to win this one. A couple minutes to go, but I'm off to bed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Nov 2012, 16:37
Someone wake up Skewbrow, he's missing one hell of an overtime game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Nov 2012, 16:48
Oh SKEEEEWWWWWBROOOOWWWWWWWW.....

UND 29, Pitt 26
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 04 Nov 2012, 03:04
Oh dear. That interception with 4+ minutes to go in regulation killed my hopes (and it was about 1 o'clock here already). Apparently the magic of the shamrock is still working.

 :-D :-D :-D :-D

I have managed to watch "BYU at ND" and "Pitt at ND" games. I would have wanted to see ND at Oklahoma, but prime time US is wee hours for me, so no chance of that. Frankly, the team that I've seen has not really looked like a title contender. Unless something unexpected happens it should be Bama vs. Oregon or Kansas State in the title game, Ohio State with an outside chance. Still, 9-0 and a possible invitation to a major bowl is quite an improvement from the preceding seasons. So Kelly's job is secure and my hopes in the coming seasons are high.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Nov 2012, 05:21
Dude, I'm not quite sure you understand:

Three more wins by the Irish and they are GA-RON-TEED to be in the BCS Championship Game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 04 Nov 2012, 09:10
Hmm. Isn't the BCS title game pairing decided using some formula based on various polls and rankings? Last week the computers loved Notre Dame (strength of schedule presumably). But even so, ND is currently ranked third, and surely Oregon's strength of schedule went up as they beat USC? As did Bama's, but they probably should be in the title game anyway (unless they drop one before that).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Nov 2012, 13:10
The theory is, Bama will eventually fall to someone in the SEC - possibly in the SEC title game. The real question, of course, is whether or not K-State or Louisville can keep things up on their ends.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 04 Nov 2012, 23:31
Guys, why the fuck is baseball over

Like, I'm stoked we won the World Series again, and fuck, I got to meet Jon Miller (iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's OUTTA HERE) but like

BASEBALL IS THE ONLY GOOD SPORT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: alli on 14 Nov 2012, 17:39

Un-fucking-believable
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 15 Nov 2012, 09:47
It was a really good goal. All my friends had left at that point since they were sure we would lose. Then in marches Zlatan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 Nov 2012, 11:25
In four days, the Blue Jays have effectively fucked us into another last place finish next season.

Dammit, Boston.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 18 Nov 2012, 02:36
(http://inthepastlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ND-logo-624x595.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Nov 2012, 06:33
Bandwagoner. :P

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Dec 2012, 08:46
Ouch. (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8697360/kansas-city-chiefs-player-commits-suicide-team-facility)

KC Chiefs linebacker kills girlfriend, drives to stadium and kills self outside Arrowhead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Dec 2012, 18:03
Quote from: Dave Skretta, AP News
It began like any other Saturday for the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL season, their general manager and coach at work early to put final touches on this weekend's gameplan. Then they got a call to hurry to the parking lot.

The two men rushed through the glass doors of Chiefs headquarters and came face-to-face with linebacker Jovan Belcher, holding a handgun to his head.

Belcher had already killed his girlfriend and sped the short distance to Arrowhead Stadium, right past a security checkpoint guarding the entrance. Upon finding his bosses, Belcher thanked general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Romeo Crennel for giving him a chance in the NFL. Then he turned away and pulled the trigger.
Rest of story (http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268751/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=28M2Ry1y)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: riccostar on 01 Dec 2012, 20:30
Yuck  :-(

It was all over the news while I was watching a TV Christmas movie tonight
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 02 Dec 2012, 14:19
KC Chiefs linebacker kills girlfriend, drives to stadium and kills self outside Arrowhead.
Tragic and horrible. Depressingly, this gets media attention because the man who killed his girlfriend was a football player... Otherwise, I doubt anyone would have paid attention to this very ordinary act of violence against a woman.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Dec 2012, 15:05
Thing is, he shot himself in front of two of his bosses. And yes, I agree, it's only magnified because of who, where and how - but still, it's a sad situation.

I'm just amazed that there is ANYTHING that is done or said that would bring ANYONE to want to shoot their spouse. Especially when your mother-in-law and newborn child are present.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Dec 2012, 16:50
Interesting statistic brought up on ESPN:

There will be 3,500 cases of murder/suicide shootings in the US this year, similar to what happened with Belcher and his wife.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Dec 2012, 11:18
Twitter DMs between Paul Bisonette and Evgeny Malkin. Aw SNAAAAAAAP.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A9NVwvLCIAIb1hS.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Dec 2012, 14:19
Biz Nasty is ALWAYS like that, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 03 Dec 2012, 15:34
Of course he's always not good enough to play on a line with Malkin and Mozyakin. Sergei Mozyakin is scary good.


(seriously, Mozyakin is sorta really good (http://www.upthepucks.com/blog/2012/10/30/tight-pants-sergei-mozyakin.html). /writerbias)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Dec 2012, 19:20
Owners and players meeting tonight, and have met most of today. Gary Bettman will be addressing the media at 1:00 PM tomorrow.

Hmm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Dec 2012, 19:34
Do NOT get your hopes up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skaltura on 05 Dec 2012, 01:33
Going 3/3 after potentially being out of the season because of illness? Just another day at the office.

http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_22118576

I would really like to know what she could do if she were allowed to compete in men's races, I think more then a few gents would get a right pwning at the hands legs of this girl.

My new favourite individual sportsperson now that Magdalena has retired. :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Dec 2012, 07:28
Arkansas?

Really?

REALLY???

ARKANSAS???
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 05 Dec 2012, 07:52
Indeed. Why any football coach would want to move South (of all compass directions) from the lovely and tradition-laden Midwest is beyond me?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Dec 2012, 16:30
It appears it was five letters: M-O-N-E-Y.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Dec 2012, 07:13
Hey! I found a job opening downstate! (http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/WebListing/Unclassified/PVLSummary.aspx?pvl_num=75429) Closer to my hometown and everything!

Maybe I can get them to credit my 19+ years in the state service to overlook some of my deficiencies in the work experience area...

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 09 Dec 2012, 02:21
YES!

(http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4666373/20121208_pjc_aa9_533.0_standard_352.0.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Dec 2012, 09:12
Robin van motherfreaking Persie, I love you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 09 Dec 2012, 14:01
YES!

(http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4666373/20121208_pjc_aa9_533.0_standard_352.0.jpg)

Ok. So Sweden totally pwned and KO'd Finland in the floorball aka unihockey aka indoor bandy WC final match. If anything the 11-5 score flatters the Finnish team :x :x :x

Congrats. <grumble, grumble>

Or were you celebrating something else?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 09 Dec 2012, 16:50
Uncomfrotable thought: the Cowboys just won a game ... can we now safely say who the two people on that team were that were holding them back?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2012, 17:47
Uh, no.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 10 Dec 2012, 01:19
Or were you celebrating something else?

I didn't even know we'd beat you [AGAIN!] but thanks for telling me.  :-D Unfortunately there are no finns nearby to pick on.

I was celebrating Juan Manuel Marquez' long overdue victory over Manny Pacquiao, to be honest. A magnificent right-hand counter in round 6.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 10 Dec 2012, 02:59
That would have been my second guess. But only after reading today's paper :-)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Dec 2012, 06:20
By the way - anyone who was watching the Packer game on SNF last night who thought that there really wasn't THAT much snow falling was deceived big-time. We got about three inches of snow. If that game had been played 10 years ago, you wouldn't have been able to see the grass - it would have been all snow except for the yard markers and sidelines.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 12 Dec 2012, 01:15
Yeah. Damn that heated field. I wanted people to slip 'n slide.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 12 Dec 2012, 16:44
Before this development, I was always of the opinion that the Superbowl should always be played at Lambeau Field during the worst blizzard of the year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 12 Dec 2012, 21:21
I was under the impression that heated fields could stop ground from freezing, but would not stop snow from accumulating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Dec 2012, 06:09
If it keeps the ground warm enough to not freeze, one would think it might melt a bit of the snow, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2012, 19:10
The snow was a fine, wet snow which didn't stick. And anyone who's lived here long enough could tell you that if the ground is still warm, the snow won't stick.

The wetness tore up the field, though. They showed plenty of shots of players tearing grass and mud clumps off their helmets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Dec 2012, 19:30
That happened in New England once. Fieldturf sort of solved that issue.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 13 Dec 2012, 20:32
Remember when artificial turf was the most hated thing in sports?  When did that stop?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 Dec 2012, 21:10
When it got good?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Dec 2012, 06:44
When it went from being a rug to being something that actually looked like grass?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 14 Dec 2012, 11:23
The Tour de France is coming to Yorkshire in 2014. Words cannot describe how awesome this is. So happy right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 15 Dec 2012, 03:00
What?  Yorkshire's part of France now?  I can't see that going down well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 15 Dec 2012, 05:53
Hey, Tommy seems to think Yorkshire is its own country, with an Olympic Committee and everything. So why not?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Dec 2012, 07:24
It appears that my favorite sport is heading for the nuclear option.

The NHLPA is planning on doing a "disclaimer of interest" - a method of essentially removing the union from bargaining on behalf of the players, in an effort to sue the NHL for unfair labor practices. The effect of a disclaimer is essentially the same as that of decertification - except that the NHLPA would continue to exist as a labor organization, but would simply no longer represent the players of the National Hockey League in CBA negotiations.

The NHL, of course, has preemptively sued the NHLPA before the NLRB for using this tactic as a bargaining tool, charging that the PA is essentially "not bargaining in good faith" by using it.

What they probably don't want the NLRB to know is that the league is refusing to budge on three issues, while they have essentially come to an agreement with the PA on almost every other issue.

Meanwhile, I'm planning on attending a hockey game tonight featuring two of my first cousins once removed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 15 Dec 2012, 08:25
Yorkshire was always an obvious choice for le Grande Depart

T'our de France
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Dec 2012, 16:34
Plans for attending HS hockey falling by wayside.

Might be for the best.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 17 Dec 2012, 14:12
It does sound like this season in the NHL vs. NHLPA match up only the lawyers will make any money.

Why am I not surprised?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 26 Dec 2012, 17:11
Is anybody watching the World Juniors? This is the first hockey I've watched in a couple years now. Man, I've missed this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Dec 2012, 18:30
It being in Ufa and apparently games starting at 6 AM here = I'll stick with the KHL and 11:30 AM ET/19:30 Moscow games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 31 Dec 2012, 01:51
I liked watching Romo cry almost as much as I like watching either of the Manning brothers cry. As an SF Giants fan, I like a good killer-rookie story (FUCK YEA POSEY) so it's only fair it should transfer over to football and RG3.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jan 2013, 14:11
Bucky vs. The Tree for the Roses.

And the hit the South Carolina D-man put on the Michigan RB would have been a 15 yard penalty and a $20k fine in the NFL.

Sadly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 03 Feb 2013, 15:20
Superbowl.

That is one ugly skirt on Jennifer Hudson.

Also: go ravens.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 03 Feb 2013, 19:59
I've never seen a Super Bowl that included a power failure before.

Or one that ended on a free kick.

It's a big night for me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 03 Feb 2013, 20:52
At least the 49ers made it a game worth watching until the end, and they had their legit shots to win it.

On the other end of the spectrum of sports excellence, we have the Cal Tech baseball team snapping a 228-game losing streak (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8909626/california-institute-technology-baseball-team-snaps-228-game-losing-skid). Their in-conference losing streak is still going at 463 (since 1988), however.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: celticgeek on 03 Feb 2013, 20:55
Go, nerds!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 03 Feb 2013, 22:12
Here's what caused the blackout.

(http://www.thehumorcolumnist.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Airplane-Movie-Unplug-Runway-Lights.jpg)

Still less embarasing than the Daytona 500 pothole.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 04 Feb 2013, 01:20
The delay hurt me, though. Half an hour later in bed. Would have liked to have had the extra sleep.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Feb 2013, 07:22
That was the strangest game I've ever seen. The only thing that could have really topped it is if that one bad punt by the Ravens would have been returned for a Touchdown.

Something that has never happened in Super Bowl history, by the way.

Want to sound smart in front of your (American) football-loving friends? Throw this out at them:

Three things have never happened in Super Bowl history:
1. No team has ever returned a punt for a touchdown.
2. No team has ever been shutout.
3. There has never been an overtime game.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 04 Feb 2013, 07:58
Honestly, I was hoping that the Ravens botched the drop kick after the safety.

Would have given the 49ers a chance to execute the verrrrrry rarely seen fair catch kick and force OT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 16 Feb 2013, 17:28
I didn't think it was possible, but NASCAR found a way to make it's website less functional.  :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Feb 2013, 16:38
Speaking of which - JJ wins the 500, and Her Racy-ness finishes eighth after being in the top three as the white flag dropped.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 24 Feb 2013, 19:33
You know sometimes the Sharks disappoint me and watching them let Chicago swoop a piece of history the other day, well, that was one of those times.

We started out so fucking strong this season and now we're just kinda meh. At least Niemi's doing his job well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Feb 2013, 20:33
I never thought I'd see the Chicago Blackhawks have a Stanley Cup-winning season in my lifetime - let alone two.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Mar 2013, 22:09
And now for something completely different.

I firmly believe that someday there will be a female kicker in the NFL, but it’ll probably be a preseason publicity stunt and she’ll never actually be on the field.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Mar 2013, 01:31
I don't know if I have expressed my feelings on Ryane Clowe being a Shark, and I'm a fat n00b to the sport and I know it, but as a Sharks fan I am embarrassed of him. Every fucking game it seems like he's got at least 2 minors, no goals all season, and the last time I saw him (I missed the Flames game) he was to blame for losing a puck to the Canucks (the god damn Canucks, dude) and letting them score.

While I watched that Canucks game with Matt he brought up a great point that Clowe's trying to be a finesse player without having the skills for it. And throwing temper tantrums at a moment's notice is costing the team power plays. We're lucky to have a great penalty kill as well as Niemi's phenomenally good goaltending, but I think Clowe's dragging the team down HARD.

</stonedrant>

tl;dr TRADE THE FUCKER ALREADY
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Mar 2013, 07:15
We'll take him. Do you accept failed expectations as a downpayment?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 Mar 2013, 08:20
Last I heard from Preds fans, you already have a similar player in Rich Clune.

Speaking of underperforming Central Division players, my boy Vladimir Tarasenko. He's just...fallen off the earth after his concussion. I haven't heard ANYTHING about his recovery at all. Honestly hope his NHL career doesn't end after just 17 games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Mar 2013, 16:45
We're looking for someone who knows how to put the puck in the net. Apparently, everyone on our team has forgotten how to do that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Mar 2013, 18:03
Tied up until the last 0.4 of the entire game and they fucking score against us

I hate hockey sometimes
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Mar 2013, 08:06
Think your fancy Latvian moves can beat the Bruins?

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/2f3f6f122476043c96774296918254b5/tumblr_mjj24w2oVB1qci7aeo1_500.gif)

Nē!

In also sports, my mom got me an early birthday gift: Reaaaaaaaaaaaally good tickets for the Red Sox-Royals game the Sunday after my birthday. Aw yiss.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 17 Mar 2013, 21:30
F1 is back.  Tires are still made of silly putty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 22 Mar 2013, 20:38
If you are a footy fan, and you can get ESPN in, WATCH.

The US is playing Costa Rica in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Denver.

It is late March in Denver.

Guess what it's doing, in Denver, in late March.

Hint:

**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
**

^^^^ What the field looks like.
EDIT: ####, I had to pick the odd post.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 23 Mar 2013, 01:42
They had that game on in the pizza parlor I was in to see a show at tonight. Surreal. I mean, I don't even remember seeing sports news highlights EVER with snow on the field of an international match.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 Mar 2013, 10:25
Three points is three points, no matter how much snow there is.

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599607_589721134372777_1126553732_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 25 Mar 2013, 18:51
I don't care much for soccer, but I thought it was supposed to be an all weather sport.  Costa Rica is protesting the game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-fifa-confirm-costa-rica-protest-over-world-133614572--sow.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Mar 2013, 15:30
Oh, sure, AFTER the fact.  :roll:

So, if we lose to Mexico in "The Stadium From Hell", can we protest the game for lousy conditions, too?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 27 Mar 2013, 19:46
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-brJVkB1D67Q/UVOtW7QqkEI/AAAAAAACJT0/DAwsq4sZBSI/s512/raskbwahahaha.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Mar 2013, 06:27
Tukka's just mad that the B's got snookered out of Iginla.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 Mar 2013, 07:11
Fuck you so hard, Ray Shero.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Mar 2013, 07:19
Ray-ray learned from some of the best - dad, GMDP, Lemieux, Phil Wittliff...

...okay, scratch that last one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Yayniall on 08 Apr 2013, 13:59
League may be lost but still

(http://i.minus.com/irbIpYuUlqfjU.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: celticgeek on 09 Apr 2013, 08:03
Llongyfarchiadau, Louisville!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 Apr 2013, 08:58
I hope Sergio Aguero somehow manages to burn to death and drown at the same time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Apr 2013, 21:50
9th straight season, Sharks make the playoffs. 9th straight season, I bet we choke. I'm a new hockey fan but even I already knew that much. The Sharks always choke, water is wet, the sun is hot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Apr 2013, 22:42
Death, taxes, and the Sharks can't get past the second round.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Apr 2013, 22:56
Wouldn't have happened without Burns being a fucking savage, and getting Torres as a replacement for Clowe didn't hurt either, dude's been doing work. I actually do have pretty high hopes, it wouldn't have happened before the trades.

I still miss Murray though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Apr 2013, 00:34
Meanwhile, Manti Teo is knocked out of the first round, and Geno Smith looks stupid on ESPN.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CrazyWelshy on 28 Apr 2013, 11:57
Just putting this out there, feel free to ignore.  Anyone love rugby here?

If so... did you watch the Six Nations this year?  Especially the Wales v England game?  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 28 Apr 2013, 13:25
St. Louis. The last game of the season, and the Hawks have to shit the bed against St. Louis.

By the way, welcome to hockey, Patrick. 'Tis grand, ain't it?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 29 Apr 2013, 05:40
Thanks amigo, I'm loving it so far! I'm just sad there won't be hockey for a while after the Cup. And if they have another gigantic lockout, well, I'm gonna be pissed.

As for the Blues, well, they've been playing an energetic game of hockey all season, far as I remember. And I think the Hawks musta realized that they're still in the playoffs and would maybe be wise to be less energetic in the final game of the regular season, save it for a game that matters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Apr 2013, 05:55
San Jose won all three against Vancouver this year, with one in overtime. So you know what's going to happen, of course:

Canucks will sweep them.  :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 29 Apr 2013, 06:08
My picks for the first round:

Chicago in 4.
Anaheim in 6 (but dear God, I hope Detroit beats them).
Sharks in 7.
Kings in 5.
Penguins in 4.
Canadiens in 7.
Rangers in 6.
Bruins in 4.

Eeeeeee playoffs! :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Apr 2013, 06:25
Oh, you mean I have to pick them over here, too?

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Apr 2013, 15:35
I still can't believe how horridly the Bruins played in the last two weeks. They had the division and the #2 seed, and just shit it away so easily.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Apr 2013, 16:38
Oh, and CrayWales, it's not that we're ignoring you. We have several NHL fans here, and some of us are hockey-obsessed this time of year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: CrazyWelshy on 29 Apr 2013, 16:44
Oh, and CrayWales, it's not that we're ignoring you. We have several NHL fans here, and some of us are hockey-obsessed this time of year.
I think that is directed at me, and no worries, I'm a Welshman diving into American, and I assume Canadian rivalry.  Closest I can compare to that is England vs Wales in rugby, I'd like to assume any rugby fan knows that is one of the biggest rivalries in the sport of rugby.

In fairness, I did say ignore me if it came to it, I'm new here and treading water.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 29 Apr 2013, 16:45
On a football (American Handegg) note, looks like the S.S. Tim Tebow has sailed from New York and pretty much sunk immediately.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 29 Apr 2013, 19:04
I'd be glad to have Tim Tebow on my team, but only on the condition that he doesn't play quarterback.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Apr 2013, 19:30
CFL team offers Tebow a job - as their backup QB.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 29 Apr 2013, 20:12
If this were that other thread, I'd vote Onion.  :evil:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 May 2013, 03:04
Hahahahaaa that game against the Canucks tonight was pure fucking bliss to watch. My bud Paul quipped a couple power plays after the Sedin vs. Couture high stick incident, "I fully expect this to go in at least once in the next 45 seconds."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 May 2013, 07:21
Too weird for the Onion: Jacksonville Jaguars fans start online petition at whitehouse.gov to get Obama to encourage Jags ownership to sign Tebow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 08 May 2013, 11:48
We're sadly in the last few days of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

At 26, I've never had another manager for my club. This is gonna be weird.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 May 2013, 18:02
Must-See TV is going to be in net for the Pens in game five against the Islanders.

Part of me is happy about this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 09 May 2013, 06:29
(http://cdn2.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12898417/krejci.0_standard_500.0.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 May 2013, 12:08
San Jose won all three against Vancouver this year, with one in overtime. So you know what's going to happen, of course:

Canucks will sweep them.  :-o

lololololololol hindsight is hilarious
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 12 May 2013, 21:28
I normally wouldn't root for the Maple Leafs, but I love how pissy those "Toronto Stronger" signs make everyone.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 May 2013, 05:56
Y'all can put me down for Chicago in six, Kings in seven, Pens in five.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2013, 07:34
I really don't have a good feeling about the Bruins tonight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2013, 20:30
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/656a3de2e5ac36b09b87d628f6e6ccfe/tumblr_mmrlzqXSeZ1sna8pso1_500.gif)

(http://25.media.tumblr.com/3d44a33db60e838ab20033950a24d0e2/tumblr_mmro98DxIu1r39gsao2_500.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 13 May 2013, 20:40
What I'm saying is LOL, PHIL KESSEL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2013, 06:12
That has to be the worst choke job since Buckner.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 May 2013, 07:40
Rangers bullpen, 2011 playoffs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2013, 08:13
No, this was worse.

Because the Rangers didn't have the entire freakin' country seemingly rooting for them.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 14 May 2013, 09:19
If you think most Canadians are gonna hop on the Leafs bandwagon, dude, I dunno.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2013, 15:39
Heckuva lot more Leafs fans than there are Texas Rangers fans.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 15 May 2013, 21:41
So the Minnesota Vikings showed pictures of their new glass dome stadium.

(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/uo_xtxbBI3ghSsbzW1BTDA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/d0514vik3.jpg)

(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/pfBuZfB4UEnd4SbL7Sk4Mw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/d0514vik4.jpg)

The Astrodome had a glass roof.  It produced so much glare from the sun it had to be painted over, which in turn killed the grass field.  This has billion-dollar blunder written all over it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 May 2013, 03:29
Just remember - this is the same city that had their inflatable roof stadium deflate at least three times since it was built over 30 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 16 May 2013, 11:08
Surprised that U of M would play baseball there, instead of at Target Field or their own facility.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 May 2013, 12:57
U of M is just across the river from the Met. I think it was the only way to convince the legislature to allow it to happen.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 16 May 2013, 17:37
Surprised that U of M would play baseball there, instead of at Target Field or their own facility.

It'll probably just be for spring games when there's still too much snow outside.

Don't forget high school teams were agreeing to play at the Metrodome at 3 AM last March to get out of the snow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 May 2013, 00:54
That's right, Kings, if we have to play without one of our star offense because one of your guys is a pussy/idiot, you get an early whistle to end a play, and therefore that goal is void.

Okay so I do feel kinda guilty for that but seriously, that Torres suspension is HORSESHIT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 May 2013, 11:42
No, Raffi Torres is a grade-A, repeat offender piece of shit that should have been banned from hockey years ago.

But we're talking about a league that still lets Todd Bertuzzi hold down a multi-million dollar job, and dude should probably be in jail for attempted murder.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 23 May 2013, 11:02
(http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18okspwjkfe61gif/ku-xlarge.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 May 2013, 16:40
The head contact on the play in question was not Raffi's fault. You can clearly see the opposing player look at Torres and duck his head before Torres hit him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 23 May 2013, 18:41
Don't change the fact that Torres is a PoS...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 24 May 2013, 08:53
That has nothing to do with the fact that the call was bullshit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 24 May 2013, 18:14
You get a guy who's got a well-known reputation for being a general shithead like Torres, and yeah, calls will go against him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 May 2013, 18:29
Reputation is everything when it comes to the ShanaBan.

Don't worry, Patrick. Your season will be over Sunday. ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 24 May 2013, 21:03
This left my mind in a state of blown.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 May 2013, 21:33
FOUR WIDE??????
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 May 2013, 01:54
Don't worry, Patrick. Your season will be over Sunday. ;)

lolololol you were saying?

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/944366_487154841356709_833322870_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 May 2013, 08:43
You still have a 50/50 shot at losing the series on Tuesday. :P
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 May 2013, 13:57
hah, go ahead, talk shit, you're our good luck charm when you do that. You thought we'd get swept by the Canucks, bahahaha
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 May 2013, 14:33
Death, Taxes, and San Jose never gets out of the conference semis - much less the conference finals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 28 May 2013, 20:42
Actual fact. Postpone it all you want, all it does is give the Bruins more time to catch their breaths, healthy up, and whoop the Pens.

Hey QC, do you play tennis? I found a pretty decent racket at a thrift store over the weekend, and am gonna start playing with some friends of mine that were on the varsity team in high school (though geez that was like 8 years ago).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 May 2013, 20:47
Kings punched their ticket to the NHL Final Four. Now we're only waiting on Hawks/Wings.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 28 May 2013, 21:37

Hey QC, do you play tennis? I found a pretty decent racket at a thrift store over the weekend, and am gonna start playing with some friends of mine that were on the varsity team in high school (though geez that was like 8 years ago).

I think I tried once or twice, but I was raised on racquetball, and could never get past the fact of not having walls to use. Speaking of which, I need to find a racquetball partner. I'd enjoy getting back into it. And also rock climbing. Not that the two are related...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 29 May 2013, 11:15
Sad Pat is sad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 May 2013, 15:28
You knew the risks.

I'm rooting for the roof tonight at the UC.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 29 May 2013, 20:09
(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1065_472673642824590_517157184_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 May 2013, 21:09
Kings in 7, Pens in six.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 29 May 2013, 21:18
Hawks in five, Pens in seven.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ScruffCardinale on 30 May 2013, 06:43
would love to see the hawks and bruins in the finals. long as one of those two win the cup i'm happy with the season in spite of my devils not making it to the post season. while i don't dislike the penguins as much as say the rangers or flyers i do still dislike them a great deal (mostly just cuz of a small handful of people i dislike from western PA that i don't want to see happy) and obviously i'm still a bit sore at the kings after last year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 May 2013, 07:37
My allegiance in the playoffs switched as soon as #92 took over in net in Pittsburgh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 30 May 2013, 08:59
Just about all my friends from back home in Alberta are temporary Pens fans because no matter how bad the Flames suck, they all still want to see Iginla hoist the cup. Nothing would bring me greater pleasure than watching those dreams be crushed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 31 May 2013, 16:59
Bruins in 6, Kings in 7.

Bruins beat LA in 5.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Jun 2013, 18:07
boy would I love to see that. it would be great to watch quick's tears flow
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 05 Jun 2013, 19:41
I'm currently watching the Pittsburgh-Boston hockey game in French, because that's the version that's on TV in Quebec. I have no idea what the announcers are saying, and I kinda like it that way.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Jun 2013, 23:02
You did at least understand "BER-GER-ON! BER-GER-ON! BER-GER-ON!" being yelled repeatedly there at the end, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 Jun 2013, 17:55
that whole game was fucking awesome. also I was unaware how goofy Tuukka Rask looks in his official photo.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 06 Jun 2013, 18:57
I'm holding onto a little tiny hope for Pens in seven, but I know it's going to be Bruins in four...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 08 Jun 2013, 21:12
Hawks in seven.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Jun 2013, 14:35
The Kings can blow my fat wiener, and I say Bruins win it in 6 or 7.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Jun 2013, 17:31
B's in a sweep. Rask for Connie.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 09 Jun 2013, 17:58
Jesus y'all are a bunch of haters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Jun 2013, 19:20
Why yes, I hate the Blackholes, why do you ask?

WWW killed any hope of me becoming a 'Hawks fan decades ago.

I also hate "Chelsea Dagger".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Jun 2013, 09:28
So you're Roberto Luongo?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 11 Jun 2013, 09:30
B's in a sweep. Rask for Connie.

Double posting because nah dude, fuckin' David Krejci.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 11 Jun 2013, 09:31
http://deadspin.com/fuck-you-bill-belichick-512568029

Tebow to the Patriots ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Jun 2013, 10:58
Jesus y'all are a bunch of haters.

no, we just want to see your team fail after that meaningless trophy you got earlier this year
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Jun 2013, 22:04
Son of a shitfucking cunt. Frick.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 24 Jun 2013, 20:08
Suck it, bitches.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jun 2013, 07:14
Did I mention how much I hate Chelsea Dagger?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Jun 2013, 14:21
CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT CUNT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jun 2013, 18:47
...So you saw Handzus skating with the Cup, there, hey?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 26 Jun 2013, 14:09
yeah, you had to rely on a shark to win you shit, gj
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 26 Jun 2013, 16:09
's alright. Sharks can't even rely on themselves to win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 29 Jun 2013, 02:34
Looking at pictures of Leighton Baines, I'm a bit confused. Are United trying to sign a guy whose actually from the 1970s?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Jun 2013, 14:04
Imagine that you have a lottery ticket, and you find out you didn't win the big prize. But when you go in to turn in the ticket, you realize that you actually matched all six numbers, so you actually did win the lottery.

That is what it is like to be a Nashville Predators fan right now. :)

(Okay, for some Preds fans. Others are ticked that we picked another defenseman.  :psyduck: )
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Jul 2013, 13:54
God damn it. Now I have to wait til the '13-'14 season to watch hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Jul 2013, 06:49
No, you're a Sharks fan, you'll have to wait until 2014. :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 02 Jul 2013, 15:26
gonna laugh if there's another lockout and that turns out to be true :\
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Jul 2013, 18:13
Oh, I just meant that this year there isn't going to be "hockey" played, per se, in San Jose... ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 04 Jul 2013, 11:12
oh hush, you.

in related news, looks like the Sharks traded away TJ Galiardi to Calgary in exchange for a draft pick. That's all well and good and all, but I liked him. One of my favorite players. Also it goes against the whole "We're not gonna slice-and-dice the team apart blah blah" thing I was reading a month ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 04 Jul 2013, 11:38
http://deadspin.com/fuck-you-bill-belichick-512568029

Tebow to the Patriots ...

To make room for Tebow on the roster the Patriots waived Barabbas, for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

As a Green Bay Packers fan deep in Broncos territory. Fuck you Tim, and your little media minion too. Also fuck you Belichick! I wanted to see the tears when Tebow signed his CFL contract!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 07 Jul 2013, 22:49
MURRAY DID IT!!!!

After 77 years there is a BRITISH Wimbledon Champion.


Well bloody done!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Jul 2013, 12:18
MURRAY DID IT!!!!

After 77 years there is a BRITISH Wimbledon Champion.


Well bloody done!

Virginia Wade is British and she won 40 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 10 Jul 2013, 18:07
True, but the last MENS champion at Wimbledon was Fred Perry 77 years ago.  And Murray has been trying for about a decade to end the loss streak.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 11 Jul 2013, 08:38
Ah sorry, did realise you were only refering to the men's side of the tournament. There's been a bit of a storm in the UK over Wade being airbrushed out of history just for a more emotive headline.

It strikes a chord with me as a campaigner for better gender equality in sports. Ironically, Wimbledon is one of the few tournaments to offeran equal purse for men and women. Of course Wade's win was as meritorious as Murray's.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Jul 2013, 14:18
who the hell watches men's tennis anyway, half the fun of watching tennis is the shit-hot Russian girls in skirts
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 13 Jul 2013, 14:27
....there's men's tennis?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 14 Jul 2013, 08:24

Virginia Wade is British and she won 40 years ago.
And I remember watching that match. She beat Chris Evert-Lloyd. And sportingly offered to replay a ball, when Evert-Lloyd complain about a call by one of the referees. Something that I remember from my youth is considered ancient history :psyduck: :psyduck:

God. I'm getting old.

May be it was Evert's first serve that Wade agreed to let her redo?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Jul 2013, 10:20
Freaky no-hitter in SD last night.

Someone get Patrick down before he floats away. :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Jul 2013, 16:26
(http://i.imgur.com/xNgdeHs.gif)

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 28 Jul 2013, 18:46
who the hell watches men's tennis anyway, half the fun of watching tennis is the shit-hot Russian girls in skirts

HERE HERE!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 10 Sep 2013, 21:01
Wrestling will return to the Olympics in 2020.

Maybe WWE will suspend their season to send athletes to Japan.  :lol:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Sep 2013, 07:02
Baseball, I take it, won't? :/

Boy, the Japanese aren't going to be happy to hear their national sport won't be played in the Olympics.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 12 Sep 2013, 15:44
Wrestling will return to the Olympics in 2020.

Maybe WWE will suspend their season to send athletes to Japan.  :lol:

They'd just need to send The Undertaker with The Rock as backup. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Sep 2013, 10:54
2 things: to nobody's surprise, Giants are mathematically eliminated from the running to get into the playoffs, and HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY IS BAAAAAAAAACK
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 15 Sep 2013, 11:18
Patrick, your enthusiasm for hockey always makes me happy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Sep 2013, 11:45
glad to hear it. but let's be real, hockey is the Greatest Sport
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 15 Sep 2013, 12:09
A wee bit close to disaster there yesterday.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 15 Sep 2013, 12:22
2 things: to nobody's surprise, Giants are mathematically eliminated from the running to get into the playoffs, and HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY HOCKEY IS BAAAAAAAAACK
I have to admit my first thought on seeing this post was wondering how the Giants could be out of the playoffs already when the season just began a couple weeks ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Sep 2013, 16:53
Not THOSE Giants. The REAL Giants.

My team was pretty much eliminated the day a certain left fielder of ours was suspended for the rest of the season.

And as for hockey - of course Patrick likes this time of the year. His Sharks haven't been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs yet!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 15 Sep 2013, 18:14
TV stations apologize for showing Jacksonville Jaguars games.

(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_tTIRX2hF695AH2WlRfIHA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/scrolljagsgame.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 17 Sep 2013, 06:53
"It must be fall.  The Leafs are out" just has a certain cachet that "It must be fall.  The Sharks are out" does not possess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Sep 2013, 11:17
I thought it was, "It must be spring; the Leafs are out (of the playoffs)."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Sep 2013, 00:07
I went to my first-ever NHL game tonight! Ducks at Sharks. We lost 3-2 in OT, but it was still amazing. Niemi was goaltending and I got to see most of my favorites. Burns, Kearns, Marleau, Couture... I didn't get to see Pavelski though.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Torres and a player on the Ducks collided HARD head-on at full speed. They both spent about 2 minutes down. Torres managed to get up with some help and he mostly got himself to the locker room from there. Ducks guy needed help the whole way. I felt sorrier for the player from the Ducks, Raffi can probably take a hard hit or two.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 21 Sep 2013, 00:45
Uh, jealous! I haven't been to an NHL game since '96. Flames vs. Kings. Flames won 3-1, if I recall correctly. My dad tells me I was the only little bastard in the Saddledome cheering for Gretzky.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 21 Sep 2013, 18:25
Much like Patrick, I was also at an NHL preseason game this week.

Boston gave Malcolm Subban (PK's little brother) his first professional start in goal, and Detroit responded by bringing Datsyuk, Alfredsson, Kronwall, Frazen, Abdelkader, etc.

It wasn't ever fair, poor kid gave up 8 goals.

Next game I'll be going to is Syracuse Crunch (Tampa's AHL affiliate) opening night in a few weeks. I am so pumped.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Sep 2013, 18:49
I've been to 16 NHL games. 15 of them involving the Predators.

Make that 17 and 16, if you include pre-season games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Sep 2013, 00:22
No real update on the Raffi Torres and Emerson Etem collision other than the fact that I hadn't noticed Etem's return to the ice later in the game, and that Torres and the Sherxx are awaiting test results on his knee.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 22 Sep 2013, 20:29
I've been to 16 NHL games. 15 of them involving the Predators.

Make that 17 and 16, if you include pre-season games.

You mean the Perds, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2013, 05:51
No, and I don't collect Gersebermps books, either.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 23 Sep 2013, 06:47
I've seen quite a few NHL games, including playoff games.  That said, I doubt they're getting a dime of my money for years to come.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2013, 06:50
Are you still upset over the new Buffalo Sabres jerseys?

;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Sep 2013, 10:42
I can't answer for ev4n, but I can say that Shane has expressed unprecedented levels of butthurt at the new Sharks sweaters. I agree with him on the white ones, but the teal ones look incredible. super clean.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 23 Sep 2013, 10:57
Not getting the Sabres reference.

I have to say, though, I'm a huge fan of places like Toronto and Montreal, where the jerseys are (almost) eternal and unchanging.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Sep 2013, 12:02
It was a joking way to suggest why you'd "given up" on the NHL. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 25 Sep 2013, 09:20
bleacherreport predicts 92 points for the sharks.

of course, it predicts 105 for the senators, so take that with a grain of salt....
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 25 Sep 2013, 13:54
We lost the Cup.  Damn Larry Ellison and his deep pockets.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Sep 2013, 15:13
It's called America's Cup for a reason, Kiwi-breath.   ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 25 Sep 2013, 17:42
 ::)      :P


Yeah well, at least this time you weren't cheating to win it.     ;D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Sep 2013, 18:38
It ain't cheating if you don't get caught, son. ;)

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 26 Sep 2013, 08:28
I can't answer for ev4n, but I can say that Shane has expressed unprecedented levels of butthurt at the new Sharks sweaters. I agree with him on the white ones, but the teal ones look incredible. super clean.


A PROPER HOCKEY SWEATER FUCKING HAS STRIPES ON THE BOTTOM OF IT.

Wahhh, stripes are too damn heavy BUT WE'RE GONNA SEW A BUNCHA COMPLETELY NON-LEAGUE-MANDATED UNNECESSARY NUMBERS ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 26 Sep 2013, 09:40
Every jersey is better than Philadelphia's MLS jersey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 26 Sep 2013, 18:08
It ain't cheating if you don't get caught, son. ;)




You've been visiting Dennis Connor again - haven't you?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Sep 2013, 18:25
Actually, that's a quote from Dizzy Dean, but the point's the same. ;)

Build a better boat next time. :P ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Sep 2013, 18:28
Every jersey is better than Philadelphia's MLS jersey.

I'm afraid to look.

(Looks)


BIMBO????
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 27 Sep 2013, 05:14
Unfortunately corporate sponsorship.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 Sep 2013, 12:04
iirc, it's a Mexican bread company.

I can't answer for ev4n, but I can say that Shane has expressed unprecedented levels of butthurt at the new Sharks sweaters. I agree with him on the white ones, but the teal ones look incredible. super clean.


A PROPER HOCKEY SWEATER FUCKING HAS STRIPES ON THE BOTTOM OF IT.

Wahhh, stripes are too damn heavy BUT WE'RE GONNA SEW A BUNCHA COMPLETELY NON-LEAGUE-MANDATED UNNECESSARY NUMBERS ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY

they weigh a hell of a lot less than your precious little stripes do
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Sep 2013, 12:08
VP has a point, Patrick. The Sharks had the perfect hockey sweater when they started in 1991 - and they proceeded to #### it up in subsequent alterations.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 Sep 2013, 21:04
I will agree with him, but only for the white sweaters. because they look stupid as hell without the waist stripe. the teal looks better without them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Sep 2013, 09:12
200 more days until the Stanley Cup Playoffs! :)

And only three more days until the Pirates finally wake up and realize, "Whoa, hey, we're in the playoffs?" and lose to the Reds in the Wild Card Play-in Game. ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 28 Sep 2013, 09:15
No NFL love in this thread, huh?

I mean, week 4, and no one even mentioned the fact that the browns managed to win a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Sep 2013, 14:30
Sorry, bye week here.

(And the way we've played these first three weeks has me a bit... on edge...)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 28 Sep 2013, 14:56
by the way, lol @ the steelers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 28 Sep 2013, 16:16
... Yeah. Steelers and Vikings in London.

Two 0 - 3 teams. The nfl does not take Europe very seriously ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 28 Sep 2013, 19:30
I think we all expected better of the Steelers and Vikings this year.

At least the London game won't be a one-sided affair for a change.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 29 Sep 2013, 00:01
Second one will be. Jaguars - 49'ers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Sep 2013, 09:15
By that time the Jaguars will have a new quarterback.



Josh Freeman. :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 29 Sep 2013, 12:23
I have no idea why the NFL plays exhibition matches in England. Literally no clue. England has never cared about American football. Ever. Probably never will. It is a shit sport compared to Way More Badass rugby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Sep 2013, 16:51
It's not an exhibition game. It's a real game that counted in the standings - as much as Steelers fans would have preferred it not to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 29 Sep 2013, 21:04
I have no idea why the NFL plays exhibition matches in England. Literally no clue. England has never cared about American football. Ever. Probably never will. It is a shit sport compared to Way More Badass rugby.

Because the NFL thinks it will die if it doesn't expand overseas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 29 Sep 2013, 23:41
Is this real?  If so it's an amazing mind-fuck.

(http://i.imgur.com/HRhhvXJ.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2013, 01:29
Real.

Illegal move in pro football.

I never get why people think that rugby is more bad-ass. To me, soccer and rugby with their continued play are just way softer than two mammoth teams, half of the players chosen for size and strength, bashing into each other 70 times a game in head-on colissions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 30 Sep 2013, 01:32
Precisely what aspect of it is illegal, then?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Sep 2013, 01:34
The hand off to the QB is sideways.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Sep 2013, 07:10
Precisely what aspect of it is illegal, then?

 Better description: the center can only transfer the ball to another player to start the play by pushing or "snapping" the ball between his legs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 30 Sep 2013, 07:14
St Mary's had a cool trick play for years where they would silent audible, and the QB would immediately place the ball between the guard's knees.  He'd then audible, and some bizarre play feint would go off.  Somewhere in the middle, the guard would grab the ball and start running.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Sep 2013, 14:55
That's called the "fumblerooski", after a play done in the NCAA by, I believe, Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

(Quick look - Wow, that was all the way back in 1984? I feel old.)

The QB hiked the ball, put it down on the ground, and the right guard grabbed it, picked it up and ran into the end zone.

It was outlawed shortly thereafter.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 01 Oct 2013, 18:37
Real.

Illegal move in pro football.

I never get why people think that rugby is more bad-ass. To me, soccer and rugby with their continued play are just way softer than two mammoth teams, half of the players chosen for size and strength, bashing into each other 70 times a game in head-on colissions.

There seem to be two schools of thought.

1. If a sport requires more padding, it is a result of the sport being so tough.
2. Less padding makes a sport tougher because unprotected athletes are more macho.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 01 Oct 2013, 18:38
Brad Marsh was one of the last players to play in the NHL without a helmet, under the grandfather clause.  He said he once played for 6 games with a helmet, and said he took as many shots to the head in those 6 games as he did in the rest of his 10+ year career put together.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 04 Oct 2013, 03:40
I never get why people think that rugby is more bad-ass. To me, soccer and rugby with their continued play are just way softer than two mammoth teams, half of the players chosen for size and strength, bashing into each other 70 times a game in head-on colissions.
This weekend our footy Grand Finals take place. Here's a taste of the pansified clashes likely to take place between the small, weak, positively puny players of the NRL, who are of course never chosen for their size and strength:
The main event is the Sydney Roosters vs. Manly Sea Eagles (Eastern Sydney vs. Northern Sydney basically). The Sea Eagles will probably win, but everyone hates Manly (US readers think of the Yankees) so everybody except their supporters will be barracking for the Roosters.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Oct 2013, 07:33
Meh. I see harder hits in the NHL.  :angel:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 04 Oct 2013, 15:37
Yeah, but your guys are wearing padding.


Sissies.      ;D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 04 Oct 2013, 20:06
My university is usually pretty good at football, but we have a new coach and holy shit we suck. And we're supposed to be moving to the FBS next year?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 05 Oct 2013, 20:50
I have no idea why the NFL plays exhibition matches in England. Literally no clue. England has never cared about American football. Ever. Probably never will. It is a shit sport compared to Way More Badass rugby.

So, London had a World League/NFL Europe team for like, a decade. Not to mention that every year the NFL has this game in London, they sell out Wembley, and they sell it out rather fast for what usually ends up being two shitty teams.

Does Ryan still come around here at all? He used to play for a team in the top British league. Let him explain England's fascination with football in better detail.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Oct 2013, 22:37
I'm just gonna fuckin leave this here

(http://i.imgur.com/WSSmCCN.jpg)

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA HERTL
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Oct 2013, 22:40
why yes, he DID backhand that shit top shelf with his stick between his legs, and that was *after* his hat trick in his 3rd ever game playing in the NHL. 19 years old, can't speak a fuckin lick of English, but that don't matter when you're a god damn hockey savage.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2013, 00:00
Meh. He'll be out of the league in short order, like that kid in Dallas after he lit up the Preds for a hattie in his first NHL game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Oct 2013, 14:25
Idunno man, he's got 6 goals in his first 3 games of the season. He makes plays happen, he fires pucks at the net, he fires up his teammates without even sharing a language with them, and even more so now that he's gone and achieved an unexpected success... if he continues to deliver consistently, I think he'll be a Shark (or at least an NHL player) for years to come.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Oct 2013, 05:52
Fabian Brunnstrom. 17 goals in his first season, 2 the rest of his NHL career.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Oct 2013, 11:27
idk man. kid told Ottawa what's up less than a minute into the game yesterday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Oct 2013, 12:24
He was injured against Ottawa, I see. Wonder what will happen when SJ goes to Colorado. I hear there's this guy out there that likes to headhunt promising rookies.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Oct 2013, 13:01
yeah, people have been beating on him something fierce. I don't think that's gonna stop him though. meanwhile, Tommy Wingels looks like Walt Jr from Breaking Bad

(http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nhl/players/full/4928.png&w=350&h=254)

Daaaad, stop mething around!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Thomas Edison on 19 Oct 2013, 19:32
I have no idea why the NFL plays exhibition matches in England. Literally no clue. England has never cared about American football. Ever. Probably never will. It is a shit sport compared to Way More Badass rugby.

So, London had a World League/NFL Europe team for like, a decade. Not to mention that every year the NFL has this game in London, they sell out Wembley, and they sell it out rather fast for what usually ends up being two shitty teams.

Does Ryan still come around here at all? He used to play for a team in the top British league. Let him explain England's fascination with football in better detail.

How did I miss this? American football is still a pretty niche market over here, mostly due to ignorance and misconceptions concerning the sport, but I think the main reason England gets a game is because we're the English speaking connection between America and Europe. Whilst support in England itself is small, there's not a bad following of the sport through the continent, and at the games you'll find people have come from all across Europe to watch the two teams play. It's a hell of sight because there's no predominantly supported team over here, so everyone just wears the jersey of the team they support regardless of who's playing, resulting in a patchwork sea of supporters littering the crowd.

Plus the last time I went I got unlimited beer and chicken wings, which was rad.

On a related note it's always been entertaining for me arguing with people which sport is "manlier", rugby or American football, as I'm one of the minority here that's played both. Everyone here will defend rugby and pass American football off as a wuss sport until I invite them to pad up for a practice session.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 19 Oct 2013, 20:25
I read an article a couple weeks ago that claimed Europeans have a better understanding of American Football these days because they've played the video games.

I've also noticed that an entire generation has come of age not knowing a time when hockey in the south was a novelty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 20 Oct 2013, 08:58
I watched a really interesting documentary about Southern Methodist University, the only college football team to ever receive the "death penalty" from the NCAA.

I have rather strong opinions on the fact that another university didn't receive that same punishment, but that's probably more of a DISCUSS topic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Oct 2013, 10:25
Ah, Southern Methodist University. The Best College Football Team Money Could Buy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 20 Oct 2013, 11:47
I've also noticed that an entire generation has come of age not knowing a time when hockey in the south was a novelty.

In nearly 10 years of living in North Carolina I've only been to one Hurricanes game, and I know of no school or local/kids leagues. Still feels novelty-ish to me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 20 Oct 2013, 11:57
I have no idea why the NFL plays exhibition matches in England. Literally no clue. England has never cared about American football. Ever. Probably never will. It is a shit sport compared to Way More Badass rugby.

Those aren't exhibition games, they are regular season games that count fully for and against teams. One of the teams loses one of their eight regular home game to act as the "home" team for the London game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Oct 2013, 23:51
I realize that, but it's still obviously just to show England what Murca's all about.

PS hockey folks, I know Hertl isn't scoring much lately, but he's making good plays still. and how about that goddamn killer shootout save by Niemi tonight, and how's about undefeated in reg? fuck yeah, this Sharks fan is real proud lately.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 24 Oct 2013, 06:21
Ryan is up to 6 goals, and the Sens handled facing Alfie quite well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Oct 2013, 07:33
Quote
@Jay_Grossman
#Preds G Pekka Rinne to see Drs. this AM, more clarity on his situation later today

 :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck: :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 24 Oct 2013, 09:23
I realize that, but it's still obviously just to show England what Murca's all about.

PS hockey folks, I know Hertl isn't scoring much lately, but he's making good plays still. and how about that goddamn killer shootout save by Niemi tonight, and how's about undefeated in reg? fuck yeah, this Sharks fan is real proud lately.

The first couple of times it was, but now that next year they plan on putting several games on over there it's all about getting a whole franchise over there. The timing fits with the Jacksonville franchise struggling with attendence and coming on their 20th season it's allow the team to break their lease and move to a new market.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 24 Oct 2013, 12:19
so then every team's gonna have to fly halfway around the world for one day? sounds... efficient.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 24 Oct 2013, 13:24
so then every team's gonna have to fly halfway around the world for one day? sounds... efficient.

That's what is going to be figured out next year when three games are played in London. They only play eight regular season home games per year plus two preseason games and games are normally on Sunday, so it is logistically doable. Teams cross the US frequently, so travelling that far is nothing new to teams especially if they hold up the tradition of giving a bye week where they don't play the next week to the travelling team.

The Oakland Raiders will be playing as host next year for one of the games, that's one of the longest distances any team could travel giving the league a real idea how the travel will impact teams.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Oct 2013, 13:41
The five-hour difference is only a bit worse than Oakland coming to New England for a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Oct 2013, 13:19
I don't think you're taking flight time into account, and only accounting for the time zone difference. A flight from SFO (nobody flies to London from OAK) to LHR is gonna be around 11 hours. That's gonna total to a full day's worth of time where they can't train or do anything else useful.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Oct 2013, 13:21
PS congrats to the Bruins for unseating the only team undefeated in reg last night. I wasn't terribly upset that my Sharks lost to the Bruins, but that the Bruins beat the clock by 0.8s and kept us from at least earning a point. Plus, holding onto that "undefeated in reg" title another couple days at least woulda been nice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 25 Oct 2013, 21:02
If the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors can occasionally play an east coast game, I guess the trans-Atlantic logistics aren't so terrible.

Thats from a state that doesn't observe daylight savings time mind you.

An 11-hour flight calls for an 11-hour film session!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 25 Oct 2013, 22:47
I don't think you're taking flight time into account, and only accounting for the time zone difference. A flight from SFO (nobody flies to London from OAK) to LHR is gonna be around 11 hours. That's gonna total to a full day's worth of time where they can't train or do anything else useful.

They charter all their flights, that way they have control over the departures and arrivals. London-Oakland would be a direct flight with bye week after for the west coast teams. Teams would operate as they do for back to back opposite coast games- they would go east, have a game, then go on to London. They would recover as they normally do with a direct flight back to the west coast. The week on the east coast would be spent planning, recovering, and practicing at a rented facility. This is done whenever an east or west coast team has back to back games on the opposite coast, it's simply easier for them.

The trip is only going to be made every six to eight years for 28 of the 31 other teams, barring playoff matchups.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 26 Oct 2013, 10:05
Go Buckeyes!


Fuck Penn State and the fact that the NCAA didn't Southern Methodist their football program.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 26 Oct 2013, 20:12
So before the game one of my co-workers told me that Ohio State was supposedly on "upset watch."

It's now 63-7, so LOLOLOLOLOL.

And the Buckeyes just got a touchdown. I'm glad that they've decided to continue running up the score, fuck Penn State. Here's hoping they break 70.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 27 Oct 2013, 13:12
So before the game one of my co-workers told me that Ohio State was supposedly on "upset watch."

It's now 63-7, so LOLOLOLOLOL.

And the Buckeyes just got a touchdown. I'm glad that they've decided to continue running up the score, fuck Penn State. Here's hoping they break 70.

One thing I always hated about the Buckeys...other than the insistance that the word "THE" is somehow important to the entire name of a university...is they always manage to make you look like an idiot for predicting they would lose. They don't lose when you want them to lose. They don't lose when your predict them to lose.  :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 27 Oct 2013, 13:15
Instant replay in baseball can't come soon enough. The hell with the "tradition" of blindness, bad calls, moronic bowing to the crew chief's word when all evidence is to the contrary: they need to institute it.  :oops: :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 Oct 2013, 16:38
what, baseball isn't long enough for you?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 27 Oct 2013, 17:51
Instant replay in baseball can't come soon enough. The hell with the "tradition" of blindness, bad calls, moronic bowing to the crew chief's word when all evidence is to the contrary: they need to institute it.  :oops: :x

Yeah, but at least they got that obstruction call right in game 3.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 28 Oct 2013, 10:37
Instant replay in baseball can't come soon enough. The hell with the "tradition" of blindness, bad calls, moronic bowing to the crew chief's word when all evidence is to the contrary: they need to institute it.  :oops: :x

Yeah, but at least they got that obstruction call right in game 3.

It might be "right" in the literal sense but on replay you could see he didn't interfere directly and with intent to slow down the runner- it was wrong place, wrong time. But that won't change the outcome anymore and the win last night put that to rest for the time being...but it's not the only play this fall that has been the subject of debate about the usage.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 28 Oct 2013, 10:40
what, baseball isn't long enough for you?

The game isn't the problem when it comes to time, it's the commercial breaks the league and the networks insist on forcing into the games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Oct 2013, 12:21
It also doesn't help that there are more in-game delays than ever before (stepping out of the box, stepping off the mound, throws over to first, etc.).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 28 Oct 2013, 16:02
It also doesn't help that there are more in-game delays than ever before (stepping out of the box, stepping off the mound, throws over to first, etc.).

That's part of the game, the throws especially given last night's game ended thanks to a stepping off the mount and throwing to first. The stepping out of the box should be clamped down on as well as taking a long time between pitches but they aren't going to go toe to toe with the divas of the league over that. And compared iwth the commercial breaks, the obligatory singing on camera of "God Bless America"(done off camera during regular season) it addes another 20 minutes or more to the games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 Oct 2013, 16:41
No, the constant throws over aren't part of the game. If you've ever watched vintage footage from the 1960's, pitchers worked much faster and batters didn't step out of the box as much as they do now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 28 Oct 2013, 18:40
Instant replay in baseball can't come soon enough. The hell with the "tradition" of blindness, bad calls, moronic bowing to the crew chief's word when all evidence is to the contrary: they need to institute it.  :oops: :x

Yeah, but at least they got that obstruction call right in game 3.

It might be "right" in the literal sense but on replay you could see he didn't interfere directly and with intent to slow down the runner- it was wrong place, wrong time. But that won't change the outcome anymore and the win last night put that to rest for the time being...but it's not the only play this fall that has been the subject of debate about the usage.

Quote from: MLB Rulebook
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered “in the act of fielding a ball.” It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball. For example: an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.

Absent is the word "intentional."  Obstruction is obstruction whether it's accidental or not.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 28 Oct 2013, 18:49
As my Red Sox are in the world series, and tonight is probably the final game... I'd just like to take a moment and post the following.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 28 Oct 2013, 19:58
How could tonight be the final game.  The series was tied 2-2 going into Game 5 (of 7); there must be a game 6 no matter who wins.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 28 Oct 2013, 20:34
I thought it was game six for some reason XD
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 28 Oct 2013, 20:50
Instant replay in baseball can't come soon enough. The hell with the "tradition" of blindness, bad calls, moronic bowing to the crew chief's word when all evidence is to the contrary: they need to institute it.  :oops: :x

Yeah, but at least they got that obstruction call right in game 3.

It might be "right" in the literal sense but on replay you could see he didn't interfere directly and with intent to slow down the runner- it was wrong place, wrong time. But that won't change the outcome anymore and the win last night put that to rest for the time being...but it's not the only play this fall that has been the subject of debate about the usage.

Quote from: MLB Rulebook
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered “in the act of fielding a ball.” It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball. For example: an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.

Absent is the word "intentional."  Obstruction is obstruction whether it's accidental or not.

The key words there are "in the act of fielding", which he actually was and was thanks to the this act in the line of the runner through no fault of the fielder. This would have been revealed in the replay, he on the ground still in motion from the fall when the runner jumped over him.

But like I said, it'll open the door for the usage to come. There is no longer any argument that it wouldn't be helpful, there are enough incidents this postseason let alone the season as a whole to put it in place permanently.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 29 Oct 2013, 05:30
If we'd had video replay, there would have been TWO triple plays in world series history.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 29 Oct 2013, 11:09
If we'd had video replay, there would have been TWO triple plays in world series history.

Maybe, but the justification is there. This isn't like the whole "play until it's over" weather suspension argument from 2008, just because it is "tradition" is no longer an excuse especially when it has actually affected the outcome of a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 30 Oct 2013, 09:05
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnVEY7NMiAk/TdB5vIpZl3I/AAAAAAAAAJg/Vs4IiJMMXAU/s320/whiny+birds.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 30 Oct 2013, 14:51
The excuses for bad play tonight are piling up, with a major one being the plane troubles. But you would be whiney too if you were stuck with your kids for six hours, on a chartered plane, in first class, with plenty of food and liquor and entertainment availible...

On second thought, there isn't a reason to whine. They got in late, but they weren't exactly at a loss for confort  :x
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 30 Oct 2013, 19:08
At the start of the season, the Browns were on track to have one of their most promising seasons in decades. Now it's in the shitter. Maybe it's a Trent Richardson curse. Or maybe Cleveland is just destined for permanent failure at almost everything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 30 Oct 2013, 19:49
Man. What the hell St. Louis? Not that I'm upset at all about them giving us game six and the first Fenway World Series clincher in just shy of a century, but fuck man. At least fight for it.


Edit before I posted: Awww shit! St. Louis put one up in the top of the seventh! We might actually have a game! Or not. Change over. Two innings, let's see what happens.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 30 Oct 2013, 21:51
Game 6 done, series won....let the rioting in the colleges by people who aren't really fans, aren't from the region, and just want to destroy stuff begin. :roll:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Oct 2013, 07:15
I am disappointed at the Murphys on that one. Everyone knows it's, "Tessie, You know I love you mad-lyyyyyy...."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Nov 2013, 22:24
I don't know why but the Sharks just can't win in overtime except in Detroit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Nov 2013, 05:36
I'd ask if someone could explain what the heck happened in Philly last night - but I'm not quite sure I want to know.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 02 Nov 2013, 07:34
Ray Emery charged the length of the ice during a line brawl, told Holtby to throw down, and when Holtby refused, Emery just started pounding on him.

Absolute garbage. This season's getting way out of hand already.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 02 Nov 2013, 14:25
I am disappointed at the Murphys on that one. Everyone knows it's, "Tessie, You know I love you mad-lyyyyyy...."

Tessie got her payback in the form of getting the truck stuck in the grass during th evictory parde so next time maybe they won't screw up  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Nov 2013, 15:58
There was so much wrong in that fight in Philadelphia.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 02 Nov 2013, 16:35
Ohio State's perfect season continues to be marred by underperforming teams in the rest of the Big 10. None of the voters are going to be impressed by a win against 1-6 Purdue. And after a big loss to #24 Michigan State, #23 That Team Up North, formally the only ranked opponent still on OSU's schedule, will probably drop out of the rankings, and the Buckeye's hopes for a national championship will drop along with them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 02 Nov 2013, 17:57
Ohio State's perfect season continues to be marred by underperforming teams in the rest of the Big 10. None of the voters are going to be impressed by a win against 1-6 Purdue. And after a big loss to #24 Michigan State, #23 That Team Up North, formally the only ranked opponent still on OSU's schedule, will probably drop out of the rankings, and the Buckeye's hopes for a national championship will drop along with them.

It's Ohio State...you would be surprised what the voters will do with just a name. There is still plenty of time left for two of the others to slip up then they get their chance in the championship game
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 04 Nov 2013, 11:09
college football is so borked, I have a hard time feeling sympathy for anyone in that kind of a situation
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Nov 2013, 18:42
All of a sudden, the entire state of Wisconsin held its breath.

Four words caused that to happen:

"Aaron Rodgers is injured."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 04 Nov 2013, 19:35
FUCKING WHAT!? *goes to pray at his Packers altar*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 10 Nov 2013, 16:27
Michigan bit the dust against Nebraska, meaning Northwestern will be the only rank team we played all season.

Fuck you very much, rest of the Big 10. Stop losing against teams that aren't Ohio State.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Nov 2013, 17:28
Seneca.  :psyduck:

TOLZIN.  :psyduck: :psyduck:




...someone get on the phone to Kiln, Mississippi...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 10 Nov 2013, 18:46
Without Favre, Rogers, and Seneca, the Packers are down to their fourth-string quarterback.

See what I did there?  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 10 Nov 2013, 20:25
Michigan bit the dust against Nebraska, meaning Northwestern will be the only rank team we played all season.

Fuck you very much, rest of the Big 10. Stop losing against teams that aren't Ohio State.

Don't give up hope...remember that OSU moves up a spot thanks to the loss by Oregon. It could happen again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 13 Nov 2013, 15:12
This was pretty cool...American football team names and logos reimagined as "real" football crests and team names... impressive redesigns (http://www.footballasfootball.com/)
I am not a fan of the New England one or the Cleveland one, but the rest have interesting takes on the names and animals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 13 Nov 2013, 18:18
The Greenbay one is weak. The Denver one is bad ass.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 13 Nov 2013, 22:30
The Greenbay one is weak. The Denver one is bad ass.

Would an outline of the state have helped? I don't see the crest getting much better, given the traditional culture surrounding the team and it being hard to depict packing without angering 1000s of people...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Nov 2013, 06:50
More then thousands mate. Far more then thousands.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Nov 2013, 06:52
The only logo that needs to be used when it comes to the Packers is The G.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Nov 2013, 07:18
Indeed. Photos of crying Vikings fans also works.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 14 Nov 2013, 07:20
Yeah, that Tolzien guy is really going to show the league!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Nov 2013, 07:23
Rogers will be back. A brief stay of execution for the Pack's opponents.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 14 Nov 2013, 07:33
He will be back and at that time Packers games will be watchable again (though, this Tolzien fellow isn't really all that bad). The prospect is though that the Packers by then might be 0-4 without Rogers. 5-8 or 6-7 is going to make stuff ... akward.

Edit; On the other hand ... they're playing the Giants and the Vikings, the Lions and the Falcons.

Two of those must be winnable, at least. So ... never mind.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Nov 2013, 18:26
You'll notice I haven't posted much in here lately.

That's because at the moment, I really don't like sports.

When your two favorite teams are lacking their best players due to injury, and they are, in the meantime, stinking up the joint... well, you know.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 16 Nov 2013, 00:28
I blame myself for the Sharks not playing so hot lately (aside from the silver lining of beating Vancouver yesterday) because I've been too busy to watch games from start to finish, and every game I've watched the entirety of, we've won.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Nov 2013, 05:50
Keep on doing that, then. Give the rest of us the chance to catch up.


(I saw on another board whence I post that the Final playoff spot in the West will most likely, at the current pace, be a 100-point team.  :-o )
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 17 Nov 2013, 00:43
Mostly I'm just impressed we've managed to hang onto the #2 spot, but the realist side of me is saying to curb my enthusiasm because 1/3 of those points are from us barely hanging on until overtime.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 17 Nov 2013, 01:57
The good news is the west will be a fight to the finish for spots and slots, the bad news is that will take a toll on the teams- please, continue to beat each other senseless, I want the Bruins to win another Cup  :-D :-P

Looking at the standings for the west I saw something odd. Can anyone explain how they are going to play hockey outdoors in a desert environment, even if it is winter?  :roll:

Environmentalists are going to have a field day with all the refrigeration and power generating equipment being used there  :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 17 Nov 2013, 03:06
deserts get cold as fuck at night, dogg
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 17 Nov 2013, 05:13
And there's quite a lot of scope for solar power, I'd assume.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 17 Nov 2013, 13:52
deserts get cold as fuck at night, dogg

Maybe, but they already had enough trouble as it was with the Winter Classics melting ice having it out in Southern California seems like a bit of a stretch for the league...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Nov 2013, 17:01
I'm pretty sure they can do it. They just have to be careful about keeping the surface area cold. At least they shouldn't have to worry about humidity - which is a killer to ice - ruining the surface.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 17 Nov 2013, 18:13
Looking at the standings for the west I saw something odd. Can anyone explain how they are going to play hockey outdoors in a desert environment, even if it is winter?  :roll:

As I understand, the NHL's refrigerator can keep ice frozen with ambient temperatures as high as 70°F (that's 21.1°C for the metrically minded.)  The NHL has also considered not painting extra logos on the ice and leaving the blue lines as hashed lines to make the surface more reflective.

I remember the 2011 Winter Classic where 55°F (12.7°C) rain made the ice a slushy mess.  At the Heritage Classic that same year the temperature never got warmer than 16.5°F (-8.6°C) making the ice too brittle to support the Zambonis' weight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: valley_parade on 18 Nov 2013, 18:53
Specifically, it seems the average temperature at Dodger Stadium, at the time of day when the game is going to be, is like, 59 degrees or something?

From what I've heard, the average temp inside your standard NHL barn is juuuuuust about the same, so they're saying they'll make it work.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 19 Nov 2013, 01:10
The only thing I hate more than losing is local media who love to piss off fans just to get a reaction.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Nov 2013, 06:51
...But I didn't think you lived in Toronto?

 :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 19 Nov 2013, 13:05
...But I didn't think you lived in Toronto?

 :-D

No, but I think we have it worse- guys who do it on the radio and on television, and most of the time it's simulcast on both :-o
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 23 Nov 2013, 18:38
The Big 10 title game will now officially be played between Ohio State and Michigan State.

(http://th08.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2013/139/e/d/a_worthy_opponent_by_infinityemperor-d65tbbx.jpg)

Although, only one of those teams hasn't lost a single game in the last TWO years. Just sayin'.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 30 Nov 2013, 15:07
Ohio State really needs to get its shit together defensively if it wants to have any hope of beating Michigan State next week. Letting That Team Up North score 20 points in the 4th Quarter? Really?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 30 Nov 2013, 19:04
I don't usually care much for the SEC's warm weather imitation of football, but that Iron Bowl was pretty intense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 30 Nov 2013, 23:35
Yeah, well, fuck Auburn. ROLL TIDE. And fuck Saban for being a god damn moron and costing a great team everything.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 01 Dec 2013, 05:54
I don't usually care much for the SEC's warm weather imitation of football, but that Iron Bowl was pretty intense.

I would just like to thank Auburn for improving Ohio State's chances of going to the National Championship game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Dec 2013, 07:42
And now, to root for Michigan State and Mizzou to REALLY screw things up for the last BCS "championship".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Dec 2013, 13:48
I would just like to thank Auburn for improving Ohio State's chances of going to the National Championship game.

Thank Saban. Auburn didn't win that game, but Alabama definitely lost.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Dec 2013, 07:31
Should Missouri and Michigan State do the somewhat unthinkable and win their respective Conference Championship games, (and, assuming that Florida State does not trip over Duke), who here thinks the BCS people are just going to say, "Screw it, get Saban on the phone"?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 02 Dec 2013, 11:25
Should Missouri and Michigan State do the somewhat unthinkable and win their respective Conference Championship games, (and, assuming that Florida State does not trip over Duke), who here thinks the BCS people are just going to say, "Screw it, get Saban on the phone"?

Alabama is still number 4...so no need for the phone call, they would get in by just being idle and jumping over the newly lost teams.

As long as would have the usual BCS huge problem  they would be in there despite not being the conference champ and possibly over several teams that won their conference titles. The SEC could care less as long as they have Missouri to point to say their champion got in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 02 Dec 2013, 12:25
Should Missouri and Michigan State do the somewhat unthinkable and win their respective Conference Championship games, (and, assuming that Florida State does not trip over Duke), who here thinks the BCS people are just going to say, "Screw it, get Saban on the phone"?

Michigan State winning is not in anyway unthinkable. All Ohio State has to do is have the same piss-poor defensive showing that almost got them beat by Michigan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Dec 2013, 05:00
It's cold and potentially snowing throughout the Midwest, why did they have to schedule the Big 10 Championship in a dome? *Yawn*, boring.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Dec 2013, 09:50
Indianapoli$ did something to get the right$ to the Big Ten Champion$hip game, but I can't quite remember what...

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 07 Dec 2013, 14:53
I'm beginning to fall into the camp that states that the Black Caps should be sent to a Gulag.  Bloody chokers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Dec 2013, 19:01
Should Missouri and Michigan State do the somewhat unthinkable and win their respective Conference Championship games, (and, assuming that Florida State does not trip over Duke), who here thinks the BCS people are just going to say, "Screw it, get Saban on the phone"?

Michigan State winning is not in anyway unthinkable. All Ohio State has to do is have the same piss-poor defensive showing that almost got them beat by Michigan.

Called it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Dec 2013, 19:51
Michigan State 17
Ohio State Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde 24
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Dec 2013, 21:07
Ohio State's perfect season continues to be marred by underperforming teams in the rest of the Big 10. None of the voters are going to be impressed by a win against 1-6 Purdue. And after a big loss to #24 Michigan State, #23 That Team Up North, formally the only ranked opponent still on OSU's schedule, will probably drop out of the rankings, and the Buckeye's hopes for a national championship will drop along with them.

34-24 How's that for underperforming?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 07 Dec 2013, 22:26
The bad news is the Buckeyes lost. The worst news is Auburn is going to act like they are entitled to the national championship outright just because of their conference.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Dec 2013, 23:01
Ohio State's perfect season continues to be marred by underperforming teams in the rest of the Big 10. None of the voters are going to be impressed by a win against 1-6 Purdue. And after a big loss to #24 Michigan State, #23 That Team Up North, formally the only ranked opponent still on OSU's schedule, will probably drop out of the rankings, and the Buckeye's hopes for a national championship will drop along with them.

34-24 How's that for underperforming?

All in the defense, or lack thereof. Miller and Hyde can only get so many rushing touchdowns before you have to stop the other damn team from scoring some points too. It's the same thing Buckeye fans, commentators, and detractors alike have been saying all season, and it came to a head tonight.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 08 Dec 2013, 12:57
Damn, low hit pretty much ends New England's chances of a deep playoff run before they started. Cleveland is tough and underappreciated, and give them a weakness they will exploit it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 08 Dec 2013, 18:44
Now this is my idea of football weather!

(http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52a4b7d96da811945519d05a-795-402/eagles-lions-snow.jpg)

(http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52a4b959ecad04846419d054-1200-632/connor-barwin-eagles-fumble.jpg)

(http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/826455500.gif?1386527847)

(http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/4477938677032ec8255b23c6332c39d3b7a04dcd/c=66-60-3196-2408&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/12/08//1386539991000-clay.jpg)

(http://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ravens-vikings-snow-game.jpg?w=640&h=360)

(http://cdn.mse.psddev.com/dims4/SPORTS/c0b3bf0/2147483647/resize/618x410%3E/quality/75/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.mse.psddev.com%2F05%2F8e%2Fe40dc1264d62807cead4a0daec90%2Fvikings-gif-2.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 08 Dec 2013, 18:50
Now this is my idea of football weather!

I played in that weather a couple of times, it ain't fun!!!!  :psyduck:
Then again I was standing on the sidelines the whole game, had to warm up in slush, rocks, and mud, only got indoors at halftime so maybe my recollections aren't exactly the rosiest of memories  :cry:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Dec 2013, 16:10
The Military Classic was today with Army and Navy going head to head in their 114th game, a hotly anticipated ritual slaughter of the West Point Black Knights now entering it's... I wanna say 13th straight year since Army's done anything continued with Navy taking home a 34-7 victory AND the coveted Commander and Chief's Trophy for another couple years in a row now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Dec 2013, 18:30
...and they now go on to get their butts kicked by the MTSU Raiders in the Military Bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Dec 2013, 19:17
Doubt it. Land lubbers are gonna have to walk back to Tennessee.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 14 Dec 2013, 20:58
...and they now go on to get their butts kicked by the MTSU Raiders in the Military Bowl.

They face off in the Armed Forces Bowl, completely different bowl game from the Military Bowl(Maryland vs. Marshall in that one)...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 15 Dec 2013, 18:27
Now this is my idea of football weather!

One of the historic games in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is the Snow Bowl. A game where the weather so bad that the teams would regularly punt it before 4th down.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 15 Dec 2013, 19:37
Now this is my idea of football weather!

I played in that weather a couple of times, it ain't fun!!!!  :psyduck:
Then again I was standing on the sidelines the whole game, had to warm up in slush, rocks, and mud, only got indoors at halftime so maybe my recollections aren't exactly the rosiest of memories  :cry:
I always enjoyed football games in that kind of weather when I was in high school, but that could have been because I was in the band and we wore very warm wool uniforms.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 15 Dec 2013, 19:41
Just watched the highlights of the Browns-Bears game.

No one can blow a lead quite like the Cleveland Browns.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2013, 07:03
Unless you wear a star on the side of your helmet and the word "ROMO" on your back.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 16 Dec 2013, 07:23
Romo really knows how to Romo when Romo-ing is called for, huh?

I so want this to be a common usage verb.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 16 Dec 2013, 17:48
This is one of the best things ever.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 16 Dec 2013, 17:52
Release Greg Little made me laugh my Irish ass off.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2013, 18:18
For the eighth time in the last nine years, the Stagg Bowl (NCAA Division III Men's Football Championship) will be All Purple.

The defending D3 champions, the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders, will face off with the University of Wisconsin Whitewater Warhawks (school colors: purple and white) in Stagg Bowl XLI, at Salem, Virginia.

The two teams are 1-2 in number of Stagg Bowl appearances, with Mount Union making their 17th appearance. Whitewater is second with this, their 8th appearance.

A victory by my alma mater, UWW, would put them in second place for most Stagg wins, with 5 - all against Mount Union, who has the D3 record with 11.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 16 Dec 2013, 23:13
Romo really knows how to Romo when Romo-ing is called for, huh?

I so want this to be a common usage verb.

Heard a blip on ESPN that Romo is currently the leader in throwing interceptions while his team leads by a touchdown or less.

I'm more interested in Lenoir-Rhyne, a school I nearly went to, being in the D-II Championship. Although I was rooting for Winston-Salem State.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 17 Dec 2013, 01:52
Poor Nemo.

http://video.sharks.nhl.com/videocenter/?id=512983&catid=1460
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Dec 2013, 02:29

You are a factory of sadness!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2013, 19:21
In the last six years, the University of Mount Union has lost a grand total of five games.

All five of those losses were to one team, and one team only.

Tonight was their fifth loss. And as a result, my alma mater has their fifth NCAA Division III Championship in Football in the last six years.

WARHAWKS!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 28 Dec 2013, 12:58
It was nice for ND to win a bowl game for a change. The season ended on a high note, right?

I do appreciate these US early afternoon games. Prime time here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 29 Dec 2013, 16:38
Oh fucking Hel's heels! Did any of you see the Silva/Weidman fight? Holy crap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SCliMszoDg

TRIGGER WARNING. I AM NOT EMBEDDING THIS VIDEO FOR A REASON ODINSBEARDLEGSARENOTSUPPOSEDTOBENDTHATWAY

Ah in short. Silva delivered a low kick to Weidman and broke his tibia (as in SHATTERED ON IMPACT) on Chris Weidman.

Sympathy from a fellow tibia fucker upper aside. I can't help but think that of the two fighters, we know who's been drinking his milk.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 29 Dec 2013, 17:59
That makes the Joe Thiesman leg snap look tame by comparison...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 29 Dec 2013, 20:55
The Browns didn't even wait until Black Monday to shitcan Chudzinski - http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/12/cleveland_browns_head_coach_ro_1.html

That's 5 coaches in under 10 years, folks. And I have to agree with what I heard on the ESPN commentary, what quality coach is going to touch this job with a ten foot pole now if they're expected to turn around decades of losing in one season?

I think the early-season winning streak was reason enough to give this coach more time.

Only very slightly related but I heard "FirstEnergy Stadium" on ESPN and felt like tangent-ing - When I was growing up in Cleveland, none of the major league stadiums had stupid corporate sponsor names. Now they all do. This upsets me. They will always be Gund Arena, Jacobs Field, and Cleveland Browns Stadium to me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 30 Dec 2013, 00:43
none of the major league stadiums had stupid corporate sponsor names. Now they all do. This upsets me.

Modern life...   Even one of the colleges of Oxford University has gone that way (Manchester College is now Harris Manchester College, named for a carpet tycoon who saved it with a donation).  This is not quite the same as being named after a founder, like Nuffield College (after Lord Nuffield, the creator of Morris Motors, the company that made the Mini).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 30 Dec 2013, 02:10
Orton = Romo.

The more things change the more they stay the same.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Dec 2013, 06:58
Yep. The Bears, as an example, still suck.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 30 Dec 2013, 07:32
Amazing the amount of drooling going on over Peyton Manning and records, none of which mentioned his play in Denver being assisted by the thin air or lackluster division or easier schedule. But why let those get in the way of the fantasies of him being a living legend despite a lack of rings, a long track record of being a horrible teammate, and finding ways of losing then blaming his teammates for screwing up his own screw ups...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 30 Dec 2013, 10:03
Da Bears got a rightous whooping from the Pack for the NFC Championship. Heeeeeell yeah.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 30 Dec 2013, 14:59
none of the major league stadiums had stupid corporate sponsor names. Now they all do. This upsets me.

Modern life...   Even one of the colleges of Oxford University has gone that way (Manchester College is now Harris Manchester College, named for a carpet tycoon who saved it with a donation).  This is not quite the same as being named after a founder, like Nuffield College (after Lord Nuffield, the creator of Morris Motors, the company that made the Mini).

UNC-Chapel Hill has an academic building called the "FedEx Global Learning Center" or somefink. I'd have a really hard time taking a class held in the "FedEx Center" seriously.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 31 Dec 2013, 14:41
Amazing the amount of drooling going on over Peyton Manning and records, none of which mentioned his play in Denver being assisted by the thin air or lackluster division or easier schedule. But why let those get in the way of the fantasies of him being a living legend despite a lack of rings, a long track record of being a horrible teammate, and finding ways of losing then blaming his teammates for screwing up his own screw ups...
As a fan of european soccer, I find out obsession with playoff success to be a bit silly.

Besides, do you feel Elway was overrated, too?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 31 Dec 2013, 16:10
As a fan of european soccer, I find out obsession with playoff success to be a bit silly.

Besides, do you feel Elway was overrated, too?

No. I didn't find him overrated at all. In fact I would put him as being underrated compared with the other QBs of his timeframe.

If you want a comparison then he is this time's Breese in that he is highly successful during the regular season but keeps falling short due to missing pieces on his teams and due to actions that are no fault of his own.

Brady is this time's Montana in that he is highly successful in the playoffs and regular season.

Manning is this time's Dan  Marino- highly successful in the regular season but can't get things together in the playoffs and not afraid to be a jerk.

But take my rankings with a grain of salt, I'm a New England fan so I have had to put up with the fake love and false comparisons for years due to rivalry...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 31 Dec 2013, 16:47
Hey, I agree with you!

... must be a patriot thing ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 Dec 2013, 17:24
Welp, I'm sure some of our membership here has heard about the rumors swirling around up here in the Tundra.

I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Aaron Rodgers is a great quarterback. He has led - and is more than capable of leading again - the Packers to the Super Bowl. He is also a great humanitarian who does great work for charities and is a truly funny guy.

I don't give one flying flip about his sexual preferences or what he does in his time away from the game - as long as it doesn't prevent him from playing football for the Green Bay Packers.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 31 Dec 2013, 17:42
Welp, I'm sure some of our membership here has heard about the rumors swirling around up here in the Tundra.

I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Aaron Rodgers is a great quarterback. He has led - and is more than capable of leading again - the Packers to the Super Bowl. He is also a great humanitarian who does great work for charities and is a truly funny guy.

I don't give one flying flip about his sexual preferences or what he does in his time away from the game - as long as it doesn't prevent him from playing football for the Green Bay Packers.

If my Patriots didn't have Tom Brady I would want him on my team leading the way. The man plays tough, plays hard, and plays injured and give him better management and coaching and give him back his years that he was held back by a prim donna jackass he might be even better than Breese.

He's the solid #4 behind Brady, Manning, and Breese in my book. And is a large distance ahead of the 2nd tier guys Rivers, E. Manning, and the younger crop.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 01 Jan 2014, 03:30
http://deadspin.com/aaron-rodgers-im-not-gay-i-really-really-like-wome-1492412788
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 01 Jan 2014, 11:42
Something worth noting...a map showing what the most widely played game in the world is called in each country (http://deadspin.com/map-what-every-country-calls-the-thing-we-call-soccer-1491638984).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jan 2014, 14:58
And the Aussies and Irish are already crying, "NO! WE CALL IT FOOTBALL!"

In other news, we're already off to a wonderful start in Wisconsin sports for 2014. UW loses to the Gamecocks in the "Consolation Bowl", while news out of Lambeau is that the game might not be a sellout on Saturday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 01 Jan 2014, 15:04
I call it soccer, to distinguish it from other forms of football such as rugger.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 01 Jan 2014, 15:11
"Stand up, if you love the darts!"

I was hoping that "Snakebite" Wright would kick Mighty Mike's ass, but it was not meant to be. Van Gerwen was just a bit too good, and won the final 7 sets to 4. A good show nevertheless.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 01 Jan 2014, 15:12
I find the lack of darts in this thread... disturbing.

Have some Phil Taylor.

(http://images.zeit.de/sport/2011-12/phil-taylor/phil-taylor-540x304.jpg)

And then Skewbrow goes and screws up my whole point. But I agree with you, I was routing for Wright the whole time. When he was leading the 11th set with 2-1 I really thought he could come back, but oh well. I don't like van Gerwen much, but he's a truly excellent player and proved it once again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jan 2014, 15:22
Sorry, seeing guys aiming for the triple-20 constantly gets tedious after a while.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 01 Jan 2014, 16:16
Sorry, seeing guys aiming for the triple-20 constantly gets tedious after a while.

Put them in the same category as the folks who play poker, video games, and eat as sports. Nice to see for a little bit but eventually the fun gets old quick...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 01 Jan 2014, 22:25
And the Aussies and Irish are already crying, "NO! WE CALL IT FOOTBALL!"

In other news, we're already off to a wonderful start in Wisconsin sports for 2014. UW loses to the Gamecocks in the "Consolation Bowl", while news out of Lambeau is that the game might not be a sellout on Saturday.

Packers aren't the only team having trouble.  The Colts and Bengals haven't sold out either.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-alarmed-three-four-playoff-games-including-green-213137570--nfl.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jan 2014, 22:28
Economic reality bites the NFL. There comes a point in time when a company that thinks they can print money runs out of ink.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 02 Jan 2014, 00:16
Sorry, seeing guys aiming for the triple-20 constantly gets tedious after a while.

Well, the finishing phase of a leg produces a lot of variety. Unlike in certain other sport where nine dudes take turns trying to simply hit the ball out of the park as opposed to aiming at specific varying targets :-D

Darts does need the technology to be a spectator sport. The crowd couldn't see much without the live action shown also on a large screen (presumably there was one in Alexandra Palace).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 02 Jan 2014, 01:16
Seeing how insane the crowd was most of the time, I think we can assume there was one.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 02 Jan 2014, 07:25
http://www.theonion.com/articles/latest-un-report-shows-raider-nation-at-bottom-of,33682/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 02 Jan 2014, 10:26
Packers aren't the only team having trouble.  The Colts and Bengals haven't sold out either.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-alarmed-three-four-playoff-games-including-green-213137570--nfl.html

These two aren't as surprising as the Packers not selling out...smaller market teams without bigger name stars are going to have trouble selling out.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Jan 2014, 16:38
There are a lot of factors that have gone into the lack of sales for the Wild Card game.

First of all, I think about 90% of the state of Wisconsin thought that the Packers would not make the playoffs this year, thanks to Aaron Rodgers being hurt. This was somewhat of a surprise. People made other plans, and thus there aren't as many people who can get off on short notice, right after the holidays, to attend a football game (even if it IS the Packers).

Secondly, despite my boss's attempt to put a happy face on it, the economy in this state sucks. And, thanks to his decision to not participate in Obamacare, there are still a lot of people who don't have economic certainty for 2014. This also ties in to the first reason, as people really can't afford to take a weekend date off from work. And people sure as heck can't afford a $150 single ticket - not after the money they've spent on the holidays.

Thirdly.... well, there's this (http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/green-bay-wi/54303/daily-weather-forecast/1868?day=4). Yeah, you saw that right: -5°F, with temps slated to drop down to -20 (which is cold even by our standards up here).

It's a perfect storm of reasons not to attend a game.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Jan 2014, 11:07
94ssd, that should be on Reuters, not the Onion.

Welp, I'm sure some of our membership here has heard about the rumors swirling around up here in the Tundra.

I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Aaron Rodgers is a great quarterback. He has led - and is more than capable of leading again - the Packers to the Super Bowl. He is also a great humanitarian who does great work for charities and is a truly funny guy.

I don't give one flying flip about his sexual preferences or what he does in his time away from the game - as long as it doesn't prevent him from playing football for the Green Bay Packers.

so what you're saying is, gay or not, he's still a... Packer?  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 03 Jan 2014, 11:30
Go Buckeyes!

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 04 Jan 2014, 16:02
Welp, The Buckeyes lost. We had such a great run and it got messed up in the last two games. It was fun to watch though, I love a good offensive slugfest.

On the news they're talking about the Packers-49ers games possibly being the coldest NFL game ever. Call me a literal fair-weather fan, but if I had tickets to see my team and the forecast temperature was 20 below, I'd stay home.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 04 Jan 2014, 18:44
Welp, The Buckeyes lost. We had such a great run and it got messed up in the last two games. It was fun to watch though, I love a good offensive slugfest.

On the news they're talking about the Packers-49ers games possibly being the coldest NFL game ever. Call me a literal fair-weather fan, but if I had tickets to see my team and the forecast temperature was 20 below, I'd stay home.

20 below? Did the weather shift for the worse? I was reading that it was going to be about -5 or so, still about five to 10 degrees warmer than the Ice Bowl in '67...the record low temp for a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 04 Jan 2014, 20:01
Welp, The Buckeyes lost. We had such a great run and it got messed up in the last two games. It was fun to watch though, I love a good offensive slugfest.

On the news they're talking about the Packers-49ers games possibly being the coldest NFL game ever. Call me a literal fair-weather fan, but if I had tickets to see my team and the forecast temperature was 20 below, I'd stay home.

20 below? Did the weather shift for the worse? I was reading that it was going to be about -5 or so, still about five to 10 degrees warmer than the Ice Bowl in '67...the record low temp for a game.

The forecast low is down to -22 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.51915899999999&lon=-88.01982599999997&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Green%20Bay%2C%20WI%2C%20USA#.UsjYwvRDtGI). Because the game is being played in the late afternoon, it could definitely break the Ice Bowl record.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 04 Jan 2014, 20:09
I hope the refs have plastic whistles this time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 04 Jan 2014, 20:58
Welp, The Buckeyes lost. We had such a great run and it got messed up in the last two games. It was fun to watch though, I love a good offensive slugfest.

On the news they're talking about the Packers-49ers games possibly being the coldest NFL game ever. Call me a literal fair-weather fan, but if I had tickets to see my team and the forecast temperature was 20 below, I'd stay home.

20 below? Did the weather shift for the worse? I was reading that it was going to be about -5 or so, still about five to 10 degrees warmer than the Ice Bowl in '67...the record low temp for a game.

The forecast low is down to -22 (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.51915899999999&lon=-88.01982599999997&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=Green%20Bay%2C%20WI%2C%20USA#.UsjYwvRDtGI). Because the game is being played in the late afternoon, it could definitely break the Ice Bowl record.

Oh %*@^ that is going to be cold...that'll break it, shatter it, obliterate it! I really pity the fans there....there is being a fan and then there is being simply foolish- your health before your superstitions, spirit, support etc.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 04 Jan 2014, 20:59
I hope the refs have plastic whistles this time.

...that joke comes up all the time, I don't think they have used metal in extreme cold games since one of them almost lost his lips and tongue in the Ice Bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Jan 2014, 03:10
in those situations, why in the actual fuck do they even bother playing in an outdoor venue?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Jan 2014, 06:17
I don't know, you're the one with the NFL team that played its games for the last 40 years in the coldest place in the Bay Area.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Jan 2014, 06:27
in those situations, why in the actual fuck do they even bother playing in an outdoor venue?

Because weather is part of the game. I despise the rise of indoor stadiums.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 07 Jan 2014, 06:46
Nothing better than that huge winterwonderland snowstorm slidefest we got to witness in week ... 15? Brilliant.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Jan 2014, 07:46
Beo, where I come from we call that "Tuesday."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 07 Jan 2014, 09:47
Where I come from we call that: that one time when I was very little and my parents came to get me out of bed because there was a huge amount of snow in the backgarden and we got to play in it at midnight because, my parents figured, it might be gone in the morning.

Tuesday is shorter.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Jan 2014, 18:59
in those situations, why in the actual fuck do they even bother playing in an outdoor venue?

Because weather is part of the game. I despise the rise of indoor stadiums.

There's weather and then there's suicide. Even Tauntauns, native to Hoth, freeze to death.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Jan 2014, 19:06
in those situations, why in the actual fuck do they even bother playing in an outdoor venue?

Bad weather makes everything more intense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Jan 2014, 19:42
except boners.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 07 Jan 2014, 19:47
in those situations, why in the actual fuck do they even bother playing in an outdoor venue?

Because weather is part of the game. I despise the rise of indoor stadiums.

There's weather and then there's suicide. Even Tauntauns, native to Hoth, freeze to death.

Look at the famous "Ice Bowl" and last week's wildcard game in Green Bay. Another good example is the Michigan-Ohio State "Snow Bowl." No players died, all 3 were exciting, down-to-the-wire games. Might be hard on the players and spectators, but I'd take a game where the weather is a major factor over one in a climate-controlled dome any day.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 07 Jan 2014, 19:55
I have this mental picture of football players being shoved inside gutted tauntauns for warmth while they aren't on the field playing. It is hilarious.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Jan 2014, 20:12
except boners.

You speak as someone who's never pleasured himself in a thunderstorm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 07 Jan 2014, 22:11
I have this mental picture of football players being shoved inside gutted tauntauns for warmth while they aren't on the field playing. It is hilarious.

...that's not too far from the truth.

(http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/70/be/70be99e682e6a04a3c264b0f8a67201f.jpg?itok=tmG4g41n)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 07 Jan 2014, 22:57
On a work trip to the USA in December 2005, my hosts took me to a Bears game at Soldier Field. Until that day, I thought American Football was entirely played on plastic grass under domes. Huddled in an oversized borrowed padded coat, I learned that was not so, but at least it only snowed lightly...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 08 Jan 2014, 04:09
Daaaaaaaaaaaa Bears
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 09 Jan 2014, 18:35
I tried watching cricket once.  The match had to be stopped because it was too cloudy.

It wasn't raining, just cloudy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 09 Jan 2014, 18:48
I tried watching cricket once.  The match had to be stopped because it was too cloudy.

It wasn't raining, just cloudy.

It can't be played when it's cloudy? How did this sport become popular in England, then?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 10 Jan 2014, 15:29
Steve Smith says 89 percent chance he will play (http://www.wsoctv.com/news/sports/football/steve-smith-downgrades-himself-57-percent/ncjNN/)

Quote
Wide receiver Steve Smith predicted himself to be at 61 percent Friday after downgrading himself to 57 percent Thursday.

He said there is an 89 percent chance he will play on Sunday vs. the 49ers.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Jan 2014, 19:29
(https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1604555_561204500637129_1295552587_n.jpg)

(http://www.diyhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/minor_burn_treatment_l5xd1_2qfr4.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 15 Jan 2014, 03:15
It took me a while but I got that one! I'm a little proud of myself right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 15 Jan 2014, 13:31
Big game coming up on Sunday for my favorite NFL team and I am in rival team's territory during it...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 17 Jan 2014, 05:09
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Blue Kitty on 20 Jan 2014, 07:50
Seahawks vs Broncos, place your bets!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Jan 2014, 08:16
Seattle by a last minute TD.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 20 Jan 2014, 08:43
Well that sucked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 20 Jan 2014, 14:06
Bleeping bleeping bleep bleep. Watched one to games during dinner and had to hear a train conductor gloating on the way home(which was idiotic, he was a fan of a crappy team)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Jan 2014, 02:55
Bay Area kid or not, I don't care about the 49ers losing yesterday, football isn't my thing. I have no respect for Sherman's unsportsmanlike attitude, or that of the NFL as a whole. but he has done one thing that I simply cannot abide.

(http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BeThBo3CcAEgM2S.jpg)

OH FUCKIN HELL NO YOU DID NOT, SON
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jan 2014, 05:46
15 days, no contact with the team. Have a nice vacation, Torts.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 29 Jan 2014, 19:47
Pull up a chair and watch British people describe the Super Bowl.

http://screen.yahoo.com/buzzfeed/happens-ask-british-people-describe-160830226.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 29 Jan 2014, 20:08
I thought that was what they did with the BBC feed due to the restrictions on adverts  :?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Feb 2014, 20:31
15 days, no contact with the team. Have a nice vacation, Torts.

see, the NHL knows how to handle poor sportsmanship.

I can't wait to watch the commercials tomorrow, and hopefully see Seattle cry (I kinda have a personal thing against very nearly the entire population of Washington state as a whole, with exactly 7 exceptions I can name). the only thing that leaves me torn is my insatiable thirst for Manning tears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Feb 2014, 01:39
So, whoever loses ... you win!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2014, 03:02
There are always three things I root for in a Super Bowl:

1. A shutout game.
2. An overtime game.
3. A punt return for a touchdown.

The reason is simple: none of the three have ever happened in the 48 years the NFL has been doing this Super Bowl thingy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Feb 2014, 06:28
Maybe tonight. I can't wait.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 02 Feb 2014, 07:47
My reaction to the Super Bowl pretty much since the Panthers were eliminated.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Feb 2014, 08:18
And that with a crying avatar ...

Were you impressed by Cam Newton this season?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 02 Feb 2014, 08:21
There are always three things I root for in a Super Bowl:

1. A shutout game.
2. An overtime game.
3. A punt return for a touchdown.

The reason is simple: none of the three have ever happened in the 48 years the NFL has been doing this Super Bowl thingy.
So your ideal would be a game that goes 0-0 into overtime, and then is won by a punt return for a touchdown?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 02 Feb 2014, 08:27
You gotta admit, that would be a pretty glorious game. Every single field goal could decide the game at any time. Talk about tension.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LookingIn on 02 Feb 2014, 09:33
There are always three things I root for in a Super Bowl:

1. A shutout game.
2. An overtime game.
3. A punt return for a touchdown.

The reason is simple: none of the three have ever happened in the 48 years the NFL has been doing this Super Bowl thingy.

Wit
So your ideal would be a game that goes 0-0 into overtime, and then is won by a punt return for a touchdown?

The only person who would enjoy that more would be Scott Norwood- finally someone to take the attention away from his missed kick!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 02 Feb 2014, 09:55
(https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1622250_10153822451695078_1664517265_n.png)

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1618448_10201384262548261_215595333_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 02 Feb 2014, 12:42
Whoa, wild ending to the basketball game at my former school (and still just down the street from me).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 02 Feb 2014, 13:56
There are always three things I root for in a Super Bowl:

1. A shutout game.
2. An overtime game.
3. A punt return for a touchdown.

The reason is simple: none of the three have ever happened in the 48 years the NFL has been doing this Super Bowl thingy.

There has also never been a fair catch free kick in the Super Bowl.  It almost happened at the end of the game last year, but the 49ers decided to return the safety kick.

I don't know of any short field goals returned for a touchdown (as was the case in this year's Iron Bowl).

The 1958 NFL Championship game ended in overtime, but that was in the pre-Super Bowl era.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2014, 14:03
...Do you know how many fair catch free kicks there have been in the NFL - PERIOD? Off the top of my head, I think there's only been a dozen total.

EDIT: My bad. 22 total attempts since 1933; only five were good. Phil Dawson of the San Francisco 49ers was the last to attempt one, back in September against the Saint Louis Rams. The kick went wide left, and the Rams returned it out of the end zone - but for only nine yards, and no time on the clock.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Loki on 02 Feb 2014, 14:32
It's funny to look in this thread and only see the equivalent of the Voynich manuscript :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 02 Feb 2014, 15:19
Did you know they figured out what the Voynich Manuscript is? It's the ancient equivalent of a D&D core book.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2014, 19:35
Well.

That was a beatdown of epic proportions.

Pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks, y'all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 02 Feb 2014, 20:10
I'll reiterate that I didn't pay the game much mind, I was actually at the theatre during the second half. But one touchdown away from a shutout...that would've been cool.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Feb 2014, 01:17
I watched the game with my band family, and all of them enjoy sports. Half of us were asleep by the end of the game. Denver didn't even show up, what a disgrace.

Least I got my Manning tears.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 03 Feb 2014, 07:16
What a fantastic sports weekend!  Stoke beat Man Utd. 

Some of my cousins will be mighty pleased.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 03 Feb 2014, 07:28
The Broncos I barely care about, but my reds losing is a true disaster.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 03 Feb 2014, 19:58
There are always three things I root for in a Super Bowl:

1. A shutout game.
2. An overtime game.
3. A punt return for a touchdown.

The reason is simple: none of the three have ever happened in the 48 years the NFL has been doing this Super Bowl thingy.
So your ideal would be a game that goes 0-0 into overtime, and then is won by a punt return for a touchdown?

Come to think of it, that would be the first time a Super Bowl has ended without either team scoring any points by kicking.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 10 Feb 2014, 05:59
On an IOC note. http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/team-usa-america-beats-switzerland-womens-hockey-lamoureux-decker-kessel-021014

Damn.

Three goals in 55 seconds? Fuckin'A! Nice work ladies! The Canuckistanis are gonna have their work cut out for them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 10 Feb 2014, 06:47
The US women are the favourites in hockey, no question.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Feb 2014, 06:57
And some of them are kinda cute. :)

(And from WISCONSIN!)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 10 Feb 2014, 06:59
Kinda? Female hockey players man. That is way more then cute.

I might actually go find a bar or something for the Canada/US match.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Feb 2014, 07:10
Hey, I'll admit: I had the hots for Sarah Tueting when she was the goalie for team USA back in 1998 at Nagano.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Feb 2014, 04:31
oh god, US vs Canada is going to be apeshit. I need to find out when that is/where to watch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 11 Feb 2014, 05:52
Tomorrow (the 12th) at 7:30AM EST. I'm hoping to catch the game as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Feb 2014, 12:59
fuck that, I am not staying up until/waking up at goddamn 4am for a hockey game at 4:30
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 17 Feb 2014, 09:27
My friend said the closest thing she had to religion was hockey. So I wrote her some scripture.

Quote
And lo did Gretzky come amongst the people and say "Keep holy thy sacred game day, and honor it with the consumption of hopped beverages and fatty meats, wearth the colors of thine devotion openly and proudly, and challenge believers of other sects in public, while those who root for other teams may be flawed in thine eyes, thou must remember that those who follow the lesser sports such as Baseball, Football and Shuffleboard are but misguided lambs, as you once were, and must be lead to the truth, usually by watching someone score a sweet hat trick during a high stakes game"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 08 Mar 2014, 18:53
Uh oh!

(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/1xmCqqSPHqdKz6mCX1zW2A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2014-03-07/4fe535c0-a621-11e3-a531-138b3ea5b14a_crosby-controller-disconnected.gif)

(http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/8IE6MkqFgtDxLOcSb9LeJg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/sports/2014-03-07/bf095bc0-a621-11e3-a531-138b3ea5b14a_fc8f6fcb523463de5b60ad3e618a8212.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 10 Mar 2014, 08:00
Top one would be totally redeemable if he would look behind him.  He's too far behind to help with the one-on-one, but he should be looking to pick up a rebound, and looking over his shoulder in case an opponent is trying to join the rush.

Ovechkin's body language is poor, but he's late, and it's really the D in front that screws this up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 11 Mar 2014, 05:54
That Peverly scene last night was pretty darned sobering.  Glad the cancelled the game.

EDIT:  Loved Coach Ruff's comment to the press - those guys in the locker room have no interest in playing hockey right now, and I have no interest in convincing them to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 12 Mar 2014, 15:57
...and Peverly is out for the season.

I hope he makes a full recovery.  Heart stuff is bad news.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Mar 2014, 16:19
Damn, I wish him all the best. Hockey players are so genuine in their love for the sport and the fans, and I can't imagine that was easy news for him to take. :C
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 14 Mar 2014, 12:47
The Browns are now making very important decisions via online polling. (http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/fans-and-kids/promotions/TateVsRookies.html) I might cry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 14 Mar 2014, 18:53
I'm hoping the Browns grab Michael Vick in free agency.  The Dawg Pound jokes write themselves!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 15 Mar 2014, 18:40
I'm hoping the Browns grab Michael Vick in free agency.  The Dawg Pound jokes write themselves!

Please fuck no. The Browns don't need any more embarrassments, certainly not by taking on a fucking asshole who should still be in jail and definitely shouldn't have ever been allowed to play again. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 15 Mar 2014, 21:51
Remember when we were all questioning the viability of the NFL holding regular season games in London?  MLB will start the regular season this year with games in Sydney.

This is apparently what happens when a baseball diamond is dropped onto a cricket oval.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRh7M3DAfN8/UbrlRtphMVI/AAAAAAAANO8/Qn7ssbHHZ6c/s640/sydneymlb.gif)

Quote from: Prices
Platinum   $499.00*
Gold Grandstand   $369.00*
Gold Concourse    $369.00*
Silver   $259.00*
Bronze    $189.00*
Outfield   $99.00*
Grandstand Outfield   $69.00*

*A one-off service/delivery fee from $5.10 per transaction applies. A credit/debit card processing fee from 1.95% will apply.

Or for 1/9 the price, you can just go to a game in the U.S.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Mar 2014, 04:26
That obviously doesn't include the plane ticket and accommodations.

It's not unusual to put a baseball diamond on a cricket pitch, especially in Australia. The Aussies *do* play baseball, as I can attest (Graehme Lloyd, Dave Nilsson). 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 16 Mar 2014, 18:27
I didn't realize cricket fields were so big. Those people in the green and red sections aren't going to be able to see a damn thing.

When I was growing up in Cleveland, the worst seats at Jacobs Field were $10. I spent a lot of time in those bleachers (although there was often a chance to improve your seating situation). Those people are going to be a lot further away than that, and they have to pay almost $70 for the privilege.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Mar 2014, 19:23
Florida over Michigan State, Arizona over Michigan, and Florida for the title.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: celticgeek on 16 Mar 2014, 19:26
As an alumnus of Wichita State, I must root for them.  Go Shockers!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 19 Mar 2014, 12:28
Patrick, this one's for you:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1998318-san-jose-sharks-bring-fan-to-tears-after-fulfilling-his-lifelong-dream?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1998318-san-jose-sharks-bring-fan-to-tears-after-fulfilling-his-lifelong-dream?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 19 Mar 2014, 13:33
I'M JUST CUTTING ONIONS FOR A FUCKING STEW ALRIGHT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Mar 2014, 14:41
The Sharks win forever with that whole thing. :)

Hockey is an awesome sport. I'm glad that's closer to the norm and not the exception.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 19 Mar 2014, 16:45
I don't care if we never win a Stanley Cup in my lifetime, I will always love my Sharks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 21 Mar 2014, 11:11
I'm 41, and my hometown team has not yet won the Stanley Cup in my lifetime.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Mar 2014, 13:31
Well, we won't hold you living in TOR/VAN/OTT/WPG against you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Mar 2014, 13:39
Fun news for me: Sharks beat the Ducks 3-2 last night to reach #1 in the Pacific. Just in case any of you doubters from earlier in the season weren't paying attention. An Anaheim win would've almost surely seen the Ducks clinch the playoffs down the line.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 21 Mar 2014, 14:56
Winnipeg have been a franchise for way less than 40 years, and Ottawa have a Cup within the last 40 years of their operation (non-contiguous, obviously).

Toronto haven't even been in a finals in forever.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 24 Mar 2014, 02:04
And they probably won't get there this year either. Shame about that, I like them, for some reason I can't put my finger on.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 24 Mar 2014, 04:15
One thing about each of the major-league North American sports having 30 franchises apiece is that it means on average there will be 30 years between championships. Just picking names out of a hat, probabilities suggest there will be lots of 50 or 60 year droughts even before considering the relative abilities of management to field quality teams. Factor that in and it doesn't take much to imagine at least a handful of franchises in each sport having streaks to rival the Cubs over time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Mar 2014, 19:57
If you stop to think about it, the Cubs' failure to even get to the World Series for 69 years now is more impressive than the Yankees winning all those World Series in the same time frame.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 24 Mar 2014, 20:57
Death to the Yankee aggressors!

Err, wait sorry what were we talking about?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Mar 2014, 21:27
Sports.

Odd statement of the day that's on topic: my wife's cousin is a goalkeeping coach for the local indoor soccer club - and has ties to USA Soccer.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Mar 2014, 15:45
Sharks clinched their 10th consecutive playoff spot. Es freut mich sehr gern
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Apr 2014, 03:40
Great, baseball season again. Ugh. I fucking hate baseball. Never heard of a sport that had more of an overwhelmingly self-righteous attitude among the fanbase, and the following is my story.

I spent 3 years of my life trying to learn about baseball because I found it interesting. After having never grown up around sports, followed by 5 years of living in Europe, where baseball is almost unheard of, it was fascinating, exhilarating. I moved back to the U.S. in 2009, my best friend (a Giants fan) got me started watching baseball at the start of 2010, and lo and behold, SF wins the World Series. I was stoked, because my best friend was stoked. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans, upon the discovery that I was a new fan, accused me of being title residue, nothing but some shithead bandwagon fan. Never felt more belittled by something so trivial in my entire life.

I'm just one man, so my absence from the ranks of baseball fans won't impact the sport. But I am still a man, with every right to enjoy a sport for my own reasons, regardless of how long I've been a fan. Treat new fans with patience and respect. Don't bully them into not liking the sport altogether.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 01 Apr 2014, 07:27
1994.  74-40 on a small market, struggling franchise.  Who promptly went under.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2014, 05:23
Shark hunting time.

We win, we live to fight yet another day - and on house money, essentially.

We lose, we're finally out of our misery for the season, and we can play for jobs for next season.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2014, 05:26
1994.  74-40 on a small market, struggling franchise.  Who promptly went under.

I have a ticket to their final game at Olympic Stadium, somewhere in my memorabilia.

Yeah, I cheated and went online to purchase it - but it was through mlb.com on the day of the game, and even though there was no way in the world I was going to end up in Montreal that night, I had a ticket for the game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 05 Apr 2014, 08:24
Shark hunting time.

Aww, that's cute
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2014, 18:26
Shark hunting time.
Aww, that's cute
Hey, you have nothing to play for.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 05 Apr 2014, 18:38
I wouldn't call "first seed in the division" nothing
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2014, 19:20
Hey, we beat the Quacks for you.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Apr 2014, 21:02
Patrick: We have a saying in Smashville.

ME SO HORNY!!!!



(For context so the mods don't go crazy (http://predators.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471887))
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 Apr 2014, 00:55
*yaaaaawn*

Sharks = 1 point behind the division leader
Preds = 1 point away from being dead last
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Apr 2014, 11:26
liking what I'm seeing against L.A. lately.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Apr 2014, 11:48
Yeah, but you should have had Kaepernick throw to the receiver in the other corner of the end zone other than trying to always carry the ball in on his own...

...Oh, wait, wrong sport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Apr 2014, 11:53
definitely the wrong sport. the only football I care about is the Iron Bowl, and I'm still pissed about what happened in the fall.

nah, I'm talking about the complete fucking rout it's been against the L.A. Kings so far. good god. Darryl Sutter's gotta be the most pissed off manager in the NHL right now. the Kings were focused too much on the passion and not so much on the gameplay. love it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Apr 2014, 13:35
I was actually commenting on the outrageous scores the Sharks have been putting up on the Queens.

Save some of that for the next round, kids. You're probably gonna need it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Apr 2014, 15:02
to be fair, the Kings haven't exactly been putting up much of a fight. About half those goals, Quick didn't even look like he was reaching for the puck at all, and he even tried to trip Sheppard with his stick after the whistle. Sheppard promptly got an assist, iirc.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Apr 2014, 23:34
goddamn good game tonight. I love Patty Marleau. GO SHARKS
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Apr 2014, 05:42
That sound you heard was LA's playoff chances sinking faster than the Titanic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Apr 2014, 09:05
even if the Kings decide to step up and win this next home game, they still have to come play us at the Shark Tank afterward. but personally I'm hoping for a sweep, solely so I can giggle at the broom flair for the next several weeks on r/hockey.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Apr 2014, 09:22
oh my god the Schadenfreude is so delicious

http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1069&id=607447
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Apr 2014, 11:25
So, conservatively, Patrick: what do you think would happen if the Sharks finally win the You-Know-What?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 24 Apr 2014, 12:13
the Rapture
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Apr 2014, 17:49
No, no, everyone knows that's what happens when the Cubs win the World Series.


...or is that Armageddon?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 25 Apr 2014, 09:07
my bad I meant to say "hell freezes over"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Apr 2014, 09:29
I have it on very good authority that Hell did, in fact, freeze over this past winter.

The rumor has it that a blonde woman with long, braided hair was last seen leaving its gates.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 29 Apr 2014, 17:54
(http://imgace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nhl-vs.-nba.jpg)

Donald Sterling apparently never saw this before buying a basketball team
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Apr 2014, 07:17
Uh, that guy who scored a hat trick in Philly last night would like to have a word with you.

And that guy who plays for the Boston Bruins?

Oh, and the guy who won the Norris Trophy last year, too.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 30 Apr 2014, 10:15
Congratulations, you found all three! Here's your prize.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/Facebook_like_thumb.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 Apr 2014, 15:20
Joel Ward, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 May 2014, 03:17
I have to shave my playoff beard. Fuck. :'C
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 May 2014, 05:21
I'd say something consoling, but then, Sharks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 01 May 2014, 05:28
I think something consoling is "recent cup winners". 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 May 2014, 07:02
fuck those "recent cup winners" right in the ass
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 01 May 2014, 08:29
Hey, at least you didn't get Steve Smith'd.  (Plus that's a much more heated rivalry...)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 May 2014, 12:58
you're aware that this means I have to shave, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 01 May 2014, 13:12
I was born in Toronto.  They haven't won a cup since before I was born.

They were practically the Yankees up until that point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 May 2014, 13:37
you're aware. that this means. I have to shave. right?

(https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1962770_10202081105922855_431650449_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 01 May 2014, 20:59

KA MATE! KA MATE! KA ORA!

Why yes, I am rather excited for the Steinlager series.

In fucking June.  :psyduck:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 May 2014, 21:09
I was born in Toronto.  They haven't won a cup since before I was born.

I wasn't born in Toronto, but they haven't won one since before I was born, too.



That was 47 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 02 May 2014, 13:25
Relevant:

(http://i.imgur.com/MYYbgvZ.jpg)

GM, I am pretty sure the Haka is the key to the All-Blacks' success.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 02 May 2014, 13:46
That dude's teeth are HUGE!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 03 May 2014, 06:31
For more pressing sport then my favorite rugby team...


When we're done with the Leafs Massachusetts will have annexed Montreal by force of arms.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 09 May 2014, 17:42
If the Browns pass up the chance to draft Carlos Hyde, I will track down Mike Pettine and punch him in the face.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 10 May 2014, 04:56
TIME FOR A FACE PUNCHING
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 May 2014, 05:41
I'm thinking the line will form to the left for that.

I am so glad I am NOT a Cleveland Browns fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 11 May 2014, 17:42
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 12 May 2014, 09:32
Nice (and unsurprising) to see Michael Sam is second in rookie NFL jersey sales.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2014, 16:01
Part of me wonders if this thread should be split into some sub-threads: Baseball/Football (American)/Football (Rest of the World)/Hockey/Basketball/Other Sports...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 May 2014, 17:58
Rugby/Lesser sports
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 May 2014, 18:25
Hockey/Lesser sports

FTFY :)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 May 2014, 19:08
rugby and hockey are on the same level, and then there's lesser sports
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 15 May 2014, 01:26
rugby and hockey are on the same level, and then there's lesser sports

This.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 15 May 2014, 02:02
In fucking June.  :psyduck:
Yeah... so? Winter = rugby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 15 May 2014, 04:56
Sure. But I don't want to wait that long.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 15 May 2014, 04:58
I think Akima's point might have been that it is winter, you're just on the wrong hemisphere.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 15 May 2014, 06:39
...that doesn't make sense then. Or perhaps my morning espresso isn't working yet.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 16 May 2014, 01:03
I think Akima's point might have been that it is winter, you're just on the wrong hemisphere.
Yeah. I didn't grasp that GM was merely impatient as opposed to being confused about rugby being played in June.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 May 2014, 08:17
Can one of our non-American observers please explain why EPL champion Manchester City got a 60m Euro fine slapped on them by UEFA?

Edit: NM, found the description of what UEFA's FFP Regulation is all about. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Financial_Fair_Play_Regulations) Smacks of the Luxury Tax in MLB.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 17 May 2014, 08:33
just wanna put this out there again, fuck the Los Angeles Kings.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 17 May 2014, 14:41
Don't worry, Chicago is here to clean up your shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 May 2014, 01:11
go Habs.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 20 May 2014, 08:05
Man City denied my grandfather's hometown Stoke from an FA Cup win.  Man City denied my great grandmother's Liverpool from a league win.

Jerks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 24 May 2014, 18:47
I like Nico Rosberg, but I don't think he's crafty enough to sabotage qualifying. (https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/monaco-grand-prix-rosberg-takes-monaco-pole-mercedes-130859683--f1.html)

Temperature for the Indy 500 should be about 80°F (26°C).  That's right between the barely 70° temperatures of 2013 and the 90°+ of 2012.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 24 May 2014, 22:22
I just finished watching the previous race, and yeah, it's an open feud. The race for third is probably the most interesting part of this season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 25 May 2014, 11:23
Hockey WC final Russia-Finland starting...

I'm less excited about it than usual. I guess we might as well skip the WC on the Olympic years.

5-2 for Russkies. It just wasn't meant to be.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 May 2014, 19:20
...Please tell me nothing happened to Pekka in the loss?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 25 May 2014, 23:11
Not that I know of.  He was elected the MVP of the tournament. I'm obviously looking at it with blue-and-white glasses but I think justifiably so.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 May 2014, 00:56
Seth Jones was named top d-man, so Nashville took 2 of top three honors.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 28 May 2014, 21:12
I HATE CHELSEA DAGGER.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 May 2014, 20:28
Rangers are in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LocoJoe on 30 May 2014, 17:22
Fuck yeah Rangers!

I wasn't really big on hockey, but this years Stanley Cup playoffs have been absolutely amazing to watch. As a New York native, I gotta root for the Rangers to take the cup, but based on my novice level knowledge of the sport, I'm thinking that whoever wins in the West is going to take it.

Patiently waiting for NFL season to start...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 31 May 2014, 11:04
I was disappointed at the Habs' elimination, but delighted to see Chicago force game 7. Fuck yeah!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 31 May 2014, 17:30
My problem with Chicago is... well, beside that it's Chicago, is that I have a bunch of Hawks fans in my family. It's worse than a family of Cubs fans - which, oh by the way, they are as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Jun 2014, 17:02
I just want to see my rival Kings get blueballed super hard, because fuck those dirty little shits
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jun 2014, 18:13
Sorry, Patrick, but my hatred for the Blackhawks trumps almost anything else.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Jun 2014, 21:18
I almost broke my hand punching the wall at my bar after game 7 of SJS vs LAK. Come in me, bro
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Jun 2014, 05:52
Just keep repeating "Henrik" to yourself.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 02 Jun 2014, 10:54
I usually have a sock on my dick when I do that, and I have a Sedin-tears based lubricant
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Jun 2014, 18:02
Okay, I think I walked into that one.  :lol:

Still - I'm torn. My "Hate the Original Six" bias is going up against "Team that hasn't won it in the last five years" bias.

The big winner, of course, is the NHL - the two largest metro areas in North America, facing each other in the championship.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 02 Jun 2014, 18:24
Anything that results in a Rangers loss is fine with me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 04 Jun 2014, 13:58
Okay, I think I walked into that one.  :lol:

Still - I'm torn. My "Hate the Original Six" bias is going up against "Team that hasn't won it in the last five years" bias.

The big winner, of course, is the NHL - the two largest metro areas in North America, facing each other in the championship.

But not the two biggest hockey markets.

That would be Montreal/Toronto, no?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Jun 2014, 07:10
Back on April 22nd, the Kings were down three games to none to San Jose, and facing a first-round exit.

Seven weeks later, they're up 3-0 in the finals, and looking at a possible sweep en route to the franchise's second Cup win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Jun 2014, 14:19
don't fuckin remind me
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LocoJoe on 10 Jun 2014, 14:31
Well, the Rangers did come back from a 3-1 deficit this postseason... Hopefully they'll bounce back from this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Jun 2014, 15:08
whatever, I'm already calling it for LA, I just don't wanna see a sweep.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 12 Jun 2014, 12:16
First game of the world cup begins in less than an hour. Woo!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 12 Jun 2014, 12:24
I'm ambivalent about the World Cup itself, but incredibly glad that I no longer live above a social club and its noisy TV. The timing was unintentional but perfect. All I can hear here is birdsong and some traffic.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ankhtahr on 12 Jun 2014, 14:01
I don't like the enormous hype they're making of it.

Somehow I still find myself watching a stream…

On the other hand, Croatia is one of the participants I'm more interested in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 12 Jun 2014, 14:19
I watched a football match on the telly once, in glorious black and white.  It was three days before my 20th birthday.  I seem to recall that England won. :-P  I guess it was quite exciting at the time...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 13 Jun 2014, 01:35
Every world cup should start with an own goal by the hosting country's team. That was absolutely hilarious.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 13 Jun 2014, 04:23
http://theoatmeal.com/blog/world_cup
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Jun 2014, 05:22
I feel the same way about the NBA finals, personally.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Jun 2014, 13:06
I personally think basketball is a stupid sport full of bitchmade prima donnas with no guts whatsoever
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 13 Jun 2014, 14:34
Whoa whoa Patrick.... I think you're being a bit generous there.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Jun 2014, 18:41
I do have a soft spot for D3 hoops, though. I may be biased.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 14 Jun 2014, 12:54
Oh, hey, look what abomination is back:

http://www.veronicatv.nl/programmas/wk-in-lingerie/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 14 Jun 2014, 13:47
Compared to all the shit FIFA is pulling and how bad hosting the Cup is for most countries financially I think lingerie football is a minor offense.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Jun 2014, 17:27
dear Los Angeles

whatever, take your stupid two Cups, the Bay Area is still way better to live in

love,
anyone with a brain
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 14 Jun 2014, 18:08
Now, we wait for the awards.

And then we start it up all over again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 14 Jun 2014, 21:32
For anyone interested in cycling, the final stage of the Criterium du Dauphine could prove very interesting today.

Short version is that Chris Froome won the opening stage of the race an held his lead even though he crashed on Friday. On Saturday, with a Summit finish, Contador attacked on the last climb and overturned a 12 second deficit to an 8 second lead. The final stage today has a double climb to a summit finish which is totally within Froome's abilities to take the race back from Contador. If he's recovered enough from his injuries.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 16 Jun 2014, 06:41
Sounds like the final stage WAS one for the ages.  Did not get to watch, as I was out of town, but my mother in law and I discussed it yesterday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Jun 2014, 23:35
Yep, looks like Froome was more injured than thought and a lot of the GC didn't pay attention to the long attack. They get away with this every now and again but it will have implications for the TdF.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 17 Jun 2014, 03:55
This game play right here is why I'm calling it for Germany.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 17 Jun 2014, 09:34
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10487502_701465266566018_4942921034310489622_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 17 Jun 2014, 13:39
"Soccer".  :roll:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 17 Jun 2014, 18:49
Association Football by any other name would nay result in more tie games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 Jun 2014, 06:41
the existence of tie games in soccer/football is one of the many items on the list of reasons hockey is better
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Jun 2014, 07:42
The shootout, most hockey fans agree, sucks. But many more hockey fans (at least, those who are born south of the 49th parallel or the southern shores of the Great Lakes) agree that ties suck harder.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 18 Jun 2014, 18:28
Ties can be a useful thing when you have a relatively short schedule.  If games have more than 2 possible outcomes, teams are less likely to be tied in the standings.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 18 Jun 2014, 23:18
Ties suck in any sport ... except american football, where it's positively exciting. Yet another reason why US football is superior to all!!!

...

!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jun 2014, 02:39
You haven't seen college football's OT system, have you?

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 19 Jun 2014, 14:01
Never watch college. Watching the NFL is difficult enough in dutchieland, thanks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 19 Jun 2014, 14:14
Uruguay 2, England 1.

Ooops.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 19 Jun 2014, 14:32
(http://i.imgur.com/tmD8snT.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Jun 2014, 18:07
I take it Uruguay's best stars play for Liverpool FC?

And Beo: the NCAA went to an overtime system that some in the NFL would not mind seeing copied. Each team gets the ball at the opponent 25, and has an untimed series to score. Whatever the result, the opposing team then gets the ball at the other 25 and has a chance to score. If one team scores more than the other, they win. If it's still tied after each team has had the ball, they do it again - but this time, no point-after kicks. You have to go for a two-point conversion.

The NFL went to a rule that both teams would have a possession in OT as of last season. This was because OT games were being decided by the coin flip after regulation, because the team taking possession of the ball usually marched down the field, kicked a field goal and won the game. If a team does that now, they have to kick off and let the other team have the ball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 20 Jun 2014, 00:49
I take it Uruguay's best stars play for Liverpool FC?

Yes (http://www.express.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/483458/GERRARD-V-SUAREZ-Liverpool-stars-face-off-as-England-take-on-Uruguay); but note also: Liverpool F.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C._(Montevideo))
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 20 Jun 2014, 05:53
And Beo: the NCAA went to an overtime system that some in the NFL would not mind seeing copied. Each team gets the ball at the opponent 25, and has an untimed series to score. Whatever the result, the opposing team then gets the ball at the other 25 and has a chance to score. If one team scores more than the other, they win. If it's still tied after each team has had the ball, they do it again - but this time, no point-after kicks. You have to go for a two-point conversion.

I'm curious when they adopted this.  Sounds like what the CFL has had for a long time.

I always figured the NFL's system was fast but inherently unfair because TV time slots were more important than anything else in the NFL.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Jun 2014, 07:57
If memory serves, it's been in place since the BCS went to a separate championship game.


EDIT: 1996 for the NCAA, 2010 for the modified NFL rule.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 20 Jun 2014, 13:32
First female back in NCAA Football http://www.stack.com/2014/06/09/shelby-osborn-football/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Jun 2014, 15:10
Nice. And she's not a kicker.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 20 Jun 2014, 16:33
Hell no. She's a back. That's awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 20 Jun 2014, 18:45
I always figured the NFL's system was fast but inherently unfair because TV time slots were more important than anything else in the NFL.

I've always thought the NFL should do away the the sudden death aspect entirely and play the whole 15 minutes.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jun 2014, 05:33
That would defeat the purpose of playing overtime to determine a winner in the first place.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Detachable Felix on 21 Jun 2014, 05:42
Not sure if any fellow Oz forumites were just watching the Crows vs Bombers AFL game, but I just wanted to flag with y'all that victorian umpires are biased motherfuckers. Maybe this post belongs in the complaints or vitriolic letters threads, but eh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 21 Jun 2014, 05:55
I saw John Allison complaining (gently!) about how Costa Rica played soccer the other day on twitter.  My gut response was "try bing in the same continent, and dealing with referees every darned game that think that flopping and diving and time wasting and arguing with the refs are just smart football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 21 Jun 2014, 11:02
man fuck association football for that reason, people actually believe that shit. "it's not cheating if you don't get caught and it does nothing to damage your integrity" is some bullshit I've heard Actual Soccer Fans say.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jun 2014, 16:14
I've heard some people over on this side of the pond say "It ain't cheatin' if you don't get caught." And a corollary: "If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 23 Jun 2014, 14:32
The former Canadian keeper explained it well.  They think it's smart football, and they think we're idiots for not flopping, diving, and faking injuries to stall for time when defending a lead.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 24 Jun 2014, 23:17
(https://i.imgur.com/5uT3KL7.jpg)

As Iranian and American military forces begin to work together in Iraq, a far more peaceful coalition is occurring in Brazil.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Jul 2014, 15:37
Welp, back into obscurity for another four years.

In other news - #### it, Stastny just had to sign with the Blues, didn't he?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LocoJoe on 01 Jul 2014, 16:07
Tim Howard with the record setting performance, though. I don't care that the US lost, that was one hell of a game.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 01 Jul 2014, 19:29
I'm just glad the U.S. is out.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Jul 2014, 20:48
me too, now I don't have to listen to all the douchenuggets who like soccer for one month every 4 years
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 02 Jul 2014, 05:56
^ yut. Back to sports that don't suck!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 02 Jul 2014, 18:40
me too, now I don't have to listen to all the douchenuggets who like soccer for one month every 4 years

You sounded different about fair weather fans about 3 months ago.

Great, baseball season again. Ugh. I fucking hate baseball. Never heard of a sport that had more of an overwhelmingly self-righteous attitude among the fanbase, and the following is my story.

I spent 3 years of my life trying to learn about baseball because I found it interesting. After having never grown up around sports, followed by 5 years of living in Europe, where baseball is almost unheard of, it was fascinating, exhilarating. I moved back to the U.S. in 2009, my best friend (a Giants fan) got me started watching baseball at the start of 2010, and lo and behold, SF wins the World Series. I was stoked, because my best friend was stoked. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans, upon the discovery that I was a new fan, accused me of being title residue, nothing but some shithead bandwagon fan. Never felt more belittled by something so trivial in my entire life.

I'm just one man, so my absence from the ranks of baseball fans won't impact the sport. But I am still a man, with every right to enjoy a sport for my own reasons, regardless of how long I've been a fan. Treat new fans with patience and respect. Don't bully them into not liking the sport altogether.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2014, 01:27
The Tour de France starts tomorrow. It's the toughest professional sporting event in the world. It starts in the greatest count(r)y in the world. It will be awesome. Already very excited about being able to watch two stages in person. I may have to spend a lot of today jumping up and down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 04 Jul 2014, 05:49
World Cup teams as cartoon characters (or specifically anime, I guess from the file name); the only one I recognise is Germany, represented by Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion (who is not actually German if you follow the plot):

(http://ist1-1.filesor.com/pimpandhost.com/7/8/7/7/78779/2/e/3/H/2e3Hd/World%2BCup%2BAnime%2Bwaifu_8998cc_5206012.jpg)

If Germany wants to claim Asuka, though, this is a better one:

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 04 Jul 2014, 05:52
Nice.

I think my time off work coincided with the third week.  Love the tour.

Also happy that they're doing Tourmalet this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2014, 09:04
Harrogate tomorrow on the ridiculous off chance that Cavendish gets his yellow jersey. Even more ridiculous is the chance that we'll get to a place where we can see it happen.
Jawbone Hill in Oughtibridge on Sunday as it's close to home but shouldn't be colossally busy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 04 Jul 2014, 12:43
I think the people I watch with will be happier if Cav does not get yellow.

We've been to Montreal the last few years.  Something like 15 loops, so we always get some decent photos of the riders.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 04 Jul 2014, 16:57
The Tour de France starts tomorrow. It's the toughest professional sporting event in the world. It starts in the greatest count(r)y in the world. It will be awesome. Already very excited about being able to watch two stages in person. I may have to spend a lot of today jumping up and down.
Toughest professional sporting event in the world? Bullshit. Try competitive dog sled racing. An average of a thousand miles of travel in some of most hostile and lonely terrain on earth. Lance Armstrong would never survive the Iditarod.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Jul 2014, 18:12
GM has a point. Y'all in Europe have NFC about how hard it is to go from point A to point B in Alaska, during the middle of February/March.

Tour de France is the biking equivalent of a Formula One race. Lots of flash and dash, but everyone knows who's going to win before the race even starts.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 04 Jul 2014, 23:10
Just checked Wikipedia and it reckons the Iditarod is open to amatuers. I used the word professiona .as a qualifier for a reason. Iditarod isn't the only sporting event I consider tougher than the TdF, I just don't think any of them are pro only.

Also, Lance couldn't even do the TdF without cheating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 05 Jul 2014, 00:32
Let's not compare sports dicks, whilst sat behind a computer. There's so many things I couldn't do so for me to have a judgement on what sport is tougher for on the respective athletes is slightly laughable anyway.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 05 Jul 2014, 06:14
And we all know hockey's the best sport in the world, right, Patrick? ;)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 06 Jul 2014, 01:07
GM has a point. Y'all in Europe have NFC about how hard it is to go from point A to point B in Alaska, during the middle of February/March.

Tour de France is the biking equivalent of a Formula One race. Lots of flash and dash, but everyone knows who's going to win before the race even starts.

Just a couple of comments on this. You do realise that the Iditarod is inspired by the efforts of a Norwegian don't you? It's also been won by both Swiss and Norwegian competitors. In fact getting from point A to Point B in Alaska in the middle of February/March might be considered very similar to the same in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland, all European countries and all of which used dog sleds for transport in winter.

And if everyone knows who's going to win the Tour de France then perhaps you can tell us who's going to get this year's Yellow, Green, Polka Dot and White jerseys, the Combativity award and each of the individual stages. We'll see if you're right in three weeks time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Jul 2014, 07:29
First, you tell me who's going to win the Hart, Norris, Adams, Selke, Masterton, Pearson, and the Conn Smythe Trophies... next year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 06 Jul 2014, 08:08
GM has a point. Y'all in Europe have NFC about how hard it is to go from point A to point B in Alaska, during the middle of February/March.

Tour de France is the biking equivalent of a Formula One race. Lots of flash and dash, but everyone knows who's going to win before the race even starts.

Just a couple of comments on this. You do realise that the Iditarod is inspired by the efforts of a Norwegian don't you? It's also been won by both Swiss and Norwegian competitors. In fact getting from point A to Point B in Alaska in the middle of February/March might be considered very similar to the same in Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland, all European countries and all of which used dog sleds for transport in winter.

And if everyone knows who's going to win the Tour de France then perhaps you can tell us who's going to get this year's Yellow, Green, Polka Dot and White jerseys, the Combativity award and each of the individual stages. We'll see if you're right in three weeks time.

None of this changes the fact that the Iditarod and dog sled racing, a global sport in which there really is NO Amateur status (frankly if you're going to survive the sheer amount of time and money required makes it a second job, never mind WIN) makes the Tour de France look like the Tour de Chumps in terms of toughness.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 06 Jul 2014, 10:05
I think that shows a gross lack of understanding of what it takes to complete the Tour de France and by extension being a year round professional cyclist.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 06 Jul 2014, 10:07
I think cyclists can get fed to my huskies.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 06 Jul 2014, 10:14
Guys, calm down. This is a thread to discuss sports that you like. If you don't enjoy a particular sport, don't join in the discussion.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 Jul 2014, 16:19
me too, now I don't have to listen to all the douchenuggets who like soccer for one month every 4 years

You sounded different about fair weather fans about 3 months ago.

Great, baseball season again. Ugh. I fucking hate baseball. Never heard of a sport that had more of an overwhelmingly self-righteous attitude among the fanbase, and the following is my story.

I spent 3 years of my life trying to learn about baseball because I found it interesting. After having never grown up around sports, followed by 5 years of living in Europe, where baseball is almost unheard of, it was fascinating, exhilarating. I moved back to the U.S. in 2009, my best friend (a Giants fan) got me started watching baseball at the start of 2010, and lo and behold, SF wins the World Series. I was stoked, because my best friend was stoked. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans, upon the discovery that I was a new fan, accused me of being title residue, nothing but some shithead bandwagon fan. Never felt more belittled by something so trivial in my entire life.

I'm just one man, so my absence from the ranks of baseball fans won't impact the sport. But I am still a man, with every right to enjoy a sport for my own reasons, regardless of how long I've been a fan. Treat new fans with patience and respect. Don't bully them into not liking the sport altogether.

That was different. I had just moved back to the U.S. after 5 years overseas. Before moving overseas, the only sport I knew anything about was American football. I had just learned about a new sport that I found interesting. That's very different from being a fairweather fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 07 Jul 2014, 06:48
My favourite sports are endurance sports, both for watching and participating.

My least favourte sports are epeen jousting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Noxx on 07 Jul 2014, 08:21
I have a "friends with benefits" relationship with professional sports. If something is on the television that looks interesting, I'll watch it for a bit, but I couldn't give a rip for stats, players, trades, etc.

In fact I've always been a bit leery of the major sporting events. Seems a bit a creepy to me, getting 30-50 thousand people in one place, and have them all swear some kind of national fealty (sing the anthem boys!) prior to the contest of two corporate entities. It's weird. And a little Orwellian.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 07 Jul 2014, 09:25
There are so many good sports that are either never on TV, or only on once or twice a year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 07 Jul 2014, 10:52
So, this bugs me. Neymar got a knee in his back during the Brazil - Colombia match and apparently it was pretty bad and he broke his back. This is sort of amazing on its own, but now, about the Colombian guy who kneed him, Zuniga. I'm pretty worried he's going to get shot. South America, and Colombia in particular has a pretty bad story about things like that, I remember from the WC '94 there was this Colombian defender who got shot for scoring an own goal. Now, Neymar made this pretty grand statement about how grateful he is for the support from his fans, how playing the finals were always his dream… but he said nothing about Zuniga. I'm not saying it's his responsibility or anything… but he had the chance to say that it was just an accident and how things happen in the heat of a WC match.. etc. There was a perfect moment to say something to cool things down a little. What if Zuniga gets a bullet in his gut? Neymar, of all people, probably had the best chance to prevent it at this point. Zuniga's only option right now is fleeing the country and switch names for all I know. It really sucks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 07 Jul 2014, 13:05
That was also 20 years ago. 20 years ago, I was in kindergarten.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Jul 2014, 13:52
I think it all depends on whether the Colombian drug lords had money on Brazil winning the Cup or not.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ChaoSera on 08 Jul 2014, 13:55
So, is anybody watching the game Germany vs. Brazil? Because it's nothing short of hilarious. :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 08 Jul 2014, 14:00
I'm watching the Twitter response to the Germany v Brazil game, and I have garnered that impression!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Jul 2014, 14:03
Four goals in six minutes, to take it to 5-0 at only 30mins!  Even I find that pretty amazing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 08 Jul 2014, 14:33
Just to continue being a drama queen: That stadium will burn to the ground tonight!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Jul 2014, 14:37
(http://i.imgur.com/T1ZW6Lz.jpg)

Brazil were last beaten 6-0 by Uruguay in 1920; but now it's 7-0...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 08 Jul 2014, 14:37
(http://i.imgur.com/PUm1JWx.jpg)

7!!!!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Pilchard123 on 08 Jul 2014, 14:46
Germans left pitch 'to give Brazil a chance', says Lahm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 08 Jul 2014, 14:49
7-1 in the last minute; I suppose that salvages a teeny bit of pride for them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 08 Jul 2014, 14:52
Wow. Even I know that was a big deal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: idontunderstand on 08 Jul 2014, 14:53
Just remembered Brazil still has to play one more goddamn match after this.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 08 Jul 2014, 14:53
Are they allowed to just not turn up?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 08 Jul 2014, 15:00
So, is anybody watching the game Germany vs. Brazil? Because it's nothing short of hilarious. :-D
Sure, in the same sense that you can't spell "slaughter" without "laughter".  When Brazilian fans started cheering the Germans, you knew it was a disaster.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 08 Jul 2014, 15:20
Quite a lot of people crying or praying or both at the end there. Poor curly-haired Brazilian football boys.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 08 Jul 2014, 15:38
Dàaaaaaaamn

That was brutal
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 08 Jul 2014, 15:47
Yes, a lot of tears in the stands.  :(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Jul 2014, 16:08
Are they allowed to just not turn up?

that's exactly what happened today.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 08 Jul 2014, 16:15
Pretty much.  I was only expecting Germany to win 2-0 or 2-1 or something like that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Jul 2014, 16:59
lololol

(https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1533893_661663473916251_3418512186004055412_n.jpg?oh=370404324078370bff83e75d064dc639&oe=5426C0BB)

AND THAT WASN'T EVEN IT
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Jul 2014, 17:27
I think some expected that Brazil was going to have a tough time with the Germans without their key players, but 7-1?

That is the equivalent of a 46-7 drubbing in an NFL playoff game. Or a 120-54 laugher in basketball.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Detachable Felix on 08 Jul 2014, 17:36
A few years ago Port Adelaide lost the AFL Grand Final by over 110 points. Now that's a drubbing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Jul 2014, 18:10
it was almost exactly as bad as the Super Bowl this year, which was 43-8.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Jul 2014, 18:24
rawrrrr nom nom nom nom

(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--EoCPiETf--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/lqv4gmbr1pjbrr7om5dy.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Jul 2014, 18:36
Calling it right now: Germany takes the title, regardless of their opponent.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 08 Jul 2014, 18:43
Agreed.  I've been sure that Germany was going to take the whole thing from game 1.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 09 Jul 2014, 06:44
Sounds like the tour de france is turning into a bit of a disaster.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 09 Jul 2014, 10:35
Certainly for GB riders. Has the potential to make it a bit more exciting though. In a three way fight between Nibali, Contador and Froome, the risk would be that the first two would go head to head. Froome has both of them pegged when it comes to the TT so the other two would have had to try and manoeuvre the other into being stranded on the other side of him. Froome then left unchecked would have had his pick of the tactical moments.

Nibali's got my vote but this could come down to the wire.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 09 Jul 2014, 15:46
Given how dismal that match was, I expect that the Germans will face no difficulties in the final.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Jul 2014, 19:38
damn I wish I could've seen it, even in spite of it ending in PKs. I'd like to have a better bearing on how each team looked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 09 Jul 2014, 23:15
Just seen pictures from yesterdays Tour stage. I've seen cleamer riders at the end of a cyclocross race. Looking forward to the catch up, racing on pave is awesome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Jul 2014, 16:19
DEUTSCHLAND WELTMEISTER! Götze with the game winner in 2OT. Beautiful goal, caught it on his chest and crossed it into the far side of the net. The kind of thing dreams are made of.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 13 Jul 2014, 23:11
Such an amazing weekend of racing. Blel Kadri timing everything brilliantly, Simon Yates properly getting in the mix on the breakaway and a good GC sort out at the end of the day on Saturday. Sunday was an awesome show of power by Tony Martin dishing out 2.45 on everyone else and France getting to wear the Yellow Jersey on Bastille Day.

Football fans should also note the brilliance of Tony Martin as apparently he won the World Cup.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 14 Jul 2014, 04:49
DEUTSCHLAND WELTMEISTER! Götze with the game winner in 2OT. Beautiful goal, caught it on his chest and crossed it into the far side of the net. The kind of thing dreams are made of.

There is a sick part of me who reads that as Goatse scoring the winning goal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 14 Jul 2014, 06:45
Such an amazing weekend of racing. Blel Kadri timing everything brilliantly, Simon Yates properly getting in the mix on the breakaway and a good GC sort out at the end of the day on Saturday. Sunday was an awesome show of power by Tony Martin dishing out 2.45 on everyone else and France getting to wear the Yellow Jersey on Bastille Day.

Football fans should also note the brilliance of Tony Martin as apparently he won the World Cup.

Last year we had my mother in law living with us, and she paid for cable so that we could watch the Tour de France.

This year, it's the only thing I've missed from TV so far.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Jul 2014, 01:22
DEUTSCHLAND WELTMEISTER! Götze with the game winner in 2OT. Beautiful goal, caught it on his chest and crossed it into the far side of the net. The kind of thing dreams are made of.

There is a sick part of me who reads that as Goatse scoring the winning goal.

when my bandmates had me over a while back, they were playing FIFA 14 as Bayern, and any time Matt or Paul gained a fast break with him, we would all cheer, "STRETCH IT, GOATSE, STRETCH IIIIIT"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Jul 2014, 13:37
(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10525808_742965432433570_2789075988791583967_n.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 17 Jul 2014, 06:23
Well, I can't say I'm remotely surprised.

http://blogs.canoe.ca/slam/hockey/ex-nhl-ref-shares-story-about-eric-lindros-being-a-huge-jerk/

Quote
I was working an afternoon Philadelphia-New Jersey game at the Spectrum; the back end of a home-and-home. The Devils won the previous game, 6-4, in a game refereed by Mark Faucette. The game got chippy late in the third period, with about 40 penalty minutes being handed out in the final five minutes, including roughing penalties to Lindros and Scott Stevens in the waning seconds of the game.

The start of the game at the Spectrum was delayed several minutes. I had to wait for the red light on the scorer’s table to indicate that the broadcast had returned from a commercial and it was OK to drop the opening faceoff.

During the delay, I made small talk with several of the Devils and Flyers on the ice. I said hello to Mark Recchi and talked to Bernie Nicholls. I then tried to greet the 19-year-old rookie Lindros.

“Hey, Eric. How are things going? How’s your dad?” I asked.

The response: “(Bleep) you. Just drop the (bleeping) puck already.”

Lindros was apparently in a bad mood because he’d recently missed 12 games with a knee injury, the team was in a losing skid, and he’d had a tough game in New Jersey. This game was also played about a week after Lindros had to go to court in Toronto after the Koo Koo Bananas incident. You know what? Those were his problems, not mine. But we were about to have a mutual problem.

Right off the opening faceoff, Lindros bulled forward and drilled Nicholls under the chin with his stick. I ditched Lindros on a high-sticking penalty.

Before the game, I had brought a tube filled with posters to Flyers’ equipment manager Jim “Turk” Evers. The posters, which depicted Recchi and Lindros, were to be autographed and then donated to a charity auction. I had done a similar thing in other cities, such as a Cam Neely and Ray Bourque poster in Boston, and a Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh.

After the game, I want to Turk to collect the poster tube.

“Stewy, you’re not going to like this,” Evers said. “I don’t have them.”

“What do you mean you don’t have them?” I asked.

“Well, Rex signed the posters but when Eric found out they were for you, he tore every one of them up. I’m sorry about that.”

I never spoke to Eric Lindros again.

One year, much later in his career when he was with the Rangers, I ended up getting him on eight minor penalties that season. I caught some heat for it from John Davidson on the Rangers’ broadcasts, but the truth of the matter was this: I did NOT go out of my way to “invent” penalties on Lindros — or any player — but I wasn’t going to give that guy a break on anything borderline that I might have let slide with a player who had gained acceptability with me.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 17 Jul 2014, 22:03
I tend to agree with some of the comments on the article, particularly this one:

Quote
stewart then says he treated him differently while as an official. i didnt know players needed personal acceptance with officials to be treated the same way.

I know hockey's one of the chummiest sports around, and also has arguably the most heated rivalries of any sport. But I think professionalism should prevail among the officials. This article really sheds new light on some of the bullshit calls throughout every series of the Stanley Cup playoffs this year. Apparently the officials like to play favorites just as much as I suspected, and this isn't just the butthurt Sharks fan in me talking (I have no particular affection for Lindros but I also never saw him play).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 18 Jul 2014, 09:27
Yup, it showed the scummy side of refereeing as well as the scummy side of Lindros.  Neither surprised me.

The NHL playoffs are pretty much the worst thing in sports for officiating, but the league WANTS it that way.  It's like the number 1 reason that I watch WAY less hockey than I did growing up.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Jul 2014, 12:01
Good teams overcome bad officiating.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 18 Jul 2014, 17:47
Good teams overcome bad officiating.

Calciopoli
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 18 Jul 2014, 18:27
Tim Donaghy
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Jul 2014, 19:49
Donaghy could be dealt with in one specific and distinct motion from the bench.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 05 Aug 2014, 20:29
The San Antonio Spurs have made news by hiring a female coach.  Has everyone forgotten when the New York Knicks hired Whoopi Goldberg to be their head coach?

(http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/62/fc/b662fc824df825893c1b9fd6d785503f.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 06 Aug 2014, 10:48
(https://scontent-a-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10491134_772522502805719_6854413045832840624_n.jpg)

So jumping back to the now legendary Brazil v. Germany world cup match, I don't think Germany's steamrolled through a country like that since 1939...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 Aug 2014, 12:08
The Giants vs. Mets game on Saturday was incredible to watch until the 7th, when the Giants pitcher's perfect game was tarnished by one single step in the wrong direction on a fly ball to left, and the whole thing fell completely to shit.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 21 Aug 2014, 10:53
Professional sports is just how rich people play Magic: The Gathering.
Read more: http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-sports-are-worst-thing-ever-unbiased-opinion_p2/#ixzz3AtJLJpEC
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Sep 2014, 12:13
38 days til hockey season, fellas. What are you doing to curb your excitement?


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 02 Sep 2014, 06:09
Leafs are a mess, and the Sens are rebuilding.  Ergo, not much.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Sep 2014, 19:31
I'm lynching effigies of Doug Wilson and being a closet Athletics fan.


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ankhtahr on 04 Sep 2014, 20:58
Watched the Hawks game today. Pretty nice.

I used to be more into college football (and nothing will stop me from rooting for Stanford Cardinal) but a friend here got me into the NFL. He's been a Seahawks fan ever since he spent a few years in the states, so that probably influenced me a little.

I'll definitely watch more NFL games this season. Especially when we watch them together it's really fun.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 08 Sep 2014, 21:30
So this happened.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/video-appears-show-rice-striking-142710725--nfl.html

Up until now I've been acting under the assumption that she fainted.  That's called not being racist.  :angel:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Sep 2014, 06:34
And he has since been handed his release by the Ravens.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 09 Sep 2014, 07:13
Banned from playing in the NFL. Awesome. Now, to regain some goodwill, the NFL had better keep him out of the game for ever.

Fucking hell. I have the Ravens on FB and they just announced that they'll do a Ray Rice jersey exchange ... cue hundreds of comments sticking up for 'their boy', who should not be 'judged on just one moment.'
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 09 Sep 2014, 18:38
Nobody has an ethical problem with terminating an employee for reasons that have nothing to do with his job?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 09 Sep 2014, 19:03
Like it or not, he represents both his team, and the NFL as a whole as long as he's in their employ, and is a bit of a public figure to boot.  So there is a PR part of his "job" both on the field, and off.  Something like this, without termination, and perhaps a lifetime ban would basically tell the public that the Ravens, and the NFL as a whole support domestic abuse.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 09 Sep 2014, 20:57
I'm still disappointed Mike Vick has a career.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 09 Sep 2014, 21:54
As am I.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 09 Sep 2014, 22:43
As a sportsman you have to be a role model for the children at home ...

That sentence nearly made me puke. Anyway, you can't make the NFL look bad as a corporation and think you can get away with it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 09 Sep 2014, 23:14
Nobody has an ethical problem with terminating an employee for reasons that have nothing to do with his job?

There's a bit more to it than that though. As hedgie points out, being in a very public industry means that you can expect to be held to higher standards. Not only that, there's likely to be a clause in their contract that demands that you not bring the sport into disrepute. I work in a local government and, even without such a clause, there are a number of crimes and other actions completely unrelated to the work that I do that would see me fired. Even in the public sector, there's a fair few non-custodial crimes that are likely to see your employer reconsider your continued employment status.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Barmymoo on 10 Sep 2014, 00:05
I'm certainly not in the public eye and my "contract" (as a student, I don't technically have one, but the same will apply when I qualify) contains a good character clause. If I do anything that shows me to be of poor character, which domestic abuse would definitely be considered to be, I would be thrown off the course and debarred from ever working as a midwife.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Sep 2014, 05:48
In other news, Bob Suter - Miracle On Ice defenseman, University of Wisconsin stand-out, and father to a lying, greedy, traitorous SOB NHL Defenseman Ryan, passed away yesterday at the young age of 57.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 10 Sep 2014, 06:18
Committing a possible felony will get you fired in most jobs honestly.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Sep 2014, 07:12
Can be tricky if the victim is unwilling to support action/prosecution against the perpetrator which appears to be situation in this case.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 10 Sep 2014, 07:57
Nobody has an ethical problem with terminating an employee for reasons that have nothing to do with his job?

Out of interest, roughly where would you draw the line on this one?

For instance, in the UK we have Ched Evans, a football player for the team Sheffield United who is a convicted rapist. Despite continuing to protest his innocence, he is expected to rejoin his team when he is released from prison shortly. Then there's the whole Ray Rice thing that has resulted in a lifetime ban. And consider the whole litany of football players in the UK who have convictions for drink driving, including Luke McCormick who killed two people whilst driving under the influence, all of which have returned to the sport full-time.

Is there anything outside of a player's sport that you feel would merit a termination of their job or a ban by the governing authority?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 10 Sep 2014, 09:42
Plus Ray Lewis was convicted of murder?  Manslaughter?  and later returned to the NFL.

There's nothing preventing Ray Rice from applying to be reinstated later on.  The reaction in this case was very much a PR move.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 10 Sep 2014, 09:59
Nope.

Two weeks into the trial Lewis's attorneys, Don Samuel and Ed Garland, negotiated a plea agreement with the District Attorney where the murder charges against Lewis were dismissed in exchange for his testimony against Oakley and Sweeting, and his guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice.

Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Mayweather,_Jr.#Legal_issues

This guy, on the other hand should be out of a job.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 10 Sep 2014, 19:05
Nobody has an ethical problem with terminating an employee for reasons that have nothing to do with his job?

Out of interest, roughly where would you draw the line on this one?

Is there anything outside of a player's sport that you feel would merit a termination of their job or a ban by the governing authority?

I don't think anything a player does away from one's sport that should merit termination.  To go further, I think employers should have an obligation to rehire felons after they're released from prison.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 10 Sep 2014, 19:56
Can be tricky if the victim is unwilling to support action/prosecution against the perpetrator which appears to be situation in this case.
Clearly a match made in Stockholm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Sep 2014, 02:35
I assume we're talking about Ray Rice. I'll relay a personal anecdote. A fellow coworker of mine is on the chopping block because of an incident where he represented the company name while attempting to start a fight at the bar I moonlight at. Rice is constantly a representative of the NFL, and committed a pretty high profile crime. I fail to see a distinction between the two. My coworker is small time, Rice is nationally televised every time he takes the field. Where is the line?


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 12 Sep 2014, 03:22
To go further, I think employers should have an obligation to rehire felons after they're released from prison.

I think this wold be very difficult. For any custodial sentance longer than a month it would be reasonable to expect an employer to have filled that position. Even with signing and transfer windows in sports, expecting a team to hold a position open for a long period of time isn't reasonable. I can't imagine any company or team that wouldn't fill that position or place on the roster as soon as they are able to. Expecting them to then rehire the offender is basically punishing the company for the crimes of the employee.

I'll propose this parallel scenario for you. Imagine that both a teacher and a sportsperson are convicted of child molestation crimes. Even after imprisonment and rehabilitative programmes we know that they will pose a high risk to children in the future. Both professions would put them in the position of access to children, particularly ones that are vulnerable to exploitation. Would you really expect the school or the sports team to rehire these people on release from prison and, if so, why?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Sep 2014, 07:02
The NFL's mindset right now isn't "oh, we don't want him to be in contact with children." It's "This will TARNISH the IMAGE of the SHIELD!"

I'd almost go as far as to say that may have been the REAL reason why Michael Sam is sitting on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad. The League wants to "appear" concerned about problems, but not actually have to DO anything about them.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 12 Sep 2014, 19:01
I assume we're talking about Ray Rice. I'll relay a personal anecdote. A fellow coworker of mine is on the chopping block because of an incident where he represented the company name while attempting to start a fight at the bar I moonlight at. Rice is constantly a representative of the NFL, and committed a pretty high profile crime. I fail to see a distinction between the two. My coworker is small time, Rice is nationally televised every time he takes the field. Where is the line?


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk

I need more information:  in what capacity was he representing the company?

To go further, I think employers should have an obligation to rehire felons after they're released from prison.

I'll propose this parallel scenario for you. Imagine that both a teacher and a sportsperson are convicted of child molestation crimes. Even after imprisonment and rehabilitative programmes we know that they will pose a high risk to children in the future. Both professions would put them in the position of access to children, particularly ones that are vulnerable to exploitation. Would you really expect the school or the sports team to rehire these people on release from prison and, if so, why?

This is a false analogy.  A teacher's job depends on them being able to not molest children, an athlete wouldn't run slower for lacking this skill.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 12 Sep 2014, 21:24
Quote from: Twitter
Women who are wearing Ray Rice's jersey deserve to be punched in the face. Repeatedly.

Did you feel that?  The Internet just hit a new level of stupid.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Sep 2014, 03:09

I assume we're talking about Ray Rice. I'll relay a personal anecdote. A fellow coworker of mine is on the chopping block because of an incident where he represented the company name while attempting to start a fight at the bar I moonlight at. Rice is constantly a representative of the NFL, and committed a pretty high profile crime. I fail to see a distinction between the two. My coworker is small time, Rice is nationally televised every time he takes the field. Where is the line?


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk

I need more information:  in what capacity was he representing the company?

Literally shouting that we work for (insert company name here) and saying that that gives us the expertise to tell the bartender/owner he's doing a shitty job of running the place.

Ray Rice shouts that he works for the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL every time he dons the jersey, which shows both of their logos on it, and one of the things about working in professional sports is that you don't stop representing those organizations just because you're off the field. Your face, name, number, and affiliations are going to be noticed by sports fans wherever you go in public.

Also, tapatalk is a pain in the ass and I can't figure out how to quote another post, but I'll refer to the one that said the NFL isn't looking out for public interests, but its own interest in saving face instead. What's so wrong about that? People are going to vote with their wallets, and if staying the course means public outcry and the threat of losing revenue, the necessary changes will happen anyway. Nobody ever accused capitalism of being particularly moral, and that's especially true of the NFL. And I'm not gonna say I agree with the NFL's tacit compliance with assault on the part of their players. But the public is finally beginning to make it clear that this isn't acceptable, and if anything it gives me faith that American society isn't completely fucked. Now, if only politics worked so fluidly...


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 14 Sep 2014, 18:35
Well if his job is to shout at bartenders, I'm not seeing a problem.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: bainidhe_dub on 14 Sep 2014, 18:52
Are you being intentionally obtuse? They work at a beer & wine store, not that it really matters for the purposes of the example, though it explains why the guy apparently thinks he has the expertise to act like an asshat.
My company mentions several times in the ethics standards about doing anything that would hurt the company's reputation, with the standard of "would it cause embarrassment if it were reported in the newspaper that an employee of [company] did this?" You don't even have to be representing yourself as an employee or agent of the company at the time (though in our industry, real estate, "agent of" has a particular legal meaning too).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 15 Sep 2014, 05:41
You're getting paid obtuse amounts of money that few people in this world (actually, just a shade under 1,700) can actually do at any one time, and you do something that not only jeopardizes that, but throws it out the window.

Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Oct 2014, 15:02
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 09 Oct 2014, 19:12
Hockey's back.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Oct 2014, 07:40
And, as jwhouk mentioned in the blog thread, the Giants are in the World Series. Again. Even number years seem to be our thing, I hope it holds true.


Sent from my Spacephone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 29 Oct 2014, 22:32
Someone wanna go grab Patrick's shoelace and tether him to the ground?

Bumgarner just sealed his HOF cred tonight, methinks.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 06 Dec 2014, 23:56
Sometimes I feel sorry for other teams going up against GB in the women's Team Pursuit. If you're not Australia or Canada it seems you just aren't going to make them work that hard.

USA about to get shot
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/79549000/jpg/_79549040_gb_usa_getty.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Dec 2014, 00:05
So... anyone play sports in college/high school I guess?

Didn't know we had a place to talk about sports here, I assumed everyone hated them, or something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 07 Dec 2014, 02:59
I play bike polo at primary school.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 07 Dec 2014, 08:18
I was an olympic handball player until my team moved from my hometown to Reocín, about 10 miles away. Wouldn't be a problem if I hadn't recently moved 20 miles away to the other side, and I hadn't just started my final year of HS.

Fun sport. Lots of contact.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Dec 2014, 16:55
The Sharks suck ass this year. And every year, but usually we wait for the postseason...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2014, 18:33
Cam Newton involved in a car accident, rolled over his pickup.

Insert tasteless "drive stopped by a turnover" joke here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Dec 2014, 18:34
The Sharks suck ass this year. And every year, but usually we wait for the postseason...

You LOST... to the OILERS????  :-o :roll: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 11 Dec 2014, 07:34
Sometimes I feel sorry for other teams going up against GB in the women's Team Pursuit. If you're not Australia or Canada it seems you just aren't going to make them work that hard.

As high as GB is riding in general in the cycling world these days, Canada still has Clara Hughes, so we win.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 11 Dec 2014, 07:39
GB has always been a world leader in track cycling tho. They're never an easy opponent.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 11 Dec 2014, 07:40
Yeah, but I think their road cycling success is only a recent thing?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 11 Dec 2014, 08:35
It's more of a recent phenomenon indeed. And it all began on the track. Turns out track cyclists usually make killer sprinters and time attack cyclists. Who would've guessed. Give one of them someone to help him cross mountains and you have a Tour de France winner (Bradley Wiggins, for example).

Chris Froome's polyvalence is not the norm that much, and might come from his african origins (born in Kenya and raised in South Africa iirc). Chances are there are more mountains there than in Great Britain.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 11 Dec 2014, 10:18
The next trick will be to take your cyclicts, track and road, and turn them into speed skaters (hence my Clara Hughes comment above.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 11 Dec 2014, 12:08
Actually, it very rarely begins on the track. There's been a few recent pick ups from school sports development programmes straight to track cycling, but most careers start in time trials, cyclocross and mountain biking. There's some influx from grass track cycling but it's a waning sport, much to our loss. All the regional cyclocross and MTB leagues will have racing available from age 8 upwards, sometimes younger. It's a good way to assess a child's aptitude for the sport and competitive riding. It also delivers a pretty rigorous training in bike handling which is always valuable. If you're looking for sprinters and fighters, it starts here. TTs start at 12 (CTT regulations) which have always been good for showing who has that built in power capability. From there, if there's local access, it's junior road race leagues.

The track just coalesces any skills and talents and then builds on them. By the time the riders get there, it's usually pretty clear who the sprinters and pursuiters are. It's a very good development arena though. You're in a closed environment every day under very close scrutiny of your sports managers with an almost competitive amount of discipline.

It's interesting though, there's some pro riders out there to who track is a no go area. They've got all the qualities of strength, power, focus, discipline, handling but something about the boards doesn't work for them. I've even seen really competent riders who ride fixed wheel bikes who ride all over the place and happily blast around city traffic with no real worries. But as soon as they hit the boards, the brain just has a really big nope moment and refuses to play.

Speed skating would be a lot more exciting if they bought in keirans, madisons and omniums.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Dec 2014, 13:28
Speed Skating. That is the one sport I wish I could have taken up, even just as a hobby.  Dummy me never tried, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 11 Dec 2014, 13:43
I've only played traditional American sports (by that I mean football, soccer, baseball, basketball) so I have no idea how any others would even feel. Plus, when you play football, that pretty much takes up your life. I do wish I played Rugby in college instead of football though. That looks fun.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 12 Dec 2014, 05:47
Speed Skating. That is the one sport I wish I could have taken up, even just as a hobby.  Dummy me never tried, though.

My sister did a year of short track, right before she got pregnant iirc.  I think she really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 13 Dec 2014, 08:26
I have one question about fixed gear bikes. Why! Why is this a thing! Those things are friggin death traps.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 13 Dec 2014, 09:28
They're actually the only thing that's allowed on the rules of track cycling iirc.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2014, 17:42
My alma mater is going to a bowl game. Yawn.

Pardon me if I'm not all that enthused; it's the ninth time in the last 10 years we will be playing in the Stagg Bowl.

And it's the same opponent as the last eight times.

AND we're 5-3 against them in those games.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 13 Dec 2014, 18:16
American Standard should sponsor a University bowl game.  Then it could be the Toilet Bowl.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Dec 2014, 18:21
Both teams have to have 6-6 records and have to have either played in a conference championship in the last five years or played in a BCS bowl during that time.

BTW: The Stagg Bowl is the NCAA Division III Football Championship.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 15 Dec 2014, 04:35
I have one question about fixed gear bikes. Why! Why is this a thing! Those things are friggin death traps.

It's a very different environment than the road. If anyone ever gets the opportunity, I strongly suggest they give it a go. Just the taster sessions offered by most velodromes (indoor and outdoor) can be a very exhilarating experience. When it comes to track riding, a fixed wheel bike is arguably safer. In the event of an incident there are far fewer moving/breakable parts to injur people with and damage the track.

Also, as an owner and regular rider of a fixed wheel bike, I don't find them to be particularly more dangerous than geared bikes. They do require a certain degree of competence and confidence but, while that may sound a little elitist, that bar isn't a high one.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Dec 2014, 22:40
You also are forced to lean less into your turns, lest your pedals bite the road and send you airborne. Not to mention the fact you're probably not going to be able to compensate as well for centrifugal force's tendency to fling you off, nor get proper traction on your tires.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 15 Dec 2014, 22:42
Of course you're talking about track riding, which I completely missed. But for the road, fixies are probably the stupidest thing I can imagine. Especially if you're in the hilly-ass Bay Area like I am.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Dec 2014, 00:08
Cornering is going to be limited mostly by frame geometry and crank length and I'll concede that you can't lean the bike as much. But if you factor in body position compensation then there's a relatively small number of corners that you'll just have to accept taking a bit slower than you might have got away with on gears. TBF your unlikely to hit those speeds anyway because of spin limits. I have managed the occasional pedal strike but nothings unseated me. I'm really not sure about the centrifugal force thing but nothing tends to fling me off. As for traction, no issues there either unless I'm in the mood for whip skids and skip stops.

I live in Sheffield and ride in the Peak District, make of that what you will. I think the Bay Area does host a few Fixed Wheel Crits which are worth watching.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 16 Dec 2014, 01:20
All I know is that my fixie riding friends eat shit way more regularly than I do. I've fallen off my bike exactly twice in the years since 2010. My buddy Nick posts like once a month when his pedals bite his shins, he eats shit leaning too deep into a turn, he whangs himself into something from being unable to stop, any number of things. I've got a single speed freewheel and a front brake, and I haven't ever drawn blood on this thing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 16 Dec 2014, 05:52
Both teams have to have 6-6 records and have to have either played in a conference championship in the last five years or played in a BCS bowl during that time.

BTW: The Stagg Bowl is the NCAA Division III Football Championship.

 Oh wow, another UWW vs Mount Union championship game, who would have guessed
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Dec 2014, 05:55
Oh wow, another UWW vs Mount Union championship game, who would have guessed

Might be the last one for a while. Our HC, Lance Leipold, is going to take over the D-I University of Buffalo program after the game.

I'm just hoping for a good game (and, of course, a UWW victory, as always).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 16 Dec 2014, 06:00
UWW is one of the few D3 schools that have name recognition though. A lot of athletes choose Mount Union, UWW, Mary-Hardin Baylor, etc over d2 or 1AA teams because they actually provide more exposure to any pro aspirations they might have. I'd say they have a good chance at remaining one of the best programs, they seemed to bounce back pretty quick from that one horrible year (for them). Plus, I have to imagine they'll get a good coach who also wants the name recognition UWW has.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 16 Dec 2014, 06:16
All this talk about the D3 championship got me wondering what my alma mater's record is this year... 4-6. Not too bad, though they might have done better if they had played the deaf school again this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 16 Dec 2014, 06:19
Played Gallaudet? But Gallaudet was very good last year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 16 Dec 2014, 06:23
All I remember is that in '07 or '08 Gaullaudet was the only team they won against, and they won by a single point.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 16 Dec 2014, 06:29
All I know is they played in the playoffs last year and put up a decent fight. I think they had a TE or DE go pro from that team which helps. A guy who's a D1 athlete but just happens to be deaf just destroying kids.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 16 Dec 2014, 09:23
I'm developing a sporting program demo sheet for a potential new job this week. Albeit it's all shooting sports, but I'm very excited at the possibility of this job and "hacking" (with an axe) a position into this new company that's me shaped. I have a calendar set up with "events", mostly every other week, and then a big monthly "hardcore" competition, which each of the three proposed leagues having their "big" competition, designed as a large tournament quarterly.

The three proposed league types are:
Lane Three Gun: A modification of normal three gun, which doesn't really work on an indoor range because of the movement and sheer amount of space required, lane three gun will have shooters competing in timed heats using their rifle, shotgun and sidearm in some combination, because of the nature of the beast, more of a focus, and more points will be placed on accuracy than in normal three gun competition which uses steel silhouettes with each hit counting so long as it connects.
Schütze (Rifleman is one of the better translations for this word) Challenge: Based on a popular European marksmanship competition focused around acquiring relatively cheap military surplus bolt action rifles such as the K98 Mauser (and it's many variants), the 1903 Springfield (not so cheap any more sadly), the Mosin Nagant three line rifle (and it's ridiculous number of variants), and an untold number of other options using surplus ammunition, the take I'm building on this would feature multiple position heats, require high degrees of accuracy at various ranges, and for fun might even include laps around the building. Designed to be very open and accommodating to new shooters and younger shooters, who like as not don't have the money for a lot of the expensive toys. No semi-automatic rifles, even the M1 Garand, will be accepted, and speed loading the weapon will be part of the timed competition for heats.
Third Slot - Not quite sure what I want to put here, but I was considering proposing a rotating benchrest rimfire, benchrest centerfire and supported slow fire pistol competition.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 18 Dec 2014, 10:29
There is a 6 year span in the middle of the 80s where Wayne Gretzky would have been 5th or better in scoring, including winning a scoring title, if you had stolen a point a game from his totals.

These days, a point a game player is somewhere between good and great.  Gretzky was that much better than the field.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Dec 2014, 11:15
GM, if you fancy it adding some athleticism, you could always put a summer/winter biathlon event on the programme. Admittedly few people are likely to own a biathlon rifle so you could design a more accessible shooting system.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Dec 2014, 11:37
There is a 6 year span in the middle of the 80s where Wayne Gretzky would have been 5th or better in scoring, including winning a scoring title, if you had stolen a point a game from his totals.

These days, a point a game player is somewhere between good and great.  Gretzky was that much better than the field.

Even those of us who remember seeing him in his primer can't even fathom how good he was. Trying to explain to anyone who was born after he left to go to LA how much better he was compared to the rest of the NHL is like trying to explain the Grand Canyon to a blind person.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Dec 2014, 20:10
(Ahem)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B5RP4JGCUAAOuRb.jpg)

Six time champs. Opposing team has only lost six games in last eight years - all of them to us.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Dec 2014, 19:50
Ten sports facts you probably didn't know:

1. The man who was responsible for the construction of Wrigley Field was the early 20th century version of Ray Kroc.
2. The National Hockey League was formed out of spite - and a legal maneuver.
3. The National Football League was established in the offices of a now-defunct car dealership.
4. The greatest single game accomplishment in National Basketball Association history is shrouded in history - except for the accomplishment itself.
5. One of the most storied hockey arenas in North America was financed by winnings from a horse race.
6. The biggest championship game in American pro sports was named for a children's toy.
7. The location of the first major professional sports Hall of Fame was based upon a complete myth.
8. A US city lost the right to host the Winter Olympics because of a failed referendum.
9. A major league sports stadium was built on the site of a recently-built public housing project.
10. A major league expansion team was forced to move after only one season - due to the bankruptcy of its ownership group.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 02 Jan 2015, 01:55
Time for a diversion down a niche sporting corridor which may interest those who like to see people tackle some of the bigger endeavours.

In 1939, British cyclist Tommy Godwin set the world record for distance cycled during a year. On a heavy steel bicycle, on roads that weren't always sealed, during the outbreak of war in Europe, he rode 75065 miles, an average of cycling 205 miles a day. Since then the record has been considered unbreakable.

Until yesterday that is. At 00.07 GMT on 01/01/15 Steve "Teethgrinder" Abraham set off from his home in Milton Keynes marking the start of his attempt to break the record. But Steve isn't alone in this endeavour. Since announcing his intention to attempt the record, two other riders have announced that they're going to be challenging him for the record. Those riders are William "IronOx" Pruett from Forth Worth, Texas who started almost 19 hours later and Kurt "Tarzan" Searvogel from Sheridan, Arkansas who has stated he intends to start by January 10th to give himself the advantage of seeing Steve's progress. Actual progress is being invigilated and verified by the Ultra Marathon Cyling Association and progress can be seen here: http://trackleaders.com/oneyeartimetrial15 (http://trackleaders.com/oneyeartimetrial15)

So the battle is on 'Murica vs. Blighty.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Akima on 02 Jan 2015, 13:58
I think the Americans have an advantage in that they won't have to bounce back and forth like a pea in a drum on a little tiny island. :P  Surprisingly, although Britain is at high latitude (London, in southern England is at the same latitude as Labrador), compared to anywhere in the USA except Alaska, year-round daylight hours pretty much balance out.

Seriously though, I had not heard of this record. 205 miles (330km) in a day average? That's serious riding. I have done 400km in a day on a randonnée (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randonneuring), but the thought of doing nearly that every day for a year is completely daunting.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 02 Jan 2015, 14:23
It's perhaps not as tiny as it my seem. The 300k randonnee that I run is a plain loop with no real messing about. Mind you, I'm plotting a 400k coast to coast to coast route, albeit at the narrower bit up north. When I did the Super Brevet Scandinavia I was clocking around 350k a day and not doing too badly with that. Could have done with a bit more sleep but Steve's faster than me and has the luxury of being able to avoid all the hills.

I can see some distinct advantages for the Americans. The abundance of  long, flatter, straightish roads with the prospect of not too much traffic should be fairly inviting. Of course that has the capacity of being boring too. Many a RAAM has died on the prairies. Mind you, there are the character differences to consider as well. Kurt has done RAAM a couple of times and racked up some impressive 12hr TTs. But I question his mindset. He's asked if anyone has a recumbent he can borrow to get under the wind on blowy days. Switching bikes that significantly may not be a good game plan. He's also planning on cramming his distance into 12hr days. If the plan doesn't work well he may struggle to cope. OTOH, Steve's a man of assorted special qualities, not least of which is to endlessly and optimistically keep tapping out the miles. He has no issue with pottering on through the dark hours with what looks to be a fairly impressive lighting rig. He's also not given to dauntment.

Although Steve is planning on emulating Godwin by starting with shorter days, going long in Summer and fading back into winter, he's already clocked up 409 miles in two days. I'm pinning my hopes on Steve, he's a lovely bloke and embodies that British adventurous quality of doing it because it can be done.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Jan 2015, 02:33
I genuinely don't understand how the Sharks can lose to an average team like Vancouver yet shut the door on the division-leading Ducks.

Also, no idea why Pavelski hasn't got the C pinned to his chest yet, dude is clearly the fucking man
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Jan 2015, 07:02
The Sharks are the Sharks. Comes with the territory.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Jan 2015, 11:33
RIP Stuart Scott.

Cool as the other side of the pillow.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Blue Kitty on 05 Jan 2015, 15:50
(http://i.imgur.com/slqJDtN.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 06 Jan 2015, 15:22

RIP Stuart Scott.

Cool as the other side of the pillow.

Fact. I'd been wondering why I wasn't seeing as much of him on sportscenter. I knew he had cancer but his on-screen energy never gave me the impression he was terminal. I cried that day, his co-anchors really truly loved him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Jan 2015, 18:24
Eisen was choking up on NFL Network. That was a classy moment for a classy guy.

In other words: Buttah.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Jan 2015, 14:31
He was my favorite anchor and that's despite the fact that my family personally knows an anchor on ESPN (Buccigross) and I graduated and played on the same high school baseball team as his son. There are a lot of anchors that have limited personality, but if you knew anyone on ESPN it was Scott.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl_0ieqSi7Q#t=447

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Jan 2015, 16:52
I assume, then, that you have some Bucci Overtime Challenge shirts and cawlidge hockey stuff?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Jan 2015, 16:56
I don't! That's bullshit! I'm telling my dad and he's gonna have a word with him!

He did donate to our charity event for the Wounded Warrior Project though, so that's neat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Jan 2015, 21:29
27 wins in 40 games.

And what is that I see at the top of the NHL standings?

"Nashville"?

:)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Jan 2015, 06:14
Disgusting. I still think it's hilarious your goal song had to be changed from "Rock And Roll, Pt. 1" because it was written by a... Predator &gt;:D

PS I love the Sharks but JESUS they are shit against the Blues. 7-2 STL twice in a fucking row now. What the actual fuck, Sharks
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Jan 2015, 07:40
That Tarasenko fellow is kicking everyone's butt this year, so don't feel too bad.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 10 Jan 2015, 15:01
In that same vein....what the actual fuck, Chicago? Edmonton? Really? Edmonton?!?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Jan 2015, 16:02
<Batman_voice>
WHERE IS SHE?
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7BTmV1CIAEwDbY.png)

</Batman_voice>
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 12 Jan 2015, 10:51
Patriots won. I thought it was neat.

(also go Bruins, even if they've been playing like ass this year).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 12 Jan 2015, 21:18
O-H!

Yeah Buckeyes! First playoff-era national champions!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Jan 2015, 21:26
Yippee.

"Getcha next year, turkey." - Rest of the B1G.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 14 Jan 2015, 02:40
Ugh Ohio State. They upset my Tide. Granted, Saban continued to let Sims play when he's been a disappointment all the while, soooo
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 14 Jan 2015, 08:44
It was really watching the CFP when you disliked all the teams playing in it. Didn't even watch the title game
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 18 Jan 2015, 02:15
Yesterday Steve Abraham crossed the 3000 mile mark in his attempt on the record for most miles ridden in a year. He did it by riding 227 miles in temperatures barely getting above freezing. He's back out there again on a 200 mile ride home. Obviously efforts are a very different thing but you probably won't find another sportsperson who is working this hard. Except Kurt Searvogel who's making the same attempt. Mind you, he's tooling around Florida where it's nice and warm.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 Jan 2015, 13:31
I'm thinking of supporting Edmonton as my 2nd favorite hockey team. I already know what it feels like to be wounded by the team I love, and it might make me feel better about my Sharks
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Jan 2015, 15:59
You have to be a masochist to be an Oilers fan.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 18 Jan 2015, 20:31
You may not be too far from the mark.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 20 Jan 2015, 07:52
Oilers are SO talented.  They're also a mess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 20 Jan 2015, 13:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLk-s2t9Z9Q

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 22 Jan 2015, 05:02
That was literally the 2010 soccer world cup finals at my place. Spain - NL. We managed to win somehow. Thing is, we had EVERYTHING, including the horrible host with really small TV  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Jan 2015, 09:38
I plan on only watching halftime strictly because I wanna nail Katy Perry and I don't give half a flying shit about hand egg.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 22 Jan 2015, 12:27
American football is best football! You take that back!

I highly doubt I'm gonna get much support on that one here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 22 Jan 2015, 12:38
If you're going to play hand egg, at least make it Rugby. There's no need for all that armour and stop start game play.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 22 Jan 2015, 12:57
If you wanna see a bunch of people jog around the whole time then sure. People also don't take into account that because people don't wear pads in rugby they don't hit each other as hard. Don't get me wrong, rugby's still more badass, they just don't run into each other as hard.

But I am biased, I did play American football for 14 years and throughout college. Probably not the best idea, what with the chronic back pain and messed up hips I got now. Also, pretty sure bunch of concussions.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Jan 2015, 14:11
American football has no hakas.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 22 Jan 2015, 14:11
Also, I am biased because I saw that band and I think they are dicks
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 22 Jan 2015, 16:37
I plan on only watching halftime strictly because I wanna nail Katy Perry and I don't give half a flying shit about hand egg.
Funny.  Whenever I hear Katy Perry, I want to drive nails into my ears to get rid of that over-autotuned noise.  If I want horrid noise, I have Merzbow to listen to.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 22 Jan 2015, 18:30
I plan on only watching halftime strictly because I wanna nail Katy Perry

There's something I never thought I'd read on QC forums.

American football has no hakas.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 23 Jan 2015, 01:03
I played American Football, and I played Rugby, in every respect, Rugby is the superior sport. Albeit I played briefly on a Marine Corps base team, so we still hit pretty fucking hard.
Title: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Jan 2015, 05:08
Who doesn't wanna nail Katy Perry? She's a total babe. I can even put up with some of her later stuff. And I work retail! What are the odds of that
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 23 Jan 2015, 06:05
I'm not saying I would reject her out of hand but on the general famous person physical attractiveness scale I rate Perry as Meh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Masterpiece on 23 Jan 2015, 10:24
I like redheads.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 23 Jan 2015, 12:51
I mean, I would, but to be fair I'd have sex with a lot of people.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Jan 2015, 23:23
I would have sex with a lot of people too. Explains my success rate last year.

Man. The NHL All-Star Break is really getting me down. I am excited about the partnership with GoPro though. Holy butts, talk about a cool promo video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1jpCBPiWS4
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 24 Jan 2015, 06:38
Spain is first in its group of the Handball World Cup moving on to 1/8th finals. Also, Argentina - Russia for the last spot of their group and Egypt with the possibility to throw one of the regulars under the train. DIS GON B GUD.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Jan 2015, 08:39
Handball... That's basically soccer without feet, right?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 24 Jan 2015, 08:50
Maybe in the 1910s, when they used actual soccer fields for it. Modern day Olympic Handball is played indoors and people get thoroughly fucked up in the process because it's a contact sport. Also it's 7v7 and there are different levels of penalties and shit.

It's been proved that it's impossible to call all fouls that happen in a game by a human being  :evil:

Ruleset can get a bit messy, but I'm just going to say that I used to play that sport (in the center and wing positions), Spain is twice world champion (yay) and german handball teams are THE worse kind of people in the planet. Including team Germany.

Which is actually going past as group leader when they shouldn't even be in this cup. Talk about favoritism.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Orkboy on 24 Jan 2015, 10:56
no need for all that armour

Look up Joe Theismann. And Dennis Byrd, while we're at it. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Jan 2015, 12:09
There's been career ending injuries in rugby as well. But then, so has football, cycling, judo, tennis, shinty, and just about any other sport. The issue isn't just that an injury might happen but having a proper understanding of the risk of that sort of injury occurring.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 24 Jan 2015, 12:17
The thing I don't like about team France in handball is that they really are scrubs under all their "titles" and "prowess" and shit. Because I've seen how the refs treat them. It's ridiculous.

(click to show/hide)


The rant under the spoiler comes because I've just seen some of the poorest refereeing of all time, in a game where France had the game literally given to them by way of just not calling what should be called when dudes in white jerseys did it. There were elbows to faces that were played off, fouls that weren't called but got a Swedish guy out, 4 penalty shots in 10 minutes (9 in the entire game), 10 minutes of absolute ref blockout to Sweden... Just horrible. The only thing they called in favor of Sweden those 10 minutes was a chokeslam.

I'm dead serious. A french dude went for the chokeslam on a Swedish dude.

And it's been like that since World Cup 2009. They even went 3 years without losing a single match after that, and I can say that my town team could do that as well with the ref work they were given.

The worst part is that they're always praised as if they were amazing by everyone, because they do have a nice record and a bunch of titles, but every single game the commentators leave like "But they were given the game tho. What a piss poor ref work". It's constant. And I hate that.

Seriously, if 9/27 of your goals are penalty shots with no player penalty assigned to them you're not a world class team. You're a bunch of spoiled brats who are given games on the cheap.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Jan 2015, 14:05
Handball is one of those sports that the US does not excel in, because the skill set that is most useful in its play is almost identical to that of an actual American-made sport where people get paid a crapload of dollaz to earn the right to be whipped by San Antonio in the NBA finals.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 24 Jan 2015, 15:14
Handball players are bulkier and slower (and usually slightly shorter) than Basketball players. And in fact, I'd say that the handball skillset is more suited for playing american football.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 24 Jan 2015, 20:03
I feel the need to express that fantasy drafts are ruining all-star games.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: GarandMarine on 24 Jan 2015, 20:25
So what you're saying Osaka, is Europeans are wasting perfectly good rugby players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 25 Jan 2015, 05:42
No, we're wasting perfectly good Handball players. Gosh GM, it's like you don't even read what I'm writing :P

Actually, handball success relies on ball speed and explosiveness. I'd say they'd be, at most, slightly above average rugby players. With the exception of centers, they'd probably be good.

Then there was this Argentinian acquaintance I had who was pretty much average at both sports  :psyduck:

Side note: You really really really really don't want to play Rugby in Sweden, at least during winter.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jan 2015, 06:21
I have a cousin-in-law who is one of the coaches of the US National Futsal team. Imagine handball, except it's actually soccer (what non-Americans call "football").

For Americans, imagine playing soccer indoors on what's essentially a basketball court.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 25 Jan 2015, 13:12
I played winter soccer like that before, back before I realized I hated, and was not very good at, playing that sport. Had a lot of scrapes that year, but I always that little asshole who you slide all the time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jan 2015, 14:00
On to more important things.

108.5 mph.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 25 Jan 2015, 14:06
Wild guess: Speed skating? Or Alpine Skiing?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 25 Jan 2015, 14:13
Fastball? Wait, is it even baseball season?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 25 Jan 2015, 14:48
.... competitive eating?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 25 Jan 2015, 14:51
108.5 muffins per hour? That's a lot of muffins.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 25 Jan 2015, 14:56
I'm pretty sure that Faye would blast past that.
Hell, given some competitive training I would blast past that.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 25 Jan 2015, 15:09
I can only eat hotdogs really fast... how stereotypical of me
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Jan 2015, 17:43
This man...
(https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6RbVaJ_-Lqq83Fl4AwHaYrifP3o=/32x0:3189x2105/709x473/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45530050/462103114.0.jpg)
Shot a hockey puck at the goal at an incredible rate of speed.
(https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kfTd4kNemON7tQW60NUoOW-VSks=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3336730/Weber_Hardest_Shot.0.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 26 Jan 2015, 03:02
I have to get into ice hockey, I'm 100% sure I'd like that sport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Jan 2015, 03:50
One game, live, and you'd be hooked. Promise.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 26 Jan 2015, 11:23
They always muck it up on TV though. Best sport to watch live, but, for me, it suffers from the problem of the camera zooming in too far. So like most sports on TV I guess... Our TVs are huge now, why do we still need to zoom so far in?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 26 Jan 2015, 11:34
I watched hockey a lot when I was in college, though I don't as much these days. Partly because I don't have the time, and partly because they don't show Penguins games here.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 26 Jan 2015, 11:37
HD TV was built for hockey, with the wider screens and better detail.

But oh, to actually be at a game, in the arena, seeing the ice, the speed of the players, the puck, the hits...





...Pardon me, I'm having a moment.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 26 Jan 2015, 11:45
Cesium's a Penguin's fan, guess I have to hate you now. That's unfortunate.

And I just like seeing everything. For instance, I'm used to working with football film and you can't diagnose anything with how close they zoom in.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 26 Jan 2015, 20:08
Until I saw a live game of hockey, I had NO IDEA how often they changed lines, since the TV cameras slavishly follow the puck when it's dumped to allow for the switch.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Jan 2015, 01:08

Until I saw a live game of hockey, I had NO IDEA how often they changed lines, since the TV cameras slavishly follow the puck when it's dumped to allow for the switch.

Would you believe that at one time you couldn't change lines on the fly? Granted, it was about 90-100 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Jan 2015, 01:09

Until I saw a live game of hockey, I had NO IDEA how often they changed lines, since the TV cameras slavishly follow the puck when it's dumped to allow for the switch.

Would you believe that at one time you couldn't change lines on the fly? Granted, it was about 90-100 years ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 27 Jan 2015, 03:00

One game, live, and you'd be hooked. Promise.
This is a fact. It didn't even take a live game to get me into it, but when I finally went, it was like I'd started using heroin or something. It's that gripping.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 27 Jan 2015, 06:42
Ice hockey is good.  It would be great without the fighting.

After growing up on Canadian Football,  I am blown away by just how much time American Football takes between plays.  It's ridiculous, and offputting
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Jan 2015, 07:36
And yet Americans would say that Canadian Football is frustrating, because it's more about field position than it is about scoring.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 27 Jan 2015, 08:14
US football is the only sport I follow and am passionate about. Go Patriots!

And as soon as I say this to anyone, people always go out of their way to tell me that I am wrong. That soccer is much more interesting. Or that it's not physically demanding so it doesn't count. So annoying ...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 27 Jan 2015, 08:34
My biggest gripe is all the faking injuries and flopping in soccer. Granted, other sports do it to, but it doesn't affect the game nearly as much as it does soccer.

Also, American football helped me with a lot of self esteem issues, but that's something else entirely. And yeah, go pats.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Jan 2015, 09:21
If you were looking at my desk, you would probably be able to figure out who my favorite team and sport is. Though some of the Green Bay Packer paraphernalia might confuse you. 
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 28 Jan 2015, 15:31

Ice hockey is good.  It would be great without the fighting.

You bite your damn dirty tongue
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 28 Jan 2015, 15:40
Denmark 24 - Spain 25. WE'RE MOVING TO SEMIFINALS BABY.

Too bad I couldn't watch it. I wonder how different it was to the thorough ass-kicking dispatched on the Spanish World Cup finals a couple of years ago.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 31 Jan 2015, 22:55
Antti Niemi is God
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Feb 2015, 05:37
No. He's from the same country, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Blue Kitty on 01 Feb 2015, 08:11
(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10451679_10153531369123765_8858835201501791936_n.jpg?oh=a021f8ef4840c2df78d723f3ac306e25&oe=554BA56A)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 01 Feb 2015, 09:58
So France were given the semifinals against Spain. Oh how weird.

Seriously, they're not even good.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 01 Feb 2015, 19:21
Well, I'm happy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 01 Feb 2015, 19:23
"Nationwide - Your kid is dead."

Marshawn Lynch is going to get fined for that.

Tom Brady. All that and he's married to Gisele, too.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 01 Feb 2015, 19:28
I like how Seattle took the worst choke job ever and confined it to the last 30 seconds of game time.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8zOtYvCYAAkPpM.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 01 Feb 2015, 20:03
Pats won. I only came a little bit.

Also, yeah, that Nationwide commercial was fucked up. "Hey, I'm a dead kid, something something, somehow having nationwide would have saved me".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 02 Feb 2015, 00:43
Seahawks shoulda just let Lynch run it in. His running game was unstoppable all day and they were a damn yard away and they PASS the damn thing?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ankhtahr on 02 Feb 2015, 01:21
Pat speaks for the whole internet right now.

Anyway. This the real MVP:

(http://i.imgur.com/CYxw0z0.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 02 Feb 2015, 02:16
Do you think Gronk is done drinking yet?

Also, I really, really hate Kate Perry.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 02 Feb 2015, 07:22
(http://i.imgur.com/V6zkuXu.gif)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2015, 07:43
Anyway. This the real MVP:

(http://i.imgur.com/CYxw0z0.gif)

First time a Shark has ever made it to a championship game.  :angel: :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 02 Feb 2015, 13:27
Some people got really mad...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEiYoNZJvMg

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 02 Feb 2015, 14:33
this video was removed by the user.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 02 Feb 2015, 15:00
Ah dammit, it was of a Seahawks fan who ran into his TV after the INT was thrown. There was then a follow up video where he set it on fire.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Feb 2015, 18:29
Which would probably explain why it was removed from YT.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 02 Feb 2015, 19:05
Found it!


I thought the pass was a reasonable choice and we'd all be calling Pete Carroll a genius if it worked.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 02 Feb 2015, 19:18
That's the thing, he tried getting too smart. I bet if the Pats called a timeout like Pete Carroll must of thought they'd do he'd have changed the play call. He tried pulling a fast one and didn't have time to think it over.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: BeoPuppy on 03 Feb 2015, 02:47
What a fucking idiot.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Feb 2015, 07:18
I do not foresee the Seahawks getting back to the Super Bowl any time in the near future.

The NFC is a wide-open conference, and any one of the other 15 teams... okay, I do take that back, there is the NFC South - but there are a lot of teams that could knock them off and go to Super Bowl 50 (eyebrow raised at Papersatan) next year in San Fran.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 03 Feb 2015, 14:12
I'd go back with the Packers.

Anyway, Tom Brady is giving Malcolm Butler the truck he got for MVP seeing as Butler saved everything. That's nice, I mean, Tom Brady probably takes dumps worth more than a Colorado (seriously, think about it, someone would pay a lot of money for anything that came out of Tom Brady), but it's the gesture that counts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Feb 2015, 10:22
HE'S BAAAAAA-AAAAAAACCCKK! (http://predators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=751441&navid=DL|NSH|home)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 04 Feb 2015, 10:37
(http://i.imgur.com/veHd7oR.jpg?1)

Quote
This car just passed me for no reason
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Masterpiece on 04 Feb 2015, 12:42
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 04 Feb 2015, 17:21
(http://i.imgur.com/veHd7oR.jpg?1)
Quote
This car just pased me for no reason

Grrroooooooooaaannnnnnn.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 05 Feb 2015, 15:13
The Sharks did their thing again with that whole fucking "kill good teams, suck against average to shitty teams"
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Feb 2015, 01:18
Aaaaand they did it again with the Canes. Dammit. I love you, Sharks, but sometimes, fuck you
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Feb 2015, 05:46
God, I hope we don't end up facing you guys in the first round at all.....
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 10 Feb 2015, 10:24
God, I hope we don't end up facing you guys in the first round at all.....

It's okay, the Sharks will probably go up 3-0 and then lose 4 games in a row :D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Feb 2015, 12:28
When facing teams that are currently above .500, we slaughter them. When playing teams currently under, we get hosed. Predators have been smashing all season. Have fun getting eliminated by us [emoji41]
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Feb 2015, 12:37

When facing teams that are currently above .500, we slaughter them. When playing teams currently under, we get hosed. Predators have been smashing all season. Have fun getting eliminated by us [emoji41]

Nah, the ironic matchup would be us vs. Minnesota. It would take our absolute HATRED of Liarpold and $uter current rivalry to the next level.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Feb 2015, 09:49
And our slump continues. We are so bad right now we couldn't even win one for Nabby.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 12 Feb 2015, 16:25
That's alright. The Hawks can't close a game to save their dignity right now either. 8 game homestead, and they're 0-2...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Feb 2015, 18:34
And I have no problem with that, at all.

(And it doesn't matter if you're talking about the Atlanta franchise or the idiots on Madison.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 13 Feb 2015, 17:07
(Atlanta's in Winnipeg now)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Feb 2015, 17:19
(I wasn't sure if you were talking hoops or hockey.)

By the bye:

80

 :angel:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 16 Feb 2015, 07:32
I'm just glad we're not as bad off as CBJ. How in hell do you go from being that serious a contender in the Cup playoffs to being a team so deep in the basement that they've got more games played than they do points?

I'm just happy that it was Tampa Bay that blew us out. They deserve it after that classy ass move with giving Nabby back so he could retire in teal. :')
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 17 Feb 2015, 21:12
 :-o


Her son would be 32 now.  I wonder if that makes it less embarrassing.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 17 Feb 2015, 23:27
That's the thing about all the North American major leagues, with 30 teams each, that means the average time between championships is 30 years. Even with random distribution of championships, a drought of 60+ years wouldn't be unusual. Add in the fact that some franchises are richer and better organized, and you'll get LOTS of teams rivaling or surpassing the Cubs eventually.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 18 Feb 2015, 09:20

That's the thing about all the North American major leagues, with 30 teams each, that means the average time between championships is 30 years. Even with random distribution of championships, a drought of 60+ years wouldn't be unusual. Add in the fact that some franchises are richer and better organized, and you'll get LOTS of teams rivaling or surpassing the Cubs eventually.

(Psst... The NFL has 32 teams. Technically there are 122 teams between the " big four" team sports in NA.)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 18 Feb 2015, 18:35
That's the thing about all the North American major leagues, with 30 teams each, that means the average time between championships is 30 years. Even with random distribution of championships, a drought of 60+ years wouldn't be unusual. Add in the fact that some franchises are richer and better organized, and you'll get LOTS of teams rivaling or surpassing the Cubs eventually.

And what does that have to do with a 32-year-old's sudden realization that he was conceived in the parking lot at Nassau Colosseum?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 19 Feb 2015, 00:32
That's the thing about all the North American major leagues, with 30 teams each, that means the average time between championships is 30 years. Even with random distribution of championships, a drought of 60+ years wouldn't be unusual. Add in the fact that some franchises are richer and better organized, and you'll get LOTS of teams rivaling or surpassing the Cubs eventually.

And what does that have to do with a 32-year-old's sudden realization that he was conceived in the parking lot at Nassau Colosseum?

I didn't watch the video, but the framing of the story made it sound like he was conceived the last time they won a championship? It's a common enough trope in sports reporting that I had a reasonably decent chance in being right without watching or looking the team's history up.

And re: 32 NFL teams, I was talking in round numbers, so your correction is irrelephant.  :clairedoge:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 19 Feb 2015, 03:22
So apparently, the fact that the World Cup is being played in Qatar is bullshit. I haven't been following (mostly because I don't follow football much), but it seems there's been a bunch or corruption and other types of accusations thrown at Qatar, apparently for good reason. Any of that true? I'm not well versed on things, but I've seen a bit of "Boycott Qatar" stuff going around.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 19 Feb 2015, 03:55
Not to mention the horrific treatment of LGBT folks there, and FIFA's dismissal of criticism.  Or, for that matter, the near slave-like conditions for many of the workers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 19 Feb 2015, 04:00
Any of that true?

Well, that's the sticky wicket really. The bid keeps getting called into question by people in positions well placed to make those allegations but the fucking weasel honourable and upstanding Sepp Blatter and his cronies legitimate business associates have produced some "reports" that say all is above board and Bristol.

As for calls to boycott Qatar? We run into exactly the same issues that we ran into with Sochi. The players themselves have absolutely no input into the bidding and decision process but we're asking them to forfeit their right to a traditional competition that has been running for decades for reasons of the sort of politics we usually expect them to keep their nose out of at any other time.

To my mind though, it doesn't really matter. It's just a game, does it really matter what the bidding process is?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 23 Feb 2015, 21:12
Man. Saturday's showing against the Kings was a fucking embarrassment. It may have been a close score, but the Sharks played like total shit. I'm pissed they put Scott in the lineup for the night, he was useless. He shoulda fought and taken the 5min penalty so that not only could we get a spark from it, but also so that real hockey players could be on the ice.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 23 Feb 2015, 21:21
I'm a Bruins fan, so I guess you can say I'm a bit upset too... after they finally snapped a 6-game losing streak (that included a loss to Edmonton...) They are now down one of their better defensemen in Miller and their top-line center in Krejci. It's tough for me to watch them this year basically.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 23 Feb 2015, 21:47
I...was on the flipside of that Boston coin yesterday. That was not a pleasant game at all.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 23 Feb 2015, 21:51
At least you're still firmly in the playoffs (atm). Unless the B's get someone by the deadline I'm not so confident. They're getting way too thin in a lot of places.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 24 Feb 2015, 02:30
Yesterday Steve Abraham passed the 10,000 mile make in his quest to beat the record for distance cycled in a year. Since January First he has spent more than 700 hours on the road. Only another 65,066 miles left to go.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 24 Feb 2015, 06:06
If this is how it feels to be on the top of the NHL, I may need Dramamine.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 24 Feb 2015, 23:49
Well, we eked out a win, at the cost of one of our star players. Patrick Kane out for 6-10 weeks with a broken collarbone...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Feb 2015, 05:38
Sorry, I'm having a bout of schadenfreude.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 01 Mar 2015, 01:20
Ups and downs.

Sarah Storey missed out on the women's Hour Record. A phenomenal effort and she has set a new British record and a new Cat C5 record. She definitely ranks as one of my favourite sports people.

Ian Stannard destroyed a three man Quick-Step group in the Omloop Het Neiuwsblad to take the win. More spectacular given that he's come back from breaking his back last year. You can see in the way Boonen rides in the last 2k that he's just gutted he can't get back up to Stannard and Terpstra. Some people just want to win more than others.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 01 Mar 2015, 05:57
I saw a re-run of the final 5km of yesterday's race. Stannard showed no chill whatsoever. Like, I looked up, 4km left, I refresh forum, look up again, 1.8km left. WTF PEOPLE.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 01 Mar 2015, 07:06
It's strange because from the ground you watch him grinding it out in a big gear and it almost looks like a slow slug out between him and Terpstra who's holding his wheel and doing the same. It's only when you see the overheads and you realise just how fast and hard they're going.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 01 Mar 2015, 08:03
That's the beauty of cycling. Although it's even more extreme when it's an attack on some important climb. My father usually says that they're just not well informed enough, and they're not aware that there's a freaking 15% slope in front of them xD
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Mar 2015, 18:50
Welp. Last night solidifies it. The Sharks deserve to have their playoff streak broken, because what else will light the fire under their asses to succeed in the future? Completely gutless effort all season.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 01 Mar 2015, 18:51
It's almost like they forgot they're the team that shut out the defending Cup champions HARD on opening day in their own house after a masturbatory banner ceremony.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 01 Mar 2015, 19:38
It's almost like they forgot they're the team that shut out the defending Cup champions HARD on opening day in their own house after a masturbatory banner ceremony.

I sure hope "masturbatory" is figurative and "banner" is literal.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 02 Mar 2015, 18:30
Meanwhile, my boys in Gold are trying to recreate March of 2002.

Though LOLeafs - all the talk about trading Kessel and no takers.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 03 Mar 2015, 02:59
I refuse to give Doug Wilson's do-nothing trade strategy credit for us creaming the Habs, but I will say that a 4 goal shutout feels goddamn great. Especially against a division leader.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 07 Mar 2015, 03:44
Got to see the Senators live last night.  Erik Karlsson is totally must see live.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Mar 2015, 03:59

Got to see the Senators live last night.  Erik Karlsson is totally must see live.

Nothing compared to seeing Shea Freakin' Weber every night.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 07 Mar 2015, 09:31
So the one day Valverde finally does something he's beaten to the finish line thoroughly by a dude named Zdanek Stybar.

Apart from that, the Strade Bianche Eroica was a very interesting race.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 07 Mar 2015, 23:44
Stybar has form for being an upsetter though. I think he gets dismissed a bit because he comes from cyclocross instead of track and road but it seems to have set him up well for the cobbled clsssics. I think a lot of good things will come from him. Check out some of his CX world cup riding.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 08 Mar 2015, 05:07
He certainly was the smartest one of the leading group. It's important to keep your energy if there's a 1km 18% cobbled slope to the finish, and that's something Vandermaet and Valverde didn't do as well.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 08 Mar 2015, 06:26
Have you seen Bradley Wiggins support car for Paris - Nice?

(http://www.teamsky.com/teamsky/images/2015/03/06/-1/27325/default/1140/380/1425650412544.jpg)

Brassy sods
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Mar 2015, 10:22
Last night's Canucks at Sharks game has got me so royally infuriated, even 12 hours after the fact. I wanted to murder every zebra in the house last night. Literally the worst officiating I've ever seen in sports.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Mar 2015, 10:56
If it's of any consolation, officiating in the NHL is at an all-time low, league-wide.

And you think YOU have it bad - think about how I'm dealing with things right now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 08 Mar 2015, 11:21
Last night's Canucks at Sharks game has got me so royally infuriated, even 12 hours after the fact. I wanted to murder every zebra in the house last night. Literally the worst officiating I've ever seen in sports.

Absolutely NEVER watch handball, specially a France match.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 08 Mar 2015, 11:53
Oh, European-based officials are given to be unreliable and horrible. I mean, just watch footy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 09 Mar 2015, 00:54
I don't need to, I watched Vancouver and San Jose
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 09 Mar 2015, 07:58
Karlsson is probably more exciting than Weber, if only because he's not as good defensively.

CONCACAF soccer referees are the worst on the planet, across all sports.  NHL refs have never been great
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 09 Mar 2015, 15:11
There will be a KHL referee doing his first NHL game in the Edmonton/Detroit matchup tonight. Can't be any worse than the current crop, that's for sure.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 09 Mar 2015, 19:00
If it's of any consolation, officiating in the NHL is at an all-time low, league-wide.

It's been awhile since I've seen someone call a penalty for diving concurrent with a penalty for roughing, so that has to be some sort of improvement.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Mar 2015, 00:16
It's been awhile since I saw a guy without a full-face mask cover the puck with his glove and not get called for a penalty
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 10 Mar 2015, 00:18
To be specific, that has literally never happened as long as I've been watching NHL hockey. Granted, 2012 isn't that long ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 10 Mar 2015, 03:54
Used to happen all the time.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 10 Mar 2015, 10:44
Happened in Chicago a couple weeks ago.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 11 Mar 2015, 15:44
I'm just pissed because we finally seemed to be playing well and we get reamed for it
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Mar 2015, 15:07
Well, don't worry, you guys will probably get an easy two tonight from the team that just suddenly realized they're in the playoff chase.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Mar 2015, 19:49
I'm hoping so.

Get fucked, kitty cats &lt;3
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 12 Mar 2015, 19:57
One bullet dodged.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 12 Mar 2015, 20:23
The Bruins have apparently decided to play like a playoff team, so that's neat.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Mar 2015, 23:55

One bullet dodged.

You were saying? :D

Nah dude, good game. Classy effort from you guys. I hope we gave the same for you. The refs were against us, whatever that's worth!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Mar 2015, 06:57
That last-minute penalty cost us. And I knew immediately you guys were gonna score the empty netter. It's as predictable as death, taxes, and inflated prices for useless junk at the Apple store.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 15 Mar 2015, 19:30
Sebastian Vettel seems to think Mercedes' dominance is going to make F1 boring.  This all sounds so familiar...

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/formula-1-mercedes-making-f1-boring-rivals-fear-101157334--f1.html
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 16 Mar 2015, 08:23
That's the "bwaaaaaah I'm not winning anymore bwaaah" complaint.

Which is funny because neither he's as good a driver as Hamilton nor his car was completely legal (unlike the mercs).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Mar 2015, 09:45
To be fair, in the British Pedalcar Champs I've complained that we're going to get boring if there aren't a few more teams contending for the top places and my team is the one that has been winning it recently. Generally it isn't good for a sport, either specatators or competitors if there isn't a degree of jeopardy involved. It drives innovation in tactics, design and training and keeps the sport fresh.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 16 Mar 2015, 09:57
Oh and check out this finish to the stage 5 of the Tirreno-Adriatico.

(https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/03/WATSON_00004128-024.jpg)

(http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2015/03/15/2/pic524812642_670.jpg)

Early season stage races always a little unpredictable.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 16 Mar 2015, 17:44
Greg Classen recovering from mugging, stabbing after end-of-season party (http://www.themackreport.com/news/greg-classen-removed-from-icu-prognosis-for-recovery-good/).

Greg was one of the main players on the Milwaukee Admirals 2004 Calder Cup team. He was a friend, and his parents are just fantastic and down to earth. Sad to hear that something like this happened, though.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 22 Mar 2015, 01:34
Its the start of the Spring Classics today with the epic Milan-San Remo.

can't decide on a favourite for the win. Split by wanting either a Cavendish sprint finish, Swift confirming his puncheur credentials or Stybarmaking a cheeky move. I suspect the latter will be well marked though. No escapees today I reckon.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 27 Mar 2015, 10:28
Woooo Geraint Thomas wins the E3 Harelbeke in a solo move. Great to see him moving off the domestique rosta.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 27 Mar 2015, 18:48
100 points, four points from clinching a playoff berth, and still sitting pretty atop the Division.

I think this is the latest Nashville has been #1 in their division since 1998.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 27 Mar 2015, 22:19
The moment I decided to think the Bruins were playing good hockey was the second they decided to say, "NOPE". 6 strait losses, technically tied with Ottawa for the 8th seed, but have played one more game than them....

Krejci's back, but Hamilton is out, the guys they traded for at the deadline are out... Unless Rask just plays out of his mind for the last few games I just don't see it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: The Seldom Killer on 30 Mar 2015, 02:23
I was looking forward tomorrow to give a first quarter update on the progress of Steve Abraham's attempt to break the year cycling record. If things had been going according to plan he would have covered over 17000 miles. Alas it looks as if Steve's efforts have been cut short. Yesterday he was involved in a collision with a moped and ended up with two broken bones in his ankle. The latest is that he now needs to have surgery to implant a plate and screws.

There's no professional aspect to this kind of sporting effort so Steve doesn't have the back up of a contract, sick pay, employment insurance etc. Unless by some miracle he can get back on his bike and carry on riding, it looks like he's unemployed. Fortunately for him, it looks like the cycling community is rallying around and committing to supporting him at least until he's recovered and looking for work again.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 30 Mar 2015, 06:12
On motorsport news, Valentino Rossi won his 109th race last night, and the first opener since 2010. Looks like this'll be his 20th year as championship contender.

(Writing with indifference makes me sound as if I'm sick of him. I'm not, he's incredibly good).

For the other 2 categories of the motorbike racing world championship, errybody and dey momma crashed in Moto2 leaving Jonas Folger to win, with Xavier Simeon second and Thomas Luthi third while Johann Zarco's gearbox apparently broke mid-straight. On Moto3 Alexis Masbou won the race in a very contested group that included veteran Efrén Vázquez (4th), Spanish champion and possibly rookie of the year Fabio Quartararo (7th) and English rider Danny Kent (3rd) amongst others.

(Efrén may or may not actually be a distant relative of mine, so that's why I mention him prominently)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 30 Mar 2015, 18:20
I've been sick of him for years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 12 Apr 2015, 13:49
Kings, Bruins, and Sharks are all out of the playoffs, and 5 Canadian teams are in. What madness is this?!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 12 Apr 2015, 13:59
Degenkolb won Paris - Roubaix. Kudos to him. Specially because that was an impressive sprint from him.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: ev4n on 12 Apr 2015, 14:58
Nobody cheers for Cavendish.  He is a tosser.

Ottawa Senators run to the playoffs was one for the ages. They were legitimately a bottom five team at Christmas.   23-4-4 to end the season is remarkable.  Plus, their best goalie, leading goalscorer are rookies, and another Senator (Stone) might win the Calder as top rookie.

All of which makes you look even harder at the Oilers I guess.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 13 Apr 2015, 06:26
Either the Preds are going to get swept in four by the Hawks, or this is going to be a mirror of the epic Calder Cup run of their farm club from 11 years prior - 7-6-5-4.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Nikolai on 13 Apr 2015, 10:45
I'm calling Chicago in 7. 5, if Kane can get his shit together fast enough.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 27 Apr 2015, 19:28

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 06 Jun 2015, 15:57
Well, it's half with no score of the Women's World Cup, in the China/Canada match.  Neither is a team I particularly follow, but I do tend to /slightly/ side with Canada, since they're the host country.[1]  Either way, they've both been playing strongly.  Canada has had the most possession, but China has had the closest shot on goal, and I was surprised when it didn't hit the net.


[1] If I'm not invested in the outcome, I like the host to get something.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 06 Oct 2015, 22:20
Cubs are playing in the Wild Card game tomorrow night.  Just wish I could go back to the beginning of the season. Put some money on the Cubbies.

I've been waiting a long time to say that.  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 07 Oct 2015, 01:34
I hope Pittsburgh annihilates them.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 11 Dec 2015, 17:40
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 19 Dec 2015, 09:27
NL are steamrolling through teams on the female handball world cup right now, it's incredible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 20 Dec 2015, 11:44
I don't know if I have enough alcohol in my apartment to make the Browns-Seahawks game watchable.

On the plus side, my school won its first ever bowl game. I ended up not watching it in favor of the Democratic debate (I just haven't been as interested since the FBS move), but I regret that decision because apparently we were way down until a 4th-quarter rally and it all came down to a last second field goal.

I think my point about 'excitement level' is proven though. The way we played this year, we could have been FCS champions easily. But instead of a long, exciting tournament-style post-season, we, the runner ups in a middling conference, got to play the runner-ups from another middling conference in a bowl that has only existed for two years in a stadium smaller than our own. And while for everyone else that might be higher profile, I have a hard time caring about that. I already have an FBS team that I've loved for my entire life, and they're playing in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Dec 2015, 17:44
This time, Mount Union beat us. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the Stagg Bowl. :(
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 05 Jan 2016, 03:33
The Browns are dumping Mike Pettine and the GM, Ray Farmer. This was only the second season for both. Who will be next in line for the least secure jobs in professional sports, I wonder. The Browns haven't kept a coach for more than two seasons since Romeo Crennel was fired in 2008.

Johnny Football Fuck-up also appears to be on his way out, amid rumors he violated team rules by partying in Las Vegas in disguise (http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/2016/01/04/espn-billy-manziel-seen-wearing-disguise-las-vegas-club/78288104/) during the last game rather than showing up to his league-mandated concussion check-up. So, cross another one off the list:

(http://www.footballandrationalthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/brownsjersey.jpg)

Apparently he wants to play for the Cowboys. He can go right ahead, the last thing we need is a quarterback who can't play AND consistently generates negative press. But they'd be idiots to take him. He spends more time on the bench than on the field, and it won't be long before he ends up in prison and/or, based on his apparent attitude toward concussions, out of the game for good.

What a fucking year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 05 Jan 2016, 12:01
The QBs in the draft don't appear all that good either.

And I wouldn't be too surprised if the Cowboys did take him, I mean, they already have Greg Hardy.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 06 Jan 2016, 19:31
The 2016 HoF inductees for Major League Baseball are Ken Griffey, Jr and Mike Piazza.

Griffey managed 99.3% of the vote and only 3 people did not vote him in (which is ridiculous that it isn't 100%, but still the highest percentage ever achieved).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Jan 2016, 19:58
Things are gonna get even more crowded on the ballot next year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 10 Jan 2016, 18:09
Laces out, Finkle!
(http://thumbs.cdn-ec.viddler.com/thumbnail_2_a4606848_v3.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 21 Jan 2016, 18:31
Right when I thought NASCAR couldn't sink any lower...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CZHhO5XUAAAWzhT.jpg)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 21 Jan 2016, 21:28
I... don't want to know, do I?

EDIT: Nope, I didn't.

You have GOT to be kidding me. STOPPING RACING because there haven't been any incidents in 20 minutes of clock time?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SubaruStephen on 25 Jan 2016, 22:41
Sounds like it's time to rename it:

National (that's true)
Association of (it is one)
Stock (not a single stock inch of sheet metal  on any of these things since the 80's)
Car (technically they are, despite not being street legal)
Auto (redundant)
Racing (that's debatable now)

It is now "N.A.C."
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 26 Jan 2016, 08:42
So today I found out that an NFL player who is going to play in the superbowl went to a rival high school of mine. We were from the same graduating class, so we definitely played against each other (there are also two other players from that graduating class playing in the NFL).

This is the high school where a player broke part of my spine. I don't know to feel about that, but I do think it's neat that I got to play against some great players in my American Football career.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 05 Feb 2016, 20:17
Super Bowl prediction:  Carolina will beat Denver so badly that people, whom paid good money for tickets, will spend the fourth quarter wishing they brought something to read.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 05 Feb 2016, 21:15
They can still get really drunk off $10 beer
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 06 Feb 2016, 07:45
$10 beer? What, they're going to start discounting it in the fourth quarter?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 06 Feb 2016, 19:23
If memory serves, last call is usually the end of the third quarter.  :angel:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Feb 2016, 20:06
I'm not gonna lie.  I am displeased with this outcome.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Feb 2016, 20:07
Me too, but I didn't have that much of a vested interest in the game since the Patriots lost.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 07 Feb 2016, 20:32
Super Bowl prediction:  Carolina will beat Denver so badly that people, whom paid good money for tickets, will spend the fourth quarter wishing they brought something to read.
I'm very happy that this wasn't the result of Super Bowl L*. Go Broncos!

Also this was probably the longest active thread I'd never so much as read before now.

*Yes, L. The NFL can be wrong but I'm not going to be.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 07 Feb 2016, 20:36
They just didn't want to downsize the Super Bowl, after Super Bowl XL.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 07 Feb 2016, 20:37
The super bowl's been working out and slimmed down.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 07 Feb 2016, 20:38
If they slim down for long enough, they'll get all the way to Super Bowl M.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 07 Feb 2016, 20:40
Not until 2966, though.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Feb 2016, 20:51
Super Bowl: Fuck it, let's just stop using roman numerals
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 07 Feb 2016, 20:55
No, Roman numerals are fun.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 07 Feb 2016, 21:19
*Yes, L. The NFL can be wrong but I'm not going to be.

They just had too many head injuries.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: explicit on 07 Feb 2016, 21:27
Can we use Roman numerals to make one of the future super bowls sound dirty?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 07 Feb 2016, 21:46
We can in nine years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 07 Feb 2016, 21:53
I seem to recall complaints back when Super Bowl XXX happened that it was being censored as porn.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 08 Feb 2016, 05:25
Even after 6 years of living in North Carolina I have pretty much no emotional investment in the Panthers, and as a Browns fan there's no love lost between me and the Broncos either. I had other stuff to do so I didn't end up watching, but I'll be sure to look for the commercial highlights reel.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 08 Feb 2016, 11:37
I use my relatives out in Colorado for why I've always been a Broncos fan despite living in New Jersey but part of it's just not wanting to root for a New Jersey team that nobody acknowledges as such just because of their name. Yeah, I get they both used to be in the city and it's still the NYC area, but still, fuck that. Also fuck things taking place in "NJ/NY" when they just  take place in New Jersey (2013 Wrestlemania and 2013-14 Superb Owl, I'm looking at you).
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 08 Feb 2016, 17:36
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Tova on 08 Feb 2016, 21:59
Super Bowl: Fuck it, let's just stop using roman numerals

That would be like telling metal bands to stop using umlauts.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 08 Mar 2016, 18:27
Maria Sharapova failed a January 26 test for a drug that was banned on January 1.  She has lost three sponsors.  Overreact much?

http://news.yahoo.com/sponsors-suspend-ties-sharapova-failed-094831938.html;_ylt=AwrC1C22id9WgVkAPTzQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBybGY3bmpvBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 08 Mar 2016, 18:28
From a drug she'd been legitimately prescribed for years.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 30 May 2016, 15:27
Oh, Kugai: I need this explained to me. (http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/ice-hockey/385116/ice-hockey-ridiculous-decision-slammed)

I was not aware that NZ even had any sort of Ice Hockey league/organization...
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: mustang6172 on 30 May 2016, 18:43
Professor Wikipedia is here to help.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Ice_Hockey_Federation
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: 94ssd on 19 Jun 2016, 17:25
Game 7 of the NBA finals, Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers.

Is tonight the night the infamous curse upon my home town shall be broken? We shall see. All hail The King.

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SubaruStephen on 21 Jun 2016, 02:41
"You do anything fun last weekend?"

Nico Rosberg: "Went for a nice little Sunday drive."

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a29629/nico-rosberg-wins-in-azerbaijan/
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Skewbrow on 03 Nov 2016, 01:03
<snip>
And, of course, I won't truly believe in the draft as the great equalizer unless the Cubs win the world series one of these centuries.

FYP. :D

So possibly there is some hope for the draft system :-)

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: SubaruStephen on 03 Nov 2016, 20:58
(https://media.giphy.com/media/zAnKRnq2SkfhC/giphy.gif)

Just one year off. Suck it Nostradamus  :laugh:
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 03 Nov 2016, 21:11
Whoever made that gif left out the part about the Cubs beating Miami.  :-D
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 03 Nov 2016, 21:16
It was also as far from a sweep as possible.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ignominious on 06 May 2017, 03:32
Eliud Kipchoge - 26.2 miles - 2:00:25

There's some controversy surrounding this attempt but in the world of human endeavour, that's no easy task regardless of how it came about. I feel certain we will see the two hour barrier fall within the next decade.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Kugai on 28 May 2017, 23:59
Oh, Kugai: I need this explained to me. (http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/ice-hockey/385116/ice-hockey-ridiculous-decision-slammed)

I was not aware that NZ even had any sort of Ice Hockey league/organization...

To be perfectly honest, neither was I

And it's a Government Bureaucracy, even we here are not immune to asshat decisions



And on another note,Scott Dixon goes for a wee ride this morning

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ignominious on 02 Jul 2017, 09:56
A bit of a surprise win for Thomas yesterday in stage 1 and the shock departure of Valverde yesterday.

Two GC contenders crash and Kittel takes his tenth stage win.

Looks like the Tour de France may not be following its usual boring first week form. Anyone daring to make any jersey predictions yet?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 17 Jul 2017, 04:16
Well a couple of weeks later I must say that if Warren Barguil keeps climbing mountains and getting in large leading groups he might as well win it for France. He lost a shitton of time in the first week but he's less than 10 minutes away now.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JoeCovenant on 17 Jul 2017, 05:14

Dear Glob!
It's almost as if NONE of you realise that Dundee F.C. travel to Kirkcaldy on Tuesday night for a the first competitive game of the 2017/18 season, when we take on Raith Rovers in the Betfred Cup !!!!!!!!!!

I mean, what ARE you?? Philistines??
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 17 Jul 2017, 21:03
Would there be any feasible way to stagger the starting time on the last day, so the person in first starts first, followed by the person in second however amount of time they're behind later, and so forth, so the winner will always actually finish first?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ignominious on 17 Jul 2017, 23:51
Well a couple of weeks later I must say that if Warren Barguil keeps climbing mountains and getting in large leading groups he might as well win it for France. He lost a shitton of time in the first week but he's less than 10 minutes away now.

He would need at least 10 minutes to get the minute needed to hold off Froome in the TT. Not going to happen. If he gets on  par with Contador none of the top 5 will let him get up the road. GC riders only take the polka dot jersey by happenstance, not by target. He's being allowed to go away in the breakaway groups, for now.

The real hope for France is pinned on Romain Bardet. He still needs to chuck 1m23s into Froome if he wants to stand a chance of wearing the yellow jersey in Paris and with two downhill finishes in three days, he may well do that. I reckon he'll at least overhaul Aru who is vulnerable due to lack of team around him.

Things to watch out for today:

Bardet and all of AG2R at the 2nd climb attempting to force a gap while the sprinters teams wet the bed.
Michael Matthews desperately trying to get ahead of Kittel in the intermediate sprint.
Steve Cummings in general.

Actually a AG2R, Sunweb, Dimension Data alliance today could be very damaging to the shape of the race if there's any crosswinds in the second half.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ignominious on 19 Jul 2017, 15:08
After today, Barguil is tied on for the polka dot but clearly not making a move on GC. Aru has practically put himself out of the running while Rigoberto Uran is a new and interesting threat having been through the Sky TT school. Still having hopes for Bardet. SL2 could get a bumper crop yet this year.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JoeCovenant on 20 Jul 2017, 02:17
Dear Glob!
It's almost as if NONE of you care that Dundee F.C. travelled to Kirkcaldy on Tuesday night for a the first competitive game of the 2017/18 season, and beat Raith Rovers 2-1 in the Betfred Cup !!!!!!!!!!

I mean, what ARE you?? Philistines??
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Ignominious on 20 Jul 2017, 05:15
It's summer lad, cycling and cricket's order of day. You can keep football until after the summer hols.

And on that subject, Katie Archbald and Tom Pidcock both delivered stellar performances last night to win the National Circuit Racing Championships in Sheffield. And this morning, Annemiek Van Vlouten stormed it up the Col d' Izoard to take a commanding win on the first stage of La Course.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 20 Jul 2017, 06:15
We signed Pontus Aberg to a longer-term contract yesterday.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 23 Jul 2017, 17:59
Re: Brickyard 400

And that, ladies and gentlebeings of the jury, is the reason why I no longer watch NASCAR on a regular basis.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JoeCovenant on 25 Jul 2017, 08:33
Dear Glob!
It's almost as if NONE of you realise that Dundee F.C. travel to Cowdenbeath tomor...


...Accchhhh, FORGET it!

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: osaka on 11 Aug 2017, 18:25
So how about the London athletics world championships

Plenty of upsets huh.

It is fun to see but my goodness it's a continuous stream of surprises.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 11 Aug 2017, 18:38
And, as usual, my Brew Crew has had reality set in once the clock struck August.

From being up half a game on July 25th to down two today. *SIGH*
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: pwhodges on 11 Aug 2017, 23:20
Britain's brave athletes are showing their grit by getting fourth place in almost every event.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: audrina on 18 Aug 2017, 04:36
So how about the London athletics world championships

Plenty of upsets huh.

It is fun to see but my goodness it's a continuous stream of surprises.

Agree! But that is a sport. I think athletics is one of the best sport. It is easy to understand who wins in comparison to some subjective sport like the figure skating
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Aug 2017, 21:03
athletics is one of the best sport
Wait...what? I thought "athletics" was just another word for "sports".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 18 Aug 2017, 21:05
If ESPN is to be believed, fantasy football is a "sport".
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Aug 2017, 21:06
How is it any more of a sport than D&D?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 18 Aug 2017, 21:07
There's more money in it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Aug 2017, 21:08
There's more money in the lottery if you win it.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: cesium133 on 18 Aug 2017, 21:14
I never said the money was for the players.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 18 Aug 2017, 21:18
Neither did I.

Edit: Wait, I did. Either way, the players aren't the biggest winners.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 19 Aug 2017, 05:56
"Athletics" is known as "Track and Field" to those of us on the other side of the pond.

Track is, indeed, an interesting sport.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Method of Madness on 19 Aug 2017, 06:59
Interesting. Separated by a common language, indeed.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 25 Nov 2017, 15:39
Ladies and Gentlemen, the University of Wisconsin at Madison has a football team that is UNDEFEATED in regular season play.

For context: there are currently two other teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision that are undefeated. One is the University of Central Florida. The other, the University of Alabama, is currently losing to their biggest rivals, Auburn University.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Jimor on 25 Nov 2017, 21:33
And Alabama lost. To be honest, I'm for any kind of upset or result that leads to exposing the current "playoff" system and cause it to collapse in its own ineptitude and favoritism. Go to a 16-team knockout playoff - each conference winner + 6 wildcards, and we'd have the same excitement of the basketball tournament, and we wouldn't be leaving out a lot of schools who have arguably earned the right to at least try for the national championship.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: hedgie on 02 Jul 2018, 10:01
With the pain that Mexico fans are feeling right now, one might as well say that they just got a full Brazilian.  :claireface:

Joking aside, with Germany already out, I was pulling for Mexico to take the cup.
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: JoeCovenant on 03 Jul 2018, 01:16

Last night's game with Belgium and Japan was something else.

Whereas I wanted Belgium to win (for reasons) I think it was pretty cruel that they got their goal when they did (with 10 seconds to go). Just think ti would have been slightly less cruel getting it in extra time when Japan could have at least had time to try and fight back...

Great game though!
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: jwhouk on 03 Jul 2018, 12:13
I asked it elsewhere: why was Colombia so upset about the placement of that wall on the penalty kick in the first half? And WHY didn't the ref Red Card that Colombian player after the head butt?
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 03 Jul 2018, 17:24
(https://i.imgur.com/JdCci5b.png)
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 07 Jul 2019, 15:04
USA won the Women's World Cup!

(https://i.imgur.com/dOG2Ab7.jpg)

Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: Patrick on 08 Aug 2019, 23:03
hockey, can you please hurry back? i miss you :C
Title: Re: WE LIKE SPORTS
Post by: LeeC on 02 Feb 2020, 21:01
Honestly, this super bowl has been pretty good. Game was entertaining, commercials were enjoyable, and the half time show was alright.